Saturday Roundup

 This isn't really going to be a weekly round up of what has been happening here on the old homestead. That might have to wait until tomorrow and the storm abating.

Right now we are getting heavy wet snow. Slush is building up on the roads and by tomorrow things could be fairly dangerous driving. Ice is building up on the power lines and the wind comes in fits and starts. Hopefully the power holds.

I have put out the candles and flashlights, checked on the camp stove and the small bottles of propane that are used with it. Right now I am so glad we have that for cooking if need be, even if a window needs to be left open. 

I am also glad that we have lots of quilts and blankets. When the weather is this miserable and the power goes out it takes quite awhile for it to come back on. This, even though we live about a mile from the power plant.

All phones and my ereader, as well as tablet are fully charged. Not that there will be WIFI if the power does go out, but at least I can read and with the candles Harvey should be able to work on his crossword puzzles.

Keep your fingers crossed for us. I hope to be able to post pictures tomorrow on what I have finished or started this week.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Frugal Friday

 

It has been rather a dismal day here and they are predicting some freezing rain before the snow hits. Not looking forward to another snow storm/blizzard this close to the end of the month.

I finished the hot pot things today, and will work on the second sock of the second pair. Hopefully that will be finished before too long. I did not cut out the dress as the lack of good lighting makes seeing the markings on the pattern a bit difficult by the afternoon. Perhaps tomorrow as long as the power does not go out. 

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

1.  Slowly but surely using items up in the fridge and freezers. Mind you I have added a few items that my big batch cooking produced.

2.  Did a couple of big batch cooking and added some meals I can pull out of the freezer.

3.  Went for a couple of short walks the last 5 days as the snow and ice disappeared. 

4.  Combined errands so the fuel in my vehicle will last much longer (almost been a month since we filled, we did so on the way home from the doctor's appointment that never happened on the 28th of March). With the upcoming snow event we should easily stretch out the final days.

5.  Got free pens and 2 free shopping bags in the mail.

6.  Kris started some eggplants for us and they are coming along nicely. I somehow managed to save some seeds from last season so free plants more or less.

7.  Baked a loaf of bread this week.

8.  Used appliances for cooking meals on a few evenings.

How was your frugal week?

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thursday Tidbits

 

Quiet week, one that had us finishing the digging out from the storm on the weekend, and waiting for the city to clean our road. I guess the road out front is as clean as they are going to get it before the next Colorado low hits us this weekend. 

We will see another 25 to 30 cm of snow over Friday and Saturday, with perhaps a little bit more on Sunday. Really getting tired of the winter weather we have been getting. 

One great thing about lousy weather though is the fact that we don't go out a spend money... Not that we do much of that in any case, but it saves on fuel, gets me baking, and working harder on those monthly projects. I may even get most done (well except for the cross stitch as cloudy weather does not allow me to work on that). 

My fridge and freezers are well stocked and we will be able to weather this next front with ease. The only problem is digging out for a third time. 

I am also going to phone our youngest and tell him not to come home if this was his next EDO. We will perhaps go up for a visit sometime soon, drop off the lawn mower, and perhaps even work up his garden with the big tiller. Means taking the truck, and way more gas usage, but that is okay. 

I have the coasters finished now. Not my best work, but they will do. One of the hot pads is ready for the edging, and the second one is sitting by the sewing machine to be done tomorrow. I am hoping to finish both of those tomorrow. My back hurts if I sew for too long so I am setting small goals for each sewing day. Tomorrow I will cut out my knit dress and perhaps start sewing it on Saturday and hopefully finish it on Sunday. It is a relatively easy pattern so I am keeping my fingers crossed.

The menu for tomorrow night was to be breakfast for supper. However there is a container of Eggplant Parma upstairs in the fridge freezer so we will have that instead. I can actually use the toaster oven for that. 

Kurt, had his address posted all over the internet awhile back by some not nice people. He took one of them to court and won his case. The person who did it will be charged on May 11th. Hopefully this will cause other nuts to back off. His Dad and I wish he would take more of the bad guys to court, but some things are hard to prove, this wasn't. We are so glad that this will hopefully be over (well over for one person), but as this person is not totally there intellectually I have a feeling he is still going to be posting things. It will just get him into more trouble, but I really don't think he understands that. 

I hope to post a few pictures tomorrow of the finished projects, not too many but there will be one of the coasters and the two napkins. I may even have a photo of what I actually get done on the second pair of socks.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Ginger Snaps

 Well Blogger isn't letting me add the recipe to the page so here is an addendum to my previous post.

