leder legends

Challenges! My youngest daughter loves challenges. Every once in awhile she publishes a challenge on her blog http://sewdutchsisters.blogspot.com/  that usually involves digging into ones endless stash in the craft room. She encourages others to join but I think what it does is really gets her motivated. She currently has 10 challenges ( 1 per week) listed on her blog.  Well, it helped me get into the spirit of things as well. I had a pattern for a robe in my stash. I have always wanted a robe that was not too bulky like the old terry-towel ones of years gone by but not too thin that  it would only be good for summer weather. Every year before and after Christmas I go robe shopping and have never been able to find one that I liked enough to spend money on not to mention the fact that lately the only ones available are made from velour or other synthetic fibers...which ALWAYS give static electric shocks.  So I went to the fabric store....

Birds  After a break in the bitter cold our bird feeder is once more a hive of activity. As always,  the colorful ones  particularly impress me. I took out the camera with the zoom lens and photographed them through the kitchen window. I do hope they will remain our frequent visitors. Red-bellied woodpecker Cardinal Downy woodpecker Robins in winter. I always have thought that the robins did not winter here in Michigan, Blue jay.  

I just learned that it is possible to post to my blog from my phone. My son who needed help today to set up his blog told me. Perhaps this will make me a more faithful blogger, who knows.  For now I'll just practice.  Can I post a picture? New Year's Eve main dish: stuffed shells. They were delicious! We had a party as per usual. Every year I try to challenge our friends in some or another culinary way. Last year each couple was given a country, asked to do a bit if research and prepare an appetizer or dessert from that country.  We enjoyed some wonderful food that we would have never tried on our own.  This year we did a modified version of the TV  show Chopped! The instructions were simple: pick three ingredients from the list of nine and concoct an appetizer, side,salad or dessert on an Italian theme. We had some lovely appetizers and a side/salad. One couple brought a main dish that while  it included the three ingredients it was as far...