How sad is this? I've been so inactive lately that I completely forgot my sign-in info. In all fairness, life's been pretty busy around here. DH went to Scout camp for a week and a half while the 10, 5 &2 yo's went nuts. Actually we had a pretty good time when we weren't cleaning. We picked sour cherries (note to self- when they say you might want to bring a small ladder, they're not joking, especially if you're only 5 ft 4 in.) We wound up with about 7 pounds of cherries of which the kids pitted over 4 pounds and I made into cherry preserves. It was supposed to be jam, but didn't gel quite enough. Judging by the two year-old's sticky face and hands, I'd say it passed her taste test.
We went back over the next couple days and picked both blueberries and black raspberries. So far I've made one blueberry buckle and lots of plans for other things. It looks like I'll be pitting the rest of the cherries myself (never underestimate the versatility of an old-fashioned hairpin) and baking a pie for the boys. I'm undecided about the blueberries, perhaps a Lemon Blueberry Poundcake, another buckle, a Blueberry Grunt (a kind of dumpling), some jam, or maybe just a trip to the freezer. I'm pretty sure the black raspberries are destined to become a cobbler when Mom comes back. Either way, the kids have had a fun time and we've all enjoyed being out in the fields and orchards during some really nice weather. Not a bad way to kick off our summer vacation. :)
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
There were rats and cats and elephants...
O.K. perhaps that's not entirely accurate, but I do feel like our house has become Wildlife Central. For a while now we have been dealing with squirrels in our attic. Part of the charm of having an old house. I love the tin roof, but apparently when it was built, they didn't make the roof come all the way down. There is a slight gap around the attic perimeter. (I haven't actually braved the Ladder of Death, Doom and Certain Peril to see it firsthand, but I have it on good, corroborated authority.) I'm sure this is great for ventilation, but it stinks for squirrel control. We didn't realize the extent of the problem until we cleaned out the old nests, so until we can get the whole thing fixed, we have Squirrel Nutkin's Home for Wayward Rodents upstairs.
We also discovered earlier in the summer that the pretty little stray who had her kittens under our house and then disappeared when they grew up, has decided we have a wonderful environment for raising her young. She showed up again looking as if she were going to deliver any day. Sure enough, we were eating dinner one evening when we heard this strange sound each time the air conditioner came on. After a few times, I figured out that we were hearing wee kitten voices. Momma Kitty had made her nest under the house right next to the ductwork and the noise startled the babies, so marshmallow that I am, I turned off the unit. I figured we could handle a little more heat better than those poor babies could handle the extra stress. They relocated before the oppressive heat moved in, so everything was good.
I had just come to grips with the squirrels in the attic and the cats under the house when our trashcan got broken into. It was a lovely, pungent aroma that greeted us when we opened the front door and found the top bags delicatley ripped open and the contents lovingly strewn about the walkway. They must have been the kitchen bags that were tossed in when I cleaned out the fridge. My husband was quick to blame the aforementioned cats, but I pointed out that it looked more like raccoon damage to me. Our trashcan is the basic, town-issued garbage bin with wheels and a lid that flips closed, not exactly your toughest challenge for the local fauna. Dear Man came up with an inspired solution to the problem.
Now bear in mind that we live in the mountains. We are at the top of the Parkway and regularly have to wait for deer, raccoons, groundhogs, beavers, skunks and the occasional bear to clear the road, even in town. Every year my friend who lives a block away has to wage war with a bear over the contents of her own trashcan. The deer decimate her flowerbed while waiting for the twin fawns to finish napping. Her cats no longer have food and a litter box on the screened porch because the raccoons inevietably win that wrestling match. As a matter of fact, I have frequently seen a pair of raccoons scurry into the storm drain just around the corner from our own house. Raccoons are known for their problem-solving skills. They are clever and are able to use their front paws almost like opposable thumbs. Our next step to shut down the midnight buffet in our front yard? A half a brick on top of the garbage lid. I'm pretty sure I heard chuckling under the porch as we went back inside. Amazingly enough, when they were again desperate, they re-opened the snack bar.
