Mimosa and Butterflies

I finally decided what to paint on the last box.  I couldn't find the book I'd used for the four seasons motif I used on the others.
But it's cold and gray outside or cold, sunny, and bright.  I decided the memory of the pink mimosa blooms with yellow butterflies would be my theme on this one and I would enjoy that bit of summer in late November.

Photos/Reality

Sometimes a photograph doesn't show reality as I see it.  For example, the autumn leaves picture looked better than the actual scene to me, maybe because it left out some of the surroundings.  Flowers show up nicely in pictures when done close up, but I don't ever feel pleased with a picture showing a lot of flowers and how they look together.
But I didn't realize I had a bunch of gray hair right on top of my head until I saw a black and white photograph somebody had taken of me. 
The picture of the foil packages of dressing I'd stuck in my refrigerator freezer showed that I need to redo my freezer:(  I hadn't paid much attention to it because I keep bags and containers of this and that to use frequently.  So it looks messy.  If I put part of a bag or container of something in the deep freeze, I'm likely to get a new one rather than finish the container I'm not through with.  I put the dressing containers in the refrigerator freezer to show it doesn't take much space to put a lot of food if it is stacked in similar containers.  But it really looks messy. 
Photos sometimes show the truth my eyes don't notice. Maybe I should shop with my digital camera and laptop.  I could try on something, get a salesperson to snap a picture, and then I'd know if I liked how I looked in it.  The mirror isn't as good.  Evidently my eyes edit what I see in the mirror.

Disposable Tins

The four foil tins stacked contain dressing. I have two more in the refrigerator to cook tomorrow.  I prefer the 8x8 pans.  I had to ask where they were.  The roasting pans were easy to find and also the cake pans.  These are called cake pans, but to me they are brownie pans.  Some stores put all of the disposable tins together, but some spread them out so a tour guide is needed to locate the right one.

Making dressing is kind of a pain so we usually make enough for extras at Thanksgiving. I have enough bowls that can go in the freezer and the over, but they don't stack neatly the way the disposable tins do.  I also have a couple of candied sweet potatoes in the tins.  Nice to not have to clean them, just toss them.  I'm pretty sure they aren't company fare, but I'm fine with buffet-style serving.

Painting and Knitting

 Not many steps on a day when the weather is awful so I paint and knit.

Bits of This and That

Lousy weather today made it difficult to even think about getting my steps in.  Yesterday was bad enough, but today was worse.
I drilled holes in the rest of the little gourds I'd cleaned. I sponged white paint on a tableware container that I had painted six of already and given them Aunt Annie to pass out.  I can't find the book with the directions that I used on the other six.  I finally decided what to do with this one and got started.
The scarf that I started on a couple of weeks ago is pulled almost completely loose so I can try, try again.  I started with eleven stitches and somehow ended up with nine.  It wasn't noticeable until I held it up and looked at it.  I have two requests for that scarf and I don't know if I'm ever going to finish one.  I do know that I'm seriously tired of it even though it is gorgeous yarn.
Wolf chili was the last can of a flat purchased at Sam's Club.  It wasn't especially good, and I really didn't know anybody made a lousy chili.  But this time I added chili powder and cumin to it before spooning it over tamales a friend brought me from Texas.  Even Larry liked it. I still have tamales but a different single can of chili...another unknown brand.
I think it might be easier to clean up if I just got boxes, packed up everything that is a mess, and mailed it off as Christmas presents:) I started on that today:)

Too Cold

It's too cold to do my pacing on the porch to get my steps in on fitbit so I'm walking inside.  I'm not nearly done, but at least I'm getting some steps in.  I can bundle nicely for the arms, neck, and torso, but my legs just get too cold.  I'm thinking what to do.  I think maybe leggings under polartec pants would work.  I have the polartec pants, but I wore the leggings out and tossed them a couple of years ago. What was I thinking?

Nathan Lowell's Fault

 Two soft fried eggs, two slices bacon, one slice low-carb wheat bread with butter, 1/2 baked sweet potato warmed in the skillet with the bacon and eggs

Have plenty, leave some...of the higher carb portion.  Eggs: zero carbs, bacon: zero carbs, butter: zero carbs, low-carb wheat toast: 6 carbs, sweet potato: glycemic index 17 (don't know exact carb count but it is healthy)

So I ate all the "free and low" stuff and left some of the unknown healthy portion.

This is Nathan Lowell's fault.  All this blathering about potatoes with fried potatoes led me here!

Christmas Gourds

 I cleaned more little gourds today.

 These little gourds are a step further along.  I was having trouble painting them, but Larry discovered the kabob skewers were perfect.  The holes were pretty easy to drill with the drimmel.  I had to try different tips, but eventually found one that worked.  I'm painting them with birdhouse paint because I intend them to be for a small outdoor tree for Christmas.

I tried letting them dry on paper towels, but decided the wire rack would be better.  Tomorrow I'll drill holes and base coat these.

Necklace

I went for a hair trim today.  She displays a nice selection of knitted scarves like I do so I was looking at them to see if there were any ribbon type scarves.  But right next to the scarf display was a display of necklaces.  The brown thing in front is an adjustable necklace.  I don't know if it is knitted or crocheted but it is really pretty and light. I'll have to look for that kind of "yarn."

Australian Dream

When the doctor did my knee surgery, he said he repaired the meniscus tears and cleaned up the arthritis in my knee.  I had no idea that I had arthritis and didn't know which part of my discomfort was due to arthritis. But some days both knees are all right, some days both knees have minor pain, some days it is just one knee.
My doctor's office has a small pharmacy in the same building.  They fill prescriptions and have a limited selection of over-the-counter medications. I saw an advertisement on the door for Australian Dream, an arthritis medication with a money-back guarantee.
I decided to try it.  I asked for the receipt because I thought the little jar of cream was expensive and if it didn't work, I decided I would return it.  I don't usually return things, but that was my plan.
Actually, I thought if it was a treatment for arthritis and it worked, that would mean that my knees were bothering me because of arthritis.  If it didn't work, maybe something else was wrong.  Either way, I could get my money back. Also, it is supposed to work within fifteen minutes and is based on increased blood flow to the area.
It works for me and my husband said it helps his hands. I think it will last a while if I can convince my husband to just apply it to joints, not use it as a moisturizer.

Freezer Containers

We ran out of quart freezer containers and I used pints today.  We had seven quarts, total.  I think we're either going to have to decide we've finished putting up mixed greens, or maybe look for more freezer containers.  I don't like buying them because sometimes they look like what we already have but the tops are a little different and aren't interchangeable.
We have turnip greens, rutabagas, kale, and mustard greens all mixed together in the garden plot.  We pick them all together, not trying to separate the individual types. Larry puts some clover seed in with the greens to try to entice the deer to leave the greens alone.  I think it must work.  Some people claim deer don't eat turnip greens, but they do.

Books and Food

I really enjoy Nathan Lowell's Solar Clipper series.  But evidently he adores fried eggs, bacon, wheat toast, and fried potatoes with onions and mentions it often enough that I develop a strong desire to have that for breakfast...well, except the potatoes and onions.  Yesterday I piled two fried eggs on a piece of low-carb wheat toast and added a couple of slices of bacon.  I even watched the bacon so it didn't burn.
Janet Evanovitch's Stephanie Plum eats doughnuts, pizza, fried chicken, and other things that I am not supposed to have. I listened to an interview where the interviewer asked why Stephanie doesn't have health problems.  Ms. Evanovitch answered that it is fiction.  I really liked the answer. 
I have to wonder, though, if the authors have had to go on diets and are eating vicariously through their characters. I'm considering writing a book for that purpose.  I'm afraid it would defeat the purpose.

Sunrise and Sunset

 Sunrise and sunset are both beautiful, but it is easier to take a sunset picture. 

I'm still struggling along with my lovely ribbon scarf.  I took it to the hospital to work on if I had a spare minute.  I'm not finished, but I already have a buyer for it.

Finally

I've obsessed over my lab work numbers since the doctor first told me I was prediabetic and wanted to continue as if I were already diabetic.  Larry has looked at his lab numbers but has not really shown much interest in them.  He seemed to think they were for the doctor to act upon.  This latest time the doctor was very pleased and said to keep doing what he was doing.  When we got home, Larry dug out his copy of the lab work and pointed out that his A1c was still over the normal range.  He was pretty upset.  I pointed out that it was getting better and better and was only one point above average and it had taken me years to get mine down to normal range...a tenth of a point at a time.  It is encouraging to me that he is trying to impact the lab numbers with what he eats, not just medication.

Burning Bush

Many of the trees have lost leaves now.  But this burning bush is covered with rosy leaves and small red berries.

Winter Sheets

We finally reached an agreement and put our winter sheets on the bed yesterday:) I had given up and started sleeping in my housecoat and pointed out that Larry was sleeping in a heavy shirt. So he agreed it was time for the warm and fuzzy sheets that I look forward to as soon as it begins to cool off enough for a heater.

Phones

I've been investigating the possibilities of getting another phone.  Today I took the first steps. I've given directions to Verizon to cut one off and ordered another for emergency use from puretalk. I'm not certain they won't turn everything off.  As annoyed as I am, I don't know if I care.

Ribbon Yarn Scarf

I'm not finished, of course, but the hardest part so far was untangling the yarn so I can knit it.  Also, I dropped some stitches somehow and managed to pull it loose until I got past it.  Then I got the needle back in.  Usually I have to undo the whole thing and start over. 

Keep Doing What You're Doing

Doctors have told me that before, but this was the first time one has said that to Larry.  We were both pleased. The doctor said his heart is good and no blockage.  He said his A1c is good.  When the doctor asked if he avoided saturated fats, Larry said diet questions are mine.  So I said no, we are ok with saturated fats and unsaturated fats, but no transfats.  He said, "If it's not broke, don't fix it." That was last time.  This time he said the magic words, "Keep doing what you're doing."

