Today in My Life... July 11, 2011

 








Today is:  Wednesday, July 11, 2011

I got up this morning:  early.  4am.  It's not that I mind getting up early... it's that 10am letdown and sleepy that gets me. 

As I look out my window:  the sprinklers are sprinkling.  There's a street light on our corner and the water makes all the plants out front glisten like tiny stars.  Pretty enough to go sit out and watch... but it's already 82°F out there at 5:30am....

I am hearing:  my sweet DH wandering around the kitchen getting coffee and asking me why I was up so early... ;o)

I am thinking: that the air conditioning in our new house is wonderful...but I'll be right back...after I've slipped on the shawl that Karen made for me!  Cool on my back this morning!



 One thing I've learned over the past week:  is just how much fun it is to share brownies and cups of tea with friends.  This is not a new learning experience.. ;o) .. it's just that it's been such a long time since I've been able to that it SEEMS like a new one... ;o)  Hopefully all the major hubbub with the move is about over... ;o) 

 



 Creatively: I've learned a bit this week.  You don't have to use vinegar to set the dye for Kool Aid (unless you are worried about the blues being colorfast).  Kool Aid has citric acid already in it ... therefore it will be colorfast without any other additive.  And... I feel totally set free now that I've dyed roving in the microwave and it didn't come out a felted hot pad.  Thanks, Pat, for all the tips last Friday. 

Things I am thankful for:  Visits from sons John and Phil over the 4th of July... Life can't get any better than that... ;o)


Plans for the rest of the week:  include (finally) the installation of the storm doors today... yes! this morning!...yayyyy!  
And the RRFA meeting on Thursday.  Really glad that Mercy may be able to continue coming even tho she's moving. 

It's hot.  And doesn't look there's much chance for any change in temps for a while.  Not even into August yet and the temps are now what the usual high for the year is... ;o/

But... the grass is green, the sky is blue, the flowers bloom and it is a lovely day.  Hope yours is too... ;o)

Today In My Life... May 8, 2011

Today is:  Mother's Day... May 8, 2011

I got up this morning:  at 4:30am, made coffee and emptied the dishwasher.  Normal stuff.  Turn on the computers, listen to the clock tick.  The peace of the morning makes me wish for an all day early morning... ;o)  Just normal stuff... a gift.

As I look out my window:  the sun is just lifting over the horizon.  It's 6:10am.  I look out over the backyard and the meadow and think of how I have loved just gazing down there...the trees, the flowers, the squirrels, the birds.  I'm glad I've taken pictures over the years....

I am hearing: very little traffic this morning.  It's Sunday.  An occasional car or truck.  But mostly just sounds of the thoughts rolling around in my head.  Some good, some bad....  just normal stuff.. ;o)

I am thinking:  that it's very nice to have a friend who knows that she is cared about even when things become hectic in life and there is not always the time or frame of mind for a call... or a visit...

The one thing I've learned over the past week:   is this.... If you pack all of your dishes, pots and pans there will ALWAYS be a snag and instead of a couple of days...it will be another 2 weeks before you can move...

Creatively:  I have been at a stand still... My creativity is just buried so far behind thoughts of my children and the move that I found myself back to knitting garter stitch dishcloths last night.  Could not concentrate on any pattern enough to make it work, so the dishcloths were a life saver.. ;o)

Plans for the rest of the week:  include 3 days of chiropractic visits.. and here I have to give a plug to Dr. Ryan Knight of Denison, TX..  The pain in my back and shoulders is so much less that I can actually breathe now and make it through the day.
Note to self:  Must buy shelf paper by the mile... and soon...

A shout out and huge THANK YOU... to Amber DeHay  for all the help packing and carrying boxes.  And speaking of Amber.. pop over to her blog Knit My World  and take a look at her new pattern for a knitted scarf to match the lovely wrist warmers I had the pleasure of test knitting..









Today is Mother's Day.  I cannot think of any mother I know that is perfect.. or even the perfect mom.  But the thing about Moms is this... They have a perfect love ... Happy Mother's Day!

