I was reading my friend's blog the other day and she had written a brief blog regarding freezing some blueberries she had purchased at the store to use later in the year. Plus another FB friend had questioned how to freeze strawberries after taking her children berry picking earlier this summer.
Of course, I had to comment, as I too often freeze a variety of produce. Mostly due to seasonal availability coupled with economics.
As long as you have the space in freezer it is relatively simple process. I have a deep freezer, so I use a cookie sheet. But, you could use any other freezer safe container that will allow air to flow around the produce without it freezing together.
To ensure that softer items like bananas don't stick to the pan, first line with waxed paper.
Clean or pick your produce and chop if desired. Spread on pan and freeze for several hours or a day before removing. Then label and place in freezer safe containers or freezer safe zipper lock storage bags. Place back into freezer until needed for recipes and consumption.
This is a super way to not waste excess produce you have purchased or have in ripe abundance in your garden, i.e. I just froze a 1/2 dozen peeled bananas and what should be my last crop of figs (figs are extremely fragil and usually mold and rot within a couple of days in the open air).
Items such as sliced peaches and bananas are terrific straight from the freezer into the blender as a delicious addition to a fruit smoothie. Or quick access when the desire for banana bread or a fruit pie is weighing heavy on your mind.
When shopping, don't ignore the reduced produce. As I had commented on my friend's blog Berrymorin Bits and Tips, it is a super way to try produce you may not normally purchase or have never tried before. EX: I recently bought a mesh bag of tiny key limes and have been using them in my ice water for added flavor.
If you are able to deal with it and think economically, you can definitely make use of some of the ripe produce at excellent prices by preparing and freezing immediately. One of my favorites is yellow, red and green bell peppers. I wash, slice and freeze for use later in omelets and other recipes.
This past week, I used two (2) sealed containers of summer squash/zucchini in a huge batch of a vegetable beef soup that I made one night. I could have easily frozen the squash and used later, but decided to empty my produce drawer and freeze the soup instead.
Showing posts with label Economics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Economics. Show all posts
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Oops Paint! Containers
When in the Home Depot paint section of the store, I sometimes notice the tiny sample containers on a shelf in the paint mixing area that have been tinted and marked down to 50 cents. These containers exist at this marked down price, because the customer who ordered the sample did not return to pick-up and pay for the container.
A handful of times, I have picked-up a container or two, as the colors are to my liking and it gives me the opportunity to experiment with how a specific color or shade will work in a room at my house.
(Note: Two sample, pint sized containers of white were sufficient quantity to prime the drywall on the half bath ceiling for $1 total. No leftover primer and I was able to throw away the containers once I was finished.)
When I was purchasing the full priced, gallons paints this afternoon, I learned from one of the paint associates that the Oops paint! in many of the cans does not match the color that is indicated on top of the container (sticker and a small dried sample).
One of those little tid bits that you have to know or else potentially be duped and frustrated when you finally open the container to paint.
The rational as to why the colors do not always match is that they had a trend of customers ordering paint to be tinted. Then they wouldn't pick it up and pay full price. But, would return at a later date and purchase the $25 gallon can of paint for $5 from the Oops Paint! section for a fraction of the MSRP. Thus the slight trickery on Home Depots part to thwart the customer trying not to pay full price for a color that they ordered.
Ask an associate to open the container for you and check the content color prior to purchasing.
They will also safely seal up the container once it is opened and shake the can/bucket for you, if requested, for immediate project use.
HAVE FUN:
For $5. a one gallon of semi-gloss paint is enough product to change the color of the walls in a bathroom and/or experiment with one of the latest designer trends of painting a ceiling using a colored paint.
Back in the day, as a Girl Scout, we all had to bring a can of soup for dinner the first night of camping. No directions as to what type of flavor, etc. Just a can of soup.
To our surprise, the counselors mixed it all together in a big stock pot and we had what they called "Witches Brew". Surprisingly, it was tasty. I mention this, as I have thought that someday, when I have an odd assortment of paints that I might end up experimenting with my own "Witches Brew" of paint colors and tackle an unfinished area such as a garage or shed interior.
Just this past week, my neighbor and I were in a trendy housewares boutique in Historic Fredericksberg, VA and upon careful inspection, I noticed that they had painted a long wall of the shop on a gradient of pastel shades of pink with verticle sections down the wall and where the different colors met they blended the two colors together. It looked fabulous with the contrast of the bright, pastel shade of green apple on the other walls in the shop space.
:)
A handful of times, I have picked-up a container or two, as the colors are to my liking and it gives me the opportunity to experiment with how a specific color or shade will work in a room at my house.
- Note: I use a heavy stock print paper similar to the glossy paper that they use for finger painting to brush the sample on. Let it dry and then move the sample to different areas of the room to ascertain if the shade works or not.
(Note: Two sample, pint sized containers of white were sufficient quantity to prime the drywall on the half bath ceiling for $1 total. No leftover primer and I was able to throw away the containers once I was finished.)
