Thursday, January 29, 2009

Winter's Pie


We are having the third coldest January on record here! The best antidotes are either to go skiing anyway or bake a pie. I baked a pie! Found the last pint of frozen blueberries in my freezer and the next to the last pint of frozen raspberries.... the late variety that I buy throughout the fall at an "honor system" stand along side the road. I never put these two berries together in a pie before, but what a delicious combo!

And my friend knitted the sweet, brightly colored cotton dishcloth for me! I am waiting for her to share the directions so I can try something new. Stay warm!

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Pandora's Many Boxes



Cleaning closets and simplifying my life have become an obsession. It took me years to accumulate all of these boxes full, so why do I think I can sort it all out in a week? When the thermometer continues to hover between zero and ten degrees, this sorting process is the perfect activity.

It's been fun rediscovering old treasures and then saying goodbye to them. For instance, I read all the congratulatory notes to my mother upon the occasion of my birth, then promptly listed them on eBay... someone should enjoy them for scrapbooking!

I purchase crocheted potholders at estate sales and garage sales, especially red and white ones, but have discovered I have many more than I can ever hope to display. Again, off to eBay for sharing. I can almost see the bottom of the first box!

Friday, January 16, 2009

Tea Party Memories


It is zero degrees or colder here all this week. Every morning we get up and look at the thermometer outside. The dogs don't even want to go out! I wear my Cuddl Duds all the time! We get a little fresh powdered sugar snow every day, then out comes the sunshine. Today I grabbed my camera and took photos out all the windows, then began looking through the camera lens inside the house and saw these china treasures with fresh eyes.

Here are teacups given to me by a dear neighbor, Peggy, and from my grandmother. They were birthday gifts to me more than 40 years ago! The pretty "chocolate pot" belonged to Peggy's mother-in-law. Peggy had a built-in corner cabinet in her dining room filled with teacups and saucers. She would invite me to pick my favorite of the day and we would have tea together. She began that tradition with me when I was about 6 yrs. old. She was a special lady!

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Scotty Dogs for Valentines


Just finished these two cute Scotty Dog pillows made from a pattern a friend sent me!
I used a vintage Double Wedding Ring quilt piece, vintage chenille bedspread in red & white for the reverse sides and
a cherry print by Waverly. I listed them on eBay although I sort of want to keep them
for myself!!!

Mapquest, GPS, or... Common Sense?



It seemed like a pretty and snowy day for a 30 mile ride to the Horse Rescue organization for some getting acquainted. I sort of knew the way but MapQuested my route nevertheless. Perhaps this was the best route in the summer, but not in the winter! I ended up on an unplowed road which dead-ended at a "Seasonal Road...not Maintained" sign with only snowmobile tracks heading off into the woods. The only living souls out that way were a huge flock of wild turkeys. I stopped while these three toms scurried across the road in front of me.

Backtracking and using my internal directional instincts I eventually found the horse farm.
All stresses fell away as I stepped into the lean-to full of fragrant hay. My first horse-buddy was there, too, munching peacefully. He sniffed my hand in welcome and I knew the drive was well worth the effort. Next time I will know the way.

Saturday, January 3, 2009

2009 New Year Resolutions



Happy New Year to everyone! I am not usually one to make resolutions... they are not easy to keep, so I just continue with my to-do lists. But this year I do have two attitude shifts that I think I can adhere to. If you have suggestions, I'd love to hear them!

#1 Get organized, as in.... REALLY Get Organized. I am giving it a good try ~ check my eBay listings. If I have no immediate plans for items, they are going on eBay! Hah!

#2 Play more! As in, remember those Simple Pleasures of childhood. It really doesn't take much effort to play and have fun. Yes, that's me sledding down our steep driveway today!