Cooking... hmmm Recipe for diabetic "Almost Mince"

My sweet DH and I have decided for health reasons to change our diet to eliminate as much meat and sugar as possible.  Counting carbs (diabetes) and also counting cholesterol and fats (heart) means having limited choices.  Yesterday I found that I had a couple of apples that I needed to either eat or cook.. I also had a package of   3½ inch squares of phyllo dough.  So.... here is what I did..  I call it "Meatless Almost Mince"....

2 medium Delicious apples
1 cup chopped pecan/walnut mix
2 tsp. cinnamon (I did this to taste... )
1 tsp. cloves  (I did this to taste..)
1/2 tsp. nutmeg  (I did this to taste .. also.. ;o)
4... 1grain Necta Sweet saccharin tablets 
1/2 cup water
36... 3 1/2  inch phyllo dough squares

I cut the apples (unpeeled)  in quarters and cut them into about 1/2 pieces.  These I placed into my tiny little electric chopper  and chopped until about the size of large grains of rice.  I also chopped 1/2 cup of pecans and then 1/2 cup of walnuts.  I crushed the Necta Sweet tablets between 2 spoons. All of these I placed into a large stainless bowl.  While mixing everything, I added the spices.. a little at a time and tasting as I went to see if I needed to add more. 

I placed the finished mixture into a medium size pan, added 1/2 cup of water and simmered over medium heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.  When it was finished cooking, I set it aside for a bit to cool slightly and laid out single squares of phyllo dough on a plastic cutting board.  I moistened all edges of the phyllo square, placed a really heaping teaspoon of mixture in the center and then folded the phyllo over the mixture into a triangle.  I used a fork to press and seal the edges.

I placed the triangles in a Baker's Joy sprayed baking sheet and baked at 350° oven for 10 minutes or until golden brown on the edges.  ( I could only use one piece of phyllo because of the carbs.  If you don't have that worry, you can use 1/2 cup sugar instead of the NutraSweet, add butter to the mixture and use 2 phyllo sheets that have then brushed with margarine to make a more golden, flaky crust.)

Now... what we found.  He could not eat the triangles because of the carbs in the phyllo.  But... he can eat 3/4 cup of the apple/walnut mix as a side dish for chicken, turkey, fish or just plain Eggbeaters and toast!  (I think next time I will add some Rum or Brandy to the mix and a little lemon juice.  That will give it a more Mincemeat flavor than it already has!  And I LOVE mincemeat! )

Today is Easter and I am wishing for all of you a really lovely day...whether you can be with family or not.  ;o)

Today In My Life.... April 7, 2011

Today is:  Thursday, April 7, 2011

I got up this morning:  and it was 4:40 am.  My back and  shoulders have hurt so badly over the last 10 days that I find it difficult to go back to sleep after I wake up.... so here I am with a cup of Apricot/Peach tea, my buddy laptop and you this morning.  ;o)

As I look out my window:  it's quite dark out thanks to Daylight Saving Time.  The light of the cars shine bright red as they recede down the hill out front.  I have always loved DST because the evening is so much longer and my children had more time to play in the summer.  That was before they moved it up so much that now kids have to stand at a bus stop in pitch black to get to school.  I don't like that.  At all.

I am hearing:  the slight noise of the very first clock my sweet DH made.  It's a pale country blue. I have painted roses on it and it hangs in the kitchen.  It's one of my favorite things.

I am thinking:  that it's a wonderful thing to know that things are much better for my sweet DH.  His cardiac cath showed an almost 100% blockage in one of his coronary arteries.  The stent was placed and there could be no better news than that!

Also: exactly one month ago I posted here that I was very grateful that Steven was coming home from Iraq.  Today.... well, see for yourself. 

This can also rank up there with the best of the best that I am thankful for.  It was such a joy just to put my arms around him (on tiptoe, no less) and hold him.  We went  to IHOP and were going to sit in the same seat that his brother Jeff and  I would sit in years ago... but the smoke was wayyyy too much for both of us.  So we sat somewhere else and talked.

I love you, Steven.  It's so good that you're home.

The one thing I've learned during the past week:
It's much easier to be the "patient" than it is to be "waiter" .  My sweet DH had a CT scan this week for reduction in blood flow to his feet.  This comes only a couple of weeks after his coronary cath with stent placement.  Now... being a nurse one is aware that for the most part all is well...but being a wife is entirely a different thing.  Not fun being the "waiter".....

Also.....Even if you are near crying with pain, a new chiropractor will not adjust your back on the first visit.  That's why I'm still in pain.  While I really liked her, we are having to wait for the orthopedist that cost a fortune and did no good about anything to send my MRI results to her.  May have to go and hand carry them from him to her... ;o(

Creatively:  all things have just come to nil.  I've tried knitting, card weaving, crochet.... nothing seems to work out just right.  Couldn't be pain related, could it?  I've spent more time frogging and just plain ripping out than accomplishing anything... ughhh

But I have to say that our Red River Fiber Arts group continues to grow and is more fun with each meeting.  We are planning to have a booth at Arts Fest this September.  So far, there is not a web site for this year, but there is one for last year.   Here it is and we can only assume that it will be very much the same this year.  Everyone is working on projects and we have built up quite a lot already.  Should be great fun!

Plans for the rest of the week:  include buying all the little things to finally finish up the new house.  Had to buy a couple of lights yesterday that we had missed on our first trip to Lowe's.  Things are finally finishing up, but even though I've said "should be done in a couple of weeks"  at least 3 times now... what was supposed to be done mid to late March will now be done about late April or early May.  But considering the winter weather that's not too bad ... even if we are in a hurry... ;o)

Just a thought:  Unless I did something very wrong, I've found that I cannot paint the tile to go behind the stove in the new house.  I did a quick and dirty painting on 4 of the tiles, cooked them in the oven like the instructions said.  I then waited overnight and washed them.  The regular wash was great, but when I tried the scrub with a mild abrasive it scrubbed off.  I decided not to paint them after all since the replacing of tiles in 4 or 5 years is not something I wanted to look forward to... 

I hope you all have a really good day.  And I hope some part of it is filled with a great bit hug!  ;o)

Today In My Life... March 7, 2011

Today is:  Monday, March 7, 2011

I got up this morning:  not really ready to get up.  Went back to bed for few minutes, snuggling in the warmth my sweet DH had just left.  And then the clink of cups being set on the cabinet spurred one thought ... COFFEE!

As I look out my window:  it's overcast and a little breezy.  The daffodils have continued to bloom until it is a full mass of yellow. The red bud beside them is beginning to bloom with little purple buds popping up all over the trunk and limbs.  As I stepped outside to take pics it didn't take long for me step back inside and grab a long, fluffy and warm robe to go wandering in.

I am hearing:   my sweet DH .. "Better bring your coffee cup.."  which means the toast is in the toaster, new coffee has been made and it's time for breakfast.. ;o)

I am thinking:  that I am more grateful than can be expressed that our grandson Steven will be home...tour over ... from Iraq in just a few hours.  Left Ireland yesterday and should be at home in Oklahoma this afternoon.  What a gift!

I am thankful for:  the small glimpses into the lives of family, friends, old classmates and best of all.. my children's every day lives through Facebook.  (I know... that terrible Facebook.. but in reality the ability to communicate almost every day with the ones I know and love outweighs all of that... ) 

The one thing I learned during the past week:  My sweet DH becomes a little less sweet when he feels that I am not taking care of my hurt back.. ;o(  But believe me.. I am a fast learner..lol

Creatively:  is all about my friend Amber DeHay of Knit My World.  I am so proud that she has released her first knitting pattern on Ravelry as a true designer. She is also working on a matching scarf to go with wrist warmers.

Plans for the rest of the week:   Boy... that would take a list... and a long one at that.  Today will be spent with Sharon packing, packing, packing.  Tomorrow will be spent preparing for the Thursday's Red River Fiber Arts group.   The newspaper came last week to do an article on our group and was a bit overwhelmed... ;o)  She asked if she could come back this week with a real photographer and do another interview for a full page spread.  We are about to pop all our buttons...lol  I thought I might also warp up my Kromski Harp and my small card weaving loom for the event.  Will have to see just how much time I have to prepare.

