tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post7785171272124846769..comments2024-03-26T00:26:19.756-07:00Comments on The Bluebirds are Nesting...: The Vicky Challenge. Plan B. Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-46501729747982055432016-07-25T01:08:26.786-07:002016-07-25T01:08:26.786-07:00Thanks Cookie!
I have written these instructions d...Thanks Cookie!<br />I have written these instructions down and will give it a try :)Melhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00535442579149449469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-48061159890742113532016-07-20T18:50:16.269-07:002016-07-20T18:50:16.269-07:00Dear Leslie,
I really love that your daughter is r...Dear Leslie,<br />I really love that your daughter is reminding you to include something in your frugal accomplishments. I bet when she grows up she will be carrying this on as she will remember! Ahhh we have started a new generation!<br />Zucchini are so versatile and useful. I keep saving new recipes i.e. for slices and breads. They look so good.<br />What a savings on the groceries! And the peaches! I just love peaches. <br />This is very good that your fifteen year old is getting good with jam making. And enjoying it! I love it when they do something and feel proud of their work. She sounds like such a lovely girl.<br />If it would be an encouragement for her send in a picture of her jams lined up or her cooking and I will publish it. <br />Great total savings Leslie! What a good week. And you are training new homemakers too. Wonderful report thank you! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-73163661803201688732016-07-20T10:07:16.458-07:002016-07-20T10:07:16.458-07:00We had a great week of savings at the Briar Patch ...We had a great week of savings at the Briar Patch (that's our little acreage's name). Lots of picking of wild blackberries. My 8 yr. old daughter came bounding in the house to declare that I could add it to my Frugal Accomplishments list. ;) Love it when the children catch on to budgeting! Received some free zucchini from a friend at church. My plants aren't as productive due to grey beetles.<br /><br />My biggest savings is purchasing $500 worth of groceries for $240 at my discount grocery store. I purchased lots of high end snack food that I only see in my health food store. Plus I bought 2 boxes of peaches for $12 a piece. These hold about a bushel a piece. So we've been enjoying fresh peaches and making lots of Ginger Peach Jam. What a blessing! Also with all the jam-making, my 15 yr. old daughter is learning the skill too. She loves it! So glad to pass on this skill. She has been blessing the family with her cooking and baking too.<br />Well with lots of savings from yard sales, thrift stores, and packing work lunches we saved $583 total. <br />So glad to see so many others saving too!<br />Blessings,<br />Leslie<br /> Leslie McKinleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08082544707682903607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-90945437704206835172016-07-20T03:14:10.811-07:002016-07-20T03:14:10.811-07:00Hi Mel,
I have a small Nesco dehydrator. Peel and...Hi Mel,<br />I have a small Nesco dehydrator. Peel and slice them no more than 1/4 inch thick, lay them out on the dehydrator and dehydrate at 125 F. for 12 to 14 hours. You can also blanch them by slicing them up and putting them into a strainer and dip in a large pot of boiling water for about 15 to 30 seconds and then place in a large bowl of ice water to cool. Shake off as much water as possible and then spread on the dehydrator tray at 125 F for 8 hours. <br /><br />The one dehydrated raw should feel like dry paper and be flexible when done. If they've been pre-blanched they will feel dry and snap in half. I have a hand held Food Saver vacuum sealer with regular size jar and widemouth jar adapters and when the onions are cooled they are stored in vacuum sealed mason jars in the pantry. After each use I just reseal the jar with the same lid on it. Hope this helps. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-1937712990715812722016-07-19T21:50:10.887-07:002016-07-19T21:50:10.887-07:00Hi Cookie,
What great savings you had! I was just ...Hi Cookie,<br />What great savings you had! I was just wondering how you dehydrate your onions? I buy onions in 10 kilo bags here and sometimes freeze them but never thought to dehydrate them! xMelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00535442579149449469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-63368562451287424372016-07-19T21:43:19.545-07:002016-07-19T21:43:19.545-07:00Hi Jane,
