Bright spots

I couldn't resist this hanging basket of happiness. I was holding a box of plants as my mom picked out the ones she wanted to buy, my eyes strayed up and I fell in love. Yes, you can buy love and it costs $12.

Other little news items...I've lost 14 pounds - 1 stone exactly! It's not fast, it took me two months, but it's gone and I'm very happy. Funnily enough, the very healthy foods I'm learning to cook and enjoy are both 'green' and sustainable. Many vegetables can be grown well in my climate. That is, if spring ever arrives fully so I can get the garden started!

Now, for any cooks out there: HELP!!! One of the items I added to my 'super soup' was a can of southern style bean salad. I know there was corn and black beans, but it was something I tried on a whim so never really paid attention to the brand or ingredients and now I'm out and it's disappeared off the grocery shelf. I tried making the soup without it but it's definitely missing that special zing so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I've just been doing a price comparison between a bulk buy site (25 lb bags) and my grocery store (1 lb bags) for dried beans. Even adding in 6% sales tax the store is far less costly.

Someone on my diet forum was excited about fitting into her tube top again. When I read that I wanted to scream in horror...weren't those vile things outlawed by the International Fashion Police? Honestly, women who are dieting generally need (require) a supportive bra and that's the one thing that can't be worn with a tube top. Shudder.

My brother's partner was in town last week on business and I had a blast hanging out with him for an evening. I wish they lived closer.

I ordered 2 dozen reusable canning lids and extra rubber rings. My son looked at the boxes and said 'I think you should order more.' And I thought I was a pessimist!

The long weekend

I've got the day off from work so 'Yay!' for that. Too bad it's still wet and cold outside. I have lost 11 pounds so far!!! Getting past the 10 lb mark is a good feeling.

I sort of feel like I'm stuck in a holding pattern until the weather lets us out into the garden. The temperature has been 20 - 30 degrees below the normal for this time of year. As if we're running a month behind schedule. Ugh.

Unbelievable

I thought the inch of snow last week was bad enough, but this? It's been fluffing down, off and on, all weekend. Still no chance of doing any real work outside.

On the other hand, my loo roll leeks are coming up nicely in the basement and I've sown some more seeds. Hopefully, when I can garden I'll be ready!

It's mostly been quiet here. My son worked all weekend but did take time to climb up onto the roof and do a rescue for me before going back to school. I have a shelf stand with a plastic cover that works as a portable mini-greenhouse. Last week I put it in what I thought was a sheltered corner. The wind proceeded to take the cover off the stand, carry it straight up and over the roof, then wrap it around the old satellite dish. It was lucky for me that the dish is still up there or it might have ended up in the next county.

Groan

Is the sound my back is making tonight. I spent a good part of the evening raking wet leaves off the flower beds along the driveway and down into a pile. If you're wondering why I don't use the leaves for compost it's because the tree is a black walnut, just like the majority of my trees. Oh well, at least they keep the squirrels happy.

The rest of the evening I made some rush changes to a board for work. It's needed as a quick replacement because we can't get something from Japan at this time. By doing it tonight I can have it ready for him to check over as soon as he gets to work in the morning. As long as he doesn't make any more changes we can order it quickly.

I heard the first woodpecker of the year this morning - such a busy, cheerful sound. But now I am very, very tired. Good night.

Happy days

Yay! I lost 2 pounds this week bringing my total to 8. These are results that keep me motivated and fire my resolve for another week. Even cloudy skies and gusting winds can't bring me down!

Miscellaneous: I read on a forum that a couple expected to have their student loans paid by the time he was 50. 50!! Imagine working 25 years or more to pay for college. Cash-flowing my son's education isn't easy, but I am determined not to have him starting his adult life with a massive debt.

Grrrrr! Ok, now I'm not so happy. My mom just told me my chickens were attacked by dogs and one of my sweet gold speckled hens was killed. I have zero tolerance for people who let their dogs run loose.

Sunday happenings

We were watching The Great Escape when the fire siren sounded. I sat up and said 'The Germans!' In fact it was a building on the other side of town burning. While no day is good for a fire, today was particularly bad with winds from 25-30 mph.

I made a lamb dish today from a recipe off the slimming world site. I had planned on eating the leftovers during the week but it was barely edible to my taste. Very disappointing!

Everything else remains quiet.

Sunshine and chickens!

And a few cats and one turkey. :)