Haiku #2

sometimes it's too much

to try and keep from drowning

step out of the boat

Long, lazy Saturday.

And BOY do I NEED it. I slept in until 8 this morning. I am usually up around 6am so that I can have about 45 minutes of quiet to read my bible. In June I decided to read the bible, cover to cover. I'm in Acts right now. I did get some reading time in this morning, which was nice. Then my husband got up and we sat around in our jammies sipping coffee.

My oldest son is sick...I am pretty sure he's got strep throat due to the tell-tale white spots on the back of his tongue. So rather than lounge around all day in my pj's I ended up showering and getting dressed to go to the store for some Jell-O, sherbet and Gatorade. I have the poor guy quarantined in his room since strep is so contagious. But he's got a pretty nice set up....cozy bed, lots of pillows, a bedside tray with juice, tissue and the remote. I also rented some movies for him to watch using his PS2! He's got it made...aside from that terrible croupe cough and sore throat, of course.

I'm doing the home remedy thing...as opposed to taking him to the doctor. I try to stay away from antibiotics as much as possible. I've never been one to rush my kids to the dr. at every sniffle or fever. And I read online that strep will go away in 3-7 days regardless if you take an antibiotic or not. So...we're opting for home care. I made some chicken soup..and that cures everything, right? He's staying hydrated thanks to Gatorade and otter pops! His fever spiked this afternoon so I'm just keeping a good eye on him. I did give him Tylenol to help with that and discomfort, though. I'm not against medication altogether. Just not a lot of it.

Earlier I was looking online for some home remedies using things I'd normally have in my cupboard. Because honestly, I don't keep bark and roots handy. I did find one web site...Granny Med I think?...that had a ton of home remedies. I just wasn't sure which ones would REALLY work. So...I didn't use any of them. Although the sliced onion soaked in honey did sound interesting. I'd be interested to know what is it in the onion that makes for a good sore throat remedy. Anyone have that answer? Let me know if you do!

I better check the chicken soup...I think it's due for a stir!

Frugality as Haiku?

I feel like I have to explain this random Haiku post.

For some reason I get the Haiku bug now and then and just feel like I need to write one. I've always fantasized about being a writer...for whatever reason I feel I have a story to tell. I think we all do, really.

And I would love to be able to write poetry. But it's just not one of my gifts. I suppose my mind isn't abstract enough? Maybe I'm too literal? Too predictable?

Whatever it is...whatever the reason for my inability to write poetry...whatever the reason may be, in my mind it doesn't apply to Haiku. Therefore, I think I can actually DO it! So I go with it...I live it...I become one with the Haiku. Only once in a while.

I noticed, however, that I numbered it "Haiku #1".

This leads me to believe that maybe there are more in my future...I'm just sayin'.

Haiku #1

whispers in my heart

calling me away from self

I am not my own

When life gives you lemons.

OR, as in my case, when your aunt, who's really more like your sister, gives you a really cute wire basket from Crate and Barrel FULL of gorgeous Meyer lemons from the tree in her backyard for Christmas...make frozen lemon juice cubes to use later for cooking!

She gave me so many lemons I couldn't possibly use them all. And I knew I wanted to juice them to use later to melt in sauces, etc. So I went on a search for ice cube trays. And would you believe I could not FIND any? Someone said they might be a summer thing? Whatever the reason, I couldn't find any. But the other day I stopped by the local thrift shop and found two ice cube trays for a quarter each! They were purple...which threw me off for a minute...but then I got over it and realized they weren't going to be on display or anything so what did it matter?

Last night I squeezed all of the lemons into a measuring cup, poured the juice into the ice cube trays and froze them overnight. I'll put them in zipper storage baggies for later use! This makes me so happy...for so many reasons. I love the fact that the lemons were free. I love the fact that they didn't go to waste. I love the fact that I was able to find the tools I needed to do what I wanted to do at the thrift store...for VERY inexpensive.

The only downside to this? Now I need something else to display in the cute wire basket!

I love it when dinner extends to lunch.

