Toronto

 We have spent the last few days in Toronto, the place I more or less grew up. I lived in Scarborough from the time I was just over 3 to 17. This is home to me and it was so nice to be able share the city I loved as a child and teenager with Harvey.

While he has loved seeing the city, he has already asked me numerous times how on earth I could live in a place that was wall to wall people. I did tell him that while there were lots of people here when I left, the city has grown so much over the years.

What was really lovely was we got to spend a couple of hours with relatives that we would visit back and forth with.

Me, my Auntie Bev and Uncle Art. Bev is one of my Dad's surviving siblings.

Myself and my cousin Darlene. She is actually the age of my sister, so a bit younger than me.

All of us together.

Darlene, her mom and her stepdad.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. Pictures of our tour starting tomorrow. 

God bless,

Sunday Ramblings

 

It has been a mostly quiet day here on the Phillips homestead. We did travel to Torquay and put flowers on our daughters grave, a few days late but so very necessary. The graveyard has been kept up this year so we did not have to really trim much of anything. 

The rest of the day has been spent picking things from the garden, working around the house, trying to use things up and just breathing. 

I think I might need more of those types of just breathing days. Taking things a bit slower, working on just a few projects, and spending time with God.

On the way back from the village graveyard in the place Harvey grew up, and all our children were baptized by the same priest, Harvey said that next year we should work on house maintenance. I quite agree. The siding on our home is very faded and has a few broken areas. We can save the old siding and give it to Kris to use on his garage. There is painting to be done both inside and out, and the deck needs to be either painted or stained, or better yet tiled with small squares of wood that lock together and have spaces to drain water. I know there are windows that need painting in the basement and the kitchen window needs that as well. This is mostly because of the odd window shapes. 

I will still work on saving on groceries to try and pay off the range purchase. It didn't work last month, but with the garden producing and my foraging of fruit I should be able to save on groceries this month. At least I hope to do that. So keep your fingers crossed for me.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Good Friday

Wishing you a blessed day. 

Kris is here so I am busy visiting right now, and checking out his wounds. 

Will have a longer post tomorrow.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursdays

 Thrifty and Frugal  

We are starting each day being pretty chilly and overcast, but by afternoon it is sunny and just above freezing. Snow is supposed to arrive later this week and perhaps even in to next week.

Kris sent me a text today and the doctor is not too sure what the "blotch" on the x-ray is so he is arranging a CT scan for the future. The doc figures it could be anywhere from a couple of weeks to a month before that happens. So while Kris seems to be calm and collected, me not so much so. I will be continuing to keep as busy as I can for the foreseeable future.

Also I told Kris we would be up to see him the weekend of the 14th, snow or no snow.😉

Now what frugal and thrifty things have I been up to this week.

1.  Used up one of the soup containers from the fridge freezer.

2.  Used up a package of frozen ham from the fridge freezer. 

3.  Used up a package of frozen chicken bits from the fridge freezer. 

4.  Used up the last two pork cutlets from the fridge freezer.

Slowly clearing the fridge freezer basket out. However when one makes a casserole or another meal from one of the packages, we usually end up having two meals. Could take a bit more than two weeks to get that freezer basket emptied, especially if we go away for a few days. 

5.  Once again hanging clothes, as many as possible on lines downstairs.

6.  The last little bit of thread on the spool from sewing the patchwork tote fronts was wound on a cardboard piece and added to the workbasket to be used to sew on buttons.

7.  Used up another skein of embroidery floss.

8.  Leftovers after two meals for each of us are being used for lunches.

9.  Darned a small hole in a favourite sweater. 

10.  This week has seen us have 5 no spend days. Hopefully there will be many more.

So there you have my frugal and thrifty works for the past week. I hope all of you had a great thrifty and frugal week as well.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless. 

Fourth Sunday of Advent

 

 

I love having Kurt and Kris home, even if it does mean extra cooking and household tasks. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Quiet

It has been a quiet day. I did a bit of cleaning in Kris's  house and in his garden. I also went to Fabricland and picked up a bit of fabric to see me through a couple of clothing items, and a quilting project. I will share pictures tomorrow, once we are home.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 

Well, Kurt arrived at about 4 pm, which was a bit later than I had thought he would. Still I am glad that I had supper started and will be serving it soon.

