Thrifty Tuesday

This past week the thriftiness is trying to use up all that I can from freezer, fridge, and cupboard. As the garden has started to come in this is much easier to do now. Now it is just making sure that nothing we harvest goes to waste. I see lots of freezing and dehydrating happening in the next few weeks.

The air conditioner has been turned off for a number of days this week, and a bit of mending has been completed. 

I have finished one knitting project and since I have been so busy during the day I started another knitting project. Hopefully I will get caught up enough to get into the sewing room very soon. It is just I have been so tired, and doing anything seems to still take twice as long as it used to. Darn wrist!! I do see improvements so I will just keep right on plugging away.

I have started to save cardboard tubes (and I have a couple of friends saving them for me as well). I plan on using them to make a few decorations for a tree (little hats/toques) and perhaps make some seed starter pots from them closer to next spring.

Harvey chopped the cherry trees down and the decent sized limbs were cut and stored to season in the wood shed. Since the trees were not really huge getting 4 wheel barrels full was really good. I am hoping for a bit more when we get back to work thinning out branches on the maple trees. Also there is a downed branch at the end of the street that I have been hinting about. Free firewood is always a good thing. 

Tomorrow I will share pictures of the harvest so far.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

Wow, this month has passed by so very quickly. Almost the end of July and the beginning of August. I need to head out at some point today and buy flowers for our daughters grave. Should take them out today, and if I get them early enough we will do so.

Monday

The tuna pasta salad that did not get made on Friday due to my tumble.

Tuesday

Leftover pork roast. This will be made into a casserole of some kind. Served with lots of raw cut up veggies from the garden.

Wednesday

Leftover tuna pasta salad.

Thursday

Leftover pork casserole. Served once again with lots of raw veggies.

Friday

Trout fillets, coleslaw, and new potatoes and cream.

Saturday

BBQ smoked sausages (aka smokies here), and tinfoil potatoes. Perhaps there will be enough beans ready for another meal and there is always the leftover coleslaw.

Sunday

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

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

It has been an eventful couple of days.

On Friday I decided that it was time to pick cherries and got Harvey to set up the ladders. The short step ladder to pick the lower branches and the taller ladder to reach just a bit higher.

I noticed something as I picked the lower branches. Once again the cherries were rotting on the tree, the birds were not even eating them any longer. I did manage to find a few, but decided to start with the step ladder. After all that would give me another foot of picking. Still the pickings were slim.

I moved on to the larger ladder and used it to pick even higher in the trees. I did have to get Harvey to move it for me but that was a small price to pay as being up three rungs lead to better quality cherries to pick.

I had him move it one more time and this was closer yet to the step ladder which made picking easy as I could drop the cherries into the bucket on the step ladder.

Now, I am terrified of heights and will only go up three rungs of a large ladder, but things were going so well I decided that I could manage four rungs without hyperventilating. It was going well until...…

I was dive bombed by a wasp!! Another thing I am terrified of. Harvey will tell you that sitting on the deck if a wasp comes anywhere near me I am gone. I hide in the house until it is safe to once again sit in the fresh air.

Now in the grand scheme of things having a wasp dive bomb me while picking cherries is a usual happening, this time there were unforeseen consequences.

You see I forgot that I was up four rungs in my haste to descend from the attacking beast (it was at least two inches long in my mind) and as I quickly stepped down the rungs I counted. One, two, three and promptly stepped off the ladder.

Not a good thing. As the ground rushed to reach my face and the cherries went flying all I could think of was "Protect the arm and wrist."

Well I managed to do just that, but bashed my thigh on the step ladder and did a great number on my ankle. Really I think that my ankle swelled to the size of a Cornish hen. And yesterday the bruise on my thigh got even bigger (it hurts to roll over in bed).

Taped up the ankle, used an ice pack to get the swelling down.

Now I have sat for pretty much two days with my foot up whenever possible and missed the football game yesterday.

Cherries, well they were so squished as to be utterly useless for anything, and I am in no shape to be climbing ladders to pick more. I don't think Harvey would let me in any case.

Guess there will be no cherry pie filling this year unless I can get a good deal on cherries in the store.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Frugal Friday

Well I have tried my darn destination to be frugal this past week.

1.  Eating all leftovers. There was a bit of spaghetti and meat sauce left. So I packaged it up and froze it so youngest DS can have it for a meal.

2.  Went grocery shopping and for the first time this year my total was under $100.00.

3.  Made enough relish to last us the next year.

4 Froze and dehydrated on sale blueberries.

5.  Air conditioner was off for 3 1/2 days this week.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

And Let The Harvest Begin

Today has been spent working in the garden gathering produce and starting the processing.