Ginger Snaps (Company's Coming Cookies)

3/4 cup softened butter or margarine

1 cup sugar

1 large egg

1/2 cup molasses

2 1/2 cups flour

2 tsp baking soda

2 tsp ginger

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

Granulated sugar to roll the dough in

Cream butter and first amount of sugar well. Beat in the egg. Mix in the molasses.

Stir flour, soda, ginger, cinnamon and salt together and add. Mix well. Shape into 1 inch balls.

Roll in the second amount of sugar and place on greased cookie sheets. Bake at 350 F oven (180 C) for 10 to 12 minutes. I baked mine for 11 minutes. This makes about 6 dozen crisp, great for dunking in coffee, tea or milk ginger snaps.

Enjoy.

Thrifty Tuesday

 

Another thrifty week has passed us by. Mayhap the thriftiest part of the last week has been not driving anywhere or shopping. If you can't get out of your driveway due to a build up of snow, well you don't spend any cash. I guess we could shop online, but really there isn't much (other than books and/or craft supplies I would want) that interests me for the most part, staying away from Amazon is not a big problem for me.

I darned a pair of socks.

Tried to use up bits and bobs from the fridge and freezers to make interesting meals.

Did some baking when my sweet tooth called a bit too loudly to ignore. 

Made some Christmas gifts (early for a change, and plan to make a couple more this week).

Put $60.00 in my savings envelope. 

Enjoyed a walk to a friends for a coffee. 

Saved some elastics from fresh veggies.

I also tried to enjoy Easter without Kurt and Kris being here. Just a tiny bit lonely, but we sent texts to each other and kept in touch via Twitter (one son) and Facebook with the other.

I was asked to share my ginger snap recipe so here it is. I am putting it on the recipes page. If you can't find it let me know and I will put it right on a blog post.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

A new week and since neither of the sons came home, it meant a reworking of the menu plan for the next little while. May as well get rid of some of the bits and bobs in the fridge freezer and perhaps a few from the bigger freezers downstairs.

Monday

Mushroom soup pulled from the freezer downstairs. Served with grilled cheese sandwiches.

Tuesday

Chicken Tetrazzini which was leftover from Sunday's meal along with salad also leftover from that meal.

Wednesday

A container of frozen stew from the basement freezer, served with biscuits.

Thursday

Sweet and Sour Ribs, rice, and coleslaw.

Friday

Breakfast for supper, more than likely the pancakes I was going to make last week (decided the couple of breaded fish pieces needed to be used instead).

Saturday

Leftover sweet and sour ribs and rice. Probably the remains of the coleslaw.

Sunday

I am going to pull out a bag of frozen pork slices and warm them up. Served with mashed potatoes and mixed veggies.

So there it is, a few items leaving the stockpile in the freezers and hopefully even more will be gone by the end of the month.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

He Is Risen

 

May you all be blessed this Easter Season.

Enjoy your family time.

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

 It has been a week of digging out from snowbanks, texts being sent, and phone calls made. Now that we have finally dug out from the last storm, today we were notified that another snow event would be happening. This time it is coming out of Montana and headed our way. Not considered a blizzard, but we could get up to another 15 cm of snow (about 5 1/2 inches). Means yet more digging out. I am beginning to wonder if spring will ever really arrive.

So what else have I been doing.

I finished two scarves.

I believe that is the last ball of fancy, hard to knit (but very quick knitting) yarn in the stash. 

Working on the embroidery of the first napkin and hopefully this will be finished tomorrow. I am also knitting another pair of two needle socks. Got to get the sock yarn used up, and I need replacement socks for some of the "cheap" store bought socks that seem to be more darned than original sock.

Along with the usual bread making I decided some cinnamon buns would be a nice addition to our breakfasts. I can never seem to get them rolled as tight as other people.

Then I decided I needed a cookie suitable for dunking. Out came the mixing bowls, measuring cups and my trusty beater. 

A lovely batch of ginger snaps fit the bill perfectly. 

Menu is being reworked as there is no earthly way Harvey and I could make a dent in the turkey I purchased. I will probably make turkey/chicken tetrazzini out of a bag of leftover frozen meat tomorrow, and have the same again on Sunday. I will make a salad and perhaps a pie or a crisp for dessert.

