Too busy - tired - hurting too badly to cook?

A cure for the "What To Cook For Supper" blues~

What to do when you're super busy, or too tired to cook, or hurting too badly to even think about the next meal, which happens to me frequently~:o) An easy meal, and one that kids usually like, is waffles (with an electric waffle maker so you can sit at the table to make & eat them) with toppings of mixed berries and whipped cream (using the frozen varieties of both).

I've used that for my busy/painful days for ages. All I have to do is get the berries & whipped cream thawed in time.

Since the berries are not sweetened, you can sweeten with your choice of sugar or a substitute. Sprinkle your choice of sweetener on top of the frozen berries, and allow them to thaw. And sit the frozen whipped cream/non-dairy whipped cream out to thaw, then go on with your day.

When it's time for supper, all you have to do is put out the beverages, napkins & silverware, sit the plates by the heating waffle iron on the table, and put the whipped cream & berries on the table. Then I stir up the waffle batter, sit myself down and start the waffles cooking.

Since it's just the two of us, and we prefer hot black coffee with this meal, I make the coffee a bit in advance and sit the caraft on the table for easy serving.

Guess what we are having for supper tonight? I an Not offering a prize for the correct guess since it's a pretty sure thing . . .

Gopher Tortoise in Georgia

I was taking a photo of the Climbing Blackeyed Susan plant one day last year, when I saw this little guy rapidly making his way towards me.


Since I'd never heard of an Attack Turtle before, I waited to see just how close it would come to me.

As you can see, it got pretty close, but still no attack~ So I waited.

And Waited . . .
.
.
.
And Waited . . .
.
.
.
And Waited . . .
.
.

. . . And the little guy totally ignored me, did not speed up as he passed me or while I followed to see where he was going. He then turned right to go behind the lawn supply shed and over to our daughter's storage shed, to dissapear down the new burrow he'd dug.

He, or his friends, have due tunnels in the south field far from our "yard" and right beside our yard, under the first fig tree we planted (which is now dying), under our daughter's storage shed, under my storage shet, in the east field, and under the trees out near the road. At least those are the only ones we've found . . .

They are a protected species here, but even if they were not we would not harm them. We don't kill any wildlife that comes in our yard. But we do kill most of the mice that come into our house. I don't think that's against state law~ ~ ~


Gopher Tortoise in Georgia

The gopher tortoise, also called a gopher or gopher turtle, is Georgia's state reptile and one of the high-priority animals listed in Georgia's State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP). Georgia's only tortoise grows to nearly 15 inches in carapace length (the length of the upper shell) and is found from southeastern Louisiana to southwestern South Carolina and from Georgia's fall line to southern Florida. The majority of tortoises are found in South Georgia and north-central Florida.
The gopher tortoise favors sandy soils south of the fall line. Prescribed fire is necessary to preserve its habitat since fire spurs groundcover growth and keeps dry upland habitats such as longleaf pine and scrub oak forests open.

With wide, hard-scaled front feet with large nails, the gopher tortoise is skilled at digging burrows, which provide critical refuge from temperature extremes and fires. Their tunnels average six feet deep and 15 feet long, though some run more than 40 feet. Tortoises often frequent more than one burrow in a year. Other species such as eastern indigo snakes and gopher frogs also depend on the burrows.

The gopher tortoise mainly grasses and low-growing plants, such as legumes, and also will dine on less desirable foods like prickly pear cactus and stinging nettle.

Breeding season lasts from April to July, when the female tortoises lay clutches of five to seven eggs in the sandy mound outside the burrow. Hatchlings emerge August to October, and male gopher tortoises take up to 18 years to reach sexual maturity, and females take up to 21 years.
Adult males will fight over females and burrows, ramming each other with their gular projections, elongated scutes or plates under their neck. Females and males also defend burrows by turning sideways in the tunnels, blocking access.

Conservation Efforts The gopher tortoise is a protected species and is state-listed as threatened in Georgia and federally listed as threatened in Louisiana, Mississippi and western Alabama. Since the species is protected, it cannot be handled without a permit, including for study and relocation.

Gopher tortoise populations suffer mainly from habitat loss and fragmentation due to forestry practices; development; fire suppression; disease; invasive species, such as fire ants that destroy eggs and hatchlings; decreased presence of juvenile tortoises from predators; and gassing burrows, an illegal practice used to locate rattlesnakes.

