Christmas Day

Merry Christmas!Happy New Year!

See you again in 2011!

Christmas Eve

Mr. Tom has been thawing since yesterday.And we have been watching movies and napping all day.

Elizabeth finished two more ornaments...a snow ball;

And a candy cane.

It's hard to believe Christmas is almost here!

Sewing With Elizabeth

Elizabeth wanted to make an ornament for the tree so I dug out some felt cut-outs, leftover from a past project, for her to work with.Her first completed ornament was a Christmas tree.

She covered it in sequins and beads and stuffed it with poly-fil.

Secret Sewing

I've been doing a little bit of secret sewing this week.This little puppy just lacks a pink bow tied around the neck.

All Things Homemade

I recently used my favorite white bread recipe to try my hand at making homemade burger buns once again.And a burger just isn't a burger without homemade french fries.

I've noticed we tend to fill up faster when eating homemade bread when compared to store bread.

Ham Sandwich

For a really 'out of this world' ham sandwich try making it with fresh baked dinner rolls.Spit in half;

Spread on some mustard;

Add shredded left over ham that has been warmed up in ham broth.

Close the top and enjoy.

The kids and I had this for lunch the other day and ate all but 4 rolls by the time we had our fill, it's just the best!

Apple Cider Experiment

Yesterday the bank had a customer appreciation table set up with sweet treats and also warm cider. The cider was so good I decided to buy some at the grocery store to warm up at home; but the store was sold out.

This morning I attempted to make some, if it was possible. I began my experiment with plain apple juice.

Adding to the juice two thinly sliced apples.

And boiling until soft. I next put them in the blender on high.

This puree was then added back to the pot with more apple juice.

The end results were nothing like cider!

Oh well, maybe next time.

A Little Holiday Cheer

While we were listening to Elizabeth play in her Christmas Recital;A package was awaiting us at home.

Inside the package was the cutest little Santa cake; Elizabeth likes it so much she is hinting for us not to cut it up!

Christmas Preparation Day 10

With the Scripture Quilt finished I am back in the kitchen doing the last of my Christmas cooking. The last two items on my cooking list is party mix;
And salsa.

Now I can focus on some Christmas sewing for Elizabeth.

Christmas Preparation Day 9

The quilt, I have named it "The Scripture Quilt" is finished and in record time! I love how it feels and I like the completed look for the most part.

I'm still not crazy about the quilting but I do like the amount of quilting I put on each block and strip.

I am very pleased with the corners; each one came out perfect.

My customer chose brown for the back and I love how it looks; I used the same brown for the binding too.

My to do list is getting smaller and smaller....hurray!

Christmas Preparation Day 8

The quilt top is now finished; it was evening when the first two photos were taken so the color is off.The family name has been stitched into the border and I managed to sandwich and pin the quilt before midnight.

Bright and early this morning the quilting began and is coming along pretty quickly, mainly because I am working with a lap size quilt so it is easier to work with.

I'm not sure if I like the quilting pattern I chose, and it's too late to change my mind. I wanted something different from stipple so I chose a sort of stipple loop pattern using a variegated thread. Hopefully I'll feel better about this choice when the quilt is finished.

Christmas Preparation Day 7

Although I love to sew, and I am very much a morning person, I have not enjoyed entering the sewing room when I first awake and staying until I am too tired to see for day after day after day; however, this being said, all the long hours sitting at the machine has produced a quilt top that is about 85-percent complete; I only lack the border and stitching out the family name.Working with all these pretty fabrics has been very fun; I love this blue fabric with birds the most. If it wasn't for the price, 10-dollars per yard, I would love to make Elizabeth a dress from it.

The focus of the quilt is 5 Bible verses and 15 names representing the kids and grandchildren.

My favorite font is script, I love how it looks like cursive.

If all goes well I will soon buy the fabric for the back and begin the machine quilting.

Christmas Preparation Day 6

As soon as Thanksgiving was over I had planned to get all of my Christmas cooking completed, gifts wrapped, packages filled, labeled and in the mail early so I could have time to relax before Christmas actually arrives. However, all my plans flew out the window and I am now spending my time writing and sketching plans on paper;

Buying lovely fabrics;

And running my embroidery machine.

For the next several days I will be chained to my sewing machine in hopes of completing this quilt in record time so my customer can get it mailed to her parents before Christmas!

Christmas Preparation Day 5

I never think to make peanut brittle until it's Christmas time and then I always wonder why I don't make it more often, it's just so good!Here is another cute Christmas tin purchased at 75-percent off.

Yummy, I so need to finish my Christmas cooking so I can stop sampling all these wonderful treats.

Christmas Preparation Day 4

Each year when I begin digging out my Christmas stuff I enjoy looking at all my goody supplies. These festive paper bags are fun and very inexpensive to use. They are the size of brown paper lunch bags.When I make caramel corn I usually pack it in these fun bags.

It's so easy to pack your goodies in stay fresh plastic and then slip the filled bags into the festive paper sacks.

Caramel corn is so easy to make and very inexpensive; plus the taste is wonderful.

Christmas Preparation Day 3

I have always loved making cookies at Christmas time; chocolate chip cookies are the ones I make the most.

Last year I found festive metal tins at 75-percent off. These work so well for goodies as well as make your baked goods look professional. I like to tape the lids to the body in order to keep everything fresher.

The hardest part about making Christmas goodies is knowing what to send to each family; everything always looks and smells so good!

Christmas Preparation Day 2

Since I love a bargain I am always on the lookout for great deals. Earlier this year, at two different times, I spotted a couple of American Girl Bitty Baby Dolls for around 1-dollar a piece.

Each doll has been dressed in a new outfit with a coordinating hat and now look as good as new.

These sweet dolls will be given to my twin nieces for their Christmas gift.

Christmas Preparation Day 1

It's time to begin my Christmas preparations and first on my list is a double batch of sugar pecans; recipe here.These were such a big hit last year and they stay fresh for a long time making them a great "make ahead" item.

Each year, after Christmas, I like to buy fun bags for my baked goods.

I love how cheerful this Santa looks.

I like to start early getting my packages ready for shipping so I can check them off my "to do list".