Wednesday-no WIP

Can you stand some more local color? Other than that, I've got nothing. Roger was down in the park for his walk this past weekend and snapped a few shots of autumn in the village. He told me there were some shots of flying boats and I didn't know what he meant until I downloaded the pics from the camera this morning. Flying boats-yeah, now I get it. The pics are clickable.

A couple of the many beautiful old circa houses that line the waterfront. Most were houses that belonged to the ship captains and ship builders that founded this community. There's one house not too far from those I'm showing you, that once was the Pink House. When I was growing up it was very hush-hush(not) that it was the house where the local Madame lived and all the working girls lived. Very cool house though-at least I always love it because it was so colorful...color wise I mean(heeeee). It's a beautiful old Victorian.

Someday I really intend to resume quilting and sewing again...really I do. Meanwhile, we are having the roof re-shingled and possibly some new sheetrock in the older part of the house. Maybe while I'm being held hostage in the house next week by the workmen on the roof and possible sheetrock workers I will set up the machine and fondle some fabric. I'm coming across so many wonderful things I purchased over the course of the past year and never got around to using. It's fun making these discoveries of beautiful fabric bundles and I can't wait to cut into them. Has anyone seen the things that folks are making with the cut selvage edges of fabric? There's a whole blog devoted to it called Selvage Blog. I'm fascinated. Love to try something small like the ornaments that were posted last week. Great postcards as well.

Back to the grindstone.....talk to you later

Monday this & that

Not sure what the problem is but we have been having some computer problems. We could most likely use a new computer but it also could stand to be re-formatted blah blah blah....

Anyway, I'm still here and haven't fallen under huge weight of all the stuff that I've un-earthed. I wasn't feeling that great this weekend but luckily for me, I have a husband who is very indulgent and helpful. He cooked diner Saturday and I got to hang around playing the Lady of the Manor. He recently purchased for me a book which I have been in love with since before it was written. I am a huge fan of Nelson DeMille and years ago stumbled on "The Gold Coast". It is on my list of 10 most favorite modern books and I have re-read it so often that I had to buy another copy in a used book store last year because the pages wee literally falling out of the original. Anyway, my dreams, literary wise have come true and he has finally written the sequel. I was hooked the moment I read the first page and it felt like coming home. When I finished reading "The Gold Coast" I felt like I lost a friend in John Sutter and actually wondered what would become of his life. Thank you Nelson DeMille for answering my questions in the most wonderful ways. When I finished reading it Sunday morning I picked up my dog-eared copy of "The Gold Coast" and started reading it again. The thing is, I grew up here and these people are no strangers to my life at all. I can put a face to any of the characters instantly. Many years ago I dated the son of one of the large Italian families who are in the construction business here on the island. It was a colorful chapter in my life. An equal number of years ago I worked in the perfume and cosmetic business and I became good friends with a couple who owned a company and lived in a gated place in Lattingtown. They didn't just give parties-they entertained. The room I stayed in was larger than my apartment then and it came with servants. I used to wander away from the party and, frankly, escape the clutches of some idiot who tried to stick his tongue in my ear or something that's equally icky when it's not being done by the man of your dreams. I'd go up to the children's quarters where they had built a playhouse that was room-sized and the walls were painted with storybook characters and lighted mobiles danced around the ceiling. Occasionally, I would find a couple who were stumbling around trying not to look guilty. I just went there to drink some champagne and try to imagine what being a child in a place like that could be. The second best place was the Library. A whole room full of beautiful books and no one ever looked at them. I believe they were mostly for show and most likely bought by the yard from a dealer. The larcenous Library thief in me imagines I could have gotten away with some good ones that no one would have ever missed. They had a tree growing in the center of the breakfast room. A huge, very old, historical tree. I wonder what happened to that place and to the tree. It had a historical marker on the trunk. Maybe it's still there? Good times.

Anyway, it makes a story twice as fascinating when you can picture the events based on moments that have taken place in your own life. So, I really had a great weekend with my nose buried in a wonderful book for hours.

Of course, the down side of that is I've got a lot to catch up on. So off I go-back to reality but it sure is fun to travel down those memories from time to time.

Whine & Cheese please.

Thank you to all who were kind enough to leave messages of hope for this pathetic whiner. I'm making headway in very tiny steps and you suggestions were much appreciated. I put together a large bag of clothing for a woman down at the Pantry who has a daughter around my size. It was nice to know that the clothes will go somewhere useful. Going to the Pantry will get your head on straight every time. There are people with real problems. They'd kill to have no space in their closet for art. Anyway, I am going back up after I finish this cup of tea and see if I can fill another bag with stuff to go. By the way, my good friend Jane Ann had the answer in her comment. It's that self-destructive seed within that keeps me from achieving my goals or, in fact, even beginning. If there's a mess, I can't create and thus, can't fail. It's my personal no-fail system. No start-no fail. Small steps ladies, small steps.

Did you get out and vote today? The lines were amazing and the Village was so busy. Tuesday morning here is usually so quiet. I couldn't get near the Library since the voting takes place across the street. No parking anywhere. Usually, I can roller skate through the grocery store and not see a soul shopping. It was super busy today.

Well, the tea is gone and so am I.

Autumn

You could hardly tell by the color or the weather but it's autumn here on Long Island. I have smelled the drifting scent of fireplaces and that very earthy smell of leaves composting themselves. My husband has set the heat to come up a little warmer at dawn. We don't like to sleep in a hot room but the mornings are now too cold to ignore. It won't be long until the yards are bare and gray. I really have a love/hate relationship with this time of year. The trick is to stay busy but I'm having a sort of melancholy fog settle in. I will try to shake it off by doing a project or two that are in desperate need of happening.

