catching up...

I am finally almost done with the ascot scarf I have been knitting. It is pretty and soft, and very pink...which will hopefully delight the recipient-to-be, as her favorite color is pink. I have got to learn to pay more attention when I am knitting tho. I had to redo some rows several times, and it is a very easy pattern!!!! I am anxious to finish it, because I want to crochet some little angel ornaments...and my new issue (Jan/Feb 09) of Crochet Today! got here, and there are several projects in there that are just too cute!

I made the 'mistake' of going into JoAnn's on Saturday, so I could get a crochet hook in a size that I have misplaced somewhere...Mistake, because they had some yarn on sale that I couldn't resist!!! And their sewing notions were all 50% off, and since I have been using my sewing machine alot more lately, I finally bought a bunch of bobbins, and a bobbin box to keep them organized in...well...because they were on sale!! The first thing dear hubby said when I came out was 'that bag is too big for one little crochet hook...' (I am so blessed that my hubby is very understanding!)

Thanksgiving was good...a lot of work, but good. All of the kids were here, which was a miracle in itself. We had 13 people. I know its not a lot by some people's standards, but it makes our small place seem very crowded. But happy crowded. I didn't go through the empty nest syndrome thing like a lot of Moms do... but I really do enjoy having them all together.

Happy Monday... (uh-huh) :o)
Love,
Lissa

Happy Monday

Not too much going on right now...there's a light layer of white stuff on the ground, and baby, it's cold outside.

The weekend flew by way too fast. Our middle DS and his wife had a housewarming party Saturday afternoon. It was really great to be able to be with all the kids and also 2 DIL's and one SIL, and a DIL to be. When we got there, our three DS's were outside playing a little football with our grandson. Too cold for me. But they had a good time. Its nice to know they still haven't outgrown tackling each other in the cold. And even nicer to observe that male bonding from inside the warmth of the house.

DH and I had an scintillating time yesterday defrosting the freezer downstairs in the dungeon. We found that we have a lot more food down there than we knew about. LOL. I procrastinated for months about that chore... its probably my least favorite one...next to cleaning the refrigerator. Ugh.

Last night we watched a comedy dvd we had picked up, Tim Conway and Harvey Korman. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. It was great! I found a sketch of theirs, "The Dentist" at youtube.com.



What fun! I think it is hilarious to watch Harvey Korman trying to keep a straight face while Tim Conway does his part of the routine.

Classic ...gotta love it.

On a totally different note... last week was quite a week for my dear hubby. Since he was in high school, he knew he had a sister, from his Dad's previous marriage. All he knew was her first name, and her maiden name of course. But nothing else.

Last week, our son the web designer, called, and said someone contacted him via his website, and asked if he was related to a man in San Jose (the man in San Jose just happened to be my husband's father).

To shorten the story, this lady contacted DH and her Mom is DH's long-lost sister, and apparently has also been looking for him for years. So now they are in touch, have spent hours on the phone, and we are making plans to meet her and her family - possibly in the spring.

Such exciting happy news for hubby! He thought he would never find her, and now she has found him. I am so happy for him, and her. Family is so important!

Have a great Monday,
Lissa

"Dark Pursuit" review

You probably figured out from some of my previous posts that one of my favorite authors is Brandilyn Collins. She is a christian suspense writer, and writes what is called 'seat-belt suspense'. It really is! I have really enjoyed her books, and I have read all of them.
I was thrilled to be able to preview her newest book: "Dark Pursuit" !!! DH thought it was pretty funny to see my face when I opened up the package, and saw my copy.
I couldn't wait to sit down and start reading it!!!
The story is set in the San Francisco bay area...and I love that...that's where I grew up, and I am very familiar with many of the places in the book, although the town is fictional. (in a fiction book. LOL)
The story started, and without giving it away... the reader came to the 'logical' conclusion. As the story twists and weaves it way through each and every page, you are carried on a roller coaster ride of suspense...all the way to a surprise ending...one that you would not have guessed at all.
As Brandilyn says, and I quote...'fasten your seatbelt and don't forget to...breathe'.
This was an excellent book...not for the faint of heart. Great page turning suspense! Enjoy~~~~

Knitting Backwards

I've been knitting an ascot scarf for a gift, and it is straight garter stitch with a few YO's on the ends for a little lacy looking edge. Easy pattern, really... but the attention deficit disorder kicked in (I have to do 16 inches of garter stitch...not much challenge in that)... and I started to wonder if I could knit backwards, so it would be more interesting, because I was getting bored... and so I wouldn't have to keep turning my work because they are short rows. It can be done, I've found out...and I thought it was fun. You need to watch your tension though, as I found out it is pretty easy to knit too tightly when knitting backwards (for me, anyways).

