The day started out fine. I posted my earlier entry and then started my housework. I was half way down the lower staircase with the accu-suck and it went dead. Nada! This machine is no more than three years old and cost a bundle. Electrolux...don't buy one!

We headed off to purchase a new machine and did some price shopping and ended up at our local Target. Got a new machine and headed home.

On the way home we stopped to pick up the first quilt I ever made from my friend Cheryl. She did a wonderful quilting job on it and quilted it with metallic thread! Here are a few pics taken by my Dearest. Mind you it still has to have the binding applied.





After picking up the quilt we stopped by the local Greek church who were having a food festival and got something to eat. Cheryl joined us and we had a pleasant conversation while stuffing ourselves.

Then home and back to the housework...or so I thought. I open up the new accu-suck box, lift the machine out and it is:

1) a beat up used machine!
2) the wrong brand of machine in the box of the brand we purchased.
3) no manual, no hoses, no other cleaning implements, no assembly screws

I guess I don't need to go on here but...

This means, I'm mad, and that I have spend time tomorrow taking the damn thing back, return it, get another one off the shelf, unpack it in front of customer service to make sure the box contains a new machine that has never been used, which contains all of the proper equipment and one that is the same brand as the box.

Now, why would a store (Target) put back into stock a machine that was obviously used, and furthermore, why would a store put the wrong machine into the wrong box and place it back on the shelves for sale? Idiots!

I did call customer service after opening the box, informed them of the situation. All customer service said was, "Bring it back". No sorry, no surprise in the gal's voice, nothing but bring it back. Apparently this must have happened before. So, If you are buying something from Target that is in a box make sure to open it up and check the contents!

Big thunderstorms here last night.

As I told you in a previous post we picked up some beautiful beets. I can report that they were yummy but I also can tell you the stalks - or sections of - are wonderful cat toys. Our Pucca entertained me while I made dinner by stalking the section of stalk, attacking it, jumping four feet straight up when the stalk attacked her back, among other various maneuvers. Oh here is a pick of a basket full of peaches. Don't they look good?



If you didn’t see it on realthog's journal there is a petition to sign that is directed to Fox channel advertisers – asking them to refrain, of course. It can be found here:
http://www.democrats.com/boycott-fox-news-advertisers?ad=d0

Got more knitting done this weekend. I was also trying to get the remainder of the scrap pile ironed but ran out of starch. We did some errands that included the grocery store and I did pick up four more cans. Ironing will continue when I have some free time.

While at the grocery store I noticed this:



So much for following directions. :)

True Blood got interesting last night and my Dearest cooked dinner so I could watch during its first airing instead of the late night showing.

Bits and Pieces

New Iain Banks novel free on iTunes - it will be the abridged version though.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article6788691.ece

Face shape clue to mental decline
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/8192193.stm

Freak wave 'hot spots' identified
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8188550.stm

'Radical rethink' needed on food
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8189549.stm

Species climbing to new heights
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/highlands_and_islands/8189613.stm

One night with the Chippendales - The Fringe Festival has started in Edinburgh
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/8189547.stm

Here is a small preview of what is going on-
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/8188299.stm

Rare Becket medieval art revealed
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8192655.stm?ls

Finland hosts sauna championships
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8192499.stm



Change the world one loan at a time – visit http://www.Kiva.org to find out how

It is a gloomy day here. We will undoubtedly get rain sometime today since all of the storms are heading southeast.

Found another bread book at a yard sale yesterday and the big purchase was a bike exercise machine, brandnew, used once and now it is downstairs.

We watched a movie called something like J-Men last night. Give it a pass people, not worth the time. Dearest, of course, liked it and utters a line from it now and then. LOL!

I need to do some accu-suck downstairs but I think I will iron some more scraps this afternoon and maybe knit a bit.

