Five Frugal Things
by Katy on May 12, 2025 · 63 comments
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I want to watch the second season of Apple TV’s Severance, but feel the need to rewatch season one to refresh my memory. My goal is to binge season two within the borders of a 7-day free trial, which would be a stretch were I to watch both seasons. Instead I put the first season on hold through my library and now have a full three weeks to catch myself up before starting a subscription.
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I hosted my kids, mother and step-father for Mother’s Day and served a fairly simple meal of salmon, homemade bread, rice, broccoli and ice cream for dessert. It wasn’t a crazy cheap meal, but it was certainly less expensive than any restaurant meal would’ve been. My husband had to work, but I made sure to save leftovers for him.
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I printed a 8″ X 8″ photo collage for my mother using a 50%-off Walgreen’s digital coupon. It’s perfect for her fridge and features her with each of her four grandkids, plus my sister and I. The total cost was $2.24.
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My husband and I are planning a three day trip to Seattle to celebrate his birthday and I’m researching fun things to do that won’t break the bank. Our hotel and Mariner’s baseball tickets are a splurge, so I hoping to balance it out with some cheap food and activities. My sister’s family lived in Seattle for a few years while her now ex-husband was in grad school, so I’m pretty familiar with the city, but I want to find a discover a new thing or two.
I’ll accept any and all suggestions!
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I’m not decimating the nation’s safety net to enrich my morally bankrupt friends and family.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
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{ 63 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m always trying to save energy, it’s one of my biggest challenges. I have my energy bill on a budget plan, where I pay the same amount every month. It’s recalculated once per year. Right now it’s at $99.00/mo. I’m working very hard to bring it down further, or at least maintain with rising energy costs. On to the frugal things…
#1 – I cooked a delicious, fresh dinner last night and saved leftovers in 4 individual boxes to use as lunches for the week.
#2 – Reduced dryer usage by separating my laundry by things that need to be machine-dried and things that don’t need to be machine-dried. Put my racks on the back porch to dry in the sun. Saves on my energy bill and carbon footprint.
#3 – Avoided all yard sales over the weekend. There isn’t anything I could possibly want right now!
#4 – Purchased the last of the faux flowers for my wedding party’s arrangements on sale at 40% off. Not much of a sale, but I’ll take it!
#5 – We put in our air conditioners in on May 10th last year. It’s now May 12th. I’m going to push it for as long as I can! Saves us on our energy bill and carbon footprint.
What u good idea to put the drying rack outside. I’m not sure why I didn’t think to do that before (face palm) I always put mine near an open window.
If you need to de-wrinkle your clothes, put ’em in the dryer for about 10 or 12 minutes, then take them out, hang ’em on the line or a dryer rack and let them dry naturally overnight. Saves a LOT of electricity! Also makes your clothes last a LOT longer — the dryer lint is actually disintegrating fabric.
In the winter, which is part of our rainy season, I have to run a dehumidifier and just put the clothes drying rack beside it. Clothes dry super fast.
Don’t know if your energy bill is all electric or nat gas/electric combo. BUT count your blessings it is recalculated only once a year. My nat gas idea of a “budget” plan is recalculating every three months. A big no thank you.
That photo collage is a really nice idea for a Mother’s Day present. Mother’s Day in Ireland was in March already, it’s funny that it’s not the same date all over the world!
* We have had really good weather and I made Nice cream by blending frozen berries with a chopped up banana and some cream. Soooo yummy and a very healthy and cheap treat.
* I am using a 5 Euro off 25 Euro voucher to shop in a local grocery store once a week. The same grocery store also offers 10 off 50 Euro vouchers, however, most things apart from the basics are more expensive than in Lidl or Aldi for example, so I only get basics that are the same price as in Aldi/Lidl in order to reach the 25 Euro. Milk, cheddar, eggs, cream, yoghurt, ketchup etc. I also shop from their reduced produce. With every 25 Euro that I spend (well, 20 Euro really, because the 5 Euro voucher is deducted from the total) I get a new voucher for 5 Euro. Theoretically, I could use the new voucher on the next day already but there are only so many basics that we need!
