Testing, testing... its this on?

Hello, I'm back with lots of projects to go on and on about.. but first you must check out my friend kate's blog.. its about food and crafts (the food is my favorite part). She's gonna be putting up some recipes so stay tuned! YUM

New Post (yes really)

Ok, it's been JUNE since I've posted. Yeah really JUNE. Vermont Summers are short but certainly not a lack of things going on. I think this Summer and Fall have been non stop. I went camping four times this year. I spent one weekend in Montreal and went back for a day trip a month later. I tended to my garden and I am still tending to it now.. late Summer/early Fall lettuce still coming along. I quit my job at IBM of eleven years and started a new job a week later at Dealer.com. : ) Am still waiting for my contractor to be available to start my kitchen renovations. Laid down new tile where my pellet stove will go (when it gets here). Purchased a beach permit but only got to once, due to the rainy weather. I know there is still more stuff.. but I can't think of them right now. All in all it's been one busy Summer and the Fall isn't slowing up either. This photo is of my tomatoes, spinach and lettuce from July.

I'm a Katherine

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are a Katharine!

You are a Katharine -- "I am happy and open to new things"

Katharines are energetic, lively, and optimistic. They want to contribute to the world.

How to Get Along with Me

• * Give me companionship, affection, and freedom.


• * Engage with me in stimulating conversation and laughter.


• * Appreciate my grand visions and listen to my stories.


• * Don't try to change my style. Accept me the way I am.


• * Be responsible for youself. I dislike clingy or needy people.


• * Don't tell me what to do.

What I Like About Being a Katharine

• * being optimistic and not letting life's troubles get me down


• * being spontaneous and free-spirited


• * being outspoken and outrageous. It's part of the fun.


• * being generous and trying to make the world a better place


• * having the guts to take risks and to try exciting adventures


• * having such varied interests and abilities

What's Hard About Being a Katharine

• * not having enough time to do all the things I want


• * not completing things I start


• * not being able to profit from the benefits that come from specializing; not making a commitment to a career


• * having a tendency to be ungrounded; getting lost in plans or fantasies


• * feeling confined when I'm in a one-to-one relationship

Katharines as Children Often

• * are action oriented and adventuresome


• * drum up excitement


• * prefer being with other children to being alone


• * finesse their way around adults


• * dream of the freedom they'll have when they grow up

Katharines as Parents

• * are often enthusiastic and generous


• * want their children to be exposed to many adventures in life


• * may be too busy with their own activities to be attentive

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at HelloQuizzy

Gardening in 08'

The other day I finally took some pictures of this years Veggie and Flower beds. I like to compare them from year to year for layout ideas and improvements. What works and what doesn't. This year I planted more tomatoes, lettuce, spinach and peas. I planted less cukes (well maybe I didn't actually), but they are not in the garden. They are in a large flower pot with a tomato trellis for now. I think about half a dozen seeds sprouted up in that pot, some will need transplanting to where I don't know yet. So maybe if all my cuke plants make it I guess I'll have as many as last year. Anyway....
I also planted carrots for the first time this year. My radish seeds will need replanting as there was an accident with the window box they were in. DAMNIT! : (

I think I can still find some room for onions too, here and there. I really went to town I think on the lettuce and the spinach, but I love them and I like to have a steady supply. So much that now I don't believe I'll be purchasing any lettuce for the rest of the Summer. I hope! This is great for me because I eat salad daily and I go through a fair amount. I was just noticing in this picture that I can take out my white fencing and probably sneak in a couple more rows of spinach maybe...
I have planted some herb seeds off to the right in the corner but either they aren't doing anything or they are so tiny they look like a weed still. I think I'm just gonna till it or try to move them somewhere else. That empty space is bothering me and I could put something more productive there.
Normally I keep the herbs in the flower beds. They smell nice there and help with the bugs but this year I thought I'd get them started in the garden. Didn't think it would take this long.



