Treasures and practical solutions.......

I'm sorry I still have not gotten around to everyone.....I am behind reading blogs!  I haven't even started my Konmari Step #2!  But yesterday was Walmart and today was catch up on the house....garbage day, cleaning litter boxes, prepping and making dinner and many other household tasks.
Yesterday I got a French Press at Walmart and some heavy cream to go with it and the whole coffee beans.  I have wanted a French Press for quite awhile especially if we would lose power.  Lisa from Farmhouse on Boone says it is the best especially with a bit of heavy cream!  So I made some this morning and although I have to get my 'grinding' down pat as it was a little weak...the flavor was great!  I'd had French Press coffee years ago at a resort and loved it but I never followed through when I came home.  Now, my wishes are coming true!  I used Starbucks Breakfast Blend Whole Bean that I bought in Mountain Home last week. I've had my grinder for years.

 I got a new mister as my old one just like this finally bit the dust after about 8 years!  I loved it because not only does it use a cool mist to humidify my bedroom but you can put essential oils in it which scent the room at the same time.....love!

This is sort of what it looks like 'on' but the entire thing changes colors if you want it to.......

Something I had not planned on but have been wanting for a long time and always forget about it is a rechargeable battery station with rechargeable batteries........Energizer just came out with one or I just noticed it.............it comes with 4 batteries but you can buy them without the charger too..........

  I was so bad......not only did I not do Konmari which is books for Step #2 but I bought 2 magazines!  I'm going backwards not forwards but I must admit.....this is for my future small spaces home.........great ideas for any size home and the decorating is superb........this is a reference magazine for sure!

Then, of course, I had to get the Spring issue of Primitive Quilts and Projects..........both of these magazines did not disappoint..............

Last night I had the last of the Pasta Fajoli with garlic bread and..........a salad with the greens I grew!  Organic, delicious and no recall!   It's been in the low teens here but it didn't bother them in my little 'greenhouse'....

Last week, at my local grocery store here in town they had these Knorr Meal Starters on sale for 1/2 price so I got 2 of each flavor............it looked pretty healthy so I took a chance.  I made one tonight ...

The Lemon Chicken with Barley....I provide the chicken and carrots and spinach..........it's just about done now.....pretty easy!

I'll let you know how I like it....the other 2 are a Southwestern Chicken and a Steak and Peppers with Brown Rice and Quinoa...stay tuned!  Just have to add the spinach on top and cover for a few minutes off the heat and my supper is ready!

Hopefully tomorrow I will get to the Konmari or even tonight for a bit.........I hope you had a great day!
Happy Trails!!!

Walmart.....again............

It's supposed to rain 100% tomorrow so I went to Walmart today.  I did rest yesterday...even took a nap!  But now I am drained again after grocery shopping and unloading it all and putting it all away.  Maybe it's just old age.....a chronic condition for me! LOL!  Anyway.....yesterday I did manage to get my new cart put together.........I think it is so cute and functional too!  I want all my furniture to have wheels........

I also 'started' my sourdough starter..........oh, you can't see it?

here........not much to look at....yet....the only thing I don't understand is why you're supposed to cover it....how is the 'wild' yeast supposed to get in?  When I did it years ago I remember putting cheesecloth over it and putting it outside but it was summer.

I have to feed it every 12 hours...............just like another live pet!
Since I wasn't feeling too perky yesterday, I defrosted some pasta fajoli I had frozen.....I think it tastes even better after freezing.........I had some garlic bread with it......comfort food!  I'm going to freeze more things like this so I have them on hand when I'm busy or just don't feel like cooking.  I thought freezer meals were just for busy Moms but it's for busy retired people too!

I finished this book by Sandra Dallas and it reminded me of how good her books are!  Highly recommend............she's not Janet Oke but her stories are historical fiction....I think?  What do I know?

I'm worn out now but I'll be home tomorrow and get around to see what you all have been up to.
Happy Trails!!!

YOP Week #30

Finishes: none this week

WIPs (works in progress):  There are more than this but these are the only 2 I worked on besides a heart dishcloth for the Our Happy Place CAL which I gave up on as I could not figure it out...I tried like 4 times....evidently I cannot follow directions well because it seemed I was the only one that had trouble with the pattern!
1)  I did work on the monthly Our Happy CAL place shawl...I took these pictures before the sun was up so they aren't the best............I'm using a skein of Lion Brand Mandala yarn

2)  Ben's Bear's hat........his birthday was Friday so per usual, I am late.........but it should get finished maybe even today.........I only have an inch more before the decreases....love this pattern except the brim gets old after 3 inches of it..............also.....I changed colors right after the brim which goes right into the hat pattern portion.   I recommend that you do a couple rows of plain knitting in between your color change and the brim because if you don't you end up with a definite mixing of the blue and the orange which doesn't look good.  It's okay and I'm not going back but just a little lesson learned.
The pattern is done in a single color so you wouldn't run into that predicament.

