Saturday, October 31, 2015

Monthly Goals and Declutter Update

I am happy to report that I met all of my monthly goals. I think this is a first for me, and I am pretty darn proud of it.

I added another 35 items to my declutter challenge. I have now removed 695 items from my house. I am still hoping to reach the 750 mark.

Wishing all of you a very Happy Halloween.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.



Friday, October 30, 2015

Frugal Friday

I am getting mixed up on my days, when I woke up this morning I thought it was Saturday. I think this is because Kris came home on Wednesday night for a few days holiday. I am just so used to him coming home on a Friday night. Add in Halloween fast approaching and my week is totally mixed.

This week has been a fairly frugal one. The item I am most proud of is that I only had one spend day this week, and it was an allowable spend too!!!

I finished one of the quilts (almost done the second, tomorrow this will be checked off) using fabric from my stash as well as part of an old sheet for backing. The fill came from my stash as well.

All our meals were made here at home and the groceries I bought will be used in next months meals.

I did two days of batch cooking. One of which was soup. I used the turkey carcass from Thanksgiving and veggies I had frozen from the garden. The second was a huge batch of chili. I now have two containers of soup and three containers of chili to use on those rushed or tired days.

Harvey took the cans and bottles in for recycling and made $47. 75. Money put away for a meal out perhaps.

I am remembering to turn the heat down in our room during the day and turn it back up at night. Hopefully this helps with the electric bill this winter.

I did some mending, and darned some socks this week. Stretching out our clothing budget by not having to purchase anything new.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Thursday Tid Bits

It has been a fairly quiet day. I spent most of it doing household chores and taking a few very short walks. Considering how cold and windy it is getting, I am considering pulling out the winter outerwear. Hopefully it warms up a tad for the little ones on Saturday.

I have pulled out our plug in pumpkin and the plaster skull to decorate our steps and greet all the little ghosts and goblins that call on Saturday.

While I haven't started the second quilt as of yet, I did manage to thread my machine and wind two bobbins with the colour I will be using. I am hopeful about starting it tomorrow as I was informed a little bit ago that the men are heading out fishing. Sure hope they are gone for at least three perhaps 4 hours. It all depends on the weather and temperature.

Supper was a huge batch of chili. Served with toast we had a very hearty meal. I will be serving it again on Saturday over top of pasta, or perhaps rice. The third container will be put in the freezer and used for a meal later on. There will be days that I am just too tired or hurt too much to make a meal and the more I have to pull out and serve the less likely I am to send Harvey out to purchase us a fast food meal.

Off to have a cup of herbal tea and then to bed, this cold weather is playing havoc with my fibro.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

No, Not The White Stuff

This morning I opened the drapes on our big picture window to this.......

That's right our first snowfall of the upcoming winter. Not something I wanted to see. However the weather will improve come the weekend. This melted away to big mucky puddles and I am happy that Kris came home early before everything started to freeze again. There was one roll over just west of the city this morning and I was not looking forward to worrying that he could be traveling on ice.

I managed to get one quilt finished and I hope to get some of the other done while Kris and Harvey go fishing (once the weather turns nice). I still have hopes of getting finished the two of them this month.

Being as it was such a miserable day I decided that I picked the perfect day for homemade soup (my menu's are worked out at the beginning of the month). My turkey carcass was boiled along with some parsley, celery, onion and peppercorns.

It bubbled away on the stove while I was busy in the sewing/craft room. Sure made the house smell great and really hit the spot with sandwiches for our supper.

There is enough left for two meals each for Harvey and I, as well as a meal for Kris to take with him when he goes home on Sunday.

I am sorry to report that we have needed to turn the heat on in the bedroom these past few days. Just could not make it until November, it was getting mighty cold getting out from under the covers of a morning. Mind you it did make a person dress a bit faster, or get out of the room faster at any rate.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.


Monday, October 26, 2015

Menu Monday

Monday

Chicken Breasts, the leftover rice and some peas/carrots

Tuesday

Leftover ham made into a casserole (need to use up some bits and bobs from the fridge).

