Menu Monday

The weeks seem to be going by very quickly. Time flies by when you least expect it to. I really thought that once Harvey retired and I semi retired the days would drag by. Not so!!!

I did a bit of a switch on menus last week as the weather was lovely and I wanted to get Harvey grilling once again. They weren't big switches, but they did enable us to enjoy cooking outside.

Monday

Leftover grilled hamburgers from Saturday along with salad and fries.

Tuesday

Home made fish cakes. I plan on using up the leftover grilled fish along with the leftover mashed potatoes for this. Served with asparagus this will be just lovely.

Wednesday

I will be pulling a package of leftover ham out of the freezer and since it is supposed to be a cool and rainy day making a casserole. Something new and different I hope. Served with a salad.

Thursday

Mushroom meat balls, rice and carrots should make a lovely meal.

Friday

Perogies, onions and sour cream.... Perhaps not good for the diet, but just a treat every so often is fine.

Saturday

Hopefully nice enough to grill some ribs along with potatoes. I will make a salad here as well.

Sunday

Pulling out the chicken we did not have yesterday. Roast potatoes, roast carrots and once again a salad.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

Today the Church celebrated Divine Mercy Sunday.

Father Brian told us that this is not about empty devotions, rather it is about the mercy Christ imparted with His Divinity. That we should be more open to acts of mercy, love and compassion to those less fortunate than we are.

Father went on to mention that Pope Francis has announced a year of mercy to begin in the fall of this year.

We must show mercy, and do charitable acts with no thought as to what we can gain from them, not for our glory but rather for the glory of God and his Son. Considering some of the political jockeying going on in our Parish right now this could be an eye opener for some people. I will continue to do what I am able to do and hopefully things will settle down very soon.

Today I was very grateful for the sunny, breezy day. I have actually managed to use my outside clothes line twice now. It was wonderful seeing the sheets fluttering in the wind.

Nothing reminds me so much of the beginning of spring than the smell of line dried items.

I also recycled three more used candle jars.

I still have to use some Goo-B-Gone to get rid of the sticky residue from the labels, but then these will be ready to use in my sewing room to store thread and perhaps some buttons.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Update Saturday

I finally have some updates on projects to share with you all.

Right now I am concentrating on getting a few small items made for the Silent Auction at our Family Reunion this summer. This leaves other projects on the back burner, but I have nothing but time for those once these are done.

I started this pocket scarf this afternoon. I am hoping to finish it in a few days.

This small tuck in around the neck ruffle scarf was finished early this afternoon.

Three sets of two of these variegated brown dish cloths.

Two sets of two of these black and white dish cloths.

I plan on making a couple more small items, pet beds and perhaps another pocket scarf. Then I am finished and can move on to those other projects I would like done.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Friday Frugalities

I really don't know why I call this post Friday Frugalities, especially when I try to remember all the frugal things I have done over the past week. Hmmm, perhaps the title should be Frugal Friday Roundup.

This week has actually been pretty decent as far as spending. Even though Kurt and Kris were home I stuck to my menus, used items I had on hand, and only bought dairy and produce to make salads. Fact of the matter is both boys helped clean out leftovers in the fridge and even bought us a treat or two while they were home (free treats are on par with winning cash around here).

I have been walking every day this week, even when the weather has been not too nice. Frugal and free, probably just as healthy for a person as joining an expensive gym (around here gym memberships are very high, same for the cost of a personal trainer). Today I added stair climbing to my routine of two walks a day.

Laundry was done in the usual frugal manner with half the detergent and I washed and rinsed in cold where possible. I even managed to get three of the 5 loads on my basement drying lines.

I have started the Silent Auction gifts and am using yarn that I have on hand. Much of the yarn I have been using are bits and bobs from other projects. I am hoping to have 10 or 11 small items made by the end of the month.

I have worn my clothing (other then shirts and under garments) for at least two days.  This should save on wash loads.

Best of all, I have walked down memory lane scanning pictures of family and friends.

Kris was not in the least happy here. It was hot, and he had not had his nap. This is also one of the last family pictures we had with our angel, Krista.

This is the last picture we have had with the boys. Definitely time for a new one. I can still remember the photographer saying to the sons in order to make them smile "Think my mom is making me do this...." and the chorus from the boys "She really is..."

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thursday Tid Bits

Ahh, the end of the week is drawing near. Not that I need worry, being retired does have its advantages.

Went for my walk early this morning. Remember the snow covered road?

Same road, just a few wet spots and a skiff of snow by the curb.

It seems like every block I walked had a number of houses with one of these signs in front.

Lots of For Sale signs, sometimes three in one block!! I think the crumbling of the oil boom has something to do with the numbers of homes being put up for sale. People moving back from whence they came or perhaps unable to afford the monthly payments.

Very few have "Sold" on top or across. It's a buyer's market right now.

One thing pleased me greatly.

The tulips are poking through in the garden. Looks as if we might actually get what passes for spring this year after all.

Almost forgot, another thing pleased me greatly and that was the power bill this month. All the little things we did to improve our bill are paying off. The total we owed with this months reading was........ $50.93. Much better than the last two bills. Makes my frugal heart glad!

One thing did not please me. Kurt has a complete tear of the tendon that holds the muscle to the elbow. This means surgery for him in the near future (once he sees the specialist we will know when). Hopefully he gets in very soon after his appointment.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Calm Reigns Once Again

I finally have my computer back in the evening, and the house is quiet again. Almost too quiet, truth be told, but I am grateful for the hubbub of the boys (guess I should call them men now) being home for a few days.

Yesterday I woke up to this.

Snow! Heavy, wet and easily packed down into ice on our streets and highways.

Kurt had to head home (he has his ultra sound tomorrow in a hospital in Calgary) and to get as far as Weyburn (the next city over) it took him an hour and a half. It usually is a 45 minute drive so double the usual time. He made it home late last night, though he did say that the farther away he got the better the roads became.

I want to share my Mother's Day gift from him. I always get it early and he likes me to open it up immediately rather then save it for May.

An angel for my collection and a set of beads to pray the Credence.

I also made a trip to the CWL Rummage Sale. I found a few good buys.

There is enough orange to make a light summer top and enough white to do the same. I was hoping for more white (enough to make the next prayer table covering) but I am happy that there is enough to make another summer top. Something I am sadly lacking in my wardrobe for that season.

I found two novels to add to my reading pile.

These two hard cover books to add to my reference library in the sewing/craft room. The great thing about both of these books is that they have full sized pattern pieces inside them.

My haul from the sale came to $4.00!!! Thrifty to say the least considering the fabric only cost me a dollar, the pocket books fifty cents each and the hard cover a dollar each. I was quite happy.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

Ahh, April and spring. Not!! We keep getting snow and below freezing temperatures which is not the nicest start to spring we have ever had.

On to my weekly menus, and because oldest DS is still here things are changed around a tiny bit already. I had forgotten how much he can eat!!!

Monday

Shake and Bake chicken wings, homemade fries and leftover veggies from other meals.

Tuesday

Leftover beef roast. I think I will make this into something to serve over homemade biscuits. Carrots as a veggie side.

Wednesday

Pork chops, mashed potatoes and green beans.

Thursday

The leftover beef supper from Tuesday along with any leftover chicken wings. Probably a salad as a side.

Friday

Baked fish, rice, and mixed veggies.

Saturday

Mushroom meatballs, rice and a salad.

Sunday

Roast chicken, roasted carrots and celery, roasted potatoes. I think I may even stuff the chicken.

So there you have it. Meals for the week.

Everyone have a wonderful day.

God bless.