Monthly Archives: November 2017

Just Keep Walking update

Posted in just keep walking project, Uncategorized, Walking by

Tomorrow the 30th marks 4 years and 6 months of walking every.single.day.

I went out at 5:45 am alone as B is in Chico working. The stars were lovely.

By the time 6:15 rolled around the sky was lightening up and it was pre-dawn.

I need new walking shoes but still haven’t ordered them. My North Face shoes are 2 years old in January. I was reading another blogger about the “Walking STore”, and how they take a computerized image of your feet and then recommend after that.  I may consider this as my orthotics in my shoes are 4 years old and I’m sure not doing anything.   The’Walking Store’ shoes are quite expensive but it’s probably worth it. Especially when you have foot problems like I do.

We’ll see.

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Walking in Tahoe at dawn.

 

Simple Sunday

Posted in cooking, Flylady, simple foods, Uncategorized by

We ended up going down to the theatre on Friday, only to get there and see it was sold out for both showings. I was kinda shocked at the number of people out going to the movies. I guess I just don’t get out that much but still on Black Friday, I expected them all to be shopping. So we may try again this coming week, but I’ll have to see how I feel.

Both  Christmas trees are up and almost fully decorated. I’m not putting every ornament on and will definitely give some away. I also didn’t put out my Vintage Life Magazine Santa pictures. Did you know it was coca cola that started the image of Santa as we see him today.? The coke ads in Life created a stereotype of Santa.

images.jpeg  But the exciting news is I think I can get everything in 2 bins. That’s down from 6 or 7. So that’s progress.  Two bins feel just right.

It’s supposed to rain later but it’s still warmish so that’s nice.

This week Flylady has 2 zones since the next month starts on Friday. So, the living room zone and the entry zone. Both very simple for me as they are decluttered and usually tidy. The entryway this time of year does hold shoes, boots etc since it’s winter( almost) so I’m thinking of some kinda shoe holder. It gets a little more cluttered than I’d like so a shoe bench might help. Ikea has some nice wood ones that are reasonable.

 

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40241451/

I’m heading to the gym for a short work out and then maybe the Holiday Market for a few things.

Dinner is broccoli rice cheese casserole and some baked chicken breasts. Simple and it uses what I have.

 

Fun Friday and vintage bullet ware

Posted in cooking, Uncategorized by

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I thought someone would enjoy seeing my vintage bullet utensils. I still am totally in love with these and use them every day. They are typically 1940’s but some are 30’s. I never see them at flea markets around here but then again, I don’t go anymore. Most of these I bought off of eBay years ago and that’s where you can probably still find them.

Today we’re going to see the movie ‘Ladybird’ which was filmed in Sacramento. That should be a fun outing. I don’t usually go to the movies as it’s too loud for me and I get sensory overload. But I will today as my son, who’s a film major, wants us all to go.

Then we may stop for a quick taco or something for lunch.

It’s another beautiful day in northern California. The oaks are all golden and there are some reds too.

I have the artificial tree up but not enough lights so I need to go to Target maybe Sunday to get some. Not today with it being black Friday.  The live tree we got up in Tahoe I had bought twinkly lights for so that one is done. I didn’t put all the ‘ugly ornaments on as I’m trying to be more selective. That tree is a white fir and we bought the permit when we were up there 2 weeks ago.  It’s not a big tree but just right for the space.  I put on all the bird ornaments and pine cone ones too.

Dinner is ‘who knows what cuz I’m not cooking’.

Thanksgiving menu

Posted in cooking, Uncategorized by

I thought I wanted to do something wildly different for Thanksgiving but our little tradition won out. We don’t have any family to speak of really. My sister and her family are in Connecticut and although my brother lives locally he always goes to his buddy’s house for Thanksgiving.

