How To Make Smoke

Tradition: sit with husband in a room lit only by tree lights and remember that our blessings outnumber the lights. Happy Christmas to all.

~Betsy Cañas Garmon

That is something my DH and I used to do.  Usually on Christmas Eve, after all of the gifts were out and the stockings were stuffed.  I don't know why we stopped.  Perhaps after the girls moved out we no longer had to have a special night to share and count our blessings - we can now do that every night!  I think we should have done that last night as tonight our house will be filled with family, laughter and happy sounds.  No more quiet for a few days - days that will pass too quickly.  Only about 12 more hours and my DD#1 and her family will be here!  Please send your thoughts for safe travel as they will likely be encountering snowy conditions as they pass through Flagstaff, AZ. 

PHOTO OF THE DAY

12 Drummers drumming

With the twelfth day we have reached the end of the song and have arrived at the last day of Christmas known as Twelfth Night on which the partying and feasting continued. Twelfth Night is the night before Epiphany which is the day the three Wise Men, also known as the Three Kings or Magi, from the East arrived in Bethlehem bringing gifts to the Christ child. 

By the Middle Ages the drum, which was probably introduced to Europe from the Middle East by knights returning from the Crusades, had become a common instrument. Among its other uses was to combine it with the trumpet to get people's attention when making a big announcement such as the arrival of the king or the reading of an important proclamation. In this case the drum was used to announce the serving of the next course of the feast.
The song and the twelve day celebration have now come to an end. But it is not the end of the season. For the day after Twelfth Night is the Feast of the Epiphany, another religious holiday associated with Christmas. While mainly just a religious observance in the U.S., Epiphany is also a day of both religious and secular celebrating in other countries.

I was able to get a little more sewing in today.  But, once again, I can't share it with you.  This time it is a block for Sue from the Christmas Quilting Block Swap Australia.  But here is a sneak peek......

Sue requested a ........... well, I just figured out that I made the wrong block.  I must have read the email too quickly as all I saw was a block made with traditional Christmas colors.  But now I see that she had a specific block requested too.  Well, guess I will be making her block after Christmas.  Now I have a block in reserve for some future swap.  So, since I have no idea who this will be going to I will share it with you now......

I really like how this block turned out even though a few of the points weren't perfect.  Now I have a block for someone and will have a month off from that swap.

I learned something yesterday!  Yes, I occasionally learn something - and not necessarily the easy way.  Yesterday I made fudge - a Christmas tradition in my house.  The recipe states "melt chocolate chips for 2 minutes on high in the microwave".  Well, after 2 minutes, the chocolate chips didn't look like they were melted.  So, I put them in for another two minutes.  About 1 minute and 45 seconds through I could smell burnt chocolate.  Uh oh!  Opened the microwave - yep, the chocolate was burnt.  And would you believe there was actually some smoke coming up from the chocolate.  And I'm not talking steam here.  Real smoke!  I wonder if I had gone a little longer if I would have had fire too!?!  Lesson learned.  Two minutes on high is plenty long to melt 3 cups of chocolate chips.  Luckily I had more chips so I could still make the fudge.  So now we have one batch instead of two.  Oh well, better for our hips I'm sure!!

GIVEAWAYS

Wow! From famine to feasting in the giveaway department.  Yesterday's blog - nothing!  Today's?  Well read on..........

I'm Just A Guy Who Quilts is hosting a fantastic giveaway.  He is giving away 3 sets of fat quarters by Pat Bravo of Art Gallery Fabrics:  an 18 fat quarter bundle of her fabric line Modern Affair in the Passionate colorway, a 10 fat quarter bundle of Oval Elements, and a 10 fat quarter bundle of Floral Elements.  The 3 winners will be drawn on Wednesday, December 29th!

Hand Quilting is having a December giveaway!  You have to hurry as this one ends tomorrow, December 24th at 11:59 PM CST and the winner will be announced on Christmas Day.

Bitty Bits & Pieces is have a 50th birthday celebration.  Kim is giving us chance at three different prize packages in her giveaway.   The deadline for entering this great giveaway is January 1, 2011.

Feisty Frugal and Fabulous is having a super giveaway.  She is giving away a Literati eReader.  If you are interested, you must enter by January 20, 2011 by 9:00 PM CST.............You can also enter to win a reader at Kindred Spirit Mommy by January 10, 2011 or.................you can enter again at Blommi.com by January 11, 2011 at 11:59 PM CST or...................you can enter of the eReader at Crazy Mommy Coupon by January 20, 2011.........and finally you can enter for another chance for an eReader at The Mom Reviews by January 2nd.

