Winter again!

YAAAAAAY!  Winter is back here in Minnesota along the St. Croix river, 4 inches worth! 

My  friend Thunder came for a visit yesterday--all day in fact.  Thunder is  the "neighborhood dog".  Oh, he has a family which shelters and feeds and loves him, but Thunder likes to check out what everyone else is doing up and down the street.  He is a beautiful, smart, HUGE golden retriever who responds to commands, (well, except "go home", as it turns out) will play fetch forever, and loves attention.  So, he kept me company as I shuffled, uh, I mean shoveled our new fallen snow.  Yes, as you can see by the photo, one of us has unmatched footwear.  That would be me.  I got in two glorious days of skating on a polished-glass river with my nordic skates (they fit on to cross country ski boots) before I sprained my ankle at dragon boat practice. ARGGGGHHH!

So, with snow finally here, calling me out to play, I must bide my time until my ankle heals.  I am completely complying with my doctor's orders by wearing the special boot...and spending a couple of hours outside in the snow with my friend Thunder.  I'm quite sure this is what the doctor meant by "keep icing it". Don't you think? 

HAPPY 2012!!

It's January in Minnesota (well, everywhere!) and I'm still waiting for some snow.

I am a winter girl. I always have been. I love to be out in it, to watch it snow, to feel that winter air. Just call me Smilla! Skating, skiing, snowshoeing, camping, just playing--winter breathes life into me. Maybe I feel more well-preserved in the cold, I don't know, but I'm practically giddy when those flakes start coming down! Taking in a deep breath of snowy air reminds me that I'm alive!!

As you might be able to guess, with temps reaching 50+ degrees here over the past few weeks, this winter girl is NOT happy. However, it's probably the best scenario--for now--since my dear friend and partner in adventure, Lisa, broke her ankle skiing (not here in no-snow land) in December. It's good weather for crutching around and she doesn't have to feel like she's missing out on all the great snow activities. Fine. Ok. Nice. Warm, dry ground- great. Can you feel my, uh, enthusiasm?

So, I shall bide my time until the snow arrives (and it will--this IS Minnesota, after all), working on new ideas for, ironically, El Mismo Sol, the new summer dress line made from re-purposed t-shirts that I plan to "get out there" more in 2012. I'm also making several new stained glass mosaic pieces for a Show in August at Firefly Trading Company (http://www.fireflytradingcompany.com) in Cable, WI.

So, yes, I have things to do, work to get done. Would I rather be outside in the snow?? Don't get me started...