Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Monthly Update

It is time for an update on how well I did with my monthly goals. But first something a bit more relaxing.

The sunset from the pier across from our cabin at Clear Lake in Riding Mountain National Park.


1.  Sew skirt.  Done

2. Sew tops.  Done

3.  Finish rug.  Done

4.  Sandwich that darn quilt.  Not done

5.  Have 16 no spend days.  Done

6.  Harvest and process the garden.  Done and will continue with this again this month

7.  Get new computer set up once I get it. Hopefully this week.  Pretty much finished just need Kris to put on the finishing touches and I have a couple of bookmarks yet to find.

So I didn't really do too badly.


This month I managed to remove another 178 items from my home. Hopefully there will be more leaving next month.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Thrifty Tuesday

Good evening. The sky is getting dark and it looks as if we could get a bit of rain. Rain is definitely needed here, my rain barrel is almost empty!!!

Supper today was all from items I had on hand. I made moussaka but before I could take a picture Harvey had cut into it and served himself.

So I am using an image from Google.

I did not have tomato sauce so I used a can of tomato paste mixed with water until it was the right consistency and the right amount. I didn't have any canned tomatoes either so I just chopped up some fresh tomatoes. I also used up the cheese I shredded for our holiday (plus a bit more). It tasted wonderful!!! The eggplant was fresh from the garden, the ground meat was bought on deep sale a few months ago (I always buy extra when it is on sale) and the eggs were left from our trip. We even have enough left for our supper tomorrow. I will keep the leftover ham until later. Thrifty because I did not run out and buy any of the items I did not have on hand, instead I shopped at home and substituted where I could.

I am also using some of the leftover yarn from the rug and various afghan projects to start a few Christmas gifts. I am making my brothers toques and mitts.

I dried herbs today and will do some more tomorrow.

I needed to take my library books back and so picked up some more reading material.

All in all the thrifty day.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.



Monday, August 29, 2016

Menu Monday

We are home now and it is back to regular posts. I will fill you all in over the upcoming week with our holiday.


Monday

Ham, rice and yellow beans. Lots of ham leftover.

Tuesday

Eggplant made into Moussaka.

Wednesday

Scalloped potatoes and ham, sliced veggies and dip or slaw made from a kohlrabi.

Thursday

Clean out the fridge (should be lots of Moussaka and scalloped potatoes and ham left).

Friday

Fish fillets, homemade fries and coleslaw made from the kohlrabi.

Saturday

BBQ pork kabobs, creamed potatoes, and sliced fresh veggies and dip.

Sunday

Roast Chicken, roasted potatoes, roasted carrots, and more kohlrabi slaw (got to use up those kohlrabi).

This will be a relatively frugal cooking week as I am using up garden produce and items from the freezer. I also plan on baking a cake to use as dessert on the weekend. Kris should be home and I want to make sure I feed him well before sending him back home. Hmmm, perhaps if I manage it I can even make a batch or two of cookies (he can take some home with him when he leaves).

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Holiday.....Pouring Rain

Hi everyone,

We  are safely at our destination. The day we  arrived and yesterday were just lovely. Sunny, warm, and perfect for hiking and walking.

Today, not so much. We woke up to a thunderstorm, and cloud for most of the day.

We did manage to get a short hike in, a drive to admire some of the huge cottages, and a bit of a walk through the business area. Now the storm clouds are rolling in once again.

I am hopeful that we will be able to get in a few short hikes and an evening out for supper.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday, August 20, 2016

Saturday Round Up

Well, I have spent most of today getting ready for our vacation. I need to ask why it is so important to us women to have our homes spotless before we leave?


As you can gather that is what I have been doing and between cleaning binges I have been packing. Sure hope we can fit everything in our vehicle. It's at times like this I really miss our larger Buick and all the packing room. Still I hope to get everything into the vehicle and be on our way by 11:30 tomorrow morning. Harvey thinks it will be about a 4 hour journey (I figure a bit longer) and we should arrive just at check in time.


I don't think there is WIFI available so I will have to fill you all in when we get home in a week.


