Frugal Friday With Marsha -- More Food

Food seems to be the subject for me lately. 

This past week my daughter sent me home with ribs from the smokehouse where they work (Woodies).  Those were our meat for 2 nights.

As far as my shopping, I did my looking through ibotta.  I was actually looking for the 25 cents back on any cookies that my daughter had in her app.  Nope, not in mine.  There was 25 cents on any cottage cheese though, and I found they had some marked down to just 79 cents.  We ate that the 2 nights with our ribs.
I "splurged" and got myself an Oreo candy bar with 60 cents rebate too.
Otherwise my shopping was a bag of cat food and since I was hungry, I bought a box of the store brand bacon, egg, and cheese croissants.

My mom gave us some of her commodity foods-- box of cheese, can of peas, bag of oats, and macaroni noodles.

I had 2 free coupons for Cole's Middles from Influenster.  I was happy to find those at Wal-Mart when my daughter needed to go there after work one night.  These have made a fine snack.
Forgive me for not getting a picture of what I bought and using the picture from their website.

Although he didn't have the money to do so, hubby shopped anyway.   I understand the need to have food in the house, but we did have a little tiff about it.  I need him to make sure the bills are paid, and then see if there is anything left.
With all that, he didn't do too bad.  He spent under $30 for 5 boxes of Betty Crocker Potatoes, a 4 lb ham, the sub package of Oscar Mayer ham and turkey lunch meat, bologna, cheese slices, and Ramen noodles.
The ham will be for several meals, especially since yesterday he cooked up an entire large crock pot of ham and beans.  We ate that last night and will again tonight for supper.  Then, the rest is going into the freezer for another week.  I just don't really want to eat it 4 or 5 nights in a row!!  Freezing the remainder will ensure they don't go bad and give us meal options at a later time.

I'm in hopes of getting more freezer cooking done.  If we start looking for the best deals on meats and other foods and cooking ahead and freezing meals then we will be ahead of the game and always know that if there isn't any grocery money that there will be food in the freezer.  I'm going to discuss this with hubby this weekend and work hard to get him on board.

For inspiration in this area, I just bought this book for my Kindle app.  It can motivate me, and give me something to read during down time too.  I will be sure to post anything we make from it.




Again this week I am including a linky.  I would love it if you would share your own frugal type posts!

WIP Wednesday -- Towels and Notebook Covers

The double towel scarves aren't a WIP as I finished 6 of them this past week.  Two are sold, 2 are listed in my etsy shop and the other 2 will soon be listed in my etsy shop.
I do plan on making more as I can.

I managed to get 8 more of the covered composition notebooks done for my Christmas gifts.  Add these to the 9 I already have done and I have 18 more to get done for my goal of 35.  No, I don't need all of those for Christmas, but do want them done to have a nice choice of who gets which one.

In this picture my son gets the fish because he loves to fish.  My middle daughter gets the peace signs because that's who she is.  My 4 yr old grandson gets the animals.  My mom gets the roses, her favorite flower.  I think my sister-in-law is getting the green meadows, and I know for sure that my brother gets one of the US print.

I have sit n' sew this week at the quilt shop.  I would love to get back to working on my Arkansas Crossroads quilt, but I think I better be smart and work on the notebook covers.

Cool gift idea for the quilter in your life---I would sure love it!

Quilting patchwork grunge quilter funny tee

by KnittingandSewing


In the meantime, I link up with the following blogs:



Jo's Country Junction:  http://www.joscountryjunction.com/

KatieMae Quilts for BOM weekly linky.  https://www.katiemaequilts.com/blog/

I also would love to have these t-shirts!!

Inspire Your Inner Artist With Art on the Rocks

Painted rocks have been popular for ages.  With Art on the Rocks you can bring out your inner artist, and have your own beautifully painted rocks.

From simple:

to intricate:

there is something for everyone in the more than 35 colorful and contemporary rock-painting projects in Art on the Rocks. 

When I was first looking through the book, I was in awe on just how you would successfully paint something so beautiful on rocks.  How would you, or could you get such perfect designs?

The first 21 pages of the book are all about the tools and materials, selecting and preparing the rocks, and techniques, methods and tips, including vivid illustrations.

There are vivid illustrations and step-by-step instructions throughout. 
Would you like to paint on hearts from the Patterns chapter, or an Owl from the Animals chapter, or maybe Raindrops from the Nature chapter?   These are just a few of the many patterns you can choose from.

I had picked out this one to start with:

Unfortunately I bought the wrong type of paint.  (Yes, it does pay to read the instructions).  I was excited to get started once I had found a rock that I wanted to paint.  I do fully intend to get the correct paints, or paint pens or markers and finish my rock.  I even plan to give some of the other designs a try as well.

I have some very artistic grandchildren so I am in hopes of getting them involved in a family activity of rock painting.....starting with my 13 year old granddaughter who is currently being homeschooled.  This will make a great art project for her.

If you know someone who loves to paint, including yourself, I highly recommend Art on the Rocks.









Disclosure:  I rec'd a copy of this book for the purpose of this review.  I was not compensated in any other way and all opinions are my own.  Post contains affiliate links.

