Happy Spring, Happy Birthday

When I took Franklin Habit's lace knitting workshop the other weekend (yes, I was in the same room with the real Franklin Habit, blogger superb, in addition to being a mighty fine knitter) - he told me the secret to being a good blogger was to blog daily. Well, that seems near impossible to me because I have so little to say. However, today is my birthday and I bought myself a present worthy of blogging about: an orchid - or to those of us now in the know, a Phalaenopsis.

Here it is. I want proof that I actually had a Phalaenopsis for a while, hence the photo. I received one as a gift when we lived in Connecticut and I killed it within 2 months. I'm newly inspired by both my friend Gretchen and my uncle Gordon, who both grow orchids successfully.

Isn't it pretty in the close up? I'll retake the photos in 4 months and see what I've got. I think I may have to research how to take care of this baby - which will cut into my blogging time.

In addition to Phalaenopsis, I succumbed to adding a Spring Cactus to my houseplant collection. Now, I have not had a houseplant since I was in college, so I wonder if I'm having a midlife crisis - two houseplants in one day. Anyway, my mother in law always had a huge, and I mean HUGE, Christmas Cactus. It looked just like this one, except it had red flowers. I have no idea if it's the same plant or a different one from hers, but I thought, "Why not?" and took it to the cash register with Phalaenopsis (I hope if I say and write the name enough times I'll remember what it is).

So, happy spring indoors, and happy birthday to me.

Camp for Grownups

March 17 - 20
March Madness at Mohonk Mountain House.

This was my annual girl trip to Mohonk Mountain House.

I've had people say to me, "Why do you go there? What is there to do? They don't even have TVs in the rooms?" That is exactly why I go there. There's not a lot to do, and there are no TVs in the room, and cell phone connection is bad. But the place has a serene beauty that reminds me of the Northwest. Actually, it makes me think of camp - for grownups. It's the kind of place where you put your regular life to the side, and simply soak up the atmosphere and live for the moment. In too short a time, you go back to real life - refreshed.



This year, when Lisa, and I got to our room, one little Mohonk fox greeted us with a banner across his chest saying, "Welcome Back." We both fell in love with the little guy, and when the bellman asked if there was anything he could do for us, we said, "Yes. We have one little fox, but two of us are sharing the room." He said, "I'll take care of it." And he did. Shortly afterward, a person from housekeeping showed up with another fox. My fox now lives on my bedside table, reminding me of the peace of Mohonk.

The first day we were there was Founder's Day. After dinner we had our picture taken with Albert Smiley. He looks pretty good for being over a hundred years old.

The next morning, Lisa and I hiked up to Sky Top. Taylor and I had been there in December - on skies. Now there was no snow and I got a good look at the tower. There'a a fireplace on the first floor. This would be a good spot for hot cocoa and a sit by the fire. But this is Mohonk - no touristy stuff here.

Then we climbed up all 102 steps to the top. It was pretty darn cold up there, as well as windy. I was very happy to have my ear muffs.

After doing Mohonk things all day - yoga, nature walks, hiking, knitting, reading, massage, soaking in the mineral pool, sitting by the fire - we got ourselves cleaned up for dinner.

In December I skied on these trails. On this March day it was foggy and drippy in the woods. It almost looked like a fall day with the leaves crunching beneath my feet, but I could smell spring.

I love the surprise of an occasional summer house along the cliffs.

I also love hiking along and not seeing any other people.

For a Northwest girl, Mohonk has become one of my favorite East Coast destinations. Camp for grownups.

Hedgehog Love

If this isn't love at first sight I don't know what is.

Baby Fiona and her Hedgehog.

I'm pretty sure that even Fiona is cuter than the very cute Hedgehog.

A match made in heaven.

May they have many adventures in the future.

Einstein Complete

I had some time this afternoon with no engagements, and I finished Einstein!!!!! I washed it and it's on the guest bed blocking. Once again, I can't have any guests.

I love the fit of it. However, after finally coming to my senses and returning the expensive buttons, I'm not sure of the ones I chose. Yes, they are large and funky. But, are they too large and funky? I can't go back to the store and rebuy the original ones because I made my buttonholes for the larger buttons. Buttons seem to be my constant bugaboo. My plan is to wear the coat with the current buttons, see how they feel, and allow myself to buy new buttons if I'm uncomfortable with these. Decisions, decisions.

I'm hoping the coat is dry by Tuesday so I can wear it at Mohonk Mountain House next week. Getting a second opinion from Lisa will help.

April 4: The coat dried by the time I went to Mohonk, I found perfect buttons in Doylestown and I wore the coat while there. Here I am, lounging by my favorite Mohonk fireplace.

Time Marching Along

Time is Marching along quickly right now (get the pun? - it's March 11).

I've been busy with life (Flower Show, friends visiting me, gourmet dinner, passed away mother gathering, line dancing, etc.) that I haven't been knitting much, which is the point of this blog.

Another hitch in my knitting schedule is my new computer. It's taking up way too much time. I've had so much fun teaching my mom about how to use her computer (we do this over the phone as I'm in Philly and she's in Portland, Oregon). Along the way I've learned a massive amount about computers, although I really know very little. One activity that has enchanted me is setting up my Homepage. This came about during a help mom session. Now I've got a decorative homepage that has the most important details of my life on it: Netflix movies; movies at the local movies theaters; weather in all the cities where various family members live; a slide show of my Flickr photos; newspaper headlines. There's no end to what one can include on a Homepage. Who knew? I didn't.

Next week I'm off for a 3 night R & R at Mohonk Mountain House - possibly one of my favorite locations in the world. I've got the guilts about going since it's so darn expensive, but Taylor keeps encouraging me to go, so I will. I hope to finish Einstein by then, so I can wear it. I think if it's not done by then I won't be able to wear it until next winter since it is a heavy coat and we are moving into Spring. If it's not done by then, perhaps I'll finish it while I'm relaxing in front of a fireplace in one of the lounges.

Just in case Einstein is done by take off time, I plan to go to Tangled Web tomorrow to pick up supplies for another hedgehog. I've got another little baby in my life who is already alive and kicking and in need of a handknit from me.

Picture Perfect

Monday, March 2, was a perfect snowy day --- if I could have stayed home and watched from my window. However, it was the day Arlene flew in from Chicago for the Philadelphia Flower Show.

I didn't leave my house for the airport until the airline website showed her plane was halfway to Philly. I soldiered through the snowy roads to the expressway and then the road cleared up and traffic was minimal. When I got to the airport I waited, and waited. Finally, Arlene called me on my cell to say she had landed - at Dulles!!!!!!!!! The plane had circled so long in Philly it ran low on fuel.

Her plane was refueled and she finally arrived, 4 hours after I got to the airport. By the time she arrived I was happily ensconced with a new group of friends. The new friends included a young couple who actually know a person I know from Olympia Washington. The other new friend was a knitter!!!!!!!!!! She showed me a wonderful beaded abacus that she had made to count her rows.............I've got to make one before I forget how it's made.

Tuesday, March 3, was probably the coldest day in Philly history. The thermometer on my car said something like 18, but it felt like 6 when Arlene and I made it from the parking lot to the convention center for the Philadelphia Flower Show.

And what a show it was!!!!!!!!!!! It was picture perfect.

Monday Dinner cooked on Sunday

wine-braised chicken with shallots and pancetta

from Fine Cooking Magazine, No. 97

Is it just me, or does this smell really good???

Unfortunately this is dinner for tomorrow night, and now I'm too exhausted to make dinner for tonight.

I really should make Sunday dinner sometime.

It's such a nice concept.