Menu Plans

 

Just a short menu plan this week as we will be heading up to Kris's for a few days before we leave on our cruise. I will be taking up all that could spoil while we are gone that is left in our fridge. As well as at least a meal or two. I am hoping to get out for a meal one night we are there.

Monday

Steak casserole, mashed potatoes, sliced cucumbers and cherry tomatoes.

Tuesday

Two of the leftover stuffed peppers along with some fried cabbage, and the never ending sliced cucumbers and cherry tomatoes.

Wednesday

Butter chicken (or something similar) along with rice, broccoli, and whatever raw veggies are left.

Thursday

Soup and sandwiches (probably egg salad sandwiches).

Friday

The leftovers from Wednesday.

We will be heading up to Kris's at some point on Saturday.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 Trying something new here, and I do hope it works out.

I am really worried about getting everything completed before we leave, but have decided that I can only do what I can do. If things are not completed, well they will have to wait until we get back. Still I will definitely keep plugging away at what I feel is necessary to be done.

When I quilt, cut fabric, or sew bigger items I pull out a folding table, move my sewing machine and work in the living room. A couple of days ago I moved all that out for a bit. Well at least until we get home.... I mentioned that to Harvey, and he was quite concerned that perhaps it was too much work for me. Hmmm, this from a man who always told me to tidy my piles up when I was crafting, or to move my piles of books out of the living room. When I mentioned that to him he told me he has mellowed and whatever makes me happy in "your house" is fine with him.  I almost felt his forehead to see if he was running a fever. What a relief to know that my "piles" don't bother him any longer. He also went on to say that he knows I would tidy things up eventually so why sweat the small stuff. Got to love someone who realizes that hobbies can take up a great deal of room and is content to let me create where I happen to be.

I have a feeling that I will no longer be helping with the Bible Study at the church. Seems everyone else got an email saying that someone else will be taking over. I will wait and see what happens.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

 

I have spent this past week working on getting the garden in and processed. 

Also finished cutting up the scraps of fabric. First into 4 1/2" squares and then the scraps from that into 2 1/2" squares. I did not get a photo of the larger squares, but I did manage to get a picture of the smaller squares and some of the fabric I recycled.

Lots to work with over the coming months.

I made more Eggplant Parma for the freezer.

I am now up to 11 trays in the freezer for meals this winter. We have even had one for our supper and I made 2 larger family sized trays one of which will be coming with us to Kris's. I always try to bring a meal or two up with us when we go. Saves him some money and at times has helped us clean out the fridge.

Tomatoes and what I think will more than likely be the last harvest of beans (processed today).

Hmm, missed getting one of the beans. Really I only got one bag for the freezer. Quite the difference from other years where I was giving beans away.

More cucumbers picked, as well as jalapeno's.

Notice that the cherry tomatoes are also starting to arrive. The jalapeno's have doubled as I picked more today. Still more to come.

Finished the one knitted prayer blanket, and started on the third. No pictures as I am going to try and take a picture of all four once they are completed.

My powdered tomato skin jar is slowly being added to and I am looking forward to using the powder. 

I was asked what perogies were. Well, they are dough (much like uncooked/undried pasta dough) that is rolled out and cut in circles. Then a filling is added to one side or the center of the small circles. Most fillings are potato with something added. Some people use potato and cheese, some use potato and dry curd cottage cheese, some use potato and bacon (chopped and fried). Then some people make fruit perogies which have no potato. These are then dropped into boiling water and drained when done (the perogies float to the top). Some then fry them, some cover them in melted butter in which onion has been fried. Usually served with a dollop of sour cream.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Frugal Friday

 

What are my frugal five (or more) for this week? With costs rising at what seems to be an alarming rate at times, we all need to learn again the frugal things our parents and grandparents did. Must pull out some books on the subject and see what I can add to my usual habits.

1.  Even though it was raining out on my usual wash day I hung clothing (4 loads) on my lines downstairs. 

2.  Watering my pots and such with rain water and getting exercise at the same time lugging the watering can around the yard.

3.  Cut up lots of scrap fabric into squares I can use for quilting (even though Harvey says we have enough quilts).

4.  Walking for free and easy exercise.

5.  Picking and processing the garden to have some delicious veggies this winter. Even though our beans did not really produce this year I do have a few bags in the chest freezer. 

