This has been a cold week and when it's cold all I wanted to do is hunker down, and unless it was something I just had to do, I stayed at home. I love doing Sudoku puzzles, reading and am more than happy to do that between household chores rather than going somewhere.
Monday, Jan. 26: When I woke and stepped out from under the covers I was cold and never got really warm all day. I can't really complain because we had power, heat, hot water, and warm clothes, unlike what a lot of other folks are going through.
I was supposed to go to Independence Place, but first I cancelled, then their facility cancelled their day. I am glad they did, because I dislike being a no show when they are expecting me. They will probably be glad we could not connect. It saved them from making and eating zucchini parm.
After my first cup of coffee, I was looking for a permanent place for a new fire blanket. To me, it just made sense it needed to be in the kitchen, as that is where most home fires originate.
I have a hutch cabinet which houses scented candles and plastic grocery bags. It seemed like a good place to put it, but I had to rearrange the cabinet where I found a couple of stray items needing to be put where they belonged.
And this is when the fun began. I opened the drawer where one of the items belonged only to discover a jar of keyboard cleaner had fallen on it side and seeped blue goo all over the place, which meant taking every single thing out, washing the drawer, putting everything back that actually belonged in it, and moving everything that had been shoved into it that did not belong there to it's proper place.
Thus began the domino effect cleaning all three drawers there, then the cabinet above it, moving on to 5 drawers and 4 cabinets in the kitchen hutch.
In one of the drawers I found about 15 composition books, and about 10 of them were partially used. I went through all of them and cut out all the pages I no longer need except for 2 of the books.
One holds various short stories I have for things that I had written or outlines for an idea I had. The other was filled with family stories I remember from my childhood. That was only one part of the day I enjoyed.
After doing all the drawers and cabinets I turned my attention to the cookbooks. I briefly looked through a few. One was Grandmother's from the 1920's which has several of her handwritten recipes in the covers, title page and in the margins. Another was my mom's first cookbook and has recipes written in the covers and on papers she stuffed between the pages. The third was a full notebook of my MIL's handwritten recipes. I knew I had all three but had not really looked at them in a long time, and had such sweet memories while flipping through them. Naturally I did not get rid of those, but I did pare down my cookbook collection by 5 cookbooks.
Now every single thing in that part of the kitchen is completely organized, the shred pile is fairly large, and I filled a box to donate soon. My next task is to keep it neat!
What I learned: Some of the story ideas I have had in the past and had forgotten about are actually pretty decent.
Dinner: Pumpkin sausage soup
Tuesday, Jan. 27: This was another day to be at home most of the day.
In my kitchen I have an upper corner cabinet with a three level lazy susan. I use it to hold all my herbs, spices, and seasoning blends. Trust me when I say I have a lot. Every space is overfilled with a variety of containers (small jars mostly) to make food taste better. Tuesday morning I was reaching into the cabinet to grab some red chili flakes, when 3 of the containers in the back decided to become kamikaze herbs and jump into the abyss of the triangle shaped space in the corner. Once there were down they created a sort of blocking system that would not allow the susan to turn without sending other jars over the edge also.
So I had another full scale clean out removing every single thing in the cabinet, wiping the lazy susan shelves and cleaning the inner cabinet surfaces.
I'm almost glad I did because I freed up some space. I incorporated 2 jars of Old Bay seasoning into one, did the same with chives, and found 2 unopened jars of basil, excluding the opened one with about 2/3 of it remaining. The excess basil went into the laundry room dry food storage unit until it is needed.
After that was finished I moved on to yet another cabinet. How many mugs does one family of 2 really need?
I was able to talk with Kim and Sissie in the afternoon, and we had a lot of laughs, which was the highlight of my day.
What I learned: I learned I need to manage my herbs and spices better. (Actually I need to manage everything better) I don't mind have extra because I do have auxiliary food storage, but anything extra needs to live there, instead of on the spice shelves.
Dinner: Beef stew, coleslaw
Wednesday, Jan. 28: I woke fairly early, had some coffee and caught up on some emails. Then I got ready for the day and went to class. Boy was it cold!
