Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Month End

It is so hard to believe that summer is almost over. The fact is we are just starting to get summer-like weather. Today we reached a temperature of 32 C but it felt like 37 C outside. This is more what we are used to in the month of July.

The monthly budget was entered and even with the buying of the laptop we are still under budget for the month. I am especially happy that we were under budget for groceries. However, a stock up is in order during August (don't know when I will be having surgery...still, and I have no idea how long recovery will be, I want to be prepared for any and all eventualities). This usually means a very high grocery spend for the month.

While I did get all the extra cleaning done, I am afraid there are lots of little things left on my goal list. I moved them to the upcoming month, and only added a couple of small items. Small items added are mostly those Christmas projects that I want done and dusted well before that holiday arrives. There is one big project that will have to wait until I manage to get the supplies (during the stock up trip).

I managed to knit up all that leftover fingering weight yarn into 4" squares. Those will be sewn together in the evenings once I get some Christmas knitting done. Still not too sure what they will become though.

Decluttering is moving right along. As of today 333 items are no longer in the house. I am hoping to reach 500 again this year. Each year it seems to get a bit harder to part with things, but I will get it done. Downsizing and simplifying are my mantra for the next few years (probably much longer).

Harvesting of the garden is slow. I have been harvesting herbs and dehydrating them. This will be ongoing until the herbs no longer seem to be growing. We have also eaten onions, kale and the occasional strawberry that the birds have missed in their gluttony (wouldn't mind so much if they didn't peck a bit and leave). Harvey ate a few of the cherries off our new trees before the birds got all of them. Think some netting might work next year while the trees are still fairly small.

Kurt and Kris were home and it was wonderful having some time with the two of them. We get to see Kris quite often as he is only a couple of hours away and we do our stock up shop in that city. Kurt on the other hand lives 9 hours away so our visits are few and far between. The next time we will be lucky enough to have the two of them home at the same time will be Thanksgiving. Only a few months away, but still will miss having them around before then.


Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.


Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Thrifty Tuesday

I am afraid that for about a week, thrift kind of took a back seat. We did have a few thrifty moves however.

Kurt trimmed the small branches off the trees (could not convince him to climb on the roof to cut the bigger ones down). The branches have been added to the wood pile to use in starting the fire pit come time they have seasoned.

Kris helped with the moving over of files and such to the new computer. He even taught me a few things that will enable me to continue the movement of files. Harvey had bought a blue tooth speaker awhile back and when it didn't work on his TV downstairs put it away. The speaker was hauled out and Kris got it to work on the laptop!! I can now listen to music that I have downloaded.

Supper on Sunday was a package of ham from the fridge freezer, diced and added to rice, peas, mushrooms and cheese. A can of creamed soup was added for moisture (along with a bit of water). Baked in the oven it made a lovely casserole. Best thing, we had leftovers of this the next night and it was made with only 3 thickly cut 1/2 slices of ham (I grabbed the wrong package out of the freezer).

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Monday, July 29, 2019

Menu Monday

Monday

Soup and sandwiches. Something easy of course.

Tuesday

Spaghetti and meat sauce. I will make a salad to go along with this.

Wednesday

Baked spaghetti to use up the leftovers. Salad as well. The leftovers will be frozen and used later in the week.

Thursday

A new month!! Leftover chicken from the fridge freezer. Not sure if this will be a casserole, creamed chicken on toast, or a chef's salad. Everything depends on the temperature outside.

Friday

Breakfast for supper. Most likely pancakes as we both love them and there is maple syrup to use up.

Saturday

Leftover Baked spaghetti and garlic bread. Veggies and dip as well.

Sunday

Back to a roast meal. This time it will be Roast Pork along with roasted in the same pan veggies. I could use the Instant Pot for this meal though and then it will be mashed potatoes and mixed veggies done on the stove top.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Sunday, July 28, 2019

Sunday Ramblings

All is quiet in the house, bit of clean up though after Kris and Kurt disappeared home or to visit friends over the last couple of days.

Yesterday Harvey and Kris traveled to Walmart to look at futons. Came home with one as well (why Kris could not buy one in Regina is beyond my understanding) and Kris now has it set up in his apartment livingroom. No thanks to the directions however as they were in French and Spanish. Thank heavens for pictures. I will have to text him later this week and find out how comfortable it really is. I am just happy that he finally has more than a recliner to sit on. Next I told him he needs to get end tables, and perhaps a coffee table.

