Using Coupons For Toiletries

homemade Canadian bacon pizza: I used the leftover bread dough for crust

Today I took the bus to CVS and bought some mouth rinses and toilet paper.  As some of you know, I use  Dr. Ellie's system for preventive dentistry. It has made a huge difference in my dental bills. The mouthwashes are expensive, so I take advantage of sales and coupons.

finished the first blue striped sock

I found the Closys on sale. If you buy one, you get the second one at half price. The cashier let me open the boxes and use the $1.00 off coupons inside, as well. She gave me $2.00 back in cash coupons, which I used to buy some Listerine and ACT. That purchase came with another $1.00 coupon for toothbrushes, which I also needed. It all really adds up; it just meant going to the cashier three times. There was no line, though, so it took barely any time.  I saved $12.00, and she gave me another $2.00 cash coupon.

The sparrows have returned and built two nests above the chicken coop

I sat at the bus stop and worked on my second sock. The first one is finished, and it fits perfectly. I may send these to a friend of mine in Pittsburgh.  I think she would really like them. I also sent a photo to the lady who gave me the yarn. She was pleased to hear that I am enjoying it. It's so luxurious to work with; I think it must have silk or cashmere in it. There is no label. It will go perfectly with light blue jeans.   

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No Water

Yesterday I woke up, used the bathroom, and went to wash my hands. I turned on the faucet, only to discover that we had no water! It was only 6:00 a.m. Fortunately, I keep a supply of emergency water on hand. I have a ten gallon container of drinking water, some distilled water in a gallon jug for my soapmaking, and water bottles for Lula and I in the fridge. I also keep a pitcher of filtered water next to the sink.

I breathed a sigh of relief, poured some of the filtered water into a recycled gelato container, and took it into the bathroom. I rinsed my hands with it, soaped them up with my homemade shea butter goat's milk soap, and then poured more water from the container over them to remove the soap film.  I wiped my hands dry on the clean towel, feeling very relieved that I had a backup water supply.

After returning to the kitchen,  I breathed another sigh of relief that  I had  water available to make coffee, since I am such a coffee addict. I would have had to drive to Starbucks if I hadn't stored this water for  emergencies.

I had planned to wash my sheets, but waited for the water to come back on, (which it did, around 8:00 a.m.) I was able to get my load of washing  done, and hung it out on the clothesline in the sunshine  to dry. I also really appreciated the fact that I could take a hot shower. Most of us  take all of these things for granted. It was comforting to feel clean and to stay on schedule with my housework.  Do you have extra water stored in case of an emergency?

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Adding Up Costs For Electricity and Gas

I have been adding up what I spent last year, and it is eye opening to examine the totals. I spent $252.00 on electricity, which comes out so $21.00 a month. My gas total was $402.00, or $33.50 per month. I work hard to keep these bills down, and was pleased when I saw what I had spent for the year.

I use a toaster oven to bake potatoes, make croutons, and melt cheese on bread or tortillas. It's cheaper than turning on the oven. I also try not to flick on the lights unless I am in the room. My antique lamps have a low setting that provides a gentle glow to the room. I have LED light bulbs, and they do seem to use less electricity.

I think it really helps to have a small home. It's easy and efficient to heat and to cool. The mature trees provide a lot of shade, and the landscaping keeps the front porch cool. How are your gas and electric bills? Do you know your totals? I was afraid to look, but was pleased with the results.

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First Attempt At Homemade Sourdough Bread

Today I decided to try making a loaf of sourdough bread. The other day my neighbor gave me the starter. The recipe I used called for one cup of sourdough starter.  I didn't have that much, so I used five cups of flour instead of six.

It was easy to make. I used a 1930's recipe from one of my mom's old cookbooks. It called for flour, yeast, water, butter, salt, and baking soda. I blended the ingredients with an electric mixer, and scraped the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula.

I really enjoyed the rhythm of kneading the bread. I worked it with my hands for eight minutes on the counter. It felt very meditative and relaxing. Baking bread is so grounding. It always reminds me of how our ancestors lived.  Baking bread was a ritual in those days.

 The dough was extremely elastic. I covered it in the bowl, and put it in the oven on a very low temperature. I didn't think that my kitchen was warm enough for the bread to rise.

After punching it down, I separated it into two sections, and let them rest. After ten minutes, I rolled them into balls and tucked the ends underneath the bottom. I flattened one to six inches in diameter, slashed it with a sharp knife, and let it rise again.  I put the second one in the fridge for future use.

