Well, it's been two years since I posted on this blog. Time flies when you're having fun, but also when you're busy!
For the first time since I've been in Tennessee (and that's been 9 years!), my best friend since grade school, Sandy, came to visit for a couple of days in August. She brought her mom with her. Long trip from Pennsylvania (about 13 hours) and they took two days in which to do it. Sandy's mom, Pearl, and my mother have been friends for 56 years (they're both in their 80s) and cried when they saw each other. So sweet! They'd not seen each other for about 7 years, which was when my parents also moved to Tennessee.
Anyway we all had a blast! Pearl barely got in my door when she started asking when she would see my parents. So rather than waiting until the next day (and giving Sandy & Pearl a chance to rest) we drove over and picked up my parents and brought them back for the afternoon and an early dinner.
It was great to spend time with them. The entire visit was far too short - I think they were on the road more hours than they were here - so we plan to do this again but they'll stay for a longer visit next time! Can't wait!
The pool has been a blessing this summer. Having 72 days (and counting) with temperatures above 90 degrees makes for crabby Tennesseans. Usually we have only 30 or so days that are that hot. The tomato crops are non-existent here - too wet for them in the spring and too hot in the summer. And the 90 degree heat continues. Yesterday was 91, today it's supposed to get to 93, and it will be in the 90s again tomorrow before a cold front moves through and gives us some relief.
Currently (when I'm not in the pool!) I'm in the process of moving the contents of The Busy Needle's brick and mortar shop to the online store. What a job! The shop's last day open to the public was August 31st and with all the people that came in I thought we were having a wake. It was all I could do to keep friends and customers from crying. Good grief people, we're not closing - we're moving to a much larger space!
I finally wrapped up the plans for The Busy Needle Fall Retreat. At the moment we have 9 people going, with room for 6 more. We had to get a second lodging facility to accommodate all of us. No classes at this one - a retreat only for knitters and stitchers to get some work done on their Christmas gifts or WIPs. I'll be posting more information about the retreat on The Busy Needle's website later this week. www.TheBusyNeedleWebsite.com
Friends (Lorie and Gregg) asked us to join them bowling a couple of weeks ago. Bowling, hmmm.... haven't done that since... well... before I had children (and my oldest is 36!) The first time out was a bit of a shock when I realized I'd not been using my 'bowling muscles' for - uh - at least 36 years! My knee revolted. Took 10 days for me to walk without limping. Much better now. Anyway we've gone 3 times now and I'm just getting back in the swing of things (not counting those 8 gutter balls in a row last time out. We aren't going to talk about them!) Now if our friends will just get their act together and make this a regular weekly thing I think we'll all be in better shape!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Thanksgiving Friday
The Busy Needle will be closed on Thanksgiving Friday. I'm looking forward to spending some time with my oldest son, Gavin. I'll reopen it again 10-ish on Saturday morning. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Berroco Trunk Show
The Berroco Women's Sweater trunk show has arrived at the shop. Gorgeous sweaters! These are from the Men's Collection, but with shortened sleeves and in "ladies' colors." They'll be here only through Saturday afternoon, when they'll be packed and sent off to another shop.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Home Thursday night. Caught up with the girls at De La Paz - our local (real) Mexican restaurant - for about 15 minutes, then back home to unpack and sort laundry.
Frank and I both came home with a cagey little cold bug which attacked on Friday morning. Imagine having a wonderful 2 week vacation and then waking up after the first night in your own bed... with a cold. Yech. Mine was very short-lived (thanks, I think, to daily vitamins) and I'm over it now... Frank's has held on and he's now coughing and sneezing. I've threatened to start referring to him as the eighth dwarf - Wheezy - if he doesn't start taking some medicine to get rid of the symptoms.
Frank and I both came home with a cagey little cold bug which attacked on Friday morning. Imagine having a wonderful 2 week vacation and then waking up after the first night in your own bed... with a cold. Yech. Mine was very short-lived (thanks, I think, to daily vitamins) and I'm over it now... Frank's has held on and he's now coughing and sneezing. I've threatened to start referring to him as the eighth dwarf - Wheezy - if he doesn't start taking some medicine to get rid of the symptoms.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
We left Savannah and spent Wednesday night in Spartanburg, SC. Thursday morning we decided to go over the Smokies instead of up I-40... to see a little fall color.
I'd forgotten just how steep the hills were going over toward Cherokee, NC. Steep, very steep. Needed to use lower gears so I wouldn't burn out my brakes! Cherokee has grown so much in 12 years. Those indians have not only learned marketing, but are doing a darned good job at it. The museum has doubled in size and is undergoing another expansion. The casino parking lot was full. Shops were crowded. Parking was terrible.
