Happy New Year

I want to take this opportunity to wish each and every one of you a Happy New Year. If things go as they usually do I will be snuggled down and fast asleep when midnight rolls around. Gone are the days when I could stay up until all hours of the morning and still have some functioning ability the next day.

Everybody have a wonderful evening however you choose to spend it.

God bless.

Saturday Round Up

It has been a very strange week. First it was so busy that I couldn't find time to do much of anything, and then once the boys left and the really cold weather hit, it seems like I have too much time on my hands.

Not being able to go out for my daily walks makes the days seem so very long. I also feel like the pounds are piling on. Pretty soon I won't fit any of my clothes. Not a good thing for someone who does not like shopping at the best of times. The weather is supposed to be better next week and I am hopeful of getting out and about.

Since Kurt and Kris left I have been trying to find places for all the gifts we received and using up the extra food. So far the using up all the leftovers is going much better than finding spaces for gifts. Slowly but surely things will be completed.

Today I spent some time in the sewing/craft room. I did complete a small amount on the tunic top, but my machine started acting up (almost thought I would need to use Kurt's gift a bit earlier than expected), but I took it apart and cleaned the dust bunnies out of it and it seems to be working correctly now. Since it was getting dark I put the sewing aside to finish up tomorrow and moved into knitting mode. I should get most of the second mitten finished tonight and after the sewing tomorrow be able to finish it off and get a good start on the matching toque.

Then I hope to get started taking down the various decorations and getting the house back to normal. I have figured out my extra cleaning and my goals for next month. Much the same as every month with the added goal of cutting the grocery budget. I am going to give more store brands a try over the next while. If I even just use a few instead of name brand items that will be a savings. Every little bit helps when prices keep spiralling upwards. 

I am so glad that we no longer have a mortgage or debt of any kind (yes we do use our credit card, but pay it off monthly and get money back) as there are rumors that the Bank of Canada will be raising interest rates once again. This will mean interest rates will rise for borrowing. I just hope that Kurt and Kris will be okay with what could happen. Kris lives in an apartment so rent will likely increase, but Kurt bought a house a few years back and will be renegotiating his mortgage this year. Hopefully it does not increase too much. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Cold Weather, Christmas Gifts,and a Birthday

Today I reached the good old age of 62. Looking in the mirror this morning I wondered where all the years have gone. Other than being stiff in the mornings (I have to work out the kinks) I don't feel any older. Though I do know I won't be doing any summersaults or hand stands anymore, the center of gravity in this rather well rounded body has changed over the years. I am trying my hardest to grow older gracefully and think I am succeeding for the most part.

Today is our coldest day of the year. Our high was when I got up this morning at -22 C with a wind chill making it feel like -35 C. Now the temperature is -30 C and the wind chill is making it feel like  -45 C. Supposedly the temperature is going to drop over night to -39 C and I don't even want to think about what it will feel like with the wind chill.

One great thing when it is this cold is we get sundogs. 

 I love this.

Thought that I would share a few pictures of our Christmas morning with you all. Though now that our sons are much older it seems that gift opening is happening later and later in the day.

Even Shania got in on the gift opening, though she seemed much more interested in what was going on outside.

Kurt opening his gift from Kris. A mini drone, perfect for him to fly around the hills and valleys near his home in Drumheller, Alberta.

Kris wouldn't let me take a picture of him, but here he is snuggled into his quilt of many colours with his mitts, scrubby washcloths, and rice bag.

A picture of him with the rice bag on his neck. Not the most attractive of pictures, but I had to sneak it.

Harvey holding up his pj bottoms. He figured I went for a nautical theme this year. You can see my new coffee pot from Kris in the corner. The last time he was home my Keurig wasn't working properly so he thought a new one was in order. Cause I am miserable before I have my first cup in the morning.

Me unwrapping my gift from Kurt. Another sewing machine (I really have to sell my straight sewing one). He was a bit upset as he didn't realize I had a machine that I could do free motion quilting on. I told him that one can never have too many sewing machines! They do break down and need servicing.

Harvey bought me a new cell phone (which I picked out with Kris's help) on the Saturday, just before Christmas. He felt however I should have something to unwrap Christmas morning. 

So he bought me this....It made me cry.

Our little angel safe in the arms of Jesus. He even went through the albums until he found a picture. Got to love a man who knows how much this would mean to me.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Thursday Tidbits

The house is very, very quiet as both our sons have left. Kris for his apartment in Regina, and Kurt to visit with his best friend (and friends wife) for a few days. 

Me, well I feel a bit lonely, but I am sure that feeling will disappear as I try and get the house back in order.

It is still extremely cold here with daytime temperatures only reaching -25 C with wind chills making it feel like -40 C. Perfect for snuggling in with a good book or my knitting that's for sure. I have managed to make one pair of mittens and matching toque for one of the twins and will be casting on for the next later this evening. 

Sewing fell by the wayside, though I did mend a pair of pants for one son, sewed a button on for the other and fixed a coat pocket for Harvey. I still have one coat of Harvey's to mend but will get to that as soon as I finish the top I started before Christmas. One more day should see that sewing project done. 

Menus have changed as well. I of course cooked way too much and now Harvey and I are working our way through the excess. Tonight we finished off the chili, tomorrow will still be the salmon casserole, but Saturday will be the leftover tetrazzini. 

Lots of lovely gifts were opened and over the next couple of days I will share what I managed to get pictures of (I seem to forget to do that quite often).

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday On A Tuesday

Back to what passes as normal here on the old homestead. However the weather is not really cooperating. We have extreme cold warnings out once again (same as yesterday) and these are to stick around for at least another 5 days. Kurt and Kris will be traveling home when the temperatures are miserable. 

Here are the menus for this week.... Starting with yesterday and our Christmas meal.

Monday

Christmas dinner, turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, salad, gravy, pickles, cranberries, and apple pie.

Tuesday

Chili from the freezer served over pasta.

Wednesday

Leftover turkey made into a large turkey tetrazzini. Served with raw veggies.

Thursday

Harvey and I will more than likely be alone tonight, so soup and sandwiches after the big meals previously will be a great change.

Friday

Salmon casserole, and crusty bread.

Saturday

Clean out the fridge night.

Sunday

Leftover pork roast from the fridge freezer. Think a stir fry sounds great. Rice to go with of course.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Wishing You All

Everyone have a wonderful Christmas, shared with family and friends.

God bless.

Quiet

All is quiet here on the old homestead in the early hours of the morning. The men are still sleeping, and probably will be for awhile yet.

Kris surprised us by getting home at around 2 yesterday afternoon. It seems he took the afternoon off, and a good thing he did as we started to get pretty heavy snowfall from just after he arrived home until just before supper.

Now, just one more and I can rest easy.

Here is my baby, actually kind of posing for a picture. This year he decided to grow a beard and moustache. Not too sure if I like them as of yet, but I have a feeling he will be keeping the extra facial hair as people have said it makes him look older.

I received some very shocking news today on Facebook. My cousin lost her son yesterday or late last night. I just got the chance to meet this young man at the Koch family reunion this summer. My thoughts and prayers are with them as they go through this devastating change.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Frugal Friday

Hmmm, the week before Christmas and I am still trying my best to stick to a budget.

1.  Paid bills online so I did not have to leave the house, or use gas. 

2.  Combined errands to save on gas as well as time and energy.

3.  Using gift bags that have been recycled from other gifts through the years.

4.  Once again made a list and stuck to it (I did have a habit at one time of adding a few "extras" to the cart).

5.  Found pink and purple yarn in my stash to make mitts for the twins (they won't get them until after Christmas).

I am looking forward to the arrivals of Kurt and Kris. Kris will be arriving by supper tonight and Kurt will be arriving on the 24th probably close to mid afternoon (like around 4 or 4:30 depending on road conditions).  My house will be full once again.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

I'm Dreaming Of A White Christmas

It has been pretty brown and dirty around here for the past few weeks. Yes we have gotten some snow, but as fast as it appears....it disappears a couple of days later.

Today however we have a different story. Temperatures dropped, it stayed cloudy and the snow started. This storm (yep it was a storm, not a blizzard as the winds were fairly low) lasted 12 hours, and our world is a lovely white.

While we didn't get the total amount that was predicted, I am happy that we got what we did. 

Christmas, just isn't Christmas here on the Canadian Prairies without that lovely covering of white.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Lights

Tonight, Harvey and I did something we haven't done for awhile. Well at least since the boys were young'uns. We went to look at Christmas lights, not through the town but down in our regional park.

Businesses and various groups started doing light shows a few years back, but this is the first year we have ventured down to take a look.

My pictures at slightly blurry, but it was one car after the other and no time to really stop and take a good look.

Here they are.

As you can see my picture taking needs some (okay a great deal) of improvement. Bumping along dirt roads with a car right behind you is not conducive to good picture taking. We did see some people walking through the displays and perhaps that is what we will do next year.

On the way home we drove around the block so I could get this picture.

