This and That

I noticed when we stayed at the island the last time, she had black washcloths with the work "makeup" on them.  Genius.  I could just go to the store and buy black ones, but made one myself with cotton yarn to see if it would work well.

I love this pattern, so we'll see how it goes and if the face makeup will stain on it or not.  I'm hoping it works vs. using my other lighter washcloths that do stain.  I don't wear makeup that often, but I am happy with this pattern, and they stitch up quickly.

Thankfully my husband had Saturday off, however, he never took my bathroom door off the hinges for me.  It'll probably happen tonight.  We have a hired handy-man coming to help gut the bathroom (so happy for that).

We finally picked up a new toilet for the bathroom, and wow the prices have really gone up.  $229.00 for one on sale!  Thankfully we had $140.00 in rebates from the kitchen floor repair.

Three of the kids came over to have a lunch for Father's Day.  I was tickled pink to have their boyfriends take a desk down from upstairs and see the girls remove more of their belongings from upstairs.

I've been taking advantage of the weather, and getting the laundry caught up, and dried on the clothesline.  We were to get rain today, but now they are saying no rain.  We are literally having a drought.

I wanted to plant some arnica seeds, although late, but may wait until we do get rain.  My calendula seeds are sprouting, so that is good.  I've had to water daily though.

This and That

In conversation with a professional in the financial business, I was told we are already in a recession regardless of what the news is saying or not saying.  I'll be honest, I am wondering if people will even have money to spend on craft shows this coming Christmas time.  

Last night I made this sheet pan dinner, and it was very good.  The only thing I would add is a dressing for the chicken once it comes out of the oven. I'm thinking cherry-bourbon BBQ sauce or something.  Other than that the bacon grease made this dish very tasty.  A good recipe for bad times as well.  You can raise your meat birds, grow your own sweet potatoes and brussel sprouts, and raise the pig to render the lard for the cooking process.  I do have cast iron pans in case of a black out, and can cook over a campfire.

I'm ready to start gutting the smaller bathroom, but our handyman told us, "I don't do weekends."  I guess if it works out, I'll get doing that on my own.  I've been watching Youtube videos of how to take a corner shower out.  The problem is I am not allowed to operate a saw by myself.

Kitchen update

 

Just a look-see at the oven area.  I still have to paint that wooden beam in the ceiling and half the ceiling, but I'm super happy with the results.  It's so much brighter!

The weather is much cooler this morning, and I am thankful for that.  It will be another full blown day in the garden.  The larger tomato patch was finished yesterday.  We actually have tomatoes on the very first plant I put banana peel water on.  That area has been fully weeded and tilled.  Today I have to water every thing, including flower bed, herb garden, newly planted trees and potted flowers.  Then it's back out to weed the other garden.

I'll admit, I was not ready to do all of this solo.  Coming in from the garden, downing some Haymaker's punch, and painting.  I have really slacked in the cooking department due to the garden work that needs done.

Still painting and other ramblings. . .

It's been a whirlwind week!  First Derecho, then 105°F heat index, followed by a hot week with the 90's.  I am trying my best to get out to the garden early, and tie up tomatoes in the dryer portions of the garden.  One area will take a few days to dry up enough to even walk into.

My ladies have been getting treated with chipped ice.  It's been miserable, but glad that the heat is drying up the garden too.

I sort of feel like I've been tossed into the food processor and the pause button is broke.  The schedule here has been overwhelming.  There is so much to do, and yet the honey-do list never gets checked off on his only day off.  

My clothesline broke, so it's off the honey-do list and on my list now.  I was not a happy camper either.  It takes multiple trips outside to hang it all up, and then take it all down before it even dried.  

I'm still painting in the kitchen.  Rome wasn't built in a day.  I just got my husband to remove a corner trim, but I need to paint the last window, ceiling trim above the fridge (and floor trim behind it), and put things back in place.  Next up?  The other half of the ceiling.

My cabinet finally arrived!!  I waited 9 weeks for delivery.  I love it.  Once painting for the day is complete, I will scour the house for Mom's dishes and put those in the cabinet.

If I get certain things done today, I will be able to have my husband help me start gutting the bathroom that has to be dealt with (if he gets a day off this weekend).  The vanity is in my utility room and I really want it back where it needs to be.  Yes, that means more painting, but we haven't painted anything in this house for 14 years (other than my "office").

Our handy-man came over and repaired brakes on my husband's car. We are so thankful for him being available.  He is coming back to haul limbs out of the yard from Derecho, and other work for us.  

Yesterday, I made sure I took time for myself and crocheted.  I have a new item I am working on.  Once it's complete, I will be sure to show you all.

Our kale is looking good, but not much of the chard came up this year (oddly).  Anyway, Derecho gave us two more cucumber plants.

Newest Crochet Project - Mini Camper Keychains and other Tidbits

I made this for Daughter K's birthday.  I'm not sure I'll get the other project done in time.  I'm heading out to the garden this morning early.  Anyway, it turned out super cute.  She is into a black and white theme in her apartment this year.

I got two more made in other colors, but it takes quite a bit of time to make these mini campers.

I got a strawberry crunch cake made yesterday evening.  I'm trying really hard to rotate out of the freezer, so I don't waste anything in there.  I forgot to take a photo, but my husband was pretty happy to come home to it.

Found out my husband's boss is out sick with covid right now.

All of the loose floor trim is painted but one piece.  The flooring guys broke one piece in half, and I didn't find out until the other day.  Frustrating for sure.

I'm off the hook with making breakfast for my husband's crew.  However, he needs scrambled eggs now for the weekend burritos.

I'm the queen of list making right now.  There is a list for the day, a continued list for the grocery store, a list of things that need re-stocked that require another list to pre-start those, like infusing oils.  I'm doing my best at this, but evenings are the hardest I think.

 

Rain ~ Baking Day ~ Mowing Day

 Although we didn't get a lot of rain during the day yesterday, we got a good amount last night.

I took advantage of it, and did some baking.  I make Mom's favorite snack (just because), and I tried a new recipe (as well as a 2 crock pot dinner - hot pepper mustard sauce over meatballs in one and sweet potatoes/thyme/garlic in another).

The new recipe?  Bacon, cheese, jalapeno bread.  I used the frozen jalapenos from last year's garden, estimating "2" jalapenos, and left the seeds in (that is the way I freeze them).  We both loved it!  I'm adding the recipe to my "taco" night family get together.  It took time to make it, and a lot of ingredients, but so good!  I added the optional green onion, because the herb garden is producing well, although needs weeded badly.

Daughter K arrived for another pick up, but did not bring her trash bags down stairs.  I was busy in the kitchen, and didn't realize it until she already left.  Anyway, more is out of my front room and upstairs.

Painting continues.  I can only paint one thing on the saw horses due to humidity, and the AC remains off.  The mowing was done.  There was a window of opportunity in the day, where the sun came out, before the rain came back.

I worked for a bit in the utility room, but that is limited due to all the bathroom stuff put in there.  We are still waiting on our hired help to start gutting the smaller bathroom, which reminds me, we still need to buy the flooring for in there.

The garden is in!!

 The garden is finally in.  I just have to drop some zinnia and dill seeds this morning before it rains, and put my garden cart back where it belongs.

I bought a pack of 25 wooden, 5 foot tomato stakes online and got it shipped free to the house.  Funny story about the tomatoes.  

I was planting when Daughter K called.  She asked if she would be the one getting any extra slicer tomatoes.  I would always grow them for Mom.  Guess who hopped in the truck and went and bought her a plant in the middle of planting?  Yep. That was me, but I also got me an extra hot banana, as mine did not all sprout.

You know it was a long day in the garden, when you don't see me post so early today.  I slept very well, ha ha!

Our friend came over and cleaned all the metal out of the burn pile.  He loaded up his truck and that job is done as well.

I painted one more cabinet door, and cleaned some of a junk drawer out.  Then I called it a night.

We have one kitchen drawer, that my husband dubbed his.  Well, the tracks keep breaking on it, due to the weight in it.  He tried to blame it on me, but guess who took all the tools, and heavy stuff out?  Yeah, I did.

I sent him a photo of this, and asked what the heck does this go to?  He had no idea.  Guess where it went?  I ran it outside before our friend left and added it to his scrap pile, ha ha!  The garage and all his tools will be so organized by fall.  I found my water spigot splitter that I lost years ago too,  ha ha!  Anyway, that drawer is painted and back in place.