Wednesday

Homemade soup (using more bits and bobs from the fridge) and grilled cheese sandwiches.

Thursday

Chili and toast.

Friday

Steelhead Trout Fillets, french fries, and salad.

Saturday

Leftover chili on pasta.

Sunday

Pork roast, roast potatoes, roast carrots, and sliced fresh veggies and dip.

Everyone have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Sunday Ramblings

Mass was not quite as full as it usually is, wonder if it is because hockey season has started again?

Today the homily Father Brian gave was on how we need to open our eyes and see love (Christ) in everyone around us, the sick, the poor, the homeless and the persecuted. I don't know if I really do. I do know that I try, but sometimes fail dreadfully at this.

I also got the borders sewn on the two quilts and even managed to get one sandwiched. I need to do a bit of work on the backing (sew a piece across the bottom) and I will be able to get the second quilt sandwiched as well. Only using one flannel sheet to do so, but that is one less item in the craft/sewing room and every little bit helps.

This is Kurt's afghan. It will go wonderfully with his basement decor......I may even have enough of the strips left to make a pillow to go along with it. I do know I have enough stuffing to do so. This is also the quilt I managed to get sandwiched today.

 This is the quilt top for Kris. The pink stripe is actually a very light purple. Purple is his favorite colour. Don't ask me why. Hopefully this will be sandwiched by the afternoon. Pretty sure I have enough to make him a pillow as well.

I do want to get the borders done by Monday as well. Then comes the quilting, which should be fun.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday, October 24, 2015

Saturday Roundup

No pictures today because I did not really get anything totally finished.

I did, however manage to get the tops of both quilts finished. I hope to iron them tomorrow and get the borders on them. If I am really lucky I might manage to get them sandwiched and the binding pinned onto them.

I really want them done and put away before Kris comes home on Wednesday for a bit of a holiday.

The day has been very quiet other then me madly sewing. Even my sewing machine behaved itself today which made sewing a pleasure and not a chore (I had to take it apart a couple of times yesterday and clean out threads and dust bunnies).

Hope to have some pictures for you tomorrow.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Friday, October 23, 2015

Frugal Friday

It has been awhile since I have done a Frugal Friday post.

This week has been very frugal. After overspending the last two months (even though they were planned spending) it was time to pull the frugal belt a bit tighter.

I am busy making Christmas gifts right now and going through my various stashes has shown me that I can keep busy with my various hobbies and not purchase anything for a very long time. I have gotten one quilt top pretty much finished and have started the second one. Both are using up various bits and pieces of my fabric stash and as I have some sheets (old ones and a very cheap one I bought at a rummage sale) I have the backing for them both. The fill has been in my craft room for awhile and I will be very happy to wave good-bye to it. I have also been using up partial bobbins of thread, after all the colour of the thread will not be seen once the quilt has been put together.

All the scraps have been collected and will be used down the road for another quilt. Could be a fairly crazy looking one but I am excited to see what it could look like.

Food wise I have been using everything up I possibly can and only buying fruit, dairy and the occasional good buy on meat. This week my great meal buys were hot dogs and ham (pretty strange combination). I will be getting several meals out of each purchase, plus make a few tinfoil suppers for Kris to take home with him as well.

Even though the temperature has been dropping we have not turned the electric heat on in the bedroom. We do have the regular furnace turned up a tad, but by opening the drapes on those sunny days the house is warm for most of the day.

Water usage is slowly going down. However the cost is rising so it is hard to figure out what we are saving.

All in all it has been a very frugal week.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Thursday Tid Bits

It was requested by a couple of the teachers in one of the schools I worked at (and still sub at once in a blue moon) that I make Puffed Wheat Cake for their volleyball tournament this weekend.

These are the last two trays of 6 that I have made today. Harvey will cut them and I will wrap the individual squares later tonight or tomorrow morning. Then when I am out and about paying bills, and shopping I will drop them all off. I do hope they enjoy them.

My old recliner was falling apart. It no longer locked into the upright position, the leather was ripped and torn as well. It was time to part ways.

I asked Harvey for a new one for Christmas and he surprised me a bit early.

