Wow....only a couple of hours before 2012!

Hard to believe another year almost gone........I would have to agree with all the "experts" the older you get the faster it seems to go!  2011 was a pretty memorable year, 2 new grandbabies

Belle in February and

Hayden in April.  My total is now 4 wonderful grandbabies.  I love each and everyone of them, and they each bring such happiness into my life. 

Of course who could forget the 2 additional surgeries I had on my arm.......certainly not me!  I don't want to say anything that will jinks me....but I do believe it is finally starting to mend.  I have a doctors appointment on the 4th!  Lets all keep our fingers crossed

I really just want to get back to my old self and enjoy life again!  And I need my arm for some of New Years resolutions!!  Which we will get to later..............back to 2011.  Finally got Terry to take a vacation and what a good time we had!

Under the clock, great weather, cold beer, good people and tons of fun!  I wish that trip would have lasted a few days more, but hey there is always the one I am going on in November of 2012!!!!!!

Gosh, lets see what else, oh yea the Cardinals winning the World Series.....

That is pretty exciting news for St Louisains everywhere!!!

Lets see, what else, oh my youngest daughter Madi got engaged over Christmas.  Tim is a very nice young man and we are so happy to welcome him into our family.

Cute couple don't you think?  They are planning a November 2012 wedding.  So excited for the both of them.

I know there is other things, like a new great niece and great nephew!  Unfortunately we had loses among family and friends that will be greatly missed, but I am looking forward to the new year with and open mind and heart!  I wish the best for all my family, friends old and new, in 2012.  In the next couple of days I will be sharing some of my resolution's with all of you, maybe that way I will be able to stay on track.....with the help of my friends!

and with that said..........

A day of rest!

December 26…….and all is calm……..hubby snoring and me, well relaxing!

this is only 1/3 of the gifts!

What a wonderful day yesterday!  Family, friends, hugs, kisses and tons of memories made.  I want to say a special thank you to Michele (Shayne’s mother in law) she arrived early with my daughter to help me finish up the cooking and getting it all set up, beside doing the dishes along the way! Thank you so very much Michele!!!!

   Of course thank you all for helping me out this year……..what a fun way to share the stress, lol!!

   So as I sit here and do nothing……I keep seeing all the things that need to be done and tell myself, the next time you get up, pick up on thing and it will all get done, eventually!  And it will, in the last 3 hours I have filled on trash bags with empty cans, pieces of wrapping paper and empty boxes!  Instead of taking all this week to get clean it might only take a couple of days, J and that makes me happy!  

So with that said I will leave you with………..

PLEASE BE SAFE!

I want all my family and friends to safe this holiday season (and always) please, please, please if you "must" drink have the mindset to have a designated driver. Please have fun, but it is not worth this if you are going tto arrive home safely!

Wall Photos

A TRUE STORY AND CONSIDER THIS IN THE UPCOMING NEW YEAR!

I went to the party an...d remembered what you said. You asked me not to drink alcohol. So I drank a Sprite. I felt proud of myself, as you said I should feel. You said I should not drink and drive, contrary to what some friends told me. I made a healthy choice and your advice was correct, as all you give me forever.

When the party finally ended, people began to drive without being able to do so. I went to my car with the certainty that he would return home in peace. I never imagined what awaited me, Mom. Now I'm lying in the street and I hear the policeman say: "The kid that caused this accident was drunk." Mom, his voice seems so distant. My blood is spilled everywhere and I'm trying with all my might not moan. I can hear the doctors say, "This girl is going to die." I have the certainty that the young man, who ran at full speed, decided to drink and drive, and now I have to die.

Why do people do this, Mom, knowing that this is going to ruin many lives? The pain is cutting me like a hundred knives. Tell my sister not to cry, tell Daddy to be strong. And when I go to heaven, I'll be watching for you all. Someone should have taught that boy is wrong to drink and drive. Maybe if his parents would have said, I would not be dying now. My breath is getting weaker, more and more. Mom, these are my last moments and I feel so desperate. I wish I could hug Mom, while I'm lying here dying. I wish I could tell you how much I love you, Mom. So .. I love ... y. .. goodbye ... "

(These words were written by a reporter who witnessed the accident. The girl, as he died, I was saying these words and the reporter wrote down ... very overwhelmed. The journalist started this campaign, if you read this note, please click " share ", so more people can be aware. Therefore, I ask one small gesture, send it to your friends, family and loved ones

Still Cooking!

Ok, today, two more loads of laundry.......how can 2 people have so many dirty clothes?  It's one of life's mystery's!!!!!
Anyway I made Champagne Jelly.....wow.....awesome......yummy!!!  I found the recipe on Pinterest (http://veggiewala.com/) and it is called Baked Brie Bites with Champagne Jelly.  I am telling you it is super easy and it is FANTASTIC!  I cant tell a lie.....when I scrapped the foam off the top I put it on piece of foil and now while I am blogging I spread that "foam" on a piece of bread and OMG OMG OMG once again yummmmmm!!!

