I'm still alive

Yeah, just been busy like everyone else this time of year. DH was on vacation last week. He had plans to get so much done outside on his hog pens and the weather didn't cooperate (freezing cold -- no freezing precip). We did haul some to the auction in Gainesville and then three to the butcher in Weatherford for customers. We shopped for Christmas on Monday, hauled hogs Tuesday, Kraz-z Quilters party on Wednesday, DH left to go deer hunting on Thursday thru Saturday, Sunday we celebrated Christmas with our kids and families. And the Saturday before I had my guild party. I don't work full time as many of you do so I can't imagine what it would be like to do everything and work also.


But in the mix of all of this I've been having headaches. I'm thinking they are sinus headaches. And I think I must have pulled something in my back between my shoulder blades. So Ibuprofen has been a friend lately.






I made four of Terry Atkinson's Fat Sacks (link in sidebar under Tutorials). Her directions are very easy to follow and the bags are really substantial for grocery shopping. I made mine to use for Christmas gifts. I bought four yards of ducking at Wal-Mart. I wanted something substantial and yet inexpensive. I'm not sure the ducking would machine wash well but spot cleaning would work. In Terry's pattern she recommends home decor fabric. That would work well too if you have some say left over from a project or you have a source from a discount fabric store or a Goodwill. Hey, old draperies would work to cut some from. I'm into SAVING MONEY. You could even add a pocket if you so desired. I have a little fabric left over and I'm thinking of making smaller bags for like cards or items that need a little protection from other items in your shopping bag. I didn't think my boys would like this fabric (too colorful) so I wrapped DD and DIL's presents in these and bought them some at Wal-Mart. I was going to make some for them but the headaches started.


I FOUND some fabric under my quilting machine's table. Do you ever do that? I thought, "Where did this come from?" I don't buy this kind of fabric. There were scraps of velveteen, corduroy, and some really neat stuff. I decided it must have been some my sister in Florida sent me. She shops at her local Goodwill and finds things all the time. Speaking of my sister -- she and her DH will be visiting after Christmas. Yay!


I have joined a challenge. Lindi invited me to join in her Get It Done Challenge for 2009. The challenge is to finish UFOs in 2009. Just the push I need to finish my daughter's Dresden Plate quilt. The one she was supposed to have received when she graduated from high school. She has since graduated from college and married. Hmmmm yeah it will be a challenge. But I will get it done!


We bought a new camera while shopping. It is a Nikon S550. The pic of the bag above was taken with it. And I will leave you with a snapshot of my DGKs. Mason didn't want to sit for his picture to be taken.





Merry Christmas and May God bless you and your family,

Christmas Day

Merry Christmas! Well, it is late and I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. My DH and I had a very quiet day. DD called so grandkids could tell us what Santa brought. We cooked a pork roast with potatoes and carrots. Wonderful!

We opened our presents from my sister and she sent me a quilting book, 100 Best Full-size Quilt Blocks & Borders. There are some neat patterns in this book; some I will probably be making just as soon as I get caught up. HeeHee! Or not. HeeHee! There's just some things a girl's gotta do for creativity's sake! You know how it calls?!

The last several days have flown by. We really enjoyed our visit to our parents. The weather was mild and it was so great to see DH's niece from Colorado and her children who we don't get to see very often. All of our children were there and it was fun to see all the little cousins playing together.

It's late; time to go to bed. Merry Christmas and a Quilty New Year!

Still Baking

I am still baking this morning. I did go to bed last night. HeeHee! I baked these cookies: Chocolate Kisses, two different kind of spritz type, and this morning so far peanut butter and after them some meringues dipped in chocolate. I dipped pretzels and raisins in chocolate almond bark yesterday. I have had this cookies press for several years and I guess I'm not the smartest cookie on the block (pun intended) but until this year I never could figure it out. I got DH involved. He's a mechanic and is wonderful with tools. Yep, he figured it out in two seconds. With one hand in his pocket and one pressing out those cute little green cookies wreaths. I just love him. I told him the job was his; then I got to thinking. Wait a minute, I better figure this out 'cause he's not home most of the time when I'm baking. And I did, but you know what I know me and probably NEXT time I go to use this silly cookie press; I will have to figure it out all over again. : ( HEEHEE!

