Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

 Thrifty and Frugal

I don't know what is going on with my computer right now. I seem to be having some strange things come up and finding my Blog took a bit of work. Hopefully this is just a minor glitch that will clear up shortly. 

So what frugal and thrifty items have I been up to this week. Pretty much just the usual frugal past times but I have been finding new recipes to try, and new mixes to add to the various gifts in a jar, and some new spice and herb mixes I want to make. 

A couple of the projects for this month have been crossed off. I have managed to get all Kurt's old clothing cut up and ready to be used for quilting. I also pulled all the zippers out to be used in fashioning more clothing or should I say different clothing. 

There could be a few new challenges for next year, I am just putting the final ideas together. They will also be adding to my thrifty and frugal practices. 

I have pulled out a few more items that need using up from the chest freezer. I am getting those older items used up and I can see an end to the older items happening very soon. 

Remembered to save water while waiting for it to warm up and am using it to water the plants. 

Watching free shows on CBC Gem, and Pluto. I have also watched a couple of movies on YouTube. Not my favorite way of watching but free is always good.

Using any extra leftover dinner meals for our lunches.

Baked my own hamburger buns today as well as a loaf of bread. 

Printed out free monthly calendar pages to use for menu plans.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 

I must have been very tired due to staying up a tiny bit too late last night as I slept an extra two hours. This put me behind by two hours, and I haven't caught up as of yet. 

Still I am slowly getting the household tasks completed, but ironing and mending will have to wait until tomorrow. Shopping took another 2 hours of my time, searching out deals, and cringing as I paid the bills. I did hold off purchasing fuel today as we still have 1/4 tank and I am hoping the price drops even a tiny bit. 

More meat was bought today, I now am pretty sure that we are good in that manner for months. With the addition of a few more meatless meals (but high protein meals), I know we can stretch things out. I believe the only meat I will need to purchase now is the occasional package of sandwich meat, and closer to Christmas and New Years a turkey and ham. 

Once home from shopping and all groceries scanned into my Neilson scanner, it was time to portion up the meat I had purchased. I had bought 2 pork loins and one was cut into 2 large roasts, the other I sliced 10 pork chops, about a pound of pork cubes and another pound of pork strips. Bought a package of two large chickens and they were separated into two bags. Some mild Italian sausages were purchased and those were bagged in 2 small freezer bags to use on homemade pizza. I purchased 4 pork cutlets on sale and separated those into two freezer bags. Lastly I bought a kilogram of hot dogs which gave us enough for three bags for three meals. Then I needed a rest. 

During my rest I cut apart more of the clothing eldest brought home. Now I know that I have under estimated how long that project will take. I thought two days, but I still have a small pile to get through. Knowing this, pretty sure the ironing of the fabric for strips and the cutting of those will take a bit longer than the one day I had planned. Getting really bad at figuring out how long something will take.

My back was slightly sore when I finished the shopping and portioning out, but not as badly as other shopping trips. I am hoping this is because I am getting a bit used to the change in the weather. Still it isn't that cold out yet and the snow has not really started. 

Hubby made his doctor's appointment. It will be an over the phone one and he wants me to listen in, just in case he misses something Doctor N says. His hearing isn't the best and she speaks pretty softly. That will take place closer to the end of the month. 

Found two unused laundry baskets downstairs, and I think that I will clean those up and use those on the DS's gifts as the baskets. I need to shop more at home than I do.

That is all the news from around here. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 Wow, a whole new month. We also have colder weather coming and I have loads of projects that need to be done before Christmas arrives. So I will be using ready meals that I made before, and quick/easy meals that I have made numerous times before. 

Monday

Butter Chicken, rice and carrots.

Tuesday

The small bag of leftover roast beef in the fridge freezer, along with mashed potatoes and mixed veggies. Probably make gravy to go along with this meal.

Wednesday

Cabbage rolls, green beans.

Thursday

Tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches.

Friday

Fish fillets from the fridge freezer, fries from the fridge freezer and peas.

Saturday

The last two smoked hamburgers along with hashbrowns, and baked beans.

Sunday

Roast Chicken, roasted potatoes, roasted carrots and roasted rutabaga or perhaps parsnips. 

This will clear a little out of the fridge and chest freezer. Each week I am going to try and use things up and get ready for more soup making and batch cooking come the end of this month. I also need the room for baking those treats for Christmas.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Questions

 

Life is slowing down slightly, but raising more questions. First though I thought I should perhaps say that while I was upset with Michael's being a bit of a mess when I visited this time, I tried to remember that when shipments come in they are sometimes hard to get put away before the customers arrive. Also, while I would love a Hobby Lobby, Canada does not have that store. We used to have a Lewiscraft, but that closed down when Michael's arrived. 

Walmart used to have a large fabric and craft area, but that has closed as well. I have been searching for online stores and for small independent shops but there are very few in my area. The search will continue though.

