So I went to the gym after work and then the grocery store. Now I'm going to tackle a few things around the house--straightening up, improving, and then the chance for creative endeavors. We're expecting snow Friday; it's supposed to start at 6am and snow for most of the day--possibly 4 to 7 inches or more. What I wouldn't give for an early start leading to a snow day! Then on Saturday morning, the winds will pick up, so all that snow will be blowing around. Sounds great, doesn't it? (That was sarcasm, folks.)

As for my current plans for the weekend (since the snow will keep me indoors), I'll be making soup and projects. I've got beef broth, ham broth, and turkey broth. I'm thinking kumla (otherwise known as klubb) for the ham broth--I grew up in a Norwegian area of Illinois where kumla dinner was a once-a-year event at the VFW hall, but I haven't had it in a while so it's time. I might make turkey, wild rice, and mushroom soup with the broth from boiling down the turkey breast. I'm not sure about the beef broth yet, so if you have suggestions, send them on ahead. I could just use it for beef vegetable soup.

On Sunday, Warm & Natural batting by the yard is on sale at Jo-Ann (50% off) and that sounds just perfect to have on hand for the numerous quilting projects I've got before me with that new Voyager quilting machine!

Gotta run, stuff to accomplish before sleeping.

Well, I drove down to Illinois between snow storms on Christmas Eve, and the entire Chicagoland area seems to be covered with a layer of ice. Overnight, they had rain again, so today, as I helped Mom take down the decorations, we pondered whether I should head home tonight or wait until tomorrow morning. Since I have no deadlines across the state line, I think I'll probably hang out here and drive home tomorrow, since the fog is supposed to roll in any minute now.

Unfortunately, I didn't bring much with me in the way of projects to work on, though I think I might have a few ornaments in one of my bags that could occupy some time. My folks don't have cable, you see, and we've watched most of the Christmas classics I brought along--from Frosty the Snowman to White Christmas--but I think we might have a classic or two still unviewed to occupy our evening.

If I were really thinking ahead, I'd sit down and write my Christmas letter. I have the cards, the stationery, the labels, and the stamps, but haven't yet actually done the mailing. So that job was part of the "to do" list for Saturday and Sunday. Wouldn't it be great if I could accomplish that tonight?

So in closing, I just thought I'd share that it was a lovely Christmas filled with family and fun. We played Rummy (or 13 for those of you in the family--I've always wondered if those two names actually apply to the same game or if we misnamed them) and I won--an accomplishment for sure since I seldom win at cards. I received some lovely gifts! And I'll be setting up my quilting machine New Years weekend--Merry Christmas to me! Maybe I'll post photos here once I get the sewing room cleared out enough and the machine set up. As for the reflective part that always seems to come this time of year, let me say this. As I helped Mom put away her Christmas decorations, she'd comment on this one or that, and it seemed that many of them either had a special memory tied to them or were from someone who meant something to her. Of all of the quirks and traits that I got from her, all the things that make me my mother's daughter, I'm blessed to value things for the memories that come with them, not the price tag that was attached to them. It's the same reason that I read the Christmas letters that come to their house--friends of theirs who have touched their lives, and mine, for years. Though it's true that there are friends of theirs that I've never met, I've always known about them through their letters and cards, and they are still a part of my life in some distant way. We're all connected, family and friends and even strangers, and I treasure the people who been a part of my life each year in some way, whether in person, through e-mail or snail mail, or even as they flit through my memories or my dreams or across my path. May each of you have blessings abundant in the coming year.

It's a snow day here--my snowman ornament (right) looks pretty happy about it too! I couldn't be happier (since I don't have to go anywhere), because I have so much to do here. Presents to wrap, soup to make, scarves to sew, cards to stamp, boxes to ship, laundry to do.... I know everyone's lives get pretty crazy this time of year, and I'm no exception. But I always try to remember why it is I'm doing what I'm doing.

Dinner out with friends isn't just another holiday obligation--it's the chance to catch up and spend time in each other's company, hopefully alleviating some of the stress that we're all experiencing this time of year.

Spending time with family is the same--not an obligation but a wonderful opportunity to reminisce, build new memories, and reconnect with your roots.

Making things ties into that as well. I know that most of the people I make gifts for really appreciate them. And for those who don't, they make a good show of it. And some of the things I make get donated to those in need. In fact, the aforementioned "scarves to sew" will all go to a shelter. When I ran across fleece remnants at Joann's the other day, I couldn't pass up the colors or the price (hurray for remnant pricing!). So for a very small investment in fabric and time, I'll be able to whip up a bunch of scarves for the hat, scarf, and mitten tree at work. They were supposed to be due today and delivered today, but since we're closed due to snow, I have to believe that I can show up with them on Monday and I won't be too late. If I am, I'll just take them over to the shelter myself.

So much to do, so I'd better get at it. And oh, by the way, Mr. Potato Head spent Thursday safe and sound in the office.

Mother Nature once again sprinkled her favorite city—Milwaukee—with a powdery dusting of magical wonder...

Oh nevermind the poetic phrases... 10-14 inches of snow dropped on the Milwaukee area Friday. No, I'm not kidding. Winter 2007/08 now ranks #2 in the snowiest winters on record in Milwaukee—95.4 inches. Winter of 1885/86 is unfortunately still within striking distance at 109.8 inches, I suppose. It's getting less pretty. Wednesday and Thursday of last week you could actually see dirt and dormant grass. Someone said they had bulbs sprouting in the backyard. Now, it's all white again. Lots of white.

But there are upsides to this winter wonderland! Being pseudo-snowbound gave me some downtime. My sewing machine was in for a timing issue, but the shop had graciously provided me with a loaner, thank goodness. So I was able to make some progress on some projects.

One was that quilt I started back before the snow started falling this year. I finally decided that a king-size quilt shouldn't be the first project I attempt to quilt on a quilting machine, so I had that monster machine quilted. The woman who quilted it did a lovely job and called last week to let me know it was ready. I sewed on the binding Saturday and delivered it on Easter. Woo hoo!

In addition, I made a set of beaded serving utensils for the quilt recipient. (Nothing like just-in-time gift making. I was a few projects behind.) I got the idea from Make It Mine magazine. Though it's not published anymore, you can still buy a back issue.