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.

Weekly Roundup

 

No real projects completed, instead this has been a week of trying to keep ahead of a cat that likes to cause problems, and doing a bit of cooking ahead for meals later on.

I am really liking the molds as they make freezing and preparing for the chest freezer so much easier. I think that this will be an awesome way to prepare items for future meals.

Mushroom soup was made (yes finally got on sale mushrooms) and frozen in those molds. Popped out and they now reside in my chest freezer.

Gathering the ingredients to make the lentil taco filling.

Cooking that filling.

Freezing that filling.

Popping the extra hamburger soup portions and the red lentil taco filling out. Getting them ready for the chest freezer. In the bag are the prepared pork loin and few chicken breasts I managed to purchase in my grocery shop this biweekly visit.

Next week it will be Sweet and Sour meatballs and probably another soup or two.

This isn't to say I haven't been working on my various crafty projects. I have but not a great deal to show any progress on them. Part of the reason is Bob. He is taking up more of my time than I ever thought a cat could. 

I have broken down and ordered a new keyboard for use with the computer. I had wanted to hold out a while longer, but I am tired of posts disappearing every so often.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

A new week has begun with new ideas for using items up, or at least using things up in the meat freezer and other leftovers. 

Monday

Baked pork chops, leftover mashed potatoes fried up with some onions, and leftover fresh veggies sliced with dip.

Tuesday

Using up some Cream of Celery soup from the chest freezer and serving it with grilled ham and cheese sandwiches, or perhaps tuna melts on buns.

Wednesday

Chicken Parma along with some spaghetti in tomato sauce. I will probably do some frozen peas up as well.

Thursday

Roast pork, roasted potatoes, roasted carrots and gravy. The leftovers will be saved to be used in another meal. 

Friday

Scrambled eggs on toast.

Saturday

Leftover pork roast made into a stir fry and served over rice.

Sunday

A bag of leftover ham from the fridge freezer. I will warm it up, make boiled potatoes, and carrots to go along with that. 

This will see a bit of using up of things in the fridge freezer, in the meat freezer, and the chest freezer as well.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

This week I am going to be trying to use up bits and bobs from the fridge and the freezer. We will be heading to Kris's place on Friday so things need to be cleared up. Of course I will take a meal or two with us so that he does not have to feed us for three days. Thinking two meals would be about perfect.

Monday

A kind of cottage pie using the leftover mashed potatoes, some gravy, and a bag of chicken meat from the freezer. I also added some frozen veggies, some onion, and the last of the frozen peppers. There will be enough left for another meal.

Tuesday

Soup and sandwiches. I will pull out a container of soup from the big chest freezer and make some grilled cheese sandwiches. 

Wednesday

Leftovers from Monday.

Thursday

Spaghetti and meat sauce. I will make some peas to eat with this.

I will also put together a Baked Spaghetti to take up to Kris's for one of our meals. 

Friday

Gone

Saturday

Gone

Sunday

Gone. 

We should be back on Monday and I will either head out shopping right after unpacking, or wait until Tuesday and get a few things done around the house. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Menu Monday

 A new week, and one that is much cooler than before. Still a great deal to accomplish outside and we hope once things slightly dry out tomorrow to get the vast majority of those items done.

Since it is cooler our meals reflect that once again.

Monday

Jambalaya and leftover tossed salad.

Tuesday

Turkey tetrazzini, and tossed salad. Got to clear out the lettuce before it goes bad. 

Wednesday

Butternut squash soup and perhaps egg salad sandwiches.

Thursday

Leftover ham made into pasties.

Friday

Fish, homemade fries and peas/carrot mixture.

Saturday

Leftovers from Thursday.

Sunday

Pork cutlets, mashed potatoes, corn, gravy.

So there you have it. I decided to forego the roast meal this week as we have eaten so heartily this week. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

 

I spent quite a bit of the first of the week wondering if we would actually get on our trip especially after the letter we got from Air Canada. I now know that this letter was sent to everyone and I should just ignore it as it was just meant for those who had already been cancelled and made to take a different and later flight. 

So I know we will reach our destination and am not to worried if the attendants vote not to accept the new contract as we are coming back from our trip with a flight that is not included in that union. 

So what have I been up to this week. I have been trying to get things under control in the garden and in the house. Tring to clear out the fridge of items that can be made into something else and store in the freezer, or use up little bits so I don't have to worry about them spoiling while we are gone. 

Finished the mittens and put them in the bag for Kurt to take back and started the next size. Planning another 10 of the size 8's. 

