I don't like snow. Really. I don't like it. After living in Wisconsin for seven very long, very cold, very white winters, I seriously do not like snow. And yet, a couple of weeks ago I found myself wishing for snow. It astounded me. Where did that come from? Seriously. I do not like snow. But when the temperatures hit a record breaking 72 degrees in the middle of January, something is wrong. 72 degrees does not feel like winter. In fact, 72 degree weather makes me long for summer. And January in Virginia is a long way away from the summer days that I love so very much. I don't like being teased like that. Thus, my convoluted wish for snow.
Yesterday, my wish came true. The forecast was for a few hours of snow turning to sleet and then rain later in the day. Fine. I can handle that, because that is more like the Virginia winters I am used to. And so when I heard the forecast, I thought to myself, "bring on the snow!" And snow it did. All day long. It accumulated quickly and continued to fall. One inch. Two inches. Three inches. Four inches. Almost five inches of snow. Not what they had predicted at all. And, by the way, why on earth were my kids still in school? It was snowing to beat the band and my kids were sitting up at the high school anxiously awaiting the good news of an early dismissal. But the good news never came. They waited and waited, only to hear... nothing... keep working... settle down... pay attention... you are not going home early. Huhn? What was up with that? Our district is notorious for releasing the kids early. They've been known to send them home at the very first hint of the white stuff. Heck, in the past they've even canceled school before snow started falling. That's how overly cautious they are. So where on earth were my kids?
In the meantime, John was scheduled for an infusion, but I had no meds. The meds were sitting on a truck... in the snow. And the nurse - she was calling me asking if she could come early due to early dismissal. Poor girl, driving in the muck and the mess. But since I had no meds, and since my son was still sitting in class, we couldn't make that happen. Darn snow. Eventually, the meds did arrive, as did my son, as did the nurse. But I spent the entire afternoon fretting and stewing as I wondered if the infusion would actually happen.
Today the snow is melting. They delayed school for two hours. Sure. Better make up for their error from yesterday. The news is reporting angry parents. No doubt. It's one thing if this was a pattern. But, no. They deviated from the norm, and people don't like that. As for me, I'm enjoying the blue skies and warmer temperatures while I can because more snow is predicted over the weekend. Yep, that's winter in Virginia... it's a fickle thing.
Before the snow fell, this is what I'd been working on:
Last weekend I decided it was time to spiff up my kitchen. Usually, I add seasonal patterns to my table. You know - snowmen in the winter, flowers in the spring, leaves in the fall. That sort of thing. I'm actually quite anal about it. In fact, I've got quite a collection of placemats and table runners that I've made through the years - lots of things to choose from. But for some reason, I decided to deviate this winter. Color. That's what I need. Bright, sunny, fun colors. And so I rummaged through my stash of fabric and this is what I found - exactly what I wanted... until I ran into a wall. Do you see the multi-striped fabric in the upper left photo? The stuff that reminds me of a circus? Yeah, that. My intention was to use that fabric as binding around the placemats and the new table runner, which I did. And I hate it. ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY HATE IT. So I set the project aside. Today I'm contemplating what to do next. The quilt top still needs "quilted", but the placemats are done. Yep. Done. Finished. Complete. Six placemats, ready to use. But I won't. I can't... I just can't bring myself to putting something so garish on my table. And so my options are this: 1) use the placemats and cringe every time I walk into my kitchen (which in my mind is not an option at all), or 2) tear them all out and find a different fabric to use (clearly, the option of choice).
In the meantime, Alyssa's sewing machine is now sitting in the dining room on a chair (I used her sewing machine for this project because it has quilting attachments), my ironing board is still set up in the kitchen, and the finished placemats are still annoying the holy heck out of me. My favorite part of this kind of project is the actual quilting, and I haven't even gotten that far yet because I am so disgusted with the placemats. Phfft. I'm so mad at myself. I should have known that multi-striped, circus fabric was not my style. What on earth was I thinking?
In an attempt to squelch my annoyance, I ran to the bookstore and purchased this book:
A fellow crafter recommended the book, and when she told me she couldn't put it down, I decided it must be a book worth reading. (Yeah, that's how I base my book selections... on what my peers have to say about a book. Not very scientific, but it works for me.)
I finished The Friday Night Knitting Club over the course of two nights. And I liked it. A lot. It was a story that will stay with me for a very long time, because this is a story about women and their strengths. It is the story about friendships and how differing personalities often make for the strongest ties. It is a story of love and motherhood and forgiveness. And although I wouldn't consider the book to be literary genius, I do consider the story to be one worth reading.
