Winter Solstice

 I am working on some long term goals for next year. Hopefully they will work well with my monthly goals. I have really not posted about my long term goals other then the decluttering one. This upcoming year there will be a few more and those could be slightly more complicated to keep track of. One is me trying to have more low spend/no spend days and another is trying to cut some budget lines. There are a few more that will inter-twine with these. I will list the rest come the new year.

Longest night of the year ahead, now the days will be getting longer. Looking forward to being able to work on projects a bit longer each day.

Kris and the Grandcat are home and Kurt is about 2 hours away. Supper will be held off until he arrives. So looking forward to having both the boys home and staying for a number of days. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

White Christmas Hopefully

 Once again we have had snow all day, or well from 9 am to 3 pm, of course the wind has been blowing as well. 

Kris sent us a text last night saying he would not be coming home until tomorrow instead of today. Good thing as until now visibility has been pretty bad, I am also sure that the same can be said for Regina. It will be much better tomorrow I am sure. 

Kris always grows something over the winter and so far this year it is tomatoes. Here is a picture of his plants.

He should have a really good harvest. I am hoping he also has some lettuce or peppers growing as well.

While shopping this week I noticed that regular prices have risen, and risen by quite a bit. I really think that we are all going to have fun trying to keep costs down. I do know that we can do so though.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursdays

Thrifty and Frugal

 This week has been very strange. I headed out a couple of days early to get groceries and our prescriptions. Mainly because we were going to be getting lots of snow. So many times this prediction has not come true, but yesterday the snow arrived. While we did not get quite as much as they said we would about 7" lay on the ground this morning, along with some nice drifts as the wind had whipped things around quite a bit.

So I have just a few thrifty and frugal things to share with you.

1.  Harvey finished painting my donkey and cart, using paints he already had.

2.  We shoveled and blew snow today for our frugal exercise.

3.  I sewed some buttons on one of Harvey's shirts. The buttons came from my button jars.

4.  I decided to try and bake all the bread we will need for when Kurt and Kris are home. As of today I have 4 loaves in the freezer. I plan on baking two more loaves tomorrow and two the day after. This cost me probably 1/2 of what the expense would have been if I purchased the bread.

5.  Our Co-op grocery always lets us know how much we have saved at the end of our receipt. This time I saved $41.48 on my groceries.

6.  I added $70.00 to my savings envelope and another $4.60 to the change jars.

7.  Used appliances to cook much more this past week and will continue to do so.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Midweek And Stormy

 

I had so hoped that the storm would miss us once again, but it looks like it has arrived.

While it does not look too bad as of yet, as the night falls and the wind picks up the visibility will be nil. I am pretty sure that Kris will not venture home until Saturday afternoon. The roads should be cleared by then, or at least in better condition.

I went shopping early this morning and so missed all this. I even got our prescriptions picked up and picked up the first batch of finally delivered mail. Not that there was anything really important, but it is nice to once again see mail in the box, even if it is just flyers and ads.

Doing a mini switch around of the menu tonight. We are finishing off the pork stir fry with some rice. The soup and grilled cheese sandwiches will be tomorrows supper. I am trying to clear out the fridge as much as is possible for any leftovers from the Christmas meal.

Off to set the table and then visit all of you.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 

I have spent most of the day waiting for a call from the bank and since we are going to get around 25 cm of snow starting tomorrow I had planned on going shopping. That did not happen, but I think I may head out after supper and hit the closest grocery store, and perhaps tomorrow morning before the main part of the snow hits off to Walmart early. I should be back before the call from the bank if I leave early enough. It is also supposed to get frigid out overnight. Best I get done what I can before things get bad.

With all the snow coming Kris has mentioned that he might not get home until Saturday, which is fine as I don't want him or Kurt out on unsafe roads.

Since I will be out right after supper, I will visit you all tomorrow.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

Monday

Baked Meaty Shells, and the leftover salad from last nights roast meal.

Tuesday

Leftover roast beef served on buns and coleslaw. I will turn the leftover beef into pulled beef in a BBQ sauce.

Wednesday

The soup I had planned for last week along with grilled cheese sandwiches.

