March Grocery Shopping: Week 2

March 13 Groceries: Fresh Produce,  Meat, etc.

I went grocery shopping today and bought meat (chicken and beef), eggs, turkey cold cuts, a package of chili powder, and fresh produce.   I also stocked up on cans of coconut water and coconut milk.

March 13 Groceries: Canned Items

I bought:

Chicken drumsticks, $.59/lb = $1.50
Beef shoulder steak, $2.99/lb = $2.60
Turkey breast cold cuts, 9 oz. package = $1.19
1 doz. large eggs = $1.29

Gala apples, $.39/lb = $.60
Bananas, $.49/lb = $.52
Green grapes, $.99/lb. = $1.29
D'anjou pears, $.49/lb = $.49

Red potatoes, $.33/lb = $.29
Green beans, $1.29/lb = $.52
Yuca/cassava, $.79/lb = $.51
Yams, $.33/lb = $.16
Carrots, 1 lb. bag = $.45
Chili Powder, 6 oz. = $2.49
4 cans coconut milk, $.89/can =  $3.56
6 cans coconut water, $.69 + $.05 deposit/can = $4.44

Total = $21.90

March 13 Receipt

I am learning to buy small quantities of everything - just enough for about a week to 10 days for myself.  So, just a little over 2 lbs. of chicken and just under 1 lb. of beef, 3 bananas, 3 apples, 2 pears, the smallest bag of grapes, less than 1 lb. of green beans, etc.   I still have half a bag of spinach, half a head of lettuce, some beets, and a carrot in the fridge, as well as an onion and oranges from the tree.

I went ahead and bought the eggs for $1.29; of course, now that I've bought them, they'll probably go on sale for $.99 next week!  :D

Earlier, on March 6, I had bought bananas ($.85), grapes ($1.66), butter ($2.99) and spent a total of $5.50.

March grocery budget = $75
Spent to date = $5.50 + $21.90 = $27.40
Balance left in the budget = $47.60

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It was another warm (88F), sunny day, today.  One of my cousins called me in the morning and we had a nice chat.  Then, I did some office work.  I did the grocery shopping in the late afternoon.  I think, if I had done only the grocery shopping, it would have been fine.  I already felt a little tired after I came back from the store, but I pushed myself to go to the garden center, as well, since I had been postponing that for several days, and it might have been a little too much.

I walked around the garden center, looking at all the plants they had for sale, including the vegetable seedlings, but only bought two bags of soil amendment.  Each bag was 2 cubic feet and I could barely move them, they felt so heavy to me!  I managed to tip one into the cart and I was tugging at the second one when another shopper, a young man, asked me if I'd like some help with it.  I said, "Yes, please" and he lifted it quite easily and put it into my cart.  At the check out, the cashier asked if I needed help loading them into my car and I said, yes, please, again.  So she called for help loading and I waited maybe 10 minutes or so for someone to arrive, but no one did!  I got tired of waiting and so, managed to load the bags into the trunk of my car and came home.  It took some effort, but I managed to unload them from the car as well, but I left them in the garage.  They were too heavy for me to carry to the back yard!

Then, I took the trash can and the yardwaste bin to the curb for pick up in the morning.

By then, I was hungry (I had eaten a slice of pizza for lunch, but that had been several hours ago)  and exhausted!  I couldn't even take the time to make a cup of tea!  I ate some of the chocolate pudding I had made earlier and fell asleep sitting up in my arm chair!  LOL!  I woke up after about an hour and made my way to the sofa and lay down for another hour or so, but didn't fall asleep.  Eventually, I got up and made myself some scrambled eggs on toast for dinner and that cup of tea I didn't have, earlier.  Later, I had some grapes.

Then, cleaned the fridge, emptied the waste baskets, and took the kitchen trash, etc., to the big trash bin at the curb.  Rinsed out the kitchen trash can, too. 

I had planned to cook the chicken and the beef, but it will wait until tomorrow.  I had planned to  water the back garden, but that, too, will have to wait until tomorrow.   As for the planting bed, I think I'll wait until Friday when my gardener friend comes to do the garden and have him finish it for me. 

