In the Kitchen ~ A Year of Ernest Hemingway

Chore time was so peaceful and quiet yesterday.  If fact, it was beautiful outside.  I had to go inside and get my camera out and take a few photos.

 Then the sun started to shine a bit...

I had to laugh.  The dogs thought I, in my full get-up to stay warm, was a trespasser.  They barked up a storm while I was out and about.  Good dogs.

I'm dehydrating more organic orange peel today.  Mom saved me an empty spice jar, and it came in handy.

Mom also saved me a baby food jar, so I am grinding more dried peel.

The orange peel powder is a beautiful color (it's more orange than it shows in the photo), and it smells absolutely wonderful.

I drained our last jar of homemade vanilla extract.  We are going through it quickly here lately.  I have more jars setting, and those will be ready in about five months or so.  I really should start 5 more jars for next Christmas, so that's on the "order" wish list (vanilla beans).

I spent most of the day in the kitchen, doing meal prep work and cleaning and organizing.  I put clean tablecloths out and put a few red crocheted items on it.  I love using vintage tablecloths, but they are more difficult to find anymore. 

Today's green is organic swiss chard.  I've already prepared it and will use it in a breakfast quiche.  

Today I'll be washing a bazillion dishes.  Why?

It was bound to happen.  The dishwasher frizzled out.  I think it's the last of the appliances to quit on us now.  At least I can still wash them. It will just mean more work, and less time to get other chores done.  It's not getting replaced anytime soon.  

Alias is helping me go through my personal stash of Hemingway books.  I don't have many as you can see.  I have already read The Old Man and the Sea, and decided this would be a good year to read as many of his books as I can in 2015.  Why?  Because life is short.  

And, libraries are getting rid of these gems.  All three of my books came from previous library book sales. 

I can see this will be a challenge in itself, just to locate the actual books.  His very first book is no longer in the library.  and one is now only available as a DVD. 

Looks like I'll be putting away a few dollars to treat myself to a few book sales (if I can find any).   Maybe I can send my older brother an SOS.  He seems to have the best location for large used book sales.

Right now, I have ordered In Our Time (1925) from the library.  I'm just waiting for it to come in now.

Five Minutes for Me ~ Taking photos.  As you can see I spent a great amount of time taking photos yesterday.  Mom just texted me.  The sky has a beautiful pink hue to it.  I stepped out in my slippers and jammies and took a few more.  I enjoy taking photographs.  Especially when beauty is involved.