Camping Tips - TT #27

We are getting ready for a camping trip this week. We are headed to the mountains on Saturday. This week has been full of preparations.

Camping is one of the most economical ways to take a vacation. It is a great way to enjoy nature and creates memorable experiences for the family, but it is a lot of work. We've been camping since I can remember, and for many years my parents took groups of teens camping regularly. I've learned a lot of tricks from my mom to make camping easier. Here are thirteen of them:

1. Write it down!
There are a ton of things to remember. Don't try to keep it all in your head. Make a list and keep it somewhere convenient to add to when you think of yet another thing you want to take.

2. Take the list with you.
That may seem pointless, but there really is a point! While your camping you will probably realize that such and such would have been nice to have, or that meal did not work at all or other some such thoughts about making your next trip better. Write them on your list for reference. Take your menu too. You may forget what all you actually brought.

3. Keep the list.
Save it in your computer or in a paper file, or somewhere you'll be able to find it again. Next trip you won't have to start all over. Plus you will have all the notes of things you learned from tip number 2.

4. The rain will come.
I don't care what the weather man says. It doesn't matter if there is a drought going on. When you go camping, it is bound to rain. Unless you have a high quality tent, the rain fly that came with your tent probably isn't going to keep the rain out. Take an extra tarp to put over the tent. We usually tie ours to trees or you can stake it out. Be sure to take rain coats and cards or something to do while it rains. If there is no thunder and lightning why not just play in the rain?

5. Pack in tubs with lids.
These are great because they are easy to load and unload and they will protect your gear in the rain. They also are useful for storing your camping gear at home.

6. Organize tubs and coolers.
These are like your pantry and refrigerator while you are camping, only not as easy to find things in. As much as possible I like to organize by meal, keeping all the cold things for a meal together in the cooler and all the other items together in a tub. Label your tubs.

7. You'll want a clothes line.
Clothes get wet and towels need a place to dry. You can also make a separate one for cups. See the next tip.

8. Hang up the cups.
If you are using disposable cups, have everyone write their name on their cup and rinse it out and hang it on the line with a clothes pin when they aren't using it. It will save a lot of cups and trash.

This can also work with reusable cups. Buy everyone a different color or type of cup or just write names on and use the same way as the disposable describe above.

9. Cook ahead.
As much as you can, cook your meals ahead so they only need reheated or can be eaten cold. I'll have more on this when I post our camping menu next week.

10. Take it frozen.

Taking your food frozen, except for the meals the first day, helps keep the coolers cold and saves you from using so much ice.

11. Share the work.
Camping with family or friends can help ease the work load. Share the cooking, cleaning up and childcare duties.

12. Beg, borrow, but don't steal.
Don't be too shy to ask your neighbors for help if you've forgotten something crucial or just can't quite figure out how to get that darned tent up. Campers are normally a friendly bunch. Furthermore, if it is your first time camping, I'd suggest borrowing equipment before you go out and buy a lot.

13. Pack your good attitude.
Relax and have a good time. Camping can be challenging, but roll with the punches and enjoy the experiences.

Feel free to add your own camping tips or experiences!

Thursday Thirteen

P.S. Camping also isn't the time to worry about weight loss. Eat up and enjoy! :)

Summer Carry In Favorites - TT #26

Summer is not even here yet, but the carry in picnic season is in full swing. I love this time of hanging out with friends and family, and enjoying the goodies that everyone has brought. Here are some of my favorites to bring the summer carry ins.

1. Pasta Salad
It is colorful, inexpensive, and delicious. It also holds up to the summer heat better than other favorites like potato salad.

2. Black Bean Salsa
This is a delicious combination of flavors. I usually tone it down a bit for carry ins by using one can tomatoes with chilies and one of just diced tomatoes. I made it like this for a function on Monday and someone (you know who you are) still said it was too hot. Geesh, just goes to show you can't please everyone!

3. Deviled Eggs
Give them a little zip by adding horseradish. Yes, they don't do well in the summer heat, but they never last long enough for that to really be a problem.

4. Baked Beans
Make them from scratch with a couple kinds of beans. I really should post my recipe.

5. Zucchini Strudel
A great way to use up all that zucchini, especially the ones you let get too big. No one will know it is zucchini, unless you tell them that is.

6. Veggie Tray
Keep the dip cold by putting it in a small bowl. Then fill a larger bowl with ice, and set the smaller bowl in the ice.

7. Spinach and Strawberry Salad
Especially good this time of year.

8. Garden Green Beans
Never better!

9. Sliced Garden Tomatoes
Those who don't grow tomatoes will thank you!

10. Fruit in a Watermelon Bowl
Use what is in season. It looks pretty and is refreshing.

11. Freezer Cucumbers
Cool as a cucumber can be.

12. Sugar Cookies
Can you believe I've listed eleven things with nothing sweet?!

13. Bread and Jam
Blackberry jam on homemade bread is always a hit!

Summer is almost here, so put away the down comforters, break out the picnic baskets, and enjoy! What are your favorite summer carry in dishes?

Thursday Thirteen


Apologies for the lateness of this post. We lost power this morning. It has been that kind of week.

13 Things We Will be Growing This Year - TT #25

A few weeks ago I posted about things I wish we grew. This week my list is about the things we are growing, or at least will be if our clay ground ever dries out enough to till and plant!

1. Tomatoes
Two varieties; one for eating and one for sauce.

2. Potatoes
Grown in recycled tires.

3. Green Peppers
These were a flop last year; hoping for better this time.

4. Jalapenos
Pickled these last year. They were so good.

5. Banana Peppers
Ditto #4.

6. Cabbage
Tried to start these from seed; tiny little seeds. Almost need magnifiers to see them. They aren't doing too well. I may need to buy some plants, or try again in the fall.

7. Broccoli

8. Cucumbers
Sure enjoyed these pickled too.

9. Zucchini

10 Summer Squash

11. Pumpkins
Some for pies. Some for carving.

12. Corn

13. Green Beans


Well I think that was the easiest Thursday 13 I've ever come up with. I think I could almost make another list of thirteen, but I will spare you.

