Blacksmithing Bishop

Bishop has expressed an interest in learning the art of blacksmithing since he was about 8 or 9 years of age and finally, at the age of 13, he had the opportunity to learn introductory blacksmithing.  He spent the last two days attending a blacksmithing intensive workshop.

He learned how to build a relatively inexpensive backyard forge and he completed four projects, including a cool fireplace poker and a triangle to ring to call all to chow!
It was so cool to see him at the end of day two - so confident and relaxed, enjoying himself!
Truly the lifestyle of learning at its best!

Last Weeks Frugal Accomplishments

Hello everyone!  The last two weeks seem to me to have been much like a whirlwind.  With guests in town my days have been full with little time to breathe let alone blog my accomplishments and revelations.  But with a tiny moment to inhale and exhale I now take the time to document my frugal endeavors.

*52 Week Savings Plan:  I am abandoning this project but am determined to begin anew in the year 2015.

*Christmas Jar of Change:  $16.72 is added to the previous balance of $147.52 for a grand total of $164.24!

*Favorite Frugal Accomplishments:

-Twice I watched the Midwest premiere of the stage production of Mary Poppins without paying the price of admission by volunteering to usher one show and work the boutique for another show.  Volunteering at our community theatre is a great way for us to partake in top notch entertainment without paying a thing.  My older sister and I hope to usher at least one time during every production this year allowing us to take in nine different productions at no charge.

-I got my military pass from the National Park Service that allows for free entry to all national parks, memorials, and monuments for a year.  I used my pass to take my sister and nephew to our local national battlefield while they were visiting from out of state.

-While family visited we participated in other forms of free to cheap entertainment.  We played games, learned how to do branch weavings, and played capture the flag at the park.  My sister, Christie, and Bishop were taught how to skin animals by my nephew, Kevin.  They skinned a badger.  Later we found a badger pelt that we could have purchased for $75.

-While my father and his wife were visiting we took them to our local art museum and to a really cool art gallery that were both beautiful and free of charge.

-Our internet went out.  There was a delay in it getting repaired so I negotiated a credit to my account of $55.

-I found a couple of books in the house that I had never read.  I have now read them.  More free entertainment.

-I really did an OK job planning ahead even with the distraction of out-of-state guests.  One day as we girls were heading out for a day of flea markets, food, and fun I managed to get tuna salad, deviled eggs, and jello made for the boys to have for lunch.  I also managed to get short ribs (gifted to me by my niece) in the oven to slow cook and chicken in the refrigerator to marinade (using lemons that I found in the fridge and herbs from my garden).  The preparation of these two entrees allowed me to get dinners on the table for my guests even on the busiest of days.

-I purchased some drastically marked down produce.  For $2.98 I got 3 large avocados, 4 bell peppers, about a dozen hot peppers, half a dozen limes, an orange, 3 mangoes, a kiwi, 4 large tomatoes, and 8 apples.  I diced all the peppers and put them in the freezer.  I made guacamole, salsa and apple crisp.  Now I need to figure out what to do with the kiwi and mango, hmmmm.

Because our routine was seriously disrupted with our special visitors I did not feel as though the past two weeks had been particularly frugal.  However, after completing this list I am very satisfied.  I think that I may be forming some good habits...maybe.

Last Weeks Frugal Accomplishments

*52 Week Savings Plan:  For the last two weeks I have not placed any money in this account.  I m loathe to give up but am considering just trying this again next year.  Balance $29.

*Christmas Jar of Change:  $4.30 will be added to the change jar for a new total of $147.52.

*Favorite Frugal Accomplishments:

-I went to the grocery store to pick up a few items and came out with more than anticipated.  Often times this would create a sense of regret but not today.  I managed to score three dozen free eggs, some highly discounted salmon, shrimp and cocktail sauce, and italian sausage, 35 lbs. of dog food for $9, and earned 30 bonus fuel points.

-Another trip to the grocery store found me purchasing Capri Sun and instant oatmeal in damaged boxes for .99 each.  I would not typically buy these items but for this price I believed that they would be enjoyed.  And they have been.  As I have been enjoying my homemade laundry detergent I had no intent on buying any at the store; however, I also purchased some highly discounted detergent that worked out to be a quarter of a cent per load.

-I received my quarter of a cow.  The freezer is full of roasts and steaks and ground beef and, best of all, the price came out to be less then $2 per pound.

-I filled up my gas tank using gas rewards.

-The air conditioner went off when the temperature began to drop.  When it got cold enough to consider turning the heat on I delayed as long as possible, promoting wearing layers in the house.

