Grateful Friday

Today I give thanks for...

10...TEN hours of sleep last night.

A beautiful week of 65 degree days and cooler temps at night.

My toe is on the mend. I'm really hoping that it's not broken and that I just tweaked it good.

Cheeks. That's what I call him for obvious reason.

 

Earl. That's my starter. I think I righted it, and will have fresh bread this weekend. It'll be my second bake and first solo.

 

 This was my first...

 

Signs from beyond. My orchid, dormant for at least a year, chose to bloom on my Mom's birthday.

 

 

My Puras. The scents are so good and there are so many. I already stocked up on Frasier Fir for the holidays.

Kitty snuggles. It's rare for Hazel and Gus to cuddle up, and yet they did so twice this week so just maybe this is the start of something sweet and new.

 

 

Finally getting into the salon for a cut and color. I hadn't been since April. I'm tired here after 4...FOUR hours in the chair.

 

My Dad dropped off bottles of water he pumped from the spring by his house and a container of his ham and bean soup.

My Dad finally got hearing aids. 

Good neighbors.

Ted bought a truck for a little side hustle he's pursuing. He's always been an entrepreneur. 

 

 Ted's appetite. That's a brat, a hot dog and an Italian.

 

 Always this girl...hard at work, or playing Minecraft.

 

 

 

 

 

Warning- Rant to Follow

 I. give. up.

I'm officially depressed. Literally down and out.

Yesterday I had a fight with the hose and the hose won. I mean my toe (broken), knee (sore), elbow (aching), and hand (bruised) had a fight. I got tangled up while watering and went down, took out a full bucket of water and skidded across the pavement. I sat still, soaked and stunned while the chippies raced around me stuffing their cheeks with peanuts paying zero attention to my lack of grace. I was grateful for the tree cover shielding me from entertaining my neighbors.

Okay it could have been worse, but there goes the many after work walks I was so looking forward. Shoes are out of the question for the foreseeable future. Restricted activity will leave plenty of time to attempt to sort what is going on with my starter. Despite lots of feedings, it doesn't seem to be fermenting. I'm guessing my ratios are off. It's my first solo effort, and I'm hoping it's not my last because an airy, tangy slice of bread with butter would make me feel much better right now.

weekending

Yesterday we celebrated my dad's 79th. Tomorrow is my Mom's birthday. I celebrated her at church today by lighting a candle after mass. Lily wanted to introduce Michael to our parish. It was her invitation that prompted us to attend. I'm well aware no invitation is needed, but sometimes it's that subtle suggestion that reminds us what's missing. It was missing. And while we weren't in our familiar pew, we attended a sister parish so we could connect with Father Tim. He is a spiritual font of inspiration and good chi. St. Rita's is small and humble...lively and welcoming. It was a comforting start to the day.

A cool, gray day that welcomes comfort. I defrosted some lasagna soup for dinner to go with my very first loaf of sourdough. The fam has sampled and given approval so I'm in the process of feeding more starter for another batch because this one won't last long. The kit kats are napping, we just watched the Packers win and none of us are lamenting the come what may quintessential fall day. There is nothing better than a fall Sunday. I swear by it.

That being said, the front end of the weekend was no slouch. I got my Pete and Sue fix Friday night. We went out for burgers and then back to Casa Weslow for more dish and drinks. We had lots to catch up on, yet were home at a reasonable hour for more fun Saturday. We had a nice time on Woods Road. My Dad was luke warm on a gathering, but I think he had a really fine time partially due to his new hearing aids and the wise decision to order in. I was in charge of the cake because I am the family baker, yet I too relied on the experts. I bought a cake Friday, realized it was still at home halfway to the party and then stopped to buy another cake on the way. No idea what I'm doing with a whole cake, but grateful I signed up for Nothing Bundt rewards.

I'm ready to take Father Tim's missive and make kindness a priority this week.   

 

 

 

Just a Few Words

What a difference a few weeks make. When I last checked in here, I was still deep in a summer state of mind. Although it's officially summer for a few more days, signs of fall are everywhere. Mike made the first pot of soup as temps cooled, a delicious steak fajita with rib eyes that were a little fancy for that purpose, but enjoyed nonetheless. Enjoyed while watching the Packers despite the fact they gave the game away. My aunt, who was visiting from Arizona last week, bought my first mum of the season, and some of her sourdough starter, Earl, for fresh bread. All week we fed and proofed and completed the steps. Tomorrow, I will bake off the loaves. Nothing says cozy like bread baking in the oven.

It was a good and full week of visiting: family suppers in, dinner and brunch out with friends, binge watching true crime and old family movies, catching up into the wee hours, stocking up on local favorites from The Spice House, Sciortinos, Usingers and Cheese Mart, cooking together, just being together. I'm already looking forward to more of the same when we visit in November. 

I've been off this week...tired and a little blue. It's a tricky time for me. Monday would be my Mom's 78th birthday and one week later will be eighteen years without her. Missing her is a constant slow burn, but this week my feet are to the fire. My Mom was known to say, What doesn't kill us, doesn't kill us, and I'm still living and loving the best I can one day, one week, one month at a time.