Drop On By...Martha...

Martha Stewart is going to be picking some blogs to feature on her blog...and, I love Martha! So, I've been a good girl and left her a comment.

If you want to leave Martha a comment and see if she'll drop by your blog...go here!

Wouldn't it be a hoot if she came by my blog???

Bye, September...

Hello, October...

The months seem to go so fast...Or is it me?

Another finished project. Henry's People Paws for Scarlett. She bought the yarn and the pattern - for a pair for three of us...two are now done. Mine will be next. They are a gorgeous purple.
Fall flowers - they are lovely! And, I love seeing them in the window boxes outside of some of the businesses downtown on Pleasant Street.

Spent yesterday morning until nap time with Mother. As a matter of fact, right after lunch - she said to me - "it's time for my nap - you can go home now." Okay!

She is doing well and adjusting. She eats well - Spending a few days away was a big help in her adjusting better. Yesterday she went to a concert given by a guy who plays a pan flute. They have all kinds of entertainers who come and visit and share their talents with them.

My Corner of the World...

My friend, Brittany, posted photos of her local coffee shop...and I promised her I would post photos of our local coffee shop - The Java Cup.
The Java Cup is located on Pleasant Street. Pleasant Street is the one street in our downtown where all the local shops are and it comes off of the rotary (or bullpen or roundabout - depending on where you live) that you've seen photos of before. Other than the main drag - Washington Street - where all the places like grocery stores and strip malls are located.
Coffee, hot chocolate, teas, juices, and lots of delicious pastries abound here. It is a small little shop but has lots of character.
It's a nice little spot to get your morning going! Or spend a few minutes relaxing or regrouping after a busy morning.

I'm Interesting...

You Are 80% Interesting

Believe it or not, you are a very fascinating person. You're probably too busy being interesting to realize exactly how interesting you are. You have a rich, full life. You are curious about the world, and you are very open to new experiences. You have a lot to talk about, and people find you to be an amazing conversationalist. And most importantly, you are truly interested in other people. How could anyone find that boring? You truly listen and learn from others. You're not self absorbed or shallow.

Are You Boring or Interesting?

Maryse had this over at her blog yesterday...thought I'd try it.

Who would have thunk it!!

Friday Fill-In #91...

1. The magnificent colored leaves and the cool crispiness in the air are some of the things I'm most looking forward to in October.

2. Sometimes I want to just sit around and read all day long.

3. People saying that they are never going to fall in love again and then they do and that's why there is a saying, "never say never"!

4. When I'm down, I tend to either sleep a lot or wander aimlessly through stores.

5. At a quilt shop or a yarn shop is where you'll find me most often.

6. A rainy day is good for either reading or planning a new quilting or knitting project.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to chilling out at home since it is raining, tomorrow my plans include going to Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site (if it quits raining) to see an exhibit titled "Sculptural Visions and Sunday, I want to go to church, have dinner with friends, and get some photos of myself done!

You can play Friday Fill-Ins here

My Autumn Test Results...

Your Autumn Test Results

You are a dynamic, vibrant person. You aren't afraid to pursue your passions. When you are happiest, you are calm. You appreciate tradition and family. You enjoy feeling cozy. You prefer change to come slowly. You need a long transition period when your life changes. You find abundance to be the most comforting thing in the world. You love shopping and having nice things. Your ideal day is active and full. You like to keep busy with your favorite things, and you appreciate a routine. You tend to live in the moment. You enjoy whatever is going on, and you don't obsess over the past or future.

The Autumn Test

P is for...

Potatoes...

Okay, don't laugh! I love potatoes! And, the ones from the farmer's market are so good.
Bottom Row: Yukon Gold; small white potato
Back Row: Small red potato; blue potatoes.

The blue ones are my favorites - they have a really good earthy taste.

O is for...

Objects...Finished Objects that is!

Three scarves are ready for the Red Scarf Project this year...
Two Cat Snuggles are ready to go to the local Humane Society.

I've been on a roll!!!

N is for...

Necklace. Not just any necklace but one that I made a zillion years ago! This must have been made in the late 70s...when taking a class with my next door neighbor at a bead store in Tampa.

It is a great necklace to wear with that little black dress!

My Corner of the World...

The architecture here in New England fascinates me...I love the different style houses. This house is so appealing. It is well kept and always looks like it would be a nice place to come home to. I see it often as it is right across the street from where I shop for my meat.

This would be Liberal Beef Company. Doesn't look like much on the outside, does it? But, inside - Mike and his gang - have the best meat anywhere. They not only operate the meat market but also serve most of the commercial places (like restaurants and other small markets).
This is where I head when I want fresh ground chuck to make a hamburger that day...or a nice little steak that isn't pre-frozen. I have shopped there for meat since we moved here four years ago.

Last week, I featured The Way Condos - and totally forgot that this beautiful small apartment building is almost across the street from them.

The building is nestled in among the trees - and I think there are either 3 or 4 apartments (counted the meters) in the building. It is such a peaceful setting.
The one on the left is so adorable with the small porch...just think it is really neat.

Susan, this one might be more affordable - want me to let you know when one becomes available???

Killian Speaks...

Killian here. I asked Mom if I could write her post for her blog today...she said it was okay.

You see today is Puppy Mill Awareness Day. Yes, I know I'm a cat...but, I have friends who aren't cats too, you know...

And I wanted to let you know how important it is that you check out the place where you are buying your purebred dog and make sure that it isn't coming from a puppy mill where they are mistreated...

Or better yet - you could go to the Humane Society and find a wonderful friend who will become part of your forever family. Mom found me at a Humane Society and look how much we love each other...and what a great life I have here in New Hampshire with her!

Thanks,

Your friend,

Killian

Friday Fill-In #90

1. There is no need for me to buy any more cds, books, yarn, or fabric...but, somehow those are the things that bring me pleasure and I still buy them.

2. Where in the heck did the spring and summer go? I certainly missed them.

3. Decluttering my quilting UFOs is all I managed to do.

4. Prospects for a warm week-end are diminishing as the weather person keeps talking about chilly nights heading our way.

5. You can't live someone elses life for them and you can't change the outcome is the message.

6. Simplicity and tranquility are on my list to achieve. I've done pretty well with them but feel there is still room to grow.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to to dinner out and maybe a movie, tomorrow my plans include either seeing the movie (Lakewood Terrace) at a matinee (if we don't go tonight) or working on a quilt and Sunday, I want to finish the quilt and decluttering the quilting notions!

14 Weeks...

Yep...that's what's left until the end of the year. And, to finish my A-Z Reading Challenge. The problem is I have 30 books to read in these 14 weeks...I've managed to read 22 books! I could have been way ahead of the game - if I had chosen to use both the title of the book and the author twice. But, I didn't do that - as I wanted to read new authors.

Here's two books recently finished...both were totally new authors to me...

Homeward Bound by Marin Thomas - this was a Harlequin American (#1079). Series romance is fun to read - and I did enjoy this book. Her writing style was a little different than a lot of series writers - but, all in all, she kept my interest...

The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry - I really liked this book...great story, well told, interesting concept, and I can't say anything else about it - because a bunch of people I know are reading it now...and I don't want to give anything away.

Going to the Dogs...

This is Jake - he's just a dog! Ran into him at the Pharmacy. He was tied outside waiting for his owners. Saw his owners (she tends bar at one of the Chinese restaurants - and is the daughter of the owner of the diner) - and they said I could take his photo...
He is a sweet fellow - and stood very still so I could take his photo.

Allergies are really kicking up today...and it was a long day - spent visiting Mom. We had a nice dinner together.

Ten on Tuesday...

Ten Simple Things That Make You Happy

1) Talking to my daughter, Tara.

2) Spending time with my Mother, Carmen.

3) Spending time with friends.

4) Flowers.

5) Taking a walk on a clear pretty day.

6) Working on/finishing a project.

7) Reading a good book.

8) Watching a really good movie.

9) Spending time in a museum, art gallery, fabric shop, or yarn store.

10) Listening to music.

P.S. Julie and Rhonda - I'll send ya the quarter for yesterday's comment! Thanks - you both are sweethearts!

M is for...

M is for Mom and Motherhood...

My mother - this was taken years ago in our yard in Florida. She loved working in the yard and was one of those people who could make anything grow beautifully. The day before she had her first stroke she was helping us plant our garden in Tennessee. She still loves plants and flowers - even though she isn't able to garden anymore.
Motherhood - something I never thought would happen for me. I was 30 when I had my little girl...she was so tiny! Under five pounds when she was born...that red hair turned a gorgeous shade of blonde.

L is for...

Lace...


I love lace knitting - the patterns are so delicate! Since I began knitting I have wanted to try some real lace knitting - (yes, I've done some lacy washrags - but nothing bigger than 12x12 inches)

I bought A Gathering Of Lace because it had more than four patterns in it that I would make. (that seems to be the magic number - 4!). And, the Angel Lace Shawl was a pattern I bought at NH Sheep and Wool this year...

So I am ready...

My Corner of the World...

Claremont is trying very hard to revitalize the area - having been a mill town there are many old buildings that have become empty...and need a little or in some cases a lot of TLC.

The Way Apartments was such a building. At one point this had been a school. It sits on a lovely tree-lined street. It was bought several years ago and renovated into condominiums.

One of the things that makes the apartments so nice are the great windows which bring a lot of light into the rooms. Toured the building and apartments when there was an open house - and the apartments are lovely with large rooms. Not sure how many have sold - but there are occupants now in the building. They are a little pricey so that may be one of the reasons they haven't all sold yet.

Handling things from far away...

I'm not good at handling things from far away. I'm a worrier!!! Class A, Card-carrying worrier! And, today is really trying my worry meter!

Daughter lives in Phoenix, Arizona! I live in New Hampshire! She is in the ER!

Somehow she got a cut on the cornea of her eye - they think it was from something that flew into the eye...but, there is concern...and they are sending her to an opthomologist. They were going to send her in an ambulance to another hospital - but, she just called and said that she is going to an opthomologist who is open today - and had an appointment available now. Of course, they gave her a narcotic to calm her down - and she can't drive...and none of her friends are currently at home...so the hospital is sending her in a cab and then bringing her back there once she sees the opthomologist!

So, my little worry meter is just ticking away...

Oh, I was three numbers away from winning the car...but, it was fun to go. Three hundred people qualified - and I think all 300 showed up to try and win that Malibu!

Update: Tara called and she is home safe and sound - a little woozy from the meds - and I couldn't get much information. But, she is not in pain now - and they gave her some medicine and I'll know more tomorrow - when she is able to think and talk rationally.

Friday Fill-In #89

1. I enjoy everything about my life - but have a great love for the creativeness that I get to enjoy through my quilting and knitting.

2. How is my life going to shake out now that I am living alone is something I wonder about often lately.

3. In your heart, you knew the decisions that were made were the right ones.

4. Take a lot of laughter, add a little common sense and you end up with a life that is pretty much a lot of fun.

5. Life has gifted me with the ability to make friends easily.

6. Picking up a good book is an instant vacation.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to relaxing after a day of visiting my doctor, having blood work done, a chest x-ray taken, and visiting with mother, tomorrow my plans include playing bingo to try and win a 2008 Chevy Malibu from one of the local radio stations and Sunday, I want to visit Mother and then come home and quilt!

9/11...

Another anniversary of a horrible day...

But, maybe we should use today to reflect on how fortunate we are that we live in America ... and that we have the right to honor and celebrate the lives of those who lost their lives that horrific day.

And, maybe we could think about the other rights that we have - like the right to vote for the leaders of our country.

I am so sick of hearing people say that they are not going to vote because they don't like either of the people running. It's not about whether you LIKE them or not...it's about what direction you want to see your country going in the next four years and who is the best person to take it there as far as you are concerned.

Those people need to stop being such lazy Americans and study the issues and see how they feel in their mind or hearts and go with the candidate who feels the same way.

That would be one way to honor those who gave up their lives on 9/11...and those who give up their lives daily for our country.

My daughter's quilt...

Tara's quilt is just about finished. It has been quilted - by my friend, Colleen. I had begun to hand quilt it - but, it was going to be at least a year before it would be finished ... and with the size of the quilt - I felt that machine quilting it would be best.

Showing it off for at the guild meeting where Colleen delivered it that night.
The quilt is a almost a king size one - well, it fits on top of a king size bed - and my daughter has a queen size bed - so, it will hang over the side.
There is a record of the number of pieces in this quilt, but I don't have it handy - none of the colored fabric blocks are the same...none! Now the binding will be added (again - none of the fabric will be the same as is in the quilt already) and a signature block will be added to the back - with a border of 2-1/2 inch squares surrounding it - they won't be the same fabrics as are already in the quilt either...

Hopefully, it will be in the mail to her in the next month.

Ten on Tuesday...

Ten Favorite Movie Songs

1) I Heard It Through The Grapevine - The Big Chill

2) Aquarius - Hair

3) A Whiter Shade of Pale - The Big Chill

4) The Way We Were - The Way We Were

5) Old Time Rock and Roll - Risky Business

6) With A Little Help From My Friends - Across The Universe

7) Hey, Jude - Across The Universe

8) Maniac - Flashdance

9) You Can Leave Your Hat On - The Full Monty

10) Take My Breath Away - Top Gun

Believe me when I say - this list could have gone on for another ten or more...The entire soundtrack to The Big Chill is my all time favorite music.

You can play Ten on Tuesday here

Knitting and Yarn...

My contest prize winners have been patiently waiting for their gifts...and finally finished the last one up last night. They will be packaged up and mailed tomorrow. (Gentle reminder - Shephard I still need your address)

The gifts are hand knit washclothes (for the body - not dishes). The one with the lavender soap on it was knit out of Euroflax Originals 100% linen and is machine washable and dryable. The other three were knit out of Plymouth Earth Oceanside Organic 100% Organic Cotton. Also machine washable and dryable. The soaps are from Stonewall Kitchen, a Maine company which was established in 1991. This is some beautiful Noro Kureyon which I won over at Romancing the Yarn. It arrived the other day and I am busy thinking what I want to make out it. My camera actually did justice to the colors.And, this would be some beautiful white sport weight yarn (approximately 460 yards) which I picked up at The Windsor Mercantile over in Windsor, Vermont. Yes, I talk about going over to Windsor all the time - it is one of my favorite little towns. The Mercantile will be one of my new haunts as they carry Stonewall Kitchen items - which means that I don't have to drive up to Portland, Maine when I want to stock up.

