Wednesday, January 2, 2013

You know you're old when...

You know you're old when you can't stay up past 10 p.m. on New Year's eve.  


Mr. Painted Quilt had an excuse because he spent a good part of Monday outdoors with Ollie cleaning up after the snow storm that blew in on Sunday.  

Thankfully one of our neighbors has a tractor who clears our driveway but not the walkway, paths and deck and let me tell you, there was a lot of snow.  We probably received about 10-12" but it was difficult to tell because of the strong winds that resulted in huge drifts that resembled sand dunes.

I took this photo early yesterday morning and you can see the mounds of snow that drifted against one of our barns.  And let me tell you, it's as cold as it looks!  Brrrr!



I usually start to de-Christmas-ize on the day after Christmas but for whatever reason, not this year.  Yesterday, Mr. PQ brought in the empty plastic bins from the workshop where we store them and I spent from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. packing everything away.  I even had to start a new bin because of the stuff I purchased at the after Christmas sales!




I cleaned, dusted and vacuumed as I went along and what took the most time was cleaning up the dry needles and leaves that fell from the natural greenery arrangements as soon as they were touched.  While they were on display in their containers, they looked and smelled wonderful but when it came to disassembling them...what a mess!



So now that the holidays are over for another year, it's time to focus on finishing up old projects and starting new ones.

I never did get Mr. PQ's second sock finished so that's what I'm now working on in the evenings.  I just managed to turn the heel which means I'm in the home stretch and my goal is to have it finished by Sunday night.  Hopefully I can stay on track.



My friend Darlene who is President of the Fundy Tide Quilter's Guild has designed a mystery quilt and she will be presenting the center medallion to the members at tomorrow night's meeting.  In addition, she will be offering the patterns and blocks on her blog on the first Friday of every month, the day after our meetings.  

If you'd like to read more about it, just click on the link to Darlene's blog here...Quilts by Darlene.  In her post she has given us a sneak peek of the first block.  I know I'll like it because Darlene and I have very similar tastes when it comes to color, fabric and design.

We all have tons of projects to work on but at a block a month, I figure it'll be stress-free and do-able.  This will be my first mystery quilt and I'm looking forward to it.  So come on and join in, won't you?  The more the merrier!



Although the snow has stopped falling, it has turned cold and the winds continue to howl.  By now you all know where you can find Frankie and Ollie...cuddling by the fire, of course!

Men...they're so predictable!  *wink*


ZZZzzzzzz
Happy New Year, my friends!


41 comments:

Darlene said...

I'm looking forward to your progress on Darlene's mystery quilt.

Taking down Christmas is never fun but even less when you have dried pine needles and such making a mess. Glad you got it done.

Stay warm!

Lesley said...

Love the picture of the barn! And Ollie and Frankie always look so content! Will look forward to seeing the mystery quilt unfold...and those socks being finished, giggle!

Anonymous said...

I've signed on at her blog to receive emails....maybe I can save them to do when I have time this year. I'm intrigued and naturally the fabrics are me too!

Elyte said...

We are approaching a heat wave and you are snowed under. I suppose that is as it should be on opposite sides of the globe. So many new projects on offer in the New Year and so tempting. Best wishes for the New Year.

Cindy said...

Thank you Kaaren. I just commented on Darlene's blog that I'd love to participate. Blogger is getting a bit of a problem this morning but I'll try to go through more of her blog to "get to know Darlene" a little better later today.

Thank you for sharing the info.

And, stay warm!

Debi said...

I knitted my first pair of socks as a Christmas gift for my husband. I didn't finish in time and he got one sock wrapped under the tree and got the second one a few days later. I'm now on my second pair... they are fun to knit!

Miriam said...

Happy New Year Kaaren!
Christmas got taken down today here too.
Love the photo of Frankie and Ollie!
It looks very cold there; we are expecting 41C here on Friday. I think somewhere in between would be much more comfortable!
I am about to start my first pair of socks.
I'm off to look at Darlene's blog....

Miriam said...

Happy New Year Kaaren!
Christmas got taken down today here too.
Love the photo of Frankie and Ollie!
It looks very cold there; we are expecting 41C here on Friday. I think somewhere in between would be much more comfortable!
I am about to start my first pair of socks.
I'm off to look at Darlene's blog....

Abby and Stephanie said...

9* here this morning. Brrr! Abby's Winter snooze place is right on top of the heat vent, where the warm air blows. Have fun with your new projects.

Teresa F. said...

A Happy New Year to you Kaaren.
I too I'm getting old, this year my " kids" spent New Year's Eve with their friends. It was me, DH and our dog Blackie in the house.
Nevertheless I got to spend the next day sewing which was great.
Hugs,
Teresa

sue bennett said...

Happy New Year to you. We only made it to 11..but woke up at 12:01 when someone was putting off fireworks over the lake. I hope to finish up a project that I am working on soon. Ollie and Frankie have the perfect spot. Stay warm.

kathyinozarks said...

Happy New Year what a gorgeous photo-Kathy

WoolenSails said...

I will wait till the end of the month. I do a lot of winter and snowman pieces, so I can enjoy them during the winter;) My husband got a snow blower, we still have to do stairs, but it makes it a lot easier and faster.

Debbie

gracie said...

Now that I remember it, I have a sock almost finished myself...I probably should pull it out and get it done...Stay warm!

sewprimitive karen said...

Good thing that ol' Ollie worked outside yesterday with Mr. PQ to earn all that contented rest w/Frankie. THAT is the most gorgeous photo and boy you don't get those unless it is truly cold out.

Janet O. said...

