things I do to destress

Layoffs are happening at work.  Whether the situation is handled well or poorly, there is a lot of stress.  This is not the first time that I have been through a layoff situation but this is the most drown out.  Actual bits of information are coming out this week but they are only bits.  There is not truly enough bits of real information except to cause more speculation which causes more stress.

I am clenching my jaw.  Which causes my head to hurt.  And the stress makes me tired.

I have come home this week, put the kettle on for hot tea even though the afternoon temperatures are over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and worked with my hands.  Usually with an audible book playing.

There was a quilt that needed binding.  There is yarn to be made.  There is dough to shape and bake.  There is yogurt to start.  There is another quilt top to start to stitch.

I have shirts to cut out.  I am plotting on putting embroidery on some of the shirts I am making so I am researching designs.

I do feel better. The stress is less.  I am better prepared for tomorrow.  I am glad I do not have much planned for this weekend yet.  I will enjoy the quiet.

and it is not even a second!

I came home from work last week and had a prezzie (Beloved's word) waiting.  The boyos of Serenity Knives had finished a knife and sheath for me.  When I travel, when we travel, I take a lot of my own food.  I will stop at a rest area and cut up cheese and fruit to go with crackers.  But my chefs knife is usually in the camping gear at the bottom of the packed vehicle.

My Beloved was getting ready to take a group of knives to Metier Cook's Supply in Austin when I saw this knife.  With a sheath, it would fit in my traveling bag nicely and be handy to get too.  Metier did not know it was coming so my Beloved made it shiny for me and Mr. S made the sheath.  It is not even a second!  I get lots of lovely seconds at this point because they do not get sold.

I am so pleased.  It will help facilitate not going out even more.  Next traveling, it is in the bag in the front seat.

strained yogurt (yogurt cheese)

I decided to take some of my newly made yogurt, which turned out quite well, and strain it.  It makes a yogurt cheese or a yogurt that is more similar to a skyr style yogurt.  The skyr type is my favorite right now.  It reminds me of cheese.

I took a coffee filter, put it over a jar, and poured almost the rest of the yogurt I had just made into it.  I did save out some for the next batch of yogurt.  Then I covered it and stuck it into the frig for overnight. 

I was in heaven!  Berries, a bit of honey (I would cut back next time), and my yogurt cheese.  I could not ask for more.  This is my favorite homemade yogurt so far.  And I can use it as a cheese if I wish. 

More plotting needs to be done!

staying cool and quilting

My exuberant hands needed time to heal so I did not spend much time in my garden this last week.  It was also very hot but most of the time it hurt to do anything with my hands, including letting them rest.

I did finish the quilting on this quilt.  I would plug in an audio book and sit in front of the air conditioning and stitch.  It was a great way to cool down after my bicycle rides home.

It has just gotten to the point of the year in Houston where all you can say is it hot.  I cannot complain because we have had a cool spring and summer up until this point.  But I know by the first of September I will be ready for cooler weather.  I may actually be ready for cooler weather in mid August but there is some traveling going on early in August that may help my state of mind. 

Time for binding!

trying an old strain

I read every food article on npr.org last week.  I think it was last week.  They were talking about yogurt.  About non-American style yogurts which are my favorites.  I am a whole milk, ethnic yogurt type person.  I find Dannon nasty.  But I grew up with Leban covered in olive oil.  Yes, it was only at my grandparents but that is what I though yogurt should be.  That is what npr wrote about last week.

There was one Scandinavian culture that they talked about that could be made by mixing with milk and sitting on a counter.  Room temperature yogurt making.  With how much I use sourdough (always), again, just my speed. 

The first batch is done and it made a lovely cold soaked oatmeal according to my Beloved.  I will probably try it this weekend.  I like very easy breakfasts during the week.  Yogurt and fruit is not simple enough but for a Saturday and Sunday it will be lovely.  The yogurt smells lovely and I will need to start more tomorrow.  I like the making little bits too.