What I've Been Up To

Well, it's been awhile since I've posted. I've been busy though. Customer quilts to finish. Two trips to California and a Christmas surprise.
One of the customer quilts was rather large. I didn't get a nice picture of it.

The pattern is called Snowman Collector by Lynda Howell. Very cute!

Then there was Twinkle Toes' dance recital. She's on the left.












Following the recital there was construction of gingerbread houses. The gingerbread didn't cooperate, and graham crackers were substituted.

Some of the architects were more successful

than others.


We blamed it on frosting that was too softly whipped. Certainly it wasn't the fault of the workers!










The following weekend was Grandparents' Day at Spicy's school.

I thoroughly enjoyed visiting her school, and spending the day with her.














I drove home from California the Saturday before Christmas. There were preparations to be made for the big day. My husband had invited homeless veterans for Christmas dinner. We had planned on serving turkey, ham, potatoes, stuffing, vegetables, rolls, pumpkin pie and apple pie.



Christmas Eve day I made potato casserole, pumpkin and apple pies, and got the stuffing casserole ready.



Then it was Christmas morning. With just my Dear Motorcycle Dude and me, presents opening is a much calmer affair than in years past. Around noon we got the ham in the crock pot and the turkey in the oven. I started the dough for rolls.

About the time we were expecting homeless veterans to show up we got a call letting us know they would be a little late. Well, the nerve of them! A free meal and they were going to be late?!

Finally, we saw the headlights of their car. Motorcycle Dude opened the door and called me to come meet the veterans. Only they weren't veterans. They were my Dear Daughter, Spicy, Bubba, Baby G, and my Dear Son-in-Law. I was so shocked! It took me several moments to realize they were really there. Tears flowed freely, to say the least.

It was the best, most surprising present I've ever received. It was the idea of my DSIL. Wouldn't you say he's just the best ever?

There was a light snowfall on the 26th, and Spicy had a wonderful time in the snow. Bubba didn't care for it much. He preferred watching her frolic, rather than getting all cold and wet.

Baby G and I just enjoyed watching the fun.

Since all good things must come to an end, we had to say goodbye. The house seems a little quiet now that they've returned home. It was wonderful though, while it lasted.

It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas

I have sporadically been joining QuiltSue's Christmas Quilt Along. Even though I haven't been a good member of the group, I have finished something.

TaDa! I'm calling it Christmas Leftovers, because

it's made from the trimmings from last year's quilt. It's going to become a table topper.

I'm very proud of myself for finishing something. I haven't made anything since last January. That's a long time to go without a personal project. I'm going to be better about planning personal time in 2013. Of course I think that's been my New Year's Resolution for about six years now.