Stuck in a Rut

Being stuck in the house day after day has gotten me lazy. I'm off track with homemade gifts this year.  Not to mention baking.  I am writing out a list to get back on track.  Oye.  I need out of this rut.

Finished 4 of the Adli's quarter holder keychains.  I think they are adorable.

I made cashew brittle for Christmas.  I hid this batch, but we'll see if they find it before Christmas.

Made one batch of Paprika Dry Rub to gift.  It's for turkey or chicken.  Good for a year once made.  I recycled some glass jars that were the perfect size for gifting (organic tomato paste jars).  I just have to label them and pack the bags for delivery. Recipe is from Taste of Home (online).

Recipe I want to try, but will cut recipe in half.

 

Random Ramblings

Yesterday morning, right after I put up my blogpost, our internet service went out.  I literally stayed in jammies until I got that back up and running.  I had items in two carts to get ordered.  I'm pretty much stuck in this house until the car / truck issues are completed.

We can't start on the bathroom remodel until winter is over.  Our house would be freezing cold, not to mention I can't paint in there either, so that is frustrating. 

I could however (after Christmas) unload the bookshelves in the hall, move the bookshelves and hire a friend to come re-floor the hallway.   The carpet is old and worn and new flooring needs to go into about every room in the house.  So....it's on the possibility list.

I have created a new crochet item.  Not sure if it will sell well, but I plan to get more made for next year's craft shows.  It's an Aldi's quarter holder.  I know one daughter here could use it.  I plan to make some with hooks as well, so it can be clipped inside a purse or car.

Before  you head to your local dollar store for tuck in gifts made in China, head to Walmart instead.  I found these cute memo pads for $.98 and they are made in Vietnam.  By the way, it took me an hour to find them.  I bought them a while back and could not figure out where I had put them, as one was a tuck in for a gift.  Finally found them when I started wrapping birthday presents for Youngest.

The snow is still falling here, but light and not that much.  It's sort of pretty out too.  The chickens hate it for some reason.  It's still pretty cold here though.

Our hired mechanic never came back.  My husband replaced parts last night in the car, but ran into one more part that needs replaced.  He was too tired after work to start on the truck.  Brakes will be worked on this weekend.

Oh, our other daughter's test came back negative.  She is a happy gal.  So are we.

I'm up early to stoke the fire and plan the day.  It'll be a busy weekend for us.

 

Snow

Snow arrived early yesterday morning.  It sort of made me feel like staying in jammies all day, sipping hot cocoa and watching America's Test Kitchen (love that show).  However, I had to tend the hens, fetch a load of wood, get the mail and whatnot, which required getting dressed and putting on snow boots.

I was a bit motivated by wanting to try a new crochet pattern.  Although my bedroom was/is a hot mess and needed tidied up.  I have crafting supplies all over it.  I'm not sure how my husband puts up with me, ha ha!

Well, everything is on hold here.  Our one daughter who works retail, said one co-worker is off awaiting a test for the virus (his wife is sick).  She (daughter) is in a panic and went to test as well, and results come in today or tomorrow.  Praying she is fine, but all plans are on hold until then.  It's pretty frustrating how anyone who is around anyone sick has to fear for their lives right now.  

Latest Crochet Creation ~ Weather and other ramblings

 

My first tic-tac-toe crochet game (not from China toy).  I'm thrilled it turned out nice.  I am trying to work on kids toys this year to have in stock for next year.  I am tempted to gift this to my niece and nephew, and check in to see if they like it and use it.  The game is on the side of a crocheted bag, and the pieces are stored inside it.  I'm thinking of maybe making the bag with handles vs. drawstring, but I think drawstring would keep the pieces from getting lost (or fall out of the bag).

I also finished another panel for a hot pad set, finished a crocheted wine bag, sewed the inner rice bag for Mom's heat pack, and crocheted one dish scrubbie.

The weather.  Oh my.  It's cold.  The kind of weather you just want to stay in your jammies all day kind.  The weather that gets me into trouble in staying on task on housework. 

It was so cold my wood, that I left in my garden cart, was frozen to it.

As for an update on the car repairs - it's all on hold.  My husband worked first shift yesterday, came home for dinner, took a nap, and went back to work the midnight shift.  Oh, and that's not all.  He works first shift this morning too.

My first job today, is reload the porch with firewood.  After that I'm not sure.  I will probably do some deep cleaning, dinner prep and whatnot.

Tuesday Tidbits

Our hired help showed up.  Car is running good, but we need to buy a new radiator hose, some anti-freeze, and put one headlight back in.  Then we pull the truck in and replace brakes on that next.

