Mid week Ramblings

 It was and still is another cloudy day. We did have some rain overnight and a bit of a drizzle around noon. I haven't looked at the forecast for the rest of the week, but I sure hope there is some sun in there.

I am definitely trying to keep calm. Canada and Mexico did not get hit with "reciprocal tariffs" this time around as far as I can gather. However those tariffs that had been postponed are now in effect. So glad we got the range before the steel and aluminum tariffs were started up once again. I do know that this is going to cause hardship for many companies in Canada. Hopefully not too much and we find other places to trade with. The hardest hit will be the automotive plants. 

If you all remember when we went to visit Kris we ordered some new chairs for the dining room as the old ones were just too dilapidated to repair, or if we could get them repaired the cost would have been more than new chairs. 

Well, they arrived today, a full two weeks before expected. Harvey says he hopes we are done spending for a length of time. I then reminded him of the partial plate payment coming up.

The big containers seen in the picture are Harvey's wine making. Yep my dining room sometimes becomes a distillery. This will continue for probably another 5 or 6 weeks. 

I baked bread today, and I think the oven bakes a bit cooler than the shown temperature so I may have to recalibrate it. I will try to bake a few other items to get a good reading and then decide what to do. 

Finished one project I carried over from last month. I got the recipes copied that I wanted and the two cookbooks are now residing in the box for this month's donations. Hope to add a great many more items to the box before the end of the month. I seem to be falling behind in the decluttering department. 

Off to visit with you all and then get the leftover casserole into the oven to warm up.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 

I want to thank all of you for the get well wishes, and I am feeling much better today. I am still aching body wise (hips and back) but am pretty sure it is because of the weather, rather than a viral or bacterial infection. 

Worked around the house and actually managed to get most of yesterday and today's tasks done. I got a bit tired out by mid afternoon, but for a good reason. 

Harvey dragged me out (well not really dragged) to shop for a new range. I was prepared to have to wait until after Easter for it's delivery. We priced out at the three places that sell appliances and not that there is much to choose from here in our small city. Prices in most cases are very close to each other. 

Our last visit was to a small personal business on our main street. There we found the range we had been looking at in the other stores and when we asked the price found out it was on sale, and for less than the other two stores sale prices. 

We purchased it expecting a wait. To our surprise the gentleman who runs the store had bought a stock of various washers, driers, ranges, fridges and freezers to beat the tariffs. Kept our fingers crossed that there was at least one of these ranges left.

So we brought home this....

I now have a new range and while I haven't tried the oven yet, I did the oven set up and am planning some baking tomorrow. Harvey said I couldn't seem to stop smiling as we got this set up. Now hopefully this will last us much longer than the last one.

We have also had snow off and on. Not a nice April Fool's joke at all.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

Still not feeling totally well. The headache is sticking around as well as the stuffed nose and sinus cavities. 

Once again blogger is not letting me set up my post as I would like. Oh well, will continue.

Menus for this week, since I am still trying to use items up in the fridge freezer as well as items in the freezers downstairs that have been hanging around for awhile. Also by feeling not to well meals are very easy.

Monday

I made a hamburger casserole to use up some items from the crispers. There is enough for another meal in a couple of days. I also made some egg rolls that I purchased from Walmart a bit ago.

Tuesday

Baked ham, mashed potatoes, the remainder of the asparagus, and a salad.

Wednesday

Leftovers from Monday. Served with leftover salad.

Thursday

Warmed up slices of ham, potato patties, and peas or carrots.

Friday

Salmon patties, rice, and mixed veggies, though I could make another salad.

Saturday

Baked chicken breasts, leftover rice, green beans, and if I made salad yesterday the remainder will be served tonight.

Sunday

Roast pork, roasted potatoes, roasted carrots, and I have a rutabaga that I could roast as well.

I am heading to bed, so will visit you all tomorrow morning.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Not At All Well

 

Not at all well. Headache, sinus' are plugged, stomach churning, slight fever and I ache all over. Hopefully better tomorrow. 

Heading to bed early tonight.

Everyone have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Money Mastery

 

I don't have a roundup of crafts for all of you right now. I really haven't managed to get anything completed. I think I just might have hit a brick wall craft wise as the remaining projects are taking much longer than I thought. So I thought I would try something different today.