6.  Even though I hadn't planned on making another visit to the grocery store I went when the new sale started to pick up some really great bargains. I even asked for a raincheck in case the mushrooms do not arrive before the end of the sale.

7.  Using up all leftovers in the fridge, either for supper again or lunches.

Not too bad at all, and what with leaving in a bit the more I can use, dehydrate or freeze is just wonderful. Getting as much done in the garden as is humanly possible.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless

Thrifty Thursday

 

Another thrifty and money saving week has passed by. We have been getting bits and sprinkles of rain so the rain barrel is once again full, which is a good thing.

This week saw me cutting squares for quilting sometime in the future. All scraps, except for teeny tiny bits have been used up. I may try and get Hubby to make me a 1 1/2" template from some plexi glass downstairs. A little project to keep him happy and occupied once we get back from our trip. That way I can use up even the smaller scraps of fabric.

Combined errands and bought lots on sale. I have started restocking the pantry for the winter. We are both a bit disappointed with the pole bean crop this year. Not many bags in the freezer, and it seems as if the beans have stopped producing.

Using up leftovers and making new meals and even stretching those new meals to another meal later on.

Looking into recipes that will use up more of the eggplant and can be frozen. 

Using items up from the garden.

Used some frozen pumpkin from last year to make a pie. Plan on bringing more out in order to make muffins and perhaps a loaf to be used for breakfasts or snacks. 

Saved the plastic veggie bags to be used for other purposes.

Mended a t-shirt for Harvey. 

Downloaded some free books onto my ereader and bought 1 using the remainder of a gift card (I had to spend just a tiny bit more, but there was no way I was going to allow that money remaining on the gift card to go to waste).

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits

 

Not too much has been happening around the old Phillips homestead. Just me spending time getting caught up on those tasks I have spoken about before.

The garden is still a bit wet so no harvesting was done. Good thing I had shopping to do, and cutting up that recycled fabric into 4 1/2" squares. Both things are completed, and I am slowly but surely getting caught up. I now only have the 2 1/2" squares to finish. Just a bit more decluttering done in the sewing/craft room.

Shopping was a surprise as things have gone up once again in price. My bread flour on sale was almost $15.00 for a 5kg bag, the same price as the regular flour on sale this week. Still I plan on purchasing another bag or two and putting them in the freezer for winter baking.

Since I didn't purchase meat my costs were low for what should be my last purchase of the month. My bill was only $172.00 about $100.00 less than usual (this is in Canadian dollars). I picked up some pantry items as well that were on sale. 

Hoping that our garden produces enough veggies to see us through the winter months, or that I can purchase items at a reduced rate. Really want to come in under budget for the year here as medical/dental expenses for me will be pretty darn high this year.

I think that this year is going to finish off as a challenge to almost everyone on keeping costs down as much as is possible. Really, my thoughts behind this are to keep our savings at a decent level as much as is possible, and trying to leave a much smaller carbon footprint so as we can travel a bit more before we are too old. 

There will be pictures of the weeks happenings come Saturday, well at least I hope. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

Before I start on my menu plans for this week, I want to say thank you to all those members of the forum I moderated for their lovely comments. So sweet of all of you.

So what is on the menu for this week? Once again I will be trying to use things up from the fridge and fridge freezer before we go away. Yesterday I went through the freezer drawers and found lots of items to be used up. I will of course have to bring up some main dish meats just to shake things up a bit, but man once again I have let things stack up.

Monday

Leftover ribs, served with green beans, cherry tomatoes, leftover coleslaw, and of course sliced cucumbers.

Tuesday

There are two small steaks in the freezer so I am going to slice them thinly and make a stir fry. This will be served over rice. I will also make the stuffed jalapeno's tonight (though I would do them Monday, but missing the cream cheese). 

Wednesday

Lazy perogies, though I am tempted to spend the hours necessary to make perogies once again and have a few bags in the freezer for meals later....

Thursday

Leftovers from Tuesday. 

Friday

Tuna casserole will be served, along with sliced cucumbers and sliced tomatoes.

