A Whole Lot of Something

It is too hot and humid here.

Not fit for man or beast or the garden.

So, when the latest email from Pier One arrived,

I thought it might help cool me down.

Christmas in July! 

Pier One Email

So far, the cooling down hasn't worked!


2. Last week I was opening my first box from My Texas Market.
This week the kitties are opening their Kit Nip Box.

No surprise that Mina was the first to check it out.
She went directly for the cat-nip elephant.





It didn't take long for Cassie and Teddy to join in the fun.


3. A whole of something has been going on in the water garden.




I wonder if the fish will eat the eggs???


4. In the atrium, an anole was knocking at the door.

"It's hot out here! Let me in!"


5. I finished another lovie. 
This time a panda.




His eyes are a little wonky and his grin is lopsided,
but not bad for the first try. 

So far, I've made three owls -- all delivered far and wide.
Have another owl to make and then I think I might try a puppy.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Willy Nilly Friday

Five on Friday

Saturday Critters

This and That

I hope all my friends in the U.S. and Canada enjoyed their holiday weekend.
This is what happened around Twisty Lane. 

1. One last lunch to celebrate my birthday
and my friend's birthday.
We were about six weeks late, but it's never too late to celebrate.
We went to Little Liberty.
(Perfect for the 4th of July weekend.)

We both ordered the Hawaiian Poke
(raw fish salad appetizer)
with tuna, tamari, cucumber base, mango and avocado.
Delicious and it all was on my diet!

2. I finished reading Clammed Up (A Maine Clambake Mystery) by Barbara Ross.

A good read for the 4th of July weekend.
Clammed Up is the first in the series.
I thought it was amazingly good for the first book in a cozy series.
Clambakes, Murder and Recipes -- what more could one want??!!

3. I was ready for the 4th of July.

Uncle Sam was flying high over the bunting clad balcony.


4. I made a quick trip to Ross.
It's right next door to Michaels (more yarn).
I figured, why not!
Sometimes I find something, sometimes I don't.
I found these kitchen towels.

I watched all the fireworks at home on tv -- switching between channels.
No way was I going out in the heat, humidity and crowds.

5. Several of you wanted to see the crochet lovie blanket.
I finished one of the owls and have a panda started.
Too cute!
All finished in time for the baby shower.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Willy Nilly Friday

Five On Friday

Home Sweet Home

No Place Like Home

Make It Pretty Monday

This and That

1. I made a new friend last week.

His name is Bruno.
He belongs to a friend of mine.

Bruno is a three month old Mastiff.
He is a big teddy bear in a dog costume.
Like my kitties, he loves to have his chin scratched.


2. I'm working on another baby blanket.
Using my favorite pattern again.
It is quick and easy and looks complicated.
You can find the free crochet pattern here.

If I finish with time left before the baby shower,
I might try making one of these:

These little gems should be a good stash buster!

3.  I had a birthday at the end of May 
and all of my sisters-by-choice spoiled me.
They know all about my love for tea and I hit the jackpot.

One of my sisters is an accomplished needlepoint-er. 
She always has a project going on. 
The pillow is from her.
Perfect for her tea lover sister.

I love the Rosina teacup.
Very different with it's fluted tulip cup shape and high handle.
The saucer is fluted,too.
The blue design is very delicate.

The teacup sits on a Serendipi-tea Tea Box full of chocolate tea.
Sounds decadent, doesn't it!

Serendipi-Tea is a World Tea Awards Finalist for the Best Tea Brand.

4. In Musashi's Garden the plumeria is blooming.
Perfect timing: the gardenia just finished.
The garden has gone from one glorious scent to another.

5. When I put the crochet hook down,
I pick up Valiant Ambition by Nathaniel Philbrick.
I heard an interview with Philbrick on NPR.
I enjoyed it so much, I decided I would have to read the book.
It isn't exactly what I would call Summer Reading,
but it is a fascinating look at the American Revolution,
especially George Washington and Benedict Arnold.
With luck, I'll have it finished by July 4. 


Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Five on Friday

Home Sweet Home

This and That

1. Last Saturday the Houston Zoo opened early for its annual family Spring fling.
It's always more fun if you go with little kids. 
Face painting, slides, jump ropes, hula hoops, a DJ and zoo animals.

2. Then there are the animal ambassadors.
This is Winston and he is a Juliana Pig.
He's a big favorite with the kids and adults.

 The Dingos have only been at the Houston Zoo for about 8 months.
The wild dog of Australia.
Did you know the Dingo is a separate taxonomy from the dog?







This is Charlie the Chuckwalla.
The Chuckwalla is one of the largest of the  native American reptiles. 
Charlie is very handsome!

3. Because it was so early, before the zoo opened to the public,
we had the African Forest and the gorillas to ourselves.

The bachelor group was outside and entertaining us.
They can sure move fast!






4. This is a pretty time of year at the zoo.
Before it gets too hot and humid and the flowers are blooming.

5. I finished crocheting a baby blanket.
It's one of my favorite patterns - quick, easy- and looks fancy!
You can find the free pattern here.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

I'm joining:

Willy Nilly Friday

Five on Friday

Random Five Friday

This and That

A memory from Paris.

1. I finished reading A Paris Apartment by Michelle Garle. I enjoyed it, but thought it could have been even better! Based on the true story of a treasure stocked Paris apartment that had been closed for seventy years. Amazing!

