I'm Back! ~ An Island Retreat ~ Happy Homemaker Monday

Friday morning's sunrise.  Thank you to all of you who sent me a card.  It was much appreciated.

We stole away to the island for our "off grid" retreat, and it was very restful and much needed.

It's truly off grid.  You can't get text messages or cell service for internet either at our rental.  Only at one end of the island.  We all really had a peaceful time.    They have very few stores, which we like about it.  The have a re-sale store inside an old house that funds a local island church.  I bought a vintage table cloth.  

Funny where you meet people.  Our waitress at breakfast is from my birth town, and she is a teacher at daughter's school.  Her parents are from the island, and she works there on the weekends.  The island is a little over an hour away drive, so that was just pretty funny.

We saw so many deer on the island this trip too. One crossed the road in front of our golf car.  I saw a fox early morning too.  I bet the deer taste good too during their hunting season.  There are cattle, horses, goats and chickens on the island, but no crops other than grass to feed the animals.

I had the best wine over on the island.  They have a winery and a brewery.  Actually two wineries.  I enjoyed the wine while over there, but next trip I hope to bring a few bottles home.  It's just pricey - $15.50/bottle.  We plan to take our growlers over next trip too, and bring home some of their homemade beer too.

We've made friends with a woman who sells handmade jewelry out of her garage, so we always make a stop to visit her too.

I'm joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom today.  Last night we got an alert from the Sheriff's office.  There are cars being broken into in downtown of where we live (small town).  I'm on the look out now.

Our broccoli sprouts are growing wonderfully.  What's your best way to eat these besides on a salad or sandwich?


The weather outside is . . .
Raining early this morning, high of 76°, mostly sunny after the rain stops.


On my reading pile . . .

On the TV . . .
Movies.  I just ordered a movie from our library.


On the menu . . .
I have no idea.  Just getting back to reality today.
-tuna and noodle, mashed potatoes, asparagus
-sloppy charlies, veggie
-southwestern black bean burritos


On the to-do list . . .
-start tinctures
-do dishes
-unpack and put stuff away
-laundry
-pick peppers
-water microgreens
-Dr. appt.  (I will have some answers very soon to share) All of our weekend plans will depend on the surgeon's decision.
-Take a form to the school for daughter, pick up another one
-take trash out
-trip to the grocery store
-library returns and pick ups
-email our friends on the island
-crochet two more dish scrubbies (order I received prior to island trip)
-start a XL hot pad (another order)
-start another set of pot holders (another order)



What I am creating . . .
I finished a set of pot holders while on the island.  I started a dishcloth too.  Watch for a handiwork update soon.


Looking around the house . . .
Considering our situation prior to our "wellness weekend" and the fact we just got home last night, it's in need of a good cleaning.  The kitchen is my main focus this week, then the bedroom, front porch and the garage.


From the camera . . . 

The sunrise was not much to see on our trip unfortunately.  It was cloudy, on top of too much obstruction this time of year, but still enjoyable to watch.


Prayer list . . .
Myself and my leg, our daughter who lost her son, personal requests.

Wellness Weekend ~ Going Off Grid

I'm trying to find a coral colored 100% cotton yarn (chemical free) for  a project, but cannot find any reasonably priced.  I like Lily yarn, but if you know of a company selling it, please leave a comment.  I found Sugar n' Cream 2.5 oz in Tangerine, but they want $2.99 per ball for it.  That will make my project cost go up.  I am already paying $1.77/ball at Wal-mart.

Two men were supposed to come Tues. evening to buy the old truck as-is.  They did not show up.  Wed. came around and they didn't show up again.  If they don't show up tonight, we'll be fixing it up and putting it up for sale for a higher price.

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

We are going off grid until next week.  We are calling it our "wellness weekend" where we'll pamper our mind, body and souls.  We'll relax and rejuvenate, block out the bad, and soak up some "good."

This and That

I am finally back to the stove for making a good and healthy breakfast.  Swelling in my foot and leg has gone down enough to stand a bit longer.

It's another scramble this week, but I haven't made a breakfast in over 2 weeks now - eggs, potatoes, onion, bacon, zucchini, dandelion greens, fire powder and garlic.

I was almost full swing back into my routine - sorted mail, washed, dried and put away a mound of dirty dishes, ran the dishwasher, washed a load of towels and hung them on the line, watched the pup, spritzed my sprouts (which are already sprouting, emptied trash, washed more clothes and put them on drying racks, and crocheted.  I have an order for a set of pot holders and another order for dish scrubbies.  Nylon netting was cut, but not much.  

I also got around to making crock pot beef burgundy, noodles and mashed potatoes and corn.  Thankful for a good meal and thankful I can pack a lunch for the Hubster (as well as breakfast).  A bit of "normal" has been reinstated.

No call from the surgeon just yet. Praying they call soon.

The totaled car has been hauled away thankfully.  

Hubby said we are having a pepper picking day this weekend.  He said we do have peppers.  I guess I need to check my empty jar supply today.

from the handiwork journal . . .

Finished this bracelet - a special request.  I had trouble with the green beads, but overall turned out nice.  I won't buy beads from the company that made the green ones again.  They were not the exact size as specified and I had to use my tool to enlarge the holes on almost all of them (green).  Anyway, it turned out nice.