A quote at the top of the book cover sums it up perfectly:
"An absolutely beautiful, deeply moving portrait of female friendship. You'll laugh and cry along with these characters, and if you're like me, you'll wish you knew how to knit." --- Kristen Hannah, author of Magic Hour
And so there you have it - January days. Nothing earth shattering, but I'm keeping busy and these are the little things that make me smile. Because, really... who can complain about a little snow, a sewing project gone awry, and a good book? In my mind, this is what makes winter what it is - a time to nest and settle in as I anxiously await the arrival of spring.
Hey Kelly, long time no see. How's your furbaby? Your sewing inspires me. If you can take some time off work and sew, so can I! I got rid of my sewing room to build my studio, so I have to create space in my working office. THAT will be my week's project fit in between organization and work. I'm glad I am catching up w/ you b/c you've already inspired me in the first five seconds. Keep in touch. I've missed you!!!
Posted by: Barbie | January 22, 2008 at 07:58 AM
Read the book over the weekend as well. Told Elaine I was going to pass it her way when I finished it. . . .then I got to the last several chapters. SOOOOO can't pass it on! It was a good book though.
Posted by: heather | January 21, 2008 at 04:09 PM
Good luck on making your placemats turn out the way you want them to. I am sure you will think of something. I have picked up that book, but have not started it yet. I am finishing up Eat, Pray, Love.
Posted by: Heather at Grace303 | January 21, 2008 at 09:40 AM
Just wanted to add that I've read a lot of the same books you have, according to your sidebar list. Have you read Kristin Hannah? I think you might like her.
http://www.amazon.com/Magic-Hour-Novel-Kristin-Hannah/dp/0345467523
Let me nkow if you give her a try... : )
Posted by: Tracy Whitney | January 20, 2008 at 07:20 PM
Thanks for the book suggestion. Your method of selecting books to read is exactly the way I like to choose. Works for me!
Posted by: Tracy Whitney | January 20, 2008 at 07:17 PM
I'd rip and fix the bias myself. If I make something I don't like and don't fix it, it becomes clutter in the back of the cabinet. Might as well spend a little more time and make it something I can love (or at least live with!) ;-D
Hope you find what makes it perfect in your eyes!
Posted by: Kelly S. | January 20, 2008 at 02:37 PM
Kelly, I'm glad you got snow! And I think your placemats are adorable, although I can see the binding maybe not being your favorite. They are GREAT, though! Do you use a pattern to cut them into that perfect oval shape? How'd you DO that? I am thinking I need to get over my fear of free-form quilting by making some placemats and a table runner or two!
Posted by: Amy Sorensen | January 20, 2008 at 01:52 PM
Oooops. Meant "placemats" not "placements".
Posted by: Judie | January 20, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Don't put the placements in the fixing pile. Go grab some wide bias binding in a plain colour and sew that over the stripy binding. It'll work. Truly.
Posted by: Judie | January 20, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Glad that book has the "Kelly seal of approval" - I picked it up on a whim at Target a few weeks ago and its sitting on my "waiting to read" shelf (which I restocked pre-move and then have barely touched).
Miss you... hope we get to catch up soon!
Posted by: jenidallas | January 19, 2008 at 03:44 PM
Don't, I repeat don't move to Buffalo! Unlike you I do like snow. What I hate is the mailman and the newspaper delivery man walking across my beautiful white, pristine front lawn, urgh!! Unless it's bitter, bitter cold, it has to be a major snowstorm for us to close our schools so I usually don't expect it when we have snow. But I understand Virginia. I lived in Kentucky where they rarely get snow and a few flakes usually brought out the National Guard! Here's hoping spring comes soon for you. Me, I'm hunkering down for the long haul!
Posted by: Donna | January 19, 2008 at 02:28 PM
love the snow pictures - hoping to get some today AFTER my garage sale. LOL! as for the border, I completely missed that and couldn't figure out what you were talking about until I *really* looked - must be too early for me. HA!
Posted by: slammie | January 19, 2008 at 06:59 AM
So fun to see your sewing project!...but yeah...the stripes...for me, that would go into a 'someday I'll get around to fixing it' pile. Bit I like the idea of bright and cheery colors this time of year. I had to tell, I enjoyed The Friday Night Knitting Club also. And did you know Julia Roberts bought the rights before it was published? It's slated for 2009 - role written for her, I'd say.
Posted by: Kirsten | January 19, 2008 at 12:06 AM
Arrgghh. I wish I was doing what you were doing today! I was praying for a snow day too...but noooooo
Posted by: Denise | January 18, 2008 at 07:02 PM