Staying busy at home part 2

April 7, 2020

This past week I've concentrated on making face masks. I dusted off my sewing machine (literally!) and got to work. I have been making them for friends and for hospital workers. It feels good to be able to contribute in some small way during this crisis.

I know that many of you are doing the same.





The kitchen is now "Face Mask Central."

We were going to do a Costco run a couple of days ago, but decided to stay home. These next two weeks are supposed to be the worst, at least here in Michigan, so we will make do with what we have. Several weeks ago I got butter and cheese and milk and froze them. I bought some powdered eggs from Amazon, which just arrived. I froze some blueberries to have on our oatmeal, and we have frozen veggies.

The only thing I will miss is fresh fruit. But it is not worth it to me to go out and get it. I am truly grateful that we have what we need. 

 Cauliflower and chickpea masala. Spicy and delicious.
We have been able to donate food from our pantry, trusting that we will be able to replenish it in a couple of weeks.  And because I invested in a handheld bidet, we've also been able to donate toilet paper!

Like all of you, I am super conscious of not wasting anything. I have a half a block of feta cheese that isn't going to last much longer.  There's also some kalamata olives in a jar in the fridge. I have jarred artichokes and beets. I will organize some kind of charcuterie board today with crackers or bread, and that will be "dinner," along with some devilled eggs. 

I have been making some dishcloths.

I got almost halfway through one and realized I didn't have any more of the matching yarn. So I'm using what I have. This will definitely not be a gifted dishcloth!


Every time I use this dishcloth in the future I will remember this pandemic, and how a trip to the fabric store was not an option.

We just discovered a new season of one of our favorite shows, Doc Martin, is available. It is nice to have something distracting and fun to watch. I have also been reading through my collection of Miss Read books every night before bed. I just can't seem to handle any heavier literature at the moment. I don't consciously feel anxious, but I must be at some level, because I am seeking out soothing entertainment right now.

My social calendar feels quite full at the moment with several Zoom calls scheduled during the week, and many Marco Polo videos to watch from friends and family. I am blessed right now to be an introvert. And to being a homebody. This is particularly hard on extroverts and those used to going somewhere every day.

If I could block out all the news, I would be quite content doing my thing here at home.


But worries do intrude, and I know many are suffering. A friend just texted last night that she and her daughter are having trouble breathing. A family member, who is self-employed, is not working and thus has no income. I know someone working for Shipt who is constantly facing exposure risks at the grocery stores, and friends who are nurses who are on the front lines every day. My husband, who is a CPA, has clients whose businesses may never recover.

I'm praying daily for all those who are struggling and for all those who are in authority and making decisions.  I know God is still in control and that He hasn't forgotten us. I pray we make it through this with as little lives lost as possible, and that we can all, individually and as a nation, make the changes necessary to improve our world.  

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Phil. 4:6,7

Stay safe my friends. xo

19 comments

  1. It's great that you have so many hobbies to keep yourself occupied while being home. The dishcloth looks unique! Hope you have a nice week.

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  2. I've made many, many of the same dish clothes, and the scrappy ones I've always kept for myself. They've become my favorites actually, and I'm going to share some with my DIL! Good work on the masks.

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  3. I think the ribbons are better than elastics around the ears. You really have made a lot.

    A teddy bear now sits in my sewing room window...I have no idea if anyone sees him up there, but I see him from time to time.

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  4. I'm sure that the hospital workers will appreciate the masks. I can't sew, but I've seen some no-sew masks.

    I'm also an introvert and homebody so I feel like I've been conditioned for physical distancing.

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  5. Dearest Deborah,
    Yes, praying that this soon will end in the best possible way and also that it hopefully returns many people back to our Creator in prayer.
    Does the cheese freeze well? And the egg powder are you using that for baking or what...
    There are some clever substitutes always!
    Sending you hugs and stay well. Have a meaningful Holy Week and Happy Easter.
    Mariette

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  6. You've been staying busy and productive. I feel the same about not being able to read anything very challenging these days. I'm re-reading my Rosamunde Pilcher novels. I am also learning a whole lot of technology as I'm teaching online. It's wonderful, but I would much rather have face to face time with my students.

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  7. Technology is something I wonder how we ever managed without. We are using it for Church services and keeping in touch with friends and family. Hobbies are paramount during this stressful time to keep us sane, I am so thankful that I have a stash of fabric and wool to keep me going. Stay safe and well.

