Scribble Picnic. . . . . . . . . New Year 2018

Hoping your holidays have been special. . . . . . . . .and now you're ready to

 start a new year full of good intentions.  Well you are aren't you?

I know it's hard. We make - or often don't make - those 'New Year Resolutions'

hoping this might be the year we really stick to them.

Not sure if I'll be able to stick to mine - I've made a couple and am keeping them

 to myself for the time being.

Michael will hopefully keep the Scribble Picnic going. Perhaps more of

you who like to get a little creative - and we are all artists in some way

 or another - will join our interesting group. We'd truly love to see you.

Come visit us HERE

So again, from my heart I wish you each and every one, a peaceful, healthy, 

happy and prosperous New Year.

Heads Up, it's so cold. . . . . . . . . .

via - H&M 

Old wives tales are often true. . . . . . . . we all recall the one about the huge
 percentage of body heat lost through the scalp without a hat in cold weather.
Actually it's true.
Didn't your parents always make you go back for your hat in weather such
as we are experiencing now?

Because I went to an all girls school in England, which meant uniforms, we had
 to wear hats. A plush navy velour brimmed hat, or a navy wool beret in
 Winter, with a navy blazer or raincoat, the latter required almost daily of course
 being England, and a gymslip or pleated skirt with white blouse and school tie.
In Summer we wore natural woven Panama brimmed hats with green and white
 striped dresses. If seen in uniform by a teacher when away from school
without your hat, it meant a detention. 

 I still love hats and have a rather large collection? They come from
 around the world - when traveling I often seem to find a special hat, and I know
 I can get it into my already bulging luggage with a bit of squishing or flattening.

Have you noticed the selection of knitted beanie/toque/turban/headband styles
 or head warmers is just fabulous this Winter?
I'm entranced by the chunky ones, in posh yarns such as cashmere, Alpaca, 
mohair, and the good old standby merino wool.
I'm ready to ditch knitting scarves while watching TV and trying my hand at 
some beanies. I recently bought a turban style headband and may use that as a
 pattern to knit some of my own head gear. . . . . . . especially useful as I'm growing my 
hair a bit longer - at least trying - and anything on my head looks better than
 my fly-away/static hair these cold days.

These hand-knitted Alpaca and merino beauties in the above photos I found HERE.
You may enjoy reading about the NYC grandmothers who make these.

via - ZARA

 . . . . . and so as not to leave out the guys, nice beanie, but how about
 that gorgeous sweater! I would love that one for myself. . . . . . .especially
 this morning as it's 12F on the barometer and snow is forecast for later today.

Are you feeling the cold lately?
Do you wear hats?

New Year's Day 2018. . . . . . . . .

Yes, it's a new year and a new bird arrived in the garden to celebrate despite

 the bitter cold morning. . . . . . . not this one, the elegant and lovely 

Mrs. Cardinal in her red lipstick and tufted hairdo. . . . . . . 

. . . . . . this small, adorable round and chunky newcomer, sporting grey and white

 with a touch of crisp black wing feathers.

For the life of me I cannot pin down this sweet-looking bird.

From a distance I thought it was the Dark-eyed junco (the "snowbird"), 

or perhaps, a female Ruby-crowned Kinglet, or a Vireo, however the closest 

bird I can find is a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Being so cold out this little bird 

was definitely fluffing out its feathers making it harder to identify.

If you have any ideas as to whom it might be I'd appreciate your thoughts. 

Last night downtown was bitterly cold and I looked/felt like the Michelin Tire Woman!

Dear Ruth, your amazing snood saved me - my neck, my ears my face - wonderful

and so much better than a regular scarf!

  Good thing was everyone else was bundled up too, warmth not fashion was all

that mattered. Some people, especially little kids, were even draped in blankets,

 a good idea, and I came dangerously close to grabbing one for myself!!!

We cheered on the People's Procession, watched Raleigh's symbol, the

 copper acorn drop, and fireworks explode (the 7 pm early version for kids and oldies

 like us!), then headed inside several music venues to listen to bluegrass, jazz etc.

 before heading to an Irish pub for a late-night bite and a glass of champagne at midnight.

Early - well not so early as I did sleep-in a while after such a late night -

I donned the layers again and was out melting the birdbaths, filling feeders, 

and taking photos of birds, of course. 

Late afternoon today we'll be celebrating a belated Christmas with our dear 

neighbors who were away for the holidays - snacks, pulling crackers, raising 

a glass, or two, as we don't have to drive, exchanging gifts. 

Later, an evening planned by the fire watching a little TV as I knit. . . . . . 

. . . . . . . then tomorrow back to normal as we try to remember to write 2018,

 and all we hope for, peace, good health, happiness and prosperity, we wish for

 you and your loved ones also.