Monday - October 21, 2019.

We had a doozy of a storm early this morning.  There was a tornado watch and it blew my Adirondack chairs over and my heavy rocking chair.  I couldn't sleep so I got up and made a cup of coffee in case the power went out but it didn't.  By the time I was awake it started slowing down...figures... but I just stayed up.  Now, I am tired! 
The pest control guy was coming at 11:00 and it was his first time here so it took 1 1/2 hours.  He saw 'fresh' evidence of mice in the basement so I'm glad I hired them!  And my spider traps all had brown recluse in them.  I had leftover traps from when I had Terminix.  Yes, I am glad to have pest control especially down here where nothing freezes and nothing dies....except whatever I plant. LOL!
My Parmesan garlic bread sticks did not turn out at all.  They didn't rise the 2nd time and baked up like rocks so out they went!  From now on it's King Arthur recipes for baked goods and maybe I'll hire a new gal in the kitchen! LOL!
I did work on Santa Sunday last night.....pay no attention to the yellowing fabric...the camera did that for some reason...........

 Treasures came today!!! From Thrift Books.......just in time for this one as I am about done with Fudge Cupcake Murder..................

Remember all those books you drooled over but couldn't bring yourself to spend the money when they first came out at $27 or more?  Well, how about $3 - $5?  Sound better?  You betcha!

 This one even has embroidery transfers inside............

 I'm working on another Nature's Walk square.........

I've gathered the garbage together and need to get it out to the street and I cleaned the tub and dried and folded a load of clothes.  I unloaded  and loaded the dishwasher, cleaned the sink and washed the dishes, counters and table.   I also brought the salt in from the car and filled the water softner.  I picked up a huge branch that came down from one of my trees in the front but the ghosts are still floating out there thank goodness!

I think I am done for the day and going to put my feet up!  How was your Monday?

Happy Trails!!!

YOP Week #16

 

I am behind but I don't care....it will probably get worse before it gets better! LOL!  I have 5 of the 8 Nature's Walk squares done and I think I have another week but maybe not...........

I did manage to stay pretty much on top of the cross stitching days except for Fall Friday.........this is Monthly Monday............

and Witchy Wednesday..............It looks like I'm almost done but I'm not.......there is a border that goes around the whole thing too.....................

 Stars and Stripes Saturday got some love last evening..........I'm using my new Wonder Clips to hold the excess material out of the way and it works slick!  Thank you, Kimberly at FQS!  (Fat Quarter Shop)

Today is Santa Sunday and this is what I did last week............

That's all for this week.  It's been beautiful here and I've been spending some time outside getting things ready for Winter.  I also planned a few projects for the grands for Halloween......like these cute little Ghost Hands by my friend Anita over at Aunt Nubby's Kitchen

I also have a few other projects up my sleeve but we'll see if I get them done! LOL!
I made a delicious Oriental Chicken Salad last night with the leftover chicken from the one I roasted the other day.  I have a big enough 'bag of bones' now to make bone broth this week, probably.  I also have dough for parmesan garlic bread sticks to make today.........

..and there's football!  Yesterday I was able to listen to the Iowa Hawkeye Homecoming Game in Iowa City and they beat the Purdue Boilermakers!  Go Hawks!  I'm hoping to watch the Bear's on t.v. but we'll see.....they show the southern teams here it seems.  I told you I have to move back North! LOL!

 Please stop by and see all the other fantastic projects that other YOP'ers are working on.
I hope you got to work on your favorite projects this week!


Happy Trails!!!

Friday 10-18-2019

I took a walk today...the first one with out my girls and I cried most of the way.  No matter where I turn I am reminded of them and their companionship for the last 14 years.  It was beautiful out and I'm sure it will get easier but what I would really like to do is move back North and not be reminded of them every where I turn.  We were a family and our daily lives revolved around each other.
Here are some pictures from the walk..............
There's more color than you think when you take the time to look closely..........red berries

   Some white and yellow members of the aster family I am assuming..........

the woods are still pretty green

but looking up there are some color changes..............

I went to paint the shed only to find the paint all thick and non-usable.  I'll need to get some more.  I did run up town and get my honey, sorghum molasses and some pickled beets.............yum...........

  My newest neighbor from California had some Halloween guests visiting so I took their picture.............

I've worked a bit on the Berries square #4............and I'll finish it tonight

I repotted a few plants and brought all the pots in and I guess that's all I got done today besides regular chores.............oh well....it is Friday after all.  Tonight I plan on having some popcorn and 7-Up and watching a movie on You Tube that was recommended called "The Good Year".  What do you have planned for your Friday night?  Whatever it is have a good one!
Happy Trails!!!

Thursday 10/17/2019

Hello everyone!  I'm back from Wally World, the groceries are all unloaded and put away and I'm not toast like I usually am.....hmmm.....it's probably the nice cool temps...refreshing.  I spent the morning making my menu and grocery list .  This should last about a month.   These items are in no particular order

1.  Pulled pork, coleslaw, buns and roasted garlic potatoes
2.  King Arthur's Digestive Biscuits
3.  Aebleskiver - I got a pan for these at a garage sale...I really didn't know what it was but I found out and want to make them.  I've had the pan for years!  Either use it or get rid of it so I will. They're basically Danish donuts. 
4.  Lemon Meringue Pie
5.  Cinnamon Crisps
6.  Penzey's Brat and Cheddar Soup
7.  Pre-made instant cinnamon oatmeal
8.  6 Week Raisin Bran Muffins -  anybody remember these?
9.  Oriental Chicken Salad
10. Parmesan Garlic Bread Sticks

I got everything I need except some Ozark honey which I buy in a big jar at the local market here in town. 

As for some special items, I got these...........

and 2 different 2 1/2" by 42" rolls of Christmas material..........

and some orange ribbon which I'm pretty sure I need or will need in the future.......

While I was gone the exterminator called and they'll be here Monday at 11:00 a.m.......after that I only have one other appointment in October all the rest of the lovely days I can stay home.....my favorite thing to do! LOL!  I think I will start walking again although it will seem so strange without my girls....maybe I'll feel them with me.
I will share the recipes as I make each item on the menu unless they're really bad.  I hope you had a great day.  It's just beautiful here and the trees are just starting to turn a bit.  It should be gorgeous by the time I go to Mountain Home at the end of the month.
Happy Trails!!!

Wednesday 10/16/2019

 Happy Fall Y'all!

 I haven't quite finished Berry square #3 but I will before the evening is done...........

 I got treasures in the mail today!!!!  I love Fat Quarter Shop!  The are fast, efficient and all their products are top notch.  I got some much needed supplies.........on the left are long doll needles, then some wonder clips, some scissor sheathes and some long stitch quilting needles.............

 I got a charm pack of this Halloween fabric..............love it!

 and this was on a "flash sale" for $1.99 and I couldn't pass it up.  My notions bag is overflowing and this one is bigger.............it feels like leather and is made by Moda so you know it's quality.  I was really happy I got it and it's in my favorite color!

 

I got a late start today so I didn't get much done but I did clean litter boxes and paid a few more bills.  Oh, printer ink came too but that's not that exciting...lol!  I've got butter softening for making those English Digestive Biscuits but I have to make a menu and grocery list and head to Walmart tomorrow so who knows when they 'll get made.

A few new podcasts I am enjoying on You Tube...........Parisienne Farmgirl

 and Simple Living Alaska

 What did you get up to today?  Enjoy your evening!  Oh, I ordered more books too!  I'll be working on Witchy Wednesday tonight.

Happy Trails!!!

Tuesday 10/15/2019

God is good to me!  I prayed and asked him/her to help me get the garden sprayer open and to help me find a sewing book I've been looking for.  Well, I haven't found the book yet but he sent the propane guy to fill up the tank and I ran out with my garden sprayer and asked him if he could unscrew it for me.  He did........in about 2 seconds!  I was ever so grateful!  So, the rain held off and I was able to get another spraying in...............can't tell if it looks better or not.........I'll keep reapplying until I run out and then leave it be for awhile to see if it works before I buy more.

  I roasted the chicken today and had a nice dinner of sweet potato, carrots and the chicken.  I cooked it early and ate early and I have it off the bone and cooling before I refrigerate it.  I save the carcass and the bones in a bag in the freezer and when it's full I make broth.  Such an easy meal....ready in 1 hour!

A few more decorations found their way upstairs..........

I did work on my Monthly Monday project last night..............

and today I did another Berries square #2 for the Nature's Walk CAL...........

