A peek into my week . . .

Outside my window . . . Today is dark, rainy, cold and smokey.  Of course I'm not complaining about the rain because we needed it so badly.  On a good note, we got a letter from the canal company telling us that we now have enough water to finish out the rest of this growing season and enough to get us through next Spring as well...really good news, but we could still use more!  It is about 48 degrees right now, but by the end of the week the temperatures are suppose to be in the 80's again!

I'm thinking . . . My heart has been really heavy the last couple of days.  A wonderful friend of mine passed away on Monday from a brain tumor.  

38 years ago, we lived next door to Carol and her family.  She was a sweet friend and confidant, a smart intelligent, funny lady who could make everything alright with just a smile or a hug.  She was multi talented, a little eccentric - in the best way of course, she loved children and was an amazing storyteller.  She told stories at many different venues and could just draw you into the story and make it real and magical.  We had so many fun adventures, and a few sad times, but we always came out laughing.  Carol was a second mother to my youngest daughter, I never, ever worried about her when she was with Carol and her family.  She was loved by all who knew her and will be terribly missed.  Carol used to remind me that this earth was not her home...her struggle is over and she is home 💓

I am thankful for . . .I'm so thankful for family and friends who have taken such good care of me while my feet heal.  I probably should ban myself from the stairs, but you know what they say - when you get bucked off, get back on!  There is still laundry to do and other things that need to be done in my basement, so onward and upward!  My husband doesn't like the idea of me going up and down the stairs and constantly reminds me that he can do the laundry and take care of anything that needs done (he's sweet that way),  but sometimes a girl likes to do her own laundry!  My feet are healing slowly, and one day, I might even be able to put my shoes on!  Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers, I have felt every one of them.

I am creating . . . I'm still working on my crochet pumpkins, they're almost done, just some finishing touches and they can be used for Fall decorations.  Can you believe it's almost time for, pumpkin spice, sweaters and all things cozy?!  I can hardly wait!

A random photo . . .  My oldest granddaughter doing what she loves!

 In the kitchen . . . Not really a lot going on in the kitchen lately, although my husband helped me shred three large cabbages so we could make sauerkraut.  We love sauerkraut at our house, it's a healthy and delicious way to get your probiotics, plus, homemade sauerkraut tastes amazing!   In this batch I used two large green cabbages and one purple cabbage, it will be super colorful and delicious!  I keep it in a glass dish because as it ferments, it overflows a bit.

My daughter and her husband went to Utah last week and brought me back a half bushel of beautiful peaches.  They are so sweet and such a treat this time of year.  There was a time that I used to buy peaches by the bushel-full and take days canning them for winter.  I'm not sure I'm up to canning right now, but we will enjoy fresh peaches until they're gone.  I think I'll make a peach cobbler later today  and then put a few bags in the freezer so I can make peach ice cream when I need a taste of summer ;0)

 A special moment in my day  . . . 46 years ago I was in the hospital giving birth to my amazing daughter...Happy birthday, Amber!!  This beautiful girl is an amazing wife, mother, sister and daughter and friend, and we are blessed beyond measure to have her in our life!

 A quote for today . . .

 

Have a wonderful week-end...be safe! XOXO

Hugs and Love,

Barb

A Peek into my Week . . .

Mother Nature . . . It has been snowing this morning, very lightly, nothing big.  I love it when the willow trees start to turn yellow, it means that winter will not last forever.  I feel so bad for the folks in the East - they just don't get a break!  They are all in my prayers.

My Thoughts Today . . . We had to run into town yesterday for a Dr. appointment for Bob's foot.  The stitches weren't dissolving like they should so it was a little infected.  I hope that it's better soon, it's no fun to walk with a hurty foot.  I went to the Dr. on Monday and I have bronchitis... it's a bugger!

