Continuing My Journey

 

It has been a week of cleaning (yes Spring cleaning upstairs is done, except for the cupboards), organizing and decluttering. The more I declutter, the more I feel like I am following the right path towards a simpler life. 

I have managed to find the floor in the sewing/craft room over this past week. Pretty sure there is more I could do in there, but I am leaving it until I get some items out of the house. A few things will be going with me to the Silent Auction at the family reunion, and then hopefully Kurt will be removing the 100 pairs of mittens from the house as well. That will actually add to the floor space by some 5 or 6 square feet. 

There are also the clothing items that I plan on trying to recycle into something new or if unable to do so donate. Once that box is gone, more floor space will open up. I hope to get started on those next month and finish them up when we come back from our trip. 

Lots was donated from that room as well. Slowly, slowly I am letting go of things that no longer feel necessary or that I no longer am attached emotionally to. 

Pretty much the only reason I managed to get so much done over the last couple of weeks is because we have had lots, and lots of rain. Now we need heat and sun to get things growing rapidly as I want to get a few things dehydrated, picked, frozen and canned before we leave. 

List making continues, and that really is enabling me to sleep better at night. It shuts off my thoughts about what needs to be done and stops me from worrying that things might not get done that need to be done. Life is so much easier to live when anxiety does not rule me. It is also much easier to feel like I am getting that much closer to a simpler life.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thurdays

Thrifty and Frugal

It has been just the usual weekly frugal and thrifty happenings here on the old homestead.

Trying my best to not waste anything at all food wise, and I am beginning to get tired of the only one who seems to be eating most of the leftovers. I think that tonight, instead of eating what is on my menu plan, I will just pull out all leftovers and see what we can finish up. I might have been cooking way too much over the last few days.

I am mending clothing, mostly seams on pj's and shorts. Though I did darn a pair of socks, and find a purse that the lining needs to be re-attached. Perhaps I will take that to the group meeting tonight. 

Using up yet more yarn weaving the second scarf, and when cleaning out the sewing/craft room (major cleaning almost done now) found a few double books to donate as well as an item I am going to take with us the next time we visit with Kris. I also sent a few items to recycling. Just a bit more to do in there and the only items that will be left on the floor will be things that go to other places. 

Trying hard to keep the air conditioning off as much as possible. I think that today is the first time it has come on in about 5 days. The rain we have been getting has filled the rain barrel that Harvey repaired. 

I got some free plants from a friend who was thinning some of her perennials out. 

Started some herbal salves to use up some of last year's harvested, dried herbs.

Tonight at the knitting/crochet/fiber arts group one of the ladies is bringing me some free yarn to use to make toques for the students at the school. Free yarn is good and will keep me supplied. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening (or afternoon, or morning).

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 I will soon have most of the top floor of the house spring cleaned. There is a great deal to do yet in the sewing/craft room, but since it is mostly dusting shelves and the desk I am hopeful of getting that completed in a few days. I can then move on to cleaning cupboards, and straightening closets up once again. I really am not as quick at this as I used to be, more rest times are needed, and sometimes after resting I just don't feel like getting back to it. 

I noticed though that there are quite a few things in the sewing/craft room that will slowly be disappearing. I am thinking the items for the Family reunion silent auction, and when Kurt leaves after visiting a rather large bag of mittens will be gone. There are also a few items that will either be recycled, tossed or donated. More will be used as well over the next few months. I am slowly getting a handle on craft supplies.

As far as gardening is concerned, well I am pretty sure I can keep the grass that grows in the lower level of the perennial bed kind of in check, but the creeping bellflower in the top level is getting harder and harder to control. I know I don't always get all the roots, especially on the smaller growth, but I am at least able to keep it from flowering and sending forth more seeds. 

The cherry trees have been netted, and most of the garden planted. Harvey is holding off on the beans until we are sure they will not be ready to pick before or while we are gone.

My sleep cycle seems to be getting pretty much back to normal. Yet I am still really tired today. Could be that cleaning walls, light shades and pictures (as well as some dusting) is a bit too much in one day when ordinary everyday tasks are added in. 

I think that my decision to make lists of what needs to be done before our family reunion, and before our trip is really helping settle my brain a bit and allows me to shut down all my worries and get the necessary sleep. My only lists left to make are what we need to take for both outings. I have the items necessary for the Friday get together pretty much done and will just add as I remember items. 

