Booties

If you're a knitter and don't follow the yarn harlot, you're missing one of my favorite blogs. She is hilarious even if you're not a knitter.  And she's going through what I've been going through for a couple weeks--waiting for a special little baby to arrive and knitting until it comes!  Ours is here!  Our second little grandson arrived a couple days ago and we couldn't be happier around here!  (Jen is still waiting and the yarn harlot is still knitting.)  You really should go there and see the cute baby things she's making and making and making.  Adorable!  I'm working on a little hoodie but so far all I've completed is a pile of booties:

The first ones I made were from elastic yarn.  They are knit from top down and only have a seam on the center of the sole. I showed those on a previous post.  They are the light blue, tan and white ones above.
Then I made a pair from a pattern I really like in which the sole is knit first, then the sides, top and cuff. There is no seam at all in those.  These turned out a little bigger than I wanted because I was experimenting with sizes and yarns.

Since there was still no baby and I love making booties, I decided a plain blue pair might be nice.  But there was some gold yarn nearby and this is WV and a couple of his uncles are serious Mountaineer fans and . . . look what happened:

On this day of 9-ll, remembering what happened ten years ago and all the special memories that were shared of loved ones today on tv, makes me all the more thankful for our new little one and for all the special family that gathered around to welcome him into our life.

Swimming In The Rain

Last night I resigned from the worldwide community of knitters.  I had two baby bootees on needles.  I was excited because both were departures from the expected and from the very old patterns I was using. As I was completing the foot and starting up the cuff of the mossy-green-meadow variegated bootee, I kept ignoring the obvious and clinging to my hope that this is going to be beautiful. Then I stopped and really LOOKED at it.  It looked like a thick rectangular stiff light yellow-green  box that a tiny baby foot was supposed to go into.  The yarn was too thick, the needles too small and there was no way of saving it. Ok. I had the other one to turn to.  I had chosen medium gray as the yarn for the panels and white for the outlines to make bootees that would have the look of little gray panels all over, bordered with white around each one.  This time the yarn and needles were the size the pattern called for.  I knitted along, thinking, again, that it was looking kind of big.  After I finished the cuff, working top down, I did what "they" try to tell you to always do, BEFOREHAND. I checked the gauge.  Instead of 9 stitches per inch, I was getting 6 stitches per inch.  I threw it all in a box;  I quit knitting. I decided I needed to get back to exercising and being active.  I had sat with my needles too long and was becoming sloppy.  In the morning I would start the day with a swim.

I got up this morning and it was raining.  Now that's not a complaint.  Our garden has become so dry there's no saving some of it. The morning glories had drooped for several weeks, just surviving on the little water I gave them over the drought. For the first time in forever, their leaves are full and strong this morning.



The black-eyed susans are really pretty and I brought some in for the table.

Remember my plan was to start the day with swimming.  I looked at the rain coming down heavily into our pool.  There was no lightning.  I went swimming.  Water drops were coming down all around me with millions of air bubbles forming on the blue surface.  The air temperature was cooler than the water temperature and it was amazing. This picture was after the rain stopped but I just wanted to see the blue here.

My breakfast this morning is a banana smoothie.  I freeze sliced bananas, add skimmed milk and put them through the magic bullet.  It's healthy but thick as a milkshake from the frozen bananas.  This time I added just a little cold coffee and sprinkled the top with grated semisweet chocolate.  Ready to go.

I'll be rejoining the knitting world this afternoon with soft, light-blue, fingering-yarn bootees.



Staying Cool While Knitting

August 1 is no time to be sitting on this deck knitting little bootees.  It's probably over a 100 deg. out with a warm breeze.  But a new little grandbaby is on the way and the bootees have to be knit.   I 'm in and out of the pool to cool off and back on the shady deck to knit. Don't feel like stopping to make lunch and my husband comes out with just the perfect snack. This is why we're still together after more than 40 years.  That and he makes me tea every morning.

Honestly, nothing beats fresh fruit just as it is on a hot day.  Summer cobblers and pies are delicious but since I'm eating healthier my tastes have changed some.  I love the clean taste of just the fruit.  And it's beautiful.

