Wednesday Weather Report #216 - 7/7/21

Friday was Hexie Club and since I (the only working member) had Friday off we moved the meeting to 1pm instead of 6pm so that we could also have potluck. It's a fun treat, only possible because I have Friday's off in the summer :)

The drive home was very armageddeon-y to the East but the sun was trying to break through to the West. I made it home between two heavy downpours.

Twice over the weekend, I walked to our local state park. Mind you, I leave as early in the morning as I can, trying to beat the heat on this long in and out walk. I've still never made it for sunrise - of course it does take ~50 minutes to get to the next picture location with another mile to go so I would need to leave quite early to make that happen. I keep trying...

 

In case anyone still questions how rural my area is: corn and hay fields as far as the eye can see, with one roadside tree there on the left. There used to be a lot more trees as windbreaks but in the fight to grow as much cow/people food as possible, those trees are being taken down to expand the fields.

This was a nice little treat waiting on my favorite bench on the Fourth of July. And yes, I carried it all the way back home to add to my small rock collection.

Turkey Vulture is that black smudge in the middle. LOL

My favorite bench is in the shade on the edge of the river gorge. The hot spells alternated with cool breezes as the thermals rose out of the gorge. If was fun to watch the Turkey Vultures rise and fall with the thermals but it's also a family joke that if the vultures are around, you aren't moving fast enough (they eat road kill, etc) and it's time to move on so I didn't stay long, knowing I had that long walk back home in the sun.

June 30, 2021 :: 80 F
July 1 - 6, 2021 :: 72 - 61 - 69 - 74 - 83 - 77 F

Wednesday Weather Report #215 - 6/30/21

I have a hard time complaining about our weather when I know it's so much worse in the Western USA but I'm going to do it anyway...

We've had some rain the last couple of days but 10 minutes of torrential rain doesn't do much in the face of a another extremely dry summer. It's also been hot enough to make this girl melt as soon as she leaves the air conditioned office. I don't think I've been able to accomplish anything meaningful this week other than walks in the morning where I arrive home dripping with sweat. It feels good to accomplish a long walk but gooder to step directly into a cool shower! LOL!

I would like to say these high temps are more like late July or August weather but my excel spreadsheet with the daily temps since 2017 is on a thumb drive that isn't working at the moment so I can't really confirm that. Anyone have a surefire way to rescue files from a non-cooperative thumb drives?

June 23 - 29, 2021
66 - 82 - 80 - 83 - 87 - 87 - 90 F

I walked to the local state park again on Sunday. I happened to wake up early enough that the temps were comfortable but I didn't sit at my favorite bench very long to enjoy the view since the caterpillar poop was grossing me out. Do you have the gypsy moth problem like we are having ? The caterpillars are eating trees bare of their leaves and they poop a LOT. The little pellets fall from the trees and cover everything - it sounds like rain if they are hitting the right surface. Luckily or unluckily they are now changing in to their chrysalids to become moths so the leaf munching and pooping will stop - we will just need to deal with the moths... Ah nature!

Wednesday Weather Report #213 - 6/16/21

As an eclipse picture, these are unimpressive but as sunrise pictures with the fog rising over the Genesee River (one of few that flows north) and the lush farm fields, I think they are stunning.

Sunrise, Thursday, 6/10/21 @ 05:46
Lunar Eclipse

Sunrise, Thursday, 6/10/21 @ 05:50
Lunar Eclipse

I walked to the local state park Sunday morning, ate breakfast at my new favorite bench (quiet and shaded!) and then walked back home. You can see the haze in the air as the day was destined to be a hot one. The river gorge you see below is home to the same river in the pictures above.

Sunday, 6/13/21 @ 8:05
Letchworth State Park

June 9 - 15, 2021
81 - 77 - 81 - 74 - 81 - 60 - 68 F

Wednesday Weather Report #211 - 6/2/21

Hello and Welcome to the last report of May 2021 - we've had some wacky weather. Keep in mind that we just had some near 90F days and then this came...

May 26 - 31, 2021 :: 75 - 62 - 38 - 48 - 60 - 68 F
June 1, 2021 :: 72

You eyes are NOT deceiving you - that is a blue day at the end of May. The windchill was only 30F/-1.1C!! Brrrrrr!! Never fear tho as we are doomed headed towards 90F again next week.

I took advantage of the long weekend to refill my "weather" box. Considering the number of days already in the 70s/80s this year it was time. You can also tell the colors that don't get used that much as they aren't topped off.  I'm pretty well stocked for the next 18 months or so.

