Father's Day 2012

After a grim Father's Day last year, we had a good time celebrating that holiday this year. We were in Arizona with our kids, (most of them anyway) and it was a fun time. Robert found this funny shirt and of course Grumpy loved it. He loves T-shirts and Hats! He has quite a collection of both. I need to remember to rescue the shirts before he wears them completely out and start saving them for a T shirt quilt for him someday. The hats....I don't know. Right now they live in several boxes in various places. We had both our Dads over for dinner that day. Grumpy picked Swiss Steak for his dinner. Everyone helped and it was a grand dinner. Our attendees were Gramma and Papa Harmon, Aunt Kay, Papa Kanaga, Jade with Jaxon, Ryker and Aden in tow, Robert, Jamie and Summer with Jordyn and Rylee along. I can't remember if Taylor was there or not. I should have posted before I slept a lot! Tawna and Nathan with Faith and Chance went to San Diego to visit his Dad, Taya and Kevin and their family were of course in Buellton and R.B. and Stacie were on an Alaskan Cruise. I was a little jealous that we weren't there too, we loved our Alaskan cruise. Would totally go again. Someday.

Tawna made this fun card and some Snickerdoodles (which I ate most of) for Grumpy before they left for California. She did these cute cards with her activity day girls and got them all ready for their Father's Day. Summer and Jamie got a great orange (Grumpy's fav color) bucket and stocked it with popcorn and M&Ms. And Almond Joys too. I must confess, I got the M&Ms, but I didn't get into his Almond Joys or Popcorn. He does love his popcorn. He ate some of his Almond Joys on the drive back to Midland. Good stuff!

Taya has pictures for him, but I will pick them up when I go to see her in a few days. Jade wants to treat him to his first pedicure. I have to be there to see that! It was a great day. I love all the happy noise and the whole 3 ring circus that goes on with so much family. We got Papa Harmon a large box of Jiff to Go! Individual portions of peanut butter for him to take with him wherever he goes. He loves peanut butter! My brother and sister & I got Papa Kanaga an apple tv gadget. Now he can get all his documentaries and other shows he likes on NetFlix, etc. He will enjoy that. Some of our boyz (above) on Father's Day. Good Food, Good Times, Good Family.

What's better than that?

Some things in May

The week we returned to Midland, Grumpy had purchased tickets for the very fabulous and entertaining BYU International Folkdancers. We have a very nice and brand new theater here in Midland so the venue was very upbeat. I guess technically it is in Odessa, but it seems to be kind of in the middle between the two cities.

Such talented performers. The dances were amazing and the Mountain Strings performing with them provided excellent music and song. It was an evening well spent and I would highly recommend their performance. I only wish I could have ever moved that way. So fun to watch.

I then had a luncheon planned with my Visiting Teaching partner, Holly for our ladies. We wanted to do something a little special for them for Mother's Day, so decided to have them over to Holly's for a nice lunch. I gave Holly the recipe off Nana's blog for the wonderful Strawberry/Citrus salad and she was excited to make it. Everyone loves that salad. I decided to do a couple of quiche recipes I have been wanting to try. It seems like I have to have an occasion to try recipes. I don't know why. I guess that way my quests are my test group and I can get some impartial feedback? I don't know, but it seems I am trying out new recipes for get togethers often. I posted my refined efforts on Nana's blog, but will put some of the pics of our fare that day.

Above are the two quiches cooling after cooking. The top one was the Broccoli/Cheddar, the bottom one is the Spinach/Mushroom. It was raining hard that day, so I cooked them at my apartment rather than hauling all the ingredients over to Holly's. Since quiche needs to cool about 15 minutes before serving anyway, I took them down to the car and was at Holly's ready to serve them when they were ready.

Our delicious salad Holly made and our quiche plated. It was a yummy lunch, which was only attended by one of our ladies. Sadly the other 3 could not come. Holly put some quiche and salad into zip-lock containers and we went delivering after lunch. It was a good day.