Fiskars is having the Ultimate Scissor Collection Giveaway!  So easy to enter as long as you do it before February 20, 2011.

Crazy Mom Quilts is having a winter solstice giveaway.  She is giving away two charm packs of Kona solids - one in Dusty and one in Dark.  You could be one of two lucky winners if you enter before draws on Christmas Eve.

FINAL THOUGHT

I'm ready now for family to arrive.  Well, almost.  Since I still have several hours I'll finish up in the sewing room and spare room where things need to be put up and away from little hands.  I've just about broken off all of my fingernails trying to open cupboards and drawers in the kitchen the last couple of days because we put the necessary kiddy locks on the 'dangerous' ones.  A lunch out with the BFF will fill another hour.  I must quit looking at the clock - it doesn't make the time go by any faster - lol!  And, hopefully there are a few of  you out there still writing your blogs so I can spend a few more hours enjoying  your lives with you.

Christmas! The very word brings joy to our hearts. No matter how we may dread the rush, the long Christmas lists for gifts and cards to be bought and given - when Christmas Day comes there is still the same warm feeling we had as children, the same warmth that enfolds our hearts and our homes.

~Joan Winmill Brown

May your Thursday be merry and bright!!

Packages & A Little About Me

Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect.
~Oren Arnold

Sounds like the best gift list of all.  And none of it costs a thing monetarily.  Some of it might be a little work like the forgiveness and tolerance.  But wouldn't the results be worth it?  These are gifts that can and should be given all year long.  Some are very easy to give:  Your heart to a friend and a good example to a child.  Probably one of the hardest of these gifts is the one to yourself - respect.  I think we all have a tendency to be lacking in that area.  Which one of these gifts do you think you think you would have the hardest time giving?

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PHOTO OF THE DAY

Nine Ladies Dancing

The nine ladies dancing evokes images of music and dancing which were a big part of the celebrations at this period of history in England.  The term ladies probably refers to noble ladies as in a Lord and his Lady or a lady in waiting (high born ladies who waited on the queen at court – not servant women).  In this case ladies would be women dancing socially and not professional entertainers. For the most part women were not entertainers in this era so it is unlikely that this refers to a troupe of dancing women.  Again, the emphasis is on celebrating and having fun during this nearly two weeks of non-stop nightly partying. 

At least this description didn't alter my thinking like 8 Maids A Milking - lol!

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On Friday, I only was able to view my sewing machine in passing.  The needle stood idle and no thread was touched.  Instead, I prepared my January Let's Bee Together packages.  First I had to select enough fabric to be sent to 22 different people.  Yes, 22!  I am a member of both groups of 12 resulting in my having 22 members to send to.

Here's what I came up with.  All of the colored print fabric is from the line, Amelia's Garden for Benartex.  Each cut of fabric is 1/2 yard as are each of the white on white fabrics.

Next I  had to cut the fabric and make 22 different piles.  Each member will receive over 2 fat quarters of fabric to create a 12" block of their choice.  I had to lay these out on the floor since there is not enough table top space for 22 stacks - lol!

Here are the envelopes all ready for the mailman to pick up today.  I have blurred the addresses in the picture for confidential purposes - I didn't want  you to think that I hadn't already addressed the envelopes.

To get all 22 packages ready took around 3 1/2 hours.  Then in the afternoon I worked on preparing emails to be sent out to the Block Swap Adventure members for the partner assignments for January.  By the way, if you would like to joint the block swap group, we are still accepting members!!

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Since I didn't do any crafting, how about something a little different today? 

Who Are You & Who Am I


KQ Sue posted this fun little Q&A a while back and I thought it would be fun to participate:
Copy and paste, and then answer the questions, and tell me you did so I can learn about you, too!

1. Sweet or Salty?  Definitely salty.  I could sit down and eat a whole bag of potato chips all by myself.

2. Dresses or Jeans?  JEANS.  I haven't worn a dress in over a year!  And then only because I absolutely had to.

3. House or Apartment?  House.  However, there are times I have thought that an apartment or condo might be sort of nice so you don't have to worry about any of the upkeep.

4. Shop Online or Offline?  I did 99% of my Christmas shopping online - thank goodness for Amazon.com.  I usually buy most of my fabric and supplies online too.

5. DVDs or Downloads?  DVDs.  We are able to download through Netflix but the selection isn't always current.  Of course, it would help if we weren't four years behind in our movie watching.

6. Cocktails or Juice? Most definitely juice and then either apple or orange.  I haven't had a cocktail since about 1982 (now I'm showing my age).  I'm not against drinking in moderation, I just didn't like the way it made me feel.  My DH has a 'medicinal' glass of wine every night with dinner.

7. Chocolate or Strawberry?  Now this one is harder.  Depends on my mood.  How about together?  I really like chocolate covered strawberries.

8. Laptop or PC?  Depends on which room of the house I'm in or if we are traveling.  If I'm having lunch and reading blogs, then I'm on the laptop.  If I'm in the office/sewing room then I'm on the PC.

9. Magazines or Newspapers?  Both.  I read the paper every morning.  I am getting fewer and fewer magazines - I think many of them are getting too pricey.  We have been getting Reader's Digest for over 35 years.  I do receive a couple of quilting magazines but I have even cut way back on those.

10. Facebook or Twitter?  Facebook.  I can't figure out the Twitter thing (there I go showing my age again)

11. CDs or MP3s?  CD's.  It's another age thing I think.

12. Kids or Pets? Currently pets.  We raised two daughters and I do love my two grandsons.  But I can't imagine my life without two or more little fuzzy bodies in my life at all times.

13. Cookies or Cupcakes?  There is that 'it depends on my mood' thing.  Usually cookies though.  Trouble is, it is way too easy to eat several of them in one sitting and then come back for more.  Plus you can eat them one handed while I don't do that very well with cupcakes.

14. Walk or Run?  Walk!  I can't remember the last time I ran.  However, I am pretty speedy in my power chair.

15. Breakfast in Bed or Breakfast Out?  Breakfast out.  I think I have only had breakfast in bed maybe four times in my life and two of those were when I was in the hospital after the birth of each of my daughters - lol!

16. Market or Supermarket?  Does the Farmer's Market count?  I wish we had a nice neighborhood market that I could shop at but we have to go to the supermarket for everything but our produce.

17. Sourdough or Grainy?  Sourdough.  I do like the new thin whole grain hamburger and hot dot buns though.

18. Heels or Flats?  Flats.  That's another one of those things that I can't remember  - when was the last time I wore heels?

19. Late nights or Not?  Definitely not.  Late night for me is 10:00.  We are usually in bed before 9:00 reading and soon sleeping.

20. Coffee or Tea?  Coffee.  Full strength in the morning and then decaf for the rest of the day.  I really don't drink that much coffee but I do have a can of diet 7-UP with me most of the time.

Well, do you think you might know me a little better now?  How about you?  Will you share your choices with us?

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GIVEAWAYS

Susan Brubaker Knapp over at Blue Moon River is giving away a copy of Confetti Naturescapes.  You must enter by noon EST on Wednesday, December 22.

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FINAL THOUGHT

No pearls of wisdom from me today, just one of my favorite lines from The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.......

And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.
 ~Dr Seuss

Monday means only 5 more days until Christmas.....are you ready?

I Made a Turkey of a Turkey

I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.

 ~Thomas Edison

The above quote is quite fitting for how my day went yesterday.  But more on that later.  I'm a little better in the mood department today.  I think it helped that I had my normal Thursday out to lunch date.  And to even sweeten the lunch, my DH was able to join my BF and I.  We chatted, debated, and ate.  Great food and even better company.  Nothing can brighten a day like sharing a meal with your BFF (my DH) and my BF (Garry).  We made our Walmart/Costco run last night and it really wasn't bad.  The crowds were lighter than we expected and we made it home in good time.  So, all in all, yesterday was a pretty good day!

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PHOTO OF THE DAY

Eight Maids A Milking

The maids, of course, refer to the women who would milk the cows to obtain the milk. In times past, milking of cows or goats was typically a job for women. However, the term maid is also the shortened form of maiden which is a young, unmarried, woman. By combining the images of maiden and milk (which can also bring to mind a woman's breasts), it is easy to get the idea that this particular gift has more to do with sex and romance than with cows.  Further evidence of the sexual connotations of this stanza is the fact that during this time period in England the term to go a-milking had strong romantic and sexual connotations. It was a term that men used when they wanted to ask a woman to marry them or to have a simple sexual encounter. 

OK, this really changes things for me about this song!

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On Wednesday, I cut out several small pieces to make my fall quilt block for the gift I've been working on.  This was what my work produced......