Happy Thursday Thirteen to you!

I wish we grew our own. . . TT # 24

We have a fairly large garden and a few animals. So we do raise some of our own food, but every time the cashier at the grocery store tells me a total, I wish we raised much more of our food. I wish we could raise....

1. Bananas
I think my kids, especially Nolan, are part monkey. We simply can not keep bananas in the house. And the price! They have almost doubled recently here. I know you can get banana trees to raise inside. I'm not sure one would be enough. I need a banana forest!

2. Coffee
Mommy fuel is expensive, but it is necessary.

3. Strawberries
The ones in the store just don't compare to those from the field. I do get my fix by going to pick your own farms, but I'd rather have my own. We will someday!

4. Carrots
I've never had any luck growing these. I doubt they would grow well in the hard clay we call dirt here. I probably need to create a carrot bed with some sandy soil mix, but that would require time I don't have.

5. Milk
We don't have dairy animals. We toss around the idea of getting them every now and then, but milking is a huge commitment. One I guess we aren't quite ready for.

6. Blueberries
I love these little blue balls of sweetness. We do have wild bushes here, but they are very small. I rarely find any berries on them. I think the wildlife gets there before I do. The price of these fresh in the store is outrageous! I do without, for now. When we have space cleared for some fruit trees, blueberries are on the top of my list!

7. Apples
There are some wild trees where we keep our large animals, but I'd prefer something closer. I'd also like to have more varieties. The kids eat applesauce like crazy. I'd love not to have to buy it anymore.

8. Pears
Notice a trend here? Fruits are lacking in our current production.

9. Mushrooms
We love mushrooms, especially the big meaty kind. We have done some wild mushrooming, but it is time intensive. You also can't depend on finding anything.

10. Broccoli
Another favorite here. We are trying it this year. We'll see what happens.

11. Fish
I would love to include more fish and seafood in our meals. Someone in this house needs to take up fishing as a hobby!

12. Cheese
Another big expense in my grocery budget. I guess I need to go back to #5 for that one.

13. Money
Well if it grew on trees. . . We have lots of trees.








Photos: michaelmatusinec, LaStef, Lifeguardingal

I might need some air tools for some of these jobs.

Thursday Thirteen

Blog Carnivals TT #23

What is a blog carnival? It is a collection of blog posts about a certain topic. It is a place for those interested in a topic to find more information, and for those who write about the topic to share their ideas. If you are a blogger, submitting articles to a carnival is a good way to gain exposure and link love for your blog.

To get started visit Blog Carnival. There are thousand of carnivals listed there. Search by keywords to find topics that interest you. I recommend that you create a login, and then you can save carnivals to your favorites when you find one you like. You can find where the latest edition of the carnival is, and you can submit your articles for the next edition.

Here are thirteen of my favorite carnivals:

1. Make It From Scratch
This, in my unbiased opinion (ahem,) is the best carnival out there. It is even featured on the Blog Carnival homepage today! Make It From Scratch includes articles about making things from scratch. You'll find posts about food, crafts, sewing, gardening, and much more.

2. Festival of Frugality
This is a treasure chest of good ideas to save you money!

3. Carnival of the Recipes
A place to share and find recipes. Most weeks have a theme, so be sure to check before submitting.

4. Learning in the Great Outdoors
Posts from teachers, homeschoolers, and nature lovers focused on teaching our children and ourselves about nature.

5. Carnival of Family Life
This carnival draws a huge variety of topics related to family life. You'll find funny stories, parenting tips, family finance topics, health and beauty and more.

6. Carnival of Money Stories
Find articles about personal experiences dealing with money.

7. Carnival of Homeschooling
Tips, advice, philosophy, curriculum, and family life posts from homeschoolers of varying backgrounds.

8. Carnival of Debt Reduction
Ideas, advice and personal experience about reducing debt and staying debt free.

9. The Homesteading Carnival
This a fairly new carnival where you'll find articles on raising animals, gardening, recipes, and self sufficiency.

10. Carnival of Green Gardening
This is a new one too. The topic is interesting to me. We'll see how the carnival does.

11. Mommy Monthly
A monthly carnival about moms, parenting, and the issues they care about.

12. A Make Money Blogging Carnival
Tips, how-to's and more about using your blog to make money.

13. The Mommy Blog Carnival
The name says it all.

I love blog carnivals. They are very useful tools for information and for building your blog. For a larger list of the best of the carnivals, sorted by topic, see 50 Best Blog Carnivals at Blogging Sueblimely.

Thursday Thirteen

Blogging: Entertaining and Useful - TT# 22

I often think, for my generation of stay at home moms, blogs are equivalent to the soap operas our mothers may have watched. They are a tiny escape in the day. We are entertained by blogs. They make us laugh and cry, and sometimes they shock or infuriate us. The twist to blogging is that it is reality, and in addition to all its entertaining value, you can find lots of useful information out there.

Have you ever posted a recipe, an idea, or other how to, and gotten lots of comments about how wonderful it sounds? Do you ever wonder if anyone actually tried the idea? Of course I don't try everything I read either, but this week I thought I'd share with you some great things I've learned from other bloggers.

1. I'd never have even known about blogging at all if it weren't for my husband

2. I learned to make fire starters from dryer lint, and they work wonderfully!

3. Pumpkin pancakes have been quite a hit here, thanks to Amy!

4. I had never even heard of the feminine product called the keeper until I read about it on a blog.

5. I've learned a few ways to earn money to help us pay down debt.

6. Heidi's ginger cookie recipe has become a favorite!

7. Cranberry Upside Down Cake was on the menu for Christmas breakfast. Thanks Michelle.

8. Speaking of Christmas, Lis gave me a great recipe that I used for Christmas gifts, Homemade Irish Cream.

9. Sunday's lunch was Herb-Crusted Venison Tenderloin Roast. Mine was made slightly different, but using the same idea.

10. The homeschooling resources from bloggers are enormous. The one I've used most this year: Our Homeschooling Expedition - Civil War Unit.

