We have two impossibly gigantic, Rackhamesque oak trees across the street from our house. Now denuded of leaves, their branches almost look like huge black feathers waving in the wind, especially this wind; it's been storming for two days. A week or so ago I had a dream that a tree fell from across the street into our yard (naturally, it was a different tree — that is, based on the place from where it fell it should have been one of the oaks, but because it was a dreamtree it wasn't anything like the oaks). I'm certain the dreamtree was much smaller than the real trees. It just missed the corner of the house. I believe that if one of the oaks falls, it will land on our roof.
Our luminous niece/goddaughter came to spend the night. We fed her pizza and waffles 'cause we're cool like that, or rather, she fed them to us. She made homemade pizza for dinner from scratch, proofed the yeast and made the dough and rolled it out and topped it off. I sat on a chair in the kitchen and talked her through it and it was so much fun. We watched Shirley Temple in Heidi and I knit and we talked about Lapponian reindeer-herding dogs (since she asked me what my second-favorite breed of dog is), and looked at pictures of them. I was worried the power might go out last night because of the wind, so I brought her a candle to keep near the bed just in case she needed to get up. It's hard to believe she is thirteen years old already.
I'm making curried lentil soup tonight, and we bought good semolina bread from one of my favorite bakeries. I'm working on a new cross-stitch sampler that I am redonkulously excited about. I realize that would sound like an oxymoron coming from the vast majority of people on earth.
Oh how can she be 13? Every time I see that beautiful cover photo on your book she makes me smile! Next year I am thinking of the beautiful nutcracker doll for my granddaughter. She will be 4 in the Spring and we took her to see a production this year, she was enthralled through most of it. So I think we do it agin next year with the doll!
DANG. Now I want to knit that shaw for real! Oh, and I'm gonna :)
i love how evocative all of your photos are. you can really FEEL the windy weather in these pics (and feel all of the good cheer in the xmas pics, too) - sounds like a perfect few days :)
I'm lovin this storm- we made hot cocoa and watched Narnia. Mmmmmm...
A new cross-stitch sampler? I can't wait to see it! :)
Agreed. Love the shawl. In my queue.
i LOVE those blue and white china plates!! And everything else, but I'd love to know the name of the pattern or manufacturer if you know it....
happy happy!
Your photos always make me feel warm and happy. Thanks for sharing.
Lovely! Raining all day here and with mighty winds, I wish trees falling were just a dream here - as the poor lilac in the yard isn't going to make it to 2012.
An earlier commenter was right. Looking at your photos makes a person feel like they are in the room/garden with you.
Windy here too and now it is raining hard. Good time to appreciate a cozy home, hot cocoa, happy pets and flannel pjs.
What a great evening. She will cherish this time with you so much. Cute dogs, but I think your puppy wins out.
I really enjoy your blog. I think it is beautiful how you share your creativity, joys, and sorrows. I find it truly inspiring. Thank you and many wishes for happiness and health in 2012 for you and yours.
And we thought our family (four year old included) was the only one to use the word redonkulously!
You snagged my heart there when you mentioned Lapponian Herders. I'm Scandinavian (via three countries) and I am so fascinated with the Sami people. An antique photograph of a Sami family (with a dog!) is my desktop. :)
Here in Wisconsin, Winter has been terribly sad, by which I mean it is about 30 degrees too warm and terribly lackluster in the snow department.
Ack, a new cross stitch? I still need to pick up the sampler if I'm not too late for it... You must come visit soon, I need to pick your wonderful, creative mind on some ideas for the house.
Once again, your photos are so welcoming! I immediately teared up at the mention of Heidi with Shirley Temple - one of my childhood favorites. My mother, 81 next month, used to have a Shirley Temple doll, now long gone, sadly. My nieces have always lived too far away to do special overnights, though the eldest will be married this summer, and I am honored to be making soap as the favors at her reception.
Thank you so much for linking to that shawl pattern! I fell in love with the BBC miniseries "Lark Rise to Candleford" about the time that I started knitting, just a few months ago. And I loved how the women wrapped their shawls- just like this one. I thought it was lovely and wanted to make something just like it, but it had slipped my mind. So thank you for reminding me! :)
Oh boy is it storming out here in Corbett!! I heard a big thunk thunkety thunk on the roof, hubby went out with a flashlight and couldn't see anything. Hubby is making pork chops with fried potatoes with lots of onions and corn for dinner.. smells good. What a neat shawl. I need to get back to working on my flower shawl. After I work on my ripple blanket. After I finish the edging on my scarf... :-)
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*H*A*P*P*Y* *N*E*W* *Y*E*A*R*!*
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((hugs)), Teresa :-)
We have had zero rain all month, and sure could use some. Could you send us some?!
That fifth picture is SUPER beautiful Alicia! The lighting in it is stunning!!
windy here, too - the wind kept me up all night, with the same hazy half-dream anxiety. We are tucked right up against so many tall cedars, and I've been watching branches and debris fall for the last two days.
hard to believe arden is 13 already. Time flies - except in your photos, maybe, where everything is golden, calm, composed. I know I say it all the time, but thank you so much for opening up your life for us to watch and share and feel a part of, Alicia. When winter comes, I just want to curl up inside your posie pictures, stretch my fingers and toes like a cat, and stay there. =)
Heidi! Yes, I've got to watch it again, too.
there is nothing like heidi....the clothes are so good not to mention the surroundings!
must ask. please give the name of your china. it is excellent....probably some delightful out-of-circulation pattern, but i had to ask.
stitching, knitting and cooking seem perfect occupations during a wet winter wind storm....
Oh, I would LOVE to come over for breakfast!
I used to watch every single one of the Shirley Temple shows! My dad used to call her Squirrely Temple, but he always let me watch. :)
What do you suppose the tree dream was all about? Have to look it up online!
Just looking at the photo of the shawl made me imagine watching tv in it. Ha! So warm and comfy, but still able to eat popcorn, knit, and pet my Shasta dog in it. :)
It sounds like you have had a couple of cozy days.
I can't wait to see the sampler :)
Reading your blog leaves me with such a lovely feeling in my heart. Thank you!