Tornado & Bad Weather Continues

First Post of the Day

Cole and Emily really were lucky Sunday night. Their home is the blue circle. 

We had been FaceTiming with Cole earlier that evening and he said he was being cautious because bad storms were approaching and so he was keeping an eye on them.

Good thing because he had enough warning to get his family into their safe spot.

The Spring Hill tornado was on the ground for twenty minutes, touching down at Mount Pleasant and ending at Spring Hill. Rated an EF 1, it lifted just before it would have plowed into Cole's neighborhood. Grateful, grateful, grateful.

That weather system continued into Monday. Here in Indiana, we had high wind warnings and blowing snow with whiteout conditions.

Soon our patio, walks and driveway, and street were icy and slick.

Numerous accidents were reported all over town - we had only expected a coating of snow and had not prepared for what we got.

A view from Leslie's car as she and Rick drove in the blowing snow.

The winds kept howling late into last night.

I was sitting on the sofa with Pepper snoozing next to me and recorded the wind on my phone. (Got some of her snores, too! LOL)

This morning it is COLD. 

And icy and slick. 

Leslie has texted me and asked if I'd mind packing the trailer tomorrow instead of today. Mind? I'm relieved! 

Ethan just posted a weather report for Kalamazoo this coming weekend. Looks much better than now.

Fingers crossed that this storm is winter's last hurrah. 

Stay 'tooned!

It's Here

The BreyerFest reveals have been coming fast this month, but yesterday's was a bigger surprise than usual.

The 2026 BreyerFest non-equine animal special run is Hirtir, the Red Deer. The Elk mold was last used when 750 were produced as Inari at BreyerFest 2018. Prior to that, one piece, White (a Harry Potter tie-in), appeared in the BreyerFest 2007 auction.

This is only the seventh release on a Chris Hess mold that was first introduced in 1968. So, as you might imagine, there are a lot of happy collectors over this piece. 

I'm intrigued but I'm also wary. This might be a vertical shelf-eater. Just how tall is it?? 

That winter storm is here - the one that forecasters have been talking about for several weeks. (And then they remind us that next weekend's storm should be even worse. Please go away, Winter!)

I spent some time yesterday preparing. I had to get a bone scan at the hospital (where everyone from the receptionist to the tech who did the scan were discussing the approaching storm) and when I finished, I made a chocolate run got groceries, topped off my gas tank, made a bank deposit, and picked up a refill of Pepper's meds.

The cities were both preparing, too. I could tell that the streets were being prepped with beet juice, a natural de-icer that isn't as harsh on the environment as straight salt mixtures can be. 

When I finished my errands, the Arctic front had arrived and temps had begun dropping. They fell throughout the night.

Our high for today happened when it was 18 at midnight. It was 8 when I got up at 5AM; as I finish writing, it is 3 with a wind chill of -17.

And school is still in session. No two hour delay, nothing. The teacher in me is unhappy with that decision. I taught out in the hinterlands where almost all the students were farm kids, and I hate the thought that those kids will be standing out in this weather waiting for their buses. The ground is flat and there is absolutely nothing to stop the winds.

Teachers and staff will have to be out on bus duty, shepherding kids into the building, looking for stragglers, and more. While a two hour delay can be inconvenient to parents (and, truth be told, to teachers who have to juggle their day's lessons), it is far better to keep everyone safe. And temps accompanied by wind chills this cold are not safe.

Heavy snow is a part of this storm and will arrive tomorrow. But at least it's not ice. Cole and Emily live in Nashville and are expecting this same storm to bring them heavy snow coupled with icing of up to 3/4 inch. 

Ever helpful, Cole posted this on our family chat to help us all understand just what that kind of ice could mean.

I can't help but wonder what that measurement would be in horses. Hah!

When I got home from running my errands yesterday, I noticed more evidence of just how tough this winter has been.

The ground has been shifting more than usual and my bird bath is the most recent visual evidence that that is so.

I am so ready for some steady sunshine and temps above freezing.

Making Progress, a Mistake, & More Icy Weather

After nearly selling out at last year's Feast of the Hunters' Moon, this month it was okay to just start sewing whatever I wanted to work on. The size didn't matter, the block print patterns I selected didn't matter - I needed to restock almost everything and so I could get to work without  taking inventory.

I hit the tipping point this week. While I still have many items to make, it was time to stop randomly sewing and check what I have already made and see what I still needed to sew.

I started with the trade shirts, my biggest seller. Ten are completed, including two kids' shirts.

Then I looked at chemises. Six are finished with two more cut out and prepped for stitching up.

I took note of sizes and the number of each that I had in one list,

and then made a second list of what I want to be sure I make in order to have a good assortment for the Kalamazoo event in mid March. 

I also looked through my patterns - I was planning to draft a 2XL pattern for a chemise, but I had this nagging feeling that I already had that pattern. And I did - I found it in some things my mother had sent me. It was labeled "queen," the old, 1980s catch all size for larger women.

