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Sunday, September 4, 2016

LABOR DAY

Hello dear friends!  Hope everyone is having a safe and relaxing Labor Day weekend!  We've been experiencing the most delightful weather here, and have spotted a bit of scarlet tinge to the top of the trees.  The garden is winding done (thank Heavens!) and about the only thing remaining is this rather grand stand of cosmos.


  It wouldn't be a holiday without us having a project going and this one is no different than any other. We're remodeling our kitchen.  It all started with a big ugly chip in the sink.  We couldn't find another sink the same size, so we had to replace the countertop, which meant we had to tear out the stone backsplash, which snowballed into removing the wallpaper. Then we contracted a case of the "might-as-wells" and decided we might as well replace the flooring, while we had everything removed from the kitchen.  By the end the only things left standing were the faucet and the cupboards.    There's a long-standing joke in our village that to reach Port Austin, you must drive to the end of the Earth then drive ten more miles and you'll arrive here, and today we learned just how true it is;  we needed a simple two-dollar piece of plumbing  to finish installing the sink, but had to make a one-hundred and thirty-six trip to the big city to get it.

FORAGING

It wasn't a  very good year for the wild grapes, but we uncovered  enough to make a batch of wild grape jelly.  We grow two kind of of domesticated grapes: Gewurztraminer, a sweet variety .
that Ran uses for wine-making  and are very good for eating out of hand, and seedless Concords that I use  for  grape juice.   Grape juice,  more peaches and potatoes, and perhaps pumpkins are all I have left to do this year, then I can put my canners away for a while. 
Can you believe these shelves were nearly bare this Spring? And this is only one of my two pantries.

SHOPPING

The other day I had the "pleasure" of standing in line behind a woman that must have watched one too many episodes of Extreme Couponers.  It took three-quarters of an hour for her to check out as she had a coupon or a matching-price-from-a-competitor for almost every item in her cart, which was filled to overflowing.  In the end, she was quite pleased with herself as she watched the total drop from over $1200 to around $700.  She turned towards me as she left, grinned and exclaimed "not bad!". Guess she thought I'd be impressed.  To be honest, I think if my grocery bill ever totaled $700, I'd probably faint dead away, or expect that I'd have enough food to last half the year.  I so wanted to pull her aside and explain to her that she could have saved even  more money if instead of Lunchables, she had bought a box of store-brand crackers and a chunk of cheese and packaged them in a reusable plastic container from the dollar store.  Instead of those packages of juice boxes, she could have bought frozen juice concentrate and reconstituted it herself with her own tap water and put that into a thermos that she could have bought at a garage sale.  Instead of lunchmeat at $8/lb, she could have bought two roasting chickens and made more sandwiches and the bones could have been made into soup  that again could have went off to school in a thermos.  Instead of those little cups of fruit, why not just fruit? You know?  From the produce section? I think I could have whittled her grocery bill down to approximately $200 without using a single coupon.  Sigh!  Sometimes it's hard to bite your tongue when you're a master of thrift. Ha!

BAKING FROM THE PANTRY

Well, school days are here again and it's always nice to have a little something sweet in the old lunch pail.   Here's a recipe that's as old as the hills, for a simple moist brownie that's a real kid and husband pleaser.

Brownies

1 C. butter
2 C. sugar
4 eggs
1 tbsp. vanilla
1/2 C. cocoa
2 C. flour
dash of salt
1/2 C. chopped nuts  (optional)

Beat together the butter and sugar.  Beat in the eggs and vanilla.  Stir in the cocoa, salt and flour  until just combined.  Fold in the nuts.  Put into a greased 13 X 9 inch pan and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes until just done.  Hint:  Brownies should always be just a tad bit underbaked if you want fudgey ones.

Once cooled, frost.

Frosting:

1/4 butter, softened
1/4 C. milk
1/4 C. cocoa
3 C. Confectioners sugar

Beat together all ingredients until smooth.
I overbaked mine  (got distracted reading) so they weren't as moist as they usually are, but who needs a picture of brownies anyway?

A STITCH IN TIME SAVES NINE

Since the kitchen is in shambles, I have had time to do some other chores besides canning, cooking and washing dishes.  Time to get caught up on mending.  Ran tore a rent in his favorite jacket so I darned that.  Darning is an old-fashioned skill, seldom used today in our throw-away society, but I like to give it a turn from time to time, just to keep the art alive.

