Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

Thrifty and Frugal

The usual thrifty and frugal practices are happening here. I did go out and purchase what we needed for our trip and probably on Sunday I will venture out to the grocery store before picking cherries and getting the one tree processed.

I mended a pair of pajama pants for Harvey. Another pair has been put into the sewing/craft room to make into rags. Those rags are very needed right now.

Sewed two dresses, pictures of which I will share on hopefully Friday. I make a very simple shift type dress for summer as those seem to be the coolest to wear. Some are made of a light cotton, and some are made with knit fabric.

Found fabric in my stash to sew Harvey a pair of summer weight pajama bottoms. Those will be completed tomorrow.

Pulled out my old tablet, powered it up and tried to get it to work. Not going to happen as it kept freezing on me. It is just too old. I guess I will be taking my notebook with me on holiday. Or perhaps I will struggle through with my phone. I can manage many things on that.

Visited our cell phone service provider and will be going back on the Saturday morning we leave for Regina to get a package put on so as to be able to use it when we are traveling for the 15 days we will be gone.

So other than eating up bits and bobs, making new lists, processing what I can from the garden, sewing, and planning on how to keep my plants watered and alive while we are gone, this is all I can come up with.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

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.

Sunday Ramblings

 

It has been a quiet, get things accomplished day here on the old Phillips homestead. I have been pretty achy today, which means I have been moving a bit more and changing position a great deal. Also using lots of my mint salve to keep the pain down. I don't like using pain meds unless absolutely necessary.

Now our trip is up in the air once again. It seems the striking workers are refusing to go back to work. Probably not a smart thing to do as the fines are very high for both the workers and the union the longer they refuse. Even if they get their wage increase (which they were offered) I doubt they will be making enough to pay said fines. I know they want to be paid for when they are boarding passengers or waiting between flights, but the only airline that does that is Delta in the US. Being offered a 35% increase in wages with the first year being a 25% increase is darn good. We will continue to keep our fingers crossed that things change and that we will actually be on a plane in just under 2 weeks. 

I got the 10 pairs of the smaller size mittens done, and I will begin sewing up the side seams tonight. I even managed between changing positions, get quite a bit of the firepit quilt hand quilted. I may actually be able to get it done by late tomorrow and that means sewing on the bindings, and machine hemming the tea towels tomorrow. 

As far as getting the floor cleared up in the sewing/craft room, that is moving along very slowly. I really need a shelving unit in the closet for another storage solution. I am promising myself (or at least I hope to) not to purchase any more yarn or fabric until I manage to clear out more of what I already own. The mittens are helping to use things up, but I think after these are done I will make some scarves for the students of Kurt's school. I can use some up in weaving projects as well. 

Working very hard on trying to get the garden produce put up for the winter season. This week I have made apple pie filling, I did a double batch today, and will probably get a single batch made tomorrow. Yogurt is started and I hope to get that draining overnight. Of course lots of dehydrating is happening, and I think that tomorrow and the next day I will be making fries and perogies for the freezer. I may even manage to get some flat breads made and put in the freezer as well. 

The next two weeks (just in case we actually get our trip) will see me trying to keep the fridge as cleared out as possible. This probably means a few fridge smorg meals and a redo of the menu plans. Not a bad thing if it enables us to use all our food to advantage and keep our bills down to a minimum if at all possible.

I hope that all of my readers are having a lovely day and finding the joy in the simple things. Hubby said he watered my round perennial bed yesterday and our resident bunny popped out. So far no damage to the garden, most times they seem to eat the weeds or the grass in the yard.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

Thrifty and Frugal

It is another lovely and smoke free day here on the old homestead. I had a visit to get my teeth cleaned at the dentist this morning so along with the middle of the month bills a bit of cash has been spent. 

So what thrifty and frugal things have been taking place here on the Phillips homestead.

1.  I hung two loads of clothes on the lines downstairs as Monday was slightly drizzly.

2.  Had a free coffee at a friends one day this past week.

3.  Combined as many errands as possible to save on fuel, plus wear/tear on the vehicle.

4.  Picking veggies from the garden rather than purchasing. 

5.  Dehydrating herbs, freezing various veggies as well.

6.  Got free apples and plums from the neighbours trees when looking after the yard and house.

7.  Shopped using a list and stuck to the list. Things have gotten a bit more expensive but I am doing my best to keep things under or at budget. 

