Menu Monday

Wow, April has whizzed right by and we will be into May. Where does the time go?

We will hopefully be doing a stock up shop this coming Saturday in the big city. Get to travel with Harvey, visit Kris, and eat out. Shopping for deals in a place that has more selection is fun.

Anyway on to our menus for the week.

Monday

Homemade pizza, served with a salad.

Tuesday

Leftover roast beef made into Cheesy beef bake. Think I will use up the remainder of the asparagus here.

Wednesday

Leftover pizza and some more salad added to what was leftover from Monday.

Thursday

Leftover turkey made into turkey tetrazzini. Green beans should go nicely with this, or perhaps Coleslaw.

Friday

Either soup or perhaps Glace. I have lots of eggs for some reason.

Saturday

Hopefully out after a marathon shopping trip, but if postponed we will clean out the fridge.

Sunday

Clean out the fridge if we were gone on Saturday or if we didn't go roast ham, rice, and peas/carrots.

Everybody have a wonderful day. 

God bless,

Sunday Ramblings

Yesterday I spent most, well all of the morning at a workshop at the church. We are working on a new vision and mission statement. Lots of work, but very little was really accomplished other than gathering ideas. The vision and mission statement we have now is about 40 years old so is actually quite out of date.

Then it was home and I started to move my winter clothing out of my closets. I am still going to keep some sweaters handy just in case this lovely warmth disappears. Still have things to move but my hand and wrist are causing me a bit of a problem (could be the arthritis that the physiotherapist said would now be apparent, and we are supposed to have a bit of a change to cooler temperatures and rain).

Mass was actually quite short today. I think it was because Father was going to have to give another Mass later this afternoon for Confirmation. Having two long Masses in a few short hours would be trying to say the least.

This was the 5th Sunday of Easter and we heard about how God is pruning away the dead wood and fashioning us into a people of faith. Sending new shoots forth and enabling us to become more attached to the vine (Jesus). Seems to me that is what spring is all about, new growth not only from things already planted but in our hearts and minds as well.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Combining Days.... I Am So Far Behind

Honestly I had a post all planned for Wednesday, but just before I put supper on the table I got a phone call, and not one I was expecting in the least.

Our cities one funeral home called. Now I have known the owner since he was a young lad and never really thought anything other than "Oh I wonder what Dustin wants?" To my surprise the mother (and mother-in-law) of a good friend had passed away that morning. It seems that there was no one to do prayers for the Vigil. I stuttered my way through an answer, it is really hard to say no when you are good friends with most involved. Guess I managed to choke out yes. Then I learned that the Vigil (as we call this in the Catholic church here in Canada) was to take place last night. What!!! Only a few hours to meet with the family, work on the service (music, or if anyone wanted to speak), and come up with a reflection that centered on the readings but still brought in the life of the deceased.

Needless to say I was stressed to the max. Even Harvey noticed, which is absolutely amazing as he usually doesn't notice things of that nature.

Thank heavens I had the book.

I got to practice and got the bare bones of the reflection completed before meeting with the family Thursday afternoon. I managed to flesh out the reflection with anecdotes and comparisons of the deceased's life. Whew. It wasn't my best work, but the people involved were happy with what I managed to put together in so little time. 

I don't know if I will ever do this again (to nerve wracking) but it sure was an experience I will never forget.

On to Frugal Friday.

1.  Windows have been opened during the day to let the lovely fresh air in.

2.  Potted up a few more seeds to plant outside when the time comes.

3.  Used up a few items from the freezer.

4.  Been turning the heat way down during the day and then turning it up at night just before I hit the bed.

5.  Sold my old stove top pressure cooker (I was going to donate it, but noticed someone looking for one on a city garage sale site, may as well bring a bit of cash in).

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Tuesday

I don't know what is with Harvey and socks. For some reason his socks wear out much faster than mine do. I also buy all the same colours so I can mix and match orphan socks. He on the other hand always seems to be buying socks that I can't match up when one of the socks in a pair "bites the dust." All this to say a few more plant tie ups were made, as well as a dust cover for my duster. 

We had our Chef's salad and there was enough leftover for me to have it for supper again tonight. Harvey got the leftover sausages from last night. There are still a few salad fixings in the crisper and I plan on using them for my lunch tomorrow along with the last of the shredded turkey and diced ham.

This means no Chicken a la King for supper tonight so it has been moved to tomorrow night. It is a quick meal to put together, and as I have physiotherapy tomorrow and a meeting with our hospitals Chaplin something quick is pretty much necessary.

Buttons were cut off one of Harvey's shirts before I made it into rags, and another shirt was cut up to be used for quilting.

