Wednesday, December 31, 2008

New Years Day Sew Along!!!

Pat Sloan is having a Bag Sew Along going on tomorrow.
She is also having a cute Giveaway.
Check out the details on her blog, Pat Sloan's Corner.
The bag pattern is a free one from All People Quilt.
Check it out!

Happy New Year!!!


Hope everyone reading this will have a wonderful Hopeful Happy Healthy Peaceful New Year in 2009!!

Mama used to say "whatever you are doing on the first day of the year you will be doing all year"...;-)
So we would try to get all the yucky stuff done Dec 31 then Jan 1 just do enjoyable things or anything you wanted to be doing all the New Year.... hummm I will be sewing and reading, Dear Hubs will be eating...ha!!

Also always have blackeyed peas New Years Day for luck, greens of some kind for $$$ luck.
The toast was "may your cup always be full, a coin in your pocket and love in your heart"...I now have the silver dollar that Mama always carried in her purse.


Whatever your beliefs, traditions or rituals may they all be the best ever !!!
Here is one we all know and most do sing this song, knowing all words or not!!!;-)


Auld Lang Syne
The song, "Auld Lang Syne," is sung at the stroke of midnight in almost every English- speaking country in the world to bring in the New Year. In spite of the popularity of 'Auld Lang Syne', it has aptly been described as the song that nobody knows. Even in Scotland, hardly a gathering sings it correctly, without some members of the party butchering the words.
Written by Robert Burns in 1741, it was first published in 1796 after Burns' death. "Auld Lang Syne" literally means "old long ago," or simply, "the good old days."


Auld Lang Syne by Robert Burns


Should auld acquaintance be forgot,and never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot and days of auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne, We'll take a cup o' kindness yet For auld lang syne
We twa hae run aboot the braesAnd pou'd the gowans fine; we've wander'd mony a weary foot Sin' auld lang syne
We two hae paidled i' the burn,Frae mornin' sun till dine; But seas between us braid hae roar'd Sin' auld lang syne
And here's a hand, my trusty friend, And gie's a hand o' thine; We'll take a cup o' kindness yetFor auld lang syne
Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot and days of auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne, We'll take a cup o' kindness yet For auld lang syne

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Whew!

Was so tired yesterday just laid around mostly.
Was a dark gray day too so that did not help much.
Now today we are some sunny, 77 temp but wind blowing a gale.
Still nice to see the sun and be warmer.
Windows open!!!

Been a busy time for us since before the 20th gathering here in our home!
We did pass a wonderful holiday with our family and friends. Received some wonderful gifts!!!
Best of all was the special time we had to put away and keep near our hearts till we can all be together again.

Have to do some catching up though.
Got wash in dryer.( too windy to hang out, bummer)
Bedding to change.
Stuff to pack up to take on a day trip tomorrow.

Visiting a few of our Grands!
Be so nice to see them, get some hugs n kisses.
Been a bit since we have seen them.
They are at the age they stay so busy !
Oldest one will be going off to nursing school soon!
Where does time go??
Seems like just yesterday day she was a sweet cute wee one leading us around in wonder of her.
Sigh!!!!;-)

When we get back home will begin the transformation of our home from Christmas Magic back to Normal We Do Live Here mode.
Putting all the memories away for yet another year.
Prepare for the cozy winters rest… yeah right! Ha!!
Got tons I want to do, well maybe not tons but seems like it.
I always start off the New Year with a WANT TO DO list.
Do you??
I have some things I need to let go of as well …things that will never get done and just maybe I do not really want to do them anymore anyway! Ha!
Time to move on and not feel like a bad bad gal for it!

Now here are some ornies I did finally get sewed up in the nick of time!!!
A pal cross stitched a set of 6 each, for her and I.
They are on a pretty linen. Used cording and ribbon to trim.
This was her set. Loved them as much as mine!!
She can leave them out year round too maybe in a small basket.

Okay off to do more stuff.
I did sleep in today..may need to rest later with one of my new books. ;-)

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Resolutions


Now I know we all make them, we all break them.
I do not make them anymore ..I do set goals for myself though.
Yes could be called the same thing… but seems like less pressure to call them Goals versus Resolutions. Ha!!!

I do want to begin a healthier lifestyle, so this includes changing some of my eating habits, so I can lose weight.
Not a diet just eating healthy hopefully for the rest of my life!

