It has been an unusual week around here. Mike is trying to do an end of summer slow-down and I started off the week visiting West Tennessee relatives. It was great for me to catch up with them an to see their extended family and friends. However, the death in daughter-in-law, Jessica's family was my primary reason for the visit. So, it was a rather somber occasion. We did celebrate her Uncle Ned's life even as we laid his body to rest. I think we all agreed that there will never be another like him and he brought a smile to so very many faces. I felt blessed to have known him and even had a tale or two to add as we reminisced times shared.
What I'm Working On
I noticed that the ottoman in the den was starting to have a sad looking corner where I prop my feet up each night while relaxing on the couch. Not only is the fabric rather faded, it is also a bit threadbare.
So, I searched for a fabric that I thought would make a good slipcover. I first thought that I would go with a tiger print because the fabric on there is sort of a tiger stripe. I ordered a tiger print. Well, when the fabric arrived, I knew right away that it would not work and have the esthetic that I want in our den. Then, when Mike asked what I had plans to do with the fabric and made a funny face at my response, it was confirmed that this was not the right fabric choice. However, his next comment sort of sealed the fate of the tiger print. He asked, "Are you planning to install a pole in there, too?" So, out with that fabric and the search for a new one began.
I've landed on a grain sack stripe and my next project has already begun.
The good news is that the tiger stripe has already found a new home as well. Daughter, Bridgette, works at a school where the mascot is a tiger. So, she will use the fabric for a cushion or something on their broadcast set and will have other projects where it will come in handy. So, my mistake is a win for her!
What I'm Reading
After I wrapped up my first Mary Kay Andrews book - her first published title, Every Crooked Nanny, I began the next in the Callahan Garrity Mystery series, To Live and Die in Dixie. It is just as entertaining as the first one. I had not read a series in quite some time. So, the fact that most of the characters are already familiar and seem like old friends really helps to drive the story forward. I'm enjoying it just as much as I did the first one, too. So, that says a lot about this writer. I've even recommended this series to a couple of people already. I think I'd like to listen to one of this author's books as an audiobook. So, I may be using my Libby App soon. The other books I've had my nose in this week were all cookbooks.
I enjoy reading cookbooks. I like searching for new recipes or revisiting some old favorites that have been forgotten. Since I painted the island and have let the paint season, I have begun placing my cookbooks back onto the shelves there. I'm reading through some of those cookbooks and trying to weed out the ones I don't really, really want to keep.
I think most of us tend to get into a rotation of tried and true recipes and meal plans and dishes. So, revisiting these cookbooks has nudged me to try out some old favorites that have fallen out of the rotation and to test out some new ideas that look like they might add some variety to the menu.
Thus, this week I have been reading through some cookbooks.
Cook Like a Pro by Ina Garten has some wonderful information about measuring ingredients and simple, generic cooking tips. It is a keeper even if I never prepare a single recipe from it just because of those tips.
The Beach House Cookbook by Mary Kay Andrews has some delicious looking recipes with a cool summery feel. I'm only about half-way through this one that I just purchased last week but I'm already adding to my grocery list so that I can try out some of these recipes.
The Nashville Cookbook by Nashville Area Home Economics Association was given to me as a gift at my high school graduation. Ms. Lois Crowley who was the county home economics agent gave it to me and I was quite honored to get a gift from her. She was one of those people who was knowledgeable about home-making, yet, she was a career woman and that was a rarity back in those days. She was a class act and this cookbook is as well. There are so many old-time southern recipes within its pages.
Some of the cookbooks I had on my shelves went into a pile to be donated but these three are all keepers and I flipped through page-by-page reading about locales and events and lifestyles and recipes and enjoyed each and every one.
What I'm Loving
I've sort of been an English Country lover since back in my college days. I went through the rabid Laura Ashley period when floral fabrics and that romantic rural feel was popular. I loved reading James Herriot and his tales of a country veterinarian. I married during the same year that Princess Diana did and my children are pretty close in age to hers. So, I have sort of followed English Country throughout my adult days. I've watched the All Creatures Great and Small series on public television as well as Downton Abbey. So, when a good British television program pops up, I gravitate toward it and tend to watch. One of my more recent favorites was Clarkson's Farm.
Because I grew up on a farm, I found it really hilarious. So many of the hardships and failures are unbearably familiar. The flooding during crop planting season. The livestock jumping fences. The infertile cow. Yet, Clarkson's attitude of perseverance is uplifting. I began watching right after season two was released. So, I am excited to know that this next season has just wrapped and I look forward to watching. In fact, I'm trying to talk Mike into watching it from the beginning so that I can watch it all again. I will say, there is quite a bit of strong language. So, some discretion might need to be utilized when viewing. I do love how Clarkson has become sort of a voice for the British farmer and champions their efforts and the farm to table concept. I appreciate that he goes to bat for those who might not be able to do so due to financial constraints and wish I was in a position to do the same. Plus, the scenery is absolutely beautiful.
Sometimes I have a hard time narrowing down my focus for just three things and sometimes I struggle to come up with them. Until next time, there are just three things from this past week! Hope you have a relaxing weekend ahead.
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