Monday, March 13, 2017

Last Week's Thrifty Moves


While I heated up a cup of coffee in the microwave Sunday morning I purged the junk drawer and tossed a couple handfuls of garbage into the trash.  I was saving that why exactly.... ???  Yeah, anyway, then I straightened up everything and relocated two items that didn't even belong there in the first place.


I made the best ever Orange Cranberry Scones for Sunday breakfast and a beautiful fruit salad to go along with.  I'll be posting the scone recipe on Wednesday so be sure to watch for that.




I had a Christmas candle that burned off center leaving a good sized gob of wax left after it had burned down.  I put the glass candle jar into a pan of simmering water and allowed all of the wax to melt down and then poured it into a pair of glass votives I had saved.  For wicks I used some spent birthday candles from my daughter's birthday cake.  They look a little funny initially, but once that part sticking up burns down it will look like a normal candle.  So now rather than throwing a way the wax I now have two very usable candles to enjoy.



We spring cleaned our upstairs bathroom.  I used a little bleach water to wash down the ceiling and walls (we had a little mold starting in a couple spots) and then I super scrubbed the toilet.  My oldest took on the job off the tiles and the bathtub.  We cleaned the sink and mirror and washed the decorative towels.  Nice and sparkling clean!

I also spring cleaned the silverware drawer in the kitchen.  I took everything out, washed the silverware tray, sprayed down and wiped out the inside of the drawer and put everything back in order.  Slowly but surely I am making my way through the kitchen.


I mixed up 3 tablespoons of cheap grapefruit scented dish soap from the dollar store with a cup of warm water to make foaming soap solution and refilled my kitchen dispenser.

Tuesday the youngest and I went to the library to drop off books and select new ones.  We waited there until the oldest was ready to be picked up from her robotics workshop at BSU so we saved a little gas.


On the way home we stopped at Home Depot to pick up some home improvement supplies I ordered online and had sent to the store.  It saved me time shopping and shipping costs by having it sent to the store.

I joined the Sizzler Real Deal E-Club and they sent me a coupon for a hamburger meal.  Nice!


The girls finished up a jar of grated parmesan so I removed the lid and washed it up.  Once it was dry I put it on one of my favorite jelly jars and set it aside with some other things I've collected for the new house.  I plan to use it to keep yeast in for when I bake bread.

Friday evening I bartered a home cooked steak and potatoes dinner for some electrical work with a friend of mine who just happens to be an electrician.  Turns out it is going to be a bigger job than he was expecting so it is still a work in process.  I hope he really liked dinner.  Yikes!  I'll update you on how it all turns out.

Saturday morning was my youngest's Orchestra Festival.  She played in two different quartets and boy oh boy was I a proud mama!  I literally almost cried, but that would have embarrassed the heck out of her so I held it in.  It was hard!


To celebrate she and I had a mommy daughter day just like her sister and I had the week before...  and I had coupons!  First stop was the mall and See's Candies.  Had to have a truffle after all of that superb violin playing.

Then we went to JC Penney to use the two $10 OFF $10 coupons they gave me the week before when I was there with the oldest.  I wasn't about to not use them.  We got her another pair of school uniform pants.  They were still on sale for $14.99 (regularly $30.00) so I got those for $4.99!  I used the other coupon to get her a black sweater also on sale for $14.99, so after the coupon it was only $4.99, and a darling long sleeved top off the clearance rack for $4.97.  For $15 we literally left the store with a brand new outfit and she was tickled pink.


We put our purchases in the car and walked across the parking lot to Sizzler, her favorite restaurant.  We both had the 6 oz. sirloin steak and salad bar special for $9.99, since neither one of us are eating hamburgers right now.  We pretty much filled up on salad bar, ate a few bites of our steak and brought the rest of our meal home in a box to enjoy the next day.  Pretty good deal.


After lunch we stopped at Trader Joes and I picked up the produce I needed for the week ahead.  On the way home we stopped into Gordman's and she picked out a new pair of sneakers for only $12.99.  Solid black and gray plaid - Super cute!

That sums it up for us.  How was your thrifty week?



12 comments:

  1. Try Trader Joe's green curry sauce -- wonderful stuff, and it goes great with both vegetarian or pork/chicken.
    Also their windmill cookies -- lower calorie, filled with almonds. Oh my.

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  2. Congrats to your daughter.. Know you were proud of her.
    Proud you two had such a good day out.
    Love the little jar [putting your yeast in it.. smart idea] I save those lids too. I have one on a quart jar, to put my pop corn in.. So easy to shake it out. I need to get some cheese with a red lid [love red] and for some reason, my cheese just keeps having a green lid.lol
    Love scones [can't wait for your recipe]. I made cranberry/pecan scones last week.. Hubby doesn't like scones, so I ended up eating all of them.

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    1. Thank you Judy.

      The red lids come on grated Romano cheese. I only see it at Winco, not sure if you have a Winco or not. If so, check there.

      Delete
  3. I know you are proud of your daughter. It is lovely seeing and hearing something beautiful that they are doing.

    I save those lids and peanut butter jar lids since they both fit a standard mason jar. Looking forward to the scone recipe. I have 2 bags of frozen cranberries waiting on inspiration!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Anne.

      I save peanut butter lids too. I find the store brand lids fit perfectly, but the national brands are a bit tight. ??? Both work though.

      Delete
  4. Your candles are ingenious! I never would have thought to use birthday candles as wicks. Amazing and very creative of you I'm so impressed!

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    Replies
    1. You're so sweet. You can get some really long ones at the dollar store. The regular little ones are perfect for votives, these were a little long, but I don't mind. They burn down fairly quickly until they get to the wax and then they pretty much burn normally.

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  5. I love your idea for the candles...I would have never thought of that. Now I am kicking myself for not picking up a huge candle at the thrift store with the missing wick. I could have used your idea and had a huge candle for about $2. I wonder if that candle is still there? Hmmm..... I'm glad you were able to treat your daughter after her performance. I understand that proud momma moment. My boys were in a Praise and Worship band and well I did let the tears flow every time they played and sang. They know that this momma can't control her tears so they have just learned to accept it over the years. ;) I do hope the electrical work is done soon. Maybe you can bake some of those delicious scones for your friend. I know I am looking forward to seeing your recipe. Be blessed!

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    Replies
    1. I hope you can find the candle and give this a try. Its pretty fun!

      You know exactly what I mean. If I had been out of her line of sight I probably would have given in. Music is so powerful, but when it is your kid playing.... wow. :)

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  6. Congratulations to your daughter on her concert performance! Definitely a proud mama moment! Love how you spent the day hanging out together and all the great bargains.

    I've done the same with using birthday candles as candle wick! Cheaper than buying candle wick at the craft store! I've melted candle wax and poured into tea cups and given those as gifts.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you!

      I think those candles in the tea cups are really neat. I may have to make one some day. :)

      Delete

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