Hello, Everyone,
Y'all ready for the holidays yet? I'm not. It's a lovely clear cool-but-not-cold Saturday night in San Diego. I was almost out the door to a party I was hesitant to attend, when my friend, Cynthia, called to say she and Berta were on their way over. Berta bought a new car today and wanted to show it off. Whew! I quickly canceled my party attendance and had fun with the girls. We had tea and German Christmas cookies, put up a very small Christmas tree, watched a new video for women by Linda Johnson, more tea, then jumped into Berts'a new car to go look at the fabulous Christmas lights on Garrison Street in Point Loma. Good times!
Now all I have to do is finish the 119 gifts on my holiday list. All done but 7. My knitting needles are smoking hot!
Lilo just came in to say Hello to her adoring fans. After we got back from Bakersfield she was soooo good. "Was it something I said? I'll be good, really... just don't go to Bakersfield again..."
G'nite,
Julie
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Bakersfield? Yes, Bakersfield!
Hello, Everyone,
It's a lovely, clear cold Tuesday late night after a lovely warm day. Perfect for December in San Diego. I feel great emotionally, although my Sjogrens has caused me some physical difficulty of late. I'm listening to Dancing Waters by Ravel on XLNC1. Very nice.
We got back yesterday from our vacation to Bakersfield. Vacation to Bakersfield, you ask? Yes, and it was great. My friend Tuthie is visiting Bakersfield this winter for her work, so we decided to visit her there, since she is usually in Alaska, and that is definitely not nearly as do-able. We researched on the Internet and made a list of things to do and shook our heads at the shortness of the list. The when we got here, we were pleasantly surprised. First of all, the people are very sweet, nice and friendly. Greet you on the sidewalk for no reason. Mellow vibe. And the tap water tastes great. Don't laugh, in San Diego it is not really drinkable.
Friday evening when we arrived, picked up Tuthie and ate at KC's Steakhouse. http://www.kcsteakhouse.net/ordereze/Content/1/Summary.aspx Wow! It was awesomely good. Very "old school", but in as good way. All decked out for Christmas, live band, good food, good booze. The oysters were fresh, my liver was not overcooked. Liver should just "Kiss the pan", my mother used to say. Tuthie had a flavorful, tender filet of Beef. Usually they are one or the other, but not both. These people were very nice and the food was great. Dan's shrimp were good.
Saturday we went shopping at the mall. Tuthie has a big holiday party coming up at work and she wanted a long dress, fancy dancing shoes, jewelry and all the trimmings for the party. Lunch was a great steak and salami sandwich at Charlie's in the mall. Dan had a big salad, which he enjoyed. Afterward we were too tired from all the shopping to go out anywhere, so we just had a quick dinner at Carrow's across the parking lot from the motel. My massage therapist called and asked me to make 2 shawls for her nephews in return for a free massage. So, I'm busy knitting up a storm in chocolate brown tweed.
Sunday we went for brunch to La Mina, a Mexican place that does a buffet on Sunday mornings. http://www.bakersfield.com/news/local/x1801938193/PETE-TITTL-La-Mina-Sunday-brunch-in-a-word-More It was very much like my first mother-in-law's home cooking, and that 's a compliment. The Menudo was great, the waffles and strawberries for desert were great. Tortillas made fresh in front of you to order. Coffee was good, the champagne was a bit sweet, which is how I like it. Then we drove up the Kern River valley to Lake Isabella, very pretty scenery, very windy road which Dan enjoyed driving. And the mountains and river were just beautiful.
Late that night after we got back, we had dinner at Benjies, a French Basque place. Amazing, just amazing.
http://www.idgoback.com/places/food-and-restaurants/benjis-french-basque-restaurant---4001-rosedale-hwy-bakersfieldca-93308 Next time in Bakersfield, I'm going to Benji's again. My sweetbreads were cooked to the point as the French say. Just enough, no more. The mushrooms, too. And the veal reduction/wine sauce was heaven. Dan had veal medalions stuffed with ham and cheese. These Basque places serve a "set-up" before they bring out the entree. It's like an appetizer buffet, or something. Wonderful fresh bread and butter, fresh salad, yummy vege soup, hot sauce, beans (you put the beans and the hot sauce in the soup), sliced tomato salad, French fries?, thinly sliced pickled tongue!, cooked vegetable (green beans cooked with tomatoes). Then they brought my heavenly sweetbreads..... The dessert souffle is supposed to be great, but we did not have room to try it. In my next lifetime, I want to be born French Basque...
Monday, we had lunch at Pyrenees, another interesting Basque place. http://www.yelp.com/biz/pyrenees-cafe-bakersfield Funky place, the Oldest restaurant in Bakersfield, across from the old original railway station. Also served with a "set-up", and the special was a great pork chop, which Dan had. I had the chicken fried steak, since it's a Bakersfield specialty, but the chop was better. Blue cheese on the great freshly baked bread. Crisp, fresh salad. Cottage cheese with mixed vegie bits chopped in. Pickled tongue was great in a Chimichurri type sauce. Good coffee. I could get used to this Basque thing.
We checked out the Bugseum in nearby Shafter. Lots of fun. Lots of bugs. I wish Nate could have seen that.
Then we headed out for home and stopped at Ruby's in the Citadel on the way home. Interesting high end mall. Opposite of Bakersfield.
Lilo was glad to see us back. She has needed many pets today to make up for the long weekend alone. She says HI to her adoring fans...
Time to go check on the fresh cheese I left draining.. paneer. Good late night snack.
See ya soon,
Julie
It's a lovely, clear cold Tuesday late night after a lovely warm day. Perfect for December in San Diego. I feel great emotionally, although my Sjogrens has caused me some physical difficulty of late. I'm listening to Dancing Waters by Ravel on XLNC1. Very nice.
We got back yesterday from our vacation to Bakersfield. Vacation to Bakersfield, you ask? Yes, and it was great. My friend Tuthie is visiting Bakersfield this winter for her work, so we decided to visit her there, since she is usually in Alaska, and that is definitely not nearly as do-able. We researched on the Internet and made a list of things to do and shook our heads at the shortness of the list. The when we got here, we were pleasantly surprised. First of all, the people are very sweet, nice and friendly. Greet you on the sidewalk for no reason. Mellow vibe. And the tap water tastes great. Don't laugh, in San Diego it is not really drinkable.
Friday evening when we arrived, picked up Tuthie and ate at KC's Steakhouse. http://www.kcsteakhouse.net/ordereze/Content/1/Summary.aspx Wow! It was awesomely good. Very "old school", but in as good way. All decked out for Christmas, live band, good food, good booze. The oysters were fresh, my liver was not overcooked. Liver should just "Kiss the pan", my mother used to say. Tuthie had a flavorful, tender filet of Beef. Usually they are one or the other, but not both. These people were very nice and the food was great. Dan's shrimp were good.
Saturday we went shopping at the mall. Tuthie has a big holiday party coming up at work and she wanted a long dress, fancy dancing shoes, jewelry and all the trimmings for the party. Lunch was a great steak and salami sandwich at Charlie's in the mall. Dan had a big salad, which he enjoyed. Afterward we were too tired from all the shopping to go out anywhere, so we just had a quick dinner at Carrow's across the parking lot from the motel. My massage therapist called and asked me to make 2 shawls for her nephews in return for a free massage. So, I'm busy knitting up a storm in chocolate brown tweed.
Sunday we went for brunch to La Mina, a Mexican place that does a buffet on Sunday mornings. http://www.bakersfield.com/news/local/x1801938193/PETE-TITTL-La-Mina-Sunday-brunch-in-a-word-More It was very much like my first mother-in-law's home cooking, and that 's a compliment. The Menudo was great, the waffles and strawberries for desert were great. Tortillas made fresh in front of you to order. Coffee was good, the champagne was a bit sweet, which is how I like it. Then we drove up the Kern River valley to Lake Isabella, very pretty scenery, very windy road which Dan enjoyed driving. And the mountains and river were just beautiful.
Late that night after we got back, we had dinner at Benjies, a French Basque place. Amazing, just amazing.
http://www.idgoback.com/places/food-and-restaurants/benjis-french-basque-restaurant---4001-rosedale-hwy-bakersfieldca-93308 Next time in Bakersfield, I'm going to Benji's again. My sweetbreads were cooked to the point as the French say. Just enough, no more. The mushrooms, too. And the veal reduction/wine sauce was heaven. Dan had veal medalions stuffed with ham and cheese. These Basque places serve a "set-up" before they bring out the entree. It's like an appetizer buffet, or something. Wonderful fresh bread and butter, fresh salad, yummy vege soup, hot sauce, beans (you put the beans and the hot sauce in the soup), sliced tomato salad, French fries?, thinly sliced pickled tongue!, cooked vegetable (green beans cooked with tomatoes). Then they brought my heavenly sweetbreads..... The dessert souffle is supposed to be great, but we did not have room to try it. In my next lifetime, I want to be born French Basque...