I laid it out and put the XL pattern pieces over the queen sized ones to compare them. I was right! The queen sized chemise pattern from my mother was the next size up from the XL. Queen is what is now called an XXL or 2XL and the size I'd been looking for.

It's now cut out and prepped and ready for sewing.

Notice anything familiar about the fabric weights I am using instead of pins to hold my pattern pieces in place? (Aside from the very obvious magnetic pin cushion, LOL)

They are Yankee Candle toppers! I usually have a candle burning while I am in my office or sewing room and as I was disposing of a depleted candle, I looked at its topper and had a light bulb moment. (Er, candlewick moment? Hah!) Why not try that topper as a fabric weight?

It worked very well, so I have begun saving them for use when I cut out patterns.

This week's work was very productive - three new chemises. Since all but the most recent are already pictured above, I'll just show the one I completed Friday afternoon.

This is a size XL

with sleeve buttons of silver and "paste" (rhinestone).

I was doing the final pressing and was ready to close down the sewing room for the evening, and I guess my mind was too much on our evening plans to go out to dinner with Lisa.

I set the iron down, went to remove the chemise from the ironing board, and bumped my arm into the edge of the hot iron.

Oooo, did that hurt! Luckily I just grazed the side of the iron but it was a good reminder to not get preoccupied with other things while using it!

My plans for today may be changing. Lisa just texted me and said that it is very slick outside - we had snow and ice again last night. Right after her text, I got one from Leslie who also said the roads were very bad.

I was going to get some flowers and head to the cemetery later this morning. A friend lost two children on this date years ago, and I do that for her every year. I'll see what the road conditions are later this morning but if I have to postpone going to the cemetery for a day or so, my friend will understand.

Wish me luck and stay warm!

That's January in Indiana!

Second Post of the Day

It was dark when I took the dogs out this morning, but there was enough light for me to see that we'd had both ice and snow overnight.

Daylight proved me right. I enjoy a light snow, but ice? I go right into hibernation mode.

The dogs weren't too eager to go out, but they did what they had to do. Quickly.

The back yard patio wasn't any better. Luckily, Pepper and Tammo are well trained and don't go haring off into the hinterlands which means that I can stand in the kitchen door and watch them while they are outside.

Although Florido Boi Tammo has been known to do a few gleeful circuits around the back yard after a fresh snow has fallen.

Later this afternoon the temperature is supposed to rise above freezing (it's 20 with a wind chill of 2 as I write) so we will have to contend with the ice for a good part of the day. Looks like Zoom church for me today (with a nice mug of hot chocolate while I watch.)

That's January in Indiana for you!

Stay warm, all. And don't forget the Give Away! See today's previous post for the details. And I have figured out a prize that will be announced tomorrow. I think you will like it and it is very appropriate in light of recent blog entries.

Stay 'tooned!

It's January

Second Post of the Day

January. My least favorite month. Winter settles in and I mostly stay indoors rather than brave the cold and icy weather.

It's actually, though, my favorite month to put out models on the open shelf I keep just for that purpose. (Although if I keep buying models like I did in 2025, I may lose that luxury.)

I really love that bright blue that Breyer has been using recently. Add in a clearware Jol and a silver filigree Killington, and I'm happy.

St. Moritz, Christoff,

and Neva are displayed on the coffee tables on the overlook. Since we spend most of the day upstairs (Craig working in his library, and me in the sewing room or my office) they are a small but enjoyable reminder of January, a reminder that makes me smile instead of shiver.

(I really like that midnight blue on Neva.)

January is generally a time when Indiana gets its lowest temperatures.

And although taking the dogs out early in the mornings of January can take some steeled nerves,

it is also a time of some of the most beautiful sunrises of the year. (If you can stay outside long enough to catch them!)

Due to the repeated freezing and thawing of the soil during this month,

I often find evidence that the ground has shifted right under my feet.

Those two round stones in my stepping stone garden look like they are sitting on top of volcanoes of mulch!

After a warm up into the 60s greened up the grass briefly, 

a flash freeze to near zero left interesting ice patterns on the lake in our neighborhood park.  

Despite some of the beauty of January, I am ready for it to be done. Not that I am fond of February (although I do like the excuse to eat chocolate around Valentine's Day.) I'm already looking forward to March and while March brings quite a few weather tempests in and of itself, at least you know that winter is just about done.

March is also time for The Kalamazoo Living History Event, and already I am in the sewing room and preparing for that.

I just finished this boy's trade shirt made from remnants that I would normally sell.

Rather than put sleeve buttons in it, I used bone buttons - I think kids would be more comfortable with them.

I have two adult trade shirts and four chemises cut out and prepped, so I plan to settle into the sewing room this week and build up my inventory.

I'll be warm, surrounded by dogs, Craig in the next room, and doing something I enjoy.

Perfect for January.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Winter has hit Indiana early and it has hit us hard. We had a big storm right after Thanksgiving that dumped 8 inches of heavy wet snow, then two more minor snows this past week, plus a short rainfall that turned into black ice yesterday. The main bridge over the Wabash has been closed three times as it ices quickly.

