The End of August...

August ends today...once again the time has flown! Guess that happens faster the older we get...

Finished up the last two books of the Sun-Coast Chronicles by Terri Blackstock. The titles were Ulterior Motives and Presumption of Guilt. Both of the books are billed as Christian Suspense. Terri and I were in the same writers group when I lived in Florida...as a matter of fact she was the president when I joined. Years later I also served as president of the same group.

All four of the books were very good...and they kept the suspense up all the way through. Truly enjoyed them.

Hope everyone has a wonderful week-end. I'll be around for most of it...as Mom and I have no real plans other than to enjoy ourselves, watch some movies, and eat really well.

A Cute Quiz...

You Are a Red Crayon

Your world is colored with bright, vivid, wild colors. You have a deep, complex personality - and you are always expressing something about yourself. Bold and dominant, you are a natural leader. You have an energy that is intense... and sometimes overwhelming. Your reaction to everything tends to be strong. You are the master of love-hate relationships. Your color wheel opposite is green. Green people are way too mellow to understand what drives your energy.

What Color Crayon Are You?

Busy Day!!!

Today was busy...up early as the Day Out group was going on a boat ride and I was getting to go with Mother. Took lots of photos - so maybe tomorrow they will be up - but for tonight I am sleepy (that should read totally relaxed as being on the water does that to me)...so I'll see you tomorrow!

Recipe Time...

I know I promised this recipe to several people...whom I cannot remember at this moment in time) - hey, what can I say - I do suffer every now and then with a disease called CRS!

I only made the pudding part as you can see here...but it is actually a pie filling...and even have the crust recipe...so here goes: (BTW) this pie crust is soooo good...and is great with fruit pies)

Granola Pie Crust

1-1/4 cups rolled oats

1/4 cup almonds, ground

1/4 cup walnuts, ground

1/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour

Pinch of salt

2 tablespoons maple syrup

2 tablespoons cold-pressed vegetable oil

2 tablespoons water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine oats, ground nuts, flour and salt together in a bowl. Add syrup, oil, and water. Mix well. Press the mixture into an 8x8 inch pan with wet hands. Bake 10-12 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool.

Berry Vanilla Pudding Pie

(Recipe from: The New Laurel's Kitchen by Laurel Robertson,

Carol Flinders, and Brian Ruppenthal

2 cups fresh milk

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons cornstarch or arrowroot

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 cups fresh raspberries

Gently heat 1-1/2 cups of the milk in a heavy pan. Stir in the sugar and salt.

Combine the cornstarch or arrowroot with the reserved milk. Add to the milk mixture when it is very hot; cook and stir over low heat until thick. If you are using cornstarch, continue to cook and stir over very low hear for a few minutes more. Cool somewhat and add vanilla.

Fill pie crust with fresh berries and pour pudding over them while it is still warm. Sprinkle with nuts if you like and chill!

I really hope you enjoy this...I love it!!! It will work with strawberries, blueberries, and black or red raspberries (at least it did for me!)

Movie Week...

Seems like I am in the mood to be entertained this week...because I've been watching a lot of movies...

The Prestige: Really an interesting movie...if you haven't seen it ... I do suggest it... Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale - they aren't hard to look at...either.

Premonition: Another really good Sandra Bullock film...lots of twists and turns...also stars the guy who was in Nip Tuck...

Bowling for Columbine: Interesting...and I will leave it at that -- as I don't want to get political.

Beyond the Sea: Bobby Darin's life story. Great musical...Kevin Spacey...he's awesome in this. I don't think I've seen a bad Kevin Spacey movie.

And, of course, I already mentioned The Stepford Wives.

All this movie watching was great for the knitting...worked very hard on the Red Scarf...and on a pair of socks for myself.

Love Reaches Out...

I've been doing some charity knitting this last year through the Red Scarf Project...but, I'm also making other things that I will be donating locally...and I just loved Janet's idea! Do check it out...(if you are so inclined...)

Movies and Books...

Remember my saying that I was running into a lot of books that seemed to be forgotten in my bookcase?

