Samaritan's Closet.....................

Gerry seems to think that it's worth a stop because he usually does. He doesn't go in but must think I get bargains. I think I do. So do I need any of it? Nope but I think of it as a donation, I get something for the donation, but as I said I don't need it. I do like it though. SO today's finds. I am not sure where they will go but they always find a home. First thing...........this fish. It is so beautiful the pictures don't do it justice and this will sit in the living room rather than out at the pond where I originally intended.

I claimed some yarn that was new in. 2.00 each. How could I not get it? I will knit them up into scarves for Winter.

I bought the bottles and jars for their colour, not sure if I have room in my kitchen but if not then I can put fresh flowers on the porch.

Then I found a bowl. I love it and will use it as a fruit bowl. It has sunflowers and a rooster on it

The other thing I got was a pair of leggins/pants that will go with a long Navy tunic. So those were my finds for this day. The prices are good and I love the store its so fresh and clean. A new building and all the precautions we live with today.

I am back with projects...............

I know, it's been a very long time. I decided to take a break from blogging for many reasons but now I find I miss it and so here we are I think I will start with this........I spend way too much time on Facebook. I enjoy it but find I have no time for other things. I want to do so much more and so by limiting my time there, I can read...........I have read several books now, actually maybe 8. I am knitting, I am crocheting and sewing. I want to paint too. First I have to paint over some garden stuff I bought and the paint is flaking, so before I put it outside again I need to paint over and spray so that I don't have to do it again next year. I also want to repaint some bird houses I have made in the past. I will show some of my projects here. Some not yet finished. This is my project box of finished things that will make gifts next Christmas.

So far it has in it some bags I made last year, pillow cases and kitchen hot pads and things I have forgotten...........So as to knitting I am making hats and scarves for next Winter......

I had another ball of this yarn and so will make another. It's so soft

I finished a hat and am now making a scarf to match. The hat has to be sewn together yet.

Then I have two quilts that need to be backed and finished and I have to do that myself now Barb is not doing anymore of mine. She is only doing large quilts now she is retired.

My stash is in the dining room now, at least half of it so that it's not so intimidating when all in the same space. I will work my way through it and move more here as I need to. Lots of plans and projects in mind. This also helps me to weed out the books I know I will never use.

I had made several crochet Kitchen pads. Then a couple will be backed onto hot pads.

I knitted two cowls, they are soft and I had wanted to see if they would work better than a scarf. We shall see next year. Hope I don't need them this year. One in Pink and one in Yellow

Maybe a basket? Need to stiffen it first and can use for all sorts of things but maybe yarn odds and ends. The second one is made by Kim a wood working friend. A beautiful gift

So what else have I been doing? Ah who remembers French Knitting, well I used up some cotton yarn and did some. I will sew it together and make a circle for a hot pad. Think I may just do more of that its fun.

It will soon be time to work out in the garden and then I will restart my garden blog. We have to take down our fences so the city can put in sidewalks. There will be a lot to do out there this year. For now things are quiet, no birds or beasts the last few weeks. It's been really windy and cold and I am sure the birds are looking for nests. I think maybe my Possom is busy too. This table runner I made intending it to be a gift but it was not made well enough so I am using it myself

This is one of many bags I made last year and that I have found very useful. I will be making more to give away

I had found some really cool fabrics to make bags out of..........I just hope I can give them away. Laura took a whole bunch so I must find new victims. I better stop for now. I will put some other projects on here later in another post.

Leftovers...........what to do.

Gerry made spaghetti yesterday. He made way too much and we didn't have any meatballs or anything so it was just plain. Fine. I don't mind that. Well we went shopping at Sam's we needed a few things. They have these packages of Rotisserie chicken thighs, There is enough in them for us for at least two meals. As I am never sure how "fresh" they are I don't want them sitting in the fridge too long so...........as we had a whole bunch of leftover spaghetti and just a little sauce I made up a quick meal.
I had Gerry take the chicken off the bones for me. There was a lot of it. I took most of the noodles and put those in the bottom of an 8x8 dish. I sprinkled shredded cheese over it and topped with chicken shredded. On top of that I put the left over sauce. Not quite enough so I added a can of Diced tomatoes with peppers. I had used Mrs Dash as seasoning. On top or all of that I put the rest of the shredded cheese. That baked about 1/2 hour (350) until the cheese was browned and crunchy. I have to say it was Delicious. I will definitely do that again.



