Goals--Last Week's and Next Week

So how did I do with last week's goals?

 

It is going to be a short list this week as we will be out of town for the wedding and then to do some birding while we are out that way.

1.  Quilting
     Block #4  done
  2.  Reading
     Waiting on a Train by James McCommons. Finished. Good, not great.
     Our Hidden Lives by Simon Garfield. in progress.
     Summer World by Bernd Heinrich.  in progress.
     The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg.  in progress

 3.  Cooking
      Roast Chicken and Vegetables  done
      Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff done

4.   Joe and Lauren's wedding in San Marcos--tomorrow.

5.  Birding Central Texas--tomorrow.


Next Week:

1.  Quilting
     Block #5
     Buy water soluble marking pen
     Look into framing antique quilt blocks

2.  Reading
     Our Hidden Lives by Simon Garfield. 
     Summer World by Bernd Heinrich.
     The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
     The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon by Alexander McCall Smith (Audio)

 3.  Cooking
      Steak, GMP, Green Beans
      Slow Cooker Homey Chicken Stew

4.   Joe and Lauren's wedding in San Marcos

5.  Birding Central Texas

What to do with these?



I pieced these quilt blocks by hand 30+ years ago but have never done anything with them. There aren't enough blocks for a quilt top. Maybe a lap quilt. I get them out every once in a while and try to come up with an idea but in the end I put them back in the drawer for another 5 or so years. I am determined to do something with them this time.  Suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

 

 

Nightingales by Gillian Gill

This very well researched and documented biography of Florence Nightingale gives the reader an intimate look into the family, the culture, and the times that shaped the life and character of Florence Nightingale.  The author pulls extensively from the voluminous correspondence to and from Miss Nightingale to give a fuller, richer portrait of the "Lady with the Lamp."  The severe restrictions on Victorian women, the entail of the family estate, and a call from God to serve came to shape the brilliant mind and life of Florence Nightingale. 
It is an excellent book for anyone wishing to understand more deeply the influences on Miss Nightingale.  I have only two criticisms and these are perhaps more indicative of my own preferences. First, the author goes into excruciating detail about the extended family and not only the extended family but extensions of the extended family. This was very hard to follow for one not already well versed in the Nightingale family and served no useful purpose.  Second, the author presents long sections of letters and I found the intricate Victorian prose again very hard to follow. 
However, I don't want to take away from the fact that if you are looking for a solid biography of Florence Nightingale, you could do no better than this volume. 

Mercer Arboretum and Botanical Gardens Part V

More beauty from the gardens.

 

I loved the Oak Leafed Hydrangeas and want to add some to my garden!

 

Painted Lady Butterfly

 

Sea Urchin Cactus

 

Spider Lillies

Glorious Vitex Bushes

The Vitex bushes on our property are just outdoing themselves this year!

Shrimp Jambalaya



This recipe is modified from the America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook.  The main modification is that I use more liquid than the original recipe called for because the rice absorbed all the liquid and left it too dry.

1 Tablespoon vegetable oil

8 ounces Andouille sausage, slice 1/4 inch thick

1 onion,  chopped fine

1 rib celery, chopped fine

1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and chopped fine

5 cloves garlic, minced

1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained

1 (8 ounce) bottle clam juice

1 can (2 cups) chicken broth

1 pound shrimp, peeled and de-veined

2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

1.  Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the Andouille and cook until lightly browned, about 5 minutes.  Transfer the sausage to  a paper-towel-lined plate, leaving the fat in the pot.

2.  Add the onion, celery, bell pepper, and garlic.  Cook, stirring up any browned bits, until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.

3.  Stir in the rice, salt, and thyme.  Stir in the undrained tomatoes, clam juice, chicken broth, browned sausage, and shrimp.  Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4.  Sprinkle parsley over the top and serve.  Hot garlic toast goes well with this.



Meditation



Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It's not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything.”