join me for favorite things thursday . . .

I know I've made no secret of what (who) my favorite things are, right?  So it will be no surprise to anyone that today, the day I get to co-host Favorite Things Thursday, that three of my mostest favorite things will make an appearance?!

Even though I make it a point to see them each weekly, it never ceases to amaze me how much growing and maturing they do in the time I'm not seeing them!

Look how grown up and "big brother-ish" my Sawyer is, holding his sister . . . 

Isn't he just precious?  He's such a sweet-natured, compassionate little guy.

And Ellie ... she's at the stage where she's doing something new every single day.  Breaking in a new tooth or standing up by herself or taking steps or making a new sound or trying out a word. 

I can hardly stand the fact that she'll be one year old in just thirty-five days! Where has the last year gone?

And then there's sweet little June . . .

What a beautiful baby she is!  Still trying to get into her groove and figure out when it's sleep time and when it's awake time.  But even in these first five weeks, she's grown and filled out so much.

Is it any wonder that these three sweet grandchildren are among the top numbers of my favorite things list?

My children (and their spouses, of course) are in the top numbers, too.  So that's why I have *no* problem sharing this next thing that's just given me giggles for the past day.  My son and my son-in-law have been collaborating on this project for a while now and finally launched the beta version yesterday morning.  I give you . . . 

That's right, BeardRank.com.  A website for ranking beards.  Definitely a man thing.  But just twelve hours after launching yesterday,  they had over SEVENTY beards uploaded.  I think it may catch on!!  It's definitely worth checking out ... and sharing with your bearded fellows (husbands, significant others, sons/sons-in-law, grandsons, bosses, co-workers, etc.) ... and feel free to "like" any of the beards you see while you're there.  And you can follow them on Twitter *and* Facebook, too! 

And finally, while not quite up there in the top numbers with family, y'all know I love hops and giveaways!  So I'm really excited about Quilting Gallery's Blog Hop Party -- celebrating five years -- with presents!  

In fact I'll be hosting a giveaway in conjunction with the big shindig right here, on December 9th, so be sure to check that out!

So, that's my favorite things for today ... now it's *your* turn!  The Thursdays Favorite Things hop is where you can link your favorite post or write a post about your favorite things and share with old and new followers!  First, here are the rules (yes, there are rules, but just a few):

• You must be a follower of Katherines Corner preferably through e-mail, it's on her right sidebar ( or she has facebook, google plus and twitter too)
• If you’re a new follower, please let her know how you follow. She will follow you back.
• Please follow my blog too -- and let *me* know so I can follow you, too!!
• No adult content blogs.
• Blogs only please.

Visit and follow as many other blogs in the list as are appealing -- I've made some lovely friends and gotten some *fabulous* ideas this way.  Since it's the Christmas season, there are bound to be lots of fun things floating around! Please leave comments when you visit and let them know that we sent you. Nobody expects you to visit all of them (although that would be awesome). Just click and go. 

Now hop on and share your favorites. If you’d like to post this blog hop on your page please just grab the linky code. Or if you would like to be a co-host please contact Katherine.

*participants who link up will be sent weekly reminders of this wonderful hop*

Please grab the hop button to share with others, you can copy and paste the image with a link to KatherinesCorner.com OR grab the code from Katherines Corner on her right sidebar.  It’s always nice to have the hop button on your post. But it IS NOT mandatory, although a link back to Katherine's blog is always appreciated.

Happy Thursday ... happy hopping ... and happy doing laundry for me -- the washer/dryer arrived late yesterday afternoon!

:)

to say the least . . .

May I please just say that I had a delightful day?!

The above three images are from Ellie's nine-month photo session, taken by my son, James.
I wish I could have posted *all* of them!!  

Ellie was napping when I got to Jocelyn's (which is typical).  One of my favorite things is to call to her, after she's woken up and Jocelyn's tended to her, just before Joc brings her downstairs.  Since it had been over two weeks since I'd seen her last, I wasn't sure how she'd receive me (that's a long time in the mind of a nine month old!), but I needn't have worried.  She came down the steps with that same look of expectation and grin when she saw me . . . the one that charms my socks off!

Sporting the new socks Neesey brought her back from her trip to Maryland.

