Tuesday, May 27, 2014

My World this Week

My grandcat, working from home (photo taken by his human mama)
Okay, so this is really my world in the last week and a half since last week I didn't post one.  But there were plenty of books and tea and Maine Coon antics.

I finally have the garden all planted, as long as the bush beans sprout this time.  Hubby and I have been outside working on the fence line together.  I pull little weeds and prune bushes, he does the heavy lifting and fixes the fence.  For a 67 year old, he is still very strong!

Oh, no... I don't qualify for Medicare, yet.  I'm still 59 for a couple of months.  It is still beyond comprehension I am turning 60.  I remember when my mom turned 60, I was 18 at the time (yeah, you can do the math...) and she was telling me the very same thing.  How did she reach 60?   Of course, she was still five years old on the inside!  :)

Now for only the good things that happened in my world this last week (and a half)... as seen through the lens of my camera.

Reading

I'll share more about the top two books after I read them but I finished Rhonda's Kindle e-book called The Simple Life.  More info at this Amazon Associate's link... here.

It's a small book but packed with a lot of information and good advice about living what I call a "Pantry Lifestyle".  It was fun to read and I learned ideas to utilize even in our home.  If you don't own a Kindle, there are many ways you can download and read them.  For more information, go... here.

Baking

I still had some apples that needed to be used soon so I made apple crisp on one of the cooler days.

I was asked about eating dessert as a diabetic.  The first set of nutrition classes I went through were at the Henry Ford hospital in Detroit.  One of the diabetic educators teaching it advised all of her patients to set aside one day a week for their favorite treat.  It was always to be at the end of a low carb meal.

She said that helped diabetics cheat less when they know they will get one favorite treat each week. My treat is usually something I bake but it can also be a breakfast favorite like the pancakes at Cracker Barrel.

Sometimes I will have "cheat" days like a Holiday or on a vacation.  On this last New Year's Day, Hubby and I splurged with Lay's Classic potato chips and French Onion dip. :)

Remembering that diabetics have to carefully guard all carbs and potato chips, mashed potatoes, yummy white French bread, etc. can raise the blood sugar just as much (and even more!) than dessert.  I am really looking forward to receiving my eternal perfect body.

Roasting

I took advantage of the very cool weather to peel and cube the two butternut squash I've had for awhile, along with using the cauliflower that Hubby brought home from the food pantry that day.

They were placed on a baking pan, drizzled with a little olive oil, sprinkled with Kosher salt... and slow baked until gorgeous.  Yummy.  The strawberries were also brought home from the pantry, it was the monthly food pantry that often has fresh veggies and fruit.

Thrifting

Lined leather Isotoner gloves, 99 cents each at Goodwill.   That will go amongst my very best thrifting buys since they retail for $40.00 to $50.00.

They probably were only recently put on the shelf and I was there at the right (God Wink) time... but I have a feeling some people didn't want to think of gloves after that long winter.

Home-making

I took my collection of vintage tablecloths off the shelf and washed them before folding and putting away again.  Although I transferred the two terrycloth tablecloths (they are in the middle of the photo with big, red roses!) to the linen closet for use this summer.

I learned to do this after inheriting a few of my mother-in-law's items and have them disintegrate, especially in fold lines... because they were never taken out and washed, much less used.

Her Fluffiness

Ummm... don't ask.  ?

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

WOW! That was a super find on the Isotoner gloves! What a great deal!
Wish I could go shopping with you.
The squash, cauliflower and strawberries look delicious! Thanks for sharing pics. Blessings, Sharon D.

Rebecca said...

GREAT tip about the table clothes! I think I'll wait for a sunny day and hang them outside to dry.

Vee said...

That laundering of linens reminds me that I need to do the same...always forget. Do you use your beautiful vintage tablecloths? They are really pretty.

Wow! What a bargain on the Isotoners! I usually purchase a new set of leather driving gloves every couple of years and use the old ones for gardening...so much better than the cotton numbers with more protection from thorns and tugging.

Isn't it funny how we don't really know how old our blogging buddies are? I am leading the way for you! =D

Cheri said...

I am also 59 staring down 60 and hubby is 67. Ever time I read your lovely blog I find something else we have in common.

NCIS fan also. :)

Anonymous said...

That was a great deal on the Isotoner gloves! Good find!


Coleen

Bookie said...

Loved seeing your vintage tablecloths! I use mine daily even though they are far from perfect fit for my table. Just use them anyway.
Eating here is challenge as diabetic has to be balanced with Crohn's disease.

Anonymous said...

I just love your blog! I never miss it.
Your oven roasted veggies look very yummy.
I am also 59 and will be 60 next month. I thought 50 was bad!

Anonymous said...

Those are beautiful tableclothes and what a great bargain on the gloves.

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

My son Kyle and I have the same age difference that you and your mother did! It's a blessing to have a child in your forties, he keeps me young!

Your vintage cloths are great, I was just looking at some the other day. Your gloves are a great find, especially the RED pair!

I have recently fallen in love with roasted veggies!

Deanna

Nana said...

Hi Brenda;
Goodness, you are way ahead of me. I haven't planted one thing in the garden yet! It has been cold and rainy with just the last few days warm and sunny I hope to get out today, between rain drops and do some yard work.) Isatoner gloves for 99 cents, the Lord really smiled down on you that day! Thanks for sharing how you eat desserts I will give it a try. Love the tablecloths! They are beautiful. Love and Hugs Nana

Rain said...

Such lovely tablecloths!
I'm just beginning my journey with diabetes as our 11 yr. old son was just diagnosed with type 1 after a DKA 'scare' last week.

Instagram.com/melissasnotes said...

Love your vintage table cloths, especially the blue, red and green one, that would look lovely on the Dining Room table. I enjoy ironing so I use mine quite often.
Just wondering if you have heard of the book "Hands Free Mama" by Rachel Macy Stafford - "A guide to putting down the phone, burning the to-do-list, and letting go of perfection to grasp what really matters!" I know you won't have a problem with this, but you have a "voice" and a following when you recommend books. Another look at changing your Christian life and living it simply.
Thank you for sharing glimpses into your life.

rebecca said...

OK. Just finished Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry (thanks to your review). AND most of it was read aloud with husband as we traveled over the weekend. Quite an interesting experience. I found it to be an unintentional & modern "Pilgrim's Progress" and found it to be quite allegorical in spots...