After it was over I ran some quick errands then headed home, did things around the house, talked with My Beloved Sister, read a little and then went to the store with TheHub. Publix had a few BOGO stock up deals I wanted to take advantage of and though I did not really want to go then, TheHub wanted to make his yogurt obsession run. There was no reason to stay home instead of going with him since I would be buying the few items I wanted that were on sale lager in the week anyway.
We have started watching the new season of The Night Manager. So far, so good!
What I learned: I live in Alabama and we do not experience cold weather often, and don't have all the proper winter clothing that folks who live with real winters have. However, I learned if I wear my coat (yes it is a lightweight Alabama coat) and actually fasten it, socks, suede birks, along with gloves and a scarf, cold is pretty bearable. Who knew?
Dinner: Chili, coleslaw
Thursday, Jan. 29: TheHub woke me in time to throw on warm clothes and follow him to the car dealership. We were leaving my car to be serviced. I was just not crazy about being out in the cold at 7 in the morning. So much for easing into the day. The day slapped me in the face the minute I walked outside. The upside? As soon as I stepped through the front door I was wide awake.
I attacked yet another cabinet, put everything where it belonged, and tossed some things in the donation box.
I also worked in the laundry room, which is going to take a while. My laundry room is very large and everything that we don't know where to put or what to do with gets stored put in there. I have to make keep or toast decisions about a lot of things.
I worked more in the butler's pantry and found a few more things to list on our local Buy Nothing FB site. They were gone by the weekend. Hurrah!
One of them is an ombre set of unbreakable plates from the palest teal to a deep emerald green. I remember buying them, but they were stuffed in the back of the bottom cabinet in that pantry, and had never been used.
I know my folks were at the beach with us when I bought them and Dad passed away 10 years ago, so it was at least 11 years ago when they were bought. And I remember at the time thinking there were fabulous and I "needed" them.
I did more chores before stopping for the day.
What I learned: I learned that I am a bad steward of money if I buy something, forget about it, then give it away having never used it.
Dinner: Eggroll in a bowl
Friday, Jan. 30: I slept late and it felt so good. I was making coffee and TheHub came in the kitchen saying he had a protein drink when he woke but wanted something to hold him over until lunch.
I rarely eat breakfast, but I was planning on making a small omelette for me. When I offered to make enough for him too he gladly accepted.
Once we had eaten and were full we decided to skip lunch and just have an early dinner.
It was cold and we both stayed in the house doing odds and ends until it was time to go pick up our evening meal. We had a monthly minimum to use and had not used a penny of it.
What I learned: When we were driving to pick up our dinner we saw several houses with pink and red lights, illuminated hearts, and decorated valentine trees. I had no idea people did that. I guess I am the Grinch equivalent of Valentine's Day for other than a Valentine themed decoration on my dining room table, there is nothing in my house that even remotely reflects the holiday.
Dinner: Cajun style grouper or osso buco.
Saturday, Jan 31: I know I am a winter wimp, but today was much colder than I care for. Our high was 27 with a low of 15. I don't dislike winter, in fact I usually enjoy it, but this is not typical for us, and it is just too cold for my liking.
So, I kept my rear in the house all day doing a few odds and ends.
I am at the point where I am almost afraid to open any cabinet or drawer because I don't want to stir up another cleaning frenzy. And don't even get me started on closets. That is another beast I am not ready to tackle.
TheHub and I watched a few videos of a Cajun couple who have a recreational home (a houseboat actually) anchored in the Louisiana bayou. We both agree just watching it and hearing the water lap against the "house" and all the critter noises is so peaceful.
In addition to watching the videos we have both been watching (off and on) the robins in the back yard. I lost count after counting 25 of them, because a hawk flew over and they scattered. It was cold and windy and they were puffed up like orange breasted snowballs.
We started watching the Prime series "Steal". I would recommend it to anyone who likes criminal intrigue.
What I learned: Watching DAT Lousiana Life I learned that alligators might not be as vicious as I have always believed, but still should definitely be respected and given space. Dinner: TheHub had a fundraising dinner in Tuscaloosa, and I dang well was not going to cook just for me.
