Tuesday Tidbits

 

Still very cold here and for some odd reason I seem to have developed a chill that I can not get rid of. Wrapped in a shawl and snuggled on the chair for most of the day. Well after the household tasks were finished of course. 

Yesterday Harvey quite surprised me at one point yesterday. He was sitting on the couch and all of a sudden he says we will have to downsize very soon as we will probably only be in our home for another 8 years (where the 8 came from I have no idea). I then asked where we would move to if that was the case. He said Regina which is the same city our youngest lives in. 

Now what is shocking about this is that every time I have mentioned moving he has brushed it off. I can't figure out what made him change his mind. 

Since he mentioned this I have been looking at apartments and condo's in the city.... I have also been looking at one floor bungalows as I think that if Harvey didn't have a garden in the summer he just might get a bit cranky. A double heated garage would be good as well then he could have a little workroom. 

I think I need to start making lists... List maker extraordinaire here, I love me a good list to keep me on task. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

Brr, it is a cold and frosty morning. We have extreme cold warnings out so I really do not plan on going anywhere, other than the couple of minutes it takes to pull the garbage bin to the curb for pick-up tomorrow. 

Getting this posted early so I can get started with the regular household tasks and then begin the good smelling things. I will be off and on between tasks to visit with all of you. 

Maebeme, have a safe trip today. I do hope it warms up a bit for you traveling.

This is a week where I continue to use up items from the fridge freezer. 

Monday

Leftover sweet and sour ribs, served over rice. I was going to make some frozen peas, but there is some cucumber that needs using so we will have that with some dip.

Tuesday

A bag of leftover chicken from the fridge freezer will be added to a pasta casserole.

Wednesday

A new month, but I continue to clear out. I will pull a package of leftover beef roast out and hopefully make a stroganoff type meal. Served over noodles and this time I will make either green beans or peas to go along.

Thursday

Leftovers from Tuesday. Definitely need to make a veggie, so will do what I didn't make for a side last night.

Friday

Soup and Sandwiches. I think I will pull one of the containers of soup from the freezer downstairs and make some tinned salmon sandwiches. 

Saturday

Leftover beef from Wednesday. I will probably make either corn or mixed veggies with it this time. 

Sunday

Sausage, hash brown potato patties, and brown beans from the freezer downstairs.

Everybody have a wonderful day. 

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 

Today was cold, but it will be getting much colder tonight and tomorrow. I am glad I bundled up and took a short walk today, because I sure won't be going anywhere tomorrow.

Saskatchewan is entering the deep freeze. That Arctic low from Siberia has arrived. 

I haven't done much today, watched Mass online, cleaned the outside of the fridge (tomorrow and Tuesday I will do the inside), made my household tasks lists for next week, and knit. 

Talked to Kris today and one of the draught dodgers just does not work right, so at some point this week I am going to make him one that is wider. He says the others work great and really cut down on the drafts coming under the doors. 

Since it is going to be pretty darn cold tomorrow I think I just might do some more baking (just a few gingersnaps left). It has been awhile since we have had cinnamon buns, and a cake would be nice as well. I have some dried cherries so I am thinking of making oatmeal cookies with those dried cherries instead of raisins. 

It is also time that I enter budget numbers for the month. I get to see how well or not well I did. Hopefully very well. I would really like to start the year off with a bang.

Now if I could only have started the year off exercising with a bang. It doesn't seem to be going that way however. I will need to work on that along with other goals. Just finding it a bit difficult to work up the enthusiasm. Guess I just need to buckle down and hope that it appears like magic. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

 

I spent most of this past week sewing, and cleaning/organizing the kitchen cupboards. The linen closet also got a going through.

But today was a bit different. I decided to try my hand at a bit of batch cooking. Really it feels like I was cooking most of the day, and when I mentioned that to Harvey he laughed and said I actually had. I did take a little bit of time off to phone my youngest brother and I actually went out into the cold to visit a neighbour for coffee. So all told up until just before supper was finished I had about 2 1/2 hours of not mixing or chopping, cooking or baking. 

So what did I make today....

