Thrifty Tuesday

While this week has not been what I would call extremely thrifty, there have been a few thrifty moments over all.

Our Christmas meal was made of mostly sale items.

We went out last night for some free entertainment. Every year for the past 4 years various companies and groups have set up light displays in our regional park. After dark we took a trip down and gazed at all the beautiful displays. No pictures this year as I forgot the camera and my phone.

Many of our meals this past week have been using up the leftovers from our Christmas meal. Still have a few that need to be used though and I am running out of ideas. Like the cranberry sauce, what on earth do I do with it?

I finished the temperature blanket today. A year of charting the temperatures here in Estevan.

A rather large blanket but one that tells a story.

I even have enough yarn from the bits and bobs I started with to make another one in 2020.

I walked a couple of mornings and enjoyed a winter wonderland.

Wishing all of you the best for the New Year. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

This year has gone by so very quickly. Two days left and then a brand new year full of new adventures and excitement.

Monday

Ham Steaks, fried potatoes, and kale salad. This will clear a few items out of the fridge and crisper.

Tuesday

Leftover roast beef, and roasted butternut squash, cauliflower mixture (perhaps some leftover kale salad).

Wednesday

Stuffed Chicken Breasts, rice, and raw veggies and dip.

Thursday

Clean out the fridge night (should have some of what I plan on doing with the leftover roast beef left).

Friday

Tuna patties, homemade fries, and coleslaw.

Saturday

Sweet and sour ribs, rice, and the leftover coleslaw.

Sunday

Roast beef, roasted potatoes, roasted carrots and a tossed salad.

The menu this week should satisfy my carnivore of a husband, use up items from fridge and freezer, and even allow me to try something new.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

It has been a quiet day, I have been reading, getting lists made up and enjoying coffee while reading. I even managed to fit in some television watching.

For a birthday this has been wonderful, a day that I pretty much did whatever I wanted which was very little.

Still the quiet of the house is almost deafening. I really miss seeing Kurt and Kris wondering around the house. Or the grandcat causing problems with our cat by sneaking upstairs. Shania could put up with Eiko for a little while as long as she stayed far away.

Mass was quiet as well. We reflected on how Joseph gave up everything, even becoming a refugee in a strange land in order to protect Jesus. It made me think how all the refugees that come to Canada give up all they have in order to protect their families. Just as I would have when the boys were small and still would today.

I am pretty sure that most mothers and fathers would do the same.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

This week has been a busy one, full of family, laughter and food. Now things will get back to the normal boring lifestyle Harvey and I lead.

Kurt left yesterday. He is visiting friends north of Regina. Kris left early this morning. The house is quiet and the silence is strange.

Christmas Day went very well as usual I got spoiled. I always open my birthday gifts Christmas day as the sons always want to see me open them. They have most times already left by the time my birthday rolls around on the 29th of this month.

I thought I would share my haul with you all.

Kris got me a Google Hub for Christmas. I can use this in the kitchen to time my baking, play music when I am doing dishes, and even look up recipes without having to print them off.

Kurt got me this lovely angel for my collection.

Then came the birthday gifts.

Kurt knows how much I enjoy Margaret Atwood and so he got me my very own copies of The Handmaid's Tale, and the Testaments. He also got me some emergency items for my vehicle.

Kris got me a swift. 

Here I am using it.

I love it. It makes winding those pesky skeins of yarn so very simple. The picture of me is not too flattering, but that is life.

Harvey was told not buy me anything that the new chair was gift enough. Still he figured I needed something under the tree from him.

A gorgeous bangle bracelet. I told him he should not have spent so much, but he said I am worth it. I think I will keep him. 

Spending lots of time using up items in the fridge. Slowly, oh so slowly items are being used up. I don't think we will go out for supper this month. Instead I will use what we have and make some wonderful meals.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Early Morning

It pretty much seems that the only time I get to check or post anything is in the early morning. So I will take the time to catch everyone up on what has been happening here the last few days.

Christmas Eve we headed off to Mass, one that I thought would be a great deal shorter, but turned out to be as long as if Father A had been there. Mind you we could actually understand the Archbishop which we can't always say about Father A.

Christmas morning dawned cloudy and the sun pretty much did not appear the entire day.  I did go for an early morning walk.

My walk was quiet which was just what I needed to get ready for the upcoming madness.

We opened our gifts but yours truly was so busy passing things out I forgot to take pictures. I even had my camera ready for a change.

