Eclipse, need I say anything else?

And, I am reading

I am trying to give myself time to finish this book. Hopefully, before I go to view the movie.......by Friday, hmmm.

Goodness, it's hot!

I am considering the purchase of a ceiling fan for my living room. I initially wanted to purchase the fans for all the rooms in the house that have flat ceilings, no angles or close by walls near the ceiling fixtures. But, after reading about ceiling fans on the This Old House website, I found out that really reliable ceilings fans are an investment and so this has prompted me to rethink my budget. Alas, I can only afford one for now.

I am kinda nervous about installing a ceiling fan. Electricity gives me the yikes. Like, Yikes! I could get electrocuted! Or, Yikes! I might DIIIIIEEEE! So, I thought it would be smart to seek some professional help from the experts. Free professional advice from the old house experts-

How to Install a Ceiling Fan from This Old House (a  video)


I found this unit at my local Lowe's store. It is inexpensive but has very good reviews. Guess what, it fits the bill, the budget (okay, I really looked for a fan under $50, but, came to my senses, I mean, I think it should last a bit), and the pocket . Bingo!

Okay. So, I have reviewed the video and I am making plans to get the fan. If you don't see me later............

Okay I know I'm late

I have joined a "twilight" readers club on facebook. I realize that I am very late in the game. But, hey, I have a good excuse,or should I say excuses. Grad school, single-parent mom, work, household work, etc. You know what I am talking about. Plate full and over flowing even though I want to cut down my life portions, the heaping servings keep coming from all directions. 

Okay, so, yes, I am finally getting a chance to read "the saga". It's pretty non-threatening reading intellectually. I mean it's terrifically no pressure, just pure entertainment. Which is just what I need right now. I have to force myself to practically remember that it is not affiliated with journal articles or coursework, and then it's easy to slip off into the words and characters.

And, I may say now, that I cheated a bit. Okay, quite a lot. I have watched

So, I can almost say that I have been put up to speed. I get the gist. Now I have to read the books for the meat and potatoes of the saga. 

At first, I thought the reading was too lovey dovey, but I have decided to give them a decent go to the end. I am going to try........I will. And, I will keep you informed to let you know if I did.

Which brings me to what I want to put more of on my life plate and move other portions off for-

Sewing, crochet, recipe delving and tasting, making things.

I have been trying to push my crafting and sewing interest to higher levels of actually doing as opposed to all the studying of ideas, patterns, and designs. It is the actual doing I have realized (no really) that gives the interest meaning. 

And, do you know how hard it is to take out or redo a project and not leave it as it is? That takes a lot of strength. I am making a round crochet pillow. Actually two. And I did not like the first outcome, so I pulled out the stitches to begin again. But, the second time around it is faster work, I am glad to say. I just don't know what will be the outcome again. High hopes! 

And some hand crafted "monster" dolls.

Bread and Butter......pickles

I came across a recipe I found in the June 2010 issue of Country Living for Bread and Butter Pickles which I love. I read the ingredients and adapted it to my own cupboard as I didn't have a few spices but I believe the spices I have will not make the taste different just more personal. The recipe-

Bread and Butter Pickles

adapted from the recipe by Jason Robinson in Country Living Magazine 

1 pound Kirby cucumbers, sliced 1/4 inch thick

1 large sweet, onion, thinly sliced into 1/2 inch pieces

1/4 cup of kosher salt

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup distilled vinegar

okay for my adaptations-

1 tablespoon of dry mustard

2 teaspoons of Lawry's lemon pepper seasoning

2 teaspoons finely chopped dill

3 whole cloves of garlic, peeled

1. In a medium bowl, combine cucumbers, onion, and salt; mix well. Cover mixture with ice and let sit out for 2 hours.

* If you do not have ice, like me today, cover the mixture with a plate large enough to fit over your bowl and refrigerate for 2 hours.

2. In a pot, bring sugar, vinegar and spices to a boil. Strain cucumbers (or drain with slotted spoon as I did) and add to pot. Return mixture to a boil, then remove from heat and let cool.

* At this point try not to eat any- Okay eat some because they are smelling that good. I couldn't resist!Now-

3. Store pickles, and hopefully there's quite a bit left, in a covered container for up to 3 weeks. But, I guarantee, they will not even last that long!

Enjoy!