Not only does it taste good.......isn't pretty!  I will be severing this with the brie as one of our "finger foods"  I love brie.  You know its one of those cheese's you either like or you don't and unfortunately I do! :)

So with that I am leaving you with..........

My very handsome son Jay.

A week before Christmas and the cooking has started!!

Ok, last Wednesday, my son Jay, my youngest daughter Madi and her soon to be fiance Tim came over and put up the tree for me......yippee!  My DH Terry calls it a Charlie Brown tree but I think it is just right.  After all once "Santa" comes and leave all the presents who notice the darn thing anyway!

Jay, Tim and Madi

This is Tim's first Christmas with us, his birthday is the day after Christmas and he collects Nutcrackers I gave him this one as a thank you and welcome to the "Nut House"!

I think the tree is beautiful......

At Christmas we all get together here and have "finger foods".  I tried cooking a big meal once but it just didn't work out to well.  I have everyone bring something and well I do the rest.  In fact I am kinda enjoying it, my arm isn't hurting so that in itself is a blessing. 

Well, my daughter Shayne and I went to the grocery store on Saturday to get the bulk of the "stuff", but Thursday I will get the balance so everything is fresh. (Oh yeah we took Hayden too!) 

Hayden and Santa on Santa's Bike

Thank goodness Shayne was with me, I had 2 cart fulls!  Can you believe that is only 2/3 of what I needed!!!!!!  Oh well, like the say Christmas comes but once a year! (Thank God!)  
Shayne's husband Richard had to bring all the bags in.......I just love all my son in laws!!

Now for the rest of the shopping (Santa!!) I, like always, used the Internet.  But this year my middle daughter Sami and her husband Joey got the "local" gifts.  Hell, they are in the mall way more than I would ever be.  (thank you Sami and Joey.......love you guys :)!!)

Now, the wrapping......ugh, I hate it, always have, but I hate gift bags too!  They seem so "lazy".....so, since Shayne spent the night Saturday she did most of the wrapping Sunday, although I did help.......some.

So today I started cooking.  I made homemade caramel sauce, BBQ sauce and some Pinot Noir butter.  Doesn't sound like much, but it keep me busy much of the day. 

That and the 3 loads of laundry I did!  Tomorrow, dusting, floors, make Champagne jelly and jello shots.

So, I will leave you with........

I'm back.........

Gosh, so much time has passed......I almost forgot how to do this, only kidding.  We returned from our cruise on Monday.  Eleven days on the sea, mostly beautiful weather, but always good company.  I am sure this will take a couple update to cover our trip, but since I am not going anywhere.......because its freaking cold outside.......it's all good.

I want you all to know, even though i was on the high sea, I did find time to work on my husband postage stamp quilt.  I admit I didn't get alot done, but I still worked on it.  I have made a new layout for the quilt so now I need 16 more blocks.........ugh!  That's ok it will look awesome when it is done.  But most of all Terry will love it.

First I would like to introduce you to Terry's Pin Monkey......he will help me with the details of our days at see.  Yes it was early and he is ready to party.......hence the can of beer!!  Since we are at see all day we really didn't do much.......sat on the deck, drank, eat, walked on the deck, took a nap, drank some more, I am sure you get the picture!

Bar-b-que on the deck......and let me tell you it was yummy!!  Gosh to say we didn't enjoy ourselves would be an understatement!!!!

So with just a small taste of our cruise I am leaving you with.......

Monday, monday.......err I mean Thursday

It's hard to believe that it is November, especially in Missouri, because it is 70 degrees outside, yes I said 70!!!  I had to make a trip to the local store and I wore shorts, tee shirt and my flip flops!  No I am not complaining.......living is Missouri all my life (except for the 2 months in Arizona in high school) I absolutely hate, hate, hate winter.  I hate wearing a coat, the only hats I like wearing are ball caps and cowboy hats and I never wear gloves, unless I am riding.  Which all of you know I have done in over 16 months!  But we wont get into that now.  So, I am loving this weather but fear that when winter hits us, it will hit hard!!!!

Burrrrr now I am cold!


Where or where has this week gone!


For all my quilter fans, if you love give aways you will love this........
,http://lilysquilts.blogspot.com/2011/11/christmas-gifts-for-quilters-mahusive.html Lilly Quilt's what beautiful works she does too!  I sure hope the "Good Luck Fairy" keeps me in mind for this one.


Tuesday, I went and got my hair cut and colored for my up coming and well deserved vacation, what ya think.......

and yes I am  "trying" to rock that feather!!

and finally today, after a brief meeting I have to sit down and make 2 list, yes 2......one for shopping for our family Thanksgiving dinner Sunday and the other a check list so I don't forget to pack something.  I am not going to tell you where I am going because I am taking my lap top and will be posting pictures of my "travels"!  So you who do know........please keep it a secret!

With that said.........

Thank You

To all the men and women that have or still fighting for freedom, Thank You!