The finished loaf looks very pretty. I baked it with  a small pan of water in the oven, since my oven tends to dry things out that need to be moist. I have  a 1950's vintage O'Keefe and Merritt.

This is  some sock yarn that was given to me by a local knitter. She's had it since the 1980's. I love the colors.

The bread tasted okay, but was nothing special. It just kind of reminded me of store bought white bread that had been sweetened. The sourdough flavor was barely there. It's still good, though. I toasted some with Tillamook cheese, and that really improved it. It will make excellent breadcrumbs for casseroles, and I think it will make a tasty bacon and cheese sandwich, or as a side with a salad. The dressing would give it more flavor.

To be honest, I think I really prefer The New York Times No Knead Bread recipe. It makes such a delicious, chewy, Artisan loaf. I have used apple cider in that recipe to give it a slight sourdough flavor.  I love the moistness of it. The dough is very sticky to work with, but the end result is divine. This was just okay. Oh well. Maybe I'm too picky; at least now I know. I don't think it's really worth the effort, especially if you are spending all of that time making the starter, but maybe I'm  missing something. I guess my expectations were too high. I grew devouring  round loaves of Columbo extra sour sourdough bread from San Francisco. It was baked and delivered to the supermarkets daily, and boy was it incredible! Mine didn't come close, but I will eat it. Next time I may try using some semolina flour that I have in my cupboard.

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Snow On The Mountains in Los Angeles

Yesterday afternoon I took the bus to the library, and there was snow on the mountains!  I wish I had brought my camera with me, because the sky and the clouds were absolutely stunning. I was awestruck by how clear and beautiful it was.  The clouds were perfectly white and fluffy. The rain really cleared away the smog.

I've been using my French press to brew coffee the past few mornings. I normally make cafe au lait, but have decided to switch to regular coffee  for a while. I think it will be healthier for me to have less milk. I thought I would miss the rich espresso, but am just as happy with freshly ground vanilla nut coffee. It may save me a little money, too. As many of you know, I am a passionate coffee drinker. This weather has been making me want to drink far more than I normally do.

Here is a photo of the blue Carbeth sweater.  It's knit with Alafosslopi yarn. I love the way the stitches swelled and transformed after blocking.  My neighbor took the picture for me. I went over to her house yesterday afternoon and picked up some sourdough starter. I have never made sourdough bread. Have you?  It will be fun to try.

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Another Article!

Yesterday I heard from my editor at Dance Magazine, and she agreed to use a pitch that I had just sent to her. This article will be about dancers, and common mistakes that they make with their money. I have been talking with some  of my show business friends on the phone about their past and current financial situations, and it has been fascinating.


They all have enthusiastic advice for the young dancers. I was surprised how many opened up to me about things like a spouse who spent all of their savings, or how an unexpected illness or injury set them back financially.  In my own life, I got involved in two separate situations where I was pulling far more than my own weight, financially. Instead of saving money, I was paying my partner's share of the bills.Thankfully, I realized that I couldn't afford to continue this behavior, so I ended both relationships. It could have turned out much worse if we had been married.

My editor is having me consult one of the experts from Career Transitions For Dancers for this piece. I received a $2000.00 grant from them when I was in my thirties. I used that money to obtain my yoga certification. I also attended their free career counseling and computer classes. I was so afraid of computers at that time! Now I love them.

One thing that makes me feel good is to look back at the goals that I set when talking with their career counselor, Eleanor. At that time I wanted to teach dance and yoga, and  to become a writer. That's exactly what I ended up doing. I remember getting upset in their writing class, because I brought in my homework, (which I had spent hours on,)  and some of the other women in the group criticized it.  I shot back  that I didn't think that they should be pointing out the flaws in my work, since they hadn't even completed the assignment. They were shocked. I remember the conflict so well. It was hard for me to confront them at that time, but I'm glad so that I did. Sometimes you have to stand up for yourself.   

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We Admitted We Were Powerless Over Yarn

Yesterday I wrote about the sticker shock I experienced when I bought a muffin for $4.50 at a cafe in Ojai. That  is nothing compared to what I paid for this yarn, (also from Ojai.)  I won't even tell you what it cost. I signed up for a class to learn a new shoulder shaping technique that uses German short rows. I saw a photo of The Stockholm Sweater by Petite Knit online. I had to have that sweater. I just was mesmerized by the quality of the Isager yarn. It has a sheen. The design of the sweater is simple, pure, and classy.  It's Danish. I was able to buy the English translation on Ravelry..

