Wool Wrap

Ok....I started this project when I returned from my wanderings in the north country.  I am perhaps....almost 50% complete and so far enjoying the lace work.  Thought I'd post a picture of where it stands so far.  It has a long way to go and as usual, I'm looking forward to the blocking process because it really finishes it off nicely.  I love this wool.  I'm surprised that I do, because I'm not a big fan of the wool around the neck, but this feels great.  The colors aren't evident in the picture, but it has flecks of every color on top of the navy.  This wool was purchased in Maryland at the festival from a Michigan yarn seller...love that.  Had to go all the way to Maryland to purchase the homegrown wool.  FYI....the line green stripe at the bottom is for the picot edge yet to come....but I'm groovin' on the green and navy together.

On a side note....I finished reading 'The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets Nest' over the weekend.  Had to finish it because I couldn't put it down.  Really have enjoyed this series.  Wonderful characters and story line.  I have now seen the first movie and looking forward to the other two.  The second starts this week at the Belcourt in Nashville....perfect.  See you all there.

Potato Chip

Ok...so last week I went to Haus of Yarn for knit night....first in about 6 weeks....and Liana was knitting a groovy scarf, called a Potato Chip scarf with mini mochi.  So cool....  Right there I decided that I had to make this.  So I picked up a ball of strawberries-lime rainbow and off I went.  It was easy, fun and quick.  A good quickie between the lace work.  I would to another in a heart beat and I hope the recipient enjoys it too.

This scarf is a gift for Kelly.  I remember when she was learning to crochet years ago, I made her one (very long) and this pattern reminded me of that great rainy afternoon....watching movies and knitting in Indianapolis.  I figured Kelly could use an upgrade by now.  I think I'll wait until fall to pass it along since it's so stinkin' hot right now.

On another note, I have started a secret project to be named when the recipient gets it.....

Garden Witchery

Ok...so today I was commenting to Marlene with disgust about the state of my orchids and why they will NOT produce flowers for me.  I noted that my Mum's orchids are flowering for a second or third time and she does nothing.  She doesn't read books about what to do, she doesn't scan the Internet about how to care for them, she doesn't talk to everyone she knows about what she can do better.....they just flower.  So, we drew the following conclusion; my Mum has put a spell on her orchids, she has been weaving some magic over there for them to obey without so much as anything more than an ice cube of water...she has bewitched her yard.  As you can see from the flower photos I have posted from her yard....I am right.  No doubt about it, I did not inherit the garden witch gene.  I have the plant succulents (cacti) because they don't die gene...the non-green witch gene.

On another note...the lace scarf is finished and blocked....check it out.  I'm very happy with the result.  Note that I like to take pics of my work on the kitchen table so the patten shows...ha.  I've also added an updated pic of the orange scarf blocked.

Now off to knit some more lace.

PS....thank you to Kristin for the groovy coffee groupon...come drink it with me.

Fair Isle

Ok....so I made a hat like this for Ashlyn and Sarah and now I've made one for Mum.  I love this pattern and the use of the Noro Kureyon makes it stripe beautifully.  I hope she enjoys this during the winter dig out in Michigan.

I have also finished the seamoss lace scarf and will be blocking tomorrow...hope to have pics up soon.  I have started a lace wrap in a blue heather wool I picked up from the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival.  So far I'm very happy with the look and how it's knitting up.  Pics to come on that too.  Of course, I'm working on a pair of winter socks with yarn I picked up from Michigan.  Love the yarn, simple pattern and it's a great project for knit night since I can't seem to talk (of listen) and knit a pattern at the same time.  Was good to get back to see the gals at Haus of Yarn....but also missing my new knitting buddies in Michigan.  Boy is it HOT down here.

Lilies

Ok....so here are the Lily pictures promised a while ago.  I am back in hot, steamy Nashville and the a/c is now fixed.  I arrived home Sunday evening to no a/c and thanks to the Dyars...they saved me with a shower, pizza and a cool place to sleep.  They rock. 

Also had a great evening chat with the girls.  I had a wonderful lunch on Sunday (Taste of Thai on 82nd in Castleton) with Kelly...great food and conversation as usual.  Man I miss that woman.  The day had been going so well until then.  I should have known when the daisies I was transporting in the back seat wilted, that something was out of whack. 

Side note:  I have brought plants back from MI once more....and they are sitting in the driveway getting a TN soak.  I have all kinds of plans for these plants, but I always forget that the heat here this time of year is unforgiving...but I just can't resist WoJo's and their groovy plants.

So...here I am, taking a break from work to write, thinking about all the unpacking I still have to do and smiling at the memory of reading outside in Mum's garden.

MexiFenton Soup

Ok...so this recipe is from Linda Moxam...she made it for me in December when we started the decorating of the Christmas tree....damn strings of tree lights...and drank wine.  I think it was the wine that got us through the light decorating part and I might add, the tree was tall....10', 20', 30' or 50'....it was tall.  It was a great evening!  I always enjoy my time with Linda and this particular time, there was an abundance of laughter and silliness...love that.  I've made this recipe several times and it's always a huge hit.  So here goes....

Chop two chicken boobies into bite size pieces and cook lightly in olive oil (I use my trusty Dutch Oven...all about the one pot cooking).  Add a chopped onion and saute until soft.  Add 4 cloves crushed garlic and saute for a couple of minutes.

Ok...here is the hard part...add one can of each of the following, do not drain:
Black Beans
Cannellini Beans
Creamed Corn
Corn
Rotel
Sm can green chillies

Stir together with a packet of ranch dressing.

