Friday Happenings

So we are at Kris's  place. The guys are watching hockey and shortly will be doing some knitting.

The sun is shining and it seems the rain has stopped for a bit. Tomorrow looks pretty good for the festival. It could be warmer, but we will take what we get.

Kris has made some raised beds for his garden and eventually plans on adding a few more.

He does have to get rid of many dandelions. I think I might help a bit by picking the flowers to make some salve when we get home. I will probably pick them on Monday morning.

Kris and Eiko enjoying our visit.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

Thrifty and Frugal 

A very rainy day today, so stayed home and continued some of the thrifty, frugal past times that are the main components of our daily lives.

1.  Monday was extremely warm so I hung 4 loads of laundry on the lines. Only one was put in the dryer.

2.  Using up leftovers in new meals, and eating other leftovers as lunches or as another supper.

3.  Froze some items as we are going away for a few days and I don't want them to spoil.

4.  Used up some flour tortillas that had been languishing in the fridge by making some tortilla chips. 

5.  Made hummus using up a can of chick peas that needed to be used.

6.  Fixed a belt loop on a pair of Harvey's jeans. 

7.  Found a oodie dress (or as we call them here a hoodie dress) for $15 on sale. I plan on using it as a pattern to make a few of my own eventually.

8.  Made the knit tank from yarn already in my stash.

9.  Finished the jacket using fabric I have had in my stash for a number of years. 

10.  The rain has filled the rain barrels once again. Actually over filling it and now the rain water is being directed to the cherry trees. 

11.  Went shopping, but stuck to the list (except for the hoodie dress, which will go on the clothing budget line).

12.  Got sausage patties for $4 and there are 16 of them in the package. Should keep Harvey happily making breakfast muffins for awhile. 

13.  Made bagels, which did not turn out, packaged and in the freezer until I decide what to do with the misshapen things. I will try again later.

14.  Paid bills on line. 

I hope you are all having a wonderful evening.

God bless.  

Midweek Ramblings

 

It is a cold and rainy day here on the old homestead. If what is being predicted is true our area of the province could get up to 115mm of rain (4.5 inches) by the end of the weekend. Not sure how much Regina will be getting, kind of frightened to look and see. At least the "s" word is taken off the forecast for now. 

I am very glad that I managed to get out and complete all the errands early this morning. At that point it was just a bit of a mist or as we sometimes say, "Just spitting out." Now it is coming down a bit harder and is supposed to continue that way for the rest of the evening. 

Poor Harvey, the grass that was growing so well last year does not seem to be growing this year at all. I think it is just too hot on the south side of the house. Perhaps a different approach to an curb appealing front will need to be done. That could be a task for next year. We are thinking that the back will be pretty much landscaped as much as we possibly can, or as much as Harvey will do. We do not have lovely paths or many flower beds as he does not like mowing around too many obstacles. This is why for years I have planted so many containers, but like I have been told it is time to cut back on those as well. 

Since we are going away this weekend I did not want the tortillas to go to waste so I made tortilla chips. They aren't bad, but the next time I make them I will add some salt to the Italian Seasoning I used to make these. They need a bit more taste, they are fine but a bit lacking. 

Tomorrow I plan on making a few more items to use up things before we go. Then take a few items up to Kris's to use while we are there. Sharing is good and keeps me from putting on even more weight. Many items are getting close to being near their use by date, and some even beyond that date, so best to use them and stock up when prices are good. 

I was checking out prices at Walmart and things have gone up again. According to StatsCan in some cases the tariffs have not hit us yet, but will be hitting us all again shortly. The price of beef is going to get much higher, but the price of pork is supposed to fall. We shall see. Coffee is going up and up. I will be looking for a couple of make your own k-cups that actually fit the machine I have. It is a bit different than any we have owned before so I will check out Amazon to see if there are any suitable.

Finished knitting the tank top and am sewing it up now. Halfway done that task, and I have made 3 blocks for the flimsy. Laid out 2 more to sew tomorrow. Hope to get at least 4 done tomorrow, if not more. I would like to be finished this by the middle of next week, when I will be planting my flowers for a couple of days after that. I am going to try and get as much done as possible so I can enjoy Kurt and Kris's visit at the beginning of June. Kurt is taking 2 personal days, something he has not done in 26 years of teaching. I want to sit outside during the day and sit by the firepit in the evening. Life is good.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless. 

