Menu Monday

Here it is, the last two days of the month of April. Snow on the ground and things to do around the house. I also have prayer shawl ministry this afternoon, but I have to do some phoning and texting about that... I think we just might be sewing labels onto the prayer shawls today and not knitting.

On to this weeks menus.

Monday

Since it looks like winter has come back for a visit and we did not have this on Saturday (we finished up the turkey tetrazzini instead). We will be having mini meatloaves, leftover mashed potatoes and the leftover mixed veggies (those are from last night). Good thing all just needs to be warmed up or reheated as I am out all afternoon, more or less.

Tuesday

Stuffed chicken breasts, noodles, and corn.

Wednesday

Hotdogs, leftover noodles, and baked beans.

Thursday

Leftover ham made into a casserole. Perhaps raw veggies and dip on the side.

Friday

Soup and grilled cheese sandwiches.

Saturday

Clean out the fridge night.

Sunday

Roast beef, roasted potatoes and carrots. I think another kale salad would be nice here (give me something to munch on for lunches as well).

Everybody have a wonderful day. God bless.

Spring? Winter? Help, I Think Mother Nature is Confused!!

After some beautiful days full of sunshine and a few gentle breezes, I woke up to dark grey, overcast skies.

Here it is, all but the end of April, and we have this,

winds and lots of wet snow. 

The snow didn't stick around really until the last couple of hours when the temperature dropped. Now water puddles from the rain we had first are becoming filled with slush and there is a build up on the ground, roof tops, and vehicles. While we do need the moisture badly, we could have done with just some rain (we will accept what we get though).

I had hoped to do some sewing today, but it has been so dreary that I have just curled up in my chair, copied a few recipes out of a cookbook that will be added to the donation pile, and watched television. Even had a bit of a nap at one point in the afternoon. 

I think I just might be coming down with something. More than likely a cold. I am suffering from chills (have a small knit shoulder poncho on now), a stuffy nose, and tickle in my throat. I will be spending the evening sipping hot lemon tea and knitting. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Have You Ever?

had a friend that you are starting to think just might not be the friend they were in the beginning?

This past week I have started to feel like the person I consider to be my BFF, is not really that at all. While I do go and see her for coffee most days (her Hubby does not let her do much at all), it is like I am being used.

It is hard to explain, but I have noticed over the past months she is more inclined to, well, support others more than she feels it is necessary to support me. This is just a feeling I get when we talk. She is more than willing to take others out for lunch, or invite someone else to go to the show with her, go to another's house for coffee (hasn't come here in years), and even complain about my cat (she has not looked after Shania in years).

While I don't mind so much being a support for her (I actually think her husband is way too controlling) I do hate hearing the same complaints or problems over and over again. Many of these problems are brought on by her family and their choices in life. She has one son that left a very good job because it does not "pay enough" but was steady employment, for another job that has only lasted at the most a month and he will now be laid off and searching for another. In our (rather her) discussion I got the impression I was supposed to feel sorry for him. His choice, his mistake, but I can't bring myself to say this to her... She does hold a grudge and I just don't want to get on her bad side.

I think I might just try drawing back from this friendship for awhile. See how I manage without her in my life and how she manages without me. I have a feeling that I might just get a great deal more done and be minus some stress in my life.

Perhaps it is time to cultivate other friendships and see where they lead.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Frugal Friday

1.  Harvey has been using his Netflix to watch movies this week.

2.  Taking my walks outside while the weather cooperates.

3.  Cooking once and eating twice a few times this week.

4.  My grocery bill was kept under $25.00 this month.

5. Added another $15.35 to the coin jars.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Busy Wednesday Leading to a Busy Tomorrow

This morning I had the appointment with my doctor to start the paperwork for my surgery in Regina. Everything flowed along nicely until a fire alarm went off. We had to wait 15 minutes before we could go back into the office. The doctor filled out the forms for a chest x-ray, blood work, urine, and of course an ECG.