I managed to open a can today (Harvey wanted creamed corn). This is the first can I have been able to open since I broke my wrist!!! I also managed to open a door using that same wrist. It is the little things that make me believe that eventually I will be able to almost do what I could before.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless. 

Menu Monday

The weather has been lovely the past couple of days. I need to get out to our little front garden and do a bit of raking. I noticed my tulips are coming up!! Need to get all the seeds from the trees away so they grow properly.

So, here it is, time for my new weekly menu and in looking at the calendar almost time for me to plan next month's menus as well.

Monday

We had Chef's Salads yesterday instead of the sausage planned. There was just so much turkey left from Saturday that I needed to use some up. Added some cheese, some leftover ham, and boiled eggs and it was the perfect meal. All this to say I moved the sausage to here. Serving it with pasta (cause I used up all the potatoes) and a veggie.

Tuesday

Pulling the last package of leftover chicken out of the freezer and making Chicken a la King. 

Wednesday

Pork chops, hopefully done on the BBQ. Served with slaw and baked beans.

Thursday

Turkey noodle soup (may use this on Tuesday and move the chicken dish til today).

Friday

Salmon casserole served with asparagus.

Saturday

Hot dogs, mac and cheese (can't just have mac and cheese as to Harvey this is just a side) and some more slaw. I also have a workshop at the church this day so need something quick.

Sunday

I was going to bake a ham, but I think I will pull out the steak and since it is a cheaper cut, cook in slow cooker along with some mushroom soup. Served with mashed potatoes and a salad this will be a lovely meal.

Everybody have a wonderful day. 

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

This week I got struck by the baking bug. While I didn't get much in the way of baking done I did manage a few items.

Bran muffins for a bit of a switch up from yogurt for breakfasts.

Some one bite muffins made with some of the dehydrated cherries. Sorry I forgot to take a picture of the one bite muffins made with some dehydrated blueberries. 

Before you all think all I did was bake muffins....

One bite brownies. These are always a big hit around here.

Then I had a sheet off puff pastry that needed using.

Cinnamon and sugar coated puff pastry sticks. 

I think I am baked out for awhile or at least until we gobble all these goodies up.

Harvey and Kris got the floor laid on Saturday. Tomorrow chair rail and baseboards will be worked on. Looks as if the room will be finished before we (or should I say Harvey) heads outside to work in the yard.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Frugal Friday

Time for me to list my frugal 5 for the week. I hope I can find 5 new things we have done this week to live simply and frugally.

1.  Used a few coupons when shopping this week. While they were not high value coupons I at least kept $1.15 in my pocket this week.

2.  Used up all leftovers in the fridge in other meals this week.

3.  Made two tinfoil suppers for Kris to take back home with him out of leftovers that just might have been tossed.

4.  Harvey finished painting the ceiling and walls (I thought he was waiting for Kris to come home to do that task) saving us almost $1K as that was what the estimates were at by various painting companies.

5.  Using up, wearing out, making do and substituting where ever possible.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thursday Tidbits

Good evening.

We had sun for most of the day today which always cheers me up. I even managed to have a couple of walks today. Very little wind so things were much better.

Harvey put the primer on the walls and ceiling yesterday and today painted the ceiling. I have a feeling that Kris will be painting the walls when he is home. Harvey on the other hand will be measuring, cutting and using his router on the chair rails. Perhaps he will even get to painting them as well. I am amazed at how quickly things are coming together now. It just might be finished enough to move the big TV in and give me even more room to sort clothes on wash days.

I planted up some seeds today and plan on doing a few more tomorrow. While it is not a great deal it should save us a bit come time to start making the yard pretty once again.

Most of my day was spent baking, and I hope to finish up early tomorrow. After all my baby (yeah Kris would be happy with that designation) is coming home and I plan on sending a few treats back with him for helping out. Will post pictures very soon.

I did the next set of exercises today and all I can say is I am sure glad that I only have to do them once a day. Even holding that 1 pound weight causes me a few problems. I can feel it after that's for sure and that is after doing one set, I am supposed to build up to 3 sets. Arrrgh, could be fun (not). 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

A Day Of Appointments

Today was spent mostly at this establishment.

I got up this morning and after coffee and the household chores I headed here to attend my 3rd visit to the physiotherapy department. Slowly but surely things are improving and I got some more exercises added in. These are designed to build up my strength. I am to do these along with the ones for flexibility.

Came home, had lunch, made a few phone calls as well as texts, and did up the lunch dishes before heading back to have x-rays and a visit with the bone specialist.

