Fall Friday for sure!

We had a storm that brought in a cold front last night and it hasn't gotten out of the 50's today!  They said it would rain all day so I planned indoor activities but the sun has been out all afternoon.  Oh well, it will be out tomorrow too and a bit warmer.
Wednesday I cooked and baked so except for bread I am set for the week.  I made Crunchy Cheeseroni Casserole my favorite comfort food!  Here's a similar recipe......
she uses diced tomatoes instead of cream of tomato soup and I use elbow macaroni and she uses rotini but everything else is pretty much the same.

 I also made a homemade pie crust for the blueberry pie.............Mama Pea's recipe on my side bar........

 and as usual I managed to dirty practically every dish in the house!

 but I ate good and I'm still eating good! LOL!
I put up a few more Fall and now some Halloween decorations........Jack O'Lantern is in the front window and my little scarecrow guy turned up............

 I also dug out my Halloween fabric..........hmmmmmm.......wonder what I'll do with it?

I need to start watching some creepy Halloween movies too....but not too creepy!
I hope you are enjoying your Fall and getting out those cool weather recipes....yummy soups and casseroles and stews!
Happy Trails!!!

44 F this morning! Now we're talkin'!

Down here we go right from AC to turning the heat on!  Although it is off now and 60 F going to 70's so the windows will be open shortly.
Yesterday was a productive day.  I took my garden sprayer apart and fixed it.  The nozzle was plugged up so it works fine now.  I sprayed the front porch with the Wet and Forget and now we wait.
This is right after I sprayed it............you can see the black mold we get down here..............ugly!

 This is this morning..........nada......but the directions do say to "forget" about it as it will take time with rain and sun and whatever.........we shall see.  If it works it would be great!  The light places you see now are where there were items covering that area.

The termite guys came back to check under the crawl space.....it wasn't termites but carpenter ants....so I opted for the pest control which I had been wanting to get anyway.  I certainly don't want the porch to fall down especially after spending all that money on the roof! LOL!
I got my Halloween decorations outside...........the scarecrow and some lights

and of course the ghosts!

Today is laundry, wrap up the hoses, more Wet and Forget spraying and sweeping out the garage and so much more!  But the weather is gorgeous and I am truly enjoying it!  I hope you are too!
Happy Trails!!!

YOP Week #14

 

I am done listing all my WIPs and goals.......let's face it.....it's so unrealistic...for me anyway.  I'm a plodder.....and that's the way I like it so there....I've confessed.  So this is what I got done this week for YOP............
I finished the leg of sock #1.........for some reason it does not look long enough now that I see the picture....hmm...I counted rows but I think I'll get another pair out and measure........very strange........

I'm still not caught up with either CAL's but I'm getting there.........this is the Blaithin CAL and I need 2 more of the flower squares and then on to the next section

As for the Nature's Walk CAL.....I thought I was caught up but I made 4 squares and I think it called for 8.....oh well......I am enjoying them. 
Fall has finally arrived and I spent part of yesterday cleaning my garden sprayer and making a dilution of the Wet and Forget to spray my sidewalks and driveway to get rid of the mold.  Well, I was all set to go but when I pressed the sprayer nothing came out.  It's probably plugged or broken........I walked away.  I'll deal with it tomorrow.
I did make an apple pancake for breakfast/brunch and it was delicious..........

I highly recommend! 
I finished reading Blueberry Muffin Murder..........

and I am halfway finished with The Tale of Applebeck Orchard.......

Lots of outdoor work this week...........trimming, painting, window washing and decorating for Halloween!  I hope you have a great week!

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


Happy Trails!!!

Hallelujah!!!! 74 F and no humidity!

I think I died and went to heaven........this is the type of weather I have been dreaming of!  The weather of my childhood summers.  It's wonderful!  I need to be outside but here I sit.  I went to Walmart yesterday when it was still hot so I figured I would get it out of the way so today I could enjoy this wonderful weather.  Yesterday I bought a hand operated "spiralizer" that you can "spiralize" veggies with and I had a bunch of the last of the zucchini......what a mess!  First of all it has to be the right size zucchini  and I had 2 big ones that I ended up chopping, and grating for zucchini patties..........

Then I used the spiralizer and I got spirals..............

but then you're left with these..............which I will slice up tonight and cook.  Plus, I was thinking that this technique is really trying to get kids to eat more veggies but I have no problem....I love vegetables!  The grated is easier although my vacuum sealer didn't seem to appreciate it as much but I managed.  

Just when I was wrapping things up and getting ready to go outside...........the termite guy shows up.  I got a bill in the mail this morning and no one called ahead or made an appointment!   I do not appreciate that at all.  Just because I 'm retired and I'm always home does not mean I don't have plans!   I think that is rude and they will hear about it.....nicely but they had better call ahead and not on the day they're showing up!  I've noticed they are very lax about that down here.....they just show up and for the vet you just come in and wait although she has since changed to appointments.    Very laid back.....not good for me the planner! LOL!
I picked this new yarn up by Lionbrand......it is cotton and bamboo....a bit pricier than the other dish cloth yarns but I thought it might be nice for face cloths.  It is very soft!  I'll let you know how I like it.

I finally finished the first 4 solid Blaithin CAL squares.............I chose black for my border color and joining color.  Now I have to do the 4 Bramble squares.............how did I get so far behind?

Beware the bugs and critters trying to get in your house before winter..........this huge spider was on the outside of the window thank goodness!  The squirrels are running around like crazy and there are spider webs everywhere outside....I've already run face first into a few of them...oh how I hate that! Get ready for the onslaught and be prepared!

 Happy Trails!!!

 

Short and sweet...literally!

It is 94 F here...feels like 96 F but I am very happy to announce that by Friday or maybe even tomorrow....those hot summer temps are going to be a thing of the past!  It will be in the low  80's or high 70's.....I  can handle that (although I would prefer 60's for working outside) and there is rain coming......Fall is really going to be here!  I can't wait!

I am feeling so much better.....I had something but not sure what but I think it is fading now.  Usually by the time I realize I might be sick....I'm on the road to recovery! LOL!  I'm trying to prep inside so when the temps drop I can be outside!   I've been cleaning and cooking and catching up.......I've vacuumed, changed sheets, done laundry, filled water bottles, cleaned the frig, took care of finances and correspondence and made ham and bean soup and vacuum sealed the rest of the ham.  I made blueberry cream cheese muffins which go great with the soup......part bread/part dessert............with Halloween cupcake liners, of course!

 I also made Mama Pea's (A Homegrown Journal blog on my side bar to the right) Cheesy Egg Wedges and they are so good!   Serve it with some salsa and it is one delicious breakfast.  Some fruit would be good with it too.  There is a big "wedge" missing from it now! LOL!

I've finished the leg on sock #1, I finished last weeks 8 squares for the Nature's Walk CAL and tonight I plan on working on the Blaithin CAL of which I am behind!  I'm catching up on my reading too...hopefully....30 out of 75.  I hope to ad 2 more this week.
I hope you are enjoying your Fall.....any minute now I will be too!
Happy Trails!!!  

YOP Week #13

My goals for this past week for YOP were 1) finish the other 3 squares for Blaithin CAL,  2) work on and hopefully finish leg of sock #1, 3) get yarns ordered for Maybelle and more,  4) sew and crochet more strips for rug, and 5) start nature's Walk CAL. I'm sure there's more but that's all I can handle right now!

1) I did not work on the Blaithin squares at all.  I need to rethink my colors and hopefully this afternoon as tomorrow the new pattern comes out!
2)  I did not get the leg of sock #1 done but it's getting there...........love this yarn and these colors..........

 

3) I did not order any yarns either..........

4) I also did not sew any strips for the crocheted rag rug

5) I did start the Nature's Walk CAL and got 4 of the 8 squares done for the first week.........I'm going to try and finish the next 4 before Tuesday when a new pattern comes out and then I'll try and catch up with the Blaithin CAL but switching between is not efficient.  I have this one almost memorized so I'll finish them first.

My goals for this next week for YOP are 1) finish the other 4 squares for the Nature's Walk CAL  2) finish leg of sock #1, 3) get yarns ordered for Maybelle and more,  4) sew and crochet more strips for rug, and 5) catch up with the Blaithin CAL squares. 6) work on Frida Kahlo basket 7) cross stitch days...............wish me luck! LOL!


I was a real slacker this week for YOP as you can tell although I did get other things done around the homestead.  I also finished some books and started some others.....I have 30 read out of 75 for the challenge.......I finished this one...............

and this is what I'm reading now...........

I just got my first bloom from my hydrangea and it's huge!  I cut it way back this spring so that may be why it's late but there are lots of blooms coming now......

