Day 335

BEEF STEW IN A PRESSURE COOKER

20 minutes and it is cooked to perfection

I forgot to take a photo of the pressure cooker in action, so here it is after it is has been washed and ready to get put back in the pantry. I've had this cooker for 20 years or more and I need to use it more often because it does an amazingly good job. I just wish we had purchased a smaller one. This is just too big for the two of us. So, Ed came over to share our stew tonight. Still....forgot to take a photo of dinner.

I know they now sell electric pressure cookers which seems weird to me. I feel like it couldn't possibly get hot enough to do the job. I have fried chicken in this big cooker, but it was not worth the effort. I think I had to make enough for at least 6 of us a few years ago. Next I think I will cook a whole chicken. 

Merrely came over this afternoon to have a latte (thanks for making them, Dave) and to catch up. She brought some biscotti that a friend of her made. Yum.

Day 334

POINSETTIA PILLOWS

all in a day's sewing

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE MY SEWING ROOM!!

Day 333

FINALLY SPENT SOME TIME IN MY SEWING ROOM

and it felt great!

Finished this and got it hung up.

I am working on a few projects simultaneously and I must like that because I keep doing it! I am a bit compulsive and anxious to begin a project. Then sometimes I get bogged down in the middle and move on to another sewing project. I do have a short attention span! I'm almost done binding a table runner and I may just go finish it so I can get the photo posted here as well.

Viola! Done. Table Runner done. I still need to make a label for the back.

Up close to see the quilting stitches. It looks like it was hand stitched, but I used 30 weight variegated Sulky thread with a special stitch available on the Bernina machine. It was a snap to do the binding using the #71 foot. LOVE IT! Never again will I hand stitch the binding.

Good boy. Sleep away. I have found him chewing on both of these type of long quilting pins. I wonder how many he has in his tummy. He EATS everything he finds on the floor. The other day he grabbed a dryer sheet as I took the clothes out of the dryer and he had it half eaten by the time I discovered that he had it. When he got on my lap the next morning.....he didn't feel any softer. Hehe.

Day 332

46 YEARS TOGETHER

Happy Anniversary to us!

Too bad....I forgot to take a photo of our dinner date. We decided to go back to the restaurant that serves the very best rib eye steak. Melrose Grill in Renton. Yum. We did manage to eat most of our meal, but we brought home a bit of steak for tomorrow. Usually this restaurant doesn't take reservations and there is a line waiting outside the door. Dave called and managed to get an early reservation....4:20 pm. Early Bird Special. Except there was no special on the price. $35 per rib eye meal. Garlic mashed potatoes, vegetables, salad and rolls. We each had a nice glass of cab that was a perfect accompaniment to the steak. After the Seahawks game people began to show up and pretty soon is was packed. They don't need to take reservations and if one of your party is not on time when they buzz you to tell you your table is ready, they give you a 10 minute grace period for the missing person to show up and then they give your table to the next party in line. They have limited seating, but the food is worth it.

We were a bit frustrated to see so many people wearing hats and knit caps and even a hoodie as they ate their meal. Sure wish there was some sort of dress code. I guess that is another sign of our age. After we ate, we went to Pete and Shauna's so Dave could bring our pick up home.  Here is a photo of Dave relaxing this evening.

Day 331

A CRUISE, A FUNERAL AND FLEAS

it's been a day

I was in my bathrobe until 11:45 am this morning trying to do another search for a Panama Canal cruise and managing to get rooms booked for the Scotts and us. Phew. I spoke with Alan from Travel with Alan (he was actually in town!) and after consulting back and forth with the Scotts, we all bit the bullet and did it! Cruise, airfare, 1 night hotel stay, Ultimate drink package, upgrade to balcony for Scotts and mini-suite for us. We still need to check our passports and make sure they will still be in effect in April. And PRAY that we can manage to stay healthy!!

scribbling out some numbers while on the phone, guessing at airfare, tips, taxes, etc. to compare.

