Christmas Day pictures

My youngest son without his girlfriend...Mom hanging out in the background.

Newly engaged eldest son and his fiance (I just love saying that.)


Middle son with his wonderful wife, who is an awesome daughter-in-law.

Grandson #1 -- Almost 3 years old -- Always fun to have around!

Grandson #2 -- Almost 6 months old -- Isn't he just precious?

Latest Baby quilt

This baby quilt was originally started for my second grandson. However, after visiting with my DIL I found out that she had a very specific, non-baby-like color scheme in mind, so I wrapped up this top and put it aside and made another baby quilt that matched the nursery colors.

Fast forward to this fall...we have new neighbors, friends of our children -- a nice young couple that are expecting their first child in late January. Great...that top I started last year now has a new home! I wrapped it up this week and will try and get it delivered over the fence one afternoon this week. It is always nice to have a few baby quilt tops in reserve so they can be quickly finished when the need arises. Heck, while cleaning out my sewing room a few weeks ago I even found a baby quilt sampler that I finished many years ago but it was never quilted. That'll be an upcoming project so it'll be ready to head to the home of a some new baby down the line.

SB#3

Letters to Bessie

I set up a new blog site today. I was the recipient of some letters that are about 100 years old that we thought belonged to my Grandma, but as I read them it was clear they weren't hers (how many Bessie Barnhart's could there be in my small Washington County?). Anyway after Xmas I am going to start transcribing the letters and posting them on the new blog in hopes that I can find the real family of this lady. The few that I have read are beautifully written. This man was truly in love with Bessie Barnhart and was a devout Christian. They cover a time span of 1907 until 1911.

Come visit and check them out. I think they'll be interesting and fun to read for me and for you! If you know anyone in your family history who settled in Loomis, Washington with a bride named Bessie Barnhart who I think was a school techer around 1911-1912, please get in touch. All I have on the prospective groom's name is C.E. Rowe. Come check it out!

www.bessiebarnhart.blogspot.com

Mid December report

It's been a busy couple of weeks...first I had to recuperate from Thanksgiving, I've been trying to get my Christmas shopping done, and then work has been pretty demanding. As you might expect elementary age students take a lot of extra corralling this time of year.

Today was one of those days kids live for...the first snow of the year! It started mid morning and didn't stop all day long. In fact the prediction is for the snow to keep coming down all night long. It is a good thing it is the weekend so the kids can get outside and play in it and get over that initial excitement before Monday (ha ha ha).

I've been working on machine quilting a Christmas wall hanging and should finish it up this weekend. I put up another small tree and need a skirt for it. Luckily I have a small table topper that will make a perfect skirt. I just need to cut out a small circle in the middle, slice it all the way to edge and then rebind those newly raw edges. I enjoy working on seasonal projects especially since Christmas fabrics have always been my favorites.

Have a wonderful Christmas.

Post Thanksgiving debriefing

Thanksgiving at my home has turned into a huge presentation. We combine my husband's side of the family and my side of the family and our kids and it turns into a huge crowd. Thankfully since we remodeled we have lots of space for everyone. One of the things I did right in the remodel was put in a huge center island. This turns into the buffet table and with 19 people to feed that's the only way to do it efficiently.

Two years in a row I've had great turkey. I don't know if I've gotten lucky or what. However I have kept notes so I think that brining a turkey, cooking it in a cooking bag, and using a low temperature is the key. After multiple dishwasher loads over the past five days, I think it'll slow down to the normal pace of once every few days.

It was great to have the kids all home this weekend. They all came and went at different times, but there was never a dull moment with all of them around. Even my little grandson stayed overnight. He told his mommy, "Daddy go home. Mommy go home, Me stay here."

It'll be awfully quiet around here this week.

Needless to say I didn't do any quilting this weekend. Maybe later this week, but I really do want to empty a room to paint and prep it for laying hardwood...hopefully in the next few weeks.

Time to sew

Last night was a real treat. All three of the Stitchin' Bitches got together to sew. After a long hiatus we all decided to attend the local quilt shop's monthly Midnighter. Things have changed though...instead of running from 5 til Midnight, it now runs 3 til 10 p.m. So...do we still call it a Midnighter?

Last night people worked on many different projects. The idea was to make table runners since those are quick to make and are always a good gift for someone. We all arrived with our sewing machines and materials all ready to go. Rather than working on a table runner, D worked on a cute flannel baby quilt for a work colleague. M worked on a square table topper for her dining room table. Her fabric choices were Christmas fabrics, of course, but the poinsettia fabric was quite striking. Me, well I worked on a Christmas wall hanging. I had originally planned to make a bag. This bag in fact...

