Plannin' some meals

You would think that with two sons in college and working and with one son who is, for all practical purposes, finished homeschooling and is also working , I would be feeling like life is getting less complicated.

Ummmmm. No.

It will help when we have another car. We've been down one since that unfortunate event in the Menard's parking lot. (Can I just take a moment to say, "Sven, I miss you!") Jonathan, Andrew, and I share a car. Or rather, Jonathan and I share a car, and I chauffeur Andrew.

And then there's my job. Which I love. A lot. If I didn't, I would quit, because last year it cost us more in taxes than I made, so it's really more like a hobby. But, I will just think that I am really caught up--or even ahead--and then things happen. Like musicians.* Or Sundays unobserved in recent memory. And this always happens during holidays when I have extra stuff to do in the rest of my life.

And then there's my business that I am trying to resurrect. (I seem to lack the energy and ability to roll with the changes** that I used to have.)

So I am doing something that is going to shock those who know me well. I am going to simplify my life by planning our during-the-week meals. Starting after the holidays, Monday will be roast chicken and vegetables. Tuesday will be something with ground beef. Wednesday will be pasta or some take on mac & cheese. Thursday will be soup. Friday will be left-overs/fend-for-yourself night (since I'm usually the only one here.) On the weekends I will continue to cook what sounds good to the hubby.

I think that this plan will simplify my grocery shopping for the next couple of months. It will cut down on food waste. It will save money. The leftovers will be used. But it still leaves me room to make a dinner that will please my palate any given night.

* I LOVE MUSICIANS. I love it when they play their lovely music. But they tend to complicate my job. Not mentioning any particular names here.

**REO Speedwagon, where are you when I need you?

This could work on a Tuesday. Sweet potato shepherd's pie.

This is definitely what you call a first world problem

I know that some of you are going to think that I'm crazy, but this has been bugging me.

I want to go someplace that requires me to dress up. Really, really dress up.

We used to have some fancy holiday events to attend for Colin's job. At one time there were some fairly formal events for the Bach Collegium. But since Colin's job left town there are no more parties or events, and the Collegium events are far more ordinary than they used to be.

I dress nicely for church, concerts, the theater, and any other chance I get, but I want to get REALLY dressed up. Long skirt, sparkly jewelry, cute little clutch bag, the whole bit.

Maybe it's because really dressed up usually means we're going out and doing something fun. It's possible that my real desire is to go out and have fun with my husband. (And preferably some fun friends, too.)

But I still want an opportunity to get really dressed up.

My Anthropologie knock-off hat rack

Last year I saw this hook rack on Anthropologie's website.

I liked the idea, but I knew that my hubby could make me a rack for way less than $88.

We spent about $22 on wood and hooks, and used stain from several old cans in the garage. It turned out exactly as I hoped.

Since the men in this house are regular hat wearers, this is a really, really useful thing to have.

Thanks, honey!

The first decorations

 

My Gaudete tree.

Really, I just fell in love with this little tree when I saw it at Target, but what better time to put it up?!

What a reminder it will be to rejoice!

Feeling contrary

I don't know if there's anyone else who starts feeling a bit contrary around this time of year, or if it's just me, but all of the push to spend, spend, SPEND, makes me want to go make some homemade gifts and send off a check to World Vision or Heifer, International.

As anyone who knows me knows, I'm not averse to spending money. At all. I enjoy shopping. I like nice things. I love to buy gifts and often pick up little things that I think that the people I love will like here and there during the year. But, boy do I hate the constant inundation of ads in my email, my mailbox, and on my radio for DISCOUNTS!, LAST CHANCE!, BUY STUFF!

I can't imagine thinking that my buying RIGHT NOW is so important that I encourage retailers to open on national holidays, causing thousands of moms and dads, sons and daughters, to have to miss holiday time, often with family who have traveled far to be there.

I can't imagine believing that it is so vital that I get my hands on some discounted piece of made-in-China gadgetry that I will trample other people to get to it.

Or that it is so necessary that my child have a particular toy under the tree that I will engage in a hair-pulling fight to ensure its presence.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not one of those, "The world has ruined Christmas" people. Sometime the second week in December or so, when the furor of bargain-grabbing has subsided, I will dress up and go to the mall. (I will, however,  leave town and go to a specific mall where I don't think I'll see anyone shopping in her pajamas, and where I often feel delightfully underdressed.) I will get my triple grande one-pump caramel brulee latte. I will wander in and out of festively decorated stores and pick up a few final gifts. I will enjoy the Christmas music.

