Time for A Slower Day

Monday turned out to be a much busier day than I wanted it to be, but we got lots accomplished around the house and that is a good thing. After I posted to my blog yesterday, I walked the treadmill for half an hour, then I vacuumed the floors with carpeting, swept the screened porch and the outside deck, did the laundry, washed windows (we are installing all new storm windows), cleaned up the mess of packaging materials from the new windows, swept the front porch and then went into town to get salt and carry it downstairs to the softener. Meanwhile the hubster spent that time removing the old storm windows, scraping, painting, and installing the new storms. He then started mowing the lawn, but the lawn mower finally bit the dust and is across the stream near the Adirondacks deader than a doornail. The question now is, how are we going to get it off the lawn? He just left to buy a new mower. We've only had two new mowers since we bought this house 32 years ago, so I think we've gotten value for our money.


On a lighter note, I did spend a bit of time in Fairbanks, Alaska, via Google and sketched a small house and truck. It isn't very good (the cobwebby looking things are supposed to be shadows) but it was fun and I did it because I read about the virtual paintout again on someones blog. I wonder if it counts to just do a sketch and not paint it?

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you about the mail I got yesterday. It was from the lovely Vivian Swift - you know, the author of "When Wanderers Cease to Roam". She has a new book about France coming out soon. She also has a very entertaining blog to which I've linked above. Be sure to check her out. And if you haven't yet read the book mentioned above, do give it a read. I have to admit, I didn't buy it (sorry, Vivian); I borrowed it from the library. It would make a great gift though, so who knows I may purchase it anyway.

Isn't this the cutest? 

I also saw a posting yesterday about the overabundance of redundant signs in our world and had to share one with you from Battle Creek. I have taken a picture of this sign more than once. I think it is a hoot.

And before I leave you for the day, I'd like to share another hummer photo with you.

I love these little guys.

I read a book that my friend Nancy loaned to me and just loved it. It is written as a series of letters from a variety of people. It was a very good, fast read. It is called "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society". I recently took the little girls to the library where I selected three new books to read. I just finished "Minding Jackie" by Maeve Binchy  I liked it as much as all her others. I have two other books by other authors to read and may begin one of them today.

I also hope to work on my watercolor. I just have to chase away my inner critic who seems to be chanting "You'll ruin it. You always do." She is such a nasty woman! 

I hope you aren't being harassed by your inner critic and that you will find time to do something just for yourself today.

xoxo

Maelstrom Monday

What a weekend! I'm afraid I didn't get much done in terms of art - or at least I don't have much to show. On Friday we had Little Miss 3 from midday on and Little Miss 7 got off the bus here. Then my son brought his Little Miss 7 out and the 3 girls helped Poppa bake cookies and then joined Nana at the table to mix up colored frosting and do some decorating. My son's Little Miss 7 had to leave just before dinner, but the other two stayed overnight and until after noon on Saturday. I took a nap Saturday afternoon!

My son had his office Christmas party on Saturday so he brought his Little Miss 7 out to stay with us around 5 pm and picked her up around 11 pm. We had lots of fun with her, but I don't have anything to show for it. We did a lot of reading, talking and snuggling - a lot of very important stuff!

I did spend a little time doing some art yesterday. I cut slits in some cover stock and threaded the ribbons through it on the small book I showed you on Friday. I am not yet happy with it - the covers feel a little flimsy, so I may be adding some endpapers for added support. I prepped the hard covers for my next coptic stitch journal and this time I am going to try the 2-needle variety. I am looking forward to getting that done today.

I have a hair cut mid-morning. All the area schools are closed due to blowing and drifting snow, but we expect the roads to be fine by then. The hubster is driving - isn't he the sweetest? I really dislike driving on roads that may be slick here and there.

I had a lovely surprise on Saturday. I received a Christmas card from Vivian Swift. She is the author of "When Wanderers Cease to Roam" and has a delightful blog. Do check it out. Here is my card:

Receiving the card was a surprise even though I had asked for one. You see, she announced on her blog that she was sending cards to the first 25 people who emailed her with a request for one. As it turns out she got 46 requests and I believe she sent one to each of them. I didn't know if I had gotten my email to her in time, but was thrilled to receive this as an early Christmas present. Thanks, Vivian!

Speaking of Christmas cards, if I am going to get the few I send each year made, I'd better get on my horse. Do you believe December is almost half over already?

It is my dear brother-in-law's birthday today. Happy, happy birthday, Tom!

So much to do, so little time.

xoxo