This week I’ve been working on VNF, organizing my kitchen, and crocheting afghans, plural. I treated myself to an afghan kit–they send you a kit every month for 12 months and at the end you have afghan–and then hated the yarn when the first kit arrived. I made the middle square anyway, and the pattern was interesting but the yarn was dreadful, cheap feeling and muddy colors. So I dug out some of my worsted–I have a lot of yarn–and did surface crochet to liven things up, and then decided to do a second middle square in my own yarn. MUCH better. Also decided to put two scenes together to speed up the opening of Very Nice Funerals and did a theme outline for the book which Bob approved, I think because he’s exhausted from moving and dental work. The crochet keeps me sane because after so long on a book, you just can’t anymore.
So what did you do this week?
66 Responses
I realized, again, any furniture my parents could afford in the 1950’s is probably not worth refinishing, and the fad of “antiquing” mid century modern furniture avocado green in the 1970’s was a sin.
I need to look up the definition of a sunk cost fallacy.
Ooooh. My mother antiqued so much furniture back in the 70s in that color and also in an awful gold color as well. I hated it then and still do! It’s a travesty!
I refinished one piece from the 50s–my child’s wardrobe chest–and am happy I did. It’s a big, heavy thing, and at one point my mother painted the whole thing white with green trim. Ghastly.
Although mid-century modern furniture was frequently solid wood; not like the stuff you get from IKEA now, although a lot of it was the price equivalent. I have a rosewood table and set of 6 chairs from sometime around 70’s or 80’s (a guess) and it is solid rosewood and is as heavy as a rock. I paid $300 for them at an auction. I have many pieces of furniture that I took to a furniture stripper then refinished. (Not the rosewood, it had the original finish). Also mid-century modern furniture currently at auctions commands almost as much money as it did when it was new – if it has a natural wood finish on it.
I’m in the home stretch of the quilt. I had finished all the colored bricks, so this week I put in a background behind the big center Z. It looks cool!
https://www.instagram.com/p/C-Xe20xRi1A/?igsh=cG0xaTZ0NG1ueTQz
Then after a lot of thought, I took the first lines of the first and last hymns slated for his last service and quilted those in the borders. It was a lot of stops and starts, and the resulting burying of thread ends, but I really like that too. Cursive for the win! (If you want to try it out, try mounting your pencil in a stationary position and write by moving the paper! It takes a little practice to get used to it.)
The next two steps – make a label and put the binding on.
I also watched a lot of Olympic competitions and made 4 more squares on the crochet blanket. You can start to see the color change as the red is getting lighter.
Jenny – life is too short to crochet with gross yarn. Ditch that and continue to use your stash!
I’ve said it before, Nancy, but you’re amazing!
Wow!
Honestly, after 2 weeks with my kids & their toddlers, I’m working on recovering. I love them “ than all the stars in the sky” but toddlers are for young people. Anyone looking for me can find me on the couch. As for avocado green, it’s probably making a comeback.
I’ve been busy recovering from hip replacement I decided to do in the middle of a very busy spring/summer because I just couldn’t walk anymore. Definitely couldn’t garden, either. The dr said it would ‘probably’ fix what ails me. Well. Guess what? It did. The first week was a bear recovering. But then I was like Forrest Gump when he was escaping bullies, running so fast his braces flew off. Lord, why did I wait so long??? So, in the meantime, my writing group is doing an anthology (sweet romance) and I wrote an 11K word story. Got the edits back and had to cut 2K+ words. Something one should not do post anaesthesia. I also entered a flower show botanical arts category (at a county fair) where you redesign a shoe using plant material. And I win a blue ribbon! I also downloaded Heartburn by Nora Ephron. So good. But mostly I do PT and read garden and decorating magazines. Anyway, if you need to get a hip replacement, don’t wait, as I did.
Yay for successful surgery and quick recovery! Wonderful for you. 🙂
As a result of all the avocado toast everyone but me ate for the last few years.
This was supposed to be a comment to amyll. oops!
I began my umpteenth new regime this morning, and it’s excellent so far. Of course, it’ll be a miracle if I stick to it, even though I’m doing it because I think it’ll make me happier. I’ve decided to have two hours of creative play as my priority each day – to include writing, photography, art & design. All housework, freelance work, admin, lost rights of way research, even gardening, will have to fit around the creative stuff.
Really hope it works.
Was also offered more proof-reading for September, but was able to say I’m going to be away for much of it, while being keen to do some once I’m back. Which should give me another six weeks to focus on my own work.
I’ve mostly been gardening this week. I enjoy it, but I really need to do more photography and writing: gardening has taken over too much.
Wonderful that you are prioritizing creativity and well-being. Love the creative play idea.
What saved my sanity 30 some years ago was Julia Cameron’s book the artists Way a guide to recovering your creativity. I still love that book and I’m so glad that you’re playing.
Yes: I worked my way through that 30 years ago, too. It gave me the courage to call myself a photographer & writer. But I was better at doing morning pages than going on artist’s dates.
I am the exact opposite. I had worked out that I needed some version of artist dates on my own before reading the book. Usually that is during my lunch break at the day job now.
But I can only really do morning pages when I am really upset or struggling. Otherwise, the monotony just kills me and the exercise becomes painful.
I’m working on catching up at work after two weeks off.
All the camping gear is put away (my kids are old enough to help with that, and they’re doing their own laundry) except the sleeping bags still need a wash.
I’ll be working on making coffee dates with friends for the rest of summer.
And, once I’ve recovered from all the hiking, I’ll work on getting back to the gym.
Well, I definitely didn’t do any crocheting. I still need to finish the border on my Covid afghan, but it’s too hot to do anything with yarn. I gave most of my good yarn to my granddaughter, who does felting, weaving, soft sculpture, etc. – very cool. All I have left is the kind of stuff Jenny rightfully refuses to use.
Mostly, the job kept me too busy, but I did write some new words on my Rosie and McBrae novella. And realized I have to come up with a blurb for the short novella in a Christmas anthology. Not my fave thing to write, but I’ll do it while my dh drives us up to Nashville to meet with an employee. I get a lot done in the car, although we have Sirius XM now, which means some interesting programs to distract me. The CBC does informative, fun stuff.
Mostly I’m catching up on work and sleep now that I’m getting over COVID. My garden weeds are very happy that between COVID and the awful heat and humidity I have been ignoring them but the heat should drop today for a week and their time is coming.
Also I’m working on cooking from my garden. Last night was squash blossom soup. Tonight cherry tomato pasta.
Squash blossom soup! That sounds interesting and now I must go find a recipe. I recently ate lobster stuffed squash blossoms which felt VERY decadent. Soup is more my speed.
It takes a lot of blossoms. I harvest a handful every day, cook them sauteed with diced onion and garlic every couple of days, and then make the soup when I have enough —I purée the cooked blossoms in chicken broth, heat it thoroughly, add some more cooked blossoms and cream, and sprinkle cooked diced poblanos on top (char the poblanos, wash off the skins, dice removing all the seeds, sauté briefly in butter) . I also use the cooked blossoms in quesadillas and scrambled eggs and you can do the quesadillas with uncooked blossoms.
In Mexico you could buy large bunches of blossoms in the market but here they cost their weight in gold.
Sounds delicious!
I love stuffed squash blossoms, with cheese.
Also good. It takes fewer blossoms but a lot of time.
Yum! Thanks for the recipe. I might find some at the farmer’s market. The peppers in it make it sound perfect with the onions and blossoms.
I’m working on not panicking about TS Debbie moving into my flood prone area on Friday. Fingers crossed that she stays either to the east or the west of my area. Not that I am trying to foist her off on anyone else, but if she dumped the kind of rain on us that she is doing elsewhere, this entire area will be under a lot of water!
Other work-wise, I cleaned out, washed, and refilled the cat’s litter box. And I dust mopped all the floors. Next on the list to do, is clean the bathrooms, and maybe reread Rocky Start while curled up in the hammock swing (while avoiding other housework).
Roman- TS Debby was here over the weekend. She was fiercely windy & lots of rain. Good luck & stay safe!
Auto correct I hate you. I swear I typed Rouan not Roman
I hate autocorrect too! Or, perhaps I should say autocorrect hates me. Lol
After a week in Atlanta with my nieces, nephews and sister in law, I am recovering from the fun, the food and mostly my backside from a long drive.