Now I have a question for all of you. There are rumblings on various social media that the war with Iran will be getting much worse. That the United States is moving towards a major attack and that we should start preparing by stocking food and water, perhaps even medicines. The U.K. and Europe are doing so at speed. 

Now I do stock up for bad weather in the winter. Heck I will admit I try to stay stocked up at all times in case of shortages (like we had during our flooding a few years back and the Covid situation), but never out of fear of a coming war. I know there are lots of fearmongers out in the online world, but when the governments of countries are saying stock up that is something totally different. 

Years ago my government stated that we should have supplies for three days, which I am pretty sure most Canadians already have. 

I have also heard from various Bloggers that they have been getting comments like you can stock up, but if they, themselves have need of it they will just take it. Will be become like animals preying on each other if worse comes to worse? Will there be no humanity left in the world?

What if anything have any of you heard.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. Don't let my questions and ramblings get to you.

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

Thrifty and Frugal

This has been a cold and dreary week. We were lucky enough to have sun when we went to the city and visited Kris, but since then dark clouds, cold, snow and rain. The weather predictions keep changing and who knows what the children will have for the fun on Saturday.

However it has been a great week for using things up. Thrifty and frugal were very easy to follow this week.

Being such a cold day staying home and not spending cash was very easy. Spent enough of my savings envelope (saved allowances that I consider spent when I get it) while stocking up on some craft items for the upcoming winter. 

I have finished processing all the garden harvest, froze a few items before they went off in the fridge. I just have some cauliflower to freeze tomorrow.

I have been baking bread and buns. The recipe I use only contains water, flour, oil, sugar, yeast, and salt. It is nice to know what is in the bread we eat.

I darned a couple of pairs of socks, fixed a hem on a pair of pants, and added another item to the donation pile.

Been making sure the washer, dishwasher and dryer are full before using them. 

Lights are being turned off in rooms not in use.

Dressing in layers if I feel cold instead of turning up the heat. Seems to be working very well, especially as darkness falls and a slight chill enters the house. 

Using up all leftovers, and this week will be one where I have an added meatless meal. I made a Lentil Casserole and there are leftovers. 

This is also a week where I am bringing up items to use from the chest freezer. This week was some chopped frozen peppers, and tomorrow I am looking for some grated zucchini. Keep your fingers crossed that I manage to find some. 

Getting my exercise steps in and have started to add a few more stretches (as well as steps). 

Drapes are closed once the sky darkens. It really helps with the retention of heat.

Cleaned some jars to make various mixes for the Christmas baskets. I will make some for me a bit later. 

Did my menu planning for next month and set up a cleaning list and project list.

Found some new recipes to try, and will look for some bean recipes over the next few days. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

 

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 A dark and dreary day here with a couple of surprises. It seems like the weather pundits were correct in what they predicted.

The weather channel said that at 2 pm the rain would hit and surprisingly it actually did. It was also predicted that the rain would contain snow.... Making it more sleet than rain. Next they said that this would happen.

And it did. The snow is supposed to fall off and on for the next 3 hours now and more will fall over the evening and night. 

Both Harvey and I got out early and got as much done as we could before the rain and snow hit. I am hopeful that there will be a slight warm up next week with some sunshine so we can get more of the yard cleaned up before winter. But what will be, will be I suppose.

I made up the menus for next month and I am hoping to use up lots of the bits and bobs in the fridge freezer and clearing some more items out of the chest freezer that need to be used. 

The weather is playing havoc right now with my back so I hope once the cold and snow settle in things will be better, or at least a bit more manageable with my mint salve and comfrey salves. As it stands right now I end up sitting for awhile, standing for awhile and then walking around the house. One good thing is I am getting all my steps in for sure over the next little while.

Did a bit more decluttering and organizing, but with the weather being so blah, I will probably get a great deal more done this week. 

Not too sure how many children will be out trick or treating as of course the weather forecast says cold and rainy. It is so hard to believe that this month is almost gone....

Many projects on the list that did not get accomplished, but I am hopeful of getting at least one or two done (finished off) by the end of the month. I did get some meatless meals looked up and plan on looking up a few more. I did work on the Christmas baskets, and have almost finished the garden produce. Been organizing and tidying the sewing/craft room as well and could probably finish that very soon.

In other words just the typical life I have been leading since retirement.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless. 

Menu Monday

 Wow, the last week of October is here. I will be starting to pull ready meals a bit more often as I need to get Christmas candy and baking done. I also need to get some mixes made to add to Kurt's and Kris's baskets and make some gifts for Hubby... Though what I can make for Harvey I don't really know right now. I will figure something out though.

So meals this week are a mix of ready meals, and using up leftovers to make new meals.

Monday

Chili and toast. Ready meal pulled from chest freezer.

Tuesday

Leftover turkey made into a casserole. Served with a salad.

Wednesday

A Lentil casserole hopefully or perhaps a lentil, chickpea stew. I have so many red lentils (heck green and brown as well) that need to be used up.

