What Adrienne Thinks About That

These past two years in Scotland are a phase in itself; I have felt so out of control. I am hoping that the last two years of my time here are a NEW phase of actual organization and knowing what the heck I am doing.

Wouldn't that be nice?

Periodically, we have the same near-grocery store experiences with bread. Sadly, the only MickyD's we know of is miles out, so no quick saves for breakfast. Fortunately, we've gotten to know the guys at the gas station -- scratch that -- petrol station across the road, and they have a wee Sainsbury's market, which carries eggs and even soymilk.

I need to make more vanilla extract, too.

I am envying you your piano. That's not on for this four years, since my piano is being pounded on by my two year old nephew. His lessons won't be for awhile, either.

Sigh.

Fingers crossed for the novel!

If you figure out that organized-and-in-control thing, let me know. I settle for feeling not-completely-out-of-control. I usually have a sense of what I'm going to be doing over, say, the next year, but what I never know is exactly what's going to wind up dominating my time and memory. Something always does. It's that human need to make order and sense out of things, I guess.

This is my first time making vanilla. I find the whole thing very exciting. It's one of the many things I've found since I started taking cooking more seriously that is so darned easy to do that you can't help but wonder why everyone isn't making it themselves. It's just because they don't know.

Also, I should admit that my bread is hardly the best thing on earth, but it's mine, and I know what's in it. I could stand more bread-making skills, though.

I'm glad you had a bit of time to yourself:-)And I'm glad you are getting rid of cobwebs.It is much more safe to put money into a safe bank (and will be that way for at least another year)rather than a retirement account.There is a credible possibility of another"dip".There is such renewal in the air!Biscuit bit me when I was brushing him this morning!He wasn't trying to hurt me.And then we played because he was acting all crazy:-)It is soo like spring.Have fun!

My life has phases too, but they're shorter in duration to match my attention span.

I am starting to believe there's something to feng shui (sp?) -- or maybe it's just what you're talking about: Getting yourself organized, cleaning things out that makes you feel you can take something on.

I recently moved my BIG HONKIN' desk (aka, Blogging Central) to our bedroom. It's way more crowded in there now, but it *was* in the kitchen/eating area, you see. Now, the table is out in the middle of the eating area, as it's supposed to be, we can ALL see each when having meals (not to mention I finally got to hang up my Julie-Paschkis "Eat Pie" print), and the Yellow Room's much more airy and light and organized.

Why does this make me feel like I can do anything now? In fact, it makes me want to also subscribe to the NY Times or something and sit there every morning and read the newspaper over coffee. Just 'cause I feel like I have a real kitchen now.

It must be the organization, the clearing-out of things that makes us feel less weighted, more able to take things on.

Also: My husband bought this recently: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781580082686. He wants us to start making our own bread. Adrienne, please talk me out of my slight panic over it. Is it easy? My worry is TIME, but then one just has to make time for what's important, I know.

And one day. One day I'll learn to play the piano, too. Can't play on a keyboard. Not the same. But no room here for a real one. I'll live vicariously through your lessons, Adrienne.

Mom, Per usual, my cats could barely bother themselves to wake up until it was time for dinner. Then they were all in my business.

Chuck, When you ate breakfast, when you went for a run, when you ate lunch, etc.?

Jules, I wish I had made a difference so profound in my home. I think that taking control of your space is just inherently empowering. It is work that has a visible and tangible result that may just make life easier or more pleasant in some way as a bonus.

I think bread can be as difficult or easy to make as you want. One reason my bread could be better is because I really don't fuss over it. I have a couple very simple recipes I tend to rely on. Also, if I'm baking bread, I usually bake two loaves--one to eat immediately and one for the freezer. That works out really well.

Sounds like a great day.

Would you be willing to share your bread and granola recipes? I'd love to stop buying store bought bread and granola, but so far, I haven't found a recipe for either that I like enough/is easy enough to bring me to that side. Thanks for considering!

Yes, I'd be happy to! I made a note to remind myself to send them along when I'm at home.