A Good Day

 I will never tire of this view.

MK out.

A Quarantine Tale

I hope everyone, is hanging in there. I'm doing okay over here, just trying to adjust to life's changes.

I have not been grocery shopping for over a week and it was time. I haven't done curbside pickup yet, because I haven't been able to work out the timing. I tried a few times, but the dates for pickup were a week or so out, and I needed my stuff this week, not next.

I did recently sign up for Imperfect Foods, and got my first box today. Google it and read all about it. It's a cool thing, and I'm happy with what came in my box. Sorry, I forgot to take a picture. I'll try to next time.

While waiting for my box, I had to go shopping for things that they don't sell. Eastern Orthodox Easter is this Sunday, and one of my Greek friends told me about lamb rib racks at Costco. I also needed usual food and grocery items that Costco doesn't sell in normal household quantities; so, I planned on a stop at the Super Target right next door. I had to return some vitamins and exchange for the right ones at Walmart; so, to say that I had a full morning is an understatement. Since I'm a WOACA, I was able to go early. I chose to be happy about that because I've been trying to stay positive and find joy daily.

So, I went to Costco. I did see three 24-roll packages of toilet paper just past the door, but I didn't need any so, I walked on by.  I grabbed my lamb racks and took off for Target. I am happy to report that I saw name brand and generic toilet paper there, as well as tons of paper towels and other paper products. I found a few of the items on my list, paid and headed to Walmart. On the way, I saw Trader Joe's and remembered that we are almost out 


of The Husb's favorite almonds; so, I stopped. Grabbed the almonds and a few other things from my list and got back on the road. 

I got to Walmart and found the rest of the items on my list. I did forget to bring the wrong vitamins in to exchange, and made the executive decision to take care of that little job next time.

In all the places I visited today, none had hand soap, hand sanitizer, Clorox wipes, Lysol spray or Lysol all purpose cleaner. I did find a small bottle of Clorox at Walmart; so, there's that.

I also saw this sight at Walmart:

There hasn't been toilet paper long enough to spend time on the shelves at Walmart for three weeks! The neighbors have kept me informed.

And here are the goodies that took two and a half hours to procure today:

MK out.

FO Friday - 12/6/2019

I haven't written an FO Friday post in a while because I haven't had any finished projects to show. Although, I do have some now, I can't show them because they are Christmas presents. I'm pretty sure no family members read my blog, but I'm not going to chance it.

Instead, I will write about another sort of project today.

Since Monday, I've had a Christmas tree ready for ornament placing, standing in it's usual spot in the den. For the past several years, it's been great having a pre-lit tree. I've been able to have a fully decorated tree set up by December the first, and I've been very happy.

The reason there's a pre-lit Christmas tree sans ornaments in Chez Merry Karma is...

...wait for it...

...some of the light strands are out.

The whole Christmas decorating project came to a complete standstill while we have been thinking about what to do next. Should we decorate this one as is and get a new tree next year? Should we go out and buy a new tree this year? Should we even have a tree? In the meantime, a neighbor told me about this magical, little tool:

I bought one today, and it saved Christmas.

What is it with holiday saving this year?

MK out.

How I Almost Saved Thanksgiving

Right off the bat, let me say that I had a fabulous Thanksgiving. For the first time in many years, we went out. From the moment (some three months ago) that I shared with The Husb my very thoughtful feelings about the situation, he started mentioning that there wouldn't be any leftover turkey to make turkey sandwiches. So, my almost saving Thanksgiving had more to do with The Husb's expectations than my own.

At first, I didn't let his grumbling get to me, but then it became more frequent. As it got closer to Thanksgiving, I realized how I wouldn't be having turkey sandwiches either. (I do really like a turkey sandwich.) I was feeling a little guilty too.  I thought about my options. I was already planning on making the long-sought-after chestnut dressing recipe that my mother would make every Thanksgiving and Christmas. The one I haven't been able to find until just recently. How hard would it be to make a small turkey breast too? 

I wasn't totally convinced, but I went to the store to buy the dressing ingredients, while still considering purchasing a turkey breast. 

And then, I found this little product.

The best part is that all one has to do is heat the oven, remove the outer bag, and place the still FROZEN turkey-breast-in-a-bag in a pan and into the oven. 

I thought Thanksgiving (for The Husb, mainly) was saved! I was getting pretty smug about it, but only on the inside because I didn't tell anyone about my plan. I wanted to surprise The Husb.

Thanksgiving Day arrived. I was bursting with excitement while I was getting ready to go out for a nice turkey feast, whose production and cleanup required no effort on my part. And it was good. I was happy. I was THANKFUL.

Later in the day, I cooked the frozen turkey breast as directed. I placed the package of sliced bread on the kitchen counter.I got together the dressing and a couple of other things. 

I called the family to the table. The Husb was pleasantly surprised. We filled our plates and sat down to eat. And then...

#epic-fail

The seasoning was over bearing. It was too salty and too peppery. I don't think I will buy this product again.

