The Errant Needle

What's on your Frame Friday???

2011-05-14T13:07:00.000-07:00

I finally found a frame in Dec. on Craigs List. It isn't too fancy and I found the machine on Ebay. I hated trying to quilt on my domestic machine on my sewing desk. Never failed, I had puckers. Not to be shy, I started with all the quilt tops that I had stashed and I have sailed through them. Some are good, as I work out the kinks as to what my system can or cannot do, some aren't so good. Hey, it's a learning process and I wanted to see if this is something I might like or have a talent for. I'm still deciding.
I finally have this one off of the frame and it turned out okay. Now I have to put the binding on and it will be done.
Next is to finish the quilt that is on the design wall.

The Errant author has returned, maybe...

2011-03-10T10:03:00.000-08:00

Wow!
I don't know what has gone on or where I have been but I sure haven't been keeping this blog thing up to date. I don't have any followers ,yet, so I'm not too worried about having offended anyone. If I have; well, deal with it!
Hopefully I will get inspired or become extremley motivated and get this Blog stitching along with some great threads...errr...uhm...
Wow! Have a nice day and thanks for stopping by!
K

Why I love the month of July...

2010-07-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

I love the month of July. Thinking of July brings many thoughts into my head. Some good, some not so good. All good when combined. It means to me hot, lazy days. Playing in sprinklers, lounging in a pool. It means steam on the pavement that is too hot to go barefoot on. It means an abundance of ripe fruit and good things from the garden. Hot kitchens and long days canning. July means staying up late because it is still light out, longer days and nights so warm it is hard to sleep. July also means the 4th of July. Time to hang the grand 'ole flag and be proud to be an American, to live in the U.S.A! To honor the privilage of our freedom! To delight in the show of fireworks and play with sparklers and not to get burned. Yes, I love the month of July. It just seems so mellow and calm...
July is also a month steeped in sadness for me. My Fathers' birthday is July 1st yet he died on July 26th...sixteen years ago...and it still hurts. My Father loved July and the 4th of July. My Mother died less than a year later on the 4th of July. Yup! You read correctly. In the middle of a very hot month. She died on one of my favorite holidays. I don't think she got to pick the date. I don't think she wanted to.
I just want to say that I miss my parents every day. Fifteen and sixteen years later, I miss them.
Perhaps it is fitting that they would leave in the month that is ripe and warm...it doesn't seem so glum when I can watch the fireworks and enjoy the warm summer days.
I miss them.

What about dining out???

2010-07-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

Most people know I work in a restaraunt. I sling food for a living. I like it. I like to serve good food to people. I like people to have a good meal.
Most people are great.
Some are not.
I googled dining manners and wish I could print this up for some people ~~need to~~ should read this: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/36019/dining_etiquette_the_rules_of_the_dinner.html
It also isn't nice to snap your fingers at the server or to yell across the dining room to get the servers' attention.

Lookie here!!!

2010-06-20T15:00:00.000-07:00

It's my first Sourdough loaf. Yummy! Tastes delicious! This is made with a starter that I got from Marlenes' Natural Foods.

I couldn't wait as long as I probably should have to make a loaf. The starter wasn't as bubbly as this (Hermann) is now.

But it (Hermann) did a very nice job. The dough was very silky and nice to work with. It was rising very well and smelled wonderful. I will definitely be trying this again.

Now I am going to have to search for some local Strawberries to make some homemade jam. Deliciousness!

I should write a book...

