Star's Fault

Delicious Fall Knitting ~

Yes, it really is fall time. 

I notice this not because of nature's most obvious signs, less light, a chill in the air, a bit of rain, Johnnie's newly fuzzy coat, or all the lovely yellow birch leaves everywhere.  Mostly, I notice fall because my fingers itch to knit. 

Something, anything, I just want a soft ball of yarn in my lap and the clicking sound of needles making perfect stitches.  Someone told me once that knitting was a healing art.  I believe it.  I am calmed by the task, hours flying by in perfect peace.  Binx, who loves anything made of yarn, usually manages to find her way onto my lap, and is happy to curl up for hours, purring softly. 

Right now (which is actually Friday afternoon, thanks to Typepad's ability to calendar ahead posts), I'm not knitting, but I will be tonight.... from about 1am until sometime late tomorrow afternoon, I'll knit and watch movies on my ipod while I fly south on the red-eye.  I love that late flight.  The plane is so peaceful and quiet, and they turn the lights down low so everyone can sleep.... except me. 

I'll be gone for a week, off to Washington DC, then Mobile, Vicksburg, Gatesville, ahhhh next is Huntsville, Chicago, Seattle and back to Anchorage by next Saturday.  I've been told that I have to go to Bone Fish Grill in Huntsville, and a friend gave me a coupon for bang-bang shrimp.  [sigh] Between the Po' Boys, sweet potato fries, serious barbecue, biscuits, chicken fried steak and pan gravy, and pralines - oh the pralines, bang-bang shrimp is the last thing I need. 

Seriously, if I was in the south too much I would be twice the woman I am today.

However, I am taking a knitting project with me, and thanks to the magic of Typepad, photos of same and bloggy post will happen miraculously while I am gone. 

This project is made of the most lovely Misty Alpaca yarn.  It's dear as frog's hairs, and probably about as soft.  It feels wonderful in my hands, and snuggly soft if you hold it against your cheek.  Perfect for a warm scarf for the winter.  

Last year I made a scarf out of a rich, deep, dark blue Misty Alpaca and gave it to one of my favorite people for Christmas.  She looks great in jewel tones and deserves to have special things.  This time I think it will be for me, unless something comes up.     

I often find myself praying when I knit, and sometimes ,just as the item is finished, someone will come to my heart and my little project will become a gift instead.  You never know who will need a new pair of sturdy hand made socks, or soft mittens, or a warm scarf....

...every stitch made with love. 

Eileen

The Cat Ate My Homework ....... ?

I'm sorry for the long absence, but I have been traveling the Australian Outback with Hugh Jackman, astride my magnificant Tennessee Walker....you should know that I looked quite fetching despite the dust and heat.

... or maybe you might believe that I have been off traveling to the exotic far reaches of the globe and now return with vast crates filled to the brim with delicious treasures of antiquity to redecorate my home and populate my Etsy site? 

Perhaps I could tell you that I have been lazily lounging in the hammock under the pergola, a kitty in my lap, the last novel in the Twilight series partly read, a glass of perfectly chilled white wine, fresh fruit, a crusty rustic bread and fine cheese beside me?

...or maybe I have been seen wearing a long prairie dress, a floppy hat, garden gloves and canvas apron, a basket of fresh cut blossoms over my arm, a sunny glow and a peaceful smile on my face?

I wish. 

It's all the fault of my prior post.  While I was waxing eloquent about how I could juggle just about anything that came along, and (ftttttt.... to my DH) LOVE it, God decided I was just a bit too confident and sent some interesting circumstances my way. 

I did travel... 3 trips in three weeks.  I did garden.... planting the big pots on the front porch and repurposed an old fountain into a lovely planter (blog post to come on this one).  I did ride my horse, but not with Hugh Jackman [sigh]. I think I lounged once, for about 15 minutes, under the pergola.  There was wine involved, but I might have been sipping between house chores.  I did bring in a few vintage treasures and re-decorated my office area [no computer for almost two weeks]... but, it's sooooo pretty and I will post the before/after soon.

... but mostly, in between a suddenly hectic travel schedule, Star came down with food allergies and had to be rushed to the vet, Binx bit Bitty and her face swelled up and she had to go to the vet too.  My son got injured in a workplace accident and required the momma bear's help with the medical care and insurance adjuster (compression fractures of his spine), my job went from 100 mph to about Mach 1, and, well, about 10 other like, MAJOR things that came along and just DERAILED my tidy little schedule. 

My Beautiful Life goal for July is all about Restoration.  I need it.  A lot.

God is clearly in control. 