I hope the infection clears up soon. I ju...Hi Jane,<br />I hope the infection clears up soon. I just wanted to to mention that I often am gobsmacked when I go grocery shopping. I only buy the basics and everything is made from scratch. Not long ago I saw pasta bake in a tray on special for $18. I had to take a photo of that one to show my hubby! I have also seen the tubs of mashed potato along with soups. Just crazy!<br />Melhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00535442579149449469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-62327814956350091642016-07-19T18:24:22.824-07:002016-07-19T18:24:22.824-07:00Dear Cookie, Meat pies are the best! I will be mak...Dear Cookie, Meat pies are the best! I will be making some shortly so you will see them but mean time... in the crockpot cooking section you will find them. I use the soft lovely tender meats from a casserole as the filling in pies with either a pastry lid or mashed potato which is Shepherds Pie style. A pie is a complete meal and they freeze so well. I do all sorts, chicken, turkey, beef, lamb etc. <br />I include plenty of vegetables. A hearty and handy meal. A great gift also. I hope this helps. With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-76438245177312667742016-07-19T18:21:44.600-07:002016-07-19T18:21:44.600-07:00Thank you so much! Thank you for the Costco tips t...Thank you so much! Thank you for the Costco tips that is very helpful. <br />I really appreciate your comment and telling me you read my blog too! Welcome! xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-59025391183131455002016-07-19T18:20:01.854-07:002016-07-19T18:20:01.854-07:00Thanks Rhonda! How exciting to be getting another ...Thanks Rhonda! How exciting to be getting another Grandchild! I can't wait to hear... I always think it is a great relief when the baby arrives.<br />Congratulations in advance! xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-71970037844920486112016-07-19T17:28:53.406-07:002016-07-19T17:28:53.406-07:00Thank you so much Cookie! It will be a bit of adve...Thank you so much Cookie! It will be a bit of adventure the first time I go there!<br />I am good with knowing the prices of the regular things I buy but I need to shop around for prices of everything else. Thanks for telling me the coffee is good. I will be trying it!<br />I think I am in for a surprise at what they have! But I think we have a years membership now and I want to make the most of it. Thanks so much for your tips! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-39546361175291527332016-07-19T17:26:13.867-07:002016-07-19T17:26:13.867-07:00oops my reply is one post down sorry Aly!xxxoops my reply is one post down sorry Aly!xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-4233023941857506062016-07-19T17:25:47.038-07:002016-07-19T17:25:47.038-07:00Dear Janine,
I agree with you and I am a routine p...Dear Janine,<br />I agree with you and I am a routine person. I also think routines are vital with children as they thrive on them. And I work to my list and plans. Overall I think we get much much more done this way and have to make less decisions to get it done. <br />I think that is why when plans didn't work out and things went wrong that it would upset my day or week. Sometimes it would really upset me! So learning to have a plan B has made me much better at going "ok then, I will do.... instead" and not being so thrown out by the change. <br />Like you I have my daily list and it keeps me on track. I like to have weekly and monthly plans. I think list makers get more done overall. It makes me try and do just a bit more to get things crossed off!<br />These things all help. Having goals and a mission helps too I think. <br />I have tried to teach Lucy that having a routine for a little child helps, they like the rhythm and peace of it and it seems to be working!<br />Have a great end of the week, here we are mid week already! With love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-39722533418684437012016-07-19T16:48:05.714-07:002016-07-19T16:48:05.714-07:00Dear Annabel,