Finished the bootees--for a little boy.  And I'm already starting on two more pair.

Hubby is grilling hamburgers.  I'll get back to cooking tomorrow.

"Promises To Keep"

Every winter I quote Robert Frost as I gaze out my window into the snowy woods.  And I think of the promises I need to keep.  January is a wonderful month for that.  My fall was so busy with the start of a new school year and 2 classes I had to take to keep my certification.  Then the holidays full of all the fun and family took us into the new year.  I have spent this month reorganizing again.  Now things are somewhat under control in our home.  I can find things I need again and I'm excited about the year ahead.  I spent this evening reading some of my favorite blogs that I hadn't even looked at for a couple months.  I'm joining  Cream Puffs in Venice with a list of 11 things I want to do, except I'm giving myself 3 months rather than a year.  It seems easier to handle 3 months at a time!

1.  Maintain the organization I've established.
2.  Follow the cleaning plan I've put together so my weekends are free.
3.  Redecorate one room.
4.  Make every Friday evening a SPA night.
5.  Keep up the exercise plan I've established.
6.  Use lip gloss and lotion constantly.
7.  Use my new CAMERA often!
8.  Complete a knitting project.
9.  Make pierogis once a month.
10.  Visit one new place each month.
11.  Buy lots of earrings.

Goals are dreams with deadlines - Diana Scharf Hunt

2010 Knitting Olympics

I made it!  I finished my project for 2010 Knitting Olympics!  I committed to knitting a helmet liner.  This was a project I read about on the site of a nice little yarn shop in Maryland.  Any knitter wanting to knit and send a helmet liner to our troops in Afghanistan check out this site for a free pattern.  I haven't made it to the shop yet--a lot of snow in our area kept me from visiting a couple shops I'm wanting to get to.  But the snow has cleared and my helmet liner has been completed.

I hadn't attempted this type of project before.  It turned out to be a well-fitting pattern that would keep anyone warm out in a windy-cold area.  The front can be pulled up under your eyes or pulled under your chin, depending on how much coverage you want for your face.  I think any outdoorsman who goes out in severe weather would appreciate one of these. The pattern could be changed and different colors used to adapt this for just playing in the snow--a much less serious use for it.  I have enough yarn to make two more just like it for donation. 

The Knitting Olympics "Let The Knitting Begin!"

At the moment the torch is lit tonight to begin the Olympics 2010, more than 2000 knitters will cast on to knit a challenging project of their choice that must be completed before the torch is extinguished at the end. We're  joining the yarnharlot.  Read her inspiring and hilarious introduction.  There are other knitting groups on the web forming their own "knit with the Olympics" plans for tonight.  I had signed up to attempt my first Fair Isle mittens, using both the continental and the English methods for two-handed stranding--a real challenge for me--a continental knitter.  But, I discovered there is a call for "helmet liners for soldiers," that are being sent to soldiers in Afghanistan.  I've had a soldier in Afghanistan and I've decided to join that cause instead.  When the torch is lit tonight, I'll cast on dark olive 100% wool to knit a helmet liner before the torch is extinguished on Sunday, February 28.

Aprons

I was making apple dumplings today and wearing an apron I made.  I've seen some pretty darn cute aprons out there in shops lately.   In my mother's kitchen, aprons were just taken for granted.  They weren't cute--they were utilitarian.  Before we started cooking, the aprons went on.  They were old, faded, thin in places, but really soft and so useful. My mother would start cleaning some chicken and send me to the garden for whatever veggies were ready, for some dill or parsley and, perhaps some cucumbers.  I ran out and just gathered up my apron and started filling it.  Back inside, I'd sit down with some peas to shell.  My apron would be a protective towel over my lap while I shelled peas into a bowl on my lap.  When I was finished, I shook out the debris off my apron into the compost container.  After I rinsed the peas, I might just quick-dry my hands on it. An apron served as an always-handy little towel.   We used the pockets to carry all kinds of things around the kitchen or outside--some clothespins to hang out laundry--a couple things on the table that should be put away upstairs, etc.  I still take aprons seriously.  I like a full-size apron that fits smoothly and has a bib for serious baking because it holds my clothes out of the way when I'm rolling out dough and working around the oven.  For cooking I like a gathered half-apron with pockets for all the handy uses I mentioned above.  The design of the one here is a particular favorite of mine for all-around use.

