It's so Cold when You're only Wearing One Glove

I am always caught in amazement by the beauty that is all around us. My backyard is just spilling with simple beauty, and yesterday was no exception. The trees, weeds, and bushes were covered with a thick, icy frost. Everything wearing the same amount of a glistening shield; every needle of each pine tree branch, coated.

I ran out in the morning chill to capture images before the sun had its time to melt it all away. I caught myself just staring at the way the trees stood tall up into the blue winter sky, while my ungloved photography hand froze. Man, if we all could have time to just stand around and stare, attempting to take it all in, so engrossed that we forget entirely about the cold and the freeze against our skin. It's natural beauty like this that speaks in great volume of God's love for us!

As the daylight changed in the morning, so did the looks of the sky and trees. I had great views from the windows of our little rental home.

I think I'll Have some Furoshiki, Please

This year I'm being extra crafty, frugal and environmentally conscientious. I wanted to wrap gifts in an absolutely reusable material.

Yes, you should definitely reuse gift bags (why not, right?). There's the idea of using comics from the Sunday paper as wrapping paper. I even threw around the idea of repurposing cereal, cracker, and pasta boxes into small gift boxes (I'll probably revisit that idea later).

What I have available is a footlocker basket size amount of fabric. I had thoughts of an all-in-one ribbon attached wrapping fabric. Searching for any already patterned ideas on the Internet, I stumbled upon a very old Japanese method called "furoshiki". I'll spare you the definition, history, and techniques (you all know how to google), but the idea is so simple and effective.

A 28" square piece of fabric in an interesting pattern with a locking stitch all around the edge (I think that's the correct name...I know how to sew, but am definitely far from a trained expert) , or, you can do a 29" square and fold and iron a 1/2" all the way around (twice) and miter the edges; you choose what you like better, of course one is more time consuming. This square can be folded over and tied to make a nice wrapping, or you can google different tying methods. Use smaller pieces of fabric for smaller items and larger pieces of fabric for larger items, but the 28" size fits a wide range of items and you can successfully wrap oddly shaped gifts.

Oh, by the way if you don't have a surplus of fabric, don't run out to Joanns (although I love, love that store). Try your thrift stores first. You'll find fabric a little cheaper

and more likely to find vintage patterns.

Free Pinecone Driftwood Wall Decor

Say what?! As part of the season of giving, I'm giving away two of my driftwood pinecone decorations to two people.

Here's the deal: If you like these creations and are a friend, neighbor, relative, or even remote acquaintance and are either: a) going to see me on our visit downstate, or b) live near me, up here in the U.P.; shoot me an email, facebook me, leave me a note on my blog, or try the good 'ol method of a phone call, and I'll happily deliver one of these nature home decor items to you and yours (this applies to you too, Mom-claim yours now).

I've decided against directly gifting these to anyone specifically, in case you personally don't care for them; but if you do like them, speak now and I'd love for someone to give them a good home.

Anywho, lots and lots of stuff to do, hopefully more pics. sooner than later will be posted.

*disclaimer: You can check out the driftwood/pinecone decor via my etsy site link to the right. You'll receive a piece similar, yet different than those pieces pictured.

Good, 'ol Reliable Blue

This is going to be the shortest blog ever (at least by my standards). I wanted to share a pic of the coolest birch trees on the block. They are so photogenic, and I love catching a glimpse of them every time I drive by.

On a side note. Is it weird to have a favorite snow shovel? No?

Well, then is it weird to name your favorite snow shovel Blue?

*(Completely unintentional, but I just realized I know a very cool person whose real name was my snow shovel's name (that must be why I thought the previous name was so neat). Out of polite respect, I've given my snow shovel a new name.)

Pretty Scenes Among the Trees

Yesterday was a catch up day. Meaning, catch up on the shoveling from the snow fall the evening before. It was a mere single digit degree day yesterday, but Bits and I still geared up and put in our time outdoors.

