HNY Prep

 It’ll be New Years Eve tomorrow. Yesterday I spent the day with two of my side kicks (aka grands). We had a full day. I had a quick eye dr check-up, went to Piccadilly for lunch, quick shopping in 5Below, then back to their house. 

I had brought all the supplies for a planned craft with them for New Years. We donned the store bought NY party hats for the craft time. 

We made a NYE party hat out of a black solo cup and silver tinsel left from Christmas decorations. They came out so cute. 

   

I did supply them with Hobby Lobby 2022 party favors of hats, glasses, & noise makers,  too, for their family to have for their NYE festivities. I always supply all the kids families with the party favors, don’t ask why, it’s just what I do. I’m good at things like that. 

We had a nice day together.  Then the mom & dad arrived home from work and all our fun ended because we had to leave and head home. 

Gin

My Super Heroes

 A few years ago I made a super hero cape for my grand son while I was making tutus for the 2 girls. Tutus are always cute, but the super hero cape came out just as cute. 

Fast forward to this year and that same super hero cape was pulled out of the closet toys and the younger brother was enjoying it. This mawmaw jumped into action and just had to give him his very own super hero cape. Mainly because it had the name initial “C” and he’s an “E”. And secondly, it’s a great keepsake and they can both have there own.  Plus, there are 3 little boy grands and only 1 super hero cape. That doesn’t add up, so I made 2 new super hero capes. 

It takes ~~~~ 

   1 yard for the outside 

   1 yard for the lining 

   1/2 yard for the collar/binding/casing & initial 

I folded the fabric and cut on the fold the following measurements ~~~

42” across the bottom 

18” across the top neckline shape 

24” down from center of back of neck to bottom of cape 

Cut the name initial in any form you would like by first making a pattern on paper then transferring to the fabric. The initial is about 8” long by about 8” wide. 

First, pin or spray baste the initial in place on the right side of the outside fabric. Then appliqué in place. 

Place both fabrics right sides together and stitch all around the edge 1/4” in leaving a 3-5” opening for turning inside out. 

Press edge/seam down and stitch small opening for turning closed. 

For collar/binding,  sew this piece to outside neck line? Then flip over to inside, pin in place allowing for the circular neckline to lay flat and not pucker or bunch up and then sew in place, leaving 1/2-1/4” opening at each end to thread the drawstring through. 

Press edges down. Thread a ribbon or some type of yarn, etc. through the casing /collar/binding. 

And there you have it. Super hero capes for the boys are just as cute as tutus for the girls. 

Gin 

,Merry Christmas

 I hope your Day was all you wanted it to be.

We had immediate family Christmas at our son Brandon & Julie’s house in Christmas Day. 

But first we made a stop at the youngest son Trent & Natalie’s house to see their kids Santa stuff. We made it early to see Wyatt open some of his Santa gifts. 

He’s 2 so it’s a fun time for their little family. 

Then on to the Christmas Dinner and family gifts.

 And more ...

And again ...

And finally ...

There’s Brandon, Julie, Cohen, Everett, jennifer, Chris, Brooklyn. Brynlee, Trent, Natalie, Wyatt, Larry, and Me. 

The we went by our daughters jennifer & Chris to see their kids Santa things. Then back home. I did my side of the family Thursday with just the adults getting together for lunch.  A few days filled with people, food, snacks, gifts, playtime, laughs, stories. But oh how we missed those not there!

Gin 

It’s That Time

We made it to the Day before Christmas. 

 I think I actually accomplished and checked off all things on my list to do between Thanksgiving & Christmas. Read here to see.

Today I’m going to prep my cooking - chicken for the dressing, potatoe salad, pecan pies, pecan pralines, & Oreo balls. And Larry frying 2 turkeys. Others are contributing their specialities, too. 

My Santa gifts are ready.  We just have to load the truck tomorrow with everything and truck over to our oldest sons for Christmas with the family. Our kids have started wanting Christmas at their homes so every year they take a turn. I miss the hustle bustle of them all in my house, but I also enjoy the little bit of relaxation while enjoying everyone and everything at the kids houses. BUT they still want my food — so not too much has changed. Haha!

