Weekend Work

The car saga continues.  When one biker friend never responded to our plea for assistance (paid assistance), we hired another.  He didn't show up until 3pm.  

The car is still not completely repaired.  We both feel he won't return today either.  So....we plan to hit the wood splitter early this morning, then start on the car ourselves (yes, I said I'd help).

I have a to-do list a mile long too, but those two need checked off first.  However, I got crochet time and kitchen time in yesterday.

I hope to have photos to share of both tomorrow.  While the men worked on the car, Tiger curled up with me while I crocheted and got some cooking channel time in (PBS/Create).

Hubby has started to feel much better since I started to cut out potatoes again (and rice and whatnot).  We made omelets for breakfast without the potatoes and they were still good.  I'm working on new ways to create breakfast that will eliminate the stuff he shouldn't be eating (and I have been terrible at doing that).

Clean Coop ~ Car

Friday I had one thing I wanted to accomplish, even if it was the only thing I got done - clean the coop.  Oh boy.  It was not easy.  I do believe with all we have to deal with, we will all be on board to building an appropriate coop.

Considering I have to hunch over to get into the coop, it took some maneuvering and several tools to get the job done.  I can't just pull my wheel barrow to the door either.  I have a fence with a temporary gate, and it's not wide enough.  Oh, and my straw is out in one of the barns, so that had to be loaded up and taken to the coop.  Two trips.  Job done.  I only hit my head 3 times ha ha!

Today we have to pull Youngest's car into the garage.  Praying it gets fixed and up and running.  The rain is already here.

 

This and That

Now that shotgun week is over with, coyotes have started on the move (again).  Lovely.

I had a person wanting to buy 4 scrubbies, and luck would have it, one daughter was home.  We went to town and delivered them (new customer who was sad there were no craft shows to shop from), and went birthday present shopping.  

I have to say, the day went much better than the last shopping trip, and we completed our birthday present shopping.  I even found disinfectant spray.  I haven't been able to find that since March. We attempted to take Mom to lunch at a local restaurant, but she was babysitting.

Back home, one daughter started working on her homemade Christmas presents (so proud of her).  She is gifting all homemade gifts.  Right now she is painting a wooden jewelry box she purchased at Hobby Lobby with her 40% off coupon.

We have lots of "plans" for the weekend.  The weather is to be very nice tomorrow, but rain comes with it.  Not sure what all we'll get done, but the car repairs are pretty important.

I will be revamping the menu.  I have gotten off track of avoiding foods my husband cannot have (potatoes, rice, bread etc).  I'll need to watch that much better.   

 

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.