He was very irritated with the idea of going into the snow, now at about his waist level, and had no intent of even stepping into it until he saw his furry backyard neighbors. The snow was too high for them to come visit us, so I told Bits if he wanted to see the arfs he'd have to follow Mommy's tracks and walk through the snow. With much complaining, he managed the majority of the way and reached his doggy goal, plus a bonus of his favorite backyard neighbor lady. After a short visit we headed along our deep path back to our home and Mommy hand shoveled the driveway as Bits knocked snow off of the retaining wall. Much fun, much fun.

When Bacon went down for his nap, I returned outside to tackle shoveling the remaining areas and take oodles of winter pics. The sun was bright and the sky crisp and blue, making for perfect photography time. Yes it was cold yesterday, (bitter cold according to numerous forecasters), but I think Mike well prepared Bits and I by making us go on many frigid walks along the Black River walkway in our favorite Lake Michigan town, South Haven. There's nothing like the bite of winter wind that comes off of one of the Great Lakes.

Don't even Try Without Your 4WD

A bunch of you reading this got the same type of snow storm and winds we received up here. Mike's school was canceled.

We had a least one foot of snow to clear, if not two feet. Mike pulled out the snow blower, I watched inside, warm and toasty. Mike came in a couple times frustrated by the contraption. I blamed it less on the machine and more on the grass/cement combo driveway and the fact he was trying to push through two feet of snow. After steaming a little bit, he tried again with the snow blower and was much more appreciative when using it on the cement parking area and sidewalk next to the house. It clearly was not an easy job by any means, especially with the wind blowing all the shot out snow back onto Mike.

When Bits went down for his nap, I geared up and headed out to help. We hand dug out the driveway in front of the garage and the two porches on the house. By the time we completed clearing all of this, we had another two inches fallen on all our cleared areas. By this morning, drifting snow has put additional accumulation on the sidewalks and driveway. I'll try to tackle this while Bits takes today's nap.

I tried to make a run in the Jeep to the Post Office. With 4WD engaged, I made the short, treacherous journey into our small downtown. I pulled onto the P.O. street, and the parking was not cleared enough where I thought it'd be a good idea to stop (it'd be really silly to get stuck, just to drop off letters). So in essence, I risked my safety for a whole lotta nothing.

So, here's the deal. This snow seems almost appropriate for successful snowman building, but here's the new problem. The snow is so high, I think Bacon would get lost in it. I'm going to attempt to build a snowman (or two) and when they're built, bring him out to help put on their features.

DIY Snowman Kit

With a snow storm on our heels, I thought I'd share a fun idea with y'all. I wanted Bits to have a snowman kit. I found a couple online and thought, "Hey, I can make something like that for less money." I'll share some basic (honestly, really basic) instructions on how to go about making your own.

What you'll need:

found at a thrift store (or raid your closet, I just couldn't spare any of my own mittens and hats-we live in the U.P. if case you forget):

hat

scarf

mittens

found at Dollar Tree:

fake carrot

bag of black pebbles (you could gather some of these at someplace like a Lake Superior beach and paint them black yourself, but come on who has the time, right?)

found at Walmart:

cookie pail (you could make or find a cloth bag with a winter print, but Bits saw this pail and I thought we'd splurge on the $2.50)

found in the backyard:

two sticks

Just about everything should fit in the pail or bag, minus the sticks. You'll need about 5 small pebbles for a mouth and two big pebbles for eyes. I also used 3 big pebbles for buttons, but if you have or can find three big buttons approximately 2-3", that would be extra sweet.

For more fun, I found a Daddy type hat and tie, and Baby type gloves to make a snowman family.

Fluffiness and Fire

I've already shared how the snow is very powdery. It is a pretty sight to see as it comes down. The flakes are often so big and fluffy, they look exactly like cotton balls.

During the day, the sun always manages to hit the snow with differing respect. Sometimes the sun stays hidden behind the clouds and the sky looks cold and blue gray. Sometimes the sun peeks out and casts warm, teasing yellow making everything sparkle like diamonds. And at the best times, in the evening, while the sun goes down early in the sky, it sets the white ablaze with oranges and reds, everything on fire.

