Is it just me or did January seem like it was on a fast break?
I spent a fair amount of January mornings removing snow or branches. So far, I’ve taken nine truck loads of pine branches to recycling.
A couple of the branches broke fence piece. The pieces were salvaged, and I hope we can patch in the spring because they don’t make that fence style anymore.
The raspberries along with everything else were loaded down with snow and ice.
The new Toro snowblower arrived, was put together, and when the icy snow came off the barn roof, it cleared it quickly.
We have two trees that were damaged with the heavy snow and winds. They need to be trimmed and cleaned up as the weather permits. Last year, we sold three huge chainsaws that I could barely lift and that needed a manly approach to get them started. We bought a 10″ Craftsman battery powered saw that I love. That little saw and I can do a lot of cleanup. It’s a simple tool – one screw, one cover, one chain, one oil receptacle, and slap a battery on it. I take it apart and clean it after every use and just replaced the chain. Highly recommend it.
I finished two paper pieced table toppers. Small projects sometimes take more time than large ones, and this was certainly the case here. I always learn something, but I sure was glad to be finished. With paper piecing, you sew on the lines of the paper with the fabric on the back and then trim excess fabric. The second photo shows the fabric sewn on the back for pieces 1, 2, and 3. You trim after each piece is sewn on.
We’ve got an arctic ‘breeze’ coming in this weekend with actual temperature of -18°F / -51° with windchill. Now, that’s what even we New Englanders call ‘wicked cold.’
I’ll be inside with hot coffee, sewing, and reading Archie Mayor’s Joe Gunther series based in Brattleboro VT. Good mysteries, and it’s always fun to read about towns you actually recognize and have visited.
Happy February everyone and stay warm if you’re in the Northeast!
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Judy, you sure have been busy! Just reading this makes me cold and tired! Happy February!
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I was feeling pretty good about those loads of branches until the other two trees broke. Oh well, gives me something to do I guess when the weather warms up which sure isn’t happening this weekend. 🙂
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Yikes! Now that is winter. We haven’t had much of it. Another dusting overnight but we are also going to get that cold arctic air this weekend. Just not as cold as you will.
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Once in the Midwest, we had -24° wind chill, and I thought that was the coldest I’d ever see. Wrong. 🙂 Stay warm.
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Wow! I don’t think we’ve ever seen a wind chill that low. Maybe -15 but even that is very rare.
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I am glad the new snow blower arrived and passed its first test. I hope the fence can be repaired. I remember having to repair ours (before we had our pine trees taken down) after a large limb crushed it. The sewing project looks good. I understand how small projects can be deceiving. Bundle up this weekend. The cold won’t last long, so I hope we can sit it out inside.
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I gathered the broken off pickets, and we’re going to try putting a piece of wood inside and then attaching it with screws. It’s very brittle but any type of patch will be better than replacing a lot of panels. Yes, this weekend calls for bundling up and staying inside.
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WOW to everything! Your portrait of winter is gorgeous, your winter work is dreadful, and your artwork, as always, is wonderful. You are most surely that rolling stone that gathers no moss! You are totally mossless! I am glad that you have that powerful little saw — it would seem you and it will be busy a long time. NINE truckloads of branches? And -51? Oh, yes, keep that coffee foam going!
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What do you think? Do I need an extra large batch of cookies or brownies to go with that coffee this weekend? I think, yes. 🙂
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Absolutely! Health food!
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I think your area got hit harder by the storms in January than ours did. That’s a lot of branches you hauled away. By contrast, there were only a few in our yard. I picked them up and threw them over the fence into the woods. (One of the benefits of living by the woods.) I am always amazed by how much you can do. You are a wonder, that’s what you are. Those table toppers are so bright and cheerful. They sing “spring, spring, spring!” Stay warm and snug this weekend. If you get Peacock, you might want to give “Poker Face” a try. It’s a murder mystery series a la Columbo and so much fun.
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I will look “Poker Face” up. Thank you! I have worked that little saw, but the last two trees have huge branches that broke about half way down. It may require spring, a younger member of the family, and the pole chainsaw to cut them down at the break. I kind of prefer working on the ground these days. 🙂
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Good to know your limits! The table toopers are so fun, and you definitely need cookies. Stay warm!
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Happy February Judy!
You have been busy! Glad you can get stuff cleared and taken away during these cold months and a saw to help you with it all.
Those table toppers are darling.
What an inspiration you are!
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Thank you. Hope your visit is going well, and you’re have a great time.