11. Never ever would have thought to make my own laundry detergent if I hadn't read about it at Frugal Upstate. I use her recipe, though I do process it slightly differently. This winter I've also been using her trick for fabric softener. Works like a charm, and saves money too. Thanks Jenn!

12. I didn't like making sugar cookies all that much until Jon gave me this simple and delicious recipe:Grandma Bryan's Tea Cakes. They are so good!

13. PB&J rollups were on the menu for a recent birthday party here.


You may notice that many of those are recipes. What can I say? I like to cook and try new recipes. There are many more useful things I've found from bloggers. These are just the ideas that have either been bookmarked or that I remembered off the top of my head. Thanks to all the bloggers listed here, and the many who are not, for giving me ideas and teaching me new things. You sure are better than daytime T.V.!

Smaller is Better - TT # 21

We live in a house that is about 1400 sq feet. We are a family of six. I'm not going to lie, and tell you we are perfectly happy in our little home. The fact is we are crowded, and there simply are not enough places to put our things. The biggest problem with this house is not the living space, but the storage space. There is no basement. There is no attic.

Our previous home was about the same size, but it had a large basement, and a large attic. We really had plenty of room in that house. (Granted there were only five of us then.)

We do plan to build someday. When we talk about house plans there are always things thrown out like wouldn't it be nice to have a separate room for school, for Tim's music stuff, for canning, and a list of other things. Then reality sets in, and I wonder how big of house do we really need? Is bigger always better? I think in the case of homes the answer is no. Here are thirteen reasons why a small house may be better.

1. The Price Tag
All other things equal, whether building or buying, a larger home will come with a larger price tag

2. Utilities
The more square footage the more it will take to heat and cool the place. And the more rooms the kids will leave the lights on in.

3. Furniture
You will need something to put in all those rooms.

4. Decorating
More curtains, pictures, and other items to buy.

5. Cleaning
All that floor space will need swept, the furniture dusted, and those curtains washed occasionally. I can't keep up with what I have now!

6. Clutter
I find having a smaller home forces me to de-clutter more often. When we moved from the home that had lots of storage I was shocked at home much we accumulated because there were places to put it.

7. A bit tight now, but perfect for the future.
There are six of now, but there won't always be. I know this probably doesn't hold true for a lot of people, but when we build we plan to stay. we aren't looking for any North Carolina land for sale, or any other land for that matter. Thinking about when there will be just two of us is a consideration.

8. Redecorating
At some point new paint and carpet will be needed. This could be a big difference in time and money for the future.

9. Upkeep
Whether you are talking about the roof or the siding a bigger house will take more of it.

10. Life lessons
Sharing space may not always be fun for the kids (or the parents who have to hear the arguments,) but I think there are lessons to be learned in those conflicts.

11. Forces us to get outside
Being on top of each other makes getting outside in the open spaces more appealing.

12. Use of resources
We don't want the focus of our time and money to be a house. A larger house is a larger draw on those resources. A smaller house lets us put those resources to uses that are more important to us.

13. Encourages me to stay on top of things.
With a lot of people in a small space getting behind on laundry, dishes or picking up toys soon makes it hard to function in the house. I'm not saying that it never happens, but it is hard to just close a door and ignore the mess in a little home.

So, how large of a home do we need? I'm not sure about that. I do know though for our lifestyle and situation, bigger is not better. There are some things we certainly need more room for, and other things that might be nice. It comes down to prioritizing those wants, and deciding where to draw the line. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

Thursday Thirteen

Basics in My Cupboard - TT #20

As a follow up to Basics in My Refrigerator, here are thirteen basic items found in my cupboard, that help me create quick and frugal meals.

1. A good basic cookbook.
If you aren't accustomed to cooking a lot from scratch, you need to start with a cookbook that has the basics. My favorite is an older edition of the Settlement Cookbook, but there are other good ones out there. You may be surprised how quick and easy it is to make many things from scratch.

2. Tomato sauce.
Not spaghetti sauce, not pizza sauce, just plain old tomato sauce. It really is very easy to add spices for spaghetti, pizza, soups, or other tomato based things. If you need to thicken it a bit, add a can of tomato paste.

3. Spaghetti
A kid pleaser, and very easy to cook.

4. Peanut butter
Of course.

5. Ramen noodles
Hey, they worked in college didn't they?

6. Flour
Make a quick meal of pancakes, add biscuits to your dinner, or make your own pizza dough, it all starts with flour.

7. Cornmeal
Cornbread is a favorite around here.

8. Canned tuna
For quick sandwiches or tuna and noodles.

9. Rice
So many different ways to use it!

10. Refried beans
Though they taste wonderful when you make them yourself, I always keep a can of refried beans in the cupboard too. They become bean dip, tacos, or quesadillas.

11. Mixed vegetables.
Fresh or frozen vegetables are my preference, but the canned mixed ones are great for throwing together a quick meal. Add them to tomato sauce with some leftover roast for vegetable soup. Add them to leftover chicken with a can of mushroom soup, and top with biscuits for an easy and delicious meal.

12. Macaroni and cheese.
Yes, in a box. I know I know. It is that hard to make from scratch, but sometimes old habits die hard, and the boxed stuff is really cheap!

13. Corned beef hash.
Ya know the stuff that looks like cat food coming out of the can. What can I say? My kids love it!

What are some of your cupboard staples for quick and easy meals?

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Ways to Use Dryer Lint TT# 19

Had you walked into my laundry room this morning, this is what you would have seen on top of my dryer.


Perhaps you would have thought, "What in the world?" Yes, I am so cheap that I save my dryer lint.

Awhile back Butterfly Mama had a post about making a fire starter from your dryer lint. Today that is exactly what I did with mine. It really is an easy process that uses all recycled materials. The finished product.


I got to wondering, what else you can do with dryer lint? Here are 12 more uses that I found with links where explanation is needed.

