Tuesday, August 31, 2010

08/31/10 - Food

Breakfast - toast with peanut butter, grapes

Lunch - at a restaurant - soup and salad

Supper - open-faced tomato sandwich (it was so good I could hardly believe it - the whole wheat toast was crunchy and nutty tasting, the tomatoes were sweet and juicy - I would rather have this than any fancy steak or chicken), chips and Skinny Cow ice cream.


Monday, August 30, 2010

08/30/10 - Food

Breakfast - toast and an egg

Lunch - another wonderful open-faced tomato sandwich, some chips, and a WW fudge bar.


For supper I cut up another tomato, added some sat and pepper.....
added that to some pasta and sprinkled with Parmesan cheese. Excellent.

For dessert I had a snack-size sugar-free vanilla pudding.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

08/29/10 - Food

Breakfast - toast and an egg

At church today, there was a birthday celebration and I had a very, very small piece of flourless chocolate cake and a small piece of fudge made with a dash of Bailey's Irish Cream. Then someone brought me tomatoes and cucumbers fresh from their garden! (Bet you wish you attended MY church!)
Usually I go to Sunday lunch with my family, but my sister was sick and I ended up going home for lunch. With those wonderful fresh-from-the-vine tomatoes, I made my favorite sandwich - an open-faced tomato sandwich with Miracle Whip. Ohhhhh so good. I could taste the sunshine.
Supper was a favorite Sunday night fare - popcorn, grapes, and a few spoonfuls of peanut butter.

What a lovely food day!

Saturday, August 28, 2010

08/28/10 - Food

Breakfast - toast with peanut butter

Lunch - a cup of chicken soup, TJs Veggie & Flakseed Tortilla Chips with a little lowfat cheese melted on top, grapes, Nature Valley Granola Crisp

Supper - leftover carrots, leftover mashed potatoes, Skinny Cow ice cream

It is 8:00pm where I live and I am both tired and hungry. I can't decide whether I want to go to bed early or go find a low calorie snack. I know my cousin (a WW leader) would say that I have not had enough protein, but I have had absolutely no appetite for meat lately. Could be the medication I am on for strep throat, or it could be the memory of that awful meat loaf I had the other night. I think I will have one piece of bread with peanut butter (protein) and a glass of skim milk, and then I'll go to bed.

Friday, August 27, 2010

08/27/10 - Food

Breakfast - toast

Lunch - a bowl of good old Campbell's tomato soup, some crackers.

After lunch I decided to go to the grocery store and since I had eaten fairly light for breakfast and lunch, I thought I would first stop at McDonald's and get a strawberry sundae. As I was driving to the store, the tomato soup was not digesting well. My stomach felt heavy and on the verge of upset. The planned strawberry sundae got cancelled.


At the store I looked for these Nature Valley Granola Thins. There has been an advertising campaign on TV for these and they sounded good. Each "thin" is small with the peanut butter coming in at 90 calories and the chocolate one is 80 calories. I had one as a snack.

Then I had some of these as a snack. I know, I know - I shouldn't even purchase potato chips, but this is a small bag, is light, and the dancing girl who is the "i" reminds of myself. (Not)

Feeling guilty for having those potato chips, I decided to have a light supper. One small bowl of rice cereal with some freeze dried strawberries.

The strawberries plump up in the cereal and I could pretend I was finally having my strawberry sundae.

New Tool

This combination magnifier and light was advertised in the Keepsake Quilting catalog and since the price was within reason, I decided to purchase it. It says "fits most sewing machines". Guess what - it didn't fit mine. Errrrgh. Well, it does "fit", but the magnifier and the light were at the wrong angle. I would have to lower my chair so much that my arms would be below the machine. I decided I would have to send it back. I hated to give up though and I finally tried this solution............
I turned it sideways and then I could adjust the magnifier and light to the right angle to see through when my chair is in the normal high position. YES. It makes it a whole lot easier for me to thread my machine - and hopefully will help me sew a straighter line.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

08/26/10 - Food

Breakfast - toast, scrambled egg

Lunch - half a sandwich, cookie, half glass of skim milk

Supper - carrots, mashed potatoes, WW fudge bar

Snack - almonds

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

08/25/10 - Food

Breakfast - toast and a scrambled egg

Lunch - a bowl of cereal

Supper - one biscuit, stir fry veggies with chicken which didn't thrill me so I only ate a little bit and threw out the rest and therefore I ate another biscuit. Skinny Cow ice cream for dessert.


Table Runner finished

The table runner I made the other day is now all quilted and bound.
(Pattern - Little Charmers IV by Heather Mulder Peterson
for Anka's Treasures)


Although the deep colors are good for Fall, it came out darker than I had wanted, so to make it sparkle a little I added some crystals.


