5 thing Friday - Rusa, landscape lights, reading, unfinished projects, eating in

One of the ladies I work with brought me a Rusa on Monday. 

Holy cow was it good.  It's made with fresh orange and lime juice, chamoy sauce, Tajin, fresh fruit, and citrus soda, topped with a chamoy straw.  A little sweet, a little spicy, very refreshing!  I need to buy the ingredients so I can make these at home this summer - they are delightful!

This week has been all about starting, then stopping, on projects.  Exhibit A are the pieces to the landscape lights.  I washed the spiders and dried mud off and removed the batteries to reorder fresh ones.  The bottom part to the stakes are still sunk in the landscaping.  Part two is to dig those out and reposition the lights.  I will also need to use black Gorilla duct tape to reinforce the pole part of the stakes.  

Also.  You would think the rainy days mean I was getting ahead on the photo album project, but you would be mistaken.  However, I did give it at least three hours this week, and I am currently on album 3 of hopefully only 4.   Its a very slow process involving editing, trimming, and tears.

I have reading to catch up on for book clubs. Which wouldn't be hard but I got a couple of chapters through the top book (When Two Feathers Fell from the Sky) and realized it was meh.  Still, I want to finish it so I can contribute to the discussion.  The next two books are for the clubs that meet at a brewery.  I finished 4 books in April - a lot for me.

(friend me on Goodreads if you are a reader!)

And lastly, sewing - I need to hem one of the new tops I bought recently since it's too long and needs a couple of darts added - otherwise I love the color, print, and fabric. I probably should have ordered a smaller size.  Oh well. Hopefully I can get to that today.

But not before I do some random cross stitiching.

Yesterday I was going to take myself out for breakfast, then I realized I had everything at home to make migas with green chile salsa, homemade refried beans, sausages, and skillet potatoes.  It kept me full until lunch and cost me zero dollars of eat out monies, not to mention time I can spend on leisure activities.

And it was delish.

Happy weekend!

Gina

5 thing Friday - curtain spiff, Dubai chocolate, a good dinner, stitching, Empty Nest

Projects around the house were very low key this week.

I installed a regular curtain rod in the office and ordered a simple rod pocket panel in a dusty blue: 

The walls in here are a gray called "Train", but it has a hint of blue to it.  And since I decided that it was rather plain, I added a beaded fringe along the top and the hem.  Is it perfectly done? No. If you examine it you will see a messy hem at the bottom, since I seriously underestimated how tricky it is to machine stitch not only that fringe, but the flimsy fabric as well.

The fabric is a crinkly gauzey polyester and slippery as an eel.

It's hard to get a good close-up of the beads, but they are lovely.  Its sort of boho chic and I kind of love it. 

I finally got to try a Dubai-style chocolate bar and it was as delicious as I imagined it to be.  The chocolate was Belgian, which I find a touch sweeter than your usual milk chocolate.  I think that it would be even better made with dark chocolate.  At $8 it was a splurge and not something I will be adding to my usual grocery order.

To balance out the candy, I made a seasoned curry rice and some honey carrots to go with pan fried tilapia and that was also quite good!  I find that I can cook for myself with no great trauma about 3 nights a week.  I'm still working on it.

A work friend is leaving soon, and I bought her some wine she likes and thought I would stitch a quick something to hang on the bottle.

Also not perfect!  But heartfelt.

If you've been reading this blog a bit, you know that this has become an unofficial Cannary motto, and one I try to remember daily.  The rest of the quote states that "optimism is a magnet for good luck".  I am hoping that is true.

We did it, Mark!

I wish you could be here to share this milestone.

I got the last Cannary kid launched into his own apartment, living life on his own.  He took the rest of his things yesterday and whatever he didn't want went into my donate pile and directly over to the Habitat Restore.  As I told him yesterday, "you got this, I love you and am very proud of you, and don't forget: you know where to find me".  For launching four of them into adulthood with strong family support and a mom on their side, I'm proud of me, too.

Gina

Monday menus #107

First cross stitch of the year completed.  Next up is a punch needle kit. 

And I'm still working on my 1500 piece puzzle and powering through some new books.  Last year I read 34 books - hopefully I will increase that this year.

Monday - kitchen closed

Tuesday - Calamity Chicken, small baked potato, green beans {on call}

Wednesday - Shredded Pork Tacos with pico de gallo {on call}

Thursday - Crockpot Chicken Chili {doing some purging in the garage after Scout's move}

Friday - Shrimp Ramen Soup {payday, clean fridge and freezer out}

Saturday and Sunday - kitchen closed

Dessert this week is Berry Cobbler

Gina

5 thing Friday - lapis ring, crockpot chicken, books, cross stitch, Mom's yard

When I was 16, my mother went to San Francisco for a few weeks to learn Ultrasound.  While she was there, she purchased this lapis, intending to set it in a ring someday.  At age 19, I took it to a jeweler and had it set for her in 14kt gold.  To my knowledge, she never wore it, even though she was thrilled to receive it as a Christmas gift. 

I have seen it in her jewelry box for years.  Full circle moment:  it is now my ring, and I have been wearing it here and there, just feeling that connection with her.  Most of the jewelry I inherited from her is hard to wear.  I treasure these items, but I know I would not be able to own them without her death.   

Change of subject.

This chicken recipe from The Crockpot Lady, served alongside a chopped kale and cabbage salad, buttery rice on the side, was a fantastic meal this week. Bubbie told me it tasted like Christmas - the recipe includes allspice and cinnamon.

The Goodwill I shop at is small, but when it comes to the book section, its the place to go!  The lady who works there is so nice that it makes for an enjoyable half an hour, picking up new books to read.  My goal lately is to carve out more time reading, less time scrolling.

  

I would also love to start a new cross stitch project and I am inspired by the pretty projects posted by an old friend.  I am hoping she may share her patterns with me because sketching them out from a photo is challenging!

The evolution of Mom's yard the past few months:

{photos courtesy of nosy neighbor across the street}

Overgrown and neglected yard.

The executor hired a yard crew to mow, remove trash, and cut the oleanders way back - it really needed this.

100+ year old tree, as seen from Mom's driveway before.

Some 20 feet up is the remains of a wire clothesline.

Disaster struck when a storm blew through just as the executor was going to list the house for sale - my mother would have been devastated at the damage to her home and the loss of this tree.

Tree removed, repairs to garage and house being made, yard to be re-sodded.

Tree crisis managed - now will the house sell?

Its like its all still hanging over our heads and we won't truly be able to move on until the estate is settled, once and for all.

Gina

Monday Menus #4

I did finally finish that Amour cross stitch I was working on.  Since it was my first one, I placed it in a hoop, backed with a scrap of floral fabric and hung it in my closet.  I think future ones I stitch will be on smaller count colored aida to make them more interesting. 

But I have quite the sweet collage wall going in my closet and it makes me smile!

Monday - Spanish Chicken and Rice with olives, collards

Tuesday - Taco Soup for one in my mini crockpot (1/2 lb ground turkey)

Wednesday - Salmon Patty, green beans, cheesy pasta

Thursday - Comfort Chicken* in my mini crockpot, butter rice, rest of collards {mammo at 745 a.m.}

Friday - Stuffed Yellow Bell Pepper (1/2 lb ground turkey), green beans

Saturday - Enchiladas Con Carne for one, salad with romaine, Roma tomato, green onion, olives {lunch with Bubbie}

Sunday - TBD {not sure if The Girl and I are back to our weekly Sunday meals yet}

Gina

*Comfort Chicken (the single version)  2 boneless chicken breasts, 1 can cream of chicken soup, pinch dried thyme, 1/4 c stock, 1/4  onion chopped, couple carrots peeled and sliced, cook on low in the crockpot while I'm at work!

5 thing Friday - windows, thrifting, cross stitch, groceries, Firstborn

 Much as I love this kitchen bay window, I probably should put up some sort of window covering since the house next door has finally sold.  

Blinds are pricey for the type and size I want, and I need something that won't damage the wall.

I'm thinking I will use a heavy duty extension rod and gauzy fabric with curtain clips.  Even burlap would do.  I don't want to lose the light in here, just gain a little privacy.

It feels like I haven't been to a thrift store in forever.  I made a run to Goodwill to donate some stuff from that hall closet and picked up a cute summer top, a pullover dress to wear with leggings, 2 novels, and a basket for washcloths in my linen closet - $20 bucks.  Not really cheap - I need to exercise my thrift store shopping muscle a bit.

A friend of mine posted this pic on her Instagram and I was smitten.  I sketched out the heart with all of its symbols, sans the writing, and it is my current project.

I may make several of them for gifts, in different colors.

I am on track with my grocery budget.  Its actually not impossible, I just have to be creative and plan, plan, plan.  Not just what's for dinner, but lunch and breakfast, too.  And I have to say, I eat fairly well.

Firstborn has a birthday next Wednesday.  You would never know to look at him, but he was a small baby and always in the 50th percentile or less on the growth charts.  I'm glad I didn't worry about it too much - but for sure I will tell my own kids when they become parents someday:  trust yourself and your own instincts.  If your child is pooping, they are eating.  If they are playing and sleeping and laughing, they are likely healthy.  And if they kiss you and tell you, I love you, Mom, (especially when they are adult)  you did all the right things. 

Happy Friday the 13th!

Gina

5 thing Friday - stitching, labyrinth, tranquility, bacon fat, Mark

 I've been setting my alarm for a little earlier than usual each day, making coffee, journaling and working on my GriefShare notebook, checking email...then turning off the computer and spending at least 30 minutes stitching before I pack a lunch, take a shower, and eat breakfast.

It's strangely relaxing.  I listen to meditative music and think of nothing, just stitches.  It is 100% better than spending time staring at the computer screen and is a calming start to my day.

