Outside my window... dark and full of summer noises

I am spinning for the Tour de Fleece… A started a braid of superwash bfl in a sea foamish green color to spin during the mostly ceremonial stage 20 this morning.

Spinning time for Stage 20, day 23… About 1 hour – I finished winding off the bamboo and I started on the Sea Foam

I am thinking… I did it!  I completed the Tour de Fleece! I spun everyday and I blogged everyday. I even watched the Tour de France everyday.  There were mountains, there were sprints, there was interference from the crowds, but I persevered and made it to the end. I am a finisher and a winner! And now I have a heck of a lot of yarn!

I am thankful for… 3 very well behaved girls at the picnic we went to today.  I was very proud to be their mom.

From the learning rooms… You know what?  I actually met someone who home schooled today.  This is a task that I would never be up to.  People who home school must have amazing constitutions.

From the kitchen… I made deviled eggs for a picnic today.  Mostly there are just dirty dishes in my kitchen right now.  It seems like we go through them so fast, and our dishwasher takes 2.5  hours to run so it is full and running and the sink is full of dishes. How does this happen?

I am wearing… denim shorts and a light blue v-neck from Old Navy

I am hoping... for a fun staycation week and not too much laundry

I am hearing… J say “Ewey, it smells like skunk!”

Around the house… I think J and B are looking for food in the kitchen and Dave is reading the book, “Yes, Your Teen is  Crazy.”

One of my favorite things...  brie.  This is another food that I love!

A few plans for the rest of the week… as you know we are staycating.  We are thinking of changing one of our days to taking the ferry to Block Island.  We would only be there a few hours, but according to the website it is “The Bermuda of the north” so how can we not want to check it out?

Here are some photos I am sharing…

We don’t usually see rainbows at our house because there are so many trees, but I was outside this evening while it was sprinkling. I was thinking that it is too bad that we can’t see rainbows at our house and I turned around and there was this gorgeous rainbow right over our roof.  I guess we have just never been in the exact right place at the right time.  If I had been inside I would have completely missed this.  I called everyone outside and we watched it for a while until it faded away.

Outside my window… hot, humid, mix of sun and clouds

I am spinning for the Tour de Fleece… 4 ounces of handpainted combed bamboo top by Moonwood Farm in the color “Tamara.”

The Tour was particularly exciting for a bit this morning when we thought for a second or two that Andy Schleck might actually win.  It was SO close, but then at the end he lost time. There is one more day, but apparently, Stage 20 must be mostly ceremonial as they said that pretty much the winners as they stand today will remain the overall winners as they enter Paris tomorrow.

Spinning time for Stage 19, day 22… about 2 hours this morning while watching the Tour. I actually spun about 3 out of 4 ounces of this bamboo fiber and since I’m just spinning a singles, I’m almost done!

I am thinking… I’m psyched for our vacation week next week (even though we are just staycating)!

I am thankful for… the farmer’s market

From the kitchen… making tabbouleh with tahini dressing today.  Dave bought all the good stuff to put in it at the farmer’s market and he bought me a container of gazpacho with avocado and shrimp for lunch.  So good!

I am creating… more yarn!

I am going… to spend this hot evening with a friend and her family

I am hoping… to be a better mom this week.  Every day I wake up and resolve to do better than the day before. One would think at some point I would at least reach the break even point, but it seems the challenges (peaks) are getting greater (higher) every day.

I am hearing… some sort of tv program

Around the house… Dave is bringing K to a friend’s house. B is waiting for the mail because her “letter” from school may come today and then she will know which team she will be on and can call all her friends to see who is on her team.

One of my favorite things… avocados.  I heart them SO much!

A few plans for the rest of the week… tomorrow we have a picnic  to attend and a few of our plans for our “staycation” include Lake Compounce, Harkness Memorial, a shaker village in Massachusetts, and outlet shopping.