The rain is to arrive around noon today, and the garden will love it.  Oh, by the way, the Etsy seller that was the only one I could find online with organic music garlic, fizzled out.  Order was never shipped, and I got zero responses from sending messages.  So....I had to go into my stash left from last year and plant asap.  I had to cut the amount down by about 20 cloves, but it's planted.  Tomatoes rank at the number 112 this year. All paste, but 2 slicer plants and one cherry tomato.

I planted 55 hot peppers, and one is new - golden cayenne.  Planted 33 bell peppers, and two types of lettuce.  We didn't get to plant everything we wanted this year like peas and potatoes, but I'm happy with what I got in considering everything that was going on this year.

I finally got the herbs planted as well, and after the rain will tackle weeding it, as well as the flower beds.

Happy Homemaker Monday

I am so thankful I have my husband, and his full and complete support in life.  No matter what is stressing me, he is always there for me, even with this long, long hours at work.

He continues to work (coffee pot is pre-set for 4:15am) 12 hour days, 6 days a week, with about an hour to work and back.  If someone asks for his help with something, it needs to be super important, because he is exhausted when he arrives home.  He only gets one day off, and yesterday we had a date.

Many people also assume I have all the free time in the world, because I am not employed.  I'm frankly tried of explaining how busy I am lately as well.  Between the garden, the kitchen painting, herb garden, and flower beds, I am exhausted by 6pm.  Sunday was a well over due sanity saver day off with my husband.

Well, most of the day off.  We worked on a list of things that had to be done up until about 11:30am, and I got 3 things out of the garage we don't use anymore as well.

Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

I will join up when she posts.

The weather . . .

Back to beautiful 70's.

As I look outside my window . . .

My herb garden is such a hot mess of weeds, and there is more to be planted in all of the gardens - vegetable, herb and flower.

Right now I am . . .

Getting ready to post this.

Thinking and pondering . . .

...about a long vacation next year due to the long work hours this year, the closing on the sale of Mom's house is tomorrow, not sure we'll get to go camping this year

How I am feeling . . .

Rejuvenated, but not looking forward to the next few weeks. There has been talk of my husband getting no days off now.

On the breakfast plate . . .

Leftover homemade blueberry pancakes, local blueberry sausages and organic coffee.

On my reading pile . . .

Haven't had time to read.

On my TV this week . . .

Smokey and the Bandit

On the menu . . .

-pork chops, home grown asparagus
-tacos, queso
-have no idea for the rest yet.

Looking around the house . . .

...so much to do yet

The to-do list . . .

-do a quick check on laundry
-floors
-paint
-start working in the utility room of what I can for now

-gather items that need loaded for another donation drop

-while paint dries, clean up back porch, plant in the gardens

From the camera . . .

Oddly, nothing

Prayers . . .

Our friend Aaron.  He continues to heal from on infection after surgery.

Tidbits

I finally moved my Mom's plants from my bedroom to the living room. However, they will have to be moved to the kitchen somewhere to start ripping out the carpet and investigating the floor issue in that room.  

We are delayed on the kitchen bathroom, due to our hired help continuing to heal from a hernia surgery.  I am delaying the painting of that bathroom door until that is completed.  It will be easier to paint the door off the hinges anyway, and easier to gut it with the door off.

I got 99 tomato plants planted (yes, by myself), but 11 more need tomato stakes.  I went to one TSC location and they wanted $4.59 per 5 foot wooden stake.  Let's just say I'm still looking for them at a reasonable price.

I picked up my kitchen cabinet door that I had a piece of glass installed.  They only charged me $15.00 for it, and I was so happy.  I'll be back there to have screens re-screened soon.  They are local and do a great job.

I plan to cover the glass in the cabinet door with an etched peel and stick design.  

The heat will lower tomorrow, after todays storms, so that will be a relief.  I need to work on the mess upstairs as well as paint, and it can get hot up there.  The nearest Humane Society is doing their big garage sale days and taking donations, so I want to get whatever they left boxed up and donated.

Storms are moving in the area, so I will not being running any errands.  I had to move any remaining garden plants indoors until it passes.  All outdoor work is delayed for now.

Crazy Busy!

 

Update on my desk area in the kitchen.  I absolutely love it!  I painted the inside of the kitchen front door the same color as well.