I have what could be described as a studio. It's large enough to cover one side of a very large bedroom. Running all along the front side of our house. Right now I wouldn't let anyone in there and I have reached the point in life where I'm afraid of leaving such a horrifying mess for someone to clean up if something happens to me. See, I told you I was feeling a little sad and frankly a little creepy. I recently read about two woman I know who had a nightmare left by their mother who was a pack-rat. Again, today, I read about a woman who lost her father-same story, different coast. It involved dumpsters and a combination of angry sadness. I don't want to be that kind of burden to my family. It has also had a terrible effect on my creativity. I have no room to try any of the things I would like to in order to move ahead with some artistic things I'd like to try. Maybe that's secretly what keeps me from moving forward. It's fear related and much easier to sit and contemplate what could be. I really need to shake off the dusty thinking while I'm shaking off the accumulated junk.

The answer is sort, purge, and toss away. I have so often wanted to have a Zen life but I have been, up to now, a collector. In fact, we are all collectors here. There's a favorite song I really have loved for a long time called "Too Much Stuff", by Delbert McClinton. It's an amusing song. This is not an amusing situation. It makes me remember a quote from Fitzgerald's Great Gatsby, "and so, we beat on, boats against the current, bourne ceaselessly back in time."

I'm going in....cover me.

Spooky Times

When James was little I had the best time with him on Halloween. Starting when he was very small and hardly knew what was going on, I would roll him through the autumn streets with my friends and their kids. Back then, we got all dressed in costume. I was Groucho Marx, and many different witches. Witches with big pointy hats and later on a witch with a headband that had googly springy pumpkin lights that blinked on and off. I had a candy corn necklace that had blinking lights and painted my face green one year. I think that was the year that James was Dick Tracy. We really hauled in the loot. It usually started with the Halloween Parade at school and went on from there. Since we live way up here on this hill, we never get trick or treaters..ever. Of course now that James is grown up and too old to trick or treat, I merely observe from a distance. It's probably for the best since candy is a no no for all of us. If it's around I can't control my sweet tooth and Roger and Bob are diabetic. I hope I'm around long enough to have fun with grandchildren on Halloween. It's a fun time. There was a little Halloween celebration down in the park this past weekend. Pumpkins and candy and hayrides for the kids. The village has a safe Halloween zone for the kids where they can trick or treat all around Main St. At least I think they are having it. Maybe with financial things being so bad this year they aren't having it. I'll have to check that out.
One year my friend Terry and her husband Jim dressed up as street people with buckets and mops and brooms. Their outfit was so successfully creepy, and it was such a surprise to see anyone at the door, that it took us a minute or two to respond to these really hideous looking people who clearly had dressed themselves from a rag pile. They said they wanted to clean the house for us. They were really awful looking with dirty faces and ripped, dirty, hoodies. They used to do a lot of stuff like that. One year there was a party at their house and a couple brought dozens of soft shell crabs in a huge box. Needless to say, the crabs were escaping the box and had to be rounded up. We got to be crab wranglers for a while that evening. For several years Jim rigged a big light on his roof and dropped the ball like in Times Square on New Years Eve. I'm not sure why we don;t do fun things like that anymore. Probably because everyone from those days is working outside their home and too busy. Lots of fun memories though. Terry is also the mistress of crank phone calls. It took me a couple of those to get wise to her. Very funny lady that friend of mine.
Anyway, this year Terry and Jim are in Las Vegas for Halloween. I can't wait to hear all about that one. It seems like the kind of place where it could be Halloween every night and maybe not in a good way. I really hope they're having fun. When Terry is home she dresses up in costume at the Library. She was Dorothy (Wizard of Oz) one year and a Hershey Kiss another year. I really miss my friend when she's not here. There won't be any Thursday Night Quilters this week since she's gone. I'll enjoy spending the evening with my guys watching Survivor and CSI instead. I look forward to those evening as well.
I spent the afternoon getting the window toppers measured and ironed into place so I can just zip through them on the Viking tomorrow. I'm getting ready to do a good fall clean-up which is sorely needed around here. The inside of my house looks like it's decorated for Halloween and I haven't done a thing. Between the cobwebs and dust it's getting a little spooky around here.
Whatever you are doing to celebrate Halloween, I hope you have fun doing it. Stay safe.

Quick Laurel Panel &Chunky the squirrel

Sorry for the poor quality of the picture but I was shooting through a screen and into the sun. Chunky climbed up the bird feeder and hung upside down trying to get some thistle seed. It was really fun to watch. I can't help noticing how poofy and thick their tails are. That's supposed to be a sign of a very cold winter to come. Hope that's an untrue Old Wives Tale cause the squirrels outside in my yard a just plain fat and thick-coated. By the way, that's the last yellow rose of summer hanging on to that bush.

I have a plant related question for anyone who can answer I'd appreciate it. Can I move 3 bunches of cala lillies that have been in the flower box for a couple of years and move them elsewhere without killing them? I want to get them out of the box in front of my door since, once they are finished blooming all that remains is a very large bunch of long unruly leaves. I hate to kill them but I'm not sure if I've left it too long for transplanting. Help!

I was surfing around seeing what people were up to and ran across Brooke's Blog. We both are working on a Laurel Burch Panel. Brooke has taken the time to make hers unique, whereas I have thrown some borders on it and called it finished. I just want some festive stuff to have for the holidays without a bunch of finishing details. Hers looks cool but then everything those sisters do looks cool. There must have been something in the water they grew up drinking. Anyway, hop on over there and have a look see when you can and then hop on over to Melody and see the great piece she made using a horse silhouette. Great colors and design.

Well, at least I've got something finished(I love that word) bright to hang up and bring some holiday cheer to the place. We really need cheer at this time of year since we are in a forrest of trees and by 3 in the afternoon it looks like 5. If you go down the hill and get out of the trees you are always surprised to find that it's still daytime out there. Needless to say this time of year it's very dark, often early.

I did a lot of cleaning Friday and my back is screaming so I'm taking a cup of tea and something to get rid of the pain.

Talk to you tomorrow.

Mixed bag of goodness

I went to a quilt show out east yesterday. It was supposed to be a horrible windy, rainy day but the weather held off until last night. The wind was really howling then though.

