Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 So far it has been a very quiet week. Other than the excitement of Harvey losing a doctor and gaining a doctor, it has been a pretty boring week.

I did up our monthly budget entries and am happy to report I was under for groceries (probably because we were gone for a week and probably because I am really trying to use things up). Being under by as much as I was made a good payment on the first of Harvey's partial dentures. I do hope I can continue this way and perhaps actually have saved enough over the remaining months that the first partial is fully repaid. 

Only 13 no spend days this month, drat. But I guess it could have been much worse considering the first 8 days we had to pay for meals out. 

Harvey did his third quarter financial statement and we are slowly but surely making the money back that we lost during the first quarter and part of last year. That makes me feel a bit better about our having enough cash to last for our retirement. Hoping that we make enough back that we can give Kurt and Kris a bit extra come Christmas. 

Me, well I have been working on projects to see how much I can complete by the end of tonight. I will finish pair number 9 of the mittens, and perhaps even cast on pair number 10. Once those are completed I will put away all the bits and bobs of yarn, and concentrate on the last fireplace quilt, and then move on to embroidery and sewing those double oven mitts. 

I am leaving the weaving until Kurt has been home for Thanksgiving and left. This rug will be for him. I also need to order some heavier cotton for warping this one. The cotton I have is just a bit too thin for something like this. 

Since I will have a bit of time, I think I will do some refashioning of a few items and see if I can cut some scraps into 4 1/2" squares. Using the rotary cutter this week was a bit hard on my arm so this might have to wait. I could however check the fabric stash and perhaps find fabric to make Harvey a pair of pajama bottoms for Christmas. 

Found a small tear in the bottom sheet that was on our bed last week. I really don't know how it got there, but washed today and tomorrow I will do some mending on that. The sheets are just over a year old and still (other than the small tear) in very good shape. I do not want to have to replace them so soon.

Spent some time on the phone with my friend that is moving in just over a week. While we don't spend lots of time together, just knowing she was here and I could call her any time was wonderful. Judy taught Kris in Grade 2 and Grade 3. We also took Lay Ministry together for three years. Driving back and forth to Regina once a month for those years built a bond between us. 

Off to get supper in the oven.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Plan Monday

 I have managed to make a menu for the month of October. It should see me using up a few items that need to be made into meals. 

Monday

Smoked sausages, homemade baked beans, and the leftover salad.

Tuesday

Leftover ham made into a ham and potato casserole. I hope to make a fairly large one so there are leftover. Corn and sliced tomatoes on the side.

Wednesday

Cream of Chicken Soup from the freezer and grilled cheese sandwiches.

Thursday

Leftovers from Tuesday along with peas and carrots.

Friday

Breakfast for supper. I plan on making pancakes.

Saturday

I will use a package of leftover pork from the fridge freezer and make pulled pork. Served with coleslaw.

Sunday

Roast Beef, roasted potatoes, roasted carrots, and the remains of the coleslaw.

Went to see my doctor today and she made an appointment for me to get an ultra sound. That will happen on Monday of next week and will rule out tendon or ligament damage. She also said that Harvey could become one of her patients. Now that is a big relief. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 It has been awhile since I did a rambling post, so I guess I should do one tonight. 

We found out today (well very late yesterday) that Harvey's doctor will no longer be practicing. Now he needs to find another doctor within the next 4 or 5 months. Perhaps even earlier if his prescriptions are canceled because of this. I have an appointment with my doctor on Monday and will ask if she is willing to take him on as a patient. Chances are not good and this means he will need to go to a walk in clinic (which are few and far between) to see if he can get them renewed. Also we have a nurse practitioner which could take him on at a cost of almost $100.00 a visit. But if worse comes to worse that will be the way we have to go.

Mass was actually very good today. Probably the main reason was we could actually understand and connect with this visiting priest. Makes such a difference when you can understand where the speaker is coming from. He had such wonderful stories that combined so very well with the readings today. The Mass reached me in a way that it hasn't in a very long time.

