My Opinion

I don't know of anyone who is not concerned about what is happening in our economy right now... today. With the failure of the passage of the bail-out bill and resulting drop in the stock markets, things are looking a little scary.

I read a remark the other day that still comes to mind often.. paraphrased, of course, since I can no longer remember my middle name for more than 15 minutes.. "America is not happy because she is no longer the economic powerhouse of the world. This not that she has lost so much ground, but that the 'third world' has gained ground until she is no longer what she once was."

Hmmmmm....

Cherri ... over at River City Weaves ... has this to say and has requested it be posted on other's blogs as well...


Be a part of the solution
29 09 2008

I won’t go ‘partisan’ on you. But let’s be a part of the solution.

Support Americans.

This year, instead of buying cheap stuff or expensive stuff in department stores for holiday gifts, give American made quality fine craft and fine art items.

Support America by recognizing quality in your own country.

Don’t go out and buy cheap Wally Market stuff, actually spend a little extra, pay cash, so you aren’t sinking yourself deeper in debt, and buy a fine American made quilt, or afghan, or handwoven throw.

Buy pots from the local potter, prints from the local photographer, and scarves from the local felter.

Don’t look for cheap junk. That supports poor craftsmanship. Actually spend what you can, and be a part of the solution by keeping your money local.

Be aware that wool, alpaca, and other local fiber producing animals are not harmed in the harvest of their fiber, and it is a renewable resource.

Buy items made from easily, readily and locally re-newable resources.

When I was at one of the ‘gourmet’ grocery stores the other day, my kids and I were tasting gelato, and the attendant giving us samples kept saying," This is locally produced from Maryland, from Pennsylvania, from Georgia…..”

We are in Richmond, Virginia, so our ‘locally grown produce is from Richmond, and the surrounding counties.

If it took more than 5 gallons of gas to get it to me, it’s not local. Thanks.

Finally Finished Hand Spun..Tiny Booties

I finally finished spinning the first hand dyed roving I ever tried. I gave up on the hand spindle since I only use the spindle when I am out and about .. perhaps at the doctor's office or such.. so i finished it on my wheel. Ended with 120 yards of triple ply that measures out at 10-12 wpi. It has not been wet finished yet and I think it may be plyed a little to tight...we'll see. I'm thinking this will be joining the pink merino that I did last winter and be woven into a check pattern scarf...

I've had the knitting needles out again in the evening and when I had some yellow alpaca blend left over from the fabric I did on the Harp .. I decided to try this little pair of booties... How cute are they?!! The pattern is here at Bev's Country Cottage. I think I found the pattern via Mariella at Knitting Nonni ... I'm not sure..lol I know one thing... I need to ask her to do a tutorial on how to sew them together... ;O) I never seem to be able to do that so the seam is invisible...

Daughter's Quilts

Dear Daughter was here for a couple of days last week. What a joy! This is a pic of her beautiful Christmas quilt.

She is discovering the joys of the sewing machine and is making some really pretty quilts, dolls, and things.

This is another quilt she made. She is using the crayon technique I have posted about here...

We spent one day just admiring each others' hobbies... ;O) ... and the next day we went shopping for a bit, out to a long, wonderful lunch, and a little more shopping. The only thing wrong was that it just wasn't long enough....

Knitting at night...

As I sit watching television in the evening with my sweet DH, I usually have to have something to do with my hands. Lately I have been knitting. I am totally in love with Yarn Harlot's pattern for this scarf...I use it for everything...

This alpaca blend feels wonderfully soft when done in this pattern with really big needles.

This spindle spun lace weight yarn is also done in the same pattern. Quick, easy and one that I don't mess up too badly...lol

The next thing I am going to do is make a baby blanket with this pattern. I think it will be totally soft and lovely....

