The Return Of The Snow...

The fun of dealing with snow.

Snow.    And just when we thought winter was almost over...  We got dumped on!

He emerges 

However,  I am not going to make this a rant about the snow.   Because Old Man Winter was generous enough to hold back.... Greatly!  Might I add,   On the white stuff for pretty much the last two months.   It was almost as if he was asleep and realized that his seasonal influence had almost expired!   So...We shall accept the late snow for the moment.   And do our best to adjust for the remainder of the month.

Subie Loves snow again!  

So does Cheryl

I'm actually grateful that the snow and ridiculously cold temps have been few and far between.  ( Remind me again why global warming is so bad?)   I can get behind mild winters...  seriously.   And best of all!   The new tires on Subie made driving in the slushy snow a breeze!   Maybe that is what has kept the snow at bay....I can now handle it without slipping off the road.   Makes me think I should have purchased these tires before November!

Ready to Go!

Running in the snow

So back to running.   Cheryl ran only 3 miles today.   She should take today off, after running 21 miles yesterday,  but I think deep down she wanted to play in the fresh snow just because.  Tomorrow the sidewalk may refreeze and be a bear to run on...but when the snow is new and untouched.  it is kinda fun.

Running in the woods

Running in the wind

This does not make it easy, however.   I'm guessing the snow was about three inches and very wet.   Wet snow is heavy and difficult to run and bike in.   It is similar to mud...only less dirty.  So I was huffing it to keep up with her.  Not to mention wet snow equals wet shoes and socks.   Not much fun running in wet shoes and socks.

Running in slush

Running back to the car.

So that is all.   We are back now and doing our odd little things around the house.   I just finished folding a few fish and frogs.    Cheryl continues to fight the Insect invasion.   I think she is losing this one, because the flying ants continue to arrive in swarms.  Surely, their numbers can not be limitless.

Done!

She has also been into Instagram and Drawing runners.  Mostly in the cutesy Chibi style.   I'll have to post some of her "finished" creations and catalog the evolution as it happens.

Allenbrite Studio: Injury Free For 0 Days. With Christmas Pizza!

Without being too graphic,  I think a day rarely goes by without some form of physical injury occurring  at the Allenbrite Studio,  Wellman Location.  Sure most of the injuries are simple muscle fatigue from the long hours of standing and sitting.   But other times,  bandages are required.   Mostly for me!

Shop tip #22,   Keep dangerous Animals out of shop

How do I manage to draw blood upon myself?   Pins, needles, sharp scissors and fabric cutters.   And the ever-present, ferocious shop cat,  who demands attention from only me.  My hands currently look like they have been handling broken glass while juggling porcupines  without gloves.  It's mostly annoying when I have to put a Band-aid on so I don't color all the stockings red.
  And Band-aids are the worst thing to open when you are sporting a gusher!  Add in that having multiple fingers taped up at any one time seriously compromises my button sewing and embroidery skills.

Well,  it was cold today.   Subie started, but was not happy about it.   He was covered in snow and ice and registered 1 degree for the start of the day.  I feel bad for him when the power steering growns as I turn the steering wheel.

For this reason, we decided to grab some hot coffee at Casey's and stay home for the day.  ( no Iowa City visit) We had a grand total of 29 stockings to make and wanted to get them done before the sun set for a change.  ( didn't work, though)

Cheryl had a few "custom orders" that needed to be addressed.. even though Custom orders have been outlawed for the last several weeks.



While she cut and set up the special orders,  I worked on my Christmas Pizza!

Keep the toppings as dry as possible.

Ready for the stove!

After yesterday,  I discovered that the toppings had to be dried.   The Frozen Salmon was the biggest problem.   I cut them into small cubes and dried them off with a paper towel so they would not create a swamp in the middle of the pizza.

10 minutes later.  

It certainly looks edible...

In the end,  the Pizza looks like a slice of Christmas!   (pun intended) Reds and greens and whites with oven baked salmon on the edges.    The pineapple adds just enough sweetness and tropical feeling to take your mind to a warmer place.