Well, the ECG showed that I had an extremely slow resting heart beat...sinus bradycardia. Now I will be travelling to the next city over to get a halter monitor. Which I will have to wear for 3 or 4 weeks (puts my surgery back a bit further). Sure hope there are no more surprises in store for me.

Thought I would share the remaining quilt tops with you all as well as the squares I am knitting.

Boy was I surprised when I began the green one. Some of the strips that I thought were whole turned out to be partial strips. This just meant a change in the layout. But I like it!!

To use up all the strips in the next quilt top I did a lengthwise set up. It is a bit narrower, but will still do it's job.

Next month I will be hopefully finishing them all off.

Here are the 4" squares that I am using some of the leftover yarn making. It is going to take awhile before I have enough to even think of making a blanket. Another continuing project. It seems like I am gathering a few of these.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Tuesday

The day started out pretty gloomy, but the sun is shining now. I need to take a walk to pick up the mail in a very short time.

Now my friend learned that I use the plastic grocery bags to clean the kitty litter with and so has handed be quite a few over the last couple of days (this is the family that seems to go grocery shopping four days in a row). This means I can actually use my grocery bags (a couple at any rate) when I go shopping and still have enough for Shania's needs.

Another friend gave me some lily bulbs that she had thinned out from her garden. Saves me buying even more.

My menu has changed already. I am really tired of cooking so Harvey is going to BBQ some sausage he found in the freezer (yeah, I get a rest and the stove stays off). I may just wrap asparagus in foil with some butter to serve as a side. We really have been eating way too much lately.

I just may get out of grocery shopping this week. We have tons of food in the fridge, freezer and cupboard. I over bought milk so we are good that way as well. The only thing we are a bit short on is sandwich meats, and if I make egg salad, and chop up some leftover turkey to make a sandwich spread we will be just fine. Would be really nice to save one weeks grocery costs.

Collected all the coin from various places (mostly that which I removed from Harvey's pockets before washing clothes). I ended up putting $4. 85 in the coin jars. I should have kept looking as I know there is more kicking around the house. Perhaps on Friday I will have another total for you.

I am working on knitting up all those small balls of yarn. I am making 4" squares and hopefully once I am finished all the finer yarn, I will have enough squares to make a blanket. It could take awhile though.

Using scrap fabric (felt) I have made the labels for the prayer shawls. Only need clip threads, pull off the stabilizer, and cut them apart.

This afternoon I took fabric from my stash and cut out a dress pattern. I don't often make dresses, and this is a pattern that is a new one to me. Hope it turns out. There is enough fabric leftover to make a pair of shorts as well (this is a heavier cotton). I am no longer wasting anything if I can help it.

Pre-treated another piece of fabric and I may make another dress from this as well.

Off to get the mail and have my second walk of the day (all be it a short one).

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

I hope that all of you had a wonderful Easter, filled with joy, peace and love.

My thoughts and prayers (that is all I can share right now) are with all those affected by the bombings in Sri Lanka.

I am also going to offer my prayers for Anonymous that keeps replying to my posts. You may think that Baby Boomers are hated throughout the world, and you are entitled to your opinion, but I think you will find out that you are the one who better watch out when you hit a nursing home.

Now on to the usual post.

I just can not believe that it is almost the end of April. Months just fly by and time gets away from me.

Monday

Sausage casserole. Lots of veggies in this so I don't have to make any sides. Should be enough left for another meal this week as well.

Tuesday

Leftover turkey made into tetrazzini. Serving it with mixed veggies.

Wednesday

The leftover sausage casserole.

Thursday

Using up the last of the tetrazzini but serving it with coleslaw this time.

Friday

Using up the last of the box of fish sticks. Served with the remaining coleslaw and some homemade fries.

Saturday

I am pulling out two mini meat loaves and serving them with mashed potatoes and peas. Real comfort food as we will be heading back into some miserable weather.

Sunday

I have leftover ham that I will warm up and perhaps make a potato salad to go along with it.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Easter

Have a wonderful Easter.

God bless.

I Interrupt This Regular Post.....

