Thursday Thoughts

Breakfast!  Thrown together with whatever I had - onions, potatoes, sweet potatoes, swiss chard, hot banana peppers, eggs, topped with pepper jack cheese ( a bit too much, ha ha).  I meant to add bell peppers too, but it slipped my mind.  I was multi-tasking.

Menu so far:

Southern Ground Turkey Casserole

Salmon Romanoff, green beans

Creamed peas and toast ( my Mom's recipe)

Leftovers

Miss Thelma continues to lay eggs in the feeder.  I looked around and found something to temporarily cover it.  Crazy chicken.

Woke up to 25°F this morning, but we should be up to 50°F later today.  I was so looking forward to the weekend.  It is to be a high of 56°F, but now they say rain.  Darn it all.  We have to split wood, work on a car, and help remove large furniture from my Dad's place.

Speaking of sweet potatoes in the breakfast, my supply of homegrown continues to supply us.  Although we didn't grow as much, my garlic is also supplying us (thankful for that).

We've been making up coming travel plans to get some R & R.  I'm praying those happen.  They are without the kids, but we'll be planning family travel for next summer soon.  The kids need to get out too.

I really miss having a large craft store close to home.  I am trying to find specific crochet books, and searching online has become a headache.  I'll try to check stores on the next trip to town.  I guess I can search Thrift books too.  You never know, and if one daughter stops at the thrift store, I'll have her check there too.

We have another stray cat.  It's a male.  Again.  Orange and white.  Oddly, one daughter caught our barn cat loving on him.  Strange.  She never likes un-invited cats.  We'll see if it continues to hang around.  The dogs won't like it for sure.

Day Out!

I was a very lucky gal yesterday.  Very lucky.  My daughter (21 year-old) had the day off.  I was so stinkin' happy.  We both got out of the house for some shopping.

I wrote out my shopping lists and we headed out.  Oh boy, oh boy.

Picked up some netting for scrubbie making.  I still cannot locate lavender netting.  Anyway, we stood in line forever.  No clerk.  There was an older lady waiting in front of me with fabric.  I rang the bell.  The lady turned around and said, "I did that too."  We chatted and chatted.  No clerk.  I literally got my cell phone out and called the store.  No clerk ever came.  My daughter caught up with me and we told her what was going on.  She said, "okay this is not cool, I'm finding someone."  She did.  Clerk showed up with a very mean face on.  Got the netting and left.  Shopping is a total headache.  Lack of employees and long lines.

We stopped at two more stores, one in which I always found jeans for myself (which I need).  None to be had.  Went to the CD section for a CD for my husband.  Heck, they reduced the CD section to like almost nothing and had a huge display of vinyl records and record players.  What?  Ugh.  Guess I'm looking online for that today.

Looked around at two stores for items for Youngest's birthday this month.  Geeze, that was work.  Came home only with dress boots for her to wear to work.  It was definitely hit or miss, with lack of options available.  Mind you, these were all big box stores (packed with people on a weekday).

We even drove to a different city in hopes for more options.  I'm not sure if shopping in stores or online is worse.  

On a good note, our youngest daughter was working, and I stopped in and got my hair cut - first time in 9 months.

I still didn't find salt for the water tank.  We are on the hunt today (well hubby said he'd stop on his way home).

I'm back to being at home today.  I need to make a breakfast and a dinner today, and plan the menu.  Of course finish my Monday cleaning I put off to go shopping yesterday too.

Tuesday Tidbits

Homemade Hummus

It's amazing how much better I felt Monday morning, after a fun Sunday out of the house.  Got the master bath 75% cleaned (just need to clean shower and tub), did laundry, vacuumed, tended the hens, took trash out to the curb, got the mail, kept the fire stoked, put a roast and veggies in the crock pot, made overnight french toast for this morning, and some good ol' homemade hummus.  Of course there were dishes to wash, but I felt better mentally and physically.

It took most of the day, but I quit just before dinner so I could get "me" time in as well.

Since I didn't write up a menu and post a Happy Homemaker post yesterday, it's being done today.   The menu that is. Hm.  Better check the freezer and pantry and get that done.

Oh, gotta share this tidbit.  So Youngest was not home and had my car, so my husband drove her car to work to check things out and leave me the truck.

Upon arriving home (my husband), I looked out the window to see the hood up.  Not good.  First, he froze his bum off on the 1 hour drive there and back - heater is not working and she never told us.  Second, I see two liquid forms on the driveway - tranny fluid and anti-freeze, and her intake is leaking (and will need replaced before it is drive-able ( is that even a word? ) again.  I just can't make this stuff up.  Ha ha ha ha, he he he he he.............my days of being stuck in are longer now. 

I guess I better find out my other daughter's schedule and snag a car on her day off.  I'm gonna need more craft supplies, some Christmas presents, birthday presents, a few baking supplies, and other supplies.  Mostly, I want to make sure I have craft supplies so I don't lose my flippin' mind.  Oh, the free weights are being moved downstairs today, so I can start working out again (that surely will help).

Speaking of crafting supplies, Katmom asked about the pattern for the crocheted wine bag.  I found it free online.  It's by Forever Hooked Designs, Wine Bottle Cozy/Bag - free printable pattern (Ravelry, but you don't have to sign in to be able to print the pattern).

