Marjorie's Mix

Apple Butter Festival

On Saturday we went to the Apple Butter Festival in Enon, Ohio. Caleb had been preparing for this all week. Finally, Saturday arrived and we were heading in the direction of the festival. Turned out to be another beautiful Ohio day.

It was very family oriented and many families showed up to enjoy one of this areas favorite festivals. I like that they don’t allow alcohol and it is kept family friendly.

Caleb wanted the deep fried cheesecake 😂. However, I told him we would stick with the funnel cake.

Is it possible to go to a festival and not get funnel cake? Even though Caleb is autistic, he prepared for this all week and did very good at the festival.

The festival was so busy and there was so much to see. I put us on a budget before going. Yet, is was difficult not to check out the many vendors. So much creative art on display too.

Caleb surprised me…he wanted to buy everything he seen😂. Yeah, we had to have the world’s best root beer.

Then, his eyes seen a Buzz Light Year necklace.

Then, he picked out a candy apple.

Before we left we purchased our hot jar of apple butter. I literally heard the jar seal in the car. I hope you have enjoyed your Summer and beginning of Fall too!

Ends & Beginnings

Returning after a long social media break. I even avoided news as much as possible. My family enjoyed the ending of Summer together. Now, we are welcoming Fall and continue to have great weather here in Ohio for grilled dinners in the backyard. Taking a social media break was a good decision. I’m back and feel recharged!

ZuZu and Zelda enjoyed more attention too. I would not recommend Torties(Tortoise Shell) to first time cat owners. They are very self willed and keep me on my toes🤣.

I believe I see light at the end of the tunnel.

Regardless of what I see on the news, I will remain hopeful. I believe that God is always in charge. Focus on the positive and know that everything will get better. Keep your eyes on God not Man! I woke up this morning and read Psalm 94 out loud. Vengeance always belongs to God and He will take care of the wicked. Do not lose faith!

Throw Back Thursday

I really do believe better days are ahead! I know one day Jesus will return in the clouds. So, everyday I wake up I know I am one day closer to that event! God is always near!

My Mini Movie

Yesterday was my Birthday (9-8-68)! The big “53” 🙂. It has been a lonnng journey thus far. I spent the day reflecting over the past year and my life in general. It is true! “What a difference a year can make!” I really do not feel like I’m “53”. Seems like just yesterday I was a child. The best part of my Birthday was my youngest son contacting me from South Korea ❤️. He shared loving heartfelt birthday wishes with me that was priceless ❤️. The best part of this life on Earth is knowing I am a child of God. I will continue to move forward until he calls me home ❤️.

Frugal & Foodie

With grocery prices going up I’m happy I know how to create frugal meals at home. On this blog post I will share some frugal meal ideas for your own frugal menus. Also, I believe homemade frugal meals are always healthier than eating out.

We love homemade chili! It is a great frugal meal idea that you can be creative with and choose from a variety of ingredients. Not to mention, if you add crackers/cornbread and cheese you will have all the food groups in one bowl.

Did somebody say homemade cornbread!? Cornbread is a wonderful side for many frugal meals. Dipping sweet cornbread in milk or pouring milk over it is a Appalachian treat 🙂.

Frugal meals are easy to put together and most can be created with what you already have on hand.

Ahh! My favorite Summertime meal (yes, I can make a meal out of fried green tomatoes 🙂). They always taste best if you grow your own tomatoes!

Yeah, I know that chicken liver is not everyone’s favorite. We only have it a few times a year because it is high in cholesterol. However, the iron is also very high in it too. I usually make gravy out of the drippings that is left in the pan. Then, we like to put it over rice.

So easy to make and this is a one pan meal. It looks expensive but it is not.

Another frugal favorite! Homemade goulash with sweet tea on the side. This is living! 🙂

I have discovered that using Bisquick as the pizza crust turns out wonderful! Of course, we all know this is a one pan meal that we all can get creative with.

*My niece Bailey showing off her Dairy Queen Banana Split 👀*

I hope you enjoyed the frugal meal ideas. My niece, Bailey says a splurge every now and then keeps life enjoyable 🙂 *Note: Banana Splits can be homemade too😇

Sunflowers

Every year my Mom’s sunflowers grow back. She loves to show off their beauty with everyone.

Yesterday she shared their beauty with me. I believe this is one of her favorite times of the year because her sunflowers are in full bloom. 💛

With heartbreaking current events happening, I am happy she can step out into her yard and feel a sense of peace.

Just look at that! Sideways, left, right, backwards and looking at you straight in the face. Either way, there is no denying God’s awesome created beauty. 😍

Even the imperfections overflow with nature’s beauty.