Anyway, I'm sorry to say I have no idea who made this quilt because on the the unfortunate things about this show was that they didn't have signs up for a lot of work. What signs they did have didn't say anything about the quilter or have much info regarding the making of the quilt etc. I like to know a little about the thought process that goes into these things. This quilt was large wall-hanging size and very nicely done. I really liked seeing some of the quilts that had quilting done well that enhanced the piece. There were very few pieces that had hand quilting done. Maybe it is a dying art to some degree. Or maybe many of the quilters are like me and having issues with eyesight. It's easier to send the thing out than squint you way through to the finish. I got to thinking that the reason I make such small pieces lately is that very reason. I can handle the work on small doll-sized pieces and wall hangings. I found the other day that I used the walking foot to finish a little Christmas piece for myself. It's a lesson in humility and a lesson in letting perfection go. The piece is not perfect but it's done and will make the house look more cheerful. But I digress......The very best thing about going to the show was I got to meet Judy from Northport... Judy rocks. Great sense of humor and such a fun personality. I was embarrassed to ask if I could take a picture so I didn't. I'm hoping Judy will come out and play sometime in the future. There are too few of us artistic types who don't take themselves too seriously around here and I got the impression that Judy would be fun to get to know. That was the best part of yesterday. Other than that, we went to JoAnn's where they were having their midnight madness sale and madness was the key word there. I came away with thread and scissors. The line for cutting fabric was around the store. I'm not sure why they bother to send out coupons for that sale since you can't use them on any sale items and everything in the store is on sale. Last time I think I used them to buy a magazine or something equally silly.

Today we awoke to a gorgeous day. Look how green the trees are still. Temps in the 60s and bright blue sky. All perfect for a walk on the beach. Wow, they just let anyone walk on the beach these days-who are these people anyway???

This & That and Books

Who says I can't manage to avoid doing the things I should be doing?? Here are some of the many ways I'm not sewing. In a week or two I'll be in a panic. In the mean time I'm enjoying the things you see above. So many people have told me how much they adore 'Pushing Daisies" so I had to try it myself. Very, very much fun and well done. At least the first couple I watched. Why don't they make tv like this more often?

I got "My Father's Paradise" because I read a review of it that made me really want to have it and it lives up to the review. Very well written. Simply because I can't turn down a historical biography, I will probably read the "The Other Queen" which is about Mary Queen of Scots. I'm currently reading "The Loves Of Louis XIV" which is written by Antonia Frasier. I like her writing most times but this may be a little too dry even for a history buff like me. I'm reading it in small bits here and there. The fact that I can easily put it down and not look back is always a bad sign for me.

In an effort to make me feel guilty about not quilting or sewing, I received another monthly package of fat quarters from Keepsake. They have a decidedly Halloween feel to them and are, in fact, called "Not quite Halloween" I'm not sure of how I'll use them but it's a sure thing that they won't be for this Halloween.

This afternoon I made a big pot of Italian vegetable soup with hot sausage and potato. You can make it with tortellini or other pasta but I didn't have enough of either of those things on hand. I'm making cheddar biscuits with it and calling it a day. It's perfect soup weather. Cool and a little damp.

Hope you have a great night.

Brilliant passing

Fall is really in full swing around here. I think the trees are confused though. Or maybe it's Mother nature herself. There is a lot of really vibrant green around yet and then there are some trees like this one in bright beautiful yellow. The driveway and grounds are covered with beautiful color even though the guys were out there bagging up loads over the weekend. There are hundreds of trees and vines out there. I had intended take the camera down to the harbor or to the beach but I was much longer at the big box store that starts with a K. I really don't like the place but it's the only store that sells certain things that I need for the house we can't do without. I managed to escape the whole holiday-in-December-that-we-won't- name-yet. They had a huge display set up with pre-lit trees and all the Martha decor. Good grief that stuff is expensive and really kind of cheesy for a lot of money. I just took a look-see and passed by. I was looking for a wreath with some autumn theme for the door but the stuff was picked over and also pretty cheesy. I'll make my own. What was glaringly obvious though was that I was one of about 3 people in the store. They had checkers lined up and waiting for people that weren't there. The economy-most likely. Also it's Monday morning and I suppose a lot of families shop on the weekend.

Since I didn't make it to my other destinations I plan on getting out tomorrow to take some pictures. The guy that lives around the corner from me has put up his haunted house for the kids again this year. His has dinosaurs. The entry fee is some type of groceries for our Pantry. Last year he filled two pick-up trucks with stuff and delivered it to us. He's a great guy. Sadly, his house is on possibly one of the worst curving pieces of road in town. It's really an awful place to have a bunch of cars stopping and people in the road. He has such a neat piece of land though and it's right down by the salt marsh where it could be really spooky at the right time of day. All those un-dead dinosaurs and such...eeekk.

The Dr. is supposed to call me with a time to come and get my pneumonia shot. Considering my last experience with an injection, I'm really wondering about getting this one. Roger didn't have any problem but then he didn't have a problem with the flu shot either. I need to think about it more.

I started the window toppers by measuring a couple of panels and that's as far as I got so I'd better get on with that.

Talk to you soon.

Say What??

Well, I finally found out what happens when you have a reaction of major proportions to the flu shot. Got mine on Wednesday-got the flu on Thursday. Seriously folks, The Freakin' Flu. Fever, joint pain and near delirium. You doubt my sincerity?? I was so out of it I melted my teapot to the stove. (Never mind that I've done that when I'm A OK more than once.) I woke up at about 3 am with fever and teeth chattering and tried to get out of bed. That's when I knew it was something bad. So much pain in my joints that my legs just about gave out under me. Tried in my stupor to figure out what was familiar about this feeling...Holy Crap says I, I've got the flu.

