Winter Survival

Now that Spring is in full-swing and since I revisited an old post about going to a certain store in Spokane, I felt it would be appropriate to give away my winter survival secret. No, I'm not talking about how to survive a night in below zero temps should your snowmobile break down in the backcountry. I am talking about how a busy-body-turned-housewife survives her first winter without going crazy with cabin fever and lack of social interaction. I looked at the colder-than-what-this-Texas girl-is-used-to winter as an opportunity to take up some hobbies I had been wanting to explore for a few years. I had mentioned a while back about how Michael's Craft Store was the end-all, be-all for all your cabin fever prevention needs. Well, here's how it worked for me.

I knew, moving from the south to a place where it actually snowed and got cold in the winter could prove to be overwhelming. I actually heard a couple of semi-horror stories from a couple of the other wives I have come to know up here. So, I was convinced that I had to have a plan. My plan was two-fold. First, I attempted to get back into scrapbooking. I bought some stuff to add to what I had started collecting 6 years ago. Yep, 6 years ago. I have exactly 5 pages in a scrapbook documenting part of the first year of our marriage and then I helped do a scrapbook for a friend who got married last year (made the pages ready for her to add the photos). That has been the extent of it. I have thousands of photos in print and on the computer dying to be put into albums and scrapbooks. Needless to say, I didn't end up getting very far because I was distracted by my second undertaking...beading/jewelry making. I also bought stuff to make a go at this hobby several years back and made 1 necklace for a friend before life got in the way. However, this time around, it has stuck and it has been even better because I have a friend with whom I often do it. It was truly my saving grace this winter and I have ended up making jewelry as Christmas gifts, birthday presents, and personal rewards for myself for surviving my first real winter. :) I have even made jewelry for a couple of friends who are getting married soon. That was a real honor, by the way. Now, I am gearing up for spring and thinking of new ways to keep going with my little hobby/venture. Here are some photos of my favorites and at the end, check out my latest co-creation which I hope will be all the rage this spring. :) Let me know if you need anything for a gift or special occasion...you will be contributing to my cabin fever cure! PS. I have since started up with scrapbooking again....this time its my years of horse photos and I am having a ball with it!








Here is the newest creation....chiffon/organza flowers that can be made to any size and color specifications and can be worn as a brooch on a hat or cute sweater, a pendant on a necklace, and more! Start by cutting out circles of chiffon/organza/tulle in your choice of color. Larger/more circles=larger flower.


Then burn the edges of each circle causing them to curl and turn into gorgeous flower petals

Stack the "petals"....


Stitch them together through the center and add beads, colorful thread...or our choice, pretty buttons. Wa-la...flowers!



Coming soon: flowers in different colors and on necklaces and bracelets!

Score!

We were headed to town a few days ago and guess what we spotted!  Eagles!  Not just one, but two Bald Eagles sitting in a tree.  These were close enough for us to get some decent, though not great, photos.  Hope to see some more soon and get even better shots!

New Lens = New Lease on Life

I finally did it!  I talked David into getting a new lens for our camera....a telephoto lens to be exact.  And I am in love with it!  I have been wanting one so I could take better photos of all the wildlife and gorgeous scenery I see every day.  In particular, I have been dying to get a good photograph of a Bald Eagle.  We see them on a daily basis, but I haven't managed to get even a remotely decent shot of one with my small camera or the small lens on my big camera.  Well, since I got my telephoto, I have not seen ONE, SINGLE eagle!!  Go figure.  I have, however, been practicing for the moment I do see one by taking lots of other photos.  Here are a handful from the past few days.  We have had weather to die for and I have taken full advantage of it by being out and about.  Now, all I need is for Mr. Bald Eagle to show up. :)

Near Republic...from old forest fire 

A frozen Curlew Lake 

Curlew Lake and old railroad bridge 

The hubby getting ready for our ride 

Contemplating... 

Logan after a much needed haircut...we don't claim to be professionals :)

Playing Catch-Up

I have been without any way to download photos taken with my big camera.  Well, I finally got a card reader and am in business.  I have taken lots of photos over the past few months, since September and am ready to share.  I am posting my favorites.

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

The Big City

We recently headed to Spokane for a day of civilized entertainment including shopping and, of course, eating out.  We love to eat at PF Chang's...our favorite restaurant, but Spokane only has one and it is downtown.  Downtown Spokane is quite beautiful with the Riverside Park, mall, renovated buildings turned bars, restaurants, coffee houses, eclectic shops, and more.  However, with our big truck, it is a bit difficult to find parking downtown due to the small spaces and one-way streets.  Plus, all the parking garages were designed for mini coopers. :)  So, we took a left turn where we normally take a right, a block or so from PF Chang's and stumbled upon some nice roomy parking still only leaving us with a short walk to the restaurant.  We ended up parking next to The Spokane Club, which I learned, has been in existence in the same building since 1890.  The building caught my eye because of its beautiful architecture.  I researched the Club and discovered it is basically, an upscale social/athletic/business club for "community and civic leaders of Spokane".  The doors were plastered with signs stating, " Members Only".  Not very welcoming, but lovely just the same.  In taking a quick snapshot of the building, I noticed the other buildings on the street.  They were all just as distinct in their architecture and historic nature.  Below are some photos of the Spokane Club and other buildings in the vicinity that I managed to take while we were driving away...I hope to go back soon to get some better photos that will actually do these gorgeous buildings justice.  Anyhow, it ended up being a spectacular sunny day for an outing....a much needed one that included a stop at our new favorite places REI, Mountain Sports, and mine...Michael's!  David is never so thrilled about the last stop, but I could spend hours in there.  It is the total supply store/respite for all my winter hobby, keep myself from going cabin fever crazy, needs.  More to come on that subject later.

The Spokane Club...the entrance was quite grand and even displayed some Native American busts in the architecture over the main doorway

The Masonic Temple...very dignified and grand.  It was spectacular in the late morning light.

Other buildings adjacent to the Masonic Temple

Next door to The Spokane Club.  Another example of the interesting use of Native American inspiration in the architecture

A lovely old church across from The Spokane Club

Downtown Spokane

Yep, not a Golden Eagle or an Osprey...

I researched the bird from the last blog entry and think I have figured out what it is.  I believe it to be a Rough-Legged Hawk.  The photo and description in the following link matches quite well and it is a type of bird that migrates to our area from Alaska for the winter.  Check it out and let me know what you think.

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Rough-legged_Hawk/id

It is so true that you learn something new every day, or at least I do.

Snowshoeing to the Sunshine

Last week was cloudy and gloomy. We were even under a flood watch with all the rain and unseasonably warm weather (40 degrees) we had been having. We have little more than a couple of inches of snow left on the ground in the lower elevations. It has been pretty incredible. Not that I am complaining. This mild winter has been a great one for breaking ourselves in to real winters far from the southern border.

We were growing tired of the gloom and fog so, one morning we grabbed our snowshoes and headed for higher ground. We hiked up to some property we have been eyeing and once there, though the view was nil thanks to the fog, we got to take in some brilliant sunshine and blue sky. The temps were also nice and mild that day and I did most of the hike without my jacket. It was certainly a nice break from the hum-drum gray sky and rain that had been hanging around. We also got to see a gorgeous bird that I have yet to identify.  Any takers?  At first I guessed golden eagle, but it is not brown enough, too much white.  Maybe an Osprey?  I think not.  I will keep researching and post if I find an answer.

 

Hope to go adventuring again soon since we are having some gorgeous weather. It'll probably snow now. :)