A Warm Weekend

The Corn Patch

It has been a rather warm weekend with the daytime highs being in the upper 90s (around 95F/35C).  I've been using the fans to keep cool, but, I've been tempted to turn the A/C on in the bedroom during the afternoons.  I think I am feeling the heat a bit more because I am wearing my knee high compression socks all day.  

Saturday was the 61st anniversary of my father's death.  I spent a quiet day, remembering him, and wondering how my life would have turned out if he had lived longer.  

I also started on the process of taking the slipcovers off my family room sofas to wash them.  They are two IKEA 3-seater sofas and have white denim covers; there is one big cover for the entire sofa and individual covers for the six cushions that form the seats and the back.  They are machine washable, but, have to be air dried.  When I removed the cover of one of the cushions, I found that the inner lining had torn and the filling was coming out.  So, now, I need to sew a new inner cover.  That happened with one of the other cushions, too, earlier.  

Torn Cushion

I washed the individual cushion covers on Saturday.

Today, Sunday, I washed the bigger sofa cover and it is air drying as I type this.  I also checked on the chicken eggs and Chicken Little was sitting on them when I checked, so I didn't disturb her.  I gave the plants a quick drink of water to help them cope with the heat.  I saw that there might be three more okra ready to be picked, although I didn't pick them when I watered the garden.

This weekend, I am grateful for:

- Electricity to run the fans and other appliances
- Working appliances 
- Water for the garden
- Emails from friends
- Memories of my father

The weekend's joyful activities have included blogging and reading.

Plans for Monday include taking the car in for a smog check and meal planning.

How is your weekend coming along?  What are your plans for Monday? 

Wednesday Updates!

The Butternut Squash is Growing

It's a lovely, sunny and warm (90F) day, today, and according to the forecast, the rest of this week will be just as warm, if not warmer (high of 95F by Friday!)  I can't tell you just how happy I am that it has warmed up to temperatures that are more normal for us at this time of the year!  For one thing, it will give more time for my butternut squash to grow and mature!  

I also spotted a couple more zucchini growing on one of the plants:

Baby Zucchini

The other zucchini plant has only male flowers, still.

The squash vine is almost at the first step!

The Squash Vine Has Crossed the Paver!

M was here this morning and he was sad to see that the old table had broken.  He wants to try to put the table back together with some wood glue and longer screws.  So, I told him to buy what was needed and see if he can repair it.  He moved the pieces of the table to the garage until he can tend to it.

Indoors, the make do side table has been dismantled and the tea trolley is back in its corner:

The Tea Trolley is Back in Place

The kitchen stool is back to being a floater and the glass top has been tucked behind the entertainment center, along with the top from the coffee table, ready to be pulled out when needed next!

And here's what we have as the "new" replacement dining table:

"New" Dining Table

I asked M to bring in one of the two folding tables that I had stored in the garage.  They were bought for the party my mother held when my daughter turned one.  In the years since then, they've been used several times for parties, when extra space was needed at Thanksgiving, when we held a couple of yard sales, and so forth.  One of the folding tables had an edge chipped, but, the other one was only a bit scratched.  M cleaned that one for me. brought it in. and set it up.  I cleaned the top again a couple of times and wiped down the legs.  Then, spread the table cloth over it.  The table cloth covers the scratches very nicely, I think  The metal legs of the table aren't hidden, but, I don't think that matters.  The table fits the space and serves the purpose!  The old chairs work well with the height of the table, too.  Plus, I am using what I already have!  

The colander needs some fruits or a few small pumpkins, perhaps.  

Will I ever buy a replacement table and chairs?  Maybe.  I've looked at a few tables and dining sets online.  But, I already have a formal dining table and chairs and this "make do" version seems perfectly fine for right now, so, I don't feel in a hurry to buy something new.  I am considering getting a set of chair pads for the chairs, though.  I used to have some, which tore after many years of use and I tossed them.  

What do you think?

Today, I am grateful for:

- M's help with the garden and bringing in the new table
- The sunny, warm day 
- Water for the garden
- The squash and zucchini are growing
- Phone calls and emails from friends

Today's joyful activity was putting together a new dining table using items I had on hand!  I feel ridiculously pleased with myself about it!