Tuesday Tidbits and Stuff

 It has been a week of waiting, wondering, and trying not to go a bit crazy. Today, I finally got the call for my appointment for the CT scan the doctor requested. It will take place in three weeks, so a month from beginning the process. Hope that it shows nothing wrong with my lungs or lung. 

Today I went out and weeded the first tier of the perennial bed, lots of lilies beginning to show their heads, and the hydrangea is putting out more shoots. I had thought the poor hydrangea did not make it through our very cold winter this year. Then, as I worked my way around the circle, I found that the Blazing Star bulbs were sending up shoots as well. Still, there is lots of room to add more perennials to that tier. The second tier will be weeded tomorrow when my back feels a bit more up to it. 

The Black Eyed Pea soup I made yesterday was a failure. Thank heavens there really wasn't much of it so what was disposed of wasn't even enough for a bowlful. I will try something different with the next batch of black eyed peas I make up. Perhaps a curry. 

On to some disappointing news weather wise. We are supposed to be getting loads of rain starting tonight, and continuing most of the weekend. In fact the forecast is saying freezing temperatures and of all things snow!!! I am hoping that does not happen and am very thankful I have not gotten my plants put out yet. This could also mean a very wet and miserable day out at the Highland Festival. There are some activities taking place in tents, so perhaps we will be just spending a very short time at the festival, and missing some of the outdoor activities. We shall see. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Monday Menu

 While this week has started off really warm, but things are going to get much cooler as the week progresses. I do hope for nice weather while we are visiting Kris and attending the Highland Festival in Regina.

Monday

Black Eyed Pea Soup and Chicken salad wraps.

Tuesday

Leftover roast pork made into a stir fry. Served with rice.

Wednesday

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

Thursday

Leftovers from Tuesday.

Friday

I will take salmon fillets with us to visit Kris, he will more than likely try and BBQ them. Probably take the leftover salad with as well. 

Saturday

I think we should pick up some chicken on the way home from the Festival.

Sunday

Now this meal depends if we are home or not. If still visiting with Kris, he can supply the meal. If home I will make Baked spaghetti and probably coleslaw.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 

It is another really warm day here in Southeast Saskatchewan. Not going to complain as closer to next weekend, night time temperatures could reach lows of 0 or 1C. The house is extremely hot by the evening so I am sitting typing this with a fine coating of sweat on the body. 

Mass was a bit shorter than I expected and that was great. We got home and Harvey made us breakfast which was yummy. I also got a lovely pink carnation from the parish. 

Later tonight when it cools down a bit I plan to go out and pick some tulips to add to the tablescape. 

I did not do any real work on projects today, probably because it is so warm, and getting the coat finished yesterday took a great deal out of me. I will be knitting though and each time that happens I get just a bit closer to finishing that project. Maybe even finished this project before we go to Regina. I could be starting the next knitting project, the blanket for Kurt's friend. Oh to finish it before Kurt comes home as well, could be rid of three blankets that are taking up counter space in the sewing/craft room. 

Shopping went well yesterday and I managed to save almost $50.00 on purchasing sale items. I did get some meat items at very good sale prices, well considering the sale prices are now pretty much what the regular prices were a few years ago.

Rising costs are playing havoc with the budget, and Harvey's second partial plate cost more than the first one. I hope that we can stand the heat a bit longer as I so want to save money on the air conditioning. The longer we can go without, the better it will be on the bank account. Thus making it easier to pay off those items that were totally unexpected that needed to be purchased. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

 

I promised you all some pictures of the items I have managed to complete so far. 

My newest nightgown. A quick and simple sewing project.

The finished (well kind of as it needs another really good pressing) jacket. 

And lastly the gathering of the blocks for the next flimsy. Thinking seriously about surrounding each block with a bright colour, thus getting rid of some more cut strips as well.

Lastly a picture of our pear tree. This is the most blossoms we have ever had on this tree.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Friday Simplify

 

In the way of simplifying my life, and the fact that I doubt very much my back will take a real big planting time, I will be trying to do less container planting of flowers. Harvey, has really cut down on the garden, and is trying to get me to cut back on flowers as well. 

I really like having lots of colour in the yard, but he is right. So this year I am going to concentrate on getting more perennials into the circular bed, on herbs and medicinal plants, and perhaps do a few containers of things like carrots, cherry tomatoes, and lettuce. 

Also I am going to refuse to purchase craft items or fabric until I use up what I already have in stock. There are times I feel like I have a yarn and fabric store in my sewing/craft room and will never be able to use everything up. I am doing better though so that is a plus. So many projects to get done, and there never seems to be enough time to do them and enjoy the outside. I was thinking of starting to spin using a drop spindle, but man I have enough hobbies, so adding one more would be detrimental to my mental health. I will stick to quilting (simple patterns), sewing, knitting, embroidery, counted cross stitch, using my Cricut, and weaving. 

I noticed the dandelions are poking their heads out so it is time to collect the flowers to make salve this year. I need to get some shea butter ordered. Probably more containers as well.

Hmmm, doesn't really sound like simplifying does it?

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty And Frugal Thursday

Thrifty and Frugal  

It is really warm in the house today, even with some windows open, however I am refusing to turn the air conditioning on until the furnace stops kicking in at around 3 in the morning. I will open a few more windows in a bit to see if I can lower the temperature a bit before starting supper. 

Now what frugal and thrifty things have I been up to this week. 

1.  Drapes washed and hung on the lines outside to dry.

2.  Since Monday was not a nice day, I hung as much of the laundry as possible on the lines in the basement.

3.  Used the chicken bones and some drippings saved from the roast chicken to make broth today.

4.  Walked a few times this week for frugal exercise. 

5.  Made some croutons from bread cubes I had saved from the tiny bits of leftover bread.

6.  I now have two delphiniums growing to plant out in the perennial bed. 

7.  Used saved water to water my lemon trees, the delphinium and the cacti. 

8.  Used up all leftovers in other meals. Usually lunches. 

9.  Cleaning some jars once empty to use as storage jars. 

10. Reading free books on my ereader. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Midweek, New Plans

 Life is good, the weather is so much better today and the plants are back out to harden off. Harvey has most of the garden seeds planted, the tender bedding plants will be put out later. Though I think he said he planted tomato and pepper plants. He only planted two tomatoes so I think I just may pick up a cherry tomato and a Roma tomato to see how those grow. I know he is trying to keep me from having to work too hard harvesting, but really I do love to process items from our harvests. 

My jacket lining was wrong for some reason, or at least I think perhaps the pattern pieces were wrongly made. I have done a few alterations and some changes in my plans on how I am going to finish the sleeves. It means a bit more hand stitching, but that is fine. 

Drapes are all washed and rehung so I can safely say my spring cleaning is done is done for another year. I think that doing the extra cleaning list every month really helps with those big cleaning months that happen twice a year. Also I have asked Harvey to take the doors off so I can repaint them this summer, and the cupboard doors actually need to be refinished so another summer task to complete. 

Stretching out the time between large shopping trips. I hope to continue to do so and save even more to pay for various large expenditures that have hit this month and a couple of the previous months. Surprisingly Harvey's second partial plate cost more than the first one, and to make matters worse he is having trouble wearing it. He says it hurts..... 

I made bagels today, but they did not turn out. Me being me, I will not give up. I will probably try to do them again next week. Not going to waste these, but I will hope they toast and taste better. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.