tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post8876780930889490047..comments2024-03-26T19:10:34.328-08:00Comments on The "Make Do" Homemaker: When Life Gives You Lemons...: Frugal Friday: Money Saving Weekly Recap (Times 1 1/2)Erika, "The Make Do Homemaker"http://www.blogger.com/profile/09303208981550053539noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-62175026639084000442018-09-07T17:26:18.625-08:002018-09-07T17:26:18.625-08:00Erika, thanks so much for the update! Your pantry ...Erika, thanks so much for the update! Your pantry looks great, and it sounds like you've taken some good steps to prevent further incursions.<br /><br />I'm glad you got a chance to take a break from all your hard work, and to enjoy a bit of your beautiful state. What a gorgeous place! <br /><br />Congratulations on the wonderful deal at Sears! Our nearest Sears is closing soon, and supposedly had some great deals. Yet when I went to check out their "marked down" appliances ("as is" floor models, no warrantee) since our stove is on the way out (oven died), the prices were still higher than Home Depot and Lowe's. I got a much better deal from Home Depot on my new stove--plus it's brand new, with a full warrantee.<br /><br />Replacing the stove is the latest in a string of replacing dead or broken appliances this summer; not terribly frugal, though I've managed to get good deals on my new phone, iron, microwave, coffee maker, and stove (our very old dvd/CD player has apparently given up the ghost recently as well, but we had a very basic one upstairs that works well enough for the moment). It's got to the point that if I hear something making a weird noise, I expect it will be next on the DOA list! Strange timing, but sometimes that's how it goes.<br /><br />Sharon<br />Sharon Schulzehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03400815138134107737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-74836750147026474592018-09-05T06:26:41.312-08:002018-09-05T06:26:41.312-08:00Wow! Awesome use of all that rhubarb! My rhubarb i...Wow! Awesome use of all that rhubarb! My rhubarb is a weird variety. It goes to seed twice a year versus once and if I snip off the seed pods in Spring it gets sick looking, so that is those dead seed pods. It’ll go to seed again soon and I’ll snip those off and the rhubarb will be fine. I asked the cooperative extension service about it and the person I talked to just kind of grinned, shrugged and said we have like 40+ types of rhubarb up here and they have different quirks.<br /><br />How do you make rhubarb sauce? That sounds like a great idea to help extend the applesauce!Erika, "The Make Do Homemaker"https://www.blogger.com/profile/09303208981550053539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-39375159943533536802018-09-04T21:20:23.168-08:002018-09-04T21:20:23.168-08:00Your reorganizing looks great! Did you leave the ...Your reorganizing looks great! Did you leave the seed pods on your rhubarb on purpose? The Cooperative Extension course I took here in Fairbanks recommends snapping them off as soon as you see them so that you get a bigger harvest. I just spent two days processing 46 pounds of rhubarb! Rhubarb liqueur, rhubarb jelly, rhubarb syrup, and rhubarb sauce that I freeze and then when I make or open a can of applesauce I add the rhubarb sauce to stretch the applesauce (since the rhubarb is free but the applesauce is not). Tomorrow I am making rhubarb apple chutney and rhubarb fruit leather...I wish my tomatoes did as well as my rhubarb!! Mablehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13889546378268171918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-14951719872487226502018-09-04T16:56:49.111-08:002018-09-04T16:56:49.111-08:00Thank you! I probably will be emailing you! While ...Thank you! I probably will be emailing you! While the Internet is helpful, it's also scary and overwhelming. Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09360397522677275215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-87204304319586689802018-09-04T02:49:57.949-08:002018-09-04T02:49:57.949-08:00Wow -- You literally got a TON of things done - an...Wow -- You literally got a TON of things done - and how nice just to take a day and go out with your family. Thanks for sharing the pictures -- I live on the other side of the country from you and I think that Alaska is a beautiful state. I hope using the foil, steel wool and finding that hole and closing it up ends the mouse problems for good. I hope you get to really enjoy your new mattress set and take a very much deserved nap!!memehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06917472273921446916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-72437375260001805442018-09-03T20:52:34.621-08:002018-09-03T20:52:34.621-08:00What a difference a week can make: pantry organiz...What a difference a week can make: pantry organized and mouse-proofed; restocking of some canned goods, berries and rhubarb; new bed and pillows; and a nice day-trip for rejuvenation! Wonderful to hear things are looking up!!<br /><br />Pat, Cda<br /><br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-59388288020281927322018-09-03T16:31:05.715-08:002018-09-03T16:31:05.715-08:00Not only is it the longest tunnel, it is the longe...Not only is it the longest tunnel, it is the longest 20 minutes of sheer darkness I have ever seen. I remember people turning on their car lights cause it was so scary. Have not been to Whittier in years. Glad you had such a good day. <br /><br />Cate in Kasilof <><Catehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02653044402389501155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-2088675650550490692018-09-03T11:32:11.340-08:002018-09-03T11:32:11.340-08:00So glad you had a better week, Erika! I kept my f...So glad you had a better week, Erika! I kept my fingers crossed and prayed a lot for you all! <br /><br />Congratulations on the new bed - I remember you saying you really needed one. And how nice you can get pillows too! I am sure that will help the back and shoulder issues. Enjoy!