The End Of Another Month

Boy did July speed past. Where did the month go?????

Here is where I stand on my goals for this month.

1. Continue with my cross stitch project. I have been doing this one for a bit each day.
2. Copy recipes as I have way too many written in various notebooks and stuck into binders. Yes, I managed to clean out two binders of notebooks which contained recipes I don't even know why I copied.
3. Start Christmas gifts. Started Kris's Christmas gift and have plans for the others.
4. Cut out and sew 5 items. Fell down on this one, I did get 5 patterns cut out but only 3 sewn.
5. Do more decluttering. I am considering the cleaning up of recipes as my decluttering for this goal.
6. Work on my own rug when Kris is home (have to hid his Christmas present). Nope did not do this at all.

So all in all not too bad.

Today I made a rhubarb sponge pie, as well as my bread crumbs.

As soon as I am sure these are dried they will be covered and put in the cupboard.

Thought I would show you all a picture of the rug I am making for Kris. I started the second ball of yarn yesterday, so things are moving right along.

The next section will be the goldy brown and the final section will be the dark brown. Hopefully it will be done well before Christmas.

Back tomorrow with my goals for August.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

 

Mid Week Blues and What I Have Been Up To

Today is a day of reflection.

Twenty-nine years ago (for some reason I thought 30) our middle child, our only daughter was taken from us in a car/bike accident.

It is a blurry picture, but this is Krista. This was taken the year we lost her when she was just 6 years old and finished her Grade one.

Today we went out and cleaned up the grave site and gave our baby new flowers. We also visited with Harvey's Mom and Dad as well as one set of his grandparents. Most of the family is buried in this graveyard.

I am finding this year a bit difficult for some reason. I seem to be in tears at some crazy moments in the day. Strangely I am finding myself more and more wondering what Krista would have been like had she still been with us.

Once home I picked lots of cucumbers (and cried) and tonight made them into Pickles In A Bucket (and cried). Hopefully I can add another small cucumber to the bucket in an hour or so.

Also I managed to finish another of the top patterns I had cut out for one of my goals this month. I am afraid that I have fallen short in the sewing department this month. Perhaps next month can be a catch up one. Promise to post pictures of what I did manage to get done within the next week.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

I didn't get to post yesterday as Harvey took over the computer. Seems he just had to look up statistics on his favourite ball team and football teams.....

Here are our menus for this week.

Monday

Homemade soup and sandwiches.  Need to use up the stock before I make more from the carcasses I have saved.

Tuesday

Homemade pizza. This will use up some Italian sausage and the leftover ham. We will also have a salad with this.

Wednesday

Finish off the pizza and the salad.

Thursday

Leftover chicken made into something I have never made before. I will let you know if it turns out.

Friday

Tuna Pasta Salad

Saturday

Sausage Casserole and a salad.

Sunday

Beef Roast, creamed potatoes, green beans, and of course a salad.

So there you have it, my menus for the week. Hoping for no changes so we can use things up.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Trying For More Than 20 Of These This Month

Every month I try for as many no spend days as are possible. Usually I can manage 20 in a month, this month I might just manage a few more.

This would be awesome, as last month (and actually this month as well as next) have a few unexpected expenses.

My visit to the dentist resulted in two fillings, a root canal and a crown. While our insurance will pay for the fillings, and the getting rid of any infection in the "bad" tooth leading to the root canal and crown. They will not pay for the root canal and resulting work.

Sure we can claim the work on our income tax next year, but the expense up front is crazy......

Here is hoping that this fourth root canal and crown are my last such unexpected expense for a very long time.

Also hoping that we can have a great many more no spend days in the upcoming months.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

After The Rain

Over the last two evenings we have received almost an inch of rain. Great for the garden and lawns, not so great for picking in said garden. The last row of beans are still waiting to be picked, hopefully tomorrow morning Harvey and I can get in and finish that job.

I also hope to pick the parsley, some more kohlrabi and the last of the peas. Being busy with the garden might mean that I will be unable to bake the rhubarb loaves and muffins. I hope not, as the fridge is getting way too full.

A couple of days ago I got another parcel in the mail. I have been waiting for this parcel for three weeks and am so happy to get it.

More patterns that I ordered from McCalls!!!

Some are even suitable with the right fabric choice for wearing during the fall and winter.

