My Tireless Retirement – Week 160

 

It has just been so busy around here that I feel like I am racing through the year and now we are about to head into May.  May!  Does anyone else feeling like this year is going by way too fast?

 

The past few months I’ve had a boatload of houseguests and other company.  With all that fun and frivolity comes extra housekeeping, extra laundry, extra cooking, higher heat and water bills, etc., etc., etc.  I’m not complaining at all, because I’ve been having a really good time, and my friends have been spoiling me rotten with dinners out, movie tickets to the theater and contributions of wine, beer and some grocery items, which I have really, really appreciated.  Because of all of that I have barely touched my Fun & Leisure budget so I’ve had that extra money to cover any increases in utilities and groceries.  It all evens out.

 

Now that I am no longer battling the flu, or the aftermath, I felt it was time to get into the kitchen and make a batch of homemade yogurt.  I nearly had heart failure at the grocery store when I saw the price of the all natural yogurt I used to purchase for $3.99 a quart is now holding steady at $5.99.  Before I ran out of the store bought I reserved half a cup to use as my starter and using whole milk I already had on hand whipped up two quarts for the fridge for only $4.59 (the price of the milk) making each quart only $2.30 each plus I also have an extra half pint leftover yogurt to use as the starter for my next batch.  I even reused a couple of the yogurt containers too.  Yes, I’d say it really does pay to make your own yogurt.  Plus!  I get to control what goes into it.  To be honest, I think is tastes better than what they sell at the store too.

 

Saturday I made a beautiful Keto lemon blueberry cheesecake (recipe to come) for our dessert on Easter.  While the cheesecake chilled in the refrigerator I got busy and put together a couple of goodie bags to give to my loved ones on Sunday morning.

 

We had a slow start to our Easter Sunday with coffee and conversation.  I got up early ahead of everyone else and made a double batch of cranberry almond granola.  It was still warm and we enjoyed it on top of the homemade yogurt I had made for a quick light brunch.  Our Easter dinner was nice and simple – grilled salmon, baked potatoes with sour cream and sautéed green beans.  The cheesecake I made for dessert the day before was delicious and went perfectly with our dinner.  Along with some chocolates earlier in the day and a glass of wine too.  It was a great meal and a great day.

 

The remainder of the week was pretty much me just going to work and puttering around the house getting things done.  I managed to get the fruit trees sprayed which I was very happy to cross off the “to-do” list.  I also pulled A LOT of weeds so the chickens were eating really well.  Things are starting to look pretty good around here.

 

I hope everyone enjoyed a lovely Easter.  How was your week?  Are you able to be outside enjoying the sunshine?  How about yard work?