As the first full week of summer vacation comes to an end I find myself happy and content. This week my daughter and I deep cleaned my bedroom and rearranged the furniture. There is more room available to me and I find myself content and satisfied with the changes.
Other things I've done have been equally as satisfying. I placed a shelf in the cabinet where my pots and pans are stored. This allowed me to be able to place all my lids on the shelf and led to much better organization. Also, I placed a small shelf at the back on my pantry to hold the new popcorn maker and some other items that needed a new home.
This morning I made bacon, eggs, and toast for breakfast. I felt good because I enjoy being in the kitchen cooking, cleaning, organizing, putting dishes away, or even just puttering. I know not everyone feels that way, but I do. I enjoy the little tasks that inevitable make life easier and more comforting for my family. And a big part of that is because at this time of year I have the time to slow down and enjoy these tasks.
Even laundry has been a fulfilling task. I find myself enjoying washing the clothes, drying and folding, and putting away. It's so nice to be able to not have a schedule outside my home and stay here and take care of our home. I find doing simple tasks at home making our home more enjoyable feeds my soul. I miss that during the school year when I'm busier. I love these slow summer days in this season of my life.
Frugal moves we made this week include saving an egg that broke in the carton. My first thought was to toss the carton, egg and all, but then I decided to save it in a bowl and used it for breakfast this morning. We paid 49¢ for these at Aldi this week, and even though the egg was only 4¢, it still saved money.
We went to yard sales on Friday. The only thing I bought was one of those electric plug ins that allow you to plug in more than one thing at a time. I paid 50¢ for it and is money well spent.
The only groceries we bought this week came from Aldi. Eggs for 49¢ per dozen, strawberries for $1.29 per pound, and cantaloupes for $1.49. Our total came to less than $10 and the cashier commented that she only buys her fruit from Aldi because of the savings versus other grocery stores.
We're not buying much from the grocery store right now because we are eating down our stockpile. Using up what we have on hand and making do with what's here. Our meals have been a reflection of that. Organizing the freezer yesterday I realized we have enough meat to last for over a month of meals, which will last even longer as I stretch it and include meatless meals in our dinners.
May was unseasonable hot and humid this year for some reason and our dehumidifier was working hard to keep the humidity out of the house. I've been emptying it several times during the day. My Dad, who was visiting from Illinois where the weather was cold, couldn't believe how hot and humid it already was here.
One way we save money on electricity here is by using fans around the house rather than relying only on the air conditioner. After moving my bed I realized I needed a fan to circulate the air better, so I placed one close by and as a result slept very well that night.
How was your week? Any good yard sale finds or great frugal wins? I'd love to hear about it in the comment section.
Been watching daily for another awesome post and was oh-so-happy when I finished reading it. We are absolutely kindred spirits. lol I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED my 14 years of subbing almost every day school was in session. And I love, love, love caring for my home and family just as you do. What does the Bible say......."Godliness with contentment is great gain." Blessings and hugs!
We'll be here cheering you on! Just think of how nice they will smell when you bring them in later. Nothing smells better than freshly sun dried clothes.
I understand how satisfying it is to work around the home. I love it too. I’m still visiting mom, so I’m not doing much work these days except making lesson plans for a new course, reading and eating. Mostly the last two. 😁
I thoroughly enjoy working on my home, housecleaning, gardening and cooking. (With the exception of picking up after others.)I like nothing better than lighting my candles in the evening, sitting in my tidy family room, enjoying the fruits of my labor. Today was spent putting in the final flower bed along the north side of the house in our new place. I fashioned all the borders out of huge rocks dug up when they graded. After I finished this bed, I transplanted some Foxglove from the woods behind the yard and set them on the back edge. It felt good to use elements from our property, and the result is lovely. I will purchase and add other plants as time goes on...I'm thinking Bleeding Heart and Lily of the Valley. We have two roses and several Rhodedendrons to plant in the sunnier beds, as well as some coneflowers to transplant from this place, then I will call it good for the year. Fruit trees will have to wait until fall to go in...they go on sale, and it's actually better to plant them in fall out here. Tomorrow will be Sunday lunch, and preparing for the week ahead. We are down to three weeks left of school, and I feel like I am counting each day...more so than the kids. I am quite content to wake up and know there is nowhere to be, and I can focus on my home.
I love your comment, Meg. I can see you sitting back enjoying the fruits of your labor in your family room in the evening. I used to sit on our porch swing in the summer and sit back and look at the freshly mown grass and feel so accomplished. It's such a good feeling.
Your bed with the rocks must look beautiful. And using the plants from your property is both frugal and wonderful. I would love to see a picture of it one day.
