Starting on the Second Half of the Year!

 

Passionfruit Flower

The first half of the year is behind us and it feels to me like it went by in a blink of an eye!  I spent a little time, this morning, reviewing the previous six months.  I started out the new year with the aspiration of focusing on my physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing and while a lot was accomplished towards that goal, I think a lot can still be done!  There's plenty of room for improvement, I think.  It's a good thing that I have six more months left in the year to work towards that!

On the 1st of July, I made milkrice for brunch as is my usual custom to celebrate the start of a new month. We had it with seeni sambol (a spicy onion relish).  

Gardener friend M was here to tend to the garden in the early afternoon.  We chatted a bit and I served him some of the chocolate chip cookies that my daughter had baked on Monday.  

Chocolate Chip Cookies

We also decided that it was time to pick two of the Berkeley Tie Dye tomatoes because they have a tendency to split when they ripen.  They are just turning color, as you can see, but, the bigger one is already beginning to split near the stem end:

Berkeley Tie Dye Tomatoes

They do look a bit like they've been tie dyed, don't they?  Neither daughter nor I like to eat raw tomatoes; instead, we add them to various dishes when we cook them.  Or, I make a tomato curry.

In the evening, I picked up friend R and we went to the viewing of one of our friends who passed away after a two year battle with cancer.  Afterwards, I dropped friend R off at her apartment and came home.  Daughter and I had rice, ground beef keema curry, dhal, and green beans for dinner:

Wednesday Dinner

On the 1st of July, I was grateful for:

- Monthly rituals
- M's help with the garden
- Homegrown tomatoes
- Friends
- Being able to give friend R a ride to the viewing and back

Joyful activities included spending time in the garden, picking homegrown tomatoes, chatting with friend R in the car on our way to the funeral home and back, and enjoying a chocolate chip cookie.

Plans for Thursday include:

- Attending my friend's funeral
- Some housework
- Maybe some baking

How was your first day of July?  

Adding to the Stash

 

Yarn from Neighbor S's Mother L

Neighbor S called me the other evening and asked me if I wanted some yarn that her mother L didn't want anymore.  I can never say no to free yarn, so, of course, I said yes!  I guess her mother was clearing out her stash!  Daughter and I were happy to add the yarn to our stash!  S brought the yarn over on Wednesday night and I sorted through the yarn on Thursday.  There were some unfinished projects, as well, including a single knitted sleeve and what might have been the start of a crocheted blanket.  As far as I can tell, the yarn is all acrylic, so machine washable and dryable.  My first thought was we could make a blanket while daughter thought she could use them for her amigurumi and other craft projects.  I think I will be able to knit a couple of pairs of socks with some of the yarn.  It will be fun to plan how we'll use the yarn.

In addition to the yarn, there were some sewing supplies, as well.  Mostly elastics and cords of various lengths, and a piece of black fabric:

Sewing Supplies

I will be adding them to the stash, too!  

I messaged L to thank her for the gift of yarn and sewing supplies.  I am excited to get started on a knitting project!

I am grateful for:

- The gift of yarn and sewing supplies from L
- Neighbor S bringing me the yarn and other items

MidWeek Catch-Up

 

Stumpery on Wednesday, May 27, 2026

I was happy to see the scaredy cat plant flowering among the stumps in the stumpery this morning. 

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend and are having a good start to this last week in May.  Time sure goes by quickly, doesn't it?  I didn't realize i hadn't posted after the grocery delivery post on Saturday!

Time for a quick catch up, I think. 

On Saturday, after the groceries were delivered and I put things away, I made a quick trip to the pharmacy to pick up a prescription my oncologist had called in and was ready for pick up.  I used my Extra Care bucks to pick up two boxes of granola bars that were on sale for $1.99 per box.

After I came home, I picked more peaches.  Later, my daughter joined me and we picked most of the rest of the peaches that were on the tree. We left about half a dozen peaches on the highest branches for the birds to enjoy.  Thank you, peach tree; you blessed us with an abundance of peaches, this year.  

Daughter peeled and sliced the majority of the peaches we picked and I froze three bags of peaches, with six cups of sliced peaches in each, for making jam, etc., later on.  Daughter also ordered more canning jars and new lids for jars that I will be reusing, so I have plenty of supplies for future batches of jam and chutney.  

