I've really fallen behind here. Today isn't exactly a catch up, either, except in a very tangential way.
Our first measurable snow fell overnight, or rather, is still falling a bit. The forecast says an inch, maybe up to two. The trees are gorgeous, each branch picked out in snow, with snow even clinging a bit to the trunks. Positively lovely.
Measurable snow means pulling out the winter dishes for the first time this season. Aside from being pretty, they serve a practical purpose. The lip on the winter plates is fairly substantial, so the liquid from various winter stews and braises, pot roasts and mashed potatoes swimming in gravy won't just run off the edge of the plate.
The winter mugs are favorites, as they are lightweight (the set is porcelain, not stoneware) with a nice, large capacity. Hot chocolate is my favorite thing to put in them.
Which finally brings us to "home", today's thankful theme. While it has its quirks, is difficult to evenly heat and cool, is a lot of space to clean and is often less organized than I'd prefer, I really am thankful for my home.
First, for the blessing of being able to even afford a home of my own. So many in this world cannot, and here I am, wandering around in 1600 square feet all alone.God has blessed me mightily in giving me the resources to afford this condo.
Second, for the sanctuary it provides. I am truly an introvert; I need time and space away from people in order to recharge so I can be with people again. Home provides that. It also provides places to sleep, cook, create, write, sing, dance and wallow in front of the fire with some sort of beverage and a book.
I am very thankful for the fireplace (which is one of the quirkier elements of the condo).
Third, for the opportunity to open my home to others, in the hope it can be a place of rest and relaxation for them. It's been a while since I've "entertained" formally, though a few people have come over for coffee. The goal is always to make people feel comfortable, valued and happy. I don't want people to feel obligated to return the hospitality - there really is no need for that.
It's going to stay cold for the next few days, though not cold enough for the snow to stick around. I'm already planning several sessions in front of the fire, sewing or reading or even just dozing. Simply enjoying the feeling of being home.
Showing posts with label Rambling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rambling. Show all posts
Friday, November 09, 2018
Saturday, March 04, 2017
On getting older
Friday I took a vacation day, for something being done in the condo. I was up early, tidying up, when a good friend called. We chatted for quite a while, and after I hung up, I went back to tidying.
I'd sat down to do some sorting in the living room. When I got up out of the chair, I felt a sharp, piercing pain in my right knee, almost enough to floor me. Yikes.
This has happened once or twice before over the last several months, and it generally clears up with ten minutes of sitting still and cursing softly under my breath.
Well, the cursing may not actually have a direct impact on the healing, but it makes me feel better emotionally. This time, however, the pain didn't go completely away. Note that through this, driving actually felt fine - no pain at all. Thankfully, it's my right leg, not needed to push in the rather stiff clutch.
As long as I stay still, I'm fine. But putting weight on it is a tricky business. About one step in four feels fine. The rest bring back the shooting pain.
I managed to get through the condo business, which necessitated me vacating the premises for a couple of hours. I went to Panera, which thankfully has order-from and deliver-to table service. By the time I'd finished lunch, I'd resigned myself to going to the urgent care, which is considerably closer to where I live than my doctor's office.
I'd had a horrific experience at this urgent care several years ago (hence taking several hours to decide to finally go), but this time was much, much more pleasant.
At least as pleasant as it can be to find out you have severe arthritis in your knee.
I'm assuming that if one knee is like this, the other is as well. Apparently, it's possible for the pain I'm experiencing now (possibly a ligament hung up on one of the arthritis-induced bone spurs) will resolve on its own. I do need to see an orthopedist, who can assess the current state more thoroughly and recommend lasting treatment. As I understand it, the first line is steroid injections. Eventually, I'm assuming I'll need knee replacements.
Thank heaven for Amazon Prime and same day delivery; I was able to order and receive a cane (!) today. The nurse practitioner suggested it, though I'm not sure I'll use it except outside the house. There was a purple version available, but I'm not quite well adjusted enough yet to have fun with this.
In short, I feel old. Really old. There are so many things I'd wanted to get done this weekend, and I can't do much of any of them. In fact, I spent much of the day in the recliner with my leg up and iced. That wouldn't have bothered me, except for two things. One, just sitting is always chilly, but every single quilt and blanket on the first floor was in the basement, waiting to be washed. Every.single.one. I'd not thought to put socks on before I came downstairs, and did not have the oomph to withstand the pain of coming down the steps (up feels fine) just for socks.
Two, I seriously think the new ISP is choking off my download speed. All three streaming services keep cutting out the show to reload, on both roku players downstairs. The range extender doesn't seem to be getting much of a signal. Even upstairs, right next to the router and connected directly to the primary network, my kindle is taking an hour to download something that should take five minutes. Yes, I'm stuck in a chair with no access to electronic entertainment. There is a stack of real books next to the recliner, but it still sucks not being able to watch a movie.
Yeah, feeling both old and sorry for myself.
I'd sat down to do some sorting in the living room. When I got up out of the chair, I felt a sharp, piercing pain in my right knee, almost enough to floor me. Yikes.
This has happened once or twice before over the last several months, and it generally clears up with ten minutes of sitting still and cursing softly under my breath.
Well, the cursing may not actually have a direct impact on the healing, but it makes me feel better emotionally. This time, however, the pain didn't go completely away. Note that through this, driving actually felt fine - no pain at all. Thankfully, it's my right leg, not needed to push in the rather stiff clutch.
As long as I stay still, I'm fine. But putting weight on it is a tricky business. About one step in four feels fine. The rest bring back the shooting pain.
I managed to get through the condo business, which necessitated me vacating the premises for a couple of hours. I went to Panera, which thankfully has order-from and deliver-to table service. By the time I'd finished lunch, I'd resigned myself to going to the urgent care, which is considerably closer to where I live than my doctor's office.
I'd had a horrific experience at this urgent care several years ago (hence taking several hours to decide to finally go), but this time was much, much more pleasant.
At least as pleasant as it can be to find out you have severe arthritis in your knee.
I'm assuming that if one knee is like this, the other is as well. Apparently, it's possible for the pain I'm experiencing now (possibly a ligament hung up on one of the arthritis-induced bone spurs) will resolve on its own. I do need to see an orthopedist, who can assess the current state more thoroughly and recommend lasting treatment. As I understand it, the first line is steroid injections. Eventually, I'm assuming I'll need knee replacements.