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Love, love, love the table toppers! They announce the coming of spring in spades!
We have nothing here in the way of snow, and that’s how I like it. But we are going to be caught in the coming cold snap. Just hope no one has the misfortune to lose their power.
You did a lot of limb hauling. I sure hope that fence can be repaired. Between you and Dennis you’ll figure out some Rube Goldberg fixer-upper.
I’m with you on the speed with which January arrived and departed! Time moved much slower when I was younger! :>) And I move much slower now that I’m older! WTH?
Happy February. Wishing you warmth and sunshine.
Ginger
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Yes, we’ll do what Dennis refers to as ‘cobble’ those fence pieces together so the panels don’t have to be replaced. 🙂 The sun is shining which is always good for the spirit. Cold as heck though, and I have to go out and move a couple of plants and see if my truck will start. Then I’m inside and hope to stay warm.
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How did it get to be February! I think we only had a handful of those cold but beautifully sunny January days!
Keep warm my friend! I plan on keeping the fireplace stoked, and staying inside until Sunday where there is a rumor it might get above freezing.
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You and me both! We have an out of town appointment today, and then we’re hunkering down until it passes on Sunday. I’ve got books, sewing, coffee, and dessert – I’m good. 🙂
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You’re all set. I’m heading to the market soon for some last-minute things. I also got books, sewing, coffee, and music and bread rising in the kitchen. Who could ask for anything more?
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You win being prepared though because you have fresh bread. 🙂
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Had slice for breakfast, toasted. I don’t think there is anything I like more!
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Oooh! I love those table toppers! Stay cozy this weekend!
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Thank you. 🙂
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Oh, I though -2 was cold! That’s how cold it’s gotten here! We’re expecting more snow and rain later on this week but, with it is coming warmer temperatures. We’ll hit the 30’s! You win!!! Yeah, I know not really something you wanna win at. 🤣
I can’t run a chainsaw! I think it’s wonderful that you can, and you’re amazing because you can on top of that you disassemble it, clean it, and most of all put it back together too! AMAZING!!!
Your birdhouse quilts toppers are adorable!
Stay warm!!! 🤗
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This saw has a 10″ chain, so it’s small, but it has an attitude. 🙂 I’d sure like your 30’s this weekend, and I’m glad you like the toppers.
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It’s a lot more complex that my old carving knife! 🤣
Your sewing projects are so good!
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I love the paper piecing method and would love to try it. Maybe heart shapes on potholders for the girls’ Valentine gifts baskets inspired by your red and white squares. Your birdhouses are so pretty and sing a song of (much needed) spring! It’s cold here, too, with an 8” dump of snow from last weekend still piled up. I’m inside sewing and reading right along with you!
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We had 18″ of snow in January, but knock on wood we haven’t had any in about a week except for what rolled off the barn roof. 🙂 I know I would enjoy seeing what you are sewing because of your beautiful hand work. ‘Jack the ripper’ is always close at hand for me because I’m not that skilled but I do persevere. 🙂
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Your pieced table toppers are the perfect antidote to winter’s gloom. It’s in the teens here today, but sunny outside so I’ll take it. Stay warm.
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Thank you, and sunshine always makes it better no matter what the actual temperature is outside.
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Hi Judy, my daughter, and SIL are flying to Vermont tonight for a few days at a resort. Couldn’t have picked a colder weekend – wicked cold, indeed. Glad you like the new snow blower.
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Hope they have a great time in Vermont and find plenty to do indoors for about 24 hours of that time. Sunday is suppose to be rather moderate. The Green Mountains are beautiful.
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Goodness, you’ve been busy, Judy! My twinster owns a battery-powered chainsaw. She agrees with you—it’s great! I better check it out. Your table toppers are cheerful! They make me smile. Happy February to you too!
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We had this cycle going with the large chainsaws – they wouldn’t start, we’d get them tuned up $$$, we’d use them, they’d sit, and back around again. This one starts every single time once you slap the battery on. It is so much easier for this ‘mature’ woman. 🙂
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Yes! That’s wh
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Glad the new blower works well. Nothing like a good quality tool, I say. Nice cheerful, springy wall hangings… Feb. 1 is celebrated in Ireland as the first day of spring, but it looks like we will have to wait a bit longer! Stay warm and cozy this weekend!
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Oh, to be in Ireland this weekend. 🙂 Right now, we’re looking at -32° this afternoon and -49° wind chill at 3 a.m. tomorrow. Here’s hoping your temps are even a few degrees warmer.
