Saturday 31 December 2016

At year's end

Vestiges of my time living in Japan still remain with me and one of those is the inner urge to do a complete clean of my house, my car and me before midnight on the 31st December.   You can imagine how busy the past few days have been!!  Now it is almost midnight and the fireworks will soon begin, so a ‘clean me’ is off to sleep in my clean house :-)
And my final "job" for 2016 was to add up and average my food bill spend.   Did you hear the happy dance?   I managed to reduce the weekly average by $4.09.   So for the past four years I have been able to continuously reduce the supermarket spend -  a total weekly average reduction of around $50. The DBEM was impressed and then said "I didn't think you were trying so hard this year" which kind of popped my balloon a little.   I am pleased and will definitely try again in 2017.   What has helped is doing a bulk shop every 5 to 6 weeks and only getting a few fresh fruit and vegetables each week.   This has been a huge saving on time and has made me very strict about writing a menu then a shopping list and sticking to it.   
I’ve not had time for a lot of stitching these past few days as the DBEM has needed a lot of help with her knitting.   Today we counted up the garments she (and I) have made in the nine months since April – a happy total of 25.   Several of these need buttons so I have promised her a trip to the button store next week but I do want to get my sewing done too.  
So the Quaker Christmas Sampler has not had much attention.   Here’s a progress shot -  I’m working on page four and trying to get to the top of the sampler.   She looks like an unbalanced Angel of the North although possibly a little prettier.  The remainder of the left wing is on page three!   I am tiring of the nearly monotone colouration of this so when page four is finished will have a break and stitch on something else.   Next post I hope to show you my “want to stitch” list for 2017

Meanwhile Happy New Year and thanks to all for reading my little blog.

13 comments:

Pamela said...

Happy New Year!

Sheryl said...

I wish I could get more organized, especially with supermarket shopping and bulk buying, very sensible. Pretty stitching Margaret. Happy New Year to you and your mum.

Anonymous said...

Oshogatsu omedetou gozaimasu!

Ann at Beadlework. said...

Happy New Year Margaret. It's always a pleasure to "stop by" and catch up with what you've been busy with:-)

Grace said...

Wishing you and the DBEM a very Happy 2017!

Heritage Hall said...

Brava, Margaret, on your ambitious pursuits and accomplishments at the end of 2016. Nothing quite like squeaky clean. You have mastered the
budget monster... onward and upward.
Wishing you and the DBEM a glorious and rewarding 2017.....

Kristen said...

Happy New Year Margaret!

Ann said...

A very happy New Year to you, Margaret! I enjoy hearing of your adventures with DBEM and love looking at your projects.

Queeniepatch said...

It is a very special feeling to welcome the new year in a clean house and body. Most people change their toothbrush and get some fresh towels too for the new year.
Wishing you all the best for 2017.
Happy Stitching.

Jocelyn is Canadian Needle Nana said...

Wow, I'm impressed with your organized meal planning and shopping. I'm sure being mindful like that aids the savings. I'll look forward to your list of projects for 2017; speaking of which, hope it is the most wonderful year for you!

Chris said...

Happy New Year to you and your mum and what ever you chose to stitch will be beautifully stitched.

Mary - Lecoeurceltique said...

Happy New Year to you. You've made good progress on your Quaker Christmas Sampler. I also write a weekly menu and then my shopping list. It cuts out on wastage.

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

I see the DBEM has lost a couple of letters! Maybe she meant that the food has been plentiful and good quality this year?
Gorgeous sampler too.