Month: February 2021

Happy Twin Peaks Day

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For those who don’t know, I’m a Twin Peaks superfan. I was absolutely obsessed with the show when it came out. I own 5 or 6 different Twin Peaks books. I even wrote an extensive research paper on it for a media studies class back in college. So yes, I like to celebrate this silly little “holiday” annually.

Last year during quarantine, we watched the show with Jake and Noah, who also really loved it. Since Jake is away at school, Noah and I still decided to do something special! The last few years I’ve been on top of things and had cherry pie ready, but this year donuts and (of course) a damn fine cup of coffee did nicely.

coffee & doughnuts

Today I also decided to take the advice of Agent Dale Cooper. This is one of my (many) favorites quotes from the show:

With that in mind, and remembering writing about my February Funk yesterday, I decided to treat myself to some beautiful tulips.

tulips in tote

tulips

tulips

Can’t you just feel the warm air and catch the scent of rain and grass? Ah, spring is coming, it really is! In the meantime, I’ll enjoy fresh flowers as a reminder!

February Funk

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It’s that time of year… spring is close, yet seems so far. We’re all getting tired of being cooped up in the cold weather, tired of sweeping up sand and road salt, and just… well… tired. It’s the end of February.

And it’s not just me, which is comforting. Seems there are quite a few people out there who also are experiencing a lack of motivation and general feeling of blah. That’s a technical term, you know.

Helping me rise out of it, though, is something new that I recently purchased. Ta-da!

new camera

I’ve been researching cameras for quite some time. I bought my last camera, a Nikon D40 that served me very well, over 13 years ago. And over those 13 years life has changed a lot! I wanted something a little more sophisticated than a basic point-and-shoot, but I really didn’t want another DSLR (at least not right now). Well, this Lumix fits the bill nicely! It’s referred to as a “bridge” camera — exactly what I wanted. And oh boy, is there a lot to learn! The features are really impressive, and I am still amazed that I can send a photo from the camera to my phone via WiFi! I’m feel like my passion for photography has been reinvigorated. I’m going to try to carry it around with me because, well, you never know when you’re going to see something that strikes you.

Another thing I’m doing is going through my books. We’re hoping to having a book sale at work in late spring/early summer, so that’s always easy way for me to pass things on. I have so many cookbooks, most of which I’ve picked up at other book sales, and some of them can definitely go in the donation pile.

Craft-wise, I haven’t been doing too much aside from collecting a lot of ideas! Noah did ask me to make him a hat in a new color, so I started on that. It’s just simple HDC ribbing, so it’s perfect TV crochet.

crochet hat

That’s just a quick little update from me! Hope all is well in your neck of the woods!

Crochet-iversary

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When I checked my Facebook memories this morning, I saw the following post from 12 years ago:

I still remember it! I was pregnant with Laura and after several failed attempts, I had decided that I was finally going to learn. I thought it would be fun to look back on my journey!

 

learning to crochet
First stitches! February 2009
just fold up the sides
My first dishcloth! Completed February 4, 2009
crochet baby sweater
Baby sweater – March 12, 2009
ripple afghan
My first completed blanket – May 3, 2009
attic24 bag flower detail
My Attic24 bag – May 2009
baby hat with oversized rose
Baby hat – April 2011
Country Christmas Crochet Garland
Christmas Tree Garland – November 5, 2012
Crochet jellyfish
Octopi Amigurumi – May 2016
C2C Blanket with Caron Cakes Yarn
C2C (Corner to Corner) Blanket – November 2016
Atlanticus CAL through part 4
Atlanticus blanket in progress – July 2017
Triangle scarf
Triangle Scarf – December 2017
River Rock Blanket
River Rock Blanket – January 2019

It’s so fun to look back on all of the projects I’ve completed over the years (this is just a small selection)! Last year I honestly didn’t do much crochet, save for some dishcloths. Seems I lost my cro-jo a bit. But I feel like it’s so worth it to make time for the things that make you feel good, and I am definitely in need of a creative outlet.

So maybe this weekend I’ll actually pick up my hook (or knitting needles — I haven’t knit in ages, either) and see what inspires me!

Snow Days & COVID Testing

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After days of the white stuff, we were finally able to get Jake COVID tested for school! Monday was obviously the big storm. (Well, obvious I guess if you live in the Northeast.) We got a good 18-inches of snow, maybe a little more. Everything came to a screeching halt on Monday. No school. No work. Even the urgent care centers and medical practices closed. A State of Emergency was declared preventing discouraging people from travel (there will always be those who don’t heed these types of things). 

