the week ahead

My love of cows continues

The weather here in Aurora Colorado
changeable
Unpredictable (apparently)
Forecasters can't ever agree, and are mostly wrong. The thing is we've had 70F days, then the next day 0 degrees and foot of snow. We've had 9 snows in the last two months and more to come today, this time a lot of it, of course starting with a layer of ice then almost a foot before this storm passes.
We have seasons.... but they last a couple days here, two warm days, then frigid, then hot, then cold. It is too difficult to plan anything as the weather interrupts it.
I realized I've had too much chaos growing up, so I do not like unpredictability now. Extremes I mean... like 70F to 0 in a day.

watching
we finished one year of Great British baking show, and moved to another. A lot of my series had finales for the season, sad. Hallmark seems to skip right over the wonderful idea of Thanksgiving and is becoming all Christmas all the time. Oy. We are back to Time Team, Pottery throw down, and hope they continue to put Agatha Raisin episodes up. We saw one new one. I love survivor this time and have hopes for Elaine to win. I am enjoying the Voice since I will no longer support dancing with the stars, and am amazed at the talent out there.

reading
I am now firmly in the Jodi Thomas camp, and reading more of her novels. Lyrical, character driven, kind, she makes me want to write better.
I listened to many Jude Devereaux books on disc while sewing but have moved on to a new to me series of mysteries set in Wagville VA, which is fun to hear on disc.
The next book in line for nightime reading as Mornings on Main is finishing up, is the latest Rhys Bowen mystery.

making
I've shared some great tutorials lately on my paint party Friday posts, and the Sewing Saturday round up posts. I want to try the tree shaped napkins, the hexie ornaments, and make some hexie mug rugs for gifts. I need to layer and baste, then quilt this year's Christmas quilt. It's flannel and so cozy.
I need to find my sock needles, and make dh some sleeping socks as his are wearing thin. 

seeing
we explored another part of Colorado last Saturday. We drove up and met a fellow "I Like Thursday" blogger and her wonderful husband for lunch. Luckily it was hot in the sun, so we sat on the patio of a good restaurant, looking at piles of snow but warm enough in shirtsleeves. We decided it was so much nicer than our part of Colorado, and people were nicer, the views were nicer.... but we need to be near work. It was good to get a new perspective, and really good to be with smart, kind people who have fun stories to tell, and care about others.

planning
I write.
I write fiction and I write about life, and will be starting a new series on people I meet that leave fingerprints on my heart. If you too enjoy meeting others, and write about it, I'll include a link to your posts too. I'll be doing this on Tuesdays. Remember it's not a person's fame that counts, it's the connection between spirits that count, and I'd love to read about your experiences.

To Do
clear off some horizontal surfaces... find a home for some things, recycle some, wash counters
start a pattern for the tree napkins
cut out Christmas hexies to try the ornaments
baste the lap quilt
my laundry, Milo's bed, rugs
mop the wood floor
wash the glass window on slider
start clearing out fall decorations and dust mantel
turn on the tree
tidy up library books
make cranberry sauce
finish brushing Milo, trim his nails? pluck his ears?
convert DH's discarded long underwear top into a coat for Milo(poor little house elf)
take in chair cushions, ceramic pumpkin, and rug from storm
 paint my nails(while it's warmer) to save them from harsh weather

eating
we may do take out the night before for Thanksgiving... sad but it's just us. The storm may preclude even that so we have a turkey ham to make. I need to make our traditional yams (baked til caramalized, then mashed with butter and maple syrup, cinnamon and salt) , and our traditional zucchini casserole (made with mayo mixed with parm. cheese and other stuff)  to go with. 

Inspirational
people who do the right thing, respect others, and do their best to encourage others to grow.
thank you

stay warm and cozy

Linking to

happy homemaker monday

The Week ahead a day early

yesterday in the park, I think it is Fall

I hope this cold and snow is front loaded and the winter will be better than fall... It's snowing again for the third time in October, and this time for 4 days accumulating to 8" if the forecast hasn't  changed. And going down to 1F. One.

Washington Park late October

Yesterday we went to the really big park in Denver because we and all the other people there, knew it would be the last really warm day for a while. Dogs everywhere, getting along with each other, people playing volleyball, walking, running, biking, picnicking, playing croquet, doing yoga.

rolling in the leaves because I can!