At work we have a tranquility room.  I forgot about it for years, but its been there, all along.  One of my favorite aspects is this labyrinth plaque.  The message, framed below it, instructs you.  After I trace it with a fingertip, I sit for a few minutes and take in the calm.

There is usually a sound machine on - you can choose from a range of sounds.  Sometimes there are painted rocks - take one and reflect on the hand-painted message someone drew on it.  Or aromatherapy sachets that smell of lavender - you can tuck it into your pocket or use its sticker back and attach it to your name badge.  On this particular day there were small cards that had inspirational messages - read one and place it back into the deck.  This is just a lovely place to be for a few minutes in the midst of your day.

For so long I have purchased turkey sausages, thinking they were better for me than low salt, low sugar bacon.  They aren't.  And bacon fat is a happy by-product of a package of bacon that when cooked, equals 6 servings of bacon for me to go with one of my weekday breakfasts.  Cook it, freeze it, save the fat.

Someone set up a Dia de los Muertos display in our breakroom and it is so colorful and beautiful and full of life...so I made a copy of this favorite photo of Mark to add to the display along with other co-worker's loved one's photos.  I hope I will not cry when I place it there.  But I make no promises.

Gina

Empty Nest menu #133

Moving right along with my stitching. 

I'm calling it "Mourning Heart".  I know I will mount it and hang it, but haven't decided where.

Monday - Salmon Patty*, risotto, green peas {back to my regular schedule at work and counseling in p.m.}

Tuesday - Roasted Chicken thighs, sweet potato, some sort of pasta?

Wednesday - French Toast with blueberries, turkey sausage

Thursday - Shrimp Fried Rice with shredded brussels sprouts and carrots

Friday - Tilapia, twice baked, green beans

Saturday - TBD

Sunday - Dinner with The Girl

*pre-seasoned and formed patties at HEB, about $4 each and pretty tasty

Gina

5 thing Friday - next door, succulents, oats, me, stitching

The house next door to me is being sold or leased or whatever for the umpteeth time in the 25 years I have lived here.  Every time, there is a crew of maintenance people or a subcontractor or some such doing repairs or renovations. Literally every time.  Right now there's a dumpster in the driveway that's been there 3 weeks.

And on this latest go round they are leaving these super bright lights going day and night.  When I get home around 10:30 p.m., my kitchen and dining room are lit up! And they stay on all night.

The succulent pot I was sent a couple weeks ago is not only thriving, but sending out shoots.  I offered my green thumb girl to come see if she can propagate more from it's various shoots.  Seems a shame not to make even more plant babies.

{But I do believe in "gardening by choice" where baby plants are involved...}

My appetite has returned but not necessarily my love of breakfast, which is why I am so enjoying the whole overnight oats thing.  This one had oats, chia, applesauce, pumpkin seeds, maple sugar, and oat milk.  Its cool and chunky and creamy and altogether benign to my stomach in the morning.

Hello.

I wish I was not horrified by seeing myself in photos.  I feel like all they all say the same thing to me:  you've had a rough year.  And hopefully the only way to go is up.  My hair will eventually stop falling out.  I will be able to smile more, cry less.  I can meet people, do things, have fun, and smile.  And I am taking care of myself as best I can.

Another cross stitch heart like this one, only in black on grey fabric.  I think it will look pretty in my bedroom, or over my closet vanity shelf.  I've been stitching about an hour every day and it helps me relax.  Sometimes I talk out loud to myself.  Sometimes I listen to old music and sing along.  Always I feel creative and peaceful.

Happy weekend!

Gina

5 thing Friday - eye injury (again), magnifying glass, advice, mirror, evening sky

One day last week I managed to poke my bare eyeball with my bath towel as I was drying off from my shower.  It hurt and I was a little freaked out about it so I took a series of pictures to share so that if someone found me blind and wandering the streets, they would know how it all started.

I looked pretty freaked out in all of the photos, but really, I was calm, considering.  I must have it hit it pretty hard!  And today you can't see it.

Crisis over.

Speaking of eyes, I'm trying to not spend unnecessarily, but I bought this lighted magnifying glass on Amazon that has probably saved me from eye strain and made it possible to work on this bookmark cross stitch kit from The Girl.

Working late this week has given me more hours to work on it.  And now I can work on some other projects that were causing me eyestrain.  So, good purchase, I recommend!

I wished I had been mentally strong enough to follow this advice months ago.  Simply decline - I love that.  Fits so many situations! These things pop up in my Insta feed and they speak to me. One of them: agreeing to over-time.

I was getting ready for work yesterday and thought "I need a full-length mirror".  Then I remembered that I have three of them already; one in each extra bedroom.  So I ripped one of them off the wall and nailed it right up in my bedroom.  Then I patched and painted the wall I took it down from and no one need be the wiser.

A July sky at 9 p.m. in Austin, Texas at my my hospital.  Just a really pretty view from the top floor of the parking garage.  Here comes the rain and we so need it!

Gina