As soon as I got up (well needed a cup of coffee first) I got out all the ingredients I was going to need for the days cooking.

I started a loaf of bread in my machine first. Here is the end product.

While that was baking I threw the 2 chicken carcasses, some black pepper corns, water, celery and onion into a large pot. Started to make chicken stock.

As that bubbled and started to make my kitchen smell even better, I started my next adventure in cooking.

A totally new recipe and one I do hope we enjoy.

The beginnings of Chickpea Curry. That also added another lovely smell to the kitchen.

I ended up with three containers of the chicken stock and two containers of the curry.

I had to do a wash up at this point as I had run out of a few utensils that I needed for the next items I planned on making. Once things were clean, I started up once again. 

First up was meat sauce for spaghetti. 

I managed to get three containers of this for the freezer as well. 

I then phoned my brother and talked to him for almost an hour. 

After that I mixed up some pumpkin muffins. 

Twenty-four pumpkin muffins which now are wrapped in groups of two and then put in a larger air tight bag and placed in the freezer.

Lastly I made what we were going to have for supper, putting it in with the muffins for the last 15 minutes they were baking and then turning the oven down. 

Sweet and sour ribs, served over leftover rice. This made us a meal for tonight and I have this leftover.

We will be having this remainder in a couple of days. 

I was going to bake some cupcakes or perhaps a cake, but I ran out of steam. I may do that tomorrow and use my toaster oven rather than the big oven. 

I will need to figure out if I prefer doing this type of batch cooking rather than just cooking extra if I make stew, chili or other such meals. 

Still I used up the celery from the crisper, an onion, the chicken carcasses from the fridge freezer, some frozen tomatoes, the coconut milk from the pantry, the canned chickpeas from the pantry, three jars of frozen homemade tomato sauce, 2 pkg of frozen pumpkin, and a package of frozen chopped orange peppers. This does not include the hamburger (ground beef), ribs, or chocolate chips (they needed using so I put them in the pumpkin muffins, instead of raisins). 

Things used up and made into new meals for another time.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Frugal Friday

 

I was asked what started me on my frugal journey, or was I always this way, and I thought that perhaps I would share my journey with you all.

I was actually born to a fairly upper middleclass family. We could easily have afforded anything we wanted, but my Dad being raised during the 30's in a very small town here in Saskatchewan with a family of 17 (including his parents) had to stretch every penny until it squeaked. He brought that outlook into his marriage. 

Mom was brought up in a smaller family that lived on a farm. She always told me that she could never remember not having enough food on the table. This was probably because they raised their own meat, eggs, grew veggies, and picked wild fruit. Grandma died when Mom was around 8 and her youngest sister was about 5. Grampa raised 4 girls all on his own. He even taught them how to knit (Scotsman). 

Mom got X amount to purchase groceries and that continued up until the year she developed cancer and passed away. 

By this time both of them were still very well off and funny enough Dad did start spending more. He helped us out a great deal when we bought this house, buying us new furniture (though it wasn't what we would have chosen), new carpet and helping us put a pitched roof on the back of the house. 

My journey was slightly different. When we married Harvey had a decent job, but after being married about a year and a bit that is when where he worked closed down for the first time.

We had a son and things were tough for awhile, but we managed just fine. 

There was a call back to work at the factory and things were good again, for a bit. 

I was expecting our second child (our daughter) two months into the  factory close down for the second time.

This time the shut down seemed to be worse than before. At this point in time we lived in the small village where Harvey grew up. His parents farmed and raised a few cattle, they also had a rather large veggie garden. We got meat (well at least beef and chickens) as well as eggs from them. Also lots of veggies which really helped. Many in the village would hire Harvey for various odd jobs. 

I learned how to can and harvested free fruit. Made jams and jellies, tried to make bread which was a big failure at that time. That is also when I started to only shop every second week and sew clothes for myself and Kurt. All gifts at this time were handmade. 

Harvey was without constant work for almost a year, but just before our daughter was born he got a job in the oil patch with Suncor Energy. He ended up working in "the patch" for 35 years, and had a great reputation with the men that he worked with and the farmers who had wells on their land. 

