Something to Ponder....

"Becoming Minimalist' is spot on when he wrote this:

"....what would happen if we stopped getting embarrassed over the wrong things and started pursuing the right things?

What if, instead of being embarrassed over the brand of our clothing, we became embarrassed over the size of our walk-in closet?

What if, instead of being embarrassed over the type of car we drive, we became embarrassed over how often we take that luxury for granted?

What if, instead of being embarrassed because our house is too small, we became embarrassed over the amount of unused space within it?

What if, instead of being embarrassed over the quality and quantity of our possessions, we became embarrassed over how much money we have spent on our own selfish pursuits?

What if excess became the embarrassment? And responsible living that championed generosity became the norm?

Maybe then, we could become a little more proud of normal."

Cheesy Ham, Potato and Green Bean Casserole

This is a great recipe - down to earth ingredients and a good dish to take to someone needing a meal. This recipe is probably good for six but can easily be adapted for more. No store bought creamed soups for this recipe - just homemade goodness :-)

1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp. butter
1/2 chopped onion
1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp. flour
1/2 tsp. pepper
salt to taste (maybe about 1/2 tsp)
3 cups milk
1-1/2 cups shredded old cheddar cheese
5 cups potatoes, diced and cooked
4 cups green beans, cooked
2 cups cooked ham, diced
2 Tbsp. butter, melted
1/2 cups bread crumbs (I add a bit of paprika)

Melt butter with onion until bubbly and then stir in the flour. Mix well with a fork until well blended. At this point, I take the pan off the heat for a bit and very slowly mix in the milk. Over medium heat, and stirring constantly, heat until bubbly and thickened. Remove from heat, add the cheese and stir well.
Put potatoes in greased 9x13 baking dish, top with green beans, and then ham.
Pour cheese sauce over evenly.
Melt butter and stir in bread crumbs with any seasonings you may like. Sprinkle over casserole.
Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

What is your favorite casserole recipe?

Scanners Code of Practice = FREE

I'm posting this tidbit of information because it appears that not everyone knows about the Scanners Code of Practice. Most grocery stores will refund you the money on an item if it scans through incorrectly.

Keep an eye on the shelf stickers when you are purchasing your groceries. Then check your receipt BEFORE leaving the store. If an item has not scanned in correctly, and if that particular store adheres to the Scanners Code of Practice, you will get the item for free. But you have to mention it yourself. There could be a limit as to how much they will refund.

I have saved a considerable amount of money over the years just by keeping an eye on the prices and checking my receipt before leaving the store. I generally shop at Super Store. Yesterday I purchased a very large container of Purex laundry detergent. There was a large display of them in a center aisle - price was $9.97. I put one in my cart but it rang through the check out as over $16!! I caught this before leaving the store and took the receipt to customer service. They refunded me the $16 that I paid and gave me the detergent for free. If I didn't mention "Scanners Code of Practice" I would have only been refunded the difference.

Praise God

Three weeks ago I went for another MRI to check for regrowth of the brain tumor that was removed 13 years ago. It had been four years since my last MRI and I was a tad nervous waiting for the results, especially considering my ongoing issues with headaches. I just prayed for peace whatever the result would be.  http://joyfulfrugalliving.blogspot.ca/2013_11_01_archive.html

Yesterday, my neurosurgeons office informed me that there was still no evidence of recurring tumor and my next scheduled MRI is in six years! This was such wonderful news. Thank you Lord!

Saturday Adventures....

There are a lot of fisherman along the banks of the Vedder River - if you look closely in one of the photos, you'll see a fish.

Ready for the masses tomorrow - never know how many people will show up for lunch after church.

If you have Air Miles Dream Rewards, this may be helpful....

We have collected a substantial amount of Air Miles (mainly through Safeway) and, even after using some of them over the years, there is still a lot in our account. I was alerted to the fact that, due to new rules, these Air Miles will eventually expire (I think Dec 2016).

I did a search to try and come up with the best way to use the Air Miles before expiry and came across BMO investment certificates. A person can redeem Air Miles for a BMO certificate that can in turn be used for a TFSA and other investments. There isn't any charge from BMO's end so that appears to be a great option! I had no idea until now that this was even an option with Air Miles.

Biking With Crazy Kids

Thanks to my Mom for passing her bike on to me. She has traveled many miles on this bike and I hope to add many more. We are so blessed to be living near many biking areas, both along the river and on the dike.