Frugal Foodie

It arrived yesterday in our mailbox - the annual Christmas letter from this fellow we know. Each year he puts in detail what he has bought and in great detail. Last year's letter was all the stuff he bought for his house and where he traveled and how much he spent. Forgive me, but who needs tumbled marble tiles in his crawl space?

This year's brag was 3 ties for $625. Apparently they are like the ties Donald Trump wears.

Apparently this person has money to spend like this, but I personally would prefer to be ignorant of it.

His whole letter is about him, what he did, and what he spent. It's sad in a way that he has to brag each year what he did and bought.

I used to feel sorry for him, but I've since decided he likes living the way he does because he can buy whatever he wants. He fills his loneliness with things and then presses us with the details.

I would rather find satisfaction in what I have and the people who love me.

Needless to say, I won't be sending an annual Christmas letter to anyone.

Our local university puts on Vespers which is a beautiful Christmas program each year. We look forward to it each year. They have 4 programs -- 2 matinees and two evening performances on the first weekend in December. With the local symphony and 350 voices, it is truly splendid.

However, we have noticed that some people in the audience seem to have forgotten their manners. The evening show for which we purchased tickets was to start at 7 p.m. Strange people that we are, we got there before 6:30 so we could be seated when the doors were opened and make sure things like using the restroom were taken care of. By 6:50 the auditorium was still almost empty. By 6:55 it was almost half full. We knew it was a sell out crowd, so we wondered where they all were.

I guess I misunderstood the 7 p.m. starting time. Apparently, from the behavior of the audience, the 7 p.m. time is merely a suggestion and that means you are to start thinking about finding your seats, but then you throw down your coats and decide to go and find a bathroom. The program didn't start until after 7:10 because we had so many later comers.

The beauty of this program is not only the music, but the choreography -- different choirs go up and down the end aisles because with so many singers, the stage would be very crowded. Throughout the program there were people leaving and then coming back. We had three people in our aisle alone who left and then returned and they did not wait until between songs to leave or enter. We noticed that there were a minimum of 20 people doing this during the program. I realize that sometimes there is an emergency, but why couldn't they wait until between songs to return to their seats?

I am afraid that common courtesy has taken another hit. We've seen this at other concerts and programs. Even at church we see kids and adults leaving and coming back like they are leaving the comfort of their easy chair during a commercial to use the facilities or get a snack.

I had a friend who once told me that she was too busy to get to a performance 15 minutes early. I guess she isn't alone. However, for those of us who would like to get there and have some time to relax and enjoy thee surroundings, these busy people are becoming a nuisance.

It's December and after above normal temps, we are getting our cold weather. We were supposed to get snow last night and felt fortunate that we didn't any. I guess a town 45 minutes north received 4 inches. Ick.

With winter comes the desire for hot food. We attended our church's bazaar and luncheon and boy, that cheesy vegetable soup hit the spot. Nothing like a good soup to warm someone up, eh?

I lucked into a chicken stew recipe a couple of years ago and after making it a few times, tweaked it with my own additions. It makes a good meal and with all the vegetables, it's probably very healthy as well:

Chicken Stew

2 tablespoons of olive oil
3 celery stalks, cut into bite-size pieces
3 medium size carrots, peeled, cut into bite-size pieces
1 small onion, chopped
1 14 oz can of chicken broth (or more if you like the sauce thinner)
1 14.5 oz can of tomato sauce
1 small can of tomato paste
2 chicken boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut up
1 can of red beans
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 tablespoon dried oregano
salt and pepper
pasta rings (optional)

Heat the oil in a heavy 5 ½ quart saucepan over medium heat. Add the celery, carrot, and onion. Saute the vegetables until the onion is translucent. Add the chicken breast pieces and season with salt and pepper. When chicken is cooked, add chicken broth, tomato paste and tomato sauce. Add the basil and oregano and beans. Cook about 45 minutes or until vegetables are cooked the way you like them. Twenty minutes before you are ready to serve, add the pasta rings (add as few or as many as you want, depending on the amount of broth you added). Serve with bread.