Outside my window… dusk

I am spinning for the Tour de Fleece…

I finished spinning and repackaging my second bobbin of merino in Shaded Sapas and I’m now plying.  I know, today was supposed to be a “challenge” day for my spinning, but I’ve opted for different challenges.  Of course, my biggest challenge through this whole Tour is blogging everyday..  That is BIG for me!  My other challenge for today was to get as much fiber out to dye today as I could.  I try to get at least 8 (4 ounce rovings) out to dye and a big day is 16.  Today I have 24!  It was not as sunny out today as predicted so I’ll see how tomorrow goes, as to whether I take these in on Saturday or Sunday.

I am thinking… Thank goodness the humidity is finally giving us a break!

I am thankful for… electicity and cable.  Yesterday we lost power around 5 and didn’t get it back until the middle of the night.  If that wasn’t bad enough, today we lost cable just when there were 2 km left going up the mountain and Schleck and Contador were neck and neck.  I was on the edge of my seat (which seriously, me?  I’m not a sports person!) and the broadcast was not that great to begin with so when my screen blacked out, I just thought it was technical difficulties on  the Versus channel, but then nothing…  and when the cable goes out so does the phone and internet. Oh, so then I walked next door to my parents to see if it was just my cable or everyone’s cable (everyone’s) and I’m telling them what happened, and okay, maybe I was being a little over-dramatic to make them laugh, and my mom tells me that I should not get so excited because “I’m going to hurt my heart.”    Really?  Sigh.

From the learning rooms… The girls played another game of Settlers today.  I think that is very educational and counts for this learning room thing.

From the kitchen… I made a tex-mex type of macaroni casserole for dinner tonight. I think it was pretty darn good and I put in all things that girls like but they were less than enthused.  But I made a lot so left-overs all weekend so I don’t have to cook.

I am wearing… pj’s

I am going… to spin some more tonight!

I am reading...  Chat by Archer Mayor

I am hoping… for more good weather

I am hearing… night bugs and K’s tv show.

Around the house… quiet, but everyone is around and about I think.

One of my favorite things… Humm… I had such a good idea for this earlier, but just can’t remember now…

A few plans for the rest of the week… Field Hockey tournament tomorrow night, more spinning, blogging, dyeing, a picnic, and maybe some scrapbooking

Outside my window… dark, dark, dark

I am spinning for the Tour de Fleece…

Today, I plied  Chaya.  I’m starting to really love 3 ply yarns.  They are so much rounder and more robust than 2 ply.  I also love how they “average” together to make a more even yarn.  I have 2 skeins of this yarn weighing in at just over 8 ounces.  They are going to make very warm holiday gifts!

Spinning time for Stage 12, day 14… maybe about 2.5 hours. I spun a bit earlier today before dinner. When J was in VT, she discovered a new show that she likes called Bones, so I decided to watch one to see what it was all about. I also spun (and plied) tonight while watching the Tour de France. {Go Andy! You can do it!!!! I hope he kicks some butt tomorrow!}

I am thinking… about what I’m going to spin next.  Possible some merino. I’m in the mood for something bouncy.

I am thankful for… a nice evening in my house which included happiness and game playing

From the learning rooms… J has to read The Prince and write a paper on it for her summer homework. We are going to have to find some strategies for this as this doesn’t really seem like a pre-freshman level book.

From the kitchen...  hummmm…. Still not much brewing there – just a normal dinner of grilled chicken, salad, and a pasta side.

I am wearing… pjs

I am reading… I took Chat by Archer Mayor home from the library today.  I’m going to give it a good try.  I didn’t make it through the Lisa Scottaline book, but maybe this will be better.

I am hoping... K is having a good time at Field Hockey camp

I am hearing… the nighttime bugs out my window

Around the house… I think someone is listening to a book on CD rather loudly – probably B and Breaking Dawn.

One of my favorite things… Nissan Leaf.  Okay – I really don’t know, but I think it would be my favorite thing if I had one.  I do think the commercial is my favorite Tour de France commercial though.

