Monday Mentionables - 11-19 to 11-25

Another great week! Here are but a few of my favorite posts this week:

Sneaky High Salt Foods

Everyday Health brings us this info.

No Matter Their Style: 15 Gifts to Knit & Crochet

Lion Brand Notebook brings us some lovely gift ideas and patterns.

Get the Most Out of Oatmeal

South Beach Diet brings us the skinny on this fab food!

Pretty Patterned Gift Bags

Next to Nicx brings us patterns for adorable gift bags we can make!

How to Make Clove Oranges

ifood.tv tells us how to make these wonderful seasonal pomanders!

Survival Bread

The Reliant Self brings us the recipe for this survival bread.

Quick Vegetable Frittata

South Beach Diet brings us this delicious breakfast or brunch for two!

DIY Lampshade

Ohoh Blog gives us the instructions for making our own lampshade for a hanging light. Wonderful!

Pot Potato Success

Natural Suburbia brings us her story of success with this tuber plant!

Monday Mentionables

Here are a few of the many blogs which posted some very interesting material this past week:

Oprah considering an organic food brand

LifeInc brings us this update.

 Excessive Gas and The Foods You Eat

Everyday Health brings us this information.

How To: Charlie Brown Christmas Ornaments

a little gray Shows us how to do this!

Peppermint Candy Cane Sugar Scrub

The Idea Room brings us this recipe; great gift idea for the holidays!

Mistletoe Kissing Ball

Apartment Therapy brings us the details on how to make this holiday tradition for our home!

Christmas Tree Circle Ornament

Spoonful brings us this great idea for a new family tradition, and we’re starting this one this year!

A Quick Guide to Beans and Legumes

South Beach Diet tells us the ins and outs of beans!

Tiny Doors

Design Sponge brings us the how to on tiny fairy doors for your home!

How to Make: Unique Outdoor Christmas Decorations

Christmas Lights Etc brings us the how to on making large lighted Christmas balls!

All About Alpaca

Lion Brand Blog brings us the skinny on this warm and inviting woolly yarn!

Planting Tulips for Spring Enjoyment

Martha Stewart Blog brings us the lowdown of planting tulips this time of year.

Homemade Ding Dongs

A Cozy Kitchen brings us my dh’s favorite food recipe! These are at the top of my “to make” list!

Free Thanksgiving Printables!

Amanda’s Parties TO GO gives us this FREE download for making your Thanksgiving more decorative and fun!

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas Ornament #3

Michelle Made Me brings us this how to for an adorable, folksy tree ornament.

Make a Christmas Tree For Every Room!

Hot Pepper and Your Heart

Hot Pepper Compound Capsaicin Helps Maintain Healthy Hearts

Capsaicin, The Compound Naturally

Present In Hot Peppers Such As

Cayenne, Helps Maintain Healthy Hearts

Scientists have reported the latest evidence that
chili peppers are a heart-healthy food with potential
to protect against the No. 1 cause of death in the world. The report was presented at the National Meeting and Exposition of the American
Chemical Society (ACS) held in San Diego.

The study focused on capsaicin and its fiery-hot constituents, substances called "capsaicinoids." These are the natural substances that give
cayennes, jalapenos, habaneros and other chili peppers their intemse heat. Capsaicin already has an established role in medicine in topical ointments, rub-on-the-skin creams to treat arthritis and pain.

Previous research suggested that spicing food
with chilies can lower blood pressure in people, reduce blood cholesterol and ease the tendency
for dangerous blood clots to form.

"Our research has reinforced and expanded knowledge about how these substances in chilies work in improving heart health," said researchers "We now have a clearer and more detailed portrait
of their innermost effects on genes and other mechanisms that influence cholesterol and the
health of blood vessels. It is among the first
research to provide that information."

The team of scientists found that capsaicin substances boosts heart health in two ways. They lower cholesterol levels by reducing accumulation
of cholesterol in the body and increasing its breakdown and excretion in the feces. They also block action of the gene that makes arteries
contract, restricting the flow of blood to the heart
and other organs. The blocking action allows
more blood to flow through blood vessels.

"We concluded that capsaicinoids were beneficial
in improving a range of factors related to heart
and blood vessel health," said the food and
nutritional scientists at the Chinese University
of Hong Kong and emphasized "But we certainly
do not recommend that people start consuming chilies to an excess. A good diet is a matter of balance. And remember, chilies are no
substitute for the prescription medications
proven to be beneficial."

