Frugal Friday

I will fill you all in a bit on what has been happening in our lives tomorrow. I will just say it has been an unsettled time here and a whole lot of worry over what is going on in our eldest sons life right now. Things seem to have calmed down a bit, but you never know when they could explode into what I hope is not violence.

Hmmm, what 5 frugal things did I do this week.

1.  I managed to stretch a few meals into more than one meal and lunch. The sweet and sour ribs I made have actually stretched to 3 meals (one is in a container and frozen to be eaten when I really need a break from cooking), the spaghetti and meat sauce will have been stretched to 3 meals as well once we are done with it. Lots of great meals using very little meat (I wonder if Harvey has noticed that).

2.  Using up the fabric scraps by cutting them into useable squares for quilt projects down the road. I am also using up the knit fabric scraps as well by preparing them to make the rug that I have been planning for the last few years. I might not have enough strips to get it finished, but at least I will make a great start in a month or so.

3.  Combining errands to save on gas. I really would like to have this tank last until the end of the month, but considering warm up vehicle times I don't think that will happen. Still combining errands and trying not to use the vehicle unless necessary seems to extend a tank of gas very well.

4.  When grocery shopping I stuck to my list and buying sale items where possible. So in the process managed to save $38.63. Not bad at all.

5.  Drinking more water, which is actually in the grand scheme of things not only healthier for me, but actually saves cash. It is relatively inexpensive and much better for you when compared to sugary soft drinks.

Everybody have a wonderful day. 

God bless.

A Day To Snuggle In

The weather turned cold and snowy today. The wind howled and it was the perfect time to stay holed up in a nice warm house.
I did venture out early in the morning before the snow hit to do some shopping for the upcoming week. Made it back inside before the weather got too bad.

So I have spent the day working on getting the knit material cut into strips and put into a bag for easy storage. I also managed to cut a large piece for two infinity scarves. It is at times like this that I wonder why on earth I wait so long before getting things like this completed. It actually makes more work for me in the long run.

Yesterday afternoon I made a visit to the library.

A few mysteries and murders to keep me occupied before I go to sleep at night. Amazingly they don't keep me awake. The gorier the better as far as I am concerned. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Tuesday

I have been lucky enough this past week, Thrift has been a mainstay in our house.

I unpicked the metal rings from an old belt that no longer fit and used them for my new knitted belt. The belt itself is heavy canvas and will be used for handles on a bag I am planning to make.

I darned some of Harvey's socks.

Kitted up 4 knitting projects using wool from my stash.

Found an old sweater I no longer wear and have taken it apart to reuse the yarn after washing and getting the kinks out.

Then of course not being happy with all the scraps in the sewing/craft room I have been cutting them up into useable squares for quilting.

I have even managed to make a few cook once and eat twice meals.

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.

Sunday Ramblings

Today the church celebrated the Epiphany. How wonderful that three kings or magi, or wise men came to visit another king even though he was just a baby. These men traveled many miles to see the one that would become King of all. They showered him with priceless gifts, but the greatest gift of all lay before them in a manger.

It has been another quiet day here. I am beginning to enjoy this drifting from one day to another. Cleaning house, working on projects, going for walks while the weather is nice. I do know it won't last. Next week I have a few appointments, one with our financial advisor at the bank, the second with my doctor to get the results of the last lab tests, a trip to buy groceries, and a trip to the library. Looking at it written down, there really doesn't seem to be very much, but when they interrupt my day I never seem to get everything done that I want done. Once interrupted I have trouble getting back down to household chores or even putzing around the house, doing a small pick up or any little job that strikes me at the time.

I am afraid that I am a creature of habit. Each day has it's specific chores that need to be done. I even have a line on my to do list that states "anything unfinished". I think I might be a bit retentive and OCD about a few things.

According to the weather forecast we are in for a pretty large snowfall this week. While the wind warning came true, but did not last for an extended period of time and caused no damage, a snowfall of 15 cm could and probably will cause problems. I have already told Harvey that if it happens he will be driving me to pick up groceries and take me to the doctors as well. I could go on Wednesday morning and get groceries, there by beating the storm by a couple of hours. I can not beat the storm for the doctors appointment on Thursday however. Can you tell I do not like driving in deep snow?

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

It was and is a beautiful day and evening here on the prairies of Saskatchewan. We actually made it above freezing. However, now we are under a wind warning. In fact the winds could reach such speed as to cause a great deal of damage. I am keeping my fingers crossed that this does not happen.

After a few household chores, it was time to gather things together and get them completed.

First off I worked in all the yarn ends on the temperature blanket and knit another row on the new one I started for this year.

Then I worked in all the yarn ends on two of my completed prayer shawls.

I then moved on to a few other unfinished yarn and seam sewing projects.

An infinity scarf needed seaming, a cowl needed the same thing, and a belt I knitted months back needed to have the metal loops installed and the yarn ends worked in. 

I pulled out a prayer shawl that was started in October and laid aside to finish up over the next week or so. 

Harvey finished the shelves and we have them up on the wall.

They turned out very nicely and I am glad to get them up and pictures displayed.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Frugal Friday

I think I might be back on the frugal band wagon, or at least getting closer. I will be looking for even more frugal ideas over the next week or so.

1.  Grocery shopping this week and while I did not have as big a savings as usual, I did save a bit. I also got $10.00 off my total order because I spent $100.00. 

2.  Picked up some citrus three wick candles for half price.

3.  My neighbour brought me over a pumpkin from her daughters garden. I processed it last night and now have pumpkin puree for the freezer (probably enough for three pies).

4.  One of Harvey's gifts for Christmas was a few white t-shirts (he uses these as pj tops) so he pulled the old tattered ones and took them downstairs. He made them into work rags.

5.  With the new entertainment/fireplace unit I don't have the room for pictures that I did before. Harvey has fashioned me one shelf with some brackets he had downstairs and the glass doors from the old entertainment unit. Looks lovely. He plans on making the second door into another shelf as well.

6.  Gas prices are still ridiculously high here so I did not fill the vehicle. I will wait until the price hopefully falls a bit. However with the strike at the Coop refinery and the trouble in the middle east right now, that could be a dream for the future. Prices could go up and not down.

Everybody have a wonderful day. 

God bless.