Back in the day (about 60 years ago)...The day before payday; the people who lived in our building, all young Marines and their wives and kids, would really feel the pinch. I suggested we gather in my kitchen on Friday and bring all the leftovers. The first time it was a mess, but we got through it and the guys got over being self-conscious. I made a hearty soup and we came up with 4 different kinds of bread for toast, biscuits and even corn bread. I had a large soup pot and it was filled to the brim with different meats and veggies. It turned out to be a favorite thing twice a month the day before payday. We became close friends. I wonder where those people are now? Am I the only one left?
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
The Richness of Time
Last week I wrote about saving money with SHARE, which is certainly one way to live more richly. Another way is to volunteer for something good that helps the community. As we approach Thanksgiving I want to say a special thank-you to our SHARE volunteers who make it all possible. We have orders so far for close to 9,000 Thanksgiving dinners!!
Imagine, almost all of our funds (nearly $4 million a year) first pass from the community through the hands of the volunteers. Then all the food passes back to the community through a massive volunteer effort. It is an awesome responsibility that they accomplish with a strong commitment to serve the common good.
What if everybody did this?
The gift of their time is more precious than gold. Time is a resource you can only use once. The hour spent tabulating orders or loading a truck will never come back again. I believe giving time to a volunteer activity is the ultimate expression of living richly.
I invite you to share your thoughts on how volunteerism has enriched your life.
Imagine, almost all of our funds (nearly $4 million a year) first pass from the community through the hands of the volunteers. Then all the food passes back to the community through a massive volunteer effort. It is an awesome responsibility that they accomplish with a strong commitment to serve the common good.
What if everybody did this?
The gift of their time is more precious than gold. Time is a resource you can only use once. The hour spent tabulating orders or loading a truck will never come back again. I believe giving time to a volunteer activity is the ultimate expression of living richly.
I invite you to share your thoughts on how volunteerism has enriched your life.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Last Day of the Food Stamp Challenge: Out of Money and Out of Milk
Well, we made it through the week and it was a worthwhile experience. Even though I knew it was only for the week it was still an important challenge to put myself in the place of someone who truly must watch every single food dollar spent.
We had plenty of food because of SHARE, but it was a lot of work to plan and cook it all. No coming home late from work and grabbing a rotisserie chicken. Counting the mushrooms to divide them among two recipes, when I would ususally just use the whole packge. Skipping my glass of milk so there would be some for breakfast. A cup of herb tea rather than a glass of wine. None of these things were really big sacrifices, but together it made a week of always thinking about our food budget and stretching each item.
My husband's birthday dinner was ham and scalloped potatoes with a big salad. He is true to his Irish roots and loves potatoes in any form, so it was a hit with him. No cake was ok--I promised we'd celebrate again over the weekend when I have time (and money) to bake.
The Food Stamp Challenge re-enforced my idea that living richly is not a function of how much money you have or how much you spend. I think richness comes from using your resources well and giving at least as much as you get. I invite you to share your stories of living richly while maintaining your household budget. What enriches your life?
We had plenty of food because of SHARE, but it was a lot of work to plan and cook it all. No coming home late from work and grabbing a rotisserie chicken. Counting the mushrooms to divide them among two recipes, when I would ususally just use the whole packge. Skipping my glass of milk so there would be some for breakfast. A cup of herb tea rather than a glass of wine. None of these things were really big sacrifices, but together it made a week of always thinking about our food budget and stretching each item.
My husband's birthday dinner was ham and scalloped potatoes with a big salad. He is true to his Irish roots and loves potatoes in any form, so it was a hit with him. No cake was ok--I promised we'd celebrate again over the weekend when I have time (and money) to bake.
The Food Stamp Challenge re-enforced my idea that living richly is not a function of how much money you have or how much you spend. I think richness comes from using your resources well and giving at least as much as you get. I invite you to share your stories of living richly while maintaining your household budget. What enriches your life?
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Food Stamp Challenge Continues
Dinner last night was simple to make and a treat for the eyes: stir fried chicken breast with red peppers, mushrooms and onions. I served it over the other half of the whole wheat spaghetti from Sunday. I would have liked to add some broccoli to this, but it was not in my budget. I did have some in my garden, but the rules of the Food Stamp Challenge ask you not to use food you already have.Did you know that food stamps can be used to purchase vegetable seeds and seedlings? I wonder what the multiplier effect of having even one tomato plant in a pot would be compared to the cost of the seedling? Next year I will weigh the yield of one of my plants to find out!