I am not the only one that has thought of this ... there is a really nice tutorial posted on Knitty dot com that explains it quite well! After looking at the tutorial, I think what I am doing is 'purling back, backwards'. Or more simply put... "left handed knitting" .

Oh well, either way, it makes it a little more interesting for me...and Momma always said I do everything backwards.

Chocolate Chip Friendship Bread - Yum!

I made Chocolate Chip Friendship bread for our youngest DD last week, because she asked me to...I have not made it for quite a while, and she was hungry for some. Someone asked me if I would share the recipe, so here it is:
(I don't remember who I got the original recipe from. I have had it for a long time.)

Amish Friendship Bread

(Do NOT refrigerate or use a metal bowl or metal spoon)

***

Day 1: Receive starter – do nothing

Day 2: Stir with wooden spoon (do not use metal)

Day 3: -same-

Day 4: -same-

Day 5: Transfer to large covered container. Add 1 C milk & stir. Gradually add 1 C flour & stir.

Gradually add 1 C sugar & stir.

Day 6: Stir with wooden spoon

Day 7: -same-

Day 8: -same-

Day 9: -same-

Day 10: Add 1 C milk & stir. Gradually add 1 C flour & stir. Add 1 C sugar & stir. Take two - 1 Cup

starters out. Keep one, and give one away to a friend.

To the rest, add:

1 C. oil

1 tsp. vanilla

3 eggs

Stir. Gradually add 2 C. flour & stir. Add 1 C. sugar & 1 tsp. cinnamon and stir. Add 1 ½ tsp. baking powder, ½ tsp. baking soda, 1 small box vanilla or French vanilla instant pudding. Stir only until blended.

Add 1 C. chocolate chips and 1 C. chopped nuts (optional) (At this point, ovoid over stirring. It will make your bread ‘tough’. (ask me how I know this :o)))

Pour immediately into 2 well greased loaf pans. Bake immediately at 350º for 57 to 70 minutes on upper shelf in oven. When toothpick comes out clean, it is done.

Cool 6 minutes in, and then remove from pan. Cool on rack.

Serve with or without butter or margarine.

You can also substitute butterscotch chips or toffee crunch chips.

*** If you want to make your own starter, combine 1 cup milk with 1 cup flour, and 1 cup sugar. Then follow directions beginning with instructions for Day 1 of recipe.

ENJOY!!!

Our Little "Squirt" May 1997 - Oct 3, 2008

This is so hard to write. We had to have Squirt put to sleep on October 3rd. He was 11 years old and the sweetest little guy. He has had health problems for quite a few years, but with medication, etc. - he kept on going. He was completely blind, had diabetes, Cushing's disease and hypothyroidism...but he was happy, and loving, and doing well with the medications.

I was in California taking care of Mom, who had had surgery, and DH called me one night and he was very upset. He said Squirt had started having seizures. He took him to a small animal emergency hospital, and they said his blood glucose was so low that they could hardly get a reading. They put him on a dextrose IV and also valium. They had DH pick him up the next morning and take him to our regular vet. They monitored him and checked him over, and he kept having seizures.

The Vet told us that the seizures had caused too much neurological damage, and he was suffering. We couldn't let him suffer anymore. It sounds stupid, I know, but I called the vet office and asked their vet tech, Kim, if I could talk to Squirt, so I could say good bye - she held the phone up to his ear, and she said he calmed down when he heard my voice.

Our hearts are still broken. We will all miss him so much! The other doggies miss him too...they keep looking for him, especially Sassy.

Surely there must be a heaven for a precious little dog like that? I hope so. He blessed our lives with his.

