Month: December 2024

Project Pan

On By thefunkyfrugalistaIn Project PanLeave a comment

I’ve seen a trend going around social media called Project Pan. It’s where you don’t buy any new lotions, skin care, fragrance or basically just anything new until you use up what you have. I have always “tried” to do that but sometimes I will see something that I feel like I just “need” to have.

Today I am focusing on body lotion. I dug out the last of the product that I could from this Bath and Body Works lotion. I really did like it. It smelled really good. Would I purchase it again? Probably not because I have more bottles that I prefer.

The next one I want to finish is Kate’s Magik Earth. I really do like this one. I always have to give it a good shake before I use it because it contains a lot of essential oils and it tends to separate. It smells amazing and leaves my skin incredibly soft. I would purchase this one again. It was on the more expensive side, I do like the way my skin feels after using it. I just put it on after my shower and I cannot get over how good it smells. There are several scents, but this one won hands down. In case you are wondering it’s vetiver and cedarwood. I don’t like floral scents and will always go for the more earthy ones.

These are the rest of my stash that I will be using up before I buy any more. My go to will always have on had is the Zum. I use both the patchouli and the Frankincense & Myrrh, but I haven’t been able to find the Frankincense on for a while in the stores. Zum is my ride or die. It smells amazing and makes my skin so soft with no greasy feeling. Also a little goes a long way.

I recently got the EOS. After all the hype I saw about it, I’m not really impressed and won’t be buying this one again.

I used to love Bath and Body Works, I have about a third of this bottle left and also have a full bottle of it in back stock. It smell good, works okay, but I probably wont be purchasing it again.

I absolutely love the Ruby Rain. I got it at a craft show. I got the Hippie chic that smell like Nag Champa. Hannah got the Vanilla Bean. Both scents are so good and the lotion works very well. I would probably buy it again if I saw them at another craft fair.

For some reason I picked up this unscented lotion a while back. I only use it on my legs because who cares what your legs smell like in the winter. You just need to keep them hydrated. I will not be purchasing this again because it’s a bit watery and isn’t nearly as hydrating as my other ones.

So, even though I’m committed to using up all of these products before purchasing more, I will definitely be buying the Zum and Kate’s Magik again.

Shrimp Po Boys + Ambien Chair

On By thefunkyfrugalistaIn Home lifeLeave a comment

Sundays are short days for me. Donny works from 1-5. This Sunday Hannah worked from 8-1:30, but ended up getting out closer to 2. After I made everyone breakfast I ran to Aldi to do a food shop for the week. I had been wanting a shrimp Po boy so that’s what I decided to make for dinner.

Every time I buy bakery bread I’m never quite satisfied with the quality so I decided to make the sandwich buns myself. I had pinned a recipe on Pinterest ages ago.

This was one of the quicker bread recipes. The dough only needed to rest on the board for 10 minutes. After that you just make loaves and let them rise for 30-40 minutes on the baking sheets.

I just egg washed and popped them into the oven for 22 minutes and they turned out great.

I’ll be using the larger loafs for garlic bread in recipes coming up.

You can’t have a shrimp Po boy without remoulade sauce so I whipped that up. I’ve been making my own sauces for a while. They just taste better than anything that comes out of a bottle.

It was a build your own with the sauce, popcorn shrimp from Aldi (seriously so good) and lettuce, tomatoes, onions and pickles. I served a fruit salad on the side. Everyone in the family loved it because it really doesn’t get much better than warm bread right out of the oven.

This morning, though, I woke up not feeling well. I am super congested with body aches. I hope I’m not getting the mysterious virus that is going around. I decided to take it easy and have been in the Ambien chair binge watching Fear Thy Neighbor. It’s actually pretty good if you like true crime.

This is the Ambien chair. We call it that because every single time I sit in it I fall asleep. It doesn’t matter if I’m not even one bit tired, BOOM, I’m asleep. I think it’s just because it’s so comfortable. I got it super cheap on the last day of an estate sale (50% off) when we first moved here. One of my best purchases ever. So I think I’ll just take a little nap now and try to sleep off this sickness.

