Fighting Against Rising Prices

 

Costs in Canada, and I believe around the world are rising and many are wondering how they will heat their homes, pay for medications or put food on the table. 

I know in Canada many of the food banks can not keep up with the growing requests. Some from what I have read have even shut down. 

Yet there are ways to save and even thrive during these hard times. We are lucky in that we, or rather I have always been frugal and over the last 15 years I have finally managed to get Harvey onboard. It took him retiring however to really get him onto the frugal path. 

One of the best ways to thrive in this uncertain time is to plan your menus and leftovers are always to be kept and made into another meal or two. I have gotten very good at the planning ahead and using things up. Today with a couple of slices of leftover roast beef I managed to make two containers of Beef Barley soup for us and a smaller container for Kurt (he will probably need more help than Kris right now). I still have 5 slices of roast beef left which will make sandwiches for a number of days. Out of a butternut squash that cost me $1.49, I made two containers of soup for the boys, and a large container for us. That large container will give us two meals stretched with crusty bread (made at home) or a sandwich. 

All bones from chickens, turkeys or ham are saved and I make broth from them. Saves not having to purchase broth from the store. One of these days I will try my hand at using peelings and such from veggies to make veggie stock. Just not too sure about doing so yet.

Eggs are still one of the least expensive forms of protein so breakfast for supper is awesome and very filling. 

There are lots of recipes out there for cleaning products and now that I have some spray bottles I will start doing that. Right now I have some orange peels in vinegar to make an orange cleaner. 

Purchase in bulk when you can. I do this for dish washing soap and save a few dollars. I also buy larger packages of hand soap, shampoo, and toothpaste (the ones that are two, three or four packages). These work out to be much less expensive than individual packages.

I try to never spend full price, but as all of you know, sometimes it is unavoidable but I always make sure to get the best deal that I can.

Old sheets become the backing for my quilts, sometimes even pajamas for either Harvey or I. Old clothing is cut into rags or into useable quilt fabric. I am even contemplating using those usable squares as fabric to sew clothing. I already make totes from some of them. 

Whatever jobs around the house we can do on our own we do. As we age however things are getting a bit tougher and so we will be searching for the best people to do the tasks we can't. 

As far as entertainment we only go to the live theater here in the summer. No movie theater for us, it is much too expensive. We do have a television package, but really it is the only source of entertainment we have and is well worth what it costs. 

Those are just a few of the ways we are saving money during this expensive time. I hope we can save even more as I figure out ways to live a bit more simply, frugally and thrifty.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 

Another lovely and quiet, but busy day here on the old homestead. I was busy most of the day baking buns, making lentil soup and the chicken veggie/pasta soup for our supper tonight. I also did manage to get all the household tasks done as well. The yogurt is draining in the fridge as well. There were some lovely smells coming out of the kitchen for sure.

As I said before (or at least I think I did) this week will be one of staying home and getting the preparations done for the Thanksgiving holiday. The day itself is on Monday, but as Kris will need to be at work on Tuesday we will have the meal on Sunday. Not sure about Kurt, but he will probably head back on that day as well just in case they have to vote on a contract or if they are forced back to work. 

Another frosty morning, my outside plants are definitely gone. Harvey is hoping that the boys will help him dump them out into the garden and then he will do the final tilling the following week.

Project wise the binding on the firepit quilt will have to wait awhile. When I bake or batch cook I am up and down a great deal, so I am knitting dishcloths, and doing some embroidery. Once I get things completed I will be back working on that. I also need to cut out the pajama bottoms, as well as the two pairs of double oven mitts. I am trying to figure out why one would need batting as well as the heat resistant batting. Any ideas out there on why this pattern calls for that? 

I was asked what Glace was. Here goes and I hope I explain it properly. This is something my German Grandma made when money was fairly tight. 

Get a big pot of water boiling and add a couple of diced potatoes. In a bowl mix flour, and eggs to a stiff dough. I usually use about 2 cups of regular flour and 6 or 7 eggs. Drop the mixture by tablespoonfuls on top of the boiling water. Boil until they rise to the top. Drain the potatoes and glace. Fry onions in butter and pour over top. Then make eggs to eat with the glace. Not something that we have often as it is cholesterol heavy, but once in awhile is something we all enjoy. Me for the memories, the sons because to them it is special and to Harvey because it is something that his German parents did not make. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

Life will get very hectic this week and after my appointment and shopping today, I will be glad to stay home and prepare for family visits.

