The Weekend and Beyond

 

Lamb
Crocheted by Daughter

On Saturday, my daughter finished crocheting and assembling an amigurumi lamb for her friend's younger daughter and then, she crocheted a small teddy bear for the older daughter, so she wouldn't feel left out:

Teddy Bear

And made a card:

Card
(top cropped to hide name)

While she was busy, I did some sewing.  I had hoped to finish my sewing project on Saturday, but, I couldn't.  I really should have started on it, earlier, but, I was busy working on another sewing project which also took longer than I had thought:

New Sari Blouse

When I wore my sari to my late friend A's daughter's graduation, last month, I realized that, since I had lost some weight, the old sari blouse was too big!  I managed to temporarily fix it with safety pins, but, it was very obvious to me that I needed a new sari blouse.  So, I used some of the purple fabric I had recently purchased during the store closing sale and sewed myself a new sari blouse.  It involved a bit of trial and error as I needed to draft a new pattern and I couldn't get my dart points to meet, and I struggled with the sleeves, pinning them inside out and back to front, etc.  I am happy with the end result (even if the dart points are still uneven), but, it took longer than I had thought, which meant I didn't have enough time to work on the other project.  So, rather than rush and make mistakes, I decided to finish it later to be given as a birthday gift, later this month.

In addition to sewing, I did two loads of laundry, cleaned the bathtub, made fried rice for brunch, put back a couple of items in the living room (a table lamp as the room has no ceiling lights or wall lights, and a resin statue of a Bodhisattva that my sister had gifted to me many years ago), made a smoked sausage stir fry for dinner, made another "lazy" peach cobbler for dessert, called Aunt C and friend R to check on them, and ran the dishwasher.  And watched the TV coverage of the protests against ICE raids as they developed in downtown Los Angeles.  

On Saturday, I was grateful for:

- Time spent working on craft projects 
- Working appliances
- Electricity to run the appliances
- Phone calls with family and friends
- Fresh peaches

Saturday's joyful activity was sewing and spending time with my daughter.

Church Interior

On Sunday, we were up early to go to my daughter's friend's baby's baptism.  My daughter and the baby's mother have been friends since high school and my daughter was one of the bridesmaids at her friend's wedding.  Her friend had asked my daughter to be her younger daughter's godmother and my daughter felt very honored by the request.  We had been asked to be at the church by 9:15 a.m. and we got there well before 9:00 a.m. and I sat at the back of the church and listened to the choir rehearse while we waited. 

The baby wore a white dress that my daughter had crocheted for her for the occasion and the service and baptism went well.  The baby looked surprised when the water was poured over her head, but, she didn't cry.  We were invited to lunch at a restaurant, afterwards, but, we declined and came home.

I made us scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast for brunch.  Daughter took a nap, afterwards, while I read a few blogs and then, started cooking some of the things I wanted to send back with daughter (beef curry, pepper steak with beef and bell peppers; mixed vegetable stir fry) and watched the news.  For dinner, daughter had leftover sausage stir fry and rice; I had a sandwich with some of the beef I cooked.

On Sunday, I was grateful for:

- Being invited to attend the baby's baptism
- Some social activity
- A safe ride to the church and back
- Another opportunity to wear a sari (with a well-fitting blouse, this time)
- Spending time with my daughter

Sunday's joyful activity was attending the baby's baptism.

On Monday, daughter worked from home.  While she was busy, working, I did a little more cooking.  I made a mallung (cooked shredded greens) with the parsley I had bought, finely shredding the leaves and sauteing the shredded leaves with onions, grated coconut, green chilies, minced garlic, salt, and lemon juice.  Then, I made dhal with red lentils.  I froze most of it for my daughter to take back with her.  We had some of it for a late lunch, with freshly cooked rice and fresh peaches for dessert.

In the evening, after daughter finished work, I dropped her off at the airport.  On the way home, I put gas to the car.  I put just over 10 gallons and it came to $45.22.  After I came home, I did a load of laundry, ran a cleaning cycle on the washing machine, took the trash cans to the curb for pick up on Tuesday morning, and spoke with neighbor E, thanking him again for helping with the living room painting.  I also watered the indoor plants and cooked myself a bacon cheeseburger with sweet potato fries for dinner.  

