Score...

Yesterday was a great day.  While at the library with my knitting/crochet group  working on Christmas gifts I found these books on the for sale cart.

 

 I paid $.25 for the Gifted crochet and knitting book and $1 for the 100 Great Ways to Make Cards. Total cost was $1.25!   More stuff to add to my already crammed collection.  Maybe I'll find some inspiration from these to boost my creativity.  I really love them both.  But I must learn how to knit.  There are some wonderful knitted projects for me to try and they seem easy.  Maybe I can add that to my New Year's resolution list huh? LOL

More too come this week.  I've been busy! 

Toodles!

Slowing it down a bit...

Recently I purchased a new bedroom set.  This is something I've been wanting to do for over oh let's say seven years.  But due to the economy, funds and time I never found what I really wanted.  A local furniture store had 36 months no interest financing so I went out and found myself a wonderful queen bedroom set.  I love it so much! 

Chest

Dresser and Mirror

Bed and Pier Nightstands

Under the bed storage on both sides! Yippee!

Besides I spent the money on other things like crafts, traveling, socializing and clothes to name a few. LOL!  Besides this wonderful purchase I also have had a couple of MRIs, mammogram and I'm planning a trip to Orlando this coming May.  To say the least I need to start watching my spending.  So as of last night at my crochet/knitting group I decided to give myself a spending goal. 

Here's how my spending goal works.  I'm not allowed to spend any money on crafts.  I need to complete (not partially complete) three projects (which includes UFOs) before I am allowed to purchase anymore from whichever category.  Here's my list of projects for each craft.

Crochet:

Sweet Baby Hoodie  - in progress

Driftwood Cap          - in queue

Basic Crocheted Socks   - in queue


I do have all the yarn and the projects ready to go.  I'm looking forward to getting these done too. 

Quilting:

Bernina Class Jelly Roll Quilt     - in progress

JoAnn's Jelly Roll Quilt              -  in progress

Shabby Chic Quilt                       -  in progress

The jelly roll quilts tops are done.  I just need to finish them off.  This may require some additional funds to do but as long as they're complete I'm good.

Sewing:

Silhouette Yoga Pants                 - in queue

Silhouette T-shirt                        - in queue

Polar Fleece Cape                       - in queue

I have everything I think I need for these projects.  But I want to get them done ASAP.  I want to wear them while in Orlando.  Wish me lots of luck.

Beading:

Kumihimo bracelets and necklace   - in progress

Elegant Tila bracelet                        - in progress

Time for Tila bracelet                      - in progress

At first I was seriously thinking about increasing the projects to five each but I decided to take it easy on myself.  I also need to review my other spending habits.  Like food, traveling, household goods and decorating.  Changes must be made soon!

Stay tuned for updates. 

Be encouraged...

Happy New Year!

A most happy new year to you all.  I hope you were able to bring in the new year appropriately with friends, family or acquaintances.  Maybe some bubbly, dancing and a few hors d'ouerves too!

Unfortunately I was sick and my plans were thwarted, but alas I found something to do! 

Check it out...

Now I heard a lot of the hype but I wasn't so sure it would be something I would be interested in.  So I went to my local library and ordered the first season for myself a few months ago.  I never got a chance to watch it.  So I reordered it again and since I was quarantined I started watching it new years eve. Oh boy!  I'm now hooked! LOL!  This show is something to see for sure!  I finished the first season Sunday afternoon.  It was to be returned Monday so I ordered season 2 and now I'm waiting for them to call me.  Yippee!

One of my goals (not resolutions since this has been an ongoing issue with me) was to stop watching so much television.  The main reason is of course it can be a waste of time, but I also watch more reruns than anything else. LOL  Especially Law & Order, Criminal Minds, SVU, Everybody Loves Raymond and CSI.  I want to see movies I havent' seen before and also hit up my long to do list.  I'm now renting DVDs (actually checking them out from the library) and eventually turning off my cable television (which also satisfies my other goal to save money). 

So by the way, what are your goals or resolutions?  Do you have any?  Please share!

Manicures…

The first manicure I ever had definitely wasn’t the greatest.  I wasn’t very impressed with the work which was done.  My second manicure the manicurist got on my nerves telling me my nail on my baby finger was crooked (very slightly and the only one who would notice would be a manicurist) and I should get a tip to put over it.  I would tell her know and she was very persistant.  Now I know better, she just wanted to make more money.  LOL!  But I refuse to get false nails because they ruin your real nail beds.  Besides my fingernails grow very long on their own. 

Since then I very rarely get my nails done.   Besides I work with lots of paper and boxes and my cuticles are very bad.  Manicurists always mention it too.  Besides paying someone to just paint my nails seems a bit excessive (I’m cheap if you haven’t noticed).  But I do like to treat myself at times. 
The picture above is of my latest manicure. I really loved the color!  But here’s my question to you folks out there.  How do you prevent this?

Three chipped and peeled off polished nails after two days!  TWO DAYS! I was very upset by this!  I must say the first day I did end up with a dent in my nails soon after I left the shop to run my errands.  I guess my nails weren’t as dry as I thought. 

So what do you do to keep your nails from doing this?  Do you apply clear polish over them often or what?  I really would love to know!  Otherwise I might need to rethink manicures and just stick to pedicures. Those last much longer for me.  They really do!

