Thursday, May 30, 2013

The Perfect Day For......

As today looked much like this

from the time I got back from my rather wet walk (thank heavens I was on my way home when the rain hit). I decided it would be the perfect day to do some baking.

I haven't made pies in awhile so gathered together all my supplies and set to work.

I made three Rhubarb Sponge pies. This is the last one that I took out of the oven. It will make us dessert for the next few days. The other two are residing in their new home, the freezer, to be taken out as needed.

Got to use up much of last years frozen rhubarb, and had fun doing so.

Here is the recipe:

Rhubarb Sponge Pie

3 tbsp softened butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs, separated
2 heaping tbsp of flour
1/8 tsp salt
2 cups chopped rhubarb

Mix butter, sugar, egg yolks, flour and salt together and add the rhubarb. In another bowl beat egg whites until stiff and fold into the first mixture. When blended pour into a pie shell. Bake at 400 for 25 mins and then turn down the heat to 325. Bake until golden brown and set when tested in the center.

This is enough for one pie.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Just A Bit Of This And That

The day dawned cloudy and rainy once again, but by mid afternoon the rain had stopped and things were drying out. I decided to take a walk around the yard and get some weeding and such done.

Since our front yard seems to be mostly dandelions I spend a bit of time digging them out. Harvey asked if we had been infested by moles when he saw it. There are still many more out there to dig up, but I am giving the moles a rest for the day.

I then moved on to weeding the hosta bed. To my surprise I found that many of the plants were springing up almost overnight.


I continued on with my weeding, just so happy that these were poking their way through the mulch that I did not mind the weeds I had to pull up. I have been concerned that they were all in that place that dead plants go.

My Virginia Creeper is starting to fill out once again. Considering the size of the duplex that has been built behind us, I am so glad that we will have this bit of privacy on our deck.

More and more blossoms are appearing on the cherry trees. We should have another great crop this year....if I can keep ahead of the birds!!! Which is an ongoing battle every year.

It looks as if spring is really and truly here. That means summer should not be far behind. So looking forward to the nice weather considering the long, cold winter we had.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Monday, May 27, 2013

Menu Monday May 27th to June 2nd

Before I start my menus for the week, I would like to wish all my friends in the United States a very Happy Memorial Day!!

Monday

Changed the plan already. I was going to have spaghetti, but there is so much tuna casserole left from Friday we will be having that tonight. Some sliced cucumbers on the side.

Tuesday

Leftover Beef Roast thinly sliced with onions, sliced green peppers and sliced mushrooms. I will make a brown gravy to go with and serve this over baking powder biscuits.

Wednesday

Spaghetti and meat sauce, salad on the side.

Thursday

Leftovers from Tuesday as I have a feeling there will be enough left for another meal, serving it over mashed potatoes this time.

Friday

Breakfast for dinner. I think French toast sounds perfect!!

Saturday

Grilled hot dogs and pasta salad.

Sunday

Roast Chicken, mashed potatoes, and carrots. Unless there is lots of pasta salad left and then I will serve that instead of the potatoes.

Everyone have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Sunday Ramblings

It has been a busy day for me considering it is Sunday and supposedly a day of rest.

Started with doing the announcements at Mass this morning, then it was rush home, eat lunch and get on the road once again.

I had a meeting to chair in a small town about an hour away. I swear I left in plenty of time, but with highway construction, farmers burning stubble off the field and getting lost finding a church I have been to many times, I was a bit late!!! Ruined my day totally.

The meeting did go well though and we were finished that in record time. I came home another way to miss the construction and the smoke from the burning stubble. Made good time.

I know a person is supposed to practice patience and I get the fact that some are upset over the new protocols the Church is putting out, but really, it is not that hard to get a Police Record Check to prove that you are not an abuser of any type. I really do not know what the fuss is. I get that some people may be insulted, or decide that they will no longer help. I get that it means that perhaps fewer people will volunteer in various ministries. But this is something we have been asking for, heck even the priests have to undergo this process now. Hopefully people let off steam and will be willing to go with the flow! At one point in the meeting I almost stood up and said what are you hiding, this costs nothing as it is for volunteers, and really unless you have a record what is the big problem. People do fill them out for work.

