One Thousand Posts -Woo Hoo

I liked the look of these peony frames out in the garden.  They have more snow on them this morning but they are still looking just like this.  It resembles the line drawings of November, huh?  Delicate but strong lines against the white (which I have iPhotoed to a buff color).

One Thousand Posts.  When I began this challenge (to make 1000 by the end of 2010) I was not sure I could actually do it.  Writing nearly every day was hard at the beginning.  I was so used to waiting for a "good topic" before posting.  I had to start "just writing" and then write, delete, write, delete etc until I had something that wasn't too, too boring to post.  It was an excellent writing exercise.  When I reread my posts I am in wonder at some of the (few) really good sentences I created.

In the coming year I will attempt to answer comments in the comment section instead of sending emails. That way there will be a continuing "conversation" of sorts, between the readers and myself.  Another layer of something to read.  We'll see if it works.  Several of the commenters are "no reply" and I would like to continue (or begin) a conversation with them also.  I can always do both if readers prefer since I don't always reread a post to check on the comments.  We'll see?

I opened the door for Riley this morning and he went straight out, and turned around and came straight back.  I sternly told him he had to go out and pee.  So, out he went and ran around a bit to find the perfect spot, did his business and ran as fast as he could back to the door.  I don't think I have to worry about a "walk".  Our street is plowed.  Which means a huge pile at the end of the driveway.  The heat is on.  The lights are on.  I plan to start moving fabric from the first floor to the second today. Riley will be helping me by running ahead of me, up and down, the stairs.  I intend to go slowly, one color stack at a time, getting my own exercise (I have eaten too much in December because the walking pants are no longer "wedgie free").

All the laundry and shirt ironing got done yesterday afternoon.  Then I watched Pride & Prejudice a second time along with Nigella's 30 minute cooking program.  I finished with a cup of tea, two cookies and House Hunter's International with a family relocating to Krakow Poland.  They never did get to buy a house.  Six months later and still no mortgage approval.  And a new baby on the way.  I was hoping for one of those little updates printed at the end to say how things worked out.  But, no.

This year is coming to an end and I worked more hours at work (almost double of last year), I had a better garden at home, I taught 15 classes at work, I read more books, I weeded the entire vegetable garden, sifted the compost piles and weeded two of the five perennial beds. My housekeeping went downhill and I will probably be spending the winter cleaning, sorting and getting rid of all the accumulated clutter.  My windows never got washed.  The carpets didn't get shampooed. The used slipcovers are still in a heap waiting to go to the Suds & Wash. I had a great suntan all year.  Perfected Chicken Marsala and Carbonara.  Made 22 jars of Concord grape jelly.  Got a new roof on the house.  New glasses and frames. Finished one pen and paper journal and nearly finished the new one.  More art in the new journal.  There are many unfinished threads left at the end of 2010.  The jewelry I had wanted to make last winter.  The placemats I cut and prepared but never quilted.  And I am still trying to find an author to read over the winter.  Perhaps Elizabeth George.  From the beginning.

In any event, you will have a front row seat to whatever happens in 2011 (and the days leading up to New Years).  Now, to begin hauling fabric upstairs.