I have to paint above the window, and the computer can be finally moved back where it was.  I put peel and stick barnwood on the computer keyboard tray as well.

On top of the kitchen painting, I have the gardens to work in.  I still need to get the peppers in, have to weed and plant in the herb garden and flower beds.

I spent the day painting, putting laundry out, and cleaning more upstairs.  I took 3 garbage bags down, plus brought 3 large boxes down to use in the garden under the grow bags.  I took a small shelf unit downstairs to the roadside and hope someone will take it.

We are not liking these long work hours my husband has.  His to-do list is growing, so I am googling on the "how to" and doing some things myself.

Once I'm done in the kitchen we start on gutting the rest of the smaller bathroom.  We are both worried we will have to do work on the sub floor in there, but once it's done we will have peace of mind.

I sent an SOS to the girls, to come help clean the upstairs.  They both work long hours and one has a 1 hour drive.  Gas is not cheap, so that's an issue for the both of them on their pay scale.

Ground beef was at a limit the other day at the closest grocery store.  I had to pay a whopping $18 for a motion sensor light for the garden, and we need one more.  I have not turned on the AC yet, but it will be up in the 90's today.  I will be cleaning one AC today, but hoping I don't have to turn it on, on account of the cost of our electricity.

Meanwhile, my house is a complete maze to walk thru.  I try and put things back where they belong daily, but duty calls almost every day.  It's been super crazy busy.  I do not like doing the garden all by myself this year at all.  I'm told that these work hours may last until September now.  It's not what either of us wanted to hear.

Ramblings ~ New Recipe Tried

Although we have been told that the latest spike of covid is an actual common cold, we are watching our health right now, as a family member was tested positive.  My best friend also told me her friend tested positive last Sunday.

Afternoons are the hardest lately, if I chose to quit working early.  I miss my afternoon calls to Mom horribly.  I just want to pick up my phone and call her most days.

Not one of my serrano pepper plants sprouted, and I finally (after a long search) found one.

I've been very busy every day, so I surprised my husband with a meatloaf, mashed potatoes and corn.  I also tried a new recipe - peanut butter pie.  I wanted to try this for family gatherings.  It was delicious!  The peanut butter pie we ate in Amish country was terrible.  As well as the one in town at a local business.  Both of them tasted like it was all marshmallow.  The new recipe is a keeper.  It is not overly sweet and filling like a cheesecake either.  I used all organic ingredients, including the cookie crust.  Recipe is from Pioneer Woman and can be found online.

Speaking of meals, I am working on the freezer, using up anything we stocked up on, to re-fill.  Not sure what tonight will be, but it may be fish or meatballs.

I ordered my organic music garlic from an Etsy dealer, and it has not shipped yet.  I have never had an issue with an Etsy dealer, but they have not emailed me back yet.  I'll update on that later. I really need to get it planted.

It's back to painting more in the kitchen today.  It rained the entire day yesterday.  My garden loved it I am sure.  It will be to wet to plant the remainder.

I've been so busy, I've been terrible at checking my email that is hooked up to my blog, terrible at commenting on blogs and even reading them.  I will try and do better at that as I get the garden and flower beds done.

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ A Day Late

I'm so not used to this new work schedule for my husband.  It's crazy on Sunday's.  We had plans to take a motorcycle ride to de-stress, and due to morning must-do's, we never got one in.

The garden however, is tilled.  Not but us.  We literally had to hire someone, and it was done in about a half hour. 

Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

The weather . . . 

Rain, 75°/52°, looks like we'll linger around the upper 70's all week, but will have to dodge the rain to plant.

As I look outside the window . . . 

see above, rain...

Right now I am . . .

Posting this.

Thinking and pondering . . . 

...which part of the kitchen to start with this morning.

How I am feeling . . . 

Exhausted.  I asked Daughter E if she would help  me plant my tomatoes.  She has to work.

On the breakfast plate . . .

Leftover Southern Sausage Enchiladas with homemade sausage gravy.  Coffee.

On my reading pile . . .

Trick or Treat Murder, Leslie Meier

On my TV this week . . .

1883

On the menu . . .

Have no idea, will work on this today.

Yesterday was super busy.

Looking around the house . . .

We continue to have no order due to the kitchen project.  Soon....soon, I keep telling myself.

To-do list . . .

