My Space

Night View

This is how my world looks at night in winter.

It makes me feel like I'm wrapped in a warm blanket, looking out on the "sea".

Early evening view

The old shed is a hangout for animals.

 This is my world inside the cocoon.

 I can't think of a nicer place to be when it's white outside.

And here would be the best place for a winter's nap--under a pile of quilts.

Here's hoping you have a space of your own to cozy under.

Hello December! Catching UP

Thanksgiving

Lots going on here....although it might not look like it.

Fall Plates we've been eating off of all season.

Reminds me of illustrations by Heather Ross.

Isn't this a sweet bowl?  I found them at Walmart back in October.

We had cranberries and oranges for Thanksgiving.  Along with the usual: turkey, dressing, sauerkraut and kielbasa, store bought pies, mashed potatoes and sweet potatos- baked.  MMMMM.....It was pretty good.  Plus it was a quiet day.

Here's the guest room.  More often than not, though, it's my daytime nap room.

This is a Jan Patek pattern:  Lilac Hill.  It is applique.  I loved making it, and love it even more displayed on this bed.

Here's a wall hanging I made years ago--whales and ships!  Love it!

I have a theme going on in this room--Here is my doll walking by the shore.

My mermaid cross stitch.  I also did the framing.  Design by Kathy Barrick.

A present for self:  Bloombox from Bloomerie Fabrics!

Love this color of tissue paper-- aqua!

GOODIES!!!  Love it!

First sleeve for the sweater below-- I'm getting to the finish line!

Bet you can't guess what's my favorite color right now!

Hash browns-- frozen and premade.  See this blog for more about it!

Prepare and Nourish by Anya

A good ending.....

Love this pup, but she sure is a pain in the butt!!
Have a Merry Christmas preparation period, everyone!

Knitted Mitts- Getting Ready for Winter (!)

 I made mitts!!

My first pair of mitts!

I used the Tante Ehm pattern for Camp Out Fingerless Mitts that I found the pattern, FOR FREE, on Ravelry.

For my project, I used Freia, fine handpaints, refined yarn: 70% Merino, 30% silk, in Lichen (color).  It's an ombre yarn, in worsted weight (4 Medium).  I also used size 5 needles.  I increased the cuff stitch number from 10 to 18 sts., and the total length from 9.5 inches long to 10.5 inches long.

This is the right mitt. . . . 

Left mitt. . . . . 

. . . .and the left mitt, uncuffed.

I made the finger section longer than required so I could cover more of my fingers while outside.  I didn't do a perfect job, but it will do.  I find, in knitting, there are LOTS of ways to put things together.

So FUN!!  Knitting is a skill worth learning.

Reflections

It's Going to Snow--Today!

Okay, so it was 70 degrees here on the 15th of December.  It's never been this warm at this time of year, ever, as long as I've lived anywhere near or above the Mason Dixon line.  It's ALWAYS been cold-er by Halloween. At least 30 degrees.colder.  I'm not very old, but you can't tell me things haven't changed in the last 50 years.  Oh yes, the weather was v-e-r-y un-usu-al. Wearing sandals with thick socks, but still keeping my feet warm.
I bet most of you reading this can't remember when:
~~TV first came out, and everything was in black and white.
~~The moonwalk.
~~Phone booths.
And speaking of phone booths-- how about party lines?  If you don't know what that is, ask your parents, or someone significantly older than you, whom will tell you stories more interesting than you can find on the internet.
And as long as you're asking about that, have them tell you about painting the town red.
Well, enough of that memory lane.

Our dirt road in TN-- Mud road.

~~~

Christmas is past, again.  Last year about this time, I was sick and sleeping the winter away.
Then the decision was made to move back home, so here we are.

From this......

....to this:

Still no replacement house yet, but a farm for sure, several different mountain views, cool air, paved roads, and kitty kats.  Four kitty kats.  Miles of paved roads.  Miles and miles of ALL   PAVED   ROADS.  of trees, everywhere.  I even hear them break and crash in the woods at night.  Yes! Trees that fall in the forest at night make a loud noise, even when no one is watching, just in case you were wondering.
~~~
So far, a very mild winter, but we are predicted to have snow today.
I'll have my winter, finally!

Dogs and Lace

Snow Day

~~~

We'll have snow today, but it will most likely be gone tomorrow or the next day.

Enjoy your day, where ever you are, and whatever the weather brings you.

Needing Winter

Some people hate winter, and also constantly complain about the weather.

I grew up with hard winters, and thought nothing of it.  It was normal to get

snowed in at least once every winter, where we couldn't get out to the road.

If you did get to the road, you still couldn't go anywhere, because the country roads
weren't plowed yet, and they wouldn't be for about 2-3 days.

Some people get depressed in winter, or sad. After all, it all looks

so dreary.  

There's a beauty and a satisfaction in the dreariness though.

I have come to crave winter.

I take walks in it, no matter the temperature.

I take deep breaths of it.

There is no other season like it.

I have come to love winter, and to need it.

It feeds a part of my soul that nothing else can fill.

April: Languishing Within the Throes of Winter

It's unusually cool this spring, for this locale.  In fact, it's been one of the coldest winters and springs on record.  There's been white-outs, when you least expect it, cold and rainy days, dismal days, dark and cloudy days.  The dog with the thick coat has shown no signs of shedding, which shed in February last year.  The pear trees have bloomed and leafed out.  There are buds on the maple trees with their pretty seed fronds, and there's the little peach tree, newly planted in the yard.  

There is some good to all this cold:  the blueberry bushes and azaleas are blooming profusely, and the lilac bush has leafed out beautifully, after a disasterous bout with herbicide last fall, which seems to be a miracle.

Despite the weather, the sky puts on a fantastic show.

And since it's very cool, still, there is time to languish with a fantastic novel for the spring:

The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim.

If you have not read this book, only seen the movie, take the time to read it.  It's worth every delicious word.