Month End

It is so hard to believe that summer is almost over. The fact is we are just starting to get summer-like weather. Today we reached a temperature of 32 C but it felt like 37 C outside. This is more what we are used to in the month of July.

The monthly budget was entered and even with the buying of the laptop we are still under budget for the month. I am especially happy that we were under budget for groceries. However, a stock up is in order during August (don't know when I will be having surgery...still, and I have no idea how long recovery will be, I want to be prepared for any and all eventualities). This usually means a very high grocery spend for the month.

While I did get all the extra cleaning done, I am afraid there are lots of little things left on my goal list. I moved them to the upcoming month, and only added a couple of small items. Small items added are mostly those Christmas projects that I want done and dusted well before that holiday arrives. There is one big project that will have to wait until I manage to get the supplies (during the stock up trip).

I managed to knit up all that leftover fingering weight yarn into 4" squares. Those will be sewn together in the evenings once I get some Christmas knitting done. Still not too sure what they will become though.

Decluttering is moving right along. As of today 333 items are no longer in the house. I am hoping to reach 500 again this year. Each year it seems to get a bit harder to part with things, but I will get it done. Downsizing and simplifying are my mantra for the next few years (probably much longer).

Harvesting of the garden is slow. I have been harvesting herbs and dehydrating them. This will be ongoing until the herbs no longer seem to be growing. We have also eaten onions, kale and the occasional strawberry that the birds have missed in their gluttony (wouldn't mind so much if they didn't peck a bit and leave). Harvey ate a few of the cherries off our new trees before the birds got all of them. Think some netting might work next year while the trees are still fairly small.

Kurt and Kris were home and it was wonderful having some time with the two of them. We get to see Kris quite often as he is only a couple of hours away and we do our stock up shop in that city. Kurt on the other hand lives 9 hours away so our visits are few and far between. The next time we will be lucky enough to have the two of them home at the same time will be Thanksgiving. Only a few months away, but still will miss having them around before then.


Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Tuesday

I am afraid that for about a week, thrift kind of took a back seat. We did have a few thrifty moves however.

Kurt trimmed the small branches off the trees (could not convince him to climb on the roof to cut the bigger ones down). The branches have been added to the wood pile to use in starting the fire pit come time they have seasoned.

Kris helped with the moving over of files and such to the new computer. He even taught me a few things that will enable me to continue the movement of files. Harvey had bought a blue tooth speaker awhile back and when it didn't work on his TV downstairs put it away. The speaker was hauled out and Kris got it to work on the laptop!! I can now listen to music that I have downloaded.

Supper on Sunday was a package of ham from the fridge freezer, diced and added to rice, peas, mushrooms and cheese. A can of creamed soup was added for moisture (along with a bit of water). Baked in the oven it made a lovely casserole. Best thing, we had leftovers of this the next night and it was made with only 3 thickly cut 1/2 slices of ham (I grabbed the wrong package out of the freezer).

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

Monday

Soup and sandwiches. Something easy of course.

Tuesday

Spaghetti and meat sauce. I will make a salad to go along with this.

Wednesday

Baked spaghetti to use up the leftovers. Salad as well. The leftovers will be frozen and used later in the week.

Thursday

A new month!! Leftover chicken from the fridge freezer. Not sure if this will be a casserole, creamed chicken on toast, or a chef's salad. Everything depends on the temperature outside.

Friday

Breakfast for supper. Most likely pancakes as we both love them and there is maple syrup to use up.

Saturday

Leftover Baked spaghetti and garlic bread. Veggies and dip as well.

Sunday

Back to a roast meal. This time it will be Roast Pork along with roasted in the same pan veggies. I could use the Instant Pot for this meal though and then it will be mashed potatoes and mixed veggies done on the stove top.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

All is quiet in the house, bit of clean up though after Kris and Kurt disappeared home or to visit friends over the last couple of days.

Yesterday Harvey and Kris traveled to Walmart to look at futons. Came home with one as well (why Kris could not buy one in Regina is beyond my understanding) and Kris now has it set up in his apartment livingroom. No thanks to the directions however as they were in French and Spanish. Thank heavens for pictures. I will have to text him later this week and find out how comfortable it really is. I am just happy that he finally has more than a recliner to sit on. Next I told him he needs to get end tables, and perhaps a coffee table.

I managed a bit of harvesting over the past few days. Still the garden is not really producing like it has other years. I am keeping my fingers crossed that things start coming very soon. I may be spending some money at the Farmer's Market this year.

Yesterday evening we traveled out to the small village that was Harvey's home for his growing up years and my home once Mom and Dad bought the bar/hotel and I married.

Four of the six brothers managed to get together. Here they are all enjoying the Saskatchewan Roughrider game. 

Us ladies were upstairs talking and having a glass of wine.

I looked at my goals list for this month and I am flabbergasted. While I have managed to complete most if not all the extra cleaning chores, I am afraid my goal list is relatively untouched. I do have a few more days so I am hoping to be able to stroke off a few of those as well. Otherwise they will be added to next months goals.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Frugal Friday

Quick post as to what has been happening on the old homestead of a frugal nature.

1.  Leftovers are being used up quickly. Kurt and Kris quite often have anything left for their lunches.

2.  Decluttered more of the desk, getting ready for the transfer to the sewing room once the new one arrives.

3.  Supper out, but we had a coupon (thank heavens as the cost of meals was higher than I was used to).

4.  Harvested banana peppers, kale and rhubarb from the garden.

5.  Baked buns, and a pie (the pie was made with items from the freezer and fridge).

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Full House

Just like the old T.V. series our house will be full come tomorrow night.

Both of our sons will be home together for a day or two. Then Kurt will be leaving to go to a friends place for a bit, Kris will leave the next day for his apartment in Regina and the house will be empty once again.

I love having both of them home at the same time. The interplay between them is something to see. Kurt still treats Kris like his little brother, and Kris still tries to get Kurt riled up (even succeeds sometimes).

So because of the family time I will be sneaking a bit of computer time, and you might not see a post from me (then again you never know) for a day or two.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Menu Monday

A new week and new menus.

Monday

BBQ smokies, tinfoil potatoes/onions, and some sliced raw veggies. I don't know when our oldest will be driving up so will hold off on making this as long as I can.

Tuesday

Hot beef sandwiches, homemade fries, and more sliced raw veggies or a kale salad.

Wednesday

We will be going out for supper for Harvey's birthday. I am classing this as our monthly dinner out as well.

Thursday

Clean out the fridge if there is anything left (oldest son can eat). If not I plan on making a chef's salad and using up some of the roast chicken and ham from the fridge freezer.

Friday

Tuna pasta salad and homemade biscuits or perhaps buns (depends on the temperature of the day).

Saturday

Chicken burgers, cabbage slaw, and perhaps some baked beans.

Sunday

Leftover pasta salad or some ham taken out of the fridge freezer and warmed up. If it is the ham I will serve it with the remaining slaw and scalloped potatoes (made in the microwave).

I hope to get a few things baked today so we have some desserts while Kurt is home. Since Kris is hopefully coming home this weekend desserts will be a good thing.

Everybody have a wonderful day. 

God bless.