Freezer Cooking and Washing Dishes, a Peek Into Our Week

This week ended up being a much busier week, than I would have ever thought. Monday started the week out with phone calls to so many people. I felt like I was on the phone almost the whole day. Even with all the calling, I didn’t get it all done.

Dishwasher woes, washing dishes by hand

Tuesday was our least eventful day of the week and the first day. Our dishwasher broke last week, no maybe it’s already pushing two weeks it been broken now, and I’ve been washing dishes by hand. I didn’t realize how many dishes we dirty in a day until I started doing them by hand.

While at first I didn’t mind at all, it started to wear on me about mid way through this week. The constant dishes drying on the counter on towels was getting old. I just didn’t have enough space to work.

using my dishwasher as a drying rack

Then it dawned on me that I could use the broken dishwasher as a drying rack. Problem solved and my counter space was reclaimed. Wish I would have thought of it sooner. I even remembered to use the drying cycle to dry the dishes once this week. Since the part that is broken is the water inlet valve, the dry cycle works great.

While I’ve enjoyed the extra down time, to be able to think while washing dishes, my feet have not been happy at all, with all the standing. I’m hoping to start a new rug this week for the kitchen. I have some yarn and t-shirt yarn, I’m hoping to combine to make a nice new rug for in front of the sink. I’m sure it will be done about the time we get the new dishwasher in. 🙂

My husband was home on Wednesday, due to an injured back. After a visit to the urgent care and the chiropractor, he was doing better. Still not 100% but not in agony anymore.

Thursday was a more normal day. I finished up most of my phone calls for the week or received answers from those I left messages with, so I was happy to have those tasks done.

My son working on his reading and spelling

I’ve been trying to think of new ways to get my son to practice reading and spelling. He seems to be allergic to a pencil and paper. He does his handwriting practice each day, but I try to get creative in having him practice his spelling and reading.

This week, I pulled out the magnetic letter tiles (affiliate link) and we spent some time arranging words on the dishwasher. Another good use for it even though it’s broken. After we practiced all we needed to for the day, I told him he was done. But he wanted to continue on and spelled another 12 words on his own and read them back to me. Being a little creative paid off and he practiced more than any other day this week.An easy frugal granola recipe

On Friday, I decided at 11:30 am that I would try to get granola made and refried beans in the slow cooker before lunch. I wasn’t sure I was going to make it, but with the kids help, at 12:00 we had the beans cooking in the slow cooker. And the granola was baking in the oven.

We flavored the granola with maple flavoring instead of vanilla this time. As it was baking the house smelled just heavenly. My son said, “Oh mama, that granola makes the house smell so yummy.” I had to agree. I shared a photo of the granola on Instagram, I would love to connect with you if you’re on Instagram too.

Making refried beans in a slow cooker

Two hours later, the bean were done cooking and I used my hand blender (affiliate link) to whip them into refried beans for the freezer. Now we are set for a while for refried beans. I froze them in 2 cup packages. They end up costing so much less than the canned refried beans.

I also had fun putting together a marble run with the kids in the afternoon. It turned out to have 10 runs that ended at two ends. Not too bad for not making a plan before we started.

Today, I hoping to at least get a dishwasher ordered. We have it narrowed down to three different models. After reading reviews and subscribing to Consumer Reports for one month, so I could get the information on the dishwasher testing they did, I hope we get a good one.

We could repair our current dishwasher, as we know what part it needs, but it being 15 years old, I think it might not last very long even with the repair. So my husband and myself agreed to get a new one.

That’s what our week looked like. How did your week go? Anything eventful or just exciting happen. I would love to share in your week too. Leave me a comment below with how your week went. 

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PS, if you’re missing my super saving saturday post, I’m sorry. I didn’t get photos taken after shopping this past week. I’m hoping to share how our week went a few times a month and share my shopping post the other Saturdays. Let me know, what you think of this idea. I thankful for all of you and want to serve you as best I can so your opinions are always appreciated. 

 

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5 thoughts on “Freezer Cooking and Washing Dishes, a Peek Into Our Week”

  1. It sounds like you had an eventful week, Shelly. I personally feel allergic to calling businesses where I’m going to be put on hold and probably get the runaround. 😉

    As usual, we stayed home most of the week, but we did get out on Thursday to go to Chick-fil-A for their free breakfast entree on the way to Chicago for David’s appointment. I LOVE that Chick-fil-A will allow you to get their free entrees even when you go through the drive-thru.

    I’m glad to hear you’ll be getting your new dishwasher soon. 🙂

  2. Ugh! We had to replace our dishwasher last year. It is so stressful to make these decisions! I need to try making refried beans for the freezer again. The last (and only) time I made them, they weren’t flavorful enough but I didn’t add any spices other than onions. I’ll have to try tossing in some cumin and chili powder. I hope you are enjoying a restful weekend!

  3. Oh, I hope your husband’s back is feeling better! I have been struggling with a bad back for a long time now, and only chiropractic adjustments help. He may have to go a few more times to get it back into place.

    I hope you get your dishwasher in soon…it’s no fun washing so many dishes by hand!

  4. I’m impressed on how much you got done to prep for the week. I’m often well intentioned, but end up enjoying my downtime a little too much. Also, I love making refried beans but I always make SO much that I don’t do it often (you can certainly eat too many beans in one week). I never even thought of freezing it. Thanks for the tip!

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