Still the hard times we faced during the not working period stuck with me. I never wanted to be in that tough financial situation again. So I saved and made sure we could pay off our home as soon as possible, kept saving so we could have extra for our retirement, and to help our sons pay for their university (both did work and contribute to the costs as well).

I have continued to keep a close eye on our finances and have enjoyed the frugal game over the past 12 years that we have both been retired. Makes life very interesting and has enabled us to do a bit of traveling and enjoy a cabin at various National Parks here in Canada.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Thrifty Thursday

 

We had a bit of a storm here this morning, at times the snow and wind made it impossible to see down the hill into the valley across the street. I believe we actually got more than was being forecast. 

Harvey went out and shut the door to the shelter. I asked him to plug in the car before shutting and zipping the door. The temperatures are supposed to plummet starting tomorrow night and since I won't be using the vehicle it and the power cord does not turn on unless it falls below -18 I won't worry about using power. 

So what thrifty things have I been up to over the past week. 

I mended a couple of seams, and used up some bobbin threads doing so. 

Cut up the pj bottoms Harvey ripped into rags to use around the house. 

Did my bill paying online, now nothing needs to be done in that area until the 15th of next month. 

Made up my grocery/shopping list using the fliers for next week.

Cleaned and organized all the cupboards in the kitchen. I need to go through all my baking pans. See if Kris can use any before I take them to be donated. 

Using appliances to do my cooking more. 

Planning to have a big cooking spree this coming weekend. I would like to have some ready meals in the freezer. Since I will be making Sweet and Sour Ribs and using the oven, this makes sense. I will use less power, things will be portioned out, and I will have used things up before they spoil or get freezer burn. 

Found some free online patterns that might help use up more of those bits and bobs of yarn. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Midweek More Snow

 

Thanks for all the lovely comments on my sewing. These were simple patterns that I have actually made many times before. I need to set the dresses aside as the tracing paper I have is not working on the knit fabrics to mark the circles, and such that need marking. I will look at Walmart the next time I go shopping and see if they have anything I can use, otherwise I will have to wait until February when we visit the city. I have other unfinished projects to complete so I will still keep my hands busy. Jackie not being busy could cause problems.

I have just one last cupboard to clean and straighten. I will get that done tomorrow. Pretty sure there is lots of empty containers in that area to get rid of or refill. 

I have found lots of baking tins and I am going to check with Kris to see if he would like any of them before taking the extras to the secondhand store. Perhaps it will save him a few dollars.

The Bank of Canada raised rates today and all the banks followed suit. Kris has 4 years before he has to renew his mortgage, so hopefully the rates will have fallen a little bit. The fixed rates are still not as bad as the open ones and I am keeping my fingers crossed that they don't go higher. 

I do believe we will be entering a recession. Looking at house prices in some of the cities, they are rapidly falling. Great for buyers if you can afford to buy, not too good for sellers. Bad for those who bought more house than they could afford if rates went up. 

I made my cancer specialist appointment for next month. We can leave a bit earlier than I had planned and visit a few places after the appointment before heading to Kris's. He has the Friday off so hopefully we can visit a few of the places I haven't been to and would love to see. My appointment is on Thursday afternoon, and we would stay the night as well as the next night and day. 

We had more snow again overnight and into the morning. Did manage to get the sidewalk where one goes into the shelter cleared (chipped the snow and ice away). I might do a bit more tomorrow depending on how I feel. It is good aerobic exercise if done properly.

I will be working on a grocery/shopping list for next week. I am thinking that I will make a trip to the Dollar Store to see what deals I can find. The problem with ours foodwise is that many items are either at or a bit past their best before dates. I could however pick up household items like SOS pads, dusting cloths, bleach, and even refills of liquid hand soap if I am lucky at a much lower cost. We actually have two different stores so I will be checking both out.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits

 

It has been another couple of cloudy days here in Saskatchewan. Right now though it looks like the sun is going to try and peak through.

Since it has been so cloudy, I have been on a sewing spree. I did put the dress aside to work on some other sewing projects and now that they are done, well no more excuses. I will just take it nice and slow on the next two more complicated patterns. The sewing encyclopedia will be my side while working on these. 