Last night I made a chicken dish that made enough for my husband and I to have it for lunch, too! I have to admit that I am not one to plan meals. I mean, I think about it...and I peruse the sale ads...and I base my meals on what's on sale. But I don't plan each and every meal down to the condiment for a week...or even scarier...a MONTH?! And I certainly don't do all of that...plus buy what's on sale PLUS use double coupons and rebates. I would love it if I WERE this organized. I would. I am so amazed at the people that can do this. Amazed. But...I'm not that amazing. Not even close. I do what I can, though...

I knew I wanted to make pasta. Number one, it's good. Number two, it's easy. Number three, it's quick! I also knew I had some half and half in the fridge as well as grated Parmesan and frozen peas. Sounds good to me. But I knew my husband and sons would like some meat in that combo. I decided to defrost two boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cube them then saute them in olive oil and fresh garlic. I used the tasty brown bits on the bottom of the pan and some pasta water to make a light sauce. I then added the half and half, the pasta and the cheese and combined and warmed through. While the pasta warmed I made garlic bread, heated the peas and made a simple green salad as sides. It was quite tasty! And I had enough for leftovers for lunch today.

So I figure it cost me roughly $6 for four meals. FOUR! This does not inlcude the cost of milk, which we've been going through like CRAZY lately. Either way...I would say that's pretty frugal!

I did it. I'm free!

I bought a reusable grocery tote from the grocery store tonight. I just DID it. I got to the self-checkout and there it was, right in front of me. So I grabbed it, scanned it and filled it up with my items. It was 25 cents. I figure I can spare the landfill at least 20 plastic bags or so by using it.

And I have to admit...I felt quite happy and, yes, a tiny bit smug, as I walked to my car with my eco-friendly bag.

Hesitant. Or, It's Not About Me.

I've pretty much always been frugal. I have always wanted the most for my money. I've always appreciated flea markets and garage sales. I'm not afraid of previously owned items...usually. I like a good bargain...and always have. And I'm not ashamed to admit it.

Along with being frugal I also want to be health conscious and to feed my family healthy food. I'm finding, however, that "frugal" and "healthy" don't always go together easily. But...although a big part of my challenge...this is not what I want to talk about.

It all started when the challenge to feed my family healthy food led me on a rabbit trail. I began searching frugal blogs...that led to money saving blogs...that led to sustainable living blogs...and organic blogs...and eventually to Green blogs. Sometimes the blog were all of the above...I think they must have rabbit trailed, too! However it happened...I stumbled upon my dilemma...

Are you ready?

OK. Here it is...

Reusable grocery bags.

There. I said it.

I know the words are nonthreatening enough...say it with me, "Reusable.Grocery.Bags". And I know I shouldn't let them intimidate me the way they do. Especially since I actually bought one not long ago from Trader Joe's. And that was easy enough to do. No threat. As a matter of fact, I was proud of it. And still am. My problem...and my hesitation...is buying reusable bags from larger chain grocery stores...Lucky, Safeway, etc. I see them EVERY time I shop. And I KNOW I need to buy them. But I don't. And I don't know why. And I cringe at the checkout...no matter what they bag my items in..."paper or plastic?". Why do I not buy them? And more importantly...USE them? Why? Is it because they're not cute like the one's at TJ's? Possibly. Or maybe it's because the regular grocer's aren't as...hip? to shop at? Maybe. Is it because I have a victim mentality and beating myself up for using plastic in some way makes me feel...something? No. That's not it. But it was kind of funny to think about in that way.

Honestly, I think it's because they're not as cute. Nor are they made as well. But really...is that what it's about? Is it about how they look? They're outward appearance? Or is it what they represent? And what they will DO for our environment...even if helping just a little bit to make a difference.

I know the answer to my rhetorical question. I do. I think what I need to do is let myself off the hook and commit to buying a couple of them...using them on a trial basis...and just SEE what I think. No pressure. No threat. No strings attached. That sounds good...I can do this.

I'll let you know how it goes.

xoxox

Time flies...when you win an award?