Daughter reached her apartment safely and we chatted a little bit.  She will go into the office on Tuesday and maybe go to the grocery store afterwards to pick up some half and half for her coffee and a couple of other items.  

On Monday, I was grateful for:

- Daughter had a safe flight and ride back to her apartment
- I was able to send some cooked food and fresh peaches back with her
- A safe drive to the airport and back
- Gas for the car

- Fresh peaches

Monday's joyful activity was cooking food for daughter to take back with her.

Tuesday's To Do List:

- Bring in the emptied trash cans

- Pick up medication refill from the pharmacy
- Go to the bank

- Do another load of laundry, including my bed sheets

- Remake my bed

- Put away laundry

- Water the garden

- Look up driving directions to the specialist's appointment on Wednesday

- Pay bills/paperwork & filing

How was your weekend?  Did you have a good day on Monday?  What are your plans for Tuesday?

On Thursday

 

Rose Petals Marinating in Lemon Juice and Sugar

Today (Thursday), I went to the store to buy the small 4 oz. canning jars.  I have some 8 oz. jars, but, I wanted the smaller jars for the rose jam I was planning to make.  Since I give a lot of my jams as holiday gifts, I was thinking that an assortment of 3 or so smaller jars of jam, maybe one each of rose petal, blueberry, and peach, in a small basket or container with perhaps a packet of tea and crackers might make a nice gift. 

The store had  a box of a dozen 4 oz. quilted canning jars on sale for $11.98 (a different store I checked had them for $13.50, according to their store website).  I bought two boxes plus a small box of 12 canning jar lids only (no rings) for $2.97 (for the store brand; the name brand was $3.98).  The jar lids are to use on the 8 oz. jars I will be reusing for my peach chutney, etc.  

I walked around the grocery section of the store, checking out the prices of items, and I bought a bunch of four bananas at $0.50/lb. which is cheaper than at the grocery store I regularly buy from.  I was out of bananas and it is a fruit that I am supposed to eat on a regular basis for the potassium.  They came to $0.63.

In addition, I bought a small container of cat food, "salmon pâté", for $1.18 for  Dancer to try (he's been off his regular canned cat food for weeks now and this is a brand we haven't tried yet), but, he sniffed at it and walked away.  Eventually, he was persuaded to try a little bit of it, but, not more than one or two nibbles.  He's ignored it since then.  

I spent a total of $31.69 at the store, including taxes. 

I had mistakenly stood in the self check out line as the sign simply said, "15 items or less" and I hate those self check out machines.  I never seem to be able to figure them out.  But, there was a store clerk stationed in the self-check out section and he helped me, although I could sense his impatience at having to put his phone down and help me. 

After I came home, I had a banana and a roast beef sandwich for brunch.

Last night, I had put the washed and trimmed rose petals to marinate in lemon juice and a cup of sugar.  Today, in the evening, I decided to make the jam.  I boiled the 4 cups of water, added the rose petal and lemon juice mixture, with another two cups of sugar and a little more lemon juice (went by taste), and simmered that for about 20 minutes.  One look at the boiled rose petal mixture and I knew that I will be making a rose jelly rather than a jam!

Boiled Rose Petals

The cooked petals looked unappetizing to say the least!  But the syrup was a lovely color.  So, I skimmed out most of the petals and left just a few, almost translucent ones.  Then, added a package of powdered pectin and boiled for another minute or two and poured the syrup into the jars and processed them in a water bath.  Unless the syrup thickens as it cools and "gels", the contents of the jars will be called a "pourable topping" for ice creams or a syrup for making faluda!  Maybe I should have used two boxes of pectin!  

Rose Syrup!

The kitchen lighting isn't the best, but, the syrup is a dark red.  I made 12 of the 4 oz. jars and half filled an 8 oz. jar which I didn't process.

