I’m joining Amy at Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa for this month’s “Currently” post. The idea is you fill in the blank of five participles with photos, if possible. I may skip those as y’all know how I’m worried about storage. We are finally warming up a bit here, but I think we’re taking a dip the next couple of days. I checked the forecast, and next week, I think, it’s going to be in the 50s (10C)! That will really confuse my plants. I have several plants in the garage I’m trying to overwinter. We will see how that goes in the spring.
Loving…
Last Saturday was my youngest’s birthday. His partner, or should I say pardner, threw him an Old West murder mystery party! We had a blast. Even Nigel enjoyed it. It was so good to get him out of the house. We received our descriptions of our characters and other things (which made no sense to me until we started). I was a not so nice dude trying to buy some land for the railroad. And, if you want me to dress the part, then, by golly, I will! I wore a white shirt, wrapped a narrow scarf around, ascot style, and pinned it with a diamond stickpin (read costume jewelry brooch). I wore one of Nigel’s old blazers and my L’Artiste Rodeha boots. But, everyone took their shoes off when they got there so no one saw them. It was so much fun playing someone not the least like me at all…ahem! I was a sly, underhanded dude trying my best to get that piece of land…oh, and I also employed a hired gun. Can you guess who that was? Anyway, I’m sure you have figured out who the guilty party was, right?
Baking/Cooking…
Hahaha!!! Amy, who are we talking to? Everyone knows I hate to cook, and I’m watching my weight. So, baking the good stuff isn’t happening right now. Poor Nigel didn’t even get any sugar cookies for Christmas. Since it’s been so cold, we’ve been eating that good comfort food. One time, when I picked up my groceries from Kroger, they’d substituted this humongous can of chili beans (the kind that has the chili stuff in it). When we were getting ready for that snowstorm, I’d picked up a three pound package of ground beef. So, I made all kinds of things with the ground beef and chili beans…chili, taco salad, and burritos. Yesterday (Tuesday), I cooked chicken in the slo-cooker and made chicken and noodles for dinner. There’s enough chicken for at least two more meals. I’m not sure what I’ll do with those. I do have to bake a Texas sheet cake for an event at the church on the 21st. I do bake a mean Texas sheet cake. Oh, and even though I’m not baking it, I ordered Nigel’s birthday cake from the same guy who baked mine. Nigel’s is going to be chocolate with chocolate espresso ganache and peppermint. It’s delicious!
Watching/Reading…
We just finished a documentary on Eileen Wuornos. Wow! I have to say, after watching it, I don’t know what to think about her. The poor woman was on the street when she was 16. We also finished up a show called “The Order.” I don’t think there’s another season so you’re just kinda left hanging with the way it ended. I’m also watching Season 18 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” I’ve watched it from the beginning, along with many of the other iterations. We also watched “Song Sung Blue” about a tribute band for Neil Diamond. It’s really good, but make sure you have your tissues nearby. I’ve been doing quite a bit of reading (for me). In January, I finished three books: Dinner for Vampires, Moon of the Crusted Snow, and A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping. Right now, I’m finishing up The Bewitching. I had read Mexican Gothic so I have been expecting gore and unexpcectedness. I’ve only got about 100 pages to go, and there’s been the torn apart corpses of some critters. But, this book is nothing like Mexican Gothic…yet!
Planning…
A few things are on the planning board. One of them is planning table decor for the mini-retreat at church. I’m happy to report I have the booklets written and quite a bit of the presentation. I’m hoping to have it done within a week or so. I swear I’ve done more writing this past year than the last several years combined! But, onto the really fantastic planning…my travel buddy and I are meeting for lunch in a couple of weeks to plan our trip to London and Paris! That’s right, my friends, your favorite blogger (that’s me in case you were wondering) is heading back across the pond! Even better, one of my docent friends wants to go, too, on a separate adventure. And, then to make the year even better, my youngest still wants to go to the UK. So, it looks like I’ll be planning some trips to London (which I know fairly well) as well as at least one to Paris!
Savoring…
You are probably so tired of hearing about the Indianapolis Museum of Art, but I feel so authentically myself when I’m there. Last Friday, the museum hosted college students in the Contemporary Galleries. I was one of four docents that night, and I loved all the conversations I had with these young people. It’s so interesting to hear their perspectives on art I’ve seen for a bit now and feel a certain way. I loved being surrounded by so many young people, just, I don’t know, absorbing their enthusiasm for their futures. Some of the majors represented were Speech Language Pathology, Finance, Pharmacy, Art Therapy, Engineering, and various majors that involved civic affairs. I also loved seeing the way they were dressed (hey, this is a fashion blog after all). They ranged from just jeans and a sweater to vintage outfits to a little goth/punk. On Saturday, I was back at it for Gallery Conversations for two hours. I love meeting people in the galleries and talking with them about the art and what they think and feel. I almost always come away with some new understanding of a piece.
Oh, I’m savoring the premier of “Wuthering Heights.” As some of you know, it’s my absolute favorite book of all time. I don’t know how many times I’ve read it. I’ve watched most of the iterations of the movies, too. My favorite is the 1939 version with Sir Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon. I don’t even know who is in the new movie. I think I’m going to go by myself so I can just sit there and drink it in. I’m hoping for a moody Heathcliff and a feisty Cathy along with an understanding yet not-gutless Edgar.
I’m also savoring being thinner again. I know that sounds completely superficial, and it is. But, when you’ve been thin, then fat, then thin, then fat, it plays with your head. Now, that I’ve lost almost all of the weight I want to, I’m savoring being slender and wearing clothes I’ve had for more than a decade. Are they still in style? I think so though I’ll wear them differently then I did when I first bought them. I’m thinking of listing lots of things on Poshmark so stay tuned for that announcement!
Wrap It Up, Marsha!
Well, how about that? I managed to write a second “Currently!” Thank you to Amy for continuing this. I don’t know how long this particular kind of post has been going on, but I gather for quite a while. I promise I will be back with a fashion post soon! So, can we talk? Have you ever been to a murder mystery party? What is your favorite book of all time? What’s your favorite soup recipe? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to respond as quickly as I can.
Thank you!
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I loved reading about how much joy and meaning you find at the museum and through planning your travels again.
I have never been to a murder mystery party. The ex once got tickets for one from his co-workers. Oh boy, either it was a ridiculous attempt to get him out of his comfort zone or they really didn’t know him at all. He absolutely refused to go and I couldn’t find anyone else for that day.
I can’t tell you my all-time favorite book. I usually struggle with naming any sinlge all-time favorites (except for actors – Cary Grant, hands down).