This and That

Wednesday required more running around, which I am getting so tired of.  I just want to stay home for an entire day.

Breakfast - sweet potato hash with eggs, chives, oregano and basil (bell peppers, onion, jalapeno, and garlic too).

It ended up more like mashed sweet potatoes, because Hubby was helping and put a lid on them (instead of crisping them), but it was still very good and healthy.  I topped it with chives.

I had to start putting away all my crafting supplies, but made one more wine cork tree.  It was a pain to put everything away just for a meal, as my 2nd kitchen table is my "craft" work station (I do not have a craft room here).  The other table only seats 4 people.

I made the roll dough for the upcoming holiday, but will freeze what's left over to minimize carb intake at any meal now.  Thank goodness I picked sweet potatoes over mashed potatoes from the get-go.

As the holidays creep in, I can't stop thinking about Jesse and how he's doing (or the older two girls).  I haven't heard from either since that daughter moved completely back out and took Jesse with her.  I can't get myself to change my blog header and take Jesse's picture off and put Romeo's up.  In time...in time...

The two stray young cats are still around.  I have temporarily named them until we can trap them, see what's what and friend them enough to get them both fixed.  We believe Aurora is getting up in age, and we could use barn cats.

Today's list is too long, and I will remember it well next year when Hubby volunteers me (all by myself) for an entire meal.  He will be remembering this.  He won't be here to help as he insisted he would and our daughter is still feeling sick.  Now I have the sniffles and congestion.  Just lovely.  I'm about to tell them it's off, but we'll see what happens.

I have to make several dishes today and reheat tomorrow, putting a few more dishes (that Hubby cannot eat) into the oven tomorrow, and starting some veggies in crock pots.

The weather is awful - extreme wind and rain.  They say it'll stop by noon, but we'll see.  I pray you are all getting help with the preparation of the Thanksgiving meal, and that you are all healthy as well.   I'll be re-writing our menu for next year.

Everything is something Hubby cannot eat - cheesy potatoes, glazed carrots (sugar), BBQ green beans (Sodium), corn casserole (carbs, sugar), rolls (sugar, carbs), even sweet potato casserole has brown sugar.  I'll be back to making roasted brussel sprouts and other healthier sides like roasted or baked sweet potatoes.  It'll be a challenge for sure.  I'll be spending snow days trying out whole wheat roll recipes too.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.  I most likely won't get a post in tomorrow, but know that I'm wishing you all a happy holiday!



...finished a set of yellow pot holders.

I have ordered  Cassia cinnamon sticks to make Rosemary Gladstar's  tincture to help lower blood sugar for Hubby.  I also picked up steel cut oats for breakfast meals (oats help lower blood sugar).

Our weather is going to go from almost 60°F yesterday and sunny, to extreme wind and rain.  They are even saying traveling will be difficult, and we have our one daughter, her husband and the grand kids coming tomorrow.

Tuesday Tidbits

I'm up at 4am.  Can't sleep, so I'm gluing snowflakes/stars to the tops of a few wine cork Christmas trees and sipping hot coffee.  I've already let Romeo out, as he came to the gate and let me know (I think I woke him up).

Meanwhile, over the weekend, Daughter became more ill.  I made her sage tea, and homemade ginger ale.  She's congested and has a sore throat.  I also gave her a eucalyptus steam.  She slept a lot over the weekend too.

Sunday we needed wood cut, and it did not get done.  Instead, I pushed the start button on the dishwasher, and water was suddenly flooding the kitchen floor.  Hubby's attention was called to the situation, and he spent a while working on that.


All this time the problem wasn't the dishwasher falling apart by it's self.  A mouse chewed through all the rubber hose parts and water wasn't getting to the dishwasher or back to the drain.  Parts may cost up to $50.00.  I may have Hubby convinced to rip out the dishwasher and put in a cupboard with shelving for me.  We'll see what happens.  Until then, mouse traps are set.

I didn't get time to post Monday due to an early morning doctor appt.  It was the last follow up with my vascular doctor.  Between doctor appts for me, Hubby and Daughter, I nearly finished a set of pot holders in the waiting rooms.  Literally.