My Corner of the World...

While the weather was a bit rainy - we had no flooding or wind damage from the storm last night. As a matter of fact, we awoke to sunny skies. Of course, some in our state as well as our neighboring states did not fare as well...so please keep them in your thoughts.

My corner of the world includes several grocery stores - but, this is where I shop most often. The food is fresh - and the people who work there are nice.
It is at one end of a strip mall that contains other businesses and is anchored at the other end by our movie theatre. I think it has six screens so we get six movies coming into town. I've only been there once to see a Harry Potter movie. But, there are a couple of movies that I want to see in the next couple of months - so, I'll be headed that way to see The Women and the new Richard Gere/Diane Lane movie.

Sky...

Just beautiful...

Friday Fill-In #88...

1. If I was to walk into your life, would you be willing to make me Number 1?

2. Catch a bright star and place it in my room to let me wish upon it each night.

3. And you can send me fresh flowers anytime.

4. My mind never quits going over things but I'm dealing with a memory that never forgets.

5. I'm the innocent bystander / Somehow I got stuck listening to all the problems.

6. What's keeping us apart isn't selfishness, it's that we've gone in different directions.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to to having sausage and yellow rice with black beans, tomorrow my plans include working on projects around the house and Sunday, I want to chill after church and maybe do a little reading!

Obscure lyrics...now that's a novel idea...and since I have no idea what the original lyrics are this should be fun...

You can play Friday Fill-Ins here

Round Robin Block Finished...

The block is in the mail...This is what it looked like when it arrived at my house.

And, this is what it looked like when it left my house...I added that last border. Tried to pick up some of the colors that are in the center of the block. I think I did okay.

Interesting...

My friend, Cindy, had this on her blog today - and it looked interesting...so, I tried it - here are my results...

NFPS - The Guru

You perceive the world with particular attention to nature. You focus on what's in front of you (the foreground) and how that fits into the larger picture. You are also particularly drawn towards the shapes around you. Because of the value you place on nature, you tend to find comfort in more subdued settings and find energy in solitude. You like to deal directly with whatever comes your way without dealing with speculating possibilities or outcomes you can't control. You are in tune with all that is around you and understand your life as part of a larger whole. You prefer a structured environment within which to live and you like things to be predictable.

Take The Perception Personality Image Test at HelloQuizzy

If you want to take the test - there is a box that you can uncheck so you don't have to give them any information about yourself...and you can still see the results.

Ten on Tuesday...

Ten People I'd Love to Meet

1) Jilly from the Menton, Monte Carlo, and Riveria Dogs Daily Photo Blogs. Jilly takes great photos...and knows the area...plus if we were meeting chances are I would be over there somewhere!

2) Cher - there is just something about her that makes her likeable. She'd be fun to talk to - and I sure could use some tips on how she acquired the self confidence she has to dress and look as hot as she does.

3) Margaret Mitchell - My favorite author...and she only wrote GONE WITH THE WIND...but, it was one heck of a book...who needs to write more than one when you wrote that!

4) My friend Colleen's husband...

5) Ming from NY City Daily Photo blog - another great photographer...who knows NYC really well and it's been a while since I've been to NYC.

6) Quilter Alex Anderson - her quilting show really used to inspire me.

7) Ann Rule - true crime author - her books have always been well written and detailed. I like that in books...besides she knew Ted Bundy - and it would be interesting to know about him.

8) Blogging friends...way too many to mention...but the connections are there and the friendships are built.

9) My grandfather on my father's side...

10) Jim Sturgess (21 and Across the Universe) - just cause he's so damn cute!!!

You can find the Ten on Tuesday here

Happy Labor Day Week-end...

Hope your Labor Day week-end was exciting...and that you got to do something fun. It is hard to believe that Labor Day seems to trigger the end of summer...but, already the breeze is a little nicer and it is chillier at night. The days aren't quite as long as they were - and fall seems to be trying to peek around the corner at us.

I took two days of the week-end to chill after spending some time with Mom on Saturday! Had a funky little sinus headache on Sunday morning - so, I chose to sleep in...and then the rest of the day was spent knitting, cooking a good meal, and relaxing.

Today, I worked on a quilting project...and now am going to do a bit more on it...and then head to bed to read.

See you tomorrow...