Happy Halloween!!!

 

I put these decorations up awhile ago and good thing because it is storming today!  What a cozy, creepy Halloween!  Supposedly it is supposed to clear off by afternoon and the sun will come out just in time for the Trick or Treaters!  We don't get trick or treaters anymore plus I'm in bed early..lol!  Last night I watched Hocus Pocus 2 on Disney and tonight I plan on watching Practical Magic on Prime Video.

My doctor appointment Monday went well.  I am now taking Plavix, a blood thinner and so far no more "episodes"...PTL!  My doctor also called a cardiovascular surgeon for me to see for a consult.  So, all is well and I feel great.  I'm in good hands!

I'll be back tomorrow to show you some crafty goodness and a new crochet project!

I hope you all have a safe and happy Halloween!

Happy Trails!!!

Takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'!!!

 Okay....my favorite month has been taken up with events other than Fall festivities!  This week I was up and going to take my walk when all of a sudden I  had double vision.  It finally went away after about 10 minutes and I thought of going ahead and taking my walk but then I thought to myself....."Sam....you're 75 years old and at that age you need to pay attention to things that are telling you something isn't right"....so I thought better of taking my walk and called the doctor instead.  The nurse told me it might be a mini-stroke so I should go over to the hospital because my doctor was on duty there anyway.  I went and had blood tests and a CT scan of my aorta and my brain.  Anyway, I was there a long time and in the end my blood tests were fine but my blood pressure was over 200 and my heart was fine but the double vision was caused by a blockage of blood to my brain.  So, I dodged a bullet there but not getting blood to my brain is not a good thing.  So, I am to take a baby aspirin daily and it's funny as I used to for years and then my other doctor told me it doesn't do any good and to stop.  I go back in Monday to see if I need to go on blood thinners.  Friday night I felt off-balance like I was on a rolling ship...not dizzy.  I went to put something on my closet shelf and fell backwards against the wall and scraped my arm on the door frame.  But nothing broke....I am a lucky son-of-a-gun.  Now I know why older people talk about their illnesses and operations.....that's what getting older is all about!  But in my case, it could have been worse.  The gal next to me in the hospital did have a stroke and thank goodness it only affected her speech and that was returning. 

But other than that I had a productive week.  I've gotten all my shots now including RSV.  I had my regular doctor appointment, and went grocery shopping and dropped off a load to the thrift store.  I finished the Halloween ornaments for the grands and forgot to take a picture of them and the cute treats I made them but here are the ones I made for my tree...........the treats were just rice krispie treats with edible eyeballs on them.........

    

I also finished my hat but that project was a hot mess.....lol!  I used circular needles thus the reason I didn't have purl bumps on both sides and then somehow I switched and started knitting on the wrong side....not enough blood to the brain evidently....that may be why I forgot your birthday Connie!

Anyway, it's done and just in time for the cold weather...it's just for me so I don't feel so bad about the mistakes.....it's really not that bright of a red....and it has other shades of red throughout.......

My Fall/Halloween project is Autumn in Hawk Run Hollow......I've just started it and it is HUGE!!!

I've only got the top border outlined so far.......I'll show you the progress on my other projects next week...

The colors this Fall have been gorgeous and the weather too.  We finally got some rain on Friday and it was needed and appreciated!  There's more rain coming the end of next week.  I don't like it to get too dry around here with all the woods and the dry leaves but so far so good.

The birds are having a hay day at the bird feeder...downy woodpecker and the BIG woodpecker,  cardinals, sparrows, chickadees (my favorites....so cute), several others that I don't know what they are and purple finches.  I haven't seen a gold finch yet but they usually come around too.  Of course, there are the big birds...like the Blue Jay and crows but they rarely come to the feeder....I think they're too big.

 

I'm reading the last series of the Ann Hazelwood books about Missouri Wine Country and in addition to  news and needlework podcasts, I'm watching Doc Martin.

I hope you are all doing well and enjoying this beautiful time of year.

Happy Trails!!!
 
 

Busy, busy, busy and I'm slow.........

 What a month so far!  Lots of excitement but not all the good kind.  First of all Sam had Homecoming......this is his junior year already....this is his girlfriend, Lanai.  They make a cute couple and they are both really good students.....

Then Grayson went on his first canoe trip to Minnesota and loved it.  But when he got home he and Sam went fishing and this happened...........a fish hook in his eyelid.....missed his eye PTL!!!  He had to go to the University of Iowa hospital for surgery but all is well and his eye was never touched....whew....that was a close call.  Sam felt terrible but Grayson admitted it was his fault....he knew better than to be behind someone casting.....