Want to stick to my exercises that the Doc says I need to do for the arthritis and to begin getting ready for my new knees!!

I also have plenty of ‘stuff’ I need to sell, give way , trash..etc.
Just try to be more organized and return things to their proper place when done… oh my!

Finish projects that I have begun or have bought the pattern, books, fabrics, etc.
I want to be a ‘positive encouragement’ to DH to finish all his home projects… haa!!!

Oh the sewing side, here is some neat things posted on Quilt Guild Guide Blog.
Check out My Goals for tips to help you make good New Year’s Resolutions.
Don't ya just love the block up there...called Country Husband...I have one of those... ha!!!!
Click on it to check out Dawn's clip art.



Friday, December 26, 2008

Today is Boxing Day

What is Boxing Day?
Boxing Day is a day the higher classes gave gifts to the lower classes. Before or on December 25th people of similar class would exchange gifts to celebrate the Christmas season. Gifts were not exchanged with the lower class until the next day called Boxing Day. It is also known as St. Stephen’s Day.

Why is the holiday named Boxing Day?
The holiday is named Boxing Day because the tradition of giving gifts of cash, food, clothing and other goods to the less fortunate were placed into boxes for easier transportation. The goods were distributed based on the family needs and their services to the giver.

We do this as well but we do not have a special day for it. Anyway it is a nice way to think of the day and extend our holiday feelings.
I am sure some here and in UK will spend the day SHOPPING!
We will spend part of the day with friends at an open house celebrating Boxing Day, our hostess is from the UK.
So I reckon we will take our dish in a BOX to be appropriate .;-)

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Merry Christmas


Hark the herald angels sing"Glory to the newborn King!

Peace on earth and mercy mild God and sinners reconciled"

Joyful, all ye nations rise Join the triumph of the skies

With the angelic host proclaim:"Christ is born in Bethlehem"

Hark! The herald angels sing"Glory to the newborn King!"
Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!

Hail the Son of Righteousness!

Light and life to all He brings Ris'n with healing in His wings

Mild He lays His glory by Born that man no more may die

Born to raise the sons of earth

Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing"Glory to the newborn King!


Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Bittersweet Folk Art Primitives!!


Check out Bittersweet Folk Art Primitives!!
New blog to add to your list!
Mandy is a sweet dear gal and also very talented!!!
She can whip up some awesome Folk Art Dolls and other delights.
I am very lucky to have some of her work in my home along with the artist herself on occasion! ;-)


One of Mandy’s Santa’s is setting in a chair my living room now and her sweet Snow Angel is guarding over the dining room.
Along with some candy canes here and there!!
I must ‘chat’ with her about a couple other pieces from her collection.. ha!!


She sells on Etsy and eBay …will do orders and wholesale.
You will not be disappointed.


Now she also has an awesome way of decorating her home..WOWSERS!!
Her last home was to die for but they have moved ocean side now so look forward to seeing what she has done with her new place!!!
I bet she will be sharing some pics on her blog!!!

Monday, December 15, 2008

Sweet Christmas Give Away

Mary Ellen has a Sweet Christmas Give Away on her blog do check it out.
Her blog is a fun read too.
She can find some cool pics of things online and shares a lot of her adventures as well!
Do hurry on over as I think it will close tomorrow Dec 16th !

Thanks!!!

Thanks for all the kind remarks on my decorating projects.
It is fun to be able to just go wild once or twice a year, Fall and Christmas!
I do use what I have an it comes out different every year.
Hope to get more good pics after we have things already for the gathering Sat evening.
Now in everyday life our home is not as ‘golden’.. ha!!!
As I like to tell folks we do LIVE here!!!
There are days I do not want to open the front door or at least allow no one down the hall! HA!!

We have more work to do here that was side lined when DH had to have surgery.
Doc says he will be good to go come March so look out for the LONG HONEY DO LIST!

Finish repainting all outside trim, shutters and finish storage shed.
Put up extra carport.
Pull rest of old shrubs out, put in new, redo the beds.
Paint kitchen cabinets new hardware.
New sink, fixtures and counter top.
Put in new flooring in entry, baths to go with new carpet.
Repaint all trim.
New door knobs, hardware, etc.
Total redo in both bathrooms…they are small.
Put in attic stairs.
New open shelving in pantry.
Clean out utility room cabinets for my use ONLY. Haa!!

Humm if DH sees this he may decide more surgery maybe better then all this! Ha!!!

