Wednesday, February 2, 2011

A Terrible Beauty

Yes, it's nasty out there, but does it really count as a blizzard? I'm not sure. In the years that we've lived here, I've seen snow storms that dumped more snow at a faster rate, and we've had sustained high winds that prevented me from seeing the shed from my front door. That didn't happen this time. Still, I know we won't be going any where today, and possibly tomorrow.


This is the view from my front door. I think it's going to take a while to move this stuff! I remember the winter of 1983/84. The snow drifts in front of the shed were 15 feet high, so we could only see the peak from our front door. Daughter Alison remembers climbing to the top of the drift and sliding down.


Looking out the back door, things don't seem so bad. The snow is about 6" deep on the ground, and about 3" deep on the porch. Everything looks so serene!


Looking to the left from my front door, we can see some awesome drifts, evidence that the wind was, indeed, blowing. It's snowing some more right now, and the prediction is that it will snow until noon. We'll be okay as long as the wind doesn't kick up. Dave's out taking pictures right now... I think he's having fun!


So, what's a girl to do when she's snowed in? Tat, of course! A while back, Fox sent me some thread samples. Was it Valdani? I have a terrible memory, and I'm too lazy to go back and look. Any way, I wound thread onto one of my tortoise shell Clover shuttles, and my pretty little shuttle from Tatting-Marie. I love the way Mary Konior's "Star" motif turned out! The finished size is 2 1/2".


I think I may be on the verge of a "Star" binge! The pattern can be found in Tatting Patterns by Mary Konior. I hope you're lucky enough to own a copy of this book. I think it's fantastic!

13 comments:

  1. I'm glad I live in Alabama. The star is beautiful.

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  2. Same thing here just cleaned the drive and walk. Now the snow plow just came by so it is time to go back out and clean out the end again, Love the star.

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  3. As much as I love the snow, I'm glad to be living in the south!

    I see in that third photo you have a plant that is covered with snow. Is that a fern? Poor plant!

    I can see now why you haven't yet received my shuttle! Here's hoping the weather will calm itself soon!

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  4. Oh, and remember when I mentioned to you about the Mary Konior visual patterns book?

    I'm finally getting a copy for myself! yay I'm so excited!

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  5. 6 inches of snow is enough to shut Atlanta down for a week - I can't imagine getting enough for drifts . . .

    Sure is pretty in the pictures tho! Have fun tatting (wish I had a bit more spare time, forced or not).

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  6. Your snowy scenes look peaceful and nice. I've never encountered any snow but the first thing that comes to mind is the very low temperature. Good idea to stay indoors to tat.

    The Star is beautiful. More on their way?

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  7. At the ‘ripe’ (some might even say over-ripe” age of 74; I have seen winters much worse than this one ~ Here in NM they are calling it the 100-year snow. Yet, I remember in 1948 when we drove to Iowa, Nebraska and an ex patriot Iowan in Missouri, and it was so cold in Santa Fe/Albuquerque area that Dad’s car horn froze; and he had to tuck a light under the hood of the car, near the engine, so he could start it in the morning! I remember DH wrapping all the exposed faucets and lines to our home. In Iowa, at Grandpa’s farm, they ran a rope up the side of the hill to the henhouse and thence to the barn...so they could find their way back. I was fascinated that on the second floor was a door to nowhere!
    In the summer they opened it to let the heat out of the house (no electricity in those days on a rural Iowa farm). The door to no where led to snow in the winter and was how they exited the house! So, I agree ~ this sort of winter used to be more common place. It was remembering these Iowa winters on the farm that encouraged my Father to ‘move west young man’ and why I grew up, in the main, in the Southwest, California, and a little time in the Grand Coulee area of Washington State. (we left there because he hated the winters). Snow is beautiful to look out upon. The pain is in the shoveling (I was designated shoveler when I was 12) Being a girl held no water for my Dad as to not doing ‘heavy’ chores. My happiest day was the day the fellow that operated the grader (no snow plows) on the county road, made a swipe through our circular drive way and made a great driveway for me ~ when my Dad came home he praised me highly for getting it all cleared. Then I told him about the grader and he laughed and said, “Well, shows what power a little blonde girl with a shovel has!”
    We have about 6” of snow and I just heard that all three of those stalwart prognosticators ~ the groundhogs ~ sez “an early spring” ~ so there is hope. LOL xxxx bev

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  8. That is a very pretty star! :)
    The blizzard warning is past here now, but it's still blowing and drifting quite a bit. :) Stay warm!

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  9. Ohhh, that is pretty! I cannot remember if I have ever tatted this one - I must go and look... Yes, it is Valdani thread and you made it look wonderful!

    I believe you have more of the white stuff now than we do up here north of the 49th! And you're right - I remember MUCH worse!

    But snow can be good...enjoy your indoor activities!
    FOX : ))

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  10. Thanks for sharing the lovely (and yes, serene) images from your front and back doors. Stay in, stay warm.

    Exercising your mind and fingers though tatting is a great way to enjoy a fair snow-in. And what a treat to have a new Konior book on the way. Hurray!

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  11. LOVE the star - I think I like just about any pattern of Mary Konior's.

    Snow, snow, snow! I'm a little worried about the spring flooding already predicted here. I love the look of the untouched snow across the yard - and even the beautiful artwork that the bitter wind creates is amazing.

    Stay warm!

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  12. I'll bet this put a kink in your daughter's moving plans. I was just out for a reality check. Found out I left the key in the ignition Monday night and the battery was dead. My son was having a hard time moving his car anywhere because is was so slick and deep in places. He jumpstarted my battery and was able to get down the driveway and out with a little effort in my car so it turned out well. We're not far from a major road, it's just getting out of the lane that is so hard!

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  13. I love you snowy pictures. We've had mountains of snow since the day after Christmas. This is one of the best winters in a long, long time...Some more snow is on the way too. What an adventure it's been! ...Can you tell I LOVE winter?!...Your star is just beautiful, Diane! Enjoy your weekend! Paulette xoxo

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