Recipe: Garlic Herb Butter

 Tommy has always loved the garlic herb butter pat that comes with some vegetables. So, I decided to make some for him. I read the label to see what was in the butter concoction. I had no idea the measures or proportions, so I guessed. 

I was in no mood to dice garlic, so I used garlic powder. Next time, I will use both. Of course, you may put in herbs you prefer. 

Garlic Herb Butter

1/2 cup salted butter

 1/2 tsp Garlic

1/2 tsp parsley

1/2 tsp basil

1/2 tsp oregano

1/2 tsp chive

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp garlic powder

3 shakes black pepper

I placed all this in a bowl and mixed with a spoon, using the back of the spoon. I kept the concoction on the counter in a covered bowl. He eats it on cold bread. I would toast a roll or bread spread with the butter mix. Of course, any herb or spice can be added or eliminated.

Saturday was hard. First, I had not had enough sleep. So, what else is new. Second, it was so hot. We went to Publix for cereal bogo, a2milk, and the participate in their tasting event. Tommy kept turning down different items. I had to remind him to take it and give it to me...lol. We had a taste of ice cream I certainly loved. It was Publix ice cream, lemon and blueberry. 

We brought the milk and something else back to the house. He brought us a sandwich back to the car. I devoured my half immediately. I have no idea why I left home without eating anything! 

Then, at Lowe's no one knew anything. All I wanted was the right fertilizer for blueberries. A customer told me loudly that I needed to google that, and she started to do it. I told here the guys were my google. Eventually, I had to leave the greenhouse because it was too hot for me. I was feeling sick from the heat. A manager never came for something else I needed. I had Tommy drive close so I could get right into the car, not drive across the parking lot to him. 

Then, we changed phones to another service. The guy got my photos from this present phone. That has been holding up this change of phone service. In all this, I searched for a bicycle cable lock for the grill, tank to attached it to the house. No luck. 

We went to the house in Bessemer that has the wonderful tomatoes--$4 for two tomatoes. Great price. 

Finally, we came home and I managed to cool off. The heat was brutal. I took a nap from 6-8 pm. Of course, this is just a Southern summer, nothing more than usual. It is just my age and health, I know. I reveled in the extreme heat all my life, and now??? 

THE END

How is the heat affecting you? 

Were you out in the heat today? Even in and out of ac?

Thoughts? Do you make a similar spread? 

I Snagged a Neighbor

 He usually takes Tommy garbage can to the road and brings it back. He was returning it to us. I had things to say and questions. He told us two weeks ago he was going to drive his bus RV to the northwest two weeks ago. Well, the story is he became ill in Arkansas, returned home, tried again and never made it out of Alabama even though he was going to be gone six weeks. While he was here, I asked him about the grill. I was doing it right! However, he said the gas was not coming out right. He used a lighter. He told me to get one of the long lighters, which I can do. The guy from Lowe's has offered to come by, so I think I will take him up on the offer. 

At the store, Tommy went in and purchased $20.02 or 11.18 lbs. of boneless skinless chicken breasts. I told him to get at least ten pounds and ask for still-frozen packages. He said they were all frozen rock-solid. I suppose the meat guys had restocked the meat counter before they left for the day.  Four packages are still in the refrigerator and two are in the freezer. My back was hurting badly before I made more room. If I can clear out more room, I will get more bscb before the ad ends. 

If I can get two more packages in the freezer before they thaw, I will. Otherwise, I will bake the four packages and freeze one breast to a bag. Yes, I will need to clean out more of the freezer. I found a frozen package of American cheese, about an inch thick pack. Tommy was screaming that there was some in the refrigerator...lol...well, now there is more. 

At Publix I saw what appeared to be a mother and her three children. The mother could not take her eyes off her phone. The teen had his eyes glued to his phone. A five-year-old little girl was carrying a fat little baby that looked to be young enough not to be walking. The teen boy ran into the little girl carrying the baby. He was engrossed in his phone. The little girl stumbled, almost falling down with the baby. The baby was being tossed to and fro like a rag doll as the little girl stumbled and valiantly tried to regain her footing and thankfully did. And, all this was in the front of the store in the road! My heart stopped! 

Between an inhaler and guaifenisen, I hope to get my breath back. I was too weak and feeling breathless to go in the store. Really, I need to use two inhalers, maybe three different ones. 

When we came home and exited the car, the air was so much more comfortable for me to breathe. It must have rained around here since it is not so hot. 

I suppose we will cook the steak in a skillet tonight. 

