Meltin' and Hookin'

It is hot and humid.  Humidity should be outlawed.  Nobody even likes it, yet it keeps showing its ugly muggy face around here. 

I felt like Swamp Woman today.  A house with no air conditioning is not a happy place when the muggies invade. I gave Mom ice cream twice this afternoon.  (OK, I had some too)  Desperate times call for desperate measures. 

Also, the bra did not make an appearance today.  I don't expect to see it tomorrow either :)  I don't even dare think of what menopause will be like.  I will not make it through the hot flashes.  I will need to be sedated and locked away until it passes.  Seriously.....this is for everyone else's safety. 

I did manage to finish hooking the 2nd little piece today.  I'm going to make it into a pillow. 

I hate the thought of hand sewing the back onto this pillow but maybe if I start it early in the morning before I'm fully awake I won't even realize what I'm doing.

Soggy Saturday

After 5 long workdays, the weekend finally arrives.  And what happens??  You wake up to rain, rain and more rain.

That put a crimp in my plans.  No backyard, no sitting out on the deck, no barbequing.

I woke up with this desire to hook.  I haven't felt much like starting a new project.  But then the mental nagging started.  I "should" be doing lots of other things - housework, office work, etc. 

So I wasted so much time arguing with myself, I ended up drinking coffee with baileys and laying on the sofa reading all afternoon. I did finish the 3rd book in the 50 Shades trilogy.  (blush)  I think my next book choice will be a little more serious :)

I have this piece of wool that has been taunting me.  I have been hoarding it, waiting for the right inspiration.

This is a crappy iPad picture but the wool is very rich and pretty.  But I don't have a clue want to do with it.  All I know is I want to cut it up and use it.

Any thoughts?  Something simple and primitive?   Hookers Block......what a pain!



A bright beginning

The long weekend in May is the traditional start of summer around here.  And it couldn't have started out on a better foot. The weather was ideal and the smell of fresh cut grass and barbeques filled the neighborhood air.

Yesterday and today I got to enjoy some sun out on the deck.  I relaxed, read, and drank my morning coffee watching the birds zip around the birdhouse.  Nothing is better than starting the day like that.  It gives me that little bit of me-time that is kind of rare around here.  Plus I even got a little color on this pale skin. 

I have even managed to hook a fair amount this weekend.   This is just a sample.  I will show you the finished results soon.   I need to hook 6 squares before I can cut the fabric.  Three done, three to go.

I was still dreaming about that stupid scallop burger.  So, I decided to make my own.  (Its just not the same when someone doesn't serve it to you!)  I must say, it was tasty!  And I have enough scallops left to make another tomorrow ;)

The evening sky is pink so that means another great day tomorrow.  I'll meet you on the deck in the morning with a coffee.  Days off are fabulous!!

Weekend update

I found this on pinterest today and thought it summed up the weekend quite nicely.

The storm we were supposed to get didn't really materialize as predicted.  No snow, in fact the rain and plus temps melted quite a bit of it.   Gotta love it when that happens. 

However the wind was worse than expected.  After chasing my compost bin across the yard twice, I resorted to bungee cording it to the back step.    But I should have also tied down my rain gutters.  The gutters over the back porch are now bent, mangled and hanging precariously down on one end.  I'm going to have to find someone to fix that soon or else someone will get whacked in the head.

Just to give you an idea of the wind - yesterday 2 tractor trailor trucks blew off the highway just on the outskirts of town.  Yes - - - blew over.   Here is a pic I stole borrowed from facebook.

I have a large pot of chili simmering on the stove for supper.  The smell is driving me crazy.  I made the mistake of having a beer while I was making it, and now I am so hungry.  And supper is still 2 hours away.  Its gonna be a long 2 hours.  Hmm, maybe another beer will pass the time??

And lastly, I finished hooking the mat last night, without any major reverse hooking.   I might give myself a few days off before I start something else. 

Tonight I'll be watching the Oscars.  Not that I am such a huge movie fan, but I like to see what everyone is wearing, who looks ridiculous, who should be dragged off the stage in a large net, and yell bad things at the TV when someone wins I don't like.     Should be fun!!

