New Year's Eve 2022

 New Year's Eve.  Gosh this year went fast. The last two months feel like a blur. 

The last few days I've been busy with house and farm stuff, so I could take it easy this weekend. Work had an early publishing day so I had to crank things along earlier than usual.  

My area had a warm up this past week so I took advantage of it and cleaned out the coop.  

But first I had to shovel a path to get to the wheelbarrow.  And the compost pile. 

Can you see that black square-looking thing?  That's my wheelbarrow. Buried in snow that was up past my knees.  If you look to the left you will see my jacket, my sweater, and my hat.  As I was shoveling I was gradually shedding layers.  That's how warm it was. 

"Why didn't you use the snowblower?" I bet you are thinking.  Well, I have garden hoses hanging from the tree on the right, and I didn't know where they were under the snow.  With my luck, I'd have sucked a hose up in the the snow blower and then have to spend the next hour cutting it out.

While I was shoveling the path I opened up the coop and the pen doors.  Some of the bird high-tailed it outside right away, checking out the coffee grounds I had tossed on the ground to help prevent slipping and falling. 

You can see the top of the tree that broke and fell during the last snow storm. It's the reason I had to shovel a path on the other side of the coop. 

I moved the feed and the water bowl out to the pen so the birds would have a place to nibble while I was shoveling out the coop. 

They were so happy to be outside. 

Then there were some who decided they wanted to stay in bed. Or something. 

These girls were so happy the coop was being mucked out.  No more wet shavings for them! 

I have to tell you about this little girl.  She comes to greet me every time I open the coop door.  I'd say she's at the bottom of the pecking order.  She's also the smallest of the flock. 

She'll let me pick her up and pet her and she rarely makes a sound. She's always seems happy to see me. 

For a while I thought she had an injury, but I never figured out what was going on. 

I was trying to take a photo of her and she kept bopping her head around, trying to figure out the phone. 

I figure she needs a name, but I haven't come up with anything yet. 

Yesterday I spent some time out in the she shed, cleaning and organizing stuff and pulling flosses and kitting up some cross stitch charts I want to start up in the new year. 

I started a fire in the wood stove.  It was so much fun sitting  out there, enjoying the fire and watching blue jays and crows at the feed pile/station we set up in the back yard.  I should have taken a photo of all those blue jays.

Today has been a quiet day.  I slept in. Then I bummed around the house for a while and watched youtube with Furby for a bit. My hubby and I ran to town to get groceries and I picked up a few flosses at Wal*mart.  I spent the evening doing some self-care, and before I knew it, it was after 8 p.m.

This year my son is out celebrating New Year with his girlfriend. My hubby was up at the crack of dawn, so he turned in early.  It's just me and Furby right now and I think she's asleep.  Ha! 

She heard me creeping towards her and she opened her good eye. 

I'm cautiously optimistic about the new year.  2022 had some tough times for me.  Those who know, know.  But let me tell you, having a teenager is not for faint of heart. Growing pains abound!

From looking on Flosstube and the few glances on instagram I've learned it's a *thing* to an occasional WIP parade, and show what the potential future projects may be.  I reckon I'll start the new year with a current WIP post.  There aren't too many at this time.  I'm a monogamous crafter, for the most part.  I'd like to have something in all the hobbies going. Grand plans and all.  We'll see if I'm able to do it. 

Soooo .... here's to the new year. Cheers! 

Oh! I almost forgot -- I have a finish! 

I made an Autopilot cowl/scarf for my son's girlfriend.  I asked him if she worse scarfs or anything.  He said yes, and that she was fashionable.  I already knew she liked pink.  It was just a matter of finding a yarn.  

I cranked this out fairly quick. I decided to make it just a few days before Christmas. 

It turned out so nice and the yarn was super soft. 

This is the yarn label since I'm too lazy to type out the information. 

Merry Christmas 2022

 

Hello, and Merry Christmas. 

It's been bit of a wild and crazy last week and a half, or so. You'll notice I fell off the Holiday Homestead share hashtag sharing I had been doing for 14 days in a row. 

Well, Dec. 15 our power went out, due to the storm moving through the area.  My alarm went off at 5 a.m. and not even 30 seconds later the power went out. Thankfully we have back up and a wood stove, so we were in better shape than a lot of people.  The power came back about 13 hours later.  By then I was too wore out to do any writing.  Then it's been a mix of snow plowing, shoveling, family stuff, work stuff and snow storms and cold. 

