Happy Birthday, America!...

 

2025 Cookie Exchange...

l-r (Adults Only) Stephanie, Diana, Alexandria, Cassie and Donna

Another successful Cookie Exchange in the record book. Our group was small this year, but that didn't keep us from having a grand time. Stephanie is our annual hostess, and she goes out of her way to have a lovely snack spread, games (and prizes!), and fine company. 

We suspect the weather (-20º F wind chill) may have had something to do with the turnout, but we didn't mind. We're all related! Of course, you will recognize Diana's name (my sister). Steph is her daughter, Alex is Di's daughter-in-law, Cassie is Alex's sister, and those two sweet girls in front are Alex's twin daughters. When it's family, there is always conversation, and we spent some of our visit catching up.

Top Left - Clockwise: Diana's chocolate offerings, Alex's Molasses Cookies, Steph's Pizelles, Cassie's Date Cookies, Twins' Cutout Cookies, and my Koulourakia Cookies.

Diana was the overachiever this year. She brought hot cocoa mix, chocolate marshmallow cookies, chocolate truffles and chocolate no-bake cookies. Alexandria made delicious molasses cookies. Stephanie had time to make cookies, even though she made bbq cocktail sausages and a fabulous charcuterie tray. Cassie made a date cookie recipe that came from her fiancee's mom, carrying on the family tradition. The twins contributed two trays of decorated cutout cookies, and I made our favorite Koulourakia twists, which became a holiday tradition when we lived in Florida. My Panera's group friend, Kathy made them every year, and graciously shared the recipe with me when we moved.

Snacks for the attendees

Everyone brought a dish to share, so we had offerings on the charcuterie tray, shrimp, smoked fish, ham roll-ups, and a non-alcoholic beverage (with the option to add champagne). I stayed n/a. I took a salad that's a family favorite that has a sauteed mixture of water chestnuts, ramen noodles, green onions, mushrooms, slivered almonds, and sesame seeds over Romaine lettuce. The dressing is a sweet and sour sauce.

The Giving Plate

Diana brought The Giving Plates in two patterns, and gave one to each of us. She mentioned that we weren't required to give them away, so I'll probably keep mine at least for this season. Next year I'll load it with cookies to share.

So, that was my Sunday. Cold outside, but happy and warm inside with people I love. Handsome is out from under his nasty cold, so that's a blessing, too. I'll be busy in the studio again this week. I'll tell you tomorrow about the jammies.

I Bailed...

This is a Christmas photograph of me with my younger brother. Here we are - the eldest and the youngest of the "kids" in my family. This is the best pose we could get of the silly guy. The other photographs are mostly of us giggling and cutting up. He really is a hoot. For the record, he's seventeen years younger than I am. I'll let you do the math. The picture was taken at our mum and stepdad's home yesterday evening when he was in town.

In other news...and in full disclosure...I bailed on sewing this years' Grammie's Jammies. I started cutting them out on Saturday and found myself trying to find anything else to do than work on them. I just didn't have the mojo to sew them. 

I went downstairs and sat in the chair where Handsome was watching a football game. He asked me if I'd finished any pjs yet. I looked at him and told him that I really wasn't enthusiastic about sewing them this year. He looked at me and said, "Then don't. Let's go shopping." He gave me the permission I needed to release me from the task this year. Plus, he gave me a reason to go shopping. I went back upstairs, turned off the iron and the studio lights, grabbed my jacket and off we went. An hour later, I'd found the perfect jammies for our three grands and we were on our way back home. 

Rather than spend the entire weekend and probably Monday in the studio, we were able to get everything done together, and then do some fun things. I told him that I'd finish cutting out the pjs, and I'll sew them up later in January. I'll be waaaay ahead of the program for 2025. I'll sew, wrap, and then set them aside for next Christmas. I'll just put a note on my computer to remind myself where I've put them away until then.

