October in my teeny tiny corner of the world

Today is October 3rd. For a Saturday, it's typical. Don has guard drill, Briana is sleeping, and I am planning a day that would otherwise be wasted on tv. I'll be turning over some of those freshly fallen new leaves out there.

First, I want to keep up with my chores. I have been very lazy this summer - - only doing what was critical. I have way less time now with school and all.

Second, and I have already begun this one - - I will keep up with grading papers. I have about 160 students this year - - all demanding and worried about grades and such. The pile on my desk can grow exponentially in a day.

Third, I want to lose some weight. I only want to lose about 5 pounds or so in my core. I am not sure how to do that since I am well beyond the notion that I will ever keep up with exercise. I know that for a fact. SO, the question is - - how do I lose my belly without crunches, running, lifting, bending, or anything else that requires exertion? Drink mega-green tea? Meditate on it? Pray for it? You see my quandary?

Fourth, I'd want to start some new quilting projects. I am finishing up one for Mom right now. I won't be posting a pic anytime soon because it is a Christmas present, so stay tuned until closer to December. I also have one for Stuart and Tammy planned out. In addition to that I have a felt penny rug I am putting together for me. That one has been a work in progress for about two years - - it is EXTREMELY tedious. Also, I need to assemble a huge one that I started for Scott and Vicki. The problem is that I started it before I got my new machine so the technique is not going to be the same. I truly doubt that it will make a difference, but it will bother me.

Now, for the last leaf - - Don and I are attempting to pay off all debt. So far we are doing well. I have paid off Davis-Greenlawn. The ING loan will be paid off this week. We have two other debts only - - Don's truck and this house.

All this is in order to buy a boat and/or a vacation/retirement house in Eastern Oregon. We have found some interesting areas that are really attractive and would meet our needs and desires. Please understand that the places we are looking at are not fancy log cabins or wonderful lakeside property - - we want to go rustic in the literal since of the word. Rocks, wood piles, windmills, wildlife. If you were to ever visit us, expect open air and dinner cooked over a fire. Bring your own sleeping bag and water. You might even have to shoot your breakfast!

Anywho, time is ticking into the future. I think I'll get started on laundry or grading or some other teeny tiny step on those amazing falling leaves.

Tomato Sauce

Recently I made tomato sauce from the hundred or so tomatoes that were in my freezer. I had such an abundant crop last year!!



First I thawed all the tomatoes so that the skin and lots of extra water could be released easily.


Then I sorta cut them up and put them to stewing in a very large pot.


I added some salt, pepper, garlic, and sugar to the sauce and boiled until all the chunks were broken down and the texture was thick.

I blended the sauce in the blender for additional smoothness!

This ended up making two gallons of the most delicious tomato sauce EVER!

I HEART TOMATOES!

More Favs

Watermelon, chap stick, twilight, Law & Order, Bones, fresh laundry, a clean house.

Today is Friday. Don left for three days -National Guard stuff - and Briana went shopping downtown. I'm home all day by myself. It's chilly, overcast, and raining. I have no chores to do, and Verizon has my driveway blocked all day. I could read, nap, sew, cook, plan for next year, paint a picture, sort out closets, organize pictures, sort my fabric stash. Actually, I think sorting my fabric stash seems to win here. I have so much stuff, I cannot even close the cedar chest I've stuffed it in. AND I have some projects planned for when we return for Louisiana that I want to get ready. Lately, I've been using pieces from the top because the trunk is so disorganized. I know I have some great colors down near the bottom of that heap. Wow, I can't wait to see what treasures I might find.

One of my projects is a scrap quilt that is made with just leftover blues, purples, pinks, and greens. All the pieces are strips no wider than 2 1/2 inches wide and however long. I sewed them all together end to end until I made a long strip. Then I folded that in half and sewed the two sides together. I repeated the process until I had a piece about 2 feet wide and about 4 feet long. It is really interesting to see how the colors come together. Now I think I'll cut this crosswise and make strips 2 ft by 8 inches. I should get about 8 of these pieces. I don't know what I'll do with these strips yet. Who knows what I'll find in my fabric search today. This is the fun part!!

More Quilts

This summer has been a busy one, but I still had time to complete a few projects. The first and smaller quilt wall hanging is a wedding gift for a dear friend of mine. The Dutch flowers are made of felted wool sewn on with black embroidery thread.




This next quilt is one that I made during the heat wave. I parked in the basement for about 4 days trying to stay cool. I was already planning to do a quilt with circles - - so the time was right!!



This third quilt was made in May. It was a competition quilt using a feature Hoffman fabric. I chickened out and didn't send it in for judging. Maybe nest year, I'll get brave enough with the next challenge fabric.



I hope you enjoy!

Upon Solitude

Three weeks ago - - anticipation and preparation
Two weeks ago - - party party party
Last week - - recovery and putting things back in order
This week - - solitude.
I've read a book, stared out the window, embroidered, folded clothes, slept, cooked, petted the cat, pulled a few weeds, prayed.
Next Week - - ?

Post reunion blues

It's all over. Wow! I didn't think we, our house, my sanity would make it. But, now that folks have come and gone - - I want it all back. I want all the family and running around and stories and confusion to last forever.

Observations - - we all get along with only a few misunderstandings here and there. Mom got much stronger while she was here. Some of us are louder than others. All of us want what is best. We are all Christian. Food is still our number one activity. We all like to grow interesting plants in our yards. We all have kids and more kids and more kids. We are all well-read and educated. We ALL engage in meaningful pursuits well beyond our professional lives. I am honored to be around such interesting people. Who knew that Jack and Gretchen would create such an enormous legacy of life. Most of us are just ordinary people with no particularly amazing talents putting one foot in front of the other with faith in God and hope for our children. That's kinda cool!