Interesting Meme...

After reading Susan's blog yesterday, I just had to try this really neat meme...

What you do is go to Wikipedia and type your birthdate..month and day only into the search box. And then you list 3 events, 2 births and one holiday.

My birthday is: February 6

3 Events:

1788 - Massachusetts becomes the sixth state to ratify the United States Constitution.

1952 - Elizabeth II becomes Queen upon the death of her father George VI. At the exact moment of succession, she was in a treehouse at the Treetops Hotel in Kenya.

1978 - The Blizzard of 1978, one of the worst Nor'easters in New England history, hit the region, with sustained winds of 65 mph and snowfall of 4" an hour.

2 Births:

1940 - Tom Brokaw, American news anchorman

1943 - Fabian, American singer

Holiday:

Waitangi Day (National Holiday) in New Zealand

Thank you...

for all the neat birthday wishes for my daughter. We talked yesterday for a while and it was wonderful to hear her voice.

Today, the weather is back up there but there is a slight breeze blowing...and I am going to head up to the farmer's market later on. Don't even care if I get rained on! Mother enjoys going for the ride...even though it is about five minutes from the house.

Think it is salad night again...even though I do have some nice pork chops that I picked up at the store today. Think I'll crock pot them tomorrow with some sauerkraut and mashed potatoes. That is a favorite comfort food...

Happy, Happy Birthday!...

Today is my daughter, Tara Danielle's birthday. Her 31st! No matter what her age she will always be my baby! She is my one and only child. This photo was taken last year when I was out in Phoenix visiting her.

Happy Birthday! We love you!!!

Did someone say 92 Degrees?...

Yes, they did and yes it is! Or rather was today during the middle of the day. And, here I was unpacking sweaters and storing them in their shelves...

It was so hot that I didn't care whether I ate dinner or not...but, opted to have a huge salad. Got some wonderful organically grown lettuces at the farmer's market last week...so I added cut up green and black olives, some brocolli, tomatoes, boiled egg, and crispy fried bacon. Topped all that off with a delicious chunky blue cheese dressing and filled my tummy up!!!

Mother wanted oatmeal (her and Susan) but she got homemade leftover meatloaf and sliced tomatoes which she really loved. About once or twice a week she wants oatmeal for dinner - every now and then I give in and let her have it. (About once a week)...after all she is 91! She ought to have whatever she wants within reason...(I would have to draw the line at a chocolate cake!!!)

So, now I have a question - what is your favorite blue cheese dressing (I used one called Lighthouse and it is found in the produce department)? Or do you have a recipe for making your own? Inquiring minds want to know...

Rated....

Wouldn't you know it...

Sunday...Quiet Day...

This Sunday is an absolutely beautiful day. The sun is shining! There are some wispy clouds floating around...and the sweetest breeze blowing. Have all the windows open and don't even need a fan on.

Working on unpacking some more today...I truly want to get things done soon...

Am going to quit working around 8:00 PM and watch "The Next Food Network Star" - I missed it last Sunday...so, I will catch up last week's show and the new one at 9:00 PM while I knit on my Cabin Cove Socks. The July 2nd deadline is fast approaching.

Dancing along...

It seems that Deb has yet another fun thing at her blog... and it involves music. Everyone who reads this blog knows that music is right up there with books, knitting, and quilting in my life...so, I thought I'd play along...

Here are the rules:
1. Go to the Billboard #1 Hits listings (scroll down and you’ll see them separated by decades on the left in the sidebar)
2. Pick the year you turned 18
3. Get yourself nostalgic over the songs of the year
4. Pick 5 songs and write something about how these songs affected you
5. You know the drill - if you wanna play along - just leave me a comment and I'll got check out your blog to see your answers!

I was 18 in 1964! Mercy, that was 43 years ago...but, I still remember the music as if it were yesterday.

1. You've Lost that Lovin' Feeling by the Righteous Brothers. Who can forget the blue eyed soul boys! That song still gives me chills. None of the songs on my list were there because I was in a teenage relationship - I didn't date much in high school...and September of that year was my first year in college...which I hated. I quit after that year. (ended up going back to college when I was 36 and my little girl started school.)

2. Oh, Pretty Woman by Roy Orbison. Everyone thinks the title of that song is just Pretty Woman - and Roy Orbison. There wasn't a woman in this world that didn't want to "be the one" in that song. What a feel good song! I always felt like he never seemed to get the "star" status that he truly deserved. That seems to happen when a group of singers come out at the same time...and he was in that mix with Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis and a few others.

3. Baby Love by The Supremes. Teenage angst at its best! This was the sing out loud at the top of your voice song...I can remember going to the drive in restaurant in town and all the radios tuned to "our" station and hearing that come on the airways. Just can't beat forty cars full of teenagers singing along.

4. I Want to Hold Your Hand by the Beatles. The boys from across the Pond brought all the "I wanna sing-along" songs with them. Everyone wanted to hold their hand! The song was snappy and fun to sing...still can sing it!

5. She Loves You by The Beatles. "She loves you, yea, yea, yea!" Another crank up the radio and sing at the top of your voice songs. There was just something about the songs from that era!

And, all of the artists are still among my favorites to this day...I have either albums (yes - I do own those), cassette tapes, and cds of their music...it was a great time and great music.

Done...and Done...

My kitchen is done! That means that every dish, pot, glass, or whatever has been washed and is in its proper place. My groceries that I brought over from the other house are carefully put away in the pantry. And, my dining room/kitchen looks really good. There is a lot of room in there - just didn't realize how big it was with all the boxes.

The ribbing is DONE! And, it is correct...K1P1!!! And, I've done about an inch and a half in stockinette. And I'll be knitting on them this week-end.

Photos hopefully the beginning of the week.

Brain Dead...

Remind me that I should not begin a new knitting porject at 8:30 pm! Sat down to watch tv about that time last night and cast on my second sock and busily worked away on the 2" ribbing. Imagine my surprise when I held up the sock and saw that I had been working away on a K2P2 ribbing - when the finished sock was a K1P1 ribbing!!!

Am casting on again tonight...wish me luck.

It's a good fit...

This is my Dave Daniels Cabin Cove yarn sock and it is a great fit. I love the way the yarn feels and the sock looks. Tonight I will be casting on the second sock.
Below is the yarn that I was given at my new knitting group. All I know is that it is wool...and feels soft. Looks like there is enough yarn for a pair of socks out of each - or a hat and a pair of socks. Can't decide what I want to do...

Not much going on...

Went to the Board of Trustee's meeting for the library tonight...been on the board for over a year and it is enjoyable. From there headed to buy a new fan and the grocery store.

Almost finished with one of my Cabin Cove Yarn Socks - just a few more rows and it will be finished ... so I can start sock two. Maybe there will be photos tomorrow...

Have a good night...

More Sunday Fun...

Deb over at Red Shoes Ramblings has done it again...with Scattergories 3...so, I'm playing!

Your Name: Sara
A Type of Tree or Shrub: Spruce
Something an astronaut would study: Stars
Eight Letter Word: Surprise
A Sports team (any sport): Seattle Seahawks
A Character in a Movie or Play: Sandy (in Grease)
A Nickname (or endearment) for someone you like: Sweetie pie
Something that could get you arrested: Slapping a police officer
Something you'd take on a picnic: Spinach Salad
A reason someone might get an award, medal or trophy: Spelling Bee Champion
Something that makes you smile: Singing in the shower

Now Just for Fun...

My friend, Julie, had this fun quiz over on her blog that I just had to take...she is - well, maybe you should check out her blog..

You Are the Index Finger

You are ambitious, driven, and capable. You aren't afraid to take responsibility for your actions - or place the blame on whoever deserves it. You are honest, free thinking, and objective. You see things in your own way - and you aren't afraid to let everyone know about it. You get along well with: The Thumb Stay away from: The Ring Finger

What Finger Are You?

Feeling elegant...

Today's mail brought an invitation to The Spa...not just any Spa...but The Spa at the Beverly Wilshire. "Join us in welcoming celebrity facialist Kate Somerville to The Spa at the Beverly Wilshire."

Additionally, the folks over at Viking River Cruises thought I should experience 2008 with a river cruise in Europe, Russia or China - or all three.

Now doesn't that just make you feel elegant - especially when for the last month or so you've been trotting around in an old raggy tee-shirt and shorts trying to get an apartment unpacked??

I found it...

Finally found my silverware or flatware whatever you want to call it...I've been so damn sick of eating with plastic forks and spoons!!! Opened a box and there it was! YES!

Good day at knitting group today...one of the women gave me some hand spun yarn. Have no idea what it is - but, it is soft and pretty. She gave me two cakes of white and two cakes of black and white mixed...think I'm making socks out of it...will try and post a photo tomorrow.

Discovery...

Oh my...went and discovered a new author! It's not like I don't have a zillion authors that I like and enjoy reading - I had to go find another one - and a darn prolific writer, too...

