Out My Studio Window and Around the House

Last week another storm added a new layer of snow to the valley.

Deer tracks in the snow. Food is getting harder to find.

The deer have taken all the apples they can reach from the trees. They are trimming the bushes near the house and visiting the bird feeders.

The temperature is rising this week. A hoarfrost on Wednesday melts as the sun hits it, raining down ice crystals.

The air is damp in the evenings creating pastel sunsets.

Groundhog's Day

The day started like this, a misty morning and a deer enjoying breakfast outside my studio window.

A little later I spied these two groundhogs behind the house.

They are summer guests this year, lodging in the old chicken coop.

At day's end we watched the sunset.

A View from the Top

Another very busy week has passed. My April calender is so full that I suspect I will need most of May to recover. I finally added some of my new colored Flying Geese Quilt Block Pendants to my Etsy Shop. I finished these pieces a few weeks back but did not have time to photograph and list them.

The fabric sale was a big success. Thanks to all who attended and worked at the sale. Sharon's family really appreciated your help!

The weather has been beautiful lately, perfect for long walks on our land. Our latest hike took us up to the ridge line above the farm. Through the trees you can see a glimpse of the barn down in the valley.

It is a treat to see the sunset from above. We usually see just a sliver of it from our view in the valley.

Wishing you a wonderful rest of your weekend!

Sunset Today - Amazing!

Making Every Minute Count - Updated Friday PM

Update***Patsy has a post about the fabric sale with photos. ***Click here***

A couple weeks ago I took a few evenings off to enjoy the last of nice weather. We had some glorious days. My husband and I took a couple of trips up the hill to watch the sunset.

Last weekend I finished putting together a jewelry shipment for the Iowa Artisans Gallery in Iowa City. It took a bit longer than I had planned. I ended up with a head cold that stole most of my energy. It took 16 hours of sleep to put me on the path to recovery.

I have also been working on some stained glass snowflakes and Christmas ornaments for the local art galleries and an upcoming craft show. Stained glass is the perfect cold weather project. I cut the glass after work in the last of the daylight and cover the edges with copper foil in the evening after dinner. I should be able to get some of these finished by the end of the weekend.

Speaking of this weekend, I will be helping with the fabric sale this Saturday in Blue River, WI. There is a link to the sale information in the upper right hand corner of my blog. Four dates are scheduled, spread out over the next week and a half. There is so much fabric to choose from. Volunteers have been sorting and organizing by color and theme for weeks. There are a few sewing machines available too. Tell all your friends. The prices are too good to pass up.

P.S. Don't miss your chance to enter my 100th blog post giveaway. Drawing will be this Sunday.

Sunset and Queen Anne

The Queen Anne's lace is in bloom everywhere! The neighboring fields are blanketed in a carpet of white that seems to go on forever.




I have always loved the delicate flowers that compose this plant, especially the blood red flower in the center. It really makes me marvel at the wonder of nature.


Perseids Meteor showers will be at peak in the early am on August 12th. Look to the sky just after the moon sets.

Lake Day

We never know what kind of weather we will have when we visit the lake. Today was a lake day. The tempurature was perfect for watersports and snuggling up with a book under a shadetree. It was also a great day for building a sand castle for snail "princesses".





















There are still a lot of early fishing cabins along the shoreline. I hate to see these give way to the bigger homes that are slowly taking their place.



















One of my favorite places on the lake is Pelican Point, a long sandbar that separates the larger part of the lake from the smaller portion. I can definately see myself in that hammock on a long summer day.



















Days end...