BBA Challenge Goes To School

Add bleu cheese to the picture and what do they have in common?  All three belong to the Kingdom Fungi.  In my science classroom we are about to dissect mushrooms, make spore prints and explore the fascinating world of yeast.  I'm going to share with my students what I've learned from the BBA Challenge--that wild yeasts are all around us and we can use them to make some delicious bread. We're going to capture some using Reinhart's recipe in his newly released book, artisan breads every day.  We'll mix some bread flour and pineapple juice and stir and watch until it is active and bubbly. I'll bring it home and bake sourdough bread for the students to sample.  I just received my copy of this bread book and am anxious for Friday night to curl up with my tea and my new book to select the bread for my class.

This weekend is time for our next bread, also, for our challenge.  Karen is planning to make the Rich Man's Brioche and I'm making the Middle-Class Brioche so we can compare the two.  I'll let you know Monday what our vote is.  Reinhart offers to send his readers an autographed bookplate to place in his new book if you send him an sase--check his blog.  Mine came today!  Just in time for my new book!

October musings and plans

The barm for BBA bread No.2 is in the refrigerator.  Next weekend we will be baking Greek Celebration bread after refreshing the barm twice during the week.  This weekend was rainy and I didn't get my roses planted.  I couldn't paint the bathroom yet because the spackling still has to be sanded a final time.  SO, I took a long walk and thought about October.  The leaves are starting to change--the poison ivy and the sumac are among the first to begin turning red.  The crabapples are red and there are a few flowers still blooming in the garden.  Some coral mushrooms were peeking through leaves in the woods.  I always love the path I walked because there is an intense fragrance of pine from the cedars and yellow pines.  The path is soft underfoot from pine needles and moss.  I flushed out a bird but didn't see it. There were fresh tracks from a deer that heard me before I got there.  I thought about how much I love woods, fresh air, blue skies and freedom to enjoy them.  I came back from my walk, picked up a pad and a calendar and made a plan for October.  I listed all the things I love to do and the things that always make me feel stressed.  I decided to schedule my month on the calendar to find time for what I enjoy, for what I need and to begin to handle the stressful jobs that are always on my mind.  Karen and I agreed to follow this plan together.  We both have our exercise plan--mine will be to dance in the morning again and walk while the evenings still have some light.  We both want to have a home that's a pleasure not a chore because it's never organized and "company ready."  Those are the things that get in the way of having the energy and time to do what we find really important to us.  On my calendar I picked a room for each week of October to clean completely, but, more important, to organize everything in it in a way that should make it easy to maintain and to find what I need.  I'm not doing any of that on the weekends--I'm not missing the fall--I'll be baking, knitting, and spending time outside on weekends.  The evenings will be really busy.  The first week of October I'll work in my sewing/knitting room upstairs. My knitting needles need to be organized and I could use a better system for storing my yarn and fabrics.  While I'm at it, I'll reorganize my "linen closet."  Both rooms will take a lot of work--don't know if I can get done in one week.  I want to paint and redecorate but that'll be round two after all the rooms get organized and cleaned.  The key to this plan is that the things we love to do are also on our October calendar to make sure they aren't lost in the usual shuffle of "too busyness."

Baltimore weekend

I took a long weekend to spend in Baltimore for my daughter's birthday.  It turned out to be a little holiday for me.  While she worked I spent the day in Fell's Point.  I visited all the little shops there and walked along the water and hung out in coffee shops.  We met for lunch at Shucker's on the water.  I had no problem filling the hours.  I particularly enjoyed a little yarn shop on Aliceanna called A Good Yarn.  I would spend many hours in this shop if I lived nearby.  They hold knitting classes and allow knitters to just come in the shop and knit with others to learn from and share with.  The yarns were beautiful and I came home with a new supply of sock yarn and a kit to make a really cute hat.