AND when you have no internet. (Probably because I actually got stuff DONE instead of seeing what everyone ELSE was doing!)

No internet makes me kinda cranky. Especially when I want to come HERE and see what's going on! And even MORE especially when I return to find that I've won an AWARD! Robin over at Heart at Home awarded me with an Excellent Blog Award! Wow! And I wasn't even sure anyone was picking up what I was laying down here at The Frugal Feast. It's nice to know some of you get me! (I kinda feel like Sally Field a little bit.)

Thank you, Robin SO much. And for those of you who may not be familiar with Robin...go check out her encouraging Blog...she's amazing.

And now...as per Award Etiquette...I'm off to award 10 others!

When one door closes, another one opens.

This amazing photo courtesy of oboylephoto.com

Brand new items at Thrift Store prices.

I got a part-time job selling window coverings. I'm very excited about it! I went on my first training ride-along this afternoon and it went really well. I think I'm going to enjoy it! Having a part-time job means that I need some new clothes. I've been working in our office for the last 5 years so I've gotten quite comfortable and casual in my clothing choices. I needed to get some clothes that were a bit more professional.

I stopped in at my local Marshall's yesterday and ended up getting two pair of shoes on clearance, Anne Klein...$25 each. Then I headed over to the tops and found three...one for $5, one for $7 and one for $10. The $5 one is Carole Little. Not bad! I actually bought 5 blouses but two of them fit funky so they have to go back.

I still need some khakis...I'm having a heck of a time finding a cute pair that fit nicely. Luckily, I can wear jeans. And I am a JEANS kinda girl. But I'd still like to have a pair or two of khakis. I'll just have to keep looking!

I got sucked in!

I popped into Target yesterday morning for a few household items and such (and a NOT very frugal latte from Starbuck's...yeah, yeah, I know...but hey, nobody's perfect!) and ended up heading to the toy section to see what I could find for my son's 10th birthday coming up on the 17th. As I rounded the corner I was shocked to see lines of women with carts piled so high with toys that they were toppling off of their carts. My mouth must have dropped open...in disgust and judgment I must admit...at the sheer craziness of what I was witnessing.

Regardless of my opinion of these greedy moms, I proceeded closer. After waiting my turn to get down the aisle I realized that the whole aisle, and the one next to that one, are FULL of clearance toy items. And not just sale prices...I'm talking CLEARANCE prices...for real. 75% off.

Doing my best to keep my composure I began poking around...and steering clear of the other moms who meant business. One by one, I added bargain items to my OWN basket...one after the other after the other.

"Hmmm...isn't Emily's birthday coming up? And what about Averie? And Nathan? Or was it Ben?", I thought to myself. By this time...I'm TRYING to find people to buy for. This could be dangerous.

Before I knew it...my cart was near full. It wasn't toppling over...thanks to my stellar restraint...ahem...but I was *this* close. I got some FUN stuff for my son for his birthday. A few of the fun finds are: a gooey brain experiment kit, an egg drop experiment kit, Air Hogs, and the best one...a $160 projector for $40! (He got a video camera for Christmas and has steadily been making amazing films that only an almost-10-year-old can make. He films them, directs them and then edits them on the computer.) This projector will allow him to show his films BIG on a blank wall. And he can use it for video games, too! He's gonna love it. It was truly a great find.

Judge not, that ye be not judged.

I sheepishly made my way to the checkout...feeling the need to express my apologies to all of the women I judged just 30 short minutes ago. But as the clerk ran each item over the scanner and my tally came up on the register display...all bad feelings melted away knowing that I'd saved 75% on nearly everything in my cart.

Does this justify the splurge on the latte? I like to think so.

photo of sweet grocery cart courtesy of oompa toys

I love Kid Art

Goals - Part One

To be honest, I don't know how many "parts" this whole goal thing will be. I know that I want to make a list of goals, and I know what a few of them are, but it seems that each day a new goal pops up. So...it could go on a while.

And really, it should. I should never stop setting goals for myself. I should strive to set a goal, meet it and move on to something new. Right?