Then my washing machine (only 1 1/2 years old) started washing for 1 hour and 36 minutes instead of the usual 53 minute cycle.  So they came out but couldn't fix it and had to call Whirlpool and would come back.  Then the dishwasher finally bit the dust after about 50 years!  It was a Kitchen Aide and wonderful. I got a Maytag (still owned by Whirlpool along with Amana).  They brought it out, and tried to install it and said I needed a plumber and he might as well install it when he came.  They reimbursed me $54 as I had already paid them to install and take away the old one.  When the plumber came, I told  them what I was reimbursed and the plumber said (trying hard not to laugh)..."I can tell you this is going to cost more than $54!" which I knew it would.  I am waiting to get the bill to send it to the appliance vendor but I'm sure I won't get my money back. When the plumber installed it I was making supper so I never tried to use it that night.  I never even touched it.  When I got up in the morning the dishwasher was beeping and flashing an error code.  Now don't ya know it is Saturday.....I call the appliance store and they are no help whatsoever even to just get the beeping stopped.  They couldn't come out until Monday (as it ended up they didn't show up until Wednesday).  I fixed the beeper by finding the electrical outlet under the sink and  unplugging it (not easy for an old lady with a bad back!) They finally fixed the washer and the dishwasher but what an ordeal! This went on for 3 weeks from the time of purchase and calling them about the washer. 

During that time I got my Covid booster which laid me low for several days. I then got my flu shot and today I got my RSV shot.  The hummers left about the 10th and the last 2 days I spent scrubbing and disinfecting the bird feeder and then painting it.       

I replace the hummer feeder with the bird feeder and it hangs outside my kitchen window so I don' t have to go outside to fill it and it's under the eaves which keeps it dry and the birds safe.

We had our first frost last night and the lake was all steamy this morning...........
          

Also, last week we had junk day where the garbage people come by and pick  up anything you put out.  So I spent several days lugging out old broken appliances etc.  They never used to take electronics and it seemed that's all I had.  So I took out vacuum cleaners, a printer, a breadmaker and more.  I was exhausted but despite the back injury, I was able to get it all out there.  I just have to take a lot of breaks.  I was also able to get rid of my riding mower.

Hopefully, things will calm down now and I can relax a bit.  I still have a few appointments and I haven't gotten that plumber bill yet.....but I am still walking daily and enjoying the beautiful Fall we are having here.    

As for crafting, there has been little with the appliance problems and appointments etc. but I have gotten 3 books ahead on my Good Reads Challenge

I worked a bit on this stamped cross  stitch......

and this September project although it just says Fall to me.........

 

I hope you are all well and I can't wait to catch up with you all!

Happy Trails!!!

  
 

I'm alive!!!

 I didn't feel like it for a few days....3 exactly.  I got my Covid booster and it laid me low.  I had chills, and was SO tired.  I took long naps every day.  One day I went back to bed at 10:30 in the morning!  I'm okay now but little got done.  Then my washer went from a 53 minute cycle to 1 hour and 36 minutes so the repair guys came yesterday.  Now, the dishwasher is not cleaning so I'll probably need a new one.  We had lots of rain  and wind from Helene so now there are branches everywhere I need to pick up but at least we didn't have the damage that others had.

I did manage to get my freezer organized finally.....here are the tools I  used...all from Wally World.......

and these Rubbermaid freezer containers.......they're plastic but clear....
                 

here is the before picture...

and after..........

I discovered I have way too many waffles and chocolate covered banana slices!  But now I can see what I have.  I may get a couple more of the larger freezer containers but overall it solved my problem of avalanches when I tried to find things and knowing exactly what was in there!

I did make some molasses cookies before I got sick........unfortunately I didn't have much of an appetite...

Miss Peeps asked to be on the post so here she is in all her glory................

That's all for now...hopefully I can get back on track and I pray nothing else breaks around here...especially me! LOL!

Happy Trails!!!

Tis' the season!!!

 The season for Fall everything!  I have molasses cookies and spiced cider on the menu.  Cross stitch has been put aside for some holiday gift making and knitting.....it's quite the exciting time of year! Again, I haven't blogged for 2 weeks.  My only excuse  is the  time-consuming Swedish Death Cleaning!  I have so much junk stuff!  But I will conquer it all...if I live long enough.  I am ahead of the curve on a couple things or staying even.  On my Goodreads Book Challenge I am only 2 books behind schedule now.  I'm almost done with the Halloween ornaments.  I had to wait for the 2024 charms before I could put the back on them.  BTW if anyone needs 2024 charms just let me know your address and how many and  I will mail them to you.  I had to buy a pack of a zillion!

Here are the ornaments...done and beaded and now that I have the charms I can finish them.....

