I Get My Thrills On The Cheap!

The title of todays post is based on how little I can spend and the thrift store and bring home the best goods (what were you thinking!).  I was tempted to name this post Blue Balls but thought better of it ha ha (see below).   First the picture above is of my two purple celosia plants which used to live on the patio.  Last week when it suddenly snowed I brought them inside.....after several bug and slug patrols I have decided they will live inside until they die as they are annuals so not meant to be forever plants.  They are so pretty and when I spotted them for $5 each at the end of August I had to buy them as my other patio plants had mostly been killed due to a long way too hot summer.  We still have snow on the ground, in fact it snowed again on Saturday night - which did not prevent us from going over to our friends for a night of cards.  It is now warmer and above zero but the snow likely will only melt once it rains which should be tomorrow according to the forecast.

Now, on to my thrift store finds.  I am in need of some sweaters and more pants.  I bought quite a lot of summer clothes this spring after losing 10 lbs but only had a couple of sweaters that fit.  I found three for $12 at my favorite thrift store.  The first one is coral orange and has a gold thread going through it.  

My other favorite colour besides coral is turquoise - this one is super soft and fits the bill.  I have a sneaking suspicion it is an expensive label but someone cut it out so I will never know.

The third is a sports casual top which is made by Columbia - very very warm and soft.  

Saturday mornings are usually reserved with hanging out with my Mom.  We usually do some thrifting, shopping then have a coffee and donut or lunch.  It totally made my day last Saturday when I spotted the first vintage Christmas of the season.  It was in a mixed bag of Christmas crap, the rest of which I will donate back to the thrift store.  For a whopping $1.50 I got these lovelies.  You can always spot a vintage or antique Christmas ornament by the darkened or even rusty tops.  They often have thread as well instead of metal hangers.  I have an ever increasingly large collection of vintage and antique ornaments but refuse to quit collecting.  They make me happy and it is the one area in my life where I am definitely not minimalist.  I do not collect modern Christmas crap at all though, the only modern pieces being things my family or kids have given me.  I believe the top yellow one is supposed to represent an ear of corn and I have none like that one at all.

The miniature blue glass ornaments will go on a small tree I set up in the bedroom to display all the miniature antique ornaments I have.  Usually the thrift stores around here do not put out their Christmas stuff until after Rememberance day (November 11th) out of respect for Veterans in our military town.  Next week though is the best vintage Christmas hunting week of all year so Mom and I have a couple of days set aside to do that.

In other news I have finally booked our Spring European flights - 7 nights  in Italy exploring Rome, the Amalfi Coast and Vatican City and 3 nights in Paris, France!  We have never been to any of these places so will add three new countries to our traveled list (Vatican City is a country separate from Italy).  Normally I would not want to do that much traveling in a 10 day period as prefer to explore more time in one country - but we are taking two of the boys with us this time and I want to give them a taste of world travel. I am also not keen on big cities but these are some of the largest so will have to grin and bear it to see these wonderful sites.   Who knows, they may get the travel bug too but at least if this is the only major trip they ever take it was an awesome one where they saw some of the of the world rather than just seeing it on tv.  Later in life we will probably be able to take much longer slower vacations but right now with four busy people 10 nights away was the most we could do.  I would love to explore more of France and Italy but will do that in later trips where we have more time, for now just a glimpse.  More details will come once I have more of the planning done.

For those that wanted the thin pizza crust recipe from my last post:

Taken from Canadian Living and Dairy Farmers of Canada (they no longer have the link up but I am giving them full credit)

Prep time 15 minutes for crust, 22-25 minutes for cooking time

This crust has no yeast therefore no rising time is needed - just make it and roll it out thinly.  You end up with an amost cracker like crust depending on how thin you roll it out.  If you like thick crust then this recipe is likely not for you.  We love thin crust so this is the best recipe I have found for it.

Crust::
1 and 1/4 cups (300 ml) all purpose flour
1 cup (250 ml) whole wheat flour
1 tbsp (15 ml) baking powder
1 tbsp (5ml) dried oregano
1/4 tbsp (1 ml) salt
1 cup (250 ml) milk
1/4 cup butter, melted (****not margarine! )

In a large bowl combine flours, baking powder, oregano (and other spices you want) and salt.  Pour in milk and melted butter, stir with a fork until soft dough forms (about 30 seconds, no kneading).  Turn out onto lightly floured surface (again I use parchment paper) and divide into 2 pieces for 2 pizzas.  I actually roll the crust out right on the cooking sheet on the parchment.

I use all white flour and no wheat flour, just increase total flour to 2 and 1/4 cups if using only one type.  This makes two small pizza crusts depending on how thinly you roll out the dough.  I use half a small can of pizza sauce as we dont like saucy pizzas but you could use more depending on preference.  I use whatever cheese is on hand, sometimes a combo of cheddar, feta, mozzarella, and parmesan.  Use whatever veggies and meat you want then once it is loaded up (I use ham, pepperoni, bell peppers, pickled jalapenos, onions, mushrooms and black olives but sometimes it is whatever is in the fridge) and bake at 425 degrees F or 220 C.  I always put mine on baking parchment paper and it never burns or sticks.  Only cook at the above temperature (preheat oven first) for 22-25 minutes depending on how high you have stacked it with toppings.  As the crust is thin it is best to watch it to make sure it is does not burn.

I also tend to use way more oregano than they state and always chop up some fresh rosemary for the crust as well.  You could use whatever combo of spices in the crust you like, the more the tastier.  I also leave out the salt as feel the cheese is salty enough but the above recipe is the original.

Have a great week everyone!