Yarn!

Saturday in the city and tall ships

2009-07-13T13:34:00.000-07:00

On Saturday we headed into the city with our neighbors Jeff, Cathy and Sydney. We drove and then took the T to see the tall ships. First off we stopped at Jeff's work site and got to see the W hotel in the middle of being built. It really was the highlight of the day but the Tall ships were cool too. The view from the top floor of the building was amazing.

It felt amazing to be in the sun and just walking around Boston. I love this city!!

The Tall Ships were cool

and this was my favorite boat of all. If you click on the photo to get a larger picture you can see all the detail. I just loved the dirty dishes.

Camping in Sabego

2009-07-07T06:10:00.000-07:00

Sebago Lake is the deepest and second largest lake in the U.S. state of Maine. I know this because I looked it up on Wikipedia. I thought you would like to know this. Our friends took us camping with them here. I had a blast and I decided to chronicle the trip with pictures that I took. You know that I am not a real wordy person so I took pictures to share our good time. Almost like you all were there with us or something.

Oh yeah, I am bitten up alive and I have poison ivy. Now my arm is swelling up. I just wanted to share because I know if I go to the doctor they will just give me that blank look like I am crazy for coming in for a "rash" and how the hell are THEY suppose to know what to do about it.

Ok on with the camping trip and enough about me.

First night of camping was a little wet. Um, like torrential shall we say.

Next day the sun was out and we were back in business

I was armed with the mosquito buster. If you are ever wondering if these work, I can tell you very simply....No.

Lots of beach sitting

and duck watching

Boat stuff and water skiing (no, not me but others)

and camp fires

Then there was the 4th of July!

We went into town for some good ole fireworks and to freeze our behinds off.

and then it was time to see the spectacular!

Our last night there it was perfectly clear and an almost full moon

and a big ole fire

and then the next day packing up... I left a little part of my heart back there.

Thanks Cathy and Jeff!!! So glad that we moved here and lucked out to have you as our neighbors and friends.

Happenings around the farm

2009-06-30T13:46:00.000-07:00

Crazy farm that is...

I thought I would give you a little update on the bat box since I know that you have been checkin in to see how it is going. There was a dove on the top of it the other night but to date no bats. I will keep you posted though.

I put up a birdhouse. I have a "thing" for birdhouses (waving to Annie although she doesn't read my blog because she thinks it is stupid)

I pretended like a bird would build a nest in it like it did in my neighbors. So the other day I pointed my camera inside (because I saw twigs) and this is what I saw

If you blow up the picture you can see a little white thing at the end of the twig. *I* am pretending that this is an egg. It is too! I know that a bird will fly out of there sooner or later and I will have the last laugh.

I am knitting. I swear I am

It is from Knitty. I forgot what it is called but I am knitting it.

Oh, Esther says hi!

They like me...they really LIKE me!

2009-06-24T06:33:00.000-07:00

I submitted 5 photos to an online magazine called The Kitchen The pictures were of my backyard living space. I won a book and a t-shirt. Check out the photos at: My Great Outdoors

Oh, please do not mention to them that the last photo in the series that I sent was a picture of poison ivy.

Thanks Ted!

2009-06-23T08:33:00.001-07:00

One of the hardest parts of leaving my home in California (besides all the obvious things like my kids and family and friends) is that I had to give up a lot of my plants. I had a keffir lime tree that I had for years and that I cherished. I cooked with the leaf and knew that it wouldn't be able to come with me to this cold climate. I gave the lime tree to my brother and I am ashamed that I haven't asked about how it is doing. Part of me doesn't want to know.

There were other plants that I loved and had sentimental value to me. I entrusted these to my friend Ted. I knew that Ted would be totally trustworthy to take care of all that I gave him. I must admit that I haven't thought back about my plants since I moved here. I have dwelled more on my kids, family and friends and how heartsick I sometimes feel that they are not within driving distance. I also miss going out to dinner or having them over for dinner. So, the plants take back seat. But, I can not tell you how my heart sang when I opened up an email from Ted (who I haven't corresponded with since I moved here) and the picture above was in his email. I knew that he would have my back where my plants were concerned.

