Saturday Roundup

 

 

Getting close to the end of the week. Isn't it amazing how time can seem to whiz right by.

I did manage to get a few projects done this past month. Still have a couple that will be moved to next month and hopefully finished quickly so I can begin some new ones.

First off I did finish another pair of socks and start one more pair. Should at least get one of the pair finished this month.

Tried my hand at a sort of pair of tube socks. We will see how these wear and feel before I try my hand at another pair.

Remember I said I wanted to repair my mother's knitting tote/basket. Well I did for the most part, except for the portion that goes over the wooden dowels. I decided to try and find a better suited fabric. I really would like pink with sheep, but we will see what I can find.

I did sew up the pockets inside and the side seams that were coming apart. I even cleaned out my knitting needles, and the yarn inside. I did add more yarn to it though, and really need to clean up the yarn and bag beside it.

Got 6 more dish cloths made and only made a slight dent in the recycled cotton yarn.

Best yet ....

Finished my longest running quilt project. 

That brings you all up to date on the projects around here. A couple will be carried over to next month and more projects added. Perhaps one day I will actually get all my plans and projects done.

Off to start supper and visit you all between cooking times.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Frugal Friday

 

Once again I have been missing from Blogger. I am sorry, but will fill you all in at the end of this post.

So what frugal happenings have been taking place on the old homestead?

1.  Since it has been sunny the past few days even if pretty darn cold. I have had the drapes open to take advantage of the solar heat and light.

2.  Got a free bottle of water and snack from the Bible study last night.

3.  Found some free knitting patterns, as well as some interesting new recipes online.

4.  Shopped with a list and stuck to it except for some smoked oysters for Harvey (they were on sale). Saw my favourite cereal on the shelf, but when I noticed the price passed it by.

5.  Worked on various projects and managed to get a few done (pictures to come tomorrow).

6.  My menu for the week got kind of switched around, mainly because of me not wanting to cook one night (just too tired) and the Bible study and needing to be there to set up very early. Hopefully planning will be better for the next 4 weeks or until the study is over.

So the past few days have seen me trying to help Kris online with his move. Not that I had much to do other than let him know he was doing an awesome job. He even went out and bought some furniture, a love seat, couch, end tables, and a coffee table. He started to think that even if he didn't have a real bed for us one of us could sleep on the couch and one on the futon in the second bedroom. He said he did not like the thought of us driving at night and this would give us a place to stay. So we are heading up there on Sunday, my appointment is on Monday at the Ob/GYN for my cancer check up. We will stay overnight on Monday as well. 

I am taking up my sewing machine and the bolt of fabric from another drapery project and will whip up some simple curtains for the kitchen and dining room. I may even get a couple made for those rather large basement windows as well. 

Harvey is thinking of taking up some of his extra tools as well. 

We will try and set him up to last for awhile, as moving out of an apartment really did not get him ready to outfit a whole house and he will need to save some money before anything else gets done.

The other item that has kept me busy is following Kurt on Twitter, and keeping him calm about his interview and the showing yesterday on TV. He did a great job, even though he was not on very much. So far no backlash, but that could come a bit later. He does know the subject so that was a big plus. 

Off to get the table set, and will be visiting all of you after supper. Lots of catching up to do.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Tuesday

 Well I did make it to visit with all of you, just not as early as I had planned. Once again my sleep was a bit fitful, but better than the night before. 

Kris is in his house tonight. The movers were at his apartment bright and early, and they moved him very quickly. The GotJunk guys came and took all that he did not want to move. There are a few things he left behind like his smart bulbs, the lamps, his BBQ and the chairs/table out on his deck. But as he will be spending the next few days deep cleaning the apartment he can pick them up a bit at a time. 

So what thrifty things have I been up to. 

I have been accumulating some meatless recipes, and will be adding them to the menus. Since meat is so expensive this should work out to be a big savings.

I am making desserts from scratch and tonight I am going to try my hand at making pudding. Might not turn out, but you never know unless you give it a try.

I fixed the seam on one of Harvey's shirts and replaced a button. I also hemmed a pair of my pants. 

Found some rather large elastic bands when I picked up the mail so I brought them home and gave them a good washing.

Entertainment has been watching free shows on my computer.