I've visited a few really nice blogs/websites lately that I've enjoyed.......
Bee in my Bonnet with Lori Holt
Hollyhock Quilts
The Farm Chicks
Freda's Hive

There's a new book out today by Ronan Farrow "Catch and Kill" about his investigation into the Harvey Weinstein expose's along with others.  I did not realize he is Mia Farrow's son!  Where have I been?   He was interviewed on NPR today.
I hope you found something that excited you or inspired you today and added a little bit of joy to your world! 
Happy Trails!!!

Monday 10/14/2019

It's been a semi-productive day so far.  I called in and went and picked up my prescriptions and got my flu shot while I was there.  I paid the electric and the termite protection bill and mailed.  I brought up the last of the Halloween decorations from the basement and emptied and relined all the garbages in the house.  I defrosted a whole chicken for roasting tomorrow and went out and used more Wet and Forget on the sidewalk but I ran out so I tried to get the lid off to refill and no go!  I released the tank pressure and still could not get it off!  I messed with it but to no avail.  These old arthritic hands have no strength!  I guess I'll have to take it to the hardware store and see if they can get it off for me.  It's Ace Hardware over in Ash Flat and the sprayer has Ace printed on it.  It was a perfect day to spray too.  Tomorrow is supposed to rain.
All the plants are in and some are repotted.........chives

Italian parsley

and thyme that started sprouting some basil buds that I  had pinched off and threw in there!  Bonus!

I save the cards I get and re-display them each year.............

This one is really special as it was from Jim...........we all loved Halloween and it was a big deal in our family................still is.............

I managed to 'kit up' the 2nd part of the Nature's Walk CAL.....I'm only about 2 weeks behind! LOL!  But I'll catch up.........I already finished the first one of 8 of these blocks..............they're easy because there's no color changing and only 2 ends to weave in.............the first 8 were called Gates and these are Berries

That's all for today folks!  Tonight I'll be working on my Monthly Monday  cross stitch.  I'm hoping to get a few more things done before I call it a day but I got up at 3:30 this morning so I am winding down! LOL!
I hope you had a good Monday for the start of your week.
Happy Trails!!!

YOP Week #15

 

 This past week was a good one.  I felt more balanced, the grieving comes and goes but not as often or as deep....acceptance is taking it's place.  I realized I do like a balance in my days...a little cleaning, organizing, decorating, cooking, baking, maintaining, gardening and of course, creating.  I didn't get a lot of 'crafting' done but what I did I enjoyed and that's the main point.
I tried making those little fabric pumpkins but mine turned out REALLY tiny!  I have 2 more to make and then I think I'll go big or go home! LOL!

 I finally finished all 8 of the Gates squares for the Nature's Walk CAL and printed off all the other squares....as much as I'm behind in anyway.............I'll start on the new one today........

 I took some time to start making some Christmas gifts..........these are cosmetic squares for my daughter for her Advent calendar.....they're like the cotton disposable ones but these can be washed and reused........I used that new Lion Brand cotton and bamboo yarn and it is a little splitty but oh so soft and perfect for these face pads.  I've made 10 and need to weave in the ends and that will be 1 of 12 Advent gifts done......

 I worked on Stars and Stripes Saturday and almost have the corner blue section done...........

 I worked on it while watching the Iowa Hawkeyes play Penn State at Iowa in Iowa City last night.....it was almost like being home...........I didn't make it to the end though .....halftime and I was ready for bed! LOL!
 Today is Santa Sunday and I've already started working on it..............I've got my cross stitch mojo back and getting back in the rhythm............

I made a loaf of no-knead harvest bread to honor the cooler weather here finally...Yay!  70's during the day and 30's at night.........there's been rain too so no fire danger thank goodness.  Those poor people in California!  How scary that must be!
 This is a King Arthur Flour recipe

 It was delicious for breakfast with a cup of Starbucks Pumpkin Spice coffee.........since I don't care for raisins I used dried cranberries and dried blueberries with pecans.......

Now I am off to order some supplies....I have been postponing but today is the day!
  Please stop by and see all the other fantastic projects that other YOP'ers are working on.

P.S.  I've been meaning to update you on my SIL.....he is still in the hospital but out of IC and he is better but the foot is probably not going to be used for a long time if ever.  He is waiting to get a spot at a rehab center as he is still on an IV.  There has been no decision as to keeping or removing the foot but he will not be able to work as his job entailed being on his feet and the bones in that one foot are practically non-existent any more.  I doubt if  he will ever work again.   Please keep him and his family in your prayers.  I wish I could sell this house yesterday and move back so I could help them out.  I'm working towards it.

Happy Trails!!!