Saturday, April 30, 2016

I'm so tired but progress was made.........

I have been eating a lot of Eggo waffles lately for breakfast...could that be where my energy is coming from or my motivation from DIY blogs?  Whatever it is I'll take it..........
I was planning on a trip to the vet's but they were closed so instead I jumped right in and did this........
and so another section (the hardest to get to around the toilet) is done...........it should be easier from here on in.
Then since it is Saturday and I get to do what I want...........I did this.......removed the closet rod holders...............
and this.........(this took a long time, several You Tube videos and just when I was about to throw in the towel...my son Ben called and gave me the tip that finally brought me success!)...........the bifold
doors are off!

and then up came the carpeting................and the padding and now I need a crowbar to get the tack strips out.....I'll go Monday.  So, I felt good but I was tuckered so next........
I did this............cut out interfacing for some Japanese knot bags for my in progress socks........
It was tiring bending over the table cutting these out so I think I will call it a day and just kick back, watch some podcasts and knit or crochet......I ran out of Eggo waffle steam!  I should probably wash up some dishes though,  throw in a load of laundry and maybe do some ironing?  But then there's always tomorrow!
Happy Trails!





Friday, April 29, 2016

Miss Ellaneous...........

Yesterday was beautiful out so I worked outside as long as I could.  I filled the tank, put air in the tires and took off mowing for an hour and 1/2.  It was due to rain today so I try to get it mowed in between the Spring storms.  I also shook and washed rugs and hung them out after I mowed.  I weeded and mulched and sprayed the poison oak and ivy that was trying, once again, to gain a foot hold.

When I came inside I vacuumed the laundry room, kitchen and family room and my bathroom.  You can never vacuum too much during shedding season. 
I tried  Clorox Gel Toilet Bowl Cleaner on the grout in my bathroom (it was a pin on Pinterest) and it worked!  You put the gel on the grout and then let it sit for 10 minutes and then scrub with a brush.  The only problem is I can't stand being on my knees very long so it will be a slow project but at least I have finally found something that works!  So now I hate not only carpeting but ceramic tile floors too! LOL!   
I had one little hen survive last year and it is having babies!  I'm so happy!  I will be transplanting them soon.
The roses are blooming too only mine look like shrub roses and they don't smell....huh?  I bought them on sale but I want those big, beautiful roses with the gorgeous scents.  David Austin?  I need to research as I just picked these up on sale.  There are also those that are black spot resistant etc.  I forget the name of them.
I took a nice hot bath after the grout scrubbing and then we all had supper and I knitted on my 2nd sock and watched Grey's Anatomy and then an episode of Heartland on the Feeln channel on Roku.  I finally finished P.D.James book; Death of a Witness but I won't be reading anymore of hers.....pretty depressing.  I'm now reading A Year At Ladybug Farm and loving it!
Today it rained and I was a little slower today but managed to get housework done and changed the sheets.  I also emptied the hall closet by the front door and have a "wild hair"......here's what I got done today.............the "before " picture............this closet sits right across from the front door in the entryway.

  I removed the clothes pole but need to remove the holders...........
This is the floor..they even carpeted the closets!  Really?  And the carpet is right up to the front door and a cream color....not in my world!  My parents and I were so different.  Those summers spent in the country with my aunt and uncle are what did it and I am SO glad! LOL!  For years I was sure I had been adopted but my mother finally showed me my birth certificate just to shut me up.
I removed the shelf too before I thought to take before pictures.  Actually this carpeting looks much better than the rest of the house but I do have a box cutter and I'm not afraid to use it!  Stay tuned!
 I better go fix my dinner....enjoy your Friday night!
Happy Trails!
P.S.  If you want a copy of your blog posts you can print out just put YOUR email address in where you can email people your posts and then you can get a copy and print it off.  Of course, I just started doing this and that doesn't help me with the last 8 years?  Oh well....it's a start.  Toodles!



Wednesday, April 27, 2016

More storms on the way........