The researchers fed laboratory subjects high-cholesterol diets, divided them into groups,
and supplemented each group's food with either
no capsaicinoids (the control group) or various amounts of capsaicinoids. The scientists then analyzed the effects.

In addition to reducing total cholesterol levels
in the blood, capsaicinoids reduced levels of the so-called "bad" cholesterol (which deposits into blood vessels), but did not affect levels of the
so-called "good" cholesterol. The team found indications that capsaicinoids may reduce the
size of deposits that already have formed in
blood vessels, narrowing arteries in ways
that can lead to heart attacks or strokes.

Capsaicinoids also blocked the activity of a
gene that produces cyclooxygenase-2,
a substance that makes the muscles around
blood vessels constrict. By effectively blocking
the gene, muscles can relax and widen,
allowing more blood to flow.

Story Source:
Chinese University of Hong Kong

Journal Reference:
American Chemical Society (ACS) (2012)
Hot pepper compound could help hearts.

This article is for informational and educational

purposes only; It is not intended to provide

medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Consult your doctor or healthcare professional.

Patience, Patience, Patience

I realize it seems that I have abandoned my post lately. But I ask that you bear with me during this brief absence. I should have an answer in a day or so, and can then reveal what will be coming.

I continue to ask for your prayers. God knows the need, and I will report to you all when I have a complete answer. And I should know soon.

In the meantime, here are a few blog posts from the past week which I found interesting:

Make A Googly Eye Christmas Ornamanet

Dollar Store Crafts tells us how!

Thanksgiving Printable

Over the Big Moon gives us a great printable for our décor!

Snowflake Monday

Snowcatcher brings us the Mermaid Snowflake. Beautiful!

Girl’s Day Out

Healthy Stride takes on her fabulous day out. The consultant’s  comment should become our motto! “…health and wellness isn't just about eating right and exercising. It's about taking care of you, as a person.”

A Look At The Different Properties of Wool Yarn

Lion Brand Yarn brings us the details.

10 Projects to Learn New Skills: Colorwork

Lion Brand Yarn brings us great patterns to try new skills!

As I write this, the smell of my personal Mexican blend of spices along with three different kinds of beans [pinto, black and chick-pea] with onion and garlic simmering in the slow cooker is making my home smell like heaven! At dinner time this evening, we’ll put this over rice for our “Meatless Monday One Dish Wonder”. I absolutely love it! Any leftovers will be mashed and used in corn tortillas for lunches. Yum!

I also got my hair cut!

What do you think??? It feels fabulous and is so easy to care for! I can dry it, and even curl it some with the iron if I want to, or simply wash and comb! [Sorry these pics aren't the best....took them myself, and I really need a camera upgrade!]

So, I can’t promise when I will next post, but I will promise it will be soon!

Have a great day everyone!!!

I'm Still Here!

I had hoped to be back at writing daily posts by Monday. Unfortunately, life got in the way!

While I may be gone for a couple of days still, be praying for me!

My cold is over now. And I am working on something exciting!

See ya in a couple of days!
~~Texicanwife~~~

Monday Mentionables - October 29 - November 4, 2012

Sorry this post is brief, but I spent part of this week off the grid, and the rest fighting off a terrible cold. [Still fighting off the last of it!]

However, here a few articles I felt were worth a second look.

Enjoy!

A Mad Tea Party

Lilacs and Lace brings us this enchanting Alice in Wonderland costume! I absolutely loved this!

Easiest Chicken Stock Ever!

Health, Home & Happiness tells us how!

Hurricane Socks

Chrissy Gardiner on Ravelry is offering her hurricane sock pattern for $6. And through November 30^th, 100% of the sales will be donated to the Red Cross to assist hurricane victim relief. Awesome work Chrissy!

Woolly Toons Mini Stockings

Woolly Toons  brings us this great pattern!

Germany Knits Again

Frankfurt Allegiance Economy brings us a great story on the increased knitting hobby in Germany. [Use Google translate to read in English.]

Return - On the Day of the Dead!

Beautiful dia de los muertos mask available on Etsy here.

 

How befitting that we return to blogging on the 'Day of the Dead'. [Perhaps we are like the legendary phoenix? Rising from the ashes???]

