Thursday Tidbits

The frigid weather has broken for a few days, I even managed to get a bit of a walk outside this afternoon to get the mail. I used my walking poles just to be on the safe side. It really was lovely to be out in the fresh air.

Shopping was done early this morning and my goodness have prices risen over the past month. Part could be because of the carbon tax that has been levied, but I have a feeling that it has more to do with my healthier eating habits. Fresh produce does not come cheap at this point in the year. 

I ended up moving some of my unfinished projects for the month to next month. Hopefully a few more will be wrapped up and gone for good. 

Here is a photo of the first month of the year done in knitting. Only 11 more months to go, so this is one project that will be carried on for the entire year. This project will use up a great many of those orphan skeins and balls of yarn. Making a bit more room in my sewing/crafting area. Hopefully enough will be gone over the next few months that I can actually get my second serger set up with dark thread.

I finished up the budget and while we went over in one or three categories we ended up being under budget for the month!! Hope to shave a bit more off here and there.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

And The Cold Continues!!!!!

The last few days have been bitterly cold due to the polar vortex. I think it has been the worst cold snap we have had for the last few years. Up and down, a few days not too bad, and then the piercing cold has hit once again.

The night before last we hit a low of -47 C with a windchill bringing it down so it felt like well below -50 C. 

At times like this the only safe thing to do is stay inside and if you are forced to go out (like I was yesterday) you bundle up so you end up looking like the old Micheline Tire Man. 

Tomorrow is supposed to be much better, with a gradual warming up over the next few days. However another cold snap is heading our way and should hit late on the weekend. 

Staying in has at least given me time to work around the house. I finished the mitts and headbands, even have a bit of yarn left over. I considered tossing the small balls, but then decided that perhaps making a few squares at some point and starting another one of my many coloured afghans at some point (need to get other projects completed first of course).

I started a cardigan for myself, using yarn that I picked up at the Salvation Army many years ago. It is moving along nicely and much quicker than the hand quilting I am trying to do.

Today I entered most of the paid bills and receipts in the budget sheets. Tomorrow I will enter the last few for the month. So far we are under our total budget, but I will know more after the final tally.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Results Good And Bad

Today I got back my results from my visits to the Radiology Department and the Bone Density Scans.

The mammogram was good, no abnormalities what so ever. The other test was not what I wanted to hear at all.

Seems I am suffering from osteoporosis, and not a mild case of it either. I guess this could be part of the reason why I am aching a bit more each and every day.

I will need to up my calcium intake as well as my vitamin D3 and stay on the calcium binder for another 4 years. This does not make me a happy camper, though I suppose the results could have been even worse. I have informed Harvey that our diets will be changing yet again as there is no way I am cooking two totally different meals. This should be interesting as I need to watch my cholesterol as well.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

The last week of the month!! Winter is slowly but surely passing by. That makes me happy as soon I can start my plants and start planning my garden. Just have to get through February and part of March first.

Monday

Smoked sausage, a salad and perhaps pasta (not sure about the pasta)

Tuesday

Leftover chicken from Sundays roast. Will need to try and find a new recipe or a twist on an old casserole for this one. Leftover salad as a side dish.

Wednesday

Leftover roast beef made into a stir fry. I will freeze leftovers to be used at a later date.

Thursday

Soup and sandwiches.

Friday

Trout fillets, rice, and sliced raw veggies and dip.

Saturday

Ribs made into sweet and sour casserole. Served with rice and the remaining raw veggies and dip.

Sunday

Pork Roast, roasted potatoes, roasted carrots (though I am thinking a tray with a mix of roasted veggies would be nice).

This should manage to clear a bit out of the freezers both downstairs and the one in the fridge. At least I hope it clears them out a bit.

Everyone have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Frugal Friday

1.  Used some leftover cream fabric from a previous project (making drapery for the school) to cut for the binding on my quilt.

2.  Used up all the leftovers for various meals this week either as the main course or as sides.

3.  Seven no spend days since last Friday.

4.  Saved $19.79 on groceries and sundries this week.

5.  Using up those small sample hand lotions.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thursday Tidbits

I went shopping early this week, and kind of sort of bought a few items that were not on my list. So instead of sticking to my use up the pantry and freezer month, I added to the supply. All I can do is brush myself off and try harder this last week and a half. The items will be used so that is not a problem, the problem is I was really trying to keep spending to a minimum.

