Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 

This week I have been harvesting all that I possibly can from the garden. Green tomatoes have been picked, the few jalapeno peppers, the last of the green peppers and the lonely eggplant. I brought in the succulents as the nights are getting pretty cool for them, and tomorrow I will trim the dead bits off the lemon trees and bring those in as well. Going to need Harvey's help with those though, they are very heavy, and they will need a very good spraying with insecticidal soap. 

It is time to get ready for winter so coats will be washed this week, the draught dodgers pulled out and cleaned, heavier blankets readied and the windows checked for drafts. I need to find heavier drapes for the hall to block out the cold winter winds. Scarves, gloves and mitts will be pulled out of storage, and washed if it is needed. 

Inventories must be made and lists of what I still need to collect to make winter a bit more enjoyable. Being stuck inside means we will need more reading material, puzzle books, jigsaw puzzles and I would actually like to pick up a few more games to pass the time with as part of our date nights. 

Harvey will need to make some wine to keep him occupied after the beer he has started a few days ago. He will also need to purchase bird seed, and suet so he can continue to feed the birds. Purchasing salt for the ice build up needs to be done as well. Lastly he will work up the garden to get it ready for an easy tilling come the spring.

Candles will be purchased, batteries stocked up. I think I just may purchase a few more flashlights (or torches as they are called in the UK). I don't think one can have too many of those, it is darn dark at night during the winter. I am also considering purchasing some battery operated lanterns. Small propane containers will be purchased in case the power goes out and we need to cook on the camp stove. 

Over the counter meds will be purchased, more Tylenol, Advil, cough medicine and extra vitamins. Just a bit each month where and when I can.

In the middle of next month or perhaps sooner all the solar lights will be brought in from outside and the garden decor put away. The yard will then be asleep and ready for the first snowfall.

This year I plan on being ready for winter whenever it arrives.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Storm Warning

 

I woke up this morning to dark, cloud covered skies and got my behind in gear to get all the errands done before the storm hit. Managed that quite nicely and here it is mid afternoon and no storm as of yet. 

Still the temperature has dropped 7 degrees, putting us below freezing, and the wind is really picking up. After checking the weather app on my laptop, turns out that the storm is not supposed to start until Saturday and continue through Sunday as well. The amount of snow we could receive has now doubled. This storm is coming up from Montana and we know it won't miss us this time around. Never does if it comes from Colorado or Montana.

I did get my household tasks completed, and got all the budget lines filled in. We were under budget on all expense lines which is lovely. I was really happy to see we were under budget for groceries as well. However, todays shop has scared me about how we will do this month. I can see stretching happening, and I am hopeful that my next trip will not be quite as expensive. We shall see. 

Once home (and before checking the weather again), I checked the candle supply and extra blankets in case the power disappears. I am also making sure that all electronics are fully charged and will continue to make sure into tomorrow. I also made sure the flashlights all worked and have batteries handy just in case.

I have checked to see if the camp stove is in the same place and that we have fuel for it. Using it means opening a window slightly, but warm food makes up for that slight inconvenience. Tomorrows meal is chili a perfect meal for a camp stove. Might not get toast to go with, but if I am up early enough tomorrow I will bake some buns.

March is always an up and down month here on the Canadian Prairies. We just need to remember to be prepared and plan ahead if at all possible. 

I did manage to get all my goals done. Well mostly. I didn't get the cough drops made. That was mainly because my glass jar is full of Hall's still. I guess I will leave those until next fall.

It is time to list my goals for this month and I am hoping to finish most of them, if not all of them.

1. Counted cross stitch angel. Plan on getting as much done as possible.

2.  Sandwich the baby quilt.

3.  Finish the first lapghan.

4.  Start the next lapghan. 

5.  Make pantry book.

6.  Make freezer books (I want to get two books done, one for the meat freezer and one for the chest freezer).

7.  Copy at least 14 recipes of the ones we have tried onto index cards. Add them to the recipe album.

8.  Cut out a top.

9.  Cut out a pair of shorts.

If there are some days left there are a very few other items I would like to get started this month. I am trying to get everything that I need to done before gardening starts.

