Walking 4 Fun, Treadmills and an Empty White House

 Well, barely hiking it should say.  Since I'm still with the broken foot, wearing a boot and using the aid of a walker.  But, I do still wear my fitbit...haven't hit goal in AGES.  The pictures of Walking4Fun are truly awesome.  If you've not checked out the site, you really should.  You can link your fitbit and or other electronic devices to it so your steps are automatically attached to a virtual trail.  Or, you can manually add your steps.  

In truth, this more accurately shows my current level of activity.  LOL, though I can't drive the car to the gym to do this; so continue to knit.  Making good headway on the afghan in the previous post.  Scroll back please if you missed it.

Started this series yesterday, after finishing Downton Abbey.  Juries out so far.  It seems odd to me that the man character, the priest is involved in solving crimes and is extremely friendly with females.  Have you watched it?  Did you like it?  Did you find it believable?  I've watched just 2 episodes of it so far on Amazon Prime.

Some have quit, some have been forced to resign, some have been fired: David Shulkin, H.R. McMaster, Rex Tillerson, John McEntee, Gary Cohn, Hope Hicks, Rob Porter, Omarosa Manigault-Newman, Dina Powell, Tom Price, Sebastian Gorka, Steve Bannon, Anthony Scaramucci, Reince Priebus, Sean Spicer, Mike Dubke, James Comey, Mike Flynn, and Sally Yates.  MASS EXODUS from our White House.  That list is NOT complete, there are more names that could be added to the list and that doesn't include those who've decided not run again....  It seems to me even if you're actually in favor trump, you ought to be very concerned, very upset about the fact that he can't keep a staff.  Having people who know what's going on, having some consistency is important in any place of employment.  NEVER is our history has the swinging door been on on such high speed you barely can keep track.  There are 19 names above and I believe the current count is close to double that.  To keep track of soap opera, you need flash cards.  Truly a sad state of affairs.

Link for credit for the last picture, showing how empty our White House is
https://www.google.com/search?q=empty+white+house&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjLs6rSurfaAhUNYK0KHWp-A_AQ7AkINg&biw=1536&bih=759#imgrc=kIRetgfhzJMEQM:

Broken Bones, and Downton Abbey

Current afghan I'm working on for Bridge and Beyond.  Called Learning Logs.  Started it some time ago to learn how to use multiple colors/stands at the same time.  This was through a lesson I purchased on Crafty's.  The lessons were flawed, as was the pattern and through lots of complaints it was removed from Crafty's, along with the instructor.  However, I did actually learn how to slip stitch and use multiple colors.The pattern was 6 large blocks all with these different patterns and colors.  FAR too busy, I think for one afghan.  So, am adding to it in solids with some texture at the moment.  I may decide to add some additional color with stripes as it's grows; but will try to keep the center the busy part.

You see me wearing the boot in the afghan picture.........here's the reason why.  Fractured 5th Metatarsal Bone on Right Foot.  

Watching this, courtesy of a friend has helped pass the time while I sit with foot elevated.  Never had the chance to watch it when it was on, so have been enjoying her collection of the entire series.

Am so very tired of winter.  We've been wetter and colder than normal.  How are things for you all?

Cuisinart Food Spiralizer

 This is my new toy/Spiralizer.  I bought it at Cosco's for $15.00.  It's a 4 cup basically plastic model from Cuisinart.  A friend of mine had been talking about one she got that was a combination of Spiralizer and food processor.  It's nice and light weight.  Comes apart easily to be washed, see picture below.

There are 3 settings: Ribbon Slice, Thin Julienne, and Thick Julienne.  Thus far I've used both thin and thick Julienne.

My first go round was thin Julienne using both summer squash (yellow) and zucchini.  It was easy to use.  I used almost 2 Zucchini's and one summer squash.  Was not sure how much I needed for 2 people.  Also, was unsure how much it would shrink when cooked.  The pan is the top of my double boiler with nice holes.  I had my water hot and simply set the pan with Zucchini and Squash inside the larger pan with water and stirred a few times.  Basically I heated it through for about 1 minute...similar in texture to Angle Hair.

