Monthly Archives: August 2023

Thankful Thursday

Posted in budgeting, budgets, California, Gratitude by

I’m grateful our weather is much cooler and that fall is in the air. We’re only using the window coolers for a few hours mostly for some air circulation. I am still closing windows in the morning and then opening in the evening. But now we’re partially closing some windows as the night air is very cool. It looks like this weekend our temperatures are going to drastically drop into the 70s.

I’m really excited that the indoor pool is opening next week. I’m thankful the other pool has been available and is quite nice but it is an extra 10-13 minutes both ways so it adds to my drive. Still, I love swimming and am so glad there is this option.

I’m thankful my knee is improving and I’m almost back to normal but not quite. I’m still not using the treadmill at the gym but I did manage 3 rounds at the park today so that’s an improvement. I’m still taking ibuprofen so when I stop that I’ll know it’s probably healed. Still, I’m grateful it wasn’t worse.

The garden was a huge success this year and I’ve had lots of tomatoes, onions, garlic, zucchini, and peppers( so many jalapenos). I even just froze a few bags of tomatoes as it wasn’t enough to can a batch. I’ll wait till I have at least another box. B has a nice crop of grapes so I think I’m going to try some grape jelly. I’ve never made that and I’ll need to watch some YT to see how much pectin/sugar I need to add. I’m not a huge fan of grape jelly but I’m willing to try it since he’s got the crop.

I’m thankful the budget is set for September and everything is covered. We just got our auto insurance and that went up $300. It seems odd since these are not new cars at all. My son’s Subaru which is a 2006 went up the most to over $500 for 6 months. He’s still on our policy as it would be ridiculous what he would pay if he had his own. At least 3x was the quote I got. When he’s ready to buy another car then he’ll be on his own with that. He does pay us in full so it’s not a problem.

Simple Sunday

Posted in budgets, California, camping, canning tomato salsa, home stuff, Uncategorized, Walking by

I finally got to go out and walk yesterday and this morning. I walked slowly and with my walking stick. It was ok. My knee is still a little sore and the back of my calf is a little sore too. Yesterday no one was there at all which was great. Today, no one was walking but there were people there setting up for an event.

I plan to go to the Auburn gym and just do arm weights, no treadmill. I haven’t figured out my swim schedule for the week yet. I do need to drop some books off at the library so I can pair that with the gym as the library opens at 9 a.m. MTW.

The mornings are much darker at 5:30 a.m. I think sunrise is @ 6:30 now. Evenings are getting darker earlier too. Well, it does happen every year. We have a Tahoe trip in September and I think it’s going to be a little different. I’m not sure what we’ll think about because we’ll be in the trailer earlier in the evening even if we have a campfire. Maybe it’s time to start checking out campgrounds more south like we had at Refugio. That was in November and it didn’t seem like the early sunsets or late sunrises affected us that much from what I remember.

I finished the budget for September and it looks good. We have a few added expenses like 2 new batteries for Rubi, and the shelf brackets for the kitchen shelves. Plus just everyday stuff that comes up. I won’t be able to pay the full dentist bill for Barclay’s crown but I’ll be pay a good chunk. So all in all, ok.

I don’t have any canning to do today. I think we’re going to get one or maybe two last big tomato harvests so I’ll wait and then do a large batch of plain tomato sauce. I also still want to can a few different meals in a jar but haven’t decided what yet. The Happy Homestead vlogger was pressure canning a chicken corn chowder which looked good. Of course, you wouldn’t do milk or flour but just the core ingredients and, then when you cooked it you would make a roux and then add the jar to the roux mix.

I played around making the Caco de Pepe recipe again and watched a couple of YT channels on making it. First, to get the cheese not to clump, grate it with a micro planner. Second, cook the pasta in a saucepan so the starch from the pasta is more concentrated. Third, toast the freshly ground pepper in another pan and then add some olive oil and butter. Then you add the boiling water to that and then add the pasta. I can say, this worked and it was delicious. The recipe was from Serious Eats, if you want to try it.

It’s hard to believe August is almost over and September will be here. September is both of our birthdays. It’ll be time for flu shots and the next Covid booster if it’s out by then.

Influencers on YouTube

Posted in California, Uncategorized by

Frugal girl, Kristen, wrote an interesting post about people on YouTube and TikTok ( which I’ve never seen) filming grocery hauls and organizing pantries with lots of clear plastic containers and decanting everything. She got a huge response. It certainly got me thinking about how tired I am of bloggers saying the same thing over and over about minimalism. Who is trying to be an influencer??

There are a number of Youtubers I used to really like for their unique approach and freshness. One of them is Shannon Torres. She lives in So Cal and I liked her vlog to begin with and followed her for quite a while. She used to start each video with” I hope you’re having an amazing day”. I really liked her enthusiasm. But finally, when she started getting to 20K, and 30K followers, it changed ( she no longer says that; it’s much more curated). Now it’s all about 10 things to declutter today or 20 ways to simplify. Now it’s just rehashing over and over. I still go over and check once in a while but not too often.

