I finished up all the applesauce, using apples from the tree in the back yard. I canned or froze all the peaches I had picked. Every few days, I canned a few more jars of pickles, as the cucumbers got ready. I put a little jalapeño pepper in each jar, to make them a little spicy. Yum! I got a few jars of tomatoes canned, as well.
Patsy and Rob had a wonderful time with friends, over in Eastern Oregon, rock hunting. Rob was able to drive up to places he wanted to be so he could manage without much walking, a necessity these days. They found obsidian and thunder eggs. They camped, using the park pass. Our friends’ boys went fishing, but didn’t catch anything. Still, everyone had fun. Before they left, they tore the van apart and fixed something that needed fixing, and were on their way for a fun weekend. I stayed home and canned.
Patsy finished up her sunbonnet. She has had this project in progress for a long time, and decided to do some sewing this week. I am very happy that she is showing some interest in improving her sewing skills again.
We both worked on some embroidery. Rob went to Walmart and got some more flour sack dish towels, which I stamped with new patterns to embroider. The towels are in a big bundle and cost around $8 for 10 towels. I like using those because they dry dishes very well, are inexpensive, and are easy to embroider because they are not thick. I am starting to gear up for gift giving. I love giving towels as gifts because they are something everyone can use, even a person who seems to have everything they need already, and I can put a personal touch on the gift.
The campers ate well while they were gone–both families took food–the food from their planned list plus more, so there was lots left over. Rob brought home several things, and we used them in meals for a few days. We are eating garden produce daily. Some days our meals are predominately veggies, since we have so many right now. We have had zucchini (which is slowing down at last), lemon cucumbers, regular cucumbers, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, corn on the cob, lettuce, snow peas, green beans, onions, various peppers, green onions, potatoes, and fruit such as strawberries and apples. I have picked peaches from my sister’s and she has given me some pears someone gave her.
I did some major grocery shopping at last, starting at Fred Meyers. I got on-sale items such as a watermelon for $3.99. I got some broth for 69c/carton from the Whoo-Hoo rack, but otherwise found nothing there that I could use. While there, I did check the clearance clothing, which was 50% off the lowest clearance price, and grabbed Patsy a sundress that she will be able to wear as a jumper. I then grabbed a $6 white t-shirt for her to wear with it. A hoodie I bought did not fit her, so Rob returned it yesterday. He also got back $6 they had erroneously charged me for a second t-shirt (I only got 1, but they charged me for 2). When I pair the jeans Rob found at a thrift store, and the new items we have been getting here and there, I think she is in pretty good shape to start school. I never buy a whole new wardrobe for school, but she will have a few new tops and a couple of new dresses to wear. Then, I will look for bargains throughout the year. I bought school supplies, as well, and hopefully got enough for the whole year at these rock-bottom prices. I got my free Friday gum and a few other sale items, and then moved over to Safeway, where I used a $5 off $50 coupon.
I got some chicken for 88c/lb. I got some free pureed fruit ( not realizing it was baby food—-free being the reason I got it) and froze it for smoothies. There was also a free bottle of kombucha I was able to get for Rob. It is an acquired taste, and I haven’t acquired it, but he does like it and wants the health benefits that come with it. One of the $5 Friday items was Bandon cheese, so I got 2 loaves. Bandon is owned by Tillamook, so is similar and is SO good! I got the shrimp that was $5/lb as well. The rest was just basic, everyday food that I needed for meals. It was nice to be able to focus on buying protein, knowing I had all the veggies I could possible need for the week. I’m still hanging in there with a lowered grocery budget, knowing that sooner or later I will need to do a Costco run. I used Ibotta for a few of the groceries, and qualified for a $3 bonus.
It’s nice to know the canning is winding down. I love doing it, but have been spending quite a bit of time at it. There will be more tomato products to can, still, but they are not all ripe, yet. I have peaches and pears that I want to make fruit cocktail from later in the week. I have many other projects in mind that I want to work on when I have a bit of a break from the food processing. There’s never a dull moment around here!
WOW! Look at all that canning you’ve done. Well worth the effort.
I finally gave some zucchini to the Plant a Row, Grow a Row group. My freezers are full and I’m not up to canning. And they’re still producing. However, with the cooler temps this week and the rain, they may be done. I’m glad for the break.
