Turkey Talk

Thanksgiving has become such a warm and peaceful time for me.  For the past several years, it's been just my husband, myself and our two adult children.  We enjoy a yummy (and simplified from years ago) dinner and then decorate the Christmas Tree together. One of the things I really enjoy doing is decorating the table.  This year I made these really cute Oreo turkeys - one for each of us. Fun!

I also like to do a centerpiece. Not much blooming this time of year, but as my good friend Diane taught me, you just go out there and start cutting - next thing you know you have a pretty good looking arrangement. And don't forget to embrace all the pretty leaves on some shrubs, like the colorful Nandina leaves. I even had some New Guinea Impatiens still in bloom that I was able to use.

Another favorite are the table linens that my mother-in-law crocheted for me years ago.  What that lady could do with thread and a hook was just amazing!  There are matching placemats and glass coasters on the table. It is also a special way of honoring her  memory.
And somehow a pretty table makes everything taste better!
I hope you all had an enjoyable Thanksgiving and that you are blessed during the joyous Advent season.

Happy Birthday!

Last week our "baby" turned 25 years old - how did that happen?! We went to the city and took the light rail to uptown. That was different and a lot of fun - so convenient to not bother with parking uptown! The birthday girl chose an Irish Pub for dinner. We really do have a good time socializing with our kids - they're great conversationalists, interesting and humerous.  And they still want to spend time with their parents!  We are so blessed.  Happy birthday daughter - we love you so very much!

Passing the Torch

My mother was an accomplished sewer. She even made she and my dad matching shirts and dresses for square dancing. I have been passionately sewing since my early 20's. (No, I won't say how many years that has been). My repertoire includes adult and children's clothing, household items, crafts and quilting. No, much to my delight, the torch has passed on to my daughter. She has made window treatments for her home and a friend's home. She sewed almost all her Christmas gifts, including handbags and aprons.

I was so delighted to receive an apron from her on Christmas morning. The apron is even lined - a step further than I think I would have taken it. She is even talking about making a quilt. So sew much to share with her. No doubt, I will be learning from her!

New Quilt, New Baby

Welcome to Madison Faith Coleman, my great niece. I've done a quilt for each of my sister's grandchildren - hopefully they won't have too many! This one is called "Cuddle Bugs", because there are just the cutest little bugs on the fabric. She was born in November, so at least I wasn't too tardy. My daughter's baby quilt turned in to her "10 year old quilt", and I haven't heard the last of it yet. The piecing was easy and I did a fair amount of handquilting using pearl cotton. Madison also has a cute little older sister, Ella, who is three. The sad part is that I have not met either one of them yet, but hope to in 2009.