Kitchen Clean Out

On By thefunkyfrugalistaIn OrganizingLeave a comment

Yesterday’s weather was crazy. I didn’t have our television on all day. I was in the kitchen and heard a crash. This is what I walked out to.

It had been pouring and the wind had kicked up, apparently very strongly. I found out later, when Donny got home, that there had been tornado warnings.

I, however, had decided that I was going to clean out and reorganize the kitchen. I cook, roughly, 95% of our meals. I hate spending money eating out when I know that I can make the same meal at home. This means that I have A LOT of kitchen stuff. One of the drawers that gives me the biggest headache is the “gadget” drawer. I like to be able to just know where everything is and be able to grab it quickly. This is how it looked before.

And the after:

My “baking” cabinet was like playing Jenga every time I opened it. There are certain things that I use several times a week which is my blender, funnels, sifters and cheese grater. I don’t know why I never thought to put the panini press in the back and pull every thing else forward, but it makes so much more sense.

I cleaned out the bakers rack. The top shelf is where I keep most of the ingredients I use when I bake. The middle shelf is bread items and the bottom shelf is chips and stuff.

My main reason for doing this reorganizing was to find a place for the new cast iron. Because the giant pot wouldn’t fit in any cabinet I just put it on top of the fridge.

The double griddle was able to be slid in the side of the pots and pans cabinet. It’s still easy to get out, but out of the way also.

I did get rid of several water bottles and just stuff I don’t use. We don’t have a lot of cabinet space so we have to get creative. Unfortunately we have to use a whole set of upper cabinets for a pantry.

The top left is back stock and the top right is baking ingredients.

So that was my kitchen.

I’ve decided to post my dinners on here so that I can have a visual of what exactly I’ve made. I sometimes actually forget and if the family likes it or doesn’t I’ll have a record of it.

Last night I did tacos. I love the little griddle for my tortillas.

Super easy meal. Everyone was happy.

I’m trying to actually meal plan more. I normally have a vague idea, but I’d rather it be more concrete that scrambling at the last minute to try and figure something out. My mantra for this upcoming year is going to be “no matter if I’m tired and don’t feel like doing something, I just need to do it anyway because I’ll feel better about doing it in the long run”.

Breaking It In

On By thefunkyfrugalistaIn Home lifeLeave a comment

Today we woke up to fog rolling in. It was just a foggy muggy start to the day.

We hadn’t planned on really doing anything, Donny and Hannah were both off. We decided, at almost 1:00, that we should make breakfast. I decided to try out the big griddle for bacon and sausage and the smaller round griddle for french toast.

I think I may have had the heat up too high because the house filled with smoke from the bacon although it turned out good. I love the smaller griddle to make french toast. We kind of had a mess everywhere. One thing I love about cast iron is that the clean up is pretty easy. Just scrub, scrub, scrub and if something is stuck on, use salt.

Donny and I had to run to Drug Emporium and when we got home Hannah was outside drawing on the chalkboard. We have now made her the official chalkboard artist and she will now be handling what goes on it.

I love it when she takes the time to do her drawings. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.

For 2025 I’m going to be doing a whole house clean out which means I shouldn’t have purchased what I did at Drug Emporium, but it smelled so good I couldn’t resist.

It’s a new line they are carrying and this was only the second tester I tried, but I knew right when the fragrance hit my nose that it was the one. It smells so good.

Tomorrow I am going to start the clean out on the kitchen. I need to find a place for the huge pot I just got for Christmas. I figured while I’m doing that I might as well do the whole thing.

Has anyone else started season 2 of Squid Game? We just started episode 4 and so far it’s been really good. I also want to recommend Black Doves. We were really impressed by it.

Back To Normal

On By thefunkyfrugalistaIn ChristmasLeave a comment

I don’t know if anyone else is like this, but once Christmas is over I want all of the Christmas decor packed up and put away. This morning I ran to the shed between huge claps of thunder, trying to beat the rain that was coming. I made it just in time before the clouds opened up and it stormed the rest of the day.

I am happy to say that our home is back to normal. Well, as normal as our house gets.

Christian Frog keeping us honest back on his perch.

