Menu Monday

 It's been another rainy day here on the southeastern corner of the province. In fact this is going to be another rainy week if the forecast is correct. 

I guess that means I don't have to worry about heating up the house if I bake. 

Monday

Chicken Drumsticks done in the air fryer, and the remains of the salad. I may put out some pickles and cheese as well.

Tuesday

The tinfoil container of beef slices in gravy along with mashed potatoes, and corn.

Wednesday

Soup and Sandwiches. I have leftover Chicken Vegetable soup that I froze from last week so we will have that and probably grilled cheese sandwiches.

Thursday

Hopefully it isn't raining much as I would like to make kabobs for the BBQ and some rice to go with it.

Friday

Soft tacos using the lentil taco filling that I froze. Topped with lettuce, cheese, chopped tomatoes, salsa and sour cream. 

Saturday

Smoked sausage, fries, and I will make another salad.

Sunday

Leftover ham warmed up. Served with mashed potatoes and corn.

I will be making the new menu up and hopefully clearing a few items out of the fridge freezer next month. Of course there are a few days where we will be gone, and some days where our oldest son will be visiting us and meals could be a bit more elaborate or we could go out for a meal.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

 Thrifty and Frugal

Another week of being frugal and thrifty happened here on the old homestead. 

I have noticed that quite often my posts do not show up as changing on peoples feeds. I am not sure what hocus pocus is occurring on Blogger, but I do hope the fix the problem soon. I just always click on all blogs on my sidebar just in case there has been a post that didn't show up. Believe me there are lots.

1.  Hung all clothing on the lines outside this week, except for towels, and sheets.

2.  Windows open to cool the house two days this week.

3.  Using up leftovers in the fridge and fridge freezer to make meals.

4.  Patched a pair of Harvey's pants.

5.  No watering necessary outside as we have had some rain over the last three days.

6.  Used some of my saved allowances to purchase some new sandals, three bras, a skort, 2 pairs of pants and a very nice dress. All on sale and the total cost was under $80.00. Oops forgot 2 short sleeved tops as well.

7.  Picking lettuce from the garden.

8.  Harvesting and processing rhubarb (might get another pick as of right now).

9.  Put $0.45 in the change jars.

10.  Went grocery shopping and picked up lots of on sale produce, and some dairy which will keep me from going for a big shop next week.

11.  Spring cleaning and walking for exercise, using up some more purchased cleaners.

So not to bad a week. How did you all do this week?

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

  

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

 Thrifty and Frugal 

Another week of mostly thrifty and frugal happenings here on the old homestead. Life is good and getting better each and every day. Slowing down and enjoying the process.

1.  Since I was unable to hang clothes on the lines outside, things were hung to dry in the basement.

2.  Added to the savings envelope $100.00.

3.  Added $4.35 to the change jars. Going to have to roll those soon to use for the family reunion.

4.  Picked a lettuce from the garden for salads this week.

5.  Shopping was a bit high, but most was purchased on sale and I managed to get some meat for the freezer at very low prices for here.

6.  Bought 3 ice cream at a price I haven't seen for a number of years. Should be good for a bit.

7.  Using up yarn weaving the second scarf, and knitting those mitts.

8.  Found some bras that online cost $65.00 for one at Walmart for $24.99 and bought 3 for just over that cost by $10.00. I really needed some new ones that fit properly.

9.  Leftovers are being made into new meals or reheated for another meal. 

10.  Fixed a small hole in one of Harvey's shirts.

11.  Walking for exercise and managing to get all the steps in doing small chores around the house and yard.

12.  Picked rhubarb and made a pie, have enough to make a cake to freeze as well as probably some muffins. Free fruit. 

13.  Able to water plants with the water in the rain barrel.

14.  A friend is going to give me a comfrey plant when she thins hers out. 

15.  Decluttering is on going.

16.  Making sure to use appliances for cooking meals as much as possible. 

17.  Did up the budget entries for the month of May and was pleasantly surprised to be under budget once again.

18.  Moved some cash into the savings account and will try to do so again this month even if it is just a little.

19.  Made the most of the nice weather by sitting out on the deck a few early evenings. Slow living.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless. 

