On the Day After Christmas My True Love Gave to Me.....

On the day after Christmas two of our sons and their families gathered at our house for brunch.  It was so doggoned much fun that I'd love to do it every year!  The night before I prepared Baked French Toast which sits in the fridge over night, Li'l Smokies wrapped in bacon and rolled in brown sugar, and cheesy hash browns in the crock pot.  So this morning I had only to pop the french toast and sausages into the oven, scramble the eggs and we were good.  And I think every dish was well received...especially the sausages - little cardiac time-bombs - which got some rave reviews!

 Lar got a complete beer making set up from Larry III's family - looks like he'll be needing some expert assistance 'til he gets his Master Brewer certificate!

 Again, I'd call the picture above "What Christmas is to me" and if Jessica were here it would be complete!  God bless them, they made the day perfect!

Ian the Builder

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 So that's Christmas 2012 for us - and we are sending out our very best wishes to you and yours.....may you have a peaceful, healthy and prosperous New Year!
Love, Ann and Larry

 

Songs of Christmas

      Doesn't your heart just sing the songs of Christmas as you prepare?  I mean, I hear them in my head and in my heart...the old songs that my mother played on records, and that we, as little ones, sang in church, and those that our Grandma played on the piano as we all gathered 'round to sing.  Don't even need the radio or cds playing...but when they do, do you flash back to other times and places the way I do?

We had our elves pay a visit to help their Pop Pop put up the Christmas village - an annual affair.  Here's Larry 4 assisting with the electrifying of the village.
And there's Julia doing some serious city-planning!

The results are pretty spectacular!

On to hanging of ornaments and quilted wall hangings, and the tree adorned with all our special decorations.

We met up with sis and her darling daughter for a Christmas lunch and quilt shop frenzy (Pennington Quilts) ....Carol loved her gift, "Sister's Choice" - machine pieced, hand quilted.

 
I've been really frantic trying to get dear hubby's wall hanging done for Christmas - it's all pieced and about one half quilted, and he got it that way.  He loves it!  It's title, "Pop's Harvest" in recognition of his garden patch and all the veg we were able to put up from it.  Our Christmas Day and dinner plans were kind of hijacked by a nasty virus that attacked young Larry and Julia, but thanks to Colleen and Larry (our intended hosts) we enjoyed a fabulous turkey dinner without raising a finger!  

 Colleen cooked and Larry delivered our wonderful "meal on wheels" and while we dearly missed spending the day with their family, we look forward to tomorrow when they are to gather here for breakfast.
Meantime, we've spent the day in gratitude for all our many blessings and fully aware that there are far too many in this world who are not nearly as fortunate as we.
Sending much love to you and to all - no matter what special day this may be for you - bless you and keep you. 

E-mail from U S Senator for New Jersey, Robert Menendez

Dear Friend,

The senseless, horrific tragedy that took place in Newtown, Connecticut last Friday has shaken us all to our cores.  We ask ourselves, why?  Today, I spoke on the Senate floor to join with every American in expressing our deep and abiding grief as a nation and our deepest -- most heartfelt -- condolences to the families of the victims.

As the father of two, this strikes painfully close to my heart, painfully close to the heart of every parent.  There is no greater sorrow -- no deeper pain -- than the enormous grief that these families are suffering: 20 innocent children, 6 teachers and school employees and their families.  No parent should ever have to bear the unspeakable pain of losing a child, especially to this type of tragedy.

Enough is enough. 

We must ensure the Newtown tragedy marks a turning point when we are all willing to come together and do what’s right.  As we pray for the victims, I believe we must commit ourselves -- as a nation -- to a long-overdue debate about gun violence and how we help those who suffer mental illnesses in our society.

We must finally pass common sense gun laws.  No more politics. No more excuses.

Sincerely,

Broken

Broken....
hearted....
the world is standing up and noticing the wretched event wherein our babies have been taken...
will we now notice that our obsession with things, our ability to step away from each other has removed our hearts?
It is imperative that we as a nation and as a functioning world regain our compassion and our love.  Our arms are for embracing and supporting, our voices are for encouragement and speaking up, our hearts for loving and for kindness.
It is, of course, important to show our solidarity to the families in pain in Connecticut.
But it is even more vital that we stop right here and get some perspective on what we are doing for those whose desperation leads them to such horrendous acts...are we a global family which surrounds damaged and desperate family members with whatever help they need?  Or will we continue to respond to the siren's call of self-involvement and social-media one liners that protect us from painful involvement?
The decisions lie with each of us - and couldn't be more important, more life changing.
Pointing the finger at gun control, mental health systems - just mumbo-jumbo to get the spot light off a spoiled society that doesn't want to get involved.
Of course the angels are crying....they are crying for me and for you.
We vote for politicians who allow our governing body to sit and do nothing.
We haven't addressed so many human condition problems in so many years that we've allowed ourselves to be convinced they don't exist.
The time has come, and passed, for getting involved, for recognizing our brokenness.

Swaps

Had our December Love Apple meeting last evening.  Once we'd assembled all the little ornaments for the swap, I saw this tiny, adorable tree and really, really, really coveted it!  And wonders of wonders....I got it!  I was so happy - I wish I could take a better picture by which to share.
My glass ball full of 30's fabric went to the nicest lady and she was thrilled with it, showing it to friends.  After listening to her for a while I 'fessed up that I was the one who made it, and I loved how much she appreciated it.
At the end of our guild meeting, my friend Carole surprised me with this gift.  It goes so nicely with the other little tree and is about two times the size.  It is a pin cushion, she had inserted a number of delightful pins, and it is full of....are you ready for it?..... LIZARD LITTER!

She explained that lizard litter is actually crushed walnut (I think) shells.  She buys them in great tubs from an exotic pet store!
Got no lizards here - but boy do I love my lizard litter tree!
As for the luncheon scheduled for today....not happening!  Seems the organizer and her committee are all sick.  A bit less pressure for me, even tho' I was a little disappointed.  

Hallelujah

It's been a while, I know - I just have to wait for something that gets me inspired to write, and that is what happened this morning.
If you will notice, at the right of your screen, I've posted Scotty McCreery's Christmas song - if you stop and take a listen, I feel it might inspire you too!  If nothing else, the old photos are a delight and bring back such memories!
So, here we are, once again, preparing for, and anticipating the "Holiday Season" - whatever your particular holiday might be.  If you are anything like me, you've got lots going on, lots in your head and lots for your hands to do!
Since it's been a while, let's start my catch-up with October...
dear hubby gifted me with an awesome couple  of days in Lancaster - and there isn't a prettier time to go than when the trees are in their autumn glory.  Not to mention the fabric is ripe for the pickin'!  ha ha!

 
 We had such a good time - eating, meeting great folks, taking walks, eating, shopping for fabric, eating - oh, wait, am I repeating myself?  Well, when it comes to Amish country, one of the drawing points is the food!

Some of the fabric haul!  We picked up some clearance fabrics to cut up and donate to Love Apple Charity quilts - those three at the front made up really interesting 2.5" squares! Below is a top I made up for the group - looking closely you can see some of those "cheater's panels" cut up.  Once the top was complete, I donated the remainder of the fabric for them to use as they wish.

Little sister living the Pirate moment!

Mom - don't ever remember having her kind of energy - and certainly not her creativity!

Darling Birthday Boy

 Next up was Grandson Ian's 5th birthday.  His frighteningly creative and energetic mom had come up with the most amazing Pirate themed party.
Then we're on to Halloween.  Having been inspired by friends who are making little wall hangings for each holiday, I came up with my first.

 Went to another quilter's yard sale and came away with fabulous deals - including some already made items I'll find fun to work with!

 Lar and I walked over to check out our garden site - it happened to be the day the Township was mowing.  Sure does look different....but next Spring we'll be ready to do our part in getting the growing going.

 Next up - setting my Aunt Martha's roses....this won't be the next quilt in the frame - but it will be ready.

 

 Our quilt guild had a Fall and then a Thanksgiving pot holder swap at the last two meetings.  Above you can see the two candle bowls I made on the left.  In exchange I received that strange sock-figure to the right - green stripped and weird!

 Second row from the right, second down is the potholder I made.  I received the round one on the left - very pretty, tho' only decorative.  
Next up, a visit from sister and her husband....we took them to the Barclay Farmstead for Holiday House.  I always find it an infusion of holiday spirit and I think they enjoyed it too.

 Carol and I each made a Thanksgiving wall hanging - Turkeys!
 Carol brought her most recent quilt tops to show us...the first one was made up of Aunt Martha's squares I gave her.

 I wanted to keep up with my plan for a hanging for each and every holiday - so obviously, Santa was next.

 Made one for Amy and Pat, too!

And now, getting ready for the December meeting of Love Apples, the Charity Quilt Luncheon and various Christmas things.  Needed a Holiday ornament for the swap for Tuesday evening, I first tried this clear glass ball filled with over 100 scraps of 3o's era fabric, various buttons and papers ...not sure of this one - so found a You Tube video click here which taught me to make the one below.  Really love this one and plan to make more for us!  Just need a 3" styrofoam ball, some 2.5 " squares of pretty fabric and some silk pins.  It was fun to make and I love the finished product!  Do you?

 We took a quick ride to JoAnn Fabrics to get some lovely Holiday/Winter themed fabric to take part in the fat quarter swap....

and a sale tee shirt to decorate for the meeting and/or the holiday luncheon the next day. I worked out the design I wanted to do for the front - LAQ for Love Apple Quilters, cut it all out, laid it out with iron on fusible web...and then, as usual, my rushing caused me to go awry! 

 Once the front was nicely ironed, I picked up the shirt....a what to my wondering eyes should appear....
a mass of glue stuck all down the back!  I'd inadvertently  ironed it over a big piece of the webbing!  What to do?!  So I cut out more fabric, ironed it onto wherever the glue had been, added a phrase - and yeah, yeah, "I meant to do that!"  (not a bad save, huh?)
I tried some paper piecing for a snow man block but I realize it's been too long...I've really forgotten how to actually do this and am glad I've hooked up with my muse
because she also has a video for that!

  And finally!  Want to share these items that I am in love with.  First, see the Magnet-ficent...the best thing since - I don't know what!  Attached to the wall with Command damage free hangers, it contains very strong magnets.  One places metal containing bars such as old fashioned curtain rods into the placket in the back and the quilt snaps snugly to the wall.  Want to make a change - you just pull the stretchy stuff down and the whole thing comes away - no holes, no damage to the wall!  I find it very convenient and very secure for these little wall quilts I've been making.
Meanwhile - I came up with another use for these hooks - applied to the window sill, they hold  window candles securely - a marriage saver for sure, since I am constantly knocking them off and breaking the bulbs.  This one is for you, Lar! 

 Off now to finish up a little wall hanging I will give my sister for Christmas, it's called "Sister's Choice" and I'm hand quilting it, tho' that was a really bad choice - two of the fabrics are "horrible" to get the needle through!  Never been one to do anything the easy way!
Until later - Hallelujah - it's Christmas time again!