Thursday 11 February 2021

Ski Do Fun, Chocolate Rum Mousse Cake, Sawtooth Stars, Icy Cardinal, Warming Winter Drink

It has snowed; I've been shoveling. There has been sun and brilliant blue skies. There have also been frigid temperatures with wind chills in the minus twenties celsius.  Yes all since I last wrote to you. 

All in all, a normal February for us...actually perhaps warmer than usual because we haven't dipped to the minus thirties which is normal too for here. On the warmer days, daughter and Robbie have been here riding the little ski doos around the property. 


Besides the wintertime fun in the fresh air, it's a help to us because they nicely flatten our walking trails. 

Our February cake from daughter was a showstopper. She used Rock Recipes Ragged Rock Chocolate Rum Mousse Cake recipe and it turned out to be delicious.  

Hubby enjoyed it to the last rich morsel. 

Months back during our very last Costco run, I'd bought this jar of Honey, Citron and Ginger Tea Base. These are flavours that appeal to me and I've enjoyed it tremendously. About 2 tablespoons in a mug of hot water is flavourful enough for me and the perfect winter's day beverage to sip on. It also is a delicious marmalade and well suited to toast, which is the way Hubby has been enjoying it. It's over 4 pounds so a good amount for the cost.

 Being situated as far from the fire as the house will allow, the sewing room is one of the two colder rooms here. I have to turn on my little heater to take the chill out of the air but, within minutes, it feels toasty and I can get down to business without cold fingertips. Anybody else have to run a heater in the sewing room?

 I'm having fun choosing the fabrics for these, a couple more Sawtooth Stars.  This piece reminded me of last summer and all the bees I happily noted in the garden.
And another of Tula's fabrics, Elizabeth by Tula, that is so fun. Some are turning out more perfect than others. :)
Oh and I've been cross stitching too, a little each early morning. Miss Quilting Bee has eyes and is developing a wing. 

Our daily natter... Tough as nails, as we would say at home.

It is always fun to spy the male cardinal usually just before dusk and when the other birds have disappeared. I have wondered why he showed up at that time when it seems more dangerous with the night creatures appearing.  Hubby and I talked about it and agreed that perhaps for him with the bright red against the white snow, he was actually a little safer in the dusk. 

 Not a good photo but sharing it because it shows how cold it is with what looks like tiny icicles on his beak. Proves just how tough these little creatures must be to survive in our winters. And happy he is getting some sunflower seeds here at our place.

I really liked this saying, maybe because so much of my life has concerned itself with weather, considering the kind of places I have lived.  By not reading or listening to news or researching so much virus info, I'm definitely feeling unburdened, calmer and more positive. 


I hope that is exactly how you feel too. There is really not a whole lot we can do except keep to our own patch and make the best of it all. If that tiny bird can survive....

38 comments :

grammajudyb said...

A lovely post today! Such a fun photo of your daughter and grand on the snow machines! I too have to use a space heater in my sewing room. It’s in the basement but my little heater helps a lot! Our high today is predicted to be only -10 F. Brrrr, I don’t know how to do the conversion, but that’s cold in any measure!

Michele McLaughlin said...

First off, thanks for the lovely comment last week. I took your advice and ordered cleats for my boots. Can't wait for them to come! Just love looking at your activities! That lemon, citron, ginger tea sound fantastic on these cold days! So glad you got to see your grandson and daughter! Her cakes are really amazing! That little cardinal made me sad with the icicles. Hope your heater works well enough to keep you warm! Have a wonderful day and as always, thanks for all the inspiration you share!!!

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

I so agree with you, Jocelyn, that the best we can do right now is take care of each other at home. I am happiest doing that anyway! Love the picture of your daughter and grand on the ski-doos - they look like they're having fun! And what a yummy cake, too. That cardinal is beautiful, but does look cold! It's February, for sure!

Brian's Home Blog said...

Our Dad can't decided which he'd like best, going out riding the ski doos or staying in and eating that yummy cake!

Ruth Hiebert said...

I agree. We need to focus on the positive and the bright side of life. I tend to become depressed when I listen to the news.

Jackie said...

