Still hoppin' and getting things done....

I got LOTS done yesterday although it seems I am usually productive "every other" day.  I hope today will be productive too.  It's good to have company once in awhile....keeps you "honest" in the housekeeping arena.

I hung out laundry yesterday and made Aunt Nubby's  pecan encrusted chicken...another "winner" and easy.  I had broccoli and oven bake/fried potatoes with it.   I like to "prep" for everything in the morning and then go about my day and when I'm tired at the end of the day all I have to do is throw everything together!

Including these potatoes!  I use what ever potatoes I have on hand.  I always wash all my vegetables when I get home from shopping so that is one less thing I have to do when preparing a meal.  I just grab the potatoes out of the veggy bin in the frig and I know they've already been scrubbed especially since I leave the skins on most of the time.....even in my mashed potatoes!  I'm a "corner cutter"....ie; if there's a faster, easier method which gets me the same results I am all over it!  Plus, skins are where the vitamins are in potatoes.  I chop them into chunks, throw them in a pan, throw some olive oil  (maybe a tablespoon) over them and sprinkle on some salt and pepper and whatever other seasoning you want.  Sometimes I use Italian or Greek and last night I used Herbes de' Provence or you could just use plain old salt and pepper by itself.  I think I saw this on Rachel Ray years back and it has been a real time saver of a side dish.  I threw it in to cook with the chicken which was at 350 for 50 minutes.  They were done just fine.  Also, I prepped these ahead of time too since they have olive oil slathered on them they don't turn brown.
I also did my ironing, and got quite a bit of cleaning and clearing done in the family room.  And then I got this in the mail yesterday!  Halleluyah!  All the way from England and look at the stamp in the upper right hand corner!

If you can't read it...it says "Royal Mail".....that's right!  I had no idea I was royalty although I did have my suspicions and I have been known to wear a lot of "crowns".  Look what was inside.......(OH!  I get so excited just talking about it!)...drumroll, please...........

Aren't they BEAUTIFUL?????  They are my Stylecraft acrylic yarns from England in the exact same colors and brand that Lucy, from Attic24 used in her Granny Stripe throw.  I am all over this yarn.  It is soft and the colors are vibrant as opposed to some that I find at the local Wal-Mart.  And all toll it was only $36.00...free shipping and it really didn't take any longer than if they were located in the U.S.  I love buying American but I wanted the same yarn and colors that she used and these are a very nice quality acrylic yarn so I am thrilled with these!  My other ripple blanket is all Wal-Mart yarn and each are destined for the back of my 2 chairs in the family room.  When they're all done we'll see which one I like better.  There are still 2 colors I couldn't get but I can substitute 2 for similar colors I think I already have.  I'm so excited!     
I better "hit the trail" and get some more cleaning and clearing done...the clock is ticking!  Have a wonderful and exciting Tuesday!