Menu Monday

 

Brrr, another cold but sunny day. Other than going out and getting Harvey's prescriptions for the next month I have stayed home and worked around the house. I still have laundry to fold, and perhaps a bit of putting away in the sewing/craft room, but for the most part tasks are done for today.

So what are we eating this week.

Monday

Leftover jambalaya from Saturday. 

Tuesday

One package of leftover pork roast from Sunday. I was going to make a stir fry, but I think some pulled pork in BBQ sauce in wraps would hit the spot and use up some wraps and frozen veggies like peppers and celery. 

Wednesday

I have one Chicken Parma, and one Broccoli stuffed chicken so will get those out of the freezer as well. Probably served with sliced cucumber and some frozen carrots.

Thursday

I hope there is enough of the pulled pork from Wednesday to serve on open faced bread slices covered with melted cheese, or perhaps I will make some buns and serve. 

Friday

Potato soup, and egg salad or scrambled egg sandwiches. 

Saturday

Homemade pizza. I will see how the dough I made and froze works. If it does I will make some more to put in the larger chest freezer. 

Sunday

Roast chicken, roasted potatoes, roasted carrots.

Everyone have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

Thrifty and Frugal

The weeks are passing by so very quickly even though I have been staying in due to road conditions and the cold I seem to have developed. The cold is mostly located in my head so I have been blowing my nose, and taking Tylenol for the sinus headache I seem to have developed over the past couple of days. Still I do seem to be on the mend for the most part. 

First of I would like to apologize that a few replies to my posts were not showing up. Blogger has been moving many to the spam folder, and a couple did not show up until much later in the day or in a couple of cases not until the next day. Strange. Still I think I managed to get all of them up and posted. 

So other than the usual frugal and thrifty past times here on the old homestead, what have I been up to?

1.  I have gone no where so the car was started once this week. I really will need to go and get the mail tomorrow.

2.  Finding new uses for the decor I used on two trees. The house is beginning to look very festive. Each day I find a new use for some of the ornaments and get a bit more joy in seeing the house transformed. I have also been finding ribbon, wreath forms, and other items which uses up some of my stashes and gives those items new life. 

3.  Making the best use of leftovers that I can. I am cutting back on the amount of meat in a casserole and Harvey doesn't even notice that lack. 

4.  Using microfiber cloths to dust and clean much more often.

5.  Saving the water to water the few indoor plants I have, while waiting for the water to warm up for dishwashing.

6.  Lights are being turned off when the room is not in use.

7.  Hand stitched/darned a small hole closed in a sweater that I love.

So there are the things I can remember that are new. I am also back to using my toaster oven and other appliances a bit more.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

 

Menu Plan Monday

We are back home and I am doing laundry..... Harvey on the other hand is sound asleep. I really think I should wake him up or he won't be able to sleep tonight.

Menu's for this week are going to be moved around. 

Monday

Corned Beef Hash and peas.

Tuesday

Homemade pizza, perhaps some garlic bread.

Wednesday

Leftover hash and carrots.

Thursday

Hopefully leftover pizza, but if not that Soup and Sandwiches.

Friday

Tuna casserole and a salad.

Saturday

Lazy Cabbage Roll Casserole.

Sunday

I have some leftover brisket in the freezer that needs using so I will figure out something with the help of Google.

So there it is meals to help us get through the start of the cold weather, clear out the fridge and get some very healthy meals in our tummies. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursdays

 Thrifty and Frugal 

We have had some lovely sunny and double digit warm days. The snow is disappearing and with the heat our favourite bugs are coming out of hiding (not really our favourite). This means spraying to kill them, which is a never ending task for Harvey. 

I am aching a bit more and so decided to look at the weather forecast for the next little while. What do you know, it seems we will be getting snow late next week and into April. Looks like winter is still holding on for awhile yet.

On to the reason for this post. 

Things are still being done in a frugal or thrifty manner here.

