My late night t.v. viewing...

brought me to our local PBS station. The title Alone in the Wilderness 2, caught my eye as I was flipping through the 200+ stations that rarely have anything on them....
It was a story of a man, Dick Proenneke, who at 51, decided to leave the life he had behind & venture into the wilderness. The Alaskan wilderness, 1967/68, to be exact! Armed with his 16mms Bolex camera and tripod he filmed enough footage to make into 4 films (Alone in the Wilderness, Alone in the Wilderness 2, Alaska, Silence & Solitude & The Frozen North).

From what I saw last night, and what I've viewed on YouTube, he had plans for a year of living alone in the wilderness. I've gathered that he lived there at least 20+ years. You can read more about Dick Proenneke on Wikipedia.

Go to YouTube via this video or go there and search "Dick Proenneke" or the channel "swererbob" who is the voice and editing talent behind these videos.

I'm all giddy about them! I'm ready to move and live a much simpler life! The man of the Frumpy House says we must take my dad with us, as he would have the knowledge of building a house for us!!!
There would be something so utterly satisfying in building your dwelling from scratch and with all natural supplies, catching your dinner in the fresh water lake at your doorstep and making your dessert from the wild berries that you share with the wildlife around you!!!  Finding out that you don't "need" as much as you thought you did to live a long, satisfying and beautiful life!!

It's my Christmas wish list, not ON my list, this is my list!! To have all of these videos on DVD and Dick's beautiful picture book; "One Man's Wilderness".
My heart is all a flutter thinking of it....Christmas is gonna be a long time coming!!

ENJOY!

Making the Most of Winter Blahs...

by brightening up the house with lots of color!!

Found these items on recent thrifting excursions!!

This beautiful afghan is SO colorful, and big enough for our queen sized bed!

These delightful Japan stackable mugs still sit on the counter, who wants to hide them in a cupboard!

I couldn't let these get away!! I beautiful red/orange painted metal with plastic lids, made by Kromex.

Couldn't let these stay in the thrift either...they are currently hanging in Li's room!!

I will never pass up on a Bing Crosby record...ever!! Love his voice *swoon*!

And you?! Have you got a blog, Instagram feed or any other internet social sharing site where you post your thrifty finds? I'd love to see them!! Leave a link in my comments...Happy thrifting!

To Those Who Stop By...

Thank you...I haven't had much inspiration these past few weeks to write, photograph or list anything for the blog...just been doing the really mundane stuff of:

Changing my diet...I have cut WAYYYY back on sugars and prepackaged/instant foods, going as far as getting rid of anything in the pantry or fridge that had a questionable ingredient list. Thanks mostly to reading this book. Real Foods by Nina Planck has inspired me to think more about what I eat & what it's going to do for me. Once I got past her references to the evolution of the food...I was able to take a GREAT load of info and apply it to my daily food intake!! Thanks to an internet friends Miss Cedar (who you can find on FB, twitter, instagram and her beautiful blog) for suggesting this great read!

Changing my habits...as you all know, if you read my posts, follow my instagram, or pinterest or live close enough to see me...I love coffee!! I enjoy the taste, the aroma, the ritual making & drinking of it. It has often been my morning ritual to make an extra cup after everyone has gone off to school or work and finish watching the morning programs on tv...But now I have started having only one cup (I know shocker) and then taking the girlies to school to (you best sit down if shock causes you to faint) WALK!!
Now, not to make excuses, but the old backeroo has been bothering me quite a LOT the past few months and it has been hard just to get around the house without pain. But, after some chiropractic treatment, the good doc said I could start walking for exercise (I'm waiting for the ok on Yoga). So I started out with a 1/2-1 mile and am now up to 2!! I'm feeling better and more awake, with out the extra caffeine!!
I do not run, but this simply explains how my mind works...ha ha ha!!

thanks Pinterest

Note to self: do not over do the food intake when invited out to a friends house, even when it's something you love and haven't had due to the new "eating plan". Do not take the girls out and order a sandwich with fries because you love them so and also haven't had in a long time... YOU WILL FEEL LIKE SHIT CRAP THE NEXT DAY!!! Thus causing you to have all sorts of crazy thoughts running through your head about cancer and other illnesses, since you're feeling like someone stabbed your liver, gall bladder and gut with dull knives....

Changing my Cooking...I have had the BEST time making new dishes due to the fact that I no longer have prepackaged foods!! The oldest girly is my toughest critic (then again she was that way even in the before eating cleaner). The youngest one gets a little excited about trying new things...but then she is the one that can pretend to fix foods for hours on end (I think she'll be the homemaker). The man of the Frumpy house has enjoyed all of the meals I've prepared...I'm currently waiting for him to pick up the baton and try his hand at making some recipes instead of heading for the closest fast food when he is home with the girls!