My arm is a bit sore today, but I powered through some hand quilting this afternoon and I hope to finish the first of pair number 9 tonight. It would be so nice to be able to mark a few items off the project list early in the month (carried these over to October). 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

 

Since we have gotten home I have been trying to catch up on the various projects I would like completed. There is no way I will get them all done, so a bit of carry over next month, and not that many new projects added. Those that have been added should be able to be completed in October.

I did get two of the firepit quilts finished. Just working on the last one now. I do know that will not be done before the end of the month, but will be completed early next month.

Beans picked and frozen, carrots picked (some saved to use in coleslaw and our various Sunday roast meals), tomatoes cored and frozen, granola made for the rest of the month on the yogurt, and hot pepper jelly made.

I only made Kurt and Kris two each this time around.

Christmas list has been pretty much completed. New projects (and some that need finishing) are chosen for next month. Most of the projects are for Christmas gift giving. I have gotten the inventory for my fridge freezer completed, and am working (notice I say working) on the one for the meat freezer downstairs. 

Number 8 pair of mitts are on the needles, but I doubt very much I will get the full 10 done by the end of the month. So a carry over, along with the last firepit quilt. 

Still, considering the arm I am quite happy with what I have managed to get done. Along with the fact we were gone for the first week plus a bit of the month.

Hope to get the inventory of the meat freezer done before the end of the month and perhaps a bit more decluttering done as well. I have been kind of lax there.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Living Simply

 I am slowly but surely moving towards a life that is simpler. Not simple in that there is no effort to live, but one that takes our world into consideration and one that makes the most of what we already have. 

With rising costs I believe that the more we can do for ourselves, the better off we will be. Add in the wars that are raging around the world and preparation is definitely necessary. Today, Canada and the U.S. under the umbrella of NORAD, had to scramble planes as Russian fighters were getting very close to Alaska and Canadian airspace. We do live in turbulent times, and I don't think things will improve for awhile. This is not the first or only time that Russia has tried to enter the airspace of other countries with their fighters.

While I do have many things that make life easier overall, I am decluttering those items that I no longer use. Thus making space, not for other things but space to breathe and to just be. 

I have been reading so much about waste lately that it has made me realize that at times I have lead a very wasteful life. Small changes have been made and more are coming. The more that are coming is shopping more at a secondhand store. We only have two here which is kind of limiting, but I am sure I can find things to recycle into my life. I have already found reading material and craft supplies in one over the years, but now I will be looking for clothing to refashion and things to use with what I have. Perhaps I can find a decent set of pots and pans. 

Living simply means using what we have to the best advantage. This also goes very well with using up, wearing out, making do or doing without. 

Are you moving towards a more simple life? If so how?

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

Thrifty and Frugal 

I just can not believe how quickly this month is passing by. Days whiz past and I am not really sure what if anything I have accomplished that is frugal and thrifty.

Here are a few things other than the usual ones that have become second nature to us.

1.  Turned up the air conditioning a couple of degrees, for some reason it was feeling very cold in here a few days ago.

2.  Managing to get a few no spend days in to finish off the month. I hope to add a few more before the end.

3.  Cleaned and tidied the fridge freezer baskets and made an inventory. So far I am actually using the inventory and now that I can see all that is in there I am sure I will be able to save even more on the grocery bill by using things up.

4.  Used more of the 4" fabric squares from clothing and leftover fabric to make some bookmarks for Christmas gifts. 

5.  Made some hot pepper jelly. Some will be for us and jars will also go into the Christmas baskets for Kurt and Kris. 

6.  Got the first of the wipe off boards ready for the inventory of the meat freezer.

So that is all I can really think of right now. My arm seems a bit better today, but yesterday was not good. I think I have to learn to rest it a bit more often and be slightly more careful of how I move it, and what I try to do with it. So happy that my doctor's appointment is at the beginning of next week

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 

This week I have been harvesting all that I possibly can from the garden. Green tomatoes have been picked, the few jalapeno peppers, the last of the green peppers and the lonely eggplant. I brought in the succulents as the nights are getting pretty cool for them, and tomorrow I will trim the dead bits off the lemon trees and bring those in as well. Going to need Harvey's help with those though, they are very heavy, and they will need a very good spraying with insecticidal soap. 

