It seems like years instead of days since I was in Shipshewana taking pictures, sewing, eating pie and having the best of times at the Dear Jane Retreat.

Somehow within a matter of days I went from all that bliss to this!

I also managed to cook Thanksgiving dinner in there somewhere too.
Now my days have taken on a whole new routine and I've found muscles I didn't know I had.
This first snowfall fell within only seven hours while I slept.

What you're looking at here is supposed to be the lower section of our driveway. Rob thinks it's about 360 feet long all together and the lower section is a steep hill that levels off at the top as it winds through the trees getting us out of the woods.

You then take the private road (which does have blacktop on it) out to the county road. Doesn't sound too bad huh?

Well, the first thing you have to do is get that Jeep up the hill. It's a Jeep, how bad can it be? After three attempts I came to the conclusion I was going to have to shovel my way out. Remember my escapades trying to get in the driveway last spring? The ones where I slid into a tree? From all that slipping around, I knew I'd have to shovel the winding part of the driveway and that only took about 2 hours. I took a little break and after another couple of hours, I had two nice dirt tracks all the way to the top. Drove that Jeep up on the first try and she hasn't been back down the hill again.



Clutch and I have an additional mode of transportation. We made ourselves a sled from an under-the-bed storage bin, some garden twine and packing tape. We haul our stuff up to the Jeep in the morning and back down at night.



I took this a couple of days ago. There was at least 18 inches of snow on the wood pile and I swear it's been snowing almost non-stop since Dec. 1st. The snow banks at the end of the driveway are up to my waist and they are predicting another 8-12 inches of snow for tomorrow.



I'm still shoveling the upper part of the driveway while Clutch props himself up on the arm of the chair letting the hot air from the furnace blow on him. Thankfully I have a special "snow angel" who clears out all that rough stuff the snow plow driver leaves behind. I don't know what I'd do without him.




I was so thrilled to be able to participate in the Stitcher's Angel Swap that Helen Stubbings sponsored. Sadly, with all the extra work this fall closing the store I was one of those angels whose halo cracked so badly it fell off and I'm sure I lost my wings. I didn't get my gifts mailed to my partner until last week. That's why "Little Clutch" is only giving you a sneak peak of one of the things I sent. Once I know they've arrived I'll show you more pictures.

Because I was such a naughty angel I didn't let myself open the gift from my partner. I hope I let her know the package arrived but I can't remember. Note to self: email your angels!

Look at the wonderful things I received from Lesley! Everything is so beautiful!

My favorite shabby chic, pastel colors and her crochet work is unbelievable. I can knit but am barely able to crochet. LuAnn showed me a couple of stitches while we were at the Dear Jane retreat but the things Lesley made are way beyond me. I have already bought a new pattern to use the pretty threads and beads she sent me. It's Crab Apple Hill's "Pocketbook Charmers"



I know I'll be using these things a lot. Thank you, thank you Lesley. I truly appreciate you sharing your talents with me.

I'm going to spend some time packing today and hopefully later tonight can finish up the Backbasting Tutorial I've been working on for you. It features a cute applique design for the Midget Blocks.