Morning Doings!

     Two days in a row of blogging! ^_^ Let me feel my forehead. I must be getting a fever!! LOL...*putting the back of my hand to my forehead*...Nope! No fever! :-) Although I do have a bit of a headache and a cough this morning. I think that might be just my allergies though....Yeah. I still have those!! UGH!
     The backyard has a weird sky overhead this morning. We had rain overnight, and more of it this morning. I'm not sure, but I think the weird sky means we're probably gonna get more rain later this morning....*sigh*...Don't you love hearing about New England weather from a 'wordy' girl with her eyes on a French Open tennis match, with a headache, and a cough?! ^_^
 

     At any rate, I have nothing magnificent or spectacular to talk about today, except to report that I finished another Jane Austen book...Emma...yesterday, and my girlfriend and I paused my blog, and my French Open tennis match, to watch the movie this morning. ^_^ The Gwenneth Paltrow version...So good!
     Speaking of 'so good'...so was my ham and eggs breakfast this morning. Just saying! ^_^

     Okay, off I go to watch Tsonga play. :-) I'll leave you with a glimpse of the wedding ring blanket I'm working on...

     ...and a poem! ^_^ Have a good day, Everybody! ♥


All My Plans Unfurled

With all my plans unfurled today,
and nothing urgent pressing me,
I might crochet another scarf
or have a steeping cup of tea.

I might watch an old movie,
or take a nap, just for a minute.
Or I might take out a book to read,
or jot a few nice words down in it.

When you don't have any children,
and no job to do from home.
You can stay in your pajamas,
and have hair that you don't comb.

Yes, with all my plans unfurled,
there could be lots that I 'could' do.
It's always true...I could be busy,
but kinda nice I don't 'have to'!

Where've I Been?...On The Pineapple Express!

     Yes, I waited until French Open tennis time to do another blog post......sorry. :-)) And yes, I 'AM' still alive...and well! ^_^ I just haven't been in the mood to blog. Go figure!...ME....not in the mood to talk my head off?!! LOL It's true. 
     I was busy though...crocheting...reading two Jane Austen books.....crocheting.....napping.....crocheting! You know, the usual stuff! ^_^ In fact, the photo you're looking at is a blanket I finished recently. It was a LARGE project!
 

     If you look at it closely you'll see that it's actually a whole lot of crochet pineapples ...106 to be exact!...all sewn together. And then another blanket too...all blue (very detailed too, which you 'can't' see from my photo-taking! *shaking my head* Yeah, some things, like my photo-taking skills {or lack thereof}, haven't changed!), as the backing. 
 

     And each one of the pineapples had to be sewn onto the back blanket!!! YIKES! It was a lot of work!!...But I was paid very well for it, so it made it well worth it in the end. :-) But ask me if I want to make another one...and watch me squirm and go into a mental jerking spasm!! LOL
      So, that being the case, you might be surprised to know that I started another blanket a couple o days ago! ^_^ I'm making a wedding ring blanket...Shhhhhhh!...for a friend, as a wedding gift. And after I finish it, I might be starting ANOTHER one, for another friend's wedding gift!! ^_^ 
     In between I've been making lots of crochet slippers. FUN! ^_^ But, right now, meaning this third week of May, 2016, I'm all about tennis!! ^_^ Yes, it's French Open time again!!...So, now you know. Not much has changed with me!! ^_^ New England weather here in Holyoke is finally heading into Spring-like, robins are flitting and pecking all over the backyard, my hummingbirds are flitting and sipping at the feeder, my hubby is flitting and darting on his bike, and all is well!...except for a few 'flies in the ointment', so to speak, here and there. ^_^
     I'm hoping to get back to a more regular blog schedule. I miss it! :-] If you're still along for the ride, tell me what you've been up to. And in the meantime how about a little poem! :-) Have a good day Y'all!! ♥

French Open 2012, Week One

I can hardly believe
that a whole week is through!
It's been seven days.
WOW! How the time flew!

Tosses and serves,
swings and close games,
grunting and nervousness,
"That was in!" claims.

Very long sets,
(Thanks Isner, Mathieu)
A first round upset
when Serena was through!

A ball-boy mistake,
and Andy's bad back.
I've watched with enjoyment,
whack after whack.

The basketball Playoff's
distraction complete,
with the Celtic's first win
against Miami heat.

And baseball chimed in,
with it's fans all a flitter,
when Johan Santana
pitched the Mets' first No-Hitter.