-paint kitchen

-laundry (using drying racks)

-dishes

-pay bills

-write out menu

-check asparagus and rhubarb

-clean air conditioner vents/filters

-either bake a peanut butter pie or rhubarb dessert

From the camera . . .

We inherited a huge amount of assorted nails, screws, nuts and bolts from my Dad.  I was super excited to open a bag of screws, thinking they were just what I needed, only to find out they were too thin in diameter.  My husband could not believe, in all that stash, there was not one of the size I needed.  The screws that came with the drawer knobs are too short for my desk drawers.  Yes folks, this is what is on my camera.

Prayers . . .

Our biker friend who had surgery is out of the hospital, but still needs prayers for continued healing.

Nice weather ~ Painting and purging continues

 

It has been nice weather to get the laundry and bedding out on the line.  I had it out early and painted for 3 hours.  Painting trim is a pain, but I am getting more done if I stay home ha ha!  I'm almost done with the upper cabinets.  I have about 3 to go, and paint the doors as well.  Four doors went back up last night. Progress is being made.

I know we are ripping out the carpet, but I wanted to spot clean in case we sell the other 2 pieces of furniture.  Put the plants out to harden, and totally forgot to put my mail in the mailbox.  Oops.

I got to enjoy a few minutes of porch time and could smell my lilacs all the way out there.  I went and cut some before they were gone for the season. 

I picked a bit more asparagus.  Hopefully it will be a side dish in a few days if I get enough.

I worked in the master bath, purging another cabinet.  I think I have a few drawers to go, but more progress there as well.

Rain and gloomy days. . .

 

I'm starting to panic about the garden getting planted.  We should have tilled last Sunday.  It's been nothing but rain, rain, and more rain.  Rain today and tomorrow as well.  I'm not sure any tilling will get done Sunday, and that was the plan.  We will not be planting peas either (sad face here).  It's too late.  They would be coming up by now.

I spent most of my day cooking for my husband's birthday, so I start today with a sink full of dirty dishes, but worth it. He was so happy to come home, after a 12 hour day, and get homemade Einkorn peanut butter cookies, and homemade sloppy joes and sweet potato fries.

I picked a few more asparagus, so that is on the menu soon.  I feel like we are not getting as much this year for some reason.

I am relieved however, to find out that work is buying my husband's crew brunch on Saturday.  I thought I would be cooking all day today, but thankfully not.  I will be painting again.

When I was mixing the peanut butter cookies in my mixer, I realized it is on the edge of it's life time.  I mentioned it to my husband several times, but now it's really not working well.  I think I've had it for 20 years though.

I wish I would have known, or have thought to look for this when I first started painting.  Our kitchen is paneling on most walls, and trim work is a pain in the rump.  Man this tight space gadget saved my headache.  Works like a charm, and the tape works better for the uneven areas.  I had asked my husband to just take the trim off the walls, and ceiling for me, but this saved him from having to do that too.

The futon is still in my living room.  I tried to give it away for free last weekend, and he was a no-show (family member).  I put it up for free again, and last night they were unable to pick it up due to rain. They said today, but guess what folks?  Rain, and rain tomorrow.  It's not likely it's leaving, but I plan to get it out by Sunday, even if I have to do it on Mother's Day.  It will be out by the road with a free sign.  Dang kids leaving things for me to deal with when I shouldn't have to.

Although my body aches in places that have never before, I am very, very happy with the new look of the kitchen, with just paint.  It's been a long time coming with all the kids banging up cupboards, and walls.  To think it all started with the dishes Mom gave me.  I am so glad the kitchen floor repair is done, and that created us to re-think the 14 year old look of the kitchen.  I'm not ready to move the computer back to the desk in the kitchen.  I have to paint desk cabinet trim, and another window and ceiling trim before that happens.

Birthday ~ Cactus and other ramblings

I decided to bake my husband's most favorite peanut butter cookies for his birthday.  There was just no way to get to my cake decorating tools or cupcake carrier.  

Mom's cactus I inherited is blooming a gorgeous bright pink.  Pink was her favorite color.  It's beautiful!  It's blooming right around Mother's Day too!

Daughter E surprised me with a visit yesterday.  She rode with me to another town to donate my truck full of boxes.  They went to an antique/re-sale store that is owned by my husband's friend (used to work with her many years ago). 