Got the house work started yesterday until the sweeper stopped working.  One daughter and I got it back to working.  I can't wait to get rid of the carpet and replace flooring in this house.  One thing at a time.

The Mexican Crockpot casserole was a hit.  It's online with Well plated by Erin.  I used home grown tomatoes (I have frozen jalapenos to make those "fired up" too) that I froze (and thawed), and made homemade enchilada sauce (no sugar like store bought has), and only added some hand shredded sharp cheddar cheese upon serving it.  So delicious and it has quinoa in it.

Breakfast was a hit too.  I've made many breakfast dishes with broccoli, but changed it up a bit by adding zucchini.  Broccoli is a power house of goodness, and a great way to start the day healthy.

I ordered an item from Annie's Crafts back in November for the girls for Christmas.  I just thought they would enjoy something fun.  Well, the items never arrived.  I sent an email.  No email back.  I'll be calling today and asking questions or getting a refund.

It's pretty cold here this week, but the wood stove was still going when I got up. So thankful for that.  Today will be a much easier day with all the housework done yesterday.  

Speaking of yesterday, I let the chickens out for a bit and moved some things to one of the barns.  Thankfully I was outside too.  I literally walked out of the barn, and saw two hawks flying directly towards the chicken coop.  I put my ladies back inside.

I will finish up my latest crochet project and get that posted tomorrow.  

Happy Homemaker Monday

 

Recipe I want to try (without the whipped cream)

Recipe I tried.  It's a keeper - peanut butter whiskey balls.  It has peanut butter in them, but more of the peanut butter whiskey.  Delicious! (recipe from Allrecipes)

Bought myself some fun mini cutters for Christmas pies.  I already had the star, but look at all that fun!  I could even cut cheese slices for a festive cheese/cracker snack too.

Am I the last to know this?  Hummus on a hard boiled egg? Yum!  Breakfast, lunch, side dish or snack. 

The intake is in, but more work needs done before our daughter can drive it.  Our friend is coming back over today to finish up on it.  Hopefully, it'll be ready for daughter to drive after that.

We got wood cut and split Sunday morning.  In the afternoon we met up with my younger brother at my Dad's place.  We made a plan to bring the truck over next weekend and help remove lots of furniture.  Oh my.  My Dad saved everything.  When I say everything, I mean everything.  

I didn't have time to get photos of my current crochet project, but hopefully I'll get a post up soon.

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

The weather outside is . . .

37°F/21°F

On the breakfast plate this morning . . .

Broccoli/zucchini egg bake, and coffee and orange juice.

As I look outside my window . . .

Dark, dreary, windy

As I look around the house . . . 

My living room needs cleaned up big time.  The dogs keep knocking couch pillows to the floor.

What I am wearing today . . . 

Cozy gray sweater, jeans, Christmas socks and black slippers

To do today or to do this week  . . .

-bake a breakfast

-dishes

-laundry

-clean living room

-floors

The week:

-move furniture out of Dad's place

-cut/split more wood

Currently reading . . .

Nothing right now.

On the TV . . .

Home for Christmas on Netflix

On the menu . . .

-Chicken mushroom stew

-meatloaf, smashed sweet potatoes, green beans

-taco salad

-broccoli/zucchini breakfast bake

Something fun to share . . .

Considering making this for Christmas dinner (not breakfast).  We tried mimosas at breakfast one year and it just made us tired, ha ha!

Favorite photo from the camera . . .

Sadly, nothing.  Just been pretty busy with work stuff.

Here is the latest ornament I've made in case you missed my post.

Prayers, Inspirational quotes, devotionals . . .

For this virus and mandates and restrictions to go away.

Weekend Work

The car saga continues.  When one biker friend never responded to our plea for assistance (paid assistance), we hired another.  He didn't show up until 3pm.  

The car is still not completely repaired.  We both feel he won't return today either.  So....we plan to hit the wood splitter early this morning, then start on the car ourselves (yes, I said I'd help).

I have a to-do list a mile long too, but those two need checked off first.  However, I got crochet time and kitchen time in yesterday.

I hope to have photos to share of both tomorrow.  While the men worked on the car, Tiger curled up with me while I crocheted and got some cooking channel time in (PBS/Create).

Hubby has started to feel much better since I started to cut out potatoes again (and rice and whatnot).  We made omelets for breakfast without the potatoes and they were still good.  I'm working on new ways to create breakfast that will eliminate the stuff he shouldn't be eating (and I have been terrible at doing that).