Menu Monday

Wow, September blew past very quickly. 

Monday

Homemade pizza and salad.

Tuesday

Leftover chicken made into a casserole. Served with the remainder of the salad.

Wednesday

Leftover homemade pizza. 

Thursday

Hotdogs, homemade fries, and coleslaw (or raw veggies and dip).

Friday

Salmon fillets, remainder of the coleslaw, and rice.

Saturday

I plan on making lazy cabbage rolls (deconstructed cabbage rolls if a person wants to be fancy) for the freezer so that is what we will have for supper as well.

Sunday

Roast beef, roasted potatoes, roasted carrots, raw veggies and dip, and this time I may just make gravy for the potatoes.

Everybody have a wonderful day. 

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

On this rainy, snowy day on the prairies of Canada, with the help of our priest's sermon something became very clear to me.

We always think that our government should be taking care of homelessness, hunger, and other such things. Christ, on the other hand said we were to look after our neighbours. We are to feed the hungry, dress the naked, find homes for the homeless and we are to do so personally, with our time, treasure and talents.

Next week we are having a food drive at the church, and I plan on bringing everything I can to help out our badly depleted Food Bank. I have lots of scarves knitted and those will be scattered around my city with a note that says if you are cold please take me. We are starting another Habitat home and I will either donate, or grab a hammer and help out.

If we can't look after each other, why would we expect those in power to help as well? It is time for each of us to step forward and save those in need as well as save our planet. We can do this in small ways, not perfectly, but each small step by many people will make a difference.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

While it really hasn't been that busy a week on the old homestead, the days have passed by in a blur. My Thursdays are spent at the church, as well as this past Monday afternoon. Add in two funerals and the days slip right on by.

I did manage to add to our winter stores this past week.

Four jars of pickled banana peppers.

Three bags of tomatoes for the freezer.

Six jars of bread and butter pickles. I still have more cucumbers so I need to do something with those this coming week.

Date night went well. We had a lovely supper at The Keg, and then went to the theater.

Theater in the round was a new experience for Harvey, but he loved it. I can foresee a few more trips to Regina to see more live shows. I only wish that one could take pictures during the show, but since you can't I will just say the music, singing, and choreography was wonderful. Finding a parking spot not so great. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Frugal Friday

Making this a short one as I want to get out for my morning walk, and I need to get things completed as we are heading into Regina today to attend the Globe Theater presentation of Chicago. That happens to be Harvey's favourite musical. Hmmm, next time we do the opera, ballet or symphony I think.

Not the most frugal of weeks, but we did our best.

1.  Drove as little as possible combining errands and banking together.

2.  Shopped the sales and ended up saving $25.89 on groceries this week.

3.  Harvey is building me a potato bin in a very cool corner of the basement. He is using bits and pieces of what he has available down in his work room.

4.  Onions picked and dried for winter storage.

5.  Walking each and every day for exercise and am really proud of my total walked this month so far. Starting September 5 I have taken 205,147 steps, used up 6116 Calories, and walked 143.59 Km. The month isn't even over yet.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

The Darkness of Elections

Last night a young man came to our door collecting signatures for a Liberal Candidate in our riding. Up until then I thought that we were going to be short one candidate on our ballots.

This young man stood at our door in a very differential manner. In fact he seemed to be scared to mention which candidate he was collecting signatures for to get on the ballot. When I asked him which party he mumbled Liberal. I said "Give me your clip board." He slowly handed it to me and I filled it in, then I called Harvey to come and do the same.

I spoke to him for a bit after, trying to figure out where he could get more signatures as it seems in our rather huge riding very few would sign. In fact he had been yelled at, had doors slammed in his face, told where to go and how to get there fast, and even spit on. This is not the way I want politics to happen in my country. This is not how I was brought up to behave.

Yes, where I live is very "blue" (Conservative), but we need to respect each other. We need to treat all the way we wish to be treated. In a real democracy one would think people would want a full slate of candidates. If we don't have a full slate we will be causing people to perhaps ruin their ballot, or not even bother to vote.

