Friday-Fill-in 96

1. My favorite food seasoning is butter - oh, that doesn't qualify - then how about garlic?

2. The clinking of knitting needles or the hum of my sewing machine is music to my ears.

3. Lucky is being there at the right time in the right place.

4. My health is something I take very seriously.

5. Many people consider me a friend.

6. Milk and Bread was the last thing I bought at the store. Those things just seem to disappear quickly around my house.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to catching up on the shows I taped while I was gone, tomorrow my plans include maybe taking a ride to Brattleboro and Sunday, I want to go to the last Sunday School class of this special class I am taking, reading, and as usual knitting and/or quilting a bit.

You can play here

Yes, I'm home after 3 wonderful days at a quilting retreat...More tomorrow!!!

My Corner of the World...

Unfortunately there are no photos today...but, I have to share what happened yesterday with all of you.

I got to pet a baby lamb that was still wet from just arriving into this world!!!

It was so cute - solid black and little fuzz on it...his mommy smelled my hand and it was so fun to feel her breath on my hand...

Plus there were three other little babies that has been born that morning in the barn too...We were able to hold them in our arms...

It was an awesome feeling!!!!

Friday Fill-In #95...

1. Right now, I'm feeling energized! The brisk fall air seems to do that to me...

2. Right here in the moment is where I want to be.

3. How does one find the time to get to all the festivals, art shows, and fall activities that seem to be happening every week?

4. Planning a budget which includes a line item for fun things keeps me on track.

5. Please don't ever lie to me - it really ticks me off.

6. Being with family and friends fills me with joy.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to finishing all the pre-quilt retreat items that need to be done, tomorrow my plans include helping at a dog walk and going to a yarn shop and Sunday, I want to finish up my Sunday School class, relax, and read!

You can play here!

My Taste in Art...

Your result for What Your Taste in Art Says About You Test...

Balanced, Secure, and Realistic.

8 Impressionist, 4 Islamic, -7 Ukiyo-e, -4 Cubist, 0 Abstract and -16 Renaissance!

Impressionism is a movement in French painting, sometimes called optical realism because of its almost scientific interest in the actual visual experience and effect of light and movement on appearance of objects. Impressionist paintings are balanced, use colored shadows, use pure color, broken brushstrokes, thick paint, and scenes from everyday life or nature.

People that like Impressionist paintings may not alway be what is deemed socially acceptable. They tend to move on their own path without always worrying that it may be offensive to others. They value friendships but because they also value honesty tend to have a few really good friends. They do not, however, like people that are rude and do not appreciate the ideas of others. They are secure enough in themselves that they can listen to the ideas of other people without it affecting their own final decisions. The world for them is not black and white but more in shades of grey and muted colors. They like things to be aestically pleasing, not stark and sharp. There are many ways to view things, and the impresssionist personality views the world from many different aspects. They enjoy life and try to keep a realistic viewpoint of things, but are not very open to new experiences. If they are content in their live they will be more than likely pleased to keep things just the way they are.

Take What Your Taste in Art Says About You Test at HelloQuizzy

Retreat Time...

The next few days will find me cutting fabric and organizing my quilting supplies.

Why?
Because I'm going on my very first ever quilting retreat!

I am so excited...

The Retreat will be at Mt. Ascutney Ski Resort which is maybe 15 miles from home at the most. Included in the retreat will be my own bedroom/bathroom in a very nice condo - there are three bedrooms/bathrooms, living room, dining room, and kitchen. Also included will be seven meals and we have use of the entire ballroom which will become quilt headquarters. There are walking trails and an indoor swimming pool...

There will be photos - I promise...

Blogger was a little crazy today - and would not let me comment on any "Blogger" Blogs - but, I did visit everyone's blog.

Loon Mountain Trip...

Saturday, Janet and I met up for a trip to Loon Mountain. The ride up was beautiful and the colors astounding. Never having been that far up in New Hampshire - it was fun to see the scenery.

This is the Loon Mountain Gondola Skyride - and since we both have a thing about height - I was hoping that it would be a nice ride - and not scary. The ride turned out to be so quiet and so easy that you would have never known that you were traveling about a mile and a half up a mountain.

The view looking down the mountain as we traveled.The sky tower was fun even though I only climbed up to the second level. Janet walked up to the top. You could see Mount Washington from there - even though it is 27 miles away (which translates into a hour and half drive - depending on traffic.)

Lovely yellow leaves.
Isn't this little cabin gorgeous! We both thought it would be the perfect place to live. Janet and her dogs, Wolf and Max, would be so happy there with all that space to run around in.
Me - I could really love living up there - Can you imagine how awesome it would be - the view would be awesome year round. The only thing would be that it would require the sky way, or the ski lift, or maybe a really nice snowmobile to get around - cause it is at the top of the summit.

I love this photo - actually I was trying to take a nice close up - but, instead I got this neat photo where the leaf is blurry and the background is so clear - you can see right through those holes in the leaf.
Here is another shot of the tower...

There is even an amphitheatre at the summit...

Little cat ears at the top of the mountain - at least that's what Janet and I thought they looked like. Lunch was at a really good BBQ place. Janet had the salad pictured above - and it looked so good. She said the veggies were so fresh.
I opted for a BBQ pork sandwich on Texas toast, slaw and home cut french fries! Oh.so.good.

I know I had a lot of fun and it was so great to meet up with Janet. She is just how I expected her to be...warm and friendly! I think our personalities meshed pretty well...and I look forward to getting together again.

More Goodies...

I've had a winning streak lately...and most of it has been for leaving a comment somewhere!

Over at SewMamaSew, she does Free Friday Fabric...and I had left a comment on a cute quilted kitchen rug...and that comment won me the five fat quarters you see - they are Amy Bultler's Quilting Solids. Aren't the colors great!!!

Over at Rabies on my shoes, my name was drawn twice for sending in some hats for the 300 hats project - which actually ended up being over 900 hats!!! Won two Yarn Harlot books! Some interesting tea, and body lotion (with winter coming that will be really useful!)

But, to be honest, the biggest prize was getting to see photos of the people with their new hats and knowing that they will be warm this winter.

It seems that if you comment during the month over at Harlequin American Authors blog - your name goes into a hat - and they pick someone to win a book from a couple of authors. Shelley Galloway's The Mommy Bride was one of the ones I won. It is next on my "to be read" stack!

It's been a fun month!

My friend, Pat...

My friend, Pat, is an awesome crazy quilter! Recently, I commented on her blog about some gorgeous bracelets that she had made...

Well, Pat, insisted that I have one - and asked me which was my favorite...of course, the purple one took my breath away. Is it not gorgeous? This bracelet will be on my wrist a lot...and I love the fact that she used magnetic closures - cause I can put it on real easily!

But, imagine my surprise when I turned it over and found the words "find your muse" on it. Is that cool or what? It just seems to be made especially for me...
She also sent me some lovely yarn that she says she will never use...She knows me well! She knows I will use it. Pat, I can't even begin to thank you for the beautiful bracelet. I've already gotten several compliments on it...and know that I will every time I wear it. It is gorgeous! And, you, my dear, are extremely talented!

My Corner of the World...

This is one of my favorite places to hang out! Try to take myself there once a week! It is one of the local Chinese restaurants...China Delight. It is located on the circle around the roundabout.

The food is good! Reasonable! And, you certainly get plenty to eat. This dinner (pork chow mein, pork fried rice, and chicken tenders) was less than $5.00. (Lunch prices which end at 4:00)

But, the thing I like most about it - is that they actually are glad to see you walk in the door!

Friday Fill-In #94...

1. Follow the Yellow Brick Road - what else could it be?

2. My camera and my knitting is something I always take with me on vacation.

3. To achieve your goals, you must believe you can achieve them and work toward them.

4. I never learned how to ride a bicycle as a child and still don't know how is something I'd like you to know about me.

5. I have a lot of fabric, yarn, and books.

6. Ivory Soap floats. (Well, it's more polite that what originally came to mind.)

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching a movie (American Psycho), tomorrow my plans include hanging out with Janet at Loon Mountain and riding the Gondola Skyride and Sunday, I want to attend church, finish cutting a quilting project, and working on my mystery socks!

You can play here

Alpacas and Yarn...

Remember these little guys? Yep, they are the ones I tried to win. Well, I didn't win them...

But, I have visiting rights! Yep - my friend, Sue won them...and she told me I could go see them any time I wanted to.
And this would be the beautiful yarn I bought. It is 100% alpaca, 330 yards, DK weight. The name of the yarn is Canary Feathers - but, I have to tell you - it is the same coloring of a parakeet that I used to have when I was young. The yarn comes from a farm called Nightingale Fibers!

Ten on Tuesday...

10 Bands/Artists That Remind You of High School

1) The Beatles - they had 8 or 9 of the top 100 songs of 1964

2) The Supremes - who can forget "Baby Love"

3) Martha and the Vandellas - Hey, they were Dancin' in the Streets

4) The Drifters - They sort of hung around Under the Boardwalk

5) Dionne Warwick - she made millions for herself and some song writer named Burt.

6) Johnny Rivers - The hunky guy that was always at the Whiskey-A-Go-Go

7) Four Tops - they could sing, dance - they had it all.

