Frugal Groceries

One of the unique characteristics of FrugalVillage - the forum I mentioned a few posts back - is the abundance of personal and group "challenges" discussed. Anyone is free to post, and many choose to challenge themselves to some frugal task that is particularly difficult for them. A lot of times, the original poster is joined by many members of the forum who decide to take on their own form of the same challenge. 

The nice thing about it is that everyone recognizes that we each have our own unique situation. I may be saving $100 per month, while the poster after me is saving $600/month, and the one after him is saving $25/month. It is always encouraging and no one is judged (at least not in print) by how much or how little they are doing. The mindset is that progress is progress, and whatever YOU can do to improve your situation is worthy of praise. 

Today, I joined the January Grocery Challenge.

My personal January Grocery Challenge is to stay within the budget. Seems obvious, but we've gone over budget on groceries every month since the wedding. Its time to reign in the spending! It is particularly bad because I am a stockpiler. If something goes on sale, I snatch it up in ridiculous quantities. Particularly if it is non-perishable, and something that we eat regularly. Hubby doesn't understand this practice, but I've convinced him that its not all bad. The thing is that until my stock pile is really full, we aren't saving any money because of it. Which means I am spending more than necessary and not saving any. Ugh. 

This month, I am going to:

  Shop only twice, the first and third saturdays.

  Plan meals (GASP!) and only purchase ingredients for meals on the list for the upcoming two weeks

  Utilize grocery store ads and coupons

  Spend no more than $150 on groceries before January 31!

Wish me luck, lift me up in prayer, send encouraging words...I need all the help I can get!

Hurting Heart

Forgive my ambiguity today. 

There are things going on in my life and the lives of those around me that are weighing heavy on my heart today. I am a very hopeful person, generally. But today, I can't see the light. I am scared for the future, scared of what it brings, scared of what today will make of it. 

I know God has a plan. I know he's working. But I also know that he's sovereign, and chooses when and when not to act. I don't claim to know better than him, but his inaction is leaving me scared and uncertain. I suppose if I've ever doubted him, now is the greatest example of it. The thing I want the most is his action in our lives. If he chooses not to give that...I don't want to face what that might mean for us. I don't know how to deal with that might be in the future. It's already changing the lives of all of those involved, I can't imagine what changes will come. If that is what God has planned for our future, there is certainty at this moment that my will and his do not match up. 

Is it going to be okay? I'm not sure. I can't see the light. 

Crochet Madness

Being a very recent knitting newbie, the art of crocheting seemed, to me, absolutely out of my league. It was very confusing to me, and although the experts all claimed that it was actually quite "simple," I never believed them. 

Until tonight. 

Tonight I began a quest. A quest to renew my yarn fervor. A quest to distract me from the dull necessity of finishing some rather complex knitting I failed to finish before Christmas (my brother and my brother in law are both waiting anxiously for me to finish...). I had a strong surge of work right before Christmas - Monday-Wednesday of this week it was nothing but knitting. I was on a roll! But as soon as Christmas was over, and the big deadline had passed, my enthusiasm for both projects took a big nosedive. Last night I resolved to get some work done on my overdue Christmas gifts. 

I began working on one, the one for my brother. The pattern is not difficult, but the execution is, a bit. For anyone who knits: the pattern is knit on a 36-inch cable, with size 5 needles. Long, and tiny. At the beginning of the project, I cast on a whopping 360 stitches. Its a neat pattern, with alternating forward- and backward-stocking stitches, forming a tight wave. With the alternating stitches, you also alternate between two colors of yarn, so that the tight wave creates a grey scarf (in my case) on one side of the work, and a black scarf on the other. It is really quite remarkable and fun to work on. Or, at least I thought so. I sat down to work on it last night and got halfway through a row (approximately 175 stitches) before realizing that I was purling when I ought to have been knitting. 

Oh, bother. 

I made an annoyed note in my notebook, marked off the row I'd failed to mark off last time, and put the work down. So much for effort. 

Tonight, as Hubby and I sat looking at each other wondering what to do with our Saturday evening, I came to a rather desperate solution to my apathy toward my knitting engagements. I decided I would learn to crochet! 

I know what you're thinking, doesn't that just seem like a distraction? Possibly. However, in the past I have found that when bored with a particular yarn-y project, switching to a different one for a time creates a newfound interest in the first, when I happen to return to it. I have placed a challenge before myself to finish both of my tardy Christmas gifts before the first month of 2009 is complete, and I do plan to limit my crochet distraction in order to achieve that goal. 

But, in the meantime, I have succeeded in shocking myself beyond all expectation at what I am capable of creating with a crochet needle and yarn. Below is a photograph of my partially-done "Victorian Dream Square." 