The rest of the afternoon I spent cooking. I did manage a bit of a walk at one point in the day (and I even got a small one in when Kurt and Kris were doing up the dishes).

The extended family arrived at around 7, I still was not quite done setting up, but things were accomplished quickly.

The cribbage players on their first game of the evening.

Nephew, great nephew (poor guy there really is never anyone for him to play with) and one of Harvey's sisters.

Harvey's brother and our two boys.

Two sister-in-laws that are married to two of Harvey's younger brothers.

That takes care of Christmas day. Will fill you all in on Boxing day and today later.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Merry Christmas

Everybody have a wonderful Christmas Eve and Christmas morning.

God bless.

Menu Monday

Ahhh, the last full week of the year. One filled with company, and cooking.

Monday

We are going to have a clear out the fridge night. I was going to make chicken wings, but hey this could and will be better.

Tuesday

Lasagna, salad and garlic bread.

Wednesday

Christmas dinner, turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts, pickles, salad, gravy, and whatever baking they desire for dessert.

Thursday

Perhaps today would be a good day to go out for supper as a family. The boys will be leaving tomorrow or the next day.

Friday

Soup and sandwiches.

Saturday

Spaghetti and meat sauce, tossed salad.

Sunday

My birthday (64 years old my how time flies). I think a clean out the fridge is order.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

Now my home is full. Peace reigns, the sons are home and even though one is a bit of a grouch (due to forgetting his phone charger and his lap top, I offered mine for his use while here) our home is now complete.

I feel for a friend of mine who is going through a rough time right now. One of her sons has been going through a divorce for a number of years now, and she learned at the beginning of this past week a second son is having marriage problems and it looks like another divorce is on the horizon. 

I wish her the peace that only can come from the Lord. Let her heart be filled with God's love and let her feel forgiveness for those she has felt have done her wrong.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Frugal Friday

This has not been the most frugal of weeks. The lead up to Christmas rarely is and there is still a little shopping yet to go.

I did manage a few frugal items this week though.

1.  Got a free chocolate bar when grocery shopping. I only saved $25.00 or so this time around.

2.  Keeping the fridge reasonably clean of leftovers. They are used within two days either for another meal or for lunches.

3.  Reading library books for entertainment and watching Netflix while knitting.

4.  Taking an excursion to see the Holiday Train for the cost of a few cans and boxes from the pantry for the Food Bank.

5.  Getting outside on those days that are gorgeous even if my walk is only to the mailbox 3 blocks away.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Thursday Tidbits

I have been promising you a few pictures of the sewing projects I have actually managed to finish.

A multicoloured tunic top.

The wrap skirt that I am still not too sure about. I don't really like the way it hangs, but it could just be the material.

Gold, wide leg pants and they are a very wide leg. They should go nicely with the first tunic top.

The purple sweater knit fabric t-shirt I just finished. It needs pressing and washing.

I hope to have some knitting completed by Sunday as well as a few more clothing projects ready to go. I do have a rather simple dress cut out and will start on that tomorrow. Sewing will be by the wayside very soon as Kurt and Kris will be home, preparations for Christmas underway, and company stopping in to visit.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Holidays Are Getting Close

Every year CP rail sends a number of trains across Canada and the northern United States. There are special trains at this time of year known as Holiday Trains. Decorated with lights and carrying very special passengers.

This is the first year we have attended the event, and the weather actually accommodated the visit.

We got to listen to some music, enjoy the fresh air, see some people we had not seen in awhile and help out our Salvation Army Food Bank.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Tuesday

Thrifty happenings around the house over the past week are pretty much the usual, darning, mending seams, putting up hems, taking in a few items of clothing, and cutting apart some old clothing that was not in good enough shape to donate into rags.

The strap on my 10 year old purse finally gave way for good. I had already mended it a few times, and so after removing the hardware I put it in the trash. I had knitted a couple of purses from cotton yarn awhile back and so one of them is being used as my daily purse. Proof that shopping at home first really does work.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

Good morning to all of you. It is going to be a great day, cause I will make it one!! Also the temperatures are still really nice so I can get out for a bit.

Monday

Hotdogs, kale salad, and hash browns.

Tuesday

Leftover pork roast. It will more than likely become a stir fry so I can use up more of the veggies in the crisper.

Wednesday

Dry ribs, dipping sauce, leftover kale salad, and some spicy noodles (I have a package that needs using).