It has gotten very cold, we had a hard frost last night and I don't think it will get much warmer at night. We are into the start of fall and perhaps even the start of winter. Meals will be slightly hardier.

Monday

Hot dogs, buns, macaroni/cheese with some broccoli mixed in the macaroni/cheese for more veggies.

Tuesday

Soup and sandwiches. I brought a container of frozen chicken broth upstairs and will make a hearty veggie, noodle, chicken soup.

Wednesday

Leftover beef roast, made into hot beef sandwiches served with fries, and brussels sprouts.

Thursday

Chicken drumsticks, mashed potatoes, peas and carrots. 

Friday 

Glace and eggs. Something our sons ask for every time they are home.

Saturday

Smoked brisket, tossed salad and potato salad.

Sunday

Roast turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, corn, salad, stuffing, pumpkin pie/whipped cream. There will be cranberries, and pickles plus cheese. 

I know Kris will be heading home on Monday and I am pretty sure Kurt will be as well. Sending home lots of goodies with each of them. It will make me feel better as I will know they have food to last for a few meals and treats to keep them happy.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Quiet, Laidback Days

I am always grateful for those days that move calmly and quietly by. Life is so much easier when things run smoothly. 

I actually think that perhaps my decision to move with confidence towards a more simplified life is helping to make the days smoother. 

Today the household tasks were done quickly, even before Mass which almost never happens. We came home and Harvey made brunch, much less costly than going out to eat. 

I decided rather than working on two separate projects I would finish one and then work on the second one later or even tomorrow. 

The only news I have been watching is about the teachers strike in Alberta. This is only because of Kurt teaching in that province. There were two rallies being held there today. One in Calgary where a few thousand met wearing red for education and teachers. The other was in Edmonton where the count reached 20 thousand parents, students, and teachers on the grounds of the provincial legislature. I am not sure the UCP were at all ready for the ground swell of support for their educators. 

Of course there are a few that say 12% raise over 4 years is more than they got in their contracts, but the nurses got 20% and the teachers in the last decade had many years of 0% (I believe 8 years) and then 2 years of a total of 5%. Pretty sure the people saying this have had regular raises over the last 10 years to at least keep up with the cost of living. Hmm, that would mean that over 13 years they might have gotten 1.25% more each year. 

The teachers really do deserve more in the area of wages. The students also deserve to have smaller classes and more help in those classes. They need that help right away. One of the carrots the government held up was 3000 new teachers would be hired over three years. A whole 1000 a year which would be a drop in the proverbial bucket as there are 3000+ schools in the province. They also promised to hire more aides, however they laid off the vast majority of them over the past couple of years.

Still seeing all the support the teachers have garnered is wonderful and I hope it continues through what happens next.

Off to set my table and then get the potatoes and carrots in the roaster. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Life On The Old Homestead

Life on the Phillips homestead is moving along quietly. As I have mentioned before the veggie garden is done and dusted. Harvey did a big tilling of the entire thing and will more than likely do another one later in the year.

I usually do a roundup of what has been accomplished through the week, but I really did not get much completed so this is an entirely different post from the usual. I hope it makes sense.

After much discussion between the two of us I will be saving egg shells, peelings and other compostable item to put into the garden over the winter. It has been awhile since I have done that and we really should start on that once again. Decision number one.

Decision number two is that I will begin to make some of the household cleaners. Harvey thinks I am a bit crazy, but told me to go for it if I so chose. 

Decision number three which was discussed while we enjoyed the fire was to add another couple of meatless meals to the rotation as long as I can find something Harvey likes. I also told him I would probably be cutting down on the amount of meat in a meal. His answer was "We probably eat too much of that anyway."

Decision number four is my own. In striving for simplicity I need to remove clutter. So I have decided that I am going to try and remove at least 10 items, or use up 10 items in crafts to give as gifts each week. I think that is doable. Today to make up for the last couple of weeks of no decluttering at all I managed to rid myself of 25 items. 

