Pink and Blue

Happy day before Christmas Eve day!  

The first alarm I set for work goes off at 11:10 PM.  At 11:15 PM I felt a rumbling (as did the rest of the family and local friends).  It turns out that there was an earthquake not far from here.  It got me out of bed on time! 

Here are some happy things from this day:

• In hopes to find holiday lights on the way to work I chose an alternate route.  There were a few places with some lights.  There was nowhere to safely pull over to take a picture with a car right behind me.  What I have learned is that most people turn their lights off when they go to bed and most people are asleep by one o'clock in the morning.  It was a nice short adventure, just without pictures to share.
• It was my last night working mandatory extended time for a while.  I got over ten hours of overtime this week.  I'm tired and very happy that the week is over.  I don't go back to work until Wednesday.  
• After a nice nap, Gideon and I picked Keziah up and we went Christmas shopping.  Gideon was able to pick up a few things for his mom when she wasn't looking.  Gideon was also kind enough to take some Christmas tree photos while I drove.

• Last night, Keziah and Gideon visited some friends and watched something related to Percy Jackson.  I wasn't there, but they brought home some blue fettuccine Alfredo that a friend made to go along with the entertainment.  In the book, Percy Jackson’s mom makes him blue food.  The point... is that I got some tasty blue leftovers for dinner tonight.  It went well with the peppermint frosty I picked up at Wendy’s. 

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Currently listening to: Robin, by Dave Itzkoff.  

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Thanksgiving

 Happy things from Thanksgiving Day:

Sunset

• Work had us scheduled for a full shift this morning (1:20 - 11:50 AM).  We were able to leave just before nine if we wanted.  Yay!  A coworker had plans to go to breakfast with her daughter at the Red Arrow Diner.  We started talking about the stuffed French toast there and I got really hungry.   😋
• When I got home, Zed was just finishing making bacon and eggs for breakfast.  It was perfect timing, and so good!
• After a nap, I went to Zed's Dad's house to share a meal with their family.  Zed's adorable four month old nephew was there.  While Keziah was holding him, he grabbed onto my hand and decided my fingers were his dinner.  Yay, baby!

That's my thumb he is sucking on!

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Currently listening to: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, by Suzanne Collins

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Food

Happy things from today:

• My daughter, Keziah, is a wonderful human.  She has made sure that Zed and I are fed all day.  She leaves food outside my door.  
• Zed's mom made chicken soup with rice for us.  It was delicious.  

• Today I slept a lot, but not as much as yesterday, the first covid day.

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Currently listening to: Catching Fire, by Suzanne Collins.

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

More Privet

Some happy things from today:

• Yesterday I wrote about the flowers on the privet bush. When I look at the row of privet between our yard and the neighbor's it doesn't resemble what a privet normally would be. Normally, a privet is a well trimmed hedge. I can't know if it was ever a well trimmed hedge, but it definitely appears more wild at this point. I've come to like it.  I'd still prefer if the entire area were lilacs, but I've come to like the privet.

Picture taken from the second floor.
The privet is mostly in the middle of the picture.

• At work I was assigned to stow. That is basically scanning packages and putting them neatly where they belong. For the first hour I did really well and was fast. I'm going to focus on that and not the rest of the night. 😉
• They let us stop working about a half hour early and served snacks before going home. I got popcorn and a snow cone. I was good and didn't get the cotton candy.  I saved my sweets for the strawberries at home.  😋

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Currently listening to: Becoming, by Michelle Obama.

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay Safe.

Strawberry Picking

Happy things from today:

• This morning, before the rain came, the weather was practically perfect for strawberry picking. It was overcast with the temperatures around 70°. We picked almost 14 pounds of strawberries. They are sweet and delicious. In the words of Gideon, "They are bursting with flavor."  Keziah and I picked them.  Gideon and I washed them and prepared them for eating.

• A friend came over to sew with Keziah and we went out to lunch at The Post. They are a breakfast to lunch place and I got breakfast. I had a delicious omelet with some fruit and toast.
• Parts for Keziah’s store are coming together. We picked up shelves from a store that went out of business. They very nearly filled up the van.