Behold ... or something to that effect. My brain is slightly mush right now. Here are photos from that storm.  The snow was so heavy that it was breaking tree branches all day. 

Front yard

My vehicle looks so tiny.

Snow caps on the holtzhausen wood stacks.

Snow blowing around my vehicle.

My son's vehicle.  Can you see the branch that broke and landed *right next* to it? And let's not forget the branch that was so heavy with snow it was touching the snow on top of his car. 

Another photo of the front yard.  I am always in awe of how the trees look when they are covered in snow.  The snow blower kind of bombed the photo by throwing some snow. 

My guy doing what he does - taking care of his family - and plowing because the snow was too heavy to push with the plow. 

Poor birch tree by the fire pit. 

In the back yard. At least one, possibly two, branches that broke from the big pine. 

A tree, or top of a tree (?), that broke by the chicken coop.  It hit the coop. Part of it is still on the roof. 

All the downed branches won't be going anywhere until spring. This storm made a heck of a mess. 

You now have the basic idea of the "fun" we've been having the last week, or so. 

We had our Christmas meal yesterday and opened presents. We all made out like bandits and received wonderful things. 

I usually take a photo of whatever the main dish of the meal is.  This year I managed to snag only a photo of the snack trays I made yesterday morning. 

We had a rib roast and when it was done cooking we were so ready to eat that my hubby immediately started carving it.  The roast was done to perfection. 

Furby was part of the festivities. I didn't get any photos of her.  She got a bit of mashed potatoes and some rib roast tidbits.  The meat she immediately pounced on.  We think she knows choice meat when she smells it.  I had music playing during dinner and I swear she was trying to sing along with one of the "Hallelujah" songs that played.  It was a choir singing the song.  Probably the Vienna Boys Choir. 

Today there's been more snowplowing and snow clearing. For the most part, it's been a restful sort of day.  My hubby took the leftover rib roast and made a pot of soup. We've been snacking on that and a fresh veggie tray I made today.  

Today I've started making lists and thinking about stuff for the new year.  Which, I realize, is something I've done about this time every year for the last several years.  I suppose that is what happens when you have as many hobbies and projects going on as I do.  

Once January starts I get to start thinking about gardening and seed starting! Woohoo! Seed catalogs have been showing up in my mailbox already. 

Homestead holiday share day 14

Day 14 - homemade

I made these socks last year and when I completed them I thought it would look festive to take a photo of my feet stuffed into the tree branches. 

In weather news, we had a blizzard today.  Round 1, from what I'm reading.  I think the second wave is starting around midnight. 

My man snow blowing some areas of the yard, before I went out and used the plow.  The snow is the super heavy stuff that is next to impossible to move. 

I now have a winter wonderland in my yard. 

School has already been cancelled for tomorrow. 

As of this writing I didn't go any crafty stuff. I am a tired girl this evening. 

Homestead holiday share day 13

Day 13 - Wrapping

I don't have anything wrapped yet.  Of any thing. Which means no story or memory. 

So, instead, I will blather about the day and the upcoming weather. My area is supposed to get a blizzard this week. Depending on the area, up to 17 inches. Should make for an interesting next few days. 

Furby decided to keep vigil and look for the snow.  For a while.  Then she got bored.  

The highlight of my day, however, was when Pat Sloan put out her daily video and mentioned my sweet Furby June and I.  I send Pat a Christmas card, and it didn't occur to me until it was in the mail that it might be mentioned on the video.  

So that totally made my day! 

On the cross stitch front, I spent some time with Edna this evening. 

Tomorrow, if I have time, I'll start the flowers at the top of the project. 

Project Name: Edna goes to brunch

Started: early July 2022

Finished: 

Designer/Source: Lindy Stitches

Fabric: 32 count Mint Splash Lugana by Zweigart

Floss: I'm using the called-for colors in DMC

Stitch count: 133 x 96s

Size: 8.3" x 6"

Needle Size: size 28

I received a new issue of Just Cross Stitch magazine today.  I spotted this project and though it was adorable. 

I am realizing I have a thing for cross stitch birds. This one is simply too sweet. 

