tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62925292011-11-18T10:04:34.266-08:00Gardening, crafts, knitting, quilts, & simple living.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.comBlogger1071100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-82160793104999596292009-01-28T09:39:00.000-08:002009-01-28T10:01:07.241-08:00

“Simplicity of life, even the barest, is not a misery, but the very foundation of refinement; a sanded floor and whitewashed walls and the green trees, and flowery meads, and living waters outside.” -- William Morris I just splurged and purchased a book from my LYS, "The Art of William Morris in Cross Stitch". (It was 50% off, I guess not many people buy cross stitch books in knitting

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-38050029935494107492008-11-14T14:27:00.000-08:002008-11-14T14:39:58.646-08:00

Well it's been a long time since I've updated the ol' blog. The past year has been filled with challenges, some good and some that I would prefer not to face. However, it's also been a great learning process for me. I've learned a lot about myself through facing some worries and questions that seem to not have any answers. I hope that I am now at a place of acceptance so that I can move on and

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-56526835107174407072008-05-21T13:45:00.000-07:002008-12-09T21:04:24.768-08:00

I've been so busy lately that I forgot my blogger password and was unable to publish comments! I just returned from a week in sunny (and hot!) California. Wow, I went from 104 degrees F, to 52 degrees in one day. My body's temp gauge is reeling...I had a wonderful visit with my Aunt. Saw all the family, went to Monteray and had lunch at Pebble Beach, visited and shopped at Carmel, went for walks

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-40079008456760755622008-02-01T10:35:00.000-08:002008-12-09T21:04:25.344-08:00

 In the Dec 2007/Jan 2008 issue of Mother Earth News is a wonderful article on making your own easy, no knead crusty bread. Yes, you heard me correctly, no kneading! I love homemade bread, but I hate the icky, sticky kneading process. Plus I'm always paralyzed by not knowing if I've truly kneaded the dough long enough, too long, too much/too little flour, etc. That's right, I'm bread challenged.

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-41447160155760330782008-01-29T08:49:00.000-08:002008-12-09T21:04:25.674-08:00

Since January is almost over, I guess that I'd better make good on one of my new year's resolutions and get back to updating this blog! I ran into a bit of a rough patch last year and my time was spent elsewhere. But I feel that I'm back on track again and ready to roll.I started knitting a lace shawl last year and kept having problems with it. Finally, I ripped it all out and started a simpler

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-81077925676674790182007-07-12T09:39:00.000-07:002008-12-09T21:04:26.437-08:00

 Canning TimeThere's a wondrous smell of spicesin the kitchen,Most bewitchin';There are fruits cut into slicesthat just set the palate itchin';And the rattle and the clatter;And a bunch of kids are hastin' To the splendid joy of tastin';it's the fragrant time of yearWhen fruit-cannin' days are here.There's a good wife gayly smilin'And perspirin'Some, and tirin';And while jar on jar she's

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-41209767228814617942007-07-06T16:18:00.000-07:002007-07-06T16:33:55.611-07:00

I have been tagged by Ellen at Garden-Addiction to participate in this meme, so I will do my best. 1. I am afraid of the water. Don't like to be in it, don't like to be on it, don't like it in my eyes, ears, or nose. (I still shower though!)2. I collect old books. Particulary those published before 1970. Love the vintage novels! Hence, the need to clear out my rooms and add more bookshelves...3.

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-71546323516018209722007-07-06T15:58:00.000-07:002008-12-09T21:04:26.934-08:00

Sometimes you need to make some changes in life--prune out the old stuff that isnt' working anymore so that you have room for new things to grow. That's what we've been doing in the garden. The sad site of our noble red maple after our arborist and his crew cut it down.This tree was approx. 16 years old and provided shade for our back patio and garden. It had been failing for a number of years

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-37063901665189573192007-05-30T09:37:00.001-07:002008-12-09T21:04:27.196-08:00

After working many, many long hours--sometimes six days a week for five months my husband finally got to take a week off. We spent it at our little camping spot in the North Cascades. This shot sums it up...a hot cup of coffee, soaking up the sunshine and resting the eyes on the mountains, forest, sky, and water. It was a time of rest, relaxation, fun, and accomplishment for us and our few days

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-5370700586702995002007-05-09T16:55:00.000-07:002007-05-09T17:02:17.817-07:00

Wow! I find it hard to believe that I've neglected this blog for so long. I don't know what happend, but time does tend to slip away.We took a trip to Victoria, BC over St. Patrick's day and I guess I walked a few too many miles, because I ended up with a very sore and swollen ankle. I finally went to the doctor to get it looked at and ended up in a walking cast and crutches. Turns out I couldn't

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-9587305725731227662007-03-02T09:53:00.000-08:002008-12-09T21:04:27.692-08:00

 I must confess, I'm a bag lady. I love tote bags and have a lot of them. I use them for my knitting and other projects. However, I was looking for something with a little more style to hold my current project. I wanted something that held my yarn, my needles, my pattern and some reading material. Well, I found the perfect thing for only $2.00! Here's my little basket that I think was meant to

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-43503930585096283672007-02-28T09:44:00.000-08:002008-12-09T21:04:28.130-08:00

