Missing

I have been missing the last few days due to family happenings.

Our youngest son was home on the weekend so we had a bit of visiting, however I got a phone call from my oldest younger brother (hope that makes sense) that our other brother had a few problems.

Brother #1 came home from a day of shopping to find brother #2 unconscious on the floor of his basement apartment. Since he could not rouse him, brother #2 was picked up by ambulance and taken to the nearest hospital. From what I gather he had a seizure due to a very low potassium level. He was put on a ventilator for two days and when it was removed was sent to an even bigger hospital to have his dislocated shoulder put back in. I am still waiting on a call from brother #1 to find out if brother #2 is back on his feet or not (supposedly they were going to get him up and walking today).

No menu plans this week as it is a clean out the fridge week. We will be gone from Thursday until Monday. I have brother #1's daughters grad to attend on Thursday, and then we have Harvey's family reunion to attend. Must get the fridge cleaned out before I leave.

I will also be leaving Harvey a list of what needs to be packed as well as what he needs to do before leaving (feeding the cat, making sure there is enough food and water for while we are gone, and watering all my plants). I just hope he remembers everything.

With the worry about my brother I am afraid my sewing has taken a back seat, I hope to cut out the tops, but getting them sewn is another story.....

Off to visit with you all. Well at least I hope to catch up with you all.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Summer Has Arrived!!

Summer may have arrived in most of Canada today, but not so much here on the prairies. The wind was blowing for most of the day (now it seems to have settled right down to what we could consider nothing) and the temperature was not that high. Hopefully we have some good weather coming

So what did I do on this first day of summer? I stayed in and had a fairly lazy day. After stripping the bed clothes and remaking the bed, I read some of my book, cut out a split skirt, did some list making, did some knitting, and took a couple of walks. A really lazy day on the old homestead.

Things will be getting busier now though. Kris is coming home this weekend and I need to start preparing for the family reunion which we will be attending at the end of next week. But before that I need to get ready to go to my nieces high school graduation. My sister is driving and has reserved us a room as the ceremony goes until late in the evening and three hours is a long drive in the dark. The next day we hope to meet up with another brother in the morning, and then the remaining two aunts on my Mom's side. We will have lunch and then leave. Joanne plans on dropping me off at the park where the reunion is taking place.

I am leaving Harvey in charge of packing up for the reunion. That means he is in charge of getting the food out of the freezer, the silent auction items, the dry goods packed, and his own clothing. Most importantly he needs to remember to put out extra food for the cat!!! This should be interesting to say the least. I am going to try and get as much together as possible before I leave. Wish him luck cause I always seem to forget something (there is a store, but it is very expensive).

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Tuesday

The usual thrifty practices were taking place here on the old homestead. You know the ones, using rain water to water all our plants, line drying, washing laundry in cold water whenever possible, rinsing out containers to get that last little bit of what we paid for and keeping the house cool by opening the windows wide at night on those warmer days or keeping them open all days on those that are cooler.

I did some mending this week, buttons had to be sewn on, seams or hems mended, and a couple of skirts taken in.

All the scraps from the patterns I have cut out over the past few weeks were made into 2" strips or 4" squares suitable to be used in quilts come the winter, I even have a plan to make some into fabric to be made into bags or table coverings. Just have to figure out the best way of doing it.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

I was very good last week and followed my menu plans for most (well changed one day) of the week. Hope I do as well this week.

Monday

Grabbing a package of the leftover ham from the freezer. I will probably just warm it up and serve it with cauliflower cheese and asparagus.

Tuesday

Today will be leftover pork roast made into a stir fry, served with rice.

Wednesday

Hamburgers, tinfoil potatoes and a salad.

Thursday

Clean out the fridge night.

Friday

Fish fillets, homemade fries and salad or raw veggies and dip.

Saturday

Ham Steaks BBQ, tin foil carrots, potatoes and onions, and I will make a salad.

Sunday

Beef roast, a pan of roasted assorted veggies, and the remains of the salad.

Hope I can stick to this again this week.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

Dark clouds gathered around supper time, but the storm passed to the north and east of us. Good thing as Facebook was full of postings from people north of us saying they got hail. Not good, now that the garden is beginning to take off.

I said I would post some pictures of the sewing I have done over the past couple of weeks.

Two pairs of shorts.

A pullover, shift which turned out very nicely and was so simple to sew.

Next is a picture of a dress that has caused me problems.

