Going out of Business, SALE

Recently was able to purchase some awesome fibers/yarn from a LYS that is no longer in business. How sad to see them go, as it was such a fun and funky place to visit. Everyone there, workers and shoppers were fun. They do plan to have an on line store; but I don't think that will work for me. I don't know fibers and yarns well by name, I need to see and touch them to determine what I want or what I like. How bout you?

I am pretty excited though about this purchase. Just before scheduling this post I rolled this awesome Ozark Opulent which is 65% Mohair and 35% Wool. The color is Salmon and there's about 50 yards. I've eyed this before but thought it a bit pricey so was happy to get it at 25% off; though I don't remember now what I paid for it, though I think it was $25.00? This is dyed and handspun wonderful fun. The opulent usually paired with this was gone. After looking alot and sharing brains with the awesome clerk I landed on Shale Loop-d-Loop made in Italy color 003 which is 73 yards of 35% mohair, 30%acrylic, 20% nylon, and 15% viscose. I got 3 skeins of this which were $10.00 a piece less the 25% discount. I'll have some left no doubt.

Sometimes you get really excited about a purchase...this is one of those sometimes! I have a pattern that says I should be able to make a wrap with this. Stay tuned. I've been itching to start this; but have been trying to finish a scarf for a charity first.

Tattoo's

According to wikipedia, a tattoo is a marking made by inserting dark, indelible ink into the dermis layer of the skin to change the pigment for decorative or other reasons. Tattoos on humans are a type of decorative body modification, while tatoo's on animals are most commonly used for identification or branding.

Wikipedia also states Henna or Hina is a flowering plant used since antiquity to dye skin, hair, fingernails, leather and wool. The name is also used for dye preparations derived from the plant, and for the art of temporary tattooing based on those dyes. Additionally, the name is misused for other skin and hair dyes such as black henna or neutral henna, which do not derive from the plant.

I'm not a lover of tat's. I don't think most are pretty or add to one's appearance. Real ones make me think unpleasant things in history where people were branded. But, while at The Arts Festival, I learned a bit about Henna Tattoo's. They are temporary gone in about 10 days. What we see here in the picture is crusty; but that goes away...you can brush it off and the color underneath is a brownish red. It's not bright or all that visible but darkens or becomes more noticeable with sunlight.

I was impressed watching the lady free hand this drawing, and others on her clientele. I've mentioned before I can't even draw a decent stick person, so always am in awe of someone who can actually draw something that looks like something.

For those who like tattoo's this is considered wearing art. For those who think they might like to have a tattoo; why not try a temporary Henna type before you consider something permanent.

Doing a google search I found out Muslims and Jewish faiths believe this is defacing God's Temple and therefore it is against their religious beliefs to have a tattoo.

I think the thing that fascinates me most about the large number of people who sport tat's is so many folks are afraid of needles, yet the willingly pay someone to stick them.

Would be interested in your thoughts, please leave a comment.

Sandy's Summer Salad

This is good eating if I do say so myself...and I do. Spinach, red and yellow peppers sliced, thick sliced mushrooms, red onion, handfull of sliced sun-dried tomatoes, 1 can Mandarine Oranges, 1 grilled chicken breast sliced, fresh ground pepper, hand full rice noddles. This would probably be good with a sweet sour type dressing; but hubby's not a fan so we used a regular Garlic Expressions. You can't go wrong with that dressing on almost anything anyway. I like avocado in my salads, but again hubby's not a fan so I had one sliced on the side. It was super ripe and good; but didn't slice that well because it was so soft. Complete your meal with seasoned olive oil to dip your hot bread in. Plain bread works best so you don't have anything flavors fighting each other.

No meal is complete without a nice bottle of wine. We're drinking a light red wine we shipped from The Callaway Winery in Temecula Valley in California called Fratello. It's one of their special selections we tasted while we were there and really enjoyed it.

How many is too many?

How many projects is too many projects? I've gone back and forth in my knitting and crocheting organization. Working on multiple projects, a different project each day...working on only one at a time, trying to finish one before starting another....working on big projects at home and taking smaller projects with me for breaks at work or car rides etc.

Add to that the difficulty of balancing charity knitting and crocheting, with things for friends and families....and or once in a blue moon something for self. It's a process, one I see lots of knitting and crocheting Bloggers discussing. Towards the end of last year I decided I would finish all my WIP (works in progress) before starting new ones. That plan went by the way side. Why? I'd go shopping because a friend wanted to, or because someone was having a good sale and every-time I did that yarn would find it's way into my hand, into my house. It would call out to me....I'm here....I'm here, please come see and play with me.

Sooooooooooo, I would start something new. Then I thought perhaps I should have exactly 7 projects going, so each day of the week I would work on Project Monday, Tuesday etc. I thought about that, but didn't do it.

Soooo, now I need to count how many projects I have going:

1. I have Fun and Funky Scarf (knitting) Gift
2. I have 2 balls recently rolled of fabulous Mango Moon (will be knitting) Me
3. I have corner to corner ghan for homeless (knitting) Charity
4. I have granny squares for homeless (crocheting) Charity
5. I have Candy Corn Ghan for Victory Camp (crocheting) Charity
6. I have Opal's Ghan (crocheting) Friend Request
7. I have Bright and Lofty Orange Scarf homeless or passion of the heart (knitting) Charity this is the item pictured here.

