Treasure Hunting...

We had to go into the city the other day. It was scorching hot there and most of the roads were under construction, so we were stuck in traffic many times. Vehicles were overheating. It was terrible. We turned off the air conditioning to prevent any issues and suffered through the heat. 

We had many errands to run including finding treasures to re-sale. We went to six different thrift stores. We were able to cover the cost of our trip including groceries, gas and treasures with one find. Overall, we did very well. We also ended up finding a few items for ourselves. 

These hiking backpacks are in great shape. They need to be dusted off a bit. They will bring just over $300. Five of the books - $80.

Treasure hunting is a great way to put a few extra bucks in your pocket. This trip, I must say, was the exception to the rule. We rarely knock it out of the park like this. It does happen, but usually it is small gains that add up over time. In fact, we were returning two items that would have been great from our last trip, but they did not work at all. This is one reason why we had to go back to the city so soon. We should have tested the items, but the store assured us that the items were in proper working order and that they were tested before they were put on the shelves. It all worked out for the best. We were given a store credit and we used it all up in one day at several stores. 

I found a collapsible dish drainer. I wanted one for when we have a lot a dished to do. 

Stores away compactly. Great for small spaces.

Our margins are slim since we live so remotely, and the cost of fuel is so high. So, it is nice when we are able to find a great treasure to resale and cover our expenses and then some. We do not get to do this often, but we try to do it when we have to go into the city. 

New with tags. Sells for $20.

PartyLite retired votive candle holders. NIB $20

We needed a small ice cube tray.

The pie plate is for us, and the thermos sells for $50.

It was a very long day. We left at 7:00 in the morning got back at 6 pm and then had to turn around and go back to town, because we needed to pick up something else. At least we didn't have to drive all the way back to the city. We ended up getting home around 10 pm. 

We were exhausted, hot, hungry and a little dehydrated. We carried plenty of water, but we couldn't drink enough to keep us hydrated. On our way back we picked up another sandwich from Walmart along with a bag of chips. I must say that Walmart has really good foot long roast beef sandwiches. They have plenty of meat and cheese on them and they are large enough to split. I guess that there is a shortage of mayonnaise packets, because they were out. I carried a jar of mayo for the return trip. 

We had to top off our tank again too. It cost almost $25 bucks for the return trip. A costly error. Fuel continues to rise in cost. It actually went up in-between the two trips that we made. 

This Bento box will be great for day trips.

$30

$70

We found some great water bottles. They sell for $12 each.

Keeping an eye out paid for our groceries, gas and other expenses plus we will make an additional $250. Not bad for a long hot day in town. Like I said, this was an exceptional day at the thrift stores, and it was a fun looking for treasures. We will have to go back into the city next month for an appointment, so we will check the thrift stores out again. Then it will be another three months or so before we have to go back unless something comes up. 

Happy hunting,

Mrs. Smith

Back Home, Again...

It is so awesome to come home after a long trip. It's hard to be gone for 7 days straight. I miss my own food, my own bed and my own stuff.  I really get sick of sandwiches, actually, I don't eat them unless I absolutely have to. I'd rather do without. I don't like eating out either. It's unhealthy and makes you fat. I carry as much homemade food as possible, but on a long trip we run out and have to resort to eating sandwiches or eating out.

I am grateful to God for our work and I'm grateful for my time at home. I'm seeking a balance between the two. There has to be one...

Jack decided to sleep under the solar panels today. His normal
home, under a trailer, must be getting a lot of wind.

We had to go to town this morning to get water, some green stuff to eat (salad) and
42 lbs of split chicken breast that we picked up for .76 lb. My freezer is full, so my yard birds are safe until we use up what we just purchased. We had to get a rain check a couple of weeks ago for the chicken and since we were out of town they were kind enough to extend the date. They have done this for us on several occasions. It's always a pleasure to do business where the customer is valued.

While we were out we stopped at one of our favorite places to buy used items and found this wonderful hand grater with three different cones for grating and slicing. This grater is by far the easiest and fastest that we own. ( I have several) Clean up is a breeze. Don't get me wrong, I love my Kitchen Aid, but for small projects this is the way to go.

Sorry, it's a little blurry.

This had 6 other cones that were with the grater, but they actually go to a Kitchen Aid, so now I have additional cones to use with my Kitchen Aid. Number One picked up a tin cup with a handle to use in my flour bins. I'm always leaving my measuring cups in the flour bins and then I can't find them when I need them.

We used the grater this morning to make hash browns. I always dreaded making them with the triangle grater because it takes so long to grate the potatoes and it's a knuckle buster. They were delicious and Number One was happy. I like that...

I made some coleslaw with it this afternoon...

It turned out wonderful...

Fresh and raw vegetables is just what I needed. I made a
big green salad too.