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Dining Room Windows

The new header pic is of my dining room windows.
They are done up for Christmas!
I normally just have the sheers hanging there with the plants .
The filtered low light is good for Peace Lillies.
I had found these old vintage fabric curtains among some boxes of my MIL after she passed away. Loved the fabric and just put them away for a some day project. When I was sorting some stuff trying to get better organized..yeah right... found them again.
Decided they would make neat tiers to hang for Christmas. Not enough to do many windows, and I just can't bring myself to cut them now for valances. .
I put them on tension rods, popped them in, then pulled back the sheers with wide wired ribbon. I really like it and is so vintage festive!!!
I added the garland and the old fashioned bubble lights.
I used all different ornies of snowmen wired on the garland.
For the middle sheers I used a wooden mitten ornie with snow folks painted on it that had jute hanger long enough to pull them through.
Added a big bow of snowfolk and red stripe wired ribbon. So festive!!
In the window are some of my bottle brush trees.
On the dish rack and old chest are nut crackers.
More pics to come...Santa's are the look for living room!!!!

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Display Quilts & Putting Up Christmas Decor!


Oh my Melissa over at Cornbreadandbeansquilting’s Weblog
Has done up 2 wonderful blog posts on this subject with pics she has found.
You must check it out!
http://cornbreadandbeansquilting.wordpress.com/2008/11/21/okay-i-am-done-now-where-do-i-put-it/

http://cornbreadandbeansquilting.wordpress.com/2008/11/21/displaying-quilts-part-2/


I love all of them pretty much.
Need to decide if I want to try any of these with my antique quilts.
I also need to get more of my own projects done so I can get them displayed as well.
Enjoy all the eye candy!!

I am feeling better so trying to finish my decorations.
What a job but fun!!! Once a year we can play with our stuff, go over the top putting up toys!!
DH finished the outside last Sunday , so pretty.
I can’t seem to get camera settings right to get a good pic though!!!
Just a couple pics here will try for more later.
My niece had bought me some cute Santa ribbon and Snowmen ribbon when her and her pal went to Williamsburg a while back so that seet my ideas a whirling.
We bought some red,white and silver candy cane looking ribbon to go with it, cute look!!!
Santas are all over living room table tops, mantal and tree.
Trying for snow folks in dining room but leaving room for the people and food!
Oh yes we are getting a new fireplace screen that is why it is folded up... ha!!
Well back to work.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Great Freebies



My pal Jana is always kind enough to share her finds with me.
Here are three that I think you may enjoy and can find some extra time to do before Christmas!!
Well if not maybe over the winter for Christmas 2009!!

Sweet Treat Bag at United Notions



A new free block from Piece O Cake Designs
They would like to use pics of your blocks in a book for next year.
Read about it and the rules!!!

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Peek A Boo

See my lil sleepy redhead .
Sadie does not like it when I get up early.
She is used to sleeping in later after Pop Pop goes off to the office.
I am her ‘litter mate’ I reckon as she wants to snuggle and sleep not just sleep by herself. Ha!
She is such a joy to us. A lil sweetheart small rabbit beagle who is cute and funny!
In her ‘old life’ she did not have much too eat, so now she just loves FOOD!
Lives to eat! I think she would eat till she upchucked if we let her.
Sadie & I really will have to try harder to lose some weight come Jan!

We are headed out now for our morning walk.
Cloudy day and quite cold. Won't be a long walk today!


Monday, December 1, 2008

Holiday Cleaning


Making progress here on the holiday cleaning !!

Yes holiday cleaning. I know bad word.

The one I do in between Fall decorating and the Christmas decorating!

I do not know what it is but this house is a dust magnet.
I can dust then go back later and see some new!!! Good thing I am not phobic about it.

I have drug that vacuum cleaner all over too...spiders have been evicted , the webs are gone ...sofa, chairs and window treatments are all dust and animal hair free...well for a lil while.
Whew what a work out…hum maybe doing that once a day would equal a trip to the Y!

Oh well not gonna happen anyway!;-)


Tried to sort the pantry, take stock of white I have or don't put on list, to get my supplies all in order for the cookie baking. Did the fridge too, so now room for more yummy stuff!!

Hope to have this all done tomorrow then up goes the tree and garlands.

I just love to sew , bake & cook with the tree up along with all the decorations and carols playing too. Fire lit in fireplace. Just something so comforting about it.

One good thing about the shorter days is being able to have the pretty outside lights on longer...;-)