There are so many ways that a frugal and thrifty person can save money. Yet the main and probably easiest way is controlling our shopping habits. 

This is one reason I try and have no spend days, and only shop every two weeks. If I don't have something I need I will either try a substitution or do without.

Today I am going to go over some of the ways I save when shopping.

1.  I love shopping at my Co-op grocery store. People say the prices are higher, but I find if you shop their sales and are a member getting money back on what you spend for the year, it is pretty much the same as Sobey's here. If you find a store with good prices, and great merchandise do patronize it as often as you can. 

2.  You can save lots of money by purchasing clothes off season. Most retailers are trying to get rid of the items to make room for the new season clothing.

3.  Shift to thrift stores for kids clothing especially. Children outgrow their clothes very quickly. You can get inexpensive children's clothing very inexpensively. You can often find good quality clothing for yourself as well for an excellent price.

4.  Plan just one big supermarket trip. Use a list and unless something is a big markdown do not purchase if it isn't on the list. Shopping a couple of times a week often encourages us to add extras to the cart.

5.  Shop early to miss the crowds and not have to wait in long lines which might tempt you to add one of those magazines or candy bars to the cart. Always eat before you go, never shop hungry.

6.  Decide how much you want to spend before you go. By limiting your spending, you will be less tempted to splurge on non-necessities. 

7.  Add items to the grocery list as you run out and then check to see if they are on sale. This way you won't forget anything.

8.  If you are always shopping the same store organize your list by aisle. Something that can be difficult as many stores are constantly changing things around.

9.  Menu plan using what you have in your fridge, freezer and pantry. Then you only need to add a few ingredients that you do not have any longer, or you may find that you only need things like dairy, fresh fruit and vegetables.

10.  Look high and look low. Groceries tend to place the more expensive items at eye level.

11.  Try out those store brands instead of the name brands. You may just like them more and in many cases they cost much less.

12.  Check the per serving cost. 

13.  Try and cook from scratch more. Processed foods are more expensive and cooking from scratch enables you to make your meals more to your taste.

14.  Make your own spice mixes. The packages are only for one meal and your own spice mixes can be made to handle more than one meal and for at least half the cost.

15.  Grow a garden in season and freeze or can the harvest. If you can't have a garden due to room constraints, perhaps there is a Farmer's Market you can pick things up at a more reasonable cost.

So there are just a few ways to save money on shopping. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Winter Is Back

 

It seems as if winter is back once again. Harvey went for a short drive and said the roads are getting icy. The snow is falling harder now and I am sure we will actually get the amount that was forecast. Or at least very close to that amount. So very glad that I went out yesterday and did all my errands. 

This morning Harvey and I put together the shelving unit that came yesterday. 

This has enabled me to get all my small appliances that I regularly use out of the spare bedroom (the closet consists of shelves) and into a space where I can access them a bit easier. I really like the set up and now I also have room to store my dehydrator and electric roaster upstairs instead of down in the basement. I am hoping to declutter more in the spare bedroom closet to enable me to bring up my blancher and my water bath canner. At least I will not have to go up and down the stairs as much during harvest season.

We have decided that next week we will price out ranges and order or purchase a new one. I am so looking forward to having a working oven, but unless bulk cooking or baking, will continue to use the toaster oven or electric roaster. 

I was asked about my mint salve and this was something I made last fall. I used dry mint, soaked in a carrier oil (I believe I used grapeseed oil). I put it in the window for about 6 weeks, perhaps slightly less and then drained through a double layer of cheese cloth, put in a double boiler, added some cosmetic grade beeswax pellets. Then stirred until the pellets melted and were combined with the oil, and poured into small tin containers. 

This is how I do most of my salves, some have a bit of cosmetic grade shea butter added as well. Many of the recipes I use say to use a few drops of essential oils, but I have never done that. 

One day I will purchase a new hand mixer and then use the old one to make lotion and refill my pump bottles.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

Thrifty and Frugal  

Another week of thrift and frugal happenings here on the Phillips homestead. 

I really need to stay away from the news, it is just so dang depressing. Now the President of the EU is tell the citizens to prepare for a disaster by stocking supplies, and being ready for higher prices. Life is spinning out of control.

