October 2015 Frugal chatter

[Andit]

QOTD - what to do with pumpkin

I usually buy 1-2 pumpkins this time of year (depending on how much room I have, this year I only bought 1 last week at $0.87). I cut it up into pieces, roast it until it is soft, then puree the flesh and fill containers. Depending on whether I'm organized (some days are better than others ), I try to freeze them in portion sizes, so I just have to take out one container to turn into doggy treats (thin out the puree with water until it's mushy like baby food, add enough flour to make a cookie dough & proceed with making treats for pups). I also use the roasted pumpkin if someone has an upset tummy - plain overcooked rice and a tablespoon of pumpkin works great.


QOTD - food waste

Once in a while, I forget about meat in the freezer (too many bad days & can't cook, or I get too many home-cooked meals sent my way). Luckily, Lily dog is a 4-legged garbage disposal and will happily eat just about everything (might have to add a bit of hot sauce to it for my oddball girl). Quincy cat will also help with devouring leftover meat. Or peas. Yes, we're all weird.

[jasperandchar]

re: pumpkins this is my first year. I am hoping to put some away in the freezer for human baking (haha) @Andit

Well the dogs have their meds.

The clinic where dh had his procedure scheduled called at 945am to say that they are without power. ....sigh.....dh's parents who were driving him wanted to do errands before heading to Kingston so they left at 9am but didn't have to actually leave until 1020 to arrive in time. So long story short had his parents left at the scheduled time dh would not have wasted his gas,time and energy driving to Kingston for nothing.

His procedure will be rescheduled....poor guy....but too be honest I'm more ticked at this parents, yes I know it was nice of them to drive him there because I cannot but not leave 5 hours prior to procedure....end of rant!!!!

[jasperandchar]

I have chicken drumsticks in the stove for supper and will cook a package of lipton sidekick scalloped potatoes as side dish.

I need to figure out the rest of the week, yesterday was burgers.

[Ciel]

@jasperandchar -I love Lipton Sidekick dishes but tend to treat one package as a main for myself and brother rather as side dishes. Scalloped potatoes sound delicious! I had the white cheddar and broccoli mix a few days ago-yum! Do you have chili or stews or soups you can pull from the freezer? Expect you'll want a night or two off following Thursday's surgery-can your younger cook take on supper duties (heat/cook pasta/plate/get help washing up)?
@Andit -love your Toronto adventures and your photos! Expect wind tunnels with the rain tonight and tomorrow due to the tall buildings around you. Like the pumpkin cooking tips-we don't have puree at home but Mom often roasts pieces of squash without any seasonings or goodies (unlike the magazine recipes which always have some yummy inclusion) and cannot feign surprise that she's about the only one who'll eat squash or pumpkin that way.

Think everyone has used up all their October coupons where possible. I had tossed one last week as I was not going to get the product this month. Will likely be grocery shopping in the next two days as many staples are low. I made a batch of dinner rolls/buns yesterday as bread supply was low. Had Liptons chicken noodle soup for supper (and added some cilantro leaves and ground ginger to keep me from any colds lurking around) and raspberry preserves with two of the rolls for dessert.

Found a Monopoly cup two nights ago with two stickers that I tossed out at home. Realized while I did have the Niagara Falls piece already, that Halifax airport piece was not a repeat, so quickly retrieved the piece. Seems Vancouver Airport piece is the one that will be needed to get the travel prize. No success in finding the $100 prize pieces or the other royal blue piece to get $10K. I can dream...^-^

[Frugalbigmama]

Cleaned out my wallet this afternoon. So this evening after all my chores are done I will clean out the rest of my purse and switch to my new to me Coach Fall purse Time for the summer purse to be put away. Really would like a new wallet but will make due with what I have. Need to get back in super saver mode. I need to retire soon lol

[YOU AND ME]

Yikes! I still need to order winter tires for my new vehicle!

I was lucky i don't have to buy winter this year i got them with my new car a perk lol

[jasperandchar]

@Ciel hope you find some of the missing monopoly pieces and stickers you are needing, good luck The guys will manage I'm sure Thursday and post op for the next few days, thanks for thinking of you it's very kind of you. I will be doing a small shop tomorrow evening while ds2 has his appointment.

[Crochetlady]

Had an appointment with my kidney specialist in London this morning. I am barely holding my own. For the first time ever I have to see him again in 3 months. They`re arranging home care to come in and teach me how to wrap my legs. My feet and legs are swelling a lot but I can`t wear compression stockings so this is an alternative. They also changed some of my meds.

Now I need to get back to crocheting. I have about a dozen Christmas towels ready for buttons but should get a bunch more done this week. Thursday will be a write off...have a dentist appointment for 2 fillings in the morning and an eye injection in the afternoon.
@Andit Have you had a lot of problems with your teeth while on Prednisone?
I hadn`t had a cavity in more than 10 years but since taking Prednisone I have had 1 tooth break and 2 cavities. My skin is also a mess.

[SassyAshley]

Crochetlady hope you start to feel better

[lizzie bargain]

I hope you feel better soon too CL. Tomorrow DD heads off to band camp until Fri so it will be pretty quiet around here. In the afternoon DH and I will be going for coffee and cake to celebrate the little twins first birthday. So far Halloween is looking quite mild around here-stocked up on candy and we have managed not to get into it yet!!

[avoncallingu]

Thoughts snd prayers for your cousin Avon.

Thanks, saundyl. The doctors have put her into a medically induced coma for a week. Her pneumonia is very serious and she needs the time for her body to heal somewhat. The chemo is continuing, however.

[avoncallingu]

@avoncallingu thoughts & prayers for your cousin and children so very sad
@cath007 I decorate for Halloween but get no kids, my 12 year old will be out trick or treating this Saturday but his brother won't....it's not cool (haha)
@avoncallingu when you have a moment can you send me the potato pumpkin soup recipe, thanks

All I can say is fleas fleas fleas.....geez

Thank-you, J&C for your thoughts and prayers for my cousin. She is not in a very good space. The kids' dad is in their lives but he has just bought a house with his new lady who has 3 children of her own. I'm not really sure where they are staying at the moment. My aunt is travelling down to Windsor each day - which is exhausting. She is ICU and no one else can visit at the moment.

I will get busy in the next couple of days to find that recipe for you.

[avoncallingu]

@avoncallingyou Prayers and positive thoughts for your cousin and also for your BIL @ Natalka
@jasperandchar When we used to babysit our neighbour`s dog we got fleas in the house. Put water and a few drops of liquid dish soap in a shallow dish...I used a foil pie plate. Set it under a nightlight. Very easy and the fleas were gone in no time.

Thank-you, Crochetlady for the prayers and positive thoughts. Her condition is not improving so they have put her into a medically induced coma for a week. No one can visit and info is only available through her mum who must be exhausted running back and forth every day.

[Natalka]

oh avon, what an awful situation - I'll be keeping her in my prayers.

[Natalka]

Happy Wednesday; hope all of you have a wonderful day!

What a happy day today, it's our son's 24th birthday!
Wow, the years have just flown by!