Menu Monday

 

First off I am going to answer Maebeme's question. Yes we did get a very good harvest from the one plant. I am hoping that this continues through all of them. We started off well last year and then the harvest seemed to be limited under each new plant. Some of these potatoes are pretty darn big.

Monday

Baked spaghetti and the remains of the salad.

Tuesday

Stuffed Peppers. I need to use up the stuffing I made for the stuffed eggplant. 

Wednesday

Leftover pork roast. I think I will make some pulled pork out of it in a BBQ sauce, and serve over the buns I made. A side of coleslaw to finish the meal off.

Thursday

Leftover Baked Spaghetti and the leftover coleslaw.

Friday

I have a package of fake crab in the freezer that needs using so I think a pasta salad. That will help use up some of the cucumbers as well.

Saturday

Soup and sandwiches. 

Sunday

Beef Roast, roasted potatoes, roasted kohlrabi and roasted carrots. I think I will make another salad. 

Depending on what I have for leftovers some will be eaten for lunches and others will be incorporated into the next weeks meals. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 

I am feeling a bit better, still slightly headachy and running a bit of a fever. I have been taking it pretty easy over all. 

I did do a bit of gardening, just watered plants under the eaves, and picked some mint. The mint was either dehydrated or used in me trying to make a mint extract. We shall see how that turns out, hopefully well. I would like to make more extracts but man vodka is expensive (I bought the cheapest I could find). 

Since we are under an air quality restriction, I have stayed in. I don't need a worse headache and there are actually lots of little things I can do inside, which do not take much energy. I made my list for next weeks tasks, worked on my weaving (still worried about some crossed warp threads), used up a very few items in making meals, and did a bit of planning on how I am going to accomplish the decluttering and downsizing of my wardrobe. 

I have also been watching the Air Canada strike negotiations. Our vacation is in a bit of a bind if they go on strike. I am kind of worried that our trip could be in jeopardy. Not a fun thing to have happen. 

Tomorrow is the beginning of a new week, and with that new plans to harvest, cook and get ready for the winter months. I am hoping to get over and pick apples and plums early, as well as harvesting the garden. 

Harvey picked a bucket of potatoes today to see how they looked and how many could be harvested from each plant. This means that some time soon I should use up the potatoes I purchased and make some perogies for the freezer. Perhaps one day this week as I managed to get cheese on sale this week as well. Saving money, by using something up.

Still trying for a frugal and simple life here on the prairies of Saskatchewan.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.  

Uggg

 

Not feeling at all well. Be back tomorrow I hope.

God bless.

Simply Living or Living Simply

 

The phrase that I used to title this post has been running through my mind lately. Perhaps more today than other days, but it has been lurking around for a very long time and pops out every so often to take front and center stage. 

Today it seems to want to stay and percolate around my brain and cause me to think a bit more deeply on what simple living really is and what I was living before.

According to Wiki the definition is

Simple living refers to practices that promote simplicity in one's lifestyle. Common practices of simple living include reducing the number of possessions one owns, depending less on technology and services, and spending less money.^[1][2] In addition to such external changes, simple living also reflects a person's mindset and values.^[3] 

Now I have never been one to try and keep up to others in having the best of everything, or trying to outdo my neighbours, but I do like appliances that make my life simpler and easier. I do not want to go back to cooking over a fireplace (well perhaps if the power goes out, but I do have a BBQ, and a camp stove), or beating our clothes on rocks to get them clean (thank heavens for washers and driers when the weather is bad), I also thank heavens for our medical advances and the fact that by living in our own home we can plant fruit trees, and a garden. 

My meals are far from fancy, most of my readers are probably much better cooks than I am. We prefer simple meals well spiced and flavourful. So many favourites that at times I really wonder if I will ever find time to try some new recipes (though I do get a few in every month or so).

