Doing a Bit of Cooking

Thursday Feb. 3, 2022... Cold, cold, cold.  There is now 5 1/2 inches of snow on the ground with ice crunching underneath the feet as we try to take the dogs out.  It's a pretty useless effort since neither one of our little poodles likes the cold at all. So we are sitting in our chairs for the most part watching the fireplace and being totally glad to  have it. 

Yesterday I made a large "soup".. I'm not sure exactly what to call it.. lol  Hamburger stew and to this one I added Ranch Style Beans... Lovely!  Tastes a bit like taco soup, but much more subtle.  Yum .. 

Jerry decided he wanted a pumpkin pie so I found a recipe for a butter pie crust.. my first.  Not my first pie crust... first butter crust.  It is truly wonderful. Can't seem to find the recipe I used ..but..sigh... this one is almost just like it.   Perfect Pie Crust ... give it a try!

Feb. 4, 2022... Several years ago I found a "tip" on the internet about how to sharpen knives if you don't have a sharpener.  The original idea was to run the edge of your knife around the top of a stoneware crock while turning it over and over.  I've seen my grandmother do this many times over the years.  Since I don't have a crock sitting on my counter, I turned over one of my coffee mugs... worked perfectly.  I do this often now. 

Well, the snow is still with us. The sun is out today but the temp is barely supposed to reach freezing.. it's 11 degrees right now.  Probably not much melting happening today, but maybe a little.  Hoping for enough to allow the doggies a place to go do their business! 

Have a great day today.  Drink lots of hot whatever you drink... I would say hug all your family and friends, but with Covid everywhere that's maybe not such a good idea.. but virtual hugs are ok... 

My Diary: January 24, 2022

I woke up this morning: and stumbled to the bathroom with my eyes closed.  Kinda ready to get up but not quite ready to wake up.  Still cold in the mornings... 26° when I let the dogs out this morning.  It got up to the mid 60s yesterday and is expected to do the same today.  Wanted to climb back in that warm bed, but decided if I did I wouldn't want to get up again until at least 9... lol

I look out my window:  and it's still dark.  The skies are relatively clear so the stars and moon are shining like glitter in the sky.  March13, 2022 daylight savings time will begin again and the sun will be up by this time.  

I am hearing:  the squeak of my chair as I rock back and forth.  Fixing that squeak is one of those procrastination things that I've put off for ...  oh ... 4 or 5 months.. lol  

I am thinking: not much this morning.  My brain seems to be on vacation without me.. sigh   I think I need more than my usual 1 cup of coffee this morning.  May need to add some strong chocolate with it to build up the caffeine.. 

I am thankful for:  the different blogs and posts I read.  Soooo much information... so many new ideas..it's hard to stay stagnant in your thoughts and ideas when confronted with so much new information. So many people now willing to share their ideas, their grasp of new crafts, new how-to information on the use of tools.. sometimes it's mind boggling. 

I am wearing: a plain, pink Walmart house dress.  No touchy anywhere.. just a loose, comfortable, very ugly dress..lol  My sister Tina introduced me to these dresses.. Her words?  "They're so ugly, but so comfortable!" 

I am hoping: that I can figure out a personalized pattern to make my own clothes.  As I've grown older the shape of the body has changed and generalized patterns just don't seem to do it.  

I'm also hoping to start knitting or crocheting again in the evening while watching television.  I miss having something to show for that time instead of Level 450 of some game on my phone.. sigh

I am reading: the 3rd book of the Riftwar Saga books by Raymond Feist.  I finished the second one last night.  I suppose at some point I will be tired of them, but not yet..lol  

I am learning: that it's a lot easier to square up your quilting before you start quilting than after.. sigh  

I am creating:  another full cloth quilt.  I've got the sheets almost ready for the batting to be added and then the tying begins. 

One of my favorite things: that little ceramic bowl in the picture.  My friend Pat and I made yarn bowls a few years ago at a ceramic shop.  I loved it...still love it.. has function and memories..

