I "Heart" the Farmer's Market

Really, any farmer's market. But, today I visited the one in Northville. My second hometown. It was fallish, cool and crisp. Started with a cup of 1/2 caff. Circled the market once before making my purchases. Ha, I got there at the appointed time, even maybe 5 or 10 minutes early. My early bird sistopher had already been there for a 1/2 hour and had filled up 2 carts full! Wow, she was born to shop.
I got the following:
2 little pumpkin decoration thingies
1 box of cooking apples, I think the guy called them 'spie-gold,' combo of spies and golden delicious
1 box of eating apples, honeycrisp
1 tomato for the pizza i will make later this weekend (organic)
1 red onion (organic)
1 red pepper (organic)
4 large red pepper to stuff
1 half loaf of low carb grain bread from Great Harvest

Had breakfast with the sistopher a Rebecca's in Northville. No stories, but let me just say, YIKES we are both getting forgetful! LOL
Stopped at VG's on the way home for some lunch meat. Got some organic turkey breast and some (not organic) buffalo chicken breast. This week on Biggest Loser I got the idea to wrap veggies in lunchmeat.


Dinner tonight. Sausage and cabbage with onions cooked in the crockpot. Some of the bread from Great Harvest. AND, baked apples. Yumm.

Weighty Matters ~ Week 3

Minus 2.6 lbs and total WL of 4.6 It's a start down the long and winding road. Dude on Biggest Loser lost 41 lbs. this week. Yikes! That sounds scary. It barely made a dent tho cuz he was over 400 lbs. Today's focus at the WW meeting was about how to shop smarter at the grocery store. Come on, is there any more smarter shopper than I? I could've guest taught the lecture. LOL I will look for some way in which to improve. You have to look at the total picture especially the fiber.
Upcoming Events:
Going to the Northville Farmer's Market with my sistopher
Getting my hairs cut
Garage sale this weekend
Going camping next weekend ~ FALL COLORS!

Water Aerobics

What a great work out. I decided to go back. So I went. Today. Water log city. But, if felt pretty good to do a work out. I'm a bit tired, but you don't really get sore like you do with a regular workout. Tomorrow is the big .........weigh in at the ole WW. Hope I lost, I don't even care how much.

There was 26 women + the leader. It was very crowded. But, I held my ground. I did not let those old regulars push me to the deep end. No siree. My goal for WA is to do everything in rhythm with the leader. I always seem to be a few counts behind. Some of those babes can move!

Corn and Beans~ Beans and Corn

I love this time of year when the beans and corn are brown and crunchy looking. Just waiting for the ole combine to mow em down and bring em in. I rode in a combine once; on the Hoisington farm out in Pinckney. Just cause I wanted to. That was back in the good old days. We used to go out there with the LCA peeps every fall for hay rides, hot dogs + (pot luck), and a huge bonfire. So generous to invite the whole gang every year. Then they had a fire, almost the entire farm burned down. So sad! ~Wow, that got a little off topic.~

Anyway, I finished my first crochet project; a washcloth. Turned out pretty good I might add. Went back to the store for more yarn. Started a second one. When I feel comfortable I'm gonna start a towel. Bought some halloween towels on sale at Kohl's so I need to hurry up and get them done.

Apple Cider Crisp

Discovered a yummy recipe that was on the WW board last week. I've made it twice since then! Here is the recipe~ ENJOY!

Apple Cider Crisp

Topping
1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cups sugar or sugar subs.
1/4 cups packed light brown sugar
1/4 cups butter, chilled and cut into small pieces

Filling
7 granny smith apples, peeled and sliced
1/3 C apple cider
2 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp all purpose flour
1 tsp cinnamon
cooking spray

Instructions:
preheat oven to 375 degrees
combine first 4 ingredients in blender or food processor until crumbly. set aside
(i used my hands)
Combine apple and next 5 ingred. in a large bowl toss gently to combine. Spoon apple mix into an 8 inch sq baking dish coated with cooking spray; sprinkle with crumb mix. Bake at 375 for 40 minutes or until lightly browned. Serve warm. Makes 8 servings. 3 WW points.

