You Can Run But You Can't Hide from Snow--and Happy Valentine's Day!

I seriously needed a break from the snow. I hadn't been out of doors for an entire week. So when my sweetheart suggested a trip to Kiawah Island, I was delighted.

During the eight hour drive, I took a turn behind the wheel while my husband snoozed a bit. We were crossing the stateline into South Carolina when I noticed tiny particles on the windshield. I squinted, looked twice, and then I said, "Honey, I think it's snowing."

David half-opened one eye, viewed the windshield and said, "Can't be."

Okay, folks. I lived outside of Chicago for years. I've driven through blizzards. Suffice it to say, Jo knows snow.

Minutes later, David's phone rang. Now he was totally awake. My husband explained to the caller where we were and where we were going.

The caller shared the weather report with David: Two to four inches of snow was predicted for the Carolina coast. It was snowing all along Highway 95. In fact, it looked like we were driving right into a blizzard. We stopped at a rest stop, and David took the wheel.

What did I do?

Well, folks, I couldn't take it anymore. I started crying. While the snow swirled around us, I had my own little meltdown.

This morning the headline in the Post and Courier notes that snowmen have invaded the yards in Charleston!

Yes, we drove south to escape the snow, and for the first time in 10 years, Charleston SC got four inches of cover on the ground. White powder dusted Kiawah Island, too. Our favorite restaurant, Rose Bank Cafe, was closed at lunch on account of "bad weather."

Sheesh. And now we're back here outside of DC, and guess what's expected tomorrow? SNOW.

Homemade Cork Stamp...

Before our trip, I did manage to send out a few valentines. I'd been saving corks from champagne bottles for some time, so I carved one of them into a heart-shaped stamp. Now it's not like I don't own a zillion stamps, but I wanted that special wonky look that cork gives.

Those cork-shaped hearts the pandas are holding are ones that I stamped. You can read how to make your own cork stamps here. (I've also posted a nifty recipe for broccoli salad.)

Okay, how was your Valentine's Day?

A Quick Tour of My Office

The first thing my husband told me after he looked at our new home was, "It's got a great office space for you." And he was right.

You see, I couldn't get away to search for new lodgings. My mother was dying with cancer. So finally, I told David, "You'll just have to go find us a place to live. I trust you. You're pickier than I am."

I didn't see our house until the moment we arrived. That said, my husband did a fantastic job.

My office is 17 by 15 feet, with a walk in closet about 8 by 6. It's not only large, it's sunny. There are three windows are to my left as I face my desk. Two windows and a door with a glass window are on my right.

My big desks from England fit against a side wall (for crafting) and an interior wall for my word processing. Mainly, I stare at the screen or the Matisse print I bought in France, so I'm not distracted by the view outside. Yesterday, while I was talking with a friend who's helping me proof Photo, Snap, Shot, my gaze wandered. The snow was coming down in big, thick flakes. Through the woods to our house came our resident fox, his red hair fluffed out and his black stockings padding along softly in the falling snow.

Here's a collection of factoids about my work space:

1. Among of my most helpful tools is a concentration tape by Hemisync.

2. On the bookshelves are china animals from my grandmother's house, as well as a plastic tiger my mom and I found while shopping at Goodwill.

3. My closet is a total disaster. I hope to clear it out after I get done proofreading.

4. I have a success candle on my desk that I bought at Enchantments, a witchcraft store in New York City.

5. I love fresh flowers so I try to keep a vase of them near my workspace.

6. A big wipe board helps me organize my work as I write. I have the days plotted on them, the actions of the characters, and so on.

7. One of my prized possessions is a fossile of a prehistoric fish. I use it as a paper weight.

8. I keep chocolate in my desk drawer along with the Post-It Notes. It's been there a while. I like having it close, although chocolate gives me headaches.

9. My mouse pad has a picture my son drew when he was in fourth grade. It's of a grand piano. (No surprise!)

10. I keep an Ott-Lite in my office. They are true-to-life lights, so I can discern colors accurately when I scrapbook.

11. In my closet are drawers full of rubber stamps and punches. I love both tools!

12. On the back of my desk chair is a small blue afghan I crocheted. I toss it over my feet when they get cold.

What's in your office? What might surprise me if I visited?