out with the ... hmmmm . . .

You know, as I move my marker from "50", I'm not so sure I like that saying any more!  Out with the old??!  But why?  It's still perfectly good!  New is *not* necessarily better ... is it?!  NO!  Ha!

Todd and I did venture out for a bit yesterday.  It wasn't encouraging that right off the bat, the car decided not to cooperate!

A jump start and she was fine.  We even stopped and had the battery checked to make sure it didn't need replacing, but it was fine, too.  I think she may have been a tad jealous that we used the golf cart for our 'first' outing.  Persnickety thing!

We needed real food, so the grocery store was on our circuit.  Actually, I went there while Todd took off to see about the car.  Call me crazy but I'd been craving red meat.  With gravy.  And homemade yeast rolls (what is this affair with bread making lately?) . . .

Dinner was good . . . and so will be today's lunch!

I finished whipping up all my little pieces for the GC block and started whipping them together.

I remember now why I skipped this block.  I've probably made it a lot more difficult than it needed to be, but it sure looks pretty!

Especially when it's attached to the background fabric!

When I got tired of whipping pieces together, I pulled out my snowflake block fabrics.  I decided that since I really did want the look of a snowflake, I'd try it in blues and whites and grey.  Here's what I came up with:

I had to do a little refresher course on paper-piecing, it had been so long.  But once I saw the first step, it all came back ... like riding a bicycle ...

Yes -- I'm very pleased with the overall on this one!!  (I photocopied my one finished one six times so I could see what the finished piece would look like.  It's how I roll.)  Now only five more triangles to do. Hmmm . . . where is that GC block?

If my recollecting is correct, in addition to the snowflake, I started (and even finished) a couple of other NewFO projects in the merry ol' month of December.

Pretty darn productive and definitely worth a link up to the December NewFO linky party over at Cat Patches!!

Finally, the view out of the RV window this morning . . .

I love living in a place where this is what greets me in the morning!  Enjoy this last day of 2013 and let me wish you a very happy, peaceful and blessing-filled 2014!

:)

forget black friday . . .

I've always understood that the "black" in Black Friday referred to the idea of retailers getting their accounting books "back in the black", or making a profit . . . but I've never liked the sound of it.  It sounds gloomy and with a single exception (three years ago, when I packed a hand stitching project and then chauffeured Joc and Kim around from store to store, so they could be dropped off right at the door and didn't have to worry about parking), it's not a tradition I participate in.  So today will be no different!  Christmas movies nonstop through the day, turkey soup on the stove, some minimal cleanup and play in the sewing bunk room, and lots and lots of leftovers!!

Yesterday was a beautiful day for an outdoor dinner ... with the fire in the fire place, of course!

The table setting was simple ... a pine cone and ribbon turkey and a tray of nature's offerings.  And a fun paper tablecloth begging for a two-and-a-half year old and crayons!

I knew right from the beginning that I wanted to be able to put a turkey drum stick on Sawyer's plate -- I was *thrilled* when he pointed to it on the buffet table and told his mama he wanted that one!

So for me, this is the money shot!

And this one ... this is a pumpkin pie and whipped cream happy face!

Of course, June was darlingly dressed for the day (if I do say so myself) . . .

I had a little time Wednesday and patterned a little "first Thanksgiving" dress for her.

Isn't it cute?!  Such fun!  I had my picture taken with Ellie ... but Jason's got those pics.  I'll share when I get them!

This fellow also called to me on Wednesday (because I didn't have enough I needed to be doing):

He was *such* fun!  And very easy and fast.  And the top hat was a definite improvement over the sample model I saw in the store (shown here).  He's not finished ... everything needs to be glued down, but the hard parts are done.  He'll be hanging on my door very soon!

The Holiday Lane Pillow blog hop is in FULL swing!!  Have you checked out the offerings so far? They're *so* darling!!  Here's today's lineup:

Sunshine Reflections

Free Motion by the River

Sew Mollie Sue, Quilt Much?

I Like to Quilt Blog

Briarside Lane

Ariane's Quilts

Meadowbrook

Buzzing and Bumbling

Mice in the Mix

Kwilty Pleasures

Cherry Blossoms

And for today's Feline Friday, instead of an actual cat, how about a stitchery cat?  Have you ever visited Hudson's Holidays - Shirley Hudson?  She is very talented and shares her stitchery patterns on a very regular basis.  She has some of the most darling cat stitcheries I've seen and she offers quite a few of them freely.  This one, for example . . .