Thank heaven for Amazon Prime and same day delivery; I was able to order and receive a cane (!) today. The nurse practitioner suggested it, though I'm not sure I'll use it except outside the house. There was a purple version available, but I'm not quite well adjusted enough yet to have fun with this.
In short, I feel old. Really old. There are so many things I'd wanted to get done this weekend, and I can't do much of any of them. In fact, I spent much of the day in the recliner with my leg up and iced. That wouldn't have bothered me, except for two things. One, just sitting is always chilly, but every single quilt and blanket on the first floor was in the basement, waiting to be washed. Every.single.one. I'd not thought to put socks on before I came downstairs, and did not have the oomph to withstand the pain of coming down the steps (up feels fine) just for socks.
Two, I seriously think the new ISP is choking off my download speed. All three streaming services keep cutting out the show to reload, on both roku players downstairs. The range extender doesn't seem to be getting much of a signal. Even upstairs, right next to the router and connected directly to the primary network, my kindle is taking an hour to download something that should take five minutes. Yes, I'm stuck in a chair with no access to electronic entertainment. There is a stack of real books next to the recliner, but it still sucks not being able to watch a movie.
Yeah, feeling both old and sorry for myself.
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
Darkest day
The winter solstice came and went at 4:44 a.m. my time, leaving us to endure the shortest day of the year.
Perhaps because of our weather patterns, the solstice doesn't always feel like the shortest day in our rather long winter. The sun will shine today, which makes everything look and feel better, even if for a shorter day. It's the gloomy, snow-laden cloudy days that make you wonder if the sun is truly behind the clouds, or if it's scarpered off to Brazil permanently.
I don't notice much of a difference, as my days tend to be dark at both ends of the workday from Thanksgiving until almost Groundhog's Day. It's strange - driving in the dark in the wintertime feels different than driving in the dark in the summer. Rationally, I know it isn't really any darker in winter, it just feels like it.
I'm all about the "feels" today.
No plans to sacrifice the cows tonight, though I may eat a slab of one, alongside a glass of fermented grape juice. Those would be the modern interpretations of common northern hemisphere solstice traditions.
Perhaps because of our weather patterns, the solstice doesn't always feel like the shortest day in our rather long winter. The sun will shine today, which makes everything look and feel better, even if for a shorter day. It's the gloomy, snow-laden cloudy days that make you wonder if the sun is truly behind the clouds, or if it's scarpered off to Brazil permanently.
I don't notice much of a difference, as my days tend to be dark at both ends of the workday from Thanksgiving until almost Groundhog's Day. It's strange - driving in the dark in the wintertime feels different than driving in the dark in the summer. Rationally, I know it isn't really any darker in winter, it just feels like it.
I'm all about the "feels" today.
No plans to sacrifice the cows tonight, though I may eat a slab of one, alongside a glass of fermented grape juice. Those would be the modern interpretations of common northern hemisphere solstice traditions.
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Just dropping in...
...to say I won't be around for a while. Or at least until late next week.
I'm off to a tax seminar in Baltimore, for work. Sixteen hours of c.p.e., spent in the company of more than two hundred tax accountants and attorneys. What could be more fun?
This will be my first time in Baltimore, in a hotel right across the street from the inner harbor - and a waterfront mall. In fact, the hotel has a skyway that connects to the mall. Be still, my pocketbook.
Flying in ridiculously early the day before the conference gives me a bit of time to do some exploring. There is an aquarium nearby, as well as a science center and a really, really old ship. I see that there are some special activities aboard her the day that I'm free. The pier at which she's tied up is across the street from the hotel...though it looks as if the fastest way to get there is...through the mall.
If I read the history correctly, the USS Constellation saw service from 1854 to 1955. Yeah, you read that right. I'm just a little bit excited about the idea of taking a tour. Kind of cool to be able to say you were on board a ship that saw service in the Civil War.
Pictures after, if I don't drop my camera in the harbor.
I'm off to a tax seminar in Baltimore, for work. Sixteen hours of c.p.e., spent in the company of more than two hundred tax accountants and attorneys. What could be more fun?
This will be my first time in Baltimore, in a hotel right across the street from the inner harbor - and a waterfront mall. In fact, the hotel has a skyway that connects to the mall. Be still, my pocketbook.
Flying in ridiculously early the day before the conference gives me a bit of time to do some exploring. There is an aquarium nearby, as well as a science center and a really, really old ship. I see that there are some special activities aboard her the day that I'm free. The pier at which she's tied up is across the street from the hotel...though it looks as if the fastest way to get there is...through the mall.
If I read the history correctly, the USS Constellation saw service from 1854 to 1955. Yeah, you read that right. I'm just a little bit excited about the idea of taking a tour. Kind of cool to be able to say you were on board a ship that saw service in the Civil War.
Pictures after, if I don't drop my camera in the harbor.
Wednesday, August 03, 2016
The good, the bad, the unredeemably ugly 8.3.16
The Good: It's Wednesday. Hump Day. For many of us, halfway through the workweek.
More Good: Back to school sales have started. I may be obsessed with school supplies, and I haven't been a full time student in 35 years. One of my favorite lines from a favorite movie: "I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils..."*
I fully intend to rush the autumn season by putting out all the autumn décor the last weekend in August. There may even be seasonal food (I've all the ingredients for either/and pumpkin soup and pumpkin bread in the house right now). The only thing I may wait until Labor Day to change over is the stuff on the front door; my neighbors may think I'm crazier than they already think I am if I put the fall wreath out in August.
The Bad: Hot. Humid. Sweltering. On the bright side, the worst days are today and tomorrow, rather than over the weekend. So over this recurring swamp-like atmosphere.
As much as I'm anticipating the season changing, the ever later sunrise time is a bit disheartening. Based on the current sunrise, I think I'll be driving to work in the dark within ten days or so. There is absolutely nothing I can do about it, but that won't stop me from disliking it.
The Ugly: This week both my local paper and Outlook have made major changes to their websites. Not only are the changes overwhelmingly ugly, they render the sites almost unusable. The local paper was bought out by Gannett a while ago (home of USA Today); they have now changed their site to adhere to the parent company's "standards". Apparently that means a cluttered home page, fewer stories accessible without major digging, and a depersonalized comment section.
Outlook - just no. Ugly, harder-on-the-eyes font. More white space, but more jammed into the spaces where there is actual content. Invisible checkboxes and toolbars. No way to delete an email on the phone app unless you open the email. Oh - and now, all junk email shows in your inbox (they have some new thing called "clutter" that has to "learn" your preferences - save.me.now).
*You've Got Mail, in an email from Tom Hanks to Meg Ryan.
More Good: Back to school sales have started. I may be obsessed with school supplies, and I haven't been a full time student in 35 years. One of my favorite lines from a favorite movie: "I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils..."*
I fully intend to rush the autumn season by putting out all the autumn décor the last weekend in August. There may even be seasonal food (I've all the ingredients for either/and pumpkin soup and pumpkin bread in the house right now). The only thing I may wait until Labor Day to change over is the stuff on the front door; my neighbors may think I'm crazier than they already think I am if I put the fall wreath out in August.
The Bad: Hot. Humid. Sweltering. On the bright side, the worst days are today and tomorrow, rather than over the weekend. So over this recurring swamp-like atmosphere.
As much as I'm anticipating the season changing, the ever later sunrise time is a bit disheartening. Based on the current sunrise, I think I'll be driving to work in the dark within ten days or so. There is absolutely nothing I can do about it, but that won't stop me from disliking it.
The Ugly: This week both my local paper and Outlook have made major changes to their websites. Not only are the changes overwhelmingly ugly, they render the sites almost unusable. The local paper was bought out by Gannett a while ago (home of USA Today); they have now changed their site to adhere to the parent company's "standards". Apparently that means a cluttered home page, fewer stories accessible without major digging, and a depersonalized comment section.
Outlook - just no. Ugly, harder-on-the-eyes font. More white space, but more jammed into the spaces where there is actual content. Invisible checkboxes and toolbars. No way to delete an email on the phone app unless you open the email. Oh - and now, all junk email shows in your inbox (they have some new thing called "clutter" that has to "learn" your preferences - save.me.now).
*You've Got Mail, in an email from Tom Hanks to Meg Ryan.
The good, the bad, the unredeemably ugly 8.3.16
The Good: It's Wednesday. Hump Day. For many of us, halfway through the workweek.
More Good: Back to school sales have started. I may be obsessed with school supplies, and I haven't been a full time student in 35 years. One of my favorite lines from a favorite movie: "I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils..."*
I fully intend to rush the autumn season by putting out all the autumn décor the last weekend in August. There may even be seasonal food (I've all the ingredients for either/and pumpkin soup and pumpkin bread in the house right now). The only thing I may wait until Labor Day to change over is the stuff on the front door; my neighbors may think I'm crazier than they already think I am if I put the fall wreath out in August.
The Bad: Hot. Humid. Sweltering. On the bright side, the worst days are today and tomorrow, rather than over the weekend. So over this recurring swamp-like atmosphere.
As much as I'm anticipating the season changing, the ever later sunrise time is a bit disheartening. Based on the current sunrise, I think I'll be driving to work in the dark within ten days or so. There is absolutely nothing I can do about it, but that won't stop me from disliking it.
The Ugly: This week both my local paper and Outlook have made major changes to their websites. Not only are the changes overwhelmingly ugly, they render the sites almost unusable. The local paper was bought out by Gannett a while ago (home of USA Today); they have now changed their site to adhere to the parent company's "standards". Apparently that means a cluttered home page, fewer stories accessible without major digging, and a depersonalized comment section.
Outlook - just no. Ugly, harder-on-the-eyes font. More white space, but more jammed into the spaces where there is actual content. Invisible checkboxes and toolbars. No way to delete an email on the phone app unless you open the email. Oh - and now, all junk email shows in your inbox (they have some new thing called "clutter" that has to "learn" your preferences - save.me.now).
*You've Got Mail, in an email from Tom Hanks to Meg Ryan.
More Good: Back to school sales have started. I may be obsessed with school supplies, and I haven't been a full time student in 35 years. One of my favorite lines from a favorite movie: "I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils..."*
I fully intend to rush the autumn season by putting out all the autumn décor the last weekend in August. There may even be seasonal food (I've all the ingredients for either/and pumpkin soup and pumpkin bread in the house right now). The only thing I may wait until Labor Day to change over is the stuff on the front door; my neighbors may think I'm crazier than they already think I am if I put the fall wreath out in August.
The Bad: Hot. Humid. Sweltering. On the bright side, the worst days are today and tomorrow, rather than over the weekend. So over this recurring swamp-like atmosphere.
As much as I'm anticipating the season changing, the ever later sunrise time is a bit disheartening. Based on the current sunrise, I think I'll be driving to work in the dark within ten days or so. There is absolutely nothing I can do about it, but that won't stop me from disliking it.
The Ugly: This week both my local paper and Outlook have made major changes to their websites. Not only are the changes overwhelmingly ugly, they render the sites almost unusable. The local paper was bought out by Gannett a while ago (home of USA Today); they have now changed their site to adhere to the parent company's "standards". Apparently that means a cluttered home page, fewer stories accessible without major digging, and a depersonalized comment section.
Outlook - just no. Ugly, harder-on-the-eyes font. More white space, but more jammed into the spaces where there is actual content. Invisible checkboxes and toolbars. No way to delete an email on the phone app unless you open the email. Oh - and now, all junk email shows in your inbox (they have some new thing called "clutter" that has to "learn" your preferences - save.me.now).
*You've Got Mail, in an email from Tom Hanks to Meg Ryan.
Friday, July 29, 2016
No particular order
Hit the trifecta today: Friday, payday, "summer day".
I've a long list of things I want or need to do this weekend. Thankfully, the weather is going to be pleasantly dry and even a bit on the cool side, at least for today and part of tomorrow. I'm always a bit more in a mood to work on things when it's not tropical outside, whether or not the actual work needs to be done outside.
Last night's dream featured a man peering in my bedroom windows, with intent to enter and cause harm. In the dream, a friend's police officer husband went to investigate; in real life, I took a quick look at the patio before I left for work, just in case.
Anyone who has been to my place knows that a criminal bringing a ladder and climbing up to the second floor windows is a ridiculously difficult way to enter my condo, given the alternative points of ingress.
Where was I? Things to do...there are three projects that WILL be complete by the end of August. I worked on one a bit Wednesday night, and was surprised at the progress made in just an hour and a half. Then again, everything was set up ahead so I could focus on just doing the one thing I needed to do. That seems to be the key to getting anything done after work during the week: set everything up on the weekend.
