My Bags Are Packed

"My bags are packed, I'm ready to go". That song is boomeranging around in my brain.

We should be hitting the road shortly. Will try and send some photo's of our cabin and such while we are gone. I just do not know how the wifi will be.

See you all very soon, when I will bore you all some more.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Almost Ready

We will be leaving in a day and a half for the family reunion. Slowly but surely I am getting things done that need to be accomplished before we leave.

Today I straightened out the sewing/craft room. I have been working in there over the past few days trying to complete these:

This is a surprise for all the family attending the reunion. It is the first time I have made a badge on my embroidery machine and I am pretty proud of the way they turned out. I now know the mistakes I made and have an idea of how to improve them and I got ideas running through my head for more surprises for the next reunion. I am thinking a banner using the Cricut or a stencil and fabric paints.

The garden is coming along slowly. Lack of rain and the cold spring have slowed down growth. I did however get this,

My first Moonflower. 

The other plant looks to finally being able to produce a bloom or two. I think some of the first blooms (or buds) were damaged from the hail we had one evening. They died on the vine, but one now looks close to opening tonight.

The fridge is pretty well cleaned out. I am hoping to give it a wash down tomorrow, and finish off all the leftovers for our meals.

Packing will begin in earnest tomorrow. At least mine will and the neighbour is coming over to pick up the keys and see where I will be putting the cat food and such.

I will try to get back on tomorrow and at least one day while we are gone (might be the only way I can keep my sanity).

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

This is supposed to be a weekly menu post, however it's going to change.

Not that I didn't plan out a menu for the remainder of the month, don't get me wrong my slight case of OCD when it comes to household tasks would never let that happen. It's more of an we need to use up everything we can this week so it doesn't go bad kind of thing.

After a weekend of having Kris home the leftovers really seem to mount up so for at least the beginning of this week we will be using up and getting the fridge cleaned out in order to leave for the family reunion with clear consciouses (says that is a misspell, but I can't think of any other way to spell it this morning).

I can tell you what is for supper tonight.

We will be having mini meat loaves, mashed potatoes and asparagus.

Lunch will be leftovers from the fridge.

Tomorrow....who knows. And it is driving me slightly crazy not to know!!

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

Mass was very different today, and perhaps a bit (well a great deal) strange.

Father talked about how rather than have people grouchy with him because of the length of Mass he would rather them leave quietly. Perhaps come to a weekday service for communion if they left before the Eucharist.

Then he went on to say that starting in the fall he was going to publish how long Sunday Mass would be so that if one thought it was too long they could give Mass a miss that week.  Say what??????

At the end of Mass he got a bit grouchy himself and berated a few people at the back of the church. He actually told them twice to be quiet and stop talking. I think he just may have cost our parish a bit of the welcoming atmosphere we have spent the last year working on.

Oh, and Mass was almost two hours today.

I spent the rest of the day trying to get some surprise sewing done. I am not even close to being finished. Hopefully tomorrow I can get a bit closer to being done.

I also worked on trying to get some of Mondays chores completed. We will probably be without water for most of the day. I filled pots cleaned my kitchen sinks, made sure there was enough water in my steam mop and soon I will be filling the tub to have water for flushing the toilet. Washing will wait until Tuesday or even Wednesday. I will be heading out to pick rhubarb and get it cleaned shortly.

Harvey has the new door almost completed. He will more than likely be working on the outside moulding tomorrow. So nice to have a door that fits properly once again.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Frugal Friday

Hmmm, what frugal happenings took place this week.

1.  Using leftover fabric to make a surprise for the family reunion.

2.  With coupons and sales I saved $18.39 on groceries.

3.  No watering of plants as it has been cool and we have finally gotten a bit of rain.

4.  Air conditioning off the last three days as it has been very cool.

5.  Watched a free movie on TV using my box.

6.  Used up a couple of bobbins hemming a few items.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thursday Tidbits

We actually got a bit of rain today, we could use lots more and I am keeping my fingers crossed that we will get more. The forecast is saying yes, but lately the forecasts have not been correct.

Still no call re my surgery, the wait is getting to me. I have a feeling that it is going to be awhile yet between other surgeries that this doctor needs to perform, and the fact that the holiday season is upon us. Mind you it does give me time to complete a few more things around the house in preparation for said surgery and the recovery time after.