Also been working on getting the cupboards cleaned and organized. Slow going, but things are getting done. 

Things are also getting used up in the fridge and our various freezers. Getting everything under control and back to pre-pandemic levels of cleanliness and good stuffs.

I guess it is time to share some pictures of what I have been sewing....

 A very simple, pull over the head knee length knitted dress. 

My first knit tunic top. I love this pattern and the sweater knit fabric I used for this one is so very soft.

The sweater knit top I just finished today. It isn't really this red, more a deep rose colour. This was made with some fabric I bought at the church fabric sale. 

Once I get the two knit dresses done I will be pulling fabric to make some shorts, capris and perhaps a couple of summer tops. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

A new week and a new menu using things up from the fridge freezer, and fridge.

Monday

Chili from the chest freezer served over pasta with a sprinkle of shredded cheese. 

Tuesday

The container of leftover stew in the fridge. I will either use it over homemade bread or make some biscuits to go with.

Wednesday

While I would prefer homemade soup, there are a couple of cans in the pantry that need to be used up. I think egg salad sandwiches would be nice with the Chicken Noodle soup that needs using up.

Thursday

A container of Sweet and Sour Meatballs from the freezer. Serving those with rice and the remaining asparagus.

Friday

Tuna Casserole as I have lots of tuna that needs using.

Saturday

Sweet and Sour Ribs, rice, and green beans from the chest freezer downstairs.

Sunday

Roast beef, roast potatoes, and roasted carrots. I have some cabbage I could fry up as well. 

I am hoping that this clears more out of the fridge crispers and the fridge freezer. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Wednesday

Saturday Roundup

 

This week has been so foggy, dark and dreary (except for the last two days) that lights have had to be turned on most of the day. So nice that I have been able to turn them off at least a few days. 

I have been working on decluttering cupboards and making it easier for me. Now all my baking supplies are in one cupboard (well most of them), lesser used appliances are in a lower cupboard (meaning I will be crawling in after a few once in a while) and the toaster is near the breadbox. More to straighten, move around and tidy next week. 

I took a break from the above today to work on my sewing. Got one dress finished, pulled the next cut out pattern (another dress, this the one I wanted to get done for Christmas) and threads. Spent part of today reading the directions. Oh, my, oh, my. This one is complicated. I will start tomorrow off marking dots and such, as well as cutting some fusible interfacing. I may get a very few seams done. This will definitely be a take your time and get it right Jackie sewing session.

I was asked what I was stocking up a years supply of. Well mostly cleaning supplies, and personal care items. Costs are rising rapidly in this area, at least around here and I am hopeful that by getting at least a years supply (or close to a year, if not more) I can manage to keep inflation at a reasonable level and perhaps spread it out over a few months next year.

So I have now gotten a years supply of bath soap, razor blades for Harvey's shaver, dust cloths (at least until I can get around to making reusable cloths for the swifter), SOS cleaning pads, and shampoo for both Harvey and I.

Next trip I am hoping to pick up some big refill bottles on sale, like dish soap, window cleaner, Shout stain remover, and Mr. Clean. I am also wanting to pick up deodorant for myself, floss, and perhaps an extra package or two of dishwasher tabs (unless the clothes washer tabs are on sale and I will get those instead). Really though it all depends on what I can find on sale. I may also make a trip to our Dollar store to see what I can find there. 

Each trip I make over the next few months will be adding to the stash. I already stock up on grocery sales, so this will just be an extension of that. 

I had thought of making my own cleaning supplies, but right now I am going to focus my attention on making lotions and potions. I also want to try my hand at making cough lozenges, and some basic oil rubs instead of using things like A535 or Voltarin.  Once I get that down pat and able to make them quickly, I will try my hand at a few simple cleaning supplies. 

There is a great deal that I can't stock a years supply of like paper towels, tissues, and of course toilet paper. There are things I just won't stock a years supply of like toothpaste, vitamins, anything that has an expiration date that just might not allow me to use it before the date.

