You all know that I love to sew. What you might not know is that I have a serious issue with projects taking too long. If I can’t wrap it up in a week, my patience starts running a bit thin. So, I have plan. I am recreating a dress that I saw in a picture, and I’m going to spare no expense with detail. Overcast allowance finishing. 1/2″ pleating around the hem. I’ll post pictures as I go along, but for now you can see my inspiration.

In the spirit of contentment, (and with inspiration from Megan’s blog) I have decided to cheer myself up. Here is my unexhaustive list of good things in winter.

1.  I can drink lots of coffee with the excuse that I don’t generate enough body heat on my own to warm my internal organs.

2. I can sew…and sew…and sew…

3. Ditto for crochet, I’m almost done with my first afghan!

4. Having a cold bedroom is a good reason to curl up in bed and read til 1:00 a.m., instead of braving the chill to turn out the light.

5. I get to enjoy homemade applesauce & gingerbread. Definitely not summer food.

6. Being surrounded by white means that I can go to eQuilter and get my color fix.

7. Tea becomes a staple for my sanity.

8. I don’t need to worry about having a farmer’s tan.

9. Wearing fancilful tights all day gets a lot easier when it’s cold out.

10. (this is the best) After my morning shower, I get to dry my hair in front of the woodstove.

So I guess it’s not that terrible after all.

Most of you probably know of Williams-Sonoma, the ultra-pricey, ultra-heirloom, ultra-useful kitchen store. I’ve been to their Rancho Cucamunga & Spokane outlets, and it’s an absolute dream. *sigh* So, how on earth could someone even consider getting any of that gorgeous Le Crueset or All-Clad? Well, one thing is to set up a registry. It’s lots of fun, and it doesn’t have to be a bridal registry. Birthdays count, too. So, even if I don’t get any, at least I have a compiled “drool list.” Williams-Sonoma

 Megan & I have so much fun sewing our own leggings! Nice leggies aren’t very cheap, but with some scrap Lycra and about 1 1/2 hours of extra time, you can have really nice custom ones! These are my new ones, made of the leftovers from a swimsuit.

Mom says they look like something Mick Jagger would wear, but 80’s stigma aside, they are warm & fun to run around in.

Some of you probably know that for a while I have been romancing the idea of a new bike.  I believe that I am coming closer to a decision. If any of you have input on the color choice, fill in the poll. Ok, here are my options:

So now you can vote:

I love fall! I love making a fire in our wood stove, seeing tamaracks turn brilliantly gold, and feeling that nip in the air. These are days for lots of coffee and tea, walking around Bigfork, getting good library books, and at night, watching long movies, dreaming of alpaca yarn, and of course, getting out the flannel PJ’s! Fall is also the perfect time for enjoying all the cold fruit in season, hence, excessive baking with (I wish) gorgeous cookwear. Have fun ogling my list of “warm fuzzies,” and enjoy the lovely sock gallery at the end.

Fabulous Le Crueset baker in a heart shape.

I found this one on a vintage clothing site. Just don’t wear it while you make apple cobbler.

Ok, this is bad. If copperwear makes your heart rate go up, there’s a problem.

It makes me want to dance!

Ok, now brace yourselves for the absolute CUTEST socks EVER!!

Pretty fair isle design from Ralph Lauren.

Running around in circles…

A bit- ahem- pink for me, but very cute nonetheless.

Thank you for joining me for this virtual shopping spree, and stay tuned for the next episode: Amazing Grays.

Ok, I know was at least a little bit missed. Or maybe that’s wishful thinking. Anyway, I’m back now, so your lives may resume. With regard to the current political hoo-ha, I will be posting my view shortly. Of course, as some folks would all-too-cheerfully add, I do everything shortly. No wonder some of my TV heros include Robin Williams & Yoda.

Hi folks! Just letting you know that I’m still here. (they haven’t caught me yet) and I’ll write tomorrow about some different stuff.

Joe and I have an interesting (and sometimes abusive) relationship, as described above.

You may have noticed that my little character has shorter hair. So do I. After much debate and flip-flopping, I finally had Mrs. Underhill cut it for me. I’ll post pics whenever I get motivated enough. It is about shoulder-length now, and I love how bouncy and alive it feels!

Welcome to all dear souls interested in the refined and distinctive art of trash picking. It is not to be confused with dumpster-diving, pack-ratting, squirreling away, or junk collecting. No, no, this is frugal culture at it’s finest. My current project: transforming three empty wine bottles into corrals for my ever-on-the-lam knitting needles. With some TLC, paint, and a custom sweater, maybe I can turn them into something cute and functional. If not, I can just return them. Here’s what I’ve done so far.

  All clean!!