To darn a sweater, you run long lines of yarn (hopefully matching) the length of the hole, catching the loops of the unraveled yarn.  Then it's simply a matter of weaving the yarn over and under that yarn you just sewed lengthwise, crosswise like weaving a basket.  For cloth, put a piece of material behind the hole if it's a large one, and then weave it the same as for knits. catching some of the backing fabric as you weave and tucking in the little frayed edges as you weave the thread. Here's the end results:
The Shroud of Turin it aint!  But I think darning gives the old jacket a nice homey look.  Just as a scar gives a face some character.  Darning and patching are nice ways to extend the lives of clothes, perhaps you wouldn't want to do it to your Sunday-goes-to-meeting outfit, but for work, play and bed clothes, it does the job.  Or perhaps just a simple patch would suffice?


THRIFTY THINGS WE DID THIS WEEK

Harvested grapes, peaches, blackberries and peppers.

Foraged wild grapes.

Made them into jelly.

Stopped at the grocery outlet and bought 2 pounds of Hersheys cocoa for $1/lb.  Also bought a pound of loose tea for 45 cents/lb.  Gotta love those scratch and dent grocers!

Bought a gallon of paint for the kitchen at a garage sale for $1.

Bought a years supply of canning lids at the bulk food store. They're around  7 cents a lid as opposed to the 12 or 13 cents a lid if you buy those packages of 12.

A neighbor gave us enough soup for 2 days as a thank you for all the produce we've been giving her this year.

Canned  mostarda di frutta made from our own apples, peaches and pears.

Darned Ran's jacket and a pair of shorts.

Ran made up a batch of grape wine.

Bought a dozen canning jars at a garage sale for $3.  I ran out! There were some very interesting ones.  Only a canner can understand the excitement of discovering a new style of canning jars. Ha!

I finally found a  black top that is both modest and pretty at the thrift store and a basic brown cardigan.  Two things that have been on my shopping list for over a year.  One was Banana Republic and the other was Lands End brand.  Total of $6 for both.

Knitting a pair of tweed wrist warmers from my tweed stash and a free pattern found on line.

Well, that's another week at the old Zempel boarding house!  I hope all of you are safe and enjoying your holiday weekend!

Hugs
Jane











38 comments:

  1. You are so busy and interesting. Your kitchen will look wonderful when it's done! $700 for a grocery bill I just can't imagine it either -I don't spend that in a month or two months! Maybe she has a huge family though? Have a great labor day!

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  2. I hope so Vickie! No, it wasn't the quantity of food it was the fact that it was all prepackaged and name brands. Even with coupons they rarely are a good buy. A little bit of work in preparing some of the things herself would have netted more savings than any coupon. Guess we're back to warmer weather this week. Hopefully not for long!

    Hugs
    Jane

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  3. Hello, Jane!

    What a lovely week you've had, in spite of the remodeling! Ha!

    Your grapes are lovely and I imagine they made wonderful wine and juice! I have more to pick, but I already have 24 jars of juice, which makes me so happy! Today? MORE tomatoes! LOL

    Pictures of the kitchen update? Can't wait to see it!

    as ever.. m

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    1. Hi Matty! Of course there will be pictures when we finish.

      I've given up on the tomatoes, pulled all but a few for eating fresh. In spite of the drought, the garden certainly thrived. We have too many peaches. Makes us popular with the neighbors!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  4. Hahaha. Love your comment on the coupon lady's purchases. You are so right. Does anybody else remember there really are frugal lifestyles and money to be saved.

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    1. I don't know Barbara. I always notice what's in other people's carts while standing in line and have come to the conclusion people live on pop, chips and frozen pizzas. You rarely see any fresh fruits and veggies or any meat for that matter. Everything is pre-packaged. Such a shame, the money saved could be such a boon to so many people.

      HUgs
      Jane

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    2. I live in a college town so add Beer and ramen noodles to that list 😂

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  5. Another enjoyable post dear Jane. It seems like whenever we start a remodeling project, it mushrooms, or we open a can of worms and more work needs or wants to be done. I look forward to seeing your new kitchen.

    What a beauty filled pantry.

