Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.....................

Near record frigid temperatures and wind chills and I'm nursing a cold ....seems like I have one good day followed by one not so good....schools in the higher elevations already delaying opening tomorrow due to the predicted record breaking cold temperatures tonight. Stealing an idea from a fabulous blogger Urban Vegan, I put a great pot of veggie soup on today. Canned seitan, limas, onion, potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, celery and corn all mixed together and simmering all day. I added the rest of a bag of Israeli couscous for a yummy pasta taste.


Finished yet another pair of socks...


Now to snuggle up with a blanket and hot tea. Hopefully, I'll be feeling better tomorrow!

Friday rest

Schedule change - I work tomorrow instead of today and good thing since I woke up with a burning sore throat and heavy head. Resting most of the day.....doesn't every cat need a handknit blanket in their bed?

Cable surprise

Rarely do I plan ahead to watch a program on TV - I did so tonight gladly. I've been a fan of Sally Mann's work since I heard of her in the early 90s. Tonight, Cimemax showed a wonderful documentary What Remains concerning her work. Catch it if you have the opportunity....some content may make you squirm but also make you question your beliefs about death (among others). She lives ~40 miles north of Roanoke so you will also see the beautiful area where I live!

I joined a gym today. I'd cancelled my membership a few months ago since I seldom used it but the frigid weather today convinced me to rejoin. Ran on the threadmill for 30 minutes and used other cardio equipment for another thirty. Work the next two days then off the weekend!!!!!!

Food and slippers

I'd done some tasty cooking the past few days. First, I made Provencal Bean Pot from Vegetarian Soups for All Seasons - every soup I've made from this cookbook has been fabulous.

Comfort food was on my mind today so I made a lentil loaf topped with my homemade tomato based barbeque sauce, whipped potatoes and green beans.


Taking leftovers for lunch tomorrow at work..... I learned to knit in elementary school and would buy the little books about knitting that used to be sold in department stores. Browsing the 'net the other day I found directions for house slippers I remember seeing long ago. Well, I just had to start a pair for me. Here's the first one - yes, I have tiny feet!

A Gift of Time

No lecture after the test in my afternoon class today so I had an unplannned extra hour! Weather is cool but certainly bearable so I decided to do some errands on foot and get some much needed exercise. I live within a mile or so of a grocery store, drugstore, post office, library, several ethnic markets - there's much more commerce close by but these are the places I usually go. With my running shoes on my feet and the packages of Bookcrossing books I needed to send I headed to the post office. This neighborhood is friendly to walking with many sidewalks and plenty of stop signs (drivers can only go so fast if there's a stop sign ahead). I try to minimize the use of my vehicle but could certainly do better - Roanoke does not have a very efficient bus system. To get most anywhere, you have to first ride to downtown and transfer to another bus. I've tried to use the bus sytem throughout the years but it never seemed to work for me. I often consider what I'd do for transportation as I age because I suspect I'll need to stop driving at a relatively young age due to my (corrected) poor vision. Oh well, as long as I keep on my feet I'll be able to get around. I had a wonderful brisk ~3 mile walk - good use of my "extra" time today. Next two days are work days...notice anything about the clock?

Snow

Half day off from school due to inclement weather - hey, I'll take what I can get!

Biking Indoors

Thirty minutes on the exercise bike last evening - quite cold outside.