Snails

In may I added three blue mystery snails to my aquarium.

And today I found this........ eggs! I'm not sure if they were laid last night or a day or two ago and I just found them. I think it takes about a month to hatch so sometime in August we should have babies.

Plans for 2020

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I love this time of year. Making new plans and goals, filling out a new planner. It all makes my heart sing.

2019 was a pretty good year. I accomplished several of my goals, decided some of them just wasn't for me and flat out failed at a couple. But it's all ok. I learned from my experiences and I'm moving forward a better, stronger person than I was a year ago.

You all know I set many, many goals each year. In 2019 I had 22 goals and I completed 16 of them. That's 72%. Not bad, but I think I could have done better.

And I've done it again this year. Twenty nine to be exact! Some are one and done type things while others will take all year to get done.

Let's break them down, shall we? Some are carried forward from last year. But they are still things I want to do.

HEALTH
1. Weigh 130.
2. Bike/walk 1,000 miles.
3. Exercise at least 3 times a week.
4. Learn about and try Tai Chi.

Home
1. Complete the kitchen projects list. There are 12 items on this list.
2. Save for new carpet and paint.
3. Continue yard work and organizing the garage.

Family, Friends and Pets
1. My son's wedding in April.
2. Grandson spending a week with us in the summer.
3. Host 4th of July weekend.
4. Host a friends BBQ.

Spouse/Romance
1. One out of the house date each month.
2. Anniversary week. Either a short trip or staycation.
3. Weekend trip in the fall.

Finances 
1. Pay off 12 bills.
2. Buy a camper.
3. Stick to the budget and build savings.
4. Pay for R's class.

Personal Development 
1. Read 12 self-help type books.
2. Practice one new mindfulness exercise a week.
3. Complete personal development journal and Q&A journal.
4. Learn to cook catfish and hushpuppies.
5. Learn to make strawberry jam.

Hobbies/Fun & Recreation 
1. Complete monthly cross stitch patterns.
2. Complete row 3 of the dragon cross stitch.
3. Attend monthly craft nights.

Self Care/Mental Health
1. Daily affirmations.
2. Incorporate deep breathing and yoga into routine.
3. Prepare for dental work.

Now, your head may be spinning from just reading all these goals. But do not dispare, I have a plan. The big things have all been broken down into smaller steps. If I work on them each month, each week, they are doable. I'm sure going to give it a try!

4th of July photos

We played in the water.

We played with the RC boat and cars.

Everyone built a wooden race car.

And made S'mores.

We made BBQ ribs and brisket.  We also had hamburgers and hot dogs.

We played games.

And took family photos. This is 4 generations together. (I'm in the pink.)

We worked a puzzle. 

And finally it was time for foreworks!

It was a great holiday. I loved having my mom and kids and grandkids here. The little ones are so fun. They are smart, funny and very active! It warms my heart to see my sons together.  I'm glad they are close friends. I'm so proud of them. They have grown into wonderful young men. My mom and I always have a good time. I truly cherish these moments and can't wait until we are all together again.

A little fun for the deck

I put together a small fairy garden to sit with the plants on my deck.

January Review

It seems like January just flew by! I struggled a little bit mentally, but I'm thankful that it didn't turn into a full blown depressive episode.

In January we celebrated my oldest son's 29th birthday. (I'm pretty sure I'm not old enough to have a 29 year old son.) We celebrated R's birthday by having friends over for lunch and games. I finally got to sign some important papers that have been in the works since 2014. R got good news at his kidney doctor's appointment and doesn't have to go back until next January, unless he has problems.

For our out of the house date this month we went to lunch at Olive Garden and spent the day shopping.

Now let's check in on my goals.

HOME
1. Save $100, plus penny challenge
☆ I saved  $50 on each payday... $100
☆ I saved $18.32 for my penny challenge.

HEALTH
1. Walk 83 miles, 2.5 a day
* I walked 51.97 miles. Only getting 2.5 or more on 11 days this month.
2. Lose 3 pounds
* I went in the wrong direction, gaining 2 pounds this month.
3. Yoga, strength or stretching exercises 3 times a week
* Only did this on 4 days, all at the beginning of the month.

