Unraveled Wednesday 2/7/24

 Good Morning!

Another chilly morning here, but again the sun should be shining later.  Yesterday was chilly but gorgeous and I actually (FINALLY) got out for a walk after lunch.  I decided to walk the paved trail in Oaks along the Perkiomen Creek.  After all the rain we've had, I was thinking the River Trail in Valley Forge might be very muddy.

Water was rushing over the dam!  And there were so many geese around - you really had to watch where you stepped.

There were some folks out and about but I didn't see too many.  Ironically, Colin's office is very close and he told me he also walked on that trail yesterday...but we never saw each other!

Colin did come for dinner and the burgers were great!  After dinner we drove over to my office.  He took the dimensions of a bookcase and will see if it works in his home office.

Now it's Wednesday and time to link up with Kat and her Merry Band of Unravelers to talk making and reading.  Progress has been made on my Route 66 sock!  I am now through the heel flap and ready to turn the heel.

Hopefully I can keep the momentum up and get this first sock finished pronto.  But, we all know how easily I am distracted by a different shiny object.  LOL

On the reading side of things more progress!  I finally finished listening to "The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store" yesterday afternoon.  What a powerful book!  My biggest roadblock to listening to books is remembering to do so!  I am so accustomed to knitting or stitching in peace and quiet that I have to make an effort to remember to listen to a book.  Last night I did start listening to "The Poisonwood Bible" - the next Read With Us selection.  I listened for an hour and am enjoying it.  I read this book decades ago and really liked it but didn't remember much.  However, it's coming back to me as I listen.

I am also reading (with my eyes) The Sweet Life in Paris by David Lebovitz.  I'm enjoying the recipes (lots of chocolate!!) more than his tale of moving to Paris.  It's not bad, just not great.

Fletch and I are continuing to read and enjoy The Ride of Her Life after dinner.  We only read 10 or so pages (and not every night), but is has been a pleasure.  We are up to the part where she made it to Philadelphia.

Well, time for me to wrap things up.  I need to wake Fletch, pour some more coffee and get ready to head down to Delaware.  Have a great Wednesday!

TGIF 2/24/23

 Hello and Good Morning,

It is a blustery morning here in Eastern PA.  I could hear wind chimes during the night as well as our buoy bell which hangs quite a distance at the back of our yard by the shed.  Looks like it is sunny and not too chilly (low 40's at the moment), but I know the cold is coming in this afternoon and tonight.  When Dee and I meet up tomorrow morning, the forecast high for the day is only 35.  Then back up to 50 on Sunday.  So, our roller coaster ride continues. 

I have a bunch of different things to share today.  First up the pink lemons I mentioned earlier in the week.  I cut into one Wednesday night to put on our salmon.

Not as pink as I had hoped, but definitely a bit different than "normal" lemons.  I did not notice a difference in taste.  Yesterday I cut one up for my infusion water bottle and added some blackberries.  Again, no real difference in taste (in my opinion), but they are pretty on the buffet where we have a platter of fruit since the skin has green stripes on it.

I'm stealing my thunder for next Wednesday's Unraveled post, but the cowl is finished!!  Woo-Hoo.  I'm tempted to keep it myself, but it is already tucked away for my SIL for next Christmas.

There were issues with blocking it (which honestly I don't think it needed since it bunches up around you anyway)...

Mabel has been enjoying the blocking mats...as well as sitting on the wet cowl while it blocked!  I had to resort to closing the office door when I wasn't in there.  Fortunately it was only this one mat that she used to sharpen her claws.

Yesterday was a gorgeous day!  It was very foggy in the morning.  I drove up to Souderton to drop off all our tax stuff at the accountant's office.  By the time I got home it was lunchtime and then the sun came out.  I headed over to the trail that runs along the Perkiomen and had a nice 2.25 mile walk (I turned around when my back started to bother me, but nice to know I can do at least a mile comfortably and the return trip to the car was not bad).  There were some signs of Spring.

BUT, you had to watch where you were stepping.  These guys leave a BIG mess on the trails.

