Spring Nesting

Spring is finally in the air. Looking around you can see the flowers and trees blooming. Before long, everything will produce pollen and the town will turn greenish/yellow.

I love to watch the birds play in my yard. During the winter months I keep them fed with bread, seed or suet. Never fails though, the squirrels will ruin it. They eat the bird feeders and somehow figured out how to get into the suet cage. I almost give up, then spring arrives. I will no longer put food in the feeders because I know the birds will get enough bugs, worms and berries. As for the squirrels, they probably have a little hiding place full of the bird feed I put out all Winter.

I will sit back now and watch as the birds work franticlly to find just the right twig to build a nest by full spring. I'm going to help them with that this year.

I took the suet feeder and filled it with some scrap yarn pieces I have been saving up just for this purpose. Each bird will take her share of colorful string and use it in her nest construction. I was worried about doing this at first, thinking it may cause them to get tangled. Lets hope not. I would feel so bad.

I think its rather pretty hanging there in the tree. I cant wait to see how it works out. I can picture this fall after the leaves have fallen from the trees, I will see little colorful nest embedded between the branches as the renters leave and await for the next spring.


I've shared this at:
be-inspired-features-and-link-party at elizabethandcovintage

Nutrisystem- Lost More Inches Than Weight

I just completed my 10th week on Nutrisystem. I was afraid I would not have that much to share with you this time because I was getting discouraged.

1. Because of financial reasons I was afraid I would have to back off.
2. My weight loss has slowed down and It was depressing me. I had even gained a pound. Bummer.

Then I realized, It's not that bad. 

1. I found out that my insurance company (BlueCross/Blueshield) has an offer in the wellness program that allows me a small discount on Nutrisystem foods. That made me giddy. Every little bit helps and Lord knows I pay out the whazoo for health insurance.
2. I'm averaging 1 or 2 lbs a week and that's normal. The day that I was a little down on myself, I decided to go measure. Guess what? I had lost another 2 inches in my waist. That's a total of 4 1/2 inches. That got me excited. Yes, I actually lost more inches than weight these past two weeks.

I'm still loving all the meals with the exception of two. I just made sure I didn't add them on my next order. Yes I said it "Next Order" I plan to go through May at least. I still have 20 lbs to loose to reach my goal. I do not plan to cut it out all together, I plan to just postpone my order for a month or two to see how well I do on my own. It will save me some money during the summer for my vacations. Well see. Maybe I can find some more discounts somewhere.

Here are a couple more items I love from Nutrisystem.

Nutrisystem Chocolate Frosted Doughnut

The doughnuts are great. I put them in the microwave for 10 seconds and wahlaha, breakfast.

Nutrisystem- Multigrain Pilaf

The Pilaf was so good. Whatever Pilaf is. I added a side of  homemade Pico De Gallo. You can find my recipe HERE.

I'm still hula hooping and with the warmer weather approaching, I will be doing more walking. I cant wait for summer.


10lbs Nutribear

I found a Nutribear hiding in my last shipment of food. I will get one of these for every 10lbs lost. Looks like I will be getting the 20lbs Nutribear soon. 



Starting Weight- 168 lbs
Weight after 10 weeks- 149lbs.


 

Low Carb Ham & Egg Muffins

I have been on a diet since January. Its not a strict diet like most. I can actually eat carbs. I just need to stay with natural carbs and not over do it. Everything I eat seems to have carbs in it. The diet that I'm doing is Nutrisystem (as if I haven't talked about it enough already). I do the diet during the week and on the weekends I like to do my own thing. I do this because once I stop the diet, I do not want to just all of a sudden jump back into the pantry. I want to teach myself and get used to making my own smaller portions with the right carbs.

My daughter was home this past weekend and I always have her breakfast ready when shes here. I feel like its the most important meal of the day and I love breakfast.
While she is also trying to eat lighter, I decided to experiment on making these "breadless" ham and egg muffins

Ok do not let the picture take away from how good they really are.

They were so easy to make and tasted great. I limited myself to just one and one was enough.

Low Carb Ham & Egg Muffins.

1.  Spay a muffin tin with non-stick spray.
2.  Line each with a slice of ham ( any brand will work)

3. Crack an egg into each ham bowl. (Don't worry if a yellow breaks it will be fine. I broke some while removing the white goo thing in each egg) .
4. Sprinkle with shredded cheese of your choice (sharp cheddar is best)
5. salt/pepper (optional)
6. Bake on 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

That's it!!

Mine turned out ugly.
One,because my ham was too thin and it burnt on the edges and
two, I didn't have cheese on hand except slice American cheese which didn't melt in as well.
 
They are really good. Next time I make these I plan to add some veggies such as spinach, peppers, onions, or avocado.

Original (and better looking) recipe found HERE at kirstenoliphant.com

Ive shared this at:
party-under-the-big-top-act-five at welcometomycircus  
be-inspired-features-and-link-party at elizabethandcovintage  
worthwhile-wednesdays at craftyallieblog

Children's Book- Momma Don't You Worry

I just read the cutest little children's book.
"Momma Don't You Worry"- By: Louie Lawent

(source)

We have all heard this from our little ones and sometimes they have to learn things on their own.
Unfortunately my daughter is an adult now but I would have loved to have read this book to her. I now have a little nephew and niece that would love a story like this. Its on a level that any small child will understand.


While I read it, It took me back to a time my little girl was about six years old and wondered off from us in a store. That's as much as I'm going to say about the book because my story of that day was way to similar.


