Brisk Thursday Daybook

In the garden...

...yesterday was warm and very windy and today we woke up to a dusting of snow. We just never know what weather we're going to get each day. My poor daffodils just keep inching upward, with a warm sunny prompting one day, and then they shiver in the cold the next. The birds and squirrels seem to come no matter what the weather, but I haven't seen a chipmunk yet, which means it's still winter. Silly daffodils.

I'm thinking about...

...a foot surgery that is coming soon -- mid-February. I guess my Lent will be spent in a black velcro shoe with crutches, and I'll be offering up the freedom to get around and do the things I need and want to do. Some people would be happy to sit and bark orders out, but I'd rather do the work myself. We'll see how well I handle that. The surgery is to remove a neuroma in my right foot that did not respond to other treatment. I'll be relieved when I can stand without having burning in my toes. The burning from the nerves in my leg is enough of a trial.

I am wearing...

...a black corduroy skirt, plum long-sleeved top, a scarf, black leggings and boots.

I am reading....

...War Brides by Helen Bryan at night -- just started it a couple nights ago. I just finished listening to The Life of Objects by Susanna Moore ( a very good period novel), and up next is Extraordinary, Ordinary People by Condoleeza Rice.

I am creating...

...mostly rosaries for my shop. This is the busy season, with Confirmations and First Holy Communions coming soon. I'm making one or two rosaries every day so my shop will be well-stocked (my fingers are getting well-callused). A sale every few days allows me to buy more supplies to keep working. I'll hopefully be able to get a lot of rosaries made post-surgery.

I also have some stitch-markers in my shop for those readers who knit. Miss Cheryl M. gave me a shout out on FB a couple of weeks ago, wondering if I could put some in my shop, and they turned out pretty nicely.

I finished the little green sweater I was making for my other Etsy shop and now I am working on another blanket -- stripes of white, wisteria and ice blue. It's rather boring knitting, but it serves its purpose.

I've also had a number of costumes from the dance studio to alter. I imagine that will continue until mid-May.

In the kitchen...

...lots of soups and stews and hot belly-warming meals. I'm doubling a lot of my recipes because my sister-in-law's mother lives nearby and she needs a little home-cooking love. I'm trying to deliver meals once a week. I'll have to triple my meals for the next couple weeks so I can deliver her meals and have some things put in the freezer for my recovery.

At the school table...

...chugging along. Faith is a little behind in a few subjects so I'm doubling one subject every day. Some days are better than others. C'est la vie.

Around the house...

...Candlemas is over so my goal today is to get all of the nativities put away. I haven't started my de-cluttering yet, but I need to get to work to get a little bit done in the next couple weeks.

Plans for the rest of the week...

...well, it's Thursday, so there is not much week left. The married kids are coming tomorrow night for dinner and laundry, and on Sunday we're going to Doug's brother's house for the big game (not that I'll watch a minute of it).  I'll have to be sure to take my knitting.

A few of my favorite things...

...Downton Abbey -- so far this season has been very entertaining

...a supply of pretty beads, and rosary parts
...good movies -- last night Faith and I watched the remake of Ice Castles and I put the older version in my Netflix queue because...Robby Benson? sigh...a window to my teen years
I also enjoyed Like Sunday, Like Rain -- a really good flick (adult language)

Prayers sent heavenward...

...for my husband and children, to do God's will every day
...for my cousin Amy who has a troubling infection

...for all priests and religious

...all babies whose mothers are contemplating abortion, for a change of heart

...for friends who have asked for prayers

...for a special friend who is going through a really hard time in her marriage