Cheryl For the Taste Test.

Careful,  The cheese is hot!

I offered Cheryl a piece to see how it would taste.   I'm guessing it was pretty good, because even the Shop cat got involved....and he Hates pineapple!

Nobody told me there was salmon flavored pizza!

Custom Dogs?   

Custom Mice?

So now, we pack up and head off into the final week before Christmas with only three sales on the horizon.  Perhaps we will be able to run tomorrow and work off a bit of this Holiday Cheer we have been accumulating.   Cheryl has an IKEA trip planned for Friday already, so we have something to look forward towards the end.   Chicago on a Friday before Christmas Eve....Oh Joy!

Custom Rabbit?

To everyone living in the frigid north:  Here's to staying warm and toasty with hopefully a warm beverage or Christmas Pizza to enjoy.  And to everyone else:  Stay away from sharp objects and feisty Shop Cats.  Your fingers will thank you for it.

Snow is Falling! Time for Cats and Stockings!

I wonder where the week went!   I'm beginning to feel like I'm in the Movie "Groundhog Day"  Or in the Navy SEALS during Hell Week.  Basically,  time seems to mush together and you repeat the same process over and over again.

Lucky for me,  I keep this blog....To remind me that a 24 hour period has passed.   It helps keep me in the here and now.  Sometimes.

We got lucky today when we went out for a run.  The snow,  which was predicted for today, held off for the entire run.  We even commented that the lack of wind and slightly warmer temps ( 24 degrees) were what was causing the air to seem warmer.
 I managed to capture what I think was an Owl in the woods.   The picture is not the best as I had to pull off several layers of gloves to snap the shot.




After the run, we headed to HyVee and got some kibble.  And that was when the Snow began to fly.

Luckily, it remains a small dusting and has not really accumulated much. Perhaps we may be able to run on the trail tomorrow.  We shall see how Cheryl feels.


Then back to stockings.  33 total today!   It is currently 9:30 and Cheryl is packing up the last of them now.   My job is to keep her company for the half hour it takes.  I do this by  blogging during my moments of restraint.


I also get to drink beer.   After all the stockings are made,  I'm pretty much off the hook...so I get to try a new beer and write about our eventful lives.  Today I'm "enjoying" the Dark Truth!   Sounds so mythical, doesn't it?   I say I'm enjoying it, but this Dark Stout is typical of all dark stouts I do not like.  Namely,  it is a rich smoky flavor.   I used to call it "inky"  but I think Smoky is more accurate.  I would not say this is one of my favorites....But I thought I would give it a try.  What is life without trying new things?

Lots of Cat Stockings

So many types!

Even long hairs!  With Names!

Today, the cat stockings ruled the waves!   I can't remember doing this many cat stockings at one time.   Sure, there were plenty of dog stockings as well,  but it was kind of cool seeing all these versions of cat stockings on the table.

And a few Dogs...as always.

Cheryl noted that she finds it hilarious when people tell her how she can do her job.  It is easy to forget that everyone who is not doing this job seems to be a professional stockings maker that is better at this than we are.  If only they would have offered their advice when we were starting out.... and their money.  Not that we would have believed them to begin with.   I guess that is just the people we must be.

Hiro Hides from the Shop Cat responsibilities. 

Red....The Mythical Shop  cat.

As mentioned before,  the last remaining "Shop Cat" is Hiro....and he does not want the job.  Today he darted out into the falling snow and hid under the neighbor's wood pile to avoid the shop.   I don't blame him much.  I'm sure, if given the opportunity,  Cheryl would follow the same option.

Those rough times were made bearable 

But while blogging yesterday,  I was reminded about our former Shop Cat ( Red) and how he took command of the situation...no matter how bleak events might have been.  Those were good times.  Small flashes of inspiration in otherwise "Dark Times".  I shouldn't bother Hiro with comparisons.  Red was a truly tough cat to follow.  But perhaps Hiro will find his own voice someday.   We shall see.   Thanks for stopping in.