I am so looking forward to the peace and quiet of a National Park, not cooking (Harvey is going to be BBQ master or we will eat out), lazy sleep in days, enjoying nature, and just being.


Everybody have a wonderful evening. I will see you all in a week or so.


God bless.

Friday, August 19, 2016

Frugal Friday

Frugalities this week..


1.  Using up all the leftovers in the fridge for suppers and lunches when available to use.


2.  Air conditioning off the last couple of days since the outside temperatures are dropping.


3.  Still using rain water to water all my flowers.


4.  Used up some quilting strips making up the top for the quilt the students started at the end of last year.


5.  Reading library books and watching television using my android box.


Everybody have a wonderful evening.


God bless.

Thursday, August 18, 2016

Thursday Tid Bits

A cooler day today, which made working out in the yard and taking my morning walk a great experience.


Really not much happening today. I have been busy making packing lists, finishing up that quilt the students at school started (meant to get it done way before now, but life happens...like flooding and a basement to clean out and demolish), dried some thyme and did a whole bunch of reading.


Tomorrow it will be back to the grind, except for spending time in the sewing room getting one of the three tops I have cut out done and perhaps doing a bit more reading. Must remember not to read all my books or I will have nothing to take to the cabin.


Using up leftovers for meals and trying to stay out of stores has been my main goal this week and so far seems to be working out well. However tomorrow I need to get some cash for our trip, pick up some OTC meds, and just a few groceries (most of what we will be taking I already have in the cupboard, freezer, fridge or garden).


Getting really excited to have this break, only problem is I am not sure if the cabins have WIFI. I could really be out of touch for the week. Hmmm, wonder if I should make the vehicle a WIFI hotspot once again?????


Everybody have a wonderful evening.


God bless.

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Mid Month Update

It's time for my mid month update. Now that the basement is cleared out and ready for repairs I actually got time to finish a few things (well 2) on my goal list.




1.  Sew skirt.  Done

2.  Sew tops.  Not done.

3.  Finish rug.  Done.

4.  Sandwich that darn quilt.  Not Done

5.  Have 16 no spend days.  Up to 11 no spend days,

6.  Harvest and process the garden.  Working on this a bit every day.

7.  Get new computer set up once I get it. Hopefully this week.  Got new computer, and have it mostly set up except for a few book marks and my Print Shop program.


So things are moving right along. I do hope to complete a few more goals before we leave on our week long trip to a cabin at one of our National Parks.


So now I will post a couple of pictures of finished projects.


First the rug. I put it under the table just to see what it looked like and now it is going to be pressed and returned.


Harvey says it is lovely to have something under his feet.




Now the simple knit skirt.




Just the way I like my skirts, ankle length and flowing.

Lastly a picture of the spaghetti sauce I made from the tomatoes I harvested today.

Lovely fresh sauce to be used this winter. Mixed with meat and put on spaghetti, it will sure hit the spot.... All that lovely tomato goodness in the middle of winter. This now makes 4 containers residing in the freezer if you add in the sauce I made with the frozen tomatoes. I hope to get a few more containers yet this harvest.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.


Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Thrifty Tuesday

Today was a get the fridge slightly cleaned out day. I want it nice and clean when we leave on Sunday so I have no surprises when we get home.


I finished off the last of the salmon patties ( made instead of a casserole on Friday) for my lunch. One bowl of leftovers gone.


Then instead of making the hotdogs that were on the menu I made stuffed peppers. That way I used up two of the large green peppers from the garden and the leftover stuffing mix. Another bowl of leftovers gone from the fridge. The hotdogs will be used when we are on our trip so will not go to waste.


I have some leftover ham steaks that will be made into another meal tomorrow and that will take care of all the leftovers in the fridge (unless I make more before we leave and if I do I think I may freeze those to be used when we get back).


I also spent some time mending. All those pesky buttons are now replaced and a few seams repaired in Harvey's favorite work shorts are now done. I even darned a couple of socks. Repairing clothing just makes sense in the long run.


Lights are turned off in rooms not in use and doors closed to keep the air conditioning just in the rooms we use.


Everybody have a wonderful evening.


God bless.