Next week should see me using up some fabric in the making of gifts. Not sure if it will be 10 craft items, but what isn't used craft wise, I will hunt through my "stuff" and get more of those items that need moving out.

We got our house insurance today and while I added a certain percentage to the cost (what I thought the inflation amount would be) the cost is even more. Not much more but enough to make me wonder what other costs will be. 

Add in the grocery prices and man, people could be in a great deal of trouble. So far we are doing just fine, but one never knows when our investments will take a big hit. 

Kurt, as a teacher in Alberta, will be on strike starting on Monday. There will be no strike pay so he figures he will be living on his line of credit. I have been reading how the UCP (governing party) is going to hold out as long as possible in order to force the teachers back to work. 

Teachers there have had a 5% raise in the last 10 years. Many of those 10 were 0% in order to help the government. They were promised it would be made up later.... It wasn't and they can barely keep up with mortgage payments, heating, and electricity. Little lone put food on the table. We usually give the two sons money for their birthdays and Christmas. I think we will try and give them a bit more in each case this year. Even when the teachers go back to work it will be awhile before they get paid. It isn't only because of the wages, the main thing causing the strike is over crowded classrooms, not enough teachers (new ones leave after a couple of years due to burn out) and the number of students with special needs.

Kris seems to be okay so far, but he has lots of work he needs to do on his house. Some of which could be fairly expensive, so if we can help a bit with that all is well. Out of the two boys he is probably the most frugal and thrifty. But he will be renewing the mortgage on his home in a couple of years and who knows what the interest rate will be. 

Along with the extra cash, I am going to make sure that they both have some lovely care packages, and I am planning their Christmas baskets accordingly. I have a list made and will continue to add to that list. Food stuffs, home goods, gift cards, and some cash will be in those baskets. Lots of homemade mixes, jelly, salves, and probably some over the counter medications as well. A bit bought each biweekly shop will spread the cost out.

Everybody have a wonderful night.

God bless.

Living Simply

 My move towards a simpler life this month is cutting back on projects. I am just going to work on those projects that are what I consider necessary to finish for Christmas.

Decluttering will take place as well as another path to a life where I am not so surrounded by things. Really I have too much stuff!! I can do with much less and there are many items that I never use or have never used. Sometimes I can not believe how much clutter I have let into my life over the years.

Physical clutter does not make it an easy move towards a life of simplicity, and in fact I think that might be why I am not sleeping well. A cluttered life means a brain that keeps right on churning with ideas and things that one needs to have completed. 

So over the next year I will be focusing on decluttering more, using up as much of the craft supplies that I can, and using up those cleaning supplies that seem to have gotten pushed to the back of the cleaning cupboard. 

I am going to concentrate on enjoying life more and perhaps doing less. I am beginning to prefer staying home or just visiting family. I don't need the angst of going out for coffee and being told in a round about way that I know nothing. I want to take some classes, spend time with a good book and concentrate on my faith a bit more.

My meals are already fairly simple and in actual fact my cleaning routine is as well. 

I enjoy all the blogs I read and have learned so much from all of you. Many of you have helped me decide on what is best for me and how to live a more simple and uncomplicated life. 

Life is meant to be lived to the fullest, enjoyed and that is what I have decided to do. 

Harvey and I sat by the fire last night and as we enjoyed each others company I began to realize how I filled my life with busyness and did not take the time to talk.

I hope to keep the fire of moving towards a life that encompasses family more and busyness less in mind as simplicity begins to take over my life.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty And Frugal Thursday

Thrifty and Frugal 

 With prices and costs rising almost weekly in some cases becoming thrifty, frugal and a little bit more self sufficient is necessary. I will be looking for more little ways to tweak my savings and ways to help our children navigate what could be a different climate than they are used to.

So what frugal and thrifty things have I and Harvey been busy with this past bit of time.

1.  I did up our spending for last month and was quite happy to see we were underbudget again. Every little bit we can save takes us a bit further into the year and puts a bit more in our savings.

2.  Downloaded a couple of free books and bought a couple that were on deep discount. Been looking at a few more and in preparation for the winter, and these being on very deep discount I might purchase a couple more.

3.  Mended a small tear in a bottom sheet, I can probably get another year or two use out of it.

4.  Harvey added some homemade compost to the veggie garden and worked it in. 

5.  Been using up leftovers in the fridge for other meals.

6.  The optometrist said my eye sight has not changed which means I don't need new glasses which is a big savings here in my city.

7.  Put $95.00 in my savings envelope. I need to build that up once again.

8.  Found a free pattern for double oven mitts on line and pulled the fabric from my stash to make them (this includes the special heat resistant batting).

9.  Found the flannel fabric to make Harvey's pajama bottoms in my stash as well. 

10.  Combining errands so as to save on gas and wear/tear on the vehicle.

Those are the ones I can remember. I also hung clothing on the lines outside, washed in cold where I could and always rinsed in cold. Walking for free and frugal exercise. Using up the garden produce that is left has been ongoing for a bit. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.  

Midweek, New Month

 

I just can not believe it is October already. I have said this before, but I really think the older I get the faster the days, weeks, months and years pass by. 

Not looking forward to my eye appointment tomorrow as the drops really bother me and my eye sight does not properly come back for most of the day. I also need to stop by the pharmacy (after phoning in the script) and pick up my medication. 

At least I can knit as that is more by memory and feel than watching the needle go in and out of the fabric as I work on hand quilting. So tomorrow will be spent working on getting the mittens finished and Friday will be getting the hand quilting done so I can work on the binding.

Today I found the perfect pattern for the double oven mitts and will search out fabric for those a bit later today while supper is cooking. I will also find the fabric to make Harvey's pajama bottoms. May as well get things together to work on this month.

Finished one goal for this month already. Sat after the household tasks were completed and got all the papers shredded. There was quite a stack. I will not wait 6 months to do that task again just too much to do when that happens. 

Harvey got the garden tilled and figures that will be the last time this year. He calls it the back forty now that the garden is extended a little bit. It still isn't as big as it used to be though. 

I have gotten instructions that if I see corn or set onions while shopping early in the spring I am to grab them. This year both were not readily available. 

The Christmas list is made, and I am going to try and get a few things done each month. Once I get the second basket purchased I can start filling them. Hopefully both will be filled with items both of our sons can use and enjoy. Plan on making more jar items like spice mixes and soups that all they need to add is water and perhaps a bit of meat if they would like. 

They both really enjoyed the chocolates I put in and in Kris's case coffee, Kurt's case tea so that will continue.  

Working on the prep list for the cold winter months as well. There will be a bit of extra spending so as to get all that we need stored just in case. I also want to make sure I have lots of instant coffee, cocoa mix, and other simple drink and meal items. Preparing seems to take us longer every year and this year is no different. My sore arm is kind of slowing this down a bit, but I am going to do my best to be ready before Christmas as it is being said the worst of the winter will hit in January.

Off to get the table set, some pick up of yarn beside my chair and then start supper. After that it will be visiting time.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 So far it has been a very quiet week. Other than the excitement of Harvey losing a doctor and gaining a doctor, it has been a pretty boring week.

I did up our monthly budget entries and am happy to report I was under for groceries (probably because we were gone for a week and probably because I am really trying to use things up). Being under by as much as I was made a good payment on the first of Harvey's partial dentures. I do hope I can continue this way and perhaps actually have saved enough over the remaining months that the first partial is fully repaid. 

Only 13 no spend days this month, drat. But I guess it could have been much worse considering the first 8 days we had to pay for meals out. 

Harvey did his third quarter financial statement and we are slowly but surely making the money back that we lost during the first quarter and part of last year. That makes me feel a bit better about our having enough cash to last for our retirement. Hoping that we make enough back that we can give Kurt and Kris a bit extra come Christmas. 

Me, well I have been working on projects to see how much I can complete by the end of tonight. I will finish pair number 9 of the mittens, and perhaps even cast on pair number 10. Once those are completed I will put away all the bits and bobs of yarn, and concentrate on the last fireplace quilt, and then move on to embroidery and sewing those double oven mitts. 

I am leaving the weaving until Kurt has been home for Thanksgiving and left. This rug will be for him. I also need to order some heavier cotton for warping this one. The cotton I have is just a bit too thin for something like this. 