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Just Being

Today I just was.  Sure I had a few things that needed to be done (such as last minute grocery shopping), but most of the day has been me doing  what ever I want.  This is something I don't  always take advantage of.

So after shopping I did a repair on a pillow for a friend, went for coffee, and worked on knitting some squares to use up those bits and bobs of yarn. In other words I have had a very lazy day and have loved every minute of it. I may pay for it over the next little while, but I feel so much more relaxed and ready to meet what ever comes up.

Our oldest son is keeping in touch with us from Rome. Sending lots of puctures. Kris, our youngest, was going to come home after work today but wasn't  feeling too well. He plans on getting here tomorrow. So looking forward to having more of my family around.

I tried a new recipe tonight and will share it with you all very soon. I even remembered to take a photo!

Everyone have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Mid Month Update

1.  Knit cardigan for me.  Working on, though I must admit not that much.

2.  Sew three projects for myself.  Plan on starting this tomorrow.

3.  Alter skirts.  Done

4.  Knit one prayer shawl.  Done

5.  Decluttering.  Working on this constantly and I will update you all on how much since January has left the house at the end of the month.

6.  Work on temperature blanket.  Doing my one row a day.

7.  Sew 2 new quilt tops.  Actually managed to get 4 quilt tops completed and found another I had done awhile back.

8.  Mount and frame more cross stitch.  Mounted and framed 3 more cross stich. I have trimmed a couple more and hope to finish all mounting (probably not all framed though) by the end of the month.

9.  Tidy up sewing/craft room again.  Things are beginning to look decent in the room. I work on things as I declutter.

10.  Cut out 2 more patterns.  Not done.

11.  Make up stock up list. Done

12.  Swap out wardrobe for spring/summer clothing.  Done

13.  Use some of the smaller balls of yarn to knit squares for a blanket.  Started and I have 2 small squares completed.

So things are not looking too bad for this months goals. I do need to knuckle down and get the sewing accomplished as well as the cardi. 

Now on to why I have been here and yet not here.

I had my cervical biopsy done last month and on Monday we made the trek to the city 2 hours away for the results. 

I can rest a bit easier in that the cells were not cancer, but what is called pre-cancerous. The specialist recommended surgery and gave me two choices. Needless to say I chose to have a total hysterectomy, mainly because he could not promise that these cells would not appear at a later date perhaps even when I was much older and less able to take the surgical interference. So once my doctor here gets the pre-op paper work done and sent back I should be back in the city within 2 to 6 weeks of that date. Finally an end is in sight, and I can rest a bit easier.

(Pictures tomorrow of the other quilt tops)

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Once Again Playing Catch Up

I am going to start this post with my weekly menu plans.

Monday

Since we will be out in the city for an appointment we will be eating out.

Tuesday

Leftover pork roast from the fridge freezer made into a really large stir fry, served over rice. The extra stir fry has been put into a container, and will be kept in the freezer downstairs until needed.

Wednesday

Soup and Sandwiches. I will probably make a veggie soup and serve salmon sandwiches with it.

Thursday

Leftover ham made into a casserole. Served with coleslaw. 

Friday

Eggplant Parma.

Saturday

Depending on when Kris has to leave to head back to the city this will either be our Easter supper which means turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, salad, a veggie, gravy, cranberries, and pumpkin pie. 

Sunday

Homemade pizza. 

Saturday and Sunday are able to be changed at the drop of a hat.

Lunches will be sandwiches or leftovers.

Now on to Tuesdays regularly scheduled post.

I have tried to be as thrifty as possible this week, but things were a bit confused.

I didn't go to Walmart this week as I managed to buy enough of what we needed there for a full two weeks (hope to do the same this week).

Grocery bills were down. I actually managed to save another $9.76 and got my turkey for 99 cents a pound. Pretty happy about that purchase.

Couldn't hang clothes outside on the lines, but I am hopeful that I will be able to do so this week. Instead I hung as much as I could on the downstairs lines.

I used up more of the strips of fabric to fashion another 2 quilt tops.

