Unraveled Wednesday and a FOX 5/1/24

 

Good Morning All,

Happy May Day!  I remember way back (in the dark ages) when I was in grade school we always had a May Day celebration where we danced around a Maypole - weaving the streamers around and under.  I wonder if anyone still does that?

It is EARLY here in Eastern PA and I have been awake for some time.  Yuck!  I will back up to last night for the story.  It's maybe 8:30 or so and I'm on the phone talking to my friend Carol.  Suddenly I hear noises outside.  I jump up and go out and right at the edge of the patio is Mr. Fox.  Who was showing me his teeth!  Mabel, fortunately, had jumped up onto some shelves on the patio and was uttering a growl like I have never heard come out of her before.  Mr. Fox ran off and Mabel came inside.  And stayed in the rest of the night.

Jump to 3 a.m. this morning and I wake up to a very loud barking from a fox.  Mabel is on the bed and she starts growling and jumps onto the windowsill to survey the back yard.  I never really get back to sleep - just doze on and off for a bit.  At 5:30 Mabel is getting antsy and the birds are singing loudly outside.  So I get up and come down to let Mabel out.  Usually I would go back upstairs to get a shower, but thankfully I decided to make the coffee first.  Mabel goes out and suddenly I hear a ruckus again.  There is Mr. Fox once more at the edge of the patio (again showing his teeth) and Mabel has managed to get back up on the shelf and is growling (again).  Once more Mr. Fox runs off after giving me a nasty glance and Mabel finally comes inside (where she still is).

This is all too much excitement for me so early in the morning!

Meanwhile, some exciting garden news.  We spotted the first figs forming!!  Last year our fig was very late to leaf out and the fruit did not even form until way too late to ripen.  This year figs were showing before the very first leaves sprouted!

And, we discovered that Mabel loves to lie in the raised bed box under the rhubarb leaves.  LOL. I guess it's a cool and shady spot on these warmer-than-they-should-be days.

All of this brings us to today and Unraveled Wednesday.  Usually I would link up with Kat, but she is on vacation and not hosting an Unraveled Wednesday post this week.  I still wanted to talk knitting and books, so here I am.  The second Peat and Gold sock has been started.  I am a little past the halfway mark on the leg.

I'm hoping to finish this up rather quickly and move onto other things (languishing projects and new stash yarn perhaps).

On the reading side of things, I picked up Notes From the Henhouse the other week.  It's ok.  Not great, but ok...just a little boring in places.  So last night I started another library book - one that my friend Nina had recommended:  This Other Eden by Paul Harding.  I read about 40 pages last night and so far am really loving it.

Another book that Nina recommended is West With Giraffes which Fletch and I are listening to after dinner.  I don't care much for the narrator, but it is a fun story.

I should wrap this up now...get my shower and pour another cup of coffee.  Dee and I are gathering together a bit later this morning!  Thanks for sticking with me through this long-winded post.  Happy Hump Day!

Tiny Needle Tuesday 4/30/24

 

Good Morning!

How is it the last day of April 2024?  This year seems to be zooming past me at a very fast rate.  Yesterday afternoon I ventured out and cut two sprigs from the lilac.  So pretty and so fragrant.  And so droopy this morning!  What is the secret to having lilacs last in a vase?

Yesterday I managed to do a couple of my errands.  One had to be put off till today.  I had planned to go to the framer with the cactus triptych, but the framer is closed on Mondays.  So, perhaps this afternoon I can wander over that way.  

I did make it to the SPCA where we rescued Mabel though.  It's a little bit of a drive (30 minutes or so), but a pretty drive.  We had some towels we were no longer using.  Too worn for us and really not suitable for donating, but I know that the SPCA can always use them.  There were miniature ponies in the pasture (wish I had stopped to take a picture).

On this last TNT in April, I have a new piece to show.  While going through my (massive) stash to find something new to stitch, I (re)discovered a bunch of patterns I had gotten for free from Needleprint.  What a fabulous site that was back in the day!  Needlepoint closed/stopped publishing back around 2011.  Anyway, I came across several patterns based on Vierlande medallions.  Vierlande is an area in Germany.  The medallions are very similar to the Quaker motifs (particularly those from the Ackworth School).

I'm stitching on 40 count fabric using one strand of DMC over two threads of linen.  If you click to enlarge, you may see the beginning of a fourth motif on the left (the DMC thread is very, very light).  This piece is called Vierlande Elisabeth.  There is another piece I have picked out to stitch (Vierlande Bertie) which has a bunch of crowns and uses only two colors.  I'm enjoying the symmetry of the medallions.

Of course, now that my newly acquired stash has arrived, I'm eager to start yet another piece.  All in good time....

Weekending 4/29/24

 Good Morning My Lovelies,

It's gonna be a hot one in Eastern PA today.  Yesterday was warm.  And lovely.  Today it is supposed to get above 80!  Yikes!  Blooms have started popping everywhere.