Monday, we had lunch at Pyrenees, another interesting Basque place. http://www.yelp.com/biz/pyrenees-cafe-bakersfield Funky place, the Oldest restaurant in Bakersfield, across from the old original railway station. Also served with a "set-up", and the special was a great pork chop, which Dan had. I had the chicken fried steak, since it's a Bakersfield specialty, but the chop was better. Blue cheese on the great freshly baked bread. Crisp, fresh salad. Cottage cheese with mixed vegie bits chopped in. Pickled tongue was great in a Chimichurri type sauce. Good coffee. I could get used to this Basque thing.
We checked out the Bugseum in nearby Shafter. Lots of fun. Lots of bugs. I wish Nate could have seen that.
Then we headed out for home and stopped at Ruby's in the Citadel on the way home. Interesting high end mall. Opposite of Bakersfield.
Lilo was glad to see us back. She has needed many pets today to make up for the long weekend alone. She says HI to her adoring fans...
Time to go check on the fresh cheese I left draining.. paneer. Good late night snack.
See ya soon,
Julie
Friday, November 12, 2010
The socks fit!
Hello, Everyone.
It's a coolish night after a bright, sunny, absolutely gorgeous day that reminds me why I live in San Diego. I listening the the "Flight of the Bumblebee", I kid you not. I use this player that cruises my hard drive and plays music Randomly. You never know what it'll find. Now it's switched to Lena Horne singing "When I fall in Love", real... slow.
I feel great. We dove up the coast to pick up Nathan, just a spectacular drive. Had dinner at Tip Top. Prime rib, our usual. It was very good, but next time I'm going to get something more German, like bratwurst or smoked pork chops. Went to a very nice Buddhist meeting afterward. During the drive I finished a sewing bug, like this one for a friend who quilts.
Ron sent me a thank you. His socks must have fit him...
That's a Balbriggan heel, BTW. My new fav heel. It's in Folk Socks. It's Irish. The turning is more like a rounded flap extension. You decrease 4 EOR (one each side and two in the center). The gusset runs all the way to the floor. Lots of extra pick-up stitches and long gussets. Makes a very generously fitting ankle area for those with substantial ankles. Like Ron... Remember we used to call them "blocky".
When I bought Folk Socks I ordered it on-line. When it arrived, I was so excited, I pulled it out of the box and immediately sat down to read it. My daughter came into the room and Said, "Mother, I'm so glad to see you reading a book. All you do anymore is knit socks. I think you are really obsessed with this sock knitting thing. I think it's great you're reading again." I held up the book so she could see the title and grinned. She said, "Oh, no! A book about socks! You're hopeless!" I laugh out loud every time I remember.
Lilo is throwing a quick hello over her shoulder to her adoring fans as she heads into the bedroom to sleep in my sweaters. Must be cold outside.
Goodnight,
Julie
It's a coolish night after a bright, sunny, absolutely gorgeous day that reminds me why I live in San Diego. I listening the the "Flight of the Bumblebee", I kid you not. I use this player that cruises my hard drive and plays music Randomly. You never know what it'll find. Now it's switched to Lena Horne singing "When I fall in Love", real... slow.
I feel great. We dove up the coast to pick up Nathan, just a spectacular drive. Had dinner at Tip Top. Prime rib, our usual. It was very good, but next time I'm going to get something more German, like bratwurst or smoked pork chops. Went to a very nice Buddhist meeting afterward. During the drive I finished a sewing bug, like this one for a friend who quilts.
Ron sent me a thank you. His socks must have fit him...
That's a Balbriggan heel, BTW. My new fav heel. It's in Folk Socks. It's Irish. The turning is more like a rounded flap extension. You decrease 4 EOR (one each side and two in the center). The gusset runs all the way to the floor. Lots of extra pick-up stitches and long gussets. Makes a very generously fitting ankle area for those with substantial ankles. Like Ron... Remember we used to call them "blocky".
When I bought Folk Socks I ordered it on-line. When it arrived, I was so excited, I pulled it out of the box and immediately sat down to read it. My daughter came into the room and Said, "Mother, I'm so glad to see you reading a book. All you do anymore is knit socks. I think you are really obsessed with this sock knitting thing. I think it's great you're reading again." I held up the book so she could see the title and grinned. She said, "Oh, no! A book about socks! You're hopeless!" I laugh out loud every time I remember.
Lilo is throwing a quick hello over her shoulder to her adoring fans as she heads into the bedroom to sleep in my sweaters. Must be cold outside.
Goodnight,
Julie
Thursday, November 11, 2010
halloween pix and the Llama
Hello, Everyone.
It's late Thursday night after a hot Santa Ana day. This is so crazy, yesterday was raining. San Diegans are not used to weather that switches around. I had fun today, went swimming with Heather and then we had lunch at the Deli Lama in Hillcrest. http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-deli-llama-san-diego It was really good.
Heather got some pics back of the pumpkin carving contest in Encinitas. Aren't these great?
I remember Tron! Dare ad I saw it when it came out the first time.
Sometimes I feel like Wiley Coyote. If I run real fast and don;t look down, can I run off the cliff and keep on going?
What the... is this?
Mother Theresa on a jack o' lantern??? Really scarey, right???
Lilo sez hello to her adoring subjects.
I'm tired, bedtime.
Goodnight,
Julie and Lilo
It's late Thursday night after a hot Santa Ana day. This is so crazy, yesterday was raining. San Diegans are not used to weather that switches around. I had fun today, went swimming with Heather and then we had lunch at the Deli Lama in Hillcrest. http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-deli-llama-san-diego It was really good.
Heather got some pics back of the pumpkin carving contest in Encinitas. Aren't these great?
I'm tired, bedtime.
Goodnight,
Julie and Lilo
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Echos of the upper Midwest in San Diego
Hello, Everyone!
It's late on a cold, rainy, windy, Wednesday night in San Diego. Dan sez it reminds him of Minnesota, but without the snow. This is what passes for winter weather with us. Last week we were roasting over 100, sheeesh.
I feel ok. I had a minor stomach bug, but it seems to have passed. Maybe it passed to Dan, he went to bed real early tonight, which I did last night, LOL. I'm listening to piano jazz on sky.fm. Go, Herbie!
About that discipline and restraint I was working on yesterday, well, I'm doing just fine. I have not, repeat not, cast on for the new shawl yet. Actually, I can't find where I put the yarn. A week or so ago I was cleaning up the area around my "knitting rocker" and I put this lovely ice blue yarn away somewhere, ahem. But where? Oh, well, it is doing wonders for my discipline. I'll find it soon and then we'll see....
In honor of the rainy evening, I made a nice, Midwestern supper. I made real-deal from scratch mashed potatoes with cheddar cheese stirred in. A green salad with tomatoes and my home made pickles. I make my own pickles so I can control the salt. Then I made Polish sausage with sauerkraut. Rice pudding for dessert with yogurt sauce. All very Midwestern.
My sauerkraut is pretty special. Dan Likes it even though he doesn't generally like sauerkraut. Well, I am German, you know. He's Polish, so this fits us both. Here's the recipe if you want to make it.
Julie's Polish Sausage with Sauerkraut.
serves 4, or 2 people twice in my house
1 pound Kielbasa (Polish Sausage), can be frozen!
3 slices of bacon (Yes, I know the word rashers, but it is too old fashioned for me)
1 large onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 small can sauerkraut.
1 tsp caraway seeds. You can use cumin if you do not stock caraway, they are actually very close.
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
no additional salt, as the bacon, sausage and sauerkraut all have lots
1 Tbsp brown sugar
3/4 cup potato water
Cut the Kielbasa into 4 pieces. Cut the bacon into bits, and add to a large frying pan that has a lid over med-low heat. Cook the bacon until crispy. Just as it is done add the onions and stir it all up. Add the garlic. Add the sausage. Open the kraut can and drain it really well. Taste it. If it is real puckery sour, rinse it in a colander. Tonight's can was fine without rinsing. But sometimes you get a real sour one. Add the kraut to the onions. Add the caraway and pepper and mix well. Add the sugar. Stir it frequently as it browns. Careful, once the sugar is in, it will burn easily. When it is all yummy and caramelized, add the water. If you forgot to save the potato water, it's ok to use regular. Put the lid on and turn the heat down. Keep it on low heat until the sausages are done, maybe 5-7 minutes. The water will disappear. Serve beside the mashed potatoes with mustard for the sausage. I don't need to tell you how to make cheesy mashed potatoes do I?
Yum. My fav. But then I am German. We drank some nice cocktails made with run, mandarin soda and cherry syrup. The sort of thing you might get on a cruise ship with a colorful umbrella in it. The drink of the day is...
Wasn't that crazy about the cruise ship with the engine fire off Cabo? No AC, at first no water, no toilets. 4000 people and no working toilets, wow! Only cold food like spam. Not moving at all, dead in the water. Then they got the aux power on, so cold water and toilets working again. Great fun I'm sure. And I really do love to cruise. But not on that cruise.
