Category Archives: California

Simple Sunday

Posted in books, budgeting, budgets, California, cooking, home stuff, knee injury, Walking by

I’m in the process of canning tomatoes. I ordered a flat of Roma tomatoes from a local farm. They were 2.50 a pound, so a very good price. I did half the lug and have half to do tomorrow or Tuesday. I have 8 pints in the water bath and 2 more ready to go when these are done. I’ll add some jars filled with water so it fills the canner. I didn’t add any seasoning, just citric acid and a little salt. I’ll do seasoning when I open and use them. I’m a little tired from standing but I’m almost done.

I did go for a walk, and it was quite nice. A few other people, but not bad for a Sunday. My left knee (torn ACL and meniscus) seemed to tweak a few times, so I’ve been really careful, and I’ll probably put my knee sleeve on to help with stability. The only thing I’ve done differently is that I’ve added my PT exercises back into my workout, so maybe that tweaked it. So today I’ll back off since I’ve been on my feet a while now.

This is a busy week for me, which, as you know, I really dislike a lot of appts, but they must be done. That includes my Velcade on Thursday. I did change my dentist appt from Monday next week to Wednesday, as Monday is my labs and dex crash day. It doesn’t always happen, but I figured it would be better to change it if I could.

I also finished Calamity Club, and it’s as good as everyone says. Really, such insight!

I moved most of my cookbooks into B’s office bookcase.

I’ll see if I like them there or not. The other picture is the little fire pit I bought a while ago. I had a few nights of fires outside when it was cooler. Now with our temps dropping, I’ll sit outside again. Today’s high is supposed to be 75, so quite lovely.

Midweek and the freezer challenge

Posted in budgets, California, cooking by

So, following Kristen from Frugal Girl, I pulled almost everything out of the fridge freezer. There were lots of ziplock bags of one meal type things that I tossed. Some had been in there since last December. I don’t feel bad about clearing it out. But the lesson learned is: don’t try to save random 1-serving leftovers because we won’t eat them. an example is one serving of split pea ssoup from last winter, really? Now if Barclay were here, he probably would eat it> Ha ha.

anyway, I have 3 small bags of blueberries so I’m going to use them in pancakes, a small bag of leftover French fries ( using this week), some leftover meatballs, and other random stuff. It looks better and less cluttered/stuffed!

Yesterday, I went to the gym and the library. I finally got the Calamity Club book, which has been on hold forever. So I’m excited to start it. I also got another Sashiko book with patterns. I ordered some transfer paper from Amazon. I had tracing paper, which I guess in my mind was the same thing ( it’s not). So when that comes, I can transfer the pattern onto fabric.

Today, I’m going into Auburn to go to the bookstore and finally drop off the books, and then over to AAA to figure out how to add my son to the motorcycle title. It’s easy enough; I just want to go in and make sure I have the stuff on the right lines. Hopefully they won’t be too busy.

Then home, and some regular chores and then read.

Menu Monday

Posted in California, cooking, meal planning, Uncategorized by

I’m going to follow Frugal Girl’s lead and do a kitchen refrigerator freezer cleanout. It’s kind of funny that I just asked AI (ChatGPT) about some leftover chicken and some coconut milk I had in the freezer and got a recipe for chicken curry soup. This was especially nice since I wasn’t feeling great, and the warmth of the curry was nice. So after reading her blog, I thought I’ve never taken everything out to see what’s lurking so that’s my plan for today.

I still have some of the curry left for lunch, and there’s some leftover quiche from last night that my daughter heated up. The quiche is the 2-pack from Costco, which is very good and a good price. The other one I’ll freeze.

Not in any order of when I make these:

  • Hot dogs from Costco with beans( pantry)
  • brinner with scrambled eggs bacon and waffles
  • freezer surprise
  • freezer surprise
  • Frozen pizza
  • Breaded fish with french fries

My son is planning to come up and work out in the barn today. I’ll need to look around and see what I can have him do. I know there’s some wood to move to the splitter.

I might go into town to do a few random errands, but I’ll see how I feel. I do feel better today, for the most part. My errands include stopping at the auto store for antifreeze for Buggie (VW), dropping batteries off at Staples, and little things like that. I also have a lot of cardboard to take to recycling. But that’s tricky, as it gets filled up super fast. That may have to wait, although I could get it loaded in the Santa Fe. So I’ll see how the morning goes.

