Packing Report

This was the original packing list from our recent trip. 

I've crossed out the items I didn't use.

 

4 sleeveless/short sleeve layering pieces:

berry

gray

charcoal

ivory

4 long sleeve tees:

ivory

tan

charcoal

mustard

3 V-neck cashmere sweaters:

navy

gray

teal

3 button-front shirts:

denimish

gray/teal plaid

gray paisley(tunic length)

2 pants:

white cords

charcoal

1 navy skirt and tights

1 charcoal wool blazer

 

With temperatures unexpectedly warm

- upper 60s and 70s -

layers weren't necessary.  I never wore the blazer.

We didn't do any "fine" dining, so the skirt

remained in the suitcase.

 

It's reasonable to assume that many pieces

can be eliminated, because

in Paris I will have access to laundry,

but, December weather should call

 for some layering pieces, so

I'll be looking for that happy medium

to allow more room for

shopping!

 

These items worked for me.

The color combinations were easy and

flexible.  I felt well-dressed and appropriate

in my choices.  The white cords were

fun to wear, though I don't see them

making the trip to Paris.  My boots

proved to be very comfortable.  I had casual shoes

in the bag, which I did wear, and need

to decide which pair of

shoes will accompany my boots

across the pond.

 

Overall it was a relief to see how versatile

the carry-on bag can be. 

It eliminates a certain amount of "stress"

to know that I can do this,

though it's not a convenient system if there are several

overnight stops involved. 

Everything had to be loaded and layered

rather precisely in the bag

(it was full)

which made for less-than-fun repacking

every morning. 

I'm looking forward to having a destination

allowing me to unpack once.

 

 



Monday Evening

It was snowing

- unexpectedly -

this morning as I got ready to

 leave for the gym.

It snowed most of the day.

 

I ran errands in the snow.

Found some bargains

shoveled the driveway

checked the mail

brought in garbage cans

made granola

did laundry

brought in firewood

created new Pinterest boards

put away the Christmas dishes

surfed for beret patterns

shuffled stuff for the new shelves

and a surprising number of

other things

while it snowed.

 



Friday!?

Did your week pass as quickly as mine?

 

Two days were spent sitting in

the dark as training sessions introduced 

the staff to a new cataloging/records

system for the library.

That kind of disruption in normal routines

always challenges my sense of

days/time.

You know that feeling, right?

 

It has been a productive week, though.

Furniture has been re-arranged.

Closets and cupboards addressed.

And with the onset of colder days my

kitchen has seen some action.

 

These two ideas/recipes were from

Pinterest:

 

 These pumpkin muffins contain just a dab

of molasses which makes them so

moist and mellow.

 

The apple chips - easy and oh, so tasty -

were a hit at work.

 

So I started thinking...

why wouldn't this work with potatoes?

 

Guess what's in my oven?

 

I used our garden potatoes - flavorful! -

 tried different thicknesses

sprinkled salt

and added cayenne to a small sample.

 

The very thin slices took hardly any time

to crisp and were so delicious!

Yes, that past tense is correct. 

 

My mantra for the rest of the day is

Mustsavesomefortim.

 

 

Serendipity

It was a good weekend for our seemingly
never-ending list of projects.
Can't wait to show you the finished kitchen
and you should see what Tim started yesterday!!
Part of the problem - for me- are
those things which come up that aren't even on the list.

 

My serger - out for repairs since early January -

 finally came back on Friday.

Yippee!!

Yikes!!

 I suddenly realized just how many

piles had taken root in my sewing room.
I would need to clean before it could even go back in its spot!!

 

 I cleaned that room yesterday.
Made a curtain for the kitchen, too.
Did some other sewing that had been
waiting for the serger's return.
Felt good.

 

There were also plans to frame a couple trail maps

for Tim's office area which lead to a hunt

for spare picture frames

which lead to

the one box that was never unpacked after our move.

google images

 

I unpacked it yesterday.

 

The box was labeled "music boxes."

I had a vague idea of what else might be in there

but wasn't prepared to find:

 

Mercury glass Christmas ornaments!

I thought they'd been left in Nebraska!!

 

A piece of McCoy!

I'd forgotten it existed!!

 

A handful of wonderful surprises!!

 

Several items that have gone directly
to the yard sale box.

 Done without them for over a year!!

How fun!!  I'm looking forward to finding
just the right spots for all these
unexpected treasures!!

I'll add it to my list of projects...

 

 

Making my list

checking it more than twice.

Wednesday morning I'll head up to Minneapolis for several days.  

Unfortunately, it's an awkward time to be away from home for an extended visit.

It will require some serious list making and checking.

There are things I need:

  to do before I leave town.

to complete my school work for the semester.

to bring for Naphtali.

for Aidan.

for Charlie and yes for Proton.

in case the weather is bad - or just cold.

There are things I need to keep up with holiday projects:

Christmas cards, mailing lists, stamps.

a quilt.

something - can't give it away - else.

a shopping list!

I'm excited to go - 

and I'd better get going!

Wish me luck!

Conundrum

Yes, we are here, under one roof, at one address.  And, as you might guess, there is plenty of work yet to be done....

So here it is:   In the process of downsizing, which I'm delighted to do, we are faced with the fact that this house is smaller than the one we left behind in Nebraska.  Which is not a problem in general terms.  However, the specifics of making furniture fit, repurposing it, and just getting things put away will keep me occupied for some time to come.  Right now I'm frustrated by the fact that my cupboard shelves will not hold tall bottles and few of them are adjustable.   No, those are not my cupboards this image is courtesy of google.  As a consumer I prefer to buy certain things in the larger size to save a few pennies here and there.  Shampoo, EVOO, whatever.  That size won't fit.  There's no point in buying the larger size and transferring to a container that does fit because then I'd also, still need space to store the original or 2 of something else if I split the bottle which eliminates the gain I would otherwise enjoy from the aforementioned downsizing.   And the spiral continues:  if I relent, start buying smaller bottles of this, that, or the other thing, won't I run out more frequently, which means shopping more often, which, again, undermines our efforts to be responsible with our resources?