Color Up the Table

Whenever possible, I try to add color to meals, clothing, and daily activities. It helps brighten the drab and repetitive days. Austin punched up this meal with short ribs served over homemade polenta along with a tomato salad and asparagus.

Austin’s Kimchee Fried Rice was made with leftovers.

Meatloaf with tomato gravy, mashed potatoes, and vegetable medley. (Better known as leftover veggies.) These days we’re using perky, cloth table napkins, that save on paper products.
Hooray for Yard Work and Fresh Air
For the first time—ever—I’m happy to have weeds growing outside my kitchen window. I’m glad for the bushes that need trimming and the dried leaves waiting to be removed from the flowerbeds. We trimmed back the Russian sage, on the advice of my gardening friend. The basil plant, hanging out on my kitchen table seemed happy to get into the ground. But I’m waiting a bit longer on my few tomato plants.

The iris, just now in bloom, adds more color to the flowerbeds. From my bedroom window, I can see splashes of dogwood among the leafing trees.
Doing yard work makes the days seem more normal. It gives Austin and me something to do during the Corona Lockdown besides cook, eat, and stare at our computer and cell phone screens.
Going to Town

I look like I’m on my way to rob a bank! Actually, mask wearing has become de rigueur, even here in south Missouri, where there are very few reported cases of the virus.
This week we made the 12-mile round trip from our farm to Rolla. We jumped into Austin’s red truck and off we went to get some gas. It was lunch time, so we stopped at Maid-Rite for a burger from their drive-thru window. What a treat!
We wore our spiffy, handmade masks (thanks, Martha). I also wore the most colorful outfit I could find from my limited wardrobe here at the farm. I put on earrings and ran the curling iron through my hair. I donned a pair of polka-dotted socks. I was going to town! Austin pulled out his wine-colored shorts, flannel shirt, and sandals. We made a dashing pair.
Mother Nature Brightens Our Days

Our few remaining daffodils enliven the kitchen table.
Coco: Cool with Color

I take my quarantine fashion advice from my 8-year-old granddaughter, Coco, who knows how to color up a stay-at-home school day.
Thank you. Your mask comment was my first out loud laugh in a month – except of course for Carol Burnett reruns on TV. Stay safe and keep on blogging (or whatever they call this)