Thanksgiving

This year I am thankful that I have seen all my sibs in 2011.

I love how we continue to familate (i just made that up, but it works) as adults... no easy feat given the many years and miles we span.  Yay, us!  5 of the big 6 were together at Thanksgiving, and I took the week off for visiting and cooking.

The day before the big event, BigBrother S was witness to and participant in the annual pie production.  Those design classes at Rolla really paid off, as this is where engineering meets art:

Bourbon Pecan 

Speaking of engineering, I could've used some structural support to hold together the gluten-free pastry for the next pie.  After much trouble (and some profanity) I carefully transferred the rolled and cut pieces outside to chill before weaving.  When I went to retrieve it later, I found this:

Apparently Ollie is now gluten-free

(Note to self:  get taller cooling rack) Back to the drawing board...

Strawberry Rhubarb take two

Turkey Central was not only host to Thanksgiving dinner; it was also the happy recipient of the Sib Service Brigade who performed surgery on my deck and gutters.  Here is the doctor and his first assist before the big procedure:

Later that day...

Shoulder surgery, Shmoulder surgery!

Barkeep and patron

And then we were ready for dinner:

It really does take a village...the boys washed all the china, silver, and crystal by hand at the end of the night.

our grandmother's wedding china, some 90+ years old

Oops...forgot the wishbone

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

Peanut Butter comes...

...to all those that endure The Bath

Just our way of saying, (now it will be a) "Happy Thanksgiving".

Looking forward to filling the hen house with many of the Roosters.
xxox

Cutifying The World

One pair at a time:

Answer Me This..

What could possibly merit fireworks on a Tues night in the middle of June???

Having supersonic hearing is not all it's cracked up to be.

Proud Mama

Hello, baby 'matoes

I think they favor their father...

Give Me a Sign

I was trolling my local Antique Mall when my heart quickened and palms got sweaty...  Classic signs of Ihavetohavethis (Latin for, Aquireopathy)

Having had a white horse for 15 years there was just no question.

I pulled it out and saw on the back hints of another pony peeking out below the reinforcing boards.  15 minutes later I was home with tools in hand prying up rusty nails and boards singing, "Wild Fire"  (OK- not really but go with it)

This white horse gets it's "paint" look from an old varnish that is amber and crackly...I rather like it.

I have no official information about the sign (other than I officially like it).

A search on the interwebs found that "The White Horse" was a pub situated in E. London and established in 1780.  The pub closed in 1969 but had belonged to the Colchester Brewing Company passing to IND Coope in the 1930s.

I'm getting thirsty....

My Movie Boyfriend

Is Kevin Spacey.

Slice of Americana

Thank you to all who work in service of our country (past and present) so I can enjoy the freedoms that I do.  My gratitude is heartfelt.

This Memorial Day weekend was the best in recent memory. (likely better, I just can't say for sure...)

SALE!  

I nearly had a stroke when I walked through the doors of my LYS and learned they had 50% off EVERY YARN in the store.

I was stuttering by the time I left...

Saturday took me to my friend's farm where I traded pavement and street lights for green grass and lightning bugs...

'Farmhouse' doesn't quite capture the home on their property.  This is more 'party house' meets ''rustic artist' with a left turn at whimsy.

My friend's husband has used wood from the property to rebuild the railing in the center hall..

...and who needs a living room when you can have a second bar?!

Wood harvested from a barn on the property

When the band's not playing, the instruments lie in waiting...

Again, wood from the barn as material for the table and instruments

while everyone's out back roasting marshmallows on the fire!

Ride the Pony

Really, what's better than a girl's weekend dipped in gorgeous weather while surrounded by all things equine? Ain't nothin better, that's what!

Last weekend was Rolex with my horse peeps.  We shopped, ate, and trekked over cross country all weekend long.

Friday is trade fair day where you can rub elbows with celebrities,

Pet every great dane you see,

And ogle all the items for sale and display.

Trade Show Tradition dictates a requisite visit to the Dubarry tent where champagne and British accents come out at 10am.

Warning: said beverage and atmosphere can lead to dropping major payola on boots.

(specifically, these boots)

Saturday is cross country day where we saw every jump while listening to Nigel call out the rides...

Yay, Rolex!

Happy Birthday, Ollie!

Ollie is 9 today, and for her birthday I've promised to knit less and scratch more.

Originally known as "Puppy Number 5", she has always been #1 to me.  Here are some photos of my beautiful bff:

She was born the smallest of 13, but it was soon clear the word "small" would be obsolete when describing her...

As a puppy, she spent as much time climbing and terrorizing as she did sleeping:

Monkey?

This would be the terrorizing...

Terrorizing Part 2:   The later Years

Of course we all have our kryptonite, and in Olive's case it is Mr. Rumbles...

"Did you hear that?"

But life outside the tub is good, and there is nothing better in this world than hanging out with my girl!

Love you, Ollie xxoxoo

The Gazebo is UP

This last week I've been soaking in every minute of beautiful weather the gods have offered....


I've dusted off my green thumb,

weeded my gardens with some neighbors (thank you!), put up the gazebo, and rescued a butterfly from my kitchen window.

No butterflies were harmed in filming this blog

I have also killed 3 wasps (circle of life, people!).
You would think word would get out about 'The One Who Kills Wasps', but they just keep coming.


Bring it!  I've got chemicals.

Me, being smug about the chemicals