Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Month End

Here it is the end of the first month of 2018 and time to see how well I did budget wise, decluttering, and using up the stash.

I'll start with the things I did well, or at least pretty good at.

Using up the stash went well. Lots of bits and bobs of yarn were used knitting the socks this month. I also managed to use up two cakes of yarn so far on the shawl I am making. Then of course there were the mitts and toques I made for my brother's twins that used up even more of the stash (the leftovers were used on the socks).

I started to go through my fall winter clothing with a ruthless eye. I managed to remove or recycle 29 items. Added to some household things 40 items left my home. I hope to increase that number in the month of February.

Now comes some fails. I did not manage to come in under budget for groceries, in fact I was $40.00 over. Harvey said that wasn't too bad considering that budget line also is used for over the counter medications, pet supplies, paper goods and laundry items. Next month I am going to try very hard to make up that overage and come under once again. It could mean my stock up shop gets put back a month, but we have lots of food and paper goods in the house.

The rest of the budget was mostly under. Fuel for the vehicles, gas to heat the house, electric costs, house maintenance, entertainment, my spending money, clothing, computer supplies, all under budgeted amounts.

Overall we were almost $600.00 under budget for the month, which is pretty darn good. I am hoping that next month will be even better.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Thrifty Tuesday and This/That

I gathered together all the partial bottles of hand lotion from our various stays in hotels and placed them where I am sure to use them. My goodness have I ever collected them. Slowly but surely I am working my way through them all. This way I get to save all the bigger tubes and bottles for later use.

The last couple of days I have cooked big batches of food at supper. Now I will have a few days down the road where I will not have to cook at all. Rather just warm things up in the microwave and add a side or two.

I did some baking as well and rather than have the cake dry out because we can't eat it all I made a smaller square cake and some small bundt cakes.

The square cake has been finished and the 5 small bundt cakes are packaged up and in the freezer. 

One of the big dishes I made this week has been tonight.

A very large Turkey Tetrazzini. We had some tonight, I made a TV dinner for Kris, and the rest is put into the fridge to be had on Thursday.

I also made Lazy Cabbage Rolls as a big casserole. We had it for supper last night, I portioned some out as a TV dinner for Kris (these are like a thank you for coming home and helping out whenever we need him, it also allows me to know he has something good to eat every so often), we have some for tomorrow, and there is even a package in the freezer for sometime in the future. No picture though as Harvey dug in before I could take one.

Here is the pile of 8 pairs of thick boot socks I made.

Some are very colourful, but since I was using up bits and bobs of yarn it was to be expected. At least this time I sort of put colours that go together reasonably well.

Here are some pictures of the moon tonight. Hopefully I will get some better ones as the moon gets closer. I really think a person needs an SLR camera to get those wonderful pictures one sees online.


Pretty sure this is not the super moon, but it is nice and bright. 

Best news of all though and while not a frugal undertaking at first glance, our venting from the furnace into the back where all we had was electric heat is done. This means our electric bills should begin to fall and that is thrifty and frugal in the long run.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.




Monday, January 29, 2018

Menu Monday

Another week and almost another month gone. Supposedly spring arrives in a few months, but here on the prairies of Canada, spring sometimes does not arrive until almost May.

Monday

Lazy Cabbage Rolls. This should see me using up the last of the cabbage and making a tray or two extra for the freezer and meals down the road.

Tuesday

Leftover turkey made into our favorite meal, turkey tetrazzini. Planning to make a bit extra of this as well (mostly for clean out the fridge night).

Wednesday

Soup and Sandwiches. Think it is time to doctor up some of the split pea soup from the freezer down stairs. Served with grilled cheese sandwiches.....

Thursday

Clean out the fridge night.

Friday

Salmon casserole, served with fresh veggies and dip.

Saturday

Leftover Ham made into scalloped potatoes and ham. I am hoping to make a bit extra for some lunches next week.

Sunday

Roast chicken, roasted carrots and potatoes.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Sunday, January 28, 2018

Sunday Ramblings

It is late so this will be a quick post.

The weather is turning cold once again, so I am very content to stay home and work on this years budget. I finished it today (good thing as I will need to start entering data very soon). I tried to keep things the same but I did end up having to add a bit in certain areas. We are keeping our fingers crossed that perhaps as the year progresses we will be able to reduce some expenditures.

I also finished off February's menu plans. Since the first day of next month falls in the middle of the upcoming week this needed to be done. There are a few meals that I will be cooking larger amounts just so I can freeze the leftovers for another meal later. While not really batch cooking it is about as close as I get to doing so.

Everbody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Friday, January 26, 2018

Frugal Friday

Another week has sped by. We are entering the last week of January already.

1.  Gathered together all the partially used hotel shampoos, this is going to be my next use it up.

2.  The partially used hotel hand creams and body lotions are being used. The larger gift sized will be used when the smaller ones are finished.

3.  Used a $5.00 off of $40 shop.

4.  Used a $3.00 off the price of a beef roast (any size and any type).

5.  Recycled some well darned socks into plant ties or dust mitts.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Thursday, January 25, 2018

Thursday Tidbits

While the last few mornings temperature wise have been very nice for this time of year, we have woken up to fog and hoar frost most days.

I really like the sparkly effects of hoar frost on the trees and shrubs. Everything sparkles like diamonds.

Harvey has been busy cleaning the basement in expectation of the furnace people arriving tomorrow. We haven't gotten a call as of yet so I am more inclined to think it will be next week. Of course the temperature is supposed to drop and we are supposed to get snow, but hey if anything the furnace will only be off for a short while so as long as the day is sunny everything should be just fine.

Still knitting those socks and doing a bit of decluttering. I took a bag and a box of items in on Wednesday and already have two more smallish bags of clothing to take in when I next run errands.

I also learned today that our provincial electrical company (whom we all have to purchase our electricity from as there is only one power company) plans on raising their rates by 3.5%. This will occur at the beginning of March so we have some time to prepare and figure out budget requirements.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.


Wednesday, January 24, 2018

The Beginning of Hopefully What Will Be The End

Getting close to the end of the week and the promised arrival of our furnace guy to finish the job started almost a year and a half ago.

Harvey has spent the week bracing up one side of the hole in the wall and adding cement to level all sides. He did a marvelous job. Now we just wait.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Thrifty Tuesday

It was a misty, damp, snowy day today. I did manage to get my morning walk in and even added a couple of blocks to my route. I was however happy to get in out of the wind and damp. Had a cup of coffee and got to work.

I made my shopping list for tomorrow using the fliers and the coupons from the store I visit the most. Surprising enough they have a $5.00 off of $40.00 shop, plus a $3.00 off any roast of beef. You can bet I am going to use those. 

I pulled out my mending pile and took out the first sock to darn. Hmmm, I would be darning over darning for the third time (my, Harvey is rough on his socks). This would make them a bit to bumpy to walk on so I turned them into ties for the garden, and a couple into dusting mitts.

I added a bit of water to my shampoo about a week ago, and I am still using it. Getting lots of lather still. Rinsed out the dish washing liquid and got to use that for a few more dish washing sessions.

I got three lovely candles from Kris for Christmas. Two of the smaller ones are finished (well at least as far as the wick is concerned). I scraped out the wax, got rid of the wicks and metal clips. I will melt the wax and repour into one of the holders. I should be able to get a bit more use out of the lovely scented wax.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Monday, January 22, 2018

Menu Monday

This week will include one of our very infrequent dining out nights. I was a leader for Girl Guides of Canada Guides Du Canada for many years and am what could be classified as a sucker for any fund raising done by them. So this year when my neighbours grandgirls came knocking at my door with "Steak Night Tickets" I bought 2, really quite inexpensive considering. However if the meal is not up to Harvey's standards there will be another place we won't be eating at.

Monday

Chicken breasts, just not sure how these will be served. I am leaning towards lemon chicken.... and serving with rice, the remainder of a bag of frozen corn and some type of dessert.

Tuesday

Out for Steak Night (yeah no cooking).

Wednesday

Leftover pork roast from Sunday. I am leaning towards a stir fry.

