Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 We have once again had rain for most of the day. It started to rain pretty much after I got in from the errands this morning. Poor Harvey had to take shorter walks between showers, which at times were very much downpours. 

The sun is out now, but I am not going out to pick apples right now as the mosquitoes will be out in full force. I don't need to be covered in insect bites right now as I have finally gotten rid of one bite behind my knee. The itching drove me crazy for almost a week, and I used lots of Plantain salve to keep it at bay.

Harvey decided we needed some flowers in the house today and as the hydrangea was looking a bit waterlogged, I said go ahead and pick a small bouquet.

This lovely display is on my table now. 

Grocery shopping was so-so. Many of the so called sale items were what the regular prices used to be. I did purchase a beef roast, and about 3 pounds of hamburger. Still costs continue to rise, but at least there is more Canadian content available in the fresh vegetable and fruit area. Cherries are still on sale so I grabbed a bag that is just over 2 lbs. Of course bananas as well. Funny thing is considering they come from South America now the cost is the one thing that has never changed for the last 6 years. Still relatively inexpensive.

My phone needed an update and it seems to be taking much longer than usual. I don't like the way it seems to be changing things on my phone and how long things are taking. It is like my internet WIFI is being extra slow.

I need to stay home a bit over the next few days in order to get some fruit processed and herbs dehydrated. The cherries we picked off our trees were going to be dehydrated, but if going through the pitting for that, I think I will make cherry pie filling instead. 

Then my neighbour said I could pick crab apples so I will do that tomorrow morning early and perhaps get some crab apple jelly made as well. 

I am a bit worried about the Air Canada strike (well if the strike happens) as it would be right when we would be taking our trip. However we do have travel insurance so should be okay if things happen. Still I hate the idea of missing this trip. 

Off to visit with all of you and then to work on a mitten pair.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

What I Have Been Up To

 This post will be mostly pictures just to show you all some of the things I have been up to.

Supper tonight was some leftover roast beef made into a lovely Beef Vegetable Soup.

I have also spent time dehydrating. All my herbs are now done and I even managed to dehydrate some of the green bell peppers.

I have no idea why this photo is so blurry.

I worked on the masks for Kurt's students. Still have more to do.

Kept right on knitting on the temperature blanket.

I also knitted on Harvey's Christmas sweater but that picture will have to wait until it is completed.

Started to gather ripe tomatoes together to make tomato soup for the freezer.

I need two more pounds and then I can start.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

 

Another week has passed by and things are slowly getting completed.

This week I have been busy dehydrating, and freezing. I forgot to take pictures of the tomatoes I froze, but I did remember to take at least one picture of the apple pie filling I made.

I now have 6 of these containers in the large freezer to be used during the winter. Each container will make 2 crisps, which we prefer over apple pies.

One day was spent in Regina with a friend shopping. These next pictures are of my deals at the fabric store and Michael's. I did use a coupon at Michael's and so managed to get 30% off one full price item.

Michael's first.

The yarn was on sale for 50% off, the wax pellets were bought using that coupon, the threads were full price as was the Cricut blade and silicon mold. Still these will be used to make Christmas gifts at a much lower cost than purchasing them from the store itself. 

Next is my purchases from Fabricland. All fabric was on sale, and there was even a discount given on the thread.

The blue and white  polka dot fabric at the top will be used to make a long sleeve knit tunic top, the black paisley and flowered fabric will make a dress. The fabrics across the bottom will be used to make masks for Kurt's students and the beeswax wraps. I stocked up on embroidery thread for my machine and picked up a few more regular threads. The batting at the top will join the other batting I have bought for those quilts running around my head.

I also bought a new ereader since my old one no longer works. This one holds at least 6,000 books so even with all the books from the old ereader downloaded on to it, I have lots of room for even more books. Harvey is happy as that means I won't be buying any. Of course this will not stop me from going to the library.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thursday Tidbits

It has been a week of harvesting the garden. Mostly beans and cucumbers but a few tomatoes, and green peppers have come into the house as well. 

So far I have 14 quarts of dills done, and 6 pints of hamburger dills. The green peppers were made into stuffed peppers for a few meals (one meal of which we have already consumed). 

