Blooms Shrooms & Frugal Accomplishments

Hello, friends.  Are there signs of spring yet where you are?  The past few days have been warm here, encouraging many things to bloom.  I'm happy to be joining in with Frugal Accomplishments today.  Last week, I weeded the asparagus bed and a bit in the flower beds.  I did laundry with homemade soap and dried it on the line.  The kale hadn't done much over the winter, but with warmer days, it's finally growing.  I was able to make my favorite kale salad using our kale, and apple beet salad with our beets.  I use walnuts in place of pine nuts in the kale salad, and any tender kale, not just lacinato or dinosaur kale.  Roasted our potatoes and herbs.

The first batch of soap is drying in the new room!  J installed the stained glass transom window in the room.  We wanted a working transom window.  There had to be some changes made to our original plan, but a creative solution was found.  I received some coupons for a new Harris Teeter store.  When I found myself delivering soap nearby, I decided to shop there on the way home, and used a $10 off $50 coupon.  I found a natural brand of dogfood not available locally, which was less expensive, as well as pretzels, mangos and organic kiwis & applesauce on sale, all appreciated as I whittle my weight down a bit.

Our little mushroom farm is taking off.  The photo was taken day 3.  On day 5, J harvested a few, which I used in a quiche, and also used our eggs, red pepper, parsley, onions & garlic.  The chickens have been getting a mix of the gifted grains. and I started another round of wheat berries sprouting for them.  I added clementine and lemon peels to a batch of citrus vinegar, and onion, carrot and artichoke bits to the broth bag.  After picking up my taxes, I purchased 12 wool & cashmere sweaters for $20 at a thrift store nearby; some for me, some for J, some for felting projects & I may try to sell one or two on ebay.  It was my first time there, and they have all clothes and accessories 1/2 off every Monday.  It's about an hour away, but when I'm in the area,  I will keep that in mind.

J & M have begun working on the new porch, and I've begun stripping the paint off the salvaged posts with Citristrip.  With our house being natural, unpainted wood, these will blend in best stripped down to the wood, though I'm pondering leaving little bits of the white paint here and there.  I like that look, so will see what I think when I get to that point.  Finished watching Victorian Bakery, and began watching Victorian Pharmacy online.

At the discount grocery store, I bought kalamata olives for $2/jar, several bags of quinoa @ 1.33/lb.  Aldi's sale price for quinoa has been $4/lb., so I was happy to find these.  Also, 100% pomegranate juice for $1/bottle and whole grain pasta for .75 ea., as well as a few other items.  This store has gradually been filling shelves with new "cheap s--- from China"; small electronics, appliances and such. I asked if they were going to be phasing out the food, but she assured me they are not, which is a relief.  Not only do I enjoy the bargains, but also the hunt for them.  I feel I've accomplished something when I bring home bags of groceries for half or less of what they'd be in the grocery store.  What have you done to save this week?