It's melting slowly

 Very slowly, as we're still running the gamut from the teens at night up to 40 today, I believe.

 The roads are not cleared yet, so no plans to travel today.

 We're staying warm.

 And feeding the wee birds.  I mixed up old crackers with peanut butter and put it in the suet box.

and even though I've been off Wednesday, Thursday and now Friday this week due to the weather, I've gotten little done, but clean up / trimming up in the sewing room.

Today I plan on clearing off and wiping down the sewing tables so I can get a baby quilt quilted.  Then I'll be moving on to some baggie projects.

Pictures soon I promise.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Storm-cast 2014

 We're living in a snow globe today.

 When I checked the weather last night, it said 20% chance of snow.

 The bunny's water bottles are thawing on the pellet stove.

 It started at about 10 a.m.  The new forecast is 1-3 inches.

Perhaps 1 inch has fallen so far.

It's a good thing I had 73 bags of wood pellets delivered yesterday.

And there is plenty of pet food as well as hay for the furry ones.

If this storm is headed your way, don't forget to check often on your outside critters.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Talk about a busy weekend, woosh!

 All red and white

 and pink and white quilts were pulled out for display.

 Mom's placemats, which I made about 10 years ago, now grace the harvest table.

And another pink and white quilt was hung to accent the fireplace.

Dolly got a much needed bath!

And I even did a bit of sewing starting with an old baggie project.

What fun adventures did you have?

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

A sneak peak, and a recipe.

I love this shot.  Trying to get shy Rachel to come out for a photo and Dolly, as always, wondering what's going on.

My latest QOV is coming together.  This one is for someone very special who served in WWII, testing the atom bomb.  Although at the time, the Army didn't tell them that.

Brown Sugar Bars Recipe

In mixing bowl blend:
1 cup butter or margarine, well softened. (I use margarine)
1 cup brown sugar

Add:
1 well beaten egg

Sift together:
3 cups of flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1-1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Add to mixing bowl and blend well.

Form into ball.  Wrap in plastic wrap.  Chill in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or overnight.

Roll out in between wax paper, dusting with confectioner's sugar (not flour).

Cut into your favorite shapes.  Bake on parchment paper lined cookie sheet 350 degrees, 8-10 minutes.

Ice with a glaze made of 3 tablespoons melted butter (not margarine), a dash of milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla or maple flavoring, and about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of confectioner's sugar.  Add more milk if needed to thin consistency.

Let icing dry before wrapping in a pretty tin and share them with someone you love.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Like powdered sugar, just a light dusting.

 Samson doesn't seem to mind that it's only 9 degrees this morning.

 But I for one am glad

 we only got a tiny bit of snow.

 However, Dolly would be happy with more.  . ..  much more.

So long as there were treats when she came inside to warm up.

These are some of my favorite cookies.  I'll share the recipe tomorrow, just in case you have a special someone to bake for, as Valentine's Day will soon be upon us.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Ut oh,

 I've been watching the sky get darker all morning and now it's really starting to snow.  We're going down to 14 tonight so this should be an interesting storm.

Remember the hearts cut out of left over jacket pieces, I simply zig-zag stitched them on to blank note cards purchased from Hobby Lobby.  Now all I need to do is get them in the mail.  

You could of course do this with unquilted leftovers, just back them with a fusible interfacing and of course, remember to use an old needle on your sewing machine if you zig-zag them down.  (Ooops, I forgot that part.)

Today's silly picture of Dolly.

For all of those dealing with cold temps in the north, please drive carefully, but for heaven's sake do stay home if you can.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Old stuff, new project.

Dolly reminded me that Valentine's Day is just around the corner.

 So I pulled out the stack of 30-year-old  left over pieces of quilted jackets.

 And cut out heart shapes.  Whatever size would fit on the piece.

I have plans, oh yes indeed, big plans on actually finishing these this weekend.

You can see the sun is shining brightly today.  But winter is still with us, as we're going down to 17 degrees tonight.

If you're in the same boat, don't forget to provide fresh water and clean hay to your furry ones staying outside tonight.  After all, hypothermia happens.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

A conundrum.

 I'm glad it's winter, as I get to sew.   Garden chores are on hold.

 But I'm also sad it's winter, as the days are so very short.  

I have a sneaking suspicion that Punxsutawney Phil is going to see his shadow come February 2nd.

Until then, keep stitchin' .  . .

I must say Mr. Julian Fellowes, I am most displeased.

After a very long day of work on Tuesday, I had one hour left of my evening and decided to relax and watch the latest episode of Downton Abbey.

Ohhhh noooo, this is not what I wanted for dear Anna, the most gracious and kindest of characters.

Susan Branch said it best, let's reach through the screen and get that Mr. Green, the butler.

Only I do believe he needs to be drawn and quartered with his head stuck on a pike on London bridge.  Or perhaps staked over a fire ant hill dripping with honey.

Perhaps their website can offer a T-shirt with the logo, "Guillotine Mr. Green" !!

Mr. Fellowes, whatever Mr. Green's demise, please make it a good one, for Anna's sake.

Like Bilbo, on Sunday we set off for a Grand Adventure!

 To a mountain top farm in Waynesville.

There were a lot of beautiful furry four-footers.

 With a lot of personality.

 Not to mention curiosity, as they came very close to the camera.

This is a ZeeDonk.  Yes indeed, something out of Dr. Seuss to be sure.  But a lovely fella all the same. 

The farm will even have it's own Stone Henge.

Esther and Emma will have a lovely life in their new abode.  And you could say, I'm a bit envious.  All of those beautiful windswept vistas and new furry friends.

Thank you Kim and Martin for giving them such a good home.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Just for fun.

This little doll quilt will be going in my Etsy shop also, just as soon as I can figure out how to link it in properly.  So stay tuned, more goodies to come.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

We're at 15 degrees, heading towards a high of 38.

And on Saturday we're to reach 61.

However, I don't care what the weatherman says, I'm keeping the flannel quilts out just in case. 

Until then, keep stitchin' . . . 

When the wind chill is -1 at 6 in the morning . . .

it's best to stay inside until the sun comes up.

I'm having trouble getting the house warmed up today.  The thermostat does not want to go above 50.  So it's a good day to light the oven and bake some chocolate chip cookies.

Hot cocoa, warm cookies, warmer quilt.  We know how to beat these temps don't we!

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Battening down the hatches!

Most quilters would be preparing hand piecing projects in the event of severely inclement weather.

 I, however, chose to clean and move bunny condos.  All 5 of them.

With predicted lows in the single digits this week, I had to find a way to keep the water from freezing so quickly.  Tarps were secured along the front and side of the porch, in the hopes to dispel some of the wind, snow, and rain.

 And I finished in the nick of time.

 At 22 degrees, it's pretty chilly out there folks.  

I sincerely hope all of those in similar conditions, remember to store plenty of water for both yourselves and the furry ones.

It's nice to be able to sit back and enjoy the view when all provisions are at hand in the event of power outage.

And when you can, please remember to sweep and salt your elderly neighbor's porch and steps.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .