Happy Homemaker Monday

 

First, thank you for all of your well wishes.  I started to feel better, and to be honest, just wanted to sleep to recover.  My husband however, had a different idea.

Last minute, we took off for the long drive to FL.  Again. I guess he feels obligated when it is a good friend who wants to ride motorcycles in warm FL weather.  

The vacation started out rough.  I wasn't completely better, and the fact that one couple brought their babysitter, and two kids (one sick and not treated until they returned home, and also teething the entire trip), made the first part of the so-called vacation a total non-vacation.

My husband pushed me to go, saying they promised us a nice room with king bed (we never get a king bed), and said it was the nicest house ever rented.  When we got there (two days later than the others), they had given our room to one of their kids (who refused to give it to us upon arrival).  We ended up with a queen bed room, with no TV in it.  The bed I could handle, but no TV?  The only living room TV was taken over by the kids and one other person sleeping on the sofa (due to the babysitter and kids taking up bed space).  I literally, just wanted to leave and go back home.

The biggest deal for the trip, was riding our motorcycles across the Sunshine Skyway Bridge to St. Petersburg, FL.  I'm not a fan of heights, so this was an anxiety ride for me.  The rest loved it, but not so much me.  Google this bridge.  I went over the original bridge (before a ship hit it), many years ago on a family vacation (as a kid).

(photo one of our friends took on the ride)

I however, came home with laryngitis.  The FL weather was great, but the dry air in the rented VRBO home was not nice to my throat.  I'm sipping ginger root tea, downing sage tincture, and what not.

I honestly, did not want to go to FL.  I was looking forward to resting and hunkering in for winter, after a long garden year.  I think my husband is on board for this next January (staying home).  He said he had enough of south FL.  The roads were busy, lots of lights to stop at and we literally rode highway rides, vs country roads we do back here at home.  Too busy down there in FL.  As for me, coughing on motorcycle rides was not fun either.

I'm just glad to be back home, but like I said, dealing with throat issues.  I think my husband feels bad he pushed the vacation on me, and it never felt like a vacation.

After a long time away from blogging, I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

Will link when she posts.

The weather . . .

44/26°F, today, but will warm up to the 50's mid week.

As I look outside my window . . .

Right now I am . . .

Sipping coffee and posting this.

Thinking and pondering . . .

Getting out my planner, getting things back in order, figuring out meals this week, checking all tinctures I currently have, updating any home remedies, and getting some crochet time in (that I greatly miss).

On my bedside table . . .

Leftover remnants of cough and cold remedies.  Will clean that up today.

On my TV tonight . . .

Have no idea yet.

Listening to . . .

The morning news on TV.

On the menu this week . . .

Have no idea yet.  Will relax today and check freezer and pantry.

On my reading pile . . .

My husband bought me this book for Christmas.  I am about 3/4ths of the way in this book. First book to read in 2023, but I am still half way into a book from last year as well.

On my to-do list . . .

*see looking around the house

-unloading the truck, and doing laundry

-find the lost curtain tie back, lost it when we took all the living room curtains down to repair the entire floor.  I am still looking for one last tie back.

Plans for the week . . .

*see looking around the house

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating . . .

One thing I really missed while traveling, was crocheting.  I took a small project, but slept almost the entire drive.

My simple pleasure . . .

Honestly, after a long time with out it, sitting and crocheting.

Lesson learned last week . . .

Put my foot down, when I really feel staying home is best.  Never go on a group vacation if someone is bringing kids along (especially for a motorcycle group).  Stay home, if the "group" is all one family.  

Looking around the house . . .

It's "take back the kitchen" mode again.  Our handy man finished the living room floor while we were gone, and now we can finally start purging and putting everything back where it belongs.  We will finally get the kitchen table cleared off.

From the camera . . .

The pool we never used at the rented VRBO.  The kids that came along pretty much took it over.  Also, that is not a lake out behind the house, it is a canal between houses.

