Happy Easter To All That Celebrate & This and That

    Today we got up into the mid 70's early afternoon Morning was pretty nice too so I got back to the bringing down that pile of soil and getting it spread out.

   I got allot done today, hopefully I can finish that tomorrow, so I can get to weed eating the grass before it turns cold and rainy Monday.  It is really tall already which I suspected. I did a bit yesterday.

  The pretty dandelions are up so I collected a bunch. I will dry them and then steep in olive oil for a few weeks and strain-a good healing oil  If you are on Pinterest they have many recipes for making oils, salves and such with dandelion flowers. Just save some for the bees-as they usually are the first of the blooms.

  They start to dry pretty fast-this photo was taken a couple hours after I laid them out here.

      Larry had our friend bring down his suburban to the top of the steps so he could get back in easier as it is flatter right there. However, he had him drive over my pile of soil-not happy about that at all oh well. 

  Larry is in extreme pain today which I figured could happen as it is two days after his trip to get his driver's license. He takes no pain killers at all any more so he has to struggle through it.

  I wanted to share a lovely gift I received from one of my slow mail friends Debra last year. I don't remember if I had shared this piece already. I really love it and so thoughtful for our lake home.  I had it sitting on the mantel, but this week I found a spot to hang it. Thanks again Debra  This is on a wall in our dining area and the walls have wallpaper. The colors of the painting blend in nicely. especially the greens

  My new blog friend and slow mail friend mentioned she had made a pot of split pea soup. I am thinking I need to make some as I haven't in several years now. I always keep dried beans and lentils in storage so I grabbed a pound bag, and a bag of frozen diced ham. Soooo good. Larry can handle one meal and then no more for awhile-so I froze the rest of the soup

     I have not thought of what to prepare for our Easter dinner. Nothing too fancy as it is just the two of us and Larry is Jewish. Ham is so salty that I don't cook with that too often and we just had it in the soup a few days ago.

    I did bake the keto cheesecake that turned out delicious, and I had sliced up fresh strawberries but they were not very ripe and juicy. I miss not having farmer's strawberries.

  I am off to watch the first KC Royals baseball game that I recorded and also the KC Blues hockey game which I recorded as well.

  Happy weekend, Hoping you have nice weather too.

Books?

   Those of you that make your own journals-do you have this book or have you seen it?

      I don't have a library nearby-never have lived close to one since we always have lived rural so if I have an interest in a book I buy it.

    I am more careful now and really think about it before I buy a physical book now-then I search the net for the best price.

  

  

Thoughts on this book if you are familiar with it.

  Also I am intrigued with this book too.

  I could not find much information about this one, it's a new release.

   Thank You

Positive Thoughts and Energy Needed

 Good morning, I am requesting positive thoughts and energy for Larry this morning.

    Today is the day he decided to tackle our steep steps, and have our friend drive him to get his drivers license renewed. First day out of the house since his bad fall early October.

   His license needed renewed back in October and he had 6 months to renew before it would become a big hassle to do. That is around the second week in April but didn't want any chances of missing that date.

  He did well with the steps but was really pale as he got in the car. Larry is someone that never gives up no matter the struggle

 Thank you

                   (image found online)

Update: 12:30 pm  

    It all went well thank you all. 

Larry was really really nervous about this. He made it up the steps and back home again with no major issues. He will be in allot of pain though later today.

    Thankfully the drivers license place was not real busy, so that went well-I put everything he needed in a envelope-insurance, paid taxes, a check that they filled out for him.

    Next door is an old fashioned barber shop but after getting his new license it was full of customers. Hoping next week his friend will take him back to the barber shop and get gas in his car. He said he had a quarter tank left-thinking why didn't you let our friend pump gas for you/? Next time he can do that too

   Larry has always been a fighter but this was scary for him-but he accomplished it-so happy for him

Update from Post Office Visit

    I was really upset and not happy with my letters for seniors in nursing homes being sent back to me last Saturday.

