My Tireless Retirement – Week 198

 

Hello friends!  How is everyone?  I hope you are all doing well and your needs are being met.  Our weather has cooled with overnight temperatures below freezing, however we are still warmer than average and have had a lot of rain with our El Nino winter.  How is the weather where you live?

 

Last Friday morning I was awake at 3:00 in the morning and could not go back to sleep to save my soul.  My first thoughts upon waking were how my heart hurt for Minneapolis and all that had taken place there as well as how our federal government chose to respond to that atrocity.  I appreciated the honest emotion of their mayor too.  I couldn’t shut off my thoughts so I just got up and started my day.  I also worked all that day at the senior center (and we were busy!) so by the time I got home I was physically and emotionally exhausted.  I immediately took a hot bath, put on my pajamas and fixed one of the frozen pizzas the BFF had stashed in my freezer for just such an occasion.  And I was grateful to have it too.

 

I started gathering up items from the freezer, fridge & pantry to use up

I went to bed on time that evening and slept in until 10:00 Saturday morning!  It is rare for me to sleep in, but even more so for it to be that late in the morning so I’d say I was very tired.  I slept straight through the night, again something I rarely do, and when I got up I felt rested and reinvigorated so I puttered about the house getting my chores done, fed and took care of my animals and sipped my coffee while I slowly began my day.  It was the perfect start to my weekend.  I also pulled out some items from the pantry and freezer to start a meal prep for the week ahead.  You all know how much I love quality time spent in my kitchen!

 

I did a lot of die cutting

I used up a lot of scraps this past week!

I had made some die cuts with my Sissix the week prior and the kitties found them and decided to do some paper crafting of their own – little brats!  They had some fun, to be sure.  It gave me the excuse to get back to it and get crafty and that is how I spent the remainder of my Saturday.  Paper crafting and watching some TV while I worked.  Perfect!

 

I sliced up and blanched carrots & celery for the freezer

These will be super handy to add to future meals & recipes

I saved the blanching water along with some veggie
scraps to add to my next batch of stock 

Sunday morning I woke up inspired to do a little meal prep.  I had purchased a large bag of carrots as well as about a half bunch of celery that I wanted to peel, cut up and blanch for the freezer.  I ended up with a quart bag of sliced carrots, a sandwich bag of chopped celery and carrots for soup and then a snack size bag of celery for a future recipe.  I am happy about that and even happier that nothing went to waste as some scraps went to the bag in the freezer to make broth while the rest went to the bunny and the chickens.

The girls love kitchen scraps

 

Thank you ladies!

I decided to make some pasta meat sauce and use up a bunch of odds and ends in the kitchen freezer, fridge and pantry (older jars of home canned meat) and it made a huge pot of sauce.  I had a box of lasagna noodles that had been hanging out in the pantry for a while so I used that to make three lasagnas.  One I cooked for this past week and the other two were wrapped and put in the deep freezer.  I have enough lasagna stocked for the entire year and I used up a ton of stuff – cheese, cottage cheese from the fridge plus frozen sweet bell pepper, crushed tomatoes and grated zucchini from the freezer.

 

A huge pot of "clean out the fridge & freezer" sauce

I watched Youtube videos while I was cooking
Three lasagnas - 1 for now, 2 for the deep freezer

It was time to wash all of my bedding so while I ran loads through I did some paper crafting.  I used up some of the die cuts and scrappy bases I had made the day before to create sixteen birthday cards.  I also used up a lot of embellishments I had in one of the drawers of my craft organizer.  Slowly, but surely I am using things up.  My paper scraps drawer is looking so much better too.

 

After clearing out the fridge/freezer I had a few dishes,
but no food waste!

I still had a fair bit of produce left after cleaning the fridge

With many items cleared from the refrigerator it was the perfect time to go through everything in there and take inventory of what I had.  I took everything out, wiped down the shelves and wiped out the drawers and then reorganized everything.  I place leftovers to be eaten all together in one place so I can focus on those first and then on Tuesday I ended up putting the lasagna I had made up into the oven for supper.  Since I had the oven on I also added a no crust pumpkin pie I made using sweetener in place of sugar to lower the carbohydrates.  It was delicious!  So was the lasagna!