The family reunion is sneaking up quickly. I really am not looking forward to it, and would much rather give it a miss this year. The family would go a bit crazy if we did however, so like good little followers we will be there. Perhaps in two years we will be able to give it a miss, sure would love that.

The problem with this whole thing is that most of Harvey's family are Conservative (and that is big C conservative) with all that is the worst of that party. Many of them are highly racist (though they don't think they are) and just plain leaning towards the far right. Me, on the other hand have voted the gamut. I have voted NDP, Conservative and Liberal. I vote for who I think will do the best job for me. I agree with some Conservative points, I agree with some NDP points, and I agree with some Liberal points. The problem is none of Harvey's family thinks in the same manner. You are either with them or against them. Our oldest son (who is very NDP in his thinking) gets called a communist, or socialist depending on who is talking. I just get called the crazy, dumb sister in law. 

I may disappearing from the area every so often, or I may just say something that will split us off from Harvey's family totally. Funny thing is Joe (Harvey's dad) and I spoke often about politics and he was a die hard Liberal. Most of the family thinks he was Conservative. I kind of giggle to myself when they mention their Conservative Dad. Sorry for bothering you all with politics. I know everyone has a different outlook and all are entitled to what they believe. Everyone can vote the way they feel is proper, what isn't proper is calling those who don't agree with you idiots or dumb or blocking them on Facebook.

I managed to get more sewing done today, and I hope to get another clothing item sewn tomorrow. Then I have a plan to work on some items for the family reunion. I would really like to make a badge or something. We shall see what I can come up with.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

 

Ooops

I actually forgot to post my monthly goals, so today I will post and give you an update all at the same time.

My list is a bit smaller this month, so hopefully it will all be completed.

1.  Unfinished goals from last month. Almost done the sewing part of those goals.

2.  Finish two quilts.  Done.

3.  Continue knitting the sport and finer weight leftover bits and bobs into squares.  Working on these still, but I am seeing the end of this yarn weight coming closer and closer.

4.  Knit on temperature blanket.  Doing so every day.

5.  Cut out 2 more patterns.  I have picked out some fabrics, but no cutting as of yet.

6.  Prepare rhubarb for winter usage.  Think I might just have another couple of picks and then I will be done.

7.  Continue decluttering. Just a few items this month will be leaving my house. Hopefully there will be a few more.

8.  Finish the presentation boards for the Ministry Fair.  Done.

I hope to get at least the sewing goals, the cutting out of the patterns, and the rhubarb done this week as next week we will be getting ready for our trip to the family reunion.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Thrifty Tuesday

A few thrifty things have happened around the old homestead this past week.

I mended a pair of shorts, shortened the straps on a jumpsuit, darned some of Harvey's socks (why do his seem to get more holes in them than mine).

I read on a blog how someone mended the top of a pair of runners/trainers and that is going to be my next mending project.

It has also been another week of using things up. Not many leftovers in the fridge this past week, I am getting pretty darn good at using leftovers for lunch. Something I had gotten away from once I quit working. I am going to get back in the habit of checking leftovers before making something else. 

I froze some leftover coffee today and hope to be drinking ice coffee very soon. Not that the weather is really cooperating on that front (been pretty cool), but I can hope.

We have started to pick a few items from the garden. A few fresh radishes, and some onions make a nice addition to our meals.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

This will be the last full week that we are at home. Definitely need to use things up this week and part of next week (the part we are at home for at any rate).

Monday

Smoked sausage, baked beans and finish off the asparagus.

Tuesday

Since we had BBQ for supper on Sunday there has been a change in menu. Lots of leftover chicken meat in the fridge freezer so something will be made with this. If a casserole I will make a lovely tossed salad to get our veggies in.

Wednesday

Clean out the fridge. Things are piling up a little.

Thursday

Soup and sandwiches. I will use some broth from the freezer and more of the leftover chicken meat to make chicken rice soup. Egg Salad sandwiches will be lovely here and something that Kris will eat if he actually makes it home this weekend for a short visit.

Friday

Salmon patties, those this could change to breakfast for supper if Kris is home. Breakfast for supper will be pancakes!!

