Three Frugal Things -- Cool Waters & a Stunning Library!
1) My husband and I drove out to the Sugarpine Drive-In restaurant and splurged on an indulgent lunch with a shared dessert.
One of the fortunate things about this restaurant is that it's short walk down to the Sandy River, which makes it the perfect spot to cool down on a hot summer's day.
Note that I'm wearing my Goodwill bins plastic Birkenstocks, which were a satisfying clean-em-up project. Perhaps my 50¢ sandals balance out the pricey lunch?
Either way, we got to enjoy a relaxing afternoon without paying to vacation away from home.
That water was perfectly cool without being numbingly cold, a rarity in Oregon where a lot of the rivers are snowmelt.
2) We then stopped at Multnomah County's newly built Gresham library, which had been on my bucket list! Stunningly gorgeous, she's a beaut!
They even have an underground parking structure, which is an issue with many other branches.
I walked out with Lisa See's Daughters of the Sun and Moon, which had been on my "hold" list. Indeed a "Lucky Day."
3) I'd finished the tap water from home, but the library had a free filling station. I spent my high school years significantly dehydrated and am now making up for it. (I went to a performing arts high school with three daily hours of dance classes and no water bottles. My lips were always so uncomfortably chapped.)
I love water! You can read about that in my "Love Letter to Tap Water" HERE!
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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Sugar Pine + Sandy make for a wonderful afternoon! My sis lives in Cully, and during my annual summer visit, we make a day of it just as you did. Those sundaes are legit!
Since you are my seasonal alarm to pick blackberries, I dutifully went out on Sunday to my favorite picking spot here in Sonoma County, CA. I think the PNW season must be a bit ahead of ours, as many of the berries were still red or not easily removed from their vines, which is a signal of unripeness. I'd say they need about another 10 days. I did, however, get about a cup and a half worth of ripe berries and am planning on serving them over some Tillamook old-fashioned vanilla ice cream for dessert tonight. The berries are frugal, but the Tillamook is not. $7.99/container down here. But we never keep ice cream in the house, so it will be a welcome treat on this hot day.
Thanks for the endless inspiration. 🙂
Would you perhaps share your favorite picking spot in Sonoma County?
There are many, but Crane Creek Regional Park is a good one. Go along the dry creek beds for the best picking! 🙂 Fun to see a "neighbor" in here. What town are you in?
After eight hours, my power came back on yesterday, just in time to go to bed. This morning I researched what foods I should throw out, and I decided to err on the side of caution. I have some digestion issues and I don't need to take chances.
I'm throwing away milk, eggs, meatballs in marinara, peas, celery, salad dressing, mayo, cream cheese, and bacon bits. All the food in the freezer is okay. All in all this is not too bad of a loss.
My original plan this week was to refrain from grocery shopping until Saturday, and I think I can still do that. My grocery budget for July is shot. However my eating-out budget has plenty of room, so if need be I can dip into that.
The storm cooled things down. I've been hanging around home without turning on the air. Reading and watching TV.
I used my portable charger for the first time to keep my phone charged. The amazing thing is that the charger itself was charged! I did have a bit of a challenge finding it, and the cord.
The power outage from this storm was very widespread, and there are still a lot of people without power, so even though it was stressful, I was pretty lucky.
Smart to research what needs to be thrown out. I am surprised by celery … which affirms the smart decision to research!
The celery was already pretty limp.
The new library is stunning! I'm especially impressed with the auditorium, something our town's library lacks. I went to their website and checked out the amenities. You indeed have a gorgeous library.
1. Washed all the bathmats and throw rugs and hung them on the racks in the garage. They dried in record time! You can't put rubber backed items in the dryer, but this hot weather provides all the hot temperatures needed to get 'em dry.
2. Changed the AC filter to make the central air unit more efficient.
3. Swapped books with a neighbor so we both have new stuff to read.
4. Had breakfast on the patio and brewed my own coffee, using the half and half creamer I was given yesterday to flavor it with.
