We are only on the edge of the big storm system/arctic blast moving across the country. We will get more snow but only a few inches. For now. I am planning an early visit to the nearest market, to stock up on food. I have stacked wood everywhere inside, this morning the last pile by the front door. Soul-0 finished my yoghurt when I wasn't looking.
I think there will be a few indoor days as we ride through the coldest time this week. I will settle in, the computer is connected, maybe I can put together a newsletter, try to get a handle on what's possible now that I'm connected to the web. I have a lot of stories to tell. With my brother's help ( we are much closer now) I think some new loose dyed patches may make it into the shop. Stitched work, well, I think I need a bit more time, and trips to the post office, well, winter might interfere with that for a while.
I took a walk to the cabin yesterday, but it was too cold and I came back. Just to say hello with a promise to be back.
So far, there is no heat or plumbing, but there is electricity. The back door is not fully installed yet. There are mice. At this point let them shelter there and not in the house. Spring will come.
Maybe I will stitch a cabin today...
I somehow missed that there is a cabin !! It looks great and how nice to look foreward to getting to know more of it in spring.’ But now its winter and I too like the time to slow down and go inward. Not always easy but i belive good and necessary, just like the cold weather.
Your home looks cozy, homey and inviting.
Enjoy the beauty of winter, the quiet hours of fire and stitch.
The roundness of this place is swell. Like curling up in a cave.
This cold keeps us on our toes, eh? I bet Soul-o likes those warm bricks under the wood stove. One of Rhu’s favorite things is the warm slate in winter. 🙂
Yes, I feel more alive.
Soul-o just loves the hearth. He falls into a nap coma.
Haha, I call nap coma, drunk on wood heat! So good to have a cat companion during a cold winter.
Purrrfect. 🐈
Due to avoiding most technology all Fall I lost track of you. I had no idea you moved so far north of your home, the one I knew at least. I’m so glad you are well and creating your inimitable work despite dealing with a rough winter and all the changes that arise from being in a new place. Soul-o looks as handsome as ever! I don’t plan on losing track of you again and I do commiserate with the deep cold and snow living here in Michigan!
Avoiding technology is good once in a while. I might try a bit in spring. It’s nice to have the company in deep winter.
Jude~ Everything is so ‘homey’ here, making others instantly interested and comfortable. I’m fascinated with the round house…I mean just look at the construction and charm of the window/shelf and below it area. Every memory and treasure can have a special home within the home.
The cabin -as it sits would be a wonderful cloth/paint/drawing/photo card. It is so quaint and welcoming, especially since the mice are hiding 😉. Then in the Spring, it will be a whole new kind of scene, moment to imagine. Wonderful.
I’m grateful for super close family that is willing to swing by to help and that little warm body to keep you company.
There are so many carefully thought out and odd details. Now that things have slowed down, I too am noticing. It was such a rush, packing and getting here, finally exhaling.
A lot of it is about being prepared. Glad you were able to stock up. 🙂
It is, not worry, but logical foresight.
Soul-O – What a noble cat you are – such good taste, and watching after your health. Stay warm and close to the hearth.
we are right here. purring.
I have been thinking about you a lot these past few stormy days. Hoping you are not alone, but it sounds like your brother is near in case you need help.
In Cape Breton here we are fighting down drafts from the wood stove because of the winds yesterday and today. Tomorrow looks better for us.
Please take care and don’t try to do any stressful work.
the wind has gone, it’s cold but I have adjusted. somehow work is only stressful when you don’t enjoy it. I pace myself, but push myself a bit too, to stay active.
So many changes for you Jude. It’s good that your brother is near. Stay toasty, eat soup, stitch as you can with Soul-O for company, a cat purring is comforting.
even the snow and the cold is comforting when you closely consider season. spring will come.
Jude I’ have forgotten to check in on you for a while… but this cold, colder…. And I expect a coldest… soon… makes me remember a saying my mother used to use..and which I use now too… when I end up shivering somewhere.. and someone asks if I’m cold… I say… oh no it’s just the change… change in place,or circumstance or , add whatever you wish… there have been plenty of changes in your life, so even though it is Real winter… it s just the change… a head toss and onward… good luck and safe transitions
yes, I like that
Winter is alive. I wish you warmth. 🍀
fire is going
I hope your trip to the grocery was uneventful. We’re in the midwestern path of this storm and will be iced in for a few days. Power was out for 8 hours yesterday and no wood stove. Thankful for the stack of my mother’s quilts, a full pantry and a camp stove. Stitching by oil lamp sounds romantic until you see your work in the daylight. A round house AND a cabin in the woods, what a delightful property you have found. Hope you’re able to stay warm enough through this arctic blast.
well, my car would not start. My son came by and gave me a jump, but it didn’t help, dead. So he drove me into town, I went to the market and he bought a new battery and a pulled pork sandwich. We came back, he put the battery in, he went back to work and here I am.