 

Wikipedia gives us this description of this  holiday:

 

"Day of the Dead (Spanish: Día de los Muertos) is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico and around the world in other cultures. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. It is particularly celebrated in Mexico, where it is a national holiday, and all banks are closed. The celebration takes place on November 1 and 2, in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day. Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed and visiting graves with these as gifts. They also leave possessions of the deceased.
Scholars trace the origins of the modern Mexican holiday to indigenous observances dating back hundreds of years and to an Aztec festival dedicated to the goddess Mictecacihuatl. The holiday has spread throughout the world: In Brazil, Dia de Finados is a public holiday that many Brazilians celebrate by visiting cemeteries and churches. In Spain, there are festivals and parades, and, at the end of the day, people gather at cemeteries and pray for their dead loved ones. Similar observances occur elsewhere in Europe, and similarly themed celebrations appear in many Asian and African cultures."

As you can see....we are once more back on a computer. This time on our own computer, and not a borrowed one! A full-size keyboard, and with enough speed and RAM to keep us going for quite some time!

Are we happy?

Yes we are!!!

[Anybody else just get that 'Bob the Builder' feeling????]

Although we haven't been keeping track of our eats [intake, or weight], we haven't gone overboard either. [How did I slip into the third person? I hate reading when someone else does that, so why did I? I have no idea!!!]

For the next two days, we will be talking about things we are doing. Crafts. Writing, etc. And on Sunday, we will once more get back into journaling our food. [Don't expect me to begin Sunday's food journaling with a bang however! I'm still a kid at heart, and Sunday is my birthday! I'm having a birthday meal and cake!!! - Even if I have to make it all myself! LOL]

After all, folks, we are all about LIVING. And living isn't always about diets, and walking the line. Sometimes we have to eat to enjoy ourselves. And sometimes we have to get away from the norm to simply enjoy our lives!

It's been fun not getting on the computer as much for a week. Simply relaxing and crafting. Reading. I've got a lot of things worked on!

How about you????

Before I go, I simply have to do three little things for the day........

I'm sending out three HUGE HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES!!!

Happy Birthday to our beautiful granddaughter, Amber!

We love you sweetie!

 

 

Happy Birthday to our son, David!

[Seeing my kids at this age.... I feel so old!!!]

I miss you so much David!!!!!

I hope your day is perfect!

 

And to David's beautiful twin, our daughter, Debbie!

I miss you, sweet girl!!!!

I hope you can get home soon for another visit!!!

 

 

Let's meet back here tomorrow, my friends. Where we will discuss, of all things....crocheted icicles for your Christmas tree!

 

Have a good day everyone!

We Are Safe...And Weathering the Weather

I didn’t intend to make another post until my new computer arrives.

However, I did want to let everyone know that we have survived Sandy, and we were among those least hit, although we had been forewarned we would be among the hardest.

God is good!

Here are a few pictures from our front porch this morning:

As you can see….the ground isn’t even covered all the way. We had been told to expect more than 31-inches of snow!  There are areas in the higher elevations hit hard….however, we were spared.

Snow continues to be forecast, mixed with rain, for the comings days [through Friday]. But the temperature remains high enough that the ground is not frozen, and so it’s muddy and melting beneath.

We never lost electrical power, although many have. We prepared just in case. I spent yesterday morning cooking food for the next 8 days. Just to be prepared. So, we will simply heat in the microwave until that is used up! Yeah! A week free of cooking! Ha ha

We are praying for all of those who were hit so hard. And for those families who were devastated by the loss of life. We pray God’s blessings on them and His tender mercies. Our hearts are with you all!

My new computer is due in any day now. And until it arrives, I will continue limiting my input on this blog. [I am using DH’s tiny netbook, which is almost impossible for me to type on! Call me old-fashioned, but I require a full size keyboard! And no…..I don’t text!]

I ask that you all continue to consider giving a donation to the American Red Cross at this time, or to your local first responders.

Thank you, Lord, for keeping us safe!

Taking A Week Off

We are taking a week off while we await the shipment of our new computer. [Texican's little netbook is simply too small for getting any serious writing done on a daily basis!]

Our new desktop has been ordered....and should be here within a week!

Until then, remember to keep track of what you eat daily. [My Fitness Pal is a good place for doing that! They evenhave a mobile app for keeping track on the go!]

Keep your home tidy and your family happy! [FlyLady is a great place to assist you if you're not sure where to start!]

Keep crafting! [I find KnitPicks has the best buy on yarns!]

Read a new book every week! [Half.com  is my favorite place for hard copies at great discounted prices; eBooks is my favorite place for ereader books at great prices!]

