Saturday in the city and tall ships

On Saturday we headed into the city with our neighbors Jeff, Cathy and Sydney. We drove and then took the T to see the tall ships. First off we stopped at Jeff's work site and got to see the W hotel in the middle of being built. It really was the highlight of the day but the Tall ships were cool too. The view from the top floor of the building was amazing.



It felt amazing to be in the sun and just walking around Boston. I love this city!!



The Tall Ships were cool









and this was my favorite boat of all. If you click on the photo to get a larger picture you can see all the detail. I just loved the dirty dishes.

Camping in Sabego

Sebago Lake is the deepest and second largest lake in the U.S. state of Maine. I know this because I looked it up on Wikipedia. I thought you would like to know this. Our friends took us camping with them here. I had a blast and I decided to chronicle the trip with pictures that I took. You know that I am not a real wordy person so I took pictures to share our good time. Almost like you all were there with us or something.

Oh yeah, I am bitten up alive and I have poison ivy. Now my arm is swelling up. I just wanted to share because I know if I go to the doctor they will just give me that blank look like I am crazy for coming in for a "rash" and how the hell are THEY suppose to know what to do about it.

Ok on with the camping trip and enough about me.

First night of camping was a little wet. Um, like torrential shall we say.



Next day the sun was out and we were back in business



I was armed with the mosquito buster. If you are ever wondering if these work, I can tell you very simply....No.



Lots of beach sitting



and duck watching




Boat stuff and water skiing (no, not me but others)


and camp fires



Then there was the 4th of July!



We went into town for some good ole fireworks and to freeze our behinds off.



and then it was time to see the spectacular!







Our last night there it was perfectly clear and an almost full moon



and a big ole fire



and then the next day packing up... I left a little part of my heart back there.



Thanks Cathy and Jeff!!! So glad that we moved here and lucked out to have you as our neighbors and friends.

Happenings around the farm

Crazy farm that is...



I thought I would give you a little update on the bat box since I know that you have been checkin in to see how it is going. There was a dove on the top of it the other night but to date no bats. I will keep you posted though.

I put up a birdhouse. I have a "thing" for birdhouses (waving to Annie although she doesn't read my blog because she thinks it is stupid)



I pretended like a bird would build a nest in it like it did in my neighbors. So the other day I pointed my camera inside (because I saw twigs) and this is what I saw



If you blow up the picture you can see a little white thing at the end of the twig. *I* am pretending that this is an egg. It is too! I know that a bird will fly out of there sooner or later and I will have the last laugh.

I am knitting. I swear I am



It is from Knitty. I forgot what it is called but I am knitting it.



Oh, Esther says hi!

They like me...they really LIKE me!

I submitted 5 photos to an online magazine called The Kitchen The pictures were of my backyard living space. I won a book and a t-shirt. Check out the photos at: My Great Outdoors

Oh, please do not mention to them that the last photo in the series that I sent was a picture of poison ivy.

Thanks Ted!

One of the hardest parts of leaving my home in California (besides all the obvious things like my kids and family and friends) is that I had to give up a lot of my plants. I had a keffir lime tree that I had for years and that I cherished. I cooked with the leaf and knew that it wouldn't be able to come with me to this cold climate. I gave the lime tree to my brother and I am ashamed that I haven't asked about how it is doing. Part of me doesn't want to know.

There were other plants that I loved and had sentimental value to me. I entrusted these to my friend Ted. I knew that Ted would be totally trustworthy to take care of all that I gave him. I must admit that I haven't thought back about my plants since I moved here. I have dwelled more on my kids, family and friends and how heartsick I sometimes feel that they are not within driving distance. I also miss going out to dinner or having them over for dinner. So, the plants take back seat. But, I can not tell you how my heart sang when I opened up an email from Ted (who I haven't corresponded with since I moved here) and the picture above was in his email. I knew that he would have my back where my plants were concerned.

Thanks Ted!

Knitting boredom

So I decided to show some of the knitting I have been working on. I am bored to tears with all of it. I am considering really letting it go and taking up a new hobby. I swear. I think I have mastered it to a degree in which nothing is a challenge anymore. If you have something that you think would be challenging for me let me know.

I am working on a Koigu sweater for my mom. She loved it and *I* don't. Here are all the pieces sitting there and since the sun never comes out here in New England it is a crappy photo.





I must be into the 60's look because here is another multi color project that I have been working on. It is Barn Raising blanket.



And because I love my garden so much, here is another picture of it.



I planted strawberries in a Topsy Turvey to see what will happen



and last but not least my girl Esther



I have started a separate blog for cooking and food. It is called "Bite Me New England. Not sure if I will be able to keep two blogs going but my interest is more "Food!" than "Yarn!" these days.

Lamb and Bat boxes and jam...ohmy!

This is my bat box. Our friend Jeff gave it to me at xmas time because I told him I always wanted one.


So one night we were sitting on our pals Cathy and Jeff's porch and just shootin the breeze.



Jeff came up with the idea of putting the bat box up on the light post across the street from the porch so we could watch for bats when we sat out there. Never thought it would happen but last night the plan was carried out.



What a guy. Can't tell you how excited I will be to see my first bat fly into that box.




Busy weekend. We drove to Leyden Glen Farm. We met Kristin Nicholas and her wonderful husband Mark and adorable daughter Julia. We got to meet the sheep, chickens and new kittens.

We also left there happy as could be with our whole lamb (no, not alive) and a dozen fresh eggs.








Our new freezer is finally starting to look like it belongs to us



On our way home from the farm we stopped for lunch at the Wagon Wheel Restaurant. THE most awesome gyro that I have EVER had. While we were there we picked up this locally handmade soda.



I also made some jam to go on this lamb we brought home. My neighbor Roxanne gave me Rhubarb from her garden so I made a recipe that I found at Gourmet online. It was Rhubarb Rosemary Jelly to be eaten on lamb.

How I spent my Memorial Day weekend

We were determined to finish the vegetable garden. We went to the nursery two times and planted a LOT of stuff. I now have tons of stuff growing. Padron peppers for tapas and blackeyed peas which I love. Lots of heirloom tomatoes and collard greens and broccoli and on and on and on.

Also worked on the deck a little.



We worked on the front of the house too. Mr Yarn got out power tools and gave the hedges a haircut. Here is a before and after:


BEFORE:




AFTER:


I planted some marigolds just so I could see some color



Oh yeah and last but not least I planted a Topsy Turvy tomato plant "As seen on TV" (just because I am a sucker)



Ended the holiday with a BBQ at Cathy and Jeff's. Good holiday weekend.

Stuff

Knitting a new sweater. It is called "Mandarin Jacket". Can't decide if I hate it or like it. I will finish it and most likely send it on to my mother who did like it.

In other news, the garden is coming along. I planted more stuff



I have learned my lesson to NOT plant before Memorial Day. I had to go outside last night and cover everything in plastic because it was going to frost. What a pain in the ass.