Global Warming/ Schmobel Shmarming

Looks like the frigid air is all over my favorite places. Check this blog out:


Celtic Memory Yarns


The Gougane Barra is in my memory for some reason: either we saw signs for it from Kenmare, or my friend Denis referred to it, or Jane mentioned it. Or it was in a movie?

In warmer weather

Not my picture, but nabbed from here.

*tap*tap*tap*

Is anyone out there? It's awfully quiet in blogland this afternoon.
I hope everyone is OK?

Here's a photo from Ireland; my mom & I were going to Ballinskelligs and this ruin was on the way. I came across a new blog: Notes From Blue Hen Hollow. Siobhan is an American living in Ireland and I'm a jealous girl. The subject of my Irish horse vet came up elsewhere on the interwebs and his dreamy accent. Why can't I get me one of those? And then move back to the old country?

*SIGH*

Happy Long Weekend!

Here's the progress photos you've all been just dying to see:

T&T:

And I reluctantly dragged out JDD Bell Ornament:

I just have the over-one background stitching to do.

I rode everyday; Em rode Thursday night which is normally Axe's night off because I'm stitching, so I gave her Friday night off instead. I fell asleep on the couch both Friday & Saturday nights, waking up around 1;30 and 12:30 respectively, derailing any normal night time ablutions, which would have made me wide awake again. I worked a tad Sunday afternoon for a friend. Today I went to the mall for only the second time since last Xmas. I had Miss Vicki's coupons for free bloomers, and Clinique was having it's bonus event.

I'm on a chocolate chip cookie binge. i made some dough last week and sent most of it back to Boston with Em. The cookies it made were too crispy though. It called for melted butter- I think it was a Cook's Illustrated or a King Arthur's Flour recipe. I was still craving them today, so I just made a half-batch of good old fashioned Original Toll house cookies. Nothing like the original. And if you let the butter sit out on the counter all day, it's even soft enough to mix by hand! Perfect texture, consistency, buttery, brown-sugary taste!  For supper I made my all-time favorite sandwich: I don't have a name for it, so here's how to make it: Slice one green pepper and one sweet onion thinly into strips, toss together in a large bowl with 2-3 TBSP olive oil and about 1/2 tsp salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste. Grill on your George Foreman for about 7 minutes, or until you have good char marks and onions are translucent and wilted. Stir around midway thru cooking time. Meanwhile, slice a good sub roll open, and take ONE slice of American cheese (yellow or white) and tear into strips and cover bottom side of roll. When veggie are done, layer about 1/3 to 1/2 of  the mixture on top of the cheese strips, and close top of roll to keep heat in. Let sit a few minutes (if you can stand it) to melt the cheese, then scarf down. The sub rolls I get at my market are about 9" long, so i get 2 very filling sandwiches out of this amount of veggies. I keep the unused mixture in the frig, and re-heat in a small skillet. You can top the re-heated stuff with the cheese in the skillet, and cover to let it melt and then turn it into the roll. MMMM--M! Good thing it was a long weekend- it's going to take more than a day to get the onion smell out of my hair!

Well, I think I've satisfied my chocolate chip cookie cravings for a while- hopefully until my Christmas baking marathon. I bought 2 quarter sheets from a local restaurant supply warehouse store- nice heavy aluminum ones- perfect with my silicone mats. I can't wait for Xmas baking!

Thought of Ireland:

 

I know what the problem is...

It's all this reading I've been doing. The other ladies from S&B bring books in to share, and I've been sucked into Suzanne Brockman's series about Troubleshooters Inc.

I just can't read and stitch and ride all at the same time. Plus mow my lawn. I'm almost done with my 2nd to last borrowed book- I've read 3 or 4 of the series already. And did you notice what's missing from my list of "To-Do's"? Yes- housework, as in dusting, vacuuming, wiping and cleaning, scrubbing, washing... What's a girl to do??

I forgot to post this stash I got last S&B night with the gift certificate Em got me:

BlackBird Designs "Beyond My Heart" and 4 of the required flosses; a piece of 40 ct. Ivory Linen- not earmarked for anything in particular-just because I'm loving using 40 ct. with the John James #28 needles- if you haven't tried the smaller needles on 40 ct. , well- you should- it makes all the difference in the world!, and Deb threw in that Prairie Schooler freebie. I like the BBD chart- but I LOVE the bonus pattern inside! And you'll just have to buy the chart to see that!

Off to the races, or the couch most likely. Long, unproductive (as far as doing anything I really wanted to do) weekend.

Have I said lately how much I loved and miss Ireland?

Ups and Downs

SO the Axester has tossed a shoe again. I was getting on my chaps when Jodi called out that she thought Axe had lost a shoe. I went out to the paddock to check, and my good girl didn't run away, but let me catch her and sure enough, she was missing a back shoe.

