Another project ! OR Confessions of a fiber addict.

Lately, I've been on a sewing kick.

Can you believe it ? I'd forgotten how much I LOVE to sew.

In similar fashion of my yarn stash, I have an extensive cloth stash. And I'm not talking about cotton alone. I have silks and wool. Quarter-cuts and yard-lengths. Even some bolts !

What can I say ? I love fiber ! Color, textures. Bold and muted. (mostly bold !) Long luxurious pieces that will add to my wardrobe and minuscule scraps that have been saved for the "possibilities pile".

I confess. I have a SECRET cloth store....one that carries the most beautiful cottons, practical prints and amazing batiks. New shipments arrive weekly and I am thankful I DO NOT live in close proximity to it.

My sister and I do, however, make the pilgrimage a few times a year. Each visit constitutes a "haul" as you never know when the next trip will be.

Notice I left that paragraph without sharing the name ? Let's just say it is our "great fishing spot" and leave it at that.


Recently, I made a purse/tote for a dear friend's birthday. She is an amazing person, the kind that everyone wants to be around. She is comfortable and warm like a favorite blanket you love to wrap yourself in because, it just makes you feel cozy.


The fabric I used is one of my favorites...for one of my favorite people.

See how important a fabric stash is ? You can use it for good and sew a little love.

New beginnings

The beginning of the New Year has always been a time for thoughtful reflection of the past year and to celebrate the New Year to come. Traditionally, we begin our year with lists for new endeavors or changes we’d like to make.

While scouring the Internet, I came across a top 10 New Year’s resolutions list (according to a Pittsburg, PA website). Along with spending more time with family & friends and regular exercise, people desire to learn something new in the upcoming year. This is one of my favorite resolutions! (I prefer to call it my New Year’s “list”.)

Each year I compile a list of “new things” I’d like to try. Last years list went something like this: Try new foods, raise 3 chickens (for fresh eggs), take dance lessons, read more…
You get the idea.

Well, I did try new foods, and lots of it… which is why this year’s list includes “exercise more” and three fuzzy chicks really did come to live with me in February. Oops! No outside chicken house means “stinky” family room, a not so happy family and a new home for my flock. I’m still able to get farm fresh eggs, though. I just get them from a farm.

Dance lessons were great! (I’m pretty sure my husband agrees). Even though we had only completed the beginner lessons, the few steps of the Waltz and Rumba were enough to keep us dancing all night. Hey! That could even be considered exercise!

My goal to read more was accomplished and I will include that on my list again, but I may try reading a different genre. Maybe, I’ll try some Science Fiction or a new biography.


I recently read the Change and Cherish Historical Series by author Jane Kirkpatrick . Amazing. Her words are rich, and descriptive. I was transported on a journey with the Aurora Colony. A people that tried to live in service to God and one-another. This series highlights the life of a woman struggling to find her place in this colony. Through her struggles, she finds that God, does indeed, supply all her needs and many of her desires. I highly recommend any books by this wonderful author.


Much to my delight, Jane commented on my last blog. How wonderful to hear from such an acclaimed author and inspirational woman. Thank you Jane! I can't wait to learn more about the Aurora Community

A tiny treat.

Sugar, baking powder, peanut butter, and an egg. Four simple ingredients made my day.


After skipping a few yummy desserts (with gluten) during the Christmas celebrations, this easy peanut butter cookies hit the spot.


The Gluten-Free Girl knows the joy these little babies can bring.


Add a cup of tea.

A perfect compliment to the new year. Enjoy!

Delicate Beauty

I woke this morning to fluffy snow, delicately frosted windowboxes and exquisitely etched window panes. A gift from God, for those of us "dreaming of a white Christmas".

Reminescing about childhood and past Christmases is part of our holiday tradition. We love the possibilities of where, the old adage, "Remember when" will take us.

Remember when we were kids and it snowed so much it was deeper than the windowsills ? When we spent hours in the yard building snowforts and snowmen, when we went in to get another pair of dry socks or mittens just so we could play longer and when hot chocolate was waiting for us when we were finally too cold ?

We caught the last hour of "The Wizard of Oz" the other night. Oddly enough, my husband and I were able to recite most of the words and songs. Okay, some eye rolling did occur from our kids and a visiting friend. That just added to our fun. And just as we remembered, the footage is still amazing for its' time, the witch is still really ugly and the flying monkeys remain just as creepy.

And maybe our age has something to do with it, but we just can't seem to get enough of the "feel-good" Christmas Classics. You know the ones, where in the end, everyone realizes that it's people that really matter.

