The balance thing. I'm not quite there yet. I'm better. But, here it is Friday night and I am wiped. Too pooped to, once again, go to knitting. I'll get there. I need to learn to let the workload slide a bit. I'll get there.
So tonight I did go out to go to the grocery store. And, since I was glued to my chair working all day and didn't even take a time out for some Rusty fun, I decided to take him "shopping" too. First we went for his after dinner walk. I stopped to talk to my friend Scott, hadn't seen him in a while, and he hasn't been having an easy time of it. So Rusty played with their dogs and we had a nice chat. Came home and we piled in the car and went off to Rusty's favorite store, Pawsitive Pet Nutrition on Candia Rd. I didn't need anything, just felt like visiting my friend Gail who owns the business and spoils Rusty rotten. Had a nice visit with her. Left and realized I did not have the wallet with me, so had to come all the way home, then back out to the store.
I overheard something in the store tonight. Maybe it was just being so damn tired that made me have to really fight not to cry. Or maybe it is just the general energy on the planet right now making me more sensitive. Anyway...this group of people were talking in the grocery store. They were standing in a kind of in the way place - right where the meat counter starts - but people still managed to get by. Anyway, there was an older man in a wheel chair, a woman pushing the wheel chair, and another older woman talking to them. I heard woman #1 explaining that "he has dementia now and is in the wheelchair all the time.". I assumed she was his caretaker and just went on my way. You know, in that almost semi-conscious way we have of taking in a snippet around us, assigning it a story, and moving on. I made my way up and down the aisles and they were still there talking. And then I over heard woman #1 say "what else am I gonna do, he's my husband and I love him." And those words followed me around for quite a while. They just touched on something deep in my heart. Perhaps it was the heartfelt sincerity they were spoken with. Perhaps it was the look in his eyes when I walked by them again and smiled. I hope he is aware of how loved he is. And I'm also glad to know that in this upside down world I live in, that they have each other.
I think I must be pmsing.
Another hour til baseball. And it's the weekend. Boy, do I need the weekend. Breakfast with a dear friend tomorrow, drinks with another Sunday night, and in between lots of fresh air, Rusty and Zuni time, and exercise!!!
Friday, October 10, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
I'm over it...
I just can't stand the corporate world. I'm very unhappy there. Love my job, love what I'm doing, but I do not belong in the corporate world. I've never worked for a large public corporation. I've always worked for smaller, privately owned companies. You wouldn't think there is that much of a difference, but let me tell you, for me anyway, there is.
I can't talk specifically about where I work, or what is going on there. And truthfully, it's not a bad situation. It's just not me.
I had this realization today. I chose to work from home. At home, I can just put my head down and do my work and not rub up against the corporate thing. I just don't care about org charts and mergers and metrics and buzz words.
So earlier this afternoon I took the dogs outside and I brought my spindle and some roving. It was a bit windy out, not too bad, and it felt nice just sitting in the sun. This spinning thing is kinda frustrating for me. I don't get the drafting thing. I don't know which hand is supposed to do what, which hand actually pulls out the fibers, and then there is my tendency to clamp down on the fiber to much and that makes it hard to draft. I think I might have found the drafting triangle. And so on this went for about 30 minutes. I'd get it for a little bit, then it would all go to hell again. The thing I really like about spinning on the spindle though, is that I think about things I wouldn't normally think about. I thought about how nice it would be to be sitting out in the sun in the country somewhere near a field and a lake with no sounds of civilization. No sound of cars, no planes. Just me and the sun and nature sounds. And I thought, well that's something I can easily make happen. Then I got to thinking about the spinning itself and I thought that 200 years ago that a woman much like me took a break from her chores and sat out in the sun in her dooryard spinning on a spindle. And that brought me back to the absolute one thing I would give anything to be able to do. And that is, boys and girls, have a farm. Seriously. If I had the money and the skills, I'd do it. If I had the money to BUY the skills, I'd do it. And I've been thinking about it the rest of the day. How it makes me feel when I think about that as a lifestyle, and how right it feels to me. And who's to say it can't happen? I believe in the law of attraction and that anything is possible. The only thing really standing in my way are my own self-imposed limitations and fears. In my heart I know that this would be right work for me. So universe - show me the way, I'm paying attention.
See, you never really know where .5 oz. of roving and a spindle may take you. I liked today's journey, and it is a good reminder for me to create more of these little moments in my days.
I can't talk specifically about where I work, or what is going on there. And truthfully, it's not a bad situation. It's just not me.
I had this realization today. I chose to work from home. At home, I can just put my head down and do my work and not rub up against the corporate thing. I just don't care about org charts and mergers and metrics and buzz words.