Like Carbeth, the yarn is held doubled for this pattern. The bad news about that is that you need a lot more yarn than if you were using a single strand. It really makes a beautiful fabric, though.  A size XS takes eight skeins of yarn. I was given a 10% discount, since I signed up for the class. In California, that will take care of the sales tax.

I am still staying in budget. I normally only knit from my stash, or use gift cards that my brother gives me on my birthday and Christmas to buy yarn. The way I'm rationalizing this purchase is that I haven't spent much money on clothes.  I wear what I have for years, and much of what I wear are items that I've knit. They last for decades. Shoes seem to last me a long time, too. I buy good quality clogs, boots, and sandals. I usually find them for half price at T.J. Maxx, and then I get them repaired when they need it.  

Anyway, this yarn is made of mohair and silk, and it is absolutely dreamy. I am so enjoying working with it. It's really soft and luxurious. It reminds me of Belgian chocolate. It's made in Italy. I always am drawn to the Italian yarns. They are outstanding.   

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$4.50 For A Muffin

That's the Feed Store, on the left

While I was in Ojai last week, I took Lula to a cute little cafe. I decided just to order a muffin. I figured it would only cost a few dollars, and that we could sit outside and enjoy the ambiance. I had packed coffee, salad, nuts, and water. If I got hungry, I planned to eat in the car to save money.  We  strolled around town, enjoying the shops.  Two different women complimented me on the sweater that I was wearing. It is one that I've had for twenty years. It's hand knit, but I didn't make it.

Once in the Ojai Cafe, I peered into the case of pastries and tried to decide between the boysenberry scone and  cranberry orange muffin. I chose the muffin. My jaw dropped when the cashier announced, "That will be $4.50." "FOUR FIFTY!" I almost shouted. I restrained myself.  I was glad that I hadn't ordered a cup of herb tea to go with it. I rarely eat out, so I am kind of out of touch with restaurant prices.  Later on I checked their adjoining restaurant menu, and lunches were very reasonable. You can get an entree for $13.00. The scenery on the patio was lovely.

I thought that these bird houses and the watering can were arranged so artistically.

It must be calming to live so close to the mountains. The sky was clear and blue. I love the old fashioned picket fences.  When we return  I want to explore the bike path.

Yesterday I finished the blue Carbeth sweater. I have been wearing it all day, and haven't needed to turn on the heat. Icelandic wool is incredibly warm. I feel like a human sheep. The stitches bloomed after soaking the sweater in water. It's so well insulated; the wind does not whip through it. I'm really impressed with the quality of the wool. It's the kind of sweater that will still look new in thirty years. I sent my brother a thank you photo.  He gave me the gift card to buy the yarn.  Yarn for a knitter is the ultimate Christmas gift, especially when you get to pick out exactly what you want!

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Close Friends That You Can Call

I've been reading a book called Boundaries, by Dr. Henry Cloud. In it, he mentions that you should have at least six people that you can call if you need to talk. That way, if one person is busy, you have other friends or family members who will support you.

I thought about how true this is. Many people are feeling isolated due to social media. I made a few phone calls to close friends. I had a long, laughter filled conversation with a woman I did 42nd Street in Europe with; it was so good to catch up with her. She told me that she had been thinking about me all week. Those connections are so important to our mental health. We need to communicate with people who are on our same wavelength.  It's healing for our hearts and souls.

I left a message for another old friend from the same show. We usually talk now and then on Sunday afternoons. I always look forward to our conversations. Just hearing his voice puts a smile on my face. Close friends are treasures. I met both of these dancers almost thirty years ago. They are both so kind and compassionate.

I spent a lot of time today finishing up my blue Carbeth sweater. I completed the ribbing on the turtleneck and bound off loosely. I weaved in some of the ends, and grafted together the stitches underneath one of the arms. I will do the rest of it tomorrow. Working through the final touches on a hand knit sweater always takes me twice as long as I think it will.

 It's really a gorgeous design; I'm so excited to wear it. It looks completely different than anything else I own, because of the Icelandic wool. I absolutely love the vibrant blue color!

