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A little this and that on a cold January day

January 4th, 2015 at 10:31 pm

It's cold here in Central Illinois with a few snow flurries. Guess it is to be expected since we are truly in winter.

Here are the books I've read so far in 2015:

Book #1: "Almost True Confessions" by Jane O'Connor. Murder mystery by the same author of the "Fancy Nancy" series.

Book #2: "Kitchen Organization Tips and Secrets" by Deniece Schofield.

Book #3: "Top Secret Twenty One" by Janet Evanovich.

I won't finish a book today. After church, spent most of the day doing housework. That darn maid, laundress, and cook did not show up at the house yet again! Smile

We did make it to the library yesterday and I checked out a couple more books and some magazines. I most certainly get my tax dollars' worth out of the library.

I did splurge this week. I wanted new curtains for my bathroom. It has a small window. I was very frustrated that so many places don't carry anything but 84 inch panels. I refuse to go to Wal-Mart because I consider it the evil empire. Our K-Mart is barely hanging in there, but they did have a set of two short panels and valance for the pricely sum of $13 with tax. I think I paid $9 for the ones I had been using over 10 years ago, so I think I got my money's worth out of them. I shoved them in the laundry and they will be washed, dried, and folded in case I want or need them for something else.

Last summer we went to a garage sale and someone had two sets of sheers for $1 each. They were just what I was looking for to put in my husband's den. I tend to re-purpose our curtains. The ones in our computer room had at one time been in the living room for a number of years. I still have some of them in the linen closet in case I need them for something else. A couple we know thinks we are super stingy when it comes to spending. I spend money, I just hate to spend it foolishly. They had their curtains custom made to the tune of $1500. Wow...I told them I don't think I've spent $1500 on all the curtains in my house, including the ones sitting in the linen closet. Of course this couple complains about not having money...golly, wonder why!

A friend of mine also does a lot of cooking like I do. We were comparing notes about menus and it was funny, we both planned a couple of the same meals. Maybe great minds do think alike!

8 Responses to “A little this and that on a cold January day”

  1. Buendia Says:
    1420413832

    The maid, laundress and cook did not show up at our house either! You are amazing with your book reading! Did you like them? (I'm always looking for recommendations). And please share your menus! I'm going to post my meal plan for the week... I always get inspiration from other people's meal ideas!

  2. rob62521 Says:
    1420414443

    I did like the mysteries, but thought Evanovich's wasn't as good as usual. The kitchen organization one was to give me incentive to try and rework my pantry which it did.

    Meal plans:
    Scrambled eggs, sausage patties, cheesy grits, toast, fruit salad
    Turkey tenderloins, macaroni and cheese, green beans, cottage cheese
    Pork tenderloin with carrots, onions, mushroom,and celery, baked sweet potatoes, roasted zucchini and squash, fruit salad
    Oven baked chicken, baked potatoes, green beans, cottage cheese, fruit salad
    Pork stew (made with leftover pork and vegetables)
    Cube steak with gravy, mashed potatoes, creamed corn
    Omelet with sausage (leftover) and cheese, toast, fruit salad
    Turkey pot pie (made with leftover turkey)

    I trim the chicken and use the "trimmings" to make chicken broth with some herbs and vegetables. I freeze what I don't use. My husband kids me that I rework leftovers so much that he isn't sure if he's eating the original or a leftover. But, it saves money and we gets lots of suppers and lunches out of stuff.

    Sorry, Buendia, that your maid, laundress, and cook didn't show there either...guess "good" help is hard to find. LOL

  3. starfishy Says:
    1420418165

    your meals sound yummy! how do you "trim" a chicken - what parts are you using to make the broth? i'm envious of your three weeks off, and i do understand how tough it will be for you to return! Smile

  4. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    1420424586

    I'm glad you mentioned Evanovich! The last one I read was #17 and I had been planning to get caught up once I was here with easy access to the library ... Now I have #18 - 21 on hold. Smile

  5. PNW Mom Says:
    1420426126

    I've read two books this year already and almost done with a third....I gave up on Stephanie Plum around book 17 or 18....maybe I will have to revisit!

  6. chloe Says:
    1420435555

    I'm impressed by your book count already. You, too, PNW Mom. I also stopped reading the Stephanie Plum books at one point; may have to pick one up again. You're book #1 -- the mystery -- sounds interesting, too!

  7. LittleMissSplendid Says:
    1420438088

    $1500 on curtains? Good grief. I like that they block light and add color to a room's decor, but I can think of so many other things I'd rather do with that money.

  8. rob62521 Says:
    1420506233

    Starfishy, when we buy chicken breasts from Aldi, there is often some fat as well as a little gristle. I trim that off and sometimes trim the narrow edges off and save these bits in the freezer until I have quite a bit and use it for chicken broth.

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