Wednesday, May 31, 2017

May's Goals....Met or Not Met.

1.  Finish the second easy cross stitch kit.  Done.

2.  Sew Harvey's pj bottoms.  Done.

3.  Sew at least one top.  Done.

4.  Cut out a summer dress.  Not accomplished.

5.  Have at least 19 no spend days.  Actually managed 22 no spend days this month.

6.  Declutter (ongoing every month).  Done.

7.  Send in registration form for my family reunion. (One of those that will only take a few minutes)  Done.

8.  Scan and send pictures for the slide show for my family reunion. (another of those that should only take a few minutes.  Done.

9.  Notify Kathy that there will only be two of us for Harvey's family reunion. (Another minutes work)  Done.

10.  Buy plants.  Done.

11.  Plant flowers and garden (Harvey usually does the garden on his own).  Done.

12.  Make outside cushions.  Done.

13.  Refashion two summer dresses into something else (thinking both should be able to be completed in one day).  Done, and while it did not take just one day, things went together very quickly over the course of a couple of days.


Looking at what I managed to accomplish this month I am extremely happy. I did manage to get almost all of what needed to be done, and even with buying starter plants, spending a bit more than was planned in a few budget areas, we still managed to come in under budget overall. That makes me happy. It is however disappointing to see that the increase in provincial taxes raised some of our budget lines over what we had planned on spending each month.

Now while I did not declutter as much as I thought I would, I am working on using up my fabric and yarn stashes so hopefully numbers will go up next month.

This month I removed another 47 items, which brings my total to 436 for the year. Nothing to sneeze at, but really not a whole lot considering what is in my house.

As I said we were under total budget for the month, but over in a couple of categories. I am hopeful of getting this under control very soon. I do notice the grocery/household item budget line slowly but surely going up. Time to make a trip to Regina for a stock up.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.


Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Thrifty Tuesday

I have had the usual thrifty moments over the past week. I have mended numerous items, darned some socks (sliced a few up to use in the garden as ties...those that have been darned too many times to count), hung laundry on the lines, and pulled fabric out of my stash to make a few new summer clothing items.

I decided that I had better start using up the stashed fabric and yarn as I really don't think the boys would know what to do with it if anything ever happened. I also need to get the sewing/craft room into a more organized space and that was never going to happen if I did not start to use things up.

I went to the library and picked up an armload of books to read. Spring and summer are for reading fiction, really our library does not have any non fiction that interests me at this time. Perhaps one day soon, I do keep looking.

Harvey and I had a movie night this week. We watched Aviator (story of Howard Hughes) and while the first three quarters of the movie was interesting the last quarter was less so. I think that the darn thing was almost 2 1/2 hours long and that last half hour was very boring. Thank heavens we watched it on the box and didn't rent it.

Harvey has been thrifty as well. Instead of renting a roller (something to pack down grass seed into the ground I don't know what else to call it), he filled one of his glass wine fermenters and used it. He said it worked very well. Now hopefully we will have grass growing by the fence in front of the house.

Tomorrow is the last day of the month and I will be able to see where we stayed within budget and where we over spent. Bit worried, but I am sure we will be okay overall.

Tomorrow is also when I will fill everyone in on how well I met my goals for the month. Keep your fingers crossed for me. Things seem to be moving along nicely.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Monday, May 29, 2017

Menu Monday

Time whizzes by, and I know I have missed a few blogging opportunities but I find there to be not enough hours in a day at times. I do wish I was a bit more organized and had some blog posts in draft ready to be published at a moments notice, but I don't. Perhaps one day......

Monday

Chicken Wings, leftover rice and a salad.

Tuesday

Leftover Ham made into something just not sure what as of yet...Perhaps Pasties.


Wednesday

Steak, mashed potatoes, and the leftover salad.

Thursday (Oh my we are into the 6th month of the year already)

Cabbage bread (need to clean out the big freezer as much as is possible).

Friday

Salmon casserole, raw veggies and dip.

Saturday

Smoked sausage and tinfoil veggies.

Sunday

Roast Chicken, roasted potatoes, roasted carrots.

Now I am off for my daily walk, and then once the house is cleaned I am locking myself in the sewing room for a couple of hours work.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.



Friday, May 26, 2017

Frugal Friday

This has not been a totally frugal week as we ended up replanting a few items in the garden. Hopefully this will be the last replacement.

1.  Baked bread three times this past week.

2.  Replaced the zipper in a coat, and mended that nightie.

3.  Used up all leftovers in the fridge as well as using up a few bits and bobs from the freezer.

4.  We got just over 1/2 " of rain this week so the rain barrel is full again, and I have been able to continue using the rain water for the plants.

5.  We have three orphan potato plants coming up in various areas of the garden. We should be able to leave 2 of them where they are. Not too sure about the third one though.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

What Are Perogies?