Weather, projects and a blank canvas

All week the weather reports indicated a storm for Friday.  Snow, rain and freezing rain - the triple threat.  Earlier in the week I had booked off Friday afternoon for another committment.  The weather prevented me from travelling but I still took the afternoon off.

I cuddled up with Millie in front of the fireplace and watched the snow blow by the window.  I love afternoons like that (especially during the week).  I even turned the ringer off on my blackberry. It is nice to have no distractions for a few hours.  I knit another chemo cap while I was in between hooking projects. 

Although the snow accumulation wasn't much, the freezing rain caused a mess.  This morning I had to chisel out both cars and the walkway.  Doing that with a windchill of minus 10 was not a fun job.  I suppose I should look on the bright side - at least it wasn't a foot of snow.

This afternoon I finished the binding on my auction rug.  Now I'm all ready to start something new.  I have a half yard of linen and a new pack of sharpies.  Yippee   I have a few small mats in my head.  I don't want to do another bigger project for awhile.

Now its time to think of a few little ideas to reduce the supply of wool strips that are multiplying.

And so it begins . . . Part 2

I knew the weather was too good to last.  The weather witch was right - the first storm of

season arrived as predicted.

This was the view from my office window this afternoon

And so it begins . . .  Winter.  BAH

Within a very short time after the snow began there were multiple fender benders throughout town.  People seem to forget how to drive in the snow from year to year. You could see morons flying down the streets and then skidding and sliding through stop signs.  Sheesh

It is still snowing with some rain mixed in.  Just a perfect combo for a mess.

There is only one thing that could warm a cold, frosty heart on a day like this

- - - - -

Coming home to find a big box of Heavens to Betsy wool had been delivered.

That almost makes the weather tonight tolerable. 

I hope all my American friends have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day

filled with family and friends.



Torn between two lovers

Last night I found myself torn between 2 lovers.  What a dilemma.   What to do, what to do ?

The basis of my problem . . . .

The conflict of  Dancing With The Stars and Sidney Crosby's triumphant return to the hockey arena on TV at the same time . . . .

It was Part 1 of the DWTS Finale  but Sidney, Nova Scotia's hometown hockey hero was playing in his first game in over 10 months after an injury.     Oh, the stress of it.

Then it came to me - a technological triumph . . . .  watch DWTS on TV and follow the hockey game on my iPad with the Hockey Night in Canada App.   GENIUS   I didn't miss a thing.  The wonder-boy scored the first goal and then another with 2 more assists - 4 points. 

I don't even like hockey that much but had to witness Sid's return, and I was not disappointed.  It was certainly all the talk around the office today.    And equally impressive was JR's performance on DWTS.  Fingers crossed he takes home that tacky mirror ball trophy tonight.

And since I'm here typing I might as well tell you about a little wardrobe malfunction today.  Only me, right ?  Murphy's Law is back over my shoulder.  

Today was the flu shot clinic at work for employees.  I forgot and ended up at work wearing a top with the sleeves too tight to pull up high enough and a neckline too tight to pull down far enough.  And of course we do 2 employees needles at a time in the same room  - - without a screen.

Do you see where this is going ??  In my time slot I was paired with a male employee. . . .  naturally.  After a few minutes of contemplation - What the heck - I turned my chair around, told him not to dare peek and pulled my arm out of my sleeve exposing half a bra.   The nurses were keeping an eye on him and we were laughing.  The good part is that he was so scared about getting the needle, I doubt he was worried about me.  Plus I doubt a young guy like that was really interested in peeking at me  - - I'm just trying to make myself feel good.  LOL 

I better go find the snow shovel in the basement.  The weather witch says a storm's coming.

Rumor has it......

Rumor has it that this was the first official weekend of Autumn.   That is what everyone is saying.  That is what the calendar is saying.

However, the thermometer was saying something else all weekend.  It felt more like July than the tail end of September.   Even the trees are slow catching on.  This photo was taken last year.

Maybe it's some kind of twisted karma that ever since I bought new Fall duds for cooler weather  - the temps have climbed to the mid to high 20's.  Today I was sweating in shorts and a T-shirt.  Sorry gals, until it cools down I won't be modelling my new purchases for awhile.

I had a bit of a stomach bug yesterday and spent much of the day sleeping on the sofa.  I hate it when I waste an entire precious weekend day.  Plus that meant I had to cram all the weekend chores into today.  The last load of laundry is now folded and I can pull a few loops on my rug while I watch the premier of Desperate Housewives.

I also switched the furniture around in the "Christmas" room.  It is actually the front living room that we never use - except for at Christmas time.  It is going to become my study room while I start my new courses.  I got notice on Friday that my first set of text books have been shipped so I  moved things around so I have a cozy little study corner away from the chaos and the constant stream of company this house receives.  

Time to see what is happening on Wisteria Lane.   Have a great week.

Boredom breeds productivity

It's not something I say very often but today I was bored.  Too much talk of Irene for days and I have been glued to the news reports on the storm all weekend.   Why?  Who knows. 

I spent a lot of the day on-line with family in Vermont and Massachusetts.  They are OK.  Some minor problems with their homes and properties but nothing too bad.  It was humid and calm here all day with rain on and off.  The wind is starting to pick up now but Irene has pretty much tired herself out by the time she passes over us later tonight.

As I said, the boredom led to lots of munching.  Good thing the major storm threat has passed because I have eaten through most of my emergency junk food.  I even sampled some of the emergency bottle of wine this afternoon :)   Well........I was bored.

It got so bad that I resorted to finishing the snowman rug AND I even whipped it.   Now you know it was bad because I hate whipping and finishing the rugs.

Now that I look at the picture, I notice a wonky snowflake.  It was one of the first experimental ones and it appears I forgot to re-work it.  Hmmmm, maybe the recipient won't notice???



A late bloomer

Todays weather was certainly not an indication that "Irene" is on her way.  It was a beautiful sunny late summer day.   Not so for some of you along the eastern US coast.  I have been watching the news reports and hope Irene continues to weaken. 

We are not in a direct line of her path but are still going to be affected by the outer bands of the storm by this time tomorrow.   Wind and rain warnings have already been issued here.  I have taken all the outside furniture inside and tied everything else down.

I noticed this late bloomer in the planter a few days ago and decided I better take a photo before it drowns or blows away.  The 2nd sunflower has finally bloomed.



Todays Happy List

Yes, today is a happy day.  And none too soon, as yesterday I found myself having a little pity party.  BUT I am over it. 

My list for today:

#1 - I woke to bright sunshine and warm breezes.  Not a cloud in the sky actually.  And no humidity so my hair no longer looks like a crazed poodle.  The past 2 days I looked like some crazy science experiment gone wrong.  Like - stick your finger in this socket and see what happens!  lol

#2 - As I was reading the blogs over my morning coffee I discovered I won the giveaway from Teri at White Sheep Farm blog.  Yippee and the prize is WOOL.  My favorite thing!  She had such a generous giveaway with 3 winners.  (Shhhh, Lauren won too)

#3 - The air conditioner at work was fixed today.  It was getting a tad bit uncomfortable the past few days but we are nice and cool again now.

#4 - The AWOL handyman appeared out of the blue this morning.  He arrived to mow the lawn.  Boy, did he get a surprise when he discovered I had hired someone else to do it last week.  It was a field.  You could have almost lost Millie in the weeds.  Apparently he had hurt his neck and was sick for over 3 weeks.  (Not sure why he couldn't use the phone - but whatever)  He left with a new list of chores  (hahaha)

#5 - Auntie called me around 10am to say the Roofers had arrived.  YIPPEE........  I was home at noon and they are moving right along and I am so impressed with them.  They are even cleaning up as they go.  One side is already stripped and 3/4 replaced at 1pm.   The one downside to this is that Mom and the dog are both having nervous breakdowns over the banging and the confusion. 

#6 - Today is a HomeCare day so it is the VON nurse that will have to deal with them.  (Again Hahahaha)

So, what is on your happy list today?