Everybody have a wonderful evening, and if you are going to experience any storms stay safe.

God bless.

Thursday Tidbits

 

Just a quick post to show you what we have been doing this week. 

We actually had a blizzard here that deposited about 15" or around 40 cm on the ground over a few days. It started on Tuesday evening, continued all day yesterday and still more was added today. 

This is what I saw out our front door this morning, after a bit of digging out the day before. 

Most of the day has been spent cleaning up this mess and there is still work to be done.

We are hopeful that we can manage to widen the driveway, and clear out the front street a bit tomorrow so that Kurt and Kris can come home for a few days. 

Off to do some shoveling out front, so will visit you all tomorrow hopefully. 

I will let you all know if we manage to clear things out enough so they can come home.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

I have just redone my menu plan for the week in order to use up all the leftovers in the fridge. I am sure they multiply in the dark, cool depths of the fridge.

Monday

The remains of the tuna meal from Friday, served the remains of the tossed salad.

Tuesday

The remains of the sweet and sour ribs, served with rice and mixed veggies.

Wednesday

Spaghetti and meat sauce (this will use up a container of tomato sauce from the basement chest freezer).

Thursday

Baked Spaghetti and meat sauce (using up the leftover spaghetti and sauce from last night). I will hopefully have gone shopping today and will serve a tossed salad along side.

Friday

Date night as it is our Anniversary and we will head out for supper.

Saturday

Leftover Baked Spaghetti and the remains of the tossed salad.

Sunday

Roast pork, roasted potatoes, roasted carrots, and if there is any salad left we will finish it off tonight.

Lunches will most likely be sandwiches or in my case toast and peanut butter.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Thrifty Tuesday

While this week has not been what I would call extremely thrifty, there have been a few thrifty moments over all.

Our Christmas meal was made of mostly sale items.

We went out last night for some free entertainment. Every year for the past 4 years various companies and groups have set up light displays in our regional park. After dark we took a trip down and gazed at all the beautiful displays. No pictures this year as I forgot the camera and my phone.

Many of our meals this past week have been using up the leftovers from our Christmas meal. Still have a few that need to be used though and I am running out of ideas. Like the cranberry sauce, what on earth do I do with it?

I finished the temperature blanket today. A year of charting the temperatures here in Estevan.

A rather large blanket but one that tells a story.

I even have enough yarn from the bits and bobs I started with to make another one in 2020.

I walked a couple of mornings and enjoyed a winter wonderland.

Wishing all of you the best for the New Year. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Wintery Wednesday

We actually had our first real day of winter weather today. I got up this morning and opened the living room drapes to a winter wonderland.

The weather folks said we were going to get at least 5" of the white stuff overnight, and I would say that is what I woke up to.

This is what Harvey's truck looked like first thing this morning.

I cleaned off my car which was in as bad as shape with the snow covering. Made my way to the grocery store in the continuing snow fall, on rather slippery roads (Harvey says that it was wet snow that first started falling). Got what was needed and carefully navigated the roads home.

The snow stopped falling at around noon and when we measured the snow fall we had received 8". Everything looks so nice and clean. That lasted all of what seemed like a minute. Trucks started hauling the dirt from the waterline break and now our street looks like a sea of mud.

Harvey enjoyed getting the snow blower out and cleaning off the driveway and the front steps. The back deck will have to wait until tomorrow as he will need to shovel heavy wet snow and then blow it into the center of the yard.

I spent most of the day sewing and I finally finished the BBQ apron. Tomorrow after my doctor's appointment I will begin working on the nightie for myself. I am no longer going to try and sew one outfit a day, if it takes a bit longer that is quite okay, at least everything will be done correctly.

Pulled out some yarn to knit myself a sparkly sweater for the Christmas holidays. I am using Patons metallic yarn and while it seems to be a little tougher to knit but I think it will drape nicely.