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 It has been a week of waiting, wondering, and trying not to go a bit crazy. Today, I finally got the call for my appointment for the CT scan the doctor requested. It will take place in three weeks, so a month from beginning the process. Hope that it shows nothing wrong with my lungs or lung. 

Today I went out and weeded the first tier of the perennial bed, lots of lilies beginning to show their heads, and the hydrangea is putting out more shoots. I had thought the poor hydrangea did not make it through our very cold winter this year. Then, as I worked my way around the circle, I found that the Blazing Star bulbs were sending up shoots as well. Still, there is lots of room to add more perennials to that tier. The second tier will be weeded tomorrow when my back feels a bit more up to it. 

The Black Eyed Pea soup I made yesterday was a failure. Thank heavens there really wasn't much of it so what was disposed of wasn't even enough for a bowlful. I will try something different with the next batch of black eyed peas I make up. Perhaps a curry. 

On to some disappointing news weather wise. We are supposed to be getting loads of rain starting tonight, and continuing most of the weekend. In fact the forecast is saying freezing temperatures and of all things snow!!! I am hoping that does not happen and am very thankful I have not gotten my plants put out yet. This could also mean a very wet and miserable day out at the Highland Festival. There are some activities taking place in tents, so perhaps we will be just spending a very short time at the festival, and missing some of the outdoor activities. We shall see. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Monday Menu

 While this week has started off really warm, but things are going to get much cooler as the week progresses. I do hope for nice weather while we are visiting Kris and attending the Highland Festival in Regina.

Monday

Black Eyed Pea Soup and Chicken salad wraps.

Tuesday

Leftover roast pork made into a stir fry. Served with rice.

Wednesday

Spaghetti and meat sauce. I will make a salad to go with.

Thursday

Leftovers from Tuesday.

Friday

I will take salmon fillets with us to visit Kris, he will more than likely try and BBQ them. Probably take the leftover salad with as well. 

Saturday

I think we should pick up some chicken on the way home from the Festival.

Sunday

Now this meal depends if we are home or not. If still visiting with Kris, he can supply the meal. If home I will make Baked spaghetti and probably coleslaw.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 

It is another really warm day here in Southeast Saskatchewan. Not going to complain as closer to next weekend, night time temperatures could reach lows of 0 or 1C. The house is extremely hot by the evening so I am sitting typing this with a fine coating of sweat on the body. 

Mass was a bit shorter than I expected and that was great. We got home and Harvey made us breakfast which was yummy. I also got a lovely pink carnation from the parish. 

Later tonight when it cools down a bit I plan to go out and pick some tulips to add to the tablescape. 

I did not do any real work on projects today, probably because it is so warm, and getting the coat finished yesterday took a great deal out of me. I will be knitting though and each time that happens I get just a bit closer to finishing that project. Maybe even finished this project before we go to Regina. I could be starting the next knitting project, the blanket for Kurt's friend. Oh to finish it before Kurt comes home as well, could be rid of three blankets that are taking up counter space in the sewing/craft room. 

Shopping went well yesterday and I managed to save almost $50.00 on purchasing sale items. I did get some meat items at very good sale prices, well considering the sale prices are now pretty much what the regular prices were a few years ago.

Rising costs are playing havoc with the budget, and Harvey's second partial plate cost more than the first one. I hope that we can stand the heat a bit longer as I so want to save money on the air conditioning. The longer we can go without, the better it will be on the bank account. Thus making it easier to pay off those items that were totally unexpected that needed to be purchased. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

 

I promised you all some pictures of the items I have managed to complete so far. 

My newest nightgown. A quick and simple sewing project.

The finished (well kind of as it needs another really good pressing) jacket. 

And lastly the gathering of the blocks for the next flimsy. Thinking seriously about surrounding each block with a bright colour, thus getting rid of some more cut strips as well.

Lastly a picture of our pear tree. This is the most blossoms we have ever had on this tree.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.