I watched the movie Mayday, with Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh. It was good. It had a lot of “Deadpool-type” humor, which I love. Other than that, I need to find something to watch tonight.

I’m still checking LLS daily, but no luck. It’s been almost 2 months, but almost 5 months since I had funds in my grant. I’m sure I’m not the only one wondering when they’ll open funding for Myeloma. Just have to keep checking.

Well, what’s on your plate this week? Any new recipes?

Friday Things

Posted in budgeting, budgets, California, frugalism, home stuff by

My appointment went well even with him being late( as usual). I thought of stopping at Costco for those non food items I still need but didn’t feel like it. I prefer to use the executive time only, which is at 9 a.m. when they open.

When I got home, I made a sandwich and called it good. I was starving since I hadn’t eaten before I left for Sacto. I thought about going to Costco this morning (Friday) and haven’t decided if that’s what I want to get done. Probably I’ll wait.

We got some rain!!! Very unusual for September in the Sierra Nevada foothills, but very welcome.

The only shopping I did was at Holiday on Monday for about $ 50. That was for deli meat for sandwiches, milk, and some salad stuff. I try not to go there too often, as it is more expensive than WinCo. But it is just right down the driveway. (Well, you still need to get on the main road and then make a right turn in.) I also spent $106 on the oil change.

Today, I’ll wait for the chimney guy to show up and give me his assessment. I wasn’t sure if he was planning on cleaning it today or just telling me. He wasn’t very clear. After that, I plan to go into Auburn and return a T-shirt from Old Navy that I ordered online and don’t really like.

Before the oil change, I dropped off the Goodwill stuff, so that’s out of the car. But think I’ll see about loading up our cardboard and take to the cardboard bins the county provides for free. It’s kind of a pain to do, and again, this was all the stuff Barclay did. UGH!!! I’ll have to check how wet it all got before I load it up.

I pulled some things out of the chest freezer: some bacon, the cannellini beans in the Souper cubes, bagels, and tortillas. I have quite a few avocados from Costco to use, so I’ll make some quesadillas and use them. With the cannellini beans, I might make a soup and add them. I did see some random containers of chicken broth in the chest freezer that I should get out.

Well, I just got a text from the Chimney guy, and he’s sick, so I will go down to Costco this morning at 9am. I’m sure the chimney will be fine.

The fires of Mordor!! Ha, just kidding. This was my last fire.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in California, camping, Gratitude by

I actually felt like going for a walk this morning. Still, it’s busy with the Pilates class and people. But I did my one round and called it good, so I’m thankful for that. With sunrise later now, it’s only getting light by 6:15 or so; that means people usually start coming later. the Pilates class I’m sure will stick to their 6 am time as that is a class.

I got the oil changed in the Santa Fe. I’m thankful I didn’t have a time limit, as it took 2 hours. Speedy was very busy.

I’m thankful the car is still going strong. No problems, fingers crossed.

I scheduled my flu shot and COVID shot for right around my birthday at the end of the month. Last year I did them the same day, one in each arm. So that’s what I’ll do this year. I was sore last year in both arms, and I spiked a fever that night, but then it was over, so I’m thankful for that.

I am very thankful for the cooler weather. I even ordered an outside firepit thing to actually burn wood in. I have the gas one we used for camping, which is great, but there’s nothing like a real fire.

Menu Monday

Posted in California, cooking, home stuff by

We did have the Di Fara pizza last night.

It was quite excellent. I was surprised. I will definitely try another one. I got this at Bel Air, but I think Safeway has them too.

Menu ideas, not in any order of when I’d make.

Tonight, I have some Dover sole to make. Costco had them in stock, and so I picked up a pack. It’s a nice, mild fish. I have a bit of salad stuff to use so I’ll do that.

I have some taco shells in the pantry box that I want to use, so either taco meat or beans.

I plan to defrost some chicken, so I’ll do something with that. I have brown rice I need to use as well, so I’ll put that in the Zojirushi. This brown rice is at least a year old so it needs to get used up. I had it in the freezer so that does extend it’s shelf life.

On the nights my daughter gets home late, I’ll probably do grilled cheese or something easy like that.

