Where has a week gone?

Last post was a week ago.  Hmmm, let's see what has happened since then.  I have been blessed ... spent the weekend with a very dear friend.  As always, it was a time of enjoyment and refreshment.  Returned to closet and house cleaning.  A ride in the fall crispness and this lovely visit was inspiration to getting the house prepared for the holiday season.  In years past one of my Christmas trees would always make an appearance on Halloween ... yup, you read that right ... Halloween.  I would usually decorate from October 31st straight through to December 22.  Recent years have found elder care and illnesses diminishing the amount of decorating but I have to say our little grandpumpkin has put a new spunk into the mixture.  I rather doubt a tree will appear this coming Monday, but then you never know!  I did do some Christmas shopping yesterday.

On the crochet front ... my Christmas whimsyghan is completed, but not to my liking as I had expected.  A few ends to weave in yet, then to the wash and most likely put away for a time.  Maybe at another time I will like it more (but I really don't think so). 

The granny square has bitten again and now the hook has taken off  with the  Afghan Squared pattern by Lion Brand.  So I "shopped" my stash and found these lovely colors I had gotten quite some time ago.  A win, win as I love the pattern and the yarn was right there on hand!  

And ... saving the best for last ... army boy on his way for two week leave.  Here tonight, meeting his new little Godson for the first time.  My little family, all together.  My heart is full.

Joy and Blessings,

Thursday Thoughts

Love Gathers,

Greed Divides

What's Doing Wednesday

 Crafting plans ... that's what.  Since the wool festival last Saturday and some recent knitting web surfing the I want to try the knitting needles ... again itch is returning.  Not to mention a new itch for rug hooking.  Goodness, it seems like everything I see I want to make or learn to make.  Just one of those people I guess who enjoy creating things.  Oh, I do enjoy shopping, but, in my opinion, the ready made doesn't really hold a candle to the handmade.  I still have a few "seasonal" blankies that I want to do for my little pumpkin (crochet) but putting knitting back on the to do list.  We have a wonderful yarn shop not to far from here and they hold Saturday morning classes.  Their Fall class is currently underway but will check and see what the Winter project is going to be.  I think maybe it best to do something like that then I will have someone to oversee and assist.

And yes, a small rug project.  Something for a nice wall hanging.  Now to look for some supplies and a pattern. 

The only problem ... not enough time!  We'll get there, I'm sure.




Enjoy your day with whatever medium you are using.

Isn't it wonderful?

Good Day

Looks like carpel tunnel may be the thing although nerve testing is the next step ... figured that.  They did take x-rays of my neck though and found that the space between two of the vertebrae is closing in so that may be adding to the numbness and symptoms or even causing the symptoms.  The tests will determine which.  Don't see this all happening too quickly so something "to do" over the winter months, but glad I finally got moving on this.  Have to make sure these hands are good for crocheting!

Planning on visiting a dear friend this weekend.  It should be a more then a pleasant drive with the coloring of the trees right now.  A nice time to go visit.  Looking forward to this.  This is a 40 year friendship, a treasured one.  One of the blessings of my life.

Hope your day is a good one.

God bless.   

Monday Happenings

And the work week begins a little later for me today then most days.  First order of the day will be to the hand doctor.  Decided finally time to get the hands looked at ... thinking maybe carpel tunnel?  Have lived with this for a long time, many years now.  Some days worse then others.  I think we so often learn to deal with things and work around the problem  but I heard not too long ago that at some point this couldn't be fixed so I figured I should at least get looked at.  Called on Friday for an appointment and figured would get in sometime in November, maybe December and lo and behold an appointment had just opened for this morning.  Gave that a quick thought and figured I should go for the opportunity of now and adjusted schedules.  So work begins this afternoon.

Have a great day.

Blessings.

Sheep and Wool Festival, Rhinebeck, NY

Spent the day in Rhinebeck, NY yesterday at the Sheep and Wool Festival.  My first time there, but certainly will not be my last.  We had a wonderful time.  It was packed, wall to wall people, vendors ... too many to even try to count, yarns like I have never seen before and the most exquisite work, mostly in knitting giving me another tug to get out those needles and give another try!  The two friends I was with are also into rug making and I think I've been bitten by the noodle bug (noodles are the strips of fabric used for rug making) and, keeping true to my love of crochet,  Shirret which is crocheting rugs from fabric scrap.

The first stop on entering the fair grounds was ... would you believe ... Kangaroos!  We were mesmerized by these darling animals.  They are smaller then I thought and low and behold mama had her baby in her pouch.  It was the cutest thing.  Can you see the little one?

I did get a few pictures of Shirret rugs and did purchase the tool.  These are made from scrap materials, old clothing, etc.  A wonderful way to recycle as well as produce amazing rugs.

 I do believe that I am going to give my hand a try at rug hooking as well.  I did get a picture of the completed Santa  pattern that one of my friends bought.  After that the camera went into my purse and stayed there.  Just wasn't enough time and room for photos.

Most of the vendors are housed within buildings so I think other then the outdoor food vendors, weather is not too much of a concern.  We saw that when a short lived rain shower hit.  Everyone outside ran for shelter, waited for it to stop and resumed what they were doing.  There's nothing there that could dampen the spirit.  Most of where you went there were lines, there were throngs of people but I think that added to the excitement.  People everywhere, vendors or visitors, were friendly and very accomodating.  That's crafters for you, a wonderful group of people.  We came away rejuventated and more then ever ready to craft.

On the way home we talked of next year's Festival.    A good time was had by all.

Good times with good friends, that's a blessing.

Simplistic Goodness

Last week I was given two buttercup squash.   They look like green pumpkins to me.  Never had a buttercup squash before but had been told of their wonderful nut like taste and potato like consistency.  Initially I tried to cut it open to scoop out the insides to cook but holy cow, these pumpkin looking squash are as hard as a concrete block.  My husband offered to get his saw but I decided to plop it into a baking pan with about 1/2 inch water and bake in the oven.  Ahh, success.  The first one I cooked I had left in there for probably 45 minutes, the one I did yesterday was only about 25 minutes.  Both times were long enough that the skin was soft and I could easily cut apart and proceeded to make
Buttercup Squash Soup that is delicious.  And I have to mention and oh so easy! 

I simply scooped out the seeds, peeled the squash and cut into chunks.  Kid you not, eating this just like it is is wonderful, the taste is amazing.  Seeing how good this is I didn't even bother looking for a recipe.  I just  sauted a diced onion and three minced garlic cloves in oil, added the buttercup chunks, three cups of chicken broth, salt and pepper to taste.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer away until the squash breaks down.  I did slice half a  red pepper that was in the fridge and threw in to add color.  Complemented the squash quite nicely.  Talk about an autumn soup.  It was delectable and will be a keeper in my kitchen.

I found an Onion Soup recipe the other night which was given to me many years ago (probably about 20 or more).  Another very simple but very good soup ... saving that for another day.

 

Making for a Fabulous Friday

Well, first thing I have the day off ... that's for a terrific start.  Then, on the horizon is cooking, baking and crocheting and a cup(s) of coffee through it all.  Quite a perfect day at the homestead. 

For cooking, I will be making the following recipe ...someone sent me this recipe a while back, can't remember who, but I've been itching to make it.  Its for the crock pot but as I'm home today I may make it on stove top ...