Thursday

Leftovers from Tuesday along with the leftover salad.

Friday

Leftovers from Wednesday and any remaining salad, or I will make a frozen veggie up to have as a side if necessary.

Saturday

Soup and egg salad sandwiches. It is Halloween so something easy and able to finish quickly.

Sunday

Ham Pasties from the freezer. Another ready meal to clear out a bit of room.

So the meals for next week are figured out and there were absolutely no changes. 

I will be working on the next month's menus this week, as well as planning some batch cooking days towards the end of the month, just so there is a replacement of food in the freezers ready to heat and serve. I do kind of a beef day, a pork day, a ground meat day, chicken day and then a soup day. 

Fitting in the other baking as well as my regular bread baking and a few sweets for Harvey as well. I really love how my house smells at this time of year. Cinnamon, nutmeg, fresh bread and nothing smells better. Well unless it is the pine smells of a real Christmas tree.

Off to set my table and then visit with all of you.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Friday And In The City

 

We made it to the city and I managed to get a bit of shopping done before we arrived at Kris's place.

I was a bit disappointed in Michael's this time around. Way too much still in boxes and taking up room in the middle of the aisles. Was quite hard to move around the store.

Since I got my shots yesterday and didn't sleep very well, I will be heading to bed very soon.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

 Thrifty and Frugal

The week has passed by very quickly. I have been busy finishing up the tomatoes and pumpkins. Only three more pumpkins and I have gotten them all processed. 

We are not too sure if the ground cherries are going to survive. It is getting pretty cold at night and soon will be well below freezing. Nothing seems to be ripening on the plants. Could be a failure this year.

Now what frugal and thrifty things have been happening here on the old homestead.

I bought 2 on sale beef roasts, as when I looked at the on sale stew meat realized the roasts were actually less expensive. So one roast was cut into cubes for stew. A cost savings of $10.00, which is nothing to sneeze at.

Pretty much all of my groceries and other shopping was either store brand or on sale. Still the cost was eyewatering but I am sure my next shop will be much less as I am pretty well stocked right now.

The usual hanging of clothing on the lines downstairs.

Mended a blanket that was given to me last Christmas by Kris.

Stretching most meals into a second dinner or at least a lunch for one of us.

Still making sure everything that uses electricity, like the oven, dishwasher, and washer are completely full before using them.

I have been using the electric roaster a great deal, as well as my air fryer. Next up is to get the slow cooker into the rotation a bit more. 

Planning what things I really need for my crafting and sewing this winter. I need some warp material, some embroidery thread, batting for quilts, some solid quilting fabric, some flannelette to make some pj's for myself for winter wear, and some interfacing (actually lots of interfacing if I want to try and make some tote bags for sale). There is a great sale at both the stores where I purchase these things so hopefully the expense will not be too bad. 

Reading some financial blogs and watching some frugal living YouTube channels. Interesting what many people are doing. 

Took the cans and bottles in to the recycling center for some cash.

Harvey started some Pinot which will be ready before Christmas.

Almost finished the first aid kits, just have to put in some of my thin rubber gloves to get them done.

Once again combined errands to save on fuel and wear/tear on the vehicle.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 I went shopping today and spent 3 hours doing so. Of course I got away a bit later than I would have liked, but man 3 hours comparing prices and looking where things come from. About drove me crazier than I already am. 

Also things have once again increased in price. I ended up purchasing two roasts as the stew meat that was on sale, was actually more per pound that the roast. Spending some time tonight cutting and getting that into the freezer. 

Still I am pretty sure that what I purchased (other than dairy and perhaps the fresh veggies) will last me well into November and even December with any luck at all.

My sister messaged me and we went out to lunch together. Had a lovely visit, and since today was her birthday I bought her lunch. When she said I shouldn't have done that, I told her she could take me out for lunch for my birthday.

Going out for lunch and the three hour shopping trip cut out my working on projects. Tomorrow I take my glasses in to have new lenses put in. Probably won't get much project work done without being able to see properly. I do have some older glasses, but I don't know how well I will see with those. Just put them on and not well at all. Guess I will be doing more cleaning and processing until I can actually see once again. 

I was asked what I was weaving and at one point I was hoping to warp the entire reed, but the warp went haywire so my plans for my wrap have changed. I will need to do two parts and sew them together down the middle.

I was also asked who the toques (knitted hats aka beanies) are for. Kurt once mentioned that many of the elementary students at his school come with no hats in the winter. So along with the mittens I made for them, the hats will be going to the school as well. As Kurt told the teachers there "Knitting keeps Ma out of trouble." Kind of, because eventually a few years down the road I may need to get more yarn. C'est la vie.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless. 

Menu Monday

 A new week has arrived and with it comes more changes to the monthly menu. I am beginning to think perhaps a weekly menu could be slightly better....

