Just Bits

We were told we'd get beaucoup amounts of snow, but we didn't.  Roads were very bad yesterday, so it was more of a stay-in-pj's kind of day.  

Woke up to 17°F (wind chill makes it feel like 5°F).

I put 15 more rows on the baby blanket and got another order for cup coasters (thankfully those are already made).  I sold all the bookmarks, so I have zero in stock right now.  That'll be restocked once this baby blanket is done.

I brewed nettle hair rinse.  

Today I need to make homemade "lysol" wipes with tea tree oil.  I am down to the last one.

School is delayed today, but for some reason neither one of us got the phone call.  

What's the cheapest, yet most useful tool available on Amazon to make zucchini noodles?  There are so many options and I don't want to buy something so big I have to make a new place to store another appliance.  I would love to hear your recommendations.

Parsley Sprouted

It took forever, but some of the parsley seeds have sprouted.  Makes me feel like Spring is just about here.

This morning however, it's snow covered and frozen slush everywhere.  School is closed.  It's 8°F out.  I'm thinking it's a crochet-PBS/Netlfix sort of day.  I got about 12 rows done on the baby blanket, maybe I can get 12 more on today.

Last night we had grilled cheese sandwiches with cowboy candy and Ezekiel bread, and home canned tomato soup.  I didn't need the cheese, but it was nice on a cold night. 

Our county is under a level 1 road emergency, and some a level 2 (which is the worst it's been this winter).  I'm ready for porch time, bare feet and sunshine. 

Snow Returns ~ Cleaning Finds and Other Rambling

First, we got rain, then it turned cold and the snow returned.  I spent a few hours doing more cleaning, and purged a bit more. 

The snow will fall all day today, and freeze, and then turn to rain.  Glory be.  Mother Nature is on a drinking binge.  Daughter had school, but some closed.  Speaking of school, it was "80's" spirit day.  I dug out my very antique 80's double wrap belts and she pulled out her mini-skirt.  We had her in a rockin' outfit in no time.  By the way, the only reason I had my belts, is that I had put them into the kids Halloween costume totes.

In the process of cleaning, I found my lost fold-able (making them so portable for travel) readers for the Harley.  I also realized I am storing more yarn under the bed (yikes!).  More!  It's thread yarn.  I need more hours to crochet, ha ha!

What do you all think about this corona virus?  I came across a list of suggested medicinal herbs, but they are all Chinese herbs, which I have never heard off.  I am making sure we have Four Thieves Vinegar on hand, as well as homemade "lysol" wipes made with tea tree oil, a good supply of ginger root in the freezer, and many tinctures.  Not to mention real vitamin C and D.  I'm starting to also wonder if this will cause tourism dollars to drop to an all time low this year.  I'm not so sure I want to be traveling.

Egg shells ~ Garlic in Grow Bags ~ Three New Recipes

I took some egg shells out to toss in the garden (where the tomatoes will be planted), and took a look-see at the garlic.

I am thrilled to say, that some of it has green tops.  Not all, but I'm hoping it all comes up.  The only downside of grow bags - squirrels.  I had to plant a garlic clove that a rodent dug up.  Otherwise, I am a happy gal to see this.

Tried three new recipes yesterday.  Due to lack of ingredients on hand, each one was adjusted.

Cod in the crock pot with seasonings and onion.  Didn't have red onion, so I used white.  It cooked perfectly and tasted great.

Veggie quinoa in the crock pot.  Didn't have carrots, so I just made it without.  Cookbook said cook 4-6 hours on low.  It cooked in 4.

Low carb chocolate chip cookies (almond flour).  I didn't have maple syrup for these.  I didn't have any eggs, so this recipe was fitting to try.  These were so good!

The first two recipes are in the cook book, "Fix-It and Forget-it Healthy Slow Cooker Cookbook.  The cookie recipe is online (Almond Flour Cookies with no eggs, Detoxinista).

Happy Homemaker Monday

Our Monday morning sunrise this morning.

We warmed up over the weekend.  Perfect weather to cut wood, but Hubby had overtime.  Again.  It was warmer, but windy and not comfortable enough for porch time.

Weather was great for putting laundry on the line, but we had one obstacle.

Birds.  Hoards of them.  

Sunday my husband went to work on the car.  I went out and cleaned up all the trash that drivers tossed into our yard (all beer cans and pop bottle), and cleaned up the front porch a bit.  There are more problems with the car, so it's still not running.