Prayer list . . .

No current requests, other than for myself to get over this throat issue and get our house back in order.

Happy Homemaker Monday

We had a very muggy and hot weekend.  The humidity was so thick you felt like you were swimming in the air.  

We attended our grand niece's graduation party.  So proud of her.  She's about the same age as Daughter E.  She has 2 jobs, bought her own car, and has bought her own trailer to live it.  Most kids her age are living on unemployment these days.  Oh, and she graduated with honors, just like Daughter E did.

(hubby took a photo just after slicing he was so happy to get a blueberry pie)

Anyway, about the only other thing I got done, was bake a blueberry pie (didn't get that crust pinched together though) for my husband for Father's Day.  He was overjoyed.  It was completely spontaneous too.

Father's day was just us two.  It was also my first Father's Day without my Dad. The girls had to work and the others kids made no contact, so we took off on a motorcycle ride.  I thought it would be hard to get into a place to eat due to it being Father's Day, but that wasn't the case.  

It was difficult to find a place due to lack of employees.  First place had a long wait time, second place was closed, third place we got right in.  However, outside bar and seating closed and a slim staff.  I heard one guy tell a customer that they couldn't get anyone to work.  Even the cook was serving and seating people.  So sad.

Oh, and prices are up.  

This was posted at our table.  It's happening everywhere.  They can't get what they need, and when they do it costs double or more for them to get it.

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

(will link up when she posts)

The weather . . .

78°F/48°F, Thunderstorms this morning so far, and so glad to get the rain.  We needed the humidity gone, and the gardens watered.

How I am feeling this morning . . .

A little overwhelmed with chores, but ...

On the breakfast plate . . .

A breakfast casserole - sausage, yellow squash, shallot, eggs and green onion.  Oh and some fire powder in it.

On my reading pile . . .

I finished reading this book, and it was so worth buying.  If you didn't see my post, I finished it in 3 days.  A record for me.  It was that good.

I'll be picking up another book I never finished.  Apparently, I have more than one to choose from.

On my TV . . .

Heartland ( I think we are in season 8)

On the menu . . .

-chicken chili
-baked walleye, steamed broccoli

-BBQ Pork chops, roasted brussel sprouts

-tuna/noodle, mashed tades and corn

-leftovers

On my to-do list . . .

-dishes
-laundry

-tidy up bedroom

-vacuum

-sweep/mop kitchen

-clean master bath

-bake a breakfast dish

What I am crocheting, knitting, sewing or creating . . .

Honestly nothing the last few days.  I spent my free time reading this past week.  Hopefully the rainy days will give me more time to pick up a hook.

Looking around the house . . .

(see to-do list)

To relax I will . . .

Read.

From the camera . . .

(see previous post for flower photos)

Something fun to share . . .

The only thing I can come up with for this prompt, is that I'll be dehydrating something new.  Stay tuned.

On my prayer list . . .

11 year-old Annabelle, Daughter E, personal requests, for the judge to rule in favor of keeping the pipeline open that runs thru MI to a state oil refinery.  If they shut it down, it will end thousands of jobs and really hurt the economy.

Happy Homemaker Monday

 

We've had a few days of fog here lately.  We are moving into a cool down weather-wise.

Saturday we got the entire rose bed weeded, weed whacking done, and mailbox flower bed planted.  We also planted an ornamental apple tree that was growing in one of the beds.

Yesterday was beautiful.  We finished up outdoor garden work, showered and took off on a motorcycle ride.  We went to a new town and a local eatery.  Delicious, but not cheap.  We'll go back, but to try their breakfast next time.

Once home, we made a fresh strawberry pie, and played cards on the porch with adult drinks.  Great day for some R & R. 

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

The weather . . .

80's, slight chance for rain, sunny

On my reading pile . . .

On my TV . . .

Heartland (long series for sure)

On the menu . . .

-Salmon Romanoff, green beans, fresh strawberry pie
-grilled fajitas
-walleye, not sure on a side yet
-leftovers

On the to-do list . . .

-water garden
-bake a breakfast casserole

-dehydrate oregano

-boil eggs

-freeze more strawberries

-laundry

-sweep front porch and get more furniture put out

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating . . .

Working on the XL hot pad in this color, still crocheting water balloons too, and getting some yarn back on the knitting needles.

From the camera . . .

More snapdragons are blooming, but I am a bit disappointed that they are mostly white or yellow.  I hope they produce more color as they continue to bloom.

Something fun to share . . .

Fun for us anyway...found another Mom and Pop eatery to take a motorcycle ride too.  I'm so happy we found new rides to take this year.

On my prayer list . . .

A young girl named Annabelle with health issues, Daughter K who got tonsillitis

Happy Homemaker Monday

I hope your weekend was fantastic!  We had a fabulous getaway to our favorite island, and it was much needed.  We noticed that we feel so much better mentally after a getaway.

Every marina on the island was packed with all types of boats.  The weather was great for our getaway.  We listened to live music on the waterfront, had good food (but expensive this year), went to two beaches and visited with our friends over there.

A one scoop waffle cone that our one daughter wanted, was $8.00 (cash only).  All food overall was higher in price, and one restaurant is not making their famous wings this summer (due to lack of supply from their personal supplier).

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

I will link up when she posts today.  I have to get outside to water the garden and flower beds early.  It's going to be a hot one today.

The weather . . .

80's, sunny, slight chance of rain

On my reading pile . . .

On my TV . . .

Heartland

On the menu . . .

-grilled brats, camper potatoes

-sheet pan fajitas

-grilled marinated steak kabobs

-have no idea, ha ha

On my to-do list . . .

-water the garden (unless it rains)

-run to town for errands

-take stuff to donate

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating . . .

Still working on crocheted water balloons (just soak and toss - eco-friendly).  I haven't had time to work on anything much.

Looking around the house . . .

Daughter K told us she would clean up her messes.  We shall see if that happens.

From the camera . . . 

A few new blooms on the homestead.

Something fun to share . . .

My husband bought me one of these tools from a school fundraiser.  I have had it almost 10 years and used it once.  Didn't like it.

Last week, I was watching a cooking show and learned something new.  The good ol' potato masher works better at working ground meat than the tool I used to have.  I tried the cook's tip out on some ground sausage and it worked so much better.  Why haven't I ever thought of this?  Ha ha!

On my prayer list . . .

No requests right now.

Happy Homemaker Monday

We had a very hot weekend, so tilling didn't happen.  It was so dry out.  We had to water the flower beds daily. I am very frustrated getting the vegetable garden in this year.  It's either the weather or my husband is not available to till.  He won't let me till when I am home alone.  We asked someone if they were interested in tilling for me for some cash.  Didn't happen.

The weather was perfect for starting some jars of comfrey oil.  I'll be trying a new salve recipe and giving it a try before I put a review on here about it.

We are somewhat feeling like normal in our state again.  We noticed however, when eating out they still give those annoying packets of ketchup vs. a bottle.  I'm putting one in the fridge just for when we are on the road from now on.  

We had a busy weekend.  There was a baby shower we attended, and delivered gifts for two grand niece birthdays we missed.  I forgot to take a picture, but we gifted a crocheted baby blanket and matching baby booties, along with diapers and other items (man the price of diapers - wow!!).

Our Bike Week will be different this year, but it's coming up the same weekend they do an MS charity bike poker run.  Rain is in the forecast for next Friday, so I'm not sure what activities we'll be doing. We are in a race to get the entire garden planted too, so who knows what we'll actually be able to participate in.  Personally, I'd like to work my bum off this week in the garden and try and get at least one day on the bike.

Our mower guy (only charges us $40 for what we mow on our 6 acres), showed up so that is one job taken off our hands.

 

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

The weather  . . .

83°F/68°F, it finally rained last night.

