Send help!

 Sharing progress….

Current status.  What was I thinking?  I’d blame the dog for what I am sure are missing pieces….except we have no dog.  The vacuum cleaner?  That seems to be the next likely culprit, but who’s doing vacuuming while trying to complete this challenging jigsaw puzzle?!?!  It must be completed!!  

Have you read any of Debbie Macomber’s writing?  I’ve read several of her books, usually borrowing them from the public library.  There are a few I have on my own bookshelf, however.

These are Christmas-themed.  Perhaps I’ll go along with the “Christmas in July” idea and reread these.  Images of snow may prove to be cooling during this hot summer.  

Did you know that Debbie Macomber wrote something other than fiction?  This is probably my favorite of all I have written by her.  It was on the United Methodist Women reading list a few years ago.  “One Simple Act….Discovering the Power of Generosity.”  

I simply must complete that puzzle!  Until I do, this is waiting for me….

This is her most recent novel, and it is one of two that we are reading in the Twitter Book Club.  Hoping for all those pieces to easily fall in place more quickly than they have thus far!  It’s a fact that reading her books goes much more quickly!

Do you ever reach a point where you are “stumped” by your jigsaw puzzle working?  Do you persist until you complete it, regardless of the challenge?  I always hate to tear them apart when completed, and that will be the case especially with this one!

I hope you are vaccinated!  The new variants are causing much concern.  I continue to wear my mask when shopping indoors.  Take care of yourself!

A break from the puzzles....

 Many of my blog posts during 2020 focused on kitchen activity.  I’ve given that a bit of a break recently, but it was time to return to cooking!

Macho Man was our guest recently.  He is a good help with projects that need another assistant, and we offer dinner in return.:-)

I have used several biscuit recipes through the years, but I believe I like this one best.  It is from Susan Branch’s Heart of the Home cookbook.  When peaches are in season, it’s time for a peach pie!

This was the first time I’ve prepared an entire meal on a sheet pan.  What an excellent idea!  Lining the pan with parchment paper made cleanup a breeze!  Pork tenderloin and Yukon Gold potatoes were placed on the pan to bake at 375 degrees for about a half hour, then the fresh green beans, onions, and garlic were added for another half hour or so.  Rosemary from our herb garden gave everything a good flavor.  The best thing is, even after packing Macho Man a “to go” box, there are leftovers!

Take care!  

It’s a puzzle....still

 When summer days become hot, it’s a good time to relax indoors with a puzzle!  Yes, I’m still working jigsaw puzzles!

This is the most recent one I have underway.  It has 1,000 pieces!  It has been a long time since I’ve worked one with this number of pieces!

You may have read books by Debbie Macomber.  This puzzle is inspired by her and her writing.

Do you have a special strategy when you work jigsaw puzzles?  I suppose you’re able to see that I look for the border pieces first, setting aside in special groupings those pieces that appear to belong together in some fashion.  Of course, it’s always a good idea to have a space large enough to be able to have all the pieces right side up!  

There is another puzzle for today.  I discovered the petunias from my outside flower pot have disappeared overnight!  Just what/who would have been the nighttime thief?!?  Do chipmunks like petunias?  Don’t they sleep at night?  

Sending you cool thoughts during these hot, summer days!