Not a Scam or a Spam

Well after spending the day cleaning and this and that on Monday and doing some of those necessary evil chores I finally got to my email and the computer after 11:00 p.m.

Do you ever get emails you just delete thinking they are spam and scams or just plain rubbish?

Well I got one that said it wasn't a "scam" or a "spam" - so intrigued I opened it - after all there weren't any attachments that could open up and tentacle out and create a virus in my computer!

Well there was an offer I just couldn't refuse - I "Won" a vacation to beautiful Chambersburg and the best thing was it was only "minutes from Grant Street Woolworks".  It was an "all inclusive" offer and all my activities were planned out for me.  The offer also included coupons for future offers at the same rate - FREE - image that!  Some of the amenties I was to receive was my own apartment - fully stocked with every need you would need, time spent with my favorite people from Shippensburg and Chambersburg and surrounding communities, a full-day hook-in on Thursday, Bingo (and a free jackpot!) - Image all this for the price of $0!

Well it was late but I got up Tuesday morning (still giggling) and called to verify my prize.  I threw some stuff in a bag, did a few errands and chores, and off I went!  Oh and yes I did tell my husband I was going - via email and then a follow-up phone call! LOL! 

I arrived at Grant Street late afternoon and found Linda and Kathy and Barb hard at work.  Kathy went off to take care of some responsibilities and Linda & Rick took me to dinner.  After dinner I was taken to see my "accomodations for the week!  All I can say is Wow - I had my own apartment which was fully stocked to meet any and all needs!

Linda and I then left and met Kathy at the bingo hall and had a good time.   Here's Kathy counting her winnings!



I got to yell later also but had to split it a few ways - Still it's always fun when you get "bingo"!

Wednesday morning I got up early and went off to downtown Chambersburg to meet up with Kathy at the Salvation Army Fabric Sale - My goodness when I got there about 8:20 (it opens at 9:00) there was already a line.  Saw Sherri and her mother in line and talked to them a bit and then got in line.  Kathy showed up and we waited.  I'm telling you that place is crazy - while walking in, the lady behind me was pushing and pushing - she literally had her hands on my back pushing!   Amazing!

I managed to find a few things - no good wool - Kathy went out and tested some wool but it wasn't 100% (and do you know how hard it is to find someone with matches?  I carry a lighter just for this purpose but apparently it was dead - Sorry Kathy!)   So much to look at - you can see from the pictures how crowded it was (and this was the checkout lines)

You wait so long in line - you start dehyrating!

After the sale it was off to work at Grant Street for Kathy.  I sat and hooked on and off most of the day.  Didn't really accomplish too much that afternoon.

After work Kathy had to go and get some things done so she couldn't go out and play that night.  Linda and I went to another bingo!  Had a good time - this one was much larger and just fun to watch all the people spend so much money on their "rip-off" tickets - incredible how much people spend on these things.  One nice thing was Linda won one of the bingo games.  It's always good when you can at least make back what you spend!  Forgot to get my camera out there!

The next day was Thursday and the weekly Grant Street Hook-In.  Another day of laughter and fun and yes some hooking got done!  And of course I was harebrained and forgot to get shots of everyone and their rugs that were there that day.  I have my camera sitting there but often forget to use it (and often do not get that shot in time I could use for blackmail!)

Beth and Jill were there later in the day and managed to get some work done -

Beth hard at work - her rug is looking great - she's doing a great job -

Barb and Jill reading a magazine together -

Jenny came with a pile of wool and her and Kathy were doing "wool testing" in the back of the room - I believe I heard Kathy say it was all 100% wool!  Always a good thing!

What's Kathy doing?  Pretending to be Diana Ross?  "Stop! In the Name of Love..."  

A new karate move?

Reminding me I will be "50" next year?

At one point Linda and Nancy were in deep discussion...

Patty was there with her daughter and her daughter's friend - they were pretty quiet and working hard!

Patty's Chicken/Rooster rug...Great colors so far

I forgot to take pictures of the rugs I was working on - I'm still just trying to use up scraps and pieces of wool so I'm just hooking some smaller mats and using what I have - some of the colors just aren't "me" but like I said - using what I had with me (and i did bring a lot of that - took up a whole table myself!)