And I have so much to post about, and a pillow to finish and mail to dearest Tiffany [total guilt here] and lovely things to make for Star's Fault Etsy.  It's been a most beautiful summer, in the mid-70's each day and so sunny, and warm, it just does my heart good. 

Thank you all for your emails and kind words asking about me and where I was.  I'm right here, and my computer is hooked up again, Sam is in good care now, kitties are well, and my travel schedule is down to one last trip for a while. 

I missed blogging.

I missed you. 

Eileen

Until Monday ~

I am flying off again tonight.  Absent until late Sunday afternoon on business travel.  My husband says I work too hard and have too much on my plate.  

He's right.  And he's wrong.

I am lucky, blessed even, to have such a full life.  Let me share with you a couple of my favorite quotes, and I think you'll understand. 

George Bernard Shaw said: 

"I want to be thoroughly used up when I die.  Life is no brief candle to me, it is sort of a splendid torch which I get ahold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations." 

Ralph Waldo Emerson hit the nail on the head when he offered: 

"The purpose of life is not to be happy.  It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well." 

Have a wonderful week.  Live joyfully.  I'll be back soon ~

Eileen

 

On the Wing ~

Photo Source: Flickr (click photo for attribution)

It's REALLY tempting to say... "I just flew in from [insert name], and boy, are my arms tired."

While there was no acutal flapping on my part, I am tuckered.  Home for the next two weeks seems like a luxury right now, and I can unpack and relax for a bit.  Mostly, I want to post pictures of my pretty flowers and ask Star to draw a name out of the hat for the winner of the give away ~ oh, I can't wait!  The flowers turned out so lovely, and I will be posting more how to's so you can make some just like it!

Today is my 35 wedding anniversary (39 years together all total ...amazing, mama said it would never last), and it would be just sad to spend the day at the computer editing in Photoshop, so I must wait until tomorrow.  Hubby has been missing me, and needs some TLC. 

Blessings ~

Eileen

It Is Still There ~

photo source: National Museum of American history, click for attribution

It's still there you know, and I stood in awe at the sight.  The light is low and people speak in hushed tones.  There is no sign to be quiet, but most people are completely silent, we have no words.  All our bravado and confidence evaporate as we are reminded of the dear price paid in the fight for freedom. 

As I walked slowly past the display, a very little boy stood beside me and sang the Star Spangled Banner, his voice small, pure and sweet, each note perfect.  His father asked him to sing it to himself, but the boy just kept singing softly until he was done, the last note hanging in the air.   

Am I the only one that cries at this stuff?   

We are privileged to still be able to see these priceless icons of our history, but they are going away from us, fading from future generations.  Even the writing on the Declaration of Independence is barely visible anymore, script that is but a shadow of its former power and glory. 

The cherry tress around the tidal basin and their masses of soft pink blossoms were so, so pretty, but even I must confess that they paled in comparison to the vision of tattered remants of red, white and blue.

I am happily flying home tomorrow.  It was a good trip.  See you very soon ~

Eileen

 

 

Flying About ~

photo source: flickr, click photo for attribution

I can almost smell the sweet blossoms, can you?  

I've been transported unexpectedly to Washington DC this week....for business.  So when this post actually is published, I hope to be nearly complete with my meetings, and will have had a few minutes to walk the tidal basin at the mall and take photos of these incredible blossoms, this spectacular view of old, knarly trees transformed into the most etheral, magical sight. 

The scent, the petals falling to the ground, the massive blooms weighing each branch.  How does the tree do this... this exuberant expression of life?

photo source: flickr, click photo for attribution

If I'm really lucky, one evening I will get to break away and visit the Smithsonian Museum of American History.  Its the only building I haven't seen, and last year when I was in DC it was under rennovation.  I want very much to see Old Glory this trip. 

Last year I saw the Constitution, Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights... but what brought great tears to my eyes was the Thirteenth Amendment abolishing slavery. 

I will be home Friday.  My May Day basket for my Artsy Mama's swap is almost done. Waiting for those last minute refinements that make it perfect.  Be watching for the post.  I have a feeling that it will feature cherry blossoms!

Eileen

 

Above the Arctic Circle ~

Photo Source: Flickr ~ Click photos for attributions

Do you know that it is 1,000 miles from my house to Barrow, Alaska?  Alaska is such a huge, wild, beautiful place.  I live in Southcentral Alaska, right in the middle of the state's largest city, Anchorage.  There are about 300,000 people here in Anchorage, and only 600,000-ish in the whole state. 