A few days ago Harvey took a drive, and saw a bison herd.

I guess some younger ranchers in the area have decided to expand their herds to include something other than cattle.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Much Too Early

Today the weather pundits predicted snow, and quite a bit of that white stuff to boot.

I thought to myself that since bad weather was coming, and Thursdays are very busy now, I would head out early today to get my errands completed.

While I did get the errands done, I did not beat what Mother Nature had in store for us. As I stepped out of my vehicle in one parking lot, I was blasted with wind. Now it wouldn't have been too bad if the weather could make up it's mind on whether to snow or rain. It felt like needles hitting my face and hands (note to self, get gloves and mittens out) as I quickly moved to get into a building.

After my first stop, I drove as quickly as possible on wet, slushy roads to my next destination. At least by now it was snowing and not sleeting.

I left this destination in the midst of thickly falling snow, which let up a bit when I got home. Harvey and I hurriedly brought in the groceries and I put them away.

By now the snow had started to accumulate on my vehicle and the front step.

This is what it looked like by noon.

As of tonight there is at least twice that amount and my driveway actually has a nice coating of white. While this should disappear tomorrow (at least I hope) the weather forecast is calling for yet more snow on Friday (the day Kurt and Kris come home) and Saturday. I think winter just may have decided to give us a good taste of what is to come.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

The day started out as cold as the rest of the week has been. The sun was shining however and the temperature was rising nicely. I even managed to get out for another short walk this afternoon. Fresh air always makes me feel a bit better.

Tomorrow is supposed to be colder in the morning with a bit of a warm up by the time the afternoon rolls around. Keeping my fingers crossed that this weather will turn around very soon.

This week I have been busy knitting, sewing, baking and looking up new recipes to try. The new recipe search is so that I can use up more of those bags of frozen cooked meat that stare at me when I open the fridge freezer.

Today I used up a bag of turkey from Christmas!!! The recipe was a new one and while okay, it really needs something more to set it off. There is enough leftover for us to have for our supper on Monday (perhaps some hot sauce to make it a bit spicier the next go round).

I used up the phyllo pastry making these yesterday.

I found a recipe online that used phyllo pastry to make apple strudel. This enabled me to use up a container of homemade apple pie filling as well. Surprisingly it tastes very nice and according to what I read is a bit healthier than the usual puff pastry.

I also finally managed to get these made.

Soup bowl cozies just for us instead of for a gift. 

As I said this was going to be the week that I managed to get some sewing accomplished.

Just the first of what I hope will be three tunics finished by mid week. Believe it or not this knit fabric is black and not grey.

Hope to have more photos of finished goals by the middle of next week. I just love crossing things off lists!!

I seem to have lost my blog list and so far can't get it back. This will be a work in progress, so leave a comment so I can get you back on once I figure out why it isn't working any longer.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

All Is Quiet

Well, as quiet as it gets around the old homestead at any rate. Perhaps because we are getting ready for the upcoming snow and perhaps because things are not as hectic as they were before we left for my appointments, and the two days of not doing anything while we were gone.

I did my errands today as I did not want to be out and about in the middle of a blizzard. Driving in this city of sometimes rude drivers is not always safe at the best of times, little lone when you can't see drifts or the car in front of you. It wasn't really busy and I had phoned ahead for our prescriptions so every stop went smoothly.

I have been doing a bit more tidying in the sewing/craft room and have almost got it back to normal. Now if I can just keep it that way for awhile. Finding all sorts of interesting bits in there, of course they do not belong in that room and now I will have to find another place for them. There is a small pile of appliances and a roaster waiting to find a new home. Tomorrow will be the day!! I also want to get my second serger set out and threaded with dark thread so I can use it. Just have to find a spot for it. 

I do hope tomorrow is another quiet day as I would love to get some extra cleaning and more of my goals accomplished. Perhaps burning pictures to CD's is in order to make space on the computer, it is running pretty darn slow.