This may be Sharapova's
and Sloane Stephen's best year.
Whatever the case, one more week,
I'll be here!

(Of course, the details aren't the same with this year's French Open, but guess what?...I'm still here!! ^_^)     

Sooooooo...How Is Your Middle Of The Week?!

 (Tanzanite Swarovski Crystal Choker by LeBoudoirNoir)

      Soooooo...it's another Wednesday...or 'Hump Day'! :-) What are you up to today?!...Me?! O_O Well...at the moment I' watching tennis! ^_^ Svetlana Kuznetsova vs. Simona Halep. It's a match that was suppose to start over three hours ago, but it was raining! Ugh! Actually, it's raining here in Massachusetts too...or it WAS! We have a bit of a reprieve for the moment, but we're due to get walloped later tonight!  

      Surprisingly, it's not enough rain to put my joints and muscles into a spasm. So, I did my exercises, did some studying for the meeting this week, did some reading, etc. I was down-right productive!! ^_^

      The choker in the header photo is just for YOU!! ^_^ There's no real reason to share it, except that I saw it...with it's pretty self!...when I was doing a quick scroll through the activity feed on Etsy a few minutes ago!...That'll let you know just how busy I was! LOL All I really was doing was wasting some time! ^_^ (Nice way to waste some time, looking at pretty things, don't you think?! ^_^) 

      I'm very excited about the quarter-finals at the French Open today! :-) Three of my favorites are playing!...Simona Halep, Gael Monfils, and my 'Baby Boy', Rafael Nadal! :-) ...

 (Roland Garros on Facebook)

      I believe that Svetlana Kuznetsova, Andy Murray, and David Ferrer are all gonna give them a run for their money...and it's gonna be fun to watch!! ^_^ Of course, I'm partial to seeing one of them in particular come through for sure!...

      

(Nadal Tennis T-Shirt by Spicetag)

      Yes! In tennis, I'm partial!! ^_^ What else do I have to do in the middle of the week?! LOL Have a good one! ♥

Why I Love Sports

When I see something done at it's best,
When I see the hard work and the skill,
When I know they could give it no less,
and if more could be given, they will,

When I hear in their voice the request,
to be put in, yes, even if ill,
When the time that they're spending is pressed,
and the love for the sacrifice real,

When the rules of the game they've addressed,
and for them, the price well worth the bill,
When I've felt them embracing the test,
then I love it, and I always will! 

Tennis....Tennis.....And More Tennis!!

 (Roland Garros on Facebook)

      Soooooo...I guess you know what I've been doing! ^_^ It's been an all day tennis affair!...avoiding rain, body aches, annoying phone calls, and crocheting. O_O Nope! I haven't picked up a needle for a couple of days!

      Right now I'm more concerned with the French Open tennis matches than what my next crochet project will be. I think it's because picking up a crochet hook is painful...literally!...It's rainy, and my muscles and joints are in rebellion. Grrr! I'm not complaining too much about it though, because I'm still breathing. Hubby is giving me great body and back rubs. And I'm getting waited on hand-and-foot! ^_^ What's to complain about?! ^_^

      Before I go any further, let me tell you that all of the photos on today's post are from the Roland Garros Facebook site. They always have the best coverage of the French Open! :-) The header photo shot was of Novak Djokovic and one of the Ball-Boys having a chat during a rain delay. :-) The Ball-Boy was holding the umbrella for Novak, and he had the young man sit down. Then he gave him a bottle of water, or something, and they sat there for a moment...just chatting. :-) Novak said he made a new friend. ^_^

     Rafa Nadal, alias 'my baby boy' ^_^ played a great game today. In fact, two out of the three sets were 6-0!!...

 (Rafa Nadal on Facebook)

      Of course, I've never seen him play a bad match. :-) Even when he loses, he always gives it everything he's got!!

      Oh Yeah, Novak won his match today too...in straight sets...

(Novak Djokovic on Facebook)

      Something tells me that these two are gonna be meeting each other at some time or other. ^_^ ... And it's gonna be GOOD!!! ^_^

    Before I slink off, let me say CONGRATS to Maria Sharapova today too!! :-) She's moving on...and will probably meet Venus or Serena Williams down the road. They both won their matches yesterday. :-)

      As you can see, my world is very small right now. Sleeping...eating...watching tennis. :-) What?!!!...You got something to say about it?!! ^_^ Have a good rest of the day, Y'all! ♥

All The Things I Love

If I listed all the things I've loved
I could rattle on forever!
Whether by 'order of importance'
or by a poeticly quick endeavor.

