Deck Us All with Boston Charlie

If you're of a certain age, and a Pogo fan, you'll recognize the header for this post.  If not, treat yourself here:

Pogo Christmas Carol

It's a cheap and cheerful Christmas in my house.  Yesterday, at the flea market where I volunteer four mornings a week, a woman donated boxes of unused holiday lights.  "My electric bill is so high, I can't afford to put up lights this year," she said. 

I know where this woman is coming from.  I just paid my monthly electric bill... $84.62, for 220 KWH.  That's $0.3846 per KWH.   For what?  I don't use my electric stove, only my microwave and (very seldom) a toaster oven.  I have an on demand water heater, for use in the shower only.  My main use in the warmer month is for the 5 fans that cool my apartment,  no a/c.  In the cooler months only my ceiling fan keeps air circulating.   Yes, I have a refrigerator, watch tv, my laptop is plugged in several hours a day, I charge my cell phone, but that's about it other than lights that are turned off when not in use.  The power company keeps promising lower rates.  Right.  And pigs have wings. 

But all is not gloom and doom.  I gave Black Friday shopping a pass this year - nothing I wanted or needed - and spent part of the day decorating for the hols, using old favorites from years past.  The only new item this year was a Thanksgiving turkey tea light holder I bought for $1.00 on a recent trip to the States.  My first trip off the rock in five years.  I'd forgotten what a PITA travel can be.  I had a great time away for a few days; but, like Dorothy said, "There's no place like home."

Penny Pincher

Giving Thanks - 2018

Thanksgiving is a scant three days away and I'm ready for it.  Pumpkin pie baked and chilling in the fridge along with whipped topping, cranberry sauce, brie, homemade hummus and a flower embossed bottle of sparkling rose.  In the freezer are boneless/skinless chicken breasts I'll be cooking ala Faith Durand* for Thanksgiving dinner.  Easy prep, easy clean up, maximum enjoyment.

I'm thankful for many things this year:

-- NO hurricanes
-- continued good health
-- the 485 square feet I still call home
-- another debt-free year with increased savings
-- and most of all, good friends

Wishing everyone the joy and bounty of the season.

Penny Pincher

*recipe here:

https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-cook-moist-tender-chicken-breasts-every-time-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-36891