Windy Wednesday, Too

Crocheted Blanket

This is the blanket I washed, yesterday.  I crocheted it, several years ago, as a way to use up all the leftover bits of yarn that had accumulated! 

Close Up of the Stitch

I am not sure what the name of the stitch is, but it resembles a shell pattern.  I tried to alternate rows of light and dark to the extent possible, but, towards the end (top of the blanket), I ran out of dark colors and there isn't much of a contrast.  But, it was a good way to use up all the leftover yarn!

It was another sunny, warm, and windy day, today, although the wind gusts were not as strong as they were yesterday.  According to the news, yesterday's wind gusts knocked down several trees and at least one power pole.  I was happy that the only things that were knocked down in my garden were some potted plants.

I hadn't planned on going to the pharmacy, today (running errands is scheduled for Tuesdays and Fridays), but when they texted to let me know that a refill was ready for pick up, I decided to go to the pharmacy, especially since I didn't need to run any errands on Tuesday.  While I was there, I redeemed a $5 Extra Bucks coupon and bought a 4-roll package of toilet paper that was on sale for $4.99 (according to the package, the four "mega" rolls are the equivalent of 16 regular rolls!).  Then, since the dollar store is right next door, I went in there to see what they had that I might want (although I didn't actually need anything).  I bought two tomato plants for $1 each.  And, I went to the grocery store in the same shopping mall and bought 10 cans of wet cat food for $5.50.  I almost bought a package of whole wheat bagels for myself, but put it back. 

After I came home, I rested a bit and then, rather reluctantly, I might add, I got the vacuum cleaner out and vacuumed the house.  This time, I didn't get an asthma attack!  I also cleaned my bathroom - just the one, because the second bathroom hasn't been used at all after I cleaned it last week.  Then, I watered the peach tree (it has dropped almost all the tiny peaches that were forming!), the orange tree, and the newly divided and transplanted lemon grass clumps. 

I didn't do any decluttering or organizing in the spare room, today, however.  Running errands tired me out!  Instead, I pulled out some of the yarn to start a new project.  My cousin who is visiting from Australia revealed that her daughter was expecting her first child later this year.  I thought of making a baby quilt to send through my cousin, but, when I checked my fabric stash, I saw that I didn't have any fabric that was appropriate for a baby quilt, in terms of color and pattern.  I am debating whether to go to the fabric store to buy some suitable fabric, but haven't decided, yet.  I thought that, instead of a quilt, I could make a baby blanket with some of the yarn in my stash.  A blanket would take less space than a baby quilt in my cousin's suitcase, as well.  I am planning to crochet the blanket and use white yarn as it is a neutral color, suitable for either a boy or a girl, as my cousin said they didn't know the sex of the baby.

My joyful activities for the day included buying tomato plants for the garden and playing with yarn!

Today, I am grateful for:
- Another drama-free medication refill!
- No damage to the house or garden from the wind
- Daughter had an opportunity to interview for a promotion
- A sunny and warm (if windy) day
- The yarn stash
 

Wednesday's To Do List:

- Vacuum - DONE

- Clean the bathrooms - DID ONE

- Do one decluttering/organizing task in the spare room
- Pharmacy - DONE
- Buy cat food - DONE
- Water the peach tree, orange tree, newly transplanted lemon grass clumps - DONE

- Dailies (dishes, litter box, etc.) - DONE

Thursday's To Do List:

- Clean the kitchen

- Paperwork/filing

- Water the garden, front
- Trip to the fabric store?

How was your Wednesday?  What are your plans for Thursday?  What do you think is better?  A baby quilt or a crocheted baby blanket?  Or...both?

Windy Tuesday

Yellow Rose

Half Opened

It was another sunny and warm day in Southern California, but it has been very windy!  Once again, I am so glad I had the eucalyptus tree trimmed, last year!

I took a walk in the backyard because some oranges had fallen from the tree due to the wind, and the first roses of the season caught my eye.  I have very few rose bushes remaining, but they are doing their best considering how neglected they are!

Almost Hidden by the Weeds

Today, I woke up feeling drained of energy!  Unfortunately, there are still days like today, although they occur less frequently.  I listened to my body and took it easy, for the most part.

