Just In Time...

As I was pulling fabric for the Grammie's Jammies this year, I got the niggly feeling that I'd already used the plaid flannel for Grandson before. Sooooo, I went back through last year's photographs and blog posts to find that I had, in fact, made last year what I'd planned for this year. Great. Now what?

I went through my soft cottons and found this fabric for our "sporto" guy. Although they have two Golden retrievers now, their last dog was a gorgeous big, black Labrador retriever named Duncan. He was our grandson's "goodest boy", and we all miss him - even though the Goldens have also stolen our hearts. I think he'll like this fabric for his pjs this year, and I'll find a red or black long sleeved t-shirt to go with the bottoms. Crisis (and a duplicate gift) averted. 

 

Then I got to thinking about the girls. I had planned to make nighties, thinking that I'd made pj pants for them last year. Wrong again. The photos from last year revealed that I had already made nighties last year. I don't want to duplicate, so I'll make these pajama pants from the fabrics I already chose. 

 

I'll likely choose a pretty white top to go with the floral, and green or russet to go with the gnomes. I'm planning to be out shopping for them either Sunday or Monday, and I just take a fabric swatch with me to find the perfect colors.

I'm glad I take photos of the finished gifts each year. That way I can be sure to avoid what I almost did this year! Now that I've settled on the fabrics and patterns, I'll start cutting today. We did get snow yesterday, but thanks to Andy, I'll be able to get out to work tonight. In the meantime, I'll be making jammies. Woo hoo!

 

Sneak Peek...

 

While I can't share photos of finished Grammie's Jammies yet, I can give you a peek at two of the three fabrics I'm using. These are the sweetest, softest cottons to become the most lovely jammies. I think the young ladies will like them. What do you think?

Grandson's jammies are complete, so I'll photograph that fabric some time today to share with you, too. His are soft, warm flannel. I'm thinking I'll be making some for Handsome with the perfect-sized remainder.

More sewing today. Coffee, then a deep breath as I'll keep my head down today to finish them up. Lazy elves. lol

Family Sunday...

Yesterday was a Family Sunday Fun Day. I began when we met up with our elder son and his wife to watch our grandson play college football. 

Handsome Grandson had already taken off his gear when he met up with us, so of course, this grandma commented on his muscular "guns". He takes working out and healthy diet very seriously, so he appreciates that we notice.

The game started and ended with overcast weather, but the sun shone during the second and third quarters, and our team won! 

We were gathering to celebrate Son #1's Birthday next week, so Son #2 and his family joined us at a favorite restaurant near the college campus. We managed to pull everyone from earlier activities on their schedules.

Granddaughter #1 (sitting next to Handsome Grandpa) is a freshman attending the same college as her cousin this year. She came from work to join us. Daughter-in-love #2 is a realtor who had an open house, so she came after that was over, and Son #2 and Granddaughter #2 arrived from home. In this photo, Grandson had to duck out for a 15 minute team meeting at school, but he surprised us by coming back before we left.

Standing in the entrance to the restaurant probably wasn't the best place for our final photograph. Folks on the left side of the group were standing on the staircase. Even so, this is a nice way to remember that we were all able to gather together for a most wonderful Sunday meal and Birthday celebration. 

We're already off to the races (metaphorically speaking) this week. It's going to be a busy one, but I'll be getting in more needle dancing in an effort to complete the embroidery portion of my Winter Song piece by Friday. Once that's finished, I'll be cutting and piecing fabric for assembling. 

Tag will visit with you tomorrow, and I'll be back soon. Have a great week, and I hope you can make time to do something you love with someone you love.

My Heart...

Our Family

 

We celebrated Handsome's Birthday yesterday with a family gathering. We haven't all been together for a family meal in far too long, so our celebration was extra special.

Handsome and I decided to do all the meal preparation on Saturday, so the turkey was roasted, the side dishes were made and we went to bed knowing that Sunday would be much easier. I was so happy because I was able to be with family once they arrived, instead of working in the kitchen.

Our menu consisted of turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy, Loaded Cauliflower Casserole, Hash Brown Casserole, and Corn Casserole. We had lots of cookies and fudge for dessert.

You can click on the links above to find the recipes for the Cauliflower and Hash Brown Casseroles, but I'm sharing a photo of the Corn Casserole recipe. I saved and printed it ages ago, but I'm not sure where I found it. It just looked so good, I had to try it. 

Click on Image to Enlarge and Save/Print

Even though there's no Jiffy Mix (usually used in Corn Casserole recipes), the flour keeps it from being gluten free. Both our daughters-in-law avoid gluten, so they couldn't eat this, but it was otherwise well-received (and I loved it). Feel free to save and print out the recipe to try for yourself. The Loaded Cauliflower Casserole recipe is gluten free (as well as the turkey and mashed potatoes), and there was none of that one left at the end of the munching. Although I thought the gravy mix was GF, I realized I'd grabbed the wrong one at the store, so they ate their mashed potatoes with butter.

We removed the turkey from the bone on Saturday, and along with the sides, everything was placed in its own aluminum foil container (I purchased mine HERE), so all I had to do is remove the cardboard lids on Sunday, cover with foil and pop in the oven. I covered the turkey with its own baking juices when we put it into the baking pans to keep it from drying out during the reheat. It was so much easier than getting up at the crack of dawn to roast the bird on Sunday and then fret over timing. Our dinner came out of the oven as everyone was arriving for a noon Packer game.

Granddaughter's boyfriend is like a family member. We really like this young man, and we were glad he came with her for our gathering. I traded places with him in other photographs so he was in some of the images, too, but I'm extra grateful that he was willing to capture this photo of all our family together. I think you can see from all the smiling faces that we really did enjoy the day. Grandpa and I were especially happy to have our family around us for the afternoon, and we're looking forward to the next time. 

 

Almost Finished Sewing For This Season...

My Last Christmas Projects

 

These are the fabrics for my last sewn Christmas projects this year. I'll get them done and wrapped today, and then we can deliver them tomorrow. This project is making me smile. Of course, there had to be Corgis! (Just ask Tag.) 

I'll share more photographs after these are finished and delivered on Friday, but this is all I'm giving away for now. Gotta run. You know the rest...

Oh, and if you're traveling or spending time with family starting tomorrow, I'll keep posting and we can catch up together after Christmas. Please stay safe, don't eat too much, and savor every second of time spent with family and/or friends. It really is the best.

Christmas Decorating At The Farm...

Tree Ornaments

 

Saturday morning began with me unpacking Christmas decor that we've had stored since our move to Florida seventeen years ago. When we lived there, we chose a different direction for our decorating, choosing tropical blue hues, starfish and silver ribbons over our traditional northern colors.

 

I was so excited to start unpacking 36 years of Handsome's and my life together. We have a whole ornament trunk, filled to the brim with ornaments we've chosen and hung together. So many old favorites (including the glass ornament of Handsome, Kes, Fezzik and me in the center of this picture) that brought a smile to my face as I lovingly placed each one on this year's tree. I can't wait for him to walk in the door to see what will welcome him back to the farm for the holidays.

 

Dining Room Decorations

I set our beautiful Nativity set up on the table in front of our large dining room window. Remembering the Bible story of the Star in the East, our nativity is set up on the east wall of our home. 

Our tree is standing next to the front porch door, which we don't use in the winter. As it comes straight into the house from the porch, and the porch stairs lead to our front yard (with no driveway access), we just keep it closed until spring. It's a perfect place to place the Christmas tree, between the living and dining rooms.

Christmas Table Decorations

I placed a vintage crocheted tablecloth on our teak table, and then topped that with a table runner I made last year. My recently created Advent wreath, candles and our Christmas cactus sit on that.

 

Built-In China Cabinet

Our built-in china cabinet is on the wall across from the front window. It holds all our English transferware, flow blue and wedding china; my Toby jug collection; crystal and glassware that belonged to Handsome's parents so many years ago; and my collection of Royal Copenhagen collector plates (including yellow and black Labrador retrievers and Pembroke Welsh Corgi!). Once our kitchen is remodeled, the collector plates will go into the kitchen.

I chose to put all our family Christmas stockings here. (I realized I need to purchase two more for our girls!), and Handsome and my stockings (which we've both had since childhood) hang in the living room.

Our Tree

I so love how the tree turned out that I had to share a couple more pictures of it! The tree skirt was my first real quilted project. I took a class from a long-closed quilt shop in Fond du Lac in 1984. 

Mom (Grace) was working there at the time. I signed up for the class and I was the only student in that time slot. I had the full benefit of Mom's teaching skill, as she showed me how to cut, arrange and assemble the pieces to get me started. I think it was supposed to be a two-session class, but I finished it the same day and it went under our tree that first year Handsome and I were married.

It's been under every tree (no matter the decor) of our married life all these years. December marks the celebration of thirty three blessed years as husband and wife. 

 

More Ornaments

The barn ornament (right above my watermark) and the red snare drum (on the upper right side of the picture) are new additions this year. There's also a new Green Bay Packer glass helmet ornament that was a gift from our long-time Wisconsin realtor and good friend, Jim. That one can't be seen in this image, though. I think we'll also choose three new, special ornaments for each of our grandchildren to add to the tree this year.

We'll fill the farmhouse again with love and laughter as our friends and family gather together for our very first full Christmas here at the farm. It may be cold and snowy outside, but it will be warm and wonderful inside.