This book is a poetic story from a six year old's point of view. You know, that age just when they start getting curious. The little boy in the book learned a lesson and I think all small children would enjoy to hear this story as much as adults would enjoy reading it to them. It is very short (my kind of reading) and to the point. One minute your child will have a look of concern on their face and the next minute they will laugh. The book is so simple that your child may even be reading it themselves before you know it.


"Momma Don't You Worry" By: Louie Lawent is available now to download from Amazon for Kindle or Kindle for iPhone.

Nutrisystem- One size down

I have just completed my 8th week on Nutrisytem. Im excited to tell you my latest news.
Before starting Nutrisytem I was in a size twelve jeans. Well, I went shopping last weekend. I tried on some pants and guess what? I actually fit into a size eight! Not all the pants I tried on were so giving but I was definitely a comfortable ten. I was so excited that I took my first ever mirror selfie. Ha!

I didn't buy any new pants that day, thought I'd wait a few more weeks, but I did buy some yoga type pants and guess again, I didn't buy a large this time because I fit into a Medium!

I still have a ways to go. I'm almost half way to my goal of loosing 38 lbs. by May.
I will be going through some challenges along the way with birthday dinners coming up Easter, a beach trip and a wedding for my nephew. I will have to stay strong and keep away from the sweet stuff.

Nutrisytem Pancakes

Speaking of sweet stuff, I have enjoyed my delivered meals from Nutrisytem. Especially the doughnuts and pancakes. They're no Krispy Kreme or Aunt Jemima but they were satisfying. The pancakes came in a powder so I could mix up and make myself. I loved it because it gave me an excuse to cook something. I added sugar free syrup on top and enjoyed. Next time I may add some fruit.

I even had a "vacuum sealed" hamburger one night for dinner. That was weird.

Nutrisystem Hamburger

I added some pico de gallo and lettuce. I did not have a bun so I used whole wheat bread, lightly toasted. It actually was not that bad.

I'm still hanging in there and plan to keep on doing it the Nutrisystem way until I reach my goal.

My starting weight was 168lbs
I am now 152 lbs and have lost 2 inches off my waist.

Recycled Leggings

Its been cold here the past few days. We had a day of ice, a day of spring, and then some snow. Its just crazy how the weather changes her in North Carolina.

I had a pair of nice soft leggings that I though were just ugly on my legs. I bought them to go with a sweater I have but cream color legging and fat legs do not go together. So, I'm going to show you a couple things I made with the leggings instead of giving them to the good will. I wanted to get some use out of them somehow.

When its cold in the house, we get this draft under the door that I'm sure is not suppose to happen. But it does. You know how those 1960's homes are. I fixed that by making a door draft stopper.

First I cut one of the legs off and sewed one end. Then I got an old towel and rolled it up to fit inside the leg. I could have used stuffing, but this way, I can take the towel out and wash the draft stopper when it gets dirty.

 

I cut a slit in the hem of the legging and threaded a ribbon into it and I slid the sock over the towel and tied the end shut for easy removal for washing. Works perfectly.

 ******

With pieces of the other leg, I decided to make a couple hand warmers.

 These cute little things are filled with rice.

All I have to do is pop them in the microwave for a minute, stick them in my pockets and have warm hands for approx 20 minutes.

Perfect if you have to stand outside in the cold or for kids at the bus stop. These hand warmers will work great with the snow we are getting.


Ive shared this at:
be-inspired-features-and-link-party at elizabethandcovintage

Extra Ice and Yarn Tutu

This week has been a long one. Starting on Sunday, I skipped church to be an extra in a small film that was filming in my hometown. That was a fun experience. I didn't have to say anything, thank goodness, because I have a fear of public speaking and this would be in line with that. I did however have to pretend to be talking and eating in a restaurant.... over and over and over. Maybe I will see my ear or back of my head when the movie comes out, who knows.

Then we get an ice storm on Monday which kept me out of work on Tuesday only to be bored all day. It was nothing worth going outside and breaking my neck for. There was no snow, just a thick bed of ice over the whole town. I could only do so much bird watching.

So,I decided to do something with my scrap pieces of yarn. I grabbed my stash, curled up in my chair and started wrapping yarn around an old picture frame. My husband gave me that look again. I said "don't ask, I have an idea". He knows something is about to happen when that light bulb goes off in my head. He still gives me a look though.

I did not have a color plan, I just grabbed colors until I was out of scraps. Then I cut the yarn to have a bulk of strings all the same length. I took pinches of yarn and tied them onto a piece of sewn elastic and created this yarn tutu. 

I call it a gypsy tutu. It has a mix of different textured yarns. Some strands are braided. Some have knots, and some unraveled. The textures give it a unique one of a kind look. I can just picture this on a little toddler with a headband, big bow and bare feet. I think it would be so cute. 

I think it turned out so well that I put it in my shop. It was a little bit time consuming to make but I only priced it to pay for some new yarn to make more items. I will make more as I accumulate more scraps. I still have enough to make another one if its requested.

Meanwhile, the ice has melted from the roads but temperatures are not out of the teens. That's really unusual around here where our winters are in the 30s and 40's. The weatherman is calling for more wintery mix this weekend and next week. I really am looking forward to spring.

Ive shared this at:
be-inspired-features-and-link-party at elizabethandco
submarine-sunday at usscrafty.com 
snickerdoodle-sunday-link-party at 2crochethooks 
inspire-me-monday-week at create-with-joy.com  
yarn-fanatic-party at thephilosopherswife