However, frugalista's should be able to weather whatever happens, even if it means doing without things.

First I will let you all know we finally have a price for fixing our oven/range. I think we may just go with purchasing a new one with old fashion coil burners. I have been taking the water bath canner outside in order to use it, our smooth top stove will not keep a steady heat for that purpose. The price for fixing it is about $600.00 as it is the mother board that went, a new coil stove is only about $300.00 more and we would have a stove that actually is more of the type we need. Not very frugal, but we have the money to pay for it. We will see what Harvey thinks tomorrow as he has been known to change his mind.

Now on to frugal and thrifty happenings here on the homestead.

1.  The butt of my celery is starting to grow baby celery stalks. It will be awhile before they can be used, but should save us a little bit on groceries.

2.  Bought various dried beans and peas on sale today. I am hoping to make even more meatless meals and these will certainly come in handy for that.

3.  Fixed a seam on a shirt of Harvey's. Darned two pairs of socks.

4.  Found enough lining fabric for the jacket/coat I want to sew in my stash.

5.  Used all leftovers from meals for lunches except for a tiny amount of gravy that had dried up.

6.  Hung clothes on the lines downstairs.

7.  Once again on the sunny days heated the house with solar heat. 

8.  Combined errands today before the chance of freezing rain. Shopping was done a couple of days earlier than I wanted, but a couple of days later than when I did it two weeks ago.

9.  Using mint salve on my sore hips, and getting up and walking around the house a bit more. Also changing from sitting to standing more often.

10.  Used saved water to water the plants.

Off to get supper started, still working on using items up in the fridge freezer. Then a visit to each of you.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Midweek Musings

 Most people would think that once reaching the end of March, there would be no more worry about snow or freezing rain. Not so here on the prairies. It seems we may be hit with some more winter weather, even into the beginning of next month. I was telling Harvey we should uncover the plants we tried to protect over the winter, I think we just might leave the protection on for another week. 

Well, Canada (and other countries) have been hit with another tariff. This time the auto industry. A 25% tariff will be added to auto parts come April 2. This is going to cause major problems on both sides of the border. Many of the parts for vehicles sold in the U.S.A come from Canada, or cross the border numerous times before actually installed in a vehicle. There are also some components in those parts that can not be sourced in the U.S. I can see loss of jobs on both sides as the car companies can not build the necessary equipment to actually build an entire car on either side of the border. There is one truck that is made entirely in Canada, so perhaps we will all be driving that truck eventually. 

Right now, I am thinking we all better pull up our socks as things will get worse before they get better for both countries. There will be reciprocal tariffs added by Canada and I am pretty sure they will hit areas even harder. 

So grow and process all the food that you can, find ways to stretch your dollars and stretch the nickels as well (I would say pennies, but we no longer have those in Canada). Support your local businesses as they are going to need that support. Go to farmer's markets this spring, summer and fall. Find ways to help those who are less fortunate and keep your elbows up as we say in Canada. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless. 

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 

It has been a sunny day here on the prairies and on the old homestead. That's a bit different than it has been for awhile. Usually the sun only peaks out for a little bit during the afternoon. Still I will definitely take it, even if it is windy and slightly cooler. 

Been working around the house today, trying to get caught up on projects, household tasks, and extra cleaning. The extra cleaning is not happening today as my mojo disappeared after working on the project, clearing off the sewing table so I can work on the next project, and putting the projects into the totes I made to get rid of the big blue Rubbermaid tote in the living room. Things are beginning to come together nicely. 

I was going to go shopping today, but decided to stretch what I have until at least Saturday. Really trying to cut shopping down even more over the next few months. If I can stretch things a day or two between trips by the end of the year I may actually have cut a couple of shopping trips out altogether. 

Rising costs on almost everything have me a bit concerned. Not only concerned for me, but concerned for our sons. Kurt is planning on getting solar panels on his roof this year to hopefully cut costs on electricity and gathers wood from friends who chop down trees for his fireplace outside and downstairs. He plants a bit of a garden, but most are in planters and bags as his soil is terrible. Not too worried about his job as a teacher he will always be in demand and the school he is in loves him.

