the road out

Thanks to DH's shoveling like mad for the past several days we are proud owners of snow-free cars and a driveaway that shows its pavement rather than a slick, snowy, icy mess. I spotted a neighbor leaving the cul de sac before lunchtime and thought, why not us then? I told DH we were going on an adventure ~ throw the shovel in the car and let's hit it. My outback is a trooper anyway so we were off. It felt like we were leaving the homestead and trekking in to town when we were just heading to Chevys for lunch. I couldn't help but observe others around us also eager for a restaurant-cooked meal and the pleasure of just being out of the house and with other people rather than just their family. Then it was to the grocery store where the shelves had been restocked, mostly, and made it back home with a feeling of being on quite the journey, bumpy roads and all.

Here's a little peek at my next design ... should be ready for a Feb 15 release. The verse on it is from Emma ... were you surprised?

Schools closed now through Wednesday ... more snow coming tomorrow afternoon. Up to another foot of the white stuff. They mentioned snow too for the weekend ... you just gotta laugh at this point. Keeps me going.

emma, part three ... did you watch?

I loved this version of Emma. My mom thought otherwise but we did agree on one point, that Mrs. Weston's baby was gray and frail and so fake looking ... couldn't they have her hold a real baby??? That was silly. I didn't remember Mrs. Bates speaking at all in the novel, do you? I have to reread it. The characters were lovely and Mr. Knightley was terrific. What did you think?

I'm working on a new pattern which is very Emma and very springy ... might post a sneak peek of it tomorrow. I love the verse ... till then!

I think it's Sunday

Cabin fever hasn't set in yet ... give me another day or two. In the meanwhile, look at these pretties sent in to me to share.

Primitive Winter Cupboard Sampler

stitched by Jennifer D. in GA

Be Mine freebie

stitched by Patti G.

Nelly's Button Flower Pocket

stitched by Jennifer C. in VA

I've reached the halfway mark on Zack's scarf. Finished watching Wives & Daughters, which was fabulous, been feeding my fellow snowmates some yummy food and I'm about to start stitching a new design which makes me think spring.

No sign of birds or squirrels ... I think they caught the train to warmer places. I had filled the birdfeeders before the snowstorm on Friday but the feeders are covered snow huts now. Roast chicken and dumplings for an early dinner and Superbowl stitching will be a must. Go Saints!!

I read this morning somewhere online that it was International Pajama Day ... Ben must have known already. Stay warm!

::snow::

I can't believe I'm about to say this but ... it's too much snow. We can't even get to the yard to play in it ... Zack and I went out to join the bigger boys late morning and it was just sad. Zack couldn't walk in it at all for the height so we watched DH & Ben shovel the driveway and that was gobs of fun so we ventured down a path they made for us and then headed back inside before after Zack threw himself down into a wall of it.

We're back inside all clean, fed and naptime has come for the littlest one. I'm about to watch another episode of Wives and Daughters and get back to knitting. I made a hat for Zack the other day which still needs some tassels and this will be a scarf for him too. Ben is still deciding if he wants a handmade hat.

night snow

DH gets obsessed with shoveling as soon as snow piles up. I'm content with blankets of snow everywhere but he, being a New Englander, has to shovel as soon as possible. He enlisted Ben a few years back to join him in his passion and a few minutes ago Ben was more than eager to get out in it. Not to eager to be photographed but this blizzard will be one for the record books ... we're to get possibly 30 inches of snow. Amazing. I have to measure Zack again and make sure we don't lose him tomorrow while walking in it.

good things

::knitting needles in the size you need

::kids magazines at checkout

::mama magazines at checkout

::a nice stockboy to go get another frozen garlic bread package because the one you had in your cart thawed during your almost 2 hour wait in line at the grocery store

::bottled water at checkout

::a nearby drive thru for a late lunch

::the hour when dh returns home

::a stocked cupboard and frig

::new yarns

::popcorn

::morning temps that don't require full parka wear

::diet coke on sale

::new slippers

::emma part 3 on sunday night

::facebook

::shopping with my cousin's fiance who is from Siberia

::naval oranges

::giggles

::naptime

::chips & salsa

::the reality of being snowed in soon

i heart snow

Last night I knit well past midnight and enjoyed watching the snowfall through frosty windows. All were asleep except for Miss Maddy and myself; after viewing part 2 of Emma online, I watched some of Wives & Daughters until my hands could knit no more. Our cul de sac was was a blanket of white pretty well before I turned in and this morning we woke to a snow day off from school. Ben was overjoyed as you can imagine. We got about 4 inches in our yard and the roads were clear by 10AM nonetheless but telling Ben he'd have to add on another day of school in June didn't bother him ... that's a long way away you know. Zack was thrilled with more snow ... the biggest snow-filled winter of his little life and I think the most Ben has seen as well. It's been snow bliss ... and more coming end of the week.