Monday, August 15, 2016

Menu Monday


The last week before we go on holiday, and hopefully I have used up lots of the leftovers in the fridge this week.

Monday

BBQ ham steaks, kohlrabi slaw (first time making this so I hope it tastes good), fried leftover potatoes, sliced tomatoes and cucumbers.

Tuesday

Hotdogs, salad, pasta

Wednesday

Leftover pork made into a stir fry to use up those bits and bobs of leftover veggies in the crisper. Cuke salad, to use up those cukes (this will more than likely be the salad I make on Tuesday night).

Thursday

Soup and sandwiches.

Friday

Glace (German noodles) with fried eggs and onion/butter mixture.

Saturday

Clean out the fridge. Everything goes.

Sunday we will be leaving on our trip so not too sure if we will eat in a restaurant or make something. Guess it all depends on how tired we are after our arrival.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Sunday, August 14, 2016

Sunday Ramblings

The end of the week, and almost the end of my rug project. I managed to get all the cord made and now I should be able to finish it off tomorrow!!! Got to love a project completed, once the cord is sewn on and the rug is washed I will get a picture posted for all of you.


Father Brian spoke about how Christ says he came to set us against each other, even in our own families. How sometimes a decision to follow a different path sets our families against one another.


This struck a chord in me.


Back when Harvey and I first started dating, he asked me if I would attend Mass with him. Something called to me and said this is where you belong. Then when we decided to get married I made a decision to convert to the Catholic faith.


My Mom was United and my Dad Lutheran, neither of them attended church with any regularity.


I was baptised United, went to a Presbyterian church for Sunday School up to and including Grade 11. The United church was too far too walk to and the Presbyterian church was at the end of our street. 


My grandfather (Mom's Dad) would not attend my cousins wedding when she was married in the Catholic church. My Dad asked why I did not follow the true faith and when asked what the true faith was he said, "Lutheran." Mom just said that what made me happy was fine with her.


I went through my RCIA classes while attending my last semester of University, and had my Confirmation in a small chapel.


Three weeks later it was my wedding. I was worried that my father would do or say something to belittle my choice, and that my Grandpa MacDougall would not attend.


As I got ready to walk down the aisle on my father's arm, he looked at me and asked if I was at peace, and happy. I nodded yes.


We started down the aisle and there, sitting right behind my Mom was my Grandpa MacDougall. He looked a bit uncomfortable, but smiled and nodded at me as I walked by.


I thought I was alone in my faith journey, but really found out that my family supported me in what I had chosen to do. In fact Dad spent more time in the Catholic church coming to baptisms, First Communions, Confirmations, and Graduation Masses than he ever did in the Lutheran church....


Everybody have a wonderful evening.


God bless.

Friday, August 12, 2016

Frugal Friday


Hmmm, what frugal things have I been up to this week.

1.  Dehydrated more herbs to fill my rapidly emptying spice bottles.

2.  Air conditioning has actually been off for three full days and a half day this week.

3.  Went to the library instead of buying books or downloading onto my ereader.

4.  Remade some frozen tomatoes from last year into spaghetti sauce.

5.  Kept working on the rug project no matter how much I wanted to start something else.

6.  Used up all leftovers as a basis for other meals this week. Worked on using veggies up from the garden as well.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Thursday Tid Bits

Today has been a lazy one. Well, lazy after the baking and household chores were completed at any rate.


I decided it was time to make another trip to our public library, after all I am paying a special levy for it with our property taxes after all.


I found a few fiction books that struck my fancy immediately.





Blogger seems to be doing strange things with photos tonight. I do hope this comes through properly. If not I may just have to wait to post pictures until I figure out what is happening.


I started reading the first book in the pile and so far am enjoying it. A nice light read and the first one I have ever read from this author.


I see that it isn't proper, but at least it is there. I need to figure out what is happening as I don't want every picture I post to be this big or this out of focus.




Everybody have a wonderful evening.


God bless.

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Middle of the Week

I am slowly but surely getting this new computer with all its foibles up and running. I still have to get a word processing/spread sheet program and I am thinking of buying the newest Office program. I also have a few programs to put on via disc. Hopefully I will be finished very soon and then I can say all is back to normal.


