Chilhowee Mountain Overlook
Ocoee, Tennessee
Welcome to Friday!
My Frugal Week
We’ve been hanging in there this week. I stayed home except for a doctor appointment on Thursday. I hired someone to sit with my Mom while I was gone.
Joy of the Week
On Thursday I had a doctor appointment, so I hired a CNA/sitter for my Mom and went to town. It was the first time out of the house since Mom came home three weeks ago today.
My joy of the week was picking up Sicilian sandwiches at a local shop and going to the park with Bailey for an impromptu picnic. We pulled small pieces of crusty bread from our sandwiches and threw them to the birds. It was a beautiful spring day and we had a wonderful time.
Avoiding Spending
I didn’t avoid spending this week as I did buy one Christmas present for this year. I’ll put it into my gift closet for when that time of the year rolls around.
Saving Money In My Frugal Kitchen
I made a stockpot full of southern vegetable soup this week. If it has okra in its definitely southern. If you would like to know what recipe I used, you’ll find it below, although one doesn’t really need a recipe for vegetable soup. I used fresh thyme and basil in this batch, which made it especially delicious.
Soup is a very frugal way to save money in your kitchen.
Meals This Week
Friday: Grilled Chicken, Baked Sweet Potatoes, Steamed Broccoli
Saturday: Loaded Vegetable Baked Potatoes
Sunday: Jambalaya, Green Beans with Onions, Potato Salad
Monday: Chicken Strips, Potatoes and Carrots, Broccoli
Tuesday: Homemade Pizza for Movie Night or Cajun 15 Bean Soup Beans & Greens
Wednesday: Homemade Southern Vegetable Soup (recipe below)
Thursday: We needed to clean out the refrigerator of leftovers, so we had a motley crew of items to choose from…Soup, Better Cheddars, Mac and Cheese, Air Fried Potatoes, Stir Fry Vegetables, and Carrots. It helped me to eliminate any food waste this week.
Recipe of the Week
Southern Vegetable Soup
Ingredients:
1 onion, chopped5 cloves garlic, minced1 tablespoon Thyme1 teaspoon Rosemary 1 teaspoon Sage1 teaspoon Basil3 - 28 ounce - cans tomatoes, diced or crushed2 boxes low sodium vegetable broth7 of the 12 ounce bags of vegetables (okra, Lima beans, green beans, black eyed peas, mixed vegetables, spinach, corn) (or your favorite combinations)1 to 2 cups of water as needed
Directions:
Sauté garlic and onions in small amount of vegetable broth. Add tomatoes and herbs. Add frozen vegetables and remaining broth. Cook for about 40 minutes on medium heat.Lower heat to low and simmer an additional 20 to 30 minutes.Stir occasionally. Add pepper and salt if desired. Enjoy!
Saving on Entertainment
I bought three audio books for Mom on eBay this week. I only paid $2.75 for all three of them. She loves to read, so I hope she enjoys listening to these.
How was your week?
Thank you for dropping by my frugal blog, you are always welcome here. We would love to hear about your week in the comment section.
Belinda~ Living within our Means ~My Linktree
What a pretty picture! Hoping your Mom can be alone and by herself soon. I hope she is healing.
ReplyDeleteI love okra. Fried and in soup. I love making Gumbo once in a while.
Have a lovely weekend.
Thank you, Cheryl. I like Okra too anyway it’s fixed.
DeleteI am happy for you that you were able to get out of the house. While you are caring for your mom you have to remember to do some self care too.
ReplyDeleteVegetable soup sounds delicious, but I love soup any time of the year.
Thank you, Anne. Bailey keeps telling me I need to be doing self care too and I know you are both right, :)
DeleteSuch a nice respite to get time to yourself. I hope your mom is on the mend!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteMostly not spending on stuff we don't need is my frugal way , but I guess the budget ham for Ester is the biggest win.
ReplyDeleteThat is terrific, Sam.
DeleteI am glad that you got a bit of a break. You need to look after yourself as well as your Mom. Self care is important.
ReplyDeleteSoup is a wonderfully frugal and satisfying meal.
God bless.
Thank you, Jackie. And I agree with you on the soup being frugal.
DeleteYou need to get out more! I love those CNA's...call them more!
ReplyDeleteHave a Happy Easter.
LOL, Right?! It was so nice. Happy Easter to you and your family too, Vickie.
DeleteWhat a beautiful photo! I do love the mountains!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you were able to get a little break. I know it did you good. Hope that your Mom will enjoy the audio books. Hopefully she will be able to have the surgery soon and have a quick recovery. I'm sure this has been hard on all of you. Sending hugs and prayers.
Your soup sounds so good and tasty.
Hope you have a blessed Easter.
Thank you, Kathy. I hope you also have a blessed Easter Sunday. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Belinda! ☺ I love that you went for an impromptu picnic! ☺ The soup sounds good. I made an investment purchase. I got a food processor from Amazon, half price, and I had some gift cards. So my KitchenAid food processor of $178 only cost me $40!!! Isn't that fabulous? I've already used it a dozen times!! ☺ It saves me so much time and I can make a larger variety of food!
ReplyDelete