...Grieve not,
nor speak of me with tears,
But laugh and talk of me
as if I were beside you...
I loved you so,
'twas Heaven here with you.
Isla Paschal Richardson

Kermit March 2007-September 10, 2008

DH and I have had an awful day! Our little Kermit (AKA Kermie, our little 'alien friend') had to be put to sleep today. We lost a very special and sweet little birdie. (I had posted about him a few times...this one was one of the posts).

Kermit had not been his usual perky, talkative self for several weeks. Dr. Sarah, our birdie doctor, had been trying to make him better. He had antibiotics, and we have been hand-feeding him for about three weeks. He had just been getting weaker, and not able to eat as much.

I took him to see Dr. Sarah yesterday, and she felt a mass in his abdomen, that wasn't there two weeks ago. She had me bring him back for x-rays today. He had a very large tumor on his liver, that was affecting his nervous system and compromising his lung capacity, and also his digestive system. It was not something that could be surgically corrected, and he probably would not have survived surgery, either. We made the decision to have him put to sleep, and not let him suffer any more.

We are both mourning the loss of our little feathered friend. We will miss him so much! He was such a character, and such a joy! Hard to imagine that we could get so attached to a little parrot...but we did. His life was just way too short.


He will be missed so much. Rest in peace, our sweet little birdie friend.

Fishing, knitting and book reviews

We (my oldest DD) and I just got home a little while ago from spending the afternoon swimming and fishing with my good friend, Nancy. We always have such a good time together!

First we went over to Nanc's house (out in the country) and she fixed us lunch (two different zucchini casseroles...yummy!) and we ate outside - the weather is beautiful today! Then we got the 'grand' tour of her vegetable garden, and best of all, some of the garden fresh veggies, and some apples off of one of her trees.

Then we left to go to a small lake nearby that we like to go swimming at. The water was cold, but 'refreshing'. (that's a nice way of saying it gave us goosebumps!) Needless to say, we did not swim too long!

After that, we left to go to a different lake (up here in the
'Nort-woods' remember, we have a LOT of lakes to choose from!!!!) to go fishing.

We usually don't come home with any keepers (but we don't care...hmm...some fisher'men' we are, huh?), because we fish from the shore, and its a shallow lake.

We did manage to use up our 'old' worms leftover from our last fishing excursion. Nanc caught a nice size sunfish, and I caught a nice yellow perch. We had brought along a 5 gallon pail and put some water in it, and had Nancy's fish in there, and then went to put my perch in there, and the sunfish had flipped out of the pail and back into the water, so we let the perch go too. I did catch a largemouth bass (I love how they put up a fight!) but it was not quite legal size, so I caught it and released it. The majority of the fish we caught were little dinky baby panfish. So our average fish was - hold onto your hat, here... only about 2 or 3 inches long. Yep...ridiculously teeny!

But...the main thing is we had fun! It was great to be out in the water, in the sunshine, and fresh air, with a great friend. I didn't have to catch any fish to be happy about being out there.
(having God's gift of a wonderful friend, and the beautiful nature that He created was more than enough!)

Thank you to anyone that has been praying for Mom. She went home yesterday. The Drs. decided it was NOT a heart attack. They did say she has an 'ileus' - which is a pocket in the intestine, that can 'back up' and become blocked. It was very painful from what Mom said. She is feeling a little better, but still very tired and weak.

I finished one of the baby sweaters I have been working on (except for sewing the sleeve seams) and started another one. The first one was fun to make...and yep...it was the pattern with the SSK that I didn't enjoy...but I am getting used to it and actually LIKE doing it now! LOL!

I thought the first sweater turned out so cute (I used the light yellow Bernat satin WW), that I started a second one. I am using Vanna's Choice Baby in a pretty aqua color, and using white for the main part of the body. It never hurts to have extras around for a special baby gift. Actually, the yellow sweater IS for a gift...and the aqua and white one is for my future grandbaby that is due to arrive in Jan 2009. I will post pictures here when I am done with the second one.

Speaking of the future 'baby grand', I bought some sweet printed flannel the other day at JoAnn's to make some receiving blankies out of for the baby. I will be crocheting an edging around the blankies too. And I will also post pics of those when I get them done.