Superhero Dream Catcher Afghan, especially for Spiderman Fans

DSuperhero Dreamcatcher Afghan - Especially for Spiderman fans
Copyright 2006 - Gail E and Wendy G


Also, please check You Tube for videos on making the Afghan. That might solve your problems before they become discourging. The pattern has been tested and the testers had no trouble as long as they followed the directions. Wishing you the best!

Please Note: if you have difficulties with the pattern, check the NOTES at the bottom, they may have your answer already.
Thank you! And Happy Hooking!

Each of these afghans have had different numbers of rounds in red and blue. I do not follow a strict rule of how many rounds of each color, nor how many bands of red or blue to make.
They are approximately 53 inches across.

The base pattern for this afghan is found at http://www.angelcrafts.net/ Please take a look at Lyn's original Round Ripple Baby Afghan, it's lovely and is a lovely gift for a baby.

To make a plain Round Ripple, without the web, simply follow Lyn’s pattern or mine, just drop the sc rounds and use whatever colors & band widths suit you and your needs.

Both afghans are under copyright. The patterns are intended for personal and charitable purposes only. The patterns are not to be sold, redistributed or placed into any collection or compilation at all. Publishing the patterns on other websites, mailing lists, in any print media, electronic media (CDs) OR the selling of these patterns, IS ILLEGAL! Sharing the link to our patterns on the web is not only allowable, but encouraged.

However, you may make & sell as many of the afghans as you can get buyers for. If we can make money from our art, I am all for it. Just don't sell your work for too little. Treat it like the work of art it is, whether it's an afghan or a potholder, your expertise and time are worthwhile.

Always remember, crocheting has three functions -
1. Enjoyment as you create a work of art,
2. Gives pleasure to us as we work & to receipents when we give them a crocheted item,
and
3. Keeps us from eating all the time~:o)

Superhero Dreamcatcher Afghan Materials:
14 oz Bright clear Red
14 oz Bright true Blue
1 skein Black
Size H hook
I always buy more yarn than needed, just in case~:o)

Large shell: (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) worked in space indicated
Small shell: (1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc) worked in space indicated

Rnd 1: With RED: ch 4. Join with sl st to form ring. Ch 3 (ch 3 counts as 1 dc her and through out). Work 11 dc in ring. Join with sl st to top of beginning ch 3. (12 dc)

Rnd 2: ch 3, 1 dc in same st, 2 dc in ea st around. Join with sl st. (24 dc)

Rnd 3: ch 3, *skip next st, (1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc) in next st.  Repeat from * around. End with 1 dc in base of ch 3, ch 2, sl st in top of turning chain.

Rnd 4: sl st into ch 2 sp, ch 3, (1 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch 2 sp, * (2dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch 2 sp.

Repeat from * around. Join.

Rnd 5: sl st into next st, ch 3, * (2 dc, ch 2, 2dc) in ch 2 sp, 1 dc in next st, skip next 2 sts, 1 dc in next st. Repeat from * across. Join. Finish off. Weave ends in.

NOTE: from Round 7 onward, you will work 1 round with small shell, then 2 rounds with large shell. Red and blue rounds are always dc, black rounds are always sc.

Rnd 6: With BLUE: Join with sl st in next st, ch 3, 1 dc in next st, * (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch 2 space, 1 dc in ea of next 2 st, skip the next 2 st, 1 dc in ea of next 2 st. Repeat from * around, ending with skip 2 st. Join.

Rnd 7: sl st into next st, ch 3, 1 dc in next 2 st, * (1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc) in next ch 2 sp, 1 dc in next 3 st, skip 2 sts, 1 dc in next 3 sts. Repeat from * around, ending with skip 2 st. Join.

Rnd 8: sl st into next st, ch 3, 1 dc in next 2 st, * (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch 2 space, 1 dc in next 3 sts, skip next 2 st, 1 dc in next 3 st. Repeat from * around, ending with skip 2 st, sl st in top of turning chain.

Rnd 9: sl st into next st, ch 3, 1 dc in next 3 st, * (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch 2 sp, 1 dc in next 4 sts, skip 2 st, 1 dc in next 4 st. Repeat from * around, ending with skip 2 st, sl st into top of turning chain.

Finish off color. Weave ends in.

