My Corner of the World...

Friday Scarlett, Elizabeth and I decided to go to the Putney Craft Tour. Twenty-seven artists in different mediums opened up their studios for all to come and shop as well as learn. The artists were wonderful.

We saw Carlene Raper (hand dyed cottons and pretty quilts and items made from her hand dyes); David Major (cheesemaker); Dena Gartenstein (weaver); Wendy Wilson (woodturner); David Mischke (pottery); Maggie Lake (Framed botanicals); and Cathy McKenny (Ibiwisi Alpacas)
Lunch was at The Front Porch Cafe - where all the baked goods, soups, and pickles among other things are home-made. The food was so good. And, the restaurant was really pretty with lots of nice things on the wall...It reminded me of a tea room that you would find in a big city...instead of a small Vermont town...

Especially,

When right down the road were these guys...aren't they cute? That is one of the things that I love about living here - you can be dining in a sort-of-fancy place - then there you are staring at cattle right down the road.

Lovely farm - and they were just wandering down by the road having a snack.

This is Phoebe - she is Elizabeth's dog and goes everywhere. She is elderly and needs special attention. But, she got lots of attention yesterday -

From these guys - the alpaca at our last stop! The were just fascinated with Phoebe and followed down the fence line watching her when Elizabeth took her for a walk. They did the same thing to the baby that was in a stroller...just right in his little face practically. It was to cute.

They were very pretty Alpaca...and sweet. It was fun to hear them "hum" - Elizabeth nor Scarlett had ever heard them make a sound. So that was neat.

It was a fun day! And, I'm looking forward to next year!

Stitches...

Killian, here...

Mom took me today to get my stitches out - but, I still have to wear that silly looking collar until Wednesday! I don't like it. It is hard to drink water out of the faucet! So, I have to be a gentleman and drink water from my bowl.

Mom went out yesterday to see a bunch of artisans on the Putney Craft Tour. She came home tired - but with only two little bags.

She said she would share photos with you tomorrow.

Today she is at that funny looking machine that makes noise when she pushes her foot down on it...and has that hot thing on that she presses down on fabric...

I stay away from that area cause I don't want to go back to the Vet...

Later...

Friday Fill-Ins #100...

1. My stomach is full still after eating a very nice lunch - so, I am going to pass on dinner.
2. Mashed potatoes is what I ate the most of on Thursday.
3. The yard had frost on it the other morning and looked very pretty.
4. Home is where I'd rather be at any given time.
5. The smell of Youth Dew by Este Lauder reminds me of my mother. It is her favorite scent.
6. A huge burst of energy is what I need right now!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing after having gone on the Putney Crafts tour with some friends earlier, tomorrow my plans include taking the boy, Killian, to get his stitches out and Sunday, I want to work on some Christmas presents that need to be started! (Yep - I said started!)

Happy Thanksgiving...

Photo courtesy of: www.clevelandleader.com

May your Thanksgiving be filled with peace, love, and joy!

Enjoy the day!

Ten on Tuesday...

Ten Things You Want for the Holiday

1. Sharing time with friends - whether in person, mail, or phone.

2. The ability to enjoy whatever the weather brings and not complain about it.

3. The beginning of a lifetime of enjoying my home and making it lovely.

4. The gift of finding time to explore my creativity.

5. The gift of enjoying my aloneness. It has been a hard adjustment. I have never been alone - I have always lived with parents, child, or spouse. This is the first time in my life that I have lived by myself.

6. One the material side - Seasons 2, 3, 4, and 5 of Miami Vice. - I know. But it was a great series with awesome music, hot clothes, and a great cast. What can I say!

7. The book: Knitted Lace of Estonia: Techniques, Patterns and Traditions by Nancy Bush. I love lace knitting. Have I knit any - no, not yet. But, 2009 is my year for lace...

8. Puerto Rican or Cuban cookbook - there are quite a few out there. And, with Mother's mind not being what it used to be - she can no longer cook or teach me about the traditional foods of our heritage.

9. The beginning of a year of peacefulness in our country where we give the "new guy in charge" a chance to lead us to becoming the great nation we can be.

10. And, finally, a wish that all my family and friends have enough of whatever they need to make them happy.

You can play here.

An Early Thanksgiving...

Today was the annual Thanksgiving Day Luncheon at Clough Center - where mother resides. The dining room was decorated beautifully and the tables set with the good china. Family members were invited to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving Day meal with their family member.

Staff members from the CEO down served the meal to the residents and family members. And, it was good...Turkey breast, dressing, mashed potatoes, squash, green beans, cranberry sauce, and gravy. Dessert was your choice of apple pie (which was awesome), pumpkin pie, or chocolate cream pie.

Parking spots were reserved and all family members were made to feel very special.

It was a really nice time - and while Mother really didn't understand all the goings on - she enjoyed having me there to eat a meal with her. (Even though I do eat meals with her - I explained that this one was special and that it was Thanksgiving!)

I am thankful that she is doing well and seems to be content where she is. And, I am thankful that I have come to accept the stages that she is going through...and that she lives in a very kind and loving environment.

My Corner of the World...

This is one of my favorite little parks! Wilgus State Park sits about three miles from my house on Route 5 in Vermont.
I love this area of the park - where the staircase leads down to the water's edge. It is right on the Connecticut River - (remember - the river divides New Hampshire and Vermont)

The top of the stairs and then a small deck before you head down the rest of the stairs pictured above. There is a picnic table and fire pit for cooking right near by.

One of the trails sort of got washed out. It looked a little risky to walk down it...All in all this is a nice little sport to sit and read or enjoy a picnic lunch...can't wait for it to open again in the Spring!

A short ride for such relaxation and peace...

2009 - Read Your Own Books Challenge...

The rules are simple:
* set a goal for how many of your OWN books you’d like to read in 2009
* read from your own collection between January 1st and December 31st, 2009

My Goal: 25

Also, want to continue with the A-Z Reading Challenge until it is complete.

You can play by clicking here!!!

Edited to say: I think it can be any book - whether you are reading it for the first time or re-reading - as long as you OWN the book...

I'm Home...

Killian, here...

I'm home! And, I have to say I sure am glad even though I have to wear this ridiculous looking thing around my head. It makes it hard to get places!

Mom snapped both of these shots at the hospital. They were very nice to me - but, Mom told me I wasn't very nice to them. I tried - but, I really hurt.

Besides they had me in this cage where I couldn't go anywhere - not like my place where I can lay on the couch or the bed...and, I hate to say it but I don't have any hair on the left side toward the back...they shaved it all off.

And, what's worse - I have to go back in seven days to get the stitches out!

But, I'm home!!! With my mommie...

Friday Fill-In #99...

1. The last band I saw live was who knows - I can't remember that far back...it had to be in Tennessee (cause I haven't been to a concert since we moved here) so I think it was Toby Keith.

2. What I look forward to most on Thanksgiving is turkey sandwiches on white bread with mayo and I also love cranberry sauce.

3. My Christmas/holiday shopping is just about complete.

4. Thoughts of all the things I have to finish before the holidays fill my head.

5. I wish I could wear clothes like the ones Cher wore that were designed by Bob Mackie! Or at least have the body to wear them!

6. Bagpipes have hauntingly beautiful sounds.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to attending the dinner for the Food Pantry, tomorrow my plans include working on Christmas gifts and Sunday, I want to attend church and then come home and either knit or quilt!

You can play here!

Killian Update...Quilting...

The boy is doing better today - although he is still terribly grumpy! His fever is down...and he is eating and drinking water...all good signs! He should be home on Saturday if he continues to do well.

Today was my guild meeting and it was inspiring as usual. I find that seeing everyone's Show and Tell really gets me in the mood to come home and begin working on some wonderous beauty of a quilt.

Well, the laundry has piled up - and I need to think about dinner! Think I'm having a hamburger, fresh cut french fries, and baked apple slices for dessert...

Emergency Surgery...

No, not me...

But, my baby, Killian!

I mentioned that perhaps he had a stone or something - and that he looked better. Well, yesterday - things went down hill.

About 2:00 in the afternoon - he went into the bedroom and laid down on the floor right next to the bed. Went in and checked on him...and he seemed fine. But, I noticed he had not eaten much breakfast.

Around 5:30 I left to go quilting - he was still in the bedroom. When I got back at 9:00 PM - he usually meets me at the door - but, no Killian.

He was laying in the same spot as when I left him and had not eaten another bite. I called Scarlett and Elizabeth - and they asked if I could pick him up - I did and he let out the most gosh awful scream that I have ever heard...even Elizabeth heard him and she didn't have the phone. Scarlett did.

Then I saw the blood - all over a bag that was sitting next to where he was.

They rushed over - and we called the vet and took him right away. Seems somehow he got an abscess on the left side right above his tail...it was a mess...they had to give him anesthesia so that they could see how bad it was...and since he was out - they were going to fix him all up.

I called at 8:00 a.m. as instructed -- they have him all sewn up and are giving him meds! He also has a drain that has to be cleaned out twice a day. They suggested he stay until Saturday - because he was a little grumpy this morning and it took three people to hold him down.

Visiting hours were at 3:00 pm today. He looks so sad! He has this drain coming out of him; he is all shaved on his left hind side; and he is wearing this little hat thing so he can't turn his head. And, he was ticked off! I've never heard such sounds coming out of him...he was not a happy camper!

All I can say is thank goodness that he will be better soon - and for an emergency only credit card!

Ten On Tuesday...

10 Things You are Thankful for This Year

1) My family

2) My friends - both in real life and blog friends

3) My animals

4) My home

5) That I am financially able to provide for myself and family.

6) My faith

7) My talents

8) Music

9) Books

10) That I live in a beautiful part of the United States.

You can play here!

Random Monday...

1) Oh, it was snowing! Yes, real flakes falling down...lovely! Then the sun came out and it quit!

2) Had a fun night out at some friends last night - we had this really good dinner! Sweet and Sour Sausage over rice (it was soooo good - I want the recipe); salad with fresh mushrooms; and ice cream for dessert! We played a fun game called Apples to Apples and laughed a lot!

3) Tomorrow is doctor day - and hopefully my thyroid is doing better. I am breathing much better since I started using a new medicine.

4) Dropped by the library today and picked up Robert Wagner's new book - Pieces of my Heart and Lost Souls by Lisa Jackson.

5) Killian was sick yesterday. He didn't eat anything all day long. Then during the night he wasn't sleeping in bed with me like he usually does - found him in the living room. When I picked him up to carry him to the bedroom and touched his back - he screamed. He was crying and couldn't sleep. I think he had a little stone - but he must have passed it this morning...since I can now touch his back area and he doesn't scream. And, his food is all gone!

6) Been reading a lot of cookbooks lately!

Cooking from the Hip by Cat Cora. It is really interesting and her recipes look like fun. In case you don't know who she is - she's on FOODTV and is an Iron Chef.

The Amish Cook at Home - The recipes look wonderful - but, the photography is just gorgeous!

The Complete Book of Bread and Bread Machines - Baking bread is going to be big around here this next year!!!

Well, that's about it for today...

My Corner of The World...

Last Monday night (November 10th) the Fiske Free Library here in town sponsored an evening with painter and sculpter, Ernesto Montenegro. It was a fabulous evening as he explained how he makes these beautiful bronze sculptures.

Here he explains how he makes a rubber mold - and shows the components.

