Angie's Halloween costume

Angie and groups of her friends usually coordinate their costumes on Halloween. This year a VERY large group of 52 went as the 50 states and DC and one of the territories. Angie went as Colorado - so she cheated went in her closet and took out her ski clothes. I'm posting these pictures taken with my camera because by the time she sends me the group picture from in front of school yesterday, it will be Easter! They make a really cute group - NY is the Statue of Liberty, idaho is A potato spud, TX is a cowgirl, NJ was a guidette. (Female guido - big hair, fake tan, long talons for nails)

HaUNTED HALLOWEEN!

Happy Halloween everyone!

You Are Spooky

You put the trick in "trick or treat," and you won't stop scaring people until you scare yourself. You love horror movies, dark spooky nights, and the darker side of Halloween. You save the kids' stuff for the kids. Speaking of kids, you avoid the little candy grubbing monsters at all costs. Well, unless you are looking to give them a little scare. You think Halloween has gotten a bit to sugary these days, and you don't mind injecting a little fright into things.

Are You Spooky or Kooky?

Blogthings: 100's of Fun, Free Quizzes and 3 Stupid Ones

As a side note to Grace - this is so totally not me- I love Halloween, I like decorating in a creepy, ghoulish manner - but ask anyone who truly knows me - Even lame scary movies give me nightmares!!

You Are Scary on Halloween

You aren't easily scared on Halloween. You've watched so many horror movies that it's really hard to frighten you anymore. And because you're so fearless, you are the perfect person to scare others on Halloween. You can really take it to the limit. Each year you try to outdo yourself with the freakiest costume possible. You Halloween isn't complete until you hear some very terrified screams... because of you, of course!

Who Are You On Halloween?

Blogthings: If Quizzes Are Outlawed, Only Outlaws Will Take Quizzes

Another side note to Grace -I really can't eat more than a handful of candy corn~

You Are Candy Corn

Your Halloween personality is whimsical, colorful, and creative. You see Halloween as a time to get your creative juices flowing. Each year, Halloween can't start soon enough for you. You tend to go all out for Halloween. You decorate like crazy and always dress up.

What Halloween Treat Are You?

Blogthings: We Have a Quiz for Almost Everything

You Are a Witch

Like a witch, you are often misunderstood and unfairly judged. You are not as sinister as you seem. You are intelligent and spiritual. You feel very connected to the world - both the dark and light sides of things. You tend to keep to yourself, and because of this people tend to think things about you that aren't true. You would just like to be left alone to do your own thing. You have no intention of harming anyone, even though you could if you wanted to!

Are You A Vampire, Witch, Or Zombie?

Blogthings: We'll Tell You The Truth... Someone Has To!

You Are The Silence of the Lambs

You think the scariest thing in the world is the human mind. What serial killers are capable of frightens you to the core. You aren't big on gore or action when it comes to horror movies. You rather delve deeper than that... and get completely disturbed. In fact, you can hardly ever find a horror movie that compares to the nastiness of a true crime story. You couldn't think up the brutal crimes that occur in real life. In your opinion, no monster can be as scary as a human. You don't have to look far to find someone that totally terrifies you.

What Scary Movie Are You?

Blogthings: We're Not Shrinks, But We Play Them On the Internet

You Are a Trick

You were a very mischievous kid, and you still have a naughty streak in you as an adult. You may not go off and toilet paper people's houses anymore, but you're still up for a lighthearted prank every now and then. You are truly fearless. You live in the moment, and you're ready to take on any challenge or dare. Your wild antics sometimes do get you in trouble, but you're also very talented at getting yourself out of trouble!

Are You a Trick or a Treat?

Blogthings: We're Not Shrinks, But We Play Them On the Internet

Bold, just a tad

You Paint the World with Deep Colors

You are a true individual. You are very unique. Your friends can count on you to be expressive. You're never at a loss for words. You are a truly warm person ... though sometimes you can be a bit selfish. You are keyed into your emotions and easily moved. You are quite sensitive.