Right now it's Tennis...Well, all sports,
and reading informative magazines.
And crocheting, food and music.
Well..that might be in my genes!

I've loved teaching and line dancing,
So many things in my short life.
But I've never jumped from a plane,
or wittled anything with a knife!

With every passing moon
I find some other thing I love.
Whether grassy patterns on my lawn,
or phenomenal skies above.

Yes, if I listed all the things I loved
my words could fill all space,
It comes from curiosity,
and an Ooo-ing Awww-ing place! 

Blue Shades

 (1950's Cobalt Blue Trifari Stamped Necklace by MyBaubleEmporium)

      I'm not gonna be too talkative today. I'm too distracted! :-) Yes, I'm watching tennis....Yes, it's very good!!! ^_^ Novak Djokovic is playing my 'baby boy', Rafael Nadal!! :-] So please forgive me that I'm not sharing my latest boutonnieres like I was suppose to today, but......! ^_^

       I did wanna take time to let you see the pretty blue treasury that one of my boutonnieres got picked for though!...

 (Blue Shades =) Etsy Treasury by Sabrina of CrazyFoxDesign)

      If you have time, click on the treasury above and go by and check out all of the items. I'm partial to a few items, like 'MY' boutonniere! ^_^ ...

(Men's Turquoise Blue Button Back Crochet Boutonniere Lapel Suit Pin by Wuglyees)

      ...and these pretty, deep blue, beads!!!...

 

(QUARTZ HEART Briolettes Beads by FabulousRocks)

      Other than the treasury, the only thing going on around here today is French Open tennis...David Ferrer and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga play after Nadal and Djokovic! :-) YAY!!!!....Oh Yeah, I'm also going to 'virtual' Spain this evening! :-) It's Friday Date Night time!

      Okay, I'm out!...especially since I'm having a hard time focusing on YOU!!! ^_^ See you tomorrow....And have a good weekend, if I don't see you tomorrow!! :-)

  French Open 2012, Week One

I can hardly believe
that a whole week is through!
It's been seven days.
WOW! How the time flew!

Tosses and serves,
swings and close games,
grunting and nervousness,
"That was in!" claims.

Very long sets,
(Thanks Isner, Mathieu)
A first round upset
when Serena was through!

A ball-boy mistake,
and Andy's bad back.
I've watched with enjoyment,
whack after whack.

The basketball Playoff's
distraction complete,
with the Celtic's first win
against Miami heat.

And baseball chimed in,
with it's fans all a flitter,
when Johan Santana
pitched the Mets' first No-Hitter.

This may be Sharapova's
and Sloane Stephen's best year.
Whatever the case, one more week,
I'll be here!

      (That was LAST YEAR!!! ^_^ I'm still trying to decide if this year's French Open deserves being waxed poetically about!! ^_^)

Is "Ooo La La" French For 'Rainy Tennis'?!

 (After the Storm Photo by UninventedColors)

     I shared the photo in my header today, which the description from the shop says was taken on Deer Island, a barrier island off the coast of Mississippi, because it looks sorta like my backyard this morning. Although it's not "after a storm" in my backyard. It's 'during' a raining of cats and dogs!! ^_^ UGH!

     We had a glimpse of sunshine yesterday and I thought maybe...just maybe!...we'd be able to 'skirt by' the forecast for rain today. But no. Once again, the weather people were 'right on'. UGH!

      I'm not gonna rant and rave, and get all huffy about it though, because I have tennis! :-) I'm watching Jo-Wilfried Tsonga play right now! :-)  I'm looking forward to a day of rain-free enjoyment! (The following photos were all taken from the Facebook site of the French Open at Roland Garros.)

      It wasn't rain-free in France at the French Open yesterday! O_O...

     In fact, I wasn't sure I was gonna get to see much tennis at all! It was 'pouring' at Roland Garros!!...But thankfully the clouds parted later in the day, and I got to see Novak Djokovic move on to round two. :-)
       I also got to see Marion Bartoli fight from behind and move on...

     ...and I also got to see Gaël Monfils go five sets with Tomas Berdych...and WIN!!!...
 

    Gaël has a new hair-do this year, and it seems that he has a new, more calm and cool, attitude this year too! And I think it's working for him!...the attitude I mean. I'm still not sure about the hair-do. :-)
     Anyway, that's all I have today. I've got tennis to watch!! ^_^ With two whole weeks of tennis I might end up with tennis elbow...of the eyes!! LOL 
      Have a good day, Everybody!...See you tomorrow....come rain or come shine! :-)

All The Things I Love

If I listed all the things I've loved
I could rattle on forever!
Whether by 'order of importance'
or by a poetically quick endeavor.

