Frugal Recipes

Too Much in the Freezer? Dehydrate

March 6th, 2011

The freezer is full! I need room.

So, what do you do when there’s too much in the freezer?

You dehydrate.

I had a big old honkin’ bag of frozen blueberries in the freezer that I’d only made muffins with, once. They were taking up precious space. So I dug that bag out. Spread them on a couple trays of the dehydrator and turned it on.

blueberries-frozen

blueberries-frozen

Now, I’ve never dehydrated blueberries before, or other fruits straight from the freezer. So let me tell you one important thing you should do, should you decide to do this.

THAW OUT THE BLUEBERRIES FIRST.

Why?

Well. If you don’t… you’ll come back into the kitchen and find blueberry juice running across the counter-top, underneath storage jars, and spice jars, and hotpads, and down the cabinet and onto the floor. In other words, you’ll have a BIG MESS on your hands.

We live and learn don’t we? :)

Once the blueberries were all done, I ended up with about three cups of dehydrated blueberries where I formally had near 5 lbs of frozen. Quite a space saver!

dehydrated blueberries

dehydrated blueberries

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Putting the Top Together

February 13th, 2011

Wall hangers are easy to create. The minute size quilts once created will make a nice gift and/or decoration for your home.

Once you have your parts together, as well as have your tools you can get started making a wall hanger. If you are new to quilting, do not worry since the hanger we are making is one of the easier groups of craft to create.

Do not forget to get your rotary cutters on hand, since throughout your quilting project you will need to cut ¼-inch allowances for your seams. Now, assuming you have your green, tan, blue, yellow, and peach print in order we can get started making your top section of the quilt.

Briefly, I will go over the sections to help you prepare. You should have two, 2 ½ x 19 ½ inches of upper and lower borders in the green prints. You should have another two borders in green at the size of 2 ½ x 27 ½ inches. You should have the value of 36 for your D Square and the size at 1 ½ x 1 ½ inches. Tan print has six parts, i.e. A-strip, B piece, C-Strip, D-E square, and F-strip. Blue only has one part, while yellow has three and peach has one. The yellow is C-strip, D-square, and the last value of four is the cornerstone. C values eighteen, and measures at 1 ½ x 1 ½ inches, while D values 12 and measures at 2 ½ x 2 ½ inches; F is the peach strip, Peach, which values four and its gauge is 1 ½ x 3 ½ inches. Peach has the G-strip, which values four and measures at 2 ½ x 5 ½ inches. The rust prints include the value of six, which makes up the sashing #1 vertical at measures to 1 ½ x 13 ½ inches. The second sashing creates three and measures to 1 ½ x 21 ½ inches, while the last H strip values four and measures at 1 ½ x 7 ½ inches.

You will need to cut these pieces of your quilt out. Use the guide above to achieve a precise cut. Now you can crown your quilt. Start by creating a row and a block. Use your block, row, and begin stitching your D-Blue Square to attach to the A-Tan narrow pieces. (Strips)

Continue to the next color arrangement to complete the second block. Use the D-Yellow Square in the second block and create a couple of narrow pieces per color arrangement.

Now stitch two pieces of the tan print together to create a starting row two and in the first block. Use Tan B, a couple of Blue Cs, a Yellow C and overturn so that the yellow/blue has a gateway through the color arrangement at the second block. You want to create double narrow pieces.

In the third row, create a couple more rows and arrange the colors according in the blocks. In the fourth row, create another two rows so that you have a nine pattern in your color arrangement, which should extend crosswise. Alternating, add stitches to the blocks (2) and make your center by creating #2 sashing narrow pieces equaling three. Now press your fabric. Use an iron without ironing, rather pressing as you move along.

You are ready for your borders. Starting with the #2 border, stitch the narrow pieces so that it moves left to right, and to the sides at the right of your quilt, stitching toward the middle. Add 2 ½ x 2 ½ inches, by stitching the yellow print square. Stitch along the shorter ends linking it to your dual borders. (Strip #1) Moving along, at the edges along the top and bottom, stitch the narrow pieces, stitching along the middle. You are now ready to complete your project.

quilt

quilt


(Guest Post)

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Coupons

February 9th, 2011

Coupons and more coupons!

