Short Attention Span Theatre

Three Irish Girl mini's

2012-01-26T17:27:00.000-05:00

Last fall, Three Irish Girls (they make hand-dyed yarns) announced they were retiring some of their colorways, and there was a sale on those colors. Now one of the knitters on the GoFastKnitLeft group on Ravelry - for NASCAR fans is seriously addicted to TIG yarn. I tease her all the time about her yarn and button stash (seriously she buys buttons by the pound!) Anyway since a lot of us are knitting hexipuffs/flats out of sock/fingering weight socks - she suggested that we get together and buy all the colors and split the hanks into mini-skeins. She even volunteered to do the weighing and winding and mailing. I've been wanting to try TIG yarn, I keep hearing great things about it, but I also hear great things about Wollmeise and I really can't stand the feel of that yarn while knitting. I am told it gets better after blocking and with subsequent washing/ blocking- but as I give away a lot of my knit items ( I am what's classified a process knitter - I like the process of knitting as opposed to a project knitter who has joy from finishing a project) really the fun part of the yarn is the knitting and I don't enjoy knitting with Wollmeise. ) I anticipate knitters with torches and pitchforks at my door momentarily.

As anyone who has gone yarn shopping with me - I seriously touch - All. The . Yarn. The touch is almost as important as the color. And I will pass on the perfect color if I don't like the touch. So I hesitated and ever bought TIG since there aren't any stores around here that have the yarn to pet. This group purchase seemed to be the perfect solution. For a reasonably low price - I would get a mini skein in adorn sock yarn in each of the discontinued colors. I can make my flats (and some owls & ornaments too) and see how I like the yarn. I figured, If I really hated it - I could always send it out as swap goodies.

I did realize up front that this yarn would take a while. They dye the yarn to order - they would need to dye enough for all of us- send it to Jen, she would have to take the time to weigh, split and wind all of it- then ship it. So I paypal'd her my share and went back about my business. She did say something when she got the yarn, and then the occasional comment when she was working on it. I really wasn't worried about it- it's going to take me a long time to finish the blanket - and it's not like I don't have miles of yarn already in the house to play with.

Yesterday when I got home - I checked the mail.. yawn.. boring... I saw i had pm' (private msgs) on Ravelry but didn't open them until almost 5pm. One of my messages was Jen with my tracking number!! Yay!! Happiness!! I went to track my package to see where my goodies were and it said delivered at 3:07pm (I got home at 2:30) Put pants and shoes back on to o back to the mailbox, opened the door and there between my door & storm door was this:

I didn't even have to get dressed grrr. It was already dark - so that is not the greatest picture light wise - but it is grey and raining this afternoon - so even less picture friendly. I'll let you know how Ilike it when I cast on - but it pets really well!

2012-01-25T15:52:00.000-05:00

Sensational Haiku Wednesday

Welcome to “Sensational Haiku Wednesday!”

The basics: Haiku is simple! It is 3 non-rhyming lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively (a great way to use your fingers!)

Here are the rules:

Structure

Theme/Prompt

Linking

link to the blog post with your haiku

not

Reciprocate

Thanks Jen for hosting!!

This week’s theme is: Silhouette

Looking to the East

Something will forever be

Missing in the sky.

Even in shadow

I see you steadfast and strong

Always there for me.

anonymous mask

cannot block fiery gaze

of competitors.

Nerd Wars

2012-01-24T14:56:00.001-05:00

I've talked about NerdWars before. It's a 3 month long knitting/crochet/weaving/spinning game/contest. It's actually helped me come closer to my knitting goals, because when the end of the month looms, I pic up my project to finish. It has been great helping me finish projects - both because of the end of month deadlines, and because so far, every round three has had a finish a WIP challenge. Since every month includes a "giving geeks" category- it has given me new places to donate my craft. ( I should say I love to knit, but socks, fingerless gloves, some shawls and bags are all I keep for me. I don't really wear hats or gloves or sweaters,, and I have enough throws to last my life - so most of my knitting gets given away) Plus, I have made a bunch of friends in the group. Second only to my NASCAR knitting friends.

Some people get confused when I tell them about NerdWars. They think for instance if you are on the Star Wars team - all you can make is lightsabres and deathstars and yoda hats. Or if you are on the Harry Potter team - all you can make are owls and brooms and golden snitches. That isn't really how it works. There are 6 challenges every month. You can do one, you can do all - While there is a badge for "melting the cube" doing all 6 projects it isn't necessary or expected. There is also a badge for insane over achievers like your's truly for doing all 18 -

But really the challenges are sometimes simple sometimes not. There was a square challenge under giving geeks. I put together a lapghan - not in time for the original charity I had in mind- so I donated it for Christmas for a local nursing home to give to a resident who didn't have gifts or visitors. Some people just made squares and donated them to warm up america or other put squares together charities. One person made rectangle kitty toys for a local shelter. Another challenge was for the number pi. Some people knit/crocheted pies, one person spun a yarn of beige, red & white - the crust filling and whipped cream of a cherry pie. I made a tea cozy with stripes of 3,1,4,1,5 (pi in stripes) and fastened it with a pie shaped button.

You get extra points if you tie it into your team, but that's like extra credit when you were in school. For example - the lapghan was the colors of the stripes on Ernie's shirt from Sesame St. I made the tea cozy when I was on Team Bazinga for the Big Bang Theory - and Sheldon has been trained by his mom to offer tea or a hot beverage to people. Really they are quite liberal with what they allow as a team tie in. Multi colored stripes were tied to the rainbow Connection from the original Muppet Movie. Fingerless mitts were perfect for Scooter - the backstage manager to wear at the Muppet Theatre.

There is also a dissertation. This is a larger project which is going to take the better part of three months. Again this is optional. Some people do a dissertation but none of the monthly challenges, some do a few challenges and the dissertation. Some (yeah there goes my type A personality) do both. I like doing a dissertation because it gives me added incentive to avoid the startitis I can sometimes get and actually finish a larger project. For example, I don't think I would have finished my Hey! Teach sweater in three months other wise. And believe it or not - the wedding dates of my sister and brother wouldn't have been enough for me to finish the wedding shawls - they would have gotten them by their anniversaries ( the 8th is shawls right? LOL) And like other things - we so love out badges - and there is a silver participation badge for getting over 50% and a gold one for finishing.

Last tournament I volunteered to be the manager of a team. I'm pretty good with behind the scenes stuff - even at work I make the most awesome of support staff. I had told the captain that the end of November beginning of December would be kind of tough because of said weddings - but other than that I was there with her. Unfortunately real life and internet issues kind of took her out for the second half of the tournament. I didn't realize how long she would be gone - and how much a void that created until I think it was a bit to late. Some of the team splintered off to form a disney team - and some seemed to wander away entirely. Those of you that know me well - know this sort of thing causes me to go into an analytical, fix it, better plans for next time mode of thinking. I stalked the more successful teams to see what they were doing. And I have a plan. ANd I inherited the captaincy, and I have a awesome co-captain to help keep the tram chatting and happy, and there. But for this I need a team. As of Monday, our team still needed a nudge to get enough players to field a team. Not an all out panic recruitment, but a nudge. This is my real issue. I suck at recruiting. I hate recruiting. (almost as bad as I suck at & hate fundraising) That's what our old captain was great at - recruiting. I am trying, but I hate and suck at every minute of it. We have a great team concept. Jim Henson. There is so much to tie into -

I really hope we can field a team.

Paula Deen

2012-01-23T15:45:00.000-05:00

In the last week I've been taking a lot of flack for something I never foresaw. ( mind you I'm used to taking flack for just about everything in life - normally it doesn't bother me - but it is irritating me right now) I've found myself defending Paula Deen. I'm not defending her recipes mind you- or saying you should be able to eat solely or even mostly out of her cookbooks and live forever. I have been defending Paul Deen the person. I also am irritated that I am also defending the point of she is getting judged more harshly because she is female.

Apparently 3 years ago, Paula was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. There are a lot of American's with type 2 diabetes - and a large percentage who are undiagnosed (if you aren't diagnosed - you can't manage it - and will have more health consequences) What you eat is a part of the risk factors. Age (can't help that - except you know - by dying) genetics (don't pick your parents) stress (the American way of life leads to high stress levels - and I am sure she has plenty) weight (just guessing visually she appears like she could lose a few pounds) and exercise level ( I really don't know her activity levels) Now granted food and weight are closely tied -but not the sole risk factors. She didn't tell anyone. Lots of people seem to have an issue with her not announcing it.

I don't think a person, even a celebrity like Paula Deen has a responsibility to announce her health issues to the world. I am guessing as she is in her late 60's (and seriously a lot more vibrant than a lot of people her age I meet) she has gone through menopause as well. Did she need to announce that?? If she develops a bunion from being on her feet in restaurant kitchens all day - does she need to put up a warning so other people don't get one? Does she need to tell us if she gets an ingrown toenail fixed? It's her health and she has a right to privacy about it. I might feel differently if it were Dr Oz or Denise Austin, or the Tae-Bo dude, or Dr Atkins. These are people who have achieved celebrity status BECAUSE the general public looks to them for health advise.

Paula is a cook. I don't think she ever went to a culinary institute. I think she learned to cook from her mom & grandma and has a lot of talent on her own, and has used those skills to build a very successful restaurant business. She used her personality and her ability to teach people how to cook to create quite the brand of herself. Does she tell us, we should be picking up 8 pounds of butter every week when we shop? NO. Does she tell us the only way to eat meat is cooked in butter slathered in gravy?? NO. As a matter of fact - I had been noticing that in her more recently taped shows she makes a point of saying she does not eat like that on a daily basis. She also has been taking to stressing that moderation is the key.    When her son Bobby comes on her show - he cooks his own take - which tends toward a lighter dish. He's done this enough that now he's getting his own show - of Not My Mother's food or dishes I don't recall. (and am too lazy to open a Google tab - you can look it up if you want.)

Paula entertains us. Most of the time when I watch her show it's just better than the crap that's on regular tv. I don't run in the kitchen after the show ends to make those dishes for dinner! I might make one of Paula's recipes maybe 2 or 3 times a year. As comfort food, or as "company" food.   Seriously - the only contribution her show has to my overall fatness - is that I tend to watch it as I am on the computer or knitting - both sedentary activities. But I could be watching the boston marathon - and if I'm on my ass on the couch - it's not making me any healthier.

Now - the "BIG" brewhaha - that she has announced it (and that seems to be because a morning show host came out and asked her - because the tabloids had run the story) is that she is going to be working with Novo Nordisk as a spokesperson or something with one of their diabetes medications. ( on a side note - I pass by their Princeton location when I come back home from Philly - and wondered what they were. They looked medical. Apparently they use recombitant dna technology for diabetes drugs & insulin) ) People are calling her a hypocrite becuase she has a butter based cooking show and is taking pills to manage her diabetes.

Seriously?? Make up your mind - is she wrong for not speaking out and encouraging awareness - or is she wrong for being a spokesperson? It's because she is a spokesperson for big pharma - that the outcry comes up. As a planet and especially as a country we are getting fatter everyday. (Ok maaybe not so much January with all the resolutions) If Paula Deen pulled or changed her show - would the trend go the other way?? I really, really doubt it. We live in a world, where Lipitor, sleep aids, and erectile dysfunction commercials work there way into just about all the shows except Sesame St! The problem is with us as a society. Nobody wants to put forth a ton of effort - they want an easy "pill" to solve their problems. I mean - do we really believe that everyone taking e.d. pills really need them?? Or is it the older middle aged men who have the fantasies (or realities) of banging the hot 20 year old who really should just go out and buy a sports car to deal with their crisis? Have you listened to some of the side effects for pills to solve problems that are not nearly as bad?? (The truly sad thing this says about our society is we are willing to throw time, talent and money at some old guy's junk - but we still have cancer, and MERSA and measles and polio might be comng back)

So - first - we don't know if/what lifestyle changes Paula has/is/will be making - and it's not our business. Second- when people who are diagnosed with high blood pressure are sedentary and overweight and have bad diets - we don't say lose weight, stop the salt and fat, get some exercise and if that doesn't work we'll give you some pills - no we give you the pills - so you don't have a heart attack or stroke or something while you are trying to make lifestyle changes. and if lifestyle changes works - we'll take you off or reduce the pills.   I don't pretend to know - but I will be willing to bet that a lot of high profile business execs and politicians have high blood pressure. And a lot of them are fat& sedentary not to mention stressed. Do we condemn them because they don't come out and announce it? And that they take their meds to try to control it instead of diet?

And here's my other gripe - that this whole thing is making me sound like a femanist ( I can't even spell that)

Can someone tell me Guy Fieri's blood pressure, sugar or cholesterol numbers?? He's a lot younger than Paula - he can't blame age. Can someone tell me what those numbers are for the Man vs Food (Adam somebody) How about Ina's husband jeffrey?? Mario Batali is a pretty big boy.

Why isn't there a public outcry about Diner's Drive Ins and Dives?? Some of those dishes have got to be 2 or 3 THOUSAND calories. ANd there are people who eat at these places daily for real! Why aren't we beating up Guy for taking us to these places?? Why aren't we pissed of at Adam for eating an 8 pound burrito?? Why isn't there a public outcry to take the extreme dessert shows off the air??