I think that's right. So, as it turns out I do have 7 projects after all. Does 2 being balls rolled count as a project? Does the purple green unidentifed specialty fiber not mentioned above but in my mind for a special someone count? I worked on #1 yesterday; I could perhaps finish it today? (though this is a scheduled post so by the time you read this it's no longer today...lol). So, you see my quandary.

Back to my questions how many is too many?

Crochet and Knitting Books

I'm pretty excited to have found these 2 books at Half Priced Books, plus that particular day there was an additional 30% off. I got a Christmas present while there too, but.......shhhhhhhhhh can't show that.

The Readers Digest looks to be a good how to type book with great details and pictures about how to make certain stitches and I really need that type of help. The 2nd book, Filet Crochet has some darling patterns that would make some nice afghan's or squares for afghans. I'll be using yarn though and not thread. I highly recommend both books and suggest you call your local Half Price Book Store to see if they have them. I already removed price sticker for the knitting book and sorry to say, don't remember what I paid for it; but thought it was a good buy at the time.

Anyone have these books? Funny, I learned to crochet first and have lots of separate pamphlet type patterns like from Leasure Arts, but lately have been more into books with knitting how to's. What's your routine? I have more patterns than I could ever make, and often look at them for ideas; but with crocheting have often not really followed the pattern. Much the way I cook....hum..........I'm seeing a pattern here of not using the patterns. lol

How Green Can it Get?

Seriously, how green can it get? We've had sooooooooo much rain and cool nights I can't remember a spring or early summer when things have been sooooooooooo green. This is my backyard which is constantly in need of mowing due to the rain and the cool nights. Click on picture to enlarge so you can see the beautiful yellow Stella De Oro's. Normally the fire pit isn't in the yard; but behind the shed; but you can see the mound or what's left of the mound the tree people have left. Yes, I'm still hearing chain saws. Think this might be day 10! Up and down the entire neighborhood trees are being trimmed and cut down because they interfere with the electrical wires. It's a relief really, we've had so many power surges and little electrical outages this should help........but the noise is getting to be a bit much.

Fun and Funky

This is FUN, and funky to my way of thinking. Purchased this yarn some time back for a gift; but was delayed in getting it done. Rolling this from the hank to the ball to use was a job and a half. I spent about 4 hours working on it; then took it with me this past weekend where Julie got it done. She likes the puzzle and likes playing with all the fibers. I've counted 8 different fibers mixed here, and they do catch on themselves both when rolling into a ball and while knitting.

The suggestion from my LYS when I purchased this was to use to size 13 and knit straight. They also suggest lengthwise not width wise in order to see the colors and textures develop. I used most of their suggestion in that I am knitting lengthwise and one of my needles is a 13. I chose a 6 for my 2nd needle feeling it would be way to open, prone to pulls --stretching using only 13's. I think the 6 on one side helps to give it a bit more body? As a result is it going to be more narrow, or am I stretching the yarn where it will end up wider? These things always confuse me a bit. Bigger needles make bigger stitches, but also use more yarn. Anyway, I LOVE the fun in seeing how this changes as I continue to work on it.

Rolled and Ready and Beaded!

Two fun new hanks of yarn with beads. This is called Mango Moon Chakra. These hanks are only 75 yards, little pricey to buy lots at $25.00 each..........but looky looky. I love them, and the colors are divine in my opinion. Got these last wk-end in Port Clinton at a fabulous yarn shop I highly recommend called "Just For Ewe". I wasn't going to do anything with them until I finished a few projects............wasn't is the key word here.
The orange here doesn't show up as well as it does in the first photo. Must have been my lighting. Anyway, couldn't stand it; so got the 2 hanks now rolled; which means their ready.........right? lol How many projects should one have going at the same time? Is there a limit? I think NOT!

Now I mentioned the price being a bit pricey at $25.00 for only 75 yards/69m...but, this is hand spun in Indonesia and according to the label provides safe shelter, health care and education to families in Nepal and Indonesia. I need to check into the cause I bit more, but wanted to pass that along to you. Things like that make a big difference to me on how I spend my money. AND Christi at the shop was wearing a green-purple version of this yarn in a skinny necktie of sorts that really only needs 1 hank.............so. Stay tuned for when this stash turns into a WIP (work in progress for my non knitters and crocheters) and a FO (finsihed object).

The label goes onto say: 30% recycled viscose, 66% cotton, 3% spandex, 1% beads/stones. Love that part of it is recycled!

Do You Remember?

Don't be afraid to show your age here. Do you remember this?

As with all pictures, you can click to enlarge. If you're really younger you might not even know what this is a picture of. But...if you're as old as dirt like me; or if you've lived in small town this might bring back a fond memory. This is an active post office, with the old style brass mail boxes in the small town of Urbana Ohio. I recently had business there related to the needs of my 90 year old Aunt and seeing this brought a smile to my face so thought I'd share my smile with you in hopes it did the same for you.
Look at the beautiful ceiling with the molding. Amazing what one can enjoy while waiting in line at the post office. I often have my camera in my purse and was glad this day was one of those occasions. I've always enjoyed older buildings, they have so much more character to me then new buildings. This is art, you really don't see this in new buildings that are thrown up over night. I asked the postal worker how old the building was and if memory serves me right she said it was built in the 20's.

Now this is a ride! Look at this beauty. I've whited out the license plate but really wanted to share this with you. When Daddy and I got out of the car at the nursing home/rehab center there in Urbana we both said WOW...look at that. Now I'm not really a car buff but this was in mint condition or at least it looked like it to me inside and out. In small towns, people apparently leave their car windows open and doors unlocked! I'm guessing this is a 1957; though from reviewing the years...I'm not positive. Regardless of the year I hope you enjoy it. Anyone besides me remember riding in these beauties...or better yet remember snuggling in one of these? Come on now, be honest!

