Baby It's Cold Outside

I know, I know long time since a post but it's sooo cold my fingers have frozen.  OK, not my best excuse, not even a good one really.  It has been incredibly cold here in fact we have had snow constantly on the ground since Christmas eve. That is not a common occurrence here.  We usually only get 2-3 snow falls a year (with enough to measure) and it has usually melted away within a day or two.   I can't get my car out of the driveway and haven't moved it since Dec 23.  Crazy I tell you! 

You would think with so much time in the house I would be accomplishing a ton, however with the holidays and then frozen pipes I have not been able to get much of anything done.  Then I decided that Tempted needed a new laptop and have spent the last 2 weeks updating, transferring and on hold with various  technical support offices around the world. 

I have managed to keep the birds feed although I think I have gone through about 10 lbs of bird seed.  I really don't think they are just fluffing up to stay warm I think they are really just that fat.  I took this picture while comfortably warm in my kitchen, I have a wonderful big kitchen window that looks out onto a field typically dotted with black cows.  However the cattle are staying close to the water and in the trees to stay warm I am sure. One evening we saw 6 doe crossing the field to a thicket that probably will provide some wind break from the very cold north wind.   I did get all six in this picture but several are very difficult to see, talk about camouflage.  I do enjoy all the natural beauty I am surrounded by.  Again these photos where taken from the warmth of my kitchen, through the window.   One of the doe decided to venture out into a field alone first then the other five joined her.  She looked very young probably only born this last Spring.  She seemed to be limping a bit but the longer I watched I realized it was just because she was breaking through the ice on top of the snow and when the rest followed they all had the same halting gait.  Yes, I may have been lazy during these last few frigid weeks but I have enjoyed it to some degree.  It is much better to me then the 100 degree plus weather we are sure to have in July. 

 I have done a bit of dyeing all of these are for more of the Stacy Shawl Kits.  Most of these are deeper and more intense then the previous kits.  I am very fond of this batch, the red is already gone but I think the rest are still available. :)   I am trying to decide on another new base yarn.  I have choices to make and it hasn't been easy.  Both are lovely Merino/Silk blends.  Decisions decisions....

I hope you have all stayed snug and wrapped in your wonderful hand-knits.  xoxo