Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Flying Contraptions, End of the Cherry Season and June Grocery Budget Challenge Update

   




   Last night we heard a strange buzzing in the sky and looked up to see a strange flying contraption silhouetted against the evening sunset.  I'm not sure who it was but from what I gather, this is the second night they have been out enjoying themselves so it has to be a local person who got a new toy. :)  As fun as it looks, I don't think I would be brave enough to try it, even though the views of the rolling farm fields and town would be magnificent! 



  The end of a very early cherry season is upon us.  I am so very thankful for that! I'm getting tired of picking, washing and sorting cherries. ;) We have, at last count, taken about 36 gallons of cherries off our tree.  We have 2 large bags full still in our refrigerator.  I want to give some of those to my cousin this weekend since he was not able to make it out here to pick some for himself.  We have given away most of those gallons, froze 2 gallons and I have eaten some.  Sadly, my hubby, who does most of the work picking them, does not like them.



   Our June Grocery Challenge has gone really well.  I have now spent $146.26 on groceries.  We had to buy coffee, bananas, .49 a dozen eggs and a few other things and I stocked up on seltzer water when it was .69 a 2 liter bottle.  My budget for the month was $150.00.  I have a little over $3 left for the 2 days that are left in the month and I see no problem in not meeting my goal at this time.  Woohoo!  I have enjoyed this challenge.  It has forced me to get creative at times but having the garden producing has really helped.  I thought about doing one for July also and am pondering that idea, but I do have some major stocking up on sugar and canning stuff that will take a big chunk of the budget.  We still have lots of cheddar cheese, meats, baking supplies and canned goods so other than the stock up on canning supplies, we will need only some fresh veggies, bagels, some fruit that my hubby loves, lots of coffee ;), and a few other things.

   I do hope that everyone is finding ways to beat the heat.  Thankfully we should be going back down into the 80's by this weekend.  I got a bit of a sunburn yesterday after being outside for just a little while during the peak of the day.  I really should have known better.  I hopefully will not make that mistake again.

   Be blessed!


8 comments:

  1. You did so good on your grocery challenge! I find I do a lot better in the summer, when I can pull stuff from the garden :-)

    I don't know what that flying contraption is, but the hubby and I just one here this morning! We were driving home from the doctor's office when we spotted one above the highway! Crazy coincidence! Both the hubby and I said we would NEVER do that either. It looks scary!

    Hope you are having a great week Debbie!

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    1. Thanks Jessica! What are the odds that we would both see one? :) I hope your garden is doing well. With our bipolar weather, my garden is a bit confused at the moment. Tiny pepper plants with peppers bigger than the plant itself.

      I hope you are having a great week yourself and finding ways to stay cool!

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  2. Debbie they're called 'Ultra Lights' here. We see them with the parachute but also under a kite. I don't know how anyone could go up in one. Mind you I'm a great believer in terra firma. Up there's terror and down here is a lot firmer.
    I'm amazed that you were able to stick to your budget. Well done. I had thought it was a budget you planned to have for every month and was overwhelmed at how you would manage this. Still challenging yourself to keep spendings down to a minimum is the best way to try and keep the wolves from the door.
    I am so over the cold weather. Where we are it doesn't get too cold nor does it stay that way for long. However my bones are screaming at me and telling me to head north to more tropical weather. Sad thing is, in a couple of weeks, we head south to Sydney and to much colder weather. We are doing this as our first grandchild is due at the start of August. I imagine a cuddle of that sweet little girl will make the cold disappear.
    Good luck with your challenge.
    Life is good.

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    1. Hi Jane! How exciting to have your first grandchild due here soon...congratulations! She will change your life and you will experience a different kind of love than you have ever known before. :) It's overwhelming in a totally good way. :)

      I'm with you on wanting to stay on firm ground. I have no problem with small enclosed airplanes like Cessnas because I used to fly in and out of the resort my father managed for years as a young child, but having things wide open with only a kite or parachute...no thank you! ;)

      As for our June grocery budget, that is what we used to live on when our 3 boys were still at home and all their friends gathered here. I average about $200-$250 a month now on a regular basis with the $250 being a month when I need to do a major stock up on the more expensive items. The Summer here makes it much easier to stick to or go below the low end of the budget since the garden is producing so much for us. :)

      Be blessed and I hope you are able to find ways to keep warm!

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  3. You did great on your June grocery budget challenge! You might try one for July, too; just give yourself a bit extra for the canning supplies. Or have a separate budget for the canning supplies?

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    1. HI Bless! I am going to try to stick close to that budget again and I do have a separate budget for the canning supplies. I was so excited to find that someone had donated an unopened and new box of pickling salt to the thrift store I shop at. I got that for .49...another thing to cross off my list! I have had wonderful luck in finding canning supplies there and pick them up whenever I see them.

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  4. Well done on your challenge! I hope that July will go well too. Your canning and preserving should help with future months housekeeping too!

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    1. Thanks Amy. I am really hoping that it will!

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