Soup Indiscretions....

Tomorrow is "Souper Tuesday" at work, but my soup is taking a pass.  The boss takes everyone out to lunch the day before a holiday.  Since I started making things for the soup on Friday, I'm going to bring it all in and we will freeze it.  We can thaw it next Monday and it will be on site and ready to go next Tuesday.

I have a confession to make about my soup.  It is a Frankenstein monster of ingredients, based on what is either cheap or left from something else in our house.

Mix Mistress - The Camp Edition

I am always looking for economical ways to fight odor in the trailer's black tank (that tank holds sewage).  One camp wife's method was to flush a cup of Borax a week.  Another camper suggested powder dish wash detergent instead.  Then there are the pricey tank deodorants made specifically for RVs.  I have used all methods but decided to mix up my own this weekend, because Dollar Tree didn't have any of the cheap powder I like to buy.

Tea Totalling

I made up another big batch of iced tea today -- my standard formula of White Jasmine, Green, Black and Ginger, with freshly squeezed lemon and also a bit of fresh ginger (steeped with the tea).  A little honey was added with the sugar for a change. It turned out very well!  We save a lot of money and calories making it at home.  The convenience is great too.

Bread Crumbs!

I know it's a small thing, but since I hate to waste, I saw no reason to throw away left-over bread crumbs from our breaded cod dinner on Sunday.  I just sealed them up and planned to use them for meatloaf tonight.

Coffee Talk

 There is generally some left-over coffee on the weekend.  Today, I made the rest of it into iced coffee to bring to work.  Along with the coffee, I added a tablespoon of sugar, some Giradelli cocoa, and a couple of ounces of milk.  While I was at it, I crushed in a dairy digestive tablet.  I am generally fine with 2% milk, but sometimes I flirt with lactose intolerance.

We are Non-Traditional

I like any holiday associated with food.  Having been married 29 years, I've hosted 25 Turkey Day Dinners.  Some were big, some were small, mostly sticking to the tried and true turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, peas, cranberries, biscuits, and pie fare.  Regardless of the size of the gathering, I generally made it all myself -- starting at the crack of dawn and working in my jammies.   This year, we went intentionally small -- just the two of us.  Rather than a whole bird, The Big Guy insisted on making a turkey roulade.  I took responsibility for everything else.  We had an awesome meal and a nice day to boot.

Trailer Windows

 

After having removed the blinds and valances, then installed white roller shades, I wanted to create some sort of valance and also create a way to darken the area further at night.  Many years ago, I had sewn panels to mount over the blinds at night using velcro.  Since they were already the right size, I adapted them by sewing rings on the top and hooking them onto cup hooks mounted underneath the cabinets.  I can roll them up and secure them with ribbons, which can easily be untied at night.  Not gorgeous, but functional.

Oh Poo!!!

I have taken my "Make it at Home" philosophy to new lows, it would seem.  I've started making my own scratch version of "Poo Pourri," the stuff you spray in your toilet water to prevent odor that results from "dropping a deuce."  The for-sale stuff is not cheap and I can vouch that it works.  At camp, we actually spray it after we flush to help keep the smell from the black tank in check.  At home, it is used pre-poo.  Well, I use it more than TBG, which is something I've got to work on!

Small Habits

I have been bringing my lunch to work for years.  Each year as my pay increases, my frugal habits mostly stay the same.  These days I'm willing to spend a little more money on convenience items like bagged salad or boneless skinless chicken breasts.  Saving time is important and if spending a bit more to make my lunch adds to the grocery bill, I still feel I come out ahead.

Jewelry Cleaner

I love my bling!  The only way to really justify how much I own, is that I only buy it when it's a real deal.  Just because I get it as discount, doesn't mean it's not worth taking care of.  The thing is, jewelry cleaner can be pricey and just isn't a priority purchase for me.  That's why I make my own.