Sunday Ramblings

 

I had a great sleep last night, but woke up to extreme pain in my back and hips. I have been rubbing mint salve in a few times today to relieve the pain. Good thing I have many a tin of that as well as some comfrey salve to use this winter. I think it might be a bad winter for my arthritis. 

Harvey saw how slowly I was moving this morning and said no sitting on a hard pew for me. I ended up watching Mass on the television live streamed. Not the same, but at least it was something. 

Quiet day here on the old homestead I have spent the day making plans for the upcoming year, finishing off the rugs, and doing some embroidery. As I have said before one of my plans is to make more from scratch and while it will probably take a bit more time, I will be moving to a simpler life. Simpler in that I will not be wasting resources, that items will be made with whole foods and not full of preservatives.

Simplifying my life to me means not only ridding myself of debt, but working towards a self-sufficient life.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

 

Not much in the way of projects completed, the pictures of those things will have to wait until next week. I did get a few things almost completed though so that is a plus.

This week was spent getting little things completed, like my calendars for next years monthly menu plans, and a few food items made to be used over the next weeks. Plus of course that big shopping trip and the processing of all the meat. 

I guess it is nothing to shrug ones shoulders at and say pfft nothing was really accomplished.

I got my yogurt made for the upcoming week. Love my yogurt maker as my instant pot is old and does not have a yogurt button. 

I peeled the apples and made apple pie filling. Only one container, but at least the bruised and softened apples did not go to waste.

That is something I am working on, no waste of food.

I also got some hummus made. Actually quite a bit of hummus, and some is in the fridge freezer to be used in later weeks.

I am very happy with how this batch turned out. So much smoother than the first batch I ever bad and the taste is awesome. So much better than store bought. 

Baked bread as well this week and will probably get more done tomorrow as well as make some Naan or another type of flat bread. 

Of course I worked on my various projects for Christmas and the house organization. 

Harvey bought some wine kits and then today he went and purchased the water he will need to use in the making of the wine. The place he bought the water (this is the only time we purchase bottled water) had some free items for those who spent in the store. He got a free iced tea and a free bottle of BBQ sauce. There was also a trip made by him to the Dairy Queen here in town with a coupon. He bought a box of Dilly Bars and got one for free. As those novelty items are fairly expensive and we love us some ice cream coated in chocolate these are a welcome addition to our supplies.

 

Spent some time on line looking up recipes to use up the leftover smoked brisket. Tomorrow I will be making a "Mexican Soup" and perhaps with the second pack I will make another of the recipes I found. Pretty sure there will be leftovers of the soup to be used up as well. In the freezer the leftovers will go. Building things up so as to take the time to visit with our sons when they are home for Christmas, or just when I don't feel like cooking.

As I have half a brisket left to cook, I spent time looking up recipes to do so with my slow cooker. They all look so yummy and all take anywhere from 8 to 10 hours to be cooked. So a fix it and forget it meal coming up eventually. And of course even more leftovers to decide on what to do with. 

Considering the cost of food I am really working on making the most of what we have by using leftovers to make new meals, or planning what to do with the leftovers I already have. Planning ahead helps keep items used and made the most of. I just have to remember what needs to be used and what I have in stock. 

While life is getting simpler, the lead up to that seems to be a touch more complicated. Still I can feel myself relaxing more and enjoying what treasures each day imparts. Life is good, if a bit more expensive.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Moving Towards Simplicity

 

Decluttering possessions is probably the easiest way to start living a simple life. Those possessions that keep us away from family or stop us from living a life based on our values, or in fact just deplete our bank accounts are not necessary. I do have many appliances, but most enable me to cut down cooking time and give me a chance to visit. 

I have also come to realize that I do not need two closets full of clothes and have been gradually ridding myself of those items that do not fit my body now and those that I just do not love. 

Slowly but surely I am removing myself from time commitments that also stop me from enjoying a slowed down life. I never realized how much time I spent doing things that did not fulfill me or enable me to take the time for a nice long walk or curling up with a good book.

Debt held us back from enjoying a simple life as well. We no longer have debt and that is so wonderfully freeing. Do what ever you can to lose that weight. 

It is amazing to me how much simple living incorporates frugal and thrifty living. I suppose one could have one without the other, but the stresses of a life full of things, of debt, of always trying to keep up with others really do not allow for a simple life. Letting go of those things or ridding ourselves of those things saves us money and allows us to rest.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursdays

Thrifty and Frugal 

Life got a bit less frugal today as I stocked up on sale meats, which I guess will turn out to be frugal in the long run, just not for total cost today.

I purchased 2 large cryovac eye of round roasts (approximately 9 lbs. each). One was cut into two roasts, the other cut into 8 steaks and two 1 1/2 packages of beef cubes for stew. The roasts were $5.99 a pound so all were a savings of at least another $5.00 to $15.00 a package.

I purchased a whole pork loin for $2.49 a lb. and made two large pork roasts. A savings of about $15.00 for each roast. The loin cost me $21.65 in total. 

I bought a Steelhead Trout fillet for $17.00 regularly $29.00 and it will furnish us with two meals each. 

Then I purchased 3lbs of ground beef that was also on sale. Eye watering sale, but sale non the less. 