Since I will have a bit of time, I think I will do some refashioning of a few items and see if I can cut some scraps into 4 1/2" squares. Using the rotary cutter this week was a bit hard on my arm so this might have to wait. I could however check the fabric stash and perhaps find fabric to make Harvey a pair of pajama bottoms for Christmas. 

Found a small tear in the bottom sheet that was on our bed last week. I really don't know how it got there, but washed today and tomorrow I will do some mending on that. The sheets are just over a year old and still (other than the small tear) in very good shape. I do not want to have to replace them so soon.

Spent some time on the phone with my friend that is moving in just over a week. While we don't spend lots of time together, just knowing she was here and I could call her any time was wonderful. Judy taught Kris in Grade 2 and Grade 3. We also took Lay Ministry together for three years. Driving back and forth to Regina once a month for those years built a bond between us. 

Off to get supper in the oven.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Plan Monday

 I have managed to make a menu for the month of October. It should see me using up a few items that need to be made into meals. 

Monday

Smoked sausages, homemade baked beans, and the leftover salad.

Tuesday

Leftover ham made into a ham and potato casserole. I hope to make a fairly large one so there are leftover. Corn and sliced tomatoes on the side.

Wednesday

Cream of Chicken Soup from the freezer and grilled cheese sandwiches.

Thursday

Leftovers from Tuesday along with peas and carrots.

Friday

Breakfast for supper. I plan on making pancakes.

Saturday

I will use a package of leftover pork from the fridge freezer and make pulled pork. Served with coleslaw.

Sunday

Roast Beef, roasted potatoes, roasted carrots, and the remains of the coleslaw.

Went to see my doctor today and she made an appointment for me to get an ultra sound. That will happen on Monday of next week and will rule out tendon or ligament damage. She also said that Harvey could become one of her patients. Now that is a big relief. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 It has been awhile since I did a rambling post, so I guess I should do one tonight. 

We found out today (well very late yesterday) that Harvey's doctor will no longer be practicing. Now he needs to find another doctor within the next 4 or 5 months. Perhaps even earlier if his prescriptions are canceled because of this. I have an appointment with my doctor on Monday and will ask if she is willing to take him on as a patient. Chances are not good and this means he will need to go to a walk in clinic (which are few and far between) to see if he can get them renewed. Also we have a nurse practitioner which could take him on at a cost of almost $100.00 a visit. But if worse comes to worse that will be the way we have to go.

Mass was actually very good today. Probably the main reason was we could actually understand and connect with this visiting priest. Makes such a difference when you can understand where the speaker is coming from. He had such wonderful stories that combined so very well with the readings today. The Mass reached me in a way that it hasn't in a very long time.

My arm is a bit sore today, but I powered through some hand quilting this afternoon and I hope to finish the first of pair number 9 tonight. It would be so nice to be able to mark a few items off the project list early in the month (carried these over to October). 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

 

Since we have gotten home I have been trying to catch up on the various projects I would like completed. There is no way I will get them all done, so a bit of carry over next month, and not that many new projects added. Those that have been added should be able to be completed in October.

I did get two of the firepit quilts finished. Just working on the last one now. I do know that will not be done before the end of the month, but will be completed early next month.

Beans picked and frozen, carrots picked (some saved to use in coleslaw and our various Sunday roast meals), tomatoes cored and frozen, granola made for the rest of the month on the yogurt, and hot pepper jelly made.

I only made Kurt and Kris two each this time around.

Christmas list has been pretty much completed. New projects (and some that need finishing) are chosen for next month. Most of the projects are for Christmas gift giving. I have gotten the inventory for my fridge freezer completed, and am working (notice I say working) on the one for the meat freezer downstairs. 

Number 8 pair of mitts are on the needles, but I doubt very much I will get the full 10 done by the end of the month. So a carry over, along with the last firepit quilt. 

Still, considering the arm I am quite happy with what I have managed to get done. Along with the fact we were gone for the first week plus a bit of the month.

Hope to get the inventory of the meat freezer done before the end of the month and perhaps a bit more decluttering done as well. I have been kind of lax there.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Living Simply

 I am slowly but surely moving towards a life that is simpler. Not simple in that there is no effort to live, but one that takes our world into consideration and one that makes the most of what we already have. 

