Last winter they predicted a harsher winter than the prior year ( the one with the really big storm) ... well I decided to go out and by a snow blower the be prepared ..guess what it was one of the mildest winters on record. So if you want a mild winter ... buy a snow blower.

Well, since you live near me....Thank you for buying your snow blower!
We found out the same thing a couple of years ago....when we bought our new snow blower....lol

Only 2! I have given up on ordinary bedding so my sheets have been used to back some quilts I won't use a duvet as I sweat too much when I am having a bad time and can't wash them so I have a large quilt underneath me, it makes the bed cosier as well, and I have one of top with another one folded in half to go over my cold feet! Then I have a stack on the Ottoman at the bottom of the bed to grab another one if I get cold, or Muffin has stolen one of my mine :)

Well, folks this old earth has been warming and cooling for centuries. We may be having climate change but I don't think it is man made. And the human population just keeps on multiplying. I don't think it has ever reduced it sized in history.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_age

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...emperature.pnghttp://bits.wikimedia.org/static-1.2...gnify-clip.png
Shows the pattern of temperature and ice volume changes associated with recent glacials and interglacials

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...Change.svg.pnghttp://bits.wikimedia.org/static-1.2...gnify-clip.png
Sediment records showing the fluctuating sequences of glacials and interglacials during the last several million years.

For you, Karen, my cottage on the farm.
I WISH I had current pictures since I've been living in this darling place, but I just don't. So I'm showing you the drive and gate; the view of the "big house" -- my cottage is hidden behind it; the view from the rear porch of the "big house" -- same as that from my cottage window; the front view of the cottage; the living room/studio prior to my arrival. Where you see the siding is where the addition was added for kitchen/bedroom/bath.

The land is more rolling than it appears in these photos. The distance to the pond (green on the left off the back porch) is probably 1200 ft. Just off the view of the cottage, to the left outside the frame is the original wellhouse, still in use now as a storage house and haven for the kitties in the winter.

Jan in VA

Jan,

You certainly live in a beautiful area! Drove through there for the first time 2 years ago and was totally enamored by the beautiful vistas!

That same thought came to me as I was reading the article too, wondering if this would slow the Global Warming.

Jan,

truly lovely place, fabulous views and I bet that cottage is really homey now you have your things in it, thank you for sharing. I live in a modern house and although I dream about a cottage like yours I know I like my creature comforts too much to ever make the dream a reality.

Eileen

Speaking of deep freeze, my Mom (gonna be 96 in October) gave me the federbett (feather bed) that my grandmother made many, many years ago. It has been in an airtight freezer (not plugged in) for the past, at least, 50 years. It was made to fit on top of a double bed and talk about keeping warm for the winter, this is just perfect. We sleep with down blankets AND a homemade quilt (by moi) on top and I am thinking this would be super cozy. Also, and most important, my husband suffers from Peripheral Neuropathy, both legs and feet. He feels cold all the time, even though to me they feel nice and warm....not to him. 95 degrees outside and his feet and legs are cold to him. This was caused by a chemo cocktail called Vincristine from when he had Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. So I am thinking, how good are these feathers, should I hang it outside and let it flop in a good Minnesota breeze, should I take it to a drycleaner and let him clean it. I know I am going to make a duvet for it, maybe I will make some 9-patch blocks and use that for a duvet. I am just curious about what condition it is going to be in when I get it. Also, I have heard some places will retick pillows, but will not touch a federbett or a down comforter. One guy said it had something to do with the machine stitching the "boxes" with the sewing machine they use (which is probably like my Singer) and not a commercial machine. Someone also told me that feathers turn into powder after some years. I never heard that and I am not sure if he thought I was a dummy or something that he could sell me a new federbett. They are very very expensive - for the real thing! And Grandma's is the real thing. It is covered with ticking - no duvet on it. I remember it being the traditional blue and off white striped ticking.

So, anyone who could give me some ideas on this. I have washed our down comforters and they turned out beautifully, but these are not all down. They are feathers too. Big difference there. I am assuming they are goose feathers. My grandmother saved feathers also for future pillows, down comforters and the federbett.

Thanks in advance and have a good day. Have to mow the lawn today, pick up leaves, cut back lilies, and pull the impatiens. The mums are coming into full bloom now. I got my indoor plants in and have to start fall cleaning, get the windows washed and secure the house for the winter. Am in the throes of getting a garage sale going with my sister. We are getting rid of some of our stuff, her stuff and Mom's stuff. Which is how this whole federbett thing came up. Mom called and asked if I wanted them. Ohhhhh, Yesssss!!! Edie

We have to be ready for anything around here! It seems we set new records, high and low, everyday. Yesterday was a nice "fall like" temp of 96, lol.