Celebrating My Grandsons Birthday - KJay

The past weekend, my family got together to celebrate my only grandson's birthday. His birthday is in late June. Between the family taking vacations at different times and finding the day that was open to hold the party took a little work. Thankfully my grandson is only 2 and did not know the difference.

The party was held at my dad and stepmom's. First thing everyone did was enjoy the food that was prepared. There was from the grill : BBQ chicken, brats, and hamburgers. Homemade mac n cheese, my stepmom's famous baked beans, a vegetable platter, chips and more. Boy do I enjoy eating my stepmom's cooking. The lady sure knows how to cook delicious food.

After eating, everyone had a chance of going swimming in the pond. Kjay was able to go around in his inflatable pool toy.  No worries, KJay was never left alone by himself. There was always someone right there with him in the pond.

After swimming, everyone enjoy a vanilla strawberry pudding cake. (I will share the recipe in the next couple of days). Plus, minion twinkies. As Kjay mom was getting the birthday cake ready and presents placed on the outside table.

Kjay literally had a melt down wanting to open his presents. 

He cried when his cake was brought out. He didn't want cake. He wanted to open his presents. Someone busted in to song singing,"It's KJay's birthday, he can cry if he wants to." It made a good laugh.

After Kjay was able to calm down. He was able to open all his presents. He was very happy with what he got. Every ball went flying through the air. Even a toy dinosaur went flying through the air. But landed standing up.

All in all, it was a great time had by all.

Happy birthday KJay, this grandma loves you to pieces.

I Found The Tele Setting On My Digital Camera

I want to share a few pictures I have taken. Two of the moon and few of the flowerbed in my front yard.

Each of these moon photos were taken while gazing at the moon while in Texas. I finally found the setting I have been looking for to increase my view to things without being blurry. 

The first picture is with the tele setting. The second one is with no setting. Except to increase the view to max. Each was taken as I was peering through the branches and leaves of a same tree.

These were taken of my flower garden up front.  Do you remember I planted a bunch of seeds in the spring? The flowers are coming through beautifully. So, are the tomatoes. I have flowers for the tomatoes now. That is a sign the tomatoes won't be too far along. 

I used the camera on my cellphone. I wish I would've used my digital camera. As it takes much better photos.

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All photos were taken by and © belongs to Sandy KS aka rusty2rusty.

Saving Money While Shopping

I love to save money while I go shopping. Going to Aldi's is no different. One thing I like doing is bring my own bags. That way I don't have to buy bags to take my stuff home or run around looking for cardboard boxes that aren't ripped or broken down. Hoping they aren't out. ( I have ran into that problem. It wasn't fun.) I have these canvas I can't believe it is butter bags for over 10 years. Add that savings up.

Another way I saved significant money this shopping trip was buying Jumex "Mango Nectar". I saved $1.10 per can. How did I save so much?

This same product cost me $1.59 for each can at a convenience store called Stripes while vacationing in Texas. This same can at Aldi's only cost me 49 cents per can. I bought eight cans. That equals out to $8.80 savings.

I buy thin steaks for $5.00 or less. Sometimes I will pay a little more. Not to often if I can help it. Making several meals out of them to save money. 

1. I use thin steaks to slice up and add to omelets for breakfast. That is my version of steak and eggs on a budget. 

2. I place thin steak in the crockpot add mushroom soup. When done I add it over a plate of rice or noodles.

3. If any sliced steak is left over for breakfast, I use that same steak and add fajita mix, onions, and bell peppers served on a soft tortilla shell to make fajitas.

4. Another way to use leftover sliced up steak is to cube it. Than turn it in to a big pot of chili. Cubing it will make the steak go further by seeming like there is more.

5. Sliced steak can be grilled or fried up and added to bread to make a sandwich. You can a variety of topping depending on your taste. To make a different sandwich every day.

I normally get two to three meals per $5.00 package of thinly sliced steaks.

What ways do you save money?

What was the last thing you saved money on?

Taco Tuesday

Today's dinner consists of something I can make and put together quickly. In the summer I don't like spending anymore time in the kitchen than I have too.

I also look for ways to make my family favorites with a twist. If I can add more vegetables or create it a little bit healthier each time, I do.

After shopping at Aldi's and driving home in the heat with the windows down. I was worn out, hot, and my feet and legs were swelling. It was time to make something quick, where I  can sit back and relax. Tacos it is.

As soon as the groceries was put away, I started making tacos. I fried up the lean hamburger, added the taco seasoning, and set aside. I sliced up the lettuce and fresh ciltronto. I sliced up the olives. I got the lime juice, shredded taco style cheese, flour tortilla's and pesto sauce.

