Even more cold...

So, we have been having a string of interesting luck....

As you might remember, right before the Solstice and Christmas holiday's, our washing machine went feral and flooded a good part of our first floor and basement.  And while we acted fast and minimiized much of the damage, our kitchen floor does tell the tale of that day.

Now, with the new year hot on our heels, our heating is on the fritz..  We have absolutely no heating on our second floor, and no clue why.  And, being the frugal (cheap?) people that we are, there is no way that we are willing paying emergency rates for the heating company to come outto the homestead this weekend. 

So, it is a bit cold, inside and out, this weekend. 

Of course, physics, or whatnots, is on our side with the whole heat rising thing, and we are able to close off many of the rooms, and we are still able to rely on electric plug in heaters...so this is not an emergency by any means...but I have taken to sleeping in many, many layers (including two pairs of socks and a hat), and I am currently huddled in my bed, under multiple covers, wishing I took some time this weekend to finally make those fingerless gloves I have been eyeing.  And being very curious by my children who seems just fine with the lower than normal temporatures (seriously, how can they attempt to wear t-shirts and shorts in this house?  I don't get it...).

So, I ask, just when is Spring coming? ;)

Cold...

It is cold out.

After weeks of temps in the 30's of so, we have now hit true winter with a current temp of 0 degrees F.  And while I know that this is normal for Vermont, I am not loving this.

Morning found us early, as the husband and I arose at 4:15am (and whole 15 minutes earlier than normal, I realize with chagrin...).  While he went out, greeted the snow plow and started his car, I began his breakfast and lunch prep.  He was leaving early to go pick up a friend to car pool.

Once he was out the door, it was time for me to bundle up and head out into the cold.  First up were the chickens.

After shoveling the chicken yard, their coop door was opened ( the heat light having been turned on previously), and their water bowl was filled.  In peeking into the coop, I saw some of the smallest ladies picking up one leg, and then the other in an attempt to keep warm.  I wondered if those little ones might need a turn inside if temps got much colder.

Once the ladies were all set, it was time to drag the trash and recycling to the curb.  The holidays provided a plentiful amount to be laid out in wait, and I found cause to use my children's sled to drag it out.  The air was fridge, my breath sheilded only by the fleece camo ski mask that is my favored attire outside these days...which in turn fogged my glasses so that I couldn't even see.  Sometimes it is hard to win in these situations...

But, now I am inside.  My cats are beginning to swarm as they contemplate jumping on my laptop, and I am considering either climbing into a hot bath or a warm bed until the kids awaken.

Stay warm, my friends.  It is cold out there.

Crafting days...

Good morning everyone!  It is Wednesday, and we are Yarning Along with Ginny and joining in with Tami's Amis' Work in Progress  and Ambassador Crochet today!

So, the holidays are over...and I am exhausted!  I hear what you might be saying...'What about New Years?  That's a holiday!'....well, we aren't much for celebrating that one, short of trying to watch MTV's New Years count down and lamenting over how old we have gotten...frankly, we don't recognize any of the music video hosts...what happened to Carsen Daly??

So, to get back to my point, the holidays are over for us, and we are left with some days at home with the kids on the school break...and a good sort of time on my hands for some crafting....and I have been doing just that.

Last week, my goal was to finish up my son's blanket this week, and as you see above, I just might succeed.  I have been fiercely refusing to let myself start anything new until that blanket is done.  Motivation?  I think so....I am craving to start a new shawl with the beautiful wool fiber that I have been stockpiling....but, soon enough.

Well, that is all on this end :)  Head on over to Ginny's, Tami's, and Ambassador's Crochet other interesting ventures into fiber and literary fun.

All set...but for the clean up...

The holidays have come and gone....and all that is left is the clean up. 

The holidays surrounded us with vigor this year, and we were happily able to attend each and every gathering that we were invited to.  And than, in and of itself was shocking.  Most years, all that needs to happen is to have an invite cross the threshold for someone in this family to get sick...But not this year!

We were blessed with family and friends and celebrations.