2. Add it to your compost.

3. Put it in the yard for birds to pick up to use for nesting material.

4. Give it to your small pets like rabbits and gerbils for nesting material.

5. Use it to mulch around plants - You'd have to do a laundry wouldn't you?

6. Make lint paper mache.

7. Make lint clay.

8. Make lint paper.

9. Line the bottom of your houseplant pots with it. It helps to keep the soil in the pot while still allowing drainage.

10. Create artwork. I kid you not. Check it out.

11. Spin it into new yarn. Knit a sweater or some socks.

12. Use it as packing material.

13. Make a draft stopper for your doors.

Who knew you could do so much with your dryer lint?

Thursday Thirteen

I don't think you could use it to make a Dodge Charger accessory do you?

Basics in My Refrigerator TT #18

Whether you plan out your menu for the week, or not, we all need meals that we can fall back on in a pinch. When the day doesn't go as planned, or when there really wasn't a plan, you need something quick and easy that your family will enjoy. Having these meals as a back up plan will save you money. You can put them together faster than you can get the kids loaded up to go to a restaurant.

When you've found some family favorites that are quick and easy, you need to be sure that you keep their ingredients on hand. Some of our favorites are breakfast for dinner, homemade pizza, and Mexican food, and in our refrigerator you will almost always find the following:

1. Milk

2. Eggs

3. Pepperoni
Homemade pizza is one of our favorite last minute meals, but pepperoni is also a great grab and go snack.

4. Mozzarella Cheese
Need that for the pizza. It makes a good snack too, or even grilled cheese, though it is a bit stringy. It is fun for the kids.

5. Tortillas
Bean and cheese quesadillas are a regular item here for lunch and sometimes dinner. Tortillas are also great to use instead of bread for sandwiches. Put meat or peanut butter and fixings on a tortilla and roll it or fold it. These travel much better than bread.

6. Cheddar Cheese
Quesadillas, tacos, snacks, sandwiches, and oh so much more.

7. Coffee
A must have for the mom of this house!

8. Jelly
Toast or peanut butter sandwiches, jelly is needed!

9. Real butter

10. Margarine
Why both? I posted about it once here.

11. Bacon
We like to have breakfast for dinner regularly, but I keep bacon on hand for more than that. A little bacon will add a lot of flavor to many dishes. I use a slice or two chopped up for bean soups, and green beans.

12. Ranch dressing
Goes a long way to get the kids to eat raw veggies.

13. Sour cream
We use it for quesadillas, baked potatoes and more.

To make sure that I keep those items on hand, I keep a basket of pens on top of the fridge and a pad of paper with a magnet on the fridge. Whenever something is running low, I write it on the list. Come grocery day I know what we need.

Thursday Thirteen

Easy Chocolate Christmas Candy TT #17

Earlier this week we went to a candy making party hosted by one of the leaders of our homeschool co-op. She invited all the families from our co-op to come and make Christmas candy. I've made Christmas candy before, but it is fun to do projects like this with other people. Apparently lots of others thought the same thing.

There were at least twenty people there, and the kids far out numbered the adults. They also did most of the candy making. Our hostess had a wide variety of supplies, and candies for use to make. Some I had made before, and some were new to me. She also gave us a wonderful packet full of candy making ideas and recipes. As you might imagine the day was a bit chaotic, but we all had fun, learned a few things, and got to take home a box of assorted candy.

Chocolate dipped candy is easy, delicious, and makes a great gift. Here are some ideas for things that you can make. If you have not made dipped candy before, you can find the how to and tips after the list.

Thirteen Things that are Good Dipped in Chocolate

1. Pretzels
These are my favorites. The twists are the best for eating, but the rods can be decorated. Add sprinkles, colored chocolate or other candy to make lovely chocolate covered pretzel rods.

2. Heath bar centers
You can find these where you buy your candy making supplies.

3. Rice krispies
Mix them into a small bowl of melted chocolate, and spoon out in a cluster.

4. Peanuts
Same procedure as the rice krispies.

5. Coffee beans
You'll want to keep these as individual pieces of candy, not a cluster. If you want the coffee flavor with out the crunch, mix 1 part instant coffee to 6 parts melted chocolate. Mold (use a candy mold or small paper cups) in bite sized pieces.

6. Animal crackers

7. Marshmallows
I like to make these in a variety of colors and include them in gift baskets with homemade cocoa mix.

8. Ritz crackers
Good alone, or spread peanut butter on one cracker, top with another cracker then dip.

9. Peanut butter balls.
1 -18 ounce jar of peanut butter mixed with 1 pound of powdered sugar. Roll into small balls.

10. Raisins

11. Coconut balls
Mix 1 lb macaroon coconut and 1 1/2 C hot light corn syrup. Let sit overnight. Shape into small balls.

12. Pecans

13. Anything that sounds good to you dipped in chocolate. Use your imagination and come up with something new.

Making basic chocolate covered candy really is very easy, and does not require any special equipment. You do need the right chocolate though. You need coating chocolate. Simply melting chocolate chips will not work. You can buy the coating chocolate at many craft stores, bulk foods stores, or even party stores. It is not often that I recommend buying brand names, but for chocolate I have to say I prefer Merckens. It is less waxy tasting than other brands I've tried.

You can buy the chocolate in blocks, but the easiest way to work with it is in wafers. You can buy all kinds of chocolate, lite, dark, white and a variety of colors. Personally I use mostly the brown varieties of chocolate, and some white. The colors are fun, but I don't think they taste as good. I use them in small quantities for decorating or to add color (like with marshmallows.)

Two big things to remember when working with chocolate:
1. It burns easily.
2. Do not get water in with the chocolate.

Since chocolate burns easily, you must melt it slowly. Using a double boiler is the best way to melt the chocolate. Melt the chocolate slowly a little at a time in the top of the double boiler. The water in the bottom of the boiler should only be kept at a simmer. If you don't have a double boiler, a crockpot on low will work. Be sure to keep a close eye on it, and stir often. You can also melt in a microwave, but be careful not to burn the chocolate. The microwave is best for small batches. Heat for no more than 30 seconds at a time. Stir between heatings.