The shelves are back to normal.

The stereo is Christmas tree free.

I feel like I can breathe again. I really like normalcy.

Christmas Day

On By thefunkyfrugalistaIn ChristmasLeave a comment

I know I said that I miss Christmas when the kids were little, but I must say, Christmas with teenagers is much more mellow. Donny was the first to wake up. He made coffee and then I woke up. I filled the stockings and then popped the cinnamon rolls in the oven that i’d made the night before.

Jackson was next to wake up. This was about 9:45. Still waiting for Hannah to rise. Finally at almost 11 Hannah woke up. No one was in a rush to open presents. We did our stockings, had some food and then started on the presents.

Each person received 5 gifts. That was the perfect amount. Everyone was very appreciative for what they got. Jackson, who gave me a very detailed list (he actually sent me the websites) was actually surprised by one of he presents. I found him a Tyler the Creator Golf hoodie.

Donny is the best gift giver and got me exactly what I wanted even though I never outright told him or gave him a list.

I love cooking with cast iron and he finished completing my set. I cannot wait to start using it. He also got me the cutest boots and little red truck. He is always so thoughtful in his giving.

The rest of the day was spent watching football and cooking Christmas dinner. I did Kevin Ashton’s hot honey glazed ham and au gratin potatoes. Oh so good!

I hope everyone had a great Christmas!

Christmas Eve 2025

On By thefunkyfrugalistaIn ChristmasLeave a comment

The house is quiet. Hannah and Donny are both at work. Jackson is in his room on his computer. I’m tidying up and prepping for tomorrow’s breakfast and dinner. What a change it is from when they were both little and the excitement they had that Santa would be arriving some time while they slept. I miss that, but knowing what good humans they have grown up to be, makes me very happy.

We did get to drive around and look at Christmas lights last night. Their were some really festive neighborhoods. Would it even be complete without an inflatable Buc-ee beaver in one yard. We actually saw 3 of them on our drive.

I always pack up the Christmas decor on the 26th, so here are some of our favorite ornaments before they are wrapped up and stored until next year.

My parents had this funny ornament on their tree growing up. It used to have a little sign that said “pinch my cheeks and I’ll give you a kiss” and there would be a chocolate kiss inside.

Of course the vintage glass beetle

My mother gave me a set of 12 of these blown glass hearts. I only have 3 left because they are so fragile.

Hannah has one on the tree also

Our festive shelves.

Our Christmas tree is celebrating its 20th birthday this year. I bought it on a whim for $10 at Big Lots. It has held up well. I guess you could say we got our money’s worth.

What a magical time of year!

P.S.

The little kitten is getting closer and closer to us.

Sad Things on Christmas Eve Eve

On By thefunkyfrugalistaIn ChristmasLeave a comment

Well, this sign went up today.

I have shopped at Big Lots for so long. It’s my go to for just about everything. The people that work there are just so nice and I feel so bad that they are losing their jobs very soon. Jackson and I went in there, for what will probably be the last time, and it was SO crowded and just not the same organized store that we have grown to love.

This morning one of the stray feral kittens was hanging around our patio. There are two kittens and I have been trying to get close to them for months now. This little one was on the table, then on a chair then laying very close to my feet while I was having coffee.

I was so excited that he was becoming so friendly. Our laundry closet is right off the patio and I opened the door to put a load of laundry in. That’s when I heard movement behind the dryer. It really freaked me out because sometimes if the skunks get spooked they will run into that room. I moved a broom out of the way and a little grey head popped out from behind the dryer. It was the other cat’s sibling and it was scared to death of me. He tried to climb the wall (that didn’t work). Then I moved the scraper tool and the little kitty took off like a rocket. It now explains why the other cat was hanging around so close. I hope it realizes that we are nice and comes back around.

When the kids were little they used to fight over who would move the candy cane to the next day on our Christmas countdown calendar. And by fight I mean screaming, hitting, going nuts. Now the calendar gets moved my me. Jackson did realize I was a few days off and moved it this morning. I told him that I miss the arguing over moving the candy cane and we had a laugh about it. We also talked about how Donny and I used to tell the kids that the smoke detectors were Santa cams and that they were being watched to make sure they were behaving. Sounds a bit creepy when you type it out, but it worked. We also talked about telling them about restaurant police that only work in restaurants to lock up children that don’t behave while they are eating. I promise they think it’s funny now.

