Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Been Sort Of Cold Here

With such cold temps, I am not motivated to galavant around, these days. Instead, I thought I'd knit some more. This time of year just puts me in the mood. This one is for a friend's grand-daughter. Arrg, yes I guess I am getting to that age where some of my friends started off young and their daughters started off young....

I just love the matching hat. The flower colors match the buttons really well, but in this pic it is hard to tell.

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Sunday, December 29, 2013

Straight Off The Circular Needle!

Well, it's almost the end of the year! My where has it gone?

Had a nice day with not much to do, so I worked more on this set and finished it up! I am still trying to create the perfect sweater pattern that's easy to knit and alter in different ways for different styles. Then I am ready for the next round of baby showers!!!

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Tuesday, December 24, 2013

White Christmas Eve

Here's a view from the porch, close up. It's the "path" to get around the backyard. You can see that there is still several inches!
Yippee!!! Even today's sunny day won't melt it all away.

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Managed To Do It!

Yup! Managed to have a White Christmas, despite the freakishly warm weather and the sleeting rain. Really started to wonder last evening, when the rain wouldn't stop...

Took this picture this morning, while swamp stompin' with Hazel.

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Monday, December 23, 2013

Day Before Christmas Eve

And the weather is frightful! Here's a screenshot of my desktop's dashboard. STILL the snow is plentiful outside.

As you can see, I follow towns and states of the people about whom I know and care for, so that I can see how their weather is doing!

I love the little white puffballs which indicate sleet... When it's the fog symbol, it is actually animated!

Thanks for looking!

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Sunday, December 22, 2013

Ice Storm Comin'

So they say... At least those in the northern part of NH could have one. Temperatures started off in the 40s, but drop each time I look. Currently we are at 36°.

Heard we have electric crews from several surrounding states. In the ice storm of 2008, we had crews from it seemed everywhere!!

Do I think we will have a major ice storm No, not really. At least not like a few years ago. The roads could get bad but I just don't think the trees will be a problem, causing power issues or property damage...

Good thing I bought all the Christmas gifts I can, so we don't have to venture out (or at least I don't think as of now.....)

We still have a lot of snow left. After the same basic weather tomorrow, I am curious to see how things look on Tuesday...
Will it be a white Christmas?

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Thursday, December 19, 2013

One Of My Tutorials Is Famous!

Hello!!!

A German web site saw my tutorial on my pet portrait painting of Stanley and asked if they could translate it into German for their readers. Seems their readers had requested it and found it to be very helpful!!! I am so flattered.

Here is a LINK to the site!

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Snow-Capped

Hello!!!

Took this photo this morning. The snow from Tuesday still remains everywhere, but with our upcoming heatwave, I am sure these apples will lose their white caps!

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Wednesday, December 18, 2013

My Little "Silly Tree"

After last night's snow. Silly lookin' huh?

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Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Fun Live Cams!

Hello!!!

Pretty fun to watch the traffic and weather live, on my computer. Even though the highways are not generally busy like Boston roads, the site still lets me know how the rest of NH is fairing in stormy weather.

LOCAL TRAFFIC CAMERA

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-5°F THIS MORNING!!!!!

And it dropped down to -9° by 7:45. Can't believe it can be that cold and not even be officially winter! Good news is in 4 days the days will start getting longer.

It's also the last row on the Advent Calendar! Only 8 days left until the Fat Man!

Monday, December 16, 2013

Another Storm's Comin!

This time, less than a foot. Frigid cold here (floor heater cranks out the heat, all day long) but later this week we will be seeing a burst of 38°f warmth on Friday! That will feel like Spring.

Until then, there is no better way to stay warm than with delicious homemade meatballs. With my recipe, there is both pork and hamburger and cooked on the top of the stove. I spent hours babysitting balls yesterday, but it's so worth it!

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Sunday, December 15, 2013

FIRST REALLY GOOD SNOW STORM

Hello!!!