So, maybe the gods are telling me she needs a break. Jodi and I figured that she had to have lost it today, because Em had walked her on pavement yesterday and would have noticed "clip-clop, clip-shuffle". She offered to help me look for the shoe in the paddock- it's at least half an acre big, and as luck would have it- I found the sucker! Right near the gate next to the fence. Axe might have kicked at a fly and caught an edge of the shoe in the wire fence and yanked it off. It's a clean pull- not a lot of hoof chunks came off with it. Plus there's not a lot of dry, rocky ground to walk across to the paddock, so Axe can still go out on the grass. At the old farm, she'd be stall-bound so as not to break her hoof apart.

I also actually stitched 3 strands of floss on my purple Quaker ornament:
Yep- that's as far as 3 strands got me. Here's where I was before.

And this following picture is of a little mouse figurine I bought in Ireland last year. I came across a bag of stuff I hadn't put away ( I was looking for a Guinness cake recipe) and found this still wrapped up, and stuck it atop my monitor shelf:

As you can see, he/she is waving goodbye! Time for you to stitch!

If Wishes Were Horses...

beggars would ride, as my mom always said.

Therapy

Here's what i stitched during the game last night:

And here's what I got done at work today (at lunch of course!):

I'm having menopausally-warped PMS- I was very anxious about going up to ride tonight- dreading it, in fact. I ended up having a nice ride (as usual!) I came home ready to bawl my eyes out, being lonely, wanting to stitch, NEEDING to get some exercise & not having time, bored with work, but being too busy to be bored, wicked anxious about bills and money; I was totally pissed with Chicken last night because she wouldn't go to the bathroom,; I've been SO exhausted I could scream and if only I wasn't so tired, I could up early & jog, and if I could just get up & jog, I would stop being so tired. What a conundrum! I just want to say "F%&k this" about everything, and hop in the car & drive out to the west coast somewhere (never been, but hey- it's my nervous breakdown), and then remember my "anniversary trip" back to Ireland, and I REALLY want to live there, not just go back. Which brings up money woes again.....oh and did i mention my horrendous chocolate cravings?? There is not enough dark chocolate on the face of this planet to satisfy my lust for chocolate right now.

Did we see these ones yet? This was on the way back from Kenmare:

Okay...

I really need to get to bed, and put up my tree, and ceramic snow house with all its little critters, and wrap gifts & mail some to VA and to FLA, and make cookie doughs, and pay bills and balance my checkbook (AGAIN!!) and vaccuum the floor and give Chicken a bath and finish the baby quilt and stitch- oh to do some cross stitch instead of just reading about it on everyone else's blogs (thanks you guys- some days it's all the "stitching" I get to!) and stack some fire wood -only a whole cord of it, and the leaves in my yard are just horrendous, and when's the last time I washed that car?? And tidy up the desk area so I can actually find something, and deck out some IKEA pencil boxes to make stitching boxes for the ladies at S & B, and the horse needs riding at least 3 days a week, preferably 5 but that shoots the whole evening out the window and Holy Crap Batman! when the heck can I sleep!

And on an entirely different channel: Denis called today from Ireland- he said that the weather has been terrible- 40 foot waves in St.Finan's bay- "Twas spectacular to see" he said, "the rain is slanting sideways as we speak."

Nothing like this though. This was perfect!
TTFN

Monday Blahs

Rainy, humid Monday. I need sedatives for Chicken when it thunders- she quakes like she's about to go into cardiac arrest. And she sticks to my side like super glue, including jumping into the shower with me this morning!

Here's my progress on Bittersweet Moon from S&B Thursday:

The alphabet is done except for the "G", and i added another star. Here's a close-up of the berries & acorns- Smyrna crosses over 2 threads, I think, and acorns over one:

Here's what I hope is a better shot of the 2 different WDW Cadets:

The skein on the left being new, and on the right the older skein with which I stitched the house.

Below is what I think will be my pink nine patch baby quilt combo:

and here are the 2 possibilities of the darker, blue combo. I only changed the top upper right square for the 2 combos:I think I like the lower set better.

I haven't been baking at all- it's been way too hot and humid, and I have no AC except for the computer room.

I've been depressed lately, and wanting to just cry at random times. I think I need more sleep, but don't have time even for that. I'm tired of the "Drama of the Stupid People" at the barn; most of the people up there are just so f$#-!!-d up, it's not funny. I'm thinking of checking on the rates at another barn where I know the owners are sane, stable (no pun intended!), and NICE; where I won't be treated like a citizen from the 3rd world because I shovel stalls on weekends. I think they're cheaper. They may have shoveling positions; if not, I'll check into either UPS or FedEx or Walgreens to see how few hours I can work & still get health insurance- another insurmountable problem that has my hair turning white with anxiety. God damned state of Massachusetts & it's foolish "universal health care". What's wrong with paying out of pocket???

