Recipe Wednesday

Today I made buns using my bread maker to make the dough. My hands and wrists can no longer punch and knead the dough like I used to, so this is one way we can get fresh buns and bread.

But what to put on those buns as I wanted to incorporate them into our evening meal along with the leftover frozen pork from Sunday. Hmmm.

I have never made Pulled BBQ Pork so decided to give it a try. Harvey has never liked when I cook meat in regular BBQ sauce so I made my own.

Here is the pot of BBQ mixture I ended up with.

There was enough for each of us to have two buns filled with this mixture and I still have lots leftover. I have the remainder in a container cooling and will be popping it into the freezer to use later on. I actually have enough leftovers for our meal tomorrow without serving this.

I really don't have a recipe for my sauce but I will share what I did with all of you.

I first put the pork slices in the pot and added ketchup to almost cover the slices. I then added a bit of water so that the pork was covered. To this I added about 2 tbsp of brown sugar, about 1 1/2 tsp Worchestershire sauce, a heaping tbsp of prepared mustard, and a good shake near the end of liquid smoke. As it cooked I tried to pull the pork apart as much as possible.

Harvey loved this and I did as well.

I also spent a bit of time doing this.

I have started my bedding plants. I just hope I did not start them too soon.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Tuesday

It has been a quiet day here on the old homestead.

Harvey has been busy fixing the wishing well planter. He was lucky enough to find enough materials to complete the project in his work room. Thrifty because he did not have to purchase anything and I now have a renewed planter for the spring.

I cleaned out some old items from my drawers about a week ago. Some were pitched and some were put aside to make into rags. So this evening I sat down and started to dismantle them

This is what I ended up with. A nice little pile of rags to replace the ones that are no longer usable (yes rags to wear out) and a small pile of buttons that can be used once again for other items, some are suitable for baby sweaters or clothing. Perhaps even doll clothes (if I ever become a Grandma).

I have also spent time scanning pictures. Last night I removed all the pictures from the remaining albums. This should mean I don't miss any that should be in a certain folder!

Meals have been using things up from the fridge freezer over the past few days. Saving us cash and me time. It is much easier to make extra and freeze it one night and serve that meal a few days later.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

Oh my, it is that time of the week once again. I have a feeling that my menus are getting a bit boring, but I am still trying new recipes and those that work out will be added to the rotation and pulled out to give our menus some snap.

Monday

Soup and sandwiches. I have the remaining soup I made a few weeks ago frozen in a container in the fridge freezer. Time to get it out and used up. I think I will make grilled ham and cheese sandwiches to go with.

Tuesday

Pulling out the remaining stew and making some dumplings to go with.

Wednesday

Leftover pork roast. I found a new recipe I want to give a try so we will see how this turns out. Or...I might make BBQ pork and some home made buns. A side of coleslaw would be wonderful with this.

Thursday

Homemade pizza, I do have everything we need. Hmm, I may make panzarotti.

Friday

Tuna casserole, and the remaining coleslaw.

Saturday

I am hoping to be up in the city for a shopping trip and a visit to youngest DS. This would mean an early supper out.

Sunday

Roast chicken, roast potatoes, roast carrots and a salad.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

Today was a joyful celebration at Mass. We had a baptism and it is always a celebration of joy when parents make the decision to raise their child in their faith. Mass was a bit longer, but no one seemed to mind.

Our new priest (well one to help Father Brian) was there and proclaimed the Gospel. He did an excellent job!! 

I have decided just to go with the flow, enjoy what ministries I am involved with and stay out of the political manoeuvrings of some parish members. I just hope that what they are trying to accomplish is for the best in our Parish.

Now for an update.

I forgot to list my goals for the month (at least I can't find them), so I will list them now and let you know how far I have gotten.

1.   Continue with the cross stitch dragon.  I have been working on this and can see the end in sight. I really think this could be done by the end of this month.

2.   Work on using up those odds and ends of yarn.  I knit a bit every night and slowly but surely am working my way through those single skeins and small leftover balls of yarn.

3.   Declutter the house.   Yep this will be an ongoing task, but I think I am finally making progress.

4.   Scan pictures and burn DVD's.   I am getting these done as fast as I possibly can. I do believe that this will be another ongoing goal for the year.

5.   Start bedding plants.   Not done as of yet. I have some seeds soaking and hope to complete this early in the week.

I have completed a few goals that I did not have on the list; the tunics for the Roman soldier costumes are done. Just have to make the leather look skirts to go on top, two prayer table cloths, and a couple of blocks for my quilt sewn. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.     

Saturday Update

Slowly but surely the projects I decided to work on this month are being completed. Some will take longer than this month, some I will not even begin to tackle (seems like my intentions are good, but my time is limited).

So far this month I have been working on projects for the school. Not quite done the second set of projects for them, but getting very close.

Since Kris was home last weekend he went home with his TV dinners I make so I have started to get a few more of those ready for the next time he is home.

The tinfoil container is Kris's stew meal. The rather large plastic butter container is for Harvey and I at a later date. You see I try to cook rather large basic meals and then have some to package up and freeze. These are used at a time when I am busy or too tired to cook. We get a homemade meal, and the expense of ordering out is avoided.

I have been knitting with some variegated yarn from another project.

The three small balls I had would not knit a sweater, or vest so I decided to knit it up into a lovely infinity scarf. I hope to be finished this by the end of the month. Then I will pull out my rug project and continue working on that. Still using up small balls of yarn in other words.

Most of you know that I have been scanning pictures and then burning them onto DVD's. I have managed to finish all the children's pictures and will be starting those old pictures of Harvey and I next. Things are moving along, but it is going to be a project that goes on and on.

I am cross stitching when I have time and will show you all the dragon when it is done. I told Kris I was thinking it would make a lovely pillow as he really does not need anything on his walls (according to him).

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Friday Frugalities

Ahhh, home from the subbing gig and I am definitely exhausted. I really don't know why, but I think this cold is taking more out of me than I thought. The day was not taxing in the least.

On to the weeks frugal happenings here.

I made a grocery list and stuck to it (well for the most part). Asparagus was on sale so of course I had to buy some.

I stuck to my meal plan and used a great many items up.

Drapes and blinds were opened to take advantage of all the lovely sun we have been getting this past week. This causes the furnace to run less and our power and gas bills to drop. Got to love this!!

My lunch today was packed leftovers from other meals.

We celebrated a birthday at the school today so my morning snack was free and absolutely delicious!!

I mended a bra for the first time.

Laundry was done as frugally as possible.

I found fabric in my stash to make the Roman soldier costumes.

Best of all I have had (including today) 5 no spend days!!

Thursday Tidbits

I did not get much completed today as I went to visit my friend that is bedridden.

This picture of Judy and her husband was taken many years ago. Now Judy has problems leaving her bed. Her back pains her so much she can not even attend Mass one of the things she loved to do.

Judy was Kris's Grade 2 and 3 teacher, that was how we met. Years later we attended Lay Ministry Formation classes together and a strong friendship formed.

She does not get much in the way of company other then family and that is becoming rarer the longer she is bedridden.

I spent 4 hours visiting with her today, the time whizzed by, we had so much to talk about. I had meant to get home earlier and finish a few things, but I am so glad that I spent this day with her. I needed this time to realize that not everyone in my parish is involved with the politics that seem to be happening, that there are still people out there that follow the faith, perhaps in a different manner, and yet still believe that good is more powerful.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.