All my peppers, cucumbers, onions, and green tomatoes have been finely chopped, as you can see from the following picture.

This is now sitting sprinkled with some coarse salt and covered on my stove. Tomorrow morning it will be drained and the remaining ingredients added to make Harvey's favorite relish. This is the recipe his mother used for years and is pretty much the only relish the men in my life will eat. I think Kurt and Kris will each get a jar as part of their Christmas gift.

I also managed to freeze some blueberries and hopefully I will be able to dehydrate some tomorrow. I love adding dried blueberries to muffins and loaves in the winter. I may even manage to pick some rhubarb to freeze, and a friend has said if I would like some zucchini her daughter is being over run with that veggie. I will give her a call tomorrow and let her know I will take a few. Using the shredding attachment on the food processor this is a job that can be done very quickly. Not like the days I used a handheld shredder. I can remember standing for hours shredding zucchini.

Beans will be ready to pick either tomorrow or Friday and cherries will be ready around then as well. It is such a busy time of year in the garden. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Tuesday

This past week (well for the last 6 days) we have been busy harvesting produce from the garden. I do wish that Harvey would have planted lettuce, but that is fairly inexpensive at the grocery. I can see the next few weeks being busy ones. Relish, pickles, pie filling, dehydrating and freezing will be taking place. While it will be hectic, I do love seeing all the produce processed and ready to be used in the winter.

I took in a skirt today, nice that I have lost enough weight that this is beginning to be necessary. No way will I go out and buy a whole new wardrobe. Give me a seam ripper and my sewing machine along with a little time.

I darned a sock for Harvey. He really likes these socks and since they cost an arm and a leg (okay, maybe just an arm) he allowed me to darn the one he put a tiny hole in.

Laundry was washed and hung on the lines outside. An even bigger saving on our electrical bill is that the last two days it has been cool enough to keep the air conditioning off. Hoping for another few days of this lovely weather. 

I defrosted my fridge (for some reason there is an ice build up on the bottom) and melted the ice. This was used to water a few of my plants today. The others were done with the water in the rain barrel.

Leftovers are being used to make new meals and anything left from there is being used for another meal or for lunches.

All in all a fairly thrifty week......A good thing since we both needed new lenses, and I had a cleaning at the dentist. No cavities though so I am a happy camper.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

A bit late posting today, but better late than not posting at all.

I made a bit of an error this week with my Sunday supper. I ended up making the wrong roast meal, but I will just switch them around.

Monday

Spaghetti and meat sauce.

Tuesday

Leftover pork roast made into a stove top casserole. I will also cut up cucumbers and tomatoes to serve along side.

Wednesday

Baked Spaghetti and raw veggies with dip.

Thursday

Stuffed Chicken Breasts, tossed salad, rice.

Friday

Tuna Pasta Salad.

Saturday

Dinner out unless Harvey can talk his brother into going to the football game instead of me. If so I will just have some leftovers warmed up.

Sunday 

Ham, scalloped potatoes (or potatoes in cream), corn and salad.

I can't believe it is almost time for me to plan menus for next month. I feel like I just did this.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Frugal Friday

My frugal five for this week:

1.  Stuck to the menu plan for the whole week.

2.  Used up all leftovers in the fridge making other meals.

3.  Kept back a slice of roast beef and am using it for the cats evening treats. She doesn't like it as much as chicken or turkey, but will eat the bits I pretend to drop on the floor eventually.

4.  Using the bit of leftover sparkly, sequined yarn from the wrap I knit to make a belt. Now just to find the proper buckle. I think a trip to the second hand store is in order.

5.  Back to baking bread once again. Kurt and Kris are gone and I can finally keep up.

I am adding one more.

6.  The garden is producing lots of cucumbers and we are using them as fast as possible. I think next week I will pick some onions and green peppers to make my relish. Should use up lots of cukes and green tomatoes that day.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Mid Month Stock Taking

I'm a bit behind on this. The month has been roaring by. Company and appointments have taken their toll on the budget so far.

One great thing that happened was that even though our property tax assessment went down there was a mil increase. I was hoping for lower taxes but I am not to sad to report they were only a dollar and change higher. Really not that bad when others saw hundreds of dollars in increases.

We had our eyes checked this month nd both Harvey and I need new lenses. We saved a bit by keeping our old frames. Harvey has his new ones already. Me, well I am still waiting. Harvey had to have some extra tests done on his eyes. They were really worried about glaucoma, but his test today went well and the optometrist is very happy. I have some sun damage to my eyes and the beginnings of a cataract, which I have been told not to lose any sleep over.