And for goodness sake...sit back and enjoy a good movie when you can.... simply for fun! [I love Netflix for the great selection available there! And you can watch right on your computer if you want!]

See you all back here next week when I will have a full-sized keyboard again, and the ability to do some serious online work once more!

Have a great week everyone!

Texicanwife

An Exhausting Day

It has been one of those utterly exhausting kind of days!

First, dh and I were getting showered and dressed to go visit my parents this morning. While he was in the shower, I thought I'd check my morning correspondence. And that's when it happened.

My computer wouldn't turn on.

Not that it wouldn't boot up! I mean literally.... it wouldn't turn on.

So... while I took dd and we headed over to spend the day with my parents, dh stayed home and worked on my computer. To no avail!

He thinks either the switch is burnt out, or the power cord. The bad news? My computer is a Dell "all-in-one". [I'd had some doubts about purchasing it to begin with, because if one thing goes out.... the wholesystem is royally out!] And don't you know my worst nightmare happened!

DH thinks the hard drive can be saved. So.... he has a monitor. I have a keyboard and mouse. And now I am shopping for a computer [tower and operating system with cd drive, etc.]

Problem?

The cost is outrageous when you are living on a social security income! So, I simply have to raise the money needed.

This afternoon, I have been shopping online for a refurbished system through, of all places, Walmart.com.I found the system I want. Has Windows 7, just like mine, and is slightly larger than my current [now defunct] computer. And by buying a refurbished computer, I can get it at a very reasonable price.I have about half of the money needed to purchase it. So I need to raise the remainder.

So... please be looking out for us on eBay and on our Etsy.  We will be adding some gently used clothing, a few antique dishes, and more crafted items! I have high hopes of being able to purchase my new [refurbished] computer in the next week or so.

And so... you are probably asking yourself what I am working on if I don't have a computer?

I am currently using dh's 10-inch netbook. [Which has an 8-inch screen, and these miniature keyboard keys! It's murder!!!] The screen is so small, that I can scarcely read it! [I've asked family and friends to limit emails until I have another computer up and running!] Yes.... it will give me a major headache!

Sorry folks, but when your extra income comes from the computer, and it's down, and no way to getto your saved writing, genealogy, etc., I've spent the day worried sick over it! And haven't even given a thought to keeping track of my intake today. Not the best I know, as I had a very large pumpkin spice cappucino this morning!

I did spend the day with my parents. And we had a wonderful time.

But there isn't a photo one to share with you on this post!

Forgive me!~

Let's meet back here tomorrow, when I hope to try to get a decent handle on the situation and have more info to share with you then.

I'm thinking we can share a nice cup of cocoa, while we talk about the day!

Tonight, I'm sitting her working on more snowflakes [for Christmas cards] while I watch Netflix on this teenie-tiny screen!

Have a great evening all!

October Photo A Day Challenge - the 22nd

The 22nd.....


...In Your Town.

Election Time In My Town

Slow, Slow Day

You know those days, don’t you?

The ones where you feel like you’re running full speed…. But in quicksand? The harder and faster and you run, the deeper in the stuff you get?

Yep…. It’s been one of those days.

And now…My Fitness Pal is down for maintenance. Been down for a couple of hours now, and I can’t get my dinner in to figure up my stats for the day! So…. This is going to be one of “Those” posts!

I began my day with tea and toast, which I applied a little raspberry preserves to. [About a teaspoon all together!] Not much of a breakfast…but I did enjoy it.

DH had awoken me at 8:30, after I had not gone to bed until 4:15! Therefore the quicksand slogging all day! Ugh!

I checked my correspondence this morning, and read the blogs I so enjoy. Then went to work writing. But I simply could not stay concentrated on the project at hand. I need a good night’s sleep!!!

So, I simply read all day.

At lunch I broke and made DH and I a potted meat sandwich, and opened a small tin of beans and wieners for each of us. Pretty decent lunch actually!

After lunch, I peeled and cut up 2-large onions, 3-stalks celery, and about 6 large potatoes. I put them in the crockpot, and covered them with water, and added salt and pepper liberally. I set the temperature on high.

At 5 p.m. I ladled the water out of the pot, added 2 cans of evaporated milk, along with 4 cups of water, 1 cup being hot water with cornstarch, which made a roux.

I continued cooking on high for another 45-minutes. Oh, my but this was a wonderful potato soup! Large chunky potatoes, celery and onions!

 

I also sliced a loaf of French bread, for dipping in the thick stew. So delicious!!! Even DH loved this! Yummy!

