This and That

 

These finally arrived, but I have very little time to make them right now.  I have to put this on the to-do list, as I have one tube left and winter is here (lip balm tubes).

The living room is moving along, but it feels like it's taking forever.  We did pick up the gas heater for our alternative heat source for the living room. 

It was nice to be out at dark and see so many beautiful Christmas lights.  I don't think we have been out at dark in a long time recently.

I have been pretty good at making sure I stop working, so that I can take time to decompress/rest.  I am rotating my crocheted blanket with re-stocking baby booties.

It was a tough moment when I dug out the pattern for these.  Mom was my inspiration for just about every thing I made. She was so positive and motivational when it came to making new things, and she always gave me ideas that were great sellers at craft shows.  She would also bring me the best customers.

As I read over my pattern, I realized I forgot to write down my hook size.  Then I realized at that moment I could not call my Mom.  I broke down missing her. 

She is the reason I crochet these booties.  Her friend that worked at the bank with her would gift me booties when my kids were born.  When this special woman could not make them anymore, she gifted me her pattern.

I think I will start a journal, where I have "talks" with Mom, to get me thru this difficult holiday season.  She was the glue that held us all together.  I miss her excitement when she'd call or share a new crochet project for me too.

I still had the gifted baby booties in a storage bin, so I dug one out to examine and start creating.

Thanks for listening to my story....meanwhile my husband is cracking the whip on the work in the living room.  I don't think he realizes how long it takes to paint, prep work, or washing down walls takes.  He will find out this weekend though.

By the way, thank you for all your good thoughts and prayers on the arrival of our heater and flooring.  The flooring is in now and ready to pick up (a day earlier than expected).

Tuesday Tidbits ~ Finished Handiwork

When it snows....all he wants to do is eat it, and he forgets why he's out there.  Sigh.  He leaves his personal tracks in the now - paw prints with a tongue mark in between them.

I finished the baby blanket.

I also finished a pair of baby booties.

We are preparing for a spring vendor/craft show this month.

Family funny - Hubby caught me sweet talking to the chicks and heard me call them all "ladies."  He busted out laughing.  Oh boy, this will be interesting.

I haven't heard from the kids lately.  One needs help replacing rotors on a car, one daughter's car is still out here and broke down, and don't get me started on the truck.  It now has a fluid leak.  We really need a time period to get repairs done and get ahead of all this.  Hubby told me to order what I need on "Amazon."  I told him the groceries I need are on on "Amazon."  Sigh.  I know he's busy and that it was too cold Sunday, but something has got to give.  I'm going bonko.

I finally installed a cheap TV antenna.  Now I can watch the news and work out on the treadmill (which is rather boring so I'm super happy).  Down the road we will upgrade to a more expensive one.  We have "big ticket" projects coming up, so those went to the top of the "get it done" list.

Woke up to a chilly -7°F.  

Bad Weather ~ Baby Bootie Story

On Tuesday, the weather was horrible.  Woke up to freezing rain pouring down on layers of ice.  The temps warmed up later by noon, but then snow moved in.  What a stinking mess and I was so worried about Hubby getting to work (has a 1 hour drive that goes north of us and into worse weather areas). 

There was so much heavy ice, the tree branches were touching the ground.  Cell service went in and out as well.  Hubby made it to work safely, but gosh it was bad.  The trash pick up was behind due to road conditions and arrived an hour later than normal.

I popped open a jar of pumpkin butter for toast and rolls.  Mmm.  Cannot wait for this garden season.

Our daughter made it out for her birthday dinner, but wind picked up late last night.  It's still windy with a windchill of 8°.

Thank you all for the kind comments regarding the baby booties.  There is a story behind them.  A very short story.

I was working full-time during the first three kids births.  My Mom was working at a near by bank, and a lovely co-worker made a pair for one of my kids.  I loved them and had them on all the time when I could.

One day I went to get baby photos done, and upon leaving the store, I had lost a bootie.  I was devastated, but this lovely woman made me another one.

I got to thinking the other day, and emailed Mom to see if she was in contact with this past co-worker.  Boom!  She was.  I asked for the pattern, and at first she couldn't find it, but alas she did.  I don't have the info on the hook size, but the turned out nice and I sent her a thank you and photo of the finished booties.  I still have the ones this lady made too.  

Happy Homemaker Monday

Today I'm joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.  This photo is not from today, but if the weather is good, I'll be using my clothesline next week.

On the breakfast plate. . .
Farm fresh eggs, toast and coffee


The weather outside is . . .
Snow.  Enough to delay school today.  More like slush out there, but enough to make roads slippery.


Right now I am . . .

. . . thankful.  Thankful we found a truck load of split wood for only $60.  Snow moved in too quickly for us to cut our own.  I'm also secretly hoping school is closed.  I could use an extra hand at decorating the cake today.