<br /><br />Your day trip looks so lovely - the blue sky and water are just amazing. Thanks so much for sharing your photos with us!<br /><br />Enjoy your week,<br />LeaLeahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03384475081085015883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-23253467666235869832018-09-03T08:14:56.116-08:002018-09-03T08:14:56.116-08:00The “plan” is to hopefully, once the mice are conf...The “plan” is to hopefully, once the mice are confirmed gone, to go and get some commercial plastic-like base board and adhere it into place with a bunch of liquid nail (I figure go hard or go home ;). Hopefully between everything the mice will be gone for good. Erika, "The Make Do Homemaker"https://www.blogger.com/profile/09303208981550053539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-11534484516493721972018-09-03T08:09:43.855-08:002018-09-03T08:09:43.855-08:00If you end up needing help navigating nut allergie...If you end up needing help navigating nut allergies e-mail me. I’m an old hat at that and can point you in good directions to start.<br /><br />You are lucky on the epi-pen front. Even generics here have been on back order for a good six months. Luckily, expired pens have been shown to still be good for at least five years, but MAN it’s still nerve wracking not having current ones.Erika, "The Make Do Homemaker"https://www.blogger.com/profile/09303208981550053539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-30163956523259722622018-09-03T07:32:43.788-08:002018-09-03T07:32:43.788-08:00You have certainly had a busy week - but you have ...You have certainly had a busy week - but you have accomplished so much - amazing job! So glad you were able to get the new bed at such a great deal. SEARS went out of business here in Canada and left a lot of their pensioners and employees out in the cold so they don't seem to be doing well anywhere at the moment.<br />Your pantry looks so clean and organized and hopefully all the changes you have made will keep the mice at bay!<br />What beautiful photos - that must have been a lovely day out. And you certainly deserved the break.<br />I did a stocktake of my small freezer compartment and pantry a couple of days ago - just the protein options - and was astonished to discover that I had nearly 200 portions on hand. I have slashed the grocery budget for this month and next and will concentrate on using up a lot of what I already have!<br />I hope this week is even better than last and that you get to relax at least a little bit!Margie from Torontohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10103835021764804099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-32808667399200818462018-09-03T07:15:51.730-08:002018-09-03T07:15:51.730-08:00I love how when things get all funky, you will gru...I love how when things get all funky, you will grumble and grieve for a bit, then you roll up your sleeves and get going to make it better. I completely understand the first (face it, we all do it), and I greatly admire the second (you are a lady filled with determination). I'm about to tackle my own pantry clean, inventory and reorganization project (we have the little buggers here in Texas too). I got a lot of inspiration from your photos. Just keep on keepin' on girlfriend!Mama Said Nohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17308677020217781633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-46689245994043669572018-09-03T07:05:27.572-08:002018-09-03T07:05:27.572-08:00P.S. Even if you don't have the baseboard (whi...P.S. Even if you don't have the baseboard (which is only an inch and a half or so high) but if you have any strips of wood lying around (like a 1x2 or something) you could use that, too. Any piece of wood tacked over that crack would work fine.<br />AnneAnnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08767026676380138708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-82271708761756008932018-09-03T07:03:06.610-08:002018-09-03T07:03:06.610-08:00Hey, Erika--I'm so glad you made it through yo...Hey, Erika--I'm so glad you made it through your week, got so much done and taken care of, and fit in a fun day with the family. You've been in my thoughts and prayers all week. Here in Montana, we have to deal with mice and pantries, too. I have one additional suggestion for you that might help. . . now that you have stuffed that crack along the base of your sheet rock with all the steel wool, have you considered going to the Restore (Habitat for Humanies, extra building materials) or even one of the big home stores or a local lumber yard, and buying a piece of builder-grade baseboard to put on the wall against that crack? It would cost just a few dollars, you can cut it with a hand saw, and nail it with tiny (really small, ask at the store) finish nails (a little glue never hurts either). That would fill that crack permanently and the little buggers wouldn't get through. I had to do something similar along the ceiling of my garage storeroom (I called that summer "Mouse-ageddon," LOL), it only cost a few few dollars, and it really worked--gave me a ton of peace of mind. Just a thought. Wishing you the very, very best--you have more friends out here rooting for you than you will ever know :-)<br /><br />Best,<br />AnneAnnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08767026676380138708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-88771243650677139902018-09-03T07:02:16.630-08:002018-09-03T07:02:16.630-08:00Things are definitely changing for the better. Th...Things are definitely changing for the better. The pantry looks wonderful! great job.<br />Oh your trip sounds great and the pictures are beautiful.