Thursday

Soup and sandwiches. I will likely use up the Turkey noodle soup from the freezer and as I have lots of eggs make egg salad sandwiches.

Friday

Fish fillets, coleslaw and fries.

Saturday

Clean out the fridge, or if there isn't enough in the leftover department I will pull out a bag of leftover ham and make Scalloped potatoes and ham. Either way I plan on having a salad with the meal.

Sunday

Beef roast, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables and the leftover salad. 

As usual lunches will be sandwiches or leftovers (or in my case some toast).

Everybody have a wonderful day. 

God bless.

Sunday, January 21, 2018

Sunday Ramblings

I decided like a few other bloggers to try and finish up 9 projects this month. So far I am on track to finish 9 knitting projects. Sure they are only socks, but to finish 9 pairs in about 3 weeks (bit slow on the uptick here) is pretty much pushing my knitting capability.

I am on pair number 4 and moving right along, however I am beginning to get the urge to knit something else and have to remind myself I am almost at my goal. Hopefully I will share pictures of the finished group at the end of the month.

It has been another quiet day here. As I was busy knitting I decided to start a new series on the box. I picked Vera. My this series is going to take awhile to get through. Each episode is the length of a movie. In season 1 there are 6 episodes so I have a feelin each season will be 4 or 6 episodes and there are 9 seasons to watch. I am really enjoying it so far and it makes the knitting just zip right along.

Mass was different today. I can't really explain how, other than it was way longer than usual, perhaps it was because I noticed things happening that I never noticed before. After distributing the cup and I had gone back to my seat I watched the interaction around the altar. One lady more or less pushed one of our older parishioners out of the way in order to take the leftover hosts to the tabernacle. Then went and sat beside the woman (who is a sacristan) whom she pushed aside. I have noticed little things before with this same person, and I don't like what I see happening. I don't know if it is because of rudeness or because something else is going on. This same woman was waving from the sanctuary at her grand daughter, and making faces. Must think long and hard about what is going on and whether or not this is a change the Mass should take.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.


Friday, January 19, 2018

Frugal Friday

1.  Harvey cut the vents in the floors to save the hours on our bill from the heating people. He only has one left to cut.

2.  Managed to use up all leftovers this week, with no waste. I did make a tinfoil meal for Kris to have when he comes home.

3.  Combined errands to save wear and tear on our vehicle.

4.  Turned down the heat in our bedroom the last two nights as it has been warmer out. I will probably be turning it down a bit more tonight.

5.  Using up the orphan skeins of yarn plus any leftovers to make socks. Anything left from this project will be used to make a warm many coloured blanket.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thursday, January 18, 2018

Thursday Tidbits

This has been a slightly upside down day. I am going to end up re cleaning many of the areas I cleaned this week. Mainly because this has happened.

We now have the hole cut through the cement into the new part of the basement. Work will begin on the venting as soon as M is finished the job he is on now, probably towards the end of next week.

We are now one step closer to being able to finish off the basement and get all our things out of storage. Thus saving us some of our hard earned cash. 

Once the venting is done we will get the electricians back in. They should be done in a couple of hours and the phone line can go in next. 

Harvey is looking forward to doing the finishing work. He said it will be nice not to wait for anyone. Me, well I am looking forward to having my house back to normal and room to move around my sewing/craft room once again.

A project we only expected to take a few months has grown into almost a year and a half of waiting. Now we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Using It Up

The past couple of days have seen me use up some of those proportioned bags of leftover roasted meats in the fridge.

On Monday I used up a bag of frozen ham to make a casserole. Turned out pretty darn good.

I didn't get a picture of this one (couldn't find the camera when I needed it) but thought I would share the recipe with you all.

Ham, Rice, Broccoli Cheese Bake

1 cup rice
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 can of water (I used the rinse water from getting the soup out)
1 1/2 cups finely diced cooked ham
1 cup finely diced broccoli
2 cups grated cheese
1 can mushrooms

Mix everything together in a greased casserole and bake at 350 for 1 hour plus a bit more.

Harvey actually had two helpings the first night and since I had so many leftovers finished it off for his supper tonight.