I managed a bit of harvesting over the past few days. Still the garden is not really producing like it has other years. I am keeping my fingers crossed that things start coming very soon. I may be spending some money at the Farmer's Market this year.

Yesterday evening we traveled out to the small village that was Harvey's home for his growing up years and my home once Mom and Dad bought the bar/hotel and I married.

Four of the six brothers managed to get together. Here they are all enjoying the Saskatchewan Roughrider game. 

Us ladies were upstairs talking and having a glass of wine.

I looked at my goals list for this month and I am flabbergasted. While I have managed to complete most if not all the extra cleaning chores, I am afraid my goal list is relatively untouched. I do have a few more days so I am hoping to be able to stroke off a few of those as well. Otherwise they will be added to next months goals.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Friday, July 26, 2019

Frugal Friday

Quick post as to what has been happening on the old homestead of a frugal nature.

1.  Leftovers are being used up quickly. Kurt and Kris quite often have anything left for their lunches.

2.  Decluttered more of the desk, getting ready for the transfer to the sewing room once the new one arrives.

3.  Supper out, but we had a coupon (thank heavens as the cost of meals was higher than I was used to).

4.  Harvested banana peppers, kale and rhubarb from the garden.

5.  Baked buns, and a pie (the pie was made with items from the freezer and fridge).

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Full House

Just like the old T.V. series our house will be full come tomorrow night.

Both of our sons will be home together for a day or two. Then Kurt will be leaving to go to a friends place for a bit, Kris will leave the next day for his apartment in Regina and the house will be empty once again.

I love having both of them home at the same time. The interplay between them is something to see. Kurt still treats Kris like his little brother, and Kris still tries to get Kurt riled up (even succeeds sometimes).

So because of the family time I will be sneaking a bit of computer time, and you might not see a post from me (then again you never know) for a day or two.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Monday, July 22, 2019

Menu Monday

A new week and new menus.

Monday

BBQ smokies, tinfoil potatoes/onions, and some sliced raw veggies. I don't know when our oldest will be driving up so will hold off on making this as long as I can.

Tuesday

Hot beef sandwiches, homemade fries, and more sliced raw veggies or a kale salad.

Wednesday

We will be going out for supper for Harvey's birthday. I am classing this as our monthly dinner out as well.

Thursday

Clean out the fridge if there is anything left (oldest son can eat). If not I plan on making a chef's salad and using up some of the roast chicken and ham from the fridge freezer.

Friday

Tuna pasta salad and homemade biscuits or perhaps buns (depends on the temperature of the day).

Saturday

Chicken burgers, cabbage slaw, and perhaps some baked beans.

Sunday

Leftover pasta salad or some ham taken out of the fridge freezer and warmed up. If it is the ham I will serve it with the remaining slaw and scalloped potatoes (made in the microwave).

I hope to get a few things baked today so we have some desserts while Kurt is home. Since Kris is hopefully coming home this weekend desserts will be a good thing.

Everybody have a wonderful day. 

God bless.

Sunday, July 21, 2019

Sunday Ramblings



I am going to keep this in mind when the political posts and comments get to me.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday, July 20, 2019

A Visit to My Province

Today I though I would share my home province with all of you.

Saskatchewan is the rectangular province in the middle of Canada.

Our capital city is Regina (where Harvey is today).

Our legislature is located in this city and is on Wascana Creek. The province has made the area very into a very beautiful park where people walk, cycle, jog and picnic. I so wish it was closer to us as we live in the southeast corner of the province.

It is also the home to the RCMP training depot and Heritage Center.

Not too far away from Regina is the Quapelle Valley. Lots of small towns and farms dot the floor of the valley. 

Our provincial flower is the Tiger Lily or wild lily (the wild ones are slowly going extinct).

Saskatoon is the largest of our cities and is situated on the Saskatchewan River.

Moosejaw, just a few kilometers down the road to the west of Regina is home to our Snowbirds aerial team. These jets travel the country and the United States taking part in various air shows.

Farther to the west (almost to the next province) are the Great Sandhills. 

These abandoned grain elevators are all that is left of something that was in every Saskatchewan town, city, and village. It is hard to see them slowly but surely disappearing and larger inland grain terminals taking their place.