Case in point...Ira Levin's The Stepford Wives. The book was completed in February 1972 and published that same year. It is 35 years old...and I had never read it. I saw the movie when it came out and the re-make with Nicole Kidman (which by the way I thought was just awful!).

The book is only 145 pages and the movie (original) followed the book so closely. Read it in one sitting...and tonight I am going to watch the original movie which was made in 1975. In case you forgot - it stars the gorgeous Katharine Ross (Sam Elliot's wife) and Paula Prentiss.

"The Stepford Wives remains a legendary combination of chilling chauvinist horror and savage social commentary," so says the DVD container.

Me - I think it is a hell of a good book and movie!

High Maintenance...

I'm a Porsche 911!

You have a classic style, but you're up-to-date with the latest technology. You're ambitious, competitive, and you love to win. Performance, precision, and prestige - you're one of the elite,and you know it.

Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.

Status Check...

Eight months of this year are almost gone...it doesn't seem possible. So many changes in these few months...that it has become time to check the status on my goals that I set at the beginning of the year.

Moving seems to put a hold on life - projects have continued although not as quickly as I had hoped for. There was a lot of heartache and roller coaster emotions but in the end things are as they are supposed to be...

My new apartment has become "my home"...it is looking more and more like me as I unpack. But, more importantly it has become my home emotionally and I am finding contentment and peace within its walls. Joy and happiness don't seem to be avoiding me...or maybe I am just letting it back in...instead of looking at and feeling only the negative. Life has always been good to me...now I am allowing it to be better! And, once again I am learning who I am and what I want from my life - and hopefully growing...

Ahhh...but, I digress...this is about a status report on my tangible goals...

1) Knitting from my Stash - kept my word not to buy any yarns other than sock yarn...and have worked on projects with yarns that have been in my stash.

2) UFOs and WIP - Have to admit my knitting is current. Finished a scarf last night and started the second one. Am using the same pattern as they will be going to different people...and it is a cute pattern.

On the quilting side - haven' done well on that only because my quilting items and area is not set up yet...but, it is in the works...and hopefully by the end of the month it will be all ready and I can once again work on quilting.

3) Yarn Life Challenge - the Red Sweater is done and I hate it. What can I say...the pattern which I just loved and was the reason for making the sweater does not show up the way I wished for...so, am thinking it is time to frog it...we'll see.

Socks - the goal was to make a pair of socks every two months. Got one pair finished and another on needles. The year is not over yet and maybe six pair will be finished by then - who knows.

4) Reading - The summer reading program was a success and I finished my nine books really early into it. Since then my reads have been:

The Rocky Road to Romance by Janet Evanovich -Fiction

Center Square: The Paul Lynde Story by Steve Wilson and Joe Florenski - Biography

The Woman’s Day Book of Beauty, Health, and Fitness by Sharon Gold - Non-Fiction

So my total reading was 2001 pages for the month of July!!!

In addition, as the unpacking has taken place old books have been found and put on the night stand to read...some were books that had been forgotten in the bookcases. That will explain why some of the books are ten years old - and as the reading goes on - some will be even older.

5) My charity knitting continues with the Red Scarf Project, the Magic 28 socks, and hats and mittens for the local head start kids...photos will come as projects are finished...

Fabric and Yarn, Yarn and Fabric...

Lush fabric...wasn't really looking for anything in particular while on my trip - but, of course, I found a few half yards I couldn't resist. A batik, a Kaffe Fassett, black and white oriental, and two yellows that caught my eye. Buying the yellow was a surprise as that is one color I don't have much of.
Yarn...Sock Yarn...that has to equal love...The brown yarn I bought at Seed Stitch Fine Yarns. Looking for something to match beige pants without it being beige...and that color was so pretty. I'd not heard of the brand - but, the lady at the shop told me it knits up beautifully.

Regia Bamboo yarn was my next purchase in Portsmouth at The Yarn Basket. I've been wanting to try the Bamboo and hadn't so thought this would be a good chance. She had some Regia Silk but when I felt the sample - I liked the softness of the bamboo yarn better.

Yarn for Ewe in Rye, NH was where the last purchase came from - Jawoll Cotton Jacquard Superwash...comes from Italy and is 49% wool, 35% cotton, and 16% nylon. All the yarn is lovely and soft! Can't wait to knit the new socks...

This and That...Again...

Hope everyone liked the slide shows that were put up. Enjoyed taking the photos so much and just had so many that I needed to do something different with them.

Yesterday was quiet. Spent it baking - banana bread...made four of them all but one were given away. It was fun...and the kitchen smelled wonderful.

My first red scarf for the 2008 Red Scarf Project will probably be finished tonight. Plan to make two this year.

Couldn't decide between chicken and hamburger for dinner tonight - but mother had chicken salad for lunch...so, I am making American Chop Suey. I'd never heard it called that until I moved to New England.

For those of you who don't know what it is - it's macaroni, tomatoes, and hamburger cooked together...I mean you have to boil the macaroni first, and brown the hamburger...then mix it up with the tomatoes and cook til hot. I think we called it goulash when I was a kid...

I'll have photos tomorrow of my sock yarn and fabric that I bought while on my trip....

Have a good night!!!!

Prescott Park Gardens, Portsmouth...

Salem Slideshow...

Saturday...Portsmouth, NH

Actually arrived in Portsmouth on Friday night in time for a late dinner and sleep. The morning would bring time with my friends, Cheryl and Julie.

This is a view of Portsmouth looking over toward the Portsmouth Navel Base that was all the talk when I first moved here. The government wanted to close it down...but they didn't get to. See the buildings on the right - I (along with others I know) thought it was a really nice hotel - Cheryl explained to me that is not the case - it is the sewerage plant. At least it creates a pretty skyline!

This is Cheryl...She and I go back to when I started my blog last year. I had some special fleece that she was kind and sweet enough to spin up for me! She is just a special person! Knits beautifully - and her spinning is gorgeous. She makes the most beautiful shawls I have ever seen - and she is one of those people that has the pizzazz to carry them off when she wears them.
Here is Julie in Prescott Park where we spent a great time photographing each other - the plants, the water, the water features. It was great fun. Julie is an awesome knitter...and a kind and sweet person. Her daughter is expecting a girl who is going to be named Clover. (Isn't that an adorable name???) Both she and Cheryl are wonderful friends to have.

Here we are - the three of us in front of this beautiful fountain.

This is what the fountain looks like - I am so proud of myself cause the photo turned out so good. I've never taken a photo of water falling and have it come out so good! (Sorry, I just needed to pat myself on the back for a moment!)

We had a wonderful time shopping the knit shops. We went to two - The Yarn Basket and Yarn for Ewe in Rye and I bought sock yarn at both of them. Portsmouth Fabric Company blew me away...I never made it out of the batik section to look at other fabrics - but on the way out saw a Kaffe Fassett piece that I just had to have. (BTW, he has sock yarn coming out!)

Lunch was wonderful! And, we had a chance to catch up on news and learn more about each other. Julie is just learning to spin so it was great that she and Cheryl were able to meet. They live close enough that they can get together.

My trip was wonderful! Got to meet up with some really awesome people that I call friends...and even though distance separates us - our friendships will continue to grow...that is what is so awesome about all of it.

Friday...Gloucester, MA

Leaving Salem behind, I continued along the backroads heading to Portsmouth via Gloucester. I know it's really not on the way! What beautiful houses and scenery unfolded before my eyes. There were signs about horse crossings only to find a Polo field right up the road. It was beautiful! Towns with strange names like Beverly or Ipswich...just cool names.

The road I was on dead-ended at the water. All along the water flags were flying and a sign that stated something about Gloucester honors our men serving our country. (Not exact words - couldn't get a photo of the sign). But the view looked like this all the way down the waterfront.

But this is the monument that broke my heart...the woman and children staring at the ocean awaiting the ship bearing her husband. What an honor to the women who kept the home fires burning while their men sailed the sea fishing for a living.

