Summer Photo Scavenger Hunt: 3rd Link Up

September 30th is the last day of the Summer Photo Scavenger Hunt and it is time for the third and final link up!

The first link up is here.

The second link up is here.



The photos for the third link up are:

#1 An Outdoor Clock:

#1: An Outdoor Clock

This clock commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence on the north side:

8:00 P.M. - The Signing of the Declaration of Independence

And, on the south side, when the Constitution of the United States was ratified:

4:00 P.M. - The Ratification of the U.S. Constitution

#2 Single and Pretty: A single pink rose in my garden.

#2: Single and Pretty

#14: A Handwritten Sign: There was a wall display of handwritten signs at the Autry Museum -

#14: A Handwritten Sign

#16 An out of season treat  Alternate B: Fresh, Local Produce:  I was unable to find an appropriate photo for an out of season treat being enjoyed, but, there's nothing fresher or more local than fruit from my garden:

Pomegranate

Calamondin

Feijoa/Pineapple Guava

I picked a couple of the feijoa and enjoyed them as an afternoon snack:

#16/Alt B: Fresh Local Produce - Freshly picked Feijoa 

#17: A Sail:  Another prompt I had trouble finding, but I thought the sails of this Dutch "windmill" would do.  It is actually a commercial water dispenser (the sign says "Water Mill") located in a parking lot, and the "sails" don't move!

#17: Sails  - "Windmill" 

#18 Something that Should be Found in Pairs: the pair of socks I knitted.

#18: Something that Should be Found in Pairs

#20: A favorite seasonal scent: the scent of roses in my garden

#20: A Favorite Seasonal Scent

Thank you, Patio Postcards, for organizing this.  I truly enjoyed participating in the photo scavenger hunt!

Sunny Sunday

It was sunny and bright, today, after yesterday's rain and clouds.  It was a little cool, but, not cold. 

I went to the fabric store, again, to buy some fabric for the baby girl quilt:

Pink Quilt Fabric

I looked through the fabric I had in my stash, last night, and picked out a few pieces.  But, I needed a solid pink for the border/binding, and another pink print for some of the patches, although my daughter chided me about subscribing to the "pink for a girl" stereotype.  Oh, well, what can I say?  The solid pink broadcloth was not on sale and was priced $4.99/yard, but, I had a coupon for 50% one regular priced item and I bought 1 1/2 yards of the pink solid, for $3.75, using that coupon.  The butterfly print fabric was regularly priced at $8.99, on sale for 60% off, which brought the price down to $3.59/yard.  I bought half a yard of it for $1.80.  My total, with sales tax (9.5%), came to $6.06.  I haven't quite decided on the quilt pattern, yet, so I didn't cut out the fabric, yet. 

After I came home, I took a few photos for the Summer Photo Scavenger Hunt, as it ends tomorrow and I still needed a few photos! 

Prompt #16 was an out of season treat being enjoyed, but I wasn't able to find something suitable for it.  So, I will go with Alternate B: Fresh local produce.  You can't get any fresher or more local than what's growing in my garden!

Pomegranate

Calamondin

Rosemary

Feijoa (Pineapple Guava)

Feijoa

 I picked a couple of the feijoa (they are just starting to get ripe) and cut them to eat.  The fruit are quite small - I kept a teaspoon for comparison.  I scoop out the white flesh to eat it; I don't eat the rind.

Prompt #17 on the Scavenger Hunt is a sail.  It's another prompt I've struggled with, so, today, I took this photo of a water dispenser that looks a little like a Dutch windmill, although the sails of the windmill don't really move and the sign says, "Water Mill"!   It is located in a parking lot, a couple of blocks from my house.

"Windmill" Water Dispenser

Today, I am grateful for:
- The sunny day
- Sales and coupons at the fabric store
- Fresh local produce from my garden
- Phone calls from family and friends
- Chatting with my daughter

I haven't been posting my daily to do lists, lately, but I need to start doing so, as it keeps me accountable!

Monday's To Do List:
- Go to Auto Club/Pay car insurance (I like to go and pay in person, because I pay the entire amount and, this way, I can get the receipt, at once).
- Return the library books that are due
- Give Dancer his flea meds
- Pay the other bills
- Clean out the fridge
- Take the trash cans to the curb
- Water the indoor plants

How was your Sunday?  What are your plans for Monday? 

