UP TO MY ELBOWS!

In tomatoes, that is!  This is about one forth of the harvest of red tomatoes from Saturday last week.

There are also yellow tomatoes.  I love the yellow ones.  They are so sweet and juicy.

 The tomatoes in the bowl on the left are cherry tomatoes.  We estimate that we had about 500 of those.  Very small but did they pack a flavor!  The best we have ever had and, of course, the label got thrown away so we don't know what variety they are so we can plant the same next season.

Some really nice eggplants.  Since I can only eat so many veggies I googled eggplants and found that I could freeze these.  It is very simple.  Peel the eggplant and cut into thick slices.  Blanch in lemon water for no more than 4 minutes, cool and freeze.  I am hoping to make some eggplant casseroles this winter and some eggplant fritters.

In this pot is tomato sauce.  I took many of the cherry tomatoes and put them in the food processor.  I did not puree them but left some small chuncks since I wanted the  sauce to have some texture.  I added chopped onion and green pepper.  I spiced the sauce with bay leaf, oregano, and fresh basil.  I let it simmer for about half an hour.  I ended up with 4 containers of sauce.  I froze three of them and kept the 1 out to try.

To this container of sauce I added, garlic and garlic oil, some more fresh basil and about a dozen shrimp.  I heated it just long enough for the shrimp to cook and I served it over spaghetti.  It was yummy!  It makes me know that I can add many things to this basic sauce and have many different meals.  One of the nicest things about the sauce is that by using the processor you can not even tell that the skins were left on the tomato, after all, that is where a lot of the flavor is.

Now I have time to go back to my hooking!!!!!  Have a wonderful week everyone.

Doris

. .FRUSTRATION AND A TRIP . . . . . . . . .

Frustration has been the word of the past few weeks.  During the time that I was not posting Mr. Blog decided to update how you blog.  Oh my goodness, all of these changes for an old lady make for smoke rolling out of the ears.  Richard finally figured out how to get the picture on and so I am now going to try to update.

I took a trip to Grant Street Woolworks several weeks ago.  I did not take pictures of rugs.  Kathy (woolfind) always does a good job of that.  Instead I chose to "Take the Road Less Traveled" to Chambersburg.  I wandered up Maryland Route 11 instead of taking interstate 81.  It is a lovely senic drive and probably only takes 10-15 minutes longer and no trailer-tractors to contend with.

This is one of the lovelist stone houses on the way.  In the spring and summer it is doubly beautiful because the occupants have planted the whole property in the English garden style with climbing roses all along the fence.

 This is the new building, just finished, at the Hagerstown Regional Airport.  It is a very large airport for the town size but occasionaly Air Force One land there.

I love old barna!  This is a really nice one.  This farmer raises goats and the pasture is full of them.  They are really interesting.

 This is one of the older homes on the route.  Very picturesque and so peaceful looking.

Crazy lopsided picture taken out of the side window.  It really is hard to take good pictures when driving.  Look at the "Gingerbread on the porch.

This is the airport again.  A mistake to have it on twice but I can't figure how to get rid of it!

A beautiful day with soft puffy clouds floating the the sky.  When I was a kid I loved to look at the faces, the animals, and the castles in the clouds.  These looked like big marshmellows and some looked like cotton candy.

There are lots more interesting barns and houses on this route but no place to pull off of the road to take pictures.  I do enjoy the ride.

In addition to that, I have been elbow deep in tomatoes.  More about that later.  Also I have started a new hooking project.  When I run into a problem while hooking my rule of thumb is to take the piece off of the stand and let it rest for a week.  Usually at the end of that time the piece tells me what it needs.  Of course, I cannot a week without hooking!  Sooooooo, instead of working on one of the many "already started" pieces, of course, I started on new design.  More on this in the next post.

In the meantime, Joan, Richard and I visited our favorite Mexican Resturant last Saturday and after Richard is finished mowing today we will venture out for another luncheon in one of our favorite places.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.  The weather today is perfect!

Doris

A MAGICAL DAY . . . . . . .

I am very late in posting this blog. Hope you will all forgive me. This weather has made a slug of me! Just don't want to do anything. The "magical day" was last Friday. The weather was glorious. Beautiful blue sky with white puffy clouds floating on a slight breeze and no humidity! So unusual for July. It was also the day of the release of the new Harry Potter movie.
Yes, this is my ticket. So glad we ordered them on line. No standing in line at the theater. We went to see this film on Friday afternoon - the 4 o'clock showing. In attendance were my daughter Joan, her son Richard and his wife Sheri, their daughter Danyel and her special friend. Ages 21 to 80 something!

As I sat there watching the previews of coming movies I had the following thoughts:
(1) I would not pay good money to see anything they were touting!
(2) I could not believe how few children were in the seats and how many over 50 were seated. You would think with school out and an afternoon showing that the seats would all be filled with the young.
(3) As I looked at my family all sitting together I suddenly realized that we had four generations ready to watch Harry Potter. I wondered how many other families could say they had four generations watching Harry?
(4) I thought about my father whose name was Harry and remembered an old song that my mother used to sing - "I'm just wild about Harry and Harry's wild about me."

