I hate stripping tinsel off the tree. Why is it that before Christmas all the decorations look so festive and after Christmas they just look tired (or maybe I am just tired of looking at them) and you can’t wait to take them down. Once it’s over, it’s over for me. Kind of like deflating a balloon. That’s about how I’m feeling. Yesterday I took down all the “fresh” boughs and tossed them out. They were brittle and shedding needles everywhere, making a fine mess to clean up. So, the dining room is completely de-Christmasized but the living room is not. I did take all the tinsel off the tree and the snowflake ornaments, leaving only the garlands and the lights. Hopefully today I can finish the job. The outside decorations will just have to stay up a few weeks longer under we can get the ladder out to take down the wreaths.

Here’s how Bella feels about the whole Christmas-(toy)-overload thing.

We had a surprise snow on Sunday afternoon, almost a mini blizzard. It was not predicted, yet huge flakes of fluffy snow fell for about 3 hours. The wind blew and the snow was really falling horizontally. So pretty! We ended up with about two inches of snow, but it was blowing and drifting so it’s hard to tell how much we really got on the level. It’s also frigidly cold! We’ve had a lot of wind lately and it’s not my favorite thing. It finds its way through every little crack and crevice of the house. We had both the fireplace and the wood stove going all weekend, so we were cozy and happy playing our newest Mario Wii game.

PLEASE, PLEASE, don’t take my Food Network (and HGTV) away you big bad stinkin’ lousy Cablevision! I hate you! On Sunday I tuned our TV to the Food Network channel hoping to watch Iron Chef. Instead of Iron Chef I got someone yakking about why Scripps has pulled “your” Food Network and HGTV channels. My first reaction was to throw the remote through the screen, but of course then I wouldn’t have any TV at all. But ... but ... WAAAAAHHHHHH! I called the number listed to complain but I doubt it means anything to them. We are being held hostage for no fault of our own. Here’s hoping they work out some agreement money-wise that they can both live with without sending our cable bill sky high. 

I’ve been sort of a slug over the holidays with company and Rick home a lot. I need to get back into my groove again of walking the dogs each day, knitting, learning how to hook, trying new recipes etc., etc.  And, I have these two new books to help me with the hooking and knitting bits.

The Fearless Knitting Workbook (which I got for Christmas) has lessons like this:

How fun does that look? The Basic Rug Hooking book looks great too but I just got it the day before yesterday and I haven’t really had a chance to look at it in-depth just yet. I’m anxious to get started and see how I like it.

So, I have plenty of things to keep me busy, Food Network or not. Here’s to getting back to routine!

Side note: I just read over this entry before hitting the publish button and realized it makes no sense at all. Oh well. Just what’s on my mind this morning! I’m hitting the button anyway ...

Oh Lynne.  I saw the issue with Food Network & thought right away of you.  I feel so bad…hope it works out soon and Bobby Flay is throwing down something just for you!

Bring it on Bobby! I just wish he would do a throw-down with Cablevision!  :(

It’s sad ...

We really need to meet on our next visit West. We hope (and plan) to do a cabin vacation in June.

I know the feeling about the after-xmas feelings.  I hate un-decorating.  I really didn’t put much up this year, and I still hate it!

Bella was a very lucky puppy to get all those toys for her Christmas.  We have atrocious weather here in Scotland - the most snow and ice I have seen in years and temperatures down to minus 20!!  The rug hooking book looks really interesting, a great hobby.  As I have just retired I am looking into starting a blog myself - watch this space.

Joyce, I’ve heard of Scotland’s cold and snow woes. I hate to say I am a tad envious! How exciting that you might be starting your own blog!!! You’ll have to let me know immediately! You’re a quilter, right? I think I remember Donna telling me that was her connection to you ...

It made perfect sense to me…but then I’ve been told that my brain is kinda kooky anyways.  I just love that rebellious streak that made you push the button anyways.