Off to have a bit of a snack (fruit as befits my low cholesterol diet) and then snuggling into the blankets with a good book and some reading time.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Tuesday

It has been busy around here as it gets closer and closer to the holiday.

I have had a few thrifty moves here over the past week.

1.  Many years ago I made cloth bags for Christmas gifts. I am using them this year once again. Now they are costing almost nothing to use.

2.  Finished one more of the sewing projects left from the summer (down to two projects now).

3.  Cut out a knit top for part of my Christmas outfit.

4.  Using scrap fabric to make 4 knit infinity scarves. Two of which will be for gifts.

Leaving you with some pictures of one of our frosty mornings.

Everyone have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

Well, every day since the cast was removed I am gaining a bit of strength an dexterity in my wrist and hand. I can now put my own bra on (believe me this is major as I was teasing Harvey that it took him less time to take it off than put it on), put my hair in a pony tale, use regular floss instead of threaders or picks, pick up my pills (well not the real small ones yet), and other small things that I have been unable to do while the cast was on, and for the first couple of days after. The luxury of using two hands to wash my hair is mind boggling. I am doing the exercises the doctor gave me three times a day, and in a couple of weeks will be having regular physio appointments. I am determined to get as much mobility as possible in this wrist (the bone moved a bit and so movement ad dexterity will be compromised a bit according to the doctor).

Yesterday I worked on my mending and got a bit of hand sewing done as well as my sewing machine threaded and a small seam repaired. Today I managed to rethread and sew an entire seam on that knit skirt I cut out before my accident. Then I went on to knit a whole row (without stopping) on the blanket of many colours. I hope to manage even more tomorrow.

The weather here has been up and down.

This is what greeted us yesterday morning.

The start of what is hoped to be the last storm of the winter.

By mid morning this is what it looked like.

At this point in time we had about three inches of snow with it still coming down. By the end we had close to 5 inches and it was freezing cold. One could say it felt like January rather than March.

This miserable weather did have one good result. It kept Harvey busy doing reno's.

The basement bedroom/office/library is coming along nicely. 

Walls and ceiling painted. A second coat of polyurethane on the pine boards.

Closet sanded and painted. 

Floor is down.

Next Harvey will be working on the chair rail, the closet casing, and the baseboards. Of course there will be a few touch ups, but we are thinking things can be moved into here next week.

When Kris comes home he will be helping with sanding and mudding in the Man Cave portion of the basement. 

After almost 2 years (yep it will be two years since we were flooded in 4 months), it is so nice to see an end in sight.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thursday Tidbits

Well it is the lead up to Easter and for the first time ever Harvey and I will be by ourselves. This means a change in the menu plan as a turkey is just too much for the two of us to consume. I think we will end up having pork chops instead, but I am not too sure for Easter Sunday and I will pull a container of leftover chili out for Saturday.

Every Easter for the last few years we have gotten snow. This year is no exception. We got about 1/2 inch late this afternoon and another storm is moving in, supposedly dropping up to 12 inches tomorrow. Sure glad that I have everything we need. Living on the valley edge if there is any wind at all we get rather large snow drifts forming on our road and in the driveway. This sometimes makes navigation out very difficult. It is a relief to know there is no where we need to be. I am sure we will be forgiven if we miss Good Friday services. It seems as if winter has sunk her claws in very deeply and just doesn't want to let go.

My hand and wrist were very stiff and sore this morning, but I pushed my way through the exercises and things seemed to loosen up a bit. I did the same exercises this afternoon and will do them once more before bed. I also managed to get my first Physio treatment booked. It isn't until April 9, but that still gives me a couple of treatments before I see the doctor again.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Frugal Friday

This week has been quiet around the old homestead. There have been many small frugal goals met this week, but nothing really big has happened.