 

I stopped at Winco to pick up some staples I was low on
Fresh blackberries were $1.28 a pint!  What a treat & quite delicious!

After work on Monday I stopped in at Winco to pick up a few items I was running low on.  Along with some fresh produce I picked up half a dozen bags of frozen vegetables to add to the chest freezer in my LTFS.

 

I made cards to use up & clear out my scrap paper drawer
Huge progress was made! 😃

Pretty embossed Christmas cards

My days off were Tuesday and Wednesday and I spent the majority of that time crafting.  I am on a mission to use up some stuff!  And that I did.  More items from my stash were transformed into greeting cards and embellishments for making journals and other things.  Last week I ordered a set of replacement blades for my paper cutter, a box of 100 white envelopes, a new set of dies (on sale) to help me complete my projects.  I am only planning to purchase necessities, not extras this year.  I have so much beautiful papers to use up right now.  I definitely don’t need to buy any paper this year.

 

I had so much fun!

That was how I spent my latest week in retirement.  How was your week?  Take care and stay safe my friends.  I wish you all the best in the coming week.

 

 

Decluttering When You Are Low On Time Or Motivation

 

I started my whole house decluttering literally on my very first day of retirement.  I was excited and eager to get this journey started so I dived right in.  With plenty of time on my hands and a long To-Do list to go along with it I managed to get a lot done that first year and I got rid of SO MUCH STUFF!  I sold stuff on Marketplace, I gave away things on Facebook No Buy, I filled up my truck with bags and boxes of donations and dropped them off at the thrift store, I loaded up my trash and recycling wheelie bins and set them at the curb each week.  I even took a big load to the dump.

 

Every year since I have retired I will start all over again going back through things, getting rid of stuff I realized I do not really use or need.  I tackled the sentimental stuff and I even organized and chronicled family photos into albums tossing out decades of saved negatives and all of the extra photos that simply weren’t worth keeping.  It was a monumental task that I had been dreading, but once it was completed I felt an overwhelming sense of relief.  With that came renewed energy and I kept going.  The best thing about the decluttering process was that as I went along I began to build momentum.

 

Decluttering the house and downsizing my possessions to a more manageable inventory was not my only job.  At the same time I was decluttering I was also working on whatever To-Do list that I happened to have going each time.  I also took on a part time job, started volunteering and increased my social calendar.  For good measure I threw in a few day trips and camping adventures.  I also had my everyday stuff to take care of – feeding and taking care of my kitties, the bunny and the chickens, housekeeping and laundry, not to mention I still had to cook food and shop for groceries.  I am a busy gal!

 

I don’t always have a lot of time to devote to decluttering, but I really don’t want to stop the process (it really is a process) and I certainly do not want to allow the house to fill back up with stuff again.  I now find that if I simply take fifteen to thirty minutes once or twice a week I can make an amazing amount of progress.  Sometimes while I am waiting to reheat a cup of coffee in the microwave I can go through a draw in the kitchen.  While I’m waiting for my dinner to heat up in the microwave or a pot of water to come up to a boil I will go through the fridge or pantry.  Just this simple little practice has netted me some huge results.

 

Over time I’ve developed an unconscious habit of simply opening a cupboard or a closet and looking at what is inside to determine if anything needs to go.  Currently my closet and drawers in my bedroom only contain items I am actually wearing on a regular basis.  My linen closet only contains items I actually use.  I constantly tidy up the cabinets under the sinks in the bathrooms and the kitchen so nothing has an opportunity to accumulate.

 

I seasonally declutter as well.  With each holiday I go through décor and let go of anything that I no longer use, has lost its appeal, is worn out or in less than stellar condition, as well as anything I’ve simply grown tired of.  In the fall I go through the garage and get rid of things that I no longer use or need.  I will go through the entire yard and remove anything out there as well like leaky hoses, unused pots and anything worn out or broken.

 

When I get the mail I stand next to the trash and recycling wheelies and go through the mail disposing of anything I don’t need.  Inside I will take care of important things, like bills, right away and then shred anything with personal information on it.  If something needs to be filed I file it right away.  At the end of each year I go through my important papers binder and pull out anything I no longer need as well as any old tax returns and documentation and shred that too.  I no longer allow paper clutter to accumulate.