They predicted possible snow for us today. That's always a crap shoot, because due to the mountains, lakes, etc. in our part of the country, weather forcasting is difficult. However, this morning the rain turned to ice pellets, then to snow, then to snowflakes over an inch in diameter! As we like to say here on the rare occasions that we get snow, "It's really coming down!".Since it's cold and

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1172006931598346762007-02-20T13:24:00.000-08:002007-02-20T13:42:38.796-08:00

"The greatest results in life are usually attained by simple means, and the exercise of ordinary qualities. The common life of every day, with its cares, necessities and duties, affords ample opportunity for acquiring experience of the best kind; and it's most beaten paths provide the true worker with abundant scope for effort and room for self-improvement. The road of human welfare lies along

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1170869172160953122007-02-07T09:03:00.001-08:002007-03-21T13:10:45.548-07:00

Today, in honor of some recent good news, I am focusing on being grateful for the ordinariness of daily life. My yogurt is brewing, a trip to the market for fresh fruit to tide us over until our next CSA delivery, a cup of tea and a good book, and then a long walk with the dog will be my day. Then if there's time, perhaps some knitting by the fire. Today's newspaper had an article on the

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1170868171806689792007-02-07T09:03:00.000-08:002007-02-08T00:22:17.283-08:00

 Friends and neighbors of ours took a big step a number of years ago and adopted a 12 year old boy from Romania. In interest of privacy, he will be anonymous, but he's a great kid full of personality. As an "ESL" or English as a second language student, school is difficult. (It's hard enough when you aren't from across the world, don't speak the language, and don't have the benefit of growing up

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1168895485367274952007-01-15T13:09:00.000-08:002007-01-20T18:25:09.636-08:00

Human-Chip Company Plans IPO"While the NAIS remains voluntary on a federal level, and there is no formal people identification system as yet, both executives are moving aggressively to position their companies for the day when chips in animals and people are the norm rather than the exception. Mary Zanoni, a lawyer and critic of NAIS who has written extensively about the system, says that "the

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1168621788251122872007-01-12T09:05:00.000-08:002007-01-15T18:28:15.390-08:00

Copywrite All Posters.com"We cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home."- Edward R. Murrow This morning, another blog that I follow posted on this topic. I promised to share the information, so here it is. I am disgusted and pained whenever I hear of a child dying by violence or neglect. I'm the first one to call for heads to roll when our local Child Welfare office botches a case

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1168557949447983262007-01-11T15:25:00.000-08:002007-01-12T09:37:07.266-08:00

We were supposed to have had a bit of snow yesterday when we woke up, but it never materialized. Then, lo and behold, around evening the snow started drifing down. It was lovely to watch and this morning, the sky was clear and bright. Maggie and I went for two walks--the first one in the early morning so that we could enjoy the freshly fallen snow and the special quiet that only exists when

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1168116884068572292007-01-06T12:40:00.000-08:002007-01-11T01:43:33.326-08:00

One of the books I received for Christmas is "You Can Go Home Again" by Gene Logsdon (one of my heros). It's a great read and I highly recommend it if you are interested in homesteading, self-sufficiency, or just common sense. Reading this excerpt, got me to thinking and agreeing with what he had to say here. Of course, I'm a bit of an introvert and MUST have time alone or else I tend to melt

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1168114216013001422007-01-06T12:09:00.000-08:002007-01-08T05:54:21.403-08:00

 What is with this weather? We had yet another big storm blow in last night. I haven't heard what the wind gusts were yet, but they must have been strong, because when I took the dog for a walk this morning this is what we saw.  Lots of big trees down all over the neighborhood. In addition, many people's fences had blown over. Of course it was garbage pick up day, so everyone's garbage cans were

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1168112750266567492007-01-06T11:45:00.000-08:002007-01-08T09:27:05.660-08:00

Our strange "El Nino" weather pattern has lent a sense of confusion to the plants. Eli is exploring the spring bulbs which are already coming up. Of course, they can fend for themselves--and they'll need to--since we are expecting a blast of arctic air this coming week. Meanwhile, the cherry blossoms in Washington DC (the "other" Washington...) are in bloom. What a world we live in! Since

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1167844623460422132007-01-03T09:08:00.000-08:002007-01-05T00:35:14.870-08:00

Copyright AllPosters.comWhew! After cancelling our membership to a local gym that was costing us a lot of money each month, and was too far away to fit reasonably into our lifestyle; we were looking for a way to keep moving without it impacting our lives too much. Now I'm pleased to learn that a new study has been done showing that doing simple housework each day adds up enough to prevent breast

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1167341151431771642006-12-28T13:16:00.000-08:002007-01-03T14:12:41.436-08:00

Art by Mike Wimmer - Copyright © 2006 Celestial SeasoningsOne of the things that I truly love is sitting down with a good cup of tea. It's taken many years, but I've finally gotten my coffee-loving husband to enjoy it as well. Before Christmas, he surprised me by bringing home a number of special holiday flavored green and herbal teas from Celestial Seasonings. Now I love this company and their

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1167338583224490542006-12-28T12:34:00.000-08:002006-12-30T00:52:26.953-08:00