8.  Using up what is available here at home before putting it on the list.

9.  Got free toothpaste, free floss and a free toothbrush at the dentists. 

10.  Will be putting $75.00 in the savings envelope and $9.55 in the savings jars this week.

So what frugal, thrifty things have you been up to this week?

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

 

It has been awhile since I have shared any projects with you all. I actually have a few that are finished this week and some that I will need to start over (cleaning the sewing/craft room as batting and backing are now all over the floor once again). 

More salves made and ready to be used and given as gifts. I also have oregano salve made but no photo of that right now.

Tomato sauce has been made from the frozen tomatoes from last year.

Four containers of tomato sauce were made.

Rhubarb chutney for the store cupboard/pantry. Along with some raspberry jam, which I did not photograph.

Another rose quilt block completed and ready to be pressed next week. I pulled out the next one to start once I get a few more projects off the list, or started.

Two of the four firepit quilts sandwiched. Perhaps the last two will be done tomorrow. It would clean up the sewing/craft room a bit.

I also finished the 20 recipe cards copied out and probably as many printed recipes we didn't like recycled. 

The tea towels are off the loom, but not completely finished. I hope to get those done next week. 

I have 8 of the 10 pairs of mittens done and hope to get those finished the next couple of days. So picture coming very soon. 

Dehydrating of herbs, and the usual household tasks taking place pretty much daily. However now that I have a kind of schedule things are done very quickly around the house. Leaves me more time to work on projects, or enjoy the garden.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Midweek Musings

 

Late post today, mainly because most of our afternoon was spent at the travel agent's desk and checking for emails from her. Plus then I needed to catch up on a bit of the household tasks. Still did not get them all completed so it is a good thing I put "do unfinished" on the list each day. Sometimes there are unfinished tasks to complete.

Why is it so darn expensive to travel in Canada???? We could probably have gone on a tour in Europe for less than the Canadian tour is going to end up costing us. Flights are very expensive as well, even booking months in advance. Our agent did manage to get us a good deal on those, but then because we are arriving the night before the tour begins we needed to pay extra for the hotel. Still between the savings on the tour, and the savings on the flight we will be able to pay the insurance fees and the hotel room and still be slightly ahead. 

I did no weaving today, which is a pity because I would have been that much closer to finishing off the dark grey stripe and perhaps getting ready to begin the lighter grey stripe. This weaving is going to be tea towels, but because the yarn is so thin it is going to take a goodly amount of time. I am hoping to get at least 2 made for myself. If lucky I may get a third, but I kind of doubt it. I am really happy with how even the weaving is this time around. 

Knitting, well I finished the first mitt of the 4th pair and have cast on the second mitt. This probably will not be finished tonight though. Man, I need to stay home and concentrate on getting things done. As there will be no more out of the house things happening this week pretty sure I will be able to complete a few more pairs of mittens and a goodly portion of the first tea towel as well. 

A bit of weeding was done, but more is necessary. We have some elms quite close to us and with the winds we have been having lots of the seeds were blown into the pots and baskets. Now, many little elms are growing and they definitely need to be pulled out. Pretty sure there are lots in the perennial bed as well. Tomorrow, at least 20 minutes will be spent getting rid of them, plus working on the perennial bed once again. 

It seems as if we just might have gotten rid of those Asian lily beetles as I don't see any more munching of leaves. Last year they were horrendous, this year I just might have started fighting them at the right time. Both Harvey and I were very worried that they had actually destroyed them and they would never grow again. 

Now, there is worry about the delphinium I planted. It looks like something decided to munch on the leaves. There is only one left now. Can't see anything crawling on it, but perhaps one of the sweet little bush bunnies is having a munching fest. 

I will visit you all tomorrow morning, right now it is back out to finish watering the plants.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

 

I promised you all some pictures of the items I have managed to complete so far. 

My newest nightgown. A quick and simple sewing project.

The finished (well kind of as it needs another really good pressing) jacket. 

And lastly the gathering of the blocks for the next flimsy. Thinking seriously about surrounding each block with a bright colour, thus getting rid of some more cut strips as well.

Lastly a picture of our pear tree. This is the most blossoms we have ever had on this tree.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Midweek and End of the Month

 Last day of the month of April, and the middle of the week falling on the same day. Strange.

