Catch Up Friday

 It has been rather cool and cloudy today which made working in the kitchen over a hot stove rather nice. Even nicer the air conditioner isn't working overtime. The next few days are supposed to be cooler so I should be able to get all the processing or baking done in relative comfort. 

I have spent most of today working on the finishing touches for many projects and processing garden produce that was brought in the last couple of days. Heck, I finally got the Apple Chutney made and those apples have been lying around for a length of time. 

Project wise I cut apart the tea towels and hemmed them. Moved on to trimming the fringe on the rug I made. Then I pulled down the 2 1/2 strips and I hope at some point tomorrow to get the bindings on both firepit quilts started. I also finished off the first pair of size 8 mittens and cast on the start of the second pair. Slowly but surely getting those projects for this month completed. Won't get the embroidery done, but I will work on that along with other unfinished projects

Did a bit more dehydrating today as well. I may yet have time to go in and do some more tidying of the sewing/craft room, but that is doubtful. I need to move some of the items from the fridge freezer to the freezers downstairs and dice or slice 6 green peppers for the freezer as well.

I will not be making yogurt this week as I won't have time to finish it before we leave, so I will make some flat breads and put them in the freezer.

I decided not to make Eggplant Parma, instead I will make scrambled eggs (using up some onion, and a red pepper that is on its last legs) served on toast. The eggplant will be grilled tomorrow along with the hot dogs and I will make some stuffed jalapeno peppers wrapped in bacon as well. Clearing out the fridge is the main goal the next bit of time before we leave. 

It looks like we might be able to pick some beans by the beginning of next week and get those processed for the freezer. 

Little things being done which will add up to getting lots completed before the winter. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 Off, then on, then off and now on once again. It seems that Air Canada is in the air once again. So it looks like our trip will be happening, provided we don't get bumped. So for the next 9 days I will be doing my best to process food, get the perennial bed in some kind of order, and probably end up washing clothes a couple more times. The clothes washing to make sure Harvey has enough to last for the 10 days we will be gone. 

There is lots to do inside as well, projects to be finished, the sewing/craft room cleaned, as much used up in the fridge as is possible, and me notifying Nielsen IQ that I will not be sending in scans for the the first two weeks of September. Last time they missed my notification so I am going to make sure and send it early enough that they get it on time or even before time. 

As all of you know I am a big list maker and those lists will be made over what is left of this week and the beginning of next week. 

It has been very warm the last couple of days and that will continue into tomorrow. Supposed to be even warmer than today and believe me the temperature here in the city reached 34C, and felt like 38C. It is supposed to cool off for the weekend which will be welcome and allow me to get out and do deadheading, and weeding. 

The last thing to be organized in the sewing/craft room is the closet and I hope to make a trip and purchase a shelving unit to take care of that. Pretty sure there will be room on the side to put my reeds and embroidery stand. 

That's enough of my ramblings.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 

I am feeling a bit better, still slightly headachy and running a bit of a fever. I have been taking it pretty easy over all. 

I did do a bit of gardening, just watered plants under the eaves, and picked some mint. The mint was either dehydrated or used in me trying to make a mint extract. We shall see how that turns out, hopefully well. I would like to make more extracts but man vodka is expensive (I bought the cheapest I could find). 

Since we are under an air quality restriction, I have stayed in. I don't need a worse headache and there are actually lots of little things I can do inside, which do not take much energy. I made my list for next weeks tasks, worked on my weaving (still worried about some crossed warp threads), used up a very few items in making meals, and did a bit of planning on how I am going to accomplish the decluttering and downsizing of my wardrobe. 

I have also been watching the Air Canada strike negotiations. Our vacation is in a bit of a bind if they go on strike. I am kind of worried that our trip could be in jeopardy. Not a fun thing to have happen. 

Tomorrow is the beginning of a new week, and with that new plans to harvest, cook and get ready for the winter months. I am hoping to get over and pick apples and plums early, as well as harvesting the garden. 