I’ve seen Santa a few times these last couple weeks and asked for a few things for myself and family including health, wealth and happiness for the new year. 

Merry Christmas to all!!

Santa Liberty

 We took in a little small town Christmas parade with one of our kids’ little family in their small town. Yes, it’s the small town feeling on Main Street that you see in movies and read about. 

It was short and sweet, but had everything you need in a parade:

Pageant Queens 

School dance team 

School band 

County officials

Horses

4 wheelers, side-by-sides

Fire trucks 

And Santa on the fire engine 

The only thing that could have made it better is to have been at night with all the Christmas lights on Main Street in small town Liberty. 

I’m still on checking off my Christmas to do list. Read here to see what I have left on my to do list before Christmas. 

Gin 

Throwing some extras in

 It’s definitely countdown to Christmas around here. But I’m throwing in some extra activities besides what’s on my schedule. Read here to see what I have left on my to do list before Christmas.

I whipped up another quilt this month for someone. It had to be big and fast. It measures 95x95 and the pattern is vintage Star. 

I’ve made 2 like this in the last couple months. I think I posted this one a few weeks back. 

Also in the making were some Christmas stocking, I had made a pink one first for a giveaway. Soft pink with lace trim and measured about 16” high and 12”

across at its widest part. You know pink is a Christmas color? 

Then that pink stocking turned into 3 more Christmas stockings. She wanted the farmhouse look and sent me the idea of what she would like.  

It’s an Irish Chain quilt pattern then made into a stocking. I’ve always been intimidated by the Irish chain pattern, but I took on the challenge and was pleasantly surprised it was not hard at all. I made 10 of the blocks, sewed them together, then cut the front of the stocking out of it. Then a back for the stocking in white, 2 cuts of the stocking in white for the lining, polyfill batting, stacked together, then sewn together. Made a hanging tab and top border. All this times three for three stockings. 

I’m hoping last minute sewing is done for now. I’ll be ready to start back sewing after the 1st of the year. 

Gin

The Christmas Spirit

Out of the dirt bike race, softball game and the dance recital, only the dance recital was a go. Brooklyn has been sick with strep for a few days so her dad kept her out of the game (he’s the coach) to have everyone safe from catching it. So that’s marked off the list for me to do. The dirt bike race was moved to another location and was too far to travel to go for the day so that’s marked off the list. 

The only show left was the dance recital. And it was so good and cute. It was a Christmas show with Santa, the Grinch, and the Reason For The Season. 

Brynlee, in the 7 year old elementary division had 2 dances and was the cutest elf. 

The second appearance they were dressed up elves. Here’s behind the scenes stage ready. 

Here’s the finale’.

And at the end when we’re leaving. 

I love dance recitals and watching all that confidence those girls have getting on stage performaning. 

 Read here to see what I have left on my to do list before Christmas. 

Gin

Props for Christmas Pictures on Thanksgiving Day

 You have to stay ahead of the game. That’s s why I do my Christmas pictures on Thanksgiving Day. That gives me time to get some Christmas cards made and who knows if or when I’ll have them all together again before Christmas. 

I’m a sentimental, strive for asymmetry in everything, bothersome momma/mawmaw. Yes, I bother the adult kids with my ideas. The little kids aren’t always fond of my ideas, especially the boys. Last year I did matching pjs for my obligatory pictures. Some were not happy. 

This year my plan was to make my people happier. I decided on matching shirts and a banner. I ordered iron on names with a Santa hat design decal. I bought black t-shirts, ironed the names on, thinking this would be much easier than changing into pjs. I made the banner by buying a blank canvas pennant banner from Walmart and 2 packs of shiny letters from the dollar store. Easy, simple, and kind of pretty. All this right under $50. 

Here’s how the pictures went. 

My vision was all in a nicely straight line, holding the banner, smiling with the matching shirts showing. Yea, right! 

I take what I can get. 

Read here to see what I have left on my to do list before Christmas. 

