Mail Call...

This week has been a great mail week for me...Some things I was expecting (because of a couple of contests that I won) - but, then one of them was a complete surprise...

My friend, Julie, has the sweetest grandbaby named Clover. Samantha is Clover's mom and she is a sweetheart. Anyway, to make a long story short - I've been friends with Julie since before Clover was born and now keep up with her through Julie's blog.

Yesterday's mail brought this adorable card from Clover! Melted my heart! I was so - words are failing me - thrilled to get this little work of art and to think that she remembered me... and that doesn't say what I am feeling exactly). It was most special!!! She made my day! Thank you, Clover! I hope your Earth Day was great!



Then my buddy, Amanda over at Busy Little Quilter sent me this wonderful package. I won a contest over at her blog! Look at the goodies: Moda's Flag Day Farm Charm Pack and an adorable pattern for a table runner. I really like this pattern - mainly because it is so different. Thank you, Amanda!!!

Knowing that I hang out at reading blogs should not come as a surprise to anyone! Well, Lee McKenzie, who writes for Harlequin American Romance was having a little tea party a while back. I entered and lo and behold, I won one of her prizes...A great mug - it's really contemporary looking! And, some of my most favorite tea...from Murchies. This one is Murchie's Afternoon Blend. I learned about them when I was in Vancouver, British Columbia while having Afternoon Tea at the Empress. (Do check out the links - they are awesome!) Thank you, Lee!!!

For sure it was a wonderful week with great mail. It's always nice to get mail - that aren't bills or advertisements!

Rainbow Bridge...

Phoebe

October 1996 - March 6, 2009

My little friend, Phoebe crossed the Rainbow Bridge on Friday. Phobe brought a tremendous amount of joy and love to all who knew her.

Her mommies, Scarlett and Elizabeth will miss her very much.

Loon Mountain Trip...

Saturday, Janet and I met up for a trip to Loon Mountain. The ride up was beautiful and the colors astounding. Never having been that far up in New Hampshire - it was fun to see the scenery.

This is the Loon Mountain Gondola Skyride - and since we both have a thing about height - I was hoping that it would be a nice ride - and not scary. The ride turned out to be so quiet and so easy that you would have never known that you were traveling about a mile and a half up a mountain.

The view looking down the mountain as we traveled.The sky tower was fun even though I only climbed up to the second level. Janet walked up to the top. You could see Mount Washington from there - even though it is 27 miles away (which translates into a hour and half drive - depending on traffic.)

Lovely yellow leaves.
Isn't this little cabin gorgeous! We both thought it would be the perfect place to live. Janet and her dogs, Wolf and Max, would be so happy there with all that space to run around in.
Me - I could really love living up there - Can you imagine how awesome it would be - the view would be awesome year round. The only thing would be that it would require the sky way, or the ski lift, or maybe a really nice snowmobile to get around - cause it is at the top of the summit.

I love this photo - actually I was trying to take a nice close up - but, instead I got this neat photo where the leaf is blurry and the background is so clear - you can see right through those holes in the leaf.
Here is another shot of the tower...

There is even an amphitheatre at the summit...

Little cat ears at the top of the mountain - at least that's what Janet and I thought they looked like. Lunch was at a really good BBQ place. Janet had the salad pictured above - and it looked so good. She said the veggies were so fresh.
I opted for a BBQ pork sandwich on Texas toast, slaw and home cut french fries! Oh.so.good.

I know I had a lot of fun and it was so great to meet up with Janet. She is just how I expected her to be...warm and friendly! I think our personalities meshed pretty well...and I look forward to getting together again.

More Goodies...

I've had a winning streak lately...and most of it has been for leaving a comment somewhere!

Over at SewMamaSew, she does Free Friday Fabric...and I had left a comment on a cute quilted kitchen rug...and that comment won me the five fat quarters you see - they are Amy Bultler's Quilting Solids. Aren't the colors great!!!

Over at Rabies on my shoes, my name was drawn twice for sending in some hats for the 300 hats project - which actually ended up being over 900 hats!!! Won two Yarn Harlot books! Some interesting tea, and body lotion (with winter coming that will be really useful!)

But, to be honest, the biggest prize was getting to see photos of the people with their new hats and knowing that they will be warm this winter.

It seems that if you comment during the month over at Harlequin American Authors blog - your name goes into a hat - and they pick someone to win a book from a couple of authors. Shelley Galloway's The Mommy Bride was one of the ones I won. It is next on my "to be read" stack!

It's been a fun month!

My friend, Pat...

My friend, Pat, is an awesome crazy quilter! Recently, I commented on her blog about some gorgeous bracelets that she had made...

Well, Pat, insisted that I have one - and asked me which was my favorite...of course, the purple one took my breath away. Is it not gorgeous? This bracelet will be on my wrist a lot...and I love the fact that she used magnetic closures - cause I can put it on real easily!

But, imagine my surprise when I turned it over and found the words "find your muse" on it. Is that cool or what? It just seems to be made especially for me...
She also sent me some lovely yarn that she says she will never use...She knows me well! She knows I will use it. Pat, I can't even begin to thank you for the beautiful bracelet. I've already gotten several compliments on it...and know that I will every time I wear it. It is gorgeous! And, you, my dear, are extremely talented!

Fun Night...and Lazy Day...

Joined up with some women friends at a church function at one of their homes - our annual "Getaway" night. It was so fun! Everyone was invited to stay the night - but only ten out of 21 did.

Dinner was the big thing (of course, it was! I love food! And good food even more!) - and was it good! Chicken with veggie kabobs and steak with veggie kabobs, awesome homemade potato salad, a green salad (it was good - even though it had green peas), fresh baked bread, chips, and a really interesting dessert. (And, I had been craving potato salad for about a week!)

Okay, the dessert was a pie which is supposed to freeze...but, it didn't - and I think it was even better that way. And, easy! I intend to make some for here at home - mainly cause it is so refreshing.

It takes 2 cans of sweetened condensed milk, one large tub of cool whip, and two frozen things of lemonade and pink lemonade (one each - defrosted)...mix it all together and toss it into graham cracker pie crust. And toss in the freezer. We had a bit left over - so we just poured that into paper cups. That's what I had - not big on pie crust...oh, it was soooooo good.

Had a new sleeping bag! Had no idea I didn't own one until I needed it for this week-end. So, I got one - and it was warm and toasty! Slept really well (which should translate to like a rock) - even though there was laughter and conversation all around me as four unnamed people stayed up all night long playing games!

It was a fun evening...and a great de-stresser for me after the past few weeks we have gone through as a family. It is always fun to share time with friends!!!

Came home to spend a lazy day knitting and watching tv...and listening to Killian whine that his "mommy" wasn't home last night...

"Cat abuse - she left me to fend for myself!!!"

Boston with Ann and Dave...Part Two...

Day Two in Boston:

We met up with Dave around ten - and by this time Dave had already done his laundry and taken Dusty to the vet! - you know he is a real early bird!!!

This trip to Boston was very different for me - I got to see things I didn't even know were there - it was an experience to see a different part of the town that I have so grown to love.

We started out - at a couple of graveyards. I find it amazing that there are these tiny graveyards stuck in the middle of these huge skyscrapers...We saw the graves of Sam Adams (not the beer guy), Mother Goose and Benjamin Franklin's parents.


Next stop was the Paul Revere statute and the Old North Church in the background - (yep - the "one if by land, two if by sea" spot!) We saw his house and it was just so plain...but the sense of history was all around you.

We went through the largest Farmers Market I have ever seen - Dave was telling me that the time to arrive is very early in the morning. The prices were so cheap - $1.00 for a bunch of really nice looking asparagus. Let me tell you it was crowded!!!

One of the most inspiring places we stopped was at the Holocast Monument. I was so touched by what I saw...the words along the path, the numbers that filled the plates of glass - knowing that each number represented a person. What an crime against humanity...how could someone so evil have lived on this earth! It really shook me up!
Fanueil Hall was on the tour! As always - there is an excitement both inside and around the building with all the restaurants and shops bidding for your attention. We wandered inside and outside! An awesome lunch in the North End awaited us - at this darling restaurant...You see that table that I took a photo of? It has a special meaning to me - when my daughter, Tara, was in Boston a few years back for training with her company, we went up to spend the evening and next day with her. We ate dinner sitting at that very table! I never thought I would find the restaurant again - and we picked it for lunch quite by accident.This would be the lovely pair of socks which Dave gifted me with (there was another pair for Ann). I love them...my color and they fit perfectly! I was so surprised...and thrilled! And check out the packaging!
The Christian Scientist Plaza was a spot I had never before seen...what gorgeous buildings! And, to think this covers such a huge area of Boston - again - amid all the skyscrapers one finds these plazas, graveyards, and parks. It is truly awesome.Ann and Dave on the bus (I am sitting across from them) - I've done the subway (or T) throughout Boston - but, this was my first time riding a bus. We went over to Cambridge - to Central Square! From there we walked up to Harvard Square taking in the scenry, shops that looked interesting, and just in general talking, laughing, and having a great time!

It was soon time for Dave to head back home - so we got a few shots of us together at a cute little mall called The Garage...

Ann and I wandered over to the area near the T stop in Harvard Square where we sat and listened to these two guys (Killam and Lloyd) playing music and people watched. They had their CD for sale for $4.00 and I got one as a reminder of my time with Ann and Dave in Boston.

From there it was off to the Dolphin Restaurant in Harvard Square for dinner - I had the best tasting Rainbow trout!!!! Oh, it was sooooo good.

Sunday morning dawned way too early and it was time for Ann's flight - scheduled for 11 AM - which ended up being 9PM - she had her knitting with her - and I had a bus to catch back home - so around 11:00 I left her to wait for the plane and I headed back on the Silver line to South Station and the Dartmouth Coach home.

It was a wonderful time with dear friends...and one that I was thrilled to share.

Boston with Ann and Dave...Part One...

Boston!

My friend, Ann, came to Boston - we met up on Thursday night after the storms-from-hell held up her 3:30 arrival until close to 9PM. We started our Friday in Harvard Square with breakfast and then headed over to Harvard Yard.

This rock formation is in front of the Science Building - and we thought it was rather nice to take a photo in front of. We headed over to Woolcott and Co yarn store and met Sean. Then it was time to head downtown.Naturally we did the tourist thing and rode the Swan boats. We wandered the Public Gardens and the Common for a while...went walking down Newbury Street and into Cartier and Chanel...and just in general got a feel for Boston and its beauty. We did a lot of people watching too...
We were amazed at the beauty of the Boston Public Library! Is that room not impressive!!! Then we headed out for a sunset cruise of the Boston Harbor...it was so fun!

Part of the Boston skyline - from our boat. The sun was just setting - and it was so beautiful. Here we are with the setting sun smiling on us. After leaving the boat we headed up to Chinatown. We actually walked quite a ways to get there.
On the way we passed this great water feature - full of kids playing in the water! It was so fun - I am sure the thought crossed our minds - but, dinner was calling.

Stopped in the lobby of the Boston Harbor Hotel (I think that is the correct name) - seems they just received a 5 star rating and they were celebrating. Totally fell in love with the gorgeous orchids in the lobby.
Chinatown and dinner! We experimented with a drink called Bubble Tea - it is like a slushie with tapioca in it. I just had mine plain - and it was totally refreshing (coconut, pineapple & milk). There is no tea in it - so I don't know how they came up with the name...other than the tapioca floating in it...but, it is good!!!

Then it was off to our hotel and bed - for a meet up on Saturday with Dave - who we surprised with Ann's visit!

It was so fun to spend the day with Ann and get to talk in real life! We had a wonderful day!

Please keep in your thoughts...

Please keep the following of my family and friends in your thoughts this week...things are not going so well for them...

My friend down in Salem, MA, Rhonda - her husband had a very serious accident from a fall this past Saturday and has had to have immediate brain surgery. He is recovering but needs all of our thoughts and prayers!!!

My sister and her husband had to take Russell back to the vet for another bout of surgery. The first surgery came back and the margins were dirty - which means he was not cancer free. They are hurting very badly as Russell and Maggie May are like their children as they have never had two-legged kids.

Helen, Scarlett's mom, also suffered a fall this week and has serious injuries on both her arms - she is in a lot of pain...and having to have the dressings changed every day - very similar to having burn injuries...

It's not been a very good week!!!

Thanks...

More Hats...Plus Socks...

While hanging out with my knitting friends at our Friday group, I happened to mention The 300 Hat Project. Right away my friend, Marilyn, said she had a few hats that were knit out of wool that she would give me to send.

So we caught up with each other this past Friday for lunch and she presented me with these six beautiful hats. She knits so many beautiful hats...and each year she does a bunch for the Head Start kids here, too.
She has a lot of patience to do colorwork in changing all the stripes - but, she does make good use of all her yarn...and her color combinations are always pleasing to the eye.
Hard to pick a favorite here -but, you know some people are going to be warm!
In addition, she gave me some socks - five pair - are they not adorable. I think she said she uses a pattern called Warm Woolies.

Marilyn, thanks for the donation. My friends over at 30o Hats are going to be thrilled.

So the total from this corner of New Hampshire is 22 hats and 5 pair of socks! And they are shipping out this week!

Cornish Hen Party...

Photo of Cornish Hen Party Quilt

The quilt guild I belong to is in Cornish, New Hampshire.

Three years ago - The Cornish Quilters (as we are known) sponsored the very first Cornish Hen Party. Invitations were sent to all the households in Cornish inviting the women of the town to a pot luck dinner at the town hall. This was an evening for women to get to know each other, share a bit about our lives, talk about any organizations or groups that we might belong to that maybe someone else might be interested in...just an old-fashioned-get-together. The deal was it was only for the women - all roosters and chicks were requested to stay home.

We had no idea how many women would show up - so we made lots of covered dishes, furnished the plates, napkins, cups, and silverware...and decorated the town hall.

Approximately 75 women showed up to the first one!!! Last year there were about 50...and this year - I didn't get a count...but it was a lot!One of our quilt members found some awesome fabric of chickens and another fabric that looked like chicken wire - and she made a quilt to be given to someone...we thought it was the perfect quilt to raffle off at the dinner. Each woman received a free ticket in the drawing (and they could buy extras if they wanted)...

The quilt along with all the lovely flowers that decorated the tables and some chickens that were knit by one of the quilters were drawn for from all the names in the quilt drawing. Someone else donated a nice set of kitchen towels that were also given away.

The food was great...the women interesting and lots of conversations and sharing went on. Anyone that wished shared their recipe and eventually we are going to print up a Cornish Hen Party cookbook.