To cold for much of anything here. Harvey's truck is still unable to start, we will have to wait until the weather gets above the -34 or -35 we have been getting. Hopefully it will start then.

Sticking close to home working on projects and enjoying the sun beating through our front window.

Love your quilt blocks and that cross stitch is gorgeous.

God bless.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

we usually do not need to run space heaters but we have three of them for when the really cold weather comes to us as it is this week - with temps at 26/8 for a week fluctuating somewhat heat source that we have does a poor job at that cold of temperatures - our house simply is not made for that cold of weather so then I will run a space heater in the sewing room off and on and have another placed in the dining/kitchen area and another in the living room - none run full time but it is easier than carrying them room to room.
Love the look at that cake and followed to the recipe - just might make a smaller version on Sunday - those skidoos look like fun to use

Home Sewn By Us said...

Hi Jocelyn! Oh, I used to love to ride snowmobiles when I was younger. It used to be a real thing around here and in my family but I don't know anyone that does it any longer. Brrr! It's been chilly for that but it's invigorating as well. That February cake looks yummy! I don't have a heater for my sewing room BUT I wish I did! That looks like just the ticket. {{Hugs}} a bunch for you. Stay warm! ~smile~ Roseanne

Chopin - A Passionate Quilter said...

Beautiful Post Jocelyn. That cake looks yummy. Your blocks are very pretty and what beautiful cross stitching. And the beautiful Red. It’d. We have our feeder set up where I can see them coming and going.

We now have your weather in Deep South Texas. Going to be a 10 day stretch the coldest being 19 or less Monday or Tuesday in the AM.

Oh yes. Is there a Virus and News? LOL I gave it all up on New Years Day. I am producing more and having a great time with life. Hugs.

PS. Daughter and grand look great in the snow!!!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Oh how I covet a piece (or several!) of that cake!! I will not succumb to checking out the recipe though because it would spell the demise of my diet I know. I haven't noticed that tea base at Costco but I agree it does sound delicious. Who knew that something that would make a cup of tea could also be eaten on toast. I do feel sorry for the wee birdies in the cold - lucky you to have a cardinal coming to visit. We have them nearby but only have ever seen one at our feeder once. Now we can't have a seed feeder because too many seeds end up on the ground which attracts a large number of squirrels who have decided that a good snack is car wires ending up costing building residents a ton of money to repair. Now we only have a block of wood with holes that we fill with suet.

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

Oh that cake looks yummy. Love your snow flattening crew. I have quit listening to the news been over 3 years now. I choose what I want to read, based upon news organizations which "report" the news. Not create it. Awesome picture of the cardinal. My sewing room is toasty, but my big bathroom not so much. I turn on the heater when I shower.

Out To Pasture said...

Always amazed at the fabulous cakes your daughter makes. She is certainly a pastry queen! Loved the bee themed square and stitchery. What snazzy little snowmobiles. Another delightful post, Jocelyn!

PaintedThread said...

Such colorful snowmobiles. That mousse cake looks out of this world! Your blocks look great. That is a chilly cardinal! Love your cross stitching progress.

audrey said...

That chocolate mousse cake looks amazing! We're finally having our sharp, bitter cold days here. Thankfully the last snow melted off just before the cold snap hit, so no shoveling there at least. Take care. Spring is just around the corner!

MissPat said...

I've rather decided to just accept that we will have a few more months of isolation since the vaccine supplies seem so inadequate. I refuse to spend hours trying to find an appointment and will just wait until the frenzy is over. What's a few more months after a whole year stuck at home? Poor cardinal does look frosted. We have more cold and 3 snows forecast in the next week. I can't complain too much since we're usually not here during February and most of March, so I guess this is just a reminder that I can indeed survive the winter, too.
Pat

Linda said...

That cake looks wonderful; your daughter is so talented. I love your Sawtooth Stars, especially that fussy cut. Mr Cardinal certainly does look cold, poor guy, but he is obviously surviving! My sewing room is almost too toasty, and our bedroom, on the other side of the house, is usually cold. Glad you have that nice little heater for your room!

piecefulwendy said...

My little heater for my sewing room just died, and we are in some of the most bitter cold temps this winter, well into the negative temps! Another heater is on the way, I expect it will arrive when the cold snap is over. Your stitching is lovely!