Trimmed the fringe on Kris's rug, cut apart and hemmed the tea towels (they need a bit of a press now). Moved on to making something different with the leftover apples from the neighbour's tree.

First time ever making apple chutney. 

I have gotten one quilt almost bound and will work on the second one tomorrow.

Making various items to use up bits and bobs from the fridge. I will show pictures of that later this week. Making soups, flat breads, and casseroles to use up whatever I can. I do want a very empty fridge when we leave. Nothing should be available to spoil. I think there will be lots of soups made and stored in the freezer for use later. 

Made perogies, and the leftover filling was put into two Lazy Perogy Casseroles. Recipe to follow tomorrow as I was asked for it. 

I have a feeling that the menu for next week will be changing dramatically as there are many bits and bobs that need to be cleared out, and lots of items need to be cleared out of the fridge. 

Wish me luck on getting everything done, as not only fridge clearing is necessary but gardening and processing will continue.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

Thrifty and Frugal

Since it has been so very hot out things have been pretty thrifty and frugal here on the old homestead. This is especially true as I try to clear things out of the fridge and fridge freezer. Hopefully lots more will be gone by the time we leave. That is if we actually get to go on our flight. Tomorrow I will talk about an email we received from Air Canada this morning that sent me on a hunt for an answer.

So what frugal things have I been busy with.

1.  Made my own fries for the freezer, and researched how to dry potatoes so as to store them for a longer period of time.

2.  Made 36 perogies for the freezer which will give us three meals. I will probably make more when we get home and harvest more potatoes.

3.  Made 2 Lazy Perogy casseroles for the freezer downstairs. 

4.  Hung clothes on the lines outside.

5.  Worked on decluttering and found another 25 smallish items to donate. 

6.  Using up bags of food from the fridge freezer to make meals this week. 

7.  Trying to use up as much of the fresh produce we have picked as possible. 

8.  Reading a free book I downloaded onto my ereader.

9.  Still using up the leftover smallish balls of yarn and orphan balls knitting those mitts for Kurt's students.

10.  Made a grocery list of items to put in the pantry or freezer as it is our Co-ops big sale over the next week. Not purchasing any perishables as we would be unable to use them up before we leave. 

11.  Once again combined errands and paid all bills online.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Midweek Ramblings

 It is very hot here again today. Right now it is 34C and feels like 42C. I am so glad I got outside to do my little bit of gardening today. Much too warm for man or beast to be outside. Our poor air conditioning is running pretty much constantly again today. 

I have been busy trying to get as much done as possible processing the garden before we leave next week. Also busy making lists of what I need to pack, and what I need to do to leave the house, fridge, and garden in good shape. 

Trying to eat down the fridge, or get things in the freezer is taking a bit of time. So much to use up or give away before we leave.

I have managed to get through all (or pretty much all the potatoes in the house), I made fries for the freezer and perogies. There is enough filling to make some lazy perogy casserole and I think that will be done tomorrow along with the Apple chutney. 

Tomatoes are ripening faster than we can eat them, so I think in a couple of days I will do some freezing of those. 

Picked two eggplant today so I will be able to make the eggplant parma on Friday. Also lots of green peppers to use up as well, what can't be used I will dice or cut in strips and freeze. 

Still not sure what to do with all the cucumbers when I don't need pickles or relish. Any ideas out there?

Off to make supper and get the table set.

Tonight will be spent getting things into the big freezers downstairs and working on those mittens.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

A new week and another heat wave coming in. This means a bit of a change in menus that I had planned for the week. It could mean more main dish salads, cold plates, or more BBQ. 

Monday

Leftover pasta salad from Saturday.

Tuesday

Leftover roast beef which I will make into a beef salad. It is 30C here right now, and even warmer tomorrow. So salad it will be.

Wednesday

Schnitzel, mashed potatoes and raw veggies and dip.

Thursday

BBQ hamburgers, and tinfoil potatoes/onions.

Friday

Eggplant Parma.

Saturday

BBQ hotdogs, baked beans, and raw veggies and dip.

Sunday (hopefully a bit cooler out)

Roast chicken, roasted potatoes, brussels sprouts. 

So some items used out of my fridge freezer, fridge, garden pickings, and hopefully I will have a cooler house as well. 

I might change Wednesdays meal to a chicken Caesar salad just to keep the house cool. Especially since I could be putting up garden produce or dehydrating herbs.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

 

Menu Monday

 

First off I am going to answer Maebeme's question. Yes we did get a very good harvest from the one plant. I am hoping that this continues through all of them. We started off well last year and then the harvest seemed to be limited under each new plant. Some of these potatoes are pretty darn big.