 We had a wonderful Christmas at our house. We celebrate in a simple way, just my husband and I with our Maggie the dog and Eli the cat. We munch on poticia, melon, and a good, strong cup of coffe while we open gifts. Poticia is a wonderful, yeasty nut bread that is popular in Eastern Europe. My recipe comes from my husband's great-grandmother, who grew up with it in what was then Yugoslovia. It

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1166828720612647242006-12-22T14:59:00.000-08:002006-12-25T02:46:09.923-08:00

Wow! It's been a long time since I've posted here. The holidays are a busy time, but now I'm pretty much caught up and it's time to relax and enjoy friends, neighbors, and family. We pledged to try to make Christmas more simple this year--to "unplug the machine" as it were. I guess we succeeded somewhat, but I still have a few cards to send, I never made that third variety of Christmas cookies

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1165080413716581582006-12-02T09:21:00.000-08:002006-12-06T18:07:53.056-08:00

I received my apron from the "What's Cookin" Apron Swap and boy, did I get lucky! Patricia was a wonderful swap partner and made me the most beautiful holiday apron. Plus, I received a delicious carmeled apple that my husband and I will be consuming as we decorate for Chrismas! Isn't her packaging pretty? Here I am trying to take a photo of me wearing the apron in a mirror. (Sorry for the flash..

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1164752528793682032006-11-28T14:13:00.000-08:002006-12-06T14:00:21.810-08:00

For all of you who don't live in the Pacific Northwest, we are weather wimps. Yes, it's true that we don't normally have snow and ice. And it's true that we have lots of hills and bridges and lakes, and it's true that we aren't prepared for bad road conditions (other than lots of rain). But still, we do have a tendency to over-react when so much as a flake of snow falls from the sky. Well, the

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1164751806595846822006-11-28T13:51:00.000-08:002006-11-28T23:55:38.703-08:00

This year, 2006, we are thankful for the small things...like Plumber's Putty. Yes, on Thanksgiving morning while making the mashed potatoes our kitchen sink plugged up. Both sides at once. Did I mention I was in the middle of cooking the dishes that we were supposed to be bringing for the family to share?Well, thanks to lots of potato peelings, hot water, and 17 year-old plumbing, my dear husband

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1164240135491765622006-11-22T15:14:00.000-08:002006-11-23T19:35:53.726-08:00

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving in the United States. As President, George Washington proclaimed the first “Thanksgivings” on November 26, 1789, “to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts… the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence… for the civil and religious

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1163617374879424642006-11-15T11:02:00.000-08:002006-11-16T22:33:53.876-08:00

 Only a few short months ago, I posted a photo of all the lavendar I harvested from our garden. Piles and piles of it ended up turning into this...30 little organic lavendar sachets to make a dresser drawer or linens smell like summer. Guess what the women on my Christmas list will be receiving this year? Also, thank you to all the well wishers regarding our region's floods of the past week or so

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1162857547571523282006-11-06T15:52:00.000-08:002006-11-14T23:59:47.700-08:00

We are in the midst of our first storm of the season. Lots of wind and rain. So far, in the first six days of November, we've already had more rain than we typically get for the entire month (and November is a very wet month here in Western Washington state.)Our poor scarecrow is feeling the worst of the it all, as the wind has taken him out. He looks like we feel, since we have been getting

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1161214504563191022006-10-18T16:29:00.000-07:002006-10-19T06:28:19.563-07:00

 To AutumnSeason of mists and mellow fruitfulness, Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;Conspiring with him how to load and bless With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;To bend with apples the moss'd cottage-trees, And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core; To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,And still more, later flowers for

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1161031298045701982006-10-16T13:34:00.000-07:002006-12-02T19:11:07.546-08:00

  There is someone I know through the "blogosphere" who is having difficulties with fitting in to their neighborhood. They live a simple, frugal life in a smaller town, in an old home that they are slowly updating. They are now mortgage-free. They grow many of their own vegetables and fruits. They have a few much-loved chickens that play in their garden. They are considerate of their neighbors.

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1160585813774239672006-10-11T09:48:00.000-07:002006-10-16T11:00:37.490-07:00

 If it's autumn, it must be time to knit! At least it seems that once the air gets that cool, crisp feeling then it's naturally time to start oogling lovely yarn and dreaming about what you might make out of it. Since my life has been so hectic lately, a nice, warm scarf that requires nothing but garter stitch is just the thing. Plus, I can knit away while listening to tv, music, or the radio,

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1160183124266942652006-10-06T17:56:00.000-07:002006-10-14T20:54:09.960-07:00

Check out this link to the cover story of the most recent Business Week magazine. I knew that there was something fishy going on. How could all those organic products suddenly start popping up on the supermarket shelves? I know that it takes at least two years to be certified organic, and all those wheat growers, rice growers, cow growers, etc. couldn't have switched over that quickly!Now that

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1160153590628650592006-10-06T09:35:00.000-07:002006-10-15T21:54:10.603-07:00

http://apronswap.blogspot.comI've just joined Sarah and Mary's second Apron Swap. If you are curious about what this is, please visit their fun blog and check it out for yourself. The gist is, you're partnered with someone else and tasked with making them a festive holiday apron along with some handmade (and hopefully clever) recipe cards for holiday party food. All this needs to be done and sent

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1159552330657969812006-09-29T10:50:00.000-07:002006-10-05T17:52:40.893-07:00

