5 Things Friday

I got really confused yesterday morning when I looked at Carla's blog, My 1/2 Dozen Daily and she had posted 5 Things Friday. I thought I was confused about the days but then realized that she was a day ahead; I wasn't a day behind! But since I had already planned my Thankful Thursday, I decided to put 5 Things Friday where it belongs...on FRIDAY!!! LOL

So, here are my 5 random things I want to share with you...

1.   Hubby brought me a bouquet of beautiful flowers this week. He said with all of the fog and ice he thought I might need some pretty flowers to cheer me up!

2.  I purchased a package of Hexagon templates/instructions and an Add-a-Quarter ruler. I am looking forward to exploring the world of Hexagons. Please tell me they aren't as addicting as the Yo-Yos!

3.   Have you heard of the Sock Bun? Well, I was reading about it on Pinterest and realized we used to have these in...hmmm, was it the 60s? We had a brown thing you used and made a nice bun with it. Nothing is new under the sun, is it? Anyway, I have been waiting for someone around here to wear a hole in their sock so I could cut the toe off and make myself a Sock Bun. Not to fear, someone has already thought of this dilemma! Through Pinterest I found Crochet Dynamite and her instructions to make what she calls Better Than a Sock Bun! I will be crocheting one of these bun shapers soon:)

4.   I am reading Debbie Macomber's Angels at the Table. It was on my Christmas Wish List and DD got it for me:) The angels, Shirley, Goodness and Mercy will make you belly laugh with their antics!

5.   You know those little packets of preservative that come with bouquets of flowers? Well, there is usually only enough preservative to last for one or two water changes. It is usually recommended to change the water on fresh water every other day and Costco flowers last for about two weeks. Needless to say, there isn't enough preservative. In all my reading about vinegar I read that to preserve flowers, add 2 Tablespoons White Vinegar and 1 teaspoon sugar to the fresh water in the vase. Stir to dissolve the sugar. Snip the ends of the flowers at an angle (this is important at EVERY water change) and put them in the vase. Tada! Works just like the little packet or better:) Now you know what to do the next time your sweetie brings you flowers!

That's it for my 5 Things Friday! I hope you have a great day and a wonderful weekend.

Kat

Happy Homemaker Monday

Well, it's Monday once again! I missed the Sunday Night Chit-Chat because we were at a snowy bonfire put on by some friends. This morning I discovered that dear Carla did her Sunday Night Chit-Chat post and then lost it:( I hate it when that happens!

So happy to be able to participate with Sandra in the Happy Homemaker Monday today! Sandra initiates the Happy Homemaker Monday from her blog Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. So, let's get started!

The weather...43 degrees and super windy! The wind blustered all night and looks like it will continue throughout today anyway!

Right now I am...Sitting on the sofa, looking out the window, drinking a cup of Orange Ginger Chai Tea (Uncle Lee's version). Just finished a phone call with the cell phone company to find out why the cell phone was turned off after one month. It was our fault: the debit card broke so got a new one; same number but new expiration and code! We're back on again:) Now I need my tea!

Thinking...About all the things I have to get done before Friday! We are leaving for DD's on Friday and there is sooo much to do before I leave. Then we come back Christmas Eve and have company coming Christmas Day! Oops! Starting to hyperventilate again!

On my reading pile...Almost finished with Homespun Bride and I actually picked up Happiness Key again. Maybe I'll get it read yet! Haven't had much read aloud time this month but we put our Louis L'Amour book aside to read Christmas in My Heart, Book 21. I can't believe I have been collecting these books for 21 years already!!!

On my tv...I watched an episode of Downton Abbey, season 2 on PBS last night. The new season starts in January:)

Favorite Blog Post this week (mine or other)...Carla at My 1/2 Dozen Daily did a 9 part tutorial for making a mug rug! And if you like that one she also did a tutorial for a Zippy Wallet and a Coffee Cozy! I truly wanted to get these done for Christmas but will just have to forgive myself and work on them in January! Another post well worth reading is Sandra's post called So Much on My Mind--poignant

Something fun to share...Honestly can't think of a thing at the moment. My head is full of my "to do" list and the terrible tragedy in Connecticut. My granddaughter is seven...'nuff said!

On the menu this week...My family is going to be lucky if I make anything but this is the plan so far:
Monday--Potato Corn Chowder with sandwiches
Tuesday--Big Salad
Wednesday--Rice and Pinto Beans
Thursday--Whatever is easy
Friday-Monday--Daughter's house; her menu

On my to do list...

• Finish getting Christmas cards out
• Clean guest apartment (company on Christmas)
• Wrap presents
• Laundry
• Bake cookies for gift baskets

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating...

• Doll outfit for granddaughter
• STILL working on Infinity Scarf
• Card for card swap

Homemaking Tip...We have discovered the joys of White Distilled Vinegar! I have been using it to relieve my itching (when it quits burning it feels great) plus have added it to laundry to make sure soap is rinsed out of the clothes AND you can add it to your dishwasher instead of Jet Dry! At $2.99/gallon (less if you get it on sale) it is a bargain in anybody's book! Check out 1001 Uses for Distilled White Vinegar. Last week I added it to my water for mopping the kitchen floor!

Looking around the house...Not good:( Shouldn't take too long to get it cleaned up though--just messy!

From the camera...Still nothing:( I will try to have something for next week!

On my prayer list...Praying for the families and friends of the victims of the tragedy in CT. Also praying for my precious granddaughter who went to school this morning in WA state.

Bible Verse; Devotional...

"Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." Psalm 55:22

Well, that is it for me today! Gotta get busy on that "to do" list! I will be back tomorrow with some gift tags from our Happy Stampers meeting last week.

Hug your kids just a little tighter and a little longer today!

Kat

5 Things Friday

It's time again for 5 Things Friday! We are started off each week by Carla at My 1/2 Dozen Daily. For new readers, 5 Things Friday is an opportunity for me to share 5 random thoughts with you! So, let's get started...

ONE...This week I got really frustrated with my mom and very nearly made the mistake of playing "tit for tat". Fortunately, I was able to counsel with some very wise women who helped me to see that 1) Two wrongs don't make a right; 2) My mom is not likely to change at this late stage in her life; and 3) "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Thank you ladies for your help and guidance!

TWO...I am starting to hyperventilate about being ready for Christmas! Slow down, breathe and do the next thing on my "to do" list!

THREE...What is it about men and electronics?!!! I don't think I will ever understand. Do we REALLY need surround sound in our bedroom? I don't think I really appreciate surround sound in the living room!

FOUR...Did you know that vinegar stops itching? I was using an aloe vera based cream that is $50/jar because it made my itching tolerable but vinegar does the same thing at a fraction of the cost. Check out 1001 Uses for White Distilled Vinegar.

FIVE...Is there anything in your house you would change if you had the money to do so? I would enlarge my bedroom/bathroom so I could have a walk-in closet and a big bathtub:) Second on that list would be new kitchen cupboards but I would be totally happy with the closet that would be easier to access!

Well, that's it for me on this fine Friday! Have a great weekend! 

Kat