Blogging Break

 

I am going to take a bit of a break in order to get more cleaning, decluttering, some appointments and banking done. Hopefully back by Thursday or Friday.

Everybody have a wonderful evening (and days until I return).

God bless.

Frugal Friday

 

The usual frugal practices are continuing on the old homestead. A couple of different things happened this week, mostly because of the snow storm and the water being turned off for a bit.

1.  I did the washing on Sunday and it was so nice to have everything dried and put away by Monday morning. 

2.  Our water was turned off for a bit on Monday, now that isn't really a hardship, but I had to get drinking water saved. Mainly because the city needs to send the water off to be tested after they flush the lines. So I am washing dishes by hand and using some bleach in the rinse water.... Means no electric usage for the dishwasher and I know I am using less water to wash those dishes. 

3.  Harvey hasn't gone for his usual one day a week drive. Roads are terrible still (things are melting though) and he is not inclined to want to slip of the road and into a ditch.

4.  Still using up yarn and getting very close to having the 25 mitts done for this month. I will take some time off next month and get other projects worked on. 

5.  Made my list for grocery shopping early next week and while not much is on sale, I will be stocking up on what is on sale.

6.  Using up all leftovers once again this week. Sometimes it means changing menu plans but so far this week that hasn't happened.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Thrifty Thursday

 

We had a bit of a problem with our power flickering off and on yesterday. It seems to have steadied today.

The usual thrifty happenings here on the old homestead. Mending, using things up, and watching what we spend as is usual. 

Hubby has requested more meatless meals and I will be searching the internet for those. 

More baking happening. When one can't open the windows due to nasty weather, the smell of baking makes a big difference inside. 

Going through a blizzard makes one manage their meals and makes all of us try and use what is available in our homes. Having a well stocked pantry is a great way to save on spending and getting little things completed around the house. 

Being thrifty does not only take spending and being conscious of what we are using or repairing, it also takes into account how we use our time. Being unable to go anywhere is allowing me to realize that I am not thrifty with my time. 

I usually go to a friends for coffee almost every day (I feel sorry for her, I am the only break she gets from her overbearing Husband). This takes about an hour or more out of my morning, I am now thinking that every second or third day would be enough time. This is the friend (and hubby) who complain all the time about the money they spend, but don't want to accept any help on how to control their spending. The Hubby is also a person who likes to shop every day, and find things that are medically wrong with either him or my friend. I just get tired of trying to help and shuffled off as being a nut according to her husband. Time to draw back and get things done that need to be done here at home.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits

 

So I have spent most of the day watching the sky darken, lighten and darken once again. So far, none of the snow has arrived yet, but that will probably change overnight. I have visions of waking up to a vast sea of white, with even more coming down. 

I am in the part of the province that could be hit the hardest. After days of saying 20 to 30 cm of snow, now it is being said we could see our upper range reach 50 cm. This woman is not a happy camper, but it should not stick around for very long. 

I have spent most of today knitting, and am getting closer to being finished those 25 pairs. I am up to 15 now and starting number 16. Keeping my fingers crossed that by the end of the month all 25 will be completed. I will then take some time off and do a few other projects. 

So it has been a quiet day, just waiting and preparing for whatever the storm brings us. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

Heading into the third week of the month and also heading into what could be a late snow storm. I do wish sometimes that Colorado wouldn't share their lows with us.

Any how I have spent the day preparing for whatever happens and keeping my fingers crossed that we don't get as much heavy wet snow as being predicted.

Here our the menus for this week.

Monday

Spaghetti and meat sauce. I added some extra veggies to the sauce.

Tuesday

Soup and sandwiches. Split yellow pea sounds lovely. I will use some ham broth and a few small pieces of ham when I make it. Sandwich wise not too sure as of yet.

Wednesday

Leftover Tuna Casserole. 

Thursday

Baked spaghetti, and some garlic biscuits.

Friday

Lentil Curry served over rice. I will make a fairly large batch and freeze a few portions. 

Saturday

Leftover Baked Spaghetti and more garlic biscuits.

Sunday

Sweet and Sour Ribs served over rice and mixed veggies. Making a bigger batch and freezing some of the ribs. 

This will use up some of the items in my fridge and freezers. Of course I will be adding to my frozen meals, but that is always great if I just do not feel like cooking one night. It also keeps us from ordering out.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Frugal Friday

 

I just can't believe it is Friday so soon. I think that not being able to do all that I wanted to do is causing havoc with my inner time clock. This resting between tasks is causing me to loose track of the passage of time.

I did do a few frugal things this week though.

1.  Put $70.00 into my savings envelope from my biweekly spending cash.

2.  Added $1.45 to my change jars. That is the lowest in a very long time. 

3.  Combined errands in order to save time, fuel and cash.

4.  Using up leftovers in other meals. I have been tiring out by the time supper rolls around and have been moving menus in order to conserve my energy. Most leftovers are being used as is for either lunches or suppers. 

5.  Sticking to my grocery list, purchasing on sale items and working them into future menus. 

6.  Tomorrow I am hoping to do some batch cooking. I will make turkey tetrazzini for our supper and another to freeze, hoping to make a batch of pea soup, and lentil curry. Those last two will be added to the freezer for meals when I just want a break. 