We have had a few meals with green beans as one of the veggies and the rest have been blanched and put in the freezer.

Harvey says there are a couple of fairly large rutabagas out there as well so those will be cooked up for one of our side veggies this coming week. I am thinking roasted. The others will be waxed (if I figure out how to do so) and stored in the basement cold room for the winter. This is something I want to try instead of freezing them this year.

We have been lucky enough to get some rain over the last week and rain barrel is getting full once again. I should be able to water my pots and baskets for another couple of weeks. Things grow so much better with rain water.

I have been dehydrating as well and will continue tomorrow. The basil needs to be picked, and the same can be said for the parsley. I am hoping to do some more thyme, sage and oregano late next week.

Bread has been baked, but no sweets so that will need to be done before the end of the week as well. 

I enjoy this time of year even though it is busy. I love knowing that I am adding to the stores for the winter months.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

 

Thursday Tidbits

Even the old blogger is giving me problems tonight..... So very quick post. Perhaps just pictures of my day.

Harvest has started slowly, but I am sure things will pick up. The only thing I am worried about is the Butternut squash. I can't seem to find any fruit, and the plants are taking over the garden.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Mid Week

Slowly but surely things are getting done around the garden. This week has all been about dehydrating. Of course this will continue until my herbs are done. 

This is what I have accomplished as far as herbs this week.

The picture isn't that clear. I believe there might be something wrong with my camera (it is 10 years old and perhaps getting a bit worn). Hopefully by the end of the season these bags will be full of homegrown goodness.

We netted the cherry trees this year and managed to actually keep the robins from gorging on the fruit. Still they are only three years old and not very big so the harvest wasn't that huge. 

This is the amount I managed to get off the tree that ripens a bit later.

About a third of the bucket. 

When dried this is what I ended up with.

Half a freezer bag of dried goodness. These will be lovely in baking or my oatmeal this winter.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Menu Monday

My goodness, it is already the last week of this month. The summer is just whizzing right by.

Monday

Stuffed Chicken, asparagus and the leftover garlic bread.

Tuesday

Baked spaghetti, garlic bread and a tossed salad.

Wednesday

Pork hash, using a bag of leftover roast pork from the fridge freezer. Served with the leftover salad.

Thursday

Leftover baked spaghetti, cucumber salad.

Friday

Glace and eggs. Kris will be home and this is easily reheated.

Saturday

Sausages done on the smoker, potato salad, and pickles.

Sunday

Roast chicken, mashed potatoes, salad and corn.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Sharing.....

On Monday I tried a new recipe for leftover chicken that both Harvey and I really enjoyed.

Thought I would share it with all of you. I didn't get a picture of our main course, but I was colourful, and it both smelled and tasted wonderful.

Chicken Pastry Squares

397g package of frozen puff pastry thawed
1/3 cup sour cream
1/4 cup tomato pesto

1 1/2 cups shredded leftover chicken
20 cherry tomatoes halved
2 tbsp shredded fresh basil (or 1 1/2 tsp dried)

1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese (I used a bit more)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese.

Roll out pastry on lightly floured board to 11 x16 inches. Carefully lift pastry and press into bottom and up sides of greased 10 x15 inch pan.

Combine sour cream, and basil in a small bowl and spread in an even layer over pastry.

Layer chicken, tomatoes, and basil in order given over the sour cream/pesto mixture.

Sprinkle with feta cheese and Parmesan. Bake on bottom rack in 450 degree oven for about 25 mins. until crisp and browned. Cuts into 8 pieces.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless. 

Frugal Friday

Quick post as to what has been happening on the old homestead of a frugal nature.

1.  Leftovers are being used up quickly. Kurt and Kris quite often have anything left for their lunches.

2.  Decluttered more of the desk, getting ready for the transfer to the sewing room once the new one arrives.

3.  Supper out, but we had a coupon (thank heavens as the cost of meals was higher than I was used to).

4.  Harvested banana peppers, kale and rhubarb from the garden.

5.  Baked buns, and a pie (the pie was made with items from the freezer and fridge).

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Frugal Friday

After reading a few blogs where the bloggers have long list of their frugal accomplishments, I almost feel like a slacker. Oh well, there has been a few frugal happenings around here this week.

