A Little Review

 Hello, Hello,

Happy New Year's Eve.  Fletch and I will be tucked at home.  We stopped going out New Year's Eve decades ago.  Too many crazy folks out there and on the roads.  Usually I make a crab quiche and we have champagne or Prosecco.  This year I am going to make crab cakes instead and we will have some roasted asparagus to go along with the cakes.  And Prosecco, of course.

After a somewhat dark/moody/overcast and damp start to the day yesterday, the temperature rose a bit and the sun came out.While Fletch was still waking up, I took myself out to the River Walk in Valley Forge.  Although the temps had risen to the low 50's, there was a pretty strong breeze and I was thankful to have my fleece ear band to wear.

Such a blue, blue sky.  The river on the left was calm.  And, with a nod to Juliann, here is my picture looking down.

This rather small tree trunk was across the trail and I loved all the moss on it.  So pretty.

Now it's Tuesday and I am hoping to get out for another walk in another location this morning.  Usually on Tuesdays I post a Tiny Needle update, but there has been no stitching in a couple of weeks, so instead I thought I would give a brief review of what I made and read in 2024.

During the year I knit 12 pairs of socks and one hat.  No one wanted the hat - made of Lopi and very itchy, so that was donated.  The socks were a mix:  some for me, some for Fletch, some gifts and some for Colin.  I was surprised to find that I had actually made 12 pair!  Two shawls were started and I hope to get to them pronto and finish them up.

I completed 8 stitching pieces and enjoyed them all.  The Blessing (by Examplars From The Heart) is my current stitching project.  Still quite a bit to stitch on this one and I hope to get back to stitching sooner rather than later.  Nothing is a race though - the idea is to enjoy what you do.

It was a good year for books!  I read a total of 52, of which 43 were "real" books and 9 were audio.  I have a Kindle, but have not used it for a long time.  I prefer to read a book to a screen.  Apparently I did a pretty good job of choosing books:  I rated 14 of them as 5 stars and 21 of them as 4 stars!  Four were 3.5 stars, 8 were 3 stars, 2 were 2.5 stars and 3 were 2 stars.  Breaking it down further, 36 were fiction, 9 were memoirs/biographies, 4 were non-fiction, 2 were essays and 1 was poetry.

It is difficult (impossible for moi) to pick one favorite out of the books I read.  But, some favorites include:  James, Clear, North Woods, Suite Francaise, Musical Tables, The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store, the two Solstice books by Nina MacLaughlin, and The Ride of Her Life.  See?  No way I could choose just one above all others.

Meanwhile, the reading continues.  I've been doing more reading and no knitting or stitching!  Yesterday I picked up 3 more books from my library, so I have plenty to carry me into 2025.

I'm not one for making New Year's resolutions, so there will be none of that here!!  However you celebrate (or not) and whatever you do (or don't do), I hope you slip into 2025 with a smile on your face and joy in your step.

Catching Up 12/30/24

 Hello My Friends,

It's been a bit of time since I last posted.  I feel myself diving into hibernation mode these days.  Sleeping later, struggling to get up and out from under the covers (if it were not for Mabel, some days I would stay in bed all day!).  Yesterday I got up, pulled on PJ pants and a sweatshirt and never got dressed all day!  Instead I lounged around.  Did 3 loads of laundry (more today - sheets and towels).  Did some cooking (made some oat-carrot cups for breakfast, but they were a bust...not sweet enough for Fletch, so they went out for the deer who loved them).

Christmas Day was lovely.  Some Iris snuggle time.  Delicious food.  Family time.  It does not get any better!  A funny story:  we bought several outfits for Iris.  Turns out that Anna bought 2 of the same outfits!  And...those 2 outfits were some that Colin & Mailing already had!  What are the chances of that?  It works out though:  Anna bought newborn size; we bought 3 month size; and C&M already had 6 month size.  Too funny!