Not part of those three projects, but needing to be done is a quick declutter of the loft. I'd like to have the upstairs carpet cleaned in late August (I'm off one mid-week day then), but before they can do that, I need to move some stuff. As in furniture. Ideally, the people who want my old bed, dresser and chest of drawers will be able to pick it up before then. They are at an out of town family wedding until next week, or I'd get that settled. We'll see if Stanley will offer their "two rooms and a hall" deal when each of the rooms is 16 x 16 feet.
Also not part of those three projects, I need to figure out when to schedule a chimney cleaning. It's been on my list to have done for the past couple of years - not urgent, as the fireplace is gas (no creosote build up) and not used more than once a week through the winter. A cleaning is a way to get rid of any gunk left when the old owners converted from natural to gas, as well as a chance to have it inspected for any crack or other issues.
Oh yeah - and get rid of miscellaneous critter skeletons. Yet another critter found its way past the cap and down the flue. From the sound of it, this wasn't a winged creature, but a chipmunk or squirrel. Short of taking the damper apart and out, there is no way to rescue them (which would most likely end with a sooty, crazed rodent careening around the house in panic).
I've contacted the home owner's association about repairs to the cap. If I read the association documents correctly, while the inside of the chimney is my responsibility (it's contained within the outside walls), the cap is theirs (my "property" ends at the roof). No sense having the thing cleaned if animals can still get in.
August starts Monday. Summer is almost gone. Oops - correction: Summer is almost gone!! Contrary to popular belief, I don't actually hate summer, it's more that I like every other season more. Autumn is my favorite (add to to-do list: bring out autumn décor items to put out last weekend in August (Labor Day is late-ish this year and I don't want to wait).
Enjoy your weekend!
I've a long list of things I want or need to do this weekend. Thankfully, the weather is going to be pleasantly dry and even a bit on the cool side, at least for today and part of tomorrow. I'm always a bit more in a mood to work on things when it's not tropical outside, whether or not the actual work needs to be done outside.
Last night's dream featured a man peering in my bedroom windows, with intent to enter and cause harm. In the dream, a friend's police officer husband went to investigate; in real life, I took a quick look at the patio before I left for work, just in case.
Anyone who has been to my place knows that a criminal bringing a ladder and climbing up to the second floor windows is a ridiculously difficult way to enter my condo, given the alternative points of ingress.
Where was I? Things to do...there are three projects that WILL be complete by the end of August. I worked on one a bit Wednesday night, and was surprised at the progress made in just an hour and a half. Then again, everything was set up ahead so I could focus on just doing the one thing I needed to do. That seems to be the key to getting anything done after work during the week: set everything up on the weekend.
Not part of those three projects, but needing to be done is a quick declutter of the loft. I'd like to have the upstairs carpet cleaned in late August (I'm off one mid-week day then), but before they can do that, I need to move some stuff. As in furniture. Ideally, the people who want my old bed, dresser and chest of drawers will be able to pick it up before then. They are at an out of town family wedding until next week, or I'd get that settled. We'll see if Stanley will offer their "two rooms and a hall" deal when each of the rooms is 16 x 16 feet.
Also not part of those three projects, I need to figure out when to schedule a chimney cleaning. It's been on my list to have done for the past couple of years - not urgent, as the fireplace is gas (no creosote build up) and not used more than once a week through the winter. A cleaning is a way to get rid of any gunk left when the old owners converted from natural to gas, as well as a chance to have it inspected for any crack or other issues.
Oh yeah - and get rid of miscellaneous critter skeletons. Yet another critter found its way past the cap and down the flue. From the sound of it, this wasn't a winged creature, but a chipmunk or squirrel. Short of taking the damper apart and out, there is no way to rescue them (which would most likely end with a sooty, crazed rodent careening around the house in panic).
I've contacted the home owner's association about repairs to the cap. If I read the association documents correctly, while the inside of the chimney is my responsibility (it's contained within the outside walls), the cap is theirs (my "property" ends at the roof). No sense having the thing cleaned if animals can still get in.
August starts Monday. Summer is almost gone. Oops - correction: Summer is almost gone!! Contrary to popular belief, I don't actually hate summer, it's more that I like every other season more. Autumn is my favorite (add to to-do list: bring out autumn décor items to put out last weekend in August (Labor Day is late-ish this year and I don't want to wait).
Enjoy your weekend!
Friday, July 08, 2016
Comfort food
The last task before falling into bed last night was putting in the grocery order. Fat button mushrooms, to be chopped fine, then sauteed in butter with some shallots. The mix will be stuffed between the skin and meat of a roaster chicken, the trussed chicken slathered with butter before sliding it into the oven to roast. Potatoes will be sliced for a cheesy gratin (I have some cream to use up) for one side dish. Fresh green beans for another.
But that is Saturday's fare. Tonight's dinner will satisfy a craving - braunschweiger on caraway rye. A once a year treat.
It's all comfort food. I didn't know when I put the order in last night that the first news story I saw this morning would leave me needing comfort.
Tomorrow afternoon I'm taking a vacuum to my niece's new apartment for her to use for a month or so. When we had dinner a while back, I offered to stock her pantry with spices, so there is that box to take as well. She requested several blends - seasoned salts, Italian and the like - but I've also included some things you actually season with - bay leaves, thyme, oregano and basil.
Having a sandwich for dinner frees up some time in the evening, which I may fill with a bit of baking. Blueberries need to be used up; muffins would be a nice touch to Kristin's housewarming basket. I noticed the other day, when consolidating the chocolate chips...well, "consolidating" should probably give you a hint that the chocolate chip supply is rather overflowing. Maybe some chocolate chip cookies, as long as the oven is on. Easy, familiar, comforting.
Food doesn't really change anything, but someone taking physical nourishment can sometimes help nourish a spirit overwhelmed with the things of the world.
But that is Saturday's fare. Tonight's dinner will satisfy a craving - braunschweiger on caraway rye. A once a year treat.
It's all comfort food. I didn't know when I put the order in last night that the first news story I saw this morning would leave me needing comfort.
Tomorrow afternoon I'm taking a vacuum to my niece's new apartment for her to use for a month or so. When we had dinner a while back, I offered to stock her pantry with spices, so there is that box to take as well. She requested several blends - seasoned salts, Italian and the like - but I've also included some things you actually season with - bay leaves, thyme, oregano and basil.