    Have a lovely holiday today and a great week ~ FlowerLady

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    1. Isn't that the truth Rainey! I'm so glad all your plumbing problems are behind you. Knock on wood! Today I'm stripping wallpaper, so I'm not sure if I'll be having a lovely holiday. Ha! But every day is a holiday for us!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  6. Happy Labor Day Jane! And you've been doing a lot of laboring! Your cosmos is beautiful! The kitchen is my favorite room, that will be so fun for you to have it changed/remodeled. Your food pantry (and you have more!) is great; the fruit of your labors. That is what my grapes would look like, if the squirrels/birds didn't eat all! So true about couponing! I used to try out multiple coupons. And we had food we didn't normally eat or like! Basics is the key for everything....for saving money on food, housing, cars, etc.! Hugs,Andrea

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    1. Hope you get the kitchen of your dreams in your new home, Andrea! Can't wait to see pictures of it.

      This is the first year the birds haven't eaten all of the wine grapes. They usually get to them the day before we pick them. Wish they'd pick on the currants instead!

      I rarely find coupons for the the items I use, since I just buy the basics. Though I wouldn't be opposed to using one if I could find any that added up to a true savings!

      Well, happy packing!

      Hugs
      Jane

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    2. thanks! the kitchen in the house we plan on putting an offer on is white, like the one I have. Secretly, I would like to switch to non-white! but white might have to do! Hugs, Andrea

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    3. Well white is a nice practical color that never goes out of style. You can always add color in your curtains and accents. Beats being stuck with a color you don't like (like my green roofs). Excited for you!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  7. I just discovered your blog and love it. I look forward to seeing pictures of your new kitchen.

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    1. Thanks Isabella and welcome! Hopefully, I'll have pictures next week.

      Hugs
      Jane

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  8. Happy Labor Day, Jane!
    Love the cosmos, such pretty colors. Your darning skill is nearly a lot art, but it just makes sense rather than throw things out.
    I feel sorry for the coupon woman as she has such a twisted view of a good shopping day and evidently not a clue that it really isn't. It seems to me there are an awful lot people that have become TV zombies believing whatever they hear on it. Save us, please. lol Your pantry looks so organized!
    Have a great day!
    Toni


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    1. Hi Toni! Yes! I know quite a few of those zombies. As they say, they don't call TV shows "programs" for nothing.

      I actually like to darn things. It certainly makes a sturdy patch! Hope you are having a nice Labor Day!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  9. Jane, I'm delighted by your list of things accomplished. A well-stocked pantry heading into winter is always a source of security.
    I mostly use my sewing machine for mending--it has a setting which sews a zig-zag with tiny stitches that catch frayed edges. Its interesting that people will cast off an expensive garment that needs a new zipper or button or the hem tacked back in place.
    When shopping at Goodwill or similar I look for particular brands of clothing that I like: Eddie Bauer, Talbots, Lands End--well made.
    I hope you will post photos when your kitchen over-haul is complete--you're an inspiration!

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    1. We have a well-stocked pantry, six cords of firewood and the property taxes are paid up, Sharon! We're good to go for the winter. Ha!

      I only buy the best at the thrift stores too. Everything's the same price so might as well go for the good stuff!

      I suppose if I was a better sewing machine operator, I could use my sewing machine for mending too. That's a good idea about using the zigzag stitch. Thanks for the info!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  10. Your kitchen renovation sounds wonderful. Look forward to seeing photos. I love other people's renovations because I don't have to live thru them. Your canned goods look wonderful. I cannot even begin to comprehend spending even $700 on groceries, not even for a month. Summer is finally winding down but still some hot and muggy days ahead. Fall is just around the corner though and it's my favorite season. Happy Labor Day! Hope you got the wallpaper stripped.