We also had to take my lap-top to the doctor - it had a very slow and painful death the other day...and the news was...it's dead.  I was shocked to hear that a lap-top or tablet will only last two years...really?!  They said it would cost about 120.00 to get it up and running with no guarantees . . . they say that technology moves so fast they they can't keep up with the new programs and updates...very sad.  So, I guess we will have to dig deep and buy a new one.  They certainly don't make things like they used to.  A refrigerator will only last about 10 years...I had one that lasted 12 years and they said I was just lucky.  I have an old fridge in the garage that is over 30 years old, and a freezer in my basement that is at least 50 years old, it was my grandmothers, and it runs like a charm!  They really could make them last longer, but, they want us to buy new ones... ;0)

My grandson went to college today!!  I'm really excited for this new chapter in his life, a little scared, but happy that he is ready to get on with his life.  He will only be about 30 miles from home, which is good, that way I can spoil him once in a while.  Although it's kind of sad to think that he is all grown up.  Oh, how the time just flies!

Creative Me . . . I love this cute headband!  I have a couple of little granddaughters who would look really cute with this on.  You can find the pattern here, and it's free and easy!

I have always loved this dresser!  I have an old dresser in my spare bedroom that really needs a make-over and I think this would be a fun thing to do with it.

My hall bathroom is ready for a make-over as well.  The floor needs tile, and the walls need painted.  I love the blue color in this pallet called, Milk Pail.  I think it would be so pretty on the walls.

Dreaming about . . . You guessed it . . . summer . . . big fluffy clouds . . . camping . . .  sitting in the sunshine!

What's for Dinner . . .   I don't know about you, but I love meatloaf!  I'm making meatloaf, baked potatoes and green salad for dinner.  I love left-over meatloaf sandwiches, one of my favorite things in the world.  When I was a in high school, there was a boy that used to sit by us in the lunchroom.  Once a week his mom made him a meatloaf sandwich, and of course, I coveted it!  I got really brave one time and asked him if I could share with him . . . he said yes!  I gave him some of what I had, and he split his sandwich with me, I was in heaven!

My Basic Meatloaf Recipe

1 1/2 lb. ground beef
1/2 cup ketchup
2 eggs
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 - 2 tsp. Italian seasoning
3/4 cup bread crumbs,  oatmeal 
or crushed up crackers
1/4 cup onion (you can add more if you like)
1/4 cup green or red pepper
2 tsp. dry mustard
2 Tbl. milk
1/4 - 1/2 cup ketcup
1 - 2 tsp yellow mustard
1 - 2 tsp. brown sugar

Mix first 11 ingredients together and form into a loaf.  Bake at 350 degrees for about an hour.  Mis the next 3 ingredients and spread on top the last 20 minutes.  You can make more of the sauce if you like it saucy!

Just Sayin' . . .

Hugs and Love,

Barb

A Peek into My Week . . .

Mother Nature... It's cold outside today, but the sun is shining...temporarily!  It's suppose to get really windy and maybe even rain today.  

Last Sunday, as we were getting ready for church,  it started snowing!  I'm afraid that we are in for another snowy and very cold winter.  Yes, those are snow flakes, and the leaves are still green.  I'm ready for some fall colors in my world!  

My thoughts today...  My gorgeous granddaughter, just turned 17...17?!  It's just so hard to believe that she is growing up so fast.  She loves to play baseball, ride horses, hunt, fish, and go camping, did I mention that she loves to ride horses?!  But most of all she loves to have fun with her sweet little sister, Averi.  She is cute as can be and loved more than she will ever know!! To me, she will always be my sweet little, "Bugs".  

This is my handsome grandson.  He went hunting yesterday and got his deer, which made him really happy!  I won't show you the deer, because that may be really hard for some of you to look at.  He always makes me smile, he's such an amazing young man.

Blessings . . . The other day, I received this wonderful gift in the mail, from a really sweet blogging friend, Saimi!  Thank you, Saimi, these sweet little cinnamon coated, roasted almonds are so delicious!  I count my blessings everyday for the wonderful friends I have made through blogging.

