Winter Road Trip

Good morning,

I've had a chance to download and format the pictures I took last week on our way to Florida.  When we left Cincinnati it was bitter cold with snow on the ground and more snow on the way.

The ice waterfalls in northern Kentucky are pretty.  They are colored, though, by exhaust fumes of trucks climbing the hill from the Ohio River Valley.

Toward the top of the hill the ice isn't quite as stained by exhaust.

Although bitter cold, the weather was dry and sunny the day we left Cincinnati.

More images of our road trip to come....

All the best,
Lois

Where do Big Barns Come From?

Good morning,

Do you know where big barns come from?

They surely come from little barns!

Buy your little barn from a responsible breeder.

;),
Lois

OK - I get a little corny sometimes.  I think it's the weather.  ;)

No Day for a Picnic in Cincy

Good morning,

I'm going through pictures I took just before we left Cincinnati last week. 

There will be no picnics in Cincinnati for awhile!

;),
Lois

Meet Shadow

Good morning,

Meet Shadow.  That pretty feline is also a member of our household now that our Granddaughter Anna is living with us. 

Anna texted these images to me that she took with her camera phone.

Shadow was cuddling with Anna's knit hat that I made for her.

Although our dogs and Shadow get along just fine, Shadow lives in a part of the house where they are only together once in awhile.

That is a good thing.  ;)

All the best,
Lois

Quick Trip to Viera Wetlands

Good morning,

Whenever we get near Melbourne, Florida, we have to stop at Viera Wetlands for a quick visit.

There is always someone here to greet us and provide for some great images to take home.

The birds hang out here waiting for lunch to pass through the recirculating water.

Of course, Mr. Alligator is out there, too, waiting for lunch to pass by.

So pretty!

 These two young guys were here with their Mom who didn't seem to have them under control.  They were throwing rocks at alligators, who, incidentally, don't have any fences between them.  Not only is it dangerous, it is just plain WRONG to throw rocks at the animals at the Wetlands or anywhere.

The Mom in me told the kids to stop throwing the rocks which I did in my Mom voice.  When I mentioned it to their Mom who returned after she had wandered off to use a portable bathroom just outside the wetlands leaving them on their own, she was quite upset that I had told them to stop throwing rocks.  *sigh*

Another couple visiting the Wetlands who saw the whole exchange complimented me on telling the kids to stop throwing the rocks.  

Sometimes you just have to get involved.

Lois

Accidents in Georgia

Good morning,

We travel many highway miles every year so see our share of accidents.

Fortunately, it appeared no one was injured in this one.

It seems someone was changing lanes and didn't leave enough space judging from the damage and position of the cars.

Traffic was under control...

 ...on both sides of the highway.

 We had barely gotten out of the traffic jam of the accident when we...

 ...saw another.  This one looked much more serious.

When we see people driving fast and weaving in and out of traffic we wonder if we'll see them in an accident further up the road.  This time we did.  :(

Drive safely, everyone! 

Lois

Flag in Rags

Good morning,

We travel the same route every ten weeks and see this huge Georgia State Flag every time. 

This trip, though, it was in tatters.

Perhaps that is indicative of the controversy surrounding it.

Lois

New Carrying Old

Good morning,

We are on the road again going South.

We get a kick out of all of the vintage vehicles we see on the move so often.

I took these images in Georgia.

Have I mentioned we (I gifted it to our daughter so it is still in the family) own a '68 Mustang?  Ah, yes, that was a fun car!

Enjoy,
Lois

So Well Behaved

Good morning,

Today's images are courtesy of our Granddaughter, Anna, who is living with us while she attends Xavier University.

Anna was in the kitchen preparing a meal.  The dogs know they are to wait in the dining room (on the other side of the butler's pantry) while we are cooking.

Sure enough, they all sat there, watching the kitchen action intently.

They are ready to respond immediately whenever they might be called upon for Lab Testing.  ;)

So cute!

Lois

Three Dogs and One Log

Good morning,

Those are our three "kids" in this image:  Erik, Penny, and Wendy.  In the background you can see just a few of the many toys these kids have.

But, with all those toys, they are all waiting for a turn for a chew on the log Erik is chewing right now.  Dogs are just like kids.

 I'm sure if you have multiple pets in your house you have similar stories.

;),
Lois

Chili With Beans - Quick Meal

Good morning,

Here's another favorite around here, especially when we want something warm and don't have much time to make it.

That's chili with beans made the easy way:  dice one medium onion and brown with a couple pounds of ground chuck roast.  Drain off grease, then add a can of dark kidney beans and a can of tomato sauce.   Season to taste with 2 to 4 tablespoons of chili powder, pepper, and salt. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.

Prepare spaghetti per package directions.  Mine is boiling in water with a little olive oil and salt.  Drain the spaghetti and serve...

...with shredded cheddar cheese.  You can also add diced raw onions, but I made this batch so fast I forgot to dice the onions before I took it all to the table.

We really enjoyed this cold weather meal!

All the best,
Lois

Needlework and Hand Crafted Wood Update - February, 2015

Good morning,

We've been busy again this month! I often surprise myself when I get out all of the pictures together each month for the Needlework and Wood Update.

Above is a custom order sweater in Men's XXL.  I truly enjoyed designing and making this one.  It has gone to live in Texas where it can get very cold in the winter.

This shawl is another custom order.  It is so very soft and warm for a lady who lives near Chicago.  The combination of two types of yarn produce a stunning fabric.

The colors of this warm browns afghan blanket reminds me of a yummy dessert:  80 raised circles of cream and shades of dark and light chocolate and dark cherries are surrounded by shades of malted milk, caramel, and milk chocolate.  Yum!

 Two more chemo caps are in the shop to restock, too.  Above is a lovely shade of mocha and...

 ... this one is camel color.  I take pictures in both natural light and flash for the listings in our on line shop.

 My Honey has been VERY busy in his wood workshop. 

 He has designed and created several gorgeous band saw jewelry boxes.

 Some have been spoken for and some are in the shop.

 I featured this one a few days ago.  It is my Valentine present from My Honey.  :)

 This gorgeous jewelry box is in the shop.

 And, this one has already been purchased.

My Honey is making puzzle boxes, too.  When you open the one above...

...you find a beautiful blue flocked interior jewelry box inside.

This box is a little larger and features...

an extra little compartment with lid inside.  Darling!  What a beautiful presentation for an engagement ring or a jewelry box for earrings and necklace.

To restock the shop, we have also added four free standing bird houses.

These are so darling to display in a shelf, near your computer, or...

...to use as place card weights for a wedding dinner, rehearsal dinner, or other event.

They will also be beautiful as Easter decorations.

So, this is what we've been designing and creating this month.  It is so much fun to work on our projects and offer each other encouragement as we plan our designs and finish projects.

I enjoy following your blogs to see what you are doing, making, and photographing, too.  There is so much talent to enjoy out here in blog land.


All the very best,
Lois

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