Helper gifts

 Hi stitching buds.

Today is nutroll day #3.  The first yeast cake dated 1/24/24 was opened after all other dough ingredients were in the bowl, and it had black spots.  Hubs went to the store for another, same date, but dead.  Not a bubble, no foaming at all.  Day #2.  A different store with date of 1/17/24, very active, but hubs insisted on using the previously prepared bowl and I knew the foamed yeast would not incorporate once the dough's butter had hardened in the fridge overnight.  Men.  What can I say?  Another failure and wasted cake, this time, our fault.  At $4.50 each x 3, I was ticked.  So today, starting over from scratch, with dry yeast.  We could go back for another fresh cake but what if it's not as good as the last one?  The store would not replace or refund the first two duds and I will not take the chance again.  Never ever in all these years have I had a bad cake, and this year, two.

This week I plan to start cleaning Carole's house and I've already purchased a few items to organize and hold the clutter in the kitchen.  

A stand that creates a shelf over her air fryer and coffee pot, adjustable to 23" wide, was a surprise.  The quality for the price is great and the shelf will get items off the counter.  Several options offered HERE.

Wire baskets on the inside of the broom closet and pantry door will hold lots of packets, treats, spices, wraps. Larger and deeper ones will be installed inside the linen closet door for often used OTC products and soaps. 

She was really pleased with the Christmas gifts I chose for her making food prep easier.  The magnetic double sided spoons, rechargeable can opener, battery motion light for ceilings in closets and stairs, easy hold peelers.

When  you can't get out to see what's in stores, or browse/order from a flip phone, receiving gifts to make chores easier and safer is a great help.  This motion light requires 4 D batteries which should last for months and gives a good amount of light for a battery lamp HERE.  I now check lumens before lighting purchases!

I started watching Colorado Cross Stitcher's floss tube and added her to my top five favorites.  Her latest showed an oddly shaped project and wondered how a final finish would be.  The first thing I was taught when working at the framer was to check the borders of needlework for missed stitches, and notify the owner.  Then we moved to creative options when necessary for odd shapes.  For that Alpine design, the mat and frame looks the best (to me) but much higher in price than having wood or HDF cut to shape.  Affix the stitchery to the wood like a hornbook, maybe outline with rustic studs.  The PAINT program is a great tool to play with, helping to envision options.  And fill your time when the knee immobilizes your overweight body. 

The butter is softened, the flour measured, it's time to make the dough!!

Have a  wonderful  day!

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