Moving & Spring Dinner

Yes, we’re moving this week. All the way down the elevator with a few things, a few hundred feet to another elevator, and upstairs. But the Big Move is everything we’ve had in TX for over the past three years that is on a truck and 2/3 of the way here already from a big Friday move.

No, we weren’t there. Jim was at a conference and I was on the phone coordinating and following through for about 12 hours. We could’ve really used eyes on the ground but none of our old friends in Houston would spend two hours for us, no matter how many times they’d been over for free meals or even to visit us to ski multiple times. Yeah, same as when I took out everyone’s dog for years and no-one ever reciprocated for one weekend. I’ll remember, guys & gals.

Now we have to move on this end and arrange for movers et al. Then Jim’s family is coming into town in shifts for two weeks early next month so that requires some planning and a new futon for our new guest room as well.

There is much to do. In the spirit of Spring and shutting down moving work for the day before this hectic work week begins in earnest, I looked for something festive. I found three small lamb chops that I seasoned and pan-seared. Also rosti potatoes, sauteed cherry tomatoes (just salt, pepper, olive oil and dried oregano), and fresh asparagus blanched then sauteed simply.

I’m trying not to have too much perishable food because we’ll have to take out our cooler from storage and take several loads ourselves to the new frig.

We’re moving because we got a 740 sf place for three months because we’re new in town and didn’t know where to live. We chose next door (next building) because it has a lovely view and more room for an office for my husband/guest room. It doesn’t really have a place for me, but I’ll work it out.

Once the move is done I can concentrate on unpacking and decorating, and my m-i-l will bring the two quilts she’s been storing for us for these years. One, she made, and we (mostly she) crafted the squares into a seasonal quilt that is quite bold in color and texture. The other was by her great, great and possibly one more great grandmother, Civil War era that is a hexagonal quilt with a flower motif. Both are reminders of the craftiness of our elders and ancestors and priceless pieces of art to us.

Then I must plan menus and things to do for family members, who I think will enjoy their time here next month.

Right now it’s all scribbled lists, which must be contained and correlated, perused and added to so that they are complete. Then it’s work work work until every i is dotted and every t is crossed.

It doesn’t make it easy that I can set up an account, say for cable, and pay the bill for $19 because it’s a short-term deal and the bill arrived late, but then when I call to do a change of address they are not willing to talk to me because I am not my husband. Ladies, put both your names on all the accounts, especially if you pay the bills. It took three hours while moving last Friday from an offsite location just to allow the cable company to allow me onto the account to change our billing address to next door!

We’ll be able to cook more easily with a grill, and we’ll have a lame one starting Friday but will get something more powerful soon. We look forward to entertaining family and friends once our furnishings are out of their “cocoons.”

Cheers and excuse my continued absence. Dee