Car Repairs Make Women Shutter

Who can get along without a car? Not many people. But, when something goes wrong they are a royal pain. The car world is no longer a "Mans" world. You take the car in for repair and often because you're a woman, they tell you everything under the sun needs repaired. I know we've all been there and hate it. Do you know what they're talking about when they banter around words like water pump, air filter, or head gasket? I don't!

I'm not one for kicking the tires, or spending extra money or fancy wheels. I just want a car to get in and drive and get where I'm going safely. When I pass a Hondo, Acura, Chevy or Toyota Corolla on the freeway; I don't know one from another; nor do I care.

Finally, a repair service women can trust. Repairpal gives us the ability to manage repairs on line, to ask questions, to check car reviews, to get FREE estimates of repairs so when we need to take the car in; we can feel confident. You might be traveling for business or on vacation with the family when your car needs attention, no matter you can search for Chicago Auto Repair, Miami, San Francisco or a host of other cities to find a trusted mechanic for your needs. Repairpal has recently teamed up with Aol and AARP. Book mark the site, so when you're in need help is just a click away.

Tornado's and Chain Saw's Oh My

This photo is part II of the tree that fell on our house a week or so ago. Hubby here taking a wee break after cutting down the 2nd half of the tree that fell. (if you missed it it's in the previous post Here).

The following day the electric company started on trees all around us so we've heard lots of chain saw lately. In fact as we speak, I'm hearing about 3 of them. This is the 4th day they've worked on one large tree in the corner of our neighbors lots, which is more in our yard then there's. Doesn't look like they'll get it done even today. sigh

Over the weekend my SIL's and I spent some girl time at Lake Erie. We had a wonderful time consuming Pinot Grigio, laughing, and eating.....Then the Tornado's in Northern Ohio put a damper on our activities. Sadly, there were 7 deaths in the Tornado's around us. Thankfully, we did ok. My condolences for those who's families were torn apart from the loss of property and loved ones. Keep them in your hearts.

I've started a new scarf, in an effort to teach Julie how to knit; and have tried to photograph it for you all.........but, my camera doesn't seem to realize I have good batteries. I'm charging them again with fingers crossed that something isn't wrong with my camera. Most of you know, it's not very old.

TREES, storms, and what's keeping from blogging!

Step 1 of many. Working in the yard, weeding when I heard a crack ....I was standing right beside this tree; well about 3 feet from it. Dropped what I had in hand and ran the opposite direction. Yes...this old broad can still run; though in truth faster then I knew. lol
A 5 minute strong wind and pouf the tree was down on top of the house. Called hubby pronto. He arrived from work and we began pulling, and sawing, our way to the house to check for damage. We truly were lucky. Thank You, only the gutter appeared to be damaged. The next night we began cutting all this up, rented chain saw and trailer and also cut down the 2nd half of the tree which you see on the left at a angle. We didn't want it to fall and possibly hurt the cute little guy next door when he was swinging or something. So 3 days later, 4 trips to the dump later. This mess was cleaned up.

Then, the 2nd storm hit and we lost a major limb in the front yard. A even bigger tree slated by the electric company for removal started the next day of messes. The crew came and began the work. Pulled large limbs from our back yard through to the front ....I didn't even bother to take a picture of the mess I was so disgusted. Where things hit in the back yard we have holes, deep ones. They weren't careful, and left lots of stuff piled on top of our landscaping. Some items are totally flattened. They didn't even clean up after their day of work. We expected them back the next day to finish the job, as the tree still isn't totally down. They didn't show. Meanwhile day 2 and our grass is now all matted. The important thing here is this is NOT our tree they're working on; but our neighbors across the back. This is the same tree we spent 2 days last year working on when a big junk fell in our yard because the electric company wouldn't do anything at our say so...not our tree. The neighbors informed us it was our problem since it was in our yard...even though it's their responsibility to take care of their trees. Two large work trucks have our street blocked, hubby can't even use our drive. The neighbors who's tree this is have no mess, they have a large circle drive where the equipment could have been pulled up pretty close to the tree, saving them time and energy. Go figure.

So, the next night hubby and I moved all the junk we could lift from our yard and put it by the tree in the neighbors yard. Hubby called, and called, and called. FINALLY, got someone to answer so he could register a complaint. We were told they would be here today. Writing this now at 3, and they've just shown up. However, the equipment is still on my street...and not on the neighbors street which means they'll still be tromping through my yard. Why, I really don't know. Thought after we called maybe it would change?

Spent another day in Urbana checking on my aunt with my Dad, and managed to get some cleaning and laundry done today. Between that and my work schedule....I've not been here as much. Knowing my time is becoming more limited I deleted the EntreCard widget from this blog. Sorry folks for the ads that were canceled, hope some of you will continue to visit as I will still visiting you all from my Travel blog dropping etc.

Have worked a bit re-designing my SIL's blog. Please take a look. I'm pretty happy with her Animal Talk Blog but think more work is needed on her Ignite to Write. Though it's coming along.

I hope things calm down soon so I can get back to regular blogging. It's Friday, definitely TGIF for me. Hope you all have a good wk-end lined up.

Maybe hubby and I are becoming to good at this tree business?