*I tried to capture the huge snowflakes on camera. This photo far from describes the scene and feel, but eh, I gotta show ya something.

Hey Amy! ---- Where are the Pics. of All your Snowmen

So here's the situation people: Our mission to create a family of snowmen in the front yard is yet to commence. Although we have received almost a foot of snow here in the north, it's all been powder. Powder is not conducive to snowman building. Bits and I have ventured out a couple times in our gear. As the snow builds up higher, it is noticeably more difficult for my short little man to trek through. The solution? "Walk in Mommy's tracks." Much easier for my marshmallow man to cross the backyard when the snow is already at his knee height.

Here's pics. of my fabulous new gift. The warmest and simultaneously coolest gloves around, hand made by the kindest neighbor. These are made out of re-purposed wool sweaters felted in the washer and sewn together with fleece lining and vintage buttons. I have three sweaters that were to see the trash can after moths used them for a quick lunch. Instead of giving these sweaters a new home at the local dump I'll be trying this pattern out myself sooner or later, so wish me luck and wish my still nice looking sweaters safety.

I'm Going to Have Arms Like the Hulk by Springtime

It's officially a winter wonderland up here people. Bits and I played outside in our snow pants and gear yesterday. Our original goal was to make a snowman, but the snow was powder, not wet packing snow. I'm sure skiers like it, but snowman fans are in trouble. We followed deer tracks to the apple tree and then realized we were making our own tracks. Mommy made a snow angel and Bits had fun knocking the snow off of the weeds and bushes in the backyard.

I've shoveled snow three evenings now. Mike had been getting home late, and I wanted him to have a chance to play with the Baconator. Plus, shoveling is not that bad if its powder, it's a whole different story when it's wet and heavy. Who needs a gym membership when you have a shovel and snow coming down from Canada. The days are coming soon enough when it'll be nearly impossible to clear the driveway with a shovel, and Mike will have to use his new red toy.

This is not our Christmas Card Photo

The snow is coming down light but steady. Like sifting powdered sugar over french toast, it layers quickly. The forecast for the next ten days calls for snow showers and temps at 25 degrees, each day, every day.

Bits and I had a million things to do yesterday and it left our day ever so eventful. Christmas card pic. done and printed. Pebbles and Lily really wanted to make it into our Christmas pic.; sorry girls, not this year. Cards will be mailed out today.

We dropped off donation items to St. Vincents. I found some great teal winter/ Christmas cloth napkins. Jealous? While we were there two older women (I think both volunteers) who clearly should have known to turn the other cheek, were arguing in the store for all to see and hear. Awkward and a little sad to see.

Any-who. We continued on to drop off recycling. Of course, some of the receptacles were closed and locked, so we got to keep some of our stuff for now.

We picked up pics. from Walgreens, paid rent at the Real Estate Store, and then went over to Kmart.

My goal: to pickup snow pants for myself. They were marked 40% off and although far from stylish, they will work well for playing with Bits outside and making snow angels. I don't think I've worn snow pants since probably sixth grade, so I look kinda funny. Mike thinks I should have bought the elastic waist pants, not the "farmer" style. I like them and am reassured snow won't end up going down my backside. (Side note: James, I think I've told lots of people about Luke's hand-me-down brown snowsuit you wore as a kid and your fond nickname for it.)

We made it home in time for Bits and Daddy to go for an evening walk and head over to watch basketball practice. Mommy stayed home to sign all the cards and put lights on our bush out front.

Grocery shopping and bottle return today and maybe snowman building this afternoon?

One Hairy Comfy Pillow

My apologies on two things: 1) I didn't take any photos of the snow when it had freshly fallen, and 2) I didn't take any photos of Don's super secret mission surprise (so y'all will have to wait for posted pics come Christmas break).

I'm going to back track a couple days as an excuse to post a super cute pic. of Bits that Bop took (side note there are two Bops; Bop the Dentist and Bop the Gieschen (Bop G. for short)).