I so hope that they managed to get enough signatures, and I do hope that the young man realizes that not everyone disrespects what he feels is important enough to knock on strangers doors.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

A Bit of This and That

Days are getting colder, the garden is slowly being harvested and processed (more about that another day).

Trees are changing colour. Here in Saskatchewan the predominate colour is yellow or gold. Much like the colour of a fully ripened field of grain.

This photo was taken a few days ago. I have to grin as some trees are half green and half yellow. Then of course there are those trees that changed colour and lost their leaves overnight.

Fall is one of my favourite times of year. Crisp, cool mornings and warmish afternoons. This year however fall might not last too long. The forecast is calling for perhaps snow this weekend. Hence the rush to get the garden harvested and plant pots emptied.

This is what I am living in right now.

A pretty much empty front room. We thought our carpeting would at least be down by now, but I guess we will have to wait awhile longer. At least I have my chair to sit in, H arvey is making do with the wicker rocker and footstool from downstairs.

The grey patch in the center is where he leveled the floor out. There was a beam that was sunken in between what used to be two very small rooms.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

I am a bit late posting this today, but I had the funeral of a friend to attend this morning, and then prayer shawl ministry this afternoon. First time I have actually been able to sit and do something other then leave the house or try and get chores completed (needless to say there are a few chores left to do). I also got notification on Facebook of the deaths of two others that I knew either them, the parents or the children of. Not a good day at all.

Monday

Pork stir fry, using up the bits and bobs from the fridge and a bag of frozen leftover pork roast. Serving it over basmati rice. Should have enough left for another meal later this week.

Tuesday

Pork chops, the leftover mashed potatoes, and a cucumber salad.

Wednesday

Leftover stir fry. Perhaps served over noodles.

Thursday

Chili made in the slow cooker (hopefully enough made for a meal or two to be frozen and eaten at a later date). Served with toast.

Friday

We will be having dinner out as we are heading to the city to attend a play.

Saturday

Soup and sandwiches. I plan on making tomato soup to freeze this week, so that is what we will have. What goes great with tomato soup..... Grilled cheese of course.

Sunday

Roast Chicken, roasted potatoes and carrots. I think I will make another cucumber salad (loads of cukes picked from the garden).

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

As this elections gets underway (the cycle started on September 11th and ends with the election in October) I am finding it more and more difficult to keep my cool. I am tired of the continuous lies and partial truths. I am tired of the dirt that parties dig up on each other. I am tired of the constant sniping and putting down. I am tired of the bullies and the hypocrisy that is show. Just give us your platforms and let us make an informed decision based on what is best for us.

Our priest today was one who we have been fortunate to have as our pastor once and our associate pastor before that. He said something that is sticking in my mind and churning mightily.

Father Lorne said instead of spreading hate we should pray for our politicians asking that they be given wisdom and knowledge. That they will run clean campaigns and learn to listen to the people they will govern. Makes sense to me.

I do find it difficult when those who profess to be Christian spew hate and intolerance, that won't accept an apology but are more than willing to over look those in the party of choice that do the same or worse.

It worries me that people are becoming more divided as each day passes, that little things like common sense and compassion seem to have disappeared from most peoples life. I wonder what the world will be like in 10, 15, 20 years. Will we be able to hold up our heads and proclaim that we have done the best we can for our countries and our world?

 I cry for what we are becoming and what we are losing.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

It has actually been a very busy week, phone calls to return, garden to pick and process, working on knitting and sewing projects for the month (not really getting much completed, but as I finished one today, perhaps I will be able to concentrate on getting a few others done), and of course the volunteer work as well. Who ever said that being retired would give a person more time.

Slowly the garden is being taken up. The last of the beans were picked and eaten earlier this week. We are still getting tomatoes and cucumbers. The potatoes and onions will be dug up once we have a couple of nice days in a row so they can be washed and dried in the sun. Then they will be stored in the cold room.

Harvey has wine, and beer bubbling away in the basement. One batch of wine has been bottled (I need to make labels for it) and one that will be bottled within the next couple of days. 

The carpet and furniture is mostly removed from the living room. Just waiting for a call to remove the last few items.

I am almost finished my library books and am looking forward to getting some new reading material. 

