Always busy Monday!!!

 We did get rain last night but nothing from Ida....it turned East but our storm was nice and I didn't have to water today.  I fertilized my outside plants with fish oil fertilizer the other day and my houseplants today.  I got the garbages all emptied and relined and got the garbage out to the street. 

 I joined AAA today.  I've never used  it before but I'm thinking it might be good in case I ever get stuck out on the highway somewhere. Do any of you belong?  Do you like it?

 I paid a few bills and made a layered salad that took a good bit of time.  It needs to sit overnight in the frig.  I'll be having it with my Crunchy Cheeseroni Casserole that I'll be making tomorrow for supper.

Tonight I'm having the Cheesy Egg Wedges (a recipe from Mama Pea at A Homegrown Journal) and a raisin bran muffin for supper.

I got a treasure in the mail today that I have been waiting for...this book which I will be curling up with tonight!  This is a podcast I follow called The Elliott Homestead..................it"s a beautiful book.  I can't wait to start turning the pages............

I did manage to finish my first row of my bed quilt and press the seams open..............

The grands went to Maquoketa Caves State Park with the Cub Scouts yesterday...........they had a great time......

I hope you all had a nice weekend and a great start to your week!

Happy Trails!!!

YOP Week #9

 I got some things done this week but didn't accomplish all my goals.  I wanted to get 8" knitted on the sheep pillow but only managed 6".  I need 16" altogether.  I did get all my quilt squares cut finally for my bed quilt and I arranged them by color.

 

I pressed my QAL materials and got some of them cut part way.........

I did drag out my Halloween XS's from last year......I hope to finish this one by Halloween.

There's this one too but it will not get done this year......

Then I found some Fall XS patterns but not sure which one I will choose to start........which one would you choose?

I'll let you know next week which one I pick.

I dug out my natural dye book as this is the season to gather some of the plants used in dyeing.  I'm just a beginner but I have saved lots of onion skins (both red and yellow) and I have avocado skins and pits.  I have marigolds and I think that is one I need to dry and save.

 I'm also reading Where Women Create magazine which is very inspiring and showcases different female creators and their studios.

I'm hoping to get some sewing in this afternoon.  Right now I have an egg casserole in the oven for brunch.  Hurricane Ida is hitting Louisiana as I write this.  I pray everyone remains safe.  We will get a bit of the rain and wind probably tomorrow but nothing like what they're experiencing.

I hope you all have a good week!

Happy Trails!!!

No room in the inn!!!

 Here is a video about the area I live in ...........a concentration of fools if you ask me.....I have been vaccinated but if anyone gets sick or is in an accident you're out of luck!  All the beds are being taken up by the anti-vaxers!!!  This is the hospital I would go to if I got sick but there is "no room in the inn"!  It is so sad that in the freest country in the world people are complaining that they are not free.  They have no idea what not being free means.  IMHO most of them have had it too good for too long!

https://youtu.be/pd8P12BXebo

I'm sorry, you'll have to copy and paste the link into a browser.  I thought you could just click on it but it's not that easy.

Here is more info on the piece from the New York Times..........

 In the video above, Alexander Stockton, a producer on the Opinion Video team, explores two of the main reasons the number of Covid cases is soaring once again in the United States: vaccine hesitancy and refusal. “It’s hard to watch the pandemic drag on as Americans refuse the vaccine in the name of freedom,” he says. Seeking understanding, Mr. Stockton travels to Mountain Home, Ark., in the Ozarks, a region with galloping contagion and — not unrelated — abysmal vaccination rates. He finds that a range of feelings and beliefs underpins the low rates — including fear, skepticism and a libertarian strain of defiance. This doubt even extends to the staff at a regional hospital, where about half of the medical personnel are not vaccinated — even while the intensive care unit is crowded with unvaccinated Covid patients fighting for their lives. Mountain Home — like the United States as a whole — is caught in a tug of war between private liberty and public health. But Mr. Stockton suggests that unless government upholds its duty to protect Americans, keeping the common good in mind, this may be a battle with no end.

Happy Trails!!!

Glad to stay home in the AC!!!

 Whoa Nellie it's hot here and many other places too!  I hope you all have AC or an air conditioned library or mall you can go to!  There's always Walmart!  Just be careful and stay as cool as possible.

