Quiet Day...

Spending a quiet day - organizing my calendar now that I will be attending physical therapy twice week for the next few months...

As my doctor said the other day - after a bunch of x-rays, cat scans, and other tests on my kidneys, bladder, and liver - (there were some other small things that made her look closer at these areas) we know what it isn't...Thankfully it is not Cancer in any of those areas. So, we are starting to look for other causes of the horrendous pain that "cold flat stops me in my tracks" and the ever persistent dull pain that holds on all the time.

She thinks it is possibly related so the area where the pelvic bones connect with the spine. And, after the the PT evaluation where all the pain seemed to disappear with certain pressure in that area - it looks like we might be on the right track.

So, today, I am resting and doing my exercise and keeping heat and cold on the area...

Have a great day all!!!

Friday Fill-In #74...

1. For me boredom is the opposite of creativity.
2. Made from Scratch by Sandra Lee was the last excellent book I read.
3. I like fill-ins because they give insight into a person and you get to know them better.
4. In nature I like looking at just about everything - although flowers and views are my favorites.
5. Obama should win the US elections.
6. The last time I laughed with all my belly was tonight when one of the kids on the Spelling Bee thought his word was numbnuts - instead of numnah. The look on his face was priceless.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to just chilling out, tomorrow my plans include more chilling out and unpacking the last couple of boxes and Sunday, I want to enjoy myself at the Cornish Hen Party!

92...

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Enjoy your 92nd year!

Lust...

Yarn Lust...Of course!

Did I need this beautiful sock yarn? Hell, no!

Did I want this beautiful sock yarn? Hell, yes!!!

Araucania Ranco Multy - Color 301

75% Wool/25% Polyamide

Approx. 376 yards - 100 gr.

24 sts = 4" on US 3

I can blame Betty for introducing this yarn to me...she was knitting a pair of socks from it yesterday when I stopped at the yarn shop...

Ten on Tuesday...

Ten Favorite Time Wasters

1) The Internet! Or as one of my friends used to call it - "The Information Box". Now I can spend time looking up stuff!

2) Pattern Searching - for either quilting or knitting patterns. It matters not!!

3) Scanning/Uploading Photos - Love playing with photos - and I haven't even discovered things like PhotoShop - or those kinds of programs...

4) Reorganizing things...It's a thing I have that things just need to be organized...

5) Napping or Sleeping...Nothing nicer than an afternoon nap in the summer with the breeze blowing through the window...(it usually starts reading - and ends up napping!!!)

6) Reading!!! I love to read - but it does take time - but, it's such fun!!!

7) Playing Spider Solitaire - one of the games on my computer

8) Playing Mahjong Titans - another one of the games on my computer

9) Watching TV - I only consider it wasting time - if I've already seen the particular program...

10) E-mail and Blogging - is my favorite - I love blogging and reading blogs...

You can find Ten on Tuesday here.

Memorial Day 2008...

Yard Sale Finds...

The last couple of days there have been tons of garage sales - yard sales...

Was happy to find this interesting book - The Encylopedia of Stitches...for $2. Also found a brand new humidifier - still in the box - for another $2.

Then today on the way home - I ran into a couple of sales - picked up five full rolls of thin silk ribbon for 10 cents a roll - it will be perfect to learn how to do silk embroidery to use to embellish quilts. And, a cute pitcher for 25 cents that will make an adorable flower vase...

Northampton, MA...Smith College...Part 2

Smith College Museum of Art! This is a lovely building with lots of really nice art work. The main exhibit that I went to see was African Beaded Art: Power and Adornment. The exhibit is only there until June 15 and it is impressive. Over 100 pieces of art and more beads in them than any of us could ever count. (Unfortunately it was one of the displays where you could not take any photos). But you can see a small photo and read about it here along with the other three exhibits that I could not photograph... 1) Sol LeWitt: Wall Drawing #139 (Grid and arcs from the midpoints of four sides)

2) Gary Niswonger: About Place - there were some beautiful paintings in this one. He is a professor of art there and did this particular work while on a sabbatical.

3) Sandy Skoglund: Radioactive Cats - graduate of Smith.

One of the more interesting works of art are the two restrooms. Not only are they considered a permanent exhibition - they are also used as the public restrooms so I could not get into the men's room to photograph it.

But...I did manage to photograph the Ladies Restroom...


Each sink has a very different design...and they are gorgeous!
The floor is also part of the art work as is the design in each of the toilet bowls. Everyone of them was different..
The walls also are works of art...It was stunning!!!

One of the other galleries which I could photograph...I'm not into portraits or most painted art...but, what I did love about the art work at Smith - besides the layout of the galleries - was that all the benches that one would sit on to view the art were also art...

This bench was my most favorite! Just look at the work on that...it is a double bench hooked together at the top...this is one side of it...
This is the other...
And again...another gorgeous bench!!!
There is another trip planned only next time I plan to go to the Botanical Gardens...yes, there is a link for that too...

Friday Fill-In #73...

1. On my laziest day I like to stay in my pj's, read, watch tv, and knit or quilt!

2. Making a list and crossing completed items off makes me feel like I'm being productive.

3 . I love little animals and big animals, too.

4. This summer I want to explore the area within two hours in each direction of my home.

5. Dave made me start my blog. He didn't force me or anything - but, he was instumental in my wanting to record my quilting and knitting...and my days.

6. Red gum drops and orange slices are aways in my candy jar.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to finishing this dish cloth that is kicking my butt (I've ripped out more than I've knit), tomorrow my plans include cooking a nice roast in my crock pot and Sunday, I want to finish up the garage over at the old house and get my house in working order!

You can find the Friday-Fill-In here!

Northampton, MA...Smith College...

Smith College! One of the Seven Sisters...

Growing up my dream was to attend college at one of the Seven Sisters -

(Mount Holyoke College (originally Mount Holyoke Female Seminary); Vassar College; Wellesley College; Smith College; Radcliffe College (originally The Harvard Annex - no longer open to students); Bryn Mawr College, and Barnard College)

Well, dreams are just that - and instead I attended the local university where I could commute and which was much more reasonable on the pocketbook!

But during the years I have been able to check them off one at a time - and so far I have visited Barnard College, Radcliffe College, and now Smith College!

The entrance to Smith College - and their gorgeous campus!The common building where students hang out, get their mail - basically their student union building.
Clark Hall...
The church that sits between several Smith College buildings
Not sure what building that one is - but, it looks like the performing arts building...couldn't see a name on it.
Two building joined by a common entrance - they appeared to be either dorms or apartments.
The Library is on the right and is on a common with other buildings surrounding the common. It is lined with beautiful old trees and lots of walkways. There is a very peaceful feeling on the campus.

This weekend: Smith College Museum of Art

Northampton, MA...WEBS...

Thursday, the 15th - was a get-away-day for me!!! My little brain had been working overtime and I wanted to go to Northampton...actually to Smith College.

But, then I heard WEBS was there! YEA!

The drive down was uneventful...nice trip - not a lot of traffic...just a quiet jaunt on Interstate 91. Was heading in what I thought was the direction for Smith when I saw a sign for a bead shop. Now that grabbed my attention. So, I pulled in. The bead shop belongs to WEBS - the same people who own the fiber shop...

I was directed around the corner to the fiber shop - and from there everything went to you-know-where-in-a-handbasket!

The front of the store! The entrance to more-yarn-than-you-can-count! I strolled and then I discovered the back room! But, I was a good! And, I didn't spend a lot...I could have done a lot of damage - but, I was reasonable!
Jaeger Baby Merino - 200 Yards - enough for two sets of Henry's Paws or the adorable hat I've been looking at. ($2.00 ea)
Berroco Comfort DK - Nylon/Acrylic (50/50) - enough for a pair of socks that I promised someone and this is a great blue for them. ($3.00 ea)
And, finally, ten skeins of Plymouth Linen Isle - cotton/rayon/linen - enough for a cute little summer shell...or vest type thing... ($2.39 ea)

I'll go back there...it was a fun place to look around and the yarns are very nice...

Tomorrow: Smith College!

Winnings...

Each year New Hampshire Sheep & Wool Festival has an auction of prizes that are donated by the vendors. The monies collected go to education...

Basically, one buys 6 tickets for $5.00 and then goes around and drops a ticket into a coffee can for an item. I ended up buying $10.00 worth of tickets. One of the coffee cans was attached to this lovely prize:

It is a beautiful green Hand-dyed Merino skein of yarn and the pattern to make these adorable hats. The prize was furnished by: Mostly-Merino Fine Vermont Yarn. I was very happy to win this!
Each month one of my favorite quilt shops Hana Lima Hand Dyes holds a contest and the prize is a $35.00 gift certificate to their store. I was the February winner!!! And this is what I got (I spent more than the gift certificate - but isn't that what you are supposed to do???)

The above are yard cuts of a stunning batik and two black and whites for my black and white quilt.
These would be fat quarters - and they are stunning!!!!
Check out these adorable little pockets ...aren't they cute??? And guess what they have inside -
25 - 5" charm squares - Batiks
25 - 5" charm squares of her Hand Dyed fabric
And, finally 50 5" charm squares: 25 Batiks and 25 Hand-Dyed - and none of them are the same as the other packages.

These fabrics are among the nicest fabrics I've seen in a long time. And, her presentation in mailing them to you is exceptional. Thanks! It was a joy to be the winner!!!!

NHS&W...The Fiber Babies...

Everyone of them is adorable...Please enjoy their photos.

Without them and others like them we would not enjoy knitting or any other fiber arts as much as we do!

Killian is 12..

Killian is having a birthday today. He is 12! We picked the 18th of May - since he came to live with me around July 13th, 1996 and he was eight weeks old.