I spent much of today pulling items out of the chest freezer and plan on making rhubarb cake, zucchini loaves and a batch or two of cherry muffins tomorrow. We will need some baking when we go on holiday to snack on.


I have yet to dehydrate more thyme and oregano and plan on doing that tomorrow as well.


Slowly but surely I am getting ready for the upcoming winter. Rumour has it that this winter is supposed to be a bad one. I am hoping that we get snow, but not the bitterly cold winds they are predicting.


Harvey went fishing today and came home empty handed. He says he has to find a new fishing hole as the one he visits is being overcome with weeds and the fish seem to have disappeared.


We have started a new beer brewing experiment and it should be ready to bottle when we get home from our holiday.


I am making a stock up list and am planning a trip to Regina very soon. I want to get fabric suitable for recovering the cushions on our outdoor furniture, the sun and rain have done a job on the ones we have on the chairs now. Then of course there is always fabric to buy in order to make Christmas gifts.


Off to enjoy a glass of wine and a sit on the deck to take advantage of the cool breezes.


Everybody have a wonderful evening.


God bless.

Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Thrifty Tuesday

Today has been spent working with produce from the garden and finding recipes to use the plums that I was given by a neighbour.


The first thrifty thing I did was head out to the garden and clip some mint to dehydrate. I use the dehydrated leaves to make tea during the winter. This saves me having to buy mint tea bags when I want to enjoy my favourite mid afternoon tea break.


Then I started working on my tomato based spaghetti sauce. I used up all the frozen tomatoes from last years harvest. I didn't want to throw them out and this seemed like a good idea. I got 2 large plastic containers of saucy goodness to use in the winter. I know I will want to make more later on.


I found lots of recipes on line to use up those plums, and I have all the ingredients. So starting tomorrow I can see and smell some lovely loaves, tarts and pies being made.


I am also going to dehydrate some more mint as well as some parsley.


Seems like the garden is producing just enough to keep me busy most days.


Everybody have a wonderful evening.


God bless.

Monday, August 8, 2016

Menu Monday

A bit late posting the menu for this week. I got my new computer today, and have been working on getting things set up. It seems the computer guy did not transfer over bookmarks, and a few other items I deem necessary to my daily computer ritual. Oh well, one of my goals for this month is to get everything set up once again and running the way I like.


So here are this weeks menus.


Monday


Clean out the fridge night. There is a pork chop for Harvey and some leftover chicken casserole for moi. Serving Harvey's pork chop with the leftover potatoes and the last of the garden peas.


Tuesday


BBQ steak, tin foil potatoes/onions, and a salad. Perhaps some corn on the cob from the garden as well.


Wednesday


BBQ chicken breasts, rice, the leftover salad and some green beans.


Thursday


Leftover roast beef made into another salad. Hopefully I have enough greens to layer the thinly sliced beef, onion and mustard dressing over. If not I will try and salvage a few leaves of something from the garden.


Friday


Salmon casserole.


Saturday


Homemade soup and egg salad sandwiches.


Sunday


Pork roast, roasted potatoes, yellow beans, and a salad.


So there you have it, our meals for the upcoming week. I am trying to clean out the fridge and keep it reasonably clear for when we leave in two weeks.


Everybody have a wonderful evening.


God bless.

Sunday, August 7, 2016

Sunday Ramblings

Another week gone by, and I am still using my tablet to post. It seems that there is a problem transferring the data from the old hard drive to the new computer. Something to do with temp files. I am hoping to be ale to get the new one sometime next week.

Today's homily from Father Brian focused on how none of us know the time of our end and how we should prepare by doing good works, and making our peace with each other and God.

Considering how this parish is divided into factions and how no two factions can agree on anything, and how people react to the smallest thing this could be a problem. To some the way money is spent raises the biggest problem in the parish, to others it's that we don't spend enough. Then there are those that feel we are a cold, standoffish parish, little realizing that their attitudes are part of that problem.

All I want is for us to get along.