1.  Saved $23.59 grocery shopping this week.

2.  Darned socks.

3.  Opened windows in the evenings instead of running the air conditioner. In fact today the beast did not come on until just as I was cooking supper.

4.  Picked some kale from the garden for a salad.

5.  Picked and processed rhubarb for the freezer.

6.  Used up all the leftovers the last few days.

7.  Decluttered and organized the sewing room a bit more.

8.  Used up another 5 bits and bobs of yarn making those 4" squares.

9.  Reading a library book for entertainment each night.

10. Watching "Heartbeat" on my android box. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

We actually have air conditioning in the church now, so it came as a surprise that the Mass did not take very long. I thought it might be longer as we no longer have to contend with people fainting, or to put it bluntly sweating so much they stick to the pews. Instead we were just over an hour, more what we are used to.

While the church started off cool, by the end of the Mass it was starting to get a bit humid. Probably from all the bodies attending. I just hope we can afford to keep the air conditioning running.

Todays homily (and the gospel) was about the "Good Samaritan" and Father brought up some points that I had missed over my lifetime. I never thought of the Good Samaritan as being Christ himself, or that the denarii could in fact represent our talents and treasures. It is making me rethink the whole parable.

Once home I made my mint jelly.

Six lovely jars. I will clean them up tomorrow and store them away in the pantry. We love this on ham.

These next two photos are from yesterday and my dehydrating. The dehydrating will be going on for the next few weeks, if not longer.

Three more trays of curly leaf parsley.

One tray of oregano, there will be more.

Tomorrow I hope to dry some thyme and some mint for winter tea. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

I hope that all of you had a wonderful Easter, filled with joy, peace and love.

My thoughts and prayers (that is all I can share right now) are with all those affected by the bombings in Sri Lanka.

I am also going to offer my prayers for Anonymous that keeps replying to my posts. You may think that Baby Boomers are hated throughout the world, and you are entitled to your opinion, but I think you will find out that you are the one who better watch out when you hit a nursing home.

Now on to the usual post.

I just can not believe that it is almost the end of April. Months just fly by and time gets away from me.

Monday

Sausage casserole. Lots of veggies in this so I don't have to make any sides. Should be enough left for another meal this week as well.

Tuesday

Leftover turkey made into tetrazzini. Serving it with mixed veggies.

Wednesday

The leftover sausage casserole.

Thursday

Using up the last of the tetrazzini but serving it with coleslaw this time.

Friday

Using up the last of the box of fish sticks. Served with the remaining coleslaw and some homemade fries.

Saturday

I am pulling out two mini meat loaves and serving them with mashed potatoes and peas. Real comfort food as we will be heading back into some miserable weather.

Sunday

I have leftover ham that I will warm up and perhaps make a potato salad to go along with it.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Something I Love

During the past few months I have been trying to make more meatless meals and finally pulled out a recipe that we really enjoy but haven't had for awhile.

This is a picture of our leftover Moroccan Red Lentil Soup after our evening meal. I got to use up a few bags of items from the chest freezer, as well as some leftovers in the fridge making it.

Moroccan Red Lentil Soup

2 tbsp. olive oil

2 chopped onions

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 stalks celery, chopped

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. pepper

1 tsp. turmeric

1 tsp. cumin

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. ginger

6 cups water

1 cup red lentils

1 tbsp. tomato paste

2 peeled, cubed potatoes

19 oz. can tomatoes

1 cup frozen peas

1/4 cup sour cream

Heat oil in Dutch oven and cook onions, garlic and celery until softened about 5 minutes. Add salt, pepper, turmeric, cumin, cinnamon and ginger. Cook, stirring often for another 2 minutes. Add water, lentils, tomato paste, potatoes, and tomatoes. Break up tomatoes with a spoon. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 35 minutes. Add peas and simmer until veggies and potatoes are tender which is about 10 minutes. Ladle into bowls. Put a dollop of sour cream on each and serve. 

This made enough for the two of us to have three meals each, plus there will probably be leftovers for lunch.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Menu Monday

I am already making a switch around in order to use up some items in the fridge today.

Monday

First switch around. Today we will finish off the ham/scalloped potato casserole I made on Saturday. Served with a salad and it should fill us right up nicely.