  

 

I've also been knitting since it is the season!  I need a hat for when I walk as I don't have any except for a loose hood on my coat which is normally enough but not for a 45 minute walk.  I found a free pattern from Lion Brand, beginner friendly and I'm about 1/2 way finished.......I'm using Malabrigo Rios worsted in the Cereza 033 color.  It is 100% Superwash Merino Wool which should keep me warm....

 

The only question I have is the photo shows purl bumps on both sides but it is garter stitch throughout and the brim rolls up but you can't have perl bumps on both sides as in the first photo.  There will be perl bumps on one side and knit stitches on the other as in my photo.  So.....how did they do that?  There is  nothing in the instructions that explains it.....hmmm....it's a mystery to me!  Anyone else have a clue?
It was also time to get out my handmade wool socks!  I was bad and did not wash them this past Spring but I did this week........they are all ready for the Fall/Winter season.......

as an aside..........
 

Happy Trails!!!

Yay!!! September!!!!

I'm so excited for Fall!!!  Yesterday I found a red leaf....only one but it's a start!  Its raining so there was no walking this morning.  There has been a little cooling off but it's so humid now it doesn't really make a difference.  I'm still waiting for the "cold front".

I got a convection oven! It's an Oster 10 in 1 and it does everything.  Lefty Crafter got one awhile ago and loves hers so since my wall oven was having a hard time pre-heating I decided to go for it.  I found a place for it on top of my antique gas oven.  I used it this morning to air fry some hash brown patties and it worked slick.  It cooks much faster than the regular oven and I'll have to decrease the cook times on things.  But I love it!

I was praying it would be fine and I wouldn't have to return it as I had enough trouble getting it in the house, unboxed, and lifted onto it's resting place....me with the fractured spine! LOL!  But I managed thanks to the good Lord up above and the saying "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me".....at my age, I say that many times during the day.   

I've been mostly cleaning in the kitchen this past week and several garbage bags got filled so progress is being made.  While cleaning I've been listening to "old" music from the 30's and 40's mostly on You Tube.....

I finished another Halloween ornament except for the beads which I hope to put on this afternoon....you can see where the beads and sequins will go by the black holes....

I finally finished reading The Distant Hours by Kate Morton.  I slogged through it and I usually love her books but I think I put it aside too many times.....
 

right now I'm reading The Tannenbaum Christmas Quilt #3 in the Door County series..........these are easy enjoyable  reads with great characters and kind people..............

I also started another series that is supposed to be similar to the Mitford books by Jan Karon which are one of my favorite series.......so far this one is good.......

That's all the news that's fit to print here.  I'm just continuing to clear out and keep my car packed to drop off at the thrift store and the garbage filled with...wait for it.........garbage.

Oh, it's FOOTBALL SEASON too!!! I listened to the Iowa Hawkeyes "skunk" Illinois State 40-0.....that had to hurt (Illinois that is).  Plus, those types of games are boring.  Next week the NFL starts too.  Another sign of Fall!

Yippee!!!  

Happy Trails!!!

Is it Fall yet???

 Last week was so nice and I was just sure the temps were dropping but then this coming week we are back in the 90's!  How can that be?  Also, I saw some leaves changing color until I realized the tree was dead....so disappointing!  But on the bright side, all the Fall flowers are flowering!  

So, hope is not lost!  I've heard there are rumblings of Fall up North so it's just a matter of time.  Meanwhile I am busy Fall cleaning and getting everything ready for Fall dishes, cozy fires, and decorating for the beloved season.  Tomorrow, I'm roasting a chicken and some acorn squash and maybe this week I'll make some molasses cookies.

This past week was busy with my daily walks, grocery shopping, pharmacy, doctor appointment and cleaning.  I did start making the Halloween ornaments and I have one finished except for the backing and the hanger for it .    These are from Satsuma House and they are done on perforated paper.  This is the first time I've done beading and it was fun!

I've been cleaning and organizing some shelving and cupboards and realized most of my jars of things are too tall for my cupboards so I purchased 2 of these containers that will fit.  In my farmhouse, I had the old farm kitchen with tall cupboards and the shelves were tall...not 7" high.  I used tall Ball canning jars for storing pasta, cereals, flour etc. but they won't fit in these "modern" cupboards.  So, I need to change things around.  I find the modern day kitchens to be very inefficient when it comes to storage space.  Hopefully these containers will help so I don't have bags of things sitting out and on top of  the fridge.  Any other helpful hints would be appreciated....

I've also been reading Susan Branch's blog archives and I love her decorating as she likes old things like I do.  Her blogs are a true joy to read with lots of info on old music, old movies, books, recipes, and just lots of inspiration.

                 

Happy Trails and pray for Fall to hurry up and get here!!!