How Do You Paint the World?

Blogthings: Quizzes and Tests and Memes, Oh My!

The Halloweeney Version of Thursday Thunks

The Halloweeney Version of Thursday Thunks

Welcome to the October almost Halloweenth version of Thursday Thunks!
(which we always seem to post on Wednesday)

Where we make you think a little bit before you blog!

We pick a subject, and your job is to interpret it anyway you want. Write about it on your blog... simple as that. Maybe you can interpret it as a picture - we don't care!
Please only leave a link if you have written a Thursday Thunks post. Please mention us in your post, and link back to the blog here.
Don't forget to go visit the other participants' blogs. Read and comment about all their Thursday Thunks! Thats what all this is about afterall, isn't it? We'll have so much fun and become lifelong friends....

This week we will answer some crazy questions brought to you by Berleen, the color Blood red and the number 31.

1. So Halloween is this weekend, if you haven't heard. Are you gonna open your doors up or not?
Absolutely!! I love seeing the little kiddies in their costumes. I usually stop by 8pm, as I'm not so into the older kids.

2. You better open 'em cuz I'm coming... what are you putting in my treat bag?
3 Musketeers, Snickers, Milky Ways, Reeses

3. Since October is the bestest month for television (well for cable & dish subscribers it is) and there is a horror movie on at any given time of the day - are you sick of them yet?
I'm a sorry ass pansy and I can't watch horror movies without getting nightmares.

4. Which one of those movies can you watch over & over again?
See answer above!

5. Tell us about a Halloween scare you've had....
Running out of candy early

6. Did you watch the old Casper cartoons when you were a youngin? Well, back then they weren't old I suppose, but I'm sure you still understand my question.
Casper was a pretty sorry excuse for a ghost wasn't he?

7. Have you ever found a four-leaf clover?No :(

8. Haunted Houses... you know, the kinds you pay to get in and they chase you with chainsaws and severed heads.... do you like 'em? If they are the kind aimed a kids - the ones aimed at older teens and adults - see horror movie answer.

9. Do you use cute cartoon type wrapping paper for Christmas presents or the not cutesy paper? Or are you one of those gift card and/or gift bag people? Really depends on the year. Some years it's cutesy cartoonish paper, some its really sophisticated paper, last year it was bags and tissue. I usually don't give gift cards - it seems impersonal unless, like when my one friend bought a house (think the movie Money Pit) I got him a home depot gift card.

10. How long do boiled eggs need to stay in the boiling water before they become hard boiled eggs? Were you hungry when you wrote these questions? The way I learned to hard boil an egg without getting that yucky green ring around the yolk is - Put eggs in cold water to cover. bring water to a boil. Turn off the fire, leave eggs in the pan for 10 minutes. Remove eggs from water. As I usually use the eggs cold - I then rinse the eggs in cold water until cold.

11. Jason is coming in through your front door... Freddy is coming through your back door... zombies are at every window of the house and Norman Bates is calling to invite you to dinner... what do you do? Hide in the closet ( I have a platform bed) and try really hard to wake up- see answer to horror movies.

12. Did you know that the scariest part of Halloween is giving all of your Reeses Peanut Butter Cups away? I give those awY LAST.

13a. If you were to play a part of a haunted house (not the ghosts in the attic kind), what would you want to be?EVIL VAMPIRE QUEEN, or Sexy Witch are my usual costumes.

13b. Have you ever played a part in a haunted house?Yes. See answer to 13a. ( BTW where is 13b?)

14. If Thursday Thunks had a Halloween party, what do you think Kimber & Berleen would come dressed as? Kimber would be the Lion tamer and Berleen would be a zombie?

15. Do you cook a turkey for Thanksgiving?Yes. base menu for Thanksgiving is Turkey, lasagna, cranberry stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, sweet potatoes, apple pie, pumpkin pie. Then whoever is coming - brings stuff.