The next night I pulled that bag of frozen chicken out to use up.

I did get a picture of this casserole.

I used a recipe that actually called for leftover turkey, but I have always used chicken interchangeably with that ingredient. I was also missing a few ingredients, but with some subbing things worked out perfectly.

Southern Turkey Casserole

2 tbsp. hard butter (I used a bit of oil instead)
1 medium onion chopped
3 cups chopped cabbage
2 cups chopped turkey (I used chicken here instead)
1 cup long grain rice
2 tsp parsley flakes
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 to 1/2 tsp pepper
1/8 to 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (I seem to have run out of this but have plenty of hot sauce, gave a good shake into the mixture and stirred it in)
3 cups tomato juice (didn't have this so subbed in another can of the next ingredient with a bit of water added)
2 398 ml (14 oz) cans of stewed tomatoes with their juice (break up the tomatoes)

Melt the margarine (or heat the oil) in a large frying pan on medium. Add the onion and cook for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring often until softened. Turn into greased 3 qt or 3 l casserole. Add the next 8 ingredients and stir well.

Pour the tomatoes and the water over top. Stir. Cover and bake at 350 F (175 C) for about 1 1/2 hours or until rice and cabbage are tender. This serves 6.

We have enough leftover for us to eat tomorrow for our supper and to make a tin foil meal for Kris.

Surprisingly this tastes almost like cabbage rolls (stuffed cabbage), but is a great deal easier to put together.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Thrifty Tuesday

Perhaps the most thrifty thing I do every week is to make use of all leftovers in other meals. I have paid good money for the items I use in making meals and I want to get the most out of each and everything.

As you have probably noticed I always do a roast meal of some sort on Sundays. Once the meat is cut up and we have eaten I package up all the leftover meat for meals later on. Usually I portion everything out and freeze the bags in the upstairs freezer. Sometimes the leftovers seem never ending (which is good) and other times there are only two or three bags to be used. 

I usually make casseroles from the leftovers, which stretches the meat even further. I always get two meals for Harvey and I from one casserole, and sometimes there is enough for a lunch later on. Or I make a tin foil meal for Kris to take home with him in his care package if I think he will enjoy it. 

This week we will be having two meals made with freezer leftovers (one last night and one tonight) and the remains (Harvey was pretty hungry after his snow removal yesterday) and on Thursday we will have another meal from one of the casseroles (the other will be used for lunches). 

I fooled around with my blog a bit today and finally got how to add reply to comments. So simple, that I wonder why I didn't do it before. Now I can actually reply to everyone.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Monday, January 15, 2018

Menu Monday

Brrr, this week is starting off as cold as the last one finished. We are supposed to get warmer temperatures starting on Wednesday, but I will believe it when it happens.

So in response to the cold weather we will be having some casseroles once again. This will more than likely mean leftovers for another meal or two, and hopefully some tinfoil dinners for Kris to take home with him the next time he visits.

Monday

Leftover ham. I am going to combine a package of leftover ham, the leftover rice, some mushrooms, a bit of broccoli and some grated cheese into a casserole for our supper. I will let you know how it turns out and if we enjoy it.

Tuesday

Switching with what I have listed with Wednesday.

Leftover chicken from Sunday's meal. This will more than likely be a pasta bake type of casserole. Served with coleslaw. Needs to be a quick one as it seems I am once more on Parish Council and there is a meeting tonight.... Can't get off this for trying it seems.

Wednesday

Soup and sandwiches. I am pulling the Turkey noodle soup from the fridge freezer to use up. Grilled cheese sandwiches will be served as well.

Thursday

Clean out the fridge night.

Friday

Tuna casserole served with some raw veggies and dip.

Saturday

Pulling out a package of leftover roast beef. I will probably make hot beef sandwiches, homemade fries and serve with some more coleslaw.

Sunday

Roast Pork, roasted potatoes, roasted carrots.

Lunches will be leftovers or sandwiches.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Sunday, January 14, 2018

Sunday Ramblings

Still pretty darn cold out, so I am once again drinking copious amounts of tea, and hot chocolate. Looking out the window one would not think it's as cold as it is, but hopefully a warm up comes again soon. Even a couple of days help with the "stuck in the house and hibernate" syndrome that hits every January.