Then it was Mother's Day. Grumpy took me out to dinner Saturday night at our favorite, the Shogun restaurant (for Robert). Robert took Gramma and Papa H. to dinner for us, so Grumpy took me for Robert.  It was an excellent dinner and I called to thank Robert that night. I got other nice things done for me while I was home in Mesa in April (for Mother's Day in advance). I was taken by surprise when I woke up Sunday morning to the realization I had no children around me for the first time in 37 years. It hit me pretty hard and I did not do well with this change in my life. I couldn't stop crying. I felt terrible that Grumpy was having to deal with a despondent wife through no fault of his own, but couldn't help myself. Everyone was good to call and text, I knew I wasn't forgotten, but it was very different to be far from everyone for this holiday. It made me feel doubly bad that Grumpy had been here totally by himself last year for Father's Day. Horrible. That won't be happening ever again. I re-grouped and went to church. I lasted for Sacrament meeting. I went to give Jenny a poster for our cookbooks we're putting together and when she asked if I was okay I lost it. Poor Jenny. She and Holly gave me hugs and sent me home. While I was home waiting to go back and get Grumpy I heard a knock on the door. It was a nice young man delivering a bouquet of fruit to me by Edible Arrangements from Jamie, Summer and the kids. I was so surprised and glad I was home to take delivery. My favorite of course were the chocolate covered strawberries. Thanks Armstrongs for the bouquet of sunshine that day. I got nice calls from all the kids and wore one of the necklaces Taya and Kevin got me for Mother's Day while I was in Cali.  I hope Grumpy didn't feel too bad. It wasn't my best day. I made him change his reservations the next day so he and I will be home in Mesa for Father's Day. Thanks for all the calls and texts. I got a card from Stacie, RB and the kids the following Tuesday. I love my kids and grandkids so much it was just so weird to not be with any of them that day. I guess this is another hurdle in my changing (older) life that I need to get over.

Just life, right?

Easter In California

This year I spent my first Easter in a long time away from Grumpy. Our March and April were pretty far flung this year, but enjoyable nonetheless. After our Dune Trip with RB & Stacies family, and Robert, Grumpy had to return to TX. That work thing really gets in the way sometimes, but the things it provides is great! I stayed in AZ and did stuff. Grumpy would say I mostly shopped at JoAnn's Fabric Store but that's not really true. I can do a lot of damage in very little time there. I went to "The Hunger Games" with Tawna, Jade, Summer, Stacie and RB, Austin, Megan, Rylee, Faith, Taylor(?) and lots of Tracy's family too. A friend of Tawna's rented a theater and we got advance showing tickets. So nice. They did a good job with the movie, I was glad there wasn't too much gore. I don't think it would have been quite as coherent if you hadn't read the trilogy though. Good times to be there with so much family.

On to California to stay with Taya and Kevin's kids while they went to play in Utah. Kevin did the snowmobiling and Taya did the relax in the hotel and read. They had fun and so did I. Easter was the weekend they got home, so we got to spend it together. Before leaving for Utah, Taya and I spent some time shopping "on the way home from the airport" and got some fun things. Went to "So Good" jewelry shop and had a lot of fun there! Taya bought me a couple of great necklaces for Mother's Day and I got some other things as well. I don't do that very often, so it was doubly fun to play in the jewelry store. While Taya was gone I got out the sewing machine and set it up in the vanity. It was funny to be sewing in the bathroom, but it worked just fine. I made Easter pillowcases for Lauren and Emersyn since they were probably the only ones who really cared about Easter pillowcases. They loved having bunnies and chicks on their beds.

Easter dinner was a group effort this year. Kaitlin was trying to pass off a YW goal, so she was doing a lot things new to her. I made a potato salad, Taya made a ham and broccoli salad. Kaitlin wanted to make some cute deviled eggs she saw on Pinterest. They were supposed to look like chicks coming out of their shells. She did a good job, but I think she learned a lot too. Planning ahead as to presentation, and really researching the recipe and how-to's are important steps. They were a fun learning experience and they tasted just fine.

Madison was in charge of the table setting. She did an awesome job creating her own centerpiece from peeps and skewers, and setting the place settings up complete with notes of affirmation for all of us. She is a hostess in training for sure.

I got a pic of the family on their way in from church. I only got a snap or two and then they scattered like chickens. I nabbed Kaitlin and Daron for a shot with Taya before they ran away. She doesn't get many shots of her with any of the kids. She is usually holding the camera.

The whole group.

Daron Schmoozing.

Kaitlin and Taya.

It was a great time. I went to my favorite little quilt shop there and got a couple more books for holiday projects. I spent some time with kids I don't see as often as I would like (although that is true of all the kids now) and hopefully made some good memories for them too.
Grumpy spent Easter in Midland and that was the down-side to my holiday. I missed him so much. He is a good sport to be so pleasant about our time away from each other. Have I said before what a good man I married?