If I don't have the red beans, I'll take some dry lentils, pour boiling water for them for a few minutes, pick out the not so good ones, drain, and cook with the stew. It makes it very hearty and rich and my husband who never would try a lentil, eat them.

I just hate it when I try a new recipe and it's awful. I mean, the ingredients were good, but the taste was...well, it left a lot to be desired.

I had a recipe I had found in a magazine for an onion bread casserole. Easy enough...saute 3 onions, tear up a loaf of French bread, add 2 cups of shredded Cheddar cheese, 2 eggs, teaspoon of nutmeg, and 3 cups of milk. Mix together and put in fridge overnight. Bake for 45 minutes at 350. Sounds decent, right?

Wrong! It was soupy and I had put it in the fridge overnight to "soak" so the bread would have the egg and milk mixture throughout. The bread did rise like it was supposed to in the oven. But, it was soupy and pretty bland. I guess I'm used to more flavorful stuff. I was disappointed. We ate it, because it wasn't dreadful, but I doubt if I try it again as it is written.

Guess it's live and learn. I didn't buy anything I didn't already have. Just wonder what I could add to make it better. Any ideas?

My beautiful new stove arrived this afternoon. The front is stainless and it has a black smooth cook top. It's so clean and sleek that I could hardly wait to fire it up!

Last weekend I saw an ad for THE stove I wanted and it was marked down. They even threw in an above the stove microwave, something I never would have gotten otherwise. We went to the store and looked at the beauty, opened the door, measured, did anything and everything one would do including kick the proverbial tires! After saving for over a year, I wnated to make sure this was the one.

I guess lots of folks buy new appliances and want them delivered before Thanksgiving. I chose today because I am off from school. The sales lady seemed relieved that I didn't need it before Wednesday.

The microwave was delivered, but the installer called and wanted to wait until tomorrow to put it in. I returned his call and thought I was being kind in saying OK, although he was supposed to come today. He then wanted to move it to Monday. I let my husband call him back because I was afraid I would get emotional on the phone. I have been so excited all week anticipating this lovely new stove and microwave. Hopefully he will show tomorrow, but I have my doubts.

I have cookies baking in the convection oven. I've never had a convection oven before so it is pretty cool. The oven window is so clear it's like watching television as I keep an eye on the cookies baking.

So, for those of you who have cheered me on, thank you for your words of encouragement. I'm very happy with my new stove.

My husband says he's happy too. I think he's pretty elated because he got a cookie from the first batch. But I think he's also secretly relieved that I prefer a big shiny stove instead of a big shiny diamond because that boy likes to eat!

Today was the day! A day to reflect and be thankful. A day to eat more than I should. A day to relax.

There are so many things that I have been blessed with and I often take for granted. My friend had a major heart attack Tuesday night. He had bypass surgery this morning and his family spent the holiday loving him yet concerned. How many holidays have I spent at home in the comfort of my own place not being ill?

I had more than enough to eat. I can't remember a holiday that I went hungry.

It's cold out today. We had a wintry mix of precipitation. Fortunately I have power and heat so I didn't get cold.

I have running water and could clean things and drink fresh water and run the dishwasher.

I spent part of the evening changing my summer wardrobe to my winter wardrobe. I have more than enough clothes.

I am married to a remarkable man who loves me.

After seeing the advertisements in the paper and the ongoing commercials, I am thankful that I do not have to get up early and hit the Black Friday sales. There is nothing that I need to get that means I have to face crowds and an early ringing alarm.

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

We have so much to be grateful for so it sometimes is difficult to pinpoint just one item. Today I think I'm going to say I'm appreciative for the medical profession. We are blessed to have doctors, nurses, and pharmacists to help us and the fact that we can, if need be, get things off the counter to help in many ways that other countries can only dream about!

