Delaware Issues Common Cents

Went to Parx Race Track to celebrate a friends 48th birthday and place some bets on the horses.
Common Cents would dictate that you cant pick your winners by the likes of their names.  I didn't use any common cents at all.  When I saw a horse in the running with the name Moe Larry Curly, I had to take a chance.  No common cents I tell you.  But we had a good afternoon out with friends and I played with Olympia Omde, and it was all well worth it.  So let me revise.  If you are going to place bets or gamble with your hard earned income I suggest you set your limit and stick to it.  We had a few cocktails, an enjoyable lunch with friends, placed a few $2. bets and had an afternoon watching the horses flex their muscles and run, for less then our pasta dinners last night at Plan B.  NOW THATS COMMON CENTS.

 

 

Delaware Issues Common Cents: Kindle

I still have the original Kindle.  It gives me pleasure to think I might be contributing to the regrowth of a forest.   I can imagine I'm saving a tree.  For the most part you can get your books fairly inexpensively on line, even free. The problem is, if you have grown up with books, as comfortable as the  Kindle is, there is really nothing like reclining in bed with a bound book in both hands, turning pages and being carried away in a good story.

 

 



My files are so big and I'm afraid I've deleted the picture I was looking for. This one, shot a while ago while practicing depth of field, leading lines, and indoor lighting will have to do.  I was looking for  a picture in a picture so to speak with a lovely image of my grandmother framed, along side the books on the shelf.  You can make out the edge of it far left.  The next shot had the whole picture, dang it, I cant find it. Nicely focused with the books getting softer and softer to the rear similar to this one.
This set of books came to me precious and inexpensive from the estate of a loved one, a hand me down gift.   I always thought in my retirement I might read this collection of classics.  Maybe next winter.

Delaware Issues Common Cents: Dont Kick the Can...Open it.

I have three can openers in my home and without hesitation there is just one I go to all the time.  I did a quick search of the web and although I suspect this product is made in China, I could not find the details of where it is manufactured.   The electric can opener by Krups, a German company, is big and bulky taking up space in my cabinets. The good old fashion one made in U.S.A. by Ecko  hurts my fingers as they push through the holes in the handle while turning.  The smooth black handles on the Progressive are comfortable to hold, easy to turn and it works every time.  All it takes is a little elbow grease and we can all grease our elbows a bit more. Although the electricity required by the Krups is probably minimal, the Progressive requires non at all. 

Delaware Issues Common Cents

 

Back at the Pennington Market, I'm checking out the prices of the cleaning products that fill the shelves and comparing them to the cleaning products I tend to use.  I have been mixing up white vinegar, water and a few drops of scented oils I generally have around the house.  Once again, I find the prices in favor of my own concoctions.  I did not price in the lilac, lavender, or honeysuckle scents, because I only use a few drops, and they last so long that I forget what I paid.  It is possible to use fresh lemon juice instead.  In general, I use 1/2 water, 1/2 vinegar and a few drops of scented oil to cut the vinegar smell.  The aromatic smell of the oils actually makes it a pleasure to wipe down the counters.

 

 

 

Baking Soda is another great inexpensive product for cleaning.  I use it most for getting rid of any foul smell that might come from my sink drain.  I spill a little bit into the drain with the strainer in place to hold it.  Then I pour in some vinegar and watch it bubble up.  I follow this by a water rinse to wash the rest down.  Recently, I was talking to a professional framer and her idea of the best, no streaking glass cleaner was equal proportions of denatured alcohol and water.  I have not tried that yet but you can be assured I will.  Don't be fooled by all the advertising/propaganda/marketing tricks that are there to make you spend YOUR hard earned money, on products that are wasteful, and potentially damaging to your home environment.  USE COMMON CENTS! 

Delaware Issues Common Cents: Dog Treats

I don't know how many times I will have to tell you that it was NOT, NO WAY, NO HOW, Common Cents to bring MaraBella home.  But what is done is done and it brings me to this.  I started BASIC OBEDIENCE classes last Monday and tonight will be class number 2 at Golden Grange.  Joe, the owner and trainer suggested soft treats for training.  I purchased these and cut the soft sticks up into lots of little pieces. 

He also said hotdogs where a good soft human treat that dogs really like.  I wasn't sure I liked that idea.  I didn't want MaraBella to learn "beg" when we are eating hotdogs off the grill this summer.  We NEVER eat Pup Peroni.  Never the less,  I went to the Market today and conducted a price check.

 

That would be $4.00 cheaper on the hotdogs per pound.  Now that just might make it Common Cents.  Sadly, I makes me wonder just how bad we are getting ripped off by the dog food industry.  Those blessed beef franks must have more value than Pup Peroni.