A bunch of little pieces that had to be labeled so that I could match them to the pattern layout. 

Yesterday morning I sewed them all together.  Sometimes this was a challenge as the pattern came from my EQ5 and didn't give assembly instructions.  I was very disappointed with how it turned out....

This little turkey turned out to be a real turkey.  The left hand side seemed to be bigger than the right hand side.  No matter how much I pressed it (with a little pulling involved) I could not get it to square up.  All of the pieces went together just fine but obviously some how it just didn't work :(

So, in the afternoon, I decided to go extremely simple.....

Here is the Maple Leaf I made instead.  I used some scraps of Shades of Autumn by Kansas Troubles for Moda that I had left over from a table runner I made a couple of years ago.  I like the colors but I think the block is a little plain.  It will just have to do for now.

Here is the back.  Nothing spectacular but the colors certainly say autumn.  Perhaps I will make a different fall block some time next year and give it to the recipient as a replacement.

So now you see why I thought the opening quote was such a good fit for my day - lol!

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GIVEAWAYS

Honey Bee Buzz is having a giveaway with two chances to win.  There are two different bundles of fabric to go to two lucky winners.  This giveaway ends Saturday morning, December 18th.

And over at her other blog, Pinks Sweet Treats, you win a different bundle of very cute fabric.  This giveaway also ends Saturday morning.

There is a 100th Post Celebration giveaway over at Creative Confessions.  She is giving away Australian Homespun Magazine, a pair of holiday themed fat quarters, white ink fabric pen for dark colours, Schmetz universal 80/12 sewing machine needles, 45mm rotary cutter blade (Clover brand), charm chain scissor point protector, spool of Presentia thread, and a set of 4 pink "Bobbin Buddies".  You have a while to enter as it doesn't close until December 26th.

There is still a couple of hours left to enter my giveaway for the 5 fat quarters of Christmas batik fabric.  Just click HERE and enter before 9:00 PST tonight.  I will announce the winner tomorrow!

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FINAL THOUGHT

I know this posting was a little shorter than normal but with so much yet to do before Christmas I just didn't have the time to spend at the computer.  I hope you will forgive me, at least for today.  How many of you still have Christmas gift projects yet to complete?  I'm done with gift making (except for one to make after Christmas) but have a few more tasks to tackle before the big clean up next week.  I still have gifts to wrap, the house to decorate, and some fudge that needs to be made.  I could use more hours in a day - maybe make the next 5 days 28 hours long?

It's a strange thing, but when you are dreading something, and would give anything to slow down time, it has a disobliging habit of speeding up.
~J.K. Rowling, "The Hungarian Horntail," Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, 2000

I'm off to make more messes!!  Have a fun Friday and a super weekend!!!

Sailing, Snowballs, & Swans

When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things - not the great occasions - give off the greatest glow of happiness.
~Bob Hope

I have many memories of Christmas past.  Some memories are from my childhood.  Some of the memories are from when my girls were small.  One of the most vivid memories I have was when my DH and I were still dating and I was invited out to his family's home for their big Christmas meal.  I knew he had three older siblings - two sisters and one brother - all married but none yet with children.  Little did I know what I was in for!  Christmas dinner at my home was a small affair with just my parents and younger sister - maybe another older couple would join us.  It was a very quiet and sedate affair.  So out to the ranch (that's what the DH's family called their home) I went.  The house was packed with people!  Aunts, uncles, cousins and other 'in-laws'.  And talk about a noisy group!!!  All of them were talking at once, or at least seemed to be to me.  The only time there was any quiet was when grace was being said.  This was my first of many 'family' dinners at my soon to be MIL and FIL's home.  It was either get used to it or don't be part of the family.  I survived and lived to tell about it - lol!  Do you have a big family Christmas dinner or do you have a nice, quite little affair?

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PHOTO OF THE DAY

Seven Swans A Swimming

On the seventh day the lover sends seven swans. Throughout history swans have been associated with royalty and the swan is often used on royal symbols and other decorations. Swans are also found in myths and folk tales dealing with love.  Swan meat is supposed to be quite tasty and from ancient times to the nineteenth century, roast swan was on the menu for the king's Christmas dinners and other royal banquets. Since the nineteenth century, the turkey has replaced the swan as the bird of choice for fall and winter holiday feasts.  With its close connection to royalty and royal holiday feasting, the choice of seven swans as a gift for this high born lady from her lover is appropriate.

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Yesterday, the fourth block for the Layer Cake Quilt Along being hosted by Moose on the Porch Quilts was revealed.  Here is the block I made.....