16. Have you ever read a book that scared the pants off of you?Nora Roberts latest trilogy.

17. Whats the predicted high temperature for today?57

18. Have you ever howled at the moon? Yes

19.You are in an alley and a werewolf and a vampire are coming at you - one of them has to win. Which one do you want to bite you? I hope its a sexy vampire!

You Are Crazy for Halloween

No one gets into Halloween as much as you to. You put Martha Stewart to shame! You have the perfect decorations, the perfect candy to hand out, and the perfect costume to wear. You're the type of person who's been winning the costume contest for years, and it irks you when you don't place first. Halloween is your holiday, and you certainly do it up in style. However, you're so obsessed at times that it can be a bit creepy!

Are You Crazy for Halloween?

Blogthings: We're Not Shrinks, But We Play Them On the Internet

On a rainy day -

I know I had mentioned a couple weeks ago that my retarded rose bush was budding despite snow and freezing weather. Well it is blooming now. I took these pictures on Monday before the rain started back up. So on this somewhat dreary Wednesday afternoon enjoy a pretty picture or two.

Smithwicks anyone??

You Are Beer

You are a social organizer of sorts. Whether you're at Oktoberfest or watching the big game, you're always ready to crack open a beer with a few friends. You wouldn't say that fall is your favorite season. You tend to love all the seasons equally. You enjoy getting together with your friends for all sorts of occasions, and fall fun is no exception. Whether you're at a wild Halloween party, picking pumpkins, or going for a hayride ... you know how to have a blast during this time of the year.

What Autumn Drink Are You?

Blogthings: Learn Something Surprising About Yourself

iced coffee

You Are Caramel Iced Coffee

You are indulgent and a bit of a epicure. You demand the best in your life. You tend to be highly driven and even a bit of a perfectionist. You have high standards. You are highly competitive. Losing feels bad for you, and you try to win as much as possible in life. While you do want to be successful, you're not selfish. You have a very sweet and compassionate side to you.

What Flavor Iced Coffee Are You?

What Not to Knit

I must admit - Min got what must have been hundreds of shots in this category. I present 2.


She haD A FRIEND!!



In Retrospect, these are a lot better than what I saw on some heads!!

Pre-yarn

While I'm off in CT doing the yarn thing, and Curt is living life for the second weekend in a row as a single dad, I thought I'd leave you some pictures of not yet yarn from Rhinebeck!


This had to be the friendliest sheep. All he wanted was for someone to pet his nose!


These look like the sheep from Mary Had A Little Lamb!


I love yarn from Blue faced leicester sheep - but this was the closest I saw.


Cashmere goats!


Min made a friend!




The coolest llama there.

Giant Sock

We knitted on a sock which is going to be entered into the Guiness Book of World Records as the worlds largest sock!



Vicki and I



Min working on the sock.



Vickie with an E knits her share.


Ok - no more phone calls!! Yes I cut my hair!! What are you people the follicle police? For the record I cut 9.5 inches off my hair. I went to a new lady said - it has to be long enough to make a decent ponytail, and I very very rarely blow dry it!! She apparently didn't realize that you can't donate your hair for cancer wigs if it is more than 5% grey - Mine is about 80% in front 10% in back. And if your hair has been permanent dyed. So mine fails on both counts.


Heading up to CT for a yarn crawl tomorrow and Stitches on Sunday! At least it will be indoors.

Thursday Thunks/ BLOG AWARD

My friend Thom
gave me this blog award yesterday.



AWARD

The Neno’s Award Rules and Regulations:

1. As a dedication for those who love blogging and love to encourage friendships through blogging.

2. To seek the reasons why we all love blogging.

3. Put the award in one post as soon as you receive it.

4. Don’t forget to mention the person who gives you the award.

5. Answer the award’s question by writing the reason why you love blogging.

6. Tag and distribute the award to as many people as you like.

7. Don’t forget to notify the award receivers and put their links in your post.

I started my blog as a cyber-journal for my knitting and garden projects. then it became a place for me to "discuss" Smoke as well. While my intention had originally been to keep Angie and Curt out of the blog, they worked their way in. So basically HUGE FAIL. What my blog has evolved into is basically a random stream of consciousness, with whatever my brain is linking to at the moment. It is basicallFlickr Photo Download: 39 square y a way to keep up with all the cyber friends I have made.

