Cardmaking day and Balsamic Chicken and Roasted Broccoli

One of our main goals this year is doing what we can for the earth.  

Easy one... carrying our reusable cups when we go out. Dude has done this one for years... me, not so much. This is the year to really change and do what we say we  do. (saves money too)

And reusable straws.  These used to be very popular in the '70's and we did have them in our house back in the day. Let's bring 'em back.  

I will be making travel bags for them so I can carry them in my purse.  These were our stocking stuffers this year for my kids.

Today was cardmaking day.  My friend Sherri teaches us new skills and then I go home and recreate what I have learned. 

Here is what I created today from class . 

Then I came home and quickly made two from my stash using the technique from the heart card. 

I looked through my papers.

And came up with these...

Dinner tonight -  Balsamic Chicken and Roasted Broccoli 

I find I eat way too much cheese and sugar.  This year I am challenging myself to no sugar, cheese and dairy on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. I am not going to lie, I thought I was starving! I wasn't but.... I need to create healthier habits.

Here is the cast of players:

These chicken breasts are so large I will cut them next time to be thinner four breasts. 

I made a marinade and put them in the fridge for 30- to hour but even 10 minutes will do. 

Into the oven it goes!

The marinade is :

1/4 cup of olive oil

2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

2 garlic cloves or more

2 tsp of dried oregano 

salt and pepper

Mix all together. Pour half over the chicken and chill. Use the rest over the broccoli.

In a larger baking pan put broccoli, tomatoes and onions on one side. Pour the rest of marinade over the vegetables.

Bake it all in one pan. 

Preheat oven to 400*.  Bake for 30 minutes or temp of the meat is 165*F at it's thickest part. (We are a stickler for this!)

peace 

House plants tables, dinner, and a crochet project.

I made the mistake of leaving my Thanksgiving shopping until this morning. I thought if I went early in the morning I would avoid the crowds... wrong. Everyone else had the same idea. At least, it is done. 

I brought in some old coffee tables from outside for houseplants.  I covered them with plastic tablecloths I bought today. 

I have one that needs refinished that my Dad made over 40 years ago. I saved it for another family member until they could pick it up but no time to refinish it for now. 

So I brought it indoors too and covered with a plastic tablecloth. 

Yep, I left a space for more plants. 

Don't throw away the bags from the tablecloths. I recycled them for small sewing projects and crocheting. (otherwise I am always missing a bit or piece I really, really need)

Dinner tonight was squash , salad and eggs. 

Salad was lettuce, apples, pomegranates and goat cheese. 

Spaghetti squash baked at 425* for 45 minutes. Then tossed with butter, pecans and dates that had been sautéed .

I have to admit that I was surprised my meat-eating husband enjoyed dinner. 

My grandson has a beach trip in the future so I made him a lanyard for his luggage. If I make it again I will need to use a thinner yarn. The pattern (from Crochet Crowd) is not difficult but was a struggle since the yarn was thick and the hook so small. The how-to video was short, so I thought it would be quick but for me... it took a few days... smile. Okay, there were times I wanted to throw it across the room... grin. 

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and if you are traveling stay safe. 

peace

New chicks arrive, flooring continues, Finish it up Friday, garden update and what's for dinner.

 We got the call around 6 am that our new chicks had arrived.  I needed to get to the post office and knock on the back door.  I got there about 30 minutes later to pick up my box of new loud babies. I love baby chicks, who doesn't?  There new home was all ready. 

The moment they were free, they ran around and stretched their wings. The immediately found the food and water. They are only 3 days old.

I went out a few times today to make sure all was right. 

All are alive and doing well. 

The work on the floor continued today. There were a few snafus and difficult areas to deal with. 

The trim was too high. We tripped over it a couple of time when Dude decided enough. He pulled it up took off the bottom part.  That was much better and did the trick. 

 I worked in the garden, pulled weeds and watered trees.  Pumpkins are doing so well. 

And we have a cantaloupe just beginning to grow. 

Then it was time to finish up a few projects. 

I got the crow cross stitch done today. I have cross stitched in years and this was a small challenge. I have always used a hoop but halfway through I decided to work without it. Wow. I liked not using one and it made the work go faster.  After all these years of using a hoop... I should have tried this sooner.  Tomorrow I will mount it on a piece of sticky board.

I got both seatbelt covers completed. 

Then made whoopie pies. I used the recipe from America's Test Kitchen. They turned out perfect. 

Look at that cream filling.  It was a kachillion calories and I am surprised I am not in a sugar coma but it was very worth it to , at least, try them just once! 

Here is where Dude ended for the night...

peace 

A little gardening , a little baking and a little creating

After much caffeine I did get one plot ready for the lily of the valley plants I got yesterday. 

I start the same way I usually do...

Cardboard, wool, compost and soil. 

I did pause to go detach the cucumber plant from the peppers.  I heard the peppers yelling that the cucs would not leave them alone!  So, I went and got a tomato cage and strung them up. Everyone is happy now.  ugh.

I did find a couple things around the yard to help it out. 

Next to the kitchen.   This weekend my best friend and I have birthdays. We are going to spend the day tomorrow doing what we love... sewing.  I am made a few things to celebrate. 

We like frogs and octopus but couldn't find any so I got the next best thing... fairies. Next time I will just cut them with my Cricut machine.

The rest I made a cake for Dude and I to share. 

Dinner- I took a bunch of garden goodies and the last of the turkey to make egg rolls homestead style. 

Next it was card night ...as in making them.  I love my teacher , Sherri.  She is so talented. Here is what we made tonight. 

Good night.

peace