Catching Up Now

Our niece was expecting a Christmas baby boy, so I got this little panel quilt ready for him.

 

The backing is this sweet all over print of antique toys.

 

These guys wanted to go along to wish them Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday, so into the box they went.

In typical first baby fashion, young Sebastian has still not made his appearance. But he has lots of goodies and love waiting for him when he arrives!

 

 

I made a couple of these tortilla warmers, one each for our son and our daughter. They are made from leftover string circles from this quilt.

 

I think they're pretty, and so did they. Best thing is - they work well!

 

I cannot even tell you how good this Cranberry Layer Cake was. My friend Kathleen posted the recipe here. Instead of a white cake mix, I used my tried and true yellow cake recipe. Otherwise the recipe is the same as hers. Delicious!!!

 

This is Moosie, who visited us all the way from New York State, by way of Charleston, South Carolina. She belongs to our daughter Mary and Matt. Matt stopped by Charleston to pick up our Mary, who is currently in school there, and they drove the rest of the way together. It was wonderful to see them all and to finally get to meet Moosie. She is the sweetest!

They left yesterday to begin the long drive back. We miss them. It is SO quiet here now.

 

Dawn is a long time friend of our Miss Ru, and now she is our friend as well. She sent us this beautiful Christmas arrangement. It arrived well before Christmas, and it is still gorgeous. Friends make life so much more precious!

 

You, my blog friends, are so precious to me. Thank you for being my friends all these years!

 

Hugs and love,

Elaine

 

 

Busy busy busy

I have another quilt ready for the USO Lounge at our local airport. I really like it. It's made of three inch strips, and I used the Go!Cutter to die cut the stars. Mr. Muddling has stepped up to take Miss Ru's post of Design Consultant, and I used his suggestion for the placement of the stars.

 

Free Patriotic Quilt from Make All Things New is the pattern I used. Really fast and easy. Thank you!

 

Since I had some backing left on the quilt frame, I also quilted this little wall hanging and hung it on the hanger I bought recently from Connecting Threads. I love cardinals!

 

This is chicken posole we had for lunch yesterday. Posole, in case you didn't know,  is Spanish for hominy. It is also a traditional soup from Mexican cuisine. The one most of Mr. Muddling's family eat and  I won't touch is made with beef tripe. This one is much better!

 

And here is Mr. Muddling putting the last touches on my Christmas present with the help of his design consultants. I am hoping I can put pot plants from the yard into this little greenhouse and save them through the cold. We've been closing in the patio every year, but this will be a much better option.

That mass of green to the right of it is my mustard greens. Don't they look happy? We've got cold weather coming in later today. Hoping they survive!

 

I'm still working on my second Sew Many Strips quilt top. This one is going to our son and his darling wife and will be king size. I've added another set of borders to make it the right size. Still have two more sides to get attached and then the quilting. 

 

A little peek at some of what's going on around here. I am enjoying all the pretty while I can! And I have two Christmas cacti blooming and another in bud!!! I love it!

 

Still lots to do before Christmas, but we are so excited that our baby girl is coming home for Christmas with her true love! Having both our children here will make it so much better.

 

I am also so thankful that this year, knee surgeries and eye surgeries are behind me. I feel wonderful and it is so good to be feeling strong and able again. God is good!

 

I hope all is going well for you and this season of joy is invading your heart and your home!

 

Hugs and kisses,

Elaine