I quickly got my clothes on in time to get out the door for the memorial service for the mother of one of our Bible Study friends. She left quite a wonderful legacy of Christianity. The ultimate musical family. Piano and vocal.  One grandson is a pastor and I think her son is also a pastor. They showed a video of a 2 year old great granddaughter who belted out The Lord's Prayer in tune!

It was about a 1 hour 45 minute memorial service. Beautiful music and testimonials.

Then Shauna called to ask if they could borrow our truck so we decided to just drive it over to their house, visit for a bit and let them keep the truck so they can get their tree tomorrow, in addition to hauling home the new freezer they purchased from Lowe's on Black Saturday.

Here is the de-fleaed flea-bag!

Poor Beemer. I had just trimmed his toenails and toe hair, bathed him and defleaed him a couple of days ago, but the fleas were back. His bedding is all in the washer right now so hopefully we can get things under control. I don't know if he picks up more fleas when he goes for a walk with Dave or if those pesky critters are living in my office carpet, but it is a real problem. He is a funny little dog.

Day 330

RELAXING DAY INTERRUPTED

my aunt called....

because she had still not received one of her medications and had been on hold with the pharmacy at Group Health to no avail. SO. I called and was on hold for 20 minutes and when someone answered they told me that her medications were ready to be picked up at the pharmacy. Ugh. They are supposed to mail them to her care facility. Off I went to pick up her medications.

Unfortunately Group Health is merging with Kaiser Permanente and things are changing. I was told there was a bit of a wait so they offered free coffee. I got a mocha with soy milk and sat down to wait. The guy next to me told me he had been there for 2 hours! Patience.....

After 20 minutes, my number was called and I was told that I could get a 3 day emergency supply. I explained that that is what I got a week or more ago and that she still has not received her medications in the mail. So, go ahead and sit down and we will fill her prescription with 87 pills instead of the regular amount of 90. One hour later, they were ready. They still could not reasonably reassure me that her other meds on order would be sent to her. I expressed that I did not want to have to come and pick up her medications but that they needed to be sure they are sent directly to her (which they have always done in the past.)

Off I went to Safeway to get a bag of cat food that Eileen had requested, then on to drop her things off and visit a bit.

I decided I should just go on to JoAnn's Fabrics to get a few items that I needed for Christmas presents. That took longer than anticipated and of course the card reader machine locked up so I needed to wait while the cashier called headquarters to get things unstuck. I was ready to get home!

And have a glass of wine to unwind. I hope tomorrow is more relaxing.

Day 329

THANKSGIVING DAY

great time with family

Day 328

PIES ARE DONE!

tomorrow morning I will make the scalloped corn

Day 327

THANKFUL FOR GOOD FRIENDS

and a busy life

Birthday wishes from Marv and Merrely

I spent much of today watching over my sewing machine as it worked at embroidering many flowers and leaves for the wall hanging I have been sewing. Still not done! While we were at Dick and Judy's home this afternoon discussing a possible cruise in a few months Merrely dropped by and left this sweet card and gift on our porch. After a quick bite to eat, I was out the door with $5 in my pocket to play bunco with 11 other ladies at the clubhouse. I didn't win any money back since I only had 2 buncos and 12 wins and 12 losses. Right in the middle.

Day 326

ANOTHER 5 HOUR SESSION

and still haven't finished this wallhanging

Day 325

WE ARE ENJOYING WATCHING

"the crown" on Netflix

John Lithgow is fabulous as Winston Churchill

Day 324

ONE HOUR AT JENNIE'S KNITTING

a bit of knitting, a bit of sewing today

Two BIG cats! Cloony and Bugsy

These cats LOVE some attention

Jennie lives next door and when I went out her door we saw a nice fat bunny eating some red berries on one of my shrubs. He didn't even act scared when I got pretty close to him.

Day 323

MUST WORK ON THIS TOMORROW

so I am caught up and ready for the class Monday Morning

I have about 3 hours or more to spend on this wallhanging by Monday morning.

This is the finished product.....hopefully!

