a silly tale

A few months ago at work, I met a young Indian woman amidst the cookbooks. She asked if I knew of any baking clubs around. Baking clubs? There are several book clubs. But she loves baking, and was looking for a club. Well, we ended up chatting at least twenty minutes - but nobody came looking for me, so I guess it was all right. Since then I've run into her at the library every few weeks, and she tells me what she's made lately, saying she'll bring me a sample.

Well. I was at the supermarket with a full cart, and parked it near the ladies' room. Christina was right there looking at vitamins, but I didn't say hi because I really had to go. I came out - my cart was gone. A cart was there, but not mine. I thought, "Now I have to go all over the store, looking for my shopping cart!"  But I had this feeling that if I could find Christina, that might be the answer. I took a few steps and then we spotted each other. "Christina!"  "Lisa!" we exclaimed.  I said, "You have my cart."  She looked, and we both ended up laughing and hugging each other like two sillies. She told me she'd been thinking about me lately, and had actually gone to the library earlier that day to bring me some goodies, but I don't work Saturday. And here I was anyway, at the market, later on!  Funny. Of course, she didn't have the goods with her.

But she did show me a photo later in the parking lot; like a mother with pictures of her kids, she had a photo of a chocolate cake she made for some friends. She really does love baking.

handwarmer giveaway

That was my one thousandth post, the other day!  I suppose maybe I should celebrate it.

And since I'm on such a roll making these snuggly warmers, it may be that somebody out there would like a pair for themselves. They are one hundred percent wool and a basic one-size-fits-all. My hands are small, and they're fine for me, with room.

If you're interested, leave a comment here - up until Friday, and then I'll have the drawing. How time goes by!

a snowy month

Saturday it snowed all day, steadily. All day, and in the end maybe two inches. Funny. Tomorrow sounds similar.

We seem to be getting all of winter in one month.

something in common with mushrooms

Apparently, just like us, when mushrooms sunbathe the light they absorb turns into vitamin D. Then, when you eat them you're getting the vitamin! How nice. 

So don't forget to put your mushrooms out in the sunshine before you cook with them, and they'll do you a favor.

the journey

"There is only one journey. Going inside yourself."

                  -   Rainer Maria Rilke

an apple a day

for St. Valentine's Day

stalactites

My brother went outside suddenly this afternoon and I wondered where he was, until I heard the chopping and stomping on the roof, and the glass-like tinkling sound of breaking ice. I didn't realize it was that bad.

We do have icicles hanging from the eaves here and there.

But then he came in with a four foot long dagger.

from Wikipedia -

"Any material which is soluble, can be deposited as a colloid, or is in suspension, or is capable of being melted, may form a stalactite."

gifts received, gifts to give

Because we have been forgiven, we know the way of forgiveness; because we have been healed, we know the way of healing; because we have known God, we know the way of God. The gifts given to us are gifts for us to give.

                                            -  Magnificat,  February 2014

thrilled to pieces

I have a bookcase in my bedroom which was full of books, on every shelf. But I just couldn't stand that any more.

I guess I'd seen enough glossy photos of bookcases with empty spaces in them - was it possible that I could pare down my collection in order to make spaces?  I've also been so inspired by Carmella's blog - she, her husband and three boys, living in a 665 square foot space. The idea of keeping only what you need, and is of practical use to you. 

So, the top shelf; I took out all of it, dusted it and put back what was useful, a week ago. Some stacked and others standing, all in the name of interest. Oh, how neat and appealing it was! A few days later, the second shelf. The same result.  And the other day, the snow day, I tackled the other two shelves. Oh, the spaces I now have! The library is receiving my unneeded books.

I even have shelf space to put knitting!!  Wonder of wonders.

socks on straight needles

We got this new book at the library about using straight needles to knit your socks. The author has invented a special way of doing this for those who have a hard time with multiple needles. I've gotten over that issue but it looks interesting all the same, and I have some Wool-Ease I want to use up. I did the gauge yesterday, and cast on today; we'll see how it goes.

Joining Ginny for yarnalong.

snow day

After reading Leila's blogpost about thinking ahead and cooking more than you need right now, I decided to buy a few butternut squash. Today's snowstorm kept me at home, so I put them in the oven and left them there while I worked on other things. Roasted in that leisurely way, they came out so soft and creamy - I had quite forgotten how good!  We lunched on some, we'll have a couple for Friday and the rest are in the freezer. 

on the way to work

winter again

with more of the same predicted for this month.

sweet girl

One of the most touching things -

on the laundry again

when your little dearie gives you her tummy for a rub, and to say she trusts you.