Another Productive Week

I know I keep saying this - but I still can't believe how fast time flies! It's almost mid-July, and in two weeks summer semester will be over. 

This week I went to the bank to withdraw cash from the ATM, and on the way stopped at the nearby Walmart. It was around 9.30 am and the store was not crowded. There was a banner outside the store asking everyone to wear face coverings and I was relieved to see everyone inside had masks and kept safe distance from each other. Still, I quickly bought eggs, yogurt, two bags of brown rice, Serrano peppers and onions, and used a self service cash register. On the way home I stopped at the gas station and filled up the car. The tank was a bit over half full, but I like to keep a full tank when possible. 

It has been a relaxing, and a productive week. (Have you noticed how my productivity comes in a biweekly schedule?😁😁. I guess according to this pattern, the next week to be a super lazy one!) I made a test and two assignments for summer classes, graded last week's assignments, and prepared next week's announcements. I should start writing syllabi for fall classes, but I've been postponing it for a while now. May be next week....😊 

I did another redwork embroidery. I found the pattern of this house online, and added trees, a lake and a duck. Yes, that's a duck though it doesn't look like one. Please ignore the crooked door, it's an old cottage. 😆

I bought these three embroidery hoops from a thrift store a long time ago, planing to make wall hangings, and finally it's done!

There were not many experiments in the kitchen. I cooked the single eggplant from the garden, made passion fruit juice, pasta with fish, and a version of burrito-inspired wrap using Lavash. I'm still enjoying elder flower cordial. It's a refreshing drink in this hot and humid summer. 

Clockwise from top left: Lavash wrap with beans, pasta with fish, eggplant curry and tomato curry

Elder flower cordial and passion fruit juice

A friend sent me 10 hand sanitizer bottles and 5 masks. I crocheted a beanie for her as a thank you gift.  I will mail it to her tomorrow. I've made this beanie twice for two other friends, so it was a quick project.

The bathroom sink project is going slowly. I decided to use the hinges I already bought because they are good quality stainless steel ones. In order to fit them so the doors close properly, a mortise had to be made on each door panel. I didn't know how to do it, so I had to ask a friend for help. The next step is to lightly sand and paint the cupboard before attaching doors.

In the garden, I sowed purple passion fruit seeds and Chickasaw plum (Prunus angustifolia) seeds. I also dug out the blue pea vines (Clitoria ternatea) from the ground and planted them in pots. I picked the first cherry tomato of the season. That's what you see next to the Lavash wraps. 

I think this is a bell pepper, but not sure as I pulled the plant out from the compost pile. 

A duck family has been visiting me daily. Initially there were 6 chicks, but now it's down to 4. 😥 They come to eat seeds dropped by the bird feeder. 

Yesterday I saw this big bird by the lake. Does anyone know what it is? Is it a little blue heron? 

Later today I plan to make a pot of chili, and passion fruit curd (passion fruit butter). I have made lemon curd a couple of times, and loved the flavor. Then I saw Pauline's passion fruit curd recipe on her blog, Happy Retirees Kitchen.   I have enough passion fruits to make a small quantity, so I'd like to try it. Another new experience! 😀

Have you tried new recipes lately?

Take care everyone. Stay safe.

XXX

Nil