Kris is planning more planters so as to plant even more veggies and fruits. I told him he should do some planters out front and get even more items growing. I believe that herbs would do very well out front on his small deck space. He does have hydroponic growing in his basement during the winter and he is thinking of expanding that a bit. He also starts most of his own plants as well. He still needs to add weather stripping to his doors and change a couple of locks on his doors. Lots to do inside as well. But those things cost money and even though he is frugal, things are getting very expensive for upkeep on a home. 

We are okay right now, but if interest rates fall or we begin to lose money on investments things could become a bit tighter. Shopping Canadian is not inexpensive but at this point in time perhaps the only way we can fight back against tariffs. I will continue to use up all that I can, make a few more meatless meals, downsize, and be a bit more selective on what I purchase. We will look into more free things to do in the city (not that there is much around here that is free) and grow more veggies and such ourselves. 

Life is full of compromises, but those compromises do not have to limit living.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

It is hard to believe that this is the last full week of March and that we are so far into 2025. Life is just moving way too quickly.

Menu plans for this week see me using up pretty much the last bits and bobs from the freezer basket in the fridge. Pretty sure I will be adding to it though as the weeks progress. I have decided that every month or so I will have a clear out of all those odds and ends the seem to accumulate.

Monday

Lazy Cabbage Roll Casserole.

Tuesday

Pulling out the container of bean soup and using that up.

Wednesday 

Trying to use up some more of the chicken strips, served with the leftover rice (was going to make fries, but need to clear out the rice) and frozen carrots.

Thursday

This was supposed to be roast leftovers from the bag of leftovers we had on Sunday. Not going to happen, so I think I will pull some garlic sausage and mix that with some rice, tomatoes and spices for a couple of meals (one will need to be frozen). 

Friday

Breaded fish fillets, fries, and coleslaw.

Saturday

The container of turkey chili in the fridge freezer served over pasta.

Sunday

Roast ham, mashed potatoes, coleslaw left from Friday, and the remains of the frozen broccoli. 

Lunches will be any leftovers that are not enough for another meal for the two of us, sandwiches, or the occasional egg.

Breakfast for me will be yogurt or toast.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 

I think I may be heading into one of my unable to sleep very well periods. Last night was the third night of getting up and down lots and then finally ending up on the couch to read for awhile, before curling up under a quilt and catching a couple of hours of deep sleep. Some is because of the pain in my hips, but I have been having some very vivid and strange dreams as well. This has to stop soon I hope as I am functioning at about half brain and speed. Pretty sure I will be heading to bed fairly early today and taking some pain medication as well as rubbing mint salve into my hips and back.

Once home from Mass and brunch, I started work on the totes. They are now completed and filled with projects to be done this month, or worked on over the next few months. I plan on getting the other two I have started done over the next few days. They will be filled with projects to work on as well. 

Lists were made for tasks next week, the grocery list started (may go shopping a bit earlier than planned as the weather is not supposed to be very nice later in the week), changed the set up of the monitor and my laptop on the desk so things are a bit easier, and started my knitting project after the totes were completed. 

This 3rd Sunday of Lent we were given some challenges by our priest. Two will be fairly easily done, the third will take some planning. Meditating and giving to the poor or disadvantaged are two challenges I find very interesting and easily done. The third will be tougher. I am an introvert and discussing my faith, sharing it with others, reaching out to those who have fallen by the wayside is very hard for me. I shall need to push myself for this last challenge, or find a way of doing so that isn't one of reaching out in such a personal way. Perhaps just living my faith in the presence of others would fulfill this challenge.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

 

I thought that I would have lots of finished projects to share with you this week, but while some are close to being completed, they aren't. 

I did manage to finish two projects, and the back to the knitted tank top. 

The quilt flimsy was completed. Not the prettiest, but it will be very useful around the firepit on those cooler spring and fall evenings. I want to have enough of these for any company that comes to visit as well. This one used up all my flannelette squares so that was great.

I also finished embroidering square number 4 for this quilt. Only 11 more to go.

Today I worked on the totes some more. Not done, but I am so very close to getting them both completed. Probably another hour or so and they will be done and dusted. I will probably work on the other two next week and perhaps start on the jacket I have been procrastinating about. 

I will be pulling more squares and making a couple of totes next month for the family reunion in 2026. Getting a head start on those things as well as Christmas gifts and of course clearing more stash out while doing so. 

