Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

 Thrifty and Frugal 

Another week of mostly thrifty and frugal happenings here on the old homestead. Life is good and getting better each and every day. Slowing down and enjoying the process.

1.  Since I was unable to hang clothes on the lines outside, things were hung to dry in the basement.

2.  Added to the savings envelope $100.00.

3.  Added $4.35 to the change jars. Going to have to roll those soon to use for the family reunion.

4.  Picked a lettuce from the garden for salads this week.

5.  Shopping was a bit high, but most was purchased on sale and I managed to get some meat for the freezer at very low prices for here.

6.  Bought 3 ice cream at a price I haven't seen for a number of years. Should be good for a bit.

7.  Using up yarn weaving the second scarf, and knitting those mitts.

8.  Found some bras that online cost $65.00 for one at Walmart for $24.99 and bought 3 for just over that cost by $10.00. I really needed some new ones that fit properly.

9.  Leftovers are being made into new meals or reheated for another meal. 

10.  Fixed a small hole in one of Harvey's shirts.

11.  Walking for exercise and managing to get all the steps in doing small chores around the house and yard.

12.  Picked rhubarb and made a pie, have enough to make a cake to freeze as well as probably some muffins. Free fruit. 

13.  Able to water plants with the water in the rain barrel.

14.  A friend is going to give me a comfrey plant when she thins hers out. 

15.  Decluttering is on going.

16.  Making sure to use appliances for cooking meals as much as possible. 

17.  Did up the budget entries for the month of May and was pleasantly surprised to be under budget once again.

18.  Moved some cash into the savings account and will try to do so again this month even if it is just a little.

19.  Made the most of the nice weather by sitting out on the deck a few early evenings. Slow living.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless. 

Project Roundup For May

 I promised you all a peek at what I managed to complete in the month of May. Here it is.

First off what sewing projects I managed to complete.

A pair of longer cut shorts.

A pair of capris length pants.

Next up a pair of regular length shorts.

Then a skirt to use up some more fabric. This is more of a fall/winter wardrobe addition.

Next was a dress, a very light, soft knit.

Lastly was a jacket made out of another leftover piece of knit fabric.

Then I got 10 pairs of mittens (the smaller size) completed.

And I got another rose block done for the next quilt top. I decided that the main rose in each quilt will be a different colour. This cream colour is kind of hard to see.

I did manage to get one scarf totally finished, but will wait to show you that picture once the other scarf (started today) is finished.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

Sorry that I didn't post yesterday, but after a day of shopping and a run in with the dishwasher door, and the doorway frame, I just wanted to crawl into bed and pull the covers over my head.

 I am now sporting a rather large bruise on my arm. Quite the lovely sight. But I am feeling a bit more like myself and have had my appointment with my doctor moved ahead by a week, so will get her to take a look at the darn thing. 

Today I spent getting things finished in the house that did not get completed yesterday due to my clumsiness. I also managed some baking, and with Harvey's help got the loom warped and ready to go.

I am now taking a bit of a break before putting the finishing touches on supper and getting some more steps in. 

My back is slightly sore today due to the rain we got today, but man was that rain needed. Things grow so much better and the rain barrel is half filled!!! Harvey is hoping for more rain, at least enough to fill his rather large rain barrel. 

The bunny and I had a discussion today. I told the furry creature that as long as it only ate grass it was more than welcome to stay safe in our yard. It munched on a few stalks of grass and then hopped down the side of the house. I think we might have an understanding. 

Today got a call from our travel agent and she has selected our seats for us. Of course the short European flights had to be paid for, not sure why, but at least we will be sitting together. The cost was minimal really so I will not complain. She said the final items will come to her about 30 days before we leave (so beginning of July) and will contain our transfers, where we meet, and who will be meeting us. It is getting so very close.

Figured I may as well post the menu for this week, even though it is a bit late.

Monday

Porkchops, corn, and a package of Knorr Noodles which needed using.

Tuesday

Beef stroganoff from leftover roast beef, noodles, and a tossed salad.

Wednesday

Cheese/pepper/mushroom Quesadillas, tossed salad.

Thursday

If there is leftover stroganoff we will finish it up tonight. If not Chicken Breasts on the BBQ, salad, and mashed potatoes.

Friday

Salmon Casserole, leftover salad.

Saturday

Soup and sandwiches.

Sunday

Roast Chicken, roasted potatoes, and roasted carrots.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

The Journey Continues

 As the title says, my journey towards a simpler life continues. This year because we are going to be away during the probably hottest temperatures of the Canadian prairies (August can be unbearably warm) I cut back on my pots and boxes. It about killed me to do so, but by simplifying what I have on my deck, there seems to be so much more room to enjoy what we have. There is just a few things planted near the firepit, and next year I hope to have some plants around there to add some depth and colour to the area.

I did plant lots of perennials, but I am pretty sure my small delphinium starts have died off, which means I will need to find a place to purchase those next year. I also think that next year I will mix in a few annuals to give some colour throughout the season.

Simplifying my planting meant my back was not a constant ache this season, and I have learned to pace myself a bit better. 

