Frugal Accomplishments for Last Week of May

This past week we worked really hard to keep extra expenditures down.  We enjoyed some shared meals with friends, which was great in terms of social time and also lightening the load on the grocery budget and the cooking prep.

We also worked hard to keep the house clean and tidy for showings, weeded the herb beds, and split a few plants to share with friends.  Once the house is under contract, I'll begin splitting things from the garden that I want to take to the new house for the new gardens there.  We're really looking forward to having neighbors there who enjoy gardening and can help us with some ideas for plantings there.

Here's what we did last week to live and save green:

• Cooked most meals at home including:  double batch of quiche (swiss chard, onion, dried tomato, and bacon) and salad, grilled chicken sausages with grilled veggies and portabellos, banana nut muffins, turkey tacos with refried beans, greens, onions, and radishes, scrambled eggs with greens and sausage, and smoothies with greens and frozen fruit.
• It was the first week of our CSA share, so we loved all the wonderful fresh produce.  Loads of greens, green onions, radishes, and a dozen eggs.
• Collected about 20 eggs from our friends' chickens.  Well worth the short drive over there, and the chickens love our kitchen scraps.
• Benny picked up items from the food pantry including two large cartons of organic plain yogurt, a gallon of milk, loaf of bread, some veggies, and some good quality gluten free snacks.
• Enjoyed a pot luck meeting in the new neighborhood.  We took a lemon chess pie that I had in the freezer, and most of it was eaten.  This was a gift from a student, and I was glad to share it.  It also helped clear out our freezer space a bit.
• Gladly accepted a turkey carcass and extra turkey meat from a new neighbor.  They took turkey to the meeting and gave us what was left.  I'll use the meat in turkey taco bowls this week, and we'll make stock from the carcass.
• Grateful for pretty weather and the boys getting to play on the playground.  We spent a few afternoons this way, and it was time well spent.  The sunshine was great for us all, and I think they slept better for the hard play.
• Continued with hanging laundry, but mostly inside this week due to scattered showers.  We're still using cloth diapers, but will hit potty training hard this summer.
• The boys shared a bath a few nights, saving on water.  I should have saved some of the bath water to use for potted plants, but forgot.
• Enjoyed getting the grill out this weekend.  It was a great time with friends, and was nice to not have to heat up the kitchen.
• Received a stipend check for student teaching mentoring.  It's a small amount, compared to the work involved, but it's nice to have the little extra income.
• I renewed my teaching liscense.  It was $35, which kind of stinks because it used to be free, but at least I was able to do it with professional development that was free and I didn't have to pay for.
• Enjoyed a date night on Friday night while Mom kept the boys.  We made quiche and salad for dinner at home, and enjoyed watching an episode of Downton Abbey after we got the baby down.  It was a good date night, and minimal cost, aside from the "splurge" of ice cream I got and the bacon for the quiche.  (I did have a coupon for the ice cream.)
• Made some herbal tea at home with herbs from the garden (lemon balm, orange mint, and pineapple mint) and some lavender I had in the pantry.  It was very good, and a combination I think I'll make in a pitcher to have cold this summer.  
• Started another bag for Goodwill, and have another box of books to take to the library for donation.  It would be nice if the tax receipts worked for next year, but even if they don't, it will be good to have the clutter gone.
• Used some citrus vinegar for cleaning, and olive oil to polish the stainless steel appliances.  It's nice to be able to use things we have for cleaning, and puts fewer toxins into our home, keeping us healthier.
• Even amidst rain showers, we managed to get the yard mowed.  It's nice when Benny can do it because it entertains the boys while I can get some stuff done in the kitchen.
• Enjoyed free yoga class and dinner.  I also worked out using free YouTube videos.
• Benny and I began looking at kitchen design ideas for the new house.  We've chosen most of our paint colors, are pretty sure of cabinet design, and are working on choosing flooring.  We're trying to make as many decisions as possible ahead of time so that once we can begin building, decisions are made and things can move as quickly as possible.

What did you do to live and save green this past week?  I'd love to hear from you!