Maebeme, those wacko's are still after him when ever they get a chance. Still he is handling it well with the help of friends and his other staff. His students love him and I have a feeling they would be up in arms and protesting at the school should things get out of hand. 

My Mother's day present was a lovely candle and some sleep inducing tea (which I should really get into using). Kurt also brought me back some thimbles for my collection. 

Harvey got a couple of puzzles and a whole bunch of fishing lures and such. 

Both of us got small bells that we can hang on our Christmas trees from Capris. 

I managed to get 5 more cloth napkins fashioned and I hope to get the remaining 8 done (or at least close to being done) tomorrow. We shall see. 

Picked lots of calendula and white clover. I am getting closer to having enough to make those infused oils.

I have been waiting for two and a bit years for an appointment at Nuclear Medicine for my bone density test, almost thought my doctor forgot to request said test. I got the appointment on Friday. Now that is a very long wait, and the questions they ask....wow. I doubt I can remember most of the dates. 

Off to get supper on the table.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

 

Well after fooling around and finally re-starting my computer I can finally post again. However finding my heading photos takes me a bit longer. They are no longer where I expect them to be located. This means a bit of searching on my part.

I have been spring cleaning and today managed to get the 4th area of the house finished. Well almost finished as the curtains are still drying and I need to cut them down. Pretty sure there will be enough fabric cut off to make curtains for the hall window. I may have to add a rod pocket of a different colour, but I am sure I can find something that will work in my stash. 

I used up the leftover broccoli making soup yesterday, and today I used the woody stems of asparagus to make Cream of Asparagus soup. I had to substitute for the cream, but it still smelled and tasted wonderful. Two new soups will be in the freezer.

I am really trying to get meals ahead so those nights I just feel unable to cook, I can pull something ready made out. 

The hand quilting will be completed tonight and I will be able to spend time knitting. 

I have started planning a few projects for next month. Hopefully most will be started and finished before planting season begins. I haven't read the next section of my Simpler Living book and will do so at some point tomorrow, before I try and tidy/declutter/simplify my living room on Monday.

The next week will be a bit of a spendy week. Bills, travel, grocery shopping, haircuts, and eye appointment. I think I will get our allowances a bit early and just hold on to them until the end of the month.

Talked with my youngest brother today and he is down to only two pairs of pants, a couple of shirts, and is in desperate need of socks and underwear. I told him to find out what size he wears and will try and pick up a few things for him that he really needs. Pretty sure Harvey will agree that this is very important. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. I hope this posts.

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits And Stuff

 

I am sorry that I did not visit everyone yesterday, but I got some shocking and sad news. In less than a month I have lost 2 cousins, one I really did not know well as Ric was younger than me, but the one last night was about 7 years older and I knew very well. 

It has taken me a bit to come to terms with the fact that my generation is aging and eventually most of my older cousins will no longer be with me. 

While Gloria and I were not what could be considered close, I was great friends with her younger sister, my cousin Terry. I guess I should be thankful that my Aunt let me know via Messenger and was actually the only cousin (other than her family) that was told quite soon after. I believe it was because the three families spent many a Christmas, Thanksgiving, and weekends together while I was growing up. 

Gloria and a friend lived with us for a bit while waiting for their apartment to be ready to move into. They also came quite often to do Mom's hair, for some unknown reason and always stayed for a meal. One time I during a school break, I really wanted to go and visit Terry, and since Gloria (and friend) were going back to Port Colbourne on the train, they invited me along. Took some convincing of Dad, but he finally let me go and said they would be down the next weekend to visit Uncle Arnold and Aunt Sigrid so would pick me up. So much fun watching my gorgeous cousin and her equally gorgeous friend putting those guys that were trying to pick them up in their place. 

The last time I saw Gloria in person was about 15 years ago. She was still the feisty, gorgeous woman I remembered. 

Ric was one of my Uncle Albert's younger children and so I did not have much to do with him. However, we became better acquainted through Facebook and our last family reunion. He was always joking, and had a smile on his face. 

In both cases I did not realize they were ill, or perhaps in Ric's case he had a heart attack (not sure but he was a very large man). 

