Christmas and the day after

Christmas has come and gone again, and again a time of family and good cheer.  And too much food.  Sigh.  I will do better, I will do better, I will do better....

And today is another special day...John's birthday!  He and Bonnie have been in Texas about 6 years now, and he's adapting well.  Awhile back he bought a piece of property, and has enjoyed putzing around on it experimenting with different plantings. I'm glad to see he dresses appropriately, our Texas sun can be brutal.   Carl used this picture and drew an ink and watercolor painting, which he graciously gave me.  I have to say it's one of my favorites.  I don't think John has seen it yet, so seeing this will be his birthday surprise!

Happy birthday, John.  I'm glad you decided to make Texas your home.

good wishes to all

I've been participating in a secret sister swap this year.  This time it was a bit different in that we swapped quarterly instead of monthly, and it worked out well.   Monday I got my "reveal" package...and my secret sister has been Kentucky Sunshine, Trish in Australia!

Trish has such a loving and giving nature.  She's been in Australia several years, moving from Kentucky.  She and her husband have a young son, and it's fun to read of their adventures in the land "down under".  She's a talented lady.  Take a look at what she sent, much of it hand made.

 The teapot trivet and 6 coasters...handmade!

The Christmas stocking, needle case, clown pin cushion...all hand made!  She didn't have time to embellish the stocking, so I'll work on that myself, but she got the hard part done. 

These last two pictures show the wonderful sewing caddy she made to put over the arm of my easy chair.  I think she must have an embroidery machine...really pretty work.  Each side has pockets...one big one behind the sewing machine, and 5 on the other side, and there's a pin cushion on top.  Elizabeth mentioned it could also hold my remote controls.  Not a bad idea.  :)

I talked to Trish last night, and she's been working on the gifts throughout the year.  Since she's far away, her quarterly gifts were via internet shopping, so her handmade items were waiting for the reveal package.  I'm tickled with it all.  :)

Along the lines of spreading Christmas cheer, I decided I'd make some cookies for the garbage pickup crew.  They've been especially helpful this year with the tree limbs, as well as any other unusual items I'd set out.  Yesterday was trash pickup day, so I put the cookies in the oven nice and early, and had them ready and waiting.  The big truck pulled up in front, and I stepped out and handed them the little bag telling them "Merry Christmas".  As the truck pulled away with a perky little toot of the horn, I noticed the trash was left.  Huh?  Turns out it was the recycling truck!  Ah well.  I bagged up the rest of the cookies, and added a bit of fudge, and gave them to the garbage crew a little later.  Everyone can use a little cheer, right?

I may or may not post again before the big day, so I'll go ahead and say "Merry Christmas" to one and all.

note to self

Haven't had much to say lately...or much that I'm able to say.  With Christmas just 9 short days away, some of my projects are still behind zipped lips.  However, I have finished one that I'm able to share.  I talked several weeks ago about a pattern I got for a Texas wall hanging...and here's my completed version.  It's already gone to its new home. 

It was on a yellow wall, so it seems to have picked up a bit of a yellow-ish tinge, but you get the idea.  I'm pleased with it, and will be making another.

It's nice to know that I'm still learning things as time goes by.  Keeps the mind sharp.  Of course, there are times I have reminders that I need to pay more attention to things.  While making Texas, which uses a fusible webbing, I got distracted and...well, let's just say I made a mistake.  Now it's on my design wall as a reminder to be more observant. 

Can you read it?  It says "note to self...do not iron on right side of fabric".  

small frustration in the scheme of things

There's so much in this world we can either be very thankful for, or have a major gripe.  So I know my petty little grievance doesn't amount to a whole lot...

But really!  Don't you think the paper delivery person could find someplace other than the middle of the very wet grass, in the middle of a rain, to toss the paper?????