Climate Change Seen as Threat to U.S. Security - I wonder what took them so long to figure out this one?
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/09/science/earth/09climate.html?th&emc=th

Bits and Pieces

And You Thought a Prescription Was Private
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/09/business/09privacy.html?th=&adxnnl=1&emc=th&adxnnlx=1249822932-taggRM0svMokvAYkfxbWew



Change the world one loan at a time – visit http://www.Kiva.org to find out how

It is muggy and oppressive today. We haven’t yet use the air conditioning but today just might be the day.

I was up late and read to an even later hour so am really way behind on my morning chores.

We attended a gathering of friends and extended family this weekend and Dearest got this picture of Roo, aka randeroo. This is the one that left his wallet at the party. LOL! We took it to him yesterday afternoon so he can drive legally once again.



My computer was off line most of the weekend due to the thunderstorms – nice big thunderstorms. One of them even produced a rainbow in the back yard. And before you ask, no, there was no pot of gold to be seen. LOL!

I did manage to get the baby quilt’s label done and got it washed this weekend. I love the crinkle after quilts get washed. I gave it the name of Ireth Miriel which is the new babies name in the Elfish language. Here’s a pic.



I found another skein of the shawl yarn and am now contemplating doing the lace edging all the way around. Time will tell if I do it or not.

Bits and Pieces

The Making of a Gyro Cone I have always thought these things looked nasty…now I know they are. Eew!
http://video.nytimes.com/video/playlist/style/1194811622321/index.html#1247463599601

On the Street | Fashion Fireworks
http://video.nytimes.com/video/playlist/style/1194811622321/index.html#1247463599601

Easy Whole Grain Flatbread
http://video.nytimes.com/video/playlist/style/1194811622321/index.html#1247463599601

Stripping Away the Darkness as Murals Are Reborn
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/27/arts/design/27rockefeller.html?th=&adxnnl=1&emc=th&adxnnlx=1248709976-7GgE+I1PCtPg1WM3UmeXlg

Site Wins Fashion Fans by Letting Them Design
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/27/technology/companies/27polyvore.html?th&emc=th

Change the world one loan at a time – visit http://www.Kiva.org to find out how

Lots to do today so I will not natter away too long.

Nice big news! My Dearest (realthog) and Joe Dever have signed for an English language reissue of the 12 volumes of The Legends of Lone Wolf series with the publisher (Neal Levin dqg_neal) of Dark Quest Books - the fiction house of the games creators Dark Quest.

I finally got the label sewed onto the baby quilt and can now throw it in the washer and get it to its new owner.

It is a nice sunny day and from the looks of the forecast we had better enjoy it because next week is filled with the “r” word.

Nuit has now begun to jump from the back of my office chair to the top of other chair in my office – it is a long way. It also gives me a fright every time she does it.

Bits and Pieces

Ancient Roman shipwrecks found
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8168425.stm

Blind rescue dog has 'guide dog'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/norfolk/8168311.stm?ls

Man climbs building with vacuum gloves
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8166923.stm

Five Minutes With: Dom Joly
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8168134.stm

Five Minutes With: Stephen Fry
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7895351.stm

Hubble pictures Jupiter's 'scar'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8168403.stm

Green beetle's super-shiny secret
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8166157.stm

Harewood flamingos to be parents
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/8165555.stm

How one man got stuck in a drain
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8168412.stm

Clan chiefs in historic gathering
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/8167998.stm



Change the world one loan at a time – visit http://www.Kiva.org to find out how

Walter Conkite died yesterday. I grew up watching him report the news. With him I watched the war in Vietnam, political conventions, the moon landings, the loss of the Apollo astronauts Grissom, White and Chaffee, the civil rights movement and the assassinations of MLK, JFK & RFK. I look back on the quality of his reporting and wish it still existed. He will be missed, and to use his own words, “That’s the way it is”.

Walter Cronkite, Voice of TV News, Dies
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/18/us/18cronkite.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

Cronkite’s Signature: Approachable Authority
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/18/arts/television/18appraisal.html?th&emc=th

US TV news legend Cronkite dies
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8157052.stm

Had to shut down the computers again last night due to another one of "those" thunderstorms. The lightening was really spectacular.

