Friday Shopping and Wow

Harvey took me shopping this afternoon, and now he gets to see how much prices have risen since the last time he shopped with me. Let's say about 5 or so years ago. I think he was a bit flabbergasted by costs. He also got to watch me put items back on the shelf because there was no way on God's green earth I was going to pay that asking price.

I did manage to get a few items at a decent sale price, but many of the items we needed were just not discounted very much at all.

As for the items I added to the pantry for $10.00 I managed to get 3 cans of mandarins for $1.50 each and three cans of evaporated milk to use in baking for $1.27 each. Hoping to get some canned meats and more canned fruit next time. It was a bit less than the amount, but anything more would have put me over the pantry shopping limit.

While checking out the beef roasts, I got into a conversation with a beef rancher. He told me that they had sold all their steers and only kept the heifers, mainly because they were worried about the lack of moisture on the pastures. He said beef prices are going to probably get much higher over the next while. I have also noticed that once prices go up, the very rarely come down. I so wish that we had yellow stickers, or some of the ways that easterners in bigger centers have to save. Heck our youngest son can sometimes take advantage of yellow sticker meat as well.

I have added some tins of salmon and tuna to the bag that will be donated to the Food Bank here at the end of lent. Next time I go shopping in two weeks, I will pick up some pasta and pasta sauce. I am trying to put together enough to perhaps feed a couple of families. Thinking some treats closer to the end of Lent would be a nice addition.

Changed my mind on supper tonight. As we have lots of softening potatoes in storage, I am going to use up my homemade perogy and then next week use up more of the softer potatoes to make a batch or two for the freezer downstairs.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

 Thrifty and Frugal

The sun is shining and while we are once again back in the deep freeze, I am happy to say that I have been keeping busy around the old homestead. 

My shopping list is ready to go, and I believe that as the day goes by I will be using more bits and bobs up and getting the fridge cleared out a bit more. Getting meals into the freezer to be used this spring when we are busy in the yard is a priority right now. One that sees me using up those bits and bobs as well as leftovers from other meals. 

So how have I been frugal and thrifty this week around the house? And have I added a new thrifty/frugal measure to my plans?

1.  Found $0.20 in the basement beside the washer and dryer. That went in the change jars.

2.  Emptied the bottom of my purse and added another $8.55 to the change jars.

3.  Added $100.00 to the savings envelope.

4.  Paid bills on line once again and will continue to do that with as many bills as possible.

5.  Used my cash back on my Visa to pay the groceries from two weeks ago. 

6.  Collecting veggie scraps and freezing them to make veggie stock. Never done this before so I hope it works out. I use lots of veggie stock in my recipes.

7.  Made the grocery list using flyers and looking online for coupons.....

8.  Still using bits and bobs from my craft stashes to make things to either give away, for gifts or for the family auction raising money for the next get together.

9.  Hanging what I can on the lines downstairs.

10. Drapes open to take advantage of the solar heating.

11. Getting some new recipes that don't use meat to try.

So a couple of new things going on, lots of old, tried and true. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Midweek Ramblings

 I should also be saying stay calm it's almost the end of the month and I have many more projects to try and at least start, not perhaps finish. As usual this month like most, I have listed more projects than I can actually get done. Why won't I ever learn.

The storm came through last night and into mid afternoon today. Once the snow stopped and the sun came out, Harvey got the snowblower and set to work. Now we just need the city to do a better job of cleaning the street.

I don't like driving on these messy, icy roads (it did rain before the snow came) and so Harvey has said he will take me shopping on Friday and take me to pay any bills that need to be paid in person. There are just two and one is right near Walmart, the other is on the way either to or from that area of the city.

Slowly getting some meals in the large chest freezer. Yesterday it was Cream of Mushroom Soup, today it will be at least one meal of Red Lentil Curry. I may make some Lentil Taco filling first thing tomorrow morning, and then later Hamburger Soup and I think some either BBQ meatballs or Sweet and Sour meatballs. I want to be prepared for spring and yard work, or even a day I just do not feel like cooking. It saves us ordering in or going out.

It is Ash Wednesday today and since the roads are all but impassible, this will be the first year we have not gone to the church. I do believe we will be forgiven though, as we age things are becoming a bit more difficult. Our driveway, which really isn't long or convoluted, used to take perhaps 20 minutes or less to clear. Now Harvey gets about halfway and needs to rest before finishing it off. Today the driveway took him about 1 1/2 hours to clear, and getting the truck into the driveway over the 2 1/2 foot drifts was a job in and of itself. 

The beginning of Lent already and I am unsure what I will do for the season this year. Leaning towards getting some donations each day for the Food Bank. I have heard they are running low once again.

I was asked what Saskatoons are. Hmmm, they are the cousins of blueberries. Not quite as good in my opinion, but Harvey and other southern Canadian prairie people love them. They grow wild or can be planted. Those that are planted are a bit larger and a bit juicier. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

The storm we are supposed to get today still has not arrived. Well at least the snow and rain haven't. It is however, very windy and the temperature is hovering around freezing. 