I have a friend and neighbor who had a problem. Yes, she was afflicted by having too many fresh, ripe, beautiful pears! What to do? Why take a day away from projects, work, and cleaning and spend some time turning them into three varietys of pear honey! What fun we had and what great rewards. From pear/pineapple honey, Ginger/Lemon pear honey, and Orange/Nutmeg pear honey, we made them all. They

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1158170598438611892006-09-13T10:53:00.000-07:002006-09-29T19:28:44.423-07:00

Emergency preparedness is an interest of mine. Ever since I took a survival class in junior high, (hmmm...strange that such a thing was even offered in the 1970's, but there you are), I've kept on top of the information out there on what to do and when. Now I've found this fun little quiz that's educational too. Take it and see how you do. (I got a pathetic 65%. But I learned a lot, like how to

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1158074244724239752006-09-12T08:15:00.000-07:002006-09-19T05:29:54.553-07:00

 It's a misty morning, and looking out my window I see the soft glow of my roses and it warms me nearly as much as does the fire in the grate next to me. Still wrapped up in my bathrobe, sipping my second cup of coffee, you can feel autumn in the air.I'm thinking about yesterday, about September 11th. Although there were articles in the papers, and stories on the news, and though the President

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1157583639660698182006-09-06T15:47:00.000-07:002006-09-16T04:56:55.206-07:00

  Ah, it's September and it's so lovely here right now (sunny and warm--not too hot). The garden is starting to overwhelm us with swiss chard and cherry tomatoes. I like Bright Lights chard. Not only is it delicious when lightly steamed and served with a dab of butter, salt, pepper and vinegar, but it's just so pretty in the garden, especially when the sun is shining through it. Since the Pacific

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1156712656537533252006-08-27T13:58:00.000-07:002006-08-30T07:38:15.496-07:00

The weather has been wonderful this weekend--perfct for our annual nieghborhood block party last night. That's where all the neighbors pull their BBQs out into the street, set up picnic tables and chairs, bring a salad or dessert to share, toss their meat on the grill and settle down for a nice long visit.We had fewer folks than in years past. Some people were gone, others aren't comfortable with

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1156521328086263502006-08-25T08:42:00.000-07:002006-08-26T15:06:21.026-07:00

I had the amazing opportunity to attend a four-day nature retreat called "Drawing the Details" at the North Cascades Learning Center in the upper Skagit Valley. What a remarkable place. If any of you are even close to local, you should take a look at this place on the web and see if any of their classes and/or other opportunities appeal to you.The institute has been around for over 20 years, but

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1155601335255610902006-08-14T17:04:00.000-07:002006-08-15T11:31:45.090-07:00

I spent last week with my Mother visiting family in Iowa. Both of my parents hail from there, and it had been a long time since I'd visited...too long. Although I took some heat about visiting in August (pun intended), the weather was beautiful and so was the state. I could not get over the lovely rolling hills green with corn and soybeans. The farms scattered among these hills were like pictures

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1154282477729605162006-07-30T10:55:00.000-07:002006-07-31T21:32:26.966-07:00

  As I find my life getting busier and busier, I never fail to notice that a need for nature creeps into the peripheries of my mind. It's one of those things that I miss without even being aware of it, until the deprivation grows to the point of longing. Since my schedule has kept me away from "nature" in the wild sense, I've gone to find it outside my back door. It's amazing what one can observe

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1152891137929641902006-07-14T08:11:00.000-07:002006-08-09T19:07:26.146-07:00

 All of us have our own definitions and expectations when we think about the concept of simple living. For some it’s living a life of purpose, living consciously in the here-and-now. For others it’s living a basic life, without the use of machines and techno items Sometimes it’s losing the clutter and living in a spare, clean environment. And often it’s just reducing the hassles of life--paring

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1152624011449235492006-07-11T06:16:00.000-07:002006-07-21T15:48:00.783-07:00

This year I vowed to actually use my lavender for something rather than just having it dry up on the plants and get tossed into the compost pile. Last year at my Master Gardener's Perenninal group, a woman gave a talk on lavender and its many uses. To augment the talk, the refresments were lavender lemonade, lavender shortbread, lavender scones, etc. Yum. There are some great recipes here. I'm

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1152226693615000352006-07-06T15:41:00.000-07:002006-07-07T09:10:05.590-07:00

I just finished reading Marley & Me by John Grogan. It's a great book for dog lovers, but while it's about dogs, it's also about the making of a family. It's a fast read, and I'd recommend it to anyone.It made me a little melancholy, I felt like I was reading about our lab, Winston. We got him right after moving into our brand new house; new carpet, new furniture, new everything. After Winston

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1152200695950956672006-07-06T08:37:00.000-07:002006-07-21T15:42:15.783-07:00

Usually I forget to take my camera when we go places, or else I forget to take photos while I'm there. My DH is much better at this than I am. On this last trip though, he brought along an old 35mm camera that we dug out of a closet. He shot a whole roll of film that we are going to develop to see if the camera still works. Who would have thought that "film" would become something rarely used

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1152120484983832412006-07-05T10:19:00.000-07:002006-07-06T03:24:34.696-07:00