Harvey picked a bucket of potatoes today to see how they looked and how many could be harvested from each plant. This means that some time soon I should use up the potatoes I purchased and make some perogies for the freezer. Perhaps one day this week as I managed to get cheese on sale this week as well. Saving money, by using something up.

Still trying for a frugal and simple life here on the prairies of Saskatchewan.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.  

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.

Sunday Ramblings

 

We are back home from what seems to have been a whirl wind trip to visit with Kris. 

Now I have a whirl wind time getting ready for next week. Lots of lists to make, and things to complete before the next week and month can begin. 

Everything is unpacked, put away, or added to the laundry. I have checked all the flowers outside, and am very happy that we managed to get almost an inch of rain while we were gone. That means I don't have to water tonight. It is hot and humid right now, so I will more than likely be watering tomorrow.

I have managed to get the monthly extra cleaning list completed, the new months project/goal list done and I hope the menu plan for August done as well. Things in the fridge freezer are getting used up and I hope to get it totally cleared out by the beginning of next week. 

After this post I will be setting the table and working on my daily lists of household tasks, adding in little extras throughout the month starting on Friday. I need to complete lots of garden harvesting by the 29th of August as we leave on our trip for 9 days. I am hoping that my friend will be able to water the plants if we don't get any rain. 

I have had a mostly plastic free month. I take any plastic bags I have used back to the store to refill with fresh produce. I can never seem to go completely plastic free, but I hope the little I do does help. 

Off to set the table and then make my daily lists. I hope to visit with all of you at some point either tonight or early tomorrow morning.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits And Stuff

 

The day started off much cooler and very cloudy, but by mid afternoon the sun had come out and the windows needed to be closed and the air conditioning turned on. Tonight the temperature should fall enough that we can open windows and use the night air to cool the house down. 

I finished the two tea towels and have them off the loom ready to be cut apart, blocked, and eventually hemmed. Pretty soon one more project will be marked off my list. I will probably finish the embroidered block first though, and even perhaps the mittens made. 

Decluttering is still happening, just not as quickly as I would like. By this time I had wanted to be close to 300 items leaving the house, instead I haven't even reached 200. I am definitely falling behind and not in a good way.

I thought that today I would share my grocery shopping with you today. I usually go to Walmart and my Co-op every second week and purchase what I can on sale at each. Sometimes if the regular price is good I will purchase something for the pantry.

This is my Walmart shop.

Not a great deal and the only meat purchased was some Chicken Parma, and the thick sliced bacon, both on sale. The kale was a good regular price, and the living lettuce was only $1.97 and lasts for weeks. Cherries were from the Okanogan here in Canada and were also on sale. Becel margarine was almost half price so I grabbed a container. Total cost for this lot was $109.90. 

Then it was on to the Co-op where I hoped to pick up some on sale meat. Which of course I forgot to get a picture of.

Lots more here and I am afraid I purchased a few treats. So the meat two small pork loins, two ham steaks and the sandwich meat were put away immediately. I also put away the 2 4liter containers of milk. 

The total cost of this shop was $227.85, and believe me most of what I purchased was on sale. Mind you the bananas never go on sale but at $0.79 a pound still a good fruit purchase. I am so looking forward to getting produce from the garden which would really cut back on costs veggie wise. 

What I purchased will hopefully last us two weeks or longer. The meat will be put in the freezer and used much later, this month or even next month. 

One thing I will stress, is that years ago what I bought would have cost about 1/2 of the total I paid. I probably would have been able to purchase more meat as well. 

Off to get supper started and while it is cooking I will see how many of you I can visit.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 The heat has returned to my fair city. I did get out early and get the plants under the eaves watered, and if I hadn't been expecting a call from my doctor and wanting to get things accomplished in the house, I might have gotten the weeding done as well. I will just do that either tonight when it cools off or early tomorrow morning. 