So, I'm going to shoot for the moon.

Stay tuned for The List.

Oh, how I love Ballard Designs.

And usually, I only sit and look through the catalog, wishing and longing for some of the pretty things on the pages. Well, today I actually BOUGHT some of those things! AND, the best part, they were 75% Off, PLUS an additional 30% off the sale price!! Yes. You read that right.

I bought a set of these adorable wreaths.

...and a set of these mercury glass acorns.

These items, along with a Cuisinart hand mixer, were purchased with Christmas money from my grandparents. Thank you Noni and Papa! I love them!

I love a good bargain!

Speaking of frugal...weren't we?

Made an impromptu thrift store stop today.

I came home with this book for $2.

And a dozen of these for $4.:
I also got a really cool afghan that I will show a picture of later. My digital camera actually took a so-so picture for me!

Commitment Four

Set goals.

For 2008 I won't be making any

resolutions, because for me a resolution is like saying I'm going to go on a diet. The word diet, for me, equates to "eat more". Quit smoking always meant "smoke more". (But I finally DID quit...thank God.)

Resolution means "set myself up for failure". And quite frankly, I want good things this year. I want success. I want to accomplish things. And in order to do this successfully, I feel that setting goals is what I need to do.

Sadly, I've never really set goals. I've always flown by the seat of my pants, taking what came my way each day, like it or not, and dealing with it, rightly or not, as it flew at me. And somehow I've managed...I've survived. But I want more than that. I don't want to be content with managing or getting by. I want to make things happen on purpose. I want to LIVE on purpose. Not haphazardly. I don't mean that I want total control, or total organization, and no room to veer from that.

As far as I'm concerned, God is in total control. And I know that if I follow Him, rely on Him, stay focused on Him, and make this list of goals and rely on HIM to help me DO them...then I believe I will be successful, because of Him.

My list of goals will be made with God. I will take this desire to Him in prayer. I will follow Him, completely. Because His Word says that if I delight myself in Him, He will give me the desires of my heart. (He says this for you, too...!) And by "the desires of my heart" I don't mean a Cadillac and jewels. Sometimes we don't even KNOW the desires of our hearts until God places them there. Imagine! On the other hand, there are some things that I want out of life, and God knows them all. Some are spiritual. Some are physical. Some are financial. Some are for my husband, and for my kids. And yes, some of those desires are "stuff". He knows them all...because He knows my heart better than I do. So I'll ask Him for help in making this list of goals. I think I may be surprised by what ends up on that list!

I'm excited to see what God has in store for me.

Dear Lord,

I pray that you help me to set goals for my life. Speak to my heart, and I will do my best to listen. I love you, Lord.

Amen.

Commitment Three

Study the Bible.

Once I finish reading the bible in it's entirety I plan to then study it.

I don't know what this will consist of; whether I'll study a whole book of the bible, perhaps one of the minor prophets?

Or maybe study a person in the bible, Joshua or Caleb, maybe?

I could even take one chapter of one book...or even one VERSE and do a word by word study, breaking it down to the bottom line truth.

I don't know where I'll begin, I just know that it's the next thing to do. And I'm really excited about it. I almost can't wait to get to the end so I can begin the study part! And now that all of the holiday rush and craziness is over, I can get back on track, back to my "schedule" of getting up early before everyone else and taking some quiet time to read God's Word. It's a great time; it's quiet, I've got my coffee, my journal, my hiliters and sticky notes...just me and God starting the day. It's nice.

Commitment Two

Finish reading the bible.

I began reading my bible, from Leviticus since I'd already read Genesis, in late June. I just started Luke. My commitment is to read the bible all the way through. I am really enjoying it. I had no idea that I would love the Old Testament as much as I do. I was sad when I was finished with it! I can't say that I have retained much. Well, let me rephrase that. I think I've retained a lot because I can recall quite a bit when I hear it again. What I can't do is remember exactly where everything is, or what it said, or names. But it wasn't my intention to memorize it all. My intention was to get it in my head once through...then go back and study individual books or events. That is the part I'm excited about...the deeper study.