Did you know the full moon last week was a super blood moon? That made it the largest and brightest moon of the whole year. I went out for one last walk after the day had cooled off to find the  moon rising up over the neighbor's houses. 

As with any sun or moon pic, they are always so much better in person, meaning you'll have to trust me when I say it was a stunner and so worth the surprise.

Wednesday Weather Reports #209 & #210 - 5/26/21

Not much to report here on my end. I haven't been getting much stitching done as I've been out and about for one reason or another quite a bit recently, including working on a 434 mile (virtual) walking challenge. I'm getting lots of reading done but not much else. I started 5 weeks later than most of the participants so there is lots of catching up to do on the 4 month event. 

#209
May 12 - 18, 2021
56 - 62 - 65 - 68 - 66 - 71 - 74 F

Just in case you think I'm totally bonkers for doing such a challenge ... I totally am but it's beyond motivational!! My long game is that, thanks to the broken foot last summer, I haven't climbed a mountain or done much of anything since 2019 and I need to build my stamina back up before my annual summer camping & hiking trips.

#210
May 19 - 25, 2021
80 - 86 - 85 - 78 - 75 - 68 - 81 F

I'm looking forward to this coming long weekend for a little extra time to catch up on stitching and mileage. What are you doing this weekend?!

Thursday Weather Report #208 - 5/13/21

Can you believe that this week marks the fourth anniversary of my Weather Reports? 

I can't either! 

I'd like to say that I took (found?) the time to catch up on my temperature hexies but I didn't. 

Instead I've been stitching like a mad woman on a test project I'm doing for an online friend.

 Kerri had PaperPieces produce the papers and then asked on Instagram for anyone that wanted to test them. I had never tested a pattern of any type so I quickly raised my hand without thinking of all the other deadlines I had looming. Our deadline was May 1st but that, luckily, got bumped to 5/15 and I am expecting it to get bumped again due to production delays and pattern changes. 

Each tester was given enough papers to make 4 "blocks." Some of the testers made blocks and appliqued them on backgrounds but I saw the opportunity to tessellate the blocks together and ran with it to make a doll quilt. I changed my layout at least 3 times - I'm such a slow "designer" as I like to let a project speak to me as I work on each part, about what to do next. I'm currently confident that I'll be able to finish the top by this weekend so I can catch up on some other projects before I work on quilting it next week. 

May 5 - 11, 2021
47 - 50 - 45 - 51 - 52 - 51 - 48 F

Wednesday Weather Report #207 - 5/5/21

I have a little issue with my temperature project... 

I'm out of papers!!!!

Eek!

OK, I'm not really out - it's more like they are all being used because I haven't pulled the papers out in many, many, many, many weeks worth of daily temps. Just something else on the honey do list that doesn't seem to get done until it's absolutely necessary. Tell me I'm not the only one with this problem?

April 28 - 30, 2021 :: 70 - 50 - 46 F
May 1 - 4, 2021 :: 50 - 64 - 64 - 69 F

Wednesday Weather Report #206 - 4/28/21

I think I heard some thunder this afternoon = now it's officially spring :)

Hopefully I remembered to unplug my sewing machine as I had planned to do last night...

April 21 - 27, 2021
34 - 34 - 52 - 61 - 50 - 47 - 69 F

The plant in the tiny greenhouse is a String of Turtles. It's a succulent where, when properly hydrated, each petal is puffed up to resemble a turtle shell. The "flowers" are really white/green spikes at the end of each string and mine appears to be in full "bloom". It's meant to be a hanging plant but it always seemed to dry out too quickly (I nearly killed it last year) so it now sits in the greenhouse on a tray of water/rocks and it's happy as can be.

Wednesday Weather Report #205 - 4/21/21

We had a slight change in the weather today...it's just temporary tho!! 60s and 70s are back in the forecast for the next couple of weeks so I'm enjoying the snow while I can.

Despite appearances, I did have a wonderful walk this morning. I did laugh, tho, when Zorro refused to go outside but I was pleased as punch to do so. It was the perfect temperature to get some exercise and the snow was pretty. I made it home just as the sidewalks got slippery. The only issue was not being able to see through my wet glasses. 

Oh and might I add a Merry Christmas to the mix!

This plant has another flower about to open and the white cactus has a few buds just starting. The red cactus is working on new leaves and the orange cactus is still getting used to its new home and not doing much of anything. I don't think I've ever had blossoms this late in the year - usually late/November, December and January/February. Last fall was an early start with blossoms for election day and it looks like I'll still have flowers in May.

