Spring blooms

I bought 2 bundles of daffodils yesterday.  The Cancer Society sells them each year.  When I woke up this morning they were all in bloom.

What a cheerful way to start the day.

The weather continues to be spring-like.  Dare I say it....?  I think we have seen the last of the snow.  I might even tempt fate by making an appointment to get my snow tires removed next week.

Not much happening here.  I did get a nice surprise when I got home from work yesterday.  Remember I mentioned a few weeks ago that my rain gutter was hanging down precariously?  Every time the wind blew I feared it would snap off and become a flying projectile.   But now it is fixed.  Yippee.  

I casually mentioned it (begged, really) to a neighbor the other day.  Apparently he took pity on me and fixed it before I got home from work.  Now that I know he is handy and easily guilted, I'm going to start a small list :)

I added a few more items to my Etsy shop today.   I packaged my sheep rug for shipping the other day.  I took extra care to pretty it up with tissue paper, stickers and tied it all up in a springy ribbon. I was so pleased with myself.  I took it to the post office and watched the lady fold it up and jam it down, hearing tissue paper ripping all the way.   Uggh, so much for trying to pretty up the packaging.

The goal for the weekend it to finish hooking the current project.  I am not happy with it and just want to be done with it.  I have a few ideas I want to start after this one.   Wish me luck.  Motivation for a project you don't like is always low.

Do you remember your first.....

Do you remember your first......Kiss?

Your first.....date?

Your first.....Car?

Are you wondering where I'm going with this post??

What I really want to know is Do you remember how you felt when you SOLD your first handcrafted item??

Yes, it is true...... I sold my first rug last night on Etsy !!!!

I was so excited.  At first I thought it was a mistake!  Lol

Nope, no mistake.   

If you are any type of crafter, you probably can relate.  I could hardly believe that someone would pay money for something I made.   I was discussing it today with an "artist".  She laughed but said that feeling never goes away, no matter how many pieces you sell - each one is exciting.

Happy Dance!!!





Chattin' on the Porch

With Patrice, of course.  But before we get into her questions I would like to report that my desk is still looking good.  I haven't let the paper creep back in.

I am slowly getting my head above water at the office.  Tonight was the first time I picked up my rug hooking for about a week.  I just couldn't get into it and I have lost interest in my current project.  But it is almost done so I will power through.  I took a quick pic tonight but when I downloaded it, there was a huge shadow over it - - Me.  I'll show you next time.

Well, I better get to the questions, as Dancing With The Stars is about to start.  My guilty pleasure.

Questions

1.  What was your favorite book as a child?

  That's a hard one.  I was a big reader as a child. Well, most of my life until I took up rug hooking.  I read whatever I could get my hands on, but I do remember enjoying The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

2.  Dark chocolate, Milk Chocolate, or White Chocolate?

Yes, yes, yes.   Dark chocolate with red wine.  Milk chocolate with anything.  White chocolate with coffee.

3.  What's your biggest "pet peeve" when it comes to your kitchen?

When people do not re-close the food packaging properly.  This drives me insane.  You buy a bag of cookies and someone just rips it open and leaves it.  The next day the cookies are all soft.  Or when they don't re-wrap the cheese.  Or when people go behind you are turn to oven or burners up or down while YOU are cooking.   Geez, don't get me started on kitchen pet peeves.

4.   Do you use any type of water filter in your home? (Whole house, faucet mount, or pitcher)

Nope.  We have great water.

5.   What's the herb you use the most in cooking?

My family's taste are pretty bland meat and potatoes stuff.  So sometimes I sneak in basic chives or parsley.   When cooking just for me - - anything goes.

Thanks Patrice for another Chat on the Farmhouse Porch.  If you have a few minutes, stop in and say hi to Patrice and this weeks participants.

Spring Cleaning

I've made a little progress and I wanted to show you what I've been doing the past few days.  I have been whining about work lately.  I love my job but things have been busy and projects have been piling up and getting out of control. 

When I say I was surrounded by piles of paper and mountains of half finished projects - - I really meant it.  I took this picture Friday after lunch.  I can't believe I am actually going to show you this - Don't Judge!!