The same with Scandish Home. When she started out in Portland in a small house, it was really charming and she’s a wonderful cook and homemaker. Then they moved outside of Portland to quite a lovely place but it’s now how to simplify 50 ways or clean 25 ways. Some of it is fun to watch but I’m not sure it’s really all that simple anymore. Granted, this is how she is earning money but ?? I still like watching her, It’s just now with 300 K+ + followers, it seems a bit forced at times. Her editing though is very professional.

I’m not putting these people down in any way. They’re trying to earn a living and like Scandish Home’s vlog is creative and beautifully presented. It does seem though as if in every video she’s buying some new organizing thing from Ikea or rearranging a closet.

It just seems to me everyone is on the bandwagon of minimalism, decluttering, and slow living. I get it but when it’s pounded into the ground maybe it’s time to step back and really simplify by living one’s life and not living it( or fake living it) while making videos.

Maybe I’ve just reached a place where I kind of have incorporated most of that into my life. I do get value from new organizing ideas or new cooking ideas so I like to watch YouTubers do that. Bayley made It is in NZ and she is authentic and does great vlogs. She actually changed her blog from ‘minimom’ which was about being a minimalist with 2 young kids in a very small condominium to her sewing and knitting projects. I really respect her for self-reflecting on the whole minimalism thing and changing her blog.

There’s Benita in Stockholm. She is a true minimalist and lives it too. She has gotten a little more curated in the past year but her apartment and life in Stockholm is so interesting I still like watching. Plus she loves her cat Bonus. Mimi died last year( her tortie cat).

I guess I think many of these YouTube influencers are really in it for the money. At some point, they seem to lose that initial freshness and sharing ideas that do work to repeating the same things over and over.

For instance, ‘The Non-consumer Advocate’ blog has thousands of followers and she still keeps it real and on target with what she advocates. I think that’s a rare thing. We are all so inundated with ideas from all over social media that it can become addictive. It’s easy to start comparing how your own life is to what you see and I certainly do that too. I live in a very small house, it’s not magazine quality. The kitchen certainly isn’t a showcase nor are there any closets except one. Most of the influencers I watch on occasion have VERY fancy houses and the kitchens are spacious with granite or marble counters and everything is perfect. I could easily fall into the trap of comparison.

Fortunately, I’m older and most of that doesn’t affect me ( well, maybe I’d like my kitchen counters redone). Well, I’ll get off the soapbox now and go watch some Youtube. (just kidding)….

Frugal Friday

Posted in California, canning tomato salsa, frugalism, plants, Uncategorized by

The trip to Costco ended up $150 for food and $100 for alcohol/non food including a very fancy bottle of Veuve Clicquot at $55.00 and B bought beer and then the rest was nonfood.

We haven’t opened it yet since we had the Taittinger champagne.

Our lunch out was a splurge at $80 including tip. At the nursery, I bought an Eucalyptus tree in a 5-gallon pot for $15 and a very large fiddle Leaf fig at half price of $18 which is an incredible price. I’m not sure what like it likes yet but I have it by this window.

I also bought some plastic pots to repot 2 of my indoor plants.

Overall, all of it was worth the splurge. Next week, I probably don’t need anything from the store and I’ll try and keep it a no spend week.

I’ve ordered some fat quarters of Japanese fabric to make a small lap quilt. Actually, I’m not sure I’ll quilt it but will probably do some Sashiko embroidery on it.

This was my latest Sashiko. I like how meditative it is but my stitches have a long way to go. Oops looks like I got some dinner on the upper corner. 🙂 I also didn’t do the outside stitching right as you’re supposed to iron the seams first and then sew thru both pieces of fabric.

Orchids are one of my favorite flowers because they last so long. B got this one for an anniversary present.

This is a Swedish Dala meant to bring good luck. This was an ‘our’ gift even though I’ve wanted one for a while. Actually, I’ve been looking for a white and blue one but they are hard to find.

Some of the last sunflowers from the garden.

I’m hoping to walk at least one round tomorrow. I’ll use my walking stick.

Tonight is homemade pizza. Yesterday I made another salsa but this one I roasted the tomatoes, peppers onions, and garlic. The skins come right off the tomatoes. I then whizzed the peppers,onions and garlic in the food processor but not the tomatoes. I ended up with 4 pints. The flavor was excellent.

So next week, no falling off step stools, and getting back to my regular routine albeit slowly. I will not do any leg stuff with the weights until my knee feels 100% better. i can do all the arm stuff though.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in California, Gratitude, simplicity, Walking by

+ My knee, which I twisted, is getting better day by day but still not good enough to go walking. I may try swimming first to see how it feels. I did do quite a bit of walking around the nursery yesterday and did fine. It’s more the getting up from a sitting position that is the weak point and I really don’t want my knee to give out as I stand up and injure it more.

