Finding time to make some Christmas Goodies

For years and years and years I have made homemade goodies for my family, Pat's family and our friends. It has been one of those holiday activities, or traditions, I've always looked forward to each and every year.

This year I felt burned-out. Not sure why, but I couldn't seem to muster up the energy to cook batches and batches of goodies to package up and mail to everyone.

So this year I just cooked a little and shared it with a few; such as the ladies at the bank. 

The ladies who treat me like I'm their friend when I stop by. 

The ladies who always smile and want to know how my day has been. I truly love those ladies at the bank.

This year I made one batch of sugar pecans and divided the nuts between these cute little boxes.

 

I made one batch of peanut brittle and divided it between these cute little paper bags.

 I made one batch of chocolate chip cookies and filled these fun little Chinese take-out boxes.

 And I made one batch of fudge and filled these cute blue boxes.

 Then I dug through my stash of gift bags and found wonderful bags with Christmas songs printed on both sides.

 

And finally, all of the goodies were put into each bag and delivered to the ladies at the bank.

It wasn't much, just a small handful of sugar pecans, several pieces of peanut brittle, four pieces of fudge and just over half a dozen cookies.

When I got to the bank, the ladies were surprised and so excited to receive an unexpected gift; making it worth staying up until midnight preparing everything.

Christmas Recital 2016

This year at the Christmas Recital Elizabeth played three songs.

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

O Little Town of Bethlehem

Moonlight Sonata

At the recital the piano teacher announced she will be retiring in May. We are going to greatly miss her!

Sunday Afternoon

I love to relax on a Sunday, especially when the previous week has been a busy week.

Today Elizabeth and I whipped up some homemade butter; yes, making homemade butter is relaxing.

It still amazes me how simple butter is to make. 

One 16-ounce carton produces a nice amount.

We store our butter in small plastic cups with lids. These go directly in the freezer until it's time to eat some on crackers or homemade bread.

I just might have to make biscuits for supper with the leftover buttermilk!

Summer

The first harvest; small, but still exciting.

 Because everything looks better in a basket, I couldn't resist.

The potatoes are destined for the skillet, but I will save a few to add with the green beans.

Spring Recital 2016

Elizabeth played Starlight by Mary Leaf first; this song is really pretty.

The second song is Close to You by the Carpenters. 

She played this song as a surprise for Pat.

All her practice really pays off.

Vintage Clipboard

When I first spotted this vintage clipboard, buried under a pile of old notebooks, I just knew I had found a treasure.

 I love the body of the clipboard, it's solid wood.

 My plan is to hang this in the kitchen to be used for listing meal plans or to be used for my grocery list.

A Thrifty Project

With fabric going up in price, it's getting harder to sew cheaper than simply buying from the store. 

Last week I was shopping at the thrift store and found a small white cotton tablecloth for a dollar. The fabric was thick and soft and good quality; perfect for kitchen towels.

 I took time to rip out the hem; which added more than an inch to the overall size.

 Next I folded the tablecloth in half and cut; then each half section was cut into thirds. I now had 6 pieces to work with.

 My idea was to add a bit of trim to one end. I decided to use some vintage reproduction fabric cut at 2 1/2 inches wide before hemming.

 Once hemmed the trim was placed 2 inches from the edge and sewn in place.

 Each towel measures approximately 15"x25"; not as large as I prefer, but still a comfortable size.

If I don't count the cost of the trim, since I already had the fabric in my stash, these dishtowels came out to roughly 17-cents each.