Thrifty Thursday

 

We are now being bothered by smoke from the forest fires in Alberta and BC. Probably from the fires in the north of our province as well. The smoke moved in this afternoon. Not enough to prevent us from going outside, but you can smell the smoke and it did cause my eyes to burn slightly when it was at it's worst.

So what thrifty things have I been up to this week. 

I dehydrated lavender and picked some more, dehydrated oregano and basil (could do some more). 

I learned that you can dehydrate kiwi and as I have a box in the fridge, I will do that tomorrow. 

We have been using up the bits and bobs in the fridge and it is slowly but surely getting cleared out. 

The list is made for our shopping for the trip and most will be paid for with our equity cheque from our Co-op. Just a bit will need to be taken out of the account. I plan on shopping tomorrow for this.

Harvey bottled the beer and wine this week.

We cut down some of the dead branches in our trees (still more to do) which will give us some wood for the fire pit.

I have knitted 22 pairs of mittens, and hopefully will get one or two more done. I plan on sewing them up on the weekend. This used up lots of my saved bits and bobs of yarn.

Some books were bought for my ereader using a gift card from my home scanning points. 

Also walking a bit more since I am watering my friends plants.

Much of the usual happenings on the old homestead at this time of year.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Mid Week and June Almost Finished

 

Oh my another week half gone, and June almost finished. We are getting closer and closer to the day we leave on a holiday. Every day I pack a bit more, just so it won't be overwhelming. Soon it will be time to pack up the perishables and then we head out. 

Tomorrow will be herb harvesting and the harvesting of some more lavender. The herbs will be dehydrated and the lavender will be air dried and ready to prep when we get back from our break. 

Harvey got his pole saw yesterday, but didn't notice it until this morning. Of course he had to try it out. He cut down some of the dead branches on the tree in front, and when we get back I am pretty sure Kurt will be helping him cut down some dead branches on the tree in back. He figures on cutting some of the other branches to open the trees up in the fall. More lovely firewood to be used in the firepit.  Another year or two of not having to purchase wood, got to love free.

The garden is beginning to produce more than just rhubarb and I know when we return I will have to start processing the harvest. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday Tid Bits

 

Been a pretty quiet day around the old homestead. I have been finishing up a few things, working on packing for our holiday, and watching Netflix while knitting. 

Really rather boring, but perfect for getting things completed around the house. I even got a new program up and running on my computer so that we can watch movies if the weather is not nice on our holiday. Next I am going to test out the audio portion and see if we can play CD's. Trying desperately to save room packing. This cottage area has us bringing much more than the other we have enjoyed in the park. It does have air conditioning which is a big plus. 

Working on those mittens and I am hopeful of having at least 45 pairs to give to Kurt when he comes home for his bit of a holiday. Wish he could stay longer, but will take what we can get. 

We did get desperately needed rain yesterday and hopefully more will arrive soon. As long as there is no hail I am extremely happy.

Working on using items up in the fridge/freezer before we leave. Planning out meals while we are gone and taking lots from home to make this trip as inexpensive as possible. I am amazed at how expensive renting a cabin, where you have to bring your own toilet paper and towels and other items is. Not going to stay here again, that's for sure. At least they say the beds are awesome and they have a pool. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

Finally after weeks of little (may as well say no) rain today we are experiencing some lovely wet gold falling from the sky. It is accompanied by a thunderstorm though, but as long as there is no hail I am content. 

I have turned the air conditioning up high, and opened wide the windows to take advantage of the cool breezes.

This week I will be working on cleaning things out of the fridge and fridge freezer. So lots of leftover will be used and at least one breakfast for supper, and one soup meal will be utilized... That is unless youngest son comes home for the Canada Day weekend.

Monday

Leftover chili and leftover noodles. 

Tuesday

Chef's Salad to use up some of the chicken from Sunday. I will add eggs, and perhaps some thinly sliced ham. 

Wednesday

Soup and grilled cheese sandwiches.