On Christmas Eve some of our family will come to visit and we'll eat lots of yummy treats, each family bringing something to share. We'll remember "old times" and laugh at the same old jokes.

We'll eat the same dishes we eat every year and we'll share the same stories, some we'll know well enough to recite line by line. Some eye rolling may even appear. But no one will mind.

Because in the end we'll be happy just to be together and we'll remember... it's the people that really matter.

Knitting with purpose

Amazing how a cold day can put the importance of warmth and shelter into perspective. I really don't like being cold...and I can bet that most people feel that way.


It is winter in New England so frigid weather is to be expected. While I do enjoy the snow and some winter sports, I have learned the importance of being "dressed for the weather".

And now that I am long past the teen years, wearing a hat does seem like a smart idea.

Such a simple piece of clothing, but with a big purpose. I guess my Aunt Hazel knew this.


Aunt Hazels' fence bordered our elementary school playground and she could see (and hear) us at recess. Remember recess? The carefree fun of tag and hopscotch, snowmen and snow angels.

We were even allowed to sled down the hill (back in those days). Fun times ! One rule applied for the sledding hill...you must have proper attire. Including boots, mittens and HAT.

Most of us had our boots and mittens... but HAT ?

This is where my little Auntie played a pivitol role in our winter happiness. Thankfully, Auntie was an avid knitter of HATS.

She knit them all year long and by the time September came around, she had a huge plastic bag filled with hats of all sizes and colors. And the best part is that she made them available to us at recess.

Remember "a hat on the head, means you can sled".

Imagine the power of that hat. It could take us from watching the sledding fun, to swooshing down the hill. AND it kept us warm.Thanks Aunt Hazel.

I will tell you that my Aunt had many grandchildren, neices and nephews that attended this school, and I'm sure her hat knitting, in the beginning, was intended for us. Somehow it spilled over to our friends and classmates and then to the school.

Just recently I discovered the Save the Children campaign Knit One, Save One. Imagine the simple act of kindness in giving a hat and the impact it can make.

I know it well.

Blustery day.

After a blustery day, soup sounded like a perfect dinner. I chose a recipe from Shauna Aherns book The Gluten-free Girl. Just a bit of unsalted butter and olive oil bubbling in the pan....add 5 cloves of crushed garlic.

Onions, carrots, celery and mushrooms, of course. Saute for several minutes.

Did I happen to mention that I went to the gym today? Exercised for just over 30 min. Felt pretty good, too. I stopped at the grocery store to pick up "light cream" for the soup. Well, I sure was thirsty and hungry so I grabbed a low-fat chocolate milk. Haven't had one of those in a long time.

I was picturing Christy Brinkley in her "got milk" add. You know that studies show adding milk to your diet "could" help you loose weight. (not sure if that includes chocolate)

Anyway, I spun the bottle around to check the calorie count, just to make sure. 170 calories. Not bad.

It was soooo good....I drank the whole thing.

Pleased with my choice, I smiled and took another self-confirming look at the back of the bottle. Yep! 170 chocolatey calories. Per SERVING. Of which I had TWO. Whoops!

I enjoyed a nice salad when I got home.

Okay, back to the soup. Add fresh Thyme to your vegetable medley. I happened to have some left in the garden so Bella and I headed out.

It was a good excuse to get outside. The sky had cleared and the sun was peeking though the clouds.

I picked some celery leaves during my garden visit. Then I thought "I'll find a few toadstools to decorate the table" for my mushroom soup debut.

No luck.

But, I did find these beautiful lacey branches.

Oops ! Back to the soup.

Add the fresh Thyme. 3 tablespoons of Rice Flour, 1/2 cup of Sherry. (I looked for sherry at the store. Not really sure where to find it.)I sure hope White Wine will do. I found German Guwerstiwermer. (I just liked the name).

Cook until the wine is reduced by half. Then add water (1 inch over veggies). Simmer for a bit then....

blend until smooth. Add the cream, salt and pepper.

It sure doesn't look like the stuff from the can. A bit sunny-orange hued from the carrots.

I jazzed it up with some blue corn chips crumbled on top.( Complimentary colors, don't ja know.) then... added a drizzle of olive oil to finish it off. Just for fun.

It turned out warm and delicious!

Just what the day called for.

More deliciousness !!!

Have spent the past week enjoying the amazing colors of fall, perfectly blended with the temperate tastes of an Indian Summer.
Headed up through the Notch with a stop at the Basin.

The Mount Washington Valley Airport. A nice day for a flight.This is ONE way to forecast the weather.

The Sandwich Fair is a must.


French Fries and fresh-squeezed lemondade. Delicious !