Kurt says things are calming down and should be back to what constitutes normal for him very soon. That will be a relief. Hopefully Thursday will be his last appearance on television for a good long while.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

A quick post tonight as I had a very rough night of not really sleeping and am exhausted. 

I promise to visit you all first thing tomorrow morning.

Monday

Hamburgers, leftover salad.

Tuesday

Sausages, fried potatoes, and corn.

Wednesday

Leftover pork made into stir fry (should use up the bits of veggies left in the crisper). Serving this over rice. Making extra rice for tomorrow.

Thursday

Brown Lentil curry served over rice.

Friday

Something we haven't had in awhile. Plan on making a tuna casserole.

Saturday

Leftover pork stir fry, this time served over egg noodles.

Sunday 

Roast beef, roasted potatoes, corn, and probably coleslaw. 

Well I am off to bed, will see you all tomorrow.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 

We are in the midst of more snow falling. Seems like winter just may be sticking around for a bit longer. Not that I enjoy that, but what will be, will be. Guess I will get a bit longer to work on various projects inside. Might as well also plan a bit of my basket and pots... May even plan a few for Kris and his very large deck.

Speaking of Kris, he is slowly but surely finishing moving what he can do himself. Today he moved a couple more loads, shoveled off his front steps, a pathway to the sidewalk and the sidewalk itself. Since none of this had been done in quite awhile he couldn't get everything cleared out but did put a fairly decent dent in the accumulated snow. I believe he was going to shovel off the driveway in the back that leads to his garage. 

Kurt is still following all that is happening in Ottawa and what far right organizations are saying and doing. Most of their leaders were outside the perimeter when the police enforcement started. But some of their minions were arrested. Hopefully those cars and half-tons that have gathered in areas outside the city head home. 

It has been a quiet Sunday. Watched Mass online again, just not too sure about attending in person until Omicron goes away. Both of us miss the community of fellow worshipers, but with Harvey's heart condition just do not want to chance it. I also want a clean bill of health in regards to my yearly cancer check up. I do get a bit of community with helping lead the twice a year Bible Study. The new one is starting this Thursday so I really hope to get home in time to watch Fifth Estate. Must check on the time it begins. 

Harvey worked on his jigsaw puzzle today and gazed out the window at the snow. He jokingly said he would have to get the snow blower working for me. Don't think so dear. I swept off the steps a few times and that is the extent of my work out in the snow. When I worked I was the one who usually shoveled the snow as I was the first one up and moving in the morning. 

I pinned and did the first seam on the binding for my quilt. I hope to start hand sewing it in place tomorrow. Could be I actually get it finished this month. I also cast on the next dish cloth and have got a bit of that completed. More will be done tonight.

So as you can see a rather boring day here on the old homestead.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

 

Saturday Roundup

 

Hello my friends. I am sorry for not putting up a post yesterday, but I have been busy watching the police clear the city of Ottawa. I am so amazed that the police have held their cool as long as they have and are still doing so.

One hundred and seventy people have been arrested, and even those that have left the area on their own will more than likely face charges in the future.

I will start this post with my 

post.

1.  Doing my laundry in the normal way I always do it. Using cold when I can for washing and always using cold for rinsing.

2.  Walking outside when ever I can (and the weather allows) or using the treadmill when I can't.

3.  Using up all the bits and bobs in the fridge as well as turning leftovers into a brand new meal.

4.  Harvey bottled 29 bottles of white wine at a cost of $60.00. It will be the same for the red wine, and just a tad more (plus a few less bottles of the dessert wine). We will be well supplied for awhile.

5.  The draft dodgers are being used in front of the doors at night, and during the day if we do not have to go anywhere.

6.  I could have made a bit of extra cash for mending and altering my friends tops, instead I said that it would be nice to come over and visit her sometime for a coffee. Visiting those friends that I know are vaccinated will help me keep my sanity.

7.  Using more of my small appliances to make meals rather than my oven. However I have been making desserts, just so that I don't head out to buy a chocolate bar or two.....

Kris has managed to move most of what he can into his new place. He figures if he gets another 2 loads over before the movers come he will be done. After all he needs to leave food and a couple of plates/pots/and clothing as well as all of Eiko's things until the day of his move. Still I think he will be happy to be in a place he can call his own. 

Kurt is going to be on the Fifth Estate (a news program here in Canada) next Thursday. He was actually on CTV news last night. I missed it, but Harvey saw it and my friend (as well as her husband) taped it and showed it to me this morning. I think his face has been on the news, both print and television a bit too much, but what will be will be.