This house belongs to a Pilipino family that just moved to Canada and onto our street two years ago. Last year they just had lights around the roof top. This year they have added to their display and even though you can't see it the lights around the windows and door are flashing.

Tomorrow we are supposed to be getting a storm (of course this would happen just before Christmas and make me worry that Kurt and Kris are going to have problems getting home). I hope it either misses us or we don't get the amount of snow being predicted.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless. 

Menu Monday

The week before Christmas is finally here. I have managed to get everything done that needs to be done as far as preparation goes. I do have to pick up salad makings, fruit and dairy this week and make an appetizer for our Christmas family gathering. Easy peasy.

Monday

Leftover Stew with dumplings.

Tuesday

Leftover pork roast (I think I still have a package in the fridge freezer). Or perhaps some leftover frozen ham made into a casserole.

Wednesday

Clean out the fridge night (probably leftover stew and casserole).

Thursday

Soup and sandwiches (perhaps a beef based soup this time).

Friday

Glace (Kurt and Kris should be home and this is one of their favs).

Saturday

Stuffed Chicken, rice, peas and carrots with the last of the green beans mixed in.

Sunday

Lasagna (must remember to put this together).

Lunches will be catch as catch can. Everyone can help themselves to sandwich makings or leftovers.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

Another quiet day, with lovely temperatures. I went for two walks today, one after Harvey made brunch and I got everything cleaned up, and another later in the afternoon.

It is the Third Sunday of Advent. We celebrate the Joy of the season. Father Antony made a great point about how we should slow down and enjoy this period of waiting........ So glad that I finished everything that needed to be done and can now just "be" for the rest of Advent and the Christmas season.

Over the past two days I got to talk to my two favorite Aunts. These are my mother's two remaining sisters one of which is 90 years old.

Aunt Alice is the youngest of my Grandpa MacDougall's daughters. I spoke to her last night, but for some reason she didn't sound like herself at all.

I was going to call Aunt Isobel tonight, but she surprised me by calling here first. This is the oldest remaining sister. She celebrated her 90th birthday this year. We had a lovely conversation speaking about the family reunion this past summer (Uncle Sam and my dad were brothers, yep sisters married brothers so we are very close). I also learned that Aunt Alice is not doing too well and is on a medication that necessitates someone staying with her at all times.

Aunt Isobel ended the conversation by saying she was getting all the MacDougall family pictures together and I should come up so we could have a pajama party!! Harvey got a kick out of that one.

She also gave me a bit of a lecture about not coming to her place for her birthday celebration this summer. She really wanted me there so we could visit a bit more as she was feeling out of place at the reunion and could sense I was feeling the same way.

I really need to free up some time so that I can get up and visit both these wonderful and loving women.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

In the grand scheme of life things have been very quiet this past week. In my mind however things have been extremely busy, after all this is the lead up to Christmas.

I had loads of baking yet to do, but when I mentioned this to Harvey, he kinda, sorta, looked at me as if to ask "Are you crazy? Who is going to eat all this? Do we really need all this calorie rich food?"  So after looking in the mirror at the rather well rounded body staring back at me I decided enough was enough. No more baking taking place. Except for pies, one must have a pie for Christmas dinner.... Right?????

I have started on sewing those cut out patterns from, oh, six months ago. I got the culottes done and started on one of the tunic tops. Well that top has been set aside because for some reason the sleeves are not fitting properly. I will need to reassess and figure out a way to get it to work after all when I fit the paper pattern together everything was perfect. I started another tunic top today. The shoulders and sides are sewn and the seams finished on the serger. Tomorrow I hope to do the interfacing and get the neck and armhole facings done. Leaving just the hem to do. 

That will also leave me just one more cut out pattern to sew. Like the one the sleeves are not fitting correctly, this is a new pattern. Lots of new techniques to try so it will more than likely take a bit of slow sewing on my part. 

The weather has been just lovely over the past week. I am still going for my morning walks even with a slightly sore throat. The weather can change quickly and I mean to take advantage of each and every lovely day.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Frugal Friday

1.  Using up leftovers very well this week.

2.  Working my way through the cut out clothing patterns and my yarn stash.

3.  Stuck to the grocery list.

4.  Baked bread twice this week.

5.  Reading free downloaded books, and watching old television series for entertainment.

6.  Since the weather has been so lovely I have had the opportunity to go for my walk each and every day for exercise.

7.  Used a coupon for $10.00 off the turkey I purchased and used a coupon for a free 4 liter jug of milk. Saved $14.39!!!

I slept very well last night. I did wake up with a sore throat yesterday and a scratchy throat this morning so I have a feeling that was what was interfering with my sleep patterns.

Only 9 more days before Christmas Eve, and only 8 days until both our sons are home. I am so looking forward to their arrival.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Why Can't I Sleep!!

For the past few days my eyes have popped open just after 5 am. Not a great time to be up and about in this house during these winter months. It is too dark to go for my morning walk at 7 and since Harvey is still sleeping I don't want to start any really noisy household chore. So I usually get all the quiet things accomplished, and drink way too much coffee.

Then by the time afternoon rolls around all I want to do is sit and knit. Not that I am complaining as the baby blanket is moving right along. I may even be able to start those mitts for the twins shortly.

Evening comes, and I think yes I can crawl into bed and pull the covers over my head. I fall asleep very quickly, but come 5 am my eyes pop open once again. I am hoping that I can at least sleep until my regular 6 am tomorrow.

Off to bed.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Tuesday

I have been spending my time baking, sewing, mending and knitting over the past week.

Bread has been baked twice, soup has been made twice using the bits and bobs in the fridge. Once again I had a pair of wool socks to darn, and a belt loop to fix on a pair of dress trousers. 

Baking has consisted of using up items in the cupboard, so even though I haven't cleaned them out yet they look a bit better. Not so cluttered. I needed some graham wafer crumbs today and did not have any, so I made some graham wafers into crumbs. Worked perfectly.

Slowly but surely I am working my way through my yarn stash and through those cut out patterns that have been languishing in the sewing room. I will have some new outfits for the spring and summer once these are done.

Soup is such a thrifty and filling meal, especially on a cold winter's night. I have managed to use up some of the stock I have frozen, making room for more when Christmas is over. Stock making is so simple and thrifty that I just don't know why more people don't give it a try.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

While things got a bit switched around due to the unexpected trip I took, Harvey had enough leftovers in the fridge that his supper on Saturday was already prepared. I guess the ribs go back into the menu rotation.

Monday

Hot dogs, pasta and the leftover roasted veggies from Sunday's supper.

Tuesday

Chicken Noodle soup and grilled cheese sandwiches.

Wednesday

Leftover beef roast made into a casserole. I saw a recipe I would like to try as I was searching for the Ginger Crinkle Cookie recipe.

Thursday

This will be a clean out the fridge night, or perhaps just an eat what's left of the beef dish night.

Friday

Breakfast for supper. I believe I am going to make some pancakes for our meal.

Saturday

Stew and dumplings. I am hoping to have some leftover for a meal in the run up towards Christmas, and perhaps even enough to freeze a batch for later yet.

Sunday

This was going to be roast pork, but there is still some leftover Ham that needs using up in the fridge freezer. I think I will warm it up or make some Pasties with it.

Simple cooking in the lead up to Christmas over the next few weeks.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

We are having wonderful temperatures and weather for this late into December. In fact it is so nice that I am a bit worried about what the rest of the year is going to be like. I would hate to have snow storms over the Christmas holidays when all the travellers are on the roads. I want Kurt and Kris to make it here and back to their respective homes with no unnecessary worry. The long term forecast (at least up until the 22nd) seems to be good, I will continue to keep my fingers crossed.

Our visit to see Jerry went well. Though by the time we were ready to leave he was getting agitated and very loud. I had to use his whole name (this means his middle two names) to get him settled down. He is on a great deal of medication and watches the clock for his next dose. Joanne and I had hoped that after a week he would have been more like his old self, but that wasn't to be.

We can only hope that there is marked improvement as this next week progresses.

Today I had every intention of making the caramels and peanut brittle, in fact all the ingredients out and then just sat and looked at them. After the drive and visit yesterday I just could not summon the energy to do anything. So, after Mass (which actually did not take as long as usual) I sat in my chair, watched a few episodes of CSI Miami and the premier of Knightfall while I knitted.

Tomorrow is another day and hopefully one in which I get back to doing my Christmas preparations.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Frugal Friday

1.  Darned a couple of pairs of wool socks.

2.  No food waste this week.

3.  Went for a walk at least once a day for exercise.

4.  Made all meals from scratch with items on hand.

5.  Making sure all lights are off in rooms not in use as well as heat turned off or down very low.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thursday Tidbits

Just sharing a few pictures of what I have been up to this week so far.

Tree up and decorated. No presents underneath as of yet, but hopefully a few will be under very soon.

Big pot of chili made. I am really trying to get a few meals ahead and this is the first large batch of many I hope.

Shortbread made, I never got a picture of the Almond Bark. That went into the freezer as quickly as possible. I wanted no temptation.

Large pot of split pea soup. I used the ham bone I had been saving to make the stock. The remainder was frozen for another meal or two down the road.

First batch of whipped shortbread cookies. So rich and melt in your mouth good.

A tray of chocolate coconut candy. These will be rolled in icing sugar (powdered sugar) when I serve them.

Chocolate mints. This will be cut tomorrow morning into small squares.

Tomorrow I plan on doing some more baking, crossing a few more items off the baking list. I also want to do some more sewing. Then of course there are all the usual Friday household tasks that need to be done as well.

Saturday, my sister and I will be traveling to Yorkton, a city 3 hours north of us. Our youngest brother suffers from schizophrenia and his meds seem to have stopped working. Our other brother informed me today that Jerry is in the hospital and they are trying to get his meds working again. We'll go up and visit him for a little while and make sure all is going well.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless. 

Much Better

Though it is much colder here on the prairies I am feeling much better. Still stuffed up and now I am coughing. When I have a headache as bad as yesterday I can't function.

I did figure out why I developed the headache though. I had walked up to pick up the mail and on the way back a neighbour from two doors down stopped me and was almost in tears. It seemed her daughter had been kicked out of the apartment she had moved into about 2 months ago and all her stuff was outside in the dirt. Could Harvey use his truck to help move the daughter and her baby home.

Well feeling sorry for this family (none of them are working, and the grandmother who owns the house is not healthy) I talked Harvey into doing this.

I went back over to say we would help, but couldn't load everything up on our own there would have to be younger men there to do the heavy lifting. I walked into the house to the most overwhelming odor of dog feces and urine that it has ever been my misfortune to smell. Not only was the smell powerful, but the house and deck were wall to wall boxes, bags, and what I am sure was garbage.

I passed on the message and got out as soon as I was able. Needless to say there was only one man there to help load the truck and when we got back there was no one to unload until later that night.

I had that smell following me the rest of the night even after cooking the leftover chicken into a curry (and everyone knows a curry is a strong smelling meal) all my olfactory senses could smell was that urine and dog feces. I couldn't even eat very much as the longer I imagined I could still smell that odor the more my head pounded.

Then today I kept getting calls that one of their items was missing almost as if they thought we had stolen it. The item was found and the calls have now stopped.

This does make me second guess helping anyone ever again.

Tomorrow is another day, and I really hope a less stressful one.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Thrifty Tuesday

This is going to be a very quick post. 

Thrifty happenings here on the old homestead this week are pretty much the same as usual. I did darn some of Harvey's woolen socks, and a pair of my own woolen socks as well.

A few seams were mended and a pair of Harvey's trousers (or as we call them here in Canada....pants) were cut and hemmed. 

Now the reason this post is short and sweet.

I was fine up until the late afternoon. I then developed a headache, the chills, and a very stuffy nose. This is not the time for me to be ill so I am drinking lots of fluids and taking some tablets for my headache. So much to accomplish and time is running out.

I do hope I am better tomorrow. Off to have some more tea and honey.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Menu Monday

Computer updates and small glitches kept me from doing a post on the weekend. I took advantage of this to decorate my tree and home.

On to the menus for this upcoming week.

Monday

Hamburgers, homemade fries and whatever veggie needs using up.

Tuesday

A package of leftover turkey (or it could be chicken as I forgot to label a few items) will be made into a casserole.

Wednesday

Soup and Sandwich night. I am pulling out the ham bone and making a big pot of split pea soup. 

Thursday

Perhaps Harvey's favorite sausage casserole, though I myself am leaning towards toad in the hole.

Friday

Salmon fillets, rice, and green beans along with some carrots and dip.

Saturday

This could be a clean out the fridge night, but if there are not enough leftovers I think I will make sweet and sour ribs in the slow cooker. Serving this with rice and cut up veggies and dip.

Sunday

Roast Beef, roasted potatoes, roasted carrots and more raw veggies and dip.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Frugal Friday

A fairly frugal and fruitful week.

1.  I managed to cook once and eat twice for two meals this week. In fact today was supposed to be a tuna casserole, but there is enough potato leek soup for another meal and I have some tuna salad chilling ready to make into sandwiches.

2.  I found the Christmas cards I bought on deep discount a couple of years ago. I have started my Christmas card list and tomorrow should see it finished.

3.  My sister called today and asked if I wanted to go with her to the high school production of "School of Rock." I have heard good things about it so of course I said yes. Free ticket to some awesome entertainment.

4.  Keeping the heat down during the day, and turning it up about an hour before I go to bed.

5.  Found a few more items to list on our garage sale sites here in the city.

Once I get my household binder set up I will post about it.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.