I did notice that the oregano needs another trim, and I think I just might have enough mint to make the jelly this week. Sage could probably be picked once again and dehydrated so I will do that as well. We have some tomatoes growing on the big plants and lots of flowers on the cucumbers. There are only 5 corn stalks growing, and Harvey has replanted a few times. He thinks the bad results are because he had to use some old seed, there was no new seed to be found any where in the city.

I got my yogurt made and this batch came out nice and thick. Once I get all the parts to the yogurt maker washed I will make the second batch. I like to have enough to last me ready for awhile. 

I kept busy doing household tasks, various projects and planning what other projects I could do with what I have on hand in the house. This all to keep my mind off waiting for my doctor's phone call to go over the results of the Holter Monitor. Worked not too badly, but niggling doubts kept creeping in.

Got the call about 30 minutes ago and she said there was nothing to worry about. There is a benign arrythmia but nothing that concerns her or should concern me. She said that more would be known once the echo was completed and she got those results. Whew. Now just to get through the echo on Friday morning. She did set up an appointment for December for another CT scan on my lungs. 

We are also waiting on a call from Kris to see how his CT scan went this morning. Hope that his is clear, or if not that it is just an infection that is taking its sweet time clearing up. 

Off to do a bit more tidying and decluttering in the sewing/craft room and then get the table set. Will visit with you all in a bit.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Tidbits and Stuff

 

My new pear tree is in the ground, just a bit of work needed to fill in the hole with some wood chips as the landscape fabric is tacked in already. Now hopefully with this tree we will be lucky and get some pears very soon. 

Harvey mentioned that there were plum trees and apple trees at the beginning of the season as well. I told him that perhaps we should make an orchard of the backyard (or back garden as people in the UK call this area). Still working on moving things around and putting things together properly. That tree overhanging our yard will be getting a clipping very soon. 

We will be trying to cut down on lawn filled areas, but this is a big area to control. 

My sister stopped in for a visit and it was wonderful to catch up before the celebrations in the village Harvey comes from and she still lives in. It is really not a place that I have called home, and I don't think our oldest son does either. This is even though he spent the first 3 years of his life there. I have a feeling Estevan and perhaps Shaunavon feel more like home to him. Youngest really would only remember Estevan as being home. 

Kurt will be back here sometime on Friday so we will need to figure out some way for him to get into the house as we won't be home until fairly late (well late for me in any case). I think just using the code lock on the door would be our best choice. Just have to give him the code and I am pretty sure he knows how to work that type of lock. 

No dehydrating done the past couple of days. I will pick oregano tomorrow morning and get that started before I head out to do some errands. One of which is to pay for our trip. I couldn't do that today as the travel agent was not at work, it was her day off. So paying that and getting some groceries will be done tomorrow. 

Off to visit, and then get supper started. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Midweek Musings

 

I slept very well last night and didn't wake until 5:30 this morning. Meant a quick walk/hobble to the facilities. Then I decided to lay on the couch and fell asleep for another hour. I was very well rested. 

However, Jackie did something she swore she would not do ever again, and that was head out shopping before having something, anything to eat. By the time I was done, I felt weak, nauseous, and headachy. All I wanted to do by the time groceries were put away was have something to eat, drink and perhaps work on projects for a bit. Other household tasks were put on hold until I started to feel a bit better. Paying the remainder of the trip was on the list, but I will do so tomorrow. I did do the online bill paying and the transferring of money from the savings account to the chequing account. I will be using the credit card to pay the next installment and then paying that off totally when it shows up on the card. Probably in a week or so. 

The feeling better did not happen until just a bit ago. It was a darn good thing most of the household tasks were completed before I went out. I just got back in from watering my plants. It is a good thing that all I need to make is the sandwiches to go with the Lentil Soup tonight as I still feel slightly lightheaded and headachy. 

I am so amazed that grocery prices keep right on going up. Beef is getting really expensive, even on sale. When you have a big beef eater like Harvey this could be a problem. I did manage to get some steaks on sale (price was still crazy) and a rather large and costly beef brisket (it was on sale as well). The brisket has been cut in half and each half will do us many meals after smoking. I am really trying to get the most bang that I can from our grocery budget and figuring out ways to stretch a pound of meat into 3 or 4 more meals for the two of us. 