 In the afternoon I walked up to Harbor East where there are more nice stores.  I found coarse grind cornmeal and almond flour for baking in Whole Foods Market, a store I wish we had here in our area.

We worked on Laura's new house over the weekend and got another room painted.  It turned out really pretty and will appear on her site later.  The highlight of the weekend was dinner at Volt Restaurant in downtown Frederick, MD. 

Volt Restaurant, Frederick, MD

Being a foodie as I am, I was thrilled this weekend to go with my daughter and her husband to dinner at Volt restaurant in Frederick, MD.


I had never eaten in this type of restaurant and had never tried some of the food I had. The restaurant is classy and the service was excellent. Not being sure of myself I just looked at the waiter when he came with two carafes and asked "sparkling" or "still?" While I looked at the carafes, my daughter responded with,"still," and I got that it was water. We had "still" all around. Then he appeared again with a small white dish and 3 spoons with compliments from the Chef. He announced it was Arctic Char Tartare with chives. He brought an amazing selection of warm rolls with that. I thought, ok, I can eat raw fish--even though I never have. It was SO good! I knew I could trust the food. Laura and I decided to share the first two courses. The first one was Duck liver with pears, pistachio and tiny lettuce. It was accompanied by toasted vanilla brioche. This was a surprise. The liver tasted nothing like any liver I've ever eaten. It was creamy, light and smooth. The little dollops of pear butter were so good over it and it went suprisingly well with vanilla brioche. It was the most surprising combination I've ever sampled. We decided it was good that we had split it because it was rich. For our second course we ordered Goat Cheese ravioli with sweet corn, chanterelle mushrooms and beans. Once again we had split the course and found it was enough for us. The ravioli was tender and the sweetness of the corn was a perfect complement to the very pronounced flavor of goat cheese. The tiny chanterelles were delightful as was the puff of white corn foam that topped the dish. It was time for the main course. Mine was perfect Roast Chicken--crisp on the outside, tender inside--with fingerling potatoes and Hen of the Woods mushrooms. I had eaten Hen of the Woods many years ago when I found some in our woods. These were the best. Mustard greens balanced out the course. For dessert we chose vacherin with pistachio gelato, raspberry and lemon rosemary. At the end of the evening we were given a tour of the restaurant and met the Chef, Bryan Voltaggio--a contestant on "Top Chef," and, we HOPE, the winner. For people who love food-tasting, excellent service and "Top Chef" it was a totally memorable experience. We absolutely loved it.  We plan to come back one day and treat ourselves to "Table 21."

Dancing Through My Sixties

I'm a Grandma now!! Booties are the most fun to knit! They're so cute and knit up so fast. These were knitted in the round with the sole closed up using the kitchener stitch. I admit I ran out and bought quite a supply of baby yarn immediately.

Since I can't have my little guy with me 24/7, I still pursue my passions--food, for example! My friend, Karen, sez to me, "I think we should both use the same bread book and make the same bread once a month for a year. Sez I, "Yes! And I'll blog about it!" Now before you think this is copying "Julie and Julia," I've thought about cooking and blogging way before I ever heard of "Julie and Julia." I've also thought about knitting and blogging about it and dieting and blogging about it and growing old and blogging about it. . .

Anyway--we're on our way. We chose The Bread Baker's Apprentice by Peter Reinhart to make bread from. This coming year we intend to master "the art of extraordinary bread."

Expect to read all about it.

Along with my first overseas trip this spring to Italy (which was amazing and has changed my life) I spent a few days in Bar Harbor, Maine, this summer with my son. We went out on a lobster boat, saw harbor seals and ate lobster and blueberry pie every day. I had never spent much time in Maine--it was beautiful! I went sailing in Baltimore on our boat--first time out for me. It was quite breezy, but I was with two excellent sailors who were always in complete control. (I may have to make a little trip somewhere with boats and seafood this fall. ) Then, when the summer was almost over, along came this little, tiny grandbaby!