Another day and night of lots of laughs and fun and sharing.   I think we left there a little after 2:00 a.m. - A record for me!  Love how at hook-ins everyone is willing to help everyone else out and seems there is always someone there that can help or come up with a solution to something someone else is struggling with.   The whole day just takes you away from your own problems and reality in a way and just helps energize you for more creativity and dealing with your own issues.  If you are ever invited to a hook-in or a gathering like this - just go - just do it!  

This morning I left Linda's Bed and Breakfast and headed out - Figured it was time to head home!   I took the long way home by stopping in Lancaster and shopping about there - One of my favorite things is Fossil handbags -love the casual look to them and wish I could buy more but always look for a sale - While in the Fossil outlet was happy to find a wallet marked down and then 50% off - so that came home with me!  Hey a new wallet and 6 new yards of wool (oops forgot to mention that earlier!) - what's better than that for the week! LOL. Also stopped at a few yard sales and thrift stores - no great finds there - and then some grocery shopping - I didn't get home until after 5:30 - which was nice since my husband was home from work and could help me drag everything in!

I unpacked my bag (my new Vera Bradley I won a few weeks ago! Ha!) and guess who decided I wasn't going anywhere without them ever again!

Actually for the first few hours home I was getting the "ICE COLD" PAW from Riley again and this time even Jonesy was giving me an attitude - Oh no, not my baby Jonesy!   Miles was sound asleep and didn't even come to see me - My husband was hysterical laughing at how everytime i went near Riley he wouldn't make eye contact and run from me!  Then he said "What, are you going to cry"  I definitely was getting my feelings hurt!  Once I unloaded the bag and went to the hooking room - they both came in and hung out with me and let me give chin rubs and kisses! Whewwww thank goodness! 


I just want to thank you Linda for opening up your home to me and being so generous, and thank you too Kathy - I know you had something to do with this too!   The "vacation" may have been free but having the friendship of both of you is "priceless" to me!

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekened!

One Week Ends and Another Starts!

Well hoping this coming week is a good one - weather doesn't sound too good but that can change at a drop of a hat.

Last week got "stuff" done - the rugs, got the rugs delivered, and also some resolutions to some recent problems but by Wednesday I was just burnt out on dealing with incompetent people on the phone and unanswered questions and more crappy details that I went online - booked a free room - and jumped in the car and off I went to Atlantic City.   (Oh and I took my new Vera Bradley Rolling Duffel - was cool everything fit in it along with my cooler of snacks and water! LOL) 

While down in AC, I did so much walking and it felt so good.  On Thursday morning I got up early and hit the boards.   The day started out like this...

Dark clouds and threat of rain - but soon after the sun came out in full force and it went to the 70's (Of course I forgot to take more pictures!) - it was beautiful walking by the ocean - If I could live by the ocean I would be a very happy person I believe!  Shame though - AC isn't so "pretty" - nothing like photos you see of it from yesteryeary in its heyday.   Lots of people come up to you begging for change and even asking for a few dollars which is sad.  I pretty much stay to the boardwalk or the outlet area.  No way would I be walking on some of those streets.  One thing though it's always interesting to just sit and people watch - very interesting people in this world!  LOL

I came home on Friday feeling much better and more refreshed!

Saturday I went to the Peter Wentz Farmstead to demonstrate rug hooking at their Sheep Shearing Festival.  Lots of festivities going on and it was a beautiful day - not too hot but sunny.  I did manage to get a few pics - not of all the activities but a few...

Here is the first sheep of the day getting sheared...

Karl hard at work at his rug...

Ronnie was scheduled to do rug braiding but she had taken a class on penny rug making the previous week so was into finishing her project - which she did - Isn't her penny rug wonderful - love the colors...

One of the women spinning...

Some of the "naked" sheep - you always knew when they were in the pen to get the next one to shear - they make the funniest noises!

We were sitting between the summer kitchen and the kitchen garden so we had all the good smells of the day.  The summer kitchen volunteers cook all day and the volunteers get to eat - they were making chicken pot pie, scones, lemon bars, and I can't remember the name but it tastes just like cheesecake but no cheese - it's pretty yummy, and so much more.