She's grown ... in two weeks she's gained a pound, added hair, and had a third tooth come in!  And she gets cuter every day.

I had another surprise waiting for me at Joc's, too.  My birthday present from her family!

It had gotten in before my birthday, just not before I left.  It was a biggie on my wish list.  I'm anxious to try it out!

I had to laugh when I realized that it came from a place in South Pittsburg, Tennessee -- we pass it every time we travel up 72 E to Chattanooga!

Leia was anxious to try out the box it came in:

I've told you I've created a fabric monster, haven't I?!

She just loved the print, so she had to order a yard of it.  "You can make a dress for Ellie, right?"

Of course!

Believe it or not, the birthday fun continues today.  Todd and I are headed out to lunch with the staff from the Madison Baptist Association.  They are celebrating the October birthdays at Connor's Steakhouse.  YES!  That will definitely be one awesome meal!

We're still waiting on June . . . Kim says she's stubborn!  She was moving around the other day and when I put my hand over to feel, she gave me a little 'pow-pow' with her foot.  I'm so excited!

And don't forget to check out today's offerings in the Wicked hop!

Thursday, October 25^th

Angies Quilting And Crafting Place
Just Let Me Quilt
Lady Bug Lane
Debby Kratovil Quilts
Creative Obsessions
Kathy's Quilts
Loose Threads
Sew Maybe I Can
That's Sew Julie
Aurea - That Other BlogPeck's Pieces

Enjoy this Favorite Things Thursday!!  I know I sure will!!

:)

knees, owls, and spiderwebs . . .

My mommy's coming home today ... hip, hip hooray!!!  (Or should that be knee, knee hooray?!?!)

Since yesterday was our last full day and the last time Dad and I would be driving to and from the rehab center without a knee patient in the vehicle, I decided I should make just one more pass through the quilt shop.  I mean, c'mon, who knows when I'll be by this way again?!

See?  I didn't do too much damage.  Just a few more pieces of pieces I'd already gotten.  For the most part.  A different sparkly batik ... and that butterfly print has a little metallic thread running through it, too!!  I got another half yard of the spider web batik.  It's from Moda's Love Letter Batiks - Laundry Basket Quilts.  Really cute stuff and definitely one of a kind! I also picked up a darling pattern I'm going to put to good use (involving the owl and the pussycats).  And a package of applique pins.  All very harmless.  

While we kept company yesterday, I managed to finish up the little hexies I had working:

Whoop, whoop!  I need to press and assemble, now.

I knew they wouldn't keep my hands busy the entire visit, so on a last minute whim, I put together some bigger charms to make another of the large hexie toppers.  I got all of those finished, too!  Now I just have to decide how to arrange them.  Any thoughts?  I'd love some input!  The only thing I'm set on is that the owl stays center.

Owlie 1

Owlie 2

Owlie 3

Owlie 4

Owlie 5

Owlie 6

I'm not really 'married' to any one of the designs, though I think perhaps 4 and 6 are the most appealing to my eye, looking back through the photos. It's pretty much a subjective decision, I know.

I can't believe how fast this week is going by!  Just think . . . I'll be announcing a winner to my Leafs Me - Happy - Birthday to Me giveaway on Monday morning! There's still time to enter -- head HERE for more details!

My mommy coming home and hexies and fabric shopping and giveaways . . . all these things certainly qualify for Favorite Things Thursday!!  Be sure to check out what other fun things make the favorites list around the blogosphere!

:)

raggedy day . . .

Oh what a lovely day I had yesterday.  I promise you, this darling little cutie-pie gets sweeter each time I see her!

She's gotten very mobile and very chatty.  It's so fun to see her personality emerge (very strongly, too)!

And I'm so tickled that she definitely recognizes me and knows me ... she's even reached for me a time or two.  

Although sometimes she does the old "reach for Neesey and then turn back and grab Mommy" trick.  Then she looks at me with that grin . . . that "Haha!  Mommy has me and you don't!" grin.  LOL!!

Remember this pic?

How could you forget?  It's just the most darling pic ever!  Anyway, this cute little red head needed an outfit.  And that's where my sewing abilities were concentrated this happy day!  Joc picked up some really cute fabric for the dress and then a little off-white for the apron.  I didn't have a pattern, so I had to do the old wing and a prayer thing.