-My most favorite frugal accomplishment of the past two weeks has been to get to see Maceo's new performance twice for free.  Maceo is in the Midwest premiere of the stage production of Mary Poppins.  I ushered the preview which allowed me to see the production without cost.  Also, Maceo is given two complimentary tickets one of which I used to watch the opening night performance.  It was fantastic!!!

I am sure that I did other little things that were frugal but I failed to keep track of them.  The last two weeks have been a little crazy and the failures stand out to me more then the successes.  I have eaten out way too often - nearly every day for the last week.  I am afraid that I have a plethora of science experiments going on in the fridge.  I have used what seems to be a ton of gas.  We have been incredibly busy but I am afraid that I have failed to plan well.  That really does seem to be the key - thinking ahead, anticipating, planning.

Lifestyle of Learning 2014 Edition: Volume Fourteen

Monday September 1st marks the end of summer for us.  We now look to fall and all the traditions and opportunities that accompany it.  It is during this time that we evaluate our goals, particularly educational goals.  This year marks the beginning of a new journey for us - Maceo is in high school.  We have spent time discussing high school and post-high school goals and dreams and then creating some plans that will support them.  This year should be a fun and mind-expanding adventure.

And we are off to a great start...

Maceo began troupe rehearsal this week.  He also became a troupe mentor for the youngest troupers, for which I am very proud of him.

He continued to rehearse for the upcoming production of Mary Poppins.  The show opens next week!!!  Tech week will begin tomorrow - it will be a very busy week, the good kind of busy!!!

Maceo also continued with private vocal instruction and began and finished The Glass Menagerie.
Maceo finished up his week with his first troupe performance.  The troupes performed on the steps of the theatre during the First Friday Art Walk. He had the opportunity to perform a solo piece as well.  He performed "If Ever I Would Leave You" from Camelot.

Bishop also had a full week  He began reading Beowulf, Homer, The Number Devil, and Son of Charlemagne.

He went to the archery range for a little physical education and to complete his archery merit badge.

It was an energizing evening!

Thursday morning we hosted a breakfast for some friends and convened the inaugural meeting of our new service project group.  For the month of September we have decided to collect used shoes to benefit Sole Food.  The boys made collection boxes and will place them in their locations this next week.

(There is always some goofiness with this group.  This wasn't even the half of it.  The bulk of it came from my Bishop but, alas, he was elusive and there is no photographic evidence.  Shucks!)

This same group then moved right in to nature study group.  Using Bishop's Biology book as reference they prepared jars for cultures.

Then we went out to the watershed for a picnic and to collect some water samples.

He created cultures of these water samples that will be examined under the microscope next week.

Bishop wrapped up his week by participating in a merit badge university.  He learned how to weld and earned his welding merit badge in the process.

It was a spectacularly full week!
Loving this adventure we are sharing!

Last Weeks Frugal Accomplishments

*52 Week Savings Plan:  Slow progress but... $29.

*Christmas Jar of Change: My new total is $145.07 after adding $1.85 to the former total of $143.22. 

*Favorite Frugal Accomplishments:

-I had points from my grocery shopping that could be used for a discount at the gas pump.  I used these points to fill up the gas tank at a savings of .20 per gallon.

-I am trying to take full advantage of my trash service. I pay the same amount for my trash service whether I put out one barrel or not.  For the past two weeks now I have put to the curb the maximum amount of trash allowed.  This also has the advantage of facilitating a goal of mine.  One of my goals for the year is to go through, purge and organize every nook and cranny of my property.  The desire to fill up those trash bins has me going through cupboards and shelves and baskets and boxes.

-I got some bone-in chicken breasts for $1.59 per pound so for dinner one evening I fried it up in some lard that I got for .50 per pound.  After frying up the chicken I used the oil to fry up leftover baked potatoes to make some french fries.  Found one last bag of vegetables in that freezer of mine and steamed them to accompany the chicken and fries.  Satisfying!

-I made a big batch of potato rolls that have been used for several meals and snacks.  For the mashed potato I used some instant mashed potatoes that had been given to me a while back (free - yay).

-We are in the midst of a heat spell but we did get one nice rain.  I collected rain water and have been using it to water the herbs.

-I discovered a jar of peaches languishing in the refrigerator.  They were a specialty item, peaches infused with vanilla, that I had purchased thinking they would be a special treat for the kiddos who like to eat canned peaches.  The kiddos didn't like the peaches.  They didn't prefer the added vanilla.  So those peaches just sat on a shelf in the fridge most likely doomed to a future as a science experiment.  However, sorting through the fridge with the goal of reducing waste I discovered them and turned them into a most yummy cobbler.  The kiddos had no problem eating that!

