the week ahead

thank goodness for houseplants

Welcome to this week's Happy Homemaker day! Well it's Monday... and last week was the longest month of my life.We survived the blizzard of '19. It was very scary and left lots of snow and more ice.

no it's not melted, it won't melt. My husband laughed yesterday saying he's going to write a book titled:, "The snow melts in a day, and other lies told about Colorado"

 snow on the "covered porch" came to about 7" Milo is on the pre cleared path outside the porch

The Weather in Aurora CO
I felt like, I had broken up with snow but it's been stalking me. When I asked  neighbors might this be the last snow of this year and might we see Spring, they all laughed. (that's not a good sign) and said, well it could snow through Mother's day.
oh.

Ick

And it's not the snow so much as it's the ice. We've missed so many events because I couldn't get down the front stairs for ice. The snow around here is "drunk uncle" careening around crazily and then causing a mess wherever it's been.
Today, sun and no new snow, so that's a relief. I heard a bird too! Yea!

This morning
I woke with a start! from a nightmare. A daymare actually at 7 AM. Isn't it interesting how a nightmare can follow you after you wake? I feel frightened still, after half a cup of coffee, and typing this. Another cold day, I'm wearing fleece leggings, cuddle duds turtle neck undershirt with sweater.

People Chow
For once I wanted to share something edible. I do not want to spend lots of time cooking these days and have a lot to sew and read, so I discovered this easy way to prepare a quesadilla.

whole wheat flour tortillas on a parchment for oven, shake on a mix of grated cheese, some diced fresh tomatoes, some delish salsa (my new fave is Hatch Valley 505 Sweet N Spicy) which is flavorful not harsh.
under a broiler... people don't use the broiler as much as when I was growing up

til the tortilla cups up and the cheese melts. About 3 min

can you smell it from there? The shell is so crispy not hard, be careful folding or like us rolling it up

DH had this for breakfast after fighting the headwind to walk the dog, who works by the post office motto "neither snow, nor rain, nor dread of night will keep me from my walks"

To Do
So happy I got all my fabric sorted into orderly bins.

Next to do is to sort the purchases I've made and squirreled away the past year of upheaval, then sort the kits into one box, the WIPS (works in progress) or PIGS (projects in grocery sacks), then the finished quilts and I'm back in business. It became a business as I used to do lectures and run workshops on my techniques, was quite busy actually back East. I haven't wanted to put myself out there here, as I still feel unsure of roads and the weather flat out sucks to me this year. Maybe when the tide turns I'll be able to schedule something and know I can leave the house safely.
I actually did a number of things when trapped inside last week. I still need to do laundry and all the regular stuff everyone has to do.

studio's one and two

I am really happy with how Studio 2 is working, it's a payoff for the heavy lifting of supplies, and all the decisions about where to put things. The two studios together don't add up to the space I had in MD, but I'm finding the spaces to work for me!
 I can now go to a bin, knowing that's where the reds are for instance.
And use them.

I need to find a shelf with hooks to put in studio 1, as I opened a box with special ornaments for the studio and have no place to hang them in this house. With little room for furniture, I'm going up the wall, except the shelves I've seen with hooks are too long for the space. My neighbor does woodwork, so I asked if we could hire him to design one for me. Being also from MD, he said it's too cold to work til the snows stop but then he'll help.

Aren't a quilter? Then try to relate it to finally conquering a messy office into order, or a closet that is overstuffed with clothing. It's where I work, where I create, and it gives me joy, thank you Marie Kondo.

Reading
books, not kindles. I find I do not like using the ipad or kindle to read. I like books, and have a lot to read, but not a lot of focus. I also love magazines, so I read them which takes little focus. I do want to start the creativity book soon, as I have an art quilt group meeting this week.

Special outings this week
I have my once a month meeting with the art quilters this week. I look forward to seeing this group of 10 people, my only real group here so far. It provides a set of friends I need, and a place where everyone understands the need to create.
There is a new coffee meeting starting in our 'hood too... we live on a golf course, and there is a restaurant here, very conveniently in walking distance. They are hosting a meet and greet. When do you think it is?
Yep
On the same morning as my once a month meeting. I'm going to do both, as I really need to meet some people here.

Watching
Now remember, this is MY list.
 I know I'm not the norm in this group, but this is what -I"M- watching and there is no shame in watching pop TV in the evenings. Some people said they don't watch reality tv. I bet they watch PBS, or the news, or talk shows, or America's got talent.
I happen to enjoy other shows, and we call them game shows, like Survivor, American Idol, Project Runway, Master Chef Junior.
I already know from comments, you don't watch that kind of show, but I do and enjoy them. If you can't relate, then it's okay to blow past this part! There are lots of us who do watch, and we can chat about the shows happily! Let me know if you DO watch these.

American Idol is going to be so good this year, I'd already buy cd's from some of these special singers. Master Chef Junior is ALWAYS fun. The contestants are little kids, amazingly talented little chefs. I LOVE the way Gordon Ramsey treats them with respect and kindness, always encouraging without being patronizing. He is gentle but honest and they know they are being treated like adults and thrive in this.
Project Runway returned to BRAVO with a fresh look and judges. It's going to be fun to watch the challenges done by talented designers of clothing. I already enjoyed the first episode, but didn't agree with the judges at all.Let the games begin. I often disagree with quilt show judges too.

We are also watching together, Time Team a BBC show about archeology in Britain. So good but they only spend 3 days in an area, and I'd rather they do a more in depth dig.

The Quilt Show online also gave three days of free shows (choose from 10) and I'm trying to see a couple of those before they go away. It's so good but I found when I purchased a subscription I never watched enough to make up for the money, so  now get the limited free offerings.

tips
It's just so messy outside, and poodles bring in lots of snow and ice, so we set up a drying station by the front door, moved the rack there to hold four wet poodle boots and his coat, and our wet clothing too

Creating
I finished a tiny snow scene this week, and my ongoing blocks for a challenge. I am excited to sew in my new space. I wake up and can't wait to get to work again. That's a good feeling.

linking to
off the wall Fridays
Esther's blog Wednesdays 
Midweek makers wednesdays
https://stitchallthethings.com/ to do Tuesday 
happy-homemaker-monday-