This pattern,

I am really excited about making. I even have a beautiful heavy patterned red fabric to make it in. I am a bit scared however as it is fully lined (have I ever made a lining for any pattern....no), and there are lots of pieces to cut out and sew. I hope if I take my time I can do justice to this beautiful coat pattern.

I even have fabric for this skirt,

The green one, only I plan on using a red knit (or perhaps the royal blue knit I have in my stash).

Just got to get my other sewing projects done and I can get started on some fall/winter wear.

Off to work on my Christmas rug project!!

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thursday Tid Bits

After the disaster with my oven last night, Harvey got it up and working today. I just can not be without an oven and a toaster oven just won't cut it in this house.

It is his birthday today, Harvey turned 64 so to get him to work on his birthday means a great deal to me.

I made him the dinner he wanted, fresh fish (well fish he caught a few days ago), oven fries and beans that I picked yesterday. His birthday pie will be enjoyed a bit later.

I went and visited with my sister, niece, great nephew, and great niece this afternoon. I had a wonderful time catching up on all their news and getting to know the little ones a bit better.

This is Rylan. He is three years old and full of energy.

He does not like getting his picture taken and it took me a long time to get this one. I first had to take a picture of Dolly.

Dolly, just happens to be his mothers old Cabbage Patch doll.

This is his little sister, Arya.

She was much more interested in the camera and my purse than even thinking of smiling!

After a few hours of drawing and crawling on the floor I was on my way home.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

A Busy Beginning

Well it looks as if my busy time on the old homestead is beginning. The garden is starting to produce by leaps and bounds, I spent most of my day just picking and preparing veggies and fruit.

First thing this morning I picked one row of beans.

A rather large steel bowl full of green beans. Some were washed and put in the fridge to be used for upcoming meals. The rest were snipped and blanched. Put in freezer bags and placed in the freezer. I still have one row left to pick but that can wait until tomorrow.

Next I started drying herbs. What could be snipped off my basil plant and oregano plants was washed and then put in the dehydrator.

I think I will be doing parsley tomorrow first thing.

Next I picked the last of the rhubarb.

These are washed and sliced. Right now the slices are residing in containers in the fridge ready to be made into loaves and cake for the freezer. Nice to pull out when we want a bit of sweet for a special treat.

A head of romaine lettuce was next on the list. Washed and prepared for use during meals for the rest of the week, and probably into next week as well.

You would think this was enough for one day wouldn't you? Nope there was more appearing every time I would get out there.

These zucchini soon found their way inside. I washed them up and shredded them (too big for anything else) and now some shredded zucchini await usage this winter in the freezer.

Three cucumbers now reside in the crisper. I can use them as sides on their own or mixed into the lettuce.

I then got a bit of time to do some work on my cross stitch. It was only half an hour but at least I got a bit more completed on that little (do you sense some sarcasm here) project.

Now I am working on Harveys birthday pie. Hopefully that will be done before two long. I just have to wait for the cream cheese to soften a bit more. Baking the pie shell as I type. Well, I thought I was baking the pie shell. My oven seems to be having a bit of a problem...... It may take awhile to warm up as only one element is working. Hope to get it fixed tomorrow as Harvey thinks an element is burned out.

Off to do some work on the rug project and get this pie shell baked.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

Another week of cooking or getting Harvey to BBQ. The weather has been so warm that cooking outside saves the air conditioners a bit of a work out.

Monday

Roast Pork which we were supposed to have yesterday.... Then Hubby decided he had a craving for Kentucky Fried Chicken...spent his allowance so can't complain. Served with kohlrabi and carrots along with some salad.

Tuesday

Chicken Cordon Blu, I am pretty sure there are two packages left. Then again I might be gone so if there is only one left....Harvey can have it and I will scrounge. Served with fresh green beans and a salad.

Wednesday

Leftover Pork roast made into a casserole.

Thursday

Clean out the fridge night.... not that there is much in there put there could be leftover pork casserole and a few bits of salad left. I could however make the fish I was going to serve last Friday if there are no leftovers.

Friday

Lazy Perogies and a salad (need to use up the lettuce that is left in the garden).

Saturday

BBQ ribs, potato packets, and either peas or beans from the garden.

Sunday

Roast Chicken, mashed potatoes, corn and perhaps some salad.

There they are, the menus for each evenings meal this week.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

I am afraid that I did not pay as much attention to Father Brian's homily as I should have today. It was so hot in the church that Harvey's Aunt ended up being wheeled out of Mass mid way into the homily and my mind was elsewhere.