I bought Truvia Monk Fruit. It was bogo, so this is a cheap way to try it. I wanted just Monk Fruit. However, this has erythritol. Well, Tommy brought it from my list.

He washed my towels and such, so I have to hang those up no matter how I feel. 

Every year, I refresh my stock of school supplies. It just seems the right thing to do for fall. I now have Crayola Washable Markers. As I see sales, I will get other items. Many of the items, I will give away. 

Dinner: Tommy will have steak, potatoes, carrots, maybe tomato. I will have steak and a can of green beans.

Do you still buy school supplies at the back-to-school sales? What do you buy? 

Do you juggle items in the freezer to add a good buy?

Do you see frightening instances of phones almost causing accidents or actually causing accidents? 

Di

Tomato Problems This Week

 On Tuesday, I bought one huge tomato from a grocery store. Eventually, I discovered it was mealy. Then, Wednesday I bought the pretty ones from the market five for $5. I ate a market tomato first and it was mealy. Next, I ate the grocery store tomato, and it was mealy. 

Since we were not planning to use the stove, I put the tomatoes on a plate and on the stove eye. Well, I went in tonight and the plate of tomatoes was sitting within a quarter of an inch from the coffeemaker which is always on. !!!

I suppose I need to use the tomatoes in a casserole since I won't know they are mealy that way. 

The plums were purchased at the market on Wednesday and hard as a rock. So, I let them sit. Then, they were so mushy inside there was no resistance to the flesh, just liquid-y. I suppose I need to make plum jelly. sigh

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday were so rough that it took Sunday and 15+ hours sleep to feel normal. I did not write anything, maybe tomorrow. 

Today was so hot, around 90F something. And, then we had a thunderstorm and rain tonight. Tommy barely watered today, but tonight made up for it. This week will be in the high 90s...great weather. 

How has the weather been at your house?

Do you know why tomatoes get mealy? 

What happened to the plums? 

I Read the Label

 I saw a Breyer's low-carb ice cream on sale and thought "this is for me." However, I hesitated, wondering what the magic ingredients could be. So, I searched and found the answer. I won't be buying this. Read for yourself.

Do I want to eat THIS? The ingredients almost turn me off icecream!

Today, we were going to two events in Cullman. The first was a box lunch to pick up at a church. The second was a lesson on cooking squash. Well, it was rainy and I was not well on Tuesday, so we skipped it. 

Tuesday night, I frantically searched for a bag because I was about to throw up. Well, I didn't, but kept retching for the next two hours. Ten minutes after the initial scare, I realized the other end was letting loose, too. I managed to get to the bathroom, retching all the way. Thankfully, the dry heaves never amounted to anything. Then, I had reflux for hours that involved retching more. Finally, at about 8 am, I could lie down and relax, sleeping until noon. That's still not much sleep. 

At 4 pm, we decided to go to the market here and get the Wednesday ads. Plus, The Pig gives 5% discount to seniors on Wednesday. That takes a bit of the sting out of the 10% plus cost at The Pig. Well, Tommy forgot to remind them he was over 60. 

At the market we got a small basket of blueberries, a basket of plums, 2 ears of corn, and five tomatoes and a peach lemonade drink. The total was $22.50. The tomatoes were huge and only $1 each! 

I sort of wanted some of their small squash, but I have two squash here along with the bag of squash and onions. We also have potatoes, but I wanted theirs, too. A gallon of blueberries was an eye-watering $35. lol...maybe not...definitely not buying. 

I may get out a pound of bacon and fry/bake it for blt. Yum, makes my mouth water. At any rate, I have six huge tomatoes to eat as Tommy eats very little tomato. 

Although if was in the 80s today, the humidity made it oppressive to be outdoors. Of course, I walked to the car and back only, I still felt it when I had to roll down the car window. Hot and dry is better. 

Tomorrow, the furniture repair guys are scheduled to repair my chair. I do hope this goes off well. You do know we have a four-hour window in which they may arrive. It will be just our luck to have to wait until someone comes at the bottom of the window. Hope not. We have no place to be or go, but when I cannot leave the house because I am waiting on a repairman, I always "need" to go somewhere. At least it is not like the 8-hour window that repair people gave us. Remember that time? My experience is even a definite time may or may not happen or happen even near the time. There are always their emergencies that take precedence. 

For dinner: Tommy had two pulled pork sandwiches with bbq sauce and a huge helping of slaw and salad. I had one pulled pork sandwich with bbq sauce and slaw on it and another helping of slaw, salad of Romaine and tomatoes.

