Packing it In

Yesterday was a busy day from start to finish. For one thing, I actually had to get dressed before noon because some guys were coming to replace two windows that had broken seals. They ended up being an hour late, and so I was robbed of at least one full hour that I could have stayed in my PJ's. Sheesh. I used the time well, however. It gave me a chance to make up my various food lists for our trip to Whistler, B.C., later this week. Just now I went in search of a general image of Whistler. I found this one:

(image source)

This is obviously taken in winter, and I've checked the forecast for Whistler over the next week or so. It's going to be warm and nice:

We'll be arriving on Friday, just when it really warms up. We couldn't have timed it better if we'd had functioning crystal balls. 

Also yesterday I met with the petsitter who's going to be here taking care of Gracie and Smitty. He is an older man who lives at the bottom of the hill, and I'm confident he'll take good care of the furry children left behind. Erik will be coming up to do some watering as well because it's going to be warm here too.

When it comes to food, I take no chances, and so I volunteered to do both breakfasts and dinners. Yes. It's that important. (Actually, I just like cooking...no other reason than that.) I've had meals floating around in my head for months...what can be cooked or mixed up ahead of time. What can be cooked in a strange kitchen without all my wonderful tools. What will need to be purchased at the last minute (read that: after we cross the border into Canada). Lists, lists, lists. I've always been a list maker.

When I had my lists completed yesterday, I realized that all those lists help me manage my anxiety about forgetting something or leaving something behind. Even though there's still much to do, I feel better having it written down.

So far, I've made a lasagna and chicken pot pies...both of which are residing in the freezer right now. Yesterday, I mixed up packets of dry ingredients for different breakfast items I'll be making. Everything is bagged up and marked with what it is and with instructions for what needs to be added. Today I'll mix up a pot of chili, and that will just need to be dumped into the crockpot and heated up. Also today, I'll make up some pulled chicken, and ditto for that preparation. This afternoon, I'm picking up my next CSA share. I'm very hopeful there will be a bunch of chard in today's share. If there is, tomorrow I'll make up a meatloaf to freeze. I'm also mixing up marinades to use with some steaks we'll be grilling.

So...my days are being spent in the kitchen lately. Which means...no sewing. Yes, the sewing machine sits idle, lonely, sad. And me...if it weren't for my lists, I'd be Jonesing bad for it. I haven't missed a beat with my slow stitching, however, and I'm nearly finished with the last of the Vintage Tin blocks. With that in mind, I did take some time to make up the next block for the Gingerbread Square quilt. This is the third of nine blocks, and it's called "Holly Garland House".

These take absolutely forEVER to get ready for stitching. First they are traced, and then they have to be colored. I spent 2 1/2 hours on this one, and not a single stitch has been stitched. They are fun, however, and it's nice change from the grayish-blackwork of Vintage Tin.

Today I'm picking up the third week of my CSA share. Most of the first week went to Erik and Mae since we were gone to the beach that weekend. I used the entire share from week two, but most of week three and all of week four will again go to Erik and Mae. So, in case you're keeping score, here's how it's looking:

Cook: 1                  Veggies: 3

That's okay. I'll catch up. We just need to stay home once in a while.

I'm every hopeful that I'll get some time in the sewing room, but I've given up counting on it. That's okay...I'll get my sewing in when we get back from Whistler.

What's going on at your end today?