Homemakers in the old days really knew how to stretch a meal! This image from a 1907 magazine gives the clever cook suggestions for using up all that Thanksgiving turkey. Using up turkey leftovers is nothing new to the frugal Mom. We all know about turkey casseroles, salads, and soups. But, perhaps some of us have missed one of the most basic uses for our turkey – boiling the carcass for stock. Yes, this may be something you haven’t seen {Read More}
Norman Rockwell’s picture of a bountiful table. This is the image that comes to mind when we talk about the American family celebrating a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. That huge turkey is the star of the meal! Just look at those happy faces gathered around that big table. You don’t see a lot of fancy side dishes – just that delicious giant bird. Yes, I have roasted a few of those huge birds myself. And, yes, a twenty-plus pound turkey is {Read More}
This “Old-Fashioned” way of preserving food is something that I’ve had on my list of Things I Wish I Knew How To Do for years and now my friend, Susanne – The Hillbilly Housewife, has created the perfect resource just for me. OK, maybe not for me specifically, but certainly for people just like me that want to feed their family well and save money in addition to preserving “old timey” techniques to pass down to the next generation. Canning {Read More}
If you are fortunate enough to have a local farmers market, a farm selling what they’re growing, or a grocery store that sells locally grown produce, shop there. Why is it important to buy locally grown food? The idea is to; 1) help support your local economy, 2) help reduce energy consumption by eliminating long distance shipping, and 3) help reduce your grocery bill. What happens when you buy locally is that you are also eating seasonally. Why is that {Read More}
Halloween is almost here. It’s a great excuse to be silly and have lots of fun. That’s why I love Halloween. What I don’t love is the expensive costumes. Even the discount stores have racks filled with expensive branded-character costumes. I’m amazed, and appalled, at the prices of these much sought after costumes. I can’t bring myself to spend hard-earned money to purchase a costume that will be worn once, or twice at the most. Since my daughter understands what {Read More}
Happy 4th of July! Hope your weekend is a joy for you and your family. Big cookouts, trips to the beach, hours on the road… these may not be your idea of a nice family 4th of July celebration. Maybe it doesn’t appeal to you. Maybe your budget won’t allow. Maybe your family is very young and not up to the big meal or big plans. For whatever reason, a simple 4th of July celebration may be what you and {Read More}
There are many times when a Mom questions her choices. One of the most difficult decisions is whether to work at an outside job or stay home. I know from personal experience that this is not an easy decision to make. When our daughter was born, I knew I wanted to stay home. But, how would that be possible? How could I stay home and still pay all the bills? I also know that summertime brings this question back up {Read More}
I was watching television this weekend and heard a business analyst talk about the increased prices in necessities like gas at the pump and food on the table. He further explored the possibility that this tight economy with its rising prices is forcing people to spend less money on Mom this Mother’s Day. “How sad!” the anchors lamented. “Who cares?” I say. Mother’s Day was never about the monetary value of any present I’ve received. No, the gifts I receive {Read More}
If purple cabbage, a jar of beets, grape juice, ground turmeric, and a jug of white vinegar are in in your grocery cart, you are ready to dye Easter eggs! This simple method of coloring eggs will surprise youngsters who have never seen anything but the packaged dye packets. Not only is using food a fun way to dye Easter eggs, it’s also a good opportunity to explore the abundance of the Earth’s renewable resources. Harvesting the earth’s bounty and {Read More}
Perhaps you have always belonged to a gym and, although it’s way beyond your budget right now, you continue to pay the membership fees because you need to exercise someplace where you have a commitment and encouragement. You’re not alone. Many of us need an exercise program mapped out for us, with all the equipment ready and waiting, surrounded by supportive people. However, if you go to the gym because you truly believe you cannot get the same workout or {Read More}
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