Thursday Hook-In at Grant Street

Well yesterday I was supposed to have an appointment but it got moved to next week so I was able to finally go to the Grant Street Hook-In.   I missed going - between the weather and "things" this past month, I wasn't able to make the trip.

I didn't mention to anyone I was coming since I really wasn't sure until late Wednesday and thought I would just show up if i was going.  I got an early start (8:00 a.m.) and made some stops first and then made it there a little after 11:00 - When I got there it was only Linda.  We sat and chatted for a while. 

Linda was showing me this little basket -

How cute is this.  It's a snippet dish - it is handmade and has a magnet on the basket and underneath to hold it on your hooking frame.   Linda will be carrying these in her shop but Linda being Linda gifted me this one!  I love it - I used it all day and I have a frame that turns 360 degrees and I was hooking on quite the angle and the snippets never flew out.  THANK YOU SO MUCH LINDA! Love it!

Finally Kathy arrived!  I think she was a little surprised to see me but then again I couldn't hide my car in the parking lot! 

After Kathy, Barb, Jill and Beth showed up.  There was lots of laughs throughout the day but everyone was still busy working.  Forgot to get a pic but Beth was working on a pattern by Pat Wenger of two bunnies (Oh and a side note here - Pat - where were you - I'm beginning to think you pull in, see my car and leave! LOL - seems when I show up you don't and when you are there - I'm not!) 

Barb was working on some hand quilting

Jill was having some trouble accepting her own hooking and was getting advice from everyone.  Personally I thought her rug looked great.  Her hooking is great and her colors are wonderful.

Beth got some Easter goodies from her Secret Pal - she just adored everything...

Can you believe it - Kathy actually pulled more than 13 loops - I was teasing her most of the day because I got the biggest giggle out of her post on her blog about the Hook-In they attended on Saturday and how much she got hooked - I kept asking her if she was going for 15 loops yesterday.  Her rug is looking great and the colors are so nice and prim.  Will be a great rug when it's done.  Anyway - Kathy sat and hooked a lot of the day - Yep miracles do happen! LOL

Here she is trying to find a color for the flower on the house - we were all yelling our nays and yays...

As you can see from Kathy's face - most of them were "no's" so I think she's hoping this is the one!  Please..Please...Please...

Nancy arrived later and brought her horse rug to finish binding with wool...  Beautiful rug - nice neutral colors...

Before I knew it - she was done with the binding...Wow!

Look how much Kathy got done by the end of the night - well let me rephrase that - I left at 11:00 and the girls (Linda, Kathy, and Sherry)  were still there hooking - Linda was just about done her rug - another stunning rug.  Will be absolutely beautiful when it's done - again - forgot to take a pic.  

It was Linda's birthday on Monday - so here she is showing us her loot - see the card she's holding up - her husband made it for her! How cute.  Sheep-shaped!  I'd probably fall over if my husband "made" me a card! LOL -   Oh and just a warning to any of you that may come out to Grant Street - notice the peeps on the table in front of her - DON'T TOUCH THE PEEPS if you want to actually WALK out of there...

Me - i took a few little rugs to hook on - finished two (they were already half started on a piece of linen) and forgot to get a pic - will show them when I bind them.  Also started binding a little kitty rug I brought - That's almost done.  Again - it's amazing how much laughter was going on yet how much hooking was actually being done yesterday!

I left around 11:00 and it poured rain most of the way home - felt like I was in a car wash with all the big wheelers flying by - but the important thing is I made it with no incidents!   Another great day at Grant Street!  Thanks Ladies for the great company!

March 24

Today is Riley's 4th birthday!

A pic today after he woke up...(he looks so annoyed because the doorbell rang and woke him)

A pic when he was about 3 months old falling asleep in the window sill...

The first week home...

- hard to believe how big he is now and just how little he was!  Just check out that little kitty belly!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RILEY!

I do hope your first four years have been happy ones!

New York, NY

Well first I must say that the long weekend went by way too fast - I think I blinked and I was home.

Left Saturday morning around 9:00 - should have gotten to my friends house in the city before 10:00. Well for any of you that know the Schuylkill Expressway - its rare anymore to travel that road smoothly - Grrr  - it was like a parking lot!   Never been to Renee's new house before this so had my Garmin on to tell me the turns I needed to take and the arrival time on the little screen keep adding up!  I think it was closer to 11:00 when I got there!  Not fun! 

After a quick tour of her new beautiful house it was back in the car to drive to Hamilton, NJ to pick up the train to NY.   I swear I felt like the Scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz "If I ony had a brain" - We parked at the train station in the parking garage - get out our bags and walked over to the station tobuy our tickets.  I realized I forgot my sunglasses - so I leave Renee with the bags and run back to get them - Whew - made it - stil have some time - it's 12:57 and the train was scheduled to arrive at 1:04.  The I thought I would call my husband real quick to tell him we are on our way - Oops - no cell phone - it's on the charger in my car!  Well another sprint back to the car and I made it with a minute to spare to make a quick break to the potty and hop on the train.  OH my goodness by the time I was plopped on the train I was hot and tired!  The train ride is a little over an hour but Saturday there was a delay (what a surprise the way my day was going) so we got into NY in a little over an hour and half!  

It was an absolutely beautiful day when we got there - hot and sunny - I had my leather jacket and a sweater on so they came off!  We decided to walk the 14 blocks to the hotel from the station and first stop was in a shoe store for sandals (yes it was that nice) Renee bought 2 pairs - me - didn't find any (i have really really really wide feet!).

After checking in (we were staying at a hotel near Times Square) we went out for a late lunch and some window shopping.  Our show wasn't until 8:00 that evening.  Oh my goodness was the city crowded- Yes I know NY is always crowded but this was the most crowded I've ever experienced up there - it was actually almost too much with the crowds  and pushing and shoving - so tried to stay away from the Times Square Area.

Saturday evening we went to the new play "The Million Dollar Quartet" - lots of great music - really upbeat and fun .  Afterwards we went out for a few drinks and then back to the hotel.  Long day!

Oh have to tell you while we were at the play I was really thirsty - So i went to purchase a bottled water.  I had a $5 in my hand and handed it to the bartender and he didn't hand me back any change?  Now I know a water is pricey in NY but boy oh boy - I asked him how much was it - he said $5 - at that point I was too embarrassed to ask for my money back! 

So here's a pic of my $5 water! LOL - And I drank every drop!

Sunday we to the South Street Seaport.  Had a good lunch (with really pokey service) and walked around - not really many shops - looked like a lot of the shops were either closed or for rent - Again it was beautiful day to just be out and about.

Then Sunday evening it was off the ABC Daytime show - this year they eased up on doing some of the corny skits and stuck more to performing - almost all the songs were songs from different broadway shows - It was really good.  These performers can really belt out the tunes.

Bobbi Eakes (plays Crystall on AMC) performed a great rendition of "He Vas My Boyfriend" from Young Frankenstein.

Cameron Mathison hosted (Ryan on AMC- you may also know him from Dancing with the Stars)

Anthony Geary (Luke - GH) brought the house down everytime he performed - He is such a character.  He did "The American Dream" from Miss Saigon and "Dirty Rotten" from Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

Kristen alderson (Starr from OLTF) did Honey, Honey from Mamma Mia

Sherri Shepherd (from the View) performed Tina Turner's Proud Mary - great job.

There were so many more wonderful songs.  It was a lot of fun.  The people sitting behind me were from Minnesota and just were enjoying themselves so much.   The whole purpose of the show is its a fundraiser for Aids - they raised over a $1,000,000 which is wonderful.  Anyway - who knew how talented some of these actors and actresses are!

After the show we went out for a late dinner and then back to the hotel.