There is a standard joke about Saskatchewan that you can watch your dog run away for weeks the land is so flat. Not quite true as we have lots of dips and water filled coulees.

This is what we are really known for though.


Our skies are ever changing and we are known as The Land of Living Skies.

Hope you enjoyed the trip through my province.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.







Friday, July 19, 2019

Frugal Friday

After reading a few blogs where the bloggers have long list of their frugal accomplishments, I almost feel like a slacker. Oh well, there has been a few frugal happenings around here this week.

1.  Saved $23.59 grocery shopping this week.

2.  Darned socks.

3.  Opened windows in the evenings instead of running the air conditioner. In fact today the beast did not come on until just as I was cooking supper.

4.  Picked some kale from the garden for a salad.

5.  Picked and processed rhubarb for the freezer.

6.  Used up all the leftovers the last few days.

7.  Decluttered and organized the sewing room a bit more.

8.  Used up another 5 bits and bobs of yarn making those 4" squares.

9.  Reading a library book for entertainment each night.

10. Watching "Heartbeat" on my android box. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thursday, July 18, 2019

Thursday Tidbits

Slowly the week is drawing to a close. 

I took a few more pictures of the garden to share with you all.

This is our native hydrangea. Seems to be growing quite well.

Here the natural colour is white and the flowers are a bit smaller. Still it is lovely to look at and it seems like more blossoms appear each day.

We did manage to keep a few of the older lilies that we had planted years ago.

The first of the new lilies have appeared. The picture does not show how large these white lilies are. I love them!!

Notice the purple columbine located to the left. Strangely enough this happened.

Half of the plant seems to be yellow. I think this fall I am going to try and separate the two plants.

The remainder of the week that I haven't been weeding, harvesting, dehydrating, cleaning or cooking have been spent knitting and reading. I even managed to get a bit of decluttering in and hope to continue with that until the weeks end. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.


Tuesday, July 16, 2019

Thrifty Tuesday

Overall this has not really been a thrifty week. I have tried my hardest, but I guess that every so often thrift slides out the window on the old homestead. I think I just might have to close and lock that window.

Harvey has been working on making an easy access to the main electrical boxes. He has been using bits and pieces from his work room in order to do this.

He has also been spray painting various hangers and my birdcage with paint he has had on hand in that same work room.

The air conditioning was off for a few days, but it is heating up once again and the system has been getting a work out over the last couple of days.

Me, well I have been dehydrating herbs, picking bits and bobs from the garden (no strawberries as of yet the birds are snacking before the berries are even ripe). I have managed to pick a few onions, and today I cut some kale for a salad. 

I did darn a couple of pairs of socks and knit many more 4" squares from bits and bobs of yarn. I have been working steadily on the temperature blanket in order to use up even more bits and bobs of yarn. Must say it is very colourful.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Monday, July 15, 2019

Menu Monday

A new week has arrived!! Hard to believe we are halfway through July already.

Monday

Roast beef, roast potatoes, and roasted carrots. If I get my rear in gear I will make a salad to go along with this. All will be cooked in the Instant Pot so I don't heat the house up.

Tuesday

Chili and toast.

Wednesday

Leftover roast beef either made into a main dish salad, or perhaps hot beef sandwiches with fries and the remains of the salad (providing I get it made).

Thursday

Pretty sure there will be leftover chili. If not I will make Harvey BBQ some hamburgers. Served with coleslaw.

Friday

Salmon patties served with rice, home made tartar sauce, and mixed veggies (or leftover coleslaw).

Saturday

I will be all alone as Harvey will be picking up Kris to attend the football game in Regina. I think I will have soup and perhaps a sandwich (made from leftover salmon patties).

Sunday

Roast Chicken, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, and corn. That should round out our week and give me leftovers to use next week.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Sunday, July 14, 2019

Sunday Ramblings

We actually have air conditioning in the church now, so it came as a surprise that the Mass did not take very long. I thought it might be longer as we no longer have to contend with people fainting, or to put it bluntly sweating so much they stick to the pews. Instead we were just over an hour, more what we are used to.

While the church started off cool, by the end of the Mass it was starting to get a bit humid. Probably from all the bodies attending. I just hope we can afford to keep the air conditioning running.

