Monday - Plans, schedules and action lists!

No Book Date today as I am reading the same ones but in reading my friend Marsha's blog yesterday, Lefty Crafter (she's on my sidebar) she was talking about how she was spending Sunday afternoon planning her week.  It dawned on me how I used to do that when I was working and had the farm and the family.  I had to plan everything out or something would fall between the cracks!

Here's the definition of planning:   according to Wikipedia "planning  (also called forethought) is the process of thinking about and organizing the activities required to achieve a desired goal. It involves the creation and maintenance of a plan, such as psychological aspects that require conceptual skills. "
I used to be so good at writing goals and action plans and setting milestones to gauge how I was coming along.  But when I got sick and then subsequently retired it all went out the window!  I was more focused on getting well, slowing down, simplifying and taking care of myself.  I did do that but now I have seen that other things have gone by the wayside and I am ready to move forward and tackle those things!
I used to have fancy planners but now I just use the old fashioned composition books where I can use as many pages as I want and with numbering them and having an index in the front I can find anything I need quickly.  This one was started near the end of October and it's still going..............when it's full I will put the end date on the front too.

Years ago, I ran across a book that talked about balance in your life and that is what I needed then and I need it again now!  When you don't have your tasks and needs balanced that is when things fall between the cracks and that can be stressful and lead to feelings of being overwhelmed.
My old categories still pretty much fit with my lifestyle.  The author of the book talked about separating your life into 9 boxes but I now have 10 categories and feel okay about adding more if necessary but for now 10 is just fine.  Here are my 10 categories:
1.personal/spiritual
2.financial
3.travel/entertainment
4.cleaning/organizing
5.decorating/maintenance
6.gardening/landscaping 
7.cooking/baking
8.family/friends
9.blog/business
10.hobby/contribution

It took me a long time to settle on these categories in order to include everything I do and want to do in my life.  I don't do these every day but I would like to touch on every one of them in a week at least but at the very least monthly for sure!  Some categories require more time than others and you need to set aside time for those activities or tasks while other categories can be multi-tasked combining several together such as entertainment and hobby or travel and entertainment or friends and family.  It may look like a lot but in reality it helps to stay balanced and you feel better knowing you have a handle on your life.
So yesterday, I got back to my categories and planning and made my weekly list of goals based on my categories .  The categories are also great because they are like a "tickler" to remind you of things you might otherwise forget.
 Here are my Weekly Goals that I came  up with.....quite a bit but I also know from experience that even if I don't attain them all I will still get more done than if I hadn't written them down.....it's been proven by me and many others!  This list doesn't quite cover every category yet but I am just starting out again so I will give myself time to 'catchup' to my old system plus I am lots older now and don't have the energy I had 'back in the day'! LOL!  But it's a start and I was happy to be doing it again....it makes you feel like you are 'in the driver's seat' once more..... 

Based on my goals I made my action and task list for the week and they did touch every category.........(you can click on the pictures to enlarge)

I also have a monthly task list that I haven't listed everything on yet but it gives you an example of those tasks that you only need to do once a month and you can spread them out over the month.  I know it looks like a capital "G" after the task but actually it is a paren with a J after it which indicates that I did the task for January.  Every month I check the list and schedule the tasks throughout the month on my weekly goals and from there to my daily lists.  For February there will be an F when the task is done and so on.

This may be a bit much for those of you who are more organized by nature but for me it works and prevents me from feeling like I'm "losing it" while some of you may think this post is the proof! LOL!

Happy Trails!!!

YOP Week #31

I still don't have a camera but I am  using my tablet to the best of my ability.........I finished the bottom of my sweater..............

and I've picked the sleeves back up and have started working one of them..........

The directions for decreasing weren't entirely clear to me so I checked a couple video's on You Tube regarding knitting raglan sleeves and I think I figured out what her directions meant.  It's really mathematical so I love that!  I did the math and I think I'm on the right track.  I want to shorten the sleeves too maybe even 3/4 length as I always end up pushing them up so I can do dishes or stick my hands in water so 3/4 length is great for my lifestyle....we'll see as I go along.
 I finished one of Susan B. Anderson's little hearts that she hand felts.....I'm sticking mine in with the darks when I wash them.  I've felted things before and I think some agitation with other clothes will do the trick!  I'll see how I like it when it's done before I make any more.  This picture is pre-felting.