Tuesdays With Tag - Farmhouse Visitors...

Farm Dog

Hi, Everybody!

It's been an excitin' week here at the farm.

The bluebirds are nestin' in the birdhouses Mom put up. The hummin'birds are droppin' in to catch a drink at our nectar bar, and I even had fleas this week! Mom said it's 'cuz I stuck my head in a bush where the bunnies have been livin'. Who knew?

I was sittin' at Mom's feet, listenin' to somethin' she was sayin' to Dad and then next thing you know, she's freakin' out. Almost scared me out of my fur! I'm pretty fast, but she had me in a bath before I could tip my head sideways and say, "Wait. What?" I got a bath in some stinkin' shampoo, and those bugs were dead before you could say "Corgi Abuse"! 

Bella was gonna get a bath for the fleas, too (just in case), but before Mom could bathe her, she managed to find a fabulous pile of nasty goo. I was sooo jealous! Her bath was double purpose...stink and bug removal.

Granddaughters

We also had visitors this weekend. Our granddaughters were here with their parents. They told Mom (their Grandma) that they love the farm, which was music to our ears. We love havin' them come to visit - with or without their mom and dad. I'm hopin' we can have a sleepover some time soon!

Granddaughters

Of course, they couldn't visit without Mom takin' a bunch of pictures. The ladies ran up the hill to see what was up near the trail into the woods...and apparently, they even made some poses for the trail camera that Shelly and Andy have in there. Silly girls!

I can tell ya for certain...there are two big deer livin' in the woods right now. How do I know? Bella's been growlin' at 'em for the past week. They come down out of the wood lot, nibble on some of the farmer's soy bean sprouts, and then amble on their way east. Did I say they were big? Yup. Humongous!

I wonder what the next week will bring? I'll take notes and tell you all about it when you come back to visit.

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then...  

"Chase A Dream - Or A Squirrel".

For Christmas Eve...

Brynwood Needleworks - 2016 Grammie's Jammies Fabric Choices

 

I've been busy sorting through fabrics and making my choices for many of my 2016 Christmas projects. These are the fabrics I chose for this year's Grammie's Jammies.

The golden floral coordinates on the left are for one of our granddaughters, and the bunnies/floral coordinates are for the other. The black fabric with musical notes and motifs is for our soon-to-be, 15 year old grandson. Choosing fabrics for him is getting more difficult. But I have a cute story to tell you about that.

When we were together with him and his parents in October, I told him that he'd be hearing from me soon, so that I could get his annual "stats" (measurements) to ensure his jammies would fit him. I teased him and said, "Do you want Power Rangers this year?", knowing full well that he'd long ago outgrown "kiddie" prints. He smiled the smile that always melts my heart and said, "Whatever you choose, I'll love, Grandma." sigh 

I've been making a new pair of pajamas for each of our grandchildren every year since they were born. When we send our packages north, we mark which ones are to be opened Christmas Eve, so they have their jammies to wear to bed that night. Now that they're 15, 12 and 8, it warms my heart to know that they've come to look forward to them. The very best part is when they love them so much that they don't want to change into regular clothes on Christmas Day. Then I know I've scored a home run.

 

Grandpa And Grandson...

Brynwood Needleworks - Grandson

He stayed overnight with us at the campground.

Brynwood Needleworks - Grandson

They have so much fun together. You can see and hear it when they're together.

Brynwood Needleworks - Grandson

It's unmistakable.

Brynwood Needleworks - Grandson

  They really love each other.

Circus World Day...

Brynwood Needleworks - Our Granddaughters

We were so happy that our younger son could join us at the Circus World Museum in Baraboo for the Windjammers' final performance at this convention. We met them on the grounds around noon, shared lunch and visited with them until after Grandpa Handsome's performance. My, how the girls have grown since last we saw them!

Brynwood Needleworks - Watching An Outdoor Act

We watched an interesting outdoor performance which involved a rotating arm with a round basket (think hamster wheel) at each end. A father/son team flipped and rolled inside the baskets, finishing with one of them on the outside, walking on his hands!

Granddaughter #2 was so concerned, she held her hands over her mouth as they started that portion of their act. (She was adorable.) Needless to say, both performers were fun to watch and no one was harmed.

Brynwood Needleworks - Riding An Elephant

When I was a child, I remember seeing the elephants at the circus, but never asked to ride one. I admit, they seemed much larger when I was a child. I asked the girls if they would like to ride an ellie with their grandma, and they both jumped at the chance.

This elephant was the sweetest girl. She slowly moved into position next to the platform so we could settle on top, and then she walked a fifty foot circle back into her original place. That was it. Once around. But it's a memory I'll always have, and I hope the girls will remember the time Grandma joined them on an elephant ride.

