So, it’s the last day of January. I have spent much of this (very c-c-c-cold) month daydreaming about the beach. The sad truth is that right now my favorite spots along the Jersey Shore are just as frigid as my own town. Those warm, sunny days on the boardwalk exist only in my memories (and in some late Spring day in my future). I will do my best not to wish the next three months away, but it’s not going to be easy. I don’t love winter, as I think you may well know…
I drove Neil to work yesterday morning, and before we had gotten too far, I said, “let’s just blow off everything and go to Ocean Grove today.” He’d have taken me up on that, if it wasn’t 16 degrees outside.
Alicia posted on her blog last week that she’s already seeing harbingers of spring in her yard. Lucky Portland.
If it wasn’t so far from everything I know and love (and if I wasn’t such an East Coaster at heart) I’d probably enjoy living in Portland…
On Flickr
The mosaic below represents other people’s pictures that spoke to me this week. Be sure to click on the titles below the mosaic, if you want to know more about the image or the photographer!
1. Untitled, 2. Good Evening! I did my best to stay out of the freezing cold today!!! How cold was it where you live? #fromwhereistand #themugchronicles #, 3. Orange Gerbera, 4. winter, 5. cheese blintz with loose strawberry jam, 6. One of my new toys, 7. 28 jan, 8. tape happy, 9. Pink Gerbera Daisy, 10. Coffee Morning, 11. 29. afternoon light!, 12. Pillows previously seen in the pages of Modern Patchwork magazine. Now just a stepping stone for Charlie to see out of the window better.
Around the Web
I spend some time each day, Monday through Thursday, sharing my favorite crafty links through social media. And then I repeat them here on Fridays.
Yarn
- auld lang syne mitts and an experiment: from a Friend to knit with
- Patina Hexagon Apron: a free crochet pattern from Skacel
- Crochet Fox Hat: a free pattern from The Stitchin’ Mommy
- Little Snails: a free crochet pattern from Natas Nest
- Cabled Wrist Warmers: a show-and-tell from All About Ami
Fabric
- Turn Your Photos into Fabric: a tutorial from Spoonflower Blog
- Sweetheart Charms: a sewing project from The Purl Bee
- the Stitch & Stash Bag: a new sewing pattern from Betz White
- 12 Tips for Enjoying a Stress-free Hobby: tips from Sew Mama Sew
Valentine word art
- Valentine’s Day XO Glitter Letters: a tutorial from Make Life Lovely
- Love {Yarn} Letters: a tutorial from My Sister’s Suitcase
- PB Inspired Love Wall Plaque for Valentines: a woodworking project from Remodelando la Casa
- DIY Valentine’s Day Decor – Decorative LOVE Letters: a project from Always Something
- Valentine’s Decor: more lovely letters from Pinkie for Pink
Food
- bringing it back: thoughts on the nut bowl by Eating From the Ground Up
- Homemade Chocolate Sunflower Seed Butter: from Food in Jars, via Simple Bites
- When you need a fix: Healthy homemade chocolate: a recipe from MommyCoddle
- Star Wars Cookies with Common Cutters: by The Sweet Adventures of Sugarbelle
- DIY Melted Snowman Cake: a Winter recipe from Handmade Charlotte
I see the temperature is supposed to climb into the 40’s this weekend. A light at the end of the wintery tunnel, perhaps? I hope it’s toasty where you are!