Simmer for a bout 20 minutes until all the flavors are incorporated.  I serve with blue corn chips, chopped cilantro and shredded Mexican cheese.  Yum!  And it looks pretty too.

Thank you Linda, once again for a great recipe.

Rick

Ok...some of you know my very dear friend Rick had a heart attack a couple of weeks ago...he's home.  It's so good to see him again and he is doing very well.  Thank you to everyone for your prayers and all the support.  He has a long road of healing ahead of him, but he's on his way.  Miracles do happen.

These photos are from our trip to Martha's Vineyard.  Great memories and lobsta killing.  I'll look for the ones we're actually in at some point...

Oh Canada...

Ok...so my trip to Canada...Colborne...to see the family and my 16 month old godson was fun and relaxing and most of all renewing.  That's how I always feel around my family...renewed.  I've posted some pics from the trip below. 

Before we get to the pics, let me just say that the trip home was great until I got to the US/Canada border at Port Huron/Sarnia.  Now, I've crossed this border more times than I can count since I was born and plenty on my own.  I've been stuck in the traffic waiting forever to cross, but I have never been pulled over before.  I remember being pulled over, or my Mum being pulled over when we were kids and the patrol going through every nook in the car, but never on my own and never as an adult.  Well....never say never.  I waited for 1 1/2 hours before getting fairly close to the booth on the US side...side note, the toll went up to $3...eeek.  One of the officers was talking to people before they got to the booth and sort of pre-screening.  Well, something about me and my car made him decide I needed further investigation.  He looked in the trunk, I told him I didn't have anything to declare other than the Smarties in the front seat....but that was not good enough.  He wasn't even convinced that my car was indeed, my car.  So once I got to the booth, more questions and then off to the screening area.  They x-rayed my car.  Another side note....the customs guys were all very nice and as Liana has pointed out...very cute.  It was an odd experience I would prefer not to repeat and it really shook me up.  So much so, that instead of taking I69 to Flint, I took I94 to Detroit.  So what should have been a 5 or maybe 6 hour trip, turned out to be 8.  Thank goodness I fueled,

got water and peed before getting to Sarnia.  But was it worth it.....oh yeah!!!!!!

Trent-Severn Locks 16-17                        Healey Falls

My little cutie pie

      

 Uncle Nick and I at Healey Falls

Great White North

Ok....I had intended to keep writing while away....my sort of adventures, but this trip to Michigan took an unexpected turn.  My dear friend Rick (too many years to count) had a heart attack Friday evening and my thoughts have been preoccupied with his well-being.  I almost lost him.  But, he is off the respirator, sitting up and doing so much better.  His memory is suffering, but we keep prodding and hoping that soon the short term stuff will stick.  I am so thankful that he is doing so well.


Now...I am abandoning Rick to his mother and heading to Canada tomorrow...please let the border traffic be light and no, I do not have weapons, liquor or beef jerky to declare.  I'm looking forward to seeing my aunt, uncle, cousins.  I will try to post from there, but not sure how my time will work out as I'm sure I'll be knee deep in family fun.

Just a note....the lace scarf is coming along GREAT.  No pics yet...I'm waiting until I have it finished, but it looks great so far and I've managed to repeatedly pick up every stitch I dropped....yipes.

Happy Dominion Day to the Canadian family and Happy 4th to the Yanks and a very Happy Birthday to my dear, Ashlyn.  Happy 18th, Sweetheart!

Roses

Ok....so, I've taken pics of Mum's roses which are gorgeous...always.  She was just saying last night, "I was supposed to feed my roses on the 15th and didn't."  Perhaps this is why my roses don't look like hers?  Perhaps they need a schedule?  These are just a few pics of my favorite one...enjoy!  Tomorrow, the lilies...

PS....last night I joined the knit night at Beyond the Rainforest in Grand Blanc, MI.  What fun!  Thank you to Sue, Margaret and Jill for the laughs and being so welcoming.  I hope to see you all again soon!  If you haven't been there before, run in and check out the groovy yarn Sue has....mmmmmm!

Photos from some of the projects I completed for Mum.  I hadn't taken pictures when I gave them to her last year. 

English 101

Ok...so yesterday I had lunch with Linda, my dear friend of many years and former English teacher (junior high....eek).  It was Linda's birthday and I hope she had a wonderful day....we had sushi, so that couldn't have been a bad addition to the celebration.  As usual, I talked her ear off trying to catch up and as usual, the conversation closed in on books.  Linda has recommended so many books that I have loved and it seems whenever we chat; online, phone, in person....we always come around to book recommendations.  I love this part of our conversations.  I love that we have similar taste in material and that she is so willing to share, because you know that books and reading are all about sharing.  So we swapped titles until we meet again.  Linda is one of the reasons I constantly think about moving back to Michigan... 

So, Happy Birthday dear Linda....if I move back, will you knit with me?

A Little Wine and Renee...

Ok...so I spent the evening last night with my cousin Renee...just hanging, drinking wine and catching up.  I did get to meet the neighborhood dogs...this is quite the dog walking neighborhood....and dinner from BadaWest.  All around a great evening.  It amazes me how when I look at her face, I see everyone in my Dad's family...how does that happen?  Ok....I know HOW it happens, but it still amazes me.  What I need to know now is how she got the tiny person genes and I got the amazonian genes?  How is she wearing a size 5 shoe and mine are size 10....although, I do have pretty groovy shoes regardless of size.  I think the petite genes where on one size and the athena genes were on the other and when the time came, they didn't care to mix.  It's one of the things that makes us different when there are so many that make us alike.  Here's to childhood of Sundays under the dining room table playing with Renee and Greg.