This would be the book I just finished - Deep South by Nevada Barr. It was an excellent mystery featuring a National Parks Service Ranger named Anna Pigeon...and it is the 8th one featuring Anna. This story was set in Mississippi's Natchez Trace where she has just been transferred to accept a promotion. This book, while being a decently paced mystery, was filled with excellent prose describing the area and the park land as well as the subtle and sometimes not so subtle differences between its people. I will be looking forward to reading many more books (I think she is working on #14 in the series!) by this author.

Planning my reward...

Yep, you read that right! I am planning to reward myself for getting the house unpacked and really livable by the end of the month. My reward, you ask...

Getting to see the Yarn Harlot live; meet Erica, and Rhonda...and hopefully Cheryl! And, anyone else who might be at the book signing for the Harlot on August 2. That's my treat! Isn't that cool????

Now off to make dinner...

Progress...

Progress is being made in the unpacking department...

Yesterday all my music cds were unpacked and arranged...artists are arranged alphabetically; then I have sections for Classical, Relaxation, Soundtracks/Broadway, Compulations, and Christmas. Still haven't found my Soundtracks or compulations...they are around here somewhere!

Today, have been trying to put away all the quilting fabric and knitting stuff...it is working out well.

Unpacking is just a long process!!!!

I Can See Clearly Now...

Or at least I will be able to in another hour or so...after my eyes adjust to having been dilated! I was beginning to notice that I was squinting quite a bit when looking at the computer...so, figured I had better get the old eyes checked before my insurance ran out. And, next week new glasses will be here...the doctor has assured me I will be able to see much better!!!

Sunday Fun...

My friend, Deb, is having the most fun over at her blog with a little game called Scattergories! So much fun, in fact, that I thought I'd play too. If you decide to play do post a comment so I can check out your answers on your blog...

The deal is that you have to answer each of the following with the letter of your first name...

Your Name: Sara
Famous Artist/Band/Musician: Simply Red
Four Letter Word: Ship (I know what you thought I was going to say!!!)
Vehicle: Saab
TV Show: Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour
City: Sarasota (It's in Florida)
Boy Name: Samuel
Girl Name: Stephanie
Alcoholic Drink: Singapore Sling
Occupation: Soldier
Flower: Stargazer Day Lily
Something You Wear: Sneakers
Celebrity: Sam Shepard
Something Found in a Kitchen: Skillet
Cartoon Character: Scooby-Doo
Something You Shout: Sh*t (See, there it is!!!)

Part II:

A Country: Spain
A Song Title: Smile, Sara, Smile
An Artist (painter, Photographer, etc) Steve Mohlenkamp (really good photographer - love his work - see it at: www.stevemohlenkamp.com)
A reason to stay home from work or school: sinus infection
Something you'd see at a Zoo: Seals
A Snack: Snickers Bar
A Character in a Book: Scarlett O'Hara
Something icky: spit on a sidewalk
A Six letter word: sewing
Something Breakable: salt shaker
Non-Alcoholic Drink: Sprite
Something you whisper: sh*t (as in sh*t - under your breath)

Out and About...

Windsor, Vermont is about ten miles from my house. Every few weeks I run over there to drop off my soda cans and any glass products that I can recyle since that is the closest recycling drop for me.

The other day I decided to take a different way home - well, I thought it was in the direction of home! Instead I ended up on this most beautiful road with a great view of the back of Mount Ascutney.


How awesome to live with this view all year long...just stunning. And, yes, the road sort of wound around in a round about sort of way toward home...

Knitting...

YEA! Joined a knitting group today. Have been wanting to join a group but most of them meet at night and that is just not possible for me right now. But, the Senior Center (yes, I joined the Senior Center - I know it could scarce be possible that moi would be old enough...but, alas, it's true) has a group that meets every Friday afternoon from 1-3. They seem to be a nice bunch of women Had a good time today...and worked on my Cabin Cove socks and my afghan.

They also do a charity project and create mittens and hat for each of the headstart kids each year. There are 54 of them - so it will be fun to work on something for them...and will increase my charity knitting.

This week-end: more unpacking!!!

Dinner tonight: Stuffed peppers!!!

Unpacking and Summer Reading...

Still unpacking...think it will go on forever...although I did manage to get rid of quite a few boxes today...and made some decisions about some things that I am going to try and sell...just need to figure out how to do that - whether it be on e-bay or some other method.

Finished the first book in my Summer Reading goal of 9....

Book One:

King's Ransom - Sharon Sala - 220 pages.

Published in 1992, this probably was one of Sala's first romance novels published by Meteor Publishing's "Kismet" line. They folded a year or so later and recently noticed that so of Sala's novels were reprinted by other publishers.

The sexual tension was really good in this book - Sala knows how to build feeling upon feeling - and helped build on the relationship between the couple. The only problem I found with the book was that it was too easy to figure out the willian in the book...but, all in all, it was a fun read.

WTF Wednesday...

Usually you will find that I do not write about religion or politics on my blog...sometimes I might casually mention something...but rarely...

Except for last night...Happened to be watching the Republican Debates as I had watched the Democratic ones on Sunday...fair is fair...and never in my life have I been so disgusted at what I saw on that stage.

When asked by show of hands how many would not object to having openingly gay and lesbians serving in the military NOT one of them raised their hand...

WTF is up with that? Oh, it's okay to risk your life and maybe get your ass shot off for your country - but, it's not okay to live an open and honest life about who you are...

My wish for all ten on the stage last night - that every gay, lesbian, transgendered person and person who knows someone or has family that is not cast the first vote for any of them. See how quick they'd get elected if everyone banned together...

Just saying...(picks up knitting...)

Is it Christmas???

The last few weeks have been filled with wonderful surprises arriving at my door...

Cards and notes from my friends wishing me the best in my new home...and it is just so awesome to get mail that has your new address on it...not mail with those funky "yellow stickers" that advertise to the world that you've moved...(although getting mail from there is cool, too - but all of those so far have been bills!!!)

There are two packages that I will post the contents of at a later date...one came from Suzie. This was a beautiful pendant which she made and I purchased from her. She does great work! But, since it is extremely fragile...I packed it away very well so that it would not get broken. The other is a package which was from a swap over at Create a Connection where we exchanged Journals...I received a lovely package from Maddie. It literally came a few days before I moved and I put it into a box still in the envelope it came in...thinking I would find the box right away...no such luck...So, you'll see all that later.

My buddy, Susan, who is currently without internet sent me the cutest dishclothes! She knit these herself and they are great! They are a lot of fun to make and I was really happy to get them. Thanks, Susan.

Yesterday, the UPS guy showed up with two boxes...both of them from my friend, Sprite. It was so fun to open all these neet little wrapped packages...and find so many cute and nice things that celebrate me and my new move...I just loved it all...There is candy, body butter, homemade fudge, kitchen towels, a journal, candle holder, and a red mug!!! Thanks so much!!!!

Then today FedEx showed up with this gorgeous purple yarn from my friend, Erica. Oh, it is so pretty and there is enough there for a sweater!!! Can't wait...what a great gift...thanks so very much...

So, what do you think - is it Christmas????

A Year of Simple Things...Week 14

Rain...The last few nights we have had rain storms complete with lightening and thunder. The rain seems to wash away all the dirt...and leaves the area smelling nice...fresh...and clean...

It's just one of those simple things...

Got an e-mail from a friend today...and it ended with this quote...thought I'd share it with you.

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance

May Reading Reviews...

Can't believe I managed to read eight books in May. If that had been after the first of June - I would be almost to my goal in the 2007 Summer Reading Program! By the way, if you want to join up for the Summer Reading Program leave me an e-mail or comment and I'll send you the info.

1) Knitting Rules - Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. 224 pages. Really liked this book...it was witty but at the same time informative. Learned a few things I did not know before.

2) Pretty Maids In A Row - Marilyn Campbell. 384 pages. Been digging in my stash of books and this was a very good book. Enjoy Marilyn's style of writng...

3) Gang Mom - Fred Rosen. 238 pages. True life crime book which was okay...nothing special.

4) 35 Cents - Matty Lee. 206 pages. Biography of a young man who was a male prostitute from an early age. The title reflects what he received in payment for his first paid encounter. The book was a little raw...and it took me a while to read. It was a very interesting book in that you were totally inside this man's head as he grew into adulthood.

5) Without Pity - Ann Rule. 433 pages. True life crime stories by the mistress of true life books. There isn't a badly written Ann Rule book. She is one of my favorite true life crime authors in that she really digs to get all the facts and presents the stories in a very entertaining way.

6) Shadow Walkers - Nina Romberg. 302 pages. I had problems with this book. The book was about a group of children (the oldest maybe around 15 or 16)...who are making a home for themselves in an old abandoned building. My problem was that the heroine who was 11 was thinking in ways that were way too adult for her. The genre was hard to define too ... maybe a bit of "horror" fiction.

7) 79 Park Avenue - Harold Robbins. 406 pages. There is no denying that Robbins was a masterful story teller! I had so forgotten how much I loved reading his books. This was worth the time spent reading it. This well written work of fiction chronicles the story of Maryann Flood and Mike Keyes...it's worth the read.

