N & M Renaud

Actually, I’m not sure if it’s really planning a month’s worth of meals, or not. But I made a list of the different dishes that I tend to make (my tried and true recipes) and sorted them on prep time based on our lifestyle. I used this list of dishes to make a shopping list and then bought the staples needed to make the meals.

Because I only have about 30 or so things I make (and within that 30 are a lot of chillis and pasta dishes) it was a fairly easy process. Having thought this through will be helpful, I think. Unfortunately, I see the meals will still require some assembly.

I finally changed our light switch plate covers from brown to white. The brown covers we had, over our white switches, was really annoying to me. I’m probably more pleased with this little project than I ought to be. Best $7 I’ve spent in a long time.

Photo Credit: somethingstartedrazyy

It’s Friday night and I’m making my to-do list for the weekend. I’m strongly considering meal planning for the rest of the month of February. That’s only, erm, 23 suppers to think up and shop for.

If you don’t hear from me by Monday, alert the authorities.

Well, I am feeling like this,

And I am waiting for this.

I am drinking a lot of this,

And despite being stuck in something like this,

I’m drawn to a lot of this.

Consequently, I suspect spring will find me looking something like this.

I did not take any of these photos. Credit to: 1) Bill Lao, 2) Fabio C Favaloro, 3) Auntie P, 4) Andedam, 5) Taivasalla 6) PetitPlat, 7) el patojo

You know on cooking shows when the host says, “It’s an easy recipe, start with 3 dozen individually peeled baby onions…” Or, “This will take no time at all, start with 8 oranges, peeled, sectioned and membranes removed…”

Yeah. Showing off a project after all the prep work is done is deceiving. Well, the Februvent Calendar is finally finished (and just in time!) and we’re just going to skip the boring knitting part (that took a month to complete) and start right in with blocking our swatches.

Twenty eight individual swatch pockets. Each pattern and colour chosen with care, each swatch knit or crocheted, then each of the millions of ends sewn in. Finally, each one blocked and pinned to be as square as possible.

Next, because I was distracted by Etsy would be sewing soon, I had to make myself a pincushion.

But, then the sewing began. I machine stitched the hemming around the fabric, then hand stitched each ridiculous swatch into place. Seriously, what was I thinking? (Oh right, I also sewed 28 buttons onto the 28 pockets, then glued 28 numbers onto said 28 buttons. Can you say labour intensive?)

But at last (at about 8pm on Jan 31st), the final product. Finally. It’s now on the wall and filled with chocolates. (The 28th is the big yellow one there at the bottom. I was able to fit probably 6 chocolates in that bad boy. Now that’s motivation to make it through February.)

PS – This was an exercise in making a commitment to myself and seeing it through. I’m extremely pleased with myself, that I didn’t poop out and cut corners or toss the whole project away. And, never in my whole life will I ever make another. Ever.

Happy February, all!

There was a teaching seminar at work this morning. (I know, a Saturday!) But luckily it was wicked cold this morning, so there was plenty of small talk fodder. (Life isn’t always easy for an introvert, but sometimes nature’s willing to give a person a hand.)

…aaaannnd commencing February Countdown in

I made a delicious lentil and butternut squash soup this morning. I stirred and simmered, then blended it until smooth and creamy in the blender. Incidentally, I also learned why the call it a backsplash.

I haven’t shown you my new haircut!

N. was busy on the weekend building an electronic touch sensor so we could turn out our bedroom lights without having to get out of bed (and it works magnificently!). That means this pictures is one of those stretch-your-arms self portraits, which showcases the double chin nicely. But ignore that, check out the hair – what fun short hair is!!

Let’s step back in time for a moment. Let’s think back just one year ago, to January 2009:

• The city buses were on strike and I was walking an hour or two hours each day to get to and from work.
• I was training for my new position while still covering overnights on the weekend until my replacement finished training, resulting in 50 hour work weeks.
• My boss at the church had just left, leaving me in an awkward limbo of not knowing quite what to do or who to ask for help.
• Although not yet discovered, my iron was impressively low. And so was my energy.
• N was looking for work, considering positions in BC, northern Alberta and who know where else.
• Sara was an only bunny.
• We lived in 465 square feet of space. The nearest grocery store was a bus ride away. (Oh right, the buses were on strike…)

But look where we are now! We’ve got two (three actually) steady incomes, with regular hours. We have windows that overlook the river and we live within walking distance of a grocery store. We have a car! We have a funny little lop-eared bunny to keep Sara company and we have space for them to run around. What a difference a year makes.

Be sure I’m not posting this to boast. Although our life is good, it’s not all a bowl of cherries, and I know that the rough times are going to come again. But I am writing this as a little note to self: When I feel like this, don’t forget that good things happen, too. Just give it a year…