We met someone with a wild doodle who ran with Milo in circles til we were all dizzy! Her daughter was wilder than the dog, I said they matched, and she said (relieved to say out loud)  "I'm exhausted from her!" She also reported Marley destroyed $800 worth of stuff while they went for a mini vacay to Vail... busy puppy!

Marley  the doodle

we walked miles around the park, then sat on a bench with our lap-poodle and watched other people go by in surrey's and running, etc.

Wished we lived there with  people who smiled at us and had signs in yards that they were accepting of all nationalities. The tiny bungalow homes sell for $800,000 and the regular sized homes for several million but we dreamed of living there and walking the tree lined streets daily, and feeling less isolated.


Today it's snowing... til Thursday when the temps fall to 1F. The grocery stores were shopped out. Drew said people were in a panic over lack of jalepeno's ! We wanted broccoli.(it was gone too)


Good thing I like to quilt and paint inside. Worry about Drew trying to drive in to work, and happy we moved close to work now.


It's a soft not blowing snow at the minute, drifting down steady and white. Tall Fir trees are already iced, the brown grass accumulating white patches already. Milo is wearing his sweater all the time now, I think the mums are done for as 4 days in the garage is a lot. I'm considering making soup. I opened our halloween candy, different that previous years... this one is full of chewable sweet tarts and lemon heads which smell wonderful from the bowl, but maybe no kids will be out in the extreme cold.


The plumber returned from Florida to fix our kitchen faucet, two leaking outside pipes, two broken (from the washer debacle) toilets, yesterday. He said, just keep your heat on! He fixed frozen pipes for a couple from CA who didn't. We finally have a new, again, washer but I'm afraid to use it but must today... there's a story about that too. The delivery guy, young and inexperienced almost fell down the stairs with the washer.
 

I think hiding in the house might be a fine idea.

Oh, I got out last week as the last snow storm was finishing up on Thursday, to go to a library comedian event, met a friend from a town way south of there (met in the middle) and after visited Trader Joe's like a normal person. I'm so afraid to drive here I seldom venture out. I remembered all the places I've lived and never felt nervous driving in... but the roads here are not good, and people are VERY aggressive, and the GPS never seems to know where we are, so I stay home a lot.


Hope the wet rainy start to this storm didn't leave a layer of ice under the pretty snow... guess it's about time to walk Milo.

It's nice to not hear the drip drip of the kitchen faucet, but the new one is tall and shiny, cleaner than it'll ever be again. The coffee cooled in our cups quickly this morning and I feel a bit like we're camping out.
I have many library books here at the moment, my diamond dot's Halloween project to start, the halloween quilt ready to quilt, paper to paint on, some old project boxes to sort in the studio, laundry to do, shows on the dvr to watch.

 I found a series on Smithsonian channel last night, on the real lives of monarchs, so I could see how Louis the 14th really lived in Versailles. I also found a hilarious and historical show on youtube (BBC) with two comedians (the show is The Supersizers eat...) who show us what people ate in ancient Rome, Mideval times, etc

My book on cd in the studio is engaging and I care about the characters. My night time reading is the next in the tea shop series by Laura Childs, and I have another one waiting in the wings to read.

 We have left overs from yesterday's take out, and lots of good food from Trader Joes like apple cider donuts, and turkey meatloaf, and sour cream spinach dip to go with crackers. I plan to roast the sweet potatoes today, purchased last weekend,. as it's a good day to run the oven.


that's the way it is... as I leave you to it, remember be strong

... have some fun

and have a good heart toward others

see my halo?

How is it in your area today?

Linking to:
happy homemaker monday
all seasons
sundays in the city

the week ahead... here comes October!

flamingo and poodle in repose

The weather in Aurora CO this week
I'd love it to be 65 for a few weeks, but it's more like hot, then cool, then hot, then frost. It's on a cooling trend although there are many 85F days still. The evenings are much cooler and there's a chance of frost in a week or two.The wind has been so strong, and persistent for days that it blows things off the porch, the report was 35 mph sustained winds. Feels like 50.

shattered in the winds on Sunday, wah!

We are noticing the trees starting to color up and may be on a mountain expedition today to see something new along with color changes. I'm writing this on Sunday so who knows what we did.

