Like nearly everyone else I am baking. I am staying home, working from home and hoping like everyone else. Tomorrow is Palm Sunday, for those of the Christian persuasion. It is pre-Easter, for those observing Lent, the mark that it’s almost over, we’re nearly there and can eat meat, chocolate or do whatever you gave up for Lent soon. I admit I had a coffeeshop chai last week (Starbucks drive-thru). But considering COVID-19 I’m not giving myself a hard time over it. It was a small comfort and I needed it. The number of people infected has gone up and so has the number of dead, not just nationally but locally. I needed that chai.
Spelt flour and regular all-purpose. My first time using spelt, not sure what to expect.They were lighter in taste and texture than the half wheat muffins. I used generic Splenda and like it better than Stevia. Thrift store dishtowel.
Baking is a form of self care, to produce something nourishing and delicious for yourself and others. It keeps the hands busy and gives us an occupation, it is a small example of how order still exists. The reassurance of following a routine and having something to show for it. So I made muffins.
We are in a pandemic right now. Coronavirus is shutting down schools, businesses and travel is restricted. The hockey season is suspended. It’s not known how many people are sick or even how many have died (it’s likely China has under reported the true number of dead, to save face).
So far we’ve been spared. There was one confirmed case of Coronavirus and it was 100 miles from here. Fortunately the patient recovered and there are no other reported cases so far.
People are still scared and freaking out. There’s been a run on hand sanitizer and toilet paper like in the rest of the country. The grocery store shelves are empty, canned goods especially.
Fortunately it’s payday, because I bought stuff. I took today off for booksale but it was also 75% off day at the magic thrift store. I call it magic because I’ve found some incredible things there. So I went out for a bagel this morning and started my day.
My first stop was the 75% off sale. They opened at 9am and I got there a few minutes before opening. The parking lot was full and there were 2 long lines of people waiting to get in at both entrances.
There was a rush for shopping carts, it was similar to Black Friday at Target. Busy, very crowded but civil. I didn’t get a cart, easier to move around and it sort of guaranteed I wouldn’t just grab stuff for the heck of it.
I did though. I piled clothes over my left arm, held stuff with that hand and kept going. I wore a hoodie with a big kangaroo pocket up front. My money and keys were in it and my phone was in my jeans pocket. They have a policy against backpacks and large bags.
Most of the time I just go to see what the thrift gods offer. Today I went with a specific purpose, to find workout clothes, leggings to wear under my pants and for yoga and extra socks. I wear 2 pairs when I walk.
I stayed for an hour, the lines at the register were growing by this time and people kept coming in.
From 75% off day.
Socks, 1.98 each except polar bears were 2.98. That made them 50 cents a pair and bear socks were a hefty 75 cents. Leggings, 9.98 but today 2.50. I didn’t notice one leg was longer than the other til now. Oh well. Nobody’s going to see them anyway. Leggings, also 9.98 and on sale for 2.50.From a consignment store, $1 on clearance. Fitted, like too tight to wear in public but good for layering or yoga at home. Again, clothes nobody will see me in.
Then I went to booksale. I had only 45 minutes and this was the receipt for my first purchase.
I had to pick up my daughter-in-law from work. Got us home, dropped off my thrift store stuff (and daughter-in-law), ate and went back. They stamp your hand when you go inside, so you can come back. I was grateful for it.
Booksale. I was there 3 hrs, filled a small suitcase and large tote bag. Penguin and bear seem to approve. Got my hand stamped, looks like a giant insect bite.Free books! They didn’t last long.
I’ve been staying inside a lot, it’s been cold. I did venture out to the grocery store and bought food to make soup and muffins. My intention is to eat and stay warm. That’s it.
I stayed in for Hockey Day in America. I watched my beloved Wings get massacred by Pittsburgh and yelled a lot. Then watched Boston beat the Rangers including my guy Lundqvist. I ate some soup too.
Ingredients, except for seasoningsGuest star cauliflower, it was intended for other things.Recipe called for fresh spinach. It was originally going to hang out with the cauliflower and be salad. Some of both ended up in the soup. Soup. I really like squash. They had blackberries on sale. Ate about half of these while the soup cooked Deflated banana pineapple muffins. Too much liquid in the batter but they are moist and I’ll eat them anyway. Made with Stevia.