So friendships would be the answer to that question.

I am passing this award onto Grace and Joyce.

Memes, And Endorsements, And Zombies- Oh My!

Welcome to the October 22nd version of Thursday Thunks!

(which we always seem to post on Wednesday)

Where we make you think a little bit before you blog!

This week we will answer some crazy questions brought to you by

Kimber, the number 70, and the color mellow.

1. If you were to start a meme (or a second or third), what would you call it and what day would you pick? Wednesday Why's

2. When a celebrity endorses a product, do you really believe they like it/use it? Depends on the celebrity/ product. I mean Jimmie Johnson using any tools Cobalt or not - I don't think so. Tony Stewart eating Burger King - pretty believable.

3. Why don't zombies ever just eat each other?They taste rancid??

4. If you were an elephant, would you rather roam free or be in a zoo? i obviously wouldn't last very long - I'd choose to roam free and probably get my butt shot by poachers!

5. The doorbell rings on October 31st, do you answer it? Probably the only day I'll answer an unexpected ring - I is kind of anti social...

6. If you see a piece of paper on the ground while out & about, do you pick it up? If so, do you look to see what it is? let me blog about my 5 knee surgeries one day and you'd know why the answer is no.

7. If Jon Gosselin and Octomom got married and then their own reality show, do you think she would try to get pregnant again for better ratings? No idea who Jon Gosselin is. Only vaguely aware of who octomom is - she should be fixed... seriously any vets out there??

8. If Thursday Thunks was to be put on hold or quit completely, would you be sad? Yes, I would miss the other thunkers.

Part 2 - Friends at Rhinebeck

One of the best things about the Rhinebeck trip was all the friends I was able to meet in real life. It was the third time I had met Min, but for everyone else it was a first!



This photo - from left to right Vicki (Mrsbeasly) Jen (Jinniver) Min (athenasowl) and myself. Hysterical story to go with this picture. Vicki, Jen and I wanted an apple treat. Vicki and I had apple crisps, Jen had sliced apples with caramel. We were sitting and eating on the hay bales, when Min decided it would make a perfect group shot. I then said we need to get one with Min as well, since it is the third time we've hung out, but I didn't have any pics. So a woman whose friends were buying some treats offered to take a picture with all of us. So we pose , she clics. Then Min asks her to take a pic with her camera, she complies. Then Jen wants one with HER camera. Finally when Vicki hands the woman her camera - the lady said can't you guys share??

Trust me it was hysterical!! We probably scarred the woman for life. She'll be strolling along the beach someday and someone will ask her for a picture and she'll go running into the shark infested water!!



Bonnie (tinkknitz) and I.



Vickie with an E and I

Part 1 of the Rhinebeck Saga

I will start my Rhinebeck tale with the story of the ride home!

Min and I left Rhinebeck, had to do two U-ies and pull over to take a picture of a political slogan- I have to get the picture from her to share - you must see it to believe it ( btw - did you know that in some areas Highway Comptroller is an elected position?? imagine that debate - are you for fewer potholes or less traffic?) We then headed home, we had some serious issues understanding Miranda ( Min's GPS) she kept telling us to turn on street A but the sign was for street B. Then she said to turn in 80 feet, we passed the turn and THEN she said turn now! As she continued to recalculate - and at one point stopped talking altogether - we were about to turn around in a roadside farm stand, when I saw the sign for roasted corn and wanted some. So we turned BACK AROUND to return for the corn. We walk around the store looking for the corn, Min finds the sign on the RAW corn. SO I was kind of pouty cause I thought it would be roasted already, wondering if there was a certain kind of corn one is supposed to roast, when I saw a cooler behind the corn. I opened it and found the roasted corn. The two women behind the counter are watching us, one with a wtf look on her face. Min makes a comment about not being able to take a girl out of Jersey or something like that. I ask about this





