REALM OF REALITY

I like shopping but I don't like to go shopping, however we all must do it anyway. (unless we have a maid).

We went to Wally World to grocer shop and get necessities. My thing is that I want to know approximately how much did I really pay for each item. For instance my total was $141.69. with taxes. I purchased 50 items according to the ticket. OK that is fifty actual packages. 

That would make them an average price of $2.38 an item. The lowest price item was $1.04 which was per dozen jumbo eggs. The most expensive was the cooked & devained shrimp in the freezer package costing $ 9.98 a package. There are at least 30 shrimp in each bag bringing that from 2.83 average price to only 9 cents a shrimp. Now that isn't bad. See my aim is that I want to know in real terms what I actually spent on a meal. So I will tell you how many items broken down from a case or package and the average price to actual costs of each to make a meal.

So after devising the amounts used per portion or usage and entering that into my brain I have a total of 695 single items. That makes my new average price per single item of use only .20 cents each. In actuality that makes one complete meal for two people complete with a fresh garden salad, lemon butter fish, boiled shrimp, side vegetable, hush puppies and a drink come to a grand total of $2.40 for two people now that was a huge savings. Sure is cheaper to eat in. Now you know what I do when I am closed on Wednesdays.

Many years ago I use to sit and figure how to feed a family of five on less than five dollars a day, well I did that. I helped a coupon company find what was the best way to save and get you to buy more. A lot of learning went into that, and a lot of really inexpensive or free meals did too. Try it just to see what you are really paying for a meal... you might be surprised. What's really kewl is when you find that 4 out of the seven days you can eat for free just by being shopper wise.

Take my friend Pat C. (we have  to protect her identity in case you don't like price comparisons.) Pat will get a flyer or newspaper and good ol Wally World will sure be glad to price match... and she holds them to that. It might be just as well to stand behind her in line and say, "excuse me can I have the paper when you are finished checking out" she can teach you a few tricks at the check out  line.

A CUTE LIL GARDEN SHOPPE
 
For those of you who are interested in the history of Tennessee or the removal of The Cherokee. A good place to start is at the Henegar House located in Charleston Tenn. It is now owned by some very talented folks.
They have taken it back to an original flair of life. Maybe not everything from that house can be said to have the greatest or fondest of memories considering the nature of the removal of Cherokee.

The house does have some awesome character to it and is being restored with love and a light that will enhance the special and good memories also served there.

I visited with Deb and Natalie while looking at the grounds and the wonderful garden accents they carry. I wish I could buy them all. They are fairly priced for the items that they are. The quaintness of their design flair as well as selecting the awesome items to be sold is incredible. I so do enjoy a garden scenery that reaches out to enchant you with some unique item that  has waited just for you to arrive to select it.

They carry cute lil garden picks of copper, some wonderful smelling fresh cedar spray. Fountains that are truly fountains. Seed Savers programs I remember reading about are actually found there. I was very taken by the oriental formations that were used outside of temples, I really like those sort of things. They have a sacred feeling to me. The weathered wrought iron pieces are incredible. I am  storming my brain on where I could use one at.

I even bought a T-shirt that said Harry Potter on it and it was a Cat potting flowers. Now that was a really cute shirt. They have so many sweet things there that one could only want to drop by and sit a spell. When they are

totally completed with all their continuous remodeling, if you can ever be finished that  is.... It will truly be a divine and interesting place to visit and perhaps find a small treasure that you can take with you. I did, but one of my treasures is worth more than the rest, I call it friendship. I am glad I finally had the opportunity to meet Deb and Natalie and explore the garden and buy my treasure too.

Ok in summing up this good ol article of nonsense and charm. I find that when we place a value on material need, whether they are necessities or food for life or thought, if they are stone or iron of wrought, I find the simplest  of them all to be free. For if you strive so hard to have all the best, then what have you left to strive for. Just be yourself and enjoy the receipts of time for what you spend is more precious than the gold you had to earn to see the sense in it all.

Taste of the gardens of life from those you have not passed before. For in every garden there is a charm that springs forth with vibrant glory. Touch history and watch it repeat the very things you already know, for you have witnessed another part of time.
Enjoy the light, and nature will astound you with what she has to share.
Taste life, share your light.

Have a safe Fourth of July.