Cheap Things That Make You Happy

[sui generis]

My husband and I could not stop laughing last night at the enthusiasm with which our boy cat runs into the kitchen when we get the salad spinner out.  I can't believe he recognizes the sound of the salad spinner!  We use the spinner to clean all of his favorite brassicas as well as lettuce, which he also loves, so I guess the salad spinner is his Pavlov's bell now, and it's very cute and funny.

[Linea_Norway]

Yesterday I got a squirrel to eat nuts out of my hand.

[Frugal Lizard]

The smell of warm rain at this time of year.  Lilac,  lily of the valley , honeysuckle, dogwood and viburnum are in bloom.  A sprinkle of rain mingles it with wet earth and it is glorious.

[MudPuppy]

The little magazine our local electric cooperative puts out has some really tasty sounding recipes for summer squashes this month

[MaybeBabyMustache]

Playing tennis with the kids on the neighborhood court on a sunny evening. With school (almost) out!

[lemanfan]

Going through old photos and remembering good times.  Not that old, just a decade ago. :)

[Trifele]

Last year I planted milkweed in my garden, and today I watched a monarch butterfly laying her eggs on it.  :)

This is awesome. What a great reminder too about the long-term benefits of actions. Thanks for the smile this morning.

The eggs hatched and the caterpillars are doing well!  They make me happy every day. 

                                         

[SunnyDays]

Sunlight falling on my clean dishes in the dish drainer makes my heart sing.  Don't know why, but it does.

[chaskavitch]

Last year I planted milkweed in my garden, and today I watched a monarch butterfly laying her eggs on it.  :)

This is awesome. What a great reminder too about the long-term benefits of actions. Thanks for the smile this morning.

The eggs hatched and the caterpillars are doing well!  They make me happy every day. 

                                         

That's so exciting!  We have some surprise milkweed at our new house, and I'm really hoping that we get some monarchs this year, or eventually.

[ZsaZsa]

Sitting on the front porch during a gentle rain...watching a box turtle walk across the yard. Where to? No idea...but that little sucker moved like he was on a mission! Must be mating season...

[OtherJen]

Our library system announced that it will start curbside service next Monday. Yay!

[OtherJen]

Also, avocado toast for breakfast: 1/2 avocado, $0.50; 1 slice gluten-free bread, $0.25; butter, lime juice, salt, and chili-lime seasoning, $0.10.

[Gerard]

Our library system announced that it will start curbside service next Monday. Yay!

I'm off this afternoon to pick up the first of my sweetie's curbside library orders. I think she's more excited about this than about our last vacation!

[MudPuppy]

New neighbors moved in two houses down. Introduced ourselves. Noticed they had no furniture on their porch, so gave them a small wooden set we used before someone handed down a larger metal set.

+1 decluttering +1 neighborliness +1 paying it forward

[MudPuppy]

Eggs were nearing the end of their shelf life so spouse made a pineapple upside down cake

[Hula Hoop]

My 11 year old daughter's absolutely delicious home made bagels.  They brought a tear to this transplanted New Yorker's eye.

[chaskavitch]

My 11 year old daughter's absolutely delicious home made bagels.  They brought a tear to this transplanted New Yorker's eye.

Any chance of a recipe, @Hula Hoop ?

[Hula Hoop]

My 11 year old daughter's absolutely delicious home made bagels.  They brought a tear to this transplanted New Yorker's eye.

Any chance of a recipe, @Hula Hoop ?

Here you go:

https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/bagels-366757

[chaskavitch]

My 11 year old daughter's absolutely delicious home made bagels.  They brought a tear to this transplanted New Yorker's eye.

Any chance of a recipe, @Hula Hoop ?

Here you go:

https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/bagels-366757

Thanks!

[chaskavitch]

My 11 year old daughter's absolutely delicious home made bagels.  They brought a tear to this transplanted New Yorker's eye.

Any chance of a recipe, @Hula Hoop ?

Here you go:

https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/bagels-366757

Thanks!

@Hula Hoop These bagels are SO GOOD.  And super easy!  Thanks again for the recipe!

[okcisok]

Keto pancakes in my new-to-me-free cast iron skillet.

[RetiredAt63]

Keto pancakes in my new-to-me-free cast iron skillet.

Recipe please?