Now this wrap around dress seemed to be coming together beautifully. It was a new, never before tried pattern and I was so very careful sewing it. While it sort of, kind of fit, the bodice showed a bit more than I wanted. What to do????

I ended up cutting the bodice off, making a waistband and turning it into a wrap around skirt. While it isn't as pretty, I will at least wear it.

No knitting to show you as the blocking is not going well.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

It has been a bit busier than usual around the old homestead the past week.

Since we bought a great deal of meat from Costco while up in Regina, it needed to be packaged into more meal sized packages instead of the giant Costco packs. Out came the freezer bags and the Save A Meal sealing system.

 

Beef Roasts, pork roasts, salmon fillets, chicken breasts, stuffed chicken breasts and some chicken wings, a morning spent getting everything ready for the freezer. I still have bacon to slice and package.

As you are about to see, I broke my promise to not buy fabric or yarn until I had worked my way through the stash a bit more. However I found a great deal on some coat fabric (I want to make a fall coat), and flannelette. So of course I had to buy some. And who could turn down a good yarn sale.

 

 

 The lovely coat fabric. I already had something I could use for lining. Now just to decide if I want to use the same pattern as my red coat, or try one of the other patterns in my stash.

 The flannelette was more for pj pants for Harvey come winter, but I think I kind of like the striped fabric and might just commandeer it for my self.

Of course some sale fabric caught my eye.

 I just couldn't say no to this lovely heavier weight knit fabric. I have a dress pattern I want to use this with. To make it even better the fabric was 50% off the sale price.

 Then this stretch poplin caught my eye (the colour is a darker blue than the photo shows). I think it will make a lovely suit. Got the same deal for this fabric as with the knit fabric.

We had two old dehydrators that were on their last legs, so when we saw this one on sale for 45% off we snapped it up. It might have gone down further later on, but since we don't live in the city the chances of us being there at the right time were pretty slim. So we grabbed this one. I got the mats cut for the trays, and dehydrated some parsley to test it out. Works wonderfully and now I can set a temperature which is great, I had to guess with the old ones.

 

The old dehydrators are set aside to go to the Salvation Army Thrift Store next week.

 

Tomorrow I will share pictures of my sewing over the last 17 days and perhaps my knitting will be blocked enough to show you.

 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

 

God bless.

Frugal Friday

A few frugal happenings around the old homestead this week.

1.  We bought a new dehydrator and I tried it out by drying some parsley from the garden. This new one should save us some cash as it actually has a temperature gauge.

2.  Cut up scraps from the two dresses that have been cut out (only one completed though, the second one should be done tomorrow). I added the squares and strips to the various containers to be used to make quilts.

3.  Using items up from the fridge and pantry.

4.  Managed to get lots of stock up items on sale. We should be good for groceries except for dairy, fruit, and veggies (at least until the garden starts producing) for at least 3 months.

5.  Broke down and bought some more fabric, but one length will be used to make a fall coat for myself something I really need.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Mid Month Update

1.  Continue knitting from stash.  Continuing, I have finished a wrap and started a scarf.

2.  Cut out 2 pairs of shorts.  Done.

3.  Cut out two dresses (might be just one depending on if I decide to make a wrap skirt with the other piece.  Done.

4.  Cut out skirts (not sure if it will be one or two).  Not done.

5.  Cut out two summer tops.  Not done.

6.  Sew shorts.  Done.

7.  Sew dresses.  One is finished and the second is almost completed.

8. Sew skirts/skirt  Not done.

9.  Sew summer tops.  Not done.

10.  Have 18 no spend days if possible.  I have reached 11 no spend days so far this month.

11.  Make card and gift for nieces graduation (this could change to money in an envelope depending on time constraints).  Card is made.

12.  Continue with Project Declutter.  Slowly but surely a few more items are leaving the house and my wardrobe.

13.  Paint outdoor chairs by fire pit (have a feeling this will end up being my job).

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Football Anyone

Harvey, Kris and I attended the Regina Roughriders preseason football game on Saturday.

Now, our football here is not like the football across the pond. To me soccer is more like football cause you only use your feet, so our type of football is very strange to some people. Kind of a cross between soccer and rugby with some extras thrown in.

We were situated right at the top of the stadium, which is not the best place for someone who is terrified of heights but once I stopped hyperventilating I began to enjoy the view.

At each end of the field are giant television screens. They made it much easier for me to follow the plays. The men did not seem to have a problem.

Here is our team, way across the field. Sorry for the blurry picture.

The game went late into the night so we got to take a picture of the sun setting behind the stadium.