Someday I am going to plant fruit trees too. That is a dream of mine. :)
I hope you have a wonderful Sunday and the three weeks don't seem too long. :)
Being in my kitchen and homekeeping have always been happy times for me. I am a multi-tasker by nature, so boredom does not set in. 50-cent plug = good deal. Bailey have a better week at yard sales? Enjoy summer. -memphis metro
I was thinking about you during the week Belinda and hoping you were having a pleasant calm week. So delighted to read that it was more than pleasant. Love your blog. Even though we live thousands of miles apart I learn so much from you as well as enjoying this always very positive blog. God bless you and your daughter.
Oh I needed this post so bad Belinda. My house is such a mess right now and when you describe how you enjoy puttering around making your home nicer, I thought, I can do that also. I can feel good about cleaning my horrid mess of a kitchen right now and getting the laundry and ironing caught up. Thanks for the inspiration.
I love keeping house too. I find so much contentment and peace in it. I love to putter around the house. I definitely agree the smaller tasks are so much more rewarding. My friends tease me I am the ultimate homebody.
My nerves were shot this week. It was not that frugal. I have a lot of flooding and more to come. So far we have minimal damage.
Tornadoes destroyed one of the towns that I have a lot family in. My Dad's childhood home, that is on the historical register, was destroyed in floods. Sadly, his home was not in an area prone to flooding. DH's work has been sporadic because of the flooding. The work that he is doing is for tornado and flood victims. It is very sad time in our area.
My DH & I went out and about to keep our mind off the flooding. We did a lot of thrifting. That was fun. I found a lot of things I needed. That was a blessing.
I organized and cleaned my art studio. Like your bedroom I am loving it. I am so content and happy. It fits the artist I am now.
Best news the man who raped me went to prison on another sexual assault charge for a historically long sentence. It even made the news. This is another prison term. It was so important for the victims that this happened. I am still processing it but I feel closure. He apologized to his victims. I don't want an apology. I want my life back. I feel like this could happen now.
Oh no Safyne, I'm so sorry that your father's childhood home was destroyed by the flooding. :(
I'm glad you were able to take your mind off of it with you DH and going thrifting. One of my favorite things to do.
I'm glad you were able to clean your rt studio and are happy and content with it. It makes it so much nicer to go in there and work when it's cleaned up the way we live it.
I'm glad the man went to prison. How awful what he did to you. My heart goes out to you. Love, prayers and hugs. Belinda
Congrats on all your frugalities this week. Since we live in the land of heat and humidity I understand first hand the necessity of fans. We have ceiling fans in each bedroom and the den plus 2 moveable oscillating fans we place in the house as needed. I finally went to a garage sale and found 2 adirondack chairs with cushions and a floor lamp to use at the lake place.
Oh. how neat you yard sale finds are, Anne. I always look at lamps and most of my came from yard sales. The adirondack chairs must look nice with the cushions. I hope you enjoy them at the lake place for years to come. :)
Sounds like a nice week. Glad you are getting back into the swing of things being home! Yeah, like that was hard!!! LOL
ReplyDeleteTake care and have good week.
LOL, thank you, Cheryl. I hope you have a good week too.
DeleteBelinda,
ReplyDeleteBeen watching daily for another awesome post and was oh-so-happy when I finished reading it.
We are absolutely kindred spirits. lol I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED my 14 years of subbing almost every day school was in session. And I love, love, love caring for my home and family just as you do. What does the Bible say......."Godliness with contentment is great gain." Blessings and hugs!
Pam, Knoxville
Thank you again!!!!!
You’re so sweet, Pam. You absolutely make my day when you post. Thank you.
DeleteUnlike many women I have known, I really liked keeping house. Now, it is just a pain because of my health.
ReplyDeleteI understand that. If I lived closer I would come and help you out. We would have such fun. :)
DeleteBelinda,
DeleteThat is so sweet of you. Right now, I am going to hobble out and hang clothes in the line. I know it will be difficult and hurt!
We'll be here cheering you on! Just think of how nice they will smell when you bring them in later. Nothing smells better than freshly sun dried clothes.
DeleteI understand how satisfying it is to work around the home. I love it too.
ReplyDeleteI’m still visiting mom, so I’m not doing much work these days except making lesson plans for a new course, reading and eating. Mostly the last two. 😁
You enjoy your time with your family, Nil. Housework can wait. Lol
DeleteI thoroughly enjoy working on my home, housecleaning, gardening and cooking. (With the exception of picking up after others.)I like nothing better than lighting my candles in the evening, sitting in my tidy family room, enjoying the fruits of my labor.
