Flying

It's a perfect fall day here! Blustery. Chilly. Leaves flying through the air. I love days like this.

My plan? To get a small fire burning in the wood stove so the house gets nice and cozy. Then, I'm heading outdoors. It's a great day for planting mums and bulbs. Buttoning up the barns and checking the greenhouse. Securing the stuff near the pond. I'll drive the mower over the leaves, crunching them up as soon as they hit the ground.

It doesn't take much to entertain me, does it?

Then, I'll pull together some more winter squash soup(yeah, I'm hooked on the stuff!), warm some apple cider and settle in to work on a new crafty project. What am I making? I can't say just yet(it's a surprise for someone who reads this blog)but it involves some pretty colors and long needles. And, when it's done it'll hopefully keep someone special toasty warm. Got it figured out? I thought so.

Well, what's on your schedule for this pretty fall day? Whatever you do, I hope you have a peaceful day!

Them's Soggy Words!

It's raining; it's pouring.
The old man is snoring.
He went to bed and bumped his head,
And he couldn't get up in the morning.

I hate to be a weather reporter here, but it's a big story in Upstate New York. It's raining--hard--which is something this already flooded area definitely does not need.

Yesterday I looked at the creek across the street. It's calmed down some but isn't back into its banks yet. There's still water in yards, garages and even flowing straight through a family's barn. Straight through. As in it's made a river through their building.

Now, more rain. Heavy. And we're already very splishy and splashy here. Sheesh.

You know what I'll be doing today, don't you? That's right. It's all about the book here this week. Yesterday I did manage to can tomatoes and make some applesauce (mostly because I'd filled one sink with tomatoes and apples!) but otherwise I kept my behind in the chair and my fingers on the keyboard. Today, more of the same.

Maria asked if I have a deadline in my head for finishing. I always do. And this book is about two weeks ahead of schedule because I've been so determined to make it work. I've just been single-minded about finishing it. I know I've got to do this, for so many reasons.

Maybe it's the old get back on the horse thing, I don't know. I'm just sure that my getting through what's going on in my life includes my successfully completing this book. Actually, I usually work much more quickly. I've given myself permission to meander a bit on this, recognizing I'm grieving so the added pressure of the "normal" deadline shouldn't apply. This book is longer than any other I've written, too, so I've added a bit for that. Still, I hoped to be done by October 1st but plan to be writing "The End" by this time next week. Fingers crossed!

I hope I'm not boring the heck out of you with all this book talk. I don't mean to. It's front and center in my head now and, thankfully, pushes even the sound of heavy falling rain to the background.

What's new in your world? Whatever you're doing, I hope you're staying dry. Have a peaceful day!

A Tail

God bless Bill. He checks on me daily, brings cake when I'm sad, dinner when he sees I'm not bothering to cook and just really enriches my life. He and Vito were like brothers, and I'm grateful for his presence in our lives.

And, he's not afraid of anything.

Not long ago I greeted him at the back door. We barely exchanged hellos before I pulled him inside and pointed to the coat closet. Then, my finger dropped lower, to the spot where the edge of the door almost meets the tiled floor.

Something peeked out from beneath the door.

Bill didn't catch on right away. His brow furrowed, then he asked, "What is it?"

"A tail."

Then, he got it. Chuckling, he shooed me into the kitchen while he removed the tail's owner from the mousetrap.

Mice. A fact of country living, but something that doesn't much thrill me.

Bill? He's not afraid of anything. Thank God!

Tuesday Tidbits

Oh, Mother Nature... How I marvel at your warped sense of humor. Three inches of new snow today, eh? Hmmph!

Aside from the annoying snow covering the spring flowers emerging in some of our flower beds, life here on the farm in fairly quiet. Nothing earth-shattering going on here, thank goodness. Just calm and peaceful...

Aside from Sunday night's flooded bathroom incident. But let's not go there. The ceiling has stopped dripping, the solution is on its way and I've stopped screeching like a banshee so let's just move along.

Today I've got a foot-long to-do list so I should get cracking. After I get the chores checked off my list, I plan to do some sewing. Not having huge success with the change purses. I've got the pieces cut, the little rings for keys on hand but I'm having trouble finding zippers small enough for the project. I'll check out one more place before I begin to butcher...ah, adjust longer zippers to fit. I'll keep you posted.

On a more productive note, I've begun making cosmetic bags. Such fun and I love seeing them all lined up on the dining table! Photos will follow, I promise.

So, what's going on in your neck of the woods today? Got a to-do list? A leaky pipe? Sewing issues?

Hope you have a nice day!

Foolishness!

Dear Mother Nature,

Not amused.

Seriously, cut the funny business...or someone just might get hurt.

Thank you.

Signed,
Refusing to Shovel in New York

Enough!

Dear Mother Nature,

Put down the martini. You're cut off.

Now, stop with the funny stuff or I'll take away the Twinkies, too.

Very sincerely,
Weary Shoveler

Snowday Sewing

Yesterday Dru asked what I'm creating with my sewing machine. I will share with you what I'm doing, but only if you'll indulge me first by listening to how this sewing adventure came about.

One afternoon last summer my husband was flicking through the channels on the television in his hospital room. He was such a great guy; when he found a sewing program he stopped channel surfing. He knew I'd enjoy the show, so we watched it. That particular day the hostess was showing how to make handbags. When the show was over, my guy turned to me, grinned and said, "You'd like to do that. When we get home, I think you should make some handbags. It looks like fun." I agreed, and the idea was born.

So...I'm home. And, I'll admit, kind of lonely. But we had a good idea last summer, and good ideas don't go bad. So, on these snowy afternoons I'm keeping busy. Yes, I'm making handbags. Want to see?

This little black bag is the first one I made. I've been using it for the past three weeks or so. It's the perfect size for my wallet, keys and phone. It even has pockets for lipstick and a tissue.

I love this hand-dyed fabric. So tropical, don't you think?

A handbag gathering on the kitchen table. Too funny!

I've made a couple of these, just because the colors make me smile.

So there you have it. I'm keeping busy here on the farm. What have you been up to?

Snowy Saturday

Guess what we got yesterday. No surprise, is it?

We've been snowbound for weeks now, something I don't mind one bit. The snow clearing and wood stacking keeps me busy. An added bonus is that there's no need to hit the gym when you're working your tush off in the yard!

I love the way snow makes even the ordinary extraordinary, don't you?

Hope you enjoy your weekend. Me? I hear there's more of the white stuff in the forecast. I've got my shovel ready!