Things I like Thursdays Jul 12

Greetings!

Happy July.  Besides the fact I am still laying low mostly cause I can't breathe, I have several things to share with you that I like:

1. Air conditioning .  I know, pretty simple- but the summers here really are brutal:

I don't know if you can see it in this photo but this was at 8 AM last Saturday. Since I have emphysema and now bronchitis, it is vital I keep the temperature cool and dry  now that we are in monsoon season. Luckily it rained Monday night but then the humidity was actually higher than the temp.  This means the A.C. is running non stop which in turn costs me 150% higher per month. But, I couldn't live without it. So thankful it has not failed. Must be a well-built one.

2.  Mini Meatloaf from my mini crock pot!.  I had defrosted 3/4 lb hamburger and couldn't use the oven because it's too hot. I have a huge crock pot I leave on the counter all the time cause it's too heavy to move and use it all the time but this week has been way too hot to run that one.  Then I remembered my mini crock pot (like maybe a quart size). I made a mini round meat loaf:

It is fantastic and took 2.5 hours on high, no heat in the kitchen. I still got 3 meals out of this.  It's the little things, people.

3.  My new "Vortex Scrap" quilting. I have been so miserable with breathing issues, have to stay home for 4 days on meds,  I haven't felt like sewing but I missed it and knew that scrap sewing would be easy on me so I set up my spare machine in the kitchen:

For those of you who follow Amanda Jean at "Crazy Mom Quilts" you will remember her "Vortex Scrap" quilt.  I thought I would try it- so I pulled out most of my scrap bins, turned a movie on and started improv sewing:

First, I just sewed groups of 2 in small sizes.  This is just 2 hours worth and made 100 pieces. Talk about "no think" sewing. It was fun and a great escape from my woes. Then I sewed a hundred more the next day! Finally on the third day I started joining those duals into blocks:

I have 6 blocks already ( I'm gonna pull that pastel block and make a mug rug or something).  This was such fun to use up scraps and be creative with no joined seams. When I've used up the scraps that I've pulled for this small project, then I'll press the blocks, square them to 10 or 11 inches  and join them.  Who knows what that will become.

4. A 'GREAT HEART".  Doesn't that sound nice? As most of you know I have been getting progressively worse with my health since April.  So, as usual, the doctors went crazy ordering tests and letting me "visit" specialists. One of those was a cardiologist. He had me run the Nuclear Stress Test (treadmill) and I got an Echo (ultra sound) of my heart.  After waiting a week for results (and worrying of course), I went for the follow up.  I kid you not, the doctor walked in the room and said " You have a great heart. I see you finished the treadmill, too".  I said "thank you". A great relief.  I just found it funny that he entered the room that way.
What was not funny was the fact it took 5 full minutes for me to catch my breath after the treadmill test. So, it's a pulmonary issue I'm dealing with after all.

5. Thai Cave Boys safe and sound.  I am so very happy to see those 12 boys, their coach and the rescue teams all out safe from that nightmare of a cave. What a miracle rescue.  It was so sad to hear that a diver lost his life there trying to help.
 Today, I noticed the boys in the hospital are looking antsy to get out and home.Typical teenagers.


I hope you all are enjoying the summer and please join us at Lee Anna's post: Not Afraid of Color for more "likes".

Keep cool! It's 167 days till Christmas. Just sayin.
mary🎄