I finished the third book in the Hidden Faces series that I am reading by Brandilyn Collins. I could NOT put that book down! I think it might have been the best one I have read so far...and I was sooo wrong about the ending. It took a total twist and turn near the end of the book...the kind that leaves you sitting there saying..."THAT'S who it was???" I had it guessed all wrong! Good job, Brandilyn! The book was a christian mystery and again...kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. And I love how Brandilyn gets the spiritual points across. In this one, called Dead of Night, it was a lot about spiritual warfare, and again, the power of prayer. And how sometimes, we may not even know how to pray or what to say, but the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, and leads us to pray.
(Romans 8:26: In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.)
I just started the 4th book in the series. AND, I won a book from Brandilyn's newsletter called Sneak Pique!!! So by the time I finish Web of Lies - my book that I won (Violet Dawn) should be here. Too Cool!!!

Have a great Wednesday, friends!

Prayer for Momma please

This is gonna be short...but if any of you out there would pray for my Mom right now, I would be so grateful. I got a call from LifeLine a little over an hour ago, that Momma had been taken by ambulance to the emergency room. I do not know why.

I just talked to Mom this afternoon, and she sounded tired, but she is like that most of the time. She said her blood pressure had been high the last few days, but last night and today, it was better.

I finally got through to a nurse in the ER that was downright rude. He refused to tell me anything about Mom's condition, despite the fact that there is a signed release on file that I am her emergency medical contact, and that they also have a copy of a POA for Medical care in her files. It's hard enough being all the way across the country from her, and knowing she is in the hospital, but twice as bad, not knowing why. (I am NOT a fan of Kaiser P.) I wouldn't recommend them to my worst enemy!

So I am frustrated and trying not to worry. And praying. I can't do anything right now, except for to let God take care of her. So any additional prayers are appreciated.

What Kind of Flower Are you?

I took this quiz on this site, and found out I am a "SnapDragon".
(see the little box with the flower picture in it to the right of the posts)
Actually, my hubby said that the description of a 'snapdragon' is really pretty close to my personality. (I think I'll agree with him! ~¿ô)
Here it is: "Mischief is your middle name, but your first is friend. You are quite the prankster that loves to make other people laugh."
I am so easily amused...

Birdie Poo and other interesting tidbits....

It's time to take a break...so here I am at the computer. I am too tired to do anything else right now.

I procrastinated about cleaning the bird cages today. And procrastinated some more. I even managed to do a load of laundry while I was in the midst of procrastionation... (we're talking serious procrastination here!)...then finally this afternoon, I made myself start the cage cleaning marathon. It always takes me at least 4 to 5 hours to clean all the bird cages. I washed, scrubbed, and dried, and now all the birds are happily chirping and singing in their nice clean cages. I do them at least once a week, sometimes more than that, if necessary.

After I was done with that, I trimmed some birdie toenails. In case you wondered, the birds aren't necessarily fond of that. But none of them bit me for the deed today.

Then I got the vaccuum out and cleaned up the living room floor, underneath and around furniture, and the carpets too.

Now, I am going to work on rewarding myself for beating the procrastination bug to death, and doing all that manual labor!!!!

I am going to take my 'well-deserved' break and go work on some knitting. :O))) Of course, that will be after I make dinner. (It's true what they say, a woman's work is never done!)

I am almost finished with a baby sweater I am working on for a gift for a friend at church. It is called 'Top Down Baby Sweater' and the pattern is by Plymouth Yarn. (I just looked it up, so I could put the link in this post, and found out the pattern is FREE online! I PAID for mine...oh,well...gotta keep the LYS in business! LOL)

I am using Bernat Satin (Worsted Weight) in a pretty, soft, pale yellow color that I love! The pattern is not difficult, but it has one pattern stitch in there that I really dislike doing... it's a SSK ( Slip 1 stitch, Slip another stitch, then knit through the back of both slipped stitches.) It isn't hard, but for me, it just is plain awkward. But I am getting it done. Here is how far I am on it at the moment:

"Top Down Baby Sweater" in progress

Speaking of the Local Yarn Store...I went to my favorite one on Tuesday and got some sweet DK yarn to make a couple of adorable baby sweaters for my future grandbaby that is due in January. The patterns are in a Sirdar pattern book for babies, and the patterns are just too cute for words!!!

