An Overview of My Month

 Not that one needs a magnifying glass to go through what I have managed to get done this month or what our budget looks like (kind of horrible really, need to work on this even more). 

But I thought I would give a bit of an update on things here on the old homestead.

The first of the month saw us heading to a cabin for the family reunion.

The first night was at our place for hamburgers, hot dogs and whatever anyone else brought to share. Come to think of it many did not bring anything so I am really glad that some brought extra bits and bobs. 

The next evening was our supper and a silent auction. There were I believe 51 family members there. Friday only saw us with about 20. I did not succeed on many of my bids and neither did Harvey. Which is quite okay as the money (change) I had saved just went into my savings envelope.

Once home for about a week Kurt arrived and spent a week with us visiting, and even going to the football game in Regina. He left straight from there to his home, we stayed an extra day with Kris and enjoyed a bit longer visit. Kurt even took me out to forage for echinacea which are still drying.... I think I might be able to chop it up next week and store it for tea.

Home, and garden work began in earnest. Right now I am concentrating on dehydrating herbs before the harvest of however many veggies we manage to get. The weather has been so very hot after the cool and rainy start, that I am afraid that things might not be that productive. Could be a year of buying produce at the Farmer's Market (they are pretty darn expensive).

Once we got the cherry trees netted, I am happy to say that I managed to save many a cherry from the greedy robins. This year I actually had enough to make a batch of jam, and two batches of pie filling. There are even a few left to make some cherry muffins tonight, some of which will go into the freezer.

I have actually been able to use the lines outside for drying clothes. Love it, and it cuts down on the electric bill for next month (considering the A/C seems to be running constantly).

Got some more infused oils started, I am pretty sure the lemon balm one will be made into salve next week. The others will be a bit longer.

Started the second scarf and things are moving along much quicker on this one. I still have to move around after about 20 or 30 passes of the shuttle with the beating, but I have ordered the stand for it and hopefully that helps a bit. I have a feeling this scarf will be done and dusted by the end of next week if not before. 

Still knitting those mitts, and I am up to 32 pairs of the size that would fit children in grades 1-3. Once I reach 40, I plan on making some smaller ones (about the same amount if I am lucky) and then perhaps about 10 of the larger size.

Now the evil budget.....

Over on many a line, but because we did not spend much on our short holiday (the leftover will be put towards our get away in September), we managed to stay under for the total budgeted for this month.

I failed at keeping the grocery budget below what we had thought it would be. I think part of that could be because we had a bit of company, prices have risen in some areas, and I just didn't concentrate on what I was spending. 

The same can be said for health expenditures. The insurance did not pay as much as they usually do for my dental appointment (seems they might have cut down on certain items like cleaning), and since Harvey got that extra eye drop prescription costs have risen as well. My prescription has also gone up a bit.

Yard maintenance took a chunk of cash as well. The good thing is many of the items that were purchased will not have to be purchased again as they can be reused for a number of years. Looking ahead we will probably only need fertilizers, seeds, plants and soil next year. I am going to see if I can collect a few seeds from my annual plants this year as well as bring in a couple more plants to winter along with the lemon trees. 

There were a couple of wins though. Not as much was spent on hobbies this month, no clothing was purchased, the cost of fuel and vehicle maintenance was lower than budgeted for, vehicle insurance was lower, as was property taxes. So I am looking at those wins more than where I fell down. There is always another month to work on getting the budget down and more to focus on.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits And Stuff

 

I have spent the last two days going out very early in the morning (wearing my hat of course) and again in the early evening (hat once again), to do my harvesting and watering. I do go over to my friends and water her plants early in the morning, the walk does me good and once home I have a bit of breakfast.

The rest of each day I have spent preparing what I have harvested. I am trying to get as much of the garden done as I possibly can. I made cherry jam this week, another batch of cherry pie filling, and have dehydrated lots of herbs. Soon it will be time to start making dill pickles, pepper jelly, mint jelly, and using all those infused oils in salves and lotions. There are still a few infused oils I want to get started, but mint needs drying for teas this winter, plus fresh for the mint jelly. Once those are completed, mint infused oil will be made. I hear it is great for headaches and after suffering with a few this week I am ready to try anything.

I still have a few cherries left and will make some cherry muffins using the toaster oven at some point tomorrow. The cherries need to be used before they go bad and I am almost out of breakfast muffins. 

Today, as I was weaving, Harvey said that his back was aching just watching me, and I should order the loom stand. I have done so, and I think I will say this is my Christmas gift this year, and if Harvey wants to put something under the tree, he can make me a few more shuttles of different lengths. 

I am still seriously considering purchasing a spinning wheel sometime in the future. I will continue to save my allowance and see if in a couple of years I still want to do so. Those are actually more expensive then my loom was so saving as much as possible before purchasing is the sensible thing to do. 

As all of you have probably noticed, I did not post a menu this week.... Mainly because with the harvesting, prep work and getting some cleaning done things are not being made in the order I chose at the beginning of the month. I am just mixing up things, still cooking the weeks menus, just on different days. Two of those meals will be large batches so as to have some ready meals for busy days.

The air conditioner is working overtime, the past three weeks have been extremely hot, so trying to save in other ways. As usual leftovers are stretched into new meals, and I am continuing to use appliances to cook when appropriate, and Harvey is BBQ ready almost every day. 

Off to set the table and finish our supper (I think that is what you in the UK call tea, though I am not too sure).

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 

After two days of headache, I seem to be fine now. I swear that I will always put a hat on outside, even if it is just to go and snip a few herbs in the early morning (or hang out clothes tomorrow).

The church was not very full today, but of course our priest got fairly excited as he continued with his sermon. When this happens he speaks really quickly and his accent becomes more pronounced making him very difficult to understand. Still he really tries to slow down, and I am sure with time he will be able to do so.... However he really should not sing the Mass, that singing voice leaves a great deal to be desired (much like mine).

Once home Harvey made us a brunch and I got a bit more of the household tasks completed. Then went to my friends to water her plants. 

I put on my hat awhile ago and went out to see what I could collect from the garden. I got a handful of beans (which I added to the salad) and 5 small cucumbers. The cucumbers will be cleaned and put in a cool place so as one day this week I can perhaps make a few jars of dill pickles with any others I am lucky enough to pick over the next few days. 

No herb picking or dehydrating took place today as I slept in and needed to get other things done or at least started before Mass. 

The afternoon (well the greatest percentage of it) was spent weaving. I am getting to the end of the first shuttle and so wound the second one in preparation for when it will be needed. Still not banging the weft as straight as I would like, but I am improving. I think this scarf will be done by the end of the second week. Loom will go away once again and I will do some sewing and quilting. 

I have a pile of mending to do as well and I still need to plan what will be re-fashioned and what will be donated. Still other old items of clothing will be cut into fabric that I can use to quilt. Winter is coming and having a blanket or two in our vehicles is perfect. I'd like to get some made for Kurt and Kris as well, one never knows what Saskatchewan or Alberta weather will be like during the winter.

This next week will be quiet, at least until Kris and Eiko arrive for a visit. It will be nice to just stay close to home and get things done around here. I am really going to have to tell my friend (once she is home from her trip) that perhaps coffee every day will be out for a bit.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Playing Catch Up And Paying For It

 

Since coming home from Kris's place and the second trip to the city, I have pretty much been going steadily.

The cherries are all picked now.

These are from the second tree. After weighing them we managed to get 5 lbs. so there will be more than enough for some jam (to be made tomorrow, and perhaps another batch of cherry pie filling (though I will have to see how much Minute Tapioca I have). 

My infused oils are working there way to perfection on my sunny window sill. 

And dehydrating is going full blast. 

I have also been weaving, and knitting trying to stay in the cool of the house.

However we were out picking those cherries yesterday, and man even with a hat on it was hot and sunny. I think I may have been out a bit too long, or did not have enough rehydration happening. 

Now I feel like crap, which made grocery shopping today loads of fun (not!!) and trying to get anything but the basics done a bit of a problem. 

When the sun is setting I will go out and water my plants, wearing my hat and taking a bottle of water with me. Then pretty sure I will be hitting bed early.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursdays

Thrifty and Frugal

It has been very hot here, which means watering a bit more often if we want flowers or herbs or veggies and the water barrel is down to the dregs. So no more free watering for awhile. Hopefully we get some rain very soon.

What with two trips to the city fuel expenditure is going to be high this month, so I will be looking at ways to make that extra spending up.

When home I have been using every last little bit up and stretching things as far as I possibly can. The one item in the budget I can really control is grocery spending and that is what I plan on doing for the rest of the month and into August. 

Mending clothing, and I have a few items I want to re-fashion over the next couple of months.

Dehydrating as many herbs as is possible and collecting herbs and flowers to use as the base of various salves and lotions.

Making another Christmas gift, and planning some other gifts that I can make quickly for gifts.

Spending time at home making lists of what needs to be done before winter falls and what I need to stockpile in case of a bad winter, or prices going even higher. 

Picking fruit in the yard, made cherry pie filling and in a couple of days I will be making cherry jam. I hope there is enough cherries left to make another batch of pie filling.

Buying on sale, and if I don't have an ingredient substituting where and what I can.

Decluttered cookbooks, some Kurt took and some I need to copy some recipes out, and some to donate. Still more to go through, but it is a start. 

Looking online at properties in Regina for sale, also looking at apartments. It will eventually be time for us to move though I wonder if we will get a doctor there any easier than here.

Combined errands to save on gas usage and time.

Paid bills online, thus saving fuel and time.

Harvey saved most of the chicken wire we put around the bottom of the cherry trees to keep the birds from flying under the netting and made a sort of fence for the cucumbers to cling and grow up.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 

It has been a busy two days since we have been home. I am trying to get as much done as possible since we will be heading back to Regina tomorrow for my Bone Density test. This will be my third as I suffer from severe osteoporosis, not a fun diagnosis at all. I need to remember to be extremely careful in what I do. I was on a bone building pill for 5 years but after that needed to go off it for awhile. 

So what have I been up to....

Monday saw the usual household tasks along with dehydrating and picking cherries (we actually did the cherry picking when we got home on Sunday as well), still have more that will need picking probably tomorrow evening. The tent contraption that Harvey purchased online really works well, so we will be purchasing a second to keep the birds out of the trees. 

I did about 7 inches of weaving, finished off a pair of mittens and started a second pair of this colour. Looks like there might even be enough to make a smaller pair later. 

Of course there were plants to water as well, and since I was doing that I picked herbs to dehydrate, and found two smallish cucumbers in the garden to add to our salad last night. 

I did pick lavender and white clover but will especially need more lavender. There should be enough white clover dried by the end of the week to make my infused oil with that.

At the end of this week I will check the echinacea I hung up to see if it is dry enough to chop up and store for winter teas. 

The calendula infused oil was started today and I made two containers of cherry pie filling. Thursday will see me making cherry jam and perhaps if I am lucky there will be enough cherries to make some more pie filling.

I was asked what Kris's cat's name is. Her name is Eiko and she is actually getting a bit used to us when we visit. This time she was sleeping behind my legs one night, and almost cuddled with Harvey as he slept on the couch. 

Hope to have lots of pictures for you tomorrow.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

 

Quiet

It has been a quiet day. I did a bit of cleaning in Kris's  house and in his garden. I also went to Fabricland and picked up a bit of fabric to see me through a couple of clothing items, and a quilting project. I will share pictures tomorrow, once we are home.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Back Once More

 

My quest towards simpler living took another step forward this week. I actually cleared out some of the cookbooks I purchased over the many years we have lived in this house. Some I have never even opened. There are a few that I need to copy some recipes out of, especially one of my mother's books that have some of her favourite handwritten recipes in. In actual fact I don't really think she used this cookbook for much else.

How am I doing this Plastic Free July?

Well not too badly actually. What plastic bags I have been using are reused for something else, I have moved my dried herbs this year from bags to glass jars, and I am working on trying not to use as many garbage bags.... Harvey has even bought some large paper bags for his grass cuttings. I think that each year I manage to cut another layer of plastic from use around the house. Now if I could only do the same for tinfoil!!

A couple of days ago, Kurt and I went foraging and I picked echinacea to dry and make tea this winter. This will be a good way of knowing if this is something I wish to continue. After washing and partially drying I have tied them into little bunches and have them hanging from the curtain rod in the sewing/craft room.

The guys are at the football game by now, and I have done a bit of cleaning here at Kris's. Pretty sure after a bit of rest I will do some more.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 

Well, Kurt arrived at about 4 pm, which was a bit later than I had thought he would. Still I am glad that I had supper started and will be serving it soon.

Maebeme, those wacko's are still after him when ever they get a chance. Still he is handling it well with the help of friends and his other staff. His students love him and I have a feeling they would be up in arms and protesting at the school should things get out of hand. 

My Mother's day present was a lovely candle and some sleep inducing tea (which I should really get into using). Kurt also brought me back some thimbles for my collection. 

Harvey got a couple of puzzles and a whole bunch of fishing lures and such. 

Both of us got small bells that we can hang on our Christmas trees from Capris. 

I managed to get 5 more cloth napkins fashioned and I hope to get the remaining 8 done (or at least close to being done) tomorrow. We shall see. 

Picked lots of calendula and white clover. I am getting closer to having enough to make those infused oils.

I have been waiting for two and a bit years for an appointment at Nuclear Medicine for my bone density test, almost thought my doctor forgot to request said test. I got the appointment on Friday. Now that is a very long wait, and the questions they ask....wow. I doubt I can remember most of the dates. 

Off to get supper on the table.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

 

Really this week has been more of a catchup week since we were gone for a number of days. Still more needs to be done, but the heat is causing havoc with my head and intestines. Still I do a bit each day extra and that seems to be going well.

Today I gave the dehydrator a bit of a rest, but tomorrow it will be back in use. There are lots of calendula blossoms to pick, white clover to pick, and of course there is always lots of herbs to dehydrate as well. 

This week I managed to get a few more mittens made, three cloth napkins totally completed, extra washing done, swept of the deck, did some weeding (still more to do, but it has been so hot and I have been sleeping in). 

Fitted in a visit to the dentist as well for my cleaning which happens three times a year. My next appointment is October.

I even got the shopping done today. Spent a bit more than planned, but am well stocked for when Kurt comes either tomorrow or on Monday. 

What haven't I gotten done?

I need to get the cloth napkins completed so as to warp my loom once again, my rhubarb looks more than ready to pick (even though Hubby transplanted it this spring), the deck furniture could use a good wipe down/cleaning, and of course as is usual the sewing/craft room needs a tidy. Still half a month to get things done though so I am going to work on getting these tasks completed, and finding netting to cover my cherries (seems the robins may have discovered them). 

I also need to make an appointment at the walk in clinic to get my prescription filled. Hopefully they give me more than a 1 month refill. Now that would be a pain.

Off to visit with you and then get supper started.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Moving Towards A Simpler Life

 

Simple living doesn't necessarily mean taking our clothes down to the river and beating them on rocks to clean. Nor does it mean doing without. Just like frugal and thrifty living to me it means being happy and grateful for what we have, no more keeping up with the "Jones's" or needing every new contraption. 

It means enjoying the simple things in life like a good homemade meal, family visits, making something with your own hands, and stopping to smell the flowers, even if the flowers are dandelions handed to you by your child or grandchild. 

Right now simple living to me, especially, means slowing down which in my case can be very difficult as I always seem to be needing to keep my hands busy. I am trying very hard to enjoy life as the heat of summer is upon us, taking time to enjoy the garden, picking herbs, and such for the winter or to make salves and lotions. 

Produce from the garden will be a bit longer before picking and processing. Harvey planted less and next year he is talking about leaving half the garden fallow and working compost and such into that, then the next year leaving the other half fallow and doing the same. I think that I will be paying visits to the farmers market a bit more on those years. He is actually slowing down his days and tasks quite nicely. 

Most days I manage quite well, but today I decided to get the cloth napkins done.... Have I managed to do so? Nope, and it is sort of causing me angst. Will I get them done tomorrow? Probably the majority of them, but still it is taking me longer than I thought, and I spent too much time at the machine and now my neck and shoulders are bothering me. Will this teach me anything, like I need to pace myself when working on crafts? Probably not, I still think I am a youngun and can keep right on working. 

Part of this is probably a leftover from when I worked and I needed to get X amount done on the weekends or the house would start to fall apart. Or at least in my mind it would fall apart. 

It more than likely does not help when Kurt asks me to do something for his friends or his school. I hate saying "No" and that makes more craft work for me. His friends stopped him from spiraling into a depression so bad that he could have considered suicide and this is also my way of thanking them all. Fact is those that have received prayer shawls or afghans have all been so very appreciative that it gives me a lift. His school have supported him through those same rough times and I know are still backing him against those idiots that want him to lose his job or are threatening his life. We are not close enough to where he resides to be a physical help so I do what I can to let everyone know I am very thankful they are there to help him out. Life does get complicated for us every so often. 

All this to say that living a simple life can become complicated at times and is something to work towards.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

  Thrifty and Frugal

Since we have been home I have been busy trying to get caught up on tasks around the house. It has been so very warm, not at all the temperatures we are used to at the beginning of July. Usually these show up towards the middle or end of the month. So the not so frugal or thrifty thing happening here on the old homestead is the air conditioner is running pretty much constantly.

There have been a few frugal and thrifty things happening though.

1.  For the first time this year, I actually got to hang absolutely all the washing on the lines outside to dry.

2.  The money leftover from the amount I saved for the reunion was put into my savings envelope to be used for craft supplies, fabric and perhaps a larger reed for my loom.

3.  Using rain water to water all the outside plants, hopefully we get some more rain before it is drained.

4.  I got in for my missed dental cleaning and got lots of little freebies (the cost of the cleaning wasn't that bad either).

5.  I am slowly using up the yarn my friend gifted me with to make all those mittens. I seem to be slowing down though.

6.  I mended a pair of socks, sewed on a missing button, and turned the collar on one of Harvey's loved button down shirts.

7.  I have kept on using appliances for cooking, and Harvey has BBQ fever so that saves heating up the house.

8.  I spent some time organizing pictures on the computer and now have them all in folders, soon to be moved to a thumb drive I hope.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 

We are home now and I am so tired both physically and mentally. Over the next while I will post pictures of our reunion, and tell all of you how things went.... Some good, some bad and some in-between. 

See you all tomorrow with my menu plan for the week, which of course will be changing since I ended up purchasing the bits and bobs left over from our Friday get together.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Midweek Once Again

 

I have spent some time getting ready for our kind of get away tomorrow. Still loads to do, but I am seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. I find getting ready to go anywhere a stressful thing. One must make lists, pack and hope nothing is forgotten. It seems as if I always forget something sooner or later. I am still adding to my lists for this weekend. My goodness, one needs to bring a great deal with them for something like this.

Thought I would share a few more frugal tips with all of you.

1.  Before a contractor begins work, require a detailed written contract.

2.  When your contractor requires a deposit please make sure it is reasonable.

3.  Establish a payment schedule according to work done and not on fixed dates.

4.  Shingles in poor condition will put off buyers. We now have a metal roof which has a lifetime guarantee. 

5.  Repainting those areas that need so pay off big time compared to the effort and cost if you want to resell.

6.  Never rely on short-term returns.

7.  Check unit prices in stores. Sometimes sale items are actually more expensive.

8.  Earn gift cards for your treats.

9.  Drink more water and less soda.

10. Use food scraps to re-grow your own food.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 

Just a quick post to let you know all is well. I am slowly getting things done around the house in preparation for our leaving in oh my!!! just a couple of days. So much to do and not enough time in a day. 

At least Blogger is behaving now and I am able to download pictures without having to sign in every single time. 

Once again it has been raining off and on, which means no long walks and me getting slightly damp while grocery shopping today. Still this means I only have to run out tomorrow and pick up the necessary for the Friday get together. Have I ever mentioned I hate going shopping twice in one week???

Off to get supper on the table, but I might have a bit of time to visit a few of you first. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 This month will be kind of strange when it comes to weekly menus. We have a reunion to go to, and will be at our youngest son's place for a couple of days. Our oldest will also be at home here for about a week (give or take). 

Monday

Soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. It's raining so this is perfect.

Tuesday

Leftover roast pork. I think I will make pulled pork and serve it over some buns along with coleslaw, pickles and cheese. Any leftovers will be frozen for another meal.

Wednesday

Smoked hamburgers, fries, and the remains of the coleslaw.

Thursday 

This is the first night we will be at the venue for the reunion so I will take some smoked sausage to have along with pasta and a salad (will clear out the fridge crisper and pull a head of lettuce from the garden).

Friday

Meal is pot luck with hamburgers and hot dogs as the protein.

Saturday

Catered meal.

Sunday

Back at home and I have chicken breasts as our protein and will probably serve with a lettuce salad, mashed potatoes, and peas.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.