Saturday, August 31, 2013

Day 913

There are so many things I love about my life. One of my most favorite is the time I get to spend working on charity quilts for kids. It always makes me thankful for my circumstances.

Joy is a choice.

Friday, August 30, 2013

Day 912

Today found us sleeping too late to see the balloons over Boise. Strawberry pancakes. A cold french dip sandwich. A training at school. Melted then frozen miniature candy bars. Receipt of a chastising email. A late afternoon-evening nap.

And cheerful fabrics in a quilt.

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Day 911

If there was a messy way to decide on colors for a quilt, I think I found it. Lately it seems I pull all kinds of fabrics off the shelves and out of the drawers to make my decision. We'll see how many of these fabrics actually wind up in this next little girl's quilt.

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Day 910

We've been skipping all over the menu to get finished up. This one is #20, Camarones al Mojo Ajo.

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Day 909

Another little baby step on a quilt for a little guy in Alaska.

Monday, August 26, 2013

Day 908

Every day is a blessing. The universe works in my favor and knows what is best for me. It was confirmed again today.

I received an email this morning canceling a meeting that was scheduled at my second job (or is it my third?). That meant no driving, no dress clothes. A day in my home by myself, a day to work through infusion side effects. An unexpected semi-free time day.

It may have taken me forever to make tonight's dinner but I did it. If I didn't have today to myself I wouldn't have been able to pace myself like I did. The first meal I've cooked in ages. Oven baked chicken, homemade oven baked onion rings, some frozen veggies, and the easiest (and most delicious) homemade peach cobbler.





Sunday, August 25, 2013

Day 907

When I dragged myself in the door yesterday I found that a new set of pictures came. Pictures from the military base in Alaska. Pictures of kids and dads and moms in the service. Pictures for me to put into quilts.

Then today I kept rubbing and reading my tattoo - a way to get myself out of bed, a way to motivate myself to try to overcome post-infusion side effects.

Put the two days together and I made it to the sewing room long enough to pick out some of the new fabrics to use in one of the new quilts.

Baby steps.

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Day 906

I finally got proof that there is an owl close by. A single feather left on our patio.

Friday, August 23, 2013

Day 905

I wonder which picture would win a bizarre picture contest.

A close up of a drop of water on the tablecloth at today's meeting or the infusion I had after today's meeting.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Day 904

I got to kitty cat babysit at our place in Boise last night. While kiddo's kitty got in a bit of trouble by trying to jump on a kitchen counter during the night it sure is hard to scold her.

Just look at those eyes! Such a doll.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Day 903

While going to Boise for meetings isn't my favorite thing in the world, I do get a chance to spend time with my daughter. And today was a special shopping day. Me, kiddo, her fiancé, and her maid of honor. (I'm told it isn't all that unusual for fiancé to be part of this kind of shopping these days.)

Today was wedding dress shopping. Kiddo tried on several dresses, finding something good - and not so good - about each one. She's such a gorgeous girl they all looked great on her (yeah, that's a mom talking), but she easily narrowed it down to her favorite. While I'm forbidden to share her perfect choice she did give me permission to share some of other dresses she tried on.





Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Day 902

Selling on eBay is good because you make money off your clutter.

Selling on eBay is bad because you have to make frequent trips to the post office.

Making frequent trips to the post office is good because Alejandra's is about 10 steps away.

Being close to Alejandra's is bad because we're getting near the end of eating through the menu.

Being near the end of the menu is good because then we'll get to go back and eat some of the items that were our favorite.

Getting to eat some of the items that were our favorites is bad because there were too many to choose from.

Just look at today's choice. Fajita steak. Covered in peppers, onions, and melted cheese. Yum.

But look at that other picture that looks like a white rope. The bottom of the "rope" is the steak and the top of the "rope" is my fork. But it isn't a rope. It's the melted cheese. Have you ever seen anything like that?!

Monday, August 19, 2013

Day 901

You know dinner is going to be good when hubby says, "I was thinking Alejandra's."

Sizzling beef and shrimp fajitas for us to share. Just look at the bubbling hot concoction. Oh, yeah!

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Day 900

No big excitement on this big day. 900 days of taking a picture a day. Who knew it would go so long? Certainly not me.

I guess there was some excitement. I had forgotten I bought a bag of cotton candy at the fair on Friday. It's been sitting in my car since. But today when I woke up from my nap and headed to my recliner hubby had taken out of the car and had put it in my chair.

It was like Christmas. (Or like day 900 I guess.) Who knows how long it would have stayed in that hot car before I remembered it!

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Day 899

We love having a daughter who works at Macy's. While she doesn't get an employee discount (she'd have to have a store credit card and she stays away from those), she still knows when the good sales come on and which rack to find the best bargains. And with hubby needing new school pants and Macy's having a one day sale, today was right for a nice savings.

Just two pair of expensive pants for under forty dollars. How expensive? Take a look at how much we DIDN'T pay for them.

Friday, August 16, 2013

Day 898

I had a hard time settling on my pictures today. See, today for the first time since kiddo was in elementary school, we went to the Western Idaho Fair.

When junior high started she had volleyball practice. When high school started she had volleyball practice. When college started my knee was on the verge of replacement. When she left college the knee was finally replaced but then so many health issues arose for me I never could get back. Until today.

So thanks to scooter I went from one end of the fairgrounds to the other more than once. Kiddo, hubby, me.

