Monday Musings...............

The other day I posted some of my kitchen cupboard cleaning pictures but I  think I posted the "before" and never the "after" so here we go.........
BEFORE:

AFTER:

There's more room and I still have that empty cabinet over the frig.  I've since lined it with vinyl shelf paper also which I like a lot. Then I moved to the drawer beneath the counter.....there's no before as it really doesn't look any different other than it's been washed and the organizer trays cleaned and more vinyl liner installed.

I have 2 appliances that have been taking up valuable real estate and aren't functioning.  A Hoover Floor Mate (old) and a bread maker (also old).  I took the Hoover apart and washed it well and especially the seals.  I googled "trouble shooting Hoover Floor Mate" and found a wealth of information.  I'll try it out today and if it still doesn't work it is going out in the garbage tomorrow.  Same with the bread maker.

This took 3 hours or more by the time I researched it and took it apart and cleaned it all.  I'm beginning to think that the old simpler ways were much more efficient, less costly and low maintenance.  But when I first got RA and couldn't do much of anything, my sweet daughter bought this for me so I could do my floors.  I had done them on my hands and knees in the past.  Those days are gone! LOL!  Although every once in awhile I will but not on my knees....I just plop down on my "keister".  It's really the only way you can clean corners and around doorways etc.  

Now, I utilize an O'Cedar mop with a spray feature and a container I can fill with my own floor cleaner that I make and with removable, washable pads I can throw in the washer.
BTW, overnight the colors here have started turning!  I wonder if the acorns are still green?
Today is change sheets, laundry, iron, make a nice comfort meal, get Halloween gifts finished up and go for my flu shot.  There's lots more but I won't bore you! LOL!  What are you up to today?
It's all fun to me.  As long as I can go at my own pace I enjoy everything I do and when I get tired that's the end of the day for me.  I try to get my top priorities done first though in case I "poop out" early! LOL!  Have a great Monday!
Happy Trails!

YOP Week #16

                                Creepy Picture of the Day

 We are having beautiful Fall weather here now after the heat so I have been outside as much as possible.  Doing yard work, a trip to Walmart and cleaning cupboards (slow boat to China).  But I did get some project work done............
The scarf for my daughter is coming along........
it's really not as "wonky" as it looks....for some reason the camera angle makes the width look very uneven. 

 

 Here's a close up...........

The ghosts will be finished soon as they need to get in the mail.  The third one is almost done and then I have to stuff the little hands (upper right), stitch on a smile and attach a hanger.  I'll be sure and take a picture when they're all done before I mail them.

I also cast on my son-in-law's Hawkeye hat but that's all....I just cast on.  I'm using my size 7's in other projects so I had to buy another one at Walmart.  Hawkeye colors are black and gold.

In other areas I mowed the lawn (I have a big one) and hung the ghosts out (different ones)......

As you can see, the colors aren't really changing here much yet.  In fact the acorns on the oak trees are green....what are they waiting for?  

Fall is here in my book....

I also went and bought some vinyl shelf paper but it was $3 a roll which only covered one shelf and that was at the Dollar store........ 

it does look better but I may only use it on the bottom shelves or just buy a few rolls a week...

This coming week is pay bills, test out and repair, if possible, my Hoover Floor cleaner and my bread machine, more yard work and outdoor Fall maintenance, finish Halloween presents and bake goodies to get in the mail for the grandboys and continue cleaning the cupboards and kitchen.  I hope you all had a good week and have a great one ahead.  Happy Trails! 

 

 

None the worse for wear and tear!

The storms blew by and left us in tact...luckier than some.  Here's your creepy picture for the day.........

 and since we didn't get blown away yesterday I managed to get a little progress done on the scarf for my daughter.   It's all knit stitches so truly mindless knitting and I really like how it is turning out.

 Here's a closer look.  

  Most importantly I am going strong on the ghosts for my little grand goblins! LOL!  The one ghost on the right is done except for attaching the 2 little "arms", embroidering a smile and weaving in the ends.  Therefore, I thought I would go ahead and get all the crocheting done and then do the handwork on all of them at the end.  I'm making 4 but only 3 need to get done now as one is for my Halloween tree.  Their's have to be mailed.