I have also decided to perhaps not worry so much about making things like bread, buns, crackers, pie crust from scratch over the summer. It really is too warm to have the oven on for extended periods of time. That is not to say I won't make bread or buns, just that I will pick rainy, cooler days to do so. I don't need to do everything from scratch, rather I will be picking and choosing. Of course almost all the meals I make will be from scratch, using things I already have available. I will of course go back to making more from scratch come the cooler weather. 

Learning how to relax more and while I need to keep my hands busy (quit smoking about 2 years ago and still need to occupy my fingers or I will be tempted), slow stitching, weaving and knitting are occupations that allow me to slow down and enjoy everything that life is giving us as a gift in our senior years. Having the time to do some traveling, and visiting is wonderful. Washing a few dishes by hand (wooden things, good knives, and my good pots) watching the clouds go by is soothing for my soul.

I have also learned something else this past while. Even during the rush of working, or raising the boys (they would be slightly embarrassed that I called them that), I was trying to simplify my life. Driving to hockey games and enjoying one on one time was wonderful. Though living at the hockey rink during the winter was a bit of a chore. Baking treats for the lunch boxes, watching the Christmas Concerts, driving to swimming lessons all prepared me to enjoy time spent with family and time to realize that being at home was something to be treasured, not looked down on. 

Life is meant to be lived and lived well. If that means slowing down and enjoying life at a slower pace, I fully recommend that.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

Thrifty and Frugal 

Another week of thrifty and frugal habits here on the old homestead. 

1.  The weather was beautiful, but very warm this past week, so we have had to have the air conditioning on. However, we have it set at a reasonable temperature instead of the freezing cold we used to have it. Having it set a bit higher should save us a bit on electrical costs.

2.  Using appliances to cook this week so as to keep the house a bit cooler.

3.  Darned a couple of pairs of socks.

4.  Working outside in the cool of the morning planting and gathering.

5.  Watered with rain barrel water.

6.  Mended a small hole in a t-shirt.

7.  Reading free material on my ereader and the computer.

8.  Watching free tv using CBC Gem on the computer.

9.  Baked hamburger buns when the weather was cooler.

10.  Finished the shopping list using flyers and after an inventory of the pantry, fridge and freezer.

11.  All clothing was dried on the lines outside, finally.

12.  Only running the dishwasher when it is completely full.

I hope you all have had a thrifty and frugal week.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

 

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 Another hot day so I was out early working in the garden. Scared the little bunny out of the Columbines once again. This time when I said something it actually stopped and looked at me. Then rapidly hopped down the side of the house.

Most of the weeding is completed, I hope to get a bit more done after the dentist tomorrow morning, and then Hubby has cleaned out the herbal planter and the other two small planters I use for herbs. I hope to get those planted tomorrow as well. The rhubarb needs picking and processing as well. 

The deck pots will be done on Thursday as I still need to find some small trellis like inserts for the Moonflowers. As I will be spending money at the dentist, I will stop on the way home at Dollar Tree to see if they have anything. There will also be a pickup of Harvey's one prescription, and the bank for our allowances. No spending after that for a few days I hope (wish it was until the end of the month, but there is the church envelope).

After the planting I came in and got the bedding changed over, the fridge tidied, the living room totally dusted, and next months menu plan worked on.

The afternoon was spent trying to get the second corner of the embroidered quilt block completed. I am almost there. Not too sure if I can get a start on the third corner though (would be awesome).

I have been asked about how one can make grilled cheese sandwiches other than on the stove in a fry pan. Years ago my mother would use a cookie sheet and get enough sandwiches made at once to feed us hungry children. She would put the bread slices on the cookie sheet (buttered). Top with a slice of cheese, then place another buttered bread slice on top and stick them in the oven. I did the same when Kurt and Kris were younger and eating us out of house and home. 

I hope to have a Saturday post this week with pictures of the projects and gardening done over the past month. Been pretty darn good at remembering to take photos.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

Well the heat has arrived and after working out in the garden my meal plan has definitely changed for today.

Monday

This was supposed to be pizza night, however it is much too hot to turn on the oven. So I will pull out the leftover salad, boil a couple of eggs (4), thinly slice the ham I took out and make a main dish salad. 

Tuesday

Smoked sausage, potatoes, and carrots done on the BBQ (supposed to be even warmer tomorrow).

Wednesday

Baked Spaghetti (even though it will be warm I am hoping the air conditioning has caught up by then) even though I will be using the toaster oven and not the big oven. I may try and slip some garlic bread in as well.

Thursday

Soup and sandwiches. I might just make grilled cheese on the top of the stove. 

Friday

Tuna pasta salad. Heat will still be sticking around so another main dish salad is going to happen rather than a Tuna casserole.

Saturday

Stuffed chicken, cauliflower cheese, and probably a salad.

Sunday

It was supposed to be warmed up leftover ham, but I think I will get Harvey on the BBQ once again and do some Bacon Wrapped filets, as well as tin foil potatoes and carrots.

So there you have it. Changing meals on the fly, and combating the heat.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.