My daughter decided to add everything in a bowl. She didn't want any taco shells or chips. It sure look good as a salad. She has two bowls full.

My boyfriend and I decided to have our tacos in the flour tortilla's. Don't they look good?

Ingredients
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flour tortilla

pesto sauce

ground hamburger with taco seasoning

Ciltrano
lettuce

taco style shredded cheese
black olives

lime juice

I placed a small amount of pesto sauce on the flour tortilla. I added two teaspoons of ground hamburger with taco seasoning, layered it with cilantro and lettuce. Added some taco style shredded cheese and black olives.  Topped it off with a few sprinkles of lime juice.

Do you do taco tuesdays?
How do you make your tacos?
Do you try new combinations you have never tried before?

Water Street Seafood Company

I am back from vacation. I traveled to Texas from NW corner of Ohio. One of the many places that my boyfriend and I stopped at was the "Water Street Seafood Company" in Corpus Christi . My boyfriend wanted to take me to place we have never been before to celebrate my birthday.

I have to say if you have never been to this restaurant. You should really try it out. The food was scrumptious, the place looked fabulous, and the staff was really pleasant to interact with. There is not one thing about this place that disappointed me at all. If I am ever in the area again, I will make sure to stop by for another bite.

The first thing my boyfriend and I did was order. We received our drinks first.

An H20 Pina Colada made with Parrot Bay rum and Blue Bell ice cream.

The place is stocked with well known beers, wines, and spirits.

 We first recived our appetizer and bread, as we were waiting on our salads and main courses to arrive.

The mushrooms was stuffed with crab. They had a savory bite of heat with a bit of sweetness in every bite. It pretty much melted in your mouth. These are the best tasting stuffed mushrooms I have tasted. I love these.

Next came our salads. They were huge.

My boyfriend ordered the house salad with the house dressing on the side. As he wasn't sure if he would like the house dressing or not. He did. He said it kinda tasted like ranch.

I opted for the Caesar salad. As I knew it would be safe from tomatoes. It was delicious. 

Finally, the main entrees arrived to our table.

The only difference between what my boyfriend and I ordered was the side dish on our plates. I opted for the more healthier option of broccoli. Where he decided to dive in to the Gouda Mac n Cheese. 

The rice pilaf was to die for. It was a very tasty rice with lots of flavor.

The mahi mahi was served with a sauce that had mini shrimp in it. It was out of this world. I have to say I have never tasted a fish dish better than this.

My boyfriend made sure to tell the waiter it was my birthday. 

The waiter brought out a brownie with ice cream that was decorated to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Have you visited the "Water Street Seafood Company" in Corpus Christi, Texas? 

What was the best place you ever dined at? What did you order?

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All photos taken by and © belongs to Sandy KS aka rusty2rusty.

9 Reasons Your Dog Should Be On A Leash

I have had dogs almost my entire life. From the time I was born til now. I currently have two dogs. I enjoy walking with my dogs as much as any dog owner. Even I am aware they have limits when walking off a leash.

Sure it is nice to watch them walk beside me with no leash. I make sure when that does happens. I am in a pet friendly area to make it happen. Like my fenced in back yard, or the dog run located by the town reservoir. As I believe it is my responsibility to keep them safe.

You Should Keep Your Dog On A Leash For 9 Reasons

1. Your dog can run off after hearing a loud noise. Such as a car backfiring. Thus scaring your dog enough for them to run and get lost.

2. To prevent your dog from jumping up and knocking down the disabled, elderly or small child. You never know how bad someone can get hurt when they get knocked down by a dog of any size.

3.  A big dog running up to someone they don’t know can scare someone because of their size. Some people have  a fear of big and large size dogs. No reasons why both of you can’t enjoy the same sidewalk together.

4. Your dog could do something natural – Chase wildlife. Your dog needs to be taught when he or she is out with a walk with you. They need to focus on the walk. Not chasing wildlife.

5. Some dogs hates cats so much. They will chase and kill them. When the cat gets away. Or runs up a tree. The dog is disoriented and has no clue where the dog is at. Causing him to get lost.

6. Running off leash can cause your dog to run out into the road and get hit by a car. With a leash, you stop your dog before darting out in to the road.

7. A dog running up to other dogs on a leash and get in to their faces, can and has caused fights in aggressive dogs. Never allow your dog to run up to another without knowing they are aggressive or not. Having them on a leash you can test their reaction, and body movement out before allowing them to meet. If an aggressive sign pops up. You can easily steer your dog away with the leash. Avoiding a bad situation.

8. Depending where you live. Your dog can be shot for being off leash by police officers. It recently happened in Colorado. Check your local laws to see if a dog is required to be on leash. Otherwise you can get a ticket. Or worse your dog can be killed.