Well, after spending most of the day sleeping off the flu and trying to do some silly walks like Monty Python from the joint pain, my darling husband brought home eggplant Parm heros. I didn't feel like eating most of the day and I was in a veritable coma anyway but by the time Roger walked in with the hero I knew I was on the mend simply because I inhaled the eggplant parm and then cleaned my plate with my tongue...disgusting. In much the same way that you know that your dog is unwell if his nose is warm, you can be sure there is something deadly afoot if Dee looses her appetite. So anyway...I'm much better today, some joint pain in my hips left over but I got dressed and headed to the Library to return some stuff and have tea with my pal Terry. Always a great pick-me-up. She reminded me that next weekend is the Smithtown Stitchers Quilt show. It's a small one but they always have some good pieces. Sadly most of the work is very traditional. Not that there is anything wrong with that but I wouldn't mind seeing something a little arty too. Oh well, there are so few shows around here that any show is welcome.

I have much to catch up with in the way of laundry and ironing. I stopped and picked up a few things at the store for the weekend. My husband says we have had too much chicken lately. He rarely complains about anything so I guess he's right and I got a pot roast to prove the point.

Back soon.

Can you stand some color?

Hey! It's Clematine season. That's reason to celebrate. You have to appreciate the small things, right?

I have been wanting some red fabric for window toppers for a while. I found a pretty good deal at JoAnn's a few weeks ago and as soon as I'm done with this entry I will be heading up to measure out the pieces. These things don't take long to make-straight sewing-no sweat. The trick for me is to measure out all the hems and mark them well. The all you have to do is flat finish the seams and you good. I really need some red in my life.

I stopped at Tuesday Morning last week to see what I could find. Recently we found some Santoku knives at a close-out place while we were in Pennsylvania. The knives were dirt cheep and I have no problem just tossing them when they are no longer sharp. I remembered seeing some similar knives in TM a while back but they were a better brand and a little more expensive. Sure enough, I found a great one by Cuisinart that is nicely balanced and works well. Again, it's not so expensive that I will cry if it stops splitting hairs. The only problem I find with these knives is that they are sooooo sharp that one can easily mince the fingernails. Suffice to say I need to pay more attention to what I'm doing and I need a manicure. Anyway, while I was perusing the place, I noticed a display with Olfa cutters and quickly took the last 2. They are the $24 ones and I got them for 7 bucks and change. Whoooot!

Today I'm going to have dinner with an old friend. We were best pals in Jr. High and High School back when dinosaurs roamed the earth. What's amazing about this is that we live about a mile from each other and haven't seen each other much in 20+ years. How the heck does that happen? I had to get in touch with her about a legal problem that we are trying to resolve regarding my citizenship and immigration. She works in that area. She could not have been nicer and her voice was exactly the same. I can't describe it but she has a kind of throaty smoky voice and I could pick that voice out anywhere. It's very comforting. Anyway, we made a date for girly dinner together and I'm very happy about that. Now I just need to go find something to wear. That essentially means I need to iron something.

I feel better about things today than I did in my last entry. I'm sure it will be a roller coaster for a while but maybe...just maybe, we can breathe again. All this holding my breath is making me feel faint. I believe I'll have a drink with dinner.

Talk to you soon.

Barbarians at the Gate?

Apparently we have a small band of revolutionaries right here in our midst!!

Please click on the picture to see what they're up to and bring your sense of outrage and humor with you. This is the back page of the local....(I hesitate to call it a newspaper since they have a computer so old that it clearly doesn't have spellcheck)...fish wrap journal...bird cage liner....meh, let's call it a paper. Can't really go wrong there. I am DYING to know who this group of parents are, DYING I tell you. This place is always a little better when there's drama afoot. A few years ago a man who I grew up buying my ice cream sundaes from, took on politics-badly. So badly that it nearly finished his business. One that had been around for nearly a hundred years. His position was coming from a good place but misguided by people who were surrounding him and did not have his best intentions in mind. He went after a very, very popular Police Chief and in no time at all his name was Mudd. The more stubborn he stood his ground, the worse things got for him until one day he was really hated. After the Chief's son was killed in Iraq, he was advised, even by his own advisers to make an end to it. I can't look at him to this day without thinking of how often I used to go into his shop for ice cream and the best burgers and how far he fell by his disregard for public feelings and stupid pig headedness. But that's small town life and so when I finished reading the ..ahem...paper in about 4 1/2 minutes I turned it down and noticed this back advert. Hooahhhh! It's time to sharpen our knives and take to the field of discontent.

I rarely speak about politics in this blog because I'm sure that I have many delightful friends in blogland that are of very differing opinions. I like my friends for a lot of reasons-none of which are political. I may admire a person for they're adept position and knowledge but I'm an equal opportunity friend. They come in all shapes and sizes and colors. The biggest thing they have in common is that they are passionate about the things they say, or do, or feel. I long ago learned that politics stinks out loud. No matter which side you pick, at some point you will have to hold your nose and realize that if a politician is talking they are lying. I can't stand one side of this years disgusting brawl and I'm un-convinced that the other side is much better...only different. I guess that's what comes of living to 60 and living with a husband who has had to deal with Washington for a number of years. There is only one way that I will not be disappointed and that is because they all reveal themselves in the end. You just have to hope that before the crap hits the fan in front of you...you can move to a safe place and not a lot lands on you. The past week has made me literally sick to my stomach. The moron in power keeps babbling about "Our Nation" and what we need to be patient about, meanwhile, he's going out in the golden parachute of all time and will never have to answer for what he has done....NEVER. Or perhaps eventually he will answer only to the God that he stands so righteously before all the time. As for me I think there's a special hell reserved for both him and his cronies.

Anyway, that's the news from around here this weekend. Hope I havn't offended anyone who matters a lot to me. I'm cynical and hurting. We played by the rules and we're screwed.I'm allowed to be pissed.

I'll be back with quilty stuff tomorrow-time to move on.

Busted??