Ouija, Memories

I've posted stories and memories in alphabetical order that have helped me share Mom with you. As many of you know she died last April and it's been cathartic for me to remember the good times. Many of my memories have spurred memories for you all too, which has been fun.

So this Ouija Board is my O memory. Mom and I played with this for hours and always had great fun with it. It's one of the few items I kept from my childhood, and you can tell by the box...it's been around a good number of years. It was common place for she and I to sit on the edge of my bed after we had done the dinner dishes and ask Ouija questions. It was our "Girl Time." We asked it important questions, like who was gonna ask me to the next dance. lol Sometimes it would just start talking to us. After we'd ask it questions, we say Ouija do you have any information for us; and it often did. As I recall my Ouija was a male Ouija, it told us that. My brothers and Dad would come in the room and laugh at us, say we were pushing it....but we weren't. They'd try it but it typically didn't work very well with them.

It did predict things pretty accurately for me. Once in fact, it spelled out a name of someone I didn't know. A few days later, I met this boy walking down the hall at school. A short week later he asked me out; and we dated for awhile. Sometimes in the summer months just before school was due to start we'd ask it what my school schedule was going to be. What teachers I was going to have. We even wrote them down so we could compare when school did start. So, the force was strong with Mom and I.

A good friend loved it too, and it wasn't uncommon for the 3 of us to play with it. She soon got one of her own and we had neighborhood parties. We'd get both Ouija boards going at the same time with all the neighborhood kids around. This was when we were all in High School, as I recall. Good times were had by all. Her Ouija was a girl Ouija. I wonder if she still has hers?

I always thought of it as a toy; until a few years ago I read some people are actually afraid of them, and won't let their kids play with them, or have them in their houses. I know one person goes to garage sales for the purpose of finding the old original ones to destroy them. Don't get that. Don't want one, fine don't buy one or use one. Why destroy someone elses fun and in my case very special memories of Mom.

Too bad I didn't get this out of the basement all these years, we could have had some more fun.

My alphabetical Memories:

Other Memories:
A=Advice, Afghan, Apples
B=Bread, and Bernie
C=Camping, Creativity and Courage
D=Dancing and Delaware Dam
E=Energy and Etiquette
F=Friday
G=Gown (wedding gown), grape pop
H=Hammocks and Holidays
I=Ice Skating and Isaly's
J=JACKS, Mother and Daughter, childhood games
K=Kindess, something we're taught
L=Love Story
M=Memories, One Year Ago Today (Making Do and Mohican)
N=Noodles Over Niagara

W=Wow Mom, The Wisteria

This is For The Birds

This weather is for the Birds! Dark, Gray, Wet, Rainy AGAIN. And we're expecting more of it tomorrow and the day after that; and the day after that. Then it might clear for part of the next day before the rains move in again for weekend!

My yard is sooooooooooooooo green it looks like I painted it with a really big bright green paint brush. Now that's pretty; but my flowers are soggy. And I need some decent weather to plant some annuals in the pots for the porch and the deck.

Rain makes me sleepy, tired, and makes me think of how miserable the poor homeless folks are without a dry place to sleep. And so, I need to work more on my ghan for the homeless (see notes regarding that in my previous post); and got my fingers and toes crossed for a sunny day to help dry us all out. Though I do have to un-cross my fingers to knit and or crochet.

Mother's Day

Pretty, colorful, edible, healthy even. This pretty fruit basket/boutique was sent by my daughter. Isn't it darling? And it tasted soooooooooooo good. Strawberries, pineapple, grapes, 2 types of melon and chocolate-peanut butter covered Granny Smith Apples.

We spent the day on planes flying from Ontario, CA to Midway in Chicago and back home to Columbus. I find traveling tiring. Partially because you don't really eat normally, partially because of the chaos that seems to exist in airports and let's not forget all the various time zones. So during one of times on the ground she did call to wish me Happy Mother's Day and then had this fabulous fruit delivered to me on Monday. Hubby and I enjoyed it with every meal for a couple of days. What a great gift!

Thought of my own Mother, this now being the 2nd Mother's Day without her. My next post will be about her, another of my memories; as soon as I can get the picture needed.

I took yarn, knitting needles and crochet hook with me naturally. I did knit each day and on the flights coming and going; but took more then I needed; which is typical. lol When it's 80-90 and one can spend time at the pool enjoying the sun the yarn takes 2nd fiddle. We've not seen much of sun in these parts you know with all the snow in the winter and the still cool damp weather here.

I am though at what I consider the half-way point in my first knitted ghan. Nothing fancy, a simple corner to corner using every color in the rainbow and then some. Using up odds and ends, left-overs and am having fun seeing how the colors are coming together. I'm now at the point where I'll start decreasing; thus what I believe to be the half-way point. Don't normally make a square ghan so no doubt will need to do something about an edge; so perhaps a bit less than the half-way point. This ghan is slated for Pine Street, which is a homeless benefit you can read all about on my Bridge and Beyond.
Picture looks a bit blurry, perhaps I moved a bit. When I get further along I'll try it again to share.

Hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day.

Plan for the day:
yard work
laundry
make blog rounds for all on my blog log...........got all 23 done!
make and schedule a few blog posts
do my EC's drops
check my work schedule

How Dare You!

I was staring at this quite a while waiting for the lite to turn green, then I remembered I had my camera in my purse; as I often due. Snap! Did it quick, so it's a bit blurred. Cropped out the license plate. I found I thought lots and lots about these as I was driving around that day and wondered why someone would plaster this on their car. It's not something I've seen before. We also know this individual supports or thinks you should support your local music. And what exactly does support your local music mean? The church choir, a band at the bar?

