Snow Globe Quilt

This has been in the works since at least 2019, when I started buying (even more) Christmas fabric to make snow globes.

I made 40-ish blocks in 2020, out of the 72 or so I needed for a throw-sized quilt and…

it’s been sitting in a bin ever since.

We’ve been hanging a lot more quilty projects around the house as decorations and - surprise! - this year I have more hangers than Christmas quilts to go on them. 

Fortunately - and kinda shocking for me - I was able to find the snow globe bin and my original notes.

Jac and I picked out our 25 favorites - a wall hanging stands a much greater chance of getting finished - and spent an entire afternoon arranging and rearranging the blocks to her satisfaction. 

Today I added the bases and I’m hoping to cut and sew the sashing tomorrow. That just leaves quilting and binding to do before Santa arrives. 

I think I can, I think I can…

Early Birthday

As an early birthday present, Mary and I took a Christmas wreath class at Deeply Rooted, a newish local plant (and more!) store in town.

Mine started out as a hot mess - so many options! too many pretty things! - but I’m pretty pleased with how it turned out. 

Love that they had lots of thistle (channeling my inner Tanya) 

and wish I could have incorporated one of the bright red pomegranates, but they were so heavy I didn’t think it would stay attached. 

Today was the last of the shop’s 5 scheduled wreath classes, although they have a few corporate party/classes coming up. 

Hope they come up with more workshop ideas - I’d sign up in a heartbeat!

Tree’s Up!

Not all the ornaments are on, but it’s a start. 

Jac told us she wasn’t going home until she’d decorated the tree. Guess she meant it! 😅😍

Duck, Duck, Goose

Duck (good stuff): Auntie Teena sent a present for the family kids

and it was a big hit,

especially when I let Jac and Donovan have a side of ice cream with their fancy waffles. 

Fun and very tasty, but I don’t have the cook time quite right yet…

Didn’t slow anyone down though!

Duck (more good): Pop let Jac pick out a new coat… and we were all shocked when she chose a cute little black jacket, nothing pink or purple or sparky. I offered up a unicorn patch I’ve had since…. Leia was little?… for a bit of punch and…

I think she likes it!

Stitched it on since a hot iron would melt the coat fabric

Goose (bah humbug…): Found out today that my new eyeball (cataract lens replacement) isn’t working correctly - night vision is much worse than before surgery - and may have to be redone. I’ll find out more Monday but… it’s depressing. 

Decorating

We haven’t done much decorating inside yet, but Pop and Leo have the outdoor lights up, along with the inflatables. (Although I think somebody bought a new 6’ one today and tried to sneak it in…)

I moved my two Christmas cacti outside a few months ago and they have gone crazy with blooms. They looked so sad indoors - what a change!

Bought this figuring Donovan would enjoy putting it together. But the Lego Master isn’t showing much interest so I may have to bribe him… maybe ice cream would work??

A Christmas fish! And his dinner friend. Who knew they were so colorful! Actually, if I asked them, Jac and Donovan would both say they knew that and give me lots more (mostly accurate) deep sea fish facts. 

Techie Joy

Back in the olden days, before I retired, I was a kinda techie software-nerd, the one who solved software problems and taught software how-to’s to most of the department. I kept up on computer specs and couldn’t wait to get new hardware every couple of years.

How things do change in retired life! My current computer is 15-ish years old, I haven’t looked at tech specs in at least 10 years and the thought of a (much needed!) upgrade to new hardware was stressing me out. 

Fortunately, Gary’s step-son has a degree in computers (top of his class!), works at Best Buy for the holidays, and was willing to help me make both a decision and a purchase. 

Everything was due to arrive Tuesday but in an early Christmas miracle, it actually got here today. I was worried about the learning curve from Windows 8 to Windows 11 but… it was easy. As was moving over all my files and (most of) my photos. I’m so excited (now that the hard part is over.)

Happy early Christmas to me!

Thankful

Thankful for many things but especially that most of our kids live nearby and we get to see them - and their kids - often. 

Grateful that the CO branch has a professional quality photographer on the payroll (aka Mom) 

and we get photos often, although it’s mostly of the (very photogenic) teenager. 

It’s a rule - if you have a yarn bowl you are officially a crocheter.

I’m promised a full family shot this weekend… no pressure, Rach…

Picking apples

Sad we had to share Matt’s family with Memaw-on-the-mountain

Santa’s Village

(what Donovan calls Mary’s mom) 

and Leia is in Cabo with her mom (swimming with dolphins!!),

but very happy they are living their best lives.

Grateful for all who take the time to read these posts too.

Wishing all y’all a very happy start to the holiday season. 

Tater Chips

Leo asked if she could make potato chips today, then found a recipe that worked with what we had on hand. 

Nervous Pop supervised the slicing skills (Leo did well!),

then it was season, bake, flip, bake and eat. Yummmm. 

I have a mandoline on its way to make the slicing easier and more uniform. They need a bit more crisping next time but this is definitely something we’ll do again. 

Cookie Compromise

I love when I get this from Leia…

because then I also get this…

but also this…

Maybe I can just leave it for Pop… 😂😂  Always a good day when the teenager visits and we get cookies. 

New-ish Project

Back in 200…3? ish? I made a “you and me” photo album for hubby as a valentine’s present.

Still working on the ugly captions…

I thought I’d update it and make it into a digital book this year for our 50th anniversary… anyone surprised it’s turning into a bigger, more complicated headache project than I ever imagined??

Might not be so bad if we didn’t have photos spread across almost every room in the house. And if I didn’t have almost 50,000 pix just on my phone alone. And I could decide if I want it to be “you and me” or eeeeeeeeverybody in the family. 

Photos are (mostly) done, just need to do the text and get it to the printer… maybe it will be back in time for Christmas? Crossing my fingers. 

Gifted Flag Quilt

I forgot I hadn’t posted this, but since it’s especially appropriate today, let’s just say I held it until now on purpose. 😜

This was one of two flag quilts I started in early September (here) and took to my longarmer pal before we left on vacation. (I gave the second one to my Guild for their veteran recognition program.)

Binding and labeling* happened when we got back …

Forgot to get a good pic of the label…

before I passed this on to my friend on October 22…

and she presented it to her 94-year old Korean War vet dad the next day. I think he liked it. 🤩

Happy Veteran’s Day to all who served. 

* I designed the label on my computer, including a flag in the background, and added name, rank, dates and ‘thank you for your service’. Pretty pleased with how it turned out.