Lots more events going on thru the farmstead - here's a little snippet from the local newspaper that pretty much sums it up: 

A visit to the Farmstead on this day will highlight many of the trades and crafts typical of the late 18 th through early 19 th centuries in a rural community. Watch the farmers as they skillfully use hand clippers to sheer the sheep during demonstrations in the morning and afternoon. We encourage you to try your hand at spinning, weaving, butter making, hooked rugs, and other crafts. Children can learn to make their own floral bouquets during a class held at 11am and 2pm. We invite everyone to gather for the "St George and the Dragon" puppet show at 1pm. In addition, you can learn about the culture of the native Lenni Lenape; the many tools and skills of the woodworker; and visit with the recently-born baby sheep. Tour the historic house to gain knowledge of the history of the Farmstead and to view some of the antique textiles located inside, while enjoying colonial era music performed by The Bakshi Studio Baroque Players . Your tour will finish in the summer kitchen where you will experience the sights and aromas of seasonal cooking on the open hearth.

I had nothing new to work on so I drew up a penny circle rug - still trying to use my scraps.  Here's a pic of what I was getting done - thought I would try the "beading" technique on the border.  I'm liking the results and I thought the "twisting" on the bottom would bother me but it doesn't really - still lays flat.

It's a grey day out there today so planning on sitting and getting some hooking done!
 
Hope everyone has a great weekend and a wonderful new week
 
p.s. The boys wouldn't let me take their pictures today - they are all snuggled under blankets, under beds etc. - they say it's Sunday - the day of rest and it's rainy - which means they will do a marathon nap!  No pictures allowed since they haven't had their baths yet!

Still Trying to Get Things Done!

Well spent the last few days sewing labels onto rugs and finishing the binding of several smaller rugs  - Here's a sampling...

Now they are all packed up and priced and ready to go to the Museum and the Store...

I worked on a bunch of these on Thursday when I took the trip out to Grant St.  Once again I forgot about getting my camera out of one of my many bags and  to take pictures so I missed taking a pic of Pat and her rug - but she has her rug on her blog and it's just great in person - she's a great "hooker!"

Linda ordered us pizza for dinner.  It arrived and I guess we all were so busy working we didn't hear Kathy telling us it was "pizza time" - She did however get our attention with her "Pizza Plate Dance!"

Yep, I think Kathy was still overtired from her previous weekend of running around helping out at the Grant Street Class!    Here she is chatting with Nancy - now take notice of her frame... Yep, nothing on there. Just look at that face when I asked her why she wasn't hooking!  (Yep, I'm still scared! LOL) She informed me her rug fell into her bag!

Jill was working away on her rug - I believe she started this in her class the previous weekend...

Jenny finished her rug for her daughter (forgot to get a picture) while she was there!  She is always smiling!

At one point during the evening Kathy and Jill and I played camera wars...

And let us know forget the Queen of Grant Street... (I believe she was practicing her parade wave!)

Her Ladyship was getting a bit silly and not sure what she was doing here?  Putting a spell on Sherri with wool? Fitting her for a wool hat?! (I don't believe she caught up on her sleep from the previous weekend yet either!)

I do believe Sherri was waiting for the next attack of wool!

Tanya seemed busy most of the night cutting wool - I think she really likes that Townsend!

I left pretty early that night (11:00 - and yes that was "early").  Made it home safely and it was a nice drive as it was a nice night out.

Sunday afternoon I went to a Basket/Vera Bradley bingo- it was a benefit for Alzheimers.  Well even after about 20 games I couldn't yell "bingo' and win something - but I did manage to win a $25 gift cert to a local diner and then i won one of the raffles!  Couldn't believe it- I got this HUGE Vera Bradley rolling duffel bag in the cool blue/brown print (I'm not a fan of a lot of VB's print but this one and the one red one I love)! 

Tomorrow will be errand day and delivering rugs and not sure yet what the rest of the week will hold!  I do have to straighten up my rug hooking room and also deal with some other issues but will keep smiling!

Have a great week.

Trying to Get Things Done

First - it's a beautiful sunny day here in Pennsylvania - not too cold - not to warm - there are lots of sunbeams coming through the windows which the boys with paws certainly enjoy!

Found Miles in a pile of my husband's laundry (I wash it - it's my husband's job to put away his own - as you can see the floor was where he decided to pile some of it) Anyway - there was maximum sunbeamage coming thru the window which Miles was sucking up!

Then I heard some rumbling downstairs...

