Top: Eric and Garth Middle Left: Lancelot took me to see Les Miserables yesterday for my birthday Middle Center: Homemade Kung Pao Chicken Middle Right: Current crochet project – Meadow Lace Shrug Bottom Left: Garth and Dog Blossom Bottom Center: A flowering cactus a friend gave me several years ago Bottom Right: One of my drawings
It’s been a week. I’ve been dealing with a fairly substantial HS flare up, so bad that I called Friday and got an emergency appointment to see the dermatologist this afternoon. I don’t know if I need another light treatment or different medication or what, but this is quite possibly the worst it’s been since I had surgery for it. Hopefully she can come up with something.
I did have a really good appointment with my psych doc last week. I’m doing well enough these days that she’s letting me try to taper my anxiety medication some. I’ve been taking 1500mg of Gabapentin for several years now; 600 in the morning and then 900 at night. Given how well I’ve been doing without the Lithium she feels that we can start to look at the other medications I take, especially since that could be part of why I’m having so much trouble losing weight. I’ve dropped one of the mornings pills so that puts me at 300 and then still 900 at night. Once this feels stable I can cut back to 600 at night. I plan to take this slow. I also know that the Gabapentin is fairly fast acting so if something is causing me too much anxiety I can take one and it’ll kick in within about 30 minutes.
goals update
I have continued to do a drawing every day, which is kind of separate from my original goals, but still. I’ve been doing really well with everything I think. I continue to look at the clothes I already own with a more critical/creative eye and try to find ways to make them feel new by combining them differently and with different accessories. I’ve also been looking at ways to use the materials I have on hand for my creative projects – in particular with glass bottles and jars that have ended up in the recycle bin. That’s a treasure trove right there.
Left: Lancelot and I at our local tea shop on Saturday Top Center: Garth and Eric lounging in the sunroom Top Right: Five days worth of breakfast goodness Middle Center: The Sea Dragon Shawl is finished Middle Right: Dog Blossom Bottom Center: Lego Dried Flower kit, hanging on my home office door Bottom Right: One of my #the100dayproject drawings
Life around here has been pretty damn good lately. I’ve made progress with projects, like finishing the Sea Dragon Shawl, and we’ve also done a fair amount around the house. I officially have enough house plants now that I’m going to see if I can’t get this place designated as a tropical rainforest. And I’m more than halfway through my third book of the year. Progress is a beautiful thing.
We are coming into a busy time of year at work but I find that exciting. Allegedly our new office space will be ready by the end of the semester. Allegedly. So I am cautiously optimistic about having my own space on campus again, and that means another space to decorate and make into “home away from home.” I definitely want to do that, but with a serious budget – meaning I don’t plan to spend a lot to do it.
In spite of work keeping me busy I do still enjoy it. The challenges are just a little different every day and I get to interact with a wide range of people from different cultures and backgrounds who are passionate about a whole host of subjects. It’s that exposure to people who have had experiences very far removed from my own that keep the job, and I would argue life, interesting.
I have to admit that I wasn’t sure if I had it in me to do #the100dayproject, but I seem to be sticking with it pretty well. Drawing is one of things I identified on my list of 23 Things to Do More Of in 2023 so it really is a perfect fit. I’m trying to get myself to be brave and try drawing different things, and hopefully in the process to get my internal critic to just STFU. Practice makes perfect and honestly all I’m really going for here is a comfort level that’s higher than where I am today.
Top: Eric likes to stretch Middle Left: Dahlia scarf is finished Middle Center: Pork chops with sweet potatoes and apples Middle Right: Garth cheats Bottom Left: Progress shot of the Sea Dragon Shawl Bottom Center: I wanted to spruce up our bathroom so I got some wall decals Bottom Right: A drawing for a new challenge I’ve started
Mostly today will be a goals update, because mostly I’m doing awesome. I’ve managed to not start any new knit/crochet projects and have been focusing my efforts this month on trying to finish things I had already started. Dahlia was one of those. My full list at the start of the month was: * Cross stitch cat * Sugar Stick knit cowl * Sea Dragon knit shawl * Cable It Up scarf * Dahlia scarf * Fingerless mitts I managed to finish the last three items; the first three are still in progress. I am making a good dent in the Sea Dragon Shawl and the cross stitch cat. I have not touched the Sugar Stick cowl this month. It’s lovely, but it’s half black yarn and hence a bit difficult to see. I feel good about what I’ve gotten done though.