There were plenty of folks out - some walking, some biking, some running, some roller blading and I saw one guy on a skate board.  When I got home I walked around and looked at stuff:  there are buds on the fig tree (YAY), the garlic shoots are coming up, greens are beginning to grow in the one raised bed box that has old window frames over it like a greenhouse and even our Asian Pear has some buds.  It won't be long!

The Spring feeling continued when Fletch grilled wings (hot and BBQ) for dinner.  I had made a broccoli salad to go with them.  By the time he was done grilling, we had to shut the door, but it sure was nice to get some fresh air!

Now I need to get to work.  I have a busy morning and then a conference call at 11.  After that I'm thinking my weekend will begin!  Have a good one!

Another Walk Along the River Trail

 Hello and Good Morning!

It's Friday the 13th!  I can't believe it is in the 50's outside.  Such weird weather (again...or continuing).

My first week of medical appointments went well.  As I mentioned, my visit to the dermatologist early in the week was a good one (no spots of bother found).  On Tuesday I called to schedule my mammogram and was amazed that I could get an appointment the following day.  Even more amazing is that less than 24 hours after my mammogram my doctor's office called to say the results were in and everything looked fine.  Woo-Hoo!  I'm always very fretful at mammogram time.  My Mom had breast cancer and my paternal Grandfather also did (back in the 1940's!!).  I'm glad to be good for another year.

I had a Field Vision test yesterday and I have a follow up appointment with my eye doctor on February 2nd.  I'm sure that is ok.  And, next week is the dentist.

Yesterday was a grey January day.  Not very inspiring, but it was mild and the forecast rain ended early.  so, I decided to get out for a walk along the River Trail after lunch.  There were a few people on the trail.  Not many which is the way I like it.  About a mile up the trail is an abandoned railroad station on the other side of the river.  Trains still run along the tracks, but no passenger trains.  

Bare trees and cold looking water - a winter scene for sure.  About the same place on the trail is a tree that I always look for.  It is covered in a HUGE trumpet vine.

I'm pretty sure there are poison ivy vines wrapped around the tree as well.  I don't look all that closely.

On my way back I spotted some very pretty fungi on a rotting log.

The white one on the right almost is like a flower.  I love the shades of green in the other ones.

All in all, a very enjoyable walk.  I had to remove my ear band and my fingerless mitts as it was so warm.  I walked 2 miles and my back was fine!  Progress my friends, progress.  If I can get out today I will.  I think it is raining now and more is forecast.  I have a conference call at 11...will see what the weather is like after lunch.

Oh, I made a new (to me) recipe last night.  Bang-Bang Salmon in the air fryer.  It was quick, easy and very tasty and I forgot to take any pictures.  We had some spicy yellow rice to go with that (and veggies).  A friend sent me some red saffron from Turkey (bought at a bazaar in Turkey this year).  I had never heard of red saffron - only yellow, but I added some to the rice along with extra garlic and cumin and it was delish!  Tonight is home-made pizza - yum!

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend - do something fun!!

Weekending 6/6/22

 Good Morning!

Hard to believe, but it is in the low 50's here this morning.  It actually feels chilly when I open the patio door.  The weekend was just lovely and not filled with many chores at all.

Friday I managed to get a walk in right after lunch.  I headed over to the canal trail and did the length (just around 3.3 miles up and back).  My back bothered me a little bit on the way back, so I need to pay attention and maybe take a day off from walking after 2 good walks.  We'll see.  A lovely blue heron flew up just as I crossed over the bridge about halfway down the trail.  It was headed to the Schuylkill River and I watched it as it turned to fly up over the river.  So graceful.

I noticed this sign on my way back:

And then a few minutes later this guy hopped over my foot (and, yes, I did jump!!).

Must be a good year for toads!

Saturday morning I met up with Dee at the local Farmers' Market.  After getting some produce we headed towards the local coffee shop (Backyard Beans), but apparently there was some festival going on and it was very crowded.  So, we headed to a Starbucks near my house...and the cafe was closed.  The drive through was open, but you could not sit inside.  We finally headed to yet a third place where we were able to go in, have some coffee and sit and knit and chat.

