December Delights..

Here's to hoping you had a wonderful and blessed Christmas. We sure did!

Here are my three opening gifts at Grannie and Grandpa's.

The weather held out. While we are snowed in right now, the crazy blizzard held off until the festivities were over.

It was a very Handmade Holiday this year! Gifts for teachers, including handmade soaps, were all handmade and well received.

Some of the sewing I've done can be found below. Well, wait. Firstly, is Little Lady's dress which is seen above but not very well. Let's not talk about how I can't locate my camera the past couple of days. Can't be because the holidays were hectic, could it?

A top made for Little Lady as a back up for her Holiday Concert. Surprise, surprise. She wanted to wear her dress! (a little peer pressure maybe? I'm all for THAT kind!) This is from Ottobre magazine 1/2010.

A top for Little Lady's godsister who isn't much for girly outfits. This was for her Holiday Concert in her Kindergarten. This is my rendition of a top in Ottobre 4/2004. It's made with Chez Ami jersey fabric.

This drawstring bag was for Puppy Feet. He *loves* Legos!

Afraid? LOL Don't be! It's Little Lady's pillow pet made with the guidance of this tutorial. Thank you!

She loved it!

So those are a few of the highlights of our Handmade Holiday 2010. There were also grocery sacks, wool with flax seed handwarmers, and handmade soaps. I made a bamboo velour pillowcase and a double handed oven mitt.  AND I made myself a new top for Christmas. It was a GREAT Handmade Holiday!

May you have a blessed New Year!

Thankful November Summary

Well, if you made it this far-- Congratulations!

The main point I wanted to show is that every. day. we all have many things we can choose to be thankful for. Sure, one can choose to complain and be sour and bitter about what's going on in one's life or one can choose to look at the bright side and find a silver lining, no matter where you are at.

Face it, life is HARD. A lot harder than I ever thought, that's for sure. I reminisce of the days when I had all the freedom (was a young adult, owned a car, could drive, had a job, lived at home, etc). I remember deciding to take off to the beach-- fill up the cooler, pack a towel, maybe a chair and go. Now? To do that, I'd have to make sure no one had to be anywhere that day, make sure I had the groceries, fill the tank with gas, make sure I had money to park and quarters to shower, pack aaaaaaaaaaaalllll the stuff we needed, did I remember sunscreen? and on and on.

Boy, it's a reality check when you are a grown up! LOL

But, for all the skeletons lurking in my closet, for all the creative mail that comes to my house asking for money, and all the other things I care not to share on the net-- I still have 3 blessed children and a hard working husband who loves me. I have family-- the good and the bad-- but I have them. We're warm and fed and God loves and cares for us. It's a good life.

And on that note, today is my mom's birthday. Nine birthdays without her here to celebrate them with. Miss you, Mom. SOO much. <3

Thankful..

I am thankful for wonderful sewing friends. Yesterday, I had over a couple of my sewing mama friends and, with an empty house, had a lovely time! Great food (thanks to A. for brining Venda Ravioli! ~swoon~) great company and comraderie!

Even if the dress I worked all day on was too small---- ~faint~

And then, to be more thankful, my mother in law, daughter and I went to the Nutcracker ballet at the Hancock Theatre. It was a new experience for both me and Lil Lady! It was so sweet to see her wonder and excitement! :)

So, thank you-- to all the wonderful people in my life

Thankful..

We had a wonderful, easy Thanksgiving. Even if my bird was done early. Why does that always happen?? I didn't think my oven ran hot.. who knows.. it was good!

I made spiced whipped cream this year. Oh my--- tremendous!

Here's my 'recipe'-

Spiced Whipped Cream

1 pint of heavy whipping cream
1 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp cinnamon

Follow your typical instructions for whipping cream (chilled bowl and beaters). While using the beaters, add sugar and spices. Whip until peaks form. Chill. Serve when ready.

Yes, it's THAT easy and you won't believe how delicious!

Thankful..

I'm thankful that Thanksgiving is almost here. My favorite holiday. Why? Because it's about being gracious and thankful for all the blessings in our lives. It's time for DELICIOUS food. Time for warmth and family..

And.. the best part... no gift giving stress!!

Thankful..

Some days, the only thing you are thankful for is sunshiny weather and clear, crisp air.

Today, I'm thankful for peace and quiet.

Thankful..

Thankful for wonderful in laws who took Stan and I out to a delicious dinner in Boston and to a jazz concert!

Thankful..

I simply adore the smell of a newly opened container of coffee..

Thankful for..

melatonin and bedtime. Just sayin'..

Thankful..

I'm thankful that I have sewing. To keep me sane. To save us money. To create beautiful things. To see my daugther wearing all my creations. To have an outlet..

Today, I'm thankful to be able to volunteer in my daughter's class a little.

Thankful today..

.. Today I'm thankful for God's grace. God's grace is enough for today.

Thankful Sunday..

I'm so very thankful for beautiful sunny fall weather days.

Thankful..

Double post today --

Yesterday, I was thankful for friends. Spent some time working with Judi and chilling with Jennifer. Very thankful I have them both.

Today, while I have a headache I can't seem to shake, I'm thankful that I don't have anything to do this morning and am laying in bed with my favorite girl, both of us in pjs, just watching tv and surfing the web.

Thankful..

Today I'm thankful for a house filled with my children.

"Thankful" continues..

I wanted to take some time to experience the day to think of something to be thankful for yesterday and then forgot to come back and post :-) so today is another 'two for one'.

Yesterday I was thankful for a peaceful house.

Today I'm thankful to be able to go and volunteer at my daughter's school to help administer flouride for swishing. I remember how very much I loved seeing my mom at my school. She would just be in the hall, photocopying (sorry, carboncopying!), or in the library helping out. It made me feel safe and happy to see her there and I want to give that to my kids too.

Enjoy your thankful month!

Thankful..

Today I'm thankful for dear friends- one in specific - who shares my Craft A.D.D.

We had her and her entire family (5 kids, one husband) over to help fix our sink and stay for dinner. In the meantime, our pipe got broken, The Oldest showed his "Fix it" prowess in getting tile off in one piece, and we made two batches of soap.

A great day overall.

Thankful..

Yesterday, I was thankful for a computer graphic video that shows me clearly and exactly how to thread my Pfaff 4852, that I'm also thankful for but working up to actually liking.

Today, whew.. I'm thankful that even though my 15 y/o is sitting at the kitchen table, breaking the rules with no shirt on, is at my table and I know where he is and that he's safe.

Thankful..

.. today I'm thankful for my chiropractor. And for the money to pay her. And for the woman that bought three weighted blankets so I could pay my chiropractor :-)

November Ramblings

I've been horribly neglectful of my blog. Keeping updated is one of the ways to keep alive, here on the 'net!

I'd like to join in on something that I heard mentioned in webland..

For the month of November, post something you are thankful for. Every day. Could be on Twitter or Facebook or on your blog but post.

I think of when I was younger and how I'd complain so much. Eek, embarassing to think about now! Complaining isn't good for your spirits. It just makes you feel worse. And then, if you have a friend who is the same way, it turns into a contest of who has the worst life. What???!! That's nonsense. There are so many things that are blessings in our lives. If you are a believer or not, there are wonderful things that happen each and every day that are reason to make us smile, raise our spirits and be more pleasant about.

So, give it a whirl. I'm already late but I'm going to start with four today since today is the fourth. And there are 4 easy ones :

I am thankful for

1. My husband--- ok, I'm not one of those who will tell you it's all peaches and roses but I will tell you
                              that I love how he'll make me tea at night. Or how he tries his very best to help out. Or
                               how he's NOT an alcoholic. (sounds lame but when you grew up with what I did, it's a                             wonderful thing )

                    
2. My Oldest--   The Challenge of a Lifetime. Boy, does that child fire me up! But he's shown me so much. From the day he was born. I never knew how very much my mother loved  me until I looked into his face. I could thank her from the bottom of my heart and know what it was like.
Beyond that, he's so smart and he's quick witted and can be the most gentle, charming old soul and I love that about him.

3. Puppy Feet--  "The baby who stayed" My baby after I'd lost 2 pregnancies. My saving grace from the moment he was born. He's a ray of light that never dims and SO flippin' funny!!!

4. Lil Lady--       The girl that Mom said I had to have. What an amazing girl-- affectionate, silly, clever,
and a great shopping pal! Our shining star.


Those are my top four things to be thankful for.

Fall is my favorite season. With it's crisp air and bright blue skies. My favorite holiday is in the fall. Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to celebrate family and wonderful foods and to reflect how very thankful we are. Why not think about how thankful we are the whole month? Will you join in?

Best Smoothie Recipe Ever

We love smoothies around here. They truly are a staple of ours and one of the only way The Oldest gets any fruit!

Today, The Oldest said his homework assignment was to get his Mom to make his favorite breakfast. "Mom, would you make smoothie?" Aw....

Firstly, how easy, secondly, gotta help a boy with his homework! and thirdly, we have it half the week at least anyway.

If you want a tried and true Smoothie Recipe, this is the one. I don't really understand the ones with milk as we don't make it that way so if you do, give ours a try and maybe share yours!
 (note the exact measurements)

Best Smoothie Ever Recipe

1/2 the blender carafe with orange juice
1/2 a 32 oz container of vanilla yogurt (I have tried plain here or a mix, we just like it sweet)
1/2 a 16 oz bag of frozen strawberries
1-2 over ripe bananas

Blend. Pour. Enjoy!

It makes enough to barely satiate this crowd but it does refrigerate well for a day or so (never had it last more than that)

Leave a comment if you try it and let me know your thoughts!