Bonus health win:
♡ I exercised for 530 minutes in January.

HOBBIES 
1. Complete one page of the dragon cross stitch
* I stitched for 5 hours, 40 minutes.  Adding 630 stitches.  I did not complete the page.
2. Read one book
☆ I read two books!

Bonus hobbie win:
♡ One of the things on my bucket list is to make a quilt by hand.  I started  with a nine block.

HOW CAN I IMPROVE NEXT MONTH?
1. More walking.
2. Schedule stitching time.
3. Schedule exercises.
4. Increase water intake.

FEBRUARY GOALS 

HOME 
1. Save $100, plus penny challenge.
2. Pick paint for bathroom.

HEALTH
1. Walk 70 miles, 2.5 a day.
2. Lose 4.5 pounds.
3. 32 oz water a day.
4. Strength exercises 3 times a week.
5. Calories and minutes challenges.

HOBBIES 
1. Stitch 12 hours, 3 hours a week.
2. One acrylic painting.
3. 2nd quilt block.

Things to get done in February 
1. Schedule eye exams.
2. Schedule mammogram.

Important dates
Feb. 1 Imbolc
Feb. 2 Groundhog' s Day
Feb. 3 Super Bowl
Feb. 14 Valentines Day
Feb. 17 Daytona Day
Feb. 19 Full Moon
Feb. 26 MIL's memorial
Feb. 27 Great nephew's birthday

2019 Goals

HOME
A. Around the house
   1. Flower beds.
   2. Move the fence.
   3. Paint R's bathroom.
   4. Paint deck and porch.
 
B. Finances
   1. Save for anniversary trip.
   2. Buy a camper.
   3. Pay off credit cards.

C. Family, Friends, Pets
   1. Two visits with mom and the kids.
   2. Visit brother.
   3. Have niece stay a week.
   4. Host Christmas in July.
   5. Host one friends BBQ.
   6. Install the dog door.

HEALTH
A. Physical
   1. Lose 40 pounds.
   2. Walk 1,000 miles.
   3. Finish breast reduction prep.

B. Mental
   1. Daily meditation.
   2. Journal.
   3. Me time.

Hobbies
A. Cross stitch
   1. Focus on dragon, finish 12 pages.
   2. Post weekly updates on blog.

B. Journals
   1. Final year of 3 year journal .
   2. Daily dozen.
   3. Wreck this journal.

C. Other
   1. Finish my rug.
   2. Read 12 new books.
   3. Sell at least one painting.
   4. Improve my handwriting.

Winter Crafts - part 2

We made cookies!

Strawberry cookies

1 box of strawberry cake mix
1 tsp baking powder
2 eggs
1/3 c vegetable oil
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 c white chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Mix all ingredients together. Bake on non-stick pan for 6-8 minutes.  Take out of oven before any browning, will look under done but that's ok.

We also made basic sugar cookies.

Amish friendship bread

*Warning: it's almost a sugar overload and definitely NOT diet friendly. You must be patient, it takes 10 days. But it does taste amazing!

Amish Friendship Bread...with optional flavors.

Step 1, the starter

1/4 c warm water
1/4 ounce envelope active dry yeast
1 c sugar
1 c flour
1 c warm milk
Four 1 gallon Ziploc bags

In glass bowl add warm water and yeast to dissolve.  Takes about 10 minutes.  Set aside.

In large bowl combine sugar and flour then slowly add milk, mix well, add yeast and mix again.

Place 3/4 cup in each Ziploc bag. Give 3 to friends, keep 1. This is day 1. * If you keep all four, keep in mind you will be baking 8 loaves of bread! I usually do this during the holidays because so many friends want them as gifts.

Step 2, waiting.....
Day 1-- receive your starter
Days 2-5 -- knead bag daily
Day 6 -- add 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk. Knead bag to mix.
Days 7-9 -- knead bag daily
Day 10 -- pour contents into non-metal bowl. Add 1 c flour, 1 c sugar and 1 c milk. Mix. Place 1 c of mixture in 3 bags (this becomes day new day 1) use remaining to make your bread.