So earlier this afternoon I took the dogs outside and I brought my spindle and some roving. It was a bit windy out, not too bad, and it felt nice just sitting in the sun. This spinning thing is kinda frustrating for me. I don't get the drafting thing. I don't know which hand is supposed to do what, which hand actually pulls out the fibers, and then there is my tendency to clamp down on the fiber to much and that makes it hard to draft. I think I might have found the drafting triangle. And so on this went for about 30 minutes. I'd get it for a little bit, then it would all go to hell again. The thing I really like about spinning on the spindle though, is that I think about things I wouldn't normally think about. I thought about how nice it would be to be sitting out in the sun in the country somewhere near a field and a lake with no sounds of civilization. No sound of cars, no planes. Just me and the sun and nature sounds. And I thought, well that's something I can easily make happen. Then I got to thinking about the spinning itself and I thought that 200 years ago that a woman much like me took a break from her chores and sat out in the sun in her dooryard spinning on a spindle. And that brought me back to the absolute one thing I would give anything to be able to do. And that is, boys and girls, have a farm. Seriously. If I had the money and the skills, I'd do it. If I had the money to BUY the skills, I'd do it. And I've been thinking about it the rest of the day. How it makes me feel when I think about that as a lifestyle, and how right it feels to me. And who's to say it can't happen? I believe in the law of attraction and that anything is possible. The only thing really standing in my way are my own self-imposed limitations and fears. In my heart I know that this would be right work for me. So universe - show me the way, I'm paying attention.
See, you never really know where .5 oz. of roving and a spindle may take you. I liked today's journey, and it is a good reminder for me to create more of these little moments in my days.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Substitute Blog Post*
*The title originally planned for this space was "Red Sox Take Back First Place in the AL East". You know what they say about plans. I didn't even stick around for the post game - something I always watch because I love hearing Tito answering the media, especially when they ask him stupid questions. Nope, last night the TV was off before they could say "stay tuned for Tom Caron and Extra Innings".
So it's a good thing I have a back-up plan. For some unknown reason, I decided I needed to take a ton of pictures last night to put up on Ravelry. Well, the ton ended up being a dozen or so...and they haven't made it to Ravelry yet...but it made me realize how little knitting really was accomplished this summer!! Anyway, here is some rare fiber porn for your enjoyment...
This is the Lisha Lace Scarf, designed by my friend Gina. I absolutely love this pattern, and the yummy yarn I am knitting it up in makes it even more pleasurable. It is Jade Sapphire Mongolian Cashmere.
Next is the Monkey Sock ( it does have a partner) done in Spunky Eclectic's Skinny Sock in the Peacock Colorway.
Love the pattern, the yarn is soooooo soft..but...they are a little big, especially in the heel. I am hoping they will still be comfortable to wear though.
This is the Cascading Leaves sock, my third time doing this pattern, and the yarn is Knit Picks Essential Tweed. I love this yarn, this is my third pair of socks knit in Essential.
This is my favorite yarn buy from the summer. Purchased at the New Boston Farmer's Market. It is handspun Corridale and the dark colorway is from a sheep named Corey!
This will become a hat and mittens for a gift!
Finally, I have been slowly learning how to spin my own yarn with a spindle. The spindle is a new purchase, it is a Cascade spindle, and I love it. I finally gave up on using my crap roving to learn on and have moved on to the good stuff. This is also from Spunky, more Corriedale, in the Mahogany colorway. I have made peace that it will be thick and thin homespun and I'm sure I will come up with something wonderful to make once I get it done.
So, that's it on the knitting front for now. I'm hoping to finish up the socks I have in progress (I also have a pair of Noro Silk Garden Sock yarn that I am knitting in the Oak Ribbed sock pattern from Vintage Sock Knitting by Nancy Bush.
So it's a good thing I have a back-up plan. For some unknown reason, I decided I needed to take a ton of pictures last night to put up on Ravelry. Well, the ton ended up being a dozen or so...and they haven't made it to Ravelry yet...but it made me realize how little knitting really was accomplished this summer!! Anyway, here is some rare fiber porn for your enjoyment...
This is the Lisha Lace Scarf, designed by my friend Gina. I absolutely love this pattern, and the yummy yarn I am knitting it up in makes it even more pleasurable. It is Jade Sapphire Mongolian Cashmere.
Next is the Monkey Sock ( it does have a partner) done in Spunky Eclectic's Skinny Sock in the Peacock Colorway. 
Love the pattern, the yarn is soooooo soft..but...they are a little big, especially in the heel. I am hoping they will still be comfortable to wear though.This is the Cascading Leaves sock, my third time doing this pattern, and the yarn is Knit Picks Essential Tweed. I love this yarn, this is my third pair of socks knit in Essential.
This is my favorite yarn buy from the summer. Purchased at the New Boston Farmer's Market. It is handspun Corridale and the dark colorway is from a sheep named Corey!
This will become a hat and mittens for a gift!Finally, I have been slowly learning how to spin my own yarn with a spindle. The spindle is a new purchase, it is a Cascade spindle, and I love it. I finally gave up on using my crap roving to learn on and have moved on to the good stuff. This is also from Spunky, more Corriedale, in the Mahogany colorway. I have made peace that it will be thick and thin homespun and I'm sure I will come up with something wonderful to make once I get it done.
So, that's it on the knitting front for now. I'm hoping to finish up the socks I have in progress (I also have a pair of Noro Silk Garden Sock yarn that I am knitting in the Oak Ribbed sock pattern from Vintage Sock Knitting by Nancy Bush.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
What a gas...
I find it so interesting that as soon as the new announces that the price per barrel oil price has risen that the price at the pumps, overNIGHT increases. Yet lately we have had many, MANY announcements that the price per barrel has gone down...yet the prices at the pump do not reflect this. Case in point, from my local news station:
Oil Price Decline Takes Time To Reach Gas Pump
Gas Prices Still Higher Than Last Time Oil Was As Cheap
The price of a barrel of crude oil has continued to slide, but many drivers are wondering when those savings will trickle down to the pump.Crude oil slipped to $92 a barrel on Tuesday, the lowest it has been since last November. At that time, gas cost about $3 per gallon. But now, it's about 50 cents higher.Thursday, September 11, 2008
Loose Ends...
Having one of those nights when I just can't figure out what I feel like doing with myself!! There is a list a mile long of things that need doing, like cleaning, dishes, coloring my hair...nope, not happenin'. There is this other list of things I like doing like knitting, spinning, surfin', watchin' tv or a movie - nope, don't feel like any of those either. I KNOW - knitting?!? I am always knitting!! Just feeling a little out of sorts for no particular reason. Maybe I will go curl up with a book. No baseball tonight, can ya tell??
It all comes back to that balance thing. I am realizing that I come home from work every day and I'm not really taking enough "me" time. In a way tonight has been good. I spent some time hanging out with the dogs and writing in my new journal. Then Lisa and Rico came by and we took the dogs for a walk. Sabre is spending the night as her dad is out of town for the night on business. She is very content up here. And there was ice cream.
Not complaining. It's always a hard time of year for me, this transition from summer to fall. Feel like I didn't get enough summer, you know? And yet, I do love fall. Just not for another few weeks, until I see the leaves turning and start digging out my favorite snuggly warm clothes and I love being outside in the fall...
I'm rambling. I miss my kitty, she is spending the night at the vet as she was spayed today and I felt awful bringing her there!!
It all comes back to that balance thing. I am realizing that I come home from work every day and I'm not really taking enough "me" time. In a way tonight has been good. I spent some time hanging out with the dogs and writing in my new journal. Then Lisa and Rico came by and we took the dogs for a walk. Sabre is spending the night as her dad is out of town for the night on business. She is very content up here. And there was ice cream.
Not complaining. It's always a hard time of year for me, this transition from summer to fall. Feel like I didn't get enough summer, you know? And yet, I do love fall. Just not for another few weeks, until I see the leaves turning and start digging out my favorite snuggly warm clothes and I love being outside in the fall...
I'm rambling. I miss my kitty, she is spending the night at the vet as she was spayed today and I felt awful bringing her there!!
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Gameday Grape
Yesterday, before TS Hannah came to visit, I visited the grapevine in my backyard...
This approximately 1 pound of Concord Grapes
This approximately 3.5 pounds of Concord grapes.
This is the remaining poundage...
This is the bath...
These are 16 jars of Gameday Grape Jelly. Why Gameday? Because, aside from the picking of the grapes, everything else was accomplished while the Pats beat KC 17 - 10 and the Sox beat the Rangers 7 - 2. I also learned that I can stir a pot of jelly stuff and., as long as I remember to bring the remote to the kitchen, I can keep up with the games. There is enough juice in my fridge to make one more batch of 8 jars tomorrow night as long as I remember to pick up another package of pectin.
This is the most fun I have had gettin hot 'n sticky as a single person EVER!!
This approximately 1 pound of Concord Grapes
This approximately 3.5 pounds of Concord grapes.
This is the remaining poundage...
This is the bath...
These are 16 jars of Gameday Grape Jelly. Why Gameday? Because, aside from the picking of the grapes, everything else was accomplished while the Pats beat KC 17 - 10 and the Sox beat the Rangers 7 - 2. I also learned that I can stir a pot of jelly stuff and., as long as I remember to bring the remote to the kitchen, I can keep up with the games. There is enough juice in my fridge to make one more batch of 8 jars tomorrow night as long as I remember to pick up another package of pectin.
This is the most fun I have had gettin hot 'n sticky as a single person EVER!!
Friday, August 22, 2008
Out of balance...
That is how I am feeling tonight. And for a while now, though I hadn't really taken the time to think about how I've been feeling. Today was my last day of work and I am about to start vacation. My mind is still at work though, and I feel wound very tightly. Normally I am really good about separating work from home. The past month or more I have not succeeded at this. I take alot of pride in the work I do. When it is expected that I perform A, B & C by a certain date, and then they toss in D, E, and F, I will do what it takes to accomplish what needs to be done, because we do have deadlines and if things aren't done in time, it affects everyone else. Unfortunately, some of my coworkers do not share that belief. They instead complain that there is SOOOOO much work to do, and they spend time making excuses as to why they are not getting the work they are assigned done. It makes more work for everyone. Now, I don't mind doing more than my fair share of the work. I do mind though when I have planned out my time a month in advance, and said co-workers repeatedly don't get their work done, and I end up either doing some of their work, or not having enough time to do the final testing in the manner it should be done. The other issue is that we have been without a manager since February, there is division in the department, and going to work every day has become kind of like living having to live with your partner after you've decided to part company until one of you finds a place to live. Only you're getting paid to do it. Don't get me wrong - I really do love what I do. I'm just tired of the system that is in place that doesn't work. I'm tired of working with people who complain, make more work than is necessary, have no concept of how to prioritize and basically act like 5th graders. Hopefully a new manager will help. But there is still the issue of the division, and I don't think that can be easily mended. I just want to not think about that place for the next week and work on finding the balance. For starters, I need to stop coming home and logging into work to work some more. And I really, really, really want to be able to just move out of the office and work from home full time.
So, here's to a much needed vacation. I'm heading to Maine in the morning and then back to NH Wednesday. Not a whole lot planned, my brother is on vacation as well, and then next weekend is getting the kid ready to go back to school...I am craving a few days to myself to do absolutely nothing. I have a big chunk of time off at the end of the year and am definitely scheduling at least a 4 day stretch to myself. But that is months away. I will have to plan a 3 day weekend in the meantime.
Time to find the balance between work and play, activity and rest!
So, here's to a much needed vacation. I'm heading to Maine in the morning and then back to NH Wednesday. Not a whole lot planned, my brother is on vacation as well, and then next weekend is getting the kid ready to go back to school...I am craving a few days to myself to do absolutely nothing. I have a big chunk of time off at the end of the year and am definitely scheduling at least a 4 day stretch to myself. But that is months away. I will have to plan a 3 day weekend in the meantime.
Time to find the balance between work and play, activity and rest!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
You can dance...
Went and saw Mama Mia at Chunky's tonight.
Meryl Streep can sing!! And she looks sooooooo hot in the overalls. And then she adds the toolbelt and the power tools...swoooooon!! OK, I admit it. I have always had a thing for Ms. Streep. I kinda forgot about it though. Then I heard about Mamma Mia and thought, yeah, I don't think so. Then I heard Meryl Streep was in it and I watched the trailer. Hmmmm...maybe I should check it out. So, off I went to meet up with the ManchVegas Knitters. The first 5 minutes I'm thinking - sigh - this is going to be one of those musicals that bore me to tears. After those 5 minutes? That there movie picked me up and took me on a feel good ride that had me smiling the whole way through. Yes, it is pure fluff. The story is simple and it is a pure escape from reality. Go see it. I'm going again, you can go with me!
I shouldn't be up. It's late. But I came home and worked for a while. I need to stop doing that!!
p.s. don't beleive a word Laurin says, I behaved myself the entire evening!!!
Meryl Streep can sing!! And she looks sooooooo hot in the overalls. And then she adds the toolbelt and the power tools...swoooooon!! OK, I admit it. I have always had a thing for Ms. Streep. I kinda forgot about it though. Then I heard about Mamma Mia and thought, yeah, I don't think so. Then I heard Meryl Streep was in it and I watched the trailer. Hmmmm...maybe I should check it out. So, off I went to meet up with the ManchVegas Knitters. The first 5 minutes I'm thinking - sigh - this is going to be one of those musicals that bore me to tears. After those 5 minutes? That there movie picked me up and took me on a feel good ride that had me smiling the whole way through. Yes, it is pure fluff. The story is simple and it is a pure escape from reality. Go see it. I'm going again, you can go with me!
I shouldn't be up. It's late. But I came home and worked for a while. I need to stop doing that!!
p.s. don't beleive a word Laurin says, I behaved myself the entire evening!!!
Sunday, August 3, 2008
All is well...
in Red Sox Nation. Carry on...
Great weekend!! T-dance yesterday, shopping in Ogunquit, got my tires rotated (yes, this was very good!), breakfast with an old friend, some knitting, lot's of baseball...that about sums it up. Oh! And new recipe...kind of a random creation mine and a combination of CSA and Manchester Farmers Market. It needs a name!! I had in mind making a sort of turnip hash, and the obvious name would be - Trash - but who would want to make that??
Ingredients
5 small - medium turnips
1/2 medium sweet onion, diced
1 garlic scape, or 1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 head cabbage, diced
1 tsp thyme
2 tbsp butter
olive oil
Cut up turnip into 1" chunks. Boil until mushy (think: mashed potatoes consistency), about 20 min. Drain. Mash.
In a wok or skillet, heat 1 - 2 tbsp olive oil oil. Saute' onion for 5 minutes or so. Add garlic. Cook a few minutes more. Add cabbage. Add thyme, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook until cabbage is soft. Add butter. Cook a few more minutes.
Add turnip. Smoosh (very technical cooking term) mixture as though you were cooking hash browns. Add more butter, or not, to taste. Cook until browned to your liking.
This was so yummy. i had no idea what to do with turnips, other than make soup, and I don't really eat soup in the summer (except for Friday when I had lunch at the Seedling Cafe in Nashua and had a (huge) cup of pumpkin walnut soup - yummmmmm!) so I just kind of improvised and the results are amazing!!
Great weekend!! T-dance yesterday, shopping in Ogunquit, got my tires rotated (yes, this was very good!), breakfast with an old friend, some knitting, lot's of baseball...that about sums it up. Oh! And new recipe...kind of a random creation mine and a combination of CSA and Manchester Farmers Market. It needs a name!! I had in mind making a sort of turnip hash, and the obvious name would be - Trash - but who would want to make that??
Ingredients
5 small - medium turnips
1/2 medium sweet onion, diced
1 garlic scape, or 1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 head cabbage, diced
1 tsp thyme
2 tbsp butter
olive oil
Cut up turnip into 1" chunks. Boil until mushy (think: mashed potatoes consistency), about 20 min. Drain. Mash.
In a wok or skillet, heat 1 - 2 tbsp olive oil oil. Saute' onion for 5 minutes or so. Add garlic. Cook a few minutes more. Add cabbage. Add thyme, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook until cabbage is soft. Add butter. Cook a few more minutes.
Add turnip. Smoosh (very technical cooking term) mixture as though you were cooking hash browns. Add more butter, or not, to taste. Cook until browned to your liking.
This was so yummy. i had no idea what to do with turnips, other than make soup, and I don't really eat soup in the summer (except for Friday when I had lunch at the Seedling Cafe in Nashua and had a (huge) cup of pumpkin walnut soup - yummmmmm!) so I just kind of improvised and the results are amazing!!
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
womenspace
Before the weekend gets too much further behind us, I want to post some pics from the women's drumming circle I hosted in my yard this weekend! It's something I have wanted to do for some time now, and the women from the bookclub I belong to were interested. So, we made it happen. The weather was amazing - a little on the hot side but the shade came and made for a more comfortable gathering. Oh - wait - I guess it wasn't exclusively womenspace - Rusty and Lincoln were there as well!! I thought maybe they wouldn't like being around the drums, but they stayed in the circle with us the entire time (except to take a break for supper of course).Drumming is so healing on so many levels. I have no formal training, yet my hands just seem to know what to do. I need to do more of it and plan to make it a priority. (and if anyone is interested, there is a community drum happening in Manchester on 8/16 with Akwaaba from 12 - 3 Bronstein Park, between Hanover and Union streets).
Anyway, back to Saturday. 3 of the group who attended were in not so great emotional spaces. Names and details do not need mentioning. I found it interesting though, that for each of these women, it was as if the universe say a healing space in their future and so threw them each a curve ball, knowing they would have the opportunity to shift things by drumming.
Sunday was equally as fun. I did something most unusual - got up at 6 and out the door shortly after 7. Wow - Sunday mornings are a whole lot cooler than weekday mornings!! For one thing, there is like no one on the roads. And the radio! There is a Beatles Breakfast on 100.7 at 8Am that I think I will listen to at home ( assuming of course I get up in time). So I picked up my friend Melissa in Portsmouth and we proceeded to the Museum of Science in Boston (Cambridge really) to see the Baseball in America exhibit. OMG. It is so worth going. In fact, I have convinced my brother that be must go and we will be going in a few weeks. Unfortunately there were signs all over explaining that this was a low light exhibit and no photography was allowed - which I totally understand as some of the displays were 100+ years old! Bonus points for being in the museum before 10, no crowds. Then we had lunch (also very reasonable) and took in a wonderful Planetarium show. We emerged from the cocoon of the Planetarium, hit the gift shop, and then realized the place was PACKED!! Time to go. Kudos to the MOS for making some much needed improvements. Can't wait to go back! (sidenote: ya know how the MOS has overnight lockdowns for scouting troops, church groups, school groups, etc? How cool would it be if they had a KNITTING OVERNIGHT?!?!?!?)
One week later...
I guess it is a good thing that I don't spend alot of time on-line these days, eh? Finally getting around to adding the pics and posting this...
Before everyone arrived:
Zoom in if you can and check out the expression on Lincoln's face... i love that dog!
Did someone mention that I should grow a pair?
Rusty and Lincoln were there the whole time!
Rosy was happy to find a new drum!
Monday, July 21, 2008
If a tree falls in my driveway and no one is there to hear it...
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| Tree |
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Neighborhood News
I know I have shared many stories of the fine neighborhood I live in. These tales have perhaps painted a rather bleak picture of said neighborhood. I was thinking this morning about how great the place I live is. The women who own the house are so cool, nice and amazing. I have a rare city perk and that is a backyard. There is all sorts of great stuff growing back there, and I have a nice raised bed garden to grow veggies in, shade from trees, and at the moment a bumper crop of raspberries. My apartment is charming to say the least. The whole house has a very positive, healing energy to it, as though it has always had good people living in it. Wood holds the energies of the past you know.
The house formerly known as the crack house has quieted down - the dealer was jailed last year and I never see the police over there anymore. The house formerly know as the tenement, scene of a bad fire in April, is getting a makeover. The screamers aren't screaming as much these days.
So tonight I am out walking Rusty and Lincoln, and I glance out in to the road and I see this . Warning - do not click on that link if there are children around, you are at work, etc. I'm l ike, are you kidding me? Is that really? I walked over and sure enough. Luckily I had my ph one with me and snagged that picture. Came home and had to text it to my one friend I knew would appreciate it. Her reply, "Was it buzzing?" I could not stop laughing!! Seriously. How does something like that end up in the middle of the road? I'm not sure I want to imagine!!!
The house formerly known as the crack house has quieted down - the dealer was jailed last year and I never see the police over there anymore. The house formerly know as the tenement, scene of a bad fire in April, is getting a makeover. The screamers aren't screaming as much these days.
So tonight I am out walking Rusty and Lincoln, and I glance out in to the road and I see this . Warning - do not click on that link if there are children around, you are at work, etc. I'm l ike, are you kidding me? Is that really? I walked over and sure enough. Luckily I had my ph one with me and snagged that picture. Came home and had to text it to my one friend I knew would appreciate it. Her reply, "Was it buzzing?" I could not stop laughing!! Seriously. How does something like that end up in the middle of the road? I'm not sure I want to imagine!!!
Sox on the Beach
I brought some socks to the beach to work on today. The one on the left is Monkey, in some yummy Skinny Socks yarn from Spunky Eclectic, gifted to me on my birthday. The one on the right is some Noro Silk Garden sock yarn I got last night at Yarn and Fiber. I cast on This is me and what my skin looks like after those 5+ hours at the beach:
This is the list I sat at this very desk and made this morning to insure that I brought everything I needed to the beach with me:Feed Opie He is our turtle. I fed him.
chair
knitting
sunblock
water
sammich
towel
hoodie
umbrella
So I loaded everything into my knapsack that was on the list, secure in the knowledge that the sunblock was already in there, because that's where it has been for like the past month, and off I went! Got to my usual favorite beach in Rye and there was actually a line to get into the $10 parking lot. I lucked out and got in right away and got a nice shady spot on the grass to park.
Set up my camp on the sand (the place was PACKED) and reached into the knapsack for the sunblock...what the...? Yeah. I took it out last night because I took the knapsack to knitting and was afraid of leakage. I distinctly remember thinking at the time that I probably shouldn't take it out as I would probably forget about it. Well, I had my trusty beach umbrella with me, since I have only been to the beach once all summer, and that was a month ago, I didn't want to do any damage to my skin. So no sun block, no problem, right? Wrong. Apparently the umbrellas don't block all of the UV rays. And the sun reflects off the sand. And I spent at least an hour unprotected while swimming or walking. And then there was that 1/2 hour that I took the umbrella down because it got windy and blew off at one point, landing on the chair of a woman who moments before had been sleeping there and luckily had gotten up to take a dip. Oh well, it was worth it, it is a mild sunburn and I am not in any discomfort, just feel hot and not used to feeling like I am on fire. Luckily I had put moisturizer on my face right before I left the house that is SPF 15 and I had my hat on for most of the day as well, so the face was spared. Kind of.
And now it is Saturday night and I am home and I don't have to be anywhere or do anything until Monday morning! Feels good to have some down time. Not complaining - the weekends have been packed with fun activities, but it is nice to have some time to myself.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Mindless Fun
and because giving credit is the polite thing to do, here is where all the pics came from...
1. Melissa, 2. Cheese shop (3), 3. Arlington High School, 4. purple haze, 5. Jason Varitek 2, 6. Bowling pins, 7. Rooftops - Barra de Navidad, Mexico, 8. Good News Ice Cream!, 9. Eid Mubarak - عید فطر مبارک, 10. New family on Garda lake...., 11. A Boatman & His Dog Cruising Along in the Cannaregio Sestiere, Venice, 12. You are here in my Heart, my Dearest..
a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
b. Using only the first page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd’s mosaic maker.
The Questions (and my answers):
1. What is your first name? Melissa
2. What is your favorite food? cheese
3. What high school did you go to? Arlington High
4. What is your favorite color? purple
5. Who is your celebrity crush? Jason Varitek (even though we all know it's Rachel Ray, couldn't find a nice pic so went wtih #2!)
6. Favorite drink? a fine merlot
7. Dream vacation? Mexican coast
8. Favorite dessert? ice cream
9. What you want to be when you grow up? wealthy
10. What do you love most in life? my family
11. One Word to describe you. authentic
12. Your flickr name. jasminenh
Monday, July 14, 2008
CSA Week 1
So I want to keep a blog of the CSA each week and recipes we come up with. I'm too lazy to create a separate blog, so if you're not interested, just move along :o)
Wow. I can't believe how much my eating, cooking and shopping habits have changed in a few months. Saturday we made the first pick-up at the CSA.
What we got:
Kale
Pac Choi
Beets
Carrotts
Lettuce
Garlic Scapes
Radishes
Yellow Squash
Zucchini
Pickling Cukes
Salad with the lettuce, radishes and cukes
First recipe:
Sauted Greens
1/2 bunch kale
greens from 1 bunch beets
1 garlic scape or 1 clove garlic, chopped
1/2 pkg mushrooms
4 oz bacon, coarsely chopped (can use turkey bacon or veggie bacon)
1/2c chicken broth (or veggie)
1 Tbsp fresh thyme
Remove stems from kale and greens. Rinse. Add to a large pot of boiling water and cook for 6 minutes. Drain.
In wok, cook bacon until done, but not crisp. Remove from pan with slotted spoon and drain on paper towel.
Saute mushrooms in bacon fat (there won't be that much). Add garlic scape or garlic. Cook for 6 minutes. Add greens, bacon, broth and thyme. Cook for approx 6 minutes or until broth reduces.
It.Was.Amazing.
If anyone told me 6 months ago that I would be eating greens and loving it, yeah, hahahaha...
So me and Cindi are going to take turns coming up with ideas each week for cooking with the stuff we get, and posting our recipes here.
Plans for the rest of the haul are:
Juicing the beets with carrot and celery
Using the pac coi and carrots in a stir fry
Steaming the yellow squash and zucchini
Wow. I can't believe how much my eating, cooking and shopping habits have changed in a few months. Saturday we made the first pick-up at the CSA.
What we got:
Kale
Pac Choi
Beets
Carrotts
Lettuce
Garlic Scapes
Radishes
Yellow Squash
Zucchini
Pickling Cukes
Salad with the lettuce, radishes and cukes
First recipe:
Sauted Greens
1/2 bunch kale
greens from 1 bunch beets
1 garlic scape or 1 clove garlic, chopped
1/2 pkg mushrooms
4 oz bacon, coarsely chopped (can use turkey bacon or veggie bacon)
1/2c chicken broth (or veggie)
1 Tbsp fresh thyme
Remove stems from kale and greens. Rinse. Add to a large pot of boiling water and cook for 6 minutes. Drain.
In wok, cook bacon until done, but not crisp. Remove from pan with slotted spoon and drain on paper towel.
Saute mushrooms in bacon fat (there won't be that much). Add garlic scape or garlic. Cook for 6 minutes. Add greens, bacon, broth and thyme. Cook for approx 6 minutes or until broth reduces.
It.Was.Amazing.
If anyone told me 6 months ago that I would be eating greens and loving it, yeah, hahahaha...
So me and Cindi are going to take turns coming up with ideas each week for cooking with the stuff we get, and posting our recipes here.
Plans for the rest of the haul are:
Juicing the beets with carrot and celery
Using the pac coi and carrots in a stir fry
Steaming the yellow squash and zucchini
Sunday, July 6, 2008
4 July
Four July is my favorite holiday. Think about it. There is no gift giving involved. No holiday dress-up. No traveling unless ya wanna. No cooking huge feasts unless you wanna have a cookout. Outdoor activities. Fireworks. I rest my case. It's also the only holiday I really have any fond memories of from childhood. Memories of feeling free, running around barefoot, cheeseburgers, favorite shorts, sparklers, screen doors, damp grass, holding hands in the the back of a station wagon, time stretching out endlessly, ice cream, baseball, more ice cream, fireworks, beach trips, skin warmed by sun, running and playing and laughing and ponytails coming undone and sleepy rides home. Way better than Christmas. Seriously.
This was an awesome 4 July.
This was an awesome 4 July.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
The Don't Feel Like Its"
Ever get them?
I was planning to go to knitting tonight - I sorta feel like it.
It would require showering though - don't feel like it.
My garden needs weeding from all the rain we've had. Won't have time this weekend unless the weather is decent when I get home on Sunday - don't feel like it.
Lot's of yummy stuff in the house to make for dinner - don't feel like it.
Do you sense a pattern here? lol.
Hey, look who's back!
Worked from home today. We had a most wonderful kick-ass thunderstorm this afternoon. It was still kind of crappy weather when 5:30 rolled around and I called it a day. Did something I never do - laid on the couch and fell asleep watching the news. Woke up an hour late. I know! Think of all the weeding or showering or knitting I could have been doing instead! And when 11 rolls around tonight and I am wide awake, I will remember why naps on school nights are a no-no.
Tonight however I am indulging my I Don't Feel Like It-ness. (or IDFLI - pronounced "i-dee-fly" with kind of a ghetto accent.)
