Sewing class

A spent a cold winter afternoon at the sewing machine making her first tote bag. It's a 'first' because she did it completely by herself. She is getting pretty adept at using the machine, sews nice straight lines, and follows directions beautifully. I wish I had had the opportunity to spend these kinds of hours with the other girls and pass on my love of fabric creations. I get as much joy in watching her smiles of satisfaction as she does in the mastery of a task.

I'm lucky to have sisters who also enjoy this leisure activity. We have gotten together frequently for "Show 'n Tell" and a little Shop Hopping. This winter has put a stall into these gatherings, but we (Sue, Ginger and I) plan to get together next Thursday, weather permitting. I usually bring a little 'new' project to share with them, and this will be no exception. It's cell-phone bags this time. In the past it's been check-book holders, scrap bags for the sewing table, tissue holders. Always a little quick Make-'n-Take activity...something finished in one afternoon.

I've been trying hard to get my sewing room re-organized. I've been purging, moving, re-packaging, and re-designing the area. Hopefully this will be finished in another few weeks, but new shelving may take longer. I won't post pictures of the 'before', but may have one later of the 'after'. Stay tuned.

Old fashioned winter...

Yes, it's COLD! We've had sub-zero temps for the past 2 days. Yesterday, when I left to go to the gym for my daily work-out, the outside temp was -8. Fortunately, the air is very dry and there is no wind. Thus, the crisp air is tolerable, provided that one dresses for the weather. It's the damp cold that becomes so uncomfortable, even in temps in the 20s+. We've had 3-4 days of cold, with more to come, although the weather predictions are for above 0. More snow tomorrow...the light fluffy kind. I've just baked a cheesecake for our neighbor who is our "Snow Angel"...clears our driveway after every storm.
Baking the cake took extra long as the oven temps aren't dependable. I have a thermometer in the oven, keep checking it and adjusting the setting to try to keep the temp where it needs to be. I'm not sure how well this particular cake is turning out...won't know until I cut into it tomorrow. Fingers are crossed.
Adriana is spending the weekend with us, but snuggling by the fire wrapped in soft blankets. We're reading some books that she took out of the library last week. She likes Beverly Cleary's Ramona stories and this week it's Ribsy.

Snowy winter

FYI: Winter is sticking around...and can be lots of fun! We had another snowstorm last week, which, after a brief sunny thaw, froze. Now yards and un-cleared walkways are a skating rink. "A" has had some awesome slides on our hill, fast and slippery. She and Grandpa spent a couple of hours out there this afternoon. Now, in for hot-chocolate, they both will be nursing a few bruises tonight. We are expecting another snowstorm tonight, with 8-10" of soft fluffy stuff. On top of ice, this should give them more good fun in the yard. Tomorrow, the neighbor children will join them (they had basketball games today).

Extreme cold temps forecasted for next week...snow won't be going anywhere for awhile.