Having fun

I am having the most fun making this quilt top:

It is made up of dolls cut from a panel and some old hexagon flowers that I made back in the 90's, when my children were small.  The more I work on this quilt top, the more I'm loving my Brother sewing machine, which is now almost two years old.  

Another fun thing for me is looking for thrifty quilt fabric.  I found these two 100% cotton pillowcases at Goodwill yesterday for 50 cents each.  I figure I have approx. a yard of pretty fabric for $1.  (oh yeah, the white fabric for the quilt top above, is also a cotton thrift store sheet)

And look at this little fun thing that's joined our family.   Chandler is almost 6 months old and such a sweet baby.  We teased his parents that this child would be a terror, because his big brother was such a good baby.  But guess what?  This one is even sweeter....if that is possible!!  Full of smiles and such a good boy!

And Chandler had fun rubbing Papa's 'retirement' beard.  I mentioned before that my husband retired from his 'real' job back in November.  As a law enforcement officer, he was required to have short hair and a shaved face, all the time.  (when I married him, he had a beard)  Of course, the first thing he did after retirement, was grow his beard back out.  It's a lot whiter than it was before and what hair is left, is also a lot 'lighter' in color.  :))  He is so much busier now that ever before, and claims he hasn't had time to get a haircut...I think he's had one haircut since he retired!  We definitely have to sneak that one in on his calendar, soon.

*It's only Jan. 11, but so far,  my secret new years resolutions are coming along pretty well.  How about you?

2013 * Happy New Year * 2013

It's been over a month since my last post, mainly because I didn't have anything to 'brag' about. :))

We had a great Christmas and a very happy new year (watching the ball drop from our couch) and 2013 is here. Of course, I have goals and resolutions, but I am not brave enough to post them. I'll keep them to myself, because we all know how resolutions go...

Underground Railroad Quilt

 

Since it is 2013, I will share my almost completed quilt top that I started last year this time.  (I have since added the border, not seen in this photo) This was definitely an on again, off again project, using Eleanor Burn's pattern for "The Underground Railroad".  Her instructions are so easy to follow and I may use a few of these blocks again one day in a different project. 

 

I'm excited to have this quilt top finished and hope to finish up another one that is on my 'to do' list, before I start something new.  Yes, I already have the fabric for the 'something new' project.  :))

 

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and here's looking forward to a very happy New Year for all of us!

The baby dogs and random stuff

I would love to be able to say that the dog babies 'posed' for this picture, but they didn't.  They are at the door, watching Avery and Chandler drive away with their mommy, after spending time with us.  They look pretty sad, don't they?  Random:

*Hubby RETIRED from his job last week.  He is a happy man and I am a jealous woman!   Actually, he has big plans and is looking forward to pursuing his dreams.  He will probably work harder now, than ever before.

* I had LASIK eye surgery a few weeks ago and I can see like a hawk. Happy me!  I almost chickened out and didn't have the procedure done.....so glad I did! After 30 years of wearing contact lenses...I  can say 'no more'!

*I've been doing a lot of reading on pantry stocking and being prepared.  I am not worried about the Apocalypse or anything on Dec. 21 (If I was afraid of that, I am way behind....LOL), but I do think it is important to be prepared... and it's Biblical.

*I love,love, love my Kindle e reader.  I'm amazed at all the free books that are available.  Hubby asked me if there is some kind of 'prize' for a large book collection.  He said 'you'll never read all those books'.  He is probably right, but I 'have' them if I decide to read them.  And I can always delete those books that I decide I won't read.  Right??

*I'm almost ready for Christmas.  I have a few gift cards to pick up, and I need to wrap gifts, but I think I have most of it under control.

So, that's about it in my world.  I hope everyone is having a relaxing holiday season!

Decking the halls

Christmas is almost here again; can you believe it?  When I was growing up, I always looked forward to Christmas, loved buying presents, loved wrapping presents, couldn't wait to put up the tree and decorate, ... I just loved it all.



2012 tree...yes, it's leaning!

Now that I'm older, and I have more time to do all these things, I don't seem to enjoy it as much as I used to.  Maybe it's because I know I will have to pack everything back up in just a few short weeks.

Nativity...has a few new animals this year (quilt box made by Charles)

 

Maybe it's because I'm wiser and I have realized that Christmas is way more than a season of decorating and buying frenzy...stressing ourselves to the max to please others, to try to fulfill unrealistic expectations.

new angel piece....goodwill... love her! (need candles)

I enjoy looking at all the pretty decorations and would be sad if everyone stopped decorating.  But when I go out shopping, so many of  the decorations I see are cheap and tacky, and  it throws my brain into overload.  I just want to go back home.