 

Delaware Issues Common Cents or Lack Of It.

Before the New Year I got on the scale and saw how close I was getting to a number that scared me.  So before I reached it,  I downloaded "Loose It" a weight management app on my Iphone for FREE.  I really liked using it and today I can tell you I weighed in at 136.6.  The app allowed me to record nutrition facts and calories by food item. It even let me make recipes with a calorie count.  I also liked that I could put in my exercise for the day and get a calorie reduction.  All for FREE!!!

 

I guess I felt I was due for a reward.  Well, isn't it common sense to reward yourself.

 

Delaware Issues Common Cents

Everyone knows it is a good idea when going to market to use coupons or look for the sales.  Seems like food is getting more and more expensive every week.  A while back I purchased a food vacuum packer and have to say this has probably saved me a ton of money and lots of food.  I no longer have to toss frozen food that has acquired freezer burn.  Now I feel confident that I can purchase family packs at reduced prices and portion it up immediately upon arriving home.  I always date the packages and try not to go longer than 6 months before cooking.  These sausage links might become part of a breakfast sandwich,  meat sauce for lasagna or over pasta, or my favorite just fried up and topped with fried onions and peppers on a hard roll.

Delaware Considers Common Cents or No Sense at all

Years ago I raised a Shepherd for Seeing Eye in Morrisville.

They suggested feeding Purina One, easily purchased at my local market.

I continued provided that food for my Casper, the little Westie who lived 18 years.  Casper did not make it to 18 without some issues which included allergies.

Yesterday I got some fancy, expensive food at the hardware store. Pure Vita Bison Entree

NO CORN MEAL

That appealed to me.

 

Is it common sense to think that the better the food, the better the health of the dog, and the fewer vet visits and bills.  I'm not sure. But that is my story and for now I'm sticking to it.

She likes it!

 

I'm pretty sure she would like Purina One too.

 

 

Who Am I to Issue Common Cents

It could not possibly have been Common Cents at work when I adopted this adorable rescue, MaraBella.  No, I lost all sense.

New Toy

 

 

 



Delaware Issues Common Cents

 

When you know a storm is coming take action. 

Around here we all have generators and those in the know pull them out, check them out, and have them ready. 

You cant move a fence.

 

 

But you can move a car.

 

 

 

 

Delaware Issues Commen Cents: Look for the Freebies

Once again I return to the Howell Living History Farm, and why not? It was FREE!
Although I have seen the buckets hanging off local Maple Trees, I have never seen someone drill and tap a Maple tree releasing the sap, and actually hang a bucket.  The woman who guided our group was dressed in period clothes and knew her syrup.  It was a very nice experience and was close to home.  Look for the freebies in your area, especially the ones that keep you outside for a few hours.
You can see my whole review on Trip Advisor.

I must confess.  We are Maple Syrup addicts in this house and go through it fast enough for me to have located an excellent supplier at a reasonable cost including shipping from Maine.  But I guess that would be a subject for Foodie Friday. Just in case you want to compare prices Hilltop Boilers 

Delaware Issues Common Cents

Everybody has a little spot of sunshine somewhere.  It could be in a backyard garden, a flower pot, or even on a window sill.  Herbs are some of the easiest things to grow.  I have fresh parsley, thyme, sage, and cayenne pepper, along with some others, growing all summer long.   I get little potted plants in the beginning of the growing season and transplant them into large pots or directly in the ground. I like to keep the parsley in a pot by the back door so I can grab a few leaves after a meal to freshen my breath.  At the end of the season or during, if a particular plant is abundant, I bunch them up and hang them to dry.  For just a few dollars each, I can have fresh herbs all summer long, dried herbs throughout the winter, and I can mix them up to my taste for almost any recipe I wish to make.  Maybe Ill share with you some of these concoctions on Foodie Friday.   

 

Delaware Clues: Common Cents at the Met

There is a not so well kept secret for regular visitors to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC, and quite a few other museums that are well funded by memberships and endowments.  Did you know that the admission fee is RECOMMENDED?  Do you know what that means?  It means that you DONT HAVE TO PAY IT.  I love this Museum and depending on how long I plan to stay is fully considered when I open my wallet. If I plan to stay all day, I will pay the full $25 recommended admission.  If I am only visiting one or two exhibits, as is often the case, I adjust my admission cost accordingly.  If I plan to shop in one of the museum stores, I never pay more than $10. admission. 

 

 

 

Go! Have fun! Pay what you can afford.