Secondhand Treasures And A Few Other Thoughts...

The computer has been tied up with work, so I haven't been able to post for the last few days. We went out again yesterday to find some more treasures to sell. We did very well finding items that will re-sale for a good price. I found some really nice pieces of our cookware that we don't own and bought them. Well, it will also fetch some good coinage, but for some strange reason I want to keep it. I have been collecting this stuff for years. I have more than enough to cook with and duplicates in other forms on all the pieces.  I slept on it and decided that this is how I get to stay home and take care of the ranch, so... So long cookware....

We ended up driving home in the beginnings of a snow storm last night. It's a blizzard now. The poor dogs can't or won't go outside. Number One had to move the car, because the whole front end was buried in a snow drift. I didn't want to go outside either to get a picture, so I didn't. It roared all night last night and is still roaring.

My kitchen is filled with treasures, so we can process them.(cleaning, ect..) I'm going to have to get to work soon. Afterwards, this is the perfect day to read my new (to me) book, Bible Trivia. We should be able to get out tomorrow and go to the post office before the Shabbat celebration. Tomorrow morning and afternoon will be dedicated to the preparation for the celebration. My home will be filled with the aroma of homemade bread and whatever foods I decide to cook for the Shabbat.

¹⁷Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
 ¹⁸And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
 ¹⁹To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Secondhand Treasures

We had to make our weekly pilgrimage to town yesterday afternoon. After pouring through sales flyer's, making a list and checking it twice we were off. We try to get water every week and if we need to we will pick up groceries, necessities and fuel. We do not make special trips (unless we have to) to save on fuel costs. It's over 70 miles round trip to get to the closest town of any size and back, so we are very careful about our list making.

We will usually stop by a few second hand stores to see if they have items that we can sell to make money or to use on the ranch. It's also a great place to look for books. I noticed that people were pouring through the toys, children's clothes, shoes and videos. They were looking for those special items to put under their Christmas tree for their loved ones. Husbands and wives alike were excited about their finds. You could hear "honey where are you " or "do you think they'll like it". We also searched for some rare item that would bless our loved ones. Whether it's a cherished book from their childhood, a long lost toy or an antique gadget it has special meaning and that's what we look for when buying gifts from a second hand store.

Unfortunately, we could only find a few things. Number One found a  re-sale item that will pay for almost our whole trip. That includes our groceries. Of course, we only bought items that were on sale. We added things like oil, brown sugar and ham to our larder. Baking supplies, ham, turkey and sausage are items that go on sale every year at this time, so we save money by buying extra and that will see us through the long winter months ahead on the ranch.

I found a couple of books. One book in particular looked very interesting. It's called " The Complete Book Of Bible Trivia". This will help with those long winter days and nights when it is not feasible to get out in the weather. The other book is "For God's Sake, Rest". This also caught my eye, since we are studying and practicing the Shabbat celebration which includes Sabbath day rest. You'd be surprised how difficult it is to truly rest in this crazy world.

I believe that buying from second hand stores, flea markets and garage sales is on the rise. Necessity makes these places as important as discount grocery stores. Paying retail is not "green". We have called being "green" being "conservative" long before the green scene. You could learn a lot from those who lived through the depression. They remember and still practice what their parents did just to survive during that time.

I believe that it is our responsibility to take care of what God has so richly blessed us with. This includes those who are in need. Living a conservative life enables us to have enough to share with those in need. Consider the things that you could do or do without to help others in need. Consider donating to charity instead of exchanging Christmas gifts with those who already have enough. They would probably be more than willing to participate in this idea. Donate time if money is an issue. There is usually always a job that needs to be done....

Secondhand Teasures

We had to go to town to take the dogs to the vet the other day. They are fine, praise God, they just needed their rabies booster and Hiho needed to be checked after taking a round of anti-biotics. Hiho and Abby were secondhand treasures too.

Hiho

Abby

Afterwards, we went to a few Goodwill stores and a yard sale. Here are a few secondhand treasures that we brought home with us.

I picked out three books for .99 a piece

$1 Columbia Coat

                                           

The coat washed up nicely



1/2 gallon Ball canning jar for $1.00



A nice Weber grill for $5.00

Isn't it strange how things get priced? At yard sales people seem to price items by their memories of the item, not necessarily by how much the item is worth. The days of .25 items have all but disappeared. I blame this on the pre-printed tags you can buy at the store. The lowest price on those tags seems to be $1.

You can always tell when you meet another yard seller, they have their items reasonably priced. We see signs all the time for yard sales during the week. I think that people are suffering and trying to get by anyway they can.

Philippians 4:19

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁹ And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Reach out to those in need. You may be the way God provides for a need. Don't miss out on the opportunity to serve others. Blessings......