A lighter post

This past weekend I was chatting with Deanne. Naturally I was regaling her with one of my ridiculous stories. Lol I was telling her about 2 instances where I had casually said something and then within a day or so it happened. Don't ask, cuz I'm not telling you what I said :).
So then I said something like " just to confirm the amazing power of my words.....Deanne and Kim will win the lottery and split it". Of course we laughed but then she disappeared out of the room. Then she reappears with $3 and says "now it's official.". I left and bought our magic (lol) lottery ticket that was to be drawn Saturday night.




Apparently my words ARE powerful........WE WON

SIX whole dollars!! Yeehaw! LOL. So now I have learned a lesson. First, I reinvested our winnings into another ticket for tonight. Then I learned to be more specific in my random mutterings. This time I said " Deanne and Kim will win "big money" in the lotto and split it".

I'll keep you posted ;)


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The aftermath

First, I will apologize for another picture laden post about the downtown fire.  I am sorry, but it is kind of a big deal around here and is pretty much all we have talked about for 2 days.

Thank you all for the kind words and concern. There were no major injuries and the displaced people are being well looked after by volunteers.  Donations are pouring in.   The fire is out, except for some smouldering rubble which a small crew is handling.

These are pictures I took at the site approximately an hour ago, just after supper.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A terrible day

Last night at approximately 10 pm a fire broke out in a downtown business. I am sad to report that as of now, at 6 pm, it is still burning. Yes, over 20 hours and at least 3 buildings are destroyed and many adjacent buildings may be damaged beyond repair. Still too early to know for sure. We have lost a half a block of businesses and apartments. Very luckily there have been no deaths but dozens are homeless. One of the buildings affected is our Police Department. They were forced to evacuate last night, grabbed what they could, and are now set up temporarily at the Fire Station.

Five fire departments are on scene. They are exhausted with no end in sight in the immediate future. Please say a little prayer for our emergency workers as this fire is still ongoing, heading towards the 24 hour mark.


















The community has rallied and people were dropping off donations of food and water all day to support the firefighters.


These photos are all borrowed from our local radio station's Facebook page.

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"Bear"ly finished

I finished hooking the stars and sunflowers pattern (by Deanne Fitzpatrick). I had planned to turn it into a pillow but you know how lazy I am with the finishing. I was just about to set it aside and start something new when I remembered something.

Sharon over at the blog Moosecraft has been trying to catch up on a lot of projects that have been piling up. You know, basically making the rest of us look bad! I look at that half finished pillow in shame. (arrgh Sharon Lol )

So, I went upstairs and found a scrap of wool and finished the pillow. Tah Dah......



Here is a photo of the backing wool.



It is for sale, if you're interested send me an email.

The other part of this post is what happened last night. Just around dusk I was driving through our Industrial Park, which is a popular spot for walkers, bikes etc. There was a report of a bear sighting in that area last week. At the time I didn't pay much attention.
Well, all of a sudden this black bear crosses the road the right in front of my car. After a second of OMG and then fumbling for the cell phone camera, it was down in the ditch and out of sight. Crap, no picture. But he kind of looked like this



I drive ahead a short distance, still stunned and see this young woman walking a dog. Not a good plan I think. I figured this was strange and I could freak her out but I couldn't let her keep walking. I rolled down the window and put the dome light on, so she wouldn't think I was a serial killer. I told her about the bear and asked her if she wanted a drive home. I can tell you, she wasn't long grabbing her dog and jumping in the back seat. When I got home I reported it to the police and they were contacting Dept. of Natural Resources.

I'll keep you posted if they trap it.


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Satisfying Saturday, going with the flow

Although it's late summer, it was another spectacular Saturday. In what has become a recent tradition, I went to the Sackville farmers market and it seems like every time I turned around I bumped into another friend. When I got back to town I stopped at Flow Lifestyle Boutique to sit and have a mid morning coffee and chat with Stephanie.
The next time you are in Amherst, stop in and see this charming boutique for yourself. Here is the charming proprietress serving a customer with a coffee.


Note my rug hanging in the top left of the picture..(shameless plug)














Another shameless plug in next photo of my hooked lavender sachets ;)





Just another hometown Saturday, going with the flow.......

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What's wrong with this...

So it appears the stress of the week has affected me in strange and disturbing ways. This is what I chose to make for supper


Asparagus stuffed chicken, fresh beets and oven roasted baby red skinned potatoes

HEALTHY..........what is wrong with me?? It's Friday. Traditional junk food or take- out night! Not proper food - that I cook.... The whole experience was very disturbing. Heehee

Apparently Miss Millie was not affected by the weeks events or the lack of junk food. Have you ever seen anything soooo relaxed??




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Seeing stars

It has been one of those days (week) when you feel like you have been repeatedly bonked on the head. Over and over and over..... I have worked 3 of the past 4 nights and that does not make Kimmie a happy camper!

But tonight I managed to get home in time to hook for at least an hour. Maybe 2 hours if no one has some dramatic fake crisis here. (sarcasm.....bad week)

I found a piece of plaid wool that I am testing on the stars and swirls.


I cut it to have the light orangish strips and the darker greenish strips. Orangish for stars and greenish for swirls. I want to keep with the earthy tones for this pillow.


Tomorrow's Friday.......just breathe.

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Chats on the Porch

Its that time again for another Chat on the Farmhouse Porch with Patrice and her darling horse Wendell over at Everyday Ruralty.

They always host a great little chat each with with some fun questions for the participants. 

Here are this weeks questions:

QUESTIONS

1.  Are you a list maker? (grocery, to-do, goals, etc.)

 

Yes, I am a big list maker.   Am I a good list completer?.....not so much.  Lol   I try to make to-do lists at work but that NEVER works out.  I do always take a list to the grocery store though.  If I don't I just wander around trying to remember (unsuccessfully) what I need.

2.  Do you have overnight guests often?

Not anymore but we used to have tons of company before Mom got sick.  Now having overnight guests is just to disruptive to Mom and the routines.  I really makes her agitated.

3. Where is your laundry room, or the area that you keep your washer and dryer?

I don't have a laundry room.  Sadly the washer and dryer are in the kitchen.  Not ideal but at least they are kind of tucked in a corner.

4.  How are you with tools? Power tools?

I am generally pretty handy with tools.  Regular tools.  I think I would have a blast with power tools but no one seems to trust me with them.....

5.  Tell me something that will make me smile. Please.

Well.....today it is quite warm but I wore long pants to work.  Why, you might ask??  Uhmm, the truth is I didn't have time to shave my legs this morning!   OK, I know you are laughing but I KNOW you have all done the same thing at least once!  Admit it

Cooler days and hot hooks

The weather has cooled a wee bit, just enough to make me want to hook again. I managed to work on my new little project most of the day.




Ahh, it felt great to be working with wool again. And even better, I got to reduce the stash a little. (you know, so I can buy more). Hehe. I think this will make a cute pillow.

It's a pattern I picked up at Deanne's Studio. I can't seem to resist a sunflower. Can't grow em, so might as well hook em!




I think the background will be my favorite "dirty mushroom" color wool. But what do you think for the stars and swirls??

Suggestions are welcome. In fact, I'm begging for them......


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Someone's WINNING

It's time to announce the winner of my giveaway. Thank you to everyone who reads my blog and to those of you who entered. It's true you wish you could send a package to everyone. (I can't until I win the lottery:))

I visited all the entrants blogs to make sure I didn't miss giving you an extra entry for helping me promote on your blogs or Facebook. And I'd also like to welcome my new followers. I do appreciate all the support you give by following, commenting etc.

So I made a list and then went to Random Generator.org for a winning number. I held my breath as a number popped up.