Ernest Montenegro lives in Claremont and his work is in gallleries and cities around the world. His hand is on one of my favorite pieces that he brought with him that evening - it is called "Telephone Booth". There was another sculpture which I just loved - but, did not have my camera. It was a sculture he designed of witches that were hanging. What was so interesting is that when you looked at it from where you were sitting - it was totally different looking than when you went and looked at it up close.

This is one of the other pieces which he brought that evening - it is called Reclining Woman (I think - if I remember correctly...) It was a very interesting piece - the woman looked like she just melted into the chair.

It was a wonderful evening of learning and meeting a very gifted artist. We are fortunate to have him in our small city.

And, a big thanks to Sharon Wood for sharing her photos with me - so that I could share them with you...

Next month the library will feature a man who rescues bears...I'll share about that evening with you when it happens.

Good News...

Daughter is home from the hospital! She is doing much better! And, just needs to take more medicine for a week or so and check in with her primary care physician - and get another chest x-ray in a few weeks!

I am a happy camper...

Now, I'm off to the grocery store as I am craving "steelhead trout" for supper tonight!

Friday Fill-In #98

1. Please feel free to to make comments on my blog. I really love hearing from you.

2. When I wear my favorite perfume I can't help sniffing it occasionally.

3. My favorite thing to cook is everything...I love to cook and bake.

4. Taking photos with my digital camera is something I can't get enough of.

5. That's the thing I love most about traveling: that I get to see new places, meet new people, and look at beautiful scenery.

6. Hearing people argue and fight in public always makes me think to myself, what the heck?

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to putting together my new lamp and watching the Barbara Walter's special, tomorrow my plans include cleaning out cabinets, reading magazines, and quilting and knitting and Sunday, I want to go to the last Sunday School class that was postponed because our teacher was out of town, knit, and chill out at home!

You can play here!

Update on Daughter...Bloglines...

Daughter is still in the hospital...but, hopefully she is going home today or tomorrow. It is pneumonia! But, they are treating her well and she is getting better. She is rather restless - cause she's just used to being out and about...but she has done well for this being her first time in a hospital other than when she was born.

She doesn't want me coming out there - and she is probably right - there isn't much I could do. (well, besides being an overly concerned mom!) But, I still worry...

Oh, and Bloglines is down...and has been for a while - so, I will be reading blogs as soon as it pops up!

V is for...

VOTE -- the right to vote.

Democracy is…the conviction that there are extraordinary possibilities in ordinary people. — Harry Emerson Fosdick

U is for...

Unfinished!

This sweater made with Cascade 220 100% wool - is unfinished! And, from the looks of it - it will remain unfinished.

Once I got it knit - I hated the way the front of it looked - the pattern that was in the sweater looked awful...and, I didn't even bother to block it - because I just knew I would never wear it.

So, now all four skeins are back in cute little red cakes of yarn - waiting for me to decide what I want to make out of it.

Ten on Tuesday...

10 Predictions for the Next 4 Years

1) While my asthma will never disappear, it will improve with the new medication I am taking.

2) I will travel to see my daughter in Arizona and spend a few weeks there.

3) I will take a class in bread baking and begin to bake my own bread.

4) My creativity will begin to increase and I will once again enjoy my quilting and move in different directions with it.

5) I will be come more comfortable and learn more about my religious/spiritual beliefs.

6) While I doubt that I will ever move from New England, I might change residences.

7) My eating habits will get better and I will begin to discover ways to cook for one.

8) My friendships will continue to grow.

9) Giving back to my community will become a bigger part of my life.

10) Oh, and Barack Obama will do the best he can do to make our country the best it can be as he takes the reins and becomes our President!

You can play here!

T is for...

Teapots...

I love teapots...have no idea why or where it came from...other than I occasionally enjoy some hot tea! Especially in the winter time when curled up with a good book under a nice quilt - it will either be hot tea or hot chocolate!

So, these are a lot of my teapots...

The one on the left has a kitty in the window and it was made for me by Tammy, a friend of mine. Actually she made a few of the ceramic teapots you'll see.

The brown one with the cup and the blue one were made by potters - and were bought at craft fairs all over the country. In the background you can see part of a tall teapot - that is a Harry Potter teapot Tammy made.

Some of these I bought at stores on my travels - and others were gifts.

The blue and white on the left is set given to me - it is very oriental in style. The brass one that needs to be polished came from some hotel and the beautiful blue one is heavy as all heck - and it came from a local person.

Teapots and tea!!!! That works for the letter "T"

My Corner of the World...

Here we have the gym that is next door to the college. It you follow the sidewalk you will end up at the round about.

Other news:

My daughter is currently in the hospital as a result of an asthma attack. Please keep her in your thoughts.

S is for...

Sisters...

Mary Ellen is my only living sister. I had another sister, Evangeline, but she passed away when she was six months old. My two brothers passed away went they were both a day old.

So, this is my sister -

Here she is in front of her pond and garden - it was a magazine shot - for a pond show that was being done for the Humane Society where she lives. The two four-footed children are Maggie May (the one with the black face) and Russell. Both are Jack Russell Terriers.

This is Mary Ellen's wedding photo - She and Michael have been married 28 years.

This is one of my favorite photos of her. Loved her wedding dress...

And, this would be the family on that day - Mom, Mary Ellen, me, and Tara. Tara was the flower girl...age 4...and I made her dress...it was a beautiful cream colored eyelet material - trimmed with ribbon to match the bridesmaid dresses. Still have that dress in my cedar chest.

R is for...

Roving!!!!

No, I don't spin yarn...but, the person who won the Project Runway contest does - so, I sent her some Romney/Border Leicester. It comes from sheep at another friend's farm.

And,

Reading!!!

This was the other book I won - it is by Trish Milburn - a new author for me. So, I'm looking forward to reading it...

Friday-Fill-in #97

1. My blueprint for success includes taking time to enjoy my world.

2. Pumpkin shaped and colored peeps was the last candy I ate.

3. The best facial moisturizer I've ever used is made by Aveda - although any made by Aveeno are also excellent.

4. Walking the shoreline or a nice wooded trail can be good therapy.

5. I'd like to tell you about the time I rode down in the elevator of a hotel in Dallas with Bob Seger and his little boy (who is now grown-up). It was great fun!

6. Knowing where you stand with me is my strongest characteristic.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to not doing much of anything other than chilling in front of the tv or with a good book, tomorrow my plans include going out with a friend if she heads up this way - or finishing cleaning my house and Sunday, I want to work on some Christmas projects!

You can play here!

Q is for...

Quilting! The above was one of the projects that I was working on during the quilting retreat! It was fun. Managed to get three pieced...plus I worked on some other projects.

The following photos are of projects that were worked on by members of my guild while at the retreat! There were some wonderful quilts being made...

Edited to say: The batik quilt in the above photo was made by Beth at the retreat and the pattern is Wheel of Mystery by John Flynn.

Up to my Elbows...

This was dinner the other day - yes, they were on sale again at Market Basket! I love lobster!

Today am trying to play catch up on my apartment; get a few things sewn up; yarn wound; and just in general get myself organized.

Don't understand why the house doesn't clean itself? Or how it gets dusty when I'm not ever here!

Killian played "get-even-with-mom" while I was gone and managed to shred his scratching post - and there are bits of paper from it all over the house! Have to run the vacumn tomorrow and finish my laundry...

Have a good night!!!

Ten on Tuesday...

Ten Things You Love Talking About

1) My family and friends

2) Knitting

3) Quilting

4) Books

5) Killian and the dogs - Isis, Zac, Rupert, and Phoebe

6) Travel - Places I've been

7) Travel - Place I want to go

8) Music

9) The weather - especially spring, fall, and winter in New England (Summer is just summer everywhere!)

10) My life here in New England

You can play here!

I voted today - I was #756 at 11:10 a.m. at my polling place...