Purple Martha Washington Geranium

Originally, this geranium was a volunteer plant in my garden - it poked itself up from under the back  garden wall - perhaps an offshoot of a plant that was in my neighbor's yard?  We dug it up, carefully, and planted it elsewhere and it flourished.  At one time, I had a whole bed of these geraniums, but most of it died during the drought and last year's heat wave.  M cut it all back and just one plant revived and came back up!  It looks nice and healthy, though, and has begun to flower.  I am hoping to be able to take some cuttings from it and grow another bed of it.

I rested practically all day, today.  Later in the evening, around 7:30 p.m., I told myself that I should, at the very least, dust my bedroom and do a load of laundry.  I am bound and determined to stick to my cleaning schedule!  So, I put a load of laundry to wash and dusted the bed room.  Then, I washed the day's dishes and put away the dishes from yesterday.  Cousin P called as I finished washing the dishes and I chatted with her for a bit.

Afterwards, I decided to do one baby step in the spare room.  I put a few more things away and managed to consolidate the contents of a couple of bags.  I am seriously not allowed to buy any more yarn:

The Box of Yarn

My yarn box is practically full!  Some are leftovers from previous projects, some are for on-going projects (like the red yarn for the Heart Association's Red Hats for Newborns), and some are new yarn bought for intended projects including three new sweaters, but I need to put myself back on a yarn diet until I finish all the projects I've started and/or planned!   I've been crocheting granny squares with some of my leftover yarn to make a blanket; the bag of already crocheted granny squares is also in this yarn box, under the yarn.

I spent about one hour sorting through stuff in the spare room closet.  I really do have a lot of crafting supplies!  I need to sit down and actually do some crafting!

Later in the evening, I video chatted with my daughter.  She will be interviewing for a job promotion, tomorrow morning.  If she gets the position, she will get an increase in pay and will continue to be up in Berkeley for a few more years, at least.  If she doesn't get the position, her current contract will end at the end of May and, since it can't be renewed again, she will move down here and look for a job here.  We are fine with it, either way.

Today, I am grateful for:
- The first roses
- Fresh oranges from my tree
- All what I was able to accomplish
- An abundance of craft supplies
- Video chatting with my daughter

It took me awhile to get started, today, but, I still accomplished all that was scheduled for today!

Tuesday's To Do List:

- Change my bed sheets - DONE

- Do laundry - DONE (2 loads)

- Dust my bedroom - DONE

- Bring the trash cans in - DONE

- Water the houseplants - DONE

- Do one organizing task in the spare room - DONE (worked on the closet)

Wednesday's To Do List:

- Vacuum

- Clean the bathrooms 

- Do one decluttering/organizing task in the spare room

- Dailies (dishes, litter box, etc.)

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

Monday's Happenings

It was the anniversary of my step-father's birthday, today.  He was my dentist before he became my step-father.  I was 8 years old when I first met him and I cried as I sat in his dental chair!  I was 11 when he and my mother married.  He always referred to me as his daughter, although I called him Uncle, and taught me a lot, including his favorite song, Danny Boy. 

Today, I got up around 10:00 a.m.  I was expecting Aunt C and cousin N to visit sometime later in the morning, around 11:30 a.m.  So, after I had my tea and replied to blog comments, I did the dishes I didn't do on Sunday.  I was just getting ready to cook when Aunt C called, around 11:30 a.m. to say they were getting delayed as they had a few errands to run.  I told her to take her time, there was no rush.  It meant I had a little more time to prepare!  I cooked rice, a chicken curry, sauteed broccoli, and took a packet of previously cooked and frozen cashew curry from the freezer and microwaved that instead of cooking a lentil curry.  It gave me enough time to do the dusting that was on my cleaning schedule (even dusted the family room that is scheduled for Tuesday!) and a little tidying up.

Aunt and cousin came around 1:30 p.m.  My aunt is so funny!  She said they just came to give the gifts and had to leave right away.  I told her to stay and have lunch, I had cooked.  Aunt turned to her daughter and says, "I told you she would have cooked something" and told me, "I will eat, I'm very hungry!"  LOL!  I'm sure my cousin told her mother not to say anything about wanting lunch, just in case I hadn't prepared anything!

We had lunch and exchanged gifts.  We were laughing because my cousin and I gave each other cat themed calendars and we got each other gift cards to the same store and for the same dollar amount!  Too funny!  Cousin loved the other cat themed items I had bought or made for her Christmas gifts, too. 

They both commented on how clean the house looked, which pleased me  to no end.  They left around 3:30 p.m.  After they went, I finished sewing up my black sweater.