We do and always have done what we could on our own, though with advancing age things are going to have to change in that regard. Especially home maintenance at almost 70 and 75 climbing onto the roof or trimming trees is pretty much beyond us now. Thank heavens Kurt and Kris help out whenever they can. But both have their own homes that need work as well. 

Simplicity in living fits well with being frugal and using all that is given to us. By using less and growing more we are able to prosper in ways that others might not. I know by buying what is on sale and staying away from prepackaged foods I am now saving a great deal. My friend spends on packaged foods or eating out and then wonders where all their money goes. They also need to purchase things to one up friends and family as well. 

Did I always live this way? I would like to think so, but growing up we pretty much got everything we wanted as children. When my parents were alive we were still spoiled even when first married. Harvey's parents were not so openhanded, but they did give us meat, veggies, and lots of free meals when we lived two houses down from them. I believe that for a time I was simply living to accumulate little things, not even big things that would help out much with day to day living. 

I think it took Harvey being out of work for a very long time for me to decide living simply was the way to go. I started to learn how to can, freeze and later dehydrate. We grew a small garden and produce was always used to make our meals a bit more interesting and healthy. I actually started sewing clothing again at this point, and probably saved quite a bit sewing for Kurt and Krista. I also never turned down used clothing for the children. Pennies were saved in a large container as was any other change. That was used to purchase Christmas and birthday gifts.

Now living within our means, making do, using up, recycling, and downsizing have become second nature. Taking the time to question and research purchases, planting, harvesting, basic cooking and baking, enjoying the outdoors and learning new skills like weaving (next will be trying to learn how to use the sock loom) are slowing me down and I am finally realizing what living simply means. 

I do hope this has made sense as my mind is twisting and turning trying to figure things out. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

Thrifty and Frugal 

This week seems to have been a bit longer than others so far this year. Perhaps because I am staying at home a bit more and concentrating on all the little things I kept putting off. Adding those little things into my regular chores has kept me safe at home and using things up as well as cooking frugally or with thrift by making the most of what I have.

1.  Used up the bones from hams that were in the fridge freezer to make some lovely ham broth.

2.  Picked all the meat off the ham bones and have the bits in the freezer in a bag to use in other meals, like ham and beans.

3.  Dehydrating more herbs. Some are being frozen for use as well.

4.  Hung clothes on the lines. 

5.  Made mint salve for use this winter.

6.  Sent in the grocery scan to collect more points to be used to purchase gift cards.

7.  Combined errands to save gas and money. 

8.  Using veggies from the garden as much as possible.

9.  Keeping up using the orphan and leftover yarn to knit those mittens.

10. Baked bread once again.

11. Used rain water to water plants.

So there you have it. Perhaps not as frugal or thrifty as other weeks, but I had nothing to mend for a change, and I am trying to slow down and live a more simplified and intentional way of life. Those two things are also very thrifty and frugal.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Midweek Thoughts and Ramblings

 

Spending time doing the smaller things that I have been putting off over the last few days. 

Today it was baking bread, making the mint salve, and pulling out the ham bones to make ham bone broth. The making of the broth cleared some more items out of the fridge freezer and while fishing those out I found a few bags of leftover meat which I will need to incorporate in meals next week. Another change in the monthly menu plan. I might end up just doing weekly plans from now on, though having one for the month does make life so much simpler for me most months. Perhaps I just need to slow down a bit more and check for leftovers a bit more carefully. Especially as I am trying very hard to waste little this year and use up all that I can. 

We had a bit of a storm last night, but no rain today as of yet. Tomorrow is supposed to be a deluge though, which I kind of hope happens. I want to throw open the windows and smell the rain. I do love the smell of rain. 

I have some small things I have put off that I would like to get finished tomorrow as well. I plan on getting out before the rain starts (keeping my fingers crossed) and pick more herbs. This time I am going to freeze them rather than dehydrate. Right now the only ones I plan on doing this with are thyme and oregano. I will pick sage, but that will be dehydrated as I don't have lots of that ready.