I so miss Freddies. That was my goto store when I lived in WA state. Great sales. Nothing like it here.
I’m glad you found a good place for your zucchini?. I would miss Freddies if it was gone. I shop there a lot!
I agree, towels are the perfect gift. I also like embroidered pillowcases. They can be as elaborate or simple as you feel like creating.
I have some pretty pillowcase stamps. I’m just slow….?. So, it’s towels for me!
Wow you have done a lot this week. I’m glad Patsy and Rob had a good time away. I like Patsy’s shirt. Pizza is the circle of life. I was canning this week too. It is that time of year here. I will hopefully be doing it for a few more weeks. I made sauce, pickles and jam. My full list is here: https://mcoia.blogspot.com/2018/08/my-frugal-list-week-of-august-20.html
I do love canning season—so satisfying! I’m glad you can get some done as well
Another great week of productivity! I’m impressed. ?
Thank you. I always feel so productive when I see the jars lined up—way more so then when I do mundane chores such as cleaning?
Does Patsy wear a size 6 to 8 woman’s I have 22 beautiful Items I could send but I would need the cost of the postage sent to me first. However they are tops and bottoms and one dress . High end name brands.It would cost like $16 to mail this box based on past mailings to your area.
That is so sweet of you but she does not wear that size. Thank you for thinking of her ?
I so agree about the towels being a great gift! I love to give them and to receive them! Patsy’s bonnet is adorable! I hope she wins! Good going on all the canning! Y’all will be eating great this winter!
Thank you. I’m hoping Patsy continues sewing, maybe even make another bonnet now that she has some practice, for next year’s 4-H fair—it’s too late this year. But, most important to me are the skills she’s practicing?
Way to go on the canning! I have done some this week but mainly spent time working on cleaning the front porch, painting the ceiling and scrubbing down the siding. UGH! It was nasty. All the furniture is out in the front yard waiting for me to paint the scratched spots on the window sills. Then I can wash the windows, replace the screens and maybe move the furniture back up. Undecided. The floor looks horrible. I might paint it. Everything must be done right after sunrise or it is too hot. The porch faces south. My husband wants me to wait until cooler weather but I told him there is too much to do when the weather turns cool. Some things must be done now.
You did great on getting deals at the stores. I haven’t grocery shopped much in a while, still eating from the garden and the food we got when we cleaned out Mom’s pantry. I will share a secret. Tomorrow I will be posting pictures of the 50 POUND WATERMELON we picked. Ok, Ok, Ok. I am exaggerating. It really was 49.2 pounds.
Jeannie@GetMeToTheCountry
I can’t wait to see it!!! That sounds huge. I’m glad your porch is getting so clean. Then, hopefully, you can sit down there and eat watermelon. I hope some of the boys are going to be around to help you eat all that. Or, maybe, you will have to invite company!!! Way to go!
Your pantry is going to be wonderfully filled with all the things you are canning! A lot of hard work, but what a blessing! Patsy’s bonnet looks lovely! She’s a very talented young lady!
I just hope she keeps up the sewing. She is coming along nicely with it, but could use more practice, just as everyone else did at her age.
Well done on the bonnet, Patsy! It looks wonderful!
I’m so impressed by all your canning. I’ve really felt like I was thrown off the wagon the past month or so – not even fell off. 😉 I realized yesterday it’s been a good month or so since I got to visit everyone’s blogs and catch up. I apologize for not being by to comment. My volunteer efforts turned into a big learning curve and first meeting; things will hopefully be calmer now that I kind of know the ropes. Fingers crossed. Looking forward to reading through and seeing all the fun things, even if I can’t comment on each. That’s the delightful part, I suppose; now I get to read and see so many neat doings.
Happy September!
No worries! I hope your life calms down a bit for you, and you can relax a bit. I’m needing to relax a bit myself. The canning is fun, but a lot of work:). I’m going to rest a bunch this weekend, and actually, will run out of things to can before too long, so will just bask in the fact that it’s out there for quick meals all winter. I did do a few more pints of tomatoes this morning, early, as my aunt was kind enough to pass some on from her bush, and I was delighted to get them.