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  There is a golf course on a hill, that used to be a landfill, nearby. Many nights you can drive up to the putting green, driving range, and clubhouse and get lovely views in all directions. To the south you can see the Chicago Skyline.   To the northeast you can see the Techny Towers (From which A chunk of ice fell and came seconds away from my head one winter as I entered the bizarre and tiny post office in the Tower)  Fireman hugged me tight that day… he saw the whole thing happening...   The late August clouds are pretty amazing when I can see them for miles from the hilltop.    Fireman was practicing his putting and I was puttering with the camera tonight.   Thy sky became more brilliant with each moment as the sun set.  It was a beauty of a night.  Tomorrow night, we may just have a drink on the Clubhouse patio and enjoy the show.  I'll bring my knitting along. Because then it will be practically perfect in every way. (mary Poppins)

  This is a famous person's lap pool.   I love it.  I think it was on MSN's page under Shirley McClaine.  I'm not certain.  It may have been Sheryl Crow's pool.  Neither of them knows me or reads the blog, so I'm pretty sure I won't offend.  People complain about the internet for many good reasons, but I love it for these random lovely images.    Tank's been very happy to sit in our west window.  I'm cat sitting for a neighbor over this holiday weekend. I feed her cat, and she has ferals the come to her door in the evening.  She has me feeding them too.  I find them fascinating.  A hummingbird came to the feeder last night. We had high hopes of regulars in May when some arrived. Then they ditched us .  The parakeet has not reappeared since the other day.  I'm going to be watching for other hummies now.  I think this tablet cover is lovely.   It's on my maybe next list.  Also on that list : I need to fi

  Twas a picture perfect day on Deep Lake yesterday. This does not mean we caught any bass.  Oddly enough, we could see the bass, but they weren't biting.   The water in this lake is uniquely clear for this area.   People either love to fish or hate it.  I enjoy using top lures like fake frogs and making them skim across the water.   I love to go fishing.  Luckily so does Fireman.   I even enjoy ice fishing…..which Fireman does not…. Given some wonderful orange yarn from Ellen, I decided to knit a Chicago Bears colors hat for Zach.   This one's too small.  Good thing we have nephews in the family who are Bears fans.  Should be a perfect fit for our Jaxon.  I have plenty left to knit Zach another.  Bwah….I'm not ready for fall yet.  Not because I don't love it, but because I want more summer.  Can we squeeze a new month into the calendar with more summer. And while we are at it, can we do away with March?  Perhaps there is a way t

  I've learned that the After Midnight Shawl is dreamy to knit. The kind of knitting that is quiet and contemplative… mostly miles and miles of stockinette,  ever increasing and simple structure.    I've learned that the parakeet that came to our yard last night should do fine flocking with the sparrows until the first frost.  Yes, a dog one night, a parakeet the next. I'm going to call our Fancy Birdseed store and ask how I can help him.  He may not need my help…..but just in case...   I've learned that Karen can make her darling earrings now. She's charging 10 dollars a pair. Let me know the shade of color you prefer, and she'll make them to order.  I've learned she's a perfectionist, and they look even cuter in real life.  I've learned that whoever invented garlic paste in a tube is genius. No muss no fuss no smelly fingers.  I've learned that Keurig coffee makes a perfect cuppa for me in the morning!  But

  Last week I didn't know what to knit. This week I'm full of ideas.  That's how it goes for me.  I love the Little Arrowhead Fingerless gloves.    Purl Sohos' pre wrap would be wonderful to wear in the winter.  I'll put it on my LATER list.  I'm not in the mood for that big of a knit yet.  The construction is smart and simple.  That is a huge part of the attraction for me.    Did you see the segment on knitted bird nests that was aired on tv this weekend?  I'm pretty sure my vet takes in sick birds, so I'll ask her if she wants a few felted nests…. I had a dog for a full twenty minutes yesterday! Fireman and I were sitting on the porch when he looked up and said,  "Hey there's a dog in our yard" We took Miss Lily up on the porch. I gave her a hot dog and a bowl of water. She was very happy!  With a little bit of detective work, (when no one answered on her tag i.d number,) we had her back home.  