...And then I want to read some more of the second book in the 'Hidden Faces' series by Brandilyn Collins, called "Stain of Guilt". She has become my favorite author! She writes christian mystery/suspense novels that keep you on the edge of your seat.

I know I mentioned her books in a previous post. (one of the signs of senility is that you repeat yourself...right?)

(one of the signs of senility is that you repeat yourself...right?)

So here's another shameless plug for Brandilyn...
If you haven't read any of her books, I would highly recommend them - especially if you like mysteries! She also has a series that is called The Bradleyville Series, and they are great christian fiction too... for those that aren't into the edge-of-your-seat-suspense type novels. The first book I read of hers was 'Elisha's Eyes' and that got me...hook, line and sinker. I enjoyed the fact that the setting for the book was the SF bay area, where I was born and raised...so I knew most of the locations.

I got a part time job working for a local auctioneer. It ought to be interesting. It's fairly flexible, which is what I needed, considering I take care of Mom fairly often, and I am also responsible for getting our older DD to and from her meetings with her 'job developer' and DVR and job search,etc. The term "Mom's Taxi Service" definitely applies here!

I finished crocheting the "Anne" scarf by MK Carroll. I think it turned out very pretty (although one of my DD's and her hubby say the colors are ugly. What do they know??? LOL!) I plan on giving it to my Mom on my next trip out there...which sounds like it may be soon. Momma's been having some more health problems.

The "Anne Scarf" (pre-blocking)

My willing and beautiful assistant, Sassy, modeling the Anne scarf!

Now doesn't she just look so perky???

Off to 'claim' my reward and do some knitting!

Happy knitting y'all!!!

Czech Festival last Saturday

On Saturday, we went to Kewaunee to Heritage Farm, for a Czech festival. Since DH has Bohemian ancestry, we are very interested in the culture and cuisine, etc. of the Czech people.

Kewaunee was settled by many Czech immigrants back in the 1800's, so the area is rich in history.

We invited my dear friend, Nancy, to go with us, as she is of Bohemian descent also. She was so excited about going with us.

The first thing they had going on when we arrived, was a Kolache making demonstration. Which sounds boring, but it really was very interesting and fun. Nancy has an old recipe passed down through her family for Kolaches...and I have one that I got from an older Bohemian lady many years ago when she (Audrey, now in heaven) taught me how to make them.

Now we have another recipe to try. Nanc and I are going to get together and bake a bunch one of these days soon. We decided we are going to have our own, unofficial, Kolache bake-off. And my DH and her boyfriend are going to be the unfortunate judges. LOL. They are already shaking in their boots, because they don't want to get in 'trouble' if they choose the wrong Kolache.

For those of you that are wondering what a Kolache (pronouced Kole-ach) is, a Kolache is made out of a slightly sweet dough, that is formed into flat circles about 2 1/2" in diameter or so. After, the dough has raised, an depression is made in the center of the circle, and some special fruit or poppy seed or cheese filling is placed into the depression and then they are baked, and brushed with butter when they come out of the oven. They are yummy!!!! Not too sweet. This blog has a recipe that looks like it is pretty authentic, and pictures also of what they look like. I don't know why I didn't think to take some pictures!

The demonstration was 'hands on', which was fun. Another lady taught us how to use the same dough to form little bird 'rolls'.

There was a czech polka band there, and also a choir that sang traditional songs in czech. And some beautiful, colorful costumes, which in czech are called 'Kroje'. Each county had its own version of the kroje - and each village had some variations to the costume that identified it as coming from a certain area. More information about the kroje can be found here.


Here is a picture of a sweet little lady in her costume enjoying the czech band.

Heritage Farm had some charming displays in an old barn, an old cabin , and a few other buildings. Here are just a few pictures of some of the displays:
And of course, I had to get a couple of photos of the antique spinning wheel (over 250 yrs old) and the carding equipment for the wool. Since I don't spin yarn, I don't know the correct terminology for it...but since I knit...I loved seeing them!!!!

We spent a really nice relaxing and interesting afternoon. Had some chicken booyah for lunch...oh, do I love booyah!!!!

After we got back home, Nanc called her boyfriend and he came over and we threw together some sandwiches for 'dinner', and took them down to the river, and had a little picnic and did a 'little' fishing. (and I do mean little!) We were catching little, itty, bitty fish..oh, about 2-3 inches long or so...none of them were keepers. (which was fine, because I am not thrilled about cleaning fish. I'll do it, but I don't like it.)

