Snowy Day

 The snow fell again today. The forecast was up to six inches but it felt like more than that on much of my driveway and patio. Thanks to the winds there are some beautiful drifts and designs in the snow. When I went out to shovel and blow snow I put my camera in my pocket. With all the hard work and mechanical frustrations I forgot about the photos. There was no way I was getting bundled up to go out again so here's a shot from my dining room window. We had an ice storm on Sunday, thunder storms on Monday, 48 degrees on Tuesday morning and a real snow storm today. I guess it's a good time to celebrate our diverse weather! All this snow and ice makes me hungry for something warm and spicy like the dishes below. I made these a couple of weeks ago and shared them so they are long gone, but they were yummy. I doubt that I will do that much cooking tonight. This ear infection has really knocked me down a notch.

Quilting Restart

My quilting has been calling to me since the big furniture got moved on Saturday. I moved a few pieces into the new improved sewing room on Sunday then came down with a severe ear infection. It's the only ear infection that I have ever had if my memory is reliable. I will have to ask my mom. She will remember. Anyway, two days of laying on a heating pad thanks to an ice storm that kept me home on day one of the infection, finally I have antibiotics and the pain is starting to subside. But I digress. This is about the quilt that is calling to me. Ashley moved a few more things into the sewing room for me, including a big oak desk that I do not know how she managed alone! So I have ventured in to the sewing machine when I leave my heating pad and I have confirmed that I do not like my design idea. It sounded good. It even looked good when I saw something like it on a blog, but my idea of random width strips of the same length criss crossing may be too random. It may look like quilted mishmash. Throwing aside my work doesn't work well for me. I don't like giving up on something and hate to rip out. On another blog I read about a quilter that didn't like her design and just switched...ended up with three of four separate patchworks as the quilt grew and I really liked hers. So I decided to add a white strip (I think it's called sashing) to define the pattern then start the next idea. The white is sewed on but the strips around are just laid out. I believe that will be my next layer and after that it will be something completely different. So although my sewing room isn't finished and an ear infection is slowing me down I am enjoying my quilting again.

Sunday Ice

As forecasted I woke up to a cold rain that coated this part of my world with ice. Fortunately I had invited Mowgli to spend the night so I have good company today. It's a good day to stay at home and that's OK with me. I will do my laundry and get started on the transformation of my guest room into a sewing room. A huge thanks to Travis and Dale for moving the heavy things downstairs for me! The timing was perfect. 

Florida Blessings

Last weekend I was fortunate enough to travel to the Gulf Coast of Florida to visit my dear friends, Bob and Chris. I love the way that they do retirement but miss them when they are gone all winter. This was just perfect to be able to visit them and their little corner of paradise in the middle of January.

This scene was my morning wake up call followed by coffee on the balcony overlooking the gulf. With a blanket on my lap and hot coffee in my hands I was so content to watch the pelicans fly by and listen to the waves as the day started.

Chris and I walked miles on the beach after our morning coffee and relaxation. It's so easy to keep walking with all of the beauty around. I saw more sponges than ever before thanks to a storm that came before I arrived. Walking with a friend on a gorgeous beach is a great way to spend the morning. Chris and I both enjoy the same style of walking; barefoot on the edge of the water. . . just perfect! 

My main reason for traveling was to visit Bob and Chris. I had no idea that I would meet so many other wonderful people. We joined a group of ladies from the condo on the beach before joining up again later at the pool. By the time the day was ending there were a large group of fun and generous people gathered by the pool to watch the sunset that hid behind the clouds. It was a perfect time, even without the pink sky. Drinks, snacks, laughter and getting to know some great people. I could do this every night.

We also explored St. Petersburg a bit. It was the perfect opportunity to visit Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays. The doors were locked and the gift shop was closed but we walked around and got to see the outside of a very unique ball park. 

After church on Sunday we got to go to Pass A Grille and enjoy breakfast at an amazing outdoor cafe. Musicians sang, vendors sold their art under colorful umbrellas and the dolphins played in the gulf. It was perfect. I love outdoor dining and it was a treat to get that opportunity a couple of times. . . in January!

