A new tradition

I've decided to make homemade pizza every New Year's eve. It will be a new tradition! Here are the before and after pictures.
The toppings were sun-dried tomatoes and black olives. With minimal cheese.

Happy Holidays

No, I didn't make this gorgeous gingerbread house. Ahem. It's from Pinterest. That's where I'm getting my holiday cheer this year. Next year will be better; how can it be otherwise?

A walk in the dog park

This is Joe. 

This is Will, with Cookie nudging behind to get going.

This is my sister, Elizabeth, in the black hat.

This is me on the ice of Otter Lake, just doing what all the Minnesotans do.

What my sister and I did today

We volunteered at Feed My Starving Children for a few hours. We packed food for the Philippines, and had a great time doing it.  

It was a nice warm day (16 degrees)!!

There's an orientation before you start working.

The food goes directly to permanent workers in the various countries, who distribute it where the needs are the greatest.

My friends in Bohol, Philippines, are doing relief work in the places where today's packages will be shipped.

Elizabeth, my sister, takes a selfie.

There were 77 volunteers there, and we packed a lot of food bags. It was fun, and it lifted my spirit. I was working so fast my hand are a BLUR! 

I'm going there

Sunset walk

I'm just looking for a little peace...

Ice, snow, and big fat deer

A walk through the frozen wet lands

Lunch

Joe, and Beth, and I ate lunch in the Twin Cities at an Ethiopian restaurant. It's called Dilla's, and it's on Riverside and Cedar. This is the veggie combo plate, and it was delicious. I don't usually blog about food, but this was a good reason to make an exception!

Another pair of socks finished

Sunday hike

Morning walk

Cookie and I walked this morning. It's a chilly autumn morning but we did not complain. The lake was serene.

Minnesota!

Joe and I got here at noon. It's windy and chilly we walked around Birch Lake (2.7 miles).

We're somewhere in Minnesota

I'm working on this scarf while waiting for my son to wake up.

Wow! Thanksgiving dinner delivered to my car!

Patterns

I haven't painted anything in a long time. So before we pack everything up, I played with patterns in watercolor.

Babysitting

The Birds

I feel like I'm in an Alfred Hitchcock movie.  These birds are really bold.
I'm having a bite to eat while I wait for the nail in my tire to be fixed.
The bird in the second pic is eating scrambled egg. I think that's just weird.
A few minutes later, 2 birdies hauled that big tortilla right off the plate. Teamwork!

New socks

Past, present or future?

Autumn in Moab

It looks a lot like the rest of the country, but it's 75° and sunny here. Just saying.

The Apple Dumpling Boys

I've been their night nurse for the last seven weeks. 

When I'm taking care of these babies, I'm in a truly happy place. 

I started some new socks

This yarn is Zwerger Garn Opal Graffiti.
I'm calling the color pumpkin spice, because it's that time of year.

I'm getting ready for winter...slowly

On my to do list for this Minnesota winter:

Get some new cross country skis

Knit a really warm hat or two

Find my Canadian pack boots (feet never get cold in these)

Locate the best local yarn stores

Explore the Twin Cities

Do taste tests and comparisons to find the best hot chocolate

I think that'll be a good start. 

I'll be there in about 18 days!