Ferret Hammock’s Neighborhood

I started exploring other blogging platforms a couple years ago.  Last summer (July 2008) I settled on Wordpress for a food-specific blog that I started and then in October I decided to start posting my crafting adventures there as well.  Clearly most of my neighborhood here has stopped posting too, since I don't get weekly updates nearly as often.  Bookishbiker's departure announcement reminded me that I never came back to make my own announcement.  I wanted to make sure that I was happy with the new blog before committing to the switch and I wanted it to have a decent amount of content before I mentioned anything.  The best of intentions...

If you are still interested in reading my adventures in crafting please visit Anotheryarn Crafts, and if you are interested in reading my adventures in cooking (focused on using my CSA veggies) please visit Anotheryarn Eats.

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After a night out with friends and an emotionally draining day, I slept in a bit and headed east on I84. 

The drive was long but the decision not to take I90 across Washington was the right one.  No offense Washington but eastern Oregon is much prettier; besides, I am not even entirely sure how many times I have crossed Washington so part of it is probably the newness factor.

The playlist consisted of a mix of songs I can sing along to.  Umlaut seems a bit confused, but overall seems to enjoy the somewhat frequent stops and exploration of new smells in new locations.

I stopped at a Char Burger for lunch, the food was meh, but they had guns on the wall and more importantly pie.

The drive was long and I rolled into Boise around 10P and found a room at a hotel.  Apparently everything closes at 10P in Boise (at least where I was) and the only thing I could find for dinner was Taco Bell.  I must remember to pick up some bread and other easy to eat dinner foods, or otherwise eat dinner earlier.

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Due to a need to sleep, I did not take off nearly as early as I thought I would.  It was all good though since the plan was only to go so far as Portland, OR.

After a few final errands and good-byes Umlaut and I hit the road and headed south. 

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I made a pit stop at a Mount Saint Helen’s visitor center and at Mrs. Beesley’s for a quick late lunch early dinner.   I am not even sure where it is, but Jennifer knew.

Jennifer is a friend who graciously said she would put me up for the night, but then had to go to Seattle at the last minute so she left me the key all the same so I could stay the night anyway.

I was exhausted when I got there; though the drive was relatively short it was emotionally draining.  To know that I was driving away and though I would be back for visits, I was leaving the amazing friends I had made in my almost twelve years in Seattle.

When I arrived at the little white house on the corner I was greatly impressed by the amazing bathroom.

After taking some time to relax, I called some other friends in Portland whom I had not seen since college and we went to the Kennedy School House for a late dinner and a few beers.  Though I was exhausted, I am glad I made it.

I managed to get to bed at a decent time; then stayed there until fairly late.  Finally at nearly noon, I hit the road…  on to Boise.

More photos available on flickr.

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Today I made Tomato Tuna Melts, these are perfect for a hot night because you can microwave them to melt the cheese and since there is tomato instead of bread you do not get that weird gummy effect with the bread. 

I took halved roma tomatoes emptied them out, the guts were chopped and added to a bowl with diced green apple, celery, juice from half a lemon, about 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise, ground pepper and sea salt and a can of tuna fish.  After mixing it all together I stuffed the halved tomatoes with the tuna salad and then topped with grated cheddar and jack cheese.  I then put them in the microwave and heated them until the cheese melted.

I served them on a bed of lettuce with some rosemary bread and cucumber salad from last night.  It was a nice filling but cool dinner with a little bit of warmth in the tomato. 

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Since most of my stuff is boxed up in a storage unit my creative outlet has moved to food.

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It has been a really nice summer in Seattle, hot, not too humid, not too dry, just overall really decent.  That said though one of my favorite things to cook is chili and stews, it isn’t exactly the right weather so I have been trying a few other things.

Tonight was a Mediterranean inspired meal.  I cheated on the falafel and used the “Fantastic Foods” brand that comes in a box, but made the rest.  I used quinoa instead of cous cous on the tabouli which turned out really nice, though I could have increased the lemon and parsley (which just seemed really bland as far as parsley goes) a little for a bit more punch.  The cucumber salad was really simple, onions cucumber, yogurt, dill.  It was a nice cool dinner for a hot night.

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Back in May I lost my job, a month later I moved out of my place, in the end I intend to move back east.

 I’ve spent the last few years feeling over Seattle.  It is a great place to live really and my friends here are probably the best I have ever had, but it is time.  There is a difference between the left coast and the right coast that leaves me needing to return back east. 

In the meantime I am trying to save money and get some things sorted out, so I am staying with friends.  Though technically homeless, I have a nice home base spot with a room with a door and time to enjoy my summer and hang out with my friends. 

First, let me send my most heartfelt prayers to those families who's celebrities are now on the path to their next life. And prayers to anyone else who lost a loved one 

But, I will say that Farrah Faucet kind of got a raw deal. And she was battling a deadly disease. I'm not so sure that MJ should have trusted those closest around him quite so much. But what do I know.

So, did you notice the "D.A.M. News and reviews" up top. Well, those are my initials. I pass along news going on here and I give my own viewpoints.
I've been really faithful about taking the meds. And I do find I am enjoying things I haven't in quite a few years. Playing with a child at the shoreline. You know running back and forth as the waves come in and go out. I felt so good. All those wonderful memories flooded in of my own kids as they enjoyed playing silly games with Mom.
Wishing that my daughter had visited longer. She was correct in saying I'm different.. Was like getting a new mom. Things went that well.
Realizing that doing my beadwork/crochet is an "art". Plus, finding that wonderful ideas for necklaces have been creeping into my head.
Life is better now. My flowers look wonderful. Inside my home is comfy, and decorated well. I still have some frames to get, but wait for the sales at places. LOL Yes, I can be that patient.
Also, I do get out more than I was. Finally getting some PT and pain meds, have got me planning my summer day trips. Yea!!!!!!!!! Laguna Beach art shows andThe OC Fair.

It was cool and cloudy here this am til noonish. So, if you are going to any of our beaches, bring a light wrap of some sorts.

After a tad over of a year of therapy for clinical depression, I am a lot closer to who and what I am. I was so angry after my Mother passed, even my husband would call me "Bad Deborah". The meds help too, but the talking with Therese has opened up several "dark" areas. Mostly it was about being alone. Most of my survival skills come from childhood. What memories I have being alone was a biggy. I was a latch-key kids. Come home for lunch, make it myself, call my mother at work, then go back to school. Now, mind you this was grade school. I remember Mother telling me she would get me up, dressed, fed, and then she would lay me back down on the couch with the alarm clock to go off when I was suppose to go to school. A lot of my survival skills came from a violent father. I had a rich "fantasy" life then as I keep the really scary and bad stuff behind really thick mental walls. Not ready to look at those yet. I do have a serious problem with trust. That is why I do shy away from people.
I enjoy doing my gardens, beadwork and crochet. Those really help me to "stay on track"-mentally. I am not good with crowds, or social functions ether. I just never know how to act or do that small talk stuff. And with talking I now can see that I can work on my beadwork or crochet without feeling like I should be doing houework or chores first. It is difficult to realize I am an artist/craftsperson.
As far as letting people help me, that is what we are working on now . . .