I have been told that the dinner viewing tonight will be highlights from The Ashes. Cricket…a game to put you to sleep. I will knit. :)

I took my very first quilt to Cheryl yesterday evening to be quilted. Yay! I had put it into a draw and forgotten about it. While there we caught up with each other’s news and I took the shawl project over to show her since she knits too. As I was leaving she handed me a framed cross stitched picture of quilts on a line in front of a house. She had won it at a guild raffle I think. Here’s s pic:




Bits and Pieces

US ship in ancient Tower ceremony
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/8157286.stm

Jogger injured in buzzard attack - maybe the buzzard thought he was imminent road kill
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/8156734.stm


Change the world one loan at a time – visit http://www.Kiva.org to find out how

Pat Sloan was talking about her first quilt yesterday on her blog - http://patsloan.typepad.com/ - and I dared her to show her fist quilt - if she would show hers I would show mine. So here goes…technically it is a UFO. My first quilt still needs to be quilted and bound and resides in a drawer.



Why is it taking me so long to finish? I need to find some more green material so that I can make some ½ octagon pieces for the right and left sides – I want straight sides. It’s hand pieced from scraps of fabric I had laying around the house. Made while traveling to, during and from conventions across the world.



You can see I even pin based it for hand quilting but that is not going to happen – I suck at hand quilting. When I finally find some more green material to finish off those sides it is going straight to friend Cheryl and her long arm. So, there you have it…the first quilt I made that still needs to be finished. Humm? Why don’t I just trim the existing sides, now there’s a thought. Hey, light bulb just flashed! I could take it to Cheryl, she can quilt it and I can trim it later! Dah!

The shuttle mission was scrubbed again yesterday afternoon.

Yesterday the framer’s market provided dinner. Spinach, new potatoes and quiche with cheese, onion and zucchini. YUM!



Bits and Pieces

When Dad Rides the Rodeo Circuit, Many Families Saddle Up
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/13/sports/13rodeo.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

'E-Rockit' hits German fast lane
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8147104.stm

Biker makes Thames leap
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8147714.stm?ls

'My gun could have saved my husband'-I don’t think I will be going to any bars in Tennessee. This is a bad law!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8145457.stm

Ladybird invasion in Colorado
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8146572.stm

Amphibians mate under a full moon
http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8145000/8145125.stm

Swearing 'helps to reduce pain'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8147170.stm

Egypt loses taste for belly dancing
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8147069.stm

The secret gift shop at Number 10
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/8145339.stm?ls

Meet the Father of the House - where age does matter
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/8096937.stm



Change the world one loan at a time – visit http://www.Kiva.org to find out how

Yesterday I noticed that someone has nibbled some of my lily blooms right off the stalk in the back corner of the garden! Deer of course - unless it was one of the bears – and the scarlet runner beans are getting the same treatment. But just in case it wasn’t the deer…



Courtesy of http://www.glassgiant.com/wanted/

We have another sun filled day. What joy!

Pucca has shed her collar and hidden it somewhere in the house. I looked for it last night and have come to the conclusion that it will drive me nuts to keep looking for it – it will turn up one of these days. She is very well named. LOL!

Ok, I am back to cutting 2 ½” squares.

Bits and Pieces

A Ride-Along With Gay Talese
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/07/01/nyregion/05circle-audio/index.html

Street Farmer
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/05/magazine/05allen-t.html?th&emc=th


Change the world one loan at a time – visit http://www.Kiva.org to find out how

It has been a bear migration, first one and then another one through the yard yesterday, all heading up to Green Turtle Pond. Maybe they have their own 4th of July gathering.

At the moment we have people walking and sitting in our drive. The bus has broke down and is blocking our exit.

My Dearest made dinner last night and here I thought he was working away in his study. I had just resolved to put away the iron and not press any more scraps for the new project and he arrives tray in hand. What a sweetie pops!

