The Parenting Files: Grateful for the Little Things

Today I'm grateful that daughter has a loving set of Grandparents who have a small farm AND a pony for their grandchildren. Even when she's an old woman I'm sure she'll remember the smell of the hay, feeding the chickens, riding that pony, and picking vegetables out of their well tended garden. Happy childhood memories don't have to start or end in the toy aisle.

What I love about my frugal lifestyle-

1. My stockpile. Almost never needing to run to the store and pay full price for something we need is great. (especially when we're busy or sick) Today I needed dishwasher tablets, pancake syrup, and bread. A quick trip to the basement and I had all three. Now I'll just have to wait until the next coupon/sale to replenish.

2. Making my own essentials. A few years ago I would have never dreamed I would/could make my own baby wipes, dishwasher detergent, pancake syrup, laundry detergent, or bread. Now I know if I keep my pantry stocked I can whip up most of whatever we need in a pinch.

3. My veggie garden. The tomatoes are puny and sad but I have to say that this year is much better than last year. I don't weed, hoe or water like I should but whenever I do I get intense joy in seeing how a tiny seed can give us beautiful vegetables. I am mixing up my garden next year and getting some manure from family for fertilizer. But, I am slowly but surely learning how to tend a tiny garden. My cherry tomato plant is flourishing in it's pot. I may do all tomato pots next year instead of planting them in a bed.

4. The library. In the past few days our entertainment has been library dvds and books. When we took a recent road trip the kids enjoyed watching a library movie while we listened to a book on tape. The best part is that during the summer we get special prizes for reading. Well, if I'm going to read anyway why not enjoy the rewards.

5. Appreciating what I do have. I don't let myself spend a lot of money on home furnishings. But, I splurged on floor length drapes and pretty new hardware for a big bay window that previously had hideous mauve shades. Now instead of cringing I look at them and smile and I don't regret a penny that I spent on them. They look so good with the toile pillow that I picked up at the furniture thrift store for $2.

Two men down

This is the first time since having kids that Hubby and I are sick at the same time. Normally there is someone to take care of kids. Fever, aches, chillls, and a sick stomach- I feel so bad for the kids now that I know how bad they both felt.

You should see my house after a day of kids being free to mess and play. Scratch that. You shouldn't see my house.

And the dog ate the blueberry muffins I left on the table.

Baking day

I had black bananas, excess blueberries, a full potato bin, and nowhere to go with a sick girl.

Banana walnut bread is baking in the oven next to malt-0-meal blueberry muffins. I'm making white french bread in my bread machine to go along with our potato soup for dinner. I'll throw in a container of freezer soup goodies and some rehydrated tvp for protein.

I'm loving using up foods before they go to waste. The bonus is that I'm making space in my pantry and refrigerator for that big shopping trip to Costco next week.

Frugal Sick Day Special Requests

Big Girl wanted lemonade. After searching my pantry for a powdered mix to make her a cupful, I can up empty handed. Instead I took lemon juice concentrate and a quick sprinkle of sugar and poured it into a cup. I added water and ice and gave it a quick stir. It made a pretty decent drink and she's happy too.

Little Guy wanted chocolate milk. Hmm, we're out of Nesquick. Homemade chocolate syrup to the rescue. No complaints.

Now I just have to figure out how to make gingerale.

Like Hugging Fire

I apologize for being incommunicado lately. We seem to have caught a nasty virus around here and are taking turns being needy and whiny. Not much cleaning, shopping, or anything other than microwaving food and snuggling hot and sticky children. I think I'm next and I'm struggling to get that last load of laundry done and a loaf of bread made before there's another man down.

What's on the Agenda

This article by Donna Freedman is timely for me right now as we just got a Costco coupon booklet filled with things we use and are running low on.
The problem is that I have lost all control over what's in my pantry, fridge, and freezer. I'll be working on cooking from my kitchen until right before those coupons expire.

Last night we had bowls of leftover sliced hot dogs and broccoli in shells and cheese.

Tonight we're having a prepared dinner from the freezer. Throw in the three stray mushrooms before they go bad? And I baked some frozen egg rolls I found.

I need to freeze or cook up some strawberry, blueberry, and banana bread. Smoothies for dessert?

There's an old tofurky lurking my basement freezer that would go nicely with the yukons in my veggie bin.