Chilly Gnome ~

Just checking in to say hello! My garden gnome decided to poke his head out yesterday, but its still rather chilly out and its trying to snow as i type this...so he may not stick around. Ive been working on a quilt for the Doll Quilt Swap on about.com...my second time participating in it...however, the person who will be receiving my quilt reads my blog, so i cant show any progress pictures. :(

I recently discovered a blog called virtual paintout, and have become quite inspired by it. I ordered some new watercolor paints, and hope to join the challenge each month to get me back into painting again. My usual medium is oil or acrylic...so watercolor will be a learning experience.(i stuggled with it once before, but i havent given up) :)

The winter blahs come and go with the sun, but i started taking vitamin D and i think that helps. I notice many friends (myself included) having a hard time right now...tired...cranky...feeling low...but i truly think its just the time of year. When i look back at previous blog posts at this time of year, i realize the moods are the same....so i am working on finding and keeping my mojo thru the winter months, starting with going for a walk today! Hope all is beautiful in your part of the world~

New Quilt for Barbie!

Another cold one out today...and even though the sun finally decided to come out, it was still extremely windy and cold! So, what do you do on an extremely cold day?...You make a quilt for Barbie :)
The new doll house from Santa came with some furniture, including a cute little bed...but no blanket for the bed :( Jordyn and i decided to rummage through my scrap bag to see what we could find for Barbie...and we came across these great little 2" flannel swatches. We knew they would go together easy, as they were already cut and ready to go...so Jordyn helped me arrange them, iron them, and even helped sew a few on the sewing machine! It doesnt quite match the rest of the pink decor, but Barbie seems to like it :)

Jordyn Learns to Ice Skate ~

A perfect Sunday afternoon...we went sledding, played in the snow, and then Jordyn learned to ice skate!
Afterwords, we came in for some warm homemade bread, antipasto, and beer! A great way to beat off the winter blahs!
Hope you had a fabulous weekend~

Winter Activities ~

Well, after splitting and hauling wood, and shoveling the snow off our pond, we were ready for some fun! Spooky has been cooped up in the house, so we thought she might like to join us. Im not sure how much fun she had, but we certainly had a good time!

Our New Ice Skating Pond ~

Last night Justin scraped the snow off the pond to create our own personal ice skating rink.

Jordyn was pretty upset that we didnt have skates for her, but she isnt allowed to ice skate till we get her some knee pads and a helmet.

So she got to sled around the ice instead :) But after being out there myself, im thinking it wouldnt hurt if Justin and i got helmets too! I suck at ice skating, and fell several times today...didnt do much skating growing up in LA!

Of course, cousin Jack had to get in on the fun!

Weeeeeeeeeeee!

Aunt LeAnn had to come down and check out the action...her and Mason Dog approve!
Hope everyone is enjoying the New Year...its been chilly, but fun!

Thoughts for Today & the New Year ~

I did this last year and really enjoyed looking back on it, so im doing it again this year ~

I'm feeling...many things...concerned, happy, sad, tired, excited, but mostly i feel lucky! 2009 brought on many ups and downs (im sure for all of us), but im certain they will make us all come out stronger, and i am working towards that every day!

I'm seeing...the aftermath of Christmas spread throughout the living room...Jordyn's toys everywhere.

I'm thinking...once again, where are we going to put it all :)

I'm appreciating...a roof over my head, a warm fire, all the comforts of home and a healthy wonderful family.

I'm cooking...Enchilladas...yum!

I'm planning...lots of projects for 2010, and i really hope to start painting again too!

I'm reading...The Persian Pickle Club by Sandra Dallas, It takes place during the Depression, and helps to remind me that even though times are tough, we are still very lucky!

I'm wearing...sweats, the same stylish outfit i had on last new years ;) What else would you wear in winter in the mountains?

I'm creating...a few things: a stitchery i didnt finish in time for Christmas, several quilts, and lots of other goodies.

I'm hearing...Jordyn in the other room "reading" to herself. (she's supposed to be asleep) :) oops...she just came out here to tell me her butt was burning and she needed some gun powder for it?!?

I'm enjoying...our new blue ray player, which also has netflix on line to watch movies at any time.

I'm sharing...a blanket and laughs with Justin on the couch.

May 2010 be filled with Jobs for all, Food for all, Love, Happiness and Good Health!!!

Post Holiday Break!

I'd like to thank everyone for the wonderful holiday wishes, and I hope that you all had a happy and safe one too! Here is a shot of us on Christmas Eve...more photos coming soon, but for now im enjoying a trip in the city, kid-free! Lots of shopping and power-lounging going on...just what i needed after an exhausting month! Hugs~