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Food Stamp Challenge Gets Real
Today I'm having a really tough time with the Food Stamp Challenge. Tomorrow is my husband's birthday and I realize I have not included anything in my menu plan to make him a birthday cake. I used my last egg for the corn bread last night, so I don't think I can make something that even remotely resembles a cake from the Baking Mix I got as a bonus item in the BIG Value Package. I do have apples and pears, so I can make a crisp, but our tradition is German Chocolate Cake.
How many people have to give up their family traditions when they lose their jobs? Thanks to SHARE we do have plenty of food and I am grateful for that. But I know how to plan, am a very competent cook and have a fully equipped kitchen. How would this be for someone who doesn't have years of experience? Or if you lived in a house without a working stove?
My other reality check was making both breakfast and lunch and bringing it with me to work today. I had to do a TV interview very early and didn't have time to eat before I left the house. If I wasn't adhering to this Challenge I would have skipped out the door and stopped for something to eat after the interview. Packing breakfast and lunch every day is a great way to save money, but it sure was inconvenient today.
The Food Stamp Challenge shows just how much work it is to be poor.
How many people have to give up their family traditions when they lose their jobs? Thanks to SHARE we do have plenty of food and I am grateful for that. But I know how to plan, am a very competent cook and have a fully equipped kitchen. How would this be for someone who doesn't have years of experience? Or if you lived in a house without a working stove?
My other reality check was making both breakfast and lunch and bringing it with me to work today. I had to do a TV interview very early and didn't have time to eat before I left the house. If I wasn't adhering to this Challenge I would have skipped out the door and stopped for something to eat after the interview. Packing breakfast and lunch every day is a great way to save money, but it sure was inconvenient today.
The Food Stamp Challenge shows just how much work it is to be poor.
Oh Oh...I'm Getting Behind
I missed out on the chicken leg dinner. I fell asleep. It looked good and the report from Mike was that it was delicious!
Last night was football night for the kids, and Dancing With The Stars for me, so we split up. The white bean chili made with ground turkey was really really good. (Who ever heard of using white beans and ground turkey to make chili?) I was brought up on Tex Mex and that sure doesn't say "turkey" to me! I have to say, Paulette never disappoints--the chili was delicious!
Thinking of Tex Mex makes me remember back in the day, when Mom never knew how many people she might have at the table. It was a game to her to make sure she was always ready, no matter come what may. She always had dishes of enchiladas ready for the oven, and if everybody was hankering for Mexican and she was caught short, she would send my Dad out looking for a "tamale man".
Times were tough everywhere. Some enterprising men used ice cream push carts in the winter to sell tamales on the street.. Their wives would cook all day, and a bit before dinner time these guys could be found out in the neighborhoods "whistling" their wares. Some of the whistles were quite pretty. They would blow a little tune and then call out, "Hot tamales, get your hot tamales"! Now these were hot tamales! And as we usually needed a lot of them, the tamale men would make more than one pass in front of our house. They would count the bicycles and figure they could sell out and go home early if Mr. Herbert (Dad) was looking for a tamale man. The tamales cost about 10 cents a dozen! For two dollars and a pan of enchiladas, we could feed the football team.
Back to today, this white bean chili made with ground turkey was delicious and served with corn bread. It certainly met with my approval.
Darn! I fell sleep before Dancing With The Stars was over. Was anyone a standout?
Last night was football night for the kids, and Dancing With The Stars for me, so we split up. The white bean chili made with ground turkey was really really good. (Who ever heard of using white beans and ground turkey to make chili?) I was brought up on Tex Mex and that sure doesn't say "turkey" to me! I have to say, Paulette never disappoints--the chili was delicious!
Thinking of Tex Mex makes me remember back in the day, when Mom never knew how many people she might have at the table. It was a game to her to make sure she was always ready, no matter come what may. She always had dishes of enchiladas ready for the oven, and if everybody was hankering for Mexican and she was caught short, she would send my Dad out looking for a "tamale man".
Times were tough everywhere. Some enterprising men used ice cream push carts in the winter to sell tamales on the street.. Their wives would cook all day, and a bit before dinner time these guys could be found out in the neighborhoods "whistling" their wares. Some of the whistles were quite pretty. They would blow a little tune and then call out, "Hot tamales, get your hot tamales"! Now these were hot tamales! And as we usually needed a lot of them, the tamale men would make more than one pass in front of our house. They would count the bicycles and figure they could sell out and go home early if Mr. Herbert (Dad) was looking for a tamale man. The tamales cost about 10 cents a dozen! For two dollars and a pan of enchiladas, we could feed the football team.
Back to today, this white bean chili made with ground turkey was delicious and served with corn bread. It certainly met with my approval.
Darn! I fell sleep before Dancing With The Stars was over. Was anyone a standout?
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