Paula is a woman. Paula makes people think of mom or grandma or great aunt Sue. Paula is no more responsible for your health than they are. Paula doesn't "owe" her audience her health records any more than they do. Paula is less of a puppet for Big Pharma than all the male celebs endorsing "male enhancement drugs" . She can lose weight, she can exercise, she can never eat butter again - and she may still need help with her diabetes. There are a lot of people out there that can't or won't fix their risk factors - or they did and it didn't help enough. They should have an option for a pill - if it will keep all the other diabetes health side effects at bay. Cause I've seen her with some of those male guests - I don't think they'd need that pill.

NJ doesn't have a pro team. GO 49ers!! Beat them with the 'stick

2012-01-22T12:01:00.000-05:00

NFC Championship is tonight!! ( Hear that I.R. ? Giants and 49ers can't play each other in the SuperBowl.. duh...) Should be an interesting evening. Clearly, I am a monogamous obsessive fan- and root for the 9'ers all the way. My husband is a Giants fan - not nearly as invested in any sport or team as much as I am - but his interest ramps up if his team makes the post season. I live in the midst of Giants territory, surrounded by Cowboy fans...The Angie is very much the 49er girl... and is currently worried about becoming a child of divorce.

So I do have several friends whose teams are now dreaming of next year on the beach. They suddenly decided they were rooting for the Giants as the "home" team. Seriously??? The Giants have practiced and played in NJ for almost 40 years. Yes - in 1976 the Giants started playing in the Meadowlands. That is 36 years ago! In 36 years - and now a brand new stadium later - the Giants continue to dis the state that gives them support and a home and leave a state who wouldn't/couldn't pass the bonding to build them a stadim - in their moniker! Wake up New Jersey idiots! Everytime you hear them referred to as the NY Giants - every piece of licenses merchandise with the NY on it - they are really mocking you. NJ paid for the Meadowlands, every NJ resident who complains because of our tax rates needs to remember - you paid for it in your taxes not the morons in NY who continue to "own" the team. So as far as I (and several of my friends - Raiders, Chiefs, Cowboys, Ravens, Colts and Bears fans aagree) am concerned - NJ does not have a home football team. Pick your poison people!

Test Knit

2012-01-21T21:31:00.000-05:00

I recently needed to make a cowl, with Berroco Ultra Alpaca for someone. Just before I started looking for a pattern, I found out on Twitter my friend Sarah (rainloverknits) was having a pattern of hers test knit. So I volunteered, the pattern was wonderful - I had no troubles with the pattern - written or charted- it knit up quickly and I love how it came out.

Here's the picture of the unblocked cowl (it's 10 3/4 by 7 7/8 - so I'm only going to block it enough to clean up the cables and ribs)

In other yarny news - here's a picture of my latest mini-skeins from Little Red Bicycle on Etsy:

The last of Anna's Wedding

2012-01-20T20:27:00.002-05:00

I realized I don't have many pics of my mom - maybe when Anna gets her digital album up I'll have more. And I don't have a copy of the picture with the bride's side - cause we were all in it. Here's my mom with Anna, Joe and Joe's mom.

Here's my mom with the Angie and John at her house before the wedding:

Anna & Joe feeding the ducks:

My favoritest cousin on the planet Norman:

The cake:

Anna's Wedding Cont.

2012-01-19T14:18:00.001-05:00

I guess the Angie and I are pretty much alike - She was Anna's Maid of Honor and thus the first pair after the Bride and Groom processed back down the aisle- I was the last. This is the face she made at Curt and my cousin Norman:

And this is the face I made at them:

This is the wedding party outside the reception:

Anna and the Angie:

Anna and my brother:

2012-01-18T15:02:00.001-05:00

Sensational Haiku Wednesday

Welcome to “Sensational Haiku Wednesday!”

The basics: Haiku is simple! It is 3 non-rhyming lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively (a great way to use your fingers!)

Here are the rules:

Structure

Theme/Prompt

Linking

link to the blog post with your haiku

not

Reciprocate

This week’s theme is: Freestyle (whatever you like!)

I have such trouble

when Jenn picks this prompt for us,

creating haikus.

Anna's Wedding

2012-01-17T20:14:00.000-05:00

During my blog hiatus, my sister Anna got married on Nov 26 (Thanksgiving Sat) at a tiny church that still uses the latin rite mass.

Here's Anna getting her hair and makeup done - don't you just love the wedding day socks?

She wore the Princess Kate knockoff dress - with 6 crinolines underneath because she wanted the bottom more poufy so her (size 8) waist would look waspier. (hmmmf) Her dress took up the entire back of the stretch limo!!

She should have measured the aisle of the church - her dress was as wide - my brother stepped on the dress I don't know how many times and he kept popping in and out of pews on his way up (since my dad is no longer here- my brother gave her away)

Poor Joe (the groom) was barely on the kneeler!

I actually wore makeup and curled my hair!!

The Kiss!

I'll finish this on Thursday - tomorrow is Sensational Haiku!! (and Braun's Day!!)

49ers beat the Saints!

2012-01-16T19:14:00.000-05:00

Saturday night. the Angie and I rooted for the 49ers to win their playoff game. What a game! Alex Smith runs for a touchdown; 4 touchdowns in 4 minutes; 10 years off the end of my life!and in the last few seconds of the game - down by 3 - Jim Harbaugh doesn't send Ackers out for the tying field goal - he lets Alex Smith(team moron) throw a pass. The Angie and I were freaking out , Curt was deciding not to come home from bowling, and Vernon Davis went up for the most amazing catch.

Angie wasn't thrilled with the crying - but seriously it's hard to imagine the emotions he was feeling.

Next week will be interesting. Playing the Giants in Candlestick for the National League Championship and to move on to the Super Bowl. Curtis is a Giants fan. Basically no matter what happens he loses.

Worlds dumbest.

2012-01-15T16:13:00.001-05:00

So I was going to make this big post with pictures and everything about the divisional playoff game between the 49ers and the saints. But it will have to wait for tomorrow.

I think it is safe to say that if you hear Tanya Harding or Danny Bonaduce's voices while your husband is doing something it probably doesn't bode well. AND if instead of allowing you to video it- just in case something goes awry- you could sell the video to worlds dunbest and recoupe some of his medical expenses- he wants you to come and assist him- you should be allowed to mock him later. On your blog.

Since we had to bring the Angie back to her dorm in Philly and my friend
Min's birthday was yesterday, we arranged to get together with Min to celebrate. (ok really I wanted to hang out with Felix her cat... ) min needed those plastic sheets that cover your windows to prevent drafts. I was going to get some at work and bring them down, but in all the Angie shopping I forgot, so we got some here.

Now I will admit, I end up bringing curt places and popping a honey-do list on him. I "helpfully" comment on how he should do stuff. This was one such occasion. Curt was perched on the back of Min's couch applying tape to the window, when he balanced the knife on the top of the front pane (which was raised because of a window ac) it promptly fell between the two panes.

Now we embarked on a "project" of rescuing said knife. This utilized 2 spatulas taped together, 2 plastic poles from.a laundry dryer, someone pressing on the glass so it wouldn't fall farther, all to no.avail. then curt comes up with his brilliant plan.

He opens the window next to it (storm window doesn't stay up) and crawls -headfirst- onto the porch roof - while I push the knife down so it will drop. In the meantime, the knitting needle that was propping up the storm window fell out, the window was on his shoulder, and he had to crawl back in the window while I held the window up.

Feeling like Mom..

2012-01-14T22:55:00.001-05:00

The Angie let me make 3 dozen frosted & sprinkled cooked to take with her to school tomorrow to share with her friends. It's like when she was little and I sent birthday treats in to school.

The Angie is packing.

2012-01-13T22:01:00.000-05:00

So after a close to marathon shopping expedition (after work) today - Angie just has to do her laundry and pack the remaining things she is bringing to school with her. It snowed today which made us both happy. We went to the gym together - pretty late - and I guess everyone was out partying because it was pretty empty which made me happy ;P I sometimes feel bad that I don't feel totally torn up that she is leaving but I really am good (despite what my father in law says)

Seriously tires??

2012-01-12T17:48:00.000-05:00

Curtis was putting his pictures through the face recognition thing a few weeks ago - and did my "little" brother. So really?? tires?? John's really more of a motorhead/mechanic than a tire specialist

The truly disturbing thing is - people say we look alike!

2012-01-11T12:59:00.001-05:00

Sensational Haiku Wednesday

Welcome to “Sensational Haiku Wednesday!”

Click here for info and background on this weekly event!

The basics:
Haiku is simple! It is 3 non-rhyming lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively (a great way to use your fingers!)

This week’s theme is: Brilliance (2 OR 3 syllables, depending on who you ask…

Work Brilliance:

End piece of the roll,

Comes off the same day Braun's comes-

Ultimate timing!

A belated birthday thank you

2012-01-10T21:42:00.000-05:00

So at the end of November - after my birthday ( I am so freakin superstitious about opening birthday presents early - but with some cause - when I was little there were several coincidences involving celebrating my birthday early so I refuse to do it)

This is Grace's present. Cool knit bag, a knit book (love one skein projects) a shawl pin, cool monochromatic yarn, and magnetic bookmarks!

Thanks so much Grace!!

BCS is tonite

2012-01-09T22:57:00.000-05:00

Not much to say except:

And:

And seriously - Nick Saban is seriously HAWT!!!

One More Week with the Angie.

2012-01-08T18:14:00.000-05:00

The Angie goes back to school next Sunday - on HER BIRTHDAY!! Apparently this sucks for me more than for her. She says she misses us when she's in Philly - but she also says she can't wait to get back.

We did go out for lunch last week at Hot Rods. The best part of going out to lunch with her is the conversation- we have better talks both in the car to and from the restaurant and at the place itself, than we do having lunch at home. Heck, most of the time at home she retreats to her lair, if she's not out with her HS friends.

Then on Saturday, we all (including Curt this time) went out to Cracker Barrel for breakfast. I had my usual - Uncle Hershel's grilled catfish, grits, eggs over light, biscuits and hash brown casserole. I think my entire workouts this week are going to be needed just to counteract this breakfast. I love shopping in the country store attached to the Cracker Barrel, especially as I have a couple swaps coming up and they had some fun stuff that would work with both swap's themes. So I may have to pop back in to shop before the end of the month. I also may have picked up a 4 pack of Cheerwine in glass bottles. Best. Soda. Ever.

Swap goodies.

2012-01-07T20:09:00.001-05:00

I recently coordinated a NASCAR themes swap. I'd like to thank 'Girl with Needles' for my awesome package. A tony Stewart ornament, really cool bookmarks, pad, post it, coasters that say 'naughty' on one side and 'nice' on the other. I guess I'll be using the naughty side. A sleep mask ... And yarn.

Cascade 220 superwash

Done Roving Yarns - Natural Ewe in red currants

Squoosh Fibers Ultra Sock in true love.

All awesome Tony colors!

Thank you so much T!

Started in the kitchen.

2012-01-06T23:52:00.001-05:00

The last 2 days I've been working in the kitchen. I cleaned out the fridge & freezer, tossed a lot of stuff. I made a white turkey chili with white beans, mushrooms, green tomatoes & tomatillos and served it over cheesy tater tots. (hey the chili was healthy) This used a lot of the odds & ends. I'm going to use the rest of the partial packs while cooking this weekend.

I also cleaned out my baking cabinet. I tossed a bunch here too. Filled up my containers with the partial bags of flour, sugar etc that were in zip locs. I need to remember next time I buy a bag, to use the part of the bag that didn't fit in the canister. I also discovered that I own way too much lime jello.

I went through one other cabinet as well. Three more to go.

Have a great weekend everyone!

2012-01-05T22:06:00.001-05:00

My first finished knit item of the year. An owl ornament. Made from scrap yarn from my honey badger socks and scraps from a pair of fingerless mitts! I made.

2012-01-04T22:22:00.000-05:00

Sensational Haiku Wednesday

Welcome to “Sensational Haiku Wednesday!”

Click here for info and background on this weekly event!

The basics:
Haiku is simple! It is 3 non-rhyming lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively (a great way to use your fingers!)

This week’s theme is: Resolve

I resolve problems,

Goals are more achievable,

Resolve to make goals.

Goals I've been working on

2012-01-03T23:18:00.000-05:00

As I said in yesterday's post, I have been reevaluating my personal goals. So most of these I have been working on in some form or another already.

1. I need to get healthy. I really can't deal with my knees hurting, back hurting, shoulder hurting, and feeling lethargic and tired. My personality is pretty hyper and I need to be able to keep up. I did really great last spring and summer and lost a bunch of weight and tightened up. Then I stopped going to the gym as regularly (not totally) and eating crappier because from the hurricane and blizzard and going from garden back to flooring - I pretty much worked 12 hour days and Saturday night overnites from Labor Day to the week of thanksgiving. Other people got it for a few weeks and wen the wave of rebuilding moved on to the next category they got a break - I ended up following the wave. While getting ready for inventory. ANd because I was working so many hours and was TIRED I started grabbing quick easy food and not hitting the gym. SO, I've been going back to the gym for the last 2 weeks, and I've been making some healthier eating choices- some. I'm either going to get a thing on the side of this blog to update the gym/food thing or I'm going to post about it - monthly maybe? So you guys can skip those post but it will give me some accountability- cause I'm not going to want to post - um sat on my ass and ate cookies and ice cream all month. More importantly - I need to figure out a way to keeep myself going when spring breaks and the overtime hits again.