Neighbor S had asked if the guests attending her husband's birthday party could park in my driveway and I had said yes.  Later on Saturday evening, she brought us dinner and dessert:

Saturday Dinner Compliments of Neighbor S

I gave her some freshly picked peaches in return; about half an hour later, she called me to ask, very apologetically, if it would be possible for her to have just one more peach!  Apparently, she shared the peaches with her guests and one guest didn't get any!  Of course, I gave her about eight more peaches, not just one, and she was very happy.  I also set aside another dozen or so peaches to give my friend R.

I made a compote with some of the peaches, after dinner, and baked a tray of chicken drumsticks to have over the week.

On Sunday, I did a little housework, dusting and vacuuming the living room and doing a load of laundry.  Friend R called to say that a package she had ordered had been delivered to my address and could I keep it for her.  I told her I could bring it to her in the evening, along with some peaches, but, she said she will come on Monday to collect it.  Later, neighbor S called to ask if she could borrow my recycling bin as she had more items than could fit into her bin, so I told her she could borrow it.  

We had leftovers from Saturday's dinner for brunch on Sunday and for Sunday dinner, I cooked hamburgers using one of the packages of frozen hamburger patties I had bought.  I cooked the whole package (8 patties) so we could have them for brunches during the week.

Purple Daylily

Monday was Memorial Day.  Friend R messaged me in the morning saying she was not able to come to pick up the package and she was expecting more packages to be delivered on Tuesday, so could she come on Tuesday, instead?  I said that daughter will be working, but, Tuesday would be fine.

We had a relaxed day on Monday.  I made waffles for brunch and we had that with bacon and peach compote.  I watered the garden, picked blueberries, and put away the laundry I had done on Sunday.  Later in the evening, daughter's friends V and A came over for a visit.  V spent the evening to play board games with daughter while A mostly came to drop off some oatmeal chocolate chip cookies she had baked!  Daughter shared the cookies with me and they were delicious.  

Monday Brunch

Tuesday was an overcast, cool day with the highs in the mid 60s.  I brought in the emptied trash cans, checked on the front garden, and was greetedwith a hug by one of my young neighbors who lives with her parents and younger sister in a rental unit a couple of doors down (she's a very friendly, outgoing teenager) which totally made my day.  At noon, daughter took a lunch break from work and I accompanied her when she went to the post office to mail a package to one of her friends.  

I made a version of a Sri Lankan street food known as "kottu roti" for brunch.  The traditional kottu rotiis made with a type of leftover Sri Lankan flat bread or roti.  I used Armenian lavash bread that neighbor S had given instead of the more traditional roti and added onions, shredded cabbage, leftover chicken curry, etc. to make my kottu roti.  

I had been expecting friend R to come in the afternoon, but, she messaged me to say she will come on Wednesday, instead.  

Later in the afternoon/early evening, I made a batch of blueberry muffins, in part to have with our tea and in part so that the oven could warm up the house a bit.  

In the evening, daughter went to do her gymnastics and I went with her for the ride.  I stayed in the car and read while she was at the gym and after it got too dark to read, I spent a little time praying and people watching while I waited for my daughter.  After we came home, we had leftovers for dinner and cookies for dessert.

Bread Roll with Spinach, Mushrooms, & Cheese Filling

On Wednesday, it was mostly sunny, but, still on the cooler side, with a high of only 63F.  Friend R messaged that she will be arriving around 1:30 p.m. and when she came, she brought some bread rolls with a spinach,mushrooms, and cheese filling from a nearby bakery.  Daughter was working and in a meeting, so she didn't join us, but, R and I enjoyed the bread rolls as well as some of the blueberry muffins and the drop biscuits with chives that I had baked earlier and a cup of tea. 

Gardener friend M arrived, too, as Wednesdays are one of his regular days, and he brought me a six pack of corn seedlings to plant in the garden.  There were more than six seedlings, however, so he planted out all the seedlings and watered the garden.  He, too, enjoyed the chive drop biscuits and the blueberry muffins I served him.  I gave R a tour of the garden and picked her some curry leaves to take with her.  

