Keeping busy

 I kept saying I really needed to get back to cross stitch and finish up a couple of projects.  Plus I had every intention of making a piece for the friend at work who created the sand art for me.

She and her Hubby are losing their Corgi to mouth cancer, of all things.  Its sad and terrible, and although we are co-workers who don't see each other often, she makes me laugh and is generally a brighter spot when I come into work in the afternoons.  Plus, I just need to keep my hands busy.

 

I plan on putting some script to this picture, then using my technique of mod podge-ing the cut ends so they don't fray, and mounting it with upholstery tacks on a wood plaque.  I like the ones that look like mini-pallets at Michael's.

Just a few more stitches to go and the doggie will be complete. I think she will like it!  I hope when she sees it over the years, it will make her smile, not cry.

I took my supply box to work, hoping we would have a bit of down time, but it's been busy.  So, I've been working on it here and there at the kitchen table.  Looking out at the sunny backyard, taking deep breaths, and staying as busy as I can.

Gina

Mealplan Monday #157

Monday - Asian Lettuce Wraps, fresh fruit
Tuesday - Freezer meal:  Leftover Lasagna, salad
Wednesday - Quiche, skillet potatoes
Thursday - Meatball and Rice Skillet (frozen homemade meatballs from a batch I made a while back)
Friday - Ranch BBQ Chicken, leftover scalloped potatoes from the freezer, veggie
Saturday and Sunday - TBD, but we'll probably grill.

Gina

5 thing Friday - graffiti art, lasagna, party, eclipse, sick day

 Bubbie has been at loose ends this summer - not enough hours scheduled at his job, no summer classes, no marching band or summer campouts.  I'm sure he's bored.

He's spent a lot of down time in his room when I cannot drag him out to go somewhere or to eat.  And one of the things he's been into is making these mini graffiti posters to hang on his wall.

They are very intricate and colorful. He loved art in school, but band and scouts took up so much free time.  I asked him to make me one for my locker at work.  And he already decorated one of the Jenga blocks at Highlands.  I was thinking I could scan one or two and make them into cards or such. 

I made a dish of lasagna using a recipe from one of the blogs I follow.  I used my homemade marinara, too.  It was delish, and made enough for me to put some aside for another meal.

Mostly Dollar Tree stuff for a going away snacks party for a co-worker.  I have rediscovered DT mostly because of this blog.  The Talavera tray I found at HEB and almost purged it on my last kitchen clean-out; I used it for dip and crackers.

 The eclipse happened.

Around 1 p.m. we stepped out onto the patio to see the very strangely shaped shadows of leaves and double shadows of our hands.  That was about the extent of our "eclipse watching party".

Yesterday I took a sick day from work.  I felt generally terrible all over and had an episode of vertigo.  I wasn't sleepy, but I spent hours in bed, reading.  Around 5 p.m. I finally got up and showered and put clothes on.  Then I ordered catfish take-out for Hubby to pick up.  We are supposed to get lots of rain in the next few days due to the hurricane, so it looks like I will get even more reading time.  I am making my way through the Outlander series and really enjoying it.  

On to the weekend!

Gina

Red Wing Dove and Hamilton

I am living in the moment, enjoying our summer!

 Hubby and I visited a cute winery just outside of Hamilton called Red Wing Dove.  We were the only ones there, and one of the owners was minding the tasting bar, so we got her full attention for the tasting.

Red Wing Dove had a nice open back patio with a water fountain quietly trickling.  It was very peaceful.

And the wine was very good!  The owner explained that they don't do "clubs" to artificially mark up their wines.  I can appreciate that philosophy.  We are pretty choosy nowadays as to what wineries we want to join.

Big open patios with open views, peaceful and quiet.  They have lots of get togethers instead of one big shindig every three months like most wineries.  We bought some of their estate white, the Tinto de Texas, and some jalapeno-infused white wine called Peno Vino.

 

 After the tasting we went to a meat market/BBQ place and had lunch.  Hubby loaded up on a rib plate, and I had the pork butt sammie.  We saw a group of people come in for packages of frozen chicken breasts wrapped in bacon - apparently a popular item as they cleaned out the freezer!  So when the owner brought more out, we snatched some up.

