10/20/20

Low Energy

It's surprising how one outing away from the house saps my energy for most everything else during the day. I'll admit I've spent an inordinate amount of time over the past 24 hours trying to figure out what I could bake with the new brown sugar substitute I found. So far, I haven't come up with anything that was diet-friendly, but I'm still searching. 

There was time for some slow-stitching when I got home, and my piece is moving along. The only other sewing I did yesterday was to make four new masks. Of course, the kitties gave me a lot of input. Smitty was most concerned about the masks I was making for Matthew. Matthew is one of Smitty's favorite people in the whole wide world. I believe they are brothers from another mother.


These are the two I made for Matthew. Fortunately, Smitty appurroved.


I made these two for myself. The one on the left is my "Autumn" theme. The one on the right is for Christmas.


As a mostly black cat, Sadie was disappointed I didn't make a mask for Halloween.


She could be right. One of my friends posted her version of a Halloween mask on Facebook yesterday afternoon, and it gave me mask envy. I was motivated to go searching through my stash, and I came up with a candy corn fabric, and a spider web fabric, and so I think I'll make yet another mask today. They go together pretty quickly. 

Aside from that, there's nothing new to report. The Waste Not Whatnot quilt drained some of my sewing mojo, and it'll probably take me a few more days to recover. Mask making seems like a good choice for another day. Also, I still want to make a quilt back for Waste Not Whatnot. Possibly it's a good time for me to think about sandwiching my finished quilt tops since my energy level for sewing is temporarily low. Also, I want to get started on the next block for the Dancing Chickens and Flying Pigs quilt. 

Our weather is expected to turn cold within the next few days, and so I think today will be a good day to get out in the garden and do some work. The culinary herb garden is overgrown again, even though I cut back some of the herbs earlier this spring. The peonies need to be cut back to the ground, and I need to harvest what remains of the tomatoes. If a freeze is coming, the tomatoes will be toast. There's plenty to do. I just need an infusion of energy. 

Does your energy level wane as cold weather comes on? Mine sure does. Dark mornings don't help one bit. It's nearly 7:00 as I'm writing this, and still dark as night outdoors. I happen to like daylight saving time, but I'm ready for it to end now. More light in the morning would be nice.

12 comments:

Barbara said...

Keep your face toward the sunshine--and shadows will fall behind you. ~ Walt Whitman

Lyndsey said...

An infusion of energy would be helpful. I have lots I should be doing and lots I want to do but this week I feel like sitting and reading or thinking. I was going to get my machine out and start the quilting today but it hasn't happened. I even cleaned the kitchen floor to avoid doing it.

Julierose said...

As we move closer to winter, my energy just really dips....I am trying to do little bits and bobs and I am not not taking on any huge projects--old or new--. I worked about 5 rows on my purple butterfly and so far my arm is ok with that.
I like your masks really cute...hugs, Julierose

Quilting Babcia said...

I hear you on the low energy - I come home from quilting ministry pretty much drained for the next 4-5 hours. Though have recently learned from bloodwork that I probably have hyperparathyroidism which will require some surgery to fix. It would be nice to get through the day without falling asleep every time I sit down to hand stitch.

gpc said...

I have mask envy. Or at least stash envy. I realize that I have very few novelty fabrics in my endless stash. How could I have gone so wrong? It has been cold and dark here, too, in the 40's when we get up, so my energy level pretty much never gets its going going anymore.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

I'm with you in hating the dark mornings. My energy level always dips in the late fall/winter and I battle depression every year. I'm toying with getting one of the lights that are supposed to help but will wait and see what happens. I also know how much going out to do anything 'out in the world' is exhausting, both mentally and physically. I never sleep well the night before I have to go anywhere either so that doesn't help. Yesterday was a huge whammy for both Resident Chef and I because it involved a visit to the doctor for both of us and lab work for me. We're both still recovering today.

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

Love your candy cane mask! I made several for myself and dear husband, his are all neutrals, and mine are seasonal leaves in different colors for different outfits. Not that I can get out much. Now I'll have to do a Halloween one and a Christmas one too, thanks for the ideas!

piecefulwendy said...

Yesterday I didn't do much other than finish a book and make banana bread. We were supposed to get 1-3 inches of snow; we got 7 inches! So that, combined with the dark mornings, does not motivate me much. I'll keep sewing on Gypsy Wife today, I think.

Chopin - A Passionate Quilter said...

Low Energy is probably caused by underline depression because we cannot have a life anymore, and the election is really keeping people on edge unless they want to live in a Socialist Society, which I do not. Also, lack of Vitamin D can make us not want to do anything. I use a Vitamin D lamp each day which is called the Sunshine Vitamin. This country has had to go through riots, virus, nasty nasty people who are hell bent on overturning our 2016 vote. The hate started in 2000 when Gore lost the election to Bush and has just ramped up. I am sickened by how the police are being killed, how stores are destroyed, and how the hate spills over our entire country. It is SAD!

If you have a sunny day - sit in the sun. I also understand how we get tired after an outing during the day!

I agree with Magpie’s comments - the lamp works great - it keeps my Vitamin E levels stable. Cannot tolerate the pills. Anyone over 65 should be taking supplements for the Sunshine Vitamin. It really helps during winter.

I just want to go to a Casino where I can turn my brain off! LOL. Hugs

Denise :) said...

Your masks are so cute! I saw the candy corn and spider web masks on IG. Sadie must be well pleased with your Halloween mask offerings! I've struggled with low energy for a good portion of the year. Off and on it leads to mild depression. Funny how the quote in your comment is so on point; nicely done! I have a Vitamin D lamp, too. Did you know that we best absorb Vitamin D through the tops of our thighs and our stomachs?!? Crazy! :)

SJSM said...

Whoa! Too much politics for me Chopin. One comment would be fine to indicate your leanings. I like sticking to mostly our sewing, baking and gardening lives here.

My energy level has returned after the 30+ days of smoky air. I was not a happy camper and found it difficult to think and be productive. Luckily the last 2 weeks the air cleared and I am catching up on all that was procrastinated. A Christmas tree skirt is pieced and awaiting batting, PJs of the 4 to do, one is ready to cut. Bowl cozies are awaiting the wrap and zap batting. The film of the smoke is still being eradicated. I need to get the ladder in to do the fan blades. They are COVERED with the black film. The blades are white so it is really noticeable. It is good to be able to breathe and now I need to get back into the exercise routine.

Kate said...

Love your fall themed masks and the candy canes are really cute. If we have to wear them, they should be cute or fun (maybe both). One of the women I work with sews, we have an informal challenge going on as to who has the coolest masks (the ones for husbands count as well, her guy works in the division as does mine). Hope you get your mojo back, but it sounds like you've got good plans for if you don't.