Right now it's Tennis...Well, all sports,
and reading informative magazines.
And crocheting, food and music.
Well..that might be in my genes!

I've loved teaching and line dancing,
So many things in my short life.
But I've never jumped from a plane,
or whittled anything with a knife!

With every passing moon
I find some other thing that I love.
Whether grassy patterns on my lawn,
or phenomenal skies above.

Yes, if I listed all the things I loved
my words could fill all space,
It comes from curiosity,
and an Ooo-ing Awww-ing place!

The French Open And...American Chop Suey!

 (8x10 Pasta Still Life Food Photography Print by BLintonPhotography)

       I'm having a good weekend! :-) And yes, I do know it's actually Monday....or at least it is here. :-)) But hubby is home today, because of the holiday here. So it still feels like the weekend to me still!

     Hubby was in the mood to cook too, so that REALLY makes it a good 'pseudo' weekend!...Or does it?! O_O He wasn't making his 'tried and true' recipes. You know, the ones he does great every time!...No, he decided to make American Chop Suey, or Goulash.  

     For those of you not familiar with it, it starts with elbow pasta...

 (1970s San Giorgio Elbow Macaroni Transistor Radio by JanvierRoad)

      The above elbow macaroni is not elbow macaroni at all! It just looks like elbow macaroni. It's actually a radio!! :-) I just had to show it to you because it fascinated me! ^_^ ... But, like I was saying, American Chop Suey starts with elbow macaroni. Then you have to brown some ground beef and add spices, bell pepper, and tomatoes!...

 (ROMA VF Classic Italian Paste Tomato Seeds from seedslt)

      If all of the 'melding' of flavors happens as it should, your American Chop Suey, or Goulash, should look like this!...

 (American Chop Suey from Fat Johnny's Front Porch Blog)

      Unfortunately...hubby's didn't look like this. O_O He used ground turkey instead of ground beef, and it ended up looking like the turkey was trying to fly the coop! LOL "Sorry Honey". 

      His ground turkey didn't brown and caramelize the way ground beef does. It kinda looked gray!...YUCK!...All of that hard work and yet...I didn't wanna eat it!! O_O Or should I say, I was afraid to eat it!!

     He ate a plate of it though, and he's still alive! ^_^ So I may try it today...after it 'melds' a bit longer! ^_^ What can I say. I'm funny about food that doesn't look, on the plate, the way it looks in my head!! LOL

      He says I hurt his feelings after he did all of that work. :-(  And his argument also included something about how "he" thought it tasted good... "Sorry Honey"...It wasn't my intention to hurt his feelings. And if it tasted good to him...great! But I couldn't eat it....I just COULDN'T!!!! ^_^ I had visions of Salmonella 'coming to get me'!! LOL

      I reasoned with him that it's really not him. It's me!...and that's true! Once I get a vision of what my food is 'suppose' to look like in my head, if the reality doesn't come to fruition...I'm OUT!!! ^_^

     I didn't used to be like that! But now that I'm going through 'the change' I'm having weird food issues. I can hardly stand the smell of cooking eggs or chicken. And don't get me started about the 'texture' of certain foods. Ewwwwwww Whee!!! We could be here for days talking about it!! LOL

      Thankfully I had some crunchy 'Cheetoes' in my stash, or I might've starved to death last night!! LOL... Okay. That's a bit dramatic. :-)) But let me just say...I think hubby's American Chop Suey might taste good with a layer of Cheetoes on top!...I may have to try that in order to get it down!.....Shhhhhh! Don't tell him! It might hurt his little 'slaving-over-a-hot-stove' cooking heart!! :-)

      Anyway!....American Chop Suey is not my main focus this weekend. And it's not crocheting either...even though I had a few sales over the weekend and I NEED to replace the items in my Wuglyees shop!...No! My main focus this weekend is TENNIS!! :-)

(Recycled Compact Disc Clock by TheGolfingDolphin)

       It's that time of year again. The FRENCH OPEN!!!! :-) Oh, the happiness! This weekend has had a good meeting at the Kingdom Hall, a great 'virtual'date night to Jamaica with beef patties and coco bread, sales in my shop, giggle time with hubby, and tennis!!! :-) If I leave the whole fiasco with the American Chop Suey out, it might just be the recipe for a perfect weekend!! :-) "Sorry Honey".

