Cold and Rain

I just added a pound of diced ham to the crock pot of beans simmering away, and I also added another two cups of water to the mix.  The beans have been simmering for two hours, with a good sprinkle of coarsely ground pepper and a dash of lemon zest.  Can't wait for this evening!   I'll have a left-over slice of pizza for lunch, along with a salad.   And I'll be sewing tablecloths today, also.
   The forecast for today was cloudy and cool, with a high of 40 (cold, compared to yesterday's high of 80).  They said the rain and/or possible snow wouldn't arrive until after 4 this evening.  It was 38 when I got up this morning; an hour ago it was 35 and misting rain.  I think our high temperature was at midnight.  The clouds were hovering just on the tops of Bear, Green, and Flagstaff mountains this morning, then dropped down to the tops of the Flatirons.  Now the Flatirons are invisible, and I can see 2 to 3 blocks away from my balcony, but no more.  We're getting socked in.  (And this kind of weather makes me want to curl up and sleep...)
   I've "rescued" the ivy from the balcony, but think I'll let the honeysuckle stay out overnight.  If it continues to be extremely cold, I'll bring that in, also.  Nedi wanted to go out this morning, but didn't stay long.  Now that the balcony is wet, he wants out again.  I was mean and said he couldn't go out. With the weather cold and damp, Rosie's walk was cancelled this morning, which I pretty much expected.  I might not walk her tomorrow, either, depending on the weather and how she feels, but I do have a date with her tomorrow night, so her parents (owners) can go out and relax.
   Originally, I was to pick up some clients from the airport on Saturday, but they've been delayed, and will return on Monday, so I have vehicle access until then.  Which means that Beatrice and I might go up into Rocky Mountain National Park this weekend...  We'll have to see what driving conditions and weather are like.
   I hope your Thursday is great!

Preparations

A final, pretty day before actual fall weather arrives - we're expecting a high of 80 degrees today, and a high of 40 tomorrow.  Tomorrow night's low is forecast at 17....  Guess I need to get out the turtlenecks and sweaters, as well as the long pants.  I'm sitting here in jersey shorts and a cotton T-shirt and am sweating at 10 a.m.  Don't think it'll be like this tomorrow!  The weather folks say we'll have rain, changing to snow tomorrow afternoon and evening - and that we might have 1 to 2 inches of snow...  I'd rather have a nice, steady light to moderate rain for a couple of days.  We just need the precipitation - we're pretty dry and fires are a hazard, especially with the wayward winds we have here.
    I need to go out and purchase a pile of canned food for the kitties before Saturday; and I'll also pick up the makings for our Thanksgiving Day meal....   Think we'll have a small ham, gravy, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, peas, biscuits, and apple pie. We'll probably have a half-turkey for Christmas - or a large roasting chicken. With nasty, chilly weather coming tomorrow, I'm going to make my ham and five bean soup tomorrow.  I'll have to soak the beans tonight - Anasazi, pinto, black eyed peas, garbanzo, and great Northern.  They'll simmer all day tomorrow with a pound of diced ham, and then I'll make biscuits around supper time....
   And, since the weather is supposed to be dank tomorrow, I'll sew up the new Thanksgiving and Christmas table cloths.  I don't have a sewing machine, so I'll be hand sewing the hems.  Each tablecloth is double sided, with a different print on each side.  I've already purchased the cloth, washed, dried, and ironed it.  All I need to do is make two cuts, pin and sew.  Time consuming, but easy - if the cats don't decide to eat the thread as I'm sewing.
   I also watered our two surviving plants today.  I guess I'll be bringing both of them inside tonight.  Hopefully Nedi won't decide to devour all the leaves on the honeysuckle tonight...  He generally ignores the ivy.
   I hope that all is going well in your life, and in your world!

Quilting; Bits and Pieces

Today the sky is cloudy, but no precipitation is expected, and we're hoping to reach the low 60s. The snow has all melted and evaporated away here in the back yard, while it's only still on the ground in shady, north-facing spots at Finn and Skippy's. There's a possibility of a light showers Saturday night, but we're looking at snow again on Monday, April 1. Yesterday I resupplied myself with quilting needles, clear thread, all-cotton batting, and I also purchased the material that will be one side of the baby quilt I'm making - the other side will be piecework and embroidery, and I made my templates for the piecework yesterday, also.

  In my small news bites:  Rachel Alexandra has been returned to her usual stall at Stonestreet Farm, the vets from Riddle and Rood EH will be visiting her daily for the next few weeks, to ensure she continues making progress in her surgery recovery. .... Reports released this morning state that the shooter at the Newtown school fired 155 rounds in 5 minutes. .... Here in Colorado, it's being reported that the man who is charged with the Aurora theater massacre (who refused to plead last week), may agree to a plea deal - pleading guilty as charged - if he will not have to face the death penalty. He should have thought of that before killing 12 and wounding 50+ people! .... Next Friday, the TV show Vegas, starring Michael Chiklis and Dennis Quaid, will reappear in the CBS line-up. It used to be on the air on Tuesdays. No word yet as to whether it has been renewed for next season, but I know that NCIS and Person of Interest have been approved. .... The Florida Derby will be run on Saturday, and the three big name contenders that are taking the headlines are Itsmyluckyday, Orb, and Shanghai Bobby.