Snow day !!..

The top picture is out the front door..........pretty blustery out there......

the second pic is out the back door.....doesn't look as bad........BUT........I am not going out there !

We had some freezing rain......and now we have wind and snow.... on top of the ice.....that is always so fun !! NOT

Lots of things are cancelled..and they are telling us this is a 3 day deal.....with blizzard conditions expected later today and tonight.

We went and got cat food, bread and milk on Tuesday night......the lines were already crazy then......yesterday the stores were really busy. LOL.......Blizzard party !!

I have to get back to my sewing !

Stay safe and have fun ..........................Happy New Year !!

Time to catch up !

Grandpa and "C"

Daughter and "T"

"T" studying something he unwrapped.........

Guess I have been busy chasing my tail the last few days.....

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and you all have some fun plans for the New Year's celebrations coming up !

Our Christmas was quiet and uneventful - that is just the way I like it ! We spent Christmas Eve with our daughter, her significant other and our grandsons. Even though they are getting to be "teenagers" they are still just "kids" at Christmas !! My greatest gift is to get a hug from the Grandsons ! That is the best Christmas gift I can get.

I also have more pictures that I will be sharing...........My blog will be out of order for a few days.....oh well.....

I will be watching for those long lists of New Year's Resolutions !.......LOL...... I am looking for the list I wrote last year......going to be pretty much the same.

Have a great day !!

North Dakota Cold

It is times like this when I actually have to wonder WHY we live in North Dakota..... ! our temp this morning is only at -5. the wind chill is hmmm..... about -22 BUT the sun is shining and there is not much wind today !..... So.....from the inside........ seeing the crisp white snow and the sun shining brightly......it looks so pretty ! Looks like Christmas. We didn't put up any yard decorations this year.......so I borrowed a picture of my neighbors pretty lights.

Yesterday we traveled to Mayville, ND about 60 miles north of us for HOCKEY. That is the reason the winter goes by quickly for me. I love going to my grandson's hockey games. With mittens and layers of clothing and a blanket to sit (cold benches) it is good..........AND a cup of hot cocoa really helps. Today one Grandson is bowling and then the other has another hockey game...so that keeps us going on the weekends.

The big storm of the northern plains they are talking about on the weather channel.....well, that missed us WAY up here . LOL......missed us this time. BUT we got the cold. I am sure we will get another chance at the winter storms.

As long as we have coffee, bread, milk, pizza, and fabric !.......We can survive the stormy days. Well at least I can. Oh and DOG and CAT food.....THAT we have to have.

But all in all........... I really do like it here.......well, except for the mosquitoes....but that is topic for another day.

Stay warm !!!

Friday and another snowstorm on the way.....

It is definitely winter in North Dakota........ another snowstorm on it's way..... Fine for tonight, but tomorrow is hockey about 70 miles north.........so........we will see.
Isn't that the sweetest face !.......She is my Little Mitzer....she is the youngest cat we have. I think she is about 7 or 8 yrs old. Looks like I didn't get the sharpest picture here.....but oh well....... Such a nice Mitzer with her arm around Clarinda.

When it gets cold...........the best thing to do is curl up in a chair.

Have a good day !

Hoare Frost

Under the fog was the lovely "Hoare Frost"

Everything was covered........................
The trees were just beautiful against the blue winter sky..............

Everybody was commenting on the beautiful frost......about noon......it began to fall off .......

I was glad I got to see it and take some pictures of it................

Hope you all had a nice day.

Foggy Morning

This is heading to the interstate this morning..........foggy, foggy, foggy !

And heading to town to my dentist appt !......very foggy, but the road was good. After my appointment.......I took some pics of the Hoare Frost - I will share those later.

Hope everyone had a good day !

Monday - Monday

I had planned to take some pictures this weekend.....but didn't get it done.
We are under another winter storm warming for later today and tomorrow.....Guess that is part of a North Dakota winter.
I didn't rush out for "Black Friday"....I worked at the quilt shop. But Saturday I did have to venture out early to get a great deal on thread at a local fabric store.....Got 2 !!! One for me and one for a friend. So now we have enough thread to sew all winter.
Grandson Cayden had a hockey game Saturday...... I always enjoy watching the kids play hockey. I decided to stay home yesterday but Grandpa went and the Packers won !!! Gooooooo Packers !!!
Lots of appointments and work days this week........so if I don't write for a few days....... I will be back !!
Enjoy your day.......

