October fun

Again, it's been awhile...although I have thought of my blog often, I have not made it here to update in a long time. I almost thought of ending it, but I do enjoy posting and just need to get back with it! Just a few days ago, I received a note from a friend, stating she really enjoyed a previous recipe that I posted. I'm hoping to add more recipes, knitting projects, upcoming holiday projects, etc. My mind is spinning with many projects that I can't wait to start, including decorating.

October, my most favorite month of the year! From pumpkin spice to pretty fall leaves..I love it all! Jay and I had our second annual "Octoberfest" party, last weekend. The weather was perfect, which made it even nicer. Jay made excellent b-b-q chicken, and we had many roasters of hot foods to accompany the chicken. The hayride was a hit, as well as the wine table. The kids enjoyed decorating cookies and just enjoying the fresh air. Later in the day, we hired karaoke and heard some very good vocals.

This time of the year is when I enjoy my home so much more. I'm content with staying home more often, enjoying the simple things. A freshly cleaned kitchen, lite candles & some Saturday morning baking..love it! I really "got my Martha on", over the weekend - started with the day off on Friday, making homemade beer bread & a crock of corn/ham/potato chowder. Very much enjoyed by my family, as well as my sister's family, Friday evening. I also baked up 3 butternut squash and made "butternut spiced muffins"..pleasantly surprised how yummy they were, (I added chocolate chips, too!). Saturday, I made homemade pizzas, complete with the homemade pizza crusts. My kids loved the garlic pizzas, the best. I guess we overdosed on carbs this past weekend, but a lot of love went into the baking & cooking.

I have also picked up the knitting needles a little more often, which is also a sure sign of fall! enjoyed making this "Ribbed Baby Jacket", for a friend's grandson.

Knitted in cashmere/wool combo, loved working with this fiber. My next project is a pullover sweater for a little 1 year old guy, can't wait to get that started!

Have a wonderful, fall week, friends! I will be back soon, and that's a promise:)

Tree of Life

It's been a trying few weeks. A three-day hospitalization put a little wrench in last week's plans. Do you ever feel like you have so much going on that your head is spinning? With an upcoming 7 day vacation, a son heading off to college, birthdays, appointments, etc, one sometimes just has to say, "hold on".


My daughter said to me the other night, "Mom, come for a ranger ride with me, I want to show you the neatest tree ever", "it looks like the tree of life". Off we go, enjoying a ranger ride, first looking for blackberries and then down the hill to see the tree. Low and behold, it sure does look like the tree of life.

Good ole' days of summer

Pardon me, for not getting a few posts in since the beginning of June..I'm still trying to understand how we got to July so quickly:)

Summer is in full swing. I'm very much trying to stick to my three 12 hour shifts per week, at work..giving me more time to enjoy summer.

June led us to Cape May, NJ, for a week of camping and playing in the waves. I just love Cape May. Love the laid-back atmosphere of the town, the big old colonial mansions with beautiful blooming hydrangeas. Especially love how many people ride those old fashioned bikes with wicker baskets tied to the front. What I didn't like....being in a pop-up camper with no air condition. Bessie made her last trip to Cape May this summer, I vow to never take her again. Next time, we will be staying in one of those colonials'. Ever so, everyone enjoyed the beach and the waves, we all enjoyed the Washington Street Mall, too. Of course, what is a beach without heading to a board walk..Wildwood was on 15 minutes away.

A picture that I snapped in a yarn shop at the Washington Street Mall.

We just returned from a boating/camping trip to Sampson Park on Seneca Lake. Bessie got a huge campsite, and we parked her right under a big shade tree. This trip was good for the soul. The nights cooled down and were perfect for sleeping. The mornings were early, with fresh ground coffee enjoyed, while Jay made hearty breakfasts' . We boated from one end of Seneca to the other, stopping many times for everyone to swim. Campfires were awesome, we ate everything from pizza filled mountain pies to s'mores of all kinds. My favorite s'more was a chocolate graham with a strawberry marshmallow and a square of Hershey...yum! Tim tried out the new corn popper and made several batches over the fire. Needless to say, I ate way too much on this vacation. I even started/finished, a very good book by Nicholas Sparks, "The Choice." Highly recommended.

Priorities for this week: pick blackcaps before they are dried up..really in the mood to make some jams with Madison, fill out gobs of paperwork for Logan's first semester at LHU..and of course..go to work.

Make yourself some sun tea and enjoy these hot summer days, friends. I'll be back soon...this time, for sure~

whirlwind..

That is what the last few weeks have felt like..a whirlwind. I worked a little extra time in the past week, finishing up this week and getting back to my three 12's/ week for summer. Still LOVE nursing, sometimes I have a little cry on my drive home...but it's not from the work, it's from the experience of comforting an elderly person that just found out he can't go home to his wife and needs to go to a nursing home...its looking into the eyes of a woman in her 40's who is emancipated from cancer and faces the challenge of surgery for palliative care..it's that little grandma type that is teetering on the fence of Alzheimer's -vs- reality...it's the man that worked hard all his life and finds out that his leg couldn't be saved. Every day is such a reminder to not take life for granted.

