Playing

It is cold and raining.  My allergies are bothering me and I have had a headache for days that I can't get rid of and it is just time for winter to go away.

So, what does one do with her time under these circumstances?  Nap? Not yet but maybe.  Craft?  Of course.

I got some advice from my friend Mary that I have tried to apply to these latest offerings.  I also decided to try to use up some scraps instead of just throwing them away -- it is like fabric, scraps are still yardage and cost money.  So, I decided to try some color combos that are non-traditional and to work on my clean an simple approach to cards.  I have put these away for future use and I might add some embellishment later but for right now, this is what I have.

I can see adding some die cut snowflakes

The sentiment is going to be Ho Ho Opps

posted this earlier but added the bow that I learned to make on a fork

might not add anything to this

twine?  Nothing?

A non-valentine for my daughter.  She was annoyed because she didn't get any Valentines so I am making her this, along with a Starbuck's gift card, to show her Valentines is any day!

 

 

 

 

So,  this is what I have been doing all day.  Now it is aspirin and nap time!

Well, we ALMOST made it!

It is disease season here in Funkytown.  Apparently the Disease Devil descended upon St. Elizabeth's School this week and I believe almost one whole class is out.  Yes, it would be Bean's class.  I am not sure of the state of the other classes as there hasn't been an official statement to my knowledge but I can only imagine.

This is what a flu and strep combo looks like.  Oddly she hasn't had a great deal of temperature but a trip to the good doctor, and a traumatic throat swab, revealed that she is positive for both flu and strep.  And yes, she had a flu shot.

And it is cold and going to rain.

How miserable is that?

I think her teacher is going to have a free work day because I think at least half her class is out with something or the other. 

Well, she said she didn't feel good!

And have I mentioned that I hate winter?

Happy Birthday, Mama!

Yesterday there was a cardinal in my backyard.  I hadn't seen one in a while so it caught my attention.  Immediately I could sense it reminding me of my mom's birthday today.

So, I took my Mama flowers, in the 36 degree weather. 

Happy Birthday, Mama. 

Just when you think you are over it -- you discover you are not.

Cardmaking -- Again

Here are my latest attempts at cards -- I love doing this, it is such fun, and I don't even plan on mailing them!

Cutting and pasting and watercoloring is fantastic therapy!

Bean and Me Book Club -- First Book

The Bean and Me Book Club has completed reading the first book in our queue.

The book is "The Cricket in Times Square" by George Seldon.  It is a Newberry Award winner and boasts illustrations by Garth Williams. 

This is the story of Chester, a cricket who traveled from Connecticut to New York City.  He became the pet of Mario Bellini and the fast friend of Harry Cat and Tucker Mouse.  They had a great time together, a few mishaps and an awesome discovery -- Chester was musical.

He was promoted and performed in the newsstand owned by the Bellini family.  He had an article written in the newspaper and people would come from far and wide to hear him "sing".

But, the more famous he became the more unhappy he became.  He missed his simple life in the Connecticut countryside.

Then one day, he decided to retire and return to his home.  And, he did.

This is a great book with a great moral.  The animals were so engaging and the Bellini's were so typical.  I recommend for all ages.

Next up -- "Because of Winn Dixie". Stay tuned.


 

Conundrum and Quandry

Yes, it is a conundrum and a quandry -- our home life is all wonky, no routine, no schedule and no groceries.

I don't like to cook or grocery shop.  With all the delivery services, shopping shouldn't be a problem these days and I really should try one but with a major grocery store walking distance from my house, well, it seems sort of silly, doesn't it? 

I don't like to cook.  Well, that isn't completely true.  I do like to cook but I am a plain cook and I like plain food and I like vegetables.  The man of the house, however, doesn't.  We have been married 46 years and he doesn't like my cooking.  I don't think he ever has.  It is rather disheartening to stand up on my gimpy, painful knees and cook a meal only to throw most of his away fifteen minutes later and watch him get up and make a snack.

We have also gotten to the age that eating a noon meal is more appealing than a heavy evening meal.  Neither of us seems to digest well anymore and that makes us very grumpy and we don't sleep well.

So, a couple of weeks ago I quit.  I told Mr. that I wasn't cooking anymore.  That we would just eat out and we would eat lunch and he could choose.  I just didn't care anymore.  I don't really have much of an appetite anymore -- I think it is due to a med I am taking -- and you would think I wouldn't have a weight problem but I do.  So, since he doesn't like what I fix, I doubt he would like what eatery I would choose so it is all on him.

That has been our routine for two weeks.  I haven't been to the grocery store either.  Is that bad?

It is when the weather is dreadful and you don't want to go out to the restaurants!  There is nothing in this house to eat.  So, I am re-thinking the whole thing.

While I am not crazy about getting out of bed and starting lunch, I know people used to do just that.  Maybe I should cook ahead but that means "leftovers" which Mr.'s delicate palate can't seem to handle.  Maybe I should just bundle up and head out. 

I have no clue.  How could two people who have lived together the majority of their lives be so different?  It is a mystery.

But, in other non-whining news, I have been making cards again.  Here are a few of my latest creations. 