I wish I had thought to take pictures before it was cut, it looks sort of messy here, don't let that fool ya, it's awesome. Sort of like spaghetti but with that Mexican tang.
There was still a lot of chicken left. I gave the Poodles all some as a treat. I set aside enough for sandwiches tomorrow and made soup
So here is the quick soup method. 1 can of chicken broth. I can of Campbell's cream of chicken soup. I can of mixed veggies (with the water) add the chicken and salt. I cut up the left over noodles and it all made enough to have tomorrow with a chicken sandwich. Then the next day a big bowl of soup when we (hopefully) get home from our day out. So all in all the chicken that was ready cooked and under 5 dollars made us not only supper tonight but for two more days also and left overs from tonight's meal for lunch tomorrow.

Rotisserie chickens, the whole chickens also make a great way of a cheap meal. For the two of us it makes 3 or 4 meals. So there are ways to use the leftovers and make tasty and quick meals.

More Thrifts .........

A few things I found this week, When I stopped at the Thrift shop when I dropped off the poodles. The Goodwill shop next to the groomers sometimes has good things. I must say though that the prices have really gone up beginning to make it less of a thrill to find things. I really don't need anything else, I have replaced the broken things in the garden and really don't need any more. Having said that, I found this glass item that would make a great flower center.I may make that because I do have a nice glass plate that would work with it.

I gave Laura some of the glass dishes I had found so picked up 3 more at 50 cents each. We stopped at the Samaritans closet out in Lake Leelanau. Boy they sure get some nice furniture in. Anyway, this is button glass, its heavy cut glass but I am not sure of its original use. Maybe posh people used them as butter dishes. I will use them for other things, like pretty stones.

Talking of Button (or daisy) glass I found some pretty amber glass and I can't remember is I showed that before.




I seldom buy clothes at thrift shops but have to say sometimes I can't resist. I found two tank tops I thought they would work for around the house. I used to wear tops like this all the time and gradually threw out many of them so.....I got two.

I couldn't leave this tea/coffee pot, I had intended it for the garden but actually its the colours of my dining room so for now I found it a spot

I really don't have room for anymore tea pots or cups. At some point, when ready to downsize I will sell them on line maybe......but not yet.
This guy will go in the garden

I enjoy finding pretty things even though I don't need them. If I don't make something out of them, then they go in a yard sale or if I just love them they stay somewhere in the house. I found this chicken plate and that one went
in the kitchen.

Going with my chicken theme. I have moved a couple of chucks into the garden, they would look better if I could get the weeding done but ah well. Always hope the garden would be pretty in the fall

chicken burrito/enchilada............

One of the favourite suppers is my version of a burrito/enchilada. I use what I have on hand and usually have a stock of things in my larder. Tonight I had some frozen cooked chicken. I had some left over green peppers, onions and a can of tomato with peppers. I did not have an enchilada mix but had taco so what the heck not a lot of difference in taste and as it was the filling it hardly mattered. It tasted good.

I usually have wraps and for this I use the large ones.

Fill with the cooked chicken veggie mix

This made 10. Fill and put in a large dish and cover in Enchilada sauce.


This is where I over do it, on purpose. I used almost a whole packet of shredded Mexican mix cheese. I love cheese.

Bake at 350 for long enough to melt the cheese and I like it crisp. As everything is pre cooked it takes less than half hour depending on how done you want your cheese.


When its the amount of brownness you like take it out and serve it up. Some people let these things "rest" I don't haha. I love my cheese and can't wait.

Enjoy......a quick and tasty dinner that can be made ahead and just popped in the oven when ready.