Ike and Shrooms

We waited in the cloudy weather yesterday...rain drippy, but not pouring as had been expected...not much wind at all... All in all, it was a very nice, cool, drippy day. DH spoke via phone with a friend who lives east on the Oklahoma/Arkansas line and it was pretty much the same there. I guess we dodged the 55mph wind and gusty/heavy rain bullet.

It's very easy for those of us up here sitting and watching the news to discuss how unwise it was of the people who stayed on the coast not to evacuate... but the fact is that no one knows their circumstances. So instead of passing judgement..as I know some are wont to do.. lets just pray that they are rescued safely....

All this moisture has been really good for all the fungi around... I love the look of this growing off our huge stump that has the trumpet vine growing on it. I tried to look them up to see what kind they are, but couldn't quite figure out how to do it.... Makes me think of wood elves, sprites and druids...lol

September 11

I always feel inadequate on this day. There are pundits and bloggers all over the world waxing eloquent... me, I just feel numb. Every year. My body goes into that disbelieving mode and once again I am standing, watching the television in horror as the planes hit the towers, explode, and smoke begins to roil. Only snippets of the words of the commentators come back ... I can hear in my mind the exhortations to remain calm and the reassurances that Islam and Christianity are basically the same... My world changed that day. 180 degrees. My heart bled for the people in the towers, the families of those people and the people of New York. Also for myself and my family. Never again can it be said that America has never been attacked on their own ground. Our innocence..that basic sense of security.. is gone.

If my feelings continue to be this strong on this day... how must it be for the family member of ones who lost their lives on this day. My heart goes out to them... Perhaps someday there will be peace in our hearts once again.

Nachos ala Pace

We have found a way to make nachos that are low enough in carbs that DH can have them...and love them. We searched all the chips on the store aisles and finally found that Fritos Small White Corn Chips (round) have about 18 carbs in 24 chips...Kroger brand has about 19 in 24 chips. We use either one. And you would be amazed at how many 24 chips that turns out to be...

This is what I do...

Brown 1 to 2 lbs. hamburger in large skillet..

Drain and return to skillet over medium heat. Add Picante sauce (I use Pace mild...NAYY...but any you choose will work.) I usually add about 1/4 of the large jar and continue to cook a bit to let the flavors work into the hamburger...but not long enough to be completely dry.

While the hamburger is browning, I have placed the chips on the plates, chopped some tomatoes and green onions. I usually buy the packages of shredded mild cheddar cheese, but if I am out of that this is when I shred it.

I personally like to put some of the shredded cheese on my chips before I add the hamburger mixture so it can melt when the hot hamburger mix is added...this is a personal thing.

When the hamburger mix is cooked long enough to re-heat and blend the flavors, place by spoonfuls onto chips. Top with onions, tomatoes and shredded cheese. I like to add more picante sauce...DH does not... This is very good with guacamole and sour cream on the side...

Yumm..Yummm

Earth Friendly...

I admit to being a total skeptic when it comes to believing anything put out by our news media...sorry... but the fact is that when it comes to whether to have reusable bags or throw away millions of plastic bags.. well... to me it's a no brainer...

Anyone who shops at Sam's knows that they do not provide bags to carry your purchases home and they never have. If there are boxes that are left from putting away product on their shelves, you are welcome to use that if you would like. So it came as no surprise that they would have bags for sale on their aisles. These are great. They are big enough for just about anything you might want to buy and they come 2 to a pack for $2.49 or something like that. The only problem with them that I can see is that it is very easy to fill them to the point that it is very heavy to carry them.

Kroeger had these bags 10/$10.00... or you can buy them for $1.00 each. They are much better for things like grocery purchases since their size is more in line with regular paper bags. There is even a plastic sheet liner for the bottom to protect it from wetness. This one has to be my favorite.

The last time I bought fabric at JoAnn's the reusable bags were right there on check-out stand and ready for the clerk to use if you said "Yes, I would like that!". And I did.

Another great thing about these... I don't feel like the bottom is going to fall through and all my groceries are going to end up on the ground... hate when that happens!