Monday, August 19, 2019

the week ahead August



Welcome to this week's Happy Homemaker post. The week ahead in late summer in Colorado.

sunset light with barely noticeable mountains receiving rain in the distance
Weather in Aurora Colorado 
It's been hot, in the high 90's sunny and harsh making me think I need to buy a parasol! But...
Saturday night, it cooled off in the evening and Sunday morning we woke to 56F, very pleasant!
By afternoon it was oppressively hot again at the craft show, and all into the evening hot hot hot. 
The wind blows all day and night here. There are mosquitoes and yellow jackets and black flies swarming.  We are looking forward to a break in the heat and gentler temps. 

Right now
Before the day really gets demanding, it's so pleasant to drink strong coffee with milk, to see my pup running around on morning bunny patrol, to see sun burning off the morning fog and my flowers hanging in there through the heat of summer. We're still wearing shorts and short sleeved shirts, I am trying to wear my nicer clothes even though I hope to stay home today.  I'll likely have a breakfast of cinnamon toast and peanut butter. Last week I tried having yogurt each morning, for the benefits of active cultures and put it on my steel cut oatmeal, but oatmeal makes me gain weight.I've been having vivid dreams... is that cyclical for anyone else? They leave me feeling something after I wake.

nice listening music while you read... a little prayer...
To Do
Every week I vow to find a place to put things, so I can clear off horizontal surfaces and see table tops. 
Some things have no home to go to. 
Our allergies are flaring up, all three of us, so we'll just do what we can comfortably this week
There are the usual daily chores, cleaning, laundry, dishes, meals which we all do. 
I want to draw or paint each morning, learning as I go
Hopefully my back will allow me to return to sewing, I have so much I want to make
I'd like to start a new pair of hand knitted socks this week
I'd like to try painting on fabric, using some inks this week
I am excited that this week is my monthly art quilt group meeting, so I have to gather what I've made to show my new friends, and look forward to seeing what they've been making too!

I had to admit  the neighborhood coffee group is not for me. That was hard, I had high hopes to make friends, but there are some mighty offensive people in the group that are impossible to ignore making the whole experience more of an endurance test than a pleasure. Sad. I've tried many times to steer the conversations to things we have in common, fun things we've done or could do, and it always ends up with someone ranting. Do people understand parties anymore? I've been openly attacked by two people now, and they sit at opposite ends of the table not liking each other either, so where would I sit to avoid them both? 

So you'll find me at home more, trying to live a creative life, keeping in touch with friends across the globe by phone and email, reading, writing, sewing, painting, setting up playdates with Milo's friends,
Milo and Moose
and enjoying the growing friendship of a couple women here who are fun to talk to while our dogs play. I will be on the porch some, enjoying the flowers that made it through the heat. I need to sort through my lovely photos of the recent trip to the Botanic Gardens, where we saw the most magnificent water lilies. So many pretty pictures I should print and frame some.
To-Do... remember the Golden Rule... do unto others as you'd have them do unto you. Promote kindness. Give lots of honest compliments to people I encounter, just to sweeten life's moments because that can change the current of life. Small things like a kindness may have far reaching affects. Who knows? But I can do that.

I was tired of people not being polite at the Gardens last weekend, then one man accidentally reached over me at lunch, and said, "Sorry Sweetie, excuse me!" and that little kindness made a huge difference in my feelings and patience. He won't know that, but I do.

Reading
I've been reading the journals of Frances Burney which I heard about on Writer's Almanac. Fascinating account of a woman in 1700's England, who was companion to Queen Charlotte during the reign of King George. The library just informed me it's now due...
Reading the next Tea Shop series at night, listening to The ClockMaker's Daughter on cd while in the studio, which is also due... oy!

Watching
We found season 6 of the Great British Baking show on netflix! Yea! It's so wonderful, I love the bakers and what they are making! We started watching an Irish show called JOY on ACORN and it's very entertaining, quirky and humorous. Master Chef, Bachelor in Paradise, Big Brother, and Say yes to the dress are also fun to watch right now.
We get Gilmore Girls in reruns each day on UPTV so I watch that while having lunch... never tire of it.

Making
finished the hexie ring and need to just finish the table runner now.

 Working on paper piecing some blocks to enhance a painted fabric scene of mesa's. Painting a lot.

My life is mostly spent in creative efforts. I do a painting post on Fridays with my week's worth of experiments, Post here, and on Thursdays I do a list of the things I liked that week. Please join me on those days, as other people are also keeping a list of things they enjoyed that week.




