The Stash

Sometimes cats are behaviorally so much like humans it's scary.

I've been getting ready to whip the edge of my little Amish mat.  I was sure I had a little ball of brown yarn left from another rug but have looked everywhere and couldn't find it.  No great surprise in my messy house!
So Kami had a skein of brownish variegated yarn that she donated to the cause.

I was saving this project to take along to the Blue and Gray hook-in on Monday.

On Sunday I noticed Reggie in the bathroom playing with SOMETHING, running and jumping and thrashing around with something BROWN.  Would you believe it was the long-lost little ball of yarn???

It had been months since I had last seen this ball of yarn, but suddenly it was out in the open and being played with. 
Which brings me to The Stash. 
Cats, like so many of us, have their stashes.  They are hidden away where we don't often look, behind cupboards, in the back of the closet, under furniture where only they can go.  We give them toys and think they've lost them when we no longer see them, but they KNOW where they are!  My first cat, Woody used to have food stashes.  His favorite was a partial pack of saltines that he kept under the kitchen cabinet and when I wouldn't give him something he wanted, he'd go eat from his stash.  There are stashes of toy mousies under Zip's desk and an oak cupboard in the living room.

But darn it!  I wish they wouldn't appropriate things from MY stash!

Here they are helping me finish the edge.  Weighting it down counts, right???  Adding a little extra fiber is a good thing???

Extra fiber!

Double kitty weights!

Izzy daydreaming of the next project.

Stealing the yarn, again!

The innocent Penny.

The mat is finished.
I took pictures with different color settings on my camera.  The differences are amazing and NONE of them are accurate as my eyes see the color.  What to do???

The pictures I took at the Blue and Gray hook-in seem to have more realistic color.

Our featured rug artist this month was Lina W.  Here is a sampling of her work.

This is Doris's lovely Adam and Eve rug.  It's all finished except for binding the edge.

I didn't get to the hook-in until late.  Things at home conspired against my best efforts.  But it was a good time with a nice crowd of ladies attending.

I'm happy to report that the thyroid medication seems to be working.  I have more energy!  Things are getting done without so many 'tired' days where I'm totally nonfunctional.  With the days getting longer and the cold weather easing up a bit, I feel like there's a light at the end of the tunnel.

Onward to Spring!

Productive In-The-Kitchen Weekend

I think I've mentioned before that there is nothing in the kitchen I find more enjoyable than baking loaves of bread.  The 'ultimate loaf' is an illusive fantasy that keeps luring me on.

I have been fascinated by the efforts of Thomas on the A Growing Tradition blog to find that same wonderful loaf that I am seeking.  He has been using several books to guide him.  Last week I ordered a few books of my own.

The Bread Bakers Apprentice is quite technical.  I hope I have the brain power to do it justice.  After reading and debating I decided to make a one-day recipe to start out. 

This is my cranberry pecan bread.  It's yummy, with a nice crust and moist interior.  It makes a superior breakfast toast. 

I think next time I will tackle one of the breads that you start and put in the fridge overnight and then do the shaping and baking the next day.  But that takes planning....

Then I decided to make a cheesecake for Kami's birthday dinner that Mom was making today.  For years I've used a Cooking Light recipe that has turned out good every time I've made it.  It's not quite as heavy and calorie-laden because you can use low fat creamcheese and some egg whites in the crust and batter.

I cooked a sauce from blueberries I had frozen during the past summer.

I'm sorry my pictures aren't the greatest.  It was very sunny in the kitchen yesterday.  I have a very small simple camera.  With the flash, things got too light and bright and without the flash they seemed dark. 

During the down time, while waiting for bread to rise and things to bake, I did some hooking.  My Amish couple is finished except for the binding.

In the natural light coming in the window.

Without the flash.

The true color is somewhere between the two. 

I'll save the binding to work on at a hook-in.

I've signed up for an online challenge on Rug Hooking Daily and also joined a few others in a knitting group at Knitting At Large.  The RHD challenge piece I won't be able to show as it progresses.  The knitting is not a secret challenge, so I can post progress.

Stay warm everyone!

A Much-Needed Day Out

Yesterday I ventured to Chambersburg for the meeting of the Cumberland Valley Hookers.  We had a room full of ladies, even a few new recruits.  I think everyone wanted to have a nice day out before the Big Storm arrived.

I'm just going to show the pictures and let you enjoy.

I took my Amish Couple project, but with talking and catching up on what everyone else was doing, I didn't get much done.  I hook so much better when I'm home by myself with an audio book. 

This morning I did get some hooking done.  What else can you do (housework, I think NOT!) when it looks like this outside?

I was getting nervous about running out of colors because I'm using up little pieces of 'stuff' in my stash.

There was just enough to do the sawtooth edge if I was careful with the placement of a few of the colors.  I'm still debating the border.  Are they at the 'used buggy dealership'???  Used car lots always have those colorful little flags decorating the the place.  Hmmmm!

What I was trying for was a quilt-like border, but I don't think it turned out that way.
I'm going to put a 3/4 inch border of black on the outside yet.

Meanwhile the kitties are up to their usual mischief.

They have modified their fountain.  We had this for a few months and it was a good investment for both drinking and entertainment.  Sometimes they take baths here.  Once in a while mousie takes a swim.  Or are they trying to drown him?  But there was something about this cap that fit on the top and controlled the water flow that needed to be 'fixed'.

See, Mom!  It works so much better since we removed it!

I can't even wash the thing without them all hovering around the kitchen sink watching and waiting for it to be put back on the floor.

Here they are in the trash can.  They love to play in it after being emptied and a new bag was put in.  Penny's headlights are ON!

 Innocent-looking Isabell is the little hoarder of stolen goods.  On second thought, she does have a certain look in her eyes.

She was seen running through the kitchen with this in her mouth!

When Zip yelled at her, she promptly scooted under a cupboard where he couldn't reach her or the socket.  Planning a destruction project, Izzy?

Penny is helping me at the computer.

This is a little smile of satisfaction because she knows I can't do a darn thing with her sitting on the keyboard.

Hope the Big Storm does not cause you too much inconvenience or extra work.
If at all possible, stay home and hook!

An Award!

I wish to thank Cat who writes the Cat's Cats blog for awarding me the Stylish Blogger Award!
This is a surprise and I feel so honored!

Those of you who read her blog know that Cat is one of the kindest and most caring people you will ever meet.  Through her writing and her actions she encourages supporting your local shelter, neutering and spaying, and keeping cats indoors for safety.  Her own four lovely kitties were all homeless shelter kitties before she adopted them.  And lucky little guys they are!  Cat not only makes sure they are physically well-fed and cared for, she also tries to make sure they are the happiest cats possible.  Read the story about driving for hundreds of miles to pick up Jimmy (formerly named Ash).  Check the pictures on her blog.  You will see what a dedicated Cat-Mom she is!

THANK YOU, Cat!!!

Cat actually gave me this award several days ago, and I am just now posting about it because I have been pondering my choices for passing it on.  I probably take things too seriously, but it is meaningful for me to receive an award and I want to pass it on in the same spirit.

It is supposed to be passed on to seven other bloggers.  I have decided on three.
There are lots of nice big fancy blogs that everyone reads and comments on, but I wanted to choose ordinary people who do good things in their life on an everyday basis.  These are people I admire even though I have never met any of them in person.

My first choice is Lauren from Rugs and Pugs.

Lauren is the Angel of Pugdom!  She is a volunteer with Ohio Pug Rescue.  She fosters these dear little furry ones who have been abused and neglected until a forever home is found for them.  She provides food, vet care and a loving home to these furry ones who have had very little kindness in their lives.  Many of these dogs have multiple physical problems and trust issues.  Lauren, thank you for caring!!! 

My second choice is Kim from Millie's Mats.

What a woman!  Kim works full-time in a stressful job dealing with The Public.  She single-handedly takes care of two elderly ladies, her auntie and her mom who has health problems.  She is assisted by her little dog Millie.  Through the good times and the frustrations Kim manages to keep her positive attitude.  She manages her household and job with wit and a zany sense of humor.  Kim is a classy lady who keeps me laughing with her wonderful stories.

My next choice is Thomas from A Growing Tradition.

This young man and his wonderful vegetable garden are simply amazing.  For a person who is fairly new to gardening, he has grown some of the most beautiful vegetables on a small backyard garden.  He chooses organic and sustainable methods of gardening to reduce the detrimental impact on the planet and give his family fresh toxin-free food.  He is also an excellent chef and bread baker.  Thomas, your heart and hands are doing a good thing!

And now for the really hard part.
I'm supposed to tell seven things about myself that my dear readers may not know.  Being a kind of 'spill your guts' and 'heart on my sleeve' type of person, I don't think there is much I can tell that you don't already know.
It's pretty obvious that I'm old, fat and have gray hair, so I can skip that one!  Hehehe!

1.  Once while I was in the woods, a squirrel jumped out of a tree and landed on my shoulder.  I didn't scream, just stood still until he ran down my back.
2.  The only foods I really dislike are licorice and black walnuts.  There may be others, but I haven't found them yet.
3.  I always buy cars with a gear shift instead of an automatic transmission.
4.  I'm a really boring person.  I can't think of any other interesting (or NOT!) things to say about myself.

The acceptance speech for my award has been postponed until the evening of the Golden Globe awards.  It will then be televised.  I've taken so long to write this post that I just need to QUIT!

Those of you to whom I have passed the Stylish Blogger Award may take the badge and put it on your sidebar and pass the honor on to those you think are deserving.  Thanks for being an inspiration!

Get out of Jail! Free!!!

Before I get started on my post I want to mention that I've noticed a few new followers have joined my blog recently.  I want to thank all of you who have just joined and those faithful friends who continue to read my posts.  Please know that I do go to your blogs and read your posts though I don't always have time to comment. 

Welcome New Readers!  Dear Old Friends, I'm so happy when you stop in to read and comment!

Aaaaaah, the sweet taste of freedom!

I feel as though I have been handcuffed to the sewing machine for the past week-and-a-half.
Brad and Kami were getting ready for a major WW2 re-enactment and had lots of orders to fill and kept getting more at the last minute.  And of course, many were passed along to me.  Don't get me wrong!  They did their best, working from early morning to late night on this stuff.

In the past two weeks I made three pairs of piped shoulder boards, three bedsacks with pillows, repaired a dirndl top, made two pairs of men's pants and a  child's heavy wool overcoat.  I had to make up the patterns for the pants and overcoat.  Drawing patterns causes severe anxiety! 

I did have the comfort of loving kitties while I was working.  Izzy loves to lounge in fabric.

Deiter joins the confusion and decides that this is the ideal place to give Izzy a bath.
Come on, guys!  The table is getting a little crowded!

Zip usually leaves his guitar case on my loom next to the sewing table.  Penny loves to snuggle down inside and take a nap.

Penny and Reggie are a tangle of kitty body parts on a messy shelf where I keep supplies.

'By the way, Mom!  Your sewing is interfering with my nap!'

Everything is finished and was delivered yesterday afternoon.  The kids are leaving for Fort Indiantown Gap tomorrow.  Then all Zip and I have to do is feed their kitties.

So today I am out of sewing incarceration!  Absolutely FREE to do whatever I wish.
It was a nice change to get up in the morning and do dishes (can't believe I said that!!!).  Yes, they piled up nicely while I was otherwise occupied!

On Thursday, my friend Willa is coming here to make tamales.  I've been researching tamale dough recipes on cooking websites.  I like the milder flavor and fluffier texture of ones that made with a canned hominy base.  After reading quite a few recipes, I formulated my own ideas and wanted to try them out ahead of time.

My tamale dough recipe:

1 can of hominy (a can the size of a regular soup can)
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
1/2 cup shortening (or lard, the traditional way)
pinch of salt
Chicken broth as needed to make a smooth, soft dough  (less than a cup)

I put all the ingredients into the food processor and blended until the hominy was finely chopped and incorporated into the cornmeal, adding chicken broth a little at a time.  I wanted the dough to be soft enough to easily spread on the cornhusks.

My filling was ground turkey breast, some cumin, taco seasoning and cilantro, with some finely diced white cheddar cheese and some cream cheese.

I will be taking pictures of the whole process when Willa and I make them again on Thursday.

I put the tamales in my bamboo steamer and cooked them for about a half an hour.

The dough turned out perfectly light and fluffy.  I wish I had added some more spicy kick to the filling, maybe adobo sauce, but that's for another day. 

Darn!  I wish I had some guacamole!!!

Are We There Yet???

The journey toward Spring seems to be a long one.
At least we did not get quite the mess that was predicted-  snow, freezing rain, sleet and dire road conditions-  until lunch time today.

By the time I got up at 7 a.m. it was all over but the gray look.

Yesterday I had a routine doctor visit.  I talked to her about the fact that I have No Energy.  We discussed seasonal depression and history of depression and decided that medication was probably not the way to go.  She said that my thyroid is 'sluggish' and recommended medication for that in hopes that it will perk me up a bit.  There was the mild lecture about Losing Weight.  Now that's depressing!!!
On the whole, I'm doing pretty good for an old fat lady.

The week ahead is going to be filled with sewing for Brad and Kami.  They are going to a large WW2 event at Fort Indiantown Gap next week and there are lots of orders that need to be finished.  After that I have been promised a vacation so I can do some fun crafty things.

Meanwhile, the cats entertain (pester) me by hanging about on the sewing table.  Izzy sits on top of my embroidery machine, looks out onto the front porch and issues verbal threats to the stray kitties who gather to eat.

  
Oh, she now sees a more reachable victim.
Yeek!  Look at the CAT HAIR on the dust cover of the machine!

Is that a raccoon in the trash can???
Only Reggie innocently playing in the papers, threads and fabric scraps.

The fun is over, Reggie!
Hehehe!  Don't I look like the Evil Big Sister???

 Oh to have the life of a young cat!  THEY are not lacking energy!

Recently some of the rugs that I had loaned to Linda at Grant Street to hang on the walls of the shop have returned home.  This the first rug I ever hooked.

My sister and I first became interested in rughooking after seeing an exhibit at the Washington County Art Museum in Hagerstown, MD.  They were featuring rug artists Mary Ann Storm, her mother and grandmother.  We contacted Mary Ann and found that she gave lessons.  We were ready!!!

I wanted a rug that was dark and primitive.  I had collected a small stash of recycled wool, a limited palette.  With help from my teacher, I dyed the greens for leaves and grass.  I hate to admit how long it took me to hook this rug!

My Amish couple rug is progressing onward.  You will notice that the man's hair kind of blends into the background.

I yanked out the plaid that I used for the outline and put in black instead.  A small change, but I think for the better.  I'm not sure yet if I like that sawtooth border.  I may have to give that some more thought.  But is it worth the effort for such a silly piece???

Well, that's it.  Hasn't been a very exciting week.  LOL!
Hope at least some of you are having a much more active life!