We saw that a pizza shop was open across the street, so we moseyed over there and picked up a pizza for dinner.

Back at the homestead, she wanted to help paint, but I had just washed all my paint brushes for the day prior to her stopping in.  I told her she is welcome to help any day she has off.  I'm working on the upper cabinets, and have 2 more windows to paint.

The drawer knobs have been ordered.  The price finally went to 1/2 off, and yes I paid shipping, but driving all the way to that big city would cost me a lot in gas too.  Gas is going back up over $4/gallon again.  Anyway, that is checked off the to-do list.

I broke one of the hardware pieces on my cupboard door while painting it on the saw horses.  I have ordered replacements for that too.  The ugly bee (stained glass from door) has been donated as well, and the owner actually thought it was beautiful, so hopefully she sells it and all the stuff we donated.

My younger brother told me I had one last "small" pile of stuff to retrieve at Mom's house.  I picked that up this week, but man that was a dirty trick.  It included photos in frames, a photo album and two huge folders.  One folder contained every article I ever wrote (bless her heart), the other was filled with stuff from her grandkids.

Daughter E took a photo and a flash light (she is going camping soon and needed one), and we read thru some of the stuff and got a few laughs.  I'll keep it to have Daughter K go thru it as well.  Now, however I need another box for that, ha ha!

 

Trim is getting a new look!

 

My current project.  Painting all the trim in the kitchen white.  The trim at the ceiling will also be painted white.  It will be nice and bright in there.  The dark wood color needed to go.  I wasn't even thinking of doing it, until I painted my desk drawers/cabinets in that corner.  I'll have an update on that later after the paint dries.  The trim painting was my husband's idea.  I do think it looks much better, but man that edging stuff is for the birds.

I had to take those photos on my cell phone.  It's been so dark and dreary outside, and thunderstorms tomorrow.  When the sun is shining I will take better photos.

I picked more asparagus yesterday, and hope to get more after today's rain.

Question.  Does anyone have a Meyer Lemon tree they can save me a seed from?  I priced the trees at the green house and wow!  I would rather grow my own.

I somehow killed my aloe plant, but have a family member willing to donate me a start from hers.  I am just waiting for a safe place to put it, considering I feel the entire house is under construction, and Mom's plants are on the floor of my bedroom (where they, for now, get the best sunlight).

I love my husband, but now he's hinting that he and his crew want breakfast this weekend.  Sigh.  I will have to think on that for now.

My new dishwasher magnet.  The men we hired to do the flooring put a scratch on it, so now this covers it.  I ordered it off of Etsy.

Happy Homemaker Monday

Sunday was my husband's only day off during last week, and I had a "honey-do" list for him (but not a long one).  I had things I needed help with to move forward on the kitchen.

We had plans for the day, and waiting until noon for a family member (his side) to pick up the free futon Daughter K left behind.  He was a no-show.  So frustrating with these young kids thinking they have all the time in the world, when we specifically said free and "must be picked up by noon."

We still got our motorcycle ride in, but the futon remains in my living room.  Anyway, painting resumes today.  I keep finding more things I need to do. 

Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

The weather . . .

63°/51°  A good day to wash bed quilts and dry them outside

As I look outside my window . . .

Our mower guy mowed, so it is looking nice.  I have more to clean off the front porch however. I just may do that and put the futon there (or by the road for free).

Right now I am . . .

Up at 5:34am.  I was up earlier, but not up early enough to kiss my husband before he left for work.

Thinking and pondering . . .

Well, we contacted the antique store in the "big city" and one of the owners is in the hospital, so the furniture is still not sold.  I have an entire kitchen floor filled with more boxes, and the plan was to offer it to the antique dealer.  Now, it's on hold until I find a suitable home.

How I am feeling . . . 

...a mix of feelings ha ha!  Tired, as I am trying to get on my husband's schedule, very happy for the progress we are making with the kitchen, and frustrated with the sale of furniture, sale of my antiques, and frustrated with getting rid of the futon.

On the breakfast plate . . .

Leftover French toast, sausage and scrambled eggs.  Oh, and organic coffee of course.

On the reading pile . . .

Still haven't finished my current book.

On my TV this week . . .

Anything interesting.

On the menu . . .

-leftovers tonight

-have no idea until I check the freezer.