2. Blogging - I really did think it through and decided that I want to/ need to blog. So I need to figure out how to do it with some regularity. I'm going back to Haiku Wednesday- I really enjoy coming up with a poem for the prompts - yes even the hard ones. I'm going to do weekly yarny updates. I haven't decide if it will be a specific day of the week ( what if I have an ooh shiny moment?) or just at some non-Wednesday day. I'm considering a weekly sports post - not really a news post but more of an op-ed type post - cause trust me, ask any of my RL friends - when it comes to Football/Hockey and Racing I have a ton of opinions! I'm going to post mini "reviews" on all the books I hope to read. And I am going to use the blogger app on my phone more often - so more picture posts to share with you guys.

2A - I have a bunch of stuff I need to catch up on - Rhinebeck in October, My sister's Wedding in November and my Brother's Weding in December.

3. Preventing brain rot - AKA my Goodreads reading. Last year I set a goal of 24 books - because for a lot more years than I want to admit - I would read the occasional book but most of my reading was magazines - and football stats or recipes really aren't real reading. I finished the year with 25 books and 3 partials. The partials because I am not finished with one and 1 I need to get back to eventually and one just didn't catch my attention and this isn't lit class its my life. For 2012, I'm raising the bar a bit - to 28 books including 5 from the 1001 books to read before you become worm food list.

4. Yarny stuff - I missed my goal by 6 projects of 52 projects last year. 3 reasons. First there were 3 months I didn't finish anything. I did do 3 more labor intensive than my usual projects. And I am totally addicted to hexiflats. I hope to have enough made that I can make a king throw by the end of 2013 - and since they aren't a done project I didn't count them. I am trying for 52 projects again. Including 150 hexiflats. I may edit the flat number at some point but I think three a week is reasonable - since they have become my mindless knitting, but I think I will count 25 as 1 project. I also want to knit 12 Christmas ornaments as part of this. As I said in goal 2- I'm going to post yarny updates - to try to avoid the months that I knit nothing - hexiflats will help that because they are super small and super portable and super mindless.

4A. I am going to try to knit from my yarn stash this year. Not the "knit down your stash" that some people are doing. I'm not going on a yarn diet. I'll still buy the stuff. Ask anyone who has gone yarn shopping with me. I rarely buy yarn for a project. I touch yarn and when I find one I love I bring it home. Then I find a project. The "problem" (cause having yummy yarn really isn't bad is it?) is that if it comes home and doesn't get cast on right away it gets buried in other yummy yarn. So I want to give some love and attention to the neglected hanks I own, whose only crime was poor timing catching my eye.

5. My house is a clutter. Seriously those people from the TLC and DIY networks are going to shoe up soon. Worse - its getting harder to remember where I put something. So I'm not getting all unreasonably optimistic here - I'm going to try to organize, sort or get rid of something every week. A nice somewhat vague, lots of wiggle room goal that will hopefully add up over 52 weeks. And it leaves room for times I feel super motivated, and for times I don't want to do anything at which point a small accomplishment will still be a victory.

6. Giving back. I need to thank NerdWars - their giving geeks category, has given me impetous to give back more, I did before - but beyond throwing money in a can shake outside the super market or the second collection at church. This past year ( a lot due to NerdWars challenges ) I've made a bunch of knit items for different causes , and done more myself. I want to keep this trend - especially in the months (3) between the tournaments when I don't have an outside influence causing me to do something.

Anyone have interesting goals for the year??

Resolutions? No! Goals? Yes!

2012-01-02T21:45:00.000-05:00

No resolutions. I don't do them. Resolutions lead to breaking resolutions. They are so all or nothing. A big proclamation is made " I will do X every single day this year" or "I will never do Y again" Then when inevitably you don't get a chance or just don't feel up to X, there is no wiggle room. You missed it. You can no longer do X every single day. So you feel bummed. Then next week you miss another day. More bummed. Then you actually DO Y. So you can't meet the expectation of EVERY, you can't meet the expectation of Never, what do you do? Grab a pint of Guinness and a pint of Hagen Daz and sit in the corner until NEXT New Years Eve. Not exactly a formula for success.

Goals. Goals are good. Goals lead to a process. Goals are the flags on the top of the hill. Goals allow you to screw up. Goals are more of a path than a giant set of doors.You don't do X today. That's ok, you can do X tomorrow. You did Y. That's ok, we can start not doing Y again in 5 minutes. You work toward your goals, you aren't expected to be perfect 100% with the program on Day 1. There is one catch with goals, to achieve a goal we need progress checks. A little bit of self examination.

I tend to evaluate my goals a few times a year. The end of the school year - I'm not in school and my daughter is off in college, so from a practical viewpoint the only thing May/June brings is the need to move the Angie and her crap back from Philly. But I guess, from all the years in school and all Angie's years in school, it has become a natural time to evaluate. September. Besides being one of my favorite times of year because I love stocking up on supplies. I have half a closet with notebooks, paper, folders, pens, I love shopping for pens! September seems like a natural time to look ahead and try to set new goals to accomplish. December. From my birthday at the end of November through New Year's I tend to really look at my life. Some people that know me find it odd that I have goals. I know I do give off a very cocky, love my life attitude. And don't get me wrong, I am pretty cocky, and I do love my life (well most of it) but everyone needs goals, either conscious or unconscious. When I stop having goals, and stop moving forward, when I decide that inertia is ok , and start to stagnate, that's when I start to die. Maybe not my body - but my ME.

Some goals we can share. Some accomplishments we can share. Some failures we can share. And some we can't. Sharing goals helps with accountability. It's sadly too easy to cheat our own selves. It's harder if the world is watching. So tomorrow I'll share. That's a preview of one of my goals. I pretty much dropped off the blog world the last 3 months. There were a lot of reasons- you'll have to wait until tomorrow if you want to know. But sometimes reasons become excuses, and I had to decide if I really wanted to blog, was I over the blog thing ( I have a notoriously short attention span after all).. As you can guess from 3 posts in a row, I decided that yes, I want to blog. The process, the path is to figure out what I need to do to make that happen. So tomorrow-

New Year's Traditions

2012-01-01T20:56:00.000-05:00

So- other than the occasional hangover, there are a lot of traditions surrounding New Year's Day. In the Catholic church it is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. (random fact of the post)

A lot of traditions revolve around "good luck food" . Let's look at my family's New Year's food. I googled around to see if I could find out why we eat this stuff. ( My grandmother's explanation of eat for good luck or have a bad year - just didn't cut it.)

* black eyed peas and rice. A lot of cultures eat beans/peas/lentils for luck. My mom is from Japan so she makes a sticky azuki beans and rice dish. I don't know how to make this. I make black eyed peas. I did know this as a Southern (US) tradition. Apparently this goes back to the seige of Vicksburg, MS. The townsfolk had run out of food when they found a store of black eyed peas. SO they bring luck.

* greens - usually collards. Also apparently a popular choice. Danish eat Kale, Germans eat cabbage-usually as sauerkraut . This one is more obvious. Greens are green. They sort of resemble money. So the more greens you eat the more money you will attract for the year. (Good thing- cause you might start repelling people - wink ;P)

* The above two are usually seasoned with pork, ham hocks - I use bacon or smoked sausage. There are a lot of countries around the globe that eat these too. There seems to be a twofold reason. Pigs are high fat and represent prosperity. Also pigs represent forward movement as they push through while they root for food.

* Catfish. my family has some dissent on this - about 50% go catfish - but the other 50% goes with another fish - so it's always fish. I found a lot about fish on the New Year. But not a lot of why. I mean to me, saying it evolved around the Catholic Churches ban on red meat on religious holidays doesn't really answer why on New Year's. The only solid answer I found was why Japanese (thanks mom) eat fish on New Year's - roe is for fertility (people and farm animals) shrimp for long life and sardines for good harvest. (my mom uses sardines to fertilize her tomatoes - i think that works 'cause the calcium in the bones prevents blossom end rot) So big question mark here.

* mac-n-cheese. The only sort of reason I can find (other than it just tastes really good with the above food) is that it's usually yellow and eating food gold in color will put money in your pocket. hmm.

What I also found out are foods not to eat.

* lobster. because they apparently move backwards. i never really watched a lobster walk except in tanks in seafood stores and restaurants. There in the tanks I ever paid attention to what direction they were climbing on each other. But I guess someone watched and since we don't want to regress lobster is out.

* chicken, turkey other fowl. Several reasons are listed for this. The two most popular are that as poultry scratches on the ground for food they scratch backwards. Backwards is bad on New Years as mentioned above. The second prevalent reason I read, was that since birds fly, you don't want your luck to fly away.

Other weird things.

* Not supposed to take the garbage (or anything else) out, before something new comes in. I already screwed this one up. Curt took out 4 bags of garbage this morning.

* Supposed to have a full pantry. Ok check. The Angie's home and I don't want to go to the store when it is crowded, I get confused when stores close early on holidays. So I shop and stock up.

* Not supposed to do laundry on New Year's day, because some one close to you may get "washed away" (die) I guess this is the warped version of my gramma saying you need to do all your laundry before New Year's. So since I wasn't going to do a load with only 2 days clothes - check. (It would probably be nice if I put my clothes away though)

* You aren't supposed to break anything. SO keep my sister in law away from your candy dishes people. Or if you can't avoid that - hide the lids!!

* you are supposed to do a token successful task related to your work. Not actually work or put forth a lot of exertion - that would be bad luck. Well, it's not like I could change a bit of flooring can I? And there aren't any trucks I can play with (maybe I need to buy a tonka... I have a Nascar diecast hauler but what would I do with it?) I'm a team manager for my team in NerdWars - a fiber based competition on Ravelry - and as out last round ended yesterday, I did do tasks related to that - does that carry over to work? So after some thought - Carpet is made of yarn. glass tile is a very popular tile we sell. The wood floor look is also very popular. I got about 2/3 of the way through my newest fingerless mitts- made with yarn and embellished with glass beads- using wood needles. It went very smoothly, I got more done than I planned, and no frogging or tinking. I'm calling this a check. And to be on the safe side - I'm tossing the Christmas rugs in the bathroom in the hamper and putting down the regular ones. Rugs are rugs right? And since I anticipate no issues - check.

So tell me:

What do you eat on New Year's??

Are there other things you do or don't do to start the year?

And please - I know it's all superstition. I don't want a lecture on it.

happy New Year's everyone!!

Retrospective

2011-12-31T16:40:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year's everyone!

I looked back at this year. On the blog front I sort of dropped off the planet in mid-October. I only posted 156 days - my lowest since starting the blog (and the year I started I began in May)

My post from last New Year's Eve:

I'm already looking ahead to 2011. I am going to try to do the 52 again. Harder than that I currently have 12 projects on Ravelry that are either WIPs or UFOs (Works In Progres or UnFinished Objects) I don't consider stuff I've worked on recently as a WIP - it doesn't hit that status in my mind until its been out of sight for two or more months. To become a UFO it has to have been a WIP for a year or more. A few of the UFOs were cast on in 2006 ( a year before I joined Ravelry) I guess 2006 is the year I became a knitter - I taught myself to knit in 2003. But I started out only struggling through one project at a time. I'd finish something, then pick a pattern, go out buy the yarn (back then it was Michael's. Ragshop and AC Moore- I had yet to discover LYSs or online yarn) most of the time I also had to buy the needles too. In 2006, I started working on multiple projects, and creating my first WIPs and UFOs. So, 12 on Ravelry, 2 not on Ravelry, I am going to aim for finishing or frogging (frogging is unraveling and giving up on a project, saving the yarn for another project) one of these a month during 2011. Some are almost done some barely started, so one a month is the average I'm aiming for.

To recap that - I did 46 individual projects this year - 6 short of the 52 I was aiming for. I did start making hexi-flats for the Beekeepers Quilt , and I have over 100 flats now - But I need over 1000 to do what I want, so they didn't count toward my projects.

One note on those projects - Thanks to NerdWars on Ravelry ( a knit/crochet team competition) which has a "Giving geeks" category each round - I have made and donated 8 knit/crochet projects to various charitable causes and also 4 ownerless projects.

As far as the WIPs and UFOs go I frogged one of the projects not on ravelry and finished 3 of the one's not on Ravelry.

One Goal well reached was reading 24 books in 2011, I read 25 and 3 partials.
But tonight is New Year's Eve. Time to look at and forget all the fall shorts of 2011 - bloggable and not.

I hope you all enjoy a safe and happy New Year's Eve and have a Happy, healthy, prosperous New Year!

We celebrate as always - Appy feast & board games!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

2011-12-25T08:19:00.002-05:00

2011-10-22T15:55:00.002-04:00

2011-10-19T18:49:00.000-04:00

Sensational Haiku Wednesday

Welcome to “Sensational Haiku Wednesday!”

Click here for info and background on this weekly event!

The basics:
Haiku is simple! It is 3 non-rhyming lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively (a great way to use your fingers!)

This week’s theme is: Debonnaire

Louis and Leslie

Dapper Maurice steals the show!

Gigi in Paris.

RIP Dan Weldon

2011-10-17T20:37:00.002-04:00

Our thoughts and prayers to you wife, sons and family and friends.

Swap Goodies!!

2011-10-13T16:13:00.000-04:00

I was in a swap on my friend Grace's blog. My box is going out to be mailed tomorrow. (Grace's post office closes at 730 - mine at 4 - what's up with that?) So since my swap was done I opened my box from Kathy B.