Saturday

Shish Kabobs done on the BBQ. Served with some rice.

Sunday

Time to replenish the leftover chicken meat. I will be making Roast Chicken, roasted potatoes, roasted carrots.

After this...well we only have 4 days of planned (sort of planned) menus before heading out the door.

Thank heavens for wonderful neighbours that will water the garden and flowers as well as look after our cat.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

It has been a cool and quiet day here on the old homestead. Not that I haven't accomplished a few chores, but there has been no feeling of "need to do right now." Kind of what a Sunday should really be.

Before I go any further in this post I do have one thing that needs to be said.

To all those who are Fathers be it single mothers doing two jobs, fathers of fur family, fathers that are with us and fathers who have left us. 

Special love going out to my Hubby, who is a wonderful father to our two boys.

I have taken my name off the list for doing ministries in the church at this point in time. I just don't know when my surgery will be taking place or the length of recovery time. While I sort of/kind of miss this, I don't really. It is actually very nice to sit in the pew and not worry about what I need to do or if I am pronouncing the Biblical names correctly. One can concentrate more on the message in the readings and in the homily. Mind you, when the homily takes 45 minutes my mind starts to wander and I gaze at the stained glass windows. I also seem to open myself a bit more to the hand of Christ and God.

I have almost come to a conclusion over what I want to be involved in next year. I just have to pray about it a bit more. I am sure any messages will get through to me sooner or later, I have the utmost faith that my questioning mind will be put to rest eventually. After all God just may want me to stop asking the same questions over and over.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

This week has whizzed on by. I am sure that as I age the days fly by on wings of very speedy birds. It has not been a week with lots going on, but enough has occurred to make each day seem like there are not enough hours.

I did another weeding of the perennial bed and the long planters. I even pulled mini tree seedlings out of the pots, especially the tomato pot. Today we put the cage around it to hold it up.

At the beginning of the week we got some hail. 

Forgive the blurry picture, I was dodging hail stones at the time. Thank heavens nothing too big as I got hit on the head. I should also say thank goodness I have a fairly hard head as I just had some tenderness and a bit of a bump.

This one was taken from the safety of the doorway. While there were a very few larger ones, no damage was caused to my plants.

We got the thermostat working properly which is a very good thing. In this area one needs to be able to control the temperature for those 35C and above days, as well as those -40C days in the winter. Having a thermostat that jumped from 17C to 29C was not a good thing.

Harvey managed to take apart my vacuum which broke down (second item this month and it is only just over a year old). He plans on phoning the company on Monday to see if they will send him the part he needs. Until it is fixed I will use the ear jarring shop vac.

My new TV arrived and we managed to get it set up. I also managed to get the android box set up and working with the help of some wonderfully instructive texts from Kris.

I even managed some sewing (also knitting in the evenings).

This quilt is the replacement for Harvey's morning snuggle quilt. The old one was even beyond mending.

This quilt will be used for our family reunion silent auction. Hope it raises a few dollars as what is raised is used to pay for our big family supper the next year. We didn't do very well last year so I am thinking we might have to pay a bit this year.

I even managed to get another long awaited project completed.

These knit wide legged pants have been waiting in the sewing room for awhile. Just need to wash and press them now. Super comfortable!!

Rhubarb has been picked and frozen. With the cool weather I am hoping to get a few more harvests before my plants go to seed.

Harvey got some tickets for one of his beloved Saskatchewan Roughrider games. I kind of want to pick up another two tickets for him for Father's Day tomorrow and will do so early. Must go to see the game between the Riders and Blue Bombers on Labour Day. It is a tradition. He did give up his season tickets as the drive home from late night games was a problem.

So there you have the last week in pretty much a nutshell.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Frugal Friday

1.  This might not sound frugal to most of you but I bought some jewellery cleaner when I went shopping. I usually take my rings into the jewelers to be cleaned, but when I noticed this I grabbed it. There is lots of cleaning fluid in it and now I actually know what to use when I make my own, plus have a container to put it in.

2.  No waste this week. The little that has been leftover has been used for lunches or to make a tinfoil dinner or two for Kris.

3.  We managed to hook up the Smart TV all on our own. I even got the box hooked up thanks to wonderful instructions from Kris via text.