To do this week
The washer has been broken, and the repair person is scheduled for Thursday so here's hoping it's not too much money and we won't need a new one.
I got a shirt at the Manitou springs show, that ruined other clothes by bleeding it's dye. I had pre washed it twice already. Called the maker who first said she'd send me a new one, that she also saw that dye running. Then she changed her mind and said to send it back at my expense, and she'd send something to replace it but not pay for shipping. Oy vey. Got to call her and discuss this again.
sort through the studio projects and take notes on finishing some of them.
After the washer is fixed, and I hope it can be, I need to look through recent purchases and wash the fabrics so I can use them. I want to start a Halloween quilt this week.
I need to finish cleaning my cherry pits to make a cold bag but I can't remember how to clean them.

find a long arm quilter to pay to quilt my lattice quilt as it's just too large for my little home machine
look through my library books before they're due

Reading
finished Jodi Thomas nightime reading Little teashop on Main and loved the characters.  Set in Modern day, a slice of life story. Listening to Secrets by Kate Morton on disc in the studio, very good mystery that goes back and forth between characters and their time lines. My library books on beading and quilting are just terrific this time. What artists see is a real lesson in observation. What beaders look for in inspiration is not only eye candy but an insight into other artist's work.


watching
My fave dramas are back, This is Us, New Amsterdam, Real housewives of Dallas... and survivor. I LOVE that show, and it's gonna be really good this season. I find myself drawn to one woman especially... she seems deserving, funny, capable and kind. She'll be a target as the others know a likeable person could win over them. Not watching Dancing with the stars.
We finished the first GBPottery throw down and it was great... we have two more seasons to go.
GB Baking show... we are at the finale of last season and I just love the contestants. Wish they could all win somehow. When we're done we can watch the current season so that is great.
Doc Martin is being streamed on Acorn one a week now too.
I'm watching youtube tutorials on painting and drawing.

This video of baby animals lowered my blood pressure by half. And made me go Aweeee, then laugh!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8R0rBwpHm6I

what do you mean frost warning, it's 85!

making
I am back to hand sewing on my hexie star blocks, and in the studio,

and painting

my hand made cards

eating
we don't spend a lot of time on food around here. What's quick and semi-nutritious is important. Each night we have a protein source (fish or chicken) a fresh vege and a starch. My vegetables are looking scratched up, don't know why. The tomato plant is finally making some tomatoes and I planted four elephant ear bulbs. One is going well but isn't tall. Another put out one leaf but is alive, the other looks like it could have a new leaf 3 months after planting, one just dried up. All getting the same soil and care.

A neighbor said it may be time to cut it all down anyway. What? seems like it is just going finally.

love fall flower colors!

go look at the facts

Remember, we need clean air and water, and bees to pollinate and we are responsible to take care of our earthly home. It is no longer possible to ignore our impact in a chase for more profit for the few.
Is it?
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” -Genesis 2:15 
Linking to
https://comedy-plus.wordless wednesday
https://comedy-plus.com/ Awe Mondays
happy homemaker monday

the week ahead September 2019

zucchini blossoms that don't turn into vegetables

It's Monday, and we're looking at another busy week. Aren't they all?
For some reason it feels like a fresh start each Monday morning, not just another day.

the one tomato without a black spot the whole season, and some dried beans from a new pod!

This morning...
I'm still having my first cup of strong coffee with milk, and waking up from a lot of dreams. Ever notice some times you have lots of dreams that leak into the day? Sometimes not?
Milo greeted me with a tail wag and hug, DH handed me a cup of coffee and said good morning. He took Milo for his first walk of the day leaving me to slowly wake up. That's a good start, right?

see the big green grasshopper on the porch ceiling?

The weather in Aurora this week
The forecast fools you into expecting cool temps, because they say it's "cooler" but the temps are in the mid to high 80's all week still. In the thin atmosphere and high altitude with sun here it feels plenty hot! At least that gives the vegetables another week of growing!
It hasn't rained as much this month as all of Spring and Summer here, and there are wildfires going on. That could mean smoke throughout the area soon, and hard to breathe.

cajun spiced okra, dressing, cherries with no corn syrup

Eating
we got these specialty items at the garden center, and the okra pickles got a thumbs up from the clerk. We know the cherries are really good from experience.
We went to Trader Joes yesterday and stocked up (it's far away), also getting pumpkin bagels!
I got a big green cabbage at the garden center's vege stand, so I hope to make some old fashioned cabbage soup... shredded cabbage, onions, celery, tomatoes, garlic and chicken broth.

we shared a bottle of Riesling over two nights this weekend. How pleasant to have a glass while sitting on the porch in the evening. We bought another bottle, this time a red mix at the local farmer's market, so that should be much healthier for next weekend. 

watching
We are both enjoying the great british pottery throw down (on youtube) and it's nearing the finale. We are also watching the G.B.baking show (last season) on netflix and each time someone goes home we feel we've lost a friend! Such a good season.
Tonight is the final Bachelor in Paradise, and it's been lots of fun. Big Brother has been odd this time to me but it's approaching the finale too.
I am sad that Dancing with the stars is starting... I LOVE that show but this time there is a contestant I won't watch, so no live show for me, it will have to be DVR til he's booted off. I've never felt that way before, and I wish I could tell the producers they are losing a loyal viewer.