Since finishing Colin's birthday socks on the 21st I have not picked up a needle of any kind!  No stitching, no knitting.  But yesterday I did pick out a skein of yarn and caked it up.  I'm planning to make another Heart Warmer cowl for a friend.  Yup - attempting to get some gift knitting completed early this year.

Our days and evenings have been lovely and relaxed with candle light for dinner.  The above candle holders (and tray that they fit on snugly) were a Christmas gift from our friends Jan and Pete.  Pete made the holders and tray.  If you click to enlarge you should be able to see how beautiful the wood is.

Today feels like Spring.  It has been raining, temps are high and it is very overcast.  But, we did have snow on Christmas Eve Day and our temps were low enough that the snow stuck around for Christmas.  Just a dusting, but pretty.  Christmas Eve night I was in the kitchen making and baking a dessert for Christmas Day when I looked out the patio door and spotted a visitor!  

Not Santa and no reindeer in sight, but rather a possum!  He walked around a bit and we were amazed at how furry he was.

I was glad that Mabel was inside.  I don't think Mr. Possum would bother her, but I don't want to take any chances.  There has been no sign of him since.  I'm happy to know he is around here somewhere since he eats ticks and other undesirable things.

Last night we finished watching Oppenheimer.  We had watched the first half weeks (and weeks) ago, but finally got around to seeing the end.  I admit to being a bit bored with it all.  The jumping back and forth in time was annoying to me.  Oh well.  I have (finally) gotten Fletch to agree to ditch cable TV!!  That is on my agenda for this week - to call Verizon and end that.  We already cancelled Acorn TV and will be cancelling Britbox as well.  I think we will add Apple TV though.  I really want to watch Slow Horses and we both like Shrinking.

Well, this post is long enough already.  I will be back tomorrow...not for TNT since I have not picked up a needle, but rather for a brief review of my making and reading in 2024.  Enjoy these last two days of 2024!

Weekending 12/23/24

 Good Chilly Morning!

Single digits here this a.m.  My phone says it is 6 degrees outside.  Whew!

Did anyone watch the Kennedy Center honors last night?  Bonnie Raitt!  One of my most favorites.  I remember seeing her in concert a number of times.  Most notably at Lenox back in the 70's.  After which my friend and I went to Alice's Restaurant (yes, THAT Alice's Restaurant) for dinner.  Good times.

Is everyone ready for Christmas?  I thought I was, but I need to run out this morning for two last minute gifts.  I found out that Anna's boyfriend, John, will be joining us on Christmas Day, so I am picking up a little something from PA's Fine Wine & Spirits store for him.  And I realized I never got a cigar for Colin (always put one in his stocking).

The cookies are all done.  I cut back this year and did not make as many as usual.  Which is fine.  I don't want a lot left over.  We put together a box of goodies for our neighbors Rob & Eva.  And, Saturday afternoon they walked over with a plate of goodies for us!  Like minds and all that.  Interestingly, Rob and I made all different kinds of cookies, so no repeats.  He also made his wonderful peanut brittle (I cannot get enough of that!).

Finally, all the presents are wrapped.  Except for the few I will get this morning.  Also presents for my friend Carol (Christmas and her birthday) and her family, but I won't be seeing her till after the New Year, so no rush.

Despite the baking and wrapping, I did find time to finish Colin's second sock!!

Just in time!  We are heading over to Colin & Mailing's for lunch today (and to see Iris of course).  We are taking over stocking gifts for them as well as cookies and candied and roasted nuts.  There is also something for Talbot and something for Iris.  When Fletch delivered cookies to his former clients, Connie & David, they gave him a set of 4 board books for Iris that were written by their daughter.  How sweet is that?

Whatever you are up to this Monday, I hope you stay warm and cozy and find time to relax and just enjoy life.  Wishing you all a wonderful Holiday Season however, whatever and wherever you celebrate.