I was eating a bowl of the rice pudding with a sauce of strawberry yogurt as I started this post. Yum! Lilo kept begging and I kept telling her it was nothing a kitty would like, but she would not believe me. So I gave her some. She looked at me like, are you nuts? Ha, silly kitty. She's staying inside tonight, spent most of the evening snoozing in my sweaters. Great, now they'll all have white cat hair on them.
Sorry, I did not get a picture of my plate for you tonight. I just ate it right up too fast to photograph! So, I gave you the recipe instead...
Have a good night's sleep, rainy nights are good for that...
Julie and Lilo, yawning and heading for bed
It's late on a cold, rainy, windy, Wednesday night in San Diego. Dan sez it reminds him of Minnesota, but without the snow. This is what passes for winter weather with us. Last week we were roasting over 100, sheeesh.
I feel ok. I had a minor stomach bug, but it seems to have passed. Maybe it passed to Dan, he went to bed real early tonight, which I did last night, LOL. I'm listening to piano jazz on sky.fm. Go, Herbie!
About that discipline and restraint I was working on yesterday, well, I'm doing just fine. I have not, repeat not, cast on for the new shawl yet. Actually, I can't find where I put the yarn. A week or so ago I was cleaning up the area around my "knitting rocker" and I put this lovely ice blue yarn away somewhere, ahem. But where? Oh, well, it is doing wonders for my discipline. I'll find it soon and then we'll see....
In honor of the rainy evening, I made a nice, Midwestern supper. I made real-deal from scratch mashed potatoes with cheddar cheese stirred in. A green salad with tomatoes and my home made pickles. I make my own pickles so I can control the salt. Then I made Polish sausage with sauerkraut. Rice pudding for dessert with yogurt sauce. All very Midwestern.
My sauerkraut is pretty special. Dan Likes it even though he doesn't generally like sauerkraut. Well, I am German, you know. He's Polish, so this fits us both. Here's the recipe if you want to make it.
Julie's Polish Sausage with Sauerkraut.
serves 4, or 2 people twice in my house
1 pound Kielbasa (Polish Sausage), can be frozen!
3 slices of bacon (Yes, I know the word rashers, but it is too old fashioned for me)
1 large onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 small can sauerkraut.
1 tsp caraway seeds. You can use cumin if you do not stock caraway, they are actually very close.
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
no additional salt, as the bacon, sausage and sauerkraut all have lots
1 Tbsp brown sugar
3/4 cup potato water
Cut the Kielbasa into 4 pieces. Cut the bacon into bits, and add to a large frying pan that has a lid over med-low heat. Cook the bacon until crispy. Just as it is done add the onions and stir it all up. Add the garlic. Add the sausage. Open the kraut can and drain it really well. Taste it. If it is real puckery sour, rinse it in a colander. Tonight's can was fine without rinsing. But sometimes you get a real sour one. Add the kraut to the onions. Add the caraway and pepper and mix well. Add the sugar. Stir it frequently as it browns. Careful, once the sugar is in, it will burn easily. When it is all yummy and caramelized, add the water. If you forgot to save the potato water, it's ok to use regular. Put the lid on and turn the heat down. Keep it on low heat until the sausages are done, maybe 5-7 minutes. The water will disappear. Serve beside the mashed potatoes with mustard for the sausage. I don't need to tell you how to make cheesy mashed potatoes do I?
Yum. My fav. But then I am German. We drank some nice cocktails made with run, mandarin soda and cherry syrup. The sort of thing you might get on a cruise ship with a colorful umbrella in it. The drink of the day is...
Wasn't that crazy about the cruise ship with the engine fire off Cabo? No AC, at first no water, no toilets. 4000 people and no working toilets, wow! Only cold food like spam. Not moving at all, dead in the water. Then they got the aux power on, so cold water and toilets working again. Great fun I'm sure. And I really do love to cruise. But not on that cruise.
I was eating a bowl of the rice pudding with a sauce of strawberry yogurt as I started this post. Yum! Lilo kept begging and I kept telling her it was nothing a kitty would like, but she would not believe me. So I gave her some. She looked at me like, are you nuts? Ha, silly kitty. She's staying inside tonight, spent most of the evening snoozing in my sweaters. Great, now they'll all have white cat hair on them.
Sorry, I did not get a picture of my plate for you tonight. I just ate it right up too fast to photograph! So, I gave you the recipe instead...
Have a good night's sleep, rainy nights are good for that...
Julie and Lilo, yawning and heading for bed
Friday, November 5, 2010
olso walk shawl
Hello, Everyone,
It's a hot (90+) Santa Ana Friday afternoon in November in San Diego. Listening to the "King", a little less conversation. But just a few minutes ago the wind shifted, it was sweeping down the mountain passes from the desert like the hot, dry breath of Dante's inferno. Now it is coming in cool, moist and soft from the ocean. I'm hoping this is the beginning of the end of the Santa Ana, as we San Diegans call these "devil winds". Same idea as "Foehn" in Munich, Sirocco in North Africa, etc. I feel fine, just a little sniffle from sleeping with the fan blowing on me, it was so brutal hot last night. What's wacky is that this summer was cool, LOL. Well, I have an iced coffee in one hand so I'm prepared.
I have not heard from my daughter so I guess I don't have my grandson this weekend. It all depends on her work schedule. Too bad, he and I had such fun last weekend.
Has anyone seen the new Interweave Knits? I just got their email a few minutes ago, I have not actually bought the issue yet. The Pattern for the pretty lace Oslo Walk Shawl has me all in a lather. I'm going to have to make that. Wow! it's pretty. Let's see if I can get a pic off their email to show you.
I have some ice blue variegated lace weight merino yarn that would be just killer in this. From that hand paint company in Alaska, I forget the name. I have a pattern for a diamond lace off the Berocco library (it's the edging in a pattern for a little girl's skirt). I think it is the same lace as the edge. If I did up a little swatch, and then blocked it, I could sort out the gauge. Then I could string some sparkly beads, cast on 65 inches of stitches with a knitted on cast on with a bead in each stitch, or maybe every other, knit I repeat of the lace, switch to a razor clam lace, short row the center to add an extra 7 inches in the middle, work 3 inches even in the razor clam and bind off with an I-cord bind off. Would not be too far off from Oslo, maybe like a Stockholm version. Hmmm. We'll see. Right now I have too many things I'm trying to finish by Christmas. Must be disciplined!!!
I'll let you know how that discipline thing goes.
Lilo is somewhere hiding from the heat.
Love,
Julie
It's a hot (90+) Santa Ana Friday afternoon in November in San Diego. Listening to the "King", a little less conversation. But just a few minutes ago the wind shifted, it was sweeping down the mountain passes from the desert like the hot, dry breath of Dante's inferno. Now it is coming in cool, moist and soft from the ocean. I'm hoping this is the beginning of the end of the Santa Ana, as we San Diegans call these "devil winds". Same idea as "Foehn" in Munich, Sirocco in North Africa, etc. I feel fine, just a little sniffle from sleeping with the fan blowing on me, it was so brutal hot last night. What's wacky is that this summer was cool, LOL. Well, I have an iced coffee in one hand so I'm prepared.
I have not heard from my daughter so I guess I don't have my grandson this weekend. It all depends on her work schedule. Too bad, he and I had such fun last weekend.
Has anyone seen the new Interweave Knits? I just got their email a few minutes ago, I have not actually bought the issue yet. The Pattern for the pretty lace Oslo Walk Shawl has me all in a lather. I'm going to have to make that. Wow! it's pretty. Let's see if I can get a pic off their email to show you.
I have some ice blue variegated lace weight merino yarn that would be just killer in this. From that hand paint company in Alaska, I forget the name. I have a pattern for a diamond lace off the Berocco library (it's the edging in a pattern for a little girl's skirt). I think it is the same lace as the edge. If I did up a little swatch, and then blocked it, I could sort out the gauge. Then I could string some sparkly beads, cast on 65 inches of stitches with a knitted on cast on with a bead in each stitch, or maybe every other, knit I repeat of the lace, switch to a razor clam lace, short row the center to add an extra 7 inches in the middle, work 3 inches even in the razor clam and bind off with an I-cord bind off. Would not be too far off from Oslo, maybe like a Stockholm version. Hmmm. We'll see. Right now I have too many things I'm trying to finish by Christmas. Must be disciplined!!!
I'll let you know how that discipline thing goes.
Lilo is somewhere hiding from the heat.
Love,
Julie
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Halloween
Hi, Everyone,
It's a lovely clear, sunny Tuesday afternoon in San Diego. I feel fine. I'm listening to jazzy Christmas music. Ha!
Don't forget to vote.
Here are some Halloween pics from Heather...
and Ron...
Looks like they had fun!