There are a few bags of food items that need to be put in their correct canisters. They are taking up room in the cupboard pantry that could be better used for something else. The dust bunnies under our bed need to be attacked this month, and a good tidy of the hall pantry should be undertaken. Heck truth be told the pantry cupboard in the kitchen could do with a good tidy as well. How do things get so mixed up? 

Projects will be worked on, new projects thought about, and perhaps an iced coffee or two drank during the afternoon. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tidbits and Stuff Tuesday

 

Well, even though rain was forecast for today, so far very little has fallen in my area. I do hope for some to fall later today. If my body is telling the right tale, the aches make me think that we will be getting some type of rain this evening or overnight.

I have a few tasks left to finish today. I should get out and pick what I can in the garden, and if it does not rain I will need to water our flowers. 

The infused oil is being drained into a measuring cup so that I can make some mint salve later tonight. Just putting one foot in front of the other and getting things done. 

Harvey is going to have to spray my lilies once again as those darn beetles are back once again. 

Each day I am adding a few stock up items on my next weeks grocery/shopping list. There are a few things I will need to purchase whether or not they are on sale. Still Walmart usually has them at a reasonable price and that is handy. 

Picked up our tour papers, Harvey's medications, the peaches and took our passport papers in to be processed. Little things accomplished, but a load off my mind. 

I did more weaving and managed to get 70 rows done before I needed to stop for more than 15 minutes. I am working on some knitting of mittens and hope to get pair number 5 finished today. Copied out some recipes while listening to various bloggers as well. So while I am not going great guns on my various projects things are still being worked on. Perhaps at a slower pace than I would like, but I am doing what I can when I can. 

Working to make a slower more intentional lifestyle. One where the two of us actually have more time for the things we enjoy. I honestly believe that is one reason Harvey has extended the veggie garden as that along with fishing is his happy place during the spring, summer and fall. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

Another week of menus and since the weather is supposed to be cooler and rainy I plan on getting Harvey to BBQ whenever possible.

Monday

Smoked sausages, mini potatoes (got the bag finished now) and some kohlrabi in a tinfoil package. Those are both going on the BBQ. I have also made a salad.

Tuesday

Soup and sandwiches. I think I will make a potato soup and have tuna melts with.

Wednesday

I pulled the last container of chili from the freezer downstairs. We will have this with toast and use up the remains of the salad.

Thursday

I am going to try my hand at some stuffed eggplant. I am thinking of doing the kind of stuffing I put in peppers, but using the eggplant meat instead of rice. 

Friday

Perogies, fried onions and sour cream.

Saturday 

This could be a beef brisket if Kris is home done on the smoker. Serving with coleslaw, and probably a potato salad to use up some more potatoes and the eggs that seem to have multiplied in the fridge.

Sunday 

Kris will probably be heading back to his home so I will make spaghetti and meat sauce. This will mean changing the menu for the next week a bit, but I will still be using leftovers to make other meals.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 

It has been a mostly quiet day here on the Phillips homestead. We did travel to Torquay and put flowers on our daughters grave, a few days late but so very necessary. The graveyard has been kept up this year so we did not have to really trim much of anything. 

The rest of the day has been spent picking things from the garden, working around the house, trying to use things up and just breathing. 

I think I might need more of those types of just breathing days. Taking things a bit slower, working on just a few projects, and spending time with God.

On the way back from the village graveyard in the place Harvey grew up, and all our children were baptized by the same priest, Harvey said that next year we should work on house maintenance. I quite agree. The siding on our home is very faded and has a few broken areas. We can save the old siding and give it to Kris to use on his garage. There is painting to be done both inside and out, and the deck needs to be either painted or stained, or better yet tiled with small squares of wood that lock together and have spaces to drain water. I know there are windows that need painting in the basement and the kitchen window needs that as well. This is mostly because of the odd window shapes. 