Altered 4 skirts to fit now and tried on a few that were tight last year. Those tight skirts now fit nicely. I shouldn't need to buy any dressy clothes at all for spring and summer.

My monthly challenge is finished!!! I got that 3 drawer plastic storage case out of my sewing/craft room and hopefully next month I can pick another challenge in that room and get it completed as well. I am thinking something to do with yarn this time. My stash of this seems to have grown by leaps and bounds.

Tomorrow I will share how I am doing on my monthly goals, and fill all of you in on what has been happening around here to cause me to play catch up once again.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Frugal Friday

The hours slipped by very quickly today, probably because I was busy putting together another quilt top and then later working on the prayers shawl. Both are almost done. I have two seams left to do on the quilt top and probably another 7 or 8 inches to knit on the shawl. 

On to the frugal happenings this week.

1.  All leftovers (well I did have to toss a tablespoonful of leftover salad) were used up this week.

2.  Savings at the grocery amounted to $10.89. Not as much as previously, but still a pretty good savings.

3.  Got a free loaf of rye bread for spending $75.00 or more on groceries.

4.  Watching some free TV series and movies on the box. 

5.  Still reading free novels that I downloaded onto my ereader. Need to download a few more this weekend.

6.  Using scrap material to make something useful and clearing out the sewing/craft room at the same time.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Thursday Tidbits

While the days have been for the most part nice and sunny, temperatures most days have started off below freezing and haven't really risen much. I am glad however that this corner of the Canadian prairies is not getting the snow and storms that our neighbours directly south of us are getting.

I managed to get the third quilt top completed and pulled out the strips to start the next one. I have a different idea for this one, but I am not sure that it would work out. Guess all I can do is give it a try. The idea I have could make it much quicker to set up and complete. Now I just hope that next month I can complete the sandwich, and the quilting on all of them (going to be very simple quilting).

All this means is that I only have one drawer left to clean out. Those 4" square fabric pieces. I just don't know if I could face making another two or three quilt tops this month in order to use them up. So I may just make some fabric out of them and construct a few shopping bags. I am going to wait on that project for a week or so. Perhaps even after Easter.

Shopping today was a breeze. This was the first week of not heading across town to pick items up at Walmart. Instead I made sure to pick up enough pet food, over the counter medications and various other items to last two weeks. So far this seems to have worked out okay. It does take some planning to make sure I have everything on my list. If this works, I will be driving a bit less saving gas, wear/tear on the vehicle, and time every second week. I think I will try this for a few months and then try a monthly shop, though that could be pushing it a little bit.

It was weigh in today and at first I thought I had only lost 1/2 lb, but in checking my numbers I actually lost 1.1 pounds. I don't know if it will be possible to meet my goal before the family reunion, but I am going to try my best. Right now this means I have lost close to 18.5 lbs. Not much more to go to reach 20 lbs and my goal is 25 lbs by the end of June. I will set the next goal after that probably another 10 or so and I will be almost at my pre third child weight. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

A Couple of Goals Almost Completed

I promised you all some pictures tonight of my completed quilt tops. I had thought I might be able to have the third quilt top done, but I still have a bit of work to do on it.

So here are the two that are finished. I have some threads to clip, but that will be done once all the tops are finished. The way things are moving along, I may just get 4 tops done this month and use up all those 2" strips. That will clean out another drawer in that set of three. Two drawers cleaned out and one left to go.

Then there were those finished cross stitch pictures that have been laying around for a number of years. 

Still have four to get mounted and framed. Hopefully sometime this weekend I will have those all finished as well.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Thrifty Tuesday

This past week has seen a few thrifty moves. Ones that I had planned on for awhile, but never gotten around to. Well, that is until I actually gave myself the challenge of clearing out that one set of storage drawers in the sewing/craft room.

I managed to complete two quilt tops and pinned a third (partially) out of just the strips I had cut and saved over the past few years. No hesitation on my part thinking I might need them later on. 

