Midweek, Midmonth, Oh My!

 

I not only have to keep calm that it is midweek already, but one my as well say it is the middle of the month as well. Time is slipping past on wings.

Last night we had a date night and went out to our live theater's second show of the season (also the last). It was hilarious. Loved every minute of it. The acting, the singing, the jokes were amazing. Now it is done for the summer.

Our next date night will be our trip. That is if we actually get to go as Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge are now probably going on strike. Air Canada Jazz is not included so we could get home from Montreal, just not get to Toronto for the start of our trip. I told Harvey that we may have to see if we can change our carrier. Could be slightly more expensive, but man we were so looking forward to it. 

I have been working in the garden and in the house, decluttering a bit, and downsizing my wardrobe. I am trying to move my clothing all into one area for a change. Back to trying to live with fewer clothes, and really watching what I purchase or make. Garden produce is being frozen or dehydrated. I did forage some apples this morning so I will try and get those made into pie filling tomorrow, after my dentist appointment. The blueberries have been frozen, as have seven green peppers. I may try to get some kohlrabi frozen as well. 

I have also finished the rug for Kris. I need to work in the ends of yarn, and block it. I might have to trim the fringe as well. Working on the next pair of mitts, and will pull out the first firepit quilt to work on tomorrow. 

I have heard through the grapevine, okay the news, that the weather this winter according to both Farmer's Almanac's is supposed to be very cold and lots of snow. So I am going to try and stock up as much as possible. I hate trying to get through lots of snow, almost as much as I hate driving on ice all winter. Of course I can get Harvey to drive but the less we have to travel on ugly roads the better I will like it.

I am also going to tell the boys to stock up a bit on a few canned goods so they don't have to face nasty weather. 

Just a bit of a heads up to other Canadians right now. My less expensive K cups from Walmart, just went up another $2.00. And don't ask how much chocolate chips have gone up. I almost fainted when I saw the price of the Co-op brand, never mind the brand name variety. Still I managed to get sweet and sour cut ribs on sale, a cryovac package of eye of round to cut into roasts on sale as well. Not much else meat wise was on sale except for some sandwich meat. I did get loads of veggies and fruit on sale. A few canned goods for the pantry as well. Bit by bit I will beat the cost of living going up.

I was asked about the fake crab. It is not shellfish. It is Pollock that has been flavoured a bit. Not sure if it really tastes like crab or lobster, but it really does not taste like fish.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 

It has been a sunny day here on the prairies and on the old homestead. That's a bit different than it has been for awhile. Usually the sun only peaks out for a little bit during the afternoon. Still I will definitely take it, even if it is windy and slightly cooler. 

Been working around the house today, trying to get caught up on projects, household tasks, and extra cleaning. The extra cleaning is not happening today as my mojo disappeared after working on the project, clearing off the sewing table so I can work on the next project, and putting the projects into the totes I made to get rid of the big blue Rubbermaid tote in the living room. Things are beginning to come together nicely. 

I was going to go shopping today, but decided to stretch what I have until at least Saturday. Really trying to cut shopping down even more over the next few months. If I can stretch things a day or two between trips by the end of the year I may actually have cut a couple of shopping trips out altogether. 

Rising costs on almost everything have me a bit concerned. Not only concerned for me, but concerned for our sons. Kurt is planning on getting solar panels on his roof this year to hopefully cut costs on electricity and gathers wood from friends who chop down trees for his fireplace outside and downstairs. He plants a bit of a garden, but most are in planters and bags as his soil is terrible. Not too worried about his job as a teacher he will always be in demand and the school he is in loves him.

Kris is planning more planters so as to plant even more veggies and fruits. I told him he should do some planters out front and get even more items growing. I believe that herbs would do very well out front on his small deck space. He does have hydroponic growing in his basement during the winter and he is thinking of expanding that a bit. He also starts most of his own plants as well. He still needs to add weather stripping to his doors and change a couple of locks on his doors. Lots to do inside as well. But those things cost money and even though he is frugal, things are getting very expensive for upkeep on a home. 

We are okay right now, but if interest rates fall or we begin to lose money on investments things could become a bit tighter. Shopping Canadian is not inexpensive but at this point in time perhaps the only way we can fight back against tariffs. I will continue to use up all that I can, make a few more meatless meals, downsize, and be a bit more selective on what I purchase. We will look into more free things to do in the city (not that there is much around here that is free) and grow more veggies and such ourselves. 

Life is full of compromises, but those compromises do not have to limit living.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Costs Rising

 

I mentioned on a forum I belong to that I was preparing for the worst and hoping for the best, this coming year. 

Our property taxes are going up again this year. Last year they went up 2% and this year will be the same. I had figured in a 5% increase last year, so I am leaving that budget line as is. We will still be under with a bit of leeway if it actually goes up a bit more.

Grocery prices are rising every week, so shopping sales will be very important as well as stretching whatever we can purchase. I am hopeful of growing more fruit and veg this year as well. I will be dehydrating more of what I purchase before it goes bad, and making lots of my own spice combinations (taco seasoning, sloppy joe seasoning). 

Working towards a simpler life as well, even though right now that means decluttering what we don't need or haven't used in awhile. 

More cooking from scratch, though I really already do a great deal of that. Must learn how to make pie crust and rough puff. Need to work on hotdog buns as well, my hamburger buns are just fine. Bagels are on the list to learn how to make as well. 

I have gotten two batches of yogurt made, and I think I like it better with real fruit in it instead of jam. I will make granola one day soon and try it with that.

The machine is not large so will be easy to store as you can see in the first photo. The second photo is the yogurt poured into the strainer to thicken it up even more. This is my first "learning something new" this year and from the looks of my previous list, it won't be the last.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Rising Costs and Beating Them Back

 

I don't have a recipe to share with you today, so I thought I would share how I am trying to beat back the rising cost of living.

Really watching electrical and natural gas usage. Turning off a few lights is not a problem. We also turned down our heat by a degree over the winter. I am hoping to turn it down another degree or two next winter when we are all abed. I am also hanging more on the lines downstairs.

Water is another big expense so I have been trying to save on water usage the last week or so. Not sure how that is going but will continue for the month. Most of the Utilities bill is things we can not control though. 

As far as grocery shopping I am trying to stick to items on sale and that means if chicken is on sale that is what I purchase. Cooking larger amounts so as to be able to freeze something to use later. Warming something up takes way less time (time is important around here) and I can use my toaster oven to heat it up, thus using less power.

Of course using up what we have is a great way to beat back the rising costs of groceries. I look up substitutions if I don't have an ingredient and look for ways to cut back on meat. There are always substitutions that are actually less expensive.

There are always ways to save on clothing as well. You can go to a secondhand store, or make your own (which is what I do). If one manages to get good sales on fabric or purchase from garage sales the money saved can be amazing. Being able to repair my own clothing is also money saving. I'm working on making cards as well. Saving lots that way cards are really expensive. I purchase Christmas cards on sale after the holiday

Couponing here in my city can be difficult, so I watch for sale items and stock up on what I can. Many a time I purchase enough of one item to last a year or longer. While I do live in a small city, things are much more expensive than if I lived in Regina or Saskatoon, where there is much more competition.

Blogger is doing strange things so I will sign off. Things are being inserted and I am having a problem posting. Tomorrow I will share the next chapter in my Simpler Living book with you all.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

Good bless.