I hardly know what to say. I'm not a financially savvy person so my opinion is really based on worry about our future. We're fine now based on the fact that we live very simply and well within our means. No major debt to speak of except taxes and the cost of living. That should give us a lot to be grateful for but right now I'm still in the angry phase. Roger has worked hard his entire life and, like some others, we have played by the rules. Paying our bills and putting something aside for the day when we could enjoy a peaceful, simple, sort of retirement. I can't even imagine having all the money that we've lost in the past weeks. So much for a comfortable retirement?? I hope not. I took this cartoon from a fabulous political cartoon site-Darryl Cagle's site. If we can find anything funny about what's going on, it will appear there. I have had many a chuckle there but it's hard to find the humor in these awful days and the cartoon above about sums it up in a nutshell.

Today I am waiting for a mattress to be delivered for James. They are supposed to be here before noon but that time is slipping away quickly. I hope there's not a problem. In the meantime I'm writing some letters for the Food Pantry and reminding myself that there is always someone who has it way worse.

We are having a small summer weather return with temps in the 70s. Not complaining but the change from 45 to 70 is a bit of a pain. You just never know what to wear and I was really enjoying a return to fall. One thing is for sure. In mid October these days will not last much longer and I am trying to appreciate the warmth while it's here.

Wish I felt more like sewing but I can't seem to get my head around it right now. I've noticed that a number of people who blog regularly are not either. On the positive side of things to think about I have pounds of fabric and winter is coming so I won't be lacking in material to work. Even if my pocketbook is bare, the shelves are pretty full.

I hope things in your world are not too bleak. Talk to you soon.

odds & ends

I've been doing some mundane things that are not even blog worthy. Most of which is involved with the Pantry business which has become the bane of my existance. I'm weary from dealing with stupid people. Hopefully we have managed to straighten out a few problems and things can get back to normal.

The days just seem to get away from me. There are a couple of things I didn't want to show but now that they are in the mail and on their way to friends I can concentrate on the things I am making for the holiday that shall remain nameless until after Halloween. I did manage to make a couple of small pieces that I will use for that holiday instead of giving them away. I don't know why I always do that to myself. I make things that would bring a festive feeling to my own house and then give them away.

These are the scones I made for the girls of the Thursday night quilting group. I made some extra for the guys since it hasn't been very delicious around here for a few weeks what with the no-salt rules and all. Everyone needs a little treat sometimes. I could be way worse than scones and the guys really love these.

Most of my time when not finishing things and cleaning etc. has been taken up with reading and watching dvds. I've also been checking what's new on Amazon and the book above is one I really think will be just right for me. I love history and the history of food....well...what can I say but yum. Food and NYC...well, that's just more goodness overload.

I promise to try to be a better blogger. I've got to spend some time sorting out my pictures and blog fodder. I've got so much stuff loaded into pictures that it's a mess like you wouldn't believe and I can never find anything when I want it. Like the pictures I would like to show you right now but can't find. I will return tomorrow with an meaningful entry and, hopefully, those pics...hmmmm, now where did I file them....

This and That

Sorry I don't have much to show but I'm working on finishing little pieces that are either gifts or things I've already shown. Rather than bore you with the same-old same-old I'll just show the fabric I'm using for one of those items. I found this a while back and it's very pretty. I love me some stripes and these are very nice. I promise to show more when it's done.

Today I am dealing with some Food Pantry issues that need attending to and I made a stop at the Library to visit my best pal Terry. There is so much I could say about each of these events but now I'm unsure who reads my blog and, while I'm brave enough to spout off myself, I don't want to be the cause of any additional angst for any of the people involved. Terry used to be the Director of the Ecumenical Lay Council which is a group of churches in our community who do................something.......escapes me right now.....but I'm sure they do something.....really. The Pantry existed for over 20 years without them and will go on unimpeded should we not have them to do whatever it is they do. Anyway, I enjoy keeping her updated since I enjoy seeing her eyes bug out and hearing her bellowing laughter. The Council is a fascinating study in humanity and an even more interesting study in organized, pompous, religious, gasbags. They appear to be so full of the proverbial crap that they may blow themselves up any time.Sooner would suit me fine. The bottom line is, as I've said before-often, no good deed goes un-punished.

I'd better get back to work. I have much to finish and a great suggestion from Kay for a new read. I looked on Amazon and Gillian Bradshaw has a bunch of books. I love finding a new-to-me author with lots of books. Thanks Kay. I did get a book today while at the library. It's "Vermeer's Hat" The Seventeenth Century and the Dawn of the Global World. I know what your thinking."She must be really fascinating to chat with!" In my best Ned Flanders voice I say...indeedleedo. I also found "America's Hidden History" by Kenneth C. Davis that is chocked full of historical detail about famous events in history and their true story rather than the cleaned-up, dumbed-down school textbook versions. There is a chapter about the Salem Witch trials and Columbus as well as other interesting things that grab the attention of a history geek like me. I remain a fountain of useless knowledge.

Back with more news soon. Try to contain your excitement.

Staycation, Part Deux

Here's a couple of shots of the harbor taken last week by my husband. There's someone enjoying an early autumn sail. Lots of boats have already been taken out for the winter. We always loved this time of year best since all the tourists have gone home and you can actually get to the launches with your boat. Plus the crisp fall weather makes everything look so pretty looking back to the shore. Leaf peeping at its best.

We hightailed it back to the Old Mill for lunch on Wednesday.

Good move. Another really wonderful lunch. The food was delicious and the scenery couldn't be beat. It was the last of the beautiful weather for the week so I'm happy we went back. We had clam chowder(New England)that was very good and different than the day before. Roger thought it was very much like mine and I'll take that compliment and run with it. We had the frito di mare and it was all so crisp and fresh you didn't taste any of the oil it was fried in. Crunchy and sweet scallops and shrimp and a big piece of flounder on a bed of super crisp skinny fries. Dessert was panna cottta for me and cheesecake for my boyfriend. I just read that the place was taken over a couple of years ago by a group of people including Greta Van Sustern of CNN. Greta wasn't there when we were-unless she's the fry cook and didn't feel presentable to meet us. Ah well, perhaps next time.