Pucca is being mischievous at the moment and is crawling through the recycle pile!

So far, it is sunny with beautiful blue sky dotted with fluffy clouds.

I plan to do more prep work for the new quilt today so in keeping with the artful process here is the International Quilt Study Center & Museum. Go have a look through their collections.
http://www.quiltstudy.org/index.html


Bits and Pieces

The view from Lady Liberty's crown - it has reopened!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8133203.stm

Manhattan: An Island Always Diverse
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/04/arts/design/04manhatta.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

Rare Peek at Riches of Past in Rome
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/04/arts/design/04forum.html?th&emc=th

No safe haven for rarest antelope
http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8132000/8132835.stm

Brazil's huge wetland under threat
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8130261.stm

Best of the Web from Click
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/click_online/8133627.stm

Japan's fashion rebellion goes West - humm, why?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8132726.stm

In pictures: Gay Icons
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/7966225.stm

Honeybee mobs overpower hornets
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8129536.stm

Ugly dogs & a giant shoe - it's Odd Box
http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/newsbeat/newsid_8131000/8131799.stm

Five Minutes With: Tony Benn
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8133540.stm

Five Minutes With: Michael Portillo
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7767347.stm

Five minutes With: Vince Cable
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7742505.stm



Change the world one loan at a time – visit http://www.Kiva.org to find out how

ARGH! I had just finished this journal entry but lost all of it when someone decided to help me type! So, here I go again…

Happy birthday to my MOM!

Yesterday we distributed flyers for the panel Dearest will be taking part in on the 16th. The Suspense Is Killing Me – How Authors Keep You Turning Those Pages will be held at the Ringwood Library, http://www.ringwoodlibrary.org/. We love this new little library. Ringwood did great job in siting it and getting it built. Besides Dearest, the panelist will be E.F Watkins, Gary Frank, Lee Barnwood, Peggy Ehrhrt, Steven Rigolosi and Cheryl Solimini.

By the time we got home a new loaf of bread was finished. YUM. Tried a new recipe from a book I picked up at a yard sale. I will know if it is success at lunch today. I know it will be better than the bread below.

Dearest went to bed early last night so after I finished cleaning up the kitchen and answered the last few emails I had fully intended to sew the binding down on the small quilt. Instead, I heard the persuasive call of the purple yarn and decided to knit the swatch and play with the pattern I found to use it with. It is always good to swatch your yarn and last night was the perfect example. After working the first 30 rows I determined that the recommended needle size was too small for the yarn – it resulted in making the finished product more like a thick bath mat than a shawl. I also decided to embellish the pattern with some of my own lace patterning in order to help give this garment a better drape.

From Organic Bytes

The American Academy Of Environmental Medicine Calls For Immediate Moratorium On Genetically Modified Foods
http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_18080.cfm

The American Dietetic Association Buries Organic Nutrition Facts, Supports Industrial Agriculture
http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/642/letter/?letter_KEY=1152

Bits and Pieces

Man found dead mouse in malt loaf - eww! Thank goodness we make our own bread most of the time! Beware, the picture shows baked mouse. Let’s see, just what kind of name could we give to this new type of bread.

Mouse-o-liscious – lip smack’in good

Rodent Rye – This will be a taste sensation at dinner…your guests will rave! It’s a rye bread with the unmistakable flavor of mouse

Aloha Loaf – Your guest will be in heaven after sampling this loaf!

Mousey Multigrain - chocked full of mousey multi-grain goodness!

