puttering

Sometimes there's a clear space on the belt and it's easy to just step on, but other times I have to wait for the right place - and all the puttering is occupying time until that moment.

Mulling 2007

I enjoy "puttering" so much and table setting for the evening meal can be done as soon as lunch or afternoon tea is done.

Creating a Cozy Table Setting 2008

That way I can spend tonight while I'm watching The Academy Awards "puttering" with the writing.

Stressed OWWWWWWS reudaly 2003

When the audience recognized these familiar mementos of Pudd'nhead's old time childish "puttering" and folly, the tense and funereal interest vanished out of their faces, and the house burst into volleys of relieving and refreshing laughter, and Tom chirked up and joined in the fun himself; but Wilson was apparently not disturbed.

Pudd'nhead Wilson 1955

It was cooking class day, and Rosemary stayed almost an hour after school that night, "puttering" as Miss Parsons called it, about the school kitchen.

Rosemary Josephine Lawrence

He set to work at once to enlarge the old Dutch stone cottage which stood upon the place; and from this time on he is continually "puttering" about the estate, building a poultry-yard here, planting trees there, with the full zeal of the rural landlord.

Washington Irving Henry Walcott Boynton 1908

He would be sitting before the easel now "puttering" over a picture, as Susan called it.

Dawn 1894

At the end of what she deemed to be twenty minutes, and after a fruitless "puttering" about the kitchen, Susan marched determinedly upstairs to Keith's room.

Dawn 1894

Bertram and Cyril frankly demanded that William read them aloud; and even Pete always contrived to have some dusting or "puttering" within earshot -- a subterfuge quite well understood, but never reproved by any of the brothers.

Miss Billy 1894

When the audience recognized these familiar mementos of Pudd'nhead's old time childish "puttering" and folly, the tense and funereal interest vanished out of their faces, and the house burst into volleys of relieving and refreshing laughter, and Tom chirked up and joined in the fun himself; but Wilson was apparently not disturbed.

The Tragedy of Pudd'nhead Wilson 1893