Warm (relative) spell

Last Saturday it was nice enough during the afternoon that we barbecued. Love barbecued chicken!

It is 18 degrees outside as I type this. It should warm up to about 48 today. The gravel in the driveway is frozen.

When I let the dog out this morning, I saw a herd of deer running through the neighbors yard. This always makes me smile.

I sure hope we, here in Southern Oregon, get a lot more snow this season. What's left on the ground is dirty and not looking good any more. I love a bright, clean layer of snow.

No matter how much more snow I'd like to still see this season, I'm already thinking of Spring.

These are just a few thoughts in my mind this morning.

time just gets away from me sometimes . . .

Yikes, time sure has gone by since my last post. It's not that I'm really busy, but the time just flies no matter if you're having fun or not!




This is what we have seen for the last 3 days. Today we have had sunshine since early morning, but for the previous three days, it has been fog and hoar frost - on everything! It is beautiful to see, but it never burned off. This is on a truck antenna and the spikes are about 1 1/2 inches long. By the time I saw the fuzziness of the picture, the truck had gone, but I'm sure you still realize how cold it has to be to get this type of frost!

Yesterday when I went to Dale & Candy's, the clumps of frost that had been hanging around on all the trees was starting to melt a bit (thin fog & sunshine)and was falling off the trees like it was snowing. Very pretty, but I didn't have my camera! I need to keep it with me at all times, I feel I miss some really nice pics because of not having it . . .

Needless to say, it's basically indoor weather! I have been sewing my grocery bags. Wal-Mart hasn't started charging for their cheap plastic bags and now no one knows if, or when they will, but I'm still going to do my little bit to lessen the plastic bags that are used.




I made one bag out of denim, which is great for canned goods, but this one turned out too small for regular stuff. It works for carrying all the other bags. The blue bags are made from a sheet I've had for years and never used. I used the pattern from Mors Bags, it works up easily, and is about 18" x 18". It will hold a good amount.

I have 4 bags made, and cut fabric for 6 more. That should take care of a major trip to the market, if not, 1 plastic bag is better than 12!

In sewing, I went through several blue colors of thread, and then finally ran out. Going to Joanns, I took the old spool with the number of the color so I could match it. Uh huh, yup right . . . the spool I have is the 'old' style label, and Coats & Clark has changed the numbering... My girlfriend looks at me and shakes her head. "Ummm, don't you have one of the finished bags in the car?" "Uhhh, yes." She went and got one and we could then match the thread to the bag without having to guess.... smart friend!

I got 2 spools, and will save the label for the next round. The mish mash of blue thread I used was fine, but they weren't full spools and were used up pretty quickly. I also cleared out several bobbins of old blue stuff. The bags do take a bit of thread since I run 4 evenly spaced rows of stitching on the 18" handles, but I like the feel of the handles better with the additional stitching. And the inside of the bags have been french seamed - making the stitching double there too. These bags will last unless something punctures them, and then there is always applique!

Ok then. I'd better get going on the rest since I got thread.

Stay warm every one!

Camera, camera where are you ? ? ?

I need to dig out some new batteries for my camera so I can post some pictures. It's getting boring without pictures. Though all you would get is snow, snow and some more snow. I could always show you how low the temperature is on my thermometer . . . It is suppose to go down to 8 degrees over night.

I've had the wood stove going for the last month. I need to gather the ash bucket and go dump it. The snow isn't that deep right now, so I can make my way down to the burn pile and gently toss them there. When there's 3 feet on the ground, it is a bit hard to get down there, but I should just bundle up and go for it . . . yup, I will . . . tomorrow! It's dark out now and trying to get down the hill with an ash bucket and a flashlight is not my idea of fun. I'd end up on my butt in the snow, covered with ash and the dog licking my face. Ummm, NO.

Tonight I started making a small grocery bag. I will finish tomorrow and get a picture of it. It is a bit too small, but will work for a short trip. I found some denim and feel good about the fabric strength, but it is stiff and not quite what I want. I will have to dig out the older sheets and some fabric for lining. I think that will be easier and I will be able to make them bigger without the weight.

I just know that I need to make at least 10-12 of them. I usually only shop once every 2 weeks, but Donavan is coming home from his sister's and I've depleted a lot of our stock. It needed to be used since the 'stale' date was approaching, but now the cupboard looks empty. Ahhh, can't have it all, now can we??? LOL


The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.

a whole new year!

in which to mess up something!!! LOL

We have had some warming, up to 38 degrees. We have had some rain, the snow is melting. Also some wind. The snow will return, but at least I don't have to worry about my roof for a while - thank goodness - I hate crawling up there to shovel!