First, we left the house at 8am for my appt.  In and out, good check up, given the go to get back to lifting (even exercise).  Then out to breakfast and a run to the store before his appt.  

However while heading to the store, our youngest texted she wasn't feeling up to finishing the day at school.  I called the school, she met us in the "Big City" and we had her checked out at one of the urgent care centers.  

She wasn't diagnosed with a sinus infection, but given a nasal spray - hope it helps.

She drove on home, we went to Hubby's appt, then back to the store for medications.  Yep.  Ugh.

Hubby has always had problems with his blood pressure and blood sugar, and after his heart attack we really watched his intake of food choices.  Well, guess what?  He can't have any carbs now.  At his check up, blood pressure was perfect (I do have a tea on order to help get him off those, which by the way is just a small water pill), but his blood sugar was not.  It's going to be a  challenge for me even more - no tortilla for breakfast burrito, no pasta (very little), no bread etc.  Not sure I want to make dough today for Thanksgiving rolls.

I have looked, and Einkorn is half the carbs of regular flour, so I may be able to make homemade pizzas at home with home canned sauce and veggies.  I may have to order einkorn pasta to also allow a pasta dish here and there.

Looks like a millet skillet will be in the menu, as well as more veggie hash/egg breakfast meals.  


Anyway, we left at 8am and returned home at 4pm.  Long day, and where we got to visit with our 21 year-old how came out to do her laundry.

Sorry for the long post, hopefully, the next will be much shorter and more interesting.

from the handiwork journal . . .

...finished the blueberry hot pad set.

. . . finally finished the knitted dishcloth.  Started another set and also finished it.  I literally sold this set I put together right after I put it up on my other blog (who also ordered the second set).

....got more of the yellow netting cut, but still need to cut pink as well.

....finished a coral set of hot pads.  Started a yellow set.

. . . finished a hat for myself, and I love it.  It's very warm.  I will use this pattern for making some to sell for next year's craft shows.  I hope I can get more colors at a good price.

...crocheted these paw print ornaments for the fall craft show.

...crocheted a few cows.  Just need to get eyes on the cats next. 

. . . got a set of coffee cup coasters done.

. . . I got a few more wine cork Christmas trees done. I'll put up a "how-to" soon on my S.C.R.A.P. blogspot.

The clock is ticking closer to the craft show, with a holiday in between it all (3 for us, sigh...), so I'm busy, busy, busy with handiwork.

I'm up early to get the fire stoked.  We got snow last night.  I'll be working on more wine cork Christmas trees.   I can't believe I'm finally using them all up (and no I didn't drink all that, ha ha!  I had a restaurant save them for me many years ago and found them cleaning my closet).

Christmas Eve Bag

I put together a "Christmas Eve" bag for the grand kids this year.


Here's what's in it:

Cozy mermaid slippers for our grand daughter.

Cozy Christmas pj's for both, and elmo slippers for our grandson.

Fun stuff for them.

I'm still filling up the bag, he he!

Sunrise ~ Tidbits

We had a beautiful sunrise yesterday before the rain arrived.  I had to snap a few photos to capture the beauty.

It appears that Yarnspirations has taken over many other yarn companies, and now sells red heart yarn patterns in "kits" using patterns that were once free on Redheart.com?

I went looking for a free pattern I made 2-3 years ago, and poof, it's not free, as well as many more they used to have online.  Sad world we live in (in more ways than one).  Their site isn't even there anymore, you are directed to Yarnspirations now.

Random Tidbits

Daughter woke up with a sore throat, and I went to get my sage tincture, which made me realize I had some infusing and needed strained.  Got that done.

I finally made homemade chicken pot pie - amazing!  I used taste of home's recipe online (just cut the recipe in half to try one pie).  My pie crusts were from the freezer crumbles I made (King Arthur Flour recipe).

I heard daughter telling Hubby that now that she had homemade pot pie she could never eat what the school serves.  She quickly put some in a container to take for lunch today.  

We are to warm up to 54°F today, but rain.  Blah, who wants rain?  

This and That

We sold the old truck!  The two guys stopped by again and paid us.  They are coming today to trailer it.

I haven't had much to write about, hence the lack of blog posts.  I'm crafting a lot, and hope to remember to take some photos to share.