I try to hit 75% off day when it happens but I have other commitments and stuff to do on Friday afternoon. I can go in but I can’t really look around or linger. Yet the thrill of the chase and my general cheapness draw me there.
So I set my phone alarm for 10 minutes and limited myself to just one section, general accessories: hats, socks, scarves and gloves. It’s not a mosh pit like womens clothes so I got a good look at stuff.
New purple knit gloves, pink socks and red pink hat and receipt. I’m proud of it too.
Total 1.90. I’ve started walking again, going before work. It snowed 2 days ago and most of it is gone now. Snow does not last long here so I took a few pictures. I’ll be wearing my 75% off stuff on my walks staying warm.
I went to the Habitat for Humanity Restore today. It’s not one of my usual stops but it’s a neat place and they have cheap stuff. Some is used, some new. Most of their inventory is building supplies and used furniture but they have other items, like the cheap mailing envelopes I went to buy.
They sell everything from bed sheets to actual beds. Not sure about their policy on pictures so I took this from the back corner. In case you need a couple of burlap sacks they got you covered I was really tempted by these weird old dishes. Look at the images, imagine the story they tell. Empty cradle. Changeling? I like the trim around the edge.Dining room table, abandoned for some reason. Bit of a glare. Another shopper saw me take this picture. She went down another aisle.
I never looked at the cooking section of thrift stores until now. It always seemed like a bunch of old scratched up rusty crap and since I had my own scratched up rusty crap at home I left it alone.
I’ve started looking at it and there is old, scratched up and rusty but there are treasures lurking underneath. Like this cake pan I found today.
It’s a Calphalon cake pan, it’s very heavy and should be durable. I could probably fling this at someone and knock them out, if I aimed well.
This was 1.49 since it’s a half price thrift store. Retail is 20.99, according to the Calphalon website.
I also did something else unexpected. I went to Wal-mart and bought a crockpot. I rarely buy anything new so I was really excited about this.
It is the basic model, the old style, the one everyone’s mom or grandma owns.
I made vegetarian chili, some of the ingredients
The results. Click on the picture to get the recipe.
I looked online for recipes and found this on the Sprouts website. It’s 4 Bean Chili.
I’ve been wanting to make soup, it’s been cold and I know I need to eat more vegetables. I don’t cook much, but this idea of homemade healthy soup would not go away.
Unfortunately we have only one big pot; we left a lot of stuff behind when we moved. The pot is currently being used, so I hit the thrift store looking for another. Granted, I could have gone back to the house and rummaged around for the other pot but I don’t do things that way.
I bought this for 4.99
I finally made the soup I’ve been wanting. Recipe from Food Network.
I also made to 75% off day at another thrift store. I didn’t get much, just socks and pair of gloves. But these were a definite score. Pendleton socks for .50. I love 75% off day.
My Christmas trees didn’t make the move with us this summer. It wasn’t a big deal at the time but now it is. So I looked at Target and Wal-mart then I did what I usually do, went to a thrift store.
Found at the first thrift I checked. That never happens so this counts as a Festivus miracle.
Actual price is half the price on the tag so this was 7.49.
Tree skirt, just the right size. It might have been donated with the tree.
The lights work
The After. Went a little nuts with the lights.
The ornaments are hard to see. I managed to get the following on the tree: Our Lady of Guadeloupe; Princess Leia; the Caddyshack gopher; Bear’s 4th Christmas; Mario Lemieux; Bones McCoy; Han Solo and Kirk fighting the Gorn. The last one was tough because it’s so heavy. I’ve got more but this little tree can only handle so much.
I went to see Spirits in the Forest at the movies last night. The theater was packed, in other theaters. This one held about a dozen people, tops. I was sitting by myself when a guy asked if I wanted to sit with him and his friends. Usually I refuse but this time I said okay. I got to meet 6 people from various places who were also Depeche fans. Pictures were taken and so far not on social media. I did take these selfies. My skills still suck. The movie was great.
Trying not to drop my popcorn
Popcorn and the Depeche bag I thrifted for .50. Bag also contained a Diet Dr. Pepper and some gummi bears
quichepuppy 