New Magic Attic doll....goodwill.... $3...she has a $12 Christmas dress on the way from ebay

 

Yes, there is Santa Claus and now Elf on a Shelf....but where is Jesus?  Do children even know that Christmas belongs to Jesus?  Or is it all about 'us'? 

goodwill... I keep this out year round

 There is no place like home for the holidays....Tis true...but where is home?  I grew up in a small town in eastern NC...I've always called it home.  However, I've been gone from that town for over half my life.  Is it still home?  We still drive there for the holidays.  It's very exhausting, but we don't want to 'miss anything'.  I miss the childhood memories of Christmas....church plays and Christmas caroling... I guess Christmas is for kids. :)  When I was in the midst of making  childhood Christmas memories, my parents were the ones who were stressed and trying to please.  ha ha   Dear Lord, help us to remember that Christmas is about YOU, your gift to us, your son, Jesus....our gift of salvation.  Merry Christmas!

Just thankful....

Just so much to be thankful for;  don't you just love this face? God has been so good to us.

 

And now there are two.

We have been blessed with two grandsons and life just keeps getting sweeter and sweeter.

 

Having more time to reflect on what really matters, I have always known, but really really know now, that God is so good to us. I have so much to be thankful for....I think it is sad that so many people only see Thanksgiving as the day before black Friday.  I've not heard very many people talking about family, Thanksgiving dinner, fellowship, fun, God's blessings.... it's all about black Friday.  So sad.

 

Thank you God for salvation, your mercy and GRACE, your protection, your provision, your forgiveness, your COMPLETE forgiveness, your comfort, your wisdom, your healing,  your joy, your peace... just so much to be thankful for.  Happy Thanksgiving to all! 



My New Favorite Blog

Have you read any Jon Katz books?  I just finished reading his book about  his dog, Rose, and I have identified so much with this man.  He is teaching me so much about animals. 

I invite you to go over and read his blog:  Bedlam Farm.   I've linked you to a funny post that I really enjoyed. (it's sort of  political)  If you like it, I hope you will hang around and read more of his blog.  I look forward to his daily entries and check my email each morning to see them.  His wife, Maria, is an fiber artist and I enjoy reading her blog, too.

Let me know if you visit him.

Nov. 6. 2012

 

November 6, 2012  A very important presidential election.  I am praying for CHANGE!  But if my candidate doesn't win, I know that Jesus is still King.

Halloween 2012

It was fun!  Papa and Grandma went to High Point to help pass out candy.  We had to turn off the porch light about midway through the evening, as we ran out of candy!!  Note to self:  buy more next year, because it sure was fun passing out to all the trick or treaters!. 

Avery and Chandler

Here's our two little trick or treaters, all ready to go out into the cold, to collect candy from the neighbors!

Halloween 2012

This is the whole group that went out...Mommy, Daddy, Aunt April and the boys.  It was sooo cold!

 

Daddy brought Chandler back after a few stops because  it was so cold and windy.  Avery didn't think he wanted to go out at first, because he thought passing out candy was a lot of fun.  But when he came back with his bucket full of candy, he was glad he went.  I convinced him to go trick or treating, by telling him that Grandma needed a green piece of candy.  He came back by the house shortly after they started going door to door, so proud that he had Grandma's green candy!  (<3 p="p">

 

When they decided to stop going door to door,( as mommy had to go to work at Spooky Woods), Avery continued to help Grandma pass out candy.  He really enjoyed checking out the costumes of all the trick or treaters.  I remember him saying about one person "he's not nice, he has a scary mask".  His face lit up with delight when he yelled out "there's Spiderman".  The scariest mask we saw belonged to a teenager.  His mask had a built in 'blood pump'.  He reached behind his back and squeezed something and blood poured down his face.  Avery backed away and it was visibly clear that he didn't like that mask.  However, Avery was a trooper and had a great time!  (as did Grandma and Papa)  

Avery at Andy's

This is a picture from the night we went to see the bullriders.  I was excited for Avery to eat at Andy's because I thought he might enjoy having his food served in this car.  He really wasn't that hungry and enjoyed pretending that his chicken nuggets were mommy and daddy in the car.  :))

Avery feeds Grandma

 

I am having more and more fun with these boys. I love being a Grandma!

 

Popping in...

Hey everybody!  We are still here.  I've been busy, it just seems I can't see much accomplishment from all the busy around here. 

This is my fall arrangement for my new farm table.  Hubby is painting the chairs for me, so the table stands alone right now.  This enamelware pan is one that I 'inherited' from my granddaddy after he died.  He used this bowl to make biscuits.... impressive, huh?  I still can't make a decent biscuit.