 Finally got back to the Kitchen Project....Cupboard #1 cleaned inside and out.  All the canning jars got boxed up and put in the basement.  An empty cupboard...what a nice thing to have although I'm sure it won't be that way for long.  I'm ignoring the space above the cupboards for now. 

.

  Here's the next cupboard which I started emptying last night. I'm hoping there will be less going back in when I get done.   These cupboards are really inefficient.  My old farm cupboards held much more and I was able to organize it better.  Those shelves can't even hold a box of cereal standing upright and they are not adjustable.  Engineering done by someone who probably spent very little time in a kitchen!

 That's all for today.  All my Monday chores are being done today as yesterday was not a day to do much of anything except keep an eye on the weather.  I'll be by to "catch up" later!
Happy Trails!

YOP Week #15

Well, I didn't blog my YOP's last week because it was the "same old, same old" projects plus there was work to be done around here.  I can't seem to keep up but all of a sudden I noticed that although this is only week #15 of YOP...it is only 11 weeks until Christmas!   I'm in the middle of a huge cleaning and clearing out project, plus there is Halloween and Fall which I adore and always send gifts and goodies out to the grands.  So, I have got to get serious and just close my eyes to my surroundings and cast on!  So here I go!
Since many evenings I was dog tired I just crocheted some small squares and watched t.v.......

I also started on some Grannie Squares 
in solids as it has been years since I've done them and I was very grateful for Sandra, over at Cherry Heart, for her instructions.  I have a bunch of old acrylic yarn that I am trying to use up. Check the link above for her veritable "crochet school".  She's amazing!  Just remember they are UK terms so a treble crochet is a double in U.S. terms etc.

This will be a scarf for my son Benjamin.  I started it last year and frogged it but I'm ready to tackle it again this year. 

This will be a scarf for my daughter....isn't that yarn scrumptious?  I just hope those loops don't get in my way.....it reminds me of a lambs wool jacket my Mother had "back in the day".

This will be a Jack O' Lantern bookmark if it works out.  I don't have the right size thread or hook
so we'll see........

This is Sam's hat but it needs the ear flaps.....

This is a free pattern from Lion Brand.  Each year I try to make the grands an ornament for their Halloween trees.  We are BIG on Halloween!  This year it looks like little Casper...but again I don't have the right weight yarn so I'm hoping it works out alright.

And of course I can't forget the preemie hats for October!

And here is my yarn buddy...Grace.  She loves yarns, hooks and needles as much as I do but she restrains herself and is very good.....but she watches....very carefully.

I hope you had a great weekend and I wish you a great week ahead and smooth sailing....we are due for some big time, maybe severe storms tomorrow so everyone stay safe and remember...."turn around, don't drown"! 
Happy Trails!

Look what I got in the mail!

No, not a raven but here is your little bit of Daily Halloween........these happen to be my screen savers free from Microsoft

 This is what came in the mail............Alicia Paulson's Night Before Christmas Ornament Kit

Here are the instructions and templates.....

  The supplies.......

 and a sweet little card from Alicia...........

Now, I'm off to do a little Saturday "crafting"!  What are you up to this fine Saturday?  It's cold, wet, and windy here.....perfect for curling up with a hot cup of tea and doing some handwork.

Happy Trails!

The rains have arrived but before that I did a little outside decorating..........

 I started with the front door........

then I moved outside........

I can't stop taking pictures of my gorgeous mums...........

Then I had this "hair-brained" idea to do this..............
I don't really like it though.  Those are battery operated lights with the battery case underneath the galvanized can........I fiddled with that darn piece of driftwood for 2 hours!  I had to pile rocks on it to get it situated properly.  But by the time I decided I didn't like it.............

 

storm clouds were gathering so I left it.......

I did manage to get the mail box covered with this magnetic bit of Fall that I used to use on the farm mail box.......

there are a few color changes taking place with more on the way I'm sure....

It stormed last night and luckily the girls were able to get outside this morning before it started raining again.  We have flash flood warnings and it's supposed to rain on and off for the next 3 days with possible severe weather on Monday.  I came in and made some molasses cookies

and plugged in my fiber optic scarecrow! LOL!

After the storm later when I was in bed reading....the moon came out from behind the clouds so I ran out in my pj's and took some pictures but only one turned out decent
and didn't nearly reflect the beauty I was seeing with my own eyes............

I hope you have a great Friday and weekend too!  Happy Trails!