From my garden… our garlic harvest

This is my fourth summer blogging so if you have been reading for a while, you may recall that gardening in my yard has broken my heart many, many times (like here).  Last fall we decided to try something new, and we planted 138 garlic cloves.  Today, we harvested 80 garlic bulbs (5 different varieties).  That is a 57% success rate.  Compared to last year’s tomato crop which had a .0001% success rate, we are a million percent better at growing garlic than tomatoes!

Today, the Tour de France went up to the mountains. We did the same, but then went to the river…

Outside my window… currently dark and a bit cooler

I am spinning for the Tour de Fleece… I did some spindling in the river with my sister today.  We used her camera so no photos yet but I hope to have some for tomorrow. It was a beautiful day in Vermont – I bet it must have been 10 degrees cooler than Connecticut.  The water in the river seemed almost hot.  It was so strange – I don’t think I ever remember thinking of any water in Vermont as warm.  Besides spindling, we picnicked,  shifted through stones looking for Jadeite, and just floated around.  It was lovely.

Spinning time for Stage 13, day 15… About 1 hour – maybe half an hour at the river and half an hour spinning Chaya while watching the Tour after we returned home.

Something I never thought I would do… post a photo of myself wearing a bathing suit on the internet!

I am thinking… If I hadn’t slept through Massachusetts both ways, I would probably not be wide awake right now at 11:20 p.m.

I am thankful for… my Sister and BIL

From the kitchen… quiet again though we did have an awesome pasta salad at my sister’s

I am wearing… denim mini (again, I know – it is very comfy) and blue striped top

I am going… I had to check my Outlook for this one as I haven’t printed our weekly schedule yet.  It doesn’t look like I’m going anywhere this week except to a field hockey tournament on Friday night.

I am reading… haven’t really started a new book yet.  I’m thinking of maybe picking up an Archer Mayor at the library tomorrow to see what he is all about.  Well, I know he is about crime, but I guess, more to see if it is something that I would like to read.

I am hoping… that the girls will be helpful around the house this week

I am hearing...  just the tail end of the primetime Tour de France on in the other room.  Yeah – I know!  Me, who is so unsportsy actually still watching after 14 stages!

Around the house… quiet – everyone is in bed and K at field hockey camp

One of my favorite things… hanging out in the West River

A few plans for the rest of the week… like I said above, this appears to be a quiet week here except for field hockey.  The is one week left with the Tour and then we have our summer vacation week.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing… (and if your thought is, “Are they doing the Charlie’s Angels pose with drop spindles?” then yes, you would be correct!)

Outside my window... Today, for the first time in months, I can truly see out my window for it is clean. The world is quite lovely and the sky alternately darkens and lightens this evening as the edges of storms blow by.

I am spinning for the Tour de Fleece...

8 ounces of Chaya.  I’m going to spin 3 bobbins full for a 3 ply heavy worsted weight for some potential holiday gifts this winter.  It is so hot today,  I can’t even remember what cold feels like. I just know that when it is cold, I can’t remember what hot feels like.

Spinning time for Stage 13, day 15… about 2 hours.  A bit in the  morning while watching the end of the Stage 13 and a bit later in the day on the driveway.

I am thinking… how excited I am to go to Vermont tomorrow even if it is just for the day.

I am thankful for… leftover chocolate bars from s’mores

From the kitchen… still too hot for any real cooking – sandwiches for lunch and tacos for dinner

I am wearing… shorts and tank

I am going… with Dave and B to get J in Vermont tomorrow.  We are going to have a picnic lunch by the river.  I’m anticipating an awesome day!

I am reading… I just finished A Gate at the Stairs.  I know, it took a while, but I do like this book.  I found myself liking most of the characters and the insights of the main character (her views on religion especially).  It is a strange mix of sweet and sour.  There are some incredibly sad things that happen, but yet you don’t feel sad all the way. At the end I had  a tear in my eye, but yet a smile too.

