REPOST- My favorite DIY Catsup Recipe

This originally was a post when taking a personal challenge from Beth to make my own catsup- This is the best tasting DIY catsup recipe I have found


As accustomed as I am to not having original thoughts shut me up on this blog, today I think I will copy Fake Plastic Fish. Yesterday Beth made wonderful mustard and eliminated one more plastic condiment bottle from her clutches. Today I will make Catsup in an effort to eliminate a plastic bottle from mine!
This recipe is from the All Things Frugal site. I unashamedly stole it. First gather your ingredients:
1 Can Tomato Paste
1/4 Cup Water
1/4 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon Cumin
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon cloves
2 Tablespoons Cider Vinegar



Mix together, cover and refrigerate. (Note the human power mixer I used whereas Beth used an electric blender). *Electric-power consuming Fake Plastique Fish? Fake plastic Fish is really an Electric Eel?





This is how much I got out one batch plus about enough to cover two weenies- Refrigerate and it should keep for a month

The taste of this is very similar to chutney I buy at Trader Joes. Very sweet and good. And while the initial expense of the spices seems far from frugal, I would imagine one could buy them in bulk for a fraction of what I paid. You should also note that keeping in the spirit of FPF, I tried not to buy too many plastic bottle spices- I chose Colman's Dry Mustard (In a tin) and used my Trader Joe's cinnamon (in a glass bottle)- Any way I can now say that I will not buy ketchup in plastic bottles again. Thanks Beth. As far as the frugal goes you use just a small amount of the spices that cost wise it should be good.

*I tease Beth unmercifully in this post. But she is one cool fish, and her campaign against plastic usage is important and sincere. Anything I can do to help reduce plastic waste is always OK by me.

Down Sizing

Egads- The thought of downsizing is scary! I was thinking about my impending retirement, and went and looked into an Urban Condo in downtown Burien- 500 square feet, parking for 1 vehicle! What a lifestyle change for me that would be! There are P-Patches on the roof though and the condo is green- construction. And it is right next to Romeo's favorite park! But weighing out the pluses and minuses... I don't know if this is the time to make a move or not. But I am really tempted by the thought of no Yard or D.I.Y. Work, A much simpler life, and being able to go when I want!

All photos Burien Town Square Condos

Living Plastic Free

My "Fake plastic fish" friend, AKA Beth Terry wrote a book. About Plastic Free living. (three guesses on the topic, and the first two are wrong). And while I am big believer in Re-Using and Reduction, I would gladly give it up for a plastic free world. Besides it is too hard to find re-uses for all that plastic junk! Look for it here or at Amazon (yes it is available for Kindle)

10 Things Your Dog or Cat Would Tell You....

I found this on facebook, substituted Romeo's picture. But boy thinking back of all my dogs (Pepe, Sniffy, Charlie, Bingo, Binky, Spike, Max, Topaz) and cats(OG, Tuffy, Sammy) I find this to be so true:
10 Things Your Dog or Cat Would Tell You....

1. My life is likely to last 10 to 15 years. Any separation from you will be painful: remember that before you get me.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.

3. Place your trust in me- it is crucial to my well being.
4. Do not be angry at me for long, and do not lock me up as punishment.
5. You have your work, your entertainment,and your friends. I only have you.
6. Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don't understands your words, I understand your voice when it is speaking to me.
7. Be aware that how ever you treat me, I will never forget.
8. Remember before you hit me that I have teeth that could easily hurt you, but I choose not to bite or scratch you because I love you.
9. Before you scold me for being uncooperative,obstinate,or lazy, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I might not be getting the right food, or I have been out too long, or my heart is getting too old and weak.
10. Take care of me when I get old; you too will grow old. Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say: "I cannot bear to watch" or "Let it happen in my absence." Everything is easier for me if you are there, even my death.
Remember that I love you.

Independence Days Challenge for the week of 5/25

Plant: Celery plant, Tomatoes, beets
Harvest:some herbs- arugula, some mint, lettuce, Chinese cabbage, foraged some Alaskan Fire Weed all to make a great salad!
Preserve:
Prepare:
Local Foods: Bought a bunch of Leeks at the farmers' market to make leak and potato soup!
Community: Got into a little "guerrilla" gardening by gifting some Impatiens to a local coffee shop and planting them in there front planter box
Making Do (Repair, Re-use, Reduce, Recycle): 

Shake... Fold! And Help Save 571,230,000 pounds of paper!

I know everyone is trying to remember to use cloth rags to dry their hands. But what about those times when you forget to put one in your pocket or purse? Well Joe Smith shows how we can save 571,230,000 pounds of paper could be saved if we follow his advice in the video. You can do it all with one towel! Next year Toilet paper!!!

RE-POST: SWP's 2.0

This week I am re-posting my favorite way to make self watering or SIP's- Self Irrigating Planters!

Perusing the global buckets webpage, I saw an idea to make one out of 1 bucket and the top from a 5 gallon water bottle. So I had to to try one.

Take an ordinary water bucket-cut the top, drill a bunch of holes, put a rage over the pour spout, make sure to drill or cut a hole for a 1" or larger piece of tubing to go into - this is how you are going to add water to your planter!


Shove it in the 5 gallon bucket- pour side to the bottom

Fill with water up to the pour spout, fill with dirt and plant! I put a cayenne pepper in this one- now it goes into the green house for warmth!
Note- You may want to add a few "overflow" holes in the bucket... just put them beneath the level of the water bucket top (where you cut it off), and above the spout! Save the bottom of the water bottle for a bucket, or re-use as a planter!