Saving Money by Cutting Out or Back on Paper Towels

I'd come to dread buying paper towels. The prices are ridiculous, and I don't want to get started on the outrageous fibs of "double" or "triple" rolls. I'm 63, those "double" rolls are the same size or even smaller than they used to be. So I decided to make a conscious effort to use a lot less, and did some reading up on the best substitutes. I bought a 12 pack of microfiber cloths in bright colors for $9.95, to use for wiping up spills, and wiping down counters, the sink, wet cleaning etc.. which are good sized, wring out and rinse well and dry fast. I also bought what are called bar mops, dish towel sized white terry cloths to use for drying hands and other similar jobs that requure absorbency in the kitchen (I wanted something other than the dish towels I use for drying dishes and pans), 2 packages of 6 bar mops each costing $6.95, both from Walmart. I dry them out after each use and launder them in hot water, detergent and Oxiclean, or sometimes white vinegar. I have used them for about a month and believe it's saved me almost $20. on what I used to spend on paper towels. . A neighbor who had cut out paper towels before me opted to buy a box of white cotton "rags" (they look roughly the size of large terry wash cloths) at a local paint/hardware store). She says she is happy with them.

Last Hurrah of the Morning Glories

Among my favorite flowers in the garden are the morning glories, they have been prolific, growing up and over the fences, this year the vines are spreading on the ground. A bit of morning cheer and they last from spring til the first frost each year. They are fading, some of the vines have dried and had to be cleared.

I wish I had luck with the moon flowers I tried growing. I had wanted to alternate them with morning glories so I would have the beautiful pale blossoms later in the day with their beautiful scent but they didn't take. I noticed the leaves on the trees in my neighborhood and especially the common (for those not from New England, some cities and most all old towns would have a small park in the center, that was for common usage, in some larger towns a larger common allowed farmers cows and sheep to graze on a market day. Or space for the town militia to muster in the lead up to the Revolutionary War thus the term common) have started to turn, though whether we will have beautiful yellows, oranges and reds on the trees or more brown and tans is anybody's guess. All I see is a hint of dullish color. It all depends on bright hot days, and cooler nights.

Chicken Corn Chowder

This is my family's favorite soup, it's fresh and light tasting, not starchy at all. The soup is thickened by pulsing half the corn kernels to a paste in a food processor. Served with a salad, and you have a meal that will satisy everyone, even your pickey eaters. It's a recipe I adapted in the early '90s from a cookbook I got out of the library, Blue Corn & Chocolate.

Serves 6

2 Tbsp butter
1 large yellow onion chopped
2 carrots, sliced
2 stalks celery, with leaves, sliced
2 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
3 cups or 4 ears of fresh sweet corn kernels, you can use frozen, but fresh is best
4 cups chicken stock
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp sugar
1 cup cooked, diced chicken
1/2 tsp dried sweet marjoram
1/2 cup light cream

Process half the sweet corn kernels in a food processor, ’til they are a coarse paste (do not puree), reserve the other half as is, to add much later in the cooking process). In a large saucepan, melt the butter over low to moderate heat. Add the onions and carrots and sauté slowly, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Stir in the celery and the potato and continue to sauté, stirring occasionally, for another 5 minutes.

To the sautéd vegetables add the processed corn, the stock, the pepper, sugar and marjoram. Bring to a simmer then lower the heat and cook for about 20 minutes, until potatoes and carrots are tender. Stir in the remaining corn kernels and the chicken, bring back to a simmer and cook over low heat for 10 minutes.  Add the cream, and stir for 5 minutes or less til it is hot again but not boiling, sprinkle with fresh parsley, if you wish. Served as leftovers, it tastes even better the next day and freezes well.