Tiny Needle Tuesday 2/28/23

 Hello and Good Morning!

I had not intended to NOT post yesterday, but...I slept in a bit and really my weekend was not all that exciting.  Good but not exciting.  I did meet up with Dee as is our habit on Saturday mornings and that was delightful as always.  The balance of the weekend was filled with some chores, but also some knitting and reading and stitching.  And I took no pictures.  I also had a number of errands to run yesterday morning, so after I got some laundry going, I went out.

There is a stand of bamboo that I have passed many times and I've always wanted to get a picture.  As luck would have it there is almost always traffic behind me which prevents me from slowing down to take a picture.  Yesterday luck was on my side!

You need to click to enlarge so that you can see ALL the panda bears that someone has placed in among the bamboo.  Too funny and too cute!  This is actually just down the road from Colin's offce (here in PA...not TX), so I sent the picture to him.  He knew exactly where I had been!

Today we are saying goodbye to February and getting ready to welcome in March.  March can still be pretty fickle, so don't put away your woolens just yet.  Yesterday did warm up a bit late morning and I decided to get out while I could to walk after lunch.  Once again I walked along the Perkiomen Trail which runs by the Perkiomen Creek.  There were SO MANY geese again.  

Instead of my usual jaunt, I turned left from the parking lot and went down the trail in the opposite direction.  I do love seeing a pretty stone wall covered in moss and lichen.

I won't pass this wall in warmer weather - there are very large snakes in that wall - this is near Colin's office and he has seen them numerous times.

I also love seeing a line of  Sycamore Trees.  They always look so stately and graceful to me.

There are so many beautiful homes in this area - many perched high above the water with mostly glass fronts.  What views they must have!

I had hoped to spend the afternoon stitching, but work interrupted those plans!  I did, however, do a little more since last Tuesday.  

After I calmed down work and the multiple emails, it was time to prep dinner.  I made a new recipe last night:  Sticky Tofu which turned out well.

It's the first time I've cooked tofu and I did manage to get it crispy and the sauce was delicious.  I call that a win!  I think I liked it more than Fletch, but he did have more than one serving!!

And then our fickle weather showed up.  I was talking on the phone to a friend and opened the door for Mabel.  This is what I saw:

If you enlarge, you will see some solar lights that are on around our arbor at the entrance to our woods.  That is all the snow we got, though it remained cool overnight.  The tops of cars are still covered.  Hopefully the sun will do it's job on the windshields before we leave to go grocery shopping.

This has turned into a long, rambling post.  Thanks for sticking with me (if you are still here).  Wishing you all a wonderful Tuesday!

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!

Unraveled Wednesday 2/22/23

 Hey Hey and Good Morning!

A bit of a late start for me today.  I had my annual physical early this a.m. and got home just in time for a work conference call that was a total waste of time (what's new?)!  Anyway, it is Wednesday, so time to link up with Kat and all those who are part of the Merry Band of Unravelers to talk making and reading.

My knitting looks ridiculously similar to how it looked a week ago!  First up the lovely cowl for my SIL.  Adtually, a few more rows were knit and I am now on the final ribbing with about 4 rows left before I bind off.

When I met up with Dee last Saturday I worked a bit on the sock and completed the heel flap.  Nothing has been done on this since!

Oh well, as I always say, it is not a race.  I did place an order with Fibernymph Dye Works for this year's Pi Yarn!!  This year it is Wild Atlantic Pi Self Striping and while there I managed to slip the Wild Atlantic Pi Minis into my cart as well.  They should ship within the first week of March!  

Reading has moved along.  Fletch and I are still listening to "Master and Commander" after dinner, but I find myself often nodding off.  LOL  The latest Louise Penny book in the Three Pines series became available and I blew threw that.  I am back to reading "The Love Songs of W. E. B. Du Bois and thoroughly enjoying that.  I also picked up at the library a copy of "The Shipping News" for our Read With Us discussion in late March.  I read that book when it first came out (30 years ago!!) but I honestly am not remembering much as I get into it.  I am finding it very enjoyable though and am definitely looking forward to our discussion.

I need to get moving.  Emails keep streaming in for work with multiple (foolish) questions from folks.  I'll be trying to catch up with blogs a bit later in the day.  Happy Hump Day!

Tiny Needle Tuesday 2/21/23

 Good Morning!

How are you today?  It is grey here.  And damp.  We had rain during the night and more is forecast for today.  Extra Vitamin D is on the menu this morning.  Meanwhile...on the menu...I just put a loaf of pumpkini bread with cranberries and pecans in the oven.  It should come out in roughly 50 minutes.  Already I can smell the cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and allspice.  YUM!!

So, sort of a gloomy TNT day, but that's ok.  Sometimes these grey days can be kind of soothing.  There is permission to move a little slower and to take your time doing things.  I like that!

During the past week I managed to do a little stitching on the big Ellen Harrison sampler.  Here is where it stands right now.

When you click to enlarge, you will see that the house has been completed and the border has come down to the bottom on the left and is starting across the bottom.  A tiny motif was stitched and the beginning of another.  There is still so much to be added to this piece.  As a reminder, here is what the entire thing will (or should) look like when finished:

So, as Robert Frost would say, I've got miles to go before I sleep.  Ha!  Luckily I'm still enjoying this and all the various motifs are keeping me interested.  The white stag with spots at the bottom will be a beast to stitch though!  I hope whatever I choose to stitch next will not include large expanses of the same color....

My trip to the office yesterday went smoothly.  I saw one other person there and the parking lot was empty!  President's Day has never been a "holiday" for my company, but since schools were closed I'm assuming some folks who might have come in to the office decided to stay home.

My errands yesterday went smoothly.  Though the State Store had an awful lot of empty shelves.  Actually I was surprised they were even open given that it was a Federal holiday.  But, whatever.  There were 2 Spanish wines Fletch had asked me to look for, but (of course) our (antiquated) stores don't carry them and the clerk had never even heard of them!

I did find something new at the grocery store:

I have not tried them yet and, in fact, have not even cut into one.  I thought they might add a bit of fun flavor to my water when I go walking.  And, I will use one later this week when we have fish one night.

Lastly, I found an Easter card for Mailing and Colin that simply cracks me up:

The inside simply says "Here Comes Peter Cat-N-Tail"  Hahahaha  Every time I look at this card I just crack up.

And now I need to clean up the kitchen and pull out a cooling rack for the bread which should be done in another 20 minutes or so.  Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Weekending 2/20/23

 Hello all,

What a lovely weekend I had and I hope you did too.  Mine began Thursday night since I took Friday off.  For once, I really took the day off.  I did not do any work!  Even at the last minute, I was able to book a massage for late morning and that was simply wonderful.  Our temps were still mild and it just was so, so nice.

Saturday was much colder and windy.  As usual, I met up with Dee for our morning together.  Many laughs and a little knitting ensued.  When I got home around 12:30, I noticed these blooms in our driveway bed.

There are also yellow crocus flowers that are budded as well as budded daffodils.  Hopefully all will survive (we are already on the upswing of temps again).

Fletch did a bit of yard work.  The pine tree by our mailbox was a live Christmas Tree for us one year.  There are always a lot of pinecones, but this year the abundance of them is amazing.

That is just roughly a quarter of what he raked up in the yard and around the base of the tree (he was spreading some mulch).  Also good news:  the first garlic shoots have sprouted up!!  I finished using our garden garlic from last year just the other week.  We won't be harvesting until early July, so we will need to use store bought for a bit.  But if the shoots are coming up, in a bit we will also have scapes!!

A week ago when I got together with Dee I was complaining that my Christmas Cactus wasn't producing and hadn't produced any buds.  I know they prefer a cooler location but Dee also thought perhaps it was getting too much light since I had it in the living room.  I moved it to my office and in just that short week buds have appeared!!

(Note to self:  get back to crocheting the granny squares so you can finally make a blanket!!)

Sunday was not too exciting.  I did a lot of laundry and took everything out of the refrigerator and cleaned it.  Whew!  What an awful job and it took forever.  I did find a few things to trash, so that was good.  I also paid bills and pulled all the tax stuff together - some of my least favorite things to do...but now they are done!  I'm heading to the office early this a.m. so that I can copy all the tax stuff and then later this week I'll drop everything off at our accountant's office.

And, since I'm heading to the office I will make a stop at Trader Joe's for a few things and also the State Store for wine (the State Store near my office is much better stocked than either of the stores near my house).  I'm betting a nap is in my future since last night was a restless one as far as sleep goes.  I feel fine right now, but by early afternoon I will be nodding a bit.  LOL

Happy Monday - cheers to a nice week ahead!

Framed!!

 Good Morning,

How are you?  It's Thursday and my weekend will start soon.  I've decided to not work tomorrow!  YAY  The thought of multiple conference calls was just too much - especially when one of them was moved from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. - not a good thing on a Friday.  Yesterday I emailed all my bosses telling them I needed to take Froday off.  

This should be a quick post.  Today is rather busy - I've got my usual financial reports to get out and then Fletch and I need to run out.  His phone died the other day, so that has got to be replaced.  This afternoon I have a call with one of my bosses to review his organization.

Anyway, you all know I do a bit of stitching but don't really have anything framed these days.  I have some pieces framed from long ago and they are hanging in various places, but neither Fletch nor I want a house filled with needlework.  However, there is one piece that I've wanted to have framed.  It will be for Colin as it's the one piece of needlework I've done that he likes.  It is A Parrot, A Leopard, A Lion from The Scarlet Letter.  Last Fall I found a frame in a thrift store that I thought would work.  

And finally I got around to taking the stitched piece and the frame to a local framer last Thursday.  Yesterday I received a call that it was ready to pick up.  It was a tight fit (and, in fact approximately 1/8" of stitching is hidden), but I am so pleased with the way it turned out!

  Sorry for the glare - it was difficult to find anyplace to get a picture of this yesterday afternoon.

The decision now is whether to tell Colin, or wait until he comes up to PA to show him then.

OK - gotta run and get to work.  Have a good Thursday everyone!

Unraveled Wednesday 2/15/23

 Good Morning All,

This morning is finding me a bit stiff - not sure why as I slept well and did not walk yesterday (back was too sore), but whatever!  Earlier it looked very white and grey outside, but now I can see a bit of blue in the sky outside my office window.  Hoping it will turn into a pretty day.  I believe it is supposed to be warm-ish.

Well, I did make the applesauce donuts this morning.  I am not impressed and the recipe I had printed out is now in the recycling bin!

They are extremely bland tasting (despite the applesauce and cinnamon in the batter).  I will need to search for another recipe to try.  Also, I need to remember to grease my donut pan (even though it is non-stick)!

However, the chocolate mousse I made for Valentine's dessert DID turn out!

Initially I was not hopeful.  When separating an egg, some of the yolk went into the white...so that all went in the compost.  Then the first batch of chocolate did not melt well - it got all grainy and hard.  Fortunately the next batch worked and the mousse was good.  Rich, but good!  Fletch grilled some steaks and we had little new potatoes steamed, some air fryer breaded mushrooms and a green bean casserole.  YUM!!  Lots of leftovers.

Hard to believe we are already half way through February!  And today is Wednesday which means it is time to link up with Kat and her Merry Band of Unravelers to talk making and reading.  My knitting is coming along slowly.  The grey sock is progressing a little bit:

And I feel as though I am close to the end of the cowl for my SIL:

I think I will do one more pattern row and then start the ribbing and bind off.  There was a time when I thought about making fingerless mitts to match, but I don't think I have enough yarn left.  I will need to weigh what's left after I bind off and then decide.

My reading is moving along.  Fletch and I are still listening to Master and Commander - he is enjoying it more than I am, but I am content to just knit while we listen.  I've now read over 200 pages in The Love Songs of W. E. B. Du Bois and it is so good, however I'm putting that aside because after months of being in the queue, I am finally back in Three Pines!  Yup - my turn came up yesterday for A World of Curiosities and I started it last night.  It amazes me how Louise Penny can continue to write this series without it getting old or tired!

Earlier in the week I finished Catalogue of Unabashed Gratitude by Ross Gay.  I thought it was ok.  Not great, but ok.  Some of the poems I really liked, and some I did not.  And some just didn't strike me one way or another.  I will try another one of his books in a little bit and see what I think.

Here's hoping your Wednesday is going well.  While looking at your screen, be sure to hop over to Kat's to see what others are making and reading - always inspirational.