I just realized how short and unsatisfying my last few posts have been. But they kind of reflect how I've been feeling, so I guess I'll live with them. But this one will be different, I promise.
I got a good night's sleep last night, my presentation went well yesterday, all the kids and grandkids are snug and safe, and I have no huge responsibilities for this weekend, so there is no reason not to be happy. I got up early, I'm enjoying a cup of coffee (not a great cup of coffee, I've mentioned my struggles with coffee-making, but it'll do), I've been checking some stuff out on Pinterest, and doing laundry. I'll putter around this morning, read a little, knit a little, maybe sew a little, then take a nap. Saturday is the only day I allow myself a nap because if I nap on Sunday, I can't fall asleep at night, then I'm tired on Monday. No bueno.
I think I'll make spaghetti and meatballs for dinner tonight. That sounds good.
I have to do my lesson plan for this week. It's actually pretty much done, I just have to organize my thoughts onto the actual plan. My class is doing something really cool to reinforce colors, while I am at the same time assessing who needs more support in this area. We are making a color portfolio, with different art each day. For example, on Monday (red day), we mixed red paint with black and white and painted with it. On Tuesday (blue day), we sponge painted with blue paint. On Wednesday (yellow day), we made yellow collages with all yellow materials. Etc. I think you get the picture. Different color and medium each day. Will post pics when they are finished. The children are really enjoying it too, as the art is finished we are putting it into their own personal portfolios. On the last day, we will use the Salad Spinner (best $1.99 I ever spent at Goodwill!) and use all the colors to make a rainbow painting for the cover.
I've been thinking about what to make for gifts for Christmas this year. I've already started knitting some market bags. They take a little time, but they are really pretty and stretch like crazy--they are perfect for the farmer's market. The key is getting the cotton yarn at half price, or they aren't really cost effective. I like a lot of bang for my buck. (Or, in other words, I'm pretty frugal--or cheap.)
My daughter admired a headband made with buttons sewn to wide elastic, so I'm making one of those for her--it's looking really pretty. I'm infusing it with positive thoughts and love for her. The Hawaiians have some superstitions about quilting for others--one of them is that as you work on a quilt for someone else, you stitch all of your feelings into the quilt and they go to the person you give the finished quilt to. Love this idea! However, you have to be sure you only work on the quilt when you feel happy and loving or you send bad feelings to the person. I like to think that this is true of all gifts that you make.
For my good thing today, I'm going to work on Christmas presents for the people I love.
Have a wonderful day yourself.
Later that same day....
I just spent a lovely couple of hours, working out in the garden--I picked a bowlfull of green beans, watered everything, admired my cucumber plants in the pot (they look really good), picked a meyer lemon from my tree, and filled some small pots with potting mix. I'm propagating Christmas cactus to give as gifts--probably next year-- and I cut the segments from the parent plant. They need to harden off for 24 hours, so they are resting comfortably on top of my microwave. I will plant them tomorrow--11 new little baby plants. For practically free.
Once I came in, I decided to make some pickled vegetables. I prepared my green beans, got the jars ready (clean and hot), and made the brine. This is what I did. These go in the refrigerator so they aren't water processed, and they last 3 weeks in the fridge. What I really love about this recipe is that it's good for any kind of vegetables--I did green beans, and a cucumber I had in the fridge, but you could add carrots, green tomatoes, really anything. I hate wasting food, so this is a good way to use up a couple of carrots or a half a cucumber you have left over that's not enough for something else. You can also make a jar or two at a time while things are getting ripe.
1 Tbsp. pickling salt, sea salt, or kosher salt--NO IODIZED TABLE SALT.
1 C. Vinegar
1 C. Water
1 head dill or a small bunch of leaves (I used 1 tsp. dried dill weed per jar)
1 clove garlic per jar, smashed and peeled
3 peppercorns per jar
(I also added 2 Tbsp. sugar to the vinegar mixture--sometimes I don't do this)
Put salt, vinegar, and water into a small pan and heat until salt and sugar (if used) are dissolved. While vinegar mixture heats, place a smashed garlic clove, dill, and peppercorns into each jar. Cut up vegetables (I like long narrow pickle shapes) and place into jars. Pour hot vinegar mixture over vegetables. Screw on lids tightly and shake to mix up flavors. Allow to cool, then put into refrigerator.
I have pictures, but I seem to be having a computer glitch so I can't upload--will solve that problem today with my IT Department.... Kaleigh.
If you have any interest at all in canning, I would recommend that you try it. I enjoy it a lot, although I suspect that would be because I'm not a farmer and don't have to spend days and days at it. I do it at my leisure a little at a time.
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