I finished my hand quilting and yesterday I cut some strips to make the binding. I am not going to add borders as I don't think it needs any. I hope to sew the binding to the quilt tomorrow, and will be glad to have another project done. 

Today I should finish another dish cloth and I hope to make a couple more. Then I can cast on the last sock I want to knit this month. 

I am not sure if I can finish all the projects this month, but I am making a pretty good dent in them.

Off to visit with all of you while the leftover stew is slowly warming up.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Thursday Tidbits

 We will be in the midst of another winter storm very soon. As the day has progressed the wind has increased, and a light snow has begun. Things could get a bit dicey on the highways later tonight. So glad that we are done with any errands that needed to be done over the next couple of days. 

I mentioned to Harvey that we should see about getting new chairs for our dining room table as the ones we have are not looking so good anymore. I have cleaned the cushions, polished the wood and they still look pretty terrible. The wicker backs are tearing, and can't be replaced. He told me to keep my eyes open for a nice set that will match the hutch and corner curio cabinet.  I guess it is time to let his parents table and chairs go. 

I have finished hand quilting and will be cutting strips tomorrow morning for the binding. I did not have enough of the grey fabric left so will be using some green, slightly different in tone than the green in the quilt but I can live with that. It will also use up some more fabric. I really am trying hard to use up what I have before purchasing more.

If anyone is interested Kurt was interviewed again by Fifth Estate here in Canada. I think he said his interview will be televised next week. Not sure what the interview is about, but Harvey says we have a famous son.... The last time he was interviewed was when he was "doxxed", got hate mail and people wanting him fired from his profession. Heck I even got hate messages on Facebook. 

Off to get supper on the table. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Saving And Recycling

 Ahhh, middle of the week and things while cold outside are toasty warm inside.

So what have I been up to so far this week.

Using leftover scraps of clothing that I had cut into squares, and leftover fabric pieces that were too small to do anything with, to make a quilt. I am also using various colours of thread to hand quilt it and rid myself of some of those almost empty spools of thread. I should finish the hand quilting tomorrow or the next day and then will search for some binding fabric... I do have some grey that I could cut into strips if I don't want too much contrast.

Many years ago as a young child, I stuck an orange seed into one of my Mom's plant pots and amazingly it grew. So last spring I decided to try my hand at this once again. Since it seems like oranges no longer have seeds in Canada I stuck some lemon seeds in a pot. Watered them and waited. Well they grew and I repotted them and took them outside where they continued to grow. I brought them in at the beginning of fall and they are still growing by leaps and bounds. Wonder if I will get any lemons or even the blossoms. They do give a lovely touch of green in the living room. 

The celery in the crisper was no longer...crisp. So I cut off the root, and the leaves. Put those in the backyard for the bunny that is living under the deck. Stuck it in a bowl of cold water and it crisped back up beautifully. I used some in our tuna melts at supper, and the rest has been wrapped in foil and put back in the crisper. 

So that is how my day has been going, and I am going to head back to my chair and using the recycled cotton yarn work on knitting more dish cloths. A perfect end to a lovely day.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Tuesday

 

Just a quick post today and then I will be off to visit as many of you as I can within my time constraints. I got carried away hand quilting today so my time is limited if I want to get a few other things done before I hit my bed.

So what thrifty things have I done this week.

Saved the elastics from the asparagus.

Saved the elastics from the flowers that Harvey bought me for Valentines day.

Made some single socks into dusters.

Did some mending and alterations for a friend.

Using up different colours of almost used up spools of thread to do the hand quilting. It actually doesn't look too bad.

I am also using up another ball of the reclaimed cotton yarn to knit more dish cloths.

Made a very big batch of stew today and the leftovers have been labeled and will be put in the freezer to pull out for a quick meal later on.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

It is the start of another week and we are into the middle of this month already. I hope this means spring will be arriving very soon.

So what do I have planned for my menus this week?

Monday

Leftover mini meatloaves, rice, green beans and a salad.

Tuesday

Stew and dumplings.

Wednesday

Soup and sandwiches.

Thursday

Leftover Stew served on homemade bread.

Friday

Salmon Fillets, leftover rice, salad.

Saturday

Stuffed chicken, mashed potatoes, and corn.

