Thriftin'

The other day I ran into my favorite haunt.  Although I didn't find much, I did find this fabulous set of red clay Mexican Pottery nesting pans.

I adore the scalloped edges on the top, as well as the folksy painting on the outsides.  They were in perfect condition, and I simply had to have them.  I also have a set of stacking bowls like this that we love and use all the time.  However, one has recently broken.  This set was marked 11.00, but was 40% off.  What a steal!  It just so happened that I had two over ripe bananas in the fridge just waiting to be made into Banana Nut Bread.  And look how perfect these two smaller pans of the set worked for this!

My recipe comes from a neighbor we had when I was growing up. She always slit the bread down the center right out of the oven, and poured melted butter down over the top.  This bread is the best I have ever had!!  I also spotted a couple of boxes of  battery operated candles.  They were marked 8.00 a box. Each box had two candles in them.  AND they were 50% off!  My Mom has a set of these pretty candles in her entryway, and they turn off and on automatically.  So they are always lit at dark and she doesn't ever come into a dark house.  I love this idea!  I was eager to get them home and put batteries in them to see if they work. They do!  And they also have the timer setting as well.  They come on every night at 5, burn for 4 hours, then go off for 20 hours.  I love seeing them pop on every night, just as it is getting dark in the house.

They flicker just like a real candle, and are made out of real wax too.  I love these!  I have three on a little table in the family room, and one of them I put in the guest bathroom.  I was in Joann's the other day, and for the same size candle, it was 20.00 for one.  I got 4 for 8.00!

 Then over at The Goodwill, I found a few more things.  I have recently found out how to do a crochet pattern that creates a basket weave look.   I rescued this gorgeous deep red throw for a mere 5.00!!!  It is done in this basket weave pattern that I love so much.  I took it home and washed it, then hung on the line to dry.  It is so soft and cozy feeling!

It won't go here, I just threw it over a chair in the living room where it is lit well.  Here is a closer look at the pattern.

I spotted these lime green plates and immediately thought of my daughter Erika.  Her kitchen accent color is lime green.  I got her a lime green Le Creuset Tea Kettle a couple years ago, and she has cute accent things in this color in her kitchen.   There wasn't a chip on them!  I paid .79 c a piece.

I crocheted this dishcloth to match.

For 2 dollars, I couldn't pass up this Roo.

That's it on the thrifty finds this week.  I will end with a photo of dinner last night.  My Mom and I go to a little deli in Yorba Linda that has the best cold orzo salad!  I eat it every time I go there!  It is so good! z
Then, the other day, I saw this recipe on Pinterest, and knew I had to make it immediately.
Here is what you will need.. I also put green onions in the salad, but they were not out of fridge yet.

Cook your orzo according to package.  Drain and cool.  In another bowl, zest the two large lemons, and then add their juice  Add 1 cup olive oil.  Whisk together, adding some pepper to taste.  No salt, as this is added when cooking the pasta.    My neighbor had gifted me with a beautiful basket of yellow and red grape tomatoes.  Those were  halved and added to the bowl, along with a handful of sweet peppers,  and a  handful of Italian parsley, a handful of basil, about 6 thinly sliced green onions, and a few roasted red peppers. One bag of shelled and thawed edamame goes in.  When orzo has cooled, add it to pot and stir all together.  If I had some feta cheese, I would have added that. And marinated artichokes would be good, as well some Kalamata olives.  Whatever you like really.  This is such a pretty dish.  And  SO good!!

 I breaded some chicken tenders and cooked those in a pan, after dredging in a seasoned flour.  Delicious!  

I can hardly wait to have my lunch of leftovers today!  

We are going to the lake for a couple of days.  Hope all of you have a safe and fun Labor Day Weekend.  See you next week.

Tootle Loo!!
XO  Kris