Ah, the rewards of family close by! Our cars are laminated by layers of ice and snow. Our road has been cleared though, so we could get out if we needed to. I’ll be stitching near the space heater and baking something I the oven today I think.
I look forward to warmer weather and walk to and around that cabin!
me too!
Good to hear you are closer to your brother & there will be more moondye fests! I saw your post on FB with your new house glowing like a lantern in the snow… such magic!
it is a bit like a lantern in the dark, I guess I didn’t put that here…
as i sit here by the fire in our nor cal forest cottage ‘n read the comments, we all feel like neighbors. SO happy to hear your son ‘n fam are only 1 1/2 miles away ‘n your bro is closer as well. a good laugh about soul-o finishin’ off your yogie. such a fun roomie. sendin’ love…
that’s one good thing about technology, we can be closer with out going anywhere.
Sounds like you have a plan for the week. Sending you a warm virtual hug – as warm as that can be. ❤️
I try to be prepared, that helps a lot. Thanks for the hug.
I recently read (and I suppose I knew it before, but now it has an immediacy) that as we age, our bodies become less capable of withstanding extremes of temperature … so please be safe
But then I read somewhere how colder temperatures can be good for you. So, well, who knows, we’ll see. I feel great!
Such an adventurous, quiet life you are living, Jude!! I love your mouse cabin, too! It will be shady and cool in the Summer, perfect for a stitching getaway.
This morning my Frost Weed bloomed, it’s so cold. An event for me and my fellow Texas Gardeners!
I am way more physically busy now, sleeping better!
sweet progress as you settle in, hunker down, and await the weather, as always.
all is well… a little cold is nowhere near as awful as what others are suffering.
The cold is making it’s way even here! We’ve done as much prepping as we can, and now we stay warm indoors and wait…I miss having a cozy fire…
I’m mulling over some ideas to stitch.
And so, we settle in, and wait for warmer weather (& sort seeds!)
just came across my seeds.
Here’shope for warmth, safety, and peacefulness. 💞
all good things
This post and all the heartfelt comments, feel like we’re gathered together in a happy huddle around this stone hearth. Here in east TN, the sun is out, but temperatures will be dropping all through the day with fringes of the Artic storm visiting.
Yes, to reading and making!
it does feel like a winter gathering
Sincerely hope you miss the worst of this storm. We are snowed in with every state road in the state closed. I worry for the stray outside cats I feed.. haven’t seen them for over 24 hours. I rescued the one pregnant one but can’t get to the others. Wind chill is -24 right now with 9 inches of snow.
looks like about 2-3 ” but mostly just bitter cold
Hi Jude where are you now? did you move far from the last place? I have missed a lot of your news due to having my head stuck in studying but i am back on to you now! Wishing you well – glad to be back by your side as a wonderful meditation – time for me to tune in and get the fabrics out – i want to sit by your side and stitch silently as we listen to the fire… so thank you for offering your world to me as i sit here in the cold in West Wales UK – i feel so close to you! technology at its best the way you use it.. I am also in awe of your techno skills! much love in your new world from me and my cat to you and yours x Lisa
yes, I moved about 125 miles north, still in New York State.
Always good to slow down by a cozy fire with the promise of something new on the horizon. Stay warm Jude.
Yes, I’m accepting it the way it needs to go
the excitement of your own cabin in the woods. it’s sparking my imagination as you get to know new space.
Another whole adventure brewing…
I look at your “wonderland” forest photos, the cabin, so inviting even it if has mice! , but this is not a fairy tale for I can well imagine the reality of how cold it is. Hope you can make it quickly and safely to your grocery and back. Driving in snowy conditions is not easy. Hunkering down is what we do when our days are rough, even here in central New Mexico, because it is 27 outside and our nights will be below 20 degrees. Snow is coming but nothing like the amounts that you get. I am glad that I made a huge bubbling pot of turkey minestrone soup the other day and yesterday, made a lasagna that feeds 12. When you consider that there are only two of us here, I love that I don’t have to cook for several days.. Here’ s wishing you a huge pot of bubbling soup and a large container of yogurt for Soul-O or if he is not a “vegetarian” cat, a nice piece of fish! Somehow when it is so cold, my thoughts always go to food.
isn’t that true? I woke up thinking that I’ll go get some chicken and make soup.
The wood piles look good! And I look forward to visiting the cabin with the mice in the Cumming spring. Glad you have family nearby. Big hugs.
Winter is a trip of its own. Glad you’re safely home a there are antenna ear to keep you smiling.
he’s good company