Month: June 2020

Around the House

Almost Halfway Through

JanetLeave a comment

I looked up to discover that it is almost July 1st. July – the seventh month of the year. For a year that has been wrought with all sorts of issues, it doesn’t seem possible that it is almost half over.

Crafters know that June is usually when the Christmas Crafting begins. That time of year when sewing projects are begun, cards, boxes and treat bags are made. Lists are compiled.

Most folks look at that and cringe. There is time to do that later! Summer is here!

I hear them, believe me, I do. The problem is that some of those projects take time – lots of it.

Create and Craft devoted an entire two weeks to presenting holiday crafting kits and materials. I watched what I could, but really couldn’t get much enthusiasm going. The after shows are chock full of more beautiful ideas, but, again, not much grabs my attention.

Stampin Up’s new catalog went live earlier in the month and they, too, have some seriously beautiful papers and colors. I admit I’ve found a few more things that catch my eye there than anywhere else.

I’ve been semi-binge watching “Cold Case”, Jacques Pepin, Mary Berry and a few others. There is a sense of calm and comfort there. The quiet in the kitchen with some wonderful flavors is rewarding. I’m still working my way through “June’s Journey” – something that I find unexpectedly satisfying.

Otherwise, Bella and I are doing well. We are keeping busy puttering and pondering. We’d love to know what you are up to.

Around the House

It’s That Time Again!

JanetLeave a comment

We’ve talked about it before. Reset time. That time you reset the bits and bobs in your life to clear out the old and make room for the new.

I try to clear out the cache in my Roku box along with removing channels I don’t watch to make room for those I do (or want to) at least once a month. Depending on what is (or is not) going on, this might be done more on an “as needed” basis.

Translate: when push comes to shove. 🙂

I do find there are always opportunities to clear space or discover new options.

Don’t forget to clear / clean the computer, too. And, when was the last time you reset your WI-fi? Personally, I find it odd that that particular task is necessary, but <shrug> that’s me.

In what is traditionally known as “rerun season” I have found the Roku Channel’s offerings of free movies and TV to be a refreshing change from what I’d been watching.

I’m pretty sure the other streaming services have similar opportunities – worth checking into if you need something new.

I’m also digging thru my YouTube feeds to find treasures. After months (!) of no Disney visits by my regulars, I happened upon a video filmed in (I think) January of a Disneyland walk through that was wonderfully restful. The park wasn’t packed, it was a beautiful day and the person with the camera did an exceptional job. Reminded me of years past when you could actually enjoy the park without feeling like a sardine in a can. 🙂

I’ve been listening to a bit of British Classic Comedy. Between the old game shows and some classic comedy shows, it has been a great alternative to the same old same old.

As you maneuver through your day, take a few minutes to do a bit of a clear out. You might find things you’ve forgotten about and you are sure to find new treasures to enjoy!

Around the House · Crafting · Food

Side Effects of Looking for Inspiration

JanetLeave a comment

I recently signed up for a foodie type newsletter on the Washington Post. The idea is to focus on a different cookery book each week and highlight 2 recipes for readers to try.

First up: Nigella Lawson. Now, I came across Nigella during a binge watch of Mary Berry shows. You might remember Mary from the Great British Baking Show. Over in the U.K. they refer to her as the British Julia Child. Ms. Mary is an Institution. She embodies the beloved Gran, Mom, Auntie cooks we have known to bring common sense and seriously good food to the table. Nigella is from a similar frame of mind; she loves to eat and isn’t a Chef, she is a cook. Her food is luscious, simple to put together and scrumptious.

And, as if you haven’t already guessed, neither of these ladies is a calorie hawk. Yum!

This came along as I was working on the July Newsletter’s Pantry Magic attachment. Pantry Magic is a focus on a recipe or theme where I provide ideas, recipes insights into how to make some magic in your kitchen using what is stored in your pantry. July’s theme is “Summer Salads”.

Putting the piece together was a lot of fun, but it also created a lot of serious Hungry. LOL!

Over on YouTube, several of my regular crafters are working on projects with new materials. The Stampin Up folks just had a new catalog launch and they have some luscious papers, not to mention beautiful new In Colors, to try. Maymay’s focus for June has been creating stamps and projects with a more masculine feel. All of this has led me back to my craft room where I’ve been going through supplies and trying new techniques.

Mr Carrington has been continuing his around the house projects. I think I’m in love with his roof garden. I can honestly say that I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about my deck and garden area now.

To add to the garden issue, Hermione Chantal has done a major clear up of her back garden and it is beautiful!

Thanks to some neighbors, my little garden/lawn area was mowed, raked and cleared up. It is such a nice change after rains, mud, leaves and what-all.

For those who are wondering, yes I still have a couple of Accuquilt dies sitting on my desk waiting for my attention. I see them every time I sit down. To my left is my fabric stash. Between the two I am bombarded daily with potentials and possibilities and such.

To top all of this off, June is the traditional time crafters start getting ready for [ insert drum roll ] Christmas.

Yikes!

