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.

The Journey Continues

 As the title says, my journey towards a simpler life continues. This year because we are going to be away during the probably hottest temperatures of the Canadian prairies (August can be unbearably warm) I cut back on my pots and boxes. It about killed me to do so, but by simplifying what I have on my deck, there seems to be so much more room to enjoy what we have. There is just a few things planted near the firepit, and next year I hope to have some plants around there to add some depth and colour to the area.

I did plant lots of perennials, but I am pretty sure my small delphinium starts have died off, which means I will need to find a place to purchase those next year. I also think that next year I will mix in a few annuals to give some colour throughout the season.

Simplifying my planting meant my back was not a constant ache this season, and I have learned to pace myself a bit better. 

I have also decided to perhaps not worry so much about making things like bread, buns, crackers, pie crust from scratch over the summer. It really is too warm to have the oven on for extended periods of time. That is not to say I won't make bread or buns, just that I will pick rainy, cooler days to do so. I don't need to do everything from scratch, rather I will be picking and choosing. Of course almost all the meals I make will be from scratch, using things I already have available. I will of course go back to making more from scratch come the cooler weather. 

Learning how to relax more and while I need to keep my hands busy (quit smoking about 2 years ago and still need to occupy my fingers or I will be tempted), slow stitching, weaving and knitting are occupations that allow me to slow down and enjoy everything that life is giving us as a gift in our senior years. Having the time to do some traveling, and visiting is wonderful. Washing a few dishes by hand (wooden things, good knives, and my good pots) watching the clouds go by is soothing for my soul.

I have also learned something else this past while. Even during the rush of working, or raising the boys (they would be slightly embarrassed that I called them that), I was trying to simplify my life. Driving to hockey games and enjoying one on one time was wonderful. Though living at the hockey rink during the winter was a bit of a chore. Baking treats for the lunch boxes, watching the Christmas Concerts, driving to swimming lessons all prepared me to enjoy time spent with family and time to realize that being at home was something to be treasured, not looked down on. 

Life is meant to be lived and lived well. If that means slowing down and enjoying life at a slower pace, I fully recommend that.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

Thrifty and Frugal 

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

1.  The weather was beautiful, but very warm this past week, so we have had to have the air conditioning on. However, we have it set at a reasonable temperature instead of the freezing cold we used to have it. Having it set a bit higher should save us a bit on electrical costs.

2.  Using appliances to cook this week so as to keep the house a bit cooler.

3.  Darned a couple of pairs of socks.

4.  Working outside in the cool of the morning planting and gathering.

5.  Watered with rain barrel water.

6.  Mended a small hole in a t-shirt.

7.  Reading free material on my ereader and the computer.

8.  Watching free tv using CBC Gem on the computer.

9.  Baked hamburger buns when the weather was cooler.

10.  Finished the shopping list using flyers and after an inventory of the pantry, fridge and freezer.

11.  All clothing was dried on the lines outside, finally.

12.  Only running the dishwasher when it is completely full.

I hope you all have had a thrifty and frugal week.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

 

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 Another hot day so I was out early working in the garden. Scared the little bunny out of the Columbines once again. This time when I said something it actually stopped and looked at me. Then rapidly hopped down the side of the house.

Most of the weeding is completed, I hope to get a bit more done after the dentist tomorrow morning, and then Hubby has cleaned out the herbal planter and the other two small planters I use for herbs. I hope to get those planted tomorrow as well. The rhubarb needs picking and processing as well. 

The deck pots will be done on Thursday as I still need to find some small trellis like inserts for the Moonflowers. As I will be spending money at the dentist, I will stop on the way home at Dollar Tree to see if they have anything. There will also be a pickup of Harvey's one prescription, and the bank for our allowances. No spending after that for a few days I hope (wish it was until the end of the month, but there is the church envelope).

After the planting I came in and got the bedding changed over, the fridge tidied, the living room totally dusted, and next months menu plan worked on.

The afternoon was spent trying to get the second corner of the embroidered quilt block completed. I am almost there. Not too sure if I can get a start on the third corner though (would be awesome).

I have been asked about how one can make grilled cheese sandwiches other than on the stove in a fry pan. Years ago my mother would use a cookie sheet and get enough sandwiches made at once to feed us hungry children. She would put the bread slices on the cookie sheet (buttered). Top with a slice of cheese, then place another buttered bread slice on top and stick them in the oven. I did the same when Kurt and Kris were younger and eating us out of house and home. 

I hope to have a Saturday post this week with pictures of the projects and gardening done over the past month. Been pretty darn good at remembering to take photos.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

Well the heat has arrived and after working out in the garden my meal plan has definitely changed for today.

