Old school

I've spent about sixteen years in the wireless industry. As you can imagine, I've been through several evolutions of technology and related accessories during that time. I've always been pretty game to try the newest thing that came down the pike, but the one I can't seem to cozy up to just yet is the Bluetooth headset. Something about it just bugs me. Maybe it's the fact that it's very hard to tell when someone is on the phone. Maybe it's the look...just a little bit Jetsons. Or Star Trek. I'm not sure which. I've tried to adapt, believe me. I really have. And, I'll probably try again someday.

But today isn't that day.

So, when Oregon's new law came about this month, and everyone was snapping up their new wireless headsets and speakerphones, I went digging through my archives and found this.

I may be the only one sporting this little number, but at least you'll be able to tell I'm on the phone.

2009: The Year of the Mitt

Try not to yawn as you view this post, please. I had promised to post my 2009 knitting projects, and as you can see, they're not much to write home about. See all those mitts? They're all the same pattern. And the scarves? Same pattern. And the washcloths? Um, double yawn. But, they were all gifts, so cut me some slack, will you?

I did manage to do a few squares for a charity blanket project, which was fun. And a baby sweater for one of our Bend Knit Up group members. And I started a sweater for myself. See that itty bitty pic toward the upper right? The blue one? Yep, that's the one. Still looks pretty much like that.

Except that it has some company now...

That is a sleeve. Yes, Virginia, there is a chance I'll be wearing this sweater someday.

Crawling out of the rut

Somehow, we seem to get into the pattern of the same few dinners over and over again around here. They're easy, we can make them with our eyes closed, etc. Only trouble is, it gets boring. The quarterly dinner group we belong to has been a great way to discover new dishes, but we still revert back to our "pattern eating".

In an effort to rectify this, DH and I have made a plan. A challenge. Okay, a resolution. This year, at least two weekends each month (provided we're at home), we're going to take turns choosing and making a new recipe for dinner. Most anything goes, as long as it doesn't use too many expensive, exotic ingredients. In the end we should have--give or take--two dozen new items to add to our line-up.

We both love all kinds of foods, so there really is no excuse for this bad habit. And for years (oh, say, roughly seven...), we've been subscribing to a great cooking magazine, Cuisine at Home. It comes six times a year and contains all sorts of tempting recipes, helpful cooking tips, equipment reviews and NO ads! See what I mean? No excuses!

So, last weekend was Yankee Pot Roast...a new twist on an old standby (and DH's selection for the week). Tonight: My turn. I'll let you know how they turn out.

Feeling witty?

If you've poked around on my page at all, you've noticed I've included Anne Taintor on my list of fun sites. Something about the witty captions combined with the retro/vintage artwork always lifts my spirits and gives me a laugh. And now, as a part of their 25th anniversary, you can play, too! Check this out. If you win, I want to hear about it!

2009: The year I started sewing again

Here's a snapshot of sewing FO's for 2009; knitting FO's to follow. My machine's back from its annual service, so it's time to get back to it!

Where on earth have I been?

I guess it's obvious where I haven't been. I haven't been here, taking note of interesting happenings, sights, or thoughts. I didn't make a conscious decision to take three months off from updating, but lo and behold, three months have gone by. That's not to say that I haven't ventured onto the site, because I most certainly have. As the title suggests, this is a repository for me. It contains links to other sites I enjoy in the way of blogs and reference. So, periodically over the past three months I would find my way here, think about how I really should post something, and then venture on to one of the blogs I'm following (see the sidebar).

Now wait a minute. Before you think I've been doing absolutely nothing in the way of writing, you should know this: I have been writing...for my work. Which may explain why I haven't updated here! Because when I completed my writing work for the day, my focus turned either to my sewing or--finally!--to my knitting. I can't show you the knitting project just yet (for those on Ravelry, you can see it in my projects), but I can show you the recipient:

Isn't she pretty? I think so. Her name's Adelyn. But, we'll mostly call her Addie. I'm in love.

So, with the new year comes renewed effort to keep taking notes on life around me, and to share it here. I wish all of you out there the best this year has to offer. Cheers!

Random reflections on September

1. The Minkler Cash Store. Do. Not. Miss. It. Of course, you have to find yourself in central CA, east of Fresno. But, still...completely worth it.
   
2. If you leave Fresno, CA at 5:20 a.m., you can reach Bend, OR by 4:00 p.m. The same day. While driving relatively close to the posted speed limit.
3. Enjoyed my first rugby game. Of course as a spectator. That is one rough sport. Just like football, without the helmets and pads. Ouch.
4. Rugby players are a wild bunch.
5. I wish someone would've told me sooner about the wonderfulness that is Aloha Cafe's Lava Chicken. Wait. I may have been better off not knowing.
6. I should play golf more than once a year.
7. I get to be a MIL again! So very happy for DD#2 on her engagement.
8. Guess I'd better get back to a regular workout schedule. And lay off #5.
   
9. All this cool weather makes me think it must be time to fire up the needles.
10. Do I finally finish the sleeves on that blasted sweater, or find some new inspiration?
    

Watch out for that blind curve. It's seriously deadly.