When I had my needlework shop, I'd occasionally have a customer come in and tell me they really didn't want to keep working on their current project. They just weren't thrilled with it, or they we sick of looking at it. It no longer went with their decor, and they'd lost the enthusiasm for working on it. I always counseled them to set it aside. If they looked at it three months from now and still didn't like it, they could donate, trade with a needleworker friend, or just toss it. Our pursuits are meant to bring joy and calm. If they don't, it's okay to set them aside. Apparently, I'd forgotten my own advice. I needed to hear that affirmation from Handsome - and he gave it without hesitation. He's one of the really good guys. 

We both have hair appointments this afternoon, so I'll be wrapping gifts, and getting ready to spend tomorrow and Wednesday with family. I'll put up my holiday verses and greetings up for the next two days, but I'll be back on Thursday to catch up with you. 

Merry Christmas, dear friends. 

May this week - and the coming year - bring you happiness and good health. From our home to yours.

The Tree Is Up...

 

Our tree is up and decorated. I love it! This is the artificial tree I purchased the year Handsome left before Thanksgiving to make music in Florida. He was coming home for Christmas, so I wanted to decorate "over the top" for his arrival. 

I got busy, putting up lights outdoors; setting out all our vintage family pieces around the house; and decorating this 9' tree with all our cherished ornaments. He loved coming home to Christmas lights all over our property. 

The tree skirt was my first actual quilting project. I took a class at a local quilt shop (now long-gone). It turns out, I was the only student and Mom Grace was my teacher. I worked hard and made it that same day, so we call it my one day tree skirt. I fondly remember that day spent with Mom each year when I take it out to place under our tree.

I'm still working on jammies and other projects, too. I have to run to town first thing for a few bits and bobs I need at Joann's (I know. I can hardly believe it either.), and then I'll be in the studio. I guess I'll grab my morning cuppa, and then I'm off to the races. "Ladies, start your engines!" giggle See you tomorrow.

On To The Next Part...

The embroidery is complete and it's time to create the strawberry. Doesn't it look festive? I'm thinking I may even add a special spot of frankincense to the core when I stuff it. I did add a ring of Swarovski crystals all around the poinsettias for added sparkle. You should see them shine in the sunlight!

I really only have one more decision to make. I originally thought of red plaid for my leaves, but it seems I don't have a red and green wool plaid in my inventory. So, I need to decide between the red leaves or perhaps this green. Do you have an opinion? I am going to look again to see if I have the plaid I'd hoped for, but just in case, I'll likely go with one of these two.

You know the routine by now. Cuppa and perhaps a little leftover marbled rye toast, and then to my needlework. I'll complete this project this morning so I can share my finished strawberry with you tomorrow. 

It's about time to get those Jammies on the agenda too. Dang elves don't work without supervision (and a little participation). See you tomorrow!

Back On Monday...

I've been busy here at home with family and friends. 

I'll be back for Sunday Scriptures, with a new post on Monday. 

Love to all!

Puttering Outside...

 

I spent most of the day outdoors yesterday. I started (after coffee and breakfast, of course), by driving to town to our local Fleet Farm. They had plants marked 75% off!!! How could I not get some? I also needed soil, so I purchased bags of raised bed soil and some cow manure (I know. I could have probably driven up the road for that!)

Of course, that wasn't all I needed this my trip. I went inside and purchased nine large cinder blocks, and three flat "cap" pavers for the project I'd envisioned. We had scrap lumber in the barn, so Handsome cut the 2 x 4s into six foot lengths for me, and I set about building my outdoor shelf for plants. The nice thing about this setup is that it's temporary. I can plan my new raised bed garden over the winter, and next year, move this if I need to to accommodate the design I have in mind.

I took some of my empty plastic pots from previous years and planted eight jalapeño pepper plants. I'll use them as the base for canned Cowboy Candy this fall! I cleaned up the two sad-looking geranium plants I also bought on sale, and made sure they got lots of water. 