 

Decluttering momentum is a powerful tool.  Sometimes I just feel like doing a good declutter and I spend an hour or two and fill up a bag or box full of stuff to donate.  Watching other people declutter also helps me get in the mood.  There is nothing quite like an episode of Hoarders to do just that.  It doesn’t take me long before I’m up and around looking for stuff to get rid of.  Of course, the best thing that helps me with decluttering is to no longer bring crap into the house in the first place.

 

10 Easy & FREE Things To Improve Your Quality Of Life

 

I came up with a list of things anyone can do each day and improve one’s quality of life.  I took this list and I printed it out and added it to the front of my 2026 day planner.  They cost us nothing, but they will make us rich.

 

1.  Remove the words “hate” and “can’t” from your vocabulary. 

I would love to live in a world where these words were no longer used as part of our daily language.  It is possible to live with hatred in our minds and in our hearts.  Hate is a choice.  Another choice is when we “can’t” do something because the truth is we can always find a way.  We are able to do whatever we set our minds to, even if we need help from another to accomplish that task or goal. 

2.  Stop swearing and use proper grammar.

Peppering our everyday speech with profanity should be the exception, not the norm.  It amazes me how often people are unable to carry on a conversation without using profanity.  Don’t even get me started about the use of grammar.  It is enough to make any English teacher swoon.  However, when we choose to speak in a manner that is proper and without cursing it elevates us to an entirely different level.  It’s really quite amazing. 

3.  Replace soda with sparkling water 

A lot of people drink a ton of soda each day, but there is nothing remotely healthy or nutritional about it, plus it has become very expensive.  Try replacing that soda with sparkling water.  It costs less, comes in a boatload of yummy flavors and it satisfies that fizzy craving.

 

4.  Eat better 

I’ve been preaching this one for a while.  Swear off the junk and ultra processed foods that are so unhealthy for us.  Eat good quality fruits, vegetables, cheese and meats.  Your body and your wallet will thank you and you will feel so much better.

 

5.  Avoid sugar 

Most of us can agree we eat too much sugar and we need to cut down.  A lot.!  Make wiser choices to satisfy that sweet tooth like fruit or good quality yogurt.  By cutting down on sugar we reap so many healthy benefits and our bodies do better.  So does our mood.

 

6.  Take a walk at least 3 times a week 

Get outside and breath the fresh air, feel the rain on your face, admire the landscaping and say hello to the people you meet along the way.  A regular walking routine is amazing for boosting energy levels and morale.  Do it!

 

7.  Drink more water 

It is important for us to hydrate.  Make a point to drink 3 or 4 full glasses of water each day, more if you feel the need.  Your body will let you know.  Next time you are tempted to reach for something to drink, try water first.

 

8.  Practice gratitude and act with grace 

This has become one of the main principles for which I live.  Gratitude is a strong key to happiness and contentment.  We want less.  And to act with grace is to understand one another and have compassion for our fellow humans.  No one is perfect, ourselves included.  Stop judging.  Don’t be so harsh, don’t criticize.  And forgive.

 

9.  Take time to sit quietly at least 3 times a week 

It may sound silly, but most of us never to this.  With so much noise surrounding us we need to sit for a while and simply be.  Quiet the mind, quiet our bodies and just breathe in and out for a while to reset and recharge.

 

10.  Get enough sleep 

Proper rest is so important to our physical and mental health.  Don’t skimp out on a proper night sleep and take a nap if you need to.  As important as it is for us to move and maintain our strength and mobility.  Sleep is just as important.

 

These ten simple things will do a lot to improve our quality of life and enrich us.  It is important to take good care of ourselves.  It will make us into much better people.

 

"Processing" My Unprocessed Groceries

 

I utilize a lot of little tricks and tactics to extend my groceries and make them last longer, go further and stave off spoilage or waste.  I find by doing these simple things it will allow me to really get my money’s worth.

