tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post3948620158473151847..comments2024-03-09T02:21:59.660-08:00Comments on HOPE AND THRIFT: ADVENTURESJanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01851312702044308420noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-73324268117064239992015-12-12T12:45:35.254-08:002015-12-12T12:45:35.254-08:00Hi Kathy! I've been to Virgina before, I love...Hi Kathy! I've been to Virgina before, I love the mountains. Last year it looked like Siberia. So cold! I think every part of America has it's beauty. Well, except for the desert, I don't really get why so many are attracted to it. Guess it's like art, so many different views on it. Good thing we don't all like the same thing. How boring would that be.<br /><br />You'd probably need to beat the fudge for at least 15 minutes. depending upon the how long you let it cool. It should get to the consistency of fudge when you pick a take a pinch with your fingers and roll it around. I know! Like duh, right? But that was something I just discovered! Ha! Always learning!<br /><br />Have a nice weekend!<br /><br />Hugs<br />JaneJanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01851312702044308420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-59520578066063527282015-12-12T07:59:15.692-08:002015-12-12T07:59:15.692-08:00Oh your part of the country sounds beautiful. I t...Oh your part of the country sounds beautiful. I think you shared some pictures of the ice, and I have never seen anything like it before. I would so love to see it someday. <br />I live in the mountains of Virginia. We took a week and traveled the length of the Blue Ridge Parkway, camping and exploring along the way. I do love the mountains, but I would like to visit other places too. His creation is beautiful, isn't it!<br />Thanks for the tips; I can see several mistakes that I have made in the past. How long do you think that you need to beat it to reach the right consistency?<br />Wishing you much joy this Christmas season.Kathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16710629007170091862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-73939004385061527532015-12-12T06:41:39.428-08:002015-12-12T06:41:39.428-08:00Unfortunately Kathy, my photography skill aren'...Unfortunately Kathy, my photography skill aren't skillful enough to capture them. I so wish I could capture some of the beauty around here; the sunsets over the lakes, the starry nights, the great waves crashing over the breakwall. It's a wonderful and wild landscape I live in!<br /><br />Fudge is very tricky. Hopefully, I've given enough directions to help you make a good product. But the best thing about fudge is if it doesn't turn out, you can always pour it into jars and give it as a gift of fudge sauce! The main thing is not to stir while boiling and not to overcook it. That plus a couple of volunteer strong arms! Ha!<br /><br />Hope you are enjoying these weeks before Christmas!<br /><br />Hugs<br />Jane Janehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01851312702044308420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-64161787318255918482015-12-12T05:56:05.016-08:002015-12-12T05:56:05.016-08:00Wow, I'm sure the sight of the field of swans ...Wow, I'm sure the sight of the field of swans was amazing! Would love to see a picture if you get a chance sometime.<br />Great deals at the store. Thank you for the fudge recipe and tips. I haven't been able to make good fudge, so I'm anxious to try your recipe.<br />Love the mittens! <br />Hope you have a great week!Kathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16710629007170091862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-65913448594557732072015-12-08T10:55:59.416-08:002015-12-08T10:55:59.416-08:00Hi Toni! We used to be amused by our visitors fr...Hi Toni! We used to be amused by our visitors from other countries astonishment of our supermarkets. After a decade of living in the sticks, I now understand. The produce section is like a fairyland to me! Guess it doesn't take much to amuse me!<br /><br />I guess I'm fortunate that I have a husband that will eat whatever I serve. I'm the one that doesn't like soup, but I experiment with different recipes until I've found a few I like. Besides, I don't have to love everything I make.<br /><br />You'll love that mitten pattern. 28 stitches and bulky wool knits up fast. I keep my stash in a bin in the attic. A few years ago, I gave a huge bin away to charity. I'll probably have to do it again, soon. Trying to use it up on little projects, but there's only so many things you can make! I'm going to try and knit at least one pair of mittens for the Girls Scout's mitten tree this year. Maybe doll sweaters for Toys for Tots? Do they take handmade items, I wonder? I love knitting doll clothes, wish I knew some little girls.<br /><br />Well, hope you are having a fun week!<br /><br />Hugs<br />Jane<br /><br /><br /><br />Janehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01851312702044308420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-28070901672252330562015-12-08T10:44:26.840-08:002015-12-08T10:44:26.840-08:00Hi Debby! Fudge making is a common activity amon...Hi Debby! Fudge making is a common activity among us country folk. We make it then give it away. Ha! It's so rich and tempting, a little goes a long way!