We awoke today to a real honest to goodness rain storm with wind and torrential rain. Haven't had any of that for a month. It's been very dry. This will bring down a hail of leaves from the still full trees and vines. The temperature has been nice and so cool in the evenings that it makes for good sleeping weather. Here's a last shot of the Macari Vineyards entrance.

I didn't really enjoy any staycation yesterday since I had to do laundry, grocery shopping and with the many tomatoes from out east, I made eggplant caponata. We had it over pasta last night. I didn't put salt into it but a large handful of chopped green olives added a little more flavor. This cooking without salt is a challenge. With fresh ingredients like those it did taste pretty good and I added some grated locatelli on mine.

Since the weather is not good for anything else, I will do some reading and sewing today. Picked up a copy of "The Duchess" the biography of the Duchess of Devonshire and am enjoying that-it's a good history fix but the writing is a little dry so far-can't wait to see the movie. There are some historical writers that somehow put a little more punch into the telling. Still, it's interesting and I'll stick with it.

Hope you have a good day. Talk to you tomorrow.

A Vacation at Home

Here's where we're headed today for part deux of our vacation at home. Yesterday we drove out to this restaurant called The Old Mill in Mattituck for lunch thinking it was safe since it was Tuesday and most restaurants close on Mon. Nope, not so for The Old Mill. As we were informed by an Old Salt who was working away with a bunch of power tools, "Tuesday is cleaning and fixing day". So today we are driving back out that way to go to clean and fixed Old Mill. The menu looks fun since along with the usual seaside eating type foods they have a menu with political dishes named after candidates currently running for office. I will come back with that info later. When we found this place closed we headed off to another very nice place called The Old Barge-not to be confused with "The Barge" right around the corner. Ick to The Barge and yippee skippee to the Old Barge. We had a fabulous meal from soup to nuts as it were. I had a crab & citrus dish to start we both had clam chowder and then I had a Lobster Roll and Roger had scallops on a melange of beans and corn sort of succotash. Everything was very, very, fresh and super delish. Oh, I almost forgot, Roger had a pile of steamers to start. Needless to say I didn't have to cool dinner last night and I'm aiming for another repeat this evening. Since this is our vacation and we are not in Maine spending thousands on accommodations we have decided to splurge on gasoline and food right here. We took a road that lead us past one of the vineyards and so I had to shoot some grapes for you all. They were in the process of the vendange but instead of people taking the grapes off the vines they have giant machines that travel up and down the rows plucking those sweet babies right off their vines.

The pic oft the boat and channel are from outside the Old Mill. We are getting ready to go now so I have to take off before my man James beeps the horn in the limo(har)

The rest of the week looks like really rainy weather so it will be back to stuff around here. Hope to get some sewing done then. Thanks for stopping by. Restaurant review to come.

Quiltathon???Not So Much.

Perhaps I should call it Bindathon. That's really what I accomplished most. I just can't seem to settle down when the family is around. There's always something to take my attention away and as we all know, if there is any shiny object placed in front of me I will immediately look at it and never look back. I just need to put a couple of rings for hanging on the kitty and he can go to the recipient for the little one to come. The Christmas houses need a couple of buttons here and there of a festive nature and maybe a Noel and the year embroidered on it. I finished a PIF doll quilt that will find its way to a new home soon.

This was Cow Harbor weekend. All I can say about that is that it has turned into a political and Real Estate festival. Both of those things make my stomach turn so I avoid the whole thing and Judy couldn't have picked a better idea than a Quiltathon this weekend. Normally we would have been in Maine right about now endangering lobsters statewide but since we are experiencing technical(medical) difficulties the lobsters have been given a reprieve.... for now. Roger is on vacation this week so we will try to enjoy the peace and quiet of our small world instead. Maine will have to wait till next year and Oh, how we'll will miss it till then. I'm hoping to get some sewiing done this week but the place I set up is in the kitchen and when it's time for meals I have to clear off everything and then those shiny objects appear and..... OOoooo look a shiny object......

Lucky Me!

Lookeeee what popped up in my mailbox! A beautiful painting by Melody. I am going to see about having it framed today. I really love her paintings and nasturtiums are a favorite flower of mine. The only unfortunate thing was that our friend Rich was right about the postal service. If you put "Do Not Bend" on an envelope that is the one they will use for soccer practice. The mat was crinkled. I'm happy that's all that happened since the envelope looked like a truck ran over it. Most fortunately, there was no damage to the picture itself. Thank you so much Dear Mel.

If, like so often is the case with me, you are looking for a way to avoid doing the things you need to do, here is the Sarah Palin Baby name generator. Gerrie had this on her blog today. The name they came up with for me is Rink Debate. Nice huh??? Gerrie has more about this on her political blog. You can get there by visiting her art blog here.

I had bloodwork done yesterday for my semi annual checkup and, since it bears repeating, getting old sucks big time. I'm sure the Dr. will have much to say to me this time since I have not paid one bit of attention to anything important this time around. I will tell him that I will try harder for next time and then jump for joy when it's over. My Dr. is wonderful but he is about 30 and looks like 15. It's really hard to connect with a guy who looks like Opie Taylor. Anyway, needless to say I will be in a super grumpy mood Friday a.m. Nothing like getting a good talking to first thing. I really do appreciate what he's trying to do and I mean it when I say I will try. Again, getting old sucks but the alternative is suckier. I saw a woman in the clinic yesterday who was 99. Lord let me live that long if I can be that sharp. She was really funny and right on with her comments. Seeing someone like that should be a good reason for behaving oneself...right???

Well, if I hope to get to Target and other errands today, I better get going. Talk to you soon.

