Thrifty Tuesday

It has been raining all day today. The storm last night was mostly wind and there were branches down around the city. Harvey pulled a rather large one from the middle of the road last night at around midnight. He didn't want anyone who happened to be out driving to hit it and have an accident. The city cleared it away this morning.

Thrifty happenings here are the usual small things. I was going to make lotion bars this month but noticed lots of sample and small tubes are still in the basket in the bathroom. I have started to use those up first. I also have a rather large bottle of hand lotion I forgot that Kris had given me because he didn't like it.

I have been keeping the windows open at night. This is helping with the cooling of the house. The air conditioner hardly runs at all the last few days. Even when we reached 35C.

I went out early this morning between the rain showers and harvested rhubarb. This will be used to make a few items for when Kurt and Kris are home this weekend. Perhaps even enough will be made for Kris to take home a care package.

Leftovers are packaged up and put in the fridge freezer to be used to make other meals over the next while. Lots of packages that need using. So menu plans could change to take advantage of them all. I just do not seem to be able to keep up with them.

Tomorrow night we have some free entertainment in our city. For the first time in a number of years we will be having fireworks for Canada Day. Supposedly they are all going to be high enough that we will be able to see them from our decks or backyards. 

I have been watching our Prime Video subscription. There is nothing on regular television right now (except for pandemic news) and this being able to watch a movie or series is wonderful. The subscription has more than paid for itself in entertainment and Prime itself in free postage.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

The skies are getting dark. I think we might be in for a storm, as long as there is no hail or tornados I will be happy.

Just got off the phone with Kris and he had his appointment with the therapist today. He was given some stretches to do and is to massage the area of the scar as often as is possible. He has another 9 visits with her, though some are by video conference rather than hands on.

Now on to the menus.

Monday

Tomato soup from the freezer and grilled cheese sandwiches.

Tuesday

Leftover chicken and some canned ham and boiled eggs added to a salad mixture to make a chef's salad.

Wednesday

Hamburgers and some roasted or kind of roasted cauliflower and broccoli.

Thursday

BBQ ribs, though these will be done in the slow cooker or electric roaster.

Friday

Lazy perogy casserole (Kurt and Kris will be home at some point and this is easy to reheat).

Saturday

Steaks on the smoker along with tin foil potatoes and carrots. May as well add some onions to this as well. I will make a salad too.

Sunday

Roast pork, cauliflower, broccoli, leftover salad.

Leftovers will be eaten for lunches or frozen to be made into another meal at a later date.

I hope to get to visit you all, but as it is starting to thunder I had better sign off for a bit.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

Even under semi lockdown the days and weeks seem to just whiz by. Here it is almost the end of June and I still have lots of projects that I need to finish. Though I must admit I have actually completed more while social distancing than before. I guess that I could always put things off and say I had something better to do, or someone I could visit for coffee.

So what have I completed this week.... 

The masks for Kurt, the masks for Harvey, and mine will be done tomorrow (plan on trimming what needs trimming tonight so I can work on them tomorrow). One outdoor quilt finished and once the masks are done I plan on getting another top at least put together (perhaps two if I can move quickly). 

Here are Kurt's masks.

I am working on the sixth pair of socks and I hope to get the ends weaved in on Tuesday evening. Then the yarn suitable for those will be put away and the leftover bits and bobs that are suitable for mittens will be pulled out and worked on. 

I filled some jars with lovely smelling salts for the tub (think I can get a few more done as well for gifts) and hopefully tomorrow or Monday at some point I can get the lotion bars made.

Somehow I think keeping busy doing these little things is what is keeping me sane. I can't go on the news sites and read much (just do so for about 20 minutes in the morning), also it keeps me from wanting to shake people on Facebook. I have gotten so much better at just hiding posts I disagree with or that seem to encompass too many conspiracy theories.

We are getting used to the new vehicle and all the buttons and computer readings. Still lots to learn, but slowly and surely we are becoming accustomed to something different. It is a joy to drive though, so smooth and having air conditioned seating is wonderful. 

Here is a picture of me and the car.

Harvey refused to get in the picture so it is just me. 

I have updated my stocking up list and there are a few other items I need to get. Still need a bit more on the meat side as well as some frozen veggies (or fresh that I process and freeze myself).We are still having empty shelves in some areas, flour, dry milk, yeast and sugar are the worst. I will be picking those up whenever I can. I want to get a few more dried beans, lentils, pasta and rice as well. Still I am doing very well over all. Though every once in awhile I have a feeling that I am missing something.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Frugal Friday

Ahh, the end of what used to be our work week, now that we are retired things are so very different.