Today we have this:

It is 0 degrees this morning and another snowstorm is expected to come through on Sunday. Sigh.

The heavy snow has frozen into large, icy sheets that break into large, icy chunks when shoveled or plowed. Our drive has been shoveled, but after the snowplows pushed a lot of the street snow back up in front of it, it was difficult to get out again. Two neighbors, Paul and Chris, came over and shoveled that away, from our house and a couple of others. Backbreaking work and a surprise, but we are so very grateful! (Note to self: bake those men a couple of loaves of bread!)

The dogs have not been to the park for a week. It's just not accessible for me on a walker right now, and with Craig's fall history, it's definitely a no-go for him, too. (You can see that heavy, chunky snow pushed up by snowplows at the park's entrance.)

So, the dogs have been playing hard inside and out. Hesitant about the snow at first, Florida boi Tammo has come to enjoy a good romp or two around the back yard. 

They've also enjoyed simply cozying up in the warm house and napping. (For the record, all four of them SNORE.) Mama is with us; she's in the doggy bed on the floor.

There are some bright spots despite the abysmal weather.

Little Elsie Mae has turned one month old!  We are all enchanted with her and I can't wait to meet her.

The Rock Fairy came again and we were a lucky recipient!

It is a holiday rock,

but it isn't one of those in the photo the rock fairy posted on our neighborhood Facebook page. Hmm. Must've made a new batch.

I am convinced the rock fairy knows me, especially after the last one with a big horseshoe on it.

I even suspected Kathy. I learned long ago to never underestimate her capabilities.  For example, she makes chain mail jewelry that she sells to support causes for those who are blind.

A gold and white bracelet that Kathy made me.

An orange and blue one to wear when my college team, the University of Illinois, is playing a game. Note that it is a completely different pattern from the first. All Kathy asks is for someone to check it when she is done to make sure she did not slip up on the colors. Impressive, right?

She could do this, but she would need help with the delivery aspect. Her parents live on the next street over, and while they do drive her places, they are in their 80s and I know would not be out in this snow and weather. This delivery has allowed me to cross Kathy off my list of "suspects." 

So, who is it? I have no idea. And that's okay. It's a lovely project and our neighborhood loves and appreciates these surprises that are left for us to find. Thank you, Rock Fairy!

Finally, today's Yuletide Photo prompt is, "Krampus is coming! Who's been naughty?"

The only thing I could come up with was The Twelve Days of Christmas I did with my models in December, 2020.  All my Lady Phases, save one, had blankets, and so for the tenth day of Christmas, I had the mares stage a protest of "ten mares a'griping." 

Not sure it's Krampus worthy, but it works for me!

Stay warm, everybody! And stay 'tooned!

Ice, Maddox, & a HMHSB II Recipe

As I sit here at my desk, I am listening for the tell-tale click of sleet or freezing rain against my window. My weather app says it has already begun, but I just had the dogs out and we are still ice free. 

We dodged another ice storm earlier this week and I hope the same will happen today.

Hawkeye Sarah wasn't so lucky with that first storm and sent me this photo of the glaze of ice accumulating on surfaces around her home. Yeesh!!

When I was a teenager with my first horses, I was in charge of their care. Our home was at the top of a moraine, while the horses were sheltered in a ravine and pastures at the base of that moraine. I could handle getting to them when it was snowy, but I dreaded going up and down that moraine when there was ice. 

Tracks in the snow from going up and down that hill in the snow.

The paddock tucked into a ravine for shelter with the handrail and stairs I used to reach them (and fell down more than once in winter.) That's Amy, Flame, Nick, and Pokey waiting for breakfast.

I still remember having to carry water in buckets to them when the hoses and pipes were frozen. More than once I slipped and fell down those slick concrete steps, dumping water all over myself and the stairs, making them even icier.

There's still no sound of ice hitting the house yet. Here's hoping things don't get too bad today.

In Breyer news, I just checked and Maddox is still available.

Collectors have been unhappy and complained in the past that too few of the offerings like this are made and not enough people get a chance to own one without having to pay a lot of money on the secondary market. Speculation has been that Breyer is listening and making more pieces of these special runs. But that aggravates those who prefer the rarity of the special runs and feel that the bigger number produced lowers their value.

Breyer won't ever make us all happy, but for me, while I enjoy having some rare pieces, I'd rather more people have access to the special runs. I'm glad Breyer has increased the number on them.

Finally, a question came up about the short answer questions on the HSHSB II quiz. Those can be answered in a sentence or two. The HMHSB II is supposed to be fun and none of the questions are intended to be too difficult or taxing. Please don't lose sleep over preparing for them!

Need a yummy main dish for tomorrow? Here's a really good recipe from Craig's mom, Phyllis. It will fill your home with delicious smells.

I sometimes vary the amount of meat or the celery or onions and it still tastes great. Simmer it in a crock pot all day and then serve on buns. Your family or guests will thank you!

Tomorrow is Super Bowl Day! I will post the quiz around 8:00 AM Eastern. 

Stay 'tooned!