Busy Saturday

Caught up on life with my old friend Morris Code. Then I dressed and showered and we headed off to Wolcott's Apple Orchard for the annual fall festival. Sarah's mom and dad bring their tractors as part of the tractor show. We had a bowl of bean soup (made in a big cast iron pot) a cup of cider and cinnamon doughnut. Walked around the craft show. Bought a Sweet Annie wreath for the front door, scarves for Bailey, a new dog tag for him too, and some fall towels that have the crochet top on them so you can hang them from your stove or fridge. (more about the towels later) Got really, really cold so we decided to head home. Looking at the towels, I had one of my stellar idea moments and decided that I could make those towels. So we stopped at Hobby Lobby on the way home and got some crochet hook thingies and some yarn. Luckily a lady was there buying yarn and she helped settle the "quiet" argument we were conducting on what kind of yarn to buy. When we got home I promptly got on the computer and did a few searches on crocheting and watched a few getting started videos, a little reading, downloaded a few patterns, and voila' I was chain stitching away like mad. Right in time to the snoring going on, from the couch! I quickly added the single stitch, (sc) and double crochet stitch. (dc) That was all I needed for my first project, a simple wash cloth. I did start over about 3 times, but that was just to get into the swing of things. After about 5 rows down, we decided to head out for dinner and some more yarn. We hit, K-Mart which doesn't carry yarn any more. JoAnne's which was way to pricey. Finally Wal-Mart where I got some yarn for the towels and some more of the wash cloth type yarn. Then a quick stop at Kohl's for a few halloween towels. Whew! That's all for now-- got to go and finish my first wash cloth.

Second Full Day of Fall

I think I missed the first day. Oh yeah, it was 86 degrees! Crazy weather we have here in the mitten. Had to go OTJ yesterday. I noticed that it was looking "fallish" along the country roads. Stopped at a huge baby sale, stuff was kinda high priced. Might go back tomorrow, it's supposed to be half off! Going to Walcott's fall festival tomorrow. Tractor show, craft show, apples, cider, doughnuts, opps, no doughnuts, and a huge kettle of home made bean soup! Going tonight to watch Sydney cheer at the varsity game. Should be entertaining. Threw some curry chicken in the crockpot for dinner. Love the smells of that! It's been a crazy week and there's no signs of stopping.

Weighty Matters ~Week 2

You win some you lose some. It was a battle this past week and I lost. Not pounds, but the battle. I [won] some hard earned lost pounds back. So, okay crisis over. Back at it again this week. It is a new week and a new beginning. I had a new realization today at the meeting. We had to get in small groups and in my group was a nice older lady who said she was a life time member. I thought, wow, why are you still coming? Then it hit me. Because she needs to come to the meeting to stay with the program. That's what sunk home. I will need to attend for the rest of my life to "stay with the program." I certainly didn't get this way over night and I have been over weight for years. So, I'm guessing It will take a looooooong time to come off and then I will need to work at keeping it off for the rest of my life. Similar to an alcoholic. Yikes! I really plan to make it to goal this time. I've never done that before - either make it to goal or even plan to make it to goal. Huh, maybe that's been a problem. If you don't set a goal how can you achieve the goal? Or, if I have set a goal before it's been only 30 lbs or something that isn't even close to what I really need to lose because I have really been telling myself that I could never actually lose 80 lbs. So, that was a really BIG enlightenment.

Monday's Musings

I love to grocery shop.

I know some people think that is weird. As soon as you walk in the door the smells of chicken on the rotisserie and fresh baked good wafts into the entry way. Then you browse the produce section where the fruits and veggies look so awesome. While shopping each and every isle you challenge yourself to finding the best bargain prices. As you check out you proudly watch as all your coupons register minus amounts on the display. It's good exercise too! Then when you get home you watch as your fridge and cupboards fill up with new foodstuffs.

A Shorts Wearing Kind of Day

So glad it warmed up enough to wear shorts today. Especially after the raining and dreary day we had yesterday. Had to go to work today. I hate when we get work orders due on Sunday. Half a cup of Tim Horton's Potato soup with half bagel for lunch, yumm! Cleaned out the van, wound up the hose and picked up some of the dog poo. Hung out with Syd for a few. Made a pot of spaghetti. Chatted with the neighbors in the driveway. All in all not a bad day.

