Since last I wrote I have fallen into bed each night in complete exhaustion, pretty much out before my head hit the pillow.
Wednesday began two days of house rewiring, and the electrical work is not done yet. I expect the electricians to be here another day this week. I spend the first day, the day with no power, rearranging the books and cleaning all the shelves in the family room. I had intended to move only a few books, but quickly realized that the shelves really need to be completely reorganized. I worked all day Wednesday until the electricians restored the power at 7 and left for the night. If I could have ordered pizza in, we would have done so, but instead went out for a light dinner and a relaxing negroni at my favorite local restaurant.
Thursday heralded more electrical work as well as the arrival of house guests. I decided to bake a rhubarb tart, another all day proposition as I decided that I was not happy with the idea of a simple pie crust and I wanted to work out some kind of gluten-free pastry shell. Several attempts later I came up with a good version with excellent flavor and passable texture and the finished pie was quite good. I learned a lot, but I don't think this is the end of my search for the perfect dough.
For some inexplicable reason, in my flour-crazed state, I also though this was the perfect day to reorganize the pantry, a job that, confounded by socializing and preparing food for friends, was only finished in the wee hours.
Friday we were much of the day; routine chores mostly although there was a lovely meal at the Culinary before one houseguest departed and another one arrived. Friday also saw me unpacking a large crate of furniture in the driveway that the UPS man left behind (not my regular driver) as it was too heavy for me to drag into the house by myself without unpacking it first. Suffice it to say I managed to get everything indoors before the downpour.
Saturday saw more cooking, baking, and entertaining, and Sunday we simply reveled in having the house to ourselves again and I finished reorganizing of the 700 some odd books in the family room, interrupted only by a visit from the pool-cover repair guy and a trip to the farmer's market. After dinner I simply collapsed in a chair and gave myself a pedicure ( Chanel Vendetta), ripped out 35 rows of knitting, and re-knit the first 15.
It all sounds boring and tedious although it was far from that: good friends and puttering in the kitchen are enough to keep me engaged for a long time. The kitchen and the sewing room are the two places I am happiest, well perhaps curled up with a good book as well, and it had been a long time since I had seen G engaging in repartee with an old friend. It makes me think I need to manage our social life a little more actively. All in all, not very blog-able, but definitely a good life.
Comments
10 responses to “Where do the days go?”
Had I gone through your six days, I would have stolen time for napping too. I have become very “allergic” to house repairs. Having a stranger in your house for an uncertain period of time, well, I can´t stand it no longer. We ended up with a year long reno, when the plan was just to add one bedroom more to our house. I know, our reno was ages ago, but an allergy had developed. I´d wish to have our upstairs floors redone and polished, but that would mean a 2 days hike elsewhere, and dust to be cleaned from all over the house. I´m also allergic to overnight house guests. I am not used to having too many people around. Luckily, my MIL is too old to do those every month overnight visits. I really have to raise my hat for your patience! The Chanel vendetta is a dark purple? I used it also once, but I guess it fits your coloring better.
Had I gone through your six days, I would have stolen time for napping too. I have become very “allergic” to house repairs. Having a stranger in your house for an uncertain period of time, well, I can´t stand it no longer. We ended up with a year long reno, when the plan was just to add one bedroom more to our house. I know, our reno was ages ago, but an allergy had developed. I´d wish to have our upstairs floors redone and polished, but that would mean a 2 days hike elsewhere, and dust to be cleaned from all over the house. I´m also allergic to overnight house guests. I am not used to having too many people around. Luckily, my MIL is too old to do those every month overnight visits. I really have to raise my hat for your patience! The Chanel vendetta is a dark purple? I used it also once, but I guess it fits your coloring better.
WHAT a busy week. I’m amazed you’re functioning.
For pastry, Flying Apron’s Gluten Free & Vegan Baking book has some good recipes. The writer owns a restaurant in Seattle.
http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Flying-Aprons-Gluten-Free-Vegan-Jennifer-Katzinger/9781570616297-item.html?ref=Search+Books%3a+%2527flying+apron%2527
WHAT a busy week. I’m amazed you’re functioning.
For pastry, Flying Apron’s Gluten Free & Vegan Baking book has some good recipes. The writer owns a restaurant in Seattle.
http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Flying-Aprons-Gluten-Free-Vegan-Jennifer-Katzinger/9781570616297-item.html?ref=Search+Books%3a+%2527flying+apron%2527
Thank you Myrna, for the cookbook recommendation. I have
several gluten-free baking books, but not this one. I will check it out.
I can turn out an excellent standard pie crust and have made several
good pastry crusts that tasted good but were a little tough or a little too
sandy/crumbly. It is more than possible that I am being overly picky, but I am
willing to invest some more time in this project.
Metscan, your comment makes me smile. Yes, the Chanel Vendetta is dark
purple. It is a good color for
me. As to reno, I would love to
pull out all the paneling in the house; it is that kind of 60’s plywood
paneling that was popular, here in the US at least, when the house was built. I don’t think my spouse would tolerate the upset very well,
however, and I would not tolerate his being upset so we just work with what we
have
Thank you Myrna, for the cookbook recommendation. I have
several gluten-free baking books, but not this one. I will check it out.
I can turn out an excellent standard pie crust and have made several
good pastry crusts that tasted good but were a little tough or a little too
sandy/crumbly. It is more than possible that I am being overly picky, but I am
willing to invest some more time in this project.
Metscan, your comment makes me smile. Yes, the Chanel Vendetta is dark
purple. It is a good color for
me. As to reno, I would love to
pull out all the paneling in the house; it is that kind of 60’s plywood
paneling that was popular, here in the US at least, when the house was built. I don’t think my spouse would tolerate the upset very well,
however, and I would not tolerate his being upset so we just work with what we
have
OMG, you’ve lost weight? I’m pleased for you and jealous!!
OMG, you’ve lost weight? I’m pleased for you and jealous!!
Roseana, Thank you.
Roseana, Thank you.