New Yarn Stash

WalMart had some scarf yarn I hadn't seen before...Rigoletto Metallic and Ribbons, both put out by Red Heart.  The Rigoletto is fuzzy and cozy feeling.  The Ribbons is amazingly colorful.  I think they are both going to be fun to knit.  I love having a lapful of gorgeous color.

Cute Outfit

I've never checked out clothes at WalMart.  It is possible to find comfortable, cute clothes.  Who knew?  Also, the blouse has those cute little slits to put thumbs through so the sleeves don't crawl up.  Cute!

Scarf Appreciation

Diane is showing Pete a scarf I knitted:)

Fitbit with Friend

I love having somebody to walk with who also has a fitbit.  It is sooooo much more fun!  I'm blessed with Diane as a walking buddy currently.  It also brings to mind the fun times when I walked with Richard and Dana.

Friends' Visit

My friend is way cuter than this picture! I love it when friends visit.

Shopping Helper

I like to have somebody with me when I try to buy clothing.  This is because I need somebody to keep me on task.  Otherwise I wander off and get coffee.  Yesterday my husband was the lucky one.  He tried.
I put on a shirt, looked in the mirror, and turned to him.  If I hadn't liked it, I would have just taken if off and tried again.  But I liked it fine so he got a vote.
He said, "It doesn't make your butt look big."
The next thing he said was, "It's very slimming."
I'm going to make him an index card that says, "That looks good on you."  Then I may let him shop with me again.  I know.  Let.  But seriously, he dragged me to the store and showed me the shirts. 

He Requested This

There may be an actual recipe for this, but I made pizza on low-carb bread a while ago.  Tonight Larry asked for it again.  It is nice to be appreciated.

SHIP

Today I had an appointment to see comparisons of Medicare Part D offerings.  I was unhappy with the one I had last year because they were going from $15 to $22+ per month and I would never get out of the deductible stage.  So I'd pay more and still get nothing.
However, the representative showed me the top three plans for my $7 prescription.  I picked one that is going to cost $12.60.  Worth the trip to talk to them.

Autumn Leaves with Autofix

I took the pictures in the evening and didn't realize it would be so dark.  I used autofix on it and got the new picture. Glorious color:)

Changing Profile

Sometimes I don't do things often and it takes a while to figure out how I did it before.  I'm trying to see if this works.  It obviously didn't change the profile on past posts.

Odd Posting Order

I noticed Dorothy Dunnett's books have started to appear on audible.  They posted Nicolo Rising first, which is the first one of a series.  I was happy to see that although I like the Lymond series better.  The next five books they posted are in the Lymond series, but numbers two through the end.  So no complete series yet.  But to post the first of one series and all but the first of another series is just wrong!

Autumn Leaves

It looks like a picture to me.  I love the leaves.

This nice little empty spot had a groundhog in it for a flash.  It was gone by the time I got my camera.  It keeps running under the steps of my art room.

More Turnip Greens and Heinlein

I hope to keep this up...turnip greens in the freezer.  Today I managed to get three quarts. I listened to Heinlein's Time Enough for Love as I picked, washed, wilted, cooled, cut and packed and labeled them.  I really like the self-aware computers in the book.  A lot of the book is like short stories stuck together.  I don't usually like short stories, but this book does them quite well.  Some of the books that I especially like are easier to read than to listen to on audio.  When they go on and on about sex, it doesn't bother me when I'm reading it. But listening to it seems to last way longer. I keep in mind that Heinlein claimed he wrote "pot boilers" as he used his writing to keep food on the table.  I'm guessing it must have worked.

Turnip Greens

I picked a rather large bag of turnip greens this morning.  It turned out to be about two and a half quarts for the freezer.  I plan to do that every day until they look old and tough.  They were really nice today.
When we first married Larry planted some turnip greens.  When the leaves were about the size of half dollars, I went out and picked a pot of them.  Larry said they weren't big enough, but I assured him Mama said they were best when they were young and tender. They cooked down to about a tablespoon.  I learned about young and tender turnip greens.

Scarf Pile

The scarf pile is growing.  Today I bought some hooks and eyes.  I think I'll fix it so they can either be worn with loose ends or connected and twisted a couple of times...like a Hawaiian lei. 

Busy Day for Larry

Today Larry got some work done on the summer kitchen, fixed the storm door on my greenhouse (that involved taking a piece of wood off and planing it down so the door would close), and renewing trails through the woods so we could ride the gator through without a lot of backing up due to fallen trees.  He also got a Little Gem magnolia planted, a couple of large plants tossed, and a defunct planter dismantled and cleaned up.
I stayed out of the way.

Low Internal Storage

I was trying to listen to Owner's Share by Nathan Lowell.  I finally found the whole thing with all the episodes and downloaded it onto my Kindle.  But it disappeared before I could listen to all of it.  So I tried again.  About the fourth time my Kindle showed low internal storage.  So I started looking for what had filled it up.  I deleted some lousy books...no big difference.  But then I ran across Owner's Share on my carousel. I had each episode four times. I started deleting episodes and checking my internal storage...big difference fast.  I haven't been able to get Owner's Share onto my iPod.

Mushrooms

We had a lot of rain yesterday and last night.  Today we have bouquets of mushrooms.