 

Diluting whole milk has saved my quite a bit over the years

as well as making my own yogurt

When I open a carton of organic ultra pasteurized whole milk the first thing I like to do is pour a pint of the milk into a clean quart jar and fill it up with filtered water.  The texture and flavor doesn’t seem diluted at all.  I use this quart of diluted whole milk on homemade granola, a bowl of oatmeal and in any of my recipes that calls for milk.  Next I take three cups of the whole milk and use it to make my own homemade Greek yogurt.

 

Berries last much longer after a vinegar & water bath

I wash my produce in a bath of cool water with a splash of white vinegar to remove any dirt and potential bacteria that will cause spoilage and mold to form on my fruits and vegetables.  I’ve found over the years that doing this really helps me keep my produce longer. I’m always amazed at how dirty this water gets and how much debris settles in the bottom of my sink.

 

I buy block cheeses to avoid the anti caking agents added to the pre grated bags

I buy block cheeses, grate them myself and place two cups of cheese into sandwich size Ziploc bags.  I squeeze as much air out as I zip it closed.  Once all of my cheese is packaged I’ll place all of the bags inside a larger Ziploc bag which adds another layer of protection to prevent freezer burn before I use it all up.  I do not add any type of starch to my cheese to prevent it from sticking as I personally do not find it is needed.

 

When I open a package of baby spinach or any other greens I tuck a paper towel or napkin along the inside of the bag to soak up condensation.  I will also add a paper towel to my container of spring greens salad mix.  When I buy a whole head of lettuce I remove the outer leaves, rinse it in the vinegar water bath and allow it to dry.  Then I place it in a Ziploc bag, but I leave it open in the crisper drawer to prevent condensation from forming.

 

Apples, oranges, strawberries and grapes do well once they are rinsed in the vinegar water bath and allowed to dry.  Apples and oranges are then placed into a bowl for fresh eating.  I do find apples will keep even longer in a closed Ziploc bag when placed in the refrigerator.  Once rinsed and dried I will place grapes (removed from the stems), strawberries or any berries into an airtight container for the refrigerator or a Ziploc bag and placed into the freezer.

 

I use my old camping cooler in the garage to store potatoes

I store loose onions and potatoes in the refrigerator however I do not wash them until I am ready to use them.  If I find I have more onions than I can use before it spoils I’ll chop it up, place it in a Ziploc bag and freeze.  I also do this with celery and mushrooms.  When I find a really good deal on potatoes I find I can store them in a cooler in my garage during the cooler months.  Because they like cool dark places I find storing them this way helps them last much longer.  Potatoes that are starting to get soft can be peeled and canned or made into mashed potatoes or fries for the freezer.

 

Vegetable scraps don’t go to waste either.  The ends and peelings from carrots are given to the bunny, the chickens or added to a Ziploc bag I keep in the freezer for making stock.  I also add the trimmings from onions and other vegetables to this bag.  Potato peels go to the chickens, as they will make my stock cloudy, along with extra lettuce, spinach, tomatoes and other greens.  Nothing is wasted if someone is eating it, even the chickens.

 

A pound of ground meat is cut in half or thirds and placed into a vacuum bag and sealed.  Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are cut in half and vacuum sealed in meal size portions, sometimes I use seasoning or a marinade.  Chops and steaks are handled in much the same way.

 

I keep all bones from chicken and beef to add to my frozen veggie scraps and make stock or broth in my slow cooker which I allow to cook all day and often overnight to completely render it down.  I use the broth to make soups and gravy or to add to any recipe that calls for broth.  I will also use broth in place of water when I make rice or cook dry beans.  These broths are either canned or frozen and I do not add any salt to them until I am ready to cook with them.

 

My own home canned beans

I love having home canned soups on the shelf

I no longer buy canned beans.  Instead I will cook up a big batch of dry beans in my slow cooker and then freeze them in two cup containers or I will can dry beans in pint jars.  I use my own home canned beans to make refried beans, soups, chili and to extend taco meat or make burrito filling.

 

It does take a little extra time and effort once I get home from the store to do a lot of these things, but in the end it is well worth it.  I rarely ever have any food going into the trash and because of that my groceries last longer and that keeps me out of the grocery store.  The less I need to grocery shop the more money I save.  Besides, I’ve always found I’ve had far more time than money anyway.