  Since I'm done with the size 8 circular from the sweater...I can now use it on my Cozy Memories Blanket....because I tried using straight needles and I didn't care for it.  I never did find the original one that I  used for it....leprechauns!  They're everywhere!  I almost got 4 squares done but not quite!  I need to measure it again too.

I haven't worked on my Christmas Eve socks as I need to find some yarn to continue with once I run out as I know I will.  I need to get a move on if I want to do the Box of Socks this year!  Also, there's my "Ornament a Month" self-imposed KAL if anyone wants to join me.  Last year, Amber from Maker's Haven did one but she's not doing it this year but I am!  I'll try anyway and I am trying to make the star for the top of the tree that I failed miserably at last year..............Amber's free pattern.

 I haven't gotten too far yet...I knitted all the star points just fine with the beads last time but I got carried away sewing them together and forgot to leave room to attach the points to each other....DUH!!!  So, it was in timeout for a year.....I can look at the yarn now without bursting into tears.......lol!

I watched Maker's Haven podcast last night and she's doing washcloths and highly recommended the book put out by Knit Picks on Kitchen Cloths.  I think I may need that one myself.  I have plenty of cotton yarn to make some and it would be nice to have them on hand for gifts etc. or just to replace the old ugly ones.
Inside Number 23 is having a KAL for garments using patterns from Michele Wang....it's for 3 months and you can use a WIP and you don't have to finish it in the 3 months!  Sweet deal and there will be prizes, of course.  If you know of any other knitting or crafting news please let us know!
I didn't really have any finishes this week.  I was on the phone with my friend who  had surgery and she is doing great!  I'm so happy!  She had a double mastectomy and came home the next day....she's amazing and so brave!  She's in great spirits, no pain just a little uncomfortable.  She's not even taking her pain meds and she's by herself!  Women are so strong!  I may be knitting her some 'knockers' after she's all healed up.  She mentioned it to me and the website is https://www.knittedknockers.org/  if you are interested in making any.  
My grandson, Sam,  had some leg pains on the same leg that they removed a tumor from when he was 5 or 4 (?)  (he's 10 now) They had an appointment at the University of Iowa with the surgeon and  he's fine....no returning tumor or problem...whew! 
I've been on the phone TRYING to get an answer from my doctor (you can never talk to the doctor though as the nurse screens the calls and I'm thinking she didn't even ask him because her answer did not sound like something he would say).  Anyway, my liver function results were high but I still don't know why.  I am hoping it is one of my medicines and not a problem with the heart muscle or hepatitis!  She told me he said to lay off the alcohol and not take Tylenol.  I told her I do neither....and that doesn't sound like something he would say....I've known him longer than she has!  He doesn't "assume" anything and he is very polite and would ASK me if I was drinking alcohol or taking Tylenol not assume like she did.  I had to call her twice before she got back to me after 3 days!  She also lied and told me she had called me but didn't leave a message....I have caller id and it records every number that calls whether they leave a message or not and there were no calls from them.....hmmm.  I don't like people that lie to me and I'm pretty sure I will be telling him the next time I see him.  Obviously she is not going to let me talk to him.  I think she's making her own recommendations without consulting him at all!  Scary!
Anyway, that's been my week pretty much so not a lot of progress on any front except I am SO happy everyone is healthy and healing!  I hope you had a great week and please stop by and check out the makes from other YOP'ers here
Happy Trails!!!

Cooking and Baking and Candlestick making!!!

This a rural road in Iowa and is very similar to the road I lived on when I had my little farm.  That is what winter is supposed to look like! LOL!  Today it rained this morning and all night too, I guess.....I was sleeping.  The sun came out this afternoon and it is about 60, maybe a little less.  They had said it would rain all day and so I decided it would be a good day to bake and knit or knit and bake............it would have been a good day to wash windows actually but who knew?  Obviously not the weather people! LOL!  To be honest, Iowa doesn't look like this..not this winter anyway.  They have had very little snow and none on the ground right now.  It's been fairly warm there too.
So, I made biscotti.........cranberry and pistachio....pistachios are not cheap especially the pre-shelled ones but with arthritis, shelling nuts is not exactly something I excel in.   I had wanted to try this recipe at Christmas as it is festive looking with the green pistachios and the red cranberries but alas I never got to it..............but today I did.  It's not a complicated recipe or process at all and it went really smoothly except for the slicing.   They tend to crumble easily or at least mine did.  At times like that I wonder if an electric knife would do a better job?  They bake twice and although they are finished now and cooling, I haven't actually eaten one but I did snack on the pieces that fell off and if that is any indication I think these will be a favorite!  