For your viewing pleasure I will share a few pics of some of the dishes I've fixed and let you decide if you would like to try some! Disclaimer: most new recipes I've tried have been found on Pinterest (if you haven't succumbed you should!!) or in my new to me
"Better Homes & Gardens New Cook Book" from the 1950's!!

Top L going clockwise: I love avocado, will put it on many things.  A mix of barley, beans and veggies great salad or tortilla chip topping. Fresh farm eggs from neighbor friends. Raw Milk Cheeses from a local cheese house (that uses local Amish cow's milk)

Top L going Clockwise: Lentil soup over a boiled sweet potato (cannot tell you how good this was). A mix of veggies ready for roasting in the oven (my new favorite way to fix veggies). Homemade Naan bread crust with roasted veggies, olives and goat cheese pizza. A sweet treat (Pinterest) that I made with healthier flours, sugars and milk.

I kid you not when I say this; I am really enjoying this new lifestyle! I don't feel the cravings that I thought I would. I feel so much better mentally, emotionally and physically! It's a good thing all around!!

To top it all off the hubs and I are doing a simple 7 day cleanse...it can only make it better right! RIGHT!!

Of course his is the Men's Formula!!

What about you? Have you been inspired this winter season to throw off the cloak of hibernation and make a life change? Readying yourself for warmer weather...I won't say bikini weather, cause that would just be a terrible mental picture!!

It's winter...

so you must forgive me for not having a brain...

I don't mind the snow, I love how it's so beautiful when it's newly fallen!

I don't even mind the cold....altho' I would love not having the heating bills!

But, something just takes over my head on these short days. With little light, with snow and rain and ice. Something that makes it sooo hard to stay organized, awake & happy!

It's helped a lot by this....

Walks with the girls on sunny days....

Sweet finds on my thrifting adventures....

Good foods...

Good Coffee....

AND

Impromtu Dance Parties before bed!!!

Hope you are living the high life this winter!!

My lovely Valentine...

Brought me a delish, Hot Cinnamon Spice tea latte @ work today (he was on his way to work this afternoon)!

He also brought me this...

A handmade Valentine card. It's always special when I get something handmade from him. He's not the craftiest on DIY's, but, that doesn't matter to me, it's always the thought that's really special!

Inside...#1

Inside...#2
The man of "The Frumpy House" is always leaving me little notes here & there. Even tho' his spelling could always use spellcheck, there is always one thing spelled out perfectly clear....I am one loved "Frumpy House" wife!!
This is hisValentine's letter to me (excerpts):
Baby doll, (yes that's what he calls me)
I can't get out of my mind, colors (colors is underlined).
How colorful you are.
Red- Love you have to offer.
Blue- When you're sad.
Yellow- I picture your smile; bright, cheerful, can light up a room.
Green- Your sense of direction & mission. Your accomplishments; past, present & future.
Pink- The romantic side of you ( he drew a smiley face there).
Purple- Passionate about family & Christ
Gray- Coffee, or when you need a pick me up (prob'ly referring to chocolate).
Black- Not so much-I was going to say when my eyes were closed, but, even then I'm thinking about you. You're always in my heart
Turquoise- vintage (as in I like it, not I am...)
You're just beautiful inside & out.
So many colors can be represented or lived out by you.
....he ends with:
I so enjoyed our time the other night @ Shiraz (a wonderful, WONDERFUL Mediterranean restaurant he found) & look forward to many more dates & romances & conversations & whatever life brings us.
Happy Valentines Day
Your Loving Husband, (that's truth right there)
Greg
Now don't think he's sharing his love only w/ me...he surprised the girlies @ school this morning w/ some tulips. He reported happy, surprised faces! He's such a thoughtful, loving & generously giving man!! The females in "The Frumpy House" think he's the bomb!!!
I will say he is my valentine every day!! I love him....immensely!

The Thrift Bug...

keeps biting me!! Not surprised are you? Le *sigh*, me neither...

Yesterday, was one of my days off work, girls were both in school and it was nice and sunny out, a combo that had not happened in a long time! So, I took myself out of the house and made a run to some local thrift stores.

The first was the usual GW, there I found 2 more vintage pillowcases (pinks), and a 1970's game "My Grandmother went to Market" (a memory game), a piece of pottery from "HIVELY" out of Oregon, 4 colored lunch trays, 2 mens shirts (for me) and an adorable Mikasa plate....none of which I have pictures of.

That's because I'm obsessed with the finds at another thrift...Wise Shopper. I was just gonna drive by, but saw something in the front window and had to pull into the parking lot and go inside. Glad I did!