Daughter enjoyed her bread roll after she finished work.   I cooked sauteed green beans in the evening and daughter had rice, dhal, and green beans for dinner, with chutney.  I had half a leftover hambutger and strawberries for dessert.

I didn't make a meal plan as such, this week, other than baked chicken drumsticks and hamburgers as the main entrees.  I will probably make some fried rice for brunch on Thursday, and there is a loaf of "bake at home"  garlic bread that neighbor S brought over on Saturday, so I might make some pasta for dinner on Thursday night to have with the garlic bread.  

This week, I am grateful for:

- This year's peach harvest
- Neighbor S bringing us dinner on Saturday
- Friend R's visit on Wednesday
- M's help with the garden
- Daughter's help with the peaches

- The sound of laughter as daughter and her friends visited 
- Sharing and exchanging gifts of food with friends and neighbors
- Blueberries from the garden
- Working appliances
- The availability of medications
- Being able to help out a neighbor with parking and lending her my recycling bin

I am a bit behind with my blog reading.  I plan to catch up, on Thursday.

How has your week been?  Hope everyone is keeping well.

On Friday

 

Chive Drop Biscuits

On Friday, I had a doctor's appointment.  One hour to go to the clinic, one hour at the clinic, and a little over one hour to drive back due to traffic.  I was tired by the time I came home.

In the morning, before I left for my doctor's appointment, my daughter's friend V came over to pick up some peaches and lemons, too.  

Also in the morning, my neighbor S called.  They are celebrating her husband's birthday on Saturday and expecting family and friends; could they use my drive way to park their cars?  I said yes.  

In the evening, I watered the back yard and picked some chives.  I cut up the chives and made a batch of chive drop biscuits.

My brunch had been bread with dhal.  For dinner, I went off the meal plan and we had "breakfast for dinner" - scrambled eggs, sausages, and chive biscuits:

Breakfast for Dinner

On Friday, I was grateful for:

- A safe drive to the clinic and back
- Access to medical care
- Health insurance
- Being able to share garden fruits with friends
- Working appliances

Friday's joyful activities included spending time in the garden.

Plans for Saturday include accepting a delivery of groceries, going to the pharmacy to pick up my medications, and doing some housework. 

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

On Easter Sunday

 

Fish Cutlets

On Easter Sunday morning, I fried the fish cutlets my daughter and I had made the day before and kept in the fridge.

Fish Cutlets Waiting to be Fried

After being fried, the fish cutlets were packed into a container to be taken to our friends' home.  These friends are my late friend A's widower and their two daughters who are now my daughter's friends, as well.  

My daughter had woken up with a migraine headache and I told her we could stay home if she preferred to, but, she took her migraine medications and felt well enough to go.  

On our way there, I stopped to put gas to the car.  Gas at the cheapest gas station in my area was $5.999 per gallon, which in my opinion is as good as $6.00!  Other stations, however, were charging $6.099 and higher per gallon.  Since I budget $50 per month for gas, I put $50 worth of gas to the car and that will have to do!  There was a flower vendor at the gas station, who came up to me to offer bouquets of mixed flowers;  I wasn't planning to buy flowers, so I declined to buy a bouquet for $10.  But, when he then dropped his price to $5, I felt sorry for him, and decided to buy some flowers to take to our friends' house, in addition to the cutlets.

Easter lunch with late friend A's family was lovely.  We were joined by the fiance of one of the girls (whose engagement party we attended at the end of March) and of course, these two:

Sasha (who is curled up on a blanket I crocheted for A)

and 

Winni (curled up next to daughter)

who has grown quite a bit since we last saw him at Christmas:

Winni at Christmas

And here he is, waiting for a belly rub in return for posing for pictures:

Winnie (waiting for a belly rub)

We had samosas (purchased from an Indian restaurant) and the fish cutlets, along with some cheese and crackers for appetizers, chicken biryani, baked ribs, pasta alfredo, cheesy baked potatoes, raita, and salad for lunch, and there was ice cream for dessert.  

