"Things that matter most must never be at the mercy of things that matter least." ~Goethe~

07 January 2012

Diversions...

I had decided that I would unplug from everything during the week between Christmas and New Years and get back into the swing of things the very next week.  It didn't happen.  To tell the truth, I'm glad that I took the extra week to stay unplugged.  I had definitely put too much on my plate this past holiday season and it stressed me out.  I 'finished' the second quilt on the 23rd for crying out loud.  That was just way too close for my liking.  In all honesty, there are a few more stitchy bits that I want to add to both quilts.  I will wait for tah-dah pics until that is completed.  Christmas cookies didn't get made until the 22nd!  So when the 26th came about, I did absolutely nothing the whole entire day.  Unless you count laying on the couch watching a few movies with the girls something.  There were no plans and no expectations made during this 'time off'.  Just take things as they come.  And with some things no attention was paid to them at all.  There wasn't even any resolutions made.  I don't do that.  Too much undo pressure added to myself.  Not doing it.  I would just break them anyway.  Waste of time.


So sometime during that first week I started getting back to myself.  I even started enjoying the lovely little gifts that were given to me by my wonderful family.  Wonderful little diversions during this me time.

My sister gave me this awesome blank recipe book so that I can start writing down treasured family recipes.  She bought herself and my brother on so that we can continue to share and pass on some of our favorites.  When I opened it up the first time I noticed that she had already started filling it up for me with some of our Mom's wonderful recipes.  This is an absolute treasure!  It's going to be fun to keep adding to this book.

Glenn bought another bundle of fabric for me.  It's very handy to have a quilt shop on his route to go to during his lunch break.  Not sure what will become of this lovely pack of bright fabrics.  But never fear, I'm searching for ideas already.

A dear friend bought this cute book for me.  Full of patchy, quilty goodness.  Surely it can help me with the scrap pile that is growing each time the girls and I get the sewing bug.

Em was able to find time make a wonderfully warm scarf for me in the prettiest light green colors.  The two colors look great together.  This picture doesn't do it justice.  It's very warm on those windy days we have had.  With no snow.  It's a bummer.

Santa was very kind in giving me this most awesome Go Baby fabric cutter.  He really shouldn't have, but I'm not complaining.  It's going to be so much easier cutting fabric out of all the scraps now.  Glenn's hoping it will help him get his own quilt a little faster now.  He's first on the list.  Poor guy always waits behind everyone else.  I've got to do better with that issue.

Speaking of Glenn, and the girls.  They gave me one of my presents a few days early.  I have been reluctant in getting one of these wonderful bits of kitchen handiness.  Glenn would want to go get one but I would always say "It costs too much.  Not right now."  And now would never come by again.  I would always have an excuse.  Let's just say that I'm sooooo very happy that he decided not to listen to me finally.  I don't know what the heck I was thinking when I would always say I can do without one for now.  Really!!!  Let's just say that I'm eating my own words now.  I'm just worried that I'm going to burn this baby out with how much I'm using it the past two weeks.  Tomorrow I'm going to give it a whirl at mixing bread dough and making homemade butter!  I'm so excited it's so ridiculous!  I can't live without this glorious piece of machinery.  Thanks Kitchenaid!  I'm sorry I put you off for so long.  I'm a doofus.  Enough said.

During this two weeks of being unplugged, I picked up the needles for a quick little project.  I had two skeins of yarn and thought they will be perfect for this.  I will use up one skein for the first half of the pattern and the second for the next half.  Perfect!  Not.  You can tell by the picture that the second skein  had less yarn than the first and a trip had to be made to get a third skein to finish this 'quick' project.  Frustrating to say the least.  But all is good now and the project is complete.

I've got more plans of just puttering around this weekend and letting things happen when they happen.  Maybe even longer than that.  I'll just have to see how it goes.  But I'll be back more often to share the puttering with you.

Have a wonderful weekend!!
~*~

9 comments:

  1. Oh.My. GOODNESS!
    I am so excited about you and your new Kitchen Aid!!
    I just adore mine!
    Congrats!
    Ol' Santy Clause was generous with you and I am so glad that you are finally getting the time to relax a little:)
    I know this cold brown-ness is so Blah!
    Its nice to not have to put the rig in 4 wheel drive to just get out of the driveway, but a wee bit of snow would sure make it prettier out there:)

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  2. Well done you for having YOU time. So many of us don't do that after we've been very busy and burn out.
    You have some lovely and very helpful Christmas presents to enjoy for years to come, especially the kitchen appliance. Enjoy. You do realise though your family will be expected great things to come from your kitchen now. :)
    Take care,
    Anne xx

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  3. Our KA mixers are twins! Well sisters at least since mine is 14 or 15 years old. You will absolutely love it! My boss gave me a Visa gift card for Christmas and told me to buy something I wanted but would not spend the money on. I bought the ice cream maker attachment for my mixer! It came in today. It's been washed and is in the freezer - for 15 hours! Can hardly wait.

    Next on your list...the Kitchenaid food processor. I'm in love! (Got mine right before Thanksgiving and started using it right away.)

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  4. It's is so important to have down time!! It's the best gift you could have given yourself! Have lots of fun with your awesome gifts! I love my kitchen aid! You should try to make bread, it makes it sooo easy!! Happy New Year!

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  5. I'm just glad you had the strength to actually go "unplugged"! It's so hard for me, but it's necessary to accomplish a lot...or just rest. All of your gifts are so special and sentimental and wonderful. And, you deserved that mixer with all the baking you do. Your hubby is a true sweetheart that really knows his sweetheart!

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  6. It sounds like you had a perfect week -- I love Susan Branch's pictures. Combined with family recipes, it's a treasure.

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  7. All your gifts are wonderful. I hope I don't sound envious! Sometimes it is necessary to stop and take a break. Now you can use that wonderful mixer up to your content with all the rest you have had. And Glenn's quilt should be a little closer to finish too. :-)
    Happy New Year!

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  8. When I got my Kitchen Aid a few years ago, a blogging friend told me I would NEVER regret it. Bread and cookies are so freaky easy with that thing! That patchwork book looks so fun, too!

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  9. Hi Gal! Good to catch up with you a bit!! Lucky you, getting that Kitchen Aid and FABRIC!! The scarf Em made is a beautiful shade, too! I know it thrills her to see you wear it. My oldest made me a fabulous lap throw! I'll have to show it off soon!!

    Hugs to you, Karffeee!!
    Hope your new year is fantastic!!
    Becky

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