I was asked what perogies are and thought I would share with all of you.

Perogies are a Ukrainian, and Polish dish that many Germans make as well. They are something like Ravioli but instead of being stuffed with meat or chopped veggies have a center of mashed potatoes and cheese.

Most people grate old cheddar to mix and melt with the cheese. I cheat and buy a processed cheese spread because I like the taste much better.

They are boiled and then can be covered with a mixture of fried onions and melted butter. Or once cooked can be lightly fried or used in a casserole.

We like them boiled, slathered in melted butter and fried onions, salt and pepper. Then a large dollop of sour cream is placed on top.

This is comfort food to me and Harvey (though he prefers cottage cheese and potatoes in his perogies). It is something our mothers and grandmothers made when money was tight.

Here is a picture of them that I got from Bing.


I hope that answered everyone's questions.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Thrifty Tuesday

It was a mending day today. My favorite nightie had a small hole in the knit fabric just under one arm and I don't know how much knit long nighties cost where you live, but I refuse to pay what they want here.

So out came the sewing machine and some black knit fabric and the hole was mended!! All it took was a bit of time, a little bit of thread and a tiny piece of that black knit fabric. I should be able to get another few years wear out of it.

I have also finished Harvey's pj bottoms. What was thrifty about this project you may ask? Well I used an old microfiber sheet to make them. The fitted sheet was thread bare, but the flat was still in excellent condition. Now he has a nice pair of pajama bottoms at no real cost. Well, a little cost for the thread and elastic, but both were in my stash.

Monday was beautiful and so all the laundry was hung out to dry, saving the cost of running the dryer.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Monday, May 22, 2017

Menu Monday

Kris will be heading back up to Regina today and my visiting will be done for awhile. I can actually, perhaps get back into the groove of posting regularly once again.

Any way it is time for the usual Monday post.


Monday

Sausage casserole, the layers of potato, onion, peas and carrots will make it unnecessary to prepare any sides. However, I may try to make some cheese biscuits. This was supposed to have been made on Saturday, but with Kris home we had the scheduled meal for today. The old switch a roo going on once again.

Tuesday

Leftover roast beef from Sunday. I think it will be hot beef sandwiches, peas and home fries.

Wednesday

Soup and sandwiches. Need to use up some more stock.

Thursday

Homemade pizza from the crust up. It's a shopping day so this will have plenty of fresh veggies.

Friday

Perogies, and sour cream.

Saturday

Stuffed chicken breasts, rice and a tossed salad.

Sunday

Ham, mashed potatoes, and corn along with the remains of the salad.

Wow, it is almost time to make up next months menu and use up a bit more in those over packed freezers downstairs.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Friday, May 19, 2017

Frugal Friday


Now what is my frugal 5 for this week.

1.  Moved all my plants indoors and covered those I couldn't when the temperature was forecast to fall below freezing. I thus saved having to buy new plants to replace the ones that froze.

2.  No air conditioning this week, and heating just barely turned up.

3.  Refashioned two dresses into skirt and top sets. I wear skirts much more than I wear dresses.

4. Shopped from my grocery list once again with no extra buying.

5.  Used up all leftovers in the fridge.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thursday, May 18, 2017

Thursday Tidbits

Slowly but surely I am making my way through my goal and extra cleaning list.

Both dresses are refashioned now and ready to be pressed. Pictures very soon. I also thought that since I couldn't get all the cat hair out of the bed I made Shania many years ago (seems she is losing more and more hair every year) I would make her a new one.

I pulled the necessary items out of the closet today and managed to get another item crossed off the list.

This one is bright red instead of grey. I hope that next year I can find the same deal on sweatshirts that I found when I bought this batch (I have made cat beds for two others and only have one of my bargain sweatshirts left).
 
Plants seem to have made it through the cold last night. We covered them up for one more night and then the weather will improve (at least I hope).
 
Kris will be home late tomorrow, and I should be able to get my computer fixed and my new android box up and running. Looking forward to his visit.
 
Everybody have a wonderful evening.
 
God bless.


Wednesday, May 17, 2017

We Really Should Know Better

There is a saying here in Saskatchewan, that nothing should be planted until the long weekend in May. That just happens to be this weekend.

We have had weather well above freezing at night for about 3 weeks now. Yes, it has gotten cold at night, but never has it fallen below 0 C since about the last week in April.

Today has been cloudy, cold and pretty darn windy (hey I live in Estevan and very few days can really be classed as windless). Harvey looked at the forecast for overnight and, well it looks as if the saying should have been listened to this year. We are going down to -2 C and because it has cleared right up the danger of frost is pretty darn likely.

Most of my plants are now residing in the hall, and the ones that are too big for me to move are placed as close to the house as possible and tightly wrapped in sheets.

Harvey has his veggie garden under wraps and the blankets and sheets are weighed down with various bricks and rocks.