I learned that both my SILs will be visiting in a few weeks, so it is deep cleaning and two guest bedroom organizing time.
Called a plumber to switch out my gross mid century bathtub trim. I am trying not to get too crazy about it but I do.
Jenny you do so much, I am exhausted when you post how much you have done in a week!
I’ve been re-reading my last five books as they are part of a series that I will be putting into an e-book box set this fall. I’m only allowed to fix commas and continuity errors and so far I haven’t had an urge to scrap any of them and start again, so that’s good, at least. I’m also crocheting a baby blanket out of leftover yarn. It’s a very simple stitch repeat which is just right for summer.
I had a half day yesterday, since I am working the weekend at the day job. It was fairly productive. I got a half bushel of local corn that I will have to process this weekend, but I was worried about missing it, so I feel better. And a friend gave me a nifty tool for separating corn from the cob, which I am excited to try out. My hand cramps on the knife after about a dozen ears. Still to do is peaches and tomato sauce.
I also put some time in on various projects and tidying. Not enough to finish anything, but at least I feel like I made progress. On the downside, I had ideas for multiple more projects that I want to try/learn/make. I just don’t have enough hours in the day. There is so much that I want to DO. And read. And grow. But I am trying to concentrate on the little wins so that I don’t get overwhelmed.
I am with you! I have a list of 25+ things I want to do now and then there’s the other list of stuff I am to do for work. And sadly, reading isn’t on either list but the TBR pile is huge! So, I will also join you in celebrating the little wins and keep going.
I’m working on the new Llewellyn book, which of course I just got some momentum on and now I have to put it down to do final proof edits on the one coming out in January. Authoring is a strange job.
On the bright side, my online Everyday Witchcraft class went very well, and a lot of people seemed excited about my next one, Intro to Tarot. I really enjoy teaching, and it is nice to be getting back into it.
My handyman is coming over soon to try and get some of the heavier yard work done between rain storms, and I’ll be helping him with that, then doing an online tarot reading, then some editing. It’s a glamorous life.
Ooh, is there still space in your tarot class? I downloaded an app but it is slow going trying to learn the cards!
This week I made a book trailer for my upcoming release, and I’ve been working on a new newsletter project and committing myself to a lower-carb way of eating. Lots of cooking: keto meatballs, steamed veggies, salmon, raw veggies. Chicken salad on greens. I just found my comfort shawl in progress (I’ve been in Maine all summer and just got back to San Diego), so I’ll work on that some, too.
I deep-cleaned our screened porch. It’s been in a terrible state for almost two years since our garage remodel which made me so sick. We moved a bunch of stuff from the house out there in a hurry and it’s been there ever since. Three boxes of miscellaneous stuff into the shed, and then I hosed everything else down. Now hopefully we’re ready to have a Covid-safe visit with our friends on Sunday. The weather should be nice for hanging out outside, at least! I might work on tidying the side yard before they come, too. I’ve tossed a lot of garden-related garbage over there—out of sight, out of mind—that needs to be dealt with.
I’ve been gradually sorting things to donate, and clearing out things I’m sure I will not use again. I’m looking at my house and yard like a prospective buyer, and there’s a lot to do, but most will have to wait until fall. I did cut off some dead limbs on the evergreens. It has been cooler in the mornings, so walking is good. This morning, an overfriendly German Shepherd mix came tearing across the street toward me and Kali. I scooped her up, and the owner of the other dog called her back, and she actually went back. I already had heart palpitations from walking up a hill, but that really scared me.
Speaking of hearts…. I had the Stress Test and got through it with some shortness of breath, but I reached the goal of 120bpm that they had for me. It helped that there’s a bar to hold onto in the front of the treadmill. I see the cardiologist tomorrow, and they assured me he would have the results. I hope to get some answers.
Hope you get good answers!
I got my book (ebook and paper) up for pre-order, then sent a newsletter to my subscribers with a bad link in it. I sent a corrected one, too, but OY.
I need to update my website with the link. I already messed with Goodreads, so that’s up.
Otherwise: day job I’m supposed to learn some new stuff to help cover when someone goes out on maternity leave. Then a co-worker quit suddenly, so they really need me to keep doing the same thing I’m doing, but also learn the other stuff? Not sure when training is happening.
