Sunday Ramblings

 While it is still slightly windy today, it isn't near as windy as our previous two days. Our temperature is in the mid teens as well so it looks as if spring just might have arrived. 

Went to Mass today and instead of the usual sermon, we prayed the Divine Mercy Caplet. So while the service was a tiny bit shorter, my back still acted up a little bit. Darn those hard pews!!!

My oven has decided to act up this late afternoon, so out came the toaster oven to roast my chicken. Could take a tiny bit longer to cook and it will be fun pulling the ceramic roaster out to put the potatoes and carrots in. Still I am very happy that I do have another method to get the cooking done. This is the worst range we have ever owned for problems. I think we might have purchased a dud.

I got one of my goals for the month completed today. All old paper work is now shredded and ready for recycling. The desk looks so much better. I may try and get a couple of seams done on the top after I finish this post. We shall see how my back feels from sitting. 

I have decided that after the top is sewn, I will cut out my next dress, and once that is completed start hand quilting the baby quilt (which will take awhile). Evenings will be for knitting.

I am already trying to figure out next month's projects and goals. One will be getting the yard cleaned up (really things are still too wet right now) and getting my garden in and my pots filled and planted. That takes some time. Pretty sure next month will be when we wash the deck, chairs, and get the furniture set up for summer enjoyment. Might not have much time for handwork, but we shall see.

I think spring cleaning will start next week (on my extra cleaning list), only one room at a time. I will start with the smallest room and work my way through the house. 

Off I go to check out what all you have been up to on this fine Sunday.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

 

I have completed a couple of goals this week. I finished sewing my shorts (picture to come on the 15th), moved my wardrobe around, decluttered some, copied out the recipes we really liked, found some recipes in my folder to try this month, and made my appointment with my prayer partner. 

Tomorrow after Mass I will probably shred paperwork, and start on the matching top to the shorts. 

Of course the evenings will be spent knitting. Now I am working on the front of my knitted tank. 

I finished the chapter in my Simpler Living book. This chapter was more focused on what a person who works can do to simplify their lives. 

There was one section that could call to all of us though. That was to do with shopping. The author said one should always ask these questions.

1. Do I really need this object?

2. Will this make a difference in my life?

3. Will it pay for itself shortly?

4. What are my options?

The other suggestion that made a great deal of sense to me was to recruit some allies to help you with your quest.

The next chapter is entitled "Cooking Up Solutions, If You Can't Stand The Clutter Simplify Your Kitchen." Now that should be an interesting chapter.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Recipe Friday

 

I don't remember if I ever posted this recipe before, but as it is one of our favourites, and was passed down to me by Harvey's Mom, I am sharing it once again.

Rhubarb Sponge Pie

1 unbaked pie crust

3 tbsp softened butter

1 cup sugar

2 eggs, separated

2 tbsp (heaping) flour

1/8 tsp salt

2 c chopped rhubarb (I usually use frozen and drain some of the liquid off)

Stir softened butter with sugar, egg yolks, flour and salt. Beat egg whites until stiff. Add rhubarb to first mixture and then fold in egg whites. Fill the pie shell and bake at 400 F about 50 min. or until top browns. Enjoy warm with ice cream or cold.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty and Frugal Thursdays

 Thrifty and Frugal  

It seems like most weeks are passing by in a blur. Time is speeding by, and there are times I would really like to slow the passage down.

I have been doing the regular frugal and thrifty things over the week, and now that the sun is shining more, our furnace is cutting in less and less. Means more money in our pockets and less being spent on heating the house.

I hang what I can on the lines downstairs and am really looking forward to using the clothesline. 

I repaired a couple of pillowcases, and did a bit of decluttering of my closet and drawers. Those items will be donated and someone else can get good use out of them. This was done when I completed one of my goals/projects for this month. 

Using up bits and bobs still in the fridge, pantry and fridge freezer. Leftovers are being eaten for our lunches or if there is enough leftover for another supper. 

I baked a loaf of bread.

Shopped at home first for anything I needed and substituted where needed. 

Combined errands in order to save fuel and cash.

Harvey bought a couple of more wine kits which while not exactly frugal at first will be so once the wine is made. He also got 2 beer kits from Kris for Christmas and plans on getting those made once the wine is completed.

My frugal addition this month is to be very careful with the water usage. I am saving water when I wash dishes before it warms up to water my plants. I am also trying to save water when washing dishes. I have always only used the dishwasher every second day when it is just Harvey and I, but now am making sure it is really full before starting it. I also fill my kettle while waiting for the water to heat up. 

