Sewing at Common Threads

After a long holiday hiatus, extended by a couple other issues, Sarah, Nancy, and I are back to sewing at Common Threads. I'm working on a bag using some really fun Amy Butler fabric. I'm thinking it will be finished next week. In the meantime Nancy, who is new to sewing, has finished her trio of birds. Aren't they sweet?!

Our sewing night has turned into a book club as well, and we've begun trading book suggestions. The book that I found intriguing and will begin soon is Only Begotten Daughter. Looking forward to it.
It is such a pleasure to work with such creative, intelligent young women! Especially since my own creative, intelligent young women live far away now.

The Weather Outside is Frightful..........

but the hot tub's so delightful!

I only like to use our hot tub when it's REALLY cold outside, so with the weather back down to below zero last night it was a perfect time to cook myself in the tub. This post is mainly for my father-in-law who was curious about our hot tub when we bought it and couldn't believe we would use it during the winter. This makes sense when you consider he's from Texas so being outside at all in the cold, let alone in your bathing suit, must have seemed quite strange!






These are my favorite pink Crocs that I use to get from our back door, across the deck, to the tub.













And here is how I get back to the house after soaking. Walking barefoot through the snow while wearing a wet bathing suit feels so good.

Peace Is Always Beautiful

Peace is always beautiful.
~Walt Whitman~

A bunny we spotted on our New Year's Day hike.

Biking to the Humane Society

Last weekend Oldest Daughter told us that some of her cats from CARE were transferred to the Humane Society in Boulder and asked that we go and say "Hi" to them. The weather was perfect for a bike ride and now we had a destination.



Unfortunately, the cats were still being processed so we were unable to see them but we asked the lady at the front desk to give them all a hug. Here are some pix from around the center, as proof for Oldest Daughter that we did, indeed, try to see her cats:

Arts and Science

After Bible Study yesterday, a friend and I drove out to the best craft place around here -- which of course is NOT in Boulder. (Why don't we have such a store in Boulder???) After an hour and a half we'd still only perused a tiny corner of the store but I found lots of pretty things to bring home. I'm loving these colors! Reminds me of India. My friend, though, found nearly twice as much as I did. Maybe it's good that it's not in Boulder.

With temps in the high 60s and low 70s lately, it's been fun to be back outdoors, walking. One morning I walked to Twenty Ninth Street to pick up some shampoo for Youngest Daughter (apparently they don't sell shampoo in Steamboat Springs) and after shopping I visited one of the science displays.
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I love these science exhibits because it gives you something to do if the rest of the family insists on shopping! Here's some info about the exhibits:

In addition to its eclectic mix of casual to upscale shops
and restaurants, Twenty Ninth Street boasts a feature no
other retail center in the country can claim: The Wonder of
Science at Twenty Ninth Street. This permanent, onsite
installation is a compelling series of large-scale interactive
exhibits developed by seven renowned national science 
laboratories and institutes.

Partners in this unique enterprise celebrating science
are The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR);
the University of Colorado's JILA organization; the
National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration 
(NOAA); the National Institute of Standards and Technology
(NIST); the Space Science Institute; the National Renewable
Energy Lab (NREL); and the University of Colorado's
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP).

Reflecting the broad themes of "space, time and earth
systems" that drive these science agencies, the exhibits
reflect different science disciplines, from a "planet
playground" to a solar-powered sculpture installation,
along with interactive educational information about
each organization's work.

A great way to get science to the masses!
   

Happy Birthday, Dr. King

Today we celebrate what would have been Dr. King's 80th birthday on Jan. 15. There is much to celebrate this year, Dr. King. I can see you now, sitting around a table with, among others, Gandhi, Mother Teresa, and Jesus himself, saying a prayer of thanksgiving that we are taking yet another step towards peace. Lay your hands on the shoulders of the man who will be inaugurated tomorrow as our 44th president; help him maintain his calm strength and peace as he continues this incredible journey.

This I Believe

Do you ever listen to the "This I Believe" segment on NPR on Sunday mornings? This morning a kindergartner read his list of thirty things he believes. It's wonderful. Here it is:

"I believe life is good.
I believe God is in everything.
I believe we're all equal.
I believe we can help people.
I believe everyone is weird in their own way.
I believe hate is a cause for love.
I believe that when I meditate I feel peaceful.
I believe we should be generous.
I believe brothers and sisters should be kind to each other.
I believe kids should respect their parents.
I believe I should not whine.
I believe people should wake up early.
I believe people should go outside more.
I believe in nature.
I believe people should use less trees.
I believe we should help the Arctic and rainforest animals.
I believe people shouldn't throw litter on the ground.
I believe people should not smoke.
I believe God is in good and bad.
I believe in magic.
I believe people should not give up.
I believe love is everywhere.
I believe that God helps us to have a good time.
I believe we live best in a community.
I believe we can protect people in danger.
I believe we should help the poor.
I believe it's OK to die but not to kill.
I believe war should not have started.
I believe war should stop.
I believe we can make peace.

I wish more people believed what this young boy believes. What do you believe? I believe I can be hopeful for our country because of our upcoming inauguration and because of this incredible kindergartner.