-Still pulling stuff out of that freezer (it is amazing the amount of stuff a little freezer can hold - whew) - used the last of the pork to make pulled pork sandwiches (used the rest of the .79 cent buns purchased for hamburgers); used some of the pecans for a crumble on an apple crisp and to make a double batch granola (I figured that while the oven was heated I should go ahead and make up a big batch - did I tell you that I love this granola?);

-I decided that the hamburger buns should be an entry of their own.  I purchased a bag of nice hamburger buns on managers special for .79 almost two weeks ago.  I initially used them to accompany hamburgers and, just this week, used the leftovers with the pulled pork sandwiches.  I go two meals out of one .79 package of buns - Yay!

-I discovered some apples that were less then desirable for just munching on so I salvaged them and made a most delicious apple crisp.

-With short notice I was invited out for a ladies lunch.  I needed to feed the kiddos but didn't think that sandwiches were ideal as they had many a sandwich as of late.  I opted to make them quick pizza crusts using the frugal recipe posted below.  I went "shopping" in my food storage pantry for some pizza sauce and pepperoni, grated a bit of cheese and left them to bake up their own pizzas.

This is the pizza crust that my mama used to make for her young family.
This is an eat with a fork kind of crust.

1 c. flour            1 tsp. oregano         1 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper      2/3 c. milk           2 eggs
Mix and pour into a greased pizza sheet.  Bake for approximately 9 minutes at 375.  Check on crust as baking and poke down any bubbles with a fork.
Top with your favorite toppings and pop it back in the oven.
Try it!

-I canceled the insurance on the vehicle we sold.  Although this cancellation is fiscally responsible, it will prevent us from paying unnecessarily, it would have been truly frugal weeks ago.  Yep, for weeks now I have paid insurance on a vehicle we don't even own anymore.

Last Weeks Frugal Accomplishments

*52 Week Savings Plan:  I am excited to say that I am adding $5 to this savings plan for a small, way behind  but making progress new total of $25.

*Christmas Jar of Change:  I have $9.62 to add to the jar.  When added to the previous balance of $113.60 I have a grand new total of $143.22.

*Favorite Frugal Accomplishments:

-Sunday:  I went to the grocery store for some donuts, bacon, orange juice and hot dog buns and came out with deals.  Serendipitously, the buns and bacon were on sale.  And, again serendipitously, there was a coupon in-store for $2 off when buying a dozen eggs and some orange juice.  Orange juice was on the list and it never hurts to have a few more eggs.  But most exciting were the managers specials.  I got some pineapple-orange juice for $2 that, if the kids do not drink it, I will freeze into cubes and add to smoothie packs.  I got a pack of really nice hamburger buns for .79 and three packages of ground beef for $2/lb.  The beef was particularly exciting because a group of people had formed around one section of ground beef that had just been marked down.  I saw that that beef would be about $2.20/lb. and didn't want to fight the crowd for that.  Passing it by and moving down the aisle I discovered the three packages that I bought.  Everyone was so distracted by the other beef that they didn't notice these packages that were higher quality and marked down even lower.  I felt triumphant.  I see hamburgers for dinner in our future.

I had a 30% off coupon for Kohl's that was due to expire today.  Bishop and I were both in dire need of new tennis shoes so we decided to see what we could find.  We both found tennis shoes that were on sale.  There was also one pair of cargo shorts in Bishop's size and a couple of nice t-shirts that were on sale.  While at the checkout counter I realized that there was another coupon in my mailer that was for $10 off shoes and, upon further inspection, found that the coupon had expired.  However, they very graciously opted to utilize the coupon despite being expired.  When both coupons were applied it dropped my total to $100 which I am very pleased with.

-Monday:  Today Bishop and I joined some friends at the park for a picnic.  Despite my love for true picnics I must admit that I most often bring carry-out to them.  This time, however, I triumphed - I made blueberry muffins with the berries that I had purchased on sale last week and made deviled eggs.  Bishop and I both enjoyed this simple yet yummy picnic.

-Tuesday:  Bishop enjoyed the muffins so much that he asked that I make more.  I made a triple batch of muffins today so that I could have some on hand for breakfasts and snacks throughout the week.  While the muffins were baking I also baked some potatoes for dinner.  We had stuffed baked potatoes using leftover chili and other goodies found in the fridge.  The environmental science merit badge that Bishop is working on requires that he list ways to conserve resources and then utilize two of those ideas for seven days.  He chose to be conscientious of how electricity was being used by making sure that we turn off lights when it is not imperative that they be on.  He also chose to only run the dishwasher when it is full.  I will be interested to see how these goals impact or energy and water usage.

