Another Day Without Needlework...

Do you feel the same way? I think I've shared my term for this before, but just in case, I refer to my need to create as my creative imperative. When I'm not working on something - needlework, knitting, sewing - I feel that there's something missing. I really can't wait to get back to it.

I'm feeling a bit like that right now. I haven't been able to work on my birds for nearly a week, and today is spoken for as well. I'm heading out soon to run a few errands before my hair appointment. Then at 3, I'll be meeting classmates for our monthly gathering. I'll be back home by 5, but once the sun goes down, I've lost my best light for sitting in front of the dining room windows, with my frame and magnifying lamp. I may try to sit down for a little while, but it's usually more taxing on my eyes to rely solely on lamplight.

I'm going to earmark tomorrow as my stitching day, and see whether or not I'm able to put on my desire into action. I'll let you know.

Tomorrow, of course, I'll be sharing our group classmate photo. You'll be able to see what I finally decided about my hair. I still haven't made up my mind. Can you even believe it? I'll see you again tomorrow!

Now I know...

Here, all along, I thought this was a Christmas cactus. As it's coming into full bloom right now, I guess it's actually a Thanksgiving variety! I watered it a few days ago, and only just noticed that it was blooming. (That's the reason for the nighttime shot taken before I wrote this post.) It's going to be magnificent by next week!

I'm working today, and the weather is supposed to be wretched...cold and rainy. I think November has finally caught up with us here in Wisconsin. Handsome actually gave our lawn the final cutting for this year yesterday! One of the "memories" I shared on Facebook yesterday was photos of the snow (November 18th five years ago), with opossum tracks heading toward the compass barn. I guess we're due for the white stuff after all.

Tomorrow is hair appointment day (at noon), and then dinner with my classmates again. Hard to believe it's that time already. The big debate around here is whether or not to keep my hair growing long, or go back to my sassy cut. It seems a little odd to think about chopping it all off just as winter hits, but most days with this longer "do", I'm paying much more attention to my appearance than I actually care to. It's nearly down to my shoulders now, and my biggest concern is that it makes me look like an old woman. My sisters say it doesn't, and I should keep it growing out. Handsome, my goddaughter and Mum think I look better with it short. I guess I won't actually decide until I'm sitting in Wendi's chair at the salon. 

For now, I'd better get going so I'm not late for work. I'm hoping the six/seven hours goes by quickly today. Once the weather turns, I admit that I prefer to be tucked in and cozy at home. 

TTFN! (Ta Ta For Now!)

Rework...

Opened one of my bottles of syrup last week (I made homemade waffles) to find that it wasn't "syrup-y". Sadly, it was more the consistency water. After much contemplation, I realized that I miscalculated one of the ingredients - cane sugar. Whoever thought that school math skills were unimportant, never wanted to bake, cook, or can. Math skills are crucial here, and I messed up. sigh

It's a good thing I always write down my ratios for each batch. So, I sat down and recalculated what I needed in excess of what I used. I used the carpenter rule, "Measure twice, cut once", calculating and recalculating, in this case.

Guess what I'll be doing today? Yup. I'm going to fix my error. I'll be recooking my syrup, adding what I missed the first time until it transforms from watery to syrupy. That takes additional ingredients, and about thirty minutes on the stovetop. Then, I'll rebottle it.

Just a good reminder that when it comes to measuring, getting it right is important. It saves time and more importantly, it saves effort.