I am a Victorian Soul, live in a small townhouse that was built in the mid 1970's, not a huge Mega Mansion, with my Hubby Joe, who is a Retired Letter Carrier. I worked night shift as an RN on a Hospital based Rehabilitation( Physical Medicine) Unit for 37 years before I had Knee Replacement Surgery and officially Retired in 2019 after 41 years working in Direct Patient Care ... I am LOVING Retirement!!!!

I DABBLE IN A BIT OF THIS AND THAT!!!!

" IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO BE WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE BEEN"
George Eliot
George Eliot was actually a pen name for a woman named Mary Anne Evans......

BLOGGING FOR FUN AND FRIENDSHIP!!!!!!

Friday, April 10, 2020

NEVER Bored, But VERY BUSY!!!

 Welcome to Debbie-Dabble Blog!!
I am so happy you decided to stop by!!

Today, I am going to share what we have been up to for the past week.....

It always amazes me when I see someone on face book or a blog saying they are bored......

My normal reaction is  "Are you kidding me?"

I have a To Do List of about 2-3 years worth of work at least!!!!

When people used to ask me when I told them I was retiring early "What are you going to do?"

I used to look at them , dumbfounded, and say "Apparently you do not know me that well!"

Saturday, The Governor of Pa. asked all Pennsylvanians to wear masks when they go out and would be coming within 6 feet of contact of other people.....

This was one day before this was nationally requested.....

So I checked my fabric stash for suitable material which is NOT knits or tee shirt material......

I thought I did not have any elastic but then I remembered that I had taken my neighbor Elly's sewing basket when cleaning out her home for her sons and I found the 1/4 inch elastic needed for make masks.....

I found a Video from Deaconess Hospital on how to make fabric masks....

Click HERE if interested.....

On Saturday afternoon, I made 15 masks for our family of 5 and our niece Renae and our 3 great nieces....
It only took me 3 hours.......

I made the masks on the left as unisex masks from muslin fabric.......
And Halloween ghost fabric was used for the guy's masks!!

They got a good laugh out of them!!

I made these for the girls......
Of course, Joe had to embellish his mask!!!
Always the Joker!!

While I was making masks, Joe cleaned up the front yard from the Winter debris and threw out all the greenery that I had in my pots that he had cut from the woods behind us in the Fall......

This weekend would have been the weekend of Wrestlemania......

Our son Jim and his wife Danielle were treating our son Joey to almost a week long trip to Tampa, Florida to not only see Wrestlemania but to also attend the many other events associated with Wrestlemania.

Our sons and Joe have watching Wrestling for many years and we frequently attended Wrestling events at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza which is 5 minutes from our home many times as a family!!

This was a trip that our sons had dreamed about since they were young and as soon as Jim and Danielle won the Lottery 2 years ago, they said they were going to go to Wrestlemania....

Sadly, Wrestlemania in Tampa as a Live event was cancelled this year......

BUT WWE did film matches for Wrestlemania at their training center without any crowds present and showed it on their channel on Saturday and Sunday.....

So to celebrate Wrestlemania, since our son Joey is staying with us now, he treated us to Take Out from Norm's...
A local business that he wanted to support during this time.....

We got Sicilian Pizza...
This is actually the style of pizza that I grew up on......

And their regular round pizza......
 And Joey got boneless breaded chicken bites.....
We then watched Wrestlemania.....
It was strange with no audience.....
But the Bone Yard match that involved "The Undertaker" was filmed at night in a Cemetery which was really cool!!

Next year's Wrestlemania will be held in Hollywood, Ca. in a brand new stadium with a retractable roof that is just being built!!

Jim, Danielle and Joey already planning to go!!

Sunday, we were supposed to be treating our niece Renae and great nieces to a Hockey game......
They are Lehigh Valley Phantom fans and their team was playing our team on our home ice.....

Of course, that was also postponed......