Having a sandwich for dinner frees up some time in the evening, which I may fill with a bit of baking. Blueberries need to be used up; muffins would be a nice touch to Kristin's housewarming basket. I noticed the other day, when consolidating the chocolate chips...well, "consolidating" should probably give you a hint that the chocolate chip supply is rather overflowing. Maybe some chocolate chip cookies, as long as the oven is on. Easy, familiar, comforting.
Food doesn't really change anything, but someone taking physical nourishment can sometimes help nourish a spirit overwhelmed with the things of the world.
Friday, February 26, 2016
Sleepy
One of those days. I ran into a coworker on the way in to the building this morning, and she stopped to check out the new car. It wasn't until I was unlocking my office door that I realized my coffee was still sitting in the cup holder out in the car. Without any coffee in me, I was just too tired to make the trek back through two locked doors, down a flight of stairs and out to the parking lot.
After about ten minutes, though, the need for caffeine became so overwhelming I actually made a pot of coffee in the office pot. On the bright side, since none of the coffee drinkers were here yet, I could make it my way - drinkable. I keep my own mug in my office just for emergencies such as this. That single four ounce cup juiced me from "falls asleep at desk" to "minimally functional".
I have no commitments for the weekend. Well, beyond hemming a dress for a friend. Since I'd like to spend a good portion of the weekend in the studio, that little obligation will actually give me a jump start on sewing. If it kills me, I'm going to get those little owls ready to stuff.
Fifty degrees both Saturday and Sunday, though they say it will be windy. I may check out the state of the patio - move the chairs, maybe do a bit of sweeping if the wind dies down a bit Sunday as they say. Measure the front flower bed. This is the year to replace the brick edging.
I'm still on the fence on whether to do it myself or hire someone. While I can do it myself, it will be quicker to have someone else do it. Besides, someone else won't be tempted to throw a brick through the passive-aggressive, I-want-you-to-do-things-in-my-way-and-in-my-time-but-with-your-money-and-effort neighbor's window.
Sewing, sleeping, cooking, cleaning - the plan for the weekend. Most likely in that order.
After about ten minutes, though, the need for caffeine became so overwhelming I actually made a pot of coffee in the office pot. On the bright side, since none of the coffee drinkers were here yet, I could make it my way - drinkable. I keep my own mug in my office just for emergencies such as this. That single four ounce cup juiced me from "falls asleep at desk" to "minimally functional".
I have no commitments for the weekend. Well, beyond hemming a dress for a friend. Since I'd like to spend a good portion of the weekend in the studio, that little obligation will actually give me a jump start on sewing. If it kills me, I'm going to get those little owls ready to stuff.
Fifty degrees both Saturday and Sunday, though they say it will be windy. I may check out the state of the patio - move the chairs, maybe do a bit of sweeping if the wind dies down a bit Sunday as they say. Measure the front flower bed. This is the year to replace the brick edging.
I'm still on the fence on whether to do it myself or hire someone. While I can do it myself, it will be quicker to have someone else do it. Besides, someone else won't be tempted to throw a brick through the passive-aggressive, I-want-you-to-do-things-in-my-way-and-in-my-time-but-with-your-money-and-effort neighbor's window.
Sewing, sleeping, cooking, cleaning - the plan for the weekend. Most likely in that order.
Thursday, February 18, 2016
Apologies for the dearth of posting
Most things I want to say will either get me in trouble with people in real life, or bring out the moonbat trolls who live under the great internet bridge. Silence, therefore, is more...peaceful.
It is, apparently, National Drink Wine Day. I can appreciate that. The last week has been filled with a lot more running around than I care to do, most of it of the "this does have to get done now" variety. If I put off the one errand I should be doing after work tonight (which I should, by rights, have done Monday), I can go straight home tonight.
Well, after the 2 p.m. appointment I have with a diabetic educator. I was diagnosed over five years ago with Type II, but my doctor never offered me anything but a handful of pills. I got mad at my last appointment with him, and asked to be referred. Nevermind that in the intervening years I've learned enough on my own to write a book; I have a few questions/situations I'd like input on.
Much of the running around resulted from finally getting a new car, and the necessity of privately selling the old. My Civic is still in pretty good shape, for a thirteen year old car - and under 78,000 miles, to boot. It's blessing the son of some friends...or will be, as soon as he learns to drive stick shift.
The new car, a 2015 Honda Fit, is also stick shift. I wanted one more stick shift car; they are not that easy to find, especially in my price range (the "holy cow I'm not paying that much for basic transportation, are you crazy" range, AKA "cheapish").
In thirteen years, what's under the hood hasn't changed all that much, but golly, has the way that stuff is controlled changed. I had to laugh at the salesman, who was more concerned about touting the electronics than the actual driving ability of the car. He made some erroneous assumptions about how I would use them, and how I wanted them set up; I'm still working on getting all that undone.
Meantime, it's fun to drive. And did I mention it is red? Very red.
It's a shame about Justice Scalia. Shame on both parties for squabbling over replacements before he is even cold. It's outright disgusting that our President will not attend his funeral.
Rumor has it we will hit the mid-fifties on Friday, and maintain at least high forties through the weekend. For at least a time, I'll lower the heat and open up the windows to blow out some of the winter air in the condo. If I were going to be home Saturday, I'd be tempted to wash a few windows.
Saturday is Craft Day. Or as I think of it in my head "don't get any actual crafting done but sit and talk most of the day, day". If we are at Pam's, as we are this time, I don't like to haul my sewing machine unless I'm sure I'll get in four hours or more of solid sewing. That's not going to happen.
Instead, I stock up on smaller, non-urgent things. Trimming the eight dishtowels I embroidered, working on a Hawaiian applique pillow, cutting out the pieces of a quilt kit I won't get to sewing on for a year or so.
I actually do very much like Craft Day, in spite of the lack of crafting. Having a friend with whom you can talk and laugh about anything is a precious thing, indeed.
The "Drop and Give Me Twenty" twenty-minutes-a-day sewing challenge is going in fits and starts for me. If I am on the ball, I come home, have an early dinner and am in the studio by 6:30 or so, for about an hour and a half. I still haven't done any actual quilting, being yet in the throes of owl construction. If I weren't an idiot, and weren't doing seven at a time, it might go a bit quicker.