When I think of how blessed I am to have plenty, I think of those who do not. Today I am grateful for food pantries and organizations who are there to help those who are in need. I remember watching the Golden Girls years ago when Rose realized a friend of hers was homeless and that just a few bad breaks and she could be in the same spot. We are a country that is blessed to have these folks who are willing to service those who need help. I am not only thankful for them, but applaud their efforts.

I am very grateful for music. I like listening to music and at times it can set the mood I'm in. I enjoy listening to a variety of music and sometimes it helps me when I work to keep focused. I don't know why it does, but I think it blanks out conversations so I'm not tempted to listen and add to the chat.

Can you imagine Christmas without carols?

Although there are some types of music that don't strike my fancy, I'm sure we all have our own favorites that we have reasons we enjoy.

Today I am thankful for bread.

If you mention bread, what pictures pops up in your mind? Do you think of the soft white bread of your youth? Homemade bread with a great crush and rough texture? Soft rolls smothered in butter? The sweet flavor of banana bread?

A few years ago I had asked for donations of bread machines because our students thought bread came from the store. I know it does, but they didn't realize it was baked and that people often do bake it. It was a good exercise in measuring as well as some cooking. We ate our "homework" and the kids loved it.

Funny thing is the adults loved it too. Many would stop by my room and eat the crusts because the kids wouldn't eat the end pieces. They liked the aroma in the halls. A few would sit down at lunch and talk about what a wonderful experience they had because someone had baked bread with or for them. All of this because of something so simple as bread. Maybe it's not so simple after all.

I try to experiment with different breads and different flours. We found a small Amish store in a nearby town that sells flour in smaller packages so I can purchase enough for a couple of loaves and not worry about using 5 pounds or wasting 5 pounds if we don't like it.

There's something glorious about the smell of bread baking. And magical too. Putting together flour and yeast and liquid and then whatever else and seeing it rise is pretty cool too.

I found this recipe for biscuits I want to try. It sounded easy enough to do, but tasty enough to want:

Cheddar Sage Biscuits

2 cup(s) flours
1 tablespoon(s) baking powder
1 teaspoon(s) salt
2 tablespoon(s) dried sage
4 tablespoon(s) cold unsalted butter
1 cup(s) (shredded) white Cheddar cheese
1 cup(s) buttermilk

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Directions

1.Preheat oven to 475ºF and grease 2 cookie sheets with butter. Combine flour, baking powder, salt, sage and butter in food processor, and pulse until well combined; transfer to a large bowl. (Alternatively, cut butter into the dry ingredients using a pastry blender or two knives and use your fingers to combine.) Stir in cheese and buttermilk.
2.Place dough on a floured surface and knead a little (4 or 5 times). Roll out dough to 1?2-inch thickness and cut out 24 biscuits using a 2-inch round cutter. Place biscuits on prepared baking sheets an inch apart and bake until tops are browned, 10 to 12 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

Today I'm thankful for...drum roll please...leftovers!

I know some would think that was a weird thing, but first of all, if we have leftovers, it means we have more than enough to begin with.

Today we had another meal from that Crockpot ham we had earlier this week. Easy recipe for ham and mac and cheese:

Boil some elbow macaroni until done

Make a cheese sauce with a tablespoon of butter, tablepoon of flour heated through, then add cut up cheese and milk until desired consistency.

Cut up ham in small pieces.

Mix together and put in a greased pan and add bread crumbs to the top. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes covered for 25 minutes and take the cover off for the last five minutes! A hot, filling meal. Add a vegetable and a bread and a good Friday night meal. Easy, quick, and cheap!

I am grateful for lights. All kinds of them. The lights in my house so I can see -- we really appreciate them when it is dark and power goes off. I like to be able to see so I don't run into things and so I can read. But I also am thankful for other lights. I'm thankful we have stop lights so we don't have as many accidents. I'm pleased we have lights that tell us if stuff is on. Our city has a Central Park and the local electrical union has strung the Christmas lights and they did a beautiful job. It makes ordinary things special.