With rising costs I believe that the more we can do for ourselves, the better off we will be. Add in the wars that are raging around the world and preparation is definitely necessary. Today, Canada and the U.S. under the umbrella of NORAD, had to scramble planes as Russian fighters were getting very close to Alaska and Canadian airspace. We do live in turbulent times, and I don't think things will improve for awhile. This is not the first or only time that Russia has tried to enter the airspace of other countries with their fighters.

While I do have many things that make life easier overall, I am decluttering those items that I no longer use. Thus making space, not for other things but space to breathe and to just be. 

I have been reading so much about waste lately that it has made me realize that at times I have lead a very wasteful life. Small changes have been made and more are coming. The more that are coming is shopping more at a secondhand store. We only have two here which is kind of limiting, but I am sure I can find things to recycle into my life. I have already found reading material and craft supplies in one over the years, but now I will be looking for clothing to refashion and things to use with what I have. Perhaps I can find a decent set of pots and pans. 

Living simply means using what we have to the best advantage. This also goes very well with using up, wearing out, making do or doing without. 

Are you moving towards a more simple life? If so how?

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

Thrifty and Frugal 

I just can not believe how quickly this month is passing by. Days whiz past and I am not really sure what if anything I have accomplished that is frugal and thrifty.

Here are a few things other than the usual ones that have become second nature to us.

1.  Turned up the air conditioning a couple of degrees, for some reason it was feeling very cold in here a few days ago.

2.  Managing to get a few no spend days in to finish off the month. I hope to add a few more before the end.

3.  Cleaned and tidied the fridge freezer baskets and made an inventory. So far I am actually using the inventory and now that I can see all that is in there I am sure I will be able to save even more on the grocery bill by using things up.

4.  Used more of the 4" fabric squares from clothing and leftover fabric to make some bookmarks for Christmas gifts. 

5.  Made some hot pepper jelly. Some will be for us and jars will also go into the Christmas baskets for Kurt and Kris. 

6.  Got the first of the wipe off boards ready for the inventory of the meat freezer.

So that is all I can really think of right now. My arm seems a bit better today, but yesterday was not good. I think I have to learn to rest it a bit more often and be slightly more careful of how I move it, and what I try to do with it. So happy that my doctor's appointment is at the beginning of next week

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 

This week I have been harvesting all that I possibly can from the garden. Green tomatoes have been picked, the few jalapeno peppers, the last of the green peppers and the lonely eggplant. I brought in the succulents as the nights are getting pretty cool for them, and tomorrow I will trim the dead bits off the lemon trees and bring those in as well. Going to need Harvey's help with those though, they are very heavy, and they will need a very good spraying with insecticidal soap. 

It is time to get ready for winter so coats will be washed this week, the draught dodgers pulled out and cleaned, heavier blankets readied and the windows checked for drafts. I need to find heavier drapes for the hall to block out the cold winter winds. Scarves, gloves and mitts will be pulled out of storage, and washed if it is needed. 

Inventories must be made and lists of what I still need to collect to make winter a bit more enjoyable. Being stuck inside means we will need more reading material, puzzle books, jigsaw puzzles and I would actually like to pick up a few more games to pass the time with as part of our date nights. 

Harvey will need to make some wine to keep him occupied after the beer he has started a few days ago. He will also need to purchase bird seed, and suet so he can continue to feed the birds. Purchasing salt for the ice build up needs to be done as well. Lastly he will work up the garden to get it ready for an easy tilling come the spring.

Candles will be purchased, batteries stocked up. I think I just may purchase a few more flashlights (or torches as they are called in the UK). I don't think one can have too many of those, it is darn dark at night during the winter. I am also considering purchasing some battery operated lanterns. Small propane containers will be purchased in case the power goes out and we need to cook on the camp stove. 

Over the counter meds will be purchased, more Tylenol, Advil, cough medicine and extra vitamins. Just a bit each month where and when I can.

In the middle of next month or perhaps sooner all the solar lights will be brought in from outside and the garden decor put away. The yard will then be asleep and ready for the first snowfall.

This year I plan on being ready for winter whenever it arrives.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

Another week of menus for the month and hopefully no changes. Already did one for today to make up for a change last week.

Monday

Porkchops, creamed potatoes, peas and carrots.

Tuesday

Soup and sandwiches.