Over the years I’ve tried to create our own traditions with my small family.  Originally, when it was just B and me and we were both vegetarians, I’d do a lasagna or something like that. Later, and a number of years later when my daughter came along and then 9 years later my son, we started with the more ‘traditional’ Thanksgiving of a turkey, a vegetarian main dish and then all the sides.  We’d use the silver and nice dishes( i’ve always loved dish sets as I’ve written about.  So in spite of wanting to do something ‘wild’ and ‘crazy’, it’s traditional that has won out. Plus, really, I like to do it and for me it’s fun.

So this year, I’m not doing a whole turkey

  • but a bone- in turkey breast,
  • nut and cheese loaf,
  • stuffing,
  • homemade cranberry sauce,
  • mashed potatoes,
  • green bean casserole,
  • gravy( a vegetarian gravy as no one likes turkey gravy)
  • rolls.
  • I will make a homemade pumpkin pie.

I’ll probably cook some stuff Wednesday and then the rest Thursday. I’m going to do a dry brine on the turkey.  I think. We usually eat our dinner around 2 pm. So it’s kinda late lunch early dinner.

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Tonight, I’m going to roast some new potatoes and grill some tofu and use some of the frozen corn from this summer.

I finished the bedroom zone except maybe a little more in the closet/pantry.

I decluttered some baskets(8) from the bathroom as I did a mini makeover with new white ones(4). I think it looks better and brighter.

 

 

 

Simple Sunday

Posted in simple foods, simplicity, Uncategorized by

Today, I’m off the gym and then to Safeway( which is almost next door to the gym, to get olives from their olive bar, wine, cream and whatever else I need for Thanksgiving. I don’t want to have to go to the store till after Thanksgiving.

I’m in the bedroom zone with Flylady and I just washed the inside windows, tidied the Christmas packages in the corner, and I’ll work on the closet/pantry a little more.img_1086.jpg

This is the stained glass hanging in our bedroom window.

img_1085.jpgA plant in the corner on a bar stool I was going to donate and then decided to reuse it.

 

Having put the pantry stuff in the closet has been really great. If you live in a small house with no pantry or closets for that matter this is such a great idea. We really have only one closet in this house. In the other bedroom, we have an Ikea closet that is essentially a built-in now.

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Dinner is those meatballs I made yesterday and marinara sauce with spaghetti.

 

 

Lots of cooking going on!

Posted in cooking, freezer cooking, Uncategorized by

Crazy day cooking.

First I made the rice, cheese, nut loaf in mini pans for Thanksgiving and put them in the freezer.

Then I made meatballs to freeze or I’ll use tomorrow night for Sunday Supper.  Then I made a fresh batch of coconut, pecan, maple granola. Yummy!

Then I made some chocolate chip cookies and they were yummy.

Now, after collapsing for a while, I’m making spinach soup for dinner with cheese ravioli. The soup part I will use the immersion blender and blend with some cream then add the ravioli.

All worth it! Cooking for my family brings me joy!!image4.jpg

Vegetarian nut,cheese loaf from Tassajara Recipes!

 

 

Beyond a capsule wardrobe

Posted in elemental clothes, simplicity, Uncategorized by

I like the idea of a capsule wardrobe. I like it is minimalistic. It probably works great for working people and anyone wanting to start on reducing their clothes.

But for myself, I lean toward and practice a ‘uniform’ or very basic wardrobe. or my new term is elemental or basic wardrobe. I don’t own any dresses. Wait, I have one black dress that is a J Jill traveling material, I  bought on eBay when we were going to Florida last year and needed a dress for an evening event. Actually, once there, I realized I didn’t need it at all, but since it doesn’t take up any room in my closet, I ‘ve kept it.

So I have this one sleeveless dress,( kinda a longish straight design). Then what I wear daily is either dark jeans, black Ponte( a stretch material) pants,  a medium colored pair of jeans, black T-shirts, white t-shirt, denim button-down shirts (3) all Old Navy. I have 3 light zippered sweatshirts in black, grey, dark purple. One white button down shirt also Old Navy.  I need some black sweaters but haven’t purchased any yet.