I need to stop looking for craft ideas and start to "do". I have a list of things I want to make that is sooo long that in order to make every thing, I will live to be 250 or older! I have lots of beading thingies I want to make, Valentine's Day is coming up, then St. Patrick's Day, and before you know it Easter will be around the corner! That's just the beading . . .

Now I also want to sew. I really need to make some shopping bags for myself since Wal-Mart (the place we love to hate!) is going to be charging for their lousy plastic bags. 25 cents each! I have some older sheets that I will use, and maybe some of my t-shirts . . . I found instructions for both on the net, several for each in fact.

Like I said I need to stop looking for more patterns after I find what I need, but there always seems to be better things just around the corner, so to speak. I have a folder that is bulging and that is hard to do with the "Favorites". Well, maybe for you, but I seem to have pages and pages of Favorites. I think I need to make sub-folders. Yup, more new year cleaning up. Does it ever stop? Nooo, I don't think so, but I will take it one day at a time, and try to get a few things done this year.

I will leave you with the thought all crafters have:

Creative clutter is better than idle neatness.

on this last day of 2008

I wish everyone the very best in 2009. May all your hopes, wishes and dreams come to pass, and may you soar with happiness.

I want to thank every one who has commented and to let you know that it means a lot to me. If I cannot thank you individually, please know that you are still very much appreciated. All the best in 2009!

Not to back step, but I have added a button to my site to "Save Handmade". The Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act will go into effect on February 10, 2009 and will keep small handmade toy businesses from operating any more. Each product needs to be tested for all sorts of safe features, costing these business hundreds of dollars per product. They cannot continue in business with this kind of cost in their budget. Please check out Cool Mom Picks and contact any one and every one listed and linked on her site. This could affect you, let's all help each other.

Aha, rain today . . .

We got some rain - NOT snow - and it was dripping from every where. More places than I knew it could drip from! But thankfully not on the inside of the house. We are having a heat wave, yeah, a heat wave. About 34-39 for highs this week.

I went to the local store today and WOW, talk about slushy roads . . . phew! I have a 4X4 and I was all over our roads here in the neighborhood. Slick as snot is about all I can think of to compare it to. Not nice I know, but truthful! The slush is about 9-12 inches deep, and it moves your vehicle ALL over the road.

I had a wonderful Christmas, got some great presents; a 25' Stanley Tape Measure (all my other ones have disappeared), some of those stick to your sock foot warmer thingies (love them), and for my collection, some silver colored Reindeer (not Rudolphs).

I went to Dale's to help him move some snow, ha, ha, ha, SNOW . . . he had to clear his shop roof and the camp trailer. They had at least 2 feet of snow on them, and even though the shop would be OK, the trailer had to be cleared or it would start to sag in the middle - not good. He got it, no problem, but the walkways had to be cleared. A friend brought his snow blower up to help, but there is always corners that need a good shovel. I have experience in that department! I helped. It felt good that I could help him for a change.

I filled my wood box today too. Damn that thing is a huge cavernous beast when it's empty! Nice and friendly when full, but this afternoon it only had 8 pieces left - they seemed so little and tiny way down there in the bottom of the box. It now has so much that the lid won't close. I like it that way! The box measures 2 x 2 x 4 feet - doesn't seem that big UNTIL you have to fill it! It's more than full now!

I've been gathering turkey carcasses since Thanksgiving and am in charge of cooking New Years Eve dinner - every year, that's my thing! I need to hit the store for some carrots, broth and spaghetti noodles. The rest of the ingredients are in the cupboard. It has to make enough to feed about 12 - 14 people...... Hmmm . . . do I have a big enough pot??? No, but I'll start in the one I have and since I have trouble lifting those huge 16 qt pots, I will take two pots, combine the soup in Candy's one HUGE pot, and we will all eat merrily ever after!!! LOL

I will not be around for the Midnight Party - my dog freaks. I will take her home about 11:30 (if I last that long!) and sit with her. Here where we live there will be fireworks (not legal), and gun shots (definitely NOT legal), and the dog, all 60 lbs of her, will try to crawl up on my shoulders. Even though she is on medication, it is just too much for her. I will turn the stereo up, plug my ears, and hold the dog. Interesting picture to say the least, but I will do what it takes to keep the dog at least half way sane.

You all have a safe and sane New Years!

Snow anyone??

I've been busy shoveling snow for at least two weeks! I'm getting tired of this, the shoveling not the snow... I bundle up to the point that I can hardly move, long johns, sweat pants and my quilted bib overalls. On top, I have a chemise, sweat shirt, scarf and big jacket. And my baseball cap. On my feet I have huge, gigantic, rated to 100 degrees below 0 boots. Just watch me move . . . LOL. Just like when you bundle your kids to go play in the snow, and they can't move . . .