My monthly goal list will have another few projects finished very soon. I am on the last of the four mittens and have another headband ready to be sewn up. Managed to get pictures burned on a CD as well and cleared off my computer. I could get rid of a few more picture folders, but I think I will wait until I have a full CD.

The hand quilting is going well. Still have lots to do, but things are moving along. Tomorrow I plan on cutting the 2" strips for the binding. I am going to love to have a different quilt on my bed and having this long set aside project completed. 

Still I will have to carry over a few projects next month. Perhaps I should make a smaller list.....

Harvey is busy working on the jigsaw puzzle we bought this fall in Jasper. Slowly but surely it is coming together. The pieces are small and so many almost but not quite fit in more than one place. I have managed to find a whole 6 or 7 pieces. 

The budget sheets are ready for this year. We increased a few lines and decreased a few as well. I am hoping to be under budget on most lines this year, though that all depends on how many trips we need to take to the city for tests or treatments.

Snow is coming this weekend, starting tomorrow. Saturday and Sunday will be the days with the highest amount of precipitation. If what is forecast is true, we could end up with a foot of snow by the time the system passes by. Perfect time to snuggle in and work on projects.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

All Is Quiet

Well, as quiet as it gets around the old homestead at any rate. Perhaps because we are getting ready for the upcoming snow and perhaps because things are not as hectic as they were before we left for my appointments, and the two days of not doing anything while we were gone.

I did my errands today as I did not want to be out and about in the middle of a blizzard. Driving in this city of sometimes rude drivers is not always safe at the best of times, little lone when you can't see drifts or the car in front of you. It wasn't really busy and I had phoned ahead for our prescriptions so every stop went smoothly.

I have been doing a bit more tidying in the sewing/craft room and have almost got it back to normal. Now if I can just keep it that way for awhile. Finding all sorts of interesting bits in there, of course they do not belong in that room and now I will have to find another place for them. There is a small pile of appliances and a roaster waiting to find a new home. Tomorrow will be the day!! I also want to get my second serger set out and threaded with dark thread so I can use it. Just have to find a spot for it. 

I do hope tomorrow is another quiet day as I would love to get some extra cleaning and more of my goals accomplished. Perhaps burning pictures to CD's is in order to make space on the computer, it is running pretty darn slow.

Off to have a bit of a snack (fruit as befits my low cholesterol diet) and then snuggling into the blankets with a good book and some reading time.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Tuesday

The few sunny days we have had over the past week helped us save a bit on our gas costs. The front window faces south and really attracts the suns warming rays. The longer the furnace doesn't run the better it is for our bill. I also have thermal drapes to keep the heat in once I close them in the evening. Still every once in awhile especially in the early evenings, I seem to get a bit of a chill. At those times I wrap up in a shawl with a blanket on my lap and knitting in hand.

I am happy to say there has been little to no waste this week. Anything left over meal wise I have packaged up and frozen to be used in another meal later on, or put in a tinfoil meal for Kris. I am also trying a few new recipes (one was tonight) to use up leftovers. Some are keepers, some are complete failures. Still this enables me to expand our menu a little bit and to use up odds and ends that could (and did) stick around the cupboards for too long.

I did my mending this week. Just a couple of seams on a pillow case or two, but this extends some perfectly good linens for a bit longer.

I also found a pair of I believe Kris's pj bottoms that will be washed next week and cut up into rags. I always need more cleaning rags.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

That time of the week again (soon I will need to do my menu planning for next month), and I am ready for another week of cooking. I do hope to make extra a couple of times this week, just to freeze for future meals (in case of an emergency, or one of us ends up needing extra TLC).

Monday

Pork chops, mashed potatoes, peas and some raw veggies.

Tuesday

Leftover chicken, I have an idea of what I will make, but need to go through recipes to see if there is anything different.

Wednesday

Pulling out a bag of leftover ham. Think I will make pasties with this. I should have some extra to freeze for later as well.

Thursday

Clean out the fridge night. I will serve a salad with whatever we eat.

Friday

Salmon patties, rice and the remains of the salad.

Saturday

Soup and sandwiches. I think I might make lentil soup tonight and freeze the leftovers.

Sunday

I will make the roast chicken we should have had last week. Served with peas/carrots, mashed potatoes, and I may even make gravy.

Lunches will be sandwiches or other leftovers.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

Once again it has been a quiet day on the old homestead, Sundays usually are and we thoroughly enjoy them.