[Freedomin5]

Fruits are in season and instead of paying $4/125g box of blueberries, they are now $1/box. I’m buying several boxes and freezing the fruit for smoothies. So refreshing when it’s 32C/92F and humid!

[okcisok]

Keto pancakes in my new-to-me-free cast iron skillet.

Recipe please?

4 eggs
1/2 block of cream cheese, softened
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 c almond flour
(I added a tsp of vanilla on the second batch)

Blend up together, then cook in a hot skillet with melted butter. They are the fluffiest keto pancakes I've found yet. Very close to regular pancakes!

[zolotiyeruki]

Fruits are in season and instead of paying $4/125g box of blueberries, they are now $1/box. I’m buying several boxes and freezing the fruit for smoothies. So refreshing when it’s 32C/92F and humid!

Our service berry bush/tree is heavily-laden with fruit, as is our mulberry tree.  A few more days and we can start harvesting!

[Weisass]

Our service berry bush/tree is heavily-laden with fruit, as is our mulberry tree.  A few more days and we can start harvesting!

On a similar note... we planted Nanking Bush Cherries when we moved into our house a few years ago. THis year was their first really good year of production. we have had delightful cherries all week, and the raspberries are almost ready to replace them.

[RetiredAt63]

Keto pancakes in my new-to-me-free cast iron skillet.

Recipe please?

4 eggs
1/2 block of cream cheese
1 tsp baking powder, softened
1/2 c almond flour
(I added a tsp of vanilla on the second batch)

Blend up together, then cook in a hot skillet with melted butter. They are the fluffiest keto pancakes I've found yet. Very close to regular pancakes!

Thanks.  I'll have to remember to buy cream cheese next time I shop.  What is the weight/volume of your cream cheese blocks?

[Trifele]

Keto pancakes in my new-to-me-free cast iron skillet.

Recipe please?

4 eggs
1/2 block of cream cheese
1 tsp baking powder, softened
1/2 c almond flour
(I added a tsp of vanilla on the second batch)

Blend up together, then cook in a hot skillet with melted butter. They are the fluffiest keto pancakes I've found yet. Very close to regular pancakes!

@okcisok -- have you by any chance made this with other flour substitutes like coconut or sunflower seed flour?  Do those work as well?

[AnnaGrowsAMustache]

It's persimmon season. I LOVE persimmons.

[lemanfan]

When you can't travel, look at forgotten pics from previous trips.  This was found in a snap from a TV at a bar in Canada:



I guess that I should... stay away from Oklahoma?  :)

[Sun Hat]

When you can't travel, look at forgotten pics from previous trips.  This was found in a snap from a TV at a bar in Canada:



I guess that I should... stay away from Oklahoma?  :)

Heck, I might just start stealing cars and going on adventures inspired by the contents! That sounds like an evil genius starter kit!

Yesterday I got my dog to sniff a newly opened peony, and this morning I'm enjoying the cool breeze while I have my coffee. This makes me realize that I may be past my "going on adventures to become or thwart evil geniuses" phase of life. So be it :)

[okcisok]

@okcisok -- have you by any chance made this with other flour substitutes like coconut or sunflower seed flour?  Do those work as well?
[/quote]

Not yet. I just happened to have almond flour on hand, and that's what they called for.

[okcisok]

Thanks.  I'll have to remember to buy cream cheese next time I shop.  What is the weight/volume of your cream cheese blocks?
[/quote]

8 oz blocks, so 4 oz for the recipe.

[Just Joe]

Since earlier in the year I've been waking up earlier and feeling better because of it. Was once a 10AM kind of person if left to my own devices. Now its 6-something.

Am enjoying sitting on the front porch, reading, starting the morning with a tall ice water and watching our dog inspect the front yard. Don't worry, dog is not in danger. Big front yard. Won't got the road without me.

[Frugal Lizard]

the smells from the flowering trees and shrubs in our neighbourhood have been fantastic this year.  Right now it is late lilacs and black locust and wild roses and peonies.  The peonies are out of this world.

[Fishindude]

I get a kick out of growing things, especially if it's free.   Vegetables from seed, fruit trees from seed, ornamental bushes from cuttings, etc.
Planting a tree from a tiny seedling and watching it grow to maturity knowing it will long outlive you is also satisfying.

[Just Joe]

Laughing at our dog and cats.

