7.26.2013

Favorite New Recipe

Photo via Pinterest from A Hint of Honey.com
Earlier this week while pondering my dinner-time fate, I found this picture on Pinterest.  Clicking through to the link, I found that I had all of the ingredients for this already...a good sign, I think.  I pinned the recipe, went straight home, and pulled started prepping.  
Photo via Pinterest from The Lemon Bowl.com
While the chicken chunks were sauteing, I mixed up some tzatziki sauce from a pin from this site.  Easy, also on-hand ingredients.

This was the most delicious meal I've made in ages!  As much as I like to cook, it seems like I've fallen off the wagon when it comes to fixing real meals...hard to do for one person.  Sometimes that bag of microwaved popcorn just has to do!

7.19.2013

Summertime Learning Adventures

I love to learn new things, and there seems to be an overabundance of web-based classes to teach you anything you'd ever want to know.  This summer I've indulged in a few e-courses:

 Flora Bowley's Brave Intuitive Painting
 Dawn Sokol's Doodle Camp 2013
 Jeanne Oliver's (taught by Jen Rizzo) Santos Doll Class
Jeanne Oliver's  Creatively Made class

It's a good thing these classes can be accessed long after the course has started.  As with everything, I always think I can do/accomplish more than I actually can.  As always, I am wrong.  It has been big fun getting my supplies together for the classes, and it was especially nice to be able to do all of the shopping from my personal supply closet.  


7.12.2013

What a difference a day makes...

By the time yesterday afternoon rolled around, I found that I had tamed the wild goings on in my head and had formulated a do-able program plan for September and October.  I guess that's part of my problem...I'm always thinking and planning ahead for my job, and feel like I'm skipping over the "now."  Take a deep breath and relax!
I found this cool little package of yarn at JoAnn's yesterday...100% cotton, thin yarn--rather like single strand embroidery floss.  Just looking at those cute little skeins makes me smile!  I was actually looking for a ribbon yarn I purchased several months ago, similar to ~~ and I say this not knowing what I'm talking about ~~ sari silk ribbon...only much less expensive!  I've come up with a really cute "treasure necklace" for a class and it hangs on sari silk.  No go, JoAnne's!  Instead, I went online and purchased it from a supplier on Etsy. 
This (above) is a sewing stiletto made from a turkey lacer.  I saw it on Pinterest (of course!!) and we talked about making them in the Dear Jane quilting class.  One of our members made us each one and presented them to us at the luncheon carry-in.  Super cute and handy too!  Can't wait until the turkey lacers are in stock at the supermarket for the coming holiday season.  

I'm looking forward to Monday's class...a mixed-media embroidered and beaded cuff.  We have a full house for this class and it should be really fun!

7.10.2013

Want to's, have to's, and what I end up doing...

Once again my head is a swirl with different projects, ideas, and activities. This usually happens when I'm busy with work things...or have to complete something under a time limit.  I can always think of so many other things I'd rather be doing.  Since I'm pretty undisciplined at this stage in life, I tend to blow things off and do my own thing.  Not always a good idea.

I'm struggling with my Dear Jane quilt squares.  We had a meeting this morning and several of the women brought in their stash of completed squares.  They're truly beautiful.  I always leave those meetings inspired to go home and sew.  In the hours between the end of the meeting and actually going home, something always seems to get in the way.  By the time 6PM rolls around, I'm no longer in the mood to sew...or clean house, or do laundry, or any of a number of chores on my "to do" list.  It's surprising that I still continue to write a weekly "to do" list.  While sorting through boxes in my storage room (aka, the big bedroom), I came across a notebook with lists from 2006.  Not too much was crossed off that list, sad to say.

Want to do:
Complete my Dear Jane quilt top
Simplify my "craft"/hobby equipment **(see note below)
Get books together for a donation to the library book sale
Go through kitchen stuff...do I really need all of the gadgets and gizmos?
Retire...need I say more?  Not gonna happen any time soon...I'm so jealous of all of my retired friends.

Have to do:
Basic home maintenance and cleaning, laundry, etc.
Work stuff...planning programs and classes.  This also falls into the "what I do" category...lots of my time is spent sitting and thinking, dreaming up possible fun things to do at work.

What I do:
Sit in my chair and contemplate...read, and watch television--whether there is anything of interest on or not.  I start each day with the best of intentions...I'm usually up by 5 or 5:30 and I don't have to be at work until 9.  This is where it all starts...drinking lots of coffee, watching the news, reading, then rushing to get ready for work and out of the door on time.  Precious time wasted on a daily basis.  Color me pathetic.


So far for this summer, I can honestly say that I'm happy with my potted front porch steps garden.  I walk by these plants on a daily basis;  the location is handy for watering and weeding, and I enjoy the scent of the herbs as I walk past them.  Usually by this time of year, my plants are neglected and sun-scorched out in the back yard.  Out of sight, out of mind.  At least this is one improvement I've instituted and have stuck with.  One "atta-boy" for me.

One thing that I've wanted to do, and have completed is sending in a mixed-media jewelry project for a national magazine.  Hope I get published!  

**I have begun divesting myself of things I know I will never put together or make.  The first item I listed on eBay sold at the "buy it now" price within a few hours of listing.  Now I need to list more "stuff".  Awesome.

Catching Up

  It's been awhile...as usual, not much going on.  As I look through photos on my phone, I decided to do a little blog post. Last Monday...