* One of the teens accidentally dropped 5 cotton pads on the bathroom floor and then refused to use them for facial care. I proceeded to use them for oiling two squeaky door hinges.
* Recent favourite library read: The last romantics (Tara Conklin)
* One of the teens sat on a biro in the car which resulted in ink stains on the upholstery and the pants! I was able to remove them *almost* completely by using hand sanitiser.
What is a “biro”?
Ballpoint pen. Was invented by a guy called Biro.
Oh! I didn’t know that. Thanks!
BTW, it’s pronounced “buy-ro” not “beer-o” as you might think.
Mothering Sunday is the fourth Sunday of Lent. Traditionally, servant girls would go hom to visit their mothers that day.
There is also a book called that and I really enjoyed it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mothering_Sunday_(novel)
1. I found a penny on the floor at the dollar store.
2. I moved my indoor plants to the front porch. Nothing frugal about it except that it “dresses up” the porch without spending money.
3. There’s a gorgeous blue sky with no clouds here in Massachusetts. That means the plans I have to hang laundry outside today will be happening.
4. DH climbed a somewhat close by mountain yesterday (free exercise) while I spent the day with DS, DD and two of my grandchildren. DS took me out for lunch and the rest of the day was spent here at home just being together.
5. I did not look like a deer in the headlights when questioned by Congress where in the he#* is the 2026 budget proposal from the FBI.
Katy, if you haven’t used it before, check out AirBnB. I have had great luck finding nice AirBnB’s with full kitchen that are significant less expensive than hotels, AND you can bring your own foof and prepare your own meals!!! A few years ago, friends of ours wanted us to go “glamping” with them and their dog in Lancaster County Pennsylvania. My husband and I would have had to sleep on the floor as there was only one bed. It was going to cost us $1,000 per couple and that was just for lodging for 5 days (4 nights). I said I can do better. Found an AirBnB with 2 bedrooms, full bath, full kitchen, washer, dryer, AC, tv…all the basic ammenities and pet friendly near Lake Erie for $200 per couple for the same length of time. Taking our own food saved us a bundle! We only splurged on sundaes one evening. You want to look for “Superhosts” with high ratings.
I have a problem with AirBnBs contributing to the housing crisis, and for that reason I won’t use them. I’ve used one once and did have a positive experience.
I don’t know how you feel about sharing a space, but I have had good luck sharing with a host. I feel like there are people who need to extra income to make ends meet, but don’t feel comfortable sharing a space full-time. I don’t mind AirBnBing with people in that situation. That said, we skipped spending a night in Barcelona this summer because the hotels available were too uninviting, and we weren’t willing to contribute to AirBnB there.
@Katy – I do so agree re: housing crisis. As well as elderly (usually women, widows I should say) who won’t vote yes for a $.01 increase to fix roads because “they are on a fixed income”. If you can’t afford a few cents, you can’t afford to stay in your home. This tells me you do zero maintenance, don’t pump your septic (if you have one). You die, your kid(s) don’t want the dump so a cash buyer picks it up for the cheap price you/you and your siblings deemed. Cash buyer makes it a rental, no guarantee of any maintenance. Cash buyer might have pumped the septic (if one) as the area does not have city water/sewer.
Not all short term rentals are suitable to be rented full time. My own STR on Airbnb is a 300 square foot cottage opposite my own house, suitable for a couple or a single person for a few nights. There is no laundry, a shower only, but it is comfortable and quiet, has a small kitchenette, a 42″ Roko TV, comfortable seating and an outdoor patio with a table, chairs and umbrella.
It is cheaper than a hotel room, if you can even find one in my area, where they are limited. I get couples staying, as well as single people here for work.