  I typically don't like to do housework on the weekends, so I took advantage of being home alone and crocheted.   One of my simple pleasures is to watch Create (cooking shows) while crocheting.  However, they had the same chef (Kevin Belton) on Saturday and Sunday.  And.  It was a repeat show on Sunday.  Ugh.  I finished crocheting all the "f" bombs, and started on the baby blanket.

The last chance I had to get into the "Big City" I dropped off 7 crocheted bookmarks.  I am not for certain just yet, but I believe I sold all of them, which included all of the remaining heart ones.  I'll update when I know for sure.

I also read a bit.

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

The weather outside is . . .

We warmed up over the weekend, but you can see we are all over the board.  All the time.

How I am feeling . . .
Like any Monday.


On my mind . . .
A lot of stuff right now.  We have a lot going on in March, so don't worry if you don't see a daily post.  April is filling up now too.  The car.  It would have cost us a fortune to take it to a garage.  I'm going on week 4 of no vehicle and it's driving me nuts.  Now I really am complaining.  You'd think my house would be spot-less right now, but it's not.  It'd be different if it was garden season.  I guess I'll walk an extra mile on the treadmill to boost my spirit.  Meals are getting very creative too.


On the breakfast plate . . .

A sausage/broccoli breakfast casserole. Another new recipe.  We loved this!  It can be an overnight casserole too.  I had to blanch broccoli ahead of time for this, since we have zero in the freezer, but worth the time to make.  I will most likely cut the cheese in half and use Parmesan for half of it.  So good!  And no potatoes in it.


On my reading pile . . .

Speaking of this book, it's due back and I haven't finished it yet.  The library system has 14 copies of it (and I'm the only one with a copy checked out, so 13 others are available), and someone put a hold on this one.  It's the only problem I have with using the library.  One time I went to pick up my books, and a librarian had taken one of my books home with her and hadn't brought it back.  Many times a librarian will see the book I borrowed, and put a hold on it, so I can't renew it.  I love the library, but it also has interference sometimes.


On my TV . . .
Good Girls


On the menu . . .
White chicken chili, garlic muffins
Sweet potato and black bean enchiladas with veggie wraps
Stuffed Pepper soup
Cod, Veggie Quinoa
BBQ chicken sandwiches, thyme sweet potatoes

What I am creating . . .

A baby blanket (order).  Specific colors - navy, gray, mint, tan, peach and orange.  The lighting was not great for the photo, but you can see the color rotation.  I picked a granny stripe for this blanket.


From the camera . . .

Looking around the house . . .
It's looking better and better.


Chore I am not looking forward to . . .
Nothing really.
To relax this week I will . . .

Read.



Prayers. . .
 - for extended family who is trying to sell their house.  They have been paying two mortgage payments, since they already moved.
-for Mom, her health
-for a grieving close friend
-Us and this darn car situation, not to mention getting the repairs done on the pellet stove - the electric bill is overloading us.
-our BIL, who is in the hospital (pneumonia)

Random Tidbits

My 20 year-old made a visit to do laundry, but first took me out to lunch (getting me out of the house) and took me to the store.  That was so sweet of her.

Hubby had overtime and more overtime today.  The car sits and waits.

I'll be getting some crochet time today, so that is good.  

We were invited to go to Daytona and they even have a trailer to trailer our Harley, but we have declined.  It's sort of on the expensive side and we need a back up car here for our daughter.  The bands were similar to our Bike week here anyway.  Besides, they want to drive straight down, and we are just not up to that long of a drive.

Hubby returned my library loot, paid my late fine, and brought home 2 full bags of  books.  I just may have to spend a bit of time to look through them today as well.

I'm collecting new grilling recipes for summer, so many of the books are cookbooks.  Some books are pattern books, some gardening (building) books and so forth.

Our youngest has mentioned now that she does not want a graduation party.  She'd rather just go camping and have friends join us, or go on a vacation.  I'm okay with that.  We'll see if she changes her mind on or not.

Not much else going on at the homestead.  We had plans, but overtime changed that.  

Wacky Weather

Tiger has the right idea.  I may just join him. Had it not been for Romeo and the chickens, I would have stayed in PJ's all day yesterday.  Woke up to 6° and today it'll be 46°F tomorrow.

The Almond Butter Chocolate Chip cookies didn't last long.  We are fighting over the last of the last.  I had not made them for years.  Not sure what made me think of them, but surely enjoyed them.

Nothing much to post - wacky weather, car still not repaired.