The game ended in a tie, which isn't bad considering the preseason is for trying out new players. We tried out 2 new quarterbacks, one of which really impressed Harvey and Kris. Hopefully this bodes well for the team this year.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

It is getting warmer out each day. Now I get to have Harvey cook as he really likes to BBQ. Don't want to wear him out so I will just add a few meals where I do the prep work and he cooks.

Monday

BBQ Chicken legs and thighs, tinfoil potatoes and coleslaw.


Tuesday

Hot dogs, fries, and the leftover coleslaw. If it doesn't rain the hot dogs will be done on the BBQ, if it rains I will do them inside.

Wednesday

Pork chops, mashed potatoes, and asparagus.

Thursday

Honey Garlic Sausage, fried leftover mashed potatoes, and carrots.

Friday

Soup and Sandwiches (need to get rid of a bit more stock).

Saturday

Hamburgers (BBQ), baked beans and a salad of some sort perhaps a broccoli one as I have bought a big bag of broccoli at Costco.

Sunday

Pork roast, roast in the pan potatoes and carrots. Perhaps some roasted asparagus.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

We are home from a wonderful couple of days away.

The football game was pretty good, however for someone who is scared stiff of heights the season ticket seats leave much to be desired. I did manage to control my hyperventilation by mid game and began to enjoy the experience.

Pictures later this week of the game and our shopping trip.

Off to bed cause I am really tired (first I need to read what everyone else has been up to).

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Frugal Friday

It's been a quiet week here on the old homestead.

1.  Harvey filled the cracks in the cement with cement leftover from other projects.

2.  All meals have been at home and I have used up all leftovers.

3.  Morning walks are going well. I have even extended my evening walk.

4.  Sewed a dress and two pairs of shorts for what it would have cost to buy one pair of shorts in the store.

5.  Used water from the rain barrel to water veggies and my flowers. Got rain today so the lawn got a water as well.

As I said a quiet week around here, probably because I locked myself in the sewing room or spent the time knitting.

You won't hear from me for a couple of days as we are heading to the city for a session of football and a stock up shop. Kris is looking forward to seeing us and is even willing to spend Sunday shopping.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thursday Tid Bits

Things have been pretty quiet around here lately. I have pretty much locked myself in the sewing room (well not today) and worked on sewing. I have almost finished the second pair of shorts (tomorrow will see them done) and finished one of the dresses. I hope to cut the other one out tomorrow. Mind you I picked out a brand new pattern and am always a bit leery when doing something I have never done before.

Harvey has been busy filling areas of cement that pulled away from the house, as well as cracks in the cement patio. He is hopeful that this will help with the water getting into the basement a bit.

Today I went out for lunch with a few friends. We were celebrating the 60th birthday of one of them (hence why no sewing today). I had a great time talking to them all and the visit went by way too quickly.

Tonight I hope to get a bit more done on the wrap I am making from a cream coloured yarn I found at the second hand store a while back. I had finished a triangular shawl last month and still had lots left. I do like wrapping up in a shawl or wrap on those cool spring and fall mornings and am getting quite a collection of them.

I also made up my stock up list for this weekend and will keep my eyes open for any bargains as well.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Tuesday

This spring, before we put the window air conditioning unit in the dining room, Harvey decided to give it a good flushing. The way he tells it the water took a very long time to run clear meaning all the dirt and such was out. The past few years it just hasn't seemed to cool the front of the house very well and he thought that before sending it out to see if the unit needed fixing he would give this a try.

Wonders of wonders, it did!! The end of last week saw us reaching temperatures in the mid 30 C range and the unit kept the house nice and cool. Kept it cool even though it was only set on low. Saving us a bit on electrical costs and no freezing up of the unit at all (we had a few hot days last year where it froze on us).

The evenings cool down enough that we can open the windows and allow the fresh air to cool the house overnight. This means no fan going all night in our bedroom, more electrical savings.

Harvey and I are both continuing watering the veggie garden and my flowers with rain water. We do need some more rain to fall though.

My poor black knit nighty has hit the dust. I put two patches in it last week and then after wearing it and washing it, the poor thing developed numerous holes. It could almost be said to resemble cheese cloth in a few places. So out came the scissors, the buttons were removed and added to the button jar, and the remainder (what wasn't full of holes) was cut up into rags for cleaning. Once this months sewing is completed I may just have to use what is left of the old sheet set to make myself a new one. I can manage with what I have left in my drawer.