On my reading pile . . .

On my TV . . .

Heartland

On the menu . . .

-new recipe to try, roasted rosemary asparagus

-crock pot pork chops, crock pot sweet potatoes

-sheesh....have no idea, it's hard to work up the menu without potatoes, rice, bread, pasta etc to keep tabs on my husband's sugar intake.  Last night we had chicken chili, but I hate making a hot dinner like that when it's in the 90's.  I have a pasta recipe with black beans that is basically a cold meal for a hot day, but yeah - pasta.  Salads sound good.  I love to make them with chicken, dried cranberries, sweetened pecans, but yeah sugar.  

On my to-do list . . .

-make a breakfast scramble

-boil eggs

-laundry

-empty dishwasher

-sweep/mop kitchen

-vacuum

-clean master bath

-plant flowers (one flat of snapdragons, 3 lavender plants I bought from a niece - school fundraiser)

-weed a portion of  a flower bed, drop dirt and seeds, add one more bag of mulch to another

-plant in vegetable garden

-check asparagus

-harvest some rhubarb

-muck chicken coop

....oh boy, this is a "Monday" for sure for us

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating . . .

Today's project is crocheted water balloons for the grandkids. To see a complete (or sort of) list of what's on the hooks click here.

Looking around the house . . .

The kitchen stayed looking good thankfully.  The girls worked all weekend, so less chance for a mess here or there.  The living room is another story, and the hallway is not done (we are either out and about, or working outside now).

From the camera . . .

Nothing exciting ha ha!  I got my cherry bomb seeds from an Etsy seller and got them planted.  I know it's late, but I'm hoping the hot weather will encourage fast growth.  One of my habanero plants is up due to the heat we were having.

Something fun to share . . .

If you are interested in how to crochet the water balloons, you need Bernat Blanket yarn and an 9.00mm hook.  The instructions are found on YouTube.  I bought this "bright" solid a year ago, so I can't remember where I bought it. 

I had intentions of making them last year (or maybe the year before, can't remember but found the yarn in the closet.  I went to Wal-mart for more color options, and they did not have solid colors, or the brights in the cake form either.  I picked up some blue variegated, and ordered some other solid color options online.  I haven't had time to check in-store at Meijer yet.  I attempted to order from Michael's online, but depending on the color, it was a forced store pick up or I had to order two of one color so that didn't happen.  I've got too much to plant to drive that far for yarn right now.

Something else fun to share.  A foldable, chargeable fan for the camper.  I bought it a year ago, and never got the camper out, but it's going in it this year.  I've heard from so many people how hard it is to get campground reservations this year, so it may be our only one this summer.  Who knows.  The fan pulls up, so the height is adjustable as well.

On my prayer list . . .

No personal requests at this time, other than the Mother of Daughter E's boyfriend that passed.  Both his family and our daughter still have a rough time.  

Happy Homemaker Monday

Sunday morning we got some sprinkles, but not enough to really soak the herb garden.  I was thankful for it anyway.

While in town I checked the hardware store for a swivel hook I needed.  They had a single one for $6.99 for a project I am working on.  I however, did not buy it.  I went home and ordered 50 of them online for $8.99.  I'll be sharing that project soon.

I also found 3 hanging baskets at a decent price and added more beauty to the property.

So these are growing in my green onions.  I did not plant them.  What are they?  Wild onions?  I have no idea.  the tops are very tall and look nothing like my green onions.  I thought wild onion tops look more like chives, and these to not.  Any thoughts on this?  Wild garlic?  It has the smell of onions and garlic both.

The herb garden has been fully weeded and new pine mulch (minus 2 more bags I need for it).  I never thought I'd finish it by Sunday.  I was so tired and with my husband working another midnight shift and first shift this morning, I thought I would be sleeping in and resting up.  

Nope.  Daughter E had the nerve to bang doors and talk loudly to herself, which woke me up early.  Urgh.

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

The weather outside is . . .