April 14 - 20, 2021
60 - 43 - 41 - 47 - 55 - 58 - 42 F

Wednesday Weather Report #204 - 4/14/21

Today is supposedly the warmest day in the next two weeks. I even heard a rumor of the "s" word and we are definitely expecting some much needed rain as my area is already in a moderate drought, which is 2 to 4 months early. Yikes!

This is the time of year when I just don't know what to wear because there is such a temperature difference from when I get up, go to work, eat lunch, get home and go to bed that I could change 5 times. I'm not good at layering so I probably need to work on that...

April 7 - 13, 2021
64 - 73 - 64 - 76 - 60 - 52 - 56 F

For now, we just enjoy the sunshine and the reflection on our dirty blue cars and dusty windows. Ah, the signs of spring :)

Wednesday Weather Report #203 - 4/7/21

Has anyone else felt like they haven't accomplished much lately? I do. 

I've been in a little bit of a decluttering snit but I'm not getting much stitching done.  I do wonder if part of the problem is that I am not 100% in to what I'm stitching at the moment (altho it's a project that needs to be finished "yesterday"). I'm pretty sure I had the same problem with the audio book I just finished. It wasn't a great book and I didn't make it a priority to finish so that I could move on to the next book. 

As always, I'll get over it and get back to stitching. I'm already on to a better book!

March 31, 2021 :: 47 F
April 1 - 6, 2021 :: 34 - 32 - 43 - 52 - 53 - 58 F

I always tell myself that we don't get many days in the 50s and then, look!, 3 days in a row. I might be a weather nerd but I can predict nothing...

Wednesday Weather Report #202 - 3/31/21

We are still approaching Spring with all the temperature swings. 

We are now waiting on tomorrow's April Fools Joke. Can you guess what it is?

March 24 - 30, 2021
61 - 70 - 47 - 41 - 63 - 37 - 62 F

Wednesday Weather Report #201 - 3/24/21

According to the NYS DOT we are not going to be getting any more snow this spring. 

I hear you - how can they possibly know? I have no idea myself but they took down all the snow fencing this week so it must be so. I hope Mother Nature got the same message since it's only March and we have gotten plenty of spring snow storms in both April and May.

March 17 - 23, 2021
50 - 36 - 29 - 50 - 60 - 63 - 62 F

The rumor mill says we might hit 73F tomorrow! Do I dare wear my new short sleeve shirt?

Last week's theme for #100hexies100days2021 Instagram challenge was Rainbows. Not having fabrics with actual rainbows, each day I posted a colored hexie with matching colored tchotchkes in the background. Check them out at @sarahdidit17.

Ok. I know this next picture is awful, but have you ever gotten a new toy and just played with it to see what it can do?

My house can have awful lighting when there is no sunshine. I found this mini ring light (rechargeable, clips on to your phone and it was only ~$5 at Walmart) and I was playing and trying stupid stuff like putting the hexie on the light. This is actually the lowest of 3 light settings - it's much brighter than I expected. It totally washed out the colors of the hexie and the purple ironing board cover but can you see the piece of lint formed in to a heart there on the right? I had no idea that little heart was there... 

Ok, you can stop laughing now. 

Wednesday Weather Report #200 - 3/17/21

Woot! Woot! Did you see that?!? We just hit Weather Report #200!!!
That's 3.83 years or 46 months or 1,400 days!
For a girl with no follow-thru skills to speak of, this is a massive accomplishment.

March 10 - 16, 2021
64 - 67 - 50 - 36 - 35 - 26 - 36 F

I think spring is just around the corner, given our temps, the snow storms out west and tornadic activity in the south.

Last week's theme for #100hexies100days2021 theme was Treasures.

1. Pirate treasure
2. wooden spoon collection
3. Cape Florida Lighthoue
4. Canning jar collection
5. Zorro
6. Quilty friends
7. Irish treasure

Don't forget to check the individual photo captions on my instapage @sarahdidit17

Wednesday Weather Report #199 - 3/10/21

Hello all - busy date/late post so it'll be quick...

The weather has bounced around temperature wise = spring is coming!

The sap is running  = spring is coming!

We hit a high of 65F today = spring is coming!

March 3 - 9, 2021
40 - 26- 26 - 25 - 28 - 41 - 48 F

Are you sensing a theme??!! 

Well, of course we could get one more late season snowstorm - but even that usually means spring is coming! LOL!

Wednesday Weather Report #198 - 3/3/21

 Ummmm.... How did it get to be March already?