Looking around the house . . .

I have a lot to do to get the living room ready to tear out carpet.

Homemaking tip . . .

I have the weirdest kitchen cabinet set up.  The people who owned a home selling business, put in a random used set of cabinets.  In the beginning the upper and lower were two different colors.  My larger cabinet I keep baking sheets, cooling racks, cutting board in, has no shelf.  I have been great at organizing it vs. put in a pull out shelf due to the amount of bowls and strainers I use during garden harvest months.  I purchased a corner shelf to hold extra strainers.

To make a sturdy shelf, I cut a dollar tree placemat to fit.  Now the bottom legs of the strainers won't get caught in the wire shelf itself.

The to-do list . . .

-finish painting the kitchen desk cabinets

-touch up paint on the front door

-paint onion/garlic bin

-start painting the floor trim so we can finally get it back where it belongs (the floor guys never put it back)

-clean master bath

-purge master bath cabinets

-slow purge the garage (when I go out there for something, I pick something we don't use anymore and find a new home for it)

From the camera . . .

I have nothing today.

Prayers . . .

No special requests right now.

Happy Homemaker Monday

 

We had beautiful weather over the weekend.  It was in the lower 80's, but Sunday the wind was pretty nasty.  We took off on the motorcycle to a friend's house, but retreated home after our experience with the wind.  Back at the homestead we got some work done.

I ordered a single rolling pin holder for hanging on the wall, and the Etsy dealer specifically said it was for only Pioneer Woman's rolling pin.  

Well, my husband spent some time sanding it down so it would fit.  I was in no mood to return it, so that has been done and up, to make more space in a cupboard.  I love it on the wall anyway.

I spent time putting shelf paper in the cupboards and re-organized my drawers, so all of my utensils are in drawers and no in a utensil spinner on the counter top.  I am super happy, because I always felt like it was looking sort of chaotic with it on the counter top.

I'm no longer feeling like a "hot mess" and now sort of like a semi-hot mess.  The kitchen is slowly coming together, and the purge continues.  It feels weird, but good to downsize some baking dishes.  The boxes are filling up for the donation station.  I still need to purge tablecloths, but have a few washed, folded and in a box as well.

Our asparagus is starting to come in.  I'm thrilled, but it also puts me in panic mode about all the work we still need to do indoors.

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

The weather . . .

Rain all day today.  I was hoping to use my clothesline today, but that's not happening.

As I look out the window . . .

It's dreary, cloudy and rainy.  The last hired help we fired, left our front porch a mess. It's on the clean up to-do list.

Right now I am . . .

Making a list, getting ready to pull food from the freezer to make the breakfast, and making a pot of coffee.

Thinking and pondering . . .

The half-bath project is on hold.  I thought about it, and told my husband, that it would be better to start that project after the living room floor was done.  I figure if we have to hire someone, they will use that bathroom, and I do not want it messed up after all that work.

How I am feeling . . .

Tired, but ready to get some order in my kitchen.  

On the breakfast plate . . . 

I'll be back with a photo possibly.

On my reading pile . . .

I'm almost finished with this book.  I've had limited time to read.

On my TV . . .

We are doing an eenie-minee-mo sort of pick.

On the menu . . .

-asparagus/bacon breakfast casserole

-Moroccan Stew

-Chicken crock pot dish

-Leftovers

Looking around the house . . . 

I still have two more kitchen chairs in my living room.  Those will be wiped down and moved back to the kitchen.  Daughter K left boxes of "trash" in the living room.  Those will be removed Tuesday after trash pick-up.

To do list . . .

-bake a breakfast casserole

-laundry

-bedding

-clean master bath

-put dishes back into the kitchen cupboards we took out

-paint areas of kitchen where my hired help didn't paint, and hopefully move my computer and printer back where it was.

-check asparagus

-water plants

-find a new home for a stamp collection (possibly someone in Boy Scouts)

-box up more teacup/saucer sets for donation

-order a decal for my bread box

-start clearing a space upstairs for the treadmill. I feel like we need to order a dumpster, and start tossing stuff out the upper window, she left that much of a mess up there.

From the camera . . .

The ornamental apple trees are in bloom, and the wild violets and dandelions are up now.

Devotional . . .

I can't find my book since I boxed my office area up.  I do not have any special prayers requests at this time.