four things | 02

It’s cold here in SE Minnesota! This morning, the temperature was -9 with a wind chill of -21; tomorrow, the low will be -17 with a wind chill of -24. These are good days to get some projects done inside – and thankfully, there isn’t a lack of projects around the cottage!

what I’m loving

After many years of thinking about this project, I finally took action. Last week I ordered this frame on Amazon, and today I covered the particle board that came in the frame with a linen remnant. This tiny doll quilt, made by my paternal grandmother, is part of my childhood memories. I remember using it with my dolls at my grandparent’s cottage and in our home growing up. My daughters used it with their dolls and so did our granddaughters. It’s covered many baby dolls over 4 generations. Today I finally hung the framed doll quilt in one of our guest rooms. And, I love it.

what I’m reading

I’ve just started reading the book Unoffendable by Brant Hansen.

“It turns out that giving up your “right” to be offended can be one of the most freeing, healthy, simplifying, relaxing, refreshing, stress-relieving, and encouraging things you can do.”

I’m hoping to learn concrete, practical ways to live life with less stress, including: Embracing forgiveness beginning to love others in unexpected ways, and replacing perpetual anger with refreshing humility and gratitude. Of course, I’ll check back in when I’ve finished the book.

what I’m working on

It’s always strange to share personal things like surgery here. Who knows, though? Maybe someone needs to hear/read this. This week I’m working on recovering from outpatient sinus surgery. Doctors diagnosed me with chronic sinusitis after a CT scan last July. I finally had the elective sinus surgery – which was this past Tuesday morning. The surgery covered a long list of repairs and changes to my sinuses. After 4 hours in surgery, a very groggy afternoon, and a currently very stuffed-up nose (there is packing way up in those sinus cavities) I’m ready to turn a corner to better breathing and less coughing! I’ll see my surgeon on March 3 and hopefully that appt will bring a lot of relief. Meanwhile, I’m finding small, not too involved projects to work on, like cleaning out a desk drawer or two and catching up on reading.

what I’m planning

Our Pottery Barn sofa and loveseat need some new covers. We intentionally purchased sofas with slipcovers so I could easily wash the covers without worrying about stains and spots. After 10 years of use, many washes, a couple of dogs, and our grandchildren, it is time to replace the covers. The sofas are still sturdy and the cushions are in good shape, so I’ve done a bit of research and plan to order from Comfort Works. They have a nice selection of fabrics and styles of covers, and they specifically make covers for the PB Basic sofa and loveseat that we have. The big decision is choosing which fabric!