Are You Still Wasting Money On......?

 

Yes I am!

It seems like every time I scroll through social media  or read headlines on news feeds there are always articles about how to save money. "Ten Things You Can Give Up To Get Rich". " Are You Wasting Your Money On...."

I am not rich. I do have money though for miscellaneous items every month.

 Yes, I am still wasting money on fancy coffee drinks. I know I can make coffee at home and take it with me in the car, but it doesn't taste as good. I know I could just drink water, but I don't want to. If I am driving out of town I want a latte with a favorite syrup hot. Hey... I do save money sometimes and get the daily special. Life is too short to drink lukewarm coffee from home in the car. Besides, I thought we were supposed to support local businesses.

Here is one of my favorites. Are you really going to buy gas in Kellogg when you can save money by  going thirty-five miles, taking the Fourth Street exit, and using cash at that Exxon station ?  Trying not to roll my eyes I reply,"Yes, I am."

My mom always tried to save a dime. We called her Bargain Betty. She read the ads, she cut coupons, she would drive six miles to Pinehurst if eggs were ten cents cheaper. Here is how it went with us. "Hi Mom, I am going to the store. Do you need anything? I am picking up a whole chicken for Family Dinner." "Be sure you get the chicken at IGA and use the double coupon and if you go to the clearance bin it might be cheaper. Oh wait, let me get the ads," Mom replied. Rustling of papers, more rustling of papers as she scanned the ads. " If you have enough time the best buy is at Super I in CdA, but only if you get there today. " Maybe bologna sandwiches would be better for Sunday Dinner.

Yes, I am still wasting money on books. I do use the library, but sometimes I want the book for more than three weeks. Sometimes I want to mark up the book. Sometimes I just like to see the book on the shelf! I know, I know I am not going to get rich.

One classic tip for saving money is to use leftovers. I do use leftovers, or at I least try to. After eating crock pot chicken surprise for five days straight and noticing it is looking a bit fuzzy and green, that is when I have to " splurge" and open a box of Kraft Mac and Cheese for dinner. I think I did save a dollar that week.

While standing in line at the plant nursery there is always that wise gardener behind me that leans over, examines my cart, frowns, then says, Are you really buying all those plants for yourself?" I smile and calmly answer," No.... I am heading to Farmer's Market to sell them for twice the price." wink

One tip said to eliminate unplanned shopping sprees. When is a shopping spree ever unplanned? If you are in the car, you have a purse, you see a store calling to you to stop and shop, that to me is planned.It is necessary. I know, I am still not getting rich.

The last tip I had a hard time understanding. It said, "Separate your needs from your wants." By the time I figure out if I really want it or really need it, all the purses on the clearance table are gone. Not sound advice for me.

I am sure many of you have good tips on how I can get rich. Just don't make them hard. I am going to go get a coffee drink, put gas in my car in Kellogg, head to a bookstore to buy a book, and buy a whole chicken without a coupon. I know, I am living in the fast lane. 

A little thought and a little kindness are often worth more than a great deal of money.
– John Ruskin

Full of Hope

 I have shared before that I love quotes. Sometimes I write them down, some I stick on the mirror, or on the desk by me. I have a friend recovering from surgery and today I read a lot about hope. All that I read made me feel better. I received good news about her recovery tonight and I was filled with hope.  I hope these quotes help you also. Don't lose hope.

Blooming In Spite of Smoke and Heat

 We are experiencing a heat dome and once again the air is filled with smoke from the wild fires. This is what amazes me. Amid 95 degrees weather, a high pressure system, acrid smoke, and sometimes wind my flowers have survived. Here is a collection illustrating how strong plants can be in the worse of conditions. I needed these flowers today to bring joy into my life.

Honoring My Friends

I just loved this quote when I read it today. I am blessed to have friends from childhood, friends from teaching, friends in my neighborhood, friends that share interests with me, and new friends that have come along the way recently.

 I work hard to honor my friends. They have carried me through good times and sad times. They have checked on me, sent me cards, sent me flowers, and just listened. I appreciate each and every one of them. The main reason is just what the quote above says: "They accept me exactly as I am."

You know who you are. Thank you. 

If you haven't done it today, take a moment to honor a friend that has touched your heart. It may just make your day and their day special. 

 

Today is National Book Lovers Day: My Lists

 I like that there is a special day to honor those of us that love books. Recently I saw a poll that asked readers to choose the best book they have ever read. Who could ever decide? I have a hard enough time narrowing down a list to ten. 

 I have a list of books I share with people looking for book recommendations. I call it:

If You Haven't Read This Book , Add It to Your "To Read List" . You Won't Be Sorry!

(of course, strictly my opinion)

Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger

Just Mercy by Brian Stevenson

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

The Outsiders by S,E, Hinton

Still Alice by Lisa Genova

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

Educated by Tara Westover

Refuge: An Unnatural History of Family and Place by Terry Tempest Williams

Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer ( all titles by him)

Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult

My next list is books people have recommended to me and I have not yet read , but are on my "To Read" list:

Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer

The Yellow House by Sarah M. Broom

Deep Creek: Finding Hope in the High Country by Pam Houston

Crazy Brave by Joy Harjo

Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann

A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving

Between Two Worlds by Ta-Nehisi Coates

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

anything by Michael Lewis

The Big Burn and others by Timothy Egan

What books would you add to either list?

Two Summer Recipe Favorites

 

I am always looking for a recipe to use with zucchini in the summer. I also love this cobb salad recipe. Bon Appetit!

Garden Pasta Pie

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 cup chopped onion

4 garlic cloves, minced

3 cups cooked linguine

¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 ½ teaspoon dried oregano

1 ½ teaspoon dried basil

¼ teaspoon pepper

1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese

¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 large egg, lightly beaten

2 medium tomatoes, cored and sliced

1 ½ cups sliced zucchini

1 ½ oz. shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Directions:

Preheat over to 375 degrees. Spray 8 inch springform pan with nonstick cooking spray, set aside. In a small skillet, heat oil, add onion and garlic. Cook until onion is translucent. Transfer to a bowl and add cooked pasta, parsley, lemon juice, and ½ teaspoon each of oregano and basil. Add pepper and toss well.

In small bowl combine ricotta, 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese and remaining oregano and basil, stir into pasta mixture and blend.

Place half the pasta mixture in the prepared pan. Arrange half the tomato and zucchini slices on top. Add remaining pasta mixture. Top with remaining tomatoes and zucchini. Sprinkle with mozzarella and remaining Parmesan. 

Cover with foil and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 35 minutes. Remove foil, bake until golden, 5-10 minutes longer. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.

6 servings

Mexican Shrimp Cobb Salad

For the Shrimp:

16 oz cooked large shrimp, peeled

 chili powder to taste

1 tbsp lime juice

salt to taste

For the Salad:

6 cups romaine lettuce, shredded

15 oz black beans, rinsed and drained

1 cup corn

2 tbsp red onion, divided

2 tbsp cilantro, chopped

juice of 1/2 lime

1 seedless cucumber, diced

2 cups diced tomatoes

1 ripe hass avocado, diced

1 cup reduced fat Sargento Mexican Blend shredded cheese

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Rinse shrimp and chop into large chunks. Toss shrimp with a little salt, chipotle chili pepper, and fresh lime juice.

2. Combine drained beans, corn, red onion, cilantro, lime juice and salt to taste.

3. In a large glass trifle dish or clear bowl, layer salad ingredients starting with the lettuce, black bean mixture, cucumber, tomatoes, avocado, cheese and shrimp on top.

4. Use dressing of choice.

Six servings.