So that is all my foggy brain can think of tonight. Off to use up the leftovers from Easter to make our meal tonight.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Thrifty Thursday

 

I wore myself out a bit too much yesterday, and almost did the same today. I need to be a bit more thrifty with my energy levels while convalescing from Covid. Learned my lesson for sure.

As usual I have been trying my best to continue with some thrifty measures this week. 

I am using less meat in meals and that seems to be going very well. I am managing to keep the fridge cleared or at least down to something one can reasonably keep track of leftovers in. 

Made my grocery list and saved $24.81 on my total Co-op grocery bill. That's buying mostly on sale..... Lots was on sale this week which was a nice change. 

I hemmed a pair of Hubby's pants and fixed a hem on one of his t-shirts.

I tried a 14 day free trial of StackTV but ended that a week early. I just could not find anything else I wished to watch. I may try one of the other free trials a bit later.

My mind is slightly foggy and I am pretty sure there is much more, but these are the ones that stick out.

Everyone have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits

 

Really not much happening here when both of us have been ill. It has been a very frugal and thrifty week all told.

Slowly but surely I am getting over this silly plague, Harvey is already over it, or is at least over the 5 day staying away from people. I should be able to go out shopping (masked of course) tomorrow as that will be my 5 days. I still tire out quickly, but am resting between tasks and that seems to help.

I have learned my lesson, however. I will no longer take for granted that those who surround me are virus free and will start wearing my mask again even if I just run in to purchase one item early in the morning. 

Lovely weather here today and I have the windows open to let in the smells of spring. In actual fact the temperature could almost be considered early summer. It won't last and we have a snow/rain forecast for later in the week. I so wish that I could have been out enjoying this lovely weather. Harvey said there are people out walking around in shorts. I would just love to be able to walk and get the mail and not worry about having the energy to get home.

Still each day gets a bit better, and I am sure that I will manage to overcome this tiredness and enjoy springs arrival. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

First off, this morning I tested positive for Covid. Not a happy person at all. I suppose it was to be expected since Harvey tested positive last Wednesday. 

This meant I needed to cancel my dental appointment for tomorrow. I had to leave a message as they are having an extra long weekend. Sure hope they check messages first thing in the morning. 

This also means that since my energy levels disappear fairly early (or at times are non-existent) my menu needed a few changes. I have lots of leftovers and ready made meals, to see us through the first little while. Once feeling up to par, I will try and get some extra meals into the freezer for the next illness that hits. 

Here are my menus for this week.

Monday

Leftover meatloaf and salad. I just don't have the energy to make mashed potatoes.

Tuesday

Cabbage bread, raw veggies and dip. 

Wednesday

Leftover turkey made into a casserole or perhaps just warmed up and more or less have our Easter supper once again. Leftovers will be used a bit later in the week.

Thursday

I will make a casserole from last nights leftovers. What is left from that will be frozen.

Friday

Tuna casserole, mashed rutabaga and whatever other veggie that needs using.

Saturday

Smoked sausages, pasta, and baked beans.

Sunday

Leftover roast beef made into a casserole. I think I will freeze whatever is left for another meal later.

After a bit of a rest I hope to visit with all of you.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Easter

 

Feeling better today, but not by much. Hopefully back visiting and posting very soon.... Testing negative, but who knows. Harvey tested faintly positive yesterday.

Everybody have a wonderful Easter. 

God bless.

Thrifty Thursday

 

Just the usual thrifty things happening around the old homestead. 

One new thing though. If you all remember I said we both came down with Covid before Christmas. Well we tested again today, and I learned (used a new box of tests with all the instructions) that in reality we did not have Covid at that time. Duh, do I feel stupid.

However looking at the instructions and testing cause of Harvey not feeling well... Turns out that Harvey has Covid, but so far I am clear. 

I notified Kris and said we would understand if he didn't come for Easter. His response was that he was fully boosted (so are we) and has had Covid twice already so he would still come down. He will be arriving before noon tomorrow.

Right now Harvey is staying as far away from me as possible, and I have my cutting table set up that we can use to eat. Harv is wearing a mask and I am busy cleaning everything he touches.

Life suddenly got pretty interesting here on the old homestead. I am also hoping I don't come down with it as I have that appointment to finish the filling work on Tuesday of next week.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

 

Wednesday Once Again

We are going to be going into the Tridium and I am a bit sad that due to my back I won't be able to attend all of it. I am however hoping to make Good Friday Service. 

Harvey is coming down with something, and figures he should sleep downstairs so we don't have both of us sick like we were at Christmas.

Kris should be home either tomorrow night or early on Good Friday. Hopefully bringing home our grandcat. I have made her a little Easter gift.

Some stuffed rabbits. She loves the other ones I made her and have pretty much worn them out. 

We picked up some brochures for our first (and perhaps only cruise depending on how we feel) from our travel agent.

I think we have narrowed it down a bit and might even do the land tour as well. That really interests both of us.