I am home now with a bunch of reading to do, a report to type up and a workshop to organize for the fall. I think I want to pull some blankets over my head and see if everything will go away.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Garden Is Growing

Today started out being very foggy.

But became a lovely sunny day after a shower this afternoon.

I decided to take the camera and show you how a few of the vegetables are growing.

The peas are popping up. Three whole rows of them. I am hoping that this will give me a few to freeze.

A stalwart row of green beans. I should get plenty along with what I still have in the freezer.

Potatoes, a mainstay in this house. Harvey is a big meat and potatoes man and so are our sons.

Our set onions are getting larger by the day. Harvey always keeps extra to replace the ones I pull to use as green onions in salads and such.

The Walla Walla onions!! These usually get huge and taste oh so sweet. We are hoping for the same this year.

Now if we can only get rain when we need it, sun and warm temperatures we will be able to have another great harvest.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.






Thursday, May 23, 2013

Bit Of A Shock Today

I got a bit of a shock today when I filled up the vehicle, the cost of fuel had jumped 6 cents a liter from $1.29.9 a liter to $1.35.9 a liter. Yikees!!!!

What does this mean in the grand scheme of things???

The cost of shipping anything will go up, which in turn will cause prices to rise. Hey it's not like we are not used to rising prices, but I have a feeling things are going to go wayyyyyy up now.

To Harvey and I now that we are on a fixed budget it could mean reworking things to make ends meet. Right now I am happy that I don't work every day so a tank of gas, unless we go somewhere, will last me for at least a month, give or take a couple of days. It will also mean that if I accept a subbing position it better be for the morning (usually 3 1/2 hours) or an all day position. It would not pay me to take an afternoon spot for 2 1/2 hours. It will also mean that even more of the times I use the vehicle it will be for combined trips.

At the grocery store, well I will certainly be looking for the best possible deals and using as many coupons as I can find. I will also be sending for more freebies (Harvey has been quite surprised over the treats that have found their way to our mailbox the past little while) and doing as many surveys for points or cash that I possibly can.

I am tempted to buy one of those pull baskets so that I can walk to get my groceries and bring them home behind me, just as my Mother used to when I was growing up. Shades of the old days are coming back to haunt me........

We will be using up, making do and doing without a lot more than we had planned. Hopefully things will settle down very soon and after the budget gets reworked things are not as bad as I think they are going to be.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

One Unfinished Project Done, Many To Go

I finally finished the embroidery!!!

Here are some shots of the finished project on my dining room table.

One of the ends of the cloth. You can vaguely make out the small bouquet on the side.

The middle of the table cloth.
Sorry for the shaded area, but we have put in our air conditioner and the sun was shining through the window onto the table.

I started a "new" project. This is for our family reunion, as we always have a silent auction to raise money for the next reunion.


The start of the lapghan I plan on donating. That plus some dish cloths and a couple of ripple scarves will be my donation. Harvey is donating a wine basket with 4 bottles of his homemade wine.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Monday, May 20, 2013

Menu Monday

Getting an early start on things today. Since it is raining (and it is coming down pretty hard), I can not go out for my early morning walk. Hmmm, getting a great deal of inside work done so far this morning.

Anyways, here are my menus for the upcoming week.

Monday

Jambalaya, using up either the leftover frozen chicken or the canned shrimp in the pantry. I plan on making some biscuits to go along with the meal.

Tuesday

Pork chops, rice, and broccoli/cauliflower mix.

Wednesday

Roast Chicken Legs, a package of those noodles I have in the cupboard that need to be used up and some salad.

Thursday

Leftover Chili I froze served over pasta. Hopefully there will be leftover salad from last night.

Friday

Baked Fish, homemade oven fries and coleslaw.

Saturday

I have steak down but not sure what the weather will be like. To be on the safe side I think I will make smoked sausage, corn on the cob, and potatoes.

Sunday

Roast Ham, Rice, and perhaps beets or yellow beans.