I urge you to take another look at Airbnb when looking for accommodation as there are many unique properties that may provide you with a wonderful experience.
I have had such bad experiences with purportedly long-term tenants, I much prefer doing Airbnb. I tend to get very nice people to stay, not the lunatics I’ve had to evict. And anyway, they all leave after a week or so.
Katy’s mother used to have a couple Airbnbs, if I recall.
Anyway, I just wanna downsize and get out of rentals. You know how they say Ozempic gets rid of “food noise”? I need to get rid of “renter noise.”
I’ll keep an eye on your Seattle plans since we are also planning a Mariners-related trip! I lived up there when I was young and poor, and the cheap things that amused me were things like people watching, the fish ladder, and hiking.
MOHAI is fascinating and I loved the fish ladder. (My daughter was only two at the time.) Check out Town Hall, too, cultural events. (I once lectured and had a book signing there.) Gas Works Park is cool and it’s fun to take a ferry somewhere.
Or, if you like driving around and looking at houses, Queen Anne is beautiful. Tutta Bella has a number of locations and delicious pizza.
Hope all my NCA pals who are mothers and those who serve as mothers to all had a lovely Mother’s Day!
1. Hosted my SIL and her two daughters this weekend. Went to the New York Hall of Science and had two Frugal things from that:
1a. A lady saw me in line with the two kids and asked if I was paying for my tickets. I said yes, and she gave me a voucher to get 4 people in for free, saving us over $50.
1b. We went to the Science Playground (attached to the museum) which had an extra fee, but because we were within 1.5 hours of it closing they let us in for free, saving us another $30.
2. We got breakfasts out but otherwise fed the kids and ourselves at home.
3. We did not buy the kids any gifts or toys at the hall of science or the zoo the next day.
4. We also did not buy my SIL a mother’s day gift, instead helping the kids craft for their mom and then taking the kids for the morning so she could have a grown-up day. I applaud single moms but truly do not know how she has the resilience – it’s so hard.
5. Back to grown up life – made spicy tostadas fully out of the fridge and pantry once they went home since there was no 6 year old to tell me it was too spicy 😉
Fun random things in Seattle:
Waterfall park (free): https://pioneersquare.org/businesses/waterfall-garden-park/
Walking onto the ferry is relatively cheap and a beautiful way to spend an afternoon. If you take the Bremerton ferry, the Naval Museum right at the terminal is lovely and free. Bainbridge (different ferry) is also lovely and fun to walk around the downtown area (also walking distance from ferry terminal)
Other free museums: Klondike Gold Rush, Ballard Locks history center, and Seattle Cental Library (has a free audio tour- https://www.spl.org/hours-and-locations/central-library/central-library-highlights/central-library-tours
1. My daughter and SIL hosted Mother’s Day dinner. She grilled out burgers, chicken & veggies. It was delicious and much appreciated.
2. My daughter gave me two tomato plants that were given to her by a co-worker. He was given too many by a friend. So the three of us benefited.
3. I picked up a large storage container from a free pile. I’m going to use it to store some clothing.
4. I signed up for a Circle-K membership. It’s free and I will receive 25 cents off per gallon on my next five fill-ups.
5. I found an electric teakettle for my youngest daughter at a garage sale. It was one of the BOLO’S for her new apartment.
1. Ate my Mother’s Day leftovers from breakfast this morning, and as I thought, French toast reheated in the toaster oven was just fine. The syrup was a homemade simple syrup loaded with strawberries, so I piled on the strawberries and saved most of the syrup for something else. Will most likely make pancakes tomorrow.
2. Learned that DIL is getting a nice promotion and raise, much deserved and much needed. Not frugal for me, really, but eases my mind.
3. Made an appointment tomorrow for an oil change and will go armed with two different coupons. We’ll see how that goes.
4. Key ring fell apart — and I fixed it!
5. Started using a tiny shoulder bag for carrying keys and phone on my walks. I bought it at Goodwill for a gift, but decided to gift myself instead. So much more reliable than pockets.
