Old windows and drafts.  If you live in an old house, you know what I’m talking about.  And if you have to install window AC units, AND because they are so heavy you’ve quit taking them in and out as the seasons change, you really know what I’m talking about.

pretty rolled-up baby blanket sits on space between sashes

As you can see, the sash on this window is up for the window AC unit.  The gap between the two window sashes lets in cold air.  My hubby (bless his heart) would take the most raggedy towel he could find, roll it up and cram it into that space.  You can actually see one of his towels in this picture.  You won’t be able to make out how raggedy it is, but you will notice how it sags down into the space.

Well it dawned on me at the thrift store one day, as I was going through the infant bin, that heavy baby blankets are just about the perfect size to roll up and lay snuggly onto this draft-creating space.

For 1.39, I picked a really pretty, heavy baby blanket in creamy whites and pale lavenders.  It’s perfect, as you can see above.  I realize you can sew cute draft stoppers yourself, but I don’t have the time, and I don’t think I can make one for 1.39 anyway.

Staying inexpensively pretty (and warm) in 2009.

Lynn

Oh, 2008!  What an amazing year.  Full of fun, change, and unexpected things.  Some hard lessons.  Many good things.

I started 2008 with a commitment to play dolls each and every day with Princess of the Universe.  It was called Year of the Doll House and it worked.  We didn’t play every day, honestly, because the cares of life are just too demanding, but we did play a lot.  It was so much fun, in fact, that we started a new blog devoted entirely to dolls and doll houses: 

homemadedollhouse.blogspot.com.

January 2008 also brought a slew of “new” old graphics, a little bit of North Carolina snow, learning more about editing graphics, and some cool art books for our homeschool library.

February 2008 brought the death of my paternal grandmother.  Having recently lost my maternal grandmother, this meant that 2008 marked the first year I was without both maternal and paternal grandmothers.  Her death also brought about a family reunion of sorts where I got to see a favorite cousin who gave me a copy of a picture I did not know existed!  What a treat.  It’s a picture of my husband and me and our firstborn — the only picture of its kind.  I’m so grateful to have it.  I’ll miss my grandmothers and am saddened by the fact that a lot of knowledge about a different era and a simpler way of life died with them. 

 

February 2008 also brought a breast cancer scare, more North Carolina snow, cold winter walks, my Joseph turning 17, and excitement about the approaching gardening season!

March 2008?  The spring garden anticipation intensifies.  Little snakes.  Homemade twirly skirts and special time with Princess of the Universe, homemade hot cross buns, beautiful early spring flowers, and the first of many fresh herbal infusions.

April 2008.   Spring come on already!, garden shopping, a fresh turkey, and a welcome fieldtrip to Hill Ridge Farm with my sister and niece.

May 2008.  The prettiest Queen Elizabeth rose ever, gardening galore,  goldfish, plenty of infusions, new kittens, and another special visit with a cousin that uncovered yet another long-lost family picture.

June 2008.  Who knew that rue (Rue, not you) could be so brutal?

July 2008.  Unexpected but oh-so-fun beach trip and a trip to the North Carolina mountains where we visited Tweetsie Railroad and where I got to meet Patricia.

August 2008.  I harvested the abundance of sage in my garden, with the realization that fall was not far way, however hot it was at that present time.  Time to prepare my mind for cooler months and less garden time.

September 2008.  Brought a joyous month as I decided to follow my heart (and my daughter’s urgings) and bring Princess of the Universe home for school. 

October 2008 brought my husband’s unexpected heart attack, but the subsequent thankfulness that he is doing so well.  We are so grateful and working to make positive changes for him and for all of us.  November and December are so recent, I won’t try to highlight those months in pictures, but here we are in the midst of winter, having had a beautiful Thanksgiving and Christmas, enjoying life, enjoying being snuggled in our humble home, and just enjoying each other.

I have had so much fun getting to know better my internet friends and I hope you will keep reading and letting me know you are out there so I can read your blogs too.

Happy 2009!

Lynn