I just could not function.  Well, look - - I had no clear space to work!  Arrrgh.   So after I went home Friday afternoon and had a bit of supper, I decided to go back to work and regain control. 

But when I got back there, instead of getting to work, I decided I needed to re-arrange the furniture.  Do you ever do that??  I got so overwhelmed that I couldn't function.  But instead of working, I got this bizarre obsession to move furniture. So I moved the desk and moved a file cabinet from the front of the office to the back etc.   It is amazing the kind of Herculean strength you can muster when in a state of frenzy.  That desk and file cabinet weighed a ton. 

I went back Saturday morning and it was just the little fresh change I needed.  I worked a few hours and went back again early this morning.

And this is the result   (a drum roll would be appropriate here)

It isn't perfect but it is a massive improvement.  There still is a small stack of papers at the back but they are all related to one project and should be dealt with tomorrow.   

And NO, I did NOT just dump all that stuff in a box and hide it......(I know thats what some of you were thinking hehehe)   It was all dealt with.   

Ahhhhh, big sigh of relief.  There is still lots to do, but at least now I can function.    It's not fun to spend a majority of your weekend working, but sometimes it is necessary.  I feel better now.

Now I can hook a bit tonight, guilt free.  I think I've earned it. 





Thump thump - bling bling

Thumps and blings were the sounds of the day - and not in a good way.  Early this afternoon I could feel a headache starting at the base of my neck - stress headache.  As the afternoon progressed my head continued to thump and that stupid blackberry kept blinging with notifications of emails, meetings, reminders.......Enough!

I am behind at work, not just a little.....a lot.  This year seems worse than others.  I am feeling a bit (well, a lot) overwhelmed.   I need to get things under control.

So I may be a little scarce for a little bit in blogger-ville.   I need to take a few things off my plate.  I won't be gone all together, just may not comment or post much for a few days. 

Don't forget about me!!  I'll get back to your blogs soon   :)

Spring......

Spring has sprung

The grass has riz

My mood has riz

Cranky is gone.  Much of the credit goes to all the comments I received last night.  I couldn't help but laugh at them.  

Yesterday, at the end of the normal work day, I went into a 5 hour meeting.  It should have been over in 3 hrs but you know how it goes sometimes.  Add the fact the Dancing With The Stars was starting last night - - while I was still at work.  By the time I got home, I had missed the first hour and I was exhausted and crabby.

Then I popped onto facebook and saw a fellow hooker/blogger posting about DWTS.  As we chatted back and forth, giving out opinions on the dancers, it was almost like we were watching it together.  Thanks Alice.   That, plus the funny comments you left had me all cheered up by bedtime.

The first day of Spring here was perfect.  And it put me in the mood to have a little fun. Spring Fever makes us a little silly!  My friend Terri and I have been taking turns tormenting other over chocolate chai coffee.  The coffee bar is downtown, near my office but wayyyy across town from her office.  Last week she posted on my facebook a photo of her with 3 coffees --- None of which was for me.   So today I retalitated with a photo of her husband delivering me a coffee to my office!!  

I thank myself everyday for a friend like her, and a friend like her that is good natured.   Now I wait for the payback.........   Its the waiting that is the worst.   I wonder what her next move is??  And when will she strike?? LOL

Ahhhh, the joys of Spring Fever

Cranky

Too crabby to post.  Better wait until tomorrow.

Nothing serious - just Grrrrrrr

Top of the morning to you

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day

Might as well start of St. Patrick's Day on the right foot.



Testing the Law of 3's

I am hoping that the whole theory behind the Law of 3's is bogus.  You know how they always say bad luck happens in three's?

So far I'm up to 2.

The first was the untimely death of the Keurig coffee machine.  This morning I had to make a cup of tea before work.  Blahhh, tea is for after supper, not the kick in the pants you need in the morning.  Plus there was the unplanned expense of a replacement machine. 

But I am happy to report that as I write this post I am sipping a hot coffee from the NEW Keurig machine. 

Then last night I jumped in the car to grab something at the convenience store.  When I parked back in the yard I couldn't get the car door open.  I pushed the power locks on and off and then pushed and pushed. 

A brief second of panic.  I'm locked INSIDE the car.  Seriously?? Yes, locked IN the car.   For a minute I thought about Lauren who recently posted about a funny newspaper headline about a hooker.  And I imagined the front page of the local Daily News - - "Hooker Locked Inside Car".  Lol

As I mulled over my situation I said a tiny little prayer that it was only the drivers side door.  (It was)  Had it been all 4 doors, that would have been a very entertaining call to OnStar.  Sheesh! 

So my only option was to crawl over into the passenger side - over the console and the shifter.    Can you picture it?  Oh yeah, I was graceful as a gazelle as a tried to straddle my way over.   I was enacting a few Cirque du Soleil moves......(Ouch)

Sure, you're laughing - but try to do that in high heel boots.   This morning I went to work early so there would be no witnesses in the parking lot as I performed my graceful moves yet again. 

I called the Dealership and they had an appointment late this morning.  And yes, I had to do it again - in front of the service crew.  And yes, they giggled.   Just grateful I wasn't wearing a skirt!!  They did (mockingly) offer to pull me out through the window.  I declined. 

The door was under warranty but I still ended up leaving another $350.   The Visa Card was smoking today. 

Lets hope this is the end of the unplanned expenses for awhile.  The Law of 3's -  Pffft!

When a door closes....

You often hear it said that when a door closes, a window opens.

This morning I awoke to discover that my morning buddy was gone.  The light had left it's eyes.   Its sparkly blue power switch eye.

My Keurig coffee machine is dead.  RIP my dear friend.  You were a ray of sunshine each morning as I grumpily trudged downstairs to read the newspaper.  (I'm so not a morning person) Your bright sparkly blue power light winked at me as you dispensed a perfect cup of my favorite blend.   I sipped your delightful offering each day as I prepared to meet the world.

But alas, this morning I had none.  The door had closed.   What to do?  I need coffee, mainly for the protection of others. 

I decided I had to stop at Tim Horton's Drive Thru on the way to work.  I dreaded it.  The line ups in the morning are horrendous.  I approached the coffee shop.  Something's wrong......there are no cars in the line.  This is unprecedented, especially at that hour of the morning. 

I wondered if the store was closed, maybe there was another power outage - something was wrong.  I proceeded to the microphone, cautiously.  There was a voice on the other end who took my order.  When I arrived at the window I told her I thought the store was closed because there were no cars.  She laughed and said it was very rare.  And then she told me to look behind me.  There were about 15 cars now behind me.

So the moral of this story is that when one door closes (my coffee machine dies), a window opens (all cars clear out of my path at Tim Hortons)

Not sure this is an appropriate analagy for this expression but you knew I would warp it.  :)

Sweet Satisfaction

At last, the sweet satisfaction of nature's goodness



I went to the corner store at 5pm and got the last block. 

I talked to the owner and he said they had a large delivery this

morning and by 5pm I got the last one.

A creamy block of pure sugar

Was it worth the wait?  Oh Yeah

Satisfaction.....(and a mild sugar rush)



Sweetness delayed

It's Maple syrup season in Nova Scotia.  Sweet!!

This is how I remember it as a child - trudging through the woods in March and checking the buckets nailed to trees with a simple spigot.  Sap buckets were collected each day and taken back to the "Sugar Camp" to be boiled down and turned into a variety of sweet delights. 

Today its not the same - it has gone moderately high tech with tubing going direct from tree to tree and into the camp.  Its just not the same to me.  I still remember checking the buckets.  But although the process has changed, the sweet products remain the same tempting delight.

Today was the ideal day.  Sap runs the best with warm sunny days and cool nights.  All day I daydreamed about a block of maple cream.

After work I stopped at a couple of stores.  The story was the same - Sold out.  The last clerk laughed and said everyone had the same idea today.   They are expecting another delivery tomorrow.  Yummm

So my sweetness fix will have to be delayed until tomorrow.  

Open for Business

Oh, the silly things we do when we are bored.  I am again at loose ends without a project. 

I think the Spring Fever effect has prevented me from focusing long enough to look through the wool stash and settle on a new rug design.

For months I have been toying with the idea of opening up an ETSY shop  and tonight I finally took the plunge. 

So far there are just a couple of rugs there, but I hope to add a few more over the next few weeks.   So if you have a few spare minutes, pop in and check out Millie's Mats on ETSY.

Wouldn't it be fun to actually sell a rug?  And then I could buy more wool :)

Thanks for stopping by.

Could it be?

Is it possible that Spring is on the way?  It certainly felt like it today.   What a perfect day! 

Blue skies, sun, temps way above normal.  Snow was melting like crazy and I felt a little bit of Spring Fever creeping in.  You could almost smell the tulips.

That is the best thing about March - you get a few of these days that just make you happy and hopeful after a long winter.

A little update on Millie.  She is still acting crazy.  I did enjoy reading all your comments and suggestions.  I have tried all that and more.  It was also nice to hear that there are other eccentric, spoiled fur babies out there.    We get a few seconds of progress and then immediately back to crazy town.   I just thought.....maybe she has Spring Fever too.

I finished the little Believe mat tonight.  All hooked, whipped and ready to be delivered tomorrow.

I'm sure I had more things to tell you but I seem to having a mental block right now.  Maybe something blog worthy will happen tomorrow.

Chatting with Patrice

Today feels like a good day to visit and have a chat with Patrice over at Everyday Ruralty. 

It has been awhile since I participated in the Farmhouse Porch Chats and it is a fun way to learn more about fellow bloggers and even find a few new fun blogs. 

So, lets jump right in to this weeks questions

1.  Tell me a fond memory of an elderly person.

It is hard to pick just one.  I always loved going fishing with my grandfather.  We would stop at an old abandoned property and dig our own worms.  Yes, its hard to believe but I not only touched the worms, but even baited my own hook.  Then we would go to our favorite fishing hole for an hour or so.  The location was top secret.  A real fisherman never shares the location of a great spot. 

2.  What is your favorite flavor of jam or jelly?

First, its definately jam over jelly.  Strawberry is my favorite.  I like it a little on the runny side, with no big lumps - the sweeter the better.

3. What goes through your mind when you drive by one of those whopping, huge houses that look like something in a magazine?

We have a lot of large fancy houses in our town.  Many of them have been converted to apartments over the years which is sad.   I have a few favorites that I dream about buywing when I win the lottery.  I have them all designed and decorated in my head.  I imagine myself lounging in the Grand Room, sipping wine and eating bon bons   Hahahaha

4. What is your favorite way to relax?

Sitting in the corner hooking on a new project or sitting in a large white adirondack chair, overlooking the water with a refreshing beverage,  or sitting on the porch of a little cabin tucked away from all the crazy.....  Gee, don't get me started - I could go on and on here.

5. What is your favorite kind of pasta?

I like a nice cheese tortellini in a creamy tomato sauce.  Mmmm, good idea for tonights supper.

Make sure to visit Patrice and see who else has stopped by to chat this week.

Four pounds of crazy

Yes, Miss Millie is still crazy.  I am baffled. 

She looks so sweet and innocent but don't be fooled - this tiny little fur ball has some issues. 

She continues to be "afraid" of the kitchen.  I have washed her mat, replaced it with a new one, and even lined a path through the kitchen with treats.  Nothing works.

I'm not sure why this new little quirk is so disturbing to me, because Millie has always had her share of "odd" behaviors.

- She has always refused to eat her food from a dish. It "must" be placed in a little pile on the floor.  When the pile is gone she lays in front of her full dish and barks or growls until I take a handful  out and put it on the floor.

- She must have an optimal number of lumps on her blankets before laying down.  Smooth blankets are a no no. 

- She will not lay in her bed if a toy is in there.  She will bark until we remove the toy and then she goes in her bed.

- She will go up and down stairs up to 4.  Any number beyond 4 and forget it.  You must carry her.

- She will not "allow" people to nap in the living room.  She will bark and scratch at your arm to wake you up.

- When you enter my house Millie must be greeted first and quickly. If you take too long taking off your boots etc and don't stop at the end of the sofa to give her a little pet, she will hold a grudge.   She actually will turn her back to you and bury her head.  I am NOT KIDDING HERE. 

Believe it or not, this is just a small sampling of her unique personality.  But how can you not love her anyways??

I think I need the services of a doggie psychiatrist before Millie makes me CRAZY.

What a difference a day makes.....