I was a bit concerned that one of our payments on Harv's Visa had not gone through. At least according to his bill which we printed off so as to be able to pay it off totally once the travel insurance is put on it. He is also going to have a hunk of money back to use on the card the next time we pay. 

I used my cash back this month and it paid for my last grocery shop. Love that when it happens. In these tougher economic times every little bit helps.

All through Covid and the years after, the one price I could count on not changing was the cost per pound for bananas. Well when I went shopping almost two weeks ago the cost had risen $0.07 a pound. Now that was quite a shock. An inexpensive (relatively) fruit is no longer quite the buy, and Harvey loves his bananas. 

I am hoping that very soon we will be producing not only cherries in our yard, but pears and haskaps. Not sure if we will ever get the mini grape sized kiwi, but I can hope. 

I also hope to be able to plant a few more fruit bearing plants. Would love some raspberry bushes, and some saskatoons or even grapes. Grapes would be perfection really. 

Just a few new food ideas that will continue to grow each and every year. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 This month is moving along so very quickly.

Monday

A container of Chicken Stew from the fridge freezer.

Tuesday

Leftover brisket made into Pulled BBQ Brisket served with some coleslaw.

Wednesday

Lentil Curry and rice.

Thursday

Hamburger soup and sandwiches. This will use up the remains of the cabbage.

Friday

Salmon Fillets, leftover rice, peas/carrot mixture.tu

Saturday

Cabbage Bread

Sunday

Pork Roast, roasted potatoes, roasted carrots, salad.

Since we are moving back into some cold snowy weather, I am hopeful of getting a bit of batch cooking done. There will be Hamburger Soup to freeze, Lentil Curry to freeze, and I hope to get some Cream of Mushroom and perhaps some Potato soups done as well.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 

I have had another fairly quiet day here on the old homestead. One in which for the first time ever I am trying to cook a beef brisket in my electric roaster. We have always smoked them before. I hope it is tender enough to eat.

The loom is once again set up for the next half of the rug. I really hope there is enough warp left to actually complete it and if not I may be doing the rug in three pieces. Not that Kris would mind either way, he will just be happy to have a rug in front of his door. I will be happy just to get it completed and a new project warped. 

Bob is getting a bit better in the behaviour portion. He is no longer scratching at things he shouldn't, and as far as jumping onto things he shouldn't all we now have to do is say "No" in a rather loud voice and he quickly gets down. 

Next up will be working on trying to get him not to move his water bowl around causing it to run into the mat, and under said mat which affects our flooring (not in a nice way as it is laminate).

As far as his night time behaviour, it is getting very much better. I have some toys that are keeping him awake during the day for longer periods and that is enabling us to get much better sleep. Okay, me much better sleep, as Harvey can sleep pretty much through anything less than an explosion right by his ear (could be a bit of an exaggeration, but not much).

I said I would not be going shopping earlier this week, but we have some nasty weather coming in and I am kind of on the fence right now. Especially since I will need to purchase some onions in order to make a few meals and some of the soups. I could use my allowance to purchase the onions and leave my credit card at home. I could also purchase some milk and that would probably do us for at least another week or week and a half. I will probably do that and hold off on the bigger shop until early the next week. 

There is a gentle rhythm to my days which I am really enjoying. Mornings are spent getting those tasks completed necessary for the smooth running of our small homestead, afternoons are spent working on projects, extra cleaning (things I do monthly and perhaps twice a year), baking and enjoying the changing weather (well at least the nice weather). 

Computer work is fitted in where I can, and the same could be said about watching Youtubers. 

One thing I have noticed with catsitting Bob is that my to do lists have gotten a bit longer.....

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Weekly Round-up

 I actually have a few pictures of projects either finished, just started, or on the way to being completed soon I hope.

Ten pairs of small mitts finished and put away.

I have started number 9 block for the first quilt. Hopefully I can get this up to a flimsy by next month.

The first half of the rug waiting to be wet blocked, and threads worked in.

Loom almost ready to start the second half of the rug.

The leftover tomato paste ready to be frozen and then popped into a bag in the fridge freezer.

Nothing really spectacular finished, but I am happy with what I have managed. 

I am hoping next week to get the embroidery almost finished, the rug moving along, and perhaps a tote or two sewn up. I will also be making some batches of soup for the freezer downstairs and trying to use up more of the various broths I have frozen. I think I will be able to get more done as the weather is supposed to go back to being snowy and a bit cooler overall. 

As far as soups to be made, I plan on Cream of Mushroom,  Hamburger/cabbage/veggie soup, Potato soup and perhaps even some Cream of Celery Soup. Probably made over a couple of days so as to be able to freeze in the molds.

I will need to do some baking as well. Bread is getting low, and we will need some cookies or cake for desserts. I may also make some muffins for breakfasts and snacking.

I do have to go out on Tuesday to pay our insurance off. Thought about shopping but opened the fridge and thought no darn way. I might run out of a few things before Friday, but I am sure I can find some substitutions for anything I need. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.