See ya,
Julie
It's a lovely clear, sunny Tuesday afternoon in San Diego. I feel fine. I'm listening to jazzy Christmas music. Ha!
Don't forget to vote.
Here are some Halloween pics from Heather...
Looks like they had fun!
See ya,
Julie
Monday, November 1, 2010
Heather's birthday socks
Hello, Everyone,
It's a nice, warm Monday evening after a warm, bright, clear Indian summer day in October in San Diego. I feel great. I'm listening to Mozart.
Heather sent me a pic of the socks I gave her for her birthday. Thought you might like to see them. I got them out to her so quickly I did not take the time to capture a pic first. So, here they are now...
Lilo is making a pest of herself. She must be hungry. I'd better go to the kitchen and feed her. "Hey, Dan, are you tending bar tonight?" LOL.
Be sure and vote tomorrow!!!! It's important and it really does matter.
Night,
Julie
It's a nice, warm Monday evening after a warm, bright, clear Indian summer day in October in San Diego. I feel great. I'm listening to Mozart.
Heather sent me a pic of the socks I gave her for her birthday. Thought you might like to see them. I got them out to her so quickly I did not take the time to capture a pic first. So, here they are now...
Lilo is making a pest of herself. She must be hungry. I'd better go to the kitchen and feed her. "Hey, Dan, are you tending bar tonight?" LOL.
Be sure and vote tomorrow!!!! It's important and it really does matter.
Night,
Julie
Pala is the place for lobster
Hi, Everyone, Happy Halloween!
It's a nice, coolish Sunday night in San Diego. I'm listening to Enya, "the memory of trees". I feel fine, although a bit full.
Dan and Dare and I went to Pala casino for the buffet. My street gets so many hundreds (yes, really) of trick or treaters that I either spend $100 and buy 10 big bags of candy, or leave for the evening. This year I left.
It was a lovely drive through the country to get there and then when we got there, the buffet was out of this world. Specifically, they had lobster claws. All you want. Dan took a huge pile, spent some considerable time shucking them and then poured melted butter and squeezed lemon over the big pile of lobster meat and ate the whole lot (probably over a pound) in a few minutes. Yowza, they had good stuff. Mexican style lamb chops. Nice salads, nice soups. The sweet potato mash was out of this world. The creme brulee was so good. Even the coffee was good. Pala is definitely "it" for lobster and crab. The rest of the buffet is good, too. "Tomorrow" we diet, LOL. My vote for best buffet. Here's a pic from their web site.
Here's one from yelp.
Today I proctored a Buddhist study exam at Val's house. That was a lot of fun. The season for study exams is ending... a couple of make -up exams and we're done.
I'm knitting on a pair of men's brown socks these days. Christmas is coming to town!!! The guys are hard to knit for. There is a lot more stitches in a pair of socks than a ladies scarf. I'm looking at my list and there are a lot of men's socks on it yet to knit. Hmmmm.... I'll have to think of something. Since I'm thinking of holiday knitting, I changed the music to north pole radio. Since it is early in the season, they are playing jazzy or bassa nova songs based on carols, LOL. I'll have to find my usual German station this year as we get further into the season.
Lilo is missing in action. She loves to get out a bit when the weather is nice. Especially after she's been cooped up in the rain. Oops, here she comes. She knows when I type her name.
See y'all soon,
Julie
It's a nice, coolish Sunday night in San Diego. I'm listening to Enya, "the memory of trees". I feel fine, although a bit full.
Dan and Dare and I went to Pala casino for the buffet. My street gets so many hundreds (yes, really) of trick or treaters that I either spend $100 and buy 10 big bags of candy, or leave for the evening. This year I left.
It was a lovely drive through the country to get there and then when we got there, the buffet was out of this world. Specifically, they had lobster claws. All you want. Dan took a huge pile, spent some considerable time shucking them and then poured melted butter and squeezed lemon over the big pile of lobster meat and ate the whole lot (probably over a pound) in a few minutes. Yowza, they had good stuff. Mexican style lamb chops. Nice salads, nice soups. The sweet potato mash was out of this world. The creme brulee was so good. Even the coffee was good. Pala is definitely "it" for lobster and crab. The rest of the buffet is good, too. "Tomorrow" we diet, LOL. My vote for best buffet. Here's a pic from their web site.
Here's one from yelp.
Today I proctored a Buddhist study exam at Val's house. That was a lot of fun. The season for study exams is ending... a couple of make -up exams and we're done.
I'm knitting on a pair of men's brown socks these days. Christmas is coming to town!!! The guys are hard to knit for. There is a lot more stitches in a pair of socks than a ladies scarf. I'm looking at my list and there are a lot of men's socks on it yet to knit. Hmmmm.... I'll have to think of something. Since I'm thinking of holiday knitting, I changed the music to north pole radio. Since it is early in the season, they are playing jazzy or bassa nova songs based on carols, LOL. I'll have to find my usual German station this year as we get further into the season.
Lilo is missing in action. She loves to get out a bit when the weather is nice. Especially after she's been cooped up in the rain. Oops, here she comes. She knows when I type her name.
See y'all soon,
Julie
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Dinner with Berta
Hi, Everyone,
It's a lovely, dry Saturday evening after a rainy morning in San Diego. I feel fine, and I'm listening to Classical Guitar on Sky.com. Lilo is missing in action, outside taking advantage of the dry weather.
My friend Berta came by and we cooked dinner together, Tortilla Espanola, mixed salad and spinach with bacon.
Yummy, huh!?
Nate was with us today, but he went home with his mom earlier.
See ya,
Julie
It's a lovely, dry Saturday evening after a rainy morning in San Diego. I feel fine, and I'm listening to Classical Guitar on Sky.com. Lilo is missing in action, outside taking advantage of the dry weather.
My friend Berta came by and we cooked dinner together, Tortilla Espanola, mixed salad and spinach with bacon.
Yummy, huh!?
Nate was with us today, but he went home with his mom earlier.
See ya,
Julie
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
once again, with feeling
Hello, Everyone,
It's a nice Tuesday evening after a coolish October day in San Diego. I just got home from a Buddhist meeting to find that the Video I left up loading onto the blog at 7 pm has finished by now.
Well, I got a different copy of the wedding video from my brother-in-law, Ron, and here it is. I hope you can see it now. Ahem, please notice the hand knit veil. Enjoy!
Lilo wants a snack. I'm off tho the kitchen to get it for her.
G'Night,
Julie
It's a nice Tuesday evening after a coolish October day in San Diego. I just got home from a Buddhist meeting to find that the Video I left up loading onto the blog at 7 pm has finished by now.
Well, I got a different copy of the wedding video from my brother-in-law, Ron, and here it is. I hope you can see it now. Ahem, please notice the hand knit veil. Enjoy!
Lilo wants a snack. I'm off tho the kitchen to get it for her.
G'Night,
Julie
dinner with Evva at Mario's
Hi, Everyone,
It's a cool Monday night after a rainy fall day in San Diego. I feel fine. No music tonight.
I'm sewing on a "sock bug", a bug shaped bag the right size to hold a sock knitting project. Hmmm, I'll show you when I'm done. It's cute.
Saturday night we had dinner with Evva at Mario's Fiesta Maya in Huntington Beach.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/marios-fiesta-maya-huntington-beach
Lots of fun to get everyone together. It's nice to see Evva once in a while, she lives so far away. Nate had to sit with Grampa, of course. Grampa had his "World's Best Upside-down Grampa" tee shirt on. Dare couldn't make it.
Here's Amber's new do:
We had fun, the food was good. Mexican seafood is their specialty, I had the crab enchiladas. Very rich and cheesy, lots of crab, yum. Evva's Siete Mares soup was out of this world. Enough for 4 people. Amber had a huge seafood salad, also wowsers. Dan's steak Fajitas came on an oval plate of a size suitable for a Thanksgiving turkey.
Heather brought her new shawl, an early Christmas present from me, although it is not in the picture. It's a variant on the swallowtail, more rows of nupps at the bottom, a different edging lace, less budding lace, a sharper rate of increase to make it wider and shorter and a panel of mirror image nupps in a central panel. All mods to her specs. Actually, not really much of a swallowtail at all any more, lol. Same yarn as the swallowtail I made for Evva last spring. For comparison, here is Evva's shawl. http://dragondotr.blogspot.com/2010/03/shawls-shawls-shawls.html
Here it is when it was finished blocking. Heather's kitty had to examine and approve it.
Here it is hanging from the rafters from a pair of hooks intended for bikes in Heather's garage. Our new rainy day shawl drying system. Note the fan. Her niffty little Smart car only takes up 1/4 of the garage, so there is plenty of room for both cars AND shawl drying. And other things. We used a big table at my house to pin it out to the bottom section of a bed sheet, then sent it home with Heather to use the rafter hooks to dry it. Since it is on the bottom section, you can reach the shawl if you need to adjust any pins.
Here is another hanging shot.