I am a little disappointed with the results, but, at this point in time, I am not planning to open all the jars and re-boil the syrup with more pectin.  Daughter and I love rose syrup faluda, especially in the summer, and I haven't seen the bottled rose syrup I used to buy in the ethnic stores, lately, so the contents of the jars will not be wasted.  But, they may not be given as gifts!  Maybe I'll try making another batch of rose petal jam when the pink roses bloom again.  Or, accept M's offer of some of his roses!

I managed to get everything washed and the counters and stove top wiped down before my hands started to cramp.  Afterwards, I was tired and done for the day!  I was going to cook some rice to have with the ground beef mixture for my dinner, but, I decided to reheat some of the pasta my friend's daughter brought me.  

Today, I am grateful for:

- Being able to find the 4 oz. canning jars at a reasonable price
- A safe drive to the store and back and being able to drive
- Helpful store clerks 

- Working appliances
- 12 small jars of homemade rose syrup!

Today's joyful activity was making rose syrup.  

Plans for tomorrow (Friday) include doing some paperwork, making a couple of phone calls, and tending to the garden with M.

How was your Thursday?  What do you do when your jellies don't really gel?  What are your plans for Friday?

We Have Heat!

 

Another Completed Gift

A peek at the lap blanket I crocheted as a Christmas gift for a friend of mine.  I washed and dried it, on Monday, and wrapped it up.  She is getting a "Winter Warmth" themed gift of a blanket, a new kettle (that she had requested) and a box of her favorite tea.

I was up early (6:30 a.m., after going to sleep at 2:30 a.m.) on Monday morning, to be ready for the gas company technician who could arrive at any time between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., which was the best they could do when I called on Friday to schedule an appointment.  As things turned out, I could have slept in a bit longer because the technician wasn't able to arrive until after 6:00 p.m.  I rather suspected that he wouldn't arrive first thing in the morning, but, I didn't want to be sleeping if he did get here early.  They do call first, to let you know that they are on their way and will say something like, "Be there in 15 minutes".

Backyard in the Early Morning Light

There's a picture that's rarely seen on my blog!  The backyard (which faces east) in the early morning.  You can see the shadows of the bags of mulch on the patio roof, holding down the roof panels!  That's another project I've spoken about with new neighbor E.

While I waited for the gas company technician, I mended another pair of my knitted socks, washed and dried the crocheted blanket, wrote out a few Christmas/New Year cards, checked on the garden, and put away a load of laundry.  Somehow, by late afternoon, I had developed a pain in my left hip, which felt like the beginnings of a sciatica flare-up.  I was limping as I warmed up some leftovers for our brunch and did a few other things.  I wondered if I was dehydrated or if it was due to the lack of sleep or, perhaps, stress/anxiety over the gas heater.  Or, could it be because I had simply slipped on my sneakers to go out into the garden, instead of wearing the shoes, properly?  I decided to put on my sneakers properly, tying the laces, etc., when I went out to take the trash cans to the curb.  And I kept my shoes on, even when I came inside (I usually don't wear shoes inside the house).

By then, it was around 5:30 p.m. and I started to make us a cup of tea.  That's when the gas company technician called to let me know that he was on his way and should be at my house in about 20 minutes or so.  About 10 minutes later, he called again to say he had been redirected to attend to an emergency (which takes priority over any appointments), but, he was still planning to come over afterwards.  Then, he called around 6:15 p.m. to say he was on his way and should be here shortly.  I told him that he could park in my driveway because there's very little street parking available on Monday nights when people put out their trash bins.  

Jacob, the gas company technician, was here a little after 6:30 p.m.  He was a very nice young man, who offered to put on a mask as soon as he saw that both my daughter and I were wearing ours.  He listened to me while I explained about the heater and the delayed ignition problems I've been having almost from the start, and took a look at the heater.  He confirmed that the safety mechanism had turned the gas off and caused the pilot light to go off during that last very delayed ignition.  At least we know that the safety mechanism works!  He was able to turn the gas back on and relight the pilot light.  He tested the heater by turning it on and off a few times, trying to replicate the delayed ignition, but, the heater worked without any problem, each time.

