Two Frugal Things -- Peppers & Zoo Animals
1) I stopped into Fred Meyer to grab cat litter and spent a couple minutes perusing the produce clearance shelves.
I ended up spending $3 to buy eight peppers, which I'll slice and freeze for later use.
I'm fully aware that I'm straight up failing my "Freezer Challenge."
2) My daughter and I hit the Oregon Zoo for her birthday. It's probably been at least ten years since we last went, so there were a lot of upgrades to enjoy. Most notably the elephant enclosure which was both airy and sun filled.
Both of us were enamored with this red panda, who couldn't have been cuter. It took everything in my power to not run straight to the gift shop in search of a stuffed animal doppelganger.
I WANT TO HUG THE RED PANDA!
The polar bear was hiding when we first came in, but was fully up against the plexiglass by the end of our visit. Such a majestic creature!
My husband and I continue to stick with our "experiences, not stuff" credo, although we did transfer a nice chunk of change into her bank account to complete the gift.
We also enjoyed a fish and chips lunch, as well as a sushi dinner with her grandparents. My daughter reloaded the Starbucks app on her phone in order to order a free birthday drink and it was an excellent day.
Now your turn, what frugal things have you been up to?
Katy Wolk-Stanley
"Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without."
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I absolutely love red pandas, I don't know what it is about them that just makes them so darn cute!
I've been absent for several days, partially due to sickness and then I was busy catching up on everything from when I was sick.
1. Took the kids to the park yesterday during an impromptu walk! I'm certain I got bit by mosquitoes but the kids had fun and we got some good exercise.
2. I finished The Time Hop Coffee Shop the other day by Phaedra Patrick and it was just meh. I couldn't really get into it as much as I wanted to. The concept was good but I wasn't a fan of the execution. Probably didn't help that I had read The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue right before I started this and it was fantastic.
3. My apartment had a 'Breakfast to go' this morning and were passing out brown bags of food to people on their way to work. My husband left for work too early to take advantage so I put the kids in coats and we walked down to pick up some goodies. I got a bit of a laugh out of the 'breakfasts' being a single processed baked good per bag, a juice or coffee, and an orange, but it was free and my kids were thrilled to each enjoy a mini chocolate donut and a blueberry muffin on the balcony for breakfast with some apple juice. We also got a 'cinnamon roll' that I saved for my husband. I didn't partake since everything had dairy and I couldn't carry a coffee up two flights of stairs while holding my toddler AND our bags but that's alright since free coffee is always offered during the day.
4. My husband and I were very disappointed by our last electric bill so we've made the decision to try and cut more daytime usage where we can. This led me to initiating more reading time with the kids, which is always a good thing. We'll probably try and get out some more while the weather is nice since we're finally feeling better.
5. While reading today I added 11 items to our requests list at the library. Some books for myself, the kids, and a movie and a show. My husband told me he also requested a few items that he's been looking for elsewhere and has been unable to find. Support your libraries, folks!
I think red pandas are possibly the cutest animals on the planet. I LOVE THEM.
Enoki is cuteness overload. Happy Birthday to your daughter! Experiences are the best kind of celebration. My mom still talks about my birthday excursion from three years ago. She can't remember 5 min, but a happy day trip...that is a miracle.
I bought a huge pork butt @ 50% off from the restaurant supply, watched a video, cut up some steaks, removed the bone to roast for beans and still have a 5 lb chunk for pulled pork all for $8.50.
Picked a delicata squash to roast for dinner, picked the last of the green beans and grabbed a shallot to cook with the beans. Have half a cabbage shredded, will stir fry with some green peppers and sweet onion.
Tonight is the peak viewing of the Draconid Meteor shower.
Happy Birthday to your daughter! I would hug the red panda but would not hug the Polar bear unless it was anesthesised. DH and I have a standing question we ask each other about cute animals including our cat: Would you pick 'em up and love 'em? Answers:
Yes.
No.
Yes if anesthesised. (The animal, not the person)
1. DH and I received our flu and Covid vaccines today, free with our insurance. In case we feel a little crappy tomorrow, I didn't plan anything.
2. We haven't turned the heat on but with the thermostat set at 60 degrees it came on automatically two nights ago. Temperatures did reach down into the mid thirties that night.
3. I baked and then mashed up a butternut squash with supper last night. It was very stringy and not the most delicious one I've ever had but we ate it anyway.
4. I made a batch of homemade deodorant.
5. DH took the air conditioner out of our bedroom window. The nights are usually in the 40s and 50s now so no need for it again this year. This is the time of year my electric bill goes down with no A/C and still being able to dry clothes outside.