Gas for the vehicles got really high at the end of last month and the beginning of this month. I nursed what was left after Harvey and Kurt went to the football game and filled up today. Hopefully this will be enough to see us through the month. Highly doubtful however, we have another football game to attend the last Friday of this month. That takes just over half a tank of gas, and then there is the meal cause there is no way I am eating at the stadium...That is just way to expensive.

I finished my last visit for physical therapy this past week. Jenna, my therapist says she is really happy with my progress. I still need to do my exercises though (boy those things take up a great deal of my day).

It has been so hot and dry the last few weeks that our poor window air conditioners are working overtime. Harvey says he is going to look into getting central air conditioning next year. We plan on being in this house for awhile and so we may as well be comfortable.

I have been knitting like a mad woman. We have an outside wedding reception to attend this week and on the off chance the weather cools off I wanted a new wrap. Finished it tonight with enough yarn left over to make a belt to wear at the same function. I just have to finish the ball of yarn I am using to knit the prayer shawl first. I really am not good at getting multiple projects completed quickly.

Money was spent on hair cuts for Harvey and I. Then today I ordered tickets to our live theater here. We always try to go to at least one of the three shows they produce. It is a wonderful night out. Usually we laugh so hard we cry.

Then to round out the appointments I have a dentist visit early next week. Just a cleaning and check up. I hope they don't find anything wrong.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

My goodness, I think I might be back on track with the menus I have planned this month. There may be one this week that needs to be changed, but compared to all the switches I made the last two weeks that will be easy.

Monday

Sweet and sour spareribs served over rice. Lots of extra veggies in the sweet and sour sauce so I think I might not do a veggie side.

Tuesday

Leftover Beef Roast made into a stroganoff type meal. Serving it over pasta. Coleslaw for a side.

Wednesday

Leftover ribs and rice or leftover stroganoff/pasta, salad.

Thursday

This is the one that might change it all depends on the amount of leftovers we have. Not enough leftovers I will make soup as I have lots of stock available to use up.

Friday

Lazy perogies, sour cream, fried onions and raw veggies with dip.

Saturday

Grilled chicken breasts, tinfoil potatoes and carrots.

Sunday

Baked ham, mashed potatoes, peas and carrots.

Lunches will be catch as catch can. We will use up leftovers or have sandwiches.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

Thought I would give you another walk around the garden. Things are blooming and growing so quickly.

More lilies.

I do love lilies and just wish I had more.

One of the larger watermelons. There are lots of babies and probably bigger ones hiding in the patch.

One of the many cucumbers hidden under the leaves.

Lots of green tomatoes on the plants. Along with all the cucumbers I should be able to make relish this year. It seems adding bone meal and blood meal mix really helped these along.

My Moon Flower is blooming constantly and tonight we actually have two blooms opened and perhaps a third by the end of the evening.

Last night Harvey, Kris and I watched this bloom open.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Frugal Friday

1.  The guys went fishing yesterday and caught there lunch. Cooked it on the BBQ so the house did not get overly warm and no power was used.

2.  Slowly getting back into the planned menus. Hopefully by next week we will be totally back to normal and my menu/recipes will be followed.

3.  Still using up yarn from my stash.

4.  The air conditioners were actually turned off two nights this week. I think with this hot spell we are going to see and upturn in our electrical usage.

5.  Kris washed clothes twice this week that he has been home (the washing machine for his apartment building is broken, so he has to go to the other building to wash). But both times he took his clothes outside and pinned them on the line to dry.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Tuesday

Today I decided that I had better get started on the dehydrating of some herbs. I started doing this many years ago and just love knowing where and what is in my herb jars. I usually just do the more common herbs like basil, parsley, sage, oregano and mint. But I have bought garlic on sale and after dehydrating ground that as well. We tried growing garlic once and it was a complete and utter failure. Perhaps it is time to give it another try.

Surprisingly this does become very thrifty as the prices of herbs and other spices skyrocket.

Seams and hems have been repaired, a pocket resewn, and some fabric chosen from my quilt squares to start on Kurt's  Christmas gift. Most if not all the squares chosen are from scraps of leftover fabric from other projects or old clothing that I took apart and cut into project squares. An almost free Christmas gift!

So what thrifty things did you do around your home this past week.

Everyone have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

Menu planning has gone by way of the Dodo the past week and will more than likely continue as such until the company is gone and the weather cools down. I refuse to buy anything however and so leftovers and what we have in the freezer is being used up.