Hey - how'd my tent get upside down! (As you can see there is one of the culprits walking away)

Told you it wasn't me making that ruckus - I'm just sitting here looking handsome...

Hey, it wasn't me either, I'm minding my own business in the jungle...

This time no harm down - just kitty toys all over the living room - they roll the tent with one inside all the time!  I'm just happy they have fun and play together.   Love a nice day - seems to put a spring in their butts and they do more than just nap under the covers!

Me, don't know what I've been up to except making a mess!  Actually been hooking when I have a chance - Here's a pile of rugs I have ready to be "whipped and bound" - got them all steamed yesterday and today will make labels so i can sit and finish them all off...  I have about 12 to do - Normally I do not start another one until everything is complete but 9 of them I drew on the same piece of linen so that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!

Wishing everyone a day filled with smiles and sunshine!

Avocado's, A Confession, and a Rug

Another "warm" day here in Pennsylvania - it's in the high 70's and feels like high 100's in my rug hooking/computer room .  I just sat down, been running around doing things all morning.  Riley is flopped under the ceiling fan getting maximum airage as is Jonesy and Miles in the other rooms!  They are not even sleeping in the gorgeous sunbeams!  Image that! 

Anyway - first my confession - and I'm certainly hoping others do the same thing so i'm not alone out there.  My name is Joanne and I am a Car Packrat.  This morning I thought I would go out and clean out my car!  I swear I must keep everything I own in that car!  Why?  I don't know?  I am like the ultimate bag lady dragging things in and out but geez, how did it fill up so quick!  I didn't even take pictures it's so embarrassing!  I found 3 umbrellas (and I don't even use them), 3 sweaters, one winter coat, one jean jacket (okay that one always stays in the back of my car), about 5 pairs of gloves, $$ change under the seats, on the mats, on the back seats, etc., a disposable camera (that expired in 2002 ), a necklace, a pin, about 8 pairs of sunglasses (and I never can seem to find any???), about 4 books, something I had bought for a friend from a flea market last fall and never gave to her, a bag of my hooked rugs that i took out of the Skippack and Sellersville store to switch them around (these were Halloween and fall related), shoes, my portable hooking frame and stand (well i have been keeping that in there for when i go to Grant Street , lots of "paper" - receipts and things, and a few other odds and ends!

Okay you might think I'm driving a big old SUV!  Nope- just a little red Subaru Forester!  Well I took out all a few bags of stuff - organized some of the stuff - organized the sunglasses (no excuses now!) and trashed a bunch of paper and junk!  I also totally cleaned the inside - just need to vacuum in there but will probably do that at one of those car wash places since it's a pain to run electricity out to where we park our cars.   I can now see out the windows as I did them and all the coffee spills and general grudge is cleaned up!  I'm already feeling "lighter!"

Between the car and doing laundry - of which i'm putting out jeans and things to dry in the sun and they are dry before the next load is done, I decided to try a new recipe I saw on the Web on Easter.

It's for Avocado Deviled Eggs.  Couldn't make them on Easter because my avocado's weren't ripe yet.  Oh my these little babies are tasty (you are supposed to let them sit for a bit in the fridge before eating but I had to try one.  If you like quacamole you will love these.  There was even a little left over that didn't fit in the eggs and I had to get out the bag of Whole Grain Black Bean tortilla chips (another new item I thought I would try) and these chips are a keeper - best tortilla chips i have tasted in a long time - Mmmm good.

Okay so the pic doesn't look quite as appetizing but don't go by me - I'm not a "neat" and "pretty" cook! 

Here's the recipe I found on AOL's/That's Fit -
 http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/04/01/recipe-rehab-deviled-eggs/

I followed it pretty much the same but used a vadalia onion chopped fine and used a cayenne type spice i had in place of the jalapaneo pepper.  i also only made 6 eggs but keep the filling doubled (hey it was good on chips!)  

I also made a big jug of sun tea and took chicken out for dinner to go with the eggs - now how to make the chicken?  Probably will grill that!
 
Oh and this pic is for Lauren - I don't think she likes it when the kitties hide the rug I'm working on! LOL  This is the one I mentioned in the previous post that I have hooked so far on the piece of linen I'm using.
 

 
Well my break is over - time to get back to laundry and getting the house in order.  When you are a roll, you have to go with it!  Enjoy your day!

I'm Not Complaining, But...

