DFW Metroplex, TX

**kitian** · 08-22-2009, 02:24 PM

Hello Everyone!

I've read the forums off and on for over a year, but wasn't in a situation to spend much leisure time "surfing" the net due to graduate school commitments. I started food saving last year in case I couldn't find a job when I graduated and I ended up using both my ER fund and much of my food in the 3 months since graduation. Now that I've found some part-time work and can start "saving" again, I'm building my food storage back up and am excited about not facing a future filled with Ramen variations. (I hate ramen, absolutely hate hate hate ramen!)
I also convinced my mother to start food saving this year, and she and her neighbors have created a joint garden and are busy canning, freezing, and otherwise preserving a HUGE amount of food this season. It's really nice to have someone whom I know I can rely on and who thinks the same way that I do who's participating in the same kinds of money saving projects. It has been a great way to bond on a nearly daily basis, even tho we're currently living almost 2000 miles apart! The first time she played a "grocery game", she was completely enthused about how much money she saved. She's always had a good eye for a sale, but she may have been the easiest convert to this kind of lifestyle in history.

I found frugal village on my own, but my boyfriend is a member of frugal squirrels forums and he advocates the frugal village forums as more "down to earth".

I have 2 kitties (they look like black and white spotted cows) and spend alot of my time reading, playing video games, crafting (sewing, jewelry or woodworking) or cooking. I love hiking and camping, but living in Texas for the past 2 years and finishing graduate school means I've been stuck in suburbia doing research behing a computer for most of it. If anyone knows any fun nearby outings in my area, let me know! Our budget might be tight, but my sweetheart and I belong to the school of thought that:

free entertainment/good deals + road trip gas = win!

Thank you everyone for your contributions to the site!

Cheers.

**dcompton** · 08-22-2009, 06:08 PM

Hi! I grew up in Ft. Worth, but haven't lived there since 1985, and have seldom visited.

I have no advice on freebies in the area, but if you can spend a little, check out the Ft. Worth zoo and the botanical gardens if you haven't already. Unless it's changed there is an entrance fee for the Japanese garden, but a lot of the botanical garden area was free.

Where did you go to graduate school? I have my last degree from TCU.

**mauimagic** · 08-22-2009, 06:12 PM

Aloha and welcome from Hawaii!! Love the fact that you and your Mom have such a strong frugal bond over the miles!!

**AmyBoz** · 08-22-2009, 06:57 PM

Well, welcome to the village!

Can't wait to hear all you have to share!

**omalleyc** · 08-22-2009, 07:05 PM

Hi! Welcome to Frugal Village! I live near Ft. Worth. The neighborhood garden sounds wonderful! I wish we had one, then I could learn how to garden.

**3tomboys** · 08-22-2009, 08:29 PM

Welcome to FV!

**kitian** · 08-22-2009, 10:42 PM

Thank you all for the warm welcome!

: )

Originally Posted by dcompton

I have no advice on freebies in the area, but if you can spend a little, check out the Ft. Worth zoo and the botanical gardens if you haven't already. Unless it's changed there is an entrance fee for the Japanese garden, but a lot of the botanical garden area was free.

Will do! I haven't done either, those are great suggestions!

I graduated from Southern Methodist University on an accelerated program. 17 months, 1 Master's degree w/ thesis, and a LOT of student loans later - it sure was hard work! I'm working as a TA at my school until I find a job in my industry. Until then, I'm being even more coupon/sale/thrift crazy than usual!

My mother's neighbors (and gardening partners in crime) are absolute darlings. Apparently there has been a severe tomato blight in their area, so everyone has lost their tomato crops this year. It was heart wrenching to listen to a day by day account of the encroaching doom on their tomato beds. They're in central Vermont.

Mom apparently has a TON of cucumbers this week too, and has been begging anyone and everyone for cucumber recipes (they're not pickle-able). So if anyone has any suggestions I'm sure she and her gardening friends would appreciate it!

Thank you all again!

**ilovechocolate** · 08-23-2009, 07:09 AM

Hi and welcome! Apparently cucumbers are about the only thing doing well in gardens here in Georgia too! I have friends who are begging me to take their overabundance but yet nothing else in their gardens has grown well this summer.

Anyway, we're glad you've joined us at the Village!

**lovestoread** · 08-23-2009, 08:33 AM

welcome to the village.....

QM · 08-23-2009, 08:40 AM

Hi and welcome to Frugal Village!

**larabelle** · 08-23-2009, 08:41 AM

Welcome!!!

**kitian** · 08-23-2009, 06:11 PM

Originally Posted by ilovechocolate

Apparently cucumbers are about the only thing doing well in gardens here in Georgia too! I have friends who are begging me to take their overabundance but yet nothing else in their gardens has grown well this summer.

Here's the fresh cucumber recipe that has won this week's overabundance of cucumber's kitchen award. I'll post it in the cooking section too, in case other people have a plethora of cukes too!

Sliced Dill Cucumbers

3 large cucumbers, peeled and sliced thin
salt

2/3 cup white wine vinegar
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp white pepper

1 tbsp dill, dried

1. Peel and slice cucumbers then layer in a non-aluminum bowl with salt. Place in refridgerator overnight (or several hours) with a press to remove water from cukes. Once press is complete, remove from fridge, drain fluid and pat slices until dry.

2. In saucepan, heat all remaining ingredients (less dill) over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat, cool and add dried dill. Marinade the cucumbers in the sauce and serve chilled.

This is definitely a great, crisp and delicious summer recipe. They're sweet but sharp and are definitely not pickles.

**freebs** · 08-23-2009, 08:09 PM

welcome! I live close to Tyler, i am about 90 miles from Dallas. I know that they were supposed to be putting in a Aldi grocery stores in that area, they are a no name brand kinda store. I would look it up and check to see if they are in or not~

**Sassyclass** · 08-24-2009, 10:55 PM

Hi and

to FV.

Cat

**frugalfranny** · 08-24-2009, 10:59 PM

WHAT?? Are we giving recipes as a welcome now???

Originally Posted by kitian

Here's the fresh cucumber recipe that has won this week's overabundance of cucumber's kitchen award. I'll post it in the cooking section too, in case other people have a plethora of cukes too!

Sliced Dill Cucumbers

3 large cucumbers, peeled and sliced thin
salt

2/3 cup white wine vinegar
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp white pepper

1 tbsp dill, dried

1. Peel and slice cucumbers then layer in a non-aluminum bowl with salt. Place in refridgerator overnight (or several hours) with a press to remove water from cukes. Once press is complete, remove from fridge, drain fluid and pat slices until dry.

2. In saucepan, heat all remaining ingredients (less dill) over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat, cool and add dried dill. Marinade the cucumbers in the sauce and serve chilled.

This is definitely a great, crisp and delicious summer recipe. They're sweet but sharp and are definitely not pickles.