+ I’m thankful Barclay and I got to celebrate 53 years of marriage. It’s been a good time( well for most of it). there were some rocky times but somehow we got thru it. We had a fantastic lunch at High hand Nursery Cafe. The place was packed. I keep wondering where do all these peole get money to eat out like it’s an everyday occurence.??? It’s so special for us and it was with tip over $80. Still it was fun and delicious.

+ I’m very grateful I have 2 wonderful kids and they enjoy being around us. My son bought us a fancy bottle of Tattingers champagne and my daughter a very fancy french pepper mill. 🙂

+ The kitties from the barn that have brought us laughter and joy. Plus Chester, who wandered in, is so sweet and loving.

+ We got a good soaking of rain from Hilary and boy, was that welcome.

Monday and it’s Raining!!!

Posted in Uncategorized by

Wow, Hurricane Hilary is bringing incredible rain to So Cal but up here we are getting a good soaking. How exciting. I hope some gets up to where there are some wildfires going but that might be too far north.

I missed Simple Sunday because I tweaked my knee stepping off a step stool. So I was just lying around with my leg up. It’s still sore today so no walking, no swimming till it’s better. I have an ace bandage around my knee and am using Arnica. Bummer and things like that freak me out because one minute I’m on the step ladder the next minute I’m on the floor going “shit”, What happened? Well, for sure I’ll be more careful on a step stool.

I was able to stand and finish the next batch of tomato sauce in the water bath. I decided to do pint jars and got 8. I figure pints will be good to add to soups or chili or make a small batch of spaghetti sauce. I also froze a gallon zip bag of tomatoes so I can process them later. Next, I’m going to do another batch of salsa.

My labs came back with a 30+ point increase so I’m now over 100 and will talk to Dr. L when I see him in September to start Velcade in October. We’re in Tahoe the last week of September so an October start will work. Then if after 3 rounds, we’ll know if Velcade is working or if have I become refractory to it. So that will change how and when I swim and go to the gym. Usually, it’s about 3 days of downtime including the shot day.

This week is our 53 anniversary. What a wonderful adventurous life we have had. Here’s to many more. We’re going to a farm-to-table restaurant for lunch. Should be fun.

Frugal Friday

Posted in budgeting, budgets, California, cooking, frugalism, seasonal things, swimming, Uncategorized by

Let’s see, this week was ok. I went to Winco for more Ball jars. They seem more expensive than the last time I bought them, but what isn’t. They were $15 plus change. I bought pint and quart ones. Winco is still the cheapest around for jars.

I used 6 of the pint ones already for the salsa so I’ll need to get another case of those. i like the pints as they are perfect for 2-3 people.

Last night I made black bean burgers( my home canned black beans) at the request of B. I used the Pioneer Woman recipe but added some oatmeal since I like that texture. They came out delicious. We had beautiful thick home grown tomatoes and my refrigerator pickles on top.

B and I had a ‘date’ to the new co-op. Wow, sticker shock!!! But I price check some things and also picked up a few things I was looking for. Organic coconut flakes, Redmond salt and some organic pumpkin seeds. It’s a beautiful store and the deli will probably be what brings in the money. Lots of sandwich choices.

I filled up the Santa Fe this week at Costco. That should last me till next week. I do plan to go to the Rec center this morning but I won’t swim tomorrow even though I’d like to. I need to be reasonable about how much I’m driving and the cost of gas.

I don’t need anything from the store till next week and even then it might just be a few things. I plan to keep working on the freezer/ pantry challenge and eat down both till the end of the month. I don’t want to use up my ‘winter’ store but some things need to get used.

I did my budget for September. Fall is when our next annual bills come in and lots of money goes out:( There’s car insurance, house insurance , and property taxes. The house ins. with the California Fair Plan is still an unknown as to how much it’ll go up. Well, not much we can do about it anyway.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in Blood test, books, California, canning tomato salsa, home improvement, home stuff, reading, swimming, Uncategorized, Walking by

That I have the strength to stand and can tomatoes at 70 yo. Really, I’m 70?… That’s just weird.

This a new recipe for me. It’s like Rotel. Very spicy!!

I just read an absolutely fabulous book “ Fellowship Point” by Alice Elliot Dark. It’s a great combination of characters. The main narrator is 80-something and so is her best friend. Then it weaves in lots of Quaker stuff and takes place in Maine. I loved it and I think I’ll look for a used copy. Mine was from the library.