Supper tonight is a no brainer. I need to clear out some space so we will have leftovers and corn on the cob (get those used up as well). 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Frugal Friday

 

Well first the news of the day. We are finally dug out for the most part. Clear run from the driveway to the one lane that is cleared on the road, and Harvey's parking space out front is cleared as well. He is however still parked behind me on the driveway at this point in time.

I notified Kurt and Kris that things were cleared out and if they wanted to chance the journey home we were ready for them. 

Kris is a bit nervous at being on the roads right now. He has terrible tires on his vehicle and managed to get stuck 3 times going to work on Wednesday (I think) and his car does not react well to ice. He has decided it will be best to stay put (especially as he again got stuck twice going to get some groceries). He has promised to come home on his next EDO weekend.

Kurt informed me that it was snowing pretty good where he lives in Alberta and was going to stick at home today. Since we are supposed to start getting more snow within the next couple of days I have a feeling he will not be able to come home either. 

This will be the quietest Easter ever for Harvey and I. In fact Harvey came upstairs and said "You aren't going to make the turkey are you?" Of course I answered no, it is a darn big turkey as I like sending leftovers home with the 2 K's. Lots of other food around so there will be no problem changing the menu.

So what frugal things have we been up to.

1.  We did all of the snow clearing ourselves, much to our sons dismay. The snow blower did most of the work with just a bit of shoveling from the two of us. Not at all like the old days before the blower. So we saved on hiring anyone to do it.

2.  Neither Harvey or I drove anywhere at all for three days, thus saving fuel and wear/tear on the vehicles.

3.  Been using appliances to cook meals and have noticed a bit of a drop in the power bill.

4.  Working on using up bits and bobs from my various craft stashes (pictures tomorrow hopefully).

5.  Making sure lights are off in rooms not in use (sometimes difficult as Harvey has a habit of leaving them on in rooms I do not go in much).

6.  Making sure the dishwasher is as full as possible before starting it. Still our water usage is up a bit so I need to figure out how to lower it a bit.

7.  Picked up our income tax and we are getting a very nice refund. This will pay for a new lawn mower (giving the old one to Kris), an electric/gas tree branch trimmer, and if I bat my eyes at Harvey a loom with lots leftover to pay our taxes. 

8.  We get our Carbon tax rebate sent to us differently this year. It is in quarterly payments instead of one fell swoop payment. Our payments will pay for our gas for our vehicles for at least a year or will pay our energy bill for a year. Love having that energy efficient furnace.

Well that is all I can think of right now. 

My back is pretty good right now. I don't over do things, get up and walk frequently, and if I feel any pain at all rest. Hopefully this keeps up, though changes in the weather do affect my back, hips, wrist and knees. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Thursday Tidbits

 

Just a quick post to show you what we have been doing this week. 

We actually had a blizzard here that deposited about 15" or around 40 cm on the ground over a few days. It started on Tuesday evening, continued all day yesterday and still more was added today. 

This is what I saw out our front door this morning, after a bit of digging out the day before. 

Most of the day has been spent cleaning up this mess and there is still work to be done.

We are hopeful that we can manage to widen the driveway, and clear out the front street a bit tomorrow so that Kurt and Kris can come home for a few days. 

Off to do some shoveling out front, so will visit you all tomorrow hopefully. 

I will let you all know if we manage to clear things out enough so they can come home.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Tuesday

 

Well we are hunkering down for a major snow storm, one which will more than likely not allow Kurt and Kris to come home. When fire departments and ambulance companies are asking you to stay off the roads, you know it is bad.

The snow started just as we sat down to eat our supper and now about an hour later is coming down much harder.

I did go out yesterday and again today to pick up some supplies though I did not go as overboard as some who were shopping. I had checked our candle situation in case the power goes out and noticed it was low. I bought candles, kitty litter, and some items that we can nibble on if the power goes down. 

I also boiled some eggs so we have those to munch on for meals if necessary. 

Right now I am glad that I have made sooo many quilts, cause they could definitely come in handy.

So what thrifty things have I done this week.

I used up some of the bits and bobs of yarn I had and the rug mesh to make some coasters.

Used up some fairly ancient yarn to knit a scarf, and the last ball of fancy yarn to knit another one.

I managed to make another two meals for each of us from 6 slices of leftover roast beef.

Baked a loaf of bread and if the power holds tomorrow morning I will bake some cinnamon buns for our breakfasts (another thing we can eat if the power goes off). 

