Tag Archives: Flylady zones

Simple Sunday

Posted in Blood test, cooking, Flylady, swimming, Uncategorized by

I’ve been canning jam all week. I made some peach jam which came out ok. I used the Pomona Pectin and can’t say I like it. It supposedly uses calcium water with pure pectin(both in the packet) to firm the jams. I wasn’t impressed. I bought 3 packs of the Pomona but I doubt I’ll use them unless I don’t have Sure Jell or Ball pectin.

The peaches I bought from Ikeda’s were very flavorful but the strawberries were a waste. So the jars you see here were emptied as they didn’t have any strawberry flavor and the Pomonas over firmed it and it was jelly- like and very weird. Oh well, live and learn.

Here’s a shot of my new chat Noir poster framed. When we were very young living in Tucson, I had a Chat Noir poster I loved. Somewhere, with some move it got tossed or ripped ( I don’t remember. So for Christmas B bought this one for me.

The broom is a french Jardin broom. I really love that it is beautiful and useful.

It’s been a busy week and I’m glad it’s over. My eye doctor appt went well and my vision is the same. Still can’t really see out of my right eye but fortunately, my left compensates and I have 20/20.

Then I saw Dr. L Thursday. It was pretty much an in and out visit. My Kappa LC went slightly up but nothing scary or remarkable. So that was good and I was out of there in 20 minutes. The most we talked about ( well, it was me talking he just sort of sits there) was about the best BBQ in South Lake Tahoe as he’s going to be up there in September.

Then I swam on Saturday and that was very nice. The pool was beautiful.

We walked this morning and it was already 77 at 5:30am. We have a new walker, an older guy who is friendly but not overly. The AH shows up @ 6 am and there have been a few days he’s not there so that’s nice. Tomorrow I may skip walking and go do weights but I’m not sure yet.

Yesterday I started Webi at 11am and cooked a pork roast. I was making pulled pork but it didn’t really shred but sliced nicely. It was delicious though. Today, I’m not sure what I’m cooking, maybe just leftovers. I made a coleslaw from the farmstand and wow the cabbage was delicious. I may try and do some sauerkraut or pickle some.

Flylady is the bedroom zone if you follow. Even if you don’t do zones it’s a good practice, to clear off dressers or side tables, wash windows, remove unneeded items, etc. The beauty of the Flylady zones is about every 5 weeks ( there are 5 basic zones, although you might have more if you have a big house with a family room and multiple bedroom) you clean thoroughly that zone. I’ve used her method( now modified to fit how my house is) for the last 12 years and I’ve looked at other systems and they are either too complicated or just hyped up mumbo jumbo house cleaning. Anyway, it’s a brilliant system that keeps me on track.

Simple Sunday

Posted in books, camping, cooking, Flylady, simple foods, Uncategorized by

We’re busy getting the Rubicon set up for camping at Donner State park this week. I have most of what I need in there at this point.

I still need to prep some food as I plan on using the Lodge this time to make stuffed peppers with a tomato sauce. I might do a mac and cheese in the Lodge the 2nd night but still undecided. I like to use the small hibachi for BBQing so I might do that instead. We went thru all the stuff from the tent trailer and whittled it down to what we want in the new trailer. We have the white corelle dishes, bowls, and a serving platter, 2 pots, and 2 fry pans. I’m not sure I need 2 fry pans so when we’re up there I’ll see what we’re using.

This is a very quick trip and I’m not sure if we’ll be able to really tell what we need or don’t need. We’re hoping to find some place with hook ups in the next month so we can try out the things that run with power and the sewer hookup.

The kittens are growing and are now annoying tweens running around the barn. We are pretty sure we are not going to bring them in the house. The main reason is my daughter( who is really the one taking care of them) is actually allergic to cats so she has to wear a mask out in the barn. They are really cute though. MamaKat is quite friendly and we’re planning on her spay next week after we’re back from camping. Hopefully, we can get her in the cat carrier.

We had a nice BBQ of burgers, chicken and a veggie burger for my daughter’s birthday with a fruit tart for dessert. It was all yummy. I bought the Dr. Praeger burgers this time and I think they are way better the the processed Beyond meat stuff.

This week Flylady’s zones are the entry way and the kitchen. Our entryways are fine and maybe just need a spruce up but i’m not sure I’ll get to the kitchen zone till later in the week. It seemed like I just did it as the same thing happened last month when the week had 2 zones.

It’s supposed to be quite hot tomorrow with temperatures hitting 100. It’s way too early for such hot weather but I guess global warming is to be blamed. We are watering a lot so our water bill is going to go up.

I’m working on an idea for a series of posts about cooking. What I want to do is pick one or two recipes from every cookbook I own. If it passes the test of tastes good, ease of making, etc, I’ll keep the cookbook, if not, I’ll donate it back to the pet bookstore. I just feel I have way too many cookbooks that I’ve never made a recipe from. I like to look at them but not cook from them so that’s the challenge.