Addendum: I'm answering Gerrie's comment here because I admire her, love her, and didn't want to leave the impression that I don't appreciate the gifts I've been given. I'm very happy with certain aspects of this stage of getting older. It's all the things I shouldn't do that are catching up with me-those things suck. I am more at peace than I have ever been with myself. The simple, and awful truth is that I really hate having to behave myself with regard to food. I love to cook and, Lord help me, I love to eat. If it wouldn't kill me I would eat pasta three times a day and follow it with pastry. I am a slug. If you look up sloth in the dictionary there is a picture of me wrapped around a branch eating Fritos. I hate to exercise and further hate the time it takes out of the day. Getting sweaty and smelly working out is not my thing. By the time you shower and do the hair half the day is nearly gone. I resent that and will avoid it like the plague. As for growing old-I'm really o.k. with that most days and I count my blessing that so far I haven't managed to kill myself with carbs, whipped cream and whining about getting old. I think we should all hope to be as amazing a woman as Gerrie is, at any age.

The Koi and I

Here's a picture of one of the 20 or so vineyards on the far north eastern tip of Long Island. Yesterday we went to visit our friends who own a house just past this vineyard in Mattituck. In the distance you can see the Atlantic. Everytime we drive out to see them I am so happy to be in this last, best, place on the island. Even though it's so over developed and populated more recently by famously obnoxious and very wealthy Hollywood types, it still remains, particularly at this time of year, a sort of wild place. I understand that during the season you can't, and frankly, wouldn't want to be here. Many of these wealthy people come out here and treat the natives very badly. For all of their money they have ot managed to buy manners.

When I was a younger woman you could come out here and not see anything but potato farms and vegetable farms for miles. It's not far to Montauk which is the tip end of the island and all there is between here and Ireland.

There ws a Japanese man who lived out here for many years who had a farm where you could by the most beautiful bonsai and fabulous trees and plants. He sold out and I hope he's growing beautiful things somewhere else still. It was truly a precious piece of land. In recent years it has, unfortunately been discovered. Farmers found that they could not afford to turn down offers for their land and so a number of housing developments sprang forth where miles of green growth used to be. It's no different a story than a thousand others you can hear about land developement. More recently, the members of families who have lived here for centuries have begun to question their mistakes and put more thought into just how much of this place they want to be developed. I'm happy to read about that. The best thing that has been developing for many years now are the vineyards. For years the wine was so so but now they are putting out a pretty good vintage. At least that's what I hear. What I like best about it all is that you can drive for miles and see nothing but grape vines on either side of the road. There's something wonderful about that.

Our friends have a pretty little house down a dead end road that is very private and sweet. In their backyard is a Koi pond that is brimming with fat, hungry, Koi. I could sit there all day and just watch them. They sense your approach and follow you wherever you stand...just waiting for you to throw them some delicious pellets.

They all but stand on there tails half out of the water waiting. I adore the Koi and wish our friends were closer. The pond is covered with a net that is nearly invisible and keeps out the racoons and other critters who would like to make a meal out of the Koi. The pictures are clickable.

While we were there we had a nice lunch and a visit. On the way home we stopped at one of the hundred farm stands and bought the most perfectly round, deep red tomatoes. Perfect for slicing and BLTs. Can you guess what we had for dinner? We also stopped at Briermere Farms for the best peach pie ever! It costs a fortune but it's really great. and bursting with real fresh peaches not that gloppy crap you get in the store.

I hope you are all having a good weekend and I'm thinking good thoughts for those of you who are in the way of that big wind from the gulf. Talk to you soon.

Here kitty kitty....

Whipping up a little something for a little one who is on the way. I thought this one block with a little bit of a checkerboard border will be a cute little something to hang in the kidlets room. Big cat lovers so this should hit the spot.

There's a rather loud storm heading our way. I can hear the static on the radio and the thunder in the distance and I'm thinking I don't want to turn on the Viking until it passes. Not sure what a power outage would do to the innards. I think it's plugged in to a power surge protector but maybe I'll just hang out and wait for this to pass.

I've been doing a lot of cooking lately and trying to make things with less salt. Salt is really delicious...sigh. I know, I know, you can substitute lots of herbs and spices, all very well, but the missing salt is hard to get used to. It's good for us and especially Roger since he's having an issue with swelling of the feet from his meds.

I'm walking on the treadmill daily. That's a good thing since I haven't done a lot of good for myself all summer. I'm sure the Dr. will have plenty to say about that in a few weeks when I go for a check-up.

I'm going to sign off now since I just saw lightening...eeeeeek. Talk to you later

Color Riot for Late Summer

The hibiscus is providing a little shade for my happy little Buddha. The coleus is nearing the end of its beautiful cycle. Those were the smallest plants when I put them in. I really love coleus. You really get your moneys worth and very big bang for the buck.

Sorry for the odd angle but I had this one draped over a chair. I had enough Holly Jolly pieces to make another little wall hanging and there are still more to make other things with. It's really amazing how much you can get out of those little charm packs and a couple of fat quarters. Roger is taking Fridays off until the end of September. He has some days off coming to him and needs to take them or they will be lost. A 4-day work week sounds like a great idea for him right now. Long weekends are wonderful. I plan to sew the bindings on the mini quilts and put this last one together for binding. That should keep me busy. Well, that and the usual crap like laundry...

Books & Late Summer Light

It's that time of year when the light changes and turns a little blue. Our Chestnut tree is dropping leaves and chestnuts like mad. You can just stand there and watch the leaves fluttering to the ground, all yellow and transparent. Like rice paper. So different from the strong, green, opaque, leaves of summer. While not really a "summer" person, I can't help being a little melancholy about fall. If things go as usual, we will have warm weather well into November so it's not about the temps at all. It's just that even though January is supposed to be the beginning of the year, to me, fall is really the end. Winter is much too close.

I have a couple of books to look forward to though. "The Guernsey Library and Potato Peel Society" looks to be a winner. It's about the German occupation of the isle of Guernsey during the second world war. The book consists of many letters written by residents of the island and I'm looking forward to reading it. The second book is not out yet but I put the picture up for gratuitous yumminess. Your welcome. I don't think Gordon's book is out till November.

I've got a lot of letters to write today for the Pantry so I better get to the grocery store and take care of other errands so I can get to that. Not much sewing going on today. Maybe tomorrow.

