Snow

Snow arrived early yesterday morning.  It sort of made me feel like staying in jammies all day, sipping hot cocoa and watching America's Test Kitchen (love that show).  However, I had to tend the hens, fetch a load of wood, get the mail and whatnot, which required getting dressed and putting on snow boots.

I was a bit motivated by wanting to try a new crochet pattern.  Although my bedroom was/is a hot mess and needed tidied up.  I have crafting supplies all over it.  I'm not sure how my husband puts up with me, ha ha!

Well, everything is on hold here.  Our one daughter who works retail, said one co-worker is off awaiting a test for the virus (his wife is sick).  She (daughter) is in a panic and went to test as well, and results come in today or tomorrow.  Praying she is fine, but all plans are on hold until then.  It's pretty frustrating how anyone who is around anyone sick has to fear for their lives right now.  

Latest Crochet Creation ~ Weather and other ramblings

 

My first tic-tac-toe crochet game (not from China toy).  I'm thrilled it turned out nice.  I am trying to work on kids toys this year to have in stock for next year.  I am tempted to gift this to my niece and nephew, and check in to see if they like it and use it.  The game is on the side of a crocheted bag, and the pieces are stored inside it.  I'm thinking of maybe making the bag with handles vs. drawstring, but I think drawstring would keep the pieces from getting lost (or fall out of the bag).

I also finished another panel for a hot pad set, finished a crocheted wine bag, sewed the inner rice bag for Mom's heat pack, and crocheted one dish scrubbie.

The weather.  Oh my.  It's cold.  The kind of weather you just want to stay in your jammies all day kind.  The weather that gets me into trouble in staying on task on housework. 

It was so cold my wood, that I left in my garden cart, was frozen to it.

As for an update on the car repairs - it's all on hold.  My husband worked first shift yesterday, came home for dinner, took a nap, and went back to work the midnight shift.  Oh, and that's not all.  He works first shift this morning too.

My first job today, is reload the porch with firewood.  After that I'm not sure.  I will probably do some deep cleaning, dinner prep and whatnot.

Tuesday Tidbits

Our hired help showed up.  Car is running good, but we need to buy a new radiator hose, some anti-freeze, and put one headlight back in.  Then we pull the truck in and replace brakes on that next.

Got the house work started yesterday until the sweeper stopped working.  One daughter and I got it back to working.  I can't wait to get rid of the carpet and replace flooring in this house.  One thing at a time.

The Mexican Crockpot casserole was a hit.  It's online with Well plated by Erin.  I used home grown tomatoes (I have frozen jalapenos to make those "fired up" too) that I froze (and thawed), and made homemade enchilada sauce (no sugar like store bought has), and only added some hand shredded sharp cheddar cheese upon serving it.  So delicious and it has quinoa in it.

Breakfast was a hit too.  I've made many breakfast dishes with broccoli, but changed it up a bit by adding zucchini.  Broccoli is a power house of goodness, and a great way to start the day healthy.

I ordered an item from Annie's Crafts back in November for the girls for Christmas.  I just thought they would enjoy something fun.  Well, the items never arrived.  I sent an email.  No email back.  I'll be calling today and asking questions or getting a refund.

It's pretty cold here this week, but the wood stove was still going when I got up. So thankful for that.  Today will be a much easier day with all the housework done yesterday.  

Speaking of yesterday, I let the chickens out for a bit and moved some things to one of the barns.  Thankfully I was outside too.  I literally walked out of the barn, and saw two hawks flying directly towards the chicken coop.  I put my ladies back inside.

I will finish up my latest crochet project and get that posted tomorrow.  

Happy Homemaker Monday

 

Recipe I want to try (without the whipped cream)

Recipe I tried.  It's a keeper - peanut butter whiskey balls.  It has peanut butter in them, but more of the peanut butter whiskey.  Delicious! (recipe from Allrecipes)

Bought myself some fun mini cutters for Christmas pies.  I already had the star, but look at all that fun!  I could even cut cheese slices for a festive cheese/cracker snack too.

Am I the last to know this?  Hummus on a hard boiled egg? Yum!  Breakfast, lunch, side dish or snack. 

The intake is in, but more work needs done before our daughter can drive it.  Our friend is coming back over today to finish up on it.  Hopefully, it'll be ready for daughter to drive after that.

We got wood cut and split Sunday morning.  In the afternoon we met up with my younger brother at my Dad's place.  We made a plan to bring the truck over next weekend and help remove lots of furniture.  Oh my.  My Dad saved everything.  When I say everything, I mean everything.  

I didn't have time to get photos of my current crochet project, but hopefully I'll get a post up soon.

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

The weather outside is . . .

37°F/21°F

On the breakfast plate this morning . . .

Broccoli/zucchini egg bake, and coffee and orange juice.

As I look outside my window . . .

Dark, dreary, windy

As I look around the house . . . 

My living room needs cleaned up big time.  The dogs keep knocking couch pillows to the floor.

What I am wearing today . . . 

Cozy gray sweater, jeans, Christmas socks and black slippers

To do today or to do this week  . . .

-bake a breakfast

-dishes

-laundry

-clean living room

-floors

The week:

-move furniture out of Dad's place

-cut/split more wood

Currently reading . . .

Nothing right now.

On the TV . . .

Home for Christmas on Netflix

On the menu . . .

-Chicken mushroom stew

-meatloaf, smashed sweet potatoes, green beans

-taco salad

-broccoli/zucchini breakfast bake

Something fun to share . . .

Considering making this for Christmas dinner (not breakfast).  We tried mimosas at breakfast one year and it just made us tired, ha ha!

Favorite photo from the camera . . .

Sadly, nothing.  Just been pretty busy with work stuff.

Here is the latest ornament I've made in case you missed my post.

Prayers, Inspirational quotes, devotionals . . .

For this virus and mandates and restrictions to go away.

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.