I had mushrooms, onion, cherry tomatoes and pine nuts at the ready.  Once I drained the squash, and the pan was still hot, I added the veggies and put the hot squash on top and stirred to warm the veggies.  Topped with grated Parmesan cheese, and fresh ground pepper.  It was pretty good, but I think more flavor is needed AND next time, I will saute the veggies.  Drizzled nice olive oil on top before adding the cheese.

My 2nd attempt, the following night is Thick Julienne Sweet Potatoes.  Look how pretty.  Used almost 2 whole potatoes which was more then needed for 2 people.

I used the same process of hot water and dipping the pain with holes into the water, but heated the sweat potatoes about 3 minutes, which was a nice aldente...the way we like our pasta.  I sauted onions, mushrooms, pine nuts, and handful of bacon bits.  Added the potatoes into the pan used to saute veggies and mixed them all together.  Drizzled with olive oil, and freshly grated Romano cheese.  The better cheese, the little bit of bacon both seemed to make the 2nd dish more tasty than the first.  

Served with salad and wine.  A definite repeat.  This is suppose to be a healthier alternative to eating lots of pasta.

The little brochure that came with the machine says the following can be Spiralized:

• Zucchini
• Summer Squash
• Radishes
• Beets
• Potato
• Sweet Potato
• Turnips
• Onions
• Firms pears
• Wide Carrots
• Apples
• Seedless Cucumbers

I'll be experimenting further with this new toy/tool/machine.  I think it will be particularly nice in summer when it's hot and you want to eat even lighter.

Counting Days til Spring

This is not my idea of a pretty day, I want Spring.  I basically start counting down for Spring almost as soon as fall hits.  I used to like fall, but now all it does is make me sad summer is over.  Fall is always too short and I know what follows......scenes like above.  BOO!!

Some people like snow, some think it’s pretty.  I did when I was younger.  I do think it’s ok to look out if you have to go no where and you can watch the kids next door or across the street making a snow man or something along those lines, but like it.......NOPE!!

Just thought I post the picture, as I reminder of what winter in Ohio looks like.  I know some who visit the blog are from the South and wonder about snow.

Winter is a good time to read, to knit, to crochet or do other indoor activities.  If you scroll back, you’ll see some of the projects in the works for me during my inside time.

Works in Progress - Project Bags

Some time back these stripes were donated to Bridge and Beyond.  They are crocheted and were intended as scarves.  However, they weren't really large enough to meet the needs of homeless that are served on Bridge and Beyond, so they were laid aside for awhile.  My daughter helped me design future afghans from these stripes.  As always, we name afghans that made from various peoples donations.  I like the blue, green and purple which made us think of mountains, and thus the name of Mountain Haze.  The stripes aren't all equal size, so will need some edging to make them all fit nicely together.  Then there will be a good size border to make the afghan a good size.

This  future afghan is called Orange Julius and comprised of both knitted and crocheted squares, and rectangles.  Like the stripes above in Mountain Haze, they are not the same size and will be fitted together after edged.  It too is resting in one of the project bags below with the necessary yarn and crochet hook.  I've packed these 3 projects bags in hopes of completing these 3 projects soon. 

How many projects and or projects bags do you keep at the ready?  The green and brown are more stripes which were intended to be scarves, but weren't large enough.  People mean well, but sometimes they donate items without reviewing the requirements and guidelines.  In order to be sure the donations get used, I try to be creative.  We've titled this one Rolling Hills. 

And below is an afghan I've started knitting after raiding my stash.  I found burgundy, gray, teal that you see below, but also have orange, lavender, and gold that are the same type and weight of yarn.  I'm calling this one Eclectic Afghan...unless someone can come up with a better name. 

My idea for the new year, 2018, is to have a project bag for each day of the week.  But, I've not yet gotten there.  I thought by having a bag a day (7 project bags), I could have both large and small projects, some knitted and some crocheted to constantly be making progress.  That might keep things moving along vs trying to work on a large project, then starting others and having too many things laying around without reasonable progress.  We'll see how it goes.  I hope with having small projects that be worked on without being home and larger items for home, we'll make progress.