Tuesday

Mushroom meatballs served over noodles with peas and perhaps a kale salad.

Wednesday

Soup and sandwiches. I may just make the lentil soup I have been craving for awhile.

Thursday

Leftover meatballs and noodles along with salad.

Friday

Tuna casserole and a tossed salad.

Saturday

Leftover ham warmed up. I think I may just make a potato salad to go along with it (not the season really for potato salad but I would really like some).

Sunday

Beef roast, mashed potatoes, and corn. May as well finish off any of the salads that are left as well.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Using Up The Leftover Chicken

I tried something totally new with my leftover chicken yesterday.

I made something called Stuffing Crust Pie.

Now, this tasted wonderful, but I think I would tweak it a bit the next time I make it. There was just too much in the way of stuffing crumb mixture, and I think I would make it a bit wetter as well.

2 tbsp. hard margarine or butter

1/2 cup chopped onion (finely)

1/2 cup finely chopped celery

2 cups fine dry bread crumbs

1 tbsp. parsley flakes

1/2 tsp ground sage

1/4 tsp pepper

1/4 cup hot water

1/4 cup milk

10 oz condensed chicken broth (I used non condensed)

1/3 cup flour

2 cups frozen mixed veggies

1/4 tsp celery salt (didn't have so left out)

1/8 tsp onion powder

sprinkle of pepper

2 cups diced cooked chicken (could use turkey as well)

Melt margarine in a large frying pan. Add onion and celery. Cook until very soft. Remove from heat. Stir in the next 4 ingredients. Gradually mix in milk and hot water (next time I make this I will use 1/2 cup hot water). You should be able to squeeze the mixture and have it hold its shape. Reserve 1/2 cup for topping (I used a bit more than 1/2 a cup here). Press remaining mixture on bottom and up sides of a greased 9" pie plate.

Gradually whisk chicken broth into the flour in a small post until smooth. Heat until thickened, stirring and the mixture comes to a boil.

I had the remaining ingredients in a medium sized bowl and poured the thickened sauce on top. Mixed it all together. Poured into the stuffing crust. Sprinkle top with remaining crumbs. Bake uncovered for 30 min or until heated through (mine took longer than 30 mins). Let stand 5-10 minutes. Cuts into 6 wedges (though mine needed to be kind of cut and scooped out).

There is enough for another meal for Harvey and I tomorrow. Changes my menu plan a bit, but I can live with it.

Just another way of using up the leftovers in my freezer.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

A new week of menus coming right up.

Monday

This was supposed to be a meatless meal, however we need to eat the leftover chicken from Saturday. I will be serving this with a salad. (Probably kale)

Tuesday

There is a bag of leftover roast beef languishing in the freezer. This will be used to make a casserole from. 

Wednesday

Leftover roast pork used in a casserole and served with the remaining salad. I will actually have two bits of leftover salad. Tossed for Hubby and the kale for me.

Thursday

Clean out the fridge night. We will pick one of the casseroles and finish it off (more than likely the beef). The remaining casserole will be frozen for youngest DS to take back with him if he manages to get home this weekend.

Friday

Soup and sandwiches. Thinking I will use the last of the tomato soup in the freezer and serve with some grilled cheese sandwiches (or perhaps grilled swiss cheese sandwiches).

Saturday 

Hot dogs, homemade fries, and coleslaw.

Sunday

I am going to pull out a few bags of leftover ham and warm them up. Served with rice, mixed veggies and more coleslaw.

Slowly but surely I am getting my sidebar of blogs I visit back together. I am still searching for a few English bloggers and one Aussie blog by Maria I will hopefully have everyone back up and easy to get to.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Menu Monday

Things are pretty much back to normal now (well as normal as is possible until my tests are done with next week), so hopefully I can be a bit more on point with posting.

A good way to start the week off....menu plans.

Monday

Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and corn. I am doing something a bit different this time. I plan on making some of the meatloaf mixture into individual loaves and freezing them to be used later on. The old cook once and eat twice thing going on. It is also preparation for Hubby if I end up in the hospital for surgery or some such. Never can be too prepared.

Tuesday

Leftover ham made into scalloped potatoes and ham. There will probably be enough for another meal this week. I will serve it with peas and carrots.