I dried 3 loads on the lines downstairs.

We picked up the yard today to make it a little easier if the wind takes down more twigs and small branches. Piled them up to be used to start fires in the firepit once the weather improves.

I have an old sheet that doesn't have the fitted sheet and am thinking of trying to make a cover for my big chair outside.

That's it for tonight. Off to visit you all.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

Sorry that I haven't been posting or visiting the last couple of days. I hurt my back (no idea how) and was pretty much laying around for two days. The back is slightly better today so I thought I would sit and make a post, as well as try to visit you all.

My menu for the weekend is up in the air. I am not certain if Kurt and Kris will make it home as there are blizzard warnings out. I am hoping it clears up by Friday so that they can in fact be here for Easter. So here is what I have planned for the upcoming week (and tonight).

Monday

Chili from the freezer, served with toast.

Tuesday

Leftover Beef Stroganoff and egg noodles. I will more than likely make corn on the cob as a side.

Wednesday

Soup and sandwiches. I pulled some Butternut Squash soup out of the freezer and will make egg salad sandwiches (lots of eggs).

Thursday

Chicken wings, salad, and perhaps baked potatoes.

Friday

Pancakes or French toast (depends on if Kurt and Kris make it home this could change to Eggplant Parma).

Saturday

Turkey supper, salad, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, cranberries, pickles, cheese, mixed veggies, and probably a pie of some sort for dessert. This is if Kris has to go back on Sunday which is likely. 

Sunday 

Leftover Turkey made into Turkey Tetrazzini. This time I will more than likely add some broccoli to the mix if I haven't used it all yet. We will have the leftover salad as well.

Though if the two don't get home due to the storm the last two meals listed are bound to change. Keeping my fingers crossed that they do.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Frugal Friday

 

Well last Bible study completed and I am actually relieved for what could possibly be the first time ever. I am thinking that this will be the last one I help at and lead sessions. Just tired out and finding the preparation to be getting a bit tedious. Now I get to sit and relax (well sort of) for a bit.

Now what frugal things have been happening here on the homestead.

I moved some menu plans around this week so nothing would spoil and took advantage of larger batches to save time some nights.

When grocery shopping yesterday I stuck to my list and managed to save $32.00 just buying sale items. I did buy a slightly more expensive turkey this time around as I could get a larger one. Means more leftovers.

Hung many loads on the lines downstairs. Three loads dried fully, and two loads were put in the dryer to finish drying (mostly dry when done just a bit damp).

Combined errands when I drove and actually walked back and forth to Bible study. 

Walking every morning for frugal exercise and fresh air and then doing a shorter walk in the afternoon to pick up the mail.

Free bottle of water and a small package of chips for free.

Harvey's prescription eye drops were changed for a savings of $5.00 and I no longer take one of the medications prescribed for a savings of $13.00 both are monthly so this is wonderful.

Off to make our fish and chips as well as corn on the cob for our supper. I will visit you all a bit later.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Thrifty Tuesday

 

Days are passing quickly and soon it will be Easter, then quickly after that it will be planting time. Oh my.

Anyhow on to the thrifty happenings on the Phillips homestead. 

I have been busy working on projects and each and every project that I have planned is using up something in my stash. Or if not using it up totally, getting some things used up. 

The days have been warm, overcast many of them, but at least warm which helps with the energy bill. Not so much with the electrical as it means I need to have lights on for a good portion of the day.

Been doing more appliance cooking and will continue to do what I can in something other than the oven. 

I used up the rather large package of mushrooms making cream of mushroom soup and after one meal have two containers in the freezer downstairs for meals later. 

Only drove the car once last week. Thus saving fuel as well as wear and tear on the vehicle.

Saved a few more elastics off some produce as well as saving the bags the produce came in. They make pretty good kitty litter disposal bags when Kris visits with Eiko.

I had saved the crusts from the last few loaves of bread I made and processed them in the blender into bread crumbs.

Added $75.00 to my savings envelope. Hoping to add the same in 10 days.

Paid bills online, so no stamps and no driving around to pay them.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

I think I just might be back to regular programming, or at least as regular as is possible for me until Bible study is over (this week will be the last).

So what are our meals for this week.

Monday 

A hamburger casserole, served with a side of asparagus. I may even make pudding for dessert.

Tuesday

Leftover casserole from last night, this time served with broccoli.

Wednesday

Sausage casserole (lots of veggies in this one so no sides).