Brynwood Needleworks - Windjammers' Circus World Performance

 

After the elephant ride and the outdoor performance, we all had lunch together and then made our way to the Hippodrome for the Windjammers second and last concert for this summer convention.

They played a series of pieces which would be played during a circus performance...The opening number; the tightrope walkers; the prancing horses; acrobats on the flying trapeze; the elephants and the dancing bears. (If I closed my eyes, I could envision each of the acts I remember from my childhood.)

It was all so much fun to listen to, and to have one of our sons and our granddaughters there to see and hear Grandpa playing with the band. They were most enthralled with the experience. Our younger granddaughter was so excited that, as soon as she walked onto the grounds (before she'd seen much at all), she exclaimed to her daddy, "Yup. This was really worth the two hour ride here and back home!"

The weather was perfect, it was such a fun day, and we all agreed with the ringmaster as he declared at the end of the performance...

"May all your days be circus days!"

 

It's Monday Already...

Sea Turtles with tongue lock

I did just what I said I would last weekend...I relaxed and spent time with Handsome, Tag and Bella Butt.

I was only in the studio long enough to clean it up, pull a few fabrics for future projects and retrofit this wallet for straps, as requested by its new owner.

Sea Turtles - Interior

First, I had to install grommets into the fold closest to the flap of the wallet. Once the grommets were installed, I created the wrist strap, shoulder strap and key fob in matching fabric. The clasps on each strap will hook through the grommets and, voila! It's no longer a simple wallet, but a complete, handy purse when used with either of the straps. Now, it's ready to go to its new home.

We had a lovely Father's Day. Handsome got calls from our sons and also spoke with our grandchildren. The only way it could have been nicer would have been to have them all around our dinner table.

I can hardly believe that the weekend is over already. I may be one of the few who like Mondays. To me, they're a symbol of a new beginning...a fresh start. Let's see how much I can accomplish this week!

Grandma's Quilt Map...

  I hope my grandchildren will think of me this way.

Perhaps It Was The Faerie Dust...

Be sure to click on the pictures to get a closer look!

 If you recognized this as the cabinet that used to be in my studio, congratulations! 

I know I said I wanted to get rid of it, but I just couldn't. I love it too much.

I moved it onto the covered lanai so it would be out of the weather, and then 

I placed my Nantucket baskets and seashells into it. It's been like that for

most of the summer, but we came home from Wisconsin with "company", 

so I decided it was about time I did something to make them feel at home.

 You see, we came home with faeries. They followed Tag back to Florida!

 I had lots of things that were just their size, along with a few other special

touches, and I think they'll be so much more comfortable here now.

 On this end, you'll see that they have sweet, little chairs to settle into,

and I've made sure the faerie bunnies have a little hidden place to play.

My friend, Krisann crocheted a little brown, covered acorn for me, but 

it's just the perfect size for a faerie basket and the acorn top is now a

tiny tray to hold snacks on the chair arms when the sprites get hungry.

 If you peek in the back, you'll see a couple of faerie babies tucked in

and sleeping...and a wee Corgi will watch over them to keep them

safe! He'll bark an alarm if anything dangerous tries to bother them.

 There's a little red-haired faerie hiding behind the morel mushrooms. 

I know one red-haired granddaughter who will love this faerie!

Morels grow in Wisconsin in the woods, so I knew they'd be a nice addition

to help the faeries feel at home. Do you see the heart-shaped stone? It was 

a gift from my friend, Denise, and we want the tiny folk to know they're 

loved. There's another baby sleeping under the oak leaves, too! Good babies.

If you've got the feeling that this is a little faerie "daycare" you're so right!

 If you're wondering, "Why a daycare?", this corner explains everything.

You see, the other faeries aren't just hanging out in the Florida sunshine.

They're gardeners! They've been collecting acorns and air plants, but 

there's also a tray of mini faerie veggies and empty pots waiting for 

them to plant more! If you look around, you'll find other treasures 

they've collected and brought into their yard. 

I even gave them Wellington boots in their size so they don't get 

muddy feet. Of course, they're still sitting next to their tools, so I 

guess they really prefer to be barefoot when they're out exploring.

Even though I have a placed a lovely acorn-adorned birdhouse in

 back for them, it can be a sturdy, little house for the faeries live in, too. 

 I know when our granddaughters come to visit, they'll have fun investigating the faerie garden their Grandma created. Until then, I'll play there from time to time, too. I'll rearrange and add more treasures to it as I find them. It's fun to create something that's different from what I usually do. I found myself setting everything up, moving pieces around, and I was  surprised to see how quickly the time flew. Perhaps it was the faerie dust?