I worked on the sewing/craft room and almost have it back to normal. Once I get some sewing projects done all will definitely be back to normal. However I think I just may have to stop buying fabric and yarn for awhile, things could be slightly out of control on those fronts.

Harvey has been busy watching NFL football games, it is getting close to the Superbowl and he has a couple of teams he is cheering for. This week he also got the Cabernet bottled and I made labels for him. He says they are good, but I can't really place the look on his face when I handed them to him.

He has also been working on a jigsaw. I did manage to fit in three pieces before my eyes went slightly cross-eyed. 

This afternoon I took part in the Prayer for Christian Unity here in our city. It is bitterly cold and some snow fell so it wasn't well attended...… I was the only Catholic present which was surprising to say the least.

Supper tonight is a hodge podge of leftovers. It was supposed to be roast chicken, but since I still had a bag of frozen chicken from our previous meal I decided to pull it out, warm the slices up and use up the brown rice and salad. I am also making some corn to go along. Sort of what was planned but I get to clear a bit out of the fridge freezers.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Frugal Friday

While this previous week has not been the most frugal time I did manage to get a few frugal items under my belt.

1.  Took snacks and drinks with us on our trip.

2.  Joined the hotel rewards club. If we have a couple more stays this year we will get a free one.

3.  Saved $22.00 when I shopped this week.

4.  Baked bread when I got home.

5.  No waste this week.

6.  Harvey bought a pair of pants for 60% off. He really needed some new ones.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thursday Tidbits

First off I think I should let all of you know how my goals are going for this month..

1.  Knit a temperature blanket. (This is a year long project so will be number one every month). Been doing my row every day.

2.  Sew some winter clothing that is already cut out.

3.  Finish our quilt. (This project has been three years in the making) Started the hand quilting.

4.  Make some soup bowl cozies for our own use.

5.  Knit 4 pairs of mittens for myself using the lovely yarn Kris got me for Christmas. I have two pairs of mittens completed and the third pair is begun.

6.  Knit a couple of headbands to match the mittens. One headband is completed.

7.  Knit one prayer shawl this month. Finished,

8.  Make more meatless meals this year (another ongoing goal). I have managed three meatless (or mostly meatless meals this month so far.

9.  Finish the embroidery project started in October.

10.  Clean up pictures on the computer. Done.

11.  Declutter. (Once again an ongoing monthly goal). A few items have left my home this month (29 to be exact).

12.  Up walking speed on treadmill. Done

13.  Fill out paperwork for my upcoming tests. Done

14.  Plant rooted vines. Done

15.  Get all the decorations away and condense them into fewer totes. Done

Not doing too badly at all. Hopefully a few more will be completed before the end of the month.

Now on to other happenings. 

I went to Regina for all my tests and had a lovely supper with Kris while we were there. The bone scan was done, the mammogram completed as well. What wasn't done was the cervical test. I met with the doctor that will be doing the test, he went over my medical history, asking lots of questions. I filled in yet more paperwork and was told that they would phone with a date, time and place for the examination to be done. This will be another waiting period for me. It could be up to two months before it is done. I guess it is just a waiting game now, but my general practitioner is going to have a heart attack when she finds out what is going on. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

My calendar states that this is the third week of the month already.... Wow January is disappearing quickly. I hope this means that spring will be here before we know it.

Monday

Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup along with salmon sandwiches.

Tuesday

dinner out as we will be staying over in the city for the second round of tests on Wednesday.

Wednesday

Home so something very simple. More than likely hotdogs and a couple of sides.

Thursday

I plan on making something with a package of the delicious, tender roast beef we had on Sunday. Whatever it is, it will be served with potatoes and veggies.

Friday

Maple glazed trout fillets, homemade fries and some coleslaw.

Saturday

Depends on the contents of the fridge. Could be a clean out the fridge night or I may try my hand at a meatless meal.

Sunday

I plan on heating up a package of the leftover chicken in the freezer. I think brown rice and a salad would pair nicely (and get some items out of the crisper and freezer).

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

Well this has been a pretty good week for getting things completed on the old goals list.

First I finished the cowl from the bulky yarn that Kris gave me for Christmas.

Next was this. 

The prayer shawl and there is enough yarn (bought on sale) to make another one.

Then it was moving on to work with the finer alpaca that Kris got me for Christmas.

Mittens that are pretty much done just need to be sewn up. Which I will do as soon as 

this matching headband is completed.

This is the first 12 days of the temperature blanket I am making. It's going to be a year long project as I only get to do a row a day. Still I really like how it is coming together.

