Garden Produce

Early Girl Tomatoes

I picked all the Early Girl tomatoes on Friday, partly because the plant had died and the sun was baking them!  The tomatoes were actually quite hot to the touch when I picked them. 

The Tomato Plant

The tomato plant didn't grow quite as big this year as it had in previous years and there were fewer tomatoes, but, I am thankful for every one of them.  Two of the tomatoes had started to spoil, so, I put them down in another area of the garden to see if any of the seeds will grow.

In addition to the Early Girl tomatoes, I picked the Berkeley Tie Dye tomatoes, too:

Berkeley Tie Dye Tomatoes

They are still a bit on the green side, just starting to turn red, but, they are starting to split and I wanted to pick them before insects got into them like they did, last year.  There are still two very green tomatoes on this plant and I left them to ripen a bit more.  My plan is to slice all the tomatoes and freeze them so I could take a few slices out to add to my curries, etc., when I cook.  I do not care for the taste of raw tomatoes, so, I don't add them to salads, etc.  

In addition to tomatoes, I picked some plums, too, on Friday.  They, too, were sun baked and hot to the touch!  

Santa Rosa Plums

But, once washed and cooled, they were delicious.  

On Friday, daughter and I had a relaxed morning and afternoon.  She finished crocheting the gifts she was making and we both made a card, each.  She had leftover rice, broccoli, and salmon for her lunch and I chose to have a peanut butter sandwich and a banana.  

In the evening, daughter went out with some friends to do an escape room.  I tended to the garden with M (we planted the corn and he watered the garden).  Afterwards, I put away a load of laundry, watched some TV, did the dishes, packaged the gifts ready to be taken to the birthday party on Saturday, read a few blogs.  

After daughter came home, we had dinner - salad with sauteed chicken added to it and garlic bread.  Then, daughter showed me more of the pictures from her trip to Japan.  She and her friends took hundreds of pictures and they sent each other their pictures, so there are quite a few pictures to go through.  

On Friday, I am grateful for:

- Spending time with my daughter
- M helping me with the garden
- Freshly picked garden produce
- Daughter had a fun evening out with her friends
- Working appliances and electricity to run them

Friday's joyful activities included spending time with daughter, tending to the garden with M, and picking garden fruits and vegetables.

Plans for Saturday include attending my daughter's goddaughter's first birthday party.  I would also like to get some cooking done and tidy my bedroom.  

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

Wednesday and Thursday

 

Lemons and Lace

The lemons are from the garden.  The silver fruit basket was a gift from my late friend A one Christmas.  The lace table cover was crocheted by my mother.

On Wednesday, I went grocery shopping at the Armenian store.  They were having a sale on salmon fillets ($7.99/lb.) and I wanted to buy some to cook for dinner (my daughter loves salmon).  I also bought some chicken drumsticks ($0.99/lb.) and thinly sliced beef shoulder steaks ($5.99/lb.)  In addition, I bought some half and half, six cans of coconut water (on sale for $0.99@), bread rolls, a cucumber, broccoli, onions, sweet potatoes, bananas, mangos, and nectarines.  My total came to $43.53.

When I went to pay, the cashier said my $100 note was not valid because one edge of it was torn.  I had recently received the note from a teller at the bank, so, I knew the note was valid.  I asked if there was a manager and the cashier called the manager over who looked at my note and said it was fine.  

Meanwhile, in the checkout line next to me, there was a bit of an altercation between a customer and a security guard, who said that the customer had opened a container of dried fruit and should, therefore, pay for it while the customer denied ever opening the container.  The security guard must have said that he has it on video, because the customer said, "Show me, show me" and the security guard pulled out his cell phone and began to show something.  By this time, I had paid for my groceries and I left the store, having claimed my cucumber which the bagger had forgotten to bag, without waiting to see how the issue between the other customer and the security guard was resolved.  

Who said grocery shopping was boring?  

After I came home, I ate half of a bread roll with the last slice of ham I had thawed, earlier.  

A short time later, gardener M arrived with a bag of top soil or soil amendment he had bought for me.  I served him a slice of blueberry yogurt cake, reimbursed him for the bag of soil, and chatted with him for a bit.  He watered the garden and prepared a planting bed for the corn I want to plant again.  I'll have another corn patch, this year, too!  

Last Year's Corn Patch

I had a long list of things I wanted to do, on Wednesday, but, I took a nap instead!  After I woke up from my nap, however, I was very productive.  I changed the bedding on my daughter's bed, did a load of laundry, vacuumed the whole house (the robot did the bedrooms while I vacuumed the living room, family room dining area, and the hallway with the big vacuum cleaner), and cooked dinner - rice, sauteed salmon, sauteed wax beans from the garden, and made a cucumber salad.  I also sauteed two chicken breasts I had defrosted.

Then, it was time to pick up daughter from the airport.  She had a safe flight home.  We had dinner and chatted a bit, before going to bed.

On Wednesday, I was grateful for:

- Daughter had a safe flight home
- M's help with the garden and picking up the bag of soil, etc. for me

- Water for the garden
- What I was able to accomplish
- Phone calls from my sister and friend R; emails from friend J

Wednesday's joyful activity was being with daughter.

