Happy Halloween

Wishing you all the best this Halloween.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Tuesday

I don't know about the rest of you, but we do not like warmed up French fries. They taste funny to both Harvey and I. Yet with my need to have no waste, the last time I made French fries I bagged the leftovers and froze them.

Today I decided to make hash out of the leftover roast beef..... The recipe called for frozen hash browns which I did not have in the house. Then a light bulb went off. I pulled those fries out and chopped them up into small squares. Used them instead of the frozen hash browns. They worked perfectly!!! 

Now I have an idea of what to use those leftover fries for.

Thrifty is not wasting, subbing where you can and thinking outside the box.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

The end of a month the beginning of another. It is getting very close to waking up in the morning to snow falling. I am really hoping it holds off for another few weeks.

Monday

Spaghetti, meat sauce and salad

Tuesday

Leftover roast beef. Not sure what to do with it, so I will be pulling out the cookbooks for some inspiration.

Wednesday

Baked spaghetti, with coleslaw.

Thursday

Leftover Turkey. I think I might just warm it up and serve with mashed potatoes, gravy, and corn.

Friday

We will be trying my homemade tomato soup along with salmon sandwiches.

Saturday

Sausage casserole, one of Harvey's favourite meals.

Sunday

Roast chicken, pan roasted veggies.

Lunches will be sandwiches or any leftovers not planned for another meal. Breakfasts will be yogurt or oatmeal. May mix in some toast with that occasionally. Snacks will be fruit or low fat (plain pop corn comes to mind).

The scale is moving down and I plan on keeping it going in that direction, plus trying to watch my cholesterol is helping a great deal.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

Well we made our return visit to the Anglican church today and things went pretty well. Except for me starting the wrong reading. I was very nervous, more so than in my own church the next time shouldn't be so bad.

We had coffee with the parishioners after the service and it was nice that the congregation was so very welcoming. Amazingly I knew quite a few of them.

The rest of the day has been getting ready for the upcoming week and month. I did my menu planning, made my to do list, and even managed to fit in some knitting. I should finish the second mitt of the pair tonight.

The salad is made, the roast beef and roasted veggies will be done shortly.

In other words all is right in my world. Though I still have some tidying to accomplish, but when I begin knitting that gets put on the back burner for awhile.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

It has been a quiet afternoon and evening here. Harvey took his older brother to the football game and I get to sit at home and get things done. I also get to watch the game in a nice warm house. Hopefully the men are not freezing.

This week has seen me using things up from the freezer and pantry. Some shelves are getting pretty empty and by the time we go and do a stock up shop the meat freezer should need a stock up. Love it.

I have also managed to finish a few projects. Two are Christmas presents and I am really happy about that. I used fabric left from other projects for one, and the leftover fabric from the robe has been folded up and put away to use in another project in the future.

I also used up some yarn from my stash making two more prayer shawls. I have pulled out some more to start the next one on Monday. Loving the fact that the yarn stash is slowly going down as well.

I finished my extra cleaning list this month. Not so much the goal list, but I did make a good dent in it. There will be a few projects I need to move to next month, but I am hoping to get a couple more of these projects done in the dog days of this month. After all I still have 4 days to go and I should be able to get a couple of the smaller items crossed off. The less I have to carry over to next month the more likely I am to be able to get new projects started.

The weather is crisp in the mornings and so my walks have been wearing a winter coat, headband, and gloves. Still there has been no snow and from the looks of the up coming weather forecast we are safe for awhile yet. Keeping my fingers crossed that this is true.

I need to get back to my knitting now. Three pairs of mitts take me awhile, especially since I am making them striped instead of solid. The one mitt I have finished looks awesome.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Frugal Friday

Not sure if I can manage five frugal happenings around here.

1.  Still mostly living out of the pantry and freezers. Using up leftovers where and how I can.

2.  Walking pretty much every day while the weather is still nice.

3.  Watched a free movie using the Android box. I only watch movies that are already on the TV premium channels.

4.  Remaining fabric from Harvey's robe has been put away to be used to make something else down the road. There might just be enough left to make a throw for those cold winter months.