It's really hot!

Oh my,  this week has been a scorcher - we go from one extreme to another lately here in Pennsylvania! Today was in the 90's!

I feel bad for the kitties - they are really lethargic this week - Jonesy and Riley seem to be affected the most from it.  Poor Riley just lays around and if i go out and come home he doesn't even tear down the steps to see me or even "ask" for his treats - It's just too hot to eat I guess!

Jonesy has been spending most of the week in the cat basket under the bed and when he does come out he walks two feet and flops over like it's too much energy!  When he does get moving again, he follows us around and just "talks" ...  I think he's asking me to turn on the a/c here... Sorry Jonesy - no central air yet - only ceiling fans....

I think by Friday it's supposed to go into the 50's and 60's - I like Spring weather - where it is nice out , the sun shining, but not extreme heat!

On the creative front, Sunday I finally cut a piece of linen and drew up some small patterns.   Only one of the nine on this piece is hooked - not sure if my critic liked it or as he took the hook from my hand...

After the smaller rugs for the museum, I am hoping to start one for myself.   Later this month is a rug demonstration at the Sheep Shearing which I participate in every year for my guild so would like to be working on a larger rug for that.

Wishing everyone a wonderful day!

A Sunny Sunday

Happy Easter to All!

What a beautiful week it's been weatherwise - no complaints from me when the sun is shining!

Spent the day at my parents house for an Easter dinner.  My uncle is back home  after spending 3 months in Thailand and he always brings us stuff to pick from of the goodies he brings  back so that is fun - most of it is jewelry - some  of it is way over the top for my tastes!LOL   My SIL makes jewelry so she usually takes a bunch and "re-makes" it into better designs!   He did give me a little keychain with a silver kitty on it.  So cute.

Of course there was plenty of food and after dinner I sat on the back deck and whipped on of my rugs (pictures later).  I did have my camera with me but forgot to take pictures later - but here is one of my Dad, my nieces - Jessica and Desiree and my Mom (in her rooster apron ) right before dinner...

Love Jessica's new  haircut - I so wish I had half the curls she has - it's all natural .  Desi didn't like the pic above because her eyes looked closed so took one of just her!  She's such a ham!

My kitties have been having a good week this week too with the windows open but they did take time to spend time with me -

Riley in my lap yesterday...

Jonesy this morning after his breakfast getting his rubdown...

Then watching Riley play with a piece of paper...

Miles snuggled in his quilt... boy does he look zonked!

Riley has a habit of sitting in front of the TV (it's warm there) in the hooking room - well look at my little guy Jonesy (I know not so little anymore) He decided to find out why Riley likes that spot and apparently now he does it all the time too - thank goodness most of the time the TV is on it's for background noise because Jonesey at least lays down - not Riley - he sits up smack in front of it! LOL

Well that was the weekend!

Thursday I decided to make the trek out to Grant Street, once again it was a fun day - I wasn't very motivated so only got one little rug hooked but boy everyone seemed industrious and busy...

Barb opening her Secret  Pal Gift...

Linda and Barb hard at work on transferring a pattern...

Doris and _____ (I'm bad with names) discussing _______'s rugs...

Doris and Linda discussing Linda's rug....

Kathy, ______, and ______ (again with the names) busy busy busy...

Kathy busy shopping for wool (image being able to shop everyday at work!)

Linda cutting some wool for her rug...

Pat and I finally made it to hook-in at the same time - It was so nice visiting with Pat and Zip!

Pat  gave me an awesome Easter gift - I'm overwhelmed at her generosity!  These are kitchen towels she WEAVED - Oh they are awesome - took them with me to my parents today to show everyone!  They just loved them - Thank you so much Pat  (Pat has a website - http://www.wengerweavers.com/  - she is one talented lady!)  Oh and I adored the card - the vintage kitties! 

As you can see everyone was hard at work all day - Me not so much - maybe it was from my lack of oxygen (What do you think Linda - could that have been it????? LOL)

Later on we ordered Chinese for dinner  - had to giggle at Kathy - she has certain food she likes and sticks with them -  but I have to say how impressed I was that she tryed some - here she was trying to determine what veggie exactly was in her dish...  Hmmm none of us could come up with an answer! LOL

Wishing everyone a wonderful upcoming week!  Time to sit back  and relax and watch Amazing Race