Every two weeks I empty my purse of all the change and paper money (though money in Canada is now made out of a weird type of plastic and saying plastic money just isn't right). This week I decided to roll all my coin. Grand total of $546.00! That should help with the expenses of going to two family reunions and a graduation over the next few months.

Entertainment has been working in the garden, sewing, knitting, reading books from the library, walking, and watching old episodes of CSI (along with the occasional movie). No money spent at all.

Grocery shopping has been easy, though tomorrow I need to start making up my stock up list for our trip to Regina on Saturday and Sunday. It won't be frugal as we are staying overnight, going to a football game in the new stadium, and spending money stocking up. But getting to visit with Kris for a couple of days, and spending time together as a family is priceless.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Mondays

Monday

Yesterday was so warm, and Harvey and I were so full after the brunch he made after Mass, that the roast meal was put on hold. Instead we had what should have been today's meal. Guess that means either roast chicken today, or if it is way too hot, rotisserie chicken. Thinking some salads instead of cooked veggies.

Tuesday

Leftover chicken and the leftover salads.

Wednesday

Mushroom meatballs, rice and corn.

Thursday

Chicken Burgers, raw veggies.

Friday

German noodles, potatoes, and eggs (nice high fat meal)

Saturday

We will be gone to see the new stadium in Regina and watch Harvey's beloved Saskatchewan Roughriders play. Taking my camera with me to get some pictures I hope.

Sunday

Planned on staying after the football game and doing a bit of a stock up shop today. When we get home it will be a help yourself night.

There you have it, a bit of a spend week, but spending time with family is pretty priceless and Kris looks so forward to having us come for a visit.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

One thing I learned years ago and had reinforced by Father Brian's homily today is that the Holy Spirit is still working, still giving us gifts and talents that help us fulfill our mission to preach the gospel. We are called to use our talents and gifts to build up the community, not tear it down. To reach out to those in need, to forgive those that hurt us, to be the best we can possibly be.

With all that is happening in the world today, forgiveness is something that I am having a problem with. How does one forgive those who through hate take innocent lives? How does one forgive someone who feels they are following something contrary to my God's teachings, or even their own teachings?

I must leave this in God's hands and try and turn what talents and gifts I have to the good of humanity.

My thoughts and prayers are with London during this time. You are brave, you are strong and you are resilient. This is your gift to share with the world.

God bless.

New Monthly Goals

This is a couple of days late in arriving on the blog. I have had them listed for about 4 days and have started them off already.

1.  Continue knitting from stash.

2.  Cut out 2 pairs of shorts.

3.  Cut out two dresses (might be just one depending on if I decide to make a wrap skirt with the other piece.

4.  Cut out skirts (not sure if it will be one or two).

5.  Cut out two summer tops.

6.  Sew shorts.

7.  Sew dresses.

8. Sew skirts/skirt

9.  Sew summer tops.

10.  Have 18 no spend days if possible.

11.  Make card and gift for nieces graduation (this could change to money in an envelope depending on time constraints).

12.  Continue with Project Declutter.

13.  Paint outdoor chairs by fire pit (have a feeling this will end up being my job).

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Frugal Friday

It has been a quiet, stay at home week. This is a good thing as by the end of the month things will no longer be quiet for me. I have a nieces graduation and then Harvey's family reunion (not something I am really looking forward to at all...the reunion and being surrounded by Harv's family is not my favorite of things to be involved in).

My frugal five for this week are.

1.  Watching a couple of movies and some old series on both Netflix and my Android box.

2.  Hanging what clothes I can on the lines to dry.

3.  All meals made and served here at home.

4.  Air conditioning only turned on to low and only when it gets very warm in the house.

5.  Watering plants and the garden with rain from the barrel.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thursday Tid Bits

June 1st and finally we are getting warmer temperatures. Hopefully the garden and my flowers will actually begin to grow properly. Things are way behind.

Harvey managed to clean out both sheds this week and now gardening tools can be found a bit easier. Not much, but a little bit.

Thought I would share some pictures of finished projects from last month.

Firstly the two dresses I made into simple tank top and skirt sets.

 

 

Both very simple and will be quite cool to wear on those warmer days.

 

The new cushions for the chairs beside the fire pit. Those chairs need to be scraped and painted again badly..... A job for Harvey perhaps?

Fabric, pretreated and pressed, ready for this months sewing projects. I also have a few knit pieces that do not need to be pretreated that are pressed and ready as well. I am really trying very hard to use up some of my fabric stash.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.