So there it is. I have also decided that if the rain continues for too long I just may do some baking.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Sunday Ramblings

Only one day left of our long weekend. Every year it seems like these long weekends go by faster and faster. Kris will be leaving tomorrow morning some time and Harvey and I will be on our own once again. I really miss having a houseful of people and the boys friends over all the time. I guess those days are pretty much gone and I will be grateful for the short visits that they both spend with us.

Speaking of visits or holidays, Harvey and I booked a lovely trip for three weeks all told starting September 16th.  We arranged it so that the garden will be processed, and my plants and flowers will be coming to an end.


We are off to the UK for a wonderful tour!!! I will get to see places where my Great Grandfather on my mother's side lived and saw. Harvey is really looking forward to seeing all the old buildings and places he has only read about in history books.

Hopefully we will have another trip next year to Germany or maybe Italy as Harv has always been interested in the history of that area.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless

Saturday, May 18, 2013

More Flower Pictures

I promised these yesterday but because Kris got home and took over the computer, just did not get a chance to post them.

So here are my finished baskets and boxes.

Begonias surrounding the clothes line pole that comes through the deck.

The New Guinea Impatient plants in their shaded corner.

My Fuchsia is hanging in it's regular spot by our outdoor clock.

 The Moonflower and the patio tomato are all set up.

Once my overwintered bougainvillaea looks a bit healthier I will post a picture of it as well.

Kris looked around and asked if I planted way less this year. The answer so far is YES. But who knows what sickly or interesting plants I see while out on my excursions, they could end up in my garden as I have lots of pots left that could be filled.

Off to do some baking!

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.




Thursday, May 16, 2013

Flowers Done!!!

I spent most of today getting my bedding plants out and for some reason I think we could have had even more. Harvey on the other hand says what I have planted is more than enough.

This is what I have at the side door. It is the door we always use to enter our house.

The front patio. It has all my herbs and a few flowers.

My usual hanging baskets on the back of the house. These have vines that will reach the bottom and hang down to add a bit of green to the back wall.

Some colour to attract those elusive humming birds hopefully.





Heliotrope and petunias in one large planter, Coleus in the other.

My impatients corner. This gets so bushy that you can not even see the rack they are sitting on by the end of the summer.

I will share the rest of my planting with all of you tomorrow. 

Now comes the clean up of all the areas. Whew, the job never seems to end.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.





Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Planting Season Is Here

The forecast calls for a weekend of rain, so Harvey and I are busy trying to get everything planted before the deluge happens.

Got to get that tiller started!!

Here we go, off and running.

Harvey has finished planting the veggie garden. The only thing missing right now is Eggplant. No one seems to have any, but we will be keeping our eyes open.

The perennial bed is starting to show some growth.

The Daylilies are starting to come. They just needed some heat.

My Asiatic Lilies are poking through. Looks as if they have spread a bit.

The tulips in front are getting buds....Looking good dear.

And I have all my potting soil ready to go.
Tomorrow I will share my flowers and herbs with you. I don't have them all planted yet so I am waiting until everything is done (well as done as it ever is around here, I am always adding more).

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.


Monday, May 13, 2013

Menu Monday

Here are my dinner menus for the next week.

Monday

Leftovers which just happened to be Chicken Noodle Soup. I made salmon sandwiches to go along with the soup.

Tuesday

Leftover chicken made into Chicken Caesar Salad.

Wednesday

I plan on heating up the leftover Chili from last week. Serving it with toast.

Thursday

Plan on making the Lazy Perogy Casserole that did not get made last week.

Friday

Baked fish, home fries, and slaw.

Saturday

Hamburgers, salad and baked beans.

Sunday

Beef Roast, roasted potatoes, carrots.


Sunday, May 12, 2013

Happy Mother's Day

Wishing all mother's a very Happy Mother's Day.

Have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Getting Ready To Plant

Today I broke down and went to the various outlets that sold plants.I did manage to pick up a few, but I will be needing many more yet.

