While I Think of It

Pinterest is very helpful and sends me what my friends have pinned. This may or may not be a blessing. (I have one friend who collects masks and they scare me.)

Last time, my friend Maria posted uses of coffee grounds in the garden. My first thought was that would mean I actually have to go out back and pretend I'm gardening first. My second thought was, "It's going to take me a bucket load of time to empty those K cups!" Although I did remember that I make iced coffee in the summer using the regular multi-cup pot. A helpful commentator to the Pin suggested getting coffee grounds from a local coffee shop. Since the Library is right across the street from Amherst Coffee, I could do that. I do wonder, though, is it dark or light roast?

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O.k., I'm done with this cold snap. It was 7 F. this a.m. and by the time I got to work, it had warmed to 14 F. That is not enough. Just sayin'.

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Today, Wednesday, it was 43 F. in the a.m. We went from 7 to 43. Sheesh. It's welcome, but weird.

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I am so excited, I can hardly contain myself! O.k., I won't. Mom and I are going to take a river cruise in France starting in Paris!!!!! This will be mid-June. Ou est le bateau? (Where is the boat?) is the first phrase in French that Lisa has taught me. Hopefully, I'll never have to use it!


I can't even imagine what clothing to bring. Shoes, I'll need good walking shoes. Sigh. Good thing I have time to plan. :)

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This made my day. I can only take credit for the design and piecing. Jeanne Harlow did the long arm quilting.  Emma and Alex Cowan produced baby Carter Rose.

I may need some dinosaur booties for myself.

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It sure looked like a full moon tonight. Arooooo! The moon was a little hazy and there was an ear-shaped pink glow on the right side of the moon. I have never seen that before.

Zip, Zing, Zong!

I hadn't even remembered this. I went to a modern quilt group -- a year, two years ago?? -- and they had us do this exercise. We were supposed to design a quilt and see if anyone else could guess the theme. This was my Starry Night. I have no idea what the dog is doing there so don't ask.

Admittedly, I was just looking for some color. So while it was a pretty, sunny, ten degree day today, most everything is covered in snow. We didn't get a lot, but it's very white and bright.

Today I finally pinned my "Palm Springs Night" fabric landscape to foam core. I used dressmaker's pins and, boy, the tips of my fingers got painful! I finally figured out that the Roku remote was just the right size for pushing the pins in! Then it was off to Michael's looking for a frame. I was in the throes of deciding on a color and Ann says, "Look, there's an $11 frame right there!" Well, ya, but it looked like $11. I spent a bucketful more but I think (I hope) I'm going to be really happy with it.

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I am feeling very proud of myself because I have finished about 19 letters of acceptance and rejection for the Burnett Gallery Committee. I just have to print them out tomorrow and someone else from the committee will mail them. I say "about" 19 because I had to change the letter when there were two exhibitors on one month. So it was a lot of adding the artist, address, contact person, phone number and email. And a couple of times I goofed (hard to believe, isn't it?) and had to re-do the letter. Thank goodness I proofread!

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I don't know how much longer I can be this organized. I joined Planet Fitness ($10/month) which is right around the corner from me. I go before work. Now, before you applaud, know that I have only done this for one week. And if tomorrow morning is like now, it will be 6 degrees F. and dark.

Anyway, this means, I have to have a modular lunch ready that I can grab and put in a thermo bag with blue ice. I don't use the refrigerator at work because I used to be the only one cleaning it and I don't want to do that any more. I do clean the microwave because I use that. (It is ready: I made mushroom quiche for snacks and roast chicken with cauliflower mash and/or roast radishes.) And I have to have my work clothes packed along with shower stuff. And my gym clothes are ready in the bathroom. 

So I was packing my carry on bag: work pants, sweater/blouse, panties, bra, cosmetic case, shampoo,soap and washcloth baggie, towel.The brush and hair gel were already on the top side pockets with flip flops on the outside. (Notice that what's on top is what's used first.) As I was about to bring the bag to the kitchen, it dawned on me -- there were no SOCKS!! I need SOCKS! I found them (oddly enough in the sock drawer) and put them near the shoe bag. I hate winter. Boots, shoes, heavy coats, gloves ... both of my coats have hoods so the hell with a hat. Phew.

I remembered to put the trash and recycling out tonight. It would not have been a pretty sight tomorrow at 6:30 a.m. I'm thinking of loading up a bullet proof coffee tonight so I just push the button on my Keurig tomorrow. I can't go to the gym on an empty stomach but when I make breakfast, I get discombobulated and forget my coffee on the counter.

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For my own mental health, I do not spend a lot of time in reality. I watch fiction on TV and I read fiction. I try very hard to ignore politics because I don't enjoy a helpless feeling.

But today, I was having what I thought was a civilized discussion saying, "I was brought up to believe that we are a melting pot and nobody is better than anybody else and we should get along." And my companion said something to the effect that this country is embroiled in identity politics and it 'is mainly the fault of the Democrats.'