      Enjoy the rest of your weekend...or your day, Everybody! :-)

 For all the Mondays

For all the Mondays that come around,
and all the Fall leaves gently falling down;
For all the wet soil, caked and brown,
and all the worms it must have drowned;

For all the honking, and chatty sound
from all the folks scurrying round the town;
For aching feet and hearts that pound;
and lists and nerves to be unwound;

For bags and keys that hit the ground,
when well-tired bodies fall in a mound;
For deals and prices that do astound,
and all well worth it, pound for pound;

For all the Mondays that come around,
and all the weekends gone with a frown;
For adjectives needed, not just a noun,
Much thanks to Mondays that come around.

A Day Of The Unusual And The Unexpected!

(Sterling Silver Tennis Earrings by Untwistedsister)

       Yesterday was a day of unusual Etsy finds, and unexpected tennis playing! First....the tennis!

        ********** There were wins: Maria Sharapova began her French Open run with a win over Alexandra Cadantu, 6-0, 6-0...Defending champion, world number 2, Rafael Nadal (or as I call him, "baby boy" ^_^) had a victory over Simone Bolelli, 6-2 6-2 6-1...And this morning, already, Samantha Stosur has won her match!

      There were losses too: James Blake is out...and already this morning, Vania King has lost too! I'm not gonna talk about anymore losers....Well, yes I am. One unexpected loser, Serena Williams!!!! Serena, the world #5,  lost to Virginie Razzano, the current French #4! She's #111 in the world!

      It was SHOCKING...and totally unexpected! There was grunting, yelling out loud during points, crying, cramping, and "hindrance" calls!...If anybody ever tells you that tennis doesn't get good until the second week of play....put your hand in their face, turn your head, and say: "Talk to the hand!" LOL Yesterday's tennis....The match between Serena Williams and Virginie Razzano was ALL THAT...and a bag of chips!! ^_^

       Serena has never lost in a first round at the French Open before...Ever!...And while I feel bad for her loss, it was one of the best matches I've seen in a while!...Did you see it?!...Do you wanna see the last round play?!...I got you! ^_^ 

PARTs 1 and 2 of the last points of the match!!!...

       Needless to say, Serena was not a 'happy camper' after the match...



      ...but who would've been after a devastating loss like that?!...Oh Well, maybe next year, Serena.
     Today I'm on to other matches. ^_^ Who's playing today?! Victoria Azarenka, Roger Federer, Gilles Simon, Agnieszka Radwanska, Novak Djokovic (who just won his match too!),  Juan Martin Del Potro, Aleksandra Wozniak, and Marion Bartoli are the ones I'll be on the look-out for! :-) ...I'm not one for watching only the players from the country where I live. I like good tennis....from wherever...and by whoever is playing well! :-) ...I CAN'T WAIT!!! ^_^ **********

        Aren't you glad that there's other things in the world besides tennis?...Don't answer that! ^_^ You might be considered unusual...like some of these things I found on Etsy yesterday!...

 (Sea Urchin Spine Picture Frame by madebymano) 

 (Vintage 1940s-1950s, size 6, Souvenir Carved Heel Painted Wood Tiki Shoes by PinkyAGoGo)

(Orange Fabric Beaded Necklace by kapelusznik)

(Multi Color Candle Holder by MoreThanColors)

       And lastly, Oh! How I love an unusual and interesting button!...

(3 Handmade Driftwood Buttons by Seagypsys)

      All unusual...and wonderful! :-) ... Almost as unusual and wonderful as the fact that for two nights now I've actually gotten some sleep! ^_^ And considering that we had a severe thunderstorm, with thunder and lightening, come through in full force last night, me getting good sleep really is unusual...unexpected...and wonderful!!

      Now....something not so unusual for me right now...I'm off to get something to eat, and watch some more tennis. Roger Federer is playing right now! ^_^ Have a good day, Everybody! :-)

Vintage Buttons

Pull them from a shirt
that's been tossed into the pile;
Yank them from a dress
you haven't worn in quite a while.

Inherit them from friends;
Get them as a gift of love;
Take them from the back
of one of Granny's vintage gloves.

Pluck them from old hats;
Tell their story with your tears.
Now ,use those vintage buttons,
that you've saved through out the years.

Old is what they're called;
Out of style, and retro too;
But when I put them on creations,
with my eyes, they look brand new!