It rained last evening so I didn't have to water plus the humidity is so high I don't think any of them will dry out.  Yesterday was all about groceries and filling the larder.  It takes me all day and it leaves me pretty tired out.  But today I stayed home and among other chores I made Raisin Bran Muffins.  I used to make these when my children were little.  There were 6 of us and they were called 6 week muffins because you can make the batter and keep it in the frig for 6 weeks and just take out what you need to bake.  They are so good warm with some butter!  Yum!  The only problem is there's just me in the house so I am either going to freeze some baked muffins and/or freeze the batter.

Here's the recipe if anyone is interested...........

6 Week Raisin Bran Muffins 

I was able to harvest more banana peppers, tomatoes and another egg plant.  I have a bunch of green peppers that are about ready, and I have herbs to preserve.  I'm gathering paint supplies as I have a few projects around here to do.  I hope you are having a good week so far.  I watched a new series, Sweet Magnolias...really cute but there are only 10 episodes so I guess I need to find another one now! LOL!

Happy Trails!!!

YOP Week #8

 

Well, I finally finished the Giant Granny Square blanket #3....I'm done for awhile.  The only problem with this one was the border curled on me and I think it was the yarn.  It didn't happen on the one before.   These sure are enjoyable to make and perfect for watching t.v. 

I worked on the sheep pillow but it is slow and boring especially in just a solid color.  I have about 3 inches of the 16 inches I need.  I have a mistake that I didn't notice until about 4 or 5 rows up and I'm not going back.  I think I either  purled when I was supposed to knit or vice-versa but it's not unraveling but it is noticeable.  I think I can repair it on one side and the "shaggy" part of the sheep should cover it.

 I worked on the Star cross stitch but I realized I did not have all the floss colors needed and now I'm stuck.  So, I need to order floss and dig out my Fall XS WIPs.

I did find a wool hooking project from long ago that never got finished.   It needs trimming and final finishing into a pillow.  I think it says welcome friends but hopefully it will show up better after trimming. 

I also unearthed a blanket project that never got finished.  I need to find the instructions.  I think it is a Cherry Heart pattern that was a crochet along that some of us participated in.  Far Side of Fifty maybe or Marsha?  Or maybe it was Victorian Lace?  I'll have to do some digging! LOL! 

If you remember me telling you about the injured orphaned fawn....well, all's well that ends well.....he or she was joyfully reunited with it's mother yesterday after 2 days!  I think the fawn injured it's leg and when the mother got frightened and ran the baby couldn't keep  up with it's injured leg.  It's still limping but they are together again!   They were in my back yard..."grazing". 

As for other news.  Yesterday I finished up making my chicken stock and I found out some interesting information.  I made 2 chicken stocks; one was a raw carcass that I made in the crock pot, same ingredients but it cooked on low for 18 hours.  The other was a cooked carcass that I cooked on the stove for about 5 hours.  Here are the results...........the light colored broth is from the stove top method for 5 hours..........the dark brown broth is from the crock pot after 18 hours.....it's not burned but it is definitely bone broth and there was more of it too.  All together I got 14 cups of broth from 2 carcasses!  It was easy and so worth it!

Oh, here's a picture of "Buddy", the little hummer boy (no, not drummer boy, lol!) that sits on the hanger above the feeder and guards it from hummers that don't belong to his "tribe".  I know it's a boy because only the male hummers guard the feeders.  I was changing the feeder with fresh syrup so he went and sat on the clothesline until I was done....what a cutie!

This coming week I hope to find the instructions for the crochet blanket squares I have and see what I have left to finish on that project.  I'd like to finish the wool hooked heart, finish cutting out my quilt squares and also  the material for the Celeste Creates QAL.  Of course, I need to keep knitting on the sheep.   I need to find my project bag materials and the Fall/Halloween XS WIPs.

As for other projects,  today I need to make a menu, grocery list and order groceries for tomorrow, and I have a project involving refinishing/painting my floor grates and installing filters in them.  There's still more grout cleaning to do too..  Busy week and a hot one too....90's F all week long!

I hope you are staying cool or warm depending on where you are in the world.  I pray all the children stay safe on their way back to school and that everyone gets out of Afghanistan that needs to get out.

My daughter's a teacher in Iowa and they start back tomorrow along with my grands.  Grayson is too young to be vaccinated so I pray he and all the other little ones that can't get vaccinated remain safe and healthy.

Happy Trails!!!

 

Shot #3....laid me low again!