Until then, however, I'll keep plugging along with my highlighter and sticky notes, reading and taking notes in each book of the bible until I reach the end.

Commitment One

Grow My Own Food.

This spring, after the last frost of course, my boys and I are going to plant food in our backyard. I don't necessarily want to call it a garden because it's not going to be your typical rectangular plot of land with everything planted in nice, pretty rows. Not that that's a bad thing. As a matter of fact, if it were possible, I'd have exactly that. But since my backyard is not designed in such a way, my garden will be different.

Last summer my husband planted grass in our backyard and installed some lawn edging all around the yard, leaving a 2 foot border for planting all around the perimeter. Originally I was going to plant it full of drought tolerant, low-maintenance plants...mostly flowering for some color. But since last summer I've done lots of research on gardening, sustainable living and canning. And because of this I've decided that, while flowering plants are nice and beautiful, I would rather fill my planters with homegrown vegetables and fruit. This will be a challenge because we have a HUGE pecan tree that shades half of the yard. So I can only plant in certain areas where there is enough sun. But it's doable. Definitely. I have a lot of containers that I can utilize as well. I've got pots and barrels and two raised beds. And then the areas in the yard where there is full sun.

Ideally I would have a rectangular plot of land to call my garden. Instead, I've got areas. I've also got a dog that likes to let us know that the backyard is HIS territory...if you know what I mean? So fencing would be ideal. But seeing as how I'll be gardening in strips, containers and borders, a fence isn't gonna work. Any ideas? I'd love to hear any tips or advice.

What will we grow?

Cantaloupe
Watermelon
Strawberries
Zucchini
Tomatoes (for eating and for canning my own sauce)
Cucumbers
Green Peppers
Hot peppers
Green beans
Sugar Snap Peas
Garlic
Shallots
Carrots
Sage
Cilantro
Flat leaf parsley
Thyme

Have I forgotten anything? It's dangerous reading the gardening catalogs. One could go a little over the top with the order form! But I will try to keep it to what we'll eat...regardless of how beautiful the pictures are. I would love to grow corn but we really don't have room. Not to mention we've got a great fruit stand nearby that sells delicious corn that is grown locally. So I'll utilize them for whatever I don't grow.

I also want to plant a Meyer lemon in one of my half barrels and possibly a dwarf orange or a tangerine. I'm leaning toward the tangerine because they're beautiful and delicious. But I am not sure yet. I have to read up on citrus more. I haven't researched it enough yet.

I'm so excited to grow my own food. It's my first step in becoming less dependent on "the man". Ha!

Happy New Year!

This year has started off slow...and for that I am thankful. Because LAST year went out with a bang and no room to breathe! And I have to admit, between Christmas celebrations, family visiting and staying with us, New Year's parties and weddings in between...I haven't hardly cooked! And if I did get in the kitchen it was to grab yet another piece of Almond Roca!

I guess not cooking can be quite frugal since it forces everyone to choose from what we've got sitting around...leftovers, frozen corn dogs, frozen burritos, turkey sandwiches...or in my case, salami, sliced cheese and sugar snap peas in ranch.

I didn't make any resolutions. I haven't in years. Probably because I felt I was always setting myself up for failure. This year is no different. I haven't made any resolutions. But I have made a few commitments to myself. A list of "wants" if you will. Desires. None of them include weight or quitting any stinky habits. It's really a matter of setting a goal...and doing my best to reach it. I have never done that. I just go along handling things as they come my way without any real thought as to what I WANT in life. This year, I want things to be different. I think the words "Live on Purpose" sum up what I want for myself in 2008. I want to live ON purpose and FOR a purpose. I want to be proactive...not reactive. I want to prevent fires...not have to run around putting them out.

I don't know that "resolutions" are much different than "commitments". But for some reason, it just sounds less threatening and more attainable to me. Resolutions sound like something you do out of expectation of others. Whereas a commitment, especially to myself, is more of a promise. For me it has more of a positive spin...as opposed to the negative and threatening resolutions of the past.

Go figure.