I am very excited to announce the winner.......JULIE from the blog hOOkwOrM.
Julie is a fellow canadian blogger PLUS holds the distinction of being my very first follower. And you bloggers know how exciting it was when that first face popped up in your followers gadget!

So I was thrilled to see her number. Julie, please email me with your mailing address and I will get your goodies to you. Congratulations! And thank you again to everyone.




It's cooled down a bit so I started hooking a new piece today. Show you soon


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TGIF

Friday couldn't come soon enough this week. This week at work was crazy. Today was what I call a "3 olive day". And after supper, I fulfilled that thought :)




Supper tonight was great. The upside of today was someone dropped me off a pound of fresh haddock filets. I breaded them in panko and pan fried them with some zucchini. The fish was amazing. Literally flaking apart in the pan. I have enough left for a fish sandwich tomorrow.



I'm at loose ends creatively tonight. Several new projects in my head, a new rug pattern on burlap, 3 new stitching magazines, yarn for knitting, yet locked in indecision. So instead I sip my martini and blog. Sigh.....

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Giveaway Goodies

First, before I get to the real purpose of this post I want to make a shameless plug for my own giveaway. There are still a few days left to enter. And don't forget, there will be some surprises added!

Now the really great news. A bit ago I was the very lucky blogger who won Jody's giveaway at Cobblestone Corner and Grandma's Biscuits. Well.....it arrived and what a fabulous box of goodies she put together for me.



I can tell you, the most wonderful fragrance came out of that box as soon as I opened it. There were some orange spice melting tarts, candles and some of Jody's own soap. Oh I love homemade soap. And who doesn't love buttons!



A perfect notepad for all my lists and a box of candy made in her town. Jody, I opened the chocolates.....yummy!!

And some lovely wooden spools. Now I ask my prim friends - any suggestions for how to display these great wooden treasures? I'd love to do them justice.



I can't thank Jody enough for the wonderful goodies. She is a warm and generous soul. If you've never visited her blog Cobblestone Corner and Grandma's Biscuits I encourage you to do it. You won't be disappointed.

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Butterfly Day

Today was a special day.  A day to spend with wonderful friends to celebrate all things butterfly and all that represents for us.  Four years ago today I lost a great friend to cancer. 

Every August 14th friends and family gather at his parents house for a "celebration".  It is exactly the kind of thing he would love.  After his death, his young daughters declared that he was now a butterfly. That idea has stuck with all of us.    Butterfly everything has been exchanged back and forth.  

A few months ago, for my birthday, I received the most special gift.  It was a butterfly house for my yard.

What made it more special was that it was a "true family" gift.  This house was given to me by Tim's sister, constructed by Tim's father and painted by his mother.    I just simply love it and all that it represents.



Delicate little forget-me-nots painted along the sides.

A resident of the house perhaps.....

I love sitting out on the back deck and looking at this house. 

As each year passes we share more laughs than tears on August 14th.  We sat around in the sun, and watched the children in the pool, while the adults had a few refreshments.  Even Sasha the dog got worn out from all the people.

3rd anniversary Giveaway time

A few weeks ago I hit a milestone - I've been keeping this blog going for 3 years. I would have never imagined it.

And it's all because of my wonderful followers who are with me every post. Your comments always brighten my day. So in honor of this anniversary, and to show my appreciation, I'm having a GIVEAWAY.

It's open to my followers, but new followers are always welcomed (and appreciated). Just leave a comment on this post and you will be entered. If you mention it on your blog or help me promote it on your sidebar I would greatly appreciate that too. And you will get an extra entry.

Now I suppose you are wondering what you'll win.....



I stitched up this little pillow tuck for you. I've also got some local made goodies too - local Anointment soap (you will love it), and some local honey products - lip balm, soap, and honey sticks. A few hand knit wash cloths and a surprise or two....Or three...

I'll make the drawing on Saturday, August 18th.


Thank you for making this little blog experiment so much fun!

Kim

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