December happenings

 It's been pretty busy around here. We had lots of friends come to our church's Christmas program -- Jim sang in the choir that performed from the living Christmas tree.

Jim's twin sister, Jenny and her husband Stan drove over from Nashville to attend.

The grandkids came one night and were so excited.  Just had to get up in the tree with Papaw.

We had a charcuterie board for our Christmas dinner with Elijah, Katie, and the kids.  Everyone loved it.  It was so fun to make, my first, but won't be my last.

We had a great time visiting and opening presents....and Papaw and I had our own little photoshoot before the kids arrived.

Had a mishap when washing the Christmas quilts to put away.  The red backing faded so bad on this one!  I only had one color catcher but didn't think it would fade since I washed it last year several times.  It was bad. I soaked it for a few hours in very hot water and Dawn ultra.  It got most of the pink out. And now it looks like it did when I first got it out this year.

My hair is growing! I'm having to use headbands which the hubby doesn't really like.  It is so wild. I'm enjoying growing it out - my new project!

The tree is up!

 The grands did a great job of helping me get the tree up and decorated.

All the beds are covered in Christmas quilts now.

Yes, that's my 68 year old husband on the swing being pushed by the grands.  Oh my goodness, they loved it.

This swing set has been a great investment.

We took them to the annual Tuba Christmas, and their daddy got to play in it this year.

....and he found the tuba he played in high school, brought by one of the younger tuba players. He is pointing out where he scratched his initials on it.....oops, bet the band director didn't like that!  Looks like he was the second student to do that, followed by about 12-13 more.

We enjoyed the local Christmas parade.  My son and his family rode a trailer for their church.  The kids had a blast!  I bet I haven't been to this parade since the tuba player was in it, what??? 18 years ago.  My how time flies.....

I've been asked to share my quilts at a local quilting group tomorrow morning.  I've very excited about it.  Although an introvert, if I'm talking about quilting or another hobby, I can really bend your ear. So many quilts with so many stories. 

 😊

My latest project, believe it or not, isn't one of my hobbies.......after 20 years of short hair, but every winter wanting to let it grow, I'm finally doing it! (now that I've posted this, that really makes me accountable).😬😬😬. I've been watching youtube videos of how woman manage their very curly gray hair.  I've bought lots of products and am excited about it.  I freaked my grandkids out with the picture below.  A friend put my face on someone else's body. The grands thought it was TERRIBLE...."mamaw, you look like a witch!  It's so, so, so, so, funny, mamaw!"  I think it's great, but I doubt I'll get it that long!

My hair is really that curly though, or maybe even more curly. I had it long for a few years in my early 40's and loved it, except I colored it and the roots just showed too much, so I cut it off short and quit coloring it.  I've been letting it grow a couple of months now...below is my progress.

I think I'm going to be wearing these head bands for a really long time....

...otherwise it falls around my face.....eek, those wild curls!

Wish me luck!!

The Holiday Season

It's that time of year when we start getting ready for Christmas.  I am not big on tons of decorations, just some Christmas quilts, a few vases with greenery, some window candles and a tree. I haven't put the tree up yet. Will probably let the grandkids help me do that this weekend when they spend their routine every other Friday night with us.  We kept them for five days last week and we had a ball, but were worn out when they went home. We took them to the theater on Friday night.

Then Saturday was a full day of building robots from cardboard boxes and duct tape.  What fun they had!

Thanks to the best Papaw ever who is always thinking of things to do with them.

Then some play with my robe and shoes, building a taller Haddon (on Emma's shoulders)..their idea.

Haddon and I went shopping for new snow boots and school shoes for his sister, while she was in school.

Then did a "Thankful" craft.

Took them home Tuesday evening to await Mom and Daddy's arrival from their trip.  The kitties were happy to have their kids back home.

The one (bad) picture I got at Thanksgiving.  Sorry, Katie, for cutting your beautiful face out of the pic.  It was an accident....

Time for the seasonal bed quilt change out....

Christmas quilts......

Finished the last gift.......this one I sang the hymns as I sewed on it.....

I've been making the mock sourdough bread lately and it is so very yummy.  For Thanksgiving I made the loaves into rolls and they were a huge hit.  I made some more today.  They are great for little sandwiches.

If you'd like to make some, check out the Humorous Homemaker's Complete Guide to Mock Sourdough.

Oh and one last pic of a cute little boy and his pet cat.....

This little boy cat is the absolute sweetest with the kids.  Haddon picks him up and carries him on his back all the time, and he never hisses or scratches, just tolerates it and sometimes even enjoys it.  He's the best.

Red Work Quilt

 This one might be a record for me, for a quilt this big - 84" x 84".  Seven days from start to finish.  Motivation is a good thing.  😊 Not sure even why I was so motivated to make this one, but I was.  I am so pleased with it and the quilting. I did the feathered hearts design again.

Isn't it strange how the creams take on a yellow look outside, but inside are just slightly creamy white.

This last picture really shows the quilting. I love it so much!  I was afraid the reds would bleed so I washed in cool water with five color catchers.  Some of the reds, or at least one, did bleed.  I put the whole quilt in the laundry sink with vinegar, detergent, oxy clean, and more color catchers and got most of it out.  Then washed again with more oxygen cleaner.  There are only a few slightly pink patches but since I used some white and other lightly colored low volumes it looks fine.