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Currently listening to: Becoming, by Michelle Obama.

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay Safe.

Concord Market Days

Some happy things from today:

• It was an early day at work for me. I had my first appointment with a therapist. Perhaps now is the time to remind my readers that I write this blog to remember to look for happy things partially to help me in my battle with depression. Maybe that is too much information, but it is what it is.  After this appointment though, I am hopeful.
• Concord Market Days are happening through this weekend in Concord, NH. The family, a friend, and I went this evening and walked Main Street. I got a delicious grilled cheese sandwich with goat cheese for dinner (Wicked Tasty Food Truck) while checking out artisans and vendors. We know one of the vendors and I had the opportunity to chat with her for a while and catch up on life.

Gideon got a haircut and a new color!

I was trying to get a photo of the bubbles...

• There are three different locations among the festivities which host live music. That was fun to listen to-and maybe sing along with.
• There were also many dogs and small children strolling the area with their parents and guardians. Cuteness overload!

☮

Currently listening to: Becoming, by Michelle Obama.

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay Safe.

Malagentia Test Kitchen

Some of today's happy things:

• Some friends and I went to an SCA event in Maine today. The event was held at a state park and was themed around cooking over a fire. We didn't cook today but other friends did. There was a bunch of food served potluck style in the evening. It was a nice day filled with friends and food. I’m not a foodie and went mostly with things I know. My friends found some new things that they like though. I brought a basket of fruit to share.

While sitting and talking with folks I worked on untangling strings.  It used to be part of a weaving project and I am hoping to make it into a Kumihimo project.  This bit of string is all I have left to fix, the amount that is straightened is much bigger than what is left.

 

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Currently listening to: The Swiss Nurse, by Mario Escobar.

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Self-Care Day

Some happy things:

• It was mostly a self-care day. I did some writing to sort through my feelings about losing my step count streak.  It helped to write about it and to share some feelings with Keziah and TF.  

• In between rain showers I got some things out of the van and checked out the lilac tree. There are buds just starting to form for the flowers.

• Keziah and Gideon made overnight oats today and I got to watch and flavor up some yogurt for myself. It was fun watching them work together.

☮

Currently listening to: Warrior of the Light, by Paulo Coelho

Currently reading: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, by Susan Cain

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe

Presents!

Yesterday I got so much sleep that I didn't get enough sleep last night. This was unfortunate because I had plans. Thankfully I have awesome friends that understand my weird schedule and why I fell asleep while visiting. Other happy things from today:

• There is a recipe I found a few years ago for Pull Apart Garlic Bread. It is really yummy and was my contribution to go with dinner with friends. I made it this morning and everyone seemed to like it.
• My friend has a new-to-her floor loom that she wanted to show me. It needs a couple of parts but is in really good shape other than that. I look forward to seeing what she produces with it.
• She and her husband picked up some small gifts for Keziah and me. The windmill is for Keziah and the Pelican for me.

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Finished listening to: The Geography of Bliss, by Eric Weiner

Currently reading: Camino Wandering, by Tara Marlow

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Simple Things

There is new equipment up and running at work. Apparently today was day two and there were problems to work out, but today went better. I didn't get to work in that area though and know very little.
Happy things from today:

• There was a beautiful full moon when I left for work in the middle of the night. With the snow it was very light outside.
• There was some lovely bird song when I got home from work this afternoon. I didn't see what kind for sure, but at least some sounded like chickadees. 
• After I ate, I was still hungry so I went looking through the pantry closet. I was pleasantly surprised to find vanilla meringues that I bought and forgot about last week. They were very good and melted in my mouth.

Tomorrow, March 8, 2023 is International Women's Day.