Thursday

Fridge smorg which will probably consist of the coleslaw, pulled beef, the stuffed shells and the leftover pork stir fry. I will make some rice to go with the stir fry.

Friday

Since Kris will more than likely be home I will make glace and eggs.

Saturday

Both of the sons will be home so we will have sausage, baked beans, and homemade fries.

Sunday

Baked ham, mashed potatoes, mixed veggies and a salad.

Sunday Ramblings

 

It is very icy here today, some of the roads have been shut down due to the conditions. I am hoping they will be clear by the time Kurt and Kris head home for the holidays.

Since it was so cloudy and dreary out I have been knitting. Finished Harvey's toque, and the third ball of yarn on the knitted blanket. Hoping to get a good start on this tonight. 

Mass was strange today. Even though the songs were the ones we have sang for numerous years during Advent, it seemed like no one other than the choir and myself were singing. Making a joyful noise seemed to be beyond the rest of the congregation. My good friend is the leader of the choir that we had today and I am pretty sure she would have been disappointed with the lack of precipitation. Next time I will just sing extra loud when they are leading. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Weekly Roundup

 

I thought I would have some pictures for you of what I have been working on. Nope not going to happen, mainly because I am not finished anything or have enough done on my three ongoing projects to even warrant a photo.

I have been able to work on my embroidery the last couple of days as it has been sunny. This means the other project I need completed has only been worked on in the evening, and the third has been set aside until the toque is finished. 

My finger is locking up more so once Christmas is over I am going to do some sewing or weaving and give it some time to get better. I won't totally give up the knitting and embroidery, but will alternate so as not to put as much stress on the finger.

Harvey is going to try eating normally tonight, so I will be able to use up another one of the menus I had planned for the past week. My fridge freezer is getting pretty full once again and I need to clear things out to make room for the Christmas leftovers. 

Next week will be fairly quiet as I do not plan on going shopping until perhaps the middle of the week, or just before Kurt and Kristopher arrive for their visit. I may even try and bake some crackers to use on Christmas Day. One challenge to myself is making more items (snacks and such) from scratch. Crackers fall into this. I also found a recipe for cheese straws I would really like to try.

Slowly, slowly things are beginning to be finished and I am taking time to enjoy the season.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Slowly But Surely

 

Slowly but surely, I am figuring out how to use this new laptop to download things from the internet... Still need to work on that as you can tell from my picture.

Slowly but surely, extra cleaning is being completed, bit by bit, day by day.

Slowly but surely, projects are being worked on. Perhaps not completed but at least started.

Slowly but surely, Harvey's mouth is healing.

Slowly but surely, my cold is getting better. 

Slowly but surely, I will get back to clearing out the bits and bobs from the freezer. Having a husband that could only eat soft foods, kind of changed my menu plans around. 

Slowly but surely, stashes are being used and downsized. 

Slowly but surely, life is getting into winter mode. 

Slowly but surely, I am getting ready for the influx of the family on Christmas Day eve.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursdays

Thrifty and Frugal 

Hello from the cold Canadian prairies. It isn't that the temperature is so bad, more the breeze/wind, is causing it to feel so much colder.

First off Harvey's mouth is feeling better today. So we are going to try his favourite soup and some scrambled egg sandwiches for supper. At least this way I get to use up one of the planned meals for the week. 

So what thrifty and frugal things have been happening on the old homestead this week.

1.  Using more appliances to cook meals.

2.  Saved the leftover filling mixture from the cabbage bread and made what can possibly be three or more meals of Lazy Cabbage Roll Casserole. 

3.  Broke up some small pieces of leftover bread and will be making bread crumbs from them once completely dry.

4.  Used up two balls/skeins of yarn from my stash. The next two knitted blankets will only cost me a bit as the yarn I am using was either picked up at the second hand store, gifted to me or purchased very inexpensively. 

5.  Gathering ideas to make next year a bit more thrifty and frugal.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Midweek

 

Oh my, only one more midweek posting after this before Christmas. Where is December disappearing to?

I have been staying home over the last couple of days and getting things ready for Kurt and Kris's arrivals, also getting things ready for the arrival of those of Harvey's family that will be spending Christmas Day with us. 