I'll leave you with a picture of dismembered owl parts:
It is, apparently, National Drink Wine Day. I can appreciate that. The last week has been filled with a lot more running around than I care to do, most of it of the "this does have to get done now" variety. If I put off the one errand I should be doing after work tonight (which I should, by rights, have done Monday), I can go straight home tonight.
Well, after the 2 p.m. appointment I have with a diabetic educator. I was diagnosed over five years ago with Type II, but my doctor never offered me anything but a handful of pills. I got mad at my last appointment with him, and asked to be referred. Nevermind that in the intervening years I've learned enough on my own to write a book; I have a few questions/situations I'd like input on.
Much of the running around resulted from finally getting a new car, and the necessity of privately selling the old. My Civic is still in pretty good shape, for a thirteen year old car - and under 78,000 miles, to boot. It's blessing the son of some friends...or will be, as soon as he learns to drive stick shift.
The new car, a 2015 Honda Fit, is also stick shift. I wanted one more stick shift car; they are not that easy to find, especially in my price range (the "holy cow I'm not paying that much for basic transportation, are you crazy" range, AKA "cheapish").
In thirteen years, what's under the hood hasn't changed all that much, but golly, has the way that stuff is controlled changed. I had to laugh at the salesman, who was more concerned about touting the electronics than the actual driving ability of the car. He made some erroneous assumptions about how I would use them, and how I wanted them set up; I'm still working on getting all that undone.
Meantime, it's fun to drive. And did I mention it is red? Very red.
It's a shame about Justice Scalia. Shame on both parties for squabbling over replacements before he is even cold. It's outright disgusting that our President will not attend his funeral.
Rumor has it we will hit the mid-fifties on Friday, and maintain at least high forties through the weekend. For at least a time, I'll lower the heat and open up the windows to blow out some of the winter air in the condo. If I were going to be home Saturday, I'd be tempted to wash a few windows.
Saturday is Craft Day. Or as I think of it in my head "don't get any actual crafting done but sit and talk most of the day, day". If we are at Pam's, as we are this time, I don't like to haul my sewing machine unless I'm sure I'll get in four hours or more of solid sewing. That's not going to happen.
Instead, I stock up on smaller, non-urgent things. Trimming the eight dishtowels I embroidered, working on a Hawaiian applique pillow, cutting out the pieces of a quilt kit I won't get to sewing on for a year or so.
I actually do very much like Craft Day, in spite of the lack of crafting. Having a friend with whom you can talk and laugh about anything is a precious thing, indeed.
The "Drop and Give Me Twenty" twenty-minutes-a-day sewing challenge is going in fits and starts for me. If I am on the ball, I come home, have an early dinner and am in the studio by 6:30 or so, for about an hour and a half. I still haven't done any actual quilting, being yet in the throes of owl construction. If I weren't an idiot, and weren't doing seven at a time, it might go a bit quicker.
I'll leave you with a picture of dismembered owl parts:
 |
| Heads, bodies (folded), feet & wings off to the right. Not meant to be true to life, obviously, but to appeal to kids. |
Sunday, February 07, 2016
Laissez les bons temps rouler!
It's the last weekend before Ash Wednesday, the one and only time during the year I make jambalaya.
It's not that I dislike it; quite the contrary, in spite of an intimidatingly long ingredient list (the spice list has seven ingredients, the rest of the dish another thirteen) it is both easy to make and very, very tasty.
The heat signature isn't like spicy Mexican food. A bit less sharp on initial taste, the heat nonetheless builds as you eat. That bite comes primarily from pepper: black, white and a measly 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne spread over six generous servings.
Still, it was enough to make my nose run and my ears drain.
Best of all, there are containers snugged away for lunches Monday and Tuesday.
It's been a strange weekend. I took Friday off, intending to go test drive a car, then do a whole lot of sewing. Instead, I lazed around home, took a long nap and swallowed a couple of tylenol every four hours. Thursday, I'd spent most of the workday simply longing for home, tired, achy, miserable. It took until Saturday afternoon before I felt better.
Around three p.m. I finally wandered into the studio to do my "20 minutes" for the February sewing challenge. I'd not been up to working on anything Thursday or Friday; I had some ground to make up. As it happened, I didn't shut everything down until over seven hours later (less about forty minutes to make and eat dinner).
At long last, all seven charity quilts are bound. I've moved on to making the little stuffed owls that will go along with them. The pattern itself is simple, but the wings and feet are padded, which means it takes a bit to get them ready. As of this afternoon (another four hours or so in the studio), the wings and feet are assembled and need only a little bit of machine quilting to suggest feathers and veins.
With a bit of persistence, I should have them all assembled and ready to stuff before the work week is done. Then they can be set aside until the 20th, which is a Craft Day with a friend (I've learned the hard way not to expect to get anything substantive done on these craft days - mindlessly stuffing fiberfill up an owl's behind sounds just about right for a task for the 20th).
The plan then is to move to a long overdue machine quilting project for a friend. The backing I initially picked up for it turned out to be rather odd - considerably more loosely woven than it should be. I need to find a nice substitute, and I can layer things up this coming weekend.
Never did make it to the test drive. Both tax refunds came Friday/Saturday, so I'm set to go. Just not in the mood (and I get crabby when I'm sick, so it's just as well the salesperson - who has already rubbed me the wrong way several times - didn't have to deal with me.
It doesn't sound like much, but except for being under the weather, it was a lovely weekend.
It's not that I dislike it; quite the contrary, in spite of an intimidatingly long ingredient list (the spice list has seven ingredients, the rest of the dish another thirteen) it is both easy to make and very, very tasty.
The heat signature isn't like spicy Mexican food. A bit less sharp on initial taste, the heat nonetheless builds as you eat. That bite comes primarily from pepper: black, white and a measly 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne spread over six generous servings.
Still, it was enough to make my nose run and my ears drain.
Best of all, there are containers snugged away for lunches Monday and Tuesday.
It's been a strange weekend. I took Friday off, intending to go test drive a car, then do a whole lot of sewing. Instead, I lazed around home, took a long nap and swallowed a couple of tylenol every four hours. Thursday, I'd spent most of the workday simply longing for home, tired, achy, miserable. It took until Saturday afternoon before I felt better.