Thanks Ted!

Knitting boredom

2009-06-16T05:54:00.000-07:00

So I decided to show some of the knitting I have been working on. I am bored to tears with all of it. I am considering really letting it go and taking up a new hobby. I swear. I think I have mastered it to a degree in which nothing is a challenge anymore. If you have something that you think would be challenging for me let me know.

I am working on a Koigu sweater for my mom. She loved it and *I* don't. Here are all the pieces sitting there and since the sun never comes out here in New England it is a crappy photo.

I must be into the 60's look because here is another multi color project that I have been working on. It is Barn Raising blanket.

And because I love my garden so much, here is another picture of it.

I planted strawberries in a Topsy Turvey to see what will happen

and last but not least my girl Esther

I have started a separate blog for cooking and food. It is called "Bite Me New England. Not sure if I will be able to keep two blogs going but my interest is more "Food!" than "Yarn!" these days.

Lamb and Bat boxes and jam...ohmy!

2009-06-07T07:41:00.000-07:00

This is my bat box. Our friend Jeff gave it to me at xmas time because I told him I always wanted one.

So one night we were sitting on our pals Cathy and Jeff's porch and just shootin the breeze.

Jeff came up with the idea of putting the bat box up on the light post across the street from the porch so we could watch for bats when we sat out there. Never thought it would happen but last night the plan was carried out.

What a guy. Can't tell you how excited I will be to see my first bat fly into that box.

Busy weekend. We drove to Leyden Glen Farm. We met Kristin Nicholas and her wonderful husband Mark and adorable daughter Julia. We got to meet the sheep, chickens and new kittens.

We also left there happy as could be with our whole lamb (no, not alive) and a dozen fresh eggs.

Our new freezer is finally starting to look like it belongs to us

On our way home from the farm we stopped for lunch at the Wagon Wheel Restaurant. THE most awesome gyro that I have EVER had. While we were there we picked up this locally handmade soda.

I also made some jam to go on this lamb we brought home. My neighbor Roxanne gave me Rhubarb from her garden so I made a recipe that I found at Gourmet online. It was Rhubarb Rosemary Jelly to be eaten on lamb.

How I spent my Memorial Day weekend

2009-05-26T13:23:00.000-07:00

We were determined to finish the vegetable garden. We went to the nursery two times and planted a LOT of stuff. I now have tons of stuff growing. Padron peppers for tapas and blackeyed peas which I love. Lots of heirloom tomatoes and collard greens and broccoli and on and on and on.

Also worked on the deck a little.

We worked on the front of the house too. Mr Yarn got out power tools and gave the hedges a haircut. Here is a before and after:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

I planted some marigolds just so I could see some color

Oh yeah and last but not least I planted a Topsy Turvy tomato plant "As seen on TV" (just because I am a sucker)

Ended the holiday with a BBQ at Cathy and Jeff's. Good holiday weekend.

Stuff

2009-05-19T05:31:00.000-07:00

Knitting a new sweater. It is called "Mandarin Jacket". Can't decide if I hate it or like it. I will finish it and most likely send it on to my mother who did like it.

In other news, the garden is coming along. I planted more stuff

I have learned my lesson to NOT plant before Memorial Day. I had to go outside last night and cover everything in plastic because it was going to frost. What a pain in the ass.

A great Bday

2009-05-04T17:12:00.000-07:00

Got surprised with a weekend trip for my birthday! Started off on Thur. and we ended up in Stonehedge Inn. Our room was beautiful and I even got to have a massage in the spa.

Dinner at this place is the best I have had since I have left California. This is a BIG statement but it is true.

On Friday we drove along the coast to Maine.