A handknit cloth, the only brand of instant coffee I drink, a haiku, a lolly, 4 skeins of the Calypso yarn, a hank of ultra alpaca with a matching button! And the pattern for the Great Adirondack Scarf.

Thank you soo much Kathy B! I love it!! And thank you Gracie for running the swap!

2011-10-12T19:13:00.000-04:00

Sensational Haiku Wednesday

Welcome to “Sensational Haiku Wednesday!”

Click here for info and background on this weekly event!

The basics:
Haiku is simple! It is 3 non-rhyming lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively (a great way to use your fingers!)

This week’s theme is: Rare

More precious than gems

Harder to pick than lotto

True friends are priceless.

you understand me?

know my foibles and not care?

love me anyway?

yarn.....

2011-10-11T07:21:00.001-04:00

I got these mini skeins (bigger than the mini skeins I've been swapping) from defygravity on etsy.

There is Sesame St

Discworld

And magic yarn. It's called too many muppets... and since there can never be too many Muppets it can't exist.. but it does exist... but it can't ... but it does...

puff enabling

2011-10-10T13:39:00.000-04:00

We were discussing hexipuffs (or in my case hexiflats) in the Go Fast Knit Left group on ravelry. One of the other members , Beth said she wasn't going to be assimilated - but she had a scrap sock yarn if anyone wanted. I wasn't sure if she was serious or not - but she was . Look at what she sent me:

The 2 flats in front are already knit up from her gift ( I know I took a picture- I must have deleted it off of my phone before I uploaded it to flickr. I can't believe how generous she is! I am sending her a package of feltable yarn scraps as she makes felted slippers. She also sent a whole bunch of Werther caramels... I may have one or two left... .

I finished my Oscar hat!

2011-10-09T21:39:00.000-04:00

It's for a chemo cap for little kid. Won't be mailing until the end of the month because I want to make a cookie monster!

2011-10-05T20:45:00.000-04:00

Sensational Haiku Wednesday

Welcome to “Sensational Haiku Wednesday!”

Click here for info and background on this weekly event!

The basics:
Haiku is simple! It is 3 non-rhyming lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively (a great way to use your fingers!)

This week’s theme is: Flare/Flair*

A visionary

He knew what toys we would want

made reality.

Technology flair

A new take on work and play,

We will miss your dreams.

RIP Steve Jobs

Indecision

2011-10-01T11:28:00.001-04:00

I want to make a new purse. I found these glass cow heads to use on it. But I don't know what color I want to make the bag. And I really love these, so I bought them all!

Does anyone have a suggestion for a herd of extra heads? They are way too heavy for earrings at least for my ears.

2011-09-28T17:52:00.000-04:00

Sensational Haiku Wednesday

Welcome to “Sensational Haiku Wednesday!”

Click here for info and background on this weekly event!

The basics:
Haiku is simple! It is 3 non-rhyming lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively (a great way to use your fingers!)

This week’s theme is: Dare

Go out with a bang!

No regrets, should of/would of

check off bucket lists!

Don't let fear stop you,

Inaction worse than failure!

You know you want to!

DARE to go for it!

There are no life do-overs!

Use your life all up!

Lunch with Grace

2011-09-27T16:55:00.001-04:00

Grace made me 2 hexipuffs.. with embroidery! And a 49ers punter monster( who is in surgery having a keychain attached to his head)

2011-09-21T19:46:00.000-04:00

Sensational Haiku Wednesday

Welcome to “Sensational Haiku Wednesday!”

Click here for info and background on this weekly event!

The basics:
Haiku is simple! It is 3 non-rhyming lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively (a great way to use your fingers!)

This week’s theme is: Anticipation

Carpet ships today

22 hours plus 10

Be on Brauns Monday!

2011-09-17T17:42:00.000-04:00

I got this from my upstream swap partner KathyB

A: Age 44 3/4
B. Bedsize: king
C: chore that you hate: doing dishes - fortunately as long as I cook, Curt doesn't mind.
D: Dogs: wish I had one. Australian Shephard, or Irish Wolfhound or Black Labradoodle.
E: Essential to start your day: I drink (if it were all DD) about 14 or 15 XL coffees a day, beginning at 245am.
F: Favorite color: Red, black, red, black red yes red
G:Gold or Silver. I'm a silver kind of girl - then again I don't like diamonds either..
H: height: 5'6 1/2"
I: instruments you play: Long, long ago, in a galaxy far, far away - ok just a long time ago I played piano, violin and glockenspiel
J: Job title : Inventory/recovery team mgr
K: Kids: the Angie
L: Live: Live hard, play harder and hope to die in your sleep
M: Mom's Name: Toyoko
N: nicknames: Ria, RiRi, Kiko, Flip
O: Overnight hospital stays: I need to be sedated at night in a hospital or I have the most psychotic panic attacks
P: Pet Peeves: Gum smackers, morons, bad drivers, lazy people
Q: Quote from a Movie: "this word________, I do not think it means what you think it means"
R: Right or left handed: Right - my left hand is there so my shirts fit and I don't walk in large unbalanced circles
S: Siblings:2
T: Take-Out food: sushi
U: Underwear: usually
V: Veggies you hate: I don't think I have one depending on how it's cooked - most often it is onions,
W: What makes you run late: Curt - he can't grasp that i will get up and finish getting ready in time to be walking down the stairs when I say I'm leaving. he takes me heading for the stairs as time to get his shoes, his jacket, his glasses whatever.
x: Xrays: Sigh more often than one would want
Y: Yummy food: yes
Z: Zoo Animals:cheetahs

2011-09-14T20:44:00.000-04:00

Sensational Haiku Wednesday

Welcome to “Sensational Haiku Wednesday!”

Click here for info and background on this weekly event!

The basics:
Haiku is simple! It is 3 non-rhyming lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively (a great way to use your fingers!)

This week’s theme is: Freestyle

Peter Principle

Rise to ones incompetence

Daily proof at work.

Lunch with Grace

2011-09-13T21:45:00.000-04:00

if you've been around the blog awhile, you know about my friend Grace. I met her on Ravelry, on the Morris County Knitters group. There were 3-4 of us who used to meet in the afternoons, but life, illness and moving to Florida kind of broke up the group. Grace and I still meet up when we can. Summers seem to not approve as they throw illness, injury and Angie in the way of our lunches. So it's unofficially fall and that meant we were able to meet at the Spa, a real friendly diner like place near her house.

We had a lot to catch up on - so I did show Grace my sister's shawl, but I forgot my puffs and we were talking so much I actually didn't knit. I like to "blame" her for my new addiction to hexi-flats (the Beekeeper's Quilt) and told her she should make me a puff or mini skein. Well she showed up with a cupcake box:

That was filled with mini-skeins in little cupcake paper cups!

Two layers! two dozen!

WE are all Nerds... deep down

2011-09-12T19:45:00.000-04:00

So some of you who read this, have read about NERDWARS. It's a fiber arts (knitting, crochet, spinning, dyeing) I'm going to say challenge rather than competition. It is a competition, it is mostly teams (those who don't want to be on a team for whatever reasons or those who don't play well with others are Ninjas,but it is more about challenging yourself.

The various Nerddoms are pretty varied. There are the ones you would expect - StarWars, Star Trek, Harry Potter, vampires, there's also comic books/graphic novels, there is serial books , there are the grammar nutcases (yeah totally will never be one of them) Every tournament there have been new teams forming, existing teams merging etc. I started tournament 1 on Team Bazinga- fans of the Big Bang Theory - and since it's a show about nerds it made tying any projects into the show pretty simple. Then in tournament 2, I was lured into the world of Board games with Team Meeples.

I didn't feel like I did all that well in T2, so I was going to be a Ninja for T3 - but then a new team came together, of Jim Henson fans!! I am a Muppet!! ask my husband! So now I am the team manager of Team Fraggle!

And it turns out I didn't do as badly in T2 as I thought. I only got halfway through my dissertation (a longterm project you can tie into one of the 6 challenge categories however you choose) but as I hit halfway I did get 50 points. The monthly challenges fall into 6 categories: Giving Geeks (a charitable challenge) Team spirit ( not always about your team) Scientific (there have been some doozies here) Technical ( usually has you stretching your skills or trying something new) Nerd Culture and Intellectual. Why I call it a challenge is that you can do one or all of the challenges, you can decide to do or not to do a dissertation. While I only did a few challenges each month - I did complete at least one of each Category!!

REally it isn't as complicated as it sounds.. If you are on Ravelry come check it out! Sign ups start Sept 15- Sept 27. (If you miss sign ups you can still compete as a ninja)

Hope to see you there!

2011-09-11T16:19:00.000-04:00

Honey Badger

2011-09-08T19:42:00.001-04:00

I finally finished my modified Honey Badger socks! And made my first hexiFlat for my future Beekeepers quilt. I will be making, a lot, literally hundreds of my left over sock yarn scraps. I figure a couple years.

One of the groups I'm in on Ravelry is doing a swap of a puff and a mini skein of 15 yds. Another group is considering a puff swap. And I'm swapping puffs with a few other friends as well. More variety of puffs, and like a memory puff at the same time.

2011-09-07T15:47:00.000-04:00

Sensational Haiku Wednesday

Welcome to “Sensational Haiku Wednesday!”

Click here for info and background on this weekly event!

The basics:
Haiku is simple! It is 3 non-rhyming lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively (a great way to use your fingers!)

This week’s theme is: Numbers

Numbers are like the

alphabet for mathmatics,

And so much more fun!

I studied physics,

It uses math for its grammar.

Simpler than English.

I believe Math is

the language that God uses,

In all creation!

Swap Goodies!!

2011-09-05T20:31:00.000-04:00

Check out my NerdWars Swap package! Stacey (aka nordicgdss) did a great job of stalking! She saw my Tony Stewart obsession and made me a great project bag with matching notions case

The cutest little Big Bang Theory buttons

and inspired by TBBT a Doppler shift cloth

There was also a Settlers of Catan inspired t-shirt, sheepfeet2 yarn that is destined to become hexipuffs, a cute "baaaaad girls" card, a Chewbacca thing, a pizza "pi" cutter (that the Angie wants) chocolate covered pretzels and cookies from a place local to her.

Many thanks again for a great package!.

I used my sewing machine!

2011-09-03T15:30:00.001-04:00

I was going to post this yesterday, but after going to dinner with Curt, I was so tired I fell asleep somewhere after the drop of the green flag of the truck race. It seemed like everyone had taco's yesterday! (Ok Thom taco salad - but still) Even the Angie found a new taco truck on campus and said they made incredible carne asada tacos. So i told Curt I'd treat him to dinner - and we went to Applebees. Yes, I know not the big name in tex-mex , but I wanted a waiter - which La Salsa doesn't have, and Chili's is far, and the new Mex place in the borough I just don't like. We had the Ultimate Trio appetizer - mozzarella sticks, queso blanco dip and asian pork wonton taco's (they come in chicken Min!) Then I had steak/shrimp fajitas and Curt had steak/chicken.

But on to sewing. I got a sewing machine before I got married. I sewed a few straight lines, but not many. Then I got a swap partner who lives in Tallahassee, FL. And I got said partner in the middle of July, so thinking of something to hand make for my partner was giving me a blank. I was going through my craft stuff, and I saw a kit I bought at some point in life for a reversible small tote bag. And I thought everyone can use another project bag right? So I put my sewing machine on the table. Wound a bobbin without too much trouble and went for it.

So here is side one which I am calling spring/summer

and this side I am calling fall/winter

Honey Badger

2011-09-01T13:37:00.002-04:00

In one of my Ravelry groups we are doing a knit a long called Honey Badger socks. I modified mine because I don't like socks touching my ankles - and damn it - Honey Badger don't give a shit! One sock down - one sock to go!

2011-08-31T16:09:00.000-04:00

Sensational Haiku Wednesday

Welcome to “Sensational Haiku Wednesday!”

Click here for info and background on this weekly event!

The basics: Haiku is simple! It is 3 non-rhyming lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively (a great way to use your fingers!) – join us and try it today!

This week’s theme is: School

Ahh kindergarten,

Seems like only yesterday,

not '97.

How's she a sophomore?

An apartment in the dorm?

Loving Temple U?

Irene that Biatch!

2011-08-30T20:07:00.000-04:00

SO we are still dealing with Irene here. I'm not complaining. Much. We kept power through the storm and the windstorm afterwards. One tree out front lost a branch but it went the other direction, and we had n water damage. Kept our cable, internet and phone (well I can't promise about the phone - I never use it)

The problem is that both Curt and I have to cross several rivers to get to work. You remember the song "over the river" Well for me its

Over the river and through the woods
to the big orange box I go;
Route 80's the way, I go out and play
Before the early morning glow!

WEll, Irene dumped a lot of water and the rivers all dumped into the Passaic which didnt crest until this morning. The rivers have all been overflowing their banks some of them are 10 ft above the flood stage. When they flood they have no compunctions about where they dump the water - and roadways are a frequent place for the water. (As a funny aside - I had a texting convo with C as it took him my entire 31 minute lunch break to pass my store's parking lot- and then by 1230 he had to give up on his delivery and turn around anyway!) So the off ramp I take to get to work is closed and I had to detour. then going home?? This morning for the first time, the DMV flooded. Route 46 gets closed pretty regularly- but never before the 46/80/23 split. I actually walked onto the highway and took pictures!