1.  Opening windows in the late evening so that the house cools down overnight. It also keeps the air conditioning from running all night long.

2.  Using the rain barrel to water our plants this week. Hopefully we will be getting more rain soon and the rain barrel will fill up once more.

3.  Harvey has been eating raw onions from the garden. He says he plans on planting a few more.

4.  Used the gift card we got when buying our new vehicle to do a bit of a stock up on meat.

5.  Managed to find coupons to use the next time I am shopping online. Even got a booklet of high discounts in the mail this week. Mostly for cleaning supplies, but considering I am stocking up this is just great.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Thursday Tidbits

The days seem to slip by with regularity. Nothing too exciting happens around here, which I suppose is not the worst of things. I can at least plan my days and the self isolation of the past few months has not affected me or Harvey as much as it has some people. Mind you, now that the weather is nicer this could change.

I am trying to get used to our new vehicle. Our last one had the same bells and whistles for the most part, but this one seems to have even more, and they are situated in the strangest places. It also seems to be a bit more computerized. I am sure we will get the hang of everything over the next little while, but for now I am slightly intimidated by all these buttons.

I sewed up 6 masks today and tomorrow I will thread the elastic through. Then, move on to Harvey's masks and at least get them trimmed and the machine threaded. Just perhaps I will get a couple sewn as well. Not too many days are left in the month for me to reach all of my goals. The making of at least 21 masks was one of those goals. Up to 14 right now. 

Slowly, but surely I am getting ready for the next wave of the virus. Pretty sure that is going to happen, I just do not know how bad it will be or if it will even be as bad as this first wave. I have begun to stock up a little bit. Truth to tell if we do not get the second wave, I will be happy and not have to worry about stocking up for the sometimes terrible winter weather we are prone to get. I will share my stock up items with you very soon.

We are opening up a bit here. In a couple of weeks the library here should open up. It will be nice to be able to visit and pick up free reading material once again. Not one to head to the gym for a workout, the library is much more my speed.

In doing my daily news reading (I try and stay away from things that raise my blood pressure) I read that businesses are having a very hard time getting employees to come back to work. It seems, like many of us, they are nervous and worried about infection. There have been a few outbreaks since reopening started and there is one in my province. It is closer to the Alberta side of the province, but since Kurt has to travel quite close to this area I am a bit concerned. 

Then, we have some outspoken folks who want the international border opened up. As far as I am concerned (and Harvey as well) keeping the border closed until things settle down is a good idea. We sure do not want Covid-19  brought into Canada from the northern states (or from Texas, Florida, or Arizona) and I am pretty sure our neighbours to the south do not want to us to bring the virus down to some states that are finally beginning to lower their infection rate.

Off to work on my knitting. Hopefully pictures of finished projects will grace the page when next I post (well perhaps they will grace the page on Friday).

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Tuesday

Well we are now the proud owners of a new vehicle. Just a year before we planned, but the deal was so good.

First we got a pretty good trade in allowance on the old vehicle. In fact it was more than we were first quoted. Then we got it at the employee price, so even more cash off. To top it off we have 0% financing for 36 months so our savings will not be depleted. In fact we can continue to earn interest on it. Lastly I got a $250.00 gift card to my favorite grocery store which I plan on using to stock up on some meat. No money out of pocket. Got to love it when everything comes together and you can save.

Now the only problem is gathering the courage to drive the darn thing. It is all push button and nothing is where it was in our old vehicle, even though this new one is the same model. Scary.

Other thrifty happenings here have been mending clothing to extend it's life, cutting some rags out of old towel, and the usual saving of plastic bags to be used again for other purposes.

Oh yes, and our visitor is sticking around.

Such a tiny thing. I just hope it does not eat it's way through my garden.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

I am home once again and using my regular laptop computer instead of the tablet. I find it very difficult to edit on the tablet, so hopefully this is a much more readable post.

I went to Costco this morning for a bit of a stock up on the items I usually purchase there (and of course found some others that are way less expensive). Missed a few though as they seem to move things around an awful lot. Still I was in and out in less than an hour and managed to make it home in a decent amount of time. 

I am not going to leave Harvey at home by himself any more. He is easily bored, and will go out and spend money. 

This time it was dealing on a new vehicle (well we do need one). He actually got a fairly good deal on it, and it is one I pointed out to him as something I liked. We head to the dealership tomorrow and do the paperwork. I just hope it does not take too long.

