A Few Things

There are a few things that I want to call to your attention. 

In this time of staying at home, we're all sharing ideas for good books, good tv shows, good recipes and good ways we're keeping ourselves occupied.

Below, I am sharing some of mine.

Love this quote about books---and I totally agree!

Some good books I've read recently are:
1. I Am Watching You
2. Then She Was Gone
3. We Believed in Mermaids
4. Innocent Traitor
5. The Institute (I am reading this right now. Stephen King. So far, I'm really liking it.)

As for tv shows, there are so many good ones and good documentaries. Here are some shows that we've enjoyed recently:
1. McMillions (Hulu)
2. All American (Netflix)
3. The English Game (Netflix)--series set in the 1800's by Julian Fellows who did Downton Abbey.
4. The Stranger (Netflix)
5.The History of County Music (PBS)--so interesting--even if you don't like country music. It should be called The History of Music---period.

So, a couple weeks ago, I got a recipe chain letter via email. There are only two names on the list---one you send a recipe to, move the 2nd up to the #1 spot and put yours in the #2 spot. The hard part is that you have to send it to 20 people. Twenty people!! I barely know 20 people. Only kidding. But when I send to 20 people, it's very likely that the person who sent it to me already used most of them. Anyway, I did it. Then I got another one. I did that one too, only to fewer people. Two days ago, I got a third one. I sent recipes to both people, but explained that I would be breaking the chain because I simply had no one else to send it to. I really don't mind this type of exchange because now-a-days, with email, it's pretty easy. 

Anyway, I haven't received a single recipe! Nada, nothing, not a single one. Still, I'm sharing a new one here. I haven't actually made this yet, but it's on my list for this week---or next.

As I've mentioned before, we've been doing puzzles. We have been doing them a lot---4 already.

This is the latest one. My friend, Nancy E. loaned it to us. OMGosh! This has been the hardest puzzle ever. EVER!

The reason it's so hard, is that you cannot tell what is the edge. This is a perfect example. We were pretty sure it was an edge.

As it turned out, it wasn't! As difficult as it's been, it has also been really fun due to the unusual shapes of the pieces. I thought that would make it easier. It didn't. Unlike most puzzles where you do the frame first, it's impossible with this puzzle. You cannot tell what are edges. 

It took us all the way until the end to get the top edges figured out. Very fun. I thought I might like to send one of these to my sister, Joyce--the queen of puzzles of our family. Unfortunately, it was a "no go" as these puzzles are way too expensive--starting around $75.00. I'm so happy that Nancy loaned it to us. Also, this photo stands as proof that we did not lose any pieces!!

Other ways to keep yourself occupied. Go mushroom hunting.

My sister-in-law, Sharon found two while biking the Katy Trail in St. Charles, MO. She and my brother are certain they know the difference between the edibles vs the poisonous. I sure hope so.

Butch and I have an ace in the hole for when we really need something new---our stamp collections. We haven't had them out in over 45 years!! We have boxes and boxes of stamps. We always planned to get them out in retirement. Butch has been retired for 10 years now and we haven't done it yet. After the garage! For sure!

I don't know about you, but I've only been wearing about 3 outfits this entire time. I call these my Coronavirus clothes. When it's all over, I'm going to get rid of them. But, I did put on a new shirt this week. It had the cutest tag. 

I'm keeping it for my scrapbooking. This will be great on a hiking page. I'll be reporting our latest family challenge on Sunday. We are a competitive bunch, but we may have bitten off more than we can chew with this one. Stay tuned...

So when you turn the tag over, there's this. Again. I don't get it. How do you turn plastic in to cloth? It just boggles my mind.

Speaking of clothing, I had a discussion with my sister, Jeanne about wearing pajamas all day. I don't do that---very often. But I have done it a couple times. Mostly if we've gone out walking later in the day. When I get home and shower, it hardly seems worth getting dressed again. 

First, let me say, I don't wear pajamas to bed. I'm a gown girl. So, if I don't wear pajamas during the day, then why do I even have them? Oh yeah, for when I go on scrapbook retreats! 

The pajama discussion lead to loungewear and what we consider loungewear to be. Jeanne said, sweats and t-shirts. Okay, I agree with that. So, to be clear, I've been wearing a mix of pajamas and loungewear---pj bottoms with sweatshirt or sweaters---all of which are going after this thing is over!

They are saying that one thing that might come out of this will be the demise of the bra. I don't think everyone will be able to go back to wearing them all the time after all this freedom! Really, it's just a return to the 1970's.

Oh, and we must mention slippers. I foresee slippers becoming accepted "out and about" footwear! Honestly, I can't even blame that on the pandemic. I've always worn slippers in the house---never shoes. I just can't recall a time when I never wore shoes at all for so many weeks!

One last follow up to the multiples post about condiments on Monday. Sandy sent me this with a note.

"No abundance of condiments, but tuna? We have plenty!!"

Speaking of multiples. Those seem to be popular posts. So with that in mind, Sandy suggested another thing to count. Here's another challenge. 

1. Count ALL your purses and tote bags---two numbers. 
2. Clean out while you are at it.
3. Count how many of each you are getting rid of.
4. Send me your numbers---and a photo or two!

I'll post about them sometime next week. 

See what I did there? I'm helping you clean out your closet! You're welcome!