Monday's To Do List:
- Grocery shop! - DONE
- Menu plan lunches for the week (to take to the office) - DONE (turkey cold cuts sandwiches, egg salad sandwiches)
- Garden center for soil amendments and maybe chicken wire/mesh - DONE (changed my mind about the chicken wire)
- Finish the planting bed - Have gardener finish it
- Water the back garden - Tuesday
- Clean out the fridge - DONE
- Empty waste baskets - DONE
- Take trash cans to curb - DONE
 - Daily tasks (put away dishes/wash dishes/clean litter box, etc.)

Tuesday's To Do List:
- Office work
- Water the back garden
- Bring the trash cans in
- Cook the chicken and the beef
- Water the indoor plants
- Daily tasks

Today, I am grateful for:
- Another sunny, warm day
- Getting the grocery shopping done
- Managing to wrestle the bags of soil amendment in and out of the car!
- Chatting on the phone with my cousin, video chatting with my daughter, exchanging emails with my friend
- Being OK, even if I overdid things a bit!
 

How was your Monday? 

Spring Forward Sunday

Today is the first day of  daylight savings time.  I love the fact that it stays light a lot longer, now, but the time change is hard on my internal clock, which is out of whack to begin with!  Oh, well, I guess I'll adjust.  Probably just in time for the clocks to change again in the fall! 

For brunch, today, I had a type of flat bread known as "godamba roti"  with a spicy onion mixture known as "seeni sambol" (onions sliced thinly and sauted with chili powder, spices, salt, and sugar):

Godamba Roti and Seeni Sambol

When I was growing up in Sri Lanka, a man used to come by the houses on our street, always in the evening, once a week or so, pushing a cart and calling out to announce his presence.  He was the godamba roti man, making the flat breads on the spot.  His cart contained a drawer where the round balls of dough were kept, soaking in oil, and there was a stove built into the cart, which heated up the metal top where the flat bread would be cooked.  A kerosene oil lamp would be hung on the cart to illuminate his work space.  We used to gather around the cart and watch as he'd take a ball of dough and stretch it with his hands and spin it, like a pizza maker spins the pizza dough, to make it spread out, paper thin.  Then, it would be spread out on the hot cooking surface until it "baked" and flipped over to cook the other side.  If an egg godamba is requested, he would break open an egg and spread it over the top before cooking the dough.  Once he made the requested number of flat breads, he'd go on his way to the next house where the people were waiting his services.  And we would take the flat breads and go inside the house to eat them for dinner with curries that had already been prepared.

When I was growing up, we rarely made godamba roti at home.  It was almost always bought from the godamba roti man or, occasionally, from small restaurants that made and sold them.  These days, however, I've been told that one almost never sees a godamba roti man going door to door with his cart, and most people buy the godamba roti from restaurants.

However, they are easy to make at home.  My cousin's mother-in-law showed me how.  One makes a dough with flour, salt, a tablespoon or so of oil and warm water; the dough is kneaded for a bit and then, formed into small balls, about 2 inches in diameter.  The balls of dough are then put into a bowl with enough oil to cover them and kept for at least one hour (longer is better).  Afterwards, they are stretched out as thinly as possible.  Traditionally, they are stretched to a rectangle shape.  And then, cooked on a griddle or a frying pan. 

I have made godamba roti from scratch; however, the one I had for brunch today was not one that I made.  I cheated and bought a box of frozen godamba roti from the Sri Lankan store and reheated one!

I spent a relaxed afternoon, reading blogs, replying to comments on my blog, reading my library book, etc.  In between, I washed the dishes and tidied the kitchen and the dining table.  My neighbor called for our weekly chat and later in the afternoon, my sister called to check on me.  Still later, one of my aunts called and we had a long conversation. 

