Yummy, Healthy Breakfasts

I've recently been introduced to a new website: http://www.theyummylife.com.  Some of the recipes had been pinned to Pinterest, and I found them there.  These refrigerator oatmeals looked so good to me, and I've decided to give them a try. These oatmeal recipes use oatmeal, greek yogurt, chai seeds and assorted other flavors and fruits.  I have recently rejoined Weight Watchers, and the recipes include the Weight Watcher points as well as the other nutrition facts.  So far, I've looked at 14 different flavors, and choosing which to make will be a hard decision.  
Today, I have decided to make 3 per week.  For this week, I have decided on the Raspberry Vanilla, the Blueberry Maple, and the Apple Cinnamon flavors

Daughter Mary brought me the Cherry Chocolate Chunk last Sunday night.  I ate it for my breakfast on Monday, and it was amazing.  The Chia seeds swell up and get soft.  I would never have dreamed that cold oatmeal could be so satisfying.  It was almost like a dessert, and I almost felt guilty eating it - almost.  I am really impressed with the website.  Monica has some delicious sounding items on here, and they are all pretty healthy.  If you have some free time, check out the Yummy Life website.  You won't be sorry.

Guess What Day It Is. . .

Yep, you got it!!!  Does Friday the 13th frighten you?  Lots of people fear the number 13.  What is your worst experience with Friday the 13th?  My worst was decades ago.  My sister and I shared a room on the attic floor of our home.  It was a huge room, with a long hallway leading to the stairs which led to the first floor.  One week, my sister decided to dust the floor with Endust and a dust mop.  Always looking for a quick way to finish a job.  The morning of that particular 13th, I got dressed for school and finished with my socks.  My shoes were on the first floor, so I started down the hall.  My socks were the perfect vehicle to make the hallway a "slip and slide".  My feet slipped out from under me, and I fell onto my bottom right at the top of the steps.  But it didn't stop there.  I toppled down the steps, landing on my head.  But it gets worse . . . the cat had barfed at the bottom of the steps and guess where my hair ended up.  Yep!!  Right in the cat-yack.  Needless to say, I didn't make it to school that day.

Since I married Rod, however, Friday the 13th is a good thing.  Thirteen is our lucky number.  His birthday is 13 days after mine, and our anniversary is 13 days after his birthday.  Have you any Friday the 13th horror stories to share??  Have a good and safe day.

"What a Crock" Wednesday

As you know, I'm in love with my crock pots.  I have four, one that is really old - before the crocks were removable.  Two are single crockpots - two different sizes, and then the triple one. I've been using them quite a bit, it makes dinner easier when it's been so hot.

I've made this bread pudding twice - once with apples and raisins, once with fresh peaches.  I don't make the sauce, I did use the sugar since it was only 1/4 cup and I substitute the mulling spice from Tastefully Simple for the cinnamon.  It is really good, and the family prefers the peach variation.  May try pears the next time.

On today's menu is this pot roast recipe.  It uses the three mixes pictured along with 1/2 cup water.  I haven't decided what to serve with it; I love these potatoes. Covering the crock with foil steams the potatoes, they are perfectly done without being mushy.  And I also found this recipe for crock pot mac and cheese.  I'm not sure if I have the evaporated milk, but if I do, this is the one.  I'm off to load the crock pot, have a great day.

A Wonderful Day

Saturday was the day for the annual picnic at my Mom's assisted living home.  It has always been outside, complete with great food and wonderful entertainment.  I, along with several others, had called on Thursday to voice my concern about the picnic being held in temperatures of 101.  Not only was it not good for the residents, but how do you keep the food safe?  The Activity Director got busy and had the event changed to the gymnasium of a local church.  It was a large room, handicapped accessible, with bathrooms close, and best of all, it was air conditioned.  The entertainer is an elderly man, who plays guitar and sings, almost like karaoke.  He does a lot of rock, country, and the songs for Hokey Pokey, the Chicken Dance, and YMCA.  Jake loves music, and was the hit of the party when he decided to dance.  He danced by himself for a while, but soon found a partner.  The seniors at the picnic got quite a laugh from his dancing. I think that sometimes children are so lucky because they haven't yet lost their innocence.  Mom was so proud because all of us except George were in attendance.  Kristin had to work Saturday morning, but arrived while the food was still out and got to enjoy the entertainment.  So when Kristin arrived, Mom had the largest number of family members in attendance.  It was so wonderful to see her laughing at all the kids dancing.  But, it's very possible that we got the biggest laugh from Jimmy.  He loves playing the "clown", and is always one of the first to participate in karaoke and dancing.  He did all the silly dances with Bubby on his shoulders.  With some of the other dances, he sneaked over behind some of the residents and danced with them.  It was certainly a great day for all.

Happy Birthday America

Happy Birthday, USA.  And I have to say, you look pretty good for your age.  Are you doing something special to celebrate the 4th?  We have no special plans.  July 4 is one of the holidays that we don't usually celebrate with the family.  Mary and her family usually go to Kennywood, a local amusement park.  Jimmy gets free tickets from the Carpenter's Union, but they don't use them the day of the Carpenter's picnic.  Jimmy usually works the union booth during the picnic, and so they use the tickets on July 4.  It's become a family tradition for them.  Pam and Pat are going to the park this evening for some rides and the fireworks.  So, Rod and I are just relaxing and enjoying a day off.  One of our neighbors has a 4th party every year, and we sit on our front porch and enjoy their fireworks.  I made potato salad for dinner last night, and we have enough left over for today.  Hope you have a "bang up" day.

Farmer's Market Quilt

It's a good thing that I finished my Farmer's Market quilt because it may be all the veggies we  get from the garden this year.  It has been so hot (in the 90's) and although they have called for rain, most of it has gone south of us.  We planted both green and wax beans - something has chewed them off at the ground.  We planted Brussel sprouts - also chopped off.  Strawberries have produced not one single berry, a big change from last year when Rod and Izzy picked a cereal bowl full nearly every day. The tomatoes, for some strange reason, look great.  And, we did manage to get a couple of meals from the peas.  This year we seem to be overrun with bunnies.  We used to have a neighbor with a jack russell terrier, a really fat terrier that daughter Pat called "Sausage Dog".  Seemed that dog was always in our yard.  But the neighbor moved away over the winter and so we see no more fat dog.  Maybe the dog was keeping the bunnies in check or at least away from the garden boxes.  My Granny used to tell us to sprinkle moth balls around the vegetable garden.  I don't know if it works, but I'm about to give it a try.  With how dry it's been, Rod has been watering the garden nearly every night.  That means increased water and sewage bills; and, since there's little hope for anything to grow at this point, I'm not sure it's worth it.  But at least I have my Farmer's Market Quilt.  And I finally have posted the photo that I promised you.  Stay cool.

WAHOOOO!!! Fabric has Arrived.

And now, let the sewing begin.  It's supposed to be a hot and humid weekend, and I intent to spend my weekend in the cool of the air conditioning with my sewing machine.

This is the fabric I chose for the sashing for Krissy's vinylmation quilt.  I just couldn't resist Minnie.  The appliques will be placed on a solid yellow, just the color of the hearts.  And the cornerstones will be white with red dots.

Vinlymation are available in the gift shops in the park as well as in the online Disney store.  After purchasing one that you don't like or already have, you have the option to trade it.  Krissy has quite a collection, and really loves them.  (she still lets Jake and Izzy play with them though.

I'm also planning on finding using the camera to take some photos of my projects in progress.  Stay cool this weekend.