The reverse side is a nice yellow with red flowers which I could use in the Spring.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

08/24/10 - Food

Yes, I know, I didn't post my food yesterday. Long story..............a bad day emotionally ..............but everything is OK now. I don't think I overate, but I honestly cannot remember what I ate except for a delicious piece of carrot cake at a friend's house.

Today -

Breakfast - toast with an egg

Lunch - sandwich

Snack - 100 calorie yogurt

Supper - carrots, onion, pea pods, chicken, Skinny Cow ice cream

Snack - almonds


Sunday, August 22, 2010

08/22/10 - Food

Breakfast - toast, an egg, grapes

Lunch - my brother-in-law sprung for lunch today after church. We went to Outback. He immediately ordered an onion blossom of which I had a small serving. It was a little spicy for me and I tamed it down with ranch dressing. For my lunch I ordered a wedge salad and a baked sweet potato. I didn't read the menu correctly and was surprised that the wedge salad came with two thick slices of roast beef. I really didn't want the beef, but since it was on the plate I took a bite. The first bite was tender and good. So I took a second bite. Oops. A piece of gristle. At home I would just spit it out, but in a restaurant it becomes awkward. I could have fairly easily spit it out into a paper napkin but wouldn't you know, this restaurant had cloth napkins. Well, I did spit it into my napkin and later, I quietly transferred the piece of gristle to my plate. The wedge of lettuce was OK, but it was on a small plate making it hard to cut up and distribute the dressing over the lettuce. I only ate about half of the lettuce. Then the baked sweet potato was awful. How can you screw up a baked potato? I think this potato was old, old, old. It was stringy and mushy soft. I left most of it. It was very nice of my brother-in-law to treat for lunch, but I was not impressed with the food. (The waitress was very nice.)

Supper - a friend at church gave me a box of Tastefully Simple Perfect Parmesan Biscuit Mix because she knows I like the biscuits at Red Lobster. I decided to make them for supper as I happened to have the only ingredient you need to add - cheddar cheese. The biscuits are great. I ate two for supper. That's all, just two biscuits. It was an excellent supper and according to the package, two biscuits would be 280 calories. That's not too bad for one meal.

Snack - now, the meals I had today were not the most healthy, but I don't think I went overboard on the calories. However, I made up for that in one fell swoop by having the half piece of pie from my lunch the other day at Baker's Square. Probably a bazillion calories. However, it did have fresh peaches, dairy (whipped cream), grain (crust), and more dairy (cream cheese). See, healthy as can be!

Saturday, August 21, 2010

08/21/10 - Food

Since I am still battling a sore throat, I had a nice juicy Navel orange for breakfast along with one piece of toast slathered with peanut butter.

Lunch was a green salad with broccoli and tomatoes, and some Trader Joe's Veggie & Flaxseed Tortilla Chips. For dessert I had a WW fudge bar. The creamy cold bar felt so wonderful on my sore throat.


Supper - hmmmm - not so great. I had this prepared meat loaf in my fridge. Doesn't the picture on the package look enticing?
Inside the large tray dwarfed the little meatloaf.

Five minutes in the microwave and you get this greasy compact lump of ground meat.

Look at the package picture versus the actual slices.
Needless to say I was very disappointed. It was not like the meatloaf my step-mother used to make - not even close. There were even several bits of bone or gristle that quickly made my appetite leave. With the meat I had a small portion of mashed potatoes. Not the most healthy meal.


For dessert I had one of these special yogurts. It was very good - smooth, creamy, tasty, and best of all, my throat loved the cool creaminess.
Oh - a side note - I did the yoga from the little book (see yesterday's post) and think that I could do this on a daily basis. Will I? That is the big question. It sure would help keep me limber and active - and feeling like I am doing some form of exercise. Better than nothing, right?

Table runner

Sewing was low on my priority list this week as I have been fighting a sore throat and the accompanying lack of energy/ambition that goes along with being sick.


Today though I put together a simple table runner using 5" squares. I had a package of Moda squares in my stash and they worked well for the pattern.

For the backing I think I will use the yellow flower print so that I can use one side for Fall and one side for Spring. The red will be the binding.
This was a good project for a lazy Saturday afternoon.

Friday, August 20, 2010

08/20/10 - Food

I'm back........................

Breakfast - toast and an egg, grapes

Mid-morning snack - TJs veggie sticks and peanut butter.

Lunch - took myself to Baker's Square. I was out shopping and decided I wanted to eat out and be served - no fast food for me. As I ate my lunch I thought about how time and age has changed the way I eat. When I was younger I would have had a bowl of soup, sandwich, chips or fries and a piece of pie. Today I ordered a half sandwich, a cup of soup (no chips or fries) and when the pie came I was full so took it home. You would think that since I am eating less than half of what I used to eat, I would lose weight. No. Not to be. I know I'm less active than when I was younger, but I guess I must have almost no metabolism left in this tired old body. I didn't finish the soup either. Sigh.

Supper - leftover stir-fry veggies and chicken with brown rice, a Skinny Cow ice cream.

To my loyal family and friends that follow this blog - the reason I have been absent since last week is that I went away for the weekend and when I got back I got sick. I got a sore throat, which because of my health history always scares me, and along with the sore throat my head was foggy and I had zero energy most of the time. Even though I was out and about today, I'm still dealing with a sore throat and low energy. Part of the low energy could have to do with the hot, hot weather. I purchased some strong cold medicine today - the PM kind - and will go to bed early in confidence that a night of good sleep and strong medicine will put me back on the healthy track.

While I was out today, I also purchased a book of yoga exercises titled A Morning Cup of Yoga. It is a sweet little book with colorful illustrations. All the exercises (or positions) can be done in the kitchen, in PJs, either standing or sitting - no laying on the floor stuff. The book is emphasizing stretching and breathing with some meditation thrown in. Any one who knows me knows that I do not like exercise and can find any excuse to avoid exercise. However, years and years ago I was in a wonderful yoga class and looked forward to every class. Maybe this little book will bring back the good feelings I had when practicing yoga. Worth a try.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

08/12/10 - Food

Breakfast - toast with peanut butter, apple sauce

Lunch - I was at the grocery store right before lunch and the cooking chicken got to me. Oh my, it smelled so good. So, I bought some chicken wings. Then when I got home I realized that they were drenched in heavy breading over the skin. By the time I removed the breading and the skin, there wasn't much chicken meat. Oh well. Lesson learned. I also had some raw veggies. For the life of me, I can't remember what else I had, if I had something else.

Snack - almonds (too many almonds)

Supper - the leftover chicken teriyaki from last night and some cooked carrots. Because I ate so many almonds, I decided to forgo any dessert.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

08/11/10 - Food

Breakfast - toast with peanut butter.

Lunch - snacked on a few Pringles while this Lean Cuisine Lemon Chicken dinner was cooking in the microwave. It was very good and seemed to satisfy my hunger. I had a couple of True North almond clusters for dessert.
Then later on in the afternoon I had a hunger attack. Apparently the Lean Cuisine did not take me through the whole afternoon. I grabbed the bag of TJs veggie sticks and stuffed my face for a while.

Supper - snacked on some raw veggies while a Chung's for 2 dinner of Teriyaki Chicken cooked in the microwave. It was good. For dessert I had a little light vanilla ice cream.

My hunger is attacking again so I will probably have a small glass of skim milk and maybe a Mini Babybel light cheese before going to bed.

Crazy 9 patch - again

Along came a spider.........This big black spider has been appearing in my Quilt Studio day after day in a different spot. I'm much too squeamish to step on it, and besides, stepping on it would leave a spot on the carpet. Picking it up with a paper towel was out of the question. The poor spider wasn't doing anything except sitting there, so I left him alone.

My quilting friends know that one of my favorite patterns is the crazy 9-patch. I took a break from my black and white quilt to make this quick table topper of blue 9-patches, trying to use up some stash fabric.

This wonderful batik will be the backing and the binding.

Oh, and about the spider...............I kept carefully walking around Blackie, and then the phone rang. I went running to answer it. Oops. I turned around and looked. Oh no! I had been so careful all day not to step on Blackie and at a thoughtless moment my big foot ended Blackie's life here on earth. I then had to remove the squished body with a paper towel. Ick.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

08/10/10 - Food

Breakfast - toast with peanut butter.

Lunch - sandwich

Snack - 100 calorie popcorn

Supper - stir fry/steamed veggies, melon pieces with vanilla ice cream.


Monday, August 9, 2010

08/09/10 - Food

Back to reality. The family wedding was wonderful and the family gathering the next day was great. I think my eating was pretty sensible overall. I only ate half of my wedding meal and never went near the sweet table. On Sunday I only had one small helping of the lunch (no seconds), but I did have some dessert. It was terribly sweet and I could have done without it, but my grand niece made it and I just had to give it a try. (excuses, excuses.........)

Today -

Breakfast - toast and an egg.

Lunch - just snacked on stuff - a few teaspoons of liver sausage, a few forkfuls of Cole Slaw, some grape tomatoes, a handful of TJs veggie sticks, and about a half cup of melon.

