Foodstuff and Homemaking Favourites

Today I am inspired by Becky to record some of the food and shopping choices that we are enjoying right now. 

From our garden and farm:
- free range chicken - still plenty in the freezer to get us through the summer
- Pigeon Lake whitefish - both fresh frozen and smoked
- garden peas, beans, corn and tomatoes
- saskatoons and raspberries from our bushes
- zucchini and beet relish, raspberry jam, rhubarb chutney, dill pickles, canned tomatoes, 4 kinds of salsa, sauerkraut and spaghetti sauce
- pumpkin and squash, still a few fresh ones hanging around
- potatoes, beets and carrots
- applesauce and apple pies

On the shelves of the pantry:
- canned peaches, pears and apricots from a trip to BC

In the freezer from Bob's BC fishing trip:
- a few packages of frozen halibut
- 2 salmon steaks

Items I bake or make from scratch:
- whole wheat buns
- squares, cakes and cookies
- granola

Purchased locally from farmers we know:
- beef
- pork

Purchased in bulk from Rancho Vignola:
- nuts including walnuts, pecans, almonds, pumpkin and sunflower seeds
- coconut
- raisins and dried cranberries

Things I buy at Costco:
- Parmesan and jalapeno Havarti cheese
- steelhead trout
- hemp and chia seeds
- coconut water for smoothies
- coconut oil
- fresh spinach
- thin raisin bagels
- flour and sugar
- chocolate chips
- nacho chips and popcorn
- mixed salted nuts
- coffee

Groceries from Superstore or No Frills:
- most fresh produce, including lettuce, peppers, cucumbers, herbs, apples, oranges, bananas, grapes and lemons
- milk, cheeses and butter
- President's Choice Lemon Greek Yogurt
- canned goods
- frozen Cheemo perogies
- crackers
- mayonnaise and other condiments

Special treats from Safeway:
- fresh flowers
- organic carrots (when ours are used up)
- Stash teas
- ice cream

There it is - a little glimpse into where our food comes from these days!

Lists of 2012 - #45

Listography 2012 - #45 - Things I've Spent Money on This Week

1.  Beads for Life necklaces and bracelets

2.  Sunday offering

3.  Christmas gift at Canadian Tire

4.  Candy canes for Christmas baking

5.  Milk, yogurt, bananas, oranges - groceries

6.  Magazine subscriptions

7.  Fresh ginger for chai mix

8.  Almonds to make poppycock

9.  Developing pictures at Costco

10.  Amaryllis bulbs for Christmas gifts

11.  Stamps to mail some letters

12.  Gift to Compassion for our sponsor child in Brazil

Things I'm Loving This Summer

Just wanted to share a few things I've found lately that I love!

1.  These soaps from Bath and Body Works are favourites on our bathroom counter this summer.  Bob loves how they clean up his greasy hands so easily and I love the delicious smells!  They have some yummy new pumpkin ones for fall.

2.  Buying footwear is a nightmare for me so I was thrilled when I found a Soft Moc store in Southgate Mall last week.  These lovely cork sandals are so comfortable and they were really affordable (kind of a Birkestock knockoff, I think).  Our daughter has a navy pair that I've been admiring all summer :)  I'm going to shop there again when the winter stock comes in.  

3.  I've long been a fan of Burt's Bees products and their lip shimmer sticks are my go-to for lipsticks.  I've given some of the tinted lip balm as gifts and I'm looking forward to trying it myself.  I love all of their products!

4.  This body lotion is my new fave,  thanks to my Aunt who gave me some earlier this summer.  

5.  Cute clothes for little girls going into grade 1 are in most shops now!

Shopping for Shoes

Clark's Domino Pip Sandal - what do you think???

Deal of the Week!

For the grand total of $15.80 yesterday at Fabricland, I scored 7.9 metres of these fabrics!  It was "buy one remnant, get 3 free" day :))  Can you guess which one I started with?  And other than that one, I really have no plans for the others - yet!  The lengths range from .7 metres all the way up to 2 metres.

And in other shopping news, after today, I think I am swearing off going to the mall!  It was not very productive - but it probably would have been better if I'd known what I was looking for.  I did much better at the book store, the fabric store and the thrift store!

Ten on Tuesday

1. I had a busy but delightful day subbing in grade one today. They are so eager and so willing to do whatever is asked of them at this stage. And the highlight of their day was a visit from Super Hero Zero because it was day 20 of the school year.

2. I got some pictures developed today. It's always a big treat to open the envelope and see how they look. Digital imaging is great but I still like to hold my memories in my hand.

3. The crockpot very nicely cooked an Italian Beef Roast today - such a nice smell as I walked in the door.

4. Are you tired of hearing about the economy, the stock market and all the accompanying woes yet?!

5. Alphabet Soup - Morning Glory at Seeds From My Garden is hosting again and I missed last week so I'm doing B and C today.



These B things make me happy:

Bible - I have a travel one that goes with me and I love to read it often

blueberries - I could eat them everyday - and it's a bonus that they are so healthy too

Beijing memories - especially after watching the Olympics this summer

bread - in many forms and flavours

brothers - I have two and I am proud of them

Bob - my husband and life partner

birds - especially colorful ones that sing songs

brunch buffets - I love the choices and eating later in the morning

blogging - the photography and writing that I am inspired to do and especially the friends I've made through this new hobby

And these 'C" things make me happy too!

children - we are blessed to have four and the joy and happiness they have brought to our lives is immeasurable

cinnamon - I love it in baking, potpourri or candles

candles - especially on a winter or fall evening -I love the light and the fragrance

Canada - I am proud to live in such a beautiful and peaceful country

chai tea - it's my favourite hot drink, especially from Starbucks

clothes - not so much for me but definitely for our grandchildren

crackers and cheese - one of my favourite snacks

camping and the truck camper we bought earlier this year - this is the first summer we really did much camping and it was marvelous - I hope there are many more outings to come

computers - I do love the myriad things that can be accomplished with these technological wonders, even though I don't understand them very well at all

cherries - one of my absolute favourite summer fruits!

chocolate - especially things like chocolate covered almonds and brownies!!

camera - it's never far away and I don't leave home without it - ever!

Wow - that's obviously a popular letter in my life :))

6. One of the bloggers I have the pleasure of reading regularly is Mary at Owlhaven. Please pop over and visit this mom of 10, including children adopted from Korea and Ethiopia. She's just finished 30 days of frugal living, where she fed her family on a very fixed budget for the month.

7. It's wonderful how many beautiful colored leaves are still on the trees here. Usually we've had a big wind by now and they've all blown off but we are very lucky this year. It's going to be quite bleak when they all fall off.

8. I'm busy looking for recipes and ideas for Thanksgiving dinner. There are so many tasty ones around online or in magazines. Along with these thoughts, I'm reminded how many in our world do not enjoy the abundance that we do.

Lord, - please keep me mindful of the needs of others and remind me to willingly share what we have, all of which is provided by you.

9. Baby Gap has some very cute clothes, including Halloween onesies! I got Silas a blue one with a bear on it that says Born to Be Wild (but I can't find it online).




10. Happy Last Day of September to you! It's one of my favourite months.