Whatta fast storm that was. I am sort of disappointed most of it came while we were sleeping. I love watching it snow from my cozy corner.


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Thursday, December 12, 2013

HAVE YOU ANY WOOL?

I really love the smell of real wool. Once I wash it into felt and shape it into something, that delicious smell will be gone... I do so hope this makes a nice felted hat. I lost my favorite one (? Can't imagine where it went). This one matches my new coat. It just may make a nice replacement.

Right now it can be a skull cap, a peter pan, a nice plain rimmed hat... oh the possibilities.

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Wednesday, December 11, 2013

COLD, COLD MORNING!

Hello!!!

The storm that hit the east coast yesterday, didn't really do much in New Hampshire.

This picture was taken early this morning, when it was 21°F. BRRRRRR!

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Monday, December 9, 2013

STRONG, STRAPPING NEW ENGLANDERS

Hello!!!

25°F, snowing with slick roads and STILL school is open and buses running only 20m behind. Nothing stops a New Englander from getting the job done.

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Saturday, December 7, 2013

FIRST REAL SNOW OF THE SEASON!

Isn't it beautiful?

Not even officially winter but it sure is pretty! Hope it stays for Christmas. When I was living in NJ, I can hardly remember a white Christmas. Now it's strange not to have a white one!

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Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Cozy Cozy

Love these cooler nights with the wood stove and a good old movie to curl up to. With my daughter close by me, doing her homework... this is what memories are made of. Tonight was a very cozy and nice night.

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Monday, December 2, 2013

HAPPY DECEMBER!

FINALLY finished this reversible knit holiday toy. Been working on it for a while and taking notes along the way. I hope to have the directions written soon....

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Thursday, November 28, 2013

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I am very thankful for another Thanksgiving with my family. I am also thankful for my health and all my other blessings given to me.

Here's another photo; this one of this great Thanksgiving morning sky awaiting me and my iPhone camera!!! The sliver of the silver moon is so bright!

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Wednesday, November 27, 2013

COULDN'T BELIEVE MY EYES!

Hi~ Went to the store for a new tablecloth for Thanksgiving dinner. Turned the corner and couldn't believe my eyes when I saw shopping aisles all wrapped in plastic. Clothes, appliances, toys... you name it - all over the store!

All ready to go for Thanksgiving, not for Black Friday!!! Never in my life....

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TREE SPIT

This is att the base of a couple of my trees!

It only happens with a couple of our trees.... Strangest thing ever and fun to see when it happens.

I've read somewhere that Tree Spit (stemflow) is really rain water which dissolves stuff from the treebark as it flows down the stem of the tree. This changes the surface tension of the water, so that when it drips down towards the base of the tree, air is introduced due to the turbulence of the water, and foam is formed because of the altered surface tension.

I believe it's not just on trees either! There's rock foam and even river foam - Sudbury River in MA has a lot of suds after a good rain.

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Sunday, November 24, 2013

Water's Back!

One brand new water pressure tank later.

Was that the original problem? Nope, that one was clear across the other side of the basement. But thankfully the first small pipe burst happened, because that brought attention to the pipes connected to the old tank. They were so badly corroded and clogged the water was literally being sent through a swizzle stick and that too was about to burst. That definitely would have been cute.

Definitely the wrong time of year for THAT to happen. Can anyone say chicken for Thanksgiving? ;)

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SNOW!!!!

To lets us know what we may expect a couple days before Thanksgiving, there was a nice dusting of snow on the ride home, last night. Too powdery to make things slippery but sure was pretty.

Have to say I was more surprised to see it still there, early this morning.

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Winter's Farmer's Market!

Salem's Farmer's Market has moved inside for the winter, for the 3rd year.

They have some really awesome recipes on their website for sweet potatoes!

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Thursday, November 21, 2013

Dead In The Water

It's incredible how much I depend on the water. After finding a huge wet mess in the basement early this morning, I've had to be quite creative - especially with dinner, waiting for the water.

Brrrrr!