New Black Sweater

The back and sleeves are stockinette stitch; the front has a pattern called Roman Rib stitch:

Roman Rib Stitch - I don't know why it shows up grey in my photo

I wanted a plain black sweater with just a little pattern to keep it from being too boring.  It fits very nicely, I think:

New Black Sweater

Later in the evening, I put water to the garden, took out the trash cans, etc., and video chatted with my daughter.

My joyful activity for the day was having aunt and cousin over to lunch.

Today, I am grateful for:
- Having electricity
- Aunt and cousin N visiting
- Being able to have lunch with them, after all!
- My step-father and what he taught me
- A new sweater

Monday's To Do List:

- Cook lunch - DONE

- Dust living room & dining area - DONE; dusted the family room, too

- Clean the fridge - DONE

- Take trash cans to the curb for Tuesday trash pick up - DONE

- Water the garden, front and back - DONE
- Do dishes - DONE
- Clean the litter box/sweep - DONE

Tuesday's To Do List:
- Change my bed sheets
- Do laundry
- Dust my bedroom
- Bring the trash cans in
- Water the houseplants
- Do one organizing task in the spare room

I tweaked my cleaning schedule, a bit, since I dusted the family room on Monday, but didn't change my bed sheets.  So I will change the sheets and dust my bed room, on Tuesday.  And, since I don't need to run errands, I will do a baby step in the spare room. 

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

Sunday's Happenings

Sunday morning, I went to the Temple to attend a special ceremony - the depositing of relics in the new stupa (or chaitya/cetiya as it is also known) that is being built. 

The New Stupa or Chaitya 

The new stupa that is being built was draped with banners representing the colors of the Buddhist flag: blue, yellow, red, white, and orange.

Buddha Statue and Reliquary

A specially made and decorated box or reliquary was placed in the main shrine room, in front of the statue of the Buddha.  The relics and various other offerings and written prayers were placed in this reliquary, which was then closed and placed inside the stupa, through the square opening visible in the top picture. Once the prayers were said and blessings were chanted, breakfast was served to all who were there, well over 100 people!  At first, I was going to leave without having any breakfast, but the monks insisted, so I served myself some food, but chose to bring it home to eat.

Breakfast: Milkrice and other goodies

Starting with the chickpeas/garbanzo beans at the bottom of the plate and going clockwise, there is a piece of ribbon cake, mung kavum (sweetened mung bean paste dipped in rice flour batter and deep fried), saudodol (also known as walithalapa) which is a type of pudding made with rice flour that has been sprinkled with water and stirred to form into tiny balls, like cous-cous, and steamed before being cooked with treacle and spices, kokis (similar to Swedish rosettes, but made with rice flour batter and not sweet), milkrice, and a bit of lunu miris (a type of sambol or relish made with onions and chili ground together) to go with the milkrice.  Not at all low carb!  Not by a mile!  I didn't eat all that in one go, though.  I ate the milkrice, sambol, and chickpeas with the last of the fish curry gravy I had at home.  The rest was put in the fridge for another day.

After I came home and ate, I mended the quilt I had washed.

Later in the afternoon, I picked up friend R and we went shopping for some much needed clothing items!  We had given each other gift cards to this one department store for Christmas, so we decided that we should shop together, too!  Afterwards, we went out to lunch at our favorite cafe.  After lunch, we both did our grocery shopping at the Armenian store before I dropped her off at her apartment and came home.   I had invited her home to have a cup of tea with me, but she declined as her home was close to the Armenian store and she didn't want me to have to drive her back, again.

Cousin P had called while I was out so I called her back and we chatted for a bit.

Late at night, around 1:30 a.m., I was writing an email to a friend, when the electricity went off!  My whole block was in darkness, but the street lights in the adjoining street were working.  We don't lose power that often but, when we do, we are reminded just how dependent we are on electricity!   It is also a good reminder to be prepared for just such an event!  I keep a flashlight under my pillow in case of an earthquake which might result in a power failure.  I was able to feel my way to the bedroom and get my flashlight (I routinely check to see if the batteries are OK) and then, I made my way to the kitchen where I keep candles and lighters.  I said my prayers and prepared for bed by candlelight, last night!

On Sunday, I was grateful for:
- Being able to participate in the temple event
- Special treats for breakfast
- Getting together with a friend to shop and lunch
- Good deals at the grocery store
- Being prepared with flashlights and candles when the power went off

Thankfully, the power was restored later in the night, or very early this morning, after being out for about 3 hours (I'm not sure quite when the power came back on, but the bedroom nightlight was on when I woke up, once, around 4:30 a.m.)

