I do believe I missed a few of these. Time to get back at em, since I enjoy this one so much.
To quote Patrice: Grab a seat and a cuppa something warm. It's time to chat. :-) I've got my tea.
Questions
1. What's your favorite fruit?
2. Wendell would like to know if you've ever been horseback riding.
3. Do you carry a small purse, a big one, or just a wallet?
4. If you could travel to one state for a day (all expense paid), where would you go? If you're not in the US, where would you like to travel within your country?
5. What was your first car?
My answers:
1. It honestly depends on the time of year. Right now, my favorite is oranges. BUT they have to be sweet.
2. I was one a horse once. My SIL and BIL bought a house in the country and SIL got a pair of horses. I sat on one of them for like 5 minutes about a decade ago (or it at least feels like a decade ago)
3. I have a purse that usually gets tucked into a knitting bag. The DH laughs at the fact that I open up a big bag that looks like a purse to get my much smaller purse.
4. I would love to get back to North Dakota, but if it was all expenses paid, I think I'd go to Florida, to see the ocean.
5. A Ford EXP. It was a two-seater. Burnt orange. Probably red at one time, but it was so old, the poor thing.
On Monday, Feb. 4, the little man came home from school on Monday and said: "Teacher said we have to make valentines." Don't you love how he said that? "Teacher said" Oh how it reminded me of the audio book we listened to last summer. "The Teacher's Funeral: A Comedy in Three Parts"
On Tuesday, Feb. 5, I stopped at Walmart and picked up some items for him to make Valentines. He had a blast.
On Saturday, Feb. 9, the temps were warmer than they have been so the DH took advantage and smoked a port roast. It was very tasty and as you can see it, was done to perfection. Yum!!!!!!!
Monday, Feb. 11 was yet another snow day. I haven't had so many snow days in who knows how long. It was also publishing day and I had to proof and approve pages on the computer screen and remotely. I ended up missing at least three minor "boo boos". So not happy about that. But ... it was also the Monday that Pope Benedict announced his resignation. I think that pretty much gives us a pass for any oops in the paper.
Anywho ... Here is what I saw when I looked outside my front window that day.
That same day I decided to rip a blanket that I knit during my early days as a knitter. I love the yarn and it was a warm blanket. Big needles and this yarn really didn't work out as well as I had hoped. It felt like I was putting on a yarn net or a big bunch of yarn when I snuggled up under it.
I made this blanket back in 2008. If I remember right, it's size 25 needles. I don't know if I would ever use needles that size again.
It's hard to rip because I held two boucle yarns together. So when I
rip I have to split the yarn apart and then skein it up. The blue is
one yarn, the multicolored yarn is a different yarn.
Saturday, Feb. 9 I got some fun mail from Reflections Yarn on etsy. The shop owner had a Valentine surprise yarn club. The yarn is lovely. The package also included some yummy chocolates and ...
Stitch markers! I love stitch markers and these are so cute.
I already have a sock pattern picked out for the yarn. It's True Love by Chrissy Gardiner. It's gonna look wonderful in this sock yarn.
Then this past weekend my DH finished putting a new floor in the kitchen. The old vinyl was defective or something and DH spotted this flooring at the local Menard*s.
I am so thrilled with this new flooring. It really pulls the kitchen together and it makes me happy.
I actually have a finished object for knitting. I had to take a break from my squares and decided to work on a scarf that I promised my son MONTHS ago. I had been under the impression that my son's school colors were black and orange. They are the "tigers" and a lot of the school stuff I had seen was orange-ish.
Earlier this week I had a discussion with two coworkers and they set me straight on the colors.
I asked my son if anyone noticed the scarf at school today and he said at least one kid asked him if he got it at the "paw shop" that the kids can shop when they accrue enough tiger paw tickets. I'd say the scarf is a hit.
I'm not sure exactly when this photo was taken. My son took it and showed it to me. I thought it turned out pretty good. We've been letting the turtle "walk" a little more and he's enjoying it.
I think this is a great close up. You can see his grumpy old man face and those little things that are on his chin.
Last week I had a cold bug and it didn't treat me very well. As they are usually prone to do. It could have been worse, but thankfully not.
I was also bogged down with work so I didn't get much time to revel in my misery. Oh well, I'm all better now.
I took a few pics off an on during this last week and I think I'm going to post those later on this week. There are a few memories I want to share/keep.
So ... yeah :-)
Yesterday we had a snow day because we had another snow storm. Icy bits of death fell from the sky before the snow came. It makes for bad road conditions and the school districts closed down. When the one system closes schools, my work building closes for the day as well. However, it was a publishing day for me and the paper still needs to go to press. So I didn't get to fully enjoy the snow day. Though in between emails I got to do things that I couldn't normally do at work, like laundry, cleaning and frogging an old knit project. Fun stuff and good times.