Today (Thursday), daughter worked from home.  I found a few quiet activities to do while she worked (she had meetings, etc.)  I read my prayer book, ordered more groceries for pick up, and hand embroidered the baby's name, my name, and  the occasion (1st Birthday) on the baby quilt, using a chain stitch.  

Later in the afternoon, I drove to the pharmacy to pick up Dancer's medication as the vet had increased his medication dosage.  

Then, I drove to the supermarket and picked up the items I had ordered, including more half and half because the container of half and half I had bought at the Armenian store, which had a "best by" date of June 30, was curdled when I opened it, this morning!  Daughter had her coffee with regular milk, but, she prefers half and half.  I will not be buying any milk or half and half from the Armenian store after this.  I spent $31.89 at the supermarket and I know I have gone over June's grocery budget.  But, I'm close enough to the end of the month that I don't feel bad about borrowing from the July budget.  Some of the items I bought today, such as four cans of condensed milk and two bottles of salad dressing, will last well into July and maybe even August.

For lunch, today, I made subway-style sandwiches with the bread rolls, sandwiching them with sliced sauteed chicken breast (that I cooked Wednesday night), lettuce, and cucumber slices.  We had some ice cream bars for dessert.  I had a slice of the blueberry yogurt cake at tea time, but, daughter, who doesn't like yogurt, said the taste of yogurt was too strong for her.  We have leftover rice, salmon, and sauteed broccoli for our dinner, tonight.

On Thursday, I am grateful for:

- Daughter being home
- Dancer's medication being available
- Being able to order and pick up groceries
- Safe drives to the pharmacy and the grocery store and back
- A lovely warm and sunny day

Thursday's joyful activities included embroidering and listening to daughter play the piano (Dancer sang while daughter played the piano! LOL)

Daughter has a day off tomorrow (Friday).  We plan to just relax at home while she finishes crocheting the gift she's making for her goddaughter.  She has plans for the evening with some of her friends.  M and I will tend to the garden and I have a library book I need to finish reading.

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

Midweek Already!

Current Arrangement

I changed the dining area shelving unit display a little bit, putting the teapots there.  I think I will keep this arrangement for now,

Before

On Monday, I called the radiology clinic to schedule an appointment.  The appointment was made without any difficulties, but, I was told that I needed a new blood test done one to two weeks prior to the appointment.  The doctor's office hadn't given me a lab requisition for the blood test, so, I called them.  A very nice person answered the phone, but, told me that the doctor's office was undergoing some construction on that day and could I please call back on Tuesday and she will fax the requisition form to the lab.

Later, I put water to the back garden, did a bit of weeding, picked more wax beans, cleaned out the fridge, and took the trash cans to the curb.  I rarely generate enough trash to fill my trash can, but, when I went out later in the night to put the last bag of trash in the can, I found it almost full to the brim!  Someone, a neighbor, I suppose, had filled up my trash can to the point where there was barely enough room for my last bag of trash!  I know I shouldn't have been annoyed, but, I was!

On Monday, I was grateful for:

- I was able to schedule one medical appointment
- A very helpful person at the other end of the phone when I called to make the appointment
- Water for the garden
- Garden harvests
- Being able to help out a neighbor with their trash disposal, even if unknowingly and somewhat annoyed by it!

Monday's joyful activity was spending time in the garden.

On Tuesday, I called the doctor's office again, and this time, the person who answered the phone was able to help me and fax the lab requisition to the lab.  Then, I went ahead and made my lab appointment for next Wednesday.  I felt a sense of relief to have that all scheduled.

In addition to scheduling medical appointments, I brought the empty trash cans in, checked the grocery ads, made a tentative grocery shopping list based on the sales, did the dishes, put away the laundry, and tidied the kitchen, a bit.  

On Tuesday, I was grateful for:

- Getting my medical appointments set up
- Helpful assistants at the doctor's office
- Weekly trash pick up
- Access to several news channels
- Being able to watch online videos

Tuesday's joyful activity was watching videos and TV programs.

It was Tuesday night when I started typing this blog post and now, it is Wednesday morning!  Time passes too quickly!

Plans for Wednesday include grocery shopping, tending to the garden with M, cooking, a little housework, and picking up daughter from the airport in the evening.  Looking forward to her visit!

What are your plans for Wednesday?

June Meal Plans - Week 3 Review and Week 4 Options

Monday, June 16: Breakfast for Dinner

This was my June Week 3 Meal Plan, or, rather, my list of meal plan options for the week:

Brunches: Fresh fruit with or without yogurt, salads, leftover French toast and bacon, muffins if I bake some, peanut butter and crackers

Dinners: Leftover pasta with vegetables and ham; Leftover pasta with hamburger patty;  Hamburger patty with homemade fries and salad; tuna salad sandwich (if I buy bread rolls) or tuna salad and crackers (if I don't buy bread rolls); scrambled eggs, bacon, and fried potatoes (breakfast for dinner); chicken curry and rice with vegetables if I feel ambitious!

Snacks/Desserts: Fresh fruit, cashews, fruit and grain cereal bars, muffins or fruit bread (again, if I bake some).