A YEAR in Review

Today is January 1, 2018.  Happy New Year to you all.  We stayed in last night, had a good dinner, then popped the cork at 12 mn, watched a bit more tv as we were enjoying the bubbly and called it a night.  I hope if you were out and about you were safe and warm.

That's the last completed projected, emphasis on the word completed for the year 2017.  This knitted afghan wasn't yet laundered or blocked in this picture, thus it's not laying out super nicely.  Once blocked it will be added to the donations for the homeless through my blog, Bridge and Beyond.

This afghan was completed just prior to the one above.  Was pushing hard at the end of the year to get them done.  The center pink was a small square someone had donated to Bridge and Beyond, and I added to it, to make an afghan.  It too was laundered, blocked, and donated.

This was a cute ferry garden we saw while traveling in Ireland in the fall.  The trip truly being a highlight of the year.

You can talked about Ireland and Scotland without thinking about Castles!  WOW and then some.  I've posted some, and will continue to post about Ireland and Scotland on my travel blog, Traveling Suitcase.  Please enjoy traveling virtually with me.

In some respects this has been a good year, I traveled to Ireland and Scotland, as mentioned above.  I returned to a favorite spot, Hilton Head and Park City in Utah for vacations both with hubby, daughter, and girl friends on different trips.  I love to travel.  But, it's also been a difficult year.  I've lost a cousin rather suddenly that took me by shock.  Somehow we all think we have endless time and can do tomorrow, or call someone tomorrow.  Just isn't always the case.

Politically, I am extremely dishearten by the person occupying the White House when he's not playing golf at one of his private clubs and charging The American Public for it.  

I hope 2018 holds some improvements for people suffering from illness.

And tomorrow, will be another day, January 2, 2018

Hope you noticed a new badge I added to this blog to join a blog linky party that focuses on yarn!  Oh lovely yarn.  Check out the badge upper left, Ginx Craft.

From Socks to Veggies at Christmas

 Do you sport fun Christmas socks?  This is a pair my Darling Daughter got me a few years ago.  LOVE them.  Please click to see the Martini Glass.

 This is a pair I've had for awhile, but hey...no holes yet soooooo

 Cute, Cute idea for a veggie tray.  Perhaps less variety than many veggie trays though.  Might give some thought about how you could change it to use a bigger variety of veggies!!  Thoughts ideas?  I've never made this, but saved the picture from Facebook either from last year or the year before.

And did I mention Kitties at Christmas?  

Totally off topic, does anyone know how to change the font, the default font on blogs?  I know I can highlight and select after the fact and change to what I like .....but, how can you do it without having to change it each time you post?

Calories, Crocheting, Charity and Wine

 I have many friends I know personally who use a Fitbit, plus I have a ton of on line friends who wear a Fitbit.  I love the little device and have met face to face with several of my Fitbit friends after knowing them on line.  I consider that a real plus.  It's really lots of fun meeting up with people you chat with on line.  My steps have been way down though lately.  I don't enjoy walking outside in the cold.  It didn't used to bother me.  Last winter I went to the gym and used the treadmill, but I haven't even gotten back into doing that.  I need to.  A couple of those pounds have found their way to my waste again.

 Aren't these cute?  Colorful too.  When my daughter was home for Thanksgiving she and I made these.  Well actually, I made a couple and she made about 10.  I took the picture early in the process.  These are water filter covers.  She's part of a group that sends water filters to Uganda.  Trouble is they are rather fragile and break easily, so they came up with the idea of making a filter cozy out of cotton.  These crocheted cotton cozy help protect the much needed water filters.  I've got a good mound of cotton in my stash and we'll no doubt make more when she comes home for Christmas.  My problem is you need to crochet quite tightly which is hard on my arthritis, so I can't make as many as she can.  I had to switch projects, to something that would bother my arthritis less; and I was trying hard to finish a couple of afghans for my charity, Bridge and Beyond.

This is a wine rack.  Can you tell?  LOL.  It was a kit.  Hubby and I've been looking off and on for one that would fit our space, so we could save space in the kitchen cabinets where the wine and wine glasses have been.

AND.....here it is all put together in corner in the dining room.  It holds 2 cases of wine, though you can see we have some empty spaces.  It holds a dozen wine glasses.  We're pretty happy with it....and it was on sale!