Rain and More Sewing on Saturday

Yesterday (Friday), it was cool, cloudy, and we had a little drizzle.  Today, has been cloudy and cool, too, and it rained in the morning!  In fact, I woke to the sound of rain!  Rain in September is very unusual for us! 

I spent the morning playing online - responding to blog comments, visiting a few other blogs, doing some nonograms, etc.  Neighbor T called and we chatted a bit and my daughter called to wish me a good morning.

In the afternoon, I sat down to sew the Halloween gifts for my cousin.  I had bought 1 yard of this fabric:

Halloween Cats

I cut it in half, lengthwise, and sewed a table runner with one half:

Table Runner

It's a bit too big for my coffee table, but, my cousin will use it on her dining table and it will be a good size (my dining table is being used as a sewing table and I didn't want to clear it to put the table runner on it to take a photo!).  I backed it with some cream colored upholstery weight fabric that I had been given by a friend who was getting rid of her stash!

Neutral Colored Backing

With the other half of the fabric, I made two cushion covers:

Matching Cushion Covers

I used a piece of black cotton blend fabric I had in my stash for the back of the cushion covers.  These covers have an "envelope" opening, with a flap that covers the opening:

The Flap for the Envelope

You simply slip in the pillow/cushion form and the flap covers the opening.  It eliminates the need for a zipper (I don't like sewing zippers; I find it intimidating!)

Flap Covering the Opening

In the past couple of days, I have been able to use up five small pieces of fabric from my stash!  Yay!  There are some small scraps leftover, but, I'll use them up in another project or something.

Today, I am grateful for:
- The rain shower!
- Cooler weather
- Being able to sew the Halloween gifts
- The fabric stash
- My sewing machine

Today's joyful activity was sewing the Halloween gifts.

Plans for tomorrow include selecting the fabric for the baby girl quilt!

How was your Saturday?  What are your plans for Sunday?

Baby Boy Quilt on Friday

I finished sewing the baby quilt today:

Baby Boy Quilt

I finished sewing the binding and did a row of hand quilting right around the edge.  The rest of the quilt is minimally quilted with "in the ditch" lines of machine sewing.  I am definitely not a quilter!  LOL.  I much prefer the patchwork part of the quilt making process to the quilting part!

Flannel Backing

The finished quilt measures 40 inches by 49 inches.  I didn't start out with a particular measurement in mind, though.  I just cut out 12 rectangles with the balloon fabric I had bought (I used half a yard of that fabric; I have another 1/2 yard left for another project) and paired it with solid blue fabric I had in the stash.  The widths of the strips were determined by how much fabric I had.  I had more of the light blue than the medium blue and almost a yard of the dark blue, which was the biggest piece.  

Finished Quilt

I didn't have a definite quilt pattern, either, but it looks a little bit like an Attic Window quilt, doesn't it?  

Today's joyful activity was finishing the quilt.  

Thursday's Happenings

It was cloudy and cool, today, and it even drizzled for a few minutes! 

I sewed on the baby quilt:

Quilt Binding

I attached the borders (I had to change the bobbin to get the machine to work without getting jammed).  I am taking the border to the back to form the binding.  I like to sew the binding down by hand.  I finished sewing three sides.  I hope to finish sewing it, tomorrow. 

Aunt C called and we had a nice chat.  She and cousin N are planning to come to breakfast, next Wednesday.  It will be nice to see them, again.

I called neighbor T to check on her and was happy to hear that she was feeling better.  She said an electrician was coming by to attend to something and she was a little nervous about being alone during his visit.  I told her to call me if she wanted me to come over to be with her, but, she called me back, later, to say she was OK and didn't need me to come over. 

In the evening, I started knitting a sweater with the blue wool I bought on clearance. 

Today, I am grateful for:
- The sewing machine worked well, again
- Phone calls from aunt
- A cooler day
- The few drops of drizzle we received
- Emails from a friend

Plans for tomorrow include finishing the baby quilt and starting on the Halloween table runner.

How was your Thursday?  What are your plans for Friday?

Quiet Wednesday

Another warm day, but, the weather forecast says it will cool down to the 80s and 70s, with even a chance of rain, later in the week!