I found these old sewing machine drawers at an antique show back in the spring.  Hubby has a friend who is talented in woodwork, who made the little cabinet for me.  Not sure what these drawers will be used for.  Avery has discovered them and I'm thinking 'treat drawers for the grandchildren'.  :))

The fall fireplace with the creepy eyed portraits on display.  (they are my favorite)

A picture that Avery took of his little brother, sitting in his great grandma's lap.

 

Not sure what happened, but I can't figure out how to fix or remove this pic...this is a sideways shot of Avery helping his great grandma blow out her birthday candles.  (he picked out the cupcakes)

 

 

And this is one of my favorite things:  Avery is enjoying playing with his daddy's fisher price barn these days.  It has the original 'little people' and accessories.  He will ask me each time he gets it out to play, "did my daddy play with this when he was a little boy?"  

 

So, that's about it....not much sewing, but lots of grandbaby sugars!!

YUM! Mock tuna salad (chick peas)

Thanks to Pinterest, (my latest addiction), I found this yummy recipe and tried it:  Mock tuna salad made with chick peas!!  I'm not a tuna salad fan, as tuna is just a little too fishy tasting for me; however this recipe is delicious and doesn't taste at all like fish to me.  It reminds me more of chicken salad or egg salad or potato salad.  If you love any of those, I think you will love this!  And it's sooo easy:

This recipe comes from The Apron Archives:

 

 

And check out the ingredients in the next picture:

 



Now, can it be any easier??

hint:  My husband does not like celery, so I chopped mine very tiny, very very tiny...and he loved this spread as much as I did!  I also chopped my purple onion much much finer than the ones shown in this photo. 

We ate some of this using honey wheat bread and some of it using Triscuit crackers.  OMG... I hope you will try it... you may never need to make chicken salad again!

Link for recipe here:   The Apron Archives

Happy Birthday to my mama!

My mom celebrates a special birthday tomorrow.  Every birthday is a big deal, but  considering she was diagnosed with breast cancer over 20 years ago, this is a really big deal! God is good and   I love you, Mama!!

This is her 'happy birthday' quilt that I made for her.  In January, a dear friend  of mine started swapping nine patch blocks with me each month.  We were not very far into the swap before I realized that I wanted to use my blocks to make something for mama's birthday. 

I put this quilt together and quilted it in sections, then put the whole thing together.  There was a LOT that I like about this method, but a few things that were difficult for me.   I'm not sure if I will try it again or not.

This was the first time I had stitched the entire binding by machine.... loved that!!  I will definitely do that again. 

Now, back to the Underground Railroad quilt....

Happy Friday!

My week:

 

 

I only added two more blocks this week to the Underground Railroad quilt, but I have two more cut out and ready to sew.  Slowly, but surely!

 

 

Hubby cut down my beloved crabapple tree.  It is the prettiest blooming tree we had, but we had been discussing removing it for a couple years now.  It is a messy tree, very close to the house, and the dogs are forever bringing us crabapples and sticks inside the house.  So, my beautiful tree is gone, but we may plant another further out in the yard somewhere. (and I love all the new sunlight coming into my livingroom window since we removed it)

 

 

I've been looking for a drop leaf farm table for a little while now.  My tiny dining space doesn't allow much room for a big table and our family is growing and growing.  Last year for Thanksgiving, we improvised by putting a large sheet of plywood over my tiny table to make room for everyone.  (it actually looked pretty with the tablecloth on it).  Yesterday I found this oak table at the little store in our town that I speak of from time to time:  The Painted Picket.  Hubby has promised to paint my chairs black and I hope to find two more similar chairs to go with the set.  (I haven't even cleaned the table up yet, so if you enlarge the pic, you will see dust on it, for sure)  And guess what my old table will be used for???? a cutting table in my sewing room.... yay!!

 

 

I fell in love with this little table while I was shopping, and asked the lady if she could 'cut me a deal' if I bought both tables.  She did and I did.... yay.... this is going to be used as a night stand in the guest bedroom.  *happy*

 

 

 

Last night while watching X factor, (filmed in Greensboro, NC) I started cutting paper hexies.  I've seen so many one flower Wednesday posts and love, love, love the little hexie flowers I've been seeing.  So, what's another project, right?  I've never done paper piecing before, so I'm excited to try this new project. (plus, it's an easy 'carry with you ' thing)

 

And... I've been listening to Francie Taylor CD's while playing in my sewing room.  She explained how the book of Proverbs is a manual for living and challenges us to read whatever chapter corresponds with today's date, as there are 31 chapters in the book.  If we do this every month, and take to heart the wisdom of Solomon, our lives will be so much better.  She calls the book of Proverbs the 'recipe for life'.... so I have taken the challenge.  It's easy for me because I've always loved the book of Proverbs. :)

 

It's back to work for me today and through the weekend, so my play time will be limited.  I'll be loving on little old people this weekend.  Hope you all have a great fall weekend!