Wednesday

Leftover pork roast made into a stir fry. Served with rice.

Thursday

Chicken Parma, rice, and corn.

Friday

Tuna Casserole and salad.

Saturday

Leftovers from Wednesday.

Sunday

Roast ham, mashed potatoes, leftover salad.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Quebec City Part Two

 After our drive around the old city of Quebec and the quicky tour of the Plains of Abraham it was time to have a quick lunch and get ready for the first of two optional tours.

We got to the front of the Hotel de Frontenac and waited for our tour directors. I say directors as our group got divided into two. Most seemed to go with the lady who was taking one group. That left very few of us to go with this gentleman.

This gentleman was portraying one of the first architects of the hotel as it now stands. He added one of the wings and had come back as a ghost to show us his pride and joy. So much fun, he was an excellent guide for this adventure.

This is what is called the Rose Room and was used mostly by the ladies staying in the hotel for their afternoon tea. But near the end of WW2 this room saw something totally different. Churchill and Roosevelt met to discuss DDay. All top secret of course. There is a story that I will let you in on. It seems that Churchill left some papers behind and a worker found them. He handed them in and then not too long after was taken and questioned. The various governments were worried he might have read them and let something slip that could disrupt or alter the plans.

The outer ballroom, which could probably fit my whole house.

This is the main ball room. There is a wooden floor that can be placed over the carpet after the feasting is done, for dancing.

If you look in the top photo, you will see that there are 10 identical chandeliers. One for each of Canada's provinces. Hmmm, wonder why they didn't have two for the territories.

 Our last visit was one of the "ordinary" rooms in the hotel. This room was anything but ordinary.

We were finished the tour and then had to find our way back to the hotel we were staying in. The walk would not have been too bad, but it had started raining. By the time we had walked the 10 or so blocks back to the hotel, we were sopping wet. Looked more like 2 drowned cats than tourists. 

Had a bit of a rest and then got ready for our next optional tour. 

We got on the bus and traveled to just outside the city. We got to see the Montmorecy Fall which are 274 feet high. Actually higher than Niagara Falls, but not as much water.

We couldn't get much closer in the length of time we had and walking up the side of the cliff did not appeal.

Then it was off to supper at Le Moulin de Saint-Laurent a restored 17th century flour mill. Here are some pictures of the outside.

Using the bathroom was an adventure as Harvey put it. It was more along the lines of the family toilet. Meaning you could walk in and see a man washing his hands as easily as a woman. Very different. 

We traveled home and had a lovely sleep before heading out on our last adventure.

Oh and yes lots of maple syrup was served at our breakfast. In fact there was a competition on which table could use the most syrup. We were told to put it on everything. I will say that maple syrup and eggs are not quite the treat one would think they were.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Quebec City Part One

Yes, I took so many photos this will have to be in two parts.

 Our first stop of the morning was at a Sugar Shack. The above photos are of the old set up. We didn't get to see the newer set up, but we did have a wonderful breakfast. They had added an eating establishment to the old sugar shack.

But first we had a lesson on how maple syrup is collected. This farm is done the old way with taps and buckets.

In the top picture you can see the scar from one of the bucket tapings. The bottom picture is the sugar maple forest. 

Here we all are waiting for the wonderful breakfast we were going to enjoy. So much food, we were all stuffed to the max.

Then it was off to the Old City of Quebec. Lots of cobblestones and squares. 

 This picture is of a mural that was painted on the side of one of the buildings in one of the squares we visited. All the painted pictures of the people are of those that were important in the building of the city. If you look carefully at one of the top windows you will see a cat. Everyday that the mural was being painted a cat would sit in a window in the building across and watch. The artists thought it would be a great idea to have a picture of the cat in the mural as well.

Many of you will probably have seen this picture before. Look at all the umbrellas in the cul de sac. It is probably the most photographed street in Old Quebec.

This is the first church built in the old city. Actually the first church in the city at all. 

We then took a very quick trip around the citadel (disappointed that we didn't get to spend more time). While there we got to hear the cannon go off at noon.

Our guide also took us past the place where the battle between the English and French took place. It is a football/soccer pitch now.

Oh and the reason this area was called the Plains of Abraham, was because a man named Abraham owned the land.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.