(Karen's find at Stitches Midwest.  Now she'll never run out of yarn  no matter where she goes. Love the color, love the teeny tiny skein) *I need help friends!  Our Cuisinart coffee maker is biting the dust.  We bought it 7 years ago when Al worked at Starbucks.  We got a steep employee discount.  *Should we get a Keurig?  *We make a pot of coffee every day. *We pour some of it out every day.  *Fireman is an early riser.  My coffee is generally 3 hours old when I pour it.  *My favorite coffee is by far, French Press?  Can any machine match that? *Help help help.  I suspect you will have opinions and I value them!! *Fireman loves Seattle's Best Coffee. *The best coffee I've ever had was in Mexico.  It was so smooth and wonderful.  We ordered a carafe every morning room service.  *What's your favorite coffee?  Should we get a Kuerig or not? Where have you had your best cup of coffee ever? 

  We interrupted our regularly scheduled programming for a week with my birthday goings on!  Last night was the finale. The spay neuter team opted for a Henna Tattoo party.  Vet, Kristine's birthday is a few days after mine.    So much fun and this woman Bala, was so talented. I think its time to get back to my slow life, on the porch, with ample knitting and posting!    Miss Pie is adjusting to party life. She actually came up the basement stairs to visit for a bit as did shy Tank Last night. ! Here's my comfort yarn …… I've started my shawl and I'll show some progress soon.  I opted for calm colors.  I did make a baguette spread that was delish and I'll share it with you: from Cooking Light 6 ounces broccoli florets (2 cups) 1/3 cup canola mayo 2 tsp lemon Juice 1/4 tsp kosher salt basil leaves 3 garlic cloves peeled 1 slice bread torn (Opt: anchovey fillet) i left this out Cook broccoli and cool C

  There are no waterfalls around here… this is at the Chicago Botanic Gardens.  We have to create waterfalls so we can pretend.  I love that sound of waterfall water!   When you round the corner of the Sensory garden you are welcomed by an amazing smell.  Huge pots of curry plants scent the air in the most wonderful way. I'm going to have to plant some curry in pots.. Looks like curry is in the aster family.  I've been seeing spots… welcome to 54.   Floaters are a function of age I'm told.  Do you see spots?  It makes me think there is a dot on my glasses…. just an illusion.  Starting on my new shawl today. I've got that wonderful new project feeling.  Hope it is not just an illusion!

Today while I visited Three Bags Full for yarn tonic to soothe my mother soul, I ran into Anna and Sylvia.  Anna is holding up Sylvia's Moonraker shawl by Melanie Baker.  Isn't it gorgeous????   Sylvia says it is a super fun and easy knit up. She knit it with 4 colors of Madeline Tosh Sock yarn.  I had to show it to you…. ********   So my girl left yesterday and there were tears.   I'm so proud of her and I try not to be a whiney mom… She's going back to school this week and you know how proud I am of her Family Practice NP goal.  We started with the tears when she said goodbye to Rozzy.  Rozzy's been incontinent this week,  to the tune of throwing out a couch while Al and Ginny were visiting.  Details: very slight bladder infection; more likely dementia… Al may not see her dear sweet Rozzy girl again.  But for all the tears, we had many more laughs and were downright silly at the ABBA concert Monday night.  There was something in

  I took a picture of this shawl for the Knit Shop's blog but I thought I'd share some eye candy with you.    We have had a summer full of laughs since Al arrived, with Ginny from Virginia, and Zach returned home.  We had great weather for our bar-b-que on Saturday.  Fireman did spray the yard with an OFF product that hooked up to a hose.  It seemed to keep the mosquitoes at bay for most of the guests.  I came away bite free, but I was in the kitchen quite a bit.  Dayna and Nick showed up with Jello Shots in strawberries.  They came with two buckets full. They were yummy and a great fun surprise to the menu.  Last night we bundled up, that's right, we needed jackets, and went to the ABBA revival at Ravinia.  Oh we laughed.  We danced.  I knitted a bit.  You are the Dancing Queen….. Zach is home and his dog bites are still deep but healing.  He gets his own classroom this fall and we are thrilled for him.  Al and Ginny return to Virginia

  *Ellen from the Ellenreport blog sent me some wonderful orange cascade 220 super wash.  This has been a wonderful way to start year 54. !!!  Zach wears the hats I knit him until they are old and shabby.  So, I'm knitting him a hat in Chicago Bears colors…. We are having a big party today because Al is in town and Zach is returning from Mexico.  I try so hard not to stress about parties.  Here are my rules: *Fresh flowers make the house look great, an old trick but it works. *Cats in the basement.  Too many people stress all of them except Rozzy.   *I try to hug each person, look them in the eye and listen.  When I host a party, I am so busy I feel like I didn't get to talk to anyone.  *Take lots of photos.  I treasure my childhood family party photos with my aunts and uncles who are now in Heaven. *Say YES! please, when people ask to help or bring a dish.  *Relax, it is a party ………. and Finally *No fussing about the weather.  If it pours, then th