Like an episode of ‘Survivors’

Posted in California, covid-19, Flylady, home stuff, Uncategorized by

If you’ve never seen the BBC show ‘Survivors,’ you should. It’s a group of people that find each other after a pandemic that has wiped out almost everyone. They are all very different and the story is interesting.  But this morning the one scene I’m remembering is when some of them go out to find any grocery store to get stuff. Well, my son and daughter drove out to go to Grocery Outlet this morning. It was weird. I said be careful, wear your mask, don’t talk to anyone….. slightly paranoid right?  I hope they make it back.  ( Just kidding):)

We did a nice walk and no one was there this morning. I have to say reading the WP about people going to NParks and the beaches just totally gets me upset. What is wrong with people? This is a pandemic, not a time to invade coastal towns so you can walk on the beach.

This week Flylady has 2 zones the Living room, and then the entryway. Both are relatively easy for me and I’ll do the LR zone this morning. I did get my beeswax candle order. Yes, it is a necessity as I light these every night. The order is 4 pairs for $40. I also got a Thai soup order( sort of like ramen). My daughter and I both like ramen for breakfast so this will be nice.

I think my Costco order for laundry soap is supposed to show up tomorrow. Definitely not 2-day shipping but more like 7 days out. Still, I will need laundry soap so we’ll be set.

Barclay is outside doing a burn pile of leaves and twigs so that should keep him busy for a while. Plus it is nice to get those outside chores done.

Simple Sunday​

Posted in Blood test, cooking, minimalism, simple foods, simplicity, Uncategorized by

It’s a little cooler at 93 degrees. I’m still running the window coolers so I can only imagine how high the electric bill will be especially since there’s an excessive heat warning for the middle of the week.

I went to the gym and it was nice and mostly empty.

This week is my 2-month labs. I know my oncologist is in Europe for 2 weeks so he won’t get my labs back to me so I’ll need to call his nurse for the results or wait.  I don’t have any particular sense which way it will go. They have been creeping up so I guess there’s that. I’m not sure one ever gets over the anxiety of labs once you’ve had cancer.  You wait for them with bated breath.  But in the end, there’s not much you can do but accept what the results are. I feel pretty good so there’s that.

My son fixed the AC in my old van so it’s blowing cold again. He didn’t fill the thing all the way with the R 124?? so I’ll buy another can of that tomorrow.

I’ve prepped a big salad for dinner and I’m going to grill some salmon.  I might add in a carb but not sure what yet. This week with B gone to Minnesota, I’ll keep the menus easy especially since my daughter doesn’t get home till 7.  Maybe sandwiches, tacos, pancakes?? We’ll see. Nothing too heavy as it’s too hot to eat heavy foods.

I gave away 2 sets of Fiesta ware to my brother, so that’s more out the door. I gave him the peacock blue color and the dark blue. I wasn’t in love with either color although the dark blue is pretty.  I still have plenty of other colors to use. I was going to give them to the Cancerthrift but then realized I had given him 2 sets a few years ago so this would make 4.

This week I might do a little more reorganizing the pantry.  I was thinking of taking everything off the stainless steel restaurant shelves and reorganize that way. We’ll see.

 

This week is the bedroom zone in Flylady, so I’ll work on tidying the closet. Plus it does hold my pantry back up items.

Overall, it should be a quiet week except hot!!!

 

Simple Sunday

Posted in simplicity, Uncategorized by

Yikes, the cold is just not going away. It was 29 degrees this morning and tomorrow looks more snow.

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We’ve had our wood stove going 24/7. At least we have the wood from the trees we had taken down plus B bought the wood splitter which really has been an excellent non-frugal purchase.

Flylady has 2 zones this week as March 1 is Thursday. So we’re starting in the Living room zone and then move on to the entry ways. Yesterday, I was listening to a vlogger and she mentioned going into a room and determining what you use it for and then getting rid of whatever doesn’t support that. So, I looked around and saw the vintage suitcase I have by the couch and realized it didn’t really fit there but would be a nice side table next to my bed. On my husband’s side, there isn’t a bedside table so I put it there. He doesn’t have a pharmacy like I do in my nightstand.  I take acyclovir at night and then I take levothyroxine sometime in the wee hours of the night when I get up to use the bathroom.  Plus, before I had to take dex and Revlimid and who knows what else, so I kept them in the Heywood bedside table.

So, I’m going to scrutinize the room and other rooms to see what can be or needs to be moved. There’s not a lot to declutter but with fresh perspectives comes new thoughts on what is needed or not.

Today is a gym day and then I may go into Target. We need cat food and I wanted to look for a candle. Candles for me are non-negotiable.  I use beeswax tapers every evening at dinner. I get those from Amazon( the best price I’ve found for 4 pairs is $40) from Blue corn bees wax.

But I like one or two fragrant candles around. I don’t keep more than that and then either I recycle the glass or reuse it.

But, look at what I received from my sweetheart….

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they are so beautiful

I’d completely recommend FARMGIRL FLOWERS!!!!

 

 

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.