Thursday

Soup and sandwiches. I am thinking of trying to flavour up the butternut squash soup in the fridge freezer. As far as sandwiches I thing grilled cheese would be lovely.

Friday

Fish and chips along with coleslaw and perhaps corn on the cob. 

Saturday

Leftover sausage casserole. 

Sunday

I am going to use up a bag of frozen leftover meat from our last beef roast. Serving it with mashed potatoes and the last two cobs of corn. 

I am going to try and get some baking done for Easter as well and I am hoping to surprise Kurt and Kris with my chocolate covered Easter Eggs as well...Now where did I put that recipe????

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

 Overall it has been a quiet week. I did a bit of catching up on things I put off, took a few walks and waited impatiently for that phone call. 

I managed to get in two meatless meals this week, and out of the remaining days had two meals where leftovers were consumed for our supper or lunch. 

So I promised you all a bit of an update on those projects for last month. So here goes.

Here are last month's projects. 

1.  Yarn wreath.  Done.

2.  Knit one pair of socks.  Done.

3.  Knit three scarves and one toque.  Done.

4. Sew shorts.  Done today.

5. Cross stitch angel.  Worked on many an afternoon, and will continue doing so.

6.  Match patterns to fabric.  Done.

I even managed to get 7 dishcloths knitted and the sewing/craft room mostly tidied.

Now on to this month.

1.  Work on cross stitch.

2.  Sew hot pads that I want to give as Christmas gifts.

3.  Cut and sew knit dress.

4.  Knit 2 scarves.

5.  Make some coasters.

6. Knit two pairs of socks.

7.  Make an embroidered tablecloth (or at least get the base sewn and the embroidery transfers done).

8.  Embroider two napkins.

This is the pile of items I will be using for these projects.

There are a few things in the plastic bag behind the basket, and of course some yarn in the knitting bag to use up as well. 

Some of these projects will be done in a matter of hours, others will take a bit longer. Still I should be able to get them all done by the end of the month. Well, unless I go a bit crazy baking for Easter when Kurt and Kris are home.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Frugal Friday

 

First off before I start listing my frugal habits for the week, I thought I had better tell you that I finally got my phone call from the doctor.

My tests came back normal, so I can put my mind to other things for another year. While it is a relief I must continue to monitor my health and if I feel there is something wrong, get to the doctor's immediately so I can be checked out. 

So what frugal happenings are taking place here on the Phillips homestead.

1.  Baked bread, one loaf lasts us for awhile so the next loaf will probably not be made until the 4th or 5th.

2. Picked up some excellent deals at Costco and other than a container of mushrooms did not go off my list.

3.  Some quilts were washed and hung on the lines downstairs. Soon I will be able to hang items outside to dry. So looking forward to that.

4.  Having 2 meatless meals this week and managed to stretch a few Italian sausage and a couple of larger slices of ham to top a pizza. 

5.  Got a free bottle of water and a package of cookies from Bible study.

6.  Harvey finally discovered the joys of shopping at the Dollar Store. 

When I gave my sister the news about my tests she text back that one of my nephews, his wife and their 3 year old son all came down with Covid. There was notice sent from the nursery school that grandnephew attends saying they were closing due to a Covid outbreak. So from that both Karla and Jenssen did a rapid test, discovering both had the virus. After a couple of days Karla phoned our nephew Derek (he works on the farm with his Dad, my BIL) as she was so sick she couldn't get out of bed and Jenssen was not well at all. Jenssen's temperature went sky high and there was a problem keeping it under control. They were told to alternate Tylenol and Motrin to see if that would help. Well right after his first dose of Motrin Jenssen's breathing when haywire, and his face, lips, and eyelids were swelling. Quick trip to the hospital, use of an epipen and he was kept in overnight. Must be allergic to whatever is in Motrin. Two days later Derek came down with the virus (he even wore masks as much as he possibly could). 

Just goes to show you this virus is still with us. Both Derek and Karla were vaccinated and boosted, poor Jenssen wasn't.

I also found out last night that two of the people we know that were totally against the vaccine in any way shape or form, came down with Covid as well. Both ended up in the hospital, the wife is home now, but not the husband. Pretty sure they used religion as a reason for not being vaccinated.... I have always thought "God helps those who help themselves."

Tomorrow I will list what goals I planned for last month were actually done, and give you the new list for this month. I seem to be falling behind a bit lately.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.