All the Rich yet Small Things

I would much rather be gardening outside but do have a patch for indoors this winter.  I repotted and doubled up some of the plants and fingers crossed, will manage to not kill them in the long winter months ahead.  It scratches my gardening itch to maintain these and fuss over them a little each day.  I don't use fertilizer but may need to read up on it if the finicker ones are to survive.

And look at this. Brave geranium blooming still.  You might wonder why they are corralled here in a spare room...both dogs dig in dirt and one of them has been known to eat it...hope that doesn't disgust you too much, so indoor plants have to be guarded much to my chagrin. 

I took this photo of a little red squirrel before the snowfall and through my kitchen window...there are three around the bird feeder and are quite small; we think they are babies. But it obviously has discovered fir tree bark for food too as I watched through binoculars while it chewed away on this twig. With our 'forest' of evergreens, they will definitely not run out of food!

I have a new pet chair ordered from Wayfair. We retired the former in laws' cottage chair to another corner of the room.  Quite comfortable but missing the leather arms that coffee spills could be easily wiped from.  I think I mentioned I can't even eat an apple without getting something on myself. And it's not my hands; they are thankfully still steady. It's a soft brick red with neutral stripes and is very comfy.

Since the snow has piled up and we are resigned now that it is here "for good", snowmen are well in order.  Here are a few of Chuck's that I photocopied to start making the templates.  I am calling this project "Bonhommes de Neige en Chapeaux"/ "Snowmen in Hats"; not very original but like I mentioned, my creative mojo seems to have taken a hike. But don't they look like neat fellows and ladies.

Here are my blocks on the panel border. I'm just using plain muslin for the backing.  "After the Snow" has moody kind of colours especially in parts of the sky and ground and even the red has a very dark undertone.  Perhaps for the artist, this added to the melancholy or nostalgic aspect he wanted to achieve.
I'm glad I stopped dithering about choosing a block and got the start made as there were seemingly endless ways to finish this.

And this is again a blue for the outer edge but one with a gray undertone that looks good with the colours-as far as I can tell.

I made a batch of molasses buns on Sunday and froze most of them as they freeze really well.  These were a staple growing up in a Newfoundland home and a friend on Facebook sent me her mom's recipe - thank you Barb!- to try out.
  Hubby loved them, especially the size but also the molasses taste- a favourite of his, and will enjoy having one with his afternoon tea.

A free pattern especially for angel lovers.
Shelly at Gingermelon is generously offering her free templates and tutorial to make these sweet Christmas angel paper dolls. Place markers come to mind or a pretty trio for a shelf. The link is here.



While there, take a look around. I noticed the very cute bear pin cushion pattern is free as well.

It is Thanksgiving Day in the United States and I wish a peaceful, wonderful celebration with lots of good eating for each and everyone!  I learned about a couple of new to me dishes for Thanksgiving that I will share soon...what's good for Thanksgiving is great for Christmas.

Frosty here today with a frostbite warning in effect; presently a windchill of -26 outside. Yikes!
Linking as always with Not Afraid of Color, Sew Fresh Quilts, Confessions of a Fabric Addict and  My Quilt Infatuation.