The beaches here are not my wonderful Pacific but oh well.

I know this looks fake but it really is a picture I took of a lighthouse that we stopped at

Once we got to Portland Maine the eating began! We were lead to J's Oysters for oysters and a beer. This place was really great for sitting around and eating lunch with all kinds of local characters.

Yum oysters (ok, maybe I had one too many beers and the picture got a little blurry)

To end the trip we went and got a donut at Tony's. My friend Andrew insisted that I needed to do this.

Not sure if my stomach agreed.

A great time and will surly go back!

Everything is just fine

2009-04-27T05:32:00.000-07:00

I finally finished the Yellow Collar Bohus sweater. Thank god. I have to say that it is pretty boring knitting this sweater. I am glad it is done. I really do knit knit knit still. I have been working on a rush job for a designer that I knit for. Been knitting like a fiend!

Spent the beautiful warm weekend working outside. We cleaned up around the pool and planted and bought stuff. I bought this hummingbird feeder that I fell in love with. Not sure if we will get hummingbirds in these parts of the woods (well maybe a few but not what we are used to) but we are going to try.

And last but not least we started the vegetable garden. I still need to buy plants and I am going to sprout some seeds (still too cool here to plant them) but I went ahead and planted brussel sprouts and onions. We also put a little fence around the garden so that the pooch won't step through it.

Life is good...

Spring?

2009-04-20T05:18:00.000-07:00

I think Spring is here. My bulbs are coming up and there is gardening going on. It hasn't gotten very warm but I CAN feel my hands and feet again.

I love my hyacinth

We started our vegetable garden. 3 cubic yards of dirt was dumped into our neighbors driveway (shhhhh, they won't care).

Our neighbors Jeff and Cathy are the best! They helped us shovel all of this into the beds. I must admit that "one of us" (cough) was a wimp when it came to shoveling. I raked and evened out the dirt in the beds though!

What a good feeling when it was done. Today we are going to look for a fence to put around it so that the critters can't get to it.

Oh and about knitting...
I started the "Barn Raising" blanket shown here but had to put it aside for a sweater that I am test knitting.

uh, ignore the cat and dog fur that I just noticed on the ottoman. I think my animals are molting for the summer.

Been sick but enough about me...

2009-04-11T09:31:00.001-07:00

Cat scans and sinus stuff and teeth stuff and codeine and LOTS of antibiotics. Ok, that is the short synopsis and enough about me.

I realized that Dakota aka Esther doesn't get enough attention on this blog so here is a current (as of today) picture of the freckle face girl. Here is another:

She is the best and I love her so much!

So, my sis wanted me to copy a sweater for her. This sweater is one that she has had for too many years and it is tattered and well worn. Her FAVORITE sweater in the whole world. So I did my best and bought cheap yarn (her version was a TJ Maxx special so cheap yarn was called for). Voila...I did my best with it. Knitted it over and over until I got it right. Glad it is done.

I went to the "Woolapalooza" and all I came home with is wool

2009-03-30T10:04:00.000-07:00

Yup, Mr Yarn and I headed over to the Woolapalooza on Saturday. It was sheep shearing time. The National Audubon Society sanctuary (Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary) a beautiful place right near our house and this was an event there.

So some old hippy guy was shearing the sheep with these big ole scissors. I must say that I felt like he was manhandling that poor sheep a bit and I felt sorry for the poor thing (the sheep not the man).

Next, we went to go see the Nubian goats. This is MY personal favorite. We got to see a baby. Awwww.

About 15 minutes before we got into the barn this cutie was born. Doesn't get much cuter than that (shhhh, I liked the Nubian goat better but don't tell anyone because goats aren't as cool as sheep in knitting circles, but you can make goat cheese out of their milk)

This sheep looked like someone sheared it with a Flowbee. I couldn't stop myself from yelling to it "Hey baldie, looks like you were sheared with kitchen scissors"

We watched the dog boss the sheep around. Those sheep sure knew that the dog meant business. He had them running one way, and then the other and all around and everywhere. I heard one sheep say to the other "Man this dog is a tyrant, I need a drink".