I missed posting yesterday...long day with school and then a parent meeting until after 8:15 p.m. So, I'm sort of messed up on the days, sorry!

I am grateful for technology. When it works, it sure makes life easier. Make a copy of a paper...zip -- there is it. Word processing is sure easier than the old manual typewriter with the "eraser" that seemed to smudge the typeface instead of erasing it (anyone besides me remember that stiff little eraser?) Microwaves are a marvel and even the little hot pot make heating water much faster than on the stove.

I am grateful for Crockpots. I can't imagine not having the use of one. I put a ham in one for supper tonight and boy was it yummy. I made a glaze with Dr. Pepper and honey and some cinnamon and boy was it yummy!

I am grateful for Crockpots. I can't imagine not having the use of one. I put a ham in one for supper tonight and boy was it yummy. I made a glaze with Dr. Pepper and honey and some cinnamon and boy was it yummy!

I think my pastor likes to be funny. So far we haven't been rolling out of the pews laughing, but he does have his entertaining moments.

Today he was talking about people think that good people shouldn't have bad things happen to them and if it does, why some folks believe it happens. He was discussing that God still cares for us and although bad things happen, it isn't because God quit caring or that he is powerless. It's because we live in a fallen world and that there are consequences to our actions. No kidding.

He then went on to share how he needed to be someplace that was an hour and a half away but only had an hour to get there. Being the brilliant person he is, he figured that if he drove a third faster than normal (he figured it out mathematically...I told you he was brilliant) he could make it. Unfortunately, that was 85 mph and police officers rather frown on one traveling so quickly. He made a choice and paid the consequence...he received a speeding ticket.

It's nice to have a religious leader who will admit to mistakes. He uses it as a way to teach us things. And it makes us smile as well.

We all have consequences in what we do whether it is to speed or skip a step in baking. If I skip a step I might not get the finished product I had planned on. Or, I am wearing the consequence of not being careful when I pulled something out the oven, not once but twice. I have two "brand" marks on my right arm where I touched the hot rack. Stupid? Yes. Have I learned my lesson? I certainly hope so. I just tell folks that my modeling career is over. Which is the truth to an extent...I am not modeling material to begin with. But, I digress.

I am thankful that we have a great pastor who is willing to use every day activities to show us a better way to live. It certainly doesn't hurt that pastor has a good sense of humor and can teach a lesson in a humorous way. I am grateful that I have had many good people in my life who have cared enough to direct me.

So, what about you? Are you grateful that you've had someone in your life teaching you?

I am very thankful for dishwashers! Remember the days when you had to hand wash dishes? Every meal and every day?

My husband teases me that if I prepare a meal and basically don't fill the diswasher by the evening, something must be wrong! LOL


In the early 80s my folks were moved by the state because a the road had to be widened. They wound up relocating and then moving back to the property they owned, and bought one of those manufactured houses. My mom had a choice of getting a dishwasher or not. She almost said no. I talked her into it thinking it would be a handy device. She loved it after the first cycle! When they downsized to a smaller home, number one in the kitchen had to be a dishwasher!

I am grateful for computers! I can't imagine how boring my life could be without having this site, email, and Facebook!

Today is Veteran's Day and although I am thankful for the Vets, I'm also grateful that my school district has decided to give us the day as a holiday.

Holidays are often wonderful days that give you a chance to sit back and reflect on this and that. And sometimes is gives you breathing room from your job so you can think and do something different for a day.

I do get a bit discouraged when I see the store advertisements harking the holiday sale. I know that they have to make money to stay in business, but sometimes the commercialism is overwhelming. Pray tell, what can one buy on Veteran's day other than a flag or flower that truly celebrates the holiday? Somehow new shoes for my non Veteran feet or a new outfit doesn't seem fitting for the holiday.

All in all, we have to take the bad with the good. So, I'm pleased to have today off and a chance to thank our Veterans as well as relax a bit.