I don't do anything special for the color.....it's just the soil here that gives it the purple and pink
I finally caught up with letter writing, thank yous and packages to mail out and that took all of Friday practically!  I spent $50 at the post office.  I have to budget for postal expenses now it's gotten so pricey!  Today is make ham and bean soup, a blueberry pie from Mama Pea's (A Homegrown Journal on my sidebar) recipe if I get that far.  There's football and ironing and handwork.  I hope you have Fall temps and colors.....it is green here (my header is from another year) and in the 90's for another week at least or so they say!  I would give my eye teeth to be in Montana right now!  A blizzard!
Happy Trails!!!

I made my list for 2019-2020 finally minus the pictures and links.  If you want to see those you can click on the right hand side link "YOP2019-2020".

SCARVES:
1.  Color Tipped Scarf - finished September 2019
2.  WIP
DOILIES:
1.  The Dainty Dollie finished  July 2019
2. WIP
SWEATERS:
1.  Purl Soho Pullover
2.  WIP
HATS:
1.  Helix Hat- finished August 2019
2.  WIP
RUGS:
1.  Crocheted Rag Rug - in progress
2.  WIP
GIFTS:
1.  Little Hearts
2.  WIP
MISC:
1.  DIY Lip Balm
2.  WIP
DISHCLOTHS ETC:
1.  Square Knitted Scrubbies
2.  Halloween Dishcloth - finished September 2019 
3.  Orange washcloth for Amy's Advent present - finished September 2019
MITTENS AND FINGERLESS MITTS:
1.  Easy Fingerless Mitts
2.  WIP
SHAWLS:
1.  The Prohibition Shawl Recipe
2.  Multnomah shawl but must do Feather and Fan cowl first for practice
BLANKETS:
1. Hibernate Crochet Blanket
2. Maybelle
*addtional*  3. Blaithin CAL - in progress
*additional* 4.  Victorian Squares- in progress
*additional* 5.  Nature's Walk CAL - in progress
COWLS:
1.  Fan and Feather Cowl
2.  Gradient Cowl on Line Weight
SOCKS AND SLIPPERS:
1.  Simple House Slippers
2.  Felted Loafer Slippers
*additional* 3.  WYS Goldfinch socks- in progress
SEWING:
1.  Christmas  Pixies
2.  Frida Kahlo Basket - in progress
GARMENT SEWING:
1.  Japanese Gardening Slacks
2.  WIP
QUILTING:
1.  Whole Cloth Quilted Journal Cover
2.  WIP

Fall is here???

They're saying we will have temps in the 90's into October!  WHAT?  This morning it rained and when I went out to get the mail I thought it would be nice and cool out...oh no......it was hot and muggy....it hasn't been this humid all summer.   Oh well, I'll keep the AC going and pretend it's the furnace...lol!
I baked and cooked a few items..........peanut butter cookies...almost burnt like I like them.........

and I tried a new recipe which was really easy and so good............Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
I didn't use tortillas but I had some potatoes I needed to use up so I threw those in the pan too.....easy and quick and delicious!  A very satisfying meal.

I  finished a few books and have ordered more...the next ones in these series...........they are shown from light hearted to more serious.....love them all!  I haven't been feeling real perky this  past week and I've been waking up in the middle of the night and then can't go back to sleep.  I definitely miss my "guard girls".....I slept better with them around.  So, I sit up and read for awhile.  I need to read more anyway so I can catch up with my Good Read's Challenge....I've only read 29 of 75 I committed to.  I had better get a move on.  Maybe it's good I am waking in the middle of the night.

I started the Nature's Walk CAL by Sandra Paul of the Cherry Heart blog.  I've got 2 of 8 squares done so far and it's easy after the first one.  I have 6 more to do before next Tuesday and I have 3 more of the Blaithin CAL squares to do before next Monday.  I will weave in the ends tonight and maybe knit on my sock awhile.

Today in addition to regular chores, I printed off a health directive that I will fill out tomorrow.  I also needed to write some cards and letters and my stationary was all over the place so I finally went through it and cards I've received and organized it all.  No letters got written but now I know where to find the supplies!   The card on the top was one I got from my son, Jim awhile ago.  I'll cherish the ones I have!

I hope you are having true Fall weather....we'll get some eventually but October?  I so need to move North! 
Happy Trails!!!

YOP Week #12

My goals for this past week for YOP were 1) finish Halloween washcloth...done...........

2) finish cuff on sock #1......done.......on to the leg!  This is West Yorkshire Spinner's sock yarn in the Goldfinch colorway......love it so far!

