I’m playing in The Scattered Life Collective a bit differently this week, because well, it’s my life and it’s scattered and luckily in this game the rules are entirely self-generated. This link will head you over to Cynthia Lee’s gathering for last week, but do be sure to check out who is playing come Friday and beyond as well. Don’t miss out on the fun just because I’m an early bird this week.
current time: 2:30 pm
out the window: brrrr… it’s frosty cold out there again today at 7 degrees. And even though the sun is shining (do I detect a slight lack of enthusiasm Mr. Sol?) we’ve hit our high for today. I have to run out and do a few errands in a bit and I assure you I will be swaddled in enough layers that should I slip on any ice I’ll bounce right back up unharmed.
on the menu: I have a lovely little rainbow of peppers on hand – orange, yellow, green and red – so I’ll be stuffing them for dinner. But what’s really on the menu for late tonight is this oatmeal peanut butter chocolate chip banana bread. I stumble upon the recipe yesterday and my mind refuses to release its grip. I’m pretty sure resistance is futile.
reading: I finished The Fig Eater by Jody Shields. I enjoyed it although I’m not altogether sure I’d recommend it. But it does paint an extraordinarily rich picture of what Vienna was like in 1910 and I think my mind will be returning to it for some time.
Balancing the somewhat dark Freudian heaviness of that one, I’ve started another murder mystery, but this time with an 11-year old female chemist/sleuth – The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley.
listening: A friend of mine, teaching at a college in New Mexico, sent me a photo of a fox she spotted running on the campus. All good wishes to the fox! And since receiving her photo, I’m totally re-obsessed with Ylvis’ What Does the Fox Say. Seriously, I need a fox costume!
watching: The Lone Ranger. Johnny Depp as Tonto wearing a crow on his head is the total reason to see this film. Enough said.
good things:
- Hanging out with my brother and SIL, celebrating her birthday and laughing at absurd jokes.
- Sampling natural perfumes. Olfactory heaven.
- On my wish list.
Around and About:
- This compilation of facts on Honey and Beeswax in Perfumery. There is a draw for various perfumes but it ends on 2/27 so if you’re interested you’ll have to hurry.
- I really like the points Kim Stevens of Picking Poppies makes about stillness in this blog post. I’m one of the most unplugged persons I know and yet I feel the pressure. As she says “if we aren’t careful we can lose our internal selves to the external expectations of society.”
- To close things out in our out and about category, here’s a cold weather selfie. This one makes me smile and think I could step right into Vienna in 1910, although I’m certain the fur wasn’t faux then. I may not be able to use this coat for my fox costume, but it would certainly work for a bear. Now that’s an idea! BTW, today is International Polar Bear Day. Our Arctic friends could certainly use our help.
And what about you? What brilliant idea are you contemplating today? What’s your favorite scent? Ever seen an urban fox? What animal would you like a costume of? Do tell – you know I love to hear.
Resistance is futile sounds just about right to me….. I’ve just taken four loaves of orange banana nut bread out of the oven. Nothing quite as exotic as the recipe that is calling to you, but there is something lush and tropical about the pervasive tang of citrus along with the velvet of bananas and the hidden crunch of nuts. Stay warm on your errands… does the bear costume come with a big muffler and warm mittens?
Smiles, Corky
Oh yum – orange banana nut bread sounds beyond wonderful! And yes, mittens and well-wrapped scarves and extra warm boots are all part of the Bear Uniform. 🙂
Deborah, It’s fun for me to be back visiting your site. I love how you incorporate so many (all?) of our senses. What animal would I like a costume of? Chicken comes to mind . . . oh, I remember, I have done that! It was so much fun. I did all my normal treatment and documentation tasks as an occupational therapist in a nursing home in a bright red union suit/chicken suit. Smiling . . .
Oh Janet that totally cracks me up – how fun! I’m pretty sure we need to see a picture.
I’m afraid my brain stopped functioning at the oatmeal peanut butter chocolate chip banana bread. Oh, my. Now, that could be a favorite scent. 🙂
LOL – perfect!
Deborah, I just love these snippets of fun, resources, inspiration. And–I did head over to listen to what the fox says. I couldn’t resist.
I have seen urban fox! In fact, we had resident families in our ravine neighborhood in Columbus, OH (we no longer live there). I haven’t had a sighting here in Texas, though I did see a road runner!
How cool Susan about the fox families in your old neighborhood! And how fun to have seen a road runner.
Deborah, I love your scattered blog post. All these little, gorgeous snippets of grace and fun jumbled together into a glorious reading accompanied by a warm cuppa and a willingness to go on a scattered adventure with you! Lovely!
I have seen an urban fox. I have seen bees and bears. From the large to the small, the world of such animals is so full of amazing insights into our own. But, as they say, there is nowt stranger than folk! 🙂
Thanks for the meander… now it’s back to the real world and another warm cuppa! Much love, blessings and peace to you! ♥
Thanks for stopping by Jean – and for making me laugh with the quote about people.
Oh my, that Ylvis video is hilarious. I think if I was taking part I would like to have a bird costume of some sort, because, well, wings, of course.
And I too like the sentiments expressed in Kim’s blog post – especially the bit about red-light runners. Imagine living in Thoreau’s time, when 30 miles per hour was considered fast. I think it would be lovely.
Oh yes Sarah – a costume with wings is always wonderful! And I’m pretty sure I could handle Thoreau’s speed. 🙂
oh I LIKE what is really on your menu! yum!!!
I don’t read many mysteries but I am thinking I might Sweetness at the Bottom of the PIe to my list. Sounds intriguing.
and I love your selfie … and you … and thank you for playing along each week. I love seeing that there is such freedom in sharing … it’s not just one day, it’s not just one day, just notice your life and share.
It IS great fun playing Cynthia and kudos to you for extending the invitation!