ReplyDeleteToday was spent putting in the final flower bed along the north side of the house in our new place. I fashioned all the borders out of huge rocks dug up when they graded. After I finished this bed, I transplanted some Foxglove from the woods behind the yard and set them on the back edge. It felt good to use elements from our property, and the result is lovely. I will purchase and add other plants as time goes on...I'm thinking Bleeding Heart and Lily of the Valley. We have two roses and several Rhodedendrons to plant in the sunnier beds, as well as some coneflowers to transplant from this place, then I will call it good for the year. Fruit trees will have to wait until fall to go in...they go on sale, and it's actually better to plant them in fall out here.
Tomorrow will be Sunday lunch, and preparing for the week ahead. We are down to three weeks left of school, and I feel like I am counting each day...more so than the kids. I am quite content to wake up and know there is nowhere to be, and I can focus on my home.
I love your comment, Meg. I can see you sitting back enjoying the fruits of your labor in your family room in the evening. I used to sit on our porch swing in the summer and sit back and look at the freshly mown grass and feel so accomplished. It's such a good feeling.
DeleteYour bed with the rocks must look beautiful. And using the plants from your property is both frugal and wonderful. I would love to see a picture of it one day.
Someday I am going to plant fruit trees too. That is a dream of mine. :)
I hope you have a wonderful Sunday and the three weeks don't seem too long. :)
Being in my kitchen and homekeeping have always been happy times for me. I am a multi-tasker by nature, so boredom does not set in. 50-cent plug = good deal. Bailey have a better week at yard sales? Enjoy summer.
ReplyDelete-memphis metro
Thank you, Anna. She picked up 43 pieces this week, which were terrific.
DeleteI was thinking about you during the week Belinda and hoping you were having a pleasant calm week. So delighted to read that it was more than pleasant. Love your blog. Even though we live thousands of miles apart I learn so much from you as well as enjoying this always very positive blog. God bless you and your daughter.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Effieq. That means so much to me. I hope you have a wonderful day. :)
DeleteOh I needed this post so bad Belinda. My house is such a mess right now and when you describe how you enjoy puttering around making your home nicer, I thought, I can do that also. I can feel good about cleaning my horrid mess of a kitchen right now and getting the laundry and ironing caught up. Thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome. Kim. What's great is that we can do it at any pace we want to, whatever our energy level is up to that day. :)
DeleteYou had such a beautiful week.
ReplyDeleteI love keeping house too. I find so much contentment and peace in it. I love to putter around the house. I definitely agree the smaller tasks are so much more rewarding. My friends tease me I am the ultimate homebody.
My nerves were shot this week. It was not that frugal. I have a lot of flooding and more to come. So far we have minimal damage.
Tornadoes destroyed one of the towns that I have a lot family in. My Dad's childhood home, that is on the historical register, was destroyed in floods. Sadly, his home was not in an area prone to flooding. DH's work has been sporadic because of the flooding. The work that he is doing is for tornado and flood victims. It is very sad time in our area.
My DH & I went out and about to keep our mind off the flooding. We did a lot of thrifting. That was fun. I found a lot of things I needed. That was a blessing.
I organized and cleaned my art studio. Like your bedroom I am loving it. I am so content and happy. It fits the artist I am now.
Best news the man who raped me went to prison on another sexual assault charge for a historically long sentence. It even made the news. This is another prison term. It was so important for the victims that this happened. I am still processing it but I feel closure. He apologized to his victims. I don't want an apology. I want my life back. I feel like this could happen now.
Oh no Safyne, I'm so sorry that your father's childhood home was destroyed by the flooding. :(
DeleteI'm glad you were able to take your mind off of it with you DH and going thrifting. One of my favorite things to do.
I'm glad you were able to clean your rt studio and are happy and content with it. It makes it so much nicer to go in there and work when it's cleaned up the way we live it.
I'm glad the man went to prison. How awful what he did to you. My heart goes out to you. Love, prayers and hugs. Belinda
Congrats on all your frugalities this week. Since we live in the land of heat and humidity I understand first hand the necessity of fans. We have ceiling fans in each bedroom and
ReplyDeletethe den plus 2 moveable oscillating fans we place in the house as needed.
I finally went to a garage sale and found 2 adirondack chairs with cushions and a floor lamp to use at the lake place.
Oh. how neat you yard sale finds are, Anne. I always look at lamps and most of my came from yard sales. The adirondack chairs must look nice with the cushions. I hope you enjoy them at the lake place for years to come. :)
Delete