Even though our weather is hot and humid we have window coolers to stay cool in the house. I hate humidity. It reminds me of NY. Growing up in NY I felt I didn’t belong there and left at 18 never to return. But I do have illusions about Maine and Vermont. My father’s family were all Mainers but we never met them or even saw them at all growing up.

That the pool was a lovely temperature even though it was busier than usual. Plus the traffic was crazy with people taking kids to school. The school next to the pool was busy.

My lipid tests did come back high but only slightly out of range and down 20+ points from last year. So I’m ok with that. No results yet for the light chains. My thyroid tests were all in range too.

Our morning walks are always a highlight of my day. Even though there are still more people than ever, I suppose that’s just part of the growth in our area. Although quite a few people drive from other local towns to walk.

The window replacement wall is all done and painted. It looks nice. I’m amazed at how much doing just this little project costs and looking at the COMPLETE remodel of the old hoarders’ house just must be mind-boggling. I’m guessing $200K -$250. easily. It still makes me sad that she had to be evicted and couldn’t find a way around it. I wonder how she’s doing or if she’s even still alive.

Simple Sunday

Posted in Blood test, California, cooking, Uncategorized, Walking by

Tomatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes!!!! B used the food mill while I dropped the tomatoes in boiling water to break the skin. It’s a bit of work really but with him doing all the turning of the food mill it saves my arm.

Those greenish tomatoes are ripe just a different variety. So we did 2 boxes like this one and ended up with 6 qts of tomato sauce.

We had a nice start to the day with a walk in the park. Sunday is usually my favorite day as there are always fewer people. Today it was just “truck guy’. He’s nice and doesn’t bother us at all. After the walk, we started the tomatoes.

Then I headed into Auburn to go to the gym. That too was pretty empty. Maybe it’s the last vacation surge before school starts.

The production line!!!

We’re halfway thru the new season of the Witcher and it’s really good although anything with Henry Cavill is good.

I haven’t decided how this week’s schedule is going to go. I have my fasting labs on Tuesday, so I can’t swim that day( I can’t get there in time) and usually I keep Monday as a home day but I’ll see how I feel.

I’m making some vegetarian stuffed peppers for dinner and they’re in the crockpot right now. I use brown rice, onions, carrots, mushrooms, sunflower seeds , and pecans. I also add grated cheese. Sometimes I use an egg as a binder but not today. I’ll pull out a chicken from the freezer to cook later this week too.

The new co-op opened in Auburn and everyone is pretty excited. Briarpatch has been in Grass Valley since 1978 or so. This is a big store( they took over where the old K mart was) and has a deli and all kinds of things. I’m excited to shop there. Barclay is a member but we’ll have to see if I can use that or do we need to upgrade to a family membership. I will price check compared to Winco but still it’s in Auburn and I want to support that. Years ago around the same time, Auburn tried to do a co op but it didn’t have much support. It closed after 5 years or so.

Frugal Friday

Posted in California, cooking, frugalism, Pantry, Uncategorized by

I canned 8 pints of pintos. So if I figured it per jar maybe .25. Maybe less, but I figure a 2lb bag at Winco to be @ $2.00. Now I buy my beans in 25# bags so I don’t know what the breakdown would be. So right now I’m set on beans as I just did black beans. I had done cannolini and garbanzos.

I didn’t need to get gas in the Santa Fe today so I’ll need it next week on my next gym day.

All our meals were eaten at home except for a lunch date with B at the Thai place. That was under $20. I would like us to do one lunch date every week or two. Our meals have been garden inspired. Lots of tomatoes: so caprese salad for 2 nights, a shrimp salad with shredded cabbage, thinly sliced raw tofu with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and Italian herbs. Another night grilled Greek lemon chicken with salad( tomatoes of course).

Unfrugal, Barclay needs a crown to the tune of $1500 so that will have to go on a CC and be paid next month or sooner depending on cash flow. Well, you got to take care of your teeth at our age, well, any age really.

Here’s my latest obsession: Sashiko Japanese embroidery. It is very meditative and I absolutely love indigo blue.

My stitches have a long way to go to be more even but that’s not the kind of thing I worry about or stress over.

I plan on putting a piece of canvas cloth between the layers and using this as a hot pad of sorts or maybe just on the table.

I ordered another one from Etsy and I think the quality is much better. If you want to try your hand at it go to Etsy there are lots of designs.

Today is a yogurt-making day which is a huge money saver. I can get 2 qts of yogurt for about $1.00 each. Now partly that’s because I’m buying the organic milk from Costco so it’s about 3.50 for a half gallon.

Going to the gym in Auburn is free through Medicare supplemental so that’s always a win. The equipment isn’t as nice as the Rec centers but is adequate.

I’m starting a pantry/freezer challenge to use up some bits and bobs of things. I don’t want to use my winter prep pantry stuff but I do have a lot of misc food stuff that should be used. So since it’s almost the middle of the month I’ll plan on that for the rest of August.