Last night I awoke to the storms but the weather radio never went off.  It sounded bad but I finally got back to sleep and there was no loss of power so it was all good.  Now they're saying this afternoon there will be another round.  I'd rather have it during the day as I am much more alert! LOL!
Monday I went to Walmart and picked up a few more "items of interest" along with groceries before the rainy week ahead.  I needed some summer socks so I picked up these......
and then.............I picked up the 2nd addition to my new set of dishes............(my daughter bought me the first....a set of measuring bowls)..............
Pioneer Woman's new line of everything.......the butter dish
 I have been looking for dishes but every time I find something I like it sort of locks me into a certain color scheme or style.   I wanted something that would be eclectic, vintage and go with my crazy color schemes.............Pioneer Woman got it "right on"............she mixes flowers with polka dots and geometrics of all different colors and it looks so vintage.  There are about 4 or 5 different styles with great glassware too...purple and turquoise! I love it because now I can have dishes that are mix and match....right up my alley!   Here's a link to Walmart where they carry her line.  Oh, I just noticed she now has linens too!   Whoopee!  And there's even a cookie jar of Charlie, their bassett hound!  Too cute!
I finished my first of 5 squares for my Frida basket.....it needs a few more ends woven in and a good blocking but it was very interesting to work on and if they're all the same it will be very enjoyable!
The irises have started blooming so I brought a few in before they get ruined by the storms..........
I had no idea they had a fragrance but they do.....nothing strong but very pleasant.
Today is laundry, ironing, sewing and baking off the rest of the dog biscuits.  I fill my 2 big cookie sheets, bake them and then turn off the oven and let them sit overnight.  I can only do the 2 sheets at one time so I will bake 2 more sheet fulls today and that should take care of it for awhile anyway.  I gave them each one to taste test......they seemed to like them!  These were blueberry next will be apple and cheddar.
Have a great day and Happy Trails!
P.S.  Here are a few websites/blogs I discovered lately..........
Every Hook and Cranny
Ella Claire Inspired
Le Monde de Sucrette
Wooler Coaster
Poppy and Bliss

Enjoy!  





Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Some treasures I picked up.............

Last Friday I went to Mountain Home for a doctor appointment.  I go about twice a year and it is over an hour away but a beautiful drive.  This is Lake Norfolk.  Some dogwoods were still in bloom but most have greened out now.
  While I was there, I did a little shopping...........my favorite Dr. Bonner's lavender soap and some Tazo Passion Fruit tea which was recommended by one of my friendly podcasters.  She was right....it is delicious!
In honor of Queen Elizabeth's 90th birthday I bought these "crisps" from the U.K. which are what the Brits call potato chips.  These are pastrami and rye flavored..............
and to go with them.............some gourmet beers...........you can pick your own 6-pack.  I got a root beer, a blueberry, orange dreamsicle and a southern pecan to name a few....
I also bought the first Harry Potter book.  I must have loaned all mine out so I am starting over....
The next day I received a package in the mail from my daughter and SIL in Iowa...for no reason or an early Mother's Day?  I was so surprised at what they sent me..............my SIL bakes bread and sent me a beautiful loaf of his homemade rye bread.  I love rye bread but I've never made it nor have I ever had homemade....it is wonderful!
 2 little chicks with Reeses peanut butter inside.....my littlest grandson, Grayson,  is  allergic to peanuts so yes, they get them out of the house quickly!  I think I'll put something else in them and send them back.
A jar of Lingon berries which I can't get here and I used to fix crepes with lingon berries and powdered sugar when my kids were little.  If they come this summer I will fix some for the grands.
A tube of yummy Wild Rose hand cream........
and last but not least............an issue of Mental Floss featuring Super Women....for real!  Thank you so much to my wonderful daughter and SIL who were so thoughtful to send me such treasures!  I am truly blessed!
That's all for today...storms might be coming tonight and tomorrow so if you don't hear from me....you know what happened! LOL!  I pray everyone in the storms path stays safe.
Happy Trails!



Sunday, April 24, 2016

YOP Week #43

Thank you Lucy for letting me know what YOP week it was! LOL! (Only 9 left...YIKES!)
It was a hectic week as I had a doctor appointment out of town on Tuesday but the doctor canceled and wanted to reschedule the next day but I said no as storms were expected so finally we got together on Friday but it messed with my whole week. Now he wants me to make an appointment for a bone scan.....I already know I have osteoporosis but I haven't had a scan in many years so I'll go, I guess.  Anyway...........this is my update for this week and it's a little sketchy but at least I got something done on my "neverending" list of WIP's.
I confess I did not get my Happy Hooky sewed up....the best laid plans are not necessarily the priorities around here.
I did work on my 2nd sock and turned the heel and I'm on the gusset now............
 I also started my Frida's Flower Basket..........I'm to the squaring off part now for the granny square and I am using Stylecraft Chunky yarn which I've never used before but I am loving it!  Really nice and a pleasure to work with.

Here's my little helper too.....she's been really good lately after behaving badly a couple times the week before and being in "time out".
 When I was out of town I picked up this issue of Primitive Quilts.........
and this crochet border book by Edie Eckman that I've been wanting for quite a while now.........
 As for podcasts this week.....there was catch up with Susan B. Anderson, Cherry Heart, Inside Number 23 and I started watching Sticks and Twines with Eric in Toronto so I am trying to catch up with his.  I plan on checking out Tiny Paper Foxes too.  I hope you had a good week and have wonderful plans for the next one!
Happy Trails!
P.S.  Just an F.Y.I. The Good Witch is the new series on Hallmark on Sunday nights now.  I also started subscribing to a new channel on Roku called Feeln.....for $1.99 a month and all good family type movies and series.  I get Heartland on it (my favorite series about a family owned horse ranch in Canada)...I've been "binge-watching" and I'm now on Season 2 and I think there are 10?)  It's a great series especially if you like horses!  Which, of course, I do! LOL!  And the scenery is beautiful.  Toodles!