1.  I am trying to grow some celery from the butt end of a bunch. So far nothing happening, but it is early times as of yet.

2.  Kris planted some eggplant and peppers for us, and has promised me some more flowers as well.

3.  As usual I hung clothing on the lines downstairs to dry on Monday.

4.  Drapes are wide open to take advantage of the solar heating through our large picture window. 

5.  Used up a great many small 4" squares and made a flimsy to be used once quilting takes place around the firepit on cooler nights.

6.  Bought fabric, sewing needles, and thread on sale. 

7.  Still using up items that need using in the fridge freezer to make our meals. This will probably continue into next week as there are still a few things in there to use.

8.  Fixed a hem on one of my skirts, and sewed buttons on one of Harvey's shirts.

9.  Used up lots of partial bobbins and spools of thread. I also used up some embroidery floss.

That is about all I can think of right now, but hopefully some new ideas will be posted next week. Pretty sure you are all tired of the same things over and over again.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

I am starting the first full week of my clean out the fridge freezer challenge to my self. Of course today I am using up the leftovers from our Saturday meal made from the bag of frozen ham I pulled out.

Monday

Leftover Ham Pasties and leftover salad from Sunday.

Tuesday

Vegetable soup and egg salad sandwiches.

Wednesday

The bag of frozen chicken meat made into a casserole. Serving with leftover salad and some asparagus.

Thursday

A package of the leftover pork roast made into another casserole. If the salad is all gone by this time I will make coleslaw. Also serving asparagus with this I hope.

Friday

Tuna patties, coleslaw and perhaps one of the noodle mixes that need using up.

Saturday

Leftover Chicken casserole, salad.

Sunday

The leftover Baked Spaghetti and probably coleslaw (lots of cabbage that needs using).

I am almost tempted to go and visit with Kris this weekend instead of next as the weather might be a bit snowy that weekend. This would however mean changing menu plans for a couple of days. Not a bad thing, but one that would probably mean not using things up as quickly as I would like. We shall see, I may talk to Harvey about this idea in a couple of days.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursdays

 Thrifty and Frugal   

This past week has been more one of using items up and going through stashes to see what can be used in crafting. So far there have been a few good craft stash uses. 

All of my quilt blocks were cut from 4" squares I had made from scrap fabric. Still have lots of those to use up and the next quilt I make will be with some of the lighter weight squares. My hour glass blocks are not all perfect and I have a feeling part of the reason is the weight of the fabric used.

I pulled some fancy light knit from my stash and managed to cut out the makings of 3 infinity scarves. I need to work on those tomorrow. 

I have cooked twice this week using appliances (will be doing so again today). Tomorrow I will need to use the oven, but I am going to make sure I fill it well. Plan on making some sausage rolls, muffins (need to use up some applesauce) and then making the fish for supper. 

I did go a bit overboard on plant shopping, but spring, summer and fall is to be enjoyed and getting some colour in the yard is definitely a morale booster. 

Harvey bottled another 28 bottles of a red wine yesterday. He bottled a light raspberry wine (about the same number of bottles) a couple of days before that. While the initial costs for the kits is high, the number of bottles we get and the cost to purchase those same bottles is very a big savings. 

Meals have been made with what is on hand, many using leftovers from other meals. Considering the cost of food now, I am making sure that nothing goes to waste. It is either frozen for use later, or we eat it a couple of days after our first meal. Anything leftover after that is used for lunches. Heck one day this week I had a piece of pie for my breakfast as it needed eating.

My errands were grouped together and all done on one day. Thus saving fuel and wear/tear on the vehicle and myself.

Frugal exercise once again. Yoga stretches here at home using YouTube, and going for walks. 

The water barrel (butt) is full now so watering the plants will be mostly free for awhile. 

Clothes were hung on the lines downstairs as it was raining here on wash day. Hopefully I get to use the lines outside next week.

Windows are open today to air out the house and keep things a bit cooler inside.

So that is pretty much all I can remember. I am really working on the water saving and using appliances to cook more.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Thursday

 

This was a week of thrifty cooking more than anything else of a thrifty nature.

