Game Night

Game Night

I am fortunate enough to say that I grew up in a family who loves to play games.

Board games, card games ... you name it we love to play games!

A few years ago I was part of a group that played mahjongg every Thursday night. We rotated hosting responsibilities and it was just a fun group. We played together for years but like all good things it fizzled out and I haven't played mahjongg regularly for years now and I have missed it. 

While a regular mahjongg player I had the pleasure of teaching all of my children how to play and when they are home they will take mercy on me and play a few rounds.

A lady that I work with saw a post of mine about mahjongg and she contacted me about playing. Me, my daughter, her friend, and my friend for work set up a date to play and then the pandemic hit and we weren't able to gather together to play.

I'm happy to say that this past Sunday afternoon we all got together ... with masks and hand sanitizer ... and enjoyed an afternoon of mahjongg.

With our new 2020 game cards in hand we played for about 3 hours and it was wonderful.

I didn't realize how much I had missed playing this amazing game until we sat down and began our first game. This game just never gets old! I LOVE MAHJONGG!

I even managed to win a couple of games!

I love mahjongg, this game never gets old. Each year there is a new playing card and the play is always challenging and fun. Not to mention being able to gather a small group of ladies (4 of us) together for conversation and fun playing a really great game.

We've already set a date to play mahjongg again! And, I'm so happy to be playing mahjongg regularly again. I'm hopeful this group will continue playing for a long time.

Goals for September Stats

2.02 miles in 42.09 minutes

breakfast smoothie

fruit for lunch

sweet potato, brown rice, vegetables, and salad for dinner

A completely vegan day - no meat or dairy

day 3 with no dairy

  

Just A Few More Things ...

 Just a few more things regarding cleaning house ... sort of ...

It is my goal to clean up my eating habits and to exercise daily. Both of which can be difficult when working 2 jobs but I do think it is still possible.

Last night after work I rounded up my yoga mat and lumbar roller.

It is going to be beneficial to start stretching ... especially my lumbar area. As an office worker I don't stretch enough, my posture is horrid, and my sciatic nerve gives me a lot of pain. I know that stretching will help with that. 

After working my second job last night I set my goal of walking 2 miles before going home. 

I DID IT!!! 

In just under 45 minutes I walked a little over 2 miles.

It feels so good to achieve my goals. 

Then a lite dinner, if you haven't tried this brand of ramen I do recommend it.

It is non GMO and a healthy version of ramen noodle. 

I added peas and green onion to this one and it was delicious.

Goals for September stats:

2.24 miles

220 calorie lite dinner

breakfast smoothie

fruit for lunch

Cleaning House ... Sort of ...

Cleaning House

... sort of ...

I've decided to focus on making better choices ...

Such as, it is my goal for the month of September to take a break from social media. I will still be posting here on my blog but I feel I spend to much time on Facebook and Instagram. I feel that both have become negative and toxic places at the moment. I've also decided to clean up my eating habits and focus on exercising more. I need to work on some positive habits and lessen the negativity from outside sources that I have allowed into my daily life.

That being said, I have my trusty sewing room and a few projects to help me focus on my goals.

Besides sock knitting and the quilting WIPs that I currently have going I will be making a T-shirt quilt for someone I love. I think it is a surprise, so I can't say who.

I've also started a new embroidery project.

Both projects I hope to complete before Christmas this year.

I feel good ... I feel positive ... and I feel excited about the possibilities!

Goals for September stats:

present weight - 141.6 lbs.

 

Transitioning

 Transitioning from one season to the next.

I was looking back on my camera roll and noticed that subconsciously I have been transitioning from summer and the garden into fall and winter activities.

My sewing room is now haunted!

Last year I purchased the pattern for these cute little ghosts from @thencamejune and @penandpaperpatters (on instagram)

www.thencamejune.com

www.penandpaperpatterns.com

I made 1 (one) ghost block and set it aside ... so here is me a year later picking up where I left off.

I have the Fall feels in a big way apparently ...

My daughter had surgery a few weeks ago and I bound off sock #1 of each of these pairs of socks and cast on sock #2

I'm sure I have mentioned this here before but ... I learned how to knit solely and specifically to make socks. Just socks. I always wanted to learn how to knit and make my own socks. I wanted to have a pair of socks on the sticks in progress so that when I'm out and about I have a project to work on. When I'm in a waiting room waiting to be called back for my appointment. Stuck in traffic ... you know all of those times when you are just waiting ...

I achieved this goal a few years ago and now I always have a project bag with a couple of socks in the works with me at all times. It is just one of those things that makes me happy.

My sister-in-law's mother gifted me some of her bread starter and I have been whipping up fresh bread and cinnamon rolls regularly for the past couple of weeks.