18°F at 5:45 this morning. Now that's cold. Especially after last weekend.....

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

November, ALrEaDy!

Hi~

Cannot believe it. Been so busy these past weeks you would think I was covering the schedules of two people!

Most consuming has been the yard cleanup. Been at it for a few days. So thrilled to have the extra warm weather this time of year to get more done than usual and been taking as much advantage as I can. Things look good with the old annuals pulled. However, as I was working I looked up and noticed all kinds of leaves and needles overhead that had not yet fallen.... well, until the last few days. Been so windy the yard hardly looks like I've raked it!!!!
"Just keep raking, just keep raking" Have to admit, it's great exercise, although I'd rather tennis.

That photo was taken early, EARLY this morning. Lately, I haven't been able to sleep late and this was the view awaiting me today! Looks like the trees are ablaze.

Saw this great Thanksgiving advice online and thought I'd share with my blog-buds, too!

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Thursday, October 31, 2013

Tropical Hibiscus

Hi~

Brought this tropical hibiscus inside a few weeks ago. Yesterday, in the cold basement she was very sad.

So I brought her upstairs, placed her in front of the warm wood stove and this morning I found she gave me this flower as a "Thank You"

So glad I brought her up. Wonder with the limited lighting, if she'll flower through the winter?

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Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Tick, Tick, Tick

I heard the old, familiar sound of the mixed precipitation on the window, this morning. So not ready for the cold.

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cannot believe they are calling for flurries tomorrow! We've had blizzards canceling our Halloween in the past... I am just not ready for all of it this year.

Monday, October 21, 2013

HIBISCUS

Hi~

Started working on this hibiscus drawing while waiting in the dentist's office. Made appointments for the girls and I.

Turned out I needed some periodontal work done. I am allergic to novocaine, so the dentist broke the appointment up into two different visits.

Started off as a pencil drawing, during the first waiting room visit. Had the pen in my purse so I added that, then. When I went home, I added the colored pencils and tickled the drawing more while waiting for the second appointment.

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Thursday, October 17, 2013

COSMOS

Hi~Just finished this 7x9 watercolor; COSMOS

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Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Fog In The Swamp

Hi~

What an amazing morning light, at 6:00 this morning!

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Saturday, October 12, 2013

Quick Rose Study in Watercolor

Well, as quick as W/C will allow! :)

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Friday, October 11, 2013

New Hampshire Earthquake

Yep! We had one last night! A small one, 2.5. Seems we have had about 3 or 4 earthquakes, since I moved into the state.

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Been A Spell - Sorry!

Hi~

It's been a little while since I oosted and lots of things have been happening - some fun and some not so fun. Let's stick to the fun (I think that's a better story. Everyone has a bummer story and needn't to hear more, right? Stay positive and focus on the good)

"Well, what's the good" you ask?
A new laptop (or soon, at least) for starters. My old Mac Mini did a "not so mini meltdown". Pheuu I say because I never really liked the whole "workstation" set up and being tethered to the wall. No privacy and sometimes I like to curl up somewhere quiet with a good movie.

Taking a watercolor class Tuesday nights, at our high school. I always feared watercolor and thought I couldn't be so exact, the first time. Then I hit another painter's block which was driving me crazy. So when I saw the class offered my fingers hit "attend" before my brain could butt in. However, I am so glad I did sign up.

First week, we painted bleeding circles (better than bleeding hearts!); learning about how the colors blend, wet into wet. After the first week's class, I was so inspired I painted this:


10x8 Reference photo is another from the library of Wetcanvas - if you haven't checked WC out, you MUST. Even if you are not an artist... the work there is so wonderful and inspiring (it's not just a library of images)

Second week, A fun two week project; a tree with paisley leaves. Fun seeing all the different artist's interpretations of the directions. And this week, I am also working on a watercolor at home!

It's so incredible how much this has workshop helped with my painter's block and how it has allowed me to paint things I wouldn't have done in acrylics/oils!

