Happy New Year

I want to take this opportunity to wish each and every one of you a Happy New Year. If things go as they usually do I will be snuggled down and fast asleep when midnight rolls around. Gone are the days when I could stay up until all hours of the morning and still have some functioning ability the next day.

Everybody have a wonderful evening however you choose to spend it.

God bless.

Saturday Round Up

It has been a very strange week. First it was so busy that I couldn't find time to do much of anything, and then once the boys left and the really cold weather hit, it seems like I have too much time on my hands.

Not being able to go out for my daily walks makes the days seem so very long. I also feel like the pounds are piling on. Pretty soon I won't fit any of my clothes. Not a good thing for someone who does not like shopping at the best of times. The weather is supposed to be better next week and I am hopeful of getting out and about.

Since Kurt and Kris left I have been trying to find places for all the gifts we received and using up the extra food. So far the using up all the leftovers is going much better than finding spaces for gifts. Slowly but surely things will be completed.

Today I spent some time in the sewing/craft room. I did complete a small amount on the tunic top, but my machine started acting up (almost thought I would need to use Kurt's gift a bit earlier than expected), but I took it apart and cleaned the dust bunnies out of it and it seems to be working correctly now. Since it was getting dark I put the sewing aside to finish up tomorrow and moved into knitting mode. I should get most of the second mitten finished tonight and after the sewing tomorrow be able to finish it off and get a good start on the matching toque.

Then I hope to get started taking down the various decorations and getting the house back to normal. I have figured out my extra cleaning and my goals for next month. Much the same as every month with the added goal of cutting the grocery budget. I am going to give more store brands a try over the next while. If I even just use a few instead of name brand items that will be a savings. Every little bit helps when prices keep spiralling upwards. 

I am so glad that we no longer have a mortgage or debt of any kind (yes we do use our credit card, but pay it off monthly and get money back) as there are rumors that the Bank of Canada will be raising interest rates once again. This will mean interest rates will rise for borrowing. I just hope that Kurt and Kris will be okay with what could happen. Kris lives in an apartment so rent will likely increase, but Kurt bought a house a few years back and will be renegotiating his mortgage this year. Hopefully it does not increase too much. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Cold Weather, Christmas Gifts,and a Birthday

Today I reached the good old age of 62. Looking in the mirror this morning I wondered where all the years have gone. Other than being stiff in the mornings (I have to work out the kinks) I don't feel any older. Though I do know I won't be doing any summersaults or hand stands anymore, the center of gravity in this rather well rounded body has changed over the years. I am trying my hardest to grow older gracefully and think I am succeeding for the most part.

Today is our coldest day of the year. Our high was when I got up this morning at -22 C with a wind chill making it feel like -35 C. Now the temperature is -30 C and the wind chill is making it feel like  -45 C. Supposedly the temperature is going to drop over night to -39 C and I don't even want to think about what it will feel like with the wind chill.

One great thing when it is this cold is we get sundogs. 

 I love this.

Thought that I would share a few pictures of our Christmas morning with you all. Though now that our sons are much older it seems that gift opening is happening later and later in the day.

Even Shania got in on the gift opening, though she seemed much more interested in what was going on outside.

Kurt opening his gift from Kris. A mini drone, perfect for him to fly around the hills and valleys near his home in Drumheller, Alberta.

Kris wouldn't let me take a picture of him, but here he is snuggled into his quilt of many colours with his mitts, scrubby washcloths, and rice bag.

A picture of him with the rice bag on his neck. Not the most attractive of pictures, but I had to sneak it.

Harvey holding up his pj bottoms. He figured I went for a nautical theme this year. You can see my new coffee pot from Kris in the corner. The last time he was home my Keurig wasn't working properly so he thought a new one was in order. Cause I am miserable before I have my first cup in the morning.

Me unwrapping my gift from Kurt. Another sewing machine (I really have to sell my straight sewing one). He was a bit upset as he didn't realize I had a machine that I could do free motion quilting on. I told him that one can never have too many sewing machines! They do break down and need servicing.

Harvey bought me a new cell phone (which I picked out with Kris's help) on the Saturday, just before Christmas. He felt however I should have something to unwrap Christmas morning. 

So he bought me this....It made me cry.

Our little angel safe in the arms of Jesus. He even went through the albums until he found a picture. Got to love a man who knows how much this would mean to me.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Thursday Tidbits

The house is very, very quiet as both our sons have left. Kris for his apartment in Regina, and Kurt to visit with his best friend (and friends wife) for a few days. 

Me, well I feel a bit lonely, but I am sure that feeling will disappear as I try and get the house back in order.

It is still extremely cold here with daytime temperatures only reaching -25 C with wind chills making it feel like -40 C. Perfect for snuggling in with a good book or my knitting that's for sure. I have managed to make one pair of mittens and matching toque for one of the twins and will be casting on for the next later this evening. 

Sewing fell by the wayside, though I did mend a pair of pants for one son, sewed a button on for the other and fixed a coat pocket for Harvey. I still have one coat of Harvey's to mend but will get to that as soon as I finish the top I started before Christmas. One more day should see that sewing project done. 

Menus have changed as well. I of course cooked way too much and now Harvey and I are working our way through the excess. Tonight we finished off the chili, tomorrow will still be the salmon casserole, but Saturday will be the leftover tetrazzini. 

Lots of lovely gifts were opened and over the next couple of days I will share what I managed to get pictures of (I seem to forget to do that quite often).

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday On A Tuesday

Back to what passes as normal here on the old homestead. However the weather is not really cooperating. We have extreme cold warnings out once again (same as yesterday) and these are to stick around for at least another 5 days. Kurt and Kris will be traveling home when the temperatures are miserable. 

Here are the menus for this week.... Starting with yesterday and our Christmas meal.

Monday

Christmas dinner, turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, salad, gravy, pickles, cranberries, and apple pie.

Tuesday

Chili from the freezer served over pasta.

Wednesday

Leftover turkey made into a large turkey tetrazzini. Served with raw veggies.

Thursday

Harvey and I will more than likely be alone tonight, so soup and sandwiches after the big meals previously will be a great change.

Friday

Salmon casserole, and crusty bread.

Saturday

Clean out the fridge night.

Sunday

Leftover pork roast from the fridge freezer. Think a stir fry sounds great. Rice to go with of course.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Wishing You All

Everyone have a wonderful Christmas, shared with family and friends.

God bless.

Quiet

All is quiet here on the old homestead in the early hours of the morning. The men are still sleeping, and probably will be for awhile yet.

Kris surprised us by getting home at around 2 yesterday afternoon. It seems he took the afternoon off, and a good thing he did as we started to get pretty heavy snowfall from just after he arrived home until just before supper.

Now, just one more and I can rest easy.

Here is my baby, actually kind of posing for a picture. This year he decided to grow a beard and moustache. Not too sure if I like them as of yet, but I have a feeling he will be keeping the extra facial hair as people have said it makes him look older.

I received some very shocking news today on Facebook. My cousin lost her son yesterday or late last night. I just got the chance to meet this young man at the Koch family reunion this summer. My thoughts and prayers are with them as they go through this devastating change.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.