 

This was the best picture I could get as I am still using my tablet and the cord isn't very long.  

I'm adding more recipes to my recipe section and as soon as I give this one the final okay...I think you will be finding it in there.....at least until I find a better one! LOL!  If you want to make them tonight here is the link

Also, here is the recipe picture..........

 

Oh, I also made a great salad this week.......orange romaine salad...very easy with a recipe for a honey vinaigrette to use with it.....yum! 

Here' s the link to it and it is also in my recipe section.

Have a nice evening!  Oh, as for the knitting and making.....stop by tomorrow for YOP Sunday!

Happy Trails!!!!

Books I've finished! Yay!

I've done really well with my FINISHES in the book department this week............
I'm finally done with this one....oh my what a lengthy soap opera of a book!  Not bad for having been written in the 1700's although I won't be reading another one anytime soon.  But for it's time I'm sure it was fascinating and it would make a great soap opera.....like Dark Shadows...remember that one?

I also finished the Wapsipinicon Almanac which was actually on Good Reads and qualified as a book!  Parts of it I liked and other parts I didn't.....it's a collection so that is to be expected. 

This one was a re-read and didn't count in my challenge for this year.  I re-read it each year at Christmas time. 

Now.....I am reading another HUGE book...870 pages, I think..........Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix book #5.............this is my fiction read right now....why do I pick such huge books?  No wonder I can't meet my book challenge! LOL!  But who doesn't love Harry?

 My non-fiction is a book I've had for quite awhile..........

As for a magazine.........it will probably be a National Geographic which I haven't chosen yet...........
I've been watching Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries on Netflix (highly recommend) and knitting podcasts like Inside Number 23 and The Knitting Expat who has the cutest little girl and I really enjoy her.  That's all for this week....I'm still washing windows, cleared out my nightstand and paid all the bills for this month along with the regular household chores.  I hope you are having a good week.  My friend had her surgery today so if you would be so kind as to say a little prayer or send up some good thoughts for her healing and speedy recovery, I would appreciate it.
Happy Trails!!!

YOP Week #30

 I'm a day late and a dollar short for sure!  The weather was really nice yesterday so I wanted to take advantage of it and wash some windows as it was supposed to storm later.  It got cold so fast this past fall that I never got my windows washed in time.  I also put up some new curtains (thrift store) that I washed and ironed.  They are really drapery length and not wanting to take the time to cut and hem I doubled them over and hung them with cafe clips.  I thought it might help keep lightening from waking me up when it flashes......wrong!  We had a big storm last night and the lightening still flashes through them.

 My camera is still not working and I can't afford a new one right now so I tried my tablet and it works but I have to have my tablet plugged in as it won't hold a charge plus it doesn't take the greatest pictures.  I think I need artificial light with it though as some of the pictures are pretty dark.  Sorry, it's the best I can do right now.
I finished the leg on the second sock and the heel flap on the first sock and now I'm working on the heel flap on the second sock.  I'm getting concerned as it doesn't look like I will have enough yarn left to finish them.  I've never had this problem and now I am wondering if this was a DK weight yarn and not a fingering weight.  I can't find the label although I know I didn't throw it out but I guess I will just have to go to the end and then use a contrasting yarn to finish as I am NOT tearing these socks out!  Probably a turquoise yarn or white...some color that is in the multi-color section.  It is so sad as these are my very favorite socks of all time!

I ran across a card making kit my daughter gifted me last year and I have been wanting to make cards so I was very excited to use it!  It is really cute and comes with everything you need EXCEPT card glue........I was able to put together the pop-up part of the card though..........