Mecey, Micey Magic Millet Loaf
Rodent Raisin Bread
Cheddar Mouse Bread
Flat Mouse Loaf
Baked Moose Bread
Malted Mouse Loaf
Farmyard Pumpernickel
Daily Dormouse Bread
Tangy Buttermilk House Mouse Bread

OK, I could keep this up but won’t. Here is the story.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/8092921.stm

WHO 'declares swine flu pandemic' - it has begun
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8094655.stm

Periodic table gets a new element - how cool is that? Wonder what its name will be.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8093374.stm

Typhoons trigger slow earthquakes
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8094083.stm

'Tiny chance' of planet collision
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8093005.stm

Rare prickly shark captured
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8094721.stm

Rubbish hunt for $1m mattressOOPS!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8094783.stm


Change the world one loan at a time – visit http://www.Kiva.org to find out how

Curry, Curry, Curry

4 tbl butter
2 1/2 pounds cubed lamb, chicken, pork or what ever else you want to put into it.
1 tsp salt
2 medium onions, chopped
1 garlic clove, pressed
2 stalks of celery – with leaves
1 large green pepper
¾ cup coconut milk – made by soaking shredded coconut in hot milk for about 1 hour
1 cup of chicken broth
½ cup dry white wine
4 tbls good curry powder
½ tsp powdered ginger
½ tsp turmeric
½ tsp paprika
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
¼ tsp ground cardamom
2 tbl flour
Olive oil
¼ raisins, currents or similar
¾ cup of yoghart

Sauté the meat in the butter over medium heat until brown on all sides. Remove it from the pan and sauté in the onions, garlic, green peppers and celery stirring often – about 9-10 minutes.

Add the chicken broth, coconut milk, wine and add the meat back into the pan. Cover it and simmer approximately an hour (I often simmer less than that)

In a small bowl mix the curry power, ginger, turmeric, paprika, cayenne pepper, cardamom and flour in a small bowl. To this add olive oil to make a paste. Drop this paste into the simmering ingredients in small amounts stirring constantly. Let simmer about ½ hour (again I don’t let it simmer that long – usually just until the meat is tender). Throw in the raisins and simmer a bit longer, then add the yoghurt just before serving.

Note: I have eliminated the salt and substitute other things for the butter in this recipe and added more of some ingredients and other vegetables, etc. to our own taste. Play with it a few times to adjust it to your own taste or dietary restrictions.

Another Note - This recipe is from a book called Savory Stews, long out of print as far as I know.

I also buy my spices in bulk from the health food store and am always using different brands of good curry powder with different heat levels – I don’t buy curry powder from the regular market since it has so much salt in it.

You know, I have always wanted to make a quilt of a cheesey cheddar yellow color paired with one other color. From historical quilts we see the cheddar yellow often paired with a cream white. The international Quilt Study Center & Museum has a double nine patch using those colors dated 1890-1910, http://explorer.quiltstudy.org/#/quilt/2003.003.0384/

but this is what I’d like to do with it that cheddar yellow…



This pattern would also adapt to fit those bags of scraps I have upstairs. Hummm.

Well, my hopes about avoiding more rain by the storm passing south of us were not realized. It is still raining and very wet outside.

Our neice who lives in Istanbul put this link up on her blog. It is a walking tour of the Suleymaniye Mosque
http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/200605/suleymaniye/default.htm

Bits and Pieces

Dr. Tiller’s Important Job
http://warner.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/04/george-tiller/?th&emc=th

Boris blunders, Bo bites - it's Odd Box
http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/newsbeat/newsid_8084000/8084064.stm

Sacred plants of the Maya forest
http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8083000/8083812.stm

Tickled apes yield laughter clue
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8083230.stm


Change the world one loan at a time – visit http://www.Kiva.org to find out how

I didn’t even have to go outside this morning to know that something else bloomed in the garden. Honeysuckle. I could smell it wafting through the upstairs window. And the roses & mock orange, oh my!

Well, we didn’t get any rain yesterday and the jokers at the weather service say its on the way. Of course there is sunshine at the moment.

I played with my Quilt Pro program and came up with this. I hate repeating what I have done before but my friend wants a log cabin quilt so here is a different layout than I’ve done before. The finished top will be somewhat different looking since It will be a scrap quilt but you will get the general idea.



So which way do you spin your yarn?



I have to go make more hummer food and get on with my day.

