A Very Crazy Christmas

Nothing like a nasty head cold for the holidays. All that mucus is making it difficult for my brain cells to rub together. I've been sick for 2 weeks and I just remembered, today, that I have the fixin's for Hot Toddies! What's the fun of being sick if you don't guzzle toddies?!???

All you need is boiling water, a large mug, a shot of Bushmills and a heaping tablespoon full of Korean citron tea. Which isn't really tea, at all. More like a marmalade made of citron (including seeds, so be careful), sugar and honey. After a couple of those you'll feel much better. Oh, you'll still be sick. You just won't care. I'm enjoying one as I type.

The husbeast took me out to lunch for some Holiday Pho. A hot tub sized bowl of noodle soup sounded like just what the doctor ordered (besides lots of toddies). I decided to wear my latest finished knitted object, a Noro Sweater. I finished this back in June, right before I took a sabbatical from knitting to focus on weaving and quilting.

Yes, this old broad is still rockin' the FUGGS (faux UGGS). There's nothing more cozy than an inside-out sheep on your feet. Please note the festive bow on my head. Once back from lunch, the husbeast and I exchanged gifts. He got me just what I wanted, a box of Padron 2000's. Christmas cigars. Sweet! He is much harder to shop for. But he does enjoy watching those HBO and Showtime series' with me on the weekends. I had always heard this one was the best, ever. Neither of us has seen it. So I got him the super duper awesome gift set, complete with astro turf and a gravestone.

Now to finish my toddy and go play with my toys.

Enjoy your holiday!

So This Is Christmas?

Things feel a bit "off". For the past 12 years I had been working retail at this time of year. Bombarded with non-stop Christmas music and too busy working to enjoy home or family. This year is the polar opposite. I think I've only heard 2 carol's this season. We now have an empty nest. Instead of decorating a huge tree, and our entire home, we've downsized to a teeny 2 ft tree and a few strategically placed decorative items around the house. I feel out of sync with the rest of the world. It doesn't help that the husbeast has to work this weekend, as do many of our offspring. Instead, we'll be celebrating our family Christmas on the 27th. That means I will be spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with 2 of my favorite fellows, Reggie and Singha. I'm sure they'll occupy most of those days napping, leaving me to entertain myself. It sounds like the perfect opportunity to warp up Perrito, the Wolf Pup. He's been feeling ignored. There is a fresh warp ready and waiting, draped over his back beam.

Merry Christmas to all of my friends and readers.

Wishing you all a very happy New Year!

2011 Seattle Pipe Club Barbecue

The Seattle Pipe Club is one of the best clubs in the states. Besides the monthly meetings at Smokey Joe's, there are 2 big social events each year. The dinner in January and the barbecue in August. Rick & I were unable to attend last summer's barbecue due to his work schedule. Yesterday we headed up north to our destination which was somewhere between Woodinville and Monroe on state route 522. The Kaplans have a gorgeous home in a park like setting with plenty of shade. We couldn't have asked for better weather. It was peaceful, relaxing and there was so much of food! I big thank you to all of you who worked so hard to make this event happen.

Happy Birthday & Retirement To Me

Yesterday was one of the most enjoyable days of my life. It was my 52nd birthday and also the day I chose to announce my retirement from being a yarn shop owner. I threw a little party at the shop, on the pretense of celebrating my 12th anniversary in the business. But it turned out to be a surprise party, with my friends and customers being the ones surprised. Yes, there were some tears. But not from this girl. Do I look sad?

Wasn't that nice of Roxi to get Roxi a retirement cake?

After work my husband took me out for a delicious lobster dinner at the Lobster Shop. Then it was home to watch our prerecorded Ultimate Fighter and smoke my birthday cigar, a Padron 1964 Anniversary. Days just don't get much better than that. I got some great birthday swag, as well. My dear husband bought me this Merlot kit and showed his undying love by parting with his tin of Butera Kingfisher, which is my all time favorite tobacco and no longer available.



And I received some nice gifts from customers who are also my dear friends. Anny made me her fabulous Tiramisu and gave me a gift card to Macy's. And Pat gave me these canning jars because she knows I am always needing jelly jars.

I am a fortunate girl to have such a loving spouse and thoughtful friends. Life is good! Now on to the next stage. I will be selling my commercial building and purchasing our retirement property. Stay tuned!

Independence Day

It doesn't really feel like a holiday, this year. My better half has to work and the youngster is off with friends. I'm not into barbecuing by my lonesome, so it'll probably be ramen for dinner. Whoopee! Today is overcast and breezy. Perfect gardening weather so I need to get my butt out there. But first I want to share the good things I picked up at the South Tacoma Farmers' Market, today. This is my 3rd week attending and the crowds were down a bit, due to the holiday. But it was still lots of fun. If you are in the Tacoma, WA area I highly encourage you to check it out. Every Sunday, 10am to 3pm, 56th & Washington. Today they had a band called 'The Fun Police'. They were all dressed up in uniforms and rockin out. I was in a Mexican mood, so grabbed a tamale and taco before hitting the stands to shop. Here is today's haul. First I made a beeline to the plant lady's booth to see if she had any zucchini starts this week. Bingo!


I also couldn't resist the pretty multicolored basil. I can't remember what type it is. She said it's a cross between a Thai and a Genovese? How fun? The plants come up all different colors. Some green, some purple, and some calico. Gorgeous! I also bought some berries (although not from the previous vendor). I got some super sweet strawberries and some raspberries.


I'll be making more jam tomorrow. Between these, and the ones from my bushes, I should be able to make some good batches. Rick picked up a couple of different types of local honey, from Sweet As Can Bee Honey Farm. He chose Wildflower and Fireweed. This is going to be delightful on my morning toast.


My sweetie also bought me this lovely blown glass hummingbird. I think hummingbirds must be my totem animal. I sure love them. This little guy will hang in my garden window, above the plants. That way the whole family can enjoy him.

World Wide Knit In Public Day 2010

Today we celebrated WWKIPD by hosting a potluck knit-in at the yarn shop. We had about 20 participants. And they kept this old gal hoppin'. I am sooo tired this evening. And a little bit sunburnt. Here are some pictures of the festivities.

Happy Mother's Day

The weather is even more gorgeous than it was yesterday. I got up early and ran to the grocery stores before it got too hot. Then out to Spanaway to pick up 5 buckets of bunny poo (for my garden).


I waited until today to share my Mother's Day gifts, even though the family jumped the gun and gave them to me yesterday. My husband and middle daughter went in together and got me a cold frame for my garden. They actually got me one double this size. But once I got home and thought about it, I realized I really don't have room for it. So it is going back, tomorrow, and I'll get one this size, instead.


My eldest son and his girlfriend got me two beautiful orchids for my livingroom.




I am fortunate to have such a sweet family. Thank you for the gifts.