Before I go I want to say how wonderful it is to have friends who pop over and glance through my meanderings.. ;o)  I received a couple of comments from last weeks post that made me realize how much I enjoy this blogging thing.. lol  Thanks... your comments mean more than you know..

Have a wonderful day... spend it with people you care about and doing things you enjoy.. live is short.

Hello, again.....

Spring is springing and I have to say it cannot come too soon for me.  The snow was lovely, the cold temps made eating home made soup wonderful and the warmth of sitting with DH watching tv was great... but ....  the sight of this lovely yellow as I look out the office window almost made my heart flop...lol







The work on our house can finally regain a little momentum and possibly we will be able to move the last of March...or not...   Now it all depends on the rain..  We REALLY want to keep Mother Nature happy right now.. ;o)

Just wanted to leave you with kisses.. ;o)... that would be TEA KISSES..

I hope you have a wonderful day.  It looks like it will be a warm, sunshiny day here in North Texas.  Hope it is for you too. 

Today is:  Wednesday,  January 12, 2011

I got up this morning:  with a runny nose, raspy voice and feeling like I've been run over by a truck.  Have been taking NyQuil at night for the last couple of nights trying to nip this in the bud, but looks like it's going to take it's own good time leaving.. ;o(

As I look out my window:  I see the snow has stayed in it's perfect blanket of white across the yard.  Not even any footprints from birds or squirrels.  This is the third day for this snow and the weather forecasters are telling us the temps will remain below freezing for at least one more day... maybe more.  Temperature this morning was 19° when DH looked. (Yukkk... my coffee's cold!)  When I stepped out the front door the sunrise almost took my breath away!  Pictures just don't do it justice.

I am hearing:  just the ringing in my ears and the sound of the keyboard as I type.  It seems this blanket of snow subdues everything.

I am thinking:  that building a house and moving must surely be meant for younger people.

I am thankful for:  new found friends... ;o)

The one thing I learned during the past week:  is that my sweet DH will worry himself to death in an effort not to hurt any one's feelings even when he knows what is best. 

Creatively:  I finished the gloves that I started early last week.  The Red River Fiber Guild decided last week to do a Knit-A-Long using the pattern shown here.  I'm using the same hand spun merino that I used in the mittens and size 6 needles. 

Plans for the rest of the week:   Trying to clear out a lot of the redundant things we have collected over the years so there won't be so much to move... or to find a place for since we are scaling down.  So far we have totally trashed both bedrooms and filled the dining room table with tons of dishes to be given away.... didn't know we had so much stuff "stuffed" in the cabinets..lol

I am now taking my cup of cold coffee... refilling it with "hot" coffee and heading to my chair with my Harry Potter book, my Puffs, and my blanket to spend the day trying to throw this off so I can attend the meeting tomorrow of RRFA group... sigh

Have a wonderful day.. ;o)

Merry Christmas.. !!!!

Where:  Butterfield Stage Theater, Gainesville, TX

When:  Mid 1990s, somewhere around 8 pm.

For:  Butterfield Stage Players performance of "A Camp Howze Christmas"

Starring:  (among others)  one of my sons

My mom was sitting beside me.  I'm not sure whether she had ever been to a Community Theater before.  She was a little nervous and seemed a little unsure of herself.

The lights dimmed and a spotlight was beamed on the table of a small cafe' scene on stage.  The songs began and she laughed along with me and everyone else as Jim and a couple of his singing buds appeared on stage with WAC uniforms, wigs and stuffed bras that kept falling down..lol  Then there was the jitter bug that she had been sooo good at dancing. (As a child, I loved it when she would hop up from a chair and suddenly begin be-bopping around...lol )

Mom had been a young waitress during the last months of World War II in a tiny little Texas town called Lorenzo.  The scenes were all too real for her as we watched "the home front" replayed through the songs of that period that were so well done by the young singers and actors. 

The lights went way down... a back lit silhouette became visible behind one of the windows high up on the wall.. it became very quiet in the theater and the soft sounds of music began as Jim began to sing...




I heard a small sound and looked at Mom.  There was a tiny tear falling down her cheek. 