I did up the budget today and while we did not do as well as we could have, I still managed to cut the budget by $350.00. That will stay in the account and be the first payment towards the new dining room chairs. I hope to save more next month overall, mainly because I am going to use my envelope money to purchase my plants and Harvey's veggie plants when we go and pick up the haskap/honey berry trees or bushes. I wonder if I can convince him to purchase other fruit bearing bushes while at the greenhouse. 

Pulled a few more plants from the long boxes Harvey made for me many years ago. There are a couple to empty, but I will need Harvey's help in doing those. 

Project wise, I will only be carrying the jacket and knitting forward into May. I hope to finish one of them at least within a couple of days and get started on the new projects/goals for the month of May. 

So looking forward to getting my hands in the dirt once again and watching plants begin to grow. Hey, one of my delphiniums is starting to push its way through the soil. I hope to get a couple growing at least. My idea is to plant a few perennial seeds each year and get the center perennial garden looking lovely once again. I may dig up some of the columbines and give them to Kris or even Kurt to plant in their gardens. Those things spread quickly. 

As many of you have suggested I am going to put the word out that I am looking for any plants that they are separating this spring. Most people here do not give them away, rather they try and sell them, to make a bit of cash to purchase more plants and flowers.

Off to get supper started and then I will visit all of you.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings And A Weekly Round Up

 

It has actually been a busy week here on the old homestead. I missed doing this yesterday, so thought I would end the week with a bit of a catch up on what has been happening here.

After about 2 weeks of no weeding, I managed to get most of that done earlier this week. Man, why is it that weeds grow so much faster than anything else? Still need to get a bit more done, but things are looking so much better.

I have also been working in the garden harvesting. So far not doing too badly at keeping up with things, but my back is really starting to bother me...This could be a big problem in a few weeks.

Lots of dehydrating of herbs happening.

This was only the beginning as I have been dehydrating almost every day since this picture was taken. 

I started the lavender infused oil, and today harvested more. This time I hope to make sachets for my drawers... Need to have nice smelling things. I should be able to harvest even more for more oil and either salve or lotion, perhaps even cooking. 

I have defrosted one freezer and organizEved all that was in there. As sales occur I will pick up different cuts of meat, but there is more than enough to last in my stock ups from previous shopping trips. Still being prepared for large upticks in costs is what all of us should do.

Working on the knitted blanket (I have decided that my goal of having two completed was out of line) and the two fire pit blankets. I still have a few other projects I had hoped to get done that will be carried over for another month (or perhaps two).

We booked our next holiday (I left it up to Harvey to make the suggestion and it took him three months) and only have the extra excursions to book. Man, those can be pretty expensive. 

Using up all that I can and trying to figure out other ways to save money even though we are lucky enough not too have to worry too much.

I have been checking out real estate in the two places we are interested in as well. Strangely enough it would probably be less expensive to stay where we are and purchase a condo here. Still would have to drive to the capital to visit my specialist and even with Kris living there and allowing us to stay with him, it takes a great deal out of us. 

I have also come to the realization that some members of Harvey's family will never consider us as important members of said family, unless they need something. Their loss, and not worth my caring about. Especially when it is just my family does not follow the same political bent that they do. Blood should be thicker, but I guess not to everyone.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Midweek Once Again

 

I spent a bit of time this morning at the dentist and then, because my mouth was frozen decided to stick close to home and get a few things done. 

I washed all the outside doors and cleaned the windows in them as well. That was my extra cleaning chore for today. 

I walked around the backyard/garden and saw something absolutely wonderful. After 9 years (could actually be 10) our pear tree is finally getting blossoms. I am so very excited!!! Hence the picture to start this post. 

I then came in and started sewing. I got one pair of shorts finished and started the second pair. I may even get those done tonight... Just depends on how I am feeling.

I have two cherry turnover type things in the oven (promise to take a photo when they are done and post tomorrow). Hopefully we like them as much as the apple ones I make. 

Tomorrow is kind of planned out as far as baking and project work. I hope to either finish the shorts and start the sundress, or if I finish the shorts tonight I will sew the sundress and start a sleeveless tunic top. Slowly but surely getting those sewing projects completed. I would like them all done by next week, but that could be wishful thinking on my part. Once all are done I will post pictures.