Unraveled Wednesday 12/18/24

 Hello My Friends,

Tell me...how is it possible that Christmas is only a week away.  Yikes!!  And Happy Birthday to Lori, my sister-in-law...Fletch's youngest sibling.

The other week when Phil was visiting, he visited a pottery studio on the Eastern Shore and brought us a gorgeous vase.  I finally got some greenery and flowers to put in it.

As usual, a messy kitchen - medicines and papers and pill boxes everywhere...oh well, c'est la vie.  I've since added some red berries to the mix.

I did not have all that much luck with my shopping yesterday.  First I drove quite a distance to one store only to find that it has closed...permanently.  Then I drove a bit more to a store where I have always been able to find great gifts only to find it has turned into primarily a coffee shop/bistro.  That was disappointing.  But, it was a lovely day for a drive and it felt like Spring!  On my way home I was behind a car with this sticker that just cracked me up.

My new mantra:  Read Books, Be Kind, Stay Weird

Last night I did manage to bake two batches of cookies:  basil-lime shortbread and cardamom cookies.  Both turned out well and today I will be making a few more kinds.  But first it's Unraveled Wednesday and time to link up with Kat and her Merry Band of Unravelers to talk making and reading.

Not much making has been going on here (other than cookies).  Just a tad more on Colin's second sock.  I think I am now 2/3 down the foot so theoretically it shouldn't be long before I finish these.  Theoretically.

On the reading side, Fletch and I are closing in on the end of "The Mind of the Raven" by Bernd Heinrich.  Whew.  What a long read (or listen I guess).  Most of it has been too much like a lecture.  But I have a new book waiting for us to read and it will be wonderful if we can start it on the 21st.  It's a book of tales about looking for light.  I bought The Return of the Light last year when I picked up "Winter Solstice," but never read it.  Now is the time!

On my own, I read Ritz and Escoffier by Luke Barr.  Though interesting, I don't think this book was as well written as Luke Barr's other book Provence 1970 which I really enjoyed.

One of my errands today will be stopping at the library where 3 or 4 books are waiting for me to pick them up.  Always good to have options!

Remember to head over to Kat's got see what everyone is up to.  I'm betting you will find inspiration.

Tiny Needle Tuesday 12/17/24

 Good Morning All,

To say I've been distracted is quite an understatement!  Fletch and I did get over to the hospital on Friday to meet our granddaughter.  Bonus:  I got to hold her for an hour!!  And she was good.  Mostly she dozed and then would wrinkle her tiny forehead when she had some gas (as babies do).  They are home now, coming home a day early on Saturday (C&M were horribly bored in the hospital).  And Iris had her first visit with her pediatrician on Monday and all is well.

I, on the other hand, am not so well.  I managed to come down with whatever bronchial infection my brother brought from Colorado.  I woke up in the night Saturday (as one does) coughing.  By Sunday morning I could barely speak.  I slept most of the day and around 12 hours that night.  I'm much better now, but taking it easy and staying away from the kids and baby.  We will all be together on Christmas.

But, because of distractions and not feeling well, not much stitching has been done.  Just a little.

The left side of the house is now being built and look!  The top half of a woman has appeared (she has long hair and is wearing a big hat with a brim).  (Click to enlarge)

It is pretty obvious now that this will not be finished by year-end.  That's fine with me - I don't have the brain power to pick out a new project.

The hope now is that I will write some Christmas cards, do some Christmas shopping and do some Christmas baking.  That's a lot to accomplish in a week or so.  Some will happen, but most likely not all.  C'est la vie.

I haven't even really been on the computer much.  Here and there I'll read a blog or two, sometimes commenting but mostly not.  I'm looking forward to getting back into my routine.

Meanwhile, I hope you all are doing well and enjoying this holiday time (and not making yourself crazy trying to do it ALL).  I am planning to be back tomorrow with an update (mostly no knitting) for Unraveled Wednesday.  Until then, take care!