Thinking . . .
It's gonna be a busy week.  We have a birthday dinner to have, and a wedding in the family.  Oh, and Daughter's Cosmetology speech contest is this week too.  Also, I'm "wait-listed" for a March craft show.  By the time I found out about it, it was already booked full.  Our Army daughter's Co. was deployed, but she didn't have to go.  There were too many with her job apparently.


On the reading pile . . .
Library crafting books (lots of them, ha ha!)


On the TV . . .
Whatever looks good on netflix


On the to-do list . . .
-bake a birthday cake
-laundry
-canning, but it may get pushed into next week
-Work out
-fold dried laundry that's been on the drying racks
-clean down cobwebs, and dust
-sweep and mop the kitchen
-sanitize kitchen counters etc.
-take trash out
-make a breakfast scramble or frittata
-make homemade dog food
-vacuum carpets



On the menu . . .
Monday:  Meatballs/BBQ sauce, wild rice, brussel sprouts
Tues:  Chicken spaghetti, corn, beets, birthday cake and ice cream
Wed: Chili, cornbread
Thurs:  leftovers
Fri:  Baked chimichangas and steamed broccoli
Sat:  leftovers
Sun:  have no idea yet, depends on leftover status


What I am creating . . .

Booties, knitted dishcloth, more pot holders.  Trying to think of something new as well, as spring craft shows are booking now.


Looking around the house . . .
Just need to tidy up for a birthday dinner tomorrow.


On the camera. . .

We had a very short, but beautiful sunrise Sunday morning.

Praying for . . .

Us, the kids

Trip to the Big City ~ More Booties

The weekend went pretty quickly, although we had to get out of the house, even with these ridiculous temps and wind lately.  

Daughter had Winter Homecoming Friday night, which if you have girls, you know you get the "I need it" list last minute.  We ran to one of the "Big Cities" in search for neon knee socks (it was a casual glow in the dark event), and I took that trip to an advantage and went to the craft store.

Saturday we had a lunch date with our 19 year-old and her boyfriend.  We have only met him once over the course of a year or more.  I can finally tell you the bad news about this daughter - she lost her job as manager of the movie rental store.  They are officially closing.  The previous movie rental store she used to work at cut their hours, and I'm sure will close as well.  Luckily, she was re-hired at her other previous job and is applying elsewhere as well.

We ran errands and forgot to pick up chicken feed.  We were so tired when we arrived back home, we literally got into PJ's and collapsed in front of the TV.

Even with the busy weekend, I got more crocheted items done, although I should be working on pot holder sets right now. I'm just working on my PHD (Projects Half Done), ha ha!

I got these cuties all stitched up, and am searching for a bonnet pattern for boys and girls now.  What got me on crocheting the first pair was the fact my step-daughter is pregnant with her 3rd child.  

Not sure what's on the agenda for today, although we will either be cutting wood in this frigid weather or hunting down someone that already has split wood. 

I'll also be ordering seeds I forgot to order.  I might as well pick something new to grow this summer too.

I was gifted these spice jars from our 19 year-old daughter.  They are two different sizes, and I am excited for this year's garden(s).

Tea bag Tidbits

In lieu of watching the mail lady (to avoid someone possibly stealing it), I decided to plant myself in an area I can see better, and get some insurance points out of the way (at the same time) before garden season.  These videos we have to watch are sooooo boring.  Financial ones are superdity duperity boring.

I earned this sign on the porch for a reason, ha ha!  There has been some questionable activity, but nothing to do anything about.  Maybe they have noticed I'm watching them now?

I'm glad I am remembering to get these points out of the way.  I'm always in a rush come fall to get them in before the end of the year.  I'm cheering Hubby on too.  Pre-planning has worked out great.  Plus, it's a perfect way to sit and watch for the mail (and possible activity).

I made these yesterday.  They'll be gifted to my step-daughter, who is expecting a boy in late April.  Yep, we'll be grandparents again for a 3rd time.

We've been getting an onslaught of rain, fog and now dipping in temperature.  I told Hubby I'm so glad we are including probiotic foods in the menu, but now they want pancakes and sausage for dinner.  I wanted fish.  Hmpf.  I guess fish will wait another day.  By the way we hit an all time record of 60° yesterday, and we are back to 22°F at 6am.  Yeah, just making sure those probiotics and physical activity are getting in my day.  The treadmill has been great to have this winter.

The windchill is 4°F this morning, and the weather is crazy.  Yesterday I noticed my daffodils coming up.

I had to laugh the other day when Daughter came home from school.  She was giving us a speech on misconceptions regarding hair and hair growth, and nail growth.  Yes, I already knew prenatal vitamins do not do that job, but it was interesting to her what they are learning, but do not know about natural remedies.  

Maybe I can teach her a thing or two?  She also pulled out one of my hairs on my head (ouch) and examined it for elasticity and health.  Glad to be a "guinea pig" for her, but I am already working on mine being back to normal.  I'm still drinking my tea, eating the right foods, using my hair oil and hair tonic etc.