* $1.25 off ONE (1) CAN OF 3-IN-1 MULTI-PURPOSE OIL
* $1.00 off any LACTAID Ice Cream
* $1.00 off Any ONE (1) LACTAID Supplement Product
* $1.00 off ONE (1) LACTAID Milk Product
* $2.00 off renu fresh™ or renu sensitive™
* free* off card game when you buy a Hasbro game**
* $0.75 off Nestle Crunch or Butterfinger hearts
* $1.00 off Glade PlugIns Scented Gel warmer
* $1.00 off Glade PlugIns Scented Gel refill
* $1.00 off Glade Sense & Spray refills
* $1.00 off Glade PlugIns Scented Oil refills
* $3.00 off Glade PlugIns Holder
* $1.00 off Glade Fabric & Air Odor Eliminator
* $1.00 off Glade Premium Room Spray (9.7-oz)
* $1.00 off Ester-C The Better Vitamin C™ Product
* $1.00 off any one PediaCare Product
* $5.00 off Thelma and Louise on Blu-ray™
* $1.00 off PEOPLE Cooking With the Stars Special
* $1.00 off 2 OSCAR MAYER DELI CREATIONS
* $1.50 off 1 package of PHILADELPHIA Cooking Creme
* $1.00 off 2 packages of STOVE TOP Stuffing Mix
* FREE Collage & EXTRA 20% OFF
* $0.50 off Any One Simply Asia Product
* $1.00 off Pemmican Beef Jerky or Brisket 3.25oz
* $0.75 off JELL-O Pudding or Mousse Snacks 6-packs

More great coupons this week. Too bad I’m all snowed in…

snow

snow

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February 1st, 2011

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Hair Stylist in the Family

January 28th, 2011

I’m lucky enough to have a hair-stylist in the family! Yes, my daughter is my hairdresser!

She just this week change salons. She’s moved to Salon Finesse in Norman.

The problem with changing salons is that you have to let ALL your clients know you’re moving. That’s easier said than done.

To help her out, I headed over to one of my favorite promo sites, Vistaprint and ordered these:

moved

moved

Only with words of course.

I had it say:
Melanie Hogan-Whinery has moved to Salon Finesse in Norman!
Call 405.360.0269 today to schedule your hair appointment!

Or something along those lines… She’ll use them to mail to all her clients.

But since I’m SO darn frugal, I don’t shop anywhere without looking for a deal. First I looked for Vistaprint coupons, and then googled Vistaprint coupon codes as well as Vistaprint free shipping code and OF COURSE I ended up with a good deal!

I ordered a hundred of those postcards, shipped for about $12. TALK ABOUT A BARGAIN!

I had my hair colored and trimmed tonight. LOVE it!!!

hairstyle

hairstyle

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Crowning a Quilt

January 22nd, 2011

Assembling the Crown of your Crafty Quilt

How to Assemble:
You are assembling the crown of your quilt at this point. If you haven’t started your craft project to create the Spring Basket, leave this work to those who are at the crown. To collect your crown use your threads that counterpart and begin blind stitching across your fabric, sewing your flower onto the fabric, as well as two of your foliages. Sew to the center bloom as well, and stitch en route for the wrong side (left) of your created 3-block baskets. Stitch to the right and finish your final blocks. (3)

At the lower region of your basket, affix your blooms so that they join with the handles. Now, snip your lighter shades of filaments/strands, and shades of pink (6) silkworm fibers (Floss), cutting lengthwise so that it is corresponding with the measurements lengthwise of your arm. You want to create strands (3) on each section of fiber. Divide and use needle and thread (large eye needle) along with the length of your three filaments and stitch so that it forms a circle. You are making your granny knots, to create the French version that will stretch about your center flower and the dark flowers you have created.

Again, trim your darker shades of six-pink, filaments, and silkworm fibers, cutting it along the length so that it is equivalent to your arm span. Generate 3-filaments on each section of your fibers. Partition and make use of hand used needle and filament, stitching the length the three threads. Stitch until it shapes a loop. Starting at the shades of green, snip the narrow sash pieces and cut the pieces into 1 ½ x 10 ½ inches. You are making your D-block. Snip another three narrow pieces until you achieve measured parts at 1 ½ x 28 ½ inches. You will use these parts to make your E-block. Alternatively, snip your D-block, cutting three from your pattern and form 4-D narrow pieces. You want your ducks in a row. (I.e. Blocks) Use only 2-blocks to form a row at this time and begin stitching the blocks forming 3-E narrow pieces. This is the middle region of your coverlet, or quilt. Use the variety of floral prints and snip the inside borders of your narrow pieces. Snip at least two narrow parts at 1 x 23 ½ inches. Use the parts to create the F-borders at the side. Now, snip another one x 29 ½-inch narrow pieces to create G-borders at the lower and upper region of your quilt.