So that is my plan for this year. Wish me luck.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Frugal Friday

 

A bit of a scare this morning, the power went out. Of course it being first thing after I got up I had a bit of a problem getting lighting on. I finally grabbed the flashlight and managed to light the candles. Even though the house is well insulated and the temperature was not outrageous things started to cool off quickly. My toes were getting a bit chilled even though I was wrapped in a quilt. 

1.  The sun came out a couple of days and I took full advantage. Drapes open, lights all off and the house being heated through the big south facing windows. 

2.  Baked bread and used up a loaf that had been languishing in the freezer since before Christmas.

3.  Did some short walks outside for fresh air and a bit of outside exercising. 

4.  Using up leftovers in other meals and in making new meals.

5.  Working on finishing unfinished projects and gathering any bits and pieces leftover from those projects to use in new projects.

6.  Combined errands (braved the rather icy roads) and got all my shopping done in one day. Saved the wear and tear on the car as well as gas.

7.  Used the drying lines downstairs and am thinking of asking Harvey if there is any way he could make me a drying rack so even more can me dried.

8.  Used up a tube of hand cream. I cut it open to scrape out the last little bit. I did the same with my tube of toothpaste.

That's about all for this week. Except my shopping was probably the lowest it has been in a very long time. I even managed to purchase a few things in my quest to get a years supply of certain items stored away.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Thursday

 

My usual thrifty habits have been taking place over the week. 

It has been awhile since I have had to darn anything, but this week I darned some socks, and a pair of gloves. Hopefully getting a bit more wear from both.

All the bits and bobs of fabric left from my quilt have been stored away to be used in other projects later.

I pulled some yarn from my stash and a free pattern online printed out to knit myself a sweater once I finish the shawl. No need to purchase anything at all.

Saved the plastic bags and twist ties from my produce purchases to be used again in some form.

Saving the mesh bag the oranges came in, I am going to try making a dish scrubby.

Did a bit of a stock up on items that never expire. I am purchasing those when I see a good sale and storing them on the shelves in the spare bedroom. With prices rising this could be a great way of being thrifty in the long run.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Mid week Once Again

 

I promised you all a picture of the finished quilt. Here it is.

I had hoped to have more finished projects to show all of you, but this was bigger than I thought it would be.

Since it seems as if the weather is going to be dreary for the next while, I will be sticking to sewing those patterns I cut out before Christmas. Hopefully next week I will have a few more unfinished projects to show you.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits

 

It has once again been a dark, light snow falling, foggy day here on the prairies. 

I did go out on the roads and completed my shopping. I will be heading out tomorrow to purchase my prescriptions. Got a few deals, but not many. My small city in the corner of Saskatchewan does not do yellow stickers and the competition between stores is not like in a bit city.

Now a bit about why my doctor was suspended.... Years ago there was a complaint about how he treated a female patient and now he is supposed to have someone in the room whenever he sees a lady. This was in another city and well before he came here to practice.

Now this doctor in over the year I have been seeing him has never treated me with anything but the utmost respect, rather I see him alone or he has someone in the room with him while examining me. He has never treated other women that I know go to him in any way that could be considered "off".

Late last month a woman made a complaint that there was not another person in the room when she visited, and that she didn't like the way he touched her. 

I know I should take this woman's word, but something isn't sitting right. I have questions which I know will not be answered. 

On the 27th of this month we will learn more, we will also learn how long the suspension will be if it is carried through. Whoever this person is they are now in the same predicament that all his other patients are in. They no longer have a family doctor, and good luck finding one in the city right now.

I have the binding pinned and partially hand sewn on the quilt. A few errors, but hopefully no glaring ones. I hope to have a picture to share with you all tomorrow. My fingers started locking up so I had to stop.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

Time for another week of menus, hopefully frugal ones. As is usual I probably will get more than one meal out of each. 

Monday

Soup and sandwiches. I pulled turkey stock from the fridge freezer along with some drippings, the leftover bits of cooked veggies that I froze, and a very small package of frozen chicken meat. As far as sandwiches go I will be using up most of the loaf of homemade bread along with cheese slices (making grilled cheese). 

There will be enough soup left for me to have a few lunches with some crackers.