We escaped our mini cabin fever to Subway for lunch where I discovered that chicken parm with provolone on honey oat bread with ranch dressing is my new best friend. I always get the same turkey sammie there and today felt like going wild and trying something different. It was goooooood. We stopped by mom's at work and she gave me a late birthday present that had arrived yesterday from Bath, England. It's a Pride & Prejudice charm from The Jane Austen Centre ... I love it!!!

Then over moans and gripes from the backseat, we stopped for a short while at a shop so I could gather up more yarn like a squirrel seeks acorns. Back home and the snow play resumed. Zack doesn't think spring is coming any time soon.

hodgepodge = a jumble

I was walking to music by The Proclaimers this morning at the gym when my eyes turned up to the Today show on one of the TVs and I saw a gathering of men sporting top hats and long coats, all smiles and then the camera spanned a large crowd waving like crazy. One really misses a lot when one doesn't have the TV connected to sound and rather enjoys listening to her beloved iPod ... I thought for a split second that they were dressing up to announce the Oscar nominations. That's around this time, right? The stuff I come up with. Ben had a four-day weekend so I thought today was Monday anyway. Ok, so then they went back to the studio and the hosts were shaking their heads and then it dawned on me ... Phil, the trusty groundhog of Punxsutawney, PA, forecast 6 more weeks of winter ... woo hoo! Sorry to those who are anti-snow people, I love snow and that rodent always predicts an early spring so I was very glad. Yippee! Talk about right on the mark ... we're to get 3-6 inches of snow ontop of what we have already and another snowstorm might be headed our way end of the week. Way to go, Phil!

This afternoon I've been trying to finish up some distributor orders. The printer is chugging along splendidly. Haven't been stitching for a few weeks now ... my hands became dry and cracked again. Ok, so not my favorite part of winter but I make do. They're getting better so I felt like knitting again. I picked up some new yarn today for another hat for Zack.

These orchid pretties are from my brother's girlfriend. Aren't they lovely?

I don't think I showed you my sweet little Dorothy doll, one of my birthday presents from my munchkins. I saw her in a bookstore awhile back and fell in love with her ... I love The Wizard of Oz and when I came home that night, I tried to explain her to Ben and DH. All they pieced together was that Mama wanted a doll, right. I was surprised they actually found her and now need the good witch and bad witch but won't pressure them on those yet. Isn't she cute? I love her hair ... and her shoes ... and her dress.

Thank you to Jennifer D. in GA, who sent me chocolates which will cause me to do an extra mile but it will be worth it! Yummm

I guess that ends my hodgepodge post. Oh and American Idol is on tonight!! It's nearly time to pick up Ben from school and almost time for those snowflakes to begin falling. Be warm where you are ... in heart and home.

Hey! There's a three year old in the house.

Zack's stuffy & runny nose didn't stop him from having a good time at his party tonight. When my parents, grandmother and brother arrived, he was bubbling over with excitement. So much so he couldn't eat pizza ... and he loves pizza. I wish I could say that I dressed him purposefully in a shirt with a pocket to hold a kleenex but it was a happy coincidence and most helpful.