Sunday was filled with some errands.  But, the best news is that Colin and Mailing flew up from Austin yesterday!  They are here for a whole week.  They're both working and have plans to see friends, etc., and they have a wedding to attend Friday night, but we will get to see them some.  Last night we did see Colin briefly and dropped off one of our cars for him to use this week.  They have a rental car, but Mailing will be using that to get to her office.  Tonight Mailing has plans with work buddies and Colin will be over for dinner.  I already have a vegan meal planned!!

This little girl has been underfoot all weekend.  She can't seem to get close enough to us at times.  Last night after dinner I saw her stretched out by the bathtub upstairs - one of her favorite hangouts.

Well, time to pour another cup of coffee and get motivated for the work day.  I have a conference call at 10 and I think that's all I have going on today.  My plan is to walk after lunch and (hopefully) clean the bathrooms this morning.  Here's hoping you have a good start to your week!

Weekending 4/18/22

 Hello and Good Morning!

How was your holiday (if you celebrate) weekend?  I am still a bit groggy and just waking up after roughly 10 hours (!!!) of sleep last night.  It was glorious!  

Friday, Good Friday, or as my company calls it "Spring Observance" was a holiday, but unfortunately one of the pitfalls of working from home is that you are never, ever really away from it.  Friday ended up being quite busy work-wise.

In between the email dings and requests for this or that, I started in on some MAJOR cleaning.  Oh my!  Friday saw the bedroom and kitchen being scrubbed and polished.  I was mindful of my back, but honestly these things needed to be done (had needed to be done for months!!).

At the end of the day, sitting on the patio with a beverage, Fletch and I noticed that our Redbud had really begun to pop.

Saturday was another beautiful day, so I took down the curtains in the bedroom, living room, kitchen and office room.  Washed them all and hung most on the lines to dry.  The kitchen curtains went into the dryer because I ran out of room on the clotheslines.

Then I tackled my office room which was almost more than I could bear.  It looks so much better now.  I took some stuff to a donation box, so that is out of the way.  How quickly areas in certain rooms can just become dumping grounds for things.  Let's not talk about the bed in the guestroom....

It was nice to sit out again at the end of the day.  And nice to see some blue skies!

Sunday dawned a bit chilly.  After breakfast I headed over to the trail in Oaks that goes by the Perkiomen Creek.  This is the trail that had previously been closed due to a sink hole.  It was in the low 40s and very breezy - I could have used gloves and an ear band!  But I managed to walk 2.5 miles which was nice.  The trail is open and I walked all the way down to where the Perkiomen Creek spills into the Schuylkill River and I saw no signs of any sink hole, so it must have been even further along the path.  The only wildlife I saw were a few geese, one squirrel and a bunch of worms - LOL.

Later in the day I did dust and vacuum the living room.  Fletch had gone over to Colin & Mailing's house to finish the mailbox repairs he was doing.  Our Easter dinner was fairly simple.  We had some ham slices (from January!!) in the freezer, so I took those out to thaw.  I made a pineapple stuffing (what a 50's or 60's dish!) and then roasted some green beans and added a molasses-bacon glaze to them.  I had been hankering for a coconut custard pie but didn't feel like making one.  A local store sells some smaller pies, so I picked on up there.  It was ok, but I'm a snob and prefer my own home-made pies...I was just lazy that's all.

My plan for today is to just take it easy.  It is chilly again (I could see frost in places on the grass).  I'm hopeful that work will be quiet and I can just do some knitting and/or stitching.

Weekending

 Good Morning!

This morning finds me a little groggy.  I slept 9 hours last night and I've only just had my first sips of coffee.  Bliss!  (Cafe Du Monde coffee - LOVE!!)  How was your weekend?  Mine was most wonderful!

My one conference call on Friday was cancelled and thus my weekend really started a bit early.  And, Friday was a simply gorgeous day.  Brilliant sunshine, comfortable temps.  I (finally) ventured out for my first walk in months.  I headed to the canal path and it did not disappoint.  There were little yellow flowers (believe they are Cinquefoils) all over the place.

There were turtles basking on logs in the sun.

The canal water was so brown!  And it was up to the top edge of the canal by the path.  We have had so much rain lately.

But the best was just as I got to the bridge where the canal spills a little bit into the Schuylkill River, a Great Blue Heron flew up.  So majestic!  Of course my phone was in my jacket pocket, but he/she landed by a tree nearby and I was able to get a picture then.

I'm walking a little slower and only did about 1.5 miles which was enough - I could really feel it in my back.

Saturday was a wet day!  Dee and I met up for our Saturday morning therapy session - one where we solve the world's problems while sipping coffee and knitting.  It was lovely.  And, by the time we were ready to leave Starbucks, the rain had stopped.  I ran some errands on my way home and then had a relaxing afternoon.

Sunday came along and I decided to take another walk after breakfast.  This time I went to the River Trail.  It was in the low 40's and breezy, so it was a little bit of a chilly walk.  Again I was able to go just over 1.5 miles.  I do not remember seeing Bluebells along this trail in the past, but right now there are clumps of them everywhere - both sides of the trail.

Also some interesting and pretty (at least to me) fungi growing on fallen logs.

I did a bit of cooking when I got home and then around 4 we went over to Bonnie and Zhongren's for dinner.  Anna (and her dog Otto) came and also Nai Nai (Chinese for Grandmother).  Of course we made dumplings

The not-so-attractive ones on the pink tray are ones that I made.

As always, dinner was delicious.  And, it turns out that yesterday was Nai Nai's 86th birthday!!

It just seemed a little weird to not have Colin & Mailing there to celebrate with us.

All in all, a wonderful weekend.  I'm thankful to be getting back to walking again - even though I can feel it in my back, by the time I get home, my back is fine.  I'm hoping to get out again at some point today - either late morning (a chilly 35 degrees right now) or early afternoon.

If you've lasted all the way through this long, rambling post, here is a picture of sweet Mabel for you!

Up in the apple tree.  She didn't know where to look or where to go.  Birds kept flying in and out of the tree and she was going from branch to branch.  She is definitely getting bigger and holy moly she consumes a lot of food!!

Time to get a second cup of coffee and get rolling into what the day offers.  Hope your start to the week is a good one!

TGIF

 Hello, Hello,

Despite a lousy night of sleep (like awake EVERY hour!), I'm in an excellent mood.  When I first came into the office and opened email I saw that my boss had asked me to cancel our 11 a.m. conference call!  This is absolutely my worst call, so I am thrilled.  I still have a call at 8:30, but that is a very quick one.  Happy, happy!

Forgot to mention about the cats traveling to TX yesterday.  I know I said they arrived safely (thank goodness).  When I asked Colin how they did, his reply text was that Marcel was very well behaved but that Talbot howled the entire way!  I can only imagine how thrilled the other passengers were.  By now I'm sure they are settling in to their new digs.  And, they have a balcony - the cats will love that.

Colin texted last night asking if we could go over to the house today for a few last minute things.  Not sure what those "things" are, but we will venture over.  That will give us a chance to get the clothes we left there too.

Yesterday I did walk along the canal in the afternoon.  The canal was frozen over.

Pretty patterns on the ice.  The river (Schuylkill) on the other side of the trail was not frozen.  Water still moving pretty quickly.

The trail was pretty mucky - muddy and icy at the same time.  I realized I must have been stepping gingerly in places because my back and legs were killing me by the time I got home.

Up by Fitzwater Station where they rent canoes and kayaks (and have a good restaurant with great beer choices!), there was a bit of open water on the canal.  Ducks and geese were in the water and also sitting on the ice (cold bums).

I'm hoping to get out again today...this time maybe going back to Oaks to see if the trail is open to where the sinkhole was or not.  Our temps today are still forecast to be mild (40's possibly), but by tomorrow those temps will plummet.  Tomorrow's high is only supposed to be 22!  But, I think the forecast for snow/ice/etc. has been modified and I believe it will just be rain now on Monday.  Or, perhaps a bit of snow Sunday night, but not the amount that had originally been predicted.

Looking forward to tomorrow when Dee and I will meet up for coffee, knitting and chatting.  Yay!  We have not gotten together since right before Christmas (since I was exposed to Covid, we were being very cautious).

And now I had another nice thought:  Monday is a holiday for me (work-wise) - MLK day.  I do have an eye appointment in the afternoon, but nothing else planned.  A long weekend is just what the doctor ordered!!  Hope yours is a good one.

What's For Dinner? (Plus a Walk and a Finish!!)

 Good Morning!

Today is Thursday and I am usually full of financial reports and rushing to get them out.  This week I don't think so.  Instead, I'm sitting down with coffee to blog and read blogs and in a bit I will wake Fletch and we will have breakfast together.  What a concept!

Meanwhile, thank you all so much for all of your good wishes to me and mine!  We all continue to feel well with no symptoms.  Colin & Mailing both tested negative (of course, in my mind is the fact that so did Anna and my brother Phil for numerous times).  Bonnie says that Anna is improving (though she never felt all that bad).  Phil, out in CO, has been busy taking down holiday lights and the like.  Tending his greenhouse, etc.  He is no longer hoarse or coughing and feels good.  Lynnette, his wife, still tests negative.  They are still planning to head to Costa Rica on the 10th (I wouldn't, but that's a whole other story).  We are all vaccinated and boosted which is a good thing.  I'm optimistic, but am erring on the side of caution.

Yesterday I headed out to walk along the trail in Oaks again.  It was a little misty and the paved trail was wet and a little slick in places (thank you goose poop - it is EVERYWHERE!!).  There were only 2 other cars in the parking lot when I arrived.  I have never seen it that empty.  I was enjoying my walk and looking forward to my favorite part of the trail when suddenly this appeared:

So, I never got to the point where the Perkiomen Creek empties into the Schuylkill River.  There is another trail that juts off to the right here, so I walked up that a bit, but it just was not as interesting or fun.  In all though I managed to walk for about an hour.  I do love Sycamore trees, especially in winter.  The way their branches spread is so beautiful to me.

Not too shabby a house either!  The Sycamore trees make me think of Halloween.

Walking back to my car, I met a park ranger and was able to find out why the trail is closed.  A huge sink hole opened up during one of our recent storms.  He said you can hear the water rushing under the trail!  Not good...he said repairs will be made eventually, but as of now there is no time line.  I want to pull up a map of the trail and find the parking lot at another juncture so that I can walk down to where the creek spills into the river.

The reason my Holiday Sock still doesn't have a heel or foot is that I have been focusing on my stitching.  Last night I finished up "Wintertime" by Threadwork Primitives.

I like the way it turned out and it was a fun stitch.  It's a bit large to make into a pin cushion and really too small for a pillow and I don't need/want another framed piece, so it is tucked inside a drawer in a chest in my office room along with other finished pieces.  Next up:  stay tuned - I will show you next Tuesday!

On the food front are some mushrooms.  Last summer we bought an air fryer.  Fletch loves breaded mushrooms and we used to be able to get them at various pizza places.  Now, though, no one seems to make them.  There are plenty of fried pickles and fried green beans, but no breaded mushrooms.  I've made them a couple of times in the air fryer, but they are more work than I like.  The other night I had a container of mushrooms that needed to be used.  I flipped through a cookbook and found this recipe:

Balsamic Soy Roasted Mushrooms

• 3 TBS Balsamic Vinegar
• 1 1/2 TBS Soy Sauce (our soy sauce of choice is Ketjap Manis by Conimex - a sweet Indonesian soy sauce)
• 1 TBS EVOO (plus more for spraying)
• 1/2 TBS Brown Sugar
• 1 TBS Minced Garlic
• 1/2 tsp Dried Thyme
• 1/2 tsp Ground Pepper
• 2 lbs Whole Button Mushrooms

I didn't have button mushrooms and the ones I had were a bit large, so I just cut them in half and/or quarters.

• Pre-heat air fryer to 390 degrees
• In a large bowl mix all the ingredients and then toss in the mushrooms and toss to combine
• Lightly spray the air fryer basket with EVOO.  Place mushrooms in a single layer and lightly spray with EVOO
• Air fry for 10 minutes shaking the basket occasionally

These turned out SO GOOD.  They do not get crispy at all, but the flavor is amazing.  I can't wait to make them again.  

I think you could just as easily make these in the oven or even just sautee on top of the stove if you do not have an air fryer.

Well, enough rambling for one morning.  Time for another cup of coffee.  I hope your Hush Season week is going well.

Tiny Needle Tuesday, December 28, 2021

Good Morning!

How are you this fine morning?  We are doing well.  I did get out yesterday morning for a walk.  This time I walked along the canal path.  No sightings of blue herons or turtles.  There were a few ducks on the water.  Someone had decorated a tree along the path.  I believe the lights on the tree are solar (the box on the right of the upper tree).  

This is opposite Fitzwater Station on the other side of the canal.  A place that rents canoes and kayaks...also a fine place for a bite to eat.  Here is a picture of Fitzwater Station (taken from the Web).  It is a 19th century building.  Dee and I have sat on the deck for lunch after walking along the trail.

There were not many people out and about.  It was chilly.  One runner passed me (in both directions) and I saw one couple walking.  That was it!  It was peaceful and beautiful.  And chilly (I keep saying that - but chilly enough that my eyes were tearing up and my nose was running).  Amazing that the day before was so mild.  It started snowing on my drive home.  Nothing accumulated and the flakes were tiny, but it was fun to see.  Walking in the morning was great and I am hoping to do the same today (work emails so far are quiet).

Here we are at the last Tuesday of 2021.  Time for a TNT update.  My "Wintertime" piece is coming along.  I'm not sure it will be finished by the time 2022 arrives, but that is ok with me.  

In the space between the two deer on the left and the single deer on the right a tree will appear.  Underneath the zig-zag line will be motifs like the one in the upper right of the piece.  It is an easy and comfortable piece on which to work.  I have picked out my next piece and it would be fun to start that either New Year's Eve or New Year's Day, but that is not really important.  The enjoyment I get from stitching is the goal.

Our temps are supposed to rise a bit this week, so we may get Mabel outside again.  We could also have a bit of rain.    I'm hoping that Thursday is mild and dry enough for grilling.  Colin & Mailing will be coming over.  Other than that, I have no plans which is nice.  I hope this last week of 2021 is unfolding nicely for you.

Unraveled Wednesday 4/7/21

 Good Morning!

How are you doing mid-week?  Yesterday was such a great day for me.  Another day with a little bit of everything.  A little (very little) work, a little stitching, a little knitting, a walk, some archery, cooking.  All good!

On the archery side of things I managed two sessions yesterday - one in the morning and one in the afternoon.  I will admit to not always hitting the target (more often than not I over shoot or go off to one side...and when I'm tired my shots are short.  However, occasionally when I do hit the target I get a really good shot:

Bullseye!!

My walk was nice, but abbreviated.  The wind was pretty brisk and was bothering my ears.  I walked alongside the canal and again, no blue heron sightings.  I did, however, see plenty of sunbathing going on.

Not too many people on the trail either which was nice...a couple of folks walking and a few on bikes.  That was it.

The Beekeeper sock is progressing nicely.  Last night while Fletch read after dinner, I started the heel flap.

I'm not sure why this colorway is called Beekeeper, but I am liking the patterning in the yarn and it's a pleasure to knit with it.

We watched the 2nd episode of Ken Burns' "Hemingway" and enjoyed that.  I only caught the first hour.

No book finishes this week.  I'm back to reading one of the mysteries in a series I'm enjoying.  Certainly not great literature, but entertaining and I'm liking it.  A few more books came in at the library which I have picked up, so perhaps I'll have more to report next week.

I told Fletch I would try to walk this morning before lunch for a change, but the sky is looking rather gray and I think there might be a chance of rain.  I'll check weather.  If not, there is always stitching, knitting and reading to keep me busy.  Hopefully work will remain quiet!

Tiny Needle Tuesday 3/23/21

 Good Morning!

Gosh - yesterday was such a beautiful day!  I did manage to get out in the morning for a walk (just over 3 miles) along the River Trail in Valley Forge.  The Schuylkill River goes alongside the trail.  I only saw a few people (either biking or walking) and no wildlife, but I did hear woodpeckers in the woods.  At one point I spotted this hanging over the river:

At first glance I thought it was some strange kind of nest, but then I saw lots and lots of them.  It's just clumps of leaves that washed together when the water was high.  But so strange that almost all of them are round in appearance.