1.  I have gotten the saved seeds out to be started in the next few weeks. 

2.  Using up leftovers to advantage and being able to make quick changes to the monthly menu plans to do just that.

3.  Used a gift card from Christmas to download some novels to my ereader.

4.  Used some coupons when shopping this week.

5.  Planning sewing projects to use up fabric left from other projects.

So not really too badly done on the frugal front. There are a few more small items such as using up samples, combining errands, and walking for exercise when I am able to do so.

This is what we woke up to this morning.

It got steadily worse until I could not see down into the valley at all.

Then, all of a sudden, just before supper....

It cleared up completely. The wind has caused some fairly large drifts, but at least we have a bit of a break before the second wave hits.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thursday Tidbits

The dat started of very foggy with a fairly stiff breeze. After bill paying and shopping the sun eas shining, still had the stiff breeze though.

Now the sky is full of dark storm clouds and the wind has picked up even more. It looks as if the next snow storm is well on the way.

This picture was taken by someone driving on the highway just south of the city that Kris, our youngest lives in.

The blowing snow is sticking to the road and the wind is causing vehicles to be blown off the road and into the ditch. This all before the real snow reaches us.

It is at times like this I am so glad that Harvey is retired and no longer has to go out in any and all weather to keep the pump jacks up and running in his area of the oil patch. I am also happy at times like this that I no longer have to try to get from one side of our city to the other on slippery or snow covered roads.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Sundat Ramblings

Well it seems that the snow has arrived. I hope that the cover stays on the drywall, and that we get to stay in where it is nice and warm. While snow is very pretty to look at after a full day of freezing rain driving would be treacherous.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Day Two

Remember when I said I didn't know if March came in like a lion or a lamb??? Well this week it is definitely lion.

We are on day two of a blizzard.

This is a picture of the main street in my small city as the storm began yesterday morning. Believe me it got much worse with zero visibility and lots of very large snow drifts.

This is a picture out my front door during one small lifting of the storm this afternoon.

At times today we could not see across the street. Really not much snowfall, but the wind whipped everything up causing large drifts and wind scoured ice. Highways have been closed and people are stranded on those highways.

So for the last two days Harvey and I have stayed in the house, watching the snow pile up and hoping the power does not go out (it has in some areas of the city). This has done wonders for not spending, but both of us are getting a bit of cabin fever. After much discussion neither of us could remember the last 2 day blizzard, we just figure as far as we can remember it was when the boys were young.

I did a bit of mending today. Harvey had a pair of pajamas that needed some seam repairs done. Used up the leftovers from previous meals for lunch and supper as well. Those are my thrifty's for today.

Then I spent the afternoon working on my cross stitch.

One leaf and the backstitching left. I am hoping to be done this little project by Thursday and can then pull out another.

When the lighting gets too bad in the evenings I pull out my knitting. Right now I am using some Baby Cake yarn from Caron and knitting this bright wrap. Slowly but surely I am making my way through the skein, or should I say "cake".

I don't think I ever posted a picture of my last blanket. This one is also made from leftover bulky yarn.

Well off to visit you all.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

It was a very good thing that we took our road trip yesterday.

This is what it looked like outside for most of today.

The snow started falling early this morning and has continued for the entire day. In fact it is still coming down. Sure glad we weren't on the road today. Yesterday, on the other hand was almost perfect, except for the temperature.

We picked up Kris at his apartment and went on our merry way. Much to Harvey and Kris's happiness we did not stop at Fabricland. I decided that I have enough fabric to last for awhile, and as my sewing mojo seems to be on hiatus right now, perhaps waiting would be a good idea. I even have enough woolen fabric to make another jacket if I so choose. Lining is a different story though.....

We did hit Home Depot where I bought some LED bulbs to replace the old incandescent bulbs in the bathroom and Harvey found some LED tubes that can be used in the old florescent fixtures. Boy do they ever put out the light.

Our next stop was Michael's where I managed to get all of this at 50% off.

I know I said no more yarn, but I could not turn away from the little bit I got. I bought the white felt for eyes on some monster leggings I plan on making once the bits and bobs blankets are done. I even found a block of beeswax to use for making some skin care recipes. I almost bought some soap making supplies but decided I better use up what I have first.