The good shows are coming back soon, here's a link to descriptions of when, and the new shows:
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/tv-pilots-2019-complete-guide-1172633

I had no idea the work that goes into getting a show on tv... some of these that didn't make it sounded good to me... but so do some of the ones on the schedule.

As to returning shows... here's the premier date
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/tv-premiere-dates-2019-guide-1151974/item/tv-premiere-dates-2019-september-1152490


Reading
Jodi Thomas (the little teashop on main)  which has captured my interest and heart. I now want a long series on these characters but this is one of her one-off novels. Apparently she's been busy writing.
I am finishing up the Kate Morton boon on CD in the studio... last disc and as usual it's engrossing and fascinating. I love to be read to! (the Garden)
Library books have been wonderful this time:

Adventures
we went to a wonderful bead festival on Friday afternoon in Denver.

 I was almost overwhelmed, but did manage to choose a few new beads to come home with me. I have a great love of beading, so just seeing all the possibilities was great. Plus I met some awesome people! One vendor was from Maryland too, so we talked about the adjustments. She talked of the same things that are hard for me, so I know I'm not alone in this. One artist making huge glass lampwork beads was VERY chatty and we laughed and had a grand talk. Even my engineering husband was laughing and joining in. I'll talk more about her later, but the thing that struck me was, I almost walked right by her booth. You can't judge people quickly or you miss the opportunity for a real connection.

We spent more time at home, and on errands this weekend than we have for a month. Our goal is to explore the area, and we will but this was a calm weekend for us. We still did errands meaning we had long drives where we talked, and I sewed.

Making
One of the people in my art quilt group has found an exhibit opportunity for us as a group, so I had to scramble to find images of some of my work for the proposal, as an example of our skills.
Interesting exercise.actually, choose three works to describe you... if we are accepted I have to choose actual artwork to hang, which will be much harder.
For those who don't enter shows, it's risky to leave your art where it could be damaged or stolen on display in a public place. I've done it of course, it's a way to share your work, but at least this will be local so no shipping risks of loss, and it will be fun to be part of a group experience again.

I've been painting or drawing each day, to build up my skills and for self expression. I've been sewing again, so both design walls are full. I hope to start beading again, this time bead embroidery. Writing has taken a back seat for the summer. I hope to locate my sock knitting stuff this week, and use some of my sock weight yarn this fall.

Purchase of the week
not only beads, but I needed some face cleanser from Lancome, and since Nordstrom has a special (freebie) , that's where we went. One had to spend 39$ so I got the cleanser and a mascara (it's the only one not irritating to my eyes) and found out at the register that Nordstrom was price matching Macy's 15% off! Yea! two bonus's.

To Do
last but not least...
There are the usual daily, weekly maintenance things, the usual books and tv shows, but my big hopes are to finally organize my finished quilts onto the shelves DH put together for me this weekend.
This goes way beyond hobby for me, and I have MANY finished quilts that are in spreadsheets, and in groupings but in the move they were stored in the second bedroom and need to be more accessible.
 we had the broken drain cleaned out last week by a plumber, who found the tree toot had grown into the buried pipe, causing the whole thing to burst over the winter. Now we have to figure out what to do to fix it all. Oh and by the way there needs to be expensive work to repair another pipe.

My teeth are not right after the big dentist trip... I have to face that and go back now that time has passed and it's not well still, and possibly get the root canal repaired. Why can't people do anything right the first time any more?
 I want to finally be able to bend over and mop the wood floors after a long back issue.
I have an art quilt group meeting this week.
I'd like to write my weekly posts, today's, Thursday list of likes, Friday paint party, saturday sewing
I need to pluck Milo's ear hair... that's a major undertaking as he is not happy with the pain it must cause

can't we just not pluck and say we did??

I'd like to find perspective on life, to stop feeling so anxious, to grow in wisdom and be aware of the great chances to connect with lovely people this week.
Wish me luck

Linking t o
happy homemaker monday

The Week Ahead, late august 2019

printed my waterlily photo onto cotton fabric to create with!