Thursday

The remains of the Tuesday meal. I will add more veggies (broccoli and cauliflower) just to clear the crisper a little bit more.

Friday

Breakfast for supper. More than likely pancakes.

Saturday

Chicken breasts, roasted carrots, and the remains of whatever veggies are left.

Sunday 

Hamburger patties from the freezer, fries, and corn.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Frugal Friday

 

Oh my it is Friday already and I really haven't been paying attention to my frugal habits. 

Of course I have followed my usual habits of opening the windows in the evening to cool off the house at night. I have also used rain water every second day to water my bits and bobs. Meals planned and followed to use up all that I can. 

I have combined errands, shopped sales, did our own landscaping (more will be done next year).

I have been decluttering which breaks me at times, but needs to be done. 

Lately I have been considering ways to add to our overall financial picture, and wondering if I could sell items I make...I did try this before without success, but perhaps with better advertising I could do so. It isn't that we really need the extra cash, more I would like to use up what we have and add just a bit to the family coffers. 

Off to visit with all of you, and decide a few more things that are stirring in this old brain.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Thursday

 

The usual thrifty practices have been taking place. Saving bags, shopping the sales, going through the pantry and getting items that won't spoil packed into totes to take with us on holiday. I have been weeding the garden, and looking for flowers and berries that I can forage. I have been using up, wearing out, and subbing ingredients where I can. 

Finding new and useful ways to use items that I already have. You know, the old shop at home first mantra. 

I have removed some clothing from my closets and while some have been donated others will be cut down into usable quilting squares. I am planning on some runners, hot pads, coasters, and other smaller items. Things that one uses quite often in the course of housekeeping. Lots of fabric remnants and I am planning on making myself a few more aprons. 

A friend showed me a loom that a friend of hers was selling. A $6k loom for $200.00. Man if we lived closer and I had the room (this is a large floor model) I would certainly grab it. Whoever purchases it gets a great deal, and the amount of money saved by making your own rugs, and even fabric would more than pay off the purchase. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Mid Week

 

Here it is mid week once again and the first day of summer. Cooler today which is just perfect as the plants don't need as much watering.

I was asked what we eat for lunches on Monday so thought I had better answer. Usually it is leftovers from previous meals if there is anything left, or sandwiches. Sometimes I have crackers and cheese as my lunch or a bowl of homemade soup pulled from the freezer.

Breakfasts are toast with homemade bread and jam, the occasional egg and bacon meal (usually Sunday when Harvey cooks them), yogurt, muffins or cereal.

I made the rest of the dandelion oil into the salve, so now have two small containers. I believe I will be picking more flowers next year so I can make even more.

Harvested more lavender, washed it and now the sprigs are drying. I am going to need much more before I can make my lavender infused oil. This time I will use grapeseed oil  I think as the carrier oil. 

Watching the honeysuckle bush closely so I can harvest and dehydrate those flowers as well. 

Weeding my gardens, keeping the homestead in tip top condition and knitting mitts takes up the rest of my time. Since it is staying lighter longer I am managing more outside.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

My goodness the weeks go by very quickly lately. This is something I just can't seem to get used to.

Monday

Sweet and Sour Ribs, rice and sliced cucumbers with drip.

Tuesday

Leftover roast beef from Sunday's supper. I think I will be making a kind of stroganoff and serve it over noodles. The remaining sliced cucumbers will be the side.

Wednesday

The leftover ribs and rice. I will probably make corn to go along with it.

Thursday

The leftovers from Tuesday but instead of noodles I will make mashed potatoes and serve with a side of peas.

Friday

Maple glazed salmon fillets (perhaps done on the smoker) along with tinfoil potatoes and a salad.

Saturday

BBQ Chicken Breasts and potato salad and the remains of whatever type of veggie salad that is left.

Sunday

Our usual Sunday roast meal. This time chicken along with the remains of the potato salad and green beans.