 3) get yarns ordered for Maybelle and maybe some for the CALs too...have not done this yet......

4) finish color tipped scarf...done.  This is gold and black...Iowa Hawkeye colors for one of the grands........

  5) sew more strips for rag rug and crochet unto the rug....done.....

 6) start the Blaithin CAL..........done...but just started....you have 2 weeks to do 4 squares...2 regular and 2 design squares.

 This week was the Bramble square so I looked up brambles and took my colors from them.........

 and this is what the one plain square turned out like................I still have a border color to chose which will also be the color for joining (JAYG) but I haven't decided on it yet....gray?  black? cream?  pale yellow?  Also...should I use these same colors for the other 3 squares for this first CAL project or would it not fit in to have 4 squares with the same colors later when joining them all together?  Should I just not be bothered with nature accuracy?  I don't trust myself with color choices.  Nature does a much better job than I ever could.  Plus, I have realized I don't like primary or bright colors....no rainbows for me...........more muted colors......tough decisions!
I also need a blocker.  These squares will definitely need blocking!  I saw a wooden one on Etsy?  It allows you to stack a bunch of squares and you chose the finished size....I think I need that! 

This week the Nature's Walk CAL starts on Tuesday, Autumn starts tomorrow!  Yay!  It won't feel like it here yet but eventually it will come.  It is a bit cooler...80's and more rain and windy.....yep!  That's Fall on the horizon!

I did no cross stitch at all this week....my xs mojo has gone but I hope to get it back!  I was really tired this week too and sneezing and have had a few headaches....not sure what that's about but I even took a couple naps!  Moi....the person who never naps!  Are those days over?  I have started dozing while knitting and reading.....like those old people in the commercials!  At least I don't snore and wake myself up.
So, the goals for this coming week for YOP are 1) finish the other 3 squares for Blaithin CAL,  2) work on and hopefully finish leg of sock #1, 3) get yarns ordered for Maybelle and more,  4) sew and crochet more strips for rug, and 5) start nature's Walk CAL. I'm sure there's more but that's all I can handle right now!
As for around the homestead, there was laundry in my repaired "like new" dryer, the lawn got mowed, groceries were purchased, bills paid, garage steps finished painting and some cleaning.  My SIL is still struggling and his foot is the issue.....he is diabetic and it is infected and they have even mentioned having to amputate.  It is an awful situation....please keep those prayers coming.

I hope you had a good week and are staying safe from all the weather related disasters around the globe.
 Please stop by and see all the other fantastic projects that other YOP'ers are working on.

I made my list for 2019-2020 finally minus the pictures and links.  If you want to see those you can click on the right hand side link "YOP2019-2020".

SCARVES:
1.  Color Tipped Scarf - finished September 2019
2.  WIP
DOILIES:
1.  The Dainty Dollie finished  July 2019
2. WIP
SWEATERS:
1.  Purl Soho Pullover
2.  WIP
HATS:
1.  Helix Hat- finished August 2019
2.  WIP
RUGS:
1.  Crocheted Rag Rug - in progress
2.  WIP
GIFTS:
1.  Little Hearts
2.  WIP
MISC:
1.  DIY Lip Balm
2.  WIP
DISHCLOTHS ETC:
1.  Square Knitted Scrubbies
2.  Halloween Dishcloth - finished September 2019 
3.  Orange washcloth for Amy's Advent present - finished September 2019
MITTENS AND FINGERLESS MITTS:
1.  Easy Fingerless Mitts
2.  WIP
SHAWLS:
1.  The Prohibition Shawl Recipe
2.  Multnomah shawl but must do Feather and Fan cowl first for practice
BLANKETS:
1. Hibernate Crochet Blanket
2. Maybelle
*addtional*  3. Blaithin CAL - in progress
*additional* 4.  Victorian Squares- in progress
*additional* 5.  Nature's Walk CAL
COWLS:
1.  Fan and Feather Cowl
2.  Gradient Cowl on Line Weight
SOCKS AND SLIPPERS:
1.  Simple House Slippers
2.  Felted Loafer Slippers
*additional* 3.  WYS Goldfinch socks- in progress
SEWING:
1.  Christmas  Pixies
2.  Frida Kahlo Basket - in progress
GARMENT SEWING:
1.  Japanese Gardening Slacks
2.  WIP
QUILTING:
1.  Whole Cloth Quilted Journal Cover
2.  WIP