Happy Thanksgiving !

We have a very cold and snowy and down right "icky" weather day here in North Dakota.
And we have opted to stay home and stay warm. I did put a pie in the oven ! That will be great later today with some HOT coffee.

I am going to try to get caught up on reading my blogs and go through email. Then maybe sew a little while !!

Both these pictures were taken in Washington when I was there in October. Such beautiful trees !!!...... they were SO BIG ! Just makes you wonder how many years they have been there. If only trees could talk and tell us their story.............
Time to check the pie.................
Have a wonderful weekend with family and friends.

Let it snow.......let it snow.......let it snow......Uff Da !

It is about 6 inches high on the deck railing........ Soft fluffy snow laying on the trees.............

Tricky part is to see the ditch on the sides of the roads...... this is my driveway.......so I know where those edges are.....LOL But the roads......they take a bit of concentration. The worst part.....is people will NOT slow down !!!..

Woke up to snow !! Thick fluffy snow coming down.......... no wind yet, but they say this afternoon the wind is going to come up. I am not ready for winter yet. So.....I have to take along my blanket, wear my boots, get my hat and mittens..... I have a snow brush in the car.

I work today at 2pm......and they say by tonight when the wind is blowing...that travel in the rural areas will be "dicey"..their words, not mine. Hmmmmm I have never spent the night in a quilt shop !!! That could be fun.

The dogs are loving the snow....well, Rollie more than Gus. So it will be in and out and in and out. The good thing about snow.....it covers up the mud and rocks that Rollie likes to eat.

I will keep you posted on how the weather is.... could be tricky Thanksgiving travel for many.

First Snowfall

Baby it's cold outside........at 5pm.....it is 18 degrees.. Today we got the first snowfall here.......... I have not been out of the house all day. I have plenty to keep me busy inside.

I really should venture out and get a couple things...... wanted to get some copies made....stop at the Mall....(call me crazy!) and then of course, Wal-Mart. You are not allowed to go to town unless you stop there for something !

I worked all day yesterday at the quilt shop......my first day on the job. I love it !!! All that fabric to pet all day ~! Just doesn't get any better than that. The others that work there are very nice.

I am NOT looking forward to winter.....BUT the good thing is.........HOCKEY games !!!

We go to the first game tomorrow....can't wait ! I hope GS #2 plays well this year. He is still rather short for his age....lots of big guys to skate around and away from !! He is going to have to practice a bit of speed skating. Goooooooooooo Packers !!!

Guess I will see what else I can do.....maybe skip the trip to town and go sew !!

Stay Warm !

I am heading down a new path..........

I see a new path in my future and I have to explore it and see where it leads.......
I was offered a job at a quilt shop !......That has been my dream job for years and I never expected that I would get the chance to work in a QUILT SHOP.
So...... I am changing jobs.
...............oh there will be so many things to learn !!! I am very excited.
I will let you know how it goes.

Thursday evening.......

This picture was taken from the house I was visiting in Camano Island, Washington...... It was so pretty there........... Today I had to take Sam (the old cat) back to the vet...now his thyroid was too low.....so the Dr. adjusted his meds and we will try this for a month. He seems better.

I also made my trip to the chiropractor - it had been too long and I am a mess again. I really do vow to go once a month !! And I should get a massage now and then too !!...

If there are any "stitchers" or embroidery people out there.... I need some help.
What do you use for tracing your designs ??.....The patterns I have suggest a brown fine line PIGMA pen. Any thoughts on this ?...or other suggestions ??
And do you use a light box ?

Not much else going on today....... it was cool today ! - but no snow !!!

Cloudy Tuesday

This is the Mr. Menace....parking himself right on my computer !!! This is Sam.....he is sleeping.....poor old guy.... he is 22 years old. But doing pretty good for an old guy. He is on thyroid meds now.

Well, I had hoped to get out in the flowerbeds and clean them up...but it is sprinkling and a bit colder than I thought it was going to be....so house stuff wins for today.