DH does not enjoy fishing, but he likes to sit out there with me, and enjoy the outdoors. He decided to play with my camera and got some beautiful pictures of a beautiful sunset. These are just a couple:

It was so very relaxing to sit on the rocks and fish (even though the fish must have gone to bed for the night, because they sure weren't biting. :oO) and watch the sun go down, and experience the beautiful sunset...and to be with my sweet husband, and good friends.

D-u-m-b Movie review

We wanted to just kick back a little tonight and watch a movie, so we watched one that we had checked out from the library, called "Mysterious Island". It was a Hallmark movie, made in 2005. It had some well known actors in it.
But the movie reminded me of the old "Godzilla" movies, in a way, because certain parts of it were so extremely phony. It definitely seemed like a low budget film.
The 'special' effects just were not all that.

It was based on a Jules Verne book, and I do like his stories.

But the film was nothing to get excited about, for sure.

almost.....August...already???

Is it just me, or does time seem to be whizzing by faster and faster? I can't believe it's already the end of July! I don't want Summer to end!

We have been so busy one way or another...DH and I have been working on the flower garden alot. We both have been enjoying it. It's really starting to fill in with all the perennials. It's been kinda nice too, because we have had a couple of our neighbors, and the postman, comment on how nice it is looking. Nothing like a compliment to give the ego a little boost. So, maybe we have green thumbs, after all? LOL I absolutely LOVE having flowers too...especially the kind that come back by themselves (and smell good too) I have noticed (or maybe its just my imagination?) that I seem to hear more birds around the house, and have seen some butterflies too...something I never really saw a lot of since we moved into town. I love to go out and sit with a cup of coffee and a good book at the picnic table under the basswood tree, and just kick back.

I have been doing a lot of knitting and crocheting lately. I think I am having some serious ADD issues tho... I can't stick to just one project lately! I have several going right now! I have the Boho Bag about 3/4 of the way done. The pattern was in the Jan 2008 issue of Crochet Today! magazine, and I fell in love with it and simply *had* to make it! Now if only I could stay on task long enough to just *finish* it!!!!!

I am also working on a crocheted scarf called "Anne". I saw it on a friend's blog (Susan B Anderson) and she has made several of them for gifts, and they are beautiful. So, of course, this ADD girl simply *had* to make it too!!! I simply LOVE the pattern...it is based on Queen Anne's lace, and it is lacey and lovely!!! I tried Caron's new yarn, Simply Soft Paints for it. It is - wonderfully soft, and the colors are beautiful!

And then... I have a baby sweater OTK that I am making for a gift for a couple at church that are going to have their fourth child sometime in August. And I still have the bag that I was knitting with a pattern from Anni Rodriguez. And I am FORCING myself NOT to cast on or start anything else just yet.

I have also been reading A LOT. My favorite author right now is Brandilyn Collins. She calls her books "Seatbelt Suspense". They are Christian mysteries, and I have been enjoying each one I have read so far! Eventually I would love to invest in them. They are the kind of book that you could probably read over and over. Right now, I am reading the second book in her Chelsea Adams series, called "Dread Champion". I have to force myself to put it down! Its that good.

Sunday after church we had a really nice afternoon. Our oldest DS and his fiancee and our two grandchildren (we have 'adopted' them already! LOL) came over. We fixed a quick lunch, and then took the kids fishing. I guess I earned the *cool grandma* award because:

1. I can bait my own hook
2. I LIKE to stand IN the water (at LEAST waist deep) when I fish
3. When DS lost his rig (bobber, hook, etc) on some vegetation, Grandma is crazy enough to swim out and fetch it for him. LOLOL
4. Oh, and I can touch the fish and take it off my hook unassisted
Funny how these silly things can earn you the 'respect' of kids!!! You gotta love it!!! :o)

Speaking of fishing, a friend of mine is supposed to be here in a bit, and we are either going to go fishing or swimming today (or both) - so I had better get myself in gear and get ready!

Happy Knitting to you friends!

Relaxing Monday...