5.  Stuck to my grocery list like glue. Things are getting very expensive and I will be watching prices closely. Think I may have to start visiting one more store to keep the bills down.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thursday Tidbits

I am not sure if I shared this recipe before but just in case I haven't I am sharing it now.

This is a great way to use up leftover turkey and it almost tastes just like lazy cabbage rolls. Probably better for you as it uses chopped turkey instead of ground beef.

Southern Turkey Casserole from Company's Coming Leftovers

2 tbsp. hard butter or margarine
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cups chopped cabbage
2 cups leftover cooked turkey chopped
1 cup uncooked white rice
2 tsp parsley flakes
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
3 cups tomato juice
14 oz can of stewed tomatoes with juice broken up

Melt margarine or butter in large frying pan on medium heat. Add onion and cook 5 to 10 minutes, stirring often until onions are softened. Turn into greased 3 qt. casserole.

Add next 8 ingredients. Stir well.

Pour tomato juice and tomatoes over top. Stir. Cover and bake at 350 F oven for about 1 1/2 hours or until rice and cabbage are tender.

Serves 6.

Harvey had two helpings he liked it so much. There was enough leftover for another meal for the two of us later on in the week.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Sharing

After promising so long to share some pictures of my various projects I thought that tonight would be the time to do so.

All of these projects are Christmas gifts. I still have a few more to make but the list is getting shorter and shorter.

These are the mittens I made for my twin nieces. One loves purple and the other loves pink. I will add a warm headband to these and call the gifts done.

This is one of the three rice bag sets I made for Kurt, Kris and Harvey. The longer one is for around the neck and the two smaller ones are to tuck into their mitts when they perhaps have to shovel.

The quilt I made from leftover fabrics and clothing for Kurt. I do hope he likes it.

Harvey's robe. It looks almost a pale yellow here when in reality it is a camel colour. 

More projects coming very soon. My fingers are flying trying to get everything finished. I have three pairs of mittens, and a rug to knit. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Tuesday

For a few minutes I thought I would not be able to post a picture, things were pretty strange.

I managed to get two gift cards for $25.00 from the company that I scan all my shopping to for books to download on my ereader.

I am using up all the leftovers in the fridge so there should be zero waste here this week.

Got my walking poles for free by using the bonus points on a credit card. They are taking a bit of getting use to, but I think I am going to like them when it gets snowy and icy out.

Used leftover flannelette fabric to make heating pads for one of my Christmas gifts.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Menu Monday

This morning went by in a blur of activity so this is being posted a bit later than I would like. Also there will be a bit of switching around as I have way too many leftovers.

Monday

Using a package of leftover frozen turkey from the fridge freezer. I am making something called Southern Casserole. Get to use up some more of that rather large cabbage I purchased last Thursday. I will let you know how well we like it.

Tuesday

We will finish off the leftover Lazy Perogies.

Wednesday

Using up the leftover casserole from Monday. However if there isn't enough left I will make some soup and salmon sandwiches.

Thursday

Stuffed Chicken breasts, coleslaw (need to use up that cabbage), rice and pea/carrot mix.

Friday

Breakfast for supper. I am leaning towards pancakes, but think French toast might be nice as well.

Saturday

Hubby will more than likely be at the football game. I told him to take his brother this time around. That way I can have some badly needed alone time. I will have some leftover soup and a sandwich.

Sunday

Roast Beef (I will need to break down and try and purchase an on sale roast). Serving it with roasted potatoes, roasted carrots, and roasted onions.

My freezers are slowly but surely getting cleared out. Harvey really missed our roast meal this past Sunday and asked if I could pretty please buy a roast of something.... 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

Today the church was very crowded. The youngsters were handing in their promise cards for First Communion, Reconciliation, and Confirmation as well as taking part as lectors, greeters, and ushers. Helped of course by the teachers. I have feeling that most will only be there until they receive the Sacraments and then it will be bye bye, until they are married. Hopefully a few will stay. It all depends on the parents at this age.