Wednesday

A big pot of beef stew. Extras will be frozen to be eaten later (another cook once eat twice meal).

Thursday

Clean out the fridge night. Pretty sure there will be some leftover meatloaf and leftover scalloped potato and ham casserole.

Friday

Tuna casserole served with a tossed salad.

Saturday

Pulling out a package of frozen Turkey Tetrazzini and serving it with the leftover salad.

Sunday

Roast beef, though this could change to some leftover roast beef made into hash. Just to get rid of some more items in the fridge and freezer.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Menu Monday

Good Christmas Eve to all that celebrate. Almost the end of another year.

Monday

Lasagna and garlic bread.

Tuesday

Roast turkey, mashed potatoes, peas, stuffing, gravy, pickles, cranberries, and salad. Probably missed a few sides in the list. 

Wednesday

Homemade Turkey soup from some of the leftovers, along with sandwiches (or perhaps open faced buns. I hope to make a rather large batch of soup so as to freeze a few portions and give some to Kris and Kurt to take home.

Thursday

The boys are probably leaving tomorrow, so perhaps we should celebrate my birthday by heading out for supper. Chinese food seems like a lovely idea.

Friday

It will more than likely be a clean out the fridge night. Pretty sure there will be lots for Harvey and I to choose from.

Saturday

Leftover turkey made into something tasty, just not too sure what as of yet. Serving this with a tossed salad.

Sunday

Pork Roast, roasted potatoes, roasted carrots and the leftover salad.

Another week down and after this week only 1 day left in the year.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Menu Monday

I am actually sticking very close to this months menus. Sometimes things get switched around or there are more leftovers for another meal so what was planned is changed. Still that unmade meal can be made on another day of the month, perhaps one where there are no leftovers to be used.

Monday

Leftover ham from the fridge freezer. I also have one pie shell left that needs to be used. I think a pepper and ham quiche sounds pretty good. I will serve it with some biscuits hot from the oven, or at least warmed in the oven before serving (all depends on oven temperature).

Tuesday

Leftover chicken from Sunday's big meal. I might give the Chicken and Mushroom pasta another try (would use up some odds and ends in the pantry and in the fridge). Though I am leaning towards an old favourite. Chicken a la King served on toast.

Wednesday

Probably leftover quiche along with some raw veggies and dip.

Thursday

Pork ribs done in the slow cooker or pressure cooker if I don't get them out in time. Thinking sweet and sour served with rice (if not using instant pot to cook them, if so I will make egg noodles), and the remaining asparagus.

Friday

If Kris actually is home this weekend I will make pancakes (moved from another day last month). If he does not make it home we will have fish, homemade fries and slaw.

Saturday

If there is any chicken a la king left (and enough for the three of us) we will have this and salad for our meal. If not the sausage casserole from last week will be served today.

Sunday

Weather permitting we will be in the city for the first playoff game. Weather not permitting (too cold) I think we should order a pizza.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Thursday Tidbits

I am going to share another recipe from a Company's Coming cookbook. These are my absolute favourite cookbooks. Mainly because I usually have everything I need to prepare them in my fridge, freezer or pantry.

Turkey Corn Soup

2 tbsp. hard butter (or margarine)

1 cup finely chopped onion

3/4 cup finely chopped red pepper

2 tbsp. all purpose flour

1 tsp paprika (I used a bit more)

6 cups chicken broth

2 cups finely chopped potato

1 tsp. hot pepper sauce (next time I will use more)

2 cups chopped leftover turkey

13 1/2 oz can of evaporated milk

1 cup frozen kernel corn (I used about 1 1/2 cups)

8 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled

Melt butter in a large pot or Dutch oven on medium heat. Add the onion and red pepper. Cook, stirring often, until the onion is softened.

Add flour and paprika. Heat and stir for 1 or 2 minutes.

Add broth, potato and hot pepper sauce. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until potato is tender.

Add turkey, evaporated milk, and corn. Heat and stir until heated through.

Sprinkle with bacon. This makes about 11 cups.

I have enough in the freezer for another two meals for Harvey and I. Two nights where I get to have a lovely stick to my ribs soup. If Kris is home there will only be enough for one meal for the three of us and a container for him to take home.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.