Menu Monday

So here we are at the beginning of a brand new month, full of new opportunities. I am hoping that this month is just as wonderful as the last.

I did my monthly menu up the middle of last week. I hope to stick to it as much as possible. Things do come up which cause me to change things around (such as too many leftovers in the fridge), but I am hoping to continue using things up in both my freezers this month.

Monday

Hamburgers with lots of toppings, baked beans.

Tuesday

The leftover beef roast made into a casserole or perhaps a pasta dish that uses up some of my cherry tomatoes in the fridge.

Wednesday

Porkchops, the leftover potatoes fried up with some onion, corn and a salad.

Thursday

The leftover beef concoction (since I can't decide what I am making) along with the leftover salad. If there is no leftovers (doubtful) I will make some kind of soup to use up some of the turkey stock in the freezer.

Friday

Lazy Perogie casserole and a salad (probably kale).

Saturday

Hotdogs, pasta, and leftover salad.

Sunday 

Pork roast, and a tray of roasted veggies.

Now some updates on my various monthly projects and my new challenge for this month.

So far this year I have removed 141 more items from the house. Not bad, but I am sure I can do much better.

My challenge this month is to use up the scrap fabric I have collected over the years into useable quilts or perhaps even bags. I also want to try and use my  stash up more. All this will lead to me being able to rid the sewing/craft room of some boxes and storage drawers in preparation of moving this computer desk set up into the room.

Tomorrow I will update you on how the chest freezer challenge went. Before and after pictures will be posted.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

A few long awaited goals and projects were finally completed today. So nice to be able to cross these off the goal list. Still there will be a few things carried over next month as I just can't seem to get everything completed.

This quilt has been in the making for well, almost 4 years.

It was way too large to fit my machine so I hand quilted it. This is something I have not done for a number of years. Mistakes were made, but all things considered I am happy with the result.

The above cross stitch has been featured here before. It languished in a drawer for about 3 years. I finally figured out that foam board bought in the school supplies section along with some spray adhesive could take the place of regular mounting boards. It is now hanging in our bedroom and I am ready to start another. I just hope it does not take as long as this one to be up and hanging.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Frugal Friday

I am losing track of days. Most of this week I have thought we were a day ahead. I think part of the reason is because I went shopping a bit early this week. Hopefully I will get my mind back this coming week.

1.  Reading free novels from Book Bub on my ereader.

2.  All leftovers were used either for a new meal (which kind of made some changes to the menu plan for the month) or for lunches.

3.  Went for middle distance walks while the weather was nice (this added on to my usual morning treadmill routine).

4.  Saved $9.39 on groceries this week.

5. Harvey used some leftover moulding to make a picture frame for my cross stitch angel.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thursday Tidbits

Well I finally finished the hand quilting. It isn't as good a job as I used to do, but at least it is done. Now just the binding and the project is completed!!! One project more to be crossed off the goals list. Makes me smile as I have carried that one over for a number of months. Now just to get a few more done in the next few days.

I have started a new prayer shawl which I hope to complete quickly, or at least before the end of next month. The more we have to be blessed the better.

I am down 1.3 lbs (total for weight loss is 18.7 lbs over 5 months with about a week of not being able to use my treadmill) and hope that it improves my cholesterol count I am also really liking how some of the clothes that were a bit tight on me are now much looser. I will have to do some alterations, but I am feeling so much better. I am hoping to be down at least 25 lbs by the time we have our family reunion (which I am not really looking forward to) the long weekend in July.

Looking forward to a long soak tonight as I am a bit stiff and sore today. I upped my distance and time on the treadmill and that always causes me a few problems the first little while.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Something I Love

During the past few months I have been trying to make more meatless meals and finally pulled out a recipe that we really enjoy but haven't had for awhile.

This is a picture of our leftover Moroccan Red Lentil Soup after our evening meal. I got to use up a few bags of items from the chest freezer, as well as some leftovers in the fridge making it.

Moroccan Red Lentil Soup

2 tbsp. olive oil

2 chopped onions

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 stalks celery, chopped

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. pepper

1 tsp. turmeric

1 tsp. cumin

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. ginger

6 cups water

1 cup red lentils

1 tbsp. tomato paste

2 peeled, cubed potatoes

19 oz. can tomatoes

1 cup frozen peas

1/4 cup sour cream

Heat oil in Dutch oven and cook onions, garlic and celery until softened about 5 minutes. Add salt, pepper, turmeric, cumin, cinnamon and ginger. Cook, stirring often for another 2 minutes. Add water, lentils, tomato paste, potatoes, and tomatoes. Break up tomatoes with a spoon. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 35 minutes. Add peas and simmer until veggies and potatoes are tender which is about 10 minutes. Ladle into bowls. Put a dollop of sour cream on each and serve. 

This made enough for the two of us to have three meals each, plus there will probably be leftovers for lunch.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Thrifty Tuesday

Today I visited the dentist for my every 4 months cleaning and since I was out and about decided to do all my errands as well. This will help with my trying to save by not spending, and wear/tear on my vehicle. Also because we will be having a carbon tax added to various items it will help save fuel. In fact I am seriously considering buying one of those collapsible shopping carts so I can walk to get groceries every week (this would help with weight loss as well).

Planted some seeds for starters this week. Some are even breaking through already.

Found some more yarn to use in the making of prayer shawls for the next couple of months. Slowly but surely the yarn stash is disappearing. Hopefully I will have it under control very soon.

Making my own salads instead of buying the bagged salads. I get way more and am enjoying them a great deal.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

I am already making a switch around in order to use up some items in the fridge today.

Monday

First switch around. Today we will finish off the ham/scalloped potato casserole I made on Saturday. Served with a salad and it should fill us right up nicely.

Tuesday

Mushroom meatballs served over noodles with peas and perhaps a kale salad.

Wednesday

Soup and sandwiches. I may just make the lentil soup I have been craving for awhile.

Thursday

Leftover meatballs and noodles along with salad.

Friday

Tuna casserole and a tossed salad.

Saturday

Leftover ham warmed up. I think I may just make a potato salad to go along with it (not the season really for potato salad but I would really like some).

Sunday

Beef roast, mashed potatoes, and corn. May as well finish off any of the salads that are left as well.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.