I worry about those just starting out, or in low paying service jobs. While saving money is important to us after years of doing just that, we really are okay and could in fact probably let up on the frugal endeavors. I think they are too ingrained to stop though. Many people have no choice and really need to cut back and sometimes the cutting back is on medical, heat, light, air conditioning. Those things could in fact cause death or failing health leading to other complications. 

Things are getting scary out in the world. Wars, allies no longer allies, and those we thought of as friends we sometimes find out really are not our friends. 

It is starting to thunder out, so I had better end this. It was beginning to be too much of a downer as well.

Hopefully some project pictures coming up very soon and more talk about trying to simplify our lives here on the old homestead. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless. 

 

Tuesday Tidbits And Stuff

 The heart monitor is gone and I am pretty sure I will be able to sleep through the night, or at least go back to sleep quickly after the midnight run to the facilities. The results will be sent to the doctor in 2-3 weeks. I expect a call from her, as that seems to be what she does after getting results. 

I was out early this morning and did some more weeding of the pots, and some deadheading of flowers as well. Tomorrow I will do some watering unless we are getting rain. 

I have done some decluttering and am really cutting down on clothing. There are a few items I plan on trying to upcycle into something else, and a few to cut into squares for quilting or making some more totes. 

Harvey is outside making the first batch of beer. Now my dining room will smell like a brewery, but that will be okay. This keeps him happy and gives him a rest from yard work and maintenance projects. 

I saved some seeds from the yellow and orange peppers.

These will be put away until next year and we will see what happens when we plant them. 

My parents owned a motel in Northern Manitoba and one year Dad brought us some bars of soap... Okay he brought my sister and I two cases of soap. Now this was probably 25 years ago, and after trying it in the bath, I noticed a pretty bad soap scum. So I put it in storage and forgot all about it.

Now in my quest to save some expenditures I have pulled out the first package of 5 bars. I am going to try the for handwashing and see how that works out. 

I was asked what the difference between Sweet and Sour Ribs and BBQ Ribs is. My Sweet and Sour ribs are cut and cooked in a homemade sweet and sour sauce in a casserole in the oven. Now while I do cut up the ribs for the BBQ they are not cut in single ribs, rather portions. I also boil them for a bit to rid them of some of the fat content and brushed with BBQ sauce while cooking. I hope that answers your question JC. 

Off to visit with you all for a bit and then get the table set and supper started.

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.

Midweek Once Again

 

So today I will give you all the kind of good news I had from my doctor today.

I do have some very small (.3 mm) growths in my lungs, but the doctor says that at this point they can't tell if they are malignant or not. The person who read the CT scan said that I should have a repeat in 12 months, my doctor however feels that we should have one in 6 months and so is setting that up. 

I will have my Holter monitor on the 16th and will return that on the 17th. Not sure yet when the echocardiogram on my heart will happen. Still waiting for that call.

This doctor seems to be very good. I really hope she stays, but no doctor really stays too long here. I will keep my fingers crossed as I really do not want to search for another doctor or be without one for an extended period of time. 

The days are getting longer and I am enjoying the extended sunshine. It enables me to get more done in the house, but not those things I procrastinate on doing. That is something I seem to be finding happens more and more. I just seem to put things on my daily task lists that I really do not want to do. 

I have the feeling lately that I need to get more and more of my projects done and the stashes in the sewing/craft room used. Not sure why, but it has become an overwhelming urge the last month or so. I am going to go with that as well as the small projects around the house. Perhaps it is worry about my health, but I think it is more a want to downsize and move type of thing. 

Today I finished the stripe on the knitted blanket for Kurt's friend and have added in the next one. I also made hummingbird nectar, filled the feeder and got that out. Buns were made, and I will be making pies tomorrow (forgot to get out the frozen fruit and pumpkin). I did the first shopping trip as I split the shopping into two days (mainly because I was not sure when I would get the call from the doctor).