Yesterday we went out for supper with my sister for her 60th birthday. She is having a hard time with this one. I told her it is only a number and to ignore it, I do. Harvey said his bad birthday was 40.... When I asked him if I had any bad birthdays that he knew of he said no and that was something he couldn't get over. I just smiled and said you are only as old as you feel and most days I do not feel almost 63, Though I have a feeling 65 and getting my pension could be a turning point.

I finished Harvey's robe yesterday and cut out the fabric for the rice bags. I don't have the rice to fill them so I think I will do some other sewing (perhaps all those summer tops that are cut out and taking up room on any and all free surfaces in the sewing/craft room). Slowly but surely getting the goal list whittled down.

Spending has been kept to a minimum this week, but like last week the decluttering is at pretty much a standstill. I did list a few items on our garage sale site so we shall see what happens.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Frugal Friday

So what were my frugal achievements this week.

1.  Added to my no spend days I am now up to 15. Just wish it was that many no drive days.

2.  Harvey fixed the clog in my vacuum.

3.  Planted 4 more vine cuttings in starter pots.

4.  Used up lots of bits and bobs from the freezer and had two days where cooking was simple.

5.  Kept the grocery buying under $100.00 for the second week in a row.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thursday Tidbits

Ahhh, at one point in my life this was perhaps the most exciting day of the week. Only one day of work left and then two whole days to do whatever I like. Though the whatever I like did have to happen after my weekly household tasks. Now this day slips by with hardly any acknowledgement other than the weekly shopping trip.

Today was a bit different. I got to start the day with my physical, results of the blood test and a nice talk with my new doctor. 

First off the physical went very well. She said that everything seemed to be normal and even my blood pressure had gone down a bit. I told her I was getting used to visiting her. 

Blood tests were so so.  Most were excellent, but that darned cholesterol test was not. I have a high level of the bad cholesterol and so we are going to try and control it with diet and exercise. I dislike the idea of taking a pill and the doctor agrees that trying it my way first is perhaps the best way to go. In six weeks I return for another blood test to see if diet is working. Hopefully the level has dropped a bit.

Other tests will have to wait for results for another 4 to 6 weeks. I am keeping my fingers crossed that those turn out to be as good as these were for the most part. 

I didn't save as much as usual shopping this day. Probably because I ended up shopping for things with little to know cholesterol in them. Wow, my favorite yogurt is loaded and milk is as well. I did buy more oatmeal and will be having that for breakfasts and saving the yogurt as desserts. I am upping my veggie and fruit intake and will be trying hard to drink more water. 

Tomorrow I will finish off the one chore I did not get completed today and get in the sewing/craft room to get a few things completed and off the floor (or the tops of the cabinets). Then I will move on decluttering on Saturday (though getting things finished will go a long way to decluttering). 

Off to have some fruit and water. Then to bed with my book.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

One More Appointment

Well most of my appointments and calls upon my time are done for this week. I just have my physical to get through tomorrow and I actually have a few days off before birthday rounds start up once again.

This is our birthday packed month. Both our sons were born this month. Kris on the 16th and Kurt today (5 years apart though). Harvey has three sisters born this month and two brothers (all but one over this past week) and my sister is on the 20th. This does not count nieces and nephews as I just can not keep track of them all. So glad that soon I will be able to stop calling everyone to wish them a Happy Birthday. It sounds terrible of me, but those same people for the most part seem to miss my families birthdays (all but two sister in laws and my own sister), and yet get quite prissy when theirs is not recognized. Oh well, for Harvey's sake I will keep the waters unruffled.

Started the robe for Harvey today. I have managed to get a bit sewn, but that tie belt took forever to turn right side out. So it is put away until perhaps tomorrow or Friday. Should only take another few hours to complete now.

Since I didn't do my Thrifty Tuesday post I thought I would do so tonight.

I patched a pair of Harvey's work jeans using fabric I had cut out for 4" squares.

Used up all the odd ball bobbins of thread while making the quilt top (where you can't see the strange colours). 

Working on using my kitchen appliances to save time and power. After all using the plug in slow cooker or Instant Pot uses much less power than the stove or oven. I am actually tempted to buy a toaster oven to see if I can manage to use the oven even less. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

I have been doing very well following my monthly menus. Just one small change as we felt like having Maple Glazed Salmon on Friday instead of what I had planned. I will have that this Friday instead.

