I'm 50...Fifty years-old!

nakey-girl!

My foray into doll-making. This girl is going to be a primitive ballerina. In a few days, she'll be in her tutu and have her pretty hair in a pretty bow. Right now, she's drying out. Seems she took a bath in coffee and vanilla and now she's detoxing on a cookie sheet. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she'll turn out OK. If all goes well, there will be a troupe of ballerinas dancing around the house!

19 years of saving.

How to spend a Sunday afternoon...I wanted to watch football, but necessity brought me to my senses and I spent the entire day cleaning my our room. Starting our Sunday with mass is essential, as is the coffee and the delicious BLT sandwich I had for breakfast at the Village Bakery. Mom and Dad joined us and we had a lovely time. We always have fun with the folks, laughing and teasing each other, Jason calling my mother "Mee-Maw." She doesn't like that name, which makes Jason enjoy calling her all the more. We came home and I decided I'd iron clothes, waiting for football to come on the Telly, at which point I'd commence cleaning my our room.

A-hem. What a job! It seems Jason and I can't part with anything, especially that which our son touched, read, wrote, or played with while growing up. I have a bin of pristine childrens' books, schoolwork, artwork, etc...how does one let go of all those memories? So we didn't. We just stashed everything and creatively stored it. But enough is enough, right? After all, the one-and-only child will probably just end up chucking it all when we die, so I might as well make his future a little easier once we're gone and hopefully in heaven.

 My pillow. Covered with a luscious flannel pillowcase, which belongs to Jonathan. But I took it, as I love the playful winter creatures and it's soft and comforting. It reminds me of "home," the great, white North. It is blizzard season, after all, and I'm missing it! Did you know I survived the Blizzard of '77?

And then there's this creature. She's a good old girl. The sweetest, most docile dog I have ever known. She doesn't know she's a canine and honestly, I don't have the heart to tell her differently. She apparently had an exhausting day watching me tackle the bedroom gremlins.

I'm wrapping up my day by watching football, sitting on the couch and chatting with my best friend, Jason. Discussing stuff...it's very nice and comfortable. I can't imagine spending my free time with anyone else but him.

Tuesday, I plan on continuing my quest to purge our home of "stuff." We're not hoarders and there's plenty of room to walk around...unless you're in my sewing room. If I'm not feeling particularly proud, I'll snap a picture of that mess and share it with you. Not that I'm particularly proud of how I trashed it at Christmas, but I'm going to forgive myself and vow to get that room cleaned up and convert it back to a bedroom. We need a space for visitors...right now, the only place we have is a dog bed that has been drooled upon by that lovely beast pictured above. We shall see how this all works out...

Perhaps all this purging has something to do with getting ready to turn 50...taking stock, simplifying, de-cluttering. On to the next stage, my senior- citizen-hood!

And I'm looking forward to all those discounts! And free coffee. Saving my McDonald's cup so that I can get free refills. At least, that's what I've heard...

5 Down ~ 10 Up and Orange

My lamp. It's been in residence for many years. I love it. I just think it's so pretty...

 I want to know how a person can step on the scale with a 5-lb loss. Then step on the scale 60 seconds later to double-check the loss, only to be told that in less than 1-minute, have gained 10 - lbs? How can that be?! Very diabolical, if you ask me! What do I do with this? Stupid, stupid, stupid!  So I whipped out my credit card, headed to Amazon and ordered a new scale to replace my idiot scale!

This is my current companion. I searched the cabinets last night for thegood red stuff, Nyquil. The orange is fine for something to swill  prior going to work, but really, the red is meant for a blissful night's rest. I also found some of Jason's antibiotics in the cabinet this morning, so I took one before I went to work and another at lunchtime. I want to kick this crud right outta my head! Naturally, I have no Kleenex handy, so I'm using toilet paper and/or paper towels to mop-up me nose! Being that I didn't feel like cooking after work, I went and picked up two of those cheap-but-will-do-in-a-pinch Little Caeser's Pizzas for dinner. Not on my diet. Shhhhhhh.......just look the other way.

Here's hoping the contraband antibiotics kick in soon...

riding around in my automobile

I thought you might like to take a ride with me today.

Lucky for you, I had my camera with me. Driving and texting might be dangerous, but I've not heard a peep about driving and photographing...

My driving skills are so fantastic, I can maneuver a vehicle and snap photos at the same time!

Publix...my second home.

Save Big. Bright car...won't lose that sucker in a huge parking lot!

More palm trees. There are a lot of those suckers around here!

 Here's my turn onto I95...hope you enjoyed our ride.

Feast of the Epiphany

Today is the Feast of the Epiphany...the day we commemorate the journey of the Magi following the Star, to the place of the Christ child. I think it a beautiful close to Christmas. The day our Lord receives His gifts.