Isn't it oh-what-fun!?  You can find him (?!) on her blog, HERE!  Doing a quick search on her blog will net you a score of cat stitcheries ... and while she offers lots more than cats, cats are what Fridays are about!  Be sure to check out Sarah Did It! to see what other felines are making the blogs today!

I'm outta here ... time to pop a Christmas DVD in the player ... which one will it be?!

:)

new additions and a pretty meal . . .

Meet Bear.

Or whatever his name is going to be.  "Bear" was tossed around the most last night, because he's going to be such a BIG dog when he grows up -- and he rather looks like a little polar bear now!  He's a Great Pyrenees, and his grandpa weighed in at 165 pounds!  Can you imagine having that much dog around?!

They're also very gentle and great with children and have terrific dispositions.  And they're herders, so the more kids you have, the more they can help keep them in line.  LOL!  Todd and I have friends who had six puppies to sell and I had known James and Kim were very interested in this particular breed, so last night I went with them to check them out.  Sawyer was in his element.  The place was like a petting zoo, with goats, mini-ponies, dogs, cats and chicks.  I think he really wanted to bring home a goat.  All the way home he kept bleating, "Baaaaaa!"  Oh yeah -- and he did tell us a couple of times that he wanted to ride the pony.  He was serious!

In other news . . . my mom and dad celebrated a quiet Easter this year.  My dad's back is giving him trouble and so travel is not an easy thing for him right now.  My mom, who's ever-creative, was determined to make their Easter meals fun and festive for the two of them, and I think she hit the mark!

I love the egg in a bacon basket!  This would be a fun Easter breakfast.  (Edit:  here's a link on how to make the egg in a bacon baskets.  And then add a 'chives' handle and set it amongst some greens!)

And the shrimp salad bunny, with his deviled egg ears, is just darling!  And look at how nicely her meringue daisies turned out!

But the meringue bunny is my favorite!  What a sweet treat!  I think sometimes the leaning is to scale back when we find it's just the two of us, but I like my mom's thinking here.  Make it fun for two!  Sometimes I need that reminder ... Todd and I have found ourselves as 'just the two of us' on special occasions before, and it's important to not [always] use that as an excuse to do little or nothing.  Don't you agree??!

Hippity-hoppity Tuesday!

:)

fluffy, food, and fashion . . .

Yesterday was a fun day ... of course, any day spent with my kids and grands is going to be an awesome day!  Interestingly enough, Joc's beautiful cat, Leia, was very interested in me yesterday.  I think having a baby in the house has rather put her in her place a bit. She's looking for attention from people she doesn't generally seek it from.

 Which would be anyone but Joc and Jason!  But she certainly moved in closer . . .

 And closer . . .

To me yesterday!  She really is so beautiful -- and her fur is so soft, fluffy and inviting.  Kitty-loving!

For lunch I made the quinoa-avocado salad and it was *very* good!  I cut the recipe in half and it made plenty for the two of us for lunch and left us both with a little bit (I had mine for dinner, too).

 As always, I made a few adjustments to the original recipe (found HERE).  This is what I came up with:

Quinoa-Avocado Salad 

1 cup quinoa, cooked per pkg directions, chilled 

6 oz Sweet Corn, just barely thawed 

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro 

1/2 cup scallions, thinly sliced on the bias 

1 plum tomato, 1/4-inch dice 

1 avocado, peeled, pitted, cubed 

1/3 cup Olive Oil Vinaigrette 

1 tbsp lemon juice

1/2 tsp salt 

1/2 tsp pepper 

Directions: Add cooked quinoa, corn, cilantro, green onions, and tomatoes to mixing bowl. Fold in avocados and dressing; mix until well-combined. Season with salt and pepper; serve.

It was very easy to make, too.  I've been looking for quinoa recipes and have found three or four that I'm wanting to try.  Todd doesn't care for avocado or cilantro, so this one is out for him or at least, would need to be modified.

Of course, the main show of yesterday was Miss Ellie!

Joc has fallen in love with smocked gowns and dresses, and two that she had ordered came in yesterday.  This little white outfit was *so* precious that we had to have a fashion show (even though it's a little big still).

Do we look great together?  I'm sporting a pretty new top, too!  (A sweet gift from my Mom!)  Ellie's a natural at this modeling thing.

Of course, we see what the cameraman (Joc) was really focusing on!  That's okay -- it's to be expected, right?!

And here's Ellie with her beautiful mommy!

 

And turnabout is fair play, right?  This cameraman also had focused interests!

I just adore baby feet!!

Today will be a busy one ... our fifth annual board meeting this morning and then prep for the Camp MACOBA workday tomorrow (I hope we don't have snow for it) and tonight we're headed out for a informational/vision meeting for the future of Joc and Jason's church.  Whew!!  I had better take my hand work with me in the car so I can get some stitching in on this busy day!!