About two hours ago, I pulled out some yarn and practiced making an even chain. This was a big challenge for me. After I felt I'd achieved some mastery there, I moved on to a single crochet. I worked about 6 rows of that before getting bored (hmm, is there a pattern here?) and itching to try something new. So I pulled out some of the free patterns I'd accumulated from Hobby Lobby and took a gander at them. Got confused by some directions, turned to my trusty computing machine for clarification, and continued on. Then, about 30 minutes ago, I came across this pattern: :click!: I thought "hey, I can do this, sure!" and now, I have this! 

Don't laugh, all you experienced expert crocheters. This is my first attempt! Of course you can see I'm about half way through the 5th round. After exclaiming to Hubby every 10 minutes, saying "holy cow, can you believe I'm actually doing this!" and "look what I've made now! it actually looks like the pattern," I figured he was probably tired of my shocked-ness, and that it was time for me to get over it. 

So I resort to you, dear void, to absorb all of my unbelieving and amazed feelings regarding the wonderful art of crocheting so that I can finish this silly project and get back to business!

"I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas..."

One of my favorite things these past few weeks has been pandora.com. If you've never used the site, here's what it does: you type in a song title, or an artist that you like, and its genius insides figure out other songs/artists you might like, based on the musical and sound qualities of the first song/artist. For a seasonal example, I typed in "Mannheim Steamroller (holiday)" and listened for hours to artists like Jim Brickman and David Lanz (and, of course, Mannheim Steamroller). When I typed in "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee," I got a priceless collection of Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Burl Ives, even the Beach Boys. Oh, and of course Bing Crosby on the old family favorite. 

Hubby and I are packing things up and heading north (where, incidentally, they're expecting snow by tomorrow) after he gets home from work tonight. We'll be staying with his folks, so I'll get to experience first-hand his family at Christmastime. I'm excited! There's nothing like joining a new family and learning new traditions. 

However, I have to admit that I hope we'll find enough time with my family to sneak in the traditional viewing of our old family favorite. There's also the tradition of the Christmas-lights-viewing driving tour on Christmas Eve. And the Christmas morning stocking opening. 

I have to say, I'm not really sure how things are going to work this Christmas. Hubby and I have been sharing Christmas with each other for seven years, it seems like it should be a piece of cake. But this is the first Christmas we'll be married. Its not just ME trying to figure out how much time I can spend at HIS house. Its US, trying to distribute OUR time to both homes equally. I want to be there for all of my family's traditions, but I don't think I will. It makes me a little sad. I guess compromise is what marriage is about. 

Even so... you better believe Hubby will be getting his fill of Danny and Bing! 

My Crazy Uncle D

Two months ago, I reconnected with my Uncle Darryl. It had been a long time, due to a situation of family estrangement (which I regret, though it had nothing to do with me at the time). A year or two ago, at my cousin Sean's wedding, Uncle D attempted to teach me how to Cha Cha. It was a bit later in the evening and my family was getting ready to drive the trek back from Columbia, MO to Lawrence, KS. We ran out of time (not that I was getting it!). That was really the last time I'd spoken to or had communication with Uncle D. 

Then, in October of this year, Uncle D showed up at my wedding, and I could not have bee happier to see his bald head and beautiful smiling face! 

The first thing I said was "we've got to try that Cha Cha thing again!" Unfortunately, the DJ didn't have a Cha Cha...but eventually he played us a Tango! 

Here are the boys: Uncle D, and my cousins Sean (on the left) and Tim. I love these guys!

My sister and Tim

Tim tried to teach us how to do the Twist. I'm not sure if I'm getting it or not. 

Since the wedding I've been in contact with Uncle D a lot more, and I am so glad for it. His unique perspective, his passion, his unconditional love and undying support...Uncle D has always been one of my favorites (don't tell!). 

This Christmas, I'm taking stock of my relationships with the people I value. Uncle D recently lost his mother to cancer. My father has fought his battle with cancer twice, and has come out on top both times (praise the Lord!). I am familiar with the fragile state of life, and while my practical brain reminds me daily that you really only have time for so much before driving yourself crazy, I am working to better those relationships I already mentioned. My trip home a few weekends ago was one such attempt (and it worked!). The celebration of our two month anniversary last night was another. Every Friday, we share a meal and games with a married couple we're very close to, and tonight we're going to share a meal with an older couple from church. We don't do too poorly, really! But there is always room for a little more. 

Blessings this Christmas to you and the people you love. Take time out to share memories and hot chocolate. Go find someone you haven't spoken to in awhile, rekindle the fire of an old friendship - it will keep you warm this holiday season, and beyond. 

