Snow Day(s)

What was supposed to be a dusting of snow here in Vancouver turned out to be a dumping of snow. Well, that's what it looked like anyway. We'd taken Charli down for a run by Vancouver Lake when I first heard the dreaded snow forecast on the radio. Randy poo-poo'd it saying snow would only fall in the hills of Portland.

On the drive home, we noticed flakes on the windshield.

Then, later that afternoon, I glanced out the office window and noticed a few more.

But it was almost 5 the next time I looked out. And...holy smokes...it was really coming down out there!

Of course, I grabbed the camera and started shooting. In case you're wondering, the white dots on the pictures (some looking as big as snowballs) are actually snowflakes at various distances from the camera lens.

This was all supposed to be gone by Wednesday morning.

However, it's now Thursday - New Year's Eve - and we still have snow. I'm hoping this is all we get for the winter.

One thing is for certain. I was glad I wasn't on the highway when those big, wet, white flakes were falling!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Ray, Janis, Jean ... and Dennis!

Today, we are all together again...if only in spirit!

And a special Merry Christmas to the two who make my life complete.

I love you both!

The Reveal

First, let me just say that I wanted Randy to be my Candice Olsen (Devine Design on HGTV) for the big Reveal - he's certainly tall enough. He was pretty enthusiastic about it until I told him he'd have to wear a blonde wig. So much for that.

Second, I need to give Randy a big hug and thank you. Without his help, this room would still be in a state of chaos. As it is, there are remnants of chaos still in the closet but the rest of the room...is perfect!

So, without further delay...The Reveal!

I always think a sewing room needs something on the door to let you know something good happens here. And I think it needs to be something happy. Of course, Charli makes me happy and these pictures of her as a puppy ... well, how could they not make you smile?

And then there's the design wall. I blogged about that before but just let me say again how much I love this wall.

I also love it when my fabric is organized by color and size...again. I do it about once a year. It only takes me 2 projects before it's all messed up again. But for right now, it's still nice.

These little fat quarters are so cute.

And as you can see, my color preferences lean toward the teals and blue.

But, like any good stash, I also have my share of the darks...and other colors!

On the top, I have my straight knitting needles and crochet hooks sorted and stored. It seems like a lot, I know, but I inherited my Mom's stuff and I'm a bit too sentimental to give them away. In time...

I made the middle container while spending time with my quilting friends up on Henry Island. And yes, I was older than 6 when I did it; I'm just not very talented when it comes to that type of art.

The bowling ball on the far left is from the bowling alley back in Tuttle, ND where I went to school. My Dad nabbed one for each of us when the alley was filled in. To get to the bowling alley, you had to go down a very narrow flight of stairs from the street. The stairway was dark, narrow and steep. I can still picture it in my mind. There were two counters in the back: one where you picked up your bowling shoes, and another near the kitchen so you could get something to eat. Like most everyone else I knew, I set pins there as a kid. But that's another story for another time!

Then, let's move to the south wall.

We hated this cabinet in the kitchen. But reborn as a cabinet over my sewing table? I love it. And I love the little puck lights that give me so much light.

And I love it that I can store my quilting books here...

My applique and cross-stitch books here...

And still have room for my Zen and a few sisterly knick-knacks...and a wonderful baby picture of Randy. And please don't tell him that picture is on here. He'll take it down and I'll never see it again.

I also think it was pretty clever to use leftover cork flooring to make this great cork board...love it, love it, love it.

Here are all my pincushions, as well as a few other things. Most of the pincushions are presents from friends and family. They make me smile. My Dad made the Independence Bell. He was a WWII vet and very patriotic; he was also a very experienced welder. The teacup and saucer in the back are from my Mom's collection. They belong to my niece Kristen now. She let me borrow this set after Mom died but it's time for her to have it back.

I also like that I can have my scissors and circular needles in a handy, yet out-of-the-way, spot.

The ironing board is now against the window - this is where Randy wanted the cutting table to go. I took out the small 4-foot table that used to be against this window and discarded a lot of the stuff (read: Junk) that was stored under it. It's made a tremendous difference in the amount of natural light in the room. But yes, you do have to make sure the blinds are closed if you're not fully dressed and you need to iron!

Having the cutting table smack-dab in the middle of the room still amazes me.

Randy attached my ruler holder to the side of the table so they are always near where I need them.

And I attached a cuphook to the other side to hold my biggest ruler.

And under here? Well, whether you think so or not, it is organized. I tossed a lot of stuff (Randy would say junk) when I organized after the remodel.

Of course, I do have a Sewing Santa who stands proudly on the cutting table...doesn't everyone?

So, I started without a plan...or much of plan. Now that it's finished, I'm so happy with how it turned out. I think I'll go give my "Candace" a hug!

Decorating for Christmas

Typically I love decorating for Christmas. But this year, I just had a difficult time getting in gear. I'm not sure what the problem was...but I just wasn't in the mood.

However. (You knew that was coming, didn't you?)

However, we were hosting the Lightning Fleet party so I had no choice. I did make the decision not to unbox and build the Christmas village...this is from last year:

It's a bit of work to decide where the mountains, houses, shops, chapel, post offices and various people go. I won't even start on what's involved with threading the cords through the "snow" so everything lights up and Santa, his sleigh and the reindeer fly. But usually, I don't mind it. Usually, I really enjoy it.

So, while I didn't do my usual stellar job of decorating (Randy would call it something else!), I did get the house decorated.

And I got the nicest compliment the night of the fleet party.

One of the wives stopped me about 2 hours into the party and asked if I used a professional to decorate for Christmas.

She said she'd been looking around in the various rooms and was surprised by the touches of Christmas she found everywhere. (And yes, I suppose that does mean I have a lot of Christmas decorations but I've been collecting and making them for...well, let's just say I've been collecting them for a few years!)

I told her that I did it all myself...then, started apologizing for not putting up the Village and the Angel collection.

She held up her hand to stop me and said she thought I'd done a wonderful job. That, in fact, she used to work as a professional decorator in Portland and was responsible for decoratoring many businesses and large estates for the holidays.

She finished by telling me that my touches of Christmas here and there, as well as the various displays looked professionally done.

It made me feel good...but also a little bad that she didn't get to see the Village! It really is pretty amazing.