On to Gatlinburg... which wasn't much better. I think the Cherokees used Gatlinburg as their "model town" as the same problems - no parking, crowded streets, narrow walkways, etc. - plagued both tourist traps. Don't need to go back.
Pigeon Forge was a bit more wide open - four lane highway ran through it - but even it had it's share of touristy stuff. Dollywood, music halls, etc... much as I think Branson, MO, would be as my parents described it. And for all this... very very little fall color! Rats! So much for a plan!
I'd forgotten just how steep the hills were going over toward Cherokee, NC. Steep, very steep. Needed to use lower gears so I wouldn't burn out my brakes! Cherokee has grown so much in 12 years. Those indians have not only learned marketing, but are doing a darned good job at it. The museum has doubled in size and is undergoing another expansion. The casino parking lot was full. Shops were crowded. Parking was terrible.
On to Gatlinburg... which wasn't much better. I think the Cherokees used Gatlinburg as their "model town" as the same problems - no parking, crowded streets, narrow walkways, etc. - plagued both tourist traps. Don't need to go back.
Pigeon Forge was a bit more wide open - four lane highway ran through it - but even it had it's share of touristy stuff. Dollywood, music halls, etc... much as I think Branson, MO, would be as my parents described it. And for all this... very very little fall color! Rats! So much for a plan!
Paula Deen's restaurant and Mrs. Wilkes
Had dinner Tuesday evening at Paula Deen's restaurant, "The Lady and Sons."
Rich food, saltier than I like it but I'm not used to a lot of salt on my food any more. Very rich food. The crab soup was a meal in itself. Bacon-wrapped crab-filled shrimp with a very rich sauce just about did me in. Dessert was very very rich. OMG, I think I had more calories in this one meal than all the food combined on the cruise.
Wednesday morning we slept in and then packed. Lunch Wednesday was at Mrs. Wilkes. This restaurant used to be part of a boardinghouse. I met Mrs. Wilkes the last time we were in Savannah, about 12 years ago, and we both wanted to go back again to her restaurant. Mrs. Wilkes passed about seven years ago, but the family still keeps the restaurant going. Great food served family style. I counted 22 dishes on the table and while I can't name them all, here's a start....
Meat loaf, barbequed pork, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, corn, lima beans, squash, rutabaga, okra, tomato salad, potato salad, baked beans, turnip greens, freshly baked rolls, cornbread, okay, I'm running out and that's only 16. There was another meat and several more vegetables. Sweet tea was served (which I immediately traded for unsweet.) Sweet tea in the South is like adding a cup of hot tea to 6 cups of sugar and then adding a little ice. Enough sugar to induce a diabetic coma in 3.9 seconds flat.
Banana pudding or peach cobbler were our dessert choices. (Who needed dessert!?!) The peach cobbler was good. Frank said the banana pudding was every bit as good as Paula Deen's. This was our only meal on Wednesday.... we were still too stuffed to eat dinner!
Rich food, saltier than I like it but I'm not used to a lot of salt on my food any more. Very rich food. The crab soup was a meal in itself. Bacon-wrapped crab-filled shrimp with a very rich sauce just about did me in. Dessert was very very rich. OMG, I think I had more calories in this one meal than all the food combined on the cruise.
Wednesday morning we slept in and then packed. Lunch Wednesday was at Mrs. Wilkes. This restaurant used to be part of a boardinghouse. I met Mrs. Wilkes the last time we were in Savannah, about 12 years ago, and we both wanted to go back again to her restaurant. Mrs. Wilkes passed about seven years ago, but the family still keeps the restaurant going. Great food served family style. I counted 22 dishes on the table and while I can't name them all, here's a start....
Meat loaf, barbequed pork, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, corn, lima beans, squash, rutabaga, okra, tomato salad, potato salad, baked beans, turnip greens, freshly baked rolls, cornbread, okay, I'm running out and that's only 16. There was another meat and several more vegetables. Sweet tea was served (which I immediately traded for unsweet.) Sweet tea in the South is like adding a cup of hot tea to 6 cups of sugar and then adding a little ice. Enough sugar to induce a diabetic coma in 3.9 seconds flat.
Banana pudding or peach cobbler were our dessert choices. (Who needed dessert!?!) The peach cobbler was good. Frank said the banana pudding was every bit as good as Paula Deen's. This was our only meal on Wednesday.... we were still too stuffed to eat dinner!
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