My evenings are spent knitting and considering how fine the yarn is that I am using it is doubtful the knitted tank will be completed this month. I will try though. 

So that is how my week has been spent. I hope all of you had productive weeks.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Moving Towards A More Simple Life

 I have come to a conclusion that while moving towards a simpler life can be complicated, it can also be relatively easy to obtain. 

Right now my move to Simplicity is decluttering those items I don't really need, using up what we have in the house, and the biggest of all getting organized and having a place for everything. I believe I complicate my home by not having things in places that they are easily accessed for usage. Kitchen things should be in the kitchen, not scattered through various rooms willy nilly. I have things located in the hall pantry, things in one of the bedrooms and items down in the basement. Oh, and some sitting on the floor in the dining room. Probably not really conducive to simple living. 

There is a slim chance that once the storage is in the dining room (just a couple of steps away from the kitchen), may items can be moved on to that making it easier to access. I also have a few items that I can declutter in the hall pantry, thus making more room for actual pantry items. In reality those actual pantry items are kind of scattered around four rooms right now. 

I come across as a very organized person, and in some areas I am. I make lists and complete them when it comes to cleaning, and even projects. I pick the garden during harvest time and process all the food regularly. Make gifts, use items up and plan our traveling down to a T. 

Yet there are things that I just shrug my shoulders at and leave until the last minute when company is expected. I save small scraps of yarn, thread, and fabric and then wonder where on earth I will use them, or when I will use them. My sewing/craft room is once again a mess and I really need to clean things up in there. 

I have a stack of books I need or rather want to read on my nightstand. I know I will get through them eventually, but always find an excuse to use my ereader, and download even more reading material. Each time I do so I promise it will be the last until I am done reading everything on that nightstand and get them put away. 

So this year in my reach to leading a more simple life, organizing all those things I have allowed to get away from me will be worked on. This is one reason I am making those patchwork totes. I will use them for the myriad of unfinished projects in the sewing room ready to grab and go. I am also going to go through the items that are not really pantry items and remove them from the house, freeing up some room. 

Hopefully by the end of the year things will be more organized and simpler living will be happening in the old homestead. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursdays

 Thrifty and Frugal 

We have had some lovely sunny and double digit warm days. The snow is disappearing and with the heat our favourite bugs are coming out of hiding (not really our favourite). This means spraying to kill them, which is a never ending task for Harvey. 

I am aching a bit more and so decided to look at the weather forecast for the next little while. What do you know, it seems we will be getting snow late next week and into April. Looks like winter is still holding on for awhile yet.

On to the reason for this post. 

Things are still being done in a frugal or thrifty manner here.

1.  I am trying to grow some celery from the butt end of a bunch. So far nothing happening, but it is early times as of yet.

2.  Kris planted some eggplant and peppers for us, and has promised me some more flowers as well.

3.  As usual I hung clothing on the lines downstairs to dry on Monday.

4.  Drapes are wide open to take advantage of the solar heating through our large picture window. 

5.  Used up a great many small 4" squares and made a flimsy to be used once quilting takes place around the firepit on cooler nights.

6.  Bought fabric, sewing needles, and thread on sale. 

7.  Still using up items that need using in the fridge freezer to make our meals. This will probably continue into next week as there are still a few things in there to use.

8.  Fixed a hem on one of my skirts, and sewed buttons on one of Harvey's shirts.

9.  Used up lots of partial bobbins and spools of thread. I also used up some embroidery floss.

That is about all I can think of right now, but hopefully some new ideas will be posted next week. Pretty sure you are all tired of the same things over and over again.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Midweek Once Again

 

We had another lovely sunny day here today. I am hoping that this weather continues, but being as it is March winter could just be taking a deep breath before hitting us once again. I will take advantage of this weather as much as is possible. 

I have done a bit of furniture moving and tomorrow we will go looking for a cupboard to put beside our hutch in the dining room. Pretty sure we (or at least I) want to use it to store a few of my various small appliances. It should clear off some of the counter as well, giving me more space to work every day. 

I finished one of my goals today which makes me happy. It isn't perfect but will work as a blanket around the firepit to keep someone warm on those colder evenings. I am very hopeful of getting a few more of those projects completed. 