The drawing is for The 100 Day Project, a challenge to do something creative – dealer’s choice – every day for 100 days. Since I had identified drawing as something I want to do more of this year that seemed like a natural fit and a way to encourage myself even more. So far, so good.
As for my other goals, I finished a book this morning so my count for the year is up to two – making me half way to my goal of four. I completed 14 creative projects this month, well over my goal of at least five and that doesn’t even count the drawings. I officially completed a professional development certificate this month and am making good progress on another. And I’m working on finding/creating healthier meals for us.
The pork chops pictured above was last night’s attempt, and it came out amazing. I’ve decided to write up the recipe to share.
Cast Iron Pork Chops Boneless pork chops Sweet potatoes, about 2C peeled and chopped 2 apples, whatever kind you like, chopped 2/3C apple cider vinegar 1/3C brown sugar 1 Tbsp Garam Masala (plus some to season the chops) 1 tsp kosher salt (plus some to season the chops) 1 Tbsp oil (I used sunflower because that’s what I had)
Pre-heat oven to 375. Season the chops on one side with kosher salt and garam masala. Heat the oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium high heat. When the oil starts to shimmer add the chops and brown on both sides. Mix the vinegar, brown sugar, 1 Tbsp garam masala, and 1 tsp salt. Once the chops are seared add the sweet potatoes and apples and pour the vinegar mix over everything. Bake in the oven for approximately 40 minutes or until the chops are cooked to your preference.
Top Left: A rare meeting of all three beasts Top Center: New glasses Top Right: Marinated tomatoes and cheese on toasted bread (super tasty, pain in the ass to eat) Middle Left: An old glass bowl that reminded me of a flower so I added alcohol ink to it Middle Center: Pippy and Eric enjoying the sunshine Middle Right: Progress pic of the cross stitch cat project (it’s a lot farther along than that now) Bottom Left: LEGO succulent set Bottom Center: On Thursday we got 9″ of snow, that was the view out my bedroom window at our back deck Bottom Right: My Valentine gift from Lancelot
It was a fairly quiet week for us, partially because of the snow. We’re in a part of the country where the meteorologists aren’t always right about winter storms. In all fairness, that’s gotta be a hell of a hard job. My coworkers were all very skeptical about us getting any snow at all since the last few “storms” have amounted to very little.
Not this time
At one point it was snowing 1.5″ per hour. I kept myself at home, safe, and warm. Pippy loves it though. She goes out in the yard and romps around and comes back in with little snow balls stuck to her legs and muzzle. We try to throw one of her towels in the dryer when she goes out so that we can rub her down with a warm towel when she finally comes back in.
Goals Update
I’m still doing pretty damn well with the goals. I’m still working my way through my stash of craft supplies when I want to get creative and I’ve been trying to focus on finishing projects that are already in the works. The exception was over the weekend I took a little time to make some jewelry and I’ve been trying to do a bit of origami. But no new knitting projects.
Last week I took one of my Mental Health Holidays on Friday. I like to schedule myself one Friday off every month just to have a day to myself. Often Lancelot and I will go do something fun that day, like visit the museum or go shopping, or we just relax. This time I took advantage of the day by getting all of the grocery shopping done, making a birthday gift for a friend, and then L and I went and had our combo Date Night and Valentine’s Day dinner at one of our favorite restaurants.
Left: Eric stretched out in my lap one morning Top Center: L and I the night of our dinner out Top Right: The beaded flower ornament for N’s birthday Middle Center: Pizza Dim Sum Middle Right: The Sea Dragon Shawl Bottom Center: Garth pretending to be angelic Bottom Right: Fingerless mitts, aka Frankenmitts, for my friend K
The Pizza Dim Sum came from an idea K shared with me, something she found on Facebook I think. I took a can of refrigerated biscuits and smooshed them kind of flat, put a few fresh mozzarella pearls, a cut up cherry tomato, and a bit of fresh torn basil inside, and then smooshed the top shut. I baked them on a cookie sheet at 375 for about 20 minutes. Incredibly easy and delicious. Lancelot did his with a little pizza sauce, the same cheese, and a little sliced pepperoni.
goals update
I am very pleased to report that I have finished the first book of the year and have made a decent dent in the second. My guess is that I’ll end up surpassing my goal of reading four this year, and that makes me very happy indeed. I have one more book in this trilogy to finish, two for another trilogy I had started last year, another full trilogy I have yet to start, plus a whole host of others just waiting their turn.