Here are some more photos from my trip to Ojai. I went back up the next day and attended a fabulous knitting group. I signed up for a sweater class that uses an interesting method of shaping the shoulders with German short rows. I bought the yarn and got started on the back. With this cold weather we've been having I have been getting daily use out of my hand knit sweaters. I rarely buy yarn, but this time I made an exception. I am so excited about taking a class again. I have always loved being a student. I get such a charge from the joy of learning.  I felt very comfortable with this group of knitters. Most of them live in Ojai or Santa Barbara. They are artistic, trained, and talented.  The vibe of that area really pulls me... like a magnet.

I also signed up for a writing course with Rhonda Hetzel. I took her blogging course on Skype and really enjoyed it. I did the homework today and emailed her  my questions and writing sample. Phew! There is a lot to look forward to with these classes and teachers.  How are you doing? 

Enjoying The Charm of Ojai, California

Here are some more photos from yesterday's trip. It was a spectacular day!  I took this photo from my car window; I pulled over to the shoulder of  the highway.

The orange trees look so healthy. They are massive! There are acres and acres of them along Highway 126, too.

Lula and I took a quiet walk through the charming side streets of the neighborhood. This sweet little cottage caught my eye. This house is probably one hundred years old. I love the gingerbread house detail on the porch. It takes me back in time. It looks so much like mine; I love small, old fashioned cottages. They remind me of fairy tales.

 
Many of the local shops and cafes are dog friendly. Some offer bowls of water at the doorstep for visiting pooches.  Lula was an enthusiastic companion. She is so relaxed and well behaved in the car. 

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A Scenic Visit To Ojai, California

This afternoon I took a spontaneous day trip to the magical town of Ojai, California. It is only and hour and a half  drive from my cottage. I initially was headed  to Santa Barbara and Carpinteria.  Once  I saw the sign on the 126 that said, "Ojai 15 miles," I turned around and headed up the enchanting  Highway 150.   It's a charming rural  route through the hills and mountains. I took some photos to show you...

There was no traffic. February is an ideal time to visit California. The tourists are not here. The atmosphere is so relaxed.

There is a light dusting of snow on the mountains. Driving to this location feels like you are going back in time.

There are lots of quaint, artsy shops. I didn't see a single fast food place or chain store. All of the boutiques and restaurants have so much color, charm,  and personality.

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This little pizza place on the outskirts of town has lovely outdoor seating. The Euryops were in full bloom. The wise old oak trees provide a comforting canopy.

I took so many photographs! I'll post more of them tomorrow. Lula came with me, and we had a fabulous time.  It was a quick adventure. It's so energizing to go visit new places and to change your routine. I am so fortunate to reside in California where there are so many scenic treasures. 

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Got My Taxes Done

Yesterday I had my taxes done at our local senior center. VITA provides volunteer tax accountants who will do your return free of charge. To qualify, you need to  make under a certain amount of money. I had a wonderful woman who was very helpful. She carefully went through all of my expenses with me, and gave me some excellent advice. She reminded me of  a teacher. I so appreciated her kindness and caring. She was so detailed and exact.

From there I drove over to Mail America and faxed my proof of income to Covered California. They had sent me a letter saying that they needed a copy of my tax return in order for me to keep my health insurance. It felt so satisfying to get those things done. I will be receiving almost $4,800. back from my health insurance payments. That money will go directly into savings and retirement. It's such a relief to have a financial cushion.

I had an Etsy order yesterday for some heart soaps, so I sent those off at the post office. I made another batch today. I took my time, and enjoyed stirring the soap batter. I scented it with Cranberry Chutney fragrance from Brambleberry. It smells heavenly!

I've got to do my physical therapy exercises and yoga now. I haven't done my push ups in ages, and I meant to be doing them every day. My dad is 88, and he does thirty push ups each day! I hope I'll be able to do them at that age, if I live that long. How are you?

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Investing When You're Not A High Earner

I have been listening to Suze Orman's podcast, Women and Money, for the past few days. I have been a huge fan of hers for many years. Her advice has helped and protected me since I first saw her on Oprah Winfrey's show. I love how she connects our emotions to our financial lives. I know from teaching yoga that these are both second chakra issues.  Her advice always makes so much sense to me.  The subject I listened to today was on trusting yourself. Boy, can that save you a lot of heartache and drama.

I decided today that I am going to take part of the refund that I will receive from the tax credit that I get for my health insurance to open an investment account. Here I am, fifty-four years old, and I am finally getting my feet wet in the stock market! I also have a pension with Actors Equity, but I didn't make any of those decisions.  I have been a passive participant.  I will be eligible for it in about ten years. I'm sure the time will fly.

