No Snow

A few years ago I started to put my snowman things out during the month of January.  I don't have a lot, just a few things that I have either made or collected over the years. 

But today I am putting them all away.  We haven't had any snow for weeks, and my snowmen look so out of place.  So, in the box they go. 

It's time to think about Valentine's day anyway.  It's a bright and happy holiday, fun to celebrate. 

This is a fun cross stitch piece that I made.  There is a whole seasonal series of these called, Photo Booth.  If you look closely you will see why!  I think they are hilarious.

Found these guys on sale a few years back and loved them so they came home with me.

This snowman table runner is made from wool.  Have I mentioned that I am crazy about wool?!?

This was a Santa's Workshop project from when the girls were in school.

Found this primitive snowman at the Buggy Barn Quilt show many years ago.

Beth loaned me this embroidery pattern which I made in to a pillow.  It was one of those rare projects that went together much quicker than anticipated.  

Happy Birthday Mom!

Yesterday my mom celebrated her 78th birthday.  She had a nice day.  Friends from church treated both her and dad to coffee and a muffin at the Post and Office in the morning, and that afternoon she had a massage, which is something she hasn't taken time for in months.  Then they arrived at the Rolinco Road Resort for dinner!  We had a nice, quiet evening celebrating all the warmth and kindness that is my mom.  We are so lucky that she plays such a dominant role in the story of our lives.   Happy Birthday Mom!

Repetition

Yesterday started out with rain, then dense fog and then around 3pm the fog broke up and the sun came out.  It was beautiful.  Humans and dogs alike, decided to take advantage of the relative warmth of the sun and we went for a stroll down Rolinco road.  It was so pretty out.

The days are getting longer, but still, you don't have to wait very long for the sun to set, and with the left over clouds it was another beauty!   I just can't stop taking images of the wonder of it all.

There was even a lot of color in the east.

Charlie was looking towards the sunset, I like to think, appreciating the beauty!

As was Baxter.

MLK sunset

So many inspiring words today, in remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his leadership and efforts to propel our country to a more just and civil society.   I live a very insulated life.  In many ways I am appreciative and thankful for that.  I do not have to face the deep and significant challenges that so many in our world confront on an hourly basis.  But that does not mean that I can bury my head in the sand.  The struggle for equality continues.

So much to think about today.  So many words spoken and re-spoken, to help focus our thoughts on proactive and positive causes. I am lucky to live in a place where the sun sets quietly, and peacefully, and with great beauty.  I am grateful for the opportunity to take a few moments to watch that process.  I am grateful for the vision and the courage that people like Dr. King provide, so that I may witness the beauty of the earth, and those that inhabit it.  I am grateful for the tireless work that so many do, to move us more completely towards the dream that Dr. King spoke of and believed in.  I need to do more to promote that dream.   

Happy Birthday Dr. King.  May freedom ring....

In Progress

A few posts ago, I talked about some of the projects that I am currently working on.  Here are a few photos of the progress on one of those projects, the one I call "The Chenille Quilt".

I am hand quilting with what is know as utility quilting.  Chunky yarn, simple pattern, and in my case, uneven stitches. 

I kind of like how it is coming along.  Not quite half finished, but then I haven't been working on this exclusively.  Updates on more projects in the next few days.

I am using blue painters tape to mark the quilting lines.

A little closer look.

I go one direction and then come back with the other.  I wish my stitches were more even, but they just aren't.  

Each block will have an X through it like this block, when finished. 

I like to leave a long tail when I reach the end of the working area, so that I can just pick up that thread and continue once the quilt is rolled in to place for the next section.

This may look like a tangled mess, but it's not.  Just trying to get the thread up off the floor.

My goal is to finish this by the end of January.  I need to narrow my focus a bit, in order to make that happen.  Narrow focus is the challenge right now!

Christmas day walk in the snow.

It snowed most of Christmas day.  A light, gentle snow that left little accumulation but so beautiful.  We took a walk with the dogs, and enjoyed every flake that fell!  Nice to think back on that day.

Reynald, Alicia and Charlie.

Look at the difference in the size of the paw prints between Charlie and Baxter!

Charlie loves the snow....

Baxter not so much!

Winter Scenes

 Here are a few images of winter. 

The frost on the house roof had mostly melted, except where a shadow was cast.  

You can see from the next photos, that most of our snow is gone.  We didn't have a lot to begin with.

Most of the snow is gone.

We still have the outdoor ornaments out.  I'm hoping that Reynald doesn't notice so that they will stay up a little longer

The late afternoon light shadow on the chicken house.

DOGS!!!

Wednesday the sun came out to play.  The sky was bright blue and clear.  It was a relatively warm afternoon which was perfect for an afternoon stroll with Charlie and Baxter.

Walking down Rolinco road.

Baxter and Charlie walk a little faster than I do!

Investigating something

But more fun to play.

And we're off again....

more play.....

and we're off again.....

There must be something interesting in this hole.

Charlie is growing like mad and he's far from finished!

He's such a handsome young fellow.

Sunrise

You don't have to get up early to catch the sunrise these days!  This morning was particularly beautiful.

These photos don't fully capture the breadth of color that was on display this morning.

There was even a lot of color to the north.

The sun is rising in the southern sky but cast color far beyond.