How long do your manicures last?  Any help would be appreciated…

Be encouraged…

Recipe of the week: Cranberry-Chipotle Country-Style Ribs

This recipe was made forChristmas for my family.  It’s not spicy or overly sweet as you may think.  It gives the ribs a slightly sweet smoky flavor I’m sure you’ll enjoy. It's also a very easy and quick recipe to make. 

When this recipe was first attempted for Christmas the whole can of chipotle peppers was used.  There was no use trying to find something else to do with the peppers right?  An additional can of cranberry sauce was used too.  Also the ribs used weren't boneless and there were twice as many as the recipe required. They were fantastic.  If you are so moved to alter this recipe go for it!

It also may seem there isn't enough liquid in the crock pot when you start out.  Don't worry.  The ribs will definitely make their own gravy during cooking.  You don't need to use a crock pot too. Just cook them on a low setting in a pot on top of the stove.

A nice fresh salad and a baked potato or rice could be served with the sauce. 


Recipe from Better Homes & Garden website.

Cranberry-Chipotle Country-Style Ribs

Makes 6 to 8 servings
Prep 15 minutes
Cook 7 to 8 hours low or 3 1/2 to 4 hours (high)

Ingredients

2 1/2 to 3 pounds boneless pork country-style ribs
Salt and ground black pepper
1 16-ounce can whole cranberry sauce
1 large onion, chopped (1 cup)
3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced

Directions

1.  Trim fat from ribs. Sprinkle with salt and pepper

2.  Place ribs in a 3 1/2 to 4 quart slow cooker.  

 In a medium bowl, stir together cranberry sauce, onion, chipotle pepper, and garlic.



Pour cranberry mixture over ribs.

3.  Cover; cook on low-heat setting for 7 to 8 hours or on high-heat setting for 3 1/2 to 4 hours.  Transfer ribs to a serving platter.  Stir sauce.  Drizzle some of the sauce over the ribs.  If desired, serve remaining sauce.

Tip: Because hot chile peppers, such as chipotle peppers, contain volatile oils that can burn your skin and eyes, avoid direct contact with chiles as much as possible.  When working with chile peppers, wear plastic or rubber gloves.  If your bare hands do touch the chile peppers, wash your hands well with soap and water.

Nutrition
Servings Per Recipe 6 to 8 servings
Calories 395
Total Fat (g) 10
Saturated Fat (g)4
Monounsaturated Fat (g)5
Polyunsaturated Fat (g)1
Cholesterol (mg)139
Sodium (mg)247
Carbohydrate (g)32
Total Sugar (g)25
Fiber (g)2
Protein (g)40
Vitamin C (DV%)4
Calcium (DV%)5
Iron (DV%)10
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

So I missed a day…

Now yesterday was no post so I already blew my posting everyday commitment right?  Well yes and no would be the answer.

My whole reason for doing this challenge was to get back into the swing of blogging and trying to find the time to do it.  Since the beginning of the month my writing for the blog has been done around 10pm each night.  It’s the only time available when there’s time to focus.

Last night my focus was on getting rid of my headache or dehydration.  Who knows.  My Bikram yoga class was last night and I think I might have been a bit dehydrated.  By the time I arrived home I ate a little something and laid down.  After class a shower and a quick washing of my hair was done and I needed to come home finish washing it and sit under the dryer.  That when I planned to work on the blog.  But like I said I was a bit tired and fell asleep on the couch.  When I woke up it we after midnight so I got up and went to bed.  It was definitely something I needed to do. 

I’ve learned in the past that if you give up on a goal just after one small lapse you will never improve yourself.  You’ll always give up way too soon.  That’s not going to happened this month.  I may miss a day or two due to some circumstance which cannot be controlled.  Last night was one.  I do plan to work on several blog entries and save to drafts but I can’t seem to do it lately.  There are many reasons here is a brief list.

1. Farm Town – those games you play on Facebook.  I think it may be a good time to let this one go.  But it is addictive.  My goal with this game was to get enough points to design my farm.  Now my goal seems to go up a level to buy more facilities. LOL!  It’s crazy!

2.  A long list of things to do – I have a tendency to set unrealistic goals.  I want to do EVERYTHING!  But with my schedule and money that isn’t possible. 

3.  Twitter and Facebook – do I need to say anything more!

4.  Fatigue – I’m now on a quest to find more energy.  I wish I had more but I’ve noticed over the years that I don’t have the stamina most people do.  I’m trying to fit in exercise (Bikram Yoga and Fitness Center) to help but it’s a work in progress

5.  Television – Too many darn shows to watch.  A very unhealthy and big time suck!

I could go on and on but I won’t.  So don’t worry.  The goal is still on.  I think I might add a day to my month to make up for the missed day. Hmm, that sounds like a fabulous idea.  So I think that’s my plan.  If I miss a day I’ll just add a day on to my goals.  Not a bad idea and I just thought it up as I was writing.  Geez! I’m good. 

But my goal will be to continue to post every day this month and June 1st.  That’s my plan.
What’s yours?

Be encouraged…

Happy Birthday to me…

Another year has passed and I’m still here kicking it!  This is the cake I requested from my mom.  It's a banana cake with seafoam frosting. Ummm, delicious!

 It was a great day! 

Be encouraged…