I found it a bit ironic, they didn't want you to presume something as important as what their religion is; but they feel the need to tell you what to support. So, the question is what does it make you think of? Do you think they're an atheist, or Muslim or perhaps they follow witchcraft. My mind races, so many possibilities. What do you think? Do you notice bumper stickers?

In general, I don't like bumper stickers.

Making Green $$ and being Green

You're looking at $21.00. Ok, I'm sure of you are scratching you head and saying, poor thing she's really gone over this time. There are 7 ink cartridges in this zip lock bag from computer printers. I had them tucked away and kept forgetting to take with me when I'd shop at Staples. So, they've added up. You receive $3.00 everytime you recycle a print cartridge at Staples. When I took these in, they did something on their computer and when I signed in a couple of weeks later I saw I had a $21.00 credit. I've printed my receipt and am ready to do some shopping.

So, by being Green and recycling my cartridges I'm making Green...yep real green $$ money. Thought I'd pass along yet another tip to help the environment for your children and your grandchildren.

Is Mother Nature Confused? Mixed up?

This is a yellow tulip in my backyard. How, or why the red appeared is beyond me. This is not a new tulip, one in fact I've had since my daughter was in grade school. It's always been all yellow. My daughter was in grade school 15+ years ago. There was no red on it last year. Click on picture to see it larger, do you see a tiny bit of red tipped on the edge?

As of today, I finally have a way to decrease picture size. On the recommendations of a friend who's techy, I downloaded a free software program called Irfanview. I don't really know how to do much yet. But, I was able to change the size of this photo from 3000 x 4000 pixels to 1500 x 2000 pixels, then when I loaded it here, used small. Believe it loads faster, and should use less storage?

I have a free trail of Adobe Photoshop Elements, but I find it very difficult to use, and only once was I able to change the size. After I did it, I couldn't tell you how I finally did it. So, when the free period is gone I will not be buying it, I will be uninstalling it.

So, what do you think is Mother Nature Mixed Up? What happened to the tulip?

Before and After

I've shared a few of pasta dishes with you before, but thought it was time for another. As the pasta (bow tie) is cooking, slice red and yellow peppers (slice not chopped for nice larger pieces), sliced fresh mushrooms, red onion. Sprinkle with olive oil, add pine nuts, and 4 or 5 sliced sun dried tomatoes. The veggie mix will be cooked in the microwave for about 4 minutes covered. Wait til your pasta's almost finished so the veggies aren't mushy. Quickly brown Andouille Sausage (don't need but about a cup). You'll add the sausage to veggie mix so don't over cook when browning it.
When pasta is drained (I like al dente) return to pot, throw in 3 -4 handfuls of fresh baby spinach, top with veggie mix mixture, mix til it seems coated, the spinach will be lightly wilted but not mushy. Serve over pasta, sprinkle freshly ground Romano cheese.

Quick, Easy, Pretty, and pretty darn good if I do say so myself. And I do. lol

All you need to top of the meal is a nice glass of wine and good loaf of bread. Not garlic bread, the sausage is very full of flavor so the garlic bread would fight it.

I call this Andouille Pasta Vegetable Medly

Messy Yarn Organization, and Packing?

I always go through this when I'm trying to decide what yarn to take. You want things that don't take up much room when you fly so no bulky yarns. Sometimes I think it's wiser to have nothing but 1 or 2 skeins of real basic yarn and do scarfs or squares; but then you've got more bulk on the return. Sometimes I think baby items are good, lighter weight yarn; but that also means I need to pay attention to patterns. On the plane sometimes counting stitches and rows can be an issue.

Sooooooo, this mess on the floor is my attempt to organize and decide what to take, what to work on; what's the right size and amount of yarn. What size needles, should I only take crocheting or both knitting and crocheting etc.

I have a basket right by the chair, which tends to be where I put things I'm working on, left over yarn from items I've recently finished etc. And after a period of time, it's a mess and I no longer remember what's in there. So, I dump it and re-organize. Take some I'm not really using to the basement shelves, bring other stuff up etc. It's always such a process. Seems I always do this before I pack.

Sooo, right now I've put a bag of purple, white, and lavendar light weight yarn in a zip lock bag with a crochet baby sweater pattern and the right size crochet hook. This is obviously a girl combination of colors. So, to of set that, I also found a camo type dark yarn mix where I can use the same pattern for a little boy. That's probably going in my carry on bag. Then something to knit in my suitcase. That way I have variety. Or I'll flip it around. But, at least I've picked out the yarn for part of it.

Silly Squirrels, Must be NUTS

Several weeks ago we spotted this one, lone red tulip in the yard. Not in the flower bed you can see just to edge of the picture. This flower bed is NOT where I've planted tulips at all as a matter of fact. What is a fact is that all the red tulips are on the side of the house, this picture is in the back yard. Now birds can sometimes drop seeds and things can sprout in odd places; but tulips don't have seeds. In fact their bulbs are pretty good size, AND their planted on the surface but about 6 inches below the soil. So.........me thinks some silly squirrel is nuts. Rather he or she was planting nuts, dug up my bulb thinking it was a nut and never remember to come back to it for dinner along the way. Or perhaps he or she did come back for a snack and realized....hum, that's not a nut!
Here's a close up my lone tulip. Intended to dig it up to transplant it back where it belongs after it bloomed; but it's been raining alot and so, I've not gotten that done.