Continuing, sew the border sides to the center of your coverlet. Continue to sew the drop and greater borders. Begin at the floral region, i.e. the print textile press with your iron. DO NOT IRON rather gently press? Lift; relocate, etc.

Now, you are ready to craft your binds for your quilt. Use your floral materials and sew the greater, drop, and sides of your borders. Now fill it in with the center of your quilt patterns.

Use your backing cloth, batting, and crown of your coverlet and coat. To prepare your coverlet, pin baste to layer, followed by hand sewing or machine sewing your quilt. Use your machine at the crown to sew the untreated edges. If you have extra batting, cut it. Do the same for backing cloth. Now bind and snip your satin, yellow ribbon to form your bow. Cut six even parts. Finish by tying your ribbon, forming a bow and stitch by hand your bows, one for each side of your handles on your basket.

(Guest Post)

quilt

quilt

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Flash Foresight

January 18th, 2011

Flash Foresight: the ability to trigger a burst of accurate insight about the future & use it to produce a new & radically different way of doing things. Get the book to learn more & get over $20,000 valuable gifts from top authors: http://www.flashforesight.com/

Use Certainty to drive growth in 2011, Great book! It will totally change the way you think about opportunities both now and in the future. Get Flash Foresight by Daniel Burrus.

What if you could clearly see critical changes in the months and years ahead, and use that vision to shape your future, instead of just letting it unfold by default? Learn more about Flash Foresight.

Do you think you would benefit from seeing the problems your business might have in the next two years and beyond so you can skip them altogether? Then you are ready to have Flash Foresight!

Flash Foresight: How to See the Invisible and Do the Impossible Seven Radical Principles That Will Transform Your Business by Daniel Burrus.

In a world where everyone is talking about how hard it is to succeed in this economy, Daniel Burrus, a renowned futurist and technology forecaster, PROVES that the opposite is true! Get Flash Foresight

In FLASH FORESIGHT Daniel Burrus shows you how you can solve “impossible” problems, unearth “invisible” opportunities, create must-have products and high-demand services, and run an extraordinarily successful business in the twenty-first century. http://www.flashforesight.com

Today we all face more impossible challenges than ever before. In Flash Foresight you’ll discover how to transform the impossible into the possible, revealing hidden opportunities and allowing you to solve your biggest problems – before they happen. http://www.flashforesight.com

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Big G to the Vet

January 15th, 2011

Big G had to go to the vet this week.

The EMERGENCY VET…

We had two visitors that day and I don’t know exactly what happened other than he got hurt. He was holding his back foot up. Of course it’s after hours, our vet is closed so we gathered him up and headed to town.

Seems he’d ripped a toe out and backwards and broke it in four places. Vet suggested removing it altogether. So that’s what we did.

It’s times like that you’re glad you have a www.mydiscovercard.com! (Like that cash back!)

He’s holding up very well. No whining, no crying. He’s a good dog!

big-g

big-g

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Sharing January COUPONS!

January 3rd, 2011

Daughter’s New Year resolution is to be more FRUGAL and use coupons at every grocery trip. HOW she grew up watching me using tons of coupons and didn’t learn that herself is beyond me, but since she’s decided to be a coupon user the least I can do is SHARE some good coupons with her.

These are for you daughter, course we don’t mind sharing with the rest of you!!!