Ireland so made me happy...

Relaxing Saturday

I finally had a little time to do some stuff instead of work:

I made the world's Ugliest Lemon Meringue Pie:

The recipe is from Mark Bittman's "How To Cook Everything". I'll let you know how it tastes tomorrow! Doesn't it look like a huge hamburger bun??!!

Here are some shots of the blackberries growing at the edges of my yard (wild):

Unfortunately, I don't care for blackberries. I tried one, but it didn't have a very strong flavor at all. I don't know if it's the particular variety, or lack of cultivation , or what, but it was pretty tasteless. The photo with the mail box is just a pix of my front yard looking towards Main Street, without the fence. You can tell where the fence was though. I burned two CD's of my Ireland photos, one for Mom. There was a TV show on that I taped to DVD caled "The Edge of Europe". It was about the Christian monestaries in the part of Ireland that we visited- Borus Head, Ballinskelligs, Valencia Island. Extremely interesting, and pertinent to our travels. My Mom & I want to go back again.

For supper tonight I made pizza on the grill. I totally didn't even think to take pictures! It came out SO good!

I'm SO Bummed Out!

I filled out a survey the other day: I'm now in the next group of ages: 45-54!!!

I've been wanting to stitch but weekends are pretty much shot, and I had a Walmart run last night and install the window air conditioner. Tonight's project is 3 months of bank account reconciliation. Oh what fun!!

Have a photo:

Those are the Skellig Islands in the distance. This was that spectacular Saturday we had.

Here's inside a little art gallery we found just outside Ballinskellig: The fish's scales & fins are knives, forks and/or spoons.

Here is a castle ruin on the way past Kilorgin. It was close to the little replica village we toured.

I'm becoming VERY jealous of Jane. I desperately want to go back.

TTFN

WWHHOOAA!!

For some reason Blogger remembers me here at work! No typing user name & Password!
Tonight at S&B, we're going to Jean's house for a Pot-Luck X-Stitch night. I made lemon squares (and didn't look close enough to read I was I supposed to grease the pan!! I hope I can get them out) and S'Mores bars (courtesy of Cookie Madness- I'm tellin' ya- get yerself over to her blog if you 're a cookie fiend!) These babies look yummy!
I was able to stitch a little on Red House Sampler at work the other day; we didn't watch TV last night - Mom was reading a library book - so I pulled out Bittersweet Moon and did a lot on the house. I started to fall asleep, and maybe due to my sleepiness, I neglected to re-count the height of the front door opening I had left. When I got to infilling the door (all surrounded by pale blue siding stitches), I realized I was 2 whole rows short, which is a HUGE screw-up because the door has two sets of smyrna X's vertically, and I CAN'T fit the top set.
I'll have to undo (with a seam ripper no less) and re-stitch.
"I hate when that happens!" - Billy Crystal
"I know what you mean." - Christopher Guest


Have a photo:

ZZZZZZZZZzzzzzz

Long & tiring week & weekend- got the mower fixed and the lawn mowed last night.

My brother picked Mom up yesterday to bring her to his house for the afternoon. ?

I'm bringing her back to his house Friday morning for my nephew's middle school graduation. Not before. He'll probably bring her back Friday night.

Wouldn't want her fraterinizing with her granchildren.

God- I feel like I've been running for a week.

I have progress pix from S&B, but it's been difficult & awkward to spend any time at the computer. I have Town Meeting tonight and HAVE to go because of the re-zoning issue.
It's promising to be a long meeting too. ANd it adds to my guilt quotient because Mom is sitting home alone, some more.

Fast Forward to next day:
HEY! Blogger remembered me!!
ANyway, our re-zoning article passed, and now my whole neighborhood is in the Commercial Use zone. The Wampanoags offered M'boro $7 million a year to "host" a casino, which they'll probably take, those low-life greedy bastards- they NEVER look past the end of the week. However, it might make our land more attractive to developers to locate a support business.
I have to take Mumsie to Walmart tonight, I have stuff to get as well.
There are now 3 baby robins (well as of yesterday morning- i haven't looked yet today for casualties) at the window sill here at work. Mommy robin seems to be rather immature- she was off for most of the morning yesterday hanging with her friends rather than caring for the tots. - Just checked- it looks like she was feeding just now- Pheww! I didn't like the idea of 3 deceased chicklets at the bathroom window!

Did you know that to cut & paste in blogger you can use highlight, then CTRL X, then CTRL V? Right clicking doesn't work. Haven't found the shortcut combo for "Copy".
Let's try adding a photo from Picasa:

This is the Lace Museum in Kenmare. It's on the second floor left side.The items were exquisite- some were antique, some new. Just jaw-dropping-ly awesome that some woman was able to fabricate such detailed, minute loops of thread into something so beautiful.