Monday

This was supposed to be pizza night, however it is much too hot to turn on the oven. So I will pull out the leftover salad, boil a couple of eggs (4), thinly slice the ham I took out and make a main dish salad. 

Tuesday

Smoked sausage, potatoes, and carrots done on the BBQ (supposed to be even warmer tomorrow).

Wednesday

Baked Spaghetti (even though it will be warm I am hoping the air conditioning has caught up by then) even though I will be using the toaster oven and not the big oven. I may try and slip some garlic bread in as well.

Thursday

Soup and sandwiches. I might just make grilled cheese on the top of the stove. 

Friday

Tuna pasta salad. Heat will still be sticking around so another main dish salad is going to happen rather than a Tuna casserole.

Saturday

Stuffed chicken, cauliflower cheese, and probably a salad.

Sunday

It was supposed to be warmed up leftover ham, but I think I will get Harvey on the BBQ once again and do some Bacon Wrapped filets, as well as tin foil potatoes and carrots.

So there you have it. Changing meals on the fly, and combating the heat.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Towards Simplicity

 

It has been raining off and on for the past few days. This meant I stayed close to home and putzed around the house. 

Today while the rain stopped, Harvey and I went shopping for a few plants. I have managed to pick up a few, but really nothing at all like I am used to purchasing. Planting is going to be a breeze I think. 

A very few new perennials were picked up and I am hoping to be able to fill in a few of the empty spaces. Concentrating on that for the next few years I think and once I have it set, I will be surrounding the plants with bark mulch. Hopefully that will keep the weeds down a bit. 

I will only be planting my herbs and a few annual flowers this year. If it turns out well, I will perhaps cut down things a bit further. However simplicity plant wise is really hard for me, I love riots of colour in the summer. 

One saving grace is that flowers seem to grow very well under the grow lights. So I should be able to manage to inexpensively grow more next year.

While looking at the plants I did walk down the fruit tree area. Plums and apricots as well as a few apple bearing trees already had some fruit on them. Lots of the cherry had fruit as well. I did try to talk Harvey into an apricot tree, but he didn't bite. 

Working on projects and slowly making progress. Today I worked on the last sewing project for this month. With any luck I will finish off the project tomorrow and one more small area will be cleared beside my chair. 

I spent some time walking around the yard and down the street. I will be heading out one of these mornings and plucking some pretty yellow dandelion flowers to wash and dry enough to infuse oil and make some salve. I should really forage for some plantain as well. Pretty sure 

Sunday after planting and weeding I plan on sitting on the deck while Harvey BBQ's and enjoy the warmer weather and sunshine. 

The clothing is slowly getting removed and either donated or set aside to try and refashion or make into new pieces of fabric. I try something on and if I don't like the fit or feel that it is no longer flattering the article is removed after wearing and washing. I am now leaning more towards skirts and dresses unless it is cold/cool out. 

I am also making my way through embroidery thread, yarn and fabric. Clearing things out will definitely make it simpler to see what I have and what I need and I am loving the fact that I am getting to work on projects I inherited from my Mom. 

Simple also means I get more time for myself, something that has sometimes been in short supply while the sons were growing up and Harvey working. I am loving that.

Life is going to be wonderfully simple as things continue to be used, refashioned, planned and completed.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursdays

Thrifty and Frugal 

Cloudy once again, in a way that is a good thing for my frugal heart. It means no air conditioning, no watering, and the rain barrel being slowly filled.

So what frugal and thrifty things have we been up to this week. 

1.  The usual frugal and thrifty things that I do all the time. Lights off in rooms not in use, most meals made here at home, shopping the flyers, combining errands and repairing clothing.

2.  I am still trying to use up all that I can food wise and craft supply wise.

3.  Exercise is taking place by walking, and working in the garden. Next month I will be adding exercise by washing walls and all the light fixtures in the house. Spring cleaning, beginning in earnest.

4.  Fixed the wifi so that we can once again watch some streaming channels that were not coming in very well at all. They are coming in perfectly now.

5.  Reading free books that I have downloaded onto my ereader.

6.  Making sure I am washing full loads, both of clothing and dishes in the dishwasher.

7.  Found $0.35 in various pockets and have put that in the change jar.

8.  Used my gift certificate when I purchased fabric while at Kris's. 

9.  Decluttered a few items I no longer want or use. Someone else can probably use them.

10.  We bought a couple more berry bushes while at Kris's. While they will not produce fruit this year, we hope to get a bit next year. Saving us more grocery purchases in the future.