She's Here!!!

 Hello All,

I am so very, very happy to let you know that our granddaughter is here.  Iris was born yesterday early evening.  They finally did a C-Section and Mommy, Daddy and Baby are all doing fine.  The date of 12/12/24 has a nice ring to it for a birthday I think (and sort of goes with C&M's wedding date of 10/10/20).

I'd love to share a picture with you, but Colin & Mailing have requested that no pictures go up on the internet.  I understand, but I'd really like to share.....

Iris is cute (what I have seen of her) and tiny!  Only 7 lbs, 1 oz at birth (Colin was 8.5 lbs and Mailing - tiny thing that she is - was over 9 lbs!!) and 20".  She's got dark hair like her Mom.  We will get over to the hospital some time today to see them - probably afternoon as I have a doctor's appointment this morning and will also be going over to their house to feed Talbot.  Only 2 visitors are allowed at a time, so we will need to coordinate with Mailing's parents.

Thank you all for the good wishes you sent and your notes checking in.  I appreciated them so much.  Blogland is such a wonderful place!

Unraveled Wednesday - No Knitting - 12/11/24

 Hello My Friends,

Still no baby!!  I never got around to posting yesterday...we were busy.  My brother's visit was wonderful.  He was here last Wednesday and Thursday and then again Monday and Tuesday of this week.  He just took off for the airport and his flight home.  

I did manage to do some cooking while Phil was here.  I made a pear tart which was wonderful!  

The flavoring on the pear slices was sugar, cardamom, ginger and lemon peel.  I will definitely make this again!  I also made some soups and stews and we gave a bunch of food to C&M for their freezer.

Yesterday Colin & Mailing joined Phil and I for a walk at the canal.  

We saw a lot of blue herons (YAY!!).  And with the leaves off the trees, it was easy to spot large hornet nests.

(Taken through the car window when we first arrived.)

We walked for almost an hour and then Fletch joined us for lunch.  It was wet enough and chilly enough that we ate inside rather than on the deck overlooking the water.

This sign in the bar/restaurant cracked me up:

Escape Goat - LOL (Goat Yoga)!!

Today is Colin's birthday.  (Happy Birthing Day to me!!  LOL). It is a rainy, very warm day here.  He texted me that he took his usual morning walk in shorts and sandals today!

Anyway, I have not done much knitting or stitching or reading.  I've been having a hard time focusing on anything other than waiting on the baby!  Mailing is scheduled to be induced late afternoon today (unless the hospital is too busy with folks in labor on their own).  Hopefully I will have baby news soon!!

Weekending and Waiting

 Good Morning Everyone!

Yes, we are still waiting for the arrival of C&M's baby girl.  She is taking her sweet time!  Mailing did tell us that if she has not gone into labor by Wednesday (11th) they will induce her that afternoon.  I was thinking that yesterday would be the day, but nope.

So, I did a little knitting and a little stitching over the weekend, but honestly it was hard to stay focused.  Phil (my brother) left on Friday morning to head South to visit some friends and other relatives.  He is due back here this afternoon for two more nights before flying home on Wednesday.  

My focus today will be cooking.  Lousy weather (rain...and a lot of it) is coming in, so I thought a big pot of lentil soup would be tasty.  I have some nice crusty Italian bread we can have with it and I'm planning to make a pear crostata as well.

Fletch got our patio Christmas lights up yesterday.  It's always a PITA (do the lights work?), but they look good and it was nice to see them on when I came downstairs early this morning.

Other than that, we watched a number of episodes of The Diplomat (we are both really liking it) and are looking forward to the new season of Shetland.

Meanwhile, please send all your good delivery juju Mailing's way and I will be back here tomorrow with a TNT update.

Unraveled Wednesday 12/4/24

 Greetings My Friends,

December 4th:  Mailing's due date!!!  No baby yet.  Mailing's birthday is less than a week ago; Colin's is next Wednesday...hoping the baby will come in the middle somewhere.  Each morning I look at my texts first thing to make sure there was no rush to the hospital, but nothing so far.