2. The Rice baseball team is away this weekend, which means I have the weekend to do whatever I want. The weather is supposed to be close to perfect, so sitting outside near the pond and reading sounds like a good idea.

3. The Final Four is in town ... lots of traffic. No, I'm not going, but will watch on television.

4. I'm getting a hair cut today and then off to the grocery store.

5. I've put my crochet hook down and got out my knitting needles. I find that crochet is easier on my hands, but I found a knit shawl pattern that looked pretty quick and easy so I thought I'd give it a go.  

It's so nice to have Nancy back with Random 5 Friday.

Willy Nilly Friday

Five On Friday

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Yarn A Long

One of my sisters-by-choice is a member of Annie's Creative Woman Kit-of-the Month Club.

She doesn't crochet and since I do, she sent this kit to me.

I'm between yarn projects (just finished an afghan).

I needed an easy project while I decide what I want to try next. 

When I'm finished I'm going to send the scarf back to her!
Surprise!

When I need to take a break from the crochet hook,

I grab a book.

I'm reading Paris Letters by Janice MacLeod.

I was lucky enough to visit Paris with my knight in shining armor.

The Louvre with its amazing art collection 
and the crowd around Mona trying to get a picture of her.
The amazing windows of Sainte Chapelle.
I could spend days just sitting there.
Notre Dame
The amazing gardens and parks.
The Eiffel Tower -- it seems to hide and then suddenly -- there it is again.
The bread.
And, last but not least, 
I can still imagine the taste of the lemon tart I had in the little store on the Rue St Honore.
One must remember not to hurry these experiences, but stop and enjoy.

In Paris Letters we learn that Janice has job burnout.

She wants an answer to the question:

How much money does it take to quit your job?

She finds out, gives the reader suggestions,

and plans to spend a couple of years traveling in Europe.

She finds romance and a new business. 

Janice has a blog that you can find here.

I also follow Carol Gillott's blog.

She is another Paris lover and I enjoy her adventures in the city.

Wishing YOU well, much joy, lots of new yarn and a good book! 

Yarn A Long with Ginny.

Nothing Like Being Done!

My Spice of Life Afghan is all done.
There are over 6000 members in the Face Book group.
Some are just starting their afghan.
Everyone in the group has been so supporting of the new crocheters.
Even us "old-timers" learned a few new helpful hints.

I had a great time using my stash yarn.

(Still have plenty of stash left.)

I tried to follow the suggested Stylecraft yarn colors.

When I ran out of one color I changed to another.

(Dusty rose went from rose, to light purple, to pink.)

The edging is supposed to be green, but I didn't have any left.

I had plenty of light pink (not my favorite color) left

and so the edge is pink.

Not bad! 

The girls, Cassie and Mina, have given their seal of approval to this afghan.

Good thing.

Our first cool weather has arrived and the afghan and the kitties

will feel good on my toes! 

An afghan -- makes home even more comfy.

**

I think I'm finished with my cowls.
I have all the upcoming birthdays and the holidays covered.
I hope! 
This is the latest color way that I used.
This is a Red Heart pattern called Papillon.

This one is a little smaller in width than the others I made.
I was determined to use up the yarn and not add to the stash!
This cowl is mine. 

***

I made a dash to Trader Joe's over the weekend.
When I get home I always wonder why I don't shop there more often.
Great produce and today they had Teddy's (the oldest kitty) tuna.
They don't always have it in stock.
Much easier to give him his heart meds when there is tuna in the house! 

The other thing they had was 
Lemon, Ginger, Echinacea juice.
Oh, my.
Warmed on these cooler days -- divine!
Almost better than hot chocolate! 

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

I'm joining Sandi for No Place Like Home.

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.

This and That

I've been home nursing my bad back

and trying not to sit for any length of time ...

that means no blog posts.

So, I decided it was time to do a This and That post
adding a little bit every few days.

*

(Karen from Houston Chronicle)

I think I've watched the Mike Friers No-No game three times.

Friday night when it happened, 
early Saturday morning rerun 
and the Saturday afternoon rerun.
Mike came from the Brewers to the Astros in a trade.
This was his first complete game and 
the first No Hitter in Minute Maid Park.

Exciting each time I watched.

**

I participated in the Index Card A Day challenge again this summer.
However, I didn't do 61 cards this year.
I simply ran out of steam and the back didn't help.

I thought I'd share a few of my favorites starting with cats.

Then collage....

I took my time.
Didn't rush and completed 34 cards.

***

So, if I wasn't being arty, and I wasn't reading..
what have I been doing???
Crocheting!
On these hot, miserable days I didn't want to go out.
So I decided if I was going make things for the holidays,
now was a good time to get busy!




I liked the pattern and the cowl looked quick and easy (it is).
I picked two color ways -- Ocean Waves and Desert Sands --
and will have enough yarn to make several cowls.
I always keep the first one for myself.
It has all the mistakes I make while I'm figuring out the pattern!
I really didn't like this yarn (Lion Brand Textures) when I started.
It was difficult to see the loops and where to put the next stitch.
But, by the time I was finished with the first one, I was moving right along
and liking the result.

This is the Ocean Waves color way and the first one I made (mine!). 

And this is the Desert Sands on the right.
It has a Southwest feel. 
 I have a new cowl and one made for a gift. 
Moving right along!

Wishing YOU well and much joy.

I'm joining the lovely Judith for Mosaic Monday.