Haven't even turned on the Game yet. IDFLI. Yet. Silence is nice for now.
This was the scene today in the (home) office:
Hundreds of dogs were seen milling about, I know, the camera couldn't capture them all, but here are Rusty, Lincoln and Sabre try to restore order. Then the kick-ass thunderstorm came along and it looked like this out my window. I was trying to get some of the giant forks of lightning, but missed them.
This was the garden last week. Now it's several inches taller and in need of a good weeding. Maybe Friday morning before I leave town.
On that note, I now feel like dinner and baseball. I shall leave you with these:
And this one is for Gigi. I had been hoping for a better picture than this, but ms Zuni is spending all her time on top of the refrigerator because of what she refers to as "the big goggie" I remind her that "big goggie" has been nothing but a gentleman to her and promise he won't chase her or eat her, but she will have none of that.
I was planning to go to knitting tonight - I sorta feel like it.
It would require showering though - don't feel like it.
My garden needs weeding from all the rain we've had. Won't have time this weekend unless the weather is decent when I get home on Sunday - don't feel like it.
Lot's of yummy stuff in the house to make for dinner - don't feel like it.
Do you sense a pattern here? lol.
Hey, look who's back!
Worked from home today. We had a most wonderful kick-ass thunderstorm this afternoon. It was still kind of crappy weather when 5:30 rolled around and I called it a day. Did something I never do - laid on the couch and fell asleep watching the news. Woke up an hour late. I know! Think of all the weeding or showering or knitting I could have been doing instead! And when 11 rolls around tonight and I am wide awake, I will remember why naps on school nights are a no-no.
Tonight however I am indulging my I Don't Feel Like It-ness. (or IDFLI - pronounced "i-dee-fly" with kind of a ghetto accent.)
Haven't even turned on the Game yet. IDFLI. Yet. Silence is nice for now.
This was the scene today in the (home) office:
Hundreds of dogs were seen milling about, I know, the camera couldn't capture them all, but here are Rusty, Lincoln and Sabre try to restore order. Then the kick-ass thunderstorm came along and it looked like this out my window. I was trying to get some of the giant forks of lightning, but missed them.
This was the garden last week. Now it's several inches taller and in need of a good weeding. Maybe Friday morning before I leave town.
On that note, I now feel like dinner and baseball. I shall leave you with these:
And this one is for Gigi. I had been hoping for a better picture than this, but ms Zuni is spending all her time on top of the refrigerator because of what she refers to as "the big goggie" I remind her that "big goggie" has been nothing but a gentleman to her and promise he won't chase her or eat her, but she will have none of that.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Lisha Lace Scarf
I am honored that the lovely Gina was inspired to create a beautiful pattern named in my honor. And I quote,
"This luxury scarf pattern was designed with friendships in mind...It was created and inspired by my friend, Lisha, and uses the beautiful, handpainted yarn of one of one my dearest friends, Heather of Sereknity Yarn and Fiber. My best friend, Jackie, was kind enough to model my design and makes the scarf look so lovely. This scarf would make a wonderful gift for a loving friend, especially a fellow knitter!"
my secret fantasy The lovely Jackie is modeling...
You can order the pattern here, and here. And, if I can ever get my head to wrap itself around how to make links here on blogger, I will have a link up as well. That is actually my goal this week.
Now I just need to get some of that yummy yarn from Heather and imagonna make me one! Cuz the Lisha needs to have one!
"This luxury scarf pattern was designed with friendships in mind...It was created and inspired by my friend, Lisha, and uses the beautiful, handpainted yarn of one of one my dearest friends, Heather of Sereknity Yarn and Fiber. My best friend, Jackie, was kind enough to model my design and makes the scarf look so lovely. This scarf would make a wonderful gift for a loving friend, especially a fellow knitter!"
You can order the pattern here, and here. And, if I can ever get my head to wrap itself around how to make links here on blogger, I will have a link up as well. That is actually my goal this week.
Now I just need to get some of that yummy yarn from Heather and imagonna make me one! Cuz the Lisha needs to have one!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
In case you can't read what that is, it is 100 degrees. My weatherbug toolbar thing turned red when it hit 100.
Yesterday I went out and purchased an air conditioner. I was really afraid that my second floor apartment would just be too hot for Rusty and Zuni. Cindi offered to take them to her dads, and while I would feel comfortable letting Rusty go, I don't think Zuni would like it too much. So, I closed off rooms and plunked an a/c into the living room. This morning things had cooled down to a comfy 72. Yay! It will be interesting to see if the unit was able to keep up with it today though. At least last night I was able to do some spinning. TOnight I will try and post a picture of my first plyed yarn. Something finally clicked for me this weekend and I understand the whole spinning thing alot better. Thanks Sadia! Now to make plans to head up to Spunky and get a new spindle and some yummy fiber!
Tired today. I hate being cooped up inside and am looking forward to normal weather again. But for tonight, it will be cooped up again. Sox are playing. Bed early I hope!!
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