Just a few thoughts for you regardin...Dear Annabel,<br />Just a few thoughts for you regarding Costco. I find it very helpful to have a list and not just browse. There are so many things that catch my eye that I never knew I couldn't live without that who knows what would happen if I didn't have a list :) I find it best to know what prices are at other stores and compare to what they are at Costco.These are things that I have found to be good savings at Costco here in the US. Costco's brand of coffee is not only delicious, but has more pounds in the container and costs less. Butter in their bulk packs is a great deal, as well as baking supplies, some paper goods, nuts, certain fresh fruits and vegetables, small cases of some vegetables, olive oil, condiments, seasonings and flavorings in bulk individual containers and their cheeses, especially the chevre in large logs.It's amazing but here they charge the same for one pound of the chevre as other stores charge for few ounces. Homegoods, appliances, clothes, fine jewelry,computers, TVs, you name it can sometimes be had for a much lesser prices than on the outside. Again, it's really good to know what prices are elsewhere for these items. Hope this helps. Many blessings. Cookie<br /> <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-72912052416637482812016-07-19T16:45:25.783-07:002016-07-19T16:45:25.783-07:00Hi Annabel,
I've always been a routine sort of...Hi Annabel,<br />I've always been a routine sort of person, liking certain things done on certain days, this worked well for me when my children were young and living at home. I find that now we are both retired, our plans are much more flexible, often too flexible! I find we need to have definite plans in place otherwise it is too easy to 'put off' work that needs doing (and spend the whole day knitting socks!!). <br />Each night before I go to sleep I write a list of things I want/need to get done the next day - sometimes they're all completed (plus a few extras) other days I just don't seem to get many done at all. (This also helps with my atrocious memory, ha, ha)<br />Best wishes<br />Janine<br /><br /><br />Janinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13540554274755499923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-49402979848953302022016-07-19T05:59:32.952-07:002016-07-19T05:59:32.952-07:00Dear Aly, You did so well with your plan B on the ...Dear Aly, You did so well with your plan B on the shoes! That was fantastic!<br />Those lemons are a great deal. I have used quite a few so far this week. I need to make a lot of leon things. Lemon slice is a favourite!<br />The rain sounds lovely. A bit of green is nice to see. And I hope your seedlings do well, they should with misty rain on them.<br />Mums picture reminds me that when were were little kids we would collect hail stones with spoons and then keep them in the freezer lol. Until we forgot about them and Mum threw them out no doubt! But that was a good fun thing.<br />We also called sago "little hailstones" which made them more appealing somehow!<br />Well doen on your savings Aly, they are good ones. With lots of love, Annabel.xxx<br /><br />Annabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-65439062997351612302016-07-19T05:27:26.734-07:002016-07-19T05:27:26.734-07:00Dear Lynette, I think living where there are cyclo...Dear Lynette, I think living where there are cyclones or you can get cut off etc means you learn to be prepared. Although probably many people don't anyway but I would want to be!<br />I really love my enamel dishes. I added to my collection the other week when Aldi had the nice coloured ones. The thing I love is they all stack inside each other and take up hardly any room. I have a stack of about 14 of them and the all are so compact. (I have five sizes now) This is so handy as I was always running out of dishes as some would end up in the freezer. Jamie Oliver has some in Woolies and these were on special.<br />I feel sorry for your friend. What an enormous task been without the mess to deal with. Also what an expense. Very difficult.<br />I love those jars! They are useful for so many things. Also for gifts of biscuits etc.<br />I have the Spotlight catalogue. I am planning on getting a wooden underlay as this is something one of the girls need and it will go into the christmas cupboard. This is the time to get it I figure while on such a big special. <br />I hope the rest of the week goes well for you! With lots of love, Annabel.xxx<br />Annabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-61628529805822070932016-07-19T05:10:16.522-07:002016-07-19T05:10:16.522-07:00Dear Fiona,
Chooks love a bit of sun and they sun ...Dear Fiona,<br />Chooks love a bit of sun and they sun bake too! I have one chicken that sits on the back door step waiting as if she does that I give her grated cheese. I think I have created a problem!<br />I have found in winter warm bedding is so hard to get in op shops and then in the warmer months I can get it. For smaller bits old flannelette pyjamas work too once cut up. Also stretch knits can be very soft and lovely. <br />Your quiche sounds good. Soon you will have eggs from your hens and be able to make quiche and all kinds of things. Eggs for breakfast! <br />I am in bed writing as I need to work on tomorrows post or else it is in trouble as Ill be out tomorrow. I hope the rest of your week goes ok Fiona... thinking of you, love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-86910810064836206802016-07-19T05:03:59.943-07:002016-07-19T05:03:59.943-07:00Dear Vicky,