Some pics:





Bits and Pieces

'Nature's ghosts' filmed for first time -love bats!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8077000/8077903.stm

Birds in cities 'singing louder' - probably just to be heard
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/mid_/8079539.stm

Puppy love for abandoned tiger cub
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8079547.stm

Wedding held on 'Juliet's balcony'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8080409.stm

How to predict a hurricane
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8078302.stm

Obama's dog takes on the press
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/8081227.stm

Plea over jellyfish crop circle
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/oxfordshire/8080315.stm

Change the world one loan at a time – visit http://www.Kiva.org to find out how

I can report 4 carloads of recycling gone. Cardboard boxes just pile up in this house! It was nice to get them all to the recycle center.

The artist Mark Roland has just put up his new website. On the wall outside my office is one of Mark’s pieces so I get to appreciate his work everyday. Here’s his new website, make sure you go take a look!
http://www.rolandscapes.com/

IMPORTANT
There's a bill called the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act that will require insurance companies to cover a minimum 48-hour hospital stay for patients undergoing a mastectomy. It's about eliminating the 'drive-through mastectomy' where women are forced to go home just a few hours after surgery, against the wishes of their doctor, still groggy from anesthesia and some times with drainage tubes still attached.

Lifetime Television has put this bill on their web page with a petition drive to show your support. Last year over half the House signed on. PLEASE! Sign the petition by clicking on the web site below. You need not give more than your name, state and zip code number.

http://www.mylifetime.com/community/my-lifetime-commitment/breast-cancer/petition/breast-cancer-petition

Dark, gloomy and rain expected in this neck of the woods…for the next three days. And the roses are just coming into their first bloom, ARGH!

I was listening to BBC Scotland last night before going to bed and found an interview of animator Gene Deitch on his life in Prague during the communist rule. Interesting and fun.

I took a look at next weeks schedule and I am tired already. Wonder if we will emerge from it with our sense of humor intact? LOL!

I have finally gotten a chance to play with Quilt Pro. When I get things set I will show you what I am doing. Next project up is a quilt for a friend, followed by one for another friend. Then I want to develop and idea I have had for a long time just for myself.

Now…a bit about The Animal Rescue Site. Did you know that if you click a button each day the site sponsors will donate food and care for rescued animals? Hey! It is easy to do, so go click the button!
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/

Dearest is not feeling well this morning. Sounds to me if he is getting a cold. Poor thing.

Ok, I'll admit it, I am a fan of the Dave Matthews Band. MSN is streaming the new CD this week, Go listen.
http://music.msn.com/music/listeningbooth/?OCID=eml_msnnl_6010.8.5.31&REFCD=emmsnnl_6010.8.5.31


Bits and Pieces

Anatomical Origins - The Art of Viktor Deak
http://www.anatomicalorigins.com/www.anatomicalorigins.com/Welcome.html

NYT article –
Where Art and Paleontology Intersect, Fossils Become Faces
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/02/science/02prof.html?ref=science

'Oldest pottery' found in China
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8077168.stm

Distant world circles tiny star
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8077302.stm

Plants 'can recognise themselves'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8076000/8076875.stm

Ronald Reagan 'appears to Nancy' - oh my.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8078526.stm

Change the world one loan at a time – visit http://www.Kiva.org to find out how

There is nothing like having a cat in your lap while you are trying to drink your morning coffee. Pucca is a big girl with a tail that is always held erect –except when Morgan is about. She has become an expert of reclining on my lap while still managing to get her tail in the way of the coffee cup. The “mouth of fur” thing does wear thin. :)

Danu must have been cold last night. I awoke this morning to find her on my feet and nestled into my fleece robe. I was cold last night and ended upturning on the electric blanket. There was a cold breeze blowing in the window.

Looks like it will be a bright sunny day…YAY! It will also be recycle day for our household as soon as my sleeping loved one wakes up.

Did a bit of knitting after dinner last night before taking the tray down to the kitchen. And now that the quilt top is done I was having a mull over the next project on the list. I guess I am going to have to sit down and draw this one out.

