Unraveled Wednesday 7/8/26

 Good Morning Fellow Makers!

How are you?  Gosh!  The air almost feels chilly this morning...I'm in a tee shirt and PJ pants and could almost use another top - a light flannel shirt or sweater!  And yesterday, whilst Iris napped on the couch, I had to turn the ceiling fan off at C&M's.  The door between the living room and sunroom was open and a fairly strong breeze was coming in.  We (Colin, Iris and I) walked outside to check on Colin & Iris' garden before lunch and even with leggings, a tee shirt and flannel shirt, I was cold!  Amazing after last week.  I've also noticed the morning light changing (already).  It's kind of dark now when I get up and the birds are not quite as loud early in the morning.  

Time marches on and now it is Wednesday and time to link up with Kat and her Merry Band of Unravelers to talk making and reading.

Well, surprise, surprise!  I have a finished object to share:

The first slip stitch sock is finished!  It was finished Saturday morning, July 4th.  HOWEVER, it might just be the only one.  Looks pretty, huh?  But let me tell you, it is small and tight.  Tight as in my foot can't get into it!  Friends, I know I am a very tight knitter (I'm trying to ease up, but...) and this sock proves it.  I used size 1 needles (I really should know better).  There are 15 rows of ribbing at the cuff; roughly 70 rows on the leg; the heel flap and turn and then about 65 rows on the foot before the toe decreases.  This should fit my friend Janet, but I'm betting it's too small even for her.  As proof, all that knitting used only 32 grams of yarn!

There are still 75 grams of yarn left from the skein!  So, I'm debating what to do.  

• I could knit another sock like this and then donate the pair
• I could throw this one in the trash (or make a cat toy from it)
• I could unravel this and use the remaining 75 grams for a pair of socks using #2 needles and have this extra yarn "just in case."

I have yet to decide what to do, so no knitting has taken place.  I'm still looking at patterns and looking at my yarn and thinking I really (REALLY) should finish my Semplice Shawl or I should use the skein of Jane yarn that I wound and cast on a hat or this...or that...  I will cogitate on this a bit longer.

Meanwhile, reading has been good (at least I've been able to concentrate better and finish 2 books!).  Over the weekend I finished Villa Coco by Andrew Sean Greer.  This was one of those books that I wondered if I would finish.  At first I was confused with all the characters and the various stories, but I got into the rhythm of the book and ended up really enjoying it.  Nothing wrong with a story set in Italy!

Next up was another Bruno, Chief of Police novel by Martin Walker - The Templars' Last Secret.  Definitely not my favorite Bruno book, but the food and wine in the Bruno stories are always so good.  Also, Martini Walker obviously does his research and knows what he writes about.  This book dealt with archaeological finds as well as present day tensions between Palestine and Israel.  

Fletch and I are continuing our usual slow pace of listening to a book for 15 o 20 minutes after dinner.  We are still into The Old Ways: A Journey on Foot by Robert Macfarlane and thoroughly enjoying it.  The narration is good and the journey is pleasant.

Meanwhile, I received notice that 2 more books are in for me from the library:  "Land" by Maggie O'Farrell (hoping I enjoy more than Bonny or Kym) and "This Book Made Me Think Of You" by Libby Page.  I've been in the rather long queues for both of these novels, so I'm hoping to enjoy.  My plan is to pick these up on Saturday and hopefully between now and then I can finish 1 or 2 of the library books in a stack on my nightstand!

Have a wonderful Wednesday and enjoy checking out what all the Unravelers are making and reading.  My guess is that you will find something (or many things) to inspire you.  Have fun!

Tiny Needle Tuesday With Food Instead of Stitching 7/7/26

Hello Folks,

Well, the title kind of explains this post on a TNT.  I've got no stitching to show!  The piece I had been working on - Sew Red - ended up in the garbage.  LOL. I was bored and I did not like the fabric.  Plus, when I looked back, it turns out I had stitched that exact pattern with that exact thread (but on nicer fabric) 2 years ago!  No wonder I was bored.

And I have not been able to settle on a pattern.  I pulled out one BIG sampler - AED Germany 1746 - and pulled threads and fabric and then decided I didn't feel like stitching it.  Then I pulled another one - The Practical Sampler - by Eileen Bennett.  I enjoy her samplers because they incorporate a lot of different stitches and this one has white work which I love.  But I started it and didn't like the fabric (again).

Bottom line, nothing appeals at this moment.  I'm hoping the break in the weather will change my attitude.  Meanwhile, I've been cooking and thought I would share two recipes with you.  First up I made Egg Roll Ramen Skillet which turned out well.  Naturally I forgot pictures.  For those of you who don't like or don't want ground pork, I'm sure ground chicken or turkey would work just fine.  One ramen noodle packet would have been sufficient for us (instead of the called for 3 packages!!), but it was tasty and easy to make.  There is some in the fridge for Fletch to have for lunch and I took some over for Colin.  There is also some in the freezer for another day.

Last night I made Enchilada Stuffed Mushrooms.

Easy-peasy and quite tasty.  Also, lots of the enchilada filling left over which I put in the freezer.  I may add chicken or beef to it when I pull it out to thaw.  The portobello shrooms were huge and Fletch and I ended up splitting one.  The second is ready for Fletch for lunch one day.  Here's the recipe if anyone is interested:

Sorry for the shadows, but if you click to enlarge I think the recipe is legible.  Hopefully I'll have some stitching to show you next week.  Meanwhile, have a great Tuesday!

Weekending 7/6/26

 Good Morning All,

How are you and how was your 4th of July?  The weather...so freakin' oppressive.  I pretty much had a feeling of lassitude ALL weekend.  It was hard to settle to do anything.  Nothing appealed.  I did not want to stitch, I did not want to knit, I didn't even really feel like reading much.  I did cook though.  Go figure...when the temps are over 100 I end up baking cookies!

We went to Zhongren's house Friday for dinner and he asked that we bring cookies.  So, I made a bar cookie using oatmeal, pumpkin and peanut butter.  I forgot to take a picture.  Once cooked and then cooled, a thin layer of chocolate is spread on the top.  They were good.  I also made basil lime shortbread cookies.

Who doesn't love a shortbread cookie?  Well, Fletch is not that fond of them...  These have fresh chopped basil and lime zest in them.  YUM!!!  The best part was watching Iris walk around with an ear of corn that she would gnaw on - too cute.

Saturday we ended up at Colin & Mailing's for dinner.  Colin grilled and I made a corn and black bean salad.  There was also an avocado and cucumber salad and Colin baked a fresh cherry pie.  Oh my!  

Finally after we got home on Saturday, the winds picked up (a lot) and then the rain came.  We only got about half an inch, but it cooled things off a bit and we ended up getting another inch or so last night.  The garden is happy.

The feeling of ennui is still with me somewhat.  I can't settle on any one thing to do or make.  I'm sure that will change in a bit (fingers crossed), but first I'm heading out later to watch Iris.  Luckily it looks like a rainy day with cooler temps.  I hope your Monday finds you doing something fun!

Thursday Musings

 Hello,

Well, It's a sticky mess out there, isn't it?  The temp is already up there and not much air is moving.  I'm trying to get stuff done early this morning.  I've already cooked bacon to put in a broccoli salad and I have shrimp thawing - I will cook them in a bit and we will have cold shrimp and salad for dinner.  I've also hard boiled some eggs to make deviled eggs - much easier for a warm morning than frying or scrambling an egg.

Years (decades) ago when we moved into our house, our woods beyond the back lawn were filled with wild blackberry bushes.  We would pick tons.  Then all of a sudden, there were a. lot of ticks and I stopped going into the woods.  Fast forward to this year and Fletch announced that there is a wild blackberry in the garden!  It's right by the fig and hibiscus.  Yesterday when I got home from Colin's I strolled out to the garden to take a peek.  Sure enough - and the berries are beginning to ripen!

The off-white thing in the background is a raised bed (tall cylinder) where we have lettuce (an over-abundance) growing and bush beans beginning to grow.  You may need to enlarge the pic to see the berries, but they are there!  I'm hoping we get some before the birds grab them all.

I also noted that our Sun Gold Cherry Tomato plant at long last has tomatoes!  Woo-Hoo.

I have a bit more cooking on my agenda.  We are headed to Mailing's parents tomorrow for a cookout.  Well, Bonnie will be on her way to China, but Zhongren is hosting and he has requested that we bring cookies.  I've decided to make Basil Lime Shortbread (which both Colin and I LOVE) and a recipe for bars that I found - it calls for mixing oatmeal, peanut butter, pumpkin and some other stuff and baking in an 8" pan.  Then melted chocolate goes on top.  Sounds good to me!  On Saturday, the 4th, we will be at C&M's for a cookout.  I've been tasked with making and bringing a corn & black bean salad.  Easy peasy.

 A trip to the library will also happen - there are 5 or 6 books waiting for me to pick them up!  Finally, I hope to find some time for stitching and knitting, but we shall see.

Thanks for all your nice comments on my hair.  I love the cut and am so happy to be rid of so much length!

Please take it easy if you are in the midst of this heatwave.  Our township (Lower Providence) has even cancelled the July 4th celebration and fireworks due to the excessive heat warnings.  And Fletch read that our air quality (lack of) is being impacted by the fires out west.  

Unraveled Wednesday 7/1/26

 Good Morning!

I'm enjoying the early hours before the heat and humidity really settle in for the day.  Right now it is rather pleasant, but I know what this afternoon will be like....

So hey!  It's Wednesday (the first of July which does NOT seem possible) and it's time to link up with Kat and her Merry Band of Unravelers to talk about making and reading.

Monday early afternoon was actually quite pleasant outside.  I put a small table in front of my chair on the patio and set out my knitting, a book, and a glass of Pinot Grigio.  Bliss!  I had to bring out a different chair as the one I usually sit in is a deck chair with arms which doesn't really work for knitting.  Easy enough to remedy.

My first slip stitch sock is almost halfway down the foot.  I was easily distracted by bird song and Mabel roaming around.  Slow knitting is nice.  No one wants to wear a wool sock today, so there is no rush to finish.

Reading has also been a little slower, but so good.  I finished Whistler by Ann Patchett and loved it!  Honestly, I wasn't sure I would.  There has been so much (so much) buzz about this book and then, of course, Ann Patchett is set to win the Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction.  So I wasn't sure, but oh my!  What a wonderful book.  Strong, likable characters and a wonderful story!

I am now in the midst (roughly 100 pages in) of Villa Coco which (so far) is proving to be an amusing romp through Italy.  Such fun characters - but so many of them!  I might need a cheat sheet to keep all of them in my mind.

And, finally, Fletch and I are listening to The Old Ways - A Journey on Foot by Robert McFarlane.  We had enjoyed listening to "Is a River Alive?" so decided to try this one.  Very good.  Though I don't retain as much listening to books, it's a very enjoyable listen.  Kat - I think you recommended this one quite some time ago (at least that's what my notes say on my TBR list).

I'm still in queue (long queues) for a number of books (Theo of Golden, Land, Country People, etc.) so I requested some other books to fill time while waiting for the popular ones.  Well, late yesterday I received an email that four of those requested are waiting for me to pick them up!  When it rains it pours!  As I always say, not a bad problem.  I will not pick them up today (I'll be with Iris all day), but probably tomorrow.

Yesterday I did a thing.  I got my hair chopped!!  It had gotten long (like down to my bra strap on my back) and all I ever did with it was pull it back into a pony tail or with a clip or put it in a bun on top of my head.  I was bored and tired with that.  And hey!  Cutting so much off is kind of a weight loss plan.  LOL. Anyway, here is the new (slightly cooler) moi:

Just a chin length bob that hopefully will be easy to "do".  I'm not one to spend a lot of time with a blow dryer or product.  I'm a wash and wear type of gal, so we will see how it works out.  It looked fine this morning when I got out of bed, so that's a plus!

Wishing you a wonderful start to July.  Have some fun and stay cool and hydrated!

Tiny Needle Tuesday 6/30/26

 Good Morning,

How does this very last day of June feel?  The year has certainly zipped by, hasn't it?  It was fun going through my cross stitch stash last week.  The piece I chose to do is "Sew Red" from IStitch designs.  I think that back in the day this chart was a freebie, but I can't be sure.  I have a file folder filled with IStitch designs and chose this one.

No idea why the fabric appears as it does in the photo.  It is just plain linen (roughly 30 count I think) and I am stitching with one strand of silk thread over two linen threads.  The red I'm using is "Old Maid of the Heart" by Hand Dyed Fibers - one of my most favorite reds.

The stash dive did not yield the culling that I had anticipated.  That still needs to be done.  And the two rather large samplers are still calling me...I'm just not sure I want to start another massive piece just yet.  Time will tell.

This heat wave is nuts, huh?  I'm planning some cool meals (cold shrimp, salads, etc.).  Last night I made parsley pesto with peas and I added some cut up hot Italian sausage that I found in the freezer.  Fletch had grilled the sausage some time ago and I had saved the leftovers to add to red sauce.  Parsley pesto sounded more refreshing than red sauce.

The picture isn't all that appealing, but the dish was quite tasty.  I used fresh English peas I had bought at Trader Joe's.  And bonus - there's plenty left over for another meal!

Hope your Tuesday is a good one and that you can stay relatively cool.

Weekending 6/29/26

 Good Morning!

Whew!  It is soggy here.  We did not get the anticipated rain - just a smidge - but everything feels damp or wet.  The air is heavy and not much is moving outside.  Even the birds seem to be rather still.  Seems like everyone is gearing up for the nasty heat wave headed our way.  I've been going through recipes and finding cool salads to make and recipes that don't require a lot of effort.

Our weekend was nice.  Nothing much going on.  I managed to do a few chores (laundry and bathroom cleaning), but otherwise just took it easy.  Knitting, stitching and reading were on my agenda.  And, I have started working out with my weights (quite light) at home and I can feel an improvement in my upper arms and shoulders after only a couple of days.  Movement needs to happen every day!

Yesterday I did turn the oven on.  I made a peach/apricot/blueberry crostata...and made it just in time before all of the fruit went bad!

I have not yet tried it, but Fletch had a piece and pronounced it excellent!  And then, since the oven was already warmed up, I decided to roast some nuts and used fresh rosemary and thyme along with sea salt and a little bit of red pepper flakes.

Almonds, walnuts, pecans, cashews, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts and pistachios.  YUM!!!

Saturday night we watched "Song Sung Blue" which we both thought was ok.  Not great, but an easy watch on a hot summer night.

Mabel has been taking it easy and hanging around.  She goes over to the apple tree and nibbles/munches on her catnip plant now and again.

We have a screen around it to protect it from the lawn guys who whacked it down with one of their weed whackers one day!  It came back and it is now above the top of the screen, so easy enough to bite now and then.

Wishing you all a relaxing Monday.  Stay cool and hydrated!!