Snack - almonds

Supper - stir-fried veggies (carrots, broccoli, sugar snap peas) with TJs Curry vegetable rice, and a chocolate vita top for dessert.

In progress.......

Since it is hot and humid where I live, the cool basement Quilt Studio seemed a nice place to spend some time today. All the blocks were completed for this black and white quilt when I was on my quilt retreat and now I am slowly sewing the blocks together. The two top rows got sewn today.
I have a great border planned. I'm hoping that my plans are as wonderful when completed as they are in my imagination.


To my family and friends I would like to tell you that any time you see a quilt on my blog that you would like for yourself or for a gift or for a special charity, please tell me. I cannot possibly use all the quilts I make and I am more than happy to give them away. A few years ago I had so many quilts stacked up that my cousin found a women's shelter in Indianapolis where I sent 20 of my quilts. Or if you would like a special quilt made just for you - a certain color or a certain pattern - ask me! If the pattern is too hard for my skills, I might suggest something else. Even quilts I make especially for my house or my beds I would be willing to give away to a family member or dear friend. I can always make more!

Saturday, August 7, 2010

08/07/10 - Food

Today we are having a big family wedding so my eating schedule will be mixed up a little.

I ate a hearty breakfast of toast, egg, and bacon.

Why such a big breakfast? Well, I plan to skip lunch, have a fruit snack right before I leave for the wedding, and then enjoy the country club gourmet meal later on this evening.

And tomorrow - Sunday - all the family will gather again for a birthday celebration and of course a big meal.

I plan to enjoy it all and not think about calories. See you back here on Monday evening.

Friday, August 6, 2010

08/06/10 - Food

Breakfast - toast with peanut butter, melon

Lunch - about once a year I get a craving for braunschweiger - or as the new packaging calls it, "spreadable pate". I just make toast and slather it with this cholesterol filled treat. Very good. Also had a few Pringles. For dessert I had a VitaTop - dark chocolate - heated in the microwave.


For supper I tried this new product, Michelina's Lean Gourmet. It was good but did NOT look like the picture on the package. However, it was a satisfying meal. I should have had something green to go with it, salad or broccoli, but I didn't. Instead I had a sugar-free vanilla pudding for dessert.

Snack - almonds

Stash buster quilt

The binding is all done on this stash busting quilt. This picture shows the corner of the quilt and the green (with snowflakes) backing.

My friend, Moe, did the quilting. She used varigated thread, did some meandering, and also put in some wonderful feathers.

I used scraps I grabbed from my stash without thought as to any color plan. This fabric of weather vanes I purchased in an antique shop many years ago.

Here is the finished quilt. Pattern by Judy L. of Patchworktimes.com and can be found on her website.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

08/05/10 - Food

Breakfast - toast, an egg, cherries

Lunch - salad with tuna and a tomato, WW fudge bar.

Supper - Healthy Choice Chicken Teriyaki dinner.

Snack - almonds and melon.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

08/04/10 - Food

Breakfast - toast and an egg

Lunch - cheese toast, pickles, Pringles, Sunsweet dark chocolate coated dried plum bites.

Snack - almonds

Supper - turkey hot dog, baked beans, one tomato, chocolate angel food cake.

Vegetables on my table.......

The LQS had this table runner kit which caught my eye because of the very real looking vegetables. I quilted it myself with a cross hatch. I use painter's blue tape and sew my straight lines beside the tape.

The finished table runner on my kitchen table. Will it inspire me to eat healthier?

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

08/03/10 - Food

Breakfast - toast with peanut butter and a smidge of orange marmalade, melon.

Lunch - sandwich and TJ's veggie sticks

Supper - onion, yellow squash, broccoli, veggie burger, scoop of vanilla (light) ice cream.

Snack - some almonds.

Monday, August 2, 2010

08/02/10 - Food

Breakfast - toast with peanut butter, melon

Lunch - salad with tomato, cucumber and pickled beets - topped with some garlic croutons that tasted wonderful as I ate them but not so wonderful hours later when they were still on my breath.

Supper - leftovers - mashed potatoes and chicken fried rice. Dessert was a few Quaker mini rice cakes.

Snack - skim milk and a spoonful of peanut butter.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

08/01/10 - Food

Breakfast - toast, egg, cherries

At church - one very small piece of carrot cake. Since I ate it at church and I was standing up, I don't think the calories count..........

Lunch - at Red Lobster - biscuit, Cole slaw, shrimp, baked potato.

Supper - tomato, lettuce, and cucumber sandwich, Pringles, cherries.

Snack- Quakers Rice Snacks