Bits and Pieces

Tomato pill 'beats heart disease'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8076556.stm

Rare bumblebee coming back to UK
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8076205.stm

A new kind of cloud? - great photos!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_8076000/8076805.stm

Space storm's 'epicentre' found
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8071105.stm

Jaguar mums give up baby secrets - pretty kitties
http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8074000/8074124.stm

Change the world one loan at a time – visit http://www.Kiva.org to find out how

I still don’t think I am recovered from my city trip on Friday and I had a bad night’s sleep last night. ARGH!

On the good things list, I got the weed patch mowed, we had fun doing a bit of yard saling yesterday and then my beloved took me to lunch.

I didn’t get outside to clean out the filer in the pond today, so I guess that is a job for tomorrow.

Here are a few pictures from yesterday morning of what is going on in my garden.









This afternoon I got the big border sewed to the quilt. Although it is not the best of pictures this will give you an idea of what that lime green around the middle section looks like. I think I like it. I am so used to doing a more complicated border I didn't think that it would work. I need an empty wall so that I can hang quilt tops for photography instead of standing on the bed. LOL!



My Dearest put together all of the recycling this afternoon! What a sweet dear husband I have. We will make a few trips to the recycle center tomorrow and get rid of it all.

OH! I almost forgot to add that I bought all of the ingredients for the eggplant cheesecake yesterday. Now I have to make it.


Bits and Pieces


'Lost' music instrument recreated
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8075223.stm

Big Ben celebrates 150th birthday
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8075737.stm

Elephant rescued from ditch
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/8075398.stm

Obama laps up non-spill dog's bowl - I guess the White House carpets are taking a beating. LOL!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8074689.stm

Celebrating a landmark experiment
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8061449.stm

Fighting fire with a Danish invention
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8075689.stm

Scientists drill earthquake zone
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8073198.stm

Who is Moondog?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_8075000/8075003.stm

Battle of the old dogs - it's Odd Box
http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/newsbeat/newsid_8073000/8073007.stm

Ducks 'wing it' through college
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8074343.stm

Do you love buttons?
http://www.interweave.com/needle/projects/Aunt-Belles-Buttons.pdf


Change the world one loan at a time – visit http://www.Kiva.org to find out how

I’m sore and still tired after yesterday’s hike around the Jacob Javitis Convention Center. I watched it being built and still think it is an ugly, awful uncomfortable building. Enough said and bit of ibuprofen will help with the pains. LOL!

I forgot my camera yesterday but there are few – lots of books – coming out about knitting and quilting. Knitting still seems to be the hottest topic in the craft areas of all the publishers.

While I was away, the peony and the red climbing rose bloomed. And the David Austin rose Eglantyne will probably bloom by the end of today. With all of the rain I need to whack the weeds, ah grass again. I think that this will be today’s job because it will be raining again tomorrow.

So, besides whacking the weeds I am going to take the day off…maybe I’ll get the border on the quilt. :) And per a missive from my Mom…she is doing the same thing. She and the girls have declared “ROAD TRIP!” and are hitting every yarn shop in northern Michigan. LOL!

Change the world one loan at a time – visit http://www.Kiva.org to find out how

ARGH! As I write this it is 3 AM. Oh well, I did get the McCall Smith book finished so I can now send it on to my sister per Mom's instructions.

The Japanese iris bloomed yesterday. They really are so lovely. The mock orange has also started its bloom. When it warms up today it will smell like orange blossoms out back.



Here is a shot of the quilt top with the small inner border.



I keep looking at the paisley material I wanted to use for the wide border but somehow it is just not right. If the top only had the turquoise and greens paisley material would look great.



Even the stripe is not right



I think it what it needs is something darker. Hum, maybe a trip to the other LQS. Have top will travel. Wonder if I could get Dearest to go with me? He is really good at finding bargain yardage in that store. LOL!

Alright, I have to get busy. Have a great day.