Rain, Rain go away!

Got up early this morning to the sounds of rain, lots of rain.  When we needed it to rain this summer where was this?  It is cold too, which in combination with the rain I have the worse pain in my right arm, great!  Oh well, life goes on, so I will grin and bare it!  Things could be so much worse.  See I am smiling.......

I didn't do any kind of sewing yesterday at all......nope that's right, none!  Why do I sound so happy about that, well my daughter Sami and I spent the whole afternoon scrapbooking!  I haven't done that in a couple of years. 

Yes that's me in the ball cap.....I absolutely hate to have my picture taken (can't you tell). 

So you can imagine the photos I have on disc's!  But I only did a few pages, but I am very proud of what I finished.  Now I have to fine that darn scrapbook I bought a couple of years ago.  I put it up for safe keeping..........

and..........

not bad if I must say so myself!!!

Well, you know I could let the kids leave without me snapping a few pictures of Belle, what kind of MawMaw would I be!

No, she isn't blowing her nose, she is trying to eat a paper towel!  She is so darn cute!!!!

So, with that said........

TGIF

Wow, I can't believe the weekend is almost here!!  I am glad to get that hour back that I lost in spring......................

the down size gaining back time is now it is dark very early........well like they say you can't have your cake and eat it too!!

I have been doing alot more sewing this week, which anyone that knows me knows that is when I am my happiest (well, unless the grandbabies are here, they are number one, two, three and four!!!!)

This isn't a very good picture, the fabric is a very beautiful orange.  This block was made with the help EQ7.  I just start using EQ in October and didn't do more than play around with the blocks that was on the program.  So when OYG Hive B Shanna requested a block called "Lovely Squares" I decided to try my hand at designing my own.  I think it looks pretty darn good.

This is the finished piece!

Now I also finished 2 blocks (which makes me caught up with the rest of the group) for Bloggers BOM.  I really like them alot.  I have also made the decision to "quilt as you go" for the quilt.

I did square it up after I saw the picture.....lol and number 2

now aren't  these colors fabulous!!!!!!  Yea I thought so too!

This is the first block for Bloggers BOM that is quilted.......I really like it and it will make this quilt go by much faster I think.  Maybe I should say I hope.  I have started working on the second block and I have my layout plan.

So as you can see the blocks will be opposite, more or less.  Really excited about seeing Novembers block. 


I also had some company, Shayne, her husband Richard and the boys came over Sunday to see us.  Hayden is getting so big so fast, 6 months old.....

Even Daisy can't believe how big he is getting!


Ok, with that said I will leave you with this.......

I got myself a new lens for my Canon......700mm and I had to try it out, isn't this amazing!

GO CARDS!!!!

Oh my God........game 6, between the beer and Xanax, I have no finger nails!  No only kidding, did drink a beer or 2, the game was AWESOME!

Game 7 here we come......watch out Rangers!  So with that said.....beer iced.....check, hot dogs for dinner......check and at 6:30 the comfy pj's on, TV set at channel 2 and DON'T CALL, OR TEXT.........I am busy!!!!!
Yesterday I worked in the sewing room for the first time in 3 weeks and boy did it feel good.  Got my November block done for Long Distance Quilting Bee for Evelyn, yes I know its not even November.  I made a promise to myself that I would not fall behind again!

I personally love this......I sure hope Evelyn does!

Since the following blocks are for me, made from instruction provided on BOM I got a late start, and I am following an idea from another member, I am making 2 blocks of each.  I think, haven't quite decided yet but I am leaning towards "quilt as you go".

I really love these prints, it looks a little busy but since it for my quilt I like it!  If I quilt as I go, I am going to use a different backing for each block, no two alike.  I will also hand quilt with different color threads to give each block its own personality.

Ok, with that said......................

GO CARDS!!!!!!

It's about time!!

Gosh, almost 3 weeks since surgery........arm is feeling great, but hip not so great!!  I had a little set back and now I am taking some antibiotics for an infection!!!  I can not wait for 2011 to be over, ugh!

My poor grandson Jake had to have his tonsils and adenoids taken out last Friday.......poor baby!  I assured his Mom (my oldest daughter Shayne) that he will be fine and playing havoc with the world soon!

and by the end of the day he was eating Popsicles!!

Well, yesterday I had to call the boys (my son Jay, my step son Zach and my son in law Joey) over to help with the horses.  The are almost out of hay and they had to go and get 6 BIG bales for me.  They are so helpful.....and I get to see my daugther Sam and of course Belle!!  Yes I know, she is beautiful......and no I am not prejudice!  Really I am not.

Her Uncle Jay thinks so too!

I am going to do alittle sewing this week and see how my arm and hip do.......I am missing my sewing machines so much, lol.  I guess I could be called a "junkie", withdraws are a bitch!  Maybe today I will go up and just sit in my sewing room for awhile, that should take the edge off!!

I am going to leave you with:

Me and my Belle.