I went to my sewing lesson the other day and had the very best time.  I decided to make a wall hanging and actually quilt it myself.  Now, I have made quilts in the past, but I’ve only sewn the pieces together and had someone else do the quilting.  Let me see if I can find a picture of one of them.

This is my first one, although I didn’t make it wide enough.

Here is a close up. I really like it.

I decided to make my wall hanging with my Christmas fabric because I have so much of it.  I bought it a few years ago, for what I can’t remember.  I  didn’t want to buy more fabric because I have been spending a little too much money lately on fun things.  Anyway, this will be great to try on since I consider it “free” material.

These are going to be the borders.

These are my cute little triangles for the hanging.

I took me forever to cut them because I was so afraid I would mess them up.

Here is my stack.  I have to sew them together into squares.  That’s my homework for this week.

Don’t worry, it will look good when I get it done – At least that’s what I tell myself.

I’ll keep you apprised of my progress.

I have big plans.  I’m hopeful that it turns out nice and I can make wall hangings for all the seasons and holidays.  I have the perfect place in my home to hang them.  I only hope that I get this done before next Christmas.

These are my partners in crime.  Wherever I am, they are.  Here, we are in the office/craft room.  The problem is that Sugar always wants to be under the sewing table.  They are such mama’s girls.

Have a great day!

I’m not one to show partiality, believe me.  So, with that in mind -  Introducing Crizzly!

He will be my fifth great granddog.

Isn’t he adorable?

He is joining the family where adorable little Avicii (next picture) will be his sister.

 and here she is enjoying the rain.

I have a feeling they will get into much mischief together.

Congrats Abby and Ryan on your new addition!

I do a lot of blog reading.  I enjoy it.  I follow people who are amazing.  Some people are so talented, whether it be through their culinary skills, their decorating skills, craft ideas.  Some are so hard-working I can’t even keep up with them.  Because I am such a dog person I follow blogs about dogs and some written by dogs.  They just make me smile.

Today as I was blog hopping, I happened upon two different blogs in which each young mother lost her very young child to an incurable illness.  As I read each entry, I just cried and cried.  I couldn’t imagine their pain, nor did I really want to.  One thing struck me though – in both instances each mother spoke of feeling so blessed, even in their grief.  They were not bitter nor angry at God, in fact they each felt so grateful that their child was free from pain and sprouting their angel wings.  I saw their strength and it amazed me.  They saw the blessing in these little (too short) lives they had been given.

Then I went to Facebook.

Over and over there was entry after entry indicating how life just sucked!  Yes, really!  This and that happened  - woe is me, my life is awful.  Why me, over and over.  It’s so hard, etc.  I tell you, I was actually sick to my stomach.

So…

I’m wondering why.

Why do some stay positive through the worst that life has to offer and some see only the negative in every situation in their life.

Why?

 Of course there are as many answers as there are people, and I wouldn’t be so bold to answer that for anyone else but myself.  For me it’s a matter of getting out of my own way, recognizing the Christ presence within me and doing my best each day to live life from that point – NO MATTER WHAT SHOWS UP.  Interestingly enough, since I’ve been doing that, what’s been showing up has been pretty darn good.  Coincidence? I think not.

These little girls make me happy every day.

I guess it’s all in how we choose to greet each day.

Safely arrived in California Thursday afternoon.  It has been non-stop ever since.

Thursday evening we went out for dinner with my sister and brother-in-law.  All of us enjoyed a delicious breakfast for dinner.  French toast with lots of peanut butter and syrup.  Yum, the only way to eat it.

On Friday, Hubby and I Christmas shopped, went “up the hill” to Hesperia to see son Darin’s and DIL Shannon’s new house that they had just moved into.  I should have taken pictures.  Lovely big beautiful house.  

We then went to the first of many Christmas parties.  It was an outdoor party with delicious looking food and a live band.  I say delicious “looking” because we were too cold to stay and had to leave before the food was served.  I heard later that the party went on into the wee hours of the morning and a good time was had by all.  Hubby and I were the “oldsters” at the party and just couldn’t handle the cool California night.  

Saturday, a little more shopping and then cooking in preparation for the Christmas party at my niece’s house.  This party was my sister’s family Christmas party.  Even though we are not immediate family, we are always invited.  Fortunately she has a beautiful big house that accommodates this huge family comfortably.  There were about 45 people who makes my sister’s immediate family – children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  I can’t even begin to describe the food – pot luck – but I’ll try.

Beef enchiladas – macaroni and cheese with lobster – salads of many kinds – fried chicken strips – beans of all kinds – prime rib – potato cheese and ham casserole – manicotti – meatballs – buffalo chicken with cheese – baked potato chunks with blue cheese – apple betty – cake – candy – cookies – I’m sure I’ve forgotten something, but that was the gist of it.  Why oh why didn’t I get a picture of this spread??

The special guests were the three babies that were born during this past year.

Liam

Sophia

Gavin

and yes Santa!!! 

We had the best time playing the gift exchange game where one person opens a gift and the next person can “steal’ it or any other opened gift or take a new one, and so on.  You can only imagine 42 people playing this game, stealing, laughing, etc.  Great fun.

The tree was so festive and beautiful.

Sister and brother-in-law joined their grandchildren and Santa for a beautiful Christmas picture.

Yesterday we took time to organize all the toys that were donated by my son’s Speech and Debate class.  Son Dave is the teacher.  These toys will be distributed to less fortunate children.  What a blessing.  

Look who joined the picture.  That’s my great-grandson, Deegan and of course, my little Meeka had to jump in too.

We ended the evening at daughter Karla’s house.  Son-in-law Carlos BBQ’d -  which is always a treat.  He makes the very best Tri Tip on his BBQ.  I don’t think I’ve ever had any better.  We stayed quite late, just talking and catching up, listening to great music, laughing and just enjoying each other.  Granddaughter Katrina was also there.

That’s about it for the first few days in California.  Lot’s more to come!

FINALLY RAINING IN SUNNY ARIZONA

LOVE WATCHING IT RAIN IN THE POOL

Thursday we are going to southern California to spend Christmas with our family.

Really looking forward to spending time with these little treasures.

 Great grandson, Deegan and great granddaughter, Leila.

Can life get any better than this?

Started baking today, made many many mini pumpkin loaves.

Got loads of them wrapped in foil and in the freezer.

The kitchen just kept getting messier and messier

Of course I need my stool to sit on when I get too exhausted to stand.

 Made dozens and dozens of cookies, chocolate chip, pumpkin spice, peanut butter, and sugar cookies

Oh the kitchen got messier and messier.

Well, everything is packed away.  The kitchen is all put back together.

California here we come!!!!!

Life is Good.