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Thanks, we’re bracing for it. Lots of wood on the porch to feed the stove. Stay safe and warm!
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Your two mini quilts are gorgeous. I can’t imagine what all that snow and icy temperatures would be like. Here we are in the middle of a heatwave, with mid 30C temperatures but extreme humidity which raises the “feels like” temperature by several degrees. We don’t use our air conditioning that often but it’s on overdrive this week.
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Thank you. Global weather changes – your A/C is running not stop and our heater is doing the same. Our weather patterns are all over the board, and they not only affect the individuals who live here but the economy as well. We had a wicked hot and humid summer last year. Not sure where it’s going, but it certainly concerns me.
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You are made of sturdier stuff than I am. I think I’d head inside at the first sign of below 50 degree temps and stay there until it warmed up again.
Your mini quilt pieces are so pretty! I love the buttons on the bird houses!
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Thank you. These wicked cold temps will see me inside except for driving my truck a couple of miles to keep the battery charged. We need to make it through 24 hours, and the system passes. Fingers crossed everyone’s power stays on.
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That is brutally cold! The quilting came out nice.
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Thanks. It will be interesting to see how the plants come through it when spring does roll around.
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Love the quilting as always as well as the snow, although I’m sad you lost fence parts. Snowblowers are the best and your new chainsaw sounds just right. I remember a day in Illinois when wind chill brought the temperature down to -52 below. I, like you, enjoyed staying inside that day and I’m sure I read as I do every day. I’m going to check out, literally and figuratively, your author suggestion. I just blew through Laura Lippman’s Tess Mongahan series and several of Joseph Finder’s Nick Heller series. Wish I could send you some of our warmth and you could share moisture. ❤
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White plastic fence panels get brittle over the years, and when the pine branches came down, they just took off the tops and splintered the panel. Not being able to replace the same panels will require a little creativity in the spring, but we’ve done it in the past so I’m hopeful. Oh, I would gladly share moisture for heat this weekend. 🙂
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Stay warm, Judy! We had some unusual cold here recently, though nothing like what you are experiencing.
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Will do, and I’m glad you haven’t had these extreme temps.
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The quilts are gorgeous! Our landscape is a mess but too icy to take care of the downed trees and very long white pine branches. The river has finally receded leaving a bit of green riverside. I started back trucking for the post office I pray my car and boss’s truck starts Sat. morning at 2 am. Stay safe.
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Thank you. Once the weather warms up and the snow melts, we’re sure going to have an ‘opportunity’ to be outside. The tree area at recycling is sure going to be busy. Go USPS! I hope both the vehicles start too because that’s suppose to be one of the colder times. At least while we stuck inside, I know that you’ll be creating beautiful pieces of artwork. 🙂
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Thanks Judy
I am grateful to have the land to pile my damaged trees for the critters or rent a shredder and lay it down as mulch but so much work and I want to start veggies. I am doing some winter seeding in milk jugs at the end of Feb to get lots of flowers in the yard this year.
Stay safe and warm.
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I imagine a lot of us will be staying inside. making art, and reading this weekend.
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I think you are right on. Stay warm and safe.
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Stay warm!
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You too!
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Happy February, Judy! You should be done with the frigid cold, as we are, this week. After the gray dregs of January, the sun has been shining on consecutive days, which makes me happy. No matter the temp or shorter days in winter, I still require sun. Have a wonderful week…we are getting closer to spring!
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You are so right – sunshine makes the day much better. It’s shining bright right now so we’ll also grab some solar heat. It’s a good day!
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I love that picture of your raspberry vines. Or are they called canes? It makes me look forward to summer!
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Either works for me, and I’m looking forward to summer too. 🙂
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I hope the weekend weather was manageable. I can’t have been fun. Your paper pieced work is lovely Judy. Happy reading.
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Thank you. We had the forecasted -48, and it was like being in the Antarctic. I had to go outside a couple of times, and I had enough clothes on to be a mummy. It was dreadful. We have a well built house with steel doors and storms, and double paned windows, but houses just weren’t made for those kind of wind and temps. The inside walls were even cold. I hope I never see it again. Bring on spring! 🙂
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You always manage to get so much done, even in the dead of winter!! Lovely work, Judy!
Stay warm, be well, and dream thoughts of spring 🙂
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Hello my friend to the north! Great to hear from you. Hope you and your family are all well and looking forward to spring as much as I am. Bring on the warmer weather. You’re still missed. 🙂
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