This block is called Starry Starry Snowball and was designed by Sherri McConnell at A Quilting Life.  I stayed with the Sweet and Sour line by Connecting Threads.  I had a little trouble but only because I didn't read the instructions completely.  I had to do a bit a trimming on four side blocks to make them the right size.  If I had read the instructions, I would have known to trim down the HST blocks prior to putting them together.  Oh well, it all worked in the end.  I actually made two of these blocks but the other one is for a Bee in Oz group member for January so I can't show you that one until she receives it.  I think I should have gone with either a different center or different points on this one.  However, it will work with the other blocks that I've made.

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Yesterday I also finished up the "summer" quilted block - the third block of four for a Christmas gift.

This little block is called Ship at Sea and I found it at About.com.  The pattern itself was quite easy, the hard part for me was selecting the fabrics.  I had no idea where I was going when I was looking at my scraps.  At first I started with the boat itself and didn't like anything in my scrap pile.  So I decided to start with the water.  I found three different fabrics but when I found this one I knew it was the one I had to use.  I don't know if you can see the silver in the water and I even did some fmq!  Then I had to pick the sky.  I didn't want just plain blue.  I found some scraps of batik and it even has a sort of sun shape in the two top corners.  Of course the sails were easy - white.  Then back to the boat.  I just closed my eyes and put my hand into the black scraps and used whatever came out first - lol!  I really like this little block with its rolling waves and funky sky.

And what better for a backing than an underwater scene.  I used the same fabric as the boat to make the little hanging sleeve.  So, you are supposed to imagine you are looking at the bottom of the boat (the sleeve) and that is what you would see under it.  I think this is my favorite of all the little quilt blocks so far.

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GIVEAWAYS

There aren't really any new giveaways out there - well, at least none that I could find. 

We are half way through the 12 Days of Christmas giveaway over at It Seams To Be Sew.  But go check it out as it is a fun giveaway.

And you have today and tomorrow to enter in most of the giveaways listed at Sew, Mama, Sew's Giveaway Day.  There are lots of great giveaways to enter.

And if you haven't entered my giveaway yet for 5 Christmas batik fat quarters you still have time.  My giveaway ends tomorrow, Friday, December 17th at 9:00 pm PST.

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FINAL THOUGHT

I'm rather blah today - not really sure why.  I'm looking forward to all of the Christmas uproar and festivities.  At times I think it all is a bit overwhelming though.  I always seem to go through a little bah-humbug before the special day hits and this must be that time.  I have no motivation even though I sit here and sew.  No words of wisdom come to me - just a little bit of emptiness.  Maybe it's because we have to go to Walmart and Costco tonight.  That's enough to put anybody in a funk this time of year - lol!  It will pass soon - decorating the house this weekend will probably help.  And only one more week until my girls and their families are here!!!!!  And today's final quote is our mission tonight.......

Once again we find ourselves enmeshed in the Holiday Season, that very special time of year when we join with our loved ones in sharing centuries-old traditions such as trying to find a parking space at the mall. We traditionally do this in my family by driving around the parking lot until we see a shopper emerge from the mall, then we follow her, in very much the same spirit as the Three Wise Men, who 2,000 years ago followed a star, week after week, until it led them to a parking space.

~Dave Barry

Off to complete that final homemade Christmas gift.  I hope your Thursday is productive!!

Sunbonnet Sue Sees 6 Geese!

Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.
~Laura Ingalls Wilder

Do you feel like a child at Christmas?  Does Santa still visit your house?  Santa will be left cookies and milk this year since we will have a 4 1/2 year old in the house (my little grandson).  Reminds me of when my girls were little..... we left a partially eaten cookie and an antique pair of glasses by the plate for the girls to find in the morning.  They were truly in awe and very concerned that Santa would not be able to see while flying his sleigh without his glasses :)  And then there was the year I was questioning the realism of Santa ( was probably 8).  My Dad used his boot to make a foot print on the hearth coming out of the ashes of the fireplace.  Well, that sealed it for me......there wasn't a Santa!  How did I know?  My dad's boot had a hole in the sole in the exact spot of Santa's foot print! LOL!  Oh, the memories of childhood and of my girls.

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PHOTO OF THE DAY

Six Geese A Laying

So, here we are again, six days into the twelve day celebration and the focus remains on foods for the feasting.   It is thus interesting to note that our lover has given his true love six female geese that are currently laying eggs, thereby providing her with both a supply of eggs as well as the possibility of increasing her flock by allowing them to be fertilized and hatched.  Being larger than chickens, the eggs of geese are also larger than chicken eggs. Goose eggs are also very rich tasting and are good for making deserts. On the downside, goose eggs are extremely high in cholesterol (cholesterol in excess of 1200 milligrams per egg), however, since people in the sixteenth century not only did not know about cholesterol but also were exposed to enough other deadly diseases that killed them long before cholesterol could clog their arteries and cause a heart attack, the cholesterol content of goose eggs was not a concern in those days.

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It's One Flower Wednesday!  I did manage to get my hexie flower made even if it did take me over a week to get it all sewed together.  I started this little flower on our trip back from Disneyland.  But trying to sew the petals together in a car bouncing along a poorly maintained California freeway was next to impossible.  So, yesterday I sat in my recliner, stitched the petals together and produced this....

I usually am not a big fan of Sunbonnet Sue.  But since these little gals are so small I thought they were rather cute plus I could brighten them up with the yellow center.

I would like to send out a great big THANK YOU to Karen, our One Flower Wednesday coordinator, for doing such a wonderful job!! 

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Yesterday I was also able to complete the second quilted block for a Christmas gift.  Perhpas you remember the snowman star I shared on Monday.  Well, that was for winter.  This next one is for spring....

I found this little rose block pattern in my EQ5.  This is the first block I've made with a Y intersection.  I was pleased with how it turned out.  How do you like the the little wire stand that I have it on.  I saw these in one of my quilting magazines recently and ordered from Ackfeld Wire. 

Here is the back of the block.  You can't really see the stitching but you can see the tiny little sleeve I created for hanging the block.  My next block will be summer.

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GIVEAWAYS

P.S. I Quilt is having a sponsored giveaway for Canton Village Works.  They are giving away a whole fat quarter bundle of beautiful Kona solids.  Hurry on over there as the winner will be drawn on Saturday.

Ryan over at I'm Just A Guy Who Quilts is having a giveaway sponsored by Aunt Bea's Fabrics.  The giveaway is for 8 fat quarters from the Hoot collection.  You must enter by Friday, Dec. 17th.

It Seams To Be Sew is still having her 12 Days Of Christmas Giveaway.  Each day at 10 PM, Lana draws a new winner for a special little gift.  There are still several days left so don't miss out.  (I was winner of day 4!)

Simply Solids is having a giveaway!  Her giveaway is a fantastic layer cake - Moda's Punctuation by American Cake.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, December 21st.

Don't forget about Sew, Mama, Sew's Giveaway Day.  It is still happening and you can click on the link to take you to the page where there are lots of other participants having giveaways too.

There's just a few days left to enter Leona's Quilting Adventure giveaway.  If you haven't entered this great giveaway yet, you need to by Friday, December 17th.

And, of course, there's always my giveaway to enter.  I'm giving away 5 Christmas batik fat quarters.

Wouldn't love to win this little star of fat quarters?  Just go HERE to enter.  This giveaway will stay open until 9:00 PM PST on Friday, Dec 17th.

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FINAL THOUGHT

Christmas is supposed to be a peaceful time.  Time for happiness, good cheer, and family.  I'm getting there.  Family will be here in just over a week.  I'm starting to feel a little happiness in the fact that I'm closer to finishing my handmade gifts.  And good cheer is something I try to spread throughout the year.  The peaceful time will come when all the gifts are wrapped, the baking is done, all the stockings are filled and I'm in my bed on Christmas Eve.  Until then I will fill every minute with business and move ever so closer to that magic day.

May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through!

~Author Unknown

Here's hoping you have a wonderful Wednesday - no matter what your goals!!

A Snappy Little Bag

He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.
~Roy L. Smith

I think I'm through with all of the commercialism of Christmas.  I'm tired of the ads, the rush to buy gifts, feeling guilty if I can't afford something.  I think this is part of the reason that I have trouble getting into the Christmas spirit every year.  There is always somebody telling me that this is what I should get or 'your loved one will remember you always with a gift from......".  I'm tired of feeling so in debt by this time of year and wondering how I will pay for it all come next month.  I'm ready to go back to the simpler way.  Fill the stockings hung by the fireplace and then one more gift per person and that's it.  I'd like to give just one gift that would mean a lot to that specific person.  Not something expensive but something from the heart.  Perhaps we should start a new - or actually old - tradition next year.  Too late for this year, everything is bought and wrapped.