I realized that this Bible Study is going to more or less use up all my time on Thursdays. My meal plan will have to change accordingly. We will have a great many more crock pot or Instant Pot meals on those days. There just isn't time for cooking something on the stove. Good thing is that the study only lasts 6 weeks. This means we will be finished on the 24th of next month. My next volunteer experience starts the week after. Harvey and I will be delivering Meals on Wheels.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Frugal Friday

It has been a better week for frugal matters here on the old homestead.

1. Harvesting from the garden. I even managed to freeze a few bags of tomatoes this week as well as some onions, potatoes, and green peppers.

2. A friend dropped off a box of Roma tomatoes for me to try. She says they make lovely soup, tomato sauce and I bet they make a great salsa as well. Just have to see what I can manage to make out of this box. Pretty sure that soup to be frozen is at the top of the list.

3. Bought a new jacket for the spring and fall. My old one was pretty ratty and stained. Just happened to see this one at the end of a rack in Walmart for $7.00. Regular price was $50.00.

4. Saved $11.63 on my grocery bill with sale prices and coupons (not too many of those right now).

5. Using up fabric and wool from my stashes to keep myself busy.

It seems as if I am back in my frugal groove. However I will soon have to lock myself in the sewing/craft room to get some projects completed.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Thursday Tidbits

Today has been very busy. This Bible Study that I have said I will help with is going to take up a great deal of time. There are 5 weeks left and I don't know how I am going to be at 2 sessions every Thursday. I may have to redo my menus to incorporate a slow cooker meal on those days. The other thing is I don't know if I am really suited to being a leader. The study is so fast paced and the group that I was with tonight didn't get a chance to share all their answers to the various questions. Still something that gets me out of my comfort zone could end up being very good for me.

The weather has been wonderful the past couple of days. I have managed to get into my rapidly drying garden to pick a few things. Tomorrow I plan on freezing a few bags of tomatoes, they are ripening much faster than we can eat them.

My finger is healing nicely. Today I took all the bandaging off to give the injury some air, and later tonight I will cover it with another bandage so that I don't break open the newly healed skin. It is still badly bruised, and kind of numb, but at least I don't feel a pulsing any longer.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thirifty Tuesday

Short post tonight as it is very late and I have a fairly large bandage on my one finger that makes typing very difficult (will tell the story tomorrow). It also makes cooking difficult so there have been a few changes to the menu. Thrifty changes however in that I am using things up in my freezer. I will just have to do a batch cook closer to my surgery time. 

Perhaps my most thrifty move this week is the using up of lots of denim squares piecing together another quilt top. This one will be for outside around the fire pit on cooler evenings.

I also managed to use up a couple of bobbins and a spool of thread. Hopefully more will be used up once I start sewing the pinned denim together.

I am hoping this finger heals quickly so I can harvest the garden tomatoes and get a few bags frozen by the weekend. It is not thrifty in the least to let them spoil on the vine or in the bowl.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

Wow, the middle of the month already. Where on earth does the time go. Soon our garden and my flower boxes and pots will need to be put to sleep for the winter.

My menus for this week are:

Monday

Salmon cakes (though this could get a bit fancier as I have some phyllo pastry in the fridge that needs using), fried leftover potatoes from last nights roast meal, and the remains of the coleslaw.

Tuesday

Leftover roast beef, probably will do something along the lines of a BBQ sandwich type thing. Served with a tossed salad.

Wednesday

Porkchops, creamed potatoes, mixed veggies, and the remains of the tossed salad.

Thursday

Stew and dumplings.

Friday

Lazy perogies with lots of fried onions and a bit of sour cream. Perhaps some raw veggies and dip on the side.

Saturday 

Clean out the fridge night (though I have a feeling this could happen twice this week and my menu will change accordingly).

Sunday

Roast Chicken, mashed potatoes, mixed veggies and a salad.

Lunches will as usual consist of leftovers, or sandwiches. 

Everyone have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

Today was really warm. I am so glad that I got out walking early, still worked up a sweat though. Tomorrow is supposed to be even warmer. Then the rains and slightly cooler temperatures will come back.