There will be a wine festival in New York City in October. My favorite stars from the Food Network will be there. I can’t attend this October—we’re invited to a wedding that weekend, BUT, I could get there! The addresses given for the festivities are familiar to me now. I could get there by train, then go by taxi or bus (I didn’t quite master the subway). The city was opened up to me by Carolyn—a New Yorker, a friend, a woman of the world, who came into our lives when she met my brother on a trip to Russia. Carolyn traveled extensively on assignments for “Modern Bride” and “Better Homes and Gardens” as well as other publications. And she knows New York City and how to get anywhere she needs to go. When I was in New York she not only showed me around, she showed me how to get around. We went by foot, taxi, bus, subway and boat. I learned what a “New York minute” was as we sped around from place to place and probably saw more in a week than I could have seen any other way. Carolyn was an amazing tour guide, showing me the big picture of Manhattan and surrounding areas by boat as well as intimate glimpses into local shops and independent movie theaters. In a little French restaurant I met her friend in whose art studio I stayed for the week. Rachel was Editor of Country Living magazine for many years—for its best years, actually. That was the magazine that inspired me for those same years—I still have many of those copies and they still inspire me. I get them back out for every Thanksgiving and every Christmas. I don’t buy the new ones. They’re not the same. While I was there, in Rachel’s studio, I had the lights of the Chrysler building shining in my window like a lit-up Christmas tree every night. It was a wonderful place to stay. I spent some time every morning just looking out that window across the city--I miss it. From there I could walk to a little park by the Hudson River or to Central Park and everything in between. I learned that New York City on an early Sunday morning can look like "the morning after" just like a person and that it quickly whips back into shape by Monday morning, as if nothing had ever happened. I'll always remember the flowers and fruits on every street corner and the buses and taxis that took turns blowing horns at each other. The Broadway show was wonderful and Indian food and the borscht were the best. I saw Bergdorf Goodman's, Tiffany's, Wall Street and I saw the statue in the Conservatory that was inspired by one of my favorite stories, "The Secret Garden." I saw where the World Trade Center used to stand and heard protesters shouting in front of the Chinese Embassy. I left, knowing movies of New York and stories in New York would now be familiar and that I had become a tiny bit of a New Yorker myself.

"Thank you, Carolyn” and “Thank you, Rachel” for a week I’ll always remember.

What I loved most about my recent trip to New York City was the discovery of neighborhoods! There was such a diversity of neighborhoods—all within an easy walk or bus ride. I wasn’t so much blown away by the skyscrapers and the fancy stores and glamour of the city as by the little Italian shop that had the best parmesan cheese and balsamic vinegar and the little rice pudding café that had only rice pudding, but the creamiest, best, rice pudding I’ve ever had outside of home. Chinatown was like a little piece of another country and the fresh produce in the neighborhood groceries, especially Eli’s, was amazing. It’s rather fascinating to imagine going home every day with all those neighborhoods, rich and poor, ethnic and glitzy—skyscrapers and saltwater—all around. I’ve always lived in the country—it’s my home—it’s beautiful and my first choice for where to wake up in the morning, but while I’m sitting on my deck watching the leaves change over fields and mountain this fall and the snow drift in from the west this winter, I’ll think about all those people in all those neighborhoods up there in New York City.

Over The Rainbow

Do you know how those special family scenes in movies sometimes have a soft, afternoon light haze over them with stirring, beautiful music informing you that these are moments you will never forget? That was Laura’s wedding on Friday, June 20, just before sunset.