In Ric's case both Uncle Albert and Aunt Irene passed away before him, but in Gloria's case Aunt Siggy is still alive at the age of 96 (just like an aunt on my Mom's side of the family). 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. Give those you love a hug.

God bless.

 

Tuesday Tidbits

 

Good morning everyone. I think it is probably time I filled everyone in on what happened over Christmas, and how for the first time ever I did not run around snapping pictures madly. I just was in the moment the entire time Kurt and Kris were home. Strange for me. 

Both arrived home on the 23rd. Kris early in the afternoon (he had trouble getting Eiko into her traveling cage) and Kurt just before supper that evening. The usual happened... Kris made himself comfortable upstairs with me, and Kurt made himself comfortable with his Dad down in the man cave. 

The first evening at supper we got caught up on all the news. Harvey and I had thought that Kris was working 2 jobs for the city, turns out he was working 3 jobs as they hadn't filled his old one as of yet. That one should have someone starting today while Kris is still on holiday (he has one more week). Should take some of the pressure off him. So he is doing his own job that he applied for and got, plus the job of the person above him who his out on medical leave right now. 

Kurt has only 4 students registered to go on the trip with him this Easter. At first there was at least 12 that expressed interest but the number dropped as the financial problems of many began. He actually had to pay a bit this time around, and one of the students mothers is going with them and paying full price for her fare. Kurt always thought the school board would put the breaks on overseas trips, but he thinks it could be himself doing so. At least until the financial worries are less.

Shh, now don't let Kurt know I told you (that is if you follow him on twitter (can't seem to call it Xter) or Facebook, but there could be a book from him soon. He was approached by a publisher (who keeps changing their minds on what they want) to write something about hate/radicalization in Canada, that is suitable for Grades 6-9. He has another meeting to discuss this with them sometime in the next week. 

Since we would be heading to Harvey's sister's place for Christmas I made our big meal Christmas Eve. Now that was very strange. Since Christmas will be here next year I plan on making it a meal. 

There was no late Mass on Christmas Eve so we decided to attend Christmas Day Mass which was another very strange thing in this household.

Christmas arrived and the sons were very happy with all their little packages in the baskets. Both asked if they were allowed to keep the baskets as well. Of course I said yes, that I had planned on purchasing new baskets next year. Kurt was very happy with his little recipe book (I have since thought of a few more recipes to put in which will be part of the gift next Christmas), and socks. Kris on the other hand loved the ornaments, little tool set and the socks. 

Kurt got Harvey an autographed picture of George Chavello. He got Kris a Viking bracelet like the one he wears, and a personalized  travel bag for his toiletries. Me he got a set of cast iron stakes for my herb bed with lovely pictures of the herbs I plant (and some I don't, but now will). 

Kris got Harvey two beer brewing kits which will keep him occupied for quite while. He really got Kurt some lovely gifts, a horn drinking cup with a holder and a belt loop as well as a wooden stein. He got me a lovely big box of smelly things from The Body Shop (the box was actually an Advent Calendar) but I opened each box and all are in my cupboard or drawer. One of  my promises for this year is to pamper myself a bit more.

I made Harvey a pair of pj bottoms to replace the ones that ripped beyond repair and became rags. 

Harvey bought me a sparkly necklace which is worn as a torque (think I spelled that correctly). Kind of awkward but I love it.

Now since my birthday falls on the 29th my boys usually have my birthday gifts under the tree as well. I open them Christmas day as I have since I was a child (usually did not have a party growing up as it was so close to Christmas). Harvey got me the matching bracelet to my Christmas gift, Kris got me a gift certificate to Fabricland, and Kurt got me a beautifully carved stone angel. I can not for the life of me remember the type of stone, but it has a lovely sheen and reflects light amazingly well.

I think I have rattled on long enough for this post. More to follow on the visit tomorrow.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 

We got snow last night, not much really, but I believe there could have been a bit of rain before. The reason I say this is because our front steps are slightly icy, and when I went to my friends for coffee her driveway had what looked like raindrops in areas and those areas were very icy.

I have managed to make some progress on my next projects. However, me, being me thought that I could get done way more than the fingers or body (back mostly) would allow. I should be able to iron what I did get done after the supper clean up is done. 