it is a pumpkin cannon!! Like I saw on one of my geeky tv shows!! It gets fired at 1 pm but it started raining so they stopped. now I'm out in the middle of the parking lot taking these pictures, Min is in serious hysterics - she couldn't even stand up straight she was laughing so hard - heading into the car. The one woman is laughing at me. I get back in the car, and we pull out. We get maybe a half mile, and Min is wondering if she should have gotten some corn. We then think about how funny it would be if we went back and Min took a picture of the cannon. i tell her I'll BUY her the corn id we do it. So we piss off Miranda some more ( we pissed her off so bad she fell off the windshield- coincidence I think not!) and turned around again. Min took the picture I got her 2 ears of corn. The unamused woman nudges the other one and points at me!!
I get to the register and the laughing woman says - that was a quick trip to NJ - we were gone less than 10 minutes - so I said we were still hungry. Then as we are getting back on the road, another guy, who was in front of me on line, pulls out in front of us from another exit, and is eating an ear of corn as he goes past!! Min was going to follow him but he turned on a really weird street.
At the end of all this - we passed the hotel on our way to the tollbooth an hour after we left Rhinebeck!!

eastern or western

You Are Western

You see yourself as an individual - and you're driven to be as successful and happy as possible. You know you only have one life, so you want to live it as well as you possibly can. You see life as a service. You believing in serving yourself, your family, your friends, and even the world. You believe that one person can change the world, and you'd like that person to be you.

Are You Philosophically Eastern or Western?

Hey I like that smell!!

You Are Crisp Autumn Morning Air

You love to feel alive and awake. For you, fall is somewhat of a rebirth. Even though autumn brings some death, it always makes you feel vibrant and excited. Something about cooler days, longer nights, and changing leaves deeply touches you. You feel motivated and driven in the fall. You feel like you can start over and be whoever you want to be.

What Autumn Smell Are You?

Blogthings: Our Quizzes Weren't Written By Bored 12 Year Olds

Red? Tony's car is red!

Your Primary Mood Color is Red

You are a very passionate and fiery person. You have strong emotions, and you don't hold back. You are bold and quick acting. You aren't afraid to take the first step or make the first move. You are an attention seeker, and you love to be the center of things. You've learned how to entertain people well. You are the type of person who the subject of speculation and gossip, and that's fine with you. You like to be talked about.

What's Your Primary Mood Color?

Blogthings: If Quizzes Are Outlawed, Only Outlaws Will Take Quizzes

This Blog Interrupted for the following announcement

IT IS SNOWING HERE!!! Big, Beautiful, Clumpy snow!! And it is sticking to bushes and grass!

you may now continue your day.

Thursday Thunks

Humpty Dumpty, Kankles & More!

Welcome to the October 15th version of Thursday Thunks!

(which we always seem to post on Wednesday)

Where we make you think

a little bit before you blog!

This week we will answer some crazy questions brought to you by

Kimber, the number 32 (as in only 32 people played last week) and the color of dog poop on your shoe.

1. Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
All the king's horses,
And all the king's men,
Couldn't put Humpty together again.

Why was Humpty Dumpty sitting on that wall?

He was peeping at Bud's french twins.

2. If Mother Goose and Father Time had kids, what would they look like and what would they be named? I'm pretty sure it is illegal for father time to bang a goose in all 50 states .... well maybe WV....

3. Does Barbie have kankles? I googled kankle. Eeewww. I don't know, I never had a Barbie, never looked at my daughter's barbie's that closely and she has outgrown them.

4. Have you ever been featured in a magazine? Shhhh... curt may be reading this!!

5. Did your parents keep a baby book for you? If so, how often have you looked through it? No. That would have required them to actually visit occasionally.