Mass today was handled by our two elementary schools. The children are always so cute and try their very best. One little kindergartener sang extra loud to make up for her brother who wouldn't sing at all. However once again our priest over talked his homily and I could see the children and adults starting to tune him out. I think we might have been a bit spoilt over the past twelve years by having priests that gave wonderful homilies that were neither too long or too short.

Talked to Kris today, and he says he is getting tired of the cold as well. I am just so happy that he sounds well. He told me he had met up with a friend a couple of weeks back and they had supper together. Makes me feel as if he is not all alone in the big, bad, city.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.




Saturday, January 13, 2018

Saturday Roundup

Thought I would share a few pictures from this week on the old homestead.

My anniversary roses. I am actually amazed that they are still alive today.

The finished vest. Not bad, but I can tell it has been awhile since I knit this pattern. I may have to make another one in a blue colour just to keep my hand in.

Once again I have a winery in one corner of my kitchen. Oh well it keeps Harvey happy and busy and considering that he has been kind of depressed lately seeing him want to do something is awesome.

The summer tunic top, just needs a good pressing and it will be put in the closet to be worn next summer.

I collected some of the leftover sock yarn and partial balls of worsted. I am going to be knitting socks for awhile. Those are the only things that seem to be keeping my feet warm this winter. One can never have too many socks.....right! It also allows me to use up all those leftovers I seem to collect. No wasting which saves money and keeps me busy.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.



Friday, January 12, 2018

Frugal Friday

Once again it is bitterly cold out. I guess as far as the weather predictions from pigs bladders, the old farmer's almanac, and any other weather predictors they got one half right. As far as snow cover, we could actually do with a bit more in this corner of the province.

My frugal happenings for this week.

1.  Combined errands in order to save time, and fuel.

2.  Used up almost all the leftovers in the fridge and give the fridge a good scrub down. The remainder of the leftovers will be gone by tomorrow.

3.  Cooked once ate twice.

4.  Two meatless meals over the last week. I have another one planned for tomorrow.

5.  Made my own baked beans rather than spending the cash to buy a few cans. Dried beans are very inexpensive, the molasses cost pennies, as did the squirt of mustard and ketchup. I even managed to use up the last of the real crumbled bacon.

Thank you everyone for the anniversary wishes. We spent it quietly here at home.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Cold And An Anniversary

Many years ago on a beautiful January day, Harvey and I got married in our village Catholic church. We have had many ups and downs over the last 42 years but are still together having wonderful adventures.

Today was nothing like the day we were married. Instead we have cold temperatures, wind chills, and snow. Inside our home we are nice and warm and I am contemplating all the changes we have gone through.

Here is hoping for many more years together.

God bless.

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Thrifty Tuesday

Another week has gone by and as things have gotten back to as near normal as they can be I can see the places where I let thrift drift away.

However, there were still thrifty happenings around the old homestead over the past week. Perhaps not as many as usual, but enough to be headed in the right direction.

We were very lucky the last three days in that we had temperatures well above the norm for this time of year (not to worry though a cold front along with more snow is moving in). So, because of this I got to turn off the heat in the hallway, turn down the small heater in our room and turn down the heater in the sewing/craft room. 

Then we found out that we really like the store brand frozen veggies I bought, as well as the butter. So this shopping trip I picked up a large can of store brand coffee to give it a try. I am hoping that we like it enough to continue buying.

Bread was baked. I do love the smell of fresh bread. The house seems cozier somehow.

I made a large ham for our supper on Sunday and once the meal was over all the meat was packaged up and frozen for other meals through this month and into February. In fact I used the smallest bag tonight and made a quiche. Served it with leftover salad. Mmmm, good and so very filling. Best thing yet, the leftover quiche was wrapped and will be served for another meal.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Monday, January 8, 2018

Menu Monday

A new week, a new menu.

Monday

Spaghetti and meat sauce. Serving this with a tossed salad.