He did say that the gas control valve should open more, but, it wouldn't do so when he tried.  He recommended that I got a heating maintenance company to come out and take a look at it.  In the meantime, he said to call the gas company any time if there are any further issues, they have 24-hour emergency service and work during holidays (non-emergency service calls are scheduled during regular hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.)  As he left, he thanked me for letting him park in my driveway (there really wasn't any street parking available).

And the cost of today's service? There was no charge! It is a free service provided by the gas company to its customers!  

The heater has been working well the rest of the evening.  I have set the thermostat at 70F and it has turned itself off when the temperature reached the setting and come back on without any delayed ignition. I think I will turn off the heater when I go to sleep, but, it is a blessing to have a working heater and a warm house.  I hope it continues to work for a long time to come!

After Jacob left, I realized that the hip pain had stopped. Whether it was due to wearing the shoes all evening or not being stressed about the heater, I don't know!  I haven't removed my shoes, yet!  

I cooked fresh rice and stir-fried vegetables to have with some of the leftover General Tso's chicken for our dinner.  

On Monday, I was grateful for:

- The gas company sent out a technician who was able to get the furnace to work again
- There was no charge for the service

- The service tech was considerate and offered to wear a mask during his visit
- I have a working heater, again!
- My hip pain seems to have gone away!

Monday's joyful activity was singing with my daughter.

Plans for Tuesday include more gift wrapping and a little bit of tidying up.

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

Saturday

After the Rain

It rained very early this morning.  Which is a blessing because I don't need to water the garden, today.  There is more rain in the forecast for Wednesday, which is when I am having my almsgiving!  I hope it won't impact the day's activities.  Depending on the amount of rain we get, some of the intersections in my neighborhood get flooded!  Well, we'll deal with it on the day, I suppose. 

The year is winding down.  There's just this weekend and then, it's a new year!  It's time for a review of the year and look forward to the new year, but, currently, I am not thinking further than the first week of the new year!  My focus, right now, is to get all the Christmas and New Year's gifts wrapped up and prepare for the almsgiving!

Today, I labeled the jars of jam and chutney I am giving as gifts to my cousins, put them in gift bags, and made some gift tags to attach to the bags:

Gift Tags

I made four gift tags, in total, although I am showing only two in the photo, above.  The other two are also in the shape of stockings, but, simply cut out from card fronts.  Cousin V has invited us to lunch, next week, and I will take all the gifts for my cousin R (V's sister) and for two of V's children and leave them at V's house, to be handed to them by V.  

I will need to buy more medium size gift bags for next Christmas.  

I also put a one pound bag of dried garbanzo beans to soak and boiled them.  Tomorrow, I will saute them with cut up onions, curry leaves, mustard seeds, green chilies, and a bit of curry powder and freeze them until needed for the almsgiving.  Tonight, I will put a packet of cashews to soak overnight, ready to be cooked, tomorrow.  I am trying to get as much of the cooking done ahead of time, in order not to get too tired on the day of the almsgiving.  

Daughter asked for oatmeal for her brunch and I made that for her (I am not a big fan of oatmeal).  Later, I made myself a sandwich with the last of the cold cuts.  For dinner, I cooked rice and broccoli for daughter to have with chicken curry and I finished the leftover turkey cottage pie.  I'm trying to make room in the fridge for the almsgiving food, but, I'm not having much success!

I also did a couple of loads of laundry which need to be put away, still.

Today, I am grateful for:

- This morning's rain
- Working appliances
- A warm house
- The summer produce from the garden, made into jam and chutney!
- Time spent crafting gift tags

Today's joyful activity was making the gift tags!

Plans for tomorrow include having a visit from neighbor S and her daughters and exchanging gifts with them.  Plus cooking some of the almsgiving food.

How was your Saturday?  What are your plans for Sunday and New Year's Eve?

Fun with Christmas Gifts

Baymax Santas?

 
My daughter made a set of round coasters based on the movie character Baymax, using punch needle embroidery.  She had glued on a felt backing to the coasters and had left them on the dining table for the glue to dry.  I saw them and decided to have a bit of fun with them, and placed them on my Santa place mats.

