Thursday random

Today was the first day of school in our town.  I had to laugh this morning on my way to work.  First I saw a few little ones.  I'm always amazed at the little grade 1's. So full of excitement, skipping down the sidewalk - laughing and chattering.  So anxious to learn and make new friends. 

Then a little further up the street was the bus stop for the high school.  A bunch of teenagers - sullen, heads bowed, scuffing their feet - like they were heading for a shift on the chain gang

It cracked me up.  Such a difference.  

Now switching gears......since the pie was a success I am moving on to more baking adventures.  I aim to make a pan of tea biscuits that are edible.  I tried many many years ago and well......you could have used them for hockey pucks.  

And a co-worker had a bumper crop of zucchini this year and brought the surplus in to work.   They were enormous.  This one was not even close to the largest one there.  I took a picture next to Millie so you could see it's bigger than her.  Not the best pic but she was being less than cooperative

So I think a few zucchini breads are in the future.   Any other ideas?

Make food or Be food?

The past few days, thanks mainly to lots of rain, a new batch of killer Mosquitos has hatched.  And I swear they are all living in my backyard.

One step outside and you are covered in a swarm of vicious, blood thirsty insects.  My lawn is in desperate need of being mowed and it was probably dry enough tonight to do it but I was too scared. Lol

So instead of being food for something else I made food for me.  I finally found a nice basket of fresh peaches. I've been craving a peach crumble pie.  It's one of my specialties.  Unfortunately I couldn't find my favorite recipe.  So after an internet search I found one that looked similar.  It's all in the crumble.  Here's the filling

Next the crumble topping was added (not exactly as I remembered)

And out of the oven.  The smell is amazing.  Can you smell the sweetness?  Must be cool enough to cut now.  Gotta go taste

I think this was a much better use of time, don't you think?  The lawn will still be there tomorrow.  This entire pie may not be

Happy September

I know it's not "officially" fall on September 1st but it is to me!  We are entering my favorite time of year.  Another lovely weekend.  The weather was mainly grey and drizzly but I still had a nice 3 day weekend.  (You're going to get sick of me going on about how happy I am lately but life is good these days) 

I got lots of reorganizing done in the house.  All my clothes are finally put away properly. And I spent some time thinking about paint colors and curtains.  I think I'm ready to paint the upstairs soon. I've almost settled on a color and need to pick up some paint cards to pick the right shade.  

Today was busy.  Lots of cooking to stock the freezer.  But I started out building up my strength for the day at breakfast.  Chocolate croissants and special coffee

Since it was a holiday I thought I should start it special ;).  Then I put a chicken in the oven, cut off most  of the meat and then started a chicken soup.  Here's the results ready to freeze

I also made a batch of muffin tin meatloaf, also ready for the freezer.  These two chores took me almost all day as company kept popping in. But it was ok because they were all bearing treats.  One had a pie, one had wine, and another showed up with a loaf of homemade bread that was still warm

Gwen makes the best bread!!  

I'm feeling pretty blessed these days.  Happy September all

Have you seen my tomatoes??

I had a hankering for tacos this weekend and picked up all the ingredients, including 3 lovely tomatoes on the vine.  Today when I started to make supper I went looking for them.  They were nowhere. I checked the entire kitchen and even the car in case they fell out of a bag.  I remember bagging them and they are on my sales receipt so I know I bought them.  But they have vanished.  Poof!!  Now I'm scared in a few days I will smell a nasty surprise somewhere.  

They look just like this.......Have you seen them?  (I fear I'm losing my mind)

This morning I rearranged the furniture upstairs a bit. I'm still not happy with it and will go back to it tomorrow.  I had a visit from my friends Mom.  She makes the best mustard pickles.  She brought me 3 jars and a extra little housewarming gift of a jar with scented pumpkin guest soaps.

And I hooked some more!!!!  Feels so good.  I really like this pattern - it's very primitive which suits me fine.

Looks like Lauren and I got out of our slump on the same day ;)

Fall is definitely in the air.  It was 64 degrees in the house this morning and the cool wind outside would almost knock you over.  

How sweet it is

Ahh, the sweet feel of my hook and strips of wool in my hands.   It's been so long and I really have missed it.  Tonight I decided no more excuses.  I knew once I started it would be great.  And it is.....

This is a Payton Primitives pattern that I picked up when I was in Maine in May.  Has it really been that long?  The slump is over and I've beaten Lauren to the hook!  (Unless of course she actually hooked something today.  Have you Lauren???). Lol.  

I had the afternoon off so I started my long weekend early.  I had lunch with my friend "the bargain hunter".  She brought me a great silver throw pillow for my house and mentioned she saw a fun shelf at  the Thrift Store.   We went to check it out and I loved it.  She definitely has a skill.