Here it is when it came inside to have it's many, many safety pins removed to release it from the bed sheet. Percy immediately took possession. That cat understands quality.
Heather sent me this photo of her mother of the groom jacket.
Lilo is asleep on my bed, she has more sense than to be up wandering around the cold house at this hour, lol.
Ta-ta, 'til later,
Julie
It's a cool Monday night after a rainy fall day in San Diego. I feel fine. No music tonight.
I'm sewing on a "sock bug", a bug shaped bag the right size to hold a sock knitting project. Hmmm, I'll show you when I'm done. It's cute.
Saturday night we had dinner with Evva at Mario's Fiesta Maya in Huntington Beach.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/marios-fiesta-maya-huntington-beach
Here's Amber's new do:
Heather brought her new shawl, an early Christmas present from me, although it is not in the picture. It's a variant on the swallowtail, more rows of nupps at the bottom, a different edging lace, less budding lace, a sharper rate of increase to make it wider and shorter and a panel of mirror image nupps in a central panel. All mods to her specs. Actually, not really much of a swallowtail at all any more, lol. Same yarn as the swallowtail I made for Evva last spring. For comparison, here is Evva's shawl. http://dragondotr.blogspot.com/2010/03/shawls-shawls-shawls.html
Here it is when it was finished blocking. Heather's kitty had to examine and approve it.
Here it is when it came inside to have it's many, many safety pins removed to release it from the bed sheet. Percy immediately took possession. That cat understands quality.
Lilo is asleep on my bed, she has more sense than to be up wandering around the cold house at this hour, lol.
Ta-ta, 'til later,
Julie
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Brad and Shannon's Wedding photos
Hello, Everyone,
It's a rainy Monday afternoon in San Diego. I'm listening to Santana's Supernatural. I'm feeling OK, a little tired after going to Anaheim yesterday in the rain and struggling to walk at the theater in the round, the Heritage Forum. But the show was great, the kids tried hard. There were 3 expert Taiko drummers that knocked everyone's socks off. The little kids were cute. Nate loved the Jazz Bans, which was playing swing music. My friend Leroy was on Sax, and Audrey played guitar. They had a new drummer, a young kid, and he was super. Nate stretched out the tail of his toy lizard and played it like a bass viol, in time to the music, so funny.
Here are some pics of Brad and Shannon's wedding. Heather and I went swimming to day and afterward stopped for a spot of tea and I got this file from her... I sure hope this uploaded nicely so you all can see it.
Big sigh,...... Well, one of these days Blogger will let me post this. Maybe it was too big. The upload ran all night and then showed error in the morning.
Lilo is sleeping on the foot of my bed, she had a dim view of rainy days and generlly does not bother to get out of bed if it's raining!
See ya,
Julie
It's a rainy Monday afternoon in San Diego. I'm listening to Santana's Supernatural. I'm feeling OK, a little tired after going to Anaheim yesterday in the rain and struggling to walk at the theater in the round, the Heritage Forum. But the show was great, the kids tried hard. There were 3 expert Taiko drummers that knocked everyone's socks off. The little kids were cute. Nate loved the Jazz Bans, which was playing swing music. My friend Leroy was on Sax, and Audrey played guitar. They had a new drummer, a young kid, and he was super. Nate stretched out the tail of his toy lizard and played it like a bass viol, in time to the music, so funny.
Here are some pics of Brad and Shannon's wedding. Heather and I went swimming to day and afterward stopped for a spot of tea and I got this file from her... I sure hope this uploaded nicely so you all can see it.
Big sigh,...... Well, one of these days Blogger will let me post this. Maybe it was too big. The upload ran all night and then showed error in the morning.
Lilo is sleeping on the foot of my bed, she had a dim view of rainy days and generlly does not bother to get out of bed if it's raining!
See ya,
Julie
Friday, October 15, 2010
It was a great wedding
Hello, Everyone,
It's an early, misty Friday morning. I'm listening to Julian Bream play guitar. I feel ok, although my lower back hurts. I wonder what I did to cause that? Sigh... Well, my back woke me up and I can't get back to sleep, so I thought I'd share pics of the wedding with you.
The wedding was lovely and the pics are starting to be posted on Facebook.
My brother-in-law, Ron, made this composite to look like a newspaper.
It was a beautiful spot with a view of the lake, hawks wheeling overhead, some small boats scooting about and others parked in the reeds fishing on the lake, and small airplanes using the lake as a landmark for their left turn toward Mexico.
Notice the hand knit lace weight shawl she is using for her veil. Yuppers, that's the one I knit. Bead clusters on the points of the shawl and all.
It was a fun reception. The food was provided by a BBQ guy, the kind who rolls up with a smoker in tow. His stuff was really good, the meats were tender and juicy and smokey. The beans were really tasty. The slaw was good, too. I was surprised at how good the whole meal was. Not just a snack, a big plate of BBQ. Whole lot of fun. I have this crazy idea to ask the BBQ guy if he smokes turkeys for Thanksgiving... Hm... Easy for me.....
Lilo came out, rubbed against my legs and then went back to bed. She thinks I'm crazy to be up this early.
Have a great day!
Love,
Julie
It's an early, misty Friday morning. I'm listening to Julian Bream play guitar. I feel ok, although my lower back hurts. I wonder what I did to cause that? Sigh... Well, my back woke me up and I can't get back to sleep, so I thought I'd share pics of the wedding with you.
The wedding was lovely and the pics are starting to be posted on Facebook.
My brother-in-law, Ron, made this composite to look like a newspaper.
It was a fun reception. The food was provided by a BBQ guy, the kind who rolls up with a smoker in tow. His stuff was really good, the meats were tender and juicy and smokey. The beans were really tasty. The slaw was good, too. I was surprised at how good the whole meal was. Not just a snack, a big plate of BBQ. Whole lot of fun. I have this crazy idea to ask the BBQ guy if he smokes turkeys for Thanksgiving... Hm... Easy for me.....
Lilo came out, rubbed against my legs and then went back to bed. She thinks I'm crazy to be up this early.
Have a great day!
Love,
Julie
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Welcome to fall
Hello,
It's a cool, drizzly Wednesday night. I'm listening to flamenco on Sky. I feel OK, now, although earlier I had an upset stomach bad enough for me to pass on knit night. I usually love to go, but tonight I just could not quite make it. Very definitely fall weather, early this year. Welcome to fall.
I'm knitting on Heather's pink socks (almost done) and a lavender baby set for Eri.
We went grocery shopping at Food for less, not our usual market, but it was handy. They have these great Mexican cheeses. Yum, this is going to be fun.
Lilo sez Hi. She has cabin fever, since it is too cold to spend much time outside. I put catnip on her rug.
Nite,
Julie
It's a cool, drizzly Wednesday night. I'm listening to flamenco on Sky. I feel OK, now, although earlier I had an upset stomach bad enough for me to pass on knit night. I usually love to go, but tonight I just could not quite make it. Very definitely fall weather, early this year. Welcome to fall.
I'm knitting on Heather's pink socks (almost done) and a lavender baby set for Eri.
We went grocery shopping at Food for less, not our usual market, but it was handy. They have these great Mexican cheeses. Yum, this is going to be fun.
Lilo sez Hi. She has cabin fever, since it is too cold to spend much time outside. I put catnip on her rug.
Nite,
Julie
Friday, October 1, 2010
Dawn Patrol
Hello, Eveyone,
Well, it's early, I'm watching the misty dawn arrive, which is usually not me at all. Friday morning, warm and overcast. We had thunderstorms and rain yesterday and a beautiful double rainbow just at sunset. Popsicle orange sunset clouds and a double rainbow. I wish I knew how to photograph something like that. It was something like this...
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In San Diego? In September? The long-time locals are amazed. More rain is expected today, so I guess that means it will be dry, LOL.
Various aches and pains woke me up, so I thought I'd blog until the Motrin cuts in and then go back to sleep. Listening to a pretty Vivaldi violin concerto.
I'm re-knitting my favorite winter shawl. The moths got into it and made big holes. So I unraveled it and tied all the breaks together. Now It's beginning life again. I'm think I might lightly felt it when I'm done to make it warmer.
Lilo is keeping me company as usual. I put catnip on her rug, so she is happy. Blissed out.
Her favorite spot.
Enjoy your day, I'm back to bed for an extra hour or two now.
Julie
Well, it's early, I'm watching the misty dawn arrive, which is usually not me at all. Friday morning, warm and overcast. We had thunderstorms and rain yesterday and a beautiful double rainbow just at sunset. Popsicle orange sunset clouds and a double rainbow. I wish I knew how to photograph something like that. It was something like this...
In San Diego? In September? The long-time locals are amazed. More rain is expected today, so I guess that means it will be dry, LOL.
Various aches and pains woke me up, so I thought I'd blog until the Motrin cuts in and then go back to sleep. Listening to a pretty Vivaldi violin concerto.