No, I’m not ready for that, either.

I did order some stamps from the Post Office and am preparing to send out a card or two as I get them done. This is something I’ve been thinking about since Maymay brought it up a while back. Just a little “thinking of you” card in someone’s mailbox.

As you might surmise, the act of looking for inspiration often provides more than we expect. Then again, we often encounter it even when we aren’t looking for it.

Here’s hoping you find a bit of inspiration for a project you’ve been thinking about tackling.

Around the House · Musings · YouTube

Maymay’s Small Business Showcase

JanetLeave a comment

I wanted to share this with you today, rather than wait for my regular posting, because I think (a) the opportunity to see these amazing small businesses and their offering is fantastic and (b) Maymay has done a great service by offering to showcase them on her channel.

Times are difficult at the moment and when you have an opportunity to help out, and are able to do so, it is a double blessing when you can.

Check out the video, read the information provided and, if you enjoy what you’ve seen, drop a comment to Maymay. If you are interested in the various businesses, don’t hesitate to check out their sites.

I know I’ll be doing just that today!

Books · Crafting · Food · Media · Musings

Give Yourself Permission

JanetLeave a comment

A few weeks ago I came across an article about the need for some to be given permission to do pretty much anything. Around the same time, in a conversation with friends, the topic came up again and the general consensus was that for people younger than ourselves, there seemed to be a need to get an okay from someone to try new things.

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…

Dr. Seuss, Oh! The Places You’ll Go…

It may sound strange, but as I thought about it, it occurred to me that my generation was one of the last to just jump in and try things. We were the kids who watched the first space flights, the first moon walk, the first reaches beyond what we already knew. We were raised with the idea that anything is possible. What followed us was a group that seemed to be raised with the idea that maybe anything was possible, but the world was a dangerous and unpredictable place. Better safe than sorry.

Now, I understand – and to a degree agree with – the idea of the danger, but I think that perhaps we might have taken it a bit too far.

I’ve talked to folks who commented that thanks to inspiration from watching some YouTubers, they were inspired to get out and explore the world a bit. Starting with their own towns. Still others found themselves trying new things that some would consider hobbies, but for others are simply ways to get by. Cooking, cleaning, gardening, for example.

There is a lot in the world to be inspired by and to do. Travel, even limited, can lead to a broader knowledge of or, experience with, the history and people of an area. Culture in its many forms ties directly into our own individual histories.

We often don’t think about our favorite meals – the ones we had at Grandmother’s table – but those foods and flavors came from somewhere, right? When we start to dig into where the foods came from, often we discover other things about the people as well.

Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.

George Bernard Shaw

I submit to you that the idea “You can!” is real. It doesn’t really matter what “it” is, if you want to do it at least try. You may, or may not, succeed, but you won’t know for certain until you put in the effort. Should you decide that you don’t like it after all, fine.

As for the idea of “success”, I submit to you that your definition of success can, and probably should, be different from someone else’s definition of the term. It could be something as simple as a home cooked meal or a clean home or a garden that is bursting with color. It does not have to be winning a Nobel Prize if you are not interested in that.

My point is that you will never know what possibilities, what adventures, what you are capable of until you try – and the trying is up to you.

So, give yourself permission to explore, experiment, attempt, play, and all the other things that you have secretly wanted to do but were afraid to.

Let the adventures begin … now!

Around the House

Green Thumb Quandaries

JanetLeave a comment

I must confess; I’m not a ‘gardener’ per se. I put things into soil, water them, nurture them, and basically hope they stay around long enough to be pretty, smell good and keep me company.

I’m one of those people who whisper to the plant as we are on the way to the check out stand, “Say your prayers.”

Sad, but true.

I enjoy flowering plants on my deck. I’ve even attempted planting a tomato or two. My basil plant went great guns until it didn’t. I’ve had houseplants that have stuck around for years (!!!) only to decide one day that, thanks, but that’s enough…

I’ve known Gardeners. Those folks who diligently search out Just The Right Plant. Put it in Just The Right Space and give it Excellent Care.

Me? I can’t get down on the ground. My balance is not what it once was and I don’t particularly care to be outside in the Weather.

All this being said, I do enjoy plants. I strive to have a few in the house – and I’ve gone so far as to put a reminder on my computer to Water The Plants. I also have one that reminds me to Take The Trash Out…

Over the years I’ve contemplated hydroponic gardens and thought, “Maybe”. This is important when I consider the idea of fresh (!) tomatoes that actually have flavor. Salad greens that are young, crisp and handy. Herbs – Fresh Herbs! – and then I realize that if the thing actually works and the plants grow and I get a decent harvest, I could be up to my (!!!!!!!!) in produce.

Not exactly a bad thing, but

Ah, ‘but’.

I know it is way too late this year to be contemplating anything closely resembling a ‘garden’. How do I know this? I ventured over to the website of a reliable nursery and saw how many items were ‘out of stock’. But the idea is still there, the possibilities are still there, the potential is still viable.

And I have at least 6 months to contemplate, dream, ponder and pontificate, right?