We had supper out on Saturday at the birthday party, so I made that meal yesterday. Moving lots around, and figuring out meals for the weekend when we make a trip to visit Kris so he and Harvey can attend the last Rider game of the season. I usually take at least one meal up to offset costs to our son, and this time I am actually thinking about 2 meals. Mostly so I don't have to move everything around once again.

Monday 

Roast beef (was supposed to be Sunday's meal), salad and cauliflower with cheese sauce. 

Tuesday

Baked spaghetti using the leftovers from Sunday. Probably finish off the salad as well.

Wednesday

Leftover roast beef made into a casserole of some type. Leftovers will probably be taken up to Kris's and used for one of the meals.

Thursday

Soup and sandwiches. I am planning on pumpkin soup and egg salad sandwiches. 

Friday

I plan on taking up some fish fillets and a package of store bought fries. 

Saturday

The leftover roast beef casserole.

Sunday

Ham Pasties, and probably a salad if I get home in time to make one.

I do hope there are no more changes, as next week I want to make broth from the carcasses I have saved, and use the ham bone later in the week and see what I can do with that other than ham broth. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Weekly Roundup

 I was asked about our Thanksgiving here in Canada and I must admit to not knowing a great deal about how and why our date is in October. I did know a few tidbits about our holiday in this country.

The first Thanksgiving in Canada was held by Sir Martin Frobisher in 1587 while in Nunavet. It was done in thanksgiving for a safe journey and the sailors ate hard tack, peas and the other items have slipped my mind.

Then in 1606, Samuel de Champlain held a series of "thanksgiving feasts" in New France.

Loyalists who left the United States and immigrated to Canada continued to practice the Thanksgiving they were used to.

In my reading our Thanksgiving changed every year and in fact one year many, many moons ago Parliament decided that December 6th would be a great day to celebrate. 

In 1957, the second Monday of the month of October was chosen as the permanent day, mostly because harvest was done by this time.

But even before Europeans started celebrating Thanksgiving our First Nations people had been celebrating something similar for many years.

Now that I have bored you all with Thanksgiving tidbits, on to what I have accomplished this month.

Pumpkins were processed over a couple of days. Just too many for me to do all at once, and there are yet more to do.

My collection of pots that seemed to add up after the puree processing and tomato processing. 

Some baby corn cobs that Harvey picked and we ate last night. They actually look pretty large here, but the biggest one was
about 3 inches. Sure were sweet though.

Weaving has begun. This colour is off as it is a very dark purple. 

I got to work on the embroidery once again. Sorry for the wrinkles. 

The bag of 15 toques left with Kurt and I am now working on some more. Pictures once I have more done.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

  Thrifty and Frugal

Once again it is time to remember the thrifty and frugal things I have done this week. 

Of course the usual things are being done, clothes dried on the lines downstairs, full wash loads that are done in cold water and if not at least rinsed in cold. 

I am now starting to save dishes that must be handwashed to be done only once. That should save a bit on the water bill, or at least I so hope.

I did darn some socks this week.

When I used the oven I made sure it was full.

I have been using the many appliances I own for cooking a bit more. 

Saving crusts once again this time in the fridge freezer.

Washing the glass jars as they empty. These will be used to store what seems to be an inordinate amount of spices and herbs I have managed to collect. 

Processing tomatoes and pumpkins, which will be continuing through the coming week. 

Still using up the orphan yarn skeins and balls making toques. Once those are all done (need to make 25 or 35 more) I think I will be making some multicoloured blankets, or perhaps some funky shawls. 

Kurt brought me some of his old, well loved clothing and I will be cutting those up and saving any bits that I can like buttons. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 

Another overcast and dang cold day (cold for this time of year). We managed to stay above freezing overnight, but the feel like temperatures for last night and the coming two nights are well below the freezing mark. 

I spent the day getting 5 smallish pumpkins processed and hope to get another 3 done tomorrow. We have haircut appointments in the afternoon so these will be started first thing in the morning. I think I will also process some of the ripe tomatoes, or at least get them ready to be frozen when we get home from said haircuts. 

Other than the garden processing, I have just been doing work that is usually done on Tuesdays and realizing I really need to get some canned mushrooms the next time I go shopping. Hopefully those will be on sale. 

I got Kris's room cleaned up though he is pretty good about keeping the room fairly tidy. I do need to get into Kurt's room at some point this week and make sure his is neat and tidy. There is a rug I made years ago down there that I should probably repair. I just have to figure out how I am going to do that. 

There will be a bit of spending done this week, hopefully just one day (haircuts) and I hope to get some baking other than bread done as well. I brought up some rhubarb to use, and I would like to get some cherry muffins done as well. I think that both of those baked items could be done in my toaster oven. Leaving the regular oven for bread and pumpkin processing. 

We are out for a birthday celebration on Saturday which will mean getting fuel earlier than I wanted to. But we get a meal and spend time with some of the family once again. Looking forward to seeing a nephew that we haven't seen in probably 20 years. This nephew is also Kris's Godfather and the son of the birthday girl. 

October is slipping past on wings as every month previously has. We still need more yard clean up and winterizing of the house. November will be here before we know it and then comes Christmas prep. Yikes, the year is passing by too quickly. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

The house is quiet once again. Both Kurt and Kris left for their respective homes this morning. Both probably hit snow about 20 minutes from here, Kris more than likely hit even more snow once he got to the city. We, fortunately, only got rain. Lots of rain and lower temperatures which could cause some freezing overnight. Now a pretty dense fog is moving in so there will not be a nice sunset here.

I can now go back to cooking for two once again. Going to be difficult for awhile as I rev things up to cook for 4 (two whom eat enough for probably 4) and now have to try and cut back. I also have lots of bits of salad leftover as well. 

So here are my menus for this week. We are invited to a birthday celebration that includes dinner on Saturday so the menu will of course change once again.

Monday

The leftover filling from my stuffed cabbage and ground meat buns made into a casserole. Served with the leftover yellow beans from yesterday's supper.

Tuesday

Leftover turkey made into a casserole, serving with sliced cuke and sliced tomatoes. Should be enough left for another meal this week.

Wednesday

Soup and sandwiches. Kurt gave me the idea to make some of my processed pumpkin puree into a soup. Should make a very nice change. Sandwich wise I think I might make some tuna melts.

Thursday

Leftovers from Tuesday, and I will serve them with mixed veggies.

Friday

Lazy Perogy Casserole, with fried onions, and sour cream.

Saturday

Out at the birthday celebration. 

Sunday

I will make what I had planned for Saturday. Spaghetti and meat sauce. I will try and make a marinated salad for this meal. The roast meal will be made on Monday.

Surprisingly there was not that much meat leftover from the turkey. I got a freezer medium bag for each of the sons, a freezer medium bag for us, plus a bag containing the legs and wings for us as well. This really surprised me and makes me wonder if the listed weight was wrong. Might have to pick up an even larger one for Christmas this year. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Friday Weekly Roundup

 

I haven't really managed to get much done on projects this week so once again no pictures. 

Instead I have been busy baking bread, baking buns, freezing leftovers, and getting ready for our Thanksgiving dinner. Add in a few necessary appointments, bill payments, and a bit of gardening processing and the week has been pretty full.

This isn't to say I haven't been doing work on projects, I have. Just not able to spend as much time as I wanted on them. I think that I just may be looking forward to the cold weather and staying at home more and working on all those projects.

More organizing and tidying of the sewing/craft room has taken place. I managed to get a whiteboard up in there and have listed the projects I had set aside, some new ones and many smaller ones. I do have to make some labels for a couple of containers next which will be put on the project list, as well as cutting strips and getting more weaving ideas down as well. 

Life, while perhaps not as slowed down as I would like it, is at least a bit more relaxed. Well at least as relaxed as I can possibly be at this stage. Decluttering is removing items from the house that no longer serve a purpose, or I can no longer use. Tidying the sewing/craft room is allowing me to see how much I actually have to work with, baking and cooking are filling my freezer with wonderful meals, Kurt and Kris will be home this weekend, as will our grandkitty. Life is good and I know we will all be okay.

This weekend we will dump baskets and pull things out from the larger planters. Not sure if we will store away and cover the deck furniture, but we will definitely be making a start on getting ready for the winter months. The garden is coming to an end, and I am continuing to process what I can when I can. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursdays

 Thrifty and Frugal

I am trying my best to be both thrifty and frugal, but think I could be falling behind on this due to some pretty large expenditures this month and next month. Heck from now until the end of the year there are some pretty big expenditures. 

Also, since I turn 71 this year my RRSP's here in Canada have to be turned into RIFF's. I really was not paying attention or I would have moved a few more into my Tax Free Savings Account. Just goes to show one that "You snooze, you lose" is quite true. 

Our furnace still has not been turned on. Instead I have been turning on my electric fireplace to take the chill off the front rooms in the morning. By the time an hour goes by the temperature has risen and I can turn it off.

I was surprised by the air conditioner coming on a few times. Finally realized it was because the oven was on getting pumpkins processed, bread baked and pies made. I will open some windows tomorrow when I bake the birthday cake, and cookies. That should help keep the air from coming on.

Hanging as much as possible on the lines downstairs. 

Washing only full loads in the clothes washer, and in the dishwasher.

Eating leftovers for my lunches.

Saving all meal leftovers to use in another meal or two if possible. 

Still using up yarn and embroidery floss.

Working on finding out what needs to be repaired before winter hits. 

Using as many appliances to cook as possible.

Still researching meatless meals online. 

Did not purchase birthday cards for Kurt and Kris. They usually just take their birthday money out and throw away the card. So I saved quite a bit today.

Still combining as many errands as possible.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless. 