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    1. Thanks Shirley! Just finished stripping the wallpaper. What a messy awful job! I'll never wallpaper again. Hopefully the kitchen renovations won't be put off too long, I have jury duty tomorrow. Will certainly share photos of the kitchen when I finish!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  11. Howdy Jane, I loved this post! Im WITH YOU---"real fruit" "real vegetables". for petes' sake ALL YOU DO IS wash it, cut it, put it into washable/reusuable containers.......I just don't get it I gUess, all that lunchable stuff and all.....we never bought that for our kids EXCEPT ON FIELD TRIP day as a special day 'treat' for them. I know I do things the loooooong and old fashioned way but my gosh!--it kinda annoys me when people can stand there and think they got this BIG BARGAIN and so proud of themselves for spending 700 dollars on convenience/processed food. They could've done it cheaper, better, and had better nutrition as well. The coupons are not the part that annoys me........even waiting while someone tries to be more thrifty and USES coupons isn't what annoys me...its them doing like that woman did to you and acting all like "see how smart I am and look how money i saved" bit. When she really didnt "save" much...........she purchased a bunch of name brand expensive items for less than regular price, which is still way too much to spend. Lord, I need to get off my rant but I think you understand what I mean. I hope? ha ha ha ha LOL Someone up there (think it might've even been you) mentioned that in people's carts it looks like they LIVE ON pop, frozen food and frozen pizzas, snack chips.......I see that here as well so maybe it's so. Just cant comprehend that. Some of these women (most of them young) it just seems they have no clue nor any desire to actually do any homemaking, cooking, baking, they dont even want to do laundry!! I dont understand that.....seems all they want is the big beautiful wedding and the exotic huge honeymoon.......but the "real life" of marriage and taking care of a home or children---they seem to think they are 'above it' maybe? they seem to desire fame/celebrity as the MOST wonderful accomplishment. I'm not sure how people come into this mind-set. I love tv and good shows myself--but think it's from too much "reality tv"?? I dont know....just the younger generations coming up behind us....wow, we just grew up in such a completely different era and values I guess. I'm surely not perfect either!! but my gosh I can cook for and grocery shop for a family for far less than that amount that lady spent and I surely DO KNOW HOW TO WASH AND IRON clothes and I would rather spend an afternoon in a thrift shop finding real bargains than wandering around some big fancy overpriced mall buying cheaply made clothes with some big designer label in them---and pretending to be "SOME HOUSEWIFE FROM SOMEWHERE"...........LOL LOL LOL I know what to DO WITH DRIED BEANS and I can make (pretty good! lol) homemade biscuits and I know how grow some vegetables in a yard or a tiny container garden in the city. Being frugal is something to be proud of!

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    1. I second that emotion, Debbi! And it's not just young women, I see plenty of women our age that act the same way. I call it the "little princess" syndrome. Remember that line from the movie? Every little girl deserves to be treated like a princess. Well. I got news for them, they are not princesses and need to learn the cold hard facts that life is a lot of work. And plenty of it is work that's not fun. It's called being a grown-up.

      Feel free anytime to get on your soap box, Debbi! I love it when something I write strikes a chord with others. Hope you are not getting too much Hermine!

      Hugs
      Jane

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    2. Happy Tuesday! I waited until I got back in the office to read your post (they are my Monday coffee break). I rolled my eyes so hard with what that customer bought they hurt. All that unfrugal-ness and the tree hugger in me is just cringing with all that waste. Aye *sigh.
      I broke our glass top stove with canning this week- at first my husband was sweetly upset - and then he looked at the canning pantry and it has been decided to get a small burner to continue canning with. I am happy he saw how well used that stove top was (personally, I think it wore out).
      And finally, maybe I am in a league of my own but I love the look of well mended clothing. Those are the people I want to hang out with. I mean obviously they are practical, caring and not superficial.
      Have a wonderful week and thank you again for a good read.

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    3. Well I'm happy to spend your Monday coffee breaks with you, Jen.

      Canning is certainly hard on stove tops. Mine looks like it's been nuked! Usually I treat myself to new burner pans at the end of the season.. Yippie! I'm a big spender! Doesn't take much to make me happy!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  12. All that couponing kind of reminds me of playing the stock market: companies make up a bunch of "shares" and folks busy themselves buying and selling them. Same thing with coupons: companies print up a bunch of tickets so you'll buy their food which you probably wouldn't need to buy if you were just sticking to whole foods (which never seem to get any coupons) and yet folks make a complicated game out of buying and selling with their coupons. It's all just false economy. I spent the weekend baking and preparing food for the week's dinners and school lunches. Homemade cookies and muffins (using an enormous zucchini my Mom gave me) and chicken leg quarters I got for 49 cents a lb! The last time we were in the grocery store my daughter said, "Mom, no one buys as much fresh produce as you." Now, if only I could become interested in gardening....
    Cheers,
    Dana

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    1. That's a great analogy, Dana!