4.  Finished one small ball of leftover yarn and started the next one.

5.  Finished the last quilt. This one will be used in the silent auction we always have at Harvey's family reunions.

6.  Rolled all the coin we have saved over the past 2 years (I do this for the reunion as we can then bid on a few items in the silent auction and not be out of pocket). While not as much as other years we still managed $400.00. So we might even be able to pay for all the food we will be taking up for the three days.

7.  Saved $15.29 at the grocery store with sales and coupons. I also saved $11.23 at Walmart.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thursday Tidbits

I managed to finally finish the two quilts that were on my project list for this month. No more quilting for a bit. One of them will be put in the family reunion silent auction to raise a bit of cash so we don't have to pay for our meal in two years time.

I have also rolled the coin that we managed to save over the past two years. This will be used to bid on items in the silent auction. We don't have as much as other years (just goes to show that prices have indeed risen). Still $400.00 is nothing to sneeze at. Taking it to the bank in bits as all that rolled coin is heavy.

No real rain fall as of yet, in fact we are now in the midst of a thunderstorm with hopefully lots of rain coming our way. It is dark and the solar lights in the garden have twinkled on.

My new television arrived yesterday and I have managed to get it all set up, even with my android box!! I am one happy person right now, after two weeks of trying to watch TV on my tablet (difficult to do anything else) it is nice to have a big screen and a picture one does not have to squint at to watch.

The rest of this week I am locking myself in the sewing/craft room and getting my sewing completed during the mornings, and then in the afternoons I will work on the knitted squares and some cleaning. The fridge, stove and oven need cleaning again badly.

Decluttering is continuing at a slower pace. I hope to remove a few more item, or at least use up a few bits of my stash. Thus clearing out more space in those pesky plastic storage drawers.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

My Cricut

I was asked for some more information about my Cricut machine.

This is the one I have.

It is a Cricut Maker. I bought it because you can use more materials in it. I can even cut balsa wood with it.

Slowly but surely (when things are on sale) I have been picking up accessories and the various knives and other cutters that can be used with it.

So far I have only used it to make some tags, cards and cut a few pieces of fabric. I really like how it works and actually saves fabric, or card stock. 

I hope to get a few larger mats (your cardstock, fabric and other items need to be put on a mat in order to cut or print) so that I can use some more of the patterns available online. 

Lots of patterns are available for the design board and you can even make your own project designs. Cost is reasonable and there are a great many tutorials that you can use to learn even more. And since the design board is on the computer things can be changed as you want.

It is tempting to try out some vinyl projects for t-shirts. Could be something nice for the family reunion. I even bought some vinyl to try out providing I can find some reasonably priced t-shirts.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Menu Monday

It is hard to believe that last week went by in a blur. I haven't been posting as much as I would like so I am going to try and improve that this week.

Menus for the week coming right up.

Monday

Soup and sandwiches. Something quick as I have a great many household chores to catch up on today. Just may pull some soup from the freezer downstairs.

Tuesday

Leftover ham, made into a casserole (cooked outside in my electric roaster), salad, and a side of mixed veggies.

Wednesday

Pork chops, hopefully done on the BBQ along with tinfoil  packets of potatoes, and grilled mushrooms.

Thursday

Clean out the fridge of the leftover ham casserole. Not quite sure what I will make to go along but veggies of some kind.

Friday

Tuna Pasta Salad. My favourite main dish salad of the summer.

Saturday

Hamburgers done on the BBQ, tinfoil packets of potatoes, and tinfoil packets of carrots.

Sunday

Roast pork, and roasted veggies.

So there they are, the meals for this week. Lunches will be as usual sandwiches, hummus and melba toast, yogurt, fruit, whatever uses leftovers and orphan items in the fridge.

Every one have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

Quick post today as I need to get supper on the table, dishes done and be at the church to set up for the Ministry Fair tomorrow. Must be at the church 30 mins or more before Mass as well. Supposedly we have a bit of a surprise waiting for us.

Perhaps I should mention that this is more of a monthly round up than a weekly round up.

Budget wise we were under once again, good thing as we got central air conditioning put in this week and we needed to replace the television in the living room, those bills will be this month. That will more than likely put us over budget this month. Groceries were just under so I need to figure out a way to cut more costs there. Once the garden starts producing that should help.

