It was a very good year

A quick post to comment on the past year, get myself grounded for the coming year, and to say Happy New Year to all who read my posts.  This Christmas season has been full and rewarding for me, not a lot to post about, not a lot of quilting, but many, many memories and happy days in my December.

I do love new beginnings, and I do love setting goals, or priorities, or call them resolutions if you must.  I like to aim higher than I am now, but realistically too.  As for last years priorities, I did alright.  Many of them are works in process, but I am proud of myself that I followed through with some major dental work this year.  Really, it was not much of a big deal except for the financial aspect of it all, but anything that involves me and a dentist is a big deal.  So, that is a feather in my resolution cap.

Tonight we will celebrate the old year, welcome in the new with our second annual New Year's Eve Bonfire and BBQ.  Last year my son and his wife had a piece of property, a lot of plans and a huge brush pile.  That was the beginning of our New Year's Eve tradition.  Now they have a home, a new baby, and many more reason to celebrate the future.

Thank you to all who read and follow this post.  It means a lot to me.  I appreciate you all.

Esther

My favorite day of the year

Merry Christmas Eve.  This is my favorite day of the year.  From the moment I wake up I am happy that it is Christmas Eve.  All my shopping is done, all the errands and wrapping, and now I can take a deep breath and absorb the day.  I have some cooking to do for tonight and tomorrow morning, but somehow making Christmas eve dinner and Christmas brunch are not work.  Just anticipation of good to come. There is a calmness in my spirit, and yet there is still the anxious joy of waiting for good things to come.  We go to church tonight, Christmas carols will make me smile and cry at the same time. Through out the season I try to pause and remember why we celebrate, what is the basis of my faith and belief, but Christmas Eve brings it all together for me. This is my favorite day.  I want to wish anyone reading this a blessed Christmas.

Esther

Successful cookie decorating

My first, and hopefully annual cookie decorating party was a huge success.  I am still riding high.  I am in one of those moods where everything is good because everything went as well or better than I had hoped.  I am so happy.  

 I covered my dining table with newsprint, had a few frosting colors ready.

Sugar cookies just waiting for some decorating

My goal for the day was to have a cookie decorating activity that would be age appropriate and fun for my grand children and their friends.  I also had a kid friendly lunch planned.  Honestly, I  didn't have high expectations, because that just sets one up for disappointment.  I did plan and tried to make things easy and kid friendly, but then again you never know with infants to toddlers.  I could not be more pleased with how it all worked out.  Here are several photos to share my day with you.

I think this is a beautiful picture of my daughter with her daughter.

Bella, our oldest decorator at age three really showed off her decorating talents

Ethan and his friend Jack think the cookies are great.

It was such a good time.  After everyone left I had to call my friend just to tell her how happy I was and how well the day went.  It was well worth the effort and planning, and I look forward to doing it again next year.

Thanks for sharing my joy today,  I appreciate your company,

Esther

Enjoying the Season

I don't know how to start, with an apology for not posting, an excuse for not quilting, or just admitting that I am enjoying the season.  With all the additional activities during December, I am doing less and less sewing and quilting, and I am okay with that.  I have had seasons full of stress, late nights, frustration, and I just don't want to go there this year.  I am trying to slow down and not get overwhelmed.  But, with that there is some regret too.  I am still working on the Celtic Knot, but rather than hours at a time, I fit in minutes when I can.

Today I am baking cookies in preparation for a cookie decorating party on Saturday.  That will be an adventure with six little ones doing what they can with a bag of frosting and a blank cookie.

So, for those of you frustrated with my lack of quilting, I apologize.  Quilting is a very important part of my life and this blog, but it isn't all I want to post about.  I hope you are enjoying all that Christmas is.

Esther

Zeb's Stocking

I finished my sequined project, it is a stocking for baby Zeb.  

My Nanny made sequined stockings for our entire family.  We had seven children, there were seven cousins,  assorted Aunts, Uncles and others, and we all had sequined stockings.  For many years I thought that everyone, everywhere had stockings like this.  When I married I made a stocking for Steve, and have made one for each addition to our family.  Today I finished and present Zeb's stocking.

I used my stocking as the model and pattern, but some things are updated.

Larry the cucumber from Veggie Tales, Emily's favorite

This is the stocking my Nanny made for me.  The sequins are not as bright, but the sentiment and memories are still strong as they were when I was a child.  Thank you Nanny.

He needs his own stocking holder, but Zeb's stocking now hangs with the rest of his family.  They just make me so happy.  I am so excited for my children to have Christmas with their children and share the joy and meaning of all things Christmas.

Thanks for sharing my stocking journey and starting Zeb's journey.  I appreciate it.

Esther

Sequins and beads

I have been working on a Christmas project with lots of sequins and beads.

This is one of those projects that seems to take over.  I am close to finishing this one, and will be so excited to show it to you all, hopefully next week.  Until then, have fun working on whatever you are creating and thanks for stopping by.  

Esther