I used up some of our softening potatoes to make potato soup. Pulled the ham broth from the big freezer and made split pea soup. I also used up some of the sour cream that was just over it's best by date (still have a bit more to use). 

I combined errands that needed the use of the vehicle. Even though it is getting warmer out you still need to warm up the vehicle before you move.

I washed and ironed fabric so that it can be used and not worry about it shrinking. The last bit I washed I hung on the lines downstairs to dry. 

Lights are being turned off in rooms not in use, and in the evenings I only have one light on so as to see to knit. Mind you I really only have to see to measure at this point. 

I am using more appliances to cook and finding recipes we will enjoy I hope. 

Leftovers are being used up, and a very small bag of ham was pulled from the fridge freezer to add to the pea soup. 

Baked bread, and sweets so that we are not tempted to run out and purchase something ready made.

I mended a coat seam, sewed on some buttons, and darned a pair of socks. I may have to break down and purchase some new socks as a couple of pairs have more darning areas than original sock.

Still working on simplifying things around the house, that is a work in progress. Once done however will actually make the house easier to keep clean and organized. Lots to do in that area though. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Thrifty Thursday

 

I am beginning to see the results of our thrifty lifestyle. We are making less garbage, having less waste of food, and while prices have risen in the grocery store by cooking from scratch, adding in meals that are meatless and making our own soups costs, are not affecting us as much as others. Stretching leftovers out into new meals is also thrifty and something our ancestors did often. 

I no longer toss the heels of bread or dry pieces of bread. I grind them up into bread crumbs or cut into cubes and make croutons. Cracker crumbs, if there are any are added to the bread crumbs as well.

We don't go for a drive just for the sake of getting out of the house, there is always an errand to be run along with the drive. The only exception to that will be when we travel down to the Regional Park to see all the Christmas lights. 

It is not thrifty to not make use of all we can. Bags from bread, buns and fruit are saved to be used for other purposes. The same goes for the elastics that are on broccoli, asparagus, or green onions. One never knows when an elastic will be needed for something. 

Becoming thrifty helps save not only money, but the environment, and resources. Something all of us should be willing and able to do.

So cheers to a thrifty lifestyle and many more years of thinking that "Thrifty is cool."

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Thursday

 

It has actually been a pretty dark and dreary day today. Even though the curtains are opened not much light is coming through. In fact the furnace has cut in a few times. I have now shut the drapes and lit the candles to make the living room a bit more cozy. 

What thrifty things have I set my mind to this past week. 

Well I have mended a pair of Harvey's work jeans. They just needed a patch on one knee. Darned a pair of socks as well.

I have been using the bits and bobs from the fridge freezer, and a couple of the meals made will feed each of us twice. Tonight we will have the leftover chicken casserole from Tuesday, and then on Saturday will have the leftover ham/rice/broccoli casserole from Wednesday. Friday I will use up the last of the potato patties and the remains of a box of fish sticks.

I made Nanaimo Bars today and there was a bit of the vanilla filling left. Instead of getting rid of it, I pulled out the cupcakes I made a froze a bit ago and after thawing said cupcakes, iced them with the leftover filling. No waste is wonderful.

Entertainment has been reading and working on my knitting (once again using up things from my stash and reading free books I have downloaded). I have had the occasional walk, but since it is fairly icy out those have been cut short.

Harvey said we were almost out of bird seed and he noticed that it was on sale in Peavy Mart so went and picked some up for almost half the cost. A savings of almost $18.00.

Saving the plastic bags from produce and bread products to be used when the Grandcat visits for litter scooping. 

Saved the twist ties of those same bags to be used to close other bags. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Thursday

 

Another week has passed by and thrifty living is continuing on the old homestead. 

The pumpkins are all processed and residing in the fridge freezer. Harvey even kept his promise and helped me get them done.

Drapes have been opened wide to let in the sunshine and keep the house heated.

Drapes closed when night fell keeping the heat in the house. This has enabled us to have the thermostat down very low.

I did some decluttering in the sewing/craft room, which enabled me to put some things away and off almost every surface in that room. 