So far every corner of the living room has been tidied. I have gotten most of the hall cleared, and will finish that off tomorrow along with the dining room. Not that there is much taking up floor space in the dining room, and the bread machine will need to stay until just before everyone arrives. It was very cold here, which makes staying in and keeping busy the perfect way to spend the day.

I had lots of filling leftover from the Cabbage Bread making yesterday, so first thing this morning I added some tomato sauce to the mixture, a bit more shredded cabbage, and some rice. Voila, I now have three tinfoil containers of Lazy Cabbage Roll Casseroles in the freezer. 

Nothing really discovered today to go into the bag for donation, but I am pretty sure more will be found eventually.

I have been working on getting some more items stroked off my projects/goal list and since I am using up craft supplies (yarn and now embroidery floss), I am going to consider that a bit of decluttering and downsizing. 

Harvey is not doing too well after his dental appointment this morning. He is in some pain, and can't eat anything too hard, too hot or too cold. This means my supper plans have changed a bit. I will probably have a sandwich, and he will have a protein drink and some pudding. So pretty much a scrounge kind of day. I get a day off of cooking, but I really wish it would have been because of something else. 

Off to see if Harv wants to eat at the table, or prefers to eat when ever and where ever he wishes.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 

It has been a long day here on the Phillips homestead. It has taken me until now to get the first tray of Cabbage Bread into the oven. There is leftover filling so I will add some rice, add some tomato soup, and more shredded cabbage tomorrow and make some Lazy Cabbage Roll Casserole. I plan on doing that first thing so as to be able to make bread and buns for the remainder of the week.

I also found two more items to donate, cleaned the corner where I keep my various hobby items, and even did a bit of tidying in the sewing/craft room. 

This along with my regular Tuesday to do list. Staying home enables me to get much more done around the house. 

I did fall down a bit of a rabbit hole as one of my daily watched YouTube channels talked about "Traditional Wives" and decided to find out a bit more. Any blogs I found on the subject ended in 2019, and really aren't very informative at all. Mostly they talk about staying home, the husband is the bread winner and boss, and one should always be subservient to their husbands wishes. Meals should always be home cooked, women should always wear feminine clothing, makeup and pretty much stay at home.... Not really conducive to a great marriage in my eyes. In fact many of them decorate their homes in a 50's fashion and say we should go back to that time. 

 As frugal people we already do many of the ideas posted. Cooking meals at home, thrifting, using up and making do. However when I look at photos and images of what these women are wearing I am pretty sure they spend way more on clothing than any of us do. I doubt very much that any one of them can sew a straight line, make a quilt, knit, or mend. Or at least I never saw a post on any of those things. 

Not going to spend any more time, hopefully, reading about what I find a kind of cult. My husband and I share tasks, and discuss big expenses which is what I always thought marriage was

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

Another week has arrived and I plan on using more appliances for cooking this week as well. Mostly the toaster oven and bread machine. I will however need to use the oven at least one day this week. 

Monday

A ready meal of meat loaf from the freezer. Served with mashed potatoes, and cooked frozen green beans from the freezer.

Tuesday

Soup and sandwiches. I pulled a container of pea soup from the freezer and will make egg salad sandwiches to go with.

Wednesday

Leftover roast beef. I figure on making pulled beef in BBQ sauce served on buns. I will serve a salad with this.

Thursday

Leftover pork made into a stir fry. Served with rice.

Friday

Salmon patties, leftover rice, and cooked frozen corn. Probably with leftover salad.

Saturday

Leftovers from Wednesday. The side will be cooked frozen mixed veggies.

Sunday

Leftovers from Thursday. Served with noodles this time.

This should keep my fridge fairly empty which is what I am striving to do. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 

It has been a very damp, dark day here in Southeastern Saskatchewan. We had rain today for about an hour, didn't freeze, but snow should be arriving some time this evening. I hope that the roads are not too bad tomorrow when I head out to do a little bit of shopping. 

