Valerean

We just picked a bumper crop of Meyer lemons from our tree, enough to share with neighbors and still have all the chicken piccata and lemonade we want. :) I will be juicing and grating the peel from most of what I keep to freeze for cooking and baking the next few months. Since lemons are now about a dollar a piece at the market there much satisfaction in growing and harvesting our own. I think I've also banished all the hateful, lingering demons of depression over 2025's troubles and stresses. It was a terrible year, but I did get through it, and it's over now. I expect there will be more of the same in 2026, but how well I manage them depends on my attitude. The lemons of the new year need to be made into something. To start off on the right note I've created a new blog devoted to my thrifting and crocheting here . Writing about two things I'm passsionate about is fun, and gives me more room to express myself rather than brood over my diminishing abili...

The first yarn lot arrived last week, let's see what sort of mess I'll be sorting out. Not as much of a mess as I thought from the auction site pics. This was someone's stash of scraps with 25 brand-new or barely-used skeins of worsted, fingering weight, ribbon and cotton thread thrown in. These orange bulky weight skeins are from a discontinued line of organic merino cotton blend yarn, and run anywhere from $8 to $25 retail. Four give me enough to make a nice size project. I found very few mentions of Elann sock weight yarn online, but no one had a price, and the manuacturer's web site is unreachable, so my guess is that they're also discontinued. Based on the fiber quality and beautiful texture I'd price these at $20.00 per skein retail. Here's the messy bits. They're mostly scraps that need rewinding, and that's good physical therapy for my fingers. Although six of them are worth a lot more, I'm going to put a resa...

For the first month in my 2026 calendar tote project I drew inspiration from an adorable sterling silver garnet and marcasite brooch I thrifted. My grandmother's birthday was in January, and she left me a garnet ring I cherish very much. She was also a very tall, elegant woman with a lot of style. I went rummaging through my bags bin and decided to use a black canvas tote for this one. It will serve as the base for my quilting and beading. I then started collecting fabric and beads that I want to use for the crazy quilting. Since I don't often use dark colors I tried to go with what I thought my grandmother would like, and of course the colors from the brooch. I also raided my scraps bin for some red, gray and black fabrics to use. I'll revisit the bin each month this year for the project, too. I don't really have a plan for how I'm going to put the tote together. I think being spontaneous and allowing the materials I choose to guide me is ...

Before the no-spend new year arrived I invested in two more lots of yarn. This 7.5 lbs. pile of remnants and scraps looked like a bit of a mess, but I'll have fun sorting it out. This small lot had a couple of yarns with brands that I wanted to try out in colors I want for my stash. I'll post pics of both lots once they arrive. I really had a blast designing this cardigan to clone one I'd seen in a shop window last year, and I'd like to make more crocheted garments next year. I'm also hoping to make some free pattern scrap projects that I find online and rate them. Since 2026 is likely to be my year of crochet it should be lots of fun.

Since our much-anticipated holiday plans were cancelled by others, my guy and I decided to head to Tables Beach on Christmas Day. We both love the beach, and it's a restorative place for me. While we sat on the sands and basked some hungry seagulls landed to beg for snacks, but I don't feed wildlife. I did get some neat pics, though. I also was able to let go of a lot of negative emotions that I don't want to carry around with me anymore. There weren't many people there; just some families from Patrick AFB, which was right across the street. The kids had fun, and it was fun watching them. Christmas at the beach is definitely my favorite way to celebrate now. After our beach visit we went to have a late lunch/early dinner at Hibachi Buffet , which was excellent. We'll definitely be visiting there again. Spending time together is a great consolation prize; my guy and I always have fun when it's just us. I've also learned some important ...

I usually do a simple "wishing you" holiday post, and I will still offer up a wish. That said, changes are coming directly ahead in 2026 that will cause people a lot of suffering and grief, particularly those with serious health conditions who can't afford to pay for health insurance anymore. I can still maintain coverage myself without dipping into my retirement account, but only because my guy will be helping me pay the ridiculous premiums I must fork over until I turn 65 later this year (and since I've financially supported him for the last 25 years, this is only right.) My advice on the outrageous health insurance situation is to seek support and low-cost or free medical treatment via programs in your state ( NAFCC is a good place to start), as well as ask family for help with paying for health insurance if possible. Because of the health insurance situation and the rising cost of basically everything I am planning a no-spend year in 2026. I've done si...