Saturday

Pulling out a package of the leftover ham and making a casserole. If I can get into the garden (we actually got rain today, and quite a bit more could come tomorrow) green beans and cherry tomatoes.

Sunday

Porkchops, mashed potatoes, carrots and coleslaw.

I have been asked what I stuff my jalapeno's with and so I will tell you all.

I soften cream cheese and mix it with some garlic powder, some of the insides of the jalapeno's for a bit of heat, and regular grated cheddar. Then the halves are wrapped with some bacon and cooked in the oven until the bacon is cooked.

Kris taught me this as it is how he did the ones we had earlier this summer. Harvey has decided he just loves them this way. 

Yes, Maebeme this is really early for the garden this year. I just can't believe how much is ready to be picked....

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 

Not as cool as yesterday, but now we are cloud covered and there is a smoke haze across the valley. We even had a few drops of rain just a bit ago. I hope we get even more rain. Sorry to any farmers that are trying to harvest, but with the trees changing colour already due to lack of water, we really need the moisture.

I harvested a bit of the garden again today. Just beans, a handful of cherry tomatoes and some rather large jalapeno peppers. Harvey would like me to make stuffed jalapeno's and I will do so with some tomorrow. I may try and get out a bit later and see what else I can gather in. 

Finished off the eggplants that were left after using up all my tinfoil containers. I now have enough to continue making Parma, though I am thinking I almost have enough and will need to think of something else. Wonder if a person can freeze stuffed eggplant. More research needed. 

I was asked how I made my lavender lotion bars so I better share that with all of you.

Lotion Bars with Lavender

depending on how many molds you have at least 2 or more teaspoons of dried lavender

1/2 cup coconut oil

1/2 cup beeswax pastilles (make sure they are cosmetic grade)

1/2 cup shea butter

10-12 drops of lavender essential oil (suitable for topical,  application)

3-4 drops vitamin E oil

Sprinkle the dried lavender into the molds (I used a silicone heart mold). Set aside.

Place the coconut oil, shea butter and beeswax into a double boiler over medium heat. 

Once everything is melted, remove from heat, allow to slightly cool (don't let it harden). Add the essential oil and vitamin E. Stir until well combined.

Quickly pour into the mold, filling each cavity. 

Allow to cool and harden at room temperature for 4 hours or chill for 2 hours. Once cool remove from mold and store in an airtight glass jar or other airtight container. 

To use:

Warm the lotion bar slightly in your hands, rub the lotion bar over your hands or dry areas, and then put the lotion bar down and rub your hands as if you are putting on hand lotion.

Hope that helps anyone who wishes to give this a try.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

 

It has been a very quiet day here on the old homestead. I have been poking around and doing a few tasks that I have held off on doing, and finishing some processing of the garden.

Nothing too strenuous, or taxing, with plenty of rest between chores. Still a bit queasy, but nothing like I was a few nights ago. 

After reaching a high of 34C yesterday, today our high has only been 20. So much cooler and the breeze that is wafting through the house is enabling me to keep the air conditioner off.

I got my tablet up and running somewhat better. I still have to add another email account, but well I can slowly do those additions as time permits. 

Harvey was a sweetheart today and did the watering of my flowers. I do think a few will be tossed in the next week or two. The pots I am thinking of have gotten pretty leggy and seem to be more green than petunia. May as well toss them and clean the pots out.

I will head out in a bit and pick cucumbers and peppers. Not sure about tomatoes, but some cherry tomatoes would be lovely.

I found some deep, oblong tinfoil containers and lids at our Dollarama so perhaps tonight or early tomorrow I will get the last of the eggplants made into Parma. 

Scraps of fabric I have in a box have been pulled out and I am gradually cutting 2 1/2" squares. There are many a scrap that will need to be cut even smaller. First I must make a template to use. Then comes the "be careful not to cut off the end of my finger" time. I also need to cut some 4 1/2" squares out of the fabric I cut out of the older suitable clothing. Going to be scraps from there for sure. This could definitely be an ongoing project for sure.

The knitted blanket is coming along and I am hopeful of being finished by the end of next week, or at least before we leave on our getaway.

Pretty sure I would not be this far ahead if I was still posting on that forum. I do check as I am still moderator, but I am on and then off right away. Also still waiting for a message from the owners that they got my message about my resignation. One thing for sure, is that I don't think I am missed very much, though I could be wrong about that and people are just giving me space to regroup and decide what comes next. 