Tidbits and Trivialities

I made a really tasty pizza last night. Spinach & mushroom. Healthy & tasty. I really should open up a "good foods" restaurant. Anyone want to back me? (financially that is...) It's been very busy around here. The work has picked up. It seems to be very cyclical. Busy is good. Keeping people employed is good. Hoping to possibly go to the A2 Farmers Market tomorrow. Haven't been all summer. One can always hope.
Thought about going up north this w-end, but that is not going to work. Darn. Really missing being up in Boyne. maybe another weekend.
All the bills are paid.
Life is good. <3

Weighty Matters

Well, my friend and I lost a total equal to that of an 8.4 baby! We laughed about that. Probably bout the size of Rj. A great first week on the program. Got our weekly motivation from the meeting. I decided that I want to be a weight watcher's instructor. That will be a while from now. I think first you have to reach goal and life-time member status. I could use my "teacher skills." It might be fun. So I did really good at tracking this week. That's what always goes by the wayside. It's probably one of the most important tools to staying with a program, however. So I will continue with it this week. Tried some new recipes. Veggie soup, shepherd's pie, and Chinese pineapple chicken. All were very tasty.

Nap Time

"B" is here again and we are trying to take a nap. One thing about little boys is, they only take a nap when they are ready to take a nap. It's a beautiful day. I was out and about doing some errands and the blue skies are abundant.
I changed my mind again about my other blog. I think I will track my progress at Weight Watchers on a special weekly edition called "Weighty Matters" right here live on Blue Skies and Butterflies. Stay tuned!

Is It Too Early For a Pumpkin Spice Latte?

Doesn't that just sound yummy? It's supposed to be cooler this week. Hmmm, will that fit into my weight watchers plan? I need to find out how many points for a grande. Then fit it into my daily plan. Oh, btw I'm back on my other blog "fit and trim". In case anyone is interested. Had "B" today, my little afternoon guy. He was great. Fell asleep within 3 minutes of putting in the movie, Happy Feet. He's a real sweetie.

Sunday, Sunday

It's supposed to be a beautiful day in the neighborhood. 75 sunny degrees. Thought about going to the Renaissance Festival. Talked ourselves right out of that. Too much money and then on top of that food, souvenirs, etc... Then the food would be fattening. So, we decided to stay home and take care of the yard work. I might even be able to get some fall flowers out of the deal! Going to go to HD and rent a tiller to till up the garden and til the compost into the soil. After hacking out the massive weeds that have had their heyday all summer.

Planning our winter time vacation extravaganza. Thinking about a mini-cruise to cozumel. We'd go to florida and visit the florida peeps for a couple days, then back to tampa to board the ship. Need to start saving our pennies now! If my sistopher can survive a 3 week overseas ordeal, certainly I could go on a 4 day cruise, right?

So Much Going On

Cleaning, cooking, etc. Birthday party today for Katie. (21) Then her baby shower is tomorrow. Making cucumber sandwiches. They are so yummy. Went over to Sarah's moms to vacuum and bring chairs. Tomorrow pick up balloons and decorate. Made brownies and taco salad for dinner tonight.

Still need to put up the fall decorations. Yikes!

On another note, I joined weight watchers with (don't know if I'm allowed to say who) a friend. We'll be going to the Wed. am meeting. It helps allot to go with someone, camaraderie and all that. Or maybe just a little competition. LOL Also, there's the whole accountability deal. So, all in all it's a good thing. Also, taking on another babysitting job. 3 days a week for 2 hours and hopefully, most of that is a nap. :)

Turkey Talk

Yesterday morning I was looking out the kitchen window & all of a sudden I saw this huge bird coming out of the woods. I realized it was a turkey. Then more and more of them started pouring out. Adults and their babies. They were eating the seeds from the bird feeders that fall to the ground. They hustled out when they realized they were being watched.

First day of school was yesterday. Got the 1st & 4th graders ready. Syd & Evan. New outfit (check), new shoes (check), back pack (check), eat lunch (check). They both looked so old. Picked them up at 3:30, both liked their teachers and had a good day. (check)

When Did September Arrive?

Apparently about a week ago. Went camping this weekend out to Myers Lake in Argentine. It was group camping with 10 other camp mates. There were hard-side campers, pop-ups, and tents. There was a plethora of kids. A good time was had by all. Except for maybe the people that stayed to themselves and then left early. There was a pot luck dinner with salads, watermelon, and pan of chocolate chip bars. Then a taco night extravaganza. The kids went swimming even tho the temperature never got much above 70. There was a never ending campfire. It was so cold on Saturday we even went home, took a warm shower and brought back warm clothes! Lots of stories around the ole campfire. Glad there is a heater in the camper! It really got cold at night.