Tuesday, February 3, 2015

City Views, Country Dreams

Good afternoon from New York.

As some of you will already know, we have had a second snowfall.  This one also included sleet and freezing rain and resulted in icy sidewalks.  Again, I was very fortunate to have the post-icing days off from work.  Sidewalks were a bit treacherous, even when they had been meticulously cleared, because the sleet and rain applied a thin glaze to the sidewalk surfaces.


Sidewalks that had not been cleared were also dangerous because of the ice.  People who had to venture outside were very cautious in their gaits.


The snow and ice that clung to tree branches did create some pretty lacy effects.  Snow plows did again make their rounds, but left slushy lanes behind that re-froze.


It was a good time to stay indoors and finish the scarf I have been knitting for several weeks.  


The scarf is now in my Foakley Arts etsy.com shop, just in time for consideration as a Valentine's Day gift.


Although the temperature remains well below freezing, the sun did return this morning along with a bright blue sky.  I ventured out to fetch some coffee, vegetables, and chicken.  Guided by advice from several cookbooks and my own intuition, I have made lots of chicken soup this afternoon.  Much of the resulting chicken broth is now in my fridge's freezer.  There will be another snow storm, perhaps within a week's time.

I've also begun another knitting project, a quick pair of cosy wool socks, using "Fruitarian" yarn from Gnome Acres, a source introduced to me by Celia Hart.


It's fun to be playing around with various bright colors indoors, while admiring the subtle winter colors of the city views just outside my windows.

Drilling update.  The weeks of sub-freezing, snowy weather have prevented the drillers and masons from completing their massive project.  They were very close the finish line.  Although much of their activities were noisy and dusty, I am sorry that they have not been working, because I imagine that they are not getting any paychecks during the deep freeze.

Thank you all for your visits and kind comments.  Isn't it encouraging to notice the increase in daylight hours?

48 comments:

  1. Absolutely! Can't wait for spring to arrive. Beautiful work.

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  2. Hello Frances, good to see that you are careful in these icy conditions. Love your knitting, as always, your are such an artist. Oh yes, much better with a bit more of daylight. Here we have been so neglected by the sun these last two months, everybody else seemed to have had more sun. But now we are going to gain another 1 1/2 hours this months :-).

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    1. Bayou, it's just a bit warmer today...actually above freezing, so I will benture out and about. Sorry to have missed a glimpse of last night's full moon.

      xo

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  3. Sleet and ice is a treacherous mix so it's good to know you don't need to venture out. Chicken soup and knitting sound like a great restorative.
    I knew you wouldn't be able to resist those colourful yarns! The one you selected looks like a tropical fruit salad.
    C xx

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    1. Thanks again for the gnome recommendation, Celia. I also ordered a second skein, in a more subdued neutral, but had to kick it off with some fruity color! xo

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  4. Frances, it is certainly a treacherous time when the ice forms on the pavements. Stay indoors, warmed by your chicken soup!

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    1. Elizabeth, the sun did come out for a little while yesterday, and today's temperature is above freezing, so I'll be taking care of some more errands around town. I appreciate your comment! xo

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  5. I especially like the second photo with the coloured umbrella contrasting with the snow... although I feel for the person struggling along those icy pavements. It's very icy here too - I've been trying to keep up with my half-marathon training but it's like a skating rink out there lately. I'm glad you've been able to avoid venturing out too much, not least because it gives us an opportunity to enjoy your colourful work. It's also good to know you're safe.
    Many thanks for joining in the debate on my blog - I do wish we could meet up for that tea though! Cx

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    1. Chris, wasn't it lovely for that lady with the red umbrella to walk by while I had the camera ready!

      Hoping that your half-marathon training will continue without any slips.

      Chris, I truly could go on and on about price and value. Did I tell you that I was once an economic major? It's a fascinatin topic, as our "modern" world just never seems to stand still, it's always rebalancing something or other. xo

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  6. Hello Frances,

    You are very wise to take care in these treacherous conditions. It is so easy to fall and a simple accident can result in weeks of recuperation. So, staying indoors, warmed by the chicken soup sounds a perfect solution.

