Snow Day

 I woke up this morning to 7 inches of white stuff! It made the backyard a fairyland of snow.

 I love the view out the bathroom window, with all the trees edged in white.
Meanwhile, a few days ago we made a wall of boxes downstairs to create a make-shift guest room so my mom and brother could visit for Christmas dinner. I ended up sleeping here and it was fun. There is a bathroom on the left, so it is a comfortable space. Eventually we hope to make it a regular room, but it works fine for the moment.

 The Riggs family was together for dinner, and it was delightful to share our new kitchen/dining area/family room with my mom, brothers, nieces and sister-in law, as well as having my kids and husband all home..

 

Meanwhile I finished a sweater I've been working on, so that was a nice warm way to end the year .It is a version of "Medallion Cardigan" done in Noro sock yarn.

 Happy New Year to all. I wish peace, success, joy and happiness to all of you this coming year!

Home for the Holidays

It has been a very busy month of moving and unpacking and organizing. I moved the entire contents of our condo except for the furniture while Peter was in Maui on a business trip.Using a shopping cart, I would take a load of boxes to the elevator, down to the parking garage, load the car, go back up to the condo, repeat, then fill a huge suitcase and put that in the trunk. Then drive out to the house, 1/2 hour away. Unload the car, unpack and arrange stuff, then drive back to condo and collapse. Repeat. Finally, Peter returned, and movers moved our furniture, and now we are mostly moved in. Luckily, the weather was cooperative, I got enough sleep, good food and my fibromyalgia was painful but not overwhelming, for a change. I was running on adrenalin and coffee! Yesterday  the kids arrived for their month-long college break, so we can all continue to unpack and get ready for the holidays. Here are some photos of the state of it now:

Living room

Kitchen nearly done. Still missing oven, hood and dishwasher

Front half of studio

Back half of studio. Sewing machine is set up!

My office. Central vacuum system is so wonderful!

Slowly things are getting organized, and it is a huge job. My heart goes out to those affected by Hurricane Sandy and Sandy Hook, and I can only hope the new year brings a measure of peace and comfort. I realize how fortunate I am to be able to do all of  this. May you all have a peaceful and loving holiday, and hold those you love close.