5. Made a BBQ sandwich for lunch. Saved leftove sauce for Snuggles' supper.
Changing (or in the case of the dehumidifier cleaning) filters of any sort is a frugal idea. If you use a blow dryer, it likely has an area which needs to be cleaned.
Katy, I, too, have a performing arts background! You are so right, hydration was not emphasized when I was studying dance, primarily ballet, in the 1960s and 1970s. We did not drink during classes, rehearsals, or performances. I have no clue how we kept going. I did drink a lot of fluids in between classes, but it was usually Tab and not water. Now I carry a stainless steel water bottle wherever I go in order to stay hydrated and to save money. No more Tabs or iced tea picked up at a drive through! I also have saved a lot of money by leaving the dance world while I was still in my twenties. The pointe shoes alone were ruinously expensive.
Similarly, it is interesting to watch families at amusement parks and fairs now. When I was little, water was maybe a little fountain by the bathrooms. No water for sale. No water bottles carried.
And am I right that students carry water bottles in school now? We would line up after recess at the fountains and each have a drink. Or there would be a milk break, after running around on the playground, the thought of which now makes me almost ill.
My colleague is a school nurse at a private school. The children all have insulated bottles or cups. My friend said when announcements are given over the PA system the kids are reminded to fill their water containers.(Many of the kids had Stanley cups. I guess that goes w/ private school.)
1. Cut up a rug gripper to fit a kitchen drawer. Now the contents don't run amok.
2. Made my own eyeglass cleaning cloths out of a flour sack dish towel.
3. Cut a piece of cardboard to create a sturdy bottom for a reusable grocery bag.
4. Fashioned a headband out of a bandanna rather than acquire anything new to keep my hair back.
5. Received a charity mailing that included a self-addressed stamped envelope. Since I donate online, I put a blank label over the address and will reuse the envelope for something else.
Make sure there aren't any little hatch marks on the edges of the envelope. Those are tracking indicators for the post office, so your item might take some detours before arriving.
When I use a envelope with those hatch marks, I cover them with a strip of the blank area from a sheet of stamps.
1. Picked a LOT of kale. Washed and chopped it as well, which I usually procrastinate on. We will be eating beans and greens the next couple of days.
2. Picked a lot of cucumbers. Will be looking for pickle recipes.
3. Walked at the lake and rode my bike to the library for free exercise.
She's a beauty, indeed!
You are the best commercial for your day-cation! Tag!
I wanna go! That dessert. Gotta go! Maybe meet the in-laws there instead of Hood River...a plan begins to form.
Ice cream looks delectable!
Library.....all that dusting....ugh. Great space but I just can't get past the dusting, lol.
I picked up a roadkill ratchet strap out of an intersection. Didn't think much of it and tossed it in the floorboard. The next morning the car smelled like Weed!!!! It was so strong! I rolled down all the windows and chucked the offending strap in the driveway to "bake" (pun intended). The whole scenario is ridiculous, gave me a chuckle.
Hauled a heifer to the vet for preg check for my Dad. Hit the thrift while she was at the vet. Came home with a stroller and baby tub for a neighbor who's expecting. 2 dress shirts for my son, book bag, and lunch box. 2 rolling suitcases for our trip and a wooden toolbox thing for my vet supplies. Couldn't find my loyalty card, so I missed out getting it punched, darn it!
Sold some crapolla on eBay. I honestly can't fathom why folks buy my used junk, but I am grateful! Used packages to ship out.
Mowing our front pasture. Diesel prices suck!!! But the all impressive blow hard, businessman is gonna put us on the track to prosperity........bull shxt!!! I'll just crank the NPR with a middle finger towards DC (maybe a little Big Boss Vette too). Thank goodness I'm a tight wad and no longer commute to an off-farm job...... but a 100HP tractor with a 15 ft mower burns fuel. No way around it...