Day 322

FIRST DAY OF THE NW QUILT 

CRAFT & SEWING FESTIVAL

It was a good deal of walking today and I really worked at trying not to limp.

There is Cevin, the owner of Bernina of Renton....sell, sell, sell

As I was leaving a whole bunch of people poured out of the blue gate. I didn't see a sign indicating what their event was, but lots of people in military fatigues. Many were carrying small silver tool boxes and something round like a hula-hoop. I can't find a link online to any other event today. 

Day 321

GIRL SCOUTS FOR THE WIN

first Daisy meeting this afternoon

I did the video training, completed information for the background check and am registered as a troop helper for both the Brownies and Dasies troops that Shauna is leading.I was unable to attend last week's Brownie meeting with Hailey but managed to be there for today's Daisy meeting. Shauna is super organized and is doing a great job leading these groups. I'm glad I will be able to lend her a hand. Such sweet girls!

Getting acquainted

Eating a snack

Learning the pledge

Day 320

AFTERNOON ERRANDS

for my Aunt Eileen

It began with a call from my aunt who was frustrated because she couldn't get through by phone to the Group Health pharmacy. Two of her medications that she ordered a week ago hadn't arrived yet and she needed them.

I already had a list of items she needed me to purchase, so off I went to Walgreens, the bank, the dollar store, the grocery store and then to Group Health. While there I stopped at the injection room since I got a notification that I needed my 2nd pneumonia shot. I already had one two years ago but didn't realize that now they want us to get a 2nd one at least one year later. Ugh. Then it took forever for my number to come up at Group Health pharmacy because I discovered that they were in the process of changing their pharmacy system so things were a bit slow. I found out that her meds were in process somewhere, but I managed to get one prescription filled and only a 3 day emergency supply of the other one because they didn't have enough in stock. Then it was off to deliver all this stuff to my aunt.

By then it was time for her to go upstairs and get her insulin injection and go to the dining room for dinner. It was raining and I was eager to get home. Last week Dave purchased a headset for her TV so she wouldn't disturb her neighbors since her hearing is poor. Today she told me that they work GREAT! I think she is set now for another couple of weeks. 

Several items were purchased here and I managed to find SIX large print crossword puzzle books. A gold mine today! It has been difficult to find them lately and Eileen mostly reads and does crosswords to fill her days.

I had to take her picture. She has been letting her hair grow out since it is so expensive to get it cut. It sure grows fast!

Day 319

AND THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS

after I step in dog poo (outside) and inadvertently track it inside

Thanks, Dave!

Day 318

TIME TO REFILL THE PILL CASE

again....man the weeks roll by fast!

Day 317

ALL DAY BUS TRIP TO CRAFT BAZAARS

I was ssoooo tired by the time I got home

We drove up to a big bazaar at the clubhouse at Echo Falls Golf Course in Snohomish which had wonderfully crafted items. Then on to another place that we weren't sure just where it was, but it was huge, crowded and just had too much stuff to really look closely at and not much in the way of Christmas decorations. Not that I was complaining! I went to spend the day with Merrely and Sherrie not to buy stuff that I don't need or want. The third stop was a longer stay at Country Village in Bothell, where we had time to have lunch and stroll leisurely through the shops. There were about 30 of us who went on this foray, leaving from our church parking lot. It was fun to visit with friends that I don't normally see on Sunday morning since we attend the early service and others go on Saturday night or later on Sunday.

Jennifer and Kathy each bought these Christmas bird house entry thingys.

Third stop was Country Village in Bothell, where the chickens roam free.

And Santa's reindeer take a little vacation from the North Pole.

Hello. How do you do??

Day 316

MARV'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

fun times with friends!

Day 315

WHERE WOULD I BE WITHOUT MY CALENDAR

I like having a paper calendar even though I could use my phone

Day 314

A SIMPLE PILLOWCASE

I've made several of these and now Seahawks pillowcases

Making a sample for the store

Day 313

COULD IT REALLY BE THAT TRUMP IS WINNING?

time will tell....

WILL THE EARTH STILL BE SPINNING TOMORROW??