Sunday

Pork Roast, roasted carrots, rice/pasta salad (we are pretty much out of potatoes until I go shopping next week). 

Kris has started to move items into his house. He got the keys today and moved one load of boxes in over lunch. He plans on moving another load after work. The more he can do himself the less it will cost him for the movers. He does have some rather large items that will need to be left for those movers.

Everybody have a wonderful afternoon. 

God bless.

Frugal Friday

 

The days are still passing so very quickly. It seems like I just wake up and get the week started and the end is here. Now I just hope that the same thing happens with winter. Though living where I do that is very doubtful. Mother Nature is bound at some point to say "Hold my beer, these goofs need another dose of winter."

We did however manage to get some of the ice chipped away during the two days of gorgeous weather we had.

Kris signed the final papers today on his new to him home. I think it went so quickly and smoothly because the house was sitting empty and had done so for over 40 days. That meant whoever owned it was probably paying a mortgage on their new place as well as this one and they needed it sold. Whatever the reason I am glad things went well for him. Now it is up to the lawyer to transfer the money and let the land titles know of the change. Kris has done all the rest.

So what frugal things have been happening here on the old homestead.

1.  Using everything up that I can. Which at times stretches my imagination.

2.  The days have been nice and sunny for about half the week so the drapes have been open most of the day to take advantage. Who wouldn't want solar heat to keep their power and gas bills down.

3.  Once again I have been following Harvey around and making sure the lights are off in rooms we don't use.

4.  I really kept to my list while shopping. That wasn't too hard as there did not seem to be surprise sales on anything.

5.  I saved $22.82 on my groceries this biweekly shop. Not as much as I hoped, but at least some sale savings.

6.  Keeping busy with crafts and mending for a friend. I know said friend is going to want to pay me, but I really don't know what to charge... Both tops added together only took 15 minutes of work.

7.  Walking when I can for free and frugal exercise.

8.  Free oil change at the dealership. This will be the last one though. Darn.

Off to get supper on the table. I will be by to visit you all a bit later.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Thursday Tidbits

 

Another quiet day here on the old homestead, the weather has actually been pretty wonderful so I had a short walk to pick up the mail. So nice to be out in the fresh air.

Not so nice was shopping and seeing the uptick in prices once again. I, so feel for those on a very strict budget. I just do not know how they are managing. 

This blockage of major routes between the United States and Canada is not helping with the rising costs, or shelves that are slowly emptying. Now major auto manufacturers are being closed or cutting hours. This is affecting the little guy, the small business man, and the regular Joe. I wonder what will happen when those people taking part realize that they are turning more of our citizens against them every day. I am so glad that I have managed to put things in the pantry and freezer and have always stocked up.

 I wonder how the truckers occupying Ottawa will feel when they break down (semi's do break down) and they can't get parts. Or when the vast majority of occupiers that are cars and half ton trucks realize the same thing. Or when dealerships that were just picking up can't get vehicles to sell. Wonder how happy those (we have a dealership here that is supporting the occupation) dealerships will be when they shut down due to the blockades. I now have three places that I will never shop at again.

These are my thoughts and my thoughts only on this whole trucker occupation of my countries capital. I am amazed that they keep changing the line they have drawn in the sand. Some are now trying to get rid of our democracy and replace it with people of their own choosing. Idiots.

Kris has set up his house insurance and meets with the lawyer to sign papers tomorrow. Things are moving right along. I have offered to make him some curtains for various windows, and Harvey has offered him his extra tools. He has accepted both so that will save him some small amount of cash. The more he can save on this move the better. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Mid Week, Late Projects of the Month, and January Budget Update

 , 

I am a bit late in posting my project to do list for the month, but better late than not at all I suppose.

1.  Knit 2 pairs of socks.

2.  Knit 2 scarves.

3.  Work on quilt.

4.  Make the surprise wreath (hopefully it turns out).

5.  Prepare the 2" strips for the next quilting project.

6.  I have 2 tops to mend for a friend.

7.  Make freezer inventory for the chest freezer downstairs.

8.  Declutter and organize our bedrooms.

9.  Pick up fabric to make Kris some window coverings.

Hopefully I can manage to get more of these done this month (the socks are a carry over from last month).

Costs seem to go up almost every week, and sticking to our budget could be harder as time goes by this year. This is especially true right now with truckers causing the back up of goods across the Canadian/American border. 