In my perennial beds things are happening. My Bleeding Heart is GIANT. Compared to last year. I think this is the third year I've had it. It came from a coworker that I swap plants with. It was just a small guy when I got it. Now this Spring it has reached heights of nearly 3ft+. Not to mention the inner stalks on it. Looks like celery its so thick. I've counted at least two separate shoots from it so far. My mom has laid claim to one of them! I believe the neighbors septic mound is n the hill behind me. That particular bed sits below it. I think that's why everything I put in there does quite well! (PS. Ignore the weeds.. I need an edger)

Mmm, yummy Spinach and Lettuce just screams for a vinaigrette!

Gardening

What a busy week it's been. My aunt had some surgery on Tuesday, nothing major or too serious. By the time we got up there, had the surgery and came home the day was shot. I stayed with her that night in case she needed something. I wish I had taken my camera with me. She lives in Monkton and has this amazing view of Monkton Ridge from her front porch. No matter what time of the year it's beautiful. Her house sits high and you look down at the Dairy farm below in the valley. Very picturesque.

I worked on getting more garden in this week. I purchased some Heirloom Tomato plants from Pleasant Mount Farm in Huntington. She has great stuff! I had some really great luck with her Tomato plants last year so I decided to try it again. I was thinking about buying the seeds and starting them myself but by the time I priced it out it just didnt seem like any savings. I purchased nine plants, two are cherry size. One of those is the Orange Cherry tomato that I got last year. Those were amazing in flavor! Sweet as could be. Both plants got huge and just never seemed to stop yielding. I had a lot that I picked late and was able to still eat into the beginning of December! Thats just sitting on the counter too, ripening slowly. I also got the Green Zebra Stripe very pretty and super sweet in taste. Other than repeating the three that I remembered from last year I told her to "mix up the rest". I like how she wrote a name stick for each plant.
I also picked up some Leaf Lettuce plants, Pansies and Stock. I love that way Stock smells, like baby powder. I think she also has the best colors of pansies. I can never choose just one.
I had already planted some leaf lettuce and it is coming along, though tiny still. But I'm inpatient for it and the plants I bought yesterday are of a nice size and I could be picking leaves in a week or two at best. I figure between mine (if it does ok) and purchased plants I'll be set.
After planting my Tomatoes, Lettuce, radishes, cukes and planting another row of Peas I realized I still have more space in my garden. I'm thinking some carrots and maybe onions in that empty space.

New Stash

Lately the knitting needles have been taking a break. In fact it's been a long break so far. I didn't intend for it to happen it just did. Most of my knitting time happens in the evening during tv time. But there hasn't been much on tv lately and I've been getting home from later and later due to time spent at the gym. Thats not really a bad thing just bad for my knitting. If I'm really truthful it's not just the lack of time knitting its been a lack of interest too. I used to be on Ravelry A LOT. I'd sneak in there inbetween busy work times, early morning and late at night. I'm lucky if I can claim to half a dozen visits in a week now. Guess I'm just in a knitting slump! But I'm definately not in a sewing slump! These items arrived at my house yesterday from Vogue Fabrics.



This some blue and brown cotton lawn that I scored for 1.99 yd! I couldn't pass it up. I also bought the following Brown cotton lawn as well. Same price. I took two yards of each. I was originally thinking skirts but they (at least one) may end up as a top instead. It's a rather sheer cotton so whatever I decide it will need some lining or a tank underneath. Still I love these prints. I think they are very Amy Butlerish.



Then I also saw this chiffon sheer for 1.99 yd. I grabbed just one yard thinking it make a cute sleeveless top as well (again requiring some sort of lining). I love the gold thats worked through it.



The last find I have to post is the Blue Merino Wool knit. I LOVE this color. The fabric has a nice light drape, not heavy at all. I purchased 2 yds thinking some sort of a jacket but now it may be a top. I'm gonna hold off before making any final decisions as the new fall patterns will be out soon.