    Your brightly coloured scarf and socks are such fun! There is, as you say, something cheering about working with bright colours whilst all around is monochrome. Although the splash of red from the umbrella really lifts the subtle tints and tones of your street!

    Take care and stay warm......Spring is just a coloured sock away!

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    1. Jane and Lance, you are so right about a slip that takes a second can result in something that takes a really long time to heal. So far...luck is with me.

      Since it's just a bit warmer today, I am going to venture over to the East Side for a few errands. I'll be taking the crosstown bus...not walking across the Park. That walk will have to wait another month or so!

      Best wishes. xo

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  7. Winter can look so pretty when looking through a window.

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    1. Oh yes indeed. In winter we do see details that aren't so apparent when the leaves return. Thank you for your visit and comment. xo

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  8. You have such a good eye for colour, Frances; the pink border is the making of that lovely scarf.

    Now that you have an abundance of homemade chicken soup, perhaps you could invite some fellow New York bloggers round for a Bloggers' Meet and serve it to them?

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    1. Mise, thank you for your compliment about my color sense. I just love playing with colors, all colors. Some are easier playmates than others.

      I am laughing at the idea of having a chicken soup happening in this tiny apartment. It would be standing room only, which could be tricky with hot soup bowls. Perhaps I will take a picture of a bowl of this soup (and it does taste good) and go for a virtual get together.

      xo

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  9. I enjoyed seeing the lacy effect trees and the snowy streets, though it is not pleasant to walk when it is icy underfoot. I love your pretty scarf, you are such a talented knitter. The chicken soup sounds delicious, just right for these cold and wintry days, and nice to know you have plenty ready in the freezer. Take care, Frances, and keep cosy and warm.
    Helen xox

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    1. Helen, when I went out for my errand rounds today, I found that most sidewalks were clear, but every so often a slick patch appeared, along with the equally unpleasant dank slushy pools at certain intersections' curbsides. Must keep a sharp eye out for these obstacles.

      It was a comfort to return home and reheat some of that soup for a late lunch.

      xo

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  10. Such pretty knitting Frances. So pleased you could stay indoors.

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    1. Gina, thank you so much. Today's weather was a bit milder, and so I did spend time outdoors, heading, via bus, to the east side to the library, with a side trip to the Met, where I saw an interesting exhibit featuring portrait paintings and drawings that Paul Cezanne did of his wife Hortense. Let us consider ourselves lucky not to have been in her shoes. Or that is the impression I got from the exhibit.

      xo

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  11. I treasure every extra minute of daylight. That Fruitarian yarn looks positively juicy. I'm getting a little tired of the muted colours I'm knitting with. What was I thinking?

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    1. Lucille, it's fun to knit socks with vari-colored yarns, whether the variations self-stripe, or just keep up a spiraling melange. The Fruitarian colors are very welcome. Easy knitting. I am almost up to the turning of the heel bit on sock the first.

      Do keep going with your beautiful neutral mix. It will be stylish and classic.

      xo

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  12. Hello Frances I have so enjoyed reading your blog over the last 12 months and pleased to catch up on the 2015 posts. Soup and knitting are just what is needed when the weather is so cold. In Essex where I live we rarely have such cold days. Thank you for your lovely blog I wish you well and warm June

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    1. Thank you so much for your visits and comments. I am hoping you'll continue to take a look at my city views as winter turns to spring...and on through the rest of this year.

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  13. Love your choices of yarn - we all need some joyous colour on these grey winter days, which are admittedly getting longer.

    The birds here are singing too - no doubt thinking about pairing up and nesting in the weeks ahead. As children we always said that the birds got married on Valentine's Day! What a lovely thought.

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    1. Mountaineer, I love that idea of birds getting married on Valentine's Day.