The total number of items that have left my home is now 273. Not as good as I had hoped, but things are still moving along.

1.  Cut out four more patterns.  Done

2.  Sew all cut out patterns.  Not completed as of yet

3.  Knit squares from leftover yarn (ongoing until I have enough for a blanket).  Almost done with the finer yarns.

4.  Knit one prayer shawl.  Done

5.  Work on the temperature blanket (year long project...I will post a picture of what I have gotten done. Done

6.  Sew tool caddy for under the Cricut.  Cut out but not sewn.

7.  Continue with declutter.  Done

8.  Start one cross stitch project (just a small one that I have had for a number of years).  Done

9.  Buy bedding plants, and plant them all.  Done

10.  Get two more large planters.  Done

11.  Sandwich and finish 2 or more quilts.  Done

Once again I will be carrying over a few projects I see. 

My big project for the month in the sewing/craft room will be consolidating two sets of storage drawers of fabric into one. 

I did manage to get one drawer cleared out. Hopefully the rest will be completed this month.

Tomorrow I will post my goals for this month. Keeping my fingers crossed that I can actually finish them all.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Frugal Friday

Most of this morning I thought it was Saturday!! I seem to be losing days left and right lately.

My frugals for this week:

1.  Finished off an old sheet as backing for another quilt.

2.  Used part of a second old sheet as backing for a second quilt.

3.  Saved $17.88 grocery shopping this week, and saved another $3.57 at Walmart on my usual cleansing mask.

4.  Used my Instant Pot twice this week, saving on electric power.

5.  Walked outside every day in the early morning for my daily exercise, and worked weeding the garden a couple of days for even more exercise.

6.  Surprisingly I have not had to buy gas for over a month. Working on making this tank last another week or two.

7.  Froze two bags of rhubarb for use over the winter months. Hopefully more bags will be frozen next week.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Blessing Finally

Last Saturday we finally had the blessing of some of the prayer shawls we had fashioned over the last couple of years. Only 12 mind you, but at least people now know why we sit and knit in the church meeting room every second week.

Thought I would share a few pictures.

These two ladies and myself have never missed a weeks knitting since I started the Prayer Shawl Ministry. It is thanks to these ladies (and a couple more that made a few in their homes) that we have 60 prayer shawls made. 

All of us are taking a break right now and getting some of our own sewing and knitting (or crocheting) done.

Tomorrow I will let you all in on how the declutter of another set of plastic storage drawers went, how many of my projects were finished and where I stand on project declutter.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Thrifty Tuesday

I have been using small bits of my cardstock on the presentation boards for the church Ministry Fair this coming weekend. It is a good way to make sure nothing is wasted.

I have also used a small amount of the leftover yarn from making the 4" squares to make tassels for some bookmarks I will be distributing at the fair.

As I was putting together the board for Prayer Shawls, another use for all those small squares hit me. I decided to say a prayer over them and hand them out as pocket prayer shawls at this fair as well. Still have lots of the lesser weight yarn with which to make more to fashion into a blanket or larger shawl later.

Supper tonight was a main dish salad. It called for sliced celery and rather than cutting into the new bunch, I decided to use the cut up celery from the vegetable tray I made up for my visitors yesterday. Worked beautifully and I used it all up.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

Sorry to have been missing the last few days, but I have been helping Harvey clean up the basement for the plumber to install our air conditioning unit. Tomorrow the electrician comes to hook it up and then the plumber will be back to start it all up. It will be so nice to be cool once again.

Monday

Hamburgers, and a veggie platter with dip.

Tuesday

Leftover roast beef, mashed potatoes, and probably more of the veggie platter and dip.

Wednesday

Stuffed chicken breasts, rice, and corn and a salad.

Thursday

Clean out the fridge along with some boiled eggs (cause not too sure how much will be leftover).

Friday

Salmon, rice, and mixed veggies.

Saturday

BBQ chicken wings (though these just might be done in the Instant Pot), homemade fries done in the air fryer, and peas.

Sunday

Baked ham, scalloped potatoes (done in the microwave) and a tossed salad.

Lunches will be the usual sandwiches, or in my case yogurt or hummus and melba toast.

Everyone have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.