Decluttered a little bit, not as much as I would have liked, but a bit is better than nothing. 

Still using up those items in the fridge freezer that need using up. Grocery shopping will be put off another week, and that means money saved that can be used elsewhere. 

Life is different, but not that much different for those of us that live a frugal life. I am trying to move to a simpler life as well. That could take some time as a simple life is much more complicated then one would think. After all trying to grow more veggies, processing them, sewing more, weaving more, and just taking time to smell the roses does take time and a change in how one lives from day to day. The tariffs will take a toll as well, not only on Canada, but on other countries as well. We will just have to learn how to survive, and by doing so get stronger each and every day.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

It has been a strange morning. It started off with fog and lots of frost on the trees. Then the sun came out and the snow we got has started to melt away once again. The roads are pretty much clear now with large puddles of water in the low spots.

Harvey has started his next visits to the dentist to get his upper plate fixed. The dentist had a bit more trouble pulling his one tooth this time around, so he is in a bit more pain today than the last time. 

Since supper is salmon fillets, broccoli and rice, I do hope he can eat a little something. Pretty sure the salmon will be okay, but I am not too sure of the rice and broccoli. I did tell him that I would make soup, but he said go ahead with the salmon meal.

The afternoon sun shining into the house has heated things up nicely. The furnace has not cut in once and hopefully it won't for awhile this evening. The sun also enabled me to work on my embroidery. Still did not finish the third corner, but so very close now. I just have to do the French knots for the flower centers. The hoop will move tomorrow onto the last corner of this block. I will take a bit of time off of this project next month and try and get other projects started or completed.

We did manage to add 5 more days of no spending so far this month, but I don't think we will be doing as well as I had hoped. Oh well, there is always next month.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Home and Menu Monday

 

Home once again, after a lovely visit with Kris. It was so nice to get away for a bit, even though I did some cleaning and cooking. At least he had an oven that worked. LOL. Kris did cook our meal on Saturday, and I helped him prepare tomatoes for tomato sauce to be canned in his pressure cooker. Now that was an experience. 

Okay so now my post is being centered even after I have made it left align. Once again Blogger is acting up for me. Hopefully the menu plans will be okay this way. Now since we were gone for a few days, my menu plan is pretty much moved around with meals scratched out and new ones put in. Sometimes up to three changes.

Monday

Meatballs in Mushroom Soup, served over noodles. We will finish off the salad from last night's meal.

Tuesday

Salmon fillets, rice, and broccoli.

Wednesday

Chicken Soup and egg salad sandwiches.

Thursday

Soft tacos to use up some items in the freezer. Served with sour cream, shredded lettuce, cheese and chopped tomatoes.

Friday

I have some fake crab meat in the fridge freezer that has been there for awhile so I will make a casserole. Served with green beans.

Saturday

The remains of the taco meat made into some more soft tacos.

Sunday

Warmed up leftover roast beef served with mashed potatoes, corn, and gravy.

There are a few more items in the fridge freezer that need using up so the menus for the remainder of this month will be taking those into account. I am always surprised at how many leftover bits and bobs are located in the freezer. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Midweek Again

 

Just a quick midweek post to let you know I am well and preparing for our trip to Regina to visit with Kris. 

I have been busy trying to get a few things accomplished today before we leave. I have the first batch of yogurt made, made all the little bits and bobs of bread I saved and dried out into bread crumbs (the next bread bits I save will be cubed and dried to make croutons), the last package of mushrooms are dehydrating, bread is baked and put into the freezer, 10 quilt blocks were sewn (still have 4 left, but the back gave up the fight). 

Tonight I will make up my supply shopping list, and the packing lists. I always need a good list. Dishes will be washed, items put in bags that we will be taking up to Kris's place (leftover salad from tonight, and probably the bagels as well). 

I don't know if I will get the chance to visit with you, but I will be taking my computer so will update you tomorrow on the travel to the city.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 

I didn't make it to the crafting time at the art room in our complex today. I have a slightly upset tummy, that caused a bit of a problem at various times throughout the day. I will make sure to get to the next one though. I can do some extra tasks on Monday to make sure the day is clearer for next weeks visit.

So stayed home got caught up on tasks I did not get completed yesterday due to the mix up at the pharmacy, and grocery shopping. There is still some decluttering that I should do, just need to pick an area to work on. 

Earlier today I sliced 3 packages of mushrooms bought on sale and got them into the dehydrator.

I managed to get quite a few out of those packages. I have one more to do and then I am going to dehydrate some celery. 

First ever trial of ham and bean soup on the stove as well. Smells very good. I will be adding some sliced carrots, diced potato, and onion as well as the bits of cooked ham. Biscuits sound great, but without a large working oven could be a problem getting made. I will stick with grilled cheese sandwiches.

Crafting did take place and I will continue with this tomorrow as I want to get all the blocks for the quilt top sewn together. This is going to be a small lap quilt as I really did not have enough 4" flannelette squares. Hoping that this is finished very quickly as there are many other projects I need to get done this month. 

This is what our ground looks like right now.

We are getting snow, it has been coming down for about 2 1/2 hours now. Not much accumulation, but goes to show how spring is still a ways away. Life on the Canadian prairies is nothing if not very strange. This kind of weather makes me glad that I am in the house and not out working.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

Menus to use up more of the items in the freezer basket and use up other leftovers in the fridge.

Monday

Leftover pork stir-fry over leftover rice.

Tuesday

Ham and beans soup. This will use up the ham broth, some small pieces of ham and some of my dried beans in the pantry. I will make grilled cheese sandwiches to go along with this. Any extra soup will be frozen and put into the chest freezer.

Wednesday

Chicken strips, salad, and I think some home made fries done in the air fryer.

Hopefully Thursday, Friday, and Saturday we will be up visiting our youngest son. I will take a couple of meals up to share with him. Probably stuffed chicken breasts, and cabbage bread. This puts my menus out for a few days, so I will probably be changing a couple of things for the next week to use up what is in the fridge freezer basket. 

Sunday

Meatballs in Mushroom soup, rice, and probably a salad.

So there they are. Nice and filling during another colder week.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 

It has been very quiet today. After Mass, Harvey decided to go ice fishing. He didn't catch anything but he got out in the fresh air and had some fun. 

Me, well I made next weeks task list, did the few household tasks that were necessary for the smooth running of the homestead and then got to sit and embroider on the quilt square for the afternoon. I have almost finished the second corner, which if there is any sun and any time tomorrow I will complete and move on to the third corner. I may have to pull out my Ott light in order to continue as we are supposed to be getting rain and then snow. I hope to get out and get most errands done early.

Looking at the long range forecast it says lots of snow for later in the week, both here and in Regina where Kris resides. We may not be able to get there to visit as Harvey has a dental appointment early in the following week. We shall see, I am keeping my fingers crossed as to a change in the forecast.

Blocks have been put together to make the lap quilt and if it is too cloudy this week I will be sewing that instead of embroidery. Got to keep as busy as possible for the foreseeable future. I have lots of projects to complete this month so no problem keeping busy.

There is a great sale on mushrooms this week, so I am thinking of purchasing extra and pulling the dehydrator into service. I need to use that appliance even in the winter months from now on so as to stock things up a bit. Freezing works but I am trying to clean out the veggies I froze last year so as to make room for next years harvest. 

I wish I could say I have been staying away from news, but that would be a lie. I need to know what is happening so I can be prepared for whatever happens. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

 

I promised you some photos of the projects I have been working on this past week. Nothing has really been completed, but I have great starts on a few of them.

The fronts of 4 more patchwork project totes.

The embroidered quilt block is coming along nicely. I am very hopeful that this will be finished this week.

                                

I marked off the different areas of the rug I want to get started this month to use up some of the yarn in my stash. This will take awhile.

The start of the newest knit tank top for this summer. 

I am pretty sure these will all be finished in the next week or two (well not the rug or the sweater) and I am pretty sure that the quilt top will at least be started as well. I plan on pulling some of the squares to start that project later today. 

Keeping busy is helping me stay away from news at least a little bit and making me slow down and breathe. I usually bake when I am bothered about something, but with no real oven that is causing a problem. Crafting is taking its place.

Shopping should be a bit easier now that I have downloaded an app to let me know what is Canadian and what isn't. I hope not to spend two hours or more shopping any more with this to help me. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.