Many boxes of books later....

Wow.  This has been a very interesting week.  I have mostly sat in my living room going through boxes of books, sorting for EBAY, bookmooch and yardsale.  A few, sad to say, have gone on to be recycled, because they were in just that bad of shape.  Since last Friday I have mailed 41 books out via Bookmooch and have 19 at this moment to send on Monday.  I have a box of books to go to Brian.  I have about 6 smaller sets to list on EBAY on Sunday evening.  I have about 8 boxes in the foyer for spring yardsale, and I still have about 8 boxes left to list on one loveseat in the living room.  I do have a loveseat and ottoman that I can actually sit on and use the way it was meant to be used.  Me, my feet up, good light over my shoulder, a book in hand and a cat or two draped over me.  Whew!

I had a shake for breakfast, an egg and string cheese for lunch, and I am getting ready to have a grilled cheese sandwich and soup for dinner.  Didn't leave the house today, except to take a load of trash out.  I'm off to pick which book to read!

pantry pictures

The bottom freezer

The Refrigerator

Baking Cubboard

Misc.

Mostly Canned goods.

This is why I need to do this.

Meals for January

Just brainstorming here, but some ideas of things I can make with what I have on hand--

1. Sweet and sour chicken and rice
2. Tuna Casserole
3. Salmon Patties
4. I still have some mini meatloaves frozen, bake a potato
5. Grilled Cheese and soup
6. Spaghetti
7. Chicken Salad
8. Tuna Salad
9. Spinach salad-fruity or savory
10. Deviled eggs, baked beans and fried potatoes.
11. Goulash
12. Cereal and oatmeal
13. French toast
14. Smoothies w/ yogurt, bananas and frozen fruit ( maybe a dash of Amaretto!)
15. 
    

Bookmooch

I eliminated my inventory on Bookmooch last month when I went to spend time with Mom. I just started listing books back on there this week, and I have already taken 41 of the 100 books I listed to the Post Office and still have 6 more to ship later this week. I have spent over $75 in postage. I think the reason they are going so fast is that I didn't list any that had a lot already in other peoples inventory, and most of them were on the wishlists of several people. I have books going to Australia, Japan, Bhutan, Canada and England. Now I just have to mooch the books that are going to translate into cash on Ebay. The only way that seems to work is if they complete sets that I have already got going. Those books are usually easy to find on Bookmooch. I have started listing on Ebay again, after about a 6 week break. That seems to be working out fairly well. I have been doing quite a bit of research during this week of break. Not reading much myself though!

2009 is running down--long live 2010

I have a new project for the new year. Well, for January anyhow. I am going to eat out of my pantry. Oh, Yeah. I took a box of food to the Herrin Pantry earlier today, now I am going to whittle it down, day by day, myself. I know I have lots of tuna, salmon and spaghetti sauce. Lots of pasta, and the freezer is full of chicken. I don't drink much milk, and would love to make some bread. I think all I am going to have to buy is fruit and veggies and eggs. I am trying this week to cut way back on the soda. After each soda I have to drink a large glass of water before the next. Maybe two glasses of water next week. We will see. It would be fun if other members of my family joined in..hint, hint.

My goals for the month--
1. clean out cubboards and refrigerator
2. stay out of the grocery store except for freebies, fruit, fresh veggies and eggs
3. spend less than $50 on food for the month
4. take food to work all month, no eating out

Off to do an inventory!

DeToy family reunion 09

The hosting clan, Tom's Family

The Carlson's

Bob DeToy's Family

Benson, Minnesota

Hosted by the Tom DeToy family

I will be adding more photos as they get uploaded by other family members!

Picked my first blackberries this year!

I picked about 3/4 cup of blackberries, they will be coming on strong this weekend. I also found a lot of Japanese Beetles, so I am off to the nursery to see about some beetle traps. I also need to pick up some RoundUp because my ditch by the road is being overrun by vines that nothing else will kill. Hate to use that stuff.