I said I was busy knitting mitts for the elementary students at Kurt's school. This is what I have gotten done so far. Some still need to be sewn up though.

I am working on the 10th pair right now. 

Speaking of Kurt, I got a text late last night that they had reached Barcelona. I hope he has a wonderful trip. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Oh yeah the dental appointment went well, except my mouth was frozen for 6 1/2 hours and not the 2 or so hours they told me.

Tuesday Tidbits

 

This is how mixed up I am getting lately. I have thought for the longest time that my dental appointment for the first filling was today.... Nope, I have been reading the calendar wrong and my appointment is tomorrow!! So I managed to get a few of the chores for tomorrow done today, but I am kind of afraid not enough of them. 

I left making the chocolate eggs until tomorrow, but when I went shopping today there was a dearth of the ingredients I need. I might just make a half recipe, or while my mouth is still frozen making a quick trip to Walmart to see if they have them. I may even bake cookies, some of which will probably go home with Kris as part of his care package. 

No knitting done today. Instead I sewed two Peep Bunnies for our grandcat. I put lots of catnip in with the filling. She has pretty much ruined the one I made her a few years ago. I hope to get a bit of knitting done tonight.

We took our forms into the accountant, and hopefully our income tax will be ready very soon. Keeping my fingers crossed that we don't have to pay this year, and actually get some money back again. That comes in handy for paying property taxes. 

A side trip was made to the travel agents. We got a few books on cruises and will make a decision very soon on what we are going to do. I, of course started thinking that perhaps a shorter cruise would be acceptable to see if we even like cruising. We may just go on an Alaska cruise before booking the Greek Islands cruise. It is a bit shorter, starts here in Canada and I know so many people have loved that cruise and if I spend some time rolled into a ball in our suite...well then we will know that longer cruises are out. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

Well it is still winter for a few days in my small corner of the province. Windy, snowing, and cloudy most of the morning (and truth be told over the whole night). So I guess main dish salads are still kind of out of the question a bit longer.

Here is my menu for the week.

Monday

I had so many leftovers that needed using last week that the stew is being warmed up tonight. 

Tuesday

Small steaks done in mushroom soup, mashed potatoes, and peas. I also have some grape tomatoes and part of a cucumber to slice up and serve with dip.

Wednesday

Soup and sandwiches. I think I will pull out one container of the ham broth and make split pea soup. Grilled cheese sounds about right.

Thursday

Mini meat loaves, leftover mashed potatoes fried with some onion, and corn. I plan on making extra mini meat loaves and put them in the chest freezer.

Friday

Either salmon fillets or glace. Depends on what I feel like making...Probably the glace as Kris loves that.

Saturday

Now depending on when Kris needs to head back to the city our Easter meal will either be tonight or tomorrow. It will be turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, carrots, cranberry sauce, and I will make a dessert of some kind.

Sunday

Smoked sausages, baked beans and probably pasta.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 

The weather is nothing but strange here this past month and into this month. 

Cooler than normal and snowy when usually by this time of year the snow is gone. Yes we could get the occasional dump of heavy wet snow, but usually in most cases this is gone within days. 

This year the snow from our winter is still melting, we have new snow falling, and dang cold days. Hopefully this ends soon as I am so looking forward to sitting on the deck, planting flowers and working on weeding. Getting my hands dirty, which could be awhile yet as we still have three foot drifts in the back yard.

I also want to say thank you for the responses to my rant. I do want to say that it is only a very few on Harvey's side that are causing me grief. Strange thing is that my side is a little less inclined to do things like this, and we range in the higher numbers over all. Perhaps we are just more inclined to talk about those things that others are not so open to. My side is also less inclined to be Conservative in our thoughts (there are a few of the older generation that are though).

It was Palm Sunday today and we decided to try an in person Mass. My back was in rough shape by the time the Mass was finished, but man was it nice to be in community once again. I got to see people we haven't seen in at least a year. As Harvey says this is one of our most favourite Masses of the year after Christmas.

Now while I won't get to all the Tridium, I am hoping to be at the Good Friday service. I think my back will take that. I think Mass attendance is going to be a learning experience and I may end up having to take a pillow with me yet.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

More of a Rant Than a Roundup

 

I think I have been hurt by family members for the last time. I have one sister-in-law that never, ever reads what I post. Be it on my own Face Book page or the family page and then gives me crap for not letting her know. It is almost like she ignores me completely as I notice her replying to others in the family.

Then today I get a text message from one of Harvey's brothers re his youngest son's wedding. It seems that others have know about this since the beginning of the year. Not us though and we have already made plans starting the day after the wedding. They could have let us know as they did others in the family, but more or less chose not to. We are not changing our plans, but I know that this will cause some in his family to talk about us not caring enough about family. 

In my books it is more about them not caring about us enough to say, "Hey perhaps you would like to make your booking a bit later as "X" is getting married around then. 

This is Harvey's family and I should be used to this by now, but of course am not. Just done. 

Sorry for that rant.... The rest of my day has been wonderful. The sun is shining, the temperature in the city just great (though it is supposed to drop and snow again very soon), and I am feeling much better, just a bit tired. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.