That evening at Highlands we grilled it up and served with a side of potato salad, also from the meat market.  Hidden in the basketweave of bacon was a perfectly seasoned chicken breast rubbed with pork rub. It was beyond good!  I'm already looking forward to our next visit to Hamilton.

Gina

Mealplan Monday #156

Monday - Spicey Sloppy Joes and chips
Tuesday - Brown Sugar Plum Chicken in crockpot, mashed potatoes, green beans or broccoli
Wednesday - Beef Fajita Salads
Thursday - Cheesy Canellini Beans with bacon and spinach, corn muffins
Friday - Indian Chicken in crockpot, jasmine rice, sauteed squash
Saturday - Hubby grills
Sunday - TBA

Updated basket liners

I have these baskets sitting on the counter that hold all the vitamins and meds that Hubby and I  take on a regular basis - it looks like a lot, but it's not all that impressive, trust me. 

The liners were starting to show their age.  When I did my recent kitchen spruce up and washed them, they pretty much fell apart. 

 

So I bought some pretty red damask patterned fabric and whipped up another couple liners, using the old ones as a pattern.  Not hard.

I would love to have more cabinet space to put these in, but having them here is a reminder of sorts, so here they live, next to the coffee pot.  A quick little sewing project, for sure, and a cheerful update.

Gina

Morning at Highlands

Last Saturday we spent the night at Highlands, after a whirlwind day in Hamilton, visiting a cute winery and eating great BBQ.  Hubby slept in, but I made a pot of coffee and settled myself in a chair to see what might wander past our hill.

This was my vantage point just outside of the barn.

Sure enough, after a few minutes something very quietly came into view.

And paused, looking around.  So I sat still.

Then a friend of his/hers appeared - maybe a mated pair?  Gray foxes!  And they couldn't care less that I was snapping phone pics.

Because they were nosing around the woodpile for small rodents or bugs, I guess.

I wish Scout had been here with his awesome camera and telephoto lens.  At one point they noticed me, but didn't run.  Just kept milling around the area, getting closer.

Until one of them sat over by the swing.  A pretty good size fox, I'd say.  Not one bit worried about me.

Hubby was annoyed he missed it.  But I think our foxes have a den on the fence line behind the barn, so I'm sure they'll make another appearance.  After he poured his coffee, we went on a morning walk.

Making our plans...

I spy the pergola, and a tiny bit of the barn.

Time to go cook a bit of breakfast..

The day is well underway!

Gina

Mealplan Monday #155

Monday - Make your own sammie
Tuesday - Cheater Lasagna, veggie
Wednesday - Buttermilk Fried Chicken Salads
Thursday - Heat and Eat Roast Beef Bowls (leftover roast beef in gravy, masheds, green beans)
Friday - (freezer) Chicken Tacos with pico de gallo, guacamole, cheese, sour cream
Saturday and Sunday - One of these nights will feature Pork Loin Chops with Mushroom Au Gratin Potatoes

Mealplan Monday #154

Monday - Deli sammie and chips
Tuesday - Southwest Flank Steak, rice, veggie
Wednesday - Chicken Avocado Salad on romaine, croutons or such
Thursday - Chicken Alfredo Spaghetti, veggie
Friday - Carnitas Tacos with cheese, sour cream, pico
Saturday and Sunday - TBD

Gina

A quiet finale

Court of Honor went off rather hitch-less on Monday night.

It was a simple yet meaningful ceremony.  The men and boys of the troop did a fine job and Bubbie was quiet, but he smiled at everyone and thanked them with hugs and handshakes.   He didn't have much to say up on stage - probably a little nervous in front of a church full of people.  We saw lots of folks we hadn't seen in a long time - neighbors, scouting family, and real family, too.  All of us arrived home rather tired and most of us went straight to bed. 

I'm sure as the days pass, Hubby will feel bittersweet about it - our last boy to go through scouts made it all the way to the top (!).  And so with that, we are somewhat closing a door - even though, with scouting, you can always stay engaged, if you choose to do so. And he was encouraged by many of them to do so.  I'm so glad he had all of these positive peers and role models in his life.  Makes me worry a little less about the baby.

Gina