Well, hello there!

Long time no blog. :)
So, last I was here it was May of 2010.  I actually thought of abandoning ship. But seriously, what good captain would do that?

I didn't go overboard to have more fun elsewhere, it was much like my last posts indicated, a lot of sitting and watching life go by.  I did a lot of doing everything to keep my head above water---just to keep from drowning.

Recently, the waters have begun to calm.  Not all of them, who could be so lucky!

Oh, on second thought, that would be boring really, wouldn't it?   ;)

There have been adventures, I've been able to move from the commie condo, my dearest pup has passed.  There is too much to tell so onward we shall move.  The past will catch up with us.  It always does.

: )

pit zips

Yes, I am here today to discuss the sense in pit zips. If you are not familiar with the aforementioned, absolutely brilliant invention, let me enlighten you. A "pit zip" is just that--zippers in the armpits of a coat.

Now, many technical outfitters include this splendid edition in their expensive specialty coats. I, however, am here to petition all coat makers everywhere to incorporate these little wonders in all outerwear!!!

As I've been afoot in recent weeks I've noticed how much I miss my pit zips. Well, I could put on my Early Winters coat with pit zips...and I have. It would be nice if, when I decided to walk to the theatre, I could throw on my felted trench coat without worry of overheating--knowing these little zips were there for me. Alas, they are not. Neither are they in my furry brown coat (a tribute to Hagrid in all it's fashion), nor in my corduroy coat to wear with jeans. No, if I choose any of these cozy and cute pieces I know that I will be faced with the choice of sweating up a storm or opening up the front.

Seriously, all I'm asking for are two measly little zipper additions to every coat. I know there must be a way to accommodate my request fashionably without great increase in price.

Please, please, please...how I want to wander the streets, cozy in my coat rather than being faced with only two options--overheat or risk catching a chill.

hmph. I feel better.

warm

Today was filled with shopping for yummy Thanksgiving foods, filling the pantry and chillin' out a bit.

While I was out I decided to buysome of these new fangled all natural logs. They say that they are cleaner burning, yadda-yadda-yadda... I really like being able to put a log on and sit down to take care of things sitting by a fire. I also like not having to clean out the fireplace every other day. :) I must say that this new log was very nice. I decided to share a photo of my lovely fire.

Hope all of you are enjoying life a bit today as well!

Fascinated with Fungus!

For almost a week (or two) there were all these brilliant mushrooms growing all around my place. The weather has been unusually mild for this time of year as well as quite damp. I'm not sure if that is why, but I don't remember mushrooms in these numbers in years previous.

I took photos of the ones I found most interesting...the biggest one...the ones growing in the oddest soil or manner. These particular ones I found to just be rather cute. The are all huddled there together like a Smurf Condo.

Anyway. November is almost over...then back to a few posts a week. I do wish I knew what mushrooms were poinson and which were edible. It would be fun to go searching for some good ones!

Random Oddity

So, I was at Value Village the other day (it's equivalent is Savers) checking things out. I never have any luck there finding wearables or kitchen items...but I did stumble upon the book section :)

As I was perusing I picked up a Tony Hillerman novel I haven't read and a Fondue cookbook from 1970 and a Depression Era Recipes cookbook--very cool! I continued to meander through the titles and I stumbled upon the travel section. There was this book about the top small towns in the United States--I think the top 50 town.

This is what I found:

Weird.

I must say it is quite interesting to read what others say about the town in which I was raised. As I read the bit about my town...I suddenly felt compelled to visit the town museum. (Interesting museum note: For the longest time the only building in town with an elevator--great fun as a grade-schooler.) This book made 'my town' sound like somewhere folks would want to visit--oh, wait, people do visit. Probably the key to the economy for as long as I can remember: tourism. Funny how I lived my life there just waiting to get out...

Anyway...I find it interesting the things that pop up in the most random places...giving a bit of perspective.

country folk

I took these shots while I was down in Fall City at the farm. This first little guy did not want his photo taken. This was the best I could get. I'm not a big fan of birds...

This one reminded me of my friend Lisa's kitchen decor. Well, at least her apartment kitchen decor, I'm not sure if she still has roosters in her new kitchen. I live quite far away now.




There were also these calves eating this mushy stuff from a pile on the ground. It didn't smell bad, but it looked sort of regurgitated. I don't think it was.

I'm not really a big fan of cows either, but they were there. Sister Cole collected cows forever! I think she has more cows than anyone I know. I don't buy her cows anymore. I'm not sure if she still fancies them or not...I haven't thought to ask.

Lees, Cole...you guys are welcome to weigh in here with my random farm animal post written to help me keep up this November.
: )