Monday, February 18, 2019

Thrifted Treasures & Frugal Accomplishments



Hello, friends.  I hope you had a happy Valentine's Day.  Last week, I made my Swagbucks goal x 3, and they finally gave me credit for our September vacation, which will be enough for several gift cards.   A gallon jar of queen olives that were given to us was opened, with a quart jar of them put in the fridge and the big jar put in the basement to stay cool (low 50's).  They may be fine in the brine, as we love olives and will likely eat them quickly, but the cooler temps seemed wise.  I gathered a bucket of sweet gum balls for a future dyeing project.  I also gathered magnolia pods.  A delightful chicken canister was won at an auction at Hospice, which I'll turn into a compost crock.  This is the perfect time of year to be working on them, as people's thoughts will soon be turning to their gardens.



A new recipe for vegetarian meatballs was tried, and I'm enjoying them.   I made mushroom gravy with one of the bags of maitake I had frozen to use with them.  I haven't tried the other suggestions, with tomato sauce and in pita bread with aioli sauce, but think they'd be good those ways as well.  After delivering soap, I picked up a few groceries, and stopped at several thrift stores.  I found a very nice blue canister to turn into a compost crock at one.  It was covered with old grease, and still had flour in it, but it cleaned up fine.  Another store had some men's clothes on sale for $2.  I was able to get J a soft merino wool sweater, and a NWT Land's End shirt.  Food Lion had asparagus for $1.99, which I purchased, as it will be a month or more before we can harvest any of ours.  I dropped off two books at a little free library.

two new compost crocks
At the quilt guild meeting last week, I learned about a sewing day they have each month at the senior center.  I attended, took the bed cover I've been working on, and got the border squares tied to the backing.  It was enjoyable, and I got tips from several of the ladies there.  Afterwards, I headed to the RSPCA thrift store to drop a box off.  I found a book of embroidery stitches for .50, three packs of candlewick thread for .25 ea, and a pretty, large blue bail jar for $3.  I'd forgotten about their policy of needing a $10 purchase to use a card, and had not thought to bring cash.  I started to put things back, when the man behind me in line offered to add several of his items to mine, to add up to $10, then gave me cash for them.  Wasn't that nice?  People are good.  I dehydrated green onions and oregano.  Butternut squash crumble was made using our squash and parsley, and asparagus was steamed.   In between coats of paint for an order, I got the holes drilled in the compost crocks.  It's turned cold and damp here this weekend, the kind of raw days where it's good to take care of indoor tasks and await warmer days.  J & I watched a movie on amazon prime.  Have a lovely week, friends.

12 comments:

Michèle Hastings said...

The rooster canister is great! It will make a really nice compost crock.

Laurie said...

Thanks, Michele. I thought so too.

christine said...

Would you post your recipe for the meatballs? I'm always looking for delicious recipes. Thanks.

Laurie said...

Sure. I will add the recipe to my next blog post, Christine.

christine said...

Thanks.

Jeannie said...

Why did you drill holes in your compost crock? I use a pot with a lid to hold my compost but it doesn't have holes. Sometimes I pour the small amount of liquid with tea grounds from a pot of tea into the compost pot.

Jeannie@GetMeToTheCountry

Laurie said...

Jeannie, I put a carbon filter in the lid. "Breathing" helps it be a little less stinky :o).

Jeannie said...

Oh, that makes sense. Mine is an old metal container I found at a garage sale. Over the years the boys (whose job it is to take out the compost) have dropped it repeatedly and it is warped. The lid does not fit well so I suppose that is why we haven't had trouble with it smelling. I was thinking of getting a new one since it is really looking bad. I will remember what you said about drilling holes.

Jeannie@GetMeToTheCountry

Jeannie said...

I don't think my comment posted so I am going to repeat myself.
My compost bucket is metal and the boys (whose job it is to take it out) have dropped it repeatedly over the years so it is warped. There is plenty of space between the bucket and the lid so that probably explains why I haven't had problems with odors. It looks rough so I have been thinking about getting a new one (from a yard sale, of course) so I will remember what you said about it needing air circulation.

Jeannie@GetMeToThecountry

Laurie said...

You need a diamond drill bit, at least I think you do. That's what I use. And it has to be a certain kind of lid, with a "shelf" to hold the filter. I suppose you could glue it with another type lid, but I'd think you'd want to change the filter out every so often. I hope to get pics taken and the new crocks listed later today, and I always show a pic of the lid with filter, if that would be helpful.

Jeannie said...

I will ask Bill about drilling the holes after I buy something new. Do take pictures when you have a chance. With Dustin back at home now, our compost is being taken out almost daily. When just Bill and I were here, it sat on the counter FOREVER and I would have to remind him to take it out. I think when Dustin gets a job and leaves, then I will need one with a carbon filter for smells.
Jeannie

Laurie said...

Just got the compost crock listed. I thought I might be able to post a pic here, but it doesn't appear so. Here's the link. The 4th pic is the one with lid.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/672565110/compost-crock-homestead-kitchen-blue?ref=shop_home_active_1

Hope that works, and you can see what I mean.