Dog will lay on the front porch in the morning and when a tractor appears in the field 3/4 of a mile away our "vicious guard dog" will bark at it.

Then the tractor will disappear behind the hill or the trees and dog is content. Then the tractor makes another pass - and the dog has to announce it.

And then the tractor disappears again - dog happy again. Eventually she'll give up and accept that the tractor will come and go as it cuts the hay.

Animals can be so entertaining. Also - the cats ambushing each other as they move around the house.

[Serendip]

Harvesting salad greens from the patio

Rain, rain, rain

[MudPuppy]

@Just Joe

[Just Joe]

Love the cartoon!

[Frugal Lizard]

A good sharp kitchen knife.

I am making dinner and chopping away, often with a dull knife.  I have really good knives, and when they are sharp, dinner prep is SO MUCH easier. 

[lemanfan]

A good sharp kitchen knife.

I am making dinner and chopping away, often with a dull knife.  I have really good knives, and when they are sharp, dinner prep is SO MUCH easier.

For me, sharpening the knives is a happy process in itself.  Meditative, zen-like, and with a good result if you do it right. :)

[Sun Hat]

Chasing my dog around the dog park while making kissy noises in a game of "If I catch you, I'll kiss you". I'm super dignified that way.

[okcisok]

Chasing my dog around the dog park while making kissy noises in a game of "If I catch you, I'll kiss you". I'm super dignified that way.

Yesterday, we played a variation of this game at home. I curled my hands into monster claws and pretend stomped around while yelling "IMA!! GONNA!! KISS!! YOUR!! TOEBEANS!!" while my dog danced around ecstatically, daring me to catch her.
No toebeans were harmed in the playing of this game. (Or actually kissed, either). Also quite dignified, as I always am at home.

[Sun Hat]

Chasing my dog around the dog park while making kissy noises in a game of "If I catch you, I'll kiss you". I'm super dignified that way.

Yesterday, we played a variation of this game at home. I curled my hands into monster claws and pretend stomped around while yelling "IMA!! GONNA!! KISS!! YOUR!! TOEBEANS!!" while my dog danced around ecstatically, daring me to catch her.
No toebeans were harmed in the playing of this game. (Or actually kissed, either). Also quite dignified, as I always am at home.

I love this community. Whether it's people sharing stories about their furry comic relief, or LindaNorway sharing details of her idyllic life hand-feeding squirrels or skiing to work, I feel like we understand and appreciate one another, and that makes me happy.

[RetiredAt63]

I love this community. Whether it's people sharing stories about their furry comic relief, or LindaNorway sharing details of her idyllic life hand-feeding squirrels or skiing to work, I feel like we understand and appreciate one another, and that makes me happy.

Happiness is finding your communities.  When I go to the community garden plots and look at all the asparagus and rhubarb and masses of vegetable goodness, I feel like I am surrounded by my tribe.  Even though I have actually met only 8 of them.  Same feeling at my choir, or my fibre group.

[iris lily]

Chasing my dog around the dog park while making kissy noises in a game of "If I catch you, I'll kiss you". I'm super dignified that way.

this is so cute! Love it.

[John Galt incarnate!]

A good sharp kitchen knife.

I am making dinner and chopping away, often with a dull knife.  I have really good knives, and when they are sharp, dinner prep is SO MUCH easier.

For me, sharpening the knives is a happy process in itself.  Meditative, zen-like, and with a good result if you do it right. :)

I collect pocket knives so I've taught myself how to sharpen them (and my kitchen knives too).

I have a flat steel with rounded edges, a rounded, tapered  steel, and a ceramic rod.

Sharpening my knives is relaxing and satisfying.

I enjoy it and am  pretty good at it.

[John Galt incarnate!]

It's persimmon season. I LOVE persimmons.

I've eaten them a few times when picked right off the tree.

My friend's aunt  grew them  in her side yard.

[AnnaGrowsAMustache]

Chasing my dog around the dog park while making kissy noises in a game of "If I catch you, I'll kiss you". I'm super dignified that way.

I do the same thing with neighbour's husky, yelling "catch that butt, ima catch that butt!". She'll finally let me catch her great big hairy husky butt for a full on butt scratch. It's a totally mutual chase game where she's just pretending to not let me get her butt, because any other time she'll actually back up to me for butt scratches. Husky butts are hilarious, great fuzzy, floofy, waggy things!