Baking wise will be a loaf of bread, some pumpkin muffins and perhaps some zucchini muffins. Really trying to get everything used up that I can before the next harvest. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

PS

I was asked why I couldn't use my computerized machine while we had the storm happening yesterday.... It was more the lightening we were getting that made me leery of using the machine in case of a power surge. We get lots of those during electrical storms.

Mid Week Once Again

 

The summer is passing by very quickly. It always amazes me that as I age the days whiz right by almost like I was a child and hoping the summer would last forever. 

Temperatures cooled down a bit today so I was able to get out this morning and weed the circular perennial bed. It really needed it. Tomorrow I hope to weed the bed by the shed and water plants. Keeping my fingers crossed.

The drapes in the dining room were washed and hung on the lines, and a set of drapes in the living room were done as well. Only one set left in the living room and all drapes will have been washed. Whew, less dust in the house for sure.

Herbs were harvested and dehydrated, more need doing tomorrow. Hopefully parsley and mint. 

Otherwise all I did was knit on the purse and make a list of Christmas gifts that I want to make starting next month. Forget about "Christmas in July" I just have too many other projects to work on.

Inflation has risen to the highest it has been in almost 40 years. I do hope that it doesn't get much higher, but with the wacky weather we have had this spring and so far this summer I am afraid that certain items will be hard to find. Farmers here are concerned about crops. Many have been destroyed by hail, and shortages from Europe and the Ukraine will cause many problems.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

MidWeek Once Again

Wow, once again it is the middle of the week and almost the middle of July!!!

I have been trying to get things accomplished around the house and yard, but with the heat it is beginning to be only the mornings and evenings that I can be out. At that time I have to fight off the mosquitoes. I hate wearing spray so if you could see me outside I am hitting and waving my hands around in between weeding, picking, and watering. Not fun at all.

Inside I have been working on a few projects. Though my mojo seems to be slowly dissipating. I am going to blame the heat. I did get a few things done this week.

Along with the garden work I managed to get this little summer dress sewn. I also hemmed a pair of pj bottoms for my friend (she has another two that need hemming, but needs to turn them up to the right length). I got the needle changed on my machine, a bobbin wound and the machine threaded for the shorts I want to make next.

Thyme was washed and dried, then put in an air tight bag to be used over the winter.

Two trays of oregano were dried as well and stored in the same manner.

I made some more labels for containers in the sewing/craft room as I work on organizing it and decluttering it at the same time. I also replaced a power bar in there that was on it's last legs and I didn't trust it anymore. Pictures will follow once all is done.

With the heat I have been watering the plants a bit more, as well as collecting rhubarb to bake with. Wish it was producing more, I hope to get a few more bags into the freezer.

Knitting continues, and the blanket of many colours is coming along nicely. Hope that I manage to get that finished this month as well.

I went for my biweekly shopping trip and man prices continue to rise. Now our provincial gas and electric companies are planning to raise their rates. In a few weeks dairy products will be rising as well. The Bank of Canada in order to curb inflation raised their prime rate a full percentage point. Inflation is at 7% here now, and will probably climb even higher. I think that belt tightening will occur in most households. 

Kris is now waiting for his car to be repaired from the accident he was in back at the end of February. First the insurance had to wait until the person who rear ended him contacted them and that took almost a month. Then the insurance company and Kia were in a fight about costs. Kia won that one. Next was waiting for parts. He took it in on Monday and was told it could take up to two weeks.... Thank heavens the insurance will pay for a rental so he can get back and forth to work.

Kurt is home and today has to fix his computer as it is really slow. Hopefully he can get it running properly once again.

So that has been my week so far. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits

 

Thought that I would switch some days around for awhile. Nothing really much is happening around here. In fact once again I might be entering a bit of a slump. 

I did get out and buy some of my plants though and now I wait a few days to plant what I have and decide what else I need. I know I will need to buy some inserts for the metal hanging baskets, and then the plants to go into them. 

Today I managed to get the gladioli bulbs planted, and Harvey worked on the veggie garden. He said he sprayed the area beside the house where weeds, grass and small trees are popping up, but I really don't see a difference as of yet. I have a feeling it will need another spray.

Tomorrow morning I need to go to the hospital to help with the weekly Mass. Not too sure if this is something I will feel comfortable doing every week, especially since it is spring and things are getting busy outside. I may just back out after this once, we will see if I have the courage to do so.