I saved some plastic bags to use when the grandcat comes to visit over Christmas. 

Made the grocery list for shopping this week and it is much shorter, could mean that I will be able to be under budget for this month on this line. Man that would be great. 

Used up all the leftovers in the fridge for either new meals or for lunches. 

I will say that I started sewing my dress and I should have stopped a bit before I did. I now have to pull out the handy seam ripper. When I get tired I start to make mistakes.

Also got the yarn for the last prayer shawl so I put my sweater aside and cast that on. So far no mistakes on that, though I am changing the pattern slightly.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Thursday

 

Well, after one day of lovely sunshine, we are back in the dreary, cloudy days. Still, days like today get be busy doing things in the house, and that is always thrifty.

Fixed the waistband on a pair of jeggings. 

Cut up all those old bits and bobs of clothing that was not suitable to donate into useable quilting fabric.

Working on the embroidered rose quilt square. Using up bits and bobs of embroidery floss in doing so (well the yellow any way).

I made 2 meals so far this week that were meatless. Tomorrow will be a fish meal, which while not really meatless cuts down on our red meat intake.

Darned a pair of socks. 

Harvey ripped up his old threadbare pj bottoms and now has new rags for downstairs. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Thrifty Thursday

 

I am really getting tired of "soft, smooth" food. I tried some oatmeal this morning and that was a disaster. So it was yogurt for lunch with a mug of Chicken Broth. Tonight I am hoping that I can make the mashed potatoes nice and smooth so I can have some gravy along with a glass of milk. So truth be told my meals have been very thrifty and using up what I have in my cupboards.

My mouth is so, so. There are hours of no pain at all and then I can feel it start. I am also very tired and can't seem to stay awake at times. Found myself falling asleep in my chair a couple of afternoons. Wonder if that is half the healing process.

Other thrifty happenings here have been the usual along with even more mending than usual. I enjoy sewing, but not so much mending.

On Tuesday I gathered a few of the items I need to do some of the goals and projects for this month. Still need to order the yarn and will probably do that tomorrow.

I put $65.00 in the savings envelope and $2.45 in the change jars this week. I only spent $35.00 of my biweekly allowance which was awesome.

I overbought the Halloween candy, but it wasn't a great cost and I am pretty sure I can use some of them in baking, and Harvey can have some for desserts. Pretty sure the Reese's Pieces will be lovely in cookies. Any ideas at how to use the Whoppers up in baking????

I haven't been out so no driving thus a thrifty start to the month as far as fuel costs. 

Tonight I get to start the shopping list for next week of course using the weekly fliers. I am hopeful of cutting the grocery spending a bit this next month, even if I need to purchase some baking supplies. Those should be on sale this month and next month as well. Christmas baking will be starting in earnest. 

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

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Thursday

 

Another thrifty and money saving week has passed by. We have been getting bits and sprinkles of rain so the rain barrel is once again full, which is a good thing.

This week saw me cutting squares for quilting sometime in the future. All scraps, except for teeny tiny bits have been used up. I may try and get Hubby to make me a 1 1/2" template from some plexi glass downstairs. A little project to keep him happy and occupied once we get back from our trip. That way I can use up even the smaller scraps of fabric.

Combined errands and bought lots on sale. I have started restocking the pantry for the winter. We are both a bit disappointed with the pole bean crop this year. Not many bags in the freezer, and it seems as if the beans have stopped producing.

Using up leftovers and making new meals and even stretching those new meals to another meal later on.

Looking into recipes that will use up more of the eggplant and can be frozen. 

Using items up from the garden.

Used some frozen pumpkin from last year to make a pie. Plan on bringing more out in order to make muffins and perhaps a loaf to be used for breakfasts or snacks. 

Saved the plastic veggie bags to be used for other purposes.

Mended a t-shirt for Harvey. 

Downloaded some free books onto my ereader and bought 1 using the remainder of a gift card (I had to spend just a tiny bit more, but there was no way I was going to allow that money remaining on the gift card to go to waste).