Zack is such a sweet, thoughtful, cuddly joy and I am blessed to be his Mama. I can't believe he's three now ... seems like just yesterday I was holding him in a quiet hospital room late into the wee hours, just he and I, as if time on the clock barely tick tocked. The nurse had come in the room to tell me that my baby was awake like myself so why not both of us keep each other company. She brought him in to me and as I held Zack, we looked at each other's faces for a long time and well, that's one of my many, many beautiful memories of this little guy. How fast childhood flies as we all know and how fast a birthday goes by too.

and now he's 3

Zack woke about 4 this morning crying and miserable with a stuffy nose. Runny too. Poor birthday boy. Looks like I gave my cold to Ben who in turn gave it to Zack, just in time for his birthday. Zack is still in sweet spirits in between his i need tissue! i need tissue! demands. Ben and I let him open some gifts in the morning and after lunch and that seemed to make him quite content. His family party is tonight so he's napping and recharging for more fun. I made him a Thomas the train blankie and he said i love it , mama, i love it and immediately wanted to be covered with it which was too darn cute, stuffy nose and all.

See you later tonight ... after cake!

it's almost over ...

... my twos. Tomorrow I will be 3. I can't wait.

from the oven

I saw these cookies over at Leslie's Blog and practically ran to the kitchen to see if I had all the ingredients. No powdered sugar to be found but I rolled these pieces of cookie bliss in sugar instead and let me tell you ... if you like chocolate or cookies or baking or cramming yummies in your mouth, then you best check your pantry for ingredients too. Go on ... get going ... you'll be glad you did!

Oh and when I was preparing the cookie dough, Ben walked in the kitchen and was worried I was making quiche as I had mentioned it earlier in the week as a possible dinner item. Poor guy - that was next up to make ... for dinner. Please tell me you have a picky kid where you are too.

I'll sleep pretty well tonight knowing there's a 6" snow blanket outside, leftovers for breakfast and homemade cookies in the house. Oh and it's still snowing. Be cozy!

the white stuff

This morning we woke to snow! It's still snowing and we're to get up to 6 inches. Not much to those who are used to more but this snowlover is happy with it! To have two snowstorms this winter so far has been bliss. Zack and I went out and played in it as long as we could take the cold temps. Poor Ben has a nasty cold and wasn't able to join us. I practically begged Zack to stand still for a picture of the two of us and he was way too busy with snow play but finally agreed because he does love to say 'cheese'.

There are now 401 fans on The Sampler Girl Facebook Page ... wow! If you want to join us, the FB logo is on the sidebar at right. Going to package some orders and then make a cup of tea and watch the snow fall. Such a lovely way to spend a Saturday! Enjoy yours too.

a purchase with a cause

A week or so ago I purchased this little drawstring bag from Craft Hope for Haiti, a shop on etsy.com. It arrived this afternoon ... isn't it sweet? I love it. The shop's logo has been on my blog's sidebar ever since I heard about their worthwhile cause. With hardship and sorrow in so many places around the world, it can be overwhelming and when you want to help, sometimes you have no idea what you can do. This drawstring bag didn't cost that much but it was something to give the cause. Hope you check out their shop!

!! NEW Patterns !!

February's Releases are ready now. All details on these designs can be found on The Sampler Girl website. Enjoy!

Tea with Jane Austen

From Pleasant Hill

a good wednesday

I received such a sweet little belated birthday giftie from Sara in Italy that you have to see it. You have to.

Isn't that precious? She put my initials and birthdate ... wow. Thank you dearly, Sara!!! I've already put my scissors on it as you can see. Sara celebrates her birthday tomorrow so best wishes to you dear friend.

Such a pleasant day spent with girlfriends. Friendship is such a joy, isn't it? I am blessed with such loving and fun friends. After lunching at UNO, it was too late to squeeze in Zack's nap so we went over to Kohls and shopped! I got a new purse, a few clothes, new earrings ... it was a lovely day. Cold too but shopping does warm the heart.

Rachel has a few more days before becoming a mommy ... I'm so excited for her!!

so I was telling Maddy

Miss Maddy is quite the listener and usually will give her feedback on what I have to say unless she becomes bored with me and feels the conversation is really not of any interest anymore. She picks up pretty quickly when there are no new cat toys in my hand ... no shaking of cat treats ... her thoughts move back to as they were before I entered her space.

So yesterday when I had such a trying morning (locking myself out of the car) and wanted to report about it to her later that evening, she was .. of course ... napping. So when this morning's irritation was still fresh on my mind (a speeding ticket), Maddy acted like she was all ears and then when the eyes began to close, I knew she had had enough talk.

Then I think she tried to act like I wasn't there so I gathered our chat was over. She's such a good therapist. Note to self: Buy more cat treats.