79°F/61°F, cloudy

On my reading pile . . .

On the TV . . .

Heartland, Netflix

On the breakfast plate . . .

Sausage/egg/cheese quesadillas, coffee

On the menu . . .
-new recipe to try
-baked chicken, veggie
-baked mac n' cheese, green beans
-breakfast for dinner

....in no particular order

On my to-do list . . .
-make a breakfast

-bathrooms
-sweep and mop kitchen

-plant rosemary, weed corner of one flower bed

-laundry

-sweep off front porch

-water house plants, water flower beds, garlic, asparagus, and rhubarb (still not getting rain as predicted)

-vacuum

-write up a pattern that is only on a video to keep in my pattern binder

What I am crocheting, knitting or creating . . .

A lot.  Too many projects on the hooks right now.  I'm working on getting some photos and doing an update on them all.  Stay tuned.

Looking around the house  . . .

It's in shambles.  I've spent every day outdoors with yard work, garden work, etc. 

From the camera . . .

We named a resident ground hog "Harold" and apparently it's a she.  I spotted a youngin' out there.  I guess we need to take care of that problem before the garden is planted.

Something fun to share . . .

I seem to slack in this department.  I have nothing "fun" to share right now.  Other than I have more new recipes to try out.  Not sure if they'll get made this week or next.  I have more flowers to plant, and 2 new rosemary plants to plant and 4 more flower beds to weed (not to mention put in the entire vegetable garden.   

On my prayer list . . .

A friend's family.  They want their Marine son to come home for a summer visit, but there are some issues with allowing him to travel.  

Bible verse, devotional . . .

...from the handiwork journal

The garden has taken most of my time out of my day, so very little handiwork is getting done.  I still have some items on hooks, that I had on them months ago.

. . . patriotic dishcloth still on the knitting needles

. . .finished this crocheted dishcloth

. . . started another thin dishcloth in bright coral and white (my to-go project)

. . .another dishcloth/washcloth on the crochet hook


I have a lot more in project bags etc.  I am just concentrating on these first.

On the Hooks ~ Frost Warning (again) ~ Spearmint Seeds Inquiry

Crocheting a rag rug.  This project is on hold for now.  I am having to use all my spare sheets and pillow cases to cover my asparagus, rhubarb, etc.  We had another freeze/frost warning.  Once the cold wave passes, I'll make more strips of old sheets to finish this rug.

Knitting a dishcloth in red/white and blue.

A set of pot holders.  Sorry for the bad photo.

Off the hook. . .

A new dishcloth pattern.  I learned the waffle stitch this year, which is very easy to do.  I however, feel this is way too thick for a dishcloth.  It also uses twice the amount of yarn than a regular crocheted dishcloth.  It's going in my stash of cleaning cloths and will be used for that.

I dug out my tatting, but haven't yet got back to it to see if I even remember how to do it.  Could be fun.  Who knows.

Does anyone have extra organic spearmint seeds?  My potted plant died and I cannot get the seeds from High Mowing, Territorial, Baker Creek, Sow True,  PineTree or Strictly Medicinal Seeds.  A packet costs about $3 so I can barter as well.

Knitting Socks Questions ~ It's a 2 post day today!

I'm looking for a knitted sock pattern online for beginners.  Do you of you recommend one?  There are so many online, and what needles will I need?  I have yarn.  I do not have any sock yarn knitting books.  Guess it may be time to order one.

I have this yarn.  Is it enough for size 11 socks?  Each ball has 247 yards.  I have no idea what size these knitting needles are nor the circular one.  I have a feeling they are too big anyway.  Why do they not label them?  I'll need to order whatever needles I need too. 

Thanks a bunch!

Update: Oh Lordy...my printer is now out of ink.  Sigh...ordering ink now if I can just in case one of you have an online pattern for me.

Another update:  I found the size 6 double pointed in my knitting stash.  Woohoo.  Do I still need a circular?  and is that the right size?