Work stayed quiet all day and later in the afternoon I got in some archery for the first time this year!

My first two arrows!  I did not continue doing as well...but I shot a total of 25 arrows which I thought was a good start to the season.  Rather than shooting all the arrows at once, I'm shooting 5 and then fetching them.  Since a good portion of them do not hit the target, it's easier for me to stop after 5 and walk up to retrieve them - less likelihood of missing one or just forgetting where one went.  Anyway, it was a lot of fun.  Obviously our target has weathered a bit....

Well, it is Tuesday which means it's time to report on Tiny Needle Progress.  There was a tiny amount of progress this week.  Another motif in the bottom border was stitched.  First a close up and then the overall sampler.

It is coming along.  Just two more motif figures along the bottom edge and I sure do hope it meets up well with the right hand side.  If not...I will fudge...I will not be ripping out - LOL.  There are still some letters to stitch (and I should decide on a color for my initials - I want them to be different than the other letters), also a larger fir tree than the one at the top, a few more leaves and a bunch of creatures.  I'm enjoying seeing this come together and, fortunately, it is still a joy to stitch.

A little later I'll head to the office for a little work and our virtual lunch.  Thanks for the wishes for me to win a prize!  I don't really care - I already received gift cards, a lovely candle (forgot to mention this, but it was in the box with the gift card and golden egg).  Bobby and the company are beyond generous!

One thing I need to work on is planning a meeting for April.  My one boss, Bruce, has decided he is having a meeting for his team in April in Florida.  What???  I told him I would organize it, but I will not be attending.  I have no desire to travel at this time and I think he's nuts to be holding a meeting...but that's my opinion, not his....

Enjoy your day!  Time for me to pour some more coffee and try to wake up.

A Walk by the Canal

 Hello!

Yesterday was another beautiful day in Eastern PA and work cooperated nicely (meaning nothing was going on) that I could get out for another walk.  This time I decided to walk the path that I love with the canal on one side and the Schuylkill River on the other.  There were folks out running and biking and some walking dogs, but again it was not terribly crowded.  I even saw a kayaker on the canal and another on the river.  This time my round trip walk was just over 3 miles.  My biggest surprise was seeing ice on the canal!

I had not expected that at all.  There were clumps of snow in the woods, but parts of the trail were covered in ice as well.  Our weather has been so warm it really surprised me.  The trail was also pretty muddy in places.  Even the ice could not keep the turtles away!

It was good to see them basking in the sun.  Also my old friend:

Still no mask on the dear fellow.  

There were a lot of clumps of pretty yellow flowers.  I believe these are cinquefoil.

It was so nice to be back along that trail.  Last year there were several trees that had fallen across the canal, making it interesting for those kayaking or canoeing.  I noticed yesterday that they have all been cleared out.

I did make curried vegetables for dinner (onions, pepper, ginger, garlic, eggplant, cauliflower, broccoli, zucchini) along with jasmine rice.  It was good, but not great.  I can't seem to find a really good curried vegetable recipe.  If you have any suggestions, please let me know.  Later, Fletch lit a fire and we sat outside for almost two hours - it was delightful!

Another wonderful day.  I am hoping to get out for another walk today, but first I have my usual Thursday financial reports I need to run and distribute.  Hope you all have a wonderful Thursday!

Unraveled Wednesday 3/10/21

 Good Morning!

I loved reading about hints of Spring you have all seen.  Truly I love all seasons, but I have to say that I am really, really looking forward to Spring this year.  Whether it's due to the quarantine and being home all the time, or the fact that our Winter was colder and snowier than it has been in some time, I don't know.  Whatever the reason, I am happy that Spring is right around the corner.  Nancy in Wyoming said that she had a few patio days, but now two (!!) winter storms are forecast which is not unusual for March, but still...  My little brother in Boulder, CO said that someone told him Boulder is expecting feet (that's multiple!) of snow this weekend, but this week has been nice enough that he has been riding his bike to work.  Spring - any and all kind of weather can happen!