Yesterday was a dreary, misty day.  I made hot cranberry punch, which I don't normally do until a holiday.  I better buy up more cranberries while they are in season.

The date has been set for the Thanksgiving with my side of the family.  Now we have one Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  Something has to give.  I'm not up to cooking for 3 this year.  I'll have to decide soon.

We need wood cut, but will have to rally up the boys to get it done.  I am still not past my 2 weeks of not lifting etc.

Hopefully, I'll be back with a more interesting post.  I need to get some homemade Christmas gifts made yet.

Teabag Tidbits

Monday we took a huge dip in temperature.  It rained all morning.

The weather screamed hot cocoa, hallmark and crochet.  Brr.  Nasty, dreary skies, cold weather, like the kind that keeps you curled up under a blanket with cozy slippers and a cuddly dog and/or cat.  

The weather turned to snow all night and then freezing temps, so there was a layer of ice on the snow.  Not what I needed for a drive to the hospital.  Roads were in terrible condition and 95 school districts closed in the area of the winter storm. 

I made it to the hospital for my procedure, leaving early with a driver.

I'm glad I took handiwork along.  I had to wait about 45 minutes, but was done in 45 minutes and literally was able to walk to the truck.

However, this morning, I am sore.  It'll be that way for a few days, and then it's back for another sonogram later this week.  The doc said it all looked good when he was done.  I am not allowed to lift, exercise or anything of that nature for two weeks.  I am concerned about the amount of firewood we have and the near 0 temps this morning.  We will have to summon the boys to come help if that's needed.  Hopefully, I'll be back to full swing in two weeks.

Breakfast - made this on Monday, so Tuesday the Hubster and daughter had breakfast on the go.  It's what I had on hand - a sausage "souffle" but with bread swapped out for shredded potatoes (a fluffier version).  I do prefer the bread version, but I didn't have time to bake bread.  

I also got cauliflower chowder going in the crock pot first thing Tuesday morning, so there was a hearty dinner when we got home.

It's a brisk 6°F this morning.  Thankfully, my youngest does not have school again today due to an event they are holding at the career center (school of  hers).  I'll have help with firewood being carried in, taking Romeo out, and so forth.  Speaking of which, I'll need to put my spikes back on my boots starting tomorrow.  

I was up at 3am, because I couldn't sleep with the uncomfortable soreness in my leg.   I came out to stoke the fire and found Tiger on a mouse hunt.  Cold weather must have brought it in somewhere, but I'm confident he'll take care of it for us.  Just another glory bonus of living in the country.

I still haven't gotten to the library.  When the school closes the library closes, and they were also closed Monday.  I will be sending someone to the library for me today, and keeping the movement of my leg to a minimum.  It may be another hot cocoa, hallmark and crochet kind of day, and I'm okay with that.

Happy Homemaker Monday

Saturday morning we cut this tree down.  We got about 1/4 of the pieces split and stacked.  The chimney guys came, and we now have a clean stove, and new gasket in our door.

We took a few hours off to watch the Ohio State game and rejuvenate with some hot tea.  By dinner time we were a moanin' and groanin' - used muscles we hadn't used in a while.

Sunday we were back at it, but first finally put the air conditioner in storage.

Today I'm joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

I'm up at 5am.

The weather outside . . .
It's 36°F and snow is expected to start falling around 7am.  We'll dip into the single digits tomorrow.

On the breakfast plate. . .
Most likely eggs and toast and organic coffee


As I look outside my window. . .
Pitch black.  I'm typically up very early to start the day.


Right now I am . . .
Stoking the fire in the wood stove.  We started our first fire last night.


As I look around the house . . .
I have dishes to put away, and I need to do regular tidying up.


On the to-do list . . .
-laundry
-dishes
-vacuum
-clean master bathroom
-sweep and mop kitchen
-purge coffee cups (have too many, will look for a church to donate to)
-finish cleaning up hallway with boot stand
-make another run to the library
-make a breakfast for the next 2-3 days

On the Menu . . .
-Homemade chicken Pot Pie
-Slow Cooker Cauliflower Chowder
-Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, corn
-Tacos
-Pulled Pork Nachos


Currently reading . . .
Nothing


On the TV this week . . .
Hallmark movies from the library - watched "The Christmas Cure" and "The Christmas Note."  The first was predictable, but the second was wonderful (the kid had me in stitches most of the movie, and this one made both of us cry).