I had a fairly quiet day, today, partly because I was feeling nauseated (side effect of some of the medications I take).  I wasn't able to sew as much on the baby quilt as I had hoped to, either, because the sewing machine was acting up, with the bobbin thread getting jammed all the time.  I will change the bobbin thread, tomorrow, and hopefully, that will take care of the problem.

I did a load of laundry in the afternoon.  I had to toss out three pillowcases I had sewn several years ago as they all tore during today's washing!  I considered mending them, but, the fabric was too worn out.  I think I sewed them at least 12 years ago! 

Brunch had been cereal.  Later, I cooked rice in my new rice cooker (tried it out for the first time, today), a mackerel curry, and a lentil curry (dhal).  I also had some of my tomato chutney with it.

I finished reading my library book, today.  The Occupied Garden, by Kristen den Hartog and Tracy Kasaboski.  I enjoyed reading it.

Friend R called in the evening and we chatted for a bit.  Later, I video chatted with my daughter.

My utilities bill came in the mail, today; $310.47.  It covers water, electricity, sewer service, and solid waste collection (trash,recycling, and yard waste collection) for two months.  I went over my Tier 1 water allocation for the period.  I am allowed 16 hundred cubic feed (HCF) of water at Tier 1 rates ($6.55/HCF) and I had used 21 HCF.  The additional 5 HCF is billed at a higher rate of $8.22/HCF.  I guess I watered the garden too much!

Today, I am grateful for:
- A relaxed day
- Lemon lime soda and crackers
- Library books
- The new rice cooker working without any problems
- Cool evenings

How was your Wednesday?  What are your plans for tomorrow?

Still Summer on Tuesday

It might be fall, officially, but, we are still having summer, with temperatures in the 90s, today.  I slept in, in the morning, and spent the rest of the morning on the computer.  Brunch was leftover spaghetti from yesterday.

In the afternoon, I cut out the pieces for one of the baby quilts and started sewing it.  A very simple pattern of squares and strips.  I have the top all sewn, except for the borders.  I'll sew the borders tomorrow and take some pictures. 

I put water to the garden, later in the evening and brought the trash cans in.  I had a sandwich with my cup of tea, in the evening.

Still later, I watched some TV and knitted.  I was going to make a neck warmer with some of the leftover wool, but, I don't have enough of the wool for it.  So, I am going to have to make something else with it or buy more wool (except, it was something that was in the clearance bin and there was only one skein of it, at the time)

Dinner was a slice of leftover pizza, with grapes for dessert.

In addition to sewing and knitting, I read a bit.  Later, I video chatted with my daughter.

Today, I am grateful for:
- It is still nice and warm
- My sewing machine
- Water for the garden
- Time to sew, knit, and read
- Leftovers!

Plans for tomorrow include continuing to sew the quilt.

How was your Tuesday?  Is it getting cooler where you live?  Or, are you still having summer?

First Day of Fall on Monday

Today is the first day of fall, according to the calendar.  It's been a sunny and warm day, here, in southern California.  I spent a relaxed morning, checking emails, responding to blog comments, and reading and commenting on other blogs.  Brunch was a scrambled egg, some bacon, and hash browns.

I called neighbor T, as she hadn't called me, yesterday, for our usual Sunday chat and I was worried about her.  She said she's had a couple of bad days, yesterday and today.  But, we chatted for a bit and I think she sounded a bit brighter by the end of our chat.  I'll call her again, midweek, just to check on her.

In the afternoon, I went to the pharmacy to pick up my medication refill.  It took three tries before they brought out the correct medication!  They were bringing me other people's medications!  LOL.  But, finally, they got it right and I picked up my medication!  I also received another $5 store coupon.  I checked to see if they had anymore laundry detergent on sale, but, they didn't.  I have time until the first week in October to redeem the coupon.  I'm sure I will be able to think of something to buy, during that time.  Some lotion, maybe, or a new tube of lipstick. 

Then, I went to the bank (in the same shopping mall as the pharmacy) and paid the credit card bill (I had put the Auto Club membership renewal on my credit card, just to keep the card active; I don't like to use credit cards and I've had one card cancelled on me due to inactivity!). 