Once I get my kitchen repainted this is going on the wall.

I think it will be cute to display china tea cups.  Don't ya think??

Miss Millie had an appointment at the beauty parkour and I stocked up on groceries.   So now we are all set to hunker down and nest for the long weekend.   I can't believe it's almost September but on the bright side, that means cozy sweaters and fabulous boots soon.  :)

Notification woes and the blessing of weird friends

You may remember I've mentioned I have had some issues recently with not receiving email notifications from certain blog followers who leave comments.  It's been happening for a few months and only certain people.  It's been driving me nuts.

So yesterday I made a little list of those regular commenters and then checked their email addresses.  Just as I suspected, there was a theme.  Anyone who has an AOL or Yahoo email account is affected. A little google search and I discovered that both have recently made changes to "something techie" to try and limit spam and hackers.  And whatever they changed does not like google.  Here is one link that explains it (a bit)

https://blog.mailchimp.com/yahoo-changes-may-affect-your-deliverability/

I was emailing one of my blog buddies Cindy, who is one of "the affected", and sent her the link.  Well, she was on the case!  I discovered, like me, these little tech mysteries drive her nuts too.

Well, after multiple emails and trial and error she fixed hers.  Granted it was somewhat radical, but now I get notification of her comments!   Gotta love it when you find someone who is as weird as you!!  Lol

Tuesdays choice

Tuesday is almost over, and I survived.  My brain is still partially in vacation mode.   I came home and had to make a choice.  

What should I do with my hands?  Should I do this.....?

Or......should I do this....?

What do you think?  ;)

Weekend review

,I have to say....almost perfect.  My first weekend in the new house that didn't involve unpacking anything.  

This morning I was out of bed early and had a load of laundry hanging on the line by 8am.  

My grandma would be proud :).  Can't wait to jump into bed today on fresh washed sheets dried in the sunshine.  So much nicer than from the dryer.  And easier on the electric bill.  Lol.  I thought that chore deserved a little treat.  Nothing like a special coffee to get you going on a weekend !

I'm slowly trying to fill my pantry (I'm watching the sale flyers and buying what's on sale until I get a supply of basics built up).  And I'm also trying to stock the freezer a bit.  It makes meal time so much easier when you're not in the mood to cook a full supper and it uses up any leftovers.   

I made a big pot of old fashioned hamburger soup.  It simmered all afternoon.

My downfall was I started watching Netflix after lunch. I thought I'd check out Homeland as I heard good reviews.  Big mistake!  I've watched half the first season today :).  Great show (obviously or I wouldn't have wasted the afternoon) 

I still haven't picked up my rug hook although I really am missing it.  I think I need a small quick project to get me moving. But in the meantime I've been knitting in front of the TV.

Maybe this will inspire me.  I love this magazine

I hope everyone had a great weekend.  Summer is quickly winding up but there's still sunshine in the forecast for this week.

Bargains

I have a friend who is like a bloodhound at sniffing out bargains.  She's a pro!  Her eagle eye has come in handy the last few weeks.  The week before I moved she arrived at my office with a bag - 65 pieces of assorted flatware for under $3.  And then today I came home at lunch and found a bag tied to my door.  Inside a cute little lamp.  The tag says $2.50

This will come in handy as there are no light fixtures in either bedroom.  Right now I just have 2 small lamps.  This one might look good in the hallway on a table. 

Auntie has been house cleaning too since I moved out.  Today when I stopped in she had this bag for me.  In it was an old quilt found in the bottom of a cedar chest.  She thinks my grandmother made it many years ago.

It's in perfect shape, just smells of cedar.  This weekend I'll wash it in a gentle cycle and it should be great.  I love old quilts and this one is extra special. 

Still struggling to get back into a work week routine. Today was a little easier. Just 3 more days to the weekend. Lol 

Oh Monday.....

I've got the "first Monday after vacation, back to work, rainy day blues".  Blahhhh.......  Oh this morning was hard.  Lol.  And not only is it rainy but it's chilly.  In fact after supper I had to break down and put on a pair of socks....in August!!

I came home and threw together supper - chicken, mozzarella, and hummus on grilled naan bread.  Surprisingly tasty for a thrown together meal.  The weekend company pretty much cleaned me out of groceries and I was too lazy to go to the store. 

Since the house is now reasonably organized I'm starting to really miss hooking something.  The pile of  unfinished projects in the den is starting to mock me every time I pass by

Some are fully hooked but not bound.  Some are varying degrees of almost hooked.  A few were abandoned and may never see another piece of wool.   Should a start a new piece with this pile sitting  here?  Should I just bite the bullet, grab one and finish the binding?  So many questions......I'll probably just knit tonight.    There's always tomorrow night to bind one rug.......hehehe. Why do we hate that part so much?