:) HOW TO BEAT THE WINTER BLUES...

Since Christmas, the snow has blanketed most of the United States and it was reported on the news last week that it was in 49 out of 50 States - sorry Florida! Really, you were the lucky State!

BACK AT CLIFTY FALLS INN

Got our feet up- "RELAXICATIN"

Looking out at the lonely tree
CLIFTY FALLS INN

FROZEN WATERFALL
Brrr!!!

Winter View from the balcony of the Clifty Inn
a "blue" time of year

                                                                          
 Most of us have cabin fever and are sick of snow. I'm not as bothered by it because I'm still housebound. I can only walk around the house until my feet are healed. Refrigerator to stove to recliner (gained a few pounds!). Now I'm on a crochet/knit diet. Lots of fiber and drinking lots of water. Fiber being wool/cotton and after every round or a few rows- I take a big swig of water!! No snacking when you are working with your hook or needles. Gotta keep things neat and clean. I feel centered when I have my hands busy. Handcrafts put my life into perspective, I know what matters most. Finding peace while my feet heal...

I can wear shoes again, yipeee!

                                                                                

Reading a good book while learning to knit!

Hobby Lobby's "I Love This Wool

 I've been learning to knit using #10 needles and bulky yarn from KnitPicks, figured I could felt it afterwards and make a handbag!

    

                                                                 My daughter gave me LION BRAND'S THICK AND QUICK wool blend.yarn for Christmas. It was really quick and easy to make,this afghan, took me only 2 days. Very warm and soft to snuggle under when the wind is howling outside!

***

PASTEL GRANNY SQUARES

I love,love, love them!!

they make me happy

never knew a Granny I didn't like-

soft pastel. like a bowl of party mints!
                                                                            

CROCHETED PASTEL GRANNY SQUARES

3.8 Earthquake shakes Central Indiana

I woke up to the sound of rumbling and shaking! I knew that it was an earthquake, I used to live in California in the 70's. Waking up to lamps wobbling off the table and dishes rattling in the cupboards was a long way behind me - I thought!
Okay Carole King, sing your song...

I FEEL THE EARTH MOVE UNDER MY FEET!

MEET JANE DOUGH!

My little helper

This Little Helper came into my life a couple of years ago. She's a " Pro" at her job, works harder than any other in the kitchen and doesn't complain when I leave her standing in the corner. Cute as a cupcake, sometimes a tart, but OHHH! CHEESECAKE!!! 

That's what she's famous for.....

and now, let me introduce to you- the one, the only:

**Jane Dough**

Meet Jane Dough!

I always like to bake and freeze a few Cheesecakes to keep on hand for special occasions. The plain New York Style keeps the best. I just use the recipe on the back of the KEEBLER Graham Cracker Crumb box, they turn out beautifully!

Who Let the Chicks Out?!!

My babies are six months old now, one of them has been making my breakfast every day since the 21st of October. Don't know which gal it is because everyone runs out of the coop when we open the door in the morning...

Welcome to my corner of the world!!

Baby Chicks on Mother's Day,2010

Marilyn, the chick

It's a super nice autumn day, great to be outdoors. Steve and I have been outside working on the chicken coop to shelter our nine hens and one rooster.  I got my girls for Mother's Day, there were 10 of them- 1 died the next day. She was the cutest one because she reminded me of Marilyn Monroe, she had a yellow head with a darker body.

Marilyn, the beauty

Anyhow, it's been a lot of fun giving them names. The 2 black ones are named Wilma and Betty (oh, Black Betty, bam a lam...). 2 dark ones are Laverne and Shirley (nothin's gonna hold us back now!). Thelma and Louise( little white ones who love to run to the edge and leap). The last three are tan and they are my "Charlie's Angels"!
Then there's Rudy, the Rooster, a gift from a co-worker. His name was going to be Charlie but Rudy suited him the best 'cause he's younger and loves to strut around. Not much crowing yet, maybe that's a good thing because I work nights and I need to sleep longer than "zero dark thirty".

Coop in progress, august 2010

Our chicken coop was started in the middle of summer and we quickly fell out of love with the completion- just too hot. The coop is back on schedule, we have to beat the weather.

 I have plans to make a 3'x4' painted quilt square on the south side of the coop called HENS AND CHICKS . The idea came from viewing QUILT BARNS, throughout Kentucky and Ohio.

Hens and Chicks aka Corn and Beans

Thanks for stopping by!
                                      PJ