Monday it was pouring rain in NY so we lazed around until almost checkout at noon and then out to lunch and then home!  Once again traffic from Hamilton, NJ to Philadelphia was a mess and not fun driving with the pouring rain and thunder.  I hung around Renee's for a while since 95 was backed up with an accident and the news was reporting it was a complete parking lot.

Another long day - I got home around 7:30 or so.  (At least last night I slept really good!)

Riley only gave me the "cold paw" for about 1/2 hour this time - i was happy he didn't treat me like something he scraped off the bottom of his paw this time! LOL

Hope everyone has a wonderful week.

New York Bound!

What a wonderful few days weather wise!  I'm just loving it!  It kinda puts a "Spring" in your step and actually makes you feel like getting out of bed in the morning and doing something!  Seems everywhere you go people are in a much mood which is a nice change of pace too!

Seems some tigers are loving the open windows too!  They love to "window monitor"!

I have been really busy this week with some appointments and trying to get some rugs finished to take over to the store as they are having their "grand opening" this weekend to coincide with the town's Spring Fling where the store is located.

I've had help coloring planning..

He's not shy to let me know when he doesn't like something...

And of course helping with the hooking

Had a pile of laundry to do too and had some help with that...

But with all the stuff I had to get done, there was always time  for some ear rubs...

A nap now and then...

And time to get something stuck on your nose!

Well today I finished up labeling and pricing some rugs and got them over to the store - here's a few of the ones I took over - did a few more but forget to take pictures!

"Antique Birdies" (Birds from a drawing from Kelley Belfast from an antique rug)

Tree Skirt for the Wool Feather Trees

This was a Vermont Folk Rugs Pattern

Just a small primitive cat doodled up...

Another penny circle tree skirt

A red prim birdie...

This was a freebie doodle on A Bird in the Hand Primitives blog

All these pictures came out brighter than the actual rugs - they are much more muted in person!  I did however try not to cut any wool unless I had to - I am really trying to use up all my "worms" and I'm happy to be finally putting a dent in the baskets where I have them color sorted!

After taking the rugs over this afternoon, I popped in for a visit with the parents and to "borrow" some fabric from my Mom - The woman has way more quilting fabric than I have wool for sure!   Since I'm not a sewer, it's nice to have an outlet to go get a small piece of a certain color when I need it!

When I got home, I was greeted by this...

Hard to tell in the picture - but this old wooden divided crate is usually standing up on mantle along with a wooden bobbin collection next to it and some odds and ends.  Inside this I had some old children's books that were my Dad's as a kid, some ceramic moose, a pinecone moose, and and old stoneware bowl w ith a lid - Well all the breakables were shattered as it it the brick on the fireplace.  I couldn't "yell" at anyone since I wasn't home to witness it - but I bet my wool stash it was Riley - Miles would never have been able to jump up on the narrow mantle at his age and Jonesy just isn't adventureous like that.   Well what can I do - My husband said he would try to glue the moose but they are so chipped up I said toss them.  Like I said - it's done  - not that I'm happy it happened but will just look at it as now I have some room from some other treasures.  After I finish getting my Spring items out I will take a picture of the area so you can it's not always looking like this.

Well tomorrow morning I leave for New York.  Will be going to Philadelphia to pick up my friend and then we will go to New Jersey to get the train!  I can't wait - the weather is supposed to be fabulous on Saturday and Sunday and so looking forward to that.  Tomorrow night we have tickets to a Broadway Show - The Million Dollar Quartet -  and then Sunday night we have tickets to the ABC Daytime Broadway event.  Sunday we are hoping to meander around the South Seaport Area that Kimmie told me to check out.  Love getting suggestions like that!   Thanks Kimmie.  And will absolutely love walking around New York on a beautiful day!   Monday it's supposed to rain so plans are up in the air if we will stay for a while or just head home.

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Some Irish Blessings for Your Day

May you always have

Walls for the winds,

A roof for the rain,

Tea beside the fire,

Laughter to cheer you,

Those you love near you,

And all your heart might desire!