Now, that the chocolate is melted, comes the fun part; the dipping. The easiest candy simply involves dipping whatever you want to be covered in chocolate into the chocolate, tapping off the excess, placing the candy on a sheet of wax paper, and letting it cool. Forks work well for the dipping. At the party I learned that a plastic fork with the center prongs removed work wonderfully for items like pretzels. If you want to speed the cooling process you can place the candy in the refrigerator or freezer.

That is all there is to it. Melt. Dip. Cool. Enjoy!

Thirteen Things I Won't Be Shopping for This Christmas TT# 16

I've been doing a little online shopping, well mostly browsing, but here are thirteen things I definitely will not be buying this Christmas season.

1. A Hillary Nutcracker. Regardless of your political views I think that you can see the humor in this item, but it isn't on my shopping list!

2. travel insurance
Not really necessary when you are only going four hours away.

3. Inflatable Christmas Decorations
Sorry if you really love these, but I've yet to see a display of them that doesn't bring to mind the word cheesy! And don't even ask me about the run down mobile homes around here that have ten of these monstrosities in front of them.

4. Baby Dolls that Pee
I mean, really, don't I change enough real diapers around here?

5. Motorized Toys for Kids
Again, my apologies if you think these are the cutest things ever, but why do kids need a battery powered toy to run around the yard? Let them burn all that energy they are blessed with. And we wonder why we have a child obesity problem?

6. This tie or anything remotely resembling it.
Well, unless of course you want it honey?

7. A Large HDTV
I just have a problem with spending an entire paycheck (or more) on a T.V. Just my opinion though. Apparently those in the trailers with the Christmas inflatables don't have the same opinion.

8. A Pole Dancing Kit
Guys, I wouldn't advise buying this for your wife either.



9. A Notebook Computer
Ah, and this one I really wanted to shop for, for myself, but it looks like it will have to wait until after the first of the year.

10. Fruit Cake
A gift best enjoyed when it is homemade.

11. Meowy Christmas
I like cats and all, but listening to twenty Christmas favorites meowed may be a wonderful way to torture someone, but for pleasure? I think not. You can hear some samples by clicking on the link.

12. A Chihuahua Taco Holder
Is any explanation really needed?

13. A Cinderella Toaster
Not only does it make your toast, but it sings to you too. Um. . . anyone want that for Christmas this year?


Thursday Thirteen

Better Tasting and Almost as Easy TT-15

If you are on a quest to cut your food budget, learning to cook from scratch is one of the best places to start. Food made from scratch is almost always cheaper than the boxed versions. It also tastes better and is better for you.

Cooking from scratch can seem like a foreign concept if you've grown up in a generation where everything comes from a box. I once had a roommate who did not know you could make brownies without a boxed mix! When I first started expanding my "from scratch" horizons, I was amazed that the boxed versions ever become popular. Most items we are accustomed to making from a box really aren't that difficult to make, and they taste so much better made from scratch. I couldn't believe I ever relied on a mix!

Here are thirteen items that I find to be better tasting, more economical, and almost as easy to make from scratch:

1. Corn Bread
It took me awhile to find a recipe I liked, but the linked one above is a winner. With only five dry ingredients and three wet, it really is simple to make too.

2. Microwave Popcorn
This is so incredibly simple. Really! No need to buy the extra packaging and chemicals in the ready made kind!

3. Refried Beans
This does take a little planning ahead, but the process is simple, and the results well worth it.

4. Spice mixes
For tacos and chili I normally just add the individual spices, but you can make your own mixes in bulk to have ready to go. Butterfly Mama has a recipe for a seasoning mix. In the same post she also has a recipe for the next thing on my list.

5. Sloppy Joe
Puts the stuff in a can to shame!

6. Bread
Admittedly, only almost as easy if you have a bread machine, but oh so delicious.

7. Pancakes
We use several different recipes, but the linked one is what we use most. Again, there are not a lot of ingredients, and it tastes so much better than any mix.

8. Hot Cocoa
Perfect for those chilly days, and so easy!

9. Cakes
I tend to make the denser type of cakes as opposed to the delicate textured types, but they all are better homemade. One of our favorites is Jessie's Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake. Scribbit has a wonderful post about making cakes from scratch: Tips for the Perfect Cake.

10. Brownies
This is another item that is easy, but it took me awhile to find a recipe I really liked. We like Baker's One Bowl Brownies the best.

11. Pizza Dough
Homemade pizza in general is just simply delicious. I grew up with homemade pizza; the dough made from a mix. The recipe I normally use is a little more involved, but pizza dough really can be simple. RecipeZaar has a very simple one you might try: Quick and Easy Pizza Dough.

12. Mashed Potatoes
Instant potatoes just can't stand up to the real thing, but peeling potatoes does take time. Well unless you are a lazy mashed potato cook like I am. Buy potatoes with thinner skins, like redskins or Yukon Gold. Scrub them well, cut into cubes and boil until tender. Then mash them (peel and all) with some butter and milk. Yummy!

13. Cleaning Products
These don't taste better, but they do fit all the other criteria for this list. Most of my cleaning is done with vinegar and water. You don't need to buy different cleaners for every room. You probably already have everything you need for more natural and frugal cleaning right in your cupboard. Read Naturally Frugal Cleaning for more information.


If you don't already cook from scratch, I encourage you to try a few new things from scratch. I think that you'll find them more economical, delicious, and almost as easy!

Thursday Thirteen

Aldi vs Sams - Who has the best price?

Several years and a couple of kids ago, I was very diligent about keeping a grocery price book. I kept a small memo book with an alphabetical list of the items we bought most often, and beside the item I wrote the store that had the best price and what that price was. It was very handy, and I could tell at a glance if a sale price was really better than my best normal price.