The Candle of Peace was lit on the Advent wreath today. Most of my day has been spent contemplating peace. In fact it has been a very peaceful day. At Mass we always give each other the sign of peace and wish peace to each of our fellow parishioners. This time of year it seems to just mean that much more. I wish peace would be as easily achieved as saying the words. Our friends and neighbours are not the only ones deserving of peace, the hungry, the homeless, war torn countries, and all people are so looking forward to peace. When I light my prayer candles tonight I will be praying that all find peace in whatever faith they have and in their fellow men.

I have done my baking now (or at least I hope), done a bit of decluttering, and of course knitting. It is too dark to actually work on any of the other projects I have lined up. This week I hope to start and finish my Christmas ornament give aways, and make that Cabbage bread. I am going to start with the ornaments tomorrow and the Cabbage bread will be made the next day.

Off to visit all of you and get a bit more of supper made.

Everyone have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

 

This week has been one of mostly getting those extra cleaning tasks done before I am invaded by the in laws Christmas Day. So not too many finished projects to share with you all.

I did finish my spool knit belt.

Nothing special but will do the trick until I can weave myself something better.

I finished the soup mixes for the baskets.

One red lentil soup mix and one split pea soup mix for each basket.

I also finished the mitts and added those to the baskets as well.

What I am missing a picture of is the recipe cards that contain family recipes. Those were put in the baskets immediately upon finishing so I wouldn't lose them.

I did start the second knitted blanket and have gotten a bit done on it. While it probably will not be done by the time Kurt leaves, it should be close. 

The weather will be changing once again so I went to the furthest place today and picked up what was needed there. I will go to the closer grocery store on Monday, as driving on icy roads a couple of blocks is not quite as daunting to me. 

My life is just so exciting. LOL.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Questions Answered

 

It has been awhile since I actually answered any of your questions, so I thought today would be a great time to do so.

I was asked how the microwaveable potato bags work and since that was one of the first questions from quite awhile ago I need to give you all an answer.

You put your washed, punctured with fork potato in the bag and then microwave on high for two minute stretches checking to see if the potato is cooked after each stretch. You all know how sometimes a microwave baked potato has a tough skin, well the bag keeps the moisture in the potato and the skin stays soft.

Another suggestion was that we should check into the Canadian Dental Plan that was just started this year. Harvey did get a letter from the federal government about this, but there are some hindrances to him being able to apply for it. Between the two of us we have just over the amount of yearly income, and we also have private insurance. Our private insurance does cover regular dental work such as cleanings, fillings, x-rays and extractions. It does not cover bridges, periodontal work, crowns, root canals, or dentures. I suppose we could move to the next level where those things would be covered, but man, we pay enough for what extra we have. Our insurance covers prescriptions, private rooms in hospital, ambulance, massage, physical therapy and a few other items that I just can't remember right now. 

Another question I was asked was about my Cabbage Bread. Just think of Hot Pockets. Mine however are stuffed with a mixture of cooked cabbage, ground beef, onions, salt and pepper. This is something my German grandmother made (her mom did as well) and the recipe (if you can call it a recipe) has been passed down through generations. 

Hmmm, can't think of anymore of the asked questions. I do hope to make this kind of post a bit more often in the future, but first I will need to remember to write down all the questions.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

Thrifty and Frugal

 I will answer questions re Cabbage Bread, dental costs and others that have arisen this week. Tonight is for thrifty and frugal living.

Not a completely frugal week, but with Christmas arriving in just three weeks, we are getting close to the wire. There has still be thrifty and frugal things happening on the Phillips homestead.

1.  Tried my darndest to combine trips and errands. Not totally achieved, but did my best and that is all that counts.

2.  Using up all leftovers in other meals and keeping my fridge shelves fairly clean.

3.  Once again have used the downstairs clotheslines as much as possible, and washing full loads.

4.  Shopping at home to use up what I have in my various stashes. Making so many gifts is saving me lots of cash.

5.  Our extra insurance paid for over half of the antibiotic that Harvey needed for his infection. Always a very good thing.

6.  Saved many a plastic bag to be used when our Grandcat is visiting for kitty litter patrol.

7.  Have a few socks that I will be darning tomorrow.

Prices are still going up and I am going to figure out new ways to save, even though as of right now we are just fine. With tariffs being talked about I know the economy is going to take a bit of a nose drive and perhaps our various accounts will as well.