Once the manure was in a galvanized tote (under my herb planters) and the soil left from one of the bags I bought was put into the white bucket, I called today "done" and shot this picture for you. I went inside, sat a bit to catch my wind, took a shower, and then took a short nap before dinner. I was wiped out, but feeling much better now. It's a good thing we had an overcast day and a nice breeze. It made for a more comfortable day to work outside.

I'm planning to sit and stitch today. The week got away from me in the studio, but I feel like we'll slide into the holiday weekend with a sense of accomplishment. This holiday is most difficult for me now, as Dad left us on the 3rd of July. I know I'll spend this weekend thinking about him and wishing we'd had more time together. It never is enough, is it?

I hope you're planning a nice weekend with loved ones. There are still so many things to celebrate about our great country. I'll be counting my blessings - you among them. Happy Independence Weekend!

Play Day Today…

I’ll be with my girlfriends today for another play day in Portage. I’ve organized this month’s project, and am looking forward to seeing everyone again. 

My eyes have settled down, so I managed to do some embroidering yesterday. I’ll show you my progress next week.

Wishing everyone a safe, happy and fun Memorial weekend holiday.

 

Platter Rack Reveal...

Completed Dining Room Platter Rack

 

As planned, I spent Saturday painting the bare wood of my new platter rack. This location in the dining room was the best place for it, and because of the dogs, we decided it shouldn't go all the way to the floor. As it worked out, there was still enough space for my antique commode to fit below it. I asked Handsome if he thought I should paint it and got a resounding "no". I'm inclined to agree. That would be a lot of white.

"Populated" Platter Rack

So, now you can see my very large Spode turkey platter, and why I wanted needed a place designed especially for it. I've been so concerned that it would get broken. In our Florida home, I had more than a few places where it could be displayed, but there just wasn't a natural place (large enough) for it here...until now.

I'm very happy with the way it turned out, and now I can stop fretting about  it. I have a handy place, near the rest of the set, and the bonus was more storage for our other serving pieces.

This week will be spent creating a few Christmas gifts, adding new items to my online shop, doing laundery (ugh), and making some treats in the kitchen. I'll be sure to share what I'm working on, and perhaps inspire you with a few things you can do, too. Hope you'll follow along.

Then, One Foggy Christmas Eve...

Brynwood Needleworks - Christmas Morning 2019 - East Field

This was our view from the farmhouse on Christmas morning. Doesn't it look almost ethereal? I had to take pictures to share.

The weather is unseasonably warm these days, getting into the high 40s, so it's not surprising that we'd wake up to morning fog. All the snow is melting, and we just know this isn't going to last.

It's strange. We had a blizzard for Halloween, rain for Thanksgiving, and now a full thaw for Christmas! We'll enjoy this warmer weather while we can. It's slated to snow again by the weekend.

Brynwood Needleworks - Christmas Morning 2019 - North Field

 

I'm going out to the feeders and "habitat" to fill them up every day for the evening critter show, but my trail cam has a glitch right now. Although the shutter is triggered at night, all I'm getting is a black screen image on my memory chip. I have an email in to Browning (the camera's maker) to see about troubleshooting. As soon as I get the issue resolved, I'll be sharing more pictures.

 

We're taking it easy between now and New Year's Eve. I've still got some sewing to do. We won't see some of our family until the 30th, so I'll have everything done by then. I couldn't show you photos until after they get their gifts anyway, so I guess it will be late December gift reveal.

 

We hope you all had a lovely holiday, and that you're finishing off your year with happiness and good health. I'm going to set up some wool work projects today, and then, perhaps I'll sit down and get in a little knitting therapy. I'll see you tomorrow.

 

Tuesdays With Tag - It's That Time Of Year Again...

Brynwood Needleworks - Taggart

Hi, Everybody!!

It's the time of year when I need to share some important warnin's with all my online pals. I'm hopin' that nobody loses a dog, cat, guinea pig, or any other loved pet this Independence Day. That's why I'm sharin' some stuff I found while pawin' through FaceBark the past weekend. 