I also took the small strip of foam board that was left, repressed some of the cross stitch projects that needed to be mounted and got those completed as well. I even found some old frames and managed to get them framed as well also. There are still 4 cross stitched pieces to do and I have one more foam board to use, hopefully I will get at least 3 more mounted. Frame wise I don't have any that will fit so when I go shopping on Thursday a swing by the Salvation Army Thrift store will be necessary. 

Pictures of the quilt tops and cross stitch will be up tomorrow.

I have managed to use up all leftovers except for a spoonful of leftover Lazy Perogies. So doing very well on that front as well.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

Ahh, another week closer to real spring!! Temperatures are slowly rising, the sun is shining for a bit longer each day and I am itching to get outside more. BBQ will be cleaned and used a great deal (hopefully). 

Monday

Spaghetti with meat sauce, plus a nice salad. Hopefully I can make enough to freeze some sauce for a quick warm up down the road and still have leftovers. I better pull double the ground meat out as well as two containers of tomato sauce.

Tuesday

Leftover chicken package from the freezer and since the temperature is supposed to drop a new kind of casserole could be in order.

Wednesday

Baked spaghetti along with raw veggies.

Thursday

Clean out the baked spaghetti. This time I will make a tossed salad to go along and perhaps some garlic bread.

Friday

Baked salmon, homemade fries and coleslaw. 

Saturday

Soup and sandwiches. I may make a potato soup this time or a cream of celery soup (have loads of celery that need using). Must make sure that there is enough to freeze for another meal down the road.

Sunday

Our usual roast meal. This time roast chicken with the usual accompanying veggies. 

Everybody have a wonderful day. 

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

It has been a lovely sunny day. The temperatures reached the mid teens and it wasn't until tonight that the sky started to cloud over. I have a few aches and pains but that could be due to a change coming up in our weather.

Yesterday I got an email asking when I could serve in one of the ministries at Mass next month, and then today I got a phone call from the head of Liturgy asking if I could help out during Holy Week and Palm Sunday. I told G that I needed to wait until after I got my test results back on the 15th before I decided anything. If I fill out the form on line the day I get home I will make the deadline for the month of May. I really do wonder where all the people are who complain about not getting enough time in their ministry are. I should not have mattered that I did not phone the head as according to those in the know we have more than enough people to fill spots.... Guess even in church some people are prone to exaggeration. 

I am really trying to draw back from serving. I am tired of feeling used (odd thing for me to say, but true none the less) and need a break. I want to do what I feel I am called to do and I no longer am sure I am called to serve as a Lector or Communion Minister, or even as Mass Coordinator. Things are becoming too much of a show for my liking.

Spent most of the day moving my wardrobe around. Now all my spring and summer clothes are out and the winter packed away. 

I have also spent some time working in the sewing room cleaning up and decluttering. Things are beginning to once again take shape.

While I did no sewing today, I pinned things together for the next quilt top and worked on my knitted prayer shawl. 

Just a lovely and laid back kind of day.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Decluttering and Using Up Some of the Stash My Challenge For April

This is the area that I am working on decluttering and using up.

I want this set of storage drawers gone, or at least move them to take the place of one set that is broken. I also want the single storage drawers and one box out as well. They are full of yarn, full skeins and balls as well as partial leftover yarn balls.

This is just a portion of the 4" squares I have collected from worn out clothing and scrap fabric. Heaven help me I may be sewing quilts and making shopping bags (only from the denim) for quite awhile.

This is mostly 2" strips. I have actually used quite a bit of this up as I have finished two quilt tops and have started a third. However it looks like there might even be 4th to be made.

The bottom drawer with still more balls of leftover yarn. And what seems to be some interfacing that needs to be put with the other interfacing.

I think I might actually have bitten off more than I can chew this month. However, I will soldier forward and get done what I can. I have many more storage drawers that need to be cleaned out so a good effort is needed over the next few months. Especially if I want to move a proper desk into the room.

I will share pictures at the end of the month to show how far I managed to get.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Frugal Friday

1.  Watching various programs on my box. I am happy to only pay one fee instead of numerous fees (Netflix, Acorn, Prime, Brit Box) and still have wonderful programming. I might have to wait awhile for the newest programs but I love what I am getting.