~Planned Plot~

We all walk along through this journey of life. Do not be surprised when you see strife.

Know what is real and what is not. Think and don’t get caught up in someone’s planned plot.

Regardless of what happens in life, I trust God and his plan. I hope you do too 💓🙏

Crockpot Chocolate Cake

This is such a easy frugal recipe! Definitely, falls under the category of comfort foods.

This is how easy it is…

One box of cake mix and two boxes of instant pudding.

Get your ingredients ready…

Grease your crockpot (either way it is a bit messy). Begin with the two boxes of pudding (directions are on the box).

Put pudding in the bottom of the crockpot. Now, make the cake mix according to the box directions.

Place cake mix on top of pudding. Do not stir the pudding and cake mix together. Turn on high and it will take about 3 hours depending on your crockpot.

This is photos with the first serving taken out. The pudding on the bottom will be bubbling to the top when it is done. Also, you can feel the top of the cake or insert a butter knife to know that it is ready.

Remarkable aroma throughout your home as it is cooking/baking. If you have ever had a lava cake this tastes just like that.

This is under $5 without the ice cream added to it. I had mine without ice cream. Incredible when it is fresh and hot.

Caleb doesn’t eat cake without ice cream 😆. His was not so frugal.

I hope you get a chance to try this recipe. It is frugal but tastes expensive. If you like lava cake you will enjoy this.

Have a wonderful week ahead!🙂

Current Events

Hundreds of Americans at the Oklahoma State Capital yesterday demanding no vaccine mandates. Yeah, I know, not current events! Share positive, share poetry or even nature photography! On a positive note my next Blog Post will be a easy frugal recipe filled with comfort 🙂.

France yesterday (posted on Telegram)

The above video is France yesterday saying no to vaccine passports. It looks the same in Germany, Italy and “all” over the world. In Italy many that had gotten vaccine passports burned their passports in the public square and joined with the protesters.

Maybe we are “slow” to catch on here in America. However, these European countries like France, Germany and Italy was in the middle of World War II. Their parents and grandparents lived through the Nazi takeover. Those people you see out in the streets all over Europe know what a life of “forced” mandates leads to.

When I first seen the above post on Telegram yesterday I just laughed. I thought it was like satire from the BabylonBee site 🤣. Later, I learned this was shared Friday evening on MSM 😳. Really!?

No, we are a Country filled with Constitutional “freedoms”. We have every right to question and ask questions. That does not make us a terrorist! Americans have 1st Amendment Constitutional Rights!

Then, I learned about what was happening in Kabul, Afghanistan yesterday evening. Pray, pray! Prayer Warriors 🙏. Pray that all get out of there with no loss of innocent life 🙏. I broke down in tears. All I could think of was a Bengazi scenario. No One Should have been left for the Taliban! What ever happened to leave no man behind!

~Laughter~

Please, do not lose your laughter! Our enemies love to see us in fear. Fear gives the “real” enemy (Ephesians 6:12) strength.

*Is any of us the same person we were a year ago?*

I went out shopping yesterday expecting to see mask wearers everywhere. Surprisedly, there was a lot of people out and I did not see even one person wearing a mask (not even in their vehicle). Hopefully, that continues 🙂

Laughter is contagious! (memes from Telegram)…

Take television, social media and all forms of news breaks. Find time to watch a classic comedy (I’m thankful for streaming choices!). Being informed is good and remember to always fact check your chosen news outlets. If you haven’t laughed in awhile, practice! Laughter is wonderful medicine!😃

Moving through July

Me, oh my! We are living through some crazy times in history. Seems like when you see something shocking, nothing can top that. Then, it does! 🤣

I returned to Facebook a few months ago to watch my son’s graduation. I’m still there. I post a variety of memes. I love memes because sometimes you just need a good hardy chuckle to get through what I deem insanity 😆.

Well, with my “friends” on Facebook (not the “public”) I posted this…

I nearly immediately get this from Facebook…

I suppose memes will get me in trouble because I will continue to enjoy a good laugh 🙂.

Moving right along…

Too cute not to share❤️. This was shared via Telegram, I’m not sure of the original source.. just cute.

Moving Along…

Caleb in Grandma’s backyard

In our yard I discovered my Big Boy tomatoes have arrived 👏. We love fried green tomatoes! We continue to be thankful to be out of the city!

Our family celebrated my niece, Jaylas “18th” Birthday 🥳🎉. Hard to believe how fast 18 years goes by.

Last year at this time I thought we were very divided because of what the MSM shared with us. Now, I’m not so sure that we are. As more truth gets released, more and more each day looks like we’re less divided. The “majority” of Americans (not to mention, the world) embraces freedom! ❤️🇺🇸❤️