I’m also doing really well with the professional certificate goal. I haven’t heard back about the first course for this year, but my part should be done. I’m also now up to the point of turning in the 4th assignment (of 5 total) in the next course. And I spent a little time last week looking at what else is available on that platform and bookmarking possible options for my next course. I’m also guessing that I will well and truly surpass this goal.
And no new craft supplies, even though I continue to make things. I’m looking at what I have on hand with a critical eye and figuring out how to make the most of what’s there. This weekend I realized that I needed to shuffle the plants around again because some of them were outgrowing their space on the shelves, and the only way to really achieve that was to hang a few more. I had macramé cord and some metal rings and set about to make something. I ended up with two very basic, but very functional, plant hangers. Go me!
Overall I would say that I’m feeling very good about how my goals are going this year. I’m making excellent progress and that motivates me to make even more progress. It’s truly a win/win situation.
Maybe it has something to do with having lived paycheck to paycheck most of my life and just not being able to afford buying new stuff every time I want to change my surroundings, but I will argue to my dying day that one of the most satisfying ways to redecorate any space is to simply move shit around.
Move the furniture to a different place in a room or to a different room. Move the art on the walls. Move the random bits and bobs you have lying around. Open your eyes and intentionally see your world from a different perspective – literally. It’s extremely liberating.
And free.
What prompted my most recent metamorphosis at the house was realizing that one of my lil t-rex arms is constantly sore because my desk was too high and hence my arm was not in an ergonomically appropriate position. I talked to Lancelot and we agreed that a new standing desk would be a good solution – it goes down low enough when I need to be seated and it also goes up so that I can stand and hopefully that will have a few added health effects. It’s good.
But that prompted the question of what to do with the former, very heavy, desk. I had thought I would replace it; Lancelot came up with the brilliant idea of moving things around so I can have both desks.
And thus began the Great Spring Shit Shift of 2023, and lo, the people rejoiced.
Ok, so technically this wasn’t a completely free undertaking. All told I spent about $300 on the desk and a few new accessories. For that I got a newly renovated office, the guest room got a few new bits, the bedroom got changed up a bit, the living room saw major changes (two “new” chairs!), the entry way got redone, the sunroom lost a chair but gained a table and the big kitty condo, and Lancelot got another storage space for his man cave. It all looks fan-fucking-tastic.
Top Left: Eric enjoying a nap in the living room Top Right: Last week I decided to wear something I knit every day Middle Right: A very healthy dinner of salad, quinoa pilaf, and salmon cooked in the air fryer Bottom Left: My work area in the sunroom Bottom Center: Dahlia scarf (Ravelry link) Bottom Right: Cable It Up scarf for my BFF Wendy (Ravelry link)
Goals update
Not a single bit of the $300 I spent was for craft supplies or clothes, so there’s a win. I’ve also been working on finding projects I can make with the supplies I have, like the scarves above. Last weekend I went through all of the shawls/scarves I’ve made and picked out the ones I really just don’t care for; I’m going to unravel them and try to reuse the yarn.
We’ve also really been trying to work on our eating habits. I’m still trying to fill us both with as many fresh fruits and veggies and whole grains as possible. Over the weekend I made Lancelot another batch of quinoa/oatmeal breakfast bars and I made myself a batch of breakfast grain stuff. Hard to describe, but super tasty. Overall I would say we’re doing well.
Another one of my goals has been to work on professional development certificates for work. I’m happy to say that I submitted my last assignment for one last week and I’m already making good progress on the next. I love learning, what can I say.
I spent some time this weekend straightening up and cleaning out both refrigerators, their attached freezers, the big deep freeze, and the pantry. There were some things that were, unfortunately, well past their primed and needed to be escorted off the premises. Not many things, but still. I also discovered some “lost treasures.” If Lancelot were here he would tell you that I am not allowed to buy any more butter, frozen vegetables, sausages, or jams/jellies. And for the love of all that is holy, don’t mention pickles.
But it needed to be done and I’m glad I did it. I feel very fortunate to have the problem of too much food in the house as opposed to not enough. We make a monthly donation to the local food bank as well as random donations throughout the year to other non-profit organizations that focus on food insecurity. It’s something I feel passionate about.
goals update
I feel like I’m doing quite well with my goals right now. My spending has been limited to food and some online course work, we’ve been trying to incorporate more fruits/veggies/whole grains into our diets, and I’ve completed 16 creative projects so far this month. I’m also about half-way through the book I’m reading. I’ve been taking it with me on the days I work on campus and reading while I eat my lunch.
Some of these tie in with my list of “23 things” as well, like finding healthier ways to eat and paying it forward. I’ve also really been trying to get creative with using the stuff I have on hand. We recycle glass, but have to do that separately because the city won’t collect it, so I’ve been trying to think about how I could use some of the various jars and bottles currently in the bin.
And I’m actively working on finishing another professional certificate, I’m almost done with the first one for this year. I’ve talked to my boss about buying a subscription to this service as my “professional development expense” for the year instead of sending me to a conference. I get a lot more out of this kind of experience.
Top Left: Eric has taken to settling down on my chest in the evening while I watch TV. He purrs so loud that Lancelot can hear him from his chair. Top Right: It’s cold enough here that I’m breaking out the knit shawls Middle Right: Blackberry Hoisin Pork Tenderloin, Stir Fry Noodles with Cabbage and Carrots, and a Blackberry, Pineapple, and Elderflower Mocktail Lower Left: Cable it Up scarf I’m making for my friend W Lower Center: Pippy has been singing to her ducky a lot lately Lower Right: Pippy and Eric playing under the end of the bed. Pip was nibbling Eric’s tummy.
I can’t believe we’re already half way through January. Honestly, where have the last 17 days gone?!
Knitting and crafting, that’s where they’ve gone; at least at my house. And food. There’s been some seriously good food. I swear, Lancelot is becoming a MUCH BETTER cook than I am, and I love it. Last night he made us salmon filets in the air fryer and they were to die for. (recipe here) We’ve been making a real effort to eat healthier, more fruit and veg and all that, and I would say it’s going well.
Top left: Flower ornament with inside dangles made of recycled beads and enhanced with netting around the top Top right: Back of the Flyaway Vest; I used Old Shale lace instead of stockinette and it’s really lovely seen vertical like that Bottom left: Herringbone Lace Infinity Cowl using yarn that’s been in my stash since 2017 Bottom right: Simple marker drawing that I made and framed (using a frame I had on hand); this will go in my new office (whenever we get to move)
Not pictured, but also recently finished, are a crocodile stitch flower pin using the same yarn as the cowl and a Granny stitch crocheted vest. It was a busy week.
So you may be wondering, what the hell are these 23 Things the title of today’s post refers to, and I’m so glad you asked. I saw in an email newsletter I get the idea of trying to come up with 23 things you want to do more of in 2023. It wasn’t as easy as I first thought it would be, but I love the idea of putting such a positive spin on the whole “new year’s resolution” type thing.
23 things to do more of in 2023 🌺
Draw
Read
Try new things
Push the boundaries of my old comfort zone
Hone my cooking skills
Give myself some grace
Find healthier ways to eat
Walk
Be mindful of how much packaging waste we bring in to the house
Find ways to use the materials I have on hand
Learn how to compost
Get more creative with recycling / repurposing around the house
Spend time with friends
Grow my own food
Certificates and badges
Pay it forward
Sing like no one is listening
Just say NO
Let go of the little things that really don’t matter
Eric did not enjoy his brief time wearing the dog’s holiday bandana…
We’ve been having a laid back holiday break. The guaranteed time off between Christmas and New Year’s is one of the best perks of working in higher ed as far as I’m concerned. I take time to stay up late, sleep in, and work on projects. We also got to spend some time with family and friends. We made our first full-on proper Christmas dinner. It’s been good.
Today I’m starting to return to a few of my “normal” things because work starts back up tomorrow. I wanted to take a minute to reflect on the year that was 2022, briefly.
We welcomed a niece to the family. We celebrated more birthdays and our second anniversary. We took two lovely road trips. I made a total of 179 projects. And we still (to the best of our knowledge) have not had COVID. It’s been a good year.
In terms of the goals I set for myself last year, I did really well. I was not able to lose weight and I bought a single skein of yarn, but I aced everything else. That makes me really proud.
My goals for next year:
No new craft supplies
Finish all of my kits
Read at least 4 books
Establish and maintain habits/routines for exercising
Complete at least 5 creative projects each month
No new clothes unless I need new underwear or bras
No new shoes
Lose 50lbs
Post on my blog at least once per week
Learn how to bake bread from scratch
Earn at least one professional certificate
Learn at least one new craft skill
Part of the weekly blog post will be an update on goals, to help keep me accountable. In the spirit of full transparency, I did stack the deck just a bit. Prior to the end of the year I purchased a few more craft supplies and some clothes. I also spent some time yesterday disassembling some old jewelry that I don’t wear anymore and salvaged most of it to reuse.
The “word” for next year is going to be FRUGAL.