I was going to make chili, but I think I will do so next week (well unless there isn't enough of the leftover beef stroganoff).

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 

Just a quick post on this Father's Day to answer a question before I forget. Age, you know.

I was asked how I get the dandelion oil. In the spring before they get sprayed I go out and pick as many of the yellow flowers as I can. After washing them well to get rid of little critters, I lay them on paper towel in front of a sunny window to dry. This could take awhile. Once dry, I pack the flowers into a pint canning jar and pour olive oil (this has a long shelf life so is perfect for this) over to cover. I sit the jar in the sunny window for two weeks, giving it a good shake every so often. After the two weeks I strain the flowers and oil through cheesecloth into another clean jar. Voila, dandelion oil. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

 

A really quiet week here on the Phillips homestead. I watered plants, harvested lavender and rhubarb, cleaned, and made lists. I am still making lists for our vacation. Still finding things that I need to add. I am also gathering containers to fill and take with us.

Today I will just post some pictures of the dandelion salve I made. It does work if I apply it before the achy muscles get too bad. I rubbed some on after my bath last night and woke up much more limber than I have other mornings. I rubbed more on this morning and had a great deal of relief through the day.

So this is the recipe I used. I found it online.

4 oz dandelion oil by weight

1/2 oz organic cosmetic grade beeswax pellets (about 2 tbsp)

You can add another essential oil like lavender, chamomile, tea tree oil if you wish. They say 25 to 50 drops.....I didn't do this as the only other essential oil I had was lemon.

Gently heat the beeswax in a double boiler. When the wax is melted add in the dandelion oil. Allow the oil to warm up for 30-60 seconds (it actually takes longer) then stir to thoroughly combine the oil and wax. 

Remove from heat and pour into a clean dry container and allow to cool. You would add any essential oil stirred in before pouring into the container.

Shelf life depends on the life of the carrier oil. Olive oil is usually at least one year.

Melting the beeswax pellets.

Weighing the oil.

Finished product.

I am going to do up the remaining oil very soon. May as well get all the salve made and stored early.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Frugal Friday

 

A good frugal week has passed by. Mostly the usual frugality taking place here, but I did do a couple of new things.

1.  Found a honeysuckle just down the back alley and was told I could pick as many blossoms as I wished. I am keeping a very close eye on it.

2.  I made one batch of dandelion salve today and have enough to probably make two more batches. Plan on finishing making those tomorrow. Because I used olive oil as the carrying oil the completed salve will be good through the rest of this year into the fall of 2024. I tried it out on a slight ache in my fingers and it worked well. 

3.  Harvested more lavender and I am getting close enough to where I can add the oil. 

4.  Used up all of last years rhubarb and am now harvesting this years to freeze and bake with.

5.  Windows open for a change as the temperatures have cooled down a bit.

6. Still watching the free trial of Acorn. I keep finding shows that interest me. Free is good though.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Thursday

 

Really just the usual thrifty practices this week. It is actually a pretty boring week all told. 

I did get my order from Amazon today so will more than likely be trying my hand at making the dandelion oil (or at least a portion of it) into salve. People always tell me to use Voltarin for my aches and pains, but it does nothing. The oil I made last year helped a bit but was quite hard to rub in. I am hopeful this will work much better as a salve. 

Meals as usual are being made from what I have on hand and if I am missing an ingredient I find a substitution online. This is working wonders on my pantry and spice/herb collection. Using what one has is always thrifty and frugal. 

I am making lists of what we need to bring with us on our vacation. I don't want to have to purchase much in the National Park as the store there is very expensive. 

I went through my yarn and found enough (well I hope) to make the blankets for the three girls. Not sure about the male in the family so I will have to pull out some of the totes downstairs to see what is "male" oriented down there.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Midweek Once Again

 

It has cooled of slightly, but I still try to get most of the outside work done first thing in the morning. I also try to get any baking and/or jam making preserving done early as well. 

I have promised you pictures of my sewing escapades for awhile now, so I better make good.