Well, this was a whole different kind of day.  Today is all about 2 mysteries.  At least I can say things are never dull around here. 

It all started out fine.  A nice normal day.  I had a meeting at work first thing in the morning.  For some unexplainable reason I left my cell phone on my desk when I went down the hall.  I always have my phone with me.  I still don't know why I didn't take it to my meeting.   When we finished and I got back to my desk, I saw my house number as a missed call and a voicemail.  Instead of wasting time checking the message I just dialed home. 

In an eerily calm voice, Auntie asks if I can run home for a minute.  ??  Yes, I reply - but why?   Her eerily calm voice threw me a bit because you may have picked up from some of my posts, she is a tad bit high strung!  She says "Your mother has fallen and I can't lift her up"    I didn't even ask any questions, just hung up and raced home.  She was on the floor between the bed and the closet.  But before you think she just fell out of bed - She was backwards!  We still can't figure it out.   I checked her from head to toe - twice.  Not a mark or bruise on her and not one tender spot.  We have no idea when it happened, as Auntie found her that way this morning.  And she wasn't trying to get to the bathroom as there were no "accidents".  It is a complete mystery but she seems fine.

Mystery #2 - The dog seems to be crazy too. I may need the services of a dog psychic.  Princess Millie spends every meal time, on her special mat beside me at the table.  (Yes she gets table treats - don't judge)  However, since yesterday she is now "scared" of her mat.  She will not go there no matter what I put on the mat.  Not-even-cheese.......so you know its serious.  She now goes and stands beside the stove and barks and whines.   I have picked her up and put her on the mat and she runs back to the stove.   I have switched the mat for a different one.  Nope - runs back to the stove.

What in the beejeebers is that about??  Seriously, I cannot take another bit of crazy in this house.   I took the afternoon off work.  I met two friends for coffee.   I added some "special" to the coffee.  (Again, don't judge)  There was a flask involved - not mine.  Yes, I have those kinds of friends.  (Thank God!  Lol)

I think I pulled a muscle in my back while lifting Mom.  The "special" coffee tasted good.  I think this may be in my future later tonight........I heard Grey Goose can act like a muscle relaxant. Don't judge.  Its been a mysterious day

Just a small town kind of day

March snuck in today like a lamb.  It was a bright, sunny, cheerful kind of day.
 It was the kind of day where everything seemed to be OK in my little town. 

I have told you about our Town's Believe Campaign in support of a beloved citizen battling cancer.  The latest news is the surgery today was successful.  It was almost like you could hear a collective sigh of relief as news spread.

Mom was at day care so that meant Auntie and I could enjoy a rare treat - lunch out together.  We took a friend with us and had a great time at Bella's Cafe and Bistro.   We saw lots of people we knew and had a few laughs.   (photos borrowed from fb)

We all had something different and it all looked and tasted amazing.  But the best part was it was just a nice break.   After lunch I stopped in just next door to Flow Lifestyle Boutique where Stephanie has just started a new coffee/tea bar. 

She has me addicted to the Chocolate Chai organic coffee.  I grabbed one before returning to the office.  We had a great laugh on facebook yesterday at another friends expense.  (Just teasing of course)  Much to my pal Terri's chagrin, Steph had a coffee delivered to my office yesterday.  Naturally I rubbed it in to Terri who works waaaay on the other side of town.  (Yes, I am spoiled)   And Yes, I love it. 

So today as I picked up my coffee, I paid for an extra one.  So tomorrow when Terri makes her regular Friday afternoon visit to Flow - she will be surprised that her coffee is on me!

A rug update:   Thank you for all the suggestions.  I agree that the plain blue isn't exactly right.  I tried to think far outside the box last night with a burgundy plaid but after only adding 3 strips I quickly ripped it out.  I was almost paralyzed with where to go next. 

Then this afternoon at work (I really hesitate to admit this here but......) I looked through a bag of wool stash in my office.   Yes, I have a small stash of wool behind my desk.  Don't ask......     Well, deep in the bottom of the bag is a large piece of dark blue plaid wool.  Lighter than the outline wool and darker than the blue from the last post.  Yippee!!  I think this might work.  I hope to cut some of it tonight and try a small section.   Fingers crossed.  



I hope you all had a great day too.