My Pretty Friday Finds Include a Soap Haul...

Sometimes you just run across an amazing find.   

Such was the case at my first yard sale stop today.

See all that soap?  For whatever reason - it was $2 for all 

and included these fancy bars...

The cookie cutters were super cheap at another sale 

as was the flannel pink roses blanket.

I was also smitten with a whole pile of Dawn dolls and outfits...

And treated myself to a lacy yellow maxi skirt for $2

The plaid camp blanket is from a previous week 

that I never got around to showing you.

I find that finding 'finds' is one of life's greatest things. :) 

Happy Friday Every one! ~Joyce

How to Use a Cookbook for Budget Meals - Thrifty Thursday...

Thrifty cooking and meal planning begins at the grocery store.  

I've shared about that in this post.

Today I'm sharing an easy way to do that planning...  

its all about the style of cookbooks you use.

Now of course - you can do Pinterest and web searches for what I'm 

about to show you.   But I've discovered that those searches alone 

cause me to miss out on a lot of recipes.  And... I need less screen time.

So... Are you familiar with the Taste of Home or Quick Cooking magazines?  

Then you're probably also aware that every year they make a

 hardback compilation book of recipes.  These sell new for about $25.  

BUT... they are plentiful at thrift shops and yard sales for $2 & under.  

Just pick some up when you see them.  I have several.

In the back of the book - you can search by main ingredient -

such as 'sausage'.    Here's what I did for planning tonight's supper...

I started with a search in the back of a book for 'sausage' - 

as that is a bargain meat that I have on hand right now.

I was looking for a main dish - and found several that will work

 with the sausage and ingredients I have.

I happen to also have a pack of turkey bacon open - 

so I zeroed in on

 'Zesty Sausage and Beans' (or a version thereof).

And here's a link for the recipe online (now that I know the name).

Done!  I find this planning method to be quick & simple.

I did it last night in my 'quiet time' before bed without a 'screen'.

  Love it when a meal comes together!  Of course there are other

 cookbooks that offer similar elements.  But these are readily

 available for cheap and I love the pretty pictures.  

Now I'm off to get my thrifty supper in the crock pot!  ~Joyce

No Shampoo? A Thrifty Thursday Post...

My hair has its challenges.  Most recently... I'm just trying to keep it!   

I've been thinking that the parabens in regular shampoos are not 

doing me any favors.  And hypoallergenic or natural shampoo is

 pricier than I'd like.  So I've searched for recipes to make my own

 and have come across the 'no shampoo' method of washing hair.

Essentially it's just baking soda & water for the 'shampoo' 

and apple cider vinegar and water to rinse.  Here's what you do...

Measure 2 T baking soda into a pint jar and fill with water.  Shake.

Pour it over your wet head and 'shampoo' like normal.  Rinse out.  

Put 2 T apple cider vinegar into same jar and fill with water.  

Pour over head as a 'conditioner' and then rinse out again.

That's it!  

(2 T : 2 C water for long hair - or 1 T :1 C water for short hair)

My hair was easy to comb out and is quite silky today (my first day using this). 

I'll try to keep you posted on how it like it over time.

I figure it can't hurt.  And it sure is affordable! 

And I'll be really excited if my hair loss lessens. 
And in case you're wondering - I do not smell like vinegar! :)

Here's to accepting the changes that the years bring...

and growing with them.  ~Joyce

Grow Your Own Fruit - Thrifty Thursday...

Fruit can get pricey... but you can grow your own for cheap!  

And oh the delights you can make...

An easy fruit to grow is rhubarb...

Simply cut off the leaves when the stalks are red and ready...wash...

and cut or chop or cook or whatever your recipe calls for.

It's easy to freeze - just throw it in the containers and label!

I made My Love some rhubarb muffins and he's loving them.

(He's not one to often comment on baked goods.)

Of course you can also easily grow raspberries. Blueberries and

 fruit trees too - but may take a little more work.  

For now - we're enjoying our rhubarb.

Want to try the muffins?

Sugared Rhubarb Muffins

2 c. flour
1 c. sugar - (can use less!)
2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1 egg
1 c. milk
1/3 c. canola oil
1 c. chopped fresh or frozen rhubarb

Combine all ingredients except rhubarb just until moistened.  Fold in rhubarb.  Sprinkle w/ an additional 1/4 c. sugar (spread out among the muffins).  Bake @ 350 for 25-30 min.

100 Miles of Rural America, Wildlife and Yard Sales...

What a delightful weekend... the perfect mix for My Love and I. 

  Pennsylvania hosted their annual 100 mile yard sale over 2 days -

 traversing remote roads and villages with lots of wildlife sightings in between.   

This picture says it all - see those mountains?  They were a constant!  

See that yard sale - also a constant!   

(And this house has plans to be turned into a bed & breakfast

 within the next 6 months - yippee!) 

We were adventurous and took 'big bad black dog' along. 

She did great while we were 'on the road'... not so great at the campsite.  

(She doesn't 'play well with others' - just not a nice 'people' dog.)

  But we survived as campsite time was minimal this go-round.

The mountain regions in PA are just beautiful...

...with lots and lots of cabins and camps...

We supported the local firehouses along the way for lunch and snacks...

And were honored to get to some great properties...

 My love had the time of his life shooting wildlife.  

Can't wait to see his pics!  Can you tell what he's shooting here?

Did I mention the small, small villages?

And sweet mountain churches?

This is some of the goods - mostly smalls - that came home with us. 

That flower (dianthus) is real and I had been wanting one- so happy!

So was it worth the trip?  A thousand times yes!  Perhaps not in

 miles vs. goods.  But in sightings and experiences - many times over!  

For more pictures - visit my Quilted Nest Facebook page 

(and follow me - you'll make my day!)  ~Joyce