Sticking to the weekly menu not too badly, but tomorrow Harvey wants to give me a bit of a break and so it will perhaps be a fast food night. Might be a great idea, depending on what I harvest from the garden tonight. 

Harvey is out smoking ribs and I have leftover salad and will make creamed potatoes... Supper done.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Frugal Friday

 First off I want to let you all know I feel not too bad today. Next just letting you readers know I felt pretty blah most of the day, but still plugged along slowly but surely getting things done. 

However right after supper I started to feel nauseous, got a headache, dizzy and really blah. I laid down and that is when it got really bad. The bathroom and I made best friends for about 2 hours. After that I went to sleep and didn't wake up until early this morning. 

I am not sure what was wrong with me, or if I am totally over whatever this is/was (still have a slight headache) so I will probably take lots of breathers and do things slowly.

Also, I have been a moderator for a forum for too many years to actually count (probably around 15) and in fact the only moderator for the entire time. I have sent in notice that I will not be doing that task any longer, and that I will be stepping back a bit from posting as well. It is just too much at this point in my life. Time I learned to be frugal with exactly that...my time. I need to concentrate on what gives me pleasure and makes me happy.

Okay on with what frugal things are happening here on the old homestead....

1.  We have had a couple of coolish nights so the windows have been opened and the air conditioning off on those occasions.

2.  No real shopping this week. I did go to the bank and get our allowances as well as some cash for our trip. Today we get haircuts, one wants to be able to see the sites (or is it sights, I sometimes forget .. old age catching up with me).

3.  Processing the garden, putting all that lovely freshness into the freezer for the winter.

4.  Using the clothesline as much as possible.

5.  Leftovers are now cleared out of the fridge as quickly as possible.

6.  Put $50.00 in my savings envelope and another $3.15 in the change jars.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Midweek Update

 

I am slowly but surely getting things completed or at least near completion. Since I finished the fire pit blankets I have been spending my spare time knitting on the blanket. Keeping my fingers crossed that I get it done and then can get started on the third for the three girls. Still need to figure out what colours to do the fathers, but I have a great idea for that.

The garden is coming fast and furious and most days see me processing something for freezing. Today it was green beans, and tomorrow I plan on making more Parma. Planning on sharing the bounty of eggplants with the boys when we see them next.

Trying to keep the fridge as clean as possible so of course that means tonight I will not be following my menu. Instead it will be use up some of the leftovers in there along with sliced cukes and tomatoes.

Tomorrow I plan on using up some of the homemade tomato sauce I found in the fridge freezer making the Parma and probably doing more dehydrating. This time dehydrating will be thyme, basil, and oregano. I also need to harvest more lavender as I haven't done that as of yet.

I am almost finished decluttering the sewing/craft room. I think I will just make labels for some boxes and call it done until we get home. Hopefully I will have more ideas to use up the bits and bobs of yarn by then. Perhaps a few more mitts will be made and these given to the Salvation Army here in town.

Off to get supper on the table. I will visit you all later.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits

 

Since I seem to be having a difficult time keeping to my planned menus and needing to go back to last week, I didn't post a menu plan this week. When we get back things should (hopefully) a bit more normal.

I have been picking in the garden early in the morning as it gets much too hot to be out in the afternoons and the mosquitos are bad now in the evening.

Harvey finished his wood rack project and with the help of his new toy managed to split logs and fill it this morning. Looks pretty darn good. Now we won't have to hunt in the woodshed in the dark. Hopefully we can have another fire before we leave, right now it is just too hot.

I made two small sachets from the dried lavender. Just small plain bags. I would like to make a few more when we get home as they smell so lovely.

The oregano salve was made yesterday. I managed to get 4 small containers and am looking forward to giving them a try.

The cherry liqueur was started yesterday and I should have said in a previous post it will be 6-8 weeks before it is ready. Right now it is a dark, cool place and will need to be shook every so often. Hope us being away and it not getting shook won't ruin it.

Tomorrow I hope to pick beans and along with tomatoes get them processed and in the fridge. 