I get stressed out fast and then worry about everything-so I was anxious early this morning. Thankfully the postal lady I like to talk to was there.

 The note on my returned letters made no sense at all, and also I came prepared to defend my wax seals.  The sealing waxes I use are made by nostalgic expressions and if you purchase their mailable flexible wax there is no problem with the postal machines. My letters with seals have traveled well to Germany, Spain, Greece Canada and the States.

   So she is looking at my returned cards and says Oh I see what is happening--it is not your seals at all but rather the envelopes are too small and may get caught in the postal machines. What??? I bought these cards and envelopes from Current. She shows me on their envelope chart that they are 1/4" too small.  She says I am going to send these out again as I really think they will make it through the machines.

  I am thinking what happened is that someone in this post office did not send them out to get cancelled but pulled them and returned them to me. I am hoping there is no more issues.

 I had stopped purchasing cards and address labels from Current a few years ago because their shipping is very expensive and they also add on another carrier fee which is ridiculous. I would stock up on their pretty usa made cards and envelopes when they had a sale on them or buy one get another free. It is not acceptable that they are using envelopes that don't meet the postal service standards. For sure now won't be buying from them again. I love their offerings and most everything on their site is USA made which I loved but no more.

 I looked around on Etsy and found some gorgeous address labels. Her turn around is a bit slow but I found her when she was having a big sale. I think they are prettier than Current's labels, so can't wait to see them in person.

  So I am hoping no more drama, especially about using the wax seals-I love adding those to my envelopes-and so fun too. Smiles  I had read online when I was researching this wax more-that some post offices will not accept the seals or they charge 44 cents more to hand cancel.  Quite a few years ago I bought allot of handmade sealing wax and she was using vintage molds-I loved them but they would break right off the envelopes and even if I used them on the letter inside they would break. So lesson learned must use a machinable flexible modern sealing wax.

  I am reading that my east coast friends are getting hammered with snow-we are still dealing with very very strong winds and now it's raining all day too. I got back home just in time before the winds were their strongest and the rain came steady

.

Good Morning Sunday

 Good morning Friends, and I can't believe how fast March has gone by and next Sunday Easter already.

   I found the right eye drops so my eyes are doing much better but they still do not feel back to normal. My new glasses should be ready in another week or so. All takes time I know

  Over the weekend since it was so cold and very very strong winds I made us a pot of chili-will freeze most of it for later-I  always end up with a huge pot. This one turned out really delicious.

  I found nice fresh strawberries last week when I went food shopping, so decided to bake up gluten free cupcakes to put the strawberries over. The rest I will make up a keto frosting for the rest of the cupcakes (to cut down the amount of sugars)  This photo turned out a little dark. I made up a gluten free yellow cake and added strawberry extract to it.

  I hadn't been happy with my homemade ice  cream the last few times I made it, so I went back to purchasing ice cream. Just have to be careful with the sugar in it and serve smaller portions. I have not found a really good store bought no sugar ice cream as of yet.  

  I have also been finding these yummy large blackberries in the stores too.  At the woods house I would pick the wild ones-so good

     I started writing to seniors in rehabs and nursing homes and of course I am using my sealing wax. I use a special modern sealing wax that can handle the machines in the postal systems. I have also sent many international cards this way as well-with no issues at all. Last month I sent 10 of these to the seniors.

   I spent many hours putting 12 cards and letters together and yesterday this is what was in my mailbox. What this mail person means by my letters being a box I have no idea. Sooo upsetting and they also want another 44 cents on each card-I will be at the post office Monday morning right when they open. This has really upset me-and I have been mailing cards this way for over 4 years now.

  and the postal person put two of these rubber bands on my stack of cards which has squished them all together-Not happy at all. 

  and also-interesting-yesterday I mailed off a letter to my new slow mail friend with a wax seal which they took and then found this as a replacement-strange mail day