Mixed green salad, pepperoni slices
Sunday, Feb.1: Our Sunday school class takes food and serves to The Church of the Reconciler, a local church that ministers to the homeless with services, programs and hot meals. It was so cold I skipped going, but TheHub went. He is obviously a better person than I am. As it turned out 14 people went and I would have just been in the way.
When TheHub got home I fixed us a hot dog lunch, because Bama had a basketball game and what goes better with a game than a hot dog meal.
Shortly after the game Son2 and DIL2 stopped by while they were in our neck of the woods to visit and show us their new car. It's a sporty hybrid that is supposed to get 50 MPG. Not bad!
And as nice as it was to see the new car, it was even nicer to see them.
After they left I did a little laundry, looked through a few recipes for February meal ideas, and read.
We watched The Night Manager and an episode of Steal.
What I learned: I learned Son2 plays the long game. He spun a believable, but odd tale that was actually a very long and involved joke. He cracked himself up when he realized I was totally absorbed in it, until the very last word when the joke was revealed. He told me it was like casting a fishing rod and slowly reeling me in. Jerk!
Dinner: Butternut squash soup, cheese toast
Meal possibilities for February will be posted Tuesday (because I haven't thought about it yet.) I do think I like having monthly options rather than a week by week menu plan.
Groceries bought this month: (more than I thought I would buy)
2 dozen eggs (used 1 dozen)
1 bell pepper
1 red pepper
4 pounds potatoes (used 4 potatoes)
2 cabbage heads (used 3/4 of a huge head)
2 cartons baby bella mushrooms
2 sugar free ketchups
3 pounds onions (used 2 onions)
3 lb pork butt
1 bunch scallions (about 3/4 gone)
2 cauliflower heads (have 1/2 head left)
1 broccoli head (have less then 1/2 left)
1 carton white mushrooms
1 carton grape tomatoes
1lb. carrots (about half used)
4 small zucchini
2 cucumbers
2 bunches grapes
1 container greek yogurt
1 container sour cream (used a couple of dollops)
2 cream cheese (used one)
4 cans table cream (use for cooking only)
small bag dried oregano (refilled oregano jar)
2 bags pork rinds (mine) (1 1/2 bags left)
2 bags Fritos (TheHub's) (1 bag left)
1 bag individually packaged chips (TheHub's most still there)
1 tin grilled mackerel (trying for the first time)
1/2 gallon Almond milk (partially gone)
2 cans green beans (one gone)
2 cans whole potatoes
1 can diced ham ( used 1/2 can in an omelette.)*
1 can white meat chicken (I keep this for emergency meals)
fresh ginger (used one knob)
3 pack garlic (one bulb gone)
ginger paste
garlic paste
hot dog buns
hamburger buns
rye bread (1/2 loaf remains)
1 pack romaine hearts (1 heart remains)
2 cans tomato soup (TheHub's)
1 can pumpkin puree
1 porterhouse steak (Sale price. In the freezer)
1 chuck roast (Nice looking roast at a decent price. Impulse buy)
3 lbs. ground chuck (Convenience purchase. Impulse buy, frozen)
2 cucumbers (used 1 1/)
2 cans Margaret Holmes okra, tomatoes, and onion (Sale)
2 packs cornmeal ( out of it and needed it)
2 pounds sausage (Sale, used 1)
1 dozen eggs (Weekly free item)
1 tin smoked trout (Trial )
1 baguette
2 containers shredded parm (BOGO)**
2 jars sliced peperoncini (BOGO)
2 jars alfredo sauce (BOGO)
6 boxes Magic Spoon protein bars (BOGO I've had none, TheHub 3)
2 packs German style franks (BOGO, used 1/2 pack)
Books read this week:
Juggling 3 books but finished none of them.
Have a great week staying on plan, going off plan, or with no plan at all.
May all your weeds be wildflowers.
Anne
*The canned ham was perfectly fine in the omelette, but I did taste one cube by itself and I will not do that again.
** I needed none of the BOGO items, they were just a stock up price. I bought Magic Spoon bars for me because I am not eating sugar and this was half of the price I have paid before. Since then, TheHub has decided he likes them too. I thought it was a good idea to stock up. Instead of eating just one bar a week like I do, he might eat one or two on any given day.
