A New Project

Most of the sewing projects that I have to finish before Christmas can only be done on the sewing machine.  But I have so much time during the day when the kids are here that I can't sew.  Mostly I sit and watch kids shows.  But last night, Mary mentioned that she was waiting on the additional recipes that I have saved since the first cookbook was printed.  And some other family members need a new copy of the old book.  But printing the recipe cards that I did before takes a lot of colored ink.  So this morning, I googled a cookbook software program and found one that was less that $25.00.  I downloaded it, and have done 68 recipes today.  It looks pretty good, but there's still a long way to go.

Hump Day

Yes, it's Wednesday - Hump Day.  Today I have a day off from babysitting, and am hoping to make the sewing machine smoke!  I'm hoping to finish Izzy's quilt top today, and get started on Bubby's.  I am looking forward to the weekend, as Rod and I are taking a road trip to Ohio Amish country.  We plan on visiting the flea market, the winery, a Christmas store, and the cheese factory.

We have Sirius radio in the car, and they have two Christmas channels.  The carols they play, however, are not our cup of tea and so I will be charging up the Holiday Zune for the trip.  He will drive, I will sing, and we will discuss our Christmas decorating and cookies.  I have pinned several "diabetic friendly" cookie recipes.  Ho, Ho, Ho, I'm beginning to feel a lot like of Christmas.  But now, it's on to the sewing room.

Say What!?!?!?

Last night I had a panic attack.  I was looking at the calendar and suddenly it hit me -- 30 days from last night is Christmas night. No, I told myself.  It just can't be.  But, everyone assured me that it was so.  So how am I doing gift wise?

 Mary and Jimmy - Done
Kristin and George - Done
My Mom   - Done
Pat and Pam - know what I'm getting them, just haven't bought it yet.
Krissy - gifts are bought; quilt top is finished but needs ironing, quilting and binding.

Bubby - gifts are bought, quilt appliques are fused -- need to get busy.
Izzy - gifts are bought, quilt blocks are being buttonhole stitched -- needs to be finished
Jake - gifts are bought, quilt top is finished, but needs ironing quilting and binding.

Judging from the above list, I think I need the quilting relatives of the shoemaker's elves to help when I'm sleeping.

The Day After Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is over, the fridge is clear full

With lots of leftovers in clear plastic bowls.

There’ll be turkey sandwiches, soup and potpies.

The choices are endless, some new things we’ll try.

We’ll make cappeletti, and turkey spread too.

But before we all know it, the weekend is through.

Christmas is coming – it’s coming too fast.

I’ve so much to do; I’m left feeling aghast.

There’s shopping and trimming, I could just moan.

So why did I waste time on this silly poem?? 
Hope your holiday was the best.

What Was I Thinking???

Last night Rod and I stayed up until 1 a.m. to watch Gone With the Wind.  I knew that I had to be up early to get the stuffings (or is it dressing?) into the crock pots, but I couldn't pull myself away from that Yummy Captain Butler.  So although I was a little bleary eyed, I dragged myself to the kitchen before 8:30 and the dressings (I think it's dressing since it wasn't stuffed into the turkey) was in before 9.  We are planning on a 1 p.m. dinner. The turkey is done, and resting comfortably in the oven.  Potatoes are peeled, and in water ready to turn on.  Pam and Pat came down this morning and made the relish tray.  Yesterday, Mary and I made the cornbread for the cornbread stuffing, and made a loaf of bread.  Last night, Pam made the pies, Rod and I made the homemade buns, and he cleaned the house.  The pickled eggs are finished and ready to eat.  I always make pickled eggs on holidays as a reminder of the blood Christ shed for us.

The house smells so good, and I'm starving already.  Hope that you and yours have a safe and blessed Thanksgiving.

Disney Memories

We finally got our PhotoPass CD from Disney.  And here are some of my favorite memories:

I got a kiss from Mickey.  But someone alerted Minnie Mouse, and she was out for revenge.

I think Rod was actually blushing a little.  We decided that it was the most fun we could have with mice!

We had breakfast at Tusker House and had our picture taken with Donald.  I don't think either of us looked any thinner!

We met Belle.

We posed with Cinderella.

And I finally got to meet my favorite princess, Tiana.

I had a talk with Chip.

But the best time of all . . . . .

Was the time spent alone with Rod.

It's Almost Thanksgiving,

Can Christmas be far behind?  All twelve of the princesses are fused onto the blocks, and now I just have to the finishing stitching.  The weather this coming weekend is supposed to be nasty, and I think it will be a perfect weekend to move the sewing machine into the living room, and stitch the princesses while I watch football and Christmas movies.  Rod is off on Friday and we will have Kristin's kids, so he plans on putting the Christmas lights around the front deck.  And afterward, we can have hot chocolate with whipped cream.