The news about Pope Benedict resigning threw my workplace into a tailspin. I work in the Catholic Press and we had to scrap our front page and rework a few of the other pages. The next month or so is going to be a very exciting time because this is history in the making.
So that this isn't a totally photo-less entry, here's a picture from my drive home today.
Remember when I said that we just had a snow day yesterday? There are puddles on the road. It was over 32 degrees F today. We are supposed to get more snow this week. I have always thought this particular train under (over?) pass was interesting. The road goes down so it will go under the traintrack. Then a couple miles past this is a railroad crossing and you have to stop at that one. The graffiti says "Under."
Outside my window... The sun is just starting to rise. The sky is slowly turning from pitch black to that lovely midnight blue color.
I am thinking... about the announcement this morning that the pope is resigning at the end of this month.
I am thankful... for having some quiet time this a.m. It doesn't happen too often.
In the kitchen... At some point today I will be making a yummy carrot cake for work. We were supposed to have a potluck today for Fat Tuesday. We got a snowstorm and now the office building is closed.
I am wearing... Warm clothes, long johns and hand knit socks.
I am creating... Alas, I'm not feeling very creative right now.
I am going... Nowhere today. Roads are bad and travel is advised against.
I am wondering... Why people have to be such buttheads on the internet. One of the video podcasts I watch is going on hiatus because of cyberbullying.
I am reading... Nothing at this time. I haven't been in the mood to read this week.
I am hoping... That the next snowstorm we have is NOT on a publishing day.
I am looking forward to... Spring!!!
I am learning ... How to drive on these snowy winter roads, particularly at night.
Around the house... Nothing too terrible exciting around the house. I'm learning that I really like puttering in the kitchen and making glorious creations and disasters.
I am pondering... Lent and the upcoming conclave.
A favorite quote for today... One of the greatest freedoms is truly not caring what everyone else thinks of you.
One of my favorite things... My son's excitement when he woke up this a.m. and found out there was no school.
On and off the needles … Still those squares for the swap. At least one square needs to be redone because it's too big.
I’m currently spinning …:-( Nothing.
Things that bring me joy this week. One thing that brought me joy this week was watching my son make Valentines. Another thing happened last night. I made a new to me bread recipe and my dh said that it made for the best pork sandwich he ever ate. That is was a real treat.
A few plans for the rest of the week: Nothing too exciting. Going to keep working on the squares for the swap. Lent starts this week. Oh and I'm sure I will be puttering in the kitchen some more.
A peek into my day...
This was from last night. I tried making a copycat version of the subway bread. It was quite tasty.
Outside my window... The sun is shining, the sky is a very pretty blue. There are some clouds but not enough to hid the sun. The temp. is 7 degrees F out but it feels like -7 degrees F. I can see the wind is blowing because the branches on the trees are moving.
I am thinking... I am thinking about what work I need to do for the upcoming week. I have lots to do at work and not much space to put it all.
I am thankful... That I don't have to go anywhere today. It's nice to have a quiet day at home. Yesterday we did what errand running we needed to do. We got our shopping done before our son had to go to bowling. We were home by 1:30 p.m
In the kitchen... This morning I made a loaf of bread and a second batch of buttercream frosting. The bread is probably not my best loaf. The buttercream is divine, naturally. But I'm not too keen on the cake mix I used. Duncan Hines. The cake "peeled" when I put the buttercream on. Not good. I'm glad I didn't have to bring that cake anywhere. Usually I use Betty Crocker or Pillsbury cake mixes.
I am wearing... A t-shirt and pajama bottoms. No handmade socks this time.
I am creating... Peace of mind. After an episode at work this week, I realized that I'm probably doing better in this area that previously thought. I've also learned I can handle conflict better than I used to.
I am going... to enjoy this day. A slow day once in a while is good for the soul.
I am wondering... Am I getting sick? I had a sore throat but now a cough is developing.
I am reading... Currently I'm in between books. The last book on my shelf is Article 5. Looks like this is the start of another trilogy. Wish I could remember how I found out about this book.
I am hoping... that the weather man was correct when he forecasted that the next week will be slightly warmer.
I am looking forward to... seeing each day get just a little big longer. Since I have the longer drive to and from work I realize how spoiled I was by the short drive I used to have and always being able to be home when the sun was still out.
I am learning... to enjoy the small things.
Around the house... around the house is now, but not enough to snow blow. Yes, that was my sad attempt at being cheeky.
I am pondering... about letters. Last night I finished "The Light Keeper's Legacy"
and in the book you are reminded about how important letters are.
Letters people write to each other and the journals they kept. Not only
are they important to yourself and your family's legacy, but they are so
important if you had an unusual job, such as being a light house
keeper. It's that day to day, so-called mundane stuff that people will
want to know about down the road. Will that all be lost thanks to
email?
A favorite quote for today...
Hey, don't write yourself off yet
It's only in your head you feel left out or looked down on.
Just try your best, try everything you can.
And don't you worry what they tell themselves when you're away.
Recognize that? It's from "The Middle" by Jimmy Eats World.
Remember, it's okay to not follow the crowd.
One of my favorite things... Naps. They can help a person feel so much better
On and off the needles … I'm working on square #14 for the swap I'm in.
I’m currently spinning …:-( Still nothing.
Things that bring me joy this week ... It was my son's birthday this week and Friday afternoon during dinner he stood up on his chair and said he had an important announcement to make: "That I have the best family ever" Made my heart melt, just a little bit.
A few plans for the rest of the week: Nothing exciting at all.
A peek into my day... A couple nights ago my husband and I were out in the back yard and we found these hoof prints. HUGE I tell ya. At least six inches across.
Today is my son's birthday. He's 8 years old. It's so true about time going by fast. I still remember bringing him home from the hospital. A couple weeks ago I found a "baby's first calendar" that I had but I didn't keep up the calendar towards the end. That part is a shame. However, it was a lot of fun reading the little notes that I took. I think my favorite two notes where when we raised the height on his walker. His dad called it "putting in a lift." The second one was "fell off grandma's couch." I had forgotten about that until I read it. My son used to love laying on his grandma's couch and taking a nap.
On the way home today my son said "Wow, it sure feels different picking your nose when you are 8."
Oh boy!
He also told me how a lot of the kids were nice to him today and that they weren't as nice to the other kids that celebrated their birthdays so far this year. (Does that make sense?) Kids let him go ahead of them in line, said nice things, and he even got a nice note from a couple of the girls in class that wished him a happy birthday.
Maybe it was the homemade cupcakes I made?
Homemade butter cream frosting and yellow cake. Yum!
Monday on the way to work a deer ran out in front of me. In the past deer have either stuck by the side of the road or walked right in front of me and I had plenty of notice to slow down. Not this one. He or she bolted right out in front of me.
Then on the way home a deer ran out in front of me again. Twice in one
day. Can you believe it? This one kind of sauntered out and didn't
cross the road very fast.
This was the first time I thought I was actually going to hit a deer. Do you have any idea how green I'd feel if I hit a deer my first winter out in the country. I don't know if I could live that one down.
Great. ... now I probably just jinxed myself.
This past weekend I made up some homemade root beer. This is my newest hobby acquisition. My husband indulged me and bought me lots of what I need to keep this hobby going for a while.
Root Beer Float
Honestly, I would have never thought about making homemade root beer until I watched a gal do it on a video podcast. After watching her I felt a bit empowered and I got the book from the library. I don't know if I will expand my horizons and try other things. Right now we are content with the root beer.
This batch of root beer turned out way better than the other one. It was pretty cool to pour it and see it fizz up just like the store bought stuff, but it was all natural carbonation. Awesome!
Earlier this week I stopped at my MIL's and tried to pay attention to the kittycat. When the family moved to the new homestead it was agreed to let the cat stay with my MIL. CeeVee is an older cat now and she's more bonded to my MIL than me.
I tried to talk sweet to CeeVee and she hissed at me and then went over to my MIL and gave her lovings.
Being the mature person that I am I said: "Expletive you CeeVee! I have another pet that loves me."
Nice, right?
Yeah.... I'm so mature.
So, who loves me?
How can you not love a face like that?
We rescued this guy last summer during the height of the drought. He's got to be the most spoiled and pampered snapper in all of the U.S. He's very docile and actually kind of sweet in his own way.
My son named him Koopa (from Mario) but I call him Mr. Turtle. My husband just calls him "turtle"
This past weekend I took my first video of him.
This morning the temps were in the negatives again. The weather people say that it's going to warm up this weekend. It takes me around 15 minutes to drive to my son's latchkey and I still didn't have heat when I dropped him off.
When I started leaving the parking lot the sky was beautiful. I don't think I've seen sunrises as pretty as the one's I've been seeing since we moved. On that comes very close was when I watched the sun rise over Lake Superior when I was in the hospital the day after giving birth to my son. If you ever get the chance to see the sun rise over Lake Superior -- do it! You won't regret it.
Anywho, these iPod photos are from this morning. The sky was this gorgeous blue. And clear. No clouds.
.JPG)
