New Apothecary

Sort of. I've been trying recipes and remedies I've been learning in my classes, and I was starting to be over-run with herbs and supplies. I've been looking for a hutch to put on top of the sideboard that's been in Eric's family for decades but had not had any luck finding what I wanted in my price range. I decided a couple of days ago to make due with decorative wooden shelves mounted on the wall above the sideboard. They wouldn't provide storage for everything, but I could at least put my jars of herbs up and they'd be half-way decorative.

In my travels today I stopped at an antique store in the next town north. I didn't see what I wanted, but I got to talking with the owner, and she steered me to a closed book case they'd just gotten in. It wasn't even priced. When she looked it up, it was well within range. I took measurements and came home to talk it over with Eric. Long story short, we went back and got it.



I'm not crazy about the wicker on the doors, but it looks better than I thought it would. I'm going to live with it for a while before I decide what, if anything, to do.


Inside there is more than enough storage space, and the shelves are adjustable so I can add more later if necessary. Also, if I decide I don't like the doors, I can take them off and change the contents. I'd put decorative serving pieces and such on the shelves, and store the empty jars, pots and pans, and the lovely plastic container inside the sideboard.








This is what I have to work with so far, and I'm only on the second course...

Outlook good

I'm wrapping up my second week of walking tomorrow. So far I've successfully gotten out of the house by 8:15 and walked at least half a mile six days in seven. Well, kind of. I took my day off on Monday this week because we had a special program at church Sunday night. I was singing, but also helping to run the sound system, so I ran up and down stairs for about two hours. I decided that counted for exercise. For the first time, I'm not even curious about what this is doing for my weight. I weighed myself last week sometime and the number was about where I thought it would be. A couple pairs of jeans are fitting a teeny bit looser, but overall I'm not noticing any difference, and I really don't care. I think that's a good sign.

One thing I didn't count on was getting words. Twice in the last two weeks, a song on my MP3 player has gotten me thinking about my current story, and I've showered and written before going to work. Yesterday I got over 2,000 words. Of course, those marinated overnight. I was reading for school the night before--I'm doing women's health, and my current book focuses on the process of childbirth. While I was reading about herbs beneficial for fertility and pregnancy, Walter whispered to me: "Rachel (my main character's sister) is a Master Herbalist. Her career choice raised a bit of a ruckus, you know, since their mom is an RN. Anyway, Rachel knows all this stuff, and she's helping Meg*, but Meg's too much of a mess to realize it at first. Pay attention to your reading--this is important."

Walter's whispering used to creep me out. Now I don't bat an eye; I just listen until he shuts up. I get more if I pretend not to be interested; that drives him crazy.

Anyway, this all confirms to me that I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing. Blessing my body and studying to improve the health and wellness of my family has positive side effects on other areas of my life. I'm glad I figured it out before November. Stay tuned for updates!


*Meg is a pregnant military wife who is widowed early in the book.