8) The Wedding Quilt - Lenora Worth. 250 pages. While I've read a lot of romance novels - I had never read any of what are termed and sold as "Inspirational" romances...and it actually was a good book. It is the story of a woman who works at a church and is responsible for bringing in a steeplejack to refurbish the church's steeple and in between time fall in love and deal with their own issues. And, while it was religious in nature it was never intrusive.

There you go! Eight books - One month...My book stash is starting to be depleted!

May Wrap-Up...

It is hard to believe that I have been in my new apartment since May 5th! Oh, what a difference almost a month can make...

The only knitting I've found is the bag containing the Log Cabin that I had started. Decided that I didn't want to do it in individual squares - so, I ripped it all back...and made it into one large piece. Now am on round three.

Am in search of the knitting bag which is holding my Cabin Cove Socks...Our hostess, Cookie, has set an end date of July 2nd! The socks that are being knit are really gorgeous and I want to have them finished.

With no television, internet or phone for almost two weeks...I rediscovered my cd collection! It was such fun to pull some cds from the packed stuff and listen to music. Also, did a lot more reading. It is amazing how easy one can get back into old habits. Not that I didn't always read some - but, only at night while in bed...now it is more often.

So, all in all, it was a good month...

Tagged Again...

Ahh...the great 7 things about yourself meme...seems like I've done that one several times...so, I though I might take a different approach to this and follow the example Sheri set at her blog...

For those of you who don't know me yet...Well, my name is Killian. Mom already told me she has bored you enough with seven things about herself...so, I said maybe it was about time I got to tell about myself. She agreed...(she's a good mom - that way) so, here goes:

1) I was born in May 1997 in Tampa, Florida. The people at the Humane Society told my mom that I had been abandoned on one of the busiest street corners in Tampa...(the corner of Waters Avenue and Dale Mabry - if you've ever been there you know it is a nightmare). I was very tiny and fit in my mom's hand...now I'm a big boy!

2) My name comes from a tv character named Jack Killian (Midnight Caller) and Killian's Red Beer or Ale or whatever it is. It is kind of a cool name and no one else has it that I know of. Mom sometimes calls me "Killy".

3) Below is a photo of my favorite thing to do...steal Mom's blankie! I love to steal it especially right after it has come out of the washer and dryer!

4. When we lived at the other house I enjoyed walking around in the back yard playing "King of the Hill"...it was such fun! But, we moved to an apartment...and right now there are just a lot of boxes in my way. Mom said she would get it all fixed soon so I can sit in the newly discovered windows.

5. I only eat Purina Indoor Cat Chow! It's really crunchy and I love it. My mom always makes sure that I have tarter control crunchy treats, too.

6. Did you know I love that white stuff on the ground that they call "SNOW"? And, I can predict when we are going to get some of it falling out of the sky. Mom can tell, too, cause I'm always racing to the door to get out and see it!

7. My favorite place to be in the entire world is right next to my Mommy. At night I either sleep right next to her or on top of her feet. She has been and continues to be the best mommy a cat like me could have. I am very glad that she found me at that Humane Society place.

So, I am supposed to tag someone...so, how about Lizzie (that lives with Paul); Izzy, Galen, and Kitty (that live with Blonde by Design); and any other pets that live with someone in blogland...

Bye for now... Killian

A Year of Simple Things...Week 13

Is there anything more simple than the breeze rustling through the trees and making one feel cooler on these hot spring days? I really tried to get a photo of the breeze - but to no avail - although I could show you the scattered papers it leaves in its wake...but I didn't...

I'm just happy for such a simple thing to make my life more comfortable!!!

(I intend to catch up these missed weeks!!!!)

P.S. Mom said thank you to everyone for the great birthday wishes!!!!

Happy 91st Birthday...Mom...

Tuesday, the 29th, was Mother's 91st birthday! It is hard to imagine that she has made it that many years - especially, when she was so sick five years ago and suffered three strokes in less than 6 months.

She is doing rather well considering the move! She seems to think that the new apartment consists of my bedroom, her bedroom, the bathroom and hall closet. But, then I'm pretty damn confused too - with all these boxes hanging around. And we are tending to sort of live in our own rooms for right this second. I will be especially glad when the kitchen/dining room are finished as we can then eat our meals at a normal dining room table instead of a tv tray.

All in all, she had a nice birthday!!!!

Don't tell her I posted that cute photo of her tasting beer recently. She doesn't drink - and Scarlett was having a beer and asked her if she wanted to taste it...she said "yes" and so we snapped a shot of her checking out the Coors! Hell, at 91 I think you ought to be able to taste whatever you want too!!!!