Above the bar at Minkler Cash Store. Yes, you can have a beer before you do your shopping. Or after.

Restorative

Each September and February, a group of girlfriends gets together for the weekend. In September, it's a great way to close out the summer and make sure our connections are strong for the busy fall and winter ahead. There are nine of us now, coming from various parts of Oregon and northern California. We spend the weekend talking, eating, laughing, drinking wine, reading, occasionally knitting...nothing strenuous. Our weekend this year had the perfect setting: Lake of the Woods in southern Oregon. My friend's family cabin on the east side of the lake is the perfect setting at all times of day...

Just after sunriseEarly afternoon

Evening

It's a little piece of paradise, right here on earth.

Despite the fact that I never wanted to leave, I think I'm now ready to take on whatever the world throws my way this fall.

I ran a marathon! Well, sort of...

As some of you recall, I participated in a half-marathon in January. Shortly thereafter, I was coerced--er, I mean, invited--to do another one in June with two nieces who live near Seattle. Despite the fact that I wasn't able to train as rigorously for the second one, I did complete it, and I did beat my Phoenix time by one whole minute!

Yay, me!

Considering the Seattle course was hilly, and the Phoenix one was flat as a pancake, I was thrilled to come in with a better time.

If you're a runner who enjoys participating in these events, I have high praise for the Rock 'n' Roll Series of races. Not because the music along the route is outstanding (I honestly didn't feel it was, in either race), but because the races were so well organized. From the registration packet pick-up to the finish line, it was a smooth and enjoyable experience. The Seattle course was absolutely beautiful, too. It began in Tukwila and wound up through the Seward Park neighborhood, along Lake Washington, through the I-90 tunnel and into downtown. Great views!

Now, imagine my surprise when another medal arrived in the mail recently...
See that? It says 26.2 miles! That's a marathon, right?! Never mind the fact that it took me six months to get it done.

One to enjoy before summer's behind us

Before we get to the end of summer, I wanted to share a recipe I found that I've been enjoying this season. Ordinarily, I don't consider myself a cole slaw fan. It's largely because of the mayo. I'll only eat mayonnaise--and it has to be Best Foods--in certain dishes, and cole slaw isn't one of them. Recently, though, I was asked to bring a salad to a friend's dinner party. The entree was to be chicken enchiladas, so I went on the hunt for a complementary Mexican recipe. I think I've found my kind of cole slaw! This Spicy Southwestern Slaw was very refreshing with lots of distinct flavors. I'm a bit wary with jalapenos and cayenne, so the only modifications I made to the recipe were to substitute diced green chiles for the jalapenos, and to use only about 1/4 tsp. of cayenne. Everyone still felt it was spicy enough, and allowed the other flavors in the salad to really stand out.
If you're a cabbage fan, I recommend giving this a try! It'd be a great addition to fish tacos, too. Hmm...maybe that's what's for dinner!

Happiness is...

Fifty. Yes, fifty.

Wow. Another month has passed since my last post. Doesn't exactly make for an interesting read, now does it?

I honestly thought life was back on track there for a while, settling into some kind of normal routine. We helped Mom celebrate her 85th...
With her 12th great-grandchild...
Spent an afternoon with friends at Mt. Shasta Lavender Farms:
Unfortunately, we weren't to see the full glory of Mt. Shasta that afternoon...it's there in the clouds.But the new shop is beautiful!And, oh, the smell of all the fresh lavender. Heaven!

If you get to northern California between mid-June and mid-July in any year, I encourage you to make a stop at the farms. Take a picnic and enjoy the views of the Shasta Valley and the mountain. The sights and scents will do you good.

Yes, that was a lovely weekend, and we returned home with the expectation of settling back into the regular flow of the weekdays and weekends of a Bend summer. Then the phone started ringing.

In that last full week of June, two days apart, I lost two of my first cousins. One from each side of the family. Neither one expected. It's been hard. Really hard.

I'm part of a huge family. Loads of aunts and uncles on both sides of the family (Mom was one of seven; Dad one of eleven), many of whom had loads of children. I came along at the tail end of the generation, so it has become a fairly frequent occurrence that one of my aunts or uncles passes away...most into their 80's or 90's. I miss them all, but am grateful for the long, fulfilling lives they led and for the chance to have been able to know them and hear first-hand the stories and experiences of a Depression-era generation.

As a result of all those aunts and uncles (and I know what you're thinking, but no, they weren't all Catholic, and none of them were LDS...), I am one of 50 first cousins. Yes, you read that right. 27 on my Mom's side, 23 on my Dad's. I haven't recently made a count of these cousins' families, but I'm pretty sure if you put us all in one place we could incorporate a small city. I have my "go-to" cousins for a wide array of issues and advice. They are relatives, but they are also friends. Thankfully, I can say the same for my brothers, sister, nieces and nephews.

It's a mixed blessing, this huge family thing. On one hand, I've had--and continue to have--a lifetime of picnics, weddings, BBQ's, reunions and other assorted family gatherings that have made for a lifetime of happy memories.