   I won't complain about our very cold and windy days since I am reading that many of you on the east coast are getting lots of snow. We had a call from a friend that lived next to us in northern Illinois before retirement. He and his wife moved to Arizona but were back to that area since his wife needed to do in person additional training for her job in home in Arizona. He called to chat with Larry and said he had to get used to snow again as that area was getting hammered with lots of snow and wind.  That must have been a surprise for them for sure as they have been living in Arizona for many years now. It was a nice check up with an old friend for Larry 

  Each day this week I have been carrying down half bucks of soil from that pile up on top of the steps. Since I have not done much in physical activities like this since last fall-I am taking it slow and only doing 4 or 5 half buckets. I am using a tall 5 gallon bucket. Yesterday I could see I am now half way through the pile-progress haha.

 Well this post is my ramblings for today smiles-Happy new week.

Sunshine and Warmer Days Ahead & This and That

 Good morning friends,

   We have full sunshine today so far, still a bit windy and gradually warming back up. Am hoping to work outdoors this afternoon for a bit.

  My eyes are still bothering me allot, but the eye doctor visit yesterday went well. My eyes are less dry after the two weeks of drops and he says I must continue with at least  3 times a day. The brand he suggested hurt my eyes so my eyes did not like something that was in those. I asked about the brand Refresh instead and he said yes just no generic brands as those have preservatives and other things in them. I also ordered a much needed new pair of prescription glasses. Quite expensive as they usually are-but my insurance will refund me back a little bit of it, and the new insurance should pay most of the eye visit. The glasses I have now I have never liked as they were not right and I gave up on them replacing the lens-so I am so looking forward to my new ones. I have put up with the ones I have now since 2019 too expensive to just go to another eye doctor back then. 

  I was quite surprised with all the different choices from Refresh eye drops-even one for computer and e reader usage. I will buy that one for sure as I spend allot of hours reading on my kindle. I never liked putting drops in my eyes but I guess I will be getting used to it-smiles.

  I ordered a bunch of stickers from Amazon last week to add to my letters that I am mailing out to seniors or those in rehab through Letters Against Isolation.  I never really used stickers before, but I think they will be fun to use in my cards and  letters. I found some beautiful botanical stickers from a couple different sellers. Hoping they arrive this week. Only part about mailing these is you don't know if the receiver enjoyed your letter or not but I think they may look forward to the letters after awhile. This is worldwide so if interested they may have it set up where you live.

  I do really enjoy mailing out and receiving slow mail letters. I want to get back to that too this  month. Getting back to more normal too after Larry's accident. He is walking better with his walker but still tires very fast. I am concerned about our steep steps out of the house-but positive thoughts on that .

  I made a deep cast iron skillet of an apple-pear-raisin crisp early this morning. It just came out of the oven and smells so good. We will finish up the corn beef slices in reuben sandwiches, for  today's meal. We love home cooked corn beef, cabbage, carrots and potatoes so I made that for us over the weekend and sliced up the meat for sandwiches-yum Larry's favorite. Sorry no photos this time.

  Larry spotted 4 loons in front of his dock a bit ago-they are so fun to watch as they are diving ducks and I love their song too. That was such a surprise for me to see loons here-I think they migrate from colder areas.

    Enjoy your day my friends

  

  

 

Spring is Early Here in Missouri & Spring Card

   Good morning Thursday,

      March here in SW Missouri is feeling more and more like April every day now.

Rains every other day-so things are getting ahead of me already. I checked yesterday and for sure I need to cut grass as soon as things dry out again. sigh not ready for that yet.

I wanted to share a beautiful spring card I received in the mail from Viola in Germany. This was her first handmade card and it is really lovely. Fabrics and stitches Thank you so much Viola-I love it!

  Below is a close up

Happy (early) Spring

Been Working Outdoors

   Another beautiful day with no wind. We did get storms last night so the dirt pile I am moving with a bucket and a shovel was too wet today. Instead I grabbed some large bags and filled up 4 huge ones with leaves. The leaves were tucked in around the garage, vehicles and more. Lots more to do-I will burn these once they get dried.