I'd be awfully happy if you'd take the time to read this stuff, and even pass it on to your friends who plan to celebrate this year.

Brynwood Needleworks - via TAGG (Pet Tracker)

Every year after the fireworks, Mom and Dad read posts from online friends who lost their pet because they didn't do these things. They're real sad it happened, but that's after the fact. There are all these things you can do to help keep your critters safe. 

Brynwood Needleworks via Facebook

If you can't avoid the thunderboomers and flashin' lights, you might try this on your anxious dog. I've heard that it really works! Just be careful you don't cut off their circulation. We wouldn't want them passin' out now, would we?

Brynwood Needleworks via Facebook

 

This is another thing. If you can't walk on hot pavement, how can you expect us to? We've got tender pads that can get burned, too. Your pets will appreciate it.

 

Go out and enjoy this holiday weekend, but please consider your pets and their safety when you head out. Mom and Dad are careful with The Black Dog and me, so nothin' will happen to us. Come back next week and I'll let you know how it was around here. 

This concludes my Independence Day rant Public Service Announcement.

 

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

"Live Like Someone Left The Gate Open".

 

Christmas Collage...

Christmas At Hickory Hill Farm

 

I've been having so much fun decorating the farmhouse for Christmas this year! We gave away many of our decorations before moving south all those years ago. We kept our family tree ornaments and treasured pieces that belonged to Handsome's parents, or were our own from childhood.

Part of the joy was bringing all those pieces into our holiday decorating, but I've had fun finding new pieces to add to them. I've found a fabulous beaded tree and the Santa in the lower left corner of this collage in two different antique shops in Plymouth. 

The beaded tree is nearly thirty inches tall, and it sparkles like ice at night. The Santa is actually a planter, and it's surprisingly heavy.  It's also large, and I had to ask twice to see if the price was correct. Suffice it to say it was a steal! 

I have a few other pieces that I'll share soon. I'm doing a little up-cycling on them, but won't finish them until after my sewing is done. The "Lodge" print is the flannel fabric I'll be using for grandson's jammies this year. If it said "Farm", I'd be making throw pillows for the sofa with it! It's so soft and comfortable.

I'm not going to share photos of the jammies until after the kids get them for Christmas Eve, but I'll show you the other projects as I finish them. "...and miles to go before I sleep." Where are those elves, now?

Happy Independence Day...

Brynwood Needleworks - via Internet Images

 

Wishing you a safe and happy day with family and friends, as you gather to celebrate the birth of our nation. Our family is grateful for all the blessings we enjoy in this great land.

  God Bless America!

New Year's Eve - Counting Our Blessings...

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Can you believe how quickly 2014 has passed?

It's already the eve of the new year, and 2015 is only hours away!

We're on the final leg of our trip back to Florida, and as we finish up our drive today,

I want to stop to reflect on the blessings that have been bestowed on us in 2014.

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Handsome and I have our health and each other. 

Both of our sons are happy and healthy, as are their wives and our grandchildren.
We are able to travel - or stay home - as we choose.
We are surrounded by friends and family, near and far who bring us great joy.
Music fills our days and we can both follow our own creative muses.
Our lives are full and we realize just how blessed we both are.

For me, I would also like to add YOU to my list. After nearly six years of sharing my life with you, you still choose to return to see what Handsome, Tag and I are up to. For that I am immensely grateful. We'll will be taking it easy at home this evening, and we'll have each of you in our prayers.

So, here were are again, my dears. It's New Year's Eve 2015. Please take time to count your own blessings, great and small. If you're going out tonight, please be safe, and I'll see you in the new year. (wink)

The Workshop Is Officially Closed...

I completed the table runner for our Christmas Eve hostess.

With that, the Workshop (studio) is closed for the holiday season.