      That is how I spent my weekends when the boys were home too. It was a great opportunity to teach them how to cook too. The whole family got involved. I think kids don't waste as much if they had a hand in the food prep.

      That's a very good thing that you buy more fresh produce than anyone else! You're setting a wonderful example for your daughters. Even with a garden, I think I still buy more produce than any one else in the store. Ha!

      Hope you have a wonderful week!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  13. Love the pantry!

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    1. Thanks Debbie! Hope you are having some nice weather up North. It's been hot here. Will summer ever leave?

      Hugs
      Jane

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  14. Wow, 29 comments. I'll have to come back later to read all of them as I do enjoy them as well as your posts, Jane. Our labor day, was spent with family out here at our place. Had the kids out for a cookout and a great visit. The grandsons took turns riding the go cart. And in the evening we all watched Ninja Warriors which we all like. Then they headed home right after because the kids had school on Tuesday. Our grand daughter spent Sunday afternoon and overnight with us and she helped me bake some brownies for the party. She loved that. She's 7 and a pretty good help. She loves especially to break the eggs :) My garden is still producing tomatoes and green beans as I planted some later beans. I will can some of those and give some to a friend who just moved back from WY and loves them. The extra tomatoes I will take to the food pantry. I've canned enough for us. I am happy the garden is slowing d.o.w.n. :) Nannie

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    1. You and me both, Nannie! I even pulled some plants because I was sick of dealing with them. Still have too many peaches. I've been on jury duty this week, so Ran had to deal with bushel. He froze those.

      Glad you had fun with the grandkids. And glad you enjoyed Ninja Warriors! Ha! Not having any grandchildren living near by, I forget the school is starting up again.

      Have an enjoyable remainder of the week!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  15. I loved seeing all the home canned goods in your pantry. I wish we had wild grapes around here. I have not had much luck in trying to grow the domestic varieties but I do have a friend who has mastered it. :) YOu have done very well this week with all your savings!

    On a different note, I am so with you on NOT being impressed with the "savings" of the lady with all the coupons. Now don't get me wrong, I am all for using coupons and price matching, but only for items we need or that will be nearly free after coupon. But come on, Lunchables, which are not a meal, but just a small snack for a young child. Have you ever counted how many actual tiny pieces of cheese, meat and crackers are in those things? Very few!

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  16. Hi Debbie! I think the trick to growing grapes is knowing how to prune them. You have to be quite brutal.

    I'm not opposed to using a coupon too, Debbie, if it's something that we can use. However the lady had bought $700 worth of items like Lunchables and Capri Suns, etc. There was nothing in the cart to even put a meal together. I never priced those Lunchables but I'm pretty sure you can buy enough crackers and cheese for several lunches for the price of one of them. There's so many dumb products out on the grocery shelves these days.

    Hope you are having pleasant times!

    Hugs
    Jane

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  17. Hi Jane! Glad you liked the post. You and I both love the old houses. We raised our kids in an old (1880) sprawling queen anne victorian. It was perfect for us then but you know how it is...as the years go by most of us move or downsize.How is the kitchen coming along?

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    1. Hi Debbi! Kitchen's all finished. There's pictures in the latest post.

      Yeah, I'm glad I don't have to heat that old Italianate any longer. Or clean it!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  18. Wow, loved your tale of the couponer! Had to share that one with my family. I rarely use coupons. And never on food. I buy mostly in bulk and shop the dented can store. Also we garden and forage wild foods. Thankful that I canned wild plums and elderberry syrup before our move to Ohio. Missing having some fresh-ground flour though, as my dh is busy job hunting.
    We will be enjoying applesauce next week. My m-i-l has lots of apples on her tree and all the kids are excited to help. I love harvest time. It also builds memories and skills as we put up for winter.
    Keep it up, Jane you are inspiring many others (including another generation).
    Blessings,
    Leslie

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    1. Hoping your husband finds a job soon, Leslie. Aj the dented can store! I think if it weren't for that, we might not have managed to get the boys through college. I love 'em.

      It was a bad tea for apples here, but we have lots of peaches, so instead of pies we'll have lots of cobblers this winter. Guess I shouldn't have complained about having so many last year! That will teach me!

      Hugs
      Jane

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