My price book told me that Aldi had the best deals on most of the items we purchased. Before my weekly shopping trip, I would browse through the sale fliers, compare prices to my book, and choose the store that had the best deals on things we needed. Then I would shop at Aldi, and stop at one other store, (or sometimes two if there were fantastic deals to be had) for their loss leaders, and any other items that I was unable to get at Aldi.

When we moved to a new state, and I was pregnant with our fourth child, the thought of making a new price book was not appealing, to say the least. Since I was confident that Aldi had the lowest prices over all, I decided to do the bulk of my shopping there, and picked up the rest elsewhere, usually at Wal-Mart because I could get all the other items there for a good price.

Judging by a recent poll of readers here, it seems the majority of you agree. 55% of you picked Aldi as the store with the lowest prices. Followed by a tie of 14% saying it really doesn't matter, and 14% saying Wal-Mart or other supercenter. 8% picked Kroger or other full service grocery, and only 7% chose Sam's or other warehouse type store.

My husband and I had talked here and there about getting a Sam's club membership. I wasn't sure that their prices would be lower, and figured by the time we paid for the membership it would not be worth it. Then a few weeks ago we had the opportunity to get a free membership (read mystery shop.) We got the membership, and then the question arose, "Who does have the best prices?" I knew it was time for another price book.

This time the price book has been set up on Excel, and specifically set up to compare Aldi and Sams's. Want to take a peek? Go ahead; Aldi vs. Sams. It is still a work in progress, but I think there are enough entries there to give you a good idea. Aldi has the lowest price on just over half of the items I've priced so far.

These are unit prices and they compare different brands. Also a note about the Sam's prices I only used prices that were in usable quantities for me. For example; eggs can be purchased cheaper per dozen by buying ten dozen. That is not a usable quantity for me. The price shown in the spread sheet is for purchasing three dozen.

To give you a taste here is where you can get the best price on 13 common items:

1. Skim Milk - Sam's
2. Butter - Sam's
3. Eggs - Aldi
4. Cheddar shredded- Sam's
5. Mozzarella shredded - Sam's
6. Sour Cream - Aldi
7. Quick Oats - Aldi
8. Pepperoni - Aldi
9. Bacon - Aldi
10. Tilapia frozen - Aldi
11. Flour - Aldi
12. Sugar - Aldi
13. Peanut Butter - Sam's

Most of the price differences aren't huge, especially at the per unit level, but remember that is just for comparison purposes. Consider how much you actually buy to figure your savings. Add those savings up for a year, and it can make a big difference.

I haven't decided how or if I will make Sam's a regular part of my shopping routine, but it will be at least an occasional stop for this year. This year's Sam's membership was free for us. I will have to consider that cost when it is time to renew the membership. The cost of membership is about 77 cents a week.

Of course comparing unit prices isn't the only thing to consider when picking a store. You have to consider location, quantities, and personal preference. Having the price comparison though really is helpful. Now I know who has the better prices, and can easily compare prices with sales fliers. I will also print a copy to keep with me, so if I happen to be at a different store, I can compare prices before buying.



Joanna has also been working on a similar project. See her results at Finally, a price book! A big thanks to her also for telling me how to link up my spreadsheets!

For those of you who live near me:
There is one other thing to consider; sales tax. Since our state taxes our groceries, we instantly save 4% by simply driving across the river. Since Aldi is in WV and Sam's is in Ohio, I made a spreadsheet to account for the 4% WV sales tax. You can see that sheet at WV Price Book.

For those of you who don't have Aldi:
I know I know, you are tired of hearing of all the great prices at Aldi. Sorry! You could send them a note to see if they are planning to expand to your area.

Thursday Thirteen (#14): for lists of thirteen on everything from beach weddings to weird recipes.

Don't Get Buried Under Toys this Christmas - TT#13

As we try to live a frugal and simple life style, we are trying to instill the same values in our children. Part of that life style involves not accumulating mountains of stuff. When you have children, mountains of toys; gund, Tonka, Barbie, and more, can be expected this holiday season. How do we teach our children to appreciate the simple things, and not focus on the material things when we are constantly bombarding them with stuff?

I don't want to be a scrooge. I want my children to enjoy opening their presents, and appreciate the presents they get. Frankly, when it come to Christmas presents, I think less is more. How many times have you watched children atack their mountain of gifts. They rip open one present, throw it aside, and move onto the next. I know mine do it. Then they don't even remember what they got or who gave it to them. The opening doesn't seem to be about what is actually in the boxes, but about how many boxes they can get through. A few well thought out gifts let them enjoy the process and appreciate the items in the boxes.

Most of our kids' already have more toys than they really need. It is fun to get a few new ones, but when you are buying presents, and other family and friends are also buying presents, well it just gets to be too much. Soon we are all buried in toys.

Here are some ideas to help you keep it simpler this year, and limit the amount of toys.

1. Declutter the toys now.
Make room for what is coming.

2. Start by limiting yourself.
Set yourself a limit, either in dollars or quantity of toys, you will buy for your children. To see the system we use please refer to Four for Christmas.

3. Talk to others about your wishes to keep things simple.
This can be really sticky. Approach with caution and with out self righteousness in your voice. Some people may be relieved that you don't expect them to buy your children a load of presents. Others though may not be so receptive. Only you can decide how much you want to push the issue, and if it is worth hard feelings with your family or friends.

4. If they still want to buy, try to redirect the purchases to more useful things.
Even if people don't agree with your desire to limit the number of gifts, they do want to give gifts that are appreciated.

Here are some ideas to suggest to your friends and family as gifts, that will help limit the clutter and piles of toys.

5. Things they need.
Clothing, shoes, and the like.

6. Decorations for their rooms.
The kids appreciate making their room fun. We've asked for curtains, sheets, and bath room accessories.

7. Lessons
Swimming, dance, soccer, music, or whatever your kid is into. Maybe as a present for you the giver could provide the transportation too! :)

8. One large item.
Instead of buying lots of little things give the children one that will wow them. If you have multiple children, you can ask for something they all will use, like a swing set.