Baymax Variation

And Baymax in his armor:

Baymax in Armor

She gifted them to one of her friends as a Christmas gift, yesterday.  

I made a set of coasters, too, using pre-printed fabric I had in my stash, but, I haven't gifted them yet.  I don't think my friend checks my blog, but, just in case she (or her daughter) does, I won't post a picture of them, yet.  

Today, I took care of some bill paying in the morning (homeowner's and earthquake insurance), did the embroidery details on the coasters I made, and did several loads of laundry.  I've been experiencing some acid indigestion issues the past couple of days (too much of spicier than usual food, I think) so, I had some bread rolls with cold cuts for brunch and a baked potato for dinner.  Daughter had bread rolls with cold cuts for her brunch and leftovers (sausage, cauliflower, etc.), for her dinner. 

She also baked a batch of peanut butter cookies and a loaf of zucchini bread in preparation for a holiday dinner she's hosting on Thursday for a group of her friends from middle school and high school days.  

Today, I am grateful for:

- Time spent with my daughter
- Being able to pay my bills
- Working appliances
- Cards from friends and family
- Antacid tablets!

Today's joyful activity was making Christmas gifts.

Plans for tomorrow include maybe going to the Sri Lankan store to buy some of my favorite tea if they have any, some ingredients for the semolina cake (Love Cake) that we make at this time of the year, and a few items for the almsgiving.  

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

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas

A joyful Christmas to all my blog friends. 

My daughter and I had a relaxed day, today.  It was sunny and the afternoon high was in the mid 60s.  Very pleasant weather.  We weren't going anywhere or doing anything special, but, we spent a lovely day.

My friend S surprised me with lunch: 

Christmas Lunch from Friend S

She brought us yellow rice, a meat curry (not quite sure what kind of meat - pork, perhaps, or maybe mutton), cashew curry, two fish cutlets (the round balls - mashed fish mixed with potato and spices, breaded, and deep fried), eggplant curry (with the green chili on top), and Sri Lankan mixed pickles (with carrots, shallots, dates, and green papaya).  There were pappadums as well (fried lentil wafers). Daughter and I enjoyed our lunch.  We had the leftovers for dinner!  

Later in the afternoon, one of daughter's friends dropped off Christmas gifts as well as a big box of "imperfect produce" that another friend had shared - there were three spaghetti squashes, three zucchini, a cauliflower, several green bell peppers, two Napa cabbages, three eggplants, a 2 lb. package of green split peas, and a small package of pinto beans!  The fridge is full, because I had picked up groceries on Saturday and had bought a bunch of produce, then, too!  The imperfect produce seemed mostly perfect to me.  One zucchini had a soft spot, so I cut that part off, grated the rest of the zucchini and froze it to make zucchini bread, later.  The cauliflower needed to have some spots cut off and cooked right away.  I sauteed it with curry leaves, mustard seeds, turmeric, and salt.  I would have added a green chili or two, as well, but, my friend's food was spicy enough and I thought the cauliflower would be fine without chilies (and it was!)

I will deal with the rest of the produce, tomorrow!

I called a few family members and friends to wish them for Christmas and wrapped a few more gifts.  One of my cousins shared a video of her grandsons opening the gifts we sent them; they were so excited and happy!  That is what giving gifts is all about, isn't it?  

Today, I am grateful for:

- Spending Christmas at home with my daughter
- Friends bringing Christmas lunch (and dinner)
- Friends sharing their slightly "imperfect" produce
- Phone calls with family and friends
- My cousin sharing the video of her grandsons' opening their gifts from us

Today's joyful activity was celebrating Christmas!

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas.

Showery Friday

Santa Placemat

These are placemats I sewed out of preprinted fabric panels, back in the 1990s. The mittens are pockets to hold napkins and cutlery.  I made several sets and gave some as gifts and I kept a set of four for my own use.  

Today, it continued to rain on and off, with periods of sunshine in between rain showers.  The rain stopped in the evening and Saturday's forecast says there will be sunshine.