May you be in

Heaven a half hour before the

Devil knows you're dead!

May the best day of your past

Be the worst day of your future.

May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light,

May good luck pursue you each morning and night,

 

'Tis better to buy a small bouquet

And give to your friend this very day,

Than a bushel of roses white and red

To lay on his coffin after he's dead.

For each petal on the shamrock

This brings a wish your way-

Good health, good luck, and happiness

For today and every day.

Dance as if no one were watching,

Sing as if no one were listening,

And live every day as if it were your last.

Approximately Three Years Later!

Okay - I am usually pretty observant about things - but boy, where was my mind on this one.  I'm still laughing at this.

I hooked this rug (Garden Path by Karen Kahle) about three years ago - hooked it, sewed around it, steamed it, whipped it, placed it on the bathroom floor in the half bath - I have cleaned that bathroom how many times in the three years, shaken out the rug, walked on it, etc.  and never noticed the big mistake in it!

Look what I did!

Hahahaha - I'm finding this so amusing!  Well i'm not changing it now - No one has ever pointed it out to me before either!  Have any of you ever done something like this and not noticed for a while?

Today, despite the dreary wet rainy weather, was a good day.   I belong the Hunterdon Rug Guild and they have their meetings once a month on a Friday - it's a little over an hour from here to Flemington, NJ and I try to make it there a few times a year.   I forgot my camera - there is always show and tell and there was some really nice rugs.  Sharon brought her Midnight Silhouhette Rug - Wow it's so nice in person - the colors are so great - you can see it here on her blog,  Just gorgeous.

After the meeting, Sharon and I skiddaddled and went to Chili's for lunch - Mmmm fajita's!

Now I'm home and planning on hooking this evening - I haven't picked up my hook in over a week and really need to buckle down and get hooking!

Have a great weekend and stay dry!

Hippity Hop - It's Bunny Season

That's right!  Bunnies are everywhere!  Today I did a few things and then decided to stop in and say Hi to Judy at the Cinnamon Stick.  I love reading her blog, The Spice Cupboard, as she's always posting some treasures there - so I wanted to go see them in person!  The little bunny in the quilt sack came home with me along with a few other things.  I believe Judy said she made it - It's so adorable - love it. You can't see it - but even her price tags are so cute!  She had eggs and bunnies everywhere - the store looked great and it was hard to choose - I wanted so much more but have to save my pennies for my NY trip next week! 

Here's Judy with another adorable bunny - I believe they were having a conversation about the bunnies that are multipying and all those eggs those chicks are laying!
  

Here's the Mama bunny and baby bunny I bought at the sale this weekend - When i was at the Cinnamon Stick - she had the same bunnies done a little different - not as grunged and with a some spring sprigs -  but oh so cute  - Love this pattern -

Since it's bunny season and Easter is coming - thought I would share a very easy recipe for ham salad.  It's great for after Easter when you have that left over ham and hard boiled eggs.  This morning I put a few slices from a small ham in the crock pot with potatoes for dinner.  With the rest of the ham I decided to make up some ham salad for lunches.  It is so easy - only takes a few minutes.

Take your ham - cut into chunks (take skin off) and toss in food processer and grind it up

Take hard boiled eggs and sweet pickles and a touch of pickle juice (just decide how much you need depending on how much ham you are making - I had a small ham end, used 3 hb eggs, and 1/2 small jar of gherkins - oh and if you don't have sweet pickles on hand - relish will do) - throw them in the food processor and grind up -

Then take your egg and pickle mixture and ham - mix together with mayonaise and you are done!   Of course you can add salt and pepper - I don't - there is plenty of salt already in ham!  Couldn't be easier!  I love it on crackers but it's also good on bread.

Jonesy is soaking up the last of the day's sunbeams - now it's overcast and rain is expected in the forecast for the next few days! 

Wishing everyone smiles and sunbeams!