Fruit--Today I had apple, banana, blueberries, and peach lemonade.

Do you get antsy when waiting on repairmen with a huge window instead of a set appointment?

Where are you getting fresh fruits and vegetables--farmer's market, CSA, your own yard? 

Did the ice cream label make you feel ill?  

Busy Saturday + Edit of More Things

This morning, we went to Cullman for a few reasons, and in the process, 

I received a free chicken, dressed of course. 

Met with an artist friend. He has the paint by number and will stretch it. I have no idea how, but he mentioned a hammer, a saw, and staples. Tommy will be able to paint the Christmas picture with cardinals in the snow. 

We stopped and got the mail. I got Tommy a sheet of forever stamps. They did not have any I like, so I will get mine next month. I got "Pony Cars" for him. Next month I will get mine--flower stamps and Christmas stamps. 

We hurried back down to meet with the Tupperware lady from Mississippi. She is set up in a parking lot in front of a store. I had gotten something totally wrong when we first saw her. She took it back and let me get cannisters. Then, she cut the price on a pie container. I had one but it is gone. So, I can bake a pie or cupcakes and keep them all fresh and pest free. 

Then, I saw an estate sale with everything 1/2 price today. I managed to get in the house and sat down every chance I had in the house. There were lots of pretty things, but I decided I did not really want them. Outside, there was a patio table for $35 that they offered me for $15. It folds flat, so it went into the car. It is set up and I love it! 

On the way home, I saw a tent in a parking lot and got a Lifeline tablet for $20/ I hope these are not hot and are legit. 

Last night, I went to bed at midnight and awoke at 4 am. I am beat so I am going to bed right now at 4:30 in the afternoon. 

I don't know how to set up the tablet, but I may not know how to get to the bed. I am that tired. But, it is a pretty day. 

Tommy suggested I call Geek Squad. If I do that, I have lots of things for them to help me do and learn. Have you ever used GS? 

Let's see--hen, stretching canvas, Tupperware cannisters and pie taker, table for yard and tablet, plus 32 lbs of sweet potatoes, 5 red tomatoes, 1 green tomato.

We did everything we set out to do and more. Things went off smoothly.

Did things go smoothly this Saturday? What did you do?

I may sleep all evening, so this post goes out now.

Edit: add another 32 lbs. of sweet potatoes, 5 tomatoes, and 1 green tomato to the day's haul. I forgot.

Prices for Groceries and Gas

 I decided to buy more Hunt's Petite Diced Tomatoes. When I went to the display up front, there were no tomatoes like I wanted, just other iterations that were left on sale. So, I went to the aisle to determine if any were left there. No, none like I wanted. But, I found one with no sodium. I didn't know this was an option. 

So, I went up front and an employee I have known for about seven years from my shopping there helped me by going through the display for more of the "no sodium" variety. She found one can. Then, we went to the aisle and she found two more by moving a bunch of cans and looking behind them. Too bad. 

Since she remembered helping me the Thursday before, I ventured a question. I asked her if I could trade the ones that were "Petite Diced" for the "no sodium" variety. She agreed if I had a receipt. I did not, so she searched the records for the purchase. She came out and asked a manager if I could return them without a receipt. He agreed. Then, I asked if I could trade them if the sale were off. He agreed. 

When I arrived at home, I still had the cans in a store tote bag. I looked inside, and there was the receipt! So, I am gold. I can trade them with no hassle.

The regular Hunt's Petite Diced Tomatoes had 200 mg of sodium. Hunt's No Salt Added Diced has 15 mg. That is significant difference in sodium. I will still have the other dozen cans with 200 mg of sodium. But, I can use one of each in soup. By using one can of each, I will reduce the sodium from 400 mg to 215 mg. I am overjoyed with any reduction in sodium. By using two cans of NO Salt, I will reduce the sodium from 400 mg to 30 mg. 

I looked at the receipt I could not find but found in the bag. I paid $0.72/can compared to the $0.98/can at Big Box for a saving of $0.26 on each 26 cans. This sale is still on at Publix here and in Cullman. You need to check your Publix for the sale before you go. I bought 26 cans, so my savings over the lowest price was $6.76. 

I also went to another store. After paying $5+ for 18 eggs, I paid $3.59 for the same 18 eggs. I can eat these all or cook with them, so there will be no waste. 

