Monday, January 4, 2016

Journal Jottings of a Maine Mama: January 4, 2016

CLOCK READS
8:56am

WEATHER IN MY NECK OF THE WOODS
The "white stuff" arrived with the shivering cold temperatures. One day we were enjoying unseasonably high 60s, and then a few days later shivering 20s. What's Maine without winter?

IN THE GARDEN
We're snow-covered until, oh, April.


LOOKING AROUND THE HOUSE
I see a mountain of dirty dishes that need attention, but I'm hoping someone else will attend to them.

TO DO
☐ Fix Toilet Leak
☐ Fix Sink Leak
☐ Is Anything Else Leaking?

DINNER MENU
Beef & Barley Vegetable Stew with Fresh Baked Bread Boules

WHAT'S ON TV
Most of my shows have ended, so waiting for premieres in February.

FROM THE CRAFT BASKET
With many wonderful afghan patterns pinned, I simply couldn't decide which one to crochet. My sweet husband mentioned he liked this one, the Cool Breeze Baby Ripple, and it became my latest project. Guessing the multiple count to enlarge the pattern was tricky (and I never did get it right), but I made it work. I'm loving the "earthy" green and yellow colors with the white contrast.


I'm sharing my crocheting creations over at Lucy Blossom Crafts (Mondays), Frontier Dreams (Tuesdays), Small Things (Wednesdays), Oombawka Design (Wednesdays), and Lunamon Design (Wednesdays).

PAGE TURNER

A BLESSING
I sometimes complain about the snow, ice and cold temperatures, but I can't imagine living where there aren't the changing of seasons. We are blessed with the "rest" winter brings, the slowing down of schedules, the cozy days and nights inside a warm home with family.

NO WORDS NEEDED

DEVOTIONAL
And let the peace of God rule in  your hearts...(Colossians 3:15)

HHM

I'm linking up to The Simple Woman's Daybook and Happy Homemaker are Mondays.

30 comments:

  1. Oh my GOSH!! That snow is beautiful!!

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    1. It is...the first few storms. But after the first 2 months of it, nah! LOL Actually we've been fortunate this winter. This was our first storm thus far. About 6 inches. Snowy February is coming up though!

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  2. I just don't see how you get all that crocheting done. ;)

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    1. Well, I bring my WIP (Work In Progress) EVERYWHERE I go. You'd be surprised how much can be accomplished waiting at appointments or waiting for kids doing activities. We don't have cable and most of my Hulu shows are over until February premieres. I always find "pockets of time" to crochet up a row or two. It's relaxing!

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  3. I hope you had good luck with someone else doing those dishes!! Beautiful crocheting! Happy New Year

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    1. Guess what? I did! Cate and Sam, but mostly Cate, did the dishes for me. In return I made them homemade Jordan Marsh Wild Maine Blueberry muffins! A fair trade!

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  4. We finally have snow too! Love love love that afghan! have a great week friend :)

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    1. Thanks so much! I love the colors myself. Muted tones are my thing! Although I think I'm going to start a BRIGHT "rainbow" afghan soon...

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  5. Dinner sounds wonderful!! Such pretty colors in your crocheted ripples. Happy New Year!

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    1. Thanks! I knew I had to create a blanket from those colors! It's coming along quite well!

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  6. As much as I don't like snow, I love your snowy picture. Your afghan looks really nice! Have a great week!

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  7. Thanks, Jodi! I can't wait to see how the afghan turns out. I think this one is MINE! LOL I'm not a big fan of snow myself, but it does give me more time at home since I won't drive in it!

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  8. Love the photo of the snow! The afghan looks very cozy and makes me wish I had some talent to do things like crochet.

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    1. Well, if you'd like to learn The Crochet Crowd with Mikey offers a series of learn to crochet videos on You Tube for free. 22 or 24 videos. Easy to follow. Starts off very simply. And by the end of the video you know all the basics to make easy to some moderate level crochet creations.

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  9. We have some crazy weather here. We have some snow but not like what we usually have. The past week the temperatures have been in the teens and today it was almost 40. I'll be thankful if winter decides on what it is going to do. :) I had to search the book because of the picture; I'll be requesting it at the library. Greens and yellows are my favorite colors, the afghan is beautiful!

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    1. It's been a strange winter thus far. On Christmas Day is was almost 60 in some places. And many hadn't even seen a FLURRY of snow. Then about a week ago (or so) we go 6 inches of snow. Our first. And suddenly the temperatures are FRIGID. We're sitting at 1 degree right now. :sigh:

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  10. I like that crochet pattern. Some day I'm going to make a ripple afghan.

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    1. It's an easy pattern! Just keep your counts. :sigh: I messed up some counts along the way and had to take out about 8 rows.

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  11. Oh what a pretty afghan, full of the promise of spring hiding under all of that beautiful snow!

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    1. I already can't wait for spring, and thus far it's been a mild winter. LOL

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  12. I really enjoy the format of your post. Short and sweet statements that give a glimpse into your life. We finally got some snow here in WI last week (14") but now it's supposed to rain tomorrow. I'm disappointed. I love the snow and figure that if it's going to be cold for 6 months, it might as well be pretty.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Kelly! We're supposed to reach 40 this weekend with rain as well. What an odd winter so far! Some of us were in 60s on Christmas. It was like spring. Then January arrives with single digits and 6 inches of snow. And soon 40s and rain. As I've gotten older I like less snow and cold.

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  13. This is so beautiful! And such a nice blog! I'm following you from now on ( discovered your blog on the link party on Oombawka Design )
    Greetings from Belgium, Sigrid

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    1. Thanks for stopping by! I have been to Belgium many years ago! I followed you back!

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  14. Beautiful pictures. The afghan looks great too, I made a ripple a few years back. I really enjoyed it =) Happy new year!!

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    1. Thanks, Amy! I've already made one ripple for my oldest son, but this one had "fans" and FLO stiches and 2 different rows to give it a more interesting look. I'm loving it!

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  15. I'm SWOONING over the picture of the snow! And the ripple blanket is beautiful! :) Good luck fixing all the leaks!

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    1. If only I could send some of that snow your way...LOL

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  16. Lovely photos and a beautiful ripple blanket - so cosy! :-)

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Caroline! I'm going to have lots of cozy blankets around here! LOL

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