I had to wait for a very long time after my scheduled appointment as the doctor was running behind. This time I brought a book with me (getting smart in my old age) and the time passed a bit faster.

He says things are going well, everything is healed up. Only one problem. I may never get the full range of motion in my wrist, but to keep working to get as much as I possibly can.

I don't have to see him again for a month!!! Just have to remember to wait a few weeks before I phone his Regina office to make my next appointment.

When I arrived back home it was time to make supper and return yet more phone calls (something that never seems to end around here).

Baking and potting up some seeds after shopping tomorrow is planned and I will be staying close to home for the rest of the day. Kris is coming home this weekend to help Harvey in the basement (and bring in the rest of my books), so I want some treats for him (and us of course).

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

My goodness this week came up quickly.

Monday

A container of leftover stew is being pulled from the freezer. It will be served over thick slices of homemade bread.

Tuesday

Spaghetti and meat sauce. Served with garlic bread.

Wednesday

Soup and sandwich night. Just not too sure what soup as of yet.

Thursday

The leftover spaghetti will be turned into Baked Spaghetti and once again served with the remainder of the garlic bread.

Friday

This is supposed to be a tuna casserole, but as Kris should be home it might be changed to breakfast for supper. He doesn't really like tuna.

Saturday

Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberries....well you get the picture. Kind of our Easter meal a bit later.

Sunday

Sausages, I am thinking along the lines of an easy sausage casserole. It will be one I haven't made in awhile so it is a test to see if we still enjoy it.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Frugal Friday

I wonder if any of you had the same problem as I did yesterday while posting. Every time I came on to my blog my anti virus said that it had blocked a downloader Trojan that was on one of my widgets..... It seems to be fine right now though, so perhaps Blogger has fixed the problem.

On to my Frugal Five for this week.

1.  I have been using up various hotel sized bottles of various personal needs items. I find it amazing not only that I have collected so many, but that there is actually a great deal of product in those bottles.

2.  I went shopping for the first time in 9 weeks by myself and stuck to my grocery/household products/pet supply lists.

3.  Using up leftover yarn on that blanket. While I can't seem to knit very much at one time I can see the blanket slowly growing.

4.  Eating out of fridge, pantry, and cupboard. My shopping list consisted of mostly dairy and fresh produce.

5.  Using various appliances to cook meals rather then the oven. If I do use the oven I it is filled to capacity.

6.  Actually tried to bake two loaves of bread. This might have to wait a bit longer.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Projects Started, Projects Finished

Thought I would share a few pictures with you of our various projects. Both finished and unfinished, but being worked on.

First off, Harvey decided rather than try to do the  renos on both of the rooms in the basement, he would work on them one at a time. He chose to work on the smaller bedroom/library room first.

My book cases are installed, now just to get the books on the shelves once again.

I need to make some new window coverings.

Then on to my finished project. 

I had cut out a red knit skirt the morning of the day I took my tumble. So once the cast had been off for a bit I started sewing. Slowly day by day for 5 days I would complete a seam or two.

It really is a lovely red, I just can not figure out why sometimes the camera isn't true to colour.

This is my blanket of Many Colours. Every day I knit a few more rows and it is slowly growing. Mt stash of orphan skeins and small leftover balls of yarn are slowly disappearing as well.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Spring?????

The weather is slowly warming up here. This is great as I can actually walk a tiny bit further each morning and not have to worry about ice quite as much.

I am religiously doing my exercises. Trying for three times a day, but what with appointments lately it has worked out to twice a day. Still that is better than the therapist expected.

Harvey has started work on the man cave portion of the basement and I am hoping that more will get done before the weather turns really nice and he wants to be outside.

Pictures coming tomorrow on the finished room, and what I have been working on.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

I had meant to get this posted early this morning, however my regular routine was upset. I had my first PT appointment. It was more of an assessment and I got more exercises to do. I go back tomorrow to make sure I am doing them correctly and the once a week for the first month. They will then decide if I have to go twice a week until I regain as much motion and strength as possible.

Monday

Leftover roast beef made into stroganoff, served over pasta.

Tuesday

Leftover pork made into stir fry. Probably served over leftover pasta.

Wednesday

Soup and egg salad sandwiches. I have a dentist appointment this afternoon so this will be quick.

Thursday

Clean out the fridge.

Friday

Fish fillets, homemade fries and coleslaw.

Saturday

Hamburgers, baked beans and leftover coleslaw.

Sunday

Roast chicken, roasted potatoes, roasted carrots and salad.