I will still work on saving on groceries to try and pay off the range purchase. It didn't work last month, but with the garden producing and my foraging of fruit I should be able to save on groceries this month. At least I hope to do that. So keep your fingers crossed for me.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

 

 

It has been awhile since I have shown any of my projects. I have also been busy getting harvesting done as well. I thought it might be time to show all of you what I managed to accomplish over the last little while.

I am not sure if I showed you my tea towels once they were completed on the loom.

They still need to be cut apart, pressed and hemmed another task for this month.

Crab apple jelly made and ready to be labelled and put into the pantry.

Starting the rug for Kris. I have managed to get more done today.

The last two firepit quilts were sandwiched and are sitting with the other two . I probably will only get two of them completely finished this month.

Some of the harvest so far this week.

More harvest this time the handful of jalapeno peppers and the three kohlrabi. 

The ten pairs of the next size mittens, done and dusted. I started the smaller size right after this and have two pairs finished and am working on the third pair. 

The dried cherries to be used over the winter.

Lots of herb dehydrating, but no pictures. 

Raspberry jam made and put in the pantry as well.

I did make cherry jam as well, but no picture of that drat. Slowly filling the pantry with lots of goodies for the winter.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Stocking Up, Using Up, Living A Simpler Life

 Well, I think I might be a bit glad that I started to stock up a little bit during the last shop. I am not sure how prices will react to the last tariff news, but better to be prepared. 

I am also glad that Harvey decided to extend the garden a bit, and next year I think we will plant more food in containers as I have plenty of those lying around the side of the house. I enjoy the processing and harvesting, even though it takes some time. It also saves us a bit of cash when all starts to come in. Though it would be nice if the cucumbers didn't all come in at once. 

Living a simple life means using what you have and I am doing just that. Weaving rugs and tea towels from yarn in my stash, using bits and bobs of the same yarn to knit mitts for the children at Kurt's school. Old clothes were cut up and now I am using that fabric to make quilts, just like those that came before me. 

Hanging clothes on the lines to dry and keeping those same clothes in good repair. Though Harvey has a few t-shirts he needs to cut into rags and I have a few things I would like to refashion. 

Darning socks in the evening, and doing some embroidery whenever I get the chance and the light is good. 

Slowly getting through those projects that have lain around for awhile.

Sitting on the deck enjoying a morning coffee, listening to the birds (and the barking of the dogs in the neighbourhood). I even get to wear my pj's outside as there is no one to really see me at 6 in the morning. I even get to work on my computer some mornings outside. 

Things are a bit rushed right now as I am trying to get things completed before we go on holiday. Still I have slowed down and am enjoying the summer season a bit more this year. 

I was asked a question awhile ago about the Lux soap. I have probably had it in the basement storage for about 20 years. I am actually amazed that it is still useable and in such great shape. So far it is working very well for handwashing and not leaving a soap scum at all. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

  Thrifty and Frugal 

I need to apologize for not visiting you all yesterday. I fell asleep at 7 pm. Pretty much after I got the table cleared and dishes done. Slept straight through until 10, got up put on my pajamas, crawled into bed and slept straight through until 7 this morning. 

I am quite happy with my thrifty and frugal past times this week. Perhaps there are not as many as last week, but every week will be slightly different as the season progresses.

1.  Dehydrating cherries to use in muffins and loaves. Dried cherries are pretty darn expensive so hopefully I get enough to last for a few baking days.

2.  Baking bread a couple of days a week and putting the loaves into the freezer to be used as we run out. 

3.  Washing done for the most part in cold water and three loads hung to dry.

4.  Using up items in the fridge freezer to make meals this week and probably part of next week.

5.  Ham broth used to make two containers of pea soup for the freezer downstairs. Meals for when I am too tired or sore to cook.

