Thursday, June 8, 2017

Thursday Tid Bits

Things have been pretty quiet around here lately. I have pretty much locked myself in the sewing room (well not today) and worked on sewing. I have almost finished the second pair of shorts (tomorrow will see them done) and finished one of the dresses. I hope to cut the other one out tomorrow. Mind you I picked out a brand new pattern and am always a bit leery when doing something I have never done before.

Harvey has been busy filling areas of cement that pulled away from the house, as well as cracks in the cement patio. He is hopeful that this will help with the water getting into the basement a bit.

Today I went out for lunch with a few friends. We were celebrating the 60th birthday of one of them (hence why no sewing today). I had a great time talking to them all and the visit went by way too quickly.

Tonight I hope to get a bit more done on the wrap I am making from a cream coloured yarn I found at the second hand store a while back. I had finished a triangular shawl last month and still had lots left. I do like wrapping up in a shawl or wrap on those cool spring and fall mornings and am getting quite a collection of them.

I also made up my stock up list for this weekend and will keep my eyes open for any bargains as well.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Thrifty Tuesday

This spring, before we put the window air conditioning unit in the dining room, Harvey decided to give it a good flushing. The way he tells it the water took a very long time to run clear meaning all the dirt and such was out. The past few years it just hasn't seemed to cool the front of the house very well and he thought that before sending it out to see if the unit needed fixing he would give this a try.

Wonders of wonders, it did!! The end of last week saw us reaching temperatures in the mid 30 C range and the unit kept the house nice and cool. Kept it cool even though it was only set on low. Saving us a bit on electrical costs and no freezing up of the unit at all (we had a few hot days last year where it froze on us).

The evenings cool down enough that we can open the windows and allow the fresh air to cool the house overnight. This means no fan going all night in our bedroom, more electrical savings.

Harvey and I are both continuing watering the veggie garden and my flowers with rain water. We do need some more rain to fall though.

My poor black knit nighty has hit the dust. I put two patches in it last week and then after wearing it and washing it, the poor thing developed numerous holes. It could almost be said to resemble cheese cloth in a few places. So out came the scissors, the buttons were removed and added to the button jar, and the remainder (what wasn't full of holes) was cut up into rags for cleaning. Once this months sewing is completed I may just have to use what is left of the old sheet set to make myself a new one. I can manage with what I have left in my drawer.

Every two weeks I empty my purse of all the change and paper money (though money in Canada is now made out of a weird type of plastic and saying plastic money just isn't right). This week I decided to roll all my coin. Grand total of $546.00! That should help with the expenses of going to two family reunions and a graduation over the next few months.

Entertainment has been working in the garden, sewing, knitting, reading books from the library, walking, and watching old episodes of CSI (along with the occasional movie). No money spent at all.

Grocery shopping has been easy, though tomorrow I need to start making up my stock up list for our trip to Regina on Saturday and Sunday. It won't be frugal as we are staying overnight, going to a football game in the new stadium, and spending money stocking up. But getting to visit with Kris for a couple of days, and spending time together as a family is priceless.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Monday, June 5, 2017

Menu Mondays


Monday

Yesterday was so warm, and Harvey and I were so full after the brunch he made after Mass, that the roast meal was put on hold. Instead we had what should have been today's meal. Guess that means either roast chicken today, or if it is way too hot, rotisserie chicken. Thinking some salads instead of cooked veggies.

Tuesday

Leftover chicken and the leftover salads.

Wednesday

Mushroom meatballs, rice and corn.

Thursday

Chicken Burgers, raw veggies.

Friday

German noodles, potatoes, and eggs (nice high fat meal)

Saturday

We will be gone to see the new stadium in Regina and watch Harvey's beloved Saskatchewan Roughriders play. Taking my camera with me to get some pictures I hope.

Sunday

Planned on staying after the football game and doing a bit of a stock up shop today. When we get home it will be a help yourself night.

There you have it, a bit of a spend week, but spending time with family is pretty priceless and Kris looks so forward to having us come for a visit.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Sunday, June 4, 2017

Sunday Ramblings


One thing I learned years ago and had reinforced by Father Brian's homily today is that the Holy Spirit is still working, still giving us gifts and talents that help us fulfill our mission to preach the gospel. We are called to use our talents and gifts to build up the community, not tear it down. To reach out to those in need, to forgive those that hurt us, to be the best we can possibly be.

With all that is happening in the world today, forgiveness is something that I am having a problem with. How does one forgive those who through hate take innocent lives? How does one forgive someone who feels they are following something contrary to my God's teachings, or even their own teachings?

I must leave this in God's hands and try and turn what talents and gifts I have to the good of humanity.

My thoughts and prayers are with London during this time. You are brave, you are strong and you are resilient. This is your gift to share with the world.

God bless.

Saturday, June 3, 2017

New Monthly Goals


This is a couple of days late in arriving on the blog. I have had them listed for about 4 days and have started them off already.

1.  Continue knitting from stash.

2.  Cut out 2 pairs of shorts.

3.  Cut out two dresses (might be just one depending on if I decide to make a wrap skirt with the other piece.

4.  Cut out skirts (not sure if it will be one or two).

5.  Cut out two summer tops.

6.  Sew shorts.

7.  Sew dresses.

8. Sew skirts/skirt

9.  Sew summer tops.

10.  Have 18 no spend days if possible.

11.  Make card and gift for nieces graduation (this could change to money in an envelope depending on time constraints).

12.  Continue with Project Declutter.

13.  Paint outdoor chairs by fire pit (have a feeling this will end up being my job).

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Friday, June 2, 2017

Frugal Friday


It has been a quiet, stay at home week. This is a good thing as by the end of the month things will no longer be quiet for me. I have a nieces graduation and then Harvey's family reunion (not something I am really looking forward to at all...the reunion and being surrounded by Harv's family is not my favorite of things to be involved in).

My frugal five for this week are.

1.  Watching a couple of movies and some old series on both Netflix and my Android box.

2.  Hanging what clothes I can on the lines to dry.

3.  All meals made and served here at home.

4.  Air conditioning only turned on to low and only when it gets very warm in the house.

5.  Watering plants and the garden with rain from the barrel.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thursday, June 1, 2017

Thursday Tid Bits

June 1st and finally we are getting warmer temperatures. Hopefully the garden and my flowers will actually begin to grow properly. Things are way behind.

Harvey managed to clean out both sheds this week and now gardening tools can be found a bit easier. Not much, but a little bit.

Thought I would share some pictures of finished projects from last month.

Firstly the two dresses I made into simple tank top and skirt sets.

 
 
Both very simple and will be quite cool to wear on those warmer days.
 
The new cushions for the chairs beside the fire pit. Those chairs need to be scraped and painted again badly..... A job for Harvey perhaps?

Fabric, pretreated and pressed, ready for this months sewing projects. I also have a few knit pieces that do not need to be pretreated that are pressed and ready as well. I am really trying very hard to use up some of my fabric stash.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.