Both of us are keeping our fingers crossed that we make it through tonight as the weather does improve once again.

Everyone have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Thrifty Tuesday

Things are more or less back to normal today.

I really enjoyed my friend Kim's visit.

Kim and I first met through an online community on frugal living and then as time passed by became online friends through Facebook. She has spent the last two years travelling across the United States in an Airstream, and this year decided to make a trip into Canada. First she went to Alberta to see the town where her mother was born, and visit relatives. Next she came into Saskatchewan to visit me. We had a great time, and I actually found lots of free things for us to visit and do. Spent as much time as we possibly could together and Harvey cooked our meals as well as cleaned up. I think I got a bit spoiled, but I also fell behind on various household tasks.

I am all caught up now though, and moving ahead with all those projects and goals I had set for myself at the beginning of the month.

The two cross stitch projects that were supposed to have been completed last month are now done. Thrifty project, as these were in the stash of items given to be when Mom passed away. I still have two more to do, and then perhaps I can start on some of the kits that Kurt has given me over the years.

I have started to refashion the two dresses. In fact I have the first one more or less completed, just needs a good pressing. I found that more fabric needed to be added to the bottom of the top to make it longer (seemed a tad short) and I managed to find some coordinating fabric in my stash. Then I thought why not add some to the skirt as well. This managed to use up one of my rolls of 2" strips.

I am going to do the same to the second skirt and top set I am refashioning out of the second dress. This will use up another roll of 2" strips.

Two kind of new outfits at no cost other than thread and my time.

On Monday I got a lovely parcel in the mail.

This bag came all the way from Wales. Thank you so much Pam, it is just the right size for those on the road knitting projects I have planned.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.




Monday, May 15, 2017

Menu Monday

I think things are pretty well back to normal on the old homestead. Well as normal as they ever are and I hope to get back to blogging this week.


Menu's were changed up a bit last week so if you see a repeat, well just know it did not get eaten on the day it was supposed to.


Monday


Chicken breasts, rice, asparagus and a tossed salad.


Tuesday


Clean out the fridge night.


Wednesday


Leftover pork roast from the fridge freezer (if none I will make the pork roast we were supposed to have on Sunday). Using up the remainder of the asparagus as well.


Thursday


Leftover chicken made into a casserole.


Friday


Fish Fillets, homemade fries and coleslaw.


Saturday


Sausage Casserole (might add some different veggies to this).


Sunday


Beef Roast, roasted potatoes, roasted Brussel sprouts (they are on sale this week).


I am looking forward to this weekend. It is a holiday weekend here in Canada (Victoria day) and our youngest Kris is planning on coming home.


Everybody have a wonderful day.


God bless.





Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Thrifty Tuesday


It has been a thrifty day here on the old homestead.

I have spent most of the day busy planting and filling all my boxes and baskets. Slowly but surely making my way through what I have bought and all the plants I started inside. Saved a bit with starting many of my own plants. I just wish I had the room to start even more of them, but space is at a premium right now. I am hopeful of finishing up tomorrow morning before I head out and about with my visitor.

Many years ago I met this woman on the Frugal Living forum on About.com (it has closed now and we have moved to the forum on My Frugal Home). Kim is a teacher and after her retirement and the passing of her Dad, she bought a trailer and a truck and has been busy traveling thorough out the continental U.S (she only has three states to go through to complete the map). I had always said "If you are ever in Canada, and anywhere near Saskatchewan, my door is open." So this year she took me up on it.

I picked her up at the camp site and we spent 3 hours together. Harvey made supper (and even did the dishes). Tomorrow I plan on spending some time showing her the few sights we have around here. I hope she has a good time.

Pictures tomorrow or Thursday on how the planting is going.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Monday, May 8, 2017

Menu Monday


There could be a few changes this week as I am expecting a guest to arrive some time tomorrow. I just found out about her actually being able to come for a visit late last week so did not add that into my menu planning.

Monday

Leftover ham made into a casserole. It is chilly and damp today so having something filling will be great.

Tuesday

Not sure if my friend will be here in time for supper. If she is I will do up a BBQ meal. Hamburgers, all the fixings and a salad. If she isn't I will use up the leftover chicken.

Wednesday

Whatever is not eaten Tuesday will be today's meal.

Thursday

Clean out the fridge night.

Friday

Fish fillets (baked), homemade fries, and a salad or raw veggies and dip.

Saturday

Ribs, rice and mixed veggies (or green beans).

Sunday

Pork Roast, roasted potatoes and carrots.

There you have it the menus for the week. I am hoping to clean out the fridge freezer of leftovers just a tad more this week (will be adding a bag or two of the leftover roast pork).

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Sunday, May 7, 2017

Sunday Ramblings

The last two days have been nice. Warm and sunny, but with strong winds.