I can’t begin to tell you what my stats were for the day.

[Terrible thing that we rely totally on a website for such things! Back in the day, I had a calorie counter book to help me do this, and I ran around with a notepad and pencil! Now I consult a website after everything I eat!]

And now?

I am heading over to Netflix to watch more of the series Brothers & Sisters [Sally Field and Calista Flockhart]. What can I say? I’m a sucker for a serial! Lovin’ this show! I’m up to episode 11 of Season 1. Great show!

While I watch, I am working on snowflakes for my Christmas tree and Christmas cards project! Keeps my hands busy!

What are you working on today?

Tomorrow I am heading over to spend a few hours visiting with my parents. Then it will be back home to get a little writing done, if my brain will work! [Writers block is the worst!]

Let’s meet back here for a little Earl Grey as we unwind for the day! And let’s hope that the My Fitness Pal website is back up by then!

And I almost forgot about the great eBay buy that came in today!

[the big Bible]

I’ve been watching German Bible’s on auction sites for quite some time now, as I wanted one for me, and one for my mother. [My maternal great-grandparents were German.] It was simply something I’d longed to have. Last week I came across an auction about to end, and I was able to purchase both a full size German Bibel [both old and new testaments] and a new testament. Both are over 100 years old [the full Bible from 1884, and the new testament from 1906]. Others are selling for any where from $160 to several hundred of dollars [some even without covers!]. I was able, by watching for a closing auction, to grab these two, sold together, for only $5 plus postage! And their covers are excellent!

[the new testament]

Aren’t they lovely?

[interior of the big Bible]

The full Bible is now on my mantel, and the new testament will be traveling to my mother tomorrow. I can hardly wait to give it to her!

Have a great evening everyone!

Me Today

Dailey Scaley: 241.4

Lost to Date: -60.4

Monday Mentionables - October 15-21st, 2012

I'll be quite honest.... I really only found one post that was truly exceptional this week:

7 Delicious Meals for Meatless Mondays

South Beach Diet Online brings us some very good choices for at least one night a week of meatless dinners for the family!

Let's hope this week brings us more to love!

October Photo A Day Challenge - the 21st

The 21st....

...Calm

Sleepy Little Sunday

A quieter, sleepy Sunday I haven’t seen in quite a while!

I slept until 10:30 this morning, when DH woke me. [He thought I had gone to bed early, when in fact, I had been up until 3:00 a.m.!] He was having a rather restless night, so I waited until he settled down before I climbed into the bed.

When I got up, I showered, dressed, and headed into the kitchen where I grabbed

 

a cup of tea,

 

and a cup of yogurt.

I then came back to the bedroom, where my little office is in the corner, and went through emails and other correspondence. I sipped

 

coffee while I read the Sunday blogs.

A little past one in the afternoon, I grabbed some lunch. Two simple cheese quesadillas

 [2 corn tortillas with a slice of American cheese between them, and heated in the microwave. Top with a little salsa, and you’ve got yourself the super quick cheese quesadilla!]

More coffee,

and back on the computer after washing and drying a load of laundry.

After DD came in from work about 4:45, I went back to the kitchen to fix dinner. Some baked chicken thighs for the other two [I had 2-Boca chicken patties]

, boiled taters, and mini corn on the cob.

After the dinner dishes were washed, I made a pan of Betty Crocker Fudge Brownies.

I had 2 of these.

Yummy!

So…. How are my stats for the day?

Calories: 1,555                        [+115]

Carbs: 263g                             [+65]

Fats: 37g                                 [-11]

Protein: 57g                           [+3]

Sodium: 3,124mg                   [+1,624]

Okay… a little over today. But, again, we won’t cry over this. Simply keep plugging away, one day at a time!

I did complete a few more snowflakes today [only 7 more needed to finish up those needed for the Christmas tree]. I spent some time looking through patterns for just the perfect Christmas stockings to knit for the three of us this year. Finally have it down to two that I really like. And I found a pattern for a tree skirt. [My theme this year is white, silver and blue. “Winter Wonderland”.]

What’s on your needles today? Working any other crafts?

What are you reading?

Let’s get back here again tomorrow evening, where we will take a look at some of the latest ideas I have found in Christmas decorating!

Until then…. Here are a few pictures of the turning leaves here in the mountains!

Have a wonderful evening y’all!

 

Me Today

Dailey Scaley: 241.0

Lost to Date: -63.8