A few nights later, one of the stray cats got back on the porch and were rummaging around, knocking stuff over. I startled him when I opened to door to retrieve something from the car. He headed for cover in the far corner and I saw just the tip of his fluffy tail as he scurried off. I said, "Oh, it must be offspring of the long-hair that I've seen around. I'll get a better look," and shone the flashlight in the corner to see. I found the fluffy tip of his tail and followed it up thinking, "Hmm... that's a little fluffier than I thought. It must be one of the black and white cats... ummm.... that doesn't look so cat-shaped... oh goody, stripes. OK, Pepe, you just enjoy that corner of the porch. See me? See how I'm easing down the farthest side of the steps in an extremely non-threatening way? You just take your time..." Great. Add one more to the local wildlife tally.
We also discovered earlier in the summer that the pretty little stray who had her kittens under our house and then disappeared when they grew up, has decided we have a wonderful environment for raising her young. She showed up again looking as if she were going to deliver any day. Sure enough, we were eating dinner one evening when we heard this strange sound each time the air conditioner came on. After a few times, I figured out that we were hearing wee kitten voices. Momma Kitty had made her nest under the house right next to the ductwork and the noise startled the babies, so marshmallow that I am, I turned off the unit. I figured we could handle a little more heat better than those poor babies could handle the extra stress. They relocated before the oppressive heat moved in, so everything was good.
I had just come to grips with the squirrels in the attic and the cats under the house when our trashcan got broken into. It was a lovely, pungent aroma that greeted us when we opened the front door and found the top bags delicatley ripped open and the contents lovingly strewn about the walkway. They must have been the kitchen bags that were tossed in when I cleaned out the fridge. My husband was quick to blame the aforementioned cats, but I pointed out that it looked more like raccoon damage to me. Our trashcan is the basic, town-issued garbage bin with wheels and a lid that flips closed, not exactly your toughest challenge for the local fauna. Dear Man came up with an inspired solution to the problem.
Now bear in mind that we live in the mountains. We are at the top of the Parkway and regularly have to wait for deer, raccoons, groundhogs, beavers, skunks and the occasional bear to clear the road, even in town. Every year my friend who lives a block away has to wage war with a bear over the contents of her own trashcan. The deer decimate her flowerbed while waiting for the twin fawns to finish napping. Her cats no longer have food and a litter box on the screened porch because the raccoons inevietably win that wrestling match. As a matter of fact, I have frequently seen a pair of raccoons scurry into the storm drain just around the corner from our own house. Raccoons are known for their problem-solving skills. They are clever and are able to use their front paws almost like opposable thumbs. Our next step to shut down the midnight buffet in our front yard? A half a brick on top of the garbage lid. I'm pretty sure I heard chuckling under the porch as we went back inside. Amazingly enough, when they were again desperate, they re-opened the snack bar.
A few nights later, one of the stray cats got back on the porch and were rummaging around, knocking stuff over. I startled him when I opened to door to retrieve something from the car. He headed for cover in the far corner and I saw just the tip of his fluffy tail as he scurried off. I said, "Oh, it must be offspring of the long-hair that I've seen around. I'll get a better look," and shone the flashlight in the corner to see. I found the fluffy tip of his tail and followed it up thinking, "Hmm... that's a little fluffier than I thought. It must be one of the black and white cats... ummm.... that doesn't look so cat-shaped... oh goody, stripes. OK, Pepe, you just enjoy that corner of the porch. See me? See how I'm easing down the farthest side of the steps in an extremely non-threatening way? You just take your time..." Great. Add one more to the local wildlife tally.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Odds and Ends
I finally found a meme that I felt like doing. It was originally labeled as "50 things..." but a couple numbers were skipped so it's more like 48 things. Anyway, here you go.
4 dozen odd things about me
- Do you like bleu cheese? Sometimes, especially with hot wings.
- Have you ever smoked? Nope.
- Do you own a gun? Just Nerfs and Super Soakers
- What flavor do you add to your drinks from Sonic? Cherry, once in a while.
- Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Not usually.
- What do you think of hot dogs? They're OK if I have sauerkraut or chili.
- Favorite Christmas movie? Toss up between original Grinch and Christmas Story.
- What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Chocolate milk
- Can you do push-ups? The frozen treats? Absolutely. Oh you mean the excercise. Plural? Ha ha ha hah. Wait a sec. Let me catch my breath; I'm winded now.
- Do you know the secret of a happy life? Not exactly, but I think it involves letting a lot of stuff go.
- What's your favorite piece of jewelry? My love-knot necklace
- Favorite hobby? knitting, crocheting, reading, cooking
- Song you're listening to right now? One from Dr. Horrible, "Laundry day/ See you there./ Underthings/ tumbling..." Curse you, Joss Wheedon!