Monday

Baked spaghetti and the remains of the salad.

Tuesday

Stuffed Peppers. I need to use up the stuffing I made for the stuffed eggplant. 

Wednesday

Leftover pork roast. I think I will make some pulled pork out of it in a BBQ sauce, and serve over the buns I made. A side of coleslaw to finish the meal off.

Thursday

Leftover Baked Spaghetti and the leftover coleslaw.

Friday

I have a package of fake crab in the freezer that needs using so I think a pasta salad. That will help use up some of the cucumbers as well.

Saturday

Soup and sandwiches. 

Sunday

Beef Roast, roasted potatoes, roasted kohlrabi and roasted carrots. I think I will make another salad. 

Depending on what I have for leftovers some will be eaten for lunches and others will be incorporated into the next weeks meals. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 Another rainy day, and another day sticking close to home and trying to get things done. Problem is that this weather is not very nice on my aches and pains. They really aren't that bad, probably because it is still fairly warm and humid out and I have been working my way through the pain. Tonight however I will be using one of my salves, more than likely the mint to get the one tin used up before the next batch is ready. 

I am going through cupboards and using up items that are over or close to being over their best before or use by dates. My next shopping trips will be more a stocking up of fresh veggies to hold us until the garden produces more, as well as replacement items for the pantry and cupboards. 

Some of the items I have managed to clear out, or at least transform into something else are the leftover chicken from Sunday, some chicken bone broth from the freezer downstairs, some broccoli that was starting to soften, the last package of frozen carrots, the remains of three types of pasta and a jar of Alfredo sauce. I think that the salad leftover will be cleared out at supper tonight. 

Now of course using those items up meant that I now have new meals to put in the freezer for use later. Tomorrow I hope to add to this collection of fine foods (kidding, mostly soups and the leftovers from supper tonight and tomorrow). 

As I looked through my yarn stash, I could not find another bulky yarn to use on the rug that would coordinate with the green. I did however find many shades of green in a thinner yarn which I can use on the rug for Kris. Bonus will be clearing out even more yarn from my stash. I may be able to bring up another tote from the basement very soon and restock the sewing/craft room. 

This year I have really been trying very hard not to waste anything. This is partially because of what is happening in the world, and partially because I would prefer to have a lifestyle that isn't wasteful. We all definitely have to become better stewards of our little portions of the environment. We need to all realize that what we do not only affects us but others as well. 

Simple living means keeping waste to a minimum and using what we have to the greatest advantage. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

Monday

Chef's Salad and there should be enough left for another meal on one of the very hot days that are coming up.

Tuesday

Porkchops, potatoes, carrots, onions and mushrooms in a tin foil packet. 

Wednesday

Leftover Chef's Salad. I will probably need to make a couple more hard boiled eggs and perhaps thinly slice some leftover ham.

Thursday 

Lentil Soup and sandwiches. 

Friday

Salmon patties, rice, coleslaw, and mixed vegetables.

Saturday

Sausage casserole, and since this has loads of veggies in it I will just serve either buns or cornbread with it.

Sunday

Roast Beef, roasted potatoes (if I have any left...getting low) roasted carrots. If no potatoes I have some mashed potatoes that can be fried up. We will finish off the coleslaw as well.

I am really working hard on trying to use up all that I can. This will hopefully save on groceries, plus make me become a bit more inventive with meals. I think I have gotten into a little bit of a rut in that regard. I also noticed that the fridge freezer is becoming slightly overwhelmed once again. Here I thought I was doing so very well on keeping things down.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless. 

Menu Monday

 Another week has arrived, bringing with it new challenges on how to use things up and how I am going to stand this heart monitor for 24 hours. It has only been on my body for 4 hours and already I want to rip it off.

Here are the menus for this week.

Monday

Chicken Breasts, noodles and sliced cucumbers and dip. 

Tuesday

Leftover ham. I am not sure what kind of casserole I will make, but it will be something to continue the clear out of the fridge and fridge freezer. 

Wednesday

Soup and sandwiches. I brought up a container of lentil soup to use up, and I figure perhaps bologna sandwiches would be neat (got some of that sandwich meat that needs to be used). 

Thursday

Leftovers from Tuesday. 

Friday

Salmon fillets, rice, and green beans.

Saturday 

Hamburgers on the BBQ, along with tinfoil potatoes, onions and carrots. Though if I can find some corn on the cob reasonably priced when I go grocery shopping that could find it's way onto the menus.