Came home, changed my bed sheets, did a load of laundry, read for a bit, took the trash cans to the curb, and had a cup of tea.  My daughter's friend was unable to come over to try on her dress, yesterday, but, she came by this evening and tried it on.  The length was just fine, so she took the dress home with her.  I had made a little "rose" with some of the fabric I had trimmed off and glued it onto a hair barrette and gave it to her. 

Hair Accessory

There's enough fabric to make one for my daughter, as well.

Cousin P called in the evening to see how I was doing after all the driving, yesterday, and we chatted for a bit. 

Dinner was spaghetti with meat sauce; grapes for dessert.  I might have eaten a marshmallow, too!  LOL! 

I also watched today's country music episode.  It was episode number 6 (of 8 episodes in total). 

Today, I am grateful for:
- Daughter's friend's dress fits her and she is happy with it
- Being able to create a little hair accessory from the fabric trimmings
- Getting the correct medication at the pharmacy!
- Library books
- Phone calls

Tomorrow, I want to start on one of the baby quilts.

How was your Monday?  What have you planned for tomorrow?

Prayer Gathering on Sunday

Today, I attended the monthly rosary prayer gathering, hosted by Aunt Y, one of the members of the extended family.  Dancer woke me up, as usual, especially since I had turned off the alarm and gone back to sleep!  But, I woke up in good time to have my morning tea and shower and dress before friend F and cousin P came over to ride along with me.  Friend F doesn't drive on the freeways and cousin P, who never liked to drive, doesn't drive at all, now.  I am happy to drive and glad of their company and for being able to provide this service for them. 

I had asked them to be here by 12:00 noon, so we could reach the prayer gathering by 1:00 p.m.  Friend F arrived first, and while we waited for cousin P, she looked around the living room and said it looked different.  She asked me if I had changed anything or got new drapes, but I said no, I just tried to declutter it, a bit!  I don't notice it that much, because I see it, every day, but, I guess others do notice a difference!  She also brought me a bag of sweets as a treat - a type of fudge known as milk toffee, coconut rock, homemade marshmallows, and several pieces of butter cake! 

We left as soon as cousin P came over and got to the prayer gathering at 1:00 p.m.  We weren't the first to arrive, but, we weren't the last, either.  We waited until everyone was there and then, they recited the prayers while I sat and listened.  As I've mentioned before, I am the only non-Catholic who attends these prayer gatherings, regularly.  Afterwards, lunch was served - a type of noodles made from rice flour, that are called stringhoppers and several curries to go with them.  A birthday cake (for Aunt Y's son), flan, and ice cream for dessert. 

We were there until aound 3:30 p.m., then, we left.  The drive home took about one hour.  I made myself a cup of tea, washed the dishes that were in the sink, and adjusted my daughter's friend's skirt, a little bit more, because the bottom layer of the skirt did seem a bit longer than the top layer in one spot!  I am waiting for her to arrive to try on the dress, once more, and, hopefully, she'll be satisfied with it! 

Today, I am grateful for:
- Being able to attend the prayer gathering
- Being able to give a ride to friend F and cousin P
- A safe drive there and back
- Seeing family and friends
- A lovely warm day (today's high was 99F)

Plans for tomorrow include:
- Going to the pharmacy to pick up medication refill
- Change my bed sheets
- Do a load of laundry
- Go to the bank to pay a bill
- Take the trash cans out

How was your Sunday?  What have you planned for Monday?

Sewing and Temple on Saturday

It was 3:30 a.m. when I fell asleep, last night, and I was woken up at 4:00 a.m. by Dancer coming into my bedroom and making that peculiar cry he makes when he is about to hack up something, and sure enough, he brought up a hairball!  Why he has to come right next to my bed in order to do so, I don't know.  I guess he wants to make sure I know about it!  I got up, cleaned it all up, and went back to sleep.  I slept until he started walking all over me and headbutting me, "Mreow? Mummy, are you up?  What about breakfast?" "No, Dancer, let me sleep!"   10 minutes later, another headbutting,  and a more insistent "Meow!  Wake up, Mummy!  Breakfast!"  It's not that he's had no food - there are two bowls of dry food (two different kinds, one is the hairball formula) left out for him to eat at all times.  But, it was 10:00 a.m. and he wanted his morning serving of tuna!  Spoiled kitty!  Yes, I got up, opened a new can of tuna, gave him a teaspoon of it, fed the garden strays who were all seated outside the sliding glass door, waiting (they get dry food, not tuna!), and made myself a cup of tea.

Then, I put away the laundry I had left to dry, overnight, checked my emails, responded to blog comments, visited a few other blogs, etc.  Cousin P called around 11:30 a.m. and I chatted with her for a bit.  Then, I ate a tuna sandwich for brunch.

I spent the afternoon hemming my daughter's friend's dress.  It took a little longer than I thought, because, of course, the bobbin thread had to act up when I was sewing the upper layer of skirt and I had to unpick and resew!  I have asked her to come by, tomorrow evening, with her shoes, for a final fit on.  

I had a cup of tea and watched some news, after that.  Then, I got dressed to go to the Temple, to participate in the blessing ceremony they are holding every Saturday evening, until the end of October.  It started at 7:00 p.m. and ended at 8:30 p.m., after which dinner was served to all who participated: yellow rice, noodles with vegetables, dhal (lentil) curry, pol (coconut) sambol, mackerel curry, and fried pappadum (lentil wafers).  Desserts included cakes, ice cream, apple bananas, and a type of fudge made with semolina.

I chatted with my daughter after I came home. 

Today's joyful activities were sewing and going to the Temple.

Today, I am grateful for:

- Being able to participate in the blessing ceremony at the Temple

- Answered prayers

- A safe drive there and back

- Dancer's "wake up" service!

- Chatting with my daughter

Plans for tomorrow include going to the monthly prayer gathering and having my daughter's friend try on her dress.  Fingers crossed that the length is correct!

How was your Saturday?  What are your plans for Sunday?

Doctor's Appointment on Friday

Today, I had my routine follow-up visit with my oncologist.  I go in for a check up every three months.  My appointment was at 1:15 p.m., I left the house at 12 noon.   I got to the clinic at 1:00 p.m.  Usually, I have a long wait before I am seen; I went prepared with a book to read while I waited, but, there was hardly any wait, today.

I was seen by the nurse practitioner (I actually like her better than the oncologist).  I brought her up to date about all that had happened since my last visit in June, when I saw the oncologist: my visit with the new primary care physician in July, the blood test that showed I was dehydrated, the visit with the radiation oncologist who was concerned about the blood test results and the repeat blood test, which seemed better; the visit to the gynecologist and the pap smear tests and the ultrasounds to check for uterine cancer; and, finally, the dog bites!  She was shaking her head at all what had happened.   She said the latest blood test, which I did on Wednesday, showed good results.  I am glad.  I am to return in December for a follow up visit plus the Prolia injection.  I left the clinic at 1:45 p.m.

On the way home, I stopped at the smaller Armenian grocery store to buy a loaf of my favorite bread and I picked up a $5 pepperoni pizza from the pizza place in the same mini-mall.  Came home and had two slices of the pizza for lunch (I had eaten a banana for breakfast, before I went to the clinic).  I also ate one of the cookies I bought, yesterday.  We'll just say I had a celebration lunch!  LOL.

I did two small loads of laundry after I came home and hung both loads up to dry.

Later in the evening, friend M came to tend to the garden and aunt C called.  Still later, I video chatted with my daughter.

Today, I am grateful for:
- A good visit with the oncology nurse practitioner
- Good blood test results
- Good health
- A safe drive to the clinic and back
- Video chatting with my daughter

Today's joyful activity was getting the good health report from my doctor's office!

How was your Friday?  What are your plans for the weekend?
 

More Shopping on Thursday

On Thursday, I went shopping!  First, I went back to the fabric store.  Yesterday, I had a 50% off one regular price item, which expired yesterday, but, I didn't find anything for a price I wanted to pay.  Today, I went armed with a 20% off the total purchase coupon; it was valid on sale items as well as regular priced items (I had it with me, yesterday, too, but it didn't go into effect until today).  I like the 20% off total purchase, including sale items, coupons because everything I bought was on sale!   

Fabric and Yarn and Thread, Oh, My!

I bought some fabric for the baby quilts, from the "take an additional discount" shelves to get the best prices; the original prices on the fabrics ranged from $6.99 to $9.99 per yard:

Elephants in Circles; Cotton Flannel; $1.46/yd.

