Good Book, Good Bread, Good Week

My one and only niece has a birthday tomorrow.  We seem to have one girl in each generation and all the rest are boys.  I have three brothers, two sons and three grandsons - of course I am sort of partial to boys.  My niece (let's call her Tee) is a wonderful young woman.  She's very intelligent, has always been independent...and she is the author of several books.  Tee was my mom and dad's first grandchild - she was much loved by them.

It's been a busy week.  I worked more than usual - and worked on several projects here.  I'm teaching several knitting and quilting classes at Sew Together.  Lots of fun - such great people.

The picture was taken on our most recent road trip.  It has no reason to be in this post except - I love the picture.  It is Fanning Island in Lake Tahoe.  A private island.  It looks so peaceful, so quiet, so still.

My sister-in-law had hip replacement surgery this week.  Seems almost any body part can be replaced.  A friend just had shoulder replacement surgery.  Wonder why they can't replace a leg or arm??  I guess I think about that since my brother (and traveling buddy) had to have his leg amputated after an accident.  Just wondering...

I found a new yeast bread recipe this week - think I might try it about midnight tonight since it needs to raise 12 to 24 hours!  The unusual part is that it does not have to be kneaded!  Sounds too good to be true.  Guess we'll know tomorrow night.  If you want to check it out - google Jim Lahey bread recipe.  I love bread.  My mom made incredible yeast rolls - really incredible.  And she made them often.  Such good memories.

Grandson 1 is spending the night with us.  We just watched the movie, "Red" - Bruce Willis, Mary-Louise Parker, Helen Mirren, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich and Ernest Borgnine - had to be good.  Although it was over the top with gunfire, fist fights and such.

Grandson 2 has strep.  Hope he feels better soon.  And Little Man (grandson 3) and his mommy and daddy spent some time with his Mimi and Grandpa in Raleigh.  I know he had lots of fun.

Since I still haven't found my long lost Ipod, I bought a book on Itunes and listened to it on my computer. I love to read but if I listen to a book I can also knit!  Gives me a feeling of double accomplishment - especially when I'm knitting socks.

Elvis in Concert

I have always loved Elvis.  My Aunt G was a huge Elvis fan when I was a child.  Of course I thought it was funny that an "old lady" loved Elvis - she was probably in her forties!  Then I became a teenager and I still loved Elvis.

My friends loved the Beatles - they were okay but I just loved Elvis.  What a voice - not to mention those looks - that hair - those swivel hips.  I think I had all his "records", then his 8 track tapes - cassettes and cd's.  I even have some on my ipod - which is another story.  I lost my ipod.  How in the world do you keep up with something that darn small?  It could be hiding just about anywhere.  Been gone quite a while now.  Any ideas where it might be?  We have a 1950's Jukebox - and though it is hard to believe - Elvis sounds better on that than on the cd's.

Mr. H and I went to an Elvis concert in Greensboro April 21, 1977, just a few months before he died - Elvis died, not Mr. H.  Absolutely amazing. The picture above was taken at that concert.  The building was packed - almost 18,000. He was mesmerizing - seemed like every person there was totally focused on him.  It was obvious that he was not in good shape - he had just been released from the hospital.  He was still the King and he gave an amazing performance.  Hearing him sing "How Great Thou Art" brought tears to lots of eyes.  I'm so glad that we paid way too much for the tickets and went to see him.

Elvis was truly gifted - and millions loved him and his music.  There is a video of his daughter, Lisa Marie, singing with him - "In the Ghetto" and "Don't Cry Daddy".  You should watch it.

Another time I'll tell you about my all time favorite - even more than Elvis.  But today I'm remembering the King - maybe because his birthday is in January.