I may switch Wednesday and Thursday as both of those are very easy..... I also have asparagus that will need using up and one can never have too many veggies being served.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Too Young

After I had made my post yesterday, we, as a province learned some heart rending news. A junior A hockey team bus had been involved in an accident, there were fatalities, and serious injuries needing our air ambulance services.

I woke up to learn this morning that 13 boys ranging in age from 17 to 20, their head coach and the play by play announcer were dead. Four more were in critical life threatening condition, and the remaining 11 had injuries ranging from paralysis to a few broken bones. Later today we learned of another death.

This has devestated communities across the prairies. When you reach this level of hockey, you move around in order to play. Our junior A team here in Estevan is made up of not only players from around here and our province, but from Alberta, Manitoba, British Columbia, and the United States.

Our boys grew up playing hockey in the winter. Hey, we live in Canada and I think it is expected. While neither of them played A hockey, travel in the winter was just something we did. I can not remember a game being canceled because of the weather or the road conditions. Hardy prairie folk like us just hopped in their cars and drove. We did travel together so we could help one another out, I do remember stopping to pull someone out of the ditch that and taking another boy to the rink when his mother hit a deer and needed to wait for the RCMP.  Back in the day every small town and village had a hockey team or 4. Travel was a way of hockey life, something you just did.

Now I shudder to think of the miles we put on every winter and am so grateful that nothing happened.

My thoughts an prayers are with the Humboldt Broncos management, the families of those boys who have died or been injured.

Frugal Friday

Time for the ways I have been frugal and used my resources wisely this week.

1.  Made sure that when I used the oven it was filled to capacity.

2.  Made one loaf of bread this week. Had to use the main for the entire process, but it's a step in the right direction.

3.  Finished off the knit skirt that I had cut out before breaking my wrist.

4.  Used up some containers of leftovers in the freezers for meals.

5.  After doing up the budget for last month I realized I hadn't bought gas for the car in over a month. In fact it has been almost two months now. That is a huge savings. Just don't ask me how we managed that feat.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Upcoming Projects

I promised you all pictures of my next sewing projects. I had planned to cut one out today, but I still have the hem on my red knit skirt to finish. Hopefully tomorrow I will have a finished project to share.

These three pieces of fabric are leftover from other projects and what better way to use them up. I plan on making three different views of this pattern. One blouse will have sleeves, one will have cap sleeves and one will be sleeveless. All will be dressy enough to wear to church or out on date night. They will also use up some of my fabric stash, which is always a great thing.

The arm feels not too bad today, but I took another day of rest. I did declutter some papers. Shredded them up and cleared off some desk space. Tomorrow, after shopping I plan on getting that hem completed and underneath the computer desk cleaned up. Two little jobs with plenty of rest in-between.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thirfty Tuesday

Today was bright and sunny, too bad I couldn't enjoy it as I wanted. I think I did too much yesterday and my arm ached most of the night. Not conducive to a good nights sleep that's for sure.

Today I took some of the fabric I chose to make tops and treated it for sewing. I have everything I need from thread to interfacing to complete these projects and will even in some cases be using up already filled (partially filled in some cases) bobbins. Pictures of the fabric and patterns to follow. 

I did a bit of hand sewing, sewing does not seem to bother my wrist and arm as much as knitting. Guess that means knitting is on the back burner for awhile. So hand mending is being slowly but surely completed. Just have a few tint repairs on the lap quilt left to do.

I have been using my InstantPot a bit more over the last little while. This saves on electrical costs and time. The meat is very tender as well which means less costly joints are being used.

The past week saw a reduction in our grocery bill. No major feat, as Harvey seems to sneak a few extras into the cart.

Today I decided to treat myself in the afternoon.

A pot of tea and the last slice of one of the pumpkin pies I made found their way to my tummy. Sorry no picture of the pie. All enjoyed while I watched episodes of Sherlock.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

I hope that all who celebrate Easter had a wonderful time with family.

Monday

Lentil soup from the freezer along with grilled cheese sandwiches.

Tuesday

Pulling a container of chili out of the freezer and serving it over elbow macaroni. Raw veggies and dip will complete the meal.

Wednesday

Clean out the fridge and if there isn't enough to do so Ham Pasties will be made with some leftover ham from the freezer.

Thursday

Chicken breasts, rice and mixed veggies.

Friday

I changed this as Kris said he would be home this weekend. So we will have Glace and eggs. Not good for cholesterol levels, but comfort food.

Saturday

I promised turkey and all the trimmings. A late Easter celebration.

Sunday

Kris will be gone and I plan on warming up some turkey leftovers.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Easter

Easter blessings to all. See you on Monday.

God Bless.