Welcome to this week's Happy Homemaker post. I almost didn't do one, I just couldn't get into writing this morning, but here's an abbreviated one!

looking out on the morning rays!

The weather this week in Aurora CO
Right now, perfect, and it's rare to hear me say that. The sun is shining, the skies are blue and it's around 70F. It's been blisteringly hot for so long, that even die-hard CO lovers are wishing it would cool off. Oh don't get too excited for me, it's heating up and fast throughout the week.

it's cooler when the sun is behind clouds!

DH and I were discussing the weather this weekend as we went to a lovely mountain craft show when there was solid cloud cover making it very nice to be there. We both thought, this being high desert sort of, that it would be like Utah, hot during the sunny parts, and really cooled off at night. It doesn't really cool off here in Aurora at night, it gets less hot though.

This morning I'm....
doing blogging business, wearing the last comfortable shorts that are clean with a t shirt from Garden of the Gods, that says happy trails. I had cashew granola with greek yogurt for breakfast with strong coffee and milk. I've walked the pup a couple miles, done two loads out of four laundry, and folded the clean clothes done yesterday. I'm wandering in and out of the studio, really wanting to work in there today.

To Do
Oh what's the point of making a list I never accomplish? lol
There is the daily mundane work to keep us going, which is boring but somehow comforting.
I'd like to paint each day, work in the sewing studio making art and sorting stuff
I'd like to read more and listen to the book on cd.
I finally returned some books to the library and picked up a variety of them to bring home.

Reading
I love bringing home an asst of books as I feel rich. It's like seeing a new magazine show up in the mail... I'm reluctant to start looking at it til I have time to wallow in the newness and pretty pictures.

Finishing the tea shop mystery and looking at getting the next in series. I am on wait list to read the next Rhys Bowen. Listening to The Garden on cd as had to turn in the book before done.

So many quilt making and drawing books to look at! I own a lot too... when will one human use them? in the words of Scarlet O'Hara, I'll think about that tomorrow.

Watching
Love Songland!!! Even if I'm not into rap or country, the three producers who work with undiscovered songwriters, are just absolutely wonderful to watch. Their creativity and talent along with humility is nothing short of reassuring.
I'm watching Say yes to the dress... OMG imagine spending $10,000 on one dress! I was a poor social worker when dh and I planned our wedding and paid for it. He was just finishing up his masters and unemployed. I bought my lace dress at Macy's outlet and was thrilled to have it for $20.
Sill watching Master Chef, sorry to see Southern Charm Charleston ending for the season, watching the current BBC Great Baking Show... again humble normal people who are greatly talented.
I'm enjoying Bring the Funny, a competition show for comedians.
Watching JOY on ACORN a comedy set in Ireland
I'm frustrated with bachelor in Paradise. I look forward to the fun and antics in the summer, but now they are allowing someone to bring in a person she dated before the show... they are supposed to be free to find love, not come in with it, so she hurt the man who fell for her there, and the producers are allowing her prior love to move right in!!! No fair!

Making
I may not be sewing as much (back issues) but I'm painting and being creative. Working on figuring out the composition of a southwest piece here...

 lots of intricate sewing done on paper with a palette of colors outside my comfort zone. I do love the colors however.
When you are designing your own patterns and compositions, it takes time and thought, along with some inspiration, courage, and magic to make it come together. One must be brave enough to make mistakes, keep trying and working at it.

eating
we are enjoying the fruit of the season... a sugar cantelope was just amazing this week, and the peaches and honeycrisp apples are too. We are having grapes again,

slightly processed but delish. We didn't drink alcohol for years but are starting to have a little again in the weekend porch sitting on early evenings.

Inspiration
People with integrity, honesty, and humor. Thank you.

Tired of
people who demand their way... all the time, driving, politically, in stores, on tv, around town...
It's all about sharing y'all.

Nice moment
I met someone at the mountain craft show, while standing in line to try chilies on potatoes. She was an older woman from England who's lived here for 25 years. We found so much in common, not the least of which was that we are here to love not hate others. She worked with hospice for years so we had a nice discussion of souls and why we come, and come back to earth. Nice to meet someone for even a short time, who is intelligent, kind and interesting, isn't it?