Tuesday

Leftover ham. I have a smallish bag of ham residing in the fridge freezer as well as a pie crust that needs using. Think a quiche of some sort is in order today. Served with the leftover salad.

Wednesday

I am going to take the leftover spaghetti and meat sauce and make baked spaghetti. Raw veggies and dip as the side tonight.

Thursday

Clean out the fridge night. There is bound to be leftover baked spaghetti as well as leftover quiche. Harvey can choose which he wishes to have and I will have the other.

Friday

Salmon fillets, rice and mixed veggies.

Saturday

Soup and sandwiches. I am going to pull a container of split pea soup from the freezer downstairs. Served with grilled cheese sandwiches the meal will be perfect.

Sunday

Roast Chicken, mashed potatoes, dressing, gravy, and corn.

So there you have it the second week of menus for this brand new year.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless. 

Sunday, January 7, 2018

Sunday Ramblings

I woke up this morning with a very bad headache and after taking Tylenol laid on the loveseat for a bit. While still not feeling totally with it I did get up after a few hours and started my day.

After Mass, Hubby made us a brunch, and I cleaned up. Still not feeling that up to snuff I almost cancelled going to our nieces bridal shower. I had said I would be there and always try to meet my obligations so off I went.

Boy am I glad that I attended. I was the only aunt there on both sides of her family. There were only three of us that were related in any way to her on her fathers side of the family. Only one relative from the mother's side appeared. Considering the size of Harvey's family (her Dad is my husbands brother) the turn out was a bit disappointing.

We did have a good time and I got to talk to Harvey's cousin (she was my daughters godmother). We caught up on each others news.

I even won a prize in one of the silly games that are played at showers. Really a very nice prize of a lip balm, foaming hand soap and some packets of flavoured coffee.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday, January 6, 2018

Saturday Roundup

This week has been fairly quiet and has seen me well on the road for my goals for this month and those I made for the year.

Today is day 5 of no spending, instead I stayed close to home and worked on a very few things. For some reason my "to do" mojo is not working and I just feel like getting my chore list done today was a big accomplishment.

I think I might be suffering from the post Christmas blues. Not sleeping well, and getting distracted very easily. I am sure I will be back to normal in no time, but having my daily to do lists is keeping the house fairly tidy.

Now you all know I listed items on our cities garage sale sites and one sold almost immediately. The other sold later that night. The people that bought the items got excellent deals, but at least these unused items are no longer taking up space in my house and I made a small amount of cash as well.

Beginning January 1st I started using up all those partial bottles of lotion we have picked up on our travels. My, those small bottles hold a great deal!! I started using one that was less than half full and finally used the last bit up this afternoon. In the winter I always seem to be applying lotion to my hands. It is just so dry here with the wind and cold weather.

I also finished off the tunic top I started sewing before Christmas. Then today I did the special markings on the last of the cut out tops. Tomorrow I will thread my machine, change to a stretch needle, and iron on some of the binding. Perhaps I will even begin to sew a few of the easier seams. New pattern and that makes me a bit leery.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Friday, January 5, 2018

Frugal Friday


1.  Mending completed. This week was coat mending week, a pocket on one and an elastic cord on another.

2.  Bought a few store brand items to try over the coming week.

3.  Read a free downloaded book on my ereader.

4.  Used up all leftovers in other meals or made brand new recipes with those leftovers.

5.  Combined errands to save on time, gas, wear/tear on car.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.



Thursday, January 4, 2018

Thursday Tidbits

Well, I did it. I started my second goal for this year and that is to list those larger items on our Facebook Garage Sale sites, and to list on the Handmade For Sale site. 

Didn't do too badly. Within about 15 minutes I had sold my old sewing machine. Still waiting on the other item I listed, but who knows. There is always tomorrow.

I also listed the baby blankets and purses I have knitted over the last little while. No nibbles as of yet, but I am hopeful as I have them reasonably priced. 

Here are the last three baby blankets I knit.



I think I have shared the purses with you all before, but in case I haven't.


