Friday, November 1, 2013

Bring On November!

I did it.  I worked like a demon in October to get as many outside tasks done in readiness for winter as I could.  Big cleaning jobs inside the house were crossed off my list day by day.  It was all worth the push, 'cause I am really, really going to take some down time in the month of November.  And I started today.

Although the day was gray and damp, hubby and I took a short hike outside for some fresh air and exercise, but otherwise I spent most of the day inside doing just what I wanted to do.


First thing this morning, I curled up on the couch with my latte in front of an open fire and got into the new Rita Mae Brown book I picked up at the library.  Actually, that little adventure wasn't very successful and had to be aborted, because it wasn't long before the words started getting blurry, and I was feeling v-e-r-y sleepy.

So enough of that.  Into my quilt room I went.  Shortly thereafter, I heard Papa Pea in the kitchen cutting up one of our recently harvested apples for a snack.  I trundled out there to have a sample.  Verdict?  Still no taste.  Sigh.  There may or may not have been some cajoling involved, but I volunteered to bake an apple pie to see if the apples were passable to be consumed that way.


I made a Dutch Apple Pie, and at least the appearance was pretty good.  Chicken Mama stopped by to pick up Tucker on her way home just as we were finishing dinner so she joined us for a sample piece.  Both she and her dad thought the pie was quite good.  Me?  Meh.  All I could taste was the crust, cinnamon seasoning in the apples, and the crumb topping.  Oh, well.  Maybe the flavor of the rest of the apples will improve as they  age.  Or  not.

But I did get more time back in my quilt room this afternoon.  Made more progress on the appliqued Christmas wall hanging I started way back . . . when?  The first part of October, I think it was.  I haven't had but a little time to work on it since then, but I made a lot of progress today.


I finished up the second of the four 12" squares that make up the center of the wall hanging.


And I have a good start on prepping the pieces to be appliqued on the third square.  (Ugh, blurry-bad pictures.  I'll try to do a better job next time around.)  So much fun watching the blocks take shape.  I'm really enjoying the whole process.

Okay, back into my quilt room now for another hour before trying to read some more tonight.  This taking time off is really nice, and I could get used to it!

  

16 comments:

DFW said...

As long as you have your Quilt Room .... things will be OK.

Carolyn said...

Soooo....now I've got to go see what the book is about (cat on it and all, you know). Hope to see more quilting going on!

Stephanie Bateman said...

You so deserve a day of doing only what you want. I am hoping for that soon. It's been a bit chaotic with the baby here now...trying to get him on a good schedule.
The pieces from your quilt room are GORGEOUS!!! you are so talented!!

Sue said...

Wow-that is shaping up to be one beautiful piece! I'm glad you got everything done--it's a great feeling, isn't it? I just got the last raised bed "tucked" in, the lime in a couple beds spread, and the rest of the leaves shredded for mulching next spring. Ah-what joy--I get to enjoy my house now for a few months. You wouldn't believe the list of books I have accumulated to get from the library this winter, Sheer joy!!!
Enjoy the season, Mama Pea. You deserve the down time for sure!
: )

Unknown said...

I love this time of year- garden is done, yard work coming to an end, time to bake!

Cat Eye Cottage said...

I'll take a piece of that pie! You work too hard not to enjoy some days of rest and fun every once in a while.

Mama Pea said...

DFW - You betcha!

Mama Pea said...

Carolyn - Believe it or not, there actually has been a bit of quilting going on! I wish I was working on a project other than applique (it's always s-l-o-w) so I'd have more progress to show ya!

Mama Pea said...

Stephanie - Not only do you have the baby to fit into the routine, but a couple/few more big people (!) than you've had around in a while!

Mama Pea said...

Sue - I'd love it if you'd share the titles of the books you've got lined up for winter. I finished the Rita Mae Brown book in four days! Usually it takes me at least two weeks reading (and then forgetting!) a little bit each night!

Mama Pea said...

Little Homestead in Boise - Yes! Finally time to get back to real down home cooking!

Mama Pea said...

The Weekend Homesteader - I don't know about the working HARD part . . . it's more so MANY things to do! ;o}

Lisa said...

That pie looks GREAT!!! Maybe us cooks are harder on the cooked product than the ones who are simply the eaters! That's how I tend to be too. Everyone says 'how delicious' and I think what needs to be tweaked. LOVE your applique!!! Those are coming together beautifully!

RockWhisperer said...

Add some lemon juice or cider vinegar to your apple pie filling and that will punch up the flavor. About a tablespoon for an 8" pie ought to do it. Maybe two for a 9" pie.

Mama Pea said...

Ilene - Thanks for the tip! I will try that . . .

Mama Pea said...

Lisa - (Sorry I missed this comment way back when!)

I know my own cooking has to taste extra special to appeal to me. And I sure do get so tired of my own cooking!