I'm re-knitting my favorite winter shawl. The moths got into it and made big holes. So I unraveled it and tied all the breaks together. Now It's beginning life again. I'm think I might lightly felt it when I'm done to make it warmer.
Lilo is keeping me company as usual. I put catnip on her rug, so she is happy. Blissed out.
Enjoy your day, I'm back to bed for an extra hour or two now.
Julie
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Bowling? Maybe not!
Hello,
It's a warm Thursday barely-morning after a steamy day in San Diego. My mood is pretty good. I'm listening to some juicy Bossa Nova on Sky.fm. What is it about Portuguese? They could read a grocery list to the music and it would sound sexy.
I don't usually complain much in my blog, I find it unseemly, but I guess I should clarify the bowling post from Sunday night. Turns out, Arnold I'm not.
Well, some of you that know me, know that I have a pretty serious case of Sjogrens, a form of arthritis. So on Sunday I was not exactly bowling in the usual way. Not being able to hold the ball in the usual way was, however, not a problem to a resourceful person like me. I two-handed the light weight "baby ball" the lanes folks gave us for my grandson to use, and I was able to get it down the lane. We had the "bumpers" up on the sides so that the ball can't go into the gutter, so it's more like shooting pool, with the ball careening back and forth as it staggers toward the pins, but staying in the lane. Lots of fun. I had a great time. World's worst score, but fun. However, I have been paying the price for this fun the last few days. Nothing really works right, but especially my hands, most especially the right one. Oh, well. I've been dipping them in the hot wax therapy. Some years ago I had a carpal tunnel operation done and the physical therapist used the hot wax to loosen things up so that she could work on me. So, I got a hot wax machine at her suggestion (sold in the beauty supply store as a cosmetic item). I use it from time to time, especially in the winter. Well, it's been in use all right this week, LOL. Maybe not bowling next time. We just did one line. Dan sat out and watched the rest of us get silly, maybe he was the smart one.
I've been making lots of fun crocheted juzu beads in bright and pretty colors. Maybe I'll post the pattern if I can figure out how to describe what I do. I give them away as fast as I make them. But I'm really clumsy right now with the right hand not working normally. Sigh, soon I'm be a "happy hooker" again, LOL.
Lilo is busy guarding the front door. Earlier I had it open for the nice cool evening air and a big old gray tom cat tried to come into the house. She hissed at him and puffed up as big as possible, so I shut the door. Now she is on guard. This afternoon I put some catnip on the little rug next to the computer where she likes to wait for me to finish using the computer or blogging. She just loves that. She rolls around on it and gets kitty-drunk. Poor thing, now her mood is spoiled and she is on high alert.
See ya soon,
Julie
It's a warm Thursday barely-morning after a steamy day in San Diego. My mood is pretty good. I'm listening to some juicy Bossa Nova on Sky.fm. What is it about Portuguese? They could read a grocery list to the music and it would sound sexy.
I don't usually complain much in my blog, I find it unseemly, but I guess I should clarify the bowling post from Sunday night. Turns out, Arnold I'm not.
Well, some of you that know me, know that I have a pretty serious case of Sjogrens, a form of arthritis. So on Sunday I was not exactly bowling in the usual way. Not being able to hold the ball in the usual way was, however, not a problem to a resourceful person like me. I two-handed the light weight "baby ball" the lanes folks gave us for my grandson to use, and I was able to get it down the lane. We had the "bumpers" up on the sides so that the ball can't go into the gutter, so it's more like shooting pool, with the ball careening back and forth as it staggers toward the pins, but staying in the lane. Lots of fun. I had a great time. World's worst score, but fun. However, I have been paying the price for this fun the last few days. Nothing really works right, but especially my hands, most especially the right one. Oh, well. I've been dipping them in the hot wax therapy. Some years ago I had a carpal tunnel operation done and the physical therapist used the hot wax to loosen things up so that she could work on me. So, I got a hot wax machine at her suggestion (sold in the beauty supply store as a cosmetic item). I use it from time to time, especially in the winter. Well, it's been in use all right this week, LOL. Maybe not bowling next time. We just did one line. Dan sat out and watched the rest of us get silly, maybe he was the smart one.
I've been making lots of fun crocheted juzu beads in bright and pretty colors. Maybe I'll post the pattern if I can figure out how to describe what I do. I give them away as fast as I make them. But I'm really clumsy right now with the right hand not working normally. Sigh, soon I'm be a "happy hooker" again, LOL.
Lilo is busy guarding the front door. Earlier I had it open for the nice cool evening air and a big old gray tom cat tried to come into the house. She hissed at him and puffed up as big as possible, so I shut the door. Now she is on guard. This afternoon I put some catnip on the little rug next to the computer where she likes to wait for me to finish using the computer or blogging. She just loves that. She rolls around on it and gets kitty-drunk. Poor thing, now her mood is spoiled and she is on high alert.
See ya soon,
Julie
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Bowling, anyone
Hello, Everyone,
It's a very warm Indian Summer Sunday late night, following a scorching hot day, complete with triple digit temps and the hot, Easterly winds we old time San Diegans call "Santa Ana's" . I know it's a misnomer, but that's what we call them just the same. I'm listening to cooling guitar music from the Restful Mind. I feel great other than being a bit hot. Life is good!
Dan stopped by the grand opening of a new Fresh and Easy grocery store this morning and won a $25 gift card. Way to go, Dan.
I had a fun day. I went to a lovely Buddhist meeting at Evelyn's house and then took her with me to have Thai food with the kids for my birthday at, you guessed it, Amarin Thai. Aey was our server and she is very nice. She made me a special plate of home-made tasting coconut ice cream with whipped cream and a birthday candle. We sang and it was fun. Thank you, Dare.
Then we went bowling, LOL.
First time I've bowled in maybe 10 years. Great fun. Nate was so cute.
He bowled pretty good for a kid, beating me. His mom skunked all the rest of us. She was in triple digits. I bowled a 49. With the kiddy bumpers up. I actually did the comedy thing where the ball flies off your fingers backwards at the people in the sitting area, LOL. I get the prize for world's worst score, but it was fun.
When it was time to go Nate was sad. He was having a great time.
Well, we had a lot of silly fun at the bowling alley. Thank you, Ambie.
Then, we had adventures. When we went to leave the bowling alley, the car would not start. There were some guys hanging out in front of the Bowling Alley who helped us push start the car - Thanks, Guys.
Then we drove to the nearby auto parts store, and Dare bought me a new battery. I really appreciate it. Thank you.
Then the guy from the auto parts store installed it, while we sat in the shade and had cool drinks. Thank you, Auto parts store Guy.
Then we took Dare home, then Evelyn, then home for us and a well earned nap. All's well that ends well.
My friend Eri is expecting this winter, so I am knitting baby stuff. I'll post pics when I get them done. Baby stuff is so cute and so much fun to knit. Especially for a winter baby. Snugly little sweaters, darling booties and hats, etc. When I finish blogging I'll get back to the cute baby sweater with a flower petal yoke I've been working on.
Lilo sez "hello" to her adoring fans, swishing back and forth, stroking my leg with her tail in a all her pristine whiteness. She likes to help me blog and it's too hot to sleep anyway.
Time to go and find an icy cold drink. Dean Martin is playing now, "Ain't that a kick in the pants", so he must have suggested it to me, LOL. With 3 maraschino cherries and maybe some gown-up beverage additions, LOL. Hey, Dan, you tending bar tonight?
Love,
Julie (with Lilo posing prettily and Dan tending bar)
It's a very warm Indian Summer Sunday late night, following a scorching hot day, complete with triple digit temps and the hot, Easterly winds we old time San Diegans call "Santa Ana's" . I know it's a misnomer, but that's what we call them just the same. I'm listening to cooling guitar music from the Restful Mind. I feel great other than being a bit hot. Life is good!
Dan stopped by the grand opening of a new Fresh and Easy grocery store this morning and won a $25 gift card. Way to go, Dan.
I had a fun day. I went to a lovely Buddhist meeting at Evelyn's house and then took her with me to have Thai food with the kids for my birthday at, you guessed it, Amarin Thai. Aey was our server and she is very nice. She made me a special plate of home-made tasting coconut ice cream with whipped cream and a birthday candle. We sang and it was fun. Thank you, Dare.
Then we went bowling, LOL.
First time I've bowled in maybe 10 years. Great fun. Nate was so cute.
When it was time to go Nate was sad. He was having a great time.
Well, we had a lot of silly fun at the bowling alley. Thank you, Ambie.
Then, we had adventures. When we went to leave the bowling alley, the car would not start. There were some guys hanging out in front of the Bowling Alley who helped us push start the car - Thanks, Guys.
Then we drove to the nearby auto parts store, and Dare bought me a new battery. I really appreciate it. Thank you.
Then the guy from the auto parts store installed it, while we sat in the shade and had cool drinks. Thank you, Auto parts store Guy.