9. Time with a special person.
A gift certificate for one on one time, or even lunch out and a movie.

10. Money for the college funds.

11. Donations to a good cause.
If your children are involved with you in a charity, they may appreciate having a donation made in their name, or maybe sponsoring a child through an organization like Compassion.

12. Art supplies.
These are useful, and they will get used up instead of cluttering the house for years to come.

13. Outside toys.
At least you can get the kids out of the house for awhile and store the toys in the garage!


If you have little children implementing this type of plan is easy. If your children are older and used to a mountain of gifts under the tree, it isn't going to be so easy. I want my children to enjoy their Christmas, but I don't want them to think that it is about how many toys you get. When the amount of gifts is overwhelming, none of the gifts are appreciated as much as they should be. Simple is just better.

Frugal Recommendations for New Parents - TT #12

If you are or are soon to be the parent of a new baby the amount of items promising to make you a better parent can be somewhat overwhelming. All the marketing aims to convince you that their product will make your baby calmer, happier, smarter, or safer; that you will be the best parent.

Well, you simply do not need it all. If you are trying to keep to a budget, you do not want it all. It may sound cliche, but our moms didn't have half the gadgets we now depend on for babies. Our grandmothers had even less. Buy the essentials without all the bells and whistles. Be very choosy about the nonessentials you buy.

In Shopping for Babies, I recommended that first time parents gather advice from more experienced parents before making a gift registry or buying a lot of things. Today, I will give you my list of recommendations about some different baby products.

1. Feeding - Breast is best.
It is best for baby, best for mom and best for the budget. It can take a bit to get the hang of and to get beyond self consciousness, but it really is worth it. You can do it if you are working or staying at home.

When it is time to introduce solids, baby food is as easy as pureeing some of the fruits and vegetables the rest of the family is eating, before adding spices or fats.

2. Bassinets - Not a necessity.
We used a bassinet with our youngest. We borrowed it from my brother. They are convenient those first few months when there are several night feedings. They are small and fit in the parents' bedroom better than a crib. Babies outgrow these fast. We did use a family cradle with the others some, but mostly they just went straight to the crib. Well, except the third child. He spent the first five months sleeping in his car seat. It wasn't like we wanted him to sleep there, that was just the only place he slept well. Hey, rule number one for new parents, babies don't follow the rules.

3. Cribs - Keep it Simple
A basic crib really is all you need. Cribs are not a permanent piece of furniture, so why spend a fortune on one? I am not a big fan of the convertible cribs (they convert from crib to day bed to twin bed) In theory they sound economical, but unless you are only planning to have one child I don't think they are worth the investment. You will need a crib for your second child. We have used the same basic crib for all four of our children. By the time the next baby was born, the older one could move to a toddler bed, and if there was one in the toddler bed then they moved to a twin bed.

4. Car seats - Gotta have them
Though babies do quickly outgrow the carrier infant seats, I think they are worth it. The last thing you want to do is wake the baby when they have fallen asleep in the car. With a carrier type seat you are less likely to disturb them. Look for one that works with or with out the base. It will save you a lot of hassle when you are using a different car, or baby is going with someone else.

After they outgrow the carrier, invest in a car seat the will convert from rear to forward facing and into a booster. Kids are required to be in a car or booster seat for a long time. The convertible ones will cost you more initially, but will save you from having to buy multiple seats.

5. A sling - Must have.
I'll be the first to admit I didn't use it a lot with my first child. Using a sling does take a bit of getting used to. Once you beat the learning curve though, slings are the best carriers for the money. They are also the best tool for being able to get things done with a fussy baby. That is priceless. With our second child, I found the sling a must have.

6. A bouncy seat - Must have.
All of my children liked these. They allow you to put the baby somewhere off the floor, and the baby can still watch you. The seats that vibrate were my favorites.

7. Baby tub - Skip it.
They take up a lot of space. Babies out grow them quickly. It is just as easy to wash the baby in the kitchen sink, especially if it has a sprayer, or to lay a towel down in the big bath tub.

8. Swing - Try it before you buy.
They are expensive. They take up a good deal of space. From my own experience, and those I've observed, many babies really do not like swings all that well. But if yours is one of those babies, like my oldest, that is soothed by the swing, then it is certainly worth the investment. I recommend giving a swing at a friends, a nursery or day care a test run before you invest.

9. Strollers - No easy answer here.
It doesn't sound very frugal, but I really have found it worthwhile to have a large stroller, and an umbrella stroller. There are just some places where the umbrella stroller is more convenient and vice versa. I do recommend that you look for strollers with larger sturdy wheels. It is very difficult to get smaller wheels through gravel and grass.

10. Clothing - Don't go crazy.
The most convenient infant clothing for home really is creepers or onesies. Of course you will want some super cute outfits to go out in, but really 5-10 in a size is enough. Much more than that and you are likely to have clothing that is never worn or only worn once or twice. Shoes are not necessary. Ask for clothing in different sizes when you register for your showers. If you get a lot of clothing in the same size pick your favorites to use. You can return the rest right away, or keep the tags on them to see if you need them later.

11. Diapers - Try cloth.
Using cloth is better for the environment, and better for your budget in the long run too, especially if you have multiple children. Cloth is not for everyone. I think cloth would be difficult if both parents worked. If one parents stays home though, cloth is really doable. Before buying a lot of cloth though, I recommend that you try them out first. Either borrow some diapers and wraps from a friend or buy a small set of cloth diapers first. If you like them, then you can get more.

If you use disposables, try different brands. The most expensive brands are not always the best, and different brands seem to work better on different kids. Diapers are also a great thing to ask for as a shower gift.

12. Toys - Boxes are wonderful.
No, really, they play with household items as much as they play with toys. Babies don't need many toys. If your family is anything like mine, the grandparents, aunts and uncles will provide more toys than your baby will ever need. Do provide plenty of age appropriate books though. Read to baby from the beginning.