50 cents - sample pint size jar
$1. - quart size can
$5. - gallon size bucket
When I was purchasing the full priced, gallons paints this afternoon, I learned from one of the paint associates that the Oops paint! in many of the cans does not match the color that is indicated on top of the container (sticker and a small dried sample).
One of those little tid bits that you have to know or else potentially be duped and frustrated when you finally open the container to paint.
The rational as to why the colors do not always match is that they had a trend of customers ordering paint to be tinted. Then they wouldn't pick it up and pay full price. But, would return at a later date and purchase the $25 gallon can of paint for $5 from the Oops Paint! section for a fraction of the MSRP. Thus the slight trickery on Home Depots part to thwart the customer trying not to pay full price for a color that they ordered.
Ask an associate to open the container for you and check the content color prior to purchasing.
They will also safely seal up the container once it is opened and shake the can/bucket for you, if requested, for immediate project use.
HAVE FUN:
For $5. a one gallon of semi-gloss paint is enough product to change the color of the walls in a bathroom and/or experiment with one of the latest designer trends of painting a ceiling using a colored paint.
Back in the day, as a Girl Scout, we all had to bring a can of soup for dinner the first night of camping. No directions as to what type of flavor, etc. Just a can of soup.
To our surprise, the counselors mixed it all together in a big stock pot and we had what they called "Witches Brew". Surprisingly, it was tasty. I mention this, as I have thought that someday, when I have an odd assortment of paints that I might end up experimenting with my own "Witches Brew" of paint colors and tackle an unfinished area such as a garage or shed interior.
Just this past week, my neighbor and I were in a trendy housewares boutique in Historic Fredericksberg, VA and upon careful inspection, I noticed that they had painted a long wall of the shop on a gradient of pastel shades of pink with verticle sections down the wall and where the different colors met they blended the two colors together. It looked fabulous with the contrast of the bright, pastel shade of green apple on the other walls in the shop space.
:)
Paint Rebate Until 30 May 2011 @ Home Depot
Home Depot is offering rebates on a variety of their paints up until 30 May 2011. From $5. off per gallon container up to $20. per 5-gallon pail.
To make it easier, they even have automated the process where all information is entered on-line, as opposed to having to clip UPCs from labels, filling out paper forms, including original receipt and mailing an envelope: http://www.homedepotrebates.com .
Super deal if you are in the process of renovation project(s) or are looking for a quick decorating change for a room. I ended up with interior trim and wall paints, as well as porch and floor paint.
When it comes time to decide upon colors for the walls, I will bring the cans of base paint back to the store and have them add the appropriate tints and shake the paint can(s).
Once again, in terms of project inventory, I am planning ahead and happy to save $5. per gallon. Yes, every bit helps with the bottom line.
To make it easier, they even have automated the process where all information is entered on-line, as opposed to having to clip UPCs from labels, filling out paper forms, including original receipt and mailing an envelope: http://www.homedepotrebates.com .
Super deal if you are in the process of renovation project(s) or are looking for a quick decorating change for a room. I ended up with interior trim and wall paints, as well as porch and floor paint.
When it comes time to decide upon colors for the walls, I will bring the cans of base paint back to the store and have them add the appropriate tints and shake the paint can(s).
Once again, in terms of project inventory, I am planning ahead and happy to save $5. per gallon. Yes, every bit helps with the bottom line.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
January 2011 - Blog Update
I have been out of pocket, in terms of my blog. Blame it on me breaking the screen to my laptop one evening in November as I moved from the sun porch to the den.
Creature of habit. Obviously, I prefer the mobility and flexibility of working from the laptop where I want and when I want with broadband access. Whether it be out on the sun porch or while winding down in bed, prior to going to sleep.
The laptop has been hooked up to an external flat screen monitor in the upstairs office. I just need to get into the mode of not being mobile.
The library project or what has extended into the basement project has been underway for a couple of months. Eight hundred square feet of porcelain tile to be laid. So, far the large "library" room and the bedroom are completed, as far as tile work. This AM, the men began to pull up the brittle and crumbling synthetic stick down tile from the laundry/utility room floor.
The bedroom is essentially completed in terms of renovations: Tile, new baseboard and door handles, dry wall repair, painting of the ceiling, trim and walls. Coaxial cable was rerouted through the stairwell and along the channel behind the baseboard into the room. Electrical and lighting fixtures were all replaced.
A friend just re-did a room in their basement, new from the studs, and he had all of the electrical outlets upgraded to four gang outlets. Took his lead on that and did the same with all but one outlet in the bedroom. Also, I had them install a new dimmer switch up to control the overhead light fixture.
For those of you who smoke or have a loved one that smokes. Take note: It should not take two gallons of white Berh paint to cover a ceiling. I think that they had to paint the rectangular area where the long florescent light was installed four times in order to cover the smoke discoloration.
I knew that I wanted:
Task this evening is to get down on the floor and remove the paint that got onto the new tile from around the perimeter and splashes here and there. Plus, give the floor a good wash before the new area rug pad is put down and the clean Oriental carpet.