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  8. Like you, we're learning to make do with what we have in the house too. And not waste it--a very languishing green pepper that looked worse for wear was pressed into supper service last night.

    I find myself reading a few pages of a book at a time these days... calling it slow reading.

    I'm so glad you are able to press your sewing and knitting into service for such a time as this... lovely to be able to contribute something so useful in this crisis.

    Grace to you... Keep safe!
    Brenda xox

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  9. You've got an assembly line of masks going there - and they're so pretty and professional looking! I need to go to the grocery store sometime soon so I have to make a mask. Not sure my effort will look near as nice as yours :)

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  10. Deborah, thank you for sharing your world and what you're doing to help. You are very resourceful. I am going out for a clicklist pickup today, which was ordered a week ago, before they suggested we absolutely not go anywhere these next two weeks. I will be getting groceries for us and a brother who is AI compromised. It is scary, but thanks to my 2 daughters, I have both an N95 and a cloth mask, and gloves. My last trip to the grocery on 3/23 was scary enough, and the work involved with wiping down and taking precautions makes for an entire day of work. Let's stay the course and keep praying. Easter blessings to you.

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  11. Would love directions on how to make the discloths.

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  12. I love your beautiful masks - so pretty. Whoever wears them will feel the love and care you put into not only making something necessary and useful, but pretty, too! Such strange, awful times we are living in, but so grateful we were already fixed on the Solid Rock before everything fell apart around us. He is our all in all, and we have nothing to fear. God bless you and keep you and your family safe and healthy continually.

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  13. You have once again been a busy girl! You did a super job on those lovely masksm Deb. I am finishing the ones I started with the elastic ponytail holder with ribbon instead. I love Doc Martin and wish I had a way of watching...I miss all of my PBS shows! We did the Walmart online grocery shopping yesterday and was quite impressed...will most likely continue until this thing blows over. Many blessings for a glorious Resurrection Sunday! HUGS!

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  14. Your masks are beautiful! I've been making masks as well, mostly with elastic, as our local nursing home requested such. I love the ones you made with the ribbons! Like you, I love being home, but it certainly is so saddening to hear of so many who are in such dire predicaments with their job situations. One cannot help but wonder what the future holds, but if I've learned anything walking with the Lord, it is this. He always has a PLAN. Always. And so... I take comfort in that, while I pray for all of us as we face this ongoing thing. May God give us grace and wisdom to get through these days. Much love to you sweet friend!

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  15. Deborah, I saw in your comment at Lorrie's blog that you'd like to start a sourdough starter, so I thought I'd leave you a link to my post: https://www.delightfulrepast.com/2014/12/how-to-make-your-own-sourdough-starter.html. Sounds like you're being very productive, and I know your masks will be appreciated. I've often thought over these past weeks how much harder this is on my extraverted friends. I always knew my being a germaphobic introverted "housecat" would pay off someday! :D

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    1. Thank you Jean! I only have gluten free flour in my house. I have to do some research on that. Right now I'm afraid of ruining a starter and thus wasting flour! It's hard to get right now.

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  16. Look at you! Those masks are so cute and I know the recipients will be thrilled. I've been baking and took a plate full over to the staff of the assisted living facility where my Dad lives. I love baking and this gave me something fun to do and hopefully they enjoyed them. Blessings abundant this Easter Sunday!

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  17. I'm so proud of all my blog friends whose dining room table now holds fabric and scissors and a sewing machine! Miss Read books are perfect bedtime reading now! I'll get one off my shelf and add to my bed table stack. Right now I'm rereading Elizabeth Goudge's The Rosemary Tree that takes place in April when the daffodils are in bloom. Like you, I cannot handle anything but gentle books right now so I keep a Goudge book and a Pilchur book and a D. E. Stevenson book at hand to choose from, depending on my mood.

    I hope that all of the family and friends you have on your heart right now will be safe and well and flourishing again very soon.

    From one introvert to another, God bless,
    Dewena

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  18. You’ve been busy, too, with making masks, Deborah, and knitting dishcloths. It’s nice to keep busy with our projects, right? I love Doc Martin, and will have to look up where I can see the newest season. Thank you for the ending scripture verse, and for your post over at Homespun Devotions.

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