Frugal Friday

My first big job today was cooking 8 pounds of ground sirloin into chili and taco filling,

After cooking, it all went into the freezer in meal size containers. Having entrees that just need heated up really is convenient on busy days - and frugal as it prevents the need for a meal out by necessity.

I have used this taco seasoning for years. I usually double or triple it and keep it in a quart jar.

This is my chili recipe- I follow the spices but the other ingredients are flexible. I don't usually add the celery or bell pepper, I used tomato sauce and tomatoes with green chilies instead of the tomato juice and I used home cooked pintos instead of canned beans.

Both of the above recipes are from AllRecipes.com 

Made 2 pitchers of unsweetened ice tea- I think besides water, tea is the lowest cost of all beverages

We change the filter in our central air unit once a month. Apparently our size is not common and Walmart only has our size filters in the expensive version,

So I looked on Amazon and found a case of 12 for about $14.  I ordered them  Wednesday evening and they were delivered this morning. 

Like most days, I try to earn points on Swagbucks. Mostly I get them by running autoplay videos on my Kindle Fire. 

I mowed our yard with our electric lawn mower.  We have had the Neuton electric mower for 4 summers and it is so convenient, easy to use and quiet. My neighbor 2 doors down stopped today to ask about it.   

Did some quick sewing alterations on 2 grands swimsuits to make the waists smaller. 

Today is also laundry day- some of the laundry is air drying on hangers in doorways.

supper will be oven roasted zucchini from our daughter in laws garden and homemade roma
sauce over pasta. 

The grands did get to swim twice yesterday- once in the morning when it was barely warm and again after naps when it was hot.  They had just the best time! The 2 older ones that talk must of said "this is so much fun" and "this pool is awesome" and "thank you buying this pool" about 100 times. 

The cake baking and cake eating were a hit too!   I think there will lots more swimming and cooking with the grands this summer.

linking up with Terri's Hearts in Service Frugal Friday 

Waiting for the sun to shine.....

We are in a drought and the rain we getting today is needed, but we are hoping the sun will come out soon.  The new pool is ready and this weather is kinking up the swimming plans.........

Lunch and snacks are ready and waiting in the fridge. Yesterday's shopping netted some very nice fruit.

I made up a small batch of homemade cake mix so the grands can stir up and bake their own tiny bundt cake - we got the little pans from my mom and the tiny whisks are from an Amish store in Branson, MO. 

         

2 of the grands are here, dressed in swim trunks and really hoping the sun is shining soon!

But whatever the weather brings, we have fun!  

Wednesday........

Melanie said she likes to read posts about everyday things so I think she will like this one.....

She has a really sweet blog 

http://comfyhouse.blogspot.com and she writes about busyness at home, thrifting, family - a lot like I do.   

Comfy House

My husband requested striped Jello. I used 4 boxes of sugar free.

Just make one batch at a time and pour into containers, chill until set up and then make another batch. Just keep adding layers until the containers are full.

I think these are peach, lemon, orange and strawberry. It looks more impressive if the flavors are different colors but I just used what was in the pantry. 

He will like these, especially on days when he spends a lot of time in the heat

I left home before 8 this morning, I tried to do my shopping and errands before it got too hot. 

I took a big ice chest and put the perishables in it as I made different stops.  It was especially nice when I got home, I knew all the groceries were fine and I was able to sit for a bit and eat lunch and not rush putting the groceries away. 

I think I will take that ice chest and the milk jug full of frozen water every time I shop this summer. 

Shopping - I bought about everything on my list except for window cleaner.  I have not been happy with the homemade cleaners I have tried in the past but the book I am reading - see the previous post- has inspired me to try again.  I'll let you know how it goes.

My last stop was the nail salon- I got a pale pink for summer. 

My son was in town, bringing a trial exhibit he built to his brother. I was happy he has time to come visit me too. 

Supper was homemade pizza and a big salad.

Grandchildren will be here tomorrow and I think they will be so excited to play in this pool from Aldi.

Grandpa blew it up this evening with an air compressor and put enough water in it to keep it from blowing away.  There is a water spray that hangs down from the rainbow and it will get more water as the children play.

How was your Wednesday?