Rnd 10: With BLACK: Join with sl st in next st, (ch 1, sc) in same st as join, *1 sc in each stitch to ch-2 space. (1 sc, ch-2, 1 sc) in ch-2 space, 1 sc in each stitch to bottom of “V”, skip 2 stitches. Repeat from * around, ending with skip 2 dc, sl st into ch 1. Finish off. Weave ends in.

Suggested Color Pattern for Rounds: This is not set in stone, it is a suggestion only and you should follow your own likes so that you make it YOUR afghan~:o)
5 rounds – RED
4 rounds – BLUE
1 round – BLACK
4 rounds – BLUE
1 round – BLACK
4 rounds – RED
1 round – BLACK
5 rounds – RED
1 round – BLACK
6 rounds – RED
3 rounds – BLUE
1 round – BLACK
6 rounds – BLUE

The only thing that should not change, is that there is one round of black because it is the “web” and would not look right if made wider.

The afghan can be made to any size with additional yarn.

NOTE: Continue working in rounds in colors and pattern established, always working 1 round with small shell, and 2 rounds with large shell. Continue repeating rounds 7, 8, 9. Work those three rounds over and over, regardless of the color used for the rounds. That is what keeps the afghan flat as it increases in size. Also, make the afghan as large as you want. The size is not ‘set in stone.’

Pattern for webbing:
To make “ribs” of the web, work from outer edge to middle of afghan.

Attach BLACK yarn in the ch-2 sp at the top of any point. (Ch 3, sl st in ch-2 sp of next round) for all BLUE and RED rounds. (Ch 2, sl st in ch-2 sp) for all BLACK rounds. Finish off.
Repeat 11 times. Weave in ends.

Border: Attach blue yarn in any stitch. *Ch 1, rev sc in ea st around, with (2 rev sc) in ea ch-2 sp. Finish off. Weave in ends.

NOTE: from Round 7 onward, you will work 1 round with small shell, then 2 rounds with large shell. Regardless of color, follow that sequence. Red and blue rounds are always dc, black rounds are always sc.

Wrap and gift to a Spiderman fan and watch their eyes light up~

NOTE: The round count for the colors used were only the number of rounds that were in each color of the afghan pictured above. Each one I have made has a different number of rounds in red and blue, black rounds are always only one round because it represents the web itself.

NOTE:  With a round ripple, the number of stitches from "sk 2 sts" to the "ch2" space, will increase each time you make a Large Shell round.  So on the round after every Large Shell round you will have one more stitch between the bottom of the "sk 2 sts" to the ch2 space".

If you want to knit the afghan, a wonderful lady, Anne, worked the Superhero Dreamcatcher Afghan crochet pattern up in knit, then translated it from Finish to English! So if you are a knitter and want a lighter finished blanket, give her pattern a try.
     http://muro73.googlepages.com/patternsinenglish

And another very kind lady, Ana, has translated the crochet version to Spanish.  You can find this translation at:
    http://hastaelmonyo.com/?p=1375 

There are these two videos that might help with this and other problems;

This one has helped others with questions about the vertical ribbing -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4qoHUprCSk

And this one seems to be in general work on the afghan -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mS-PTao3mo4

MY SINCERE THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WONDERFUL LADIES!

This was in my Suddenly Senior newsletter today, and it is so true that I had to share~
Please go to Judy Gruen's site to read the rest. It is so true, yet so funny, that I nearly fell out of my chair laughing~

I know. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen one other. Things were certainly strained between us when you finally left for leaner pastures.
But I am not too proud to admit that I (and several articles of clothing in my closet) still miss you, sometimes desperately.
Perhaps I should have seen the early warning signs when you were slipping away from me, one belt loop at a time. With every extra bite of brownie or serving of mashed potatoes, I must have been pushing you away from me. But must we be like so many other modern relationships, transient and shallow? Can we not begin again?

JUDY GRUEN is the syndicated columnist of “Off My Noodle” and a member of NSNC. Judy’s main occupation is lobbying the federal government to create a Division of Cellulite Studies at the Department of Health and Human Services. In her spare time, she writes books, humor columns, and complaint letters. She is the author of three award-winning humor books, including "The Women's Daily Irony Supplement," ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year for humor. Read more of her work on www.judygruen.com.