Then we took Dare home, then Evelyn, then home for us and a well earned nap. All's well that ends well.
My friend Eri is expecting this winter, so I am knitting baby stuff. I'll post pics when I get them done. Baby stuff is so cute and so much fun to knit. Especially for a winter baby. Snugly little sweaters, darling booties and hats, etc. When I finish blogging I'll get back to the cute baby sweater with a flower petal yoke I've been working on.
Lilo sez "hello" to her adoring fans, swishing back and forth, stroking my leg with her tail in a all her pristine whiteness. She likes to help me blog and it's too hot to sleep anyway.
Time to go and find an icy cold drink. Dean Martin is playing now, "Ain't that a kick in the pants", so he must have suggested it to me, LOL. With 3 maraschino cherries and maybe some gown-up beverage additions, LOL. Hey, Dan, you tending bar tonight?
Love,
Julie (with Lilo posing prettily and Dan tending bar)
Monday, September 20, 2010
Thai one on
Hello,
It's late Sunday night in San Diego, I'm ok and the weather was lovely all day. I'm listening to Ottmar Liebert play "Summer of Joy" on Sky.
I enjoyed a Buddhist study meeting this afternoon. This is the material we discussed if you are interested. http://sgi-usa.org/studyandpubs/study/2010_intro_exam_study_guide/index.php
I finished some beautiful socks, dark green with cream and multi color work, but I can't show them until I give them, as the recipient reads this blog.
This evening we went to Amarin Thai again. Wow, are they great cooks! We had the Tom Kha soup (creamy and flavorful), the beef salad (wonderful rare beef), chicken satay (moist and tender), Mambo Mambo Chicken curry with rice (wow! best flavor curry ever, my fav), beef pad thai (Dare loves this, but I like more egg and other adornments), garlic pepper shrimp (crunchy and garlic-ey, on a bed of sauteed shredded cabbage, more garlic than you can imagine, Dan's fav). There was plenty left over for Dare's lunch tomorrow. Next time maybe we'll try the tiger beef.
For a little quickie place in a Mira Mesa strip mall, the food is amazing. The servers are nice girls, helpful and and attentive. Good attitudes all around. Prices excellent for the level of quality of the food. I'd go again in a heartbeat. They play this interesting modern Bassa Nova music, very sexy sound. Like this
Lilo is meowing at me. She wants to go to bed. Ok, Lilo. I'm coming soon.
'Night all,
Julie
It's late Sunday night in San Diego, I'm ok and the weather was lovely all day. I'm listening to Ottmar Liebert play "Summer of Joy" on Sky.
I enjoyed a Buddhist study meeting this afternoon. This is the material we discussed if you are interested. http://sgi-usa.org/studyandpubs/study/2010_intro_exam_study_guide/index.php
I finished some beautiful socks, dark green with cream and multi color work, but I can't show them until I give them, as the recipient reads this blog.
This evening we went to Amarin Thai again. Wow, are they great cooks! We had the Tom Kha soup (creamy and flavorful), the beef salad (wonderful rare beef), chicken satay (moist and tender), Mambo Mambo Chicken curry with rice (wow! best flavor curry ever, my fav), beef pad thai (Dare loves this, but I like more egg and other adornments), garlic pepper shrimp (crunchy and garlic-ey, on a bed of sauteed shredded cabbage, more garlic than you can imagine, Dan's fav). There was plenty left over for Dare's lunch tomorrow. Next time maybe we'll try the tiger beef.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/ASIN/B000JJS4GE?tag=riaaradar-20
'Way cool.
Lilo is meowing at me. She wants to go to bed. Ok, Lilo. I'm coming soon.
'Night all,
Julie
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
New shrug and Shannon's shower
Hello, Everyone,
It's a chilly late night after a warm Tuesday, very fall-ish. I feel ok, bit of a sinus thing going on. It makes me want to sleep a lot during the day, then I can't sleep at night, sigh. I was listening to Paul Schoenfield: Cafe Music on KUSC, now it's Segovia playing Schumann.
I'm crocheting a filet heart doily from www.hassdesign.com. He has some very interesting stuff. I want to learn his Delta crochet, it's like filet, but triangles instead of squares. Interesting stuff.
I finished a new shrug. It's based on an interesting baby jacket construction. It's a puzzle sweater in the same way the BSJ is one, you make a very odd shape with lots of increases and then seam a few short seams and , Voila, a sweater emerges. This one is a different odd shape from the BSJ, but the puzzle concept is the same. I took a baby sweater, removed the sleeves, upsized radically, and it's a shrug for me.
Sunday I went to a shower with Heather for Shannon.
It was fun. Lots of silly shower games.
Here she is with her grandmother, Betty. I had a great time.
We went to dinner with Dare at Amarin Thai on Mira Mesa Blvd. Yum, yum. We're talking about going back next Sunday. Spicy but oh-so good.
Lilo gave up on me and went to sleep. I'd better get in myself.
Good night,
Julie
It's a chilly late night after a warm Tuesday, very fall-ish. I feel ok, bit of a sinus thing going on. It makes me want to sleep a lot during the day, then I can't sleep at night, sigh. I was listening to Paul Schoenfield: Cafe Music on KUSC, now it's Segovia playing Schumann.
I'm crocheting a filet heart doily from www.hassdesign.com. He has some very interesting stuff. I want to learn his Delta crochet, it's like filet, but triangles instead of squares. Interesting stuff.
I finished a new shrug. It's based on an interesting baby jacket construction. It's a puzzle sweater in the same way the BSJ is one, you make a very odd shape with lots of increases and then seam a few short seams and , Voila, a sweater emerges. This one is a different odd shape from the BSJ, but the puzzle concept is the same. I took a baby sweater, removed the sleeves, upsized radically, and it's a shrug for me.
Sunday I went to a shower with Heather for Shannon.
It was fun. Lots of silly shower games.
We went to dinner with Dare at Amarin Thai on Mira Mesa Blvd. Yum, yum. We're talking about going back next Sunday. Spicy but oh-so good.
Lilo gave up on me and went to sleep. I'd better get in myself.
Good night,
Julie
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Heather's mother of the groom jacket
Hello, Everyone,
Well, it's good to get back online. My computer died after a week inthe computer ER and I'm trying to get everything working on the new one now. I went through major internet withdrawls. Bur we're good, now, if I can only get everything set up right and working again.
It's a warm summer night after a lovely warm (but not terribly hot) summer Labor-Day-Sunday. I feel good. I'm listening to random music from my library via randmp3.exe. Right now it's playing Klezmer music. I have an eclectic library of music. Now it's "Only the Lonely". LOL.
I enjoyed World Peace Prayer this morning, then a nice steak on the barbie lunch with Dan, then an afternoon pool party at Larry's, then had a nice dessert with Dare since we usually do Sunday evening together and by then I was 'way too full for dinner.
I've been doing a lot of juzu beads, but I can't show them to you, since I don't have the camera sync working yet on the new computer. Working on it. Tech support says I need to buy a new $40 adapter, Sigh.
Heather finished her jacket for her son's wedding in Oct.
Circular construction with fou-fou yarn and sparkle yarn at the outer edge and the sleeve edges. Really cute on her. Right now she is closing it with a shawl pin. She could add a button if she wanted, but she is still thinking about that.
She had a really great benefit last Tuesday. She and Ron were at the hospital for a routine doctor's visit in the same building, when they decided to walk downstairs and have breakfast in the cafeteria. As they passed the ER, Ron began experiencing chest pains. The staff whisked him right in and he got instant care. One stent later they released him to go home and today, Sunday, he came out to World Peace Prayer!!! Talk about a speedy recovery. If you have to have a heart attack, that's the place to do it! A few feet from the ER...
Here's the piece he sent family and friends.
Talk about protection....
Lilo is helping me blog and sends hugs and kisses to her adoring fans... silly kitty. She knows she is so pretty and white and oops, not so clean tonight. I wonder what she was doing. No collar again. She is the darndest cat for losing her collar when out on adventures. I always get her the breakaway kind. This last time she also lost the nice name and phone number tag Amber got her. Sigh. Have to get her a membership in the Collar-of-the-month Club, LOL.
Nite, All,
Julie and Lilo
Well, it's good to get back online. My computer died after a week inthe computer ER and I'm trying to get everything working on the new one now. I went through major internet withdrawls. Bur we're good, now, if I can only get everything set up right and working again.
It's a warm summer night after a lovely warm (but not terribly hot) summer Labor-Day-Sunday. I feel good. I'm listening to random music from my library via randmp3.exe. Right now it's playing Klezmer music. I have an eclectic library of music. Now it's "Only the Lonely". LOL.
I enjoyed World Peace Prayer this morning, then a nice steak on the barbie lunch with Dan, then an afternoon pool party at Larry's, then had a nice dessert with Dare since we usually do Sunday evening together and by then I was 'way too full for dinner.
