I wanted to make something of Advent as I feel that Christmas is getting too much. I think that I failed when I didn't set clear objectives, but I will see how things go. I have taken the intention to be more mindful of what I'm doing. I don't want to be drifting or impulsively bouncing between ideas. Of course, things are never quite that straightforward with me, but it's something. Most importantly, I'm going to be choosing to make time for faith. At first it may be exploring how I make sure that I'm consistent and positive, but I hope to find my stride.
I really needed to knit the other night. I find knitting incredibly soothing, but I couldn't find the jacket that I was looking for. I'm on the first sleeve and I just want the damn thing finished so hunting for it wasn't so soothing. However, I started the aran sweater with the yarn I got from Aldi, and I felt a lot better for the knitting.
I need to take a pic of the freeze dried veggies that I got from Jux. There was a deal of some sort and I picked up a tubs of carrots, red onion, pepper and garlic. Yesterday I threw together a casserole to try out these veggies. I bunged in some diced lean beef, a generous helping of the freeze dried veggies, a tin of chopped tomatoes, Italian herbs and some beef gravy granules. I may have cooked it a little too hot and a little too long, as when DH went downstairs to check and add dumplings, he said it was practically all dried out, so he added some extra water. And the thickening type of gravy granules. I think I'll have another go with the veggies as what came out was delicious, mouthwatering, tar. I didn't say a word to DH, but it was incredibly tasty and thick. I made the mistake by putting it too hot, too long and not enough water, but the second dose of gravy granules wouldn't have helped.
Another thing that I want to consider during Advent is making New Year's Resolutions. I usually refuse to do that as it's rarely productive, but this time I want to be more thoughtful and considered. I also want to prepare and plan to give me the best chances of success. Again, I've no idea about how that's going to go, and I don't have a good track record of sticking to things, but if I don't try then I have no chance at all.
Writing stuff - last Monday's story is here and today's story is here. I'm supposed to be working on the Royal Road Writathon but I keep getting distracted - all the more reason to make mindfulness and choosing actions a big part of Advent.
One of the things that's been distracting me is the Bumper Book of the White Hart. I've got it all in one Word document, which I swear creaks as I upload it, and I've been going through with spell checker and the Word editor function. I think this might be technically AI, but part of me thinks that it's just good manners to get any writing I publish in the best possible state. It may, however, been a mistake. I have spent hours arguing with an indifferent screen about commas. I've picked up maybe half a dozen typos, but I keep getting flagged for extra commas, removing commas and semi-colons. I refuse to touch semi-colons with a bargepole! And it keeps arguing with me about whether a phrase should contain 'were' or 'was.' At one point I accidentally double clicked and ended up chasing back because it had made a correction that it shouldn't have. And I have a sneaking suspicion that some of the commas that I allowed weren't quite right. For my own peace of mind, I'm going to have to go back and check them. I did a 'find' for commas on the document and there are over six thousand of them. I said rude words.
But I made a draft of a cover, so that's a start.
Though perhaps I ought to make the stag's head white. Any gently phrased opinions welcome.
The Writathon finishes on Friday so I should have more measured posts after that.
Hugs and good health to all.