On a different note, we enjoyed Madison's dance recital last weekend:) I now know why she is tired & hungry after dance practice. She preformed thee dances, tap, ballet & jazz. The jazz routine was over the top! Dancing to Tina Turner's "Proud Mary", they got to close the show...it was awesome!




Longing for that first camping trip. Our first trip of the season will be to Cape May. Leaving in a few weeks and spending five nights at Seashore Campground. We were there a few years back and just loved it.


I'm still loving the new camera! Here are a few candids that are my favorites:

Happy mid-week, friends. Be back soon with some knitting & recipes.

Welcome to my garden

Some of my first blooms. I've started a perennial journal, and realize that I have lost several plants over the past years. Just purchased some Blue Bells, Pink Garden Phlox and a Japanese Iris. Those will go in the ground today.

My Nana's yellow iris. Nana has been gone for many years but her Iris bulbs continue to bloom each year. The most hardy bloom in my garden.

Tribbles, a quick to finish project that is used all the time in my kitchen. Also is a nice little gift to give along with a scented body wash. Love to knit these in the natural, undyed cotton.

I received this beautiful tropical hibiscus tree for Mother's Day. My task will be to keep in alive. It hosts beautiful blooms. Planning on keeping it in the kitchen and only taking it on the deck for occasions.

Excitement for the week: My son made the dean's list for his second semester of college!!! I'm so very proud of him. Planning a steak dinner for him, in a few weeks, on the shore of Cayuga Lake.

Madison turns 13 on Sunday! I can't believe it! Where has the time gone? Taking her and three friends to the mall, Saturday afternoon, to see "Letters to Juliet" and then to dinner. She had her pick of restaurants and they all decided on Friendlys...works for me! I'm actually taking a friend along, too! She's a brave soul:)

Working tonight. Back to my three 12 hour shifts. Love it. Feels like I am home all the time. Took a break from any OT for the past month. Feeling regenerated. Staffing has gotten better. My patient load has only been 6 or 7 patients, vs the 8-10 when we were short. My time management skills are improving. When a 12 hour shift seems to go by in 6, time management is of essence.

The sun is finally shining, it's time for a walk. Happy upcoming weekend, friends.

No excuses now:)

Now that I have a new laptop and camera, I have no excuses to not be updating my blog. I love to blog, however; my equipment had been on the downfall. Some friends have asked for updates, and my daughter pointed out that I have "snow" pics in my last post. It's my promise to now update my blog at least once a week, as well as start a flickr "picture a day" project. I enjoy reading several blogs, but one of my favs is Leslie's "a friend to knit with" blog. I've been reading it for over two years. And Jules, if you are reading this..I will have recipes again:)




Since Mother's Day weekend is my weekend to work, it was very nice to attend a mother/daughter banquet tonight at our church, the theme being "a purse driven life"..fun!



Besides knitting, Madison and I have been playing with beads. We made two bracelets for the banquet, as door prizes. We will be selling these types of bracelets/rings to benefit the upcoming Relay for Life.

















Knitting...finishing up some baby items at this moment.


For the past two weeks, I have been working just my three 12 hour shifts and have really been enjoying this! I will be able to make it to all of Madison's ball games:)



Logan is just finishing up his second semester, I'm very proud of his accomplishments..for those of you with teenagers..they do finally mature!

Snow please!

So, my theory being, if it's going to be this cold, lets get a big ole' snowstorm. Here in northeast, PA..we have had just one storm that actually delivered enough snow to make a substantial snowman. I'm thinking we need to move south to enjoy snow? Here are a few pics from the one and only enjoyable snowstorm from a few months back.











Wow, looking back..it's been awhile since I have posted a blog..five months to be exact!

Just a little update..
A year in nursing: One year on 8NW med surg unit as of January 19th, 2009. I still absolutely LOVE being a nurse! The experience that I am gaining on this floor is amazing. The three, 12 -hour shifts work out really nice, also. Except for a heal spur, everything is wonderful.
Knitting: Actually, knitting up a storm in the past few weeks. Will have some pics to come.
Family: Logan is taking another 15 credits this semester, working at the YMCA and pumping gas. Madison continues with dance, recently going to Atlantic City, to take a weekend of dance lessons with crew from The Pulse. She also is having fun with choir and forensics, through the school.
Upcomings: A three night trip to Hope Lake Lodge at Greek Peak with Jay and the kids starting 2/21. We are all anticipating this trip:)
Planning a trip with my friend, Renee, to Spin a Yarn and out to lunch for her b-day this month. Wow..not too much going on in the "upcomings" catagory..and kinda like it that way:)

Cross your fingers that we might have a touch of snow this week, Jay has promised to cross country ski with me:)

Justa Swingin'

My little sanctuary...

Thought I would share one of my most favorite spots, my little corner of the world...my swing bed. A place for reading, knitting, relaxing with my hubby and a glass of wine or two. I have to say, for the past few days, in between doing laundry, grocery shopping and making dinner, I've enjoyed my little "retreat"

My upwards view:

Teetering on the Fence of Fall and Summer...