TOP 10 WIP's:

1)  Falling Leaves scarf - needs blocking
2)  Pickle Dish
3)  America x-stitch - done but needs finishing
4)  Amy's Frido Kahlo basket (July birthday) - done but needs to be sewn together
5)  Pin's embroidery
6)  Heart bookmark for V-Day - done but needs backing
7)  Toe-up socks
8)  Ben's hat
9)  Multnomah shawl
10. C2C blanket for Grayson (July birthday) 
11. (breaking the rules already!) Granny Triangle shawl for Our Happy CAL Place January CAL

NEW STARTS: none this week


 Finishes so far in 2018-19: 
1.  4th of July cross stitch pillow/ornie
2.  Hitchhiker shawl
3.  Felici Hibiscus self-striping socks
4.  Felted wool loafer slippers with leather soles for me Sam
5.  washcloth (extra large) and back scrubber for Christmas or birthday for SIL
6.   Iowa Hawkeye hats for Sam and Grayson
7.  Techniques learned so far this year: a) knit cast on, b) reading a knitting chart, c) lace work, d) inserting and using a lifeline e) charting a graphghan
8.   dishcloth(s)...I need to count them
9. Cubs hat for Uriah
10. 12 days of Christmas Advent gifts
11. Cowl for Ben
12. Cowl for Tracy
13. Cowl for Natalie
14.  # 2018 Collectible ornaments for the grands
15.  Cowl for me or gift basket
16.  11 scrubbies for gift basket
17.  1 pot handle cover for gift basket

Based on my research for how to care for a wool blanket.....I think I will not make one out of wool.  Too hard to clean as it would be so big and heavy when wet.
We had snow yesterday!  I was so excited but going from 60's to 16 last night seems to mess with my system....I am very tired today.  This past week did not see much crafting as I was finishing up Konmari Step #1 - Clothes which is done.  Tomorrow I start with books!  Friday which is my usual craft day I was out of town and yesterday the kids kept calling and Skyping and I got little done except to try and catch up with dishes and laundry.  Just one day out of town and you'd think I'd been gone a week! LOL!  Now today I'm exhausted....from what?  I do need to make a meal today and make some bread plus I want to start my sourdough starter....no rest for the weary!  Happy Crafting this week.  I hope I'll have more to show you next week!
Oh, here's the beautiful snow today..........before the sun was up.............

and then when the sun came out..............pay no attention to the dates on my pictures....they are never accurate.........don't ask me why but I'm constantly having to reset it........

 Please stop by and see all the other fantastic projects that other  YOP'ers are working on.
Happy Trails!!!

Home safe and sound...........

Yesterday was a big long day!  I left about 8:30 a.m. and didn't get home until about 4:00 p.m. but it never stormed while I was out which it looked like it would any minute but not a drop of rain fell.
I went to the bank then got the car filled up and then it was off to Mountain Home.  I went to Walmart first and picked up a dust buster I had been wanting. 

 I charged it last night so it would be ready to 'rock and roll' today and it did!  Awesome!  Just what I needed so I don't always have to pull the big vacuum out with the cord and all.....slick!

 Then I saw this..........a little story.....I saw this last fall at my local Walmart and didn't buy it.  I thought I would go home and think about it first.  I decided I wanted it but when I went back it was gone and they had no more.  Yesterday in the Walmart in Mountain Home....there it was!  So I snatched it up this time!  And yes, I got the turquoise one!  I'll show you again after I put it together.

Look at this which I didn't even know existed......Pioneer Woman shelf paper....I got one of each width for the kitchen when I de-clutter and clean it in the coming weeks/months.  Doesn't it go well with my vintage looking canisters?

I also picked up some coffee beans as I am going to get a French Press for coffee making...they say it beats the Keurig for flavor.  I looked at some 1/2 gallon Mason Jars and they have tinted ones now besides clear....purple and amber.  I need 2 for making sauerkraut but when I saw them I knew I had some that size so I didn't buy them.  I went to the doctor and I have 3 separate tests with time in the waiting room in between.  I passed them all with flying colors thank goodness because if not I would have to stop the medicine I take for RA as it can affect your eyes.....thus the exam and dilation every 6 months.    I have no trouble with the dilation although I do make sure I do my shopping before my appointment.  I did stop afterwards and got a Starbuck's Peppermint Latte for the way home though!
 It was pouring rain when I got up this morning and I had to run to the pharmacy and pick up my meds now that I had the 'all clear' and by the time I headed home it was sleeting.  Then it started snowing fast and hard with huge flakes the size of wafers!  I was in 7th heaven!  Look.......

I am one blessed girl!
Happy Trails!!!

Rabbit holes!!!