Monday

Stew, I am making a fairly large batch so hopefully some can be frozen for use later.

Tuesday

Leftover ham made into something wonderful. Thinking pasties would be nice and I have all the ingredients. Served with a salad.

Wednesday

Finishing off those hamburger patties. I will make homemade fries and we will use up the last of the salad.

Thursday

Clean out the fridge night.

Friday

Lazy Perogies with sour cream and lots of fried onions.

Saturday

Hotdogs, beans and slaw.

Sunday

Roast chicken, roasted potatoes and carrots.

So there you have this weeks meals. Lunches and breakfasts will be yogurt, or toast, or sandwiches or some of the leftover soup from last week.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

It has been a lovely laid back Sunday. We had our first lector exchange with the Anglican church here in the city and it went very well. In two weeks two lectors from our church will take part in the Anglican service. Finally Ecumenism is moving forward. I almost thought we would never get going.

The days are colder and I can see the darkness coming earlier and earlier every night. Long way until the longest night of the year, but time moves so quickly I can see it being here in no time at all. 

I have made my list of chores for the upcoming week, finished of the quilt for Kurt (just a very few threads to clip), cut out Harvey's robe, finished of the triangle prayer shawl (not sure if I like it) and started the next prayer shawl. Once Harvey's robe is finished I am going to cut out some flannel to make some neck heating pads. Just have to find some inexpensive rice the next time I am shopping to fill them with. Kris loves his large back one and requested this for Christmas this year. Pictures of all my projects to be posted very soon.

Cooked the ham for supper tonight and ended up with three meals (a tinfoil one for Kris), a bag of the thinner pieces to use as luncheon meat, and 5 bags are nestled in the fridge freezer to make other meals at various times over the next little while. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Frugal Friday

I am feeling much more myself today. Thanks for the comments on yesterdays post, I am feeling a bit more upbeat and ready for whatever comes my way.

Not sure if I have 5 frugal things to post about this week, but I will give it a try.

1.  Downloaded free books onto my ereader.

2.  Had my in house computer and tech wizard fix the android box, my printer, and computer. He even added an Ad Blocker to my computer. It makes posting on some forums so much easier.

3.  Making sure all leftovers are used to advantage and that all are eaten.

4.  Saved $14.76 on my groceries this week using coupons and sales.

5.  I have been making sure lights are off in rooms not in use. Fun, since Harvey seems to forget about that every so often.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thursday Tidbits

Really there isn't much going on here right now. I do the usual household chores, work on various projects, and cook. Really, a rather boring life. I never seem to have big ups or downs and perhaps that could be considered a good thing. 

Take today for instance. This morning I went shopping, to the bank and bought a blood pressure machine. It seems that both Harvey and I need to track our blood pressures for awhile. I was asked to do this yesterday, but Harvey was asked to do so over a year ago..... So why did he not tell me before this. So our excitement for today was learning how to use the machine. That took all of 5 minutes.

My excitement for tomorrow? I guess my visit to the hospital lab for blood tests. Well that and more cleaning, cooking and working on projects. Oh I forgot, I get to help with a run through for the Anglican lectors that will be reading at this Sunday's Mass. 

I guess I am just feeling a bit sorry for myself tonight. Think it is time to plan a lovely trip to Greece this spring.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Playing Catch Up

The past few days have been busy ones here on the old homestead. Our sons were home for Thanksgiving and of course between cooking and visiting I barely had time to myself. I did manage my early morning walks, but other than that, things seemed to revolve around family and visiting.

The weather has been cold and dreary. I fear that very soon I will no longer be out walking in the mornings. Good thing we have our trusty treadmill set up in the basement. Even though I don't enjoy using it, I will at least be able to get some much needed exercise.

Then the day they left we headed into the city for the Roughrider football game. Of course we picked up Kris and enjoyed his company once again for a few hours.

Tuesday saw me phoning one of the newly arrived doctors in our city to make an appointment for today. I spent 30 minutes with her and will be going back on Friday so she can arrange blood tests at our hospital lab. Then next week it will be back once again for a full physical examination, something I have not had for 15 or 16 years. A bit overwhelming for this old girl!