In the evening, I decided to do some gardening.  There is an empty planting bed near the corner of the garage, just behind the last lemon tree and to the left of the curry leaf tree shown in this photo from yesterday:

Empty Planting Bed to the Left of the Curry Leaf Tree

Here is a close up of the empty planting bed:

Empty Planting Bed

Once upon a time, I had some lavender growing there.  When it died, I planted a sugarcane bush.  That, too, died due to the drought.  It has been empty since then.  Today, I decided to dig it up to make a new planting bed for some vegetables.  It is not a very big area - perhaps 3' x 4', but I should be able to fit in a couple of tomato plants, some green beans, and maybe a few chili plants.   I made a good start on it this evening, but didn't quite finish edging it with the pavers.  Tomorrow, I want to go to the garden center to buy a bag or two of soil amendments to add to this bed, as the soil is very sandy and poor.  I also need to figure out a way to keep the stray cats away and discourage them from using this area as a litter box!  Last summer, I planted some tomato seedlings, and the cats dug up all my plants! 

Later in the evening, I watered the front garden for the first time this year!  We've had so much rain in January and February, I didn't need to water the garden, at all.  But it's been more than a week since our last rain shower and there is no rain in the forecast for next week.  Plus, with temperatures continuing to be in the 70s and 80s, the plants need some water!  The front garden gets the full brunt of the afternoon and evening sun, so it needs more frequent watering than the back garden.  I prefer to hand water the front garden; I water the back with the sprinklers. 

Today, I am grateful for:
- Phone calls from family and neighbor
- Starting to have longer daylight hours
- Being able to dig in the garden, again!  (I was told not to garden when I was undergoing chemo due to risk of infections)
- A warm, sunny day
- Water to water the garden!

Monday's To Do List:
- Grocery shop!
- Menu plan lunches for the week (to take to the office)
- Garden center for soil amendments and maybe chicken wire/mesh
- Finish the planting bed
- Water the back garden
- Clean out the fridge
- Empty waste baskets
- Take trash cans to curb
 - Daily tasks (put away dishes/wash dishes/clean litter box, etc.)

How was your Sunday?

The Garden in March

Back Yard from the Back Steps

The garden is coming along nicely after all the rain we've had.  I've been asked how big my garden is.  I live on what maybe considered a typical suburban lot in this area: approximately 50' x 130'.  The front yard measures approximately 20' deep by 40' wide and there is a drive way that runs the length of the house to the detached garage (the white wall to the viewer's left, in the picture above).  I've three lemon trees growing along the side of the garage and one of them is visible on the left in the picture above; the orange tree is across from it on the right of the picture.  The entire back yard is enclosed by a wall.

Side Yard

The side yard is approximately 5' wide.  At one time, I had oleander bushes growing along the wall, but they had to be uprooted when the sewer pipe had to be replaced.  Then, I had a clump of sugar cane growing, here, but that died, too, during the drought.  Now, I just have two guava trees growing here.  The tree in the foreground, growing near the side wall in a feijoa, which is also known as "pineapple guava".  The tree behind it, growing against the house, is a cherry guava.  There is another feijoa behind that, growing against the house in the front yard.  There is an iron railing separating the side yard from the front yard.  I have plans to landscape this area, but haven't done anything yet.

The Cherry Guava Tree

Last summer's heat wave scorched the cherry guava tree, but it has leafed out again, after the rain, and there are even a few flowers!

Cherry Guava Flowers

In the back yard, the three lemon trees growing by the side of the garage still have the winter crop of lemons:

Lemons

And are covered with flowers!  The bees love them and they make the whole garden smell lovely.

Lemon Flowers

The hibiscus plant is doing well, too:

Hibiscus

I still have several oranges on the orange tree (picked another two after I took this picture):

Oranges (and photobombing Crocosmia Flowers)

The orange tree is covered with buds!  None have opened, yet, but it won't be long before they do:

Orange Flower Buds

I've several clumps of crocosmia growing along the side wall:

Crocosmia

Further towards the back of the garden, there is a calamondin tree with a schefflera plant growing under it.  Calamondin is a type of citrus; the fruit is about the size of a kumquat, but round.  The fruit is edible, but very sour.

Calamondin Tree and Schefflera

The picture below is taken from near the back of the garden looking towards the back of the garage (and house).   That is a curry leaf tree growing behind the garage - we use the leaves in our cooking.   Several volunteer seedlings have sprouted and I am letting them grow. 