As we came out of the show my thoughts were that the Disney studio did a fantastic job on the special effects in this film. The film did not go as deeply into the story as previous films did but it was wonderful in its own way. It was fun to see Harry, Ron and Hermoine all grown up. I really enjoyed it and am glad that I had the opportunity to go.

And now I guess it's time to grow up!

The other magical thing of the day was my daylilly garden. When I went out to get in the car this is what I saw -

This garden is about 35 or 40 feet long and all of the lillies were in full bloom. It was a sight to behold. This bed is along the edge of the property and faces the street. Several cars just stopped cold in the street to look. It was really beautiful.

Perhaps this will give you an idea of the size.

A little closer look.

This lilly is called Chicago Apache. It is my favorite. A very beautiful red with some orange. Really hot looking!

A lovely yellow and beige ruffled lilly.

The sun setting thru the trees on the West side of the front yard. The end of a truly magical day.

I hope that everyone is keeping as cool as possible. Please take care of yourself in the terrible heat. I want everyone to stay well. Have a wonderful weekend.

Doris

THRU MY EYES - - - - -

Hello all of my blog friends. It's me again. I'm talking about last Thursday. My mom left me all day! Can you imagine that? When she decided to take the summer off, that is not teach or go to many hook-ins, I was one happy pup. She has been home with me most of the time and that means lots of attention and extra belly rubs! Geesh! on Thursday she left home just after 9 in the morning and went to the doctors. I understand that so I didn't mind that she was only gone about 2 hours. However, I knew that something was up when she didn't take her shoes off when she came in. She never wears shoes in the house.

***********************************

The next thing I knew she was going again. Seems as tho a lady blogger that she talks with was coming to the Grant Street Woolworks all of the way from OHIO. Yes, Lauren of Rugs and Pugs came for a 1 day visit. Her friend Mary was with her. Mary is not interested in hooking but is an avid antique collector. I heard mom on the phone telling someone that she wished she had spent more time talking to Mary since mom is a collector of antiques also. Mom was so pleased to meet Lauren. She and I have been interested in Lauren's work with the Pug Rescue Group. We both fell in love with Eema when she fostered her.

Lauren also came bearing gifts. What a lovely surprise.

A wonderful smelling candle in a lovely ceramic container, a "spoon" pendant with the words, rug hooker and PUPPY COOKIES. Boy, Miss Lauren sure knows how to win a girls heart.

Did you ever see such cute cookies? Not only cute, but taste awfully good and have a lovely enticing smell. I heard mom tell somebody that these cookies were "eye candy" for pet owners. Thank you Miss Lauren, for your thoughtfulness. I really love them. I have hidden one under the chair in the living room. Shhhhh, mom does'nt know,

Left to right - Joanne and Lauren. Don't know who that is also snapping a picture.

Joanne and Linda watching some antics that were going on in the shop.

Mary, Lauren and Kathy color planning Lauren's new project.

*********************************

As I started out telling you, she left me all day - didn't get home until after 6pm. Mom knows that I always eat about 5.

I showed her just how unhappy I was by turning my back on her. I just ignored everything she said.

No, I don't want to come in. I'll eat when I get ready and not before!!!!! Maybe I won't eat at all.

When mom went into the hooking room to put her things away I did make a gold star on my place. Even I couldn't resist macaroni and cheese with broiled chicken breast.

Well, Thursday was a very interesting day. I do hope that Miss Lauren and her friend Mary can come back again before to long. I'm happy to report that mom has stayed home the last 3 days so I am a happy camper again. As you can see this is a very long blog so I am tired and have to rest now.

Mom and I hope that all of you have a wonderful 4th of July. Do be careful with the fire works.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA

Eloise

THIS AND THAT - - - - -

I am going to try to do a little catching up. When you live a quiet life you often feel that you have nothing to say. I have let a few things accumulate. First, my Stargazer Lilies are in bloom! They are so beautiful this year. I planted than 3 years ago and now they are at their peak

Richard was here on Saturday and was mowing and pulling weeds. The only thing that grows when it doesn't rain is weeds. We seem to have more than our fair share.

This yellow lily is a real beauty. There are red, orange and some two color ones. A deep magenta is growning in the garden at the house but not in the group that I took a photo of.

This white one is a real beauty!

******************************

A week ago on Saturday our whole family (a very small group!) met at Gilligans Seafood House on Pope's creek for a crab feast. On my, is there anything better in the summer in Maryland than it's crabs??? Needless to say we ordered the "all you can eat crabs" and the all you can eat shrimp.
Look at these beauties! What a wonderful day we had. My daughter Joan and Richard and his family live near me but my two granddaughters (Richard's sister's) live in southern Maryland. This is somewhat over a 2 hours drive and since everyone works, we don't get together as often as we like. For this crab feast the girls were there with their significant others and Richard's wife Sheri took the day off and joined us. It was wonderful for all of us to be together.