6.  Using up some cotton yarn I inherited from my mother to warp the loom. 

7.  Fixed a hem on one of Harvey's shirts.

8.  Put $3.05 in the change jars, and added $85.00 to my savings envelope. The envelope is used to purchase any clothing I need, trips to the fabric store, and any thrifting or garage sales I do.

Now while I did not really save on the budget for groceries this month (shopped the first week, the third week and the fifth week) I still did not go over my budget by much. This, however means that I did not add to the paying down of the range. Hopefully next month and perhaps part of September will be much better. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Midweek Thoughts And Plans

 The last Wednesday of the month, and I am really trying to stay calm. It is getting very close to Christmas and I am not at all ready. 

Today has been rather tough. I did not sleep well last night, and that was probably due to the doctor phoning me today with the results of my Echocardiogram. 

I finally got the call at around 3:30 pm. All is fine. In fact Dr. Norma used the word "perfect" a number of times. So that is one health concern out of the way. I do have another CT scan in December to check and see if the nodule in my lungs has grown at all. If it has I am pretty sure she will be sending me to a specialist as soon as is possible.

Harvesting has been continuing here on the old homestead, and my neighbour said I could go and pick crab apples. Which I did at around 7 this morning. 

Baked bread, started dehydrating the cherries (which will probably continue overnight), deadheaded some of the flowers, finished off what I could on the tea towels, finished the second pair of smaller sized mitts, started the third pair of smaller mitts, brough out yarn for mitten knitting and watered the plants that were protected by the eaves during the rains we have had. 

I have not finished my list of tasks for today, but with the garden being pretty wet still from rain the picking of the garden can wait until tomorrow.

My shrimp pasta salad did not look very nice, so I pulled out some lentil soup that we were going to eat a few weeks ago and will make some grilled cheese/ham sandwiches to go with.

I was asked how I make my herbal salves and they are very simple. Usually I use a dried herb, crushed and have poured a carrier oil over to cover. The carrier oil can be olive oil, grapeseed oil, or any cold pressed oil. I usually let that sit in my front window in the sun for at least three weeks, shaking daily or every second day. I then pour the oil through a fine sieve to remove the herb, and place the resultant oil in a double boiler. To that oil I add commercial grade wax pellets (the amount depends on how much oil is in the double boiler) and sometimes some shea butter or vitamin E cream. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 We have once again had rain for most of the day. It started to rain pretty much after I got in from the errands this morning. Poor Harvey had to take shorter walks between showers, which at times were very much downpours. 

The sun is out now, but I am not going out to pick apples right now as the mosquitoes will be out in full force. I don't need to be covered in insect bites right now as I have finally gotten rid of one bite behind my knee. The itching drove me crazy for almost a week, and I used lots of Plantain salve to keep it at bay.

Harvey decided we needed some flowers in the house today and as the hydrangea was looking a bit waterlogged, I said go ahead and pick a small bouquet.

This lovely display is on my table now. 

Grocery shopping was so-so. Many of the so called sale items were what the regular prices used to be. I did purchase a beef roast, and about 3 pounds of hamburger. Still costs continue to rise, but at least there is more Canadian content available in the fresh vegetable and fruit area. Cherries are still on sale so I grabbed a bag that is just over 2 lbs. Of course bananas as well. Funny thing is considering they come from South America now the cost is the one thing that has never changed for the last 6 years. Still relatively inexpensive.

My phone needed an update and it seems to be taking much longer than usual. I don't like the way it seems to be changing things on my phone and how long things are taking. It is like my internet WIFI is being extra slow.

I need to stay home a bit over the next few days in order to get some fruit processed and herbs dehydrated. The cherries we picked off our trees were going to be dehydrated, but if going through the pitting for that, I think I will make cherry pie filling instead. 

Then my neighbour said I could pick crab apples so I will do that tomorrow morning early and perhaps get some crab apple jelly made as well. 

I am a bit worried about the Air Canada strike (well if the strike happens) as it would be right when we would be taking our trip. However we do have travel insurance so should be okay if things happen. Still I hate the idea of missing this trip. 

Off to visit with all of you and then to work on a mitten pair.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 The last partial week in the month of July. Time just seems to fly by when you are trying to slow down and enjoy the day.

Monday

Shrimp Pasta Salad. I was going to make cheese biscuits to go with, but have decided to make some garlic bread instead.

Tuesday

Baked Spaghetti, which is leftovers from before we went to visit Kris. I will probably make a coleslaw to go with.

Wednesday

Either leftover Shrimp Pasta Salad, or leftover Baked Spaghetti and coleslaw.

Thursday

Hamburgers, onion rings, and salad. 

Friday

Pancakes, in other words breakfast for supper. 

Saturday

The last of the Broccoli & Cheese stuffed Chicken, salad, and corn.

Sunday

Pork chops, potatoes and carrots done in tinfoil. The last of the salad or a new one will be made. Could be a cuke salad as those are coming in hot and heavy.

We are getting a great deal of rain this last while. Poor Harvey is worried he will never get in to weed his garden, and I am wondering when I will be able to weed the perennial garden. Still rain means we have a full water barrel, and we don't have to water plants. There is always a plus side to everything.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 

We are back home from what seems to have been a whirl wind trip to visit with Kris. 

Now I have a whirl wind time getting ready for next week. Lots of lists to make, and things to complete before the next week and month can begin. 

Everything is unpacked, put away, or added to the laundry. I have checked all the flowers outside, and am very happy that we managed to get almost an inch of rain while we were gone. That means I don't have to water tonight. It is hot and humid right now, so I will more than likely be watering tomorrow.

I have managed to get the monthly extra cleaning list completed, the new months project/goal list done and I hope the menu plan for August done as well. Things in the fridge freezer are getting used up and I hope to get it totally cleared out by the beginning of next week. 

After this post I will be setting the table and working on my daily lists of household tasks, adding in little extras throughout the month starting on Friday. I need to complete lots of garden harvesting by the 29th of August as we leave on our trip for 9 days. I am hoping that my friend will be able to water the plants if we don't get any rain. 

I have had a mostly plastic free month. I take any plastic bags I have used back to the store to refill with fresh produce. I can never seem to go completely plastic free, but I hope the little I do does help. 

Off to set the table and then make my daily lists. I hope to visit with all of you at some point either tonight or early tomorrow morning.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Made It

 Just a quick post to let you all know we are safe and sound in the city. I will post more tomorrow morning or when we get things done around here. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

 Thrifty and Frugal 

Life has been moving along and I am busy saving money and using items up. Perhaps using up way more than I have for a very long time. 

My mission this past week and probably next week as well, was and will be using up the bits and bobs from the fridge freezer as well as a few items in the chest freezer. Changing some items into meals to be used later, but others are being eaten. It is not frugal to have these items sitting in the freezers and not being used or made into something that can be used. Frugal is using all that you can and having no waste. 

Our garden is beginning to produce at least cucumbers, so a bit of saving on the fresh veggies happening. Some of the eggplant should be ready to be picked when we get back. 

My shopping has been done with a list, and the next shopping trip should be one where I can manage to stock up on a few items I have allowed to get a bit low. Some shelf stable canned meats are on sale, as well as pasta. Both of which need to replaced as I used up quite a bit making meals this week. 

Laundry was hung on the lines outside, no air conditioning for a couple of days, mending of some seams and I used up some of the backing fabric in making my quilt sandwiches. 

Yarn has been used in making another 10 mittens, and some embroidery thread has been used as well. 

I am definitely making do with what is in the house or garden for eating, and working on projects. 

Bills are paid online so I don't use gas to travel place to place through the city to pay them.

Walking for exercise each day. It may not be a great distance, but I am getting moving every day for building up my stamina. 

Downloaded some free books to my ereader. 

Using the Lux hand soap that I have had in the house for many years. Seems that it now works well and does not leave a soap scum in the bathroom sink. I think I have enough of this soap to last until the year 2035. LOL. I will still need to purchase Zest soap for the bath in the future (bought big packages a couple of years ago on sale) but for now no soap purchases for the foreseeable future.

I have some small samples of hand cream which I have started using more. 

That's about all I can remember. I hope you are all having a frugal and thrifty week. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless. 

Midweek Doings and Thoughts

 As many of us have mentioned this month is just flying past. In my case this has been happening more and more the older I get. Slowing down my days does not seem to slow down the passage of time. 

This week has been one where I am trying to do all those little tasks that seem to get pushed aside for those bigger ones. I have worked on my extra cleaning list and am slowly but surely reaching the end of that. 

I have also almost finished most of my projects for the month. I won't finish weaving the rug, but I should have a good start on getting it finished early next month. Today I plan on gathering the supplies for that so I can start immediately the finishing touches are completed on the tea towels and the mittens. 

Slowly but surely salves are being completed, and herbs dehydrated for the month. I had thought I could take some to Kris's this weekend, but he managed to get his herbs planted and doesn't need any of mine. 

Kurt will be flying home from Toronto tomorrow and will phone his Dad to wish him a happy 75th birthday. That's right. Tomorrow Harvey turns 75. Must remember to make him a cake or pie to celebrate. 

I decided to look up the meaning of abundance. Here is what my dictionary says

abundance  noun  a quantity that is more than enough. abundant  adjective  from the Latin abundantia, from abundare. See abound

So I looked up the meaning of abound

Abound verb  be plentiful, be rich in  from the Latin ab-off + undare flow

Pretty sure there is so much abundance around all of us, more than we can even see or count. Summer showers bringing rain to our gardens, or washing our cars. Food growing in our gardens, and being used on our tables.

For the rest of the year I am going to concentrated on the abundance that surrounds me. Not burying my head in the sand about the bad things that are happening. I will prepare, but not let those things rule my day to day living.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 Another rainy day, and another day sticking close to home and trying to get things done. Problem is that this weather is not very nice on my aches and pains. They really aren't that bad, probably because it is still fairly warm and humid out and I have been working my way through the pain. Tonight however I will be using one of my salves, more than likely the mint to get the one tin used up before the next batch is ready. 

I am going through cupboards and using up items that are over or close to being over their best before or use by dates. My next shopping trips will be more a stocking up of fresh veggies to hold us until the garden produces more, as well as replacement items for the pantry and cupboards. 

Some of the items I have managed to clear out, or at least transform into something else are the leftover chicken from Sunday, some chicken bone broth from the freezer downstairs, some broccoli that was starting to soften, the last package of frozen carrots, the remains of three types of pasta and a jar of Alfredo sauce. I think that the salad leftover will be cleared out at supper tonight. 

Now of course using those items up meant that I now have new meals to put in the freezer for use later. Tomorrow I hope to add to this collection of fine foods (kidding, mostly soups and the leftovers from supper tonight and tomorrow). 

As I looked through my yarn stash, I could not find another bulky yarn to use on the rug that would coordinate with the green. I did however find many shades of green in a thinner yarn which I can use on the rug for Kris. Bonus will be clearing out even more yarn from my stash. I may be able to bring up another tote from the basement very soon and restock the sewing/craft room. 

This year I have really been trying very hard not to waste anything. This is partially because of what is happening in the world, and partially because I would prefer to have a lifestyle that isn't wasteful. We all definitely have to become better stewards of our little portions of the environment. We need to all realize that what we do not only affects us but others as well. 

Simple living means keeping waste to a minimum and using what we have to the greatest advantage. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

I spent some time going over the menus for the next bit of the month. I am trying to clear out some items so as to make room for other items that will more than likely end up being collected.

Monday

Sweet and Sour Ribs from the fridge freezer. Served with salad and noodles.