We came home around 5:00 p.m. (with a container of leftovers!)  I was just making us a cup of tea when my friend S (not neighbor S) called to ask if we were home and, when I said yes, said she and her husband were on their way!  I set out a plate of cookies for them and was ready to make tea for them, too, but, they were on their way to visit two other friends, so they didn't stay to tea.  Instead, they handed over a bag with our Easter dinner:

Easter Dinner (Compliments of Friend S)

Yellow rice, brinjal moju (eggplant pickle), fish cutlets (!), mutton (goat) curry, mixed vegetable pickle, cashew curry, and fried pappadum. 

I gave friend S a gift that I had bought for her daughter as a New Year's gift that I had not been able to give to her, earlier, and included a gift my daughter had made, as well.  My daughter said that S's daughter had texted her, later, and thanked her for the gifts.

Daughter and I enjoyed friend S's gift of food for our dinner.  There are some leftovers for Monday's lunch, as well.

Later in the evening, I did a load of laundry (which I haven't put away, still).  

It was a lovely Easter Sunday and I was grateful for:

- Gas being available, even at a price.
- Being invited to Easter lunch with late friend A's family and spending time with them
- A safe drive there and back
- Friend S and husband visiting us and bringing us dinner
- Daughter's migraine responded to medications and she felt well enough to enjoy Easter Sunday

My joyful activities included spending time with long-time friends.  I am blessed to have friends who include my daughter and me in their celebrations.

I hope you had a lovely Sunday with family, friends, and loved ones.

A Busy Day on Friday

 

In the Rose Garden

We had a busy day on Friday.  Daughter had the day off from work and we had planned to go to the botanical gardens, again.  Daughter had gifted me (and herself) with a dual annual membership, last year, as I had so enjoyed my previous visit to the botanical gardens last November.  We couldn't go earlier because I was experiencing sciatica flare ups and other health issues.  But, I'm feeling better now and so, we decided to visit.

So, on Friday, we packed a lunch (roast beef sandwiches, tangerines, bottles of flavored water and plain water) and set off to visit the gardens.  I will do a separate post about it, but we spent about an hour enjoying the botanical garden, as one hour of walking (with short breaks to sit for a few minutes) is about the extent of my stamina,, these days.

In the end, we decided to come home and eat, so, we brought our packed lunch home and enjoyed it in the comfort of our home.  

After lunch, I showed daughter how to sew hooks and eyes on her dress and she finished sewing her dress.

Daughter's New Dress

She was still putting some final touches to her dress when her friend V arrived to spend the evening.  I had tidied the living room and dining area, on Thursday, and daughter had vacuumed Thursday evening, in anticipation of V's visit, so the front rooms were company ready.  They chatted and played some games for the next three hours or so.  

M also arrived to tend to the garden and he brought us an Easter treat:

Cupcakes

M was happy to hear that we had visited the botanical gardens again.  

Daughter and I had tortillas with beef curry and cucumber salad for dinner and shared a cupcake for dessert.

On Friday, I was grateful for:

- A lovely day filled with fun activities and pleasant company
- A safe drive to the botanical gardens and back
- An enjoyable visit to the botanical gardens
- The sound of laughter as daughter and her friend chatted and played their games
- M's help with the garden and an Easter treat

Friday's joyful activities included spending time at the botanical gardens.

Plans for Saturday include making Sri Lankan fish cutlets.  Daughter and I have been invited to Easter lunch by our friends and when we asked if they'd like us to bring something, we were asked to bring cutlets!  LOL.  I am going to make them with canned tuna, this time, because I don't have canned mackerel on hand.  

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

Starting A New Week

Gazania

Here we are, already on the last week of January!

Monday had been a sunny, warm day.  Friend R stopped by in the afternoon to pick up her packages.  Later, I took the trash cans to the curb and daughter watered some of the plants in the back garden.

For brunch, I cut up an re-sauteed the last of the previously sauteed slices of chicken breast, adding some sliced red onion to it and used it as a sandwich filling.  For dinner, we opted for a buffet style, selecting what we each fancied: I had coconut roti with pork curry and daughter had chicken curry and the pickled vegetables she had made.

