Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

 Thrifty and Frugal

The week has passed by very quickly. I have been busy finishing up the tomatoes and pumpkins. Only three more pumpkins and I have gotten them all processed. 

We are not too sure if the ground cherries are going to survive. It is getting pretty cold at night and soon will be well below freezing. Nothing seems to be ripening on the plants. Could be a failure this year.

Now what frugal and thrifty things have been happening here on the old homestead.

I bought 2 on sale beef roasts, as when I looked at the on sale stew meat realized the roasts were actually less expensive. So one roast was cut into cubes for stew. A cost savings of $10.00, which is nothing to sneeze at.

Pretty much all of my groceries and other shopping was either store brand or on sale. Still the cost was eyewatering but I am sure my next shop will be much less as I am pretty well stocked right now.

The usual hanging of clothing on the lines downstairs.

Mended a blanket that was given to me last Christmas by Kris.

Stretching most meals into a second dinner or at least a lunch for one of us.

Still making sure everything that uses electricity, like the oven, dishwasher, and washer are completely full before using them.

I have been using the electric roaster a great deal, as well as my air fryer. Next up is to get the slow cooker into the rotation a bit more. 

Planning what things I really need for my crafting and sewing this winter. I need some warp material, some embroidery thread, batting for quilts, some solid quilting fabric, some flannelette to make some pj's for myself for winter wear, and some interfacing (actually lots of interfacing if I want to try and make some tote bags for sale). There is a great sale at both the stores where I purchase these things so hopefully the expense will not be too bad. 

Reading some financial blogs and watching some frugal living YouTube channels. Interesting what many people are doing. 

Took the cans and bottles in to the recycling center for some cash.

Harvey started some Pinot which will be ready before Christmas.

Almost finished the first aid kits, just have to put in some of my thin rubber gloves to get them done.

Once again combined errands to save on fuel and wear/tear on the vehicle.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 I went shopping today and spent 3 hours doing so. Of course I got away a bit later than I would have liked, but man 3 hours comparing prices and looking where things come from. About drove me crazier than I already am. 

Also things have once again increased in price. I ended up purchasing two roasts as the stew meat that was on sale, was actually more per pound that the roast. Spending some time tonight cutting and getting that into the freezer. 

Still I am pretty sure that what I purchased (other than dairy and perhaps the fresh veggies) will last me well into November and even December with any luck at all.

My sister messaged me and we went out to lunch together. Had a lovely visit, and since today was her birthday I bought her lunch. When she said I shouldn't have done that, I told her she could take me out for lunch for my birthday.

Going out for lunch and the three hour shopping trip cut out my working on projects. Tomorrow I take my glasses in to have new lenses put in. Probably won't get much project work done without being able to see properly. I do have some older glasses, but I don't know how well I will see with those. Just put them on and not well at all. Guess I will be doing more cleaning and processing until I can actually see once again. 

I was asked what I was weaving and at one point I was hoping to warp the entire reed, but the warp went haywire so my plans for my wrap have changed. I will need to do two parts and sew them together down the middle.

I was also asked who the toques (knitted hats aka beanies) are for. Kurt once mentioned that many of the elementary students at his school come with no hats in the winter. So along with the mittens I made for them, the hats will be going to the school as well. As Kurt told the teachers there "Knitting keeps Ma out of trouble." Kind of, because eventually a few years down the road I may need to get more yarn. C'est la vie.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless. 

Menu Monday

 A new week has arrived and with it comes more changes to the monthly menu. I am beginning to think perhaps a weekly menu could be slightly better....

We had supper out on Saturday at the birthday party, so I made that meal yesterday. Moving lots around, and figuring out meals for the weekend when we make a trip to visit Kris so he and Harvey can attend the last Rider game of the season. I usually take at least one meal up to offset costs to our son, and this time I am actually thinking about 2 meals. Mostly so I don't have to move everything around once again.

Monday 

Roast beef (was supposed to be Sunday's meal), salad and cauliflower with cheese sauce. 

Tuesday

Baked spaghetti using the leftovers from Sunday. Probably finish off the salad as well.

Wednesday

Leftover roast beef made into a casserole of some type. Leftovers will probably be taken up to Kris's and used for one of the meals.

Thursday

Soup and sandwiches. I am planning on pumpkin soup and egg salad sandwiches. 

Friday

I plan on taking up some fish fillets and a package of store bought fries. 

Saturday

The leftover roast beef casserole.

Sunday

Ham Pasties, and probably a salad if I get home in time to make one.

I do hope there are no more changes, as next week I want to make broth from the carcasses I have saved, and use the ham bone later in the week and see what I can do with that other than ham broth. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Weekly Roundup

 I was asked about our Thanksgiving here in Canada and I must admit to not knowing a great deal about how and why our date is in October. I did know a few tidbits about our holiday in this country.

The first Thanksgiving in Canada was held by Sir Martin Frobisher in 1587 while in Nunavet. It was done in thanksgiving for a safe journey and the sailors ate hard tack, peas and the other items have slipped my mind.

Then in 1606, Samuel de Champlain held a series of "thanksgiving feasts" in New France.

Loyalists who left the United States and immigrated to Canada continued to practice the Thanksgiving they were used to.