Tuesday

Leftover chicken from Sunday. Not sure what I will do with it. I kind of think some of it will be used to make soup, and the rest will be made into a Chicken Tetrazzini (what is left will be frozen to use for another meal). I do plan on making soup tomorrow as it is supposed to be a rainy day. I will serve the casserole with sliced cucumbers, broccoli, and cherry tomatoes with a dip.

Wednesday

Spaghetti and meat sauce. Served with a salad, most likely coleslaw as I have some cabbage and a couple of carrots to clear out.

Thursday

I will make baked spaghetti and freeze half for later on. Served with the remains of the coleslaw.

Friday

We will be gone, but I plan on taking some smoked sausage up to Kris's place. It will be a quick meal with what ever he has to go along with it. The men will be going to the football game so something quick and easy is very appropriate.

Saturday

Kris can supply the meal for this day or perhaps I will take what remains of the stuffed chicken to use that up as well. He could supply the sides. Just need to figure out if that would work out. 

Sunday 

We will be home and there is a package of ham yet in the fridge freezer so I will do something with that. Probably served with peas and carrots. Perhaps some potatoes made in the air fryer (I have some small potatoes to use up).

While I will have cleared out a few things, I will have added to the freezer as well. Still the menu for the following week will see us clearing out a few more items and making a bit more room in the fridge freezer. 

Off to get some of the supper started and then I will spend some time visiting. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 

A quiet day, we went to Mass (my back started acting up just before the end of Mass), came home and Harvey made us brunch. Love not having to cook, though I do end up doing the clean up.

Did the sandwiching of the third firepit quilt, and just made it before almost running out of safety pins. Memo to self, I really need to purchase more. 

Worked on knitting next and got one mitten finished. After this post I will see how far I can get on the other while supper is cooking. I do have to make a salad first though.

I have been asked what the various salves I make do and thought that today would be a good time to answer this.

Lavender salve is good as a moisturizer, for chapped lips, is a gentle herbal antiseptic, and great for headaches.

Mint salve soothes sore joints, a massage for muscles, can be used for a hand massage, and also for headaches.

Comfrey salve is used for bruises, joint pain, skin conditions, and pain relief from arthritis. 

Oregano salve is antibacterial, antifungal, can be used on minor burns and rashes, encourages recovery from small cuts to the skin.

Sage salve can be used to treat minor wounds, insect bites, help alleviate symptoms of acne, eczema, and psoriasis.

Lemon balm salve is good for cold sores, minor cuts and burns, and is a good moisturizer.

Clover salve is great for rashes, and insect bites.

Calendula salve is good for cuts and scrapes, burns and dry skin. 

I hope that helps. I just noticed I missed Plantain salve which is great on insect bites, and scars and has numbing properties.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

 

It has been awhile since I have shared any projects with you all. I actually have a few that are finished this week and some that I will need to start over (cleaning the sewing/craft room as batting and backing are now all over the floor once again). 

More salves made and ready to be used and given as gifts. I also have oregano salve made but no photo of that right now.

Tomato sauce has been made from the frozen tomatoes from last year.

Four containers of tomato sauce were made.

Rhubarb chutney for the store cupboard/pantry. Along with some raspberry jam, which I did not photograph.

Another rose quilt block completed and ready to be pressed next week. I pulled out the next one to start once I get a few more projects off the list, or started.

Two of the four firepit quilts sandwiched. Perhaps the last two will be done tomorrow. It would clean up the sewing/craft room a bit.

I also finished the 20 recipe cards copied out and probably as many printed recipes we didn't like recycled. 

The tea towels are off the loom, but not completely finished. I hope to get those done next week. 

I have 8 of the 10 pairs of mittens done and hope to get those finished the next couple of days. So picture coming very soon. 

Dehydrating of herbs, and the usual household tasks taking place pretty much daily. However now that I have a kind of schedule things are done very quickly around the house. Leaves me more time to work on projects, or enjoy the garden.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.