Everyone have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday, August 6, 2016

Saturday Roundup

I took some time off from working on those pesky unfinished projects. Not that it was planned, but now, well I am ready to forge ahead and get things done.

Instead, I worked on getting some produce in and prepared for the winter. My cabbage is in the freezer. I always freeze the cabbage and then thaw it to make my cabbage rolls. Those will be done at the end of this month when all other harvesting is done.

I picked tomatoes to be used in salads, and I plan on pulling out the frozen tomatoes from last year and preparing some spaghetti sauce.

I made 18 quart jars of dills. That should see us through this winter. This is the first nine.

Then this afternoon, Harvey and I took a drive to look at places along the waterfront at Rafferty Dam. Wow, some of those places are huge!!! I can only imagine what the costs involved were. There were a couple for sale, and they looked to be more within our budget. Well at least closer to our budget at any rate.

Tomorrow it will be back to working on the rug, baking bread, and being frugal.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Friday, August 5, 2016

While it hasn't been a totally frugal week in comparison to the previous weeks things have settled down a little bit.

1.  Used the water from the dehumidifier to water plants this week.

2.  Watched free movies on my android tv box.

3.  Had 3 almost free meals this week.

4.  Recycled books by giving them as donations to various second hand stores.

5.  Did without air conditioning for one full day, and held off as long as possible before turning it on the other days.

6. Baking my bread a bit more often.

7.  Sticking to my shopping list except for a couple of items that were great for sticking up on.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thursday, August 4, 2016

Thursday Tid Bits

I love days like today when I manage to complete tasks and continue working on my various projects.

While it was still pretty warm out, we managed to last the day without turning on the air conditioning. There was a pretty stiff breeze out there which cooled it down some outside.

I watered all my plants using water from the rain barrel and the water from the dehumidifier. Our water bill was high enough without having to use the city water. Grass is getting brown now, but it has stayed green longer than other years.

Supper was leftovers so no real cooking to warm up the house and best yet no cooking for me. There is enough left for lunch tomorrow . Using up those leftovers is stretching our grocery budget.

Tomorrow I am going to try my hand at making some salad dreaaings. Home made dressings just have to be less cost than those a peon buys, and much healthier for us. I have found some recipes online and am anxious to try them out.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Normality Reigns

Things are pretty much back to normal on the old homestead, or at least as normal ad things can be with a deconstructed basement.

I am slowly getting used to using my tablet to post with. I am heful that all the data from the old computer can be transfered to the new one. I am also hopeful that I will get a desktop up and running very soon.

I am back to working on my various projects with a chance of getting them completed.

Harvesting is moving along. Amazingly while the hail storm during the flooding did not set the veggie garden back very much. While the garden is not as prolific as other years, we are still getting fresh produce. There has even been a bit of freezing happening.

Still the damage in the basement was extensive and there will be a tightening of the frugal belt come the fall (which seems to be arriving very quickly). I am going to make absolutely sure I get the most bang for my buck and use up everything I possibly can stretching my food dollar as much as possible.

Off to do some more project work.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Monthly Goals

Time for my monthly goals again. I do hope that I do better this month then last month.

1.  Sew skirt.

2. Sew tops.

3.  Finish rug.

4.  Sandwich that darn quilt.

5.  Have 16 no spend days.

6.  Harvest and process the garden.

7.  Get new computer set up once I get it. Hopefully this week.

If I finish those goals I may add a few more. We will be gone to a cabin in the woods for a week so I am planning on getting as much done as possible before we leave. Wish me luck!


Project declutter will continue this month. I am hoping to remove or recycle at least another 150 items.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Monday, August 1, 2016

Menu Monday

Time for this week's menus.

Monday

Roast chicken, creamed potatoes, peas and carrots.

Tuesday

Tuna Pasta Salad.

Wednesday

Leftover chicken made into a casserole.

Thursday

Clean out the fridge night.

Friday

Fish, home made fries, salad

Saturday

Eggplant Parma, leftover salad.

Sunday

Beef roast, roasted potatoes and roasted carrots.

A few changes from what I first planned but I need to use things up in the fridge and freezer.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless