Purling Oaks

Saturday news bits

I have no organized thoughts for you all this morning so here's some random this Saturday morning.

• Yesterday was a lovely day in Wisconsin.  The sky was blue with few clouds and the high temperature was in the low 50s.  Perfect.  I had an early (7:30 AM early) hair appointment for a trim so there was no sleeping in.  My body clock thinks of time based on eastern zone, at least at the beginning of the weekend, so I was wide awake anyway.
• I still have the cough.  It isn't so wracking but I will be very pleased when it disappears.  Soon, I hope.  Today, yes?
• I need to look up Kansas on iTunes.  Charlie FM was playing one of their tunes yesterday and I had a pleasant flashback.  
• I saw this article this morning.  Parallel universe theories fascinate me.  Yes, I am also a fan of Quantum Leap.
• The rest of the weekend looks like the weather will be great.  I'm ready!  There is only a small chance of rain later today.  I want to open all the windows and give the house an airing out.  
• I'm also getting the itch to work on doing some organizing and drawer-cleaning, so to speak.  I better take advantage of the itch while I have it!
• No, I haven't purchased an iPad.  Yet.  I'm waiting for the 3G version to come out.  :D
• Although I am still waiting for official paperwork, I'll share that I received and accepted the job offer.  So, the job I've been working on/at/in(?) will continue with me.  (insert happy dance)  There has been a lot of discussion at Chez Purlingoaks about the pluses and minuses of accepting the position.  Ultimately, we decided it is best to be happy and this job contributes greatly to my happiness.  So when I am home, I won't be the grumpy and irritable person I had been a year ago.  That is good for everybody.   I'll soon be looking for a home away from home base in DC and continuing to add to my frequent flyer account.
• My number two nephew will start college at Harvard this fall, which is so very cool and we are all proud of him.  I'm glad I'll be on the east coast, too.  :D

That's it for the random today.  Happy Saturday!

Saturday's Bits

Here's another post of various and odd topics.

• Something has been raiding our bird-feeders lately and last night I saw the culprit(s)!  Three humongous raccoons!  Humongous!  Maybe the raccoons should go on the South Beach Diet and not eat quite so much whole grain birdseed and suet.....
• I must say that the black raspberries gracing my oatmeal this morning are delicious and were sourced not more than a quarter-mile from my kitchen.
• We had a nice birthday celebration and dinner for my mom, about two weeks ago.  The top favorite foods from the meal were the cherry with almond crust tart and a wheat berry with walnuts and dates salad.  The recipes for the tart crust and wheat berry salad were both from Martha Stewart's Living magazine.
• Yeah, Living started mysteriously showing up after DH ordered a gift for me from Gardeners' Supply.   I used to take the magazine about four or five years ago.  I had found it a bit tiresome then but it seems a bit refreshed.  The recipes were always good....and still are.  
• There's been a bit of knitting lately but no finished objects.  I have given Icarus another go, the socks are still growing, and a scarf in progress that I re-found have all had some hands-on the past two weeks.
• I have been spinning, but again.......
• Spinning group was this past Monday.  I really enjoy it and hope it is still going when I stop traveling all over for my job.  Someday.
• I must say that I really enjoy my current job and I'm very, very thankful to have it.
• Last weekend, we left the house about 10 AM to visit with my DMIL and family in Watertown.  We came back to a cold and dark house at 6 PM.  o.O  None of the neighbors' houses were dark.  Apparently some fuse or such had blown on the line to the house......at about 10:45 AM.  
• I need more candles.  Really.  This test of our disaster recovery plan showed a few holes in my supplies.
• I also could use one of those battery-powered book-lights.  
• And a generator.
• We received some light snow last night and there is still a bit falling this morning.
• The daytime varmints, squirrels, are raiding what remains in the feeders right now, all six of them.  Six squirrels, that is......

The remains of the cherry tart with my DU's hand ready to reach in and save another crumb.

 

Happy Saturday!
 

Saturday show and tell

Hey!  I'm back from Upper Michigan and still have two days before I have to go to work!  How cool is that?  We had a nice relaxing break, caught up with sleep, and generally feel pretty darn good.  I'm catching up with blogs today, well some, since I have 1000+ new posts showing in my Google Reader.  Busy bloggers!  I'm also conquering the laundry, packing my work suitcase, and throwing a pork roast in the oven for some yummy pulled pork for dinner.

No good sky photos for Saturday Sky but I do have a little show and tell.  The skies this past week were generally overcast and wet in my part of the world, but here's a photo that Wilson snapped this week. 

Yup, bear tracks.  He said he didn't see the bears, probably a mama and her cub, but they had walked the trail he was on before he got there on his way to tickle some trout. 

While on vacation, I auditioned some spindles to prepare for Tour de Fleece as part of Team Crankypants.    
I think the two on the right are in the running for my travel hand spindle and the pink stuff is some roving from Susan's Fiber Shop that I don't know the wool specifics of, outside of it being wool and relatively inexpensive.  It has been in the stash for a while but it is pleasing to the eye.  I'll be spinning some other natural gray wool from Woolgatherers in Fond du Lac when I'm home on Margaret, my wheel, now that we are on good terms.  I'm going to have to pay more attention to my wool, aren't I?

My relaxing included some sock knitting on the man-sock, err, socks for Wilson with my first short-row heel completed.  Love it!  Thanks for the instructions, Cookie!  I also worked on Icarus --- I've recovered reknit past my ripping and then some but I'm still on chart 1.

 There was also some reading of the latest J.D. Robb paperback, Salvation in Death.  (Still a good read but I think something was missing, perhaps the personality conflicts?) and I started Tanya Huff's Valor's Trial which is definitely calling me.  This in book four of a series.....I know I read book three in this series but I'll have to look up the other two.

Happy Saturday!

Pretty pink

My geraniums bloomed while I was away this week!  I love the petals and the pink.  I purchased this during our cold and damp spring when I visited a greenhouse in nearby Portage.  I love greenhouses in the winter and spring for their warmth and the wonderful smell of earth.  Anyway.  My mother's parents always had a geranium "tree" that lived near Grandpa's chair and, walking through the greenhouse, I was struck with an idea.  I could start my own geranium tree.  So, home it came.  It started out living in my studio because it is sunny there in the late afternoon.  However, it wasn't thriving there.  Finally, the sun room warmed up and I moved it and my poor hoya out there.  (The hoya's story is a whole other post.)  It is still in a small pot and I haven't given any thought to "training" it up, rather than out.    
But, I do like the thought of having a geranium tree in my home.  Even if it is going to have to move back to my studio for the cold months.

Travel was good this week.  Work was very busy and is challenging me enough to be interesting and a stretch but not enough to turn me into a turnip.

Wilson and I are vacationing as of today!  Woooo whoooo!  Today we attend our youngest nephew's birthday party for pizza and cake.  Then tomorrow we head up to Grand Marais, Michigan.  The house/cat(s) sitter is all lined up for what will be a short time away but it will be relaxing and a way to decompress.  More later but now I have to jump in the shower!

Happy Saturday!

Long weekend!!!!!

Here's to the beginning of a nice four-day, relaxing weekend   The relaxing theme was foreshadowed earlier this week when I met with Vicki at Kaukauna Coffee and Tea.   I'm glad we were both available Tuesday since it was a bit of a last minute call to let Vicki know I was in her part of the state.  We enjoyed coffee and then dinner and a lot of conversation.....but no knitting.  What is this, three in a row for me? 

Vicki's daughter, Ali, manages the coffee shop.  The shop has a relaxing atmosphere with excellent coffee and a very yummy turkey and havarti panini.   There's interesting artwork on the walls and a nice balcony at the back of the shop where you can sit and enjoy the river view.  Go there if you are in the area, you'll enjoy it.   I stopped in for a cappuccino Thursday morning and there was a good group of what looked like regulars at the front tables.  Yes, I may be slightly biased because I had an enjoyable visit there with Vicki but I travel alot and this is a genuine find.

Today will be filled with some shopping, a massage, a car wash, and going to the greenhouse in search of some vegetable plants.  There's some bread in the oven right now and the weather should be gorgeous.

Happy Friday!

A few random Thursday things

• There was a starling in the woodstove when we came home this evening.  Of course, we didn't know what was in there at first.  I was in the sunroom with my Wii Fit and heard a screaching/scratching coming from the woodstove's chimney.  Enter Wilson who looked inside the stove, saw nothing, then went to get the ladder.  So, one flashlight and screwdriver later, he scared the bird down into the stove.   Down the ladder, back to the sunroom, he assisted the starling back to open skies.  I played a mild supporting role by obtaining tools and verifying the existence of the bird in the stove.  Tomorrow will involve some screening for the chimney cap.  Why didn't the chimney guys put something up there last fall to keep birds out in the first place?  O.o
• The moon is almost full tonight.  With a clear sky, it really looks lovely.  (Yes, the camera batteries are dead.)
• The temporary job assignment I was hoping for materialized.  After Memorial Day, I'll be spending some weekdays in Washington, DC for the next year.  I'm definitely feeling the urge to update the wardrobe and travel bags.  I'll still be home on weekends and there should still be some teleworking happening.
• I'm looking forward to a package from a friend.
• Which reminds me that I need to send out a package.  (Now, germ-free.)
• Today's day trip to Milwaukee was productive and I had a very good meeting.
• Tomorrow is going to be a new hair color day.  Heh. 
• Yeah, the natural hair color resolution didn't last all that long, did it, Cookie?  Well, I certainly hope the new color looks natural.   It just won't be, um, unassisted natural color.  
• Why, yes, I *am* feeling much better, thanks!  :D

Wednesday Randoms

Some random thoughts as I sip the first cup of caffeine goodness this morning.....

