Busy Around Here

It's been busy around here.

If you've followed Twisty Lane for any length of time,

you know I mention Musashi's Garden often.

It is my postage stamp backyard and the garden named after

one of our beloved kitties.

I've always wanted a water feature and this year I took the plunge.

Everything in Musashi's Garden was removed and we started from the beginning.





All new plants to learn about.


And 6 new friends to care for ... goldfish!
Meanwhile, the birds are unhappy.
With all the demolition and building going on,
they haven't had their regular handout.
Now that it's all done ... the rains have come.
Good timing!
One more thing ...
when the lights come on in the garden --
it is a place of pure magic.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

On The Menu

There is rain in the forecast ... lots of it.

So I thought it would be a good time for some soup.

I just happened to have a bag of baby spinach that I needed to use.
There was tortelinni in the freezer. 
 A can of tomatoes from the pantry.
And, I was lucky, 32oz of vegetable broth.
That's all I needed.

I found this recipe in Fine Cooking years ago and it remains one of my
favorite quick and easy recipes.
You can find my original post here.
And, it's pretty too.

I chopped a small onion and let it cook in some olive oil.
Added 32 oz of vegetable broth.
The canned tomatoes.
A bag of baby spinach.
Letting that cook until the spinach was wilted.
Then I added the tortellini.
Let all of that come to a boil and the tortellini fully cook.
Done!

Sprinkle with a little parmesan cheese and serve.

Quick and easy.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

This and That

It is pumpkin time at Trader Joe's. 

You name it they have it.

Pumpkin Bread Mix

Pumpkin Tortilla Chips

Organic Pumpkin Toaster Pastries

Pumpkin Bagels

*Honey Roasted Pumpkin Ravioli

Pumpkin Cranberry Crisps

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Pumpkin Spice Granola

*Pumpkin Yogurt

Pecan Pumpkin Instant Oatmeal

Pumpkin Cranberry Scone Mix

Pumpkin Spice Rooibos Tea

Gluten Free Pumpkin Pancake Mix

*Pumpkin Bar Baking Mix 

*Pumpkin Butter

Pumpkin Waffles

Pumpkin Cheesecake

*Pumpkin Cream Cheese

Pumpkin Seed Brittle

Pumpkin Panettone

Iced Pumpkin Scone Cookies

and on and on.

* These are the "pumpkins" I've tried and I think are very good.

I went in to get the pumpkin yogurt and cream cheese.

I'll enjoy them while I can!

**

I have a new flag for the balcony.
I change them up with each holiday or when I get the urge!

He makes me smile.

***

This is latest look at the afghan.
I've added the tulip, waves and puff rows.




I am trying to follow their suggested colors by using my stash yarn.
I'm delighted to see my stash dwindling.
The more it dwindles ... the more yarn may be in my future!

Mina has to give her seal of approval.
I think each kitty would like an afghan of their own.

****

While I wait for the next section of the afghan to be posted,
I'm working on more cowls for gifts for the coming holidays.
There are a number of birthdays to think about, too.
This is the Papillon Cowl and it does resemble a butterfly.
Fun!





Wishing YOU well and much joy!

I'm joining Mosaic Monday 



and Hookin' On Hump Day.
 

This and That

It's October and another little front has blown through

leaving a few delightful days of nice temps and low humidity.

*

I got my flu shot .. the high dose for those of us of a certain age! 

**

I'm taking part in the Spice of Life Crochet A Long along with 4000+ others!

The crochet a long is being sponsored by Stylecraft and Black Sheep Yarns. 
I've been using yarn in my stash.
As much as I would like to, I just couldn't by more yarn! 
We get new instructions each week.
Here is my first week:

And this what the afghan looks like after the second week:
Love those stacking shells!

It's been fun, a great stash buster and I've learned a few new tricks 
from the ladies in the FaceBook Group. 

***

A night out at the zoo to meet the new CEO.
Good friends, good food, and a cute animal ambassador:
meet Winston -- the Juliana Pig.

His tail was in constant motion ... as was his head ... yummies on the floor! 

The Juliana Pig is a small colorful pig originating in Europe through selective
breeding of various kinds of pigs. The Juliana Pig, also known as the 
Miniature Painted Pig, is small and spotted without a pronounced
pot belly or sway back. They have a long snout and are slight in frame.
They have a great temperament as the Juliana pig has been bred specifically 
 to work with humans. 






****

Last, but not least, it's the perfect weather for
FOOTBALL!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

I'm joining:

and the lovely Judith at Mosaic Monday.