Lately We've Been....

Under the weather.  Zip and I have had nasty head colds and coughs.  Mine is nearly over, his still persists.

Throughout my days of feeling yucky, Deiter was right by my side.  I could not have asked for a better companion.

Sunday was a lovely fall day.  I finally felt good enough to venture out. 

I had gotten an email from a woman who has a soapmaking business, Handmade Soap by Patsy.  She is from Halifax, PA and was going to be in my area for a craft show at Pine Grove Furnace State Park.  I agreed to meet her and spend the afternoon.

Riding down the road I was fortunate to go past an Amish home where they were having their Sunday meeting.  The Amish do not have church buildings.  They meet in members' homes for their spiritual message, food and social interaction.   There were many more buggies than I could get into the picture.

I didn't do a lot of walking around at the craft show since I was still recovering.  I know there must have been a lot of other interesting things to see, but I went directly to Patsy's stand where we  had a nice afternoon of conversation in a beautiful mountain setting.

I like her nice, tasteful display in subdued colors.  Aaaaah!  The fragrances are wonderful and some of the soap names are quite colorful!   She also has her own formula lip balm and healing salve.  All of the soap is made by hand using a variety of vegetable based oils. 

Notice that I got one called 'Witches Brew'!  Hehehe!   Or maybe cackle, cackle!

And the bundle includes five different soaps so that you can sample.  My kitties received a nice bag of dried catnip as a gift from Patsy. 

I've been using her soap for the past few days.  It makes excellent lather, doesn't dry my skin, and smells delightful.  If you are interested in purchasing some of her soap the email address is soapbypatsy@comcast.net.

Yesterday I attended the hook-in at Grant Street Woolworks.  There wasn't a big crowd there during the day, just enough people to have a good conversation.  Joanne and Nettie came from way out in eastern PA.
As usual Joanne was 'finishing'.  She always seems to save her whipping for these occasions!

Aren't her little chairpads cute?

Kathy is working on her bird rug that she designed herself.

Nettie's rug looks like an antique.  She's planning to do the border in a lovely dark red.
I haven't had a chance to talk to her for a long time.  It was so nice that she could come and join the group.

Jill is working on a rug for her son.  It's a cute rug with little sailboats on it.

Linda is showing off her new earrings and eating crackers.  She had been working on her rug, but stopped for a much needed snack.  Rug hooking is hard work!  It makes you hungry!  That's why there is always food at hook-ins.

Here's her partridge in a pear tree rug.

The shop is looking good!  :Linda and Kathy have made up lots of nice seasonal kits.
A nice gift to encourage a new hooker or a small easy project for a more experienced one.  We all need 'easy' once in a while!

I've finished the hooking on my little logo rug.  It's going to need some major blocking!  Somehow when I was doing all that 'hit or miss' on the corners I didn't realize that doing it on the bias might be cause for concern.  Plus all around the edges of the heart my background is hooked on the bias.  The whole thing has become slightly distorted from the stretching of the burlap. 
I sure hope steaming will do the trick.  I may have to pin it to a board until it's thoroughly dry.

This time of year with the cool breezy days and the chilly nights makes me want to cook comfort food.  Must be my PA German ancestry, that farmer influence!
It's time to fire up the woodstove and cook one-pot meals.  I dig in the fridge and bring out things that need to be used.

I had two smoked turkey sausages
Some turkey bacon
1/2 head of cabbage
A large onion
and lots of little red potatoes from the garden that were too small to peel.
Season with salt, pepper and paprika.

I sprayed the pan with cooking spray and added the meat, browned it and added the cabbage and potatoes.  Put the onions in after that had cooked for a while.  Then just saute until the veggies are tender, making sure it doesn't stick, adding water as necessary.

Very hearty and satisfying with some crusty bread.  And so easy!



Until next time , enjoy this wonderful fall weather!