Tuesday was not much better. There was still a lot of digging out to do, and while the urgent care center was on a delayed opening, they were not doing COVID tests. So that meant delaying again. FINALLY today the weather cooperated, and in a way it all fell into place since I did not need to take time off of work (the library is closed on Wednesdays). This morning I went grocery shopping while Jake had two online classes (yes, classes have begun even though move-in is happening Thursday – Saturday — doing the best they can). Then after a quick lunch we headed down to Poughkeepsie.

Truthfully, the whole thing was very easy. We had a virtual visit on Sunday, basically pre-qualifying him for the tests. There were a couple cars in front of us, and then a tech came up, verified Jake’s identity, went back to the pod and found his kit, swabbed his nose for both the rapid and the PCR tests, and then we just pulled into a parking spot and waited for about 20 minutes until the rapid results came back. (Yes, negative, which we figured since he hasn’t been anywhere, LOL! A positive would have been a real shock.) My anxiety had been going crazy because I tend to really stress over unknown situations, but now that I know the process, if we have to do it again it will be easy-peasy.

The PCR results will be available in a few days, but all we need for move-in is the rapid results, so we’re good to go. I’m still wrapping my head around the fact that there’s only a few days with Jake here at home! Drew will be driving him up, and I’m not sure if I’ll see him until May. Definitely something to get used to. But he is very excited, and I’m excited for him. He’ll do great, but I will certainly miss my first little bird to fly!

Happy February!

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Well, we would appear to be starting the shortest month with a big snow storm. It’s starting to really come down as I type this! Truthfully, I am not enthusiastic about this storm. Jake is heading on-campus Saturday and needs to have a Covid test done. Yesterday he had his virtual visit and the plan was to go and get it over with this AM, but alas, the storm has closed pretty much everything, including the Urgent Care center doing the testing. So it seems our next chance to go is Wednesday. Luckily, they do the rapid as well as the regular (and the school accepts rapid results, so if the regular test doesn’t come back in time, we’re still OK). 

Ugh, the month can only get better, right? And it’s a short month too. AND we can now say that spring starts next month. I don’t really mind winter, but I’m really feeling cooped up and could use a day of nicer weather to get outside for a while.

Anyway… it’s been months since I participated, but today I’m joining in with Sandra at Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday. 

The Weather…
Snow. Cold. Wind. Typical for the Northeast in the winter, of course, but I’m a little cranky about it this week because I have a lot going on. 

Mon: 27/20 Snow
Tue: 30/25 Snow
Wed: 31/19 Cloudy
Thu: 40/19 Sunny
Fri: 38/21 Mixed precipitation
Sat: 33/31 Partly cloudy

How I’m Feeling Today…
I’m really tired because I was up quite a bit last night thinking about the weather, getting this test done, some things for work, and making sure Jake has everything to move to his dorm on Saturday. Trying hard not to stress out over things I can’t control is easier said than done!

On My Mind…
Mostly what I’ve already been talking about. I’m just trying to focus on getting through the week, and getting the kid up on campus!

On the Breakfast Plate…
Since it was a true snow day (no school, no work, no nothing), I decided to make pancakes and sausage. Everyone was very excited about that!

On My Reading Pile…
I’m supposed to be reading Three Strong Women by Marie Ndiaye for Book Club at work, but I have to be honest… I just have such a hard time getting into these selections. I feel like I’m back in college reading for class assignments. I’ll probably end up just skimming through it and picking up something a little lighter and more fun. 

On My TV…
We’re trying to finish Season 5 of Better Call Saul before Saturday. A few episodes left — I think we can do it! 

On the Menu This Week…
This menu is highly subject to change based on weather and whims! But just to get something down:

Monday – Pot roast, mashed potatoes, broccoli, salad
Tuesday – Cranberry-brie chicken, rice, mixed veggies
Wednesday – Possibly take-out
Thursday – Chicken enchiladas
Friday – Jake’s choice
Saturday – I may get Chipotle for me, Noah & Laura or if I don’t feel like going out, it’ll be frozen pizza.

From the Camera…
My snowy front yard

Looking Around the House…
The dining room table is covered with everything we’re bringing up to school for Jake. I have some baskets of laundry that need putting away. The usual post-weekend tidy is definitely required.

New Recipe I Tried Last Week (or One We Really Enjoyed)…
It’s not a new recipe, but yesterday I made a take on puttanesca sauce that I haven’t had in ages. It’s pretty simple: sauté garlic in olive oil, add a can of whole tomatoes (break up the tomatoes) with the juice, a can of quartered artichoke hearts, a can of black olives, some capers, a little chicken broth, and let it simmer. I added some diced chicken as well for extra protein and served it over bow tie pasta. So good! 

To Relax This Week I Will…
Ha! Yeah right. Just being honest on this one, LOL. I don’t know, maybe I’ll work on some simple crochet projects if I can focus long enough.

 

Hope you all have a fantastic week!