Slice of Life - What are you up to today?

[Beth3346]

we're settling in a bit more. Luna is still in what i'm calling "curiosity mode" following us around, smelling everything. but she's getting into the routine. we had some conflicts over toys since one of my dogs pretty much claims all toys. but i managed to find a rope toy that had gone unwanted and gave it to Luna. that way she has something to chew.

other than managing doggie conflicts today is mostly work. lots of calls. hopefully i'll have time for actual work and not just calls.

[Artemesia's Garden]

Experiment not looking great. Was hoping to avoid travel but might have to drive 4.5.h to use a machine. Stayed up too late working.

[Ponybookworm]

Not the best time. Had to restart knitting, AGAIN!!!
Stayed up too long, slept too late & missed an appointment I had little warning for as I forgot to look at my phone all day yesterday!!! Other than that pretty quiet so far. Since I haven't been awake for long, I can get up to stuff now...

So Artie i know how you feel xxx

[BlackCurtains]

I woke up with a massive headache. I took some medicine and it's mostly gone now. I should have some coffee, it helps.

I should have some things delivered today! From Amazon and Shimmerlocks

My felting practice went well yesterday and I can now felt a ball That means I can felt bodies and heads! Felting a ball is harder than it sounds. Today though I'm going to work on my koi custom. I wanted to sculpt the fish but nothing is working out, so I guess I'll have to paint it instead.

[Beth3346]

getting a early start to the weekend by taking the day off. i have to take my partner to the doctor so that's less fun. hoping he's doing alright.

Luna is doing well and the dogs are getting along ok. despite some disputes over toys. Update: they landscapers are moving the lawn. Luna's a little skeptical but she's being brave. we're leaving her at home for the first time today so i'm a little nervous. we've always done crate training but we're uneasy about leaving 1 dog in a crate and the others loose. it just doesn't seem fair. so we're going to try without the crate.

[Ponybookworm]

Yaiy BC!!! You're doing stuff!!!

Beth, hope partner gets what needs sorted, sorted xxx

Anyway, to me: I made MUFFINS!!! Choc chip Muffins!!! Burnt the first batch due to air fryer cooking them more quickly than an oven, but salvaged most of the burnt ones. Got three more batches from the mix & tried some today: delish!!! Choc chip, made with a couple of Fairtrade choc bars broken into bits.
Then I noticed I had one tub of flour left... Rush to the Co-op this morning for more supplies. No all-purpose flour, only plain & bread. Was told to treat bread like it's flour plus a bit of baking powder. Got other bits too. Now making shortcrust out of the last of the plain, because shortcrust is best with plain flour or all purpose, not bread flour. Bread flour had a bread recipe on the back. Clipped it... At least bread flour is good for making pizza with!!! And since it can be considered as having its own bit of baking powder in, I can also use it for cakes & stuff. It's just shortcrust...

[Artemesia's Garden]

Mmmm pastry!

Today... I didn't go to work I fell asleep again until 11.30. I went in for two hours late in the afternoon though. I just felt so sick and so tired! I finally bought some maternity trousers that are big enough to fit 3 x people in. Not much excitement to report if I'm honest. Good wishes to everyone.

@BC I love felted things, can't wait to see how you get on!
@Beth I hope the appointment goes OK and you both have a good weekend. Are you haivng work done on your garden then?
@PBW I'm glad to hear of your baking adventures. We use bread flour for bread and pizza as you say, also choux pastry and thickening sauces. Would be good to hear how you get on with using bread flour with baking powder for cakes. I think it's OK for cakes that are normally moist and heavy anyway, like brownies.

[Taffeta]

I took my old PC chair out of my room, which makes it look so much bigger. I cleared my desk and there's space on it for the first time in years. I've had this laptop for 5 years and it's the first time it's been able to fit on my desk in all that time.

...Lots of sorting still to do.

[Lady Frostbite]

That's the last payment on my holiday made ... Starting to feel more real!!!

[Beth3346]

@Artie just the lawn mowing for now. i'm hoping to do some more work on the lawn in the spring. right now it's so dry and there are water restrictions so no point in planting anything. i really want to have landscaping that's more suited to a hot and dry climate. but i have to see what the HOA allows and how much it will cost. the city water provider will give out rebates to help people convert to landscaping that doesn't require a lot of water. but it won't cover the entire cost.

also Luna did ok while we were gone. except she managed to get the oven mitt off the counter and shred it. better an oven mitt than the furniture but i need to be more careful about what i leave on the counter. i forgot how to puppy proof a house.

[Artemesia's Garden]

@Taffeta Very pleased for you! It must be great to have your workspace (avalanche) clear especially after a long period

@Lady Frostbite congrats on your holiday plans! Where are you going?

@Beth The rebate scheme sounds exciting! No-one would do that here, we just get banned from using the hose. I think you did mention xeriscaping before, I love the way that looks. Glad your lovely dog is settling in OK with few mishaps

[Beth3346]

San Antonio also had a rebate and coupon program to get people to move to using less water. i didn't have a lawn back then so i never did the rebates. but a lot of people got coupons at least. i'm not sure if they used them.

it was really eye opening moving from Houston, a place that generally has too much water, to a dryer part of the state. though when i lived in Houston after the 2011 drought i stopped running the sprinklers and the grass came back fine. i'm ok with the grass being brown sometimes. also low maintenance landscaping is good for me since i'm not great with plants. i'm never going to be the person who's in the garden every day. though i do need to do some weeding today.

i'm also planning to do some cleaning today. need to vacuum and clean the floors. wash bedding. i also need to call my parents and tell them we have a new family member i'm sure it will be a while before i can bring Luna over to visit. my dad is more of a cat person.

[Leave a Whisper]

Going out to grab one last thing for my daughter's birthday tomorrow

[BlackCurtains]

Oh, happy early birthday, Little LAW!

I've got a lot to do today. I need to clean all my veggies, clean the litter boxes, make new fly traps. There's a festival with fun events going on at Pony Island that I want to do, some of them are crafting events which are my favorites. I want to start a new felting project (I've been saying that for days now). Right now I'm helping someone with hair matches in Customs, gotta track down the DH alternates. Plus I can start on a new custom (I have also been saying this for days), but this time I have the tinsel I need, so maybe that will motivate me.

[Lady Frostbite]

@Lady Frostbite congrats on your holiday plans! Where are you going?

Spain!! I've never been before, and I wanted a beach holiday as the last time i was at the beach was for two days during volunteering and really enjoyed myself but was desperate for more. This time I go without having to follow a group, I can relax on the beach that's literally outside the hotel, and paddle in the sea!