I Have A Date...

Artwork by SamCannonArt

I finally got a call from the surgical schedule department at the clinic. My surgery is now set for Monday, June 23rd. My mum's birthday. I'll be going in some time before noon, and will have the exact time when the hospital calls me next week.

In the meantime, I'll have a day next week that I'll meet with the physical therapy department so I know what to expect of the four weeks of PT (which we always referred to as "pain and torture" when Son #2 had to go through it as a kid), a pre-op EKG, and something else I forget right now. 

My last day of work will be June 20th, until I'm cleared to go back. I'm going to miss my favorite customers and coworkers, but this comes first, and my boss is really supportive. She was willing to give me the time off beforehand because she knows I have a constant Level 10 on the pain scale, but I explained that I have that no matter what I'm doing, so I may as well be contributing at work for the next three assigned days. We have new hires right now that will be able to pick up the slack while I'm gone, and I'm very grateful for that.

I have things that I want to accomplish prior to the surgery, including setting up my space downstairs with my needlework supplies so I can stitch once I feel up to it. There are other things I need to set up before surgery, too. Bake bread for the freezer, set up a few meals "ready to eat" for us, and a bit of laundry. Don't worry. I promise not to overdo. I still want to protect this knee so I don't do further damage before surgery.

I'm actually looking forward to this. Not only will it move this injured knee toward healing, but I'm happy to just be home and doing not much for a change.

I'll pre-write a few posts so that if I'm not quite up to it, you'll have some messages from me. I'm going to do a puffin spoolie next; get my June artist trading cards done; and work on my bluebirds. That should keep me busy, right?

I'm going to get started pulling things together today...after my morning cuppa. I'll tell you more about what I'm going to be working on tomorrow.

Work and Play...

Assembly Line Sewing

Yesterday was a perfect day for balance. The weather was beautiful, I have 90% of six wallets completed and Handsome and I had a date.

I started the day by sewing in the studio. At lunch time, I took a break outside on our porch so I could enjoy the weather, and then I got back to work. I managed to get quite a bit accomplished.

Lighthouse Big Band

 

Around 3 pm, Handsome told me about a local big band (Lighthouse Big Band in Fond du Lac, WI) whose lead saxophone was leaving the band. Last night was his...last night with them, and they were having a party for him. We went to the party, and heard some great music. It's so nice to see that there are so many music groups in the area, and we're enjoying getting to listen to them.

Today, I'm going to finish the six crossbody wallets I'm working on in this batch I'm waiting for a new lining fabric to arrive before I complete the rest. I'm thinking that will be by the weekend. I have to say, I'm really liking how balance is playing out here at the farm.

 

Hickory Hill Farm - First Harvest...

Fresh Basil Pesto

 

Remember the word I chose as my word for 2017? (It's over there in the right sidebar.) See it? It's Balance.

It seems, in retrospect, that I had more difficulty maintaining balance when we were in Florida. This time of year found me mostly in my studio to avoid the sweltering heat of subtropic summers. Such is not the case in Wisconsin. In fact, I have to smile when someone tells me that it's "so hot today". I know what hot is, and hot in Wisconsin is not hot by Florida standards.

At any rate, I now find myself dividing my time between indoors and out, family and studio. I'm finding the balance I've been seeking, and it's really wonderful. Take yesterday, for instance.

I was up by 6 am (I'm usually a night owl, but find myself turning in earlier here at the farm), and finished my first cup of coffee, fed the pups and was outside by 7. I decided to harvest some of the fresh basil in my little kitchen garden to make pesto. (Handsome had appointments today that took him away from home.)

 

Fresh Basil Pesto Ingredients

 

I went online over the weekend and found a recipe that I liked, so I made sure to have all the ingredients handy for today. The recipe is from Simply Recipes, found HERE. I usually have most of the ingredients in our pantry, but I wanted to have fresh Parmesan/Reggiano cheese to grate myself, and a couple new jars of pine nuts.

Fresh Basil From My Garden

I pulled my large Cuisinart™ food processor out and began the process with fresh harvested, rinsed basil. I made two batches of pesto, which yielded the four half-pint jars shown in my first image. (The recipe calls for 2 cups of fresh basil for each batch. I have plenty left in the garden, but didn't want to stress my plants by harvesting too much this time.)

Last night, we had tenderloin steaks on the grill and a fresh dinner salad. I served the steak with a side of pesto, and I was quite pleased with our new condiment. I'm looking forward to trying it on fresh bruscetta next. We'll have family visiting on the weekend, so I'll serve it then to our guests.

After I finished making the pesto, cleaning up the kitchen and starting laundry, I managed to process my outstanding orders for shipment and spend a couple of hours in the studio before Handsome returned home from his appointments. We made dinner and spent our evening together. I'm getting my life into balance...and I like it!

EDIT: I posted images of my jars of pesto on Facebook yesterday. I was asked if these jars underwent a canning process for preservation. They did not. I then did a little research to see if there was a recommended process for preserving the pesto long-term. 

From what I found, the only best long-term storage option is to freeze the pesto in ice cube trays, then transfer it to ziplok bags with more oil added to avoid freezer burn. It was also suggested to leave the grated cheese out until it's thawed for use. Should last up to a year that way. 

I hope this helps anyone who might consider making the pesto, and wonders about how to keep it tasting fresh longer.

Number 60...

Brynwood Needleworks - #60 The Wanderer Traveler's Wallet

This is my 60th wallet! This is The Wanderer Traveler's Wallet...and it's one of my favorites to make. I love the map fabric paired with the cork, and then I add a machine embroidered compass to the flap. I think it's a classy crossbody, for sure!

Brynwood Needleworks - #60 The Wanderer Traveler's Wallet Interior

 

Number 60 is already on its way to a new home, and I'm moving to number 61. It's good to always be looking forward, and I certainly am. 

Of course, there'll be some Balance this weekend. The Packers are playing on Sunday, so we'll be going to a Packer party, hosted by friends, to cheer them on. Go, Pack!