Homestead holiday share days 11 and 12

I really did mean to write yesterday.  The plan was to write a blog entry before bedtime.  Then, about 9:30, my son came out of his room, all pathetic and needing his mom because he wasn't feeling well. 

Priorities. 

Okay, so let's see ... 

Day 11 - decor 

I am not much for decorating for the holidays. 

However, I do have a few things out. 

I have my tree bunting that I put out every year.  This year I added my cross stitch ornaments.   Those aren't permanent on there. 

A little tchotchke given to me by my coworker. 

Cardinal ornaments from my sisters-in-law. 

An adorable porky ornament made by one of my sisters-in-law. 

Day 12 - peppermint

I admit, I was stumped by this one for a moment.  I've been drinking Aldi peppermint creamer in my coffee.  

In other news ... 

The other day I pulled out a cross stitch project that I put in hibernation.  

You may recognize Edna. 

Project Name: Edna goes to brunch

Started: early July 2022

Finished: 

Designer/Source: Lindy Stitches

Fabric: 32 count Mint Splash Lugana by Zweigart

Floss: I'm using the called-for colors in DMC

Stitch count: 133 x 96s

Size: 8.3" x 6"

Needle Size: size 28

Evenweave kicks my butt! I'm counting the the fabric holes constantly. She will be beautiful when she's done. 

I picked up a small fold away table to put my Hope stand on when I'm stitching.  I'm still trying to figure out the best set up, including a good light and a spot where I can place the chart. 

Holiday homestead share, day 10

Day 10 - Christmas tree

No Christmas tree up yet, so I can't share a photo of this year's tree.  

On of the gals I'm friends with on Face*book posted this today and I thought it was amusing. 

Holiday homestead share, day 9

 

Day 9 - Thrifty Christmas tip

I don't look at the prompts before I sit down to write. 

Christmas tips ... I'm sure I have some.  I just can't think of anything at this moment. 

Oh, I know! Stay away from the computer! 

Ha! I slay myself. 

I try to live a somewhat thrifty life as it is.  Don't let my my she shed and craft room tell you otherwise. *wink*

As I have gotten older I find I'm leaning more towards handmade and consumable gifts. 

The last couple of years I have learned to utilize the free shipping from Amazon and a few other online stores, like Sam's club. I have some family members scattered across the country now.  Postage is prohibitive. 

Yup, that's all i have for this one.  Probably not very original. 

Holiday homestead share, day 8

Day 8 - Deck the halls

A few years ago, when I got back into cross stitching, this chart was one of the first pieces I stitched.  It's from Priscilla of Stitching with the Housewives. I thought it was perfect for me since I'm a chicken mama.  Who would have thought that less than a year later I'd have a house chicken, too. 

Holiday homestead share, day 7

Day 7 - Snow

This photo was taken last month when we spotted a deer in the back yard. 

At the moment I can't think of any charming snow stories.  Sorry. 

Well, wait.  I take that back.  This may count as a snow story. 

Back when I was still hunting this season I was sitting out in the blind. I was staring out the window, watching the blue jays and the squirrels who were raiding the feed pile.  Then, out of nowhere, an owl swooped down and tried to grab one of the squirrels. The whole thing was over in an instant. It seemed surreal to see the owl come down out of no where.  I think my jaw might have dropped.  

I frequently hear owls.  It was very neat to finally see one of them. 

A video I took 8 years ago. 

Poor Furby, I started playing this video and she got anxious. She doesn't want any owls to get her. 

Holiday homestead share, day 6

Day 6 - Holiday scent

I'm sure you are thinking, "Oh, this is an easy one!"  

Not so fast, there! Since I like to over think things and had to choose two things. 

Inside, at this time of year, I like cinnamon scents.  Warm spices.  The smells remind me of the holidays. 

Currently I have Scentsy Cinnamon Bear (I think it's called) warming in my rooster warmer.  

A good friend gave me this warmer several years ago and I've loved it so much that I am very careful with it. 

At this time of year there is something about the smell of fresh snow. The best way to describe it is pure. 

This afternoon I took a walk through the back 20. It started snowing a few minutes before I decided to take the video.  It was so pretty.  And quiet. It was the kind of walk through the snow that is good for the soul.