I am hearing… Dave and B watching a movie in the basement (They are AC fans and that is where ours lives.)

Around the house… Quiet except for the movie and this fly circling my head!  I wish it would go away! Dave brought K to field hockey camp today.  It is only for a few brief days, but it is intense.  Last year so many girls from her school went that they had their own team, this year it is just her and one other girl so it will be quite a different experience.  K likes to meet new people  so she should be fine.

One of my favorite things… Beer o’clock.  Yeah – I talk about it a lot on Facebook, but I don’t think I’ve mentioned it here yet.  Beer o’clock is usually Friday evening after Dave gets home from work and it is just a nice way to start the weekend.  We were too busy for it last night so tonight we pulled our chairs and our beers (and me, my wheel) out on the driveway and just talked.   We pretend we have a porch and wonder what it would be like to live in a real neighborhood and see people walk by our house and greet us as they walk by.  (Yeah, is that pathetic? I’m sure that we idealize neighborhoods quite a bit!)

A few plans for the rest of the week… I’m just wondering when the heck the next Tour rest day is!!!

(Format for this blog post is from The Simple Woman’s Daybook.)

Outside my window… Hot, humid, slight breeze

I am spinning for the Tour de Fleece…

This is 60% merino/30% bamboo (rayon from bamboo)/10% nylon blend roving (aka Panda Top) in a blacks and browns.  I have a plan for this color and yarn to be. I do so love spinning this blend too.  I’m trying to make a heavy worsted yarn so it will probably be a 3-ply.

Spinning time for Stage 12, day 14… about 3 hours throughout the day some watching True Blood and some the live version of Tour de France

I am thinking… I wish I had central air and sleep where I don’t wake up feeling like a freaking super highway ran over me in the middle of the night would be nice.

I am thankful for… the slight breeze?

From the kitchen… very quiet – too hot to cook

I am wearing… plaid shorts and light green top, but I think I will change for later

I am creating… more yarn!

I am going… to bring B to see fireworks tonight

I am reading… I’m still reading The Gate at the Stairs, but I’m progressing!  I brought my mom to a Doctor’s appointment today (She is fine, cataract surgery.) and actually hit a more exciting part of the book. Sad, but a bit faster paced though it is has already slowed again.

I am hoping… for the weather to break (yeah, there is a theme here).  I’m trying to store up the essence of these summer days for later when it is cold and dreary but I would like to be able to walk through my house without sticking to the floor and sit without sticking to the chairs.

I am hearing… B coughing.  She came home from camp with a cough that just keeps lingering.

Around the house… Quiet except for the coughing. J is still in VT, and Dave and K are at field hockey practice.

One of my favorite things… day lilies

Hey – one of these is not the like the other.  Can you see which one?  Click here for close up.

Outside my window… me actually.  I’m sitting on my deck writing this as it is actually nice out with a slight breeze which I hope will keep the bugs away.

I am spinning for the Tour de Fleece… I’m working on my second bobbin of Organic 74’s in the yet unnamed color of light red/brown/white

Spinning time for Stage 11, day 13…about 2 hours throughout the day

I am thinking… poor Snickerdoodle, he doesn’t like it when I’m outside

I am thankful for… lower humidity this evening

From the learning rooms… I learned what “hubris” means today. K taught me. We were sitting in the “dining room.”

From the kitchen… quiet today.  No one home for dinner so I had hummus and crackers and Dave had a leftover pizza bagel.

I am wearing… denim mini, navy top

I am creating… or rather, recreating, Olive Orchard for a special order.  I hope it comes out.  I have a different brand of Navy dye.

I am going… to pick B up from her girl friends house right after I finish this

I am reading… the Eddie Bauer catalog

I am hoping… for my headache to go away. Today was one of those days where I woke up feeling like I had been drinking wine the night before, but had not (I know, what a waste!) and my headache was not helped when K decided to wear an entire bottle of Hollisteresque perfume before I had to drive her to the library.