What I am creating . . .
Still working on a set of pot holders and matching dishcloth


New recipe I tried or want to try . . .
Homemade chicken pot pie.  Maybe a new pie for Thanksgiving.  Mushroom wild rice casserole (Simply Scratch).  Speaking of Simply Scratch, I love her recipes, but hate the advertisements on her site.  It's so aggravating, she's got that many on her site. 


Favorite photo from the camera . . .

Prayers . . .
SIL is doing much better and is at home, a friend's mother is in the nursing home in recovery, and myself (leg procedure is tomorrow, please say a prayer, send up good mojo, good vibes.  Roads may be slick and my 20 year-old daughter is driving me).

This and That

I made a trip to the library.  I picked up some much needed entertainment.  Who needs cable when you have the library for free?

My nightstand got the next "extreme clean" done.  I do need to make a trip to the antique store soon.  I use large antique tea towels to cover our nightstands and need Christmas ones.  They are hard to find at a good price.

I have collected some homemade Christmas gift ideas.  I just have to decide on which ones to make.

Homemade hot cocoa is made.  Just in time for this cold weather.

I also got 6 pie crust "crumbles" into the freezer.  Just in time for the up coming holidays.  It looks like cheese, but it's the butter that goes in it.  I use King Flour's recipe online.  Tip:  I chuck the butter, put it in the freezer, then pulse it with a bit of the flour in my food processor.  It makes the process much easier and faster.

Hot Taco Dip

(So good, I forgot to take a photo until it was almost gone)

1 can organic black refried beans
8 oz. organic cream cheese (or homemade)
8 oz. organic sour cream (or homemade)
2 Tbsp. homemade dry taco seasoning mix.  (or one packet from the store)

Mix all ingredients, spread into a baking dish, top with about 1 1/4 cups of shredded organic cheese of our choice, and bake at 375°F for 20 minutes. 

Dip organic tortilla chips into the dip and enjoy!  I'll be doubling this next time.  

Beautiful Sunrise ~ Fire Powder ~ Thyme

Yesterday's start of the sunrise.  Too beautiful to not take a few photos.  I was taking Romeo out, who was fired up with energy from the frost on the ground.  He wasn't sure what to do about it, ha ha!

First thing I had to do in the morning?  More dishes.  I literally made a mess of them, but after taking down all the laundry off the line, we were all pooped the night prior.  

Our 20 year-old came out for a visit.  I fed her leftover homemade enchiladas, spanish rice and hot taco dip (which she loved).

I finally got the hot peppers ground into fire powder.  I didn't have time the other day with all the other work.  I'm just glad I got my glady bulbs out of the ground, but the potatoes remain.  They may be there all winter depending on our weather. 

Some Christmas presents arrived.  I will thank my husband for buying these for me for an early Christmas present (he he).  Thank you Amazon.😊

Buttermilk waffles and sausage patties are breakfast goodies this week.  Haven't made them in a while.

Homemade Taco Dry Mix was restocked.  Love this stuff.

I sure hope the chimney sweep arrives Saturday, it'll be down to 25°F Friday night and we can't burn 24 hours prior to them coming.  They say we may hit single digits (sigh) next week too.  I'm glad I remember to buy a few new ice scrapers for the vehicles.

( I love my small batch dehydrator.  I filled it to the top)
My indoor thyme plant is doing so well, I snipped some and got it into the dehydrator.  I wish I had some oregano seeds to start an indoor plant for that too.  Both did terrible in the herb garden this year, but happy to stock up on thyme.

Face it.  We all have a cupboard where stuff falls out.  Or you did. 

Before

After (aside from the bowls on the rack on the left of it).  We can now find the lids, ha ha!  I also re-homed the serving trays.  We only use them for get togethers.  Fixed that problem with a set of organizers, under $15.00.  I also re-organized a drawer next to this one.

Update on the hot pepper jelly - Hubby's co-workers raved about it.  It's a keeper recipe and I cannot wait to plant next spring, so the weather Gods better be nice next year.