We just returned from four days at the lake. We used this a base camp for several hikes within the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Wilderness/Forest. We are lucky to have literally dozens of wonderful hikes closeby and even more logging and forest roads to explore. The two main hikes we took were the Mt. Baker River trail and the Mt. Baker Wilderness area where we were able to briefly explore a

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1151613307422428902006-06-29T13:22:00.000-07:002006-06-30T17:06:49.413-07:00

After spending several days in California and enduring heat in the 100's, I am enjoying the wonderful, 70 degree days that we are having here in the Pacific Northwest. In only four days my garden has sprouted, flowers have blossomed, and it truly feels like summer is here. I've spent the past two days cutting back, deadheading, mowing, etc. This afternoon I finally took some time to just sit back

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1151013781840758082006-06-22T14:48:00.000-07:002006-06-29T16:13:56.093-07:00

   Someone whose blog I read frequently asked for nonfiction book ideas. She's wanting to read something more challenging than the latest romance or thriller. Since we have similar interests, I made a recommendation. The book "A Reasonable Life--Toward A Simpler, Secure, More Humane Existance" by Ferenc Mate is one of the most thought-provoking books I've read in a long while. If you are

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1151012767571024322006-06-22T14:40:00.000-07:002006-06-23T11:15:15.523-07:00

 We've been enjoying fresh strawberries on our ceral and ice cream for the past few days. Yes,this pile of beauties was picked this morning from the strawberry plants that I was ready to toss out as old and probably unproductive. Surprise! They must have felt my evil intentions towards them, because they bloomed with such profusion this Spring, that I took pity upon them and let them live. We've

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1150937727944442402006-06-21T17:40:00.000-07:002006-06-23T11:34:37.450-07:00

Eli is relaxing in front of the geraniums on the last day of Spring. We've had rather nice weather lately--cloudy and cool in the morning, but sunny in the afternoon. Lots of time for working in the garden. I've weeded buckets and buckets of weeds. Argh. The fireweed is everywhere. No matter how much you pull it, it just pops up elsewhere. (At least it's pretty!)I finally got an opportunity to

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1150129760713183342006-06-12T09:09:00.000-07:002006-06-29T16:15:45.543-07:00

 The Garden: One of our projects this spring was redoing our raised beds in the vegetable garden. The wood was old, and wet. We even found Pacific NW wetwood termites in one board. (These bugs can only exist in wet wood and aren't a threat to your home--unless it's soggy--so we were relieved to learn that.) My dear husband tore out the old boards and replaced them with these brand spanking new

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1149197708688475272006-06-01T14:25:00.000-07:002006-06-04T23:32:40.443-07:00

We just returned from our first long stay at our little place by the lake. The weather could hardly have been worse--rain nearly steady for three days. But even with the rain and the clouds obscuring the lovely mountain views, it was still wonderful. We were gone only four days but it seemed like we'd been away from it all for a very long time. Nothing to do but read, nap, hike with the dog,

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1148659470941713852006-05-26T09:01:00.000-07:002006-05-31T19:07:23.146-07:00

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1147904776072910592006-05-17T15:18:00.000-07:002006-05-18T19:45:54.956-07:00

What a wonderful week it's been weatherwise. The temperature here in the Seattle area has been unusually warm. My little thermometer was showing nearly 80 degrees F in the shade at 3:00 p.m. (There has even been a bit of grumbling about it being too hot heard from some quarters.) This is a quick shot of the bed outside our kitchen window. The combination of Forget-me-nots and Welsh poppies was

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1147207514432593432006-05-09T13:38:00.000-07:002006-06-21T07:16:26.106-07:00

 I bought this little yogurt maker awhile ago. My husband likes to take yogurt to work with him each day to eat for breakfast. On sale I could usually pick it up for .50 a carton. That was running $14 a month. Not too bad, but when looking at the additives, etc. that was in the carton, I thought I might be able to make my own, nonfat yogurt and flavor it myself. This little machine cost $19. It

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1146704555815025722006-05-03T18:00:00.000-07:002006-05-12T07:43:56.560-07:00

"The Peace Of Wild Things" By Wendell Berry When despair for the world grows in meand I wake in the night at the least soundin fear of what my life and my children's lives may be,I go and lie down where the wood drake Rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.I come into the peace of wild thingswho do not tax their lives with forethought,of grief. I come into the presence of

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1146596136720227172006-05-02T11:46:00.000-07:002006-05-03T12:45:24.876-07:00

"I am quite of the opinion that a gardenshould look as though it belong to a house, and the house as though it wereconscious of and approved the garden. Inpassing from one to the other, one should experience no sense of discord, but thesensations produced by the one should becontinued, with a delicate difference, bythe other."Alfred Austin (1835-1913)I hope that this is true for my garden,

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1146157009699544902006-04-27T09:43:00.000-07:002006-04-27T12:13:29.743-07:00

  Apple Blossoms In The Garden.  Bumblebee Enjoying the Blossoms.  Another Blurry Bee--The Garden is Full of Them.Today all four apple trees are in full bloom in the garden and it's a wonderful sight. Our trees are all young, we've only had them in for a few years now. Last year we got a fair amount of fruit, but this year looks to be even better. We have two columnar trees--a red and a yellow.