I cannot believe that it is Christmas Eve Eve. Maybe tonight we will finally get to go look at lights. Hannah and I both zonked out last night even though that’s what we all were planning to do. We’re running out of time here.

This guy will be here soon

Retail

On By thefunkyfrugalistaIn ChristmasLeave a comment

Hannah has her first retail job. She actually really likes it, but the holiday hours before Christmas day can be rough. Friday night she was scheduled to get off at 12:10, but ended up actually leaving close to 1 am. I don’t mind waiting for her to get out, but I had taken my supplements right before I left to get her, with not enough water, and ended up with the worst heartburn and nothing to drink. Then neither one of us could go right to sleep when we got home so it was a late night.

The next morning she had to be at work at 11:00, but since it was Saturday, and Donny has to do his store meeting, he needs to leave the house by 8:30. Since I was already up making breakfasts and lunches for everyone I decided to go ahead and bake some cookies. This is what I walked by into when I got back from dropping Hannah off.

Still hazy from cooking bacon even with the fan on.

This morning she had to be at work by 6 am. That means we got up at 4:30 so I could make her breakfast, bag up her lunch and get her there on time. We did make it, but I know we are going to be dragging by tonight even though I want to go look at Christmas lights. We’ll see how that pans out.

Because I was really tired yesterday, I made the easiest dinner. I had roasted some chicken breasts the night before. I cut up some carrots and roasted them with soy sauce, garlic powder and honey. I cut up the chicken breasts and heated them up in the Korean Chicken sauce we picked up at the Asian market. I cooked some ramen noodles, drained them and added the spice packets. It was so good. The whole family liked it. I don’t really like chicken so I just had the noodles, carrots and green onions.

I also went from not a single present wrapped to all of them wrapped. I do not like wrapping, but it had to get done. We only got the kids 5 gifts each. One big one and 4 smaller ones. I think they will love them.

And here’s one of my favorite Santas. I love weird art.

Only 3 more sleeps until Christmas!

Family Brunch

On By thefunkyfrugalistaIn familyLeave a comment

Today was the last family brunch that we will be attending at Jackson’s school. They always have it the day the kids get out for Winter break. It’s always outside (it’s a small high school and there isn’t any other place to have it) and it’s always cold. There is always a huge variety of food always brought by the parents and it’s always good. I hadn’t eaten breakfast so I was starving and it didn’t disappoint.

The dessert table was also amazing. The kids and parents always have such a good time.

Jackson hanging out with his friends.

It always ends with the superintendent giving a little speech. He is such a great inspiration for the kids. I never seen a school where every member of the faculty genuinely care about the students. We will miss this place when Jackson graduates in May.

On the way home we stopped by La Michocana grocery because I was almost out of vanilla. If you have never tried the Mexican vanilla it is truly the best there is. It took me a couple of years to get through the bottle.

We also picked up this amazing treat. They are sooooo good.

I cannot tell you the relief I felt when we got home and this was waiting for us. It’s Hannah’s big gift that I thought wasn’t going to make it in time.

To top off the day, at 4 pm, Jackson came into the kitchen and told me that his computer chair had snapped. I have been after him for a few months to find a new one because his was getting so raggedy. He kept telling me that he liked it and it was broken in just right. We decided to try to find a new one after we dropped Hannah off at work. She works next door to Big Lots and all they had were gaming chairs. He didn’t want those so we went to Office Depot. Fun fact, it’s in the same strip as TJ Maxx, Michaels’ and Burlington so the parking lot was insane. There was ONE chair that he liked in the whole store. ONE. It happened to be $199. A little steep for less than a week before Christmas. I googled the brand and style of the chair and found it online for $89.99 with free shipping. I also found a coupon for $5 off. No wonder office Depot was completely empty. I’m glad we were able to get a deal even if it won’t be here until the 30th.