All meat has been cut up, bagged and put in the freezer.

This should keep us in meat for a very long time, considering I have pork chops, ham steaks, lots of chicken and sausages. I also have burgers and hot dogs. 

I am hoping that all I will have to purchase in the way of meat next month is a turkey, and some canned meats and fish. That could mean my groceries for next month will be much lower.

I finished up a few bits and bobs of yarn making the smaller mittens, and now have pulled out some orphan balls and larger bits and bobs to make the next size of mittens. 

I am using up some Christmas yarn to make the runner for on top of the fake fireplace to brighten up that area. 

Used up all leftovers in lunches since we have been home.

Hung clothes on the lines downstairs to dry.

Will be making yogurt tonight. 

Found some partial spools of thread and wound them onto cards to use to sew on buttons or fix hems.

Changed the menu to use up items in the fridge freezer. 

Did a bit of decluttering, and removed things from the hall, and kitchen putting them where they belong.

Thanks for all the ideas in regards to make items more available to me in the pantry. I am going to see if I have any baskets that will fit, and I will keep a flashlight near to hand. 

My cupboards are in fact oak. The ones where my pantry are have been redone by Harvey and I want him to redo the others where my other kitchen items like plates, glasses and pots are held. That can be a job for him this winter as he can do them at his own pace. They need to be sanded, re-stained and a protective easy to wash coating put on them. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

 

Midweek Ramblings

It has been pretty cloudy today but at least we haven't had rain or snow as of yet the past couple of weeks. The longer things stay fairly decent the better it is for my driving in this city where people seem to forget how to drive during winter. Not that I don't like snow, and the moisture is necessary here for the proper seeding come the spring. I am just keeping my fingers crossed we don't get rain first.

I have spent some time trying to organize my kitchen pantry. The bad thing about this pantry is that the shelves go back so far. Did my best and now most items are in containers safe from any and all pests. 

I will still have to search for items at the back of the shelves, but at least things are well contained. I also got lots of my canning jars back for next year.

Next up is the pantry in the hall as well as my home canned goods and all my various spices and herbs. Those last are taking up room on my counter. I am actually thinking about putting the dehydrated items into the cupboard above and bringing out my teas so as to use them all this winter. The teas will take up less room and once the jars in the spice rack are empty and refilled I should be able to have a bit more counter space available.

Working on projects and getting a few things ready for the new year. My calendar pages are ready now for menu plans, and my 2026 book for the To Do list is ready to go. 

I have hung the new curtains in the sewing/craft room and folded the others up to see if Kris would like them for some area in his home. They are not as badly faded as I had thought and so he might be able to use them on his front window which would be great.

Even managed some decluttering this past week. Of course the decluttering was mostly paper and a couple of articles of clothing, but much better than nothing. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 I have stretched my shopping out and will not be going out until tomorrow to do that, or who knows perhaps I can stretch things out for another day. I can always make lemonade to drink at supper time. I just do not want to go over budget by a great deal. 

Our visit went very well and we actually got to see part of the cities Santa Claus Parade right past the doors of Kris's house. 

By the time we realized what was happening we could only get this photo. Lots in front and later on many behind. 

Eiko actually slept in the same room as me one night. Perhaps she is getting a bit more used to us coming and visiting for a period of time. 

Since getting home I have continued the organization of the kitchen pantry, did the laundry, and have been trying to figure out how to clean out the leftovers in the fridge freezer or the broth from the chest freezer made into soup. The planned menus starting next week are going to be changed for sure. 

I have just been spending most of the day catching up on work around the house. This means not much in the way of projects has been done. I did get the loom set up, but as far as mitten knitting just a little. I do hope to get this pair finished tonight and the last pair done tomorrow. If I don't get the next size completed before the end of the month, at least it is something I can work on by hand. After all by the end of this month I will need to get our trees and Christmas decor up. 

Things I have planned for tomorrow are hanging the curtains in the sewing/craft room, probably grocery shopping, and redoing the rest of the menus for this month. I even think some leftovers will be used at the beginning of December. 

I am finally sleeping a bit better, which is wonderful. I am slowly getting my energy back and happy to be working on things around the house. I am losing my ennui about projects and nesting around the old homestead. I pushed through at times and I think that is why I bounced so much between tasks. Now that I am sleeping better I find myself willing to finish something rather than work 15 minutes on one thing and then move to the next. Keeping my fingers crossed that more projects will be completed this month.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Plan Monday

We are back home and I am doing laundry..... Harvey on the other hand is sound asleep. I really think I should wake him up or he won't be able to sleep tonight.

Menu's for this week are going to be moved around. 

Monday

Corned Beef Hash and peas.

Tuesday

Homemade pizza, perhaps some garlic bread.

Wednesday

Leftover hash and carrots.

Thursday

Hopefully leftover pizza, but if not that Soup and Sandwiches.

Friday

Tuna casserole and a salad.

Saturday

Lazy Cabbage Roll Casserole.

Sunday

I have some leftover brisket in the freezer that needs using so I will figure out something with the help of Google.

So there it is meals to help us get through the start of the cold weather, clear out the fridge and get some very healthy meals in our tummies. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.