Curry Leaf Tree and Seedlings (foreground)

I've more of the African daisies growing in the back yard, too:

African Daisies

And that is the back garden in March!  This is perhaps the best time of the year for our gardens, here, before it gets too hot in the summer.  We've not had any rain in a week and the forecast for next week says it will be warm and sunny, so I will need to water the garden, tomorrow, for the first time this year!

Are you able to garden in March?

Slow Friday

Spring Flowers

It really has been a rather slow week for me with nothing much happening, other than doing office work, running a couple of errands, and a few household tasks.  I'm afraid my daily posts haven't been very interesting, as a result.   In fact, there have been days when I've wondered if I should do a blog post at all, because there have been nothing much to say.  I do try not to bore everyone with the minutiae of my days, but, some days, that's all there is!

Friday was another warm day, but there was a cloud cover, so we had hazy sunshine.  As usual, I spent most of the day doing office work.  I had wanted to go to the garden center, but I needed to work on my office work and didn't want to take the time to visit the garden center.  I might go over the weekend, instead, or on Monday.    But, in the afternoon, I went for a short walk around the block and then, I took a few pictures of the flowers in my front garden because I feel so happy when I see them!  All the recent rain has resulted in a lovely show of flowers:

Purple African Daisies

Still later in the afternoon, my friend who does my garden came over and I chatted with him while he weeded part of the back yard.  We discussed some plans for the back yard.  We agreed that the peach tree is dead, so we will take it out and maybe plant something else, instead.  The camellia bush, too, is dead.

I didn't take any pictures of my meals today as they were rather uninspired.  Brunch was a sandwich made with some of the roast chicken breast, followed by a banana.  I couldn't decide what to have for dinner - I really wasn't hungry and nothing sounded appetizing.  I finally made some Indian style cream of wheat and then, had a flat bread and grapes.

New Leaves on Pomegranate Tree

In the evening, I video chatted with my daughter and paid February's gas bill ($185.03). 

On Friday, I was grateful for:
- Another warm day
- Getting my office work done
- Flowers in the garden
- An afternoon walk
- Video chatting with my daughter

My plans for the weekend include a visit to the garden center, grocery shopping, some housework, and, hopefully, some sewing!  There is a blouse I have cut out that I'd like to sew.

How was your Friday?  What have you planned for the weekend?

Sunny, Warm Thursday

It was another sunny, warm day, today, with an afternoon high of 86F.  My house, however, was fairly cool in the morning, registering 68F at noon.  I didn't put the heater, however.  Instead, I opened the windows to try and bring the warmth in.

I spent most of the day doing office work.  But, in the afternoon, I went to the pharmacy to pick up my medication refills.  I received $5 in Extra Care Bucks, and I spent several minutes looking around to see what I wanted to get with them.  In the end, however, I left without getting anything!  How sad is that?  But I didn't see anything I needed or wanted!  After I came home, I asked my daughter if she needed anything.  She suggested a couple of things and I'll get them for her, the next time I go to the store.

I had wanted to go to the garden center to get a few things, but I decided to wait until tomorrow or the weekend.  

Brunch was the last of the pasta and fish curry, with a banana for dessert.  In the evening, I had a nutritional drink instead of my usual tea.  Dinner was two of the frozen battered fish fillets, baked, and served with lettuce, corn, and carrots:

Dinner

On Thursday, I was grateful for:

- Another sunny, warm day
- Getting the equivalent of $5 to spend at the pharmacy
- Receiving my next work assignment
- An afternoon nap
- Video chatting with my daughter



Thursday's To Do List:
- Office work - DONE
- Put away laundry - DONE
- Pharmacy - DONE
- Garden center for edging stones and a bag of compost - NOT DONE
- Daily tasks - DONE

Friday's To Do List:
- Office work
- Go to the garden center?
- Tidy/dust living room
- Daily tasks (dishes, litter box, etc.)

How was your Thursday?  What have you planned for Friday? 