- Do you have ADD? I don't think so...
- What's one trait you don't like about yourself? When I get stressed, I get snippy. (I try to nip it in the bud, though.)
- Middle name? Annette
- Name three thoughts at this exact moment: Acckkk! why do I always find buggish formatting issues?!?... I wonder what I should fix for dinner... I hope I can get this Special Olympics scarf done in a timely fashion.
- Name three things you bought yesterday. Nothing, the day before, however, I picked up school supplies and two skeins of yarn (for the aforementioned S.O. Scarf.)
- Name three drinks you usually drink. milk, tea, soda
- Current worry? I want our Cub Scout Fall Roundup to go well.
- Current hate right now? I haven't figured out how to be in multiple places at once.
- Favorite place to be? Library or in the park if it's nice out.
- How did you bring in the New Year? Quietly with family and friends
- Where would you like to go? England, Ireland and Canada
- Do you own slippers? Yes, a few pairs. Now can I find any two that match? Well that's a different matter altogether.
- Last magazine you read? Boy's Life (what can I say, we're a scouting family.)
- Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? No. I get too warm.
- Can you whistle? Yes
- Favorite color? I have an affinity for purple
- Would you be a pirate? Perhaps.
- What songs do you sing in the shower? Currently songs from Dr. Horrible... Laundry Day, A Man's Gotta Do, Brand New Day... Curse you again Joss Wheedon! You and your nefarious Ear-worm soundtracks. It's curtains for you! Lacy, gently wafting curtains...
- Favorite girl's name? Ophelia
- Favorite boy's name? I'm not sure.
- What's in your pockets right now? ID, cell phone and the change my kids haven't discovered yet.
- Last thing that made you laugh? My toddler's "mean face".
- Best bed sheets as a child? Any of the ones fresh from the dryer.
- Worst injury you've had? Severly sprained ankle. I swear it was much more obnoxious than either of the times I broke my arm.
- Do you love where you live? All in all, I'm pretty happy with it.
- Cat lover or dog lover? Yes. What can I say? I grew up surrounded by both.
- Who is your loudest friend? I can't think of any... does that mean it's me?
- How many fish do you have? Nary a one.
- Does anyone have a crush on you? If they do, they're keeping mum about it.
- What is your favorite TV show? Firefly, (also House, Bones, Psych, In Plain Sight, Numbers, Medium, Eureka, Stargate:SG1 and Terminator:Sarah Connor Chronicles.)
- What is your favorite book? Any of Terry Pratchett's novels and the first four books in Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker's Trilogy
- What is your favorite candy? Hmmm.. Curly Wurly, Crunchee, Buttons, Malteasers (choc. and the white ones), Milky Bars
- Favorite sports team? My son's soccer team. Professionally, DC United.
- What song do you want played at your funeral? Right now I'd probably say "Brand New Day" because it's running through my brain. Otherwise I think it'd be cool to have "Finnegan's Wake".
- What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? What a strange dream...
I have returned
Wow! what a busy summer we've had. The kids start school next week, but it seems like they just got out. We had Cub Resident Camp at Camp Rock Enon, then we went to SC followed by a trip to Upstate New York. There was a brief hiatus and then it was off to WBC in Lancaster, PA. We had lots of fun meeting up with old friends and making some new ones. Now we're recovering from our hectic summer and getting ready for a slightly less busy Fall.
Back at the beginning of the year I signed up on Ravelry to make a square for the project that has become known as the Pratchgan (an afghan for Terry Pratchett, author of the Johnny Maxwell books and the Discworld series.) Pratchett announced that he had been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimers and we wanted to show our support by giving him something warm and fuzzy. The result was the afghan below. The lady who organized it (and seamed it and backed it, bless her) had been in contact with Terry's agent who was thrilled about the whole thing. She wound up being able to attend an event in Scotland and give it to Terry in person. She said he particularly liked the Librarian square. I wonder what he'll say when he discovers the Luggage opens up and contains wee bits of clothing.
More pictures can be found here at Flickr. I actually got to do two squares, but didn't have my camera, so they're not in the individual photos. The first one is in the top row, fourth from the left. It is all white and is the bobble sheep I modified from a dishcloth pattern. The other square is the eighth row down, third square from the right. It's the apple from Equal Rites. The one that would allow only Esk to climb it and always had apples that went from green to wormy overnight. The odd thing leaning against the trunk is Esk's staff. It was a lot of fun to make and I actually stash-busted for it. You can just barely see the square near Terry's hip, below the "I Aten't Dead."