Get more free gift cards for the Holidays from Swagbucks during December's Swago with Spin & Win

The digital rewards site Swagbucks is offering big payouts during their December "Swago" promotion starting Monday, December 4th at 9am PT and running until Monday, December 11th! Swago is just like bingo, but in this case you're filling out squares as you earn points on their site for doing things you already do online. If you're thinking of trying Swagbucks, this is a great chance to learn all about how the site works and earn bonus points while doing it, meaning you can get more gift cards faster. Here are a few tips: 

• Each square on your Swago Board will contain an action item to complete. They can be anything from getting a search win, completing a survey, or just visiting one of our popular stores!
   
• Once you complete the action item in a particular square the square will change color signifying the action item is complete.
   
• You have until 12pm PT/3pm ET on Monday, December 11th to mark off as many squares as possible so use your time wisely.
   
• Be mindful of the patterns and their corresponding bonuses located on the right of your Swago Board. The patterns will vary in difficulty and bonus value. Once you’ve achieved a pattern, the corresponding “Submit” button will light up. You can have multiple patterns available for submission, however, you can only submit ONE pattern so choose wisely.
  
• Each activity you successfully complete on your Swago Board will give you anywhere from 1-20 spins on the Spin & Win Wheel. PLUS, when you submit your board for a bonus you'll get additional spins. The number of spins will depend on the pattern you complete. The wheel has all sorts of great prizes that you can win, and each spin is a winner!

The Spin & Win Wheel will be available all throughout Swago and you have until 11:59pm PT on Monday, December 11th to use all your spins. 

Fill up your board and then submit your pattern to get even more points - if you can fill in the whole board, you get a 500 SB bonus, which is enough for a $5 gift card from the retailer of your choice.  

Click here right now and click "Join" to get started! If you don't already have a Swagbucks account, you'll be able to quickly sign up; PLUS, if you earn 300 SB before the first of January, you'll get a bonus 300 SB!

Get Exclusive Swagbuster Deals onYour Favorite Stores, Offers, and Gift Cards

Running now through December 3rd, the cashback shopping site Swagbucks is running a series of exclusive "Swagbuster" deals that offer increased cash back (in the form of SB points) at stores, when buying gifts cards, and big SB payouts when you discover offers from different companies. You can take all of the points you earn from these deals and redeem them for gift cards from places like Amazon, Target, Walmart, Starbucks, or PayPal cash, helping you extend your holiday budget further! 

The deals change every few hours, and you can keep track of what's available by clicking here. You need a Swagbucks account to take advantage - fortunately it's free and takes less than 30 seconds to sign up. PLUS, if you sign up through me you'll get a bonus 300 SB ($3) if you earn 300 SB before December 1st!

Great Deals!  Don't miss out, and find those perfect gifts, all while earning cash back in the form of sb.

Frugal Friday With Marsha -- Cheap Eats

Seems we've been eating pretty well this week, and at a very small cost.  I love it when I plan comes together.  Ok, so there was no real plan, but it all worked out the same.

A couple weeks ago hubby did extremely well when he picked up a pork roast on sale for just $5.75.  I cut 9 chops (3 meals for the 2 of us) as well as left the end for a 4th meal.  The 4th meal ended up being pulled pork sandwiches.  Oh so good!

I had fixed the first 2 sets of 3 pork chops in the crock pot and added half the bag of Uncle Ben's Flavor Infusion Rice towards the end of cooking.  The Uncle Ben's was a Friday Freebie with Dillon's (Kroger).

While on the subject of the Friday Freebie, don't miss out on this week's Free Jell-O Simply Good at Kroger & Affiliates


When I went shopping, I first looked thought the Ibotta app to see if there was anything I could try to get towards suppers that I could add to my rebates there.
I marked several things, but only ended up getting 2 of them.

I bought a box of 6 White Castle Sliders with a 50 cents rebate.  At $4.97 a box (not on sale), that is not the most frugal thing...not even if you subtract the 50 cents I will get from ibotta).
However, hubby and I each ate 2, along with macaroni salad and potato salad that a lady in the quilt guild sent me home with from the Christmas party.
It made a very filling meal and hubby was able to have the other 2 sliders as part of his supper last night while I was out babysitting for grandchildren.

I also chose to get Reames Frozen Noodles with a 70 cent rebate from ibotta.  $2.39 for those, not on sale.  I wondered over to the marked down meat section and found a package of cubed turkey for $1.99.
Hubby fixed up a soup adding a can of carrots and chopped onion.  Voila!  Supper for 2 nights.



We had the last 3 pork chops one night with the rest of the macaroni salad and potato salad.

It's a new month, and time for me to scroll through the Ibotta app and see if there is anything I can put on my list to help with suppers this week.

Recipes for the Frugal Cook Patriotic Binder

by cowboyannie


I would love to read about your "cheap eats" and so would other readers.  I hope you will link up any posts you have on frugal recipes!

WIP Wednesday --Little Done

I shouldn't really say that I got little done, as I did complete dish scrubbies orders for 2 people.  That was a total of 19 dish scrubbies that I crocheted over the past week.