Lots to do tomorrow, but that is another day.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless. 

Tuesday Tidbits And Stuff

 

I managed to get lots done today, not the entire list of course, but enough that I feel good about what I accomplished. I am also not quite as tired as I have been other days. I do hope the not tired out thing continues. I actually felt like working at various things today. 

Of course I could just be undergoing nervous energy as today was the CT scan on my lungs. 

The doctor called me yesterday with the results of my first set of tests, she also told me I would be getting a Holter monitor and an echo. She is concerned about my heart, as my heart beat resting is very low. I have had the monitor before, but not the echogram. At least now both those are available in Estevan and I won't have to go to Regina for them. When I said my CT scan was today, she figured that the results would be available to her today and she would phone me the results. A tech told me it would be one or two days before the Doctor received them. This means I will need to go shopping very early and split it over two days so I am home when the call comes. 

It also means I will need to stick close to home so baking and decluttering, will be added to the lists as well. May as well work around the house and get things done while waiting. 

I changed the supper menu a bit for tonight. Instead of potatoes we are going to finish off the frozen cauliflower. That will make a bit more room in the fridge freezer. I also pulled the last bag of frozen carrots out of the chest freezer to clear some more room out of there as well. A woman is allowed to change her mind...Right?

Worked on copying some of our recipes out and got rid of a few I tried and we hated. There are a few more that need to be tried before I even consider copying them out. Still, there are many we have tried over the years that I need to do something with. 

The knitted blanket almost has the third section finished and I hope to add the fourth section tomorrow and perhaps even get the last section started. This project is using up lots of yarn from my stash. 

Off to visit with all of you.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits And Stuff

 It has been pretty warm today, so my planting stopped at around noon, when the heat got pretty sweat producing. I don't have much left to do, and will finish it all off tomorrow. 

Harvey has decided that he is going to plant some sunflowers in the center perennial bed. Perfectly fine by me as long as he makes sure that he does not plant in the areas I already have plants coming up. Kind of scared he might think my Blazing Stars are a weed. 

Today my new reed for the loom arrived. This is actually the one I should be using with this thinner yarn. I will remember that the next time I want to get more tea towel yarn. 

Not going to be finished all the projects and goals this month, but not really many will be carried forward and those that are will be finished at a decent time in the month of June. 

I discovered more potatoes, so I think I will need to make some perogies for the freezer, and I think I might try my hand at making some fries for the freezer as well. Taking a break from baking bread tomorrow and getting other preparations done for the arrival of the boys on Thursday of next week.

I loved the pomp and ceremony of King Charles giving the speech from the throne today. He sent a message to our neighbour's president that " The True North is Strong and Free". Take that the person who thinks Canada is for sale. Cause we aren't and never will be. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

And The Rain Has Stopped

 

The sun has shone for most of the day, and slowly but surely things are drying out with the help of a breeze. However, looking at the radar map on The Weather Network, it looks like we could get more rain today.

I went shopping today and man did I ever take a very long time. This time it wasn't so much comparing prices or looking for Canadian made products, it was seeing people that I hadn't seen for a very long time and spending time talking and catching up. If I want to cut down on the time it takes me, I will have to go earlier and see if I can miss all those people. 

I also spent some time looking at a few clothing items that I need to replace. Just might take some money from my savings envelope and do just that early tomorrow. I really need new undergarments and those I refuse to buy secondhand or make (though I probably could if I put my mind to it). 

My loom is set up and clamped down to begin warping it tomorrow.

I was going to do so today, but was just too tired and sore from the bending and stretching involved while shopping. I will do so tomorrow. 

Instead I finished a book and started another, and worked on the knitted blanket. Should have been in the sewing/craft room doing a bit of work on clearing things up in there, but of course I didn't. May do some tonight after supper and before I go for a lovely soak. Things need to be organized and put away, and that seems to be a never ending task. At least a never ending task for me. 

