Moving part 5: Foresight and the Sandwich Generation

Do you worry what will happen when your parents can’t care for themselves? Are your grown kids one paycheck away from loosing their place?

Though I tend to fret more than most; I am house hunting with these ‘what ifs” at the back of my mind. I feel I need to have Plan B in place, just in case there’s a scenario…

If hubby gets hurt or sick, can I still swing the house payments and take care of him? {hence the freshly-hatched possibility of a pet friendly B&B in the previous post.}

Working smarter, not harder is beginning to take on new meaning, Friends and Confidants. Am I smart enough, energetic enough, and driven enough to pull this off for the next decade? I don’t know. – Gma Auburn {Jen} Just typing out loud…

#grownchildren #grandchildren #mortgages #sidegig

Moving Part 4: Small Town Possibilities?

Several ‘floating’ criteria come into play around midnight when I’m trolling realtor.com.  Some of which are our current and future side gigs. Hubby is a woodworker so he needs an outbuilding or garage, and I need an office, of course.

I’ve being looking across four counties, hoping for enough indoor/outdoor yard space to dog sit & have gardens, and chickens. Within an hour’s commute & under our price limit. There’s nothing that isn’t ‘handyman special,’ too close to Indianapolis (YUK!)… or on back roads with no phone service, that won’t see a snowplow for days.

Alternate plans forward: We are thinking it’s not our time yet, for a county homestead. We have to live with this decision for the next decade. We’d rather wait than compromise; or go too far in debt. 6 months of not quite right. Yikes! 5 months left till our lease is up here, and we ain’t stayin’ — Time for a new strategy.

We’ve been revisiting the possibilities of  ‘small town life.’ Some pros… So many 2 story old Victorian style/Farm Houses listed as 4 bed/2 bath– just off the main street. Luscious dark woodwork within; begging to be loved up with Murphy’s oil soap. 😉 Cupboards and closets for miles. Neighborhoods with shade trees and bisecting sidewalks. I don’t dislike sidewalks.  Or neighbors for that matter. I could plant a both English and veggie gardens while he builds fences.

More than double the house in square foot, but smaller lot than we wanted {although bigger than we have now!}. Some traffic noise, but away from the city scurry. Closer to weekend attractions and small colleges. Solid and well built. City utilities & wifi/phone connectivity are a plus.

Alternate Side Gigs: Pet friendly air B&B? Maybe rent out an extra room & bath! A corner lot will be handy for hubby to display and sell his woodwork projects, too. Other ticks on the ‘plus’ side – Basement! Friendly community chatter page. Covered porches for rainy days, potted plants and corralling Border Collies. 😉 20-25 min to family and groceries & 40 min to work is reasonable. So are the house prices {even though a few updates are needed}. We’ll be viewing at least one mammoth place this Saturday. I’m excited for the possibilities!

 

I try not to complain in length or detail, but Friends and Confidantes, we are sick of this trailer park! There’s a racetrack across the street and moderate traffic from 7am till 7 pm in front of our place. There’s also two side roads that run within 6 feet on either side of the trailer into the park. I chose it because it had a covered porch and huge tree. It was meant to be temporary. –“3 years tops” is closing in fast – Gma Auburn {Jen}

#midwestliving #bordercollie #househunting #indianapolis #farwestside #hoosierstate #hiking #retirementplans

Recipe- Stuffed Mushrooms for Two

Stuffed Baby Bella Mushrooms – Free Recipe

Stuffed Mushrooms for Two – Quick, flavorful side dish! ->Total time: 20 minutes. Budget: $2.00 Simple recipe to double.

• Preheat oven 375F
• 6 Whole Baby Bella Mushrooms – Separate caps/stems.
  • Rinse. Pat dry, Cut & discard stem tips.
  • Save stem pieces!
• In a small mixing bowl add: 
• 2 T. Cream Cheese, softened
• 1 T. Bread crumbs
• 1/2 tsp. milk
• 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning blend {OR  less than 1/8 tsp. Pesto}
• Dash: Garlic powder, salt, black pepper
• Mash with a fork until mixed.
• Then add veggies…
• Finely chopped: mushroom stems
  • Plus: 1-2 T. each finely chopped Celery and minced Onion
  • {OR 1 or 2 t. dried flakes.}
• Stir to combine. Over fill each cap.
• Small buttered baking pan.

Bake 375F/10-12 min uncovered. {Add 3-5 min for a double batch or large caps.} Serve hot.

• Summer meal idea-
• Feed a Family of four: Budget $8.00-$10.00
• Whole container of stuffed mushrooms- $4.00
• ADD: a mixed veggie salad -$2.75
• PLUS: a cup of cream of celery soup – $1.25 {or roasted radishes!)
• {OR 4- 2 oz portions of thinly sliced steak, add – $2.00}

Thanks for stopping by today! –Grandma Auburn – *who is not a food picture stylist 😉   Need more quick and frugal ideas? Follow this blog or Pinterest 

#appetizers #sidedish #familymealplans #freerecipe #foodbudget

Recipe- Roasted Radishes

Roasted Radishes

Take advantage of fresh spring radishes. Don’t care for them raw? Try roasting them. It will add a whole new dimension to your weeknight side dish rotation. 

Budget Friendly Side: $2.00. Feeds 4-6 people. Total time: 20-25 minutes.

1. Tinfoil lined baking sheet  PERHEAT: 425F
2. 1 or 2 bunches of radishes
3. Trim ends and rinse. Cut each in half.
4. MIX: 2-3 T. vegetable oil with:
5. 1/8-1/4 t. – seafood seasoning or lemon pepper or oregano/thyme blend**
6. S & P to taste.
7. Pour over radishes and toss to coat.
8. Baking cut side down first gives them a little more brown.
9. 425F/10 min. per side. {12-15 min. for larger radishes}
10. Done when they feel a little soft to the touch, and the skin starts to wrinkle. Serve hot.

**Notes & Pictures: These were teeny radishes! Seasoned with garlic/Italian blend. Paired with leftovers from last night’s roast: potato cakes, carrots, onions and sliced pork loin.

Thanks for stopping by today!  Need more ideas or a quick dessert? Can’t get the kids to eat veggies? Follow Grandma Auburn here or on Pinterest for more.

Free Recipe- Stuffed Mushrooms    #appetizers #sidedish #familymealplans #freerecipe #foodbudget

Potato Cakes and Pork Loin. Leftovers re-imagined!

New Pup, House Hunting and Other Surprises

Altogether now…… SQUEEEE!!!  Meet Nosey Rosey. 9 week old Border Collie mix. She’s going to be the greatest homesteading dog ever 😉 Tonight we’re leash and potty-training on high ground, during a rain storm, in a trailer park. So I’d say that’s a good start! HA!

This morning we drove two counties over just to cross off another property. There was too much water damage and Mrs Kravitz lived next door. Yikes! The hunt continues.

Other Surprises- Grandma Auburn has been recognized for her story-telling prowess! {I heard that snicker} Nominated for The Mystery Blog Award by our new friend, Clive over at Bipolar? It’s not all doom and gloom  Official post on that tomorrow! I’m excited and honored.

Good Night & Happy Mother’s Day! Friends and Confidantes, until the next walk around the block – Gma Auburn