Blizzard!

March 11 - around noon a photo by fiberbrarian on Flickr.

Couldn't tell it by this picture taken around noon today. The morning dawned bright and sunny. A little overcast at noon. And tonight - at 8:30 - I decided I'd better take the garbage out while I could, and WHAM! The blizzard had started. (I heard it inside but thought it was the train going past. Should have figured out that the train eventually moves past.)

This further emphasizes to me that I'd never have made it as a pioneer. First - if I'd landed on the east coast, I would never have crossed the Appalachians. When I saw a soddy (house built of sod) at DeSmet, SD, and remembered the blizzard/winter scenes from Giants in the Earth, I knew I would've gone insane, too. And then today comes around. Beautiful sunny morning - great day to go out exploring. WHAP! Caught in a blizzard.

I'm so fortunate that strong people came before me.

However, the lights are flickering, so it's time to grab the blankets/sleeping bags and the wind-up flash light. Charge the cell phone. Get out the chocolate.

I'm a Pioneer in my own right.

Definitely January!

weak winter sun - Jan. 16, 2011
Originally uploaded by fiberbrarian

January is a cold month up here. Very cold. January is also a month of incredibly bright - almost glaring - sun. There are days, though, when it's cold and although the sun tries, sometimes it only appears - not bright, glowing, glaring - but it does show up. I have those days, too.

This shows my extension cord/engine plug-in system. I used a shepherd's hook last year to hold my plug-in out of the snow and it was great...until we got the record 24" snow fall. At that point, the 6' hook started getting covered in snow from the sidewalk and parking lot. This year I bought a 7' hook and it's working so far. We haven't had any big snow dumps, which is a help.

Merry Christmas! (almost)

Wow. Straight No Chaser, University of Bloomington. This was playing on KFGO when I woke up this morning. wow oh wow oh wow!! What a great way to wake up.



Tree = perfect
Decorations = operator error

I LUV NORTH DAKOTA!

I luv North Dakota. Just want to make that clear at the outset. However, we just had a blizzard although it couldn't technically be called a blizzard but it was a blizzard. Snow. Wind. Cold. It was a blizzard. The University of North Dakota even delayed classes for two hours Tuesday, Nov. 30. But today? Gorgeous! Sunny. Crisp. Beautiful sparkly snow everywhere. North Dakota at its wintery finest.

So what comes across the weather page? Special Weather Statement

...ACCUMULATING SNOW POSSIBLE ON FRIDAY...

A WINTER STORM SYSTEM WILL APPROACH FROM THE WEST AND MOVE THROUGH
THE REGION ON FRIDAY. AT THIS TIME...THE LIKELIEST AREA TO RECEIVE
ACCUMULATING SNOWFALL WILL BE FROM THE DEVILS LAKE BASIN INTO
SOUTHEASTERN NORTH DAKOTA AND WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA. SNOWFALL
ACCUMULATIONS OF 2 TO 5 INCHES APPEAR POSSIBLE. THE POTENTIAL
EXISTS FOR A NARROW BAND OF 6 OR MORE INCHES...ALTHOUGH THE EXACT
LOCATION OF THIS POTENTIAL HEAVIER BAND OF SNOW IS UNCERTAIN.

Stay tuned, Weather Bunnies.  This could get interesting.

Fall Festivities in North Dakota

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Originally uploaded by fiberbrarian

Here's a friendly greeting from Maddock, ND. This weekend is their Rural Renaissance. Nice people. Wonderful little town. (The smiley face pumpkin is painted on the end of a giant round bale.) I drove through town, enjoying the decorated yards and street corners. And spent the majority of my time (and money) at the House of Fun. (!) Full of quilts and crafts.

The weatherman reminded us on tonight's weather that it snowed on this date last year. Today it was in the high 70s/80s. I am convinced we'll pay for this later this winter, so I am enjoying it!

The only downside? Someone took my pumpkins. I went out to harvest them last night and all 18 were gone. I got a picture a few weeks ago. oh, well. At least there are still vendors selling pie pumpkins at Town & Country, through tomorrow, I think. Also the apple guys (from Washington state) are here for the next few days. Fresh pumpkin. And great apple pies and sauce. Busy week.

oh. and dissertation and work, too. Very busy week.

North Country Fiber Fair - 2010 purchases

North Country Fiber Fair - 2010 purchases
Originally uploaded by fiberbrarian

hmmm. not sure where the photo went. Here's another one!

North Country Fiber Fair 2010

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Originally uploaded by fiberbrarian

My first time attending NCFF in Watertown, SD. web site here.

Wonderful group of people - follow the picture to see more pictures of the event, but mostly my purchases! (Also on Ravelry = NCFF)

Here's my most interesting purchase - felt bases for Christmas stockings! How fun! I got two, thinking they'd be the front and back of a single stocking, but driving home last night, I decided to make two. (They'll just point different directions...perfect for a mantel.) But what to do? Needlefelt? Embroidery? Beads and sequins? I think ... yes!

NCFF runs three days. I went one day and was exhausted by all the energy and great people and food. There are going to be some very happy, satisfied, and tired puppies driving home today. Safe travels to all.