  I've got my sweater as long as I want it so now I will start the ribbing for the bottom.....I am not worried I will run out of yarn but I am concerned it will be too small for me......I made the same size as a gal I know who made it and she is larger than I am so I didn't think I had anything to worry about and maybe I don't.....we'll see...but when I try it on it seems small but then the needles are attached too.....oh well......it's a good experience for sure and I will definitely be making more sweaters.
This picture turned out pretty good.  I guess I need to ensure there is plenty of light!

I also mended a robe that the had lost a tie from it....I had the tie, it just needed to be sewn back on.
That's all for this week! I hope you had a great one!
Oh, here's the link 
to the Kleenix mittens I posted about the other day.  It's a free pattern on Ravelry and if you want to see what other YOP'ers are up to just check them out here
Happy Trails!!! 

 

Camera is acting up again!

Whoa is me!  But maybe it will heal itself like before.  Meanwhile, I did add a recipe section on the right side of my blog.  I will be adding to it slowly.  If there's anything you specifically want just let me know.  I am only adding recipes that I love and make for myself on a regular basis.  I will also be adding a cleaning recipe section for cleaners that I make and use.  Stay tuned!
I thought this picture was a pretty good rendition of MOI! LOL!

 Today I wrapped up all the ornaments and Vickie's gift and sent them off to Iowa.  I hope they make it there....it's always iffy.  This is one of my favorite quotes..........I wish more people would realize it!  Although I must admit it took me years to finally 'get it' myself.

 I have not tried this but I'm thinking the grand boys would like this when they come to visit. Notice the pitcher has Iowa on it.  Oh, did I tell you?  Sam and Grayson are coming this summer to stay with me without their parents for a whole week!  I am so excited!  I've never had a chance to be alone with my grandchildren.....it could be scary for all involved! LOL! Teachers have to take so many hours of continuing education in their field in order to keep their license current and her husband would have to take the time off from work in order for her to take the classes she needs soooo.........they asked me if I would watch the boys.  She will bring them down here and then come back and get them after her classes are done in a week or so and then she will stay down here for a week too!  How wonderful is that?  I have a board on Pinterest called Camp Grandma that is going to get some use while they're here!  Oh the fun we will have if I don't drop dead in the process! LOL!  I'm not used to active boys anymore....I may need to get in shape before they arrive!

 I'm not saying I'm creative but this is how my mind operates........crazy huh?

 I have no idea where I got this photo but those mittens are made for me because the minute I go out in the cold my nose starts running.  I'll have to search Ravelry to see if I can find the pattern.....stay tuned to this blog!

 This is my dream...to be driving down a country road and come across an old farmhouse like this for sale....that I can afford and that hasn't been 'remodeled' or 'modernized'......but dreams do come true sometimes!

 So far this year I feel like I am truly 'on the right track'........I may not get everything done on my list each day but I am definitely applying myself!

 I love pictures of roads like this as I always wonder what's around the bend.....

Today I also made Rain's pizza dough...finally.....it is rising for 90 minutes and then I will separate into 2 balls and freeze as I am too tuckered to do much more today.  Rain has a wonderful archive on her blog with all her fantastic recipes on it plus she has a link to her cheese making blog too.  Check her out!  She's on my sidebar.
Happy Trails!!!

Monday - Book Date

I have good news to report!  My reading schedule kept me on task and I finished 2 books this past week!  I could hardly believe it myself!  But, they were good books which really helped.  I finished Outlander (627 pages); the first in the series.

 

There was a lot of sex and gruesomeness but I managed to get through it and the writing is so good and her characters and descriptions of the countryside were fascinating.  She has a degree in botany along with several others and it showed throughout the book.  Her knowledge of plants was very evident and totally interesting.  The plot and adventures were like nothing I had ever read before and despite the gruesome aspects I am definitely going to read the next one!  I give it 4 stars and I would give it 5 except for the sex and the gruesome parts.  Actually, someone said that the male hero is someone no real man could live up to....really?  I think they should at least try! LOL!  Plus, the female characters are strong....thank you!

Have any of you read this series or watched the t.v. version?  I'd be interested in what you thought.  I have not watched the video version and should I wait until I am done with all the books or do the seasons match the books?