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1146071024157627262006-04-26T09:32:00.000-07:002006-04-27T07:29:17.043-07:00

Today's paper had an interesting article about some local homes for sale in the multi-million dollar range. (Today's title is a live link.) I'm all for people using the money that they earn for whatever purpose they choose--it's their money after all. But when do people simply have too much? What happens when you just can't spend all that you have, do you start building places like these? Can you

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1145662692685312272006-04-21T16:36:00.000-07:002006-05-10T10:56:11.113-07:00

 I just had to share this photo of Maggie (the dog) and Eli (the cat) in one of their more stressful moments. This was taken around the holidays when things were hectic in our household. Obviously our stress didn't flow down to them--and that is how it should be. 

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1145641118579211082006-04-21T10:32:00.000-07:002006-05-10T10:57:30.693-07:00

 This is a quick, little scarf that I've been working on in the evenings when listening to the news. I still have to concentrate on my knitting when I'm doing any sort of pattern, so a nice, easy project is great for keeping busy in the evening. It's made from Patons' "Cha Cha", which is fun and easy to work with. These little scarves are so light and keep you really warm. Although the season for

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1145640655675932392006-04-21T10:19:00.000-07:002006-04-21T10:30:55.683-07:00

 Look at the great books I found at my local library! Sure, libraries are one of mankind's greatest inventions. I mean, the thought that you can access nearly any book for free as often as you like is a pretty unbelievable concept. However, if you are fortunate enough to have a "Friends of the Library" group at your local library, you can also buy wonderful books for a small price. It's like a

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1145466792664245802006-04-19T10:06:00.000-07:002006-04-19T10:27:23.750-07:00

And one that deals with Jane Austen is simply too much to endure! Try this out. It's a bit lengthy, but worth it. As an avid reader of Miss Austen's, this was truly fun. Of course, it didn't hurt that I ended up as my favorite character. Try it out and see who you best resemble. Then, either pick up one of her books, or plug in to the A&E version of Pride and Prejudice, and lose yourself in her

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1145042985273086702006-04-14T12:27:00.000-07:002006-04-19T07:19:29.803-07:00

All Nature seems at work. Slugs leave their lair--The bees are stirring--birds are on the wing--And winter, slumbering in the open air,Wears on his smiling face a dream ofSpring!A cold front has moved in bringing cutting winds and lots of rain. I'm getting antsy to dig up my garden beds and start planting. But digging in cold, wet soil ruins it, so I must be patient and wait until the time is

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1144949344690784742006-04-13T10:21:00.000-07:002006-04-14T11:39:53.850-07:00

Isn't this a lovely thought? It's not always so easy to do though. I have to keep reminding myself that it's the "simple things in life" that truly matter.This pretty bookmark was given to me by a thoughtful coworker of my husband. He tells me that every now and then she checks out this blog when she needs a break from work. She saw this and thought I might like it. Well I do, and I plan to add

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1144948753590989612006-04-13T10:14:00.000-07:002006-04-13T10:19:13.596-07:00

My sidebar has long listed the "Civil War Quilt" as an ongoing project. I never did complete the quilt, as the final design was much too complex for my limited sewing skills. So, what to do with all those quilt blocks? I found instructions for a table runner in a book I had, so that's what I did. All that remains is to add the backing and it's done. Heck, it would even look nice drapped over

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1144858746505157482006-04-12T09:08:00.000-07:002006-04-12T09:20:58.546-07:00

Even though it's raining right now, it truly is Spring. This past fall I actually took the time to plant some bulbs in the front garden. and What a payoff. Daffodils, tulips, grape hyacynth, all blooming up a storm. They provide such an uplifting feeling--even on dreary days. Plus, the neighborhood kids love looking at them. We also moved an unused garden bench to a little spot outside the front

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1143046685154836042006-03-22T08:53:00.000-08:002006-04-23T21:18:59.023-07:00

My MIL passed away March 12th after a very long time spent in poor health. Although she was in a nursing home for eight years, and although she suffered with many painful symptoms, she was nearly always cheerful and a pleasure to be around. Her health has had an impact on our family for quite sometime. It will be strange not to plan our weekends around visiting her. And grocery shopping will not

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1141922491500159562006-03-09T08:35:00.000-08:002006-03-09T09:52:01.720-08:00

This is my completed bear that I knit in response to a blogger's request for teddy bears to take down to kids in Jamaica. She'd been there on vacation and seen children so poor that they had no toys of their own. So, she posted a WWII-era pattern for quick-to-knit teddy bears and asked people to help out. I had a lot of leftover, washable yarn which was perfect for this. It's a quick, easy

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1141879090020046872006-03-08T20:30:00.000-08:002006-03-09T06:24:15.873-08:00

I'm behind in my posting due to family emergencies. How quickly our lives can spiral out of control! However, one of my new year's resolutions is striving to live a more deliberate life, and that means making the time for things that are important. So I will get back to keeping current on my blog. I have finished a knitting project, and and half done with my clogs. (Photos to follow.) The garden

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1137008732329364892006-01-11T11:44:00.000-08:002006-03-02T17:46:17.133-08:00

One of my interests is local farming. Living in the metro Seattle area, it's getting harder and harder to find any open land left for farming, even though most of this region started out as farming communities. The statistics regarding how far the food we eat must travel before it gets to our plates are frightening. The fuel cost alone to transport our food is huge and surely adds to our