Bits and Pieces

Climate link to mockingbird songs
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8062420.stm

Beard and moustache contest opens
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/8065408.stm

Baby anteater tries to find its feet
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8064380.stm

Dalmatian has 18 puppies
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/7816790.stm

Top secret space station revealed
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8067625.stm

Polaroid Photographers Plead Their Case - oh, they are hooked
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/05/25/business/20090525-polaroid-feature.html?th&emc=th

Rooks reveal remarkable tool use
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8059688.stm


Change the world one loan at a time – visit http://www.Kiva.org to find out how

I got some work done in the garden yesterday. The cannas are planted and the large wild rose is down. I still have to dig out its roots but it was way to humid to get it done all in one go. Here are pictures - the bean shoots are up and growing along with the lettuce and dill in the big pots and the space where the wild rose used to be.



I returned the borrowed ruler to Cheryl, talked a bit and then came home. Since Dearest was working away I went and sewed all of the quilt blocks into rows and now only have two long seams left to do and it will be an almost finished quilt top – just the borders left to do.

Dearest made dinner and we watched Sphere. I must confess that I didn’t finish watching it because it annoyed me. I did get some knitting done while watching the movie.


Change the world one loan at a time – visit http://www.Kiva.org to find out how

At this moment NASA TV has the most stunning pictures of our world covered in clouds. Kinda looks like a big marble with swirls all over it.

It is absolutely beautiful outside this morning. This may be the day that more mulch gets put down and plants moved to the bottom of the drive. And, I hope that the new bean shoots managed to stay intact from grazing rabbits – I forgot to spray them yesterday with what I call rabbit go-away. LOL! Humm.

Need a haircut! My hair is starting to get caught in the seatbelt again.

I have to go check on my friend’s plants today too. It would also be nice to get the quilt blocks set in the final layout. I guess I will just have to see how the day goes.

I’m off to get some work done. Have a nice day!

Bits and Pieces

Largest wind farm to be expanded
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8057198.stm

Scientists hail stunning fossil - cool!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8057465.stm

Scientist on primate fossil find - and here is the guy that found her.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8058154.stm

Shuttle releases repaired Hubble
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8057549.stm

English Channel shipwrecks revealed
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8058677.stm

Ghostly image investigated
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/8058479.stm

Man saves ducklings from ledge - ah!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8058221.stm


Change the world one loan at a time – visit http://www.Kiva.org to find out how

Yes, folks, its time to pack the kittens into their traveling crate and visit the vet for the yearly shots. At the moment they are all visible but come 1 PM they will all disappear. LOL!

A note of congratulations to trillian_stars and kylecassidy - they got married yesterday.

I put the border on the second small quilt yesterday and made its binding. Here is what the quilt top looks like with the border attached.



Then I squared up the blocks for the big quilt. I borrowed a huge 20” square quilting ruler from Cheryl and the task was accomplished fairly quickly. Just wish I had a cutting surface that was the proper height. The pile of squared up blocks.



It got cold last night. As I was on the way to bed the furnace kicked in.

Here is a bit of fun. Learn to speak dog.
http://www.petcentric.com/SpeakDog/default.aspx?DCMP=EMC-PETC-PETC-May09_2

Try…I’m in love. LOL!

My Dearest sent me this URL for the illusion Contest:
http://illusioncontest.neuralcorrelate.com/cat/2009/

Then I squared up the blocks for the big quilt. I borrowed a huge 20” square quilting ruler from Cheryl and the task was accomplished fairly quickly. Just wish I had a cutting surface that was the proper height.

Bits and Pieces

As Alaska Glaciers Melt, It’s Land That’s Rising
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/18/science/earth/18juneau.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

Wolfram 'search engine' goes live
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8052798.stm

Keep working 'to avoid dementia'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8048523.stm

Surfer rescues drowning kangaroo
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8051264.stm

Baby elephant's birth webcast live
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8054575.stm

Fossil Discovery Is Heralded
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124235632936122739.html?0xccff00r

Change the world one loan at a time – visit http://www.Kiva.org to find out how