#3 I always say the worst they can say is no. But last time I got my oil changed they were trying to find me a few different ways to save a few bucks which was very nice of them.
Some Seattle recommendations that are NCA-friendly:
The sculpture garden just west of Seattle Center is free. Spectacular art by well known national artists such as Richard Serra, with a bonus view of Elliott Bay.
The ferry is a cheap alternative to a harbor tour and you end up going somewhere! Walk on passengers pay when you board in Seattle but you don’t pay on the way back. There are two routes on the big ferries. If you take the boat to Bainbridge, you can walk to the Bainbridge Museum of Art, which has free admission and a lovely collection of PNW artists. You may even luck out like we did on our last trip to Bainbridge on the ferry, and see Orcas 🙂
If you’re walking to the stadium, consider eating or picking up your food before entering T-Mobile Park. There are usually a lot of vendors competing for your food dollars on the walk into the park and prices are competitive. And make sure to read the guidelines for what they allow in the park—they’ve gotten strict about size of bags/purses, and which ones need to be clear/see through. You don’t want to have to pay last minute for a clear tote bag that a vendor will happily sell to you outside the stadium.
There are some decent happy hours in the downtown core if you enjoy them—my personal favorite is the Alibi Room in the market. Super old school Seattle with good pizza. Right next to the (gross) gum wall!
Re: clear bags, I used to work at a security guard/bag checker at a Division I university’s football stadium. While stores around campus would happily sell ladies an expensive clear purse or tote. But a gallon-sized Ziplock-type plastic bag would do just as well, and was allowed.
Just wanted to say thank you for the tip yesterday about looking for doll clothing lots on eBay, I hadn’t even thought of that and found so much!
Yay, I’m so happy for you!
1. Brought several CDs to Half-Price Books. Made $4, bringing the total there to $54. Now that our CDs are confined to one shelf, if we happen to acquire a CD, we’ll have to de-acquire another one.
2. Picked up check from home consignment store. Made $140, bringing the total there to $482. We don’t miss any of the stuff.
3. Made a fruit smoothie using coconut milk as we were out of yogurt. Now I prefer it.
4. Made pumpkin bread using canned pumpkin from the pantry and the addition of ground cloves since I have a large spice jar full.
5. Used up almost the rest of a restaurant gift card. Took home the sandwich picks to use as cake testers for muffins and quick breads.
Katy, I’m curious how do you prepare your salmon? I’m looking for new salmon recipes. Thank you in advance!
The Pecan Salmon Bake recipe from this publication from the Alaska Cooperative Extension is pretty good and quite unusual. https://www.uaf.edu/ces/publications/database/food/how-to-cook-alaska-fish.php
Thank you! I’ll check it out.
The photo collage gift is brilliant! But don’t be surprised if your mom decides to have it framed!
1. Preparing for my showdown with the idiots — er, tax appraisers –who think my home is worth 61% more than it was 5 years ago, I found some articles on MSN (“30 Things that Devalue your House”) and printed them out. Helps to have evidence.
2. Enjoyed a “frozen hot chocolate”. That is a drink, not an oxymoron, and I got it free while substitute teaching.
3. Downloaded 2 free audio books. These are Christian books by the Voice of the Martyrs (Christian martyrs, that is). For those interested here are the links: for “When Faith Is Forbidden: 40 Days on the Frontlines with Persecuted Christians, vom.org/ListenWFIF and for “Hearts of Fire” (true stories of women who over came adversity to become ministers in hostile countries) vom.org/ListenHOF. (Note: I am not trying to evangelize, proselytize or offend anyone, please pardon me if you are not into this; but I thought some Non Consumers may like some free audio books so I am passing along the links. )
4. Did not observe Mother’s Day. I ate at home and went to work at the store.
5. Did not make myself beholden to a Middle Eastern kingdom by accepting their fancy Palace in the Sky airplane, as I know the U.S. Constitution forbids government officials from accepting gifts and bribes.
