Thrifty Tuesday

It is already the second week of the month! Christmas will be upon us before we can say Santa Claus is coming to town.

The temperatures have dropped dramatically. When I awoke this morning it was -29C with a wind chill of -38C. Brrr, the perfect weather to stick close to home and get things completed.

As far as thrifty moves this week goes there are a few that stand out.

Harvey had a few socks that needed to be darned and a few that were way past darning again. Those that were past being fixed I cut up to be used to tie plants up next growing season.

Opening the drapes to let the sun in heats up the house just perfectly. We have been lucky in that the sun has been shining and the heat that is generated usually means the furnace does not kick in until later in the day. Shutting them keeps the cold air out of the house come evening.

I have made soup a couple of times this past week, using up the little bits from the crisper. Tonight I actually used up a package of frozen leftover roast beef making beef barley soup. The remains of which are cooling in two containers and will be put in the fridge in a bit (must remember to label them first). 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

The second week in December has now arrived, bringing with it colder temperatures, and more snow.  Hearty meals (not that I changed too much ever) are now in order.

Monday

Leftover chili served over pasta and sprinkled with a bit of grated cheddar cheese.

Tuesday

I am going to take the smaller package of leftover roast beef, find my recipe for beef barley soup and go to town. Serving this with tuna salad sandwiches.

Wednesday

Oven roasted chicken breasts served with rice, and asparagus. I think there might be a tossed salad involved as well. Got to get those servings of veggies and fruit in.

Thursday

Stew served on slices of thick homemade bread. I hope to make enough for leftovers later and make this in my instant pot as well.

Friday

Salmon fillets along with a tossed salad and rice.

Saturday

Leftover stew heated on the stove along with dumplings. 

Sunday

Roast pork, though I could pull out a bag of frozen roast pork and warm that up along with veggies and potatoes it would fill us up nicely.

Lunches are the usual sandwiches, or leftovers. In my case it is usually a piece of toast and some fruit.

Everybody have a wonderful day. 

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

This Sunday we lit the second candle in our church Advent Wreath. The one that represents Love.

We light the candle of Love to remind us that Jesus brings us God’s love and shows us how to love others. We love each other by giving of ourselves in many ways. Perhaps the easiest way is by giving money to the various charities that seem to abound at this time of year, but harder (or should I say more difficult ways) are available to us all.

Forgiving those who hurt us in big and small ways is perhaps one of the hardest ways to show love and one of the ways I need to practice. I am going to concentrate on this over this wonderful season as I wait for that great gift to arrive. The gift of God's love in the shape of a human baby. One who came to take all our pain and sin. Seeing us exactly how we are and still loving us enough to sacrifice all.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Frugal Friday

What frugal things have I/we been up to this week.

1.  Hubby fixed my angel tree topper. I hope to get it back on the tree this afternoon.

2.  Using up bits and bobs from the freezer. I see a pie crust that I will use up at some point this weekend.

3.  Making buns in stead of making bread all the time.

4.  Once again had a good savings at the grocery store of $29.95. We don't always get really good coupons here in the middle of Canada, but our Co-op store has wonderful sales.

5.  Bought the new entertainment stand as a floor model. A few scratches, but well worth the over 50% off we paid. I am pretty sure we can touch up those small scratches.

I am also feeling much better today. I must have just had a touch of something. Still stuffy, but not as achy or as churning stomach as I was yesterday. Hope it continues.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Thursday Tidbits

I have been fairly lazy over the last couple of days, and today I now know why. While grocery shopping and running errands I started to feel ill and have been feeling worse as the day progresses.

I did manage to complete a couple of easy tasks today. I put all the items (DVD's, CD's and candles away. That was easy as I could sit and do them which meant I was not dizzy at all. I do hope that I feel much better tomorrow. I will need to catch up on all the things I have left undone.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Finished (Well Mostly)

The last big piece of furniture is now in place in the living room.

This 30 year old entertainment was removed....

The new one put together and in use. I do miss my shelves for pictures however so we may mount the television on the wall and have the top cleared for my bits.

Now comes the accent colours which hopefully I can either find or make (cushion covers, and such).

Supper tonight was a wonderful Lentil Soup. I even have enough leftover for another two meals for Harvey and I.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Tuesday

This will not go down as the most thrifty of weeks. Why is it that things always seem to break down when you least expect it. More about this later.

I have been busy using things up and storing the excess food from roasts and such in the freezer.

Did some hand hemming on a pair of Harvey's dress pants.

Turned a collar, or two as well as darned a couple pairs of my socks.

I have been working on next years planner, using up paper from when I used to work. I just may have enough to last a few more years. I use an old binder and a few pages and 2 calendar pages printed out on the printer, then lined paper for the days chores (the page holds 4 days lists). To buy one costs around $12.00, my version costs at the most $2.00.

Now for the not so thrifty things.

We bought a new TV stand for the living room, which Harvey will pick up tomorrow. This one has an electric fireplace insert so when things get a bit chilly I can turn it on. Eventually we will mount the TV on the wall giving me a bit more room to place some pictures and such on the top.

Then while making supper (I use the microwave to partially cook the potatoes for scalloped potatoes and ham) my 20 year old microwave gave up the ghost. Since I use this appliance all the time this means I will need to replace it as soon as possible. I only hope which ever one I manage to buy lasts as long as this one did.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.