Well this week has been very productive! As you know I have been saving to rebuild our chicken coop and Spring break is the week. However as you know I have been chomping at the bit to start which I did and have been working on it with HB boy and Hubby every chance we get. So we are way ahead of schedule!
Not quite done but almost. The benefit of all this activity is that I have had no desire to shop, outside of what I have needed for the rebuild. This means I have visited Home Depot and Wilco several times for materials.
Chicken wire, I had planned on re purposing the old but it was roached out, {14} 1x4s, stain, staples and nails. The netting I used for the top was provided for by Western Tree Solutions when they broke the old netting and replaced and repaired it. Sweet! All that has run me about $354 but I don’t care, I have loved every minute of this build! Being outside, working with my hands, that’s what life’s all about! Happy, happy, happy!
On the down side I have been so focused on this project I forgot to get out cash at the beginning of week. Hence I have been using my debit card. Again I have realized that though I wasn’t spending on items randomly that I didn’t need, I don’t equite any card with cash. I couldn’t tell you how much the last purchase was.
One reason is that I am not physically counting the money out. The second is that I can’t see the display to see that amount. I just see the red or green button and know when to push what when. Yes, I do have glasses but only need them to read and hate getting them out then putting them back up. It’s just annoying. My HB Hubby thinks this is the beginning to the end; now that my wrist has felt the “swipe” once more. I shall prove him wrong!
I also think I am going to try shopping at Winco more often. I didn’t see any clearance bins which will save me from that hunting mode. It’s also a no Costco week and I am cooking again and for all this spent $117.
Remember at the beginning of this quest I would spend about $200 a week for groceries and Costco EACH WEEK! So I must be doing something different, which equates to better. Rock on!
The recipes we made this week we’re Guinness and onion gravy over pork chops (we had this last night and they were delicious!), the Louisiana sausage, red beans and rice (did this before and it is delicious), chicken and red curry (HB girls favorite), turkey spaghetti sauce, and of course my beloved quinoa salad. Wow that’s a lot of cooking !
And lastly thank you to all the suggestions on how to use those forsythia twigs I “borrowed ” from the side of the road. I have them in water still but they are sprouting green and plan to plant them this week and start on the garden.
I have to get it ready soon, the seeds Ms Mavis and I planted are growing like gang busters!
Until next week,
Mrs Hillbilly
Em says
Looking good, Ms HB! You’re motivating me, as well!
Emily says
Panera bagel you must try….cinnamon crunch with hazelnut cream cheese. I’m drooling just typing this.
Helen in Meridian says
Thanks, I am new to Panera, finally here in Idaho. Today they sent me e-mail that I can have a free bagel each day in April. I will try that one first.
Tamara says
Great job, Mrs. HB! I can’t wait to try the pork chop recipe. Keep up the good work!
Mrs Hillbilly says
Thanks everybody for all the support during my journey!
Helen in Meridian says
Each week I try to find 1 or 2 things that are the cheapest for the year, than I buy 5-10. This week Albertsons had all their lb dry beans .68 when you buy 12, so I bought 12. Also Ridleys had lb powdered sugar and brown sugar for .35, so I bought 10. Last week I got eye drops for contacts reg. $8.59 for .59 plus tax, I got 8. Also Sp.ray & Wash for $1.00. These last 2 things required coupons I had, or store coupons at Walgreens. Two weeks ago I got my OxiClean HD detrgent for $1.99 a bottle at Rite Aid and Walgreens so I bought 5 bottles. Oh yea, also that week tooth paste for .50, so I bought 2. This way I build a large stockpile little by little each week, which leaves more money for other things…like my trips to TJ’s and the Goodwill.
Carole says
Way to go Mrs. HB!! Don’t you just love being outside accomplishing stuff? Its such a great feeling. I was out in the garden today planting more veggies. Such a gorgeous day here. Come summer we will be so glad to have all that good stuff just out the door. I’m sure your chickens will like their new home. I hope we get pictures.
Jeanine says
Anise seed is great in Spaghetti sauce or on homemade pizza. Fennel seed is great as well…give it a try.
Mama Cook says
I love this weeks post! Mrs. HB, you are coming into your own! I feel like you have definitely turned a corner from the beginning of the year! And you’re not having to work so hard for it!
It feels very motivating to me! Sometimes we do so well with our goals in the beginning of the year and then fall off later. But I feel like you struggled more in the beginning and are now hitting your stride! Great job!
becky says
Very well done. Winco has markdowns on meat if you go early in the morning.
Practical Parsimony says
Strip everything off the forsythia and just jab the sticks hard in soil after a rain. I say “jab” because just pushing or poking is not good enough. Put some muscle and speed into the action.
Rebecca in MD says
Love the picture of HB dog with the chicken. Thanks so much for sharing your recipes – – – after 40 year’s of marriage it is hard finding something new to cook for dinner!