Re: your #5, the orange menace seems to have a weak understanding of the Constitution–including the due process provisions, as well as the fact that he swore recently to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution. In fact, the only part he and the MAGA bros seem able to remember is the Second Amendment. 🙁 But let’s all raise a hue and cry about the Palace in the Sky airplane, the various crypto deals, and the upcoming military parade.
Yes, ma’am, A.Marie! Will do!
5 Beauty frugal things!
(reposting because I did something and the post went away.)
1) Did a manicure/pedicure at home while listening to music. The pedicure felt and looked better than the manicure- I think because I spent more time on it!
2) RELATED: I bought a big grab bag of nail polishes at the Airport Goodwill Outlet for $10! And a unused Conair footbath for $4! The variety of colors are very intriguing and I don’t I will ever run out of colors! I am setting an intention to do a mani/pedi every week.
3) Otherwise, I have eyeshadow palettes, eyeliner, blushes, and even foundation that I continue to use, with a light hand. I am in Teams and Google Meet meetings and I do like to look “polished’ but not overly made up.
4) I got my hair trimmer and deep conditioned at a Black owned beauty shop here in Portland , but no color or braiding (yet). I keep my hair in a natural state due to the weather here – as of this posting it’s raining, and kinky curly hair does best when the styling embrace the humidity.
5) Am still using my body care products, including scent. Because of course I am.
1. The snow has finally melted off the backyard and we spent hours over several days picking up a winter’s accumulation of dog poop. We could have paid to have this done, at $200, so I consider it frugal to have done it ourselves.
2. Had something huge and heavy to hang on a wall, way too much for two old people to handle. Finally humbled myself enough to ask a fit young man on our street for help and he and some pals came over and did it in less than 15 minutes. I offered to pay, but one of them said they hope someone would help their grandparents if they needed it so happy Mother’s Day. And off they marched. I’ll drop off cookies this week. Not just having someone do the job, but having them be kind was a good reminder that the politics may be going crazy in this country but there are good people all around.
3. Husband washed the one dog who would cooperate. Clobber Paws ran outside until well after the task was over. This saved us $75 plus tip.
4. Husband repaired two flower boxes, using pieces of pallets we scavenged a year ago. They are rough cut and pretty much a perfect match.
5. I am so very impressed with myself, bringing gorgeous rose bush back to life for a fourth year. Roses are grown in pots here because they have to be brought inside or the winter, as they won’t survive our more extreme temperatures. I bought this for $40, which means that I now have paid $10 a year for sweet smelling yellow roses. In previous years it has produced so many blossoms that I was able to have many bouquets of roses in the house during the summer. Moving it in and out of garage storage is a pain, but it is worth it. (Says the one who does not do the moving of it.)
Lindsey, re: your #1, my mind boggles at the idea of what a winter’s worth of dog poop in your yard must look like. I tip my golf visor to you and the husband for picking it up. And I tip it as well to the helpful young men in your #2.
#2 means some parents are doing their job. Tis the rare person that refuses cookies.
My two dogs are 15 and 25 pounds and it takes me 20 minutes once a week to clean up the backyard. I can hardly imagine a winter’s worth of poop from dogs the size of 1.5 humans!
I do loom on the pooper scooping as a good session of walking, bending and stretching, though.
I have one dog who eats her poop so we have to pick it up with a plastic bag shortly after it comes out of her body. Going outside in the winter to do this is no fun.
I hope everyone had a nice Mother’s Day weekend!
1. Found 11 cents while walking my dog.
2. Made quiche with leftover odds and ends.
3. My son needed a keyboard for his school-issued iPad in order to take an AP exam. We didn’t have a lot of notice, and I’ve had bad luck with Bluetooth accessories in the past, so I bought several different brands just in case. We tried the cheapest one first and it fortunately worked, so now I will return the other unopened keyboards.
4. Closed an old account and asked for a check for the small remaining balance, which I will put in the college fund.
5. Listed good-quality used clothing in a Buy and Sell group.
By and large, however, my biggest frugal accomplishment this week was repeatedly resisting the urge to order takeaway dinner when exhausted. Cooking is a lot of savings for the effort.
I’ve washed and prepped veggies for the upcoming week to give myself a little break. A present for my future self!
1. We had pancakes for Mother’s Day breakfast at home. For dinner I went with my Mom friend to a local restaurant that I had $22 to cash in using loyalty points. With tip I spent $16 for lemonade, my meal, plus dessert!
2. I contacted my library to see what newspapers I could get access to view online instead of paying for access. There are several so I saved all the links in my email for later.
3. I am picking up The running man by Richard Bachman aka Stephen King that is now ready for me at the library. They are remaking the movie so I wanted to make sure I read it before that comes out.
4. The weather is beautiful today with no rain so we will be grilling burgers tonight at home. I already have all of the ingredients.
5. I am listening a new audiobook on Hoopla through my library.
Not frugal but instead of a Mom necklace, mug, or other stuff to clutter the house my husband gifted me an appointment for a Japanese head spa treatment. I am very excited about this and have wanted to do this for years!
Seattle has a few craft thrift stores.
I hadn’t heard of that type of thrift store before. It’s fun to browse through supplies and ephemera. I went to Seattle Recreative (both locations) when I visited. If you are near here it’s good for an inexpensive meal of Georgian bread boats. Skalka https://g.co/kgs/GksiQVJ.
I remembered to click a digital coupon for bacon before going shopping that netted me a pound of bacon for $3.39.
Saved several dollars because my great big girl kitty likes Aldi pate cat food and the dogs are okay with Aldi biscuits.
Got laundry drying on a rack on the sun porch, am enjoying servings from $4 a bottle sangria from Aldi in my $2 insulated wine tumbler from Goodwill, which cleaned up just fine with a little Barkeeper’s Friend. Dug around in my stash of reused jars and decanter one of those cheap but awful squeeze bottles of mustard so that I don’t have to deal with mustard-tinged water spurting out onto my sandwich.
Bonus: Did not sell out my country for a tricked-out airplane.
I have a frugal hack that you may want to look into to save hundreds (thousands) on hotel costs. My husband and I joined Trusted Housesitters where for $150 per year you can apply to house sit all over the world. There are always pets involved but you can filter for what you are comfortable with. You stay there for free and the homeowner gets free house and pet care. We have done it 15 times all over the world and estimate that we have saved over $10,000 on hotels! There are always a ton of them in Seattle. We have stayed there 3 times. I can get you a discount code if you’re ever interested in signing up. Check out their website at http://www.trustedhousesitters.com
#1 Son and Daughter Outlaw signed up for this and have just SCORED on the pet care costs – they were away for all of January and #2 son was run ragged between some huge University demands as well as caring for their two cats (he doesn’t charge, but a month was a pretty big ask). So when they went away in March, they used Trusted Housesitters and it worked out beautifully. and then they went away just for 4 days and again had people lined up to stay.
I am going to investigate once #2 son leaves my place for good (he lives in the ‘barn’ loft, great digs and not in my house, but close). He currently really helps with the animal chores, when I go away. But if I go away with him, we are hooped.
Happy Mother’s day Katy! Sounds like a lovely meal!
1. Found 2 pennies today
2. Bought a used pick up bed cover. Combined picking it up with a trip we had to make anyways.
3. Made another ebay sale, packaged it in reused packaging
That’s all I can think of right now
I’m loving your Frugal Things list this go round – very creative and fun ideas! Thanks for the push to check out a show at the library. I’m already watching thru The Big Bang Theory from the library, and after watching the new Thunderbolts movie recently my husband said he wants to watch the show The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. We don’t have Disney Plus to watch that show right now, but the library does. SCORE! Just put that on hold. Oh, and by the way: HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY, KATY!! Sounds like it was a fun time celebrating the holiday with your sweet family.