Creative Me . . .  I have been busy crocheting this cute little, dragon hood for one of my granddaughters, who loves dinosaurs and dragons, so this will be her, Christmas gift, unless I can't wait, and I give it to her for Halloween...;0)  I hope mine turns out as cute as the one in the photo . . . you just never know.  I still have some work to do on it.  The spikes across the top felt a little flimsy to me,  so I made two so I could double them.  I'll just sew them together, that will make them a little sturdier.  It's an easy pattern, didn't take much time at all...just patience.  I think it's just adorable!  I'll show you a picture of mine when it's finished.

Dreaming About...  Can you believe that, Christmas is just around the corner?! I don't put my big tree upstairs anymore, it stays downstairs.  I have some little artificial trees that I put upstairs, because they don't take up as much space.  Here are a few ideas I have for them...

I have a large, very old trunk that I usually put them in, kind of like the top photo.  I like both of these ideas, but I really get stuck in a rut sometimes, and don't change things up.  I have an old table, very similar to the one in this photo.  It would be cute to use it instead of the trunk...food for thought.

Looking forward to... I'm looking forward to, Thanksgiving.  I really do have so much to be thankful for.  I'd like to find some fun and different ideas for dinner.  We really get stuck with the same, turkey and gravy dinners, so I would kind of like to change it up.  How does this sound, instead of turkey?

I think ham sounds delicious for Thanksgiving...here's the recipe!

I would still keep some of the traditional sides, like stuffing, cranberries, rolls and creamed corn (our favorite), but, I might even change them up a bit . . . I think it would be fun to do something different for a change.  Can you tell I need some changes in my life?!  What are some of your traditional, Thanksgiving recipes?

What's for dinner... I'm making these, easy, yummy, enchiladas for dinner... and maybe some rancho beans and a salad, or maybe some rice...I can't decide.

Easy Layered Beef Enchiladas

1 pound ground beef

¾ cup chopped onion

1-2 garlic cloves, minced

1- 4.5-oz can chopped green chilies

½ teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1-10 oz can enchilada sauce

8 corn tortillas

1 cup shredded cheese

Sour cream if desired

Heat oven to 375°F. In large nonstick skillet, cook ground beef, onions and garlic until beef is thoroughly cooked, stirring frequently. Drain. Add green chiles, salt and pepper; mix well. Remove from heat.

Pour 1/2 can of the enchilada sauce in bottom of ungreased 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish. Arrange 4 tortillas in dish, overlapping slightly. Spoon beef mixture evenly over tortillas; top with remaining 4 tortillas. Pour remaining can of enchilada sauce over top. Sprinkle with cheese.

Bake at 375°F. for 20 to 25 minutes or until thoroughly heated.

Just Sayin'... 

Have an amazing week-end!!

Hugs and Love,

Barb

A Peek into my Week . . .

Something from my Playlist . . . I just can't wait until we have apple blossoms!  It seems like Spring is taking her sweet time, but then again, it's only March.... :0)  But, thinking about apple blossoms gave me the perfect chance to play one of my favorite songs for you!  I can remember listening to, Tab Hunter singing this song and swooning over him!  Once, I bought a new wallet and his picture was in it, Ohhhhhh joy!  I left it in the wallet and told all my friends he was my boyfriend . . . I know . . . but I was only 10 years old!

Mother Nature . . . It's cold, the wind is blowing, off and on rain . . . it's not nice outside!

 My Thoughts Today . . . I have been looking at a few pictures that I took on Easter.   I don't take photos like I used to, I don't think my grands like it, and really, I'd just as soon share those memories in front of the camera.  But, that said, here are a couple of cute pictures I took.

 Three of my cute little grands, I have four granddaughters, but Averi wasn't on the four-wheeler this time.  They love to ride around the pasture. they could do it for hours!