-Wednesday:  I swung by the grocery and discovered some great managers specials.  I got the largest green bell pepper accompanied by three cucumbers and three hot peppers for .99!  I also picked up 12 packages of raspberries as they were on sale for .99 each and chicken thighs that had been highly discounted.  And I picked up summer sausage for $2 each.  I love to have summer sausage stocked in my pantry.  I frequently use it to serve to guests alongside cheese, crackers and fruit.  Sometimes we munch on it for lunch and it would be handy for a spontaneous picnic.  It was a good shopping trip and one that should help fill out our menus without filling up my freezer.  (Still awaiting the beef delivery!)

-Thursday:  Today Bishop and I met some friends at Wild Animal Safari.  We had coupons to get two of the kiddos in for free and more coupons for free bags of food.  They allowed us to stack the coupons and we were thrilled with our adventure.

-Friday:  I went to a park this morning and was captivated by its beauty.  Good, simple, free, and nourishing entertainment!  I continued to work Swagbucks and Bing Rewards and have earned another $5 Amazon gift card.  I have a couple more educational resources that I am wanting to have on hand so I intend on applying the gift card to this purchase.  I used that marked down chicken to make a delicious dish utilizing lemons that I had on hand and fresh herbs clipped from my garden.

-Saturday:  Other then seeing a show that I had purchased tickets for I just stayed home.  I served leftovers for lunch and cooked a simple pasta dish for dinner and just worked on household projects that need to be completed.  Productive and restful and the pocketbook stayed in the purse!

*Next Weeks Goals:

-I have been perusing this blog as of late and find it to be inspirational.  She has so many ideas for me to glean from including her frequent cleaning of her fridge, culling from it items for dinner or to put in the freezer.  Of course, I look at my leftovers as potential meals but I do not routinely go through it and put those tidbits in the freezer if I am not going to get them on the menu in a timely fashion.  This week I will clean my refrigerator and I will attempt to go through it every two or three days in order to be a good steward of what has been provided to me and, thus, reduce my waste.

-Also inspired by Blue House Journal and all of its delightful menus, I intend on returning to menu making this week.

-I want to make raspberry vinegar and/or cordial.

-Go through my freezer yet again to ensure that it is prepared for the beef delivery.

-Update my financial accountability log.

Last Weeks Frugal Accomplishments

*52 Week Savings Plan:  Still at $20.  It was so much easier to get in to the groove at the beginning of the year then it is now.  Why?!?

*Christmas Jar of Change:  $1.98 will be added to the jar's previous total of $111.62 for a new total of $113.60.

*Favorite Frugal Accomplishments:

-Remember that soda we purchased for .79 with a coupon from the fair?  Well, we had use for it this week and it was nice to have it on hand.  The boys were invited to a party and I wanted them to take something to the gathering.  So I had them grab a bottle of soda and a couple of packages of microwaveable popcorn that just weren't getting used by us.  The contribution was appreciated!

-I turned off the thermostat every chance I got.

-I made enormous progress on getting that freezer cleared out.  I found smoked sausages and hot dogs in there that Bishop grilled up.  The ice cream is just about gone.  The smoothie packs are getting used.   The last two chicken breasts were used for quesadillas. The last of the ground venison is in the fridge waiting to be turned in to chili.  Menus have centered around what has been found in that freezer and that has kept me from doing in significant grocery shopping for weeks.

-I purchased a case of blueberries highly discounted at Aldi.  I am not sure what all I will do with them but will place them in that nearly empty freezer while I decide.  I learned that the beef will not arrive for another couple of weeks so I have that long to get those berries processed.

-I was gifted a gallon of tea and a large container of vanilla greek yogurt (Thanks, Roxie!) that has really encouraged me to just stay home instead of heading to the bakery for tea and a snack.  This has helped me save money and accomplish more.  (Brandy is right on this one).

-I enjoyed a walk in one of the beautiful gardens that our city maintains.  It is relaxing, inspirational and free.

-The last of the frozen cookie dough was used to treat unexpected guests.

-I am still working my Bing Rewards and Swagbucks.  I have enough Bing Rewards for another $5 Amazon gift card and am almost there with Swagbucks.

-I purchased a gift through Shutterfly using a 50% off coupon.  Because the purchase was over $30 I was able to get free shpping.  I also got 101 free photos (truly free because I didn't have to pay the shipping).  The final bonus was that I was able to use Swagbucks shop and earn feature and will receive 180 Swagbucks for this purchase.  I love it when all the deals stack like that!