Living Frugal

I recently found a blog entitled Frugal Village. The woman who writes the blog has a great taste for style, creativity and staunch frugality. After reading her archives for hours on end, I discovered....the forum. This place has been my home for the past few weeks, as Hubby and I are trying to get our feet solidly on the ground. Having only been married for two months (today! Happy two-month anniversary!), we're still figuring out our budget, how it works, and what can or needs to be changed. It doesn't help that it is Christmastime, and we were ill prepared for the extra spending! We have gone waaay overboard on our gift spending, and we were definitely not prepared for wrapping gifts and decorating the house. We've done admirably with those last two categories, and we've tried making up our excessive gift spending by spending less than $10 for our gifts to one another. This budget living is tough stuff!

One of the favorite practices of the wonderful people who frequent the Frugal Village forums is cutting back on utilities. I have learned more ways to lower electric and gas bills in the last month than I ever thought possible! I've begun closing doors to bathrooms and closets; every time I open one of those doors and feel the 5-10 degree difference between outside and inside, my insides grin with satisfaction, knowing that my heater doesn't have to bother working to heat those rarely-used spaces. My thermostat has gone from toggling between 72 and 75 to staying at 68 all day except the 2-3 hours in the afternoon when I have students. I've begun unplugging appliances when they are not in use, working in the dark kitchen rather than turning the light on, and opening all the blinds in the house so I can manage during daylight hours with little to no electric lights at all. This month's electric bill came yesterday, and there was almost zero change from the month before. I was a little deflated, but then I realized it has been only the past two weeks or so that I've really been careful about these practices. I hope that next month will really show the affects of my efforts! 

In the mean time, we're saving up cash for travel next week. We've only eaten out once so far this month, have been saving bookoos on gas in the past month and a half, and have been managing with free items rather than upgrading (thanks for the chair, Marshall!). Today is our two-month anniversary, and last night Hubby asked me what I wanted to do. He offered the dollar theater, which only charges $1.50 for a regular evening show. Usually a great, affordable date! This time, I said lets borrow a movie and stay in! I think we're both feeling great about finding new creative ways to save money, and Frugal Village is my favorite place for ideas and encouragement! 

Decorations

Last week, Hubby and I spent an evening listening to instrumental Christmas music, rearranging the living room and putting up our Christmas tree. We each had brought some Christmas ornaments home from Thanksgiving at each family's house, and we had a wonderful time going through the ornaments and sharing memories and nostalgia. We ended up decorating the tree with red, green and gold ornaments, and leaving our memories tucked safely away. Over Thanksgiving, Hubby's brother had worked hard to find some decorations for our little house and our tight budget. He ended up lending us a small tree and some beautiful coordinated ornaments. These are the ones that are now on the tree, and oh my it is so beautiful! I wish I had not left my camera at home last weekend, because there are some wonderful pictures of our time decorating last week. 

Tonight we are having friends over for our weekly double-dinner-stay-in-date, and as I've been cleaning this morning, I got creative with what little decorative items we have. The banisters by the stairs are now encircled with twinkle lights; a beautiful brown basket that sits on the piano now has a red ribbon woven in and out of its weaves, with a big bow in the front. Its not much, but it (along with the Bing Crosby and Nat King Cole crooning Christmas songs in my ear) certainly has me in the Christmas spirit today! This afternoon, I'll be spreading all of our gifts out downstairs and getting everything wrapped up pretty. 

Wishing you all a meaningful and warm holiday season!

A Surprise for Mom

This past weekend my sister and I decided quite spontaneously to meet in the middle (I am in Oklahoma and she is in Nebraska) and surprise our mom (in Kansas). She had mentioned at Thanksgiving that she wished she had someone to help her in decorating for Christmas, because its always more fun and festive when you're decorating with family. I was aching for adventure, and my sister was up for anything! She arrived in Kansas Friday night and surprised Mom (who cried when she saw her), and I got up early Saturday and when I arrived, the whole family went to surprise Mom at her workplace. It was so wonderful! (Hubby stayed home and got some much-needed weekend time.)

The drive from Oklahoma to Kansas is not long, nor is it difficult. But anyone who has taken I-35 north knows that it is boring as all get out. Since I was driving alone, early on a Saturday morning, I decided to keep myself busy chronicling all of the important or significant events along the way. When none of those occurred in the first 20 minutes, I decided to chronicle ALL of the events along the way. Here are a few of my notes:

7:00am Depart

       Trucks & SUVs speeding past me with OU flags flapping wildly in the brisk morning air, with large coolers and lawn chairs in the back

       Sunrise in my right rear mirror. Pinks and oranges blending with thin stringy clouds

       "Jesus Christ is Lord, not a swear word" semi truck. We danced all the way to Perry. Then he also sped past me and lost me about 10 minutes later.