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1136848791755395802006-01-09T15:15:00.000-08:002006-01-11T05:44:35.533-08:00

 Our dog, Maggie, is really missing the sun. For all her toughness (she guards our home like a real trooper and is the bane of door-to-door salesmen) she is a total wimp when it comes to the rain. She hates water of every type and when it rains outside, you'd think that she was made of sugar. It takes all I've got to get her out the door to do her business, and inside, she goes stir crazy. This

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1136826794908306772006-01-09T09:12:00.000-08:002006-01-11T05:41:56.723-08:00

Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors,And let every new year find you a better man.~ Benjamin FranklinOne of my new year's resolutions is to try to keep a diary. I have bought Our Country Diary for 2006, an annual diary from Michel Publishing, www.michelpublishing.com (914) 763-2244 ever since a friend gave me one as a gift many years ago. These are lovely, hardcover books with

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1136583175608367532006-01-06T13:27:00.000-08:002006-01-08T18:48:10.410-08:00

 Over the holidays we had a lot going on, not all of it good. As a special gift to me, my husband surprised me one evening by bundling me up and taking me to see the "Garden of Delights" at the Bellevue Botanical Gardens. This is a wonderful light show that they do every year, and wouldn't you know it, we'd never been before. Well, even though the temperature was freezing, it was wonderful to see

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1136582732895364882006-01-06T13:21:00.000-08:002006-01-08T18:46:18.930-08:00

 This is my next project, the Felt Clogs by Fiber Trends. I bought the pattern before Christmas while out yarn shopping with a friend. I didn't want to spend the $$ for the yarn then, so like a good girl, I waited until after the holidays. I'm going to make them with Cascade Yarn's Peruvian Highland Wool in blue with red trim. I've never felted before, so this will be an exciting project for me.

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1135795887120274642005-12-28T10:43:00.000-08:002006-01-08T18:53:36.110-08:00

  It was a year ago that we parted ways with an important member of our family. Winston was our first dog. And although we have added another to our home, our wonderful dog Maggie, there will never be another soul like Winston. We were blessed to have "Winnie" in our lives for 15 years. And while he caused us grief with his separation anxiety, (once chewing up every single cord to our computer

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1132160055753466782005-11-16T08:54:00.000-08:002006-01-11T05:59:48.780-08:00

Wait, those aren't strawberries... I have a 4 x 8 foot raised bed of strawberries that has been producing well the past few years. That's why I decided not to plant them in my "strawberry" pot. I've seen these pots used for herb gardens, but I noticed someone (sorry, don't remember who) planting hens and chickens in them and loved the idea. These poor plants get little water and no attention, yet

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1132008701731682752005-11-14T14:48:00.000-08:002005-11-16T13:25:36.363-08:00

I took the quiz and look how I ended up--dishcloth yarn! While I realize that perhaps I'm not the most exciting personality type, I hardly think that I'm this dull! Oh well, I must accept the results and move on. Take the quiz yourself and find out if you fare any better.You are Dishcloth Cotton.You are a very hard worker, most at home whenyou're at home. You are thrifty and seeminglyborn to

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1131670098682940412005-11-10T16:40:00.000-08:002005-11-16T05:08:22.710-08:00

Ahhh, Autumn in the Garden... Well it's a wonderful, stormy day here in our part of the Pacific Northwest. It's breezy and a fine rain is hammering at the windowpanes. The leaves that remain on the trees are all red, gold, and russet, and are drifting down and landing on the green grass. It's a lovely picture and a day worthy of hunkering down in front of the fire with a glass of something warm

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1131556602327639362005-11-09T09:16:00.000-08:002005-11-10T10:02:46.406-08:00

My first try at knitting lace! This is the "Branching Out" scarf that I started for the Knitting the Classics knitalong. It was supposed to have been done this summer, but the garden called and the knitting was laid aside. Now that the autumn is here, I've been called back to my knitting and have been having a wonderful time. Although this pattern isn't difficult, my short-term memory seems to be

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1131380971086711412005-11-07T08:15:00.000-08:002005-11-09T09:34:41.883-08:00

We succombed a few months ago to getting a new cat. Our old cat, Sophie, (who was a psycho, but we loved her) died a few years ago. Ever since then, I've missed having a little cat sit on my lap in the evenings. I volunteer one day a week at a local animal shelter in the cat room, so I see a lot of cats come through. While I like all of them, most never get to me enough to want to take them home.