We leave our tree up until after the Epiphany, so tonight, we're enjoying our Christmas tree one last night. I boxed up several decorations yesterday and they're waiting to be put away for the year. But the tree...tonight we sit in its glow and appreciate the beauty of the lights and of the season.

And tomorrow, I'll finish clearing the table of our snowmen, puppies, penguins, candles, poinsettias the myriad of decorations that went up so fast but seem to take so long to put away!

Until next year,

Merry Christmas!

Dogs On Needles!

Oh, mercy! Just look at these sweet little dogs...

I wish I knew a knitting wizard who could teach me how to knit. I would knit a pack of these canine wonders.

This one, he's amazingly cute. His face is all bunched up and he's so ugly that he's so cute.

If you happen to be a Wizard of Knitting, here is the darling book that has the patterns for these pooches, and more!

Then knit like you've never knat before! And send one my way, would ya?

Sweet, Blessed Nativity

What Child is this, who laid to rest,
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear: for sinners here,
The silent Word is pleading.
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Nails, spear, shall pierce Him through,
The Cross be borne, for me, for you:
Hail, hail, the Word made flesh,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh;
Come peasant, king to own Him.
The King of Kings salvation brings;
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Raise, raise, the song on high,
The Virgin sings her lullaby:
Joy joy for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary

May You Have A Blessed

 and Merry Christmas!

 

Lesson In Life.

Christmas Story...narrated by sweet little children.

This is really very sweet. It reminds me to slow down and to feel the wonder of Jesus' birth.

handpainted Christmas.

Over the years, I've collected many Christmas decorations. Some are expensive, some, not so much. This little fishbowl is the one I treasure most...it was made for me with lots of love. Third-grade was the year I had taken Jonathan to see How the Grinch Stole Christmas, with Jim Carrey and Jonathan could recite almost every line spoken by the Grinch. He was very good at mimicking voices and perfected the voice of the Grinch. Needless to say, we all had a lot of laughs when he'd recite a scene with a dead-on impersonation. Jonathan was in Mrs. Fowler's third grade class and her students would decorate a glass fishbowl for their mothers' Christmas gifts. Now  when I look at the bowl,  I smile and remember the fun Jonathan and I shared when he was little. Some of Jonathan's little classmates drew little religious figures on their bowls, some drew snowmen and Santas...I have an original. My boy chose to draw something he and I had shared, laughing together. Memories on glass... I wouldn't trade this bowl for all the Who pudding or rare Who roast beast!

reindeer hair clips.

 And the camera is kinda broken, but not entirely so. It seems there's something amiss with the power cord. I don't know, Jason can get the cord just-so to download, but I have no luck at all. The reason I haven't posted in a few weeks...

Until I discovered the memory card and the little slot in the laptop. Mmmm-hmmmm, I figured it out. I can download my photos without the stinking cord. And I have overcome.

Meet my reindeer clip. I've been making these for a few years. I'm selling them at a local shop...they're also great to clip to your collar or lapel. Or purse, or hat. 

This is my hair, modeling the clip. I know, my hair is messy. No, not really. It's just curly and it always looks messy. Thank goodness I can't see the back of my head, or else all that messy-looking hair would really bug me. 

creative links for Christmas.

My decorating has come to a standstill. No matter. It will get done. So much to do, so much to do! In the meantime, here are a few cute and fun projects to help jump-start your Christmas:

This is a very sweet idea...very clever!

I would love to start making some of these.

Chocolate chip cookie dough fudge...might just have to try making some and giving it out for Christmas.

Here is a very creative way in which to display your favorite photographs. I think this is going to go on my "to-try" list!

If I can find a little extra time, I just might be able to try some of these ideas....ha, ha, ha! There is NO way, before Christmas! Maybe after...

miscellany. Fabulous!

My camera went kaput...I am now reduced to pulling up a photo of the dog and embellishing it. It seems I have more shots of the dog than anything else. She's just so easy and will sit pretty for a cookie.

Today was an A+ day. I didn't work. This was the first day in a month (other than Sundays), that I've had off. Not counting Thanksgiving...work would have been easier than that! It was so nice to not have anywhere to be, anything to do. The whole day was mine. Christmas is, of course, on my list of "to-do." So I "did." Oh, I still have a great deal of stuff to do, but still, it was great just puttering around town and being loose and fancy free.

You know those chickens Wal-Mart sells? I bought one and made chicken and dumplings from this recipe. It was very delicious! I added a few herbs and spices, but the guys ate it up and really, that's the only barometer a mom needs to know that her dinner was pretty darn good!