They are also predicting that food costs will be rising even higher. Due to the lower Canadian dollar, and climate change. I think we will be growing a bit of a bigger garden and I will shop more than the two stores I usually do. Mind you when you only have three grocery stores prices do not fluctuate as much between stores as they do in bigger centers with 14 or more places vying for your grocery dollars. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.  

Midweek

 

Time is moving very quickly, each day it gets us closer to Christmas..... 

Harvey had a visit with the dentist today and he will need two teeth extracted and a partial plate on the bottom. First though he needs to get rid of the infection and then next week the start of getting everything completed. This is while not an unforeseen expense, it is still surprising. He does plan on waiting until the spring to get the top partial plate fixed and one other tooth extracted. Amazing how much this is now costing in comparison to a number of years back. 

I will be playing a game to see how much I can manage to save to pay for this. Our insurance does not cover partial plates, or full plates for that matter. Heck they no longer cover crowns or root canals either. Seems like the older we get the less they cover. Pretty sure I can manage to save enough for the costs though.

I thought I might share my goals/project plans for this month with you all. Some I have actually managed to complete in the first few days of the month.

1. Get the recipe cards done for the gift baskets. Done

2. Start knitted blanket.

3. Decorate the trees. Done

4. Tidy sewing/craft room. Done

5. Finish baking.

6. Finish candy making. Done

7. Work on embroidery.

8. Knit mitts and sew together for gift baskets (just need to sew so I am saying this is done). Done

9. Make soup kits.

10. Make cabbage bread.

11. Make Christmas giveaways. 

12. Make the cheesecloth sacks for Harvey's wine filtering. Done

13. Make the i-cord belt.

I am really making some pretty good headway on my list which makes me happy. Most needs to be done before Christmas, but I will keep plugging away and getting some of those smaller projects done one each day.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 

It's beginning to look like Christmas.....

This week it was time to start decorating the house, getting the trees up and putting out the other decorations as well. 

We bought a new tree for the upstairs as we are having the family over on Christmas Day eve. Something that four of us have been doing for a number of years. My small two foot tree just didn't seem very festive, and the large tree we put up downstairs, just too big for the space.

This is what we purchased

Known as a pencil tree, it takes up very little space, though is kind of barren for decor this year. I will be making more during the upcoming year. 

The tree downstairs is next, and even it seems to have bare patches which just might mean more decorations made for this one as well.

Managed to put out more decor in our living space upstairs. Harvey has things he puts up in his man cave and I will get pictures of those later this week.

My table of odds and ends, just need to add the pretty cloth to cover the glass top. First I need to find the darn thing.

Next up was the Santa my sister bought me as a gift many years ago.

Then out came the Mr. and Mrs. Snow people I got in a family gift exchange about 6 years ago.

More decor to come up in posts later this week.

Everybody have a wonderful afternoon.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

A new week of menus happening on the old homestead. Lots of using up what is in the fridge, which is always good. This is especially welcome when things are busy. No real stopping to cook much of anything. Just heat things up and make some sides.

Monday

Leftover Butter Chicken on leftover flatbreads. I will slice some cucumber and wash some grape tomatoes for the side with this meal. 

Tuesday

Leftover Sausage casserole and crusty bread.

Wednesday

This could be stew and crusty French bread from the fridge freezer (should be enough leftover for another meal this week). I plan on throwing this into my slow cooker to cook and getting other tasks done.

Thursday

The container of Beef barley soup from the fridge freezer and grilled cheese sandwiches.

Friday

Fish fillets, rice, and mixed veggies.

Saturday

Leftover stew and dumplings.

Sunday

Beef roast, roasted potatoes, and mixed veggies.

Hearty meals for the cold weather, as well as being easy to get ready and enable me to do other things while cooking.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 

This is the First Sunday of Advent and we lit the candle of Hope in the wreath at Mass today. 

While Advent is our waiting for the birth of Christ, it is also the time when we prepare for his coming. We open our hearts to hope.

Hope for world peace, hope for our friends and loved ones, hope for all who surround us and hope that we can truly open our hearts to the wonder of faith. 

