Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Days and Blocks Shared

Grandchildren are God's way of compensating us for growing old.
~Mary H. Waldrip

We had such a wondrous, fun, and busy four days and now it seems like it happened a month ago.  With the grandsons in the house for Christmas it was like we were all children again.  So much happiness, surprise, and noise!  We all received a bundle of presents, ate too much food (many times over the four days) and shared our love with immediate family and extended family as well.  Our house emptied out yesterday morning and it was if I had suddenly gone deaf.  No noise.  Even the dogs ended up pouting because there was no one to throw the ball for them, scratch their bellies, and give them that extra hug - I was still home but it's just not the same as when a little boy does those things.  Then I spent the day doing mounds of wash, vacuuming pet hair, and cleaning sticky floors.  But I wouldn't trade it all in just to have a clean house.

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PHOTO OF THE DAY

Our gift from GS#1, Nate
This is the best gift my DH and I received - a hand drawn picture by our 4 year old grandson.  My DD#1 wrote down exactly what he said when he told her about the picture.  If you can't read it because the picture is small, the writing about the character on the left (in orange) says "grandma Linda with a happy face because she's happy to see me".  And the one on the right (in blue) says "Beba with blue glasses and hair".  Beba is what the boys call my DH.  This will hold a special spot in our living room!  I know it's not my typical kind of picture for this spot - but it's the picture that means a lot to me!
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Here's a little collage of our Christmas.......
Many memories were made!!

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It seems like I have been gone forever when in all reality I only missed two regular days of posting.  I tried to keep up with some of my reading but sadly fell behind in that department too.  Now I am at the point of what to share first.  Well, since today is Wednesday it is officially One Flower Wednesday.  Yesterday I created this little hexie.........

In celebration of the coming new year, I did a little stitchery for the center of the flower.  I'm not real happy with it but I do like the confetti look of the petals.

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In my mail today was an envelope from NSW, Australia.  Julie was my swap partner for the month of December for the Quilting Block Swaps Australia

Julie made this wonderful deep green Blazing Arrow block in combination with white on white.  She did a beautiful job.  She also included a very nice Christmas card with the block. 

I don't remember if I shared the block I made for Julie so here it is......
She had requested any block made in blue and yellow.

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GIVEAWAYS

Brown Paper Packages is giving away a Silhouette machine.  You must enter for this great little machine before midnight January 1, 2011 EST.

Qubee Quilts is having a birthday giveaway.  To help Charlie celebrate his birthday and a chance to win a Fandango layer cake you must enter this giveaway by Thursday, December 30th!

Vignette In Stitches Blog is giving away 10 copies of their new magazine.  Check this out before January 6th at 10:00 AM Qld time, Australia.

Dawn's Quilt Corner is having a super giveaway!!  She is giving away 7 yards of Dr Seuss fabric!!  Can you believe that?  You must enter by 6:00 PM on New Year's Day PST.

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FINAL THOUGHT

It's hard for me to believe that a new year is arriving in just 3 short days!  Where has the time gone.  It seems like it was just the big celebration of 2000 - and now that was over a decade ago.  Right now I feel as though I could sleep until the new year arrives but I also have so many things I would like to do/start that I don't think that would be very practical.  At least I'm not under the pressure that I put myself under during this last month.  How many of you have big plans for ringing in the new year?  Our big celebration will be having dinner delivered for just the two of us, a movie to watch, and in all likelihood, in bed way before midnight.  But then we will be up in time to watch the Rose Parade on TV.  I don't think that I've ever missed watching the parade live on TV since we were married.

Youth is when you're allowed to stay up late on New Year's Eve. Middle age is when you're forced to.
~Bill Vaughn

Have a wonderful, wacky and woven Wednesday!!!!

21 comments:

the gathering girls said...

Have a great New Year and thanks for sharing all the giveaways!

Melinda said...

I am working on NY Day so we will have an early night. Love the hexie flower and blocks.

Cheryl said...

Happy New Year, Linda. Looks like your Christmas with the grandsons was all you had hoped it would be!!

Maria said...

Your special is a beautiful gift to treasure.
Love your christmas photo.
Both of the blocks are great.

Joke said...

I love the flower you made this week. Such lovely fabric and that cute embroidery in the centre made me smile. It's so nice!

Wishing you all the best for 2011,
Joke.

Needled Mom said...

What a precious picture!!! I love children's art and can see why this one is so special to you.

Your Christmas pictures are wonderful. Those little guys are just darling.

I like your hexie flower. It's perfect for 2011 and your blocks are very nice.

We have a small (8) NY dinner here, but will be watching the parade while enjoying coffee in the morning.

Lynda said...

It's been very quiet here but will noise up Friday when our youngest daughter and family come home for the weekend. Love the flower block. Love Love the pictures of your family.

Staci said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE your little stitchery inside that hexie! What a great idea!

Megan Harmeyer said...

I'm glad you liked your picture - I know Nate doesn't realize that you have it, but he'll be happy that you have it (later). We so enjoyed our visit - I love the collage of pictures you put together! We miss you all already.

Hilachas said...

Glad to see you back on your blog. I so enjoy reading it and missed you but I'm glad you had a wonderful time with your family. I am still in Fresno and will be here until Friday. The weather has not been great, mainly rain every day but we have also had a wonderful time. Our sons and their families left yesterday. We have a couple of days left with our daughter and her family (one grandson to entertain us). I did get a chance to go to Clovis where the Quilt Paradise store is. Picked up a few items there, haha. Have a happy new year!

Vivian said...

Your post is filled with great photos and special thoughts. The hexagon flower celebrating 2011 is adorable, but I especially related to your opening description of your Christmas home.
How I wish we could have had such a noisy, busy, active home for Christmas. But with our only grandchild across the ocean, and Iowa snowstorms affecting travel, we had quiet days in the house. I'm sure next year will be rowdy and loud, and I'll love it.

Happy New Year to you and your family. Thank you for sharing your special times with us.

Birdie said...

Love the pink confetti fabric. I think embroidery centres are such a great idea, I'll have to try.
Happy New Year

Sarah Craig said...

And older middle age is when you say what the heck, that ball's gonna fall even if I'm not awake to see it!


;-)

Wendy said...

Looks like you had a great time with your family for the holidays!!

Your New Year's flower is perfect!!!

And that quote...love it...gonna steal it and post on my facebook!

I will probably stay up to ring in the new year but I'll definitely be rockin' it in my recliner at home!

The Vegetarian Hunter said...

I laughed out load when I read your final quote. It's so true! I no longer care to stay up that late just to count down 10 seconds to 2 hours past my bedtime! ha ha But tradition keeps me up, tired and wishing for my blanket and pillow.
Happy New Year to you!
Cheers,
Carolyn

Jeanette said...

What a very special gift. Love your hexie. Looks like you had a wonderful Christmas for sure. Hugs,

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

What a great drawing! Love the hexie too. Thanks for sewing with me today! Happy New Year!

Lana said...

I love the picture too! I am always looking forward to my first little grand baby...and love reading about everyone else who is blessed with them. As for the New Year...I am going to sew, sew, sew! Maybe even finish a quilt for myself!

Karen said...

I love your party flower Linda!! Wishing you a very happy New Year!

Vesuviusmama said...

Now that my kids are old enough to make it up until midnight, we are going to have to come up with a fun tradition (otherwise, I know I'll fall asleep around 10:30...).

Your 2011 flower with the confetti turned out wonderfully!

Lee Prairie Designs said...

Love the flower you made this week! Happy New Year!

Sounds and looks as though you had a wonderful Christmas with your family.

Best wishes to you and your family in 2011!

Carolyn

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