Past, Present and Future

Past - Here's a quilt top 5 years in the making (60" x 60"). I finally finished it at Cindy's Up-North Quilt Retreat. Baptist Fans keep calling out to me for the quilting. I don't think I want to hand quilt it though. Not sure how I would go about it on the machine.

Present - Claire is very adamant about not decorating or listening to Holiday music or any other acknowledgment of Christmas before the day after Thanksgiving. This past weekend she admitted that it was just too beautiful to waste the good weather. She decorated the front of the house with lights and bows and garland. The lollipops are a new addition this year.

Future - not very far away now-unless you're 6 years old - then it's forever! This is the "real" Santa at Van Atta's Holiday Open House.  Cubby is hoping for a very Batman Christmas.

Christmas Mayhem

Does it seem like the Holidays get a little crazier each year? This year Santa actually stopped by our house on Christmas Eve. Jacob received a Nerf Football and was very excited to see Santa. After Santa went off to visit other boys and girls, Jacob put his head in his hands and exclaimed, "Oh no! Santa brought me the wrong present! I wanted a penguin Pillow Pet!".  We tried to explain that Santa would be back during the night and could still bring the penguin but Jacob wasn't too sure. Thank goodness, on Christmas Morning there it was under the tree. 

"I knew it!  Just what I wanted!"  One happy 4 year old. 

**Note jealous dog tail between Jacob and Santa.

In all the pre-holiday craziness, I actually forgot to give Jacob his Cowboy Quilt?!? So for all of you procrastinators out there, keep on!  I wasn't finishing the binding in the wee hours of the morning. If so, the quilt would have been under the tree and probably pushed aside to get to the toys. This way it can be its own presentation and may get a more appreciated reception.

Here is the Country Stitches block #11. After lunch I'm off to pick up the 12th and final block. It's not my colors but I think the blocks will make a nice quilt for my parent's bed. My sister said that's a good idea since the one they are currently using is one she made in the 70's. You'd think with two quilters in the family.....

Turkey Day

We had a very traditional Thanksgiving celebration this year. Just the family. I made turkey and all the trimmings (including cranberries in the shape of a can - kids' request). Mom made the gravy. Desserts abounded: pumpkin pie with whip cream from a can (another special request), pecan pie, apple pie, cheese cake and carrot cake. Who needs dinner?

Our special treat was that Cubby is now old enough to say the blessing... God is good, God is great..... It was cherubic and absolutely precious.

Ian and Liz (and mashed potatoes). They had driven in Thursday morning from Liz' parents in Midland. After dinner, Liz went to get some shut-eye so she could get up and make the Black Friday specials at Tangier Outlets with her mom and sis. Midnight at the outlet mall. Wonder how that went?

Gennie says she's getting too old for all of this commotion. She did get a little bowl of vanilla ice cream for dessert. Afterall, we're very thankful for the most wonderful dog in the world.

Note to self:  remember to recharge the camera battery before the next holiday.

Happy New Year

It's hard to believe it's 2009 already!  Seems like we just turned the new millennium yesterday! I had a few extra days off over the holidays and Cubby and I braved the cold to go the park in Delta Mills near Linda's. The slides are pretty high and open so we went down together. Lots of giggles and laughs. Cubby is wearing his monster hat. He's been feeling all of his terrible two's lately so the hat is quite appropriate.

 
My sister has been calling for a week to find out "is it Christmas yet?" With the snowy weather and first my mom sick and then my dad sick, we hadn't gotten together to have our Christmas. It finally all worked out this weekend and we got together to open presents including the ones that had been sent from California. My presents included tiger eye beads and wonderful silver african animal charms so I guess there is going to be another quilt in the works. 

Mom, Dad, Liz, Ian and I also went to see the Seuss exhibit at Saper Galleries.  Ted Geisel created much more than just the books I grew up with. The show was wonderful and we had great fun talking about our memories reading the stories together.

Saturday night my mom had her first Mystic Shake experience. Dad was still a little under the weather so mom and I went to Cappuccino Cafe to hear the band. Irene joined us there and we all had time to catch up with holiday happenings.

Holiday Spirit

Cubby's been into cookin' lately.  At first he was content with just the pots and pans. But then he realized that it was much more fun if there was actually food to cook.  Imaginary food is much easier for grandma to clean up.  When he cooks bananas and gold fish and crackers and whatever else he's fast enough to grab, grandma actually has to wash the pots when he's done. (Note the hat from Halloween). - especially when Gennie tries to help with the clean up.  I suppose I could teach Cubby to wash his own but that would involve water and soap bubbles and a whole new set of challenges.

Last night, Cindy and I braved to cold to go see Jen Sygit and Friends at Stage 1210 in Old Town. Lots of friends, music and singing. It was excellent. I came home still in the spirit and sat in front of my Christmas tree listening to my new Songwriters Anonymous CD and handquilted until after midnight. The quilt behind the tree is a block exchange from one of my first years in the group, could it possibly be 1992? It's still a top but I hang it up anyway.   

These are Gorham crystal angels from Germany that my parents bought me many, many years ago. I don't feel like it's really the Holidays until I get them out each year. They absolutely sparkle in the light from the piano. These may be the last pictures from my cell phone. Santa might be bringing me a new camera and I'll be able to take real pictures, we'll just have to wait and see...

Happy Halloween!

Cubby wasn't into this thing called Halloween. He thought he was going to see the ducks. "Where are we going? The ducks are that-a-way!" Bib overalls and flannel shirt and farmer John hat. Next year I'm sure he'll definately tell grandma what he wants to be for Halloween!

We stopped to see Cyndee. The weather was so nice she was out on the driveway handing out treats.  Not like last year when we were all bundled up in the rain!

We hit a few more houses along the way. Eileen was on the road with her crew and Daisy and Carol weren't around so we didn't get to see them. One house had someone on the porch playing the accordion which fascinated Cubby . Cubby kept trying to take his treats out of the bag and give them away. I'm sure he'll have other ideas about that topic too by next year. When we got to Ruth's, he was more interested in the Ghost Dogs (see the glowing eyes in the door!) than the candy. We got back to Grandma's and played with puzzles until after 10pm. What a night! 

Memorial Day Weekend

On Saturday, Cyndee and I hit the garage sales. My find of the day was a complete set of cushions for my old porch furniture for only $5.00!!!!  Red plaid is probably not what I would have chosen, but it IS patchwork and at that price, who could resist? I also found some pottery wine goblets.  Showing my age, I remember using them in the 70's and how cold they kept the wine. Remember, back then you could legally drink at 18... Apparently, they must have had some nostalgic significance for their previous owner too because he was a little wistful about letting them go. I assured him that they were going to a good home.

  

We met Ruth and Deb at Sparty's for brunch.  Deb had brought her latest creation so we had show and tell in the parking lot. Beautiful quilt!  I think it's going to be a graduation present.

Today Cubby and his mom came over for lunch and we spent some time outside. Here he is scooping poop (not really). I had forgotten how cute they look with their chubby little legs sticking out of their playsuits.  It's great to be a grandma. You get to relive all of the things you were too busy, tired, stressed... to notice with your own kids or hadn't thought about in a long, long time. 

 
After Block Exchange tonight, Ruth and I took the three dogs for a long walk through the neighborhood and observed the different methods of container gardening.  Gennie had fun walking with her friends Sadie and Dora and is now 'zonked out' here at my feet. Do we have to go to work tomorrow?