And it is still chilly here.  This morning my phone says 16 degrees!  The thermometer on the patio is sitting right at 20.

I receive notices when the ISS goes by our neck of the woods.  Often it is at 4 a.m. or some other ungodly hour.  But yesterday it was at 5:10 p.m.  I suddenly remembered that and ran outside.  Sure enough, there it was.

I so enjoy watching it fly by and wondering what those inside are doing.  It feels like a miracle each time I see it and it makes me feel like a little kid again.  Nothing wrong with that!

Another thing I am enjoying is giving peanuts and other stuff (stale bread, old fruit) to the deer.  I found a bag of hazelnuts that was old (like at least a year) so I took those out.  Gone quickly!  Next I found a partial container of raspberries in the fridge that had seen much better days.  There was a doe in the yard when I took the berries out and she did not move!  She just waited for me to come closer.  I'll admit I was getting a little nervous (they are BIG creatures)...but she finally backed off and I could put the berries on the table.  I turned around and walked back to the house and when I looked, she was already going at the berries.  We've seen a couple of very young bucks in the yard too, but they stay pretty far back from the house and are more nervous about coming close.

Meanwhile, it's Wednesday!  Time to link up with Kat and her Merry Band of Unravelers to talk about making and reading.  If you read my post yesterday, you know I have been stitching, but some knitting has been going on as well.  Sock #2 for Colin now has the leg finished and it's on to the heel flap and turn.

I'm dreaming and scheming of what to make next...when really I should attempt to finish some of my lingering projects (hello Hitch on the Move and Semplice shawls).  Time will tell.  Of course, I have a boatload of sock yarn from The Farmer's Daughter waiting for me to cast on...but I keep thinking that I might want to knit a sweater.  Who me?  This could all be foolish behavior on my part, but we shall see.

Reading has been good.  Fletch and I are still working our way through listening to "The Mind of the Raven" by Bernd Heinrich.  I think we are now under 3 hours left (yay).  This past week I read A Quiet Life by Ethan Joella.  I think I mentioned this book last week.  There are three main characters all of whom have lost someone and despite the sadness of that, the book is full of hope and (of course) all of these main characters intersect and impact each other.  An easy and comfortable read.

Enough from me!  Head over to Kat's and check out what everyone else is making and reading.  I guarantee you will be inspired.  Now I've got to dry my hair (cold head) and pour another cup of coffee.  Happy Hump Day!

Tiny Needle Tuesday

 Good Morning!

How are you?  I had intended to post yesterday, but forgot that I had a podiatrist appointment in the morning (a painful ingrown toenail is now history).  I hope everyone had a nice and relaxing weekend.  Ours was good and we saw Colin & Mailing briefly on Saturday to give Mailing her b-day presents.  No baby yet, but they are definitely ready for that little girl to come!!

Sunday I deep-cleaned the guest room in preparation for my brother arriving tomorrow (YAY).  That cleaning just about did me in!  LOL. I confess to not having cleaned that room in some time - no one was using it and it had become a dumping ground of sorts for various objects.  Funny how quickly that can happen.  Anyway, it is all clean with fresh sheets on the bed, dusting and vacuuming finished.  Now we are just waiting.

And it's Tuesday!  So, time for a TNT update.  There has been progress!!

The tree is complete (except for some leaves) and a blue bird has landed on one of its lower branches.  And a little boy has appeared leaning against the house (which is still not finished being built).  Said little boy is holding a pumpkin almost as large as he is!  This piece is a bit on the whimsical side, but fun.

Today I've got laundry to do and a minor grocery shopping.  Fletch is busy this morning with an appointment so I will be on my own.

I hope your Tuesday is a good one.  My plan is to relax this afternoon with some knitting and/or stitching.