I don't totally hate winter

It's freezing cold today - like 15 degrees without wind chills and the snow is coming down like crazy. This is the kind of winter that I like in Ohio. When it is just gray and slushy, like normal Ohio winter days, that's when I get blue. How can I complain when this is what I see looking out my sunroom window?

Makes housesitting at the inlaws even better - they have a 2 story stone fireplace in their log cabin on 7 acres in the woods and a hot tub out back. And we get paid to stay there! It's rough, but someone has to take care of the house, dogs and cat! Now if only there were hills in Ohio to get some skiing in! My skis have been unloved for over a year now... it's been too long! :(

I've had a tad bit of free time (not much... I squeeze it in when I can) but I took on a new project that a girlfriend of mine got me into. Liz made the most adorable barn star for a friend at our Christmas exchange and I instantly wanted to be as talented as Liz. Although she's way ahead of me in terms of ability (she distresses hers and all kinds of good stuff) I took a stab at two and am pretty proud of myself. Here's one for our bathroom

And a little sneak peak for Kristen's kitchen... I'm pretty proud of myself! :) Thanks Liz for the inspiration (and instructions!)