1. I had my first dream about knitting early this morning.  In my dream I looked at a cream and pastel sweater, tunic-length, with a ribbing (lengthwise) and thought to myself in the dream "that certainly is an interesting knit pattern, I think I could make something like it."  Dreams being what they are, I was looking down at a sweater I was wearing.  The dream had a full cast:  my dad, my mom's mother (Nana), me, Blue the cat, Amtrak, and there was shopping w/Nana.  I remember coming into a room and having my dad tell me not to be too sad but Joy was dead.  Now, we had a family friend named Joy and I have an innernet friend Joy, but I really think he was telling me that joy, the emotion, was dead. 
2. Yeah, when I remember my dreams, there is something in them to remember.
3. Have you seen this?
4. I cooked corned beef brisket with boiled potatoes for dinner last night.  Yum.  I may make it once a year but I do enjoy it. 
5. And there are left overs.
6. No, I don't like cooked cabbage.
7. There are snowflakes in the air as I type.
8. Luckily, my office is in the basement so I won't have to watch them if they continue.
9. I spun for a nice 10 minutes yesterday.  Today, not much yet. 
10. Remember to flip your calendars to the next month.
11. My calendars are still clinging to March.
12. Have a lovely Wednesday!

T.G.I.F. (not original but so true)

Whew.  T.G.I.F!!!

Busy week.  Quality time in the Jeep.   Last minute presentation assignment materialized this week.  (insert crossed-eyes icon-thingy)  Restrained myself from harming my supervisor.  Took Mom to the airport in Milwaukee for a non-stop flight to California so she can enjoy the nice weather out there for two weeks.  The end of this day is looking mighty nice ---- as long as the presentation materials are finished. 

There was a lovely crescent moon this morning that greeted me as I was filling the coffee maker.  I guess the blogger in me isn't too comatose since I actually got the camera to try to document it but realized I needed a tripod.  Well, and the coffee that wasn't brewed yet.  So, imagine a lovely moon in a deep blue almost morning sky with fingers of the forest reaching up to tickle her.

Yes, I'm still working on my first cup.

Have a lovely Friday!

March stream

I did a bit of walking around Saturday afternoon.  I looked at my gardens, peeked under the lilacs and found the beginnings of crocus, and looked at the little stream.  It is a surprise stream because it appeared two autumns ago and hasn't stopped flowing since then.  We're not sure where it flows from but it looks like it may be staying, at least for a while.  Garden-wise, the German Chamomile is a lovely green and living up to the "freely self-sows" notation on the garden marker.  The lime and nutmeg thymes are looking very alive.  The rest of the garden is still dormant but may be waking up by the end of the week.

I spun more of the Autumn Oaks fiber on Saturday, too.  The bump of fiber seems to be unending but I have a few nights at home alone this week, so perhaps I'll be able to finish the singles and ply.   The Madison Guild event went by without my appearance.   Uncle Theodore's funeral was well attended and the luncheon lasted into the afternoon with conversations with family and friends.  Mother had a ride home with Uncle David (my dad's brother) and Aunt Lynnette and they met more family and friends for smelt dinner.      Sunday was the day for laundry, reading, and a little more spinning.   This week holds warmer weather, work, and more family-related stuff.

Happy Monday!

Thank you for your suggestions and well wishes.  Just writing about some of what is happening and my worries was helpful.

Chamomile and some randoms

Chamomile, pictured in the past summer's herb garden. 

I have no topic so today's post will be bits of random.

• This morning is a contrast of sunny blue sky, temperature of 15 degrees F, and snow on top of a slushy driveway that turned to ice overnight.
• I'm getting a haircut today although my goal is to grow out my hair.  I'm just getting a trim to keep it under control neat-er.
• I'm probably going to be skating today (see first point) on my way to my stylist.
• I've been considering trying a henna in my hair.  However, letting my hair assume a state of no-chemical-intervention is beginning to appeal more.  Just to peek at the "original" me, perhaps.
• Counting today, only two more days of February.  Begone and good riddance.
• I made banana bread last Sunday morning using the recipe that Cookie posted.  Delicious.
• Despite the weather yesterday, I was able to visit the dentist for my permanent crown replacement.  I *really* need to stop grinding my teeth.  Julie sent me a link to a meditation CD that I am going to try.
• I've been reading Kim Harrison lately.  I especially liked the book I finished last night, The Outlaw Demon Wails, because the heroine is beginning to gain some wisdom and not be such an irresponsible but likable kid. 
• I should send a fan/love letter to Rita Mae Brown for her beautiful descriptions of country life that I most recently read in this Mrs. Murphy mystery.  A lovely tonic for winter blahs.
• Stacey made this for me.  Thank you.  I really appreciate the squishy and technical expertise.  I'm going to figure out how to add it to my sidebar this weekend.

• I found this image on the digital camera (courtesy of DH).  Blue is snoozing, Fuzzle is on the chair and Black Dot is in the background.

• I'm definitely changing the template for the blog, too.  Darn fonts! 
• Have an excellent Friday!