January

This is what my world looks like today:

View from the front door

View from my sewing room

Which is where I've been making this:

Years ago my mother made us all six table runners (Valentines, Easter, Independance Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas), and since then I've wanted to make six more for the rest of the months of the year. Today I finished the one for January. I guess it was appropriate for snow to be falling.

Autumn Update

A clean kitchen is a happy kitchen!

Uncluttered counters leave room for food prep!

I took the white chair rail off the walls and like the look better. Eventually I'll remove all the wallpaper and paint the walls my favorite pale pink.

TopDad surprised me with a bouquet of gorgeous flowers!

Our first snowfall on October 14.

It began to look a lot like Christmas! And I'm not ready.

The cold, gloomy weather called for a pot of "Cowgirl Stew".

This image of the dining room ceiling is proof of why I can't just quickly paint. There is tons of prep work to do and I'm not sure of how solid the plaster underneath is. In other places the plaster is actually falling down!

The painted over wallpaper is cracking and separating from the wall. I had hoped to paint over it, but in the spots where I tested paint, it looks terrible so it must come off.

More cracks and separation in the dining room.

The living room is even worse!

No way I'm going to paint over this mess. It has to be removed.

More of the living room.

The walls are over nine feet tall, and the middle of the ceiling is almost eleven feet tall. It makes me tired just to look at it! I'm a slow worker so I'm not eager to tear into it and live in a mess for a year or two. I have to "gird up my loins, fresh courage take" and proceed! Anyone want to come over and help?

I love the space of this home. It is what I wanted for our family. Just have to get rid of the soul-sucking decor and paint it the colors that enliven my soul, put up my artwork and pretty plates, and then it will be as close to perfect as I'll get in this life.

Monday's Motivation

Could it be that Spring is here?

The snow is shrinking!

Almost gone!

Buds on the Lilac

South side of the house is completely free of snow.

After I took these photos I did some clean up and took most of the downed branches to a pile for the county compost.

Is It Spring Yet?

Apparently not!

Winter on Wednesday

The forecast blizzard began early Monday morning and lasted until late Tuesday night. It seems unusual only because we've had unusually mild winters for a few years. This, though, is more normal.

Tuesday night view from our front door.

Dandylion did all the shoveling of the walks and driveways.

Wednesday morning views from our front porch.

We're Having Ooblek Tonight

It looks like we're in for some interesting weather tonight. I mean, they don't even know what to call it, other than "Unknown Precipitation.

I think the King is tired of all the rain and snow and asked for something different!

Click on the screen shot to enlarge it. (I'm still learning how to do this, thanks for the help, Dandylion.)

Frugal February Update

So far, so good. Nothing more spent on groceries (or anything else, come to think of it). Last night I made two loaves of banana bread to use up the old bananas. Saturday I ground wheat and made whole wheat bread (yum, yum). There are no chips (crisps in England) in the house so we popped popcorn for a crunchy snack. We had stir-fry last night with a single butterfly pork chop cut into small bite-sized pieces for the meat.  The bottomless pits boys complained a bit, but filled up on the rice and veggies; then toast, then popcorn, and some ice cream. They really are bottomless pits! I looked through the veggie bins in the fridge to see what I have and what needs to be used up, then planned meals for this week. (Why do I go so long without making a plan!?)

Noble finally got the package of goodies I sent her, but said the bread was already moldy so don't send that anymore. The brownies made her cry with homesickness. (That wasn't the reaction I wanted.) Military mail to overseas is so slow, the only redeeming feature being that she doesn't have to pay customs on everything. 

PW goes to Marine Boot Camp in two weeks. We'll be going to San Diego (my hometown) for his graduation. He's been running and working out to get ready. 

Dr. Hair is going to All-State competition with his short film! When he puts his film up on YouTube I'll grab it and share with you. It is really good! (And that's not just a mommy's bias.)

The weather is warming up a bit, supposed to be low 50's today. YAY!!! Yesterday we woke up to snow falling, but by afternoon it was melted off the sidewalks and roads. I got out and shoveled a bit after lunch and needed only a sweatshirt. It was wonderful to hear birds singing and chirping in the afternoon.

Wherever you are, I hope today is a good one for you.

Four Wheel Drive and Wool Blankets

Day Twenty-two of Count Your Blessings 2013

We had our first winter storm yesterday and last night, waking up to a white world, and a two hour late start for school this morning. I was in Council Bluffs when it began as a freezing rain and sleet. I was so thankful to be driving home in our big Suburban with four-wheel drive as the roads were slick and lesser cars had slid off the road and spun out.

And, of course, every cold winter night I'm grateful to snuggle down to sleep beneath a lovely pure wool blanket, snapped up at a thrift store for $5.00. Combined with a flannel sheet I am toasty warm all night long. Thank you sheepies for giving your wool so I can stay warm!

Small Cars

Day Twelve of Count Your Blessings 2013

Today I'm really grateful for my small car. Clearing snow and frost off the windshield is no problem, I can reach the whole thing! I'll leave the clearing of the huge Suburban window to Dr. Hair, who at almost 6'2" can reach it.