In my reading our Thanksgiving changed every year and in fact one year many, many moons ago Parliament decided that December 6th would be a great day to celebrate. 

In 1957, the second Monday of the month of October was chosen as the permanent day, mostly because harvest was done by this time.

But even before Europeans started celebrating Thanksgiving our First Nations people had been celebrating something similar for many years.

Now that I have bored you all with Thanksgiving tidbits, on to what I have accomplished this month.

Pumpkins were processed over a couple of days. Just too many for me to do all at once, and there are yet more to do.

My collection of pots that seemed to add up after the puree processing and tomato processing. 

Some baby corn cobs that Harvey picked and we ate last night. They actually look pretty large here, but the biggest one was
about 3 inches. Sure were sweet though.

Weaving has begun. This colour is off as it is a very dark purple. 

I got to work on the embroidery once again. Sorry for the wrinkles. 

The bag of 15 toques left with Kurt and I am now working on some more. Pictures once I have more done.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

  Thrifty and Frugal

Once again it is time to remember the thrifty and frugal things I have done this week. 

Of course the usual things are being done, clothes dried on the lines downstairs, full wash loads that are done in cold water and if not at least rinsed in cold. 

I am now starting to save dishes that must be handwashed to be done only once. That should save a bit on the water bill, or at least I so hope.

I did darn some socks this week.

When I used the oven I made sure it was full.

I have been using the many appliances I own for cooking a bit more. 

Saving crusts once again this time in the fridge freezer.

Washing the glass jars as they empty. These will be used to store what seems to be an inordinate amount of spices and herbs I have managed to collect. 

Processing tomatoes and pumpkins, which will be continuing through the coming week. 

Still using up the orphan yarn skeins and balls making toques. Once those are all done (need to make 25 or 35 more) I think I will be making some multicoloured blankets, or perhaps some funky shawls. 

Kurt brought me some of his old, well loved clothing and I will be cutting those up and saving any bits that I can like buttons. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 

Another overcast and dang cold day (cold for this time of year). We managed to stay above freezing overnight, but the feel like temperatures for last night and the coming two nights are well below the freezing mark. 

I spent the day getting 5 smallish pumpkins processed and hope to get another 3 done tomorrow. We have haircut appointments in the afternoon so these will be started first thing in the morning. I think I will also process some of the ripe tomatoes, or at least get them ready to be frozen when we get home from said haircuts. 

Other than the garden processing, I have just been doing work that is usually done on Tuesdays and realizing I really need to get some canned mushrooms the next time I go shopping. Hopefully those will be on sale. 

I got Kris's room cleaned up though he is pretty good about keeping the room fairly tidy. I do need to get into Kurt's room at some point this week and make sure his is neat and tidy. There is a rug I made years ago down there that I should probably repair. I just have to figure out how I am going to do that. 

There will be a bit of spending done this week, hopefully just one day (haircuts) and I hope to get some baking other than bread done as well. I brought up some rhubarb to use, and I would like to get some cherry muffins done as well. I think that both of those baked items could be done in my toaster oven. Leaving the regular oven for bread and pumpkin processing. 

We are out for a birthday celebration on Saturday which will mean getting fuel earlier than I wanted to. But we get a meal and spend time with some of the family once again. Looking forward to seeing a nephew that we haven't seen in probably 20 years. This nephew is also Kris's Godfather and the son of the birthday girl. 

October is slipping past on wings as every month previously has. We still need more yard clean up and winterizing of the house. November will be here before we know it and then comes Christmas prep. Yikes, the year is passing by too quickly. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

The house is quiet once again. Both Kurt and Kris left for their respective homes this morning. Both probably hit snow about 20 minutes from here, Kris more than likely hit even more snow once he got to the city. We, fortunately, only got rain. Lots of rain and lower temperatures which could cause some freezing overnight. Now a pretty dense fog is moving in so there will not be a nice sunset here.

I can now go back to cooking for two once again. Going to be difficult for awhile as I rev things up to cook for 4 (two whom eat enough for probably 4) and now have to try and cut back. I also have lots of bits of salad leftover as well. 

So here are my menus for this week. We are invited to a birthday celebration that includes dinner on Saturday so the menu will of course change once again.

Monday

The leftover filling from my stuffed cabbage and ground meat buns made into a casserole. Served with the leftover yellow beans from yesterday's supper.

Tuesday

Leftover turkey made into a casserole, serving with sliced cuke and sliced tomatoes. Should be enough left for another meal this week.

Wednesday

Soup and sandwiches. Kurt gave me the idea to make some of my processed pumpkin puree into a soup. Should make a very nice change. Sandwich wise I think I might make some tuna melts.

Thursday

Leftovers from Tuesday, and I will serve them with mixed veggies.

Friday

Lazy Perogy Casserole, with fried onions, and sour cream.

Saturday

Out at the birthday celebration. 

Sunday

I will make what I had planned for Saturday. Spaghetti and meat sauce. I will try and make a marinated salad for this meal. The roast meal will be made on Monday.

Surprisingly there was not that much meat leftover from the turkey. I got a freezer medium bag for each of the sons, a freezer medium bag for us, plus a bag containing the legs and wings for us as well. This really surprised me and makes me wonder if the listed weight was wrong. Might have to pick up an even larger one for Christmas this year. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.