Laid back Labor day Weekend

This morning, while it was still quiet, I was catching up with the blogs. I noticed Libby, one of my favorites, showed some adorable, very simple, small pieces she was working on. As she noted in her blog, when you cut pieces for one of these it's nearly impossible not to cut more than you need and wind up with enough for at least one more-possibly two more. Here are the two I put together the other day and they just need binding. I have another not quite put together yet so there will be three. I just wanted something fast and something to do a little bit of handwork on. Simple and fast and cute..no??? I needed to have some small pieces for gifts and this will get me pretty much done in that department. I can move on to finishing other things after the Labor Day hubbub.

We are having a nice weekend just enjoying each others company. The weather is delightful and my BIL Bob has gone into the city for a trip to Ellis Island with friends and then on to a great Italian restaurant. James and Dani are off to Target and other errands. I'm just checking in to say Hi! while I have a moment. Hope your weekend is as much fun.

I'll be back with come book talk soon. I found a bunch of great books on the horizon and that is exciting since, in my opinion, the book world is a little bleak lately. Fall looks to be a bit better.

Talk to you soon

Good book, but now I'm hungry!

I'm currently reading several books. That's nothing new but it drives my husband crazy. How can you read many books at once??? You keep some upstairs and some downstairs and they are very different so you don't really mix up any story lines. I'm a big fan of biography and auto biography. I think there is almost nothing better than a book about someone who lives in another country writing about their life there. Can't begin to name ll the great books that I've read along those lines. Many have a lot to do with travel and cooking. Those are my favorite. This past year I have read several that were really so interesting that I would go back and read them again. "Heat", by Bill Buford is one. It's the story of his year spent cooking in the kitchen of Mario Batali. A very fun read. Mario is just enough of a nut job to make it even more fun. I'm currently reading "Last Days of Old Beijing" by Michael Meyer. It's the story of his life in Beijing in the years leading up to the Olympics and how the government transformed the area surrounding the Forbidden City and Tienanmen Square by razing the hutongs where thousands of people had lived for centuries. In his descriptions of various scenarios he records his daily life there as a teacher in one of the remaining hutong. An old woman who lives in the courtyard nearby cooks for him and daily serves him steaming bowls of noodles or dumplings in hot broth. On another say he visits the noodle shop where another family is waiting the fate of their business. They make shaved noodles in pork broth with scallions, mushroom and spicy bean curd. I don't recommend this book to anyone who is not really interested in the minutia of the changing China. Parts of it are fascinating and parts I have skipped by to get the the noodles and dumplings. All in all a pretty good read though-if you like that stuff and I do. Yesterday I picked up a copy of Sue Grafton's latest, "T is for Trespass" and I'm enjoying it so much I could hardly put it down last night. I read 3/4 of the book yesterday and that should tell you how much other stuff I got done(0).I was happy to find that I really liked it since the last couple have left me kind of cold. This one moves right along and the story interests me because it has a story line that is all too familiar to me right now. One of my friends has an 82-year-old father who is in the throws of dementia and a younger woman has moved in on him and of all things, they went and got married last week. Within 3 days there were thousands missing from a bank account and things are not looking good. Anyway, I had no idea what the plot of this book was but when I started reading I said, WOW does this remind me of that situation. My friend's father lives down south and they are holding their collective breath until they can get down there in a week or so. That'll be some hot time in the south! But I digress....the book is great and an interesting read.

We are getting the house ready for a visit from our dearest friends from Pennsylvania. They were so wonderful when we recently had our problems and hospital adventures that I can't wait to see them and spend some serious time making a fuss over them. For the time being, I'm really not doing much sewing. After our friends leave I'll get back to work again. If you don't hear from me don't worry. Roger seems to be doing well on his meds and we're in a holding pattern for now.

I only have one problem right now and it's not having access to those dumplings you see above. They are soup dumplings and if you go into lower Manhattan to Chinatown you can get a bowl full for a couple of bucks. They are very big and when you bite into them there is soup inside. It's all a big messy thing but my mouth is watering thinking about it. Unhappily for me Chinatown is 45 miles of horrible roads away. Hmmm.

We're home & Main St.

I finally got Roger home and he's doing well. They have given him new meds and he will take a couple of days to see how that goes. Fingers crossed. Both of us are really beat so I'll keep it short. Thanks to all of you who left nice comments and private e-mails. You really made me feel good.

I've gotten nothing accomplished so I have a few pictures of the village to fill the void. This is a picture looking up from the harbor. Today is Tuesday and if it's Tuesday here it's Family night in the village. They close off the lower part of town and allow some antique car owners to park there for show and have many different types of fun activities. If I'm not mistaken tonight is ugly hair night and I imagine there will be some really wild & hairy folks trying for the prize. There's usually some music-various local groups and , of course, no party would be complete without food vendors and junk food of some sort. Of course if it's Italian night there may be zeppoli and they are great. For those who don't know what zeppoli are-they are fried dough in the manner of doughnuts covered with powdered sugar and in a brown paper bag. The farther away you are from the purchase of the zeppoli the more the bag will be covered with oil and then they are basically belly bombers. No one in their right mind would touch a cold zeppoli. However, hot and crispy, they are the bomb.

We will not be attending this since we have no will power and don't want to wind up in the hospital with zeppoli-related injuries.

I'll talk to you soon.

Take two

We are back in the hospital again with more of the same and no definite answers. Roger is still in A-fib and it's not returning to normal this time and staying there. He's understandably down in the dumps and needless to say, no matter how nice they try to make the hospital experience, it's still an icky place to be. They gave him a hamburger of unknown origin yesterday and a package of artificially flavored no- salt Ketchup substitute...hmmmmm. A hungry Roger is an unhappy Roger.

I'll be back with news when I can. Meanwhile I have errands. My new glasses are in so, on the way to the hospital I will stop and pick them up. Maybe things will look rosier through new glasses?Thanks for all the nice thoughts and comments from last time. It's great to have friends.