We enjoyed it's beauty just the same.

Miracle of Birth, and Laying an Egg

The other day I traveled to Urbana to help Daddy take his 90 year old Sister to the doctors. This Duck has made herself a comfy nest right beside the door to the doctor's office. I mean right beside it. See the drain, the door is to the left about 8 inches. There were tons of people in and out in and out. We were there about an hour and half and the poor Duck surely had lots of interruptions. Someone else there waiting got her the bowl of water and some stale bread. What a busy place to make a nest to lay eggs.
Apparently, she had already layed the eggs. See the white there in the very front? One of the nurses came out to check on her and said there was a pond back behind the office; but there were often cats there. She figured the Duck felt safer close to the building with all the people.
She didn't squawk as we all watched her. I'm not as close as this looks (wanted to give her some space); used my Zoom and then cropped the photo here which makes it appear I'm closer.

Birth is such a miracle. Wonder if the doctors office staff has little ducklings there yet to watch over?

WOW MOM, The Wisteria

Took these photo's about a week ago at my folks house. Mom LOVED these Wisteria plants. Year after year it was a source of concern and pride for both my folks. Mom would worry so about them being ruined. Our weather here in central Ohio is soooooooooo unpredicatable. The Wisteria would show blooms in early spring then we'd get a frost and they'd be gone and she'd be extremely upset. She spotted these plants I think on a trip to Williamsburg many years ago and then they decided to plant some.

There have been years when through their worry, Dad would hook up umbrella's around them to protect them from the frost. I even remember one year she talked so much about how many blossoms they had and how anxious she was for them to bloom; he hooked up a light bulb to provide heat for these treasured plants of hers.

And this year, I feel Mom's presence there. The Wisteria have never been prettier, or more full of blooms. They smell heavenly and are loaded with lots of honey bees pollinating. Pollinate away bees, Mom would certainly approve. On the anniversary of her death, I enjoyed some quiet time with Daddy, a glass of wine and Mom's beautiful Wisteria.

**I'm out of order alphabetically here with my W memory of Mom, but it seemed appropriate.
Other Memories:
A=Advice, Afghan, Apples
B=Bread, and Bernie
C=Camping, Creativity and Courage
D=Dancing and Delaware Dam
E=Energy and Etiquette
F=Friday
G=Gown (wedding gown), grape pop
H=Hammocks and Holidays
I=Ice Skating and Isaly's
J=JACKS, Mother and Daughter, childhood games
K=Kindess, something we're taught
L=Love Story
M=Memories, One Year Ago Today (Making Do and Mohican)
N=Noodles Over Niagara

Clicking glasses together, TOAST!

One for me and one for you! See, I really am handing it across the table to her. Take a look and you'll see, one for me and one for Jan, my SIL.
We had lunch outdoors, little cool; but we were determined to catch a ray of sun if it showed itself we didn't want to miss the opportunity. This was a couple of weeks ago after we'd gone for a massage. You can tell it's still plenty cool; she's wearing a jacket, and I've got on a vest.

Lunch is always an adventure for us. We don't get to do this often; and it seems funny things always happen when we do; so it truly is an adventure.

I usually have my camera in my purse, and it's a good thing..........cause look what we saw. Grabbed my camera quickly....and HERE YOU GO. (psssssssss click on here you go).

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Noodles over Niagara

Long long ago, in a planet far far away. Chuckie, Mikie, Mommie, and Sandy. Without the color you may not see what we're all sitting in front of; it's the flowered clock at Niagara Falls. See me wearing pedal pushers....that's right Capri's are not a new style; merely an old one given a new name. Niagara Falls was the first vacation I think we took as a family. We were there I think about 4 days or less. I remember Mom with a fold up iron ironing our clothes on the end of the bed in the hotel room. I remember her talking about how much prettier The Canadian side of the falls was. I remember having fun. Not sure how old we are in this photo.

Noodles. I remember making homemade noodles for the first time with Mom. I remember watching her make noodles before I was old enough to help her. She rolled them out with a roller, stretching and stretching the dough. Then she rolled it up like you would a pinwheel, and cut them. Then to uncurl them she'd lift them off the table over and over until she got the whole pile down, spreading them out so they would dry a bit there on the kitchen table. She made beef and noodles over mashed potatoes. Yum.

I make homemade noodles too, though I use a pasta roller. Though a different method, I always think of you Mom. Thanks for the memories!

I've kept the memory alive by teaching my daughter to make pasta, and a few years ago enlisted the help of my nephews's daughter, my grand niece. And so it continues. Mom's legacy.

Previous Memories:
A=Advice, Afghan, Apples
B=Bread, and Bernie
C=Camping, Creativity and Courage
D=Dancing and Delaware Dam
E=Energy and Etiquette
F=Friday
G=Gown (wedding gown), grape pop
H=Hammocks and Holidays
I=Ice Skating and Isaly's
J=JACKS, Mother and Daughter, childhood games
K=Kindess, something we're taught
L=Love Story
M=Memories, One Year ago Today (Making Do and Mohican)

New Printer Scanner, YIPPEE

I did it! My first install, almost by myself. Well, couldn't lift it out of the box, so hubby did that for me. Then I did ask a question about a specific plug. But, after that, I got it installed. Talking to myself the whole time. lol

I think it's more then I need really; but choices are bottom line printers that only print or the combinations...all in ones. My HP all in one that preceded this I loved. Easy to use, smaller than this, printed, copied, scanned. But, then it quit printing and I couldn't get it fixed. So, got a new one, this one has what appears to be high level fax. Which is nice, but I don't have a land line so that's pointless. It's the HP officejet 6500. From the info, the printing is suppose to be more cost effect then the model below and above this. This has the energy star, so it's suppose to be more energy efficient, more green. Cartridges are cheaper also then the other 2 models I looked at. So, it made no sense to buy one that cost $20.00 less but spend more everytime on ink cartridges. So far, it's working quite well.