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1131308799012235412005-11-06T12:14:00.000-08:002005-11-09T09:38:04.653-08:00

I have been so busy over the summer that I haven't posted in awhile. But now that things have slowed down a bit, I'm back. We went camping last memorial day. The campground was a lovely place in the San Juans and we were looking forward to a great weekend. Unfortunately, so was everyone else. You know it's going to be busy when you camp at a state campground. But we seem to always end up next to

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1119022372192547832005-06-17T08:27:00.000-07:002005-06-17T08:40:56.426-07:00

While digging under the cover crop in my veggie garden, I found a number of crysalis (crysali? cocoons?) and wondered what they were. Were they beautiful butterflies or damaging nasties? I took them to "The Bug Guy", David Pehling at the WSU extension office. [Aside: What a wonderful resource your local extension office is for so many things. Be sure to check them out, either online or in person

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1118677740660979832005-06-13T08:45:00.000-07:002005-06-13T08:59:48.146-07:00

I found this fun, quick, little quiz to take if you're a knitter. (I am bamboo, which is very appropriate, since that's my favorite type of needle to use.) What kind of knitting needles are you? brought to you by QuizillaYou are bamboo.Warm, cozy, and thoughtful, you take your time andenjoy how things feel, smell, and taste. Youlove the craft and beauty of traditionalthings, and you value the

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1118448652378709162005-06-10T17:02:00.000-07:002005-06-10T17:42:29.696-07:00

Let's hope I get to them before the slugs do. Between the slugs eating my ripe strawberries, to cutworms eating EVERYTHING THAT COMES UP in my vegetable garden, I'm about ready to kill something. (It's almost enough to make me dream of pesticides!) My green beans, radishes, squash, carrots, and parnsips have all been munched to the ground. But, I will not be defeated. I'm now growing new starts

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1118100997810440202005-06-06T16:26:00.000-07:002005-06-06T18:29:05.180-07:00

Here's the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone Park. We spent a week on a road trip to Yellowstone. We were able to watch deer, elk, moose, black bear, osprey, pelican, trumpeter swans, bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope (did you know that they aren't really antelope, but rather the last of an almost prehistoric grass-feeding animal species?), and of course, bison! It's lovely to be able to see all these

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1114702598611384822005-04-28T08:33:00.000-07:002005-04-28T18:33:15.733-07:00

As an English major, I've always been fascinated by language. Why do we speak as we do? The different regional dialects are wonderful, and I hope that we never lose them to some bland, universal "network news anchor" style of speech. That's why I'm a sucker for any language quiz. Take this one and see where you fall. Here's what I scored. I guess my parents' Iowa upbringing is showing, huh?Your

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1114274641856531642005-04-23T09:43:00.000-07:002005-04-25T09:07:54.463-07:00

I saw a number of ads and coupons for a men's skin care system today. Ack! Isn't it bad enough that woman have to contend with all this nonsense? Surely men wouldn't be dumb enough to fall into the cosmetics trap. Well, whew! My faith was renewed when I read this article. It's about time is all that I can say. Who wants some namby-pamby guy who's worried about his complexion? Bring on the "real"

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1114270029757513842005-04-23T08:18:00.000-07:002005-04-23T08:39:02.990-07:00

This week we've been lucky to have had some warm and wonderful days of sunshine--perfect for working out in the garden. I was finally able to truck in some topsoil to the new beds in the front yard so that I could plant out the perennials. As usual, I'm certain that I planted too many plants for my site, but that will give me something to do in the future! I put in two white carpet roses,

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1113582200703680532005-04-15T09:08:00.000-07:002005-04-23T08:12:14.673-07:00

The weather here is again grey and cool, not the best for gardening fun. However, things are slowly coming alive in our garden nonetheless. Our grape vines are showing signs of life. We've planted two varieties that do well here in the Pacific NW. One is red and one is green, and both are table varieties. Last year we had lots of wonderfully sweet grapes for snacking.Grape Vines Budding The kiwi

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1113255006522156552005-04-11T14:25:00.001-07:002005-04-11T14:30:06.523-07:00

Here is my completed block for the month of March. I'm new to quilting, and I don't always have the patience required to ensure the perfect matching of points, corners, etc. Let me just state that this block was a royal pain. I can say without equivication, that I'll not voluntarily make this stinker again! I also didn't think much of the fabric selection for this month. (Although the white with

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1113254739748418092005-04-11T14:25:00.000-07:002005-04-11T14:25:39.746-07:00

Bear's Paw Quilt Block for March  

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1113236632677948322005-04-11T09:23:00.000-07:002005-04-11T14:43:25.766-07:00

The Compost tea is done. The first time I've done it all by myself. It's not difficult, but it's time consuming. It took a couple hours to bottle it and clean up the equipment. Yuk. I brought Miss Maggie, the dog of indeterminate breeding, along to guard me. She managed to bark at all the other dogs who were stopping by for a walk in the park. After we were done, she got a nice walk

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1113235964656602132005-04-11T09:12:00.001-07:002005-04-11T09:12:44.656-07:00

The Tea Waiting for Pickup (Note the "Mr. Yuk" Stickers) 

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1113235924330669572005-04-11T09:12:00.000-07:002005-04-11T09:12:04.330-07:00

The Distribution Process--It Ain't Pretty 

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1113235859392874402005-04-11T09:10:00.000-07:002005-04-11T09:10:59.393-07:00

Compost Tea is Done! 

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292529.post-1112499391850543172005-04-02T19:27:00.000-08:002005-04-02T19:38:19.653-08:00

With the death of Pope John Paul II, today was a sad day for many people throughout the world, Catholics, other people of faith, and even those who don't believe at all. It seems that this man touched the lives of so many and left an imprint of peace, hope, and an abiding respect for life. We shall miss him.When I'm sad, I work. Today I got a lot accomplished. I met with my group of Master

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607946835688672415noreply@blogger.com0