2010-06-05T12:41:00.001-07:00

Really! I should fill it with quips and anecdotes about life and people.
I work in the food biz...as a food server (PC) or a waitress (old school). I prefer working as a bartender but hey, watcha gonna do!
I don't work at an upscale place, I work at a casual dining, good food place. The location is somewhat eclectic to say the least. This makes the clientele come from a wide range of demographics.
I had a very funny shift last Saturday night. Probably the most fun shift I have had in a long time. It started something like this:
First funny table: Mom, Dad and 11ish year old son.
I approach the table and do my spiel for drinks. The father asks if we have clam strips on the kids menu. I reply that we do not carry clam strips. He asks me if there are clam strips in the regular menu. I look at him, quizzically, as his wife blurts out! What don't you understand??? They DO NOT HAVE CLAM STRIPS!!!
I had to just smile...talk about active listening/hearing.
Second funny table: Mom, Dad and 12ish daughter.
I go to the table and start their meal service. The daughter has the most impeccable manners. Can I clone her? Can we have her do workshops for other disorderly kids? The daughter has ordered kids alfredo noodles. "first clue"
Their food arrives and I check back. The parents say their meal is OK but the mother prompts her daughter. "go ahead", she says. The daughter says, in the most perfect tone; "Excuse me, but I do not care for these noodles. May I have something else?" How perfect....How can I not resist and give her whatever she desires. She has better manners than most adults. I manage to say, "Why yes you may. What is it that you would rather have?" Again she replies with the best manners..."May I please have the kids fish and chips?"
What a delight. Can I say I like manners. I appreciate well mannered adults and children. I really, really do. I had to compliment her on her manners and thank the parents. Obviously, someone is taking the time to teach this child life skills.
Okay...third funny table...and the last for today.
Hunky twentysomething motorcycle jacket (crotch rocket) wearing cutie son and Mom and Dad...
I cannot go on without warning you of mature innuendo coming up.
While I am at the table taking their food order the hunky son asks why are there two prices on listed with the chowders? Is this for sizes?
To this I reply, "Yes, we have two sizes of chowders. One is a cup and one is a bowl."
Hunky: Well, how big is the bowl and how big is the cup?
Me: (listen carefully) Well, the cup is 6 Inches and the bowl is 12 ounces...I very quickly stammered.
I think I saw Dad snicker and Hunky son hesitate a minute...Ooops.
I know my face got red. Never had that happen before.
YIKES!
But that was a fun night...one of the reasons that I love working in the industry. It is the people. I should have known though...my next shift was a nightmare. Can you say VEGANAISSE???

Big Game...

2010-06-05T11:20:00.001-07:00

I tried to be clever, I tried to be mysterious...it worked for about 2 miles North of the Roy Y. I have a smart husband. He guessed the destination...North West Trek.

In an effort to get out and do, I made a mystery trip for us. I told Tim we would be out in the weather, it could be raining (dumping buckets), it could be cold...or the sun could come out (small, small chance). I am optimistic. With my handy dandy DOT map of Wa. State we headed out on a miserable Monday morning. It was pouring down rain and I thought my super idea would be ruined. I am so thankful it wasn't. Like I said, Tim guessed our destination pretty quickly and I giggled as we drove into "the sticks"!

Northwest Trek is located near Eatonville which sits in the foothills of Mt. Rainier. It is a wildlife park that is like 734 acres of land that was donated by a really cool family. It is home to some huge wildlife that you get to see while you ride around the park in a nice covered tram. Then there are the area trails that you can navigate on your own where you can observe Eagles, Beaver, Wolverine, Wolves, Couger and Bears. I am sure I am missing several things that we got to see and observe but it was a great day trip, well worth the park admission fee and was incredible to see the large resident moose, bison, elk and caribou. Incredible.

...and the sun came out. It was a wonderful day. Now to plan another "day adventure". Any suggestions?

How does your garden grow, or does it?

2010-06-05T11:15:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure how your garden is doing now that it is the 5th of June but here in the PNW, mine sucks!

We have had such cold temps. and sooo much rain that I think the only thing growing is the mold in the soil! YUCK!!!

I took a look at the veggie garden this morning and it looks like I have lost some squash plants, again!

The boxwood basil has drowned and another one looks like it may follow.

So much for some fresh herbs.

On a good note though, the Brocoli, Cabbage and Potatoes seem to be doing well!

The spinach, lettuce, and even the radishes are miniture! Maybe they are a new, smaller hybrid.

It is supposed to get up to 70 here today and that is a real blue sky in my photo of the potatoe plant. I don't understand this because they are calling for rain tomorrow.

Oh...will summer ever come?

Loser...but I did get to sew!

2010-05-27T12:04:00.000-07:00

I am such a loser...I have not had any motivation to go to the gym. Not at all. I am trying to go so that I can increase my cardio strength, muscle strength and lose some weight. Not alot, but some, because it seems as the years continue to march on...the weight decides its' going along for the ride. I don't like gaining ten pounds, not one bit! But...oh! I love to eat! So, it was a deal I made with myself. Start going to the gym, eating right and miraculously I would look sweet in my swimsuit. I thought about going this morning, I really did. Then I thought about going for a bike ride.I really thought about it. Then I remembered I had some Foccacia dough that needed to be kneaded for a second rise. I spread it out in a pan and topped with fresh Basil, Olives, Olive Oil, Pepper and let it do its' thing, then into the oven it went. Well, I couldn't leave the house now to go to the gym so, into my sewing room I went. To finish (what else?) a snack bag to take my goodies to work. YUMMY!!!! I know since everyone who knows me, knows my love of fish that this bag screams ME!!!!

It's a bit larger than a paper lunch sack, it's reusable so I am doing something green. I can put all my healthy veggie snacks and protien in this bag so I can always eat healthy and there by lose the weight I want/need to. See, it all works out. I am not really a loser, now to sample the Foccacia.

...a beautiful day for a dive...

2010-05-26T18:11:00.000-07:00

Whew!!! What a weekend. I was busy with all cool diving stuff. On Sunday Tim and I hurried to catch the last day of the Northwest Dive Expo. It was fun to see all the cool products and was even more fun to see all our friends! It's kinda special to have so much diving karma in one big area.

Then there was a rumor that the visibility in Puget Sound was stellar or at least 15' to 20', not the previous 3-5' pea soup. So for Tim and I, Monday was a must dive day!!! We went to Les Davis which is on the water front in Tacoma...Commencment Bay. This site is sometimes tempermental. Meaning Viz could be great or not, the critters could be found...or not. Well, we had a little bit of both. Vis was great and we headed N.E. a bit to get down to the concrete slabs. These were brought in to create an artificial reef in the hopes of attracting marine life. Some of these have worked, some not...but anyways. We swam out and dropped down and it was wonderful to be back in the water and diving. Diving...diving...I love Scuba Diving...but I digress. We got on down to the slabs and didn't really see any big critters but saw a few Nudis', alot of Feather Duster Worms and Rock Fish...even some Black Rock Fish that one doesn't normally see on this side.

I didn't get alot of pictures as I had the settings on my camera wrong...but I did get to dive. Did I mention I love to Scuba Dive. Our dive lasted like 61mins...and it was a wonderful 61mins of shear bliss...floating and breathing and floating...I love to Scuba Dive....oh, viz wasn't too bad either, till we were down at the slabs and the tide turned and it went down to about 10feet...

But, I got to dive....

I'm just a foodie at heart (or waist)

2010-05-20T11:25:00.000-07:00

I love to cook...

If I said it once, I'll say it again...I love to cook! The neighbor went over to Ellensburg and brought back some Asparagus. I don't like Asparagus but take a look at these. They were begging me to do something with them. So, this is what I did. I made Aspargus, Proscuitto Wraps. Actually I used ham as Proscuitto was way too expensive at F.M. (so maybe I'm not really a Foodie), it was also my first time using puff pastry.

I am no food photographer so the pictures do not do it justice...but I think you get the gist of the idea. I blanched the Asparagus for about 5 mins in boiling water. I know, the time was a bit long but these are some gigantic stalks of Asparagus. I then wrapped the stalks in a generous helping of ham, laid them on the bed of puff pastrey dough, put some haystacks of grated parmasean cheese, tucked those little babies in and baked 'em for about 13mins @ 350 in my newly calibrated gas oven.

I think they turned out rather scrumptous. My husband thinks so as well. I like them, but I like anything in dough and paired with cheese. Next time, if I make them again, I will use a bit more delicate spears/stalks of Aspargus, I will splurge on real Proscuitto and I won't share!

Mothers Day and a busy husband...

2010-05-10T20:50:00.001-07:00

I worked all day and into the night on Mothers' Day... I was gone for about 10 hours from my family...and when I returned...WOW!!!

My husband was a Super Husband..I cannot begin to tell you how much stuff (i.e. chores) he got done!!! There were plant holders and bean pole sticks, there was pizza dough in the fridge, there were kolatches that he was still working on when I got home, three kinds with sausage and cheese and such...the floors were vacummed and mopped...he was crazy busy...most importantly, he had a great day to himself with the pups and a fun time doing all his list of chores...