V-Day 2012

Well, I have become a true Pinterest addict! I don't even mind admitting that since there are so many great ideas there. I have tried a few and have many more to try out. This month I chose two ideas for Valentine's Day. This first one was a lot of fun. I have to say I had a great time executing this bouquet of Bacon Roses! First I had to find a mini-muffin pan. Grumpy went to 3 stores looking for one while he was out doing some shopping one day. He didn't know why I needed it, just knew I did. Such a considerate guy! He could only find the over-size Texas muffin pans. Go figure. I finally found one at Hobby Lobby. Yay! Next I needed Grumpy to drill at least a 1/8" hole in the bottoms of the muffin part (to allow the bacon drippings to go through). He did this for me about 9:30 Monday night (before Valentine's Day) thinking I needed it for a Relief Society project. Did I say what a considerate guy he is? Meanwhile, I had purchased bacon in various thicknesses. I had both a thick-cut and a regular cut package. The instructions were very good on the tutorial I pinned, so I followed them and got my "roses" in the oven to cook.

I had bought some cheapy white rose picks at Hobby Lobby, so while the roses were cooking I took apart one dozen of the stems to prepare for bacon roses. When the roses were done and cooled I assembled the stems and arranged them all in a vase. I called Grumpy to see if he wanted to meet me in the parking garage and we would go get some lunch. He did. You should have seen me driving while trying to hold onto a vase with 2 dozen roses in it. I drove slowly and carefully and eventually made it to the garage of his building. He was a little astonished that I had gotten him flowers for Valentines. He didn't realize they were edible. I finally had to tell him they were bacon roses and he was surprised. He really liked them then. He took them up to his office before we went to lunch. He even shared a couple with fellow co-workers when he got back. It's always fun to surprise Grumpy.

He really surprised me a few days earlier by singing to me at the ward Valentine Dinner Dance. It was really a nice evening. The cultural hall was done in twinkle lights and the tables in Valentine decor. We were served a spaghetti dinner by our hubbies and there were lots of different desserts to choose from on a cart they brought around to all the tables. A few of the men had volunteered to sing a song, read a poem or something for their wife in front of everyone. There was a nice chair and back-drop where the wife would sit while they performed their talent. I didn't know he had signed up to do that and he was the last one called up to do his song. While I was sitting in the nice chair he starts out by telling everyone I threw away his music, so he would have to sing a cappella. Nice. So after he threw me under the bus in front of everyone he sang a song he learned on his mission (in Chinese) called Eternal Love. After he was done singing, and a fine job he did I might say, he translated the words and read them to the audience.

No matter how the years come and go
No matter whether the flowers bloom or no
We two have an unchangeable love
I love you now.

No matter how the years come and go
No matter whether the flowers bloom or no
We two have an unchangeable love
I'll love you through the years to come.

Do not fear the dimming of our sight
Nor the graying of our hair
Among the people of this world
We two have an eternal, mutual love.

No matter how the years come and go
No matter whether the flowers bloom or no
We two have an unchangeable love
A mutual love eternally
A mutual love eternally.

By the way, when we made move #27 I asked him if there was any reason to keep the many cassette tapes we had been lugging around. We don't even own a cassette player at this point, so I couldn't see the need to keep the tapes. He said "Whatever", so I took that as a yes and got rid of all the cassettes. Apparently the chinese music from his mission was on one of them. Oh well. He sounded just fine a cappella. A very sweet surprise for me.

Last, out of the kitchen were some sweet visiting teaching treats. I got the recipe off, yes, Pinterest and decided to try it. The recipe was for Cinnamon Bear Popcorn, but alas, there are no cinnamon bears to be found in Midland. None. I got red hots instead since they are cinnamon and did the recipe that way. First time I have ever done anything treat-wise with popcorn. I will post the recipe for this on Nana's blog as well as the tutorial for the bacon roses. Both were "keepers" for the holidays.

A good Valentine's Day (and month) it has been. I married well.