All the work you are doing on the pan...Dear Vicky, <br />All the work you are doing on the pantry change around and moving are all really going to pay off! <br />I have heard about the "pruning" some of your things have suffered! One time years ago Mum asked a man to prune a lavender bush for her. He cut it off at the base. All that was left was a stump. That was his idea of pruning apparently. I don't think I can laugh about it even now years later!<br />You always inspire me with your plan B. Just go on with something else! I think we need to be able to do that. Thanks so much Vicky! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-38405165088208832842016-07-19T04:35:47.436-07:002016-07-19T04:35:47.436-07:00Thank you both. They have both Vegamite and Marmit...Thank you both. They have both Vegamite and Marmite on our grocery shelves. I'm not sure what Marminte is either. Tim Tams sound delicious. Are they similar to the original chocolate covered Cadbury biscuits? I used to love those but since Hershey bought them out here in the States they don't taste the same anymore. And one more question: Meat pies sound delicious. How do you make them? Thank you again. Many blessings to you. Cookie<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-53430763367553057222016-07-19T03:18:39.380-07:002016-07-19T03:18:39.380-07:00Hi Annabel
I must say that you have had me thinki...Hi Annabel<br /><br />I must say that you have had me thinking this afternoon since reading this post......Plan B<br /><br />Recently I used Plan B when I needed new school shoes for DD6. I searched everywhere and could only find shoes upwards of $60 in black. As there were are no hard and fast rules about the colour (can be either black or has to be at least 90% white on outside) I opted to change course and look for white shoes.<br /><br />Well imagine my surprise when I came across a pair of Lynx shoes in a sale for $14.00, I was so happy with that price, (original price was $49.95) then upon heading to pay the lady asked me if I had a certain card...yes I did and she happily told me that the shoes would only cost me $4.00 as I had earnt $10 off my purchase......I was ecstatic about this payment.<br /><br />Another recent Plan B was that I was so annoyed at not having fresh vegetables (only once a week and they do not last that long) so I decided on a trip to the markets to just buy a few seedlings for DD6 to plant (6 for like $2.50) and if they survived then great and if not then not a huge loss.....well they are well and truly on there way thanks mainly to the worm pee. I had some old pots laying about an they have been put to good use now.<br /><br />We have had rain here since last Wed night....not heavy torrential rains but the fine misty rain constantly which will help to make everything green again. Glad to see that you faired well....Love the photo that your Mum took.<br /><br />Our local shop is selling bags of lemons from someone's trees for $1 and there are plenty of lemons in the bags. May need to get some tomorrow.<br /><br />My freezer has been stocked with lots of muffins recently and also leftover meals for next week so I can have some time of from cooking perhaps.<br /><br />Well I hope the week ahead is a great one for you.<br /><br />Take Care<br />Love Aly xxx<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-57521146619843227372016-07-18T22:51:59.937-07:002016-07-18T22:51:59.937-07:00We always have an alternate plan - it just comes n...We always have an alternate plan - it just comes naturally to us now that we live in an area that can get cut off.<br /><br />My friend who I am 'there for'at the moment gave me 3 of the large coffee jars that you have been building up your pantry with. I am going to tuck them away until I am sure of where I am going to use them - craft items was the first thought but that could change.<br /><br />This morning I checked through the grocery catalogues for this week - spotted an apple pie for $12-00 and a self saucing pudding for $6-00. Even a packet self saucing pudding doesn't take that long to cook nor cost that much and I am not even going to mention the apple pie, even if you buy the pastry and tins of apples for $12-00 you could 3 pies for $12-00 (or there abouts).<br /><br />Nothing that I could see that we need so tomorrow I will check the aisles at Coles and pick up pantry building items and possibly enamel dishes. This will be the start of my enamel dish collection.