 

Sunday Retreat

 

Sunday, my wonderful husband took me out to our favorite Italian restaurant.  The photo is the current bruschetta.  When I say "current" it's the new way they are making it.  Third time for them to change the way they make it.  We told them it was good, but the original was the best.

We dressed up for the outing, and had a bit of fun too.  Visited a few smaller towns, but really didn't find items great for Christmas gifting.  Nor did I find the coffee I was searching for, but was glad to get out of the house.

Chicken food - restocked,

Cat and dog food - restocked.

Fresh fruit - restocked

I need to restock fresh greens and veggies, but we really had a good time.  

Losing my Mind ~

Saturday was a complete disappointment.  I had plans.  I had been making plans for over a week.  Lists written out.  You know, like chicken feed....didn't happen.

My husband came home late Friday, and said he was working Saturday.  Not only that, but a 12 hour day.  Both girls gone.  No way to get chicken food.  

All week he's told me that Youngest can't drive her own car.  Told me he has no way to take care of her if she breaks down and she's at work (before looking at the car one last time). 

Proceeds to tell me, "take her car."  

"Um, what happens if I break down?"

"Someone will get you."  Right.  I'm starting to feel like I'm losing my mind stuck at home.  Seriously.  

Left to my own devices, I started a new project.  Mom told me she could not find a wine gift bag at the dollar store and most she did find were up to $6.95.  I whipped up this one and a few more over my Saturday home alone (crochet and the cooking show in pj's).

I also made breakfast for dinner.  I knew two people would be home about 8:30pm and hungry.  It's Southern Sausage Enchiladas with Sausage gravy.  Not something quick to make, but reheating for leftovers this morning?  Yum.

Yakking and Babbling

 The metal sign I bought for my husband for Christmas, ha ha!

Miss Thelma continues to lay eggs in the feeder.  I'm going to buy a shower cap to place over the top, or go see if I have a piece of wood large enough to cover the top.  Crazy chicken.

I'm trying to convince (motivate) my husband to go pick up the dog fencing this weekend.

I was going through old photos, and had scanned this recipe for a drink called the Bahama Mama.  Yes I went to the Bahamas.  One time in my life, with a sister.  It was what they call "Fam" trips, short for Familiarization Trip.  I tried to take these trips often when the offer was given.  These were specially priced trips for Travel Agents to visit and do hotel tours we could know more about what we were selling.  Fun times for sure.  Can you tell I was on the "procrastination station" way too much yesterday, ha ha!

Oh, I almost forgot.  I finished one ornament.  It's made out of a wooden clothespin.  To see it, go to my S.C.R.A.P. Blogspot.

Today's blog post title couldn't be more accurate (ha ha!).  Nothing really exciting.  The dogs are not liking that it's shotgun week.  The farmer must have given permission to hunters to hunt the woods behind us that run along the river.  The shotgun blasts are making bark.

Yesterday's concoction - organic coffee, homemade hot chocolate, and a splash of candy cane organic syrup.

Positive Mojo ~ Joy ~ Happiness

A lot has been downhill and downright frustrating, mentally exhausting . . .2020.

I need to post this for a reminder to myself.  Hope you enjoy it.

What gives me joy and what was good about 2020.

We got the privilege to go to Daytona Bike Week in Florida (first time for us).  Good friends of ours trailered our motorcycles (things started to shut down the day we left FL).

We got 3 trips to our favorite island (talk about isolation in a good way).

We got many motorcycle rides in.

We (husband and I) got to take a trip to the Thumb of MI, and take a boat ride to see turnip rock etc.

I love snail mail.  It makes me smile and gives me happiness. A mug rug I received from Mama Pea one year (and still use it year round). I have received many other items as well.  I love to send surprise snail mail too, just to make someone's day.

Handwriting letters or getting hand written letters gives me joy, but lately it's been just quicker (gulp) to use the computer and print letters out.  Especially if I have a lot to talk about.

(don't worry about that email being on there, it's a very old one and gone)

I love to write, but haven't been doing it this year.  I found a copy of the newsletter I used to write way back in the day.  You may have to big-a-fy-it to read it.  Finding it gave me joy, as it was a time I looked forward to writing it each month and taking it to places where I was permitted to.

Baking.  Baking gives me joy.  I took this photo a few days ago, just before it went into the oven.  I haven't made them in many years.  Guess you forgot to add the cinnamon?  He he!  So I made pecan rolls as Hubby said.  They were still good, but I must make them again.  Just a long process, longer than I remember.

Handmade crafting.  Handmade Christmas ornaments were a yearly project I looked forward to.  I typically made them each January and had them done way before Christmas.  I love to research a new project to sell too.  I keep a list of what might be a good item to make and sell.

Reading gives me joy.  I've had a tough time at being in the "right" mood to read this year.  I have started back with reading my daily devotionals.

Dressing up for a date night with my husband. 

Working alongside my husband.  Seriously.  We work well together.  Whether cutting wood, building something, or gardening.  

There is probably a lot more I am just not clearly thinking of right now, but there was a few goodies that happened this year.  Praying for a better year next year.  The negative obviously outweighed the good this year, but there was some good. Just writing this out, I was back to working on ornaments yesterday, and reading a few of my herbal books.

I guess I better get a planner ordered.  I need to start planning for 2021.  Stay well friends.  Mentally and physically.