  I don't have a good way too compost these leaves living on small area of land with neighbors on both sides. I could keep them in their bags and let them decompose that way. I may do that and see what happens.

   I did get a dozen of my bottle "greenhouses" planted yesterday, I posted photos on my Instagram page. I planted the two cottons, indigo, and two other dye plants for yellows and they are good for tea as well.

  Any of you that have dyed with indigo fresh leaves? I did that at the woods house and got lovely results. Do any of you know if the fresh leaves can be dried for later use as a dye? I need to research that I am thinking. The other two plants for dye I just planted as seeds,  I can dry for later dyeing.

  I think my eyes are a bit better although still too blurry. I cut down on the number of drops the doctor said to do-as it was just too much for my eyes. With me and any medicines less is better.

 Lovely sunrises this week.

Below is a bit before dark-grabbed the camera while I was moving soil down the steps.

Happy Mid-week

Pretty Blooms from Amaryllis

  This morning all 4 blooms have opened up on the amaryllis-soooo pretty

    Adding photos to my blog is still "messed up" sadly  I brought this one over by copy and paste.

  We have bright sunshine today, strong winds so lots of waves on the lake.  I was looking out towards the lake this morning and there was a flock of seagulls fishing. Usually they are on the far side away from me, but this time just past our dock-so very fun to watch them flying and diving for fish.

  I got most of the wood wiped down yesterday in the main part of our living area. Just have the couch and dining table and benches to do yet, and a vintage trunk.  Next up will be my computer room-ranch oak desk and several vintage cabinets and my weaving loom and bench.  I think I will do the floors after that, and then tackle my kitchen-that's a big job but needs doing too.

  I saved out 9  water gallon bottles to make into growing seeds. Will plant the cotton seeds first and then see what is in my seed stash. Not doing lots like I did last year.  Next week the grass will need to be cut before it gets too tall.

  Larry did allot of walking with his walker yesterday, today he feels ill- will probably sleep most of the day today. Adding it up the home health team was out to our home for 5 months, so thinking Medicare cut them off even though he really needs another month to tackle the steps and hill. We are thankful for their care during that time.

  Happy weekend!

Spring Has Arrived & Catch Up

 Good Morning Friday,

  I believe Spring has arrived here in the Ozarks. In previous years we have gotten late cold even a light frost end of April or early May-but for now we have Spring.

  Almost 24 hours of rain yesterday-more to come- which has lots of greens popping all over the place-bushes, grass, perennials. 

  I did see Missouri is predicted to have a drought this summer, but that is ok with me-less grass cutting-smiles.

  I am sticking with my decision not to buy any plants this year. I love certain petunias to fill up large containers, but those never make it after July here. I have lots of annual flower seeds, so will plant them instead. After this rain stops and things start to dry out, I will be out there working on things-soooo much to do too. 

 Taking care of Larry since late October, I have not been up to cleaning house-like a really good dusting etc, or even my crafts-but This week I have dug out the wood preserver, cleaning rags and started with our main living area for a deep clean. Had allot of dust everywhere which has probably added to my allergies. Once one gets started-Wow looks so good now-smiles.  

  We have mostly vintage wood pieces-never was into modern furniture. I inherited my Mom's ranch oak couch we had when I was a child. It desperately needs new custom cushions made.  I had looked into that before we moved to the lake, and it was over $1000.00 back then.  I really don't like making cushion covers-was never that good at it and the good foam is quite expensive, so that is main cost. So still just making do with that for now

 Monday, I went to the new eye doctor, who is much closer than the one we were seeing since 2019- a surgeon for yearly checkups after our cataract surgeries. However, last year he informs me he no longer writes scripts for new glasses. -I really needed them last year too. When I found out my AT&T supplement insurance to Medicare was changing and would include dental and vision coverage, I decided to wait til this year.

