Winter

 Now that Christmas is over, I have seen several variations on "Christmas is done, now it's time for summer."  But not for me!  The year we got married, I developed a lasting appreciation for winter.  Since we got married in December, fall was full of fun activities, followed by our wedding, honeymoon, then David's niece's wedding.  It was a wonderful time, but instead of feeling let down in January when all the activity stopped, I found that the quiet was peaceful and restful.

To kick off this season of  rest, I took off the days between Christmas and New Year off.  The dogs and I have really enjoyed it!

I made America's Test Kitchen's Dream biscuits, which turned out HUGE but were pretty good!

I finished this 'winter lamb' hooked rug for Mom for Christmas.

What could be more "2020" than toilet paper and paper towels with bows?  Festive AND useful!

Christmas day was really cold, but the day after was downright balmy.  The dogs enjoyed splashing in the lake and then drying in the sun.

The dogs and I have logged a lot of time snuggling on the sofa, napping and rug hooking.

Since I've been taking Christmas decorations down, it's nice to have something fun to fill some of those places.  This Frosty will keep an eye on us through the winter.

The dogs don't realize it yet, but they're going to be sad when I go back to work!  I'm loving this time at home!

Christmas Tour 2020

 I really enjoy our house at Christmas, and realized I hadn't taken many pictures the last few years. so here's an updated tour.  Welcome!  

Some favorites in the kitchen are the sign above the stove and the "believe" towel on the cabinet door.

I also like this crock shelf with the feather tree with oranges and gingerbread men.  The Santa is new to our house this year and was a gift from Todd.  He belonged to Todd's mom.  

Next up we head to the dining room, where the big tree has lived most Christmases that we have lived here.  I believe this is its 17th Christmas!  It's on its third of fourth set of lights, but I just haven't found one I like as much!

Santa on the TV cabinet is one of my favorite decorations.  He's also been around for about 17 Christmases.  Time flies when you're having fun!

I like this view from the living room back into the dining room.

I like the color that the quilt from my Quilting 100 class has brought to the living room.  The pups and I have enjoyed snuggling up with it also! 

Now down the hallway and past the Santa mug collection.  I don't think I have room for even one more Santa, but I enjoy them!

From there, into the Snoopy room.  It's fun to keep an eye out for Peanuts ornaments in flea markets.

This is the only tree in the house with multi colored lights, and it's a fun addition.  

At the top of the stairs, we find a simple tree decorated with cranberry bead garland, dried oranges, homemade gingerbread men, and has a simple tin star on the top.

Old toys decorate this hallway with a few Christmas books added this time of year.

Down the hall to what has become one of my favorite rooms in the house - the guest room turned sewing room.

The ceramic trees have made a big comeback, but this has been around since these were popular the first time.  It was a gift to my mom from her dad and stepmom, and now it's on permanent loan to me. :)

Fletcher was a big help with the pictures!  This has been a good place for sewing and Christmas crafting.

The snowman was a gift from our realtor the first Christmas we lived here.  I think he is neat!

Since the dresser was replaced by a sewing table, this tree needed a new spot.  I was glad that this stool was up in the attice, and it was the perfect spot!

I don't have much Christmas in our master bedroom, but I do like this little scene with the pear tree and a Santa next to a house that is there all the time.

That is it for Christmas tour 2020!  It's a lot of work to put up and take down, but I sure enjoy it!

Crafty

 I'm not sure whether it is the pandemic, or my age, or what, but I am sure enjoying this season of making things.  I think of it as practicing for retirement. :)  

I'm working on a wall hanging.  I started it at around 5:00 last night.  Had I not spent most of the day lounging on the couch, I think it would be finished.  It's not perfect, but I'm happy with how it's coming together.

I have some squares of fabric that belonged to my Grandmother.  I'm not sure exactly what her project was, but I used them to make the very blue little table runner above and the table mat in browns below.

Triangles are more difficult than I expected!  I could use some more practice there.

Hooked rug #3 was a gift for my mom.  I love the tan saltbox.

Finished!

 I'm not sure I've ever been so proud to finish something.  My quilt, while far from perfect, is finished!

I was worried about the binding, but that turned out not to be such a terrible part of the process.  