On Monday, I was grateful for:

- Being able to help friend R by accepting and keeping her packages for her
- A sunny and warm day
- Flowers in the garden
- Weekly trash collections
- Water for the garden

Joyful activities included visiting with my friend and exchanging emails with another friend.

On Tuesday, when the pharmacy notified me that a prescription I had requested had been filled and was ready to be picked up, I was reminded of the fact that, back when I used to have a weekly schedule I actually followed, Tuesdays used to be my day to run errands.  I need to update and revive that weekly schedule!  

Tuesday was another sunny day.  I brought in the emptied trash cans, collected the mail including this week's grocery flyers, and went to the pharmacy to pick up my medication refill.  In the evening, daughter and I both worked on our knitting projects (she is making herself a scarf).

I had crackers with peanut butter for breakfast and I made fried rice for a late lunch:

Sausage Fried Rice

Leftover rice, leftover breakfast sausages cut up into small pieces, a grated carrot, some broccoli, a scrambled egg, and a handful of peanuts.  We had a snacky dinner - bananas and apples with peanut butter, breadpudding, crackers, etc.  

On Tuesday, I was grateful for:

- Another sunny and warm (71F) day

- My prescription was available
- A safe drive to the pharmacy and back
- Working appliances
- My blood pressure was normal

Tuesday's joyful activity was knitting.

Plans for Wednesday include tending to the garden with M.

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

This Weekend

 

Radish Harvest

This weekend went by quickly.

On Saturday, daughter harvested her radishes; they weren't very big, but, she didn't want them to bolt, so picked them all.  She also picked quite a few leaves from her arugala, kale, and mizuna plants. Then, she did some meal prep and cooking:

Radish, Apple, and Cucumber Pickles
with Japanese Pickling Spices (Salty)

Lemon & Pepper Cucumber Salad (Salt-Free) 

Salad Add-Ins:
(Cucumber and Radish for her;
Plain Cucumber for me since I don't much
care for radishes) 

Sauteed Radish Leaves

Stir-fried Mixed Greens

Sauteed Curried Green Beans
(Bonchi Thel Dala)

Steamed Broccoli

On Saturday afternoon, daughter's friend A came over for another cooking lesson; this time, to learn how to make chicken curry.  Daughter didn't take a picture of that, because she gave her friend part of the chicken curry to take home to share with her father and sister.  

I spent the afternoon knitting and relaxing while the girls chatted and cooked.  My friend R had planned to come over on Saturday afternoon to pick up her package, but, she texted me in the morning to say she couldn't make it.  I also chatted with cousin V, who is recovering from her shoulder surgery.

Earlier in the week, daughter and I had talked about maybe making some no-knead bread over the weekend, provided the yeat I had was still working (according to the packets, they expired in 2022!).  So, on Saturday evening, we proofed the yeast (the first packet seemed a bit reluctant to activate, but, the second packet was fine; we put both packets of yeast to the bread dough) and made ourselves a lovely loaf of no-knead bread, flavored with fresh rosemary leaves from the garden:

Rosemary No-knead Bread

No-knead Bread

I didn'tt have a Dutch oven so I baked the bread in an oven-proof glass bowl, with a pan of water on the lower shelf of the oven to create steam for a crusty loaf.  But, before the day was over, my daughter had ordered us a Dutch oven!  I think we will be making more bread in the near future!

Cooling on a Wire Rack

The aroma of the freshly baked bread was too tempting and we barely gave it any time to cool before we cut into it! 

Warm Crusty Bread

We had warm bread with butter fpr our dinner, with some chicken curry.  It was delicious.  

That was a busy Saturday, as, in addition to all the cooking and baking, daughter did a load of laundry, as well, and decided to start on a knitting project of her own!

On Sunday, I ordered and picked up some groceries.  This post is long enough, so I'll do a separate grocery shopping post.

In the evening, I called cousin N and spoke with Aunt C.  

Brunch had been some of the no-knead bread with the last of the lentil curry.  Bread and dhal is comfort food for me.  For dinner, I reheated the chicken and vegetables soup and added more spices and herbs to add more flavor to it and that worked!  We had soup with the last of the no-knead bread and that was another delicious meal.  