To his credit, The Husb didn't complain. 

MK out.
.

FO Friday - 3/08/2019

I've been knitting, but I don't have any finished objects to show today.

I have been maintaining my, albeit slow, pace for the 2019 Decrapification Challenge. Earlier this week, I was looking for something in the cedar closet. I ended up taking everything out that was piled up on the floor or was in any of the spots that are empty in these pictures. (I'm mad that I didn't think to take a before picture.)

Here's what came out of all those empty spaces.

And today, I finished putting it all back together.

I know those socks aren't very KonMari Method, but it will have to do until I find a drawer unit that will work in here.

MK out.

Academy Awards and Life Fails

Hello to the three faithful readers of this blog.

Tonight is the 91st Academy Awards. It's always a special night for me, but this year, I'm just a little worn out. I wasn't able to see BlacKkKlansman or At Eternity's Gate because apparently, AT&T/DirecTV is having software issues with their On Demand movies, even though they are not advertising this issue. Don't get me started with my opinion of the takeover of DirecTV by AT&T, but, I will summarize it by saying that we never had issues with our DirecTV service before AT&T came into the picture.

Anyway, I was unimpressed by the field of movies this year, as well as the nominations for Best Picture. Having seen 7 of the 8 this year, my pick is Roma. 

Best Actress - I loved Glenn Close in The Wife.
Best Actor - I liked all the performances that I saw, but I pick Christian Bale in Vice.
Best Supporting Actress - It's another tough one for me. I have to go with Marina de Tavira in Roma.
Best Supporting Actor - Sam Rockwell's characterization of W in Vice was very entertaining.

As far as life fails. I'm going to have to rip back all the way to the armholes on this sweater. It's just too, too big.

Finally, I have to call the plumber.

Have a great evening Y'all.

MK out.

For the Rest of Us

The Christmas preparations around here have been going at high speed. It always turns out fine, but there are times I'm not so sure because my lists seem endless. It's mostly worrying going on in my head when I feel a little overwhelmed. I've noticed in the last few years though, at some pivotal point, the sun breaks through the clouds and things seem to start getting done smoothly and efficiently.

After the dust clears and there's a little quiet before Christmas, I frequently spend a little time reflecting on things.

Today has much significance around Chez Merry Karma. If my momma were still in this realm, she would be celebrating her 94th birthday. 

I sure miss her. Everyday.

Life (in this realm) has a way of going on. I suppose that's a good design feature overall. Otherwise, what would be the point?

So, Happy Birthday to my momma, and Happy Festivus to the rest of us.

MK out.

I've Been Eclipsed! 8/21/2017

Today was a glorious day...it was one of those days I call a Best Day. Best Days are the kind that your senses feel heightened and you feel very connected to the Universe.

I'll come back tomorrow and tell you all about it. I've been up since 0515; so, the bed is calling me.

MK out.

Stash Enhancements

I've been watching a few knitting podcasts lately. It seems that the podcasting community is rather close knit. They all know each other and watch each other. I like to watch them for the yarn and project porn. They all seem to like to knit socks. I like to knit socks. I've made lots of socks in my day.  

They like the Fish Kiss Lips Heel, Hermione's Everyday Socks and the Blueberry Waffle Socks. I've made Hermione's Everyday Socks twice and most recently, I've made a pair of Blueberry Waffle Socks with a Fish Kiss Lips Heel. 

These girls are into contrasting toes and heels (and sometimes cuffs too). I decided I'd like to make some socks with contrasting heels, toes and possibly cuffs.

I bought this skein of yarn at TLE in 2014. 

I think it has a vintage Christmas vibe. I'm too busy to knit it up into a pair of socks for this Christmas, but I high-tailed it over to Knitting Fairy yesterday bought a couple of contrasting minis.

I like the way they all look together!

I bought this skein of yarn at the DFW Fiber Fest last spring.

At the time, the girls in the Tumbleweed Yarn booth asked me if I wanted some contrasting yarn for toes and heels. I said no, because that was B.P. (before podcasts). While I was at Knitting Fairy yesterday, I found these minis:

Look how nice they look with the yarn:

I was on the hunt for progress keepers, because podcasts. I found this cute set of stitch markers I had to have, since I am a big Wizard of Oz fan.

There was a progress keeper in the set. That sealed the deal.

Another thing these podcasters like is tea. They drink lots of tea. Now, I was never much of a tea or coffee drinker growing up. I don't really know when the switch flipped, but I've been known to drink both now.

I have had this tea for a while. It's my precious. 

I like this Tazo Passion tea hot or cold.

The podcasters like all kinds of different flavors of tea, and they have opened up a whole new world. First, I found this tea in a local tea shop.

Then, I bought these in Fort Collins when I visited The Kid last month.

Oh my - that Almond tea is awesome. It smells so good. The Rose Petal tea does too. Loose leaf teas are pretty interesting.

Finally, Trader Joe's has a couple of seasonal teas out. There's this one

...and this one.

I've tried them and highly recommend both of them.

