Italian Dinner ~

 

Saturday afternoon at the hooking retreat at Lakeside, we were told the kitchen was off limits after 3 pm.  About 5 pm, we were told to proceed to the patio dining area and to bring a pen.  We were handed a menu and had to choose our 1st, 2nd and 3rd courses (3 of each).  The menu was in Italian and we had about 60 seconds to decide.  

 

Waiting for dinner to be served.

 

 

Head chef Luigi, or was it Guiseppe (???) telling us dinner would be served. 

You really had to be there, but let me try to explain.  For my first course I had chosen a salad, water and knife.  Have you ever eaten a salad with a knife?  It can be done :)  There were also stalks of celery on the table that we could use.  Someone got ice cream, a napkin and water, another got spaghetti, ice cream and a napkin.  I think you get the idea.  It was proven that you can eat spaghetti with a stalk of celery.

 

Our wait staff was hilarious.  



They would suddenly start arguing and poking each other with a stereotypical Italian accent.  

 

 

 

At the end of each course, they would take away your food and utensils whether you were done or not.  After the second course, I still had my napkin and mentioned to my tablemates that Mario did not take it from me.  Well, Luigi came and grabbed it off my lap.

 

Everyone also had their "Mona Lisa" portrait done.

 

I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard.  What a wonderful time with some of the best hookers I could ever hope to meet!

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Lakehenge ~

 

Aren't these fun?  They are on a walking path along a rocky shore of Lake Erie at Lakeside, OH.  I was told it was a project that anyone could contribute to. 

 

Oh, it is a chilly one in northern, Ohio, today but I don't think we're alone.  Actually it is just C-O-L-D.  I am so not ready for this.  I have a turtleneck on for the first time this season.  Have I mentioned I'm not ready for this?  Hopefully it will be a bit more pleasant tomorrow so that I can head to the Harvest of Antiques & Crafts in Birmingham.  I wimped out today.

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Lakeside 2014 ~

Another wonderful Lakeside, Ohio, hooking retreat is over all too soon.  Oh, what fun we had.  I don't think I've ever eaten, laughed or hooked so much.  Time spent with friends ~ new and old.

 

Here's the house we once again stayed in.  It is directly across from the pier.  Sleeping accommodations for twenty one!

 

Hooking is messy business.  It also makes one thirsty.

Group shots were taken at two different times.  Some people are in both.  At least one hooker had already left.

Val taking pictures of the group.  Not the phones resting on her foot.

Our hostess with the mostest Katie thanking Someone above for our perfect weather.  Her invaluable helper, sister Laura.

On the east side of the pier where the waves hit was this foam.  I remember it being there last year, too.

It reminded me and Sheila of toasted marshmallows on hot chocolate.  

 

 

The sun setting over Lake Erie.

 

I didn't take as many pics as I should have, but I do have more to share.

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Pug Lottery ~

Do you remember this face?  A face only a mother could love :)  My Annie was the last pug I fostered, a pug wannabee, who was with me for 16 months.  I wondered if she would ever get adopted.

If there was such a thing as a pug lottery, Annie won it and I am so happy for her.  I got an update from her furever mom Kas the other day. Let me tell you, that girl has a better social life than I do.  She goes to coffee shops and wineries, hikes and even goes on bike rides.

This girl has it made.  

Annie's chariot

Do you think she may be just a bit spoiled? 

Meet our newest work cat, HeShe.  HeShe was probably born last Thursday or Friday.  She was found alone Friday in the complex where I work, in the shop area where equipment is stored (trucks, excavators, street sweepers, etc).  She was found crying, lying in filth.  Our office seasonal worker brought her in the office, cleaned her up and went and bought kitty formula.  She spent the weekend with Nora and today joined us at the office.  Nora plans to take care of her until she is old enough to be adopted.  We know there is a chance she may not survive, but Nora is doing all she can to see that doesn't happen.  

I have been agonizing over what rug to take to work on at Katie's retreat at Lakeside this week. Of course I should be taking a rug that I will give as a Christmas gift, but just couldn't decide, so I went to my stash and pulled the wool for this pattern I purchased a couple years ago.  

I've also drawn up a little Magdalena Briner inspired rug to take with me, so I have a choice of what to work on, but first I will finish the birthday rug I am working on.  I am very close to being done.  

I snagged this off Facebook.  Isn't this the truth???  I wish I could give credit to the designer/hooker, but I have no information to pass one.  

The other night there was the most incredible sunset.  This picture was taken through my windshield.

I was down to the lakefront in about two minutes and by the time I got there, most of the really good color was gone, but I did manage to get a couple pictures with my phone.  The sky was absolutely breathtaking!

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

This 'n That ~

Thank you so much for the visit.  I really do appreciate the time you take to read my ramblings :)

Last night hooker friend Melissa and I headed a little over an hour south to spend the evening hooking with Katie of Kid'l de Divey Woolens. I had the pleasure of meeting several new hookers - all hooking wonderful rugs - and I never even took my camera out of my bag.  GGGRRRRR!!!  I hate when I forget to take pictures.  I finally have a new rug on the frame but I can't share it because it is a gift for a friend's birthday.   

I've finally drawn the winner of the button bracelet.  Congrats to Julie of Dog Trot Farm. Please email me your snail mail address and your choice of bracelet.  Please take the time to visit Julie's blog if you've not done so.  She has the most adorable grandson!  Thanks to all who entered.

* * *

Lakeside, Ohio, is a private community on the shores of Lake Erie.  It was formed in 1873 by the Methodist Church and remains a church affiliated vacation resort.  It is one of only a few independent Chautauquas that persist in the 21st century.  It is approximately one square mile in size and the entire community is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  And why am I telling you all this?  Because I will be spending three glorious days hooking there with Katie. Hooker friends Melissa, Sheila and Bobbie (the Evening Stitcher) will be sharing a room.  I think there are going to be 24 of us having a hooking good time.  Now the pressure is on to figure out what to bring to hook.  At least that is good pressure :)

Pug hugs :)
Lauren