He is spending his special day relaxing on the couch...getting his back and head rubbed...and getting a few extra treats.

I am so thankful to have him and that he is in such good health...and a happy kitty. He has shared my life for these twelve years and I hope he continues to share my life for a long time to come.

I is for...

Ireland...

Would love to take a trip to Ireland and see all the fiber related areas!

Photos from www.ifsa-butlerireland.com

Friday Fill-In #72...

1. There is absolutely NO way you can get me to go sky diving!

2. The black flies and running lawn mowers reminds me that summer is almost here!

3. I cannot live without my books.

4. Canoeing and taking a baking class are two things I'd like to try.

5. When life hands you lemons add tequila and make margaritas.

6. Living in Puerto Rico with my pets, Porky (a piglet), Comet, (a goat), and Jiggs (a raccoon) is my favorite childhood memory.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to finishing that blasted quilt block that I have been procrastinating about, tomorrow my plans include going out for a couple of hours to see what is happening at local yard sales and Sunday, I want to chill with knitting, a good book, and maybe a bubble bath!

You can find the Friday-Fill-Ins here.

Just Got Home...

Northampton today...

Discovered WEBS...

Great Exhibits at Smith College Museum of Art...

Now off to read for a while and fall asleep!!!

Great day...more tomorrow (when Blogger lets me post photos!)

NHS&W...The Goods...

Being overwhelmed at the site of so many things to see, I waited before I made any purchases. My intent was to buy from shops that were not my local shops - I buy from them all the time and I have easy access to them.

Wandered the entire festival before making any decision...

Wanna see what I bought?????

From The Elegant Ewe (which is in Concord - but, I've only been to once): Audi Turbo Lace Knitting Needles and a pattern for an English Mesh Lace Scarf.

From A Touch of Twist - 2 skeins (300 yards each) of Zephyr (merino and silk) in the Peacock colorway. So soft - my friend, Rhonda, bought a gorgeous grey skein and a pink skein.

And last but not least - a kit from Ball and Skein. The pattern is GUST by Anne at Knitspot. The yarn is from Ball and Skein - it is Arequipa. Hand-Dyed 80% Alpaca/20% Silk - 400 yards Lace Weight. It is soft, soft, soft. And, it is gorgeous!

Not bad for a day trip!!!!

Ten on Tuesday...

Ten Things I Am Really Good At

01) Managing money, living within my budget, and making it stretch! I was not always good at that.

02) Cooking Spanish/Puerto Rican/Cuban food. It is the food of my mother's heritage and I love cooking it.

03) Traveling! Mainly because I love to travel and see new things, places, and people. Secondly because I never meet a stranger.

04) Procrastinating when it is something that I don't want to do!

05) Playing with color. I never thought I was and everytime I go to the quilt store and pick out stuff or work on a project - everyone says I have a real eye for color.

06) Remembering names, addresses, phone numbers, places.

07) Keeping useless trivia in my head. So much so that no one wants to play Trivia with me anymore. And, I answer a lot of the Jeopardy questions correctly.

08) Knitting and Quilting. I think I'm good at it because I take my time and enjoy the process as well as the result.

09) Being a good friend. (or so I've been told)

10) Loving my family and friends.

You can find Ten on Tuesday here.

NHS&W...Part I...

The best part of the fiber festival was running into friends...and blogger friends that I'd never met... Gail (in the green) and her friend whose name I've totally forgotten. Gail works at the hospital where Scarlett works and we know each other from when I volunteered there.

The person in the stunning shawl - would be Carole. Funny thing is I recognized her husband, Dale, before I did her...I had just arrived and parked my car and looked over to my right - and there was Dale! Jumped out of the car and said - "Say, aren't you Dale?" He said he was - and then Carole looked around from behind the car and recognized me. They are such fun! I hung with them for a little while -but had to go catch up with everyone from my knitting group who were working at the festival - either in their own booths or as volunteers!

My friend, Cheryl and that would be Tina, who wasn't looking at the camera!

That would be Heather in the stunning red shawl...

Dale on the left (and others who I can't remember) at the pot luck! Someone please fill me in on names when you recognize the photos -
More at the potluck -- And still more at the pot luck! It was a ton of bloggers together talking yarn, patterns, and showing each other what we had bought so far! It was fabulous - and for my first time a little overwhelming to meet so many NEAT people.

Met: Maryse, and a bunch more that I can't even remember their names....

Ran into: Erica, and Kat (no photos - the building was too dark and my flash wasn't working right then)

My buddy, Rhonda and her husband, Bill, came up from Salem, MA and we spent the afternoon hanging together! And, didn't get the first photo of us together!

And, one last photo - Yes...that would be me trying my hand at spinning. The teacher said I did really well - and I got the hang of it pretty quick...

Don't even go there!!!!(I have one photo of me - Had three taken - but the other two didn't turn out - one was real fuzzy and the other was a flash of pink - so guess my camera was rebelling at working so hard!!!)