Fortunate Friday

I went early to pick up my groceries and of course, it's an all-day project.  I did hear now that they are saying it is not necessary to "disinfect" plastic, paper, or groceries....really?  I did it anyway.....next week they'll come out with something else.  I had to go pick up prescriptions today and I washed a load of laundry and hung it outside.  I've already picked and folded it and brought it inside.  It was supposed to rain/storm this afternoon...thunderstorms.....so far nothing!  Then I heard the stupidest weather forecast....thunderstorms otherwise partly sunny!  Huh?  I could forecast that one!
I finally got some breakfast.............it was yummy.............muesli with coconut and fresh raspberries.  I made the muesli myself and it's very good for you too.  I use almond milk and it is filling.

This afternoon I washed all the produce..........I got peaches for the first time this year.....yum!

This afternoon I made veggie cassola which I love...............I haven't put it in the oven yet but soon

I'm pretty tuckered so I think I will get my jammies on, kick back, do some handwork, and watch some news and podcasts while dinner cooks.  I'll have it with homemade bread toasted and then I'll have a non-dairy salted caramel ice cream bar for dessert!  Great Friday!
Happy Trails!!!

A miracle X 2!!!

I was getting ready to go out and go for my walk this morning when I heard a mower going.  I looked out thinking it was my neighbor's lawn man but it wasn't.....it was someone mowing my lawn!  Specifically, my culvert that they dug out and now it is too steep for me to mow.  I couldn't believe someone was so nice and who?  Well, I didn't want to go out there with COVID and all so I waited until he was leaving down the street and I yelled thank you.  Wrong!  He turned around and came back and did not practice social distancing!  I tried covering my mouth but not sure that did any good.  I thanked him and he said it was the city trimming trees along the roadways and he needed to cut the grass and weed whack before they could get in and trim the trees! (snakes love tall grass don't you know!) These are the trees I've been getting ready to trim and also weed whack etc.  It was like a dream come true!  They did it all.....all day and it looks so nice!  It would have taken me all summer!  Plus, they took all the branches with them!!!  Now, just say a prayer that I don't get COVID!

 The rest of these pictures are from my walk around the block yesterday..........these are more purple than what they are appearing in the photo..............

 same with these.............

 these are little pink ones close to the ground

 these are big ones on stalks

 these, I think, are wild roses...so pretty!

 this looks like a bouquet already with baby's breath, cowslip and black eyed Susans

 these are purple and pink and all shades in between...........

 these are magnolia blooms on my neighbor's tree............they're huge flowers......

 this is from my hibiscus tree which is also called a Rose of Sharon tree/bush

I did get my lawn mowed and while they were out there I made my menu and grocery list and got my order into Walmart to pick up bright and early tomorrow morning!  I've off to soak in a hot tub right now and get my jammies on!
Happy Trails!!!

Well done Wednesday!!!

Finally, there was some progress made around the homestead! I did laundry and hung it outside, I burned a bunch of weeds and old papers.  I cleaned the bathrooms and the frig and more!  I also planted beans and watered and took my walk and got some treasures in the mail!  I also got the boys birthday presents ordered and on their way to Iowa and a few very necessary supplies for myself like coffee and knitting needles and yarn.
Here are the treasures I got......a highly recommended quilting book..........

 with some lovely inspiring photos......and the patterns to go with them.......

 and then one that I picked out as I love the vintage quilts of the 30's -50's......and when I opened it up it was autographed by the author, Darlene Zimmerman in 2006!  I got all these books from Thrift Books.

 I love this green quilt!

 I also got another Dr. Nightingale mystery...#3

 I took a bunch of pictures on my walk today but I will share those with you tomorrow.  It's getting nigh on to suppertime!
Happy Trails!!!

Trailing Tuesday.....

Every other day I am productive and today was not that day.  I did take my walk and do my daily chores but yesterday was so productive compared to today.  I must admit I did some online shopping which takes time and you have to coordinate items and where you shop for them plus trying to qualify for free shipping as often as possible.  It's a big job!  I had birthdays to shop for and I also spent a great deal of time prepping for YOP 2020-2021 via Pinterest, magazines, books, and Ravelry.  So many beautiful things to make and create.  No treasures came in the mail today but I did work on my wasp nest.  I notice that when I focus on one or 2 things it doesn't make for very interesting blog posts.
This is all I have.............I made this bread yesterday......

Here's the wasp nest...starting to decrease now............it looks like a hat............

 I did weed my old horse trough and I will be planting beans in it tomorrow....bush beans.  I need to transplant my tomatoes too.
I hope you had a good day!  Stay well!
Happy Trails!!!

Book Monday.........

 I cannot believe I passed by the anniversary of Nitty's death.  I got it mixed up with Jim's and thought it was the 24th but it was the 14th of June and Jim's was the 24th of July.  This was the last picture I had of her in 2018.  As she got sick I didn't take her picture.  I still miss her and Annie terribly and I guess there are just some things you never get over.    She died June 14th 2019.

Now, on to books before I spend the rest of the day crying.  I finished a book; Dr.Nightingale Rides the Elephant............4 of 5 stars........this is the 2nd book in the series by Lydia Adamson

I started 2 new books.............book #9 in the Hannah Swenson mystery series by Joanne Fluke......

and the first book in the Kopp Sister Mystery series by Amy Stewart...........

I finished a National Geographic magazine and I'm now reading A National Wildlife magazine......
as for t.v. I just finished the first series of Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries...so good!  You can buy them on Amazon or subscribe to Acorn for $6/month and get Miss Fisher and so much more!!!

What are you reading and/or watching?
Happy Trails!!!

P.S.  I forgot to update you...I have now read 19 of the 75 books I challenged myself to read and I am 16 books behind!  Oh my!

YOP Week #51

I've been spending more time planning YOP 2020-2021 than I have on "making" this week.  But I got a few things worked on.   I made 3 more lattice squares............the red is the first time I have repeated a color but it won't be the last.

I finally got the 3 buttons sewed on this cross stitch.............

Although not very interesting looking I did make about 1/2 of the black tie for Uriah from that skein of wool I found. 

These are the skeins for the other 2 ties.....navy for Sam and pink for Grayson.....

I got some other stash too.............these 3 beauties are the ingredients for my first YOP project for 2020 - 2021!!!  I can't wait!!!

This is an add-on project but it is to discourage wasps around my house and I hope it works!  You crochet a wasp nest and stuff it full of plastic bags and hang it under your eaves on your house.  We shall see and I will report back to you!

Next week, if I have things right, it is our "wrap-up" week of all the projects we've finished from this past YOP year.  My list will be short! LOL!  Is the first week of the new year our plans?  Do we show projects?  I can't remember.  I'm getting excited for YOP 2020 - 2021 plus I am getting ready for a SAL with a friend, and Jolly July for cross stitch ornaments.  I think there's going to be lots of crochet this coming year as I have been very inspired by Betsy Makes who has a podcast and a blog and has many lovely and inspiring projects.  She's also a great crochet designer.  I hope you are enjoying planning this coming year and please feel free to join us on Ravelry in the Year of Projects group!
Happy Trails!!!