Not the greatest picture of my roses but they are so beautiful right now and will bloom until the next hard frost.
I mixed up my own version of dry ranch dressing. I found it better and no preservatives.
1/2 cup of dried buttermilk
1 Tab of garlic powder
1 Tab of onion powder
2 tsp of dried parsley
1 1/2 tsp of dried dill
1/2 tsp of dried tarragon
1 tsp of salt
1/2 tsp of cracked pepper
1/2 tsp dried mustard
2 Tab = 1 packet
I put it all in this jar and shake, shake, shake. Put the cover on tight and keep in cupboard.
The local grocery store had a sale on lobsters. I treated myself to two
they cook them I just cracked them. They are hard shell, so it was hard cracking, but I got 3 lobster rolls out of it and it cost 20.00 seeing as most lobster rolls are 30.00 and up each, so the cracking was worth it.
I have struggled with punch needle the whole I time I have tried it.
I was going to paint this one and stitch over it, but the paint bled.
So, it is large enough to fit my rug hooking frame to keep it nice and tight. And that was the trick I think I am punching away so much better.
****
This morning, I was walking on our road and out pops a black bear from the hill on a trot. We were just feet apart! I was so shocked and so was the bear. And then I forgot everything I know about bear encounters! I turned (and hurt my knee) put my back to that bear and ran!!! (You cannot outrun a bear ever!) Luckily The bear did the same in the opposite direction. It was a young bear but if it had been a mother bear, she may have chased me. I am mad at myself for being foolish. What I should have done
is raise my arms over my head to make myself look as large as possible and slowly back away. Never turn your back on a wild animal that large, that bear even though young, I think last year's cub was probably around 200 lbs.
*****
Have a safe 4th!
26 comments:
Wow what a surprise with the bear, might not hurt to keep bear spray with you too-I learned about that when I went to Yellowstone back in 2017. you both were startled and took off-hugs.
Your roses are lovely, I never grew roses-too many thorns-smiles=and they seem to take a lot of care and some knowledge.
wow on the lobsters! awesome they cooked them for you too.
Happy 4th
You are one lucky live woman. My first lesson would be to NOT walk too far from the safety of home's door.
seeing a bear, how terrifying and awesome!! i love needle punching. i have not done any in awhile because it does hurt my hands a little and also because i have been trying new things!! your roses are beautiful!!
oooooh man, i forgot about the lobsters, they are a favorite and a the jersey shore they are about 35.00 everywhere!! i think i am to lazy to do what you did, plus the hubs hates lobster. go figure!!!
Yikes! That is too scary. Glad he ran too.
I'm going to make that ranch seasoning, thanks!
God was with you at the bear encounter - you were so lucky. I imagine it is hard to remember what you are supposed to do.
Impressive about your lobsters.
So happy your punch needle is working better.
Oh how scary trying to outrun a bear. Thankfully your guardian angel was watching over you. Will you be carrying bear spray or sticking closer to home?
So thankful you are ok and I hope the knee is, too.
Wow, that bear encounter sounds unnerving. So glad the bear didn't give chase. Your ranch seasoning sounds good. I hope you have a very nice Independence Day! See you again soon
Oh my goodness, a BEAR!! Of course, one knows JUST what to do but it's strange, isn't it, how that knowledge flies out the window and all you can think of is....RUN! Bless you, glad you are okay. x
You are so lucky Cathy. My dad had a black bear grab his arm. Took the sleeve right off his Winter coat before he could get in the car. Glad that bear ran the other way. Your roses are lovely and bet they smell wonderful. Janice
Bears can do a lot of harm, glad you are safe. I don't believe I have ever tried lobster.
I love those fairy roses so very much. Wish I could find some in these parts. Glad you figured out a fix for your punching. My last punching project is lingering...It was put away for too long and took me forever to find the pattern when I dug it out again...and then I couldn't find my floss. Found that and then lost the pattern again. Duh. And I am trying to refuse to start another punch piece until that one is finished. Yikes on the bear...glad it ended well but I can't help laughing a bit imagining you and the bear seeing each other, thinking yikes, throwing your arms up and running the opposite ways from each other.
Glad to read that the bear wa just as surprised as you and ran the other way. I'm sure I would have done the same wrong thing and run.
Good grief! I am glad things turned out well with the bear! You can know what to do but it is hard to overcome that urge for flight!
I'll have to try your ranch mix. I've made a version before but it seems to lack...something. I don't recall using tarragon, so maybe that's it?
What brand of buttermilk powder do you use? I ask because what I have says to keep refrigerated. Regular dry milk doesn't say to do that. I'm not sure if there's a real reason or if it's a "cover our a**" order from the buttermilk company's legal department.
I'd like to think I could keep my head if I ever crossed paths with a bear. But since the rare one that makes it to our area nearly always gets shot, there's not much chance I'll ever find out.
Thanks for the recipe! LOBSTERS sooo yum. Ours on the West coast are not the same. An added adrenaline boost on your walk - can't imagine how I would have reacted. Keep punching that's going to be nice. Happy 4th!
Oh my! That bear encounter. Scary as all get out but you at least know what to do. Thanks for sharing the ranch recipe. I may have to do this!
A lobster roll sounds wonderful, but the bear encounter sounded frightening. I hope never to have an encounter -- with any wild animal.
Love the Ranch mix...and a Bear?? Omg Girl! You're brave!
hugs
Donna
Punch needle always has to be drum-tight to work at all so you’ve found the secret. Enjoy.
Glad you’re ok after the bear!
I keep watching for a bear - I see tracks when I'm hiking near the house. I've had several close encounters but have never been charged (thank goodness). We have a couple lobster tails in the freezer waiting for a special occasion. I'm going to try the dressing recipe.
Oh what I would give for a lobster roll! Yum! I cannot get the hang of punch needle either. I think they are so pretty finished up. Yikes, that was a close encounter with a bear! I would probably have done the wrong thing too and ran.
What a rich and honest glimpse into your week—from blooming roses to a bear encounter that surely got the heart racing. Your homemade ranch mix sounds both practical and wholesome, and the lobster treat was well-earned. I'm glad both you and the bear made it out safely—it's a powerful reminder of how instincts can kick in. Wishing you continued peace, creativity, and safety.
I just shared a blog post you are invited to read, thank you: https://www.melodyjacob.com/2025/07/the-boxer-shorts-trend-castle-test.html
No way! A bear? Yikes! I'm glad you and he went in opposite directions. Maybe carry some bear spray? Geez, I get nervous if I see a dog loose on a walk! Your roses are beautiful. Mine aren't doing too bad but at the moment they aren't blooming. From your needle work to homemade ranch seasoning, you are the clever gal! I'm heading to Maine on the 14th with my sister and nieces. It's going to be a rush trip but I'm looking forward to seeing a place I've never been. Have a good week Cathy!
How fortunate you were that the bear was as scared of you as you were of it!! No doubt in your situation I would also have run.
Hey Cathy. Glad you made it safely away from the baby bear. Roses look pretty.
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