Mid Week Procrastination

I added a link to My Picasa photos- Ireland trip. I'm putting off finishing mowing my lawn.
I'm hoping to sit & stitch on Bittersweet Moon tonight- I've been pitifully neglectful at stitching since I've come back.
Axie got her teeth floated today (i.e. the horsie dentist files her teeth so that the sharp edges go away). No vet necessary for happy juice- this guy does it all by hand; Em said he was impressed by how well behaved & pretty she was (for a Thoroughbred!), but natch- we knew that already!I took some photos the other day of Em & Axe; I wish she gave me access to them ;(
>SIGH!!<
Off to mow.

TTFN

New WIP

Bittersweet Moon by Blackbird Designs:

It's on 28 ct. Cashel "Relic"; I apologize for the dark scan- I didn't press the fabric onto the platen (it's mounted in a scroll frame)

No more new TV- more time to stitch!!

LOST was just awesome last night- back to the original formula of excitement, suspense, humor and unexpected twists. I can't wait for next season.

Here's another Ireland photo:

This is Portmagee. The Valencia Island bridge is behind us.

Off for some stitching.

TTFN

Now I have some time...

First my finishes: Sweet Nothings:
“Homeward At Last”
by JBW Designs
28 ct. Jobelan “Thyme”mostly GAST with 1 or 2 WDW and/or Crescent Colors conversions

I did this as a pillow for Denis & Joan. Mom finished the stuffing & tassels & helped me with the sashing.

Heart In Hand:
“red letter day”
28 ct. jobelan unknown color recommended WDW & GAST threads

This was my first finish; I started it Wednesday or Thursday evening and finished Monday afternoon.

I did this Monday afternoon & finished Monday night-about 3 hours total.

Heart In Hand:
“sleep tight”
28 ct. jobelan antique whiterecommended WDW & GAST threads

I will try to add my Ireland Webshot album as a link.

I just found out I can't back up that album, though. I might look into Fliker.

I will edit when I look this up- I think it was on the way to or from Kenmare.

Here' s Mom in front of the bridge to Valencia Island; we're on the Portmagee side. The public restroom here had a 'Best of Ireland 2002" award- it WAS very clean!

Now that i have all my chores & such caught up on, I will try to add more stuff about our trip. We had such a wonderful, relaxing time. I'm glad I was able to take my mom while she can still travel and enjoy it.

TFN

I'm BAAAACK!

Got back late yesterday afternoon- I'll write later- but we had an excellent adventure.
It's always better to be home though.
I may wait until Friday evening to write, after Mom goes back to FLA.
3 finishes- including my hostess gift and loads of pix.
TTFN

AND they're OFF!!!

I'm picking up my mom this afternoon; we fly out for the Emerald Isle tomorrow afternnon. We'll take the train from here to South Station, then the Silver Line.
I hope I can get a photo of my hostess gift before I go.
So I guess i won't be blogging for a while.

TTFN

Finally! Photos!

I finished Kittys:

Kittys

by Sheepish Designs

mostly Crescent Colors with 1 or 2 GAST and/or WDW

on 28 ct. Jobelan "Stormy Gray"

Here's progress on my Wish Ornament:

I finished both "S"'s and started on the left side 'H".

I started this:

“Homeward At Last” by JBW Designs
on 28 ct. Jobelan “Thyme”mostly GAST with 1 or 2 WDW and/or Crescent Colors conversions
I want to finish this as a pillow for a hostess gift for my friends in Ireland.
I did a bunch of yard work yesterday. I am desperate to mow my lawn; I don't know that I'll get to it before I leave next week. I picked up th ewillow debris, though, and pulled ivy off the house.

Are we there yet?

Sorry for the (again!) long pause between posts. I have progress pix to take & upload, but not tonight.
I put all the horses out yesterday - 12 that is - 3 stayed inside. Then when I was done at the barn I had to drive to my day job to finish a side project for 3 -1/2 hours. then speed back to the barn to bring them all in again & night feed.
Today, i was done relatively early because we decided to leave them in, but my close friends were having a baby shower, so I picked Emily up from the train, then drove her back to Boston to transport as much dorm stuff as she could do without for the next 2 weeks. Then speed back to the barn to do the evening grain- Bob's SO Jen did the hay.
Chicken's ready to disown me i've spent so little time with her.
I have to get my house ready for Mom next week, then Ireland!!! While we're gone, Emily's done with school.
Plus my grass needs mowing, but I have to pick up willow branch/debris prior to that, AND get the mower running.
I need a nap.
I will try my best to get progress shots- Kitty is SO close to done, I almost want to wait for that.
I have to decide on a travel project too!