Monday Musings, February 1

The only constant in life is change.

heraclitus

I was convinced that when the calendar flipped from 2020 to 2021, my routine would ‘go back to normal’. On top of Covid, we had many significant and traumatic events in our family in 2020, culminating in my dad’s passing a few weeks before Christmas.

My dad’s death and having my fledglings home for the holidays prompted me to put aside all my normal tasks and responsibilities (including this blog) and just focus on family at the end of the year.

I knew that once all the happy hubbub had passed, I would cheerily dive back into my work and projects…NOT.

In my deluded state, I clearly did not take into consideration the new puppy we added to our home. And then, there was this impromptu trip to Philly…just in time for this Winter Storm!

I am writing to you from snowy Philadelphia this morning. Terry, Farrah (the 13-week old pup), and I jumped in the car early Saturday morning for a 9-hour trip to provide some much-needed emotional support to our daughter.

We are blessed beyond measure that we are able to pack up and go to where we are needed. But, it does throw a bit of a monkey-wrench into my plan to ‘dive back into my work and projects’. C’est la vie…they will be there when we get home.

As I sit in this charming flat we rented for the week, surrounded by swirling snow and frigid temps, it is hard to imagine getting out into my garden any time soon. But, the calendar will march on and before we know it, we will be kneeling in the dirt preparing our gardens for the upcoming growing season. Check out these tips to Stay Healthy While Gardening.

How has your decluttering been going? In all honesty, I have been working on my decluttering in fits and starts…which of course, I blame on the puppy! The thing to remember is, there is no deadline. Work at your own pace. You can print off the helpful checklists and work on them at your own pace. But if you are in the midst of a winter storm in your area, seems like that’s a great time to dive into it! If you haven’t joined the fun yet, click here to read about and join the 2021 Decluttering Challenge.

Because I know we can all use some Tips to Reduce Food Waste from time to time.

And while we are at it, let’s look at some ways to make your kitchen more eco-friendly!

Even if your Super Bowl Party will just be your immediate family, quickly whip up a batch of this Jalapeño Cheese spread…you will enjoy it so much you just won’t even care who wins! (Though I am hoping for the Chiefs…because…Patrick Mahomes!)

Seems like a good week for Snickerdoodle Bars (the lazy gal’s snickerdoodle cookie!)

I am so close to finishing a sweet little knit baby blanket to share with you all…I had to set it down to knit a dog sweater for Farrah, whose bare little belly makes her wholly unprepared for the snow and below freezing temps! In the meantime, if you are looking for a darling little baby blanket to knit, check out the Knit Baby Blanket Pattern, which uses the cloverleaf eyelet pattern.

This is the time of year to make Orange Marmalade, which brings some much-needed sunshine to your world!

Well, dolls…

Terry and I are going to brave the elements to go walk with Kate and Farrah…wish us luck!

Hugs,

Thanks for making my day by SHARING!!