I found that to be a very hurtful statement. But I didn't say anything. What's the point? Obviously that person believes that. I don't. Oh well.

Hey! I hope you all have a great week! Let's keep counting our blessings: warm houses, enough to eat, good friends (that would be you). I'll keep praying for your good health if you pray for mine. Cheers!

Random Thoughts

Palm Springs Hummingbird courtesy of Lorne Huston

Here are some random thoughts -- when I'm supposed to be doing something else other than talking to you! (I think this was on Saturday ... )

*  It's important to notice that your MOO hand/body lotion is the exact same shape as your hair gel/conditioner. Luckily, I keep my tooth paste in the medicine cabinet.

*  Why is it when you want to feel virtuous about doing a mass housecleaning, there is still so much to do that you're only half happy?

*  Why can't we be like California and recycle everything every week? I always have to go online to see if it's the bottles/cans week or the paper week. 

*  The beauty of having opened Christmas gifts early is (1) you can use them, and, (2) when you're sitting in the living room on Christmas Day due to an excess of eating, you don't have to look at gift wrap all over the floor!

*  I'm annoyed when my Words with Friends buddies don't take their turn, but usually I'm glad because everyone beats me and it draws it out before I lose.

*  Got deviled eggs made, sausage/hamburg meatballs are in the oven, Miracle herb Noodles are in the micrwave. The fettucini shaped noodles will be covered with a jar of alfredo sauce. Oh yes, two chicken thighs with pork rind dust "breading" are heating in the oven. If Emily can't find something she likes to eat, I'm making her drive right back home! 

*  Vacuumed everywhere, washed the kitchen half of the floor, put away clean dishes, and now it's time to clean the glass collection on the glass baker's rack. Feeling satisfaction (and hunger for lunch at 2 p.m.).

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Put on some nail wraps to go with my blouse.

Christmas Eve 

Yes, the reading went well, thank you. The carols were a lot of fun. I caught Emily singing and later she said, "It wasn't as bad as I feared." I'm not sure why she would think church -- particularly our church -- is so terrible. We don't even care if you believe in God. We accept everyone just as they are.

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Sunday, Christmas Day

We had a blur of hanging around, Netflixing, until I roused myself from my 33rd nap and Emily and I decided to have Chinese food and a movie. The Chinese restaurant was SO busy!!

I really enjoyed Passengers. Yes, Mom, it is scifi, but you might like it anyway. There are some interesting twists and turns and a heavy ethical dilemma. The story begins with a huge spaceship on its way to the Homestead planet with 5,000 passengers and 200 plus crew members. Everyone is in suspended animation because the journey will take 90 years for the homesteaders to reach their new homes. They have booked passage and paid for it -- much like a cruise ship (on the ocean).

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Today, Monday, I slept late and finally got my butt to the Post Office to pick up my mail. I love that the boxes are open 24/7. If I ever get insomnia, ha ha, I could get my mail at 3 a.m.

Then it was on to the supermarket because you know I live a thrilling life. The leg o' lamb is not done yet and there's no picture because you know what it looks like. It came all the way from Australia. Good day, Mate!

I just finished making my version of crack slaw. Crack slaw is supposed to be ground beef, bacon fat, a lot of spices, some chili paste and cabbage.  I used sausage, bacon fat, spices, 0 carb buffalo wing sauce, and cabbage. I may be headed for the Heartburn Express.  We'll see ...

Tina's Crack Slaw

Did I mention the brussels sprouts that I'm roasting to go with the lamb?

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Anticipation

Well, it's finally over. Emily's endoscope went fine and everything seems o.k. They told us to be at the clinic at 6 a.m. and when we got there at 5:45 a.m., we had to sit in the car until they opened the door at 6 a.m. 

Emily was only a little loopy after the procedure, but she was alert enough to want breakfast. After a couple of errands, we both took naps.

Then it was off to the 5 p.m. showing of Sing.  It's a great (animated) movie! The characters are all animals and they are auditioning for a singing contest. The music is great and there is a lot of it. I highly recommend this movie.

Then it was on to the Longhorn Steakhouse for supper. I tried a Montana Mule.

It was delicious! This had bourbon, ginger, and freshly squeezed lime. Yummy! Of course, the prime rib was good too.

Speaking of food, do you like my cupcakes? That's actually meatloaf wrapped with bacon and topped with mashed cauliflower. It's quite good.

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This year I am happily anticipating our 9 p.m. church service on Christmas Eve. That's when we sing lots of carols and I'll be reading the story of the annunciation. My favorite part is when Mary says, 'How can that be for I am still a virgin?!' I've often wondered that myself. 

My next door neighbors and I bought Christmas presents for a mother and her 10 year old son. It seemed like such a small thing, but I just couldn't take any of the other adopt a family cards. They had six and eight people in their families! I hope somebody else found a way to help them. 

I have such mixed feelings about Christmas. Of course, it's lovely to get presents, but I don't really feel that is the focus for me. Anyway, I'll be glad when some of the consumer frenzy is over. Although I did hear a woman in the clinic waiting area this morning say that she saw Valentine's Day candy right next to the Christmas candy in the supermarket. That's really a bit much.