I have quite a few eggs also, so maybe a scrambled egg/ breakfast for dinner thing.

We did get to Home Depot and bought the garden soil and the smart light bulbs, and my daughter picked up a few bags of rocks for their rock garden.

Today, I think we’re going to try to get to the bookstore since I have 2 bags of books to go. It’s Monday, so I need to do a house reset for the week. Mostly, just tidying up and being sure the kitchen is tidy and clean. I did clean the stove and stove hood the other day, so that’s done. The Flylady zone is the entryway. I’ll do a sweep of both. I did change out my faux flowers for the fall ones.

The flash flood in the Grand Canyon looks devastating. Phantom Ranch and the campgrounds are all damaged. Mother Nature does it’s thing and it can be shocking. Also, the mudslide in Nepal is devastating. The loss of life is huge and very sad.

Simple Sunday

Posted in budgets, California, cooking, decluttering, garden shed, Walking by

A very nice cooling trend we’re having. Fall is in the air. We might be able to take out a cooler or two earlier than usual. We usually wait till the end of September, but the forecast looks coolish for the next while.

I didn’t go walking yet (6:30) and woke up with a headache, so I’ll see how I am in the next 15 minutes or so. No walking; finally took an Advil!

We are planning to go into Home Depot for a few things, so that will also nix my gym time. That’s ok; I’m, if anything, flexible because I can be. We want to get some potting soil, some smart light bulbs, and check out a gate. OUt old wooden gate is the last remnant of the redwood fence and now it’s sagging and not quite opening. I’ll defer to what my daughter wants to do. It does need to open wide so if we have a delivery, it can come in through that gate.

They have been working on raking around the house and generally clearing debris like grass and leaves. They also set up an AI image of some plants away from the house, and it looks good.

I finally finished all 3 extended versions of LOTR. 12 hours!! I just started the extended version of The Hobbit. I guess that will take a while.

Last night we had some Udon noodles with chicken in soy sauce. Basically, I marinated the chunks of chicken in soy sauce, rice vinegar, and some hoisin sauce. It came out good. Tonight, I’m not sure, but I’ll check out the freezer. I do have a frozen pizza I’d like to use up.

I’m enjoying doing the Sashiko again. It’s basically a type of embroidering but I like to do it. I have a few patterns to trace from a library book. I like doing it on my Levi’s too; it makes a fun extra thing.

My goal for today, besides Home Depot, is to go out to the garden shed and clean it out. There are our iMac boxes, which can go to recycling, and my bin of children’s books I want to bring in and put on eBay. There’s a collection of Elsa Beskow books. Very darling, and I love them, but they should be read and loved, not stuffed in a box. I also have 2 small bins from the RV that I think I’ll relocate. So, I’ll see how far I get.

The week ahead includes my doctor’s appointment, at least a gym/library day, and a swim. I’m going to try to get back to Costco for some non-food items they have on sale, like Swiffer. And the Dawn Power Wash. That stuff is great if you haven’t tried it.

Well, since I’m not walking (headache still), I’m going to go download my Sleep HQ and see how my CPAP is doing.

Frugal Friday

Posted in budgeting, budgets, California, home stuff, swimming by

Overall, my budget is going well. I haven’t really gone out most of this week, so that makes a difference. I’m making headway on my CC bill, so that’s encouraging. X amount of dollars can only go to X amount of places.

Today, I’m heading to the pool, then going to Costco to return the pants I bought online. I’ll pick up coffee and olive oil as well. My grocery budget for August came in a bit higher than I wanted, at $500 approx. Of course, some of this is LTF for the freezer/pantry, so even though it’s high, some things won’t need to be bought for a while. I’m going to try to stick to $400 this month and see how it goes.

I’ve got most of September’s bills in. Almost all are on autopay, but PGE is not, as it is on the balanced pay program, so it averages out over the year and is different each month. Other than that, except for annual bills, all are on autopay. Actually, some of my annual bills are on autopay like my Costco membership.

Finally, our weather is turning and will be much cooler next week. I’m ready to not have coolers going all day.

September brings my dentist appointment, eye doctor appt, Flu and COVID shots. I read that the new COVID shot will be available soon, so I’ll wait to get that.