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 So, I was slowly getting better, until this morning. Woke up and my back is killing me. Not because I have done too much, rather because of the upcoming weather.

While the next couple of days are going to be just lovely, the Weather Network is forecasting snow starting Saturday night, Sunday and even part of Monday for my area and for Kris's city as well. Kurt will have even more snow fall on his town/city (I never know what to call Drumheller). It is a good thing that I really hope to have any outside errands done by Thursday, I can then stay home and rest my back as much as possible before the visit begins.

This also means that I can no longer put off getting things done outside. I will need to do a bit each day and hopefully when our sons are home I can get them to help with the clean up of flowers and furniture. Though the deck furniture might need to wait until everything dries once again before being covered and stacked.

I have been working in 15 minute bits and then changing position. That could mean moving from standing to sitting, sitting to walking and doing a few stretches as well. 

I have also been going over our budget to see where cuts can be made. As long as the stock market is going crazy we will be losing finances. This means we will need to get creative on meals, driving, water, power, and energy (natural gas). Most will not be hard to cut back a bit on, but considering winter is arriving and we are never sure about the weather or temperatures the heating portion of my planned frugality could definitely take a hit. One thing I do know is that even more appliance cooking will be taking place, the oven will be filled completely as will the dishwasher and washer. I may even hang a bit more on the lines downstairs if at all possible. 

Supper tonight is soup and grilled sandwiches. I only used about 1/2 the cauliflower, so there will be another recipe to use the remainder this week. Just not sure what.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Menu Monday

 I have made a few changes to the monthly menu already, and here it is only the 5th. Changes will use a few items up in the fridge freezer, and fridge itself. The reason being is that we had leftovers that took a couple of days to get through so main courses were moved a couple of days. 

Monday

The leftover ham I was going to use on Sunday is being used tonight. It will be diced up, and mixed with some frozen peas, finely diced onion, sliced fresh mushrooms, and the cheesy macaroni from last night to make a warming casserole.

Tuesday

Soup and grilled ham and cheese sandwiches.

Wednesday

Some smoked hamburgers on buns with pickles, cheese and whatever spread we want on them. I will make some fries to go along and cut up a cucumber and tomato (or tomatoes) as sides.

Thursday

I pulled a pizza from the freezer and will add some toppings to it. Mushrooms, ham, cheese, onion and some green pepper strips from the fridge freezer.

Friday

Making probably Glace as it can be warmed up as Kurt and Kris arrive home. If they do not want that I am sure there will be sandwich fixings and probably some leftover soup.

Saturday

Harvey is going to smoke pork chops, I will make a potato salad or coleslaw, and there will be corn on the cob to munch on as well. Dessert will more than likely be a birthday cake as both celebrate their birthday the end of next week.

Sunday

Thanksgiving. I will be making a turkey, stuffing, salad, mashed potatoes, mixed veggies, and gravy. Dessert can be cake or pumpkin pie with whipped cream or ice cream. Turkey leftovers will be packaged up and both Kurt and Kris can take some home with them when they leave on the Monday. 

I have noticed as I cleaned and organized the chest freezer that I am out of turkey and chicken bone broth and so after Thanksgiving I will be using the carcasses I have in the fridge freezer to make some replacement broth. 

I will need to tighten the frugal belt a bit more, as I had an expense that is a bit higher than I thought it would be. Explanation tomorrow on that.

I am feeling much better overall, but still not totally myself. Not good as there is much to do before the holiday.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Weekly Roundup

 

I have had a busy week trying to get things in from the garden. I managed to get all the tomatoes picked and into boxes. They are ripening very slowly, but they are ripening. I am hopeful that there will be enough to make one batch of the condensed soup I freeze tomorrow. 

Also the freezer is slowly getting organized. I am pulling older items out to use up and make room for the new items I am putting in for the winter. 

Some pumpkins have been processed and the puree is frozen. Pretty sure another two will be ready this week so more for the freezer and some to get those pies ready for Thanksgiving. 

Been baking buns and bread, trying to stockpile for when our sons are home on the 9th.

Some of the plants have been pulled or cut down on the deck, more from the herb boxes will be done tomorrow morning. 

The sewing/craft room is getting more and more organized. I work perhaps 15 minutes a day in there and it is really making a difference. Of course there are things that need to be used and turned into something that can be used in the house or given away. Hence my knitting toques, and as of today I have 13 made and another on my needles. 

Embroidery on the other hand has kind of taken a back seat. I can't work on it when the day is dark and we have had a number of those. The days I could have worked on the block have been days I have been removing things from the garden, or processing things from the garden, or even baking. 

Grocery shopping on one day, and man things are really increasing in price. I did purchase a few items ($10.00 worth) for the pantry. I actually found canned potatoes finally so picked up a can of those, plus brown sugar, icing sugar and a can of evaporated milk. Doesn't seem like much for $10.00 does it? When I look at some of the items I have bought over the years I am completely shocked at how much things have gone up in price. However yesterday I noticed that our fuel price dropped $0.03 a liter. Not much, but man a welcome sight these days. 

