It was 31 F when we got up this morning. So when I made coffee, I also lit the fireplace, and planned another day of projects that needed doing around the house.
Since the flu has been so prevalent this year, DH and I stay pretty close to home... except for grocery shopping or running errands like the cleaners, etc.
I've finished quilting my cousin's sofa pillows, did one for myself, cut some old drapes that were too faded and long... and made them into short valences, finished a hand-pieced quilt I had started a few years ago (machine quilted it to finish it), binged on a few Netflix shows like Frankie and Grace (interesting) and one my daughter told me about, "Stranger Things"... (which is strange indeed), and tried a few new recipes. I even decided that perhaps I'll start on a quilted valence for my kitchen window soon. Also just finished reading Janet Evanovich's "Turbo Twenty-three" !
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| shortened curtains to valences |
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| very first ever quilt .... started hand-piecing years ago |
A friend from New Orleans texted me yesterday that Kroger's here in Texas was now carrying Joe Gambino's Mardi Gras King Cakes. So DH went out and got one. Gambino's is a popular bakery on Veterans Hwy in New Orleans and makes great King Cakes and Doberge Cakes. The one he brought home is filled with strawberry and cream cheese. And if you're wondering what a Doberge cake is, it's a multilayer cake (maybe 6-8 thin layers?) that has pudding between the layers and then iced in chocolate... a really wonderful creation!
That about completes my thoughts on how to avoid cabin fever this winter. We have walked around the neighborhood a few times when the sun was out to get some exercise (since we're avoiding the malls and crowds).
But the inside cats generally find a sunspot on sunny days or a warm afghan to curl up in on cold overcast days.
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| Tux yesterday |
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| Cats today staying warm by the fireplace |
Well... have a great week! And try to stay warm!
OMG, I want some of that cake! :-)
ReplyDeleteYou seem to be spending these cold winter days in the best way possible: Lots of great little projects, good books, good food!
Most of Canada will have at least 6 more weeks of winter, no matter what the groundhogs say. With the crazy weather patterns this season, spring will be very welcome!
Believe me, Kim, spring will be welcome here too!
DeleteIt's snowing again, here, so I need to go clean off of car. It can stop!
ReplyDeleteI do hope it does stop soon, Joanne. And I hope that you and Laura stay safe driving in that weather.
DeleteA little sunlight through the window is indeed a blessing on these long winter months.
ReplyDeleteI know. Sometimes I want to just curl up in that sunspot with the cats...
DeleteSmart to avoid the crowds. Me too. That cake sounds positively sinful. Think I'll Google it. Stay germ free.
ReplyDeleteYou too, Patti. We do the best we can, try to be sensible, and hope for the best. When you google the cake, there are probably lots of pictures with different variations. I've only had the vanilla/chocolate pudding filling and chocolate icing, but I'm sure they are all good.
DeleteI am having a respite from the rain in sunny Florida with my sister. That cake sounds delicious! :-)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the sunshine and being with your sister!
DeleteIt is such a good feeling to finish up projects that have been put aside for a while. I like the quilt. It looks old fashioned and warm. We worry about the flu and try to stay home tot, but Dan works in a grocery store two days a week, and I was in Walmart today. :(
ReplyDeleteIt does feel good to finish a project. And I know that it's impossible to avoid all contact with the flu. But we do the best we can and hope that it's enough. If not, well, we tried.
DeleteDear Rian, last night I watched NCIS from New Orleans. (I like the lead actor.) At the end the group was celebrating Mardi Gras and I think that the cake on the table was one of those your described! A real coincidence.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with all your winter projects. I'm trying to complete the writing of a cat fantasy and that enthralls me. It's tongue-in-cheek and I sort of giggle every so often at the plot coming out of some deep place within me where the words dwell. Peace.
Dee, we love NCIS NO too! Ever since they started that series, it's been so great to see your home town and places you're familiar with... and yes, Gibbs is pretty neat too. As for the King cake... yes, its a part of NO tradition. When we were growing up, there were always king cake parties. When you ate your slice of cake, the one who found the baby doll (or sometimes it was a pecan - shell and all) in your slice had to pick a partner and they (the king and queen) gave the next king cake party... and so on through Mardi Gras season. It was fun, but the cakes back then were simple - not filled with fruit or cream cheese as they are today. Todays are definitely better.
DeleteDear Rian, you made me hungry as you described the King cake!!! Think I'll go toast a slice of thick bread and slather it with fig jam! Peace.
Deletethe cake sounds wonderful; you are getting so much done compared to me, but the warmer weather has me motivated now.
ReplyDeleteI find that if I'm cold, I get little done too. Have to make sure that I've taken a hot shower, put on layers, and feel warm and comfy before attacking a project. If not, it's just sit by the fire under a blanket with hot tea (or coffee).
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