Sunday

Pork ribs, not sure if they will be baked, BBQ, or made into sweet and sour. They will be served with rice (leftover from Friday) and peas. 

So that is one more week this month gone, along with a few more items from the fridge, pantry and freezer. 

Off to get supper on the table and to fill in this stupid diary thing they make you use. Then I will visit with all of you for a bit.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

Clear and sunny today, but a bit on the chilly side compared to yesterday. 

Menus are still fairly hearty as it really isn't warm enough for main dish salads yet.

Monday

Corn Crab Soup, grilled cheese sandwiches. 

Tuesday

Leftover pork made into a casserole, leftover salad.

Wednesday

Battered fish, leftover rice, and more salad.

Thursday

Leftovers from Tuesday. Not sure if there will be salad left so if there isn't I will make green beans.

Friday

Perogies, sour cream, onions.

Saturday

Smoked sausages, pasta, mixed veggies.

Sunday

Pork chops, mashed potatoes, carrots.

So I am now trying to get some of the older items out of the upright freezer now. I will still add sale meat to the mix, but there are items that need to be used up.

Lunches will be leftovers from our meals through the week, or sandwiches.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 I am just exhausted, probably from the dentist appointment, picking up the car, and finding out there was still something going wrong with the vehicle. Silly engine light would not go off. So it was back to the dealership, and waiting there for them to discover what was wrong.... Hoping that they would be able to fix it, because if not we wouldn't get it in again until the 21st of March!!

Well after about an hour there was a loose connection found from the battery. It is fixed and on the drive home the check engine light did not come on. Keeping my fingers crossed that it does not come on again tomorrow.

On with the menu plans which will contain 2 days of using up some of the items in the fridge freezer basket.

Monday

Baked spaghetti and garlic bread.

Tuesday

Lazy Cabbage Roll casserole from the freezer.

Wednesday

Stuffed shells and a salad.

Thursday

Leftovers from Monday and leftover salad.

Friday

Eggplant Parma, garlic bread.

Saturday (the first day of clearing out)

Ham Pasties.

Sunday

Pork cutlets, mashed potatoes, salad or perhaps frozen mixed veggies. 

It is time to make something for desserts as well, so perhaps unbaked cookies, or puddings.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursday

 Thrifty and Frugal

Tomorrow I will continue with the get away pictures. I have lots of Fort Walsh, but will only post a couple more before moving on to our second full day.

Today this post will concentrate on the thrifty and frugal happenings here on the old Phillips Homestead.

Since I knew the weather was changing I went out and picked all the green or half ripe tomatoes, the rest of the jalapeno peppers, the rest of the Hungarian Black peppers, the remaining bell peppers and more thyme and oregano. I also picked what I could of the lavender and I hope to get more as I want to make some sachets for drawers and closet. Those sachets will use up some of the muslin fabric in my stash.

Found more scraps of fabric which I can cut up into 4" squares to use in more quilts. I also found some lovely soft fabric to make into more tinkle cloths for myself. Thus saving on toilet paper. 

Mended a seam on one of Harvey's shirts, and redid a hem on a pair of my pants.

I froze more tomatoes, and today I made tomato sauce for pasta. 

Heat is not on yet, but things are pretty chilly here in the mornings. I am hoping that we can make it to mid October. 

Made my own hotdog buns (a little on the large size, but this is a learning experience).

Laundry was line dried.

We moved the hydrangea I had in a pot to the perennial bed to see if it will grow again next spring. Soon I will move one lavender into the perennial bed to see if we can keep that growing as well.

Used up all the leftovers in the fridge in other meals or as lunches this week.

Most of the groceries were bought on sale. I will be making another visit to the grocery store to pick up at least one turkey and some soft drinks for when Kurt and Kris are home. Canadian Thanksgiving is in 11 days from today. We actually eat the day before so I only have 10 days.

Used up a frozen package of pumpkin making muffins, as well as a cup of saskatoon berries doing the same thing.

Bought a complete set of towels from bath sheet to wash cloth to add to Kris's Christmas basket. All were on sale and I spent less than $20.00. I plan to get Kurt a set as well. The store had lots on sale. 

Pretty sure there are a few other frugal and thrifty items I have forgotten to list.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 Brr, it is cold outside this morning. It is -16C, but with the wind chill it feels like -24C. We are also continuing with the snow. The amount of snow to fall today has decreased though.