Just because I am a bit odd I took a picture of a chicken. I love chickens. I want to own chickens (Mr. Yarn said that is all good and fine with him but what the hell are we going to do with them in the winter...he won't let me waste electricity heating the coop).

Ok, so that was my Audubon experience and we even became members. Stay tuned for my bird watching adventures (that is after I take up Kayaking and juggling).

More fun with food and snow

2009-03-24T11:41:00.000-07:00

So as promised I took a picture of me playing with food.

Here I am wrapping potato strips around a cucumber. Not as easy as it looks. Do not try this in your own home.

Frying it up (have more than one cucumber on hand if you want to do these stupid baskets.

What this basket looks like after you have suffered through making them

NOT worth it. The little morsels that go inside were well worth it though.

The short ribs were fantastic and the meal was a success. Just don't bother making little baskets out of potato strips and you will be fine. Note to self: Don't play with your food...simple is best.

Oh, and while we were cooking and drinking wine on this lovely 50 degree SPRING day, Denis yelled over Neil Young on my iPod: "It is SNOWING". Yup...I thought he was messing with my head but Noooooo

Obsessed in the kitchen...

2009-03-20T14:25:00.000-07:00

I just got this cookbook and I want to make everything that is in it. So, I have really obsessed with the potato recipes. This is the one that I am going for first

It is little potato baskets that you make by slicing a potato on a Japanese slicer (makes long long threads) and you wrap the long thread around a cucumber. Then you fry it up in a fryer and slip it off the cucumber. You have a basket. The basket is filled with potato balls that are glazed in a homemade stock that has been reduced to nothing.

So, I made the stock and I fried up the little balls today. You have to fry them a second time but since we can't do this all at the last second you can fry them the first time and freeze them.

This is going to go with Short ribs with mushroom Jam (or something that sounds stupid like that in the recipe). We got that recipe at a cooking class that was given by the chef of a local restaurant. A dinner that we will test out on our neighbor Denis. He is game for anything (as long as there is good wine to go with it).

The new dog in town

2009-03-16T08:54:00.001-07:00

ZEPHYR. from Evan Lane on Vimeo.

Evan's girlfriend Lauren just got a new puppy. Evan shot this video.

Flowers and Spring and Whiskers on kittens

2009-03-09T10:16:00.001-07:00

Really, I was going to blog about how nice it was yesterday and how my bulbs are coming up. I was going to take a picture of the little green sprout coming out of the ground. I was going to say how it felt like spring was near and 50 degrees felt wonderful. But....

The flakes are the size of boulders.

I still love you California

2009-03-03T05:40:00.000-08:00

We are back from our trip to California. Besides the fact that I was sick as a dog with bronchitis and ended up in urgent care, the trip was great. I was on every medication known to man but still was back "home" and happy to be with Annie and Tim and we got to see Evan and my mom and sister and brother. We also got to have dinner with our pals. I miss them all more than words can describe.

So, I took pictures. Lots of em.

First off is my Granddogs

This is Dahlia. I got to meet her for the first time and she is the best. I wanted to sneak both of these guys home in my suitcase but Annie wouldn't let me.

This is Ricky

I didn't get a really good picture of him. He is also the cutest dog in the world (besides Esther).

We drove down 101 to L.A. and I got to see my perfect ocean. Not the fake ocean that I live near now. This is the REAL ocean.

Check out that sky.

How could I ever have taken this for granted? This is Marina Del Rey at its normal. I forgot how beautiful L.A. could be.

Ok, the traffic sucks in L.A. and this is at 9:30 in the morning on a Thursday.

On the way back to the Bay Area

Things I miss about Oakland

It is called DIVERSITY.