We started the weather week with a lovely warm day last Wednesday. I thoroughly enjoyed walking to the bank without my puffer coat on! It was a 1 day gift as the temps have since been varying a little more and everything feels cold. In fact, it's currently 40F but I'm considering a warm mug of cocoa as I have a chill. Maybe the chill is knowing it's going to drop 15 degrees in the next couple of hours and start snowing again?

February 24 - 28, 2021 :: 51 - 32 - 36 - 44 - 43 F
March 1-2, 2021 :: 32 - 24 F

Weather nerd alert:
Average February temp for 2018 to 2021: 36.7, 30.4, 31.7, 27.8F
Minimum 10F in 2019 and maximum 70F in 2018

And while I know that I've been awful in sharing any other project, I just wanted to share proof that I do have other projects going. I'll share more info another day if y'all are interested.

A fun tessellating pattern I saw online.
Best part is it uses papers I already had and a scrap pack of grunge that just arrived
from an awesome Etsy where I've been spending too much money lately.

Janet - sit down!
 It's a machine project but can you tell how small the blocks are?
Great scrappy project but it's certainly not going to finish scraps at any great pace.

Wednesday Weather Report #197 - 2/24/21

We had a training at the fire hall over the weekend and there was a lot of talk about how much ice was on everyone's houses this year.

I whole heartedly agree!! It's a little hard to see but the icicle on the upper left is particularly long and lethal. The weather has been warm today (and it's now raining. BOOO!) so it will be interesting to see what has happened to the ice when I get home tonight. I'm just hoping that the ice doesn't pull down the gutters again this year but I'm thankful that my brother will help me fix them again when it happens.

BTW - the ice photo was taken after the training Sunday Morning - isn't that sky gorgeous??!!

I noticed this foxy guy/gal loping along the rode on the ride to work this morning. I would have loved a better photo but I was stopped in the middle of the road and the car behind me might not have appreciated stopping as well. 

The snow drifts in this area are quite deceiving. Luckily those trees have stopped most of the snow blowing into the road versus some areas where the drifts must be 8 feet tall and can be quite dangerous when the wind is blowing snow over top of them. The areas with the tallest drifts happen to be farm fields that have snow fence in them. I would hate to see how bad the drifts are without the fencing.

February 17 - 23, 2021
22 - 24 - 29 - 25 - 28 - 35 - 34 F

Wednesday Weather Report #196 - 2/17/21

I guess there's not much to share today as this has sat open on my laptop all day, waiting for inspiration. 

It's cold, as it should be in February. The big storm for President's Day wasn't much of anything and the storm for this coming weekend appears to have little snow in store for us.

February 10 - 16, 2021
23 - 23 - 16 - 15 - 24 - 24 - 22 F

Weather nerd alert - skip the next part if you're not feeling nerdy...

I take it back about nothing to share. I just updated my spreadsheet with the temps for the last 3 years and so far this February is running about 8 degrees colder than the previous years with a narrow range of temperatures. This year's high has been 35 compared to 70 back in 2018 and this year's low is 15 compared to 10 or 11 the last three years.

The forecast is showing temps in the 30s for the rest of the month so while we won't be beating "my" records, we may end with a more normal average temp for the month. Only time will tell...

Thursday Weather Report #195 - 2/11/21

 Just in case you ever wondered how the clouds were made...

"My" highway guys are clearing drifts
but I could swear they were really making clouds

It's been another chilly week and next week will be about the same. Now if I was doing the low temps than this weekend would require use of pinks for the low single digits we are expecting. Let's hope my car battery doesn't rebel as I'm FARTing on Saturday. Yes, I moved the road trip back a week due to the expected storm last Saturday and that really worked in my favor as my favorite vintage shop close to Creekside Fabrics is having an anniversary sale this weekend. Woot!!

February 3 - 9, 2021
27 - 35 - 34 - 24 - 22 - 21 - 23 F

FART = Fabric Acquisition Road Trip

Wednesday Weather Report #194 - 2/3/21

It's been a lovely cold week with some new snow and lots more snow projected for this weekend.

I was going to take a FART* Saturday to get some more green grunge for the mystery quilt I'm working on but with up to 9" of snow expected on Saturday I might have to mail order the fabric instead...

January 27 - 31, 2021 :: 27 - 16 - 16 - 23 - 24 F
February 1 - 2, 2021 :: 20-22 F

I finished 20 more Omigosh blocks over the weekend, bringing the total to 70. I just need to finish the last 41 and then I can start putting the top together!! I all have the parts for probably half the blocks and will only need to make the HSTs for the other half.

*FART = Fabric Acquisition Road Trip