I worked around here today but not too hard as I have to go to the eye doctor tomorrow and it will be an all day trip there and back plus they will dilate my eyes.  I'll be tuckered!
But I did rustle up some 'stuff' and found some outfits I'm getting rid of but thought I would show you first..........this is the outfit I wore to my daughter's wedding with that 'killer' hat I showed you! LOL!

 I never ever wore the slacks..........such a shame...but I got sick...in fact I was sick at the time of her wedding.....thyroid storm and then radiation to kill off my thyroid.....after they were done with me I was 'fat and sassy' but could no longer fit into any of my clothes............plus I was taking steroids for the RA.....I started looking more like the incredible bulk!

 This was the blouse........

 and the skirt to match...oh, how I loved that outfit and I only got to wear it once....oh well, maybe some one will be as thrilled with it as I was.............

Now, take a look at this happy, happy rain coat that I LOVED..........

See the polka dots on the inside?  It was totally reversible!!!  Oh what joy that coat gave me!

So, they're all bagged up and I will take them next week.  I also ran across my briefcase.....Italian leather....so gorgeous but what do I need with a briefcase?  A yarn basket is more my style now a days! LOL!  I am truly feeling so good and it is energizing!  I can't wait for the next Konmari chapter...starting Monday!  Meanwhile I caught up on a few things.  I vacuumed, scrubbed some 'pet spots', washed Annies bed and blanket.  I was going to wash Nitty's but she was using it.  I also used those Unstoppables...........I have been curious and although they are probably all chemicals...if I like it I will order the Method brand version which is safe for the environment and us too.  I love me some good smells! I am going to be getting some supplies from The Grove Collaborative which are all about non-chemical cleaning etc.
The other rabbit holes I went down today were a blog from a pod caster I truly admire....Lisa from Farmhouse on Boone.  That girl is something else.....she knows how to do everything and I'm sure she comes from pioneer stock!  She has a blog too with recipes, tutorials and you name it she does it! I got a free ebook from her...........

  plus she directed me to a sourdough starter site..........when I was a young stay-at-home Mom I used starter all the time but now I'm so old I have to relearn everything all over again.....but I'm having so much fun...it's like going back to that joyful time of my life when my kids were little...............

She also has a tutorial on how to make sauerkraut and you don't need one of those huge crocks...you can do it in a mason jar.  I have wanted to do that for years!  I can't wait to try it and so much more!

This was another rabbit hole site I ran across.....and then there's this Hash recipe that Lisa makes....I could go on and on!  I want to stay home and play tomorrow! LOL! How was your day....any more rabbit holes I should know about?
Happy Trails!!!

Konmari Step #1 is DONE!!!!

I finished Step #1 - Clothes and I am so happy!!!  I have 3 bags full of clothes to donate.  I still have some shoes in the other room but officially I am done.  Now, there is another dresser/nightstand in my bedroom but it does not contain any clothes so it doesn't count.....now.  I'm sure everything will get dealt with eventually!
Here's a look at my clean, organized and some empty drawers.....one entire dresser is empty!  Actually I have my clothes in my closet and 2 drawers full and that's  it.  I told you I wasn't a clothes horse! LOL!

These are my winter and summer clothes together....no seasonal putting away of clothes as the weather here can be 30 one day and high 60's the next.  Now, I will move onto the next Konmari chapter....not sure what it is but I will read it tonight.....it might be books....oh boy!  That will be a major area for me.....big time!  But I am so tired of maintaining all this stuff....even my antique dressers which I love, but old dressers have old runners on the drawers and they are a struggle.  I may need to use some candle wax or soap or silicone spray on them....something's gotta give! LOL!  And it's not going to be me!
I did get a few new containers to hold my WIP's at the Dollar General today and I worked on Ben's hat and got some birthday cards that need to go out.  Remember the Great Deal I got on the punch needle hoop on Ebay?  Well, it never arrived so I have a case open with PayPal as they took the money for it.  Also, I ordered from InspireUplift for Ben's birthday present....again they took the money but I got nothing.  I emailed them and they sent me an automated email that they would get back to me in a day......nothing so I guess I will have to contact PayPal about them too.   In all my years of shopping on the internet I have never had this problem before.....oh well.....I guess Amazon will be getting my business as I've never had a problem with them except for that Fat Brain gift.  I think they all get too big for their britches! LOL!
I'm going to kick back now.....all that cleaning and clearing and learning how to fold the Konmari way (I had to watch more videos on You Tube) has tired me out but I feel so good about it! 
Happy Trails!!!

Konmari, garbage day and so much more!

 No, this isn't my weather but I sure wish it was my view out my window.....how beautiful!  It's in the 30's here but gray skies and no snow to cover the brown dormant lawns.....oh but never fear.....the weeds are all green.....I kid you not! 
Today was garbage day so there was emptying all the containers, relining them and getting the BIG can out to the street and then bringing it back in later.  I cleaned up the house, did a load of laundry and then got to work on my drawers for Konmari Step #1 - Clothes.  I only got one dresser finished but it is where the majority of my clothes are.  I forgot to take a before picture except at the last minute...........