Around three p.m. I finally wandered into the studio to do my "20 minutes" for the February sewing challenge. I'd not been up to working on anything Thursday or Friday; I had some ground to make up. As it happened, I didn't shut everything down until over seven hours later (less about forty minutes to make and eat dinner).
At long last, all seven charity quilts are bound. I've moved on to making the little stuffed owls that will go along with them. The pattern itself is simple, but the wings and feet are padded, which means it takes a bit to get them ready. As of this afternoon (another four hours or so in the studio), the wings and feet are assembled and need only a little bit of machine quilting to suggest feathers and veins.
With a bit of persistence, I should have them all assembled and ready to stuff before the work week is done. Then they can be set aside until the 20th, which is a Craft Day with a friend (I've learned the hard way not to expect to get anything substantive done on these craft days - mindlessly stuffing fiberfill up an owl's behind sounds just about right for a task for the 20th).
The plan then is to move to a long overdue machine quilting project for a friend. The backing I initially picked up for it turned out to be rather odd - considerably more loosely woven than it should be. I need to find a nice substitute, and I can layer things up this coming weekend.
Never did make it to the test drive. Both tax refunds came Friday/Saturday, so I'm set to go. Just not in the mood (and I get crabby when I'm sick, so it's just as well the salesperson - who has already rubbed me the wrong way several times - didn't have to deal with me.
It doesn't sound like much, but except for being under the weather, it was a lovely weekend.
Monday, November 09, 2015
It's been over a week, so a few quick thoughts...
All this fuss over a plain red cup. Honestly, when will my Christian brothers and sisters stop expecting the world to behave like believers? And how stupid is it to be a snarky ass and insist your name is "Merry Christmas" in order to have it written on your cup? Deeds witness more loudly than words.
The Republican debate circus is coming to town. Several candidates are doing events in other parts of the state, as long as they are "in the neighborhood". The good news? One year from this Wednesday, the election will be, for better or worse, over. Three hundred sixty-six - oops - three hundred sixty-seven (2016 is a leap year, as is every presidential election year - you would almost think the politicians planned that so they would have an extra day of campaigning) days to go. Maybe I should put a countdown clock up in the sidebar.
The dinner party Saturday was perhaps the best of the five "Supper for 12 Strangers" I've held. Once student simply didn't show up at the carpool; the other four both tried to contact her and waited an extra ten minutes, all in vain. Boy, did she miss out. Much fun, conversation, laughter. Two of the young ladies were international students, from China and Kenya. While internationals can be very reserved, particularly the Chinese, both girls were chatty and fun. A friend of mine came as a sort of "wing woman", helping to keep the conversation going when I needed to be in the kitchen.
The only down side? I gave away all the leftovers (this is apparently very much a Wisconsin, though not an American, custom, as I explained to the internationals and the native New Yorker (the student from Wisconsin understood it- the impulse to offer any leftovers to your guests, for them to take home for lunches or a quick dinner).
The heat came on when I was getting ready this morning, and stayed on for a good five minutes. It turns out the outside temperature was only 28 when I left for work this morning. It may be time to consider changing from the light spring jacket over to the heavy winter one, finding the scarves, mittens and gloves.
Forty years ago this afternoon, the Edmund Fitzgerald set out on Lake Superior, headed to Zug Island, near Detroit. Shortly afterward, a gale warning was issued for the lake. By seven-thirty the following evening, the ship had sunk with all hands aboard. While the Gordon Lightfoot song is probably the most well known tribute to the tragedy, today's JSOnline has a nice article about it, centering on the memories of one of the crew members' brother.
The Republican debate circus is coming to town. Several candidates are doing events in other parts of the state, as long as they are "in the neighborhood". The good news? One year from this Wednesday, the election will be, for better or worse, over. Three hundred sixty-six - oops - three hundred sixty-seven (2016 is a leap year, as is every presidential election year - you would almost think the politicians planned that so they would have an extra day of campaigning) days to go. Maybe I should put a countdown clock up in the sidebar.
The dinner party Saturday was perhaps the best of the five "Supper for 12 Strangers" I've held. Once student simply didn't show up at the carpool; the other four both tried to contact her and waited an extra ten minutes, all in vain. Boy, did she miss out. Much fun, conversation, laughter. Two of the young ladies were international students, from China and Kenya. While internationals can be very reserved, particularly the Chinese, both girls were chatty and fun. A friend of mine came as a sort of "wing woman", helping to keep the conversation going when I needed to be in the kitchen.
The only down side? I gave away all the leftovers (this is apparently very much a Wisconsin, though not an American, custom, as I explained to the internationals and the native New Yorker (the student from Wisconsin understood it- the impulse to offer any leftovers to your guests, for them to take home for lunches or a quick dinner).
The heat came on when I was getting ready this morning, and stayed on for a good five minutes. It turns out the outside temperature was only 28 when I left for work this morning. It may be time to consider changing from the light spring jacket over to the heavy winter one, finding the scarves, mittens and gloves.
Forty years ago this afternoon, the Edmund Fitzgerald set out on Lake Superior, headed to Zug Island, near Detroit. Shortly afterward, a gale warning was issued for the lake. By seven-thirty the following evening, the ship had sunk with all hands aboard. While the Gordon Lightfoot song is probably the most well known tribute to the tragedy, today's JSOnline has a nice article about it, centering on the memories of one of the crew members' brother.
Wednesday, October 07, 2015
Home stretch
It never fails: you plan out what you want to get done before vacation, and the week promptly goes kablooey.
By the time I got home last night, I was so worn out from the constant interruptions and odd requests that I could have sworn it was Wednesday - wishful thinking.
Not much going on other than trying to get ready to get out of here for a week. I'm hoping to pick up my new contacts tonight (Long story short: they didn't order them until two week after my appointment, when I called the second time to find out if they were in yet. They promised to expedite the order; that was last Friday), because if I can't, I can't do it until Saturday. I don't really want to spend the first day of vacation at the eye doctor.
It must be something in the air. Yesterday, I had the worst customer service I've ever had, anywhere at a fast food place (Looking at you, Dunkin). The traffic has been much heavier than usual, and much more...erratic. People seem a bit twitchy.
The first few days of my vacation are going to be rather summer-like, with temps up in the mid-seventies. Good thing, as I want to get all the fall cleaning, mulching and trimming done sometime that week. I may even (finally) wash the windows. The date of our average first frost locally is October 18th or so.