Remember, I live in a moderate climate so I only have one North face polar fleece. No rain coat or winter coat. I have a pair of Birkenstocks, a pair of Naots, an old pair of Keens I haven’t worn in a while, and my North Face hiking shoes that I wear daily for my walk and to go to the gym. They are almost 2 years old so that’s on my list to buy. Also, a pair of Dansko’s I wear occasionally.

I have 3 black shirts I wear as overshirts.

So that’s it besides my gym clothes. I don’t change my colors seasonally but in the summer generally cut my oldest jeans and wear as shorts, plus I have a pair of white capris.

Typically, I’ll wear jeans, black shirt and then an overshirt.

So,

  • 1 pair of black pants
  • 4 pairs of jeans,( 3 dark and 1 medium)
  • 3 black T-shirts
  • 1 white T-shirt  ( Everlane, which now is my favorite new T shirt)
  • 3 light weight sweat shirts
  • 1 North Face jacket
  • 2 black and white striped shirts
  • 1pair of navy blue dressy pants ( haven’t worn in a while so I’ll need to see if I need these).
  • 2 navy blue T-shirts from Target
  • 1 black velvet top I wear at Thanksgiving and Christmas
  • 2 navy Old Navy shirts that I use when I’m painting etc.
  • Plus my gym wear, 4 pairs of pants/capris depending on the season.

I’m trying to add some grey T shirts and navy blue from Everlane when I can afford it next.

That’s it so, try a new approach to your clothes. Figure out what colors you like and try and keep it to just 3 -4 main colors. I don’t really use accent colors but a lot of people do in a ‘uniform’ type wardrobe.

So is this boring? Not for me, i love the simplicity of knowing what I’m wearing and it keeps me from being distracted or indecisive about what to wear.

Everyone’s life journey is different so depending if you’re a young parent, professional, etc, that will help you decide what you need in your ‘uniform ‘ basic wardrobe to be.

I’m going to call this elemental clothes.

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday Stuff

Posted in just keep walking project, Lake tahoe, Uncategorized by

The Tahoe post was meant for yesterday, so I thought I’d add a brief wrap up of today’s things.

It’s raining and is supposed to rain all day and tomorrow. We walked with umbrellas but the flashlight was giving out its last rays of light so we cut the walk short.

I have a dental appt for my Invisalign and a cleaning.  Oh, joy! (kidding)

I’m off to the gym first before my appt and then come home and relax. After getting home yesterday, I saw a few areas that could be rearranged so I may play around with that. It depends on who’s hanging around the house and (ahem) in the way!

Dinner is mushroom stroganoff and a kale/mixed green salad.

I’m planning our Thanksgiving menu and it’s fairly simple.

Here’s another Tahoe picture. This is coming around past Sand Harbor.

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Getting back on track

Posted in Lake tahoe, Uncategorized by

Just going away for 2 days puts a spin on things that need to be done daily.

We came home and I put the things from the overnight away, planned some bean tacos for dinner and tidied a few things that needed to be done. Mostly this amounts to just putting things away that have been left out. Since my daughter was home alone, it can add up… chickens, getting the wood, dog care, cat care.   All by one person, so it’s a lot.

But since our house is tiny, it doesn’t take long to put those misplaced things back. A few towels to the laundry, a few pieces of  junk,mail in the garbage, etc.

We had a great time in South Lake Tahoe and it snowed over the peaks last night so it was beautiful.

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Here’s a picture of Emerald Bay.

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That’s the only island in Tahoe and has the remains of the stone tea house that was built as part of Vikingsholm.  If you’re ever there be sure to hike down to see the house. It is truly a marvel especially since it was built when roads were still dirt through the mountains.

Todd Borg, a local author, who writes murder mysteries all taking place in Tahoe just released his new book, Tahoe Payback.  It starts out with murder on tea island.  Great book and he really writes about the amazingness of Lake Tahoe. Plus, he mentions places to visit and real places to actually dine. Lots of fun.