Friday, January 23, 2009

Another Week gone

Woke to frozen fog and every surface coated with frost, early morning was surreal. As you can see in the next photos, the fog forms ice crystals, when the sun hits them they sparkle like diamonds. Later in the day the sun came out and it was just one of those perfect days, no breeze, blue skies and sunshine. I actually had to unzip my jacket as I was to warm. In the third picture you can see the bunny tracks in the snow. By late afternoon the trees and bushes were clear of their coating, so was glad I captured them early on. Blogger is not cooperating with me, I have tried to move the pictures with no success. Maybe I am just doing it wrong.

2009 is galloping off down the road and I am just hanging on to the tail!! I had planned to be in the saddle and in control, fat chance. Just amazes me that the end of January is in sight already.
I have made some progress in trying to organize things a bit better, as mentioned in the past real decorating will have to wait. Since the weather does not permit much in the way of outside things to be done I am taking advantage of the warmer days to do things around the house. Oh, in answer to Violet Lady's question as to how it could have been 40 degrees in my kitchen, allow me to elaborate. The room off the kitchen used to be the back porch, rather then tearing it off and then building a room on they enclosed the porch. When Jim and I were attempting to put insulation in the dropped ceiling I was amazed to see the original porch roof, you know the narrow boards they use for that. I am sure when we get to the point of taking off the wall covering we will find, as in the roof that there is no insulation. This room is exposed on the North and West sides of the house. So, you take that exposure, add in shoddy construction and no insulation and basically you have a walk in freezer. They also removed the door that used to be the entrance to the kitchen, so there is no way to close this off. When the temp reaches between -5 and -20 it gets really cold, drawing the warm from the kitchen. I have my refrigerator out there so that there is more room in the kitchen, so need to have access. With the insulation we have put up, it truly is much better then in the past so we are making progress. As with all the different challenges posed by our home, all will be resolved in time. Since we love the house and have no plans to move, we make do and keep plugging away to resolve the minuses and accentuate the pluses.

I had occasion to call Wilton, the company that makes so many pans and supplies for cake making. In the course of the conversation I mentioned the lack of teachers in this area and Rose who I was speaking with said why didn't I become one? Hummm, ok what do I do to make this happen? Turns out if I take the master course from Wilton I can then become certified to be a teacher. To make a long story short, I think I am going to do it. The course will be two weeks, which will mean I have to take the motor home over to Chicago. I have discussed this with Jim and he promises me he will do the needed repairs to the home so it will be good to go. I am getting excited about this as the course will go over many of the techniques I am interested in.
I am thinking I will also begin to stock some supplies as those are also hard to come by. I feel by doing this my business will be well rounded, more ways to meet people and more avenues for business opportunities. The class will be in June which gives me time to save my pennies as the class is pricey and give Jim ample time to make repairs to the motor home.

Best to you all, I am going back to snooze some more!






9 comments:

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Barbara,

The fog pictures are beautiful! I am glad you're getting some milder weather. We have been at 60 degrees the last couple of days, but the weekend will get colder. Not as cold as in Iowa, but cold for here. We may even get another episode of freezing rain/snow mixture next week. Yikes!

I agree, 2009 is trotting along. I, for one, will be glad to see January go.

Good luck with your plans of taking the couse with Wilton. It seems like a great opportunity for you.

I am in a bit of a blogging funk. Have not had the desire to write a new post in over a week. I may take a long break from it. If I decide to do that, I will still visit my favorite blogs.

Stay safe and warm, and enjoy your lovely homestead!

Hugs,

Renie

BClark said...

Miss Renie, thank you so much for stopping by. I understand the funk, I believe it must be something to do with the time of year. Karen at Over the backyard fence mentioned something along those lines. We are back down to 6 with wind, so am appreciating the nice weather we had. Hope you are funkless soon.

Edie Marie's Attic said...

Hi Barbara!

I'm so excited for you! That sounds fabulous! And the fact you have a motorhome to stay in while out of town is just perfect. I know you will do so good at it. I didn't know Wilton trained people themselves. Just think of the possibilities and opportunities it could open up for the future with that kind of training!

Have a great weekend!
Hugs, Sherry

violetlady said...

Great idea, Barbara!! And I am glad it is in June, so you won't have to brave any bad weather. Thanks for the explanation about the cold kitchen. The bedroom in our addition is very chilly because my husband the builder didn't insulate under the floor!

Nancy said...

Oh, that looks soooo cold!!! We had some cold nights but now in the 50's and to be in 60's later in the week. I have had enough of winter already! LOL

Your new header pic is beautiful!!! Looks like a lovely home!!! You will enjoy it when you get everything all done to your liking. I love to do things around the house like that.

The Wilton course sounds like fun! If I lived closer, I'd join you! I used to make professional cakes and sell them years ago, but no longer. I don't even know where all my pans are anymore. I have moved several times...I would imagine they are packed up yet at my daughter's home. I loved making my kids' cakes for them, though. Children's cakes are so much fun! GOod luck!!! Sounds like a great adventure and new business coming up for you!!!

((( HUGS )))

Karen said...

The Wilton class sounds like a great opportunity, but most of all lots of fun! The road trip and all.

I love your fog pictures.

When I was growing up, my bedroom was always so cold and I complained all the time. My family thought it was just me, as they were all toasty warm. Years later, my dad decided to replace the siding on the house and found no insulation on the outside wall of my bedroom. Did he feel sheepish. Of course my brothers thought it was hilarious. To this day, I'm sure this is the reason I am not a morning person, waking up in a deep freeze half the year.

recoveryagent2 said...

Hey Barb,
We have been sharing record breaking freezing temps this last week with you... but it's been a beautiful weekend...pictures of spring are starting to flash through my head and I too am anxious to throw open the windows and make some homefront changes. Happy Chinese New Year to you and Jim, may this, the year of the Ox bring you health, happiness and prosperity. We are celebrating with dinner, dragon dancers, firecrackers and Kung Fu tonight and we were at the beach yesterday for a picnic, Chinese style.
Stay warm my Northern friend, I'm sending you a fabulous Asian Cole Slaw recipe!!! You are gonna love it.....I promise.
Penny
The Ox Rox!!!

Joanne said...

I've got my feet in the stirrups and am pulling on the reins too, but there is just no slowing 2009 down! The Wilton course, and the motorhome trip to Chicago sound like fun. We'll be waiting for those Posts From The Road!!

Nancy said...

Hi Barbara!

I forgot to mention that I have 3 awards waiting for you over at my blog! Please stop by and grab them. You and your blog are so deserving of them!!!

Hope you are staying in and warm and safe!

((( HUGS )))