Yay, I’m so happy that my weird frugality has spread to your home!
1. Went yardsaling with my BFF. we got lost on the way to a community yard sale but in rerouting found piles of perennials on a curb with a free sign. Yes please!
2. I channeled Katy and picked up an Italian leather Calligaris dining chair for $9.99 at Salvation Army thrift store. I’ll clean it and flip it. I’ll let you all know if it sells! Katy, I am always so impressed with your chair flips! You inspired me!
3. Found a $3 creepy nun doll I’m giving my SIL as a joke. I laughed so hard when I found it. I know she will find it equally hysterical.
4. Spent Mothers Day in DC protesting Medicaid cuts. My friend drove so my only cost was our meal afterwards. I got Irish beef stew and it was enough for three meals! We also boxed up my friends leftover salad and the chickens enjoyed it as a snack today.
5. When we stopped for gas on the way back the nice employee at the convenience store gave me my fountain drink for free for Mothers Day.
And thank you for your protests!
I live in Seattle and one of our little known treasures is The Panama Hotel which is an amazing WWII internment history site. I won’t say more because the place is so magical. It is a lovely coffee shop too.
I read the book about the Panama Hotel. I also heard the author speak and got my book signed. Signed books are my not very frugal habit but are treasured greatly. Then a friend stayed at the hotel and brought me back a postcard with a picture of how the hotel looked back in the day. Another treasure. I never knew anything about what the people on the West coast endured during WWII. I plan to see the hotel sometime.
My friend has had great success with Home Exchange, where you switch houses/apartments with someone for free. It allowed her family of 5 to visit a beach town in California even though that location would have been out of budget if she had needed to pay for lodging.
I’m traveling to Seattle this summer so I’m enjoying all the recommendations! I have a list of things to research now 🙂
Salmon and broccoli is always a treat!
I am researching “grazing boards” as I am planning one for a friend’s 80th birthday open house. I managed to a scrounge together all the serving pieces with things we already own and some temporary items from a thrift shop on 50% off day. I am particularly proud that the “boards” will be my old faithful pastry board and two solid wood kitchen cabinet shelves we aren’t currently using. I got 4 books from the library on “how to” and have been watching short videos of same. I am goingbto attempt some salami “roses” and fancy ways to cut and arrange cheese. I have been told Aldi has a great selection of cheeses and meats for charcuterie boards. I am going to to add rosemary to my herb garden in hopes it will be robust enough to pick for garnish when I need it in a month.
How fun to plan your Grazing Boards.
An online search for 1945 appetizers might (or might not) turn up some interesting things from your guest’s childhood.
1. Got a free coffee with my Wawa points, gave it to my husband.
2. Free exercise and entertainment at our local dog park (located in the woods, has a lake and creek, great spot)
3. Tried to keep Mother’s Day simple by taking my mom out for coffee with my daughter. It turned into more of a lunch and also a trip to the thrift store and farmers’ market, but it was a very nice time! And my mom bought me a plant and gave me a hanging basket she wasn’t using. Bought daughter two T-shirts at said thrift store. She really doesn’t need more shirts, sigh.
4. I cooked dinner at home that night.
5. Voting tonight for a new slate of town commissioners who (I hope) will make good financial decisions for our town!
Funny you should mention that! I picked a Better Homes and Garden recipe book from 1963 about entertaining/snacks, etc. Such fun reading about all the “retro” food we used to think was normal- how things have changed.
Funny you should mention that! I picked up a Better Homes and Garden recipe book from 1963 about entertaining/snacks, etc. at a thrift store. Such fun reading about all the “retro” food we used to think was normal- how things have changed.
my mom would make bacon wrapped olives and bacon wrapped dates for parties. We would always try to sneak one.