Just Cuz I Can't Sleep

So I was sifting and sorting through iPhoto and decided to post these pictures from the Lake Lure trip. Most are from hikes we took around the Lake Lure area or along the Blue Ridge Parkway. And there's one of the Prius we upgraded to, which was kinda fun. Happy viewing!

Merry Christmas!

Look! It's a Purple Perky Potholder Scarf!

I'm not sure I'll make any more of these, but I'm relatively pleased with the outcome. I think these squares would make a better blanket or throw. Which I need right now so I can take a nap and wake up without a cold. Sniiiiiffff.

Ausgezeichnet!

I was delighted to learn I got an A in my German class, thus upholding my 4.0 status. Ach du lieber!

Looks Like a Pixar Character

Lenore's safety and health gig with the FAA has her occasionally traveling to exotic places like Fargo, ND and Cleveland, OH. Her latest expedition to Evansville, IN involved brief tours of their airport facilities so she could inspect things like lighting, wiring, etc. Safety first! Many of these locations are tiny airports out in the middle of nowhere. Here's a photo from one of her inspections that made me laugh. Her account read as follows:

"Steve and I drove 1.5 hours to inspect this lighting system on an airport that gets about one plane landing each week. The houses around it were really nice. It look as though, if animated, it could be a Pixar character. I found no infractions on this 2 foot site. We did find dry rotted cables and a light out at other facilities."

Then Laura got ahold of the photo...

"Hey, where are you going?"

Ta Daaaa!

My new shed is DONE!
Photo by Lenore, who was nice enough to go over and snap the picture before it got dark. I leave in the dark and get home in the dark, so it's been kind of hard to document the progress! Now I just have to get the depreciation holdback on the old shed from the insurance company. It is a considerable sum and I was promised it would be sent once the shed was done and the final bill submitted. Would anyone like to hold their breath for me?

I tried to take pictures of the various stages...as you can see, I kind of forgot to take a few during the initial framing!

Mmmmm...

Apparently Hoops cannot be left alone with the Christmas cookies. Julie brought us a lovely assortment of cookies, and Hoops was very interested in sampling them. It was just luck that I caught her licking her chops!

Dainty...Dysfunctional...Delightful...

Need a little help deciding on a suitable name for the new doily line that's taking over here at PPHeadquarters. As you can see, quality control is a little lax. Sure, she looks attentive, but all she's really interested in is when her own personal afghan is going to be done.





(It's gonna be awhile! But at least I figured out a way to weave them together...sort of)

We Have Winners!

Perky Potholder Pet Photo winners have been thrilled to get their Perky Potholder prizes. The coy Lovey won third place (human servant Merri), second place went to Air Cody (human servant Donna),
and first place went to Poor Little Boo (human servant Jesse). Thanks to the distinguished judges and to all who took the time to send photos, they were all fun!

Here are more shots of the Xmas color schemed potholders.



And one doily for good measure...

I'll Tell You Who Won For A Snausage!

Tai's got the inside scoop on who won the Perky Potholder Pet Photo contest...
Results to be posted soon! (thanks for the photo, Lynda!)

More Entries

Willow has no use for such frivolous contests, as she's busy asserting her dominance over the car. However, since her human sent the photo, it shall become an entry! Human servant: Lynda


This is Air Cody practicing his moves on the court. Photo by Brian. Human servant: Donna


Mitzi was caught red handed...er...pawed trying to sample someone's drink. Photo by Donna. Human servant: Amanda


This will be a picture of Adi practicing waiting for Santa on Xmas eve as soon as we overcome some technical difficulties! Human servant: Becky

Laura and Joe sent this entry of all their maintenance-free pets. They're very quiet and don't eat much.

White Elephant = Pink Camel

One of my co workers has taken the concept of "white elephant gift" to a staggering new level. This is what I got at our employee Xmas party. I was as impressed as I was repulsed by this most bizarre camel sculpture.



Actually, given it's color and shape, I thought it was something very naughty when I first ripped the paper away. I surreptitiously "donated" it to the facility's plant population as I was leaving. I think it will make guests feel welcome and perhaps cut back on their drinking.

Perky Pets Prove Quite Pleasing!

We got an admirable response to the Perky Pet Photo contest -- thanks to all who entered! I'm going to post entry photos now, even though the deadline is tomorrow. My panel of judges is poised to tally their scores on Friday, so stay tuned for results next week. Just remember, no matter who loses, everybody's a winner. Kind of like in T-ball.

Lovey, a.k.a. Love Dove, was feeling particularly coy during her photo shoot. Nevertheless, she's quick to point out, "The camera loves me." Human servant: Merri



I can't be sure, but I think Xena is cleverly trying to score points by posing with her collection of potholders (which she stole from Lenore, not that we're judging moral character here). Human servant: Lenore


Poor little Boo (short for Bughatti) thought he was being punished. He didn't know why, only that he was being forced to wear a bow. Human servant: Jesse


This is Mittens. She is practicing her look of disdain. Her human bought a new camera for the occasion, and she feels she is worth every penny. Human servants: Dave and Kathy


Edvard: "Hey dad, can we go to the park?! Can we? Huh, Huh? Can we? Can we?" Edvard says his feet are particularly suited for going down the slide. Or maybe it was William who wanted to go and Edvard was along for the ride? Human servants: Austin and William


Casey is now a Colorado dog and feels the mountain air agrees with him. "I'm taking ski lessons from a hot St. Bernard!" Human servant: Kris


This computer-savvy cat is waiting for a turn at the keyboard. "C'mon, I've got ebay auctions to monitor!" Human servant: Zita


There you have it! Thanks again for playing. If I get any entries tomorrow, I'll post them, but let the contest officially begin!

Winners will receive a designer-original potholder, plus first place gets an extra surprise prize. The suspense is palpable, isn't it?!

Snow Day!

School was closed today due to the icy weather, so Hoops and I took full advantage of the opportunity to sleep late and putz around the house. I made muffins, carrot colored pasta (pictured above), soup (with the noodles), and finished my German final. And I got a big box of clothing donations packed up forAmvets. I wish time would fly by this fast when I'm at work.

There have been some exciting developments on the potholder front. I went to the little knitting store in town and bought some delicious yarn with which to weave some squares. The lady was very intrigued by my plans. Or she was just humoring me. The thicker yarn makes for a less doily-like outcome. Instead I have afghans for all the mice that seem to think they belong here.





It becomes more and more obvious that I would never make it in the Amish world, but I'm still pleased with my yarn squares. I think my mom will be able to figure out a way to sew them together. So then I'll have even BIGGER squares. Lynda has suggested branching out with a Delightful Doily line. It is a distinct possibility. And the weaving part is oddly satisfying.



I've received a couple more pet photos -- it's not too late to enter! You have until Friday to send your entry. With the prospect of winning a mouse afghan before you, how can you wait any longer?!