Good food, good fun, great project ideas. Just look at this dollhouse that looks just like a quilt store! And for food, how about an ice cream potato? Vanilla ice cream rolled in cocoa powder to make it look like a potato. Cut it down the middle, add some whipped cream to mimic sour cream. Add Oreos and nuts. Oh, so tasty!

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Day 897

It turned out better than I could ever have imagined.

Inside my arm, just above my left wrist. A constant reminder to me that despite all my health issues - all my pain, all my huffing and puffing and not being able to catch my breath, having to rely on a scooter to get around; despite the infusions and chemotherapy and all the side effects that go along with them - life is here to be lived.

And I intend to live it.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Day 896

After my meeting in Boise today I made a stop. The picture gives a big hint as to where I'll be spending some time tomorrow after my next meeting. I'm going for it!

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Day 895

Kitty has the right idea. Sleep on top of the comforter. Don't forget to cover your eyes to block out the daylight!

Monday, August 12, 2013

Day 894

In a break from the expected, dinner in Marsing tonight was not at Alejandra's but at the pizza place. Too bad hubby doesn't like au jus. If he actually dipped his sandwich he would have realized it would have made it oh-so-tasty. You can bet I would have dipped his delicious melted brisket sandwich! (He didn't give me the chance.)

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Day 893

When hubby caught his salmon I knew he had a pink one and a silver one. Not being a salmon fisherman I didn't know the difference. Even when it arrived at the house I couldn't tell the difference. Last week he grilled the pink; today he grilled the silver.

I still can't tell the difference. Is it the meat or the scales that determine the type?

Here's what silver looks like. Doesn't look much different than the pink he made the other day (to my untrained eye).



Saturday, August 10, 2013

Day 892

When hubby starts school Monday things will change. The biggie probably be dinner. He's been the chef around the house these last few weeks and I've been getting spoiled. He always makes sure he cooks something I'm interested in eating. Sometimes he'll add some type of side dish, or a condiment, or some sauce just for him - something special that fits his weird taste.

Like the apple cider sauerkraut. When we were in Leavenworth last month we ran across a restaurant that served cabbage cooked in apple cider. He fell in love with it and has been anxious to make his own batch. So when he decided we would have grilled sausages for dinner tonight, guess what he also made? He again loved it. And no, I did not try it.

Friday, August 9, 2013

Day 891

If you've been a reader for a while you know one of my passions is sewing and quilting for charities.

Turtle Pillows for Paul Newman's Hole in the Wall Camp.
Stockings for Soldiers.
Quilts for children of servicemen and women.

Usually the quilts are for kids who have parents away fighting some war somewhere around the world. While I know who I'm making the quilt for, I don't usually know much about the families. (Remember back on Day 497 when I got to personally present quilts to kids when I went to Anchorage? That was certainly special.) But today's quilt is special, too. It's for a soldier's niece. She's been growing up with her uncle being a big part of her life, developed a very close bond with him, and loves him as much as anyone could. But she misses her uncle, the soldier, dearly.

When the military base in Alaska contacted me about the possibility of making this special quilt for a special little girl I was honored to be part of it.  I hope the bright colors and vivid pictures hold her uncle - the one who was killed on Christmas Day - close to her heart.

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Day 890

I'm glad our daughter came home because we don't like sour cream.

On Day 657 we started an adventure at Alejandra's. An eat-through-the-menu adventure. It's now seven months later and we're getting close to the end. But there is a menu item we skip over again and again.

Enchiladas Blancas. White enchiladas made with sour cream.

It just so happens that daughter's favorite menu item at Alejandra's are those same enchiladas. So we finally got her home and got her to eat those for us. (To keep things honest I had a bite.)

That wasn't the only reason to get her home. It's hubby's birthday and he wanted Number 21, Camarones al Chipotle, again. He got it, she got her enchiladas. And Alejandra's surprised their loyal customer with deep fried ice cream. The taste of that put the German chocolate cake with extra pecans I made to shame.

Happy birthday, Ed!





Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Day 889

As we pulled in the driveway tonight I spotted something down the road. Something I have been wanting to find for a couple years now. Something that was the cutest thing I'd seen in a long time. Thank goodness kiddo was with us - she grabbed my camera and walked down the road just a bit for this special picture.

Those baby quail are so teeny tiny!

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Day 888

Guess yesterday's fortune cookie held true.

Quilt for a 3 year old little boy. In Alaska.

Monday, August 5, 2013

Day 887

Sleep in.

Help hubby get his classroom ready.

Go to Chinese food.

Get groceries.

Best part of the day? My fortune.

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Day 886

A sneak peek at the other kid's quilt top.

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Day 885

Number 21 on Alejandra's menu is Camarones al Chipotle.
Shrimp with onions and mushrooms in red spicy sauce that will make you blush.

The red spicy sauce has made it onto hubby's The Best Thing I Ever Ate list. And just look at that jumbo shrimp.

Friday, August 2, 2013

Day 884

All that Suck the Marrow Tour confidence I had quickly dissipated once the infusion side effects hit. And to let it interfere with my job? Certainly something someone "living deep" wouldn't do. I'm thinking I need to get that tattoo of the quote as a reminder to continue living when things aren't so good.

In the meantime I decided to spend a big part of today doing what I did before - back in the first year or two of the blog - when I felt crappy.

Back to sewing. Finished one of the Alaska kids' quilt tops. Here's a sneak peak at a piece of it.

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Day 883

While my mother and her tomatoes provided yesterday's picture, when I got home today I found that hubby was providing today's picture.

Just look what he made for dinner while I was in Boise. That would be a pink salmon he caught in Alaska.