Jenn Jilks said...

Your needle work is wonderful to see.
I just don't have the energy.

Spare Parts and Pics said...

Those ski-doos sure look like fun!

Jim said...

Yum.

The Joyful Quilter said...

A tiny bit of YELLOW for this month's Rainbow Scrap Challenge, but oh my, that cake!!!

eileeninmd said...

Hello,
Your cake looks delicious. We have a lot of snow on the ground now and more coming today!
Cute photo of your daughter and grandson, it looks like a fun ride! I see more Cardinals early in the morning and later in the day. They do look bright and pretty against the snow. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a happy weekend! PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.

Ivani said...

Oh my, that chocolate mousse cake makes my mounth watering. Looks to taste delicious.
Love the bee star block and the red cardinal picture.

scraphappy said...

Such beautiful yellow fabrics for your sawtooth star blocks. It will be a fun quilt. I can't believe that the cardinal has a little ice sickle on his beak! That is colder than I can imagine. Glad that you can stay in nice and warm in your sewing room and wait for spring.

carol l mckenna said...

Wonderful post and photos ~ such variety ~ your grands are having great fun ~ cake looks delicious and awesome photos of the cardinal ~ thanks.

Moment by Moment,

A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Rain said...

Hi Jocelyn! :) That cake!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my goodness, it looks delicious! Show stopper indeed! I love the bee fabric, that's so cute. It's been freezing here too, the Atlantic wind is going right through my bones...it's supposed to get milder on Tuesday I hear!

Deb A said...

Such a cheerful post! I bookmarked that cake... it looks scrumptious. The bees on the fabric are so darling. I was getting too hot in my sewing room so had to pop the AC on this week. Unusually hot in Florida this week but hopefully the front that went through this morning will get us back to normal temps. I agree on the taking care of you.... we tend to stay close to home. All you can do really. Stay warm and safe.

Sherrie said...

Hi Jocelyn,
Great posting, love reading your posts. You always have such interesting tings in your posts...Your cake looks so yummy. I really like your Sawtooth Stars...so pretty. Your cross stitch piece will be beautiful when done. I really need to pick this up again. Have done any cross stitching for years. The Cardinal looks really cold. I always amazes me that birds can survive the cold winters. They look so fragile. Your little saying is so true....have a great day!

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

You had me at chocolate! WOW that looks amazing!! the ski doos are such pretty colors too! they really stand out against all that snow!!

Yvonne said...

Love your cross stitch pattern and that cake does look delicious. Glad you are able to put all that virus news to the background and enjoy the things that make you happy.

Shiju Sugunan said...

Lovely post!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Consistently, the last bird at my feeders is a Northern Cardinal, getting a little extra fuel to help it through the night. Recently we have had the sheer delight of Common Redpolls every day. I am keeping an eye out for Pine Siskins which are all around, but have not made it to my backyard yet.

Maggie said...

So very true. Not watching the news is the best thing to do. Going into our sewing rooms and creating the cherry on top. Love the projects, thank goodness we do not have the -35C days.

K Reeves said...

That cake! I think I must make a chocolate cake for Valentines Day! We are having a simple quiche for lunch so dessert might be just the ticket! I love your sawtooth stars, the bees are especially delightful!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Oh my! That Cardinal needs to fly South to warm up! What a great photo of something so unusual! Enjoy your afternoon. Happy sewing!

QuiltGranma said...

By Mid day Saturday we had 12" of snow here, and today, Sunday it is falling again! More snow than we've ever had here while we've been here the last 7 years. We live in a 5th wheel travel trailer. Friday night our intake hose froze (the heat tape wore out) so that had to get replaced with new hose with heat tape... then the drain froze... perhaps the dog moved it in his galloping around outside? That finally got thawed! Ah the joys of life, we do enjoy the quilt blogs, and the space heaters in our tin home. (the furnace quit the first week we had moved in). Keep on quilting!

betty-NZ said...

Great post with so much fun and beauty!

I'm so glad to see you at 'My Corner of the World' this week!

Katie Z. said...

Here in Kansas it’s bitterly cold as well. First the furnace froze, then two different pipes. I’m looking forward to above 0 temperatures in a few days!