My Snowy Corner of the World

You just can't live in WI without snow at Christmas time. It's just not right. Tuesday we finally got 3 inches. I tried to take some photos but by the time I was free to get outside, it was too dark and the shutter speed was soooo slow. Only one was worthy of saving.
Too much flash here, but you get the idea.

 

 

Major disappointment ran through the house this morning as it rained
and rained and rained some more.
 All morning the 17 year old lamented. He loves snow. Simply loves it!
 Around 12:30 the rain started turning into snow.
Here is the view around 4:00ish. Just a quick shot from out the window...

Think of what that would look like if all that rain would have been snow!
We have one happy young man in the house (which is a very good thing since he is getting a snowboard for Christmas).

After dinner clean up and some plowing, he got down to some snow creativity.

In the meadow he can build...Mt. Rushmore?

 

 

I love the chins on these guys. :o)  So fun!

It's still snowing now at 10:30.
 Time to turn on the heated mattress pad and crawl in for a long winter's nap.

Simply,
Victoria

Jennifer's Christmas Giveaway

Just taking time to share a Christmas giveaway from Feathers in the Nest. A lovely pair of scissors and a soon-to-be disclosed new design, regarding Downton Abbey.

A Generous Gift of Stitching Fun!

JOY!

When I first saw this on Feathers in the Nest, I knew I wanted to stitch it this year to have as a pretty in the home. It was just a matter of getting to it. First dealing with a wonky printer that wanted to print out 22 pages before getting to the actual stitch design on 2 separate occasions.

Then there was the need to figure out how to finish it. As I am not a fortunate girl with any silks in my thread box, I couldn't follow Jennifer's suggestions. So I decided to base the colors on the fabric for finishing. I found a classy one at JoAnn's and then spent a couple of days deliberating over thread colors while I worked on finishing up on another ornament.

Another delay, not at all begrudged, came along with Big D and his friends here for Thanksgiving - during which I dragged out my knitting and found a forgotten, pretty thready scarf on the needles waiting for completion. Big D's girl loves purple so I decided to finish it up for her. That meant knitting away on that.

"Joy" kept calling me so one Y homeschool P.E. class, I grabbed my supplies and stitched in the car and in the pool waiting area. When the border was about half way done, I decided to redo it a little closer to the lettering and more symmetrical. Between life, EBV, and finishing the thready scarf, a week ago I finally got back to stitching up "Joy." Seemed like a rather drawn out project for such a quick stitich.

All that was left was the completion finishing phase. BNH voted cube finish instead of small pillow. As I did one of those last year, it was easy. So last night he manned the band saw with the hard foam and I pinned fabric and primped wire ribbon into a piece of loveliness.

 Here you have it:

 

JOY

Courtesy of

Feathers in the Nest -  pattern design

The Twisted Stitcher - finishing design

and Me  - creative interpretation

 

I used 30 ct. Abecedarian

DMC 815 and 936

Petite Treasure Braid for backstitching

 

 

the back and another view of the front

 

 

I really like the way it turned out and just need to figure out if it will adorn this spot

 

or this one.

 



 

Joy to you!

Victoria



The Letter

Dear Epstein Barr,

This letter is to inform you that you are not welcome to come to my house to party. NOT. EVER. AGAIN. Your recent visit has invaded my adrenals and wreaked havoc on my energy levels as well as my life. In addition to being exhausted you have left me unable to kiss my family until I am not longer contagious - completely unacceptable! You are quite persistent and will not leave when asked. As to how you are allowed in is a question onto itself. In addition to you none of your brothers, sisters or random mutant cousins have admittance - authorized or not. According to the CDC there are over 1,000 members in your family. Do not think that you can disguise yourself and still gain admittance. Take note that I have become more informed and I will be well armed. You will do well to be advised and avoid all dealings with me in the future.

Sincerely,
Victoria

Squirrel-ing

Here in the North, the beauty of fall has been past for a couple of weeks now. It seems that a bit of melancholy sets in once the leaves fall and Daylight Savings Time ends. It can appear dark and dull, especially on sunless days. So, to our delight, snow was on the deck this morning as we started to gather for breakfast. Although it was melting within the half hour, it gave a glimpse that another season will soon be on the way.

However, before that can happen, a bit more squirrel-ing needs to be done around here. Two weekends ago was spent filling the freezer with squash soup and carrot cauliflower soup, along with squash cooked up for several nice winter's meals. Tonight after dinner, a huge box, almost 30 pounds worth, of cranberries was taking up major space on my counter. Much as my tired body would have liked, I couldn't ignore it. I had to deal with those berries or I would be sorry.

So they got washed...

 

 

Sorted and bagged for freezing...

 

 

and my sweet helper cooked some...

 

 

 

It always feels good to know that I am a bit more prepared for the next season squirrel-ing away for my family.

 

 

HAPPINESS IS:

Today for journaling, the Chili Peppers had to write 10 things for the journal prompt Happiness is... While I was trying to get them thinking, ideas poured into my mind about what makes me happy. Here they are as they spilled out with more than 10!

Happiness is:

• sunny days
• no conflict relationships
• Jesus
• cuddling with BNH
• sleeping in
• reading to the Peppers
• watching Jane Austen with Kase
• cross stitching
• long Bible study time
• girlfriend time
• walking on the River Walk
• being forgiven
• reading Jennifer's blog
• drinking tea
• reading a good book
• awesome praise and worship
• scones
• a clean house

The Consolation Cookie

A new tradition started in our family today. Not purposefully but rather out of the need of the moment.

Our beloved Big D had to fly back to VA this noon. Most of us took in early church so whoever wanted to could ride along to the airport. For me it was going to be one of those times when I just knew I would be a mess saying goodbye all the way there and back. So I did my kiss, cry, and goodbye at home.

Here is the story I heard when the farewell team returned:

My youngest was hungry (No surprise!) and asked for a cookie. BNH said there weren't any. But lo and behold, a package of leftover cookies was absently, and providentially, left behind from a trip last week. Best of all they were gluten free!

So Kase and Mr. Buster each had one. They asked their dad if he wanted one and he said why not? He then came up with "the consolation cookie." The cookie that gets eaten because everyone needs a little consolation after taking a beloved one to the airport. The cookie that could never make the heart feel good but give the tongue and tummy a bit of satisfaction for however long the nibbling lasts.

I am not sure when the next consolation cookie will be eaten, perhaps deer hunting/Thanksgiving. Maybe Christmas. Whenever we get the blessing of another visit, I'll have to make sure the car is ready with the necessary goods for the trip back home.