Between tasks today I started to wonder why it is we allow family to hurt us as much as we do. I am working on not caring, but seeing posts congratulating or liking other's posts still give me a twinge of hurt or perhaps it is envy. Working on letting go and letting God, but as I am only human am finding that difficult. I really am not looking forward to the family reunion this summer in the least. 

I talked to Kris on Friday (shows how I am losing track of days, I thought it was Saturday), and he said he would phone at some point today. I should actually get in touch with Kurt as well. I need to find out when they will be home for Christmas. 

Cleaned and tidied the baking supply cupboards in one of the pantries today. Discovered that some things need replacing and some things are over supplied (like raisins). I hope to get some of the holes filled the next time I go shopping. 

Off to set the table and get the remains of our meal put together.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Wednesday Once Again

We are going to be going into the Tridium and I am a bit sad that due to my back I won't be able to attend all of it. I am however hoping to make Good Friday Service. 

Harvey is coming down with something, and figures he should sleep downstairs so we don't have both of us sick like we were at Christmas.

Kris should be home either tomorrow night or early on Good Friday. Hopefully bringing home our grandcat. I have made her a little Easter gift.

Some stuffed rabbits. She loves the other ones I made her and have pretty much worn them out. 

We picked up some brochures for our first (and perhaps only cruise depending on how we feel) from our travel agent.

I think we have narrowed it down a bit and might even do the land tour as well. That really interests both of us.

I said I was busy knitting mitts for the elementary students at Kurt's school. This is what I have gotten done so far. Some still need to be sewn up though.

I am working on the 10th pair right now. 

Speaking of Kurt, I got a text late last night that they had reached Barcelona. I hope he has a wonderful trip. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Oh yeah the dental appointment went well, except my mouth was frozen for 6 1/2 hours and not the 2 or so hours they told me.

More of a Rant Than a Roundup

 

I think I have been hurt by family members for the last time. I have one sister-in-law that never, ever reads what I post. Be it on my own Face Book page or the family page and then gives me crap for not letting her know. It is almost like she ignores me completely as I notice her replying to others in the family.

Then today I get a text message from one of Harvey's brothers re his youngest son's wedding. It seems that others have know about this since the beginning of the year. Not us though and we have already made plans starting the day after the wedding. They could have let us know as they did others in the family, but more or less chose not to. We are not changing our plans, but I know that this will cause some in his family to talk about us not caring enough about family. 

In my books it is more about them not caring about us enough to say, "Hey perhaps you would like to make your booking a bit later as "X" is getting married around then. 

This is Harvey's family and I should be used to this by now, but of course am not. Just done. 

Sorry for that rant.... The rest of my day has been wonderful. The sun is shining, the temperature in the city just great (though it is supposed to drop and snow again very soon), and I am feeling much better, just a bit tired. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Mid Week.... A New Year

 

Another lovely day here on the Saskatchewan prairies, a bit cooler but still lovely for this time of year. The extended forecast is calling for this to continue well into the middle of the month. I am looking forward to being able to take a lovely walk on one of these beautiful days. I just need to get my energy back up. 

I did finish off the shopping today and of course needed a bit of a nap this afternoon. This time it was only for an hour instead of one and a half hours. Could it be my energy is returning bit by bit? Still I am taking it easy and resting between tasks, I refuse to fall back into being so lethargic that I cannot do anything at all except talk and lay around.

Here are the few pictures I got over Christmas. None during the gift opening.

Kurt getting ready to leave. He was warming up his car so I managed to snap this photo.

Kris looking up something to help with the tech problems I asked him if he could fix.

Eiko decided to try and jump to the top of my bookcase...She made it. This is the first time she has every tried to do this.

Woke up this morning to a winter wonderland.

The fog deposited a coating of hoar frost on all the trees. The glinted and sparkled most of the day.

Hmm, this looks a bit odd, but it is a close up of the frost on one of the branches outside our front window.

Lastly a picture of the quilt I made Kris. It does fit his entire bed.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Happy Thanksgiving

 

This is our Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada. I want to wish all my Canadian readers a very Happy Thanksgiving. We all have so much to be thankful for. 

Everybody have a wonderful day. 

God bless.

Quick Post

 Not sure how many of you listen to Canadian news. Today starting at 7 am we have been under a province wide alert.

Two men went on a rampage starting at a reserve near Prince Albert and it continued to a small town outside the reserve. A total of 25 people have been stabbed so far. Ten are dead and 15 injured. 

