little feet

Since taking this picture I have changed to my floral summer curtains and washed the window. I'll have you know.

Happy Memorial Day

row of flags at Rockefeller Plaza, New York

in the blink of an eye

How fast things can change - one minute you're over here, the next over there. And you never expected it.

After making my own yogurt several times, and fully intending to continue, I find myself at a crossroads. A yogurt crossroads.

I bought some Siggi's, and it's so delicious I suddenly don't care about making my own anymore.

Over the past few years I can't tell you how many times I picked up a Siggi's, and then put it back. I can't say why; I don't know. But the week before last was different. I bought one. And as I was opening the container I said to myself why oh why did you buy this? You'll be so sorry when you taste all that sugar. 

But it didn't. Have the sugar. Well, not very much. And it was almost like there was whipped cream in it. (I actually dislike whipped cream, but when your yogurt has a whipped-like consistency, it's pretty nice.) So the next week I bought every flavor the store had. Maybe ten? Gone in three days. At a dollar seventy-nine apiece, that could be an expensive habit. And to think that a month ago I was pleased to be making my own for half the price of my (then) favorite brand. But even when you are trying to be careful and responsible with your food dollars, there are some things which are just worth it.

I may make yogurt again; I would like to try to replicate Siggi's. But things have changed.

kind of blue

We're having a little heat wave, which is okay with me, because I have been longing to get entirely warmed up.  But it's tough on the furry people.

Dolly was especially languid today; she didn't even want to stir herself to go outside with me.

This evening found her on the kitchen table under the ceiling fan, with the radio playing Miles Davis' Kind of Blue. No kidding.

clearing

after a day full of gray.

a sturdy basket

I knew Dolly was pining to go outside; I threw an old quilt under a tree.

A sturdy basket held whatever I could possibly need.

little things

Debra had a birthday so we went to our favorite lunch place, where the food is good, the staff all so lovely, local artwork (for sale) on the walls and, at this time of year, beautiful plantings outside. Little tables outdoors too, but too cool for us that day.

There were catbirds flying to and fro, and I managed a very bad photo of one in the middle of this fence.

Our original idea was to go there each season, but we've decided we have to go every month. And that's that.

I'm currently working on making an unused jumper into a skirt.

I got this Eddie Bauer, linen jumper years ago at Goodwill and loved it for years. I can't tell if it's faded or not - it has a deliberately faded look to begin with. It will match one of my blouses very well.

Tootsie's people didn't only give us the miro-wood cat from Pitcairn Island, they also gave us a smaller wooden cat, made in Costa Rica. It reminded them of Tootsie, and they said - they said it, not I! - that it would be a Tootsie who was well-behaved and wouldn't cause Dolly any trouble.

It's cute.  They also gave us a copy of "Mutiny on the Bounty" with Marlon Brando. I've never seen it, but I look forward to it. Three thoughtful gifts.

Today I wound a hank of Cascade 220 into a ball, and didn't get one knot!  I guess I'm doing something differently.  It's a pretty light blue - a tweed - with colorful specks throughout. I've had it quite a few years and want to use it!

I added several small shawl patterns to my Ravelry favorites. It's a limited selection as I've got only one.

Joining Leila this week.

return of the catbirds

The catbirds are back - I heard one just now.  I have a fondness for them; they're related to my favorite, the mockingbird.  I don't know when they arrived, but I suspect they wait until all danger of cold is passed before their return.

Pitcairn kitty

This wooden cat is a gift from Tootsie's people; it was made by a 90 year old man on Pitcairn Island from miro wood.  The color is really deeper than appears here - I lightened it up so you could see the face. It's nine inches tall. I love it!

not enough forsythia

Last month our forsythia only bloomed on a small patch on the end of a row - and we have lots of it! It looked pitiful but I knew that our late-summer pruning was most likely cutting off the new growth, which is where the spring blossoms appear. It looked so pathetic that this year I am determined to mend my ways; last week I started early pruning - I want to get into some better habits.

What do you know, but today a lovely woman who volunteers at the library once a week mentioned how the forsythia didn't bloom this year. Anywhere in our area! So I asked Kathy if she has forsythia. Yes, and hers only bloomed on one stalk. Then Linda came in and said the same.

So it wasn't our fault, after all.  But don't waste any sympathy on us; if you're going to feel sorry, make it for a really good reason.

Feel sorry that the entire peach crop has failed in this state for the year. Now, that is a tragedy.

Pentecost

Praise God in his holy place,

praise him in his mighty heavens.

Praise him for his powerful deeds,

praise his surpassing greatness.

O praise him with sound of trumpet,

praise him with lute and harp.

Praise him with timbrel and dance,

praise him with strings and pipes.

O praise him with resounding cymbals,

praise him with clashing of cymbals.

Let everything that lives and breathes 

give praise to the Lord.

- Psalm 150

from a church in Dublin, Ireland

At this culmination of the Easter season, let us unite in a great chorus of praise in the Spirit, who is the life-breath of the whole world made new in the Death and Resurrection of Christ.

-   from Magnificat, May 2016

Tootsie goes home

Tootsie's people came to get her this afternoon. She was pleased to see them.

While they were telling about their trip, she disappeared; I found her in the basement, and had to start up the vacuum in order to flush her out.

trying to figure out the storm window

They asked me, "Do you think she doesn't want to go home?"  But my feeling is she probably thought they had come along in order to move in with us, too.  

Dolly's already exhibiting signs of giddiness.

birthday cookies

I made these bars today. 

They were very easy, and oh so good.  

And then I walked some over to Debra's, in time for her birthday. 

My slightly simplified version  -

Into your mixer bowl, put:

• two and a half cups rolled oats
• one and a half cups of flour
• a half cup of whole wheat flour
• one cup brown sugar
• one cup of canola oil
• one teaspoon baking soda
• one half teaspoon of salt
•  2 eggs
• one tablespoon of vanilla

Mix well, then stir in some dark chocolate chunks, as many as look good to you; press the mixture into a greased 13x9 pan, and sprinkle more chunks on top, pressing them into the dough. Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes, and let them cool in the pan for half an hour.  Cut, and eat!

time to hang a plant

a week left

Today she knocked over a large mug of water, all over my floor onto some packages.  Right now she's sleeping in my hamper - very cute.

Dolly is starting to get a wild look in her eye.

more salad

Making it a point to eat more salad.

new blue door

I've been threatening to paint the inside of the front door, and I finally did it. Kind of a deep teal-ish, mixed up to match a stool we keep in the living room.

Much preferred to a dark and unappealing stain.