Oh, I love to see those predictable men cuddled by the fire. So cute!
I need to start taking down Christmas. I always wait until the day after New Years.
That first photo of the drifts by the barn--gorgeous! The sky and clouds caught my eye first. Well, it is gorgeous if you don't have to be out in it, I guess. : )

Mary said...

Your picture of the outside is beautiful, as well as the kids in front of the fire! Happy New Year.

Needled Mom said...

Brr....it does look cold, but beautiful.

Un-Christmasing always seems to take forever. I still find things here and there that have been forgotten. Sigh!

Heartsdesire said...

It's very cold here on the west coast today, but thankfully, we don't have any snow. The Christmas decorations have come down, and I've pulled out a few UFOs I'm hoping to finish up. Darlene's mystery quilt sounds like fun, but I will have to finish some other projects before I can begin anything new. I'll be watching your progress instead. The boys really know how to enjoy the day, don't they!

Susannah said...

Hi Kaaren...so glad your Christmas things are put away and behind you. I always think of that as a Huge job! Last night it got down to 4 degrees here in western NY. We were toasty but I still don't like it. I hope you and Mr. PQ have a wonderful 2013!

Kathy MacKie said...

Nice to see Ollie and Frankie have become best Buds!

Kindred Quilts said...

Gorgeous picture of your barn and snow drifts. Will be participating in Darlene's mystery quilt, a first for me. Looking forward to it... will be fun to see everyone's progress!

Taryn said...

Happy New Year, Kaaren! I still have decorations to put away but am saving it for the weekend. I started back to work today after an 11 day break and have a fresh new attitude. I hope it lasts. ;) Don't you like assessing your projects at the start of the year and making a commitment to at least one of them? It looks like you have the weather for those socks so keep knitting!

Unknown said...

Feliz Año Nuevo 2013,mis mejores deseos para este año que comienza.besos

Sandi said...

Happy New Year Kaaren, your snow looks delightful, sorry you got so much at once. We only have it up on the mountains where it also looks pretty.

Enjoy 2013 and have fun with the mystery quilt, sounds like the medallion will be pretty.

Anne-Marie said...

I'm very jealous of all that beautiful, pristine snow! It must be a real hassle for you, but I really wouldn't mind some...ha! Would give me an excuse to wrap up in one of my cosy quilts, too....mmmmm!
We don't take down Christmas until 12th Night, but I'm also dreading the pine needles....our old black Labrador usually manages to find a few stray ones in her paws....ouch! Happy New Year, Karen....lookin' forward to your new projects! x

moosecraft said...

EVERY picture of Frankie and Ollie makes me smile and giggle! :-) We still have our Christmas decorations out because I started decorating about Dec 20? lol! Looks like the tree will have to come down this weekend because it's very dry. I'm trying to stitch on some Valentine's so the house doesn't seem too bare after the Christmas clean up.

Angie said...

What a beautiful place you live, Kaaren!! I long for snow here---we used to get it every Winter but not any more. Love seeing the furbabies by the stove---and the projects you're working on. I'm going to check out the mystery quilt.

Sheila said...

Your area received more snow than we did but that wind has been fierce and cold these past few days. I get a kick out of Ollie and Frankie , they sure have become great pals and have found the best spot in the house to warm up :-)

Deb said...

i love this picture and love snow I would have helped shovel!!
Franklin is headless! oh dear

Annette-California said...

Wow it sure looks beautiful and cold where your at. Looking forward to seeing your mystery quilt as you make it:) Happy New Year to you. love Annette

antique quilter said...

Happy New Year! oh can't wait to see this mystery quilt keep us posted!
the barn picture is just sooooo beautiful , I love the snow :)
Kathie

Jocelyn said...

Happy New Year Kaaren. The picture of your barn is beautiful but looks ohhhh sooooo cold. It was 81 degrees here this afternoon, which is a welcome after several days in the 40's and 50's. I do hope your home is warm and cuddly. You pets seem to think so.

Candace said...

We'll take some of that snow here, Kaaren! Mr. Squash is dying to use his new snow shovel and we are bare and dry! Taking down the decoration is always bittersweet - sounds like you really had a day of it! So glad you're all safe and cozy inside!
Cheers!

Pam in IL said...

That's alot of snow and I hope it wasn't too hard on Mr. PQ moving it. We've been really cold here too, but not much snow.

Stay warm!

Unknown said...

Happy New Year. Très bonne année et très bonne santé.

Jantine said...

My goodness, that was a lot of snow indeed! It looks lovely, but I can understand the cold it comes with...

Janet said...

Hi, I must be very old, I went to bed at 8:00. I did hear fireworks though. Does that count?
The socks look so warm. I could use them right now. It is damp and 33 here in Texas.
I just love the way Ollie and Frankie have bonded. Friends for life.
Your snow looks so pretty.
Happy New Year.
Janet

Sue SA said...

Wow it looks cold at your place! I have never lived anywhere it snows (not many options in Australia!) so would love to experience one of your winters. But right now we are just glad today is cooler, only a high predicted of 32C, after sweltering through 45c of which we spent mostly in the car driving home from interstate, which was a good place to be as our house is only partially air conditioned!
Not so sure about this shovelling snow business though...sounds like hard work! Today I too have to take the Christmas decorations down, I really enjoyed seeing all of yours, thanks for sharing.

farmhousequilter8 said...

I wanted you to know that I got the door quilt hangers for Christmas that I wrote you about; the ones like you have.
Thanks so much for giving me the ordering info
Paula in KY

Elinor said...

Happy New Year to you, Kaaren !
Hugs from France,
Sylvie