This is the beginning of Blogmas as well. I am really going to try and make a post every day up until the New Year. Interesting idea as many a day I actually have nothing to say or write about. Life gets a bit complicated at this time of year as well as very busy. Still if others can find time to post during the month, I should be able to slow down and do the same. 

This month I plan to do one small project a day until I reach the end of the easy ones. I do have a couple of longer projects that I want to get close to being completed, therefore getting the easier projects out of the way will perhaps give me a bit more time to work on those longer ones. 

Todays projects were decorating the living room, decorating the tree downstairs, and decorating the small front deck. We went out to brunch after Mass and that cut out some decorating time. I did get the Christmas decor out in the living room as well as the tree set up, the small front deck done (though I need to purchase another fake garland or two to finish up) and most of the tree done downstairs (one more hour tomorrow morning should see that completed).

Tomorrows small project will be getting those recipe cards done for our sons Christmas baskets. As well as working on the mitts to add to those baskets and decorating the upstairs tree.... Keep your fingers crossed for me as with the usual Monday household tasks this could mean me moving a bit more than I usually do.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

 

Just a quick roundup of what has been happening on the Phillips homestead.

Baking has continued and I will probably so some more later. Taking a break so as to get a few other projects done over the next week.

I did manage to get the two toques finished for the gift baskets that we will give Kurt and Kris.

I have now started the matching mitts. Still few things left to fill the baskets with, and those will get done this coming week after decorating the house. Not that I do that much, but I do need to make it a bit more festive around here.

I also finished the knitted blanket for one of Kurt's friends. I will post a picture of that later on.

I even found yarn to start the next one. Just shows how much yarn I have available for use in this house.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Simpler Living

 

In my quest for simplicity, I am spending more time decluttering and using up items that have been around for awhile. Not only is this helping me downsize and move towards a life that enjoys the stop and smell the flowers mindset. 

It is leading me to realize we all have way too much stuff surrounding us. This from someone that is surrounded by craft supplies, appliances, and other such items. 

This week I have removed the old sound system from my television set. Amazingly it left spaces open to move the plants I am overwintering inside into and I still have extra space. The sound system quit working this year so will be put into the electronic disposal area. 

I have been kind of downsizing my yarn stash as well. Nothing new has been added and lots is getting used up in various projects. 

As far as appliances are concerned I do use all of them and plan on using them more often as the price of electricity goes up. Plugging into 110 is much less expensive than using the oven at 220. 

There are certain items I hope to send home with our sons at Christmas. Thinking the wine cooler that we never use could go home with Kurt, and the small Christmas tree that we have now replaced with a larger one with Kris. We shall see what they say. If neither is wanted we will list them on one of the Garage Sale sites and see what happens. 

While I would love to get rid of our TV package, until Harvey gets a television that allows streaming of something other than Netflix or YouTube that is not a feasible alternative. He loves his sports so we will spend the money to allow him to be able to watch those. Well at least until I can convince him to do something else. 

Slowly but surely I am heading towards a life that is lived slowly and intentionally.

My mouse seems to have quit working so I guess it is time to go and set the table, visit you all and make supper.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

                                                  Thrifty and Frugal

I probably don't have my title in the center of the page, Blogger for some reason wouldn't let me do that.

It has been a pretty frugal, thrifty and quiet week around the Phillips homestead. Mind you snow, blowing snow and cold have kept me in and busy most days this week. So what frugal and thrifty things have I been up to.

1.  All meals at home and I even had a clear out the fridge night for our supper one day this week. Nothing wasted at all, not even a spoonful.

2.  Found more yarn that I plan on using for another knitted blanket that Kurt can give to another person who has supported him against those that wish him harm. Yarn leaving my stash is always a good thing. It is not frugal or thrifty to leave it sitting unused.

3.  Keeping busy making my own treats for the upcoming Christmas Season. 

4.  Using the tinkle cloths and finding that since Monday we have only used 1 roll of toilet paper, so the savings are getting even greater since I made more from scraps in my stash.

5.  Harvey has repaired my donkey and cart that I use out front for flowers. He used bits and bobs that he had available in his workshop.