I found a wonderful 2 1/2 Qt. Corning Ware casserole dish from the Buffet Service line. It's a wonderful heavy white (I'm assuming it's ceramic as I don't think they did enamel covered cast iron). It was a little grungy; but warm soapy water and a little baking soda clean that puppy right up!!!

Nicely "made in the USA"!

This beauty came with a black metal, wooden handled tray....they don't call it a buffet server for nothing!

Taa-Daa! She is good at this balancing act!! How handy is that!?

                                   Ain't she purty!! $4...don't hate me.

I would like to know if any of you wiser cooks, chefs,
  or cookware experts could give me an idea if I can
 use this
 on the stove top.
 I'd like to use it for soups and stews!! Thanks!

In The Frumpy

Kitchen. There are usually good things to eat.  There are sometimes fresh things and always quick & easy!!

It's been one of those January's that seem to creep by, yet at the same time speed past & all of a sudden it's February 2!!

Well, not for lack of trying, but, I have been making some strides in eating better this past month. I threw down a challenge at the family Christmas this year....who can lose the highest % of body weight in the next 12 months. So, about 7 of us are "competing". I don't know how the others are doing...as the parental units have been in Florida all month with my youngest sister. There have been some ups and downs in "The Frumpy House".  All in all I have cut back on portions, have tried using more "natural", as in came from the ground or the animal....not from the factory, foods for cooking. Trying my hardest to go with foods that are as close to how nature intended them to be (do any of you know how hard it is to buy raw milk? how much money it will cost to buy grass fed meats? ai-yi-yi).

Well, just for the sake of writing a post for you all to read, I thought I'd share some of my latest creations....

Heading out the door to a baby shower, made a quick skillet meal for G.  2 small potatoes, fresh spinach, diced onions & garlic, sun dried tomatoes, salt/pepper, red pepper flakes. Sautee'd until brown then mixed in 2 eggs (beaten), heavy cream (beaten w/ eggs) and goat cheese. He said it was good...it must have been he ate it all!!

Breakfast: a small bowl of Greek yogurt, chopped walnuts & dried apples, cinnamon and honey mixed in! Yummy! Of course the coffee is a given for me @ breakfast...

On one of the girlies snow days Lauryn asked for spaghetti for lunch (no sauce just olive oil & butter). Easy enough...but tasty enough?!?! Not according to moi!! Taking some clues from a new blog I'd read, I added: garlic powder, lemon zest and lemon juice to the pasta. She wasn't happy but I convinced her since she likes lemons she'd like this (turns out mom's right!) To my bowl I added: red pepper flakes & herbed goat cheese.

The other night I knew I wanted a soup/stew and since I had made chili the week before I went for pintos. A large can of pinto beans (undrained since I wanted the starchy thickness), one can of diced tomatoes (drained since I didn't want the extra liquid), 5 garlic cloves chopped, 1/2 lg onion chopped, olive oil/ghee to sautee' them in. Added a bit of black pepper, crushed red pepper and cumin. Let that pot simmer for about 2 hours, stirring it whenever I walked by (which was a lot since I walk through the kitchen to get to the laundry....) I baked a cake pan of corn bread. When G got home from work, I fried a couple eggs. Layered a slice of corn bread, beans and topped it with an soft fried egg!! Yummy and so good for you!! The man of the "Frumpy House" also gave this dish a thumbs up!! I took some leftovers to work for lunch the next day and added fresh spinach to the beans while reheating them...super yummy!
Note: I did not add any cheese to this dish (goat or otherwise)!! hahaha

Are you a recipe reader or pantry picker when it comes to preparing meals? Believe me when I say that there is never enough time to fix the meals I dream of fixing...but there is usually time (& energy) @ the end of the day to fix something filling and good!  Bon appetite mes amis!

In addition to cooking I've been doing some enjoyable reading this past month....

This is an etsy.com purchase...1950's BHG New Cookbook! Even though I don't often follow recipes verbatim I do like reading them. Many, many ideas that are spring boards for a meal here or there!!

I couldn't recommend a book any higher than to write about it on my blog. This book has been almost a constant companion this past month...reading now and then when I get a chance. It was loaned from the library, but it is on my shopping list. Easy to read, easy to understand, and very insightful!!
Thanks to a fellow blogess, Miss Cedar for recommending it! (pssst if you want to see her and her sweet baby Lucy check out the Vintage Wife on my left sidebar or here) She's already planting her spring garden as she lives out in sunny California!

I take reading recommendations very seriously folks...if it has something to do with my life and making it healthier and easier...I would love ideas.  Leave 'em below in that nice little box labeled "comments"...I'll read 'em, promise I will!!