Bread Pudding

For dessert, I made a bread pudding, to use up a bag of bread ends/heels that I had accumulated.  Sometimes, I make croutons with the bread heels, sometimes, I make bread crumbs with them.  But, every so often, I make a bread pudding and it seemed like the ideal dessert for Sunday, after a weekend of cooking and baking.

This weekend, I am grateful for:

- Fresh produce from the garden
- Daughter doing this week's meal prep and cooking
- Daughter teaching her friend how to cook chicken curry

- Homemade bread
- Working appliances

The weekemd's joyful activities included baking with my daughter, chatting with family and friends, and knitting.

Plans for Monday include doing some household laundry (bed sheets, etc.), some housework (dusting/cleaning, etc.), watering the garden, and taking the trash bins to the curb for pick up on Tuesday.  

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

A Long Weekend

 

Irises

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

We've enjoyed a long weekend with Monday being a holiday to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

On Saturday afternoon, one of daughter's friends came over for a cooking lesson!  Daughter is showing her how to make Sri Lankan food.  They made a dhal curry with red lentils and a mallung with kale (a mallung is shredded greens sauteed with grated coconut, onions, green chillies, turmeric, etc.)  They had fun and, afterwards, daughter kept a portion of what they cooked for us and gave the rest to her friend to take home to share with her father and sister.  They are planning to make chicken curry, next weekend!

On Sunday, daughter and I visited my cousin V and her family.   V was recovering from surgery on her right shoulder.  I prepared a chicken curry for her and also took some cashew curry and moringa curry I had cooked and frozen earlier.  One of V's sisters-in-law had made a big pan of chicken biryani for her, so, at V's urging, daughter and I enjoyed some of it for lunch.

After we came home, I phoned Aunt C baked another batch of no salt added blueberry muffins:

Blueberry Muffins

We enjoyed some of them with our evening tea.

Dinner was chicken fried rice:

Chicken Fried Rice

On Monday, friend R visited in the afternoon.  She brought us Christmas gifts and collected several of her packages that had been delivered to my address.  At 11:00 a.m. on Monday, R texted me to notify me that another package she had been expecting to be delivered on Tuesday was being delivered on Monday, instead, and that it would require a signature.  However, a short time later, I discovered a notice on my door from a different delivery service than the one R had said were delivering her package, stating that they had tried to deliver a package but no one was at home!  Apparently, they had tried to deliver it before R had told me to expect a delivery and if they had knocked on the door, I had not heard it.  It upset me a little and I felt as if I was at fault, even though I know that it wasn't. 

Anyway, R called them and they are going to redeliver it today, but, R didn't know at what time.  I woke up at 7:00 a.m., which is early for me (especially after going to bed after 3:00 a.m.) in order to be ready to accept the delivery.  They just delivered it (at 11:00 a.m.)

On Monday evening, after R left, I cooked the pork roast that I had bought on Friday.  Daughter cut the roast in half for me and further cut one of the halves into 8 pork chops and cubed the rest.  I roasted the one half, froze the chops in two packages of four chops each, and made a curry with the cubed pieces.  

Breakfast had been a scrambled egg on toast for me (daughter made herself a sandwich with fried eggs and the last bagel).  We had blueberry muffins with tea when R visited (and we gave R some of the muffins to take home).  Dinner was rice, pork curry, dhal, the last of the kale mallung, and tomato chutney:

Monday Dinner

On Monday afternoon, before R visited, daughter and I spent a little time in the garden, watering the plants, feeding the compost bin, and just checking things out.  Later, daughter took the trash cans to the curb for me.  Later, I texted with cousin N.

Also on Monday, I finished knitting the back of daughter's sweater:

Daughter's Sweater - Back

It's the same wool I used for my sweater, but, a different color, called "Aran".  I'll start the front, today.  She wants the same design, but, just a little longer than my sweater.  

Today, Tuesday, is another sunny and warm day.  I woke up early, as mentioned above, brought the emptied trash cans in, accepted R's package, and tidied the living room a little bit.  I will knit and do some quiet activities today as daughter is having a migraine and is resting (she took a day off from work).  

Today, I am grateful for:

- A lovely long weekend with plenty of social interactions
- Pleasant weather (sunny days, warm temperatures)
- Being able to accept the delivery of a package for R
- Weekly trash collection services
- Daughter is able to take time off from work when needed

Today's joyful activity will be knitting.  