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I also finished Aunt Dimity and the Duke (290 pages); another 4 star!  I really enjoy a cozy mystery set in the English countryside in either a cottage or an old manor home and this mystery did not disappoint!  It was a good one!  Good writing and interesting plot for sure and there was gardening!  You can't beat the English for their gardens. 

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This week I have already scheduled my reading and although it may be a bit much I will try.....I will be reading/finishing The Mysteries of Udolpho...yes, I know it has been a drag on my reading but maybe if I read more and focus on it the story will reveal itself to me! LOL!   Too much 'lead up' for my impatient mind....this was my Halloween book and so far nothing scary, just hints but it does seem to be getting somewhere finally!  I will be able to finish it this week if I read 63 pages a day.

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I'm also going to finish up The Purpose of Christmas..........12 pages a day

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and the  Wapsipinicon Almanac at 12 pages per day..............this is actually a book on Goodreads.....who knew?

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I am trying to develop other 'systems'  for getting things FINISHed this year....after all...it is my word for 2018!
I watched Season #1 of Red Water about an Irish Village and mysteries going on.  It's on Brit Box and it is good but not sure I will be keeping my subscription.  I watched some knitting pod casts, tiny house pod casts and  that was the extent of my video watching.  I finished Granchester and When Calls the Heart and Father Brown so now maybe Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries?  Any suggestions?  I like series better than movies.  It gives me something to look forward to each evening especially if it's good plus there's binge watching which I like if I am doing handwork!  But I'm not averse to a good movie recommendation either.
Oh, I am still reading the Bible and I'm into Samuel II now and I need to get back to listening to Daily Hope.  
I think after Craft Saturday and YOP Sunday...Monday is pretty much catch up.  Today was bills, laundry,  filled my water bottles, cleaned litter boxes, the tub and actually that was about it.  Oh, I brushed Nitty and Grace....the 2 shedders in the house.  It doesn't seem like I did much when I put it out there. I did do some researching on Rain's blog for her pizza dough recipe and her cheese making as I need to make some feta.  I use it a lot and it is expensive!  Rain said she's going to try it too....she's the expert....not me! LOL! 
I hope you had a good Monday.  It snowed all day but just flurries that never amounted to anything.  But it was pretty coming down.  I'm a blizzard lover though.....wind and drifts and white outs are more my style!   As long as I'm home and not on the road!  LOL!
Happy Trails!!!

YOP Week #29

Great week for me!  Another finish and look what came today............SNOW!!!!  My favorite precipitation!

Unfortunately it never lasts long here but I was appreciative none the less....

I FINISHed the cloth for my girlfriend....now I just need to wrap it, write her a nice card and get it in the mail..........

I FINISHed the leg on sock #1 of my Christmas Eve Cast On socks and started on the leg of sock #2...this yarn is almost more than fingering weight but it is so nice and sturdy!  It will make a wonderfully warm pair of socks for sure.

I started another 'little' project that I've been wanting to do for awhile now and that is little felted hearts that I will fill with lavender once I get the lavender...........I'm just using some leftover Noro Kureon yarn that I had.  It is a Susan B. Anderson free pattern on Ravelry and you join using 2 dpn's and the 3rd for knitting onto....that threw me as I am used to having 3 needles with the 4th to knit with.  I finally got the hang of it after a few tries.  It seems I always have to restart several times on new patterns....why that is I do not know but it happens a lot!

This is what they are supposed to look like when done.........

I also finally got to try something I have been wanting to do for a long, long time.....soap making!

I've had all the materials for awhile now...in fact, I  was going to make Thanksgiving soaps and then Christmas soaps but alas it never materialized but today....I made soap!  

I looked for awhile for a recipe that did not use lye as I did not want to mess with that stuff!

This was so easy and no fuss , no muss and look at my Lavender Rosemary Soap...........it has to sit for 2 hours and then you take it out of the silicone mold (no sticking) and cut it into bars.  Now, I am going to try other 'flavors'.  I'm thinking it will be great for gifts and I will probably include a bar with the wash cloth for my friend.....nice combo gift huh?  This is one of the easiest crafts I have ever done and finished in one day! LOL!  It smells divine too!

 Last but not least....here's what Miss Peeps was up to this morning..........I think maybe she was cold...lol!

Happy Trails!!!

P.S.  If you want to see what other YOP'ers are up to check out this link