Lately...

It has been a really good last couple of weeks. The weekend before Christmas we (Michael and I) went to Kansas and it was good to see everyone there. Then we came home, were here for a day, then Wayne, Linda, and I headed to Arkansas to spend Christmas with "Ma Burke". Wayne has 7 siblings. One brother lives with her and the others are spread throughout the country. We are the closest and it takes us 6 hours to drive there. Another brother from Iowa came down with his family so 4 of her 8 kids were there. We had a lot of fun. There were kids which always makes Christmas fun. I actually got a lot more for Christmas this year than I normally do. My favorite gift was a 10.1 megapixel camera that Wayne got for me. Today he ordered memory for it so right now it can only take 2 pictures with the internal memory and then it is full. Here are a couple samplings:

First a picture of the dance pad as it looks today. Second is a picture of our "Myth Box". This is a computer that runs our TV sort of like a DVR does. It is Linux and is very nice. This is the newest case (we have had several) and is made out of redwood.

I have a few pictures of Arkansas but they are on the laptop and I need to transfer them over to mine so they will have to wait until another day.

The next thing that happened was my birthday. I got a "K" pin and a new sewing machine...a serger!!! Now I just have to find time to learn how to use it.

We are trying to get the house ready to sell. Last night we emptied out the storage room (aka 4th bedroom) so that we could paint it. Wayne and I painted it this afternoon and it looks so much better. We still have 6 months before we move but are trying to get things ready. That's all for now...I'm heading to bed soon.

New Photos

I have added new photos along the right edge of my blog!!! They all turned out SO good.

AND here are some of the ones that didn't make it onto the side bar which are every bit as good:

The Quilts

Here are a few pictures of the quilts that I worked on for Christmas.

Elisabeth's quilt folded in fourths.

Elisabeth's quilt laid out. It has a green fleece back.

Ashley's quilt folded in fourths.

Ashley's quilt laid out. It has a  yellow fleece back.

Callie's quilt folded in fourths.

Callie's quilt laid out. It has a lavender fleece back.

Just so you know...the tiny squares are 2X2" and are individually sewn together making them 1 1/2 inch square when finished. The blocks are 10X12 squares and there are 12 blocks...3X4. These ended up being twin size and the girls really loved them. They looked so nice on their beds. I was glad that Diane let them open them up before Christmas so that I could see how they looked.

We are going to Arkansas in the morning for Christmas...EXCITED.

Also, a very best friend of both of my daughters was held at knife point and robbed on Saturday and then he slashed a tire on her car and got away on foot. This afternoon he was waiting for her in the stairwell of her apartment complex and stabbed and kicked her in the lower abdomen. PLEASE keep Stephanie in your prayers as she is in the hospital

More Christmas decorations

I promised more decorations from my home. Linda did the decorating this year and it is very different than I do...she is much more creative than I am.

 

 

Today I made a trip to the cannery to pick up some bulk hot cocoa mix. Linda tagged along so we also drove by the Dallas temple and went to an LDS bookstore (always a temptation to me). Then we came home and I finished up Callie's quilt. I am making quilts for my grandkids and got 3 of them done in time for Christmas gifts. I will post photos of them after they have seen them since I want the design of them to be a surprise. I also made these tonight:

 

Pet treats for Buzz!!! 

O...plus I mixed up some Chex Mix...a first for me...I hope that it turns out yummy.

Nativity finale...finally!!

There will be a lot of pictures in this post. These are the highlights from the cultural hall:

the poinsettia tree looked really nice.

The one above is for you, Julie, made out of penguins!! In the one below the front middle one is made from nuts and bolts.

Notice the one above is made out of peanuts. The front one below is a cookie jar.

 

Interesting how it is just the busts above. The one below was in a very dark area so Michael had to work magic with his camera to get a good photo.

Above are a lot of snow globes. Below are native America. Notice the back left ones are black bears and the back right ones are Moose.

I never knew that there could be so many different types of nativities. Loved it all.

PS...the quilts are coming along...still lots to do and will probably only get 2 done but they are looking REALLY good.