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Thursday

 

I think I better answer a question first. I was asked what I was going to do with the ground dehydrated tomato skins. I hope to use them in stews, soups, and other dishes to add just a touch more tomato flavour. 

It has been raining off and on all day, at times we have had really heavy down pours. This meant I was stuck inside putzing around. Did I get much done... Not really, but I at least have gotten a few things completed and another almost done. Decluttering/tidying the sewing/craft room is taking a very long time, but there is forward movement.

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

I bartered tomatoes and cucumbers for plums and crabapples.

I made 6 trays of Eggplant Parma for the freezer.

Mending happened this week as well. That is something (other than darning) that has not been done in awhile.

Dehydrated some peppers that were going a bit soft. I also dehydrated some herbs.

I bought fuel for the car which I hope to stretch until we come home from the airport after our trip.

Researching homemade salves, lotions and lip balms. I am pretty sure I can DIY them less expensively than purchasing them. 

Did a few surveys for points towards gift cards. Hoping to get enough points to get cards for the sons for Christmas.

Found lots of unfinished projects which will keep me busy for a long time when added to the projects I want to complete this year.

Using up leftovers tonight to clean out the fridge and not waste anything. New recipe, so I hope it turns out okay.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Thrifty Thursday

 

Really just the usual thrifty practices this week. It is actually a pretty boring week all told. 

I did get my order from Amazon today so will more than likely be trying my hand at making the dandelion oil (or at least a portion of it) into salve. People always tell me to use Voltarin for my aches and pains, but it does nothing. The oil I made last year helped a bit but was quite hard to rub in. I am hopeful this will work much better as a salve. 

Meals as usual are being made from what I have on hand and if I am missing an ingredient I find a substitution online. This is working wonders on my pantry and spice/herb collection. Using what one has is always thrifty and frugal. 

I am making lists of what we need to bring with us on our vacation. I don't want to have to purchase much in the National Park as the store there is very expensive. 

I went through my yarn and found enough (well I hope) to make the blankets for the three girls. Not sure about the male in the family so I will have to pull out some of the totes downstairs to see what is "male" oriented down there.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Thursday

Being thrifty is cool, just wish our temperatures would cool down a tad....

I used up a few more partial spools of thread (good thing they matched what I was sewing 😄.

Working on keeping the fridge shelves and fridge freezer as clear as possible (bit of a chore when because of the heat we really are not that hungry).

Washed the lighter jackets this week and hung them all on the outside lines.

Found two items in our closets to declutter.

Used up more bits and bobs of yarn as I have started knitting mittens once again. Lots to use up yet.

Sticking to my shopping list and substituting when cooking if I don't have the ingredient.

Harvested the dried lavender flowers and tomorrow I will harvest more to dry. The dried blossoms smell wonderful.

I am looking up recipes to make other oils with flowers and herbs growing in my garden.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Thursday

 

We had a bit of a problem with our power flickering off and on yesterday. It seems to have steadied today.

The usual thrifty happenings here on the old homestead. Mending, using things up, and watching what we spend as is usual. 

Hubby has requested more meatless meals and I will be searching the internet for those. 

More baking happening. When one can't open the windows due to nasty weather, the smell of baking makes a big difference inside. 

Going through a blizzard makes one manage their meals and makes all of us try and use what is available in our homes. Having a well stocked pantry is a great way to save on spending and getting little things completed around the house. 

Being thrifty does not only take spending and being conscious of what we are using or repairing, it also takes into account how we use our time. Being unable to go anywhere is allowing me to realize that I am not thrifty with my time. 

I usually go to a friends for coffee almost every day (I feel sorry for her, I am the only break she gets from her overbearing Husband). This takes about an hour or more out of my morning, I am now thinking that every second or third day would be enough time. This is the friend (and hubby) who complain all the time about the money they spend, but don't want to accept any help on how to control their spending. The Hubby is also a person who likes to shop every day, and find things that are medically wrong with either him or my friend. I just get tired of trying to help and shuffled off as being a nut according to her husband. Time to draw back and get things done that need to be done here at home.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.