I will decorate my house a little at a time, until the tree goes up in a couple of weeks. I'll break out my Christmas music. I'll bake cookies. And if someone wishes me "Happy Holidays" I certainly won't snarl at them.

The world can't ruin Christmas, because it isn't theirs to ruin. They can't even ruin Advent, which is the actual season of the world's "Christmas" frenzy. We can ruin it for ourselves and our loved ones by getting caught up in the pressure to do, be, and buy too much. I always find it anchoring to attend church during Advent. Not just on Sunday, but midweek, too. And if you are blessed, as I am, to be in a church where there are daily services, attending them can be a great antidote to the pre-Christmas stress that overindulgence of all sorts can bring. It's a good channel for my contrary feelings. It reminds us that this is a season of repentance, anticipation, and preparation.

Although a check to Heifer isn't a bad channel for contrarian impulses, either.

“Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come, that by your protection we may be rescued from the threatening perils of our sins and saved by your mighty deliverance.”
(Collect for the First Sunday in Advent.)

Thinking about color

I've been a bit obsessed recently with colors. My colors, to be more specific. My friend Polly started it, when she mentioned her Zyla colors. Of course, I had to know what she was talking about. She was talking about David Zyla and his book Color Your Style.

I dabbled in figuring out what season I am, many years ago. Most of the time I don't think a lot about the color of my clothes, as long as something isn't terrible, because I shop for fit. I end up wearing a lot of black, because it's available. But I was intrigued by what I could find out about Zyla on the internet.

So I ordered the book and read it. And then I made a couple of other people get it. And I have been spending an inordinate amount of time gazing into my own eyes. And at my veins. And at paint swatches. And Pinterest boards. I look at the palettes that Zyla has done in private consultations and I seriously think about spending money on such a thing.

I think that part of the reason this is so interesting is that, beyond color, Zyla delves into style and personality, by breaking each season into various "archetypes." I'm still working on figuring out what mine is. When I do, I'll share. He also tells you how to find various colors for yourself, using the aformentioned eyes and veins, as well as skin and hair.

So if you see me sitting in my car, staring into my own eyes, just know that I'm trying to figure out what color to paint my bedroom.

This sweater contains my "romantic" color. Too bad the style was bad!

Looking for suggestions again

Last year I asked for your must-read books. From your suggestions I crafted a reading challenge. A number of my friends joined me in this challenge, and I think it has been one of the more valuable challenges that I have done this year. I have thoroughly enjoyed the books that I have read for it and I intend to do it again next year.

Since I have several books in progress that I want to finish by the end of the year, and because I read one of my alternates, I know that one of my choices for this year will carry over to next year.

So again, I ask you, what books have you read that--for whatever reason--you would recommend highly. They can be serious or fun. Fiction, non-fiction, acclaimed or obscure. The only requirement is that you love them.

Please comment here and not on the Book of Face, so that I can keep track of your replies. Thanks in advance.

Reading troubles

I have a book blog, mostly to keep track of the various reading challenges that I engage in each year. I post the occasional review and sometimes progress reports and updates, but, in the main, it is my way of keeping track of what I am, or should be, reading.

I say "should be" because, for me, the challenges function as a curb. They, theoretically, keep me from reading too much fluff. They steer me toward some specific books, some higher quality literature, and more variety than I would likely consume if left completely unchecked.

Some years this works better than others. This year I am in a bit of trouble with my challenges, partially because I've been lazy, partially because I've had a couple of crazy busy times, partially because of my eye trouble, and partially because I have had lots of opportunity to peruse--and check out--the new books at the library.

Another problem is that I've had a couple of books that have really bogged me down. They've been slow going. I just decided that I've had enough of one of them. After half the book, I'm calling a halt. I won't count it for any of my totals, but I will check it off of the challenges that required this particular book, because I am DONE with it.

My sons don't understand it, but I really don't like Dostoyevsky. I didn't like Crime and Punishment. And I have now abandoned The Brothers Karamazov. In fact, I don't believe that I have as yet particularly enjoyed a book by a Russian. I can appreciate certain things about the book, but I don't enjoy it. I figure that I am old enough at this point to not spend any more time on a book that I am practically skimming to get through.

I am about 1/6 of the way through Middlemarch and am enjoying that, but for tonight I think I'm going to curl up with something completely different. Tam Lin and The Book of Three--both recommended and chosen for my "Friends" challenge--arrived last week from Amazon, so I think I'll choose one of those.