 Grandpa really likes to tease the kids . . . and he really did get a reaction from some of them when he put this elk in the backyard!  These two little cuties wanted to have their picture taken with the elk, they thought it was, "awesome"!  It did look real, especially from a distance.

Feeling Blessed . . . I am so blessed to have wonderful people in my world!  A sweet friend brought these beautiful tulips to me . . . I love the little fringe around the edges, aren't they just gorgeous!

And on Saturday, another dear friend brought me this beautiful green plant.  I have been thinking that I needed some green in my house . . . how did they know?!

Creative Me . . .

 

So Cute!  I found this on Hometalk, I always wanted to make one, maybe with these directions, I will be able to make it happen!

This is something else I want to do.  I found this one on, handyfather.  I'm going to try to re-do my computer room and I think I could put this right over my old computer desk, it would be a great update for my very old desk!  

From my Library . . . Ive been reading my scriptures, so I haven't had much time to read anything else.  I'm almost done, and I have a few good books downloaded on my Kindle, so I should get to them.  I love to read, but I have a hard time reading during the day.  Reading at night helps me fall asleep, although I have crazy dreams sometimes because of it!

Looking forward to . . . I can't wait until, General Conference this week-end.   Then, in April, we are taking our annual anniversary trip.  I can hardly wait to get our little trailer on the road again!  Some friends of our were going to go with us, but because of other commitments they won't be able to go. . .  :0(   But, it's only March, we have the whole summer to have fun with them! 

What's cooking . . . My kitchen has been very boring.  My husband and I are on a low carb diet, and it's hard to come up with really good recipes that I would want to share.  Tonight we had steak and green salad, nothing fancy about that.  But, I really love low carb tortillas.  They are wonderful for breakfast filled with scrambled eggs and bacon, or like today, we had wraps with a little cheese and turkey and pepperoni, they were yummy!  I also have found I have a love for, vanilla almond milk, not sweetened of course, it's really delicious!

Just Sayin' . . . 

 

XOXO,

A Peek into my Week . . .

Something from My Playlist . . .  Just because . . . you all know my love for oldies.

Mother Nature . . . Mother Nature is really being a pest!  Yesterday we had beautiful weather, temps in the upper 40's and 50's!  In fact the weather was so nice yesterday that my husband went golfing! Today, it's cold, windy, cloudy and rainy.  I know that others are not so lucky, and they are in my prayers.  I can't imagine being in a tornado, it must be terrifying.   I am so grateful that there weren't more casualties, and my heart breaks for those families who lost loved ones.   

On my Mind . . .

If you have read my blog, you know that I rarely talk about my religion or politics. That said, I am absolutely ashamed of the way that the politicians in our country are acting!  The vulgar language, of especially one of them, is outrageous!  The only one running that I would even hope to be the next president doesn't even have a chance, because he is too respectful.   I am very disappointed that out of all the people in the whole,  Untied States of America . . . this is the best that we have to offer, what a shame.   Nuff said.

In a Nutshell . . .  I have had a fairly busy week, lots of running around, and one day of not feeling well.   I guess that's just the way it is, and life goes on.  I always get in the spring cleaning mood this time of year, especially when the sun starts to shine, and the weather warms up . . . I need to get busy before it goes away!  

The last 4 years, my garden has just been horrible, so we are going to plant the garden spot into grass. I am trying to decide whether to build a few raised bed, or plant in pots.  We are gone a lot in the summertime and I'm not sure that pots would get the water they need.  It's a hard decision, because I really love having a garden, and would miss the fresh vegetables.   What do you do?

The other night, I was getting ready for bed when I got this cute video on my phone.

This grandma's heart was very happy!  This boy is a such a little sweetheart, I love him too!

Dreaming About . . .

I just love this idea! My file cabinet looks just like the top picture . . . it needs a make-over!  I could not find the link, but I think it's so fun!

 

I love anything whimsical and pretty, like this cute lantern.  I found the idea here.  I think it would be very cute to put on the patio . . . so cute!

