Almost February, Almost Spring...Almost

Gosh, this  winter is getting long.....It is still so cold. I have turned into a couch potato just to keep warm. Even the dogs are sleeping closer together without growling too much. They can play and wrestle, but when it comes to sleeping areas, one is definitely territorial! 

Today I was going to try snowshoeing with a friend but when the temperature hovered around 13 degrees this morning, I chickened out. She is the hardy type, cross country skis and snowshoes but she also has the right clothing and is much younger than myself. Tomorrow morning I am going to go for it as the temperature is supposed to warm up substantially, into the 40's!! Who knows, maybe I will even don my shorts (just kidding).

Today I am going to the cottage to work. Haven't been there in one week because I hated to heat it up. It takes so long to warm it up and because I use propane in it, I  think of the dollars flying out the window just because I want to play!

I am going to make Valentine cards I hope -have several ideas  "stamping" about in my head. I am so glad I have found a group of women who are as passionate about this hobby as I am. It makes life so much fun! Even my sister-in-law is getting into it.

I do wish my mom was still living. I know she would have  enjoyed it. Here are pictures I have in my cottage of my mom, her mom and my mom's grandmother---

          Grace, Nina and Fanny

This weekend was one of the events where a large group of us get together in a hotel or more rustic setting to gab, stamp, eat and sometimes sleep. There are no schedules, phones (if you turn off your cell), clocks or other interruptions to impede the progress of creativity. The first time I went, I never went to bed! I hauled everything but the kitchen sink just in case I needed it. Punches, ribbon, stamps, paper, ink were toted along. Now when I go, I try to organize myself ahead of time to streamline my stamping projects.  Unfortunately, I could not go with the rest of them this weekend as there was no one to take care of the dogs. My husband does not return until tomorrow. 

It has been so cold, I haven't even seen the Twins this week. I am not sure where they are seeking shelter but hopefully they are okay and have found enough fodder to keep them warm.

See ya, 

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Going Solo

My husband has gone away for a few days. It is a time for me to veg, not have any schedule, except for work, and do whatever I recklessly wish to do (or not do).

Friday night I gave the dogs baths. It had warmed up in the 40's that day so it was time for their midwinter wash. They needed it badly. They act as if they are being punished when we go through the bathing routine but afterwards, they fly through the house as if they had wings. (I wish I was that lively in the morning after I took my shower!) I discovered one had an ear infection so that sort of dictated my Saturday.  

The next day, I picked up my friend, Beth, and off we went to York Animal Hospital to get meds and ear wash. Beth is an angel in disguise. She does nursing care for the county and also, for one week a month, is on call for hospice. She goes into homes that many people would not dream of entering, giving much needed care. She is such a kind soul to the disabled and elderly (and me).  

It was bitter cold out again yesterday even though the sun was shining. The fields of snow looked like they had big sheets of plastic wrap scattered about on them. The temperature had warmed up enough for the snow to melt on Friday and then plunged into the deep freeze at night.  Even my dogs were skidding on the driveway as if they had little ice skates on their feet.

Last night was a quiet night of cuddly dogs, GAMES of mahjong and cups of tea then off to bed for a much needed rest. Friday night I had slept on the couch as the wind was blowing and banging about. I had built a fire so I felt I was better able to monitor it in the night from the couch. The dogs kept barking as the noises were scaring them. We don't get wind here very often.

One of my first and foremost fears is that of a house fire from the wood stove.  When I was a child, our family home was always at risk due to the fact we burned green wood sometimes and creosote built up in the chimneys. I remember one such time when I was coming home on the school bus and when I started to disembark from the bus, the bus driver literally pushed me down to run to my house. Our roof was on fire! I don't remember how we got it put out but he saved the day. I do remember my mom was home and unaware of the situation. Being the shy child that I was, (if you can believe it), I thought I had done something wrong and that is why the bus driver had pushed me.

Today a friend of mine from work, Alison, came to see me. We spent a the morning  touring the property and then went off to a nice breakfast in our nearby town.  She is the music teacher at school and recently moved not far from me. 

She loves the woods and solitude like I do and is an accomplished glass bead maker who works wonders with glass rods and a torch! (Sorry about the blurry picture.)

 I have just "a few" of her glass beads that she made into earrings and necklaces.  

Since it was bitter cold again today, I am ending my Sunday making a pot of hamburger soup, molasses cookies and some bread to get me through a few days of my solo trek. Yummy.

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