A wall of beauty not a wall of division

Linking to
cheesy photos at ched curtain
happy homemaker monday

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...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyRMD0ZXW68

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

The Week Ahead... mid august 2019

our garden harvest

Welcome to this week's happy homemaker post!

we set the fountain back up

 The Weather in Aurora
It's summer... in the 90's, chance of rain (pretty much daily) with some part of the day blue skies, some part densely cloudy, some part dry, some part rain. I've been told, it's usually slightly cooler in August, by a few degrees. This bush flowered last week, attracting hundreds of bees and insects, as well as humming birds!

is it Russian Sage?

To Do
the harvest is rolling in here with ripe bell peppers, eggplants, and miracles! a ripening zucchini.
The above pic is two peppers, one with blossom end rot, grrrr, an eggplant and a neighbor brought over his zucchini (he likes to grow vege but not eat them). More about them later in "eating"
sort through the week's art supply purchases
back to the library to return one overdue book (went yesterday but they hadn't sent notice)
mail some things (meaning a dreaded trip to Post Office)
return to chiro for my back? (I'm afraid so)
clear off the kitchen table? (as if...)
Call two friends to catch up, this week. 
Do what I can to sort and clean,  with my recovering weak back
Have you noticed there are daily to do's and there are major goals to work towards... How do you keep moving forward with things?

smell the fresh basil???

eating
we made a lovely fresh pasta sauce with three purple eggplants this week. Onions, peppers, garlic, sliced eggplant, tomato sauce all saute on stovetop over angel hair. VERY good.
I harvested another handful of lima beans, and cooked them in filtered water in the microwave with a bit of salt. There were not a lot of them, but we three shared them and they were incredibly sweet! No butter, just the fresh just picked beans. SO sweet
This week, the white eggplant are about large enough to pick, so I hope to make a casserole with them, turkey sausage, a white cheese sauce and some chopped tomatoes. I plan to slice the zuke my neighbor gave us, and put olive oil and panko crumbs on the circles, and bake them.
(Milo says he expects to get more dog food, oy)

reading
I'm reading the next teahouse series book at night, and listening to Clockmaker's daughter on disc in the studio. Pugmom suggested a new to me author, C J Box and I got his first book on disc to listen to in studio after finishing the Kate Morton book.
I read 8 magazines last week, because I was sidelined with my back, and it felt good to hand them off to neighbors after enjoying the pretty pictures and articles.

watching
We watched the first season of Pitching In (BBC comedy on ACORN) and enjoyed it a lot. The lead was the father actor from Gavin and Stacy, one of our all time favorite shows.
I'm watching Master Chef, and big brother now and then but it's confusing and annoying.
I am having a great romp watching Bachelor in Paradise! More marriages have come from that than the bachelor franchise.
We have moved on to watching a new to us Irish comedy , Joy. So cute! It's going to be fun.
We have to skip around with seasons on youtube but we're trying to watch "Time Team" still
Songland is returning soon, and I can't wait for This is Us as well as my other shows to return

I am still searching youtube online for painting tutorials and TED talks

Making
We went on some car trips this weekend, so I sewed on an old hexie Christmas project, and now want to just finish it. I was going to piece in some hexies to the center but I'm not sure... maybe applique it. I think it would be cute with hexies in white and metallic gold in center, and just quilt it with gold threads.

My neighbor invited me over to meet her college aged daughter who also draws and paints, for a lesson in shading. I had a nice afternoon comparing art and learning more about technique.

I talked to a friend in SC this week, and one of our discussions was about our mutual retirement and recent moves, and what we have for goals artistically. We both want to prepare hand work to take to do while watching TV at night, as we both have a lot to make but tend to not do it if it's not prepped.
Make more art!
I would like to finish some older projects, to paint on fabric more, to get some art projects done to show my group next week. My back spasm has gotten in the way of making last week, so I hope to try again this week.

I'd like to paint a version of this!

That's about it for now. I write a list of things I've liked for the week, on Thursdays, and a paint party post on Fridays. No fiction writing for the summer, but it's in my heart to do soon, as is beading.

I hope to call two long distance friends this week. I called three last week, and talking with good friends raised my spirits so much. Distance doesn't matter when you share your lives with someone!
I also had a call from a neighbor who came over for a visit, and we laughed and talked while enjoying the garden from the porch. It's the relationships in life that make it special, and it's the love we share that makes it meaningful.
Why are we here? Not to fight or hurt others for sure.

Linking to
Esther's blog Wednesdays 
Midweek makers wednesdays
all seasons
design wall Mondays at smallquiltsanddollquilts
Our World Tuesday
happy homemaker monday