 I was able to fit all my underwear and tops in one drawer instead of 2 so I now have an empty drawer using her folding method......nothing gets buried because it is all sitting up tall...........LOVE!   I got rid of 2 shirts that were frayed but I don't have too many clothes....I'm afraid if I get rid of "clothing that does not bring me joy"......I would end  up with nothing to wear! LOL!

 These are the 2 new books I started last night...........I love Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter....good, good, people.....I think God has gifted us with those 2!  I want to read all of Sandra Dallas's books...love her!

 I listened briefly to the Senate Confirmation Hearings on Mr. Barr for Attorney General while I was cleaning out my drawers.  I worked on Ben's hat on breaks..........

I did start a granny triangle scarf for Our Happy CAL Place monthly CAL.............I'm using Lion Brand Mandela but for some reason it is not even at the bottom......I have no idea why but I am not going back now! LOL!  I'm sure I did something wrong but it's been straight ever since....it was almost like that yarn was bigger but I'm sure that isn't so...........crazy huh?  This is great T.V. watching once you memorize the pattern which is easy......I loved the giant Granny Square and this one is just 1/2 of that square.......

I just roasted broccoli for this recipe one of my very favorites and healthy too!

I'm off to throw it all together now!
Happy Trails!!!

Monday - Book Date finally..........

Well, it's about time I blogged about my books.  I'm sorry to say I did not meet my Good Reads 2018 Challenge of 75 books.....I read 69  which is more than the 52  I read in 2017.  Do I want to do a challenge this year?  Not sure....I want to read Outlander and Harry Potter which are HUGE books and series.  I think the challenge should go by number of pages read as I found myself avoiding the longer books so that I could meet my challenge and I still didn't.  We'll see.........
Books I've read that I haven't posted about are:

1)

If it's Janette Oke you can bet I will like it and this one was no exception!

"  In Heart of the Wilderness, young Kendra Marty goes to live with her grandfather after her parents die in a river accident. But what can a trapper living in the backwoods offer a small child? Will Kendra ever be ready to face the scary and confusing world far from the wilderness she loves?"

2)

" Eight-year-old Lucy Turnbull knew better than to wish for a pony that Christmas in 1937. Her mother had assured her in no uncertain terms that asking for a pony was the same as asking for the moon. Besides, the only extra mouths they needed at their boarding house were the paying kind. But when an interesting pair of strangers comes to town, Lucy starts to believe her Christmas wishes might just come true after all."

This was very enjoyable reading for the Christmas season.....highly recommend.

3)  

I just finished this one last night but it is a great Christmas read!

"Barry Laverty, M.B., is looking forward to his first Christmas in the cozy village of Ballybucklebo, at least until he learns that his sweetheart, Patricia, might not be coming home for the holidays. That unhappy prospect dampens his spirits somewhat, but Barry has little time to dwell on his romantic disappointments. Christmas may be drawing nigh, but there is little peace to be found on earth, especially for a young doctor plying his trade in the emerald hills and glens of rural Ireland.
Along with his senior partner, Doctor Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly, Barry has his hands full dealing with seasonal coughs and colds, as well as the occasional medical emergency. To add to the doctors' worries, competition arrives in the form of a patient-poaching new physician whose quackery threatens the health and well-being of the good people of Ballybucklebo. Can one territory support three hungry doctors? Barry has his doubts.
But the wintry days and nights are not without a few tidings of comfort and joy. Between their hectic medical practice, Rugby Club parties, and the kiddies' Christmas Pageant, the two doctors still find time to play Santa Claus to a struggling single mother with a sick child and not enough money in the bank. Snow is rare in Ulster, and so are miracles, but that doesn't mean they never happen. . . ."

Plus, at the end of the book are authentic Irish recipes for Christmas!  I'll be having an Irish Christmas Dinner next year!

As for what's on my nightstand?  I went to the library today and couldn't resist these pieces of literature................
I picked up 2 Janet Oke books; A woman Named Damaris and Roses for Mama.  I also renewed A Quilt for Christmas by Sandra Dallas which I didn't get a chance to read.  I picked up Faith, A Journey for All by Jimmy Carter, and Pandemic 1918..."eye witness accounts from the greatest medical holocaust in modern history".  My stepfather's parents both died in that epidemic when he was only 3 years old.
I didn't get to my Konmari today as I had to go to the vets and get the girls their meds, I went to the library and to the grocery store....hopefully tomorrow I will be back at it!  It's clothing drawers this week.  I have done a little practicing of her folding method and it really is efficient, prevents wrinkles and saves tons of room in your drawers!  See you tomorrow!
Happy Trails!!!