Two For One

B and I went to Kelowna on a business trip this last summer. On our way there we had two delays.

The Cocahalla Highway is know for being dangerous with all its curvy roads and slick ice. We were stopped for about an hour because of an accident. And there was no slick ice. Once the road was clear of all the emergency vehicles, and the helicopter had flown away (it's that tiny spec in the picture) we were on our way again.

After about an hour more on the road we stopped again because the van was trying to do cartwheels down the highway! Yep, we had a flat tire. When CAA happened along and changed our tire he told us that there was a nail as well as a screw in the same tire. While we got the tire fixed the next day in Kelowna, I was able to start a new shawl I had been eyeing. With very little distraction.

No, I didn't finish it that very day. But must admit it was mindless knitting.

I was able to finish it eventually and even had it wet blocked. But somehow the edging just wasn't right. 

 It needed something.

So I added the edging that was in the pattern. I didn't really want to. I had tried it before but just didn't like it so had ripped it out and used up all the yarn on a plain ole shawl. But since I now wanted to go back and finish it properly I had to rip out a few inches and start in on the edging.

I'm really glad I did. 

California Fun - Catching Up

Two years ago I visited California around Amber's birthday and some of us ladies were able to go to tea! It was delightful! We had so much fun pretending we were ladies.

Mom and her lovely hat

Amber and her tea

Soothing Hot Tea

Gramma Sue and Amber

Preserving Gramma's Hat

In the Garden 

And on the Patio

With Bentley!

Give Him a Squeeze!

Cleaning Up!

I think I had an accident.

Catch Up

I'm planning on posting all my drafts so if they seem disjointed and out of order - they are. Blogger let me import all my old posts to this new blog but would not let me post my drafts in order. I suppose it's because the old drafts are older than the new blog. I could go back to my old blog and post them and then import them but that's too much trouble. I'm so far behind and that would take a lot of time. So, if I post about a summer event in the winter please excuse. Enjoy!

Don't You love the Crock Pot?

S'more Cups

It's All Day Meeting tomorrow and I'm probably not going to be there. I have a wicked cold and just don't feel good. Not to mention that I hate sniffling at the meeting room. But since I usually bring food and Bruce and the girls will be there I will be sending my usual barbecue chicken (cooked at 350 degrees for 2 hours) and some kind of salad (feta coleslaw probably). I found a new dessert on-line that looked pretty good so I'm having Heidi help me with it. It sure looks good...and easy.  (Photo courtesy of texas cottage blog -
texascottage.blogspot.com)

Helpers

Just thought you might like to see what happens when you have helpers in the kitchen for Thanksgiving dinner.

There's even a little coleslaw under the red peppers. This might be a new favorite since it's not sweet and is made with feta cheese. Certainly not a traditional Thanksgiving dish.

Family and friends

The best part of Thanksgiving. 

(Having good food helps).

The end. 

No pies to show even though we had lots.

My New Favorite! Salted Caramel Mocha No Whip With Foam

I tried this drink at Starbucks and knew I could make it at home for much cheaper.

Salted Caramel Mocha with ...celery salt?

What???

We had milk. We had chocolate sauce. We had caramel syrup. I made some turbonado sugar/sea salt mix and put it in an empty Starbucks "Hawaiian Sugar Sea Salt" Shaker - or so I thought. It turns out I had grabbed a bottle of celery salt and mixed it with the salt and the sugar. It really doesn't taste that bad but I think I'll be a little more careful next time.

Nice!

“To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not, rich; to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart; to study hard; to think quietly, act frankly, talk gently, await occasions, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common - this is my symphony."

 William Henry Channing's Symphony: some background, and its appearance in an Arthur Brisbane editorial - from the 1906 collection, "Editorials From The Hearst Newspapers"”

Thanksgiving Feast and Fingerless Mitts

Because we don't celebrate Thanksgiving in November (when it's suppose to be celebrated!) and because you all live so far away (Union City was far enough to go for the week-end) we often go to Tacoma to "celebrate" (read: eat ourselves silly). This year was no different with no less food and all delicious!

Noah and Heidi

Hannah

I brought my own stash for the trip down:

These are new in Canada. At least I've not seen them before. They are chocolate coated mint kisses. I thought they would be mint flavored chocolate. And with a mocha I was set. To knit, of course.

Here's what I finished on the trip. Don't be fooled. With a mocha to power you and lots of down time you can get some serious knitting in.

Heidi liked them so well she wanted a pair for her birthday. Which happens to be tomorrow!!! Today was going to be my day off to stay home and knit but some problems with our US bank account warranted me coming into Richmond for the day. With that taken care of - at least as much as I can do (including a trip down south) - it was too late to go back home. Thankfully, she wanted Greek food for her birthday dinner and there's a restaurant conveniently located up the street from our house. As for the fingerless mitts? How fast do you think I can knit?

Hey! I'm Up and Away!

Do you make lists before you go on a trip? Of things to pack? Of things to do before you go? Or any number of things? I sure do. If I didn't I would be lost. I.Have.To.Be.Organized. It makes me feel as if I am in control. 

I just got finished work (It's 20 minutes to 9PM) and wanted to start a new blog. I get worried that too many people are following me. It's creepy. Sort of.

Back to lists for trips. What do you put on your list? I'll share mine tomorrow or even later this week. (I even laminated it because it was getting tattered from so much use). If you share yours. Send me a link to your blog in the comments. I want to see it posted!

"Amazing"

When I first saw this yarn I thought it was beautiful but way too expensive. But when Micheal's handed me a 40% off coupon I knew just how I would use it. The pattern: One Day Beret. So simple even I had no trouble. (I would give yourself more than one day, though! It takes me at least two days to finish this pattern.)