Saturday, Donald and Mike went hiking at Black River Harbor and viewed Rainbow Falls. Cindy and I used this as an opportunity to shop. We went to Ableman's which is the place to go for men needing jeans and about anything else rugged clothing wise. We really liked the store, but the extensive line of extreme winter gear caused Cindy some concern for our survival this coming season.

Bop stayed home with Bits so that he could get a much needed nap (Bits not Bop). Baconator ended up falling asleep on the couch cuddled with Scout.

Once Cindy and I returned from our shopping excursion, Don and I raced up to the Harbor to meet up with the guys. It was a less than spectacular photo op day, but Don did get a chance to view one of our much frequented spots.

After all of us returned home with tummies grumbling and one cranky hungry girl, we all headed out to eat at the Liberty Bell in Hurley. The wait was long, but the food was great. I needed a to-go box for my Chicken Cordon Blue sandwich and of course ended up leaving it for the bus boy.

There's a Whole Lotta Fun Going on Up Here

Thanksgiving at Mike and Amy's house! Nothing tried, nothing gained.

Cindy, Don, Donald and Scout came up for a visit during our small Thanksgiving break. They arrived Wednesday evening. We enjoyed an accomplished (meaning we completed the dinner, but not chef skilled) turkey dinner of turkey breast, some Real Simple recipe sides, and only managed to break one correlle french white casserole dish in whole process. There could have been much more destruction in the kitchen from me if not for Cindy's help. Our bellies were full and the dishes were all washed and dried.

Friday, we all headed to Presque Isle State Park. We all enjoyed the views, although a bit chilly (only a bit). Bits showed Nana how to throw stones, and use a walking stick. The guys all ventured around, but remained focused on the mission at hand: to catch a fish from the chilly waters where the river meets the Lake. I am happy to report, Mike caught a 21" rainbow. Mike has an assembly line process he thinks would work well: he'll catch the fish, Donald will net it, and Don will clean it (somehow I think Don is getting the short end of the stick).

Later that evening, we reheated the leftovers, and after dinner celebrated Bit's second birthday with a Thomas themed mini party. Bacon loves everything Thomas and was enthralled with his new train toys for the remainder of the night. When he awoke this morning, he ran straight to his train table and said, "Hi Va-va."

It's been alot of fun with family around. We'll try to explore Black River Harbor today and be sad to say goodbye to everyone tomorrow.

Pumpkin Cake Recipe

So in case you don't already know, Thanksgiving is Thursday. Some of us forgot about the whole defrosting a turkey a couple days before thing and had to run out last night and pick up some turkey in order to put it in the fridge last night. Last minute, but done.

I wanted to share a nice pumpkin cake recipe that is scrumptious. I'm not the biggest fan of pumpkin pie so this is so much better. I actually ate it without the glaze addition and its a good bet that it would be awesome with cream cheese frosting or vanilla ice cream. It's a really simple recipe, so if your Thanksgiving menu is not set in stone, you have to try this out.

(recipe credit: Judith Fertig)

*click on the image and it should appear large enough to see/print; click on the image again when it appears in the new window and it'll zoom in.

Do you Think the Lock Ness Monster Winters in Sunday Lake

I woke up yesterday to see thick frost outside. I had to look twice, at first glance it looked like snow. As the sun came up the fog came in. I captured a couple fun images from the front yard. If I had ever been to Ireland before, I'd say it reminds me of the fog there, but having never been there, I can't compare it.

The weather warmed up to 52 degrees, but this normally active weekend family, stayed home and did a whole lot a nothin, kinda nice to do nothing sometimes. Nothing means I don't have many adventure stories to share, although I did go to the post office and to Northwoods Candle and Cafe.

Northwoods is run by a woman who makes her own candles as well as sells other name brand candles and decor. On Thursdays she makes some pretty tasty pasties (I've mentioned this before). I picked up a couple hand made votives called Northwoods Cabin, they have a nice earthy scent, not too flowery or perfumely. She also makes one called White Birch and Daisy that smells nice, and I'll have to pick up on a later date.