I bought some meat today that will need portioning tomorrow. Having a hard time not letting Harvey know that Kurt plans on being home for a few days the second weekend in June (5, 6, 7, 8 though not home until very late on the 5th). Kris plans on coming home as well, so planning meals, snacks and firepit times. I may have to check on how many firepit quilts I have ready to go (pretty sure at least three, but will need one more). Tough when Harvey is questioning why I need to get the deck set up and more propane purchased. Kurt wants his visit to be a surprise to celebrate Harvey's birthday (means I have to bake a cake without him knowing what it is for and to keep him from eating said cake). 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Friday Simplify

 

In the way of simplifying my life, and the fact that I doubt very much my back will take a real big planting time, I will be trying to do less container planting of flowers. Harvey, has really cut down on the garden, and is trying to get me to cut back on flowers as well. 

I really like having lots of colour in the yard, but he is right. So this year I am going to concentrate on getting more perennials into the circular bed, on herbs and medicinal plants, and perhaps do a few containers of things like carrots, cherry tomatoes, and lettuce. 

Also I am going to refuse to purchase craft items or fabric until I use up what I already have in stock. There are times I feel like I have a yarn and fabric store in my sewing/craft room and will never be able to use everything up. I am doing better though so that is a plus. So many projects to get done, and there never seems to be enough time to do them and enjoy the outside. I was thinking of starting to spin using a drop spindle, but man I have enough hobbies, so adding one more would be detrimental to my mental health. I will stick to quilting (simple patterns), sewing, knitting, embroidery, counted cross stitch, using my Cricut, and weaving. 

I noticed the dandelions are poking their heads out so it is time to collect the flowers to make salve this year. I need to get some shea butter ordered. Probably more containers as well.

Hmmm, doesn't really sound like simplifying does it?

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Midweek, New Plans

 Life is good, the weather is so much better today and the plants are back out to harden off. Harvey has most of the garden seeds planted, the tender bedding plants will be put out later. Though I think he said he planted tomato and pepper plants. He only planted two tomatoes so I think I just may pick up a cherry tomato and a Roma tomato to see how those grow. I know he is trying to keep me from having to work too hard harvesting, but really I do love to process items from our harvests. 

My jacket lining was wrong for some reason, or at least I think perhaps the pattern pieces were wrongly made. I have done a few alterations and some changes in my plans on how I am going to finish the sleeves. It means a bit more hand stitching, but that is fine. 

Drapes are all washed and rehung so I can safely say my spring cleaning is done is done for another year. I think that doing the extra cleaning list every month really helps with those big cleaning months that happen twice a year. Also I have asked Harvey to take the doors off so I can repaint them this summer, and the cupboard doors actually need to be refinished so another summer task to complete. 

Stretching out the time between large shopping trips. I hope to continue to do so and save even more to pay for various large expenditures that have hit this month and a couple of the previous months. Surprisingly Harvey's second partial plate cost more than the first one, and to make matters worse he is having trouble wearing it. He says it hurts..... 

I made bagels today, but they did not turn out. Me being me, I will not give up. I will probably try to do them again next week. Not going to waste these, but I will hope they toast and taste better. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 

The day started off sunny but cool and now has become cloudy and cool. Almost cool enough that I wish I hadn't quite moved all my wardrobe around. Still I have sweaters to layer, so will do just fine. 

It is supposed to be nice tomorrow so I will move the plants back outside to keep hardening them off. Looking forward to getting into planting very soon. Of course I still need to purchase more plants, but as things are planted and I get a better sense of what I need things will begin to be filled and placed. 

Things are being gathered for the new projects this month. I am actually almost finished the jacket, mostly hand sewing now after giving the whole thing a good pressing tomorrow. I also need to press all the 4" squares I am using in the next quilt top. This flimsy is going to be made with as many plaid fabrics as possible. My next one might be made with as many flowered fabrics as possible, or it might be a denim one. 