Too cold for May

It is just not right that you still need a sweatshirt in the afternoon of late May.  There is just something wrong about the whole thing.

Gardens and flowers are about a month behind here.  And the scattered few hours of sunshine this month are just not enough.  I am hoping that the month of June will make up for it.

This morning I spent a little me time.  I had to drive to Parrsboro again.  Last weekend we were there and did a little shopping.  When we arrived home one of the necklaces I bought was not in the bag.  I called the store and she put it aside for me.  So this morning, I went to pick it up.  Even though it was grey and drizzly I did enjoy the drive and having a few hours alone with my thoughts.

And last night I finally started my new hooking project.  I have my mojo back.  Last week I felt like I was spinning but a few hours alone today has me centered again. 

You didn't think I was going to show you the whole thing all at once did you??  That would ruin the surprise.  And it might be a big surprise for all of us because I am going outside my color comfort zone.  I'm winging it.   

Millie hasn't made an appearance here for awhile.  She was polite enough to interrupt her nap to give you a little hello.

One last thought - I am impressed with the dedication and persistence of the blog community.  So many have found creative ways to continue communicating despite the tech issues with blogger.  There are several different hints out there for finding ways around the problems.   Maybe some of us should work for blogger - maybe the problem would be fixed by now!

Eeeeek.....

It was only a matter of time.  I knew this day would come eventually, as it does every Spring.

Last night, as I took Millie out to do her business, I was under attack ---  JUNE BUGS.........Eeeeek

Hitting my head, pinging off the siding, their disgusting hard shells crunching under my flip flops in the dark.  Arrrghhh   I hate them.  I imagine they will get caught in my hair and I might actually have to pick one out.  Oh, the horror !!

All the while, I'm screaming at Millie - "Hurry up, they're going to get us!!"  

Thankfully they are only around for a short time.  Then it's the earwigs - oh joy oh bliss. 

On a less creepy note - I have lost my hooking MoJo the last week or so.  I can't get going.  I have blank burlap, wool etc but nothing that makes me want to hook.  So I popped into Deannes at lunch and asked Brenda to find me a small project to get me moving again. 

We picked out this very funky flower.  Perfect for inspiration.  Actually it really reminds of Cathy's work at Orange Sink.  And since I love her patterns I had to try it.  I know it won't match her fun style but it will be fun for me to give it a whirl.

And....I bought myself a new camera lens and it arrived today.  I hope the weather forecast changes so I can test it out this weekend.  I have to stop buying lenses now or else get a larger camera bag.  This one does not have a zoom but takes a wider angle shot for landscapes etc.   The photography lessons start in a couple of weeks so I want to practice.

Oh, and in the interest of public safety I did have 1 cookie last night.  Just one though. 

TGIF

Fiddleheads and Sunday ramblings

Mmmmmm, it's fiddlehead season again in Atlantic Canada.  I love these marsh greens and you can only get them for about 2 weeks a year.  I waited in a small line at the produce aisle of the grocery store as people scooped them up.   They are tender young ferns that grow in marshy soil. 

I posted about them last year and got lots of funny comments.  They do taste better than they look.  I like them hot with melted butter and a splash of vinegar.

I'm going to try and eat healthier and am going to seriously try and stop stuffing myself with crap in the evenings.  I have always been a night-eater but I guess I don't have the metabolism like I did in my younger days.  I have been digging out the spring/summer clothes and tried on a pair of last years pants.   I even tried laying down on the bed to fasten them and it didn't work.  That was the last straw.

I turned on the Wii Fit Plus today.  The program keeps track of your progress.  When it started up it said my last visit was 440 days ago.  OMG.....................   So I weighed myself, set a weight loss goal for the next month and exercised for an hour.   I'm going to try and keep this up for awhile.  I refuse to buy all new pants and shorts for the summer.  But all I really want tonight is a can of Pringles......Give me strength........

I finished binding up the birdhouse rug too.  I was rushing to finish hooking it and now I can't remember what I wanted to do for a new project. 

This is how I finished the backing, with a little whipping and some binding tape.  I am going to Moncton later this week to try and find some of those printable fabric labels.

I have my long work day tomorrow.  We have a Committee of the Whole meeting after regular working hours that can last anywhere from 3-5 hours.  Most nights we are home around 8pm but we have been know to go til 9pm.  That makes for a loooong day.  I hope it is short tomorrow night so I can get home in time for DWTS.  (Priorities, right!)

One more thing before I go - I would like to ask you to stop by and visit Miss The Sea blog. It is a sweet little blog from a New England gal.  She took a blogging break for a few months but is back at it again and needs some new followers.  The blogging community is all about supporting each other.  You won't be disappointed.

Have a great week. And lets all hope it stops raining soon.

Sunday assembly lines and long distance coffees

There is a saying around these parts that if you don't like the weather, wait an hour and it will change.  

Today it started out grey and extremely windy.  After lunch the rain came and it came in sheets.  Around 4pm it was bright and sunny.  Weird....

I did get back to hooking this weekend.  I didn't get much accomplished last week.  I think part of the reason is that I am bored with my current project.  I have been working on a few of those hooked sachets.  I didn't want to waste any of the excess rug warp by cutting it so I decided to fill the entire piece with them.  But I really want to get to something else so I'm not really motivated to finish.

Instead of a fun project, its starting to feel more like an assembly line.  One after the other - the same old thing.  Yuck.....   Just two left (yippee) and then the tedious task of finishing.  Blah.....   I'm not sure why I'm in such a hurry because I really don't have a specific project in mind.   I am expected my copy of Primitive Quilts and Projects magazine this week so I'm sure I will get inspired.  The reviews have been great so far.

This morning I had a long distance coffee with my friend Kim - via email.  We email back and forth and its just like we are sitting at some kitchen table chatting about nothing and everything.

Its been kind of a joke between us about random ramblings.  And if you read any of our emails you would understand.  We hop from topic to topic with no rhyme or reason.  But I smile everytime I see one pop up in my inbox.

Tonight I'm going to try and finish the last 2 sachets and then get to bed a little early.  Tomorrow is one of my long days at work.  Another reason not to like Mondays!

Ohh, I almost forgot.....Thanks you all so much for the lovely comments and messages for Mom's birthday post.  You are all so sweet and they meant alot to me and I'm sure they would have meant alot to her also.

A surprise and not an April Fool's

As previously mentioned, work has been busy lately so  I decided to take a vacation day today.  After Wednesday I thought if I have to look at another spreadsheet I'll lose it for sure.

So this morning I decided to do a few random errands.  Because I was on vacation I headed out in comfy clothes and no make up.  A decision I would soon regret.  Lol.  After a few stops I ventured towards Deanne Fitzpatricks Rug Hooking Studio.  She recently posted pics of some new pillows she created and I wanted to peek at them. 

I'm chatting and browsing and three ladies walked in the door.  I looked at one of them and recognized her right away.  It was Julia from Of Petals and Wool.  We have been blog buddies for awhile but have never met.  I said "Julia, its me, Kim".   It was so much fun.  She grabbed me and hugged me.  Nobody else knew what was going on but after we explained everyone had a good laugh.  She was travelled to a Fiber Retreat with her daughter and a friend.  I think her daughter thought we were crazy for a few seconds.

Then, of course, she and Deanne got their camera's out.  Ladies......never leave the house without makeup !   You never know who you might run into who is going to post your picture on their blog.  A lesson I learned today !  I'm sure Julia will post them after her weekend retreat.  I warned her not to post any that looked "troll-ish".   Hahaha

It's so much fun to meet a fellow blogger and especially so unexpectedly.  It was a last minute decision to pop into Deanne's but I am so thrilled I did.

Oh, and Mother Nature has a nasty sense of April Fool's humour.  It is snowing and freezing rain mix.  We are supposed to have 7-10 inches of snow by morning.   Not funny at all Mother Nature !

Looks like Spring is on the way

I have never seen the snow levels drop as quickly as they have in the past week.   It has been a slow steady melt.  I can see a change everyday.  I can now see all 3 back boards on the backyard bench.  I am sure by tomorrow morning I will be able to see the seat - if not more.   And with a forecast of rain for most of the weekend, all this dirty snow could soon be just a nasty memory.

I finished hooking the little Spring mat last night. 

It isn't bound yet because there is still enough room to the right to hook another small mat.  Now all I have to do is think of something.  The hit and miss squares pillow is also still on this same piece of rug warp.  So by the time I design and hook another small mat I will have 3  projects to bind at once.  And you all know how much I hate that part of the project !
Oh and here is another fun update on my 3 vacation days - remember 2 were spent with the migraine and I woke up this morning with a sore throat and cough.  Isn't that just perfect ??  Its not too bad - just more annoying than anything else.  

Have a great weekend.

I can smell it

At last - I can smell it.......SPRING is in the air!   Today the temperature climbed to plus 8 and you could actually see the snow banks getting smaller.   Happy Dance....

By supper time I could even see a top corner of the backyard bench peeking out. 

Its actually the first day I was hopeful that it really might happen this year.   I love March.

Before I get to the rest of the day, I have to tell you about breakfast.  Last week at hooking a lady told us about this recipe for french toast.  I tried it this morning and it is my new favorite.   Put some vanilla and cinnamon in the egg mixture.  Dip the bread in the egg and then into crushed corn flakes (like breading chicken).  In the frying pan that corn flake coating crisps up really nice.   Now for the best part - instead of maple syrup melt a little peanut butter and drizzle on the top.  It sounds odd but it was sooo good.  She also suggested if you want to get wild - melt a handful of chocolate chips and drizzle over the peanut butter drizzle.  I had none in the house but might try it next time.

Once my tummy was full I finished hooking the little hit and miss project.  I decided it will be a pillow.

I want to start a few little Spring rugs so this one isn't as large as I originally intended but I needed to move on.  I can't sew it up yet because I am using the excess rug warp  for the new little mats. 

With a spark of an idea and a desire to see how that great new wool from Heavens to Betsy would hook up I grabbed the cutter

And here is a little peek - Spring is now on my mind.   Can you tell?

Have a great week

Blue Bird of Happiness ??

BLUE BIRD OF HAPPINESS, MY ASS!

It's Friggin' Freezing. There's snow up my ass, all the food's covered with

3 feet of this white shit, and you want ME to sing?

What?? Anne Murray's "Snowbird"? Piss Off!!

Next year, I'm flyin' to Jamaica, and smokin dope!!

Due to the fact that we are AGAIN in the middle of ANOTHER storm, I thought I would share with you this message I received today.  LOL

TGIF and a new project

It's Friday.....and I took a vacation day today!  After a long, busy week and I couldn't wait one more day for the weekend. 

I have a plan to get all my chores done quick today so then I can just chill out for the next couple of days. There might even be a martini in my future.  Mmmm, its been awhile.

Yesterday the temps climbed to above zero and we actually had some melting!  The sun was shining and you could feel the difference in everyone's mood.  But as I am typing this post, and looking out the window, it is snowing again.  LOL  Seriously!  Geez.   I think my martini just turned into a double tonight!

I have a new project on the go.  I am taking a 4 week workshop from Deanne Fitzpatrick on hooking a landscape. I'm excited because I am no good at that.  Being wild and expressive with color makes me break out in hives!

Right now I am at the favorite part of any project - When it still has potential for greatness.  I haven't ruined it yet - I haven't made some fatal mistake yet that frustrates me to the point of abandoning that piece of burlap.

 At this point I am forcing myself to not think.  I am just grabbing a handful of amazing colors and textures and just going with it.  Deanne has provided us with a selection of beautiful materials and each of us get to select our own colors as opposed to being provided with a ready-made kit.   Can you imagine the fun - literally like being a kid in a candy store.

Here is a close up

 I am really loving hooking with the fancy yarns.  Our "homework" is to continue working on the field part of the rug before next weeks class.  Cross your fingers that it continues to look like a field.