A few plans for the rest of the week:  include working on the quilt, spending some time finding the bottom of my desk (if possible..ugh),  and making a rug from the strips of fabric torn from 4 sheets.  Not sure I want a totally faded blue rug, but sometimes ya can't have everything.. 

Last thought:  I'm having a very hard time in this second year of the covid stay at home.  I've decided the only way I will survive is to spend more time outdoors, keep working on my crafts and use the phone a LOT to keep in contact with everyone I care about.  Hope you have a wonderful week.. Hugs.. 

Good Morning...January 19, 2022

 Good morning.  Up at 4:30am this morning.  Don't know what's up with early morning rising, but seems to be a new pattern for me.  I have to say that I do enjoy the quiet time.  

Found out yesterday that Covid Omicron is so prevalent here that most in our doctor's office are out with it.  Daughter who is working for one of the drs. in that clinic says we should stay home... go nowhere.  So once again there will be no beauty shop or nail appointments for a while.  This is the second year for the Covid threat and have been out to eat once in those 2 years,.  Not to say we don't order out and use the pick up window... but sometimes it's just nice to sit down in a restaurant and have dinner and conversation with someone you love.  I'm sure that most health professionals are aware of the mental health issues with this pandemic, but sometimes I wonder how much we are actually saving (as far as health is concerned) by the stay-at-home idea since the increase in depression is so markedly on the rise.  We have not seen our grandchildren for almost 2 years.  Not a good thing.

Several years ago I started this egg.  The idea was to see if I could do a Russian style icon.  It didn't turn out too badly, but then I was stymied on how to finish the back side of the egg.  Needless to say... I am still stymied.  It occurs to me that a lot of Russian art contains at least some geometrics, so I'm thinking I may get out the acrylics and do a geometric of some kind on the back.  Any ideas would be welcome.. :)

We're in for a bit of relief from the horrible cold...welcome relief.  Up in the 40s and 50s and then on Sunday and Monday it should be almost like spring with temps in the high 60s and even 70s.  That's always welcome, but the cold that comes after always seems even colder.. sigh 

When we take our dogs to be groomed, they always come home with a little triangle of cloth around their necks as a scarf.  Since our dogs are so "graceful", we always take them off to prevent them from tugging and pulling on them.  This time we cut the collar off Katie with the scarf!  We immediately ordered another one that comes with her name on it and other information, but it would take 3 weeks to get it, so enter the trust sewing machine... I really prefer this little collar for her than the new one she has now.  It is much softer and just as strong.  I'm sure it's more comfortable for her, but her new one has her name on it.  Anyway, I'll put up a tutorial to make a collar for your dog on Fabric Follies Too... very easy to do. 

Must get around.  Coffee cup empty and it's 6:10am.  Have plans for the day, just not sure what they are yet..lol  Have a wonderful day... 😊

 

My Diary... Jan 12, 2022

 

I woke up this morning:   with a little wet nose on my cheek and bell ringing in my ear.  It was not quite 5:30am but I got up anyway.  Sweet Katie was telling me it was time to rise and shine...so I rose, but definitely did not shine.. 😉

I look out my window:    and I can see the sun beginning to shine.  The thermometer outside says not quite 30° and it's definitely feeling it.  The trees are bare and the earth is definitely in sleeping, resting mode.  The winters have been cold and not my favorite part of the seasons until I realized one day that it is not a dead season, but a resting season needed for the revitalization of life.  Time to slow down a bit and revitalize myself. 

I am hearing:    the whirring of my printer.  It's enough to make me want to turn the thing off.  But the ringing in my ears helps to cover it..lol  

I am thinking:   that I can finally see patterns in my life... and as I do all those things one hears as child are true.  Be careful who you spend time with.. family is all important...early to bed, early to rise...and on and on.. I have heard and smiled at all my life.  Today, they don't seem so rhetorical at all.  

