Back home before the storm

Nice to be back at my own nest. But it is very hard to leave my daughters and the family in Neenah. We have been blessed with no snow as yet, it is going south of Saint Germain, so I am happy. We are tormented by ice on all the walkways of course, so perhaps a bit of snow would help in that respect. Today was unpacking, sorting mail, paying bills, balancing the check books (which get very skinny this time of year) and deciding what craft show applications that have come in while I was gone to deep six or consider applying for. I have some orders to pack up from etsy sales (thank you very much) and get on a carrier pickup for Tuesday.
I am going to try a new show in June, the 18th, organized by the Valley Art Association of Chippew Falls. This is the 3rd year, so perhaps many of the startup wrinkles are gone. It is so very much work to organize an art show. And for not much kudos.
But we artists and crafters do alot of work too. And it can be scary trying a different show, since you just don't know how the layout it, the advertising, the jurying and whether resale items are allowed (oh no). And then the weather can be a big factor. And lets hope the major employer doesn't suddenly announce a big layoff the day before! Oh yeah, been there.
So, once we get our schedule set we pray for all to go well!

crazy winds in Wisconsin, what a Feb.

I am still down at my daughter's and I have been enjoying the melting of our snow. Barry says our yard and paths are ice rinks. Oh joy to return to that! Once I return it will be time to catch up on pottery orders and start working on alot more stuff. After my "vacation" here for the past 2 plus weeks I am more than ready to get back on the clay wagon and start working. hard to know for sure what to start first. Mugs? Garden stuff? I must get organized.

red is the color of love! coffee and cookies

Yes, red is a great color.
enjoy your sweets

Feb warmup in Wisconsin!

Down in Neenah yet, and it is wonderfully warm (by Wisconsin standards)and snow is melting. The snow is melting on my daughter's goldfish pond, a great sign. Although the picture of the pines are from back home. I love how the wind whips thru the tree tops. Our house is from 1920, and has huge big pines of various sorts. I think the white pines are my favorite. In fall they start to sift down these golden slender needles which make a soft carpet on the ground. Breath taking to behold. In winter the snow clings tenaciously to every bit of the branches, defying anything but the stiffest of winds to dislodge them. Woe to the unwary who walks beneath a pine at the wrong time! Snow down the neck of your coat is a shocker.
The chickadees grab a sunflower seed and then fly to a pine branch to pound it open and enjoy the goodness. Back and forth, all day. As the days lengthen we start to hear more bird song in the yard. Very welcome.

A day in Feb

I forget how challenging the winter weather can be. But so is the summer weather. Today it's close to zero with wind chills in the -10s. Now if it was summer, it could be in the 70s but then we deal with the biting flies, mosquitoes or gnats. Hmmm, which is worse? I miss the warmth of the sun, but not going thru gallons of Deep Woods Off. In summer I have my wheel out at the studio and get to watch the birds fly, the wind in the pines and enjoy the garden.

But today I'm chasing my grandson around the house. No, really. He goes from cuddling the dog, to throwing the plastic lids out of the drawer in the kitchen, to helping me put them back, then back to the dog, etc, etc.
It is a blessing to be involved with my daughter's children. They so mirror what I experienced when I was in the mommy seat. Too fun! oops, gotta go, Andrew is on the run!