Thanks..Deb...

Your Thinking is Abstract and Random

You are flexible, adaptable, and creative. There's many ways that you can learn - and you're up for any of them. You relate well to other people, and you do well working in groups. You can help people communicate together and work with each other's strengths. You don't work well with people who are competitive or adversarial. You prefer to work toward a common goal... not toward conflicting goals.

What Kind of Thinker Are You?

Saturday Ramblings...Again...

Saturday...a good catch up day....

1) The Tuesday class on Healthy Living that I am taking is going along rather well! Am learning how to take better care of myself - which in turn helps me take better care of mother. The last two weeks we have been concentrating on exercise - both for endurance and flexibility and strength.

2) Learned about deep breathing and have been practicing but swallowing air is not fun - especially when it causes your throat to be sore from burping up the air! But, they did say that happens to some people. Guess I'm one of them.

3) Monday nights have turned out to be wonderful for me. The 1st and 3rd are spent at Hodgepodge Knit shop just knitting, laughing, and being with other knitters. The 2nd and 4th are spent with my quilt guild just working on quilts and talking about quilting.

4) Spoke to an old friend today - who did not know my relationship had ended - and she said the sweetest thing: "No matter it's always hard when a good person is suffering from a broken heart". (or pretty close to that)

5) Griffin's snuggles is now 36 inches by 11 inches tall...those other 25 inches are slow in coming!

6) Found a fascinating book at the library - Secret Hotels - by Erik Torkells and the Editors of Budget Travel. I'll let you know about it as soon as I read it!

7) Killian was a bad boy this week and stratched me all because he didn't want to go into his crate and go to the vet to get his nails cut! That little angel face!!! I know!!! Don't believe it!

8) Off to fix supper...and watch movies...and work on some project.

Friday Fill-In #65

1. Some relationships are meant to end in friendship.

2. Toby Keith is the last concert I saw; it was in Tennessee and so long ago I barely remember.

3. Spring should be warm and pretty not cold, raining, and snowing.

4. Oh no! I forgot my sister's anniversary. It was in the middle of March!

5. I've recently started an account on Ravelry and it is loads of fun.

6. Killian. my cat, never fails to make me smile.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to fixing hot dogs and fingerling potatoes with lots of butter for dinner, tomorrow my plans include to watch three movies and do laundry and Sunday, I want to attend church and then relax!

Addicted...Who Me?

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Movie Day...

Yesterday afternoon was spent watching a couple of movies that needed to be returned before the day was over...

First on the list was: Away From Her. While I thought the acting was wonderful and Julie Christie deserved the nod from the Academy...the movie just didn't move me emotionally. It was dry and I really didn't feel the connection or the love that the story suggested between the lead characters. It was an okay movie - glad I saw it to see what the Academy saw in Christie's performance...but, other than that it was just okay.

Secondly: The Wicker Man with Nicholas Cage. Labeled a horror flick - I didn't think it was...Actually it reminded me of a poor copy-cat of one of my favorite movies "Harvest Home" from the book by Thomas Tyron. It was another okay movie...and if you really like Cage - he was good in it.

Thirdly: The best of the three! Perfect Stranger with Halle Berry and Bruce Willis! This movie was HOT! And, I can tell you the ending blew me away - Never saw it coming! Very, very good movie...And, Berry is awesome looking in this movie!!!

Did a little knitting while watching - mostly worked on the Dog Snuggle for Griffin...

Check It Out...

Signs of Spring are arriving. On the way to quilting tonight we saw these beautiful deer in an open field. They just sort of stood there and posed for me...
That is until something scared them and off this one took!
But, this one seemed to want to just hang out and let me take photos.
My friend, Colleen, checking out an emu egg. One of our members has some emu and the female had eight eggs this year. They can be etched on and it goes down to about 7 different colors! It was very interesting.
This is one of our charity quilts - we make these blocks and always have some on hand. This quilt will go to an organization that helps people fix up their homes. They will raffle it off to make money to buy supplies.

Happy Easter...Happy Spring...

Happy Easter!

Happy Spring!

Images by:

www.hostessblog.com

Quilting Day...

Today was spent with my quilting friends! It was such fun. We laughed, worked on projects, ate chocolate cake, and admired and helped each other by offering our opinions.

I ran out for a few minutes to the quilt shop...and bought the batiks you see. Working on a Round Robin - and I will be using these three batiks. They are just beautiful in person. The middle one is especially gorgeous.
Came home ready to sit down and sew...just finished washing and ironing the fabric - so I am set to go.

Friday Fill-In #64...

Friday Fill-In #64

1. Watching a difficult knitting or quilting pattern take shape is so exciting!

2. Strawberry fields forever. (Like it would be something different after watching Across the Universe twice this week!)

3. A breaded steak sandwich and Cuban coffee sounds like it would taste delicious!

4. Why does laughing out loud make me feel so good?!

5. The Eiffel Tower is something I've always wanted to see.

6. It's sad when animals are mistreated.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching No Reservations, tomorrow my plans include going to my quilt guild's work day and the quilt store and Sunday, I want to just hang out and either read or quilt or knit - or even all three!

My Name...

This is really fairly accurate!!!! What can I say!!!

What Sara Means

You are the total package - suave, sexy, smart, and strong. You have the whole world under your spell, and you can influence almost everyone you know. You don't always resist your urges to crush the weak. Just remember, they don't have as much going for them as you do. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality. You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

Spring!

Oh, I am excited that Spring is here! At least it is according to the calendar! And, I am going to stay excited - even though the winds are supposed to be very strong today and tomorrow - and we might get a bit of bad weather...I will not let it affect my spring time mood!

Have my knitting projects for spring all lined up here and I'm ready to rock and roll.

Saturday is an all day quilting work day with my quilt group and it will be so fun. I will be working on the binding for a quilt we are going to give to a local charity so that they can raffle it off. Plus, I plan to take my daughter's quilt with me and work on the hand quilting.

Easter is Sunday! How can that be! But it is - and my cards are sitting here waiting to go to the post office. They will most likely be late - but, Easter just snuck up on me!

Tonight I will be watching a movie (Away From Her) as I am not at all into March Madness! Isn't that what they call the basketball hoopla that has taken over the tv these next few weeks?

Spring is fast approaching...

Ahhh...Spring!

Ali's Spring Knitting Goal Contest caught my eye over at Rhonda's blog!

So, what are my knitting goals for spring?

1. Finish my Handpaint Wildfoote socks.

2. Finish the Pink Henry's People Paws.

3. Finish up the blanket I am making for Griffin (the dog).

4. Cast on and finish the Brown Pace socks for Scarlett.

5. Re-evaluate the Red Sweater I knit out of Cascade 220 and if I still hate it - rip it out and begin work on a cute cardi.

F is for...

Flowers...
A bouquet from a friend...last year!
Roadside flowers...
More Roadside Flowers...
Pretty Yellow Flowers above and below...
Flowers just bring a smile and lift the spirits!!!!

Fantastic Movie...

I watched the most fanstastic movie that I've seen this year...it was so damn good that I went after returning the rented copy to the library directly to the store to buy my own copy! That's how good it was!

Across the Universe is awesome! Jim Sturgess (Jude) is gorgeous and a damn fine singer! Evan Rachel Wood (Lucy) is pretty! And, the music of the Beatles brought back a ton of memories as did the movie! Julie Taymor, the director, is for sure talented!

"Across the Universe, from director, Julie Taymor, is a revolutionary rock musical that re-imagines America in the turbulent late-1960s, a time when battle lines were being drawn at home and abroad."

So, says the back of the DVD holder - and you know what - the movie delivers! There was one part that was a little strange - but, it fit into the broader scope so it wasn't intrusive. I have to say I haven't been this excited about a movie in a long time...

I'll be watching it a lot!

March 17th...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!!!

Revisiting...

Today seems like a good time to revisit two of my challenges for this year!

Another book has been added to my A-Z Reading Challenge. Last night finished reading Blood Brother: 33 Reasons My Brother Scott Peterson Is Guilty by Anne Bird.

This book was interesting in that it was written by his half-sister who had been given up for adoption as an infant by Jackie Peterson. She was one of two children that Jackie gave away. They had no contact until, if I remember correctly, five years prior to the murder. I'm not sure that her reasons were strong enough - it didn't seem like there was a lot of meat to them - but, that she came to the conclusion that he was guilty was the main part. I think she wrote the book more to leave a record of her feelings for herself and her children.

This book did show the relationship of Scott and his mother, Jackie - with Scott being the "golden child" - and Jackie's dislike for Laci, the murdered wife. Jackie was shown to be a very strange person throughout this book.

A Commitment to Loveliness Challenge seems to be going along slowly. I am finding that I haven't been able to get into a rhythm of organizing my life around all the workers who now show up. It has only been a month of trying to schedule things but I am hopeful that once I get the schedule down just right it will work out better.

Still drinking my water every day; eating some type of breakfast but not relaxing with a book or magazine at that time; taking my thyroid meds religiously; and finding time to read and relax.

I am learning that it is okay to take time for myself and I have every Monday night free to do the things that I enjoy - knitting and quilting guilds! My sitter shows up at 6:30 and I am gone until 9:30 at night just relaxing with my friends!

Dreary Saturday...

Dreary Saturday...not much snow to speak of - they were calling for 2-5 inches...and we got a dusting. It was on the walkway from my apartment building to the parking lot when I went out at 8 a.m. to let the dogs out.

Came back home and decided to spend a little time reading - am currently reading Blood Brother: 33 Reasons My Brother Scott Peterson Is Guilty by Anne Bird. It is interesting and I'll share more once I finish it.

News: I'm on Ravelry. Finally got my invitiation - although it wasn't very long after I applied. I like it. It keeps me on track with my knitting. I decided not to load up all my older projects - but to start from the day I joined forward.

Last night I spent the time knitting on a blanket for Griffin, my daughter's dog. Tonight I want to work on my socks!

Did you notice I finally put my photo on my blog???? Only took me a couple of years to figure out how! We're not even going to go there!

Tonight I am fixing one of my favorite comfort foods for dinner: tomato pie. It is so warm and filling - perfect for a cold dreary day.

Killian is spending the day as close to me as he can. He has not let me out of his sight all day and has been either underfoot or laying next to me in the big chair.

Well, that's about all the news that is news from this corner of New Hampshire! Have a great day and evening!

Friday Fill-In #63...

Friday Fill-Ins #63

1. Contact may cause hunger pangs.
2. The parties hereto do mutually agree to remain friends.
3. Disney parks always bring me enjoyment.
4. Disaronno Amaretto and half and half on the rocks sounds really good right about now!
5. I positively love traveling.
6. My dogs and cats always makes me smile :-)
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching Across The Universe, tomorrow my plans include working on my closet and unpacking a few boxes and Sunday, I want to work on taxes!

Cars...

Cars...can't live with them and can't live without them!

Then there is the State Inspection which has to be passed...and guess who didn't pass. My car!

The check engine light has been on forever - and it wasn't really causing any problems - just some little sensor...nothing important - except that now it is part of the inspection!

And, the brakes...well, they needed to be replaced...so, today the car spent the day at the shop...and while it was there it spent the money I was thinking of using to go to Montreal for a couple of days at the end of May. So, I'll just have to delay that little trip - maybe October...

But, I guess that's what cars do...spend your money for you!!!!

New Socks...

Sock Mania has struck my house...two different pairs on needles!

This would be a pair for Scarlett - her Christmas present - (no, not this year - but last year's). Just started the swatch to see what size needles I will be using. Love the yarn it is so soft - and is 75% super wash wool/25% Polyamide. Yarn is from Turkey...PACE by Universal Yarn Inc.

These would be mine...Handpaint Wildfoote by Brown Sheep Company, Inc. - Color Symphony. Am at the start of the heel on the first sock. The yarn is so pretty - and will make some really nice socks.
So, I am happy knitting Socks! And, decreasing my stash!

Photos...finally...New Class...

Finally, the photos of my delicious banana nut bread! This is becoming my favorite thing to bake. The house always smells so good when it is baking.


It's been a quiet day today. Had a class this morning - Healthier Living - and it seems like it is going to be a great class. The class is offered at the hospital in Vermont about ten miles from my house...and is sponsored through a grant from Stamford University. It is 2-1/2 hours each week and lasts for six weeks and all the materials and the class itself are offered to the public free.

A friend of mine took it last time and suggested that I take it. She said it was an awesome class and she learned a lot from it...Judging from the session today - it promises to be a great class!

E is for...

Eggs...

Eggs! Whether they are fried, scrambled, soft-boiled, hard-boiled, deviled, or in potato or tuna salad - there is nothing that says comfort more than eggs.

My household consumes a lot of eggs. Mother eats two eggs every morning for breakfast! I try and eat eggs two or three times a week! Usually at supper time...nothing like breakfast late in the evening! Then there are the eggs used in other dishes or baking!

The egg is one of my favorite foods!

Socks...

Just finished a pair of socks...

Pattern: Classic Socks for the Family #29 by Yankee Knitter Designs

Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes

100% Peruvian Highland Wool

Color: Lake Ice Heather

Needles: Size 5

Skeins - 3 Skeins

The person I knit these for has trouble finding socks that fit and are comfortable on her calves - so, I tried to make these a perfect fit. I think she will enjoy them.

What's Up with Blogger?...

Today just seems to just be slow going with just about everything!

The weather is foul! Raining and it is a wintery mix...It is dark and dreary. Edgar Allen Poe would have fit right in.

The electric company will love me today cause I've got lights on in the kitchen and living room just to get enough light for it not to seem like night-time.

And, blogger/google is giving me fits (and it seems to be everyone!) about getting to blogs, links, and posting...

So, I'm baking a banana nut bread! Knitting on Socks! Catching up on mail that needs to go out! And, reading Pandora's Daughter by Iris Johansen.

Have a great Saturday...

Friday Fill-In #62

Friday Fill-Ins #62

1. Ahhhh, it's so nice to see the sun even if there is more bad weather in the forecast.

2. One of my favorite things on my bureau is this beautiful stained glass box Scarlett made for me.

3. Japanese Cherry Blossom bubble bath smells so good and feels great.

4. My comfy green recliner is my favorite place to sit and read.

5. Homemade macaroni and cheese is delicious!

6. I love to watch Jodi Foster in movies.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to having New England Boiled Dinner for dinner, tomorrow my plans include staying indoors out of the bad weather we are expecting, and Sunday, I want to take a nice long bubble bath!

Quilting...SSRR Block...

Can't begin to describe what a great feeling it was to sit down at my sewing machine last night and this morning creating a quilt block...

The block I am making is part of a super sized round robin I am participating in...I wish I could show you the block - but, it will have to wait until they are all complete. It was so fun to add a 6-1/2 inch border and play with colors again and just be creative!

Tonight I plan on working on that pair of socks that is almost finished...maybe tonight!!!

Good Day...

Great day today...all the bills are paid for the month...so, now I can relax! And, quilt and knit...and do the things that are fun.

Had to go back and try this painting thing one more time. So, I really changed up my answers - and this is what I got...Rather interesting, I think.


Click here to create your own painting.

New Knitting Group...

Aren't these cute? Fingerless mitts! Actually, they are called Henry's People Paws (after the dog that hangs at the knit shop). And, I finally found a use for those darn double point needles!

The yarn is: Reynolds Soft Sea Wool
Color 0915 (Pink)
100% Wool
Knit on a #2 needle

So that is my project while I am at my new knitting group. It was so fun last night! The group meets on Monday nights at Hodgepodge Yarn Shop just ten miles up the road in Newport, NH.

I have to admit it was surprising to see the diversity in ages of the women there. Young, middle aged, and more mature...all of us knitting or crocheting, laughing, and talking like we had know each other for years. It was so fun!

Being the newbie to the group - I was a little nervous about joining up - but the shop owner, Sue, had been very encouraging last week when I dropped by to just knit...and last night she made sure that I met everyone in the group...and honestly, I felt included right away!

Am looking forward to spending the first and third Monday nights there! The second and fourth are quilting nights...so, all my crerative needs are starting to feel renewed again.

My paintings...well...sort of...

Deb over at Red Shoe Ramblings had a little painting which she created by going to this site. Thought I'd give it a try! The first one is after I saw that you could pick your color...the second one is the one that came out when I used the color that was currently checked cause I missed the question. They really are kind of cool!


Click here to create your own painting.


Click here to create your own painting.

Day Trippin' ... Barre...

Barre, Vermont...has been calling my name for the last several months...so, off I headed on Interstate 89...on the one clear day we had a week ago.

Dave, I know you will appreciate the above photo...and thankfully none of the dear little moose crossed the road in front of me.

(Although I don't know if you've heard - but, there is a precious little moose about an hour or two away on Route 100 in Vermont who doesn't have the gene that makes him afraid of humans - and he is staying by the side of the road and when cars slow down he actually comes over and puts his head in the window. The police are asking people not to feed him. It was on the news last week!)The road was clear and the skies were beautiful. Just a lovely winter day to enjoy a little day trip.

My reason for going up to Barre - is L.A.C.E. (Local Agricultural Community Exchange)! I heard about it from a magazine article and from a notice about a Jackson Browne Fund Raising Concert.

Ariel Zevon (Warren Zevon's daughter and Jackson Browne's god-child) is the founder of L.A.C.E.

You know me - such a firm believer in buying locally produced items - so, naturally, I had to go see what all the fuss was about.

Even though the above photo doesn't show up clearly, the market is bright and cheery with lots of local artwork on the walls and local products scattered around the store.

But, this was what I came for - lunch! Which I had heard through word-of-mouth would be very good. My sandwich - Roast Beef Rebuen - was so good. It came with some really good slaw - and it was yummy. Managed to catch a photo of Ariel as she was making some one's lunch...which she seemed to be doing the entire time I was there. The place was busy...

Shopped for a few things - and then headed for home. Took a different route - no interstate - and all the little towns were lovely. Stopped in Norwich at the King Arthur Flour Company to see what was new...and picked up the best French roll (I got the last one in the case)...and some pancake mix.

It was a fun day!!!

Hello, March!...

March blew in but without the fury we were expecting...no 8-10 inches of the fluffy stuff! Some arrived but not a lot...

The news is good from the doctor and all the CT scans. Nothing serious with the kidneys or leg! All is well! The thyroid - well, that's another story - but, I am now on the right medication at the right dosage. So, now we wait for a couple of months and redo the blood work to make sure the thyroid is working properly.

The little trip to the ER a few weeks ago was caused by stress - but, that is also calming down - especially since all the aggravation of getting workers into the house to care for Mother is pretty much gone.

So, now that February is gone - it is time to move on with all my little projects and challenges that I have set forth for myself this year. Somehow when you don't feel good things get way behind...