On the other hand, I've attended way too many funerals at this point in my life, and I know there are far too many ahead. But, as our family tends to do, we use humor as our coping mechanism. They're now called "going away parties."

Metamorphosis

Remember this?

Well, things are beginning to take shape. The past couple of weeks have been busy on several fronts:

• Gardening (between thunderstorms)
• Working on the consulting project
• Entertaining and enjoying company
• Training for the upcoming half-marathon in Seattle
• Reading a couple of fun, summer-style books: The Girls from Ames, A Salty Piece of Land
  
• Sewing. Lots of it. Between some custom orders and other items, it's been fun to play with fabric and exercise some basic math skills in the design process. Here are a few finished products:
  

File tote for a mobile office

Laptop sleeve

Cord and charger case for a road warrior

What hasn't been happening? Knitting. Must fix that. But right now, I have three more handbags to complete this week.

Not from around these parts, are you?

Periodically, I'll look out to the front lawn to find Sophie stretching out from her back legs, tail straight, nose down, ears forward and an inquisitive look on her face. It's always fun to check out what new bug, snail or caterpillar she is encountering for the first time.


Today was no exception. It was definitely something new and different:

The neighbors' pet turtle decided to break out and take an off-road trip.

Recipe for exhaustion

Ingredients:

• One three-year-old Westie
• One six-year-old girl
  
• One tennis ball
• One stuffed squirrel
• One house with yard

To make:

Mix until blended, allowing to flow in and out of house for two days. Remove six-year-old girl. Check Westie on afternoon of second day. Should look something like this, and remain so for at least one day:

Oops! Someone fell off the blogwagon.

I don't know exactly what happened to the month of May, but here's a brief glimpse:

• Jimmy Buffett is not past his prime. He still puts on a terrific show.
• The wind in Montague can bruise your knee, if it happens to shut your car door on it. And it's the reason I don't plan to ever live there again.
  
• There's a vibe in Berkeley quite like no other place I've been (unless maybe Cambridge, MA.)
• It's wonderful to have a friend that you can pick right up with after years of apart-ness.
• Quaking Aspen are just large weeds. Granted, they're pretty ones, but seriously. I am SO tired of pulling the little shoots, and the battle has only just begun.
  
• My sweater's still not done.
• Bolt is one fantabulous fabric boutique.

Happy June!

Status: Sleeveless

It's the last day of April, and my goal of finishing Cables and Os hasn't quite come to fruition. I've made steady progress, but some company over last weekend and some sewing projects I allowed to distract me put a dent in my knitting time this month. So, here it stands:

I'm now aiming for mid-May. At least I can take comfort in the fact that we're back in winter here and this probably wouldn't keep me warm enough if I did have it completed.

I wasn't going to whine about the weather.

Honest, I wasn't. But after two straight days of this, I can't stand it. Look at the calendar, will you, please! Then, look at these:


And then tell me (insert deep breath here) how I'm supposed to feel like running (which I'm supposed to be doing in about an hour but it's still snowing out and I have this issue where my fingers and toes go numb when I'm out in the cold for very long and I have this personal requirement about running only when it's above 45 and I could come up with a million other excuses but the truth is I just don't want to deal with it), or planning my garden (let alone planting it), or doing much of anything outside that involves more than opening the door to let the dog out and back in (exhale what's left of breath here).

So, I think I'll go knit instead. Indoors. At Dudley's. Where they have great coffee. And it's warm.

Or, maybe I'll succumb to the guilt of knowing that all my running friends will be there and I should just suck it up and act like a true Bendite and stop wimping out because after all it is only for an hour. And someone told me once that there is no bad weather, only bad clothes. And I can stand anything for an hour. Right?

Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner!

Last month, I asked for guesses on the year this fabulous pattern was published...

Since you were good sports and played along, I've decided to select a winner with the closest guess, rather than requiring the exact year. And, with her guess of 1972, Melissa wins! The year was actually 1971. And yes, I did wear one of these, exactly as you see it featured above. Hey...I was eight, and it was the 70's...

For Melissa's nearly-accurate guess, she'll be receiving a set of my summery Hummingbirds & Dragonflies coasters. I know, I know...I said the prize would be knit...but summer's coming and these just seemed like fun.

Thanks for playing along!

One of a Million?

That's my estimate of how many blog posts I'm among out there featuring a photo similar to this one from our beautiful Central Oregon this week.

Click on photo to view the Three Sisters and Broken Top

I made the drive to Sisters Sunday morning for the Stitchin Post's customer appreciation days (thanks for the heads up, Sarah...I love that store...and it should love me back...), and actually remembered to take my camera for a change. It's a wonder there aren't more accidents along Hwy. 20 on days like that; it's hard to keep your eyes on the road when the Cascades are looming so large you can almost reach out and touch them.

I have an ongoing love affair with the Cascade range, probably because of growing up with Mt. Shasta out my front window. If you're a geology lover, there is a fabulous book on the Cascade volcanoes called Fire & Ice by Stephen Harris. I picked it up several years ago at the visitor center at Mt. St. Helens. It's out of print now, but available used on Amazon and probably also through the library. Check it out! It will give you a whole new appreciation for this beautiful chain of mountains.