I'm not a podcaster, but should one knock on my door someday, I'm ready.

MK out.

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner

Well my pretties, I haven't been feeling the blogging lately. Of course, all the rules and parameters and expectations are ones I put on myself. I do have things to write about and show, but it seems that these posts don't get written on the days they are "supposed" to be written. Then, I start feeling badly, because I feel like I am letting the three of you down, and then I start feeling like I am letting myself down and it all becomes a vicious cycle of inertia.

Inertia is my biggest challenge in life, and always has been. 

So, I thought that maybe for the rest of this crazy, busy, fun, frenzied, holiday-celebrating, family and friend time spending kind of month, I will post in a non-structured kind of way. If I finish a project, I'll post about it. If I watch a movie, I'll post about it. If I have a thought, I'll post about it.

Let's talk about yarn chicken. You know that game, right? Here you are, casting off your project and hoping that you have enough yarn to finish because for whatever reason, you don't have another skein of said yarn?

Well, it applies to sewing too, and it's called thread chicken. Last night in the work shop, I had one line of stitching I had to complete and one partial spool of red thread.

I hoped, and hoped and sewed and sewed.

Yep, I was FIVE inches short. Luckily, I had some more red thread, and though it wasn't the exact color, it worked. The good thing is that it's easier to go to the fabric store and buy more thread, than it is to get more yarn. A spool of thread to finish five inches won't break the bank like a another skein of hand-dyed yarn for just five inches or twenty stitches or whatever will.

But technically, Thread 1, MK zero.

And then, today, I needed to use green thread but didn't have a bobbin wound with any green. I didn't need much; so, I wound some on an empty bobbin hoping that I had wound just enough. I don't like having colors of thread I don't use often taking up space on my bobbins, but that's just me.

The Karma is balanced.

MK out.

Nine Years

Today is my Nine-Year Blogiversary. It's been nine years since I wrote my very first post. 

Join me in celebrating. I'm going to knit and sew. What are you going to do? 

Currently (still), I am working on that little green outfit. I haven't touched it since Sunday's post. Those ruffles are a pain - I used to be great at ruffles, but it's been a few years. 

I am also trying to get this sweater finished:

It's my June Loopy's Monthly Mixer project. I've got to figure out what I want to make for July's...

MK out.

I'm Back!

"Since my last post, I've been doing lots of celebrating. Firstly, we are in the middle of the infamous Birthday Season - which started a little early this year; more on that in a bit. Secondly, this past Monday marked the 30th Anniversary of the establishment of Chez Merry Karma.

Y'all know by now that my Birthday Season starts on September 15th every year, but several days before, we set out on our 30th Anniversary European Extravaganza. This post will be first in a series...of not too many, I promise.

We landed in Frankfurt in the morning. Since our hotel room wouldn't yet be ready, we jumped in our rental and headed to Wurzberg, the home place of the Dallas Mavericks' beloved player, Dirk Nowitzki. Apparently, he had founded a youth basketball program here.

A scene from the town:

We ate lunch there - and it was quite good. I was looking forward to eating German food and I wasn't disappointed at all.

The next day, we set out for Munich, but made a quick stop in Pfaffenhofen. Maybe, some of the knitters will recognize that it is the home of Wollmeise:

Here's a pretty building in the town square:

That evening in Munich, we took the train to a shopping/eatery district. I love this old cathedral:

Sadly, Oktoberfest didn't start for another week, but our restaurant had their beer offering available and we had some with our "appetizer":

The next day, we got up and headed to Switzerland. The drive was beautiful.

We had lunch in Innsbruck, Austria - with a view of the Olympic ski jump.

We drove through through Liechtenstein:

Tune in next time...more Alps and other cool stuff.

MK out.

Happy Festivus!

Today would have been my mom's 91st birthday.  We would celebrate her special day more often than not, but sometimes when she didn't want the attention focused on her, I would tell her that we would celebrate Festivus instead. The concepts of the show about nothing and Festivus were lost on that feisty, little Greek woman, but she would at humor me and at least act like she was enjoying herself.

Now that she's gone, December the 23rd could be a sad day if I let it.  To help me from falling into the depths of despair, I planned a Festivus celebration of sorts.  I invited one of my college roommates and her two lovely daughters to come over and make Christmas cookies.

The Kid joined us, sort of:

We had quite the accouterments for an afternoon of cookie decorating:

Chocolate covered cherries are a fave:

I think they look pretty cute:

The girls were getting busy, The Kid - not so much:

I mixed up a batch of spritz cookies:

Surprisingly, The Kid got into the decorating.  I think he did a great job:

Mine weren't too bad:

I love the hat on Kate's snowman: (See my spritz cookies in the container with the cherries? I forgot to get a better shot of them.)

Amanda made a bride - complete with a silver ring on her finger - and a boy in overalls with a pocket in the front:

Not bad for an afternoon of fun:

If I look a little tired, it's because I was!

We decided that we are making this Festivus Cookie Baking Party a tradition.

MK out.