It is time to get ready for winter so coats will be washed this week, the draught dodgers pulled out and cleaned, heavier blankets readied and the windows checked for drafts. I need to find heavier drapes for the hall to block out the cold winter winds. Scarves, gloves and mitts will be pulled out of storage, and washed if it is needed. 

Inventories must be made and lists of what I still need to collect to make winter a bit more enjoyable. Being stuck inside means we will need more reading material, puzzle books, jigsaw puzzles and I would actually like to pick up a few more games to pass the time with as part of our date nights. 

Harvey will need to make some wine to keep him occupied after the beer he has started a few days ago. He will also need to purchase bird seed, and suet so he can continue to feed the birds. Purchasing salt for the ice build up needs to be done as well. Lastly he will work up the garden to get it ready for an easy tilling come the spring.

Candles will be purchased, batteries stocked up. I think I just may purchase a few more flashlights (or torches as they are called in the UK). I don't think one can have too many of those, it is darn dark at night during the winter. I am also considering purchasing some battery operated lanterns. Small propane containers will be purchased in case the power goes out and we need to cook on the camp stove. 

Over the counter meds will be purchased, more Tylenol, Advil, cough medicine and extra vitamins. Just a bit each month where and when I can.

In the middle of next month or perhaps sooner all the solar lights will be brought in from outside and the garden decor put away. The yard will then be asleep and ready for the first snowfall.

This year I plan on being ready for winter whenever it arrives.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

Another week of menus for the month and hopefully no changes. Already did one for today to make up for a change last week.

Monday

Porkchops, creamed potatoes, peas and carrots.

Tuesday

Soup and sandwiches.

Wednesday

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

Thursday

Chicken Parma, rice, and corn.

Friday

Tuna Casserole and salad.

Saturday

Leftovers from Wednesday.

Sunday

Roast ham, mashed potatoes, leftover salad.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Quebec City Part Two

 After our drive around the old city of Quebec and the quicky tour of the Plains of Abraham it was time to have a quick lunch and get ready for the first of two optional tours.

We got to the front of the Hotel de Frontenac and waited for our tour directors. I say directors as our group got divided into two. Most seemed to go with the lady who was taking one group. That left very few of us to go with this gentleman.

This gentleman was portraying one of the first architects of the hotel as it now stands. He added one of the wings and had come back as a ghost to show us his pride and joy. So much fun, he was an excellent guide for this adventure.

This is what is called the Rose Room and was used mostly by the ladies staying in the hotel for their afternoon tea. But near the end of WW2 this room saw something totally different. Churchill and Roosevelt met to discuss DDay. All top secret of course. There is a story that I will let you in on. It seems that Churchill left some papers behind and a worker found them. He handed them in and then not too long after was taken and questioned. The various governments were worried he might have read them and let something slip that could disrupt or alter the plans.

The outer ballroom, which could probably fit my whole house.

This is the main ball room. There is a wooden floor that can be placed over the carpet after the feasting is done, for dancing.

If you look in the top photo, you will see that there are 10 identical chandeliers. One for each of Canada's provinces. Hmmm, wonder why they didn't have two for the territories.

 Our last visit was one of the "ordinary" rooms in the hotel. This room was anything but ordinary.

We were finished the tour and then had to find our way back to the hotel we were staying in. The walk would not have been too bad, but it had started raining. By the time we had walked the 10 or so blocks back to the hotel, we were sopping wet. Looked more like 2 drowned cats than tourists. 

Had a bit of a rest and then got ready for our next optional tour. 

We got on the bus and traveled to just outside the city. We got to see the Montmorecy Fall which are 274 feet high. Actually higher than Niagara Falls, but not as much water.

We couldn't get much closer in the length of time we had and walking up the side of the cliff did not appeal.

Then it was off to supper at Le Moulin de Saint-Laurent a restored 17th century flour mill. Here are some pictures of the outside.

Using the bathroom was an adventure as Harvey put it. It was more along the lines of the family toilet. Meaning you could walk in and see a man washing his hands as easily as a woman. Very different. 

We traveled home and had a lovely sleep before heading out on our last adventure.

Oh and yes lots of maple syrup was served at our breakfast. In fact there was a competition on which table could use the most syrup. We were told to put it on everything. I will say that maple syrup and eggs are not quite the treat one would think they were.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Quebec City Part One

Yes, I took so many photos this will have to be in two parts.

 Our first stop of the morning was at a Sugar Shack. The above photos are of the old set up. We didn't get to see the newer set up, but we did have a wonderful breakfast. They had added an eating establishment to the old sugar shack.

But first we had a lesson on how maple syrup is collected. This farm is done the old way with taps and buckets.

In the top picture you can see the scar from one of the bucket tapings. The bottom picture is the sugar maple forest. 

Here we all are waiting for the wonderful breakfast we were going to enjoy. So much food, we were all stuffed to the max.

Then it was off to the Old City of Quebec. Lots of cobblestones and squares. 

 This picture is of a mural that was painted on the side of one of the buildings in one of the squares we visited. All the painted pictures of the people are of those that were important in the building of the city. If you look carefully at one of the top windows you will see a cat. Everyday that the mural was being painted a cat would sit in a window in the building across and watch. The artists thought it would be a great idea to have a picture of the cat in the mural as well.

Many of you will probably have seen this picture before. Look at all the umbrellas in the cul de sac. It is probably the most photographed street in Old Quebec.

This is the first church built in the old city. Actually the first church in the city at all. 

We then took a very quick trip around the citadel (disappointed that we didn't get to spend more time). While there we got to hear the cannon go off at noon.

Our guide also took us past the place where the battle between the English and French took place. It is a football/soccer pitch now.

Oh and the reason this area was called the Plains of Abraham, was because a man named Abraham owned the land.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

Thrifty and Frugal

Well this has been our first whole week back home, and I am trying very hard to cut back on spending for the remainder of the month. Seems to be getting harder and harder to tighten the frugal belt, what with food prices rising, and bills rising. We will be doing our best though.

Along with the usual frugal habits we have managed a few extra.

1. Hubby tried planting carrots in a container this year. It made them much easier to thin and look after for sure, and we were completely surprised at how many and the size they actually grew. Planting more in containers next year as well.

2. Took the vehicle in for an oil change. This was part of a purchase four oil changes at the dealership get one free. They no longer do this so it was our last free oil change.

3. I found an old write on wipe off calendar that I turned around and will be using the back for my fridge freezer inventory. Used some of my magnets to stick it on the side of the fridge. Just have to purchase some dry erase markers.

4. For the inventory on the two freezers downstairs I am going to do an old trick I learned in Guides. I will take some thinner cardboard and cover it with clear mac tac. Then use some of the magnets on my fridge to attach them to the two freezers. I already have some clear mac tac and I am sure I can pick up or use some box cardboard. I will let you know how that works out.

5. Picking and processing garden harvest between rain showers or storms. The more we get into the freezers or dry storage the better we will control our costs this winter. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Onwards Towards Quebec

 

On our way to Quebec city we stopped at Cap-de-la Madeleine for a visit to the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary. This is a picture of the Basilica from the outside. 

It is a national shrine notable for it's stained glass. This is considered a minor Basilica which means Cathedrals are higher up as seats of the Bishop or Archbishop. 

The Basilica was given that designation in regards to two miracles that had happened here.

Back when the first church was built. Here is a picture of the small original rock church.

The congregation had grown so much that the priest said it needed to be made bigger. The stone to build was across the St. Lawrence river and the river had not froze that year. The priest asked the congregation to pray for the river to freeze. The next morning an ice bridge had formed and the rocks were able to be collected and brought to build the church.

The second miracle involves the statue of the Madonna and child. The priest and a friend were praying in front of the statue and saw the eyes of the Madonna move. Not too sure if anyone else saw this happen, but this was classified as the second miracle.

Here are some pictures of the inside of the Basilica. We said a prayer and then lit a candle for our daughter.

We spent a little time here and got to walk down to the river front as well.

Then it was back on the bus to continue our journey to Quebec City. Once we arrived we checked into the hotel and had a few moments before we headed out to our supper in the Old City.

Just a few pictures of our walk through the gate into the Old City and to the eating establishment we visited. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.