Every time I make a card I sit back and look at what it looks like and how I could have made it better.  The little koala needs more background "stuff" and I will probably remake it with more "stuff" but I think he is cute, just the same.  The teacup mice -- well, those just went really tacky really quickly but I think the recipients will like them anyway.  The music inspired one was pretty much copied from one on pinterest (I think) -- thank you whoever did it for the inspiration because sometimes the creative part of my brain is like a dried up desert. 

So, yeah, that has been my week -- hoping this one starts out better.

Unlikely Book Club

I have been reading a lot lately and have happened upon some really good books.  Currently reading "The Water Tower Club" by B. K. Mayo and it is turning into a real page turner.  I will review when I am finished.

I have also found myself part of a very unlikely book club consisting of two members -- me and the Bean.

Bean is an avid reader and has advanced to the likes of Harry Potter and similiar things.  She reads a good deal, at a good pace, and enjoys an advanced level of enjoyment.

Lately she has been sharing her books with me.  I am not a Harry Potter fan, I don't think, I have never been interested in starting the books but maybe I should check them out.

However, we are now reading "TheCricket in Times Square" by George Selden.  It is about Chester Cricket who has been adopted as a pet by Mario Bellini.  Mama Bellini doesn't like Chester but Papa Bellini has a soft spot for the little insect.  Chester and Mario have great adventures, like visiting Chinatown, and it is really quite the engaging little book.  Written in 1960 it won the Newberry Honor Award in 1961.  The illustrations are by my all time favorite illustrator, Garth Williams.

The next book in the queue is "Because of Winn Dixie" by Kate DiCamillo.  It was published in 2000 and won the Newberry Honor award in 2001.  In 2000 it won the Josette Frank award and in 2003 it won the Mark Twain award.

Bean has finished the book already and I have yet to start.  She said it was amazing although it had a sad patch, but got better as it neared the end.  I remember watching the movie but don't remember the details.  I am sure the book is better and I will be starting it shortly. 

I am very thankful that Bean loves to read and that she likes a wide variety of books.  She reminds me of me as a child and I might recommend the next book -- "The Good Master" by Kate Seredy -- one of my favorites as a child. 

I remember visiting the library and checking out the books in this series and I distinctly remember curling up on the couch and reading it through as it rained slow, steady, and abundantly as it is want to do in San Antonio.  Such a good book.  I hope she likes it as well.

I am quite happy with my little book club.  It suits me!

Mayhem and Matrimony by Hope Callaghan

I just finished reading book #11 in the "Made in Savannah" cozy mystery series by Hope Callaghan.

It is the latest in the ongoing story of the Garlucci family who moved from New York to Savannah to escape their "family" connections. Carlita Garlucci, the main character, is always finding her way into some sort of an uncomfortable situation with some mystery to solve.

And she is getting really good at it.

With a cast of secondary characters -- Mercedes, Shelby, Violet, Elvira, Reese, and the Garlucci boys -- there is always a lot of activity and close calls.

These are great little books -- murder mysteries, yes, Mafia connections, yes, but there is nothing off putting about them.  They are very sterile and just a lot of fun.

I definitely recommend.

One Leaf Too Many by Julie Cosgrove

Today I read a book by a local author, Julie Cosgrove, titled "One Leaf Too Many". 

It is a book about a family with secrets that hails from my home state -- my hometown as well.  There is a mystery, a death, a murder, some genealogical study, a little romance -- something for everybody.

I don't usually sit down and read an entire book in a day but I did with this one.  I couldn't put it down.  Really. 

I recommend this book without reservation. 

Anne of Green Gables by L M Montgomery

I just finished reading "Anne of Green Gables" by L. M. Montgomery.  I don't know how I went so long without reading it -- or why. 

Anne Shirley, the lead character, has red hair, a precocious personality and just manages to vex people while simultaneously wrapping them around her little finger.

I was drawn into this novel from the get go.  So much so, actually, that I did some research on Prince Edward Island so I could have a good picture of the setting although it was well described in the book.

I don't usually cry over books but I did shed a few with this one. 

I believe I will continue with the series.

Hygge, Lagom and Cwtch ---oh my!

For the last two or three years people have been enchanted by the lifestyle concept of Hygge.  It is Danish in origin an embraces a cozy environment using lots of cozy linens and candles to create the correct ambiance.  The look is generally light walls, light wood, uncluttered interiors to ward off the dark of the long winters.  It is almost minimalistic.

I am not minimalistic so while I like the look, it isn't me.

The next new thing is lagom.  It is Swedish in origin an means "not too little, not too much, just enough".  That sounds more like me.  I can't be minimal because I like things around me that have meaning.  I don't like clutter, though, so this sounds like it would be more up my alley.

So, I decided to go to my own ancestral background and discover what sort of lifestyle the folks in my ancestral home (one of them) find to be appealing.

Enter "cwtch" -- rhymes with "butch".  It is Welsh for a hug and also a cubby or cubbyhole -- a cozy place, a safe place if you will.  So, when you apply this word to interior design it means cozy and warm.  There is no direct English translation for this word, by the way.

Apparently there is no one style or color scheme or plan, you simply surround yourself with what makes you feel like you are in a cozy, safe place.  One article said to include lots of family photos.  Another article said to use lots of natural colored linens, different colored woods, create a cozy reading nook, and common family eating area.

And they also said not to forget the Welsh cakes! And a Welsh dresser!

Yes, that sounds more like me -- I think my house is already "cwtch".