A trip to Home Outfitters was next on the list. Here we bought a new pepper grinder, some Laura Secord Hot Chocolate K cups, and an egg poacher for the microwave (this in my quest to save on electrical costs).

London Drugs was next where I bought my favorite Mint Hot Chocolate K cups and some dark roast coffee K cups for Harvey. He loves him some full bodied black as night coffee.

Costco was next, and while they still did not have cases of cream of mushroom soup and the salmon was farmed (something I refuse to buy), I did manage to get everything on my list. I actually walked out without spending more than I had planned. I did buy a couple of items that weren't on the list but they will be used. In fact I managed to get a 5lb bag of apples that can be eaten in hand or used in baking for $4.99. Less than a dollar a pound which is half the cost of buying them here. The same goes for the bags of broccoli florets, cauliflower florets and brussel sprouts, half the cost and double the amount I could purchase here.

We had an early supper/lunch combination, dropped Kris off and headed home.

One thing we did find out was that Kris has to drive from Regina to Saskatoon on Monday for a meeting. That is a two hour drive either way, for a one hour meeting. The meeting is supposed to start at 8:30 am so in order to get there (especially if the conditions are not good) he will have to leave at 5:30 in the morning. Crazy!

Then on Wednesday he flies to Calgary to take a two day course on a new computer program. He should be back by Thursday night. We were hoping he could come home as it is the Family Day weekend (stat holiday here in Saskatchewan) but we have a feeling that he will end up working most of the weekend to catch up on all he missed doing while gone. Hopefully, he will be home one weekend very soon.

Today I divided up all the meat we bought and packaged it with my Food Saver. The freezer is full once again.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Nasty Weather

Last week we got about 12 inches of snow, and then we were hit once again.

Highways were closed in and out of the city, city roads were blocked by stalled and stuck vehicles. The poor police were constantly on the move helping those foolish enough to be out driving in this mess.

Harvey had done a bit of shoveling before this picture was taken (about an hour before). There is about 12 inches of snow on the car, and it was still coming down. By the end of the storm we had received approximately 15 inches of the white stuff.

Today Harvey spent about 2 1/2 hours digging snow and blowing snow. The snow has stopped, but the wind has risen throughout the day and the temperature is dropping.

I pulled out my draught dodgers and laid them in front of the doors tonight. When the wind comes up it seems like it finds any little crack to come into the house. The hall has been freezing today so hopefully this cuts heat loss a bit and keeps the warmth in the hall.

We have been spoiled the last few years, it has been a very long time since we have had a blizzard or back to back snow storms. While we have had freezing temperatures, we were kind of wishing the real cold would hold off until well after Christmas. I have a feeling we are in for a seriously white and freezing winter season.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

No, Not The White Stuff

This morning I opened the drapes on our big picture window to this.......

That's right our first snowfall of the upcoming winter. Not something I wanted to see. However the weather will improve come the weekend. This melted away to big mucky puddles and I am happy that Kris came home early before everything started to freeze again. There was one roll over just west of the city this morning and I was not looking forward to worrying that he could be traveling on ice.

I managed to get one quilt finished and I hope to get some of the other done while Kris and Harvey go fishing (once the weather turns nice). I still have hopes of getting finished the two of them this month.

Being as it was such a miserable day I decided that I picked the perfect day for homemade soup (my menu's are worked out at the beginning of the month). My turkey carcass was boiled along with some parsley, celery, onion and peppercorns.

It bubbled away on the stove while I was busy in the sewing/craft room. Sure made the house smell great and really hit the spot with sandwiches for our supper.

There is enough left for two meals each for Harvey and I, as well as a meal for Kris to take with him when he goes home on Sunday.

I am sorry to report that we have needed to turn the heat on in the bedroom these past few days. Just could not make it until November, it was getting mighty cold getting out from under the covers of a morning. Mind you it did make a person dress a bit faster, or get out of the room faster at any rate.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.