We have plenty, we want for nothing really. Not saying that we’re wealthy by the financial standards set by many in this country, but we have enough to keep a roof over our heads, food on the table, the lights on, and extra to do fun things periodically. By the standards of many places we are wealthy as kings, and that’s not lost on us.
Every month we make a donation to the local food bank. Throughout the year we make donations to other charities. I share my cookies whenever it makes sense, and we’ll continue to do that. Not spending money on things we really don’t need means we’ll be able to help others.
Top Left: Us on Christmas Day Top Right: Eric the Red, the Most Interesting Cat in the World Middle Right: Improv dinner – baked pork chops with onions, cranberries, and acorn squash in a whiskey mustard butter sauce Lower Left: Beaded ornament I made for my friend, Dr. K Lower Middle: Tiny star earrings I made myself Lower Right: The finished Celtic Neck Warmer
I firmly believe in the mantra “work smarter, not harder.” It’s quite possibly the secret to any success I have in life. I would much rather spend time planning, and working, ahead so that I spend less time scrambling at the last minute.
I make menus for the week so I know what I need at the store so that I only make one trip. I get my outfits put together for the entire work week on Saturday morning so that I don’t have to think about it when I’m getting ready for work in the morning. I use a medication management system that allows me to fill an entire 30 mornings and nights worth of medicine at once and comes apart so that I can take my container of meds for a day with me if necessary. I cold brew my coffee at home 32oz at a time so that I have inexpensive, healthier, coffee at home any time I want.
Basically, if it can be done in a batch I do it that way. I had the epiphany yesterday during my massage that “efficiency is Lazy but with a purpose.”
At any rate, I’m gearing up for the year ahead and starting to make some plans. Here’s my officially official list of Goals for 2023:
No new craft supplies (unless I manage to completely deplete my stashes of stuff)
Finish all of my kits (beading, knitting, etc. including the ones I’ve put together for knitting projects)
Read at least 4 books
Establish and maintain habits/routines for exercising
Complete at least 5 creative projects each month (anything creative counts – drawing, knitting, jewelry, LEGO, etc)
No new clothes unless I need new underwear or bras
No new shoes
Lose 50lbs
Post on my blog at least once per week
Learn how to bake bread from scratch
Earn at least one professional certificate
Learn at least one new craft skill
I’m not ashamed to admit that I’ve stacked the deck in my favor here. I’ve stocked up just a tiny bit on craft supplies, bought 2 pair of shoes, an assortment of clothes (all of which will help rebuild my now lacking work wardrobe), and a new winter coat. In my defense, the coat is lilac colored, was 40% off, and was something I had been looking for.
Part of my plan to maintain my state of lazy efficiency will be to post an update on my goals as part of my weekly blog post. I’m currently toying with the idea of trying to figure out how to create a template for myself in WordPress just to maintain some consistency for myself be lazy and not have to recreate the wheel every damn time. And so as to help keep myself accountable, I’ve not only told you fine people about my goals but I’ve also shared them with several of my good friends and I’ve printed a pretty copy of them to hang on the bulletin board next to my desk. Accountability and reminders, yo.
I do have some pretty things to show you. I’ve been working on projects, trying to finish a few things before the year ends but also adding in some new fun bits.
Top left – the Leaf Scarf, now complete with beads. It will need to be blocked slightly. Top right – a Celtic Cables Neck Warmer, free pattern and using yarn I already had. Should be done soon, it’s farther along than it was there. Bottom left – that is Vanessa the Plesiosaur. She was a crochet kit from Toft yarn and I would HIGHLY recommend their kits. I made that for the husband. Bottom right – I’m making the Flyaway Vest using a beautiful laceweight yarn that ombres from a beautiful rich ruby to a vibrant fuchsia and back again. The entire thing was originally written to be stockinette stitch but I’ve modified the back to use Old Shale lace which I think will be particularly interesting seen vertically.
The neck warmer will definitely be finished before the end of the year, the vest may be as well. I do also have a few other projects still in progress, as you may recall, and I’m not sure about their status. I do seem to like having a variety of things going at once to stave off the boredom.
psych update
There isn’t actually much to report right now. I haven’t had any medication changes or symptom changes in quite some time now. I have gotten into the habit of using my full spectrum light in the mornings when I work at home and I know that helps with the Seasonal Affective Disorder. I also make a point of taking care of my physical health as best I can, better now than I ever have really, because at 46 years old I have finally realized that it’s easier for my brain to feel good when my body feels good. Remarkable, eh?
randomly erin 