I need to wash it, but I'm a little nervous that it will just fall apart.  Keeping my fingers crossed!

Burger Tour

In October, we went on our annual camping trip, also known as the Arkansas Burger Tour (at least to us).  We packed our masks, among many other things, and set out for a socially distant weekend.  

Fortunately, the weather was just about perfect.  After setting up camp, we headed to burger destination #1 - Oark Cafe and General Store.  

They were operating with a limited menu and outdoor seating only, which was just fine with us.  They didn't have David's favorite pie - peanut butter, so we tried Possum Pie instead.  Happily, it has nothing much to do with possum and is a chocolate cream pie.

The next day, we spent some time enjoying the scenery and working up an appetite for burger destination #2 - Catalpa Cafe.  Last year was our first experience at Catalpa Cafe and went on the recommendation of some people in town.  They were absolutely right in recommending it!   

It's a one man show, and although just up the road from Oark, far less populated.  

The Juicy Lucy, with cheese in the middle and topped with grilled onion and mushrooms, is one of my all time favorites.  He was also operating with a limited menu and outdoor seating only.  It was another beautiful day to eat outside.  We have plans next year to eat at least two meals at Catalpa, because there's more we want to try.

On day 3, we went with some friends to a house owned by an 85 year old man who has it fixed up with period pieces.  Sometimes he is there, as he was that day, sometimes not, but he always welcomes people to come in and have a look.  He was a pleasure to visit with, making this stop one of the highlights of our trip.

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That evening, there is a (lengthy) prize drawing for items donated by many vendors.  After about 2 hours, we were close to packing up our chairs and heading back to camp.  Good thing we didn't though, as the next to last number called was David's!  He won a very cool refrigerator (cool - teehee!) that can be used in the truck or a camper in place of a cooler.  We're really glad we stayed!  Looking forward already to next year!

Quilting 100

 A few posts ago, I mentioned signing up for a quilt class.  The class is Quilting 100, for beginners.  The focus was just on cutting and piecing.

For practice, I made a few blocks from the book.

When my new desk arrived, it was even more fun as I had an extra 2 square feet to work, and a drawer for storage.

The first night of class, we cut all the squares that would be needed for the quilt and began piecing them together.  Our homework was 20 squares like the one below.  It sounded like a lot, but it went quickly!

By the end of the second (and final) night of class, I came home with this.  It was by far the largest thing I've ever sewn.

The class was only for the quilt top, but I got further instructions before leaving.

Soon, it had two borders and was ready for basting.  I made my quilt sandwich and pin basted it together.  

After watching a Youtube video on machine quilting with a regular sewing machine and reading a few tutorials, I was ready to give it a try.  My lines aren't the straightest, but they're improving and it's starting to look and feel like a real quilt!  In retrospect, I think I would have tried something smaller in size for my first one.  I chose Christmas colors because I really thought it was going to be wall hanging size, but I don't think it's so Christmas-y that it can't stay out year round.  I'm determined that it will be finished by Christmas, so stay tuned!

Our Swimmers

Dogs are blissfully unaware of elections, Covid, wild fires, and hurricanes.  They're excellent reminders of how to live in the moment.

They also know nothing of furniture protection.  This loveseat in our bedroom has been a favorite nighttime spot for Riley, then Annie, and now Fletcher as well.  We had it reupholstered between Riley and Annie, and I have not one but TWO covers to try to minimize the dog hair and smell.  Fletcher managed to get himself behind the back cushions, and seemed quite comfortable there.  Annie has done it as well - she reminds me of the princess and the pea!

Our two dogs have taken every opportunity to swim, which means almost every weekend.  Even now that the water is cooler, they show no signs of stopping.

Fletcher's favorite game continues to be "steal the toy from Annie".  We don't let him do it every time, but she doesn't seem overly concerned.

Todd's dog Max joins the fun sometimes.  If we swim from shore, Max might venture toward a toy.  If we're on the dock, she seems content just to hang out.  Emma occasionally joins in the fun, even though it wears her out for a few days after.

Even though the Springers seem to have an endless supply of energy, eventually they do tire out.  Their favorite spot is near their people, even if that means laying in the kitchen floor while supper gets made.  They're a handful, go through food quickly, leave dog hair everywhere, and I can't imagine life without them.