Wednesday I will be going to the bank and getting some American cash and our allowances. I may make a trip to our phone company and see about getting at least one week of our phone being upgraded to be used in the U.S. I also want to make more Eggplant Parma so at least the larger ones will be used up before we leave.

My packing list has been made, and I hope to be able to get everything in my case. I am packing layers and will even take those small gloves that Maebeme spoke about. 

Other than that I have done some extra cleaning, been working on decluttering the sewing/craft room (this week I will go through patterns) and staying in.

Off to start supper and get the table set. Then I hope to visit you all.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 

It has been a very quiet day here on the old homestead. Swept the back deck, made my list of tasks for next week, put away the dishes in the dishwasher, and brought up the meat for the main courses next week. Of course those could change as they seem to do with great regularity here.

I have spent most of the day knitting. I really want to get this blanket finished so keep your fingers crossed for me. That would leave only two for this family left to finish. One will be coming with me to work on in the evenings on our cruise.

I started the cherry liqueur today and will finish it off tomorrow morning. 

There was a point that I thought I would try my hand at making gherkins, but there are no small cukes out there to pick. I will check again in a day or two. It would be something different and perhaps keep the cukes from getting so darn large. 

It has been cloudy off and on today and we got 4/10ths of an inch of rain last night. Hoping it clears up so we can see the meteor showers tonight. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless. 

Saturday Roundup

 

It has been a busy week here on the old homestead. Trying my best to get the garden harvested and processed and things seem to be moving along just fine. This does mean harvesting almost every day something that is ready to be picked and figuring out what to do with said item. 

The dehydrator has been running most days. 

Peppers that were going a bit soft.

Herbs of some type almost every day.

Dehydrated tomato skins all ground up. 

Then there was the freezing....

More beans and tomatoes are now residing in the chest freezer downstairs. We are slightly disappointed in the pole bean production. I don't think we will be getting very many this year. Tomatoes on the other hand have gone a bit crazy.

Also freezer making....

There were 7 trays of Eggplant Parma, 6 of which are in the freezer. We had the 7th for supper that night.

We picked fruit... but for some reason I only got a picture of the plums.

I also managed to finish the two fire pit blankets for Kurt and Kris.

It has been a very good week.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Frugal Friday

 

Another Friday has arrived and we are getting very close to the middle of the month, still leaving me lots to try and get completed. I am doing my best, and now that Harvey is helping with harvesting the garden things are moving right along. I will have to harvest beans and peppers tomorrow (plus a few eggplant I am thinking) but at least it isn't the whole thing on my own. 

Now what frugal things have I been up to this week.

1.  Dehydrated some peppers that were going a bit soft, and will probably do some more tomorrow.

2.  Dehydrated some herbs, and will also do more tomorrow morning first thing.

3.  Using up leftovers in new meals and today instead of the menu plan I will have a clean out the fridge meal. We usually go meatless on Friday's but not this week.

4.  Using my homemade dandelion salve most evenings to control the back pain. Must remember to make lots more of this next spring.

5.  Got a free small shoe stand that I am using in the sewing/craft room for organizational purposes. Makes a lovely storage area for my shea butter, coconut oil, molds, small tin containers, and beeswax pellets. 

6.  Did my shopping and while the total cost was pretty high I did manage to stock up on items for the pantry and freezer.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Thrifty Thursday

 

I think I better answer a question first. I was asked what I was going to do with the ground dehydrated tomato skins. I hope to use them in stews, soups, and other dishes to add just a touch more tomato flavour. 

It has been raining off and on all day, at times we have had really heavy down pours. This meant I was stuck inside putzing around. Did I get much done... Not really, but I at least have gotten a few things completed and another almost done. Decluttering/tidying the sewing/craft room is taking a very long time, but there is forward movement.

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

I bartered tomatoes and cucumbers for plums and crabapples.

I made 6 trays of Eggplant Parma for the freezer.

Mending happened this week as well. That is something (other than darning) that has not been done in awhile.

Dehydrated some peppers that were going a bit soft. I also dehydrated some herbs.

I bought fuel for the car which I hope to stretch until we come home from the airport after our trip.

Researching homemade salves, lotions and lip balms. I am pretty sure I can DIY them less expensively than purchasing them. 