Things are getting back to normal around here after our trip, and I am enjoying being caught up. Still the cucumbers are becoming a bit of a problem. Pretty sure the neighbours are tired of me dropping surprise bags on their front steps, but I don't want them to go to waste.

I have started to count my steps every day and have been doing not too badly. There are days where I actually manage to get more steps in than I thought I would. Then there are those days where getting those 10,000 steps in pretty darn difficult.

Working on some of those projects that were planned for this month and hopefully have more finishes than I have managed over the last little while. I am working on the embroidery of the tea towels, pinning together another quilt top and getting ready to sew that one up as well. I would love to have the two quilt tops done, but meetings are starting, and prayer shawl ministry will begin once again. I will also be busy on Thursdays for awhile being a leader for our new Bible Study on prayer. I think I just might have over extended myself for the next 6 or so weeks.

Perhaps an update on

is in order. I have managed to remove 405 items from the house (this does not include using up fabric or the scrap fabric in the quilts I am making) this year. I may just manage to remove the 500 items that I want to reach this year. I hope that I can manage to rid myself of some of Kurt and Kris's many items they have left behind over the years.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Day Three and Some Photos of the Night Before

Sunset on the second night. 

There was live entertainment outdoors at one of the eating establishments/lounges. They were very good and we enjoyed our short time watching and listening.

We didn't spend much time listening as we had a big day planned for hiking.

I got up in the morning and after a cup of coffee went out for my morning walk. To my surprise there was a great deal of fog over the water.

By the time I got down to the beach much of the fog had lifted. At first all you could see was the tip top of the mast on the sailboat.

Still the day became sunny and warm. After Harvey finished a few cups of coffee we were off on our first hike of the day.

We decided to do the Arrowhead hike. This hike was mostly through the forest and really was pretty easy overall. There were a few places (uphill) that I was very glad to have my walking sticks. We finally reached a lookout area and saw this....

An open meadow!! I bet this is filled with wildlife, which of course we didn't have the luck to see.

And what is a hike without the obligatory picture of mushrooms or fungus. I am always amazed at how many types we see that I have never seen before.

After lunch I managed to convince Harvey to go on another hike. This one was not too far from our 

cabin (well relatively close).

We were planning on going in one direction but ended up taking a bit longer route. You see a smell was emanating from the trail in front of us, and on looking down we saw lots of bear droppings. Not wanting to run into a bear on the trail, we back tracked and took a different route.

This route followed the shore line of the lake south wards.

Just one of the many sailboats that were on the water that day. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thursday Tidbits

It has been raining all day long. We have now reached the 2 3/4 inches mark and the rain keeps coming. Sure glad this didn't happen during our holiday.

Here are a few more photos from our trip.

Our first hike was to the marsh area. We have hiked this area all three times that we have visited this park. It is nice to see all the changes from the first time we visit. I had never seen cat tails go to seed so I just had to take a photo.

The water was very still and I loved the new lookout where almost the entire marsh could be seen.

After our visit to the marsh we traveled to another area that we visit every time we go. The historic East Gate. The park service is still working on some of the buildings but the original gate has almost been totally renovated and reinforced.

Once again Blogger is causing me problems so I will cut short our first full day and post a few more pictures on Saturday.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Hiking, Resting, and Quiet

At the end of last week Harvey and I traveled to Manitoba and one of our National Parks. We have visited this park three times now and noticed many changes.

Firstly we were actually in the same cabin as the last time we were in the park.

Harvey relaxing on the front deck of our little home away from home.

The first night we walked around the beach area and the streets of Wasagaming. Surprisingly it was very quiet.

The walk to the beach.

A friendly gull strutting down the sand.

The clouds covered most of the sunset the first night we were there.

Some photos of our walk around the beach area.

Blogger is not letting me download any more pictures so I will continue with our trip tomorrow.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Tuesday

Now that we are home once again, things can start getting back to normal.

Thrifty happenings on the old homestead started in earnest once again. We really spent a little more than we had planned to on our holiday.

Last night I pulled out the 4" fabric squares and started another quilt top. These squares are from leftover scraps of fabric from other sewing projects and fabric that I have cut out of old clothing that was past being donated, but still clean and usable. It is kind of great that our sons bring their older clothing home and let me decide if it should be donated, cut into fabric to be used in quilts, or made into rags. Of course I cut off all buttons and they are popped into the button jars. Truly this is a thrifty way of staying warm on cold winter nights. The quilts also make lovely gifts as well.