We were a bit over budget this month. Well perhaps a great deal over budget due to Harvey's truck needing some work. I was also over budget on food/paper products/OTC meds and hobby items as well (hobby was mostly Harvey). We also had the expense of eating out while in the city (man that is expensive) and a hotel room. Still it could have been much worse. I am hoping for a better February. 

Still we want to help Kris get set up in the house so we will probably be spending a tad more than usual. Trying to keep it at a minimum though. I do know he will need curtains and the rods as well. 

Off to visit with a few of you before I need to make supper and set the table. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Tuesday

 

Well I hope that things are back to what passes for normal here. With that in mind I will share our thrifty habits this past week.

We stayed at the hotel we always use in Regina, gaining points to be used for perhaps a free stay sometime soon. 

The second day we stayed over we traveled to a grocery store and picked up some snacks and ready made suppers. Not perhaps the thriftiest of moves but it did save us quite a bit as we did not eat out.

Took advantage of the free breakfasts in the hotel both days.

Our vehicle service was free. It was however the last free oil change though. But free is good even if the remaining service jobs will cost us something.

Got a free toothpaste, toothbrush, floss picks and floss when I paid my 4 month visit to the dentist. 

Used up some applesauce from the freezer that I had made by baking some muffins. My they are tasty.

Saved more twist ties, and some socks were cut into ties for the garden.

Kris has the house, he had the house inspection last night and it passed with a few very minor things that need to be done or could cause problems later on. 

He has arranged for his movers, and some people to get some old broken down items from his apartment on the 22nd, and notified those things like power, gas, sewer, water, and the telephone company for connections. 

He has permission to go on the property and start shoveling the snow away from the foundation and the walk ways and plans to do some of that this weekend. As well as begin to pack and move boxes in as soon as he gets the keys. The only thing he has left to do is get his house insurance and pay the lawyer. This has moved very quickly.

So happy for him.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

Before I post this weeks menu I think I should get you all caught up.

The past week has been very strange. 

Firstly we were storm stayed in Regina for the first couple of days. However staying put was perhaps the best thing we could have done. Monday night we were in the midst of a blizzard that saw people abandoning cars on the highways, after hitting ditches or hitting each other. Tuesday was spent waiting for them to get the abandoned and wrecked vehicles off the highway. Wednesday, when we finally ventured out we still passed cars and a couple of semi's still waiting to be hauled out of the ditches, but at least not blocking the highway.

We arrived home and ended up having to dig our way into the driveway. Then the rest of the week I was busy getting all those chores done that I had missed. 

I think I am all caught up for the most part, not so much project wise but regular household chores.

I have also spent a great deal of time following Kurt on Twitter due to the trucker convoy in Ottawa (my countries capital) and waiting to hear about Kris's house buying adventures. Probably why not much time was spent on projects. I also had a friend drop off some mending, which hopefully I will start tomorrow.

Kris's home buying has been going well. He has gotten his mortgage and the house inspection he wanted went well. There are a few minor things that need doing (why on earth would there be no down spouts on the house to drain water away from the foundation???). So all things moving forward he should be the proud owner of a new to him home on the 14th of this month.

He plans on packing the small things himself and getting movers for the larger items. Planning to start moving those smaller items on the 14th, the day he takes ownership. 

Kurt, well he is doing what he has always done. Teaching during the day and then evenings are spent Tweeting about the really bad guys at the convoy. Though it does seem that a few of those protesters are leaving slowly but surely. In fact one of the organizers is thinking of leaving very soon. So hopefully things will be back to normal in his life as well.

Now on to my menu's for the upcoming week.

Monday

A container of frozen chile served with toast.

Tuesday

Ham casserole of some type, using a package of frozen leftover ham from Sunday, and a salad (also leftover from Sunday).

Wednesday

Turkey rice soup from a container in the big freezer. Served along with either ham salad sandwiches or grilled cheese sandwiches.

Thursday

Leftover ham casserole. Served with another salad.

Friday

Salmon Patties, homemade tartar sauce, mashed turnip, and green beans.

Saturday

Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, peas.

Sunday

Roast chicken, roast potatoes (or perhaps a tray of roasted veggies).

Everybody have a wonderful evening. I plan on visiting you all tomorrow.

God bless.