Yesterday I did manage to get out for a walk after lunch.  I walked at Oaks which is a paved trail and I did use my trekking poles.  While walking I was thinking "what's the big deal?" but later last night, I could feel it in my shoulders and across my upper back.  Nordic Pole Walking CAN be a workout!  I walked to where the Perkiomen spills into the Schuylkill and it was so nice to be back on the trail.  I walked just under an hour and just under 3 miles.  Enough for a start.  I saw a gorgeous red tail hawk soaring above me and there were numerous clumps of snowdrops alongside the trail.

There were people out running, walking, riding bikes - some in shorts and tank tops!  It wasn't mobbed though - not as crowded as last year at the beginning of the pandemic.  Fortunately I saw no snakes.  Unfortunately I saw no blue herons either.

With the nice weather, Fletch grilled out last night.  He grilled lambchops and acorn squash.  Yum!  We also had sugar snap peas.  Tonight we plan to have a fire in the fire pit.  I can't wait.

Meanwhile, it is Unraveled Wednesday, and I am linking up with Kat to talk about making and reading.  Monday's post included finished pictures of my Heart Warmer cowl.  I have not knit anymore on the Guernsey Wrap, but progress is being made on the first Northern Lights sock.

Just love the way this yarn is knitting up (Stroll by KnitPicks in the Northern Lights colorway).  No pooling.  The pattern I'm knitting (Twinkleberry) is an easy one to memorize.  I'm making these a little longer than I usually do, so my normal 15 rows of ribbing for the cuff and then the leg is up to 96 rows.  I think I'll continue on with the heel flap and turn and then down the foot.  I don't intend to knit the pattern on the foot, so they should fly off the needles in no time (should being the operative word here).

Here is Tyg last night keeping me annoyed company while I knit.  He wasn't fooling with my yarn, but wanted to play with a cable needle and then stuck his head in my project bag to see if there were any shiny objects he could grab in there!

Silly cat!  He has been enjoying the warmer weather - rolling around on the patio, running across the yard, searching out mice and other edibles.

On the reading front, I mentioned the other day that I finished Perestroika in Paris by Jane Smiley.  This is not a book for everyone, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and found it just charming.  Over the weekend I read two mysteries I had gotten from the library - both in series that I am reading.  One by Linda Castello (they all take place in an Ohio Amish community) and the other by Deborah Crombie.  Both were easy and enjoyable reads.  Now I have started The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop but am only about 35 pages into it, so no decision yet.

I'm hoping today will be another easy work day and that I can get out for another walk.  I'm debating whether to head to the River Trail or the Canal Trail.  But first, the morning has a few chores (in addition to work) for me.  Wishing you all a wonderful day - enjoy!

Weekending

 Good Morning!

A chilly 37 degrees this morning.  What a beautiful weekend we had.  How was yours?  Those of you who read Dee's Blog know that we met up on Saturday for a walk along the canal path.  There were a few turtles out and we saw blue herons!

We walked the path/trail and then had lunch at Fitzwater Station which is situated right by the canal.  We were able to get a table on the deck overlooking the water.  There were plenty of folks canoeing and kayaking and plenty of ducks too.  After lunch we headed to a local coffee shop for some knitting/sipping/chatting.  A lovely time.  Thank you Dee!

The cooler weather and so many birds migrating prompted Fletch to pull our feeders out from the shed (we don't feed the birds in the summer).  Lo and behold someone - Mr. Mouse - had built a cozy nest in the feeder we use for sunflower seeds.

Luckily no one was home when Fletch pulled the feeder from the shed!

The cooler temps also had me putting out a few Fall things:

A vase with goldenrod and winter berry and my squirrel candle holder.  I bought squirrely years ago at Restoration Hardware and I love him.

I also felt like a Fall dinner, so I made some Butternut Squash Peanut Curry (recipe link) - delicious and so easy to make (in about an hour).

Saturday night Fletch and I watched Little Women and I confess I dozed through some of it...but enjoyed what I saw.  All in all, a lovely weekend.  A very little bit of knitting was accomplished.

I started the heel flap when Dee and I were at the coffee shop...and I knit a few more rows on it, but didn't quite finish.  Maybe today.  It's not a race.

Meanwhile, the workday is here.  I have a conference call at 10 and have some things I need to prepare for that.  Here's to a good week!