Six summer tops to replace those that no longer fit properly or that were getting so old and threadbare that it was slightly scary to wear them.

Four pairs of shorts to replace those that no longer fit, or didn't fit properly.

One sundress to replace one that was probably 15 years old and just not suitable for a 67 year old woman to wear.

Harvey took off with his robe before I could take a picture. I will try and get one a bit later.

I have also been busy with a few other things over the past few weeks.

Dandelion oil strained and I am waiting for my order from Amazon to get started on the salve.

I got Harvey to smoke extra hamburgers and packaged them up in twos for the freezer.

In my quest to no longer waste anything. I took what was left of my homemade bread (it gets pretty crumbly) and this time made croutons.

The finished croutons along with Strawberry Rhubarb jam (used up the last few packages of last years frozen rhubarb), and a Rhubarb Strawberry Pie. 

Went out early this morning and got the first harvest of rhubarb. It is sliced and in the fridge. Some will be used to make muffins tomorrow morning, and the rest frozen for later.

I finished the knitted blanket for Kurt's friend and am concentrating on getting those mitts completed for him to take back with him after his short holiday with us. 

I keep adding to our list of items to take with us when we go on vacation. The various lists are getting pretty big now. 

Other than those things I have been busy watering, harvesting lavender (and drying it), cooking, cleaning and watching the weather closely. We are hoping for rain, but in looking at the forecast...not too likely.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

 

Menu Monday

 

Getting closer to the time that we head out for our vacation, just a few weeks away. This means trying to clear out the fridge as much as humanly possible. Most meals over the next couple of weeks will see me clearing things out. 

Monday 

BBQ hotdogs, leftover baked beans, and I used up the cabbage making coleslaw.

Tuesday 

Stir fry using up the thinly sliced beef that I froze a bit ago. I will be able to use up lots of veggies in this. Will be serving it over rice.

Wednesday

Using up the tuna pasta salad that I made on Sunday.

Thursday

Leftover stir fry served over more rice.

Friday

The last of the perogies served with onions, melted butter and sour cream.

Saturday

The last of the pulled pork with raw veggies for a side.

Sunday

Beef roast, roasted potatoes and carrots. I might add onions and peppers to this as well. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Frugal Friday

 

Another week gone by and I have been trying to find a few more frugal ideas. Checking Youtube video's, other blogs, and reading my frugal/simple living books to see what new ideas I can incorporate.

1.  Picked more lavender which is drying in my front window. I plan on trying to make a lotion or oil to use for my headaches.

2.  Finished the squirt bottle of bubble bath I was using as hand soap and put out a bar of strawberry scented that came in a gift box from Kris.

3.  Using appliances for cooking more to cut down on the power costs (especially as we have the air conditioner going) and so as not to heat the house.

4.  Still watching the free trial of Acorn. I will probably cancel on Sunday.

5.  Clothes, coats, and bedding all line dried this week.

6.  Got some free shorts from a friend to try on. One pair fits comfortably, the other two will be given to one of the secondhand stores here in town.

7.  Pulling the remaining rhubarb out of the freezer and will be making strawberry rhubarb jam out of it plus the strawberries I purchased that were on sale. Plan on doing that tomorrow.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Thursday

Being thrifty is cool, just wish our temperatures would cool down a tad....

I used up a few more partial spools of thread (good thing they matched what I was sewing 😄.

Working on keeping the fridge shelves and fridge freezer as clear as possible (bit of a chore when because of the heat we really are not that hungry).

Washed the lighter jackets this week and hung them all on the outside lines.

Found two items in our closets to declutter.

Used up more bits and bobs of yarn as I have started knitting mittens once again. Lots to use up yet.

Sticking to my shopping list and substituting when cooking if I don't have the ingredient.

Harvested the dried lavender flowers and tomorrow I will harvest more to dry. The dried blossoms smell wonderful.