Warm Wednesday

Wednesday was a warm day.  86F was the afternoon high.  But, there I was, I seated in front of the heater, dressed in sweat shirt and sweat pants, with socks on my feet, a scarf tied around my neck, and draped in a knitted poncho, until noon!  I was feeling cold!  I turned the heater off at noon and, eventually, in the afternoon, I removed the poncho and the scarf.  It's night now, and I have the poncho on, again, and the heater is on, too.

It was also International Women's Day, commemorating the movement for women's rights.  I didn't take the day off from work, but I did refrain from going shopping today.  I don't know if not buying anything for one day really does anything, though, because it simply means the shopping will get done on another day, unless people decide not to buy those items at all.  In my case, the item I need to buy is one of my medications, so it's not something I can be without buying; I need it for my health.

Wednesday was a quietly productive day for me.  I worked on my office stuff for a good portion of the day.  In the afternoon, I took a nap on the living room sofa.  Later in the evening, I did the load of laundry I didn't do on Tuesday and hung it up to dry (it will dry overnight).  I also did the dishes and cleaned the litter box.

I also trimmed my finger nails and, for the first time in over a year, my finger nails are no longer discolored from the chemo!  The chemo had turned my nails a purplish brown.  I have now trimmed off all the discolored finger nails.  I still have some discoloration on my toe nails, however (on the big toes).

No More Chemo Discoloration!

On Wednesday, I was grateful for:
- Rights that were fought for and achieved by generations of women who persisted
- The strong women in my own life - my grandmother, my mother, my daughter
- Being able to work from home
- Finger nails are clear of chemo discoloration
- Daily exchange of emails with a friend

Breakfast was cereal (cornflakes) and a banana; lunch was pasta with fish curry and an orange for dessert; dinner was a salad (lettuce, cucumber, carrots) with slices of roast chicken breast, sprinkled with raw cashews; grapes for dessert:

Dinner

 Wednesday's To Do List:
- Office work - DONE
- Load of laundry - DONE
- Pharmacy - Thursday
- Other daily tasks such as dishes, litter box, etc. - DONE

Thursday's To Do List:
- Office work
- Put away laundry
- Pharmacy
- Garden center for edging stones and a bag of compost 
- Daily tasks

How was your Wednesday?  What are your plans for Thursday?

Somewhat Productive Tuesday

Another, sunny, warm day, today.

I spent a quiet day doing office work for the most part, including emailing my supervisor with a status update on the project I am currently working on, alerting her to the fact that I am nearing the end, so that she knows I'll be ready for another assignment in the next week or so.

I debated going to the grocery store to take advantage of the sale on potatoes and tilapia, but decided not to.  I felt bad about not going after getting everyone's input on whether to buy the potatoes or not, etc., but I just didn't feel like going grocery shopping again, after having gone yesterday.  I guess yesterday's running of errands tired me.

Instead, I did my office work, brought the trash cans in, sat outside in the sunshine for a bit, put away the laundry, cleaned the bathrooms, and watered the indoor plants.  The pharmacy texted to say that another medication refill was ready for pick up, but I decided to postpone picking it up until tomorrow.  I also decided to postpone doing another load of laundry until tomorrow, as well!

I had the rest of the milk rice with some of the fish curry for brunch, followed by a banana for dessert.  In the afternoon, I had a peanut butter sandwich for a snack.  Dinner was pasta with more of the fish curry and the last piece of ice cream cake and grapes for dessert.  There's more pasta and fish curry for tomorrow's dinner, as well. 

Today, I am grateful for:
- The sunny, warm day
- Being able to work from home
- Having the option of taking it easy if I need to
- Phone calls from family and friends
- Video chatting with my daughter

I feel I haven't been very productive today because I didn't go grocery shopping again and didn't do the load of laundry I had planned to do; but other than that, I did everything I had on my to do list for today.


Tuesday's To Do List:
- Office work (work from home) - DONE
- Bring trash cans in - DONE
- Put away dried laundry - DONE
- Do another load of laundry - Wednesday
- Clean the bathrooms - DONE
- Water the indoor plants - DONE


Wednesday's To Do List:
- Office work
- Load of laundry
- Pharmacy
- Other daily tasks such as dishes, litter box, etc.


How was your Tuesday?  Were you able to accomplish all you had planned to do?