Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Good morning World! Today is Monday, November 22, 2021 and Thanksgiving week. To any one that works in a grocery store, my thoughts are with you and I hope and pray that customers will be kind as they have to wait in long lines or find out that the ingredient that they need to make their prize winning what-ever is, is not in stock. Just think, last year, families were having low-key Thanksgiving celebrations and this year, it looks like it will be the beginning of party season. Even I am getting giddy, knowing that my kids are coming out for a visit in the next month. Usually, Christmas is not a holiday that I enjoy or anticipate. This year, I have already started decorating for Christmas and have put up a tree. Maybe it is because I have been watching the grandkids or maybe pandemic fatigue. What ever it is, I’ll take it!

I was lucky and found this tree for 22 bucks on Amazon and will hopefully be used for many years to come!

In the past week, I have been busy in our art and music room. The cooler weather makes it so much easier to be up there. Also, the cooler weather makes it easier to be in the kitchen and I have been cooking more. I think we have only dined out a few times instead of everyday as we usually do. It has been fun trying out new recipes on Hubby. That is the thing about cooking, instant gratification! You know right away if something is good. I fondly remember the first time I was introduced to a room full of diners. when I was the chef. I then got to greet a few of them at their tables. If those diners only knew the disorganized chaos that went into all of those meals that I created, presented, dressed up and yadda yadda. It was heaven, really and probably one of the jobs that I miss the most. Anyhow, I hadn’t enjoyed cooking as much in the past 8 or so years since I hung up my apron and chef coat as it reminded of the dreams that I gave up on. Besides, Hubby is not as adventurous of an eater as I am so I would end up throwing away food because it was only I that was eating the creations. However, I know that he likes baked goods so I started baking things that I thought he may like so that he would be more open to trying a new savory dish.

This is a mini double layer cake.

That brown stuff is Dove bar fluff. I stuck a Dove candy in the Ninja and presto! instant topping!

Trust me, I could eat an entire 9 inch cake by myself, this is a mini version it took us two days to eat.

Ummmmm….butter cream….

It has been fun making bread and fresh preserves. In my head, I am trying to create the bed and breakfast feel that I love. The fresh breakfast goodies that you can usually get like oat meal or porridges, fresh baked muffins and bread. No, I am not looking for the next “thing” in my life, just doing things that make me happy and feel good, like going road trips, making my grandkids laugh and working on arts and crafts.

That is a puzzle!

Often when I go into Dollar Tree, I spend most of my time there in the craft aisle. You never know what item or items you may discover, that you never knew you needed, like these wood blocks that I bought. A few days ago, I opened the package and forced myself to use them. To me they looked like dice, so I made 5 pink and sparkly dice. They are not dice as they are not the regulated weight and size but they are going to make great props for some photo…someday.

Painters tape!

There are six individual pictures to put together.

So that it a little of my brain at the moment. Not sure why I am still having so much discomfort in my lumbar area as well as muscle cramps. Usually, during this time, I get a little relief but whatever, I will keep doing what I am doing and that is finding new things to keep me occupied and ahead of the pain, This morning I am getting ready to prep some left over bread to make stuffing as I will be making stuff chicken and veggies, a little nod to Thanksgiving, I guess.

The Ghosts of Kelso live at Palm Desert park.

Also, on my agenda for the day is to review the video I recorded yesterday when the Ghosts of Kelso played at Palm Desert Park. I refrained from taking many photos as I was more interested in getting better video footage. Right now, I am in the process of uploading the hour long Iphone video to Youtube. Once it is upload I can edit and hopefully use the audio as I was lucky and had no one sitting by me, mostly.

That was some of my week. It was nice though, getting in some practice shooting as they played. Hopefully, I get one photo that I can recreate as a drawing or painting. Speaking of my hobbies, it is time to get on with the morning. Hubby will be home from work soon and magic happening in the oven right now is almost ready and smells delightful. Well, I think it is magical to turn water, oil, salt, sugar, flour and yeast into a breathing ball of gooey dough into something that can be repurposed into stuffing, or bread crumbs for meatballs, or French toast. That is one thing I have always done in my life was to reduce, reuse and recycle what ever I could in the recipe of my life.

Happy that I no longer need that walker! It has been repurposed to move Hubby’s amp and as a place to set my camera.

Thank you dear reader for the visit! I hope your day is a happy and peaceful one. There are many things going on and I think the world needs a hug or to hug it out, but that is my opinion. Peace be with you all and may the sun shine softly on you where ever you may be.