Eating
Saturday evening, we sliced up a white eggplant, a purple eggplant, a bell pepper, and a zucchini  from our garden, added garlic, onion, ground chicken, and Trader Joe's Red Thai Curry sauce. After that cooked and then simmered a bit, we added in a box of frozen brown rice.
It was so good. I think the pesticide free vegetables, used fresh from being picked, helped.

Last week we did a similar casserole but with a home made alfredo sauce and it was so good I wanted to have it every night. I have a lot of allergies, including corn (and corn starch) in all commercial alfredo sauces. It's basically cream, cheese, garlic and parsley. I had no idea it would taste so much better til DH found the recipe and made it.

We bought a sugar canteloupe, palisade peaches, and a small watermelon at Trader Joe's this weekend too, and look forward to fresh fruit this week. Our TJ's is not close, so we stock up when we go over, and it feels so good to have a full freezer and pantry, with items I can eat !

Deep Thoughts
I read this in the Writer's Almanac yesterday. I get their post marking each day with the events that came before, check it out here.
Every step toward human rights in our country has been met with mulish opposition, but so far it seems, respect and decency has overcome. I hope we can continue that.

snip
On this date in 1920, the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified, giving women the right to vote. The first national constitutional amendment had been proposed in Congress in 1878, and in every Congress session after that. Finally, in 1919, it narrowly passed both houses of Congress and was sent to the states to be ratified. Most Southern states opposed the amendment, and on August 18, 1920, it all came down to Tennessee. The pro-amendment faction wore yellow roses in their lapels, and the "anti" faction wore red American Beauty roses. It was a close battle and the state legislature was tied 48 to 48. The decision came down to one vote: that of 24-year-old Harry Burn, the youngest state legislator. He had been expected to vote against it, but he had in his pocket a note from his mother, which read: "Dear Son: Hurrah, and vote for suffrage! Don't keep them in doubt. I noticed some of the speeches against. They were bitter. I have been watching to see how you stood, but have not noticed anything yet. Don't forget to be a good boy and help Mrs. Catt put the 'rat' in ratification. Your Mother." He voted in favor of the amendment.

Remember we are on earth to love one another, love starts with respect.

Thanks for reading, now... onto real life already in progress...
linking to:
cheesy photos at ched curtain
https://comedy-plus.com/ Awe Mondays
happy homemaker monday

19 comments:

Sara said...

I've never seen a white eggplant before. How interesting. I'm grateful to have no allergies other than penicillin. But my husband is such a picky eater that I rarely cook anything with a "sauce". I did make chicken marsala about a month ago and he at least tasted it - major step for him. LOL Have a good week.

Sandee said...

Awww on Milo and Moose. You know how I love Milo.

I'm sorry about the toxic coffee group. Some folks are just a mess. Bless their hearts.

Thank you for joining the Awww Mondays Blog Hop.

Have a fabulous Awww Monday and week. Scritches to Milo. ♥

Luludou said...

I always love reading your posts. They are always so full of good thoughts and interesting things to see and here (listened to the music while reading the post and discovered a lovely singer). I also like to see all your artistic endeavors... I always want to do some art but always run out of time :(
Have a great week

Laura said...

It saddens me when I read your posts that often have an undercurrent of sadness. However, your strength of will to persevere and to find many things to bring joy to your life is an inspiration. I am sorry that your transition to your new home has been fraught with so many difficulties. I am glad that you take solace in all things and creatures that are beautiful and that you strive to make this world a more beautiful place with your deeds and actions. This you tube with James Taylor and Yo-yo Ma brought a few tears to my eyes. Thought by the kinds of things that you post, that you would enjoy it too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoURkWYiQKc

Tails Around the Ranch said...

I absolutely love the Great British Baking Show and will look for it on Netflix. Usually I watch it on PBS but haven't seen any episodes recently. Glad you were able to visit the gardens with the water lilies in full bloom. They are truly picturesque. Have a super week.

LA Paylor said...

thank you for that... I love both of them, and the attitude of YoYo Ma. You are right on all counts, email me sometime Laura, I'd love to know you more. LeeAnna

MissPat said...

Sorry the coffee group didn't work out. Toxic people seem to be getting more numerous and bolder in attacking those with whom they do not agree. For your sanity it is best to avoid them, but keep searching, there is a group out there for you.
I was reading a story in the Washington Post (I think) about a National Wildlife Reserve near Denver being closed to the public because of plague-infected prairie dogs. Then I looked up Aurora on the map and saw that you are very close to this reserve. Yikes, you don't need one more thing to worry about. Since you take Milo out in public so much (a good thing), make sure you're keeping his flea treatments up to date (and I'm sure you are). Love your little sunflower painting.
Pat

piecefulwendy said...

One of the reasons I like the Great British Baking Show is because they are so kind, even when they critique. They encourage first, then give the critique. A good example. I'm sorry about the coffee group; it's worth trying to invest in something like that, but there is a point when you realize that they aren't going to change, so it isn't a good investment of your time. Good on you for giving it a try, though. I do hope you find friends who encourage and build up. Our world needs more of that.

Lisa said...

I keep forgetting that Safari on my mac laptop doesn't like blogger so I cannot comment using that browser. I've switched to Chrome and it seems to play nicer. I'm catching up reading your posts and boy, have you been busy! I've been busy, but not nearly as creatively as you. :-) School has started so my grand girl responsibilities are minimal now for a while. The temps today and tomorrow are hovering around 100 so the humidity will jack it up into the triple digits until Wednesday or Thursday. Our garden is done for....was a disaster this year. The tomatoes are still hanging on but I've yet to get one red bell pepper. I love your sunflower painting. I found a field of them close to our house and would love to go snap a few shots. I meant to ask, how do you like The Clockmaker's Daughter? I'm thinking about downloading the book for a winter read. Hope you and yours are doing well. xoxo
https://peripheralperceptions.wordpress.com

Feline Opines, the World from a Feline Point of View said...

I agree, we could learn so much from each other if we focused on the things we have in common and not rant and rave and insist that everyone believe as we do. Sorry about your neighborhood group but you are wise to remove yourself, it's their loss.

Julierose said...

Sorry to hear about that coffee klatch group being so difficult. I feel the same way--life is too short to have to deal with things like that. I have found similar problems here...what can you say..
I enjoyed your post so much..trying to be positive in an increasingly negative world isn't the easiest thing...But, I would also choose to be alone rather than to have to deal with situations like that one..
Hang in there kiddo...hugs, Julierose

Rebecca Knox said...

I enjoyed reading this week's HHM post. It's been a while since I've watched the Great British Baking Show. It's always a lot of fun and I need to catch up on it. Love your sunflower and quilt blocks! Beautiful! Blessings for a great week ahead! <3

Molly the Airedale said...

I love reading your posts. You always have so much interesting going on. Love the photo of the glistening river!

Jean said...

Sorry your coffee group didn't work out but you tried it, it wasn't for you, and you figured that out. Sometimes it's just as important to know what doesn't work for us as it is to know what does. Glad you are finding some dog pawrents friends :) I can't imagine picking up and moving to a completely new area so I'm amazed at your efforts to find new connections. Beautiful sunset photo and that painting of your sunflower, I love it! Hope you have an amazing week!

Angie said...

LA - sorry your coffee group did not work out, but kudos to you for giving it a good try. At the end of the day, life is too short to spend it with people we do not enjoy! I read this quote this week that I think you would like - "Kindness is in our power, even when fondness is not." Mark Twain. Love your drawing of the sunflower with the blue shading. Enjoy the rest of your week!

Jodi said...

Love the sunset pic! That's a bummer about the coffee group! While I would love to have a fun group to go to, to meet new friends.. I am more content to just sit at home with my pup.

Big Brother.. I just am not really digging this season... no favorites. Bachelor in Paradise... I feel bad for Derek. And Hannah was driving me nuts with her constant going back to Blake! I am glad she didn't break Dylan's heart.

Have a great week!

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

Like your cute critters and a white eggplant is a new one for me.

Mary in Peoria Handmade said...

That first photo is so serene and lovely. But, no thanks on wind , mosquitoes and flies! I had a PBand J sandwich for breakfast with non dairy, non soy yogurt. White eggplant? that's a new one for me. That casserole sounds good and easy. I made rice and froze some in a quart bag in the freezer- it only takes a minute and a half in micro. So convenient. I'm glad you left the coffee group-so much negativity. I hope you aren't near the prairie dog problem I've seen on the news! Hang in there girl. We love you. mary

Su-sieee! Mac said...

Your story about the ranters in your coffee klatch reminded me of dilemmas that Jane Austen might write. That's too bad the group wasn't what you hoped.
I love your pink house sketch. It's smiling at me.
I'm glad Harry listened to his mom. :-) Hugs to you, LeeAnna.