11.  I have decided to make both Kurt and Kris decent sewing kits and will search through my extra's to see what I can share with them. Kris already has a pin cushion, some decent pins, a few buttons (he will get more), a measuring tape and small scissors. Oh and some decent sewing needles. Should save me a bit of cash when making these up.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 I am not moving very quickly right now, it seems that grocery shopping is becoming more of a Survivor type challenge for me. It hurts a bit more, takes a bit longer, and finding items on sale is becoming something my frugal Mother would have been proud of. One thing that bothers me is why are the sale items (the BBQ sauce that was on sale) always located on the bottom shelf which makes me contort my body to reach them. But for $0.85 a piece I was bound and determined to grab what I could, which wasn't that much. I didn't take all of them.

After a three hour shopping trip I made it home to put everything away. Today's problem wasn't only the search for savings, but meeting people who wanted to talk.... There are times I wish I could wave a wand and become invisible, but then I wouldn't get caught up on some friends lives. 

Life while actually becoming a bit simpler, can actually take a great deal of time. I love talking to people (Harvey says I talk to complete strangers, which is true sometimes), finding out how their lives are progressing, what their children (many of whom I had in Youth Group or worked with them at the schools) are up to. It is wonderful to hear how well they are all doing, and really I do miss the kids so very much at times. 

I did not get my entire list done today, but there are more days this week that things can be done. Considering we are supposed to be getting lots of rain over the next while, I will have lots of time to get things done in the house. Perhaps even finish a few of the smaller projects. 

Since it will be so dull, the sewing machine will be out and the jacket sewn, as well as some of the cards made. 

Harvey planted one of the Goji berry bushes but we need to find a space for the other one. I am thinking a corner of the garden that gets loads of sun. 

I couldn't find any grape vines (Kris is going to look some more when he goes and picks up his plants), so the goji berry bushes could be the only fruiting bushes or trees we plant this year. That's okay as I will need to convince Harvey of where I want the grapes planted.....

Once everything dries up a bit I will be planting flowers and such. Not as many as usual since we will be gone for two weeks (this is killing me) but enough to hopefully add colour and joy to the deck and firepit area. I have told Harvey that I will mainly be concentrating on the perennial bed this year and I will do just that. I am hoping to eventually have a riot of colour during different parts of the seasons. I started some Shasta Daisy plants, and some delphinium and will look for some lupines and perhaps scatter some annuals that will seed for the next year. 

Other plans for the summer are painting the railing on the deck, and around the basement windows. Both of our wooden chairs around the firepit need to be painted as well so I hope to get that done. 

The rest of the time will be spent working on projects hopefully on the deck when I can, working in the herb garden and looking after the flowers that I do get to plant. There should be time to sit by the firepit as well enjoying family time and alone time as well.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

 

Menu Monday

 There will be a slight change in menu plans for this week. We had a rather large meal at lunch time and so I will not be cooking tonight. It will be a forage for yourself type of meal.

Monday

Forage through the fridge for each of us to have a rather smaller supper.

Tuesday

Hotdogs, baked beans, and the fries I never made with the fish.

Wednesday

Soup and sandwiches. I have got Cream of Mushroom out of the freezer and will add some egg salad sandwiches to be eaten.

Thursday

Leftover chicken made into taco meat, served in soft tacos. Sour cream, cheese, lettuce and tomato as well as salsa from the fridge. The salsa definitely needs using.

Friday

Not really sure, I might make a lentil curry, or we can have glace and eggs.

Saturday

Leftovers from Thursday.

Sunday

BBQ hamburgers, and foil packet carrots, potato and onion. 

Off now to get some more unpacking done from our visit with Kris. We had a lovely time and man where Dutch Growers moved their greenhouses to is absolutely amazing. Harvey has said we will need to go there next year to get our plants.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Simple Living On the Phillips' Homestead

 

The dandelions are coming up great guns, flowers all over and the weather has not been nice enough for me to get out and pick. I want to make dandelion salve this year, or I may try my hand at making a hand cream as I am running low on that. Simple to make and very low cost as well.

Harvey and I enjoyed a few afternoons/evenings on the deck this past week. We listened to the birds, had wonderful talks and made some plans regarding the yard. Not so much the house, but at least the yard. I told him that this year I would be concentrating on more fruit producing plants as well as perennials. He seems to be fine with that. Also told him I would probably be trying to forage a bit more, and would love to have him join me. I got a shoulder shrug on that one, we shall see. 

I would love an orchard type yard, but I believe Harvey would miss his garden a great deal. I love the produce, but not so much the picking and processing for winter's use. Perhaps this year I will dehydrate a bit more and freeze a bit less.

Decluttering has slowed down, and I hope it picks up. There are a few more summer type dresses and pants that need to be worn to see if I still like the fit, and the comfort. I am leaning towards more skirts and dresses as I age. I find them way more comfortable and easier to wear now. They are much easier to sew as well and believe it or not, if I can find fabric on sale much less expensive to sew than purchase lately. They are also better made. 

