Sunday, December 21, 2008

Snowbound


We've had another snowstorm with blizzard conditions. It's a white world out there! Normal life comes to a near halt during times like this. Reports of both Greyhound and Amtrak canceling routes, Snoqualmie Pass over the Cascades closed due to rapidly falling snow, and people staying closer to home because of bad roads have been heard. It's been a good day to stay home.


The pets are cozy and warm inside, establishing territory on the comfy chairs as theirs. The dogs coats are long, as it's been too cold to clip them when we have 9 degree weather outside. They would be so cold with their usual Schnauzer cuts. They are now the Shaggy Schnauzers and loving it!



With the family all together, it was a relaxing day to catch up with events in the boys lives and to visit with Sally. University life keeps them busy. It's good for them to kick back awhile and recharge. Arriving from school with them are their computers and wires and gadgets galore. The family room has been turned into a computer lab with a Christmas flair!


In addition to surfing the net and chatting with friends, snow days are great days for working on a craft project. It was time for something new that I'd never done before. I thought maybe Sally would enjoy beading, so bought all sorts of wires, hooks, and beads at the craft store last evening. I felt like a fish out of water, but with the assistance of a helpful clerk and a beginners book, I made my selections. Beads of red, pink, blue, gold, pearl, and more were matched to gold wires and hoops.


Pliers and cutters were put to work as we threaded and bent and clipped. Beads were grouped in designs we liked and we strung to our hearts content.


Some of those beads were so tiny! Even with the ever helpful bi-focals, they were sometimes hard to manage. It was really fun to see how Sally and I each had a different 'vision' and used the supplies in completely different ways to create pieces that were unique and interesting. Even Brandon was pulled into the creation process, giving his spin to creative jewelry making.


It's hard to see them well on this plate, but we ended up with seventeen pairs of earrings! We put a snowy day to creative use! Some are Sally's. . .and some are mine. Since I don't have pierced ears, I've been counting up all my friends who do have them. . .and am thinking of being Mrs. Santa for them! I hope they are good enough for them to wear. Some of the bends and twists of mine could use some improvement!

It was a lovely day --- and I enjoyed having the family together again for the holidays.

13 comments:

  1. I wish I could have joined you on your beading day! I started beading when I was 10 and kept at it until college. I beaded for craft shows in the early years of our married life and have gotten back into it seriously in the last years.

    At my advanced (ahem!) ago, I'm having trouble with those tiny beads, as well - expecially those little charlottes.

    I order everything online as we have no bead shop.

    Let me know if I can help you with anything!

    Merry Christmas!
    Ruth Ann

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  2. Apparently, at my advanced age, I'm having trouble spelling, too.....

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  3. Great job....i am going to have a marathon beading later today to finish up gifts for my sons girl friends (and girlfriend). All I want for Christmas is your beautiful cat under my tree!!! Is kitty a lilac point??? I had a lilac point named sushi, that unfortunately passed away last february....MERRY CHRISTMAS! love your blog

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  4. Looks like the right thing to do with all this weather :0)
    We are hoping that our kids flight will make it out of Seattle to LA on Tuesday evening...time will tell.

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  5. My! You really did put your snowbound day to good use. I think you've done famously!

    I love the scene of your family room with a young'un stretching on the sofa, the glowing lamp behind, and the expanse of white beyond the window.

    Wonderful!

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  6. Sounds like you got a lot of beading done while snowbound!
    Cute photos of your furry friends.
    Hope you and yours have a wonderful Christmas and very Happy New Year!
    Blessings,
    Sandy

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  7. What a fun project to do on a snowy day.

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  8. The blue point meezer sleeping pose was a perfect start to your post! Bet those blue eyes are amazing after nap times.

    I got kind of bored after that though. Try to have more cat pictures in the future please. And less of the d-o-g pictures. They just look like black left over fur anyway.

    Merry Christmas!

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  9. Snow days are such a blessing! Merry Christmas to you!

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  10. So cozy! Pretty earrings - great project.

    Merry Christmas!

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  11. What a perfect way to spend the snowed in days! Snuggling up with the fur babies and beading~what could be more relaxing for fellowship. I wish I could have been there too. I've been drawn to some paper crafts this week, which I was very rusty about. It was fun to play with scissors and glue again. Your photo looking out the window could be a postcard!

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  12. I love reading about how you are coping with this winter wonderland. We decided to spend Christmas alone for the first time ever! Too dangerous to travel. I really like the Cup of Christmas Tea plate !

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  13. Anonymous12:27 PM

    I have a shaggy schnauzer too. I prefer his coat long, but even with brushing he gets matted. Both he and I missed our December grooming appointments ~ just too busy. So nice to see your cuties! Kindly, ldh

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