Projects /Goals Completed

 

End of the month and time for a roundup of what I actually accomplished this month. While only a few things were actually completely finished (many will be finished this month), I am very happy with what was done. Most are and were listed as being carried over into the month of May. Lots will be completed next month.

1.  Copy 14 tried and true recipes and get them in the album. Done

2.  Work on cross stitch. Worked on those sunny days.

3.  Sew shorts. Done

4.  Sew top. Done

5.  Cut out a summer tank dress. Done

6.  Quilt the baby quilt. Done

7.  Start knit tank top. Done and finished, just needs a bit of blocking.

8.  Shred papers. Done

9.  Make an appointment with my prayer partner. Done and set up meetings until this summer

10. Go to the accountant. Done

11. Transfer fall/winter and spring/summer wardrobes. Done

I worked on our budget entries today and we were actually under budget for the month. Even with the extra items I bought (sandwich meat, pork loin) we were under budget for our groceries. Got to love that. 

I have picked my frugal habit for this upcoming month. I know I have talked about using appliances more to do our daily cooking, and in looking at our menus for this month I should be able to use my various appliances most days. I am even thinking of using the electric roaster for a few of our Sunday roast meals. In order to see if this will save us money on electric in the long run, I will have to continue to do this for about three months. Still, with BBQ season things might not be so hard to handle.

I did have a bit of trouble remembering the water saving some days. Hopefully I can keep working on this while adding the next.

Today has been rainy, which will fill our rain barrel and now Harvey does not have to water the areas out front that he planted new grass in. He will not have to water the corn seeds he planted, or the potatoes and radishes either. 

Here are my goals and plans for next month.

1.  Work on cross stitch angel.

2. Copy 14 recipes from those we have tried and loved.

3.  Finish binding on baby quilt.

4.  Sew sun dress.

5.  Cut out purses (can't find anything I really like so will try to make a couple of my own).

6.  Plant perennial bulbs.

7.  Hem and hang curtains. Actually pretty much done.

8.  Make another quilt flimsy. 

9.  Cut and sew infinity scarves for silent auction.10. Sew purses.

11.  Wash winter coats.

12.  Plant outside flowers, herbs and veggies.

13.  Try and use appliances for cooking much more than I do.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

Monday

Drumsticks, corn and bacon carbonara noodles.

Tuesday

Lentil Curry from the freezer, rice and a cucumber, cherry tomato, and onion salad.

Wednesday

Soup and sandwiches. I need to use up some mushrooms so will be making Cream of Mushroom Soup along with the sandwiches.

Thursday

Smoked sausages, leftover salad, pasta.

Friday

Salmon patties, fried potatoes, mixed veggies.

Saturday

Smoked Pork ribs, potatoes, green beans.

Sunday

Roast chicken, roasted potatoes and roasted carrots.

Leftovers will be put aside and frozen or used for our lunches.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 

It wasn't as warm today as it has been, and the wind made it feel even colder. Still the sun was shining and that is a good thing (as Martha would say). 

Went to Mass today and by the end my back was beginning to bother me. I am really thinking a pillow for my back would be just lovely. 

I have discovered that if my back is bothering me I can not understand Father as my concentration is somewhere else. Pretty sure his sermon was on how we can never really cut ourselves off from God or Christ, but don't question me too hard on that.

Once home Harvey made us brunch and now even though it is only a couple of hours away from supper, I am really not that hungry. I have a feeling there will be lots leftover and I will end up changing my menus once again to use all up.

As my back was still slightly sore (well a bit more than slightly actually) we decided to leave the digging up of the Monkshood until tomorrow. 

I will need to fill the hole with some soil and then hopefully get my bulbs planted. Pretty sure there will be a few leftover to hand on to Kris for his gardens. Trying to help him out as much as is possible without handing him money. Decluttering our house to give him items he can use in his relatively new home and making up care packages is one way. 

I have also decided that both Kurt and Kris will get gift baskets at Christmas. Those will contain some made items and bought items that they need. They get to keep the baskets as well for storage. Thinking that this year those baskets will be storage totes. Both of them can use the extra storage containers. Kurt for school curriculum (his home office is a mess) and Kris to get some items out of the moving boxes he still has downstairs.

Off to visit you all and then start supper which will be very light really.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

 

I don't have any pictures of things I have gotten done so far this week. Probably because nothing is really finished and I need something to share on Tuesday as an end of the month post.

So what have I been up to.

We went to the capital city for my appointment and on the way home picked up some sandwich meat (that we needed to slice or I needed to cut). Also brought home some free bedding plants. 

I have worked on my knitting project, did some cross stitch, spring cleaning happened in a couple of places, and I worked in the perennial bed (still a bit to do in there). 

I made my project list for next month, my extra cleaning list (hopefully minus spring cleaning), and my monthly menu (making sure I am using items up and stretching my food as much as possible).

Soups were made for those rainy, cooler days that we get sometimes in the late spring and early summer. Heck, we kind of like soup one day a week. I still have to make Cream of Mushroom Soup (got mushrooms on deep discount) and will do that early next week. 

It seems as if I fill my days with tasks and really never actually get them all completed. Guess that aging and a body that can't do what it did when I was younger (even a few years ago) is finally catching up with me. Must learn to pace myself a bit better.

Like today I thought I could get the perennial bed cleaned out, bulbs planted and spring clean the rooms our sons use when home. Duh, only managed the clean out, and that really isn't totally done. Jackie, must learn that she isn't a spring chicken any longer. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Fantastic Friday

 

Another lovely and sunny day here on the Saskatchewan prairies. I even managed to get up and get the spring cleaning I wanted accomplished before Harvey got back from the optometrist. I managed to do our room, and the stairs leading to the basement. Not hurting a bit right now, however tomorrow could be the test. 

Harvey's appointment went well. His glaucoma is stable, but he needs to keep doing the two eye drops and taking the eye specific vitamin that has been prescribed. Still that is minor when one could lose their sight. 

Now we wait for his results from the polyps removed from his colon a while back. Hopefully we/he gets the results very soon. Not knowing is causing me stress, though Harvey just shrugs his shoulders and says there is probably nothing at all wrong. Wish I could stay so laid back. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursdays

 Thrifty and Frugal 

As the weeks speed by, I am finding things are starting to get away from me. I haven't done any spring cleaning in about 3 days and I still have lots left to do. 

Frugally, I am spending money to save money. 

On our way home from Regina, we stopped in Weyburn at the Great Canadian Warehouse. 

There I bought (I should say we bought) a very large bag of sliced Black Forest Ham for $12.29 and today I packaged it up into 5 large packages of sandwich meat. One is in the fridge and the others are in the freezer. To buy them in the store would be $10.00 each on sale so a savings there of $37.71.

Also a bag of dried pork ribs found its way into our arms. The cost was $10.00, but we should get at least 3 meals for each of us from the bag.

The chicken breast did cost a bit more than what I can remember it cost before at $27.77. We should get at least 10 bags of sliced sandwich meat from it though and at the sale price of $10.00 a package we should be able to see a savings of $72.23. 

I grabbed a large pork loin which cost $31.18. Cut into 3 large pork roasts. So just a bit over $10.00 a roast. When I looked today an even smaller pork loin roast cost $15.00 (was just over 2 pounds). These three roasts will make many a meal for us from the leftovers. So hard to figure out what we saved, but going with the price of pork loin in our grocery here in town I saved about $25.00 for the size of the roasts I got.

Thrifty wise it was mostly a clean out the crispers, fridge and freezer week. 

I used up the carrots and potatoes making our Sunday meal. Used up the onions in the soups I made at the beginning of the week. 

Broth and leftover chicken is being used today to make Chicken Rice Soup (and there will be enough leftover to add to my soup selection that I have frozen). 

I made a homemade pizza on Monday, which we finished yesterday when we arrived home. Just had to warm it up.

The broccoli in the crisper, and the woody ends of asparagus was made into soups for the freezer. 

I hemmed a pair of my pants that were coming down. Then fixed the seam in one of Harvey's pajama bottoms.

Since I just can not find a purse that suits me, and the one I have is on it's last legs, I pulled a pattern from my stash to make myself a couple. Pretty sure I can find fabric in my stash to make something I will be happy to use.

Got some free annual plants from Kris that he had started from seed. Lots of flowers, and of course my eggplants.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. Going to try and catch up with all of you as Blogging on my phone leaves a great deal to be desired, and when we got home yesterday I was just exhausted. 

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits And Stuff

Hello all. I am doing this post on my phone. Not the best way I enjoy writing my blog, but one does what is needed.

We arrived at Kris's  around 3 pm and he decided to leave work early. Mind you Tuesdays he works from home, so he didn't  need to leave the main office, just shut the door to his home office.

Before we headed here, I went to Fabricland and paid for my card. Actually saw a church friend while there. Just talked for a few minutes while in line.