6.  Turned a collar on one of Harv's shirts.

7.  Only used the vehicle twice this week, should only have been once but I forgot to order a prescription on the day I used the vehicle.

I also want to wish all my readers in the U.S. a very Happy Thanksgiving. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Last Midweek of the Month

 

Oh dear here it is the final Wednesday of the month and I am not that close to finishing all my projects this month. Three days left now and I will try my best to get most of them done and dusted. 

Will I be ready for Christmas???? Sure hope so. I have toques and mitts yet to knit, the recipe cards to do, more baking, and all the regular household tasks. Oh drat, I also have the ornaments to make as the little gifties for those that visit on Christmas Day to take home. 

It will surely be a rush to get things done so that I can have a bit of a rest before Kurt and Kris arrive home. I want to rest and enjoy their visit (well Christmas dinner will be a bit of a non rest kind of thing, but they both do help). I have lots of tidying I have to do in order to have the house company ready for when a portion of Harvey's family arrives as well. 

From now on there will be no putting off until the next day. My lists must be completed each and every day. Pretty sure that will take some of the pressure off and my days run smoother.

This morning Harvey and I went to the last furniture store here in my city, and looked at dining room tables... Man those have really gone up in price and don't even have a hutch going with them. We did find something on sale and are thinking about it. The company that makes them will make the table and chairs in the wood and colours we want. They are custom made and on sale right now, which considering the cost is amazing. I did find colours that will match our hutch and Harvey has promised to do a tiny bit of repair work on it. The table/chairs on the other hand are not something we can repair (the finish is getting tacky and the chairs have been sort of destroyed by our cat) so getting something new is pretty necessary right now.

Changing the menu plans once again. There was lots leftover in the fridge so supper is going to be "clean out the fridge" and I made a tossed salad to go along with the meal.

I plan on answering some questions on Friday. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 

The temperature fell drastically overnight, but seems to have warmed up some. The predictions have changed and our really cold weather will hit this weekend. Glad to have a nice warm home to curl up in, though I worry about those who are homeless these are killing temperatures.

Not much happening today. I did get a few things done, no baking/candy making as of yet, but will hopefully get something done after supper. My cabbage bread/bun day will be on Friday so I will need to remember to get the ingredients out and thawing overnight. 

I did work the yarn ends into the blanket and that has been folded and put away. Started on the first pair of mitts. I am using a chunky yarn so have had to change the stitch numbers a bit or they would be way too large for anyone. I hope to have enough to do the two pairs of mitts and will use a worsted weight to make the toques. Slowly but surely those baskets are filling up. 

Managed to take down most of the old sound system by myself. Tomorrow when we go out to look at dining room tables and chairs we will drop it at the electrical drop off at our nearest Sarcan. There is still one piece left to remove, but I need help with that. I did undo one cord from the TV that I shouldn't have, but got that found and the TV back up and running. A bit scary there for awhile until I figured out what I did wrong. 

Cleaned the bookcase beside the desk, stripped the bedding and put on fresh, swept the floors, folded the clothes from the lines downstairs, and a few other small things to keep the house running smoothly. I hope to just have very basic cleaning once the sons are home and the guests arrive Christmas day.

Plans are afoot to put up the basement tree this Sunday. I will then know how many ornaments are available for this new tree and if I will need to fashion some more. 

Off to get the casserole in the oven and then visit with all of you.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

The Christmas rush is on now. Lots of little things that need to be done, so I am thankful that we have lots of leftovers and ready meals.

Monday

Leftover Baked Spaghetti, Garlic Bread, and the leftover salad.

Tuesday

Pulling a ready made Ham Casserole from the fridge. I will make a salad to go along with it.

Wednesday

Leftover chicken from Sunday warmed up and served on thick slices of bread with gravy. I will make peas and carrots to go with.

Thursday

Fridge Smorg, meaning anything leftover from Tuesday and Wednesday. Serving with leftover salad.

Friday

Lazy Perogies (I have some lasagna noodles that need using). Serving with some coleslaw.

Saturday

Hamburgers and all the fixings. 

Sunday

Sausage casserole. There is lots of veggies in this so I won't have to make a side or two.

The meals I will need to make are quick so I can spend time finishing up other things.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.