The last of the gifts I ordered were delivered today and I wrapped a few gifts and made a few cards.  I am rather behind with my cardmaking, this year.  I always say I will start early, but, then, I procrastinate!  

Wrapped Gifts

In addition to cardmaking and gift wrapping, I did a load of laundry, ordered some groceries to be picked up on Saturday afternoon, and did a little bit of house cleaning.  

M was here in the evening to tend to the garden.  He brought us a Pink Lemonade blueberry plant as a gift!  We potted it up and made room for it next to the other blueberry bushes.  We gave him his gifts and he said he will open them up on Monday.  I hope he will like the hat!

We had assorted leftovers for our meals, today.  We had leftover hot dogs for brunch and daughter had rice with chicken curry, green beans, and peach chutney for dinner; I had a cold cuts sandwich because I was not very hungry.  Neighbor S sent over some gata (Armenian cookies) and baklava!  I had a piece of baklava, but, kept the gata for my daughter.  

Today, I am grateful for:

- The rain we've received
- M tending to the garden
- The gift of a pink lemonade blueberry plant
- S sharing some treats with us
- Being able to order groceries online

Today's joyful activity was wrapping gifts and making cards.

"All these holiday preparations are exhausting!"

Plans for Saturday include picking up the groceries and more gift wrapping and card making.  

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

Another Rainy Day on Thursday

Knit Hat

It has poured with rain all day, today!  We are having another 'atmospheric river' flowing through our region, apparently!  I heard on the news that some areas have received over 5 inches of rain - that is more rain than we had all year not that long ago!  In 2020-2021, for example (our rain "year" is from July 1 to June 30), we had 4.85 inches of rain, total.  The average annual rain fall is 15 inches.  

Daughter and I had a very relaxed day, today.  I finished knitting a hat to be given as a Christmas gift.  Gardener friend M lost his knitted hat a couple of weeks ago and he had asked me to look around my garden to see if I could find it, but, it wasn't in my yard.  He might have lost it in a different yard, too, but, the last time I asked him, he hadn't found it.  So, I thought I should knit him a hat.  I considered adding a bobble to the top, but, decided against it.  

We had hot dogs for brunch, today and for dinner, I cooked a chicken curry and green beans, while daughter put the rice to boil.  Fresh pineapple for dessert, afterwards.

Today, I am grateful for:

- More rain for the garden
- A snug roof!
- A warm house
- Working appliances
- Spending a relaxed day at home

Today's joyful activity was knitting. 

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

Rainy Wednesday

Holiday Scarves

The two scarves I knitted are done (unless I decide to embroider some snowflakes on them - still debating on that).  They are both knit very simply with garter stitch (knit on both sides).  I cast on 25 stitches with medium  weight, worsted acrylic yarn (Red Heart brand) and US #7 needles.  US #8 needles are the size recommended for this weight of yarn, but, I seem to have misplaced one of my US#8 needles (still have the pair of UK #8 needles), so used the #7 needles, instead.  The red yarn was leftover from when I used to knit red hats for newborn babies for the American Heart Association (they stopped asking for hats a few years back).  The blue yarn and the white yarn were leftover from when I crocheted a baby blanket for my cousin's grandson.  I had added the yarn to my daughter's stash, but, took them back for this project!  The scarves are going to two sisters, so, the same pattern, but, different colors!

It rained very heavily during the night and has rained on and off all day, today.  M was able to fertilize some of the fruit trees during his visit (the rain had ceased for a bit when he arrived, but, then, it began to drizzle while he was here; then, it rained quite heavily shortly after he left). He brought me two small bunches of variegated azaleas from his garden. 

Today, I decorated the Christmas tree:

Christmas Tree 2023

My daughter was sleeping off a migraine headache most of the day, but, she placed the tree topper after she woke up and felt better.

We had leftover French toast and bacon for brunch.  For dinner, I cooked a spicy "devilled beef" - thinly sliced beef sauteed with onions and tomatoes, etc., with plenty of chili powder and other spices.  Daughter cooked the rice to go with it.  