I am also collecting a few items to list for sale on our Facebook garage sale sites.

Off to get supper on the table. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

 

Midweek

 

Once again it has been a quiet day here on the old homestead. Perfect day as far as I am concerned.

We took all our tax information to the accountants today just before noon. I got a phone call a bit ago and surprisingly they have started on it already. Could actually be done by the end of this week. We are hoping for a good result where neither of us owes anything. Doubtful, but we can hope.

Last night I started to do some work in the bathroom. A wicker shelving unit has now been removed, and boy does the bathroom look totally different. I even managed to clear space in the cupboard we have in there for towels, toilet paper, and extra personal care items. Tomorrow, I hope to get the cupboard under the sink cleared out, and perhaps the drawers as well. We shall see.

I copied more recipes that we enjoy onto index cards and got the 14 done. They are now in the photo album I am using to keep them. I will eventually have to go through and perhaps make an index page. Sounds like a task for next winter. 

I have gotten a bit more knitting done, and hopefully (keeping my fingers crossed), I will be finished the back of my knitted tank by tomorrow.

Brought up a tote from the basement to store my projects for this month in (a few items that will be worked on if I finish them). That tidied the corner beside my chair a little bit. I do have to get the material out for the sundress/tank dress that I want to cut out... Need to find the pattern as well.

Goals for my projects tomorrow are change wardrobes around. Perhaps sew the shorts (easy sew as they are elastic waist and only a few seams). 

Extra cleaning will be the washing of the window sills, and washing the walls in the bathroom and washing the shower curtains as well. May even get the floors a good washing as well.

My back is good and with a bit of a rest between tasks should be able to complete all I want to get done. Will let you all know how things go in a couple of days.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Tuesday Tidbits

 

We have had a very lovely day. So hope that this weather continues as it could mean setting up our outdoor furniture can take place very, very soon. It could also mean that we can do some spring clean up in the yard. It definitely needs it, lots of small sticks down from our windy weather. 

I promised you some pictures of what I managed to get done project wise. Of course I also need to catch you all up on my projects/goals for this month as well.

One of the two lapghans I made. The other is a light blue.

Two Rhubarb sponge pies to have over the Easter holiday.

The start of the first tank top. I am up to the arm holes now on the back.

The shorts and matching top I had cut out.

The sandwiched baby quilt.

Even though I did not get much done on the cross stitch, I thought I should have a picture for comparison over the next months.

I didn't get pictures of the recipe cards but I did get 14 more of the recipes we love done. 

1.  Copy 14 tried and true recipes and get them in the album.

2.  Work on cross stitch.

3.  Sew shorts.

4.  Sew top.

5.  Cut out a summer tank dress.

6.  Quilt the baby quilt.

7.  Start knit tank top.

8.  Shred papers.

9.  Make an appointment with my prayer partner.

10. Go to the accountant.

11. Transfer fall/winter and spring/summer wardrobes.

As you can see some are very simple and will only take a short time. Others of course will take a bit longer. Keeping my fingers crossed that I can get through them all again this month.

I should probably add clean up the yard and set up the outdoor furniture. Yet I am worried that we could in fact get more snow and that could cause problems with the furniture.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 

While it is warming up, the wind is very strong and making it feel much colder. Sun is shining though and heating the front of the house nicely. So even though it is cooler outside, our big front windows are doing their job and allowing the sun to do its job as well.

So what will be eating this week. 

Monday

Leftover pulled pork, fries and the leftover salad.

Tuesday

I will be using a can or two of salmon and making salmon cakes. Serving these with rice and mixed veggies.

Wednesday

Pulling out the bag of frozen leftover roast beef. Heating that up and serving with mashed potatoes, coleslaw, and peas.

Thursday

Oven roasted chicken breasts, a package of noodle mix, and corn.

Friday

Breakfast for supper. I will make pancakes and serve them with maple syrup or jam (trying to get the bits and bobs of jam used up that are in the fridge).

Saturday

Hotdogs, baked beans and I will probably make some more coleslaw.

Sunday

Roast chicken, rice, green beans and any leftover coleslaw.

The extra chicken will be bagged up and frozen. 

Lunches will be sandwiches or perhaps other items leftover from meals. 

Breakfasts will be toast, yogurt, or muffins. There is also lots of fruit that needs to be eaten or made into something baked (may try some pear muffins this time around).

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.