More Irises

How was your weekend?  What are your plans for today?

Weekend Update

 

Bay Laurel Tree

On Friday, I went for my quarterly check up with the oncology nurse practitioner.  I left early to give myself ample time to get to the clinic since there is always bumper to bumper traffic near downtown and I didn't want the added stress of worrying if I'll be late to my appointment.  I got to the clinic in good time and felt relaxed.  Even so, my blood pressure was a little elevated when they checked it.  However, my blood test results were good and I had lost some weight since my last visit.  

When I got home, I saw a police car with the lights flashing, parked in front of my neighbor S's house.  I texted her to find out if everything was okay and she said the police were there for something to do with my nextdoor neighbors (the party neighbors).  No idea what it was all about, as they haven't had any really loud parties, recently, but, the police car was there for at least 45 minutes after I got home.  

Usually, I'd pick up a pizza or something on my way home from my medical appointments, but, since I'm watching my salt intake, I made us some fried rice after I came home:

Fried Rice

Leftover rice, scrambled eggs, grated carrots, shredded lettuce, and a handful of cooked garbanzo beans from a packet in the freezer.  The garbanzo beans had been cooked with salt, but, I didn't add any soy sauce or other salt to the fried rice.  It tasted okay to me; not as tasty as when I make it with soy sauce and salt, but, better for me.

Later in the afternoon, M texted me - he was at another client's place and that client had a container grown bay laurel tree, approximately 3 feet high, that she wanted tossed out; would I be willing to adopt it?  Of course I texted back to say I'd be happy to adopt the plant!  I never say no to free plants!  So, when M came by later in the evening, he brought the little bay tree .  Apparently, the container it had been planted in had broken and that client didn't want the tree planted in the ground in her garden.  We planted it in my garden, instead, and assuming it grows well, I can pick bay leaves any time I want some for cooking!   According to M, the tree can grow to be about 8 feet tall, but, I think we can keep it pruned to a shorter height if we want to.  

For dinner, I had some of my soup and a salmon sandwich.  Daughter had chicken curry.  We shared an apple for dessert and some chocolates.

On Friday, I was grateful for:

- A safe drive to the clinic and back
- Access to medical care

- Health insurance

- My blood test results were good

- M brining free plants for my garden

Friday's joyful activities included spending time in the garden.

On Saturday, I did a quick tidy and dusting of the living room as daughter was expecting some friends to visit in the afternoon.  First, her friend V visited as she couldn't make it to the holiday brunch due to illness.  Later, her friend A visited for another crochet lesson.  I did a little knitting and strolled around the garden for a bit while daughter's friends were here.

Later, after they left, I took a nap on the sofa.

Still later, I called Aunt C and we chatted for a bit.  Since aunt's recent dementia diagnosis, I first text my cousin to find out if it is a good time to call aunt and wait for cousin to respond; then I call and cousin sets up the phone so aunt can talk to me.  Aunt mostly reminisces about incidents from her past and I listen.   

I had peanut butter toast for brunch and daughter finished the leftover fried rice from Friday.  For dinner, I had rice, baked chicken drumsticks, and tomato chutney; daughter had rice, chicken curry, and tomato chutney.  Grapes, a date, and raisin cookies (a gift from one of daughter's friends) for dessert (me); daughter had a banana and raspberries.

On Saturday, I was grateful for:

- Daughter's friends visiting her
- A sunny, relaxed day
- Afternoon naps
- Being able to chat with aunt C
- Working appliances

Saturday's joyful activities included being in the garden and knitting.  

Plans for Sunday include some paperwork and time spent crafting with daughter.

How is your weekend coming along?