13. Baby Monitors - Wonderful gadgets!
Though certainly not an absolute necessity, baby monitors are not that pricey, and are worthwhile. You really don't need one with all the bells in whistles. In fact, one that we received as a gift that had a lot of "extras" really made a horrible monitor. We returned it for a cheaper model. It worked wonderfully.

When you do need something I encourage you to accept hand me downs, shop at thrift or consignment stores, garage sales and classified ads. It may take a little more time to shop second hand, but you will find good quality items at a fraction of the cost.

There are products that do make being a parent of a newborn a little easier, but you don't need it all. The best thing you can do is take a deep breath, relax, lose any expectation of being the perfect parent and enjoy the ride, bumps and all.

If you are wondering that cute little baby is Nolan, our third, before he started sleeping in the car seat.

Thirteen Things I've Been Paid to Write About - TT#12

I work with several different companies to earn money from my writing. (To see which ones click on the "reducing debt with" tab in the side bar.) Sometimes people ask how much I may make using these companies. I periodically give an update on my online earnings. If you are interested check the "make money on the web" label. I certainly haven't made a fortune, but have made enough to make some small dents in our debt, and to get us through some tight times.

Sometimes readers want to know what kind of things I write about that earn money. Here are thirteen subjects that I've gotten paid for:


1. Shrimp

2. Sugaring to Remove Body Hair

3. Coupons

4. Online Dress Up Dolls

5. drug rehabilitation

6. Ways to Make Money Online

7. The Police

8. Vacation

9. Pet Food

10. My Plaid Couch

11. The Simple Life

12. Beauty Supplies

13. Teaching Kids About Money

As you can see there are a wide variety of topics to post about. Some companies allow you more flexibility in picking topics than others. Some allow more flexibility in the way you post about the subject. The companies are all a little different, but the opportunities are there to earn money from your blog in a way that you feel comfortable with.

Yankee Ingenuity - TT #11

Yesterday our library was having an used book sale. For fifty cents I got a little gem; Yankee Magazine's Make It Last: Over 1,000 Ingenious Ways to Extend the Life of Everything You Own. There are tips about the kitchen, the lawn, sports, cars, and so much more. Over three hundred pages full of tips to help you make things last, and save you money. I love it. Here are thirteen I found interesting:

1. Keep baked goods fresh.
Store them with half an apple.

2. Cleaning under the fridge.
Wrap a cloth around a yardstick and slide it under the refrigerator. Sure a lot easier than moving the whole thing!

3. Lipstick on your blouse?
Rub the area with peanut butter and wash in warm water and dish soap before the peanut butter dries .

4. Did the kids color on the dining room chairs again?
Remove crayon from wood by rubbing mayonnaise into the area. After it sets for a few minutes, clean with a damp cloth.

5. Repair small cracks in window panes.
Before replacing the pane, try adding a drop or two of super glue at the center of the crack. The glue should spread out in the crack and when it is dry the crack often "disappears."

6. Make do hose reel.
Nail an old metal bucket through the bottom, to the garage wall. The hose can be wrapped around it and the accessories can be stored in it.

7. Fix a pinhole leak in the hose.
Stick a toothpick in the hole. Trim it off flush with the outside of the hose wall and wrap with electrical or duct tape. Extend the tape a couple inches past the hole on each side. The water running through the hose causes the toothpick to swell and plug the hole.

8. Hair in the garden.
Hair is a great source of nitrogen for your garden. Save your trimmings or ask your beautician to save some for you. Then mix into the compost or put it around your plants.

We've also been told hair helps keep the deer away. Since we cut the kids hair ourselves, we always spread the hair around the edges of the garden. We had no deer in our garden even though we live in the middle of the woods.

9. Cleaning fingerprints or dust off old photos.
Rub gently with stale bread.

10.Clogged Drains?
Pour in 1/4 C baking soda, then 1/2 C vinegar. Cover the drain until it stops fizzing. Flush with 1 quart boiling water.

11. Prevent bathtub ring.
Add a squirt of dishwashing liquid to the bathwater before draining.

12. To keep nails stored in coffee cans from rusting.
Add a teaspoon of baking soda to them.

13. Washing the winter salt off your car.
If you live where it snows it is important to get the salt off your car. The salt will cause deterioration and rust. To get a good cleaning under the car hook up your sprinkler in the driveway and park over it. Then turn on the water. Move the sprinkler every few minutes.


I love practical tips like this, and am sure I will get much more than my fifty cents out of this book. Happy Thursday Thirteen!

Don't forget I'm having a contest!

More Repurpose, Recycle TT#10

Last week I shared some of the things that we repurpose around the homestead in Repurpose and Recycle TT#9. As promised, here is another list.

1. Last week I talked about our back decks. This is our side deck. Near us are some large TV towers. This is a platform used to ship part of one of the towers. Yes, we had permission to take it.






2. Another old tire makes a great swing for the kids.











3. Pardon my clutter. These shelving units and several others we have, came from my husband's former employer. When they shut the local location down, they were going to throw all of these away.






4. This is also from the TV tower. A shipping crate. If you enlarge the picture, you will see the call letters from the TV station. We are using it to store feed for the animals.






5. Sometimes we will get Whale- a- Pail type ice cream for parties or what not. We use these buckets for a number of things. Here one is serving as a compost bucket until the scraps are taken out to the pile. They also work well as little cleaning buckets for the kids, to freeze large batches of things like sloppy joes for parties, to carry animal feed, and to store crayons. Of course, you want to keep separate buckets for those you use for food and those you don't. Don't want your sloppy joe tasting like Pine Sol!

6. & 7. Tomato stakes made from scraps of boards from other projects. The best ties for your tomatoes are old pantyhose cut into strips.










8. An old coffee container holds Homemade Laundry Soap. Don't worry it is labeled on the lid. No chance of mixing the two up! Wouldn't that be a morning eye opener?!










9. Shopping bags are perfect liners for small trash cans.








10. We can't seem to manage to keep a full set of drinking glasses for more than a few months. Canning jars make great glasses. Tim actually prefers them, and no one has ever broken one!