Craft day, a friend coming over for lunch and talk and a housewarming party to attend are the main social events during the time off. The rest of the time will be devoted to sewing, cleaning, organizing, reading, day trips and sleep, blessed sleep.
On the organizing front, I'm listening to a book by a Japanese author on the subject of decluttering. I get a kick out of the fact that she consistently calls it "tidying". What a kinder, more housewifely word. The book was free, but in order to listen to it on the Kindle I needed to start a trial for Audible. Listening to audio books is not something I do on a regular basis, not even something I enjoy. I need the page in front of me to pay attention. Hopefully, I can figure out where on Amazon to cancel the automatic enrollment in the paid version of Audible before the trial runs out.
Oh, yeah - and finish listening to the book. That option of speeding playback - in my case, to 1.5x - is a lifesaver.
I better get back to the kablooey. We'll see who else has a last minute request for something they've known about for two weeks...
By the time I got home last night, I was so worn out from the constant interruptions and odd requests that I could have sworn it was Wednesday - wishful thinking.
Not much going on other than trying to get ready to get out of here for a week. I'm hoping to pick up my new contacts tonight (Long story short: they didn't order them until two week after my appointment, when I called the second time to find out if they were in yet. They promised to expedite the order; that was last Friday), because if I can't, I can't do it until Saturday. I don't really want to spend the first day of vacation at the eye doctor.
It must be something in the air. Yesterday, I had the worst customer service I've ever had, anywhere at a fast food place (Looking at you, Dunkin). The traffic has been much heavier than usual, and much more...erratic. People seem a bit twitchy.
The first few days of my vacation are going to be rather summer-like, with temps up in the mid-seventies. Good thing, as I want to get all the fall cleaning, mulching and trimming done sometime that week. I may even (finally) wash the windows. The date of our average first frost locally is October 18th or so.
Craft day, a friend coming over for lunch and talk and a housewarming party to attend are the main social events during the time off. The rest of the time will be devoted to sewing, cleaning, organizing, reading, day trips and sleep, blessed sleep.
On the organizing front, I'm listening to a book by a Japanese author on the subject of decluttering. I get a kick out of the fact that she consistently calls it "tidying". What a kinder, more housewifely word. The book was free, but in order to listen to it on the Kindle I needed to start a trial for Audible. Listening to audio books is not something I do on a regular basis, not even something I enjoy. I need the page in front of me to pay attention. Hopefully, I can figure out where on Amazon to cancel the automatic enrollment in the paid version of Audible before the trial runs out.
Oh, yeah - and finish listening to the book. That option of speeding playback - in my case, to 1.5x - is a lifesaver.
I better get back to the kablooey. We'll see who else has a last minute request for something they've known about for two weeks...
Friday, September 18, 2015
Not much of anything
While attempting to write a post about how annoyed I am, by people in general and in particular, and stupid events in the news, IE decided to loose its mind. Half a dozen times. As it has been prone to do over the last month or so.
Virus protection runs every night. The sneaky part of my mind wonders if Microsoft rolled out an "update" that planted a bug, since they are very close to the release of their new browser (or was it bundled in with the free upgrade to Windows 10? You know - the upgrade I won't install because my digital camera manufacturer sent me an email telling me my camera's software may not be compatible with Windows 10, and the solution is to (drumroll, please) buy a new camera!).
So yes, I apparently put on my crabby pants this morning. I think I hit that section of the wardrobe (I try to keep the crabby pants, whiney shirts and crazy boots way back in the dark corner of the closet - out of sight, out of mind) because I'm not feeling well. Unhappy tummy, headache, earache and sore arm. The last is my own fault, the first two the side effects of a medication that is supposed to be "helping" me.
It will be a low key weekend. Lots of inside, at home stuff to do. More sewing, making a pot or two of soup, lots of naps and a bit of fussing with the autumncrap décor, which still isn't put out. It's time to thin out that herd, as not everything works in the condo the way it did in the flat, and simply don't have as many flat surfaces to hold decorations anymore.
I did, however, break down and get two new pieces for this year. One is a silk flower hanging thing (not a wreath, but long and sort of triangular...there's a particular name for it that I can't recall right now-not a swag since it hangs vertically) with pretty fall colored sunflowers, leaves and berries that will go on the outside of the front door (I keep forgetting that there is a hook that is part of the door; the painters painted it the same color as the door and you have to look closely to see it).
The second piece is a six inch pillar candle, vanilla scented. The plan is to do something with an upended cake dome, the fall leaf garland and the candle for the dining room table. Eh, we'll see. I still want to take the extra leaf out of the table. If you recall, I tried to shrink the table for the dessert event for the neighbors, but couldn't get it to go together. Some more time is needed to putz with it.
What are your plans for the weekend?
Virus protection runs every night. The sneaky part of my mind wonders if Microsoft rolled out an "update" that planted a bug, since they are very close to the release of their new browser (or was it bundled in with the free upgrade to Windows 10? You know - the upgrade I won't install because my digital camera manufacturer sent me an email telling me my camera's software may not be compatible with Windows 10, and the solution is to (drumroll, please) buy a new camera!).
So yes, I apparently put on my crabby pants this morning. I think I hit that section of the wardrobe (I try to keep the crabby pants, whiney shirts and crazy boots way back in the dark corner of the closet - out of sight, out of mind) because I'm not feeling well. Unhappy tummy, headache, earache and sore arm. The last is my own fault, the first two the side effects of a medication that is supposed to be "helping" me.
It will be a low key weekend. Lots of inside, at home stuff to do. More sewing, making a pot or two of soup, lots of naps and a bit of fussing with the autumn
I did, however, break down and get two new pieces for this year. One is a silk flower hanging thing (not a wreath, but long and sort of triangular...there's a particular name for it that I can't recall right now-not a swag since it hangs vertically) with pretty fall colored sunflowers, leaves and berries that will go on the outside of the front door (I keep forgetting that there is a hook that is part of the door; the painters painted it the same color as the door and you have to look closely to see it).
The second piece is a six inch pillar candle, vanilla scented. The plan is to do something with an upended cake dome, the fall leaf garland and the candle for the dining room table. Eh, we'll see. I still want to take the extra leaf out of the table. If you recall, I tried to shrink the table for the dessert event for the neighbors, but couldn't get it to go together. Some more time is needed to putz with it.
What are your plans for the weekend?
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