Gone To The Beach: snow

Thursday, February 18, 2021

Out and About ~ Car Buying and Beach Walks [of sorts]

Hi everyone. I hope you are all safe and warm, especially those in Texas and other midwesternn and southern states. Here it is cold but not that cold. Tomorrow (today now) another big snow is expected. I think this is snowstorm Five in February 2021, and it is only mid-month.

A lot of my energy last week and this week has been focused on obtaining a new Jeep.

I thought the deal was made locally , but no. Instead a long drive over the bridges to a dealer about thirty miles east.

The bridges and inner waterways and bays look so different in the snow, all dull and colorless and frozen.

t was very odd to be with strangers in a strange setting at the dealer. I've only seen immediate family and a few close friends for almost a year. My usual shyness and natural tendency to solitude has gotten out of control. I was so nervous!

The dealership was clean and masks were worn. 6' distancing was given a nod and about 3 or 4 feet space across a little cramped bistro table. Bargaining and purchasing were relatively fast and efficient. Handshakes were offered as if Covid did not exist. [what do you do? Refuse?] And the bathrooms were very clean, but unisex. Using a bathroom with a urinal was odd. Constantly using disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer is exhausting, as are masks.

The new car is here and I love it. Just what I wanted!

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Meanwhile Mo and I grab every minute of sunny days we can manage. His new dogwalker is working wonders with Mo and Mo's newly re-found energy and enthusiasm is carrying over for our walks too.

There is still a lot of snow on the ground, though. Maybe 15" in many spots. Plus deep drifts and ten foot high plow glaciers.

I've been admiring this huge old holly tree, our destination for shorter walks.

That is not red fall leaves, the color we see is holly berries. The tree is taller than its two story home. Imagine how it was planted or grew wild there, maybe 50 or more years ago.

Today we walked to the beach bench. Its enveloping snow drift was plowed away or it melted. Mo was pleased, but he refused to go on to the boardwalk, also finally free of snow.

Look closely!

The Eastern Par Ducks survived wind, flood and blizzard. As soon as I can, I'll look for the western flock on this side of the boardwalk.

The grocery store was teeming today, people stocking up again for the coming snow. I got myself cheerful tulips.

I bought the makings for a beef stew in the crock pot. I'll use QB's veggies in foil plan. I dithered over buying short ribs for the Crockpot, I do love them, but sooo expensive, wow. Also got a lentil soup kit, not sure about that. And pasta casserole makings. Hopefully I'll get somethings cooked before the power goes, if indeed it does.

Snow falling now at noon....

Yesterday I made ''artisan'' no-knead bread, subbing 1 Cup dark rye flour, so two parts whole grain bread flour, 1 part rye. It didn't rise very well, not sure if it was because my house is frigid, or the yeast is old, or because the rye lacks gluten and I was without the gluten add in, It's crusty but soft and chewy and dense. Really quite good, just rather flat. And the hot oven finally warmed up the house a bit.

My snow day plan is to work on my Blue Pineapple blocks. Gonna be fun and so cute. Below is the try out block, washed twice.

love

lizzy

gone to the beach,,,...

This is how the beach looked before the dunes were created.

I know the dunes are necessary, but I so miss this glorious view of glistening white beach.

2021-02-18 First paperwhite blooms:

Sunday, February 7, 2021

Deja vu All Over Again

Hi everyone! Good evening! Oh what a difference a day makes. Yesterday was beautifully sunny, 37*--- the roads and walkways finally shoveled, plowed and dry.

Mo and I had two long wonderful walks enjoying the fresh winter air. We even went to Mo's beach bench, though sadly it was behind a big snowdrift. Mo was happy to do his tricks on the dry pavement instead.

Then today:

It is actually a beautiful snow, but who wants it?! Not us. Arctic cold to follow, brrr.

Mo was content to play briefly on the deck. I finally had been able to open the door enough to squeeze out and do some shoveling for him.

In bad weather we play a modified Pug Fetch. I sit at my computer, and throw a treat as FAAAR into the living room as I can. Mo finds it, eats the treat, and runs back to me. For some reason he refuses to fetch a toy.

And Jeep Roadside Assistance came yesterday morning, quite promptly, and started my car. My friend has driven it for me twice now, but honestly, I do not trust it anymore.

Working indoors today, I decided to mostly ignore house chores and we spent the day in my sewing room. Here is the view looking out past my cutting table.

Now at 5 PM there's a slight clearing and the storm is ending. The snow-frosted trees are glowing an ethereal pink, so beautiful.

I worked on hearts for my etsy shop. I make them year round, though I do regret not having more to offer for Valentine's day.

I made the pattern try-out for Blue Pineapples. And glad I did because refinements and changes were quite needed.

Here is the machine appliqued/ straight stitch leafy top. I like to do a straight stitch sometimes because, when washed, the cut edge frays softly and creates textures and dimension.

First of all the thread I ordered is horrible and much too dark. I hope I can made do with my small spools I use for hand applique, the only green thread I have.

Other issues---easily fixed, the corners were hard to square up. Better to cut a blue rectangle and put notches, then sew/ press/ trim.

And the green topper and the blue body didn't fit exactly.

I also considered using the pieced topper from Baby Ps. It looks good, but this is supposed to be a deck throw/ beach blanket, not a work of quilting art.

Focus on function! I told myself.

Remember the showcase the gorgeous blue batiks.

Keep it modern and casual.

OK!

And I couldn't resist starting to piece the eBay antique Wagon Wheel blocks. I love them! Spacers to make the three across wider/ and five down. 33" x 45", plus possible borders.

I will not fix the crooked cheddar rims or not-round center circles. The piecing [as opposed to the applique] of the spokes is beautiful. Most perfect tiny even hand stitches. I'll show you next time.

Cold weather is coming! I also did the alterations on Mo's newest parka. It had enough Velcro to close a snowsuit for a plus sized human skier. I redid the fastenings for fast on/ fast off and trimmed away the tummy coverings so Mo could potty easily.

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Still eating leftover pot-roast! It is far better after a few days and slices nicely when cold, before reheating. Added gravy from a jar. The veggies were mostly discarded though.

Have a great week.