It's that time of year..chilling mornings requiring a long sleeved shirt, then beautiful, sunny afternoons. I bought the "scent of the month" Yankee tart, yesterday...Pumpkin Frost..smells heavenly. This is the time of the year that I start to get excited for fall to arrive but yet wanting a few more hot summer days at the lake. This is the time of the year when my Mother's garden zinnias are at their biggest. A time when I no longer want to make summer salads, but think about making casseroles, roast beef dinners and baked goods. Of course, it's also that time of year when I start to think more about the knitting projects that I want to complete. Speaking of projects, I have two in the midst for Violet and Henry..two sweet little additions to our family. I can't wait to meet them in person. It's also a time when Jay keeps bringing tomatoes into the kitchen from our little horseshoe pit converted 3x3 garden..more tomatoes than a 3x3 should ever produce.

After a few days off, I'm ready to work a 7p-7a shift tonight. As I look back, I've been working 45-50 hours a week, but I still feel like I am at home more than before and for some reason I have much more energy than I ever have.

Madison is an official "high schooler" now. Having a hard time believing that she's in 7th grade. In the past month, we have allowed her to wear some "very light" makeup..a little lavender or light blue shadow and a little light pink blush..but NO BLACK eyes. So far, she's doing fine with wearing just a little. Logan is taking a full load at LC for the fall semester. With classes like Human Bio, Psych and Algebra, he will be kept busy.

Enjoy your week, my friends, I'll be back soon.

Back to the blog!

I've really neglected my blog..not purposely, time just flew by.


I've been on a busy, high acuity med/surg floor for 6 months, now. My patient average is 6-7. I have learned so much, but still so much more to go. Feeling much more confident and really feel like part of the team. The sunrises and sunsets are very beautiful from the 8th floor. Each day brings a whole new adventure. I may have a day that doesn't go quite as smooth as I would like, but then the next day balances it out. Besides being a wife and mother, nursing is my passion for life.


We have enjoyed the boat much more this summer, than last. Our latest trip was from one end of Cayuga to the other. (Ithaca to Aubur). We enjoyed a great, dock side lunch at the Boat Yard Grill. Hiked and climbed a six foot tree house at Cayuga Nature Center.

Planning a trip to Sampson State Park on Seneca Lake, this weekend. The weather is supposed to be perfect:)


We surprised my in-laws with a 50th anniversary dinner party at the Villa Senna, last weekend. It was really nice to have all of Jay's family together. The weather cooperated for a perfect evening. I'm blessed with wonderful in-laws.

Peaches! My peach tree is so loaded with peaches that a large branch broke from the weight. Making peach crisp and pairing that with vanilla ice cream. Promised my girls on 8NW this treat tonight.

Surprisingly, I haven't done much knitting this summer! I do have a few projects on the needles that I need to get back to. Will post some upcoming pictures.

Purchasing a camera this weekend. I've been without one for the past 6 months. Time for a me-treat!

Promises to be back sooner than later:)

MAY DAYS

Wow! Have I been neglecting this blog! I just realized that it has been almost two months since I posted. So much has been going on in the last two months...

#1. I took my boards on 4/19. So glad that this chapter of my life is now over with! I've been on my own since the end of April, off orientation, and taking a full patient load, (6-8 patients).

#2. We took a trip to DC a few weeks back. Had a wonderful time visiting the zoo and touring DC. It was especially nice to have Kelly & Mike as our official tour guides and to also finally see where they live.


#3. Logan attended his first prom. Love him with all my heart, but my oh my does he test his mama. Two weeks of school left..senioritis.


#4. Madison had her birthday on Saturday, 5-16, turning 12. Our weekend was filled with dance recitals. Another excitement, after several softball games of her not hitting the ball, she slammed the ball twice last night! woohoo! She's our artsy dancer & singer and this is her first year playing..so she isn't quite as aggressive as the other girls.



#5. Searching for the perfect knitting projects....nothing to report at this time, except that I purchased some beautiful blue/gray silky fiber..intended for a whispie summer shaw.

#6. Perennial gardens look pretty good. My hubs is getting to be quite the gardener..and he's getting pretty good at not mistaking my plants for weeds.

#7. A new favorite way to make potatoes: boil red potatoes, unpeeled. Roast garlic (unpeeled) in aluminum foil until soft. Sautee fresh chives from the garden in butter. Add chives & roasted garlic paste to potatoes. Salt & pepper. YUM. My family loves these potatoes.

#8. Can't wait for our wine trip on 5/30, with friends! Pulling the boat to the marina in Watkins Glen, then a day of wining followed by sunset boating and dinner on the shore.



Love this pic of Emily in front of my forget-me-nots..she loves to come visit Aunt Karen.


Happy Memorial Weekend, my friends! Remeber to give thanks to the Veterans. I'm thinking of my friend, Susan. Her son, a Marine, was killed in Iraq, March, 2007.