I love it when a plan comes together...

I am super happy with the graduation quilt.  My husband recommended the flying geese border and he was spot on.  I'm coming down the home stretch.  It has sure helped to pass the time this winter. 

Ella isn't into the social distancing.  I put her pillow in the sunshine and she decided sitting on my feet was better.  The pillow was just too far away.

I had a routine doctors appointment this week.  I also made an eye appointment, but it was a few hours later.  I made the appointments long before all this virus stuff.  Well, there isn't a lot a person can do when waiting between appointments when everything is closed. My husband recommended going to the Mt. Mariah Cemetery.  It was great.  I have lived here for 30 years and never been to the cemetery known for Wild Bill and Calamity Jane's graves.  It was super peaceful and the views were amazing.  I was happy I went.

Is there something in your area that you always wanted to visit, but never got around to it?  

Wood shop, pizza, and winter trees...

Our winter barn project is done.   We painted and installed the salvaged cupboards.  We used chalkboard paint for the middle one, so my husband can keep project notes. The bench below was built by his father.  The walls are lumber from various projects and we added a wood stove for heat.  Altogether, it turned out pretty cozy.   It is good to have that project done.

 I love Pinterest.  This weekend I tried Mexican Chorizo White Pizza with a beer crust.  Overall, pretty good.
Crust:
2 c. Flour
1 t. Active dry yeast
1/2 t. Baking powder
1/2 t. Salt
1 T. Olive oil
6 oz. Dark beer
Mix dry ingredients and add olive oil and warm beer.  Knead 7-10 minutes and let rise for 1 1/2 hours.

White Sauce:
2 T. Butter
2 T. Flour
1 1/2 c. Milk at room temperature
1 t. Garlic powder
1/2 t. White pepper (I used normal pepper)
Pinch of nutmeg
1/3 c. Parmesan cheese
1/2 c. Cheddar
Melt butter in a saucepan and whisk in flour.  Cook 2 minutes then whisk in milk.  Stir in garlic, pepper, and nutmeg. Cook, stirring often, until sauce becomes thick.  Then remove from heat and stir in cheeses.  Stir until the cheese melts.

When dough is ready knead for a few seconds.  Preheat oven to 475 degrees.  Drizzle a little olive oil on a baking sheet or pizza stone.  Sprinkle with cornmeal. Place doughball in the center and push to edges of the pan.  Brush with olive oil, cover with white sauce, and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and oregano.  Add taco meat (The recipe calls for chorizo, but we didn't like it much.) or sausage, black olives, pepper, mozzarela, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses.  Yumm.  I made changes to the actual recipe.  It can be found here: pinaenlacocina.com

All this talk of social distancing is intriguing to me.  My husband and I are professional social distancers.  I normally get groceries once a week and sometimes every two weeks.  The pantry is always stocked and our freezer is full of deer meat.  We don't go out to eat very often and take few shopping trips.  During this time my biggest concern is for our families and friends.  I hope everyone is being safe and taking care of themselves.  

Quilting...

This is always the hardest time of the year. Wet heavy snows and varying temperatures makes snowshoeing impossible.  Projects are all I have to stay busy.

 Tonight we had an icy fog.  The cabin looks cozy and inviting.

We have huge piles of snow everywhere.  Maybe we should make a snow fort.

 I have ten more big  blocks left to make into little flying geese.  I've set a goal to make five blocks a week.  I will be done at the end of March. In April, I will put it all together and quilt in May.  With all of this snow, I think quilting will be all I can do.  Since my quilt 'pattern' is really different patterns put together, I'm anxious to see how it all comes together.

I made beer bread tonight and will try making a cheese fondue tomorrow.  I've never made fondue before, so it will be a culinary adventure.

That is all that is happening here.   It is nice having a project.  I don't know what I would do otherwise.  Do you have green grass or snow?  Are you still finishing winter projects or starting spring ones?

Cookies and shoveling...

There isn't much one can do this time of the year.  The snow is too rotten to snowshoe.  I had to take Ella to town for our weekly jaunt.  I am still making flying geese blocks.  There are still 60 to go.  I finally broke down and ordered "Essays After Eighty" by Donald Hall.  Usually, my books come from the library, but this one was hard to find.  It is an enjoyable read.  Famous Amos cookies was the desert of choice this weekend.

 The cookies are super good especially when you take two and put ice cream in the middle.  You can do that when you have been shoveling for two weeks.  It did get to the 60's on Saturday, but rain/snow is forecasted.  Looks like more ice cream cookies for me.

 That's the weeks events.  I honestly think spring is almost worse than winter.  It is frustrating trying to keep up with Mother Nature's whims.  Are you a fan of spring?

Shoveling, shoveling, and more shoveling...

It just keeps snowing.  We got 33 inches and then a few days later six more for good measure.  I tried to take Ella snowshoeing, but our neighbors piled snow on the road and dropped a tree across it for good measure.  My husband was trying to pack a trail, so Ella wouldn't have such a hard time.  Instead of snowshoeing, we spent quality time shoveling (always with the shoveling) out our very stuck ATV.  Needless to say, I'm not happy with the new neighbors.  The worst part is they weren't trying to be mean, they are just that clueless.  That is the first time we have ever gotten the ATV stuck.  

I guess that is a hint that I should just stay in the cabin and quilt. 

Am I the only person still shoveling?