Today In My Life... December 24, 2010

Today is:  Friday, December 24, 2010

I got up this morning:  feeling a little down.  It's Christmas Eve and none of the kids are able to come home.  It forces me to remind myself of all those holidays... when my children were growing up or I was unable to get time off on the holidays or there was a  lack of money for long trips... and the tons of other reasons that my Mom or Dad had to spend their holidays without us there.  It's true... we never understand or appreciate our parents until we are parents.. and in similar circumstances.  ;o)

As I look out the window:  the flock of crows that greet us every morning by doing a fly-by of our window have not shown up yet.  In fact, none of our morning greeters.. sparrows, wrens, chickadees... have shown up.  Wonder if they are hiding out in preparation for the cold front moving through.  Supposed to get really cold (at least for us..lol.. don't point, Phillip!)  ;o)  

I am hearing:  my sweet DH in the shower.  He (and I) have loved that shower that our sons put in for us.  Really will miss all the wonderful memories that have come with this house.. ;o(

I am thinking:  that perhaps I feel a little like Monte Walsh.   We went to McDonald's yesterday morning and had  breakfast.  Someone had left the Herald Democrat  newspaper on the table.  It's about 1/2 as wide as it used to be, has about 1/10th the number of pages and reminds me more and more of the very old newspapers of the Wild West that had no pictures.  And now with the e-readers, I'm afraid the same will be happening with "real" books.  I'm afraid the world as we know it is changing much too rapidly for me......

I am thankful for:   magic markers and corn cob ink pens.. ;o)

Creatively:   thankful for Joe Camilleri of Mangiare .  Wonderful chef who unselfishly publishes on his blog some of the most mouth watering recipes imaginable.. woo hoo!

Just a thought:  Colors... like friends.. beautiful each to itself.  Colors.. beautiful in a mish mash of random shapes... each close and making each other shine!

 

Today In My Life ... December 22, 2010

Today is:  Wednesday, December 22, 2010

I got up this morning:  and it seemed quite cool.. not terrible, but cool enough that I went and found a toboggan cap as I sat here surfing the net and waiting for sweet DH to get up.  Found some socks, wrapped up in my fuzzy robe... never realizing that in the heat of the "blazing 70° " of yesterday I completely turn off the heater... as in "OFF"!  and never thought to turn it back on... hmmmph

As I look out the window:  the sun is just rising with just a hint of pink on the horizon. The trees look a little forlorn with their bare, dark limbs slightly swaying against the steel of this morning's sky.

I am hearing:  the patter of coffee cup against coffee pot as DH finds another cuppa.. ;o)

I am thinking:  very little of any consequence this morning.  My brain is doing that ADHD thing and there are so many to choose from it's just not worth spending the time deciding.. lol

I am thankful for:  all the ups and downs in my life ... like everyone else... that lead us to become the persons we are.  However... some days I think I might like to be "just a little bit" of someone else.. ;o)

The one thing I learned this week:  is that I love the idea of a dream catcher.  I would love to think that all the bad thoughts and dreams would become enmeshed in a web before they made it to my dreams.. ;o)


Reading:  but still mostly not.  Seem to be in a reading, creative, hand craft dip.  Hmmm... what's up with that?

Creative news:  Linda B. over at Chloe's Place   is back after a very busy absence.  So happy to see her blog busy again.  She has the most wonderful ideas and lovely crazy quilt embroidery.

Not much else happening during the holiday season.  Seem to be very busy with the details of building the house.... I suppose those decisions could be deemed creative.. ;o)

Am crocheting the edging on my Pi shawl.  Seems just could not figure out how to do the cast on  and knit back for the knitted edging that I really wanted to do.  Anyway, here's how it's coming along...
It's laid out on top of a large crocheted afghan and the pink of that distracts a bit, but if I ever get it finished I'll make sure I take a really good pic.. ;o)

Plans for the rest of the week:  It's the Christmas holidays.. what else is there to say.. ;o)

A picture thought: 

 




Strange how a teapot can represent at the same time the comforts of solitude and the pleasures of company.  ~Author Unknown








Merry Christmas, everyone!