Workers will be back tomorrow to move the furniture back in and then move items out of the laundry/utility room to commence the tile work within that space.
I will start trying to post photos in a short period of time. Not sure if my camera; which I have a couple of places that I normally place it has been misplaced or if the first couple of workers might have walked with it. Let's hope it is just misplaced.
You might wonder what one does if they don't watch TV in the evening. How about replace the toilet seat!
Seriously, that was my little project last night and I am so happy with it. Master bedroom toilet had a padded seat that wasn't the proper size for the toilet basin. It has been replaced with a new American Standard, Williamsburg toilet seat (new in the box from ReBuild, cost $5.).
What a difference it makes in the appearance of the bathroom.
FYI: The knobs, electrical plates and switches, along with the clean, padded toilet seat will be headed to ReBuild for donation. I don't care if they give them away, as long as they do not go into land fill.
Stay tuned family and friends.
Creature of habit. Obviously, I prefer the mobility and flexibility of working from the laptop where I want and when I want with broadband access. Whether it be out on the sun porch or while winding down in bed, prior to going to sleep.
The laptop has been hooked up to an external flat screen monitor in the upstairs office. I just need to get into the mode of not being mobile.
The library project or what has extended into the basement project has been underway for a couple of months. Eight hundred square feet of porcelain tile to be laid. So, far the large "library" room and the bedroom are completed, as far as tile work. This AM, the men began to pull up the brittle and crumbling synthetic stick down tile from the laundry/utility room floor.
The bedroom is essentially completed in terms of renovations: Tile, new baseboard and door handles, dry wall repair, painting of the ceiling, trim and walls. Coaxial cable was rerouted through the stairwell and along the channel behind the baseboard into the room. Electrical and lighting fixtures were all replaced.
A friend just re-did a room in their basement, new from the studs, and he had all of the electrical outlets upgraded to four gang outlets. Took his lead on that and did the same with all but one outlet in the bedroom. Also, I had them install a new dimmer switch up to control the overhead light fixture.
For those of you who smoke or have a loved one that smokes. Take note: It should not take two gallons of white Berh paint to cover a ceiling. I think that they had to paint the rectangular area where the long florescent light was installed four times in order to cover the smoke discoloration.
I knew that I wanted:
- Bright white for ceiling
- Bright white for trim in a high gloss
- Semi gloss wall paint in a shade of green to match the Chinese Oriental carpet
- I ended up with Berh bright white flat for the ceilings. (Note: $ _ Rep. at Home Depot advised me to get the 2 gallon plastic pails, as they cost less per gallon than the 5 gallon pails. (Good tip.)
- Glidden white-on-white gloss for the trim work and doors.
- Benjamin Moore, Ben paint in an Apple Blossom (light green) for the walls.
- Rustolium Appliance White Paint (Air vents cleaned in the dishwasher (I know....OCD)).
Task this evening is to get down on the floor and remove the paint that got onto the new tile from around the perimeter and splashes here and there. Plus, give the floor a good wash before the new area rug pad is put down and the clean Oriental carpet.
Workers will be back tomorrow to move the furniture back in and then move items out of the laundry/utility room to commence the tile work within that space.
I will start trying to post photos in a short period of time. Not sure if my camera; which I have a couple of places that I normally place it has been misplaced or if the first couple of workers might have walked with it. Let's hope it is just misplaced.
You might wonder what one does if they don't watch TV in the evening. How about replace the toilet seat!
Seriously, that was my little project last night and I am so happy with it. Master bedroom toilet had a padded seat that wasn't the proper size for the toilet basin. It has been replaced with a new American Standard, Williamsburg toilet seat (new in the box from ReBuild, cost $5.).
What a difference it makes in the appearance of the bathroom.
FYI: The knobs, electrical plates and switches, along with the clean, padded toilet seat will be headed to ReBuild for donation. I don't care if they give them away, as long as they do not go into land fill.
Stay tuned family and friends.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Cognitive Disconense
Do you remember the term "cognitive disconense" from your college psychology 101 class? The prime example given is when you purchase an item such as an automobile that you continue to seek out data to make certain that you made the proper decision.
The set of chairs that I purchased a few weeks back for $69 per chair was a binge purchase. But, I really loved the lines and scale of the chairs and took the plunge.
Translation, I have been psychologically been put at ease by the knowledge that the style chair is popular enough for Restoration Hardware to reproduce, as well as the fact that a recent addition of "Architectural Digest" featured the homes of Rob Lowe and T. Boone Pitkins and both of them had similar chairs in their homes.
Let me just pat myself on the back ;^)
The set of chairs that I purchased a few weeks back for $69 per chair was a binge purchase. But, I really loved the lines and scale of the chairs and took the plunge.
 |
| Restoration Hardware, 18th Century French Burlap Chair |
 |
| Consignment shop $69 jewel |
Let me just pat myself on the back ;^)
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