Cream Soup Substitute

While perusing the Internet this morning I ran across a healthy substitute for those cream soups that recipes sometimes call for. Sometimes you want a healthier alternative or you might not have one on hand. Either way, over at www.Cheaplikemeblog.com/food/recipe-cream-soup-substitute/ check out the recipe. I'll be filing this one away for future use!

Happy Dance

Yes...I am doing the Happy Dance today. I just found out that the insurance companies have paid for our little mis-hap; rental car vs. Montana deer. It was not a pretty picture. This past summer we flew to Spokane, WA, and picked up a rental car. We spend the next week touring Idaho, Montana and Washington. On the next to the last day of vacation, a deer jumped out of the brushy road right of way and crashed into our car. Me being the frugal one that I am had declined the car rental companies insurance policy. We have our own car insurance and you are covered in a rental car with that same policy. The only down side to that is you still have to pay your deductible, which in our case is $1000. We always carry a high deductible to keep our premiums low. So I was feeling a little low after that vacation. But then in a statement from Avis, it mentioned that if you pay for your car rental with a credit card, sometimes there are provisions for situation like this. I promptly contacted Discover and .......Happy Dance......they covered the deductible! Yeah!!!! So the lesson of the day......Check with your Credit Card company when something like this happens to you!

TMM

TMM is the buzzword now in our block class at school. Teacher Made Materials. We have to make 8 of these and it's a little daunting besides the Lit. Cluster of 40 children's books, twice weekly observations at our assigned pre-schools with the manditory written reflections to be turned in for grades.....eeeekkkkk! Does anybody have any good web sites for TMM's? We're already in week #5....just counting down and trying to keep the old head above water! Housework is on the back burner and the garden gets visited about once weekly. I don't get to go to the farm since the Mr.'s days off are Mon. and Tues. and I'm in class those days. I'd love to go to the farm and help him with the fencing! Or just be able to spend the night and watch the morning begin....we have beautiful sunrises up there. Oh well......life goes on.

Cereal Bag Recycling

Here's another helpful household tip. Had you ever thought about reusing those bags that cereal is in, inside of the box? They are heavy duty and once they are shaken out (outside for the birds, they love the little pieces) are wonderful for freezing meat. Just use a twist tie to seal the bag shut. Now you can feel that you have recycled just one more thing! Does anyone have any other uses for them?

Thrifting

This past weekend was the community wide yard sale. You could shop all day long for 2 days. This was one of my treasures....$7.50. I have been looking for a meat grinder for the venison that the Mr. brings home. Most of it I take to the butcher to be ground, but sometimes I keep out more roast than we need and wanted a grinder to take care of that. I dont' know that I'll use any other part of this as I have a great Kitchenaid mixer, but it's nice to know I've got it if I need it. I tried out the grinder the other day and it does just what I wanted.

I was also able to find the candle holder and candle for $1.00 and the cute little footed bowl for .50! Gotta love yard sales....so much entertainment for so little money! Be sure and go out and do your part for recycling!

Feeding Finches

In the front flowerbed of the house, grow echinacea. After their pretty blooms have faded, I am tempted to cut them down, but I have hesitated because I know the birds will feed on them. Here's the proof.....

Hummingbird food

You know with today's economy, we've got save every penny we can. But it wouldn't matter what shape the economy is in, I don't like spending unnecessary money. I was visiting with a friend outside her house and we were admiring all the hummingbirds at the flowers and feeders and she remarked that the replacement food for her feeders was so expensive. I asked her if she wasn't making her own and she told me that it was a lot of trouble. Now how much trouble can it be to stir sugar into water? She thought that you had to boil it, but I told her no, you might have to warm it a bit to get the sugar to dissolve. I hope y'all out there aren't spending money that you don't have to, simply mix 4 parts water to 1 part white granulated sugar. Or, for each cup of water stir in 1/4 cup sugar. Stir til dissolved and pour in your feeder!
There's your helpful hint for today! Tomorrow I'll tell you about some of the things I found at the community yard sales!