After a long three days last week of working at Lifest in the Cup O'Joy booth (very fun, but very tiring :o)))) , I took a lllooonnngg nap Sunday afternoon.

Today I spent the day with my oldest son's fiancee, Elvie. We went to the bridal store, and looked at some wedding dresses for their wedding planned in May of 2009. We window-shopped at a few other stores, and picked up coffee at a Starbuck's. YUM!
We hadn't had lunch yet, so I treated her to Red Lobster. Another YUM!!
I LOVE their biscuits!
We spent all day talking, and finding out we have a lot in common! How scary!!!! LOL

I worked on a Felted purse I have been knitting from a pattern by Anni Rodriguez . She makes some very *cool* 'Flap-of-the-Month' purse patterns and sells them on her blog site. I have made another purse from one of her patterns - the one I gave to my DIL for her birthday...and Anni's patterns are very easy to follow, and very clear.

I am still absolutely loving the basswood tree being in bloom. I took some more pictures, and I am going to go sit outside for a little while, and enjoy the scent some more!

Have a great evening, knitting friends!

Tilia americana

The last few nights I have been enjoying going out and just sitting at our old picnic table, which is located in our yard underneath a beautiful, HUGE, old Basswood tree, which is the 'Tilia Americana'. The tree is blooming right now, and the blossoms on this tree are so wonderfully fragrant and pretty!!! We love standing outside and just enjoying the scent from the flowers on it.

One of our neighbors, a man in his late 80's - told us that the tree in our yard was measured by the County and our tree is the largest and oldest basswood tree in our county. If only trees could talk... I bet this one would have some stories to tell!

I looked it up on the this site, and found that Basswood has an interesting history. To quote: "Native Americans and settlers used the fibrous inner bark (bast) as a source of fiber for rope, mats, fish nets, and baskets. Basswood is still valued for its soft, light, easily worked wood, especially for turned items and hand carving. It once was the material of choice for prosthetic limbs, but these are now made from synthetics. Other uses have included boxes, toys, woodenware, drawing boards, veneer, venetian blinds, excelsior, and pulp. Native Americans used fresh basswood sap, which contains moderate amounts of sugar, as a watery drink or boiled it into syrup. They also ate young basswood leaves and used the cambium for soups and breads. Various medicinal uses were made of leaf and bark extracts, and Iroquois used freshly cut bark as an emergency bandage for wounds."

Here are a few pictures taken of the blossoms at night.

KICK BACK

I didn't write this article...but it is very wise... so I am sharing it with you all.

Kick Back
Do you feel guilty if you allow yourself a few minutes' luxury of daydreaming? there's always something to do, isn't there? Paul MacCready once stated in a speech:
"The only ideas I've ever had have come form daydreaming, but modern life keep people from daydreaming. Every moment of the day your mind is being occupied, controlled, by someone else--at school, watching television....You need to just kick back in a chair and let your mind daydream."
Schedule it on your calendar if you have to, but carve out some time when you can put your feet up and stare out the window. Take an hour and go sit quietly under a tree, with no book, no companion and no agenda.
One important idea that might come to you while there is that there is nothing you face which is bigger or more powerful than our God.
So go ahead. Kick back and try to imagine anything--anything--bigger than God. Then strengthen yourself with the image of God wrapped around you.
What comfort!
--Rocky Henriques
The Timothy Report
www.timothyreport.com

Gigi's Cargo Sweater

I told Momma I was going to do a post about the cute little sweater she finished knitting for her little Gigi! Gigi is one lucky girl, to have such a large wardrobe! (she loves to go 'shopping' at the pet stores, to pick out new 'outfits' and the occasional new toy!)

Momma knit this using the Cargo Sweater Pattern from a Paton pattern leaflet called "It's a Dog's Life #1"

She says I am teaching her to knit...but she already knows how! She just was out of practice, but I am elated to say, has become "re-addicted'' to knitting and yarn, thanks to me!!! (LOL- I corrupted my Mother!!!)

Here's GiGi modeling her adorable sweater...she was quite sassy when I was doing our "photo shoot"...the last shots show how tired she got...modeling is tough work!!!

Getting worn out...but fighting it...

Down for the count!

Best Buds sleeping after a tough day of being a designer, and a model!