^^^tractor lacks air conditioning, it's in the 90's here, not my favorite job! Such is life 🙂
I love visiting libraries <3
1. We entered my son's volunteer hours for the Bright Future's scholarship where he should be eligible for free in state college tuition for four years. Continuing to work on it.
2. We finally went to the third rescheduling of my son's senior portraits. I used a promo code to cut the price in half.
3. My neighborhood has become saturated with online fiber and more choices. I changed from 2-3mbps to 1gigps for the same price $45 a month. It was easy and installation and equipment were free. Wishing I had done this sooner.
4. My son completed driver's ed through the school district, we now have to make an appointment for him to get the license at the DMV. Half way there!
5. A coworker is going out of town and she and her mother cleared a ton of food from their fridge and freezer and gave it to me. I really appreciated the boost in my groceries.
Lots of big milestones for getting things done. Trying to do them for free or lower cost.
1. Vacuumed all our filters in our ACs and changed the air filter in the purifiers. This summer has been humid and filled with pollen and I was clearing my throat a LOT before realizing what was happening. Now everything can work better and I can breathe easier!
2. Went to a lovely work happy hour that one of our leaders treated us all to. It was so nice to see everyone and kind of them to cover the bill!
3. Same morning routine - make my coffee, stare at my tomato plants, brush the cats. It's been a lovely summer.
I would love that ice cream dessert, but my tummy would probably object LOL
1. changed bedding, laundered and hung to dry. Because of the heat and humidity I am doing that 2 times a week.
2. picked a few blackberries yesterday, most are still not ripe....hoping I can get them before the birds.
3. roasting some chicken thighs in the toaster oven, marinaded in homemade pineapple vinegar, garlic, mustard and a bit of honey.
4. chicken will be used on wraps, salads and whatever comes up.
5. made the last of the steel cut oats into oatmeal cakes for a light supper last night.
JC
1. We lost power from 6pm yesterday until 1am this morning. Made a quinoa salad for dinner and left ingredients out rather than reopening the fridge. I incorporated everything left out into today’s lunch. I’m grateful we were already eating things down. Cabbage, carrots, radishes, and a lemon can certainly tolerate a little heat. We enjoyed the post-storm temperature drop by porch-sitting with the neighbors.
2. I used the last of the produce my neighbor gifted me when she left on vacation for last night’s salad.
3. I used a small box of the correct size wedged behind the cutlery container to keep it from sneaking to the back of the drawer. Three empty pasta boxes would be an even more elegant solution.
4. The Mister asked for a knee patch for his gardening jeans. I cannibalized an even older pair and did a full circumference replacement this morning.
5. Before my next guild yard sale I’m committed to using any tool I haven’t used before—or letting it go. Last week I used virgin templates and made a Drunkard’s Path top which was hanging next to the bed awaiting quilting. The arrangement of lights and darks was bothering me, so this morning I took out one block and rotated it. MUCH better. I’ve also decided that the best place for a design wall (flannel sheet hanging from a curtain rod) would be beside the bed where I can give potential designs relaxed scrutiny.
About 10 years ago I came home to a house w/o power. I noticed the neighbors' power was not out. I called the husband who came home to investigate. He checked the circuit breaker, etc. Then he called the electric company. He had not paid the bill. Bingo! He had to wait 3 hours for a serviceman to come & reconnect the power. Plus there was a big, fat reconnection fee. He was furious. I suggested he put the bill on automatic bill pay. I went next door to spend the night at the neighbor's house. The power has not been off again due to an unpaid bill.
P.S. I just love those old kitcehn wall phones with the loooong cords. Is yours a real landline??
I wish we could go back to house phone/landlines.I never know where my cell phone is.I rarely use it.I answer texts on my ipad which is my main computer.
I don’t like talking on phone.I don’t do reselling or anything where I actually need to have a phone on my person at all times.I like the days when if I was home, you got me, if I wasn’t, you didn’t!!!! (THEN came answering machines…..)