Animal Alphabet; Cotton Flannel; $1.46/yd.

Adventure Balloons, Cotton; $2.79/yd.

I bought two yards of the Elephants in Circles fabric; the background is a pinky beige, and I think it would make a good backing for at least one of the baby quilts.  The alphabet fabric has a beige background; I bought one yard of that and one yard of the air balloons fabric.

In addition to the fabric for the baby quilts, I also bought a yard of the Halloween cats fabric, regular price $10.99 on sale for 40% off, to make something for one of my cousins:

Cat Costume Party; $6.59/yd.

Sewing thread was on sale for 40% off the regular price of $2.99, and I bought three of them for $1.79 each, as one can never have too many reels of white thread!

Finally, I bought five balls of wool, on sale for $3.47 each in the clearance yarn bin.  In a shade called  New Denim.  I debated long and hard about buying them!  I saw them, yesterday, picked up three balls, and put them back, because we all know how much I need more yarn, don't we?   LOL!  After I came home, I looked up the regular price of this yarn - $7.99 at this particular store and $5.99 at a different crafts supplies store.  Today, I decided that $3.47 was a good price (since they were clearance items, the 20% off coupon didn't apply to them).  There were five balls and I bought them all! 

Wool Yarn

$3.47/100% Wool

I'll knit myself another warm, wool sweater for under $20!

My total came to $37.34 with sales tax:

Fabric Store Receipt

I also received another 50% off any one regular priced item, valid Sunday-Wednesday, 9/22-25.  I just might go back, next week, and see if I can find something else for the quilt.

Then, on the way home from the fabric store, I stopped at the grocery store to pick up the cans of tuna on sale for $.50 each, some milk, and a new bottle of ketchup as I had come to the end of my current bottle. 

9/19 Groceries

I bought 12 cans of tuna in water, to share with Dancer!  Grapes were $.99/lb, so I bought some black grapes.  I also bought half a gallon of milk.  Then, I checked the reduced racks and bought a package of 6 pita breads for $.99, two 1 lb. packages of pasta for $.49 each, a package of something called "brown butter" cookies, regular price $4.99, on sale for $2.00 (turned out to be similar to butterscotch chip cookies!)  My total came to $17.95.

9/19 Grocery Receipt

Friend R had said she might come over in the evening, but, she called to say she was too tired after a full day of work.  So, I am spending a quiet evening, relaxing and watching TV. 

Today's joyful activity was the return visit to the fabric store and finding some bargains.

Today, I am grateful for:
- Coupons!
- Finding more bargains
- Safe driving
- Pleasant weather (highs in the mid-80s)
- Learning how to knit

Tomorrow, I have my follow-up appointment with the oncologist.

How was your Thursday?  What are your plans for Friday?

Wednesday's Accomplishments

On Wednesday, I went for my blood test in the early afternoon.  I have learned that the lab is usually very crowded and busy in the mornings, but, they are not so busy in the early afternoons.  I didn't have an appointment and I took a book with me to read while I waited, but, there was hardly any wait.  I was called in almost right away.  I was in and out of the lab in less than half an hour and had to pay only $1 for the parking.

Afterwards, I went to the fabric store.  I wanted to buy some fabric for a couple of baby quilts.  Unfortunately, I couldn't decide on the fabric I wanted.  I spent some time looking at everything and walked out without buying anything!   A lot of fabric was on sale, but, even so, everything seemed so expensive. 

There was a letter in the mail from my former clinic, stating that they had been unable to reach me by phone, that I had missed my last appointment, and please call to schedule another appointment!  Um...weren't they the ones who called me on the morning of my appointment and cancelled it, saying they no longer accepted my insurance?  They had called me, once before, too, and I had told them that it was they who cancelled my appointment because they no longer accepted my insurance!  That's why I had to find another doctor!  Well, I called them back and repeated the same information; I was told that they will make a note in their files that I had a new doctor!  Honestly, one wonders if anyone in their office knows what is going on! 

I did some paperwork and filing in the evening.  Then, swept my bathroom, did a load of laundry, did the dishes, and swept and mopped the kitchen.

Wednesday's joyful activity was the trip to the fabric store, even if I didn't buy anything.