Did a few surveys for points towards gift cards. Hoping to get enough points to get cards for the sons for Christmas.

Found lots of unfinished projects which will keep me busy for a long time when added to the projects I want to complete this year.

Using up leftovers tonight to clean out the fridge and not waste anything. New recipe, so I hope it turns out okay.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Midweek Blues

 I don't feel very calm right now. In almost exactly three weeks we will be on our cruise. Trying to get as much done as humanly possible which is going sort of okay. 

However the more I do, the more my body tells me I just might be doing too much. I am pretty much one big ache right now. Dandelion salve to be rubbed in tonight.

It rained off and on today, so one would think I had a restful day. Nope, not at all.  There were two items I did not get completed and those were harvesting the garden fully and picking chokecherries. I did get beans picked and frozen, the Eggplant Parma made, herbs dehydrated, some hand sewing, and more decluttering of the sewing/craft room. Pictures to appear on Saturday. Those are up again tomorrow. If the forecasted rain does not fall. 

I do have lots that I could complete inside if trips outside are not available. I have green peppers to dehydrate, a sewing/craft room to continue decluttering (and finding more unfinished projects, oh dear). I could also clean the fridge, stove and oven. Baking a loaf of bread is always a possibility as well. 

There are the fire pit blankets to get done, and work on the knitted child's blanket as well. 

Oh, and I should really write a letter to a friend across the pond. 

No rest for the wicked I guess. 

Off to do some of that knitting and enjoy a well deserved glass of wine.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits

 I did not post a menu plan for this week, mainly because I don't know how well I will be able to follow it. Take today for instance. Harvey and I went and picked plums and crabapples this morning after a 2 hour shopping trip. Came back after picking and I divided up the meat to put in the freezer in meal sized portions. 

Then of course I swept the floors, ironed, mended (fixed a small burn hole from fire sparks) in Harvey's favourite Saskatchewan Roughrider shirt, washed the plums, still have the crabapples to scrub up, pinned the binding on the fire pit blankets to hand sew tomorrow or the next day, and did a few rows of knitting.

Still to do is pick the beans (probably wait until tomorrow), pick the chokecherries and get them washed as well. 

I am just so tired and my back is a constant ache right now. So tonight I am ordering a pizza and calling it good. 

Tomorrow will be the processing of the various berries, fruits, and I will make Parma for the freezer as well. Then there are the beans to pick, I noticed more tomatoes are ready, and who knows how many cucumbers are hiding on me. Must dehydrate more herbs as well. 

I see another tiring day ahead. 

Everybody have a wonderful day. 

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

 

A great many things have been happening here on the old homestead. 

Between a neighbour moving, leaving us as the oldies on the block, and trying to get a number of carried over projects done, I have been inside most of the week. Well early mornings I am out in the garden picking, which means part of some days are spent processing the harvest (or using the gleanings in that day's meals). 

Slowly but surely getting things on the road to completion and perhaps even getting some new projects started. We shall see.

Today I blanched and froze tomatoes and decided to dehydrate the skins, grind and put that in a glass jar. I am really into the let's not waste anything mindset right now. Peelings and such are getting thrown in the garden and will be worked into the soil in the fall. 

I even managed to get the two fire pit blankets put together. Tomorrow I will start the quilting, and hopefully get the binding done and the two totally finished by the middle of the week. I am not holding my breath though.

I also got my 2 ounce tins (50 or so of them) and I am thinking of making my salves and such to sell... We shall see.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Frugal Friday

 

It has been a quiet week here and lots of little frugal things are taking place.

1.  We were well under budget for the month of July which makes me very happy. We did spend a bit on our vacation at Riding Mountain National Park, but thanks to a friend we did not have to pay the fee to stay in the park for the week. 

2.  Baked one loaf of bread this week.

3.  Using up the produced picked from the garden so far. However I now have a glut of tomatoes and so will probably be blanching, peeling and freezing tomorrow.

4.  Made lavender lotion bars, and man those smell just lovely. Should have enough to last the winter.

5.  Still have not bought gas (will probably do so this week) which is a big savings right now.

6.  Using up some 2" strips making the second fire pit blanket. 

7.  Using up yarn knitting blankets for Kurt's friends (and the family I seem to have adopted). 

I am planning on doing some bartering with the neighbour. Tomatoes, cukes and perhaps some peppers in exchange for crabapples, plums and apples. Hope they go for that.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Thursday

 

Days are rolling into each other, and it is getting hard for this olden mind to remember anything thrifty I have done over the past week. 