46 West - the way I usually go home.

This guy found the only way to travel 46 from the East

So- I am having a ton of trouble getting my trucks in. Since receiving only works from 6am to 12am - I have to go in at 3am tomorrow to unload 2 trucks, because the vendors can't find drivers willing to deal with the traffic until the roads open. AND I MAY NOT GET MY CARPET TRUCK!!! THE HORROR!!!

When I finally did get to 80West I had no problems after the first mile getting around the closed 23 exit - but I really felt bad for the eastbound traffic - today it was only stopped for 10 miles. Yesterday it went past 20 miles!

But hopefully now that the river has crested and it has been sunny and breezy the water can go down!

On a lighter note - my friend asked me if I thought that cats had their own emergency preparedness list. The answer is clearly yes:

A. Make sure treat bag is water proof. B. Stare out window. C.Realize that the zip loc that makes it waterproof makes it impossible to open without thumbs. D. Stare out window. E. Curse fate. F. Do head count periodically on mousies. G. Stare out window. H. Realize you can't sleep while ur mousies may be in danger. I. Stare out window. J. Begin moving mousies to ur peoples bed. K. Run around agitated- it may get u a treat & u need ur strength. L. Realise the best place for a mouse is where ur person will roll on it. M. Rearrange as necessary.N. Stare out window.O. Watch your person totally take their thumbs for granted.P. Check to make sure your person closed treat bag correctly.Q. Realize a yes means you can't get at the treatsR. Stare out window.

Earthquake!!

2011-08-29T06:02:00.000-04:00

I decided yesterday's post was getting too long and split it.

Tuesday Min and I walked to a local place for breakfast. I had a super yummy chorizo and ham hash with eggs and rye toast. I am going to make this occasionally on the weekends!

We walked to the Post Office where we were in hysterics trying to decide how many times the woman behind us would sigh loudly before we left. I didn't even come close with 18. And she kept making REALLY LOUD phone calls - made worse by the echoing in the place. So we knew she had to be somewhere, she wasn't expecting a line- even though she gave up the day before at a different post office because of the line, that she still needed to take a shower, that she wanted to wear her light blue shirt that wasn't pressed, and that she was going to be late!!

Back at Min's we watched one more episode of Decoded before I started getting my stuff together to ride home. Then there was an odd noise, Fe began freaking out (ok not that uncommon for Fe) and then the entire house started rolling/shaking. Min looks at me and asks if we are having an earthquake. My answer can only be yes. The construction workers on the scaffolding down the street start yelling. We grabbed our phones and I can tell you the cell service and download speeds were very slow as we tried getting more info. About 10 minutes later the tv started having news reports. My brother who lives in CA was picking on me for those reports- he asked don't east coast people know to take cover not wander aimlesly outside where stuff can fall on them? The answer - NO,

Thanks to traffic getting out of Philly ( I think all the people who left their buildings just went home because it felt like rush hour to me) I then hit rush hour in north Jersey as well (although bright side I did see another Braun's truck on Route 1 - i told you I have issues) It took me a total of about 4 hours to make a 2 hour trip. We were at my father in law's for a bit (sad that the Angie called him to tell him he was ok before telling me) and then I was tired. and hungry. So on the way home we stopped at the diner for food. Chicken picatta for me. Really good. I got to bed at 11pm- had to get up at 230am. Can we say extra coffee???

Angie's move in- a week late

2011-08-28T13:02:00.000-04:00

Sorry- crazy week at work.

Last weekend I took a 6 day weekend, Thur - Tue to take the Angie shopping, get her all beautified and moved down to Philly for school.

Thur - we got the new shellac gel polish, which supposedly doesn't chip for a couple weeks put on her nails. My nails have the fiberglass acrylic on them so chipping really isn't an issue for my talons We also had a great lunch at the Thai restaurant in town. We always have a plan. One of us orders the drunken noodles lunch with soup, the other orders something else (preferably spicy, preferably something we haven't tried before) with the salad. Then we share everything. We decided that next time we would get a couple appy's so we can try a dessert after.

Fri - we both got spa pedicures. Love the foot massage. I actually got really bright pink polish on my tootsies (usually I stick to dark blood red sparkly polishes) We then hit Pier one, Target, and Costco for back to school supplies. The Angie is in an apartment on the fourth floor of the dorm she lived in last year so she needed more stuff- She got a rice cooker/steamer (one thing she had issues with last year was rice - apparently the way the mealplan worked getting just rice at the Chinese place was an issue) She got the Magic Bullet- she's been coveting it for a few years now - knows the infomercial by heart. And of course every kid needs a leopard print broom! Also bathroom cleaning supplies/tp/paper towels. And 5 cases of 36 Poland Springs.

Saturday morning we went down to my father in law's to borrow his truck - and to get the bike he bought for $10 and refurbished for her to bring to school. He figured that way if something happened, it wouldn't be as big a deal. She then got her hair trimmed and blown out - and we finished her shopping at the mall and grocery store. Sat night she went out for one last nite with her high school friends.

Sunday I had to go in to work for a meeting, blech, and she finished packing and getting stuff into the truck and her dad's car. SHe also spent time online finding deals and ordering books for the semester. She has at this point sold most of her books from last year and several of her friends books (as well as some books people left behind during move out last year)

Monday morning we left the house around 6am. We did really well - missing the worst of the 80/287 traffic and got to route 1 early enough that we didn't really have traffic through there as well. (on route 18 I saw a Braun's truck coming the other way - yes I have issues - and it was C!!) We stopped for an extended hour long breakfast at Panera's off 95 in PA because we were running early and she couldn't check in until 10am. (but if we left a half hour later we would have had a problem being on time due to traffic buildup) It was a fun breakfast as she told us a bunch of dorm life stories from last year we hadn't heard - and also some of the stories from her friends at other schools.

We got 2 parking spots a car apart on the street behind her dorm. She checked in at 10:01. We got all her things moved in, amd went to the other side of Philly to my friend Min & catphew Felix's house. We had stored some of her stuff in the basement of Min's place. We took the rest of Angie's stuff up to her- were summarily dismissed (really we've gotten used to it) and went out in search of lunch.

A picture Min took, when she walked us down - I think to make sure we got in the truck!

We had lunch at Chickie's and Pete's. It is a fairly famous sports bar near the sports complex. it is famous for it's crab fries- fries seasoned in Old Bay seasoning served with a cheese dipping sauce. they were pretty good. Keep in mind I really don't eat fries much. I kind of expected a sports bar in a place like Philly to have a better/bigger/more varied beer list than what they had - so I had an unsweetened ice tea. then I asked the waitress if I could have my burger done rare. In my experience- if the answer is yes they fresh grind their meat, if the answer is no- they buy preground meat or frozen meat. So even though it won't kill me to eat a medium burger- I don't. I ordered a chicken club sandwich. It. Was. Dry. the chicken was dry, it was too bready for the lettuce and tomato to counter. I had to ask for mayo - and use a lot. ( I kinda feel bad for Min - trying to think of places to eat)

We then did a turn through target, Modell's and Lowes. At some point while CURT was driving the truck- the turn signals and brake lights stopped working. He was going to get new bulbs- but they lit up with the head lights and when you set the alarm they blinked. Min ended up calling her grandmother's..... boy toy??... who worked 40 years as a mechanic and crawled around under the truck, before we decided that the problem was the front end somewhere. We were also looking for odorban or other spray to get rid of the mildew smell from her sneakers being soaked earlier in the week. And Curt had given his multi-bit screwdriver to the Angie and needed a new one to try and look at the lights.

While in Lowes (because the camping/hunting sections in Target and Modell were sad) we got what we needed - and were trying to figure out if we could steal...

Chad - and where she could put him since he was kind of missing half.

After going back to Min's house to hang with Fe a while (and Curt was not being a good male role model but I forget why) We walked to a Thai restaurant for dinner - and Curt finally tried Thai food - and it didn't all have peanuts- and ... gasp.... he liked it! When we got back, he headed home and Min and I (and Fe) settled down to some knitting (ok when Fe wasn't needing some attention) and Brad Meltzer's Decoded. I think I'm almost through season 1!

Book 18 for the year

2011-08-18T19:52:00.000-04:00

Did you ever hear that quote about the wind off a butterfly's wings causing a hurricane in across the globe? Seemingly inconsequential things causing other things. The interwebs are like that. Ravelry is really like that. On Ravelry I have friends that, even geography aside, I don't know that I'd ever have made friends with. A relocated midwest raised public health professional? A stay at home mom then wife, who's 10 years older than me? 2 librarians separated by 1000 miles? A child social worked? A minister? A Floridian IT pro? A Hummer driving CPA? Becoming friends with these people - some of whom are RL friends now, allows me to be exposed to all different things. One of the groups I am in on Rav was reading and discussing Let The Great World Spin by Colum McCann. Let me say that if I had to read this for school when I was younger - I wouldn't have.

The book starts out with the true event in 1974 of a tightrope walker who walked between the World Trade Center towers. 12 characters, who have nothing to do with the walker - other than mostly being in NYC at the time - are unwrapped through the book. An odd priest, his brother, 2 hookers, A judge and his wife who have lost a son in Vietnam, her group of friends who also lost their sons in the war, 2 artists high on coke, a Guatemalan nurse, a phone hacker in California. In the beginning of the book 2 characters die. The other characters all have their disconnected chapters. In Parts 2 & 3 the characters begin converging, their lives connecting in invisible ways. We learn of the 2 dead characters through memories, impressions and flashes back in time.

The first 3/4 of the book is depressing, full of despair. The seedy, the illegal, the drugs, the people trapped in their lives by their decisions, or by the decisions they were born into. Trapped by world events, city events, random events. It is pretty hopeless. A hooker's child, despite her mother's attempts to stay clean, to get a real job, the mother fails and eventually her daughter falls to drugs and prostitution. The priest wrestles with and fails his vows. All starting to be connected outside of the rope walker.

The last part of the book takes place in 2006, through the eyes of a woman who was a child mentioned, but not in depth in the beginning. She has taken the sacrifices of others on her behalf and seized the opportunity. She still is fighting her demons, but is starting to win the battle. Many of the original characters are gone, one is dying. Yet somehow in her, we find hope.

I had set a goal in January of reading 24 books in 2011. Last year, I started reading more, but not consistently. I wanted to begin reading again, I used to love losing myself in a good book. This book was #18 for the year. Technically I am 3 books ahead of the pace I need - although with both my siblings getting married and other things in life I think I need to have 22 read by the beginning of November.

2011-08-17T15:49:00.000-04:00

Sensational Haiku Wednesday

Welcome to “Sensational Haiku Wednesday!”

Click here for info and background on this weekly event!

The basics:
Haiku is simple! It is 3 non-rhyming lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively (a great way to use your fingers!)

This week’s theme is: Home

Looking in his eyes,

Feeling his arms around me,

My heart feels at home.

Lancaster Beer & Wine Gallery

2011-08-16T19:51:00.000-04:00

On our way from Kitchen Kettle Village in Intercourse to the outlets on Route 30, we passed a winery tasting/store place. Two weeks ago they opened an upstairs, The Barn Bar, connected to Rumspringa Brewing Co. a Brewery in Bird-In-Hand. We decided to stop in. We decided to forgo the dessert offerings - although they really looked tempting, since we were planning on dinner at Cracker Barrel. We ordered the beer sampler - their 4 regular brews and their seasonal offering - a heffeweisen that was a bit on the fruity side.

To go with that we ordered the cheese/sausage/pretzel plate

The golden and the stout were excellent. the IPA was actually one I would consider drinking, surprising for an IPA. I really, really liked the Red Caboose Ale so I bought a decorative glass growler - which held over 1/2 a gallon and had it filled with the Red Caboose.

Altogether a perfect lunch for a date day!

Unplanned yarn.

2011-08-14T15:39:00.000-04:00

Friday evening, Curt and I decided to go on a quick day trip. This was inspired earlier in the week when Krissie and Ryan Newman's date night turned into a trip to Bass Pro Shops. I believe the closest Bass Pro to me is in Harrisburg, PA - about 3 hours away I think. But a mere 2 hrs + away is Cabella's. I love Cabella's- and there is a Cracker Barrel right across the street. Curt needed some unmentionables because I threw a bunch of his away recently. So, he wanted to head to the outlets outside Lancaster on Route 30 (not the ones in Reading) These outlets are just about around the corner (ok long corner) from Kitchen Kettle Village in Intercourse, PA. So our plans were made. The Angie had already made plans for the weekend down the shore with her friends. It was just Curt and I.

We left at 7am, figuring we would get breakfast around Allentown. All the way to Bethlehem, there were those signs about what food was at the next exit. Just before Bethlehem, was even a sign for Waffle House, but I didn't pick it (he drove I had to pick) because we were still some miles before Allentown. Well, then Allentown came and went. And went, and went, and went. I don't think any of these people eat breakfast out! (ok, there was Mickey D's, Burger King, and the Wendy's served breakfast- but yuck, I don't do them) So, when Curt saw a sign for the Midway Diner he picked it. It was a typical truck diner - and I had a lot of fun eavesdropping (although if they talk that loud it shouldn't be considered eavesdropping) on three pretty loud drivers sitting at the counter. One driver had a dog that was working on exterminating Groundhogs. Since my father in law is currently losing his war against a groundhog that likes his garden, they caught my attention.

found the pic on line.