  Good news after meeting with the new doctor is that I am still on a watch for glaucoma-nothing has changed, however my eyes are not focusing properly. After all the different tests, doctor says my eyes are very very dry so I am using drops several times a day for two weeks and then another checkup.  I started those on Monday but now my eyes feel a bit swollen and still not focusing on words etc very well. So will see what happens at my next visit.

  Larry had his last in-home therapy yesterday. I am surprised by this, as Larry is now walking better with the walker, but still tires very fast. He also has not had any help on tackling the steep steps and hill to get out of our home and into a car. I guess we will need to figure that out ourselves.  Our therapist did say if we wait a month, we can ask our primary doctor to contact them for more therapy. We have several must visits this month so will just take one day at a time. 

   Still having fun playing with buffalo fibers blended with Shetland wool and spinning. Can not seem to get into tying my large Yellowstone inspired quilt, so I am close to rolling that back up and putting away again til more inspired.

  This week I did make a big pot of chili made with ground bison along with cast iron pan of cornbread-yum perfect for a rainy day.

  This past week I also learned about an organization called Letters Against Isolation for those in nursing homes. Here is a link to their Instagram page    and to their home page here    I mailed out 7 letters to a nursing home in Montana this week-I think this will be rewarding for me and to the receivers. 

Happy weekend

    

   Bummer so difficult to add photos now sigh  

Buffalo Fiber Progress

   Good morning Sunday (or Monday for my European friends)  Today it's full sunshine and headed to the 80's F for a couple of days-then it will drop a bit for awhile but still spring temperatures.  Of course this up and down is wrecking havoc with my sinus's.

   Since Friday I have been playing with fibers. I started off with my blending board but did not like the results. This is a fun tool to layer fibers and them make into a long roving for spinning, but I forgot it doesn't really blend the fibers together. So I took apart what I had spun and redid it using my carders.

  The buffalo fibers being extremely short made a mess of my board too. This is what was left behind-so I cleaned this up with a flicker tool and put this away. 

This is a flicker and looks just like the one I have. 

So getting out my carders-first I put too much fiber on, so since I am not a super good spinner,couldn't get the fibers drawn out enough to make a yarn that was not super bulky. So took that apart and put much less fiber on.-the shetland wool fiber first and then the bufflalo fibers. You can see that the buffalo fiber is just a "mat" of very very short fibers. I can see why it will be good in the soil. 

  It took a few trys but by late yestereday this was going fairly well. Spun up, this is a coarser fiber which I am thinking I could use my mini loom to weave table mats or perhaps coasters.

 I am not happy that blogger has changed how to add photos to my blog. Instead of going to my photos like always-I now have to drag them to my blog-I am not good at doing that so what a process ugh The photos above went in but now they won't ugh. Will have to figure out how this works easier

  Ok I am back haha  Still not liking that google changed how to add photos. wonder why they did this? perhaps catering to cell phones? dont know as I don't have one of those.

Below fibers taken off the carders and then it is carefully rolled up,  and then carefully I pull the fibers out to spin which gives me a long piece to spin

My camera I am realizing takes blurry photos when I zoom in a bit. There is still bulky yarn on here, but the last of what I did is getting better.

  I am going to spin to fill this drop spindle up and then put it on my niddy noddy, get wet and then when dry see how the yarn is

 

  I made two loaves of gluten free pumpkin bread, for the sweetener the recipe uses maple syrup but the bread when baked has just a hint of sweetness.Of course I spread on some cream cheese to our slices-smiles.

    I am using the last quart jar of maple syrup that was gifted to us when we were still having deer camp at our woods home Our friend lives near Green Bay Wisconsin on his farm and he harvests his own maple syrup He had brought a large box of his maple syrup-such a generous gift-I gifted over half of it to friends at the time.

  Tomorrow I finally have my appointment to the eye doctor.My eyes have gotten so bad over the last year. Next week is dentist check up and then after that family doctor and blood draw that we do every 6 months-not sure if Larry will be able to manage the steps for that-we are just taking one day at a time.

  Have a good new week ahead everyone