In addition I got the rest of the fabric cut to size for the remaining 26 composition notebooks that I am going to cover.

While cutting the fabric for the notebook covers I ended up with more strips to add to the rug that I am making.  I did add more to the current toothbrush rug as well.  You can see the extra strips that I cut on the side of the picture.

I had made 2 more of the double towel scarves intending to put them up for sale in my etsy shop.  They didn't make them there as a lady at church wanted to buy them.  She also wants at least 2 more.  So, I guess that counts as another work in progress.  I have the fabric out and the towels bought to make 4 more of them.

Wish me luck between babysitting for grandchildren!  I bounce between babysitting out of town for my middle daughter and then in town for both my youngest and oldest daughters.  This grandma is getting very worn out!!

I link up with the following blogs:


Jo's Country Junction:  http://www.joscountryjunction.com/

KatieMae Quilts for BOM weekly linky.  https://www.katiemaequilts.com/blog/

http://www.sillymamaquilts.com/

 

Frugal Friday With Marsha --Hope You Had a Nice Thanksgiving

I do hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving and got to spend the day with loved ones and friends.
I feel very blessed that we were able to work around work schedules and get everyone there.  Well, everyone but 3 of the grandchildren. 

My middle daughter and her husband work at a smoke house, so they have taken care of the turkey and ham the past few years.  She also made the pies as well as homemade rolls.
I do feel bad that they provided so much of the food as well as hosting at their house.

Her step-son made the green bean casserole.  My husband and I provided the potatoes and gravy.   My middle daughter provided the cranberry sauce and stuffing.  My son and his fiance provided the candied yams.  And, my mom made her "famous" applesauce jello. 

I took a few pictures.  They aren't the best, but I am sharing them with you this week anyway.

Lots to be Thankful for each and every day.  This is something that we all need to remember every day, not just on Thanksgiving Day.

Blessings to all!

Thanksgiving Card

by graphicdesign

Grateful Thankful Blessed Rustic Script - damask Throw Pillow

by MarshEnterprises

The Family Is One Of God's Greatest Masterpieces Tile

by EnchantingQuotes

WIP Wednesday -- A Start

I have a nice start to the covered composition notebooks that I am making for Christmas gifts.  9 out of 35 done.  I don't think that I need 35 for Christmas, but what I don't use for Christmas I will donate to my quilt guild to put in our boutique at the 2018 quilt show in Wichita.

In my process of cleaning up around my desk I've been bagging up projects.  I got most of them into a box and into my sewing room, but rug strips didn't make it into a bag.  They were calling my name sitting in a pile on my desk.  I just couldn't help myself but to start a new toothbrush rug.

Of course the rug is put to the side for now in a project box.  I may or may not work on it again for awhile.  I need to finish the notebook covers.  I made 2 more of the double towel scarves with Christmas towels and a lady has already bought those and wants 2 more for Christmas.  Plus, I have 2 orders of the crocheted netting dish scrubbies to get made as well.  Busy busy crafting and sewing is what I need to be.

I link up with the following blogs:



Jo's Country Junction:  http://www.joscountryjunction.com/

KatieMae Quilts for BOM weekly linky.  https://www.katiemaequilts.com/blog/

Frugal Friday With Marsha -- It's Been a Busy Week

Whew!  This week has flown by and it's been a flurry of activity!

I've still been working here and there on clearing out all this clutter around and under my desk.  I'm not getting even close to being done though.  I should have taken a very shameful picture of just how much stuff I've amassed over time.
Just this morning I found something under my desk in a pile that had I needed that item, I would have never known where to find it!  It's now where it belongs.
In my process of sorting sewing projects I got most of those in a big box, each in their own bag, and at least into my craft room.  I didn't get the strips for rug making into the box....they were still in a pile on my desk and calling my name.  They yelled at me so loudly that instead of getting into their bag, I started a new toothbrush rug with them.  I've been working on it a few strips at a time each day.

I cashed in with Swagbucks for $25 in amazon.  That enabled me with what I already had in my account to order both cat food and cat litter.
I've been buying those through Ibotta since they seem to always have Pet Products in their categories for buying through amazon.



I got in the Harvest VoxBox from Influenster.  I'm always excited to open the boxes when I get them.
I just got back inside from hanging our bedding on the line after washing it in the new Gain Botanicals.  I can't wait to crawl into bed tonight and go to sleep to the great scent of Gain (I sound like the commercial  LOL)
I'm enjoying using the Mane Magic, the Vera Wang cologne, and the shea body butter.

If you are not a member of Influenster already, I encourage you to sign up.  You get great things to try and then do short reviews of in social media.  It doesn't require a lot of your time.  It is well worth it!

Influenster is have Movember right now and for every new member who signs up throughout November, they will donate $1 to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.  Just another plus of joining!


These things along with all the things I already do both online and offline, plus babysitting for my 10 month old granddaughter and my 7 week old grandson and helping my 13 yr old granddaughter who is now being homeschooled, really did mean for a busy week!!