8) Roger Miller - the college beer drinking song - Chug-A-Lug, Chug-A-Lug

9) The Temptations - Baby, I Need Your Lovin' was played a lot at the prom.

10) Lesley Gore - It was her Party and she cried all the way to the bank.

You can play here!

Wool Tour 2008...

My first - but not my last - New Hampshire Wool Tour! I loved it! The truth of the matter was that I was only going to go to one stop - #3 on the list - Washington. But, the drive up there was so gorgeous - while there I decided to head on to all the other stops - and am I glad I did!

The roads that were chosen to get you from place to place were mostly back roads - in some cases dirt roads - covered and surrounded by trees showing off their most beautiful leaves.

Let's talk babies first - these two boys were being raffled off - if you donated some coin to the NH Food Bank. My name is in the pot to win them...don't even go there - I know I live in an apartment...but, I have a plan!!!

Aren't they the sweetest looking little things. The white one is Matthew...and the brown one is 50/50
Matthew is a hummer - and if you hum back at him he comes up and nuzzles you...gets right up against you with his sweet little face...

This one girl and I started kidding each other about who was going to win them ... and it seemed that at the next couple of stops we ran into each other - and we'd laugh and tease each other about the sweet little alpacas. When we were leaving the last stop that we would see each other at - she said to me "If I don't win them - I hope you do!" The same goes for her - If I don't, I hope she does.
The drive was majestic - Oh...the colors just blew me away. Honestly, I think this is the most colorful fall we have had since I moved here. On the way up outside a graveyard on Route 10.
The photo opportunities were everywhere -
Trying to learn how to frame my photos better - did I do it on the photo above???

This waterfall took my breath away...on the other side of the bridge - it is a nice beautiful stream that is just starting to become a fall - then it goes under the bridge and becomes this gorgeous waterfall. Could have stayed there for hours...next year I'll pack a lunch and plan on taking a break right there.Lots of pumpkins too - at this stop - It is actually the number 2 stop - but it was my 4th stop. The two tents at the top housed vendors. There was a lot of roving to be had - and yarn - and knit items.
Here this woman is spinning right off the rabbit - if you click on the photo - you will see more clearly how she has taken his "fur" off of him - and you can see how different he looks in two spots.
And, at most of the stops there was music...a harp player at one...
And a group of young musicians at another stop.

It was great fun...I am so glad I took the day to do this...

Stopped on the way home for a nice dinner at the Appleseed Restaurant in Bradford...

I'll show you what I bought in the next day or so - I was very thrifty this year...

My Corner of the World...

Well, you can tell it is an election year everywhere you turn. With twenty-two more days before we cast our vote things are cranking around the small towns of New Hampshire.

The Democrats have their headquarters on Pleasant Street -
And, the Republicans are at the beginning of the roundabout.

Both picked prime locations! An area where most motorists pass on an average of twice a day!

But, I have to admit - I will be glad when the election is over and all those signs have disappeared!!!

Busy, Busy Day...

Just walked in the door!

The morning started with a craft show at Colby-Sawyer College...bought 2 photo magnets, 5 decorated envelopes, and three candle holders!

Next was the NH Wool Tour - oh, did I have fun! Went to all five of the sites and traveled a ton of New Hampshire back roads that would take your breath away...and it was a great day. Did not buy any yarn except for one skein of alpaca (330 yards) DK weight and it is gorgeous!

Took tons of photos...and will share with you soon...but, for now I am going to rest...it was a long day behind the wheel!

Friday Fill-In #93...

1. One of the best concerts/plays/movies I ever saw that I really didn't think I'd like was Silence of the Lambs. (As a matter of fact I never saw it until it had been out for about two years.

2. Hash Brown Casserole is a recipe I recently made (or meal I recently ordered) that was delicious!

3. It's time for me to be thinking about what I want out of my life. Seems that it has been a time of regrouping lately.

4. Pink Lemonade is quite refreshing.

5. If I never hear the word(s) pit bull with lipstick again, it'll be too soon.

6. To one side of the curving road was a heavily wooded area, and on the other was a steep drop off.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to taking myself out to dinner and relaxing, tomorrow my plans include going to an art show and on the Wool Tour and Sunday, I want to go to church, finish knitting the second clue of my mystery socks, and read!

You can play Friday Fill in here!

Not Much Of A Surprise!...

Today, I had zip...then my friend, Rhonda, had this little quiz over at her blog. So I thought I'd try it...

And, you know what - it's pretty much me!

You Are a Bette!

You are a Bette -- "I must be strong"
Bettes are direct, self-reliant, self-confident, and protective.

How to Get Along with Me
• * Stand up for yourself... and me.
• * Be confident, strong, and direct.
• * Don't gossip about me or betray my trust.
• * Be vulnerable and share your feelings. See and acknowledge my tender, vulnerable side.
• * Give me space to be alone.
• * Acknowledge the contributions I make, but don't flatter me.
• * I often speak in an assertive way. Don't automatically assume it's a personal attack.
• * When I scream, curse, and stomp around, try to remember that's just the way I am.


What I Like About Being a Bette
• * being independent and self-reliant
• * being able to take charge and meet challenges head on
• * being courageous, straightforward, and honest
• * getting all the enjoyment I can out of life
• * supporting, empowering, and protecting those close to me
• * upholding just causes


What's Hard About Being a Bette
• * overwhelming people with my bluntness; scaring them away when I don't intend to
• * being restless and impatient with others' incompetence
• * sticking my neck out for people and receiving no appreciation for it
• * never forgetting injuries or injustices
• * putting too much pressure on myself
• * getting high blood pressure when people don't obey the rules or when things don't go right


Bettes as Children Often
• * are independent; have an inner strength and a fighting spirit
• * are sometimes loners
• * seize control so they won't be controlled
• * figure out others' weaknesses
• * attack verbally or physically when provoked
• * take charge in the family because they perceive themselves as the strongest, or grow up in difficult or abusive surroundings


Bettes as Parents
• * are often loyal, caring, involved, and devoted
• * are sometimes overprotective
• * can be demanding, controlling, and rigid


http://www.helloquizzy.com/tests/are-you-a-jackie-or-a-marilyn-or-someone-else-mad-menera-female-icon-quiz

Breaking Out...

I am so excited! Have joined up with a group at Ravelry that is knitting a mystery sock.

You're thinking that's what the excitement is all about - she's knitting a sock! Please!

No, no. Let me explain...It is the Socktoberfest Mystery sock written by Kristen Kapur from Through The Loops Designs. Each week we will be given a clue and must knit that portion. So, far the cuff is done on two socks and will be starting the leg portion tonight.

But, what is so very exciting - is that I am breaking away from knitting socks from my same standard pattern...the one they taught me when I took a sock knitting class. Having knit about 8 pair of socks from that pattern - decided it was time to break out and be daring and try something new!

Wish I could show you a photo - but, you gotta wait! There are others knitting the same sock and we don't want to spoil the surprise - now do we?

Ten on Tuesday...

10 Great/Awful Things About Television Today

1) Great - DVR - the fact that I can record something and watch it without commercials.

2) Awful - Political advertisements - they should be banned!!!

3) Great - The Mentalist (new show) - really like it.

4) Great - The Dance shows - Dancing with the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance - both of those I really like.

5) Awful - Local news from 5:00 until 6:30 PM - who the hell needs that much damn news! It's all a repeat every half hour!

6) Awful - the notice that keeps coming on about the HD thing that is coming in February 2009.

Of course they started the notice a year ago.

7) Awful - the notices telling you what is coming on next - they are usually at the bottom of the screen...and agravate me.

8) Awful - the football/basketball/whatever sport that always runs over on Sunday - so that all the shows get pushed back...and if you aren't home and using your DVR it gets all screwed up!

9) Great - Food TV - I love that channel and have learned a lot about cooking from it.

10) Awful - That all the good shows are on at the same time on the same night on different channels!

If you want - you can play here.

More Color...

Lobster! Now that is colorful as well as delicious! This was last night's dinner along with some boiled blue potatoes slathered in butter! This little guy was about 1-1/2 pounds...and the grocery store steamed him for me.
Mentioned that I go by Otter Pond when I go up to see Mom - well, this is Otter Pond. The colors should be changing even more throughout these next few weeks.
The sea grass was blowing in the wind - and at the base of the tree colors were cropping up.
Looking along the shoreline the trees are showing off their color.


Such loveliness. Just makes the ride so much more fun to see all the glorious color!
I love Fall!

My Corner of the World...

A few days ago I mentioned that the I got a call from the local bookstore telling me Free Range Knitter was in...so I thought I'd show you around Violet's Bookstore! Violet's is lcoated on the circle and there have been photos of the front of it before.

Walking in you are greeted by a ton of books, nice book bags, cards, and local artwork. All of which is for sale.
Love browsing the bookcases - they are neat and orderly...and a ton of books to choose from.

Violet's is the original name of the bookstore - and was the name of the previous owner. The new owner, Laurel, kept the name. Laurel is very friendly...and you can tell she likes books!

There is just something so special about a bookstore...happy times! And, it doesn't hurt that the name is a shade of one of my favorite colors.