First Snow of the Year

I'm pretty sure that most kids who live where there's snow in the winter look forward to that first one -- at least in part because it's a change from spring rains, summer heat and autumn leaves.

Parents -- at least based on my own experience -- have mixed feelings about it. If the snow is wet and heavy -- also known as "snowman snow" -- it can be great fun for the kiddies, but a heckuva thing to shovel (if it shows signs of sticking around for a while).  And then...there are icy roads to worry about as we get ourselves -- and perhaps our kids -- from one place to another.  Not fun!

And when that first snow arrives unexpectedly early -- rather like a house-guest who invited him/herself at short notice -- the First Snow of the Year can be distinctly distasteful.

Especially if, like I was this year, you're away from home when it begins, have to drive home a long distance through it, and have no small children at the other end waiting to enjoy it.

This year, in these parts, the snow arrived Saturday night -- a wee bit before the exact time of the Fall Equinox.  

I arrived home late that evening from a long drive in freezing drizzle, rain, fog patches, dry patches and (yes) snow, to find this:

That's a large branch from high up in the Mountain Ash (Rowan) tree next to it.  The photo was taken this morning from my back stoop.  Blessedly, the branch missed the roof of the stoop and an overhead wire (I think it's the phone line) you can't see from the photo.

Later this afternoon, when some melting had begun, I was able to go around and clear snow off the other (undamaged) shrubbery.  The downed branch looked like this:

The highlight at the bottom left is to give you an idea of the size of the break.  Here's the other end (as close up as I could get it; again, I refer you to the circled area:

It's 'way up there in the tree, and yes, that's the wire it missed that you see running across the bottom of that photo!

My neighbours had some damage to one of their aged willows, but all in all I must admit that -- compared to folks in the southeastern U.S. coping with flooding, and folks in the Ottawa-Gatineau area in Eastern Canada handling the aftermath of tornadoes (!) over the weekend -- I have much to be thankful for.

Still, I don't think this First Snow of the Year -- 2018 Edition -- was quite what Hawksley Workman was getting at with his song...

(with thanks for Jason Hammond and You Tube for the video.)

First Snow of the Year

Not counting the freak snow storm in Calgary in September, this weekend we've seen the First Snow...the one that has not only arrived, but also is ongoing as I type and is fixing to stay around.

I've decided that even if the winter ahead is as long and cold and snowy as the winter of 2013-2014, this time 'round I'm not going to let it get the best of me!

This year, I'm ready.  I've several coping methods up my sleeve(s); to wit --

1. Lots to do in the sewdio -- Christmas knitting, my 15 x 15 challenge(s), some major family-and-friend commissions, and the chance I'll get to be one of the new students in Elizabeth Barton's Master Class.
2. My second year as a SAQA Western Canada Co-Rep, with the objective of learning how to host an online webinar/conference sometime in March.
3. And last but not least...

The Ideal Single Female Home-owner's Winter Work-out.

Optimum Conditions for the ISFHWW:  

• Light, steady snow;
• Little or no breeze;
• Moderate winter temps -- -10 to -15 C at the coldest and little or no wind chill;
• A layer of at least 6" of the white stuff, preferably powder.
• Not just a deck or sidewalk that needs clearing, but also a driveway -- preferably double-wide.

Optimum Equipment for the ISFHWW:

Sturdy, light-weight shovel

Sturdy, warm boots

Warm, wind-proof jacket

Warm pants - even layered with tights

Warm hat - *must* cover ears
Optional: protective eye-wear

Protective gloves/mittens*

*My personal favourite: layering dollar-store gloves under cozy hand-made finger-less ones -- either hand knit or, like these, made from recycled cashmere sweaters.  I bought my pair at a recent "pop-up" market at Latitude 53 in Edmonton...Maker: Lynne Fortowsky of the Sashiko Studio.  Love 'em!

Best of all, when you've spent an hour or so outdoors shovelling, you can come in for a hot cup of Dark Roast...and some cozy stitching...

Shown here: finishing the binding on a Magic Tiles
quilt for baby Kieran James Rennie Ward

P.S.: For Inquiring Minds: these pieces are now finished:

See You in the Spring  (C) 2014

Tipsy Autumn (C) 2014

Five minis will be delivered to Gracie D's tomorrow.  Tell your friends!

And in Other News

I have some more natural dyeing results to report.  :-)

A few days ago I shared a photo of the first batch of leaf-dyed fabric and wool batting I'd tried.  At the same time, I'd tucked away two bundles of silk (one habotai, one charmeuse) wrapped around some of the leaves from that dye bath, secured with heavy picture wire and sprinkled with vinegar.  They'd sat in a sunny window ever since.

This morning I unwrapped and rinsed them, and ironed them dry.

Oh my.

Before I post the photos, let me assure my dear friend arlee that she has no competition from me on this front.  :-)  Here's a photo of a portion of the piece of silk I bought from her Fyberspace Shop recently:

arlee's fabulous fabric (C) 2013 arlee barr

And I thank arlee for the inspiration...I just had to see if I could do it, even on a small scale.  So here's the leaf-wrapped silk charmeuse:

Left edge

Centre

Right edge

And now the leaf-wrapped silk habotai:

Left edge

Centre 

Right edge

I love the effect of the leaves, and the imprint of the rusty bits of wire binding...and just the general texture of each piece.   I know there are tree trunks in there, and perhaps some wintry skies...and who knows what else?  Though Peggy did warn me this could be an addictive practice, our leaves are now under a thick blanket of heavy, wet snow.  Methinks the 'natural' dyeing will be taking place in snow banks in the near future, and the leaves and bark will have to wait till Spring.

Then there is the bark-dyed fabric, now finished and dry:

From dye bath made by soaking and simmering
bark from aging ornamental crab apple tree

Top to bottom: silk charmeuse, silk habotai, some sort of brocade, and two pieces of crinkle cotton.  The silks are the best, with the charmeuse winning the "stunning" competition hands down!

The wool batting is going to be nice too -- more golden than the one dyed in a bath made from the crab apple leaves, but it's still drying:

Bark-dyed wool batting

Then there are two bundles of bark from the bath, wrapped in silk -- one habotai, one charmeuse -- and tied with fresh heavy picture wire, just percolating in the window, waiting for time and sunshine to do their work.

Stay tuned!

Meanwhile, I see the snow has stopped and the sun is peeking through.  Perhaps a little later I'll try to dig a path to my bird feeder so I can replenish it for those feathered few who dare venture out in this weather.

Have a warm and  happy Sunday!

Look closely!  There is a feeder in this tree outside my sewdio!