On Christmas Day and Day After

 

Christmas Lunch

On Christmas day, the rain paused for a period of time.  Late friend A's younger daughter called my daughter around 9:00 a.m., asking if we could make it to Christmas lunch, after all.  Daughter asked me and I said, "Yes".  It was supposed to rain later in the afternoon, but, we were hoping we could manage to make it there and back before it resumed raining.  However, just in case it rained hard and the roads flooded, I decided we could spend the night at their house and put a change of clothes in the car ( I've decided to leave it in the car along with the sleeping bag that I've kept in the car since the January fires, in case we need to evacuate in an emergency) 

There was no rain on the way to our friends' house, but, as soon as we pulled into the parking lot, it just poured!  Hard, heavy rain, that sounded almost like hail as it fell on the car.  Two minutes later, the rain stopped!  I guess we had a cloud burst of sorts.  It rained on and off while we were at our friend's house, but, we left when it was just a ight rain and that stopped just before we reached home.

Our friends had prepared a feast for Christmas lunch: Ham and gravy, corned beef brisket, chicken curry, vegetable rice, cheesy mashed potatoes, salad, bread rolls, and Christmas cake, pumpkin pie, and ice cream for dessert.  

While we were there, my friend S called to say that her husband and daughter were on their way to my house to drop off something for me and that usually means food.  I told her that we were not at home.  But, apparently, they were making a drop off at friend R's too, so they said they'll leave my parcel with friend R, if I could pick it up from her place.  Then friend R called to tell me that friend S's daughter had called her saying I was not at home!  I confirmed that I was not at home and I will stop by to pick up my package on my way home.  Which I did and I handed over a package that had arrived for R just as we were leaving the house and which I had with me in the car.  

As I suspected friend S had sent us a dinner!  Rice, cashew curry, beef curry, eggplant moju with fried dried salted sprats, Sri Lankan mixed pickle, cutlets, slices of fresh pineapple, and homemade marshmallows for dessert.  Daughter and I were too full from our Christmas lunch to eat a full dinner, so we kept it in the fridge to enjoy on the following day and over the weekend, too.

It started to rain quite heavily in the night.  I was glad we came home before the heavy rains started again.

On Christmas day, I was grateful for:

-  Our friends inviting us to Christmas lunch
- The heavy rains let up while we were driving to our friends' home and back 
- Safe driving there and back (we avoided the flooded roads and intersections)
- Time spent in the company of friends
- Friend S sending us dinner; friend R keeping it for me

My joyful activities included enjoying Christmas day with my daughter and friends and cuddling a new puppy that one of late friend A's daughters has just adopted.

Puppy Wants Christmas Lunch, Too!

We generally don't open gifts at the end of the gathering so we left our gifts to them under their tree and they handed their gifts to us as we were leaving.  

One of the girls is an avid hiker and we got her a hiking journal and a set of pens:

Hiking Journal

The other girl has asked daughter to teach her how to crochet, so we got her a crochet instruction book and a set of crochet hooks and stitch markers, etc.

Crochet Book

Daughter also made them each two beaded bracelets.

Their father received a jar of homemade peach chutney.

I received a lovely set of kitchen towels as the girls continued their mother's tradition of giving me towels each year, as well as a gift card.

Set of Kitchen Towel

I love the colors and the fact that it is suitable for year round use and not just at Christmas.  

Daughter received a selection of reading themed gifts and a necklace.

Speaking of necklaces, my daughter made me this wrapped wire pendant as one of her Christmas gifts to me:

.  

Wrapped Wire, Glass Crystal Beads, and a Moonstone

Later in the evening I called my cousin N and spoke with her mother, Aunt C who is in her early 90s and recently been diagnosed with dementia.  Aunt spoke with me for a long time, rambling a bit as she spoke.  When I asked my cousin if I could come and visit her mother, she asked Aunt C if she'd like me to visit, but, I could hear Aunt C saying no.  So, I told cousin C not to worry about it, I will just drop off a gift without seeing Aunt C.  The last pair of socks I knitted are for her.  I also called friend S for thank her for the meal she sent us.

Today, the day after Christmas day, it continued to rain more or less all day, quite heavily at times.  My cousin V called and I chatted with her for awhile.  Daughter and I are having a relatively quiet, relaxed day as I've been trying to keep my blood pressure under control (it's been fluctuating a bit).  

Daughter is assembling one of the gifts she bought for me; I will post a picture once it is fully assembled.  

I hope you've had a lovely Christmas with your loved ones.

Did you take advantage of any after Christmas sales?  What are your plans for the weekend?