We were on an upper deck overlooking the Chesapeake Bay. The sun was low in the sky and the evening summer breeze was soft and warm, making the apple green, peach and lemon lanterns sway gently under the white lattice where Laura and Jake would soon promise to love and cherish forever. My two sons, in black tuxes with green orchids were tall and handsome as they escorted me in to an instrumental, “Piano Man.”I memorized each moment, wanting to keep it. Then the music changed to a Hawaiian version of “Somewhere, Over The Rainbow,” and little Madison, the flower girl, came, shyly and perfectly, down the aisle, hurrying a little when she was close to her destination, her grandparents, waiting in the front. Following her came seven bridesmaids in short apple green dresses, carrying yellow summer bouquets, faces beautiful and full of emotion of the moment. Then Laura, absolutely breathtaking, came in with her Dad to “How Deep Is Your Love.” The breeze, catching her veil and her hair made the moments even more deeply etched in memory. She looked young, happy and totally beautiful in her ivory, satin wedding dress, her long veil and gardenias in her wedding bouquet. With the background of the bay, the twinkling lights of cars over the bay bridge in the distance, the changing colors of the cloudy, evening sky in the west, and the air of a summer evening all around, the seven bridesmaids in green and the seven groomsmen in black with green orchids stood on each side of Laura and Jake while the minister reminded them and all of us of the importance of the vows that were soon to be said. Laura and Jake poured sand to symbolize the blending of their lives. They spoke to each other, they smiled and laughed to each other and made promises. Emotions flowed freely when a reading from Carson told them that, after this day, they would say to the world, “This is my husband, this is my wife.” And, at the end of the ceremony, the music played, “I’m Gonna Be,” as they came back down the aisle, beautiful, happy, and husband and wife.

The rest of the evening was a wonderful celebration of food, music and dancing. Laura traded her veil for a gardenia in her hair. Jake removed his jacket. The fragrance of lilies and gardenias scented the night. There were speeches, dedications, special dances, cake cutting and joy. As the sun set, guests walked down to the water with little stones to toss into the bay to make their wishes come true. The wedding day ended too soon, but the pictures are coming in and the memories are safe!

"I like you because you're a nice person to like"

It's been a long while again since I've written my thoughts, but that doesn't mean I haven't been having any. It's 2 days until my daughter's wedding. The place is beautiful--on the water, the weather's beautiful--blue sky and white clouds, and she's beautiful, but I'm sort of panicking just a little. I have no reason to. Her fiancee is the right guy--part of the family, already, and we have no doubts about that. But, still, she's getting married. . .When I'm not being sentimental, I'm pretty excited. Their wedding website is awesome--laura-jake.com and they have planned everything well. Our car is packed, the dresses are altered, I've lost 19 pounds, and it's time to go. --I'll have a lot more to say next time.

Finally Done

I finished knitting my fingerless gloves!! I have a page of comments on "lessons learned while knitting." This project reminded me over and over of the necessity of focus. If I tried to do anything else, like chat with a friend (!) I made a mistake. If I felt comfortable with my rhythm and started to knit mindlessly, I made a mistake. Sometimes, for no apparent reason, I made a mistake. I made more mistakes and started over more with these gloves than anything else I've ever knitted! Just when I thought I had finally finished the second glove, I laid it beside the first one and it was an inch longer than the first one! I had to unravel some of it again. But I like them. And the pattern is "Snow on Cedars!" I'm ready to start my next project--probably Estonian socks.

And I've lost 4 more pounds eating good food in small amounts and have finally begun my exercise program of adding weights and core exercises to my dancing.

Spring!

Another Easter arrived last weekend. We colored eggs, made spring foods and had our bouquets of pussy willows, Easter Lily and daffodils. I feel new energy and excitement, knowing the garden and potting shed will soon be humming again and the deck will replace the living room.

Ok--this "think yourself thin" business is working. I've lost 7 pounds. It has been mostly my mental shift that has allowed me to eat differently. I'm eating purposefully. I know the "superfoods" for health: deeply-colored fruits and vegetables, fish, turkey, beans, soy, oats, nuts, yogurt and tea. I keep those foods in the house. If I don't have them, I can't eat well. I find diet books and articles somewhat helpful and inspiring and I use them for recipe ideas, but I like exciting cookbooks better--the ones that contain small meals full of flavor. My breakfast today was 1 hard-boiled egg, half a slice of whole-grain bread, a chopped tomato and a small apple, cubed and rolled in a bit of walnut oil and ground walnuts. I actually couldn't finish the whole egg--it was all so satisfying. I'll have my daily smoothie later. It's usually made with some type of frozen fruit and skim milk. My favorite is frozen bananas, a spoon of Nutella and skim milk. However, a tropical fruit smoothie with cream of coconut added is pretty darn good!