Still have the curtains in the front of the house to wash, and since tomorrow is supposed to be fairly nice I will probably get those done as well. I may even give bagels a try tomorrow. That is something that has been on my mind for awhile now, I wonder how much or how little they will cost. As the old saying goes, "A penny saved, is a penny earned." Those pennies definitely add up. 

Since I have to stick close to home for the next while waiting for a phone call about an appointment things are going to be completed around here in record time. When we go to Kris's on the long weekend, the phone will be forwarded to my cell for at least the Friday, if I haven't gotten the call before we leave. 

Today Harvey is out planting onions, so the garden is mostly worked up now. All that is left are tomatoes, cukes, peppers, eggplant, and whatever else he decides he wants to give a try to. Hopefully some rutabaga and some lettuce for sure. 

Pictures of finished projects coming on the Saturday Roundup post. Keeping my fingers crossed that there are a few to share with you all.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 

The day started off sunny, but fairly cool. Now it is grey, windy, and even though the temperature is decent, it feels so much cooler. 

I managed to get most of my Tuesday household tasks completed, but haven't gotten the fridge wiped down. I decided to wait until it was slightly more empty before trying to do so. Instead I got my nightgown finished and by the time that was done the clouds had rolled in. No more sewing done, though I may yet do some hand sewing on the jacket cuff. That would finish off one sleeve before the step of putting it into the armhole. 

Tonight I will continue knitting, I am almost finished the back of the second knitted tank. This means only two projects carried over into May, and since I have a good start on them they should both be finished fairly early in the month. 

Harvey has been outside working in the garden. He has rototilled about 1/4, put up the chicken wire around the cucumber area, and planted his potatoes. On Friday we will be traveling east to a small town greenhouse to pick up our Haskap (Honeyberry) plants and hopefully get those into the ground by early next week. Slowly but surely planting will continue over the next while. The tender plants and veggies will not be planted until after our long weekend. 

Budget work needs to be done tomorrow, and I am keeping my fingers crossed that I will be able to have a good portion saved for the chair pay back. It would be great if I managed to put that back into savings in just a couple of months. I am also hoping to save some money on plants this year and do some container planting of veggies. That will add green to various areas if not pretty flowers. I do know Kris has planted some flowers so I will probably collect some from him. 

Off to visit you all before I have to make the dumplings. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Midweek Ramblings

 

Yep, definitely trying to keep calm this Wednesday. I just realized that there is only one week left this month. Wow, where did the time go???? I still have lots to get completed before the end. 

The jacket was started today and things were going very well. At least until my sewing machine decided to leave those lovely "bird nests" as I call them on the bottom of my seams. So I cleaned my machine (lots of dust bunnies hiding in crannies) re threaded the machine and tried once again. Nope. So now I have decided that I was using two different thread weights and will do up another bobbin of the correct weight. I have already changed to a different heavier needle. Keeping my fingers crossed that this works. 

The grocery list has been made and I will more than likely be shopping tomorrow or Friday. That will be the day all the errands done on that day. I will also pick up our end of the month allowances so as I won't have to do so at the end of April. Done this lots of times, I just put the cash away until the last day. This time I think I will take enough cash out so I can fill the envelope for the collection plate over the next month as well. Cheques are getting very expensive so when I can use cash I will.

Decluttering is continuing as I spring clean. Today the hutch and buffet were cleaned in the dining room. Removed another 9 items and put them in the donation box. Tomorrow I will do the curio cabinet and the one cupboard I didn't do a very good job of clearing. Planning to move my baking stuff (pans etc.) into a cupboard closer to the oven. I am getting a bit tired of rummaging through the shelves in the bedroom closet looking for what I need. 

Papers were also organized and some trashed. Mostly recipes that we tried and did not enjoy. The organization part today was to get some patterns put into a binder. So many patterns to try. Along with probably almost a lifetime of yarn, I probably have enough knitting patterns to last forever as well. Not to mention cross stitch patterns and crafty type patterns. One of these days I will get going through all of those as well. This downsizing is making me crazy!!! 

Off to see how many of you I can visit before supper is ready.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.