I am hearing… hummingbirds buzzing by my head.

Around the house… Dave is home with K now (they just walked in the door), J is in VT, and B is at bff’s house

One of my favorite things… coffee

A few plans for the rest of the week… fireworks Friday night, hopefully knitting group on Saturday, and picking up J in VT on Sunday

Outside my window… Dark, dark, and damp

I am spinning for the Tour de Fleece…

74’s Organic Wool – This is part of the Spincerely Naturals line (okay, well, so far, the only part) and since it is still so new, I thought I would take it for a test drive for some more “R&D” and see how it likes to spin.   The color is new too and still nameless.  It is a light cherry, white, and coffee brown – I guess a lot like what some people call Neapolitan but the pink is a bit too red and that name is a bit overused anyway.

Spinning time for Stage 10, day 12… about 2.5 hours – a little this morning and more this evening

Today is special in the Tour because… For the French with the Tour de France it is Bastille Day and for me with my Tour de Fleece it is my Etsiversary!  3 years ago today, I sold my first hand-dyed roving!

I am thankful for… Peppermint Patties. Yum!

From the kitchen... quiet today.  Only K was home for dinner and I think she made guacamole.  B came to work with me, and Dave dropped J off with The Ladee of the Sunshine today.

Today I… took B to see Eclipse.  We liked it. I was gory, but it could have been worse.  Vampires tend to turn to stone when they die rather than bleed all over the place and they don’t look so scary when they just look like a toppled and cracked statue.  I had heard that Team Emmet is growing since this movie, but I just don’t see it.  Emmet still equals “ew” to me.  Jasper was cute in this one.  He had a much better part than just walking around looking constipated all the time.  I think that just as with the books Twilight is my favorite, I think the Twilight movie is till my favorite.  I know – low budget and all that, but I love it for its campy-ness and unintended humor.

I am wearing… brown capris and a green and brown mottled top

I am creating… still yarn

I am watching... once again the prime time version of the Tour de Fleece.  We discovered today that the live version and prime time version have different commentary

I am reading… same book still… starting to feel like I will never finish it

I am hoping… to get a lot of dyeing done tomorrow and that the sun will be out and strong

I am hearing… the Tour riders reflect back upon their day

Around the house… quiet though K seems to be watching something in the basement.

One of my favorite things… Snickerdoodle. He is very cute. And busy.  He is chasing something that is invisible to me.

Here are a couple of pictures I am sharing…

Format by The Simple Woman’s Daybook

Outside my window… dark and rainy

I am spinning for Tour de Fleece...

Spinning time for Stage 9, day 11… about 2 hours. I fell to the back of the peloton. Grrrr!!!!!

I am thinking… marketing really works on me. I SO want a Nissan Leaf!

From the kitchen... tonight we had a  pork tenderloin with salad, pasta, and veggies for dinner. Now all is quiet.  Oh wait, K and her friend are not out there banging around. Perhaps cereal?  I’m scared to go look.

I am wearing… shorts and a light weight v-neck T

I am going… to bed very, very soon

I am watching… the primetime edition of Stage 9 of the Tour de France.  Some of the spectators are truly crazy and one of the riders just accepted a water bottle from a “fan.” Seems a little risky to me.

I am hoping… for less humidity tomorrow. I’m tired of the frizzed out bangs look.

I am hearing… Tour de France commercials.  All these commercials are so geared to men.  High fat food, energy drinks, batteries, motor oil…  I guess they don’t know about the Tour de Fleece audience demographic watching out here!

Around the house… a bit sticky due to humidity

One of my favorite things… I thought of an excellent favorite thing while I was spinning. What it was?  I have no clue anymore.

A few plans for the rest of the week… J is going to VT to be with Ladee Sunshine.  I am so going to miss her!  Maybe fireworks with B Friday night.  Need to catch up with my Etsy shop too.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing…

Yeah,  milk fiber FAIL in such a big way. Now you know why I say Grrrrrr!!!!