How I wish I could send the scent of the lilacs over to you.  I snapped the above picture before 6:30 this morning.  As soon as I opened the front door, the scent of lilacs was everywhere.  Later I will cut a bloom or two for the table.

Yesterday the first iris opened.  Today there are three and so many buds!  More than we have had in years.  We could always count on the iris opening the first week in May, so they are pretty much on schedule. 

Not pictured, but also opening:  Lily of the Valley and Wisteria.  Both heavily scented.  Surrounded by perfume.

Friday ended up being a very nice stash enhancement day.  I had placed an order with 123 Stitch for some linen fabric and a few skeins of overdyed cotton.  They were scheduled to arrive today, but instead arrived on Friday!

The linen is 36 count and is very nice.  Also arriving on Friday was my May Sock Squad yarn from The Farmer's Daughter!

Like February's package, this one included two half skeins (50 grams each) plus the mini.  The colors are marvelous.

Fletch has been busy in the garden - planting onions, beans and cucumbers.  I helped him set up the trellis for the cukes.  With the warm weather forecast, he can probably get the tomatoes in.  We are also going to grow yellow squash vertically this year, so I need to help with another trellis.  Meanwhile, it's time to get a rosemary plant, some basil and an eggplant for my patio pots.

I cooked a new-to-me dish yesterday.  I've never been a huge fan of gnocchi, but a recipe for Skillet Gnocchi with Roasted Red Peppers, White Beans and Kale appealed to me.  I used This Recipe and it was fast and delicious!  Plus lots of leftovers.

The weekend also provided opportunity for both stitching and knitting...so a balanced, fun and productive weekend.  I've got a bunch of errands to run today and a bit of cooking I want to do.

I hope your weekend was a good one and cheers to the week ahead!

Unraveled Wednesday 4/24/24

 Good Morning My Friends,

After several gorgeous days, it looks like we are in for some grey weather.  However, I did manage to take a picture of our Redbud yesterday.  It is gorgeous this year!

This white blooms behind the Redbud are wild cherry trees at the edge of our woods.

Mabel, sweet Mabel, has been racing up and down the apple tree which is now full of blooms too.

She is a pistol and full of energy.  At times she seems to have no fear whatsoever, but she is also smart.  Mr. Fox was wandering around the yard early yesterday morning and Mabel stayed inside for quite some time.  Fortunately.

Anyway, it's Wednesday and time to check in with Kat and her Merry Band of Unravelers to talk all things making and reading.  Come and join in the fun!

As you might imagine, not a whole lot of knitting was accomplished last week.  I did take my sock to work on in NC, but I only put in a few rows first thing in the morning when I was up before anyone else.  I'm finally nearing the toe decrease on sock #1 (and the toe will be in the gold color too).

Here's another shot where you can (hopefully) see the pattern just below the cuff.

I should finish this up soon and get sock #2 on the needles pronto!

Last night I finished reading The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson and loved it.  Thank you Jane for recommending this very well written novel.  I picked up two books from my library yesterday, but have not started either.  Fletch and I started listening to a new book on Audible last night after dinner - more on that next week.

There has been no stitching in over a week and I am hoping to start a new piece today.  Time will tell.  I was up most of the night coughing, so I am a bit weary at this early morning hour.  I plan to cancel my haircut appointment and will reschedule that for another week when (hopefully) this sinus congestion and cough are gone!

Wishing you all a wonderful Wednesday - enjoy!!

Back Home Again 4/22/24

 Hello, Hello!

I'm back home.  My time away in NC was wonderful, but I came home feeling like crap.  The pollen levels in NC were out of control and I kept getting more and more congested as the days wore on.  Stale airplane air did nothing to help on my way home.  I sounded (and still sound) like I have bronchitis.  Yesterday I did take a Covid test, just to be sure, but that was negative.  It may have migrated into a very bad cold.  I dunno, but I'm kind of miserable.

So, this will be a short post.  My friend Leslie is doing great and looks wonderful.  We had such a good time catching up and cooking good food!  Then Nina, my college roommate, came up from SC on Friday and it was as if we had just been together the day before.  How wonderful it is to be able to pick up after so much time without skipping a beat.

In texting and emailing back and forth yesterday, we realized we never took a single picture!  All three of us thought of it AFTER we were together...and that does not work.  I did take one picture - it is a picture of a picture that hangs in Leslie's upstairs hallway.  It is a shot of Leslie and me 50 years ago on the day of her wedding (August 1974)!!

We look a little bit different today - LOL.

Today is for laundry and stopping at the library to pick up a book that came in for me last week.  Other than that, no plans.  Just rest and take it easy.  I'll be catching up with blogs slowly...I do hope that everyone is doing well.

Just About Ready to Go! 4/15/24

 Good Morning My Friends!

How are you and how was your weekend?  Mine was lovely - filled with family, good food, a bunch of chores, but also time to relax.

