Happy Sunday to all. I hope this finds you all well.
It is a beautiful morning here. It seems like a spring morning instead of a fall morn. 60* at the moment and the sun is shining and the birds are singing. Going up into the mid 70's again today.
We have had some lovely weather this week after starting cold. It is amazing to be able to have the heat off and the windows open for such a stretch of time - this time of the year. I think we again have set some new records with weather.
Last Sunday and again on Monday I must have had 100+ sparrows in the yard. The ground looked to be moving with them. It was pretty amazing. You know I have lots of squirrels, but there are a couple that are just downright FAT! (can't imagine why - lol). My neighbor made the comment that it is amazing the run and play at such speed! My back handrail is 4" wide and they cover it when sitting there. There are plenty of little ones as well - but my goodness a couple are big.
Picture doesn't do it justice - this is one hefty squirrel!!!
This week:
- Made a pot of "stewp". Veggie/hamburger soup but the consistency of stew.
- Laundry in cold and hung laundry in basement and outside
- Made my own root beer a couple times - soda stream for carbonation and sassafras for flavor
- Renewed library books online
- Got the remainder if the garden cleaned out
- Flipped all the cushions on the couch for a firmer sit!
- Turned off heat and opened windows a lot.
- Only time out this week was to vote, post office and to my brothers for a quick visit. (all one trip)
- Got all my Christmas stamps and enough others for well into next year
- My brother was gifted a bunch of fresh dug turnips and he shared with me and sis. I love raw turnips with salt (not so much cooked). I took SIL the ads (they don't get for some reason) as they had a lot of specials on things that I knew they were wanting to stock up on. We keep each other informed on our prepping!
- Been cleaning and clearing more in the flower beds
- Froze 5 individual containers of 'stewp' for future use
- Removed the mailbox cover that had really faded this summer - and removed all the magnets from it to re-use before trashing
- Have been reading lots and lots of cookbooks (holiday ones)
- A friend sent me a coupon for B1G1 coupon on cat food
- Stayed out of the stores this week
- Spent time finding some old family recipes that my SIL and sis wanted.
- Raked leaves and put them on the garden a couple days ago - today you can't tell I raked!
- Used all leftovers in new ways
- Just doing all the regular normal stuff
Meals this past week:
Soup/'stewp'
Smothered mac - macaroni covered in thickened soup and sour cream/cheese
Smoked sausage, mashed potatoes and sliced tomato
Potato cakes, tuna patty and side salad
Super loaded burger - topped with thinly sliced ham and cheese (oh my)
Chicken and rice with broccoli
Cheesy potatoes with beef
How was your week? Are you counting down to Thanksgiving and/or Christmas? It won't be long on either. I have been trying to come up with some more gift giving ideas from the kitchen.
Did you stay on the frugal train this week?
Take care my friends. May you stay safe and healthy through the coming days.
Blessings from my humble little home to yours.
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Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; be not frightened, neither be dismayed; for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9
Amen
The chili on top of macaroni with sour cream looks great! I may try that with leftovers.
ReplyDeleteAlways a hit and tasty. Chili, stew, you name it.
DeleteI agree, that smothered mac topped w/cheese and sour cream looks delicious, Cheryl. But the hamburger soup sounds good too I have ground beef thawing for today, so I might make that.
ReplyDeleteI think that is my favorite type of soup - really. It has everything and it is easy and cost effective.
DeleteWe've had the same sort of weather here - just in from a drive and a walk along the lake - in the 70's!!!! It's to stay like this for the next few days so everyone is out walking and hitting the few patios that are still open. The Fall colours are also still gorgeous - it has been a spectacular Fall.
ReplyDeleteI haven't done a big shop this week, just some milk, bread and a bit of fruit & veg. My big treat for the week was making it to the St. Lawrence Market on Friday where I bought some of my favourite cheese - a Gouda with chestnuts & mushrooms and then a new one done with walnuts!
I had bangers & mash twice this week, ham & assorted veg for another 2 nights, fish & chips and a sandwich night with cheese & apples. I had baked a poppyseed coffee cake so that was this week's sweet treat.
Got to just this weather. Glad you are still getting out to walk. Your meals sound good.
DeleteMany leaves here are still hanging on the trees and they are just such vibrant colors.
I love Gouda cheese - I get a smoky version that is one of my favorites. like cheese - but gouda is a fav!