All in all, contributing to the project and following its progress has been loads of fun, but I'm glad it's been handed off. I hope it keeps Terry comfy and amused as he works on his newest novels. Now for my next project(s)...
Back at the beginning of the year I signed up on Ravelry to make a square for the project that has become known as the Pratchgan (an afghan for Terry Pratchett, author of the Johnny Maxwell books and the Discworld series.) Pratchett announced that he had been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimers and we wanted to show our support by giving him something warm and fuzzy. The result was the afghan below. The lady who organized it (and seamed it and backed it, bless her) had been in contact with Terry's agent who was thrilled about the whole thing. She wound up being able to attend an event in Scotland and give it to Terry in person. She said he particularly liked the Librarian square. I wonder what he'll say when he discovers the Luggage opens up and contains wee bits of clothing.
More pictures can be found here at Flickr. I actually got to do two squares, but didn't have my camera, so they're not in the individual photos. The first one is in the top row, fourth from the left. It is all white and is the bobble sheep I modified from a dishcloth pattern. The other square is the eighth row down, third square from the right. It's the apple from Equal Rites. The one that would allow only Esk to climb it and always had apples that went from green to wormy overnight. The odd thing leaning against the trunk is Esk's staff. It was a lot of fun to make and I actually stash-busted for it. You can just barely see the square near Terry's hip, below the "I Aten't Dead."
All in all, contributing to the project and following its progress has been loads of fun, but I'm glad it's been handed off. I hope it keeps Terry comfy and amused as he works on his newest novels. Now for my next project(s)...
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
0404
Wow! It's been four years already. It doesn't seem like it's been that long, but on April Fools' Day in the year of the monkey, Edison decided to make his first appearance. He debuted at 7:35 in the evening and nothing has been the same since. For his first birthday, he had his very own chocolate cake made by Grandma. As you can see, it was nearly as big as he was. 
Needless to say, he was covered in chocolate by the time he was done. (No, he did not actually eat the whole thing.)
Last year he wanted to have a birthday in the park and the weather co-operated... mostly. It was a little chilly, but it was nice enough for the kids to run around and play.
This year, he wants to do the same thing. He wants to have a pirate ship cake and Spiderman favors. We even have a Spidey-head pinata that will be a surprise for him. Hopefully the weather will hold and all will go well. I still haven't found my camera, but I picked up some disposables and hope to post birthday party pictures this weekend.
Needless to say, he was covered in chocolate by the time he was done. (No, he did not actually eat the whole thing.)
Last year he wanted to have a birthday in the park and the weather co-operated... mostly. It was a little chilly, but it was nice enough for the kids to run around and play.
This year, he wants to do the same thing. He wants to have a pirate ship cake and Spiderman favors. We even have a Spidey-head pinata that will be a surprise for him. Hopefully the weather will hold and all will go well. I still haven't found my camera, but I picked up some disposables and hope to post birthday party pictures this weekend.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Busy, busy
I know I said I wanted to blog every day (or very nearly), but somehow that just isn't panning out right now. Hopefully I'll get back into the swing of things, but for right now, I refuse to stress out over it. As I'm typing, Annabelle is dancing around in her crib. I don't mean gentle swaying, I mean the child has turned her bed into a moon bounce, moving in circles the way her big brothers do at every street carnival we attend. I would be more concerned if she were taller, but she's still small enough to stay contained and slow enough to avoid any serious whacks to the head.
Just as I was trying to figure out why she won't settle down and take her overdue nap, I heard a rousing chorus of "A,B,C,D,E,F,B..." wafting up the stairs... along with the gleeful pronouncement that, "there's two B's in there," followed by hysterical giggling. Looks like Annabelle's not the only one overdue for a nap. The crooner will be four on Tuesday and is vehemently opposed to the very idea of napping... until he passes out right in the middle of playing.
Said nearly-four-year old has been wanting a pirate party for a couple months now complete with pirate ship cake. It's all he's talked about for the last couple weeks... until he had to get new shoes. The ones that were in his size and happened to be on sale were Spiderman. I'm sure you can guess what happened next. The last week and a half has been filled with excitement over all things Spiderman; videos, shoes, toys, puzzles, party favors... Looks like now we are going to have a Spiderman pirate party. He wants Spidey party favors and a Spidey pinata with a pirate ship cake. It's a cake I made for his brother's third and ninth birthdays, and now Edison wants one of his own. Hopefully his will turn out better than Iain's last one. It arrived at his party looking like it had been under attack. Oh well. I don't have to worry about it until Saturday.