Gin 

Thanksgiving Meal aka Groceries

I did get all the food for the Thanksgiving spread. It’s all cooked and eaten with no pictures to document. My own personal tradition is I make 3 spare dressing mixes with a side of broth that I gift to my adult kids to take home and cook the next day to have some fresh cooked dressing of mine that they love. I give it ready to cook so it doesn’t sit out all day and then they either travel home or stop at their other side of their family for visit. If I don’t specify right away that I have a spare stash for them they will ask me if I made the spare ones. So as a mother does, I spoil them even as adults. I did make 4 spares this time, one to give to my sister who would enjoy it the next day. 

A Chris & Brooklyn stayed over to go hunting and Wyatt came over to stay while his parents finish the remodel of their farmhouse bathroom putting the floor down. So we finished up the leftovers. 

The littlest hunter of the family. 

Our Thanksgiving Day was a thankful day, a lot of food, conversation, and playing around. 

Read here to see what I have left on my to do list before Christmas

Gin

Two Necessities Checked

Two more to do things on my list before Christmas are checked off. Go back and read here about what needs to be done in a small amount of time. 

The new dishwasher shopping was a blessing in disguise. The first day we looked I refused to pay $600 plus for a dishwasher. It was looking like I would just do without a new one. All appliances have gone up in price and are few in stock. The guy at Lowe’s have a hint to check back the next day for early Black Friday sales. We returned the next morning and bought the only dishwasher in the sale for $299, marked 1/2 off. That’s on my thankful list. 

I leave you with my eye appointment story. My eyes are so bad, I’m really blind as a bat, eye dr said my sight was beyond help with a new prescription. I see an eye specialist next week. Probly bad cataracts. 

Gin

Girls Day

 Holiday / Schools out for a week time with the 2 grand girls for 3 days. Sometimes I have all 3 big grands for school holidays, but this time only the 2 girls. So we have done what girls do - shop, cook, decorate, shop again, craft, and shop. We’ve been busy is an understatement. 

They use their own imagination to make something out of things they like in my craft stash. They are very creative. They get it from me I think. This was one thing from today. 

Isn’t it the cutest Frosty ever? The sun is so bright he would have surely melted today if he was made of snow. 

Read here to see what I have left on my to do list before Christmas. 

Gin 

Grand-dogs Stay-Over

The kids ask and I deliver almost everytime for everything. This was no exception. I’ve done it a lot. Trent/Natalie & family going to Alabama for the weekend for pre-Thanksgiving with her family. My job the weekend was to dog-sit the pups.  

Joy & Annie. Larry calls them Lil’ Dog & Big Dog. I call them both a joy because they are no problem at all. They are well mannered.

I think they enjoy themselves at mawmaw’s because I give extra treats and extra belly rubs. Sweet Annie does whine a little if she’s not right by my side. But nothing that a little snuggle doesn’t help. 

A second set of kid family stopped by with their pup so we had 3 grand-dogs, 2 grand-kids, 1 daughter, and 1 son-in-law hanging out for the afternoon. 

Look here to read about my schedule of things to do list before Christmas. I’m checking them off one by one. 

Gin 

Single Star

 When I create a quilt, I tend to go big or go home. In big I’m meaning big blocks. The bigger the block, the quicker it’s finished. The bigger the block, the easier it is. Maybe that’s just me, but I do prefer bigger blocks to make up a quilt. Though, I’ve made some with as little as 2” squares, but not many. 

This big block quilt is called Vintage Star. The original pattern is big. But, of course, not big enough for me. So I doubled or maybe even tripled the size of the pattern to make a very large quilt. 

It’s made with a Kaffe Fassett designer fabric line. If you’re not a fabric enthusiasts, that’s a line of fabric that is always gorgeous with bright beautiful colors and designs.

As I began to quilt it, I wasn’t liking all the different flower designs together. I’m kinda a matchy, matchy kinda person. But it’s growing on me looking at it from afar. Tell me if you like or not like. 

And, look here to read about my schedule of things to do list before Christmas. I’m checking them off one by one. 

Gin 

The Schedule

 It’s beginning to get busy here with the holidays just days away. There’s  the grandkids in and out. One of the little ones has been here 4 days in the last two weeks. And two more with plans to come stay a few days next week with school being out for Thanksgiving. 