Thursday

Clean out the fridge.

Friday

Soup and sandwiches, and I think this is when I will use up the butternut squash. I will give squash soup a try.

Both our sons should be home by now so I will need to cook more.

Saturday

Pork chops, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, and green beans.

Sunday

Sausage, pasta, the remaining coleslaw or a tossed salad.

Everybody have a wonderful day. 

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

The Third Sunday of Advent is already here. This season of anticipation is almost over. Every year it seems to pass by at greater and greater speed.

We lit the candle of joy today and the expectation for the birth of Christ is getting more and more exciting with every day that passes.

Why should we rejoice, well it is because Christ is coming for each and everyone of us. He is our hope for a brighter future and a light to guide us.

When I was leader of our youth group at the church I would always take the group caroling this week. The looks on peoples faces as the teenagers sang was amazing. The looks on the kids faces was just as amazing. The joy of the season was very apparent in those that gave and those that received.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

Most of this week has been spent working around the house. I am slowly cleaning room by room and while doing so I am completing a round of decluttering as well. Things are looking up here on the old homestead.

I have managed to mostly finish the knit top I was making (need to work on the seams next week), managed a bit of sewing (pictures to follow next week) and finished two novels. Things seem to be moving right along.

I have even managed to get a few more apps and my email onto my new phone.

I am a happy camper.

Hopefully tomorrow will be more of the same.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Frugal Friday

So what frugal things have been happening around here. It always seems like I post the same things over and over, I need something new and different.

1.  My contract was finished on my cell phone so it was time to resign. I (well my husband and Kris did most of the deciding) decided to upgrade my phone as well. I went in and got one of the $0.00 cost phones. While it does not have all the bells and whistles the newer models do it is good enough for me. My old one will go to my husband as his cell phone is no longer holding a charge.

2.  Went grocery shopping and managed to save $34.85 from sale items only. Managed to get our Christmas turkey on sale as well.

3.  Deposited a cheque from insurance we got as repayment for my upfront payment for the last dental visit.

4.  Shoveling snow instead of using the snow blower. Saving money on gas.

5.  Using items up and while not really batch cooking I have been able to put a few containers of food into the big freezer to use later on this month or early next month.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Freezing Cold, Snowy and Winter Has Arrived

Once again it is really cold today and then later in the afternoon the snow moved in. We will definitely have a white Christmas unless some strange weather pattern moves in.

I spent the day cleaning, knitting and sewing. My crafting mojo seems to be dissipating the closer it gets to the holidays. I really need to get things done before that final week. The boys will be home and I will want to visit (though I can do so with knitting in my hands, not so much sewing).

Tomorrow is errand day so I hope that the accumulation of snow is not too great (by the end of tomorrow we are supposed to have gotten another 4 inches). I need to do a bit of travelling as I will be going to SaskTel to get a new cell phone and sign another contract (mine is done). That is all the way across town (a 5 or 6 minute drive when the roads are good, much longer if they are nasty).  So I am keeping my fingers crossed that roads are in pretty decent shape.

Once I have finished braving our roads, I plan on getting things put away, helping Harvey mount our upstairs television on the wall, finishing all the hems on my tunic top, and rethreading (as well as changing the needle to one more for sewing knits) my machine. I need to get at least three more items sewn before the week ends. Then I might just cut out a couple of other patterns that have been begging me to try them out. My stash is slowly going down and replacements are going into my closet.

Today I made it a great day.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Tuesday

It is already the second week of the month! Christmas will be upon us before we can say Santa Claus is coming to town.

The temperatures have dropped dramatically. When I awoke this morning it was -29C with a wind chill of -38C. Brrr, the perfect weather to stick close to home and get things completed.

As far as thrifty moves this week goes there are a few that stand out.

Harvey had a few socks that needed to be darned and a few that were way past darning again. Those that were past being fixed I cut up to be used to tie plants up next growing season.

Opening the drapes to let the sun in heats up the house just perfectly. We have been lucky in that the sun has been shining and the heat that is generated usually means the furnace does not kick in until later in the day. Shutting them keeps the cold air out of the house come evening.

I have made soup a couple of times this past week, using up the little bits from the crisper. Tonight I actually used up a package of frozen leftover roast beef making beef barley soup. The remains of which are cooling in two containers and will be put in the fridge in a bit (must remember to label them first). 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

The second week in December has now arrived, bringing with it colder temperatures, and more snow.  Hearty meals (not that I changed too much ever) are now in order.

