Winter has arrived

Last night was the coldest we have had so far this Winter, my thermometer read -17.8*C.  If the wind had been blowing it would have felt a lot colder.  Woke up today to a sunny day, however, the temp is to stay on the minus side of 0.
For the past 24 hours I have not been able to view or leave any comments, is anyone else experiencing this problem?
Patricia

I can get use to this........

After a frosty start to the day we have another beautiful sunny day, my thermometer is reading 7.5*C at 2:15 p.m.   I know this weather cannot last but hoping that it will not extend our Winter into late March or even April. 
Last night our quilting group had a lovely evening, good food and lively conversation and great gifts.  From M.L. I received a beautiful calendar of paintings by Diane Phalen.  She is best known for her collections of paintings featuring flowers, cottages, barns, country stores and Amish country life, with a rainbow of quilts hanging from porch rails, clotheslines and fences. 
She has rarely picked up a needle but has created more than 90 original quilts, all done with her paintbrush.  I just love this calendar, when 2012 is over I will not be throwing this one away.  Thanks M.L.

I gave J. a fabric origami box, the instructions are in the Sept/Oct issue of McCalls Quilting.  Here is a picture of the five inch one I made and  added the little nine patch block on the top.   Inside I put an small desk calendar and a pin which was in the shape of a star block and made of all different types and colours of wood.

Hope everyone is having a great day.

Patrica

Spring Cleaning

I know that we have only finished the first week of January but, it feels so much like March I started to clean  out my kitchen cupboards and de-clutter. How many glass bowls and mugs does one really need? I now have a nice big box of "stuff" started and will donate it  to a local charity shop.  Window cleaned, curtains washed and ironed and hung back up all nice and  spic and span.  Tackling the buffet cupboard in the dining area now, well,  not right now as I am taking a break with a cup of tea.  I am on such a roll thinking the bathroom vanity may be next.

Do not have to think about any dinner tonight.  Our quilting guild Christmas dinner and gift exchange is at a local restaurant this evening, looking forward to that, haven't seen any of the "girls" since the November meeting. That reminds me I should start to make the charity quilt block for our January meeting.

Tea all finished, so must get up and move before all my "get up and go" has gone.
Patricia

Almost Spring????

Another glorious day, clear skies, lovely sunshine that has considerable heat to it and most of the snow we had earlier this week has melted.  I have violets and some creeping phlox in bloom in my garden,  my pot of parsley is still alive, and my fish are swimming around in my pond.  What more can one ask for, during the first week of January in Ontario, Canada.

Yesterday I finished the main border on my quilt, so photo's coming soon.
  
You may have noticed that I  have added a challenge bar to my blog.  It is going to show the savings that I need to complete a trip that is on my "Bucket List" later this year.  To meet my goal I am trying to be more conscientious of the $'s I spend on a daily basis.  I have also started to clip coupons, the money that I save is going into a sealed pot, and I cannot believe how much is in that pot since I started doing this back on Dec. 1st.  No, I am not going to be a coupon clipper like those on the TV show.

Not much happening today, so only a short post.

Have a great day,
Patricia

Snow & Leftover Turkey Casserole

We had a lot of snow overnight and it didn't stop until around 11:00 a.m. it's hard to tell how much fell due to the wind whipping into drifts, what ever the amount it's way too much for me.    The skies cleared and we had a lovely afternoon even though it was cold.    So glad I have such good neighbours my driveway is now cleared of snow. 
I cleaned out and straightened up my food pantry and freezer today, didn't realize how much food I had, so planning on eating out of both and not buying any groceries for the month of January except for milk and fresh fruit and veg.  Also made three casseroles from the left over turkey from New Years day dinner, hope they taste as good as they smelt while they were cooking. 
Going to work some more on my quilt this evening, on the borders  now so almost finished the top.
Patricia

Happy New Year

To all my blogging friends, I hope you all had a safe and happy New Year, all the best for 2012. 

Did you make any New Years' resolutions?  I did,---- try to eat healthier and be more active, which will, hopefully result in the loosing of those few extra pounds that I tend to carry around my middle. Concentrate more on my finances, so that I can fulfill my dream "bucket list" trip, later this year. Finish three UFO quilts that have been waiting to be completed.  Finish a quilt I am currently workiing on for me. Start and finish my ggd 2's wedding quilt.  Make a quilt for Christmas 2012, for all three of my children and their spouses, and another great grand baby is due in May, he/she will need a quilt.   Phew, sounds as is I am going to be busy, must get to work in that sewing room this afternoon.

Yesterday, all three of my children, their spouses, grandchildren and their spouses, great grandchild, my Mum, sister and BIL, 20 of us in total, all celebrated our family Christmas.  Everyone contributed something to the dinner, and dd2 hosted it at her house.  We exchanged gifts, and had a great time and lots of fun,  read noise, laughter and general confusion, what can you expect from all those people when the age range is 2 - 94, and you know what, I wouldn't want it any other way.
My goal today is to get all of the Christmas decorations down and put away, it will be nice to get back into a regular routine again.

We had a light snowfall over night, and currently the sun is trying to shine, however, the forecast is for colder temperatures and heavy snow later today if the system stalls over our area.  Here's hoping it blows over fast because I would like to take my outdoor decorations down by next weekend.

Have a great day, everyone.

Patricia

Wallhanging

Those of you who have been following my blog for awhile have seen this wall hanging before.  I am re-posting it for a fellow blogger to see.
I have now given it to my dd2.

Serengeti Sunset



Patricia