I know I promised pictures, but forgot to keep track of all I did this week. Next week for sure.

Please forgive me if I don't get to visit you tonight as I really am not feeling very well. I have developed a really bad headache, and that is causing my stomach to do flip flops.... Not at all what I had thought my day would end.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursdays

 Thrifty and Frugal

My goodness the weather has certainly changed. We got a bit of frost last night and today we will get more. We are covering the ground cherries to see if we can actually get a crop or at least a few that we can dehydrate and use during the winter.

The usual frugal happenings on the old homestead. I am putting up whatever I can in preparation for the winter, heck pretty much in prep for whatever is going to happen.

Clothes are being hung on the downstairs lines as the weather has not really been good to hang items outside. 

Errands once again are being done together as much as possible. 

My exercise is still walking and I managed to get the same or just above number of steps all month. This month I will add another 1k to the total and hit all those the entire month.

Organized and tidied the sewing/craft room.

Organizing the chest freezer (that still has a ways to go). 

We were under total budget last month, but I am doing a bigger stock up this month so I am hoping to be at budget or just a tad under.

Moved money into the savings account. It wasn't a great deal, but it was something.

Using up all leftovers in other meals to feed the two of us, or eating smaller amounts for my lunch. 

Cooked some ready meals for the freezer.

Will be doing some baking to use up a few things in the chest freezer. 

Working on the yarn stash, and planning some sewing to use up some of my fabric. 

Used up some embroidery thread working on the quilt blocks. 

Mended a small shrug that I knit years ago and never got around to repairing.

Now the unfrugal things. Spent way too much on groceries today, and missed a few items off my list. My back got sore so I did not want to be heaving bread flour or sugar into the cart. I can manage until the next time I go shopping. I also bought a new hand mixer. I didn't price check with other stores, just picked up the one I liked in the store. My old one the beaters were starting to rust (it is about 40 years old) and I will put it aside to use when making lotions and potions. 

Our finances have taken a real beating this quarter, mostly because of what is happening in the world. This makes it even more important that I keep to my budget as much as possible. I also have an eye appointment on Monday and I am pretty sure I need new lenses. I just hope they can put them in the frames I already have. Frames are actually what cost the most for me. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 It was fairly chilly when I awoke at 5:30 am. I got up early as I had an early morning appointment at the dentist. I got a bit carried away trying to get a few things done before I would be attending that. I had to do a very quick brushing of teeth, and dressing but made it in time. 

I was in and out in well less than an hour. It seems like every time I go I spend less and less time in the chair. I am holding my own, getting the plaque to be less and less. I am also having fewer problems with inflammation in my gums so much less bleeding is happening. All are very good things.

Once home I continued with my household tasks. I am afraid I am a very boring person all told. Being home and in my own space is what makes me feel so very comfortable. 

I brought in three pumpkins to process tomorrow and Harvey actually brought in the rest for me. I checked out our potato harvest and we may have enough to last through until the end of December. Other years we had enough for me to make hash browns and fries with to freeze, not this year. Not really looking forward to having to purchase them at all. This past year there have been many not good ones in the bags and I end up wasting a great deal of them. 

Now about the apples in the neighbours yard.... I have gone over a few times, once with cookies, once with a banana loaf and once with some muffins. Only to find she is not at home. Our neighbour is probably in her late 20's and has two rather large dogs. One time I saw her outside working in the front yard and decided to try once again to introduce myself.... She saw me coming over and quickly went into her house. Believe me at 5'4" I am not a scary person so I do not know what the problem is. I will try once again in the spring of next year and I have always gotten along very well with my neighbours.

I usually finish my daily to do lists, but lately it has been a stretch. I seem to keep adding items to each day making the day's work take a bit longer.

I warped my loom today for my next project and kept making errors in doing that. So my next project will need to be done in two parts, or at least I hope it will be done in two parts as I am not too sure about the tension of my warp. I want to make a poncho/wrap for myself so if it isn't perfect that is okay. Yet, one would think the more one weaves the easier and closer to being the right tension would happen.

The trade war, if I may be so bold as to call it that, between my country and our southern neighbour is getting worse. I am still working on preparing for whatever happens the rest of this year. It is just so tiring and the news does not always sound conducive to a quick end. Contrary to what Mr. Trump expects I highly doubt that we will come on bended knee and say "We are sorry." Life just doesn't move in that direction up here. We are hurt, and wonder why it is forgotten that we were the first country to join the United States after 9/11, we opened up our homes to planes that were stranded across Canada, and have always been there when needed. 