<br />Glad life is starting to be favorable again. Blessings sweet girl.Cheryl Kimbleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06485771676254429681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-8463267059382231062018-09-03T06:39:26.787-08:002018-09-03T06:39:26.787-08:00Glad you got to go out for the day. You needed it....Glad you got to go out for the day. You needed it. My garden is doing really well here. I have been canning sauce, pickles and jam. Hubby fixed my washing machine too. My full list is here: https://mcoia.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-frugal-list-week-of-august-27-2018.htmlMaking Cents Of It Allhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09121344770577065537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-15224533019637217792018-09-03T05:39:08.041-08:002018-09-03T05:39:08.041-08:00Glad things are looking up a bit. Just looking at...Glad things are looking up a bit. Just looking at that beautiful scenery would make me feel better though the snowy mountain caps wouldn't.Cherylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03532160415343676858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-29230046447010098572018-09-03T04:32:13.857-08:002018-09-03T04:32:13.857-08:00Phew, what a week and a half! You've been on m...Phew, what a week and a half! You've been on my mind this week, so I'm glad to hear from you. I truly, truly hope that all your efforts will have sent those mice running for the hills. My cats aren't the greatest mousers (one ignores them; the other brings me live ones), but I'm hoping that my giant basement/laundry room clean up will have deterred them, as there's no longer a ton of hiding places down there. We'll cross our fingers together, right? :) <br /><br />Your pictures from your day trip are absolutely stunning! I'm so glad you got to get away for the day. Sometimes you just need to leave it all behind. May this week be extra relaxing for you! :)Stephaniehttp://stephaniegetsitdone.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-89771841693662165062018-09-03T04:14:18.578-08:002018-09-03T04:14:18.578-08:00Um yep...we've got random bricks too, lol! I a...Um yep...we've got random bricks too, lol! I am so happy about your new bed! I hope it makes a big difference for you! Your day trip looked like fun, what a beautiful place! Is it cold there yet?<br /><br />We also have had a lot of rain, too much! We are double our annual average for moisture, and it just turned September! <br /><br />My just turned 6 year old gave us a scare, and not may have food allergies, nuts. It was a nightmare getting epipens, and we ended up having to buy generic ones out of pocket. I am stressed to the max, cant get his skin test for 3 more weeks. Seems like nuts are everywhere, and he is such a choosy eater, but for the first time I am glad. He doesn't understand this, and doesn't have the experience or vocabulary to explain what's going on, and that makes me ex transgender stressed. <br /><br />Anyway...I can't wait for your next post, and I pray you find lots of peaches...super cheap.Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09360397522677275215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-62093056024267479442018-09-02T20:47:24.058-08:002018-09-02T20:47:24.058-08:00The good thing about an awful week is that there i...The good thing about an awful week is that there is no where to go but up! This week was way better for you, and I'm glad:)<br /><br />I'm so happy for you that you got to get away. The boats are so pretty in the sunshine against the blue sky, and the gorge/hills are so lovely. We slipped away for a few days and went camping down at the beach. We had just the opposite--fog, clouds, and even mist. It felt wonderful to us after an unusually hot (for us) summer. When it's in the 90's for days on end, we wilt here in this part of Oregon. We are used to a bit cooler climate. And, I'll admit, we are wimps when it comes to warm weather. Those who read this that are from actually hot places--don't laugh too loud:)<br /><br />While we were down at the coast, we purchased albacore tuna off the docks, something we have done for the past few years. The first thing we did when we arrived home was can it that same day, and now I have some tuna in the canning cupboard. I'm trying very hard to get things like tomatoes, fruit cocktail, and other end-of-the summer items canned. Because we use our canned food so much, I like to have a year's supply and a few extras on hand of each item, so that means a lot of canning for us. (I keep a notebook with records in it so I know how many jars to can of each item). Because I can get almost all fruits and vegetables for free by growing them in the garden, or scrounging them from my sister, it is worth doing that. Of course, we pay the price for some things, like the tuna, but it is do-able because of the other things I get for free or very low prices. Thankfully, my husband helps when he can, even it means sitting there next to the pressure canner for an hour and 40 minutes--( tuna takes 100 minutes to can.) This year was the first time I canned chicken, and we did some we got for a very good sale price. I made broth from the bones, and canned the chicken breast. <br /><br />When I hear of how hard it is to grow things where you live, and how hard it is to obtain them in the stores if you wanted to buy them, I am reminded of how blessed I am to live in an area that abounds in so much produce and other things that can be canned. Sometimes, I feel I take it for granted since I've lived here my entire life and am just doing what my mother did while I grew up. So, thanks for the reminder that I should not take it for granted, but instead, remember what a blessing it is! I remember the time as a kid when my mother explained to me that raspberries didn't grow everywhere and how I should appreciate them. I must have listened, because I still remember thinking "how can that be?" Beckyathomehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11105835394158145451noreply@blogger.com