Our oldest son Kurt will be home the beginning of July for a week or so. Hopefully surgery for me will not take place until later in the month. Kris says he will drive home on the weekend and spend a bit of time bonding with his brother, and hopefully setting up a computer on my television. Harvey says perhaps he would like one for Christmas to do the same thing...... Actually a very good idea since we no longer have loads of channels to choose from. I will need to do a bit of saving over the next few months.

Kris and I watched our Archdiocesan online Mass this morning. Special blessings for the fathers in our lives. I really enjoy this as I am staying away from the Masses at the church until after my surgery. I definitely need to stay healthy, I am wearing a mask when out and about. 

Speaking of masks. Kris loves his Minion masks and filters. This week I will work on Kurt's skulls and some superhero type. Then I will move on to more masks for Harvey. I may even get a few more made for me. Preparing for that second wave.

 Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Frugal Friday

I am up at Kris's once again and plan on being here a few nights. I wanted to make sure he is not doing too much. Actually he is hobbling around not too badly and is managing a few of the more mundane household tasks. We even managed a bit of grocery shopping this afternoon.

Me, well I have got the dusting done, the vacuuming (it will need to be done again before I leave), the kitchen more or less cleaned, and the kitchen floor washed. Tomorrow it is bathroom, stove, microwave, and hopefully the sheets. Plus some disinfecting.

Now on to the frugal happenings around my own home this past week.

1.  Walked for frugal exercise.

2.  Worked on  projects and managed to even finish a couple of my goals for this month. Hopefully a few more will be completed before the end of the month.

3. All  clothes  were dried on the outside lines.

4.  Windows were opened to cool off the house on the days that there was a nice breeze.

5.  Only spent money on one day this week and combined errands to save wear and tear on the vehicle.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Tuesday

It is really warm here today so my walk took place later in the day when things cooled off. 

I have been using food up, nothing is getting wasted if I can help it. Leftovers are being used for lunches or remade into something else. In other words a brand new meal. Planning helps with that a great deal.

Since I took my walk later in the day I spent some time in the sewing room. I only have a hem left to do and another project for this month is completed.

We have a new pet (though Harvey insists that it isn't a pet at all). A baby bush bunny has decided that it likes our yard and comes out for a visit every so often. I took it out a bowl of water and some small pieces of carrot. Harvey said that it could stay in the yard as it is much safer for it. I know that it will hop away very soon but for now I am enjoying watching it and keeping it out of the garden.

Elastics were saved from various bundles of fresh produce this week, as well as the plastic bags from groceries. While I no longer use them to dispose of kitty litter, I take them up to Kris so that he has them for his kitty litter disposal.

On those cooler days the windows have been left opened up in order to cool the house.

One of my many times darned socks has hit the rag bag. I think I will cut this one up for use in the garden.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Menu Monday

Weeks are slipping by amazingly quickly considering how slowly but surely things are opening up in my province. The far north of the province is still having problems getting Covid-19 under control. There were 18 new cases in my province and 13 of them could be traced to a wake and funeral in what is called the far north. Two cases are of people who reside in another province but managed to get tested here and one case they are still tracing. Physical distancing people. We still need to practice physical distancing!!

Here are my menus for this week. Things could change a bit as I am heading up to Kris's a bit early. I figure just in case the surgical wait list calls I should be home to take that call. I can't see them calling on the weekends. 

Monday

Hamburgers and salad.

Tuesday

Leftover Roast beef from Sunday Dinner. Pretty sure I will make a casserole and try and cook it in my electric roaster (might have to cook it a bit longer). Served with salad.

Wednesday

Finish up that leftover roast casserole.  Served with another salad.

Thursday

I wonder if I could talk Harvey into take out for a date night type of thing. Pretty sure he would be willing as he could have the leftovers while I was gone.

Friday

Harvey will fend for himself.

Saturday

Harvey will fend for himself.

Sunday

Smoked Pork Steak, pasta, and salad.

Another week gone by. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

The sky is getting dark so this will be a very quick post. I think we just might be in for our very first bad thunderstorm of the season.

It has been a quiet day on the old homestead. I watched Mass online once again. Until a better handle is gotten on this virus, I am trying to stay away from places that I could perhaps contract the disease. Our diocese has not opened up for Masses as of yet and once they do fully allow parishioners to all attend I will once again attend weekly. I am really enjoying the steamed Masses from the Archdiocese. Each one has been presided on by a different priest and it is wonderful to hear all the different styles of homilies.

