Snow Days #1 & #2!

We were predicted to have 10"to 14" of snow between Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday noon.  Many times we prepare for "the big one" and it never happens.  BUT, this time the meteorologists were absolutely right!!  We got out of school early on Tuesday, and we stayed home Wednesday and Thursday. I really was thrilled about Tuesday.  I can always use a break mid-winter, but I didn't really need Thursday.  Hopefully we are done with snow days now.

Staying home gave me some time to work on the benefit we are having for my brother-in-law who is dealing with esophageal cancer and can no longer work.  I've been busy contacting many businesses looking for things to donate and make some money to help them with their living expenses.  I've created a blog about it.  If you are interested you can view it here, or click on it in my sidebar--For Dale's Benefit.

I also got in some sewing time.  I've been working on a few Valentine's Day projects.  I have two things to sew binding on, and another thing to finish.  I did finish one little project.

It combines two things I love to do--embroider and sew!

And it just fits on this little stand I just bought.

Back to the real world tomorrow!!
 (On hard surface roads only.)

Outside My Window/On My Lap

I have this outside my window today.

Granted it's only about 3-4 inches which isn't much for Iowa.  But, it is enough to have a late start.  Seems the roads are slick! 

That means I can do a little of this  before school this morning.

Sewing on binding is not my favorite thing to do.  I don't mind whip stitching, but I don't like blind stitching anymore.  It's too hard on my eyes!  I can't wait to get this quilt done to share.  

Maybe tomorrow.

Catch Up

We had snow day #6 this past Wednesday.  Technically it was an ice day.  This is a picture of the ice on my front porch.

And this photo is the inside of the railing which has a roof over it.

All that ice also led to a 2 hour late start the next day.  Late starts are something we rarely have.  Our superintendent doesn't really believe in them. He thinks two hours doesn't make much of a difference.  That leads us to driving on some slick roads at times.  I was thankful for this late start as the snowplow didn't come by until right before I was to leave home.

What did I do all day?  Well, I sewed of course!  I had worked on Trina and Tanner's baby quilt the night before and had almost gotten the top together.  I wasn't happy with it and thought about it through the night.  So, I tore it apart and started over.  Got it all completed and sent it off to be quilted.  I can't show pictures until the baby is born.  They've seen the fabric(The Very Hungry Caterpillar), but I want them to be surprised with how it turned out.

Yesterday I spent a large chunk of time  with these:

They're 41 science journals to evaluate.  It's report card time, and the science grade was the last thing I had to do.  After several hours I had them completed and grades posted.  Wohoo!  Report cards done for another quarter.  Now to get the parent teacher conferences done.
After that I hit the craft room.  I still had those L'Amour charm packs to do something with.  I used one pack and made this table topper. Using the free pattern from The Fat Quarter Shop.

I just machine quilted straight lines  throughout the middle.  Then I  sewed hearts in the border.  I think you can see them in this photo.  It still needs to be washed and dried and then it will be put on my table.

Sore shoulders and an aching back is what I got with all of that sitting, grading, and sewing!  But it's a good feeling of accomplishment.

Chicken Fingers

It's Friday, so that means it is time for a new recipe.  We are trying to watch what we're eating so I've dug out some healthier recipes.  If you're looking for some great recipes that are easier on your waist check out Hungry Girl.  We have eaten these chicken fingers many times and they are great! Chicken Fingers Ingredients: 6 oz.  Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts (raw); cut lengthwise into 5 strips 1/2 cup Fiber One cereal 1/4 cup Egg Beaters, Original 1/4 tsp. Lawry's Garlic Salt pepper (to taste)  Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Using a blender or food processor, grind Fiber One cereal to a breadcrumb-like consistency. Add Garlic Salt and pepper to crumbs.  Place crumbs in one small dish and Egg Beaters in another. Next, coat raw chicken strips with Egg Beaters and then with crumb mixture. Place strips on a baking pan sprayed with nonstick spray.  Spray a light mist of nonstick spray on top of strips and place in oven. Cook for 10 minutes, and then turn strips over.  Add another light mist of nonstick spray and cook for an additional 8 - 10 minutes (until chicken is fully cooked and Fiber One looks crispy).  Enjoy!  Serves 1. Calories:  240  Fat: 3.25g  Sodium: 805mg  Carbs: 26g  Fiber: 14g Sugars: 0.58g Proteins: 42.5g  4 WW points (Photo courtesy of Hungry Girl) Check out Colleen's blog for more great recipes! We had snow day #6 Wednesday.  Actually it was an ice day, but no school nonetheless.  I managed to get Trina and Tanner's baby's quilt pieced and ready to quilt.  I had a large part of it put together the night before, but I just wasn't happy with it.  In the night (when I should have been sleeping) I knew how I needed to change it.  So, I got up and tore it out and started over.  ( I don't want to share photos until the baby is born.) It was a great day, but I know I'll be wishing we hadn't had it come June!  It's report card time, so I'm busy with those.  Have a great weekend.

Snow Day #4

Our current weather.  Believe it or not, it has warmed up.  Temps will be going down tonight.  It will be

 -20 by this weekend!

Outside my window---after 6.5" of snow and still snowing!

The wind is beginning to pick up, which is expected to become a problem.  MANY schools in the area are closed for the day including ours.  Those that didn't close are now closing early in anticipation of the winds and reduced visibility.

On my lap--I WILL finish this hand quilting and get the binding on so I can finish it.

At my feet--Cuddles.  This may be her first appearance on my blog.  She doesn't spend much time in the house--mostly when we have extreme temperatures like we're having lately and when it's REALLY hot in the summer.

My brother and SIL are on their way here, so I will do a little baking--soup's already on.  And what will you do today?

Snow Days--1, 2, & 3

Well, winter is upon us!  We started hearing about this storm last weekend.  It was predicted to be a big one, but you just never know.  Nevertheless, Bud stopped at the grocery store to stock up on some essentials and a few baking supplies--just in case.  When we went to bed Monday night we thought we'd go to school and then have an early out.  But Tuesday morning about 6:15 the call came that school was canceled.  I was thrilled! I can always use another day to work on Christmas gifts even if I do have to make it up later in the year.  And I got a LOT done.

I worked with this black and white fabric again to make another gift.

I made the santa to go on my wall hanging.

I made the first of our Christmas treats--peanut clusters.

I cut rectangles  out of old blue jeans to use in a quilt.

And I did some hand quilting on my quilt.  And of course I did the laundry.

I used my day well, and would have been happy to go back to school on Wednesday, but we knew that wasn't to be.  The phone call came Tuesday evening about 7:00 p.m.  Another snow day on Wednesday!
That was to be expected due to the weather.

So on Wednesday I cut out more quilt squares and batting.  Did some applique and made this quilt.  (It still needs to have the seams clipped and washed so they fray.  That explains all of the lint!)

I can show you this one as I know my grandsons don't read my blog! :)  It may look similar to this quilt that I made last Christmas.  But that quilt was a queen size and this one is a lap robe for watching tv.  Payton is a Case IH nut!

I also worked on a blog for my brother.

I wrote our Christmas letter and did some more laundry.  Now, I'm ready to go back to school,  and I am  feeling a little better about the things I have to make for Christmas.

With the 8" or so that we've had along with the blowing winds, we figured we would have a late start and go hard surfaces only on Thursday.  Well, we were WRONG!  The call came about 7:15 p.m.  NO SCHOOL THURSDAY.  Now, this is getting old!!

This is what we have been dealing with--

I guess this means we'll be going to school in June!