:)

scheduled...and a fall giveaway!

But first, let me share a photo I *did* manage to capture at the Jamboree on Saturday. The Flint River Praise Team came out and sang a good set of some of my favorite praise & worship songs, but they saved the best for last ....

Brother Carl Tate came up and sang "I Sing Because", one of my all-time favorites!

Finally, at 5:15 this evening, my surgeon's office called to tell me what time I need to be there tomorrow. I check in between 9:30 and 10:00. Which means an afternoon surgery. I'm starting to feel a little anxious. Ha! Who am I kidding? I'm starting to feel a LOT anxious! :)

I did decide that Todd and I both deserved a good "send-off" meal . . . so I made our favorite crock pot dish, tenderloin and sauerkraut.

And yes, I used a crock pot liner. I'll never cook in my crock pot without a liner, ever again!! Haha! Let's see, I also have baked sweet potatoes, pork gravy, and for dessert, ice cream sundaes. Good thing I have until 1:00 am to eat. LOL!

And guess what else?!? This is post SIX HUNDRED!! WhooHOO! Of course, since I've had this blog since 2003, it's really about time, don't you think?!

So, in honor of post 600 and the onset of autumn, I'm doing a little happy giveaway . . .

Just some fun things like . . .

Mini cutters in fun fall shapes, candy corn ribbon, candy pumpkins, some fun fall fat quarters, and my personal favorite . . .

Sticky, sparkly press ons! One set in fall leaves and one in (what else) CANDY CORN! (Don't you worry -- I got one of those to keep, too!)

All packaged in a darling little pumpkin basket!

And who knows . . .

There may also be some chocolate in there somewhere . . .

Maybe. ;)

Now, for the win, all you have to do is be a follower and leave a comment telling me that you're a follower. Pretty simple, right? Make sure you leave a comment ... whether you're a new or a faithful follower.

*And* for a second chance, blog about this giveaway on your blog, and come back and leave me a second comment, telling me you've done so and the link back! Again, simple ... two chances, two comments! Oh yes, and if you are a 'no reply' blogger, you MUST leave me an e-mail address to contact you.

I'll leave this giveaway open until 6:00 p.m. (CST) on Monday, October 10th. My birthday. See how fun this is? I'll celebrate *my* birthday and give someone else a *prize*! Definitely fun stuff!

:)

family, food & fun . . .

We had a marvelous Independence Day celebration up at the camp! Guess who came to visit?!?

Yes! My darling Sawyer! Look how grown up he looks! He was just a kid at the camp yesterday. He brought his mommy and daddy, too. And Jocelyn and Jason came as well, to make the family circle complete!

Todd was the grill master for the event. Every family brought their own meat to grill and a side to share. It was a good plan!

I decked out a picnic table so it looked rather 4th-ish. I'd purchased some citronella candles for the table, to help keep bugs away. They actually did a pretty good job!

None of us just brought "one dish" to share, so the buffet table was full! It was almost like Thanksgiving!! It was funny -- once the meat was all ready and the lids taken off the serving dishes, someone remarked, "What are we waiting for, let's eat!"

Sawyer knew what that meant -- he ran for his chair. He was ready to eat too!

Such a charmer. He held up his end of the dinner conversation quite well. No one could understand all that he was saying, but his tone was cheery!

There was plenty for everyone. Joc made a yummy, not-your-typical coleslaw and a tomato and corn salad that was *wonderful*! Kim made roasted potatoes and a sugar-free apple pie (which was delish)! Jason even tossed in a pan of brownies he made just for the event! Add to that the prerequisite baked beans and watermelon . . .

And as you can see, plates were full!!

Sawyer particularly enjoyed the watermelon! (Never tell a young child to say, "Cheese!" when they have a mouthful of watermelon. LOL!)

Sawyer had three or four rides in the golf cart. He just loves riding around in that thing and he sits so nicely and quietly while it's moving. Early in the evening, I asked Sawyer if he wanted to go for a ride. He didn't answer me, he just took off running for the golf cart. Oh, I guess he *did* answer me!

Jason was the camera master for the evening!

He used an 8-second exposure to help create these fun effects! I can write my name with a sparkler!

And the star was fun, too.

James, who was having more fun with the sparklers than anyone, was our fireworks master for the evening. Jason had purchased a bunch of fireworks a year ago and brought them. He was having fun filming, so James agreed to light the fuses.

We had some rockets red glare.

And bombs bursting in air.

Giving proof through the night, that time with family is the best.

:)