Tuesday

A small pork sausage casserole which will see me Tusing up the last of the pork sausages, our garden potatoes and the last of a bag of carrots. This will make us two meals this week.

Wednesday

Leftover chicken made into something that I can serve over toast. There should be enough for me or Harvey to have the leftovers for lunch one day.

Thursday

The leftover small sausage casserole.

Friday

Salmon casserole along with a salad.

Saturday

Stew, and biscuits to serve it over. The leftovers will be used early next week for another meal.

Sunday

I will pull out a package of leftover frozen ham to make my version of pasties. There will be two leftover which I will freeze for another meal later. I think perhaps next Sunday instead of a roast meal.

I am working very hard to . clean out the fridge freezers and use up various meats in the upright freezer. 

I have found a walk in clinic that I can use until my doctor comes off his suspension, which I do hope will not last more than a year. I really hate not having a family physician as it took me a great deal of time to actually start going back to a doctor once again. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 

We ended up getting freezing rain last night so there was no way I could go out for my short walk today. I do need to spread some ice melt on the front steps and down the brick path beside the house. I think I might wait for awhile to do that though. We have hunkered down to see out this latest weird weather.

Once again we watched Mass online. That is getting to be a habit and one that could be hard to break. It is nice to be able to sit in pj's and not have to worry about getting a decent seat, or sitting so long that my back starts to ache.

It has been a regular Sunday. Mass, brunch (that Harvey made), making up the household task list for the week, bringing up any food for the week from the freezers downstairs, and working on the shopping list. That is a slow process as I am trying to keep purchases down in some areas and in other areas (those that have no expiry date) buying enough to last us up to a year a few items at a time. 

I am also trying to remove things that we no longer use from the house and use up more of my yarn stash. Fabric is slowly being used and more will be gone when I begin sewing some shorts and capris for the summer. However, I have to get all those winter patterns sewn first. 

On Friday I got an email about our next Bible Study for Lent. It is going to be in the evening only. I really don't like driving in the winter at night. Mainly because I can't see how icy the roads or sidewalks are. I will be letting them know on Monday that I will be unable to attend and will need to give this session a bit of a pass. They are also having a supper on the 19th which I really don't want to attend either. Keep your fingers crossed for me that I can actually say no.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

 

Not really much to report on. Winter just seems to be a rinse and repeat time for me. 

This year the days are very nice, but I don't go out much as I am a bit afraid of falling, even with my cleats on. After breaking the same wrist twice, one becomes a bit more hesitant when out on ice. I have managed a few around the block strolls which at least gets me some fresh air.

I really wonder what next month will bring. With the beautiful weather we have been enjoying, I think I might be a bit worried that February could be a bit of a strange one. 

I have been doing some house cleaning, taking it slow and small bites at a time. While my energy is slowly returning I am making sure to rest in between tasks. Still have lots to do, way more decluttering is necessary that's for sure. Or perhaps I should say I need to step up the using items up part of my crafting journey 😉.

Starting to look through my flower and plant books to get ideas for the summer. I may ask my gardening friends if they have any seeds or slips to share come the summer. Going to be on a whatever I can get free for the perennial bed and for greenery for my pots and containers. I do love summer and all the lovely colour. Even planning projects to work on that put me outside on the deck or by the firepit. 

My oven is still working (fist pump here along with a big YES), however with the appliance cooking I am hoping to extend the life of the element and Harvey's fix. 

Days arrive and days leave with great regularity, nothing exciting, nothing too taxing (other than when I was sick). Life just goes on.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Frugal Friday

 

Hello to you all. The weather today is just lovely we hit 0C which is just freezing. Looking forward to seeing what tomorrow will bring. Hopefully something with more sun than today.

What frugal happenings have taken place here on the Phillips' homestead. 

1.  Walked for free exercise and have gradually increased the time walked this week. Next week I am going to use that same time in two walks.

2.  Opened the drapes to take advantage of the sunshine and solar heating.

3.  Started my challenge to use more appliances for cooking rather than relying on the oven. 

4.  Making sure lights are off in rooms not in use and in the evenings turning off more of the lights. Not that I sit in complete darkness, but I turn off the large 3 bulb kitchen light and turn on the under counter light, and turn off the light in the dining room leaving only the minimum of lighting to get around the house.

