Thoughts and Other Things

I want to take a few moments and send my deepest sympathy to France and the families of the victims of the tragic killings there last friday.  I also want to include my thoughts of support for the other places around the world that have had these mass murders.  As you know, we suffered greatly here in America on 9/11.  I wish I knew how to combat this way of thinking.  I light this candle for those innocent people who are lost around the world and hope that someday, somehow these things will cease to happen.

My sister and I are working on a Hitchhiker shawlette/scarf.. she is way ahead of me, that is hers on the left and mine on the right.  I started out using my new circular needles and must say that it drove me CRAZY having that long cable in the way and flipping this way and that.. and the needles were shiny silver and I couldn't see the stitches for all the reflective shininess.  So, I grabbed my vintage tortoise shell needles of the same size and I liked working on these MUCH better.  I may have to move over to the circulars at some point, but.. not yet.  My blog friend Dorothy from Australia asked to join in on the Hitchhiker "knit-a-long" so anyone else who wants to do it with us is welcome!!

Since my sister and I are working on this together, she invited us over for dinner so we could knit together.  She made meatloaf, green beans with bacon, cheesy potato bake and this amazing butternut squash puree.  NUMMERS!

Each fall my 2 Japanese maples turn a brilliant red and if you don't look quick, the leaves are gone fast.  So, I grabbed my camera to record the moment.  This is the bigger maple next to the creek.

Can you see the waterfalls and creek running through next to the gazebo on the deck?  There is a Blue Fountain Bamboo on the right and the Hydrangea on the left.  The tree branches coming up on the left are a Corkscrew Willow - my daughter took a bouquet home from my Dad's funeral and called me to say the curly branches in it were rooting!  This tree comes from my Dad and my daughter.

The leaves are a gorgeous crimson red.

This is the small Japanese Lace-leaf Maple.  It's only 2.5 feet tall!

The moss on the shed roof is happy now that it's raining.

Standing on the deck looking towards the west - the Walnut leaves are turning yellow and brown and the Pin Oak leaves are deep red.  The green you see there is my Black Bamboo grove.

Looking to the left the huge Chestnut tree is turning yellow and brown.  The leaves are dropping fast now as it's raining and blustery.

The garage roof is sporting some thick green moss.

The pond is full of oak leaves.. must do some skimming. 

My sister gifted me with a beautiful woven scarf that she brought from Rome on her recent trip to Italy.  Isn't it gorgeous?

And this neat little heart from Croatia, also from her trip.  It's made of leather!

So, now I have a Croat's Warm Heart!  I have it hanging on a knob of my TV cabinet, but it will take a place of honor on our Christmas tree.  Denise knows how much I love hearts.  :-)  Thanks, Sis!

My son hung my framed artwork for me.. I thought you might like to see how it looks.  This is the wall directly to the left of my "nest".. or easy chair.  You can see the tops of my jar of knitting needles.  :-)

My two paintings from my New Orleans trip last April are now hung to the left of the TV cabinet.  I am sure enjoying having these on the wall.  You can see the scarecrow I made years ago.  He comes out each Autumn.

Kristi was sewing the other day and looked out the French doors and spied Simba watching her sew.  Cute, huh?

We are finally recovering from our colds.. I might start swimming again on Wednesday.  :-)  But a few more days knitting by the fire are in order, I think.  At least that's what my inner doctor suggests.  What are you up to today?  ((hugs)), Teresa :-)