Todays homily (and the gospel) was about the "Good Samaritan" and Father brought up some points that I had missed over my lifetime. I never thought of the Good Samaritan as being Christ himself, or that the denarii could in fact represent our talents and treasures. It is making me rethink the whole parable.

Once home I made my mint jelly.

Six lovely jars. I will clean them up tomorrow and store them away in the pantry. We love this on ham.

These next two photos are from yesterday and my dehydrating. The dehydrating will be going on for the next few weeks, if not longer.

Three more trays of curly leaf parsley.

One tray of oregano, there will be more.

Tomorrow I hope to dry some thyme and some mint for winter tea. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.



Saturday, July 13, 2019

Saturday Roundup

Today has been very hot with little to no breeze. Thank heavens for air conditioning!!!!

I managed to get more 4" squares knit today, slowly but surely making my way through all my saved leftover yarn. I even managed to dehydrate more parsley, some oregano, and I got my mint infusion ready to make mint jelly tomorrow.

I spent time this week getting my sewing/craft room a bit more organized and cleaned up. It will more than likely need doing once again after what I hope will be a sewing marathon next week.

Harvey and I got our eye exam over with. Neither of us need new lenses, and my cataract has not gotten any larger. Harvey, on the other hand, needs to have more tests to see how his glaucoma is progressing.

Weeding was accomplished in all the gardens and I am keeping a close eye on the veggies.

So as a busy week draws to an end, I will be able to put my feet up and relax for a bit.

Everyone have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Friday, July 12, 2019

Frugal Friday

A few frugal happenings here this week.

1.  Dehydrated parsley.

2.  Saved $16.57 when grocery shopping, not the best I have managed to save, but still a savings.

3.  Got a free bottle of hot sauce.

4.  Combined errands to save wear and tear on the vehicle.

5.  Shopped a sale and managed to get a great deal on a laptop.

6.  Used up a great many bits and bobs making meals this week and hope to do the same next week.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thursday, July 11, 2019

Thursday Tidbits

Thought I would share some pictures of the garden.

Potatoes are growing like wild. These pictures were taken a couple of days ago and now they are loaded with flowers. Should get a good crop this year.

Blossoms on most of the strawberry plants. However the fruit does not seem to be ripening very quickly.
The zucchini has taken off just like the potatoes. Lots of blooms and even a few baby zucchini have formed.

Thought I had more pictures of the veggie garden, but I guess I don't. I will take more as this week ends.

My perennial garden is only so so. While the lilies are starting to get buds, they are not blooming as of yet.

I do have a nice showing on the new Columbine I planted.

 
The fuchsia is coming along nicely as well as the German Ivy.



More pictures later.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.




Wednesday, July 10, 2019

A Day of Visiting

This morning I managed to get most of my household tasks done early. I even managed to get to our library to return books and renew one I hadn't finished yet. Then I stopped in and started pricing out laptop computers. We have decided to move this desktop computer into the sewing/craft room and get a better laptop for the home office. This means I won't have to try and reinstall my Cricut on the new one, but will have to reinstall Facebook, Blogger, and the printer on the new one. Might just have to wait until the resident computer nerd comes home to get some of it completed. I plan on purchasing the one Kris said was probably the best due to the Intel processor, and number and type of USB ports. Since I work out my spend days to occur on one day a week, I will probably do the purchasing tomorrow or next Thursday.

All this, plus some cleaning was accomplished as quickly as possible because my sister sent me a text asking if I could come for a visit as my nephew would be leaving tomorrow for Regina before heading back home.

I haven't visited with Jared for two years, mainly because he lives and works in the Netherlands and does not get back very often. I spent way too long visiting and talking, learning about his newish job with the police, and how he is probably going to stay there for a great deal longer. He works for a company that contracts him out, before this job with the police, he worked for a large bank situated in Amsterdam (so is the police station he works with). Jared also does lots with computers so I picked his brain as well.

Since I was gone most of the day, the gardening took a back seat. Being retired means that there is always tomorrow.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday, July 9, 2019

Thrifty Tuesday

Over the last week there have been a few thrifty things happening on the old homestead.

A couple of days it has been cool enough that we have opened wide the windows instead of using the air conditioning. Not only thrifty that we managed to air out the house, and keep cool while doing so, but frugal in that no running of the air conditioner means a savings on our electrical bill.