Next week, I have my oncology appt. My labs came back good. No real big change, so I was very happy about that. My platelets are still a bit low due to Velcade, but nothing alarming- just below low normal. Overall, they were good. I’ll see what he has to say next week.

We’ve been moving all the plants near the house to a different spot. It’s suggested to not have anything within 5 feet of the house. We had 4 different bamboo pots near the house, so my daughter moved them out. I’m pretty sure our California Fair Plan insurance is going to have an increase, which I hope isn’t too dramatic. But I did hear/read that it’s likely going up.

We also scheduled a chimney cleaning for the wood stove. There are just some things Barclay always did that we just don’t want/can’t do now. The same with getting the firewood. He pretty much handled that, and now one of us needs to. sigh:(

Well, I’m off to go swim.

Thankful Thursday

Posted in budgets, California by

I did get quite a bit done yesterday. I only went out to recycle and then home. It’s close by and didn’t take too long to do. I’m not sure recycling is worth the effort. It’s not a lot of trouble to do it; it’s just one more thing to do. I think I’ll keep on with plastic and aluminum but not glass. I find the glass is too much trouble and there isn’t much of a money return. So those will go in our regular garbage from now on.

Speaking of which, today is our garbage day, and I’m thankful we have garbage service here. Their vehicles are all electric now so it comes and picks up the can without anyone getting out of their truck. It didn’t used to be like that, that’s for sure.

RIP Dolly. What a truly amazing person she was. We can all try and be like her, so kind and generous.

Today, I’m loading up the Goodwill stuff I culled yesterday. I don’t think I’ll go do it today, but next time I’m in Roseville.

I also got out the paint and did touch-ups and will continue today. I got out the Simple White to paint over the drywall patches I fixed. Yesterday I used the semi-gloss, so this paint is the eggshell for the walls. I’m thankful I can still do some of this.

My daughter suggested getting the wood stove pipe cleaned by a service, so I was able to get a recommendation and schedule an appt. There were a few other things that also needed attention. I also need to order firewood soon. Firewood runs around $400 a cord, so maybe in September I’ll plan that.

After today, it looks like our temperatures are dropping into fall weather. I saw mostly 70-degree temperatures. Before you know it, we’ll need that firewood.

I do need to return some pants I ordered from Costco online. I might go down there today and get that done. I also need coffee and olive oil so I could get that too. There’s not much else I need that I can think of right now.

Midweek Musings

Posted in budgets, California, cooking by

I had a good day yesterday. My energy was good and overall I felt good too. Nice. I do value these days of my life!!

I had the energy to go to the gym, library, Goodwill drop-off, and Winco. As I was coming out of Winco, it was almost 11 so on a whim I decided to go in to Nugget and get one of their pizzas. I’ve wanted to do this since they opened 10 years ago. Ha HA! Supposedly they are one of the best thin crust pizzas around. So in I go and order a plain cheese,as that is alway the gold standard to judge by. I waited a while and wasn’t too happy about that. So I get the pizza and decide I’ll eat one in the car before driving home. The crust was good and folded( like a NY pizza,) the cheese good ratio, the sauce , TERRIBLE!!! I was like WTF?

So I get home, I have a second piece, and then proceeded to write to that Nugget and comment. I said just what I said above and posted it. Within 30 minutes, the manager emailed back with an apology and offered a reimbursement. I wrote back that it wasn’t necessary, but they might want to have their food team go over what makes NY pizza unique: the sauce is a simple tomato but full of flavor. I suggested the brand Full REd, which comes in #10 cans and many pizzerias in NY use that. I also have bought it and and it’s full of tomato-ey flavor and the right consistency. Sigh, I was disappointed. Oh well, at least I know.

Today was a toss up between the pool or getting more things done around here. I opted to do stuff here since my energy is good. #1 is go do recycle. #2 is sweep the patio. # go out to trailer and start cleaning. ( that may not happen, as it’s supposed to get really warm again today. Since Dex is wearing off and I feel good, I plan to do some painting too. I have some touch-ups to do.

Last night I just had a turkey sandwich as my daughter was at work. I’m watching the original Forsythes. Quite excellent!

Tonight I have a baked potato and some kind of protein. My daughter is home late again so I’ll eat by 6:30. I’ll probably watch some more Forsythes.