Almost 1-1-11

I just thought this was a cool snowglobe.

Due to some changes and other stuff going on in my life, I was going to scrap this blog altogether. But then what would my three loyal readers do with all their spare time? So, in keeping with the (soon to be) new year, I'm following in the footsteps of Madonna and Cher and reinventing the blog, complete with a one-word name and a facelift. The rest...well, that'll pretty much stay the same. There'll still be potholder reports, the occasional lame-ass contest, and narcissistic updates on what's happening in the life and times of yours truly. In other words, I've left my diary open ... again.

So first up is a potholder report, because there was a record-setting flurry of weaving going on, and the results were stunning. Not all were captured on film...er...electrons (?), but trust me, they were awesome.



Someone, who shall remain nameless because she hasn't signed a waiver, was very excited about creating this lovely potholder. It's possible the student has surpassed the teacher. The rest of the proof was, unfortunately, not documented. Yet.







Christmas potholders for June (not the colors, just the fact that they are for Christmas -- the colors are for her house...just so we're clear.)



I can also report that Library Springs still offers a great winter walk, though I think possibly the little tree that the Township planted for me has been eaten by deer. I can't find it anywhere.



Last but certainly not least, sweet dreams and happy trails to sweet little Xena, who left us earlier in the month. She was a special cat and a great comfort to her mom -- she will be missed.




(Xena liked to get in a workout every day...)

Dickens 2010

The wind-up Mini Coopers made another appearance in this year's Dickens parade. They're always a crowd pleaser. This year we had snow falling, which added a nice bit of atmosphere. For the record, heaters in these cars still suck. Luckily my co-pilot, Grayson, was well fueled on Skittles (there may still be a few rolling around in the car). Pam and her co-pilot Jaelyn drove Lenore's car. Lenore watched the parade and took pictures with her neighbor. Before we got rolling, Grayson asked if the fans would be on both sides of the street. :) Fans -- I like that. We both threw caution to the wind and illegally threw candy from the car, which parade organizers frown upon. It was worth the risk. We had full-sized candy leftover from the visitor's center; I think Grayson may have almost put someone's eye out, but it was all in good fun.






In other Holiday news, I actually put up a tree and hung a wreath. I know, alert the media. I can't promise this stuff won't all still be up/out come March. My tiny tree is on a little corner table, over which hangs the tree skirt. Hoops loves this arrangement, because it makes a little tent, which is in turn nicely warmed by the baseboards. I seldom see anything but her little tail poking out these days. I've also been running a space heater (set very low) on her porch in an attempt to keep my Rosemary plants alive through the winter. So far so good, though I haven't gotten the electric bill yet, so we'll see how long that lasts.

Update: My last bill was over $100 (!!), so the damn plants are on their own. Actually, they are being fostered elsewhere.

Winterizing the Normans

I hung two little shelves in my shed so the Normans would have a winter roosting place. I think they look pretty happy there along with the Speedies, Pooh, Piglet and other friends and relations. I've since added the hoses, the mountain bike, and brought the snow blower to the forefront. The hatches are officially battened.

In other news, yesterday I bought two birthday presents that I like so much I want to keep them. So if your birthday is coming up and you don't get anything from me, you'll know why. It's the thought that counts, right?

Fall Is In The Air

Turning back the clock a little (in honor of this weekend's clock setting back thing*, which, for the record, I hate, because it means it's dark when I leave work; though right now it's dark when I get up, and that kind of sucks too, but the actual setting back is OK, because that means my wall clock will now be on the correct time again, much to Lenore's delight and my indifference), Lenore and my dad helped me put together my fabulous birthday swing. Roland stopped by to help too. I love it!





Ta Da!



Here's what happened to the old one. I thought maybe someone could use it, or I could donate it to the riverfront, but it was kind of falling apart. Dad let me use his chainsaw to hack it up, with the following safety advice: "Now don't cut your foot off or anything!"



*Facebook quote of the day, "Why do we have to set our clocks back on Sunday when we just set our entire country back on Tuesday?"


We also took advantage of the lovely weather with an invigorating hike through Marengo Ridge Natural Area.





I think these are puffball mushrooms? I hear they are delicious, but we didn't sample them.



Baby oak trees crack me up.



This seems like as good a time as any to post the last home grown nosegay.



The next one may be a bunch of Swiss chard and sage, cuz that's about all that's left in the garden. Sad.

Other random pictures/thoughts.

We had a picnic by the river and saw two of our friends paddle by in kayaks.



I like this tattoo. This gal took third in a cyclocross bike race that was held recently in Carpenter Park. She also had Christmas lights and cartoon character tattoos. Interesting.



Aren't these marshmallows HUGE?!

We Have Winners!

Perky Potholder Pumpkin Contest results are finally in!
Congratulations first to the youngsters.

People's Choice Award (above): Jaelyn!
Most Symmetrical: Grayson!
Most Humane Carving: Carina!

In the kid-at-heart division, we had to devise a complicated point system, resulting in utter confusion and the need for slide rules. Eventually it was determined that we had a tie.
There was a tie for third between...
Austin and Greg!



2nd place went to...
Todd!


And 1st place with a landslide 12 points went to...
Lyla and Lynda!


Once again, judges were creative in their comments and reluctant to narrow down their choices. Thanks for your help, and thanks to everyone who took the time to send in an entry -- we here at Perky Potholders headquarters appreciate your interest.

Management will be contacting winners soon for particulars, as you have a choice between traditional Halloween colors for your potholder prize, or something entirely different.

Cheers!

While We're Waiting for Pumpkin Results...

This was a Halloween of three, count 'em THREE costume changes. We dressed up as athletic supporters at work, I was "goth" for a little shindig we threw at Lenore's crib, and then we went as crash test dummies to a party Saturday night in Algonquin. Here's some documentation:



Note, my old shirt was from an actual team I played on in 1979, a traveling summer league that was a total blast. After playing together all summer, we won first place that next year in our high school conference. My co worker (the one in SCUBA gear) looked at my shirt and was all, "Wow, 1979, I wasn't even born yet!" Nice. So much for feeling spry and sporty!



Here are a few shots from our costume party. It was an all-dessert party. What's not to like? Lenore set up her Mac with the photo booth, and we all had a little too much fun with it.

















But wait, there's more. This was from Saturday's party. Thankfully, no irony ensued as we drove across town to Algonquin dressed as crash test dummies.







An interesting way to present sliced ham.


Who doesn't have Jack Skellington in their living room?