Garden planting...part two!!!

2010-05-10T19:04:00.000-07:00

We had a tremendous wind storm last week and at one point they said we had hurricane 1 winds of 76 mph or more, sustained.
Some of the damage caused were trees down and power outages, we were lucky as we only lost a tomato plant and a couple of squash plants. So, this past weekend with Mothers day being so nice and such...some things got planted like the hanging baskets and the plants got replaced with new tomatoes and squash.
This year we are also trying potatoes and pole beans...
Hhhmmmm...but if all goes to plan then YUMMY!!!

Cooking and cooking...eating and eating...

2010-05-06T09:20:00.001-07:00

WTH!!!
I know this blog was supposed to be mainly about my quilting adventures but hey, I got side tracked! It all started with this damn economy. In an effort to cut back on spending, we quit going out to eat so much. So, I had to cook! I got bored with the same 'ole same O so I started perusing cooking sites and cookbooks. One of my favorites is Tasty Kitchen, yummy...along with a couple of others but...with all this good cooking came a couple of pounds so I started an attempt to eat healthier. Hello Tosca Reno and Clean Eating (tm)!!! I'm not saying that I follow every little thing they advise, nor do I workout like a maniac but I have become a bit more conscious of what I am putting in my mouth. I can also honestly say that the last time I ate fast food, well I didn't feel too good after! So, I'm just warning you...I will have to post and show pics of my cooking adventures as well!!!
Now, off to the gym!

Will Spring ever stay awhile???

2010-05-06T09:18:00.000-07:00

I thought that April Showers meant May flowers! What the heck is happening here? I never got a true chance to enjoy the cherry blossoms or the tulips or daffodils because of this crappy weather we have been having here in the PNW! Ok! I should be grateful that we aren't getting pounded like some other parts of the nation but come on....really???? I planted some seeds of veggies and those are having a hard time of it as well as the two Cucumber plants that have died along with the several squash plants that are barely hanging on! It hasn't been up past the mid fifties in the day and has been getting into the high thirties at night. This is not conducive to a wonderful, producing garden or beautiful hanging flower baskets. Ok, rant over...

Adventures down the rabbit hole!!!

2010-04-07T11:58:00.000-07:00

Oops! I forgot to tell you on Mon, my husband, a friend and myself went to the Boeing Imax3D Theater to see Alice in Wonderland.
What a huge theater and a wonderful movie. I don't think I have been this entertained by a movie in a long time! Johhny Depp and the other cast members were fantastic. I love anything that Burton and Depp make! I was highly excited to see this movie. I was not dissapointed and will have to purchase my copy when it comes out on Blu-Ray.

Before the showtime we meandered around Seattle, having lunch at Zekes' Pizza. Yummy!!! Then strolled around Seattle Center. It had been along time since I had been there. It was alot of fun and alot of silliness was had by all!
Thanks to my favorite guys for a great time!

Finished!

2010-04-07T11:49:00.000-07:00

I finally finished this one! I did this all on my machine. I did the quilting with embroidery designs and machine stitched the binding. I am not too happy with the end result so it may be going to a donated place. I do like the colors though! Hence, only wide pics and no close ups!!!

A pic to share!

2010-03-24T17:20:00.000-07:00

Tulips that are shouting out today!!!

A hot day in March

2010-03-24T16:52:00.001-07:00

I heard on the radio yesterday that today was going to be a beautiful, warm spring day!
The announcer was talking about the pshycology of saying, "... the high temps will be about 68 tomorrow..." as opposed to saying, "...the temp will be about 70 tomorrow..." "People, he said, don't think too much about the high 60's but when you say it is going to be 70, watch out!"
That is certainly true here in the PNW. It hits high 60's and the shorts are on, the lawns are mowed, sandles come out (with socks on) and we convienently forget about last weeks torrential rains along with hail and lows in the high 30's. I have to include myself in this mentality. Heck, I am ready to put up the pool, call some friends over for a BBQ and hang out on the patio; until it gets cold as the sun goes down.
Ah wells, the tease of Spring and warm and sunny days.
They say it's back to rain tomorrow...