Tonight is DH Christmas party at work. We are going to my favorite steak house. Ribeye, here I come. Then tomorrow we travel to DH family gathering and stop in on my mom and step-dad.

I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and remember Jesus is the reason for the season.

God bless.

Mission Accomplished

Yep, we got'r'dun. Family Christmas that is. And immediate family that is. It was good, fun, and tiring; of course.

My schedule got off to a change when I DIDN'T leave quilting club early Wednesday. I was having too good a time but that was time I had scheduled to do some Christmas shopping. I theorized, "I'll do it tomorrow the weather will be better." It started out VERY foggy Thursday morning so I put off shopping til after lunch (better to wait to drive on the highway til fog lifts-Right?). I stopped to visit an elderly friend in quilt club who has been out due to recent surgery. Then on to serious shopping, and I did get a lot done. Just didn't get it all done. Baked pecan pies for DH bbq lunch at work that evening. I was invited to eat with them for lunch on Friday (but I really needed to be shopping--VERY foggy again Friday morning but I did eat). Back to shopping again Friday afternoon, which was the day I had planned to clean house. Stayed up way late talking to oldest DS when he came to spend the night and wrapping presents and made newest grandsons bluejean stocking.

So, we had smoked turkey, green beans, spincach, mashed potatoes, crescent rolls(not homemade), pumpkin pie, chocolate meringue pie, and assorted cookies (all of which I purchased at the store). I did get the china, tablecloth and napkins and set out. DH had to work Saturday morning--so no help. DS was wonderful. DD and family came in and started a fire in the fireplace and decorated the Christmas tree. I know I know. But the grandkids love doing this. DH and youngest DS and DIL with newest grandson arrived. We had a great time.

Then, everyone went home. Except we were babysitting newest grandson overnight so mommy and daddy could go to mommy's Christmas party at work. He is the happiest baby. Full of smiles and laughs. Then, tonight we went to grandkids and DD's Christmas program at church.

I am ready for a good sleep.

Goodnight to all and to all a goodnight.

Rainy Tuesday

Shortly after I woke this morning, I heard the rain begin. We need this. We've had a lot of rain this past year but everything was getting dry again. Our lakes and ponds got full this summer with the wonderful rains we had.

I read Mary's blog this morning. She and her family had a reunion this past weekend. It makes me miss my sister who lives in Florida. I talked to her Sunday. She is having some family troubles right now. I would appreciate your prayers for them.

I didn't get any sewing done yesterday. I did get our family get together nailed down. Saturday is the day and here at our house. So, I have started getting things ready. Yesterday I sorted and straightened, figured the checkbooks, and paid bills. Today, I will straighten my sewing room and then on to our bedroom. Then the cleaning begins. I may have to cut my quilting day tomorrow short--I hope not--in order to get all I need to do done. Thursday, I am baking pies for DH to take to work on Friday for their party at work.

I think we will have smoked turkey that DH picked up at the butcher when he was dropping off pigs to be butchered. I have more cranberries to make the cranberry relish. My kids probably won't be thrilled but DH will. I will make chocolate meringue and lemon meringue. Cookies for the grandkids. Fresh baked bread and some good vegetables should round out the menu and if I have time maybe some homemade candy. Oldest DS (who is a bachelor) said he would come and spend the night and help. He loves working in the kitchen.

I have to make the newest addition to our family a stocking. A couple of years ago I made us all a stocking out of old blue jeans. I don't have anymore of the red fabric I put in the pockets so I was thinking I could introduce a new fabric. I know! I can use another Christmas fabric for the grandkids. And since I want at least a dozen grandkids--I better get plenty. HeeHee! We will definitely have to put the stockings somewhere else besides the mantel when we get those dozen. My kids tell -- it's not going to happen. Ok, Ok! I won't be greedy. Three's okay for now but let's have more!