Monday

Leftover chili served over pasta and sprinkled with a bit of grated cheddar cheese.

Tuesday

I am going to take the smaller package of leftover roast beef, find my recipe for beef barley soup and go to town. Serving this with tuna salad sandwiches.

Wednesday

Oven roasted chicken breasts served with rice, and asparagus. I think there might be a tossed salad involved as well. Got to get those servings of veggies and fruit in.

Thursday

Stew served on slices of thick homemade bread. I hope to make enough for leftovers later and make this in my instant pot as well.

Friday

Salmon fillets along with a tossed salad and rice.

Saturday

Leftover stew heated on the stove along with dumplings. 

Sunday

Roast pork, though I could pull out a bag of frozen roast pork and warm that up along with veggies and potatoes it would fill us up nicely.

Lunches are the usual sandwiches, or leftovers. In my case it is usually a piece of toast and some fruit.

Everybody have a wonderful day. 

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

This Sunday we lit the second candle in our church Advent Wreath. The one that represents Love.

We light the candle of Love to remind us that Jesus brings us God’s love and shows us how to love others. We love each other by giving of ourselves in many ways. Perhaps the easiest way is by giving money to the various charities that seem to abound at this time of year, but harder (or should I say more difficult ways) are available to us all.

Forgiving those who hurt us in big and small ways is perhaps one of the hardest ways to show love and one of the ways I need to practice. I am going to concentrate on this over this wonderful season as I wait for that great gift to arrive. The gift of God's love in the shape of a human baby. One who came to take all our pain and sin. Seeing us exactly how we are and still loving us enough to sacrifice all.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Frugal Friday

What frugal things have I/we been up to this week.

1.  Hubby fixed my angel tree topper. I hope to get it back on the tree this afternoon.

2.  Using up bits and bobs from the freezer. I see a pie crust that I will use up at some point this weekend.

3.  Making buns in stead of making bread all the time.

4.  Once again had a good savings at the grocery store of $29.95. We don't always get really good coupons here in the middle of Canada, but our Co-op store has wonderful sales.

5.  Bought the new entertainment stand as a floor model. A few scratches, but well worth the over 50% off we paid. I am pretty sure we can touch up those small scratches.

I am also feeling much better today. I must have just had a touch of something. Still stuffy, but not as achy or as churning stomach as I was yesterday. Hope it continues.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Thursday Tidbits

I have been fairly lazy over the last couple of days, and today I now know why. While grocery shopping and running errands I started to feel ill and have been feeling worse as the day progresses.

I did manage to complete a couple of easy tasks today. I put all the items (DVD's, CD's and candles away. That was easy as I could sit and do them which meant I was not dizzy at all. I do hope that I feel much better tomorrow. I will need to catch up on all the things I have left undone.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Finished (Well Mostly)

The last big piece of furniture is now in place in the living room.

This 30 year old entertainment was removed....

The new one put together and in use. I do miss my shelves for pictures however so we may mount the television on the wall and have the top cleared for my bits.

Now comes the accent colours which hopefully I can either find or make (cushion covers, and such).

Supper tonight was a wonderful Lentil Soup. I even have enough leftover for another two meals for Harvey and I.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Tuesday

This will not go down as the most thrifty of weeks. Why is it that things always seem to break down when you least expect it. More about this later.

I have been busy using things up and storing the excess food from roasts and such in the freezer.

Did some hand hemming on a pair of Harvey's dress pants.

Turned a collar, or two as well as darned a couple pairs of my socks.

I have been working on next years planner, using up paper from when I used to work. I just may have enough to last a few more years. I use an old binder and a few pages and 2 calendar pages printed out on the printer, then lined paper for the days chores (the page holds 4 days lists). To buy one costs around $12.00, my version costs at the most $2.00.

Now for the not so thrifty things.

We bought a new TV stand for the living room, which Harvey will pick up tomorrow. This one has an electric fireplace insert so when things get a bit chilly I can turn it on. Eventually we will mount the TV on the wall giving me a bit more room to place some pictures and such on the top.

Then while making supper (I use the microwave to partially cook the potatoes for scalloped potatoes and ham) my 20 year old microwave gave up the ghost. Since I use this appliance all the time this means I will need to replace it as soon as possible. I only hope which ever one I manage to buy lasts as long as this one did.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.