Finished these bracelets as well, but they need ends sewn in and buttons yet.  The black one was finished and gifted.  I'll be making more.

Finished these sets of pot holders.  That bottom one was the new yarn I bought.  It's not the colors I thought it would be, but it reminds me of a cabin in the woods sort of color.

Finished this dishcloth (knitted) and a matching set of pot holders.

The positive aspect of having to sit around with my leg up, is that all of this has gained me more to sell at the winter craft show (s).  I'm completely out of my black yarn, so my "f" bombs are not restocked, nor the dish scrubbies, but it's on the to-do list.  

Happy Homemaker Monday

Hubby put the totaled car engine up for sale.  He literally got an interested buyer within a few hours or less.  The car has been sold. They even have a trailer to pick it up this week.

The same people may be buying our old truck as is as well.  That would be awesome.

My broccoli sprout seeds have arrived and are started.  Can't wait to taste them.

The roosters finally went up for sale.  We are keeping one.  I'm offering them to a family friend first, so we'll see.  We have one person interested so far.

We had donated a large amount of shredded chicken for the meal after the funeral, and there was half of it left, so we took it to a family birthday party on Saturday.  It worked out great.  Nothing left over.  

Sunday we picked up a flower arrangement and an angel solar light and made a visit to our grandson at the cemetery, then made a visit with his Mom.

I'm praying my surgeon calls and schedules my procedure.  I need a ride on the sanity saver (Harley) in a bad way.  We also need a Wellness Weekend off grid.  We all do.  We are completely emotionally exhausted.  My main focus this week is to get some healing time mentally.  If I am so exhausted I can't even imagine what our daughter (mother to our grandson) is going through.

Our youngest daughter has gotten several migraines due to emotional stress (see prayer list).  She is home again today for a grievance day.  I made her feverfew tea yesterday and will again today if needed.

I've gotten a few orders this week, which I am thankful for.  It will keep me busy and keep my mind off things - a set of pot holders and some dish scrubbies.

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

The weather outside is . . .
High of 80°F, sunny


On my reading pile . . .
I haven't been in the mood to read


On my TV . . .
Whatever movies we find on Amazon prime


On the menu . . .
Crock pot beef burgundy, noodles and mashed potatoes
leftovers
Something grilled maybe
....have no idea

On the to-do list . . .

clean up kitchen

laundry
check jalapenos and pick them if we have enough

crochet orders I recently received
Deliver some hot pads that were ordered

What I am creating . . .

Another set of pot holders, nylon dish scrubbies, and a boho beaded bracelet.  

Looking around the house . . .
It's a hot mess.  We'll get some order in it as I heal.  I'm starting to walk almost normal, so I'm praying for a quick healing to get back to a tidy homestead.  Even the porch, flower beds are a hot mess.  Just everything is a hot mess.

From the camera . . .

Sunday morning sunrise.

Prayer list . . .

For myself and my leg to heal and for the surgeon to call ASAP and schedule the procedure, for our daughter who just lost her 4 month old, for a young man who our youngest was friends with (even came to one of her parties here) who was recently hit by a hit-and-run driver a few days ago and passed away (he was a 2019 graduate {18 years old} and was just starting college, he was hit while on campus at his college), our 20 year-old who is sick right now with a sinus infection and an ear infection, for my Mom and nephew and niece who all have a horrible cough, and other personal requests.

Pushing On

Thank you all for your prayers, good thoughts and well wishes.   We have gotten through the funeral of our grandson, and are trying to push forward.  Little man would want us all to be happy.  I will admit, it was the hardest thing I've had to do as a grandmother, and as parents watching our daughter bury her infant.

Putting a Stop to the King of "Take Out"

I'm doing a little bit more every day, although I am watching myself on not over doing it.  I'm still getting of handiwork time.  Adding more vitamin C to my diet with organic lemons.

I had partial day of help yesterday, and boy did it feel good to have a homemade dinner last night.  I dug through the freezer and pulled out meatballs, a jar of home canned pepper mustard sauce from the pantry, and I pulled a lonely last jar of home canned pickled beets (I do love my beets). This is why I also like canning and doing freezer food prep - you never know when you need something quick and easy and healthy.

I did a few more small loads of laundry, made a nettle tea infusion, and unloaded the dishwasher and put other dishes away.

My hands have been so dry from handiwork over time, that I'm putting lotion on the top of the list after the leg procedure is done. 

Speaking of my helper, it was my 20 year-old, and she even drove all the way out to the homestead to drive me to my sonogram (on my leg).  She even took me to the store for some much needed grocery items, black yarn and other misc items.  I'm so thankful for her offer to help out yesterday.  I had planned to drive myself.

Speaking of shopping, I had hoped to find a nice outfit for the funeral this week.  Nope.  They had long sleeved fall clothing and winter coats out.  It'll be 86°F and hot.  Guess I'll find something suitable in my closet.

As for the garden, we were due for rain yesterday, which I was forever grateful for.  I hope there will be a few more tomatoes to eat with this heat wave.  I got out my canning recipes too.  Here's hoping for a ton of jalapenos out there too.

Sorry I haven't been around to read your blogs.  I hope to get some visits in this weekend.  If you can, please say a prayer for our youngest daughter.  She's getting migraines from the emotional stress of the funeral, and my feverfew has not been harvested.  I hope to get some cut today for her for tea.