On Friday, Tommy had to pick up a med and said he was going to see where gas was least expensive. He paid $3.12. Saturday morning gas was $3.19. When we went to Cullman on Saturday, gas was $3.14.. Before we left town, the same gas was $3.39. When we got back to Hueytown, most stations were higher than when we left town. It's horrifying. Murphy's, one of the places in Hueytown where we found the $3.12 price was still $3.12 when we came back on Saturday. 

What good deals on grocery or gas have you found lately? Do you try to avoid full-price groceries like I do?

Bargains

 We went to Cullman today, leaving here at 9:30 AM and arriving here at just before 4 PM. We got a lot done. His knees hurt and my feet are swollen! 

~~ delivered Pepsi cans and tuna-type cans to friend to give to mutual friend so she can turn them into money for her septic bill. Also gave her water bottles to recycle. 

~~went to my lot where hundreds of daffodils are ready to bloom. These have been in the yard prior to 1977. The ones I planted in a sunnier place are in full bloom. Tulips I planted several years ago are up about three inches. 

~~Publix had the Hunt's Petite Diced Tomatoes I had bought at BIG BOX for $0.98/can even cheaper-bogo, $1.74 for two, I think. I cannot find the receipt. So, that would be $0.87/can. I had already decided to buy more 10 more, so this saves me a bit.

~~I found butter once again for $1.50 lb. and bought all six packages on the shelf. They had more in the back, but I just got the six pounds. I don't bake a lot. Bought reduced package of Rice a Roni stir fried rice. Tommy will like it. I might, but thought it would be something different. I have plenty of vegetables for it and will add some meat for a whole meal.

~~paid my property taxes at the courthouse. 

~~ate at BK

~~stopped at Verizon to find out how to get to voice mails. Once I knew to hold down "1" to get to voicemails, I set it all up myself.

~~went to PO

~~went to bank

Dinner on Thursday night--thinly sliced chops from a pork loin, zucchini leftover from last night, carrots baked with chicken last night, leftover turnip greens. I love leftovers! 

No, I did not win the PCH! Have the scammers called you? It was 75F today...so nice. What is for dinner at your house? Is spring showing up yet?

Small Economies

Buying Soft Soap is not something I am willing to do often. Sure, I can get it for $1 apiece. But, I like free soap. I refuse to buy the refills. So, today, I used Suave Essential Sun-Ripened Strawberry Shampoo to refill my small pump bottle for Soft Soap. It has strawberry extract and Vitamin E. It really smells good and washed my hands nicely. This is the pump soap I keep at the kitchen sink to wash my hands. Dawn is there, also, in case I have touched meat or my hands are greasy. The bottle of Suave was free, so I wash my hands for free! And, it smells delicious. 

Both pair of my very old black pants needed mending. One pair had a run in the back on the left side about six inches below my waist, and the other pair was coming apart at the back center seam. Plus, one had a small hole in the front of the leg. Now, both pair are no longer holey. 

I had no needles when I moved here. I asked Tommy if he had a needle for hand sewing. He brought me a cute little tin with sewing supplies. His mother last used them 57 years ago. The needles were sharp and smooth with no burrs or rust. So, I did not need to buy a needle. 

When I bought vine-ripened tomatoes on the vine, I cut one for dinner. I did eat half of it. It was so awful, I had no intention of eating anymore of it. Tommy ate the other half the next day.  He did not like it, either. Monday, I took the other two tomatoes on the vine back to Publix and got a refund on all three since I had my receipt.  They were $1.85. So, that went back into my pocket. 

The bread with October 5 date molded, so that went back and I did not have to throw it away and lose money. We still had more than a half of the loaf left. 

A neighbor mowed the yard because Tommy cannot. That is a huge economy!

Drying clothes in the house saves money, so I do. Until I get a dryer rack, Towels and such do need the dryer. I save where I can. 

This next item is saving me from eating soybean oil and it saves money. I have a 3.58 ounce bottle of Alessi olive oil that may or may not be good olive oil. I have read in the past that Alessi had sold adulterated olive oil and passed it off as virgin. 

I like Kraft Italian dressing, but I brought home Kraft Zesty Italian. Well, there is too much zest for me. So, I had about three inches left of olive oil in this tiny bottle. I managed to get out the bottom part of the zesty dressing and added it to the olive oil. Now, I can have just a little zest and much less soybean and canola oil.  So, it is a little economy. 

We are under a tornado watch until 8 pm tonight. Since it is after noon, maybe I should change from my nightgown and into real clothing. This is a threadbare white cotton, knit gown, so it would be like a fully body wet tshirt if I were out in a ditch. 

Okay, time to cook dinner. Do you count small economies and are happy for the savings.