The BBQ is running pretty much every night and the fresh produce is running low. Thank heavens the garden is beginning to produce. Those fresh cucumbers are tasting mighty good and helping stretch out the produce.

Hopefully by next week I will be back to following the monthly menu, with perhaps a few exchanges.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Hot, Hot, Hot

The last few days we have had temperatures in the mid 30 C range and with the humidex added in temperatures have been in the low 40's C. In fact it hasn't even cooled off in the evenings so our poor air conditioning units are working overtime keeping the house cool. Sure hope things settle down very soon.

Kurt has been home since Tuesday and over the last couple of days (in the heat) he has helped Harvey paint the deck.

Kurt looks a great deal like Harvey. I am pretty sure he cooked in those overalls.

Took a trip around the garden today as well.

The veggie garden is loving this heat.

Potatoes are flowering and I can hardly wait for fresh from the garden taters. Love those tiny little new potatoes cooked in cream.

The cucumbers, musk melon and watermelon are loving the heat.

Look at the size of the tomatoes!!! You can't see but branches are loaded.

The pole beans are busy climbing and are finally getting a flower or two.

The onions are getting pretty big, but the poor peppers are hidden in between. They seem to be a bit stunted this year.

Next week I will share pictures of the flowers.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Frugal Friday

Just a quick post about the frugal things we have accomplished this week. Kurt is having his evening walk, and I just finished mine.

1.  Having a walk three times a day. Of course my morning walk is the longest, but getting those other two shorter walks in is helping me maintain my weight.

2.  Picked two cucumbers from the garden.

3.  Baked bread this week twice.

4. Stuck to my grocery list and am sourcing more and more made in Canada products. It might be a bit more costly than buying something from the United States, but it is my little way of protesting the tariffs put on my country and the disrespect shown our Prime Minister.

5.  By having Kurt home we are finishing up way more of the leftovers in the fridge.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thursday Tid Bits

Well the men have disappeared for the football game, and probably will not be home until the early hours of the morning.

I used up some of the rhubarb making this.

A rhubarb pudding cake. The men love it and have been nibbling on it constantly. I think I better make some in tinfoil containers so that Kris can take one home as part of his care package.

If all of you remember I mentioned something about yarn all over the floor in the sewing room. Well I have made a start on getting all that yarn off the floor. The first batch is gone and I made it into scarves that can be given away as gifts if I get asked to anything.

Thirteen hostess or birthday gifts made and ready for whatever happens over the next few months.

I have started the next knitting project a wrap for myself and will share a picture once it is completed.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

June Budget Update and Family

Kurt managed to get home late in the evening yesterday so supper was late and we spent some time visiting. 

Thunderstorms rolled through once again last night. We managed to get almost 2.5 cm (or an inch) of rain. Guess I didn't have to water my plants after all. Harvey did water the hanging baskets that are protected under the eaves this morning. They were pretty dry.

I would gladly send some rain to those who are suffering from the lack of it. 

The June budget was very good. We were under budget in almost all the major categories. This means we were well under for the month. I am hoping for the same result this month, but it all depends on our property taxes. I am hoping they stayed the same or fell a little bit. Car plates and insurance went up a bit due to having to pay taxes on the total. It makes me a bit angry in that we were promised the provincial sales tax would be removed from all insurance payments. Not true, guess all politicians lie. It is the second month I have been under the grocery budget and I hope to do the same this month, though with company for a couple of weeks and extra being needed this could be a challenge.

Tomorrow the men are off to a football game in the city. I get to have a day to myself (well most of a day).

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Menu Monday

We had thunderstorms rolling through here all day Sunday. Lots of rain water in the barrel now.

Monday

Harvey is going to Regina to pick up his brother so I am not too sure about supper tonight. I will pull out the Sloppy Joe mixture just in case. If he doesn't make it home well I guess I will just make do with some salad (needs using) with a slice or two of sandwich meat on top for protein (perhaps a boiled egg instead).

Tuesday

Kurt will be home for a visit today. He should be back in time for supper so I will plan on using up the Sloppy Joe mix tonight and having some raw sliced veggies and dip.

Wednesday

Leftover pork roast made into a hash or a casserole.

Thursday

The men travel to Regina for a football game and will be eating out. Me, well I think soup and a sandwich sound pretty darn good.

Friday

Salmon Fillets, coleslaw, and rice.

Saturday

Either Smokies or out for supper....A pizza ordered in could be the ticket as well. Kris should be home and perhaps Kurt as well.

Sunday

Roast chicken, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and mixed veggies along with a tossed salad or the remainder of the coleslaw.

First week of July done and while pretty warm some days the mornings are cool because of the overnight rains we have been getting.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.