* Buy any 1 STAYFREE 14ct-24ct and Get One Free
* $0.75 off HORMEL COMPLEATS microwave meals
* $1.50 off Ziploc brand containers
* $0.55 off one Hillshire Farm Lower Sodium Product
* $1.00 off Ziploc brand bags
* $5.00 off any Weight Watchers Scale by Conair
* $5.00 off on any Leapster Explorer learning Game
* $5.00 off on any Leapster learning game
* $0.55 off any one (1) DANNON DanActive 4 pack
* $0.50 off ANY ONE (1) DANNON Light & Fit 4-Pack
* $0.50 off 3 pkg or 1 BUNDLE PACK of KLEENEX
* $1.00 off 2 JELL-O Gelatin, Pudding or Mousse 6pks
* $1.00 off any Citracal
* $3.00 off any Citracal and Bayer Aspirin Product
* $1.00 off any One A Day and Flintstones™
* $1.50 off any Bayer Aspirin product
* $1.00 off any Flintstones™ Multivitamin Product
* $0.75 off Wheaties or Wheaties Fuel cereal
* $0.75 off Frozen Pillsbury Grands! Biscuits
* $1.00 off Pillsbury Refrigerated Cookie Dough
* $0.40 off Pillsbury Italian Meal Breads
* $1.50 off Wanchai Ferry Frozen Entrée
* $0.50 off Yoplait Kids Yogurt
* $0.50 off Chex Mix Bars
* $0.40 off Pillsbury Sweet Rolls
* $0.30 off Refrigerated Pillsbury Grands! Biscuit
* $0.75 off Yoplait yogurt
* $0.50 off Pillsbury Toaster Strudel Pastries
* $0.50 off Pillsbury Crescent Dinner Rolls
* $0.50 off Fiber One Chewy Bars
* $0.50 off Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks
* $0.50 off Nature Valley Granola Bars
* $0.55 off Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal
* $0.40 Yoplait Yogurt
* $1.00 off Cheerios cereal
* $1.00 off Any ONE (1) LACTAID Supplement Product
* $1.00 off any LACTAID Ice Cream
* $1.00 off ANY 1 Balmex Diaper Rash Product
* $1.00 off Disney Childrens’ Vitamins
* $2.00 off Any 90ct FiberChoice Product
* $2.00 off on any CoricidinHBP Product
* $3.00 off any Afrin 12 Hour Nasal Spray
* $1.00 off any Nature’s Bounty Vitamin
* $3.00 off 2 Huggies Snug & Dry Diapers
* $1.00 off Any ONE Weight Watchers Bakery Items
* $1.00 off any Garnier Fructis Style Product
* $.75 off any ONE package of Rhodes™ Warm-N-Serv
* $1.00 off Garnier Fructis Shampoo or Conditioner

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Chuck Chuck Bo Duck

December 26th, 2010

not me doing taichi

not me doing taichi

Did you know that Chuck Norris was born right here in Oklahoma ? Yep, little place called Ryan. There’s a big sign on the highway headed into Ryan.

Oklahoma is also the home of a martial arts clothing manufacturing company (no, not in Ryan, in Midwest City ). I’ve always ‘heard’ that Chuck himself had something to do with the company, but I don’t know that for a fact.

It’d be cool to run into someone like the Big Chuck while shopping in Midwest City , now wouldn’t it? Or see him sitting at a table in your favorite restaurant? Or in the next vehicle at a traffic light?

Dreaming here…. Know what would be absolutely cool? Jackie Chan and Chuck Norris getting together for a film and subsequent Martial arts training facility. JackieChuck, ChanNorris, NorrisChan, Norchan, Walker Texas Ranger Rush Hour.. OK, so I ‘don’t’ know what you’d call it. But it’d be cool.

I’ve never had any training in any of the oriental arts, neither have my kids, but the oldest granddaughter took a couple classes a summer or so ago, and another grandchild did go for a season at the Y a couple years ago.

Neither of them stuck with it though. It takes years of training to get really good at martial arts. It requires dedication, lots of training and some moula to pull it off. It’s ok though, he’s found other interests since then. He’s more into ‘outdoor’ stuff, hunting, camping, fishing than he ever was in kick-boxing, or karate, or kung fu. And she, well I think she grew out of that phase pretty quickly.

Now, ‘if’ there were beginner classes for ‘more mature’ folk that were reasonably priced and extremely local to me, in a class full of other ‘more mature’ people, (read that as no kiddos or teenagers or singles looking for dates) then, yeah, I’d consider taking a few classes. Mostly just for the exercise. You don’t see many chubby people in martial arts classes. I think they ‘burn’ fat off pretty fast.

Now, if I could only find a tai-chi class, that would be a great beginning!

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