The Usual Not Much

It's been a full week of the usual activities, along with a routine doctor visit. Good new there. The doc said, "You're healthy." Bloodwork numbers look good too. Thanks to God for this renewed good health chapter in my life!

Sewing-wise, it has been good to pull out a not-too-old WIP (work in progress) that I started in a workshop with Amanda Jean Nyberg (CrazyMomQuilts). I've continued to make "Ring Me" blocks from her book "No Scrap Left Behind."

I now have 50 of these blocks, but I still have way more solid scraps! This is Amanda Jean's suggested layout.

I've been playing with different layouts to use more solid scraps. This is the one I've landed on that I like best, though I'll probably add one more colored square to the center of where those single strips are "aimed."

The quilt will still use lots of white background fabric. I just think this layout is a little more interesting - only my opinion, of course!

I'm still making and eating smoothie bowls, but I've found a new-to-me, healthy (healthier?) treat that satisfies my sweet tooth. Here's what I've been making...

Chocolate Peanut Butter Chia Pudding It's called "breakfast." (Really?) I'm making it as follows:

1 cup almond milk (or coconut milk)
1/4 cup chia seeds
3 T cacao powder
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 T peanut butter
1-1/2 T agave
Optional: 1 T peanut butter powder (to add protein)

Measure dry ingredients into a small mason jar, cover, and shake to mix. Then add wet ingredients, cover, and shake well. Place it in the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes, then shake again. Shake again later. Leave overnight, or at least three hours.

To serve:
Scoop half the pudding into a bowl. Top with:

sliced banana
peanuts
cacao nibs
1 tablespoon of warm, melted peanut butter

Eat, enjoy, and feel completely full! Those chia seeds are so filling.

(I hope you like this, Becky!)

I have no clue how many calories this might be, but I do know that I feel so stuffed afterward that I don't eat anything for hours. To me - one who adores chocolate and sweets - this seems more healthy than a bowl of chocolate pudding. I'll eat an entire box of the Jello brand cook 'n serve pudding when it's served warm!

This is a picture I took today of our dear Hogan who is now 15 years old. Even missing an eye, and being more white-haired than ever, he still has a cute face. He's really cuddly too.

After fixing a recent intestinal problem with four different prescriptions, one of which was prescription dog food, we've seen a marked improvement in his digestion. Green beans are out the of picture now. Too much fiber. However, he's no longer taking a steroid for his allergies, so we're noticing how stiff he is when laying down and getting up. His energy level is down too, and that means shorter walks and longer naps. And he has a chronic cough. We hope to learn more at his vet appointment next Friday. We love our sweet boy. Linda