Killing two birds

 We had a really big snowstorm this week, yesterday as a matter of fact, and it was 7 degrees when I got up today.  Now the sun has been out and the snow is melting like crazy!!  We had friends for dinner on Sunday and I needed to heat some frozen corn.  I had a small amount in a bag previously purchased and a new small carton in butter sauce so I put the first in a bowl with a lid and the 2nd which was in a pouch in the microwave on top of the lid.  When I opened the oven...this huge "bubble" was nearly touching the top of the microwave.  Whaaaat???  We all laughed so hard...trying to kill two birds with one stone?  Not always a good idea.

When it was so cold this morning, my little grey guy curled up on the carpet on the cat's scratching base basking in the sunshine.  Poor guy!  But look below...he and Roger got new beds!  And Spencer Blue loves his.  

I went to sew on Monday with my quilting friends and being able to sew all day without interruptions really does allow one to get something accomplished, plus the interaction with other quilters has been enjoyable.  I have some ideas for some quilts to start, but when I went upstairs to see what I need to finish....well, I have many projects that have been started and still need to be completed. 

I am so ready for spring and planting..but we have a busy little rabbit that has made tracks all over the snow outside and I am afraid that if we don't get rid of him, we will have more and all of my gardening will be futile.  It will become Peter Rabbit's Bed and Breakfast all over again!

Spring yet?

 So I am impatiently waiting for spring...winter be done!!  At Christmas, my friend and neighbor with whom we consider family, built and presented me with this wonderful bluebird feeder including the dried worms.  The bluebirds have arrived and although I haven't seen any, neighbors have.  We had snow this week, several inches in fact, but it melted quickly so perhaps on the horizon, spring will emerge.  Actually, next week is officially the first day.  I still need to seal it now that it has been painted and we need to get a post in the ground for mounting it, but that will be in a few days.

 The flies have started to show up and although Coalette chooses to nap in the weirdest places (here on the printer), she can catch any fly that she can spot.  YUMMY!  (Flies?  Another sign of warmer weather?)-- and the prairie dogs are coming out of hibernation too.

 We have the most gorgeous sunrises here.  This is a very pale pink taken from my very small upper deck and through the window. (It was cold.) 

I have been sewing a great deal and have joined a group of quilters and met some pretty neat gals.  You have to remember that we are in very rural Wyoming and there are a lot of tough ol' birds around here.  There are even quite a few transplants...people who are looking for a more peaceful way of life.  It never ceases to amaze me that retirees are moving here, as we lack a lot of amenities associated with the needs of senior citizens.  The ones who live here are hardy stock and survivors for sure.  But with views like the one above, who can blame them.  There were 3 cars stolen last week from Saratoga.  Imagine that! All were unlocked with keys inside.  Everyone does that here.  That sort of thing just doesn't happen here.  They were apprehended not too far away, vehicles located and not so long ago would have probably been strung up like horse thieves.  It has been a quiet couple of weeks..no news is good news..thus my absence from this blog. Just waiting for SPRING!

Latest quilt

 Finished!! This is the double Wedding Ring quilt in honor of our 50th wedding anniversary.  I have always wanted to make this but it seemed too daunting.  When I found a paper pieced pattern I knew it would be done!! All of the small scraps that have been saved over the years were perfect for this quilt so there are pieces from clothing and pieces from other quilts and pieces from fabric given to me by friends. I wish that I had not used the bright yellow 4 patches--they are loud, but it is done. 

I have missed my quilt gatherings since we moved, but have just discovered a newly formed group in Encampment, the small community just south of me about 10 miles.  They meet every other Monday in the library and bring their machines for the day and sew and share ideas.  I have been to the last two gatherings and it has been great to sew all day and the gals are fun!

My daughter, an artist in her own right, has asked for some pictures of the sunsets and sunrises I view from my home nearly every day.  This truly is the ol' west and no two are ever the same.  Toward the east this morning at about 6:30, I captured this sunrise.