They were last sighted in the capital city of Regina on Arcola Ave. This was at about noon, but no sightings since then. 

Our province notified Alberta and Manitoba and now it is a three province alert. 

Our youngest son, Kris lives in Regina and is home this weekend. However he needs to head back to the city tomorrow. I am so hoping that these guys are apprehended very soon. I am worried about him going home as his house was empty and I have already told him I want multiple texts to let me know he is okay, and the house is empty and safe. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

 

Still here, but Kris is visiting so I will not be on again until he leaves.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Visit and Yard Work

 I promised you all some pictures of what we accomplished in our two days visiting and helping out Kris.

We arrived about noon on Saturday and after a bit of a rest in his lovely cool house,

he bought a portable air conditioner as he did not want us sweltering in the heat.

This kept the front half of the house nice and cool as well as most of the kitchen and hallway. We had taken up a fan (which we left behind) and with the window open the bedroom I was sleeping in was cool as well.

Kris and I headed out to Peavy Mart to look at firepits and we found one he liked. He can even cook on it if he so chooses. Since we were going to buy him an air conditioner I paid for the firepit.

Kris sat in the middle of that cement and set it up almost as soon as we got back. Don't worry all the weeds were gone by the end of the visit and the lawn nicely mowed by Harvey early Sunday morning. 

While at Peavy Mart Kris decided he just had to buy this hanging strawberry plant. Hopefully he gets some from it. 

Next, when it cooled off a little bit we started to work on his garden area. He had it all planted but it really needed weeding and another tilling between the rows. First though the fence he put up around it had to be removed. It seems that thistle just loves his yard and we pulled up what we could and weed whacked the rest. 

Kris had started the patching on his stucco and we finished it off.

This is the table and a chair we brought up with us. Harvey worked on the old patio table we had. Some of it had rusted so Harvey sanded it down and filled some areas. Then he gave it a really good spray with some black paint we had in the basement. Turned out very well.

On Sunday we finished some more clean up of weeds and headed to Canadian Tire. There we found my chair covers and a light for our steps, plus of course found a few other items Kris needed like garden sheers, and Killex for weeds (really needs to do some spraying to get rid of those dang thistles). Once home again we used the sheers to cut down all the trees that were popping up in the side garden, down the fence line and from the garden just under the deck. Kris pulled the tiller out once again and gave the veggie garden another till while Harvey did some more thistle cutting and got rid of an old wooden walkway to his shed. 

Then after a bit of a rest sitting on the deck having a cold beer, I made (yes I said made) take a look in the rafters of the garage. There we found some soffit to finish off this house (there was quite a bit missing), and we found this bamboo blind. That blind was hung up to give him a bit more privacy on his deck. There are lots of interesting things still up there, some deck chairs, some cupboards, and what looks like some wood to build a few things. I also found metal siding under the deck which will help with the garage rehab. Less for him to purchase the better. We also found some bifold doors that I think go on the closets. 

All in all a very productive couple of days. Hopefully when we go and visit again we can find a few more things to help him get completed, like perhaps put on the bifold doors, and help with the installation of the soffit.

I would also like to find another bamboo blind for the other side of his deck. May have to haunt some garage sales.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Just A Quick Post

 Just a quick post to let you all know we are back. Now I have the fun of catching up on some household tasks.....

Also to let you all know that my internet keeps going in and out, plus our landline seems to not be working either. It was a bit scary this morning when we got up and there was no internet, which also meant no television. We can actually do without the landline, but no way can we go without WIFI as that runs our TV provider as well. 

We have a service call out and hopefully all will be back to normal by Thursday afternoon.

Posting pictures of our visit with Kris and the work we managed to get done in his yard (Harvey had fun mowing and weed whacking). I had fun finding things in the cubby above Kris's garage. Lots of useful things up there.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Off And Running

We will be heading out soon for our visit with Kris. I guess we will not be taking the blocks up (unless I can change Harvey's mind). But will be taking up many other items. Hopefully Kris will be home sometime in July and be able to take them back with him at that time.

Got to go and finish packing up the vehicle as we want to get away in just under an hour.

See you all when we get home.

Everybody have a wonderful weekend.

God bless