Saving Money–July 3, 2016

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Patsy and I went with my sister to pick blueberries.  They were so delicious, only $1.25/lb, and are all gone now:)

I picked wild blackberries and made a crisp to take over to our friends’ house when we went for dinner.

I made pinto beans in the crock pot, lots of salads from garden lettuce, sandwiches, packed lunches, enchiladas, omelets from eggs we got for 88c/dozen, and numerous quesidillas.  I am trying to keep meals simple.  We got invited to my sister’s one morning for pancakes, a friend’s for dinner, a potluck for the last night of J’s camp where she was a junior counsellor (I took watermelon, cheese slices and crackers), and my aunt took us out for lunch after church today.

We did not get the house we bid on last week, and in fact got outbid by $15,000 (over the asking price).  So, you could say we saved $15,000:(  I spent 4-6 hours looking on the computer, have sent the real estate agent a list of properties we would like to see, and will go at it again this coming week.

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Patsy and I went for a bike ride at Champoeg State Park.  I am happy to report I did not fall off of the bike, or have any other catastrophes.  (I would pretend I am teasing, but have done some crazy stuff on (off) of a bike in the past, so am trying to build myself up again after several years of not riding since we all have talents and that’s not one of mine!!!!)  We rode over 5 miles.  We packed a lunch, and got ice cream at the historic store that was the 1/2 way point of the ride.  We also played a game of checkers they had on the table while we ate our ice cream.  Cute and quaint.

I visited with a friend while Patsy and her daughter swam at a local pool.

We worked in the garden.  We are still eating the same vegetables–snow peas, lettuce, beets, carrots, cilantro, basil, spinich, and the zucchini is just starting.  I am also looking forward to green beans soon.

We got library books, movies and borrowed 2 movies from a friend.  We watched one movie tonight.  It was called “The Finest Hours” and was about a Coast Guard rescue.  It had a little bad language, but kept us riveted to our seats as the men battled the stormy sea.

 

16 thoughts on “Saving Money–July 3, 2016”

  1. I have to admit, your summer sounds fun! I need to follow your example and drag out my bike! My sister in NW Pennsylvania just picked blueberries for close to the same price! But in Maryland, at a nearby farm from Delaware here, they are close to $4/lb! (and $5/lb for strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, cherries). I do need to move out of this area! I have that Coast Guard movie but I didn’t watch it yet. I have watched “The Guardian” (an older Coast Guard movie) and I liked that. “The Perfect Storm” is a good ship- in- trouble (and true story) movie…not about the C.G. but they do come into the picture near the end. (George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg). The 2005 version of “Yours, Mine, and Ours” has a Coast Guard theme (Dennis Quaid) and is good as long as you don’t mind that it is not the original with Lucille Ball!

    1. I LOVE that old Lucille Ball movie. I haven’t seen the newer one. I’ll have to see if it is at the library. I did not expect to be so riveted to the movie we watched, but there’s something about the power of the ocean that doesn’t need any other drama–it’s more than enough to keep me on the edge of my seat.

      Those are crazy prices for berries!

      I had the pleasure of picking a few peaches from the orchard this afternoon after our 4th of July barbecue. I’m drooling for the first bite! I’ve certainly landed in a pleasant spot.

  2. I am so glad your family is having a good summer – lots of fun and great food. You are so fugal and stretch each dollar. The housing market sounds crazy in Oregon.

  3. Sorry to hear that you were outbid on that house. But I do believe that you’ll find just the perfect place.

    While I was walking the dog this morning, I noticed that the closest blackberry bushes had quite a few ripe berries. Took the dog home and went out with a bucket. Love free food!! Picked almost 2 pounds and that’s just the start. Will either make jam or a syrup to go on yogurt/ice cream.
    I, too, love my crockpots. When I had a full house, I used at least one daily. Cheers, SJ

    1. I know—I thought somehow (silly me) that I could do this camper experience without one because I would be here all the time to cook–NOT! So, I got the least expensive, basic Crock Pot for the camper, and I’m using it constantly. Glad you got the berries. There is such a satisfaction with using absolutely free food for me, too.

  4. I know that Patsy was very nervous about you selling your house, but it looks like she’s realizing the benefits of living in a camper all summer! She must be having so much fun on all these adventures.

    Your prices are so amazing compared to ours. Wish we could get berries that cheap! If I pay less than $2/dozen of eggs, its a really good sale for our area. You’re very lucky!

    I hope you find that perfect home soon, even if it isn’t what you hoped for. Perhaps you are just meant to get a fixer-upper to renovate to your liking. But I know you need a structurally sound house to start with, or it’s just not worth it! Good luck in your search, Becky!

    1. Yes!!! We’ve found a real fixer-upper and put in a bid, but doubt we will get it because we had to bid low or we won’t have enough to fix it up?. We will see what happens. The structure is what we are going to get checked out, for sure, on any one we might renovate–plus wiring and plumbing

  5. I’m sorry you were outbid on the house but that just means that God has something better for you! Those blueberries look so good and I love the price. It does sound like you are having a fun and frugal Summer. Hopefully, by this time next year, my hubby and I will have a new to us camper trailer or pop up tent trailer. We are at the age where we can no longer sleep well on the ground and need a nice mattress since we both have bad backs.

  6. Your week sounds wonderful! All those blueberries make me think of the book “Blueberries for Sal”. My week was similar to yours but I think your garden is ahead of mine. 🙂 So far we have harvested a lot of mint and lettuce. I’m just itching for everything else to start coming in the next week or two.

  7. Looks like you Are having a Wonder summer.typing on the kindle no idea why it uses capitols and things.?i know God has the perfect house for you. My daughter and I were in a very tiny place for muchhhhhh
    !longer that we thought we would be. We both grew to enjoy the simplicity. We had a lovely view and the
    Rent was. Cheep. It was a studio with a batnroom kitchenette and and a room for sleeping lounging studying making jewelry watching movies. It had one small closet we shared. It is a amazing what you can make do with. We found going for walks and reading and praying in our cars gave us some personal space. I just was t to encourage you God is not never late he is always right on time.
    We got a great condo to rent . From a lovely lady. It was out of our target area. I am praying for your perfect house
    Blessings
    Patti

    1. Thanks for the encouragement! We don’t know what’s in store for us, but we know Gods hand is on us. We are doing better than we thought in the camper?

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