Gloucester has a great history...one I want to learn more about...and I will visit again!!!

Friday...Salem, MA...

Did a few circles on the way to Salem from Burlington, but you'll never be able to accuse me of missing pretty scenery...so, I got lost a couple of times...then I found out that I-95 and 128 were the same road for a little while...pure panic! But, I did okay - went the speedlimit 65 and still had folks saluting me and passing me as if I were sitting still. But, made it to Rhonda's!

Okay, so Salem is big!!! Did I tell you Salem is big! I don't know what I expected but it wasn't Big! Guess I sort of thought it was going to be a cute little village with a historic center and some thing about witches - but, no. It is big! And, I had a blast.

Rhonda is as nice in person as she is on her blog...and talented! Oh, let me tell you...I saw that felted tea cozy - and you would not believe it. Gorgeous!!! Plus she is a gracious hostess who showed me around Salem...a town she really, really loves...and it shows.

First off it was lunch at the Rockmore...the boat trip over was so awesome! I know I must have looked like a real tourist. Let's just say - it's a good thing there were no flies around...

Here we are having just finished lunch...And, this is Rhonda on the way back to Salem...
The barge looking thing that has the tent and the turquoise little building on it is the Rockmore! Good food and a great view of Marblehead and Salem.
That is a view of Marblehead...lots of big houses on the water...

This little guy stole my heart - he came out with his family on the boat to enjoy the day. Don't you just love the doggie life jacket????

Rhonda and I spent time at Seed Stitch Fine Yarns - ended up with some lush brown sock yarn. Then it was time to check out the quilt store...found a great piece of black and white. From there it was time for tea ... and we had the best tea at the local tea shop. We ended our day in her backyard relaxing before I took off for Gloucester.

Rhonda, thanks for a great time...we'll have to do it again!

Thursday...Burlington, MA...

The trip began by heading to Burlington, MA and Borders to meet up with Erica and see Stephanie, the Yarn Harlot in person! The ride down was lovely - a clear day - and back roads. What could be better...


Upon arriving the first stop was Borders...and meeting Erica! We've been trying to meet for about a year now...and it was so nice to see her. She was quite busy turning an area of Borders into seating for 300 knitters. Managed to catch a snapshot of her in front of the sign for the booksigning. Have to say she is a lot prettier in person than the photo on her blog leads you to believe. Think we all would pay highly for her porcelain skin...!

Even though this was a really busy time for her, she managed to make me feel really welcome and while waiting in line to get my book signed we were able to talk a little bit! She is just every bit as nice as I knew she was!

In between the time I arrived and the booksigning, I found my hotel and went to the Mall. It was the first time I've been at the mall since last October...guess I'm just not a mall person.



This is what Borders looked like at about 6:00 (an hour before the Harlot would arrive)...I'm sitting in the second row with the black tee-shirt that says "Knit Happens". By 6:45 there was not a seat in the place!!!!


This is a shot of Erica and I...and...


Here I am with Stephanie (the Yarn Harlot) and holding her sock! She was so funny!!! Everyone laughed at the things she had to say...it was such a fun time.

Afterwards I met Kat ... and Cheryl who I was meeting up with in Portsmouth on Saturday.

So, Thursday was a great time in Burlington and Borders...tomorrow: Salem and Gloucester.

The Trip...

First let me say that I had a wonderful time! Besides getting to meet some really wonderful and fun friends...I got to see some wonderful parts of New England...

And, I got to visit some great knit shops and quilt stores...oh, my...and yes, I did buy some yarn - but it was all Sock yarn and thereby legal (since I am still trying to Knit from my Stash) ... photos of the yarn will be posted too...(as soon as I take some photos of it).

Think I should divide up the trip into several posts otherwise you would be reading a huge post with lots of photos...

Oh, and by the way, I am in a couple of photos on the Yarn Harlot's blog...and you can see me here.

I'm Home...

I'm back home after the most fun three days anyone could have...met up with really good friends! Lots of stories and photos to come...maybe later today...who knows...

But, just wanted to let you know I got home safely...and Killian was delighted to see me...