I am looking up recipes to make other oils with flowers and herbs growing in my garden.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Midweek And a Trip Around the Yard At Night

 

Just a quick post as the sky is getting very dark and I hear the rumble of thunder. Hoping for rain, but no hail.

I took some pictures of our backyard at night a couple of evenings ago and thought I would share them with you.

Now if we could just get the type of weather to enjoy the display.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

The heat we have been having the last few days (okay almost a week now) has really affected me this year. My get up and go, has got up and gone as people say. It has also caused me to get lots of stomach cramps, which really are not fun. 

I looked at my menu this week to see if I needed to change anything and to my surprise I don't. I must have realized how hot it was going to be. Lots of BBQ and/or smoking of meat, and leftovers will be warmed up either in the microwave, stove top, or frozen to be used later on.

Monday

Hamburgers, potato salad, and hamburger fixings (pickles, cheese, onions and condiments). Harvey is making 8 burgers which will give us another 3 meals. One of those will be later this week.

Tuesday

Leftover smoked pork which I will make into pulled pork sandwiches. Probably the remains of the potato salad will be used, and I may warm up some beans from the freezer.

Wednesday

Leftover Lentil Curry served over rice and I will slice up some raw veggies to go with.

Thursday

Two of the leftover hamburgers served with hamburger fixings and I will make coleslaw to go with. 

Friday

Tuna pasta salad. Lots of veggies in here. I hope to use up the remaining celery in this meal.

Saturday

Smoked porkchops, coleslaw, and probably tinfoil cooked potatoes, carrots and onions. Meal will be made on the BBQ and smoker.

Sunday

We will finish off the Tuna pasta salad.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Frugal Friday

 

As far as the chokecherries are concerned I hope to make chokecherry jelly and I have a recipe for chokecherry syrup that my sister-in-law says is absolutely wonderful on pancakes and French toast. 

So what frugal escapades was I up to this week.

1.  We had been opening the windows at night to cool off the house, but the last two nights we kept them closed as it was very warm outside.

2.  Moving the solar lights around in the garden. Hopefully I will only have to pick up a few replacements. I get them at our Dollar Store so they are very inexpensive. They usually last three or four years so only cost about fifty cents a year.

3.  Used up all leftovers in the fridge this week. Nothing at all wasted, and managed to clear a few items out of the pantry that were getting close to the use by dates.

4.  Washed almost all the winter coats. There are two I really need to take to the cleaners, but I am not sure we have a cleaners here any longer. 

5.  Used up lots of single fold bias tape. Slowly but surely the sewing supplies and craft supplies are being used.

6.  Put $60.00 in the savings envelope, and $2.95 in the change jars. 

7.  Because we have a Prime subscription I was able to get a free trial of AcornTV and I am binge watching that more or less for free.

Not my best frugal week, but really not too bad overall.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Thrifty Thursday

 

Another Thursday has rolled around, and as I did the budget entries today for last month, I am really happy to note that my thrifty and frugal ways are paying off. Once again we were well under total budget for the month. I would still like to get a few budget lines down even further, but that depends on the weather and the harvest from the garden. 

So what thrifty things have I been busy with over the last week? Many are the usual weekly things I try and keep up with and I have had to rack my poor brain to think of any new things I have done this week. 

We moved one long planter this week and I purchased some in distress plants for 50% off to put in it. They should come back with some care.

Made sure the rain barrel was getting filled during our rain yesterday (we got 1/2 inch) and hopefully we can get it filled completely with the next rain.

Looking for foraging spots and have found a couple where I can pick chokecherries. I am hoping my friend has a bumper crop of raspberries again this year and she gets me to pick a pail or two. 

Found some deadfall while out walking and Harvey and I took the wheelbarrow and cut it up for the firepit. 

I had a few partial spools of black and grey thread and have used up a black spool and a grey spool on the robe I am sewing. Either colour could be used and I get to clear my thread board a bit.

I also patched together some single fold binding in order to use it up on the robe. Looks pretty darn good.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.