Hair clips. Reindeer clips. I made a bunch and they're pretty darn cute! I'd love to take a photo of them and post it, but my camera isn't working. I dragged out some Christmas decorations...I love Christmas! I figure that if I decorate a little bit every day, I should be all decorated by the end of the week. Minus the tree, but I'm hoping we'll get that covered next weekend.

And that, my friends, was my day off. I have sewing and cleaning and more shopping...but right now, today, I am content just taking my day one minute at a time.

groovin' time!

I'm officially in the Christmas spirit. I waited until the first day of Advent to get my "holiday on." Out came the musical snowman and he is rather charming, don't you agree? In the spirit of getting back to blogging and ready for Christmas, I thought I'd post a little holiday cheer. You know, to get you in the Christmas spirit.

Play it again, Snowman!

Hey, I'm not a complete slouch! I have been able to sew a few things up this past month. The Christmas fabric this year is pretty darn cute and I couldn't resist making some little girls' skirts to sell at Avonlea for Christmas. Once I cut into the fabric and put it on the machine, I felt relaxed and content, ignoring the pile of clothes that were begging to be ironed. And the kitchen floor that screamed to be washed. With all the other little things that have been wanting my attention.

The day-after Thanksgiving...truly a relaxing and peaceful day. I chose to spend it doing a little laundry, ironing a few things, working on my blog banner all in the comfort of my black yoga pants and t-shirt. Though I'm working tomorrow (and though bitter at first, am now over it), I don't plan on doing too much tomorrow, either! I had thought about pulling a few Christmas decorations out today, to get me revved up for Christmas, but I think it more prudent to let the ol' engine idle for a day or two!

Here's wishing you a fine start to your Christmas season. May your days be merry and bright! This is my favorite time of year and I fully intend to enjoy every second of it!

time to let you know where I have been!

This is a first for me...no photo of a dog, skirt, or family member. No boat, no sky, nor silly photo of something that has caught my fancy.

When my world was narrow, I always found something to write about. Not sure if any of it was worth reading, but I sure enjoyed expressing myself. Funny, how as my world broadened, I didn't feel the creative bug biting. I have so much more to talk about now, but am either too busy to write, too tired to write, or just uninspired. And that makes me sad. Because I have always loved my blog. It doesn't really matter if anyone reads it or not, it's just always been a place to express myself.

The director of the CPC where I work, has been out sick since the last week of October. I enjoy my job and don't find it difficult to get up and go to work, but working 6 days a week is taking its toll. I've let a lot of things slide around the house and that includes this blog. The kitchen floor needs washing, some major cleaning needs to be done and I have sewing that I really want to do. And changing the header on this blog and posting photos and posts are on the top of my list.

Thanksgiving is next week...how did it creep up so soon? The upside is, I'll be off work from Noon on Wednesday thru Sunday. Yippee! I'm thinking I might be able to squeeze some blog redesign in, maybe a few posts and finish some little-girl skirts. Oh, and there's decorating for Christmas! I think I can do this...

I'm looking forward to my comeback...I really hope you all are still nearby, ready to read my silly blog. See you soon, hugs to you!

clean herd.

Clean elephants, that's what the world needs...made from baby washcloths.

Have you ever seen albino elephants? Here ya go! Here are two!

I made this herd last night, while we watched T.V. They're really not too difficult to make...but the ears! The ears are definitely maddening.

I'm hoping with a little more practice, the ears won't be such a challenge.

Here's Pinky. Wouldn't you know that she turned out to be the cutest of them all?! She even looks kind of prissy, the way she's standing.

You're wondering what one does with these, aren't you?

You use them as accents on baby gifts or diaper cakes. And you can take the washcloths apart and use them on baby!

If you're interested in the pattern, go here. She has all kinds of washcloth creations and I happen to have my eye on a few more patterns. It seems I started off with the most challenging, but hey! The next project should be easier, right?

At least that's what I'm hoping!

Halloween Light Show...and I'm going to get me one!

How do people do this?! It's insanely wonderful! I wonder how long it took to design, install, test, coordinate, manipulate, gesticulate, pontificate, deliberate...this light show?

Jason, dear husband:  I expect something like this on our house for Christmas. Maybe some talking Santas, dancing Reindeer, some Snowmen back-up singers. Nothing too elaborate, just a little something to draw traffic and mayhem in our neighborhood...and an extreme electric bill.

So Honey, if you're going to do this little something for me, you had better start yesterday, 'cause this is incredibly spooktacular!

Thank you, Sweetie!

3rd graders singing strong and beautifully.

A beautiful song...nothing could be sweeter than little children singing a song of "thanks."

The words are heartfelt, the music is so traditional and simple.

It's perfect...

Thank You!