I think it turned out really cute!  Ellie will be the cutest little Raggedy Ann ever.  

This morning I'm headed over to spend the morning with Sawyer, while Kim goes in for her weekly "June" appointment!  And this afternoon, I'm getting new tires for Princess Buttercup so she's already for the drive to Maryland!

But you?  You should definitely check out the Day 4 participants in the Leafs Me Happy hop!

Thursday 4

Debby Kratovil Quilts

Patchouli Moon Studio

Freemotion by the River

Quilt Doodle Designs

Apple Avenue Quilts

Jane’s Quilting

Spoilt Dog Quilts

Ramblings of a Quilter

Deborah

Gracie Oliver Arts

Have a blast!!  And while you're at it, take a look over at Katherine's Corner -- and Favorite Things Thursday!!  :)

:)

a few of my favorite things . . .

Today is Thursday, so it's time for the "Favorite Things" blog hop!  I have lots of favorite things to share today!

First, I had a fun happy show up in my post office box earlier this week . . .

Can you see the return address?  Let me zoom in a little.

The GREAT PUMPKIN!!!!

Someone knows me well, no?!  Hahaha!!  My sweetie-pie friend, Jean (of Jean Creates), knows my affinity for all things pumpkin and has done a marvelous job of setting me up for the onset of pumpkin season!

Wasn't this fun?!?  The table runner pattern is just darling!  And the tip towels -- it was like she read my mind!  I've never seen the Stitch-Craft-Create magazine, so I'm really enjoying perusing its pages.  And those sweet little bundles of fabrics??  They have *sparkly* lines!  And I grinned when I laid eyes on the book -- for me to read with my Sawyer and share my pumpkin love!!  Thank you, Jean, for being so thoughtful!!

Speaking of Sawyer, I spent time with him yesterday morning, while his mommy headed in for a baby-check.  It was an early appointment, so I had the pleasure of making him breakfast!

I tried to get him to smile (to make up for his last photo), but he was all clown.

Too focused for a smile here . . .

Too many toys (cars, dinosaurs and transformers) to look up and say "cheese" here . . .

Neesey, where are you?!

RAWR!!  I scared you, Neesey!

We had a fun morning.  He's all boy -- but he's such a cuddler, too.  Gosh I love that!  And, in case you're wondering, Baby June and mommy are doing fine and we've moved to the once-a-week appointments!  Won't be too much longer!

Another favorite?  Walking through the camp and finding pretty things popping up in the most unusual places . . .

So gorgeous!

And I can't have a post about favorite things without sharing my sweet Eleanor Pearl . . .

Or should I say Raggedy Ann?!?  Is she darling, or what??!!  

I am blessed!!

:)

frosted fabrics . . . they're great!

Ooooh ... a fun happy in the mail . . . 

All that Fairy Frost fabric!  Oh the plans I have for you, my pretties!  But first I will pet you, and unfold and refold you, and gaze on you lovingly. 

Ah yes, fabric is one of my *Favorite Things*!  :)

The rain FINALLY started Tuesday evening and has just been softly but steadily falling ever since.  It's absolutely glorious!!  And with the rain have come much cooler temperatures . . . driving home from church last night I looked down and my car's temp gauge showed 68°F  - we haven't seen temps that low in over a month!  Last night I slept without the a/c running ... just the sound of rain hitting the roof of the RV.  What a wonderful sleeping backdrop!

Before the rains, though, came the winds.  We'd had a little bandit visitor out back, but when the winds came up -- very suddenly -- sent him running to the safety of a tree!

He wasn't sure what it was he'd heard coming -- and he sure couldn't see it.  They are such cute little critters (for the most part and in their proper setting)!

We also had a rather unwelcome visitor at our hummingbird feeder.

She's been parked here for two or three days.  At first she didn't bother the hummingbirds and they didn't both her.  But yesterday we noticed she was very aggressively guarding the feeder and chased off every hummingbird that came in.  Time to take care of that.  I don't know if you can see it or not, but her stinger is quite impressive! Todd will be taking care of it -- not me.

Quiet day today . . . perhaps I'll go dream up something fun for that Fairy Frost fabric!

:)