 To be clear.  I only got the 3rd Moderna vaccine because I am "immuno compromised".  I have 2 diseases that qualified me:  Rheumatoid Arthritis and Graves Disease plus, I take a daily steroid pill.  I had to fill out a form to qualify.  That is the only reason I got a 3rd shot so soon.  I slept pretty much all day yesterday!  It's so funny that it does that to me.  I slept 4-6 hours during the day and then 10 hours last night....amazing!  I really sleep too.  I feel fine today and have been getting things done.

There was an injured baby deer over by my neighbors fence.  She called me, of course! LOL!  I gave her the number of the Fish and Game people but no one answered so she called the Sheriff.  They came out and of course, scared the deer.  I'm not sure what they thought they would be able to do but we have so little crime here that they are bored and anxious to get out and do something.  Thank God they didn't shoot it!  I hope the little girl/guy is okay.  It was it's lower leg but it didn't look broken but she wasn't putting weight on it.  The poor little thing is an orphan on top of it all.

Tuesday I made my first rustic sourdough bread and it turned out and was delicious!  I love sourdough anything now.  It didn't raise quite as much but It still made a nice slice of bread.

Today I have 2 big pots of chicken broth cooking.  One was a raw carcass and it is simmering on the stove.  

The other was a cooked carcass and it is in my crock pot.  I freeze carcasses and also bones until I have enough to make it worthwhile and then I freeze the broth in bags laid flat in my freezer.

I've been cleaning my bedroom this afternoon.  It's thundering out and it's gotten dark so we may be getting some rain.  I should cook up some bacon for BLT's tonight but we'll see how much energy I have left for today.

I hope you are having a good Friday and please pray that everyone gets out of Afghanistan that needs too.  They should have trained the afghan women to fight the Taliban...they were more motivated and had more to lose!

What a scary situation!

Happy Trails!!!  

A little fisher person!

 Yesterday was a productive day but  nothing to blog about.....mostly weekly chores.

I did find out that I can get a 3rd Moderna shot tomorrow at my pharmacy...at no charge!  I have 2 immune system diseases and I take a small dose of steroids so they suggest it.   Today they're suggesting everyone get a 3rd shot. I need to prepare myself for sleeping for 24 hours after the shot, like I did last time! LOL!

I made some sourdough bread dough which is rising and I put in an Amazon order for some quilting rulers, a book, some quilt batting, and some sandpaper dots for the rulers to stay put.  I also ordered my backing fabric for Celeste's QAL quilt.

We have storms predicted starting tonight.  I love storms!  No pictures except my youngest grandson, Grayson who caught 2 fish today!  He doesn't have a beard but he has a mask at the ready...just in case someone approaches.  He is so darn cute and funny too!  I don't want him to grow up.

Its' hot here again.........

I hope you are well and I pray for healing for all the tragedies that are happening across the world right now.

Happy Trails!!!

YOP Week #7

This was a good week...more for crafting than cleaning but I had to get started on some projects for Christmas and other holidays.

I do have one finish......my little mini quilt....I'm sure you're tired of seeing it but it is done!

 Then it was on to my bed quilt and I am still cutting out fabric for it...............I'm about 1/2 way done with cutting the 6" squares......

This is what is left to cut.............

Celeste Creates on You Tube came out with the 2nd video for the Quilt Along Tutorial so now I need to press and cut the materials for it............I chose my 8 fat quarters from the bundle I purchased...............but I still need to order batting and backing..............

I was trying to cross stitch 1 star each week but it looks like it will take 2 weeks............I didn't quite manage to get that 4th star finished.............there are 16 altogether.............

I am approaching the finish line for the Giant Granny Square blanket.........There are 11 rounds for the border and I have 5 or 6 left to do.  Hopefully, I will be able to wrap it up before next week.

I did cast on a Christmas gift..............a sheep pillow for one of my grandsons.........

this is as far as I've gotten so far....I need 16 inches for the body............I have about 2 so far! LOL!

As an aside, I would like to wish my friend, Vickie, a very happy birthday today!!!   I am still cleaning and de-cluttering.  We had a nice storm Friday night that cooled things down a bit.

This coming week will be more cleaning and de-cluttering (the story of my life), I want to finish the 4th star, finish the Giant Granny Square blanket, and finish cutting out the squares for my bed quilt.  I'll definitely be knitting on that sheep too. 

I got a couple new recipes I want to try out  from Far Side of Fifty, and e-i-e-i-omg!   As for reading; my fiction is 13 Little Blue Envelopes, my non-fiction is Tell Me More and for a magazine I'm reading National Geographic ( I have a stack of old ones I got from the free bin at the library a long time ago).  As for t.v.,I watch several podcasts; Simple Living Alaska, Northern Seclusion, Celeste Creates, Lori Holt and Svalbard with Cecelia.  As for series, I am still watching Heartland and Virgin River both of which I highly recommend.  The books right now are okay....I'll see what I think when I finish them.  That's all the news that's fit to print for this week!  Stay safe and get vaccinated if you're not!

Happy Trails!!!

Tuesday...........

 I finally got to start working on the quilt for my bed today.  In the morning I did my regular chores and watered outside before it got too hot.  It's 97 F right now..."feels like" 104 F!  There are heat advisories for sure!  I ran uptown and picked up my prescriptions, got the mail, and brought in the garbage can.  I've been inside ever since.  

After lunch I ironed and then I got out the fabric for my quilt.  I bought it from Craftsy when they were still in business.  They had great fabric and yarn deals.  This fabric was  6" wide and 45" long so I am cutting it into 6" squares for the quilt.  This quilt is just squares sewn together, nothing fancy. Craftsy is out there again but I won't join as I had classes I bought on the old one and when they went out of business  I lost the classes. Some I hadn't even taken yet.  There was no email or warning at all.....pouff...they were gone!  This will take me awhile to cut all the squares but the fabric is so pretty I don't mind at all except for the bending over...another back irritant but I just go sit and cross stitch  until it stops hurting and then I go back at it.  Eventually it will get done!

On another topic.....I've been trying to eat healthy and I pretty much always have but lately it seems these "healthy' foods are upsetting my stomach.   I realize that as you age you can't always handle foods that never bothered you before.  So, I researched foods that are hard to digest and lo and behold....all the foods that they tell you to eat that are so healthy are also the hardest to digest!  So, I'll be backing off from many of those "healthy" foods! LOL!  They are good for you but maybe when you're younger as it seems I just can't tolerate them anymore.  Unfortunately they are all things I love!

It was 1 year ago today that the derecho went through Iowa and many are still recovering from it.  There was massive destruction and you can still see evidence of it....so sad.  My daughter and her family were fortunate other than tree limbs but some lost their homes, cars, etc.  There were so many trees lost too.  There are lots of You Tube videos out there if you want to see a full-fledged derecho. It's also called a "land hurricane".  It lasted for hours too.  My daughter and her family live in Cedar Rapids but it went though the whole state.  

I hope you are staying cool or warm depending on where you're located. 

Happy Trails!!!

 

Monday Mania!

 Mondays are always busy!  Are they busy at your house too?  I did get quite a bit done though...I love that pleasant feeling of having made the most of the day.

For  one thing, I finished the mini-quilt...finally!

You know what that means?  I  can start ironing and cutting for my bed quilt!  Yay!!!  I've only had the material for 3 or 4 years....maybe longer! I got all the garbages emptied and relined but I still have to take it out to the street.  I called the contractor that I use to see if he can install a new garage door opener but he has been unwell and is semi-retired.  I may have to call Home Depot or just forget it as I've done without it for years and just open and close it manually.  I am trying to make things easier on myself though.

I got treasures in the mail today............yarn supplies..............

and I ordered this book thinking it was quick and easy recipes for quilters so they would be freed up to quilt more.......silly me............they were recipes alright.....recipes for quilts!  There are a few actual recipes but not necessarily quick or easy.  Since then I've found just what I was looking for on Thrift Books. It is truly a book of recipes that are quick and delicious so you can have more time quilting!

It was meal making day.  I made an Oriental Chicken Salad...........it was really fairly easy....I cooked the chicken in the oven but you could buy a rotisserie chicken.  then I used my KitchenAide mixer to shred the chicken....so quick and easy with the paddle attachment.

I also cheated by buying a super blend of kale, cabbage, carrots etc., a can of mandarin oranges, Chinese noodles (the crispy ones in the can), some green onions and sliced almonds. The hardest part was the dressing!  

That's supper for the next few days.  I watered outside early this morning so now all I need to do is take the garbage out to the street, wash a load of clothes and do some ironing.....especially my quilt materials!

Happy Trails!!!