I do remember him asking us at the end "Where does the word of God fall in our lives, good soil or poor?" I sometimes wonder if the soil of my faith is rich enough for the word to take root. Guess that is something I will have to work on, making sure my faith is rich and pure. Able to take in God's word and follow His teachings.

Thought I would also share some more pictures from the threshing bee.

We got to see an old fashioned lumber mill at work.

We watched them cut planks and beams. What a lot of work and as Harvey said dangerous as well!!! Look at the size of the saw.

Then it was off to see the threshing.

I can only imagine how hot, sticky and itchy this work was. It would also be back breaking as the "threshing crew" would travel from farm to farm doing this every day for weeks until the harvest was done. Kudos to our pioneer forefathers for working so hard to make a life on the prairies and mothers who would cook for these hungry men everyday.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

An Old Fashioned Threshing Bee and More

Today Harvey and I made a trip to Crosby, North Dakota. In all the years we have lived here we have never made the trip to see the annual threshing bee and this year we decided it was an adventure we needed to take in. So today, we jumped in the car and spent 5 hours immersed in the past.

After eating dinner we lined up to watch the parade. But first we gazed at a few old cars.

A friend of ours drove this beauty in the parade.

Aren't these beautifully restored. There were many more, some from as far away as California and Texas!!

The parade started at 1 pm. We could have taken many more pictures than we did, but I will share a few with you.

There were a few horse drawn carriages and buggies to start things off. I fell in love with the matched pairs. They were so gorgeous.

Next came some old tractors, many from Canada and a few were the only surviving ones. Two of the only known survivors came from Canada, nice to be well represented.

Now this next one is a bit newer, (not really new though) but Harvey can remember having one of these John Deere D's on the farm.

He says that his sister's drove this one more than he ever did.

I will share more pictures of this day next week. We took a great many of them.

Harvey enjoyed his day away from yard work, and anything that makes him happy makes me happy as well (at least he can't complain that I keep him chained to work this way). We have actually decided that more of these one day trips away will be of great benefit to both of us.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

A Walk Around My Garden

Today after watering my many pots and baskets, I decided to take a short walk around the garden.

We are now harvesting veggies other than lettuce!!!! How wonderful is that.

First, what I like to call sputniks, but they're really something else.

Three kohlrabi, mixed with some sliced carrots and cooked in a lovely thickened chicken broth will more than happily feed us as a side for dinner one night (probably Sunday).

A rather large zucchini, it kind of got away from me, but it is the perfect size to shred and perhaps make a chocolate zucchini cake or some loaves. A smallish cucumber, to large to pickle, but large enough to slice into a salad.

Then I meandered over to my lilies. Two new ones are blooming and my day lilies should be starting soon as well.

This lovely goldish coloured one with orange tips. It is a bit smaller than the other lilies, but just perfect the way it is.

Also these lovely yellow, splotched with burgundy. How wonderful to see the garden slowly coming back to life after the horrendous winter and cool spring we had in the past.

I am hoping to get some other lily varieties to add to these very soon. I have my eye on a deep purple and a coral coloured one. Just have to find a place to place them, maybe getting rid of a few day lilies will improve my chances.

Hmmm, this started me wondering what beyond the peas, beans, cucumbers and zucchini were blossoming?????

I went back to the vegetable garden and found this......

My eggplants are finally blossoming!! So looking forward to lots of glossy purple eggplant this summer.

Nothing makes me feel at peace like enjoying my gardens. Well getting projects finished does give me a sense of peace as well.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Quiet Once Again

Today Kris headed back to his apartment in Regina. Things will slowly get back to normal now that he is gone. Yet both Harvey and I hope he comes back the long weekend next month. Perhaps Kris will be able to help with a couple more big projects before the summer ends. Like helping Harvey fix up the side of the house we have sealed off. That big pile of gravel (crushed rock actually) needs to be moved and spread.

Here is a picture of Harvey and Kris fixing the driveway.

After a day and a half of work it was finally completed!!! Now to just get the big pile of gravel out of the middle of the driveway. I did tell Harvey that I could help with that, but for some strange reason I don't think he believed me. Hmmm, not sure if I like him thinking I am that weak.

Thought I would share a picture of Kris and Ray (the almost 30 lb cat). Kris had to wrangle him out of a corner today when he left.