<br /><br />I have a new Spotlight catalogue to go through - thought I spotted some bargains yesterday when I had a quick look at it. Hand towels were quite cheap.<br /><br />Annabel I love lemons - my dwarf lemon tree is still going strong, could do with moving to get more sun I think so I need to scout out a new position for it. <br /><br />I have seen what not having a plan anything can do when things go really wrong - my friend is struggling with making decisions on where to start and what to do. It wouldn't be so bad if her partner had not left such a huge mess - as she said if he was no longer here she would have just got a skip in and got rid of it all but because he will eventually be going back to the house she cannot do that. <br /><br />He is not a happy chappy because until the house is suitable for him to get around in he has to remain in rehab. The bathroom has to be redone for starters and I think so will the kitchen - not sure what else will have to be done apart from ease of access for him with the front and back stairs.<br /><br />As I said to my friend - just 15 minutes will make a start and then once you have started it will be so much easier to continue. <br /><br />Getting a bit cooler here so need to find a jacket - we are expecting some warmer weather so I have plans to get the bedroom curtains washed - they were supposed to be done last week but the weather wasn't warm enough.<br /><br />Have a great week everyone.<br /><br />Lynette<br />XXXXX<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-58022708312095422692016-07-18T22:20:56.284-07:002016-07-18T22:20:56.284-07:00Hi Annabel, that chicken soup looks super yummy. ...Hi Annabel, that chicken soup looks super yummy. The containers look good, very stackable for the freezer too. I made quiche sunday night too, it gave lunch for me on Monday and lunch on Monday and Tuesday for my partner as well as unexpected supper on Sunday evening. I've been scrounging flannelette for wombat and possum pouches. It's super soft and warm for their little bodies. The weather here has been very very cold and wet, but at the moment we have a little hot spell - the hens are out scratching around having a hoot. How are your chickens going? <br />Re Vicky's plan a and plan b - well my whole life since January has gone to plan c, and i've found it hard to adapt, very hard. So this is a reminder, a shakeup sort of to realise that I must do this. Great post. Looking forward to tomorrow's. Fi xxFionanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-42471422832406794102016-07-18T22:13:17.638-07:002016-07-18T22:13:17.638-07:00Rachel Bluey is quite envious of the large timbers...Rachel Bluey is quite envious of the large timbers you now have. Heaven knows what he would do with them but he would turn them into something wonderful. Told you the dumplings in the camp oven are delicious. I am thinking savoury dumplings on the next casserole is a brilliant idea.Janehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06964345893499561504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-74324342544862303802016-07-18T21:19:51.225-07:002016-07-18T21:19:51.225-07:00Hi Annabel!
I'm late to the party again. I had...Hi Annabel!<br />I'm late to the party again. I had rick figure what I've saved in labor costs on the pantry room so far and he estimates it at about $250 I'll take it! My ladies gave a dozen eggs this week $2 I groomed my cats 2 of them so $40 I brought home leftover food and things like foil pans and plastic trays from my nephew's graduation party so another $30 there plus enough coke points that I got a $5 gift card plus I cashed out for another $20 on other points programs. I hung clothes out to dry and I paid 4 bills online saving .47x4 I have been empting the dehumidifier into buckets and using it to water the garden I got 2 gallons so .89x2 not a bad week. I bet your house smells good with all of those lemons! I love the smell of fresh lemons. And roses always love a good pruning just don't let Rick near them LOL! Having a Plan B is good! I know many who have plans and if they fall through they literally don't know what to do? Our weather gets so kooky at times having Plan A and Plan B has really helped me to stay on track and get things done. I hope everyone has a great week!<br />XOXO<br />VickyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-70002864418812923712016-07-18T18:51:21.040-07:002016-07-18T18:51:21.040-07:00I found it, Annabel!
toasties, pikelets and Tim ...I found it, Annabel!<br /><br /> toasties, pikelets and Tim Tams<br /><br />From the support crew! (Rachel)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com