So, as a result, as we arrived back home after the final Christmas gathering, I was officially done.  And the house looked like Christmas came and blew up all over the place. 

Not being a family to maintain the holiday decorations past Christmas, I can officially say that everything is packed up and put away for another year.   I hope that doesn't sound too, like, cheerless...it just feels like it is time.

Of, the fake tree that we have been using for the past three years (initially purchased the year that my husband was training in Texas for several of the months and I worried I would not be able to handle two preschoolers and the cutting/hauling/trimming of a full size tree....) broke in the taking down stages....but that is an issue for another year...

So, until another year, the holiday season is past...and I plan to take many, many naps...

Joyous celebrations....

To grandmother's house, and back again...it was a beautiful holiday of joyous celebrations....

Hoping everyone else had a slice of the same. :)

Snow...

Ahhh...there it is...and just in time... ;)

Happy Solstice!

Happy Solstice, my friends! 

I am so contented that it is finally here.  The longest night of the year has arrived, and it marks that point where it all turns around and we begin our downward slope towards longer days and the start to a new growing season.

The morning was spent caring for our animals, as is a traditional, and practical method of observance.  Our time today will follow with time spent with family and friends...working and celebrating....readying for the Holiday celebrations in coming days.

I hope that you are all having a joyeus and peaceful Solstice. 

A fiber and literary update....quick!

Good morning everyone!  It is Wednesday, and we are Yarning Along with Ginny and joining in with Tami's Amis' Work in Progress  and Ambassador Crochet today!

And this is going to be a quick one - as I have gingerbread cookies in the oven (needing to be sent to school with my daughter this morning) and chickens that are waiting impatiently to be let out of the coop....and kids that will be running down the stairs any moment, searching for breakfast....

I finished the final holiday gift this past weekend - hurray!  I would do a show and tell, but I wouldn't want to ruin any surprises...And I have be working on my son's orange blanket this week, and hope to get it finished during the holiday break. 

On a fun note, I have been stock piling coupons for 50% off one item at the local craft store, and have been purchasing and savings bundles of wool yarn for later projects....

Reading-wise, I finished Friday Night Knitting Club last night...and frankly, was shocked by the ending.  I won't give away any secrets...but, wow.  Just wow.

Well, that is all on this end :)  Head on over to Ginny's, Tami's, and Ambassador's Crochet other interesting ventures into fiber and literary fun.

And if you are celebrating, I wish you all a joyeous holiday season....

A surprise....

My husband SWEARS that he does not read my blog....but, today, when I rushed home to continue with the water clean up from yesterday's washer flooding, and help install the new washer machine...

This was waiting for me in the back of the truck.

The very thing I was dreaming aobut yesterday, while musing about next years garden...

It is a holiday gift.

For us.

And it is perfect.

Zucchini Bread on a crazy day....

Hi everyone!!  It is Monday yet again...we are joining in with Tonya at Plain and Joyful Living, for the Handmade Holiday

-AND (!!!)-

with Emily at The Nest for Craft♥Advent.

So, the weekend started really great - visits to family and friends, creative time with the kiddos....come Sunday afternoon, it got downright crazy.

It all started just as we got the cookbook out...

And consulted our favorite recipe for Zucchini Bread....

Last summer for a bumper crop of Zucchini, so plenty ended up shredded and put up for the winter. 

And on Sunday, into the microwave it went to defrost for Zucchini Bread....a recipe from Ms. Crocker that is soooo good, even my kids will eat it!!

However, just as the microwave finished however, it came to my attention that there was a growing puddle of water under the fridge....and then after a dash to the bathroom, we saw that that floor was soaked....and then after flinging ourselves at high speeds down to the basement, we found that it was raining.

Raining!

So, long story very short....the washer malfunctioned, hence soaking a good portion of my house, which in turn allowed for the zucchini to finish defrosting...Glass half full, right? ;)

And after 3 additional hours, all was mixed up and into the oven it went!

All ready for holiday gifting!

For more organized and less crazy holiday crafting and fun, head on over to Tonya's site, Plain and Joyful Living and Emily's at The Nest for Craft♥Advent.

I will see you there!