I usually make my own hanging baskets, but since we are getting such a late start I picked up a few. I need two more for beside my front door.... Perhaps on Tuesday Harvey and I will head out and pick up potting soil and a few more plants.

This is what I have managed to get so far to go along with those I have started in the house.

This lovely fushia to hang in one corner of the deck.

These 2 lovelies will be hanging by my front door.


I bought some Gerbera daisies to go in the pots that march up my front stairs.

The white petunias beside the daisies will surround the heliotrope in my large rectangular planter near the fire pit.


The heliotrope smells so wonderful.

I also bought some New Guinea Impatients and Non stop begonias to decorate the pots that sit against the wall on my deck.


Life is good and will just get better as the season progresses. Hope to share more flower purchases with you as they arrive in my home.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Signs of Spring

Today was another lovely day in Southeastern Saskatchewan. I took a trip around the yard to see the signs of spring this afternoon.

Harvey planted tulips up front and just look how far they have come.

My honeysuckle bush is starting to leaf out.

The cherry trees are starting to bud.

Harvey planted potatoes and radishes.

Believe me there are radish seeds in this planter box.

But the biggest sign of spring is this.

Harvey cleaning the garden shed!!

Got to love a man who wants everything in its place.

One last picture tonight. I just thought that I would show you how far I have gotten on my embroidery project. Only about a week left to go hopefully.


Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.






Monday, May 6, 2013

Menu Monday

Time to post this weeks menus.

I noticed an error on this weeks menus. I do not have any leftover soup to use up on Tuesday so I guess I will have to make some. I have lots of stock in the big freezer downstairs so this will cause no problem what so ever.

Monday

Leftover stew frozen from last week. Serving it with fresh bread.

Tuesday

This was the using up of leftover soup night.... Now I will be making some and will end up with leftovers for another meal later on.

Wednesday

Smoked Sausage BBQed. Served with potatoes, carrots and onions in foil packets. Going to use up any leftover salad as well.

Thursday

Ham and pasta bake. I will add extra veggies to the casserole just to use a few things up.

Friday

Lazy Perogy casserole, served with sour cream and some cut up cucumber.

Saturday

Chili and biscuits. I will freeze the leftovers to use for a meal next week.

Sunday

Roast Pork, roast potatoes, peas and carrots. Another side will be the leftover cucumber sliced up.

So there you have my menus for the next week. Hopefully nothing will change.

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Sunday Ramblings

It is a beautiful day here in the Southeast corner of Saskatchewan, and I am enjoying every bit of it. The blinds and windows are open to let in the light and get all the stale winter air out of the house.

I have turned down the electric heat in our bedroom and hopefully will be able to turn it right off shortly.

I got our bistro table and chairs out and Harvey cleaned them off. They are now proudly sitting on our front patio ready for a morning espresso or latte.

Soon, hopefully I will be able to plant the boxes and get my Mediterranean style patio back for the season. Lots of herbs get planted in this sunny location.

I tried out my cake pop maker and actually made some donut holes early this afternoon.

Harvey was quite impressed, but I know I need a bit more practice in getting the timing down right for baking and getting the right amount of batter into each tiny half ball. Practice makes perfect..... Right???

I am so happy with this purchase I am very tempted to by the mini donut maker and the mini pie maker. Since it is just Harvey and I here at the Phillips home now, single servings of something makes sense in the long run. The cost of these appliances would be recouped in no time at all.

I then moved on to using up a package of Sugar Cookie dough that I bought awhile back. One of the schools was selling it as a fund raiser and I just can not turn down those sweet little faces.


Not quite what I was hoping for, but cookies are cookies.... Right.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.


Saturday, May 4, 2013

My New Toy

Well today I finally broke down and bought this.
Yes, that's right I bought a cake pop maker. Somehow baking a cake and crumbling it all up, mixing it with frosting and putting a glaze or candy melts on top just seemed a bit too sweet to me. This will work much better. I can even make baked donut holes with it.

I wonder if I will ever get good enough to have cake pops that look like this.

Or this....
Or even like this...
I am going to try it out tomorrow and will post the results.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.