I will keep on using things up, making do, fixing what I can and making the best of what is a horrible situation for both countries. I am supporting my country in the only way I am able to now with the money I spend and I am sorry for those states that this is really hurting. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

It is getting cooler and frost or near frost conditions are headed our way. Harvey has picked all the potatoes, and we will have to cover the ground cherries (hopefully covering them keeps them safe). The lemon trees will be coming in tomorrow after the second spray of insecticidal soap. I was hoping for a few more weeks of well above freezing temperatures at nigh, but I guess that for the foreseeable future that is not going to happen.

But at least colder weather means soup and hearty stick to the ribs meals.

Monday

Split pea soup, served with Chicken Pesto muffins (first time I have made those muffins so I hope we like them). 

Tuesday

Stir fry using the leftover pork from Sunday. Served with rice.

Wednesday

I will be making Cabbage Bread (buns stuffed with cabbage, ground meat and onion, seasoned with salt and pepper) so we will have those for our meal.

Thursday

Leftovers from Tuesday nights supper. 

Friday

Eggplant Parma, probably with some kind of raw veggies on the side with some dip.

Saturday

Chicken Wings marinated and cooked in Garlic sauce. I think a salad would be lovely with this and perhaps some fries.

Sunday

A bag of the leftover ham warmed up, mashed potatoes, carrots from the freezer that I froze from this years harvest. 

I am trying to use up as much as possible from the chest freezer and have brought up some frozen saskatoon pie filling to make a crisp for desserts, plus some blueberries to have with my morning yogurt. I may also make some cherry loaf on one of the days to use up the dried cherries in the fridge.

Being a frugal cook means making the most of what you have and making sure you are using everything you have. Meals can be simple but filling when you cook ahead, make extra and plan on using leftovers in new ways. 

I will be taking a look at what I have for roasts and hoping for a good sale this week. Pretty much cleared all those out and they will need replacing sooner or later. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Slow and Steady

 

As this year draws to a close (after all there are only just a tad over three months left), my journey towards a simpler life is steadily becoming more attainable. 

I have been decluttering and have reached 290 items out of the house.

Moved toward more big batch cooking every second month or so which enables me to have the time, especially when things seem to pile up, to put a great and filling meal on the table.

Monthly menu planning is becoming much easier, though I need to make sure to add more meatless or vegetarian options. Meat is becoming very expensive and will need to be stretched even more. 

Fuel here is now $1.90 a liter (so about $7.60 a United States gallon, or $9.50 and Imperial gallon which is what we use here in Canada, follows our British traditions) this means that keeping errands and shopping to a minimum really helps with the simplicity of day to day living. 

I am finding it much easier to find something in my closet or cupboards when the urge to go and spend money occurs. I don't want to go shopping just to fill time, shopping is something that is necessary, but not necessary for fun. Fun is realizing that you have just what you need already.

This past month I have also learned that you can do something over the course of a few days. This is what I am doing with the cleaning of the fridge, and the organizing of the sewing/craft room. In the organizing sessions I have found lots of projects I set aside to do "later" and now is the time to get those completed or at least get a few of them done and either in use or framed and on the wall. 

I have been enjoying the "me" time I have gotten this month. Most of that is working on projects, walking, or reading. Things that got set aside in my rush to complete daily tasks. Now I carry things over from day to day.

Simplicity does not mean forgetting about preparing, instead to me it means being prepared at all times for all things. This is probably why I decided to make sewing kits and first aid kits as part of Kurt's and Kris's gift baskets for Christmas. I also need to update ours as well. My fall while on our trip definitely pointed that out to me. 

Slow and steady, I will finally reach what I consider a simple and frugal lifestyle.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

Thrifty and Frugal

This week has been pretty quiet. I have stayed home and worked on various projects that need to be done before the winter. 

Found a lost flashlight and replaced the old dead batteries. One less thing to have to purchase. I do need to pick up a few more so every room has one to use if the power goes out.

I mended the fuzzy blanket that I got for Christmas last year.

Worked on decluttering my wardrobe. I have removed a few skirts and will continue working on that over the next week.

The garden is slowly being harvested. There is only one tomato plant left to gather, some jalapeno peppers, and of course the potatoes. Today Harvey dug up all the onions and they are curing in the basement.

I have dehydrated more herbs, gone through the bags of spices and found many doubles. Those doubles were poured together and put in another container. 

Meals are being made using what I have in the house. Leftovers are made into new meals, or if not enough for two are used for lunches. 

Using up some of the older stock from the chest freezer. I have made a deal with myself to use up at least one bag or one container each week. This week I used up some apple pie filling that I made last year in an apple crisp for our dessert.

Then of course there are the usual frugal and thrifty past times that Harvey and I both follow here on the old homestead. 

Our fuel is now up to $1.89.9 a liter and will probably climb even higher. This means we will be watching where and how we drive as well as combining even more errands where possible. 

Harvey started some red wine a couple of weeks ago. It is in the secondary now and should be ready to bottle by Thanksgiving next month.

Saved some veggie scraps to make more veggie broth down the road a bit.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.