Sunday's joyful activities included attending the special ceremony at the temple and getting together with friend R.

Sunday"s To Do List:
- Attend the temple function - DONE

- Do the dishes
- Clean the litter box

- Sweep the bathroom floor, around the litter box

- Go out to lunch with friend R - DONE
- Finish sewing the sweater - DID SOME
- Mend the quilt - DONE

Are you prepared with flashlights and candles should the power go off?  Do you have a generator, if the power stays off for longer periods of time?  

April Grocery Shopping - Week 1

4/7 Groceries

I went grocery shopping, today.  I went to the Armenian store.  I had been planning to wait until Tuesday, when chicken drumsticks were going to be on a 1-day only sale at $.59/lb.  However, Aunt C called this morning to say she and cousin N were planning to stop by on Monday to exchange Christmas gifts, so, I thought I had better get some groceries to cook a meal for them.  I paid the store's regular prices, today; nothing I bought was on special sale. 

I bought:

2 lbs. (almost) chicken drumsticks @ $.99/lb = $1.90
1 (20 oz) bag of honey barbecue glazed chicken wings = $3.99
4 cans of condensed milk @ $1.69 =  $6.76
Bananas @ $.49/lb = $.64
1 Papaya @ $.69/lb = $1.47
Onions @ $.39/lb = $.41
Green beans @ $.89/lb = $.73
1 lettuce = $.79
1 cucumber = $.34
Broccoli @ $.99/lb = $.94
Cheese (Wensleydale with apricots) @$5.99/lb = $3.14
Total = $21.11


I had read about Wensleydale cheese in one of the British blogs I read, at Christmas.  When I saw it for sale at this store, the last time I shopped there, I was tempted to buy it, but I didn't.  Today, however, I decided to buy the smallest piece they had to try it.  I am not a big cheese eater, but, this sounded interesting.  I read that it was a dessert cheese with a crumbly texture.  I tried a small piece of it and I like it,  It's very mild, which is what I like, and not too salty.  I especially like the bits of dried apricot mixed in it! 

A New Cheese to Try

Today's grocery total came to $21.11.

4/7 Receipt

But, first, a quick review of my March grocery budget and spending:
March grocery shopping budget = $75
Spent in March = $1.79 + $7.74 + $5 + $23.29 + $4.07 + $5.70 =   $47.59
Amount left in the March grocery budget = $75 - $47.59 = $27.41

The $27.41 left in the March grocery budget is being carried over to the April budget.  I will use it to replenish my earthquake supplies and to stock up on a few things (and for novelty items like the cheese I bought, today!). 

My April grocery budget is $75 + $27.41 carried over from March = $102.41

I spent $1.49 on April 2 to buy a dozen eggs.

Spent to date in April = $1.49 + $21.11 = $22.60
Amount left in the April grocery budget = $102.41 - $22.60 = $79.81

I will cook a chicken curry, tomorrow, some lentils, rice, and the broccoli.  Aunt and cousin N can have some lunch when they visit and I'll probably pack some of it up for them to take home with them.   

I don't do a regular weekly meal plan, but, there will be leftovers from tomorrow's lunch, plus the leftover beef stew (at least one serving left), and, I have plenty of fresh produce for salads, and the makings of tomato soup in the freezer.  Plus, there are eggs for egg salads or scrambled eggs, and canned tuna for tuna salad.

How is your April grocery shopping coming along?  Do you have a set grocery budget?  If money is leftover at the end of the month, do you carry it over to the next month?  Have you tried Wensleydale cheese with apricots?  If so, do you like it?

Family Get-Together on Saturday!

I slept in, this morning (as usual), and spent a relaxed rest of the morning.  Cousin P called around noon to find out if I was going to the family get-together in the afternoon and, if so, could I give her a ride; I confirmed that I was going and will give her a ride.  The get together was being held by her cousin R, actually, to celebrate R's husband's birthday..  It was being held at 3:00 p.m.; we left home around 2:00 p.m., but there was so much traffic that it actually took 1 1/2 hours to get there.  As always, there was plenty of food, conversation, and laughs.  My cousin who is visiting from Australia was also there, so I was able to meet and chat with her, as well.  We were there until almost 7:00 p.m.  The party was still going on, when cousin P and I left.  We got home shortly after 8:00 p.m.  I had a cup of tea and rested.