Most of my thrifty moves are also frugal moves, so I think I might change the title of my Thursday posts. Any ideas?? All are greatly appreciated. 

With that in mind this will be more of a "what I accomplished today" post. At least until I figure out what I will blog about.

Once again it is really warm out, but I managed to get out and harvest more lavender, and some pole beans. 

I pinned together the strips for the denim fire pit blanket and hope to get the sets of two at least sewn tonight, and the sets of two pinned together into sets of four to be sewn tomorrow morning. 

Cherries are once again on sale at our Co-op and I am thinking of purchasing enough to make some cherry liqueur for Christmas. I am also thinking of trying my hand at making Irish Cream.... We shall see if that comes to pass. 

My knitting is coming along, I should be able to at least finish this second blanket this month and start a third. That will take care of the girls of Kurt's friends.

I have a couple of other blankets that are a bit more involved and I will actually need to purchase yarn for at least one of these. One of Kurt's friends is Jewish (well actually two are) and I thought I would knit a Jewish prayer shawl for him, and he has another friend that is Muslim and he thought it would be a great idea if I could incorporate something from her faith in the blanket he would like to give her..... Man, I may never get to knitting for myself for awhile. 

Still knitting and sewing for others makes me happy, and being able to give something to those that helped Kurt through difficult times is awesome. Using up some yarn in my stash is even better....

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Midweek

 I have spent lots of time staying home and trying to get as much done this month as humanly possible.

This week I finished one of the blankets for the girls of Kurt's friends. Little girls like sparkle, or at least I hope they do.

I have started the second blanket. Still sparkly, but in shades of gold and brown. I will need to add a contrast colour in order to make it large enough and I found a shades of brown, cream and orange that should work. 

I did make the lavender salve but didn't get a picture before putting it away. Bad thing it is the same colour as the dandelion salve. Must make labels for it.

I started my oregano infused oil.

In a couple of weeks I will be turning this oil into salve as well. I also found a recipe for sage infused oil which can also be made into a salve for cuts and bruises. I will probably start that right after the oregano infused oil is ready. Should be able to get that made before we leave on our cruise.

Instead of making sachets with this harvest of dried lavender, I made lotion bars. Perfect to rub on dried hands and cracked heels this winter. I will be harvesting more lavender tomorrow so those sachets are still going to be made.

I have an overabundance of green peppers right now, so the four that were in the fridge have been dehydrated.

I know I will be adding to this as the harvest season progresses.

I have been picking in the garden as well. No pictures of the tomatoes or beans but here are cukes, peppers, and another rather large eggplant.

I will need to get out early tomorrow to harvest the lavender, and more from the garden. I see there are some more beans that need picking, and those chokecherries at the end of the street are now ripe. 

Today I spent sometime researching our ship and what the weather could be like when we are on our cruise. I think I just might add an umbrella to the packing. September is Alaska's rainy month.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits

 

Well our cruise is all set up. We actually booked our excursions and paid our gratuities. Now we only have to take money with us to buy whatever souvenirs we decide to purchase, or any little treats we decide to buy while we are in port.

Busy harvesting the garden. I love being able to extend meals with fresh produce. Tomorrow I am going to dice up some peppers and dehydrate them for the winter. I also plan on making some lotion bars to use up the dried lavender rather than make the sachets right now. There is lots to harvest out there yet.

I did finish one blanket for one of the young girls, only two more and then one for the Dad. Hopefully I can get them done before Kurt comes home at Thanksgiving. Then I will work on some more for Kurt's friends who helped him through his difficult time. 

Slowly but surely I am getting the sewing/craft room in order. Still lots to do in there, but spending a bit of time each day putting items in their proper place is making a difference. Also the using things up is really helping as well. 

We got some rain today, but now along with high temperatures, the feel like temperature is higher yet. I went for a short walk and before I even reached the halfway point I was dripping sweat. Definitely going for a walk in the evening right now is out of the question.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.