Heigh-Ho, Heigh-Ho

This was one of the views on my drive to work this morning...

Snow.

I smiled the whole way.

A Much Needed Escape

A few weeks back, I got to spend a couple days at "Quiltville" while Bonnie helped me with a project. We talked about escaping to the beach for a few days and when we figured out last week that our schedules would allow us to take off...we did. (Keep in mind that getting our weird schedules to match is like aligning the planets.)

So Thursday morning we took off for Holden Beach - three girls (including Shelby) and a large car packed full of stuff. How much sewing stuff do two quilters need for a long weekend at the beach?

A lot.

You would think we were packing for a month at the beach...but that's just wishful thinking.

We arrived in time to unpack and head out for dinner at the Provision Company. Conch fritters. Sitting on the waterfront porch with a big heater on high. Having the place almost to ourselves. It was perfection.

Friday was cold but clear and we spent the day sewing away. We ventured out on the beach late in the afternoon. It was beautiful but cold. My camera was dead and I left my charger at home so I had to steal these photos from Bonnie.

I was really glad she got the back of my head in this shot since it was a no-make-up weekend and I had epic beach hair.

Saturday was warmer but rainy. We had thought to drive up to Southport but with the rain decided to stay in. We sewed all day...well, except for nap time. We had mandatory naps Friday and Saturday. We decided to order Chinese take out and spend the evening doing handwork while watching Harrison Ford...uh, the Indiana Jones marathon. I wish I had a photo of the three of us sitting on the couch, surrounded by Chinese food and fabric - Shelby in the middle snoozing away.

It was tough packing up and coming back today. It rained almost the whole way home and we kidded that it was a shame we didn't get snowed in. Yes, it is a shame...especially since by the time I got home and unpacked...it was snowing. The ground out there is covered. - sigh - wishful thinking again...

In a Nutshell

Been busy.

Been without a computer at home.

Lots been happening.

The nutshell... in no particular order...

We have no heat in the house. Hopefully the part will come in today and we can get it fixed since it's supposed to be 18 degrees tonight. We're toughing it out and Shelby is just thrilled with her fleece sweatshirt. Can't you tell?

Yesterday, I took off for Chatham County to see my friend Sam and his new house.

He designed it himself. I told him he missed his calling and should have been an architect instead of a globe-trotting attorney...then he'd be as poor as the rest of us.

Friday night, my mom and I continued the Old Salem Candle Tea tradition with my nephews. Can you tell that little one is a wild man?

This past weekend, Lynda and I ran/walked the Mistletoe 5k. Tory surprised us and ran/walked with us. Next year, we'll run the whole thing...maybe.

A couple of hours after crossing the finish line, it started showing. We got about 1.5" and I smiled about it all day.

Thanksgiving started off with walking in the Turkey Strut 5k and ended with this. I should have done the half marathon.

With the ALOT of help from my friends, I got the Djembe quilts done...all 14.

Here's a quilt I finished and forgot to photograph.

I finally got this top together and quilted for the shop.

One day a week or so ago, I was meeting kb for lunch and ended up driving her home since her car decided it wanted a little vacation. We got behind this car on the way home and it was one of those weird moments that made me laugh hysterically . Someone in Kville bagged a deer. Why so funny? No idea.

I got to spend two wonderful days in Quiltville with Bonnie. She quilted ALL the Djembe quilts. We had a great time. (We could tell kb's quilts from everyone else's because she miters corners...always. See how perfect that miter is?)

for the first time ever I made it to the Brenner Festival of Trees. Gina designed the tree and I personally think it was the best one. I found out I can make pears but I'm rough on partridges.

Shelby sporting the lovely designer collar Quiltteacher made her at retreat. Shelby says Thank you Miss Muriel!

I finally broke down and started cutting up the wool Karen brought me. I'm making a king-size quilt out of the strips and didn't quite use half of the stash. Karen showed up at my house one day with all this wool that Sawtooth was throwing out! It's good to have well-connected friends!

The bee at the opening of our quilt showing November 12th at Yadkin Valley Cultural Arts Center. Fun night and so wonderful to see our quilts hanging in such a beautiful place.

See? Busy...but we're having fun, aren't we?

Snow!!!

Two snow events in one year! I'm amazed. We haven't had a good snow since I moved here 13 years ago... which is why Dave's shoveling snow with a pointed shovel. We may have to buy a snow shovel.



It was finally a snow worthy of sledding on our excellent hill.


The neighborhood kids were having a blast.


Shelby was not. About every third step, she'd fall through...not fun for a wee little girl in 10" of snow.



So, we decided she's stay at home while we walked to the grocery store a couple of blocks away. (We could have driven but that's not as much fun.)

Here's Hawthorne Road which is usually full of traffic. Those that live here know on a normal day, you take your life into your own hands just driving through this intersection.



I just love a snow day.

It's a Wonderful World

We really did wake to a good snow this morning. When I say "good", I mean 4 -5 inches worth, which is pretty but not enough for me to get to stay home and enjoy it from my quilt room window. These are the days I curse the two 4WD vehicles in the driveway, keeping me from pleading "snow day" so I can stay home and quilt.

We did take our time getting to the office this morning and in spite of lollygagging, we were the 2nd and 3rd folks to show up. (The first to show up was our exec admin who was raised in Montana where the weatherman doesn't even report little bits of snow like this.)



Before we left the house, we were treated with a robin invasion. There were hundreds in the back yard...most of them trying to get in this ivy covered tree. It was very difficult getting a photo of them...especially with my husband begging me to shut the door.


From my office window, Trade Street was vacant and stayed that way as most of the shops and restaurants remained closed.


However, at some point during the morning, someone wandered by and built a city snowman. Later in the day, I saw another one perched on the Cherry Street bridge over Business 40.

Snow!

Yay! SNOW!!!

It poured down today about 5:00. We're not going to get much but it sure was a pretty drive home from work.

Surprises

Yesterday we woke up to find snow and fallen overnight. It wasn't much but any trace of snow around here is reason to get excited. I miss snow. We haven't had a decent snowfall since I moved here 12 years ago.


Shelby was not impressed with the snow.



Yesterday also brought another surprise in the mail. Quiltkeemosabee sent me this little book that I was coveting at retreat a couple of weeks ago. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!



This morning, Dave left to do a couple of errands. When he came back home about 45 minutes later he told me he saw the wildest thing. He talked me into getting in the truck and riding down the to elementary school a a few blocks away. (Keep in mind I'm still in my PJ's and robe.)

Look at the top left corner of the school's can recycling bin. See him?


We're used to seeing hawks around here but they are usually way up in the trees. This guy was at eye level and had been there for at least 45 minutes. He is huge! Much bigger than Shelby! We watched him for 15 minutes or so, wondering why he was still standing there on top of that bin. I was afraid he was stuck in the grate but after a few minutes it was obvious he had his breakfast up there with him. He would move his right foot but not his left...so I was still a bit worried. Finally, he moved his left foot and we knew he could fly away if he wanted.


What would we have done if we discovered he was stuck? Called the local raptor center to come rescue him. I'm not crazy enough to walk up to a hawk!


Beautiful, huh?

It SNOWED!!!

I love surprise snow. There was an inch of snow on the ground and the weather report on the local channel's website still said nothing about snow. Though I would love a foot or so of snow so everyone could stay home for a snow day, this is my next favorite snow. It comes in quietly surprises us, making everyday things stunning, then leaves quick... just a reminder of the excitement snow brought when we were kids without ruining our grown-up schedules.