2.  Using up scrap fabric and making quilt tops. Two will be for us here at home and any other's will be taken to the family reunion and put in the silent auction. Clearing things out, and removing items totally from our home.

3.  Still using up those sample sized lotions and potions. Hopefully I will have a few more cleared out soon.

4.  Tried a new recipe for leftover roast beef and Harvey really liked it. Sorry no picture taken but I will share the recipe with you all later. It managed to use up lots of bits and pieces in the fridge.

5.  Saved $1800.00 on a new treadmill. Just goes to show you all the markup on items in stores. Still it did cost us almost $1000.00 but that was much easier to swallow than the regular price. I now have the limo of treadmills residing in my basement. While this might not seem frugal it really is in our case. In order to build bone I need to walk at least 25 minutes every day at a fairly decent clip. Me, well if I am walking outside I kind of dawdle along, stopping to look at gardens or to talk to someone. The treadmill keeps me focused and working out. Not only am I building bone (at least I hope), I am also getting rid of that nasty cholesterol.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Update On Goals From Last Month and Goals For April

1.  Work on temperature blanket.  Done

2.  Work on quilt and hopefully finish it this month.  Done

3.  Knit cardigan sweater for myself.  Carried over

4.  Knit one prayer shawl.  Done

5. Work on unfinished embroidery projects.  Done

6.  Continue to make meatless meals (at least 8).  Done

7.  Continue project declutter.  Done

8.  Sew another infinity scarf from knit fabric remnants.  Done

9.  Sew three new projects for myself for both fall/winter and spring/summer.  Carried over

10.  Plant starter plants.  Done

11.  Income tax to the accountant.  Done

I really didn't do too badly at all. Though for awhile I wondered if anything would be finished.

Now on to this months goals.

1.  Knit cardigan for me.

2.  Sew three projects for myself.

3.  Alter skirts.

4.  Knit one prayer shawl.

5.  Decluttering.

6.  Work on temperature blanket.

7.  Sew 2 new quilt tops.

8.  Mount and frame more cross stitch.

9.  Tidy up sewing/craft room again.

10.  Cut out 2 more patterns.

11.  Make up stock up list.

12.  Swap out wardrobe for spring/summer clothing.

13.  Use some of the smaller balls of yarn to knit squares for a blanket.

A couple of these goals will help with my main challenge for the month. The getting rid of one set of drawers I use to store fabric strips and scraps will give me more room in the sewing/craft room. Hopefully I will manage to get everything done before spring planting hits. I already started pinning together 2" strips to make one of the two quilt tops. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Tuesday

This has been a week of small thrifty moves. Nothing on a really big scale, but as we all know small moves can add up really quickly.

I am stretching smaller amounts of meat in our meals. I doubt very much that Harvey even realized all I had was 1 cup of diced meat in our supper tonight (of course it was whizzed through the food processor along with veggies so it seemed like much more). So when packaging up leftover roasts, chicken, turkey and pork I am going to have to make the packages smaller yet. That means more meals for the two of us.

I also bought a flannel nighty last week for $5.00 (regularly $20.00) and noticed that part of the seam on the yoke was coming apart. A quick little job on the sewing machine today and it is as good as new. 

The frame for my cross stitch picture was some plastic edging Harvey had in his work room downstairs.

The foam board that I used to mount said picture had some left over. This will be used to mount some smaller cross stitch pictures and some old frames will be used as well.

I found a dresser scarf I had embroidered awhile ago. Hemmed it up today and it fits perfectly in the window well of the basement bedroom/library. It will protect the surface of the sheetrock nicely.

Now on to the challenge I completed (well to the best of my ability) last month.

This is what my small chest freezer looked like at the beginning of this challenge.

And these two pictures show what it looks like now.

So very much better.

I have started this month's challenge of using up as much of the scrap fabric and 2" strips as I can. I foresee some new lap quilts coming up.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.