 All the while:

I’m finishing up a couple quilts

I’m getting the house ready for company

I’m needing to get the grocery items for the big meal aka Thanksgiving 

I’m needing a new dishwasher (mine died)

I’m getting Christmas photo props ready for Thanksgiving Day for my obligatory pictures 

I’m dog-sitting two grand-dogs this weekend

I’m trying to fit in an eye-appointment next Monday 

I’m down for a dance recital attendance Dec 4th

I’m scheduled for overnite babysitting at one of the kids house Dec 17/18 

I’m putting my tree up Thanksgiving weekend no matter what 

I’m wanting to be at the last dirt bike race and the last  softball tournament of the season 

I’m sure I’m forgetting something like getting Christmas gifts.

The silver lining is I should have something to blog about through the end of the year. 

Gin 

 

Going Simple

 Thanksgiving Day is 14 days away. I love and enjoy Thanksgiving day and the days leading up to that day. 

I’m going simple in decorating with a thankful banner strung across the mantle. 

And a really simple sunflower arrangement on the dining table. 

I have pretty “paper ware” plates and cups and competition games for the family planned. BUT, I won’t be going simple with the menu. The turkey and all the trimmings will be served. My favorite being the dressing and baked corn for the main dish and for desert my fav would be pecan pie and pecan pralines. 

There’s a little decor on the back and front porch with pumpkin pillows in the chairs and swings from last year. 

Then I add a touch of Christmas on Thanksgiving Day with matching pjs for the grands so I can get my obligatory group picture of them for my Christmas card. 

All this sounds simple enough to me. 

Gin 

Oh geez!!

 Oh shoot!! I forgot to keep posting. My plan was to pick back up on my blogging but somehow I forgot all about it this last week. 

I must congratulation my oldest grand on 2nd place in the final dirt bike race of the season in the SERA series. Second Place out of 7 qualifiers in the PeeWee Division ages 7/8. 

He fought hard for 1st and was leading several laps on and off. 

That ended the year and a new season starts in Feb 2022. And to top it off he placed 2nd in his division for the year and will be acknowledged at the end of year banquet and receive several valuable aùwards/gifts. I’m so proud of him. 

The last few days swas spent with the youngest of my grands. He stayed over with us for 2 days. We did everything in the book including eating. Dry cereal was his choice of things this week. How do they know to pick out the marshmallows first??!!? 

I enjoy all the grands!

Gin

Life for 3 days

We are blessed to be given each day and I’m thankful. Three full days packed full of life is a blessing. This weekend was chocked full of things on the run. 

There were dirt bike racing, ball games, my wedding anniversary of 47 years, Halloween trick or treat, and a celebration of life for my dear sweet aunt who passed away. 

Here’s how my little grands looked for their trick or treating nite. 

Gin

Finished

 I’ve finished a quilt to donate to a silent auction as a fund raiser for a motorcycle club in Fl. All proceeds go to supplying and stocking a food pantry in their area. It’s the 2nd year I’ve been a part of this. Last year was a sailboat theme quilt, so I’m keeping with the theme for this years quilt. 

I’m loving the look. It’s kinda big measuring 96”x96”. The center sailboats are a fabric panel, then I used a matching blue sailboat print, a blue pinstripe, and then a white strip to form borders around the panel. Pinwheels in each corner are put in give a framed look.

My connection to this club is my daughters in-laws are in the club and I partnered with them to contribute an item for the silent auction. I’m happy to be able to join in this and give a little to those in need. 

The silent auction is in December and I’ll be donating a 2nd quilt also. Only it’s not even started yet, do I have to get busy to come up with another one. 

Gin 

 

Festival Time

 Fall and spring is always filled with festivals, as you all know. The River Run in our area was last weekend. I became a vendor in it, set up a booth, and spent the day being a sales person for my quilts. 

I’ve made a lot of quilts lately, so I tried my hand at getting rid of them this way.  I’m did ok and sold a few. I also had an “Enter To Win” give-away to entice people to stop and look at my merchandise. That worked like a charm. 

Right before the end of the evening I had the drawing and the person who won was still at the festival and she picked it up. I gave away this baby crib quilt. 

I’m now planning to do a Christmas festival in early December and sell some more. Wish me luck again!

Gin