I think however we are in for a change. The clouds rolled in and have hidden the beautiful sunset of a few moments ago.

The moon is slightly hidden by either a thin covering of clouds or blowing dust.

And the temperature is falling!!

Still I did enjoy the warmer weather and managed to do a bit of shopping yesterday.


The beginnings of our summer garden!! Still more to get, but we finally have a start.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.



Saturday, May 6, 2017

Saturday Roundup

 Nothing really big happened here over the past week, little things that perhaps over time will add up to big things.

This is one of my bad spending months. I seem to go a bit overboard when it comes to buying bedding plants. Even with starting some plants from seed, and growing others from cuttings my costs seem to sky rocket every year. This year I am going to try and cut back a bit on what I spend.

Today I went out and bought what I hope is enough plants for most of my boxes, baskets and planters.

I am also going in a direction that will see me planting more edibles than flowers. If those edibles give me some beautiful flowers that is a big plus.

I have a friend that I met online dropping in one day next week, so I am busy getting my house in order. I did a big tidy and declutter today and will continue with this tomorrow after doing a bit of planting once Harvey finds me some top soil.

I visited with family and did a bit of planning around the family reunion (Harv's family) and the portion that we are in charge of. Ideas were tossed around and a few decisions made.

Harvey got me a pedometer at the beginning of the week. While it does give me a good indication of approximately how many steps I take in a day, the darn thing sticks every so often so is not completely accurate. Every day except for today I have met the 10,000 step mark. I thought I would take it a bit easy today.

The cross stitch project is moving along, and so is my knitting. Now just to get into the sewing room and complete a few things. Hopefully later next week.

How has your week progressed?

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thursday, May 4, 2017

Woolies

I just realized that I did not share a picture of my knitted socks. At least I don't think I did.

Sorry for the blurry picture, but my camera is acting up.

I made these with a shorter cuff so they will be more an ankle length than others I have knitted. Still not too sure about knitting in the round so these are two needle socks.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.
God bless.


Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Finally

After a week of rain and colder than normal temperatures, today was just beautiful.

I had a nice long walk this morning (and a couple of shorter ones as well) and then headed out to the garden.

While Harvey tilled the veggie garden and set up the deck furniture (he had to repaint a few items), I weeded the perennial bed and the hosta bed. Now, while all the weeds and the quack grass have not been totally eliminated I did make a very good start. One more good weeding this week should see everything looking just lovely.

I did notice that all my lilies are breaking through, and the delphinium are getting fairly large. I am so looking forward to a summer full of an abundance of colour!!! Summers are so short here we have to make the best of it while we can.

Tomorrow I will be setting out all my plant pots and giving them a good wash, and then on Thursday I hope to be out purchasing all my annual flowers. I think I am going with a completely different colour scheme this year (providing I can find what I want). Instead of red and white, I think I just may go with terra cotta, yellow, and orange. I will throw in some white for contrast. These colours should look really nice against the smoky blue grey of our siding.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

New Goals


While I do find monthly goals much easier to reach there are still those months that I do not achieve all of them. When that happens I move those goals to the next month.

This month I have quite the list to accomplish, but I should be able to get most if not all of them completed. Heck, some of them are only a matter of sending an email with scanned pictures, and planting flowers which I love to do and can usually complete in two days.

The first few goals are ones I did not get completed last month.

1.  Finish the second easy cross stitch kit.

2.  Sew Harvey's pj bottoms.

3.  Sew at least one top.

4.  Cut out a summer dress.

5.  Have at least 19 no spend days.

6.  Declutter (ongoing every month).

7.  Send in registration form for my family reunion. (One of those that will only take a few minutes)

8.  Scan and send pictures for the slide show for my family reunion. (another of those that should only take a few minutes.

9.  Notify Kathy that there will only be two of us for Harvey's family reunion. (Another minutes work)

10.  Buy plants.

11.  Plant flowers and garden (Harvey usually does the garden on his own).

12.  Make outside cushions.

13.  Refashion two summer dresses into something else (thinking both should be able to be completed in one day).

So there you have it, my goals for this month. Wish me luck!

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Monday, May 1, 2017

Menu Plan Monday


A new month has arrived with hopefully warmer temperatures than the last.

Monday

I have a change already in this months menus. There is lots of turkey tetrazzini left so we will have that for our supper along with carrots from the freezer.

Tuesday

Spaghetti and meat sauce served with coleslaw (must use the cabbage up).

Wednesday

Baked spaghetti and the leftover coleslaw.

Thursday

Clean out the fridge and use up the Brussel sprouts.

Friday

Glace (German egg noodle type dish), potatoes, and onion fried and poured over top.

Saturday

Soup and ham salad sandwiches (or buns). Need to use up still more stock.

Sunday

Roast chicken, roast potatoes, roast carrots.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.