My husband loves pickles, we buy lots of them.  The other day we were at the grocery store and bought a jar of pickles.  We brought it home and put the pickles in the pickle keeper in the fridge.  I was going to throw away the jar, but when I looked closer at it, I realized that it was the most wonderful color and shape!  Take a look . . .

I love the color of this jar, it's kind of blackish/green, and I even like the shape.  Oh, the possibilities! I can't wait to buy more pickles!  And the crate it is sitting on will be my new foot stool.  I just need to cut the plywood and get the foam rubber, as I already have the perfect fabric.  I will show it to you when I am done . . . this is what the crate looks like.

I took a brush and brushed off all the dust and loose particles, then vacuumed it, and scrubbed it good with cleanser.  After it dried, I took lemon oil and a colored oil and went over it, just to bring out the printing on it.

I love the warning, I hope I don't go to jail!!

This side says, Creamland - Albuquerque.   I bought the crate for a dollar at a thrift store.  It was full of old chains and some tools.  I took those out and asked the clerk if I could just buy the box.  She looked very puzzled, kind of laughed and told me I could have it for a buck!  I was very happy!

Better run, my husband wants to go to dinner . . . can't pass up a deal like that!

Hugs,
Barb

A Peek Into My Week . . .

Something from my Playlist . . . Yesterday I was at my sweet friends house, and she wanted to show me her mother's stereo.  Her mother had given her the stereo and some wonderful records years ago, so we decided we would listen to a few of them . . . oh my goodness it brought back sweet memories from when I was younger.  When I was a girl, the big thing was a stereo in a cabinet.  I'm not sure very many are around today, but they were awesome!  My father, being the handyman that he was, made his. He built the cabinet out of beautiful wood, and ordered the record player and radio, and installed it into the cabinet - it was amazing, we all loved it so much!  So, back to the story.  Kathy and I listened to, Andy Williams, Moon River . . . ahhhhh, (we even danced!).  I don't know about you, but I just swoon every time I listen to Andy Williams.  

Kathy's is very similar to this one, oh, the memories!

Mother Nature . . . This morning my husband and I were watching the news and I heard the loudest noise!  My husband looked out the door, and the wind was just howling through the trees, it sounded like an airplane crashing in our yard, soon after that it started snowing big white fluffy flakes!  So . . . the wind is blowing, hard, and it's cold outside.  I know spring will come in her own good time, but it's the waiting that is so hard!

On My Mind . . . A few days ago my husband and I were in the city when we noticed the most gigantic dogs in the car in front of us . . . good thing I had my camera!!

These guys were huge!  When they moved around in the car it would actually bounce around.  But, don't they have the most adorable faces?!  I'm not sure they would make very good lap dogs. but they sure are cute!

At my church, I have the privilege to work with, 12 and 13 year old girls, and they are so much fun! Each week we have activities, and trust me, it keeps me busy.  Right before Valentines Day, we decided that we would show the Bishop how much we love him, so we decorated his door with Valentines, with sweet thoughts about how much we appreciate all he does for us.

Then last night, we talked about modesty, and how important it is to always be modest in everything we do, especially our clothing.  Then we made a prom dress with tissue paper, it was very cute, and the girls had fun designing a dress!

Dreaming of . . . 

I would love to embroider these cute transfers on some nice dish towels!  Are they not just the cutest little designs?!

I found this cute idea here.  I have an old milk crate in my garage that I bought last fall, and it's iust waiting to have something cute like this happen to it!  You can make the top removable so that you can use it for storage as well!

Some Cuteness . . . 

Last week I was babysitting a few of my littles and they were watching an old Disney cartoon on Netflix.  They were almost scared of the cartoon characters. and when I watched it, I could see why, they are kind of scary!!  But aren't they cute all cuddled up?!

(taken with my phone so it's fuzzy!)

Just Sayin' . . . 

Stay safe and warm!

OXOX,