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Sunday, September 15, 2013

Amazing Maize Maze Day!

Hi~ We visited the Trombly Gardens' Maze, today. Not the first time but always a fun time. (As usual, Meredith was her usual camera shy teen!)

Afterward, we visited the farm stand and bought some really yummy things.

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Friday, September 13, 2013

Seaside Heights... Rebuilding AgAiN

So Sad about the New Jersey shore. The destructive fire is where that terrible storm wiped out so much of the board walk. After all the hard work to rebuild, it's mostly gone again. Please keep the place where I spent a lot of great times as a child, in your thoughts.

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A Chick's Truck

Just finished this piece, not long ago. Been so crazy I haven't had a chance to post it.

Image for this painting was uploaded to WC's reference library by ruffledcat.

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Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Very Cool Morning Light

Or so we think!

This was how it looked the back yard, this morning.

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Monday, September 9, 2013

Saw This...

...and had to share. Uploaded to FaceBook by "I LOVE TO LAUGH!" and most times, they really make me laugh!

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Friday, September 6, 2013

Oh No, Not Again!??!

Yep, another tomato painting!!! Took a lot of good reference photos, all summer long and am going to enjoy painting tomatoes for a while. Don't know what it is about that orange-ish red - alizarin crimson color that I love to paint. Hey, for a while I was painting light bulbs and then lemons!!!

This is another small 7x5 painting. I've been doing these little paintings for a few reasons; one reason is to see how I like it, compositionally. Once in a while, I will repaint something on a larger canvas. Also, they don't take as long to complete, when they are smaller in size.

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Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Something Fun....

Was sitting and waiting for things to boil on the stove and a commercial for all the New England Honda dealerships came on the TV. In the commercial, there's a Honda rolling through various NE settings and all of a sudden I am recognizing a few images of the little village and it's our picture-postcard little village! Exciting!

Posted it to my FB page and a friend from the area said she saw the advertisement while visiting the Cape! Well, well, well!

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Oh Yeah!!!

My first passion fruit!

Saw this when I got home. It's almost 2" long!!!

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Great Time In Salem Massachusetts

Happy Labor Day Weekend!
A few days ago, we decided to do a day trip to Salem and weather-wise, it turned out to be a great day! Despite the holiday, the town was not busy. We easily spent 5 hours walking around the historical area with no lines and no waiting. Such a great time.

Coincidentally a couple weeks ago, I was popping through the OnDemand listings and came across Haunted History; Salem and watched it. Knowing that we were going today, I replayed the episode last night for the girls. There is a "cutie-patootie" (sort of Justin-ish, from Wizards of Waverly Place) on the History channel's program, talking about the Witch House, and Gallows Hill....
And wouldn't you know, there he was in the flesh, at the Witch House! Can't believe I didn't take his picture. Whatta doofus.

I did manage to take some fun touristy pictures. We had a great time. Here are a few interesting pictures:

Meredith - camera shy - wouldn't even let me take a picture of her, from a distance! This was a fun fountain people could walk around in. The girls loved it on this warm day.

Lucky Bamboo. (It's really a grass, you know....)

Giles Corey's ghost is said to haunt this graveyard. If you see him, Salem is supposed to have a huge fire. If you hear him, you're gonna die. Pretty spooky. Well, that's not all. Giles also put a curse on the sheriff who arrested him and every subsequent sheriff; there hasn't been a sheriff in Salem, MA since 1978. Apparently, the curse has repeatedly taken it's toll.

The curse states that each sheriff would die of heart problems and a rare blood disease (causing blood to run from the ears and nose). Guess that's happened to them all. No more sheriffs in Salem.

Saw this funny sign beside a Methodist's church! Now that's personality.

Salem's a beautiful town. Definitely worth a revisit, this fall.

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Wednesday, August 28, 2013

GREEN PEPPER, HOMEGROWN!

Hi~

This 7x5 acrylic painting is of a 3" pepper from my garden. The first one picked!

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