Zeneedle...needleart as life

Years Ago

You may ask why I have a winter picture on the blog today, but I'm going to tell you about my most memorable picnic ever. 

Years ago we often spent Sunday morning in the canyon with friends, and we'd cook breakfast, no matter the weather, all year round. We had a favorite spot, with a large size grill set into the ground. We'd cook bacon, bagels (cooked in the bacon fat then slathered with cream cheese), and eggs scrabbled with sliced jalapenos and shredded cheese (cooked in plenty of butter).We're talking 1983.

During a winter of heavy snow, we dug down to the barbecue pit, set our chairs on top of the picnic tables, to decided to have breakfast despite the cold. We got a fire going, but it never got hot enough to cook anything. I held the griddle of eggs on my lap as we drove down the canyon to our friends backyard. We cooked breakfast on their patio grill and ate outdoors just to prove we could.

Well, times change, lives change, tastes change, and today we would never think of doing such a thing. (Call us boring.) Today our choice of food would be more healthy and the time of year more appropriate. 

Do you have memorable picnic to share?

This should be ToT, but I haven't been on a picnic in forever and would forget half of what I need. Time to change that, eh?

Could You?

This van has been sitting at the end of our driveway for over a week and every time I drive by I am reminded of a dream Smith and I talked about a few years ago. We wondered about buying a portable home, similar to this one, and traveling from National Park to National Park to work and live. Years ago, we met a couple who did just that. Smith likes the "idea" of it, but when pushed he can't imagine giving up his "stuff" or his concrete home. My dream has been to live in a smaller space with just the essentials so, it seems, opposites do attract.

This past weekend I decided to give some thought to what I really would need to live in a space this small (not that I'm running away from home any time soon). I don't need many articles of clothing and, given the reading/listening devices I own, I could live without my book or CD collections. I can cook in one pan and eat from one plate, but I'd have a second on hand in case a friend came to visit. But could I be without my knitting stash, or a constant supply of yarn? My collection of sweaters and shawls (how could I give up my children?) would need a full cupboard, and the socks a full drawer. My place may end up full of knitting supplies and finished projects, but it sounds rather cozy, if I say so myself.  

Of course, this is just a fantasy, as I couldn't live without my boys (most important of all), but do you wonder what "thing" is truly essential to your happiness and well being? (I was amazed to see Carole's ToT subject and thought about rewriting this post to fit the subject, but I decided to let it be. Chalk it up to great minds thinking about the summer escape, eh Carole?)

There's So Much More...

sunrise April 4th
...to tell you than just about my weekend, but alas and alack, I feel there isn't much time today.
Last week I lost my blog voice
One silent day lead to the next
It felt ok to be away, to be with myself
to read, to cook, to play with the new refrigerator
to watch the weather as the days went from rain, to shine, to rain.
There was even an evening of thunderstorms over the mountains, which we could clearly hear, while we stood in the sunshine.
I have been knitting (a little)
but reading quite a bit, which includes listening,as well
It feels good to be back. I will try to stick around, but I am never far away anyway.

Weekending with Amanda

Living Now

I'm a spoilsport, a complete wet blanket, when it comes to dreaming about lottery winnings. Filling my head up with desire gives rise to the attachment of the outcome.  I realize dreaming isn't a bad thing and I enjoyed reading the fun dreams of others, but I'm not certain dreaming is worth the risk.

One day I mentioned to Smith that someday I'd like a refrigerator with the freezer on the bottom. Within a month of that comment the freezer started to go on the blink, which led Smith to give the back of the monstrosity a good vacuuming. We held our collective breath and watched as the situation degraded. The refrigerator portion, which ran constantly, slowly stopped working, as well. The one thing not on my TBP (to be purchased) list was a new appliance, although I will now have a fridge with a freezer on the bottom. Let's just say I'm not sure I dare to dream!

I'll keep my dreams simple and dream of warming weather (which is coming day by day) and time to finished my Chicane (which is also happening)! Despite a minor set back, reknitting of a sleeve cap (I did not read the directions carefully enough), the second sleeve is very near completion. My thought of the moment is for calm winds and smooth knitting until she's done.

It Was a !*^# Cold Weekend

An inch of snow covered the jolly jonquils
despite the snow, the weekend went on undaunted filling up with food, friends and laughter

Chef Rick made a beautiful plate of sushi for two of us to share (GF of course)
Mango on top made it sweet and delicious
I love heat and sweet together
I purchased my first prescription sunglass (bifocals) and they're very cute and cool (even if I say so myself)
Photos when they arrive....promise

Hopefully, there will be a use for sunglasses in the near future
Mom nature-we're ready for a warm-up, please

Eye Candy Fun

Yesterday couldn't have been a more perfect day for a birthday. The sky blue canvas of sky was painted with feathery clouds, the temperatures near record highs, and the air clear and clean. We hiked up Elbow Fork in Millcreek Canyon and reveled in the perfection of the day. Afterwards, I just just enough time for a pedicure (Bite Me, thanks, Cookie!) and ended the day with sushi!

I call this "the perfect bite".

Thank you for the wonderful birthdway wishes! I have the best friends and know the nicest people. xoxo

Happy Weekend!!

Ready and Waiting

A friend who is moving away gave us one of her yard ornaments, which now hangs on the patio and brighten my day. I can't help but smile each time I see it from the kitchen window. Its shadow graces the wall in the early morning light, which adds another delight to my day. I am very, very ready for spring to arrive with her blue skies and warmer days (I can't repeat it often enough).

The week ahead promises some fun, plus it ends well with a four day weekend, which starts on Thursday. Plans are in the development stage, but the ideas are stacking up and it looks like the weekend will be a full and happy one.

Hopefully, I'll keep my camera in hand and will think of the blog from time to time. I want to share! My blog brain has been left behind too often and if I still want to do this (and I do), I need to be prepared, right?

Sun Comes Out to Play!

The sun made an appearance the last days of February and the first days of March. Saturday was warm, finally warm and wonderfully sunny, although the light was filtered, the air was not as clean as it should be. Therefore, there is no picture of my view, but at least it was warm! The wind chimes, perfectly still, cast long, simple shadows into the house, creating not the best picture, but a certain amount of happiness. Sunday the skies covered over and it rained all.day.long. Oh well, at least it was rain!

How was your weekend?

Wordless Wednesday (The Oy Vey Version)

33.0 and Counting

Thirty-three years ago we drove to Vegas to be married.

Where does the time go!?