I love the winter, but I have to be warm. Shoveling does that! I was up on the roof yesterday to get the 2 feet of snow off. Really, really hard work. And slippery on a metal roof. It might not have that much of a pitch, but when you are on a wet, even slightly slanted, roof, you can do the slip and slide thing real fast!

Today my friend Dale came down and got the snow off the truck camper; another 18" off that! There was just a skiff of snow left, but we put a tarp over it to make it easier to remove future snow - and I guarantee there will be more snow. He has an ATV with a blade so clearing the driveway gets done a lot easier than if I had to shovel that! It is a circular driveway and I like both ends open, but if I had to shovel it, I would only do from the street to the carport. Thank goodness for Dale and the ATV!!!

I feel better having the roof, (wobbly) carport, metal shed and camper cleared off. I worry - a lot! There is a tree close to the house by my bedroom and when the snow clumps start to fall off, it sounds and feels like the whole tree is coming down. I'd love a new house, but not by a collapsed roof - what would I do until a new one could be put in place????? and getting my belongings out before they got ruined... not something I want to think about - that's why I crawl up there to GET IT OFF!

We are suppose to have a heat wave next week; in the mid 30's with some rain and snow! That will help a bit, but I don't know what's coming after that. I'd rather clear the roof and not take the chance. But, I tell you, I'm getting too darn old to be climbing ladders and clearing roofs!!! I hurt so bad last night I had a hard time getting to sleep. Hot shower and ibuprofen not withstanding!

Yup, and after that, I had to fill the wood box . . . with Dale's help! But, you know, the chores get done and THEN I can collapse. And I did.

The snow on the truck in the picture is not that much yet - we had more snow last winter by February.... I know, I know, February is way off in the future and who knows what lurks in them thar clouds!!!!

Have fun in the snow, but stay safe, and drive careful if you have to go out. I guess this only applies to those of us in snow country, but so far this season, there seem to be a lot of us in snow country. Don't forget to take a sense of humor and patience along when you go anywhere.

Very Merry Chritmas

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas, and peace and love.

I spoke with my Mom at 8:30 a.m., my time, 5:30 her time. She lives in Denmark and it is already Christmas Eve there. It is always nice to speak with her and I wish I could do it more than once a month. She is 81 and even though there isn't too much new going on in her life, I enjoy talking to her. We share lots of laughter and the time runs away from us, today we talked for 45 minutes, but that's OK.

I enjoy my Christmas Eve, but for me the BIG celebration takes place tomorrow. I've become Americanized over the last 50 years. I will still light candles tonight and enjoy the peace (and snow!).

Today I'm cooking and wrapping presents. My evening will be quiet, but I need that before the total fun and hoopla of tomorrow.

Again, wishing you Peace, Happiness and Love this Christmas Eve.

down to the wire

Well, Christmas is just about here, and I only have to wrap presents and make red cabbage for dinner. I won't make the cabbage until tomorrow afternoon.



I want it to sit and 'steep' in its juice overnight for a better flavor. It's a very simple recipe, the only thing you don't see sitting in the picture is a little bit of butter, some sugar, just a half teaspoon, and some salt & pepper.

I have made this for both Thanksgiving and Christmas every year for the last 10 years. Those are the only times that I make it, so it becomes a holiday treat.

The pot is probably 45 years old! Revere ware 5 1/2 qt. It was my Mom's before she moved back to Denmark. It is pretty pitted on the inside, but I don't have the heart to get rid of it, so I just scrub very, very, well with a stiff brush. I have never gotten sick from anything made in it. It is my stew pot, spaghetti pot, soup pot. I love the way it cooks and wonder if I could ever find any other pot to replace it with.

OK, enough of my cooking pot ramblings. I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. Stay safe, and warm, and if you're traveling keep your sense of humor and patience close at hand.

Much Love and Many Hugs to all!

I think I'm done with . . .

making Christmas presents! With only 3 days left, that's a good thing!. Anything else I make in the next few day will be purely an extra gift; a neighbor maybe or an extra guest Christmas morning.

This ornament was made from a picture I saw - no directions, just a picture. I will make more of these (for next year) but not the way I did it this time! I'll have to experiment. It was made for one of the ladies that I've spoiled with an ornament each year. I sure hope she likes it.



This one is small, only 1 3/4" across. The recipient of this one is also getting another present, but she has a small tree and likes the small ornaments. Ya think?



I knit these for me. They were knit at night when I had to just sit and relax before going to bed. It is just a simple 40 stitches, basic dish cloth, but I like them lots.





With all the snow that has been falling all over the country, I sure hope everyone takes care in their travels, whether you are going a mile or across the country. It is bad out there in most places.

My daughter is going from Texas to Nebraska and I worry. I know what the roads can be like, I use to live in Nebraska. Lots more ice than I get here in my area.

Take care everyone!!!

Many wishes for a wonderful Christmas.

(((Hugs)))
Yvette