Stuff to recycle: 198/365

The good news is that at the fair on Saturday neither of us bought anything to add to our stuff. My purchases were consumables. I got a great deal on Christmas wrapping paper, and bought a pie for Thanksgiving. I already told you about the puzzle, which will be recycled next year.

    AND, I didn’t buy any jewelry! Actually I never planned to, but I must tell you that there are many women just don’t have enough. They were lined up ready to enter when the doors opened at 9, and in they rushed, knowing where to go, never even glancing at the bake table. I am told a similar line formed at the door leading to the white elephants. Evidently 12 Shoppes of Christmas at MCC has a reputation.

Day 180/365 It’s time to go, stuff in the freezer.

     I bet most of you can understand how pleased I am with myself about this one. I cleared out and cleaned the freezer. No easy task, and not much fun, but I had been on a mini-crusade to use up some of the stuff, so it wasn’t jam packed. Most of what was left, however, was pretty pathetic. 

     I won’t bore you with everything I threw out—your list probably wouldn’t be very different from mine. As much as I hate wasting, I made myself get rid of a chuck of ice, two packages lamb and pork, each a couple of years old, a container of very old chocolate chip cookie dough, and some pancetta stuffing, dated May 2013.  

      I couldn’t toss the popsicles that the grandkids love—at least not yet. Maybe I’ll change my mind about them. Maybe my son and daughter will see them and say, “Really, Mom, time to let them go!”

     

 My freezer is old but I never thought of getting rid of it. I bought it from Sears forty years ago and still has a lot of life in it. Besides, there is the nostalgic factor. 

Before

After

Day 169/365 It’s time to go, apples on the tree

     

     Letting go of all the apples that the family picks at the apple orchard can be a challenge. There’s a built in deadline, unlike the books in the parlor. You gotta do something with them before they rot and you have to let them gointo the compost heap/garbage. 

         

My grandchildren left me with a bag. Easy recipe once they are peeled and cored; into the crock pot with some water and cinnamon. That’s all, no sugar needed. These New England apples are more than sweet.. The recipe called for lemon juice, but I didn’t have any, and that was just fine. No one will know. Next time I’m going to cook them, skins and all. 

Day 138/365 It’s time to go, Easter eggs

t,

     

     You’re never to old to decorate Easter eggs, not to mention hunting for them on Easter morning. I bought two dozen for my grandkids to decorate, even though they are a little beyond the believing age. A good time had by all.