Step 3, making the bread (which is really more like a cake)

Preheat oven to 325F. Grease two 8x4 loaf pans.

Combine 1st set of ingredients below in glass bowl and mix well.

In another bolw combine 2nd set of ingredients below and mix well.

Mix the first set into the starter mixture. Mix well. Slowly add second set, mixing as you go.

Pour half into each loaf pan. Bake approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.  I usually check at 1 hour just in case.

---1st set---
1 c veg. oil
1/2 c milk
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla

---2nd set---
2 c flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 c sugar
Small box of instant pudding mix (use the dry powder, do not make the pudding. )
*see options below


1. To make cinnamon bread use vanilla pudding and add 2 tsp cinnamon.

2. To make white chocolate use white chocolate pudding and add 3/4 cup white chocolate chips.

3. To make banana nut use banana pudding and add up to 1 cup chopped pecans.

4. To make lemon bread use lemon pudding.

You can continue using the starters for about 3 or 4 batches. After that the yeast is really diluted and it is best to make a new starter.

Thanksgiving success

I accepted MaryFran's Thanksgiving Challenge and I think I came out on top.

1. Exercise the day of the holiday.
☆I walked 3 miles.

2. No bites , licks or tastes while cooking and cleaning up...food must be on my plate at the table.
* I took one bite at the kitchen counter and immediately said "oh no, I'm not supposed to do that!" So no more bites were taken.

3. One serving, no multiple plates.
☆Only one plate! And I didn't eat desert. 

4. Take a photo of what you eat.
☆

My thoughts:

It was a beautiful day! R smoked a turkey and brisket and made grilled pork chops.

I made four kinds of friendship bread (cinnamon, white chocolate, lemon and banana nut), fudge, strawberry cookies and a pumpkin pie.

There was also mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes,  baked corn casserole, homemade bread rolls and a side salad. And I made dill crackers and a sweet and salty chex mix to snack on.

My mom is here this week and a friend came over for the day. My mom taught us to make dream catchers.

I walked 3 miles. I had a 221calorie lunch and a 709 calorie dinner for a total of 930 calories. Now, according to fitbit, 55% of those calories were from carbs, so not the best calories. But I enjoyed every bite of it! I skipped desert, but I did eat a piece of friendship bread for breakfast this morning. The scale was up .6 this morning but that's not a big deal.

I had such a wonderful day with family and friends. I kept my meal plan on track, and I managed to exercise.  The day was definitely a success.

Geese

There are a bunch of geese out on the water today. Not the best video, but hey,  I tried. LOL

Home tour: kitchen and dining room

This is where you'll really start to see my love of all things minimal. I really hate for things to be sitting out. You'll notice that I put the snack bowls away. I love them, but they were driving me crazy lol.

I would have NEVER picked granite countertops or black appliances, but now that I have them, I kinda love them.

The farm sink is beautiful. However,  not very functional for someone who prefers to wash dishes by hand. I had to place a small dish pan in the sink. There is no way I'm filling up the whole thing to wash just a few dishes. I am slowly getting used to the dishwasher lol.

The kitchen is really big (18x16). So there was plenty of room for my china cabinet. R made this cabinet about 25 years ago and I love it! This is really the only wall space we have in the kitchen and I'm still working on the decor. I have a few things in mind, but I know I won't clutter it up too much. *The room to the left is the laundry room. We still don't have a washer and dryer, so that tour may be on hold.

I'm trying to bring in some pigs and watermelons as my theme. So far the only thing I have is this photo:

A close up look at my spoon collection.  I have some from several states, countries and special attractions .

Since the beta tank sits on the kitchen counter, I couldn't resist giving him this watermelon umbrella.  You know, just in case it rains LOL .

The dining room. Just simple red sheers and placemats.

The only thing I'm going to change in here is to eventually buy bar stools.

That's the kitchen and dining room. I love sitting at the table and looking out at the river. And since we love to cook together,  the big kitchen is perfect.

Next up: Maybe the living room???