Day 31 - Pasta Day!

I had my 3 daughters over to make pasta today.
We made capelitti, ravioli and baked spaghetti.
To top it off we also made a pan of cinnamon rolls.
Everything was made from scratch and with love!

Day 30 - Idle for Now

These aprons are sitting idle for now
but come tomorrow, they will be
in full use! Tomorrow is PASTA
MAKING DAY! And while it is
a LOT of work, it is wonderful
tasting food!

Day 29 - A rainbow of thread

All my sewing life I sewed with Coats and Clark
thread. I took a few years off from sewing after
my mother died. When I returned to sewing and
the fabric stores after this long absence, I was
surprised to find that Coats and Clarks had
redesigned their spools. I also discovered Gütermann
thread, made in Germany. It has now become my thread
of choice. I was able to purchase an assortment pack of 24
assorted colors. It comes in handy when changing
projects on a regular basis. No more having to run
out to find the perfect shade of thread.

Day 28 - Awaiting creation

Here's the paper and embellishments I'll use for
this years Valentines. Now all I have to do is
take the time and put them together.

Day 27 - Vera Arrives!!!

Imagine my surprise and delight to find
Vera Bradley's 2009 spring catalog in my mailbox
today! If she didn't arrive in your mailbox
you can see the entire catalog online at:
http://www.verabradley.com/Site/Store/ShopOurCatalog.aspx
Happy Shopping!

Day 26 - Never too old for Dolls

I love my American Girl Dolls. I'm thrilled
that American Girl has now opened a store in the
Mall of America.

Day 25 -Over the River and thru the Woods

A peaceful view of Pages Slough
on the St. Croix River

Day 24 - Longing for Spring

When I left for work this morning
it was 18 degrees below zero. I'm really
missing the warm weather, the
green grass and the beautiful flowers
that bloom in spring.

Day 23 - A little bit of Tuscany - A little bit of Mexico

My friend Jane asked me to make her
an apron. When she was unable to
make a final fabric selection we decided
to make the apron reversible so she could
have her two favorite fabrics. I did
a test fitting on her today and she
absolutely loves it! Now I'm thinking
I might need one like this as well! ;-)

Day 22 - Round and Round They Go

Today I had the opportunity to watch my daughter
and others speed skate. Their grace and form is
an unbelievable sight to see.

Day 21 - Down Home Cookin'

A big pot of chili sittin' on the stove.

Day 20 - Remembering the Classics

This is a 1972 sticker from my husband's first election
that he voted in. He says , "Though Gene McCarthy
did not reach the pinnacle of the presidency, he was
always a classy guy".

Day 19 - Waiting for the Skaters

Some kind person cleaned off the pond and now
it's ready for the skaters. It's a Norman Rockwell
moment when the skaters are on the ice swirling around.

Day 18 - The sewing project for today

The start and finish of Chenille potholders.
Now all I have to do is wash them and the
fabric will fluff and feel like Chenille.

Day 17 - The Fireplace Mantle

From left to right: The planter was used at my
brother's funeral. My boss filled it with silk flowers
once the original flowers were gone. The baby photo
is of my niece's daughter who passed away and broke
all our hearts. The pencil drawing is of my brother and
was drawn by his daughter, Kitty. The gold clock is a
gift awarded to my husband for 25 years of service.
The Bunny Ears photo is of my daughters which
they had taken in hopes of cheering me when
I was drowning in sadness. The next photo is of my
brother and sister and myself and is talked about in a previous
post. The last photo is of my husband and girls taken many,
many, years ago. It was taken at Christmas time and is filled
with silliness and love. The picture above the mantle was a gift
from my husband's sister. The angel hanging from the mantle was
a gift from a friend. It's amazing how one small area can hold so many
memories.

Day 16 - Too precious to put away

While all the other Christmas decorations
are packed away, this one always stays on display.

Day 15 - 3 days of bitter cold

When I left for work today it was 22 degrees
below. Right now, it's all the way up(?) to 18
below. I'm ready for warmer weather!!

Day 14 - How we feel about this terrible cold spell

We think it's just plain WICKED!

Day 13 - The reward system

A friend taught me the reward system a while back.
Even as adults, if we have to endure an unpleasant task,
we deserve a reward. I hate grocery shopping so I devised
my own personal reward system. I park at the far end of the
parking lot and enter and exit at the far end door. When
I enter I can walk straight into the grocery store. However,
when I exit, it takes me right by the magazines. So my reward
for this unpleasant task is to stop and look at the quilting
magazines. I never buy one as I am already checked out
but I love just looking at the magazines for ideas.

Day 12 - A sad day for sisters

Today is "sad sisters" day.
It's the day our mom died.
We both are feeling brokenhearted so I
suggested 100% kindness to ourselves. That
means chocolate, a good book and perhaps
a romantic movie. If we don't feel better by
tomorrow , we'll have to repeat these things.
We also have to do a kindness for another person.
I think I will bake my husband's favorite kind of cookies.

Day 11 - A priceless photograph

This photo was taken around 1960. It's of myself,
my brother and my sister. You can't see from the photo
but my little overalls had my name embroidered on them.
I used to tell my brother that mom sewed my name on
them as I was special. He would tease back saying, "She
sewed your name on your clothes because she kept forgetting
who you were!" Brothers! They are priceless.

Day 10 - It's calling me

I stopped sewing about a week before Christmas
as life was getting too insane. Now I am feeling
called to start again and I know just the project
to resume. My mother taught me how to sew
when I was old enough to reach the pedals and
for that I will always be eternally grateful.

Day 9 - A kindness in return

We have a heated mattress pad. Hubby is out
late tonight, so I'll have his side of the bed
toasty warm for him when he finally is able to
crawl in.

Day 8 - Warm Cozy Feet!

On a cold winters night

Day 7 - A loving act of Kindness

My husband left for work a few hours before I got up.
When he had his morning coffee,he took the remaining
amount in the pot and transferred it to this insulated pot.
That way when I got my first cup of coffee for the day it
was as fresh and as hot as when he got his. It's such a
simple act of kindness, but one so greatly appreciated!

Day 6 - It's not just a purse

It's the ultimate Christmas surprise! My husband purchased,
wrapped and hid this gift behind the Christmas Tree.
It's my absolute favorite purse!

Day 5 - The start of something big!

Or it can also be called Chicken Little's Last Stand.
Chicken parmigiana was the meal
of choice tonight.

Day 4 - And so it begins

Why is putting away Christmas decorations never any fun?

Day 3 - Walking in a winter wonderland

Or better yet, bring your skates!

Day 2 - Is it time?

Nope! It's still drinking water and holding it's needles.

Day 1 - Is football over for today?

Don't let this game of solitaire fool you.
This man spent hours and hours today
watching football.