Walter's Chicken Casablanca

2 Tbsp olive oil

2 large onions, sliced

1 tsp fresh ginger, grated

3 cloves garlic, minced

3 lbs. skinless chicken pieces

3 large carrots, diced

2 large potatoes, peeled and diced

2 Tbsp raisins

1/s tsp each cumin, turmeric, salt and pepper

1/4 tsp each cinamon and cayenne pepper

14 1/2 oz. can chopped tomatoes

3 medium zucchini, sliced 1 inch thick

15 oz. can garbanzo beans, drained

2 Tbsp parsley, chopped

1/2 tsp cilantro

Saute onions, ginger and garlic in olive oil.  Transfer to Crock Pot.  Brown chicken in same pain over medium heat.  Add carrots, potatoes and zucchini to Crock Pot.  Place browned chicken on top of vegetables.  stir seasonings in a small bowl and sprinkle over chicken.  Add raisins and tomatoes.  Cover and cook on high for 4-6 hours.  Add garbanzo beans, parsley and cilantro 30 minutes before serving.  Serve over rice or couscous.  (I may put this over noodles).

While that is simmering will pop cupcakes in the oven ... lemon with lemon icing ... mmmm, one of my favorites.

Then I think it will be time to get the hook moving.  The candy corn afghan and the pumpkin hat have been delivered to my little pumpkin.  My Christmas afghan is half plus done.   I thought the colors made this sort of whimsy and would be cute with a Santa hat.  I'm thinking of putting a pocket on this to hold a Santa doll.  Seeing how this comes out I may make a girlie one replacing the blue of course with pink.

Then off to see the "pumpkin".  It doesn't get better then this, at least not yet.  The army boy will be home next month on leave.  I am counting the days...

Have a most blessed weekend.

Thursday Thoughts

Don't let yesterday use up

too much of today.

-Will Rogers

What's Doing Wednesday

All over but the shouting for another year. 
Apples have been picked, crates filled and on their way to the coolers and market.  Seems like autumn started slowly this year due to all the rain but has quickly caught on over the past two days.  Beautiful colors abound.

Much ado for the week ... busily cleaning and plans being made for a Saturday excursion to a Wool Festival ... over 100 vendors, lots of yarn in all forms from the sheep themselves to shearing, spinning and hanks of wool.  I can imagine apple cider and donuts to be a much desired treat.   Promises to be a lovely day ... weather and all per the forecast.

The candy corn afghan completed with a Christmas one being worked on for the little pumpkin.  Yup, my holiday afghan has taken back burner ... again ... lol.  Maybe next year!

Hope your mid-week is going well ... take good care.

Autumn Blessings,

Warm Fall Weekend

Happy Friday
   Morning ...
     Happy Weekend.






Gorgeous Fall weather, 39 degrees when I got up this morning.  So crisp and refreshing ... but ... would you believe the forecast for this weekend is 84 degrees.   Not to sound ungrateful or anything, but these temperatures are stealing my sweater and sweatshirt weather.  My absolute favorites!!!  Oh well, I'm sure that this won't last long and I'll be sunggled in my sweats again before I know it. 

Have a wonderful weekend.

Blessings and joy.

Thursday Thoughts

If we wait until we feel good,

we will never do anything.

-St. Teresa of Avila

What's Doing Wednesday

Harvesting is still happening here in our neck of the woods and shortly will be done for another year. 

Row upon row of apple trees, heavily covered in produce, now standing bare of fruit and being readied for their winter rest.  Trucks making their way through the country roads to transport to the cities and markets. Another sign of the season.

I am grateful for the tranquility that surrounds us.  Far too often taken for granted. 

Thanks be to God. 

A Bounty of Blessings,

Tuesday Treasures

My little grandson, I call him my little pumpkin ... so what does his mama do?  She comes upon the cutest little onesie and home it comes.  I am thrilled to pieces.

Adding to the pumpkin hat, one third of a "candy corn" blanket completed.  Should have done by Wednesday and my little pumpkin will be in fashion for the harvest season.  Just started this tonight, using a size N hook and nothing more then alternating double and single crochets.  This simplistic pattern works up very quickly.  May add some motifs of candy corn, pumpkins, etc.,  if I can find what I'm thinking of.  Completed, it should measure about 36 x 32 inches.

Already thinking of the holiday season and possibly what to make.  Having a little pumpkin gives much joy to the hook.

Blessings and Joy

to Your World.