Harvey had a pair of pj's that had seen better days. Since they were made out of flannelette I got some lovely rags out of them. Just have to serge the edges.

I shopped my fridge, pantry and freezer for supper tonight and I made enough that we can have another meal from the casserole.

Using no name embroidery thread to embroider those tea towels.

Working on the temperature blanket still and that will be another lovely blanket to snuggle into on those cold winter evenings.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

Back from our little get away and starting to get back to the real world. 

Starting of course with the menus for the week.

Monday

Sandwiches, sliced veggies and cherry tomatoes. The leftovers of what I packed to eat on the way home.

Tuesday

Chicken breasts, rice, and corn on the cob, or if it is as cold as it is today the chicken will be made into a rather large casserole.

Wednesday

Leftover casserole, and some lovely warm drop cheese biscuits.

Thursday

I plan to use up a bag of leftover ham from the fridge freezer. Along with the ham I will make egg noodles, and peas.

Friday

Salmon cakes, homemade fries, and coleslaw.

Saturday

Honey garlic sausage, creamed potatoes, and mixed veggies.

Sunday

Roast beef, roasted potatoes and roasted carrots. We will use up the remaining coleslaw, or I will make a tossed salad.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Finally Finished

Well my wrap dress is done. It turned out quite well and is one of the projects carried over from last month.

I do like how it turned out, however I think if I make it again I will use a fabric with a bit more drape. Still, considering the heavy weight of the fabric it still turned out. I even managed to get the sleeves in the first time!! Sleeves and stitching in the ditch cause me the most grief when sewing clothing and this time both went smoothly.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Thrifty Tuesday

Over our married life, Harvey and I have discovered that the more you can do on your own the thriftier you can be.

This past week (well since last Tuesday) Harvey has been painting and removing bits of furniture from the house. Since he seems to save all kinds of things in his basement work room we have done this at a very low cost. Paint was bought on sale for the walls, and the ceiling paint was already in his basement cubby. He used some cheesecloth to put the ceiling paint through to make sure there were no lumps from sitting for so long. Now our next ceiling painting (bedroom or bathroom) is ready to go. Harvey used to get rid of lumpy paint in a flash, but now is more willing to do what is necessary in order for it to be useable.

Me, well I fixed the pocket on a pair of Harvey's shorts (top stitched it even, which isn't my favourite thing to do, darned a pair of my socks, and hemmed the sugar bags for those tea towels. Today those same tea towels got a transfer ironed on them (transfers inherited from my Mom so no cost, as were the sugar bags). I will be doing the embroidery while relaxing at the cabin.

I have almost finished the dress I cut out a few months ago. Pretty sure I can finish it tomorrow, and pictures will be up on Thursday.

Using up the leftovers in the fridge is another thrifty thing to do, as well as the processing and dehydrating of garden produce. Lots of lovely items in the freezer and on the pantry shelves for our winter enjoyment.

Kris was home and so I did a bit of baking. Since both Harvey and I are trying to lose weight some of the baking went home with him as well as two tinfoil meals and some garden produce. No wasting here this week.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

I have been gone the last two days visiting with Kris while he is here at home for the Labour Day weekend. He will be heading back to his apartment later today. So while he is still sleeping and I have a few spare moments I thought I would do my regular Monday post.

Monday

This was supposed to be creamed chicken on toast to use up a bag of frozen cooked chicken, but we have had very hearty meals the last couple of days. I think it will be use up the leftover soup and make some sandwiches night.

Tuesday

I am making Birokes today so those will be our supper.

Wednesday

Sausage Casserole to use up bits and bobs in the crisper.

Thursday

Clear out the fridge night as we will be gone starting Friday. Sitting in a cabin, hiking, enjoying the peace and quiet of one of our National Parks. Which means typical camp cooking using a BBQ and whatever I find in the freezer here. Right now two meals are planned...hamburgers and pork chops. Perhaps we will eat out on our final evening.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.