7:23am Droopy eyes and coveting coffee. Green tea and puppy chow to the rescue. 

7:45am K-love is fading out of range. Air1 is already gone.

8:00am I Need You - Jars of Clay = awesome travel song. strong moving beat.

8:13am A cute brown bird flies across road in front of me and brings a smile to my face.

8:30am Broke out banana bread and shasta cream soda, and mellowed out with Guster. 

      I wonder where OU is playing today?

8:40am Sunglasses. The world is a bit browner, suddenly.

9:14am Sighted a convoy of 7 charter buses, accompanied by a full-size semi truck bearing the words "OU Marching Band." It must be OU football today.

9:38am Nick Badwey Memorial Interchange

9:47am Welcome to the Flint Hills

10:18am Cattle Pens/Bazaar Cattle Crossing

10:24am National Teachers Hall of Fame

It got pretty boring there at the end. When I arrived, the family walked down the block from Mom's store to a little pizza place that sells pizza by the slice. Mmmm - yum! We all (minus Mom, who had to return to work) then proceeded to "the land" - a piece of property my parents purchased a year or two ago and have been gradually developing - Dad's greatest hobby. We selected a Christmas tree (or two) and drove home. Our time at the land was wonderful - we were all excited from having pulled off the greatest surprise for Mom, and we were all just glad to be together. I felt like we were kids again! Our personalities came out like they haven't since we were kids! Meg found "the perfect tree" every five minutes. "I like it!" was my mantra. and Tay always wanted a different one... "the green one."

Anyway, we brought two trees home. One was significantly more pitiful than the other, and we knew right away which one to try. We spent all afternoon and evening setting up the tree, getting it decorated and stringing popcorn to complete the look. Mom couldn't get over how sparse it looked, and I kept saying that this is how real trees look! By the end of the night, I knew we'd become fake-tree-snobs. 

Well, Mom got her relief the next morning. We all woke up and came to the living room to find the real tree on the floor! The poor thing just toppled right over! (I have pictures, but I left my camera at home! I think this blog and pictures are not meant to be.) We all laughed and laughed, and talked in between laughs about how sad it was. After church we came home and cleaned up Disaster Tree 2008. Our sturdy fake tree replaced it within a few hours and as Meg and I were on our ways out the door, to return to Nebraska and Oklahoma, we continued to laugh about what a wonderful adventurous time we'd had. 

Thanks, fambly, for such a memorable holiday time. I wouldn't trade these memories for anything!

Holiday Baking

I began my 2008 holiday baking experience a few days ago when I looked in the freezer. I counted 15 frozen, black bananas. A lot of people see my bananas and say something like "ew" or "blech," or make unconscious pained facial expressions. But to me, frozen bananas (and the slimy, mushy un-frozen bananas they become as they sit on my countertop) mean warm kitchen and yummy smells all day long. 

On Monday, I pulled out a few bananas and made 2 loaves of banana bread. The recipe is from my Great Grandmother, and the recipe my mom always used when baking this favorite. Its a fairly traditional recipe, and this time I decided to spice it up a little - a dash of allspice, a bit of ground cloves. Yumm. When the bread came out of the oven, it was just perfect: golden brown, firm to the touch, and the top (as we found out quickly) was just a bit crunchy. (I would post a picture if I would have had enough foresight to take one at the time.)

When the loaves were cooled and I was deciding what to do with them, I knew one would be gone before the week was out! The other had some options: I could freeze it, which would ruin my idealist notions of fresh bread...Or I could share it! Who could I share it with? I decided to send it to work with Hubby, to share with his coworkers. He protested at first, because no one has ever brought baked goods to work before. I was slightly deflated, until... "I could wrap it with a red ribbon and write 'Happy Holidays' on it!" He finally agreed, and took it the next morning. 

About 11am Tuesday morning, I got a message from Hubby: "The bread is all gone!"

Tehehe. I am giddy with satisfaction. 

Later that evening, I was cooking dinner when Hubby came home. He said he had something for me, and brought me an envelope. It was a thank-you note, written on the company letterhead, from all of his coworkers! I was speechless. And my satisfaction grew with the knowledge that everyone enjoyed it. Not only that, but I like to think that maybe, having experienced my bread - a little something from myself, surprisingly delicious, in light of the slimy bananas it came from - they will be inspired to create, and to share themselves with each other this holiday season. 

Wifey's first holiday kitchen experiment was a success! And you can be sure it will not be my last. In the kitchen for today: Puppy Chow (e.g. Muddy Buddies? - Hubby says there aren't any good names for this snack...Maybe we'll come up with our own good name someday)!