Are you getting ready for Christmas at your house?  I've barely begun.

Setting the Table

 I don't really decorate for Thanksgiving, or really any holidays beyond Christmas.......except I do like to change napkins and placements to be seasonally appropriate.  I purchased these probably last year, and have never used them.  Was actually looking for ones I have that are more Thanksgiving Looking with a pumpkin...but in the process came across these.  Pulled off the price tags and decided this would be a good time try my hand at the napkin folding thing.

You might remember me posting about it a few posts ago.
I choice what appeared to be best match for what I was doing, as I wasn't putting dishes on the table.  This is the 2nd or 3rd from the end of the video, as I recall.  Pockets for your silverware.  I only added a spoon that day, as we were having chili for dinner and only a spoon was needed.

Even though I didn't find or use the Thanksgiving Placemats, I was happy with these very fall like placemats.  LOVE the colors.  Plus my flowers from work for my birthday were indeed a good match color wise.

We did not do Thanksgiving at my house, we went to my older brothers.  Believe there were 19 of us for the feast.  Hope you all had a wonderful and safe holiday and enjoyed special time with friends and family.

Happy Birthday Girl

 This gorgeous bouquet is one of two from my Darling Daughter!!  Sipping my 2nd cup of coffee of the morning, still relaxing in my jammies when the door bell rang.  It was Fed Ex, who rang the bell as they left the box of flowers by the door.  I don't know what some of the flowers are, but they're so pretty.  Pink roses, several shades of pink in the unidentified category and pretty purple.  This bouquet is on the dining room table, and the 2nd bouquet is in the living room.  So I can enjoy these in more than just one room.  Happy Birthday to me.  My DD is so thoughtful.    She'll be home next week for Thanksgiving, can't wait!!  Thank you Darling Daughter!!!

 Those who know me, or have read some of my posts, probably know how found I am of a good Martini!  This Birthday Card really made me laugh out loud.  I sometimes attempt to do some yoga moves.  Mostly my exercise is doing planks, and walking...lots of walking.  One of my Fitbit Friends, Cheryl saw this card and thought of me.  Yep, she knows pretty well.  Thank you Cheryl.

This cute little bouquet is from my work.  They gave it to me yesterday, since I wasn't working today.  Love the pretty fall colors, and the little mason jar.  I am enjoying this in my office.  It's on top of my bookcase.

I'm not a person that really does much about birthdays.  My family really never was.  We're not big card buyers, or gift givers; so it's unusual for me to even post about it.......but hey with pretty flowers and funny card....just thought I'd share.

Are you big on celebrating birthdays?  Do you buy cards for others?

Hubby is taking me out for a nice steak dinner ...and I had a lovely massage earlier today.

So, yeah I'm getting older.  As old as Dirt; but life is good.

Fun Dressing Up the Table

The family dinner table is an important part of family life. Sadly though it seems many families don't sit at the dinner table together as much as they did when I was a kid, or even as much as we did when my own daughter was a child. Many experts say that's a key thing missing in today's society and family structure.  Kids are busy with school and related sports activities and families eat on the go.  But, perhaps with the holidays approaching setting a nice table and sitting together as a family can be achieved.

My husband and I always eat in the dining room, except for Friday night which is traditionally pizza night at our house.  That night we sit in front of the boob tube.  I always use cloth napkins.  They're more environmentally friendly for one, and I like the feel of them over paper napkins.  I've not yet tried these folds, or anything beyond folding flat or rolling; but plan to.  I wonder if the napkins need to be fairly new so they're sorta stiff?

Do you use cloth napkins?  Have you tried these or other pretty/cute folds?  Do you eat at the dining room table?  Leave me your thoughts in the comments below.

This blog has been in moth balls for a while and I'm hoping to fix that.  I recently re-charged my travel blog, Traveling Suitcase, where I'm currently blogging about a wonderful trip to Ireland and Scotland.  I've managed to keep my charity blog, Bridge and Beyond, current.  But, back to napkins, I always pack cloth napkins when hubby and I travel domestically.  We stay in condo's/timeshares so do the bulk of our meals in.