Sunday, January 19, 2014

Sunday Sundry 1-19-14

How ironic that I seem to have procrastinated long enough to miss the linky for the first quarter 2014 Finish Along at The Littlest Thistle.  I had scrawled out a list of 2014 goals (and I use that word as loosely as can be imagined, having a tendency to resist things I "have to do," even if it is my idea to do it).  The list sat beside my keyboard long enough to get a little wrinkled and stained by coffee cups and snacks set upon it, which shows how irreverent I can be about goals, I guess.

In the "Old" category of the list is my intention to quilt all my 2013 and earlier UFOs, or get them quilted.  These include, in no particular order:
Another thing I've thought about is the choice of one word to summarize one's creative intention in the new year.  You can see a lot of these on the 15 Minutes Play site and elsewhere.  I'm not sure I'll get around to making my word into a mini quilt, but I did give it a good pondering and decided that, if I were to select a word for the year, it might be flow.  I even drew up a scribble of an idea, the F like a faucet and the rest of the letters, well, flowing out from there.

You never know, though; I might feel motivated to turn that idea into fabric after all, given my propensity to procrastinate and distract myself when I should be doing other things.

The point of flow actually ties into what I said earlier about resistance.  Keeping things moving, whether a drip at a time or with more natural fluidity, is the idea.  For me, that sometimes means baby steps (which manage to sneak past my resistance).  Anything to keep the momentum and forward motion going.

* * * * *
Yesterday I employed some forward motion in the form of vacuuming and mopping my kitchen (and bath and hallway) floors.  I've had a couple bad shoulder days lately, but with adhesive capsulitis, you have to keep the joint moving as much as possible.

Afterwards, I basted a quilt on the clean kitchen floor, which entailed more reaching and stretching.  You can bet I absolutely counted all of that movement as shoulder exercise yesterday.  So far today, the shoulder feels a little better—and I have a quilt basted!

* * * * *
This little mug rug (from the leftovers of the above quilt) has now been quilted and is ready for action.  I guess that means I can retire the scribbled goals list from its duty of supporting my coffee and snacks.

These gluten-free chocolate cookies, by the way, are divine.  I used the recipe on the back of the Honeyville Farms blanched almond flour as a rough guide, but modified it as follows:

2-1/2 c. blanched almond flour
1-2 T. tapioca starch flour
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 t. sea salt
1/2 t. baking soda
1 t. vanilla
1/4 c. melted ghee (or use melted butter)
1/4 c. melted coconut oil
1 egg
1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Combine all ingredients and mix well with a wooden spoon.  Drop spoonfuls onto parchment paper lined cookie sheet.  Press tops down to flatten slightly (I used waxed paper over the cookie so my hand wouldn't stick to the batter).  Bake for 10-12 minutes until set.  Let cool for 20 minutes on sheet before removing.

10 comments:

Marti said...

You're doing great on your goals. There are so many blogs with linky parties that I miss most of them. I always think I'm going to post on one of the monthly linkies and have yet to remember.

Your cookies look delicious. Are you completely gluten free?

Catherine said...

Love your Key to my Heart top. I've got the pattern but not started yet.

MomWaldsPlace said...

Love, Love, LOVE how you are realizing more creative ways to exercise your shoulder. Exercise AND a lovely quilt. You are an inspiration!

Larri said...

Such great projects you have going on, P.! Thanks for the recipe. LittleGirl has a classmate that must eat GF. I'm always looking for treats I can take for the whole class that will still include him. Can't wait to give this a try.

I like your word. Sounds as though you've given it much thought. Hoping you make a mini of it. Your description of the design has such imagery!

Keep working that shoulder & Happy Stitching :)

Shay said...

Keep working that shoulder girl but dont overdo it.

Your basted quilt thrills my heart . Love to see people making progress (probably because I don't seem to be making much myself and Im living vicariously through others)

Im sending my Mum your cookie recipe...

Sara said...

Your cleaning powers are needed!;) I bet your house smells great and looks amazing! It' a double whammy!! Clean house and healthy shoulder:):)

I am just too darn tired for cleaning,but the vacuuming needs to be done soon...eh maybe tomorrow. First need to get some vacuum bags;)

I like your word for the year. Do a quilt,do a quilt LOL

Michelle said...

Flow. What a perfect description of what I too, would like to achieve. While things are going well for me so far in 2014, the flavor of the forward motion could not be described as flow. More herky-jerky and side to side with full launch ahead and skidding stops.

Yay on the basted quilt! So yummy. :). And yay for a reprieve from the obnoxious shoulder joint.

Hazel said...

The quilts and cookies really look divine!

Karen said...

Flow is a fantastic word and your quilt looks great too! You are on a roll :)

Elizabeth said...

I tend to procrastinate things I should do in the same way and nodded to myself when I got to the "even if it was my own idea" part. I find that even though I may not accomplish everything on a list in the time frame I had in mind, eventually I get it all done. Putting it on a list means that it was important enough to me to do. "Flow" is a really great motto!

xo -E