Ray was a bit peeved off and would not look at me to get a good picture of him. Still you get an idea of his size.

Kris usually brings him in this medium sized dog carrier.

As you can see Ray is still a bit peeved. I could hear him crying as Kris walked down the driveway. Hope he didn't cry for the entire 2 hour trip home. When Kris called to say he had made it I asked if Ray was happy to be home and in familiar surroundings. Kris said the first thing he did was run to his favorite seating place in the front window.

I tried to get a good picture of the Supermoon a few days ago. I just couldn't get a picture that did it justice. The night sky was unbelievably beautiful and the moon was so big and bright orange.

This is someone's picture from just north of here. I really do wish I had a camera that was just a touch better than the one I have, or perhaps that I knew how to use my own camera effectively.

Well that is all my news from around here. Tomorrow I should have some new lilies blooming and I will share them with you all. Plus a few thoughts on frugality.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

Monday already????? Wow the weeks are passing like crazy. Summer will be gone in no time if this keeps up.

Monday

Pork chops (hopefully grilled), rice, salad, and beets.

Tuesday

Spaghetti and meat sauce, salad, and garlic bread.

Wednesday

Supposed to be leftover beef roast but really there wasn't much left after supper on Sunday so I am going to make the Hotdogs we did not eat last week. Pork and beans as well as salad will be served along side.

Thursday

Baked spaghetti, the remaining salad and garlic bread.

Friday

Fish Fillets, mashed potatoes, and green beans.

Saturday

Chicken Burgers and all the trimmings. I think I might make a potato salad as a side.

Sunday

Pork roast, potatoes (probably mashed), beets and a salad (if I don't want to waste romaine from the garden we will be eating lots of salads over the next while).

I was right in thinking that having Kurt and Kris home was going to make a difference on leftovers. We really do not have much left when they are home. A bit here and a bit there. Makes keeping the fridge cleaned out a bit easier.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

WooHoo For Saturday

Ahh, the first day of the weekend (which of course goes by way too quickly during the summer) and the first full day of Kris's week off of work.

Here he is goofing around on his laptop. Harvey and he went fishing for most of the day and once they got home Kris started washing. Between loads he enjoyed himself on the laptop. I think he plays an RPG, but I am not really sure. Tomorrow after Mass I am sure Harvey and he will be busy getting some more of the summer yard jobs completed.

Thought I would show a picture of the finished side gate.

I have a feeling that when Harvey rebuilds the fence on the other side a new gate will finish it off as well. Ahh, then things will look complete. Next year there is room on the sides to place my hooks and hang some more flowers. They will even have a backdrop, just have to do some research on what will look the best.

I have some special stepping stones that will be laid from the front of this gate to the brick patio at the front of the house. I might have to find a few more in order to have the walk look just right.

Before I wax poetic about this my third harvest from the garden let me state something in my defense. It has been a very long time since I have been lucky enough to get a zucchini!! For some odd and unknown reason lately the fruit just seems to rot once the plant starts producing. I am hoping for a few more of these luscious things this summer. This one was sliced and added to a tinfoil packet along with carrots and onions. Cooked on the BBQ for a delicious side at supper tonight.

I started one of the Christmas gifts about a week and a half ago.

I started Kris's rug. I am hoping to finish this multicoloured ball of yarn and get a good start on the lighter colour this month. After all, along with all the other gifts that need to be made I could be strapped for time.

Tonight Saskatchewan is supposed to have what is known as a "Supermoon". I hope to get some pictures of it to share with all of you tomorrow.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thursday Tid Bits

Just a few more pictures of the garden.

My Asiatic Lilies are starting to bloom in front of the house. I love the colours.

The Mandavilla vine is blooming nicely on the deck. I have already told Harvey I am going to try and overwinter this plant in the house with my Bougainvillea.

Then on to the veggie garden.

Pea pods are forming..... Something ate many of the seeds we planted so there probably will not be enough to freeze this year.

Romaine lettuce is nice and green. We have already harvested two heads. The heads are larger than they look so we are set for salads for awhile.

Then I decided that my parsley and basil needed to be trimmed and so I spent some time drying them.

This is the second set of four trays of parsley I dried.

I did not get a picture of the basil, but the way it has been growing it won't be long before I have more to dry.

I usually get enough herbs to last me an entire year, which is wonderful considering how much a small jar costs in the grocery store.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.