Saturday morning found me scrubbing bathrooms and washing bath mats and towels.  Just as I finished that, our neighbor Rob came over with home made Focaccia that he had made using his sour dough starter.  Little cherry tomatoes and Kalamata olives on top with tons of herbs - oh my!  A little touch of heaven.

Later in the day Colin was over helping Fletch with some garden stuff.  Mailing showed up a bit later and we ordered out delicious Indian food from a place one of Colin's co-workers had recommended.  So much food.  And so good!  We will definitely order again.

While the boys were working in the garden and before Mailing came over, I found time to finish my latest stitched piece:  Sew Red by IStich.

Stitched on 40 count Woodsmoke linen using one strand of silk thread (Old Maid of the Heart from Vicki Clayton) over two threads.  I'm pleased with the way it turned out.  I think my next piece will be a Quaker style one in yet again a single color.  This is so unlike me!!

Sunday was a day for more chores (that damn kitchen floor is finally clean), laundry and packing.  Tomorrow I fly to NC for a nice visit with my friend Leslie.  I'm the person who can usually be found packing at midnight before an early morning flight.  I don't know what's gotten into me but I'm all packed already (shorts and tees and flip flops mostly - it should be in the 80's while I am there!!).

There was also a bit of time in the afternoon for wandering around the yard.  Our Red Bud has opened!

And our Asian Pear is looking VERY healthy.  I wonder when we will get fruit?  Last year we were worried that it would survive (and it's in a cage because of deer).

And last, but not least, the first apple blossoms have opened!!

Seen, but not photographed:  asparagus is up!  And the rhubarb leaves are already getting to be platter sized.  LOL

It is also definitely tick season - Fletch found one crawling on his leg the other day.  Yuck.  Last night we managed to capture Mabel and get her treated...hopefully it will work.  Speaking of the darling here she is yesterday afternoon while Fletch and I were sitting on the patio.

I know it's the say she is sitting and has positioned her legs, but she is looking a bit widette!!  (Does anyone else remember The Widettes on SNL?  It was around the same time as the Cone Heads.  LOL)

OK, I'm dropping off library books this morning - giving up on The Fox Wife.  I thought I would love it, but I kept falling asleep while reading it.  Despite having read around 100 pages, I can't remember a thing about it.  The book I will take with me is The Seed Keeper which I am loving (and the cover of the paperback is wonderful).  I think that Jane recommended this book.  I will also pick up a few groceries for Fletch to have on hand while I'm away.  

Wishing everyone a wonderful week and I'll see you back here next week!

Another Week

 

Good Morning my Friends!

Well, it was kind of a wild night - strong winds and heavy rains woke me early.  Luckily I managed to get back to sleep.  I'm happy to be heading into weekend mode.

Yesterday Dee and I got together at Manhattan Bagel for a morning of catching up, sipping coffee and doing a little knitting.  Always a pleasant time.

Wednesday found me taking care of things.  My annual mammogram was at 8:45 a.m.  I'm always on edge before a mammogram - my Mom had breast cancer and my (paternal) grandfather had breast cancer in the 40's.  Weird to hear of a guy having breast cancer.  Both survived, but those two cases, of course, elevate my chances.  Right after the mammogram I had a CT lung scan.  Another thing to have me on edge.  I smoked for decades (since my teens) and only stopped in the last 5-6 years (I can never remember which year).  Because of that, my primary care physician suggested I have a lung scan.  I'm happy to report that both tests had good results.  Amazingly, I had the mammogram results on line within 3 hours of the test!  I had to wait over 24 hours for the lung scan results.  But, the important thing is that all is ok.

Next on the list is an audiologist appointment, but I will wait to make that for a couple of weeks.  By the time I'm finished with that, it will probably be time to start all over again with blood work, eye exam, etc., etc.  Good thing I am no longer working!!  LOL

Wednesday afternoon I had an appointment regarding finances...I want to get my 401K rolled over and there were other things to talk about.  Again all is good and I have another meeting with him at the end of the month.

Meanwhile, I'm starting to prep for leaving town again!!  Without Fletch!!!  Next Tuesday I am flying to NC to visit my best friend for the past 58 years - Leslie.  And, my senior year in college I roomed with Nina.  She and I also shared some apartments after college.  I have not seen Nina in close to 30 years, BUT, she is driving up to Leslie's from where she lives in SC on Friday and will spend the night.  Can't wait to see them both.  

I have gifts to wrap before I go and I need to dig out some summer clothes - it is forecast to be in the 80's when I land in NC on Tuesday!  Naturally I want to clean the bathrooms and do some laundry before I take off and I'll pick up some food so that Fletch does not need to run to the store.

Colin will be over Saturday afternoon to help Fletch with some garden stuff.  I've suggested that Mailing come over too and we can all go out to dinner...still waiting to hear back from the kids on that idea.

Whatever your plans are for the weekend, I hope you make room for some fun.  Enjoy!!