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PHOTO OF THE DAY

Five Golden Rings

Unlike the four collie birds in the previous stanza who just had their name changed to a different, and non-existent, species of bird, the five rings in this stanza have, in singers' and illustrators' minds, changed from five ring-necked pheasants to five pieces of jewelry.  Given the versatility of the word ring in today's language it is not unusual to discover that our sixteenth century ancestors used the shortened term ring to describe a ring-necked pheasant as well as jewelry for their fingers.  So the five golden rings in this stanza refer to five ring-necked pheasants, a dish that was sure to be served at some of the king or queen's Twelfth Night feasts during the Twelve Days of Christmas celebrations.

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Yesterday I made a little Snap Tape Bag.  This was a quick and easy project and would have been easier if I had used fabric that was already quilted.  But since I wanted it to coordinate with the Reusable Market Bag that I made last week, I had to do my own quilting.

Once again I did straight quilting.  I added a pocket.  However, I should have made the pocket not quite so deep.  But then the tutorial I was following didn't square off the corners of the bag to allow for the bag to stand on it's own.  Next time I'll know - lol!  I made this little bag by following the tutorial given on Stash Manicure by Joan of MooseStash Quilting.  If  you are interested in making one of these cute little bags, I suggest you jump on over there - well, after you finish reading my blog, of course.

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  Since I'm short on things to show you, I will share my DH's absolute favorite soup.  I found this recipe in 2000 from Top Secret Recipes.  I just checked out a site by the same name and it is a "purchase this recipe" type of program.  I'm not sure if it is the same site since it has been 10 years since I printed it out and my copy says it is a recipe from November 1997.  Here is the soup recipe.....

Chili's Chicken Enchilada Soup

Ingredients
1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 pound of chicken breast fillets (approx 3 fillets)

1/2 cup diced onion

1 clove minced garlic

4 cups chicken broth

1 cup masa harina

3 cups water

1 cup enchilada sauce

16 ounces Velveeta

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon cumin

Garnish

shredded cheddar cheese

crumbled corn tortilla chips

pico de gallo

Directions:

1.  Add 1 tablespoon of oil to a large pot over medium heat.  Add chicken breasts to pot and brown for 4-5 minutes per side.  Set chicken aside.

2.  Add onions and garlic to pot and saute over medium heat for about 2 minutes, or until onions begin to become translucent.  Add chicken broth.

3.  Combine masa harina with 2 cups of water in a medium bowl and whisk until blended.  Add masa mixture to pot with onions, garlic and broth.

4.  Add remaining water, enchilada sauce, Velveeta and spices to pot and bring mixture to a boil.

5.  Shred the chicken into small, bite-size pieces and add it to the pot.  Reduce heat and simmer soup for 30-40 minutes or until thick.

6.  Serve soup in cups or bowls, and garnish with shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled corn tortilla chips, and pico de gallo.

This is soooo good and perfect for those cold evenings!

Personal Notes:

1.  After browning the chicken, I always have to microwave it for a few minutes to finish cooking, otherwise it is too pink inside and difficult to shred.

2.  I use Las Palmas enchilada sauce.

3.  We have never added the pico de gallo sauce - it's just a matter of preference and certainly is not essential to the taste.

4.  Reheats extremely well.

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GIVEAWAYS

Sew, Mama, Sew's Giveaway Day is still up and running.  For a complete list of those who are participating either click on the button on the sidebar or go HERE to check it out.

Don't forget about my giveaway.  Just go HERE to enter to win 5 Christmas batik fat quarters!  You have until this Friday at 9:00 PM to enter.

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FINAL THOUGHT

I'm in total disarray right now.  With trying to finish a handmade gift and getting ready to send out next month's Let's Bee Together fabric to everyone, my sewing/room office looks like a tornado went through.  I know I have to have everything put away and kid proofed by a week from Thursday and I will get there.  In the meantime, I will enjoy my disorder and just create.  How about you?  Are you all neat and tidy and ready for Santa's visit?

One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. Don't clean it up too quickly.
~Andy Rooney

Taking off for Tuesday - on to making more messes!!

Two Birds & No Stones

No matter how carefully you stored the lights last year, they will be snarled again this Christmas.

~Robert Kirby

That couldn't be more true.  How many times have you taken the lights out after carefully putting them away the year before just to find one, big wad of light?  I know we have.  We no longer put lights on the outside so we have a lot fewer lights to deal with - only those for the tree.  I guess we will see either this weekend or next what kind of mess we have waiting for us.