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Currently listening to: The Geography of Bliss, by Eric Weiner

Currently reading: Camino Wandering, by Tara Marlow

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Happy Monday

Some happy things from today:

• While exploring comedies to watch on Paramount + I found a different sort of show, Drunk History. It contains snippets of reenactments of historic events told by someone who is drunk. I'm not sure how I feel about this, but it was interesting. I learned a few things, but don’t worry, I don’t trust it completely.
• For lunch today Zed and Gideon made one of the meals they got from Hello Fresh. I adjusted my portion a little because I don’t care for mayonnaise, other than that it was pretty good. Last night’s meal from there was also good. Meal planning is one of the places where this family struggles. Hello Fresh is certainly helping relieve some of that.
• A few days ago I went shopping… hungry. This is never a good thing. I ended up buying cookie dough that could be baked or eaten raw. It’s gone now, I enjoyed every raw bite.

Winston!

☮

Finished listening to: The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle, by Jennifer Ryan

Currently listening to: The Geography of Bliss, by Eric Weiner

Currently reading: Unenchanted, by Chanda Hahn

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Champion

Yesterday I forgot to mention something that made me happy. Zed went to an SCA event and was able to deliver all the bands I wove to someone who was willing to deliver the bands to the recipients. It wasn't as direct as I was hoping, but I'm grateful that he did this and that the champion bands are that much closer to the Champions.

Happy things from today:

• In my attempt at downsizing I spent 15 minutes going through a box and got a small bag of trash and things to get rid of. I also found our National Audubon Society book on mammals.

Bye, bye stuff!

• Zed and Keziah have started using HelloFresh a few times a week. Tonight we had the first meal, a parmesan chicken meal with carrots and couscous. It was pretty good.
• I took the time and subscribed to Paramount +.  More movies and TV shows to watch.  We will be able to watch the Star Trek shows again.

☮

Currently listening to: Here Goes Nothing, by Eamon McGrath

Currently reading: Unenchanted, by Chanda Hahn

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Work Stuff

For a little while today at work I was fast. Things just clicked and as I stowed items to the correct bins I moved swiftly and it showed in my productivity. It felt good. Other happy things from today:

• On Wednesdays there is a meeting of the Safety Committee. I have attended the last few in hopes that I could become a member. Today I was told that I could be a member and tomorrow I will get a new vest that has some green stripes to show that I am part of the committee.  One of the things I am supposed to do is notice when things are happening that aren't safe and say or do something.  Hopefully the right words will come and I won't fumble.
• Usually I open up a can of soup for my midday meal. The last few days there have been other options with some yummy leftovers in the house.  Today was an enchilada.  It has been a nice change.

Winston!

☮

Currently listening to: The Becoming, by Nora Roberts

Currently reading: Unenchanted, by Chanda Hahn

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Seeds

Last year I tried to garden and I wasn't able to follow-thru. This year, we'll see. Today I started some geraniums and marigolds from seed. I set up a light and plant heating pad in the basement. 

Then I had a nap and dreamed of there being critter problems like last year that ate everything. As far as I know, we don’t have the same critters as last year so maybe things will have a good beginning. Other happy things from today:

• Someone asked for an image of my SCA device. I found the banners that we forgot to even look for before the event a few weeks ago. 

• This may seem small, but I have managed to make a meal every night for Gideon and myself (and sometimes others) since his parents are away. I really thought I would cave and order out for pizza or something. 
• Tomorrow is my last antibiotic (see last Wednesday) and I am feeling a lot better.

☮

Currently listening to: The Becoming, by Nora Roberts

Currently reading: Fallen, by E Prybylski

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Tired Monday

Last night I found a YouTube channel about the history of food. The particular episode that I watched was about pemmican. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't like it but the history tidbits were fun. Other happy things:

• Keziah and I drove long distances to return the rented air purifiers back to Maine. They wouldn't all fit into the van so we needed both cars. I’m happy to have helped and happy that they are back safe and sound.
• We stopped for lunch at a seafood restaurant. Everything was delicious and Keziah and I got to talk about upcoming events.

• There is a case of eggs in the kitchen on the floor. Nanni, the gray tabby, has decided that she likes to sit or lay on the box. It looks like she is nesting!