Today I am thankful for all the delicious food I get to enjoy! Monday night we had turkey and mashed potatoes and vegetables and it was yummy. I've had turkey sandwiches the past few days for lunches and tonight we finished up the turkey and broth with turkey and noodles. We also had some of the last homegrown tomatoes. I'm already missing them because we are starting winter soon.

We are very fortunate to have so many food choices. When I think about some people who have two choices: take it or go without, it makes me humble to think I have the choice of having different foods whenever I want. And although I often grouse about the expense, we can eat reasonably and healthily.

Veteran's Day is this Thursday. I want to say thank you to the veterans who risked their all for those of us they didn't even know.

Mark Schultz has a great song about "Letters from War". He had the idea to write the song after reading a relative's diary about how she was so worried her sons wouldn't return from WWII.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuvbBwsMTgI

Today I am grateful for friends. I opened my email and found an email from a friend that made me smile. Last night we had sandwiches with some other friends. At church yesterday morning we talked with people I consider friends. Friends just are there. They like you and consider you and know what to say or do when you need it.

Do you have any special friends?

I just left the kitchen. Not permanently, but I have been fixing things. On the stove are homegrown grape tomatoes that are cooking down for marinara sauce. I have dough rising for two loaves of bread to be baked a little later. I have a turkey breast defrosting that I plan on putting in the Crockpot. So,I would have to say that today I'm deeply grateful that I have plenty to eat.

I work in a district that has many schools that are considered low income. I know that many of these children depend on the free lunch and free breakfast they receive at school. Although I grew up poor, we always had plenty to eat. It might not have been the greatest or what I wanted, but we had food. I know a local food pantry says they give out over 1,200 food boxes a month and they aren't the only pantry in the city. I think in many areas folks are hungry.

So, I'm blessed!

I am grateful I have eyesight. I love to read, I love looking at beautiful items and I love watching my darling husband. Although I have to wear glasses, I never resent having to do so -- how much more fortunate I am than those who years and years and year ago didn't have corrective lenses and saw the world fuzzily!

I admit it...I'm a worrier. I know I shouldn't worry and I know it's a sin. Perhaps even a vice.

After all the stuff in the news about plastic and certain types leeching into our food and drinks, I went on a campaign to start replacing the plastic lidded bowls with glass ones. I hit a bonanza at a couple of "antique" shops...the old Pyrex dishes as well as the refrigerator dishes with lids were in abundance if you knew where to look. I have, the in the past few months, bought an assortment in different sizes. None of them match, but that's OK.

So, that's where I safely store the leftovers because I'm too cheap to throw them away. They make great lunches. I admit, I've become the laughingstock at school, though.

A drawback of using glass is they don't fit tightly and the lids come off. My solution...rubber bands to secure them. One of my friends said she should have me come in and teach problem solving to her class after she laughed at my "solution." Hey, it works. The rubber bands are the ones that came on the paper that the paper person doesn't seem to want back. Yeah, I called and left a message when I had a ton of them and said I'd leave them on the front step. They were there after the delivery. Guess they forgot they could save money by reusing them. So, I reuse them.

While I'm in the problem solving mode I can also say teh glass dish certainly adds to the weight of my lunch bag. Maybe I'm getting a workout with "weights".

I would say I'm hitting two birds with one glass container -- no BPA and getting a weight workout too.

Today I am thankful for my job. I'm fortunate to have it and it provides me with a living to have a comfortable home.

Yesterday I started this whole thing with saying we needed to find satisfaction in our daily lives and I see many of you joined in. Cool beans!

So, today, I'm grateful to those teachers who taught me what I needed to know to become a good citizen. Some of these "teachers" weren't teachers in the sense of being a professional educator, but people who were great role models showing me the way. Kind of like that Liberty Mutual commercial that showed someone doing something nice for someone else so they in turned passed it on.

Alright, so here's you challenge...what else are you grateful for?