25 Reasons That I Love Crochet

25 Reasons I Love Crochet

1. Crocheting keeps me sane. (I am still sane, aren’t I?)

2. Crocheting helps keep my hands/fingers from “freezing up”

3. Crocheting will help me keep the use of my hands/fingers longer.

4. Crochet has been my first-craft-love since I was a child.

5. It makes me happy.

6. I love the expressions on children’s faces when I give them a finger puppet, Amigurumi, bloodshot eyeball hacky sack.

7. I love the happiness that some people express when I give them something crocheted.

8. Crocheted items that I give to charity helps those who are less fortunate keep warm in the colder times of the year.

9. It helps keep me from snacking so much~

10. Crocheting makes me happy.

11. It constantly amazes me that one can pick up a length of string and turn it into a useable, enjoyable work of art.

12. I love crochet because I can use a pattern, alter a pattern, or make up my own pattern to create something useful, funny, fun, and always beautiful.

13. It’s a good use of those plastic grocery bags, for WIP’s and to strip into Plarn and crochet with.

14. I am never bored.

15. Rainy days? Love ‘em. More time to create something with yarn~

16. Socks, lots and lots of lovely socks that FIT!

17. I love crochet because it gives me something useful to do now that my physical activities are so limited.

18. It makes me happy to know that after I am gone, a part of me will still be with my family and friends.

19. My cats love the beds and toys that I crochet for them.

20. My daughter’s cats and dogs love the beds and toys I’ve crocheted for them.

21. I love using and wearing the things that I’ve crochted.

22. I love crochet because it’s an art form that I can teach to others.

23. I love crocheting because it gives me a reason to buy more yarn, especially yarn that’s on sale!

24. I love knowing that I carried on a craft/art that women in my family have done for generations.

25. I love that my daughter crochets, and her daughter crochets. Two more generations of Hookers.

This is the last four generations of Hookers at a church sponsered Mother's Day Tea~

Kindle II - I'm in love!

This device looked and sounded nice, but I had severe doubts about buying one. It seemed a lot of money to spend on a "hand held electronic book reader". Hubby bought it for me, and I absolutely LOVE it!

I can take it with me anywhere waiting will be done, if I finish a book I can just choose another one to start reading, can purchase magazines and newspapers to read on it.

So far I've not found anything about it that I dislike~

Here is the blurb about it from Amazon:

It is just over 1/3 of an inch, as thin as most magazines;

Lightweight - at 10.2 ounces, lighter than a typical paperback

Wireless 3G wireless lets you download books right from your Kindle, anytime, anywhere; no monthly fees, service plans, or hunting for Wi-Fi hotspots. This is true, we live in a rural county and we live out of town in the country, but can still download books in a snap!

Books in under 60 seconds - Get books delivered in less than 60 seconds; no PC required (This I could not believe until my Kindle came in and I downloaded books onto it, and it really is this fast)

Reads like real paper; now boasts 16 shades of gray for clear text and even crisper images

Read for days without recharging (Yep, I've read for a week without having to recharge, and I read a lot each day)

Take your library with you; holds over 1,500 books. (The new Kindle DX holds 3,500 books)

With the new text-to-speech feature, Kindle can read every newspaper, magazine, blog, and book out loud to you, unless the book is disabled by the rights holder

Over 275,000 books plus U.S. and international newspapers, magazines, and blogs availableNew York Times Best Sellers and New Releases $9.99, unless marked otherwise. And there are a LOT of classics to be found free of charge. So I'm getting to read old favorites at no cost, anytime I want to.

Swine Flu in Humans

Human Swine Influenza Investigation
April 25, 2009 17:30 EDT

Human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection have been identified in the U.S. in San Diego County and Imperial County, California as well as in San Antonio, Texas. Internationally, human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection have been identified in Mexico.

U.S. Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection State # of laboratory confirmed cases
California 6 cases
Texas 2 cases

International Human Cases of Swine Flu InfectionSee: World Health Organization

As of April 25th, 2009 11:00 a.m. ET
Investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the infection and whether additional people have been infected with similar swine influenza viruses.
CDC is working very closely with state and local officials in California, Texas, as well as with health officials in Mexico, Canada and the World Health Organization. On April 24th, CDC deployed 7 epidemiologists to San Diego County, California and Imperial County, California and 1 senior medical officer to Texas to provide guidance and technical support for the ongoing epidemiologic field investigations. CDC has also deployed to Mexico 1 medical officer and 1 senior expert who are part of a global team that is responding to the outbreak of respiratory illnesses in Mexico.