Between times I have been busy getting the house back in order, making lists to get my life organized once again. I am following my monthly menu plan even though I did not get a chance to post this weeks menus and using up bits and bobs in doing so.

I finished quilting Kurt's Christmas gift quilt and now am up to the binding of said quilt. I hope to get that completed tomorrow after shopping and picking up my prescription.

Kris gave me some ideas for sewing gifts for him and I hope to start on those as soon as I make Harvey's robe (that should only entail part of a day for cutting the pattern and an afternoon of sewing).

I also need to get the family addresses up and on our family page on Facebook, attend a couple of meetings, and take part in a liturgy exchange with the Anglican Church here in my city. Seems like this is going to be a very busy month.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Mid Week and More Snow

Monday morning I woke this greeted me as I peered out the front door.

A skiff of snow (as Harvey would say) that was melting almost as quickly as it fell.

Yesterday was overcast with a shower every so often.

Today I woke up to this.

Snowfall amounted to around 4 inches of heavy, wet snow. When it freezes overnight driving will be loads of fun on icy roads. Here is hoping the sanders have been out and about before I head out shopping.

I have spent much of this week cooking wise, trying to use up bits and pieces from the fridge and freezers.

Monday was homemade Chicken Vegetable Soup. I made a bit extra so there is a container in the freezer for us to have for a meal later, and a tin foil container for Kris to have to take with him the next time he is home. 

Tuesday was my version of a stir fry (I am afraid Kurt would say this is no where near correctly made), served over rice made in my handy dandy...…

Instant Pot!!

Today that same Instant Pot is on the slow cook function cooking some chicken wings that were buried at the back of the chicken shelf in the meat freezer.

They will be served with reheated rice left from yesterday and a small tossed salad for each of us.

Slowly but surely working on the hand quilting. I had forgotten how long hand quilting takes. It does keep me busy though.

Tonight I hope to make some unbaked cookies and perhaps even get some puffed wheat cake made. I will slowly prepare for Kurt and Kris to be home this weekend.... Pies will be made tomorrow afternoon as shopping(and driving the sure to be horrible roads) will take up most of my morning.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Tuesday

I do believe our first few days of October is more like winter than fall. This means I will be getting out my slow cooker or Instant Pot and making hearty meals for the next few days. This is a thrifty way of cooking as the power used for these two appliances is negligible when compared to the oven.

I finished sewing the  gift quilt together a few days ago. Since it was made of leftover scrap fabric and fabric salvaged from clothing it turned out to be a thrifty as well as useful gift.

I darned a couple of socks, fixed a seam or two and hemmed a pair of pants. Making clothing last longer just makes sense to me. Buttons and zippers have been saved from items of clothing I cut up to make more 4" blocks to use in quilting.

Meals are taking advantage of leftovers and bits and bobs of veggies in the fridge.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless. 

Menu Monday

As most of you know I have been on a quest to use up my pantry and freezers, not buying meat unless absolutely necessary. Well as things have worked out I no longer have any beef or pork roasts for Sunday Suppers. All I have for roasting is a ham, a turkey, and a couple of chickens. Things are getting used up and now I am scared that I will not be able to feed us if the weather turns (not true, but it is my OCD kicking in as far as food is concerned). It didn't help that the weather has turned and I woke up to snow on the ground. 

Instead of roast pork on Sunday we had baked ribs. Not a big thing, but no leftovers so to speak. This means I might be changing menus around this month a bit.

Monday

Homemade soup and egg salad sandwiches.

Tuesday

I believe there is still a bag of leftover frozen pork roast in the fridge freezer. If so I will be making a stir fry to serve over rice.

Wednesday

Chicken wings, French fries, and salad.

Thursday

Clean out the fridge night (though I might do this on Wednesday and have the wings tonight).

Friday

Glace, potatoes and eggs. This is something Kris and Kurt love and always hint that I should make.

Saturday

Pork chops, rice, peas and carrots.

Sunday

Thanksgiving dinner, which will consist of turkey, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, salad, corn, pickles, cranberries, and pie. Should have lots leftover.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.