I'm on a roll. I'm apologizing ahead of time. Yesterday, I blogged about a book and the fact I'm thankful for what I have and that I'm not rich and have to live a certain life in a certain life style. It made me think maybe we need to learn satisfaction with what we have and perhaps a gratitude blog would be a way to do that. So, today, I'm going to add to what I started yesterday...I know some of you made comments about what you are thankful for as well. Perhaps we need to make an ongoing list to show our gratitude.

So, day one, I'm thankful for my wonderful husband who loves me beyond reason.

How about you?

I just started a fictional book on how a gal who lives in "Bedford" and was a member of high society (read snooty society) was suddenly thrown in a tailspin when her husband was arrested by the FBI for fraud. I haven't gotten to the part where she recovers, but it is interesting to read the author's take on how the once friendly folks she did things with no longer associate with her because she's poor and not deemed worthy of being a part of "their society."

Not being rich or snotty, I wonder if this is realistic fiction. I assume the author is portraying societal norms of a few.

So, while I plan on finishing this book, I did mention to my husband it made me realize I'm glad I don't feel the peer pressure to have to depend on my relationships being based on money and stature in society. My friends are not superficial based on the size of house, money in the bank, and how much volunteering I do.

As we begin November here in America, I'm trying to figure out ways to be grateful for all I have as Thanksgiving approaches. So today I would say I'm grateful that I'm not rich because I don't have to be ashamed of working. Although we all wish we were wealthy, I think it can often bring problems we don't imagine. Realizing satisfaction with what we have is far more comfortable that trying to keep up with wealthy.

For what are you grateful?

Both my husband and I are history fans. My husband more so than I -- he loves those shows on the History Channel when they talk about tanks and go down to what kind of nuts and bolts were used to fasten things. Me, not so much.

However, we have a standing joke around our house. We talk about having a "Hoover dinner." Most Friday nights I get a whole frozen chicken and put it in the Crockpot to cook over night with some vegetables and herbs. Saturday morning we are awakened to the savory smell of chicken and broth. We figure Mr. Hoover would be proud of our chicken in the Crockpot and making two to three meals out of it.

Those folks who remember some historical phrases, when Herbert Hoover was running for president, he promised a chicken in every pot. Well, I have a chicken in my Crockpot so maybe Herbert would be proud!

To digress,I would have to say with the mudslinging and hate ads going on, I would like to go back to some of Herbert and FDR's phrases while running for election; our local telelvision station admitted that 80% of their advertisement is made up of political ads. And they are downright nasty -- only one person has actually ran an ad stating what he plans to do. The rest are ripping into their competition. When this is all said and done, how can these folks try to work with each other to truly represent us?

OK, now that I'm back to the original subject, I do a lot of things with that chicken and broth. I usually make two to three meals from that chicken. I'm planning on chicken stew, chicken and noodles and a new recipe I'm itching to try: chicken and artichoke casserole. I found it in the magazine Simple and Delicious.It was shared by a gal named Amy Nutoni from Minnesota.

Chicken and Artichoke Casserole

2 cups uncooked bow tie pasta
1 cups cubed cooked chicken
1 can (14 oz) water-packed artichoke hearts, rined, drained, and chopped
1 can (10 3/4 ounces of condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup 2% milk
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp pepper
1 cup onion and garlic salad courtons, coursely crushed

Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile in a large bowl, combined the chicken, artichokes, soup, cheese, mayonnaise, milk, garlic, onion powder and pepper. Drain pasta; add to chicken mixture. Transfer to a greased 2 qt. baking dish. Sprinkle with croutons. Baked, uncovered, at 350 for 25-30 minutes or until heated through.

I'm not sure if Mr. Hoover would like this dish, but he'd like the chicken in the Crockpot. And he would probably appreciate my goal of saving money -- he was around during the depression -- he may not have been poor, but he saw what it did. That's why he promised a chicken in every pot. So, as we lift our forks we'll say, "This one's for you, Herbie!"