Today I pulled out the quilt and managed to hand quilt around 5 butterflies. Lots more to go  on that before I am done. I am keeping my fingers crossed that I can get it done this month.

I plan on taking yarn with me when I go for my appointments next week so hopefully I will not fall too far behind on my goals.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Frugal Friday

1. Using up orphan skeins and balls of yarn making the temperature blanket.

2.  Making more cook once and eat twice (or more) meals.

3.  Got a $32.00 credit on our electric bill. This is always welcome, especially in the winter months.

4.  Harvey got a $189.00 credit from his season football tickets. That almost paid for the frizzled out receiver satellite replacement.

5.  Made a tinfoil dinner for Kris and still have enough leftovers from supper tonight for a couple of lunches.

Now if I could just get our grocery bills down a bit more. Things seem to rise in price every time I enter a store.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Goals

I have always made goals for myself....

It used to be I would make goals that lasted an entire year. Okay, truth be told they were resolutions and not goals. Needless to say most of these were not kept, or pushed aside when things became a bit rough.

Now I make monthly goals. Most of the time I manage to keep at least half of them, and the other half is usually moved to the next month and of course I add to the list. So it goes each and every month.

I noticed that I am following the same route this year. It is time to break it, but I have so much to accomplish that I have a feeling I will fall back into this habit.

One year I posted my goals each month here on my blog and surprise I did manage to do better than 50%. So this year I have decided to give this a try again.

So even though it is the 9th of the month and a bit late to be doing so, I am posting the list.

1.  Knit a temperature blanket. (This is a year long project so will be number one every month).

2.  Sew some winter clothing that is already cut out.

3.  Finish our quilt. (This project has been three years in the making)

4.  Make some soup bowl cozies for our own use.

5.  Knit 4 pairs of mittens for myself using the lovely yarn Kris got me for Christmas.

6.  Knit a couple of headbands to match the mittens.

7.  Knit one prayer shawl this month.

8.  Make more meatless meals this year (another ongoing goal).

9.  Finish the embroidery project started in October.

10.  Clean up pictures on the computer.

11.  Declutter. (Once again an ongoing monthly goal).

12.  Up walking speed on treadmill.

13.  Fill out paperwork for my upcoming tests.

14.  Plant rooted vines.

15.  Get all the decorations away and condense them into fewer totes.

Some of these are already completed, but others seem to be just out of reach. Lets see how many I actually complete this time around.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Tuesday

Well, I don't really know how thrifty I have been this week but a few thrifty ideas have happened around the old homestead. Mostly along the lines of using up what I already have. Paid for it so I am going to get my monies worth!

Today I pulled out the mending pile and mended a couple of Harvey's socks. I think his feet decide to eat their way through the fabric every so often. I also fixed some buttons on one of his shirts.

It just dawned on me a few moments ago, as I was knitting on the prayer shawl for this month that I will actually have enough yarn to knit a second one. Takes care of February's shawl (or if I knit really fast the second shawl for this month, doubtful though) and not having to search out on sale yarn is a biggie right now.

I have also started a temperature blanket. I knit one row a day according to that day's temperature. I am going by the "feels like" temperature. This is going to use up lots of those leftover balls and skeins of yarn in my stash.

I managed to use up some of those little travel bottles of lotion. Having them always handy makes them much easier to remember about.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

Things are pretty much back to normal now (well as normal as is possible until my tests are done with next week), so hopefully I can be a bit more on point with posting.

A good way to start the week off....menu plans.

Monday

Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and corn. I am doing something a bit different this time. I plan on making some of the meatloaf mixture into individual loaves and freezing them to be used later on. The old cook once and eat twice thing going on. It is also preparation for Hubby if I end up in the hospital for surgery or some such. Never can be too prepared.

Tuesday

Leftover ham made into scalloped potatoes and ham. There will probably be enough for another meal this week. I will serve it with peas and carrots.

Wednesday

A big pot of beef stew. Extras will be frozen to be eaten later (another cook once eat twice meal).

Thursday

Clean out the fridge night. Pretty sure there will be some leftover meatloaf and leftover scalloped potato and ham casserole.

Friday

Tuna casserole served with a tossed salad.

Saturday

Pulling out a package of frozen Turkey Tetrazzini and serving it with the leftover salad.

Sunday

Roast beef, though this could change to some leftover roast beef made into hash. Just to get rid of some more items in the fridge and freezer.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.