Have a good one
I foraged a rucksack full of windfall apples while out on my walk yesterday. Made baked apple pancakes for pudding yesterday, apple scones this morning then sat and prepped most of the rest and they are in the slow cooker overnight. Am hoping to make apple butter which will be a first. Your meals sound good. I love the fat squirrel.
ReplyDeleteThat was a great windfall. SO many items made from them. My they all sound so good. I hope you enjoy the apple butter - I think it is very good.
DeleteHow to say this.....we had a fat squirrel years ago who was a real hussy. I found my elementary age children all lined up at the big bay window in our kitchen watching as she entertained every male in the neighborhood on our deck railing. 'Mommy, what is that squirrel doing?' Ahem.....let's get back to your school work kids! (Now that you have had a science lesson.) Hubby finally had to do away with her as this was a daily occurrence for awhile.
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh out loud reading that. What a floozy! My females usually play hard to get - and the males go out of their way fluffing up and chasing.
DeleteThat was a definite science lesson!!
Harvey likes his chili with toast. Me, well I like mine the way you did yours.
ReplyDeleteBirds are hiding here today, it is a day of freezing rain, low temperatures, and a coming snow storm.
God bless.
I am a pasta lover. Anything over pasta is good to me.
DeleteSome days that happens here - you hardly see a bird or a squirrel. I guess we are all the same - not liking snow, cold and rain!
Blessings to you
Another fantastic morning! We are going to be outside as much as we can. Have a couple loads of laundry to do and they will go on the line.
ReplyDeleteYour chili looks yummy on top of the pasta shells. Years ago my go-to chili recipe was Cincinnati chili (which is like Skyline, except better). It was always served on top of pasta with chopped onions and cheese on top. Everybody has their own special recipe for chili. The Urban Farmer's mother made hers with tomato juice and it was very "watery". He prefers his without pasta and I love some sort of pasta with chili.
The Urban Farmer made a taco soup that turned out to be a stoup! He prefers soup to be soup so we had it on baked potatoes yesterday. I hard cooked eggs and made deviled eggs for the company my daughter was having over for late lunch. She called last evening and said the boys ate every single one. I should have made them a wacky cake with chocolate frosting. I bet they would have cleaned it up too.
We are just now getting around to breakfast. Poached eggs with hash browns sound good. The Urban Farmer made a multi-grain sourdough bread and it makes really good toast.
Enjoy your day. I enjoy visiting with you!
The squirrel story was funny! Real life science lesson.
Going to make some chicken salad to scoop on top of a green salad.
Have some eggs left so I'll prepare those for us.
The pic above is actually my stew like veggie soup over pasta - but I do the same with chili.
DeleteI need to make some hard boiled eggs - that sounds good.
It is a gorgeous day for sure. Plan on doing more yard work.
I went out this morning at 6AM to the kitties all saying 'good morning' - the birds were starting to sing, the air smelled fresh and the sky was beautiful. Another t-short day!
Enjoy the weather!
Oh I wish we had your weather, the snow is still falling here but at least we didn't get the 10-12 inches they were calling for. Less than half of that was enough for me.
ReplyDeleteThose squirrels sure know a good place when they see one. Take care, and stay well!
S - N - O - W - nasty 4 letter word in my opinion. It is amazing that something that can be so pretty can cause so much grief!!
DeleteYep the squirrely's know where the buffet is!
Stay safe and warm.
What a beautiful sunset picture! Makes me think, God's in His heaven, all's right with the world.
ReplyDeleteYour fat squirrel makes me laugh. So cute.
Your steep sounds good. Love the name.
Hope you have a good week.
Well autocorrect changed "stewp" and I noticed it too late :)
DeleteFaith in God is my main stay at this time. He sure is a great artist!
DeleteI Know - I see things after I hit the send button. Grrrr
Have a good one.
That sunset pic is glorious...and love the pic of the squirrel...she does look healthy!
ReplyDeleteWe have had so many pretty sunsets lately. They sure are healthy little buggers!! LOL
DeleteI love Chili Mac!!! Gonna have to make some. I was recently reminded of "Russian Tea" mix for cozy gift-giving. If you don't already have the recipe, I'll list it:
ReplyDelete3/4 C Instant Tea
1-2/3 C Tang
1-1/4 C sugar (adjustable)
2 tsp Cinnamon
1-2 tsp cloves
Mix dry ingredients together and store in airtight container :p
Oh thank you so much!!! I need to make some.
DeleteThat would make a great gift.
my pleasure, Cheryl! Love and hugs~
Delete