Cheap Eats -- Fancy Food on a Budget
My husband and I don't tend to do much for Valentine's Day, but I was in the mood to surprise him with a treat when he came home from work. It had been awhile since I'd made a depression era "Wacky Cake, (recipe HERE) so I mixed up an 8" X 8" pan and was able to configure a cookie cutter to eke out two heart shaped slices. I then dusted them with powdered sugar to complete our special dessert.
This cake recipe uses neither eggs nor butter, which makes it extra frugal. Frugal, but still fancy! Expensive ingredients do not equal love.
Just a special treat, on a special day, for my special guy.
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Katy Wolk-Stanley
"Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without."
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P.S. My husband's grandfather ran the steeple chase in the 1928 Olympics and this is his knit wool tank top.
We do a wacky cake that uses homemade mayo (oil, egg, and lemon or vinegar), so my husband always jokes that our egg-free cake is made with egg-included mayo.
So amazing that you have his tank top! What a fantastic piece of family history! My great grandmother had a Wheaties box with my great grandfather boxing on it. I learned (a lot later) that it was a promotion that they let you send in a picture for the box and they'd send you your own Wheaties box, but it was still cool!
Speaking of Wheaties, I remember a Mad Magazine parody about Joe Namath, in which the Wheaties Co. sent him a letter saying serving their cereal with gin and vermouth is not considered a Breakfast of Champions. LOL!
That is so cool about Granddad-in- law! Thanks for sharing.
My only frugality today is that I fished out my thrifted button that says "Annual 39th Birthday" and plan to wear it with pride this week. I think I bought it for 50 cents, maybe less, so I have --and am --definitely getting my money's worth out of it. Hey, if Jack Benny could be 39 for all those many years, why can't we?
The vintage tank goes w/ the vintage vibe of your home IMHO. Your home faintly reminds me of the kitchen & dining area of Skeldale house in All Creatures Great and Small. The kitty's gold eyes are lovely. The cat had good luck to be adopted by a cat loving family. I'm sure she is pampered & loved.
Hi, guys. Sorry I've been incommunicada for the last few days, but her CF and I took NDN1 for lunch and a tour of a local assisted living facility on Friday--and, God willin' and the creek don't rise, CF and I think she will be ready to sign the paperwork tomorrow. Please everyone keep your fingers crossed that this *will* happen; it's been a long time coming.
Meanwhile, I've spent part of the last two days helping NDN1 clean out the desk that we all agree has to go with her to AL (one of her grandfathers, a cabinetmaker by trade, made it). This process is likely to take at least one more day if not two, since I'm on the lookout for cash and important paperwork, both of which are squashed in among the endless address labels and other detritus. I'm sure that Katy, with her and Mr. NCA's experience with Mr. NCA's parents, can relate.
All fingers crossed! And yes, I relate!
I talked to my sister today, who moved into a senior living center at the end of January. She was bubbly and full of news about people she has met and activities she has been doing. I'll bet your neighbor will be pleasantly surprised at her new home as well, if she does indeed sign the paperwork. Here's hoping!
A. Marie, I'm pretty sure Mister Rogers had you in mind when he wrote Won't You Be My Neighbor. Your neighbor is so lucky to have you. Fingers crossed!
I agree about A. Marie- but have you heard Lady Gaga sing the theme song. It is UNBELIEVABLE!! Mr. Rogers should be pleased
It has been quite a while since I made a wacky cake but what a cute idea for Valentine's Day. I'm going to try to remember it for next year.
- My minimal effort for Valentine's Day was sending texts with a cute picture of a pottery heart hanging in a shrub from one of my walks to those I love most.
- We are doing all the habitual stuff of cooking, cleaning, using what we have. Nothing unusual to report that is frugal.
- Unusually for us we have had to throw out some moldy cheese and questionable other things in the frig this week. A renewed commitment to cleaning/checking the fridge more often.
We all end up wasting a bit of food, it's impossible not to.
Day Two taking care of my friend post-surgery. Though she tires fast, she is visibly better every day. It is good to see.
There was no spending today. We continue to eat food that friends have brought.
Tomorrow an occupational therapist and a home health nurse will come to check up on her. I'll be glad to get some professional validation that everything is going well.
In other news, I offered to dog sit for one of my friend's neighbors next month while she travels during spring break. Her usual sitter, a college student, won't be available. I'll be happy to come back down, especially as I'll be getting paid! And I like dogs -- and I like this one, whom I met today. Maybe this will be the beginning of a whole new side hustle!
I know that people make good money doing pet sitting!
Chocolate mug cakes are another inexpensive treat. They can easily be made gluten free.
I've never made one, but perhaps that needs to change!
Love the wacky cake heart! For a fun inexpensive Valentine’s Day treat I made a big heart shaped Rice Krispie treat. Generic cereal $3, I only used half, 3 Tb spoons of butter and a bag of marked down marshmallows. Dinner was two frozen pizzas $3.50 each) I got on sale. I added mushrooms and green peppers to the pepperoni one and left the cheese one plain. So I’m thinking a little more than $10 for our meal.
Sounds like a perfect meal!
We LOVE Wacky Cake!! My late Grandmother passed me the recipe , and its a family favorite!! I make mine in a Bundt pan and dust with powdered sugar as well....