Going in for my yearly lab tests tomorrow. It is a walk-in clinic and I hope that I can get in and out quickly. I should actually have gone last week, but being so tired and not feeling well I decided to hold off for a week. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 It is that time of the week once again, and while I will be using things up I will also be adding to the collection in the fridge and freezer. I hope to catch up with using all of the bits and bobs over the next few weeks and definitely through the month of July.

So, what are we eating this week.

Monday

Hotdogs, homemade pork and beans and I may just get my take on a Greek salad made as well.

Tuesday

Leftover pork roast made into a stir fry and served over rice. If any Greek salad left we will hopefully finish that off as well.

Wednesday

Chicken Vegetable Soup and tuna salad sandwiches.

Thursday

The leftover stir fry and rice. I will probably add the asparagus that will definitely need using by then.

Friday

Breakfast for supper. I will make pancakes.

Saturday

BBQ hamburgers, and tinfoil potatoes, along with another tossed salad I hope.

Sunday

Roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, and corn (no carrots left until I go shopping once again).

So there is what we will be eating during the week, and since it is supposed to be a rainy one, I may even get a bit of baking in as well. Really could use some cookies.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Moving Forward

 If there is one thing I have found out on this journey, is nothing is ever smooth. There are times that for every two steps forward, I seem to take at least one step back if not more.

Still there is more forward movement and I am extremely happy about that fact. This week however the forward journey is hampered by the fact that a home needs to be cleaned from top to bottom and I seem to be one of those that feel two top to bottom cleanings are necessary every year. 

This year the first top to bottom cleaning is a bit late and I am slightly flustered about that. Especially as I thought I was keeping up with things by doing a bit extra cleaning each month. Seems I wasn't as good as I thought at that at all.

However I can see a change to be made and will of course make that change. 

This cleaning is helping me to declutter and figure out what is important and what isn't and having Harvey help out with things like taking the shades and such down for me is cutting time off the routine. It is simplifying my up and down movements, and enabling me to get more done so I can once again enjoy a slower pace. A couple of days or a week of constant cleaning and then weeks and months of tiny smaller cleaning tasks is just about perfect.

My slow down yesterday was watching a bunny nibble on the weeds and grass in our front lawn. Today it was working a bit longer on the weaving. Tomorrow it will be walking up and taking the time to attend the birthday of a 90 year old friend. Simple things, that really do make life more enjoyable. 

Simplicity can be work, but the work involved can be lots of fun.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

 Thrifty and Frugal

Another week of being frugal and thrifty happened here on the old homestead. 

I have noticed that quite often my posts do not show up as changing on peoples feeds. I am not sure what hocus pocus is occurring on Blogger, but I do hope the fix the problem soon. I just always click on all blogs on my sidebar just in case there has been a post that didn't show up. Believe me there are lots.

1.  Hung all clothing on the lines outside this week, except for towels, and sheets.

2.  Windows open to cool the house two days this week.

3.  Using up leftovers in the fridge and fridge freezer to make meals.

4.  Patched a pair of Harvey's pants.

5.  No watering necessary outside as we have had some rain over the last three days.

6.  Used some of my saved allowances to purchase some new sandals, three bras, a skort, 2 pairs of pants and a very nice dress. All on sale and the total cost was under $80.00. Oops forgot 2 short sleeved tops as well.

7.  Picking lettuce from the garden.

8.  Harvesting and processing rhubarb (might get another pick as of right now).

9.  Put $0.45 in the change jars.

10.  Went grocery shopping and picked up lots of on sale produce, and some dairy which will keep me from going for a big shop next week.

11.  Spring cleaning and walking for exercise, using up some more purchased cleaners.

So not to bad a week. How did you all do this week?

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

  

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 

Just a bit of rain this morning, but man the humidity is bad. I went for a walk to get the mail and was perspiring like crazy before I managed to get home. The air seems awfully close as well, making breathing slightly difficult.

Harvey got all the ornaments back out on the deck and surrounding the perennial bed. Don't ask if I managed to get out and weed said perennial bed. Between downpours, humidity and getting some preserving and baking done inside, the answer is nope. Perhaps things will cool down, and the mosquitos will go away for a bit. 