<br /><br />Don't know about oatmeal in the pie, but I'm know they did during the war. I guess you could say it was filling. Everything you make looks wonderful! You do such a great job with vegetables. They say to eat all the colors in the rainbow, and you certainly do.<br /><br />Everyday is an adventure if you use your imagination, isn't it? Of course some of us have to imagine harder than others. We can't all live in a place that looks like it comes out of a storybook! <br /><br />Hugs<br />JaneJanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01851312702044308420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-2199096956476512162015-12-08T10:38:01.514-08:002015-12-08T10:38:01.514-08:00Hi April! I wish I could have found some of those...Hi April! I wish I could have found some of those deer like you found at Target to add to the scene. You have some fun stores around you. Been watching you YouTube channel. Looks like you are having fun. <br /><br />Meat really is getting costly. I've discovered that we live in a pretty inexpensive part of the country compared to other, such as your west coast. That's something to be thankful for! Don't know how you do it!<br /><br />Have fun (and I know you will)<br />Hugs<br />JaneJanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01851312702044308420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-11814161527355404242015-12-08T09:00:26.036-08:002015-12-08T09:00:26.036-08:00Hi Jane! I agree shopping at bulk food stores is ...Hi Jane! I agree shopping at bulk food stores is often an adventure. Ours is over an hour away, but it's always a nice trip that I count as entertainment. <br /><br />I love soup, but Goodman doesn't so we compromise as in I make it anyway, and he eats it anyway and even has seconds. ;) I think he just thinks he doesn't like it.<br /><br />Love the mittens - I saved a copy, thank you! Wow, you've been knitting longer than I have, and your stash must be something to behold. I crocheted for years then learned to knit about 15 years ago. My stash is behind my catty-cornered dresser and on a shelf unit. I do love yarn.<br /><br />Hope you have a lovely week!<br />Tonimagnoliasnteahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08517995125207145961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-29522560548340385562015-12-08T07:13:12.989-08:002015-12-08T07:13:12.989-08:00That chocolate fudge looks amazing. I don't th...That chocolate fudge looks amazing. I don't think I've ever made it, I must have a go sometime. Your shopping looks fun. I love shopping in Middle Eastern or Oriental stores...it's like going on holiday.<br /><br />We used to tease my mum about her concoctions of left over food and after an episode of Upstairs Downstairs where Mrs Bridges made 'win the war pie' we kept calling supper, win the war pie. Everything would go in, even cold oatmeal... I'm probably just as bad (or good) with some of my concoctions. <br /><br />Hope the adventures keep on coming, oh and that you get some wished for snow.<br />Take care,<br />debx<br /><br />debby emadianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12222092755385566586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-36434049179723521322015-12-08T06:27:02.287-08:002015-12-08T06:27:02.287-08:00Thanks Jane. I have used that too. Actually it'...Thanks Jane. I have used that too. Actually it's what I have right now. Seems to work fine but doesn't have much fragrance. I guess I'll live with that :)<br />NannieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-9472381111088563812015-12-08T05:53:18.281-08:002015-12-08T05:53:18.281-08:00Hi Leslie! I sure could have used a strong arm o...Hi Leslie! I sure could have used a strong arm of a 14 year old when making that fudge. The best thing to do with fudge is to give it away. Sent out my packages yesterday. Discovered that those one-postage-ships-anywhere boxes are no bargain. Shipped two large boxes for less than the post offices largest one. It was $5 less, too.<br /><br />Love beef vegetable soup and the barley is a good filler. Whenever we have leftover pancakes, my son slathers a little butter on them and eats them for snacks. He says they taste as good as McGriddles!<br /><br />Enjoy your shopping fun and your day out with the girlfriends!