☮

Currently listening to: The Awakening, by Nora Roberts

Currently reading: Fallen, by E Prybylski

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Little Cat Tree

Before I pull out of the parking lot at work I check for messages on my phone. An email came in from work and I almost didn't check it. I'm so glad I did though, it was an opportunity for voluntary time off. I took it and so I'm not working tonight. I had been trying to decide whether to take the night off or not and that opportunity made the choice easy. Not only is the weather wet tonight, I will have more time to prepare for the weekend. Other happy things from today:

• Some weaving happened. I was tired so I didn't weave for long. After making a mistake I had to fix I knew I needed sleep instead of staying up to weave.  It was a good nap.
  
  
  

• Keziah got a new toy for the cats. They aren't sure what to make of it yet. The limbs with the balls on them bounce.

• Zeke made dinner tonight and I liked it. I'm a very picky eater so finding things that I like can be hard. Hawaiian chicken was really good though and I'm glad I was awake tonight to try it. Normally I'd be asleep preparing for work tonight.

☮

Currently listening to: The Awakening, by Nora Roberts

Currently reading: Fallen, by E Prybylski

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Secret

There is a small group of friends that meet most Sunday mornings to be creative at a local coffee shop. I’ve been invited to join them. They do writing, and so I tried to write a little too. I didn’t get very far though. I'm still happy to be included.  Other happy things from today:

• For Christmas, someone enrolled Gideon in a monthly recipe/cooking club called Raddish. Tomorrow he will be making a meal for the rest of the family (I'll be sleeping). Because I won't be sharing the meal, I got to help him make the Secret Sauce today, so it will remain a secret from everyone else. It was fun helping him make the sauce and he is SO excited to make the meal for everyone tomorrow.

• Our local SCA group had a virtual meeting.  One of the things I like best about the meetings is getting to see the faces of friends that I've been missing.  I also got a glimpse of a newborn baby! 
• There was another gorgeous sunset this afternoon.

• The day ended up being very busy and I didn’t get as much weaving done as I had hoped. The first pattern has been started though and tomorrow is another day.  I don't like stopping in the middle of a pattern.  I'm very tired though, so stopping is a good thing.

• Keziah has been away all weekend and is back.  She had exciting adventures and stories to tell about the place she visited and people she saw.   

☮

Finished listening to: Practical Magic, by Alice Hoffman.

Currently reading: Fallen, by E Prybylski

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Comfort Food

Some Thursday happy things:

• It was a snowy ride home from work today. When I got home I pulled out a can of tomato soup to have for my midday meal. What goes well with tomato soup? Grilled cheese sandwiches. I like mine with plain old American cheese… we were out. Thankfully, Keziah saved the day. She was already out on an errand and brought home some American cheese so I could have a comfort meal. Yay! It was just what I needed on a cold, snowy day.
• Many people like hot cocoa. It too is a comfort food. I have a sensitivity to caffeine and can't do chocolate. One of the wonderful things that my protege found and got me for Christmas was hot white chocolate. That made my warm comfort food meal complete today.

• After my Thursday afternoon nap, the family had dinner and watched the final episode of this season’s Willow. We all enjoyed this show and are hopeful that there will be a season two.

☮

Currently listening to: Practical Magic, by Alice Hoffman.

Started reading: Fallen, by E Prybylski

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

City Walk

Happy things from today:

• Keziah and Zed asked me to watch Gideon for a while today. We decided to go into the city and play Pokémon Go. I've been playing this game for quite some time. I started playing it to play with Gideon, Keziah, and Bel but ended up using the game more than the rest of them. We had fun battling gyms together and looking for different PokeStops.

• We went out to lunch in between playing. The avostack at Teatotallers is really good.

• So much weaving got done today! If I can do the same tomorrow I should be able to finish this band. I will need to warp the loom again to do the last band.

☮

Currently listening to: Practical Magic, by Alice Hoffman.


Currently reading: Ruby: Come by Chance Mail Order Brides, by Juliet James

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.