I am thankful for:   first and foremost..my sweet, caring, thoughtful husband who helps me through good times and bad, takes care of me even when he doesn't feel well himself.  My children..there is not a word that comes close to covering how thankful I am for my children.  Coffee.. lol.. what can I say about coffee..sigh

I am wearing:    My gown (black with tiny roses around the neckline) and my robe (horrible faded black t-shirt material with huge pink flowers on it.. ughhh).  But.. it's very comfortable.  Flows without any binding anywhere and I may just wear it all day.   

I am hoping:    that my children are well.  That Covid will soon pass into that thing that happens during flu season instead of all year long.  2 years stuck inside the house is enough already. 

From the kitchen:    doesn't come very much these days.  But I did put a corned beef in the crock pot a day or so ago.  LOVE THAT!  Still having corned beef sandwiches.  Made a couple of batches of chocolate covered peanuts and some peanut butter cookies.  Yum...

Around the house:   It seems the older we get the more often we don't feel well, so the house could use a good deep cleaning and de-cluttering.  You would think that being stuck inside during the Covid mess some of this would get done...but no.. hmmm

I am reading:    For the 5th or 6th time.. Magician Apprentice.. by Raymond E. Feist.  This is a series of fantasy books I read for the first time many years ago and have re-read many times since.  

I am learning:   seems to be not much lately.  I'm going to have to re-learn how to spin with a spindle since for the last several years I have used only my spinning wheel.  sigh... 

I am creating:   not sure I would call it creating.. but.. anyway I managed somehow to lose my coat!  Now.. how does a person lose a coat?  ughhh  ... so I had to make me another one.  It's not as warm as the one I lost, but it works in a pinch ..lol   I will make another one with some closer woven fabric, but I do like the way this one drapes. 

This is the coat and the pattern that I use.  I have had the pattern for years and am considering making it with very light material as a matching cover for just jeans and a shirt.  Anyway... the number of things I consider in just one day would fill a month's worth of time if I made them all. 😏😏😏

Now.. on to other things. 

One of my favorite things:  is following my children, grandchildren and friends on facebook.  Sometimes I think I should just get off it, but somehow that lasts about 1 day.  I love the photos.. what the kids are doing, what the grands are doing.. just LOVE it.. 

A few plans for the rest of the week:   not many.  To the beauty shop today but as far as plans, that's it.  Whatever gets done will get done when I decide.  Haven't felt too well for the last few days, so will see what happens later on.. 

Remember to smile at stranger, hug your friends and have a wonderful day. 

A New Year

Well, the New Year has started like the old year ended... with me erasing my entire blog post thinking I had already posted it on my laptop... but no... didn't happen.  

Anyway... I learned a long time ago that New Years resolution thing was not a happening thing around here... usually lasted about a week .. or at the most, two.  But there is one thing that I hope I will continue into this year.  I found a blog a few years ago on another blog that I was following and it was called (and still is)  The Simple Woman  .  I found it very calming and decided that while I did not want to join the group that she has, I did want to try something similar.  I did for quite a while and found that my day started much more smoothly as I found so many things to be thankful for and it caused me to pay attention to my life today and not what was yesterday or tomorrow.  I will try to do something similar here. 

It has been so very cold here for the past week or two.  We have enjoyed the fireplace immensely. 

Sam (apricot) and Katie (black) enjoy it as much or more than we do.. lol  The last 3 years have not been easy for us and these two lovelies have made all the difference for us.  Watching them play, running around chasing a ball or just hugging and loving on us has absolutely made the days pass easier. 

The groomer we take them to always puts a little triangular bandana on them and when we get home we have to take them off or Sam will choke himself tugging on it.. So Hubs was cutting Katie's off and also cut off her collar!  So I am now working on a collar for her until her new one comes in.  Have it about 1/2 done and trying to figure out how all the hardware goes back on.  We'll see if I'm smart enough to get it done.  :)

Hugs to all. Stay warm and enjoy this day.  