When we got to Kitchen Kettle Village we stopped at the Lancaster Yarn Shop. Not a really big LYS, but they had a section of locally raised,spun dyed yarn. How could I resist?? I needed some sock yarn that would be a stretch from my usual choices for a KAL that starts tomorrow of Honey Badger Socks. I found Crab Apple Yarns. Jubilee. It was way more than I would usually spend on yarn, but I really loved it.

They also had a sparkly yarn - not sure what I'll make from that. Revival.

Without the Angie - Curt had to be my sampling partner in the jam shop. We ended up getting 13 jars, a spicy pickle, watermelon rind pickles for my FIL, sugar free apple butter for my mom, 2 things of peach salsa, pineapple jalepeno I plan on using with pork or ham. and 7 of our usuals. Then it was the smoke house, love the smell in there for cheee & sausage. I showed amazing restraint by skipping the fudge store. I realized some time ago that I like buying fudge more than eating it! The leather shop also is on I never skip.

From there it was on to lunch - but that is a whole post in and of itself!

2011-08-11T20:05:00.001-04:00

Finally! Wildlife that isn't vermin! Monarchs visited the garden center.

2011-08-09T20:33:00.000-04:00

Last night we went to the Sussex County/NJ State Fair. Two things kind of confused me. First, how exactly do you deep fry KoolAid?? Personally, I don't like KoolAid - the red velvet funnel cakes or deep fried oreos would be tempting if it wasn't soo.... fried. And second- how do you judge hay? The blue ribbon is first place, the green ribbon right next to it was 5th place. they look the same to me.

And I was trying to get this guy to look up for his picture, but he was being unco-operative.

And of course there was the demolition derby. A guy from my town came in 2nd in the feature! Totally brings out the redneck in the Angie. My phone died so I couldn't take any pictures. All in all red neck bliss!

REdneck Happiness

2011-08-05T22:32:00.000-04:00

This weekend I will be one happy redneck.. Nascar Trucks and Cup at Pocono Speedway. And Monday- the Sussex County fair's demolition derby!! Happy girl!! Picture above was taken by Curt at New Jersey MotorSports Park at the Grand Am/Rolex race.

Do you remember?

2011-08-04T20:19:00.000-04:00

Those of you old enough to remember the 60's and 70's ( Ok I only have 3 distinct memories I can say were definitely from the 60's) Will remember Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom. Marlin Perkins was the host - who talked A LOT. And his sidekick Jim - who got to wrestle with and take on all the wild animals.

I will admit to a slight crush on Jim. There didn't seem to be any animal he couldn't handle and he was so sweet with the big cats cubs.

I really loved when the Muppets spoofed the show:

Now, I know you're all (well those of you still reading) are wondering why I'm going down this road. Many of you know that when my old position ended on Mar 1, I went to outside Garden. Most of it (other than the people other than Paul who work there) was pretty good, we had a terrible start to spring, but managed to catch up and even surpass all our numbers. I still work 4ish to 1-2ish.

Some days are slower than others. I have gotten to know a lot of the urban wildlife. I have learned about the structure of pigeon flocks. The alpha pigeon we have named Ballsy, because he is very bold. He's flown at me a few times - I ripped one of his feathers off once. He his friends - a pigeon as big as a chicken we call carmen, the 2 mafioso birds. I have even realized that the pigeons that hang out in lumber do not mingle (at least in the store - I don't know where they go outside) with the garden birds. I was in lumber and the birds are totally different. (This job is turning me into the bird woman of Alcatraz)

There is a drainage pond out back. Earlier in the spring 2 goose couples were there with their 4 goslings. I discovered that geese babysit for one another. Because sometimes I would see all 4 adults with the babies, and sometimes only 2. @ of the babies were clearly younger than the other.

The other day, there was a white egret fishing in the remains (deep puddles) of the pond. I'm constantly trying to get rid of the mice, there is a family of chipmunks that live in the wall behind the mulch that connects us to Staples.

And now, we have found (in back of building materials -not my dept) that there is a mama raccoon and her three babies. One of the babies is really dumb, ditsy and confused. Mama and 2 babies run out the back fence climbing head first down the chain link, one goes sideways, ass backwards, across, back up. Then ran back and forth for over 10 minutes before crossing into the woods where mom went. Apparently couldn't find mom because an hour later we saw her in the shrubs we sell. And then climbing over the arched roof that protects the plants, and then eating the bird suet cakes

She's not afraid of people - she only moved aside when we shook the box at her. I'm knd of concerned about rabies - because it was definitely daylight.

Yesterday, I saw her trying to eat the organic lawn fertilizer -

And around 1230pm I saw her climbing the i beam that holds our roof up. Like I said - nocturnal animal - i don't know if she is rabid or just really, dumb. And if she can't follow mom she isn't learning anything.

I decided to name her after the most ditszy person I work with - the dept spv of indoor garden. So she is Darlene.

2011-08-03T19:54:00.000-04:00

Sensational Haiku Wednesday

Welcome to “Sensational Haiku Wednesday!”

Click here for info and background on this weekly event!

The basics:
Haiku is simple! It is 3 non-rhyming lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively (a great way to use your fingers!)

This week’s theme is: Distance

Display SLOWLY shows

the miles in tenths ticking off,

in cardio Hell!

Once friends, now strangers

In the same room feet apart

Feels like miles and miles

Knit updates.

2011-08-02T14:35:00.000-04:00

Here are my last 2 entries for Round 2 of Nerdwars. The deadline was Sunday. First was for the challenge where you had to cross into another nerddom. I made a potions box cover. I decided to send a box with various herbal teas, homeopathic remedies, herbs, Zicam, Airborne etc. When the Angie got strep right before finals, at home in NJ I had the perfect teas etc. that would have made her life easier while the antibiotics did their work. But the key to these is starting them right away, not waiting for mom to ship them. So this way she will have some of my core stuff, and if she gets sick I can tell her what to take. I used a double layer snap-loc container with a handle. I crocheted a fitted top - there is supposed to be an owl cable on each side, but I never cabled in crochet before and I don't think they came out that good. I knit a cabled owl applique to put on the center.

The white owl ties into Hedwig - Harry Potter's white owl. The box tied into the Angie's life because Temple's mascot is the Owls.

For my challenge project on mythology- I used the greek goddess Athena. (thank's Min!) Athena is often pictured with an owl , and amongst other things Athena is the patron of weapons. My daughter fences on the Temple club team, and uses pvc pipes cut in lengths as blade protectors. She drills 2 holes near the top and uses a mini bungee through her handle/hilt to hold it on. Originally, I was going to knit a long tube as well to create a sabre cozy, but I ran out of time. Then, when I needed to take a picture on Sunday night, the Angie was out with her friends until well past my bedtime, so I used her plastic sword from her Dance Competition production number about the civil war - For the Glory.

Crocheted Breakfast

2011-08-01T15:27:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, I crocheted breakfast. Yes, you read that correctly. I crocheted breakfast, and no I did not lose my mind. I needed to submit an entry to NerdWars on Ravelry, which answered the challenge to craft with something that is not yarn or normal fiber arts materials. I was initially going to crocheted birds' nests out of fresh pasta to put meatballs in. The problem was A. it's been too hot to make my own pasta- definitely too humid. B. Buitoni is not that fresh but on the dry side, so it was too brittle to work with. Despite having other items in my house to work with - my husband has miles of cables, fiber optics and wire - but my head was stuck on food.

Looking in my fridge, I saw a tube of Pillsbury Crescent Roll Dough.

I rolled it out with a dusting of flour on a cutting board and with a pizza cutter cut it into 3 strips. While I worked with one strip I put the others in the fridge to keep them cold - because I wanted the finished food to be fluffy. I then cut each strip in half, and each piece almost to the end.

I took this "u" shaped piece and rolled it into a ropey yarn.

For my first few pieces I just chained the entire strip with my largest plastic crochet hook a size P. And then rolled it around a muffin tin to make a bowl.

I then got a bit braver and actually crocheted a 3-dimensional bowl. (non-crocheters this will seem like greek, and I do apologize) I chained 5, joined with a sc ( a slip was too hard) into a loop, chained one. I [sc, ch2] all around and joined the end with a sc, then tucked the end piece in. (no tapestry needle here folks)

Now ALL the non-crocheters can jump in - just put squares and bend them into the muffin tin.

I "lined" each of the bowls with half a piece of procuitto. ( I was kind of sloppy - if you want to eat my food you better not bitch about the presentation- if you want to impress your company make it neater - I won't be offended. ) I then put a dollop of basil pesto. It's n easy thing to make in the blender - the best jarred pesto I've found is the one at Costco - and there aren't an preservatives in it. I usually keep a jar in the fridge - Angie likes making her grilled cheese with them, warming leftover chicken with it, puts it on her scrambled eggs, the non-pasta uses is endless. I put some shredded 6 cheese italian cheese in each bowl.

I whipped 3 eggs with some italian seasoning a sprinkle of sugar and some italian herb seasoning. I poured it into the 6 bowls. I then put some shredded cheese on top. Baked it in the oven at 375 for 20 minutes. I let it cool 6 or 7 minutes before lifting it out of the muffin tin, and viola - Nerd brunch!

Knitting Update

2011-07-31T07:25:00.000-04:00

First - My friend Grace is on Twitter!! Yay!!! (does the Happy Dance!)

Hey - my post actually starts with a reference to Grace! Cool Co-incidence? Anyway- if you check out Grace's blog LovinComfortKnits You will see she has been on kick to knit monsters. Cute monsters mostly if not all (sorry Grace - sometimes it's hard to keep up - you knit faster than my brain processes information) by Rebecca Danger. I have shown some of them to Curt, if he happens to be sitting by me when I read her blog. As Curt watched me knit these:

He thought I was joining Grace knitting monsters. In fact, he thought he knew which monster I was knitting. If any of you watched Nickelodeon or Cartoon Network (don't remember which) in the 90's before all the really crappy shows came on you may remember a show called "Aahh , Real Monsters" It revolved around a couple of monsters attending Monster School - and having to scare people/pets for their assignments. One of these monsters was Oblina - the female monster.

For the record, I am not knitting siblings for Oblina. I am actually knitting Alan Darts Chess Set and these pieces seamed together will be the chess board. Although Curt seemed kind of disappointed that it wasn't her that I may make one for his birthday in November.

I am knitting the set for NerdWars on Ravelry. To get the 50 points for midpoint check in I needed to be at 50% by yesterday. I posted the picture for check in at 1100pm. So I had a whole hour to spare! So I kind of need to hustle because now I need to knit 32 pieces by Aug 31.

Just seeing how this works.

2011-07-30T10:59:00.001-04:00

I got the Blogger app for my phone to see if it helps me blog more. A lot of days, by the time I get home, I have too much to do and/or I'm tired. Of course, if Grace would get Twitter, it would make my life a bit easier.

Today is my father in law's birthday. My SIL told my husband she wanted to take him to dinner tonite. Then, there was an issue because the kick off meeting for their bowling league is at 4 or 5. (how early was she going?) So now it's 11 and I still have no idea! To top it off I haven't gotten my rental car yet, so its more complicated.

Update on the car. I'm making the Angie deal with the insurance company. I also made her call Robbie's and have the car towed to Robbie's . My friends want to know if its to teach her to deal with stuff or because I don't want to. The answer ....yes.

I once read somewhere

2011-07-24T11:49:00.000-04:00

That the Japanese are more into gadgets than any other nationality. Ever since I have been using this excuse with my husband or anyone else when I am drawn to purchasing a gadget. After all I am half Japanese, and I need some way other than sushi to connect to my roots right?? The Angie follows directly in my footsteps. She can actually be worse than me at times. If she didn't get rice for a few days when she was younger, she would tell me her rice tummy was empty. That since she was part Japanese and part from Louisiana she needed to get rice semi regularly... Green beans & spaetzle for her German side. Cheese for the French side. ... You get the picture. One of her most coveted gadgets was the Magic Bullet. As she will be living in an on campus apartment this year, she revisited the desire to have one. Also she hinted at wanting a rice cooker. While Curt and I were out shopping yesterday, we got her the Magic Bullet at Costco and a small rice cooker/steamer at Target. When she came out to help carry stuff in and saw these two, she let out a squeal that I am sure shattered several windows in the neighborhood.

While hiding in the ac...

2011-07-23T19:45:00.000-04:00

one can get some reading done - especially when everything on tv annoyed my heat addled brain. In the last week or so I finished Dirk Gently's Hollistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams. It was a nice easy read off of the 1001 books list. The book was kind of bizarre. There were more than 5 apparently totally disconnected storylines. We don't actually get to meet Dirk until page 140. The stroy lines all merge and make sense in a sci-fi way in the last 25-30 pages. While it was an amusing book, and a quick read, I had to admit I was a bit puzzled. What were the criteria used to create the 1001 books list? I'm not sure what this book had to hold it up to some of the other sci-fi greats - even comparing it to the Hitchhiker's guide - by the same author.

Also, in one day I read An Irish Country Girl by Patrick Taylor. It was next in the series of Irish Country books. It is a bit of a detour from the other books. It starts with carolers that arrived at the end of the last book. Mrs. "Kinky" Kincaid tells them a story from her youth in Cork, while they warm up with pies and drinks. After they leave she continues reminiscing. While in the other books Kinky is "fey" she can see bits of the future, this book is a lot more fantasy. There are ghosts, and fairies and banshees. I'm kind of on the fence about this.

I know why I'm sweating!