I've always wanted to learn how to make this bread. My mom made this bread for years and I loved every thing she ever baked with this starter. My daughter loves these cinnamon rolls A LOT!!!

This guy just makes me happy!

HE is always near and loves this lofty spot on top of a bookshelf in my sewing room.

If I'm in my sewing room HE is usually right there with me. 

I love how HE hides his eyes with his paw when he sleeps.

HE is such a cool kid!

So ... according to my camera roll  (hahaha) ... I have been actively transitioning into Fall without even realizing it.

Happy Fall to you all!

 

Weekend Vibes

 Weekend Vibes

Pesto and Vanilla Extract were on deck for this weekend's activities. I'm happy to say that both tasks have been completed.

I'm still shocked that my little herb garden did so well this summer.

I'm so happy that I was brave enough to plant my own herb garden this year.

I am definitely glad that I asked my brother to teach me how to garden.

Gardening has become a real joy for me.

I have 5, 1/3 cup packets of pesto in the freezer.

I ordered brewing bottles for my vanilla extract but you can just use canning jars.

I wanted brewing bottles because I think they will make a better presentation when given as a gift.

I watched more than a few YouTube tutorials on making your own vanilla extract and some said to use vodka and some said to use spiced rum. All of the videos stressed using a high quality vodka or spiced rum. Well, I decided to do a taste comparison, making 3 bottles with vodka and 3 bottles with spiced rum.

Only time will tell ...

Vanilla Extract

Spiced Rum vs Vodka

Simple Pleasures and Small Comforts

 Simple pleasures and small comforts.

Sundays are just made for them.

No Bake Cookies and Lemon Scones are two of life's little pleasures.

No Bake Cookies

And, the small comforts of having ingredients on hand and the time to make a few of my daughter's favorite treats is just a priceless blessing.

Fresh baked Lemon Scones

I haven't baked scones in a very long time but my daughter asked for them specifically, so it is safe to say I will do anything for my baby girl.

It's been a wonderful Sunday.

Hygge

Hygge (/ˈh(j)uːɡə/; Danish: [ˈhykə]; Norwegian: [ˈhŷɡːə]) is a Danish and Norwegian word for a mood of coziness and comfortable conviviality with feelings of wellness and contentment.

This little red cabinet give me the Hygge feels ...

Planning Ahead

 Planning Ahead

Last year, or so, I read an article about living more intentionally and somehow that really struck a cord with me. I look back on my parents and grand-parents and how life seemed to have so much more reason and value.

They lived seasonally, if you will, not just planting and harvesting but with each season there were activities whether work or leisure that seemed to focus them and ground them. The activities were planned and planned for.

Since reading that article, I have been working toward living a more intentional life and planning ahead has been key for me. I wanted to learn how to garden, so I made a plan ... 

I wanted to learn how to can and freeze food, so I made a plan ...

I wanted to learn how to make bread and cinnamon rolls, so I made a plan ...

This weekend I have planned ahead, gathered recipes and supplies, and I will be making homemade vanilla extract and sweet basil pesto.

I will be keeping some of the vanilla extract but it is my plan to give this as gifts.

And, a happy plan came about when I posted this picture of my herbs. With a family recipe I will be making pesto for my freezer. 

I LOVE it when a plan comes together.

💖💖💖

Successful Bread Making 101

 SUCCESS!!!!

All very delicious and totally worth the effort!

YUM!

Next up homemade vanilla extract! Yea BABY!!!

Bread Making 101

Bread making 101

Over the past few years I have been working toward ACTUALLY learning how to do all of those things that I have been interested in learning;

Gardening

Canning and Freezing foods

Bread (sour dough) making

... and this summer I have been ticking these things off of my list. My sister-in-law's mother has shared her sour dough bread starter with me. This is the starter that my mother used when she was making bread and cinnamon rolls. 

Step One

Obviously I plan on making A LOT of bread .... hahahaha

Step Two

Step Three

Now it is time to Rise ... this evening when I get home from work, hopefully everything will have risen and will be ready for Step Four ...

which is baking up in the oven!

I'm so excited!!!

Next up ... making my own vanilla extract ...

Bountiful Summer

 I have had a bountiful summer full of gardening fun.

... and I have learned so much. I can't begin to express in words how much I have enjoyed myself learning how to garden and can foods.

My little red cupboard is getting full.

There are beans, pickles, vegetable soup, and salsa.

I also have my honey from Crossville stored.

My freezer has corn and okra.

I've had delicious fresh tomato sandwiches, where the tomatoes were still warm from the sun.

Seen a sweet little frog on a big okra leaf.

And watched the cutest pup, Rusty, enjoy a garden fresh cucumber.

Oh the beauty, bounty, and fun I have had in my brother's garden this summer.