So I haven’t written on my new book in a couple of weeks. Oh well.
I’ve been giving the farm extra attention this week. Actually, I’ve been harvesting and retiring units. Of twelve units, only two Harvests and two Lykos are in active service. The harvests have pepper plants, two Jalapeño and one Poblano. The Lykos have a mix of Heirloom Red and Golden Harvest cherry tomatoes. Early in the week I ate a salad with two dozen of the yellow tomatoes and two reds. Now I have the proportions reversed, in hand.
If the plants ever stop producing fruit, I will empty the units for a good cleaning and start over from scratch.
– Gary J
I protected my lone tomato plant from a voracious Tomato Hornworm. I hadn’t looked at it for a couple of days and it was practically stripped. They are beautiful in their way, but they both bit the dust. Well, got snipped in half. Now to see if the poor plant recovers.
Sang a fun recital with two other singers over the weekend, had really good attendance. It’s fun to get my diva on every now and then.
Since it’s a cool week I’ll do some gardening, I’m going to try using root hormone powder on some bee balm stalks and see if I can transplant them into the field part of the yard.
Also, I’m going to start looking for work again, my goal is remote technical writing.
Still recovering from Covid – it was a mild case but definitely different physical effects than a standard sinus infection. At least I was spared any gastrointestinal symptoms and only had one day of fever.
With that, not trying to do much of anything else beyond Day Job. Have read through the most recent short and am letting the back-brain work on how to expand it a bit. Still researching & cogitating for the Next Novel.
Yesterday was ungodly hot. This morning was overcast, so I went out for long enough to water the parched front yard and whack back the wisteria, which grows at an incredible pace even though I don’t water it. Still need to return with the ladder to get the last few attic-invasion-attempting arms, but later for that. Now the sun is breaking through, alas. I predict the AC will be on again later.
As high-maintenance as the wisteria is, it has proven a good solution to my problem, i.e. a big east-facing picture window and no space or time to grow a proper shade tree. Bare in the winter to let sun in when I want it, gorgeous flowers in the spring, a lush but flat “tree” in the summer. It’s full of birds all day long, plus the occasional squirrel. 🙂
I’ve been cleaning. It’s awful. Thank you to whoever talked about the idea of It’s dirty or It’s better, because I don’t think I’ll ever get to It’s clean. I have too much stuff, a conclusion I reach every so often and do nothing about.
Signed up for a free online writing retreat later this month. Otherwise, have been doing very little writing. Telling myself it’s fallow time or a sabbatical. The heat makes me cross and tired.
We’re not meant to be minimalists. Live lavishly if you are able.
Still hosting the nephews from out west. Checked out the exhibits in the Art Gallery of Ontario – surprisingly obsessed with the collection of model ships from the Thomson family – how on earth would anyone have had those in their house is beyond me but whatever. Went to see Mean Girls the Musical last night which was better than I expected. My aunt duties included colouring one nephew’s hair Vampire Red. Jenny, this too could be yours…
Packing for a visit with Miami relatives on Vancouver Island. So excited to see them. Staying at their home next year. A fabulous authentic mid-century house on the water. Picking up corn from market. Harvesting some vegetables from my garden. Picking the squash blossoms in the morning. Picking up a couple of pies from the bakery in Ladysmith. And bring bacon, of course. Staying a night with niece too. Busy summer.
Working on good sleeps and quiet brain.
How do you use the blossoms ?
I going to copy you Debbie. Only way I know is a light egg wash light batter and lightly deep fry. I saw it on YouTube. Your soup sounds delicious. Also the Miami / Canadian group may have ideas. Winging it.
Thanks!
I did the paperwork to get pre-approval for buying a house in Lexington, KY. I keep wading through listing’s everyday.
Now I am single focused on getting this place on the market.
I had to stop everything & redo our hurricane supplies & work my job 4 days while TS Debby raged.
Life could be less interesting & I would be happy.
Enjoyed sitting here, sipping coffee while reading everybody else’s busyness.
I’m still not doing a lot. I saw my surgeon and he said another three months before my broken hip is completely healed so physical therapy and walking with the cane continues. I got to the gym on Monday for the first time since I broke my hip and it was wonderful. In the water I have balance.