I managed to finish one project today and get a good start on another. I did not get two projects finished today, but that is quite okay. I will keep plugging away and eventually all those goals and projects I had listed for the month will be done.

Next week I hope to share some photos of the completed projects and goals. Keep your fingers crossed that I manage to get lots of those smaller projects done.

Better sign off before the lightening starts.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

Well it is getting close to another weeks end and I have been thinking that perhaps I have been a bit negative this past week. It's time to pull up my socks and see the good in the week.

This lockdown or self isolation has drawn Harvey and I closer. We have managed so far not to kill each other (even though we have gotten on each others nerves at times). Harvey manages to talk me down when things get too contentious on Facebook and keep me on more or less an even keel. I am still flabbergasted at how people are complaining, but today I have been able to laugh at their crazy theories.

Our garden is coming up nicely and we have a few more ideas on how to improve our backyard and make it a haven of peace.

I have knitted a pair of socks this week and have started on the second pair for the week and am almost done those.

I have completed a couple of small goals this week, which makes me extremely happy. It also makes the bigger ones seem more in reach. Perhaps I will actually finish all my monthly goals for a change.

While the weather has not been very nice, lots of very windy days (weather advisories abounding this week for just that reason) I have managed my daily walks, got my steps in and even managed a bit of work in the gardens (more needs to be done tomorrow). Things are looking just lovely.

So even with my downs things are moving along. I just have to look for the wonderful and lovely a bit more often.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Frugal Friday

While it has not been the most frugal of weeks, there have been a few frugal saves.

1.  We removed our Bell satellite and cancelled our subscription. We went with our provinces TV, SaskTel Max and only the basic for at least the summer. We are saving about $100.00 a month. We also bundled in our internet and landline phone.

2.  Shopping this week and spending was high but I managed to pick up a few on sale items to stock up the pantry, and total savings without coupons (just sale prices) was $83. 65. 

3.  Eating up leftovers for lunch and Harvey is even finding those leftovers he said he would eat. This means no getting rid of items pushed to the back of the fridge (tossing) over the last three days.

4.  Walking every day for exercise and meeting my step goal the last 5 days.

5.  Using up yarn from my stash.

While I am still busy getting rid of those posts that bother me on Facebook, I am actually doing much better. I no longer want to shake people until they develop a brain, instead I hit a button and what little brain fart they have disappears. I am also seriously considering ridding myself of the aggravation by just putting people to sleep for 30 days. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Thursday Tidbits

Blogger is not allowing me to post a picture, not sure if I like this new set up at all. I will try once I finish this post, perhaps in an edit.

Things are pretty much the same on the old homestead. I am continuing with my walks every day. I change directions most days just to see something new. I may take a drive down to the park and walk through there some morning. I am a bit worried about ticks and mosquitoes though. Don't need to be bitten anymore than necessary.

Kris is having a bit of pain getting in and out of his vehicle. I told him that twisting his hips is probably not the best for his break and to perhaps take it a bit easy for awhile. I also told him I would come up on the 23 and stay overnight (perhaps for a couple of nights) to get things cleaned up again. Harvey also wants me to go to Costco. There are a few things I could easily pick up. I won't go overboard. At least I hope not. Must remember to make a Costco list up and make sure I have a mask.

The weather has improved, it is not windy, the sun is shining and the weather has warmed up considerably. Probably a good thing for my herbs as some were starting to look a bit stunted, especially my basil. 

This new normal is beginning to get to me. Physical distancing can be hard to do when you know someone needs a hug. I am being very careful as there are only a few people on the surgical wait list before me. I don't want to get sick and have to put off my surgery. I have waited a long time and want this done before the next wave of Covid-19 hits (as it more than likely will).

Facebook is full of disgruntled relatives and friends. I spend more time hiding posts than I do reading them. Those posts just make me want to shake people as I have said before.

Harvey has gone fishing a couple of times. Hasn't caught anything worth bringing home but at least he is out in the fresh air. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Tuesday

The past week has seen a very few thrifty moves on the old homestead.

I went through all my stored yarn and found lots that is suitable for sock making. So I brought it all upstairs to try and use up during this sock knitting month. Should be able to replace many of the pairs that became too worn to darn any more.

I hemmed a skirt that the hem was falling down on as well. 

I used an old sheet for backing on the outside quilt that I finally got finished. Now just to make two more for our sons to use outside as well.