On Wednesday, I was grateful for:
- The blood test went well
- I had a safe drive to the lab and back
- Being able to browse in the fabric store
- Emails and phone calls with family and friends
- Video chatting with my daughter

Plans for tomorrow include sewing daughter's friend's dress.

How was your Wednesday?  What are your plans for Thursday?

Errands and Groceries on Tuesday

9/17 Groceries

Tuesdays are my "running errands" day.  Today's errands were determined by a text from the pharmacy stating that a prescription was ready for pick up and an email from the library stating that the book I had requested and put on hold has come in.  My plan was to go to the library, first, then, go to the pharmacy, putting gas to the car on the way, and, maybe the dollar store, next door to the pharmacy, or the grocery store in the same mall complex.

I hadn't felt hungry before I left the house and hadn't eaten, but, of course, on the way to the library, I felt hungry!  So, I picked up a hamburger from the fast food place that is near the library.  It came to $2.05 with tax.  I sat in the car in the library parking lot and ate my hamburger and then, picked up my library book:

The Occupied Garden by Kristen den Hartog and Tracy Kasaboski

This is a book that was recommended by my friend Bushlady.  I am looking forward to reading this.

Then, on the way to the pharmacy, I stopped for gas.  I paid $3.59 per gallon and put $40 worth of gas to the car. 

At the pharmacy, I picked up my prescription refills.  I also had a $5 store coupon that was going to expire later this week.  I picked up a box of laundry detergent that was on sale for $5.94 (regular price $10.49) and paid the difference.

Then, I decided to go to the dollar store.  I bought some groceries and a few other household items.  My daughter had recommended the frozen barbecue wings, so I bought a bag and I bought this "can" of peaches in 100% juice to try it.  The "can" is plastic and see through!  The peaches you see are the contents!  It has a pull tab to open the top.  The peaches weren't too bad.  I prefer fresh fruit, but, I want to have some canned fruit on hand, too, in the earthquake supplies stash.

"See Through 'Can'"

The chicken wings were $3.99 for 22 oz.  The bananas were $.49/lb. and came to $.70.  Everything else was $1 each, including the "golden dewlicious" melon.  The groceries came to  $13.70.

9/17 Receipt

 My entire receipt came to $25.45 because I bought some household items, as well - batteries, rubber gloves, sponge cloths, new pot holders, and baking soda for the fridge, cat litter box, and cleaning.

Household Items

"What did you buy, Mummy?"

"This smells good, but, I'll mark it with my scent, too!"

I put everything away and had a cup of tea.

Later in the evening, daughter's friend came over to try on the dress with the shoes she is planning to wear and I got the correct skirt length.  I am glad I didn't cut anything off, yet, because I have to make the skirt a little bit longer than originally thought. 

I tried some of the chicken wings for dinner, along with some of my chicken soup, with some of the canned peaches for dessert.

Today, I am grateful for:
- Libraries
- Gas for the car
- Drama-free medication refills at the pharmacy
- Bargains
- I didn't cut off the extra length on daughter's friend's dress!

Plans for tomorrow include going for my blood test, doing some housework, and sewing.

How was your Tuesday?  What are your plans for Wednesday?

Cooler on Monday

We had a cooler day on Monday, thanks to a cloud cover.  At one point, in the early evening, a passing rain cloud even caused about 10 raindrops to fall!  I heard them on the fiberglass roof overhang, over the sliding glass door, but, when I looked outside, I didn't see any rain.  Not even any wet spots on the cemented areas.

I spent a little time trying to tidy my family room which had become very messy.  It is the room in which I spend most of my time, and because I am very bad about putting things away, the entire room was looking very cluttered.  The family room will be my room of focus, as far as cleaning is concerned, this week.

In addition to tidying the family room, I also made more chicken stock, froze the stock I made on Sunday, did dishes, spoke with one of my cousins who is in Australia, took the trash cans to the curb, and put water to the garden:

Front Yard: Where have all the flowers gone?

Monday was also a day to simply hang around:

Snowball, the Tree Hugger

To smell the roses:

Pink Double Rose

To pick calamondin:

Calamondin  on the tree

I halved a few of them and added them to my glass of water to flavor it.

In the palm of my hand

Today, I am grateful for:
- A cooler day
- Being able to talk with cousin B in Australia
- Good friends
- Calamondin
- Roses

How was your Monday?