Chinese New Year

Also known as Spring Festival or the Lunar New Year. It marks the beginning of spring. I am all for celebrating spring even if it is not here yet for us. 

There are a lot of superstitions related to Chinese New Year. Don't sweep or use scissors, break dishes or wear black and white. There are many more but mostly related to money in the New Year. 

I have been working on my stitching piece. 

Having a friend who thrifts is pretty wonderful. A bag of thread for 2.50! 

My wonderful grand asked to stay over this weekend. I am so thrilled I can't stand it lol. But I had to do a clean-up of the craft room as that is her favorite place in the house. I had this mat in my cupboard and never used it but is it perfect as a mat for my painting. 

I played cards with husband and beat him! which is very unusual. 

I have been wearing my new pj pants that have pockets and sheep. Could you ask for anything more?

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I got to snowshoe with my sweet friend on Sunday and then we went to lunch. The skies were a robin's egg blue, and it was in the 30s it was a perfect day.

   Husband had his first appointment after surgery, and it went well.  

      Have a wonderful week!

A Turn In The Weather?

More snow and while pretty time to move on. Next week we could get to 40 a nice break from a high of 5 with a stiff wind.

Husband finished this puzzle pretty crazy. He is doing well I got him out of the house this week and he did well. 

I went to the Mah Jongg class and holy bamboo! It is a complicated game but I like it. And Sarah is a good teacher. I will continue with the classes. 

I met up with my sweet friend and partner in crime yesterday for lunch and she gave me a valentine card she made and gifts. I have many blessings.

And speaking of her she again gave me bees wax to wax my embroidery thread and napkins when I saw her in Maine. And the blessings go on. 

I made naan bread for the first time. It was a hit and so easy.

We piled it high with sauted peppers and onions with left over steak tips, delicious.

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We have no big valentines plans. 

Have a wonderful weekend. 

Oui

Some mornings it is coffee before the sunrises. I re-light the woodstove while it is brewing. Then I settle in to watch the surise.

Husband will only eat this brand of yogurt.

So I got covers for some of them for small storage usage. 

I made pumpkin bread to have with our morning coffee. It is King Arthur Flour's easy pumpkin bread.

Husband gets a medicine mailed to him that is in ice packs. But after you can use it to fertilize your plants.

Husband is working on a puzzle of beach umbrellas! Crazy!

   He is feeling better every day.

Wednesday night I am taking a class on mahjong. I know zero about it so let's see if I can grasp it. 

  Have a great week!

By Chance?

Husband had surgery yesterday. He is home and doing OK. It did not go quite as planned but it will be OK. Sunrise this morning. 

I have been fretting about this surgery. So a friend knit this amazing scarf and sent it to me. She said it was a hug from her. And a book she just finished. 

While in the surgical waiting room I struck up a conversation with a woman next to me. After hearing of her husband's health issues. I said a prayer of thanks for my husband's issues.  Was it by chance she sat next to me or the universe giving me perspective?

I was asked for my soup recipe. So sorry I am a fly by the seat of my pants cook, no recipe. I did make some stock with the chicken bones.

I gave my house plants some food. They are looking great. My bay leaf plant. Great for soups.

We mis-judged how much wood to bring in so I have been working on that. A cold snap coming again this weekend. 

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I have been asked about cleaning my hooked rugs in the snow. You can do sweaters,quilts what have you. Throw in clean snow,then cover over with snow. I use a broom with my rugs but if clothing rub lightly with your hand turn over do the same. Shake out well. They will be damp-ish hang to dry. Hope that helps. 

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Sorry about the long post. Thanks for getting to here♡

February

Full moon tonight

We were 4 below 0 this morning. I felt my coffee could use some sparkle. 

I threw an extra stick of wood on the fire.....

And made some scones. It made the morning a bit more cozy. 

I picked up a rotisserie chicken. I rarely buy them but they smelled so good. I made chicken Veggie with noodles. 2 qts for the freezer one for dinner. I added dumplings to dinner and it was perfect.

The snow here is great for cleaning my hooked rugs. I also cleaned a quilt. They all looked and smelled so good after. 

I am starting this piece. I will make a pillow out of it after I am done. 

My color choices.

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I know most of you have been stormy and cold. It has been a brutal winter. Chin up let's hope that rodent doesn't see his shadow.

Have a wonderful week!

Important Things

With wind chill we should be minus 28 f. In the morning. Now that is cold!

While I was away husband bought shades for our family room. Not for privacy (no one to see in lol) but to keep the heat in and I dare say it works! When we put the shades up in the morning you can feel the cool air trapped there.

Bravo to brave oil delivery drivers. When he backed down this snow covered,steep driveway. We held our breath when it came time to leave. Not a problem at all!

It gave me hope to see seeds in the store. The days are getting longer.

Husband has to stay healthy for his surgery this coming Wed. So 1.00 puzzles from the thrift store is just the ticket to stay home and and tucked in until then.

Cards from friends with encouraging messages mean everything. 

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Life is stressful, I will take these next few days. To do things that are relaxing and that make me happy. A little painting,hooking,stitching, and making cookies for a young plow guy's birthday. Who always has to plow on his birthday.

  Have a wonderful weekend. 

Time In Maine

                 There is a lot of this going on today. 

         I made soup and chili yesterday so not much               cooking today. 

The birds were filling up before the storm started. It has started now and we have seen the town plow go by at least once already. 

I had some stale bread ends, so I made a small bread pudding. Very tasty for breakfast.

I had signed up for a hook in in Maine. Well husband had his issue and I was going to drop out. 

My daughter and husband really pushed for me to go. So, I went a bit late and came home early. I did get some time for some fun. I was very glad I went. Husband did fine without me for a few days. 

I did not get pictures of other rugs I left before the throw down. But this is what I am working on. I will be glad to get this done. It is a pattern by Joanne Page. 

While away I did find a thrift store. I found this not sure what it was originally meant for, but it works great with my brushes. 

This storm is a long, drawn-out ordeal we are supposed to get snow far into Monday. with 12 to 18 inches. It has been so cold we started at 4 below 0 this morning. I keep hearing fluff factor. Our poor highway crew in this little town is a group of 4, very long hours for them. 

  We are good tucked in with the woodstove humming and the cupboards full. 

        GO PATRIOTS!!!!