5.  Working on using up the hand lotions and body lotions that Kris has bought me over the years. This is an ongoing challenge as it seems like I use one up and find another. 

6.  Paid the midmonth bills online saving gas or stamps. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Thursday

 

So another day of living a thrifty life and enjoying my anniversary flowers. They give a pop of colour to my dining room table on these winter days.

So what thrifty things have I been up to over the past week?

Using up all the food I can, nothing is going to waste. 

I have been collecting the bags out of the cereal and cracker boxes and cutting them so I can fold them and later perhaps use them in place of waxed paper.

I cut some old clothes down to useable fabric (yeah Jackie more fabric, just what you really need). 

Pulled some yarn for a project to work on once the prayer shawl is done. It will use up some yarn I have had in the drawers for many a year (bought some of it back when our Walmart was a Woolco and before they got rid of the fabric and cut down on yarn). 

I did have to raise one budget line after I got our heating bill today.... Boy did that jump. 

Enjoying free to me television. Keeps me occupied when doing my simple hand quilting.

I got a notification for a friend's birthday on Facebook today so I decided I better go online and wish her a wonderful day. We first met on a Frugal Forum about 16 years ago and became good virtual friends. I got to her page and got quite a shock.... She had passed away at the beginning of December. She never once mentioned being sick when she would post on the forum or on her FB page. It is so sad as she had young children the oldest is 20 and the youngest is 8. A pretty big family. She had breast cancer awhile back and beat it. So very upbeat through that whole challenge. I will miss her.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. Give those you love and care about a shout as you never know if it will be the last time.

God bless.

Mid Week Arrives Once Again

 

Once again a quiet day. One that I might actually have gotten a few things completed.

Worked off and on in the sewing/craft room, picking things up, putting things in their rightful places and removing what does not belong in there. Lots still to do, many containers need to be labeled as of yet, but at least things are starting to be organized once again. How much longer it will take is anyone's guess. I need to continue to work on using up the stashes before purchasing more. I actually feel like a hoarder when I enter that room. I can label and move things around constantly saying I am "organizing" but until things are used it really isn't organized at all. I can make things look pretty, but still not be where I want to be. Time to get serious. 

Worked on hand quilting most of the afternoon while watching Willow on Disney+. I am quite enjoying it. Next I will get back to watching some of the various Star Trek series. Give me a couple of streaming channels and my computer box attached to the television and I am happy. I am thinking of adding Pluto to the television since it is free and does have some live streaming events.

Started my shopping list for next week. Pretty small right now and I think I am going to add some stock up items that could last us for a year. I am hopeful that the price will be falling on those items at the end of a year. 

Tomorrow I hope to go through the budget spreadsheet. I don't plan on changing things as of yet, but want to get a bit of an idea of what should be raised (I have a few items that I can enter that are unchangeable as far as having to pay them). I might also work on a few ideas to lower some of them, but that might not show up for a bit as of yet. 

Off to get supper started and then to spend some time catching up with all of you. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits

 

Another relatively quiet day. It is our 47th anniversary which is really quite strange to think about. The years have for the most part passed by quickly with very little strife. Not to say we have never argued, or gotten upset with each other, but we have never stayed angry.

So today was mostly a stay at home, and enjoy our time together. I booked a vacation for us at one of our National Parks. It is a park we have visited three times before. Once camping and twice later in the summer at a resort in the village. This time we are in a new resort with a new cabin and more things that are not supplied. Still it was a savings of around $200.00 and since we will be bringing food and most of the extra items we already have here.... no problem.

Working on hand quilting and slowly getting things completed. I should be finished the border tomorrow and then I can hand quilt the bricks. Not too sure how I am going to do those. I hope to be finished soon and putting the binding on so I can move on to the next unfinished projects. One of which should take no time at all, the other could be going into the next month. 

Frugally things are being recycled, donated or tossed if no longer good. Tomorrow I plan on going through the linen closet and seeing what can be recycled in there. Anything that can be taken apart for fabric, or repaired will be put in the sewing/craft room, and repurposed. The year of living to the utmost frugality has started off excellently. 

Leftovers are slowly disappearing from the fridge, and I am saving bits and bobs of veggies to add to soups. I am also planning and doing more appliance cooking. Yesterday the casserole was made in the toaster oven, supper tonight is being made in the slow cooker (with the stove top being used for the veggies). 

Watching lots of free TV. If Harvey was no longer around I think I could actually get rid of our television subscription..... Mind you the boys could be a bit upset at not having sports to watch. 

Off to visit a few of you and then get supper on the table.

Everyone have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

This week seems to have turned into a pork week. Don't know how that happened, but it has. More than likely it has to do with me being in a use it up mode. 

Monday

Leftover ham made into a casserole and served with sliced cucumber and grape tomatoes.

Tuesday

Pork chops, mashed potatoes, and green beans.

Wednesday

Leftover pork roast made into a stir fry, this will clear a bit more out of the crisper. Served over rice (will make extra rice).

Thursday

Leftover ham casserole with the same fresh veggies (should clear those out as well).

Friday

Fish fillets (baked) hashbrown patties (that will clear those out) and corn.

Saturday

Leftover pork stir fry served over the leftover rice.

Sunday

Roast Chicken, mashed potatoes, peas. 

So there you have it. We are still munching on leftovers from late last week for our lunches. Harvey had some beef and gravy (with onions) over bread for his today and I had rice mixed with pork and beans. Still a few leftovers to eat and get the fridge cleared out.

Everyone have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 

Today is sunny and really just below freezing. Simply gorgeous. I went for a little stroll up and down the street for some fresh air. 

Mass was attended online as I am still coughing, and wearing a mask for the 1hr 30 minutes that Father stated in the bulletin would not be feasible. I would definitely be coughing half way through, add in the incense and I would be a wreck. Much better to keep this infection contained here at home.

After Mass and my little walk, I got the quilt sandwiched.

This is the finished top. I had to piece the batting, but I am using up every little bit that I have before purchasing more. Batting of any kind is pretty pricey. I hope to start quilting this tomorrow, just need to figure out a colour (leaning towards a metallic) of thread to use.

I also finished the second Bits and Bobs knitted blanket. Took a picture of the two finished blankets.

I think I have more than enough knitted blankets for right now. I am looking through my books and loose patterns off and on to find something other than mitts, hats, scarves, cowls, and socks to use up some of the orphaned balls. I may be making a few stripey sweaters or vests to use them up. 

Drapes and blinds are open taking advantage of the light and solar heating. The furnace has not cut in since this morning and it is 22C in here still. Sun is setting so things will be shut pretty soon to keep the heat in.

Bills for Decembers electrical and gas are coming in now. Both have gone up slightly and that can be attributed to the boys being home and the extra cooking/baking I did. Hopefully I will be able to pare those back slightly, though the electrical won't show a difference for awhile as most will be estimates. Hoping they estimate high so that we get a very low one when a reading is done. The water bill will be high as well since there were more baths, dishes, and clothes washing. Not complaining just figuring out where we can expect to have some savings later.

Off to make supper. This will be another week of using things up, lots of leftovers in the fridge freezer still to use, so hopefully groceries the next time I shop will be minimal. I did purchase a few things at Walmart that I won't be buying again for a little while maybe even a year. This frugalling like never before/buy nothing new for myself is making me think and plan. Probably a very good thing.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Frugal Friday

 I am feeling better every day. I only needed a tiny lay down this afternoon, and I woke up at 4:30 unable to fall back asleep. Slight cough, but much better than at the beginning of the week. Could I really be on the mend? I certainly hope so.

What frugal things have been happening on the old homestead over the past week.

1.  I put $3.55 in the savings jars.

2.  Added $70.00 to my savings envelope.

3.  Downloaded 3 free books to my ereader.

4.  Line dried as much as possible on the lines downstairs.

5.  Using up more bits and bobs of yarn making blankets. I am also using up some of my stash making a prayer shawl for one of Kurt's close friends. 

6.  Walking for free exercise in the house.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.