I was asked if I could change my mammogram appointment to another day if I was still under the weather. I guess I could, but that would probably mean going through the doctor and getting an appointment at the private clinic in the city. They do so many tests for the Health Region while doing the tests that some people are willing to pay for. That could take months to get in to as well. Pretty sure this mobile clinic is filled up as it covers the entire south east corner of the province so finding a new date and time would be very difficult.

Still feeling slightly ill, but the sore throat is not as bad this morning, and while my nose is plugged and I still cough a bit things are beginning to look up. I will wear a mask while getting the exam just to keep whatever I have to myself.

Now on to this weeks menu plans.

Monday

Eggplant Parma. I might try and make some garlic bread using slices of my homemade bread.

Tuesday

Leftover roast beef package from freezer made into a beefy, cheesy noodle casserole. Served with raw veggies and dip.

Wednesday

Soup and sandwiches. I plan on making a big pot of Moroccan Lentil Soup and serving that with either salmon or tuna sandwiches. Got lots of lentils in the pantry as well as tins of fish that need using. The extra soup will be packaged up and put in the freezer.

Thursday

Leftover roast beef casserole with a veggie on the side.

Friday

Fish fillets, rice and mixed veggies. The rice could be changed to some warmed up potato patties (need to make those and freeze them today).

Saturday

Sweet and Sour ribs, rice, and peas.

Sunday

Baked ham, scalloped potatoes, and corn or perhaps baked beans. 

So that is the plan for this week. I should end up with a few packages of ham in the freezer, and a bit less in the freezer drawers over all.

I bought some sausage meat on my last trip on very deep discount and I hope to use up the remaining puff pastry sheets making sausage rolls for the freezer. Just need to find a good and easily followed recipe and I will get those done today while the eggplant is warming up in the oven. I really am trying to plan ahead and get meals ready for those days I just am too tired or sick to cook. As everyone says, those are the days you get delivery or take out and I am trying to cut back even more on those days.

Everybody have a wonderful day. 

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

 

Well, it has been a week of trying to get projects finished, new projects started, baking, getting ready for our sons to come home for Thanksgiving, and using up as much as I possibly can. It has also been a week of purchasing mostly on sale items and hoping other items go on sale very soon.

I have also been stocking up for the winter and Harvey has been trying to get the yard ready for the cold season. Still lots to do though.

Today I used up some of the pumpkin puree from last year (will be using more up this coming week baking pies). I tried to make something that was a treat in Harvey's family when he was growing up. 

I made Plachinda/Blachenta (German Pumpkin Turnovers) for the very first time. They are not perfect, but I plan on trying another recipe that uses grated raw pumpkin next time. 

We shall see if they pass the taste test after supper tonight.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Menu Plan Monday

 Back to regularly scheduled posts today. 

Monday

Leftover chili on pasta. Serving this with cucumber slices and cherry tomatoes.

Tuesday

Leftover chicken made into a casserole. Depending on how many veggies I can add to the casserole, I may serve a side of mixed veggies as well.

Wednesday

Leftover ham from the freezer made into a casserole. 

Thursday

Leftovers from Tuesday.

Friday

Soup and sandwiches. I will make chicken stock then turn some of that into Chicken Vegetable Noodle Soup, served with either salmon salad sandwiches, or grilled cheese.

Saturday

Leftovers from Wednesday.

Sunday

Roast Beef, roasted potatoes, roasted carrots, and probably a coleslaw to use up the remaining cabbage. This could end up being a Brisket meal however so stay tuned.

Lunches will be leftovers from meals or a sandwich.

Breakfasts will be yogurt, cereal or toast. 

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

The last day of July is here and another month whipped right on by.

Monday 

Honey/Garlic Sausage, beans from the garden, sliced tomatoes and sliced cucumber.

Tuesday

I will make a casserole from the leftover pork and there will be more sliced tomatoes and sliced cucumbers for side dishes. I may make a coleslaw as well.

Wednesday

I am planning on using up at least 2 of the remaining eggplants and make a small Moussaka. 

Thursday

Leftovers from Tuesday.

Friday

Hopefully a package of the fish fillets that Harvey caught awhile ago. Served with creamed potatoes, and probably more beans from the garden. If there is lots of Moussaka left we will have that instead.

Saturday

I have a package of Chicken Legs with back attached that need using. Hopefully we can BBQ. If so our sides will be tinfoil packets of potatoes, carrots and mushrooms.

Sunday

Roast ham, scalloped potatoes made in the microwave, and probably raw veggies and dip.

Hopefully there will be no changes and I manage to use up a few things. I have lots of peppers so I think I will be dehydrating some of those that are in the fridge tomorrow. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.