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PHOTO OF THE DAY

A Partridge In A Pear Tree

For the next 12 days of posting I'm going to try to find a cute picture to go with the song "12 Days Of Christmas".  Today is day one - a partridge in a pear tree.  Why a partridge in a pear tree? A partridge is not a small bird that can be easily placed in a cage in the kitchen. And the song pre-dates dwarf fruit trees so we are talking about a good sized tree which makes for a rather large and bulky gift.  Like other songs and art in general, the gifts in this song could have been chosen for symbolic reasons or possibly because they fit into the rhyme of the song. The twelve days of Christmas were a time of feasting and the partridge is a game bird that would have been a popular main course at one of the feasts.  Similarly, the pear was a common fruit which would have been available for the feasts.

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I did quite a bit of sewing today but I'm not quite ready to show it to you just yet.  However, it is One Flower Wednesday!  I belong to the Inchy Flower Swap group and my latest swap partner, Hanne from Denmark, requested her hexie flower to be made from reproduction fabric.  As reproduction is not my favorite line I had a limited selection to choose from. 

I decided to go with some little fussy cut bears.  It arrived in Denmark yesterday and Hanne said that she "adored the small teddy bears" and thought she might use the flower in a pillow for her 16 month old son.  I'm just glad that Hanne liked it - I get a little nervous sometimes in these swaps not sure exactly what my swap partner will think of my work.

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Yesterday I also received to blocks from my November and December swap partners in Christmas Quilting Block Swaps Australia.

I received this wonderful star block from Cathy (also known as CrafteeCC).  She is from Australia.  I just love the little colored ornaments set off by the gold and white stars.  She also included a very nice little note.

I received this star block from Ann in Canada.  The picture doesn't do justice to the richly colored block with the fussy cut center.  The little birds are so sweet and the berries are accented with gold.  All this is set on a background of olive and gold stars.  Simply stunning.  Ann also included a pin with a darling heart charm on it!

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Yesterday I received an email informing me that I was the winner of the Quilt Show giveaway being sponsored by Cotton Cocktails!!  I was the 1st place winner and won a six month membership of The Quilt Show!  I am a very lucky lady!!

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I think it's time for another super simple slow cooker recipe.  This time of year with all of the hustle and bustle, nothing is better than making something early in the day and have it ready come dinner time.  And simple is even better.

Chicken In Wine

Ingredients

2 - 3 pounds chicken breasts or pieces

10 3/4 oz can golden mushroom soup

10 3/4 oz can French onion soup

1 cup dry white wine, or chicken broth

Directions:

1.  Put chicken in slow cooker

2.  Combine soups and wine.  Pour over chicken

3.  Cover.  Cook on Low 6 - 8 hours

Personal Notes:

1.  I have only made this with wine and not the chicken broth - I would think there would be some flavor missing with the chicken broth.

2.  Reheats very well.

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GIVEAWAYS

Milk and Honey Designs is having a Super Big Book Giveaway!  There are four sets of books to possibly win.  This contest ends December 13th.

Pat over at 501 Quilt Blocks is having her very first giveaway!  She is celebrating the return of her daughter and family to NH by giving away 3 different sets of blocks.  Winners will be chosen the morning of December 16th.

Would you like to win 4 fat quarters.  Fabric ala Carte is looking for FB friends.  A winner will be chosen on December 14th.

Kate Spain is having a Stocking Stuffer Giveaway at her blog, The Drawing Board.  Each day she is giving away some sort of stocking stuffer.  This started on the 1st but will run until the 12th.

With all of these new giveaways, I almost forgot to remind you about my BIG GIVEAWAY!  Don't forget to enter by December 10th - that's Friday!

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FINAL THOUGHT

Here we are half way through the work week and I'm not half way through with what I wanted to accomplish.  I think it's about time that I might just have to start doing some of what needs to be done on the weekends.  I usually try to reserve that time to share with my DH but he understands when this time of year rolls around.  Besides, that way he can decorate the tree - something he enjoys doing and me, not so much.  It probably stems from my childhood days when I'd help my mother decorate only to have everything I hung moved to another location that 'looked better'.  To this day I don't try to help my mother when it comes to decorating.  I must admit, her tree is something to behold.  I will have to share a picture of her tree one day soon.

The perfect Christmas tree? All Christmas trees are perfect!
 ~Charles N. Barnard
Take today and make the most of it - have a wonderful Wednesday!!