Busy Week Back

Here's what happened on the hutch this week:

This chubby little bulb was just about as busy as I was this past week.  The stem probably doubled in height and there is tiny bit of pink poking out of the leaves at the tip.  Last week it was only up to the first shelf on the hutch, this week it reaches to the second shelf.  I see that the stem has developed a bit of a curve, I better pay closer attention and make sure to turn that pretty green pot a tiny bit each day.

Today my Thoughtful Daughter (TD) and I, along with the adorable grand daughter (Baby Bee) went to JoAnn's for a bit of what TD referred to as Girl's Day Out.  Baby Bee managed to sleep through most of the trip, but did wake up to eat her mac and cheese at McCallister's.  She is quite good at handling a fork and made almost no mess.  Her mommy says she has been practicing with whipped cream and a spoon.  She reaches into the fridge and swipes it or waits until the dishwasher is open, grabs a spoon and then yells, "Cream!"

TD and I did some damage and I managed to break my rule of no new fabric this new year.  Here is a peek at what will be added to the pile. 

The top gingerbread men fabric will be used in backing for the Christmas House quilts.
The blue star fabric just below will be sashing for those same Christmas House quilts.
The third one down has a bit of a story.  I plan to use it on the back of a Civil War style fabric little quilt.  I liked it as soon as I picked up the bolt and knew just what I would use it for.  While I was waiting in the cutting line TD said, "I don't like that fabric."  While we were getting fabrics cut other women in line chimed in, all saying they liked one fabric or another in our stack, two women even waited to grab a bolt of fabric printed with matryoshka nesting dolls after we got a cutting.  Everyone agreed with TD, they did not like the fabric printed with the weird doves and someone even said it was ugly.  The saleslady was a bit more diplomatic, but it was fairly clear she did not see the appeal.  We made our way to the checkout line and as the clerk was putting our fabric into a bag she paused and said, "Oh!  I like this fabric!"  Finally... someone on Omi's side!

The rest of the fabrics along with a short stack of neutrals and two pieces purchased for Baby Bee clothes are all small 80's style calico prints to add to the every growing stash.  I actually have a little project in mind.  I will tell you about it in my next post.

Fourteen in '14

First off, this is what I woke up to this morning:

Well, this and a phone call from my daughter lamenting yet ANOTHER snow day home from school.  She was ready for the kiddos to head back to school so she could enjoy what she called, "quiet and coffee plans."  This will be what must be a record SIX, yes count them... 6 days home from school due to weather concerns. 

I will take it!  I spend so much time during the school year complaining because my job keeps me away from home and the time to pursue the activities I truly enjoy, cooking, sewing, crafting and to some extent gardening.  All of which are much easier to do AT HOME.

This post is for Aunt Cindi over at Today I...
There is a movie my children and I like to watch starring Kevin Bacon and Elizabeth McGovern titled, He Said, She Said.  In the movie Kevin Bacon's character is always quoting his Uncle Olaf.  Sometimes I feel as if my Aunt Cindi is the Uncle Olaf character in my life.  I am forever saying in conversation, "My Aunt Cindi..." and then fill in the blank, she either "says," "does," or "makes" whatever it is I am referring to.

Aunt Cindi enjoys many of the same activities that I do.  On days we are at our homes we report via emails our progress on current projects in homekeeping, sewing, cooking and sometimes just laying around reading or taking naps.  In a small way I feel as if I have a conscience to report in to.  It helps to keep me somewhat on task.

Due to a lot of spurring on by Aunt Cindi, and her report of a finish of her own, I have managed not one but TWO finishes.  Well... not quite finished finishes, but they are on the way to the quilters.

I read in a blog a couple of years ago that the author had committed to Twelve finishes in '12.  I thought I might try Fourteen finishes in '14.  Sew, 2 down, 12 to go!

On the hutch

I took the Christmas items off the kitchen hutch today.  It always looks a little bare when the decorations come down.  We will leave the greens up on top of the cabinets a while longer.  I know I should have spent the extra time stuck at home these past few days to take the tree down, but I am enjoying the lights so much I want to stretch it out a bit longer.
Here is the amaryllis bulb that I started a week ago.  My thougthful daughter over at Little House  brought it to me just after Christmas. 

On the hutch at Omi's House

I just love the color of that crock.  These bulbs grow so fast, let's watch it together!

Snowed in!

As a young child living in Florida I dreamed of the the kind of snow fall that would require a tunnel for us to get out of the house.  I remember my daddy talking about being "SNOWED IN."
When we moved to the Midwest there were some snowfalls that kept us at home from school, but never the deep snow that required a tunnel to get us from the front door to the outside world.  I do remember one epic snow where all the neighborhood kids ended up in our backyard and we built a snow fort, or igloo, as our imaginations allowed. 
There have been a few record snows in my memory, like the one where my parents got trapped "in town," were rescued by a snow plow driver, and then spent the next three days at my uncle's apartment.  There was one snowfall during my teen years that kept me from making it home and required that I stay the night at my then boyfriend's house. 
A couple of years ago, knowing the bad weather would keep us home from school, I grabbed my eldest grandson and we spent the ensuing week snug and warm and snowed in together at Omi's house.
Right now we are experiencing an historic weather event, 10-12 inches of snow followed by sub-zero temperatures.  This weather has caused church, the schools and several businesses to close over these past four days.  The local news shows and the highway department are imploring everyone to stay home! 

I am loving every minute of being, "snowed in!"

I have decided, with the prompting of my wonderful son-in-law over at "Show Me the Honey" to begin a blog where I hope to organize some of my thoughts, recipes, crafting and quilting projects and rememberances.
Here's to the beginning of 2014, being snowed in, and what is going on "At Omi's House."

Snowy road to Omi's House