It was a week when I didn't feel inspired to make meal plans, or keep much of a record of what I ate, or, apparently, didn't feel inspired to take any pictures of my meals, either, except for Monday's "breakfast for dinner"!  That consisted of a scrambled egg, leftover bacon, fried diced potatoes, and some baked beans.

I do know that I bought bread rolls and pita bread on Tuesday and ate "subway" sandwiches with the bread rolls, ham slices (from the freezer), and lettuce or bread rolls with cheese,  or bread rolls with butter and a sort of low sugar peach jam that I had made with the good parts of some damaged peaches, and pita bread with dhal or scrambled eggs and a spicy sambol (lunu miris) for many meals during the week, both as brunches and as dinners.  

Another day, might have been Friday, I had the leftover piece of French toast with the rest of the leftover bacon.

On Saturday, I had spicy sauteed garbanzo beans and slices of blueberry yogurt cake for a late brunch/afternoon tea and rice and curries (shrimp curry, dhal, parsley mallung, sauteed spicy potatoes "ala thel dala", pappadum, and tomato chutney) for an early dinner with my friend.  Later, I ate a pita bread with some of the spicy potatoes for a second dinner or should I call it supper?

On Sunday, I had leftover rice and curries for a very late lunch, and some slices of toasted bread rolls with butter and cheese for dinner.

Snacks/desserts were mostly fresh fruit, with or without yogurt during the week, some of the blueberry yogurt cake that I made on Friday, and an ice cream bar (on Sunday).

It might not have been the most inspired of weeks when it came to meal planning, but, no one went hungry.  

This week, I am expecting another visit from my daughter and I know I will be sending some food home with her.  

June Week 4 Meal Plan Options:

Brunches: Bread roll with dhal (Monday); Spicy sauteed garbanzo beans; Scrambled eggs, bacon or ham, and fried potatoes or toast; Patties (short crust pastry filled with curried shredded chicken); Frozen burritos;  Smoothies; French toast; Leftovers

Dinners:  Rice and curries (chicken curry and vegetables); Coconut roti and chicken curry; Spicy beef stir fry and rice; Hamburgers (?);  Tuna casserole and garlic bread;  Leftovers

Snacks/Desserts: Patties; leftover garlic bread; blueberry yogurt loaf cake; yogurt and fruit or treacle; frozen Key lime pie slices; ice cream bars; fresh fruit

The meal plan is subject to change as usual, especially as there is a possibility of another family gathering at my cousin's house later in the week.

Are you making a meal plan this week?

On Sunday

Strawberries

On Sunday, I went to the pharmacy to pick up two medication refills that were ready.  I received a 40% off one full priced item, so I bought myself a bar of chocolate to share with my daughter when she comes home.

Then, I went to the dollar store that is next door to the pharmacy.  I didn't need anything, but, I found plenty of items I wanted!  LOL.  I bought a large gift bag for the baby quilt I made and two packages of colored tissue paper.  All the large gift bags I have are Christmas themed and I couldn't use them to give a gift for a little girl's birthday.  Then, I bought some frozen burritos that both my daughter and I like; the store doesn't always have these burritos and I didn't have any in my freezer, so I bought six of them to have on hand.  I also bought some ice cream bars and a package with two slices of frozen key lime pie.  In addition, I bought four cans of lemon lime soda.  I spent $20 and change at the dollar store.  

I had considered buying some square foil baking pans for when I make desserts to take to my cousins, etc., but, I didn't buy them. At least, not on this shopping trip.

After I came home, I did three loads of laundry, including my bed sheets, the sofa dust covers, and clothes.  

Later, I had leftover rice and curries for a late lunch/early dinner.  There were homegrown strawberries for dessert (along with one of the ice cream bars I bought):

Homegrown Strawberries

Friend E texted me to let me know that she had a safe flight home and she enjoyed seeing me.  I texted her back to say that I enjoyed her visit and hope to see her again, soon.

On Sunday, I was grateful for:

- My medication refills were available
- Deals at the dollar store
- Working appliances
- Emailing and texting with friends
- Leftovers for dinner

Sunday's joyful activity was video chatting with my daughter.

Monday's To Do List:

- Call the radiology clinic to schedule appointment
- Clean out fridge
- Take the trash cans to the curb
- Water the garden
- Put away laundry

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

When Friends Visit

 

Blueberry Yogurt Lemon Loaf Cake

I had an email a couple of weeks ago from a long time friend who resides in another state, saying she would be attending a conference in my city and would I be free to meet?  I first met this friend 50 plus years ago, when we were freshmen students at the university.  She lived in the apartment downstairs and I lived in the apartment upstairs and she knocked on my door one evening and introduced herself to me and we hit it off right away.  We've remained friends, ever since, even though our friendship ebbed and flowed.  Weekly letters eventually became the occasional emails and there were years when we only exchanged birthday cards and Christmas greetings.  Occasionally, there would be a phone call and even more occasionally, she'd come down to attend a conference and we'd meet up.  The last time we saw each other was about 20 years ago.  The last time I spoke to her was a few years ago shortly after her mother's death.  But, when she emailed to say she'd be in town and would I be free to meet, I said, "Yes, of course!  I'd love to see you!"

She was free on Saturday afternoon and she said she'll come to my house.  That gave me the incentive I had needed to get the house cleaned and tidied up.  There were still a few items to put back in place after the painting and the place needed a good dusting and vacuuming and the family room needed to be tidied, as well.  I tried to do some of it earlier in the week, but, as usual, some tasks couldn't be done too early.  Most of the housework got done on Friday, before and after Dancer's vet appointment.  The main rooms were dusted and vacuumed. the bathrooms the cleaned and I might have got a bit carried away with cleaning my daughter's bathroom which is the bathroom the visitors use as I found myself washing the walls in addition to mopping the floor!  

I also made a quick trip to the grocery store to get some fresh milk and a container of passionfruit and grape juice drink.  I didn't want to do a big grocery shopping trip, so I shopped in person as I didn't have enough items to order and qualify for a free pick up.  I did see some garlic bread marked down from $2.49 each to $0.80 on the last day of the sell by date, in the reduced items rack, and picked up two packages of that to freeze for when my daughter comes home.  My bill cake to $8 and some change.

Then, late Friday evening, I baked a cake to serve when my friend visited.  I found several recipes for blueberry yogurt cake online and picked one and then, proceeded to modify it a bit.  The recipe called for 3 large eggs, I decided that 2 would be fine.  It called for Greek yogurt, and I decided my homemade yogurt was good enough.  It called for unsalted butter and 1/4 tsp. salt, I used salted butter which is what I had and omitted the added salt, etc.  The cake turned out well:

Taste Test Slice

I cut the end slice to taste test it.

On Saturday morning, I made sauteed spiced garbanzo beans for a savory snack, sauteing canned garbanzo beans (chick peas) with minced onions, curry leaves, a sliced green chili, some mustard seeds, garlic powder, some curry powder, and salt.  I removed the dust sheets from the sofas, picked one or two roses (and quite a few wax beans) from the garden, tidied the kitchen a bit, and waited for my friend to arrive.

She arrived around 2:30 p.m.  and it was good to see her again.  Our friendship is such that it doesn't matter if it has been 20 years since we last saw each other or the last time we corresponded (prior to her email saying she was coming down for a conference) was at Christmas when we sent cards, we just pick up right where we left off and continue.  We were both a little older, a little greyer, a little more wrinkled, than the last time we saw each other, but, we talked non-stop for the rest of the afternoon into the early evening.  It was such a blessing to see my friend again.

I gave her a tour of the garden (she likes to garden, too), we ate the garbanzo beans and the cake and drank the passionfruit juice drink, later we had cups of tea, and I cooked us an early dinner of rice and curries (shrimp curry, parsley mallung, and dhal from the freezer, plus freshly made spicy sauteed potatoes, fried poppadums, and some of my tomato chutney).  Friend E left after dinner and we promised to keep in more frequent touch and not wait another 20 years to see each other again, as I said I was not sure if I'd be alive by then (she might be because she's a year younger than I am).  

After she left, I covered the sofas with clean dust sheets so Dancer could get on the sofas to nap, chatted with my daughter, and relaxed.

On Saturday, I was grateful for:

- Friend E visiting me
- A lovely way to celebrate the first day of summer
- Being able to put together a quick meal with minimal effort
- Finding it easy to pick up where we left off and chat for over 5 hours without any awkward pauses

- The neighbor's music stopped shortly after midnight!

Saturday's joyful activity was spending time visiting with my friend.

Plans for Sunday include doing some laundry, picking up a medication refill that is ready and waiting at the pharmacy, and processing the wax beans I've been picking and getting them ready to freeze.  

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

Another Visit to the Vet Clinic

 

At the Vet Clinic

Hello Blog Friends,

It's me, Dancer.  I had to go to the vet clinic, today.  Mummy takes me once a month and I don't like it!  First, she wraps me in a towel and she forces me to take this nasty tasting medicine that is supposed to sedate me, because I hate the car ride.  Well, I think I hate the taste of that nasty medicine even more!  I struggle to get out of the towel and I let the nasty medicine dribble out of my mouth and then, I drool all over!

Sometimes, I get sick during the car ride, sometimes, I have accidents.  But, this time, I was a good boy!  I drooled a lot, but, I didn't make a big mess.  Mummy said she was proud of me.

We waited in the reception area and I looked at all the various dogs that were there.  I didn't see any kitties and wondered if Mummy brought me to the dog clinic, but, then, the technician came and took me inside.  I had my monthly injection for arthritis and this time, there was a blood test too, to test for my thyroid level.  Later, the technician brought me back to Mummy who was waiting in the reception area for me and told her that I had been very good.  

Then, she told Mummy that I had lost weight.  I had weighed 8.32 lbs. in May and today, I weighed 7.76 lb.  That is less than half of what I used to weigh (Mummy said I used to weigh 16 lbs. at one time).  The technician said the vet will contact Mummy once the test results come back.  She might have to increase my medication dosage.

After that, Mummy brought me home.  I was a very good kitty on the way home and didn't cry during the car ride.  Later, Mummy opened a new can of my favorite tuna and gave me some as a treat for being such a good kitty.

Mummy has been busy all day, before my vet clinic visit, and afterwards, getting ready for her friend's visit on Saturday afternoon.  I don't know what all the fuss is!  But, she let me write my blog post to update you all.