For Tuesday, he has a couple April Fools' Day birthday surprises in store for his preschool friends and Iain's Cub Scout pack. For preschool he is taking in a Grilled Cheese Cake. He's excited about it and I'm hoping it will go over well with the Under-Four demographic. For Scouts he wants to take in little shamburgers. My boys love peppermint patties and are halfway hoping the others won't like them much so the leftovers can come home. I've got to have some way to take pictures by then, so I'm either going to get a couple disposable cameras and have the pics put on disc, or I'm going to have to pony up to send the pics via phone. I like my phone, but the camera is just not that great and it's a quarter a shot for so-so pictures. Oh well, I'm still searching for my digital camera, so perhaps it will surface in the next couple days. Looks like I have a little more shopping to do and then I can finish my chemo-cap (very,nearly done) and start on a couple other gifts.
Just as I was trying to figure out why she won't settle down and take her overdue nap, I heard a rousing chorus of "A,B,C,D,E,F,B..." wafting up the stairs... along with the gleeful pronouncement that, "there's two B's in there," followed by hysterical giggling. Looks like Annabelle's not the only one overdue for a nap. The crooner will be four on Tuesday and is vehemently opposed to the very idea of napping... until he passes out right in the middle of playing.
Said nearly-four-year old has been wanting a pirate party for a couple months now complete with pirate ship cake. It's all he's talked about for the last couple weeks... until he had to get new shoes. The ones that were in his size and happened to be on sale were Spiderman. I'm sure you can guess what happened next. The last week and a half has been filled with excitement over all things Spiderman; videos, shoes, toys, puzzles, party favors... Looks like now we are going to have a Spiderman pirate party. He wants Spidey party favors and a Spidey pinata with a pirate ship cake. It's a cake I made for his brother's third and ninth birthdays, and now Edison wants one of his own. Hopefully his will turn out better than Iain's last one. It arrived at his party looking like it had been under attack. Oh well. I don't have to worry about it until Saturday.
For Tuesday, he has a couple April Fools' Day birthday surprises in store for his preschool friends and Iain's Cub Scout pack. For preschool he is taking in a Grilled Cheese Cake. He's excited about it and I'm hoping it will go over well with the Under-Four demographic. For Scouts he wants to take in little shamburgers. My boys love peppermint patties and are halfway hoping the others won't like them much so the leftovers can come home. I've got to have some way to take pictures by then, so I'm either going to get a couple disposable cameras and have the pics put on disc, or I'm going to have to pony up to send the pics via phone. I like my phone, but the camera is just not that great and it's a quarter a shot for so-so pictures. Oh well, I'm still searching for my digital camera, so perhaps it will surface in the next couple days. Looks like I have a little more shopping to do and then I can finish my chemo-cap (very,nearly done) and start on a couple other gifts.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Warm Up Winchester
As I have mentioned before, I am becoming a bit more involved with some local charities. I think it's important to be involved in doing something for other people. I mean, doing things for those you love is certainly important, but doing your part to help out in the community at large, people you may or may not know, is different. I think it helps keep you connected to the larger group and helps pull you out of yourself. It makes you more aware of what's really going on around you.
I spend a little time most days on Ravelry. Today while on one of the local groups, I discovered Warm Up Winchester. They have a Yahoo group and the Ravelry group can be found here. I enjoy making hats and I'm wanting to learn mittens and gloves. It's nice to know that I can crank out as many as I want and there will be somewhere good for them to go. Well, I'm off to listen to Fibber McGee and Molly while I finish up the chemo cap and start on a gift for the babysitter and some projects for Warm Up Winchester.
I spend a little time most days on Ravelry. Today while on one of the local groups, I discovered Warm Up Winchester. They have a Yahoo group and the Ravelry group can be found here. I enjoy making hats and I'm wanting to learn mittens and gloves. It's nice to know that I can crank out as many as I want and there will be somewhere good for them to go. Well, I'm off to listen to Fibber McGee and Molly while I finish up the chemo cap and start on a gift for the babysitter and some projects for Warm Up Winchester.
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