My lunch will be "Tapas" style--small amounts of a variety of good foods that I have on hand. There is leftover pork that can be a small pork medallion with a bit of Asiago cheese over it, some baked sweet potato--I can glaze a couple chunks of that with some acacia honey and microwave it a couple minutes. On the side I think I'll add a marinated artichoke, a bit of sour-cream cucumber salad and a couple grape tomatoes drizzled with a bit of olive oil and fresh basil.

If I plan my meals with emphasis on small amounts and lots of flavor, I have the perfect combination. And I've already started running out to the herb garden this spring. The new chives are up, the parsley is producing its second-year crop and the thyme survived the winter well.

Birthday Reflections

Last week I had a birthday. I looked back at my goals of two years ago when I turned 60. I had said I would “dance” through my sixties. I wasn’t really sure what I meant. When I turned 60, I took a year off from work to clear my life of some clutter. I found my house and my mind were actually quite similar. Both were cluttered and tired and needed some revamping! During that year I organized, I gardened, I cleaned, I cooked, I walked, and I wrote. I started a cookbook, I visited my daughter in Baltimore, sailed, went to some great restaurants, strolled on an island beach--and I danced. I danced at the weddings of two of my children and I danced at home. I learned my greatest passions in life involve my senses. The fragrance of daffodils transports me to all the springs I have known and loved. Roses and honeysuckle are overwhelming in their fragrance and an armful of lilacs is almost more than I can stand. And there are lilies-of-the-valley, mock orange, . . . My family helped me plant a tiny lavender field so I will have plenty to scent the sheets on the linen shelves upstairs. I brush my hands over the lavender whenever I pass by.

My year off was filled with heady fragrance and culinary adventure. What is better than a kitchen stove with a ready pot, a counter of fresh vegetables, mushrooms, cheeses, and a bowl of straight-from-the-garden dill, parsley, rosemary and thyme with a good Wusthof knife and a cutting board? All of that is even more delightful if the blackberries are ripe and a pie crust has already been rolled out by best friends in the kitchen, with a dog or two waiting for a snack.
I discovered that I love clothes that feel good on my skin—soft cotton is my favorite. I like the feeling of earrings that are long enough that I can feel them dangling against my neck.

I rediscovered music. Sometimes I want beautiful, soft music so I can float along with it in my mind, sometimes I play music that is powerful, and sometimes I just play any music that makes me want to move. Dancing has become my exercise.

Over that year off, I learned what “dancing through my sixties” means to me. It means absorbing the fragrance, feeling the sun, the breeze, and the earrings, sharing the food, laughing at the humor, and treasuring the faces. It means responding with all my senses to any music I hear or want to hear, and eliminating all the clutter that makes me stumble.
In the movie, “Ratatouille,” the food critic says, “I don’t like food; I love it. If I don’t love it, I don’t swallow.”

"When The Sun Rises, Wake With A Song"

Well, Laura, there’s this “pie of the month” thing. . . and when you peel a healthy avocado for your salad, what do you do with the other half?? It turns brown if you don’t eat it. . . and then your husband gets interested in the pie thing and he makes one that sits in front of you on the counter all day. How can you just have one piece of that?! And can’t we all just eat a lot and then hibernate for the winter? What happened to that idea??
I did walk outside today and prune the grape vine while the wind buffeted me all around. That felt like some kind of exercise. I think I’m lighter now.

I looked to my wise list of advice from a dog for something inspiring. One says “take naps,” but that doesn’t help. The next one says, “stretch before rising.” OK. I will get up 20 minutes sooner and start the day with Yoga to some beautiful music—stretching myself thin. It’s time to bring out the inspiring Yoga for Chickens and bask in its wisdom. My routine, just for this week, will be, “Gizzard Stretch, shoulder shrug, hippie chick, drumstick stretch, cat-cow, and flying bug/crawling bug.” All will be done before the Sun even rises. I'll face the day--a better chick.