9. Off leash your dog can get in to some dangerous stuff, eat it and can get very sick. Getting you a vet bill. Or worse. You burying your pet.

Can you think of others reasons a dog should be on a leash?

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Photos from Pixabay, a free use photo sharing website

Saving Money Buying Clothes

I love saving money when buying clothes. How about you? Yesterday, My teenage daughter and I went shopping for some clothes. We are both needing shorts.

 My daughter for being a  growing teenager. Myself, for some reason a bunch of my shorts have come up missing. I am not sure if it is past room mates. Or accidentally placing them in the donating pile of clothes.

I started my look for discounted clothing at the local thrift stores. I was able to find a couple pair of shorts for my daughter and myself at Good Will.

During my search for discounted clothing, I was able to find two shirts for myself and four for my daughter. 

My daughter found a purse she liked for $5.00. I bought it. It looks brand new. No rips or tares. 

While daughter found a purse for herself. She also found a leather one she knew I would love. She was right. I bought it for $5.00. It is an extra large size. Which will be good to store extra things in for a trip.

Update : Sad to say the inside liner by a pocket ripped out during vacation. I am glad I did not spend no more than $5.00 for this purse. I will still use this purse. Only as an extra carry on bag for a few pieces of clothes,

My daughter wants to give this cup to her grandfather for his upcoming birthday. I bought it for her.

I ended up spending around $40.00 for :

6 shirts

5 pairs of shorts

2 purses

1 grandfather's mug

I would not be able to find that price in any store.

Places I go to save money while buying clothes :

1. Thrifts stores

2. Garage and yard sales
3. Sales
4. Coupons
5. Bargin sales
6. Clothes being sold in Facebook groups
7. Clothes being sold on Craigslist.
8. Given away for free after a garage sale
9. Free clothes from family
10. Trading in a clothes swap
11. Clothes posted in the freebie section of the newspaper

12. Buy clothes out of season - They are marked down at great discount

13. Bogo sales

How do you save money by buying clothes? What was the last thing you saved money on?

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All photos were taken by and © belong to Sandy KS aka rusty2rusty.

Turkey Dinner With A Plan

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One thing I like to do when I make dinner for my family is have a plan. I like to plan everything from from creating or finding a recipe, preparing it, all the way down to the small details of serving it. Many of my foods I make with be used for more than one meal. 

Frozen turkey already precooked

Such as last night's dinner. I received a frozen turkey breast and a box of potatoes from one of my local food banks. The turkey has 8 to 10 servings. Which will be 2 to 3 meals in my family. It is precooked.

Case of microwaveable potatoes

I also received a case of individually wrapped 

microwaveable potatoes. Each one takes 5 to 7 minutes to cook in the microwave. I can cook more than one at a time in the microwave with an increase of cooking time. These will save me a bunch of time cooking this summer. This box will last me a couple of months if I store them in a cool dry place.

Precooked turkey in crock pot. 

Last night I placed the turkey in the crock pot. It has already been precooked. Within a few hours it was ready to serve. The turkey came already glazed. I did not have to add anything to do. It reminds me of those precooked spiral hams you find around the holidays.

The turkey was already thinly cut in to portions. I arranged them on a paper plate to show the cut size. The edges are dark in color from the glaze placed on the turkey. 

I heated one potato per family member in the microwave. It was three people. As my teen son stayed with his older brother. I placed on a plate with a couple slices of turkey. I also placed a portion of canned carrots on the plate. With a portion of boxed turkey stuffing.

The turkey and potato were free. I paid 63 cents for the can of carrots. I paid $1.00 for the box of turkey stuffing.

I had left over turkey and potatoes. This meal for three people cost equals out to be around 55 cents per person. Not bad for a family living on budget that makes meal with a plan.

The left over turkey will be used to make sandwiches to take on vacation tomorrow. Part of turkey will be diced up and used in a salad for dinner tonight. 

I love it when a plan comes together that saves me money. 

Do you like to save when creating meals? Do you have any tips to save when creating meals?

Cat Food Recalled By Radagast

This product has been sold in Canada and the United States. It is important for consumers to stop feeding and throw away the following cat food to their cats :

Frozen Rad cat raw diet products in  1, 8, 16, and 24 ounces. Lots codes with the following numbers : 

62384, 62416, 62372, and 62361. Lot codes can be found under the sell by date. The grass fed flavored chicken, beef, and chicken are affected. 

The company is doing a voluntary recall due to possible contamination of Listeria monocytogenes and salmonella.

For refund claims. Go to www.RadFood.com or call Radagast Pet Food Inc at (503) 736 - 4649 for further assistance.

Please share this recall with as many pet consumers and animal lovers you know.