Well we are settling into a routine with the new addition to our family. Bruno is so full of love and, thankfully, Cinny has already bonded with him. I was so worried about my girl as she went into a slump with the loss of her sister (but then so did I, my heart still aches).  But with this sweet boy in the house I’m seeing the old Cinny return. We get them out daily for romps again. Luckily we have an open nature area just down the block where they can run off leash. But on days off we like to venture further afield.  

This week we explored Silver Falls.  Beautiful!!!

I just love curvy sun dappled paths that appear to disappear deep into the forest. Stirs my imagination up and returns me to my childhood!!!  

We did not have time to explore as much as we would have liked. There are 10 falls and a 5 mile hiking trail that covers them all.  There is the best camp grounds at the falls and we have determined to spend some time camping this summer.  Y’all know I love camping…not!!  But I think I could manage a few nights to please the dogs and the hubby and I could get in that hike to see all the falls!  The trail even goes behind the falls!!  Can’t wait!!  

 

Back home I got busy and planted up a herb garden in pots on my balcony. I missed my herb garden last year when we moved and was determined to get one planted this year!  I like using the pots.  I even put in a few tomatoes. 

I have already used the rosemary and thyme to make this

Chicken Pot Pie!  Since I am usually pressed for time I use a simple recipe.  I cook my chicken in the crockpot with rosemary, thyme, a bit of salt, chicken broth, and a tomato and onion chopped. I always make extra chicken breast to use for another meal. 

I use purchased roll out pies crust. So easy and I just have to open them and put them in my pie pan. Then I add one can each of cream of chicken and cream of potato soup, some frozen peas and carrots, the cooked chicken shredded, and cover with a top crust. Bake at 375 for bout an hour or until crust is cooked. How easy and yet really delicious!!  I save this for nights when I get home late and don’t feel like chopping, dicing, simmering, and stewing.  

Jimmy and I also celebrated a very important event!!  Our one year Anniversary!!  Who would have thought two years ago that I would be blissfully wed and living back in the Willamette Valley?!  It has turned out so good for us. Not only have we found a compatibility that neither of us had previously, but we have found just the right spot to live.  Can’t beat that!!

A return to city life has brought so many pluses, although Salem does not feel like a city in the least. I love having so many conveniences close at hand. Yarn shops, craft shops, organic and natural food stores, just so many shopping choices. And I don’t even care to shop but I do like choices when I do shop. Another plus has been the myriad yard sales just in my corner of the town. Oh the amazing bargains I have found….even yarn!! Yes I love living here!! So many places to explore right in our own back yard, the beach only an hour away, and Portland 45 minutes away. What a perfect place to land!!

Along with trips afield, planting, and celebrating I also got in knitting time.  I finished another simple scarf…you know I love simple…and a tea cozy. I tweaked the pattern some so wrote up my own directions.

SIMPLE TEA COZY

Supplies:
Worsted, DK, or Aran weight yarn leftovers
US size 7 needles
Cozy is knit by making two identical pieces; one for each side.
Cast on 31 stitches.
Row 1: P2, K2, to last three stitches, P2 K1
Row 2: P2, K2, to last three stitches, P2 K1
Increase one stitch in the first stitch of the next 4 rows continuing to work in the pattern (Inc in first stitch P1, K2, you will have three stitches on the needle when you do the first K2 pattern and at the end of rows 2 and 4 you will end with a K2).
You will now have 35 stitches.
Next 30 rows:
K2, P2, to last three stitches, K2, P1
Shaping the top:
Row1: (K2, P2, K1, P2tog, P1) 4 times, K2, P1 (31 stitches)
Row 2: (K2, P2, K1, P2) 4 times, K2, P1
Row 3: (K2, P2, K1, P2tog) 4 times, K2, P1 (27 stitches)
Row 4: (K2, P1, K1, P2) 4 times, K2, P1
Row 5: (K2, P2, P2tog) 4 times, K2, P1 (23 stitches)
Row 6: (K2, P3) 4 times, K2, P1
Row 7: K2 (P2, K2tog, K1) 4 times P1 (19 stitches)
Row 8: K2, P2, to last three stitches, K2, P1
Row 9: (K2, P2tog) 4 times, K2, P1 (15 stitches)
Row 10: K2, P1 across row
Row 11: K1, P2tog across row
Row 12: K1, P1 across row
Cast off loosely in pattern
Stitch two pieces together fitting to your tea pot and leaving an opening for the spout and handle.
So simple and so cute!

With love,

Patricia