I decided to make 2 pans of Lasagna on Sunday morning......
One for Joe, Joey and I to have for Dinner and watch the 2nd half of Wrestlemania and one I would split between Jim and Danielle and Renae and Caitlin who like lasagna.....

Joe placed an order of 20 chicken fingers at Wegman's which we know Cortney and Carly like....
And I also had 2 Polish Nut Rolls.....
And a small boneless ham for them for Easter......
So we took a ride to deliver food and masks to them on Sunday afternoon.......

It was good to see them, even though it was from a distance of 6 feet away in their driveway......

And it was a beautiful day so it was great to get out....

It was the first time I left the house in 3 weeks......

I honestly have NO PROBLEM with that......

I could stay in this house indefinitely which annoys Joe beyond belief!!

When we came home, Joe stopped at our Storage Shed and got the cushions and pillows that I bought at the end of last Season for the front porch furniture, along with my orange lanterns and some solar lights.......
So I wiped down everything on the front porch again and put them out.......
We still need to bring all the other things home for the porch and front yard but that will wait a bit as snow flurries are predicted for tomorrow.......

Typical April weather here in NEPA......

Sunny and high 60's one day and highs in the 30's and snow flurries the next day......

Joe brought Preen so on Monday I sprinkled it on both the front yard and back yard since we have no grass.......
We usually do this in March but he could not find it then.......
Joe had removed the tarps that was covering everything out on the back Patio on Sunday......
And since it was in the mid 60's and sunny on Monday, I decided to clean up this half of the patio......
I swept up a ton of leaves, moved pots over to the other side of the patio.....
Here I wanted to see what solar lights still work and which ones did not....

Washed down the back of the house and the furniture and then set up this side of the patio.......
We can now sit out here......
I still have a lot more things to bring up from the Storage Shed but that will wait for a bit later.....

I also cleaned this table and chairs with a brush to get the green mold that was forming on them.....
  Caused by the warm, humid and wet weather that seems to be our normal Summer weather anymore.....
Tuesday was still supposed to be nice so I decided to attack this side of the patio.......
I wanted to give my Baker's Rack/Potting Stand a new coat of paint and since my neighbor Elly's house has been sold, I could no longer haul everything over to her back yard, which was all grass , to use as my spray painting place......

When you have a back yard the size of a Postage Stamp, one has to be creative when it comes to spray painting!!
Did I blind you with all this pink?????????
The plastic pink tables cloths are from Dollar Tree and I used to use them for my tables when I did Craft Fairs......

No, I did not color match them to my project!!!!!

Even though it sure looks that way!!!

The last time I painted this Baker's Rack was 3 years ago and since it is normally out in the elements, it needed a fresh coat ........
So I gave it and another small table.......
A Touch Up........

Along with this drum table.......
While they were drying, I washed down the wall on this side.........
Cleaned up the furniture and garden mirror.......
Swept up the leaves and temporarily set up this side of the patio for now........
I moved the Baker's Rack back over to where it sets for the Summer........
And tuned it back into a Potting Stand.......
We want to get a rug to cover the entire patio so I am not setting everything up back here as of yet......

But at least it is cleaned up after the Winter..........

I was looking for something different to make for Dinner on Tuesday so I decided to make hot dogs on the Griller........
They taste so good done this way.....
  And you can warm the buns too!!
   Our Nieces love hot dogs done this way so I bought them their own griller about a year ago.....

 Speaking of our nieces........

Here is Cortney, Caitlin and Carly with their new puppy, Chewie!!
 So sweet!!!!
 Here is Cody, Carson and Chewie!!
Chewie is an Australian Sheppard so he is going to be a big boy!!

They did adopt him from a local shelter......

The other day I found a recipe on Face Book for a Crock Pot Chicken and Noodle Dish.....

Now hold on to your hats.....

I do NOT have a crock pot!!!!

Why you ask????

Because Joe is a nut case about leaving something plugged in and cooking when no one is home!!

God Forbid! It may catch fire and burn the house down!!!!

So NO crock pot for me!!