Today, when I board an Alaska Airlines jet, I will fly 45 minutes to Fairbanks, then another hour and a half to Barrow, which is literally the "Top-of-the-World".  I will fly over miles and miles of uninhabited tundra, over thousands of lakes scrubbed into the land by retreating glaciers from a long-ago ice age.  I will see pack ice covering acres of frozen sea, jumbled several stories high by the force of the currents underneath.  Powerful, dangerous.

Photo Source: Flickr ~ Click photos for attributions

The art and culture of the place is incredible, and there aren't words to describe it.  They are subsistence hunters, whalers, traveling in large canoe-shaped vessels covered in stretched walrus hide, carefully stitched to wooden frames....and they will go out into the freezing, dangerous waters of the arctic, and hunt the bowhead whale. 

Photo Source: Flickr ~ Click photos for attributions

Barrow is an ancient place, and there are remains of Inupiat Eskimoes that are estimated at over 4,000 years old.  Before the pyramids were made.

They live a simple life in small houses scrubbed by the constant arctic wind, hunkered down against the harsh elements.  They sing, dance, craft incredible, beautiful things out of whalebone, baleen, the fur of arctic animals.  Their celebrations are joyous events, and I love seeing the smiling faces of the elders.  Beautiful.  They are a people of great, great faith.   Click HERE to see an ancient cemetary.

Photo Source: Flickr ~ Click photos for attributions

Scientists from all over the world go to Barrow.  It is a center for study on global warming, atmospheric research, migratory birds.  There are archaeological digs too, where respectful discovery of the ancient remains of Alaska's first peoples is carefully undertaken.

Photo Source: Flickr ~ Click photos for attributions

What I love most about the arctic is the light.  Pictures don't always do it justice, but if you click HERE, you can see one of my Flickr faves that captures it best.  It is ethereal, magical, luminous.  There is wildlife everywhere and birds like you wouldn't believe.  It is a major migratory flightpath.  

Today, if you have a chance, go onto my Flickr site and see some of my arctic favorites.  I'll be back Friday, and have a new project to post. 

Blessings ~

Eileen

Walnut Circle Grill ~ Hattiesburg

Business travel is exhausting, and you miss your family.  One of the perks, however, is the ability to sample incredible regional foods, and when in Mississippi, this means Po'Boys.  Rossetti's is my usual place to stop, where my favorite has always been a soft shell crab, pressed and dressed, with a Barq's root beer, hold the gravy fries.  I remember the first time I had one, opening the top slab of bread to reveal what looked like a large, fried spider on a bed of shredded lettuce.   I quickly closed the sandwich, and, taking a deep breath, bit into something so delicious... 

No Rosetti's this trip, but I did go to lunch at the Walnut Circle Grill in Hattiesburg, where the soft shell crab was accompanied by crispy sweet potato fries - slap me.  Even better was the decor of the place, and I snapped this photo on my camera phone, now saved in my "new home" file where I keep all my design ideas for the next building project. 

Gorgeous, right? 

Isn't this entry way just INCREDIBLE?  The deep, rough, unpainted crown at the top, the rustic chandelier, the aged pillars.  Imagine this in a home entry. Just, perfect.

 

Eileen

Baby, its Cold Outside

The kitties have been seeking out all the warm spots in the house lately.  I can't blame them, as I've been doing a bit of the same myself.  After all, its somewhere between 10- 20 degrees outside.  These temperatures are a real shock from my business trip to Mississipi this week, where it was a balmy 72-ish.  I had to drive from Gulfport to Hattiesburg for all day meetings, and the ride up on highway 49, past tall, green, pine trees was incredible.  My hotel in Gulfport was near the beach, and you could see the white sand from my window.  Alas, no free time, so the sand will have to wait until another trip.

I did get to enjoy a bit of local color though. My favorite this trip was a dinner stop at Mary Mahoney's.  Mary Mahoney's is noted as the oldest house in Biloxi, and its origins trace back to the late 1700's.  It proudly survived Katrina, largely due to the sturdiness of the old structure, and likely also because there is a walled courtyard that surrounds and protects the main building.  A beautiful live oak, estimated at 2,000 years old, commands the courtyard.  Impressive.  It is a lovely place, high ceilings, vintage furnishings, and the most incredible New Orleans style food.  I took our waiter's recommendation and ordered the stuffed snapper, which was out-of-this-world incredible, ending the meal with rich coffee and the most wonderful lemon merangue pie I had ever tasted.  I almost asked for the recipe - something about that merangue - but was too shy to impose.  If you're ever in Gulfport/Biloxi area, I highly recommend it.  www.marymahoneys.com

Today, I'm home-sweet-home, after a 18 hour day on planes and in airports.  Worth every minute of it....

 

Eileen