Hubby can print from his office also which has been handy for him several times of late.

Ok.......solved one problem, the printing, still not happy with my photo software issue though. The one that came with the computer is very minimal, the one that came with my previous all in one was Fabulous. HP doesn't support it anymore. The software they say replaces it, I downloaded....no where near as nice. I still can't edit photo's via pixel size the way I need to for several webpages which annoys me. It also makes the pictures here larger, and therefore takes my space allotment quicker. Not yet a problem, blog wise, as i still have space; but it will be eventually.

Spring has Sprung, FINALLY!!

Nothing prettier than a tree blossoming in early Spring. I love all the pinks, whites, and purples. Better yet, I love the smell in the early evening. Truly heavenly. Spring has finally come to central and southern Ohio. Spotted this breathtaking tree on a recent jaunt to Chillicothe and had to get a quick photo. Hubby was stopped at a stop sign and I quick took this out the car window. Hope you're all having a pretty spring. We still have cold temps, particularly at night and frost; but oh the colors and smells. Take it all in folks, it won't last.

Have finished 2 scarves for The Bridge, and am working on a blanket for The Midwest OddBalls Groups. The name of the blanket is Besty Ross. Cute name, and I bet you can guess what the colors are. I'm the 2nd person on this blanket and will get a photo when my piece is done.

One Year Ago Today, Memories of Mom

This sampler is one I made many many years ago, and this picture isn't the best; but it's saying seems so very appropriate. Children are the precious rewards of a loving life.

I made this sampler long ago for my SIL for a Christmas Gift. The 3 names listed are my nephews, but it could say Chuck, Sandy, and Mike. Plug in the names of my 2 brothers and my own name and this is a loving memory of My Mother, who left us one year ago today. She had a loving life, she gave love to us all, she gave us precious memories and we miss her dearly. Though she is no longer with us in the flesh she is with us each and everyday in everything we do. We carry her in our hearts.

Off and on throughout this past year I shared memories with you in alphabetical order. This is memory M

Making Do and Mohican. Making do, Mom was the best ever at that. Through her abilities to make do-- our lives were far richer than they might have been otherwise. She taught us through her actions that you can make do and get by....an important life lesson. One that I think isn't taught nowdays as much as it should be. Making do, stretching the household budget with how you prepare food to not have waste, to utilizing hand me downs, to remaking clothing or repairing clothing. To taking fun filled inexpensive vacations with the focus always being on being together and loving each other.

Mohican, well there's a State Park here in Ohio called Mohican State Park. It's primarily known for canoeing, though fishing, hiking, and camping also exist. I still smile when I think of a canoeing venture there. Mom and Dad in one canoe, hubby and I in another. They got pretty wet, and almost tip at one point. Lots of laughs for sure. Another time, my oldest nephew wanted out of the canoe with his parents (who were shall we say not canoe savvy), and got in with Mom and Dad....he felt saver with them. Good times, good memories.

We love you Mom.

Alphabetical Memories

A=Advice, Afghan, Apples
B=Bread, and Bernie
C=Camping, Creativity and Courage
D=Dancing and Delaware Dam
E=Energy and Etiquette
F=Friday
G=Gown (wedding gown), grape pop
H=Hammocks and Holidays
I=Ice Skating and Isaly's
J=JACKS, Mother and Daughter, childhood games
K=Kindess, something we're taught
L=Love Story

Larceny and Old Lace

A while back hubby and I traveled to St. Louis to visit with our daughter and to see a play she was directing. This was the 2nd one she directed this year. Many of you will remember from your high school days a popular and very funny play, Arsenic and Old Lace, this is a newer version of that play and equally as funny called Larceny and Old Lace. Set and costuming is less elaborate then Arsenic version and therefore better suited to smaller schools and or smaller budgets.

We really enjoyed it as did the others in the audience. She's currently working with a cameo cast of 5 doing Shakespeare to close out the year. She loves doing this; but the hours she puts in are difficult. This is not her full time job, teaching 1st and 2nd grade in a difficult inner city school is. So, on top of teaching through the day, needing to grade papers and write lesson plans for 2 different grades, she drives 50 miles to get to this high school for more work. She's very very busy, and it makes me tired just thinking about all she does.

It was a good visit, we had fun, and are looking forward to our next venture with her there in St. Louis, though I don't know when that will be.

She loves it there in St. Louis, and everytime we travel there, we can see why; as we enjoy it
too.

each of the links will take you to a different post about St. Louis, enjoy along with us.

Rehab Center Picture Show

Hooked to the computer by way of USB port I'm loading pictures into a digital frame. Mentioned I scanned lots of old photo's the other day for my 90 year old Aunt who's at a rehab center in Urbana. Or maybe I mentioned it on my other blog? Anyway. The answer to how you make a Picture Show at a Rehab Center is to buy a digital picture frame. I added lots of pictures and still have room to add more. This particular frame holds 2,000 photo's. I'm no where near that. You can load the pictures into the frame without using a computer by hooking your camera directly to the frame with a USB cable, or by taking a memory card and sliding it into the frame. I elected to use my computer after scanning and editing the pictures that were on my computer.
You can select one of 3 speeds and I literally took a picture as it was getting ready to flip to another picture to show you. That's actually my Dad many years ago when he was delivery mail in Chillicothe, Ohio. My Aunt really enjoyed that picture. We plugged in and got it started for her, so hope it gives her some enjoyment and helps to keep old memories alive. You can see there's a mat within the frame so the picture area is smaller than the actual size of the frame.