2011-07-22T19:46:00.000-04:00

A small rant here. When I left work the temperature on all the thermometers was 102. This was raw temperature not the heat index, which I am sort of glad I didn't know. When I got to work at 4am, the temperature was 89 and was actually worse as far as humidity went. I actually had a problem trying to catch my breath when I first went outside.

Since my partner Paul and I aren't totally stupid, we tried to get most of the actual physical stuff that had to be done early. Especially those areas not protected from the sun by the overhang. The night crew were of no help, they decided it was too hot and didn't bring the stuff that was out behind the building inside. So Paul and I had to. Only the same night crew blew the hydraulic fitting on the smaller forklift that fits in our aisles. The other machine that lifts pallets can't go outside. So we needed to run everything in with one machine and put it up with another.

So yes. I WAS REALLY HOT. I was already aggravated. Why, seriously, why did half the store feel the need to come outside and say some version of "Wow, it's really hot out here! Aren't you hot?" I came really close to killing some of them. I mean, No! i had no idea it was hot! This explains why water is pouring out of my body! I thought I had spring a bunch of leaks!! Thank goodness you came out here to tell me this! &^*&#%^!@% head. AND to the second question - it's one hundred and freakin two degrees in the shade not taking humidity into effect. YES I"M REALLY FREAKIN" HOT! DUMBASS!!

Rant over.... for now.

I HATE Water!!

2011-07-21T21:00:00.000-04:00

That is not good when the heat index is 115, and I work outside. And have a history of heat exhaustion. I do try to hydrate before going to races and sporting events that will have me out in the heat all day. But a string of really hot days can wipe me out. I've been trying to drink more - I've been adding a splash of juice or a squeeze of lemon to water to make it more drinkable.This is not too practical when I'm not home. I've been having a vitamin water with lunch (in addition to my coffee) but it's too many calories to drink more than one in a day.

I have to be really careful of artificial sweeteners. They can trigger migraines. If I'm going to someone's house that uses them I take some med's first, but I can't use them regularly.

The other day I found Crystal Light Pure in the store. It said no artificial sweeteners, preservatives or flavors. But it was only 15 calories. I read the labels. They use truvia ( made from the Stevia plant) mixed with sugar. This intrigued me, as stevia can have a weird side of the tongue taste. The little bit of sugar seems to avoid that. I bought the lemonade. (As a warning I don't like strong or sweet lemonade- gee thanx grandma - my lemonade is more like a half lemon squeezed into a glass of water with a splash or simple syrup) It was a bit too strong/sweet, but half a packet works well into a bottle of water.

This still only helps with a bottle or two, but it's a start.

Today, I left work an hour early to grab Excedrin and an hour's nap in the ac.

2011-07-20T16:49:00.000-04:00

Sensational Haiku Wednesday

Welcome to “Sensational Haiku Wednesday!”

Click here for info and background on this weekly event!

The basics:
Haiku is simple! It is 3 non-rhyming lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively (a great way to use your fingers!)

This week’s theme is: Scent (your favourite scent, etc.)

Welcoming rich warmth

Dark, carmel, or light, fruity

the scent of my life.

Beer Fest part 2

2011-07-19T22:04:00.000-04:00

Tell me you don't want this outdoor kitchen? It's the kitchen in the chef's garden (an actual garden- tomatoes and other things from the garden were used in lunch) outside the "biosphere" which is not a sphere by the way. The chef on the right on his cell phone is Kevin Sbraga ( he was on Top Chef) His food was nothing short of amazing.

For the Beer Tasting and Seminar, before the actual festival, a 6 course lunch was served with each dish matched to a different beer. A woman - sorry don't remember her name, who is a judge at craft beer competitions - seriously I need her job, described the flavor notes in each pairing that made them a good match.

A beer I never would have tried out of TX - had ruby red grapefruit and ginger added during the brew Shiner Ruby Redbird went with the first course of lamb kabobs with za'tar and yogurt sauce. Both were amazing. I realize I'm going to go nuts trying to find more of this beer!

Course 2 was a SMOKED (as in the whole thing was smoked) turkey rueben with spicy thousand island. Paired with sierra Nevada Summerfest. Followed by Carmelized Onion Flatbread with savory peach comfit & foie gras paired with Blue Moon Honeymoon. Soo good - ask Grace - me and onions usually not going to happen. Next came Andouille sliders with garden cucumbers and cilantro paired with Sam Adams Summerfest (a beer I already knew I liked) I came to realize I have clearly been hitting the wrong burger joints! This was followed by the Chef's Garden BLT with Beach House American Pils . interesting for a pilsner, I usually don't care for them but while I won't go out of my way for this, I would drink this again. The heirloom tomato on the sammie was actually creamy. It was excellent! Finally dessert was a Wood roasted Apricot with pomegranate glaze and Cricket Hill Jersey Summer Breakfast Ale. I had 2!! The concept of breakfast ale is intriguing isn't it? And was good - I'll be buying this again.

After this, we went down the hill to the 9th hole for the actual festival. There were some really good beers there. There were some really terrible beers there (Lobster ale while intriguing sounding should be dumped into the sea) And for whatever reason (probably because they make Blue Moon) coors was there with their banquet beer (ok some people may not have had that) but Coors Light?? Seriously - who that drinks beer hasn't had Coors Light at least once?? My favorite and I will definitely be looking for this is a barrel aged ale from Scotland. Innis - they have regular barrel aged which is good, but OMG their rum barrel aged?? rich, caramel deep dark amazing beer!

The bbq they served was decent - but after lunch it was hard to follow. They had a really, really, really bad mostly 80's cover band. What they lacked in talent, ability and musicality they made up for with enough amps and speakers to play a stadium. Seriously people- if you suck at Springsteen, don't do his covers in NJ in front of a bunch of people drinking unlimited beer tastings, hostility will result. It was so bad I kept having to leave the tent.

Overall - if you like beer and you get the opportunity I would definitely recommend going - but if you do spring the extra $40 and go to the seminar first.

AND, lest you think I was setting a bad example for the Angie - we didn't drive. We stayed at a B&B nearby - Alpine Haus and had a car sent from Vernon Taxi to drop us off and come back for us. The driver was a really nice guy, if you are ever in need of a ride in Sussex county call them. We got back to the B&B around 7, I took a 2 hour nap. Then we went to the Vernon Diner & Pancake House for a late supper. AND got carrot cake to go. We only missed 100 laps of the truck race- I guess there was a sizeable red flag - so were surprised that we could have dessert with the end of the race.
Alpine Haus was great- I actually want to go back and stay in the carriage house for a weekend in the fall. I was awake at 5 and amused myself with Ravelry on the tablet, I started a book, and worked on a strip of my chess board project. We had reserved the 9am breakfast, because Curt just likes to sleep late. I had heard a lot about their breakfast, it did not disappoint. Great coffee, a blueberry/coconut muffin, baked peach , bacon and upside down french toast. Even after all we had on Saturday I cleaned my plate.

weekend

2011-07-17T16:49:00.000-04:00

This weekend was Curt's father's day getaway gift to the NJ Beer and Food Fest held at Crystal Springs Spa & Resort. The weather and the venue were gorgeous. Check out this view!

You can actually see both PA and NY from up there!

We got there a bit early because I had our tickets on will call - turns out no tickets just a list anyway. There were a bunch of these chair/bed/pod things - I wish I had brought knitting or a book!

And seriously - I need one of these outdoor beds!

to be continued....

Garden Updates

2011-07-17T16:42:00.000-04:00

My portulacas - such happy flowers and can live in total hostile environment - good thing - they dry out on the steps pretty much daily.

My container plum tomatoes.

The tomato that looks orange has turned red over the weekend. Kinda small to share - we may have to rock paper scissors for it.

2011-07-13T20:21:00.000-04:00

Sensational Haiku Wednesday

Welcome to “Sensational Haiku Wednesday!”

Click here for info and background on this weekly event!

The basics:
Haiku is simple! It is 3 non-rhyming lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively (a great way to use your fingers!)

This week’s theme is: Wish(es)

Find a magic lamp

What would your three wishes be?

Desires granted.

World peace? Cancer cure?

Kill prejudice and hatred?

End Global warming?

I really have doubts

A genie or someone else

could really grant those.

Good health for loved ones?

True happiness for our friends?

Be altruistic?

Would selfishness reign?

Ask for shallow vanities?

With no real meaning?

A million dollars?

A supermodel's body?

An immortal life?

Three wishes can tell,

The person we really are,

What we most value.

I've got an Eggplant!

2011-07-10T16:09:00.002-04:00

Knitting Update

2011-07-08T20:24:00.002-04:00

I just updated my 52in52-2011 group post on Ravelry. I am now at 27 started and finished projects in 2011, so I am exactly on track for 52. This actually makes me slightly behind as I am going to be making a heart shawl for my sister and future sister in law for their weddings at the end of this year, and those will eat up time. But fortunately, NerdWars on Ravelry leads to some smaller projects so there is hope I will make it.

I finished my pink fingerless gloves started in May:

With some of the leftover yarn I made the premie cap I wanted to make for Nerdpoints in June but didn't get to. I am mailing it out to AC Medical center tomorrow anyway - hopefully will make a baby warm and happy,

As I mentioned earlier - NerdWars leads to some smaller projects. This one was an answer to sometimes It's fun to be a Villain. My current team "Meeples" is based on boardgame nerdery. (Since BBT is on hiatus for the summer I switched to another team. I'll be returning to team Bazinga for tournament 3 in the fall) For boardgamers, one common enemy/villain is the damn timer. So as i couldn't find a pattern for a 3-D hourglass I got out some scrap cotton yarn and a crochet hook and guessed. You can see why I stick to patterns ;P You can't see from the crappy picture but the glass itself is made from sand and white yarn- it's an almost empty timer. Maybe I'll try taking a better picture tomorrow. I also used this for bonus unity points. Our team unity project for this round was to make a game piece.

2011-07-06T22:03:00.000-04:00

Sensational Haiku Wednesday

Welcome to “Sensational Haiku Wednesday!”

Click here for info and background on this weekly event!

The basics:
Haiku is simple! It is 3 non-rhyming lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively (a great way to use your fingers!)

This week’s theme is: Freestyle – whatever you want to write about

Starts with a trickle,

becomes a river of sweat

I so hate summer!

Happy 4th!

2011-07-04T13:35:00.000-04:00

Tomatoes, Tomahtoes

2011-07-03T12:26:00.000-04:00

On a rainy Sunday morning (hmmm afternoon - I didn't get home until 8, so it feels like morning) I'll show you some pictures of tomatoes I have on the vine. If the sun ever stays out for any length of time, we will have a bunch of yummy ripe fruit!

Micro tom - claims to be the world's smallest tomato. It's in a 6" pot for some scale - so I believe it to be true.

Coyote - small yellow cherry I missed out on last year

Siletz- heirloom type - sooooo yummy, good for salads, sammies or just off the vine

Early girl

container choice

Mexican midget - I bought this on a whim - because of the name.

Knitting Update

2011-07-02T07:32:00.000-04:00

My family & friends like to play board games. Hell I even drove to Philly for a board game party. (OK, it was really to hang out with Fe & his mousies.... shhhh). When there aren't many of us, and the tv is on while we play (Curt is a tv addict, the world is too quiet when it's not on) we often play on a tray table.

We (everyone but the Angie) also enjoy a nice cold beer while playing. The problem with really cold beers, is condensation. The moisture gets on cards, the board, your fingers. I know, if the condensation from my Smithwicks is the biggest problem I have on a Saturday night, I'm doing pretty good. Coasters help keep the table and board dry, but do nothing to keep your hand dry. Not to mention they fall off the table. The solution?? Beer cozies! I used a self striping yarn ( Universal Yarn's Cotton Supreme Batik- awesome yarn knits like kitchen cotton but it is SOOOO soft) so each cozy is slightly different, because it is clear from how fast my bottle empties that other people are obviously drinking my beer!!

Have to comment on some current events.

2011-06-30T21:03:00.000-04:00

Before I start, I am first saying that this post has nothing at all to do with my personal feelings or political views on gay marriage. Any and all comments trying to create controversy about that subject will be deleted.

Several days ago, NY State legalized gay marriage. Amid all the hoopla surrounding this, several of the larger NY corporations, led by IBM announced that after a time period (honestly I missed the exact amount, and since I'm already married I'm not looking it up for Y'all) it will be discontinuing benefits for same sex domestic partners. Keep in mind that they never had benefits for opposite sex domestic partners. I understand why they had the benefits for DP's. I also understand that in this world, sadly to say, marriage is more a legal and financial institution than a romantic one. The 'til death do part thing has become a sham in modern times. (No I don't believe in no-fault divorce. I do believe there are times when divorce is necessary, but with the no-fault laws in every state, you now there's an out when you take your vows - so how serious are the vows anymore)

Now there is outrage and I am confused. People fought really hard to be able to have the rights, benefits and headaches granted with the marriage contract. Now they have them. It's not like these companies are saying you need to be married next week. But if the choice for marriage vs living together is now an option the same as for heterosexual couples, why is it such a controversy that a stop gap measure utilized because the option wasn't there , should be removed after the option exists?? Equality and fairness goes in both directions. If I hadn't married Curt and had chosen to have a committed live in relationship with him instead, I wouldn't be outraged at not getting benefits . I did marry him and I get his benefits. If they do not chose to get married that is their option as well, but since it is now an option not a forced situation, the resulting benefits or lack therein are their choice as well.