Still working on the projects for this month, but not getting really even close to being done. I will have to work hard over the next week. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Tuesday

 

This has been a quiet day here on the old homestead. 

I did up the budget and even with buying the new printer and ink we are only slightly over budget for the month. Still we are underbudget for the year, which makes going on vacation a little easier.

I washed and hung up the sheets on my clotheslines outside. These are the ones I got from my friend. I folded them and add them to the old sheets I already had for backing on the quilts that I will make in the future.

Then I put away yarn. I can now see the floor in my sewing/craft room and am getting that much closer to being able to craft in there once again. Just a few surfaces left to tidy and things will be organized.

I mended a quilt, fixed an underwire in a bra, and hemmed a pair of Harvey's jeans. 

I made eggplant parma one night for supper and used up tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and bread crumbs. Today I picked 4 more eggplant and will make some for the freezer and meals later this winter. Still lots of eggplant there so I foresee stuffed eggplant, and moussaka on the menu next month (means a few changes, but it is what it is). 

Tomatoes are coming quickly and I plan on getting Salsa made tomorrow. Much less expensive than bought and it tastes way better.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

 

This week has passed by in a flash. I think it is because I have been busy dehydrating, making mint jelly, and getting those bucket pickles made. No pictures, but I promise to take some tomorrow.

Also our fridge is starting to act up and so most of the week has been spent researching and shopping for a new one. Decision was made today and we purchased a new one that will hopefully be delivered on the 21st of this month. 

This means eating down the food in the fridge right now and trying not to over buy over the next few weeks. Something that I could find difficult since garden produce is coming in hot and heavy.

Mornings have been spent working on harvesting and processing as well as the usual household chores. Afternoons are spent working on projects. I have almost gotten another row of grid done on the t-shirt rug. I thought Harvey would hate it as it is pretty wild, but he seems to really like it. Mind you he does seem to like to ask me if it isn't too much work.

Nights are spent either getting a blog post up and then knitting or just resting and knitting. 

I bought some grocery totes from Thirty-0ne because a good friend was having a party and these totes really interested me. Well this week I found I won a prize.... Picture to come tomorrow and I will be asking for ideas on how to use this.

Off to get knitting.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Ah, Midweek and Still Darn Warm

 I don't know if anyone else has noticed, but it is getting dark earlier. This is a photo at around 9:30 a couple of nights ago.

It also shows the fireworks that were happening for some odd reason south of the city. Here is another one or two from that night.

Bit blurry as are the remaining ones. I really need to learn how to take photos or get a better camera.

I tried my hand at arranging flowers, and while not perfect, really isn't bad for a first try. Harvey loved it.

I think he was just trying to make me feel good about it.

Garden harvesting was happening as well.

Cucumbers and peppers getting ready for a bath.

Line up of small tomatoes on the window sill. 

Hopefully I will get more cukes ready to be picked so I can make those pickles in a bucket by the end of the week.

Tomorrow is shopping and there are a few things I need to pick up to make the mint jelly. I was asked what I do with the jelly and mostly I use it on ham, and pork as a condiment. My boys love mint jelly on ham. Gives it a bit of sweetness and I don't have to use a brown sugar glaze.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Completing Projects

 Finally getting around to a few projects that were languishing in the sewing/craft room. If I want to concentrate on masks, I needed to get a few things done.

First was a tidy and reorganization of the room. Still working on that, but things are at least navigable for the moment. 

Next was gathering the denim squares that I had pinned together and getting them sewn together. I have managed to get to this point over the last couple of days.

I wasn't as careful as I usually am at matching corners. This will just be used outside around the firepit on those cooler nights (those are coming fast). Tomorrow will be the sandwiching and some easy quilting. I hope to be able to do the binding as well. 

The blanket was done between heading out to the garden to pick tomatoes.

Freezing tomatoes, even if it is just a couple of bags (keeping up with them for a change).

A few more bags and I will be done. Then it will be moving on to either soup or spaghetti sauce.....

Between sewing and freezing I have been working on the front of Harvey's Christmas sweater, and doing even more straightening of the sewing/craft room. 

Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny (today was cloudy and we even got a bit of rain) and so along with errand running I will be putting some herbs into the dehydrator. Supposedly the temperature is going to fall to just above freezing by Monday and so the more that I can get out of the garden the better I will feel. 

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.

Thursday Tidbits

A quick trip around my garden and backyard.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.