still keeping a list

I'm not completely in the retirement mode yet. There's still the taking it easy recuperating bit to go through for a few weeks which keeps me from jumping into things with both feet, so I guess I'm one foot in, and one foot waiting to follow.

True to my form, I've made a list of want-to's and to-do's. In the meantime, I'm doing the picking up and sorting that has been waiting for me to have more time. Went through computer files this morning and rearranged a few and deleted others. Still more of that to do, but I'll get there.

Several things on my list will just have to wait, but that gives me plenty of time to daydream about the wonderful yard I hope to create out back (positive imaging). I'll pull out my gardening and landscaping books and see what magic I can work.

I did actually prepare a meal this afternoon. High points go to the cornbread salad. Such a comfort food, it reminds me of Mom and Dad. Dad especially loved a good pot of beans, and this dish provides the beans and cornbread without the hours of simmering. Here's the recipe I used, though I did cut it in half of what's called for.

Cornbread Salad

2 packages cornbread, cooked and crumpled
2 cans pinto beans, drained
chopped onion (recipe called for 2, but prepare to taste)
1 bell pepper, chopped
2 tomatoes, chopped (I used canned diced tomatoes)

Layer the items above in a 9 x 13 pan (here again I deviated...after crumpling the cornbread in the bottom of the dish, I combined the other ingredients and poured them over the cornbread)

Dressing: Mix together: 16 oz ranch dressing
1 cup pickle juice

Drizzle the dressing over the layers.

Top with 1 pound cooked bacon, crumpled into pieces.

Let set at room temperature for 2 hours.


Yummo. Dad always put pickle juice on his beans, and it does complement the flavors.


I've also done a bit of redwork over the last couple of weeks. This Santa will eventually be surrounded with assorted Christmas prints and be a quilted wall hanging. I'll be making a few of them, and one will actually go to my Secret Sis in her December package. I'm free to show it, because that's the month we'll reveal our identities. (Don't look too close at the wrinkles.)


And, last but not least, I've not done a lot on my cq this week. Picked up an embellishment or two though.

That's it for now. Have a good week...

adjusting

I just experienced the weirdest thing. I fell asleep on the couch (and no, that's not the weird part, I do it regularly) and just woke up. Haven't got a clue if I was out for 30 minutes or 5 hours! I'm thinking 5 or 6 hours. I got out of the house a bit today, guess it wore me out.

I'm really getting into this retirement routine. I like it. :)

another journey

A week and half ago I finished up my physical presence at work. Monday I had a relatively minor surgery, and will be out on sick leave until my official retirement date in March. Unless you're already there, you can't imagine the feeling of freedom and anticipation that this milestone brings.

Now, I can't still fully appreciate it since I do have a recuperation period. But I can certainly enjoy that I don't have to watch the weather to see if the roads are passable (there have been a couple of snow days recently that I wouldn't have wanted to drive), I can stay in my jammies as long as I care to, and I don't have to rush to be somewhere at a certain time and be expected to stay there till another certain time. My cubicle days are over! While I really enjoyed the work and especially my co-workers and friends, I'm ready for this next stage of my life.

I'm defintely confined to the house for at least a week, then not quite so confined for the rest of the recuperation. I have been able to do my first stitching on the cq patch and expect to do some more in the next few days. I may have sat up a bit longer than I should yesterday, so today I'll lay around a bit more. Here's my first bit of cq stitching, as well as the back side. The patch itself was sewn to a muslin backing for additional support, which is what you see in the backing picture. You'll also notice that I snipped a bit of the muslin off in the process, hopefully the quilt police are looking the other way. I love the little cameo type piece that has been attached, now will have to audition different stitches or laces for the next bit I do.
My sis has been a big help this week. She stayed with me a couple of nights, taking me to and from the hospital, and getting me settled in back here at home. Couldn't have done it without her...thanks, Nolene!

snow break

We've had some unusual weather around here...snow! I'm in Texas for a reason, and snow is not it. It's pretty for a day, then it's just yucky. But, it is a treat for the kids, and they had fun.

No news for now...

a naked cq block

I mentioned a couple of posts ago about the wonderful fabric I received from my SS, and also in an even earlier post about fabric and trims from the Christmas stocking swap. I'm happy to say that I've assembled a block for cq-ing, and I'm on my way to learning something new. I've sewn this before in cottons, and have used a few decorative stitches from my sewing machine, but this one will be different. There will be embellishments added, and plenty of embroidery work.

Now for the decisions. Do I want the little cameo (I'm thinking it's called a cabechan, or something like that, but not sure) in the center of the red piece?




Or maybe off to one side?






Or maybe turn it the other way and have it centered?

Stay tuned, and see what happens.

"will work for food"

Every day now for well over a year I've seen the same guy at the street corner with the little cardboard sign he's holding up, "hungry...will work for food". He must not get many takers since he's there every night. But then, I'm thinking he must be doing okay with whatever gets tossed his way for him to keep coming back. I mean, if it wasn't worth his while, he'd move on...right?

Then tonight when I pulled up to the stop light, he was doing his walk down his path (he's worn a path, he's walked it so much) with his sign in one hand, holding onto his dog's leash with the other. There's something wrong with this picture. He's that hungry, and apparently wants work, yet he's taken on another mouth to feed. Or does he think he'll garner more sympathy with the dog? And if I were dumb enough to put him in the car to have him do some work for me, I'm expected to drag along the dog too?

When did I get so callous? Doesn't matter, I'm still not gonna hire him and his dog. Though I do think he needs to change his sign to just say "give me some money".

secret sister visited me today

I pulled up to the house today to see a package at the mailbox. I've gotta admit, this is really a treat, having a package once in awhile. Generally my mail consists of bills and advertisements, so to see this waiting for me was fun. My secret sis over on the HGTV board sent her February package, and I must say she's really spoiling me.

For one little box, I was surprised at how much I kept pulling out of it. Ahem. Lots of trim, lace, and embellishments for cq-ing (I've told you enough times what that is so I won't even bother with an explanation), along with beads and embroidery thread. Three nice size pieces of fabric...a fq (fat quarter), one yard, and one + yard, all in wonderful purple prints. And 25-30 wonderful little pieces that she must have pulled from her stash...all the wonderful silky, velvety, shiny, exotic prints that are perfect for cq. Then there was body wash, chocolate, socks, and pretty little self stick notes and bookmarks, along with a valentine's card.

Now the detective in me looks at the label, and thinks, hmmm....Kentucky. Wouldn't it be a kick if she was at the Paducah quilt show the same time I hope to go? But then, I'd be walking right past her and not even know it.

Thanks BSS. I'd say you're a keeper!