Tomorrow in the early morning is my specialist appointment. Then a little shopping (just want to check Walmart here to see if they have 4x or 5x sweat pants for my brother, he is a very large boy). 

We will stop in another store on the way home and hopefully pick up a couple of other items that we need.

Even managed to declutter a bit today. Kris does not have much in the way of deck furniture, so we put two chairs (they actually go with the table Harvey fixed up) into the back of the car and gifted them to Kris.

My next declutter and gift to him will be the wooden TV trays. We don't use them and his table is much too small for us to eat at. He would make much better use of them.

Everyone have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

Another week has arrived. We will be gone one night but I am taking supper with us to share with Kris. Taking a few other items with us as well, kind of a care package containing buns, cake (two kinds) and the meatloaf for our supper.

Monday

Homemade pizza.

Tuesday

This will be the leftover meatloaf from the freezer. Kris said he would supply the potatoes and a veggie.

Wednesday

Home again and we will finish off the leftover pizza.

Thursday

Soup and sandwiches. This time I will be using up some bone broth from the freezer and making Chicken Noodle Soup. Serving with Ham Salad sandwiches.

Friday

Tuna casserole and a salad.

Saturday

A bag of leftover Roast Beef from the fridge freezer. I plan on making Stroganoff served over noodles. Using up the remains of the salad.

Sunday

A bag of Leftover ham warmed up along with mashed potatoes and a veggie.

Breakfasts are toast, muffins, or yogurt. Lunches will be leftovers and sandwiches. 

The weather is warming up and I am so very hopeful that we can start smoking food or BBQing our supper meal. Thus not heating up the house at all on those warmish spring days. My next month of menus is featuring more of those types of meals. I also want to get ahead in purchasing items for main dish salads for the summer months. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless. 

Not sure if I will be posting tomorrow, but will try.

Sunday Rambling

 

It has been another quiet day here. Catching up on a few of the tasks that didn't get done on the day I wanted them to, as well as working on a few things that should be completed before the next month hits. 

I did not hem the curtains today as I just moved some curtains around and now all fit just perfectly. This does mean I will have to find some fabric to make some curtains for the hallway at some point.

Tonight I plan on taking it even easier, knit and watch a couple of programs on the television. Really hoping that I can finish the knit top in the next couple if days, but will take it with me to work on at Kris's for the night we are there. Taking my computer as well so at least I can watch something other than sports.....

No spring cleaning today. I thought I would give my back and thighs a bit of a rest. Starting up again tomorrow. This time with our bedroom as it actually has the least items in it. One would think I would be able to get walls and curtains washed in no time at all. Curtains will be put outside on the lines. The rest will probably be put on the lines downstairs. 

Off to peel potatoes and carrots, then hopefully visiting with you all.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

 

Well after fooling around and finally re-starting my computer I can finally post again. However finding my heading photos takes me a bit longer. They are no longer where I expect them to be located. This means a bit of searching on my part.

I have been spring cleaning and today managed to get the 4th area of the house finished. Well almost finished as the curtains are still drying and I need to cut them down. Pretty sure there will be enough fabric cut off to make curtains for the hall window. I may have to add a rod pocket of a different colour, but I am sure I can find something that will work in my stash. 

I used up the leftover broccoli making soup yesterday, and today I used the woody stems of asparagus to make Cream of Asparagus soup. I had to substitute for the cream, but it still smelled and tasted wonderful. Two new soups will be in the freezer.

I am really trying to get meals ahead so those nights I just feel unable to cook, I can pull something ready made out. 

The hand quilting will be completed tonight and I will be able to spend time knitting. 

I have started planning a few projects for next month. Hopefully most will be started and finished before planting season begins. I haven't read the next section of my Simpler Living book and will do so at some point tomorrow, before I try and tidy/declutter/simplify my living room on Monday.

The next week will be a bit of a spendy week. Bills, travel, grocery shopping, haircuts, and eye appointment. I think I will get our allowances a bit early and just hold on to them until the end of the month.

Talked with my youngest brother today and he is down to only two pairs of pants, a couple of shirts, and is in desperate need of socks and underwear. I told him to find out what size he wears and will try and pick up a few things for him that he really needs. Pretty sure Harvey will agree that this is very important. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. I hope this posts.

God bless.

Spring Cleaning Brings Aches

 

As you all know I have been trying to get my spring cleaning done. Still have a few rooms to do, but if I manage one area a day I will be finished in about 4 days. That is if my back and legs do not give out. I am beginning to hate that small step ladder. 

I did the hall today. Washed walls, dusted what I could (one item will have to go out and get sprayed down) and the coat closet decluttered (over the last few days) and all I have left is the linen closet which I actually decluttered a couple of months ago. I will wipe out the shelves and tidy it up later tonight. 

Tomorrow I will work on our bedroom. That could take a bit longer as I really should go through a few places (top and floor of the closets especially). 

One great thing about all this cleaning is I fall into bed and sleep through the night. One bad thing is that my legs are sore from climbing up and down a ladder, and my arms are sore from scrubbing walls. The back, well that always bothers me. 

Between the manic episodes of cleaning, I have been working on projects. I have finished cutting my 4" squares into triangles. I think I have enough for what I have planned. Worked on the hand quilting as well. 

Picked up the pork ribs this morning from the Co-op. I got about 7 1/2 pounds for $18.00. These have now been packaged up and are completely freezing in the fridge freezer. I will take them down to the upright early tomorrow. 

Made the Broccoli Cheese soup for the freezer, and tomorrow I will use those asparagus ends to make asparagus soup. Waste not is happening around here a great deal more than usual. 

Harvey got the summer wine (Niagara Mist) racked over to the carboy from the primary today. I definitely feel like I am in a Winery right now, what with this wine and the Malbec he has going. There is still a white wine to be made as well. 

I have been asked to share my recipe for Japanese soup.... I really don't know what is in it as I purchase it ready made and frozen from an old friend. I do know she follows the recipe her family has used for years. She has done this for me for a number of years and I started purchasing it from her to help them out when her Hubby lost his job. Harvey loves it so I have continued and it gives "A" a bit of her own cash. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.                                       

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursdays

  Thrifty and Frugal  

It has been a relatively quiet week here on the old homestead. The weather has been so up and down that I have been able to work more inside than outside. We did get the outdoor furniture set up and now I wonder if that was a good thing since we have been getting snow today, with more to come as the evening progresses.

I have been decluttering, and really watching sales at the various stores here in the city. I usually only shop every second week, but there is a great sale on pork ribs at my Co-op so I will probably make a quick trip there to stock up for the summer. Saving almost $3.00 a pound it just makes sense to me. 

I altered a skirt this week, and darned another pair of Harvey's socks. 

Been using up some cleaning supplies as well, which considering how many I have is a very good thing. 

Shopping at home first as well.

I put my entire biweekly allowance in my savings envelope this week and added another $5.35 in change to the change jar. The change was mostly from Harvey, and found coins on my walks (that is getting harder to do, the found coins that is). 

Pulled some 4" heavier fabric squares from my stash to make another outside quilt for around the firepit. Just love how those things keep us toasty warm in the evenings.

Leftovers of leftovers were all used for lunches, and I am using up the bags of leftover roasts and such to make other meals. 

Lights are being turned off in the evenings, and I am making sure only a full dishwasher is being washed. 

Water saved in my kettle has been used to water plants and make an afternoon cup of tea or instant coffee. 

Planning a big soup making tomorrow to use up the broccoli in the crisper and the woody ends of asparagus. I will be making two kinds of soup and putting them in the freezer for meals another day.

Watching free shows on my television on PlutoTV, or other free streaming service. 

Looking forward to our free flowers and plants when we go up to Kris's place next week. I will be getting some eggplant, some calendula, and probably a few others.

Keeping an eye on the garage sale sites for more large pots for the yard as well. Those things are pretty darn expensive in the store. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Mid-Month Goal Update

 

I am a bit later in posting this, but some of my other list (spring cleaning) got in the way. 

1.  Copy 14 tried and true recipes and get them in the album. Done

2.  Work on cross stitch.

3.  Sew shorts. Done

4.  Sew top. Done

5.  Cut out a summer tank dress. Done

6.  Quilt the baby quilt. Working on this

7.  Start knit tank top. Actually almost completed

8.  Shred papers. Done

9.  Make an appointment with my prayer partner. Done

10. Go to the accountant. Done

11. Transfer fall/winter and spring/summer wardrobes. Done

Things are moving along nicely. I should be finished the quilt by Saturday or Sunday. The knit tank top should be done during the early part of next week if I am lucky. I think that I just might have to start adding to my goals list for this month, just so I have something to do with my hands in the evenings.

Cleared out all my drawers in the kitchen and did a spring clean in there. I am taking a break from cleaning tomorrow (well the spring cleaning at any rate) as my prayer partner will be dropping in. Things are being decluttered and put where I can reach them easily. I do need to do something about my cookbook collection. I have way too many. Any ideas???? Many a time I think that I should scan them and put them on a thumb drive. Having so many cookbooks to choose from is a daunting task when looking for a specific recipe. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits

 

A cooler and drizzly day today. I have stuck close to home, finished spring cleaning the bathroom, decluttered and cleaned the kitchen drawers. Perhaps I am slowly gaining space and simplicity. I do have one drawer left in the kitchen and that should be cleaned, decluttered and tidy by tonight. I keep remembering what a poster on a forum said many years ago. Small bites of the elephant and things will be done in due time. 

I even managed to get Harvey to go through the hall coat closet and remove those coats he no longer wears or needs. I have quite the bag of donations ready to go. 

Now, I am enjoying mugs of tea, and if I just had a cookie or two to go along with things would be pretty much perfect. I suppose I need to do some baking this week as I have lots of tea to get through as part of my using items up from the pantry. 

The tulips are starting to burst through the soil, so nice to see some green appearing. Nothing really starting in the perennial bed as of yet but since that needs a good clean up, I am not too worried. Also bought some new perennial bulbs to plant in there as well. 

Mending, ironing and working on the hand quilting for part of the afternoon. Managed to get a couple of appointments set up as well for the end of next week. 

Plans for tomorrow are getting set in place, at least spring cleaning wise. I plan on washing the range exhaust hood and soaking the filter as well as washing the walls in the kitchen and a few other small spring cleaning tasks in that room as well. 

One great thing about rainy, cloudy days is that things get accomplished inside. 

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

It started off nice and sunny, with very little wind today. Now however it is cloudy, and the wind has steadily picked up throughout the day. Not at all a nice day.

My menus this week are more clearing items out that have been either in the upright meat freezer or the fridge freezer. Since it is getting a bit colder once again the meals are continuing to be on the hearty side.

Monday

Japanese Soup, Egg Salad buns and perhaps a slice of pumpkin cake for dessert.

Tuesday

Leftover roast pork made into a stir fry. Served with rice. Pumpkin cake for dessert.

Wednesday

The last container of chili from the chest freezer. Probably served with toast. Pumpkin cake for dessert. I think there will be enough pumpkin cake for the week.

Thursday

Leftover stir fry from Tuesday along with the leftover rice. 

Friday

Fish fillets, fried potatoes, and peas.

Saturday

Hamburgers, all the fixings and a bit salad. Trying to decide on a marinated salad or potato salad. 

Sunday

Our roast meal of the week. This week it will be roast beef, roast potatoes, and roast carrots. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 

Another sunny and warm day here on the old Homestead. A few plants are starting to poke their way through the warming ground. Still I think there will be some replacements happening this year. Too many of my perennials just are not growing as well as they used to. 

I picked up all the twigs in the front yard, as well as more stones. Harvey cut and dethatched it and hopefully tomorrow it will be raked and the bare spots re-seeded. This doing or should I say re-doing of the front lawn is a yearly project for him. One of these days, perhaps, we will make the front yard mostly gravel with some pots or a small drought resistant group of plantings. Things are just getting much too hot and dry here in the summer, and if the rains or snow pack does not come pretty sure we will become a desert or arid area. 

I decided to take a look in my so-called "junk" drawer today. It does not really contain junk as I have cookie cutters, meat thermometers, canning jar lids and rings, a tea ball, cake lifter, and tiny metal tart shells in there. Oh, yeah there is also a screwdriver. All things that I use, but use less often than other items. Still I am pretty sure that next week I will do a bit of a declutter in some of the kitchen drawers. Pretty sure there are a few items that can be donated hidden in the far reaches of some of those drawers. My cupboards at one end could use a clear out as well. Spice jars need refilling, and some of my herbs will need to be refilled as well. 

Times are changing and as we age things need to be pared down and either used or sold/donated. I want to get a bit more self-sufficient and by doing so hopefully find life a bit simpler. I want to do more batch cooking, clearing up time to do those things we enjoy. I want to make our back yard (those across the pond would call the area a garden) a peaceful refuge and an oasis from the complex world we seem to be living in. 

Off to get the potatoes and carrots peeled and in the roaster.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Simpler Living

 

So I finished the chapter on simplifying your kitchen. I really enjoyed this chapter and am happy to say I actually do most of what is recommended. However my kitchen counter space is pretty cluttered as well as some of my drawers. I think I need to work on getting those areas cleared. I really am surprised by the thought that one does not need a junk drawer... Definitely something new to me. 

Here are some of the ideas they figure are the best to simplify your kitchen. 

1.  Store those ingredients and cookware that are used most so that they are close at hand.

2.  Buy the best cookware you can. It will last longer and save you money as well as cook more evenly.

3.  Since lids and pots are hard to stack, store all the lids together in another spot. Close to the pots if possible.

4.  Be selfish. If you spend the most time in the kitchen than anyone else, arrange everything the way you would like it.

5.  Arrange appliances in a triangle for the utmost efficiency when making meals. 

6.  Throw out leftovers after 7 days.

The next chapter is Living Rooms and Dining Rooms, Make these Living Areas Worry-Free, Relaxing Refuges. Should be very interesting.

There are a few other hints I already follow and those are store foils, plastic wrap, sandwich bags, and other such items in a drawer. I also store my tablecloths and such in the linen closets as the book recommends. The author also says to clear off as much of the counter top as possible. The last is something I really need to work on. I usually say that is a work in progress. I also need to rethink my junk drawer (which really isn't a true junk drawer).

Hubby and I started to set up the deck today. I love having an outdoor living space and am trying to figure out ways to use that space even more this summer. While out there we were graced to see 5 Vultures flying over the area. Pictures to come tomorrow. I am always amazed at how wide their wing span is.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Rising Costs and Beating Them Back

 

I don't have a recipe to share with you today, so I thought I would share how I am trying to beat back the rising cost of living.

Really watching electrical and natural gas usage. Turning off a few lights is not a problem. We also turned down our heat by a degree over the winter. I am hoping to turn it down another degree or two next winter when we are all abed. I am also hanging more on the lines downstairs.

Water is another big expense so I have been trying to save on water usage the last week or so. Not sure how that is going but will continue for the month. Most of the Utilities bill is things we can not control though. 

As far as grocery shopping I am trying to stick to items on sale and that means if chicken is on sale that is what I purchase. Cooking larger amounts so as to be able to freeze something to use later. Warming something up takes way less time (time is important around here) and I can use my toaster oven to heat it up, thus using less power.

Of course using up what we have is a great way to beat back the rising costs of groceries. I look up substitutions if I don't have an ingredient and look for ways to cut back on meat. There are always substitutions that are actually less expensive.

There are always ways to save on clothing as well. You can go to a secondhand store, or make your own (which is what I do). If one manages to get good sales on fabric or purchase from garage sales the money saved can be amazing. Being able to repair my own clothing is also money saving. I'm working on making cards as well. Saving lots that way cards are really expensive. I purchase Christmas cards on sale after the holiday

Couponing here in my city can be difficult, so I watch for sale items and stock up on what I can. Many a time I purchase enough of one item to last a year or longer. While I do live in a small city, things are much more expensive than if I lived in Regina or Saskatoon, where there is much more competition.

Blogger is doing strange things so I will sign off. Things are being inserted and I am having a problem posting. Tomorrow I will share the next chapter in my Simpler Living book with you all.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

Good bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursdays

  Thrifty and Frugal  

My goodness the weeks keep right on rolling. It always surprises me just how quickly the days pass by. 

We have had some lovely weather lately, along with a bit of rain, the sun has shone most days (not the day of the eclipse though), which has kept the house from needing the furnace most days. 

I have been using up the bits of leftovers well that are in the fridge or freezer and I am loving how that saves us some cash. 

Harvey figures he has fixed the snowblower. The rod that moved the chute broke during it's last use and he had to use his hands to change the direction. Hopefully this works, as one can't get that part any longer and to get a welder to make one would be slightly costly.

I have been decluttering, and finding lots of unfinished projects as well. Should have enough of those to keep me busy for a very long time. 

I was going to purchase some white quilting thread today, but when I went through my box, I found some dark green. Since every embroidered block has some green in it this works perfectly and saved me a little bit.

Groceries were expensive, but I did save almost $60.00 according to my receipt. I didn't get much in the way of meat, just bacon and stuffed chicken. Hoping for better sales in two weeks. 

I decided to wait to do my ironing this week as it didn't make sense to pull out the necessary tools just to iron one shirt. I did sew a couple of missing buttons on a few items though. 

Still saving the water as it comes out of the tap until it heats up. I now not only use it to water plants, but fill the Brita and fill my kettle as well. Sometimes a mug of tea in the late afternoon really hits the spot. Some days it is a cup of instant coffee or iced tea (just need to put some ice cubes in for the tea).

I have been going for my walk every day and really enjoying being out in the fresh air. 

Entertainment has been reading free books on my Kobo, and watching free movies on Pluto TV, or CBC Gem. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Midweek

 

We have had a couple of slight rains over the past few nights, but could use much more. Everything would be washed clean with a good rain. 

My specialist appointment has been canceled for 2 weeks. Not a bad thing as the extended forecast is calling for snow the two days we would be gone. Might be slushy snow, but I would rather not travel in that type of weather. It also gives the plants Kris started for us another week of growing time.

I have been working on decluttering and organizing a few areas of the house. I pick one small area a day and get that cleared up. This week it has been clearing things I haven't worn for awhile in my wardrobe, moving empty canning jars to an area of the basement, using up small jars from the fridge, and today was cleaning and tidying under the bathroom sink. Tomorrow I will clear/declutter the hall coat closet after shopping.

Speaking of shopping tomorrow.... I noticed there is much less in the meat department on sale. Right now all I see on sale are stuffed chicken breasts, and thick sliced bacon that we would use. Forget the Tomahawk steaks, at a supposed sale price of $29.99 a pound way out of our reach. So this week my meat stock up will be bacon and stuffed chicken breasts. Certainly will be getting some very strange looks once again. I was hoping for pork ribs and pork chops (whole chickens would have been nice as well) but will work around what I can get. Still have to take a close look at the Walmart flyer and see if there is anything there. 

I have been working on some of my projects as well. Knitting takes place when other projects are completed or in the evening. Today I cut out a dress, and yesterday I sewed the tunic top I had cut out last month. At some time tomorrow I will start hand quilting that baby quilt.  

Soup is simmering on the stove and perfuming the house. Love the smell of soup of any kind. Not sure about Harvey, but he never complains as long as his belly is full. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits And Stuff

 

I am sorry that I did not visit everyone yesterday, but I got some shocking and sad news. In less than a month I have lost 2 cousins, one I really did not know well as Ric was younger than me, but the one last night was about 7 years older and I knew very well. 

It has taken me a bit to come to terms with the fact that my generation is aging and eventually most of my older cousins will no longer be with me. 

While Gloria and I were not what could be considered close, I was great friends with her younger sister, my cousin Terry. I guess I should be thankful that my Aunt let me know via Messenger and was actually the only cousin (other than her family) that was told quite soon after. I believe it was because the three families spent many a Christmas, Thanksgiving, and weekends together while I was growing up. 

Gloria and a friend lived with us for a bit while waiting for their apartment to be ready to move into. They also came quite often to do Mom's hair, for some unknown reason and always stayed for a meal. One time I during a school break, I really wanted to go and visit Terry, and since Gloria (and friend) were going back to Port Colbourne on the train, they invited me along. Took some convincing of Dad, but he finally let me go and said they would be down the next weekend to visit Uncle Arnold and Aunt Sigrid so would pick me up. So much fun watching my gorgeous cousin and her equally gorgeous friend putting those guys that were trying to pick them up in their place. 

The last time I saw Gloria in person was about 15 years ago. She was still the feisty, gorgeous woman I remembered. 

Ric was one of my Uncle Albert's younger children and so I did not have much to do with him. However, we became better acquainted through Facebook and our last family reunion. He was always joking, and had a smile on his face. 

In both cases I did not realize they were ill, or perhaps in Ric's case he had a heart attack (not sure but he was a very large man). 

In Ric's case both Uncle Albert and Aunt Irene passed away before him, but in Gloria's case Aunt Siggy is still alive at the age of 96 (just like an aunt on my Mom's side of the family). 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. Give those you love a hug.

God bless.

 

Menu Plan Monday

 

Thought I would try something out and get a few posts started and ready to post later. 

I do a monthly menu and try to use things up in my fridge and two freezers. 

Here is my menu for the upcoming week.

Monday

I will be making a really bid meatloaf recipe. Tonight it will be served with either warmed up potatoes from Sunday, or I will pull out the instant potatoes and use up one of those packages. Our veggie will be peas. The extra meatloaf will be frozen and used later this month.

Tuesday

Leftover chicken made into a casserole. I still have some cabbage that needs using up so will make some more coleslaw.

Wednesday

Soup and sandwiches. I have pulled a container of Pea Soup from the chest freezer. Sandwiches might just be that last tin of flakes of ham made into ham salad.

Thursday

Leftovers from Tuesday.

Friday

The pancakes I did not make last week.

Saturday

Smoked sausages, salad, and pasta.

Sunday

Roast pork, roasted potatoes, and roasted carrots. Hopefully I will make a salad to go with this meal.

Everybody have a wonderful afternoon.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 While it is still slightly windy today, it isn't near as windy as our previous two days. Our temperature is in the mid teens as well so it looks as if spring just might have arrived. 

Went to Mass today and instead of the usual sermon, we prayed the Divine Mercy Caplet. So while the service was a tiny bit shorter, my back still acted up a little bit. Darn those hard pews!!!

My oven has decided to act up this late afternoon, so out came the toaster oven to roast my chicken. Could take a tiny bit longer to cook and it will be fun pulling the ceramic roaster out to put the potatoes and carrots in. Still I am very happy that I do have another method to get the cooking done. This is the worst range we have ever owned for problems. I think we might have purchased a dud.

I got one of my goals for the month completed today. All old paper work is now shredded and ready for recycling. The desk looks so much better. I may try and get a couple of seams done on the top after I finish this post. We shall see how my back feels from sitting. 

I have decided that after the top is sewn, I will cut out my next dress, and once that is completed start hand quilting the baby quilt (which will take awhile). Evenings will be for knitting.

I am already trying to figure out next month's projects and goals. One will be getting the yard cleaned up (really things are still too wet right now) and getting my garden in and my pots filled and planted. That takes some time. Pretty sure next month will be when we wash the deck, chairs, and get the furniture set up for summer enjoyment. Might not have much time for handwork, but we shall see.

I think spring cleaning will start next week (on my extra cleaning list), only one room at a time. I will start with the smallest room and work my way through the house. 

Off I go to check out what all you have been up to on this fine Sunday.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

 

I have completed a couple of goals this week. I finished sewing my shorts (picture to come on the 15th), moved my wardrobe around, decluttered some, copied out the recipes we really liked, found some recipes in my folder to try this month, and made my appointment with my prayer partner. 

Tomorrow after Mass I will probably shred paperwork, and start on the matching top to the shorts. 

Of course the evenings will be spent knitting. Now I am working on the front of my knitted tank. 

I finished the chapter in my Simpler Living book. This chapter was more focused on what a person who works can do to simplify their lives. 

There was one section that could call to all of us though. That was to do with shopping. The author said one should always ask these questions.

1. Do I really need this object?

2. Will this make a difference in my life?

3. Will it pay for itself shortly?

4. What are my options?

The other suggestion that made a great deal of sense to me was to recruit some allies to help you with your quest.

The next chapter is entitled "Cooking Up Solutions, If You Can't Stand The Clutter Simplify Your Kitchen." Now that should be an interesting chapter.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Recipe Friday

 

I don't remember if I ever posted this recipe before, but as it is one of our favourites, and was passed down to me by Harvey's Mom, I am sharing it once again.

Rhubarb Sponge Pie

1 unbaked pie crust

3 tbsp softened butter

1 cup sugar

2 eggs, separated

2 tbsp (heaping) flour

1/8 tsp salt

2 c chopped rhubarb (I usually use frozen and drain some of the liquid off)

Stir softened butter with sugar, egg yolks, flour and salt. Beat egg whites until stiff. Add rhubarb to first mixture and then fold in egg whites. Fill the pie shell and bake at 400 F about 50 min. or until top browns. Enjoy warm with ice cream or cold.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursdays

 Thrifty and Frugal  

It seems like most weeks are passing by in a blur. Time is speeding by, and there are times I would really like to slow the passage down.

I have been doing the regular frugal and thrifty things over the week, and now that the sun is shining more, our furnace is cutting in less and less. Means more money in our pockets and less being spent on heating the house.

I hang what I can on the lines downstairs and am really looking forward to using the clothesline. 

I repaired a couple of pillowcases, and did a bit of decluttering of my closet and drawers. Those items will be donated and someone else can get good use out of them. This was done when I completed one of my goals/projects for this month. 

Using up bits and bobs still in the fridge, pantry and fridge freezer. Leftovers are being eaten for our lunches or if there is enough leftover for another supper. 

I baked a loaf of bread.

Shopped at home first for anything I needed and substituted where needed. 

Combined errands in order to save fuel and cash.

Harvey bought a couple of more wine kits which while not exactly frugal at first will be so once the wine is made. He also got 2 beer kits from Kris for Christmas and plans on getting those made once the wine is completed.

My frugal addition this month is to be very careful with the water usage. I am saving water when I wash dishes before it warms up to water my plants. I am also trying to save water when washing dishes. I have always only used the dishwasher every second day when it is just Harvey and I, but now am making sure it is really full before starting it. I also fill my kettle while waiting for the water to heat up. 

I am also collecting a few items to list for sale on our Facebook garage sale sites.

Off to get supper on the table. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.