You'll remember that the pattern I used is Mary's Cottage Quilts' 

"Glad Tidings Table Runner". I decided not to add the final 3" border, but

 it finished a very nice size at 47" x 21".  I love the subtle music theme, too.

I machine quilted this one on my Babylock Crescendo using Floriani rayon  thread. I hadn't used rayon for quilting before (only cotton for piecing), and I was quite pleased with the sheen the thread added to the overall quilting effect. All the gifts were wrapped and labeled over the weekend, and it's nearly time  for them to be on their way. Christmas Eve will be here before we know it. I'm taking the rest of the week off (from the studio), as we prepare for our holiday festivities. Tag will be here tomorrow to tell you about his weekend, and then he's volunteered to come back during the week to share some of his unique holiday spirit with you. 'Tis the season to be jolly, after all!

By Jove, I Think I've Got It...

Thank you to everyone who left a comment on yesterday's post. 

I read (and think I replied to) every one of them and tried your suggestions.

No matter how I tried, that luscious fabric included with the kit just wasn't

going to work. Even skinnied down to 1", there was too much white to avoid.

I love the fabric, but not for this project. I'll save it to use with something else.

What to do? Go shopping in the studio, of course!

I liked the comments suggesting I skew this toward a holiday piece by going 

with the red/pink/green colorway or a plaid-patterned fabric, so I started 

thinking about what I had that might incorporate all those colors in one fabric. 

I remembered purchasing a fabric like that when Sandy's Quilt Shop was 

going out of business (bowing head). I climbed my step ladder until I could 

reach the right shelf on my "tower" cubby storage. Bingo! I found it! 

When I put with the blocks, it worked!

  While I was up there, I found a "pinky" red that would coordinate, too. When I laid everything out like this a light bulb went on...table runner! I'm thinking I'll use the much more subtle tone-on-tone floral as the main  fabric, turn the blocks on point and then use the patterned fabric for the  backing and binding. You like? It's ok. You can be honest.   I'm saving the assembly for a few days. I'm heading off to another retreat with my gal pal, Susan Slaton on Sunday. I'll be in Sebring, FL until  Wednesday...three full days of sewing, creating and sharing girl time. I'll pack this with my other projects and work on it while I'm there.   One more very important thing:

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Today is Patriots' Day. My prayer is that today, and in all the days ahead, our country is never again attacked as we were on that fateful day thirteen years ago. Today, I'll be pausing to reflect on the events of 9.11.01 and remember those who were lost. Stay safe and vigilant, my friends.

Planning A Restful Weekend...

My "Grace" necklace.

Remember that "creative imperative" I'm always telling you about?

Well, I think it's gone on a little break...and taken my sewing mojo along with it.

I'm sure it hasn't gone far - or for too long - but my attention span in the studio is 

like that of a four year old. I'm more content right now to dust and rearrange than 

actually sit down and make something. That doesn't happen to me very often.

"Grace" and sand dollar charms, with my "lucky" sixpence.

I'm looking forward to enjoying the holiday and taking a little time off. I'll be posting over the weekend, but I'm going to concentrate on Handsome,  Tag and homekeeping rather than playing in the studio. Maybe we'll head to the beach or take a little day trip. I'm sure a cookout will be in order for Monday.   I have a knitting project to work on, and perhaps a little handwork, but I won't be sitting at the sewing machine until next week. I'll grab my camera, like a good blogger, and I'll be sure to take lots of pictures to share with you.   Labor Day is the last official holiday of summer. If you're anywhere north of Jacksonville, soon the leaves will turn and there will be a little nip in the air.    We always had a big party this weekend, followed by Labor Day Monday, when  we cleaned up the yard, put away our lawn furniture and prepared for fall and the  inevitable winter that followed. This weekend was always our farewell to summer.   So, have a great weekend, enjoy your time off...and please be safe.  Happy Labor Day Weekend!

Home For The Holiday...

We'll be taking the day off to spend time with family and friends.

Happy Thanksgiving

From Our Home To Yours!