My plan is to invest $100.00 a month. My father suggested that I start with $1,000.00 and just invest once a year. That way I will avoid fees and charges. I will do $1,200.00 this year, and increase it to $2,000.00 next year. It's a start.

Suze suggested TD Ameritrade on her show. I plan to buy Exchange Traded Funds, which is what she recommends. She also likes Vanguard. She mentioned Standard and Poor's Index Fund through them. I read the information from my notes off to my father on the phone, and he thought that both choices were excellent. He told me right off the top of his head how much the return would have been over the past two years. It was significant, even for that amount of money.

So, I'm finally doing it. It's never too late to begin. I feel like this is a move in the right direction. Are you an investor?

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Knitting a Pair of Cashmere Gloves With Recycled Yarn

my swatch

Last Christmas I bought  a few skeins of  "reclaimed  cashmere" yarn from our local yarn shop before they became an online only store. My brother had given me a gift certificate for Christmas, and I was excited to find this yarn at an excellent price. Christian, the owner, told me that the woman he bought it from overdyes the recycled skeins. I loved the quality, feel, and price. (especially since it was on sale.)

I always write out my patterns by hand

I decided to use one of my favorite patterns from Ravelry.  It's called "Dancing At Lugnasa Gloves," and it's  free.  I dug out my size 2 dpn's from my set of Knitter's Pride sock needles. I swatched for the pattern on a size 2 set of needles, and was spot on with gauge. Whew! I love it when it's that easy. The fit of these gloves is perfect. You can lengthen or shorten the fingers so that they fit you exactly. They are so much more comfortable than gloves from the store.  I used Alpaca Sox sock yarn for my last pair. They have held up beautifully. I think the nylon helps to make them more durable.

I made the green ones several years ago. They are listed in my Etsy shop.I wear them every day to ride my bike  in the winter. I have been meaning to make another pair for years. They are more work than socks, so I have been procrastinating. Still, they are so useful; I have always wanted a pair of hand knit, simple, plain, grey gloves. Working with cashmere is divine. It's so elegant.

my knitting sidekick, Lula

I met with a friend this afternoon.  She was crocheting a baby blanket for charity, and I wasworking on the cuff of my glove. We sat and chatted  for a couple of hours. I came home and had a fourth cup of cafe au lait, (Terrible, I know!) It's a good thing I don't drink. I'd probably be an alcoholic. It runs in my family, on both sides. It's very hard for me to reduce my coffee intake. Something about this rainy weather makes me want to knit for several hours a day, listen to podcasts, and drink mugs and mugs of vanilla nut coffee with goat's milk. It sure tastes delicious.  

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A Very Expensive Heating Bill

protecting the house from flooding with straw mulch

I received my gas bill the other day for January. It had skyrocketed! I was pretty shocked.  I normally pay about thirty dollars a month. If it's cold, I expect the bill to go up to about fifty dollars. This one was for seventy-three. Yikes!

I realized that I had been turning on the heat more often than I usually do. It's comforting to feel warm and cozy. I wear a flannel nightgown to sleep,  and put on a red,  twenty year old cashmere bathrobe each morning.  Even though I sit on the couch with an alpaca throw in my lap, I like to take the chill off of the room by turning on the heater. I switch the thermostat to 70 degrees  when I pad into the kitchen, which is usually very early in the morning.  It's still dark, and the air is chilly. I love that time of the day.  It's quiet and peaceful.

I realized that because of all of this rain that we've been having, I used my gas dryer a few times. Normally I hang all of my washing outside on the clothesline. It really does save money to not use the dryer. I'm glad that I have one, though. It's a thirty year old Kenmore, and is so reliable and dependable.  We really needed the rain, so I am grateful. It has been plentiful and healing for the earth.  The ground was so parched and dry for so long.

I  have probably also been using more gas for cooking. I love to make bone broths and soups. I will do better with my usage  next month. At least it's a small house. My dad said that his heat bill was something like $300.00! His house is much bigger than mine, and it has two stories.

Our street was like a river today. I drove over to Fox Feed and bought two bales of straw. I spread it out in front of the house to absorb all of that extra water. It acts like a sponge. I also put a heavy layer of it on the porch, so that my front room doesn't flood. If I don't do it, the water will come in underneath the front door, and the carpet will be soaked. It's an inexpensive but effective solution. Once the weather warms up again, I will rake it up and use it in the chicken coop and compost pile.

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