The shrimp are large, plump, and succulent, served with Old Bay seasoning and melted butter. Oh my, so good! In addition, Gilligans is on the beach and boats from across the bay come over on Saturday's and Sunday to enjoy the food and company. At night there is a band and dancing in the sand. There is nothing better in Maryland during the summer than it's crabs, corn on the cob and home grown tomatoes!

***************************

I'm sorry to say that "Blogger" still hates me. It won't let me leave comments on any blogs so I do want to comment on a few things:

Kim - I'm so glad your braces are off. Hope you will buy yourself some delicious chewy taffee or caramels! Please give Mom and Auntie my love and regards.(I love the "Golden Girls")

****************************

Lauren - Thanks for the update on Eema. I know that your visit to her must have been sweet and sad at the same time. Keep 'em flying!

*******************************

Pamela - Summer colds are the worst kind. I'm so glad Edward is keeping you company. Keep your spirits up and the Kleenex coming.

**********************************

Joanne - So glad your eyes are better. Sorry that I have not been able to get to Cburg but hope to get there and see you soon. Give Jonsey a hug for me.

***********************************

Kathy - Congratulations on your daughter's graduation. I know you must be very proud of her. Her prom gown was lovely! Hope to see you soon.

*************************************

Cathy G - I have been missing update's on your hooking class. Please let us know how the ladies are doing - or have you stopped for the summer?

***********************************

For myself, I have decided to take the summer off. I have not been going to a lot of hook-ins or doing much traveling. Seems most of my traveling is to the Doctors but I hope that my health will soon be better. I am not holding regular classes during the balance of June, July or August. I am available and my students know to call me for a private lesson. Eloise continues to be her happy self, taking many sun baths on the deck and barking at all of the dogs in the neighborhood. I hope that all of you are having a great summer. Enjoy the beauty of the season and stay safe!

Doris

FAVORITE THINGS - PART 2
WAFFLES - - - -

One of my favorite things is sourdough waffles. I make these on a regular basis and store them in the freezer so that they are always available. I find that they are good breakfast, lunch and dinner. Oh, so easy to make, oh, so delicious, and oh so good for you. Try using them as a bread for a ham sandwich or with a scoop of ice cream between two of them.


This is the sourdough starter pot that I keep in the fridge. I also keep a cup of sourdough in the freezer in case the starter in the fridge goes bad or gets to "liquory." I try to keep half of the "liquor" poured off each time I use the sourdough. Did you know that this "liquor" is what the 49er's drank to give than that "high kick?" It can get powerful!

This is what the batter looks like. As you can see I have already used a good bit of it. The batter is usually very thick depending on how thick your sourdough is. If you perfer to make pancakes instead of waffles, just add a bit more liquid.

My waffle iron is an inexpensive one from WalMart but makes 2 good size waffles and works like a little gem. This need not be an expensive item. I like this one because it clicks when the waffles are done.

This is the finished product. The receipe makes 18 to 20 waffles.
This is a good way to spend an hour or so stocking the freezer so that this delightful food is available at the drop of my hat.

Recipe:

1 Cup milk*

3 large eggs - Beat milk and eggs together.

Add: 2 Cups sourdough starter

1 3/4 Cup flour

2 tsp bakiing powder

1 tsp. soda

1 1/2 tsp salt

1/4 Cup sugar

1/4 cup melted butter.

Stir all ingredients until well mixed. Let stand while the waffle iron is heating. My waffle iron takes 1/3 Cup per waffle.

* I often use fruit juice for part of the liquid, i.e. lemon or orange, makes wonderful tasting waffles. If you perfer to make pancakes, just add a bit more liquid to make batter a bit thinner.

Enjoy!

Doris

Pictorial Update - - - -

I think the "Mojo" is back! The hooking Mojo, that is. I am not a moody person but I have "leisure time" moods. For instance, in my free time my mood may be to read, hook, or perhaps play games on the computer but I don't do them all at the same time. I have just come off of a reading jag and now I am hooking again. So I thought it was time to update the large pictorial. Hope you like what I am doing. I still have much to do.

An overall view. This piece is just a bit larger than 3 x 5. So still a lot to do.

Some of the items in the wagon. I love this chicken

I knew the mojo was back when I decided to tackle the horse and I am pleased with him.

The pigs and sheep are finished as well as all of the chickens and the cow.

The barn complex.

The very large tree and some of the sky. I have used 4 different colors in the sky. Unfortunately they don't show up in the picture.

I thought you would like to see the "cock of the walk."

Overall view. As you can see, I have started to put a "frame" on this pictorial. Just by itself, the frame is a lot of hooking. This whole project is being done primarily with a number 3 cut altho I have done some faces with a 2. I am hopeing to have it finished by the end of summer. That is, if the air conditioning holds out!!!!

***********************************

I still am unable to leave comments on you blogs. Please believe me, I read them everyday. I do this as I have my coffee. I like starting the day with my friends. I hope everyone had a pleasant holiday and is doing well in this very hot spell we are experiencing. Until next time, Eloise and I wish you a happy day.

Doris