<br /><br />Hugs<br />JaneJanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01851312702044308420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-67179480391071379792015-12-08T05:50:24.624-08:002015-12-08T05:50:24.624-08:00Love your woodland Christmas scene in the last pos...Love your woodland Christmas scene in the last post,so pretty, I love woodland Christmas decor. Your recipes and tips for frugal cooking are really helpful, I have been going through my freezer cooking up all of the meat that is left from this year so it doesn't go bad, it definitely saves to be creative with meats, it is shocking to see how high the meat prices can be, so I definitely don't want to waste any! :) Your red mittens are so pretty, I love the vibrant red color! Hope you have a wonderful week! :) April's Homemakinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03839044050318217592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-45691947529656258962015-12-07T20:10:43.814-08:002015-12-07T20:10:43.814-08:00Well we've been making up lots of fudge here t...Well we've been making up lots of fudge here too! I finished wrapping up a bunch in order to hand it out and mail. My fourteen yr. old daughter is really getting good at making it. I laid out the ingredients and she just took over. So nice to have a bored homeschooler around...they want to be useful. ;) <br />We enjoyed some Vegetable Beef soup (with pearl barley) for lunch along with some toasted waffles and pancakes. The latter work great in place of regular bread.<br />Looking forward to a little shopping with girlfriends tomorrow while my husband watches the children. Hope to pick up a few items at the Dollar Tree to round out my gift-giving.<br />Blessings,<br />LeslieLeslie McKinleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08082544707682903607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-55925639431408926272015-12-07T15:51:11.925-08:002015-12-07T15:51:11.925-08:00Hi Nannie~
I once did a price comparison on the ho...Hi Nannie~<br />I once did a price comparison on the homemade laundry soap and found it it actually cost more than laundry soap I can get on sale. We usually buy the cheap Sun brand (the kind you get at the dollar store) and we use less than recommended. If something is really dirty, we pre-soak it in a plastic bin with some washing soda. Hope that helps!<br /><br />JaneJanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01851312702044308420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-15349978903735908362015-12-07T15:06:47.809-08:002015-12-07T15:06:47.809-08:00P.S. Just wondering what frugal laundry detergent ...P.S. Just wondering what frugal laundry detergent works well for you. I have tried making my own but don't care for it or I am just too lazy! If you care to share I would like to know. NannieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-49971078789928753642015-12-07T15:02:08.411-08:002015-12-07T15:02:08.411-08:00Hi Nannie! I shipped mine out today too. Best n...Hi Nannie! I shipped mine out today too. Best not to keep the stuff around. Doesn't hurt to ask the deli. Deli meat can be so expensive, but it sure is handy! That was a sweet thing you did for your grandson. Those things made by youngsters are the sweetest. We once again have "artwork" on our refrigerator. Grandchildren are such a blessing! Have a nice week!<br /><br />Hugs<br />JaneJanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01851312702044308420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-15536659648371218602015-12-07T14:26:11.249-08:002015-12-07T14:26:11.249-08:00Fudge is the word of the season for me too. I made...Fudge is the word of the season for me too. I made a 9 x 13 pan, mailed some to my daughter's family and trying to keep the rest away from Hubby :) until Christmas. We were going to have our neighbor's over for dessert this evening but 2 of their kids got sick so we are postponing until they are well. They were going to get some of that fudge along with some cookies. I've got all my cookies baked and sent some of those to my daughter's family too. Way to warm for Dec. here in Nebraska. In the 50's today. I definitely wore to warm a coat when I took the dog walking. I'll know better tomorrow. I am going to ask at our deli if they have meat ends. I always buy our lunchmeat from the deli as it is so good and gluten free. A pound lasts us a week or two. And I like to buy it on sale and freeze it. My grandson (10) painted a small board for me last time he was out. I wanted to make him feel good about it so I glued a Christmas card and verse on it. The paint was red on one side and gold on the other. Found a card with gold and red and it looks so nice. He'll love it. Take care. NannieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-65819942729396902112015-12-07T05:39:00.509-08:002015-12-07T05:39:00.509-08:00Hi Becky! Those mittens are pretty basic knitting...Hi Becky! Those mittens are pretty basic knitting. If you can knit a dishcloth, you can probably knit them.<br /><br />We dry our kale then grind it into powder. It makes it very concentrated. We just sneak a tablespoon at a time into soups and casseroles. Hardly noticeable.<br /><br />That's the thing with fudge, you have to make it and then give it away immediately. Ha! <br /><br />Hugs<br />JaneJanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01851312702044308420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-62984235687074518872015-12-07T05:32:09.734-08:002015-12-07T05:32:09.734-08:00Sounds great Rainey! How's the water coming ...Sounds great Rainey! How's the water coming along?