It's been a while, hasn't it? I haven't been able to think of anything scintillating to write about...I have been visiting other blogs, and have been impressed with other bloggers cleverness and creative and witty use of words to explain what otherwise would be mundane. Alas, I don't posess that gift of eloquence. (but I am giving it a shot here...can you tell???)

Life has been pretty average around here for the last few weeks since I got back from Mom's. She's hanging in there. I contacted an RN that we had worked with way back in 2004. She is called a Chronic Care Coordinator (or something similar to that. I am too lazy to get up and look at the card.) Her name is Susan and she is wonderful, and Momma likes her. So Susan is kind of helping us with some ideas and working with all the different Drs.

I will be going back out there in the near future again, I'm sure. I would like to be able to stay home for a while though, and enjoy being with my hubby, who I miss so much when I am in California.

Hubby and I have developed Green Thumbs!!! We are so impressed with ourselves...lolol. We actually have a Garden. I mean...one that LOOKS like a REAL garden. We have been enjoying working in it, and have found it really rewarding and relaxing. We have mostly perennials, a hosta bed with many different varieties sizes and colors of hostas, and some different colors of Astilbe that are close to blooming. We planted three different varieties of crabapple trees in the front yard, to provide food for the Cedar WaxWings in the winter. And we bought some larger tomato plants (because I didn't get to plant them until a week ago) and they are doing well.

Our next plan is to relocate some rose peonies - our house is an old one, and in one of the back "corners" of the yard, there is a tangled mess of old fashioned roses, rose peonies, ferns, and I don't know what else! The roses smell wonderful, but the dumb things are blooming on the neighbors side, but not ours. :o( (our neighbors like that.) So we are going to get (or make) a trellis so that we can train the roses (they are climbing roses) to bloom where we can enjoy them too. I don't mind sharing with the neighbors, but I want to see them too. Then relocate the peonies, and discover what other treasures are planted there.

We 'inherited' our youngest DD's long haired doxie, Tootsie. He fits right in with our other dogs! And he LOVES all the squeaky toys that our dogs don't play with any more. He drags them ALL out, and has a blast!

I gave him a trim the other day, since its been pretty hot and humid here lately. It actually looks halfway decent.

We had to have our other kitty, Sterling, put to sleep the other day. He was 16 yrs old! He just was going downhill, and we didn't want him to suffer. It is so hard to have to make that decision though. I know its for the best, but I can't help feeling guilty.

Tomorrow after church, we are having a barbecue with our bible study group. The couple that opened up their home for the study (which was Max Lucado's "3:16-The Numbers of Hope") are providing steaks...so I figured I'd go all out and make what has become "Mom's Famous White Chocolate Cheesecake". It's always so funny to me how when I make that, my kids turn into whiney, pathetic, begging creatures...and they all want some. It amuses me no end. I guess you could say I am easily amused. And of course I love to torment them with it...but I always make an extra one, so the little beggars can have some. :o)

Enough nonsense for now... I am enjoying the beautiful summer weather...even the frequent thunderstorms. I hope you are all doing the same.

"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under the trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time."
--John Lubbock

checking in...

I thought I would pop in here and just do a quick post.  I am, once again, in California, with Mom.  Last week she got pretty sick, and was rushed to the emergency room with a bowel obstruction.  Surgery was tentatively scheduled for Thursday (I was notified by Lifeline on Tuesday night that she had been taken to the ER)  

Weds. morning, my youngest DD and I flew out here (on the plane)  so I could be with Mom.  DD helped me through the airport and also when we got here, as I still am not supposed to be walking on my right foot yet. Momma's bowel problem was corrected with lots of prayer (thanks, everyone!) and medication.

In the meantime, the Congestive Heart Failure that Momma has been dealing with for several years got worse.  She was in the hospital for almost a week, coming home this last Monday.  It has been a very long week for her, and each member of her family.

She is stubborn and is determined to keep on with her life.  Today she wanted to go out in the garden and work - so we went out together, and planted some tomato plants, and transplanted a fuschia that one of my brothers and his girlfriend had given Momma when she was in the hospital.

I've done some knitting, but haven't been able to focus on too much.  I had started a pair of Plymouth's Basketweave socks, and then put it down, and made a little baby cap to give to the 20 Hats Project. 

Please keep Mom in your prayers.