green diy silver cleaner

How many of you have a Silver Set that looks like this?

First I will say I love Silver Service Sets and I have several in boxes still that someday my “mansion” will have enough places for them to show.  This particular one came from The Deacon and Pops.  It was given to them over 40 years ago as a Wedding Gift from a dear family friend.  I received it a few years ago at Christmas and have loved it every since.  I particularly love the little pineapple on the top. 

 

Well it sits out and tarnishes and I hate, let me repeat… I HATE to polish silver.  I am not sure if it came from helping my Grandmother’s and my Mother polish theirs as a child but I LOATHE it!  That being abundantly clear now I noticed it needed a little attention.  I set out on Pinterest to find a “greener” way to polish the old silver.  Pinterest of course had the answer, I swear it is like the Helpful Heloise of the New Millennium.  Here is goes, you won’t believe how easy it is. 

Cast of Players:

Dirty Silver

Baking Soda

Foil

Salt

Boiling Water

 

Line your sink or shallow wash basin with foil.

 

 

Next add silver.  Pour 1/2 C Baking Soda and 1/2 C Salt over top.

 

 

Last pour boiling water over top to submerge.  Wait 2 minutes, Rinse and dry with Clean Dish Towel and Ouila’!

 

 

My camera doesn’t do it justice.  It really is shiny and sparkly.  Took me all of 10 minutes.  Wow!  If I would have only new that in 1977.

T B T ... Turn Back Thursday a glimpse from the past.

I thought I would try something here, TBT... Turn back Thursday a glimpse at the past.   I was sitting here this morning pondering over many ideas to write about.  Of course I got side tracked, hard to believe.  LOL.  Maybe Cameron's ADHD is rubbing off on his Mama.  I had just spent a lovely morning on the patio with my girl, Beth, I really feel that we are sisters from another mother.  We really get each other.  Our children go to school together and met there.  When we met we couldn't believe how much we had in common.  See what I mean I just got sidetracked again. When Beth left and I decided to get onto my day I got turned to my to do list and on it was Menu.

Ugh the dreaded MENU planning.  I do love it at times and well others not so much.  Menu planning does help save money and keep the rhythm of the Green Acres Kitchen together. So this is where the TBT comes into the story.  Remember when I did this story last November?  November 2012 Menu Plans  I decided to give monthly planning a go again.  This way it is done and I only have to make my weekly list for the store.  Simplicity at its best.

Here is what is on the Menu for September 2013 at Green Acres.  I have some new adventures ahead for us here at Green Acres in the City and on the home front.  This will truly help keep things in check.

September 2013

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Lake	Lake	Out	Fish Tacos	Fried Zucchini Tomato Basil Salad Corn on the Cob	Greek Festival	Chicken Noodle Soup Biscuits
8	9	10	11	12	13	14
Roast Carrots Potatoes	Chicken Noodle Soup Biscuits	Tacos	Salmon Fruit Noodles	Open Faced Sandwiches Fruit Carrots	Topeka	Parish Picnic
15	16	17	18	19	20	21
Jambalaya	Hot Dogs Cucumbers	Tacos	Jambalaya	Crock pot Stroganoff	Pizza Veggies	Dos De Oros
22	23	24	25	26	27	28
Grilled Cheese Tomato Soup	Chili Cornbread	Tacos	Chili Cornbread	Meatballs Mac and Cheese  Green Beans	Crock pot Pizza Fruit	Enchilada Casserole Salad
29	30
Potato Soup Rolls	Cheeseburgers Tots Carrots

Here are some links to a few of the recipes.  Pinterest is truly an addiction and blessing.

1.  Mississippi Roast
2. Crock pot Pizza
3. Crock pot Stroganoff

themed meal planning

I was watching the Today Show this morning and watched a great piece on a family that survives on $14,000 a year, yes I said $14,000 a year.  I am not sure about surviving on that but if we had to I guess we could do anything we put our minds too.  She does a lot of planning, thrift store shopping aka Urban Treasure Hunting and just uses plain common sense.

 When I decided to stay home 4+ years ago we definitely made adjustments.  I am quite sure I would not want my life any different these days.  I have learned so much over these last four years.  Every day I continue to learn new ways to "trim the fat". 

The main piece I picked up from this family in the piece was from her blog.  She uses meal planning which I have already been using but she bases her plan off of a theme for the week or I should say days of the week.  Here is what I came up with for Green Acres along with our menu for this week.  I am off to make a list and hit Costco and Trader Joes.

{themed meal planning}

Sunday: Grilling in Warm Months/Soup in Cool Months

Monday:  Chicken Night

Tuesday: Mexican

Wednesday:  Beef Night

Thursday: Pasta Night

Friday:  Seafood Night

Saturday:  Leftovers

MENU

Sunday

Chili, Carrot Stix, Corn Bread

Monday  

Oven Fried Chicken, Broccoli Salad, apple sauce

Tuesday - Book Club

Mexican Pizza, Salad

Wednesday  

Meatloaf, Green Peas, Mashed Potatoes

Thursday- Bunco

 Mac n Cheese, Hot Dogs, Broccoli

Friday  

Fish Fry at STM

Saturday

Leftovers

Hope your weekend is full of many blessings.  We have a busy one with a Wedding on Saturday,  the 2nd Rite of Scrutiny in our RCIA process and Cameron will be marching with his Scout Troop in the Marting City Irishpalooza on Sunday.