<br /><br />Hugs<br />JaneJanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01851312702044308420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-84086588510290288152015-12-07T05:22:43.813-08:002015-12-07T05:22:43.813-08:00Hi Matty! It's so strange that you have cold...Hi Matty! It's so strange that you have colder weather than we do up here. All around, I'd say this has been some of the oddest weather this year that I've ever seen. <br /><br />Buying new things for the house is so much fun! I gave most of my Christmas ornaments away and the ones I have left just don't go with our decor. So next year I want to make some. We're constantly redecorating here. If I can't have my off-the-grid cabin at least I can make this place look like one!<br /><br />Have a happy!<br />Hugs<br />JaneJanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01851312702044308420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-70507232692015262262015-12-07T05:02:56.321-08:002015-12-07T05:02:56.321-08:00Great post Jane. You've got my mouth watering...Great post Jane. You've got my mouth watering for some homemade soup.<br /><br />I made some homemade candies this weekend too. <br /><br />I'm also working on a felt beaded angel ornament for an ornament exchange this Wed.<br /><br />Have a lovely week ~ FlowerLadyFlowerLady Lorrainehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17678852154334714784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-75226275710053028132015-12-06T20:43:29.942-08:002015-12-06T20:43:29.942-08:00Jane,
I can't knit. I admire those who can. ...Jane,<br />I can't knit. I admire those who can. Your mittens are lovely. I have to say that they would take me WAY more than 2 hours! The few times I've tried to knit, it went very slowly. The only thing I can do is dish cloths where I just go back and forth, back and forth. They are pretty, though. <br />I have to say, our one experience with dried kale wasn't favorable. Our friends passed it off as chips, but it didn't taste like chips to us. I'm sure we are not as healthy as they are. I know it's supposed to be very healthy. I have had some in soup before, and it wasn't bad.<br />My sister always makes fudge for the family. She uses my Mom's recipe, which uses chocolate chips and marshmallows. It's way too good, though, so I don't dare make it myself.<br />It looks like you've had a busy and productive week.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-84894740094008600312015-12-06T15:31:30.885-08:002015-12-06T15:31:30.885-08:00Sounds like a wonderful, busy week, Jane! We ate a...Sounds like a wonderful, busy week, Jane! We ate a lot of soup from our canned goods this week with cheese and crackers on the side. I made a lot of veggie soups this summer, so it is my go-to these days. I love the flavor of our tomatoes, potatoes, and such... Yum. <br /><br />We've had heavy frosts this week; so much so that it looked like skiff of snow. It was cold enough all that in the shade lasted the day! Last night it was 17-degrees. Mister had a gig below the mountain and, when we got ready to leave, our car was encased in frost! <br /><br />Finally started decorating the house for the holidays. I am doing a lot of "house shopping" for my decor this year to change it up. It has been fun to change up the decor with our things reimagined! <br /><br />Have a terrific week! <br /><br /><3 Mmattyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06749881104429358524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-86705200949970139762015-12-06T14:55:36.199-08:002015-12-06T14:55:36.199-08:00Well it's only fair, Andrea! You're alway...Well it's only fair, Andrea! You're always tempting me with your recipes!<br /><br />I love making fudge, but a little sure goes a long way! That's why I send it out the door right away. Too bad we live so far apart or I'd bring some over for you. Fudge is always better when shared!<br /><br />Red just says "Christmas" doesn't it? But I'm tired of knitting that color. Maybe next year I learn to spread it out a little.<br /><br />Love what you said about keeping Christmas. Hope you have a merry week!<br /><br />Hugs<br />JaneJanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01851312702044308420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-32883051741073009732015-12-06T14:37:28.679-08:002015-12-06T14:37:28.679-08:00Hi Jane! All I can think of is your fudge right n...Hi Jane! All I can think of is your fudge right now....ha! I haven't had fudge for a long time. There is just something so special about the texture of fudge. What a neat recipe! I should be concentrating more on all your healthy meals. It is so true that you have to find the best buys at each store. I tend to stick to one; yet to be a truly smart shopper you have to do your "homework" and go to several. I haven't ever seen the deli meat ends for sale...but I think I've been stuck with ends in my full price deli meats! I've learned to only get deli meats at the Amish farmer's market now. We don't eat deli very often. Just because it is a drive to the market! <br /><br />Beautiful mittens. Red is the best color! Your stitches look perfect. And neat about the swans!<br />Nature's show for you! AndreaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com