      We've got yet another chilly day today...temperature is 13 degrees F. I'll need lots of layers when I head out to work around midday.

      xo

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  14. Lacy ice curtains and brightly colored scarf and socks!

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  15. Oopsie, my comments box froze after the first sentence!

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  16. Alright, stay warm and safe, Frances! Hugs, Merisi

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    1. Third time's the charm, Merisi. Thank you so much for your comments.

      Sooo cold today...wish I could stay indoors with soup and knitting, but must go to work shortly.

      xo

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  17. The scarf is so pretty - and the colours in the socks are sure to be a spring pick-me-up for someone.
    I was so worried when I head about the people stuck on the subway train and hoped that you weren't among them! Stay warm!

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    1. Pondside, thank you for checking in on my. No, my subway trains have been slower in arriving than in warmer weather, but they Have been arriving. So far. I am fortunate in having several subway line options, plus a back up batch of buses. Buses are good if you really, really want to take your time! xo

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  18. Hi Frances,

    I am glad to see that you remain cosily ensconced in your apartment, knitting, cooking and eating soup. This kind of weather makes going for walks treacherous and uncomfortable. Particularly on city streets. Country walks are less tricky underfoot.

    I hope you stay happy and warm and that winter will ease up for all of us soon.

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  19. Friko, I do love that word ensconced, and have enjoyed occasionally having the chance to remain ensconced during the current chill. Yesterday, I was on the late shift at work, and was very, very glad to return home to my warm apartment and a late supper of ... soup!

    (The west coast of the States is experiencing horrible, dangerous flooding, so perhaps we are actually more fortunate with our east coast chill.)

    xo

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  20. Take care on those sidewalks. Your knitting projects are absolutely gorgeous!

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    1. Thank you Vicki! Radio news tells me that more rain is due this afternoon, shifting to frozen rain, sleet, and snow overnight. Same old, same old.

      xo

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  21. Your knitting is amazing!
    Loving your NYC pictures and stories... Thanks for sharing!
    All best, xh

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    1. BTW, before I forget... A little while ago you won the little giveaway on my blog (crochet mag). If you email my your contact details I'll send it over to you asap as I'm back in The Netherlands. ;-)
      Thanks! xh

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    2. Oh my goodness, what a wonderful surprise! I am embarrassed not to have seen your announcement of my winning over at your post.

      Thank you so much for your kind somments here, and I will send you my info. Have a fabulous time in Thailand. xo

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  22. Hi Frances,
    Yes, isn't wonderful that the days are getting longer and some brighter days. I'm sorry to hear that you have had more freezing weather and more to come. I was hoping the work and drilling would be over by now. Well, I guess soon.
    Your knitting is spectacular - just like pieces of art.
    Thank you for all your visits to my blog and all your lovely comments.
    Stay well and keep warm!
    xoxo ingrid

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    1. Ingrid, I am happy to report that although we've once again got icy sidewalks, I have finally acquired a large pot of what will become pink hyacinths. Watching their progress to blossoms helps me believe that spring is approaching!

      xo

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  23. Hi Frances, Thank you so much for popping by and your thoughtful comments, I love seeing a slice of New York life although a little chilly for my tastes, adore that funky scarf !! x

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  24. Sally, happy to see you here! Wishing that we had some of your much milder weather in NYC today...with the wind a'blowing, it's well below 0 degrees F. Brrrr. Time to make more soup, perhaps....
    xo

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  25. I just love seeing your NY life from the window! Your knitting is beautiful, very special and full of inspiration!
    Have a happy Valentines Day, take care...
    Titti

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  26. Titti, thanks so much! Can you believe that it has started snowing again? Just lightly now as the sun goes down.

    xo

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  27. what a lovely view,you have.
    your scarf looks wonderful,and the wool for the socks,too.
    blessings,regina

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  28. Beautiful views, such lovely photos.

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  29. Beautiful views, such lovely photos.

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