Around the World.....

Dad used to say "That guy would go around the world to get across the street!"  Well, that's just about what it took for me to be able to put this photo up... lol   But here it is, the photo of the quilt fabric I'm trying to work with.  I love the lemons and am trying to find a way to use bigger pieces to keep from losing them in the fray.  

Good morning! August is Here...

Got up this morning and felt absolutely perky!  Couldn't figure it out until I went for my coffee, looked out the back door and our thermometer said 68°!  Amazing!  Maybe it will hold until 10am anyway..lol  

Not much on the agenda these days.  Covid restrictions still apply here in Altus with the Mayor stating that they are following over 500 cases at this point.  That does not mean that they are positive tests, just that the test results are pending.  

I regret to say that I take most of my photos with my phone now...and I cannot for the life of me figure out how to get them uploaded to my pc... hmmpphhh  But I'll work on it some more...I'm sure it'll come to me eventually..lol

I came across this clipping a while back...and my heart melted.  When I was 15, I went to work at Kengle Hospital and worked with my mom...second from right...and all these wonderful ladies..and Dr. Kengle of course.. for my high school years.  What memories this brought..

I've been in a funk for the last few weeks (thank you Covid) and haven't had much interest in anything. But... I feel much better today and have decided to have a go at the quilt I've been trying to put together for a week or so.  Hard to decide how to use this fabric and keep from completely losing the wonderful lemon pattern on the fabric.  I'll figure out a way to get a photo to put up...

In the meantime, I've so very much enjoyed my cup of coffee, the quiet and cool morning, my tiny dogs rubbing my ankles saying good morning and the sun shining thru the white curtains on the window.  I hope your day is warm and wonderful.. 

 

Our Journey Thru Covid 19

February was our last normal month here in Altus, OK.  Overnight it was mandated to wear masks....that have been proven not to work.. our stores closed...we could not find meat, bread, fruit.. our stores were empty.  Restaurants were closed to indoor patrons.  To survive they had to start a delivery service or pick up at the door service.  It was the most amazing thing I have ever seen in this lifetime.  

And..it's a lttle warm.  I thought the heat was supposed to kill off the virus..but I guess that doesn't work with the Democrats trying to waylay the election... anyway...enough of that. 

Hope you are having wonderful days.. 

Good morning! This is a test post!

Once upon a time, a long time ago ...my father, my brother and I lived in a small adobe house like this one.  I loved it.  It was very cool inside and besides..it was a great place to play cowboys and Indians.   We didn't live there long, but it left a lasting memory for me.. More about that later.  :)

Bob Burridge ... Artist Series on You Tube

I've mentioned before that I have fallen in love with watercolor.  The problem I've run into is how to afford to frame all these many, many pictures that I paint.  Even if I want to sell them, showing them is very difficult without frames.  Well... I've found the perfect thing!

Around the bush way of telling you... I'm always on YouTube watching art videos.  Today I ran onto a guy that is fabulous... and has great ideas.  His name is Bob Burridge .. he has a web page here..  and he posts "how to" videos on YouTube.  He has well over 100 videos and they are filled with great ideas for everything from collage to spray paint to watercolor to oils to acrylics.. and more. 

Here's what I found today.  How to cheaply "frame" your work if you use a lot of paper for your art.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJqIuSzyLc0   I am definitely going to do this with a lot of mine. 

This was done using his method of painting people.  So EASY!  I love this.  I don't have any canvases right now in multiple sizes, but you can bet that when Hobby Lobby opens on April 2nd ... I will  have.  :) 

The weather is cool this morning.  Can't sit out on the porch for breakfast, but will later on today.  I hope you give Bob Burridge a try.. his use of collage in his work is fabulous... Dianne Nash.. :)

Hugs.. Have a great day