I also mended the toe on one of my older pair of runners (or perhaps you call them trainers or sneakers). Now they are good enough to wear in the garden or out for my morning walks.

We have been very good at using leftovers up this week. Though tonight's leftovers now reside in the fridge to be eaten on the clean out the fridge night.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Monday, July 8, 2019

Menu Monday


Already I have switched some of my menu around, and I have a feeling more will be switched around yet. It has gotten hot and humid out (we managed to get a lovely rain last night with more to come we hope).

Monday

Soup and grilled cheese sandwiches (the soup was leftover from last week).

Tuesday

Leftover pork from Sunday will be made into a stir fry of sorts, that way I can use up the leftover rice.

Wednesday

BBQ Porkchops, and tin foil packets of veggies. We should finish off the Greek Salad today as well (unless I eat it all for lunches before this).

Thursday

Jambalaya to use up some packaged items in the cupboard and some sausage I have had for awhile in the freezer.

Friday

Trout fillets, probably maple glazed along with homemade fries and a salad.

Saturday

Leftover ham perhaps added to the leftover salad along with some hard boiled eggs and some thinly sliced chicken to make a chef's salad.

Sunday

I was going to make a roast meal, but I think I better clean out the fridge and make the roast on Monday.

Kurt will be coming home around the 22nd of this month and will probably stay for about 5 days before leaving to visit a good friend. I will need to get used to making bigger meals again. That boy can eat.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Sunday, July 7, 2019

Sunday Ramblings

Just this,

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday, July 6, 2019

Saturday Roundup

It has been a relatively busy week what with catching up on chores and trying to get a bit ahead. Still I did manage a few extra bits to get ready for sewing next week.

I even managed to do some more tidying of the sewing/craft room. I have found a new desk for the home office computer and the old one will be moved into said sewing/craft room. For the first time ever I will be able to have all of my sewing machines out and not have to move them around.

There will also be room for a laptop so my Cricut and embroidery machine can be used to their full capability.

I spent time weeding my flower gardens, visiting old friends, pretreating fabric, knitting squares and relaxing in my chair out on the deck.

Last night we attended our live theater in the park. The show was hilarios, the actors very professionable, and the singing just perfect!

The perfect way to relax after a rather stressful weekend with the in laws.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.


Thursday, July 4, 2019

More Challenges




I have noticed more and more challenges here on blogland and while some of them catch my eye, others make me ponder how on earth I could fit them into my life.

The one that seems to be taking blogland by storm is the Plastics Challenge.

I quite agree with this one. If we want to save our oceans and waterways we need to be ever vigilant over our plastic use.

We have always recycled plastic containers, single use plastic bottles are taken to the recycling depot, the plastic grocery bags I get are reused for pet waste, plastic utensils have always been washed and reused until they are no longer able to be, plastic straws have been washed out and used numerous times much to the chagrin of our sons, and any plastic Tupperware or such is used until it is no longer suitable to store or heat anything up. This is something I more or less learned at my mother's knee.

That being said I am going to really try and use as little as possible of the one use plastics. When I do I am going to try and figure out a way to use them at least once more.

So while I probably will not be able to go totally plastic free, I am going to try my best to cut down on plastic usage.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Wednesday, July 3, 2019

Hiking to Regain My Sanity

I am not really an extrovert and being around lots of people for a very long time drains me for days. Harvey is pretty much the same way. So on Sunday (after a full day and a half of family, some of whom drive me crazy) we took off for a hike, or two.

I love seeing the different flowers and such that grow in various areas of my country. Thought I would share some with you. I haven't figured out what they are as of yet, so if anyone knows.....fill me in.

Pretty pink stalks of flowers and one of the many white blossoms we saw.

More of those white blossoms that I know I should remember the name of but for some reason just can't.

I think these just might be bluebells. There weren't too many of these to be found beside the trail.

What would a woodland trail be without ferns, and lots of them.

The fern bed from another angle, it seemed to stretch on and on.

I think if you look closely, hiding there in the tall grasses of a pond you can make out the water lily.

We weren't the only ones enjoying all the flowers, a lovely swallowtail butterfly was there as well. None of those pictures turned out as that butterfly would land for just seconds before flitting off to land just a bit farther on. 

Every national park in Canada has these red chairs and so far in our journeys and hikes through the various parks we have found them all.

We came back to the cabin and the family reunion in a much calmer state of mind.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.