I may not do as well with some of my challenges this year as I thought I would. I hate not finishing them. But I also don't want to ruin one of the greatest pleasures in my life by turning it into too much of a chore.

Happy thing #30

This is my last promised happy thing. But it definitely isn't my last happy thing post. As I go through my days and weeks, I will be keeping my eyes open for the little things that make my life good, happy, enjoyable. . . .

It's fun to get compliments. And every single time that I wear this necklace I get compliments.
I don't have expensive jewelry. I am more than a little insecure about how I look. I am, and always have been, on the chubby side. I have had severe rosacea since I was 19. I have bad hair.

So, if I want to look good, I pay a lot of attention to my clothes and accessories. On a bad day, wearing this necklace is almost a sure pick me up. I love it, and it must look good, because even strangers comment on it. And I am just shallow enough that that makes me happy.

Happy things #29

My house. It has been, and continues to be a challenge. But I love it. It is more HOME than anyplace that I have ever lived. I love the creaky floors and the wonderful warm Beeswax color of the walls in my living room. I love the butler's pantry, the front porch, the brick, the linen press, and all of the windows. I love my neighborhood.

There is still a lot to do, but we have made so much progress. And even on its worst days, my house makes me happy.

Happy things #28

I love scrapbooking. These are two of my favorite pages that I did this weekend. The first one is an absolutely simple, unadorned page of fantastic photos of some of my favorite people. The second is the opening page of my Patrick book, and I think it's perfect.

I got 40 pages scrapped this weekend. That makes me happy.

Happy things #27

Yes, I missed a day.

But that's because I was busy having a happy birthday.

 Look at that sunrise!

 If you want a clue about what the inside of my head looks like....

 I went for a lovely walk around the camp in the breezy fall weather.

A room full of scrapbookers.

I look forward to this weekend all year long. Knowing that it's coming makes me happy, being here makes me happy, and adding the work that I get done here to my books will make me happy.

Happy things #26

Eighteen years ago today I gave birth to an extremely happy thing. Adorable. Hilarious. Smart. Goofy. Loving.

And as he's gotten older he has shown himself to be hard-working, honest, and determined, without losing his goofiness and sense of fun.

I can't believe that my sweet baby is 18!

Happy birthday, Andrew!

Happy things #25

This is my bed. I just climbed out of its warm softness and fired my computer up again so that I could write this blog post. (I knew that if I blew it off, I would hear about it from my sons. They are very good at holding my feet to the fire.)

And, in moments, I am going to climb back in. It is a very comfy bed. It makes me happy.

Happy things #24

This was my walk home from work today. Yes it was drizzling. Yes it was grey. Yes the colors have faded and a few of the trees are bare. But it is still fall, and fall makes me happy.

Happy things #23

A couple of pictures of Bethany and Evan in their kitchen when I visited in August:

Three years ago today Evan and Bethany went on their first date.

While they were off enjoying the first evening of their changed relationship, I sat in my car waiting for Jonathan to finish at the Civic Theatre and made a guest list for the wedding. That's how sure I was that this was a perfect match.

I was right.

For a mother, seeing your child happily married to a compatible spouse who shares her faith has to be one of the happiest things there is. And it's a special bonus when the rest of the family really, really likes him, too.

Happy things #22

Friends.

I tried to find a good picture, but any group picture leaves too many good friends out, so Jacqui gets to symbolize all of them.

And I decided that the incredible friends my kids have are every bit as much a happy thing as my own incredible friends, so it's good that a couple of them are in this picture.

I have been blessed with an abundance of wonderful friends. They live all over, from next door--literally--to the other side of the world. They are all so different, and I love each of them.

A brief break from happy things

This weekend was the first of two scrapbooking retreats that I attend in a row. Something happened this weekend that I don't recall ever happening before at any of the multiple retreats a year that I've gone to over the last nine or ten years.

Political conversation.

 Not just once. Several times. In various groups of people. And always mainly about the Orwelliffically-named Affordable Care Act.

To me this is more proof that, unlike other government actions and overreaches, this one is hitting real people where they live. When a bunch of middle class, mid-western women--who seem far more interested in TV shows and pop music than politics--who are on a getaway weekend to indulge in a hobby, are so bothered by what their government is doing that it keeps coming up, something is wrong.


Very, very wrong.

Happy things #21

I love a new hat. I wore this one to church today, with a new dress, too.

Happy things #20

This is our Godson Arthur. Today I have been getting to enjoy watching his mother scrapbook lots of pictures of him.

He is a very happy thing.