The rest of the day I have spent time in the sewing/craft room trying to get things straightened up and consolidated. I did manage to empty a small plastic drawer of yarn. Baby steps, baby steps I need to keep reminding myself of this.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Grocery Shop And A Goal Began

My first grocery shop of the new year and I came home with this. I have started my goal of buying store brand products. This week it was eggs, rice, frozen veggies, butter, and chubs of sandwich meat. 

I am hoping we like the taste of these and keep buying them adding each week to the list. While this week the savings weren't great I did manage to save $6.79 over and above the sales prices by buying these products. Some of these were on sale as well. I did notice the prices while lower than the brand name versions, are not as low as could be expected.  Penny here and a penny there all adds up.

There are a few items we buy that I will not even try the store brand. I have tried the store brand toilet rolls and was not at all happy. The same with yogurt and bread flour. Still when those items go on sale they are actually cheaper so I will stock up at that time.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Not Resolutions.....Goals

I hate making "resolutions" instead just like many other bloggers I make goals instead. Something to strive for and in the striving perhaps learn what works and what doesn't work.

Today I spent some time reflecting on what I would like to accomplish in the way of goals this year. I came up with a few. Some are a continuation of goals started last year and some are brand new.

1. This year I will continue working through my various stashes. I have more yarn and fabric than I can use in a year (or even two). Unless I hit an extremely good sale nothing, and I mean nothing is going to be added to either stash. I would like to cut the yarn stash down by at least two totes and the fabric stash down to where it all fits in the drawers.

2. I also want to try and cut my grocery/household bill down by 5 to 10 % over the year. That might not seem like much, but we are not lucky enough to get yellow sticker deals, and since we live in the farthest southeast corner of the province things are very expensive. I also have a carnivore for a husband and while having two meals a week without red meat, poultry, or pork seems to be okay, I have a feeling that adding another would drive Harvey to distraction.

So in order to cut costs I will be trying out store brand items, making my own household cleaners, using up all those small bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and lotions I have picked up on our travels. I am even thinking of trying my hand at soap making once again.

3. Figure out where in the budget we can do a few more cuts. Our investments are doing well so other than for my own satisfaction this really does not have to be done. However with costs rising it just makes sense to figure out ways to keep the money in our pockets or bank, rather then in the pockets of big business.

4. Learn how to repair the large zippers in coats. Those seem to be the first things (other than pockets) that wear out on our coats. To get the seamstress to replace them costs a fortune and I have lots of metal zippers in my stash.

5. I bought a knitting machine at a garage sale two summers ago and I plan on learning how to use it. There are lots of YouTube videos and once things are put away from Christmas the machine is coming out and I am going to practice, practice, practice. I think a knitted rug on the floor downstairs (once it is finished) would be a lovely addition.

6. I want to learn how to free motion quilt. I have lots of scrap fabric and one can always use a new quilt.

7. Continue to declutter. It is so freeing to see things leave the house. This year I hope to rid my home of another 500 items.

So there you have them my main goals for the year ahead. Wish me luck.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Monday, January 1, 2018

Menu Monday

Wow, a whole new year and the week of menu planning starts right on the first of the month. I suppose this has happened at one time or another, but for some reason this morning it is resonating in my head. 

Monday

Pork chops, mashed potatoes, and green beans. Not too sure of how I am doing the chops as of yet, but baked covered in a mushroom gravy sounds really good right now.

Tuesday

Chicken legs, and these are going to be done in the slow cooker. A kind of honey garlic sauce poured over and then the legs will be served on a bed of rice along with a salad (time to use up the salad things in the fridge).

Wednesday

I had called this our soup and sandwich night, but I may just use up the leftover stir fry in the fridge. More rice will be made as a bed for the stir fry.

Thursday

This will now be our soup and sandwich night, and I will use up some of the split pea soup in the freezer. Grilled cheese sandwiches to go along.

Friday 

This will be perogy night. I plan on making a pan of lazy perogies.

Saturday

Hamburgers, homemade fries, and coleslaw.

Sunday

Roast ham, mashed potatoes (seem to be eating lots of potatoes this week), and mixed veggies. If there is any coleslaw left we will finish that as well.

Lunches, as is usual will be sandwiches or any leftover, leftovers.

Everybody have a wonderful day. 

God bless.