My new chair!!! I love it, so comfortable and it actually does what it is supposed to which is wonderful.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.


Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Update

Things have been very busy around here this month, I almost forgot my mid month update.

1.    Keep working on Christmas gifts. This month I want to finish knitting the two rugs, 2 lap quilts (well they will be a bit bigger than a lap quilt per Kris's request), and 3 pairs of pj pants.  This goal is coming along wonderfully. I have finished the 2 rugs, and the three pairs of pj pants. The first quilt is being worked on and I see the top of said quilt ready by the weekend if not a bit sooner. Hopefully the second quilt top will move along just as quickly.

2.     Move my fall/winter clothes into my closet and drawers. Go through clothing as I move it and remove items I have not worn or don't fit properly. Move the spring/summer clothing out.  My clothes are switched around, so this goal is finished.

3.     Bake pies and cookies for the men in my life over Thanksgiving.  The goal is completed as well.

4.     Finish emptying the pots and baskets of flowers.  Done

5.     Steam clean carpets.  Not even close to being started.

6.     Do my fall volunteering with Meals on Wheels and cleaning of the church.  Done

7.     Dig up carrots and potatoes and store for the winter.  Done

As you can see my goals are close to being finished for this month.

This is moving along. I may just reach that magical 750 items this year.

This is the pile of clutter that will be leaving my house this week.

As you can see the pile is mostly clothing. This will be taken to the Salvation Army. We also removed an old broken down recliner from the house (that went to the landfill as there was no way under heaven it could be fixed, we had tried many times to do so).

I have also used up some of my fabric stash making the quilt (and will continue to do so when I make the second quilt) as well as 3 large one pound balls of cotton yarn from my yarn stash. These items have been made into Christmas gifts and will be leaving the house, just not right away.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

 

Monday, October 19, 2015

Monday

Sausage Casserole (lots of veggies in this, layers of them in fact).

Tuesday

Sweet and Sour ribs served with rice and salad.

Wednesday

Clean out the fridge or if there is nothing to clear out I will make Fish Fillets and serve them with the leftover salad and rice.

Thursday

Hotdogs and baked beans.

Friday

Breakfast for supper I am making pancakes.

Saturday

Leftover turkey made into Turkey a la King and served over hot biscuits. Salad on the side.

Sunday

Ham, scalloped potatoes and carrots. Salad once again as a side.

Those are our suppers for the next week, lunches will be sandwiches or leftovers.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Sunday, October 18, 2015

A Reason To Be Thankful

Yesterday was very different around the old homestead.

You see there was a fire in an apartment (4 units) just down the back alley from me.

This is all that was left of the building this morning.
Two of the apartments were occupied and the tenants managed to escape just fine. These people have lost all their belongings and one was a young couple (I know the girl from working at one of the schools) just starting out.

The building was old and starting to look its age, but I am sure with some loving care would have been standing for many more years.

Today Harvey went fishing with some friends. They were gone for 7 hours!! Mind you he came back with all the fish they caught as the others did not want them. More free food for the freezer.

I spent the afternoon finishing off the pj pants and gathering the fabric for the first of two quilts (slowly making my way through that stash).

These are the colours I chose for Kurt's quilt. The first fabric is a gold colour, the second is a brown with a gold design, the third is a dull orange with a thin brown stripe, and then of course a plain black. I hope to have it cut and ready to sew by tomorrow night.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday, October 17, 2015

Another Birthday

One would almost think I planned this. I didn't but it would be wonderful if I had.

Happy Birthday to our oldest, Kurt. He celebrates his 39th birthday today.

Where have all the years gone (and the white stuff in his hair is dust from the picture).

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Friday, October 16, 2015

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to the baby of the family. He is now 34 years old. So hard to believe that many years have passed by.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Garden Is Now Sleeping

Today Harvey picked a few of the green tomatoes still in the garden, and some jalapeno peppers I seem to have missed. Then out came the tiller and he set to work getting the garden ready for the winter.

Me, well I did my volunteer job delivering meals to shut ins and my big bi weekly shop. However, I really watched what I bought and managed to keep costs to a minimum.