I have managed to get a great deal of the extra cleaning done. Tomorrow I will remove the pictures in the living room and dining room, give them a good clean and put the dust cloth on the long handled mop and dust all the walls. Heck I may get the bathroom done as well. 

If the weather co-operates perhaps the outside of the house could be pressure washed, and the windows cleaned. That is Harvey's job. Then I could also clean the inside windows in the above mentioned rooms. 

Once spring cleaning is complete I can work harvesting and preserving foraged items and of course herbs (basil especially). 

I have been asked if there is any time that our electricity costs less to use. The answer is no, and I really wish there was. In the constant uptick of costs this would be wonderful. During the summer and garden watering we do get a bit of a break on the sewer portion of our water bills. That is a little bit of a savings.

The only way I can save on electric costs is to try and use less. Some months we use less than others, and some we use more. I am very hopeful that I will be using the dryer much less over the next few months. I also want to BBQ a bit more. The last few years the weather was not the greatest for that to happen. 

I have started to make some lists that will help me get ready for our trip in just over a month and a half (my goodness it is coming up very quickly). I also want to look for a much larger purse that can contain my electronics, our passports, my trip folder, and our fanny packs. The fanny packs will be used when we arrive at our destination and for excursions off the ship. I am not sure if I will pack my hiking boots or wear them on the plane. There are some days we will be gone from morning until just about supper (dinner/tea time) and I am not sure if wearing my runners would work. 

A few other happenings around the old homestead, but nothing really exciting. Hope to have a few pictures of the garden to share with you on Friday. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

A new week and surprisingly it is staying pretty cool today. We have the windows open and there is a lovely breeze wafting in.

So, what is cooking at the homestead this week.

Monday

Soup and Grilled Cheese sandwiches. It has been a long day of tasks and I needed something very easy.

Tuesday

Leftover chicken from Sunday. I am thinking that wraps would be just lovely. I can run out later and pick some lettuce, and I bought some tomatoes today. Easy to grate up some cheese, add a bit of ranch dressing or some whipped French Onion Cream Cheese. 

Wednesday

Marinated steaks on the BBQ (if not raining too hard), along with some potato salad and asparagus done on the BBQ as well.

Thursday

Chili from the freezer and I hope to make some buns on our supposedly very rainy Tuesday.

Friday

Fish burgers, and the remains of the potato salad.

Saturday

Leftovers, kind of a clean out the fridge night.

Sunday

Pork roast, roasted potatoes, roasted carrots, and perhaps the last of the asparagus.

That should keep my carnivore happy as the next two weeks have a couple more meatless meals.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

A Lovely Journey

 Summer is here with all the joy that heat and sun can bring. It also brings higher energy costs due to air conditioning. However I am trying to combat that by having lights off during the day, using appliances to cook our meals (or the stove top which does not heat up the house), and Harvey helps by planting a vegetable garden. 

Rising prices mean living a simple life is probably the best way to handle that. I am finding that spending time doing the things that I love, looking for sales (even if that means a bit longer shopping) and kind of reverse planning most of the months menus make life a great deal easier on this old body.

I enjoy the process of mending, and making do. Substituting is becoming second nature and taking advantage of cooler, rainy weather or the early morning to bake definitely makes life easier, even if doing so was not on the to do list for that day. 

Eating later in the day would be my preference, but Harvey seems to like the 6 pm dinner (or supper) time, though he does not mind a slightly later meal (like by 15 minutes or so). 

Slowing down and enjoying each task, making cleaners or foraging for salve contents is awesome. Cool enough tomorrow will see a rhubarb cake and rhubarb muffins made for the freezer. Using what is available is not only frugal and thrifty, but leads one down the path to simplicity. After all what could be simpler than eating and using what you have grown yourself. 

There has also been a decision by me that I will enjoy the body that I am in. No more worrying about losing weight, as I manage to get out and walk more, or work in the garden things will even out. And if it doesn't, well my boys and friends love me exactly like I am.

Life is so much better without excess pressures from outside, and while I do know the world is not in the best of places right now, I can only control what I can control. That means my own small world and when possible the greater world around me by doing small and significant changes to my life. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless. 

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

 Thrifty and Frugal 

Another week of mostly thrifty and frugal happenings here on the old homestead. Life is good and getting better each and every day. Slowing down and enjoying the process.