Asked for some suggestions on Face book on how to make this dish without a Crock Pot and my friend, Anne Marie weighed in as did Marilyn , over at Marilyn's Treats, and Pinky, over at Designs By Pinky......

I took all their advice and combined it with a few ideas of my own and this is what I came up with!!
Here is the Recipe:
 2 boneless chicken breasts, cut up in small chucks
1 box of noodles ( I used Large Shells that I had on hand)
2 cans of Cream of Chicken Soup
1 cup of water with 2 cubes of Herb Ox Chicken Broth dissolved in it
1/2 stick of butter
1/2 of an 8 oz. pack of shredded mozzarella cheese ( that was all I had left but you can add a whole package if you want)

Cook the chicken with a bit of oil in a pan, then drain and put aside

Boil water and cook the noodles as directed

Mix the 2 cans of Cream of Chicken soup with the chicken broth made from the water and cubes

Add the noodles, chicken, soup mixture, shredded cheese and cut up pats of the butter in the pan that you cooked the chicken in on low heat so the cheese and butter melt, stirring to mix all the ingredients up

I seasoned the mixture with onion salt, celery salt, garlic salt, pepper and parsley

Pour this into a baking dish or a tin foil pan like I used

Then I sprinkled some Italian bread crumbs over the top, covered and baked in a 350 degree oven for 40 minutes......
The chicken came out nice and tender........

Joey ate 2 large bowls of it!!!!

Joe would not touch this with a ten foot pole as he does not like casseroles or anything mixed up together....

He is such a picky eater...it drives me crazy!!

Joe bought himself a hoagie at Wegman's after work because he knew there was NO WAY I would  be making him something else to eat!

I want to thank Anne Marie, Pinky and Marilyn for their input because this dish will now be a favorite of Joey's and mine.......

You can add another chicken breast for more chicken if you like and you can even add veggies like broccoli or Mixed Vegetables but because I can not eat veggies because of my IBS and Joey does not like them, I didn't.....

 I also did a bit of Easter Crafting......

You may remember that I showed you these in a previous post......
 I had bought these burlap covered boards in Michael's on Clearance a few years back at 90% off so a package of 3 were just under $1.00!!!

I used 2 to make these for my "Under the Sea" theme in the late Summer a few years ago......
 Again, looking through my stash, I came up with this little Easter plaque!
 I had egg shaped paper doilies that I have no idea where they came from.......
 I glued one down and then glued a card board Easter egg that was a card on top of the paper doily......

Then I trimmed the egg with some pretty white beaded trim.......
 I added some white trim, lavender gimp ,ribbon flowers and eggs.......
 I had the letters in my stash and painted them different bright colors......
 And here is where I hung it.......
 You may also remember that I mentioned in a previous post that I packed away St. Patrick's Day decorations from the Den and filled the China Cupboard with my red and blue transferware dishes again.......
I also decorated the top and bottom of the china cupboard using some pieces of my red and blue transferware dishes and my Patriotic decorations.....
 Will be sharing this in a future post......

BORED???????

ME?????

NEVER!!!!!!

BUSY???

YES!!!!!

HAPPY EASTER, everyone!!

May you use this time and Holiday to maybe start some new traditions for your family........

Stay safe, health and happy!!

 I hope you will stop by to visit again soon!!

Thanks to those who took the time out of their busy day to spend a little bit of time with me!!

If you do not have a blog, PLEASE  give me some way to reply to your comment, maybe by including your email in your comment.  If I can not find a way to reach you, I will reply on the post where you commented so please check back......
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 MONDAY 
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Please take some time to visit these terrific hosts and all those joining in on the fun!

19 comments:

  1. HI Debbie! I am making masks too. I am waiting on elastic to finish! Such a worthwhile endeavor. I am not the most efficient sewer, but my girlfriends are helping me! laura

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm busy too!! My goodness, I still can't catch up. I need to make a few masks. We haven't left the house in almost a month, so we haven't needed to wear them so far, but my husband has been wearing one in the yard when working outside. They have us a little nutty in NY with the rules...I need to make a few. Wishing you a lovely Easter and stay safe!