I've been doing a lot of juzu beads, but I can't show them to you, since I don't have the camera sync working yet on the new computer. Working on it. Tech support says I need to buy a new $40 adapter, Sigh.
Heather finished her jacket for her son's wedding in Oct.
She had a really great benefit last Tuesday. She and Ron were at the hospital for a routine doctor's visit in the same building, when they decided to walk downstairs and have breakfast in the cafeteria. As they passed the ER, Ron began experiencing chest pains. The staff whisked him right in and he got instant care. One stent later they released him to go home and today, Sunday, he came out to World Peace Prayer!!! Talk about a speedy recovery. If you have to have a heart attack, that's the place to do it! A few feet from the ER...
Here's the piece he sent family and friends.
Talk about protection....
Lilo is helping me blog and sends hugs and kisses to her adoring fans... silly kitty. She knows she is so pretty and white and oops, not so clean tonight. I wonder what she was doing. No collar again. She is the darndest cat for losing her collar when out on adventures. I always get her the breakaway kind. This last time she also lost the nice name and phone number tag Amber got her. Sigh. Have to get her a membership in the Collar-of-the-month Club, LOL.
Nite, All,
Julie and Lilo
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Hot tamale!
Hello, Everyone,
Well, it's hot tonight. I feel fine, just hot. It's a little after midnight, Wednesday morning actually, and the temp is over 80 in my house. Humid, which is uncommon for us in San Diego. Sticky. Summer is finally here in force. The pink "naked lady" lilies are blooming in the yard. A big bunch of them on the dining room table are making the house smell good.
I had Vietnamese spring rolls for dinner at my friend Nhien's house. I went there for a Buddhist meeting, but she asked me to join them for dinner first. Wow! Her home-made dipping sauce is way so much better than what they serve in restaurants!!! I never knew what it was really supposed to taste like before!!! Awesomne! Hers is full of little super hot peppers and generally super yummy.
I'm listening to Sahbeesation, which I have not done in years. Very interesting. .
Boy, did I have a big benefit today. Last week Heather and I took Nate swimming. She was putting sun screen on my back and she noticed a couple of colorful spots and remarked that it would be wise to show them to a dermatologist. I thought, "With no health insurance, how am I going to pay for that?" So I'm chanting under my breath and thinking about this, but no answer was obvious. We stopped at Sammy's for Pizza, and there, sitting in the parking lot was a "doc in an RV" from Aveena, with a dermatologist inside doing one exam after another. Community service from Aveena. I signed up and got the next to last appointment. He did not like a spot on my shoulder. He thought it looked like another basal cell carcinoma, as in cancer. And close to the other one I had removed in January which is not good if that means it spread from one spot to another.. The words "spread" and "cancer" do not belong in the same sentence. So on Monday I called Dr K and asked for an appointment. He squeezed me in today before his normal start of day to do a quick biopsy. . (Wasn't that nice of him?) He did not agree that the spot was anything much, certainly not cancer, nothing to worry about and did not do any biopsy. No cancer! Then he did not charge me for the visit.. (Now that was really nice of him!!!) Thank you, Dr. K, you rock. Dan took me to Bread and Cie to celebrate, best coffee and pastry in town. (See: http://breadandciecatering.com/default.aspx ) Dan really is a big sweetheart. He rocks, too, you know.
I finished a pair of socks. For my size 14 big foot nephew.
These are "cheaters" as the tops that show when worn are plain black, while the feet are brightly colored. The colorway is the German flag. Into the Christmas drawer, with you!
Last night I came up with a new way to do juzu beads. I crocheted them. Interesting.
More flexible than strung ones, nice to use. I hope they last.
And now one in progress so you can see how it's done.
.
Neat, huh?
Lilo and I are trying our best to keep cool. She's sprawled on the floor in front of the fan. You keep cool, too, ok? I can't believe we were complaining about the cool, foogy summer we had ... bring it back, please!
Ta-ta,
Julie
Well, it's hot tonight. I feel fine, just hot. It's a little after midnight, Wednesday morning actually, and the temp is over 80 in my house. Humid, which is uncommon for us in San Diego. Sticky. Summer is finally here in force. The pink "naked lady" lilies are blooming in the yard. A big bunch of them on the dining room table are making the house smell good.
I had Vietnamese spring rolls for dinner at my friend Nhien's house. I went there for a Buddhist meeting, but she asked me to join them for dinner first. Wow! Her home-made dipping sauce is way so much better than what they serve in restaurants!!! I never knew what it was really supposed to taste like before!!! Awesomne! Hers is full of little super hot peppers and generally super yummy.
I'm listening to Sahbeesation, which I have not done in years. Very interesting. .
Boy, did I have a big benefit today. Last week Heather and I took Nate swimming. She was putting sun screen on my back and she noticed a couple of colorful spots and remarked that it would be wise to show them to a dermatologist. I thought, "With no health insurance, how am I going to pay for that?" So I'm chanting under my breath and thinking about this, but no answer was obvious. We stopped at Sammy's for Pizza, and there, sitting in the parking lot was a "doc in an RV" from Aveena, with a dermatologist inside doing one exam after another. Community service from Aveena. I signed up and got the next to last appointment. He did not like a spot on my shoulder. He thought it looked like another basal cell carcinoma, as in cancer. And close to the other one I had removed in January which is not good if that means it spread from one spot to another.. The words "spread" and "cancer" do not belong in the same sentence. So on Monday I called Dr K and asked for an appointment. He squeezed me in today before his normal start of day to do a quick biopsy. . (Wasn't that nice of him?) He did not agree that the spot was anything much, certainly not cancer, nothing to worry about and did not do any biopsy. No cancer! Then he did not charge me for the visit.. (Now that was really nice of him!!!) Thank you, Dr. K, you rock. Dan took me to Bread and Cie to celebrate, best coffee and pastry in town. (See: http://breadandciecatering.com/default.aspx ) Dan really is a big sweetheart. He rocks, too, you know.
I finished a pair of socks. For my size 14 big foot nephew.
These are "cheaters" as the tops that show when worn are plain black, while the feet are brightly colored. The colorway is the German flag. Into the Christmas drawer, with you!
More flexible than strung ones, nice to use. I hope they last.
Neat, huh?
Lilo and I are trying our best to keep cool. She's sprawled on the floor in front of the fan. You keep cool, too, ok? I can't believe we were complaining about the cool, foogy summer we had ... bring it back, please!
Ta-ta,
Julie
Sunday, August 15, 2010
100th post
Hello, Everyone,
It's a cool Sunday evening after a warm afternoon in August in San Diego. Warm, not hot. This is the summer that wasn't.
I feel fine, I'm listening to Jose Feliciano play classical guitar on Sky.com. I really enjoy the variety on this channel.
I made a pretty crochet bridal garter with blue thread and pearl beads. I don't have a ribbon for it yet, so you'll have to wait a bit on the pic. I am working on a second one in white with a green shamrock row in it in and green beads for a Irish bride.
Nate went home to his parents last night. Gramma had fun with him. On the way home we stopped at his favorite restaurant, Tip Top, in Carlsbad (see: http://www.tiptopmeats.com/ ) and had "Cherry-chocolate cake", aka Schwartzwaelderkirsch.
Oh, to be 6 again. Whipped cream on his face and loving the cherries.
Lilo is outside enjoying the evening air tonight. Funny psychic cat. As soon as I type her name in the blog she comes in the cat door. Hi, Lilo. Welcome home.
I've been enjoying some homemade sesame flat breads today. Topped with liver sausage, Swiss cheese, and thinly sliced onions. Yummy. Nate was helping me knead the bread dough yesterday. He enjoyed that.
Must run, Dan wants to chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo with me. I should take him up on that.
See ya,
Julie
It's a cool Sunday evening after a warm afternoon in August in San Diego. Warm, not hot. This is the summer that wasn't.
I feel fine, I'm listening to Jose Feliciano play classical guitar on Sky.com. I really enjoy the variety on this channel.
I made a pretty crochet bridal garter with blue thread and pearl beads. I don't have a ribbon for it yet, so you'll have to wait a bit on the pic. I am working on a second one in white with a green shamrock row in it in and green beads for a Irish bride.
Nate went home to his parents last night. Gramma had fun with him. On the way home we stopped at his favorite restaurant, Tip Top, in Carlsbad (see: http://www.tiptopmeats.com/ ) and had "Cherry-chocolate cake", aka Schwartzwaelderkirsch.
Oh, to be 6 again. Whipped cream on his face and loving the cherries.
Lilo is outside enjoying the evening air tonight. Funny psychic cat. As soon as I type her name in the blog she comes in the cat door. Hi, Lilo. Welcome home.
I've been enjoying some homemade sesame flat breads today. Topped with liver sausage, Swiss cheese, and thinly sliced onions. Yummy. Nate was helping me knead the bread dough yesterday. He enjoyed that.
Must run, Dan wants to chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo with me. I should take him up on that.
See ya,
Julie
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