Ah yes, and these were sitting outside the Longs Drugstore in February

Back to Annie and Tim's and ready for party time

Birthday girl

Tim built Annie a birthday cake. She is the cupcake queen so this was appropriate

And just in time we made it back home before the storm hit. We are lucky to have the best neighbors in the whole world.

Back to reality

I am not dead even though it feels like I am

2009-02-18T11:03:00.000-08:00

Here is a picture of the snow melting. It is practically GONE. Um, still looks like it is there to me but everyone in the know seems to think that we are on a warming up trend. Yeah, I will believe it when I see it...

So, I have my 30th cold in a row. I never have gotten better since I moved here. I think I am better and then WHAM another cold. This time it is like an elephant is sitting on my chest. Wheeeee, how much fun flying to California on Saturday. That should be swell. Not to mention that it will probably rain there too despite all the "Oh, it is so hot here" comments I have gotten all winter.

So, here is something embarrassing that I will share with you...
I hate Valentines day. It is stupid and contrived and it has always bugged me. So on that special day Mr Yarn and I usually play it down. I ask for cheap chocolate made out nothing found in real life. You know the chemical type that you find at the drug store. The ones that all the pathetic men are buying at the last minute because they forgot what a "special" day this is. *I* usually buy Mr. Yarn a cheesy pair of boxer shorts that I buy at the drug store. The ones with hearts and stupid stuff on them. This year Mr. Yarn came home from a trip to India on Valentines day. He had beautiful flowers delivered to me in the morning (breaking protocol but they were beautiful) and when he came home he had bought me perfume that he knew I had wanted. He went all out. I kept to the routine of boxer shorts. However, this time I ordered them online because for some reason New England doesn't go for cheesy drug store boxer shorts the same way that California does. So, I pick what I can and have the damn things monogramed. They were suppose to read " I (heart) Janis" Cheesy enough, yes?

The morons took it upon themselves to bump it up a notch in case the Mr. has more than one Janis in his life

Ohhhh p.s. (I am writing this a couple of hours later)

It is snowing.

Knitting and such

2009-02-03T07:27:00.000-08:00

I am working on the Large Lace Collar Bohus. We are talking size 0 needles here. I did just finish another sweater that I am doing for a designer that I can't post. I swear that I finished it and blocked it this morning.

In other news...

Nikko is getting obese because she can't prowl outside in the snow. I think I better have her start doing the Wii Fit.

Dirty snow

2009-01-26T14:39:00.000-08:00

When I found out that I was moving somewhere that it snowed all the time I was like a little kid with dreams. Dreams of the white fluffy stuff that I could tromp in and throw and play in. Little did I know that over the season the snow never goes away and melts. It sits there and collects dirt. It collects salt. It is just something that you start to ignore as if it weren't there at all. The other day driving home I noticed that it is downright ugly.

just wanted you to know

2009-01-19T07:46:00.000-08:00

It is still winter here and has been snowing. Dear friends and family in California you can stop calling me to tell me how balmy and summer like it is there. I still love you though.

I never really posted the new colors of the den (it really isn't THAT red) and I know you wanted to see it mom.

I am thinking about painting the rest of the stuff that needs painting (I am waiting until spring to do it but HEY SPRING IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER!!!....shut up...it IS.

Any suggestions on colors?

Last but not least...
I was sent this picture from a time when I was not pale and ghost like and my hair actually was faded from the sun. It is amazing how pale and scary you become when you move to the tundra.

Bored

2009-01-14T08:07:00.001-08:00

I am finally done with Mr Yarn's sweater. It is an Alice Starmore's Na Craga. Took forever because I kept putting it down to do something else. When it got so cold here that I noticed that even Mr. Yarn was cold, I finished it.

The cat is bored.

The dog is bored.

I am bored out of my mind but I am not going out in 10 degrees.

Change (and playing with a new camera)

2009-01-08T08:45:00.001-08:00

If it doesn't work go to:

Change