Creature Comfort

We have an owl in our neighborhood. I've never seen him, but I know he has returned from his winter hiatus. For an hour on each side of dawn he hoots every few minutes, wishing me a good morning. At night it's the same. Just before sundown and through twilight he bids me good night.

When he begins singing again each spring I realize how much I missed his song during the winter.

Goosey's Quilt

I started Goosey's quilt 3 1/2 years ago. My ward had just started a quilting group and I was very eager to learn. I took Goosey to a quilt shop and let her choose her fabric. It was on this quilt that learned to cut and piece. I ran into some challenges when we found an antique bed for Goosey that was not a twin, but a 3/4 sized bed. I had to figure out how to make the quilt the right size for the bed. That doesn't sound hard now, but at the time I was terrified that I would ruin this quilt which I had already invested so much time and energy in.

In January I sent the quilt off to a long arm quilter. Seven (7!) weeks later I got it back, and I am so happy with the darling flower stitching all over it. This weekend I did the binding, and now, finally, Goosey has her quilt.

Scrappy Nautical Quilt

This quilt was made with one jelly roll, plus fabric for the backing.

Community Education

Every two months we get a flyer for the community education classes being offered through a local high school. I pour over it each time, hoping that upholstery will be an offering. No joy yet. Chair Caning* is being offered this time though--I'm quite tempted.

In my search for an upholstery class I have become familiar with the standard offerings: Italian 1 ~level 4, Stress Management w/Yoga, Archery, Repairs for the Homeowner, Sour Dough Bread Making, Stained Glass ~level 1, Drivers Education, etc. But there are two types of classes that never fail to intrigue me: first, "People pay to take that class?" and second, "That's just weird enough I wish I had time to take it."

I honestly wonder who pays for classes entitled: Buy a Home/Business Computer, The Internet for Seniors, Walking for Fitness and Fun, Beginning Knitting and Crochet, Stock Market Review, Intro to Windows, Feasting on Spring Vegetables. Personally, I'm a fan of asking my elderly neighbor to show me how to knit in exchange for computer help. I also believe in common sense--I don't think I need anyone to tell me about walking (if I did I could read about it online) or how to eat spring vegetables. Just saying.

Weird offerings this session that I wish I had time to take: Animal Totem Wisdom, Duck Decoy Carving, Herb Safety 101, Crystals for Abundance & Transformation, PetSaver Training, Learn to do Voice Overs.

Have you taken a community education course? Was it of the standard "conversational Spanish" variety or something more exotic?

*All courses mentioned have remained true to the actual spelling and wording found in the flyer itself.

Oatmeal Cake

This is an easy, super delicious cake.

CAKE

Mix together:

1 1/2 cups very hot water

1 cup oatmeal (better if you DON'T use quick oats)

1/2 cup cooking oil

2 eggs

Add:

1 cup white sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 1/3 cups flour

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

Bake in greased & floured pan at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

FROSTING

Stir over warm heat until melted & bubbly:

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup butter

Add:

2 Tbsp milk

1/2 cup chopped nuts (I prefer walnuts)

1/2 to 1 cup either coconut or small marshmallows (I like the coconut)

If using marshmallows, stir until melted and blended well.

Anyone have a lamb I can borrow?

Here's the thing about March in New England--it doesn't mean much. That is, weather-wise. It simply means that if it's a good year we only have 6 more weeks during which it will most likely snow.

Not spring. Not here. Just everywhere else.

Sigh.