Very little went to waste in the food department. I could still manage to improve in this area as things seem to get away from me at times (especially when Harvey pushes containers to the back of the shelf). 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Menu Monday

I am trying hard to get back into the swing of making regular posts. Even when I am feeling blah and like there is really nothing exciting happening. So I am going to post my weekly menu.

Monday

Mushroom smothered pork chops, rice and a salad (I was going to make asparagus, but think I will save that for the stir fry tomorrow).

Tuesday

We will be having some type of pork for the third night. I plan on using up the leftover pork in a stir fry (will put some asparagus in here as well as the usual stir fry veggies), Served over the leftover rice.

Wednesday

Soup and sandwiches. Thinking a package of the oriental soup mix I have along with some salmon salad sandwiches.

Thursday

Clean out the fridge. Pretty sure there will be stir fry leftover.

Friday

Tuna Pasta Salad. I think it is time to start my main dish salads and this is a fav of ours.

Saturday

Smoked beef sausages, potatoes, and salad.

Sunday

Roast beef, potatoes, and roast carrots.

Tonight I hope to get a bit of baking done. I am planning on a Chocolate Zucchini cake, and perhaps some more Rhubarb Bars. This should help with our sweet tooth for the week.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings and A Rally

Today my city held a Black Lives Matter protest/rally and I have never been so proud. We had a great turn out, and I am going to share some pictures that a photographer shared on Facebook. He happens to be a friend of our youngest son. Byron does wonderful work.

Just a few pictures. What really surprised me is how many young people showed up. It give me great hope for the future.

Now on to something that is bothering me today. I have been visiting a blog for a number of months over the past year, and now this blog is no longer available for me to read. It is only open to invited readers. I know I did not agree with her last post, but people can disagree and still remain friends or blogging buddies I thought. Guess I was wrong. I have noticed more and more blogs switching to invited readers only and have often wondered why the bloggers do so. I think I might now have the answer to that.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

I decided that perhaps the only way I would get out of my funk was to try and get a few smaller projects completed. Perhaps doing something other than thinking and walking would help.

The first project I undertook this week was cutting out masks so that once sewn the four of us would have enough for 8 days. Meaning they would only have to be washed once a week instead of every second day.

Voila, a stack of thirty masks ready to be sewn next week. This pattern is slightly different in that it has a pocket to place a filter in. I will also need to make a prototype as the pattern calls for ties and we would much rather have elastic.

I did finally finish the denim quilt for outside. No picture of that as I did an envelope type quilt and I really think the finished quilt is not quite right. Okay to use outside, but not something I would show with pride. I also took it out last night to cover my legs as I did a bit of star gazing.... It has rained all day and now said quilt is soaking wet. It will be hung on the lines tomorrow. 

I have a habit of piling up my knitting to weave in the ends of the yarn. I had a stack of 5 prayer shawls made over the past 5 months that needed that done.

All  done now and they are ready to drop off at the church once the office opens.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Catching Up

I am amazed at how long it has been since I last posted. Sorry if I worried anyone, time just seemed to slip right on by.

I have managed to get my flowers planted and do a great deal of baking to take up to Kris's the next time I went on the 24th of May.

I came home to a very sick kitty. We watched Shania over the weekend, hoping, beyond hope that things would improve. After having her in the family for 20 years I was hoping for a few more years of cat cuddles and affection. Monday morning when there was very little improvement I called the vet. Our sweet girl was held in Harvey's arms as she breathed her last. I just could not ask that she be put to sleep.

We brought her home and she is buried under our cherry trees.

Later that evening I learned that an old and dear friend had left us as well. William had struggled with cancer for a number of years and things just got worse each year. With Covid-19 going on and all the rules, we did not get to say goodbye.

I think that I had a small bout of depression happening after that. Not being able to see our oldest son for months, two very hard deaths, and just plain tired of the rules and regulations. It actually got to be that I would only do what was necessary to keep the house reasonably clean and the two of us fed.

I didn't even want to sew, knit or do anything in the least creative. I am slowly getting bac my joy of life, though there are those days where all I want to do is sit in my chair and cry. Hopefully the worst is over now and I can get back to my normal every day boring life.

Thank you to all who were concerned. It is wonderful to know that the blogging world worries when someone disappears without notice.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

MIA

I have been missing in action over the past few weeks. Actually longer than I thought. I am dropping in tonight to let you all know there is nothing physically wrong with me. Just a bunch of family things happened all at once.

I will start posting again tomorrow and let all of you know what has been going on.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.