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  3. I was lamenting to Hubs just the other day, what a luxury it would be to be bored. Like you my to do list is always long and always behind lol. That casserole looks like serious comfort food, and your nieces puppy is adorable. I have to make some masks as well, was putting it off, but will do.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Leanna,
      I have not been bored since i stopped working over a year ago!! And i laugh every time i read that someone is "stuck" at home! I do not feel that way at all and I am thrilled to be able to stay home!!
      Thanks so much for stopping by!! Stay safe, healthy and happy!!
      Hugs,
      Debbie

      Delete
  4. Your blog is always inspiring but today it is mouthwatering too!!!Happy Easter!

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  5. Hi Deb, you have been busy. I haven't made any masks but we are using bandanas like bank robbers! That is my question? How would you know? I am so glad that most state governors are doing such a good job in setting rules and regulations. I know it is hard at times, but this is what is keeping the most of us safe. That little pup is so cute. That will keep the kids occupied. Have a quiet Easter and stay safe and well..xxoJudy

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  6. I like that hot dog cooker. I have not seen one like that anywhere. I will have to google it sometime. We have been busy but I find myself not wanting to stay with any one thing long now. Like pulling weeds, I used to sit and pull til finished, now it's like I get bored or something. I don't know what it is.
    My husband likes one pot meals the best. Happy Easter to you, Betsy

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  7. I knew there was other reasons more than your great recipes and beautiful post you shared. I am a large wrestling fan as well. Thanks for sharing such great goodies today
    come see us at http://shopannies.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I absolutely love reading your posts. And I love that it is filled with pictures. You accomplish so much! You have done a great job decorating, cleaning up the outside. Cooking and sharing what you have made. You nieces are so cute and their dogs are adorable. I know it has been a rough year losing your nephew, their father. Wrestlemania! Oh my goodness my sons would love to go. I will have to tell them where it is next year. I hope your Easter has been wonderful. Mine has been. I am with you I don't mind being home all the time. I am a homebody and proud of it. Hugs to you my friend.

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  9. Wow, you have been busy! Good for you!
    Amalia
    xo

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  10. Oh my mercy! All of your yummy dishes look so good! I love anything pasta! Girl...I am with you! I never get bored. I still work PT and stay busier on the days I am off more than at the office! I can find something to do to. How nice of you to make those masks. I was going to sit down last Friday and make a few but got busy making cakes for Easter Sunday. One thing I do know about me now is the older I get the more I tend to start something, stop, start another and well....the story continues! LOL! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  11. I don't think I have ever seen your back area...How fun...and I'm like you, never bored...not for a second. Hardest part of my day, is what am I going to work on! LOL... I need to paint so many things--and it's just been too cold, and when it warms up, there is all that garden work. Keep trucking and stay safe!

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  12. It's great that you are keeping busy with a lot of things. I like the masks and the food!

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  13. I'm with you! I've never been bored in my life - there is just so many things I need to do then add to that all the things I would like to do it's at least a 3 year list!
    I am totally in love with your potting stand. I have potting stand envy even though I didn't know that was a thing until just this moment!
    Do take care and stay safe x

    ReplyDelete
  14. Wow, you've been busy, Debbie! Tell Joe you can have a crockpot....you'll only use it on days that you're home. See, problem solved! Thank you for sharing at Party In Your PJ's.

    ReplyDelete
  15. My goodness--you HAVE been busy! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!

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  16. Who has time to be bored! I also have projects I could work on for a couple of years before running out and adding more to the list. Thanks for sharing and glad you had a good week. #HomeMattersParty

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  17. Absolutely NEVER a dull moment, and that's the way we like it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for stopping by and for letting me know that you did by leaving such a kind comment!!
      Stay safe, healthy and happy!!
      Hugs,
      Debbie

      Delete

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