Instead, I made it at home Friday night and had it in use last night. :) I like the bag, but will make some changes the next time I make it. I'd put a zipper on the front pocket. I also changed the handle style. I think I'll make this for my parapro this bag in western fabrics as her Christmas gift.

Unfortunately I have another cold and so I didn't stay too late at the Midnighter. I reached a spot in my sewing where I was going to have to do some serious math to adjust some block sizes for the sides of the quilt so decided it was best to wrap it up there and finish it up when my mind was clear and not distracted by all the chit chat and banter that was flying about the room. M was on a roll last night! I had a great time and think everyone else did too.

52 Things You Possibly Didn't Know About Me

52 Things You Possibly Didn't Know About Me
1. What is in the back seat of your car right now?
My grandson's carseat and a fleece blanket. Reusable grocery bags too.
2. When was the last time you threw up?
Back in September...my kids at school were spreading the bug.
3. What's your favorite curse word?
I have many...I am an equal opportunity curser, but probably use fuck most of all. I am known as a bit of a potty mouth.
4. Name three people who made you smile today.
I'll go with yesterday...Becky, Donald, Monse.
5. What were you doing at 8 am this morning?
In the shower.
6. What were you doing 30 minutes ago?
See above.
7. What will you be doing three hours from now?
Shopping or at the gym.
8. Have you ever been to a strip club?
Nope. I find the idea of them offensive.
9. What was the last thing you said aloud?
No Bella!
10. What is the best ice cream flavor?
Chocolate or Cherry Garcia.
11. What is the last thing you had to drink?
My morning cup of hot cocoa.
12. What are you wearing right now?
Workout clothes
13. What was the last thing you ate?
A boiled egg and a slice of bacon.
14. Have you bought any new clothing items this week?
Do the new shoes delivered from Zappos count?
15. When was the last time you ran?
Are you serious? Walked swiftly maybe!
16. What was the last sporting event you watched?
No clue. I don't watch sporting events.
17. Who was the last person you e-mailed?
Work colleague.
18. Ever go camping?
Yes, my favorite is boat camping.
19. Do you have a tan?
No, I'm pasty white.
20. Do you drink your soda from a straw?
I don't drink pop, but I like to use a straw with my iced tea.
21. What did your last IM say?
I don't IM.
22. Are you someone's best friend?
I'm good friends with many people.
23. What are you doing tomorrow?
Quilting and cleaning house.
24. Where is your mom right now?
At home, just a few blocks down the road.
25. Look to your left.
A lamp.
26. What color is your watch?
I don't wear one any more. I have a few sports watches though.
27. What do you think of when you think of Australia?
The Thornbirds.
28. Would you consider plastic surgery?
Yes, the girls could use some help.
29. What is your birthstone?
Something ugly. I prefer rubies and opals.
30. Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit the drive thru?
Drive thru.
31. How many kids do you want?
That ship has sailed. I have three.
32. Do you have a dog?
Three of them.
33. Last person you talked to on the phone?
My Mom.
34. Have you met anyone famous?
Nope.
35. Any plans today?
Grocery shopping, visit the gym, clean the house.
36. How many states have you lived in?
WA, CA, NC
37. Ever go to college?
Yep, did it later than the average but ended up with a Master's Degree.
38. Where are you right now?
Home.
39. Biggest annoyance in your life right now?
My husband.
40. Last song listened to?
Crimson and Clover (an oldie but goodie)
41. Are you allergic to anything?
Cottonwood and beeswax.
42.Are you jealous of anyone?
Not really.
43. Is anyone jealous of you?
I doubt it, my life is pretty boring.
44. What time is it?
Quarter til 9 a.m.
45. Do any of your friends have children?
Yep, and grandkids too.
46. Do you eat healthy?
I could do better.
47. What do you usually do during the day?
Work, crash when I get home. Quilt. I try to drag myself to the gym.
48. Do you hate anyone right now?
No, why waste the energy on it.
49. Do you use the word 'hello' daily?
Usually Good Morning or Hi instead.
50. How old will you be on your next birthday?
53
51. Have you ever been to Six Flags?
Nope, but I've been to Disneyland.
52. How did you get one of your scars?
I had a mouse bite my hand on my 8th birthday. I still have the scar to prove it.