I'm sure all of us has seen "The Christmas Story" at least once.  I love that movie (although Mary hates it).  At one point the narrator says, "Now it is well known throughout the Midwest that the old man is a turkey junkie.  A bona fide golly turkicanis freak.  A few days before Christmas his eyes would begin to gleam with a wild ravenous light." That is exactly how I feel about Thanksgiving.  Just thinking about that turkey makes my mouth start to water.  I could probably live on roast turkey (as long as there was bacon and an occasional steak thrown in).  So, we buy the biggest turkey we can find.  And on Black Friday, when everyone is fighting the craziness of shopping, we stay home and enjoy hot turkey sandwiches on homemade bread.  I'll be making homemade buns for Thanksgiving dinner, but tucked away in a non-conspicuous corner of the house will be a loaf of homemade light honey wheat bread.

Are you sitting down?  No, really - sit down!  This will be such a shock that I can't be held responsible for anyone who isn't sitting down.  This morning, this very morning, I went to the sewing room and folded all the fabrics that I had used for the princess appliques, and - are you ready?? - Put It Away!!!  Yes, every last scrap is put in its proper place.  And now, I'm ready to start fusing the appliques for Bubby's Mario quilt.  Will I make it before Christmas?? I sure hope so.

Wednesday Whine Fest

We haven't had a Wednesday Whine Fest for a while, but today I feel the need to whine a little.  Maybe not so much whine as complain.  I do a lot of internet shopping, and most times am very pleased with the service I receive.  Often I find the customer service to be amazing.  But not this time.  Monday AM very early I received an email from a company, which shall remain nameless, regarding a special.  It was something I really wanted, and so I immediately clicked on the link.  However, what came up was not what was pictured in the email. I couldn't even find the item in their on-line catalog. After several tries, I phoned their customer service department and voiced my concern.  I was told that they would check into it and email me the proper link before lunch.  After waiting until late afternoon, I googled the item and ordered it from a different company.  Imagine my surprise and delight when the item arrived yesterday afternoon by FedEx.  And still I haven't heard from the first company.  Can you say "lost customer"??

My second whine involves all the advertised "Black Friday" sales.  How can it be considered Black Friday when these stores are opening on Thanksgiving evening.  And when one merchant announces opening at 9, another has to beat that by opening at 8.  What happened to the one day designated for "giving thanks"?  What happened to a "family holiday"?  What happened to "over the river and through the woods to grandma's house"?  My heart goes out to those people who will be required to work these holiday hours, and probably receive no extra pay.  My raspberry award goes out to the merchants who are doing this.  Shame On You!!

 But on a happier note - Two more princesses are finished and I have only two more to go.  Pocahontas's neck looks a little large, Not sure how that happened. Might have to fix that.

Tiana looks pretty good.  Can you tell she's my favorite princess?

Princess Progress

The princesses are coming along.  Cinderella is finished and I'm pleased with how she looks.

Rapunzel's eyes look slightly out of scale, but they match the coloring page I took her from. And I'm not sure what's up with that mouth!

I think I need to redo Ariel's mouth, she looks like Martha Ray.

I've never seen Merida (from Brave) so I hope she's OK.



Maybe they just look nasty to me because it's Monday.  Hopefully they'll look better tomorrow.

I still have Minnie Mouse, Jasmine, Tiana, and Pocahontas to finish.

The Creating of a Princess

 That's what I'm doing today, creating princesses.






Mulan.

Sleeping Beauty

 


Snow White

Belle from Beauty and the Beast





Four down, 8 to go.

Where Is The Time Going?

Time seems to be flying by, faster than I can keep up with.  I will certainly be relieved to have this election behind me.  This past week, I have had 2 calls from our governor, one from Clint Eastwood, several from special interest groups and several candidates for local offices. As much as I'd like to stop answering the phone, I can't because Mom is in the hospital and calls on this phone. And so my mantra for today is "just one more day".

Turkey by Pearl Louise Designs

I did manage to get the pieces for Izzy's princess quilt traced onto the fusible over the weekend.  I made a pot of German potato soup on Saturday and spent some quality time with Rod.  And although it seems like the weekend was a waste, we did manage to replace the Valentine's Day quilt in the living room with a turkey quilt.  A pilgrim turkey wall hanging was placed on the basement door, and a silly pilgrim turkey wall hanging replaced the Christmas tree in the bathroom.  My excuse that I celebrate all holidays at one time was wearing thin, and I was tired of looking at the old ones.

Turkey Feathers by Rasmatazz Designs

This is the living room wall hanging.  Mine, however is done in cream and a sage green print.  I love Thanksgiving and am saddened by the fact that it gets squeezed out by early Christmas sales.

Where Are You Going . . .

One of my favorite songs from Fiddler On The Roof.  Where are you going my little girl, little girl?

Where have you gone to my baby, my own?

Turn around and you're two

Turn around and you're four

Turn around and you're a young girl going out of the door.


Happy 12th Birthday, my sweet Krissy.  I love you so much.