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I wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy Chanukah. But most of all, I wish you peace. Let's make this a season of peace and possibly joy.

You Know How They Say ...

You know how they say, "Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today,"? Whoever "they" are, they are right. Hence I found myself at 6:30 a.m. dragging my trash out to the curb. I should have put it out last night.

The icing on the cake was the four inches of new snow with more falling softly onto my jacket hood. Mercifully, we have a delayed work start and it was the Director's robo call telling me of this that woke me. Dazed and confused in my semi-awake state, I thought it was my alarm and I couldn't figure out what was going on. Got it now!

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It was supposed to be so easy: cream of mushroom soup. I googled a recipe and it was elegant in its simplicity. Saute mushrooms and onions, add chicken stock, and finish off with some cream. Well ... I didn't have any chicken stock. But since it was the day before trash day (cooking yesterday), I remembered the last of the rotissiere chicken that had a carcass and a plastic container that needed to go out. And then I remembered that I had bought celery ... so I made "official" chicken stock with the rest of the chicken and the carcass. 

I know it doesn't look like it, but it was delicious! I added the light cream in the bowl so the leftovers will be like fresh.

I guess I can figure out why, but it doesn't make sense to me that full stalks of celery are so much cheaper than celery "hearts." You pay less to get more ...

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What else did I do yesterday (besides cooking a zillion meals for the week)? I had a lovely time going to Cyndi's cello recital. There were actually four cellos (celli?) in her group, but I didn't know how others would feel about being on my blog. So you only get our star, Cyndi.

The hat was for a stylized arrangement of Jingle Bells. Everyone had a different hat. I really liked the one that was a single pointsettia with sparkles.  We need more sparkles, not just now but all of the time, don't you think?

I just love the shooting stars on the lamp post! Palm Springs knows how to do festive!

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Things that you thought would be fun when you were a kid. But they are not when you're an adult:

* Pumping gas. I remember sitting in the back seat of my Mom's car thinking, 'That looks like fun. Maybe I'll work at a gas station when I grow up.'  Nope, it's not fun. I have a lot more respect for those who do pump gas for a living.

* Using a squeegee on glass. Again, at the gas station, watching them clean the car windshield.  Well, using a squeegee on a glass shower door (to prevent streaks of minerals) just makes my ass freeze. And if anything will diminish the warm cozy cleanliness of a shower, that will!

* Rolling coins. It was kinda fun to roll coins and see how much you ended up with. It can be fun now -- if you make the time. You don't have to roll them, but if you go to one of those coin counters in the bank, it is way fun to dump a bunch in and let it count the coins for you! However, actually rolling coins is no fun. 

* Snow. Well, o.k., it can be fun if you ski or snow board. But I'm a long way from that. I did notice this morning (taking the trash out, remember?) that it's perfect for snow balls. But not wishing to incur litigation, I did not wake up my next door neighbor and throw a snow ball at him.

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The snow plow came! Woot, woot!

This guy actually spreads salt!!! Yay!!! And they shoveled the walks! I think I'm in love with my snow plow guy. (He's also my lawn mowing guy.) He's young. 

So now that I know somebody will take care of the snow, I'm fine with it. We need it -- don't want another drought next summer. Last summer was not fun.

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By the way, I learned at church yesterday that the pink candle that was lit on the Advent wreath is for JOY. (Peace and Hope have already been lit.)  I hope you all can find time to have some joy in your hearts, even if it's only for a little bit. Don't mourn losses but remember the joy for having had the love. Cheers.

Aids Quilt

Yesterday, we were privileged to see part of the Aids Quilt on display in Palm Springs. There was a picture of the whole quilt which covered the whole Washington, DC Mall. Some of the organizers requested the quilt sections for friends. A nice gentleman explained some of the quilt sections to us, showing us his partner's block saying, "I didn't expect to be a widower at age 22."

There were many more sections to the exhibit. Personally, I found it to be overwhelming knowing that not only had people lovingly made these blocks, but that each block represented a family member who was sorely missed. 

Some of the people had passed away in the 80's and at that time some ruthless people were saying this horrible disease was a punishment for the gay lifestyle. I noticed that women and children (possibly victims of tainted blood transfusions) were also represented. 

A Couple of Days of Celebration

Last night, we went to the Palm Springs Christmas tree lighting. They were very generous with whipped cream for your hot chocolate and the free cookies and brownies were sumptuous!

Tree Before Lighting

Waiting for Darkness and Tree Lighting

We Had Fun Waiting for the Festivities

Santa's Ride

Santa Was Very Jolly

And the Tree Was Lit

The shooting star on the left is on all of the downtown light posts. I like them a lot!

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A couple of days ago, we went to the Agua Caliente casino. We had to fuel up for gambling.

Fisherman's Salad

Can you believe it? Below is proof that I won at the penny slots! I have never won more than $40 before. I did lose $30 before I got these two tickets. Cashing out was sweet!

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