A Transformation

    My most recent project involved adding stained glass to the top portion of six kitchen cabinet panels. The formerly solid panel doors were altered to allow for the installation and the owners did a great job of creating the opening. I'm hoping to get a photo of the kitchen after the doors are rehung.

No Good Deed.....

goes unpunished, as it is said. My good deed involved getting new straw bedding for the barnyard. The bad part was that the horses found it DELICIOUS and I don't think it's healthy for them to be eating straw. But being it was a novelty around here, they wouldn't leave it alone. Like they don't have vast quantities of nice grass and alfalfa hay! Two days later I had two horses with mysteriously swollen pasterns. My guess is there was the weed, Hoary Alyssum, in the mix. I had this happen last summer where suddenly both horses had swollen ankles almost up to their knees. It takes a couple days for it to go away with the help of a little bute. Since no one is lame or limping, it makes it very intriguing. And everyone is back to normal today.

Winter Wonderfulness

I made a comment yesterday on Facebook stating that "I love winter". Surely, I jest! Blasphemy!

No, really! I dig winter--sometimes literally, but hey, here are some COOL reasons to appreciate our four months farthest from the sun. In true Letterman form----the top 10 list of Why I Love Winter.

10. Crisp clean air that can make the nose hairs tickle.
9. Getting to go cross country skiing and snowshoeing.
8. Uninterrupted time to devote to projects and reading. It's just like a vacation.
7. Feeding the birds and wildlife--those that are here for winter!
6. Fires in the fireplace.
5. Going for a long walk on the coldest, nastiest, windiest day--just to do it.
4. Baking bread and making other dishes that I never make in the summer.
3. Undemanding time with the horses. They enjoy the break, too.
2. No noisy motorcycles and all the excessive traffic.
And the number one reason.......
1. No mosquitoes, flies, wood ticks or other pesky creepy crawlies!

There are probably more but I'm on my way outside to enjoy the day I was given.

Patterned After Greatness

Here is a pattern for a patriotic lampshade I have been contemplating for awhile now. Several projects are in the works right now, so I'm not sure when I'll start cutting glass for it, but, like so many projects--it will get its day eventually. I usually don't make 3D mock ups, but this one needed a closer look to make sure the pattern would fit right on the corner seams.

I have been having lots of shop time these days. Winter is a good time to focus on creativity while there are fewer distractions like gardening and horses.

I sent in my application to participate in the spring version of the Fresh Art Tour. It will be held May 14, 15, 16 -- the weekend after Mothers Day. By then the days will be warming up and I'll be thinking about getting the garden planted.