6. If someone dropped off a case of candy bars at your front door, what kind of candy bar would you want? (Berleen's question from Insanity Cafe.) Godiva dark chocolate.

7. Rub-a-dub-dub,
Three men in a tub,
And how do you think they got there?
The butcher, the baker,
The candlestick-maker,
They all jumped out of a rotten potato,
'Twas enough to make a man stare.

What happened to the rotten potato? Further more, if they jumped out of a rotten potato, do you think they stink? It's what they are all doing in the same tub that makes me wonder... although they would need a bath if they were hanging out in a rotten potato...

Plant updates!

I went through and picked a lot ( feels like a peck) of peppers, tossed those plants and dumped 3 pots. Left a few plants that had an outside chance of ripening, and Curt is going to finish off this weekend.



I repotted my agave to bring inside - will be a LONG while til tequilla!



I recently aquired the cutest hanging plant called burro's tails.



Repotted my diffenbachia



I am horrible at pruning. I end up having to do a catastrophic prune at some point. I usually end up trying to reroot the pieces I can save. That's what I did here. The purple plant had vines 5 feet long with only leaves at the last 3 inches,



Here's the pothos I rerooted last time. I put 2 into a hanging basket.

Can't escape the orange!

Your Mind is Orange

Of all the mind types, yours is the quickest. You are usually thinking a mile a minute, and you could be thinking about anything at all. Your thoughts are often scattered and random - but they're also a lot of fun! You tend to spend a lot of time thinking about esoteric subjects, the meaning of life, and pop culture.

What Color Is Your Mind?

Blogthings: We'll Tell You The Truth... Someone Has To!

Me Flirt?

You Are a Fun Flirt

You just can't help yourself... you flirt with everyone you know. Guys, girls, crushes, and friends. They're all victims to your charm. You're into silly innuendos, sexy jokes, and playful touches. You are a huge flirt, yet you never make anyone (too) uncomfortable!

What Kind of Flirt Are You?

Duh

Your Attention Span is Short

What attention span? It's difficult for anything to keep your interest. You are so easily distracted, it's a wonder you could finish this quiz! You find focusing a challenge. Your mind tends to wander to the strangest places. While it may be hard for you to complete tasks, you're very creative. You are easily inspired, and you are often thinking of something interesting. The world would be a boring place without people like you.

How's Your Attention Span?

Blogthings: If Quizzes Are Outlawed, Only Outlaws Will Take Quizzes

Before and After

Beautiful fall day here in northwest NJ, cool breezy, a bit cloudy but sunny. Have you ever noticed how on a sunny fall day the light is grayer then in the winter it is bluish? I love that light. Fall is my second favorite season (winter is my favorite)

Unfortunately, the recent cold nights and rain played havoc on my front garden. The weeds grew and flowers died.


Curt and I went shopping this morning, then set to work. First we pulled most of the weeds ( the recent rain made this a bit easier) and dead flowers. Then we planted 75 spring bulbs. Pink Tulips - double late Angeliques ( any one who knows Angelique would find this hysterically appropriate) White Daffodils - double cheerfulness. An assortment of crocus bulbs, and blue irises - not the bearded kind the long skinny petaled kind. Since the crocuses should bloom first, then the daffs, then the irises and finally the late tulips, it should put some color in the garden all spring long!

I then panted some gold mums in the hanging basket formerly inhabited by geraniums. ( hanging baskets of mums were $14 - this cost me 5 and a small shovel of potting soil)



We bought a Montauk daisy, a late fall bloomer that should come back next year, we just need to remember to cut it back in the spring for maximum blooms next fall. Daisies are my favorite flower. They look so happy!



We also got some red and white mums (Tony drives red, white&black; the devils are red & white, niners are red, white and gold) and put them between the hostas.


I looked at our rose bush/tree and that retarded thing has rose buds going - so I guess we'll have another batch of roses. When it blooms, I'll pop a picture on here.