I am also cooking another beef smore (which is like a pot roast of beef cooked with lots of spices in coconut milk).  

I am also marinating the chicken I bought on Saturday to make a chicken curry.  I might leave it to marinate overnight and cook it tomorrow.  I didn't make a meal plan this week, but, those will be our main meals this week and there will be leftovers, as well.  

My daughter is playing the piano as I type this - the piano is very out of tune, but, getting it tuned will have to wait until the new year!  

Today, I am grateful for:

- Rain for the garden
- M was still able to tend to the garden 
- Daughter's headache is better
- Daughter playing the piano and filling the house with some lovely music
- Getting some batch cooking done

Today's joyful activity was decorating the Christmas tree.

Plans for tomorrow include some more knitting!

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

Thursday

 

Cherry Tomatoes

Finally, we have a photo to go with the post about Thursday!  Yay!  I picked the last of the cherry tomatoes grown from the 10 year seeds!  Most of them are still green, but, the plants were looking half dead and I thought it was better to pick the fruit and compost the plants.  Maybe some of the unripe ones will ripen.  If not, I can make a version of salsa verde with the green tomatoes, instead of the traditional tomatillos.  Or, I could make a green tomato curry.

I woke up this morning to the sound of a chainsaw and a leaf blower!  New neighbor E and his crew were cutting down the big bottlebrush tree that was growing in his front yard.  There used to be a branch over hanging my driveway and the person with the leaf blower was blowing leaves that had fallen onto my driveway.  Then, he very kindly blew off all the leaves that had fallen on my parkway (some of which were from my eucalyptus tree) and the curb in front, as well!  My own bottlebrush tree grew from a seed from this tree and I have another seedling growing in pot, as well.  

I unraveled the scarf I was knitting and made it narrower (25 stitches instead of 35). Then, I spent most of the day reknitting the scarf! It is looking better and I think I will have enough yarn now.  If not, I'll knit a snowman face at one end!  Fortunately, my hands are not cramping, this time, and I am able to knit for longer stretches at a time.  I took a break to pick the tomatoes and uproot the tomato plants, to water some of the plants with water I had collected in buckets, for meals, to text with my cousin V (she replied to my text asking her what her grandsons are into these days), and to order the final gifts I needed to order.  I've completed my gift shopping and I've managed to stay under budget.  I just need to finish the gifts I am making.    

On Thursday, I was grateful for:

- Neighbor E's crew cleared leaves off my parkway and in front of the curb, as well
- The tomato harvest
- Being able to knit
- Daughter helping me with ordering the last of the gifts
- Hot water on tap!

Today's joyful activities included knitting and harvesting the last of the tomatoes.

Plans for Friday include going for my mammogram screening and having M bring in the artificial Christmas tree and set it up (which means I need to rearrange the family room to accommodate the tree!)

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

Still Photo-less on Wednesday!

There's nothing that interesting to photograph, right now! 

It was a relatively quiet day.  I woke up feeling a bit light-headed due to stuffed up sinuses and I decided to take it easy.  I did walk for 15 minutes in the morning, so that was something.

M was here, today, to tend to the garden.  He didn't see anything on the roof, so, I'm not going to worry about it.  He pruned the peach tree, spot watered the garden, and brought in the bin with the Winter Village items from the garage so I can set it up.  

I spent a good portion of the day knitting on the scarf.  I am running short of the red yarn!  I am not sure if I should use the other red yarn that's in the stash (a different brand), buy more of the same brand of red yarn, or try something different!  Maybe I should have made the scarf a little narrower, But, that would mean unpicking the whole thing and redoing it.

Anyway, I got most of the rest of the gifts ordered, today, again with my daughter's help.  I'm just waiting to hear from my cousin about gift ideas for her grandsons.  

Today, I am grateful for:

- Feeling better as the day wore on
- A working heater
- M's help with the garden, etc.
- Daughter's help with ordering the gifts
- Online shopping and delivery!

Today's joyful activity was knitting!

Plans for tomorrow include deciding what I want to do about the scarf and setting up the Winter Village.

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