out_of_the_ordinary

Momma, we pay cash instead of using our debit card at most places. I think Sam's Club and one grocery store (have a store loyalty card) are the only places we don't. I figure we might as well use debit card at Sam's as they're tracking us anyway. All stores seem to be pushing some form of a loyalty card now. I refuse to sign up for even one more. So far this summer, we've turned down signing up for cards at: a small local grocery store, Lowe's, KMart, Sears and RiteAid. Some of those employees are very pushy about it, too. Kind of makes ya wonder--if I'm getting this "free to me" card, and getting all these great prices, rewards and savings, apparently the store is willing to take those losses to keep track of me?? That's worth it to them? It must be. I think it's creepy!! We have a new grocery store with really good prices in their ads, but you have to sign up for their "free" card to get their prices. I haven't even gone into their store. I'm liking the local farmer's markets and yard sales more and more.

Congratulations, Sue and Momma!

The tag did not go home with us. I stopped clothes shopping at Walmart because of those tags. I hated seeing that at Target now, too!

We were in Target today for the Hanes socks and underwear sale. I noticed there was the sticker with "edc" on it on the package of boxer briefs we had picked up for DH. I asked a lady putting out clothes and the cashier about it. Both knew nothing about it and said that Target only uses the bar code. Doesn't matter--there's still the RFID tag on the package!

Kappydell, in the line of fruit leathers, there's a recipe of the UGA site for Pumpkin fruit leather. It's super simple--opening the can of pumpkin, and mixing in honey and a few spices. Tastes like pumpkin pie. My DH likes to make it. That might be a good one to share. http://nchfp.uga.edu...g_leathers.html Pumpkin Leather 2 cups canned pumpkin or 2 cups fresh pumpkin, cooked and puréed 1/2 cup honey 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg 1/8 teaspoon powdered cloves Blend ingredients well. Spread on tray or cookie sheet lined with plastic wrap. Dry at 140ºF. outoftheordinary note: We very lightly apply cooking oil spray (wipe excess off with paper towel) to our dehydrator's fruit roll trays before putting the mixture on it.

I've been wondering if there's less coupons in the newspaper because so many coupons are online now? Since it seems like most website want you to "sign up" or "join" or let's call it what it is--"Collect your information", I don't get very many coupons online because of that.

I hope today is going better for you!

Parsley from our garden. I'm hoping we can get some broccoli dehydrated this weekend. We pulled some onions from the garden last night... ...and the green pepper plants have a bunch of tiny peppers starting... ..and then there's that chocolate mint plant I bought earlier this year; I'm going to have to do something with that very soon! The dehydrator will be running alot in the next couple weeks! I'm so grateful we have it!

Congratulations!!

Happy Birthday, Ambergris!! Happy Birthday, Skagitgal!!

Hi, Miki!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Back-to-school sales. I didn't put that in the title because if you don't have kids you might read "back to school" and skip this. Regardless of having school-aged kids, this is the time of year to buy certain things: -pre-packaged socks and underwear. Most are bonus packs with an extra pair or two in them. Seems like there are socks/undies sales in most ads. Target has Hanes stuff on sale this week and their ad has a $5 coupon if you buy any 3 packages of socks/undies. -Notebooks, pens, folders, pencils, paper, binders, ect. are all cheapest this time of year. -I'm seeing bonus packages of things like granola bars for lunches. Unfortunately, I'm not seeing many stores having great sale prices. -ziploc bags, sandwich bags, ect. I'm seeing bonus boxes of those, too. Backpacks and lunchboxes. There's sales, but I don't know if then those things go on clearance after the school year starts?? -Summer clearance sales--usually we start seeing those this time of year, but I haven't noticed any. Maybe because the stores didn't stock as much stuff? Maybe I just didn't notice?

Thanks! I wanted make sure I wouldn't be ruining/wasting it by dehydrating it!

We're getting a decent broccoli crop from our garden this year. For dehydrating broccoli, the So Easy To Preserve book says "Not Recommended". There's nothing in the Ball book. My dehydrator instruction book lists a preparation, average drying time and uses. I was wondering if anyone here dehydrates broccoli? How is it? My mom always blanched and froze it. I'll probably do that to some of it. I'm just trying to be a little less freezer-dependent. I realize some things have to go in the freezer, though!

I'm dehydrating green peppers (from our garden).

Happy Birthday!!

Grass-fed beef burger on the grill and sweet corn-on-the-cob from a local farmer (many years ago, DH was a corn picker for this farmer. He'll only buy corn from this farmer's stands. The "fresh corn" at the grocery store--not picked this morning and trucked in from somewhere-- horrifies him. )

We had a storm roll in shortly before 4 am. It was LOUD! Not really the time you want to be woke up when your alarm goes off at 4:45! We need the rain, though! It's very hot and very humid today, so I haven't gone out to check the rain gauge.

No rain here. At least it's cooler today. The dew point is in the 50s. The humidity is coming back this evening and tomorrow we'll be in the 90s. The cooler weather is just for today but I'm enjoying it! for rain for everyone!

If you're leaning towards the plastic one, see if there are any stores near you that carry it so you can see it in person. I was looking at them a few years ago. I don't think the ones in the stores here were the Victorio brand, but look just like that. We opened the box to get a better look. The plastic was super thin/cheap.

We got nearly an inch and a half of rain yesterday!! Praise God!!

My rain gauge is empty, too! Today, DH worked on a job about an hour away from home. He got stormed on most of the day. When he got home, he asked if I went out and emptied the rain gauge as there wasn't much it it...NOPE, the storms mostly went around us. It's SO humid. I've been having to stay in our bedroom with the a/c on most of the time. Even this morning at 5am, the dew point was 70, so there was no opening up windows to cool off the house. Outside it feels like I'm trying to breathe through a swimming pool.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANDREA!