Thrifty And Frugal Thursday

 Thrifty and Frugal

It is a very hot day here on the old homestead and we are under severe thunderstorm warnings. However the dark clouds seem to be passing more to the north of us once again. The wind has risen though and that could signal a change in our weather.

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

1.  The usual hanging clothes on the outside lines, watching our water usage (which is getting a bit more difficult as the rain barrel is almost empty), using leftovers up to make new meals, using bread I baked and put in the freezer while the boys were home and decluttering where I can.

2.  I have saved elastics from various vegetables I have purchased this week.

3.  Paid bills online and combined errands with the car.

4.  Purchased some spray bottles from our Dollar Tree here in town to make some of my own cleaning supplies. Checked food prices and some are much less expensive than the regular price at my favourite grocery store. 

5.  Following my grocery list. Got a few items for the pantry that we were running lower than I like on. 

6.  Turning off lights in rooms not in use with more regularity. There have been too many times I have forgotten to do so.

7.  Spending time working on projects and taking 15 minute breaks walking around the house for exercise. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Midweek Musings

 

I slept very well last night and didn't wake until 5:30 this morning. Meant a quick walk/hobble to the facilities. Then I decided to lay on the couch and fell asleep for another hour. I was very well rested. 

However, Jackie did something she swore she would not do ever again, and that was head out shopping before having something, anything to eat. By the time I was done, I felt weak, nauseous, and headachy. All I wanted to do by the time groceries were put away was have something to eat, drink and perhaps work on projects for a bit. Other household tasks were put on hold until I started to feel a bit better. Paying the remainder of the trip was on the list, but I will do so tomorrow. I did do the online bill paying and the transferring of money from the savings account to the chequing account. I will be using the credit card to pay the next installment and then paying that off totally when it shows up on the card. Probably in a week or so. 

The feeling better did not happen until just a bit ago. It was a darn good thing most of the household tasks were completed before I went out. I just got back in from watering my plants. It is a good thing that all I need to make is the sandwiches to go with the Lentil Soup tonight as I still feel slightly lightheaded and headachy. 

I am so amazed that grocery prices keep right on going up. Beef is getting really expensive, even on sale. When you have a big beef eater like Harvey this could be a problem. I did manage to get some steaks on sale (price was still crazy) and a rather large and costly beef brisket (it was on sale as well). The brisket has been cut in half and each half will do us many meals after smoking. I am really trying to get the most bang that I can from our grocery budget and figuring out ways to stretch a pound of meat into 3 or 4 more meals for the two of us. 

I worry about those just starting out, or in low paying service jobs. While saving money is important to us after years of doing just that, we really are okay and could in fact probably let up on the frugal endeavors. I think they are too ingrained to stop though. Many people have no choice and really need to cut back and sometimes the cutting back is on medical, heat, light, air conditioning. Those things could in fact cause death or failing health leading to other complications. 

Things are getting scary out in the world. Wars, allies no longer allies, and those we thought of as friends we sometimes find out really are not our friends. 

It is starting to thunder out, so I had better end this. It was beginning to be too much of a downer as well.

Hopefully some project pictures coming up very soon and more talk about trying to simplify our lives here on the old homestead. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless. 

 

Tuesday Tidbits And Stuff

 The heart monitor is gone and I am pretty sure I will be able to sleep through the night, or at least go back to sleep quickly after the midnight run to the facilities. The results will be sent to the doctor in 2-3 weeks. I expect a call from her, as that seems to be what she does after getting results. 

I was out early this morning and did some more weeding of the pots, and some deadheading of flowers as well. Tomorrow I will do some watering unless we are getting rain. 

I have done some decluttering and am really cutting down on clothing. There are a few items I plan on trying to upcycle into something else, and a few to cut into squares for quilting or making some more totes. 

Harvey is outside making the first batch of beer. Now my dining room will smell like a brewery, but that will be okay. This keeps him happy and gives him a rest from yard work and maintenance projects. 

I saved some seeds from the yellow and orange peppers.

These will be put away until next year and we will see what happens when we plant them. 

My parents owned a motel in Northern Manitoba and one year Dad brought us some bars of soap... Okay he brought my sister and I two cases of soap. Now this was probably 25 years ago, and after trying it in the bath, I noticed a pretty bad soap scum. So I put it in storage and forgot all about it.

Now in my quest to save some expenditures I have pulled out the first package of 5 bars. I am going to try the for handwashing and see how that works out. 

I was asked what the difference between Sweet and Sour Ribs and BBQ Ribs is. My Sweet and Sour ribs are cut and cooked in a homemade sweet and sour sauce in a casserole in the oven. Now while I do cut up the ribs for the BBQ they are not cut in single ribs, rather portions. I also boil them for a bit to rid them of some of the fat content and brushed with BBQ sauce while cooking. I hope that answers your question JC. 

Off to visit with you all for a bit and then get the table set and supper started.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 Another week has arrived, bringing with it new challenges on how to use things up and how I am going to stand this heart monitor for 24 hours. It has only been on my body for 4 hours and already I want to rip it off.

Here are the menus for this week.

Monday

Chicken Breasts, noodles and sliced cucumbers and dip. 

Tuesday

Leftover ham. I am not sure what kind of casserole I will make, but it will be something to continue the clear out of the fridge and fridge freezer. 

Wednesday

Soup and sandwiches. I brought up a container of lentil soup to use up, and I figure perhaps bologna sandwiches would be neat (got some of that sandwich meat that needs to be used). 

Thursday

Leftovers from Tuesday. 

Friday

Salmon fillets, rice, and green beans.

Saturday 

Hamburgers on the BBQ, along with tinfoil potatoes, onions and carrots. Though if I can find some corn on the cob reasonably priced when I go grocery shopping that could find it's way onto the menus.

Sunday

Pork ribs, not sure if they will be baked, BBQ, or made into sweet and sour. They will be served with rice (leftover from Friday) and peas. 

So that is one more week this month gone, along with a few more items from the fridge, pantry and freezer. 

Off to get supper on the table and to fill in this stupid diary thing they make you use. Then I will visit with all of you for a bit.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 

Quiet day on the old homestead. Mass and working around the house and yard. 

I have weeded a few areas, Harvey has sprayed for the never ending boxelder bugs and I have worked on projects. I am still trying to find the pair of mittens that I seem to have misplaced and am halfway through another pair, which I should finish tonight. 

Kris has phoned Harvey to wish him a Happy Father's Day, and I think Kurt will probably be phoning soon. I asked if Harv would like a dessert made for his special ham meal but he said no. So I did not make a dessert. I will do some baking next week for no real reason. 

Spent some time trying to figure out ways to cut other expenses until at least the end of the year. Did a bit of decluttering and pulled some things to upcycle next month (well at least I hope to upcycle them). 

I have decided to get as much cleared out as possible over the next few months. I think that will probably be more along the lines of craft supplies. Pretty sure making a list (big list maker here) of what needs to be gone or made into gifts will be a big help in this area. I want as much gone as possible over the next 6 or so months. 

Margie, I would love to be able to come and stay with you, but the tour we are on does not give us that much time between bus trips. I really wanted to drive to the various places, but at 75 and a prairie boy, Harvey said he would not feel comfortable driving to the various places I want him to see. We have actually met a few blogging and forum friends over the years and meeting you would be awesome.

Off to visit all of you and then get the meal on the table. Things are smelling just awesome.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

 

There really are not many completed items to share with all of you this week. It has been more a week of trying to get things done or at least worked on. 

I have been knitting mittens and am on the 7th pair. My fingers are not as nimble as they used to be and one of them keeps locking up on me at the worst possible times. I have pulled lots of partial balls and skeins to use up on this project and it really seems to be working quite well on getting things cleared out. I am of course saving some of the leftovers from this project, to cut up for the rug project. 

Weaving is moving along, I probably have 7 1/2 inches of the first tea towel done. I need to measure one of the ones in my drawer to see how long I should make these. 

The rest of the week I have been watering plants outside, weeding, doing laundry, regular household tasks and harvesting rhubarb. 

I should have one more harvest of rhubarb this year. I have also been looking at some of the chokecherry trees near my home. I am hopeful that as long as a really strong wind does not appear I should be able to forage enough to make some jelly. 

Harvey was going to do a beer kit today, but it is really windy out now that he has decided not to use my new range. He does not want to "Break it". He is a bit worried about the weight of the water on the surface of the range. He does need to use a great deal of water. Now he will use the side burner on the BBQ to boil everything. 

The neighbour to the west of me has pretty much moved out of the house that she was renting. However her brother seems to still be in the house. I find that very strange as pretty much everything has been moved out and he was never on the rental agreement in the first place. He also does not seem to have a job, or if he does it is very part time. Perhaps he is only staying there until the end of the month. Only time will tell. I probably know the brother better than his sister as he was one of my students when I was an EA. 

On our trip we will not be entering the United States at all. We are on the Canadian side during the trip to Niagara Falls, and will in fact be spending the night in a hotel on that side. I believe we get to take a trip on the boat to the bottom of the falls, and if the weather is not conducive to that we get to go through the tunnels. I think that there is a bit of free time, and I really would love to see some of the places we visited when I was a child.

I am off to set the table and get some veggies started for our supper.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Simplifying Life

 

My quest for simplicity in life is heading more towards decluttering and using up. It is also beginning to be more of "What can I make for myself instead of purchasing." I know there is a great deal more I can do in the way of cleaning products, baking, and growing. I am not sure when or if we will be moving from here for awhile, so I think growing as much as I possibly can would get me out and enjoying my yard much more than I do now. 

Slowly but surely things are leaving the house. Of course a few things have come in but nothing that is not necessary or something we could pass on to one of our sons when the time comes. 

I have been removing clothing bit by bit from my drawers. Nothing this week as I have concentrated on using up things from my craft/sewing room. 

I have also tried to be a bit more focused on using things up in the fridge and my freezers. With the costs of items going up getting the most out of what we have is a priority. Leftovers are being made into new meals or eaten for our lunches. Nothing is going to waste if at all possible. 

Harvey has been getting ready to make one of the beer kits that Kris gave him for Christmas. He plans on doing that tomorrow. I hope he has enough caps for the process. 

There are a few house projects I would like done over the summer and I have made a list of those. Painting the inside doors, some of the trim, and some of the drawers in the kitchen need a bit of repair. 

Our deck needs some work, mostly painting and I should actually make some new cushions for the chairs (buying some for one of them would be cost prohibitive). A bench needs painting and of course there is always weeding that needs doing. 

Hmmm, that really does not sound like I am simplifying my life at all. Yet in reality, getting all those things completed will in fact do so. I will be able to enjoy the simplicity of working outside, working with what I have and enjoying life to the fullest, knowing that our sons will not have a mess to clear up. Pretty sure that would be a wonderful thing. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

Thrifty and Frugal

I will first answer the question on where we are heading for our 9 day holiday.

Harvey has never really been to Eastern Canada. I think the farthest east he has traveled was a small town near Sault Saint Marie. We did take a trip to Nova Scotia for a wedding going a few days before the wedding and staying a few days after. But as far as Ontario and Quebec... nope. So this tour will take in Toronto, Niagara Falls, Lockport, The Thousand Islands, Ottawa, Quebec City, and Montreal. I am really looking forward to seeing Quebec City and both extra tours we will be taking are there. The first is a tour of the Hotel Frontenac in the late morning, and then a trip to a redone flour mill for dinner in the evening. That is pretty much the only place I have never been. Must brush up on my French I guess.

On to frugal and thrifty endeavors this past week.

1.  I picked rhubarb and got it washed sliced and in the freezer. From the looks of the plants I need to get out and pick more.

2.  Clothes were hung on the outside lines. Thank heavens there was no smoke on Monday.

3.  Lights are being turned off with more regularity now. Trying to keep the electric bill low.

4.  Darned a pair of socks.

5.  Found more scraps to make a few more tinkle cloths. I am really hoping to be able to not have to wash those quite as often. 

6.  Cut up some t-shirts that were unsuitable for donating into cleaning rags. 

7.  Using up all leftovers in other meals either for dinner or lunches. I am also finishing up a few bags of frozen odds and ends like egg rolls.

8.  Weeded the gardens for exercise and walked to get the mail. 

9.  Using up yarn from my stash. 

10.  Using up the lotions and potions I received as gifts over the years. Using up bath gel as well.

11.  I am using appliances for cooking where and when I can.

Pretty sure there are more, but my mind is drawing a blank. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.  

Midweek Musings

 

Late post today, mainly because most of our afternoon was spent at the travel agent's desk and checking for emails from her. Plus then I needed to catch up on a bit of the household tasks. Still did not get them all completed so it is a good thing I put "do unfinished" on the list each day. Sometimes there are unfinished tasks to complete.

Why is it so darn expensive to travel in Canada???? We could probably have gone on a tour in Europe for less than the Canadian tour is going to end up costing us. Flights are very expensive as well, even booking months in advance. Our agent did manage to get us a good deal on those, but then because we are arriving the night before the tour begins we needed to pay extra for the hotel. Still between the savings on the tour, and the savings on the flight we will be able to pay the insurance fees and the hotel room and still be slightly ahead. 

I did no weaving today, which is a pity because I would have been that much closer to finishing off the dark grey stripe and perhaps getting ready to begin the lighter grey stripe. This weaving is going to be tea towels, but because the yarn is so thin it is going to take a goodly amount of time. I am hoping to get at least 2 made for myself. If lucky I may get a third, but I kind of doubt it. I am really happy with how even the weaving is this time around. 

Knitting, well I finished the first mitt of the 4th pair and have cast on the second mitt. This probably will not be finished tonight though. Man, I need to stay home and concentrate on getting things done. As there will be no more out of the house things happening this week pretty sure I will be able to complete a few more pairs of mittens and a goodly portion of the first tea towel as well. 

A bit of weeding was done, but more is necessary. We have some elms quite close to us and with the winds we have been having lots of the seeds were blown into the pots and baskets. Now, many little elms are growing and they definitely need to be pulled out. Pretty sure there are lots in the perennial bed as well. Tomorrow, at least 20 minutes will be spent getting rid of them, plus working on the perennial bed once again. 

It seems as if we just might have gotten rid of those Asian lily beetles as I don't see any more munching of leaves. Last year they were horrendous, this year I just might have started fighting them at the right time. Both Harvey and I were very worried that they had actually destroyed them and they would never grow again. 

Now, there is worry about the delphinium I planted. It looks like something decided to munch on the leaves. There is only one left now. Can't see anything crawling on it, but perhaps one of the sweet little bush bunnies is having a munching fest. 

I will visit you all tomorrow morning, right now it is back out to finish watering the plants.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits And Stuff

 I had hoped to do a tour of my garden, but things are not growing very well, and I am afraid my weeding leaves a great deal to be desired. Hopefully next week or the week after. 

While the weather has been decent, it hasn't been the best due to the smoke filled sky to get out and work in the yard. It is sometimes hard to breathe and even just watering plants is a bigger task than usual.

Instead I will share a few of the items I have been working on. I did not get a photo of the finished knitted blanket before sending it on its way, but I do have some project pictures to share with you all.

The twenty finished recipe cards from the stack of saved recipes. These are ones we enjoy, and as I hit the ones we didn't they are hitting the recycle bin.

My weaving of the tea towels. I have actually added in the darker grey now. I have also found the green yarn to make the rug that youngest has requested for in front of his kitchen sink.

Mittens have been started to use up some more of the leftover yarn. I am hoping to get 10 pairs done of this smallest size and then move on to another project for the month. 

And another box to take for donation. I have been busy decluttering and downsizing clothing the last while. Still lots to do, but I am slowly getting things done. This box contains 5 pairs of pants, and 6 tops. Next on the list is shorts and perhaps some more tops.

Spending time shopping my pantry, fridge and freezer. I am trying to come up with new meals or at least clear things out a bit more. Seems like as soon as I get things under control, boom I keep adding more leftovers to the fridge freezer, or I find things that were pushed to the back of the pantry or fridge. Since I am trying to cut down on grocery and household expenses I need to keep better control. 

Off to visit you all, after getting the table set.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

The house is very quiet, both boys are gone now and it will be awhile before they are both home together again. 

We had a lovely visit. Both of them are doing well. However Alberta teachers will probably be going on strike very soon. The strike vote was held June 6th to 8th. Kurt does not know when they will go out, hopefully they finish off the year, and since they have 180 days to call a strike it could happen at the beginning of the new school year. That would give him a bit of time to stock up on groceries and if we go up to visit perhaps I will take some items from our garden to share. 

Kris on the other hand figures the city will not go on strike this year, too much happening what with road work and the evacuees. He is working on an irrigation system for his raised beds now. As he says, bit by bit he is getting outside work in the yard completed. 

So on with this weeks menus.

Monday

Using up the leftover salad and the leftover Jambalaya. I was going to make Spicy Moroccan Lentil Soup, but going up and down the stairs has pretty much tired me right out. I will still make soup one day this week though.

Tuesday

Leftover chicken made into a tetrazzini. I will probably make a cucumber salad to go with, or maybe fry up some of the leftover cabbage.

Wednesday

I will pull the last bag of leftover pork out of the fridge freezer and make a stir fry to serve over rice. There are bits of frozen veggies that need to be cleared out. 

Thursday

We will finish off the leftovers from Tuesday, and either fry that cabbage or make a cucumber salad.

Friday

Salmon patties, served with the leftover rice from Wednesday.

Saturday

Pork chops on the BBQ as well as tinfoil potatoes and onions. Pulling out a bag of green beans to use those up as well. I will also make the Lentil Soup today and get that in the freezer.

Sunday

Baked ham, scalloped potatoes and mixed veggies.

So that is hopefully what we will be eating this week.

Off to catch up with all of you.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

Thrifty and Frugal 

So groceries were definitely a bit more expensive this time around, probably because I could not let some sales go by even though the item was not on my list. I also bought a few treats since Kurt and Kris will be home. 

That being said there were still some thrifty and frugal happenings here on the old homestead.

1.  Of course I took advantage of the nice weather and hung most clothing on the lines outside.

2.  Saved some elastics and plastic bags from veggie and fruit purchases. 

3.  Mended a hem, and saved some bits of thread to use to sew on buttons.

4.  Put $11.35 in my change jars. Probably will find more to add. Hubby added some but never told me what the total was.

5.  Using up all leftovers and items in the fridge in other meals or as lunches. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

 

Midweek Once Again

 

So today I will give you all the kind of good news I had from my doctor today.

I do have some very small (.3 mm) growths in my lungs, but the doctor says that at this point they can't tell if they are malignant or not. The person who read the CT scan said that I should have a repeat in 12 months, my doctor however feels that we should have one in 6 months and so is setting that up. 

I will have my Holter monitor on the 16th and will return that on the 17th. Not sure yet when the echocardiogram on my heart will happen. Still waiting for that call.

This doctor seems to be very good. I really hope she stays, but no doctor really stays too long here. I will keep my fingers crossed as I really do not want to search for another doctor or be without one for an extended period of time. 

The days are getting longer and I am enjoying the extended sunshine. It enables me to get more done in the house, but not those things I procrastinate on doing. That is something I seem to be finding happens more and more. I just seem to put things on my daily task lists that I really do not want to do. 

I have the feeling lately that I need to get more and more of my projects done and the stashes in the sewing/craft room used. Not sure why, but it has become an overwhelming urge the last month or so. I am going to go with that as well as the small projects around the house. Perhaps it is worry about my health, but I think it is more a want to downsize and move type of thing. 

Today I finished the stripe on the knitted blanket for Kurt's friend and have added in the next one. I also made hummingbird nectar, filled the feeder and got that out. Buns were made, and I will be making pies tomorrow (forgot to get out the frozen fruit and pumpkin). I did the first shopping trip as I split the shopping into two days (mainly because I was not sure when I would get the call from the doctor).

Lots to do tomorrow, but that is another day.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless. 

Tuesday Tidbits And Stuff

 

I managed to get lots done today, not the entire list of course, but enough that I feel good about what I accomplished. I am also not quite as tired as I have been other days. I do hope the not tired out thing continues. I actually felt like working at various things today. 

Of course I could just be undergoing nervous energy as today was the CT scan on my lungs. 

The doctor called me yesterday with the results of my first set of tests, she also told me I would be getting a Holter monitor and an echo. She is concerned about my heart, as my heart beat resting is very low. I have had the monitor before, but not the echogram. At least now both those are available in Estevan and I won't have to go to Regina for them. When I said my CT scan was today, she figured that the results would be available to her today and she would phone me the results. A tech told me it would be one or two days before the Doctor received them. This means I will need to go shopping very early and split it over two days so I am home when the call comes. 

It also means I will need to stick close to home so baking and decluttering, will be added to the lists as well. May as well work around the house and get things done while waiting. 

I changed the supper menu a bit for tonight. Instead of potatoes we are going to finish off the frozen cauliflower. That will make a bit more room in the fridge freezer. I also pulled the last bag of frozen carrots out of the chest freezer to clear some more room out of there as well. A woman is allowed to change her mind...Right?

Worked on copying some of our recipes out and got rid of a few I tried and we hated. There are a few more that need to be tried before I even consider copying them out. Still, there are many we have tried over the years that I need to do something with. 

The knitted blanket almost has the third section finished and I hope to add the fourth section tomorrow and perhaps even get the last section started. This project is using up lots of yarn from my stash. 

Off to visit with all of you.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 I made a few changes to the menu this week mainly because we needed to finish up the Tuna Pasta Salad I made on Friday. Happy to say we finished it up on Sunday. Well, I had some for lunch today. Done and dusted.

Monday

Roast beef, roasted carrots and roasted rutabaga.

Tuesday

The last bag of frozen ham in the fridge freezer warmed up. Served with mashed potatoes, green beans and a side of lettuce and cucumber. 

Wednesday

Leftover roast beef made into a casserole.

Thursday

Finish up the roast beef casserole along with a salad.

Friday

I think I might change this to a jambalaya. I have some cooked shrimp, and some sausage to put in a spicy rice mix. Served with salad that should feed us all.

Saturday

Steak, tinfoil potatoes, carrots and onions. There will be a salad as well.

Sunday

Roast chicken, roasted potatoes, roasted carrots and salad. 

Dessert will be a cake or pies (pumpkin and blueberry glazed). There will be cookies for snacks I hope.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

 

Sunday Ramblings

A rather laid back day. This morning started with a haze of smoke, but nothing like it has been the previous two days. This meant I could get outside a bit more and I have managed to set up the plants around the firepit, and start on the deck set up. 

I even managed to get out pick and prepare some of the rhubarb for the freezer. 

Here is a shot of the knitted blanket and how far I have gotten on it.

There is a very good chance I will have this done by the time Kurt heads back home. 

Inside I did some more work on tidying in the sewing/craft room, and after supper I plan on making some flat breads or naan to go in the freezer. 

I am still feeling very tired, but figure I have to work through it and eventually I hope to be feeling much more like myself. 

I have my project list done for this month.... I have really tried to keep it a bit simpler this month, but knowing me I will probably add to it through the month.

1.  Finish the knit blanket.

2.  Weave tea towels.

3.  Embroider at least one rose quilt block.

4.  Cut yarn for rug.

5.  Copy 20 recipes.

6.  Work on sewing/craft room organization and tidy.

7.  Finish set up of deck furniture and plants.

8.  Put out solar lighting.

9.  Knit mitts from scraps to use up from yarn.

10.  Make fries for freezer.

11.  Make dandelion salve.

Lots of small projects this month. I hope there will be no carry over into July.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.                                           

So Very Tired

 Oh my, have you ever just wanted to crawl back into bed after being up for a couple of hours? That is pretty much how I have been feeling the last couple of days. I am even running a low grade fever and have a slight cough. 

I was going to do so much outside today, but with the smoke and wearing an N95 mask I was lucky to get the plants watered. The smoke is worse today and I am not sure if it will be gone by tomorrow. The wildfires are still not under control and the wind does not want to die down so I am pretty sure there will be smoke tomorrow as well. 

I hope to put on the mask after supper and dishes to at least get the rhubarb picked. I will then crawl into the tub, have a nice soak and turn on the jets for a change. Then perhaps a bit of knitting and bed once my hair dries. Hopefully a nice long sleep will help things out a bit.

I did get the budget figures inputted and the paperwork filed away. I am happy to report that I was under for groceries once again. That amount is what I am using to pay off the dining room chairs. I only have another $116.00 to go so those should be paid off by next month, with hopefully a bit going toward the stove. With any luck the new range will be paid off lickety split. Or at least well before Christmas. My next pay off will be the income tax (that is actually lower than the 2 partial plates). 

Off to get a very simple supper on the table. Most components have been prepared in advance so it isn't too taxing. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Smoke, and More Smoke

 

Just a very quick post tonight. The smoke from the wild fires in northern Saskatchewan have finally reached us. Each hour the smoke gets worse. It creeps ever closer down the valley and is making it's way closer to our home. I feel so sorry for those who have suffered more and have had to leave their homes. 

I hope all are safely in areas where they have found refuge, and that the fires will be put out, or at least under control very soon. 

Everyone have a lovely evening.

God bless.

 

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

Thrifty and Frugal 

As the week draws to an end it is time once again to mention all things frugal and thrifty that occurred on the old homestead.

1.  Even though the weather has been warm for the last three or four days, we have opened windows to catch the breeze and it has stayed relatively cool in the house.

2.  I have spent a couple of mornings baking bread so as I won't have to purchase any when Kurt and Kris arrive next week. I would still like to get a few more done so we have enough.

3.  When I went out to lunch I ordered the Lite lunch and so saved a bit of money. Believe me there was more than enough to fill me up.

4.  All loads except for 2 were hung on the lines. 

5.  Used my savings envelop to purchase some undergarments, 5 tops, and two pairs of pants. All that for just over $150.00. The undergarments were a bra and 10 pairs of underwear. Eighteen items of clothing. I might pick up some more underwear and get rid of all the older ones next month.

6. Once again using up the leftovers for other meals.

7.  Saved the large elastics from my asparagus.

8.  Saved the woody ends of asparagus to be eventually dehydrated and ground into a powder. 

I found the picture of my knitted tank top/shell so here it is.

This was before blocking. I managed to use up most of the light brown yarn, but have enough of the multicoloured to make either another knitted tank or to weave some placemats with. I really do not need any more tanks for the summer.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

 

Midweek and Planting Done (I Hope)

 

First off let me say that in no way do I blame any of my readers for the Orange menace and his crazy behaviour. I do blame those that did not believe that what he was saying was exactly what he was going to do and voted for him. I know the vast majority now disagree with what he is doing to both of our countries. 

I finished my planting (I hope) at 7 am this morning. I have really cut back and that is amazing to me. Still, I hope that I have enough of everything planted and that nothing will need to be replaced. I just do not want to spend more money. Next year I am going to see if anyone has perennials they wish to thin out, or perhaps get Kris to plant some flowers for me. A package of seeds, while quite expensive, still costs less than bedding plants. 

Once my deck is cleaned up and things put where I want them I will post some pictures. Things are pretty small right now, but will definitely grow over the summer.

Went out for lunch with one of my sister-in-laws today. She picked me up and we had a lovely time chatting. I don't think we have ever done this before, and I think we should make a habit of it. Must get the other sister-in-law who lives here in on it, she was a bit busy today and so could not join us. I managed to find out a few things about the family, some of which really surprised me. 

Off to get the fries cooked in the air fryer. Harvey is smoking the hamburgers. I will also pull out the leftover coleslaw to use up as well.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits And Stuff

 It has been pretty warm today, so my planting stopped at around noon, when the heat got pretty sweat producing. I don't have much left to do, and will finish it all off tomorrow. 

Harvey has decided that he is going to plant some sunflowers in the center perennial bed. Perfectly fine by me as long as he makes sure that he does not plant in the areas I already have plants coming up. Kind of scared he might think my Blazing Stars are a weed. 

Today my new reed for the loom arrived. This is actually the one I should be using with this thinner yarn. I will remember that the next time I want to get more tea towel yarn. 

Not going to be finished all the projects and goals this month, but not really many will be carried forward and those that are will be finished at a decent time in the month of June. 

I discovered more potatoes, so I think I will need to make some perogies for the freezer, and I think I might try my hand at making some fries for the freezer as well. Taking a break from baking bread tomorrow and getting other preparations done for the arrival of the boys on Thursday of next week.

I loved the pomp and ceremony of King Charles giving the speech from the throne today. He sent a message to our neighbour's president that " The True North is Strong and Free". Take that the person who thinks Canada is for sale. Cause we aren't and never will be. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Menu Monday

 We are in for a warmer week and so I hope that the BBQ will be used a bit more and I will be making a main dish salad as well on Friday. Yum.

Monday

Steak, cauliflower, asparagus and I will put the coleslaw that was leftover on the table as well.

Tuesday

Soup and sandwiches. I am going to make a lentil soup and there will be enough leftover to freeze a few portions for meals later on. 

Wednesday

Hamburgers, tinfoil potatoes, and salad. 

Thursday

Leftover turkey added to the salad along with some boiled eggs. Should have enough for another meal on Saturday, but if not I have some plans.

Friday

Tuna pasta salad and homemade buns.

Saturday

The leftovers from Thursday, or if not enough I will use some cooked chicken strips to extend the salad a bit more.

Sunday

Roast beef, roasted rutabaga, fried cabbage and roasted carrots.

This menu plan should use up quite a bit from the fridge and the fridge freezer. It will add a couple of meals to the chest freezer and some leftover roast beef to the fridge freezer. 

Next week I will be trying to put some snacks and baked goods away for when Kurt and Kris are home. I am also trying to get ahead with bread baking. This time I am going to try my best to have lots of bread on hand. Got two loaves done today, and will try for two loaves again tomorrow and the next day. They will stay fresh in the chest freezer. Then I will make buns for a couple of days as well for the freezer.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

 

It is warming up and things are drying out. I might be able to start planting a few things tomorrow. Harvey keeps looking at my plants and asking if those are all I am purchasing. We shall see. 

I did manage to get a few items crossed off the project/goal list this past week. 

All my 4" squares have now been sorted and put into one container. 

The next flimsy was finished.

I can not for love nor money find the photo of the finished knitted tank top. It is somewhere in my photo's but I am not able to locate it. 

This is how far I have gotten on the knitted blanket.

Partially done the tidy up and reorganization of the sewing/craft room. I am looking into purchasing some clear storage boxes to make it easier to see what I actually have. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

And The Rain Has Stopped

 

The sun has shone for most of the day, and slowly but surely things are drying out with the help of a breeze. However, looking at the radar map on The Weather Network, it looks like we could get more rain today.

I went shopping today and man did I ever take a very long time. This time it wasn't so much comparing prices or looking for Canadian made products, it was seeing people that I hadn't seen for a very long time and spending time talking and catching up. If I want to cut down on the time it takes me, I will have to go earlier and see if I can miss all those people. 

I also spent some time looking at a few clothing items that I need to replace. Just might take some money from my savings envelope and do just that early tomorrow. I really need new undergarments and those I refuse to buy secondhand or make (though I probably could if I put my mind to it). 

My loom is set up and clamped down to begin warping it tomorrow.

I was going to do so today, but was just too tired and sore from the bending and stretching involved while shopping. I will do so tomorrow. 

Instead I finished a book and started another, and worked on the knitted blanket. Should have been in the sewing/craft room doing a bit of work on clearing things up in there, but of course I didn't. May do some tonight after supper and before I go for a lovely soak. Things need to be organized and put away, and that seems to be a never ending task. At least a never ending task for me. 

I bought some meat today that will need portioning tomorrow. Having a hard time not letting Harvey know that Kurt plans on being home for a few days the second weekend in June (5, 6, 7, 8 though not home until very late on the 5th). Kris plans on coming home as well, so planning meals, snacks and firepit times. I may have to check on how many firepit quilts I have ready to go (pretty sure at least three, but will need one more). Tough when Harvey is questioning why I need to get the deck set up and more propane purchased. Kurt wants his visit to be a surprise to celebrate Harvey's birthday (means I have to bake a cake without him knowing what it is for and to keep him from eating said cake). 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.