Yesterday I got a in person audition for a Taco Bell commercial. I had to take an Uber as my son got called into work today. I have a callback for that audition. And I’m hoping to either drive myself or have Kris drive me. I am going to get a car back.
It continues really hot here and I am so blessed by the air-conditioning. Prayers for everybody In Debby’s path.
Productive week somehow, despite the heat/humidity. Finished my niece’s high school graduation quilt in time for her to take it to college with her (she requested it be in the school’s colors). So happy to have that done, since now I’m deadline-free. You can see it (with photobombing cat) here: https://www.instagram.com/p/C-YnxQ0yEek/?img_index=1
Also finished the first draft of a secret project (second in a secret series). And brainstormed the outline for a new Helen Binney novella that I’d been thinking about for a while. I have no idea when I’ll have time to write it though. I really want to get the secret project done (novella and novel) by the end of January, and then see what my agent thinks we can do with it. Because it’s weird. In a good way. Not a creepy-weird way.
We need more weird.
But only good weird. Self-designated weird.
Oh, yes, that quilt is Approved by Cats.
Love the quilt!
I’m working at cleaning out my inbox after being in Florida last week on vacation. The trip was much more fun than I expected. Since returning to work yesterday, I’ve processed 300 emails and worked to put out a few fires that were starting.
It’s also doctor visit month. Saw my rheumatologist yesterday, PT (last time) today, and mammogram tomorrow. Next week allergist and GYN. Week after follow up with hip dr’s PA and urologist. So, I’m working on getting better.
Another trip to Goodwill, including my complete collection of Georgette Meyer paperbacks. Since I only read them when I can get them on kindle there really was no point in keeping a cardboard box full of them. The contractor said he can get started in two weeks which is way faster than we expected. And there is so much that needs sorting (or tossing) before then.
Oops. That was Heyer but I suspect you all knew that.
I got the hedge trimming done on Monday before it got too hot, And I mowed the lawn today; it’s much cooler and didn’t rain.
I’m all caught up. Picked up a meeting but another one was postponed so that balanced out. Voter registration at the farmers market has been canceled due to rain. More time to read. Yay!
I have three (3) 4-shelf shelving units dedicated to my garden room: Amazon Basics 4-Shelf Adjustable, Heavy Duty Storage Shelving Unit on 3” Wheel Casters, Metal Organizer Wire Rack, 36″ L x 14″ W x 57.8″ H, Chrome. The thing is, I am only using three shelves of each unit for my hydroponic units. Vertically, there is no room for the fourth shelf.
That gives me three sets of four poles and twelve shelves and the hardware to install them. Here is the plan – I take the unused shelf from the third unit and set that unit aside. I take the two spare shelves from the other units. Then I connect unit one and two using the spare shelves, making them a single assembly three units long with very slightly staggered shelves at bottom, middle, and top. It will spread the garden out a bit without having to spend another $65 on a new shelving unit.
It doesn’t qualify as work, but I did harvest the first of the basil that I started from seeds a few months back and made some delicious bruchetta with it (and some goat cheese and tomatoes). A much more sucessful gardening result than the arugula/rocket I also started from seeds, which smelled right but just did not look right.
This week also included the trimming of the lemon tree which sprouted up several feet in just a week (at least that’s what it seemed like). It was accomplished with the use of my handy-dandy long armed electric trimmer and my equally handy-dandy long armed son. There was only minimal bloodshed–caused by the ridiculously long spikes on the branches.
Now I’m working on planning the days I will take off work between now and the end of teh year, since I haven’t taken any in a long time and risk losing the days if I don’t use them. (A much better problem to have than having no days off avaiable.)
This week, we finally emptied the storage facility we had been paying outrageous sums for during the past three years, I discovered the local recycling facility and emptied the garage of endless cardboard from Ikea, began cooking proper meals again and rejigged home office. About to take delivery of car…our move is beginning to feel complete. Somewhat dreading the arrival of our shipment from Brazil. And we need to head back to Ikea for shelving…sigh…
How is the kitchen Jenny?
We took delivery of all our goods from the house movers and got them into storage. So that’s another item off the list. The house should go on the market next week. Fingers crossed!