March Reading Challenge ~ Fog ~ New Recipe!

I picked a new author to read for March (although I started it last month).  She has a series of books, so I started with her first one.  I borrowed this from the library, but ended up ordering a copy of it.

Mum's the Word, by Kate Collins (Flower Shop Series)

Speaking of books.  TLC book tour emailed me wanting me to read a book, and post a review on my blog.  The book looks interesting, but seriously, my time in March is limited this year.  Has anyone else gotten these emails?  

Nothing much going on considering it's winter and I'm stuck home.  I did manage to make a bucket of homemade laundry detergent amongst regular chores.

We have major fog this morning, but the weather is a bit warmer.  School has a 2 hour delay, and there is hardly any traffic on the country highway of ours.  It's nice to have a quiet morning.  The other night a plane went over us at 3am and woke us up (flying that low).

I almost forgot to take a photo!  It was so good - Sweet Potato and Black bean enchiladas.  I forgot to make the crema sauce for the topping, but oh my gosh, so good.  We'll make these again, and make the topping minus the avocado.  I used a store bought non-gmo/low carb tortilla for these too.  The sweet potatoes have to be pre-cooked for this recipe, but worth it.  I used a recipe online from Ambitious Kitchen (I'm finding some goodies on that site) - Sweet Potato Black Bean Enchiladas with Avocado Lime Crema.  

The sauce can be made with home canned tomato sauce and home canned tomato paste, with spices.  Oh my, I cannot wait to plant sweet potatoes, possibly black beans this year too.

Happy Homemaker Monday

(boxed and ready to deliver)

I got a lot of crocheting over the weekend, and finished the baby blanket.  I delivered a few more crocheted orders, made a trip to the "Big City" when I could.  Hubby worked on the car, and no it's not fixed.  New parts were faulty, and returned.  New parts ordered online (auto stores did not have the one we needed with aluminum parts vs. plastic).

My planner is being used a lot lately.  Dates are filling up fast.  Got our daughter's rental hall booked for her grad party, and now working on a DJ for it.  I also booked an appt. with our daughter at her school for a hair cut.   I wanted to get in there before prices go up after she graduates.  April, May and June are getting booked up with plans as well.

Speaking of our daughter, she has already gotten a salon in line for a job.  Once she takes her state board exam she can start working, and they are excited to have her join.  She's young and can do up-do's, colors etc. and that's exactly what they were looking for.  The strange part, is we found out a friend of the family works there.  Who knew?  It's a nice salon too.  So happy for her and her hard work.

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


The weather outside . . .

On my mind . . .  
A lot.  We have a lot going on in March, including daughter's musical performance.  I won't be able to take any crochet/knit orders until late March either.  I think March is going to go too fast this year, but looking forward to some events.  Again, don't be alarmed if you don't see daily posts.  It's gonna be busy this month for sure.


On the breakfast plate . . .

A veggie loaded frittata with dash of Fire Powder for a metabolism boost.  Topped with garden swiss chard.


On my reading pile . . .

Still reading this, but had to write down the page, and return it to the library.

On my TV . . .
Hubby put on "By the Sea" until we realized it was an Ernest Hemingway movie (long and boring).

On the menu this week . . .
I have no idea.  We didn't make some from last week so...
-sweet potato and black bean enchiladas
-white chicken chili
-medicinal basil pesto pasta, beets (chickpea pasta, 23% less carbs)

-Snacking, home grown popcorn (holding onto one last jar), organic quinoa/chia tortilla chips and home canned salsa, fruit/nut/seed bars with organic coconut.


From the camera . . .
I haven't had my camera out lately.  Just my phone.  Odd, but true.


Looking around the house . . .
Not much to clean today thankfully.  I do need to tidy it up, do some laundry etc.

Chore I am not looking foward to . . .
I really can't pick one today.  It's simply routine, so I guess I'm just used to it all.

To relax this week I will . . .
Read if my book arrives.  I literally just ordered a copy from Thrift Books.  Considering I'm without a vehicle, my library orders are down to zero right now.


On my prayer list . . .
A friend of the family's mother, Mom, a continued grieving friend who lost her mother, our SIL who is has been moved to a different hospital.

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)