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.

I finally broke down & bought it. This book is peaches and divine cream. I’ve already been able to read through the first two songs. (and you all know that I’m the worst sight-reader in the universe)  Lovely arrangements, and very true to the original music. I love it. Hooray Fernando!! P.S. also, if any of you haven’t seen the Ortega’s new baby, you should go see her at fernandoortega.com

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

Here are some pictures of my 150 lb puppy.

So, after having her….let me think….almost eight years, it’s time to say goodbye to my furry, stinky, sweet friend.

When we came home from church yesterday, we found there was blood in our yard, and Roxy (our dog) was on the porch cringing and looking very uncomfortable. I can’t blame her, as we soon out that she had a bullet (courtesy of neighbors) lodged somewhere in her chest. Ouch.

We didn’t know if she would make it through the night, but this morning she got up, wagged her tail, ate, and generally acted out of character for a dog who was visited by the Reaper. We’re still not sure if she’ll make it, but today we are going to try and see about keeping the bullet-hole from getting infected. Our other dog (Tiny) is still missing, so I’ll keep posting as we find out more.

I’ve finally convinced the filter to be my friend, so here are the belated pictures from Spokane.

Carousel

 The Coblentzes

 Thompson Falls

 Bighorns

Oh man, it’s the Sweet Fat Thang by Head!! Powder and butterflies…sigh. Just look at those snowboarders ogling the awsome curvy edges! Diagnosis: Ski Fever

My filter is still not allowing me to post pictures, so this place could be pretty boring for a while. Consider yourself warned.

Megan recently loaned me the 1956 musical, The King and I. As musicals go, I would say that it’s one of the best. (that I’ve seen) Yul Brynner is fabulous as the way-too-self-important king, and sings a hilarious number in the beginning of the movie. The gold-plated everything, flamboyant costumes, and Siamese theater is quite entertaining. (not to mention all those adorable little Asian kids)

Last weekend, my family + Grandma went to Spokane to visit some friends of the Brubaker clan. The Coblentzes are so nice, and (even though my room reeked of cats) I had fun there. Mrs. Coblentz was her very hospitable and sweet self, and Mr. Coblentz is a dear old fellow who never fails to plant a whiskery kiss on my cheek. (to ease all your minds I don’t go around letting just anyone do that) The weather was wet, wet, wet. We rode the carousel, ate way too much fried food, and I got my first Starbuck’s coffee! I also went to the Spokane mall for the first time. General feeling: “wow!” “yikes!” “materialism!” I drooled at Williams-Sonoma, tried fragrant hand lotions, and basically ogled at the bizarre lifestyle of city folks. I’m glad I live in a little town. It suits me.  On our way home, we saw a flock of approx 40 bighorn sheep, two of which were battering each other’s heads. That was fun. I would post pix, but my filter is having major trust issues right now, so that will have to wait.