With rising costs around the world, we all need to stop and think about what is important to us. In my case it is family, especially my immediate family and our health and well being. It isn't that we could not afford to do anything we really want to do, rather it is a leaving behind of things that no longer really matter. I would love to help our boys more, make our home an oasis of joy, love and simplicity, as well as just be more of who we really are. This is what I am going to strive for, and those in this extended family that think I am turning into a hippy or a radical can stuff it.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

  Thrifty and Frugal 

It has once again been a quiet week here on the old Phillips Homestead. Not quite as thrifty or frugal as I would have liked, but one manages the best that they can.

1.  The weather was so nice, or at least sunny most days this week so I managed to keep all lights off for most of the day.

2.  Decluttered a bit more in my closet. I tried on a dress and while it does fit I just do not feel comfortable in it. I put it on the pile to be refashioned or made into reusable fabric of some kind (squares to be used in fashioning fabric).

3.  Found thirty cents in pockets and put it in the change jars. 

4.  Eating as many leftovers from the fridge and freezer as humanly possible.

5. Chopped up mushrooms and celery before they went bad and have them in the freezer. 

6.  Added to the veggie scraps to make more veggie stock in a few weeks.

We are having one heck of a windstorm right now. At one point the wind gusts reached 110 km per hour, so almost 70 miles an hour. The dust is moving across the valley and at times I could not see the other side. 

Hopefully, I have downloaded the right video. 

This is what the wind is doing to our neighbour's shingles.

The wind seems to be going down now, but I think it will be pretty bad for the rest of the evening and into the night.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 

The weather has been very nice the last two days. However we did have very strong winds yesterday in the afternoon and evening. Dust was blowing all over. Hope the farmers still have dirt in the fields.

I have spent some time outside working on the flower bed. I only have one but it is a two tier round one and man was it tough getting the weeds and grass out of it. I will need to go through it again very soon and see if I can manage to get more cleared. I also made the mistake many years ago of planting Creeping Bellflower. So now I am consistently pulling that out. It has even taken over some of the grassed area. I do what I can to keep it under control, but at times it is a losing battle.

Since the days are so lovely, I put away the sewing for awhile and have been working on the quilt block embroidery. May as well get what I can done on that while the sun shines. The sewing (and any major mending) will take place next week. We are supposed to get rain on a couple of those days, so planting and embroidery will wait. 

One spring cleaning item is crossed off the list. I managed to get all the window frames washed down. Now, when the screens are removed I will clean the bit of frame in those windows. Next up on the spring cleaning list is the curio cabinet and the dining room hutch and cabinet. Could be a few items getting decluttered as well. I hope to get the walls and light fixtures done this week as well. 

I am adding another 1k steps to my total this week. I find it easy to get lots of steps in on Mondays, it's the rest of the week that tests my ability to do so. Especially on those days where I am weeding, or planting. Not many steps are involved in those past times. I went over yesterday, so if I am under by a little today I figure that is okay (not really, but I will take what I can get). Just want to get in a bit better shape before we go on our trip. There are days when we will be doing lots of walking.

Harvey has managed to block of the area of fence that a rather small bush bunny was using to enter our yard. We have had other little bunny visitors, but this one seemed to want to eat the plants that were in the garden. This was a first as all the others just nibbled on the grass. 

Today, the truck was used to pick up my soil for my boxes and pots. Not that I am going to plant as much as I usually do since we will be away for almost two weeks. Harvey does not want to bother anyone to look after the garden or my flowers. I am supposed to ask Kris if he would come done one weekend when we are gone and give everything a good water, especially if we don't get any rain. 

I think I will concentrate more on the perennial bed and a few pots. Of course the lemon trees will be out and hopefully well watered before we leave.

Stretching out the time between shopping trips as well. If I can manage it I only want to shop every 2 1/2 weeks or even three. There is just a slight problem as Neilson's wants a scan every week. It will take a bit of juggling for sure. 

Over the next few years we will be trying to make this house a bit more elder friendly. I plan on getting a chair for the tub, or at least a well made stool. I use a foot scrub and can't do that in a shower. I am just too worried about losing my balance. I think we should put up some bars as well. I am planning on having more electrical things on power bars as well. Too many octopus connections in this house.

I will also be trying to cut down on grass areas by planting more fruit bushes. Probably grapes as well. I don't think we can plant anymore fruit trees, but if Harvey wants to make the garden smaller, we could fit a couple across the back against the fence. 

Lots of plans, I just need to get Harvey to agree. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.