  We had a fantastic day and it was my birthday.   Ginny from Virginia came home with Al to play with us this weekend.  She is awesome, an ER nurse and lots of fun.  The day was peppered with presents and well wishes.  The weather was amazing.  Let the fun continue…. My sister sent me this LIFE IS BETTER BY THE CAMPFIRE sign….its …perfect.  There was no time to knit, but I did have time to talk knitting with Al and show her the baby sweaters I have finished.  Ginny brought a very fun card game called Phase 10.  We played it last night.  Very easy, very very fun.  So far 54 is wonderful. Thank you all for your well wishes - Here's to my retirement in 363 days.  I will work but I won't be a nurse anymore. I'm getting ready!!!  I have one good year left in me.  This is year 32 of hospital beside nursing. The countdown has begun!

What a joy to meet Judy from STITCHALONGWITHME. Judy and I have been pretend friends for a long wonderful while. Judy and Dick met Fireman and I for a great lunch yesterday.  Judy is funny, and she is beautiful.  Something about her reminded me so very much of Meryl Streep. We chatted and we shared yarny things:   This wonderful sock yarn from Judy will become a sock reality very soon.  I highly recommend Pretend Knit blog friend meetings. Channon, Donna, Jennifer and of course, now Judy- each one of you…. a gem in person.  ****** It is my birthday.  We celebrate my birthday !!!! I love my day.  Katherine and I share August birthdates. She sent me this duo of  gorgeous malabrigo last week.    I'm newly into neutrals….can't wait to knit something up with them. My girl is flying home today….. we are going to PARTAAAAAY!  It is already a great day! Enjoy something for me today? !!!

  I love Lorna's laces.   This bulky knit up into a tam quickly…as in one night. I cast on 50 stitches.   I did the brim in size 10s and the body in 11s.  1 by 1 rib for 6 rows.   Increases every other stitch on the next row.  Knit until it is 7 inches. K2 tog around knit around k2 tog around k2 tog around and pull through.  Done.   It is even sweeter on, but it is too early for pictures of me this morning. I'll spare you.    Squee!!!  Laura was bottling the only surviving kitten dumped at the shelter last week.  This little girl is feisty and strong.  I will bottle kittens someday.  Not yet.  You have to get up and bottle them every 3 hours when they are this little.   Loved this heart at a recent art fair.  I love blues on blues.  Okay so I have a few more things to chat about today - #1 Has anyone used a yard mosquito killer before a party? Did it work well?  We are having a big bbq this weekend and the mosquitos are out in fo

I will post later but  I don't want you to wait to see the winners of the  3 Bags Full Yarn Crawl Gifts and Blog followers Lantern moon bag  listed on the new post at threebagsfullcorner.blogspot.com Please go over to HandEyecraftstwo.blogspot.com  to nominate your knitter Hunks and Chicks of 2014.  I have nominated mine!!! lets gets lots of nominations. Kims contest is oh so fun and has great prizes.

Do I have your attention? This lovely bikini is in the Three Bags Full Studio window.  I dont' know about you, but I think that model had some plastic surgery along the way. Not that I'm judgmental.  If you are brave enough to go under the knife for plastic surgery you have my blessings. I call myself the Catholic Christian Scientist.  I believe in Mother Mary and in Mary Baker Eddy. Speaking of miracles and such,  I finished another baby sweater this weekend.  This one is the same pattern as the last with some improvisation.  I decided to crochet the bottom edging and then add some frills.  I left the sleeves as caps. I think it a little girl would wear it well. I love girls in blue. The weekend was sweet. I helped a friend find her new cat at the shelter. He's a beautiful tuxedo boy whose previous owner died. He is a delight.  A Shelter staff favorite.  I didn't go around with her because I didn't want to

 * We have cardinal babies.  This little one is just learning to fly.  You have to let them fly…..you can't keep them in the nest forever...  * My second baby cardigan in Chesapeake is blue but it may be for a girl.  You have to let them dress themselves, someday. When they are dolly sized, you can dress them however you want.  *Children at the beach last night were sand happy. You find sand in their ears and between their toes for days afterwards.. You have to let them learn to eat their sandwiches before they get sandy, or else you have to let them eat a little sand.  This week my youngest niece , Maria, was visiting from Arizona again.  She is the caboose.  She was an oops.  She makes us laugh.  She was asking questions about my mother, who has Alzheimer's now.  She asked how she would die.   She asked in a very calm way.  She watched Heaven is For Real and she believes that little boy.   My sister, her mother, told her  "She will forget t