Rant over.

2011-06-29T20:06:00.001-04:00

Sensational Haiku Wednesday

Welcome to “Sensational Haiku Wednesday!”

Click here for info and background on this weekly event!

The basics:
Haiku is simple! It is 3 non-rhyming lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively (a great way to use your fingers!)

This week’s theme is: Living

You are born, then die

In between is what matters,

Love is all you leave.

Dessert Anyone?

2011-06-28T20:23:00.000-04:00

the other day I was going to make an apricot gallette but didn't have enough butter for the crust. ( yes butter is usually in the freezer, but I screwed up somehow) I DID have some puff pastry shells so I baked them off and cut the apricots a bit smaller, and a small amount of sugar and some triple sec, then because it was too thin I added some tapioca and simmered it for a while. I then spooned the apricot into the shell and added a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

I don't bleed orange

2011-06-27T17:03:00.000-04:00

For those who still entertained the thought.

At work on Saturday night I went to cut the wrap off a pallet of belgian pavers (look like brick - not as hard to build walls with - still pretty heavy) For whatever reason they weren't banded under the wrap. Unbeknownst to myself and Paul, they have been coming that way for some time. That's why they have been cutting the wrap partway. Anyway, I cut the wrap, and the entire first row fell off the pallet down from 3 feet on the shelf and landed on my left leg/ankle ( I told you my left side was kind of useless) so I have a bunch of cuts, scrapes and abrasions as well as a serious bruise on my lower leg. And my blood was red, not orange. Of course Tony doesn't drive an orange car anymore, but a red one....

I was going to post a picture, but it's kind of gross.

List #2

2011-06-26T09:52:00.000-04:00

Sorry- I did say I'd be posting more, but work fell apart this week. On that note - if you could spare a prayer or thought to my friend Good Dan - his mom passed yesterday after a stroke on Wednesday.

Items I must have in the freezer to function in the kitchen.

1. diced onions - yes, I prefer to chop a fresh onion, but sometimes time/energy constraints require a quicker/easier solution. So there is always a bag of diced onion in my freezer door.

2. roasted pepper strips - from Target - they have a bag of red/yellow/green grilled pepper strips - sometimes I use them as strips sometimes I chop them - I put peppers in 90% of my dinner's and once again fresh isn't always happening.

3. salmon fillets - really easy, quick dinner- top it with some herbs and olive oil or lemon juice, make an extra have it over salad the next day for lunch. I usually order mine from Schwann's.

4. chopped spinach bags- the bags are easier than the boxes. I think the bag prevents freezer burn better than the box and it's easier to get a small amount out. I use it in omelets, risotto dishes, dips, soups, pasta sauces. Very versatile, very yummy and an easy way to get some more veggie on the plate.

5. andouille sausage - it goes in a lot of my quick and easy default dinners - rice & beans ( pinto, red, pink, black) okra and tomatoes over rice, jambalaya, kale sausage & white beans, mexican chicken stew.

6. vanilla ice cream (Target Archer Farm's Madagascar Vanilla is my fav) by itself - or as an addition great for dessert.

7. cheese ravioli. my grandmother's after school snack she made us was ravioli with butter and fresh herbs - it's now one of Angie's snacks if she didn't get a good lunch. also layered with the frozen spinach, portabella's maybe sausage & tomato sauce makes a fast fake lasagna.

8. boneless skinless chicken breast - thaws quickly in a bowl of cold water and is probably one of the most versatile proteins.

9. unsalted butter sticks - the urge to bake usually strikes without warning, and this used to be the one item I had to go to the store for, I learned and am now prepared.

10. ice - LOL!

2011-06-22T20:41:00.000-04:00

Sensational Haiku Wednesday

Welcome to “Sensational Haiku Wednesday!”

Click here for info and background on this weekly event!

The basics:
Haiku is simple! It is 3 non-rhyming lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively (a great way to use your fingers!)

This week’s theme is: Joy

Weird things bring me joy.

say I'm not normal, I have

no competition!

Balcony Garden Post 2

2011-06-21T04:58:00.001-04:00

As a continuation of yesterday's post, here is a picture down the rail.

And turning the corner.

And the two hanging hot pepper pots.

The peppers really need some solid sunny days.

And a shot of some oregano.

Balcony Garden Post 1

2011-06-20T08:00:00.001-04:00

Or as Curt refers to it "the upper 40". It still has about another week of work to get everything settled, but I can show you some of it. I don't have a picture, but we have sliding glass doors. These open to the center of the balcony. In the center area, we have 2 chairs and a little table. During the summer, Curt and I will occasionally have a meal out there, but more often dessert or a snack. We read out there, Curt plays with his electronic toys, I knit. To the left, there is not as much sun - although after the power company trimmed some trees there is a fair bit. To the right is an L shape section that wraps the south east end of the building. It gets a lot of sun. Peppers and tomatoes love being there as do eggplants. I start my cucumbers and herbs on that side but move them left by July 4th to protect them from summer's harshness.

Speaking of cucumbers, here are my three plants and their trellis. If you look carefully you will see I have a bunch of baby cuke's already. I will probably knock 1/2 off, to help the fruit that will be left.

One of my tomato plants - a Bush Early Girl - is already up to my hip, and as you can see in this pic, has some little green tomatoes already.

My Container Choice tomato also has several flowers but no fruit yet.

My Miro-tom - the actual world's smallest tomato.

My "pet" as I couldn't get it last year - the Coyote tomato - a low acid yellow cherry. It is starting to bud - but no actual flowers yet.

2011-06-19T16:47:00.000-04:00

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!

Curt's going to have to wait a few weeks for his present. Although he knows what it is- so it isn't like he'll be in suspense.

NJ Beer and Food festival

Since he will clearly not be in any shape to drive home - and we know I'm never going to be the designated driver - We are spending a romantic weekend at the Alpine Haus (next door to the Resort - am working on arranging a car service)

Reading update.

2011-06-18T18:07:00.000-04:00

This is the third and final book in the Sugar Maple series. I really enjoyed reading the first book. The second book, took me a while to read, it did not really capture my interest. I read this book because A. my friend Grace was nice enough to loan it to me and B. I just needed some closure. I assumed , as in most literature of this type, that Sugar Maple would be saved by Chloe, but I didn't necessarily know how. I assumed Chloe would end up with Luke - for at least a while.

This third book sucked me in. It was well written and I just had to keep turning the pages. A trip to Salem, and many trials for Chloe led to a nail biting climax. I am glad I struggled through book 2 to be able to read book 3.

Reading Update

2011-06-17T17:48:00.000-04:00

As I mentioned a couple of month's ago, my library has a program that allows you to select a bunch of your favorite authors, and if the library acquires a new book from them you are automatically put on the reserve list. This is the second book I have read through this program. I didn't realize that Macomber had another of her Blossom Street series out.

As with the other books in this series, the book focuses on a character we met in one of the other books. In this case it is Bethanne Hamlin, who we initially met when her husband suddenly left her for another woman. Knitting helped Bethanne find both sanity and new friends to support her as she rebuilt her life.

Now, we rejoin Bethanne's life 6 years later. Her party business has taken off and she is quite the business success. Her oldest son is ready to be married, and daughter is working in the business as she finishes her Master's degree. Bethanne's mother in law has planned the cross country road trip from WA to FLA for her high school reunion where her first love will be. She decides to join her on a much needed vacation to regroup and decide whether or not to reunite with her ex-husband who is now divorced again and has realized his mistake. Her daughter decides to accompany them after an unexpected breakup with her boyfriend.

The road trip is quite the adventure, as they meet new people, leave the mapped out planned route and just go with the road.

This was a really great relaxing read - I read it in my May funk - when I really needed to just open a book and escape.

Reading update.

2011-06-16T17:30:00.000-04:00

First I read An Irish Country Village. It is the second book in the Irish Country Doctor Series that I started a few months ago by reading the most recent book in the series. It is the continuing story of Dr Barry Laverty a newly licensed rural GP in Northern Ireland. His irascible senior Dr, Dr O'Reilly, indomitable housekeeper Mrs "Kinky" Kincaid and his burgeoning Romance with civil engineering student, Patricia , who is trying to win a scholarship to study in Cambridge, England. All the characters of a rural village are there as entertaining as ever. Each book only covers a couple months worth of time, so is a snapshot of life in the early 60's in Northern Ireland. I've really enjoyed this visit - even though I usually stick to Ireland itself and not the 6 counties.

2011-06-15T16:50:00.000-04:00

Sensational Haiku Wednesday

Welcome to “Sensational Haiku Wednesday!”

Click here for info and background on this weekly event!

The basics:
Haiku is simple! It is 3 non-rhyming lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively (a great way to use your fingers!)

This week’s theme is: Fortitude

Started with her eggs,

Hot sauce now goes on most food.

Cast Iron Stomach.

dedicated to the Angie

Lists

2011-06-14T21:26:00.000-04:00

I'm a big fan of lists. There is nothing as satisfying as crossing stuff off of a list. Several people whose blogs I follow have list postings usually weekly. It's amusing sometimes to see the topics for the lists they post, when they obviously are having trouble coming up with them. So I've decided to join in the list fun! Today we will kick it off with:

My favorite lists:
1. Vacation packing. I make lists for Curt and Angie as well as myself. It takes a couple days to create these lists as I edit. Especially in the wintertime, there is always one extra days supplies - which has been handy more than once. The Angie loves my lists. Curt mocks them. One vacation I didn't make him a list - and we were shopping for him several times that vacation.

2. Race weekend. My NASCAR friends will understand the extent of stuff necessary for a succesful race weekend. Radios, batteries, tailgate food, in track coolers, rain gear, sunscreen, (yarn) (In Min's case if she is going with her mom - ruby slippers to get home)

3. Garden plants. I start working out what I'm going to grow in January. The list is finalized in April. Aquisition starts in May.

4. Angie's bucket list. The Angie is the only person I know who started a bucket list when still in pre-school. It started with things like specific roller coasters, and places she saw on tv. It has grown, some of the things on it are kind of bizarre. Driving a golf cart, riding a bike (she refused as a child) I have to give her credit. She has also been methodically crossing stuff off of it as well.

5. Store walk. This is a report that comes out at work. It breaks down each department in the store into classes and subclasses of stuff. It shows how your sales now compare to last year and to other stores in your district and market. I like being at the top of this list. I'm usually at the top of this list.

6. The list of high scores on my games. All of the games. I like being at the top of these lists too.

7. The big dinner list. This is for big holiday dinners when we host. It includes everything from the menu, groceries for the menu, decor and a to do list (cleaning etc) before the "day"

8. My Scorpio bitch list. I was born on the cusp of Scorpio /Sagittarius. I really don't believe in horoscopes , but personalities have a lot of coincidence. I can be you best coach, friend, teacher, fan etc. But there is a very narrow line - no real gray area - and once you cross it you are on the list. It is just about impossible to get off the list. If you make it to the top of the list you don't even exist.

9. My knitting projects. need I say more?

10. And the best list of all is the shortest list of all. My friends. From the outside it would seem as though I'm a pretty popular person, but most of those people are acquaintances not really friends. I have very few friends, because I'm just not that nice/trusting and most people annoy me, and because I really do love my friends dearly, and they are all so awesome each in their own way. They each fulfill one of my social/emotional needs and when you have friends that great you don't need a lot.

Succulents

2011-06-13T21:43:00.000-04:00

Here's an update on the "Living Wall" Two of the plants didn't make it through the winter so I replaced them. They seem to have taken very well.

Two of the plants are flowering

I like the succulents so much - plus the perennial aspect of them appeals to me, so I planted 3 of the planters on the steps with them as well.

I took the pictures this evening, so the flowers which seem to bloom only in the daytime were all curled up already.

Through the fog.

2011-06-11T21:36:00.000-04:00

At Pocono for NASCAR qualifying and the ARCA race today. Just as Tony's luck would have it the sun started peeking out over turn 2 during his qualifying lap and slowed his speed down a bit :(

The ARCA race was kind of good between the 17, 25, 31 and 41. I was rooting for Tim George Jr. As the race went on "fog" (seriously more like a dense cloud hitting the mountain top) kept rolling in, easing up a tad then coming back in. There were 2 red flags (where the race is temporarily stopped) because the spotters were repeatedly telling the ARCA officials, their crew chiefs and drivers that they can't see from the middle of turn 1 until the exit of turn 3.

This was my view of turn 1 (or more technically non-view) at one point

Not only could I not see turn one, I couldn't even see the exit of pit road!!

Here was my non-view of turn 3

As you can see the scoring tower was barely visible which is about the halfway point on pit road on the start/finish line. I couldn't see the start of pit road much less turn 3.

This was directly in front of me. You can see the garage, but not the haulers parked on the other side, not the infield, and definitely not turn 2. Usually when you look over the garage you can see for 20 miles to the next mountain top!! (if you're reading this Thom - I may need to use one of these pic's for your Muffed Target!)

It was Knit in Public Day today, and I did bring knitting as I anticipated a lot of wait time. I finished one item and started a second. It's a beer bottle cozy. You'll see a better pic after I finish the set,

More Knitting

2011-06-10T21:43:00.000-04:00

Another project I never shared with you was a series of tea cozies, also a NERDWARS challenge. They were all done with the same pattern, but different yarns and needles.

The small one was made for a really tiny tea pot I have - but I misjudged the size of the handle. Oh well.