Before I write too much, I'm going to apologize in case this is sort of all over the place. 

This has been a spendy month. It's not like we went out and bought anything new and exciting, but it just seems like we were buying and buying. We had a couple of big bills plus a grandchild's birthday. However, we also were hitting some sales on groceries and stocking up after using some of the items.

Today, we went to County Market near us. Not sure if there are many or any where you live, but it's a small chain. And they had a few things on sale like canned vegetables...3 for $2. So, basically 67 cents a can for the store brand. That's cheaper than Aldi so I felt that was a good deal. There were a couple of items that they had digital coupons as well and an item or two that we needed that this store only handles. We spent $55 but saved $11.98. I'm keeping a spreadsheet of how much we save on digital coupons, paper coupons, and sales. Last week we saved over $33 in coupons and sales at Kroger. We are trying to eat at home and I'm trying to buy loss leaders and stuff on sale. So far this year we've saved $238.70 in coupons and sales on groceries. However, I still feel like grocery prices continue to rise a nickel here and a dime there and if gas prices increase, I'm afraid the prices will continue to go up. 

One thing I have been doing is using grocery apps where I scan my receipts and earn credits toward cash cards or gift cards. So far I've gotten $20 in gift cards and have another $10 coming. I use 5 apps regularly because they will take about any receipt. I also use Ibotta, but they have so many items I don't buy and Checkout 51 is limited,but I still check. These gift cards take a bit to earn, but I figure businesses are already buying my data, I might as well get something from it. 

One thing that concerns me is the food supply chain, mainly because of the price of gas and how that effects transportation. Are you or have you been stocking up on things as they go on sale just in case? Or, are you thinking that the price of gas will go down and we won't have this worry? 

The past two days have been nothing but lovely...warm, sunny, and beautiful. The hubster is thrilled because we've made lots of solar...he charged his truck yesterday after our shopping trip with little worries.

It was funny, with the weather being so nice, the folks were out shopping yesterday where we were anyway. We went to a small town about 40 minutes away to have a nice lunch and then visit an Amish bulk food store. We didn't need a ton of stuff, but there are a couple of things I had used and wanted to replenish. It was sort of on our way to another town, so we decided to kill two birds with one stone so to speak. We traveled about 15 minutes farther and went to the other little town and went to a Michaels so I could buy a skein of yarn for a lady who wants me to make her a hat and then bought some small bottles of paint. DH has a laser and he wants to make a 7 layer cross and I didn't have enough paint to paint the 7 boards. Each board has to be a different color. Each board has more and more cut out of it so the colors sort of show through. It's very intricate. After he cuts them out, we glue them together. He is making one for each of his kids for Easter. 

Then it was Rural King for fertilizer and onion sets and of course a bag of free popcorn! I had packed water in our water bottles so no expense there! 

Today was basically an outside day. We moved the rain barrel to the garden area and set it up. We trimmed part of a bush that was overgrown, and I painted those 12 x 12 boards. I then painted a metal chicken that is a lawn ornament. DH's late wife had bought a lot of lawn ornaments through the years and with things that sit outside, they get weathered. Last year I painted these metal bird houses and made them looked renewed. I just painted a wooden lady bug that hangs on a fence, and today was a chicken. It was black and rust and now it is just black. LOL DH said he appreciates the fact that I would rather repair or repaint stuff instead of running out and buying new. 

I have a little tiller that is battery operated and I worked with it today to till up a small area so I could plant some green onions. I planted those and nearly stepped on a little toad. I name all the creatures around us, so I had to be careful of Teddy the Toad so he didn't get hurt. I went and buried a small flower pot in the corner of the garden bed next to the pole barn so if Teddy needed a house, he has one. 

It appears we wore the pups out today as they played outside. I started with a walk to the compost pile and Murphy always accompanies me. He's a St. Bernadoodle and very protective of me. Ivy is a Goldendoodle and she goes along for the walk. It's near the back of the property so it is a bit of a walk, but a good stretch of the leg so to speak. It's good they get out and exercise as well. 

Tomorrow is supposed to be our last warm day -- it has been unseasonably warm -- but it has been nice to not get chilled while working outside and it being warm enough to paint stuff so I didn't get overwhelmed with the fumes.

The only problem is it is making me want more days like the last two so we can get more done, and then I feel like I want to start the garden and it is way too soon. We could still get a frost or freeze here in Central Illinois. But I'm looking forward to homegrown vegetables and I'm anxious to start!

Hey, everyone!

I decided to change my name from Rob62521 to DK62565 since my last name has changed as has my zip code. 

Years ago there was a little slogan that made the rounds that said, "Happiness is Homemade."

I think for a crafter, that is often the case. There's something immensely gratifying about making and creating something whether it is in the kitchen, the craft room, or the shop.

My mom taught me how to crochet many years ago. I'm not an expert by any means, but I've made quite a few things throughout the years. My mom could have been the expert crocheter; I'm not as talented as she was. She also taught me how to embroider and I took a class on counted cross stitch. It gives me pleasure to use many of the items I've made. 

My mom told me a story from her youth about lots of beautiful things she made. She crocheted all kinds of items and kept them "for good." 

If you aren't familiar with this phrase, it was one of my mom's generation...don't use that item, we are keeping it for good, meaning for a special occasion. Sadly, she did all that work and when she went to get some of the items she decided to use, they had disintegrated from not being used. All that work for naught. I learned a lesson about that and try to use many of the things I make because of her story.

But I have my own story. When I was in college, money was very, very tight. I have always been someone who plans and I thought what better gift than making my friend an afghan. She was always complaining about being cold. So, I bought lots of yarn in the same dye lot (very important if you knit or crochet since colors can fluctuate) and spent most of my free time crocheting this afghan. Mind you, we didn't have air conditioning so when the afghan got big enough, it was hot holding it during the summer, but it was for my friend.

I was so excited about giving it to her for Christmas. When I did, I saw the look on her face and it was not one of delight. She wasn't into homemade stuff, even though I picked the colors she liked. She thanked me, and put it aside. It broke my heart, not only the work involved, but the fact I disappointed my friend.

Alas, I realized it was important to recognize "my audience" so to speak. Don't gift something to someone who doesn't understand the work and expense of a homemade gift. I know some think that homemade means cheap, but they apparently haven't priced craft supplies. 

Years ago I gave another friend some items I had canned like jam and jelly and tomato sauce. The person said since we grew the tomatoes, that was basically free. 

Seriously?

Apparently that person hasn't gardened. Seeds, plants, water, and fertilizer aren't free. Nor are jars, lids, or rings, not to mention all the labor involved. For the jams and jellies I purchased fruit, sugar, and pectin. Again, I misjudged my "audience."

On social media, some folks are applauding "grandmacore" activities like knitting, crocheting, sewing, canning, baking, and the like. I'm pleased because there is a lot of joy in making things. But I am trying to be aware of my "audience" before I gift anything so my feelings aren't hurt and the recipient isn't disappointed. Life lesson learned.