My Diary: January 24, 2022

I woke up this morning: and stumbled to the bathroom with my eyes closed.  Kinda ready to get up but not quite ready to wake up.  Still cold in the mornings... 26° when I let the dogs out this morning.  It got up to the mid 60s yesterday and is expected to do the same today.  Wanted to climb back in that warm bed, but decided if I did I wouldn't want to get up again until at least 9... lol

I look out my window:  and it's still dark.  The skies are relatively clear so the stars and moon are shining like glitter in the sky.  March13, 2022 daylight savings time will begin again and the sun will be up by this time.  

I am hearing:  the squeak of my chair as I rock back and forth.  Fixing that squeak is one of those procrastination things that I've put off for ...  oh ... 4 or 5 months.. lol  

I am thinking: not much this morning.  My brain seems to be on vacation without me.. sigh   I think I need more than my usual 1 cup of coffee this morning.  May need to add some strong chocolate with it to build up the caffeine.. 

I am thankful for:  the different blogs and posts I read.  Soooo much information... so many new ideas..it's hard to stay stagnant in your thoughts and ideas when confronted with so much new information. So many people now willing to share their ideas, their grasp of new crafts, new how-to information on the use of tools.. sometimes it's mind boggling. 

I am wearing: a plain, pink Walmart house dress.  No touchy anywhere.. just a loose, comfortable, very ugly dress..lol  My sister Tina introduced me to these dresses.. Her words?  "They're so ugly, but so comfortable!" 

I am hoping: that I can figure out a personalized pattern to make my own clothes.  As I've grown older the shape of the body has changed and generalized patterns just don't seem to do it.  

I'm also hoping to start knitting or crocheting again in the evening while watching television.  I miss having something to show for that time instead of Level 450 of some game on my phone.. sigh

I am reading: the 3rd book of the Riftwar Saga books by Raymond Feist.  I finished the second one last night.  I suppose at some point I will be tired of them, but not yet..lol  

I am learning: that it's a lot easier to square up your quilting before you start quilting than after.. sigh  

I am creating:  another full cloth quilt.  I've got the sheets almost ready for the batting to be added and then the tying begins. 

One of my favorite things: that little ceramic bowl in the picture.  My friend Pat and I made yarn bowls a few years ago at a ceramic shop.  I loved it...still love it.. has function and memories..

A few plans for the rest of the week:  include working on the quilt, spending some time finding the bottom of my desk (if possible..ugh),  and making a rug from the strips of fabric torn from 4 sheets.  Not sure I want a totally faded blue rug, but sometimes ya can't have everything.. 

Last thought:  I'm having a very hard time in this second year of the covid stay at home.  I've decided the only way I will survive is to spend more time outdoors, keep working on my crafts and use the phone a LOT to keep in contact with everyone I care about.  Hope you have a wonderful week.. Hugs.. 

Vegetable Stand

We found a Vegetable Stand here in town and decided to go see what was up with it.  Drove across town and found packing crates strung around fruits and veggies.  The fruits and veggies had been freighted in just like any of the stores.  But they did have some peaches that looked fair, some overripe strawberries and some .. ta da...banana peppers!  I seldom find banana peppers in our stores.

I looked online for recipes, but they all called for sugar or for making large batches of pickled peppers.  So, I made my own recipe.  I used:  1 cup water, 1 cup vinegar, 1tsp salt, 2 tsp pickling spice, and 1 clove garlic.  In a couple of weeks we'll see if I like them or not.  ;o)

 

 The peaches are in a freezer bag and freezing.  The strawberries were not good enough to eat fresh, so they were cooked down in a medium syrup for about 30 minutes then poured through a sieve.  The strawberries have been wonderful on toast and the syrup is waiting for me to find something to put it on..lol  But I did taste it with a spoon and it is seriously wonderful ...

Now... with all that being said.. my SDH and I have begun using Atkins Shakes and have seriously started dieting.  So... ;o( ... no more strawberry syrup...

Anyway, this is late July and August is just around the corner.  Let me tell you the joys of Iced Coffee!... ;o)

Have a wonderful day...

The Simple Woman's Daybook

I know this is not Monday... but since I missed it yesterday...

Today: November 25, 2008

Outside my window: the sun is low in the west and too bright to leave the shades open. It will be dark in an hour and a half... too soon for this day to be over.

I am thinking: how tired my legs feel after spending all afternoon out and about. I wish DH's coffee drinking buddy were not moving. It is a sad day. On the other hand...it is wonderful that we live in the age of computers and they can stay in touch even from one country to another.

I am thankful: that my clothes that I am planning to wear Thanksgiving still fit! I am also thankful that it will be a year (in about a week) since I have had one cigarette. I am not thankful that I have gained 40 pounds! But I would not exchange the 40 pounds to go back to smoking...it is completely worth it.

From the kitchen: the cranberries and orange are calling! I love fresh cranberry sauce and always make it ...

I am wearing: stretch denim pants with a cotton blue/white shirt...but not for long...lol It's almost time to get comfortable...

I am creating: very little today. Perhaps after supper....

I am going: to start preparing for Thanksgiving with our daughter. This is a real treat since we seldom get to do this!

I am reading: every pattern on Ravelry I can find. And it seems there are so many I will never run out!

I am hoping: to put our tree up the day after Thanksgiving. It should not be too hard this year since it is all stored at ground level...instead of in the attic!

I am hearing: my DH yawn as he settles in his chair..it has been a long day.

Around the house: everything is quiet. I can hear the pulse ringing in my ears. It's very easy to just sink into my chair and relax.

One of my favorite things:

is this picture. It always makes my legs feel that warm swish from standing on the floor furnace. It was so fascinating to watch my dress mysteriously fluff out and just stay there! I did this all the time as a child and can still hear the words... "You're going to burn a hole in your shoes!"

A few plans for the rest of the week: include Thanksgiving...such fun. Then the Christmas tree... also fun.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing:

All's Well..

It's been another while since posting... In the interim my DH has had TULP (which is laser prostate) surgery on the 19th. All went well and he is recuperating very nicely. Up and about and off to daily afternoon coffee with friends yesterday..grin

The pic is my first try at coffee dying. I just used the left over coffee in the pot and added enough water to cover the yarn and about 1/4 cup vinegar...heated it just below the boiling point for about 30 minutes or so and then let stand overnight to cool. I'm really tickled with the light tan color and now am looking forward to trying a medium and darker color.

No Stent Needed

Well, am back in my usual spot for early morning coffee...happier than expected. No new stent was needed, just a little cleaning out of the one I already have...grin Get to take the pressure bandage off later this morning and will be good as new... yayyy