I also managed to get the carrots all prepped and in the freezer bags.

Another 14 bags ready for the freezer. Just cooling down before I seal them all.

The poor tomatoes, on the other hand are still waiting on the counter. The next batch of tomato sauce will be my first project tomorrow morning.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Mid Week And Still Putting Up The Garden

About 4 days ago I picked a boxful of green tomatoes, thinking that we were going to get a frost. Well no frost appeared (until last night) and now this is what I have.

I see some more tomato sauce being made tomorrow. The first batch I made was wonderful and I only have a little bit left.

The carrots are picked and will be prepared for the freezer on Friday.

Potatoes are in and stored in the basement. Onions are in storage as well.

I am working on Harvey's sweater.

I have a couple of inches left to do and then I can start the armholes. Sure hope I bought enough yarn I am getting a bit concerned even though the yardage on the labels is more than I will need. It is also taking longer than I thought to knit.

Sewing of gifts is going well. I will be stitching up the last pair of pj pants tomorrow and starting the fabric prep for the first quilt. Pretty happy about how that is going at least.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.


Monday, October 12, 2015

Menu Monday

We have had lots of heavy, big meals the last couple of days. Kurt and Kris were home and we needed to fatten them up a bit. Too much food!! It was also Thanksgiving here so you can imagine how much pie baking I did.

This week will be a bit lighter and one of using things up.

Monday

Some smoked sausage needs using so I will make jambalaya.

Tuesday

Leftover turkey made into Turkey Tetrazzini.

Wednesday

Ribs, rice and a veggie.

Thursday

Clean out the fridge. (This may happen on Wednesday.)

Friday

Baked fish fillets, rice and a veggie.

Saturday

Some leftover ham (bagged and in the freezer) made into a casserole.

Sunday

Beef Roast, roasted potatoes and carrots.

Things could change a bit as I have an eggplant that needs to be used up. Perhaps a stir fry on Wednesday instead of the ribs.... I do have a package of leftover pork roast in the freezer.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.


Sunday, October 11, 2015

Thanksgiving

Wishing all my Canadian readers a very happy Thanksgiving.

Always remember we have so much to be thankful for.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday, October 10, 2015

Roundup

It was a fairly quiet day for the day before Thanksgiving.

Harvey and Kris went fishing this morning and as Kurt was sleeping I had the morning to myself. I did the regular household chores and made a loaf of bread for Kris to take home when he leaves. Kurt said it smelt so good that he wouldn't mind a loaf to take home too. Guess what I will be doing first thing in the morning.

The weather has been absolutely wonderful. Even Shania (our cat) decided to go outside for a bit.

She decided to relax on "her" lounge. Heaven help us if we decide to use it.

Now after a supper of steak, baked potatoes (with sour cream, and bacon bits) salad and jalapeno's covered in cheese everyone (but me) is sleeping. Guess the apple pie will be eaten a bit later.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Sew Happy (Or Should I Say So Happy, A Bit Of Both)

Today has been a good day.

I managed to get one pair of pj pants sewn and another cut out. I hope to find time tomorrow to get them done, if not it will have to wait until the beginning of next week. The reason being Kurt and Kris will be home for Thanksgiving!!! I love it when they are home, even though they both seem to like to tease me unmercifully.

Don't worry though I will still be working on Christmas gifts. I will work on Harv's sweater while they are here. Not going to waste anytime and then say "Why did I not start things earlier."

Tomorrow I will be heading out to pick up the few remaining things we need for our meal, baking some pies, and making a birthday cake for both Kurt and Kris. Kurt was born on the 17th of October and Kris the 16th. Even though Kris will be back again for a week this month, I have always baked them a cake together.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Keeping Busy

I have spent the day staying as busy as I possibly can. The victims of the accident yesterday were air lifted into Regina by Stars and by fixed wing plane. Does not sound good and my prayers continue for them and their families.

My prayers are also for the man that hit them. If the rumor is true I know him and feel for his family and him.

Last night I finished off the two rugs for Kurt and Kris.

I do hope they like them. That is two more Christmas gifts down.

Most of the morning was spent in the kitchen after the usual household tasks. I made a loaf of bread and started on the cabbage rolls.

These were full of cabbage rolls, but silly me did not get a picture before I packaged them for the freezer.

I picked out the sweater I want to make for Harvey and got that started this evening.

I also cut out a pair of pj pants and plan on getting them sewn tomorrow and another pair cut out. It's a simple pattern so I can't see it taking very long to sew.


Tuesday, October 6, 2015

A Bit Shaken

I went to the pharmacy early this afternoon to pick up Harvey's meds for the next month and while paying for them happened to look up and out the window to our main street.

To my shock and horror I saw two people being hit by a half ton truck!!! These people were in a new cross walk constructed in the middle of the block. While I stood there in horrified silence with memories bombarding my brain, some men ran in to get supplies to try and help the victims. I shook off my horror and helped the ladies in the pharmacy gather what we thought would help, gauze, sterile pads, and the like, loaded them into the men's arms and waited for the ambulance to arrive.

The victims were in their 60's so around my age and generation. I hope they are both okay as it took awhile for the ambulance, fire department and the police to free one of them from under another car. You see the force of the impact drove one victim under another car and pinned them there.

The memories that bombarded me at this time come from my daughters death. She was riding her bike and was struck by a car. Said car drove right over top of her and the bike and traveled another 500 yards up the road. I came upon her lying in the road with people working on her and I will remember that sight for as long as I live.

Please remember to tell those you love that you do love them because you never know when they might not be around.

God bless.

Monday, October 5, 2015

Menu Monday

Monday

I am pulling a bag of frozen ham that was leftover from another meal from the freezer and trying to come up with a hearty casserole. It is raining, windy and cold today so I think we might need some comfort food.

Tuesday

A bag of leftover pork from Sunday's meal made into Pork Hash. Served with cut up fresh veggies and dip.

Wednesday

My cabbage roll making day, so I am pretty sure that is what we will be having for supper.

Thursday

Spaghetti and meat sauce.

Friday

Soup and Sandwiches

Saturday

Hamburgers, fries, and baked beans

Sunday

Thanksgiving turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, salad, an assortment of pickles, cranberry sauce, and pies for dessert. Kurt and Kris will be heading home on Monday so we will have our dinner a day early.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Sunday, October 4, 2015

Sunday Ramblings

Today is the 27th Sunday in Ordinary time and the gospel contained the passage pictured above.

Much of Father Brian's homily talked about the beginnings of the Church and the marriage of Christ to the Church (the Church being the bride of Christ).

But perhaps what struck me most was something written in our parish bulletin.

"In today's Gospel Jesus teaches us about the sacredness of marriage; a covenant that is a gift from God. Our relationships with our spouses, family, friends, coworkers, and those in our community of faith are all gifts from God. Jesus reminds us today that it is the hardened heart that damages or breaks up relationships. Good stewards understand the holiness of relationships and pray for the patience, love, understanding, and kindness necessary to sustain those relationships."

Do I have relationships that need to be healed and reconciled? Is my stewardship of these relationships as God intended them to be?

I don't know, pretty sure I have to pray for guidance and strength to find the answers to those questions raised by the passage.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thursday, October 1, 2015

October, Where Has The Year Gone

This year seems to be whizzing by. Where the time goes I have no idea, one day it is January 1 and the next day it is October.

Oh well, it's time for my new goals for the month.

1.    Keep working on Christmas gifts. This month I want to finish knitting the two rugs, 2 lap quilts (well they will be a bit bigger than a lap quilt per Kris's request), and 3 pairs of pj pants.

2.     Move my fall/winter clothes into my closet and drawers. Go through clothing as I move it and remove items I have not worn or don't fit properly. Move the spring/summer clothing out.

3.     Bake pies and cookies for the men in my life over Thanksgiving.

4.     Finish emptying the pots and baskets of flowers.

5.     Steam clean carpets.

6.     Do my fall volunteering with Meals on Wheels and cleaning of the church.

7.     Dig up carrots and potatoes and store for the winter.

There you have it, my goals for this month.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.