 Mazzaro's Italian market was filled with room after room of interesting treasures. The space alone was worth the visit but the meats, cheeses, wines and other Italian goodies were amazing too. This is one of the benefits of having local friends!

I never get tired of sea gulls, pelicans and other birds that live near the water, especially when they neglect the rules and signs. I love the slower pace and relaxing atmosphere near the water. It was an incredibly relaxing weekend with knitting, movies, wine in the evening, bloody Marys in the morning and lots of great conversation and friendship the entire time! Thanks to Bob and Chris for a great visit.

Happy Birthday, Jay James!

How on earth can this adorable sweet little boy be thirty-two years old today?

Usable Space

After thirteen months in my home I am aware that I have some under used spaces. There are some rooms that are not being utilized and other rooms that have too many functions. This guest room is so cramped that I barely have room to stand when I file papers. Maybe that's why I waited twelve months to file. The room has only been used by guests twice in all this time. The other extra bedroom which was designated as a sewing room also has my printer, a rocking chair, a pack-n-play, an ironing board and a desk. It doesn't work well for anything. So even though I rarely move furniture, I am actually going to move entire rooms. The guest room queen size bed will go downstairs. The sewing room will most likely move to the guest room and the room formerly used for sewing will have a smaller bed and a pack-n-play. I think it will be a better use of space eventually. Don't hold your breath. It does sound like lots of work and heavy lifting but it seems like a good plan.

Mohawk Hockey

I love my family and spending time with them. It's Jake's senior year, the last year for high school sports! It's been fun to watch him play but it's even more special this year. Jake played very well, got two goals and the Mohawks won! Because the game was in Cedar Rapids and in the middle of the day, Ashley and Lincoln joined Dale and me for the trip. Kaley, Scott and Brecken were a huge Cedar Rapids bonus. I love spending time with Dan and Jill and it's wonderful to watch our grandchildren together just like our kids played together 25 or 30 years ago. Dang, I sound old!

Brecken and Lincoln loved the hockey game, the sounds and the time to play together. I loved spending time with the two of them together; so cute and fun! I even watched the game closely enough to see Jake's goals. It was busy but such a fun day.

January Rain

Off work early

January Rain

Cozy Fire

Favorite knitting project

Everything came together for a very nice Thursday afternoon at my house. I may miss digging in the dirt, flower and veggie gardens, walks outside and flip flops but sometimes it's just great to be inside!

Little Boy Memories

Having a grandchild certainly brings back many memories of my own small children. Seeing Lincoln using some of Jay's things takes me back about thirty years! This little stool with JAY spelled out in puzzle letters was made by my dad in the early eighties. The overalls were a gift to Baby Jay from my Uncle Fred and Aunt Carol who gave those overalls because they were like the ones that my grandpa Wreghitt wore on the farm. I am glad that I kept them.

Baby toes and a baby bottom all in one shot; I couldn't resist.

These are Jay's first baby shoes, size 3 triple E. I opened up the baby tote to find them a couple of weeks ago. I put them on Lincoln for a little while just to see if they fit. They are very different from baby shoes today but it did bring back lots of memories of polishing those shoes and washing the laces often. Lincoln doesn't have lots of hair (neither did my kids) but the photo below shows the hair that he does have.

Quarter Fun

You can have fun for a quarter and you can have a whole lot of fun for six quarters!

Lincoln and I had some time together on Friday while his mommy did a photo shoot. We have lots of fun playing at my house but I thought it would be fun to get out. He didn't have his snow gear so we headed to Old Navy. Dale and I discovered this fun machine filled with bouncy balls earlier this winter and I thought it would be great fun to show Lincoln. He quickly learned to open the door to find the ball. He and I had a great time scurrying around the store to chase the balls that bounced away. There was nobody in the store. We had the place to ourselves and it was as good as a winter playground. I have so much fun with that boy!

Happy New Year

May your year be filled with wonder and joy!