Friend R called after I got home and I had a nice chat with her.  We might go out to lunch, tomorrow, depending on how long the event at the temple takes.

Today, I am grateful for:
- Family get togethers
- Being with my cousins and good friends
- A safe drive there and back
- Phone calls from friends
- Chatting with my daughter

Today's joyful activity was getting together with the cousins and extended family.

I am glad I didn't have any cleaning tasks scheduled for today, because I didn't do any!  I didn't do any sewing, either!

Saturday's To Do List:

- Attend a family get together/give a ride to cousin P - DONE

- Finish sewing the sweater

- Mend daughter's quilt

Sunday:
- Attend the temple function

- Do the dishes
- Clean the litter box

- Sweep the bathroom floor, around the litter box

- Go out to lunch with friend R?
- Finish sewing the sweater
- Mend the quilt

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

Friday

Jasmine Vine

Many years ago, my mother bought a jasmine vine which she planted in the front garden.  She had M build a trellis for it with PVC pipes and wire mesh and it grew well.  But, then, I needed to replace the water pipes and the main water pipe coming to the house from the mains ran directly under the jasmine vine!  The vine had to be cut down and dug up.  We replanted it in the back garden, where it did quite well, until the drought came.  It died down in the second or third year of the drought.  However, one little sprig had self rooted and we dug it up and potted it.  Eventually, two years ago, we planted it in the front flower bed, and trained it to go up the trellis.  Last summer, it barely reached half way up the trellis.  But, this year, it has climbed all the way up to the top and is flowering!  I am hoping it will continue to grow and, eventually, cover the entire trellis.

Today, I spent a relaxed morning, sleeping in, replying to blog comments, and visiting a few blogs.  In the afternoon, I watered the peach tree and the orange tree and did some weeding in the bed where the peach tree is.  It was a cool, overcast afternoon, and I weeded for just over one hour before I got tired.  Later, M finished weeding that planting bed for me.

Orange Flower "Snow" 

Later, I sewed up one side of the sweater, did a little mending, did a load of laundry (one of daughter's quilts), did a little more file clearing while I watched the news, and started on the spare room closet.

The spare room is supposed to do triple duty as a guest room (there is a twin bed in there), crafts room, and home office.  Right now, however, it functions as a storage room and is known as The Dump!

The spare room closet is supposed to store most of my craft supplies, some of daughter's collectibles, and various bits and pieces.  This is a basic, one rod/one overhead shelf type of closet, with access to the attic space (unfinished attic) cut into the ceiling.  I had a second overhead shelf installed, using plastic coated wire shelving, for additional storage.  On one side of the closet, I have put in a metal shelving unit and, on the other side, I have an old chest of drawers.  I will take some photos during the day when there is more light.

Ideally, there is a small space in the middle of the closet so that one could access the items stored on the metal shelving unit and the drawers of the chest of drawers can be opened (I have fabric stored in those drawers).  But, in reality, stuff was thrown into that space, as well, until the whole closet was stuffed to the gills!
 
Today, I took out everything from the middle of the closet and off the overhead shelves, wiped the wooden shelf, and put some stuff back on the shelves.  Eventually, I am going to need some storage bins.  For now, things are in an assortment of  plastic bags, totes, and baskets.  I worked on that closet for one hour and then, stopped, as I was tired.

Dinner was a beef stew made with some of the pot roast I had cooked and frozen, earlier:

Beef Stew

Today, I am grateful for:
- A relaxed morning
- A productive afternoon
- All what I was able to accomplish today
- Time spent in the garden
- Video chatting with my daughter


Friday's To Do List:

- Do one decluttering/organizing task in the spare room - DONE (closet)

- Do one deep cleaning task - DONE (spare room closet shelves)

- Water the peach tree and orange tree - DONE; weeded, too!
- Sew up the black sweater - DID one side

Today's decluttering:

Metal Canopy Frame

My daughter had a canopy bed when she was a child; these are the metal pieces that formed the canopy frame.  The bed was given away several years ago, but the canopy frame had been stored in the spare room closet! 

My joyful activity for the day was weeding!  I enjoy weeding; I find it almost meditative (plus it is good exercise for me!).  I also feel my mother's presence when I am out, tending to the garden that she loved. 

Saturday's To Do List:

- Attend a family get together/give a ride to cousin P

- Finish sewing the sweater
- Mend daughter's quilt

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