Frugal Happenings 8/9

Happy Sunday everyone.
It looks like we all made it through another week, one way or another!  I am sure some had a great week and others just so-so.  I guess I would have to call mine great, as nothing bad happened, and we were blessed with lots of goodies from our garden.  I got to talk to a niece and two nephews that live out of town, and that was nice.

I have really gotten into watching programs about the new "tiny house" movement.  I find it so encouraging that folks can live and live well in less than 500 sq. ft.  I always thought we were original tiny house owners (950 sq. ft.) - but ours isn't that small compared to some (plus we have a full basement).  It is fun to see how creative people are with their storage.

My week was frugal as usual.  We had all meals from scratch, filtered water and made tea, did laundry in cold water, etc.

• I made many batches of salsa, pasta and pizza sauces and canned it.  For those that don't can, always remember that you can make sauces and freeze in appropriate size containers.
• Dried all the tomato peels and powdered.  Tomato bullion is very expensive at the store.
• Cut and froze chives for the winter
• Used the scalding blanching and canning water on weeds
• Picked lots and lots of garden veggies and used in many ways
• Froze more bell peppers for winter
• Got to have AC off for a couple days
• Used rain water when I needed to water garden and pots
• Stayed home 6 days
• Replanted lettuce and cucumbers. Cukes are on their last legs and we still should have 60+ days before frost.  Here's hoping!

Out tomatoes are probably at their peak right now.  I am picking 10 lbs. plus a day.  Not too shabby for 10 plants.  We have just had tons of cherry tomatoes.  The bell peppers are really producing wonderfully.  This is actually the first time we have had this many peppers.

 

 

This is dehydrated tomato peels along with the grinder I use.  At the left you see the jar that I keep the powder in.  It really does add a lot of flavor to dishes in the winter.
I have 2 grinders (both bought for $1 each at yard sales).  One is used for herbs and anything I need to grind that is mild.  The 2nd is marked and is strictly for hot peppers!

Not sure how well you can see this picture (just couldn't get the light right).  It is an old individual pop bottle I saved for storage of chives in the freezer.  I cut and chop the chives, then place them in the bottle.  Keep in the freezer.  In the winter I can have 'fresh' chives for cooking - simply shake out what I need!  Make sure you put them in the bottle dry.
I just keep adding to the bottle as I cut chives.

Guess that is about it for me this week.  How did you do?  If you have any unusual things you do to save $ please let us know.  We all love to learn!!
Have a wonderful and blessed week!