Memories of Home

Homebody.....

Honestly, if I didn't have to leave the house to go to work, I don't think I would go anywhere this time of year!! I am so content to sit at home by the fire and spend the day crafting..or cooking...even cleaning!!! I know..weird!!! But, I do love to be home!! I have had such a surge of inspiration lately that I have quite a few projects going on...I like it that way though, because when I get tired of one thing I move onto the next!! Keeps me busy, and happy during these bleak wintry days...

I finished up my Parson Brown Cowl! Sorry for the horrible lighting..the yarn is so pretty in such warm colors! I am SO lucky to have my friend Pam live right around the corner from me!!! We met through our boys, who are great friends, and Pam and I instantly bonded over our love of all things crafty!!! Lucky for me, she is a super talented knitter, and over this past year, she has graciously taught me to knit! I am finally able to say...I AM REALLY understanding it!!! It has been the hardest craft for me to learn..but, know that I am able to KNIT...I LOVE IT:)))) Yesterday, I cast on for the Shalom Cardigan..It is my FIRST sweater, and I am very excited about it...So far, so good:)

The textures of the stitches feel so nice!!!! The yarn is incredibly soft too..it is a extra soft wool blend from Martha Stewart that I bought at Michael's... In other stitchy news, I also started my very FIRST embroidery sampler....
I purchased it here... I LOVE all of Charlotte Lyon's work!!! She also has a lovely blog that is just beautiful!!! I enjoy it very much!! I am still stitching away on my "Scrappy Trip Along"...So, as you can see, I am busy as a bee:) and loving it!!!! I also won my VERY FIRST BLOG GIVEAWAY!!!! I am beyond excited...Right here!!! I almost fainted when I saw my name:) If you have never visited Margie at her AMAZING blog Resurrection Fern..You really should pay her a visit..her pictures will take your breath away!!! I am so happy to have found her through Flickr..She is an amazing artist, unbelievable photographer, and just the sweetest lady!!

Well...Leaving you with a couple images of the OUTDOORS from this week:) I DO go outside sometimes:))))



Beautiful sunrise this morning..and of course, I love the birds at my feeders:) Lake effect snow forcasted for the AM!! See you soon...

Snow Day...

We pulled out all the stops last night in hopes for a snow day!!!! Inside out pajamas, cold spoons under the pillows, and ice cubes in the toilet!!! and...SUCCESS!!! One happy boy this morning as the 2 hour delay changed to "CLOSED"...We missed the bulk of the snow, which fell just south of us...We won't miss the cold. Temps tonight falling to -8, with wind chills of -35...This Mama WILL have longjohns under my scrubs in the AM!!! But, for today..we stayed warm and cozy..made these soft pretzels...they were VERY good! Played some games..Including building circuit boards that lit up to IPOD tunes!! Watching "Men in Black 3"  snuggling under blankets on the couch...and Jack made dinner tonight!!!! Chili...PERFECT for these CHILLY days:) ....Oh January....You are really MAKING me wish for SPRING:)

Good Mornings...Good days:)

Each day we are up with the sunrise...It was fleeting today..Bright pink for a few moments..and then faded to gray skies...
I ALWAYS have my SUNSHINE inside:) Early mornings...So tired it is even hard to sit up to eat breakfast!!! But..never too early for his bright smiles! He is such a smiley one this boy...from the minute he opens his eyes in the morning, he gives me a sweet smile to start the day...
And...Of course...Lucy is ALWAYS happy in the morning to start the business of the day!!! Treats please!!
On recent days off from work, I have been playing in my sewing room, working on my new quilt top!


8 blocks finished! 24 to go!! For LOTS of inspiration, check out this Flickr group:) The link to the pattern can also be found there!!! It is going together easily..and is really FUN!!!!!
One more thing to share today! I made this DELICIOUS recipe last night! Found it on Pinterest:) I just love Pinterest!! So much goodness!!! Well...Off to do a little grocery shopping, and then I hope to finish a few more quilt blocks!! Have a great day:)

Welcome New Year!!!!

It has been snowing EVERY day!!!!! When we are not outside sledding...skiing...and snowshoeing..we are inside staying cozy by the fires!! It looks so pretty this morning with bright sunlight hitting the sparkling snow...the bluejays and juncos are flooding the feeders! Yesterday, Jack was filling them and suddenly a tiny little mouse popped up from the snow and took some seed and burrowed away again! I have been looking for him this morning..I imagine him in a tiny den, with tiny wooden bowls on the table filled with birdseed:) I hope there is a tiny fire to warm him and his family too:))) Happy New Year to my dear friends and family!!! I have a feeling 2013 is going to be a very GOOD year!!!!!!

Where did December go???

Christmas went by in a rush!!!! We had such a great time with the new snow that is falling...Playing outdoors...and in!!! New games, and projects keeping us busy...and warming up by the fire after snowshoeing and sledding! A perfect Holiday...I hope all of you enjoyed a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! Here's to a New Year filled with good things!!!

Sugar and Spice:)

Zach and I spent HOURS this past weekend constructing our annual Gingerbread house! This year we found a new medium in graham crackers! We have built little houses with them before, but never a REAL castle!! We used instructions found in this book:) There were SO many cute possibilities! Zach chose this one...Santa's castle! The instructions were very straightforward and easy..Zach did all of the "gluing" after I cut out the pieces for him. We have made enough of these to know that the secret in making these work is the icing! We used the recipe given in the book..I knew it was a good one, because I have used it before with good results. It is VERY simple...1/4 C of meringue powder (we found this at Michael's in the cake decorating section) 1/2 C of water, and 4 C of powdered sugar. Mix the meringue powder and the water with a hand mixer until stiff peaks form...this takes a few minutes...then, add the powdered sugar one cup at a time. It becomes very thick, and a little hard to mix, but it is the PERFECT "glue"..dries quickly and like cement! Next year I am thinking of actually baking gingerbread! Anybody have any good tips to share???? I'd love to hear them:) Off to do a little shopping today for my in-laws! Enjoy your day:)

Short days of December...

We are up with the sun these days....Sunrise is always a welcome sight...

The days are so full and busy..but short. Candles are lit by 4 pm...darkness falling at 4:36 today....

Busy getting ready for the holidays!!! Baking...and sewing...Sending my grandbabies, and my sweet little grand nephew Holiday pillowcases:) Zach allready has his Santa pillow:) But...it's OUR secret..shhh:))))

Off to work in the morning...it will be dark when I leave and dark when I come home..Looking forward to the solstice..and the slow return of the light....

Tis the Season...

The weather outside is frightful...

But inside is so delightful!!! Decorating...crafting...baking...All of my favorite things:) Hope you are

all enjoying the START of the SEASON:)

Happy Thanksgiving...

A quiet day....Beautiful, unseasonably warm weather...Worked yesterday...Working tomorrow.

I would have loved to spend the Holiday with our grown children...and grandchildren...Maybe next

year. Talked to them all...everyone is happy and healthy..and I am truly Thankful for that..Hope

everyone enjoyed the day!!!!

Cold and Bright...

Outside....Crunchy leaves...misty icy fog...temps barely reaching into the 20's....






Inside we are all staying warm and cozy...Jack staying busy with FOOTBALL, enjoying this year that Zach is old enough to understand the game and watch with him...Zach and I are also busy crafting...this week we dipped leaves in melted beeswax and felted acorns to make a beautiful mobile..the leaves look SO pretty with the sunshine pouring in the windows...and, of course, I am knitting..I. Can't. Stop. :) It is VERY fun!!! Hope you all have a sunny start to your day:)