1.  Since I was unable to hang clothes on the lines outside, things were hung to dry in the basement.

2.  Added to the savings envelope $100.00.

3.  Added $4.35 to the change jars. Going to have to roll those soon to use for the family reunion.

4.  Picked a lettuce from the garden for salads this week.

5.  Shopping was a bit high, but most was purchased on sale and I managed to get some meat for the freezer at very low prices for here.

6.  Bought 3 ice cream at a price I haven't seen for a number of years. Should be good for a bit.

7.  Using up yarn weaving the second scarf, and knitting those mitts.

8.  Found some bras that online cost $65.00 for one at Walmart for $24.99 and bought 3 for just over that cost by $10.00. I really needed some new ones that fit properly.

9.  Leftovers are being made into new meals or reheated for another meal. 

10.  Fixed a small hole in one of Harvey's shirts.

11.  Walking for exercise and managing to get all the steps in doing small chores around the house and yard.

12.  Picked rhubarb and made a pie, have enough to make a cake to freeze as well as probably some muffins. Free fruit. 

13.  Able to water plants with the water in the rain barrel.

14.  A friend is going to give me a comfrey plant when she thins hers out. 

15.  Decluttering is on going.

16.  Making sure to use appliances for cooking meals as much as possible. 

17.  Did up the budget entries for the month of May and was pleasantly surprised to be under budget once again.

18.  Moved some cash into the savings account and will try to do so again this month even if it is just a little.

19.  Made the most of the nice weather by sitting out on the deck a few early evenings. Slow living.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless. 

Project Roundup For May

 I promised you all a peek at what I managed to complete in the month of May. Here it is.

First off what sewing projects I managed to complete.

A pair of longer cut shorts.

A pair of capris length pants.

Next up a pair of regular length shorts.

Then a skirt to use up some more fabric. This is more of a fall/winter wardrobe addition.

Next was a dress, a very light, soft knit.

Lastly was a jacket made out of another leftover piece of knit fabric.

Then I got 10 pairs of mittens (the smaller size) completed.

And I got another rose block done for the next quilt top. I decided that the main rose in each quilt will be a different colour. This cream colour is kind of hard to see.

I did manage to get one scarf totally finished, but will wait to show you that picture once the other scarf (started today) is finished.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

Sorry that I didn't post yesterday, but after a day of shopping and a run in with the dishwasher door, and the doorway frame, I just wanted to crawl into bed and pull the covers over my head.

 I am now sporting a rather large bruise on my arm. Quite the lovely sight. But I am feeling a bit more like myself and have had my appointment with my doctor moved ahead by a week, so will get her to take a look at the darn thing. 

Today I spent getting things finished in the house that did not get completed yesterday due to my clumsiness. I also managed some baking, and with Harvey's help got the loom warped and ready to go.

I am now taking a bit of a break before putting the finishing touches on supper and getting some more steps in. 

My back is slightly sore today due to the rain we got today, but man was that rain needed. Things grow so much better and the rain barrel is half filled!!! Harvey is hoping for more rain, at least enough to fill his rather large rain barrel. 

The bunny and I had a discussion today. I told the furry creature that as long as it only ate grass it was more than welcome to stay safe in our yard. It munched on a few stalks of grass and then hopped down the side of the house. I think we might have an understanding. 

Today got a call from our travel agent and she has selected our seats for us. Of course the short European flights had to be paid for, not sure why, but at least we will be sitting together. The cost was minimal really so I will not complain. She said the final items will come to her about 30 days before we leave (so beginning of July) and will contain our transfers, where we meet, and who will be meeting us. It is getting so very close.

Figured I may as well post the menu for this week, even though it is a bit late.

Monday

Porkchops, corn, and a package of Knorr Noodles which needed using.

Tuesday

Beef stroganoff from leftover roast beef, noodles, and a tossed salad.

Wednesday

Cheese/pepper/mushroom Quesadillas, tossed salad.

Thursday

If there is leftover stroganoff we will finish it up tonight. If not Chicken Breasts on the BBQ, salad, and mashed potatoes.

Friday

Salmon Casserole, leftover salad.

Saturday

Soup and sandwiches.

Sunday

Roast Chicken, roasted potatoes, and roasted carrots.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.