I hope you are all keeping well, blog friends.  

Until later,

Dancer

Still Sorting and Trying to Organize

 

Family Room Bookcase

The family room didn't get painted and there was no emptying of the room.  In fact, it was quite the opposite as things that were emptied from the living room and dining area were put in the family room!  This was how the bookcase above looked when all the books from the living room bookcase were added:

During the Painting

In a way, it was good to know that all the books could fit in one bookcase, along with my scrapbooks, photo albums, and board games.  

Currently, I have some of my scrapbooks and all the board games on the bottom shelf and the rest of my scrapbooks and photo albums, along with books about scrapbooking on the shelf above that. 

The middle shelf has a few decorative items - two blue and white tea pots (which might go in the dining area), a green glass bird that was a gift from my aunt, and two pieces of pottery that my daughter made in school that she thinks I should get rid of, but, I'm keeping!

The two upper shelves have books, including some that didn't get put back in the living room bookcase for one reason or another.  There are a couple of books among them that I want to read and then, donate.  But, I have room for them and I am keeping them for now.

Meanwhile, in the dining area, the shelving unit there which has table linen and kitchen towels in the cabinet section:

Dining Area Shelving Unit

has had cookbooks and other items returned to it:

Dining Area Shelving Unit

However, I am now thinking that the two blue and white tea pots that are currently sitting on the middle shelf in the family room bookcase might look better on the middle shelf of this shelving unit.  There might be a little rearranging of items, later today.

It's still a work in progress, I would say.  But, this shelving unit is looking a lot better than it did before it was emptied in preparation for painting!

June Grocery Shopping - Week 3

 

June 17 Groceries

I did a small grocery shopping trip on Tuesday, June 17.  The Armenian store was having a one day only sale of organic strawberries for $0.99/lb.  That is a very good price for strawberries, in my opinion, even if they weren't organic, and as soon as the grocery ad came out, I decided I would buy some.  That was before I saw the news footage of federal agents chasing migrant workers down strawberry fields, last week.  Makes me wonder if we will ever see strawberries on sale at this price from now on.  I decided to buy five containers of strawberries with plans to freeze some of it for smoothies, etc.

In addition to the strawberries, I bought two cans of coconut water, bread rolls, and pita bread.  I spent $12.61

June 17 Grocery Receipt

June grocery spending to date:

June 4: $45.64

June 6: $30.22

June 11: $1.37 (2 boxes of cereal)

June 17: $12. 61

Total Spent to Date:  $89.84

June Grocery Budget: $150

Balance Left in Budget: $60.16

I plan to do another small grocery shopping trip this Friday, to pick up some milk and maybe a few other items from the supermarket. 

How about you?  Are you finding good deals at the grocery store? 

Baby Girl Quilt

Baby Girl Quilt

I finished my latest sewing project!  A quilt for my daughter's goddaughter.  I had hoped to finish it in time for her baptism, but, I couldn't.  Instead, I finished it in time for her 1st birthday, which isn't until the end of the month.  

It's just a very simple 5-inch squares pattern, with fabric I had in the stash.  Leftovers, actually, from another quilt I had made several years ago, for my friend's 1st granddaughter.  Cotton/cotton blend on the top and cotton flannel for the backing.  

The top is machine pieced, but, I hand sewed the binding and hand quilted a single line of quilting all around.  Then, I hand embroidered X's, with a small stitch through the middle of the X to deter little fingers and toes getting caught in the stitches, at the corners where the squares met:

X's in the Corners

The X's are to hold the three layers of the quilt together.  I usually tie my quilts, but, I thought the embroidered X's would be better, in this case.

I had some help with the quilt, as usual, of course:

Quality Control Officer Cat Testing for Comfort

The quilt has been Dancer approved!  (Fortunately, the little girl's household includes two cats, so, a stray cat hair or two on the quilt wouldn't matter, too much, although I am going to wash it before I gift it).

This is the thread I used to sew the line of hand quilting:

Quilting Thread

I have almost come to the end of the spool of thread!  I don't remember how long I've had this spool of thread, but, the fact that the spool is wood and the price on the label on the other side should be an indication:

35 Cents!

It's vintage thread!  LOL.

I am considering this as a frugal gift since I didn't have to buy anything specifically for this quilt.

I just need to wash and dry the quilt and then, it will be wrapped up ready to be gifted. 

I am grateful for:

- My fabric stash
- Being able to sew
- My sewing machine
- Thread from the stash
- Dancer's help with projects!

My next sewing project will be another quilt for the baby's older sister who will celebrate her 3rd birthday in July.  I have fabric in the stash for that, too, but, might have to cut a larger quilt batting to size, which is fine, too.  

June Meal Plans - Week 2 Review and Week 3 Plan

Wednesday Brunch: Peaches and Yogurt

This was the meal plan for June Week 2:

Brunches:  Rice, leftover sausage stir fry, dhal, and mallung (daughter, on Monday); rice, beef curry, dhal, and mallung (me, on Monday); yogurt with treacle and cashews; cereal with milk; peanut butter toast; French toast, scrambled eggs and toast

Dinners:  Bacon cheeseburger with sweet potato fries and cucumber slices (Monday); pepper steak with mixed vegetables (Tuesday); rice, beef curry, lentils, and mallung; leftover lasagna and salad; leftovers

Snacks/Desserts: Fresh fruit, the last of the peach cobbler, Cheetos, crackers and peanut butter, granola bars, yogurt

And here's how it worked out:

Monday:

Brunch - Rice, beef curry, dhal, mallung

Dinner - Bacon cheeseburger, sweet potato fries, cucumber slices, ketchup

Snacks/desserts - Fresh peaches; the last of the peach cobbler

Monday Dinner: Bacon Cheeseburger
and Sweet Potato Fries
(Cucumber slices not pictured;
I ate them while the fries cooked!)

Tuesday:

Brunch: Yogurt, treacle, cashews

Dinner -  Pepper steak and mixed vegetables

Snacks/Desserts - Fresh peaches

Tuesday Dinner: Pepper Steak and Mixed Vegetables

Wednesday:
Brunch:  Peaches and yogurt; leftover lasagna 
Dinner:  Beef curry, just by itself
Snacks/Dessert: Peaches, cheetos

Thursday:
Brunch: Beef curry sandwich, mango
Dinner:  Hamburger patty, boxed herbed pasta mix, vegetables

Thursday Dinner

Snacks/Dessert Peaches and yogurt

Friday:
Brunch: Scrambled egg and microwave baked sweet potato; peaches
Dinner: Lasagna
Snacks/Dessert - Toast and jam; cereal

Saturday:
Brunch:  Bread and the last of the beef curry
Dinner: Lasagna (leftovers)
Snacks/Dessert - Fresh peaches, fruit & grains cereal bar

Sunday:
Brunch: French toast and bacon
Dinner: Leftover pasta and vegetables with ham

Sunday Dinner: Pasta, vegetables, ham

Snacks/Dessert: Peaches

I think that worked out well enough.  I finished some leftovers (there are more leftovers in the fridge), cooked a few easy to prepare items to go with leftovers, etc.

On to June Week 3 meal plans.  Except, this week, I don't feel like meal planning!  It's going to be a week of fruits and salads, leftovers, and breakfast for dinner, I think, with maybe a couple of frozen hamburger patties to help round things out.

I do want to go grocery shopping for a couple of items that are on sale and maybe some bread rolls as I am out of bread.  I am also expecting a visit from one of my long-time friends whom I have not seen in at least 20 years, on Saturday afternoon, so I want to buy or prepare some tea time snacks to have with her.  

But, here are the meal options for this week, based on what I have on hand and how much I feel like cooking!

Brunches: Fresh fruit with or without yogurt, salads, leftover French toast and bacon, muffins if I bake some, peanut butter and crackers

Dinners: Leftover pasta with vegetables and ham; Leftover pasta with hamburger patty;  Hamburger patty with homemade fries and salad; tuna salad sandwich (if I buy bread rolls) or tuna salad and crackers (if I don't buy bread rolls); scrambled eggs, bacon, and fried potatoes (breakfast for dinner); chicken curry and rice with vegetables if I feel ambitious!

Snacks/Desserts: Fresh fruit, cashews, fruit and grain cereal bars, muffins or fruit bread (again, if I bake some).  

How about you?  Are you doing a meal plan this week?  What do you do if you don't feel like meal planning or cooking?  Do you eat out or order food to go?

Half Way Through the Month

 

Chrysanthemums

A couple of weeks ago, gardener friend M gave me this chrysanthemum plant as a thank you gift for some jams and preserves I had given him.  Isn't it gorgeous?  It came in a small pot and we transplanted it into this bigger pot.  I hope it continues to grow well.

Sunday was Father's Day and I remembered and said a prayer for my father who died when I was 7 and my stepfather who died 39 years ago almost to the date (June 16).  

We went up to 93F on Sunday and I loved it.  To be honest, the house stayed cool for most of the day, so I was quite comfortable.

I spent a rather relaxed day, shifting a few decorative items around, sorting through some paperwork, and sewing.  I placed the two large blue and white vases and the Sri Lankan earthenware water container in front of the fireplace, along with the wooden elephant that had belonged to my father, to see how it looked:

Fireplace with Vases and Elephant

I like the vases, but, I am not sentimental about them.  The wooden elephant, on the other hand, is a definite keeper.  It's battered and bruised with one tusk missing, a broken tail, and the lacquer paint chipping off, but, I am sentimentally attached to it.  I didn't like this arrangement, however, but I left it as it was for several hours to see if it grew on me.  It didn't so, I played around a little bit with it:

New Arrangement

Sorry for the lighting - taken late at night.  I moved the water container and the elephant to other areas of the room for now.  I like this arrangement better.  I guess I like things to be evenly balanced.

I'm sure everyone is heartily sick of looking at my fireplace by now!  So, here's something else to look at:

Helper Kitty Sleeping on the Job!

I was sorting some papers for filing,  He came to help and plopped himself down on the papers for a cat nap!  And that was the end of my filing!  LOL.

Well, half the month is over and I think it went quite well.  Hope the rest of the month will go equally well.

On this Father's Day Sunday, I am grateful for:

- My father
- My stepfather

- A lovely potted plant from M
- A warm and sunny day
- My helper kitty 

Sunday's joyful activity was sewing (and eating fresh peaches).

To Do List for Monday:

- More sewing
- Clear the dining table

- Tidy the family room

- Water the garden

- Clean out the fridge

- Take the trash cans to the curb

- Meal plan for the week

How was your Father's Day Sunday?  What are your plans for Monday?

Two Birds with One Stone

 

Empty Bookcase

This is how the bookcase in the living room looked after everything was taken out for painting the room.  Completely empty.  

After the room was painted, I planned to take my time and put back the items in an intentional way, replacing only the items I wanted to keep and taking the opportunity to declutter as part of the process.  I also planned to thoroughly clean the living room as well as I went, a sort of late spring cleaning.  Those are the two birds I've referred to in the post title - cleaning and decluttering.

This is how the bookcase looked before:

Before

Midway through the process:

During

It took just over a week, as I put things back in the china cabinet, as well, but, the last of the books were put in place on Friday night.

After

I have a few leftover bits and pieces that I still want to keep and display, but, they have been found new homes for now.  And I told my daughter that there is room on the third shelf (where I have the trio of elephants - a gift from my mother) for her books when she comes down.  

I might declutter a few more of the books, but, for the time being, I am happy with the number of books stored on the two bottom shelves.  I didn't count how many books I have, but, I know that there are more than the 30 books recommended by one famous organizer.  

I am pleased with how the bookcase looks.  I am by no means a minimalist, but, I think I've reduced the visual clutter to a level that seems right to me.  All the items being displayed are meaningful to me - the laughing Buddha at the center of the top shelf which was a gift from my mother, the six smaller laughing Buddhas I've placed at the base, which were gifts from aunt C, the seated Bodhisattva which was a gift from my sister, the standing Chinese sage which was a souvenir of our time spent in Taiwan and Hong Kong, the round Japanese platter which was a gift from my daughter one Mother's Day, and the trio of blue and white elephants which were another gift from my mother.  

A bit further down along the same wall is the fireplace:

Fireplace

The painters forgot to rehang the mirror that used to be above the mantelpiece and I haven't done so, yet.  I also haven't put back the large blue and white vases that used to be placed on the hearth, on either side of the fireplace.  I do like those vases, so, I might put them back.  But, for now, I am enjoying how it looks without them.

In the meantime, the shelves and the items displayed on them have been washed and the pictures have been dusted.  The fireplace and shelves were not painted, and I don't think they look bad, but, I might decide to paint them, later.  I've never used the fireplace in all the years I've lived in this house; I'd have to get the chimney inspected and probably repaired, before I do so, if I ever decide to light a fire!  With my luck, I'd probably end up setting fire to the house!

At this time, I think my living room decorating and decluttering is almost done (still have to decide if I want the mirror rehung and those large vases placed near the fireplace).  

Obviously, a living room only requires some seating, a flat surface such as a coffee table or a side table on which to place a cup of tea or a glass of water (and maybe a small plate with a cookie or a piece of cake!) and a couple of lamps for lighting.  Everything else is a want, not a need - pictures, books, decorative items, etc.  But, they are the items that make a house a home, I think.  I've lived in an apartment that had no furniture other than a patio table and some chairs that the landlady gave us, which we used as our dining table.  We had no spare money to buy any furniture, so we covered sturdy cardboard boxes with table cloths or fabric and used them as places on which to keep a few necessary items.  Now that was real minimalism although, I don't think we had heard of that term at the time, in the mid 1970s.  I don't think I want to get back to that level of minimalism!  What I'm looking for is a happy medium where I have enough to be comfortable and feel grateful for the abundance without feeling overwhelmed by it.

I am grateful for:

- My home
- Furniture (cat clawed as the upholstery might be!  😸)
- My favorite things on display to enjoy seeing without feeling overwhelmed by visual clutter

- Being blessed with enough and plenty!
- Memories to look back on and smile

What do you think?  

Garden Harvests on Friday the Thirteenth

 

Wax Beans and Squash - The Squash Side

M planted some wax beans and squash in the same planting bed and the plants are flourishing.

The Wax Beans Side

On Friday the thirteenth, I picked the first wax beans:

Wax Bean Harvest

I am pleased with the amount of beans I was able to pick.  

I also picked some peaches:

Peaches (in a bowl of water to wash them)

These peaches were not fully ripe, but, they were not bird pecked.  I'm trying to pick the rest of the peaches before the birds get to them.

And I picked the two strawberries that were ripe:

Ripe Strawberries

Such a blessing to be able to pick vegetables and fruits from my garden.

B;In addition, I did two loads of laundry, put some more books back on the bookshelves, called the vet's office for a refill on Dancer's medication, and tended to the garden with M.

On Friday, I was grateful for:

- Fresh fruits and vegetables from the garden
- M's help with the garden

- Water for the garden

- Working appliances
- A relaxed day

Friday's joyful activity was spending time in the garden and picking some fruits and vegetables.

How was your Friday?  Are you superstitious about Friday the thirteenth?

On Thursday

 

Passionfruit Flower About to Open

On Thursday, I had my appointment with the specialist.  He reviewed my file and did an initial examination.  But, he wants me to have some further tests done and a more detailed scan than the ultra sound.  So, a request for authorization for that scan was sent and I have to schedule that once I receive the authorization.  In the meantime, another appointment was made to see the doctor in July.  I should know more after the additional tests are done.  Hopefully, it is nothing to worry about, but, if it is, then, hopefully, it is something that can be treated.  

I had left the house at 1:00 p.m. and it was just after 5:00 p.m. when I got home.  I ate a piece of fruit since I hadn't eaten all day and then, took a short nap.  Later, I had a curried beef sandwich and a cup of tea.  

I am afraid I didn't do too much in the evening.  I had a chat with friend R, watched the evening news and a few videos online, and started putting some of the books back on the shelves in the living room.  I plan to finish doing that on Friday.

On Thursday, I was grateful for:

- Access to medical care
- Health insurance
- A safe drive to the clinic and back
- Afternoon naps
- Chats with friends

Thursday's joyful activity (or, should I say inactivity?) was taking a nap!  LOL.

Plans for Friday include going to the bank, tending to the garden with M, and putting back the rest of the books.

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

Midweek Update

Crocheted Dress

This is the dress my daughter crocheted for her goddaughter to wear at the baptism.

I had planned to wake up early on Tuesday, but, having gone to bed after 6:00 a.m., I turned the alarm off when it rang in the morning and went back to sleep!  But, once I woke up, I was productive.   I brought in the emptied trash cans, did a load of laundry including my bed sheets, remade my bed, looked up the driving directions to the specialist, paid bills and did a bit of paperwork.

Then, I decided to make a start on putting a few things back in place as all the items piled on the family room table and coffee table, etc., were getting to me.

I started with putting the china and serving dishes back in the china cabinet.  But, first, I had to clean the china cabinet shelves and the mirrored back.  There is one wooden shelf on the bottom and two glass shelves above, consisting of three pieces of glass each,  which rest on wooden supports, and which can be removed for cleaning.  Of course, I managed to drop one piece of glass on top of another piece of glass while doing so!  I thought the bottom glass would break, but only a few small pieces broke off the edge of the piece that fell.  I was able to put it back in place and made a note to myself not to place anything heavy on that piece of glass.   

Empty China Cabinet

Then, I put the items back, making sure I was putting back only those items I absolutely wanted to keep.  I didn't put back 7 or 8 items, including an ice bucket, a covered casserole dish, a tray and two small serving dishes, a toast rack, and a serving dish holding two jam pots.  I am going to put them in a box and wait for a bit to see if I want them before I donate them.

China Cabinet: After 

Then, I moved on to the living room.  But, first, I wanted to do a little cleaning.  So, I washed the inside of the front door.  Then, I adjusted the drapes in the front window as the painters didn't hang them properly and they left a gap when the drapes were drawn closed.  Then, I had to wash the inside of the windows.  And dust all the furniture, again and wash the painted shelves on either side of the fireplace.  And vacuum the floor.  I now feel that I have thoroughly cleaned the living room.

Finally, I was ready to bring back some of the living room items - the two plant stands and plants, a stand lamp, a side table, the basket with music books,  photographs to go on the mantelpiece, a few decorative items for the bookcase (no books, yet).  

Later in the night, I realized that my appointment with the specialist, which I thought was scheduled for Wednesday, was actually on Thursday!  I was glad I had already realized that on Tuesday night because when the doctor's office called me on Wednesday morning to confirm the appointment, I didn't get confused!

On Tuesday, I was grateful for:

- What I was able to accomplish in terms of cleaning and putting things back in place
- Weekly trash collections
- Working appliances and electricity to run them
- Being able to pay my bills
- Video chatting with my daughter

Tuesday's joyful activity was picking peaches.

On Wednesday, I started to put back a few things in the shelving unit in the dining area, but, haven't finished doing so.  The items I returned to the shelves included my cookbook collection, a candy jar, a couple of decorative dishes, and a candle stand.  

Then, I did a little more paperwork and tended to the garden with M.  Afterwards, I had to go to the post office before it closed to mail a document (the paperwork I did, earlier), and from there, I went to the pharmacy to pick up a medication refill.  

I noticed that the pharmacy had cereal on sale for $1.99 a box and I decided to pick up two more boxes of cereal.  With the coupons that I had already loaded onto my store card, the two boxes of cereal came to $1.37 for both, or, approximately $0.68 each.  I was happy with that price.

I was tired after I came home and took a very brief nap.  A short time later, neighbor S called and brought over a large piece of cake.  I ate a piece of it and froze the rest to share with my daughter when she visits, next.  

Friend R called in the evening and we had a chat.  Later, I chatted with my daughter; she had her medical procedure done in the afternoon and is recovering and taking it easy.

On Wednesday, I was grateful for:

- M's help with the garden
- Daughter is recovering well after her medical procedure
- My medication refill was available
- Neighbor S bringing me cake
- A safe drive to the post office and pharmacy and back

Wednesday's joyful activity was picking more peaches.  I had some with yogurt for brunch:

Peaches and Yogurt

Plans for Thursday include my doctor's appointment in the afternoon, some paperwork and filing, putting away some laundry, and continuing to put things back in the living room and dining area.

How is your week coming along?  What are your plans for Thursday?