I took a "specimen" in for Tinkerbelle and her UTI infection cleaning up, but crystals are showing up....so we may not be done with the vet yet for her. Got some thyroid pills for Sam, the liquid isn't working out so good to give him.. There are these little treats called "Pill Pockets" - you put the pill in there....and they gobble it up and don't even know they have taken a pill...so I hope those will work better for Sam. When you have old cats....you have old cats with health problems.

I see more raindops on the windows....so guess I will head to the sewing room.

Happy Halloween !!

Today is just a beautiful fall day !!! Sunny and warm...... Jeff cut the grass - one more time- He said that 3 cuttings ago...LOL
My neighbor and I cleaned off the garden...picked the rest of the beets, onions and carrots... I have potatoes from the garden cooking on the stove. I think we did pretty good with our garden considering neither of us had done any gardening for a few years. We will be planning our plot for next year !
I had a very nice trip to Seattle....... I will put some pics on here soon from that.
Oh how I wish we could have this weather for another couple months ! The temp says 45....but it feels warmer than that.....I have the window open.
Not expecting many kids coming around tonight.....they never come here......so I am just hoping they don't come tonight...... I ate all the candy!

Finishing up the Iowa Trip

Our lovely hotel room in Des Moines......all the comforts of home. Looking out our window in downtown Des Moines.

The food court at the show .......and they had good food !

Ahhhhhh the gateway to the quilt show ~~~ !!!........

I would have loved to share pictures of the quilts and booths......but you are not allowed to take any pictures anymore. Back in the old days........you could take pictures to remember your visit...but now with all the thievery and copyright laws.....so it goes.

This was a wonderful show !!...........really enjoyed ourselves and fill up the van with our shopping !!!..... I would love to go back next year !

More quilt shops...............Oct 5th..

The Cottage Rose quilt shop in Marion, Iowa.......

Connie's Quilt Shop was a great little house just FILLED with fabric.....we helped them out and took some of off their hands.

After visiting in Anamosa......we had to go find some of the wonderful wine we had at Sandy's house..... so off to the Amana Colonies we went !!!...... It was just down the road a piece.

Good thing I had a van.......next time I think we need an RV !

Our last quilt shop stop before we headed for Des Moines.......and it was closed... they ALL went to the quilt show in Des Moines......but the trip was not lost.....we found a BASS shoe outlet.

Still at Country Threads........

Oh - almost forgot to show you the quilt shop.

They have 2 buildings filled with fabric, patterns, wool, punch needle, civil way fabrics, gift items and LOTS of other great things. And cats...................

And goats..................

And gardens.............full of flowers.

I woke her up when I was looking at punch needle kits.........

I am already planning on going back to visit in the spring.................

Next day of the trip.........

Next stop was Country Threads in Garner, Iowa.......Country Threads is the quilt shop in a chicken coop !!... It is my all time favorite quilt shop. Not only because of the great quilting things......but the farm..... I just love the farm. This is one of the beautiful cats who live there......and yes, they go in and out of the quilt shop - just as cats should.

This beauty followed us through the shop and talked to us the whole time....we had a very nice conversation.

This is Janie...hope I spelled her name right.... She is the sweetest little dog... and she was a rescue dog.

This is a new addition to Country Threads.........this is a playhouse !!! ......oh it is cute !!! They are busy decorating it for the seasons. Wonder if Jeff will build me a playhouse ???

And the chickens.........LOVE the chickens... !!!

Tuesday, October 19

Going back to our trip......Oct 4 is day 2 of the "Girls on the loose".......
We spent the first night in Forest City, IA It is located in north central Iowa.....it is a great little town. And they have a lovely quilt shop.
The gals there were so nice and helpful !! My girlfriend bought these 4 season panels...(this is just one) and the gals at the shop cut these kits for her and found the pattern for her...because the free pattern had disapeared from the web site.

I got some fabric and charm squares for a "Scnibbles" quilt that I got the pattern for at Gruber's..

The Quilted Forest had great displays in their windows.....sorry my pics have some glare.

Another great day at a great quilt shop !!!

Monday afternoon we headed over to Anamosa, IA to visit friends......and don't you suppose I forgot my camera in the hotel room.....

Guess I will just have to go back !

And next time I want to spend a couple days in Anamosa.....that is where I went to massage school.... It is such a pretty little town.