Finally it’s back, my quilting mojo.  While DH cleared the driveway with the tractor, I spent the day dividing and bagging fabric into 4 separate piles – 2 1/2 inch strips, smaller strips, blocks and “why in God’s name am I saving this small piece” piles.

The height of butcher block island combine  with the natural sunlight streaming through the window makes the perfect sorting spot.  Our home faces solar south. On a sunny day the kitchen heats up naturally from 10:00 until late afternoon.  It was so warm today, DH had to open the front door to cool off.   The outside temperature is minus 10 degree, but you would never know it standing in the kitchen.

My inspiration has been this pattern.

Considering I have numerous 2 1/2 inch strips  from other projects, it should be a breeze, and a great stash buster.

The east coast blues summit is playing on radio, chicken tetrazinni and 3 cheese bread is cooking in the oven, and the snow is piling up outside.  DH, kitty and I are grooving in the kitchen.  It’s the type of day I’ve always prayed for.  Hope you are warm and cozy in your own home, with good food, good music and family.

This is just too funny! A big thanks to my sister Wanda for a great laugh.

Today is sunny and bright but I’m home nursing one miserable cold.  This particular strain has been spreading through the office for the past month and I’ve been fighting it all week.   Yesterday I spent the day in bed with a headache, watery eyes, stuffy nose, feeling like I’ve been run over by a truck.

Today I feel well enough to make a big pot of Chickpea Chicken soup.  Hopefully the home-made stock, the spices and an extra dose of vitamin C from sitting in the sun will cure what ails me.

Catching the rays is definitely the cure all for Porsche.

Despite the snow storm the 36 km drive back to the apartment was rather peaceful.  With one clear lane on the highway and very few vehicles, and a few prayers, the trip was uneventful.

There’s only one thing that’s better than being home during a snow storm………and that is a good dinner cooking slowing in the oven.

On Sunday I popped a Seven Layer dinner in a 300 degree oven before DH and I took a walk through the wetlands in front of our home.   Two hours later the house was filled with delicious smells and dinner was ready.  So next storm day give this recipe a try.

We spent the better part of an hour watching two adult bald-headed eagles and one yearling catching the wind to soar above the wetlands.   Our two pairs of binoculars  are in constant use.   The eagles live in the hills high above our home.  Earlier in the week DH noticed this guy sitting in the trees behind the house, which is the closet we have seen one yet.

The temperature was a balmy 5 degrees so we walked down through the wetlands, across the ice and counted 15 muskrats houses.   DH pointed out deer tracks, squirrel tracks and cat tracks.

For supper I used the leftover roast chicken in Chicken lettuce roll ups salad.  This I served on a bed of lettuce, topped with green onions, grated carrots and chopped almond.  A serving of frozen kung pao chicken and basmati rice completed the dinner.   It tasted better than any take out Chinese, plus we didn’t have to drive 30 kms to pick it up.

Later we sat in total darkness so we could count the stars.   Another crazy fun-filled day in the country.

In anticipation of the storm, the schools in Saint John are closed and the radio announcers are suggesting drivers don’t take to the roads, unless they absolutely have to.

Today I’m hunkering down and cooking up a storm.   On the menu for supper is roast chicken à la Jamie Oliver.  With a side of Eco Spuds from Timber River Echo farm.   Purchased at our local Sobeys, these potatoes have an incredible taste, with no trace of fertilizer.

A loaf of Oatmeal and Fruit bread is in the bread machine.  I start most of my breads in the machine using the dough cycle.    Later today I’ll put on a batch of whole wheat bread.

A batch of “what the heck soup” is bubbling on the stove.   DH is puttering down stairs in his work shop, kitty is asleep in the middle of the kitchen…………all is well in my world………..and that’s not a bad way to spend a storm day.

In the crock pot the beans were bubbling.   The flax side bread was waiting for its turn to pop into the oven.  And in the refrigerator was a seven layer salad.  Not a bad way to spend a cold (minus 14 degrees) day in January.