Working on it!

"Working on it!" My favorite TV show is NCIS, so if you too watch that show; you'll be familiar with the quote. I finished my 2nd black Homespun scarf for The Bridge and started this 3rd one. I'm using 2 strands and larger knitting needles for this scarf. I'm also using up some stash with the various colors. The blue was donated to me by Rae when her mother passed, the purple was given to me as a gift when I helped someone with their family genealogy, the tan was donated to me by a previous co-worker when her sister past; and pinkish-rust was given to me from another previous co-worker....her daughter tried to crochet and hated it and so passed along the yarn. I crocheted a baby blanket for this co-worker so she figured I'd put it to good use. The black Homespun (all 4 skeins) was given to me by my Darling Daughter. So....lots of folks are involved in the making of this particular scarf.

Also shows you how people can pull together in small ways to get something accomplished that's far bigger then each of us individually. All may seem small at the time, but people truly are incredible. People do care about each other, and that seems to be a good thing to think about on this special Easter Sunday.

They all gave to me, and I'm able to give to others....giving is to me what this day is about.

Don't be Afraid of the Dark

Don't be afraid of the dark, we weren't when we participated in Earth Hour; but it appeared ALL of my neighbors were. How disappointing. Spot lights on when they let their dogs out, dogs don't need spot lights to see. In fact they probably see better without a bright light blaring at them. And who wants to be light up with a spot light during a private moment? Not me. Anyway, back to the point. Earth Hour came and went. I was sad to see lights on in almost every room of every house around us. Lights on in and out of the house, far too many lights on for people to be in everyroom really in need of the light. Here in lies the problem. People are wasteful. I know people weren't in everyroom, I know how few people live in some of these houses and I know how many lights I saw on.

It took some doing; but we were 100% off the grid. Seriously, we went room to room and unplugged everything we could find. Hubby checked the meter and it still showed we were pulling some juice. We retrace our steps room to room and found the clock on the microwave was still on. It's apparently wired separately, as is the censor for the garage door. We pulled the circuit breaker to get those off, rechecked the meter and bingo! We were now completely off the grid. We were pulling no juice. We remained outside enjoying our wine by our fire pit long past the mere 60 minutes of the "official Earth Hour". I doubt we made up for all those around us; but we gave it our best effort. It was a learning situation for us, who knew some of those censors stayed on when you clicked the lights off at night at the switch? We didn't. So it was a good exercise for us; caused us to be more aware. Much like when I ware a pedometer to see how many steps I walk, it causes you to be more aware.

I spent some time yesterday at Staples learning about special breakers that can sense when something isn't in use and shut off electric to it. I plan to check further into this and will keep you posted what I learn.

Why should we all practice some of the lessons from Earth Hour? The above Tree came to mind. The World is Beautiful, we must protect it. The pretty tree is one such example. I'll close here with my favorite poem of all time.

TREES

I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed

Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree.

This poem was written by World War I Veteran Alfred Joyce Kilmer who died in France serving his country. He received a Purple Heart. Alfred was born in New Jersey and has a rest area there named for him; as well as schools, and a street or two. You may better know him as Joyce Kilmer; did you think Joyce was female? A common mistake.

So today I'm sharing with you my love of trees and nature through a favorite poem, and asking you to be gentle on this Earth. Take care of it.
REDUCE...REUSE...and RECYCLE

Important Family Time, Eating Dinner Together

Have continued cleaning up my desk area, trying to transfer files etc. from stacks of CD's and my older computer to this one. You know the constant effort to get organized. Making headway for sure; though a heavier than normal work scheduled has slowed things down again. errrrrrrr Work gets in the way, frustrating. lol Life hun?

Anyway in the process found these nice pictures of my new dining room when it was new. Guess I hadn't ever gotten around to editing and posting my pics before. I've never had a dining room set before and so was super thrilled when we selected this. Also, today's furniture is soooooooo big, it's not all that easy to find something that is physically the appropriate size as well as something that isn't over powering in it's height. With new houses being so modern and having large open spaces furniture design has followed suit. I like to actually sit in a chair with feet on the floor, not do an Edith Ann imitation. And our house is not big and open, it's what I call normal. Kitchen, Living Room, Dining Room, 3 bedrooms, and 1 bath.

Dark gold walls, wine in the style of an old still life is the border. I have nice hand painted dishes that have been in the family multiple generations that I can now have on display in the china cabinet. I do still want a picture or two on the walls, but haven't gotten that far. I don't know art, I know what I like when I see... and am remembering a dark picture of an elderly gentlemen sitting at a table in perhaps France or Italy sipping wine. The picture is one that makes you feel like you're in the vineyards. Anyone know what that picture is called? I'd love to have that.

I know in today's busy world it's not uncommon for families to eat on the run, to not sit down and eat together. That's too bad in my opinion. I think one of the most important times of any day is dinner time. It's a time without TV, a time without internet, a time without kids being plugged in or turned off. Or should be. A time for families to look at each other and actually converse. A time to ask about each other's day.