The Trees of Christmas

To all the people who say they can't decorate Christmas trees well. Phooey! Trees are easy. You put enough stuff on them and even not so wonderful trees look good. I am posting my recipe for a tree in case anyone wants to give it a shot. I don't have a pic of setting the tree up. This usually entails lots of swearing and bad facial expressions, so I didn't go there on camera. Hopefully your tree is pre-lit. If not, buy a new tree. Or you can wire it yourself, again, with a colorful vocabulary and more facial grimaces. Lights are very important. If you are doing them yourself, don't do a half-a@#ed job. They are the basis for a beautiful tree. I would use strands of 100 twinkle lights, without the twinkle flashy thing enabled. I personally don't like lights that flash at me. I also like the brilliance of white lights. Nothing sets your tree off quite like little white lights. Colored lights are fun too, but don't have the brilliance of the white ones. I have used all blue lights in trees for a very quiet, almost nightlike feeling. All green is really pretty too. Use your imagination and have fun with different things every year if you are up to it physically and financially. Wire from the trunk out to the ends of the branches and back and move to the next branch. Yes, this takes lots of time and lots of lights, but the result is amazing. Only 3 sets of 100 can be connected with any success before getting a new plug to plug into. Green extension cords are the bomb! Otherwise, they look good for awhile and then BAM!, they short out and you are left crying. This I know from experience. Sadly.



Now that your tree is up and lit you are ready for the good stuff. Next comes the garland. Whatever kind of garland you prefer. I have this beautiful stuff Nana bought that is all gold leaves and beaded berries. (Above) I run it kind of at a diagonal so it sort of spirals down the tree. You can use lengths of lots of things for garland. Paper chains, commercial tinsely stuff, ribbon, rag garland, beaded ropes, strands of pearls, popcorn strung with cranberries, whatever. It all works. Decide weather you like it diagonal, around horizontally or streaming down the tree from the top vertically.



Next I do the top of the tree. (Above) I have been using poinsettias and bows, and some fern-like pokey things for the past few years. I think I am going to find a pretty star for next year. Angels are good. Whatever you like at the top goes next. On this tree, this is also when I add my ribbon in-between the gold and red garlands. If you are using ribbon with wire in the edges, it sort of coils this way and that as it comes off the roll. Let it loop and tuck it in a branch here and there for a loopy, swirly effect. (Below)



Now for the glitz and glitter (and bling)! Ornaments go next. The really big ones go toward the bottom and I work them into the branches so they are kind of "in" the tree and add some dimension. You can use big ones anywhere, but if you only have a few, place them from eye level down for the best exposure. I have ornaments that are all similar in design and color for the over-all tree. The tall packs they sell at Costco or Sam's are wonderful for this and are usually non-breakable. Then I have ornaments of all sizes and kinds that are wonderful on a tree. Lots of variety and precious memories are in ornaments. I try to buy a few one-of-a-kind ornaments every year to add to our collection. Then of course are things that dangle. I like crystal "icicles", or prisms or faceted teardrops, whatever reflects and refracts light is good. Glittered snowflakes are fun too. Last of all if you like even more pokey things, glittered spiral branches, coils of whatever and glittery or foil sprays are the final touch.



My finished tree above. I love getting it done and just sitting and looking at it. It is thoughts of many Christmases and seeing the traditions on the tree that help bring me the peace of the season. I know that trees don't have anything to do with why we celebrate Christmas, but they have everything to do with how. They do symbolize so many good things at this time of year. I do love Christmas trees. Below is Jacque and Dawson's tree that I help her with every year. I love going to her home and spending the better part of a day getting her tree up and ready for her family to enjoy. She does red and gold like me with a tartan plaid ribbon and gold beads for her garland. Good times.



I had the pleasure of doing Gramma's tree for her this year. Not just the ribbon this year, but the whole tree. Been wanting to do that for years. Had a lot of fun with it, but didn't have my camera that day. I will try and get a photo later this month.
I also helped Summer decorate the school office lobby where she works. That was an interesting tree. All colored lights which I had to wire on the tree myself (time for a new pre-lit tree for them), there was much gnashing of teeth on that part. After the lights were in, we really didn't have much to put on it except snowflakes in many sizes and ribbon. The ribbon was white and swirly and we really loaded the tree with it. Then I took the really big snowflakes (about 12" diameter) and put them into the tree all around the bottom. The smaller snowflakes were over-all and we found some silver glittered ones to add to it. It turned out pretty. I should learn to carry my camera with me, right? Duh.

Trees rock.

Now for the rest of the house…

The whole house used to turn into Christmas back when I had a lot more energy. Now I pick my areas and take a little more time. (I'm slow these days). I only did one garland this year, and that was enough for me. Not a lot of places to use garland in this house, maybe that's a good thing as I get older. I try to sort of match the garland to the tree in feel since they are usually in the same room. I had a lot of fun with Steve the Elk and my crazy "veloci-rooster". Had to deck them out for the holidays. Grumpy hasn't seen Steve the Elk yet. Hope he likes his Christmas attire. Hey, there are certain concessions when you put an Elk in my living room. I got the idea from Jade who decked her Elkie out in a menagerie of ornaments and ribbons. He was pretty stylin' and looked goooood! My six foot rooster affectionately called the "veloci-rooster" had to have a holiday look too.




Next come the cupboards. We all know what a penchant I have for ribbon. What better way to use some ribbon at Christmas! I love to wrap the cupboard doors every year and dress the kitchen in holiday glam. Then of course I be-ribbon the chandelier(s) and get out the Christmas dishes. Had to go find a plate rack to use since I took my big one to Texas. It's not a cute one, but it will do this year. Can't stand to put the pretty dishes in the cupboard where no one sees them. Where I can't see them.





I didn't get a shot of the wreath Papa let me use, or the dining room light before I left. I will add those later. I am ready for the season and hopefully Robert is enjoying the house full of Christmas until we get back there later this month. Two weeks here in Texas and three weeks in Mesa. Had to have stuff in both places, right?



New arrangements for Nana and Curt this year. The cemetery does a complete wipe out of all flowers sometime in January and we weren't fast enough last year to get the Christmas pointsettias taken off to save. It was the second year we had used them, so it was probably for the best that they are gone. I was at Hobby Lobby and they had some really pretty Christmas floral sprays, so I got what I needed to put together some Christmas arrangements to take out to the cemetery. I didn't get there with Pop before I left for Texas, so he, Tracy and Bobby will do the honors this year. I cannot do anything at Christmas that I don't think of the way Nana loved the holiday. I am glad that I could help her and Papa have their home decorated and beautiful for the season for so many years. Now that is part of my cherished memories that surface everytime I do anything for Christmas. I miss her.

Meanwhile...Back at the Sewing Machine

Above are some more dresses I made for Lauren and Emersyn. I saw this pinwale courduroy at the store and it was just too cute not to buy. I loved both the fabrics and their accents, so decided to do a wintery dress for the girls to keep them warm in California. I had lots of fun sewing them and hope they have lots of fun wearing them.



I then moved on to the next installment of pillowcases in the holiday line-up. Christmas fabric was not hard to find, but sometimes hard to match to the grandkids. Nothing too cutesy or juvenile, (especially for the older kids) so my quest began. I found some in Albuquerque (with Grumpy under duress to take me to a JoAnn's as we passed through), some here in Midland at our local Hancock's and our Hobby Lobby, some I ordered on-line through JoAnn's (that was a little dicey) and finally some at home in Mesa. (again at JoAnn's). We don't have a JoAnn's here in Midland, so our choices of fabrics is sometimes limited. After all the looking for and deciding was done I went to work getting them done. I did Taya's family first (above) so I could send them FedEx with the girls dresses. I sewed some in Midland and barely got the fabric I ordered on-line in time to pack and take to AZ to finish the rest. I hope the grandkids have had as much fun using them as I have had making them. (Thanks to Grumpy for being a good sport with all the shopping and fabric requisitions.)

Below are all the ones that went to our Arizona families.



I also hope all the grandkids remember them on Christmas morning as they are opening all their other gifts. I just couldn't wait to give them and wanted them to enjoy them through the seasons. Carson wanted to know if he would be getting one for Easter and Aden asked me if I could please get him something besides a pillowcase.

Kids are funny.

Giving Thanks

So much to be thankful for. Where to begin? We have been so very blessed. I was reminded recently of a line from the movie "While you were sleeping"… Ox Calahan is sitting with his son at the breakfast table and he says,

"You work hard, try to provide for the family, and then, for one minute, everything's good. Everyone's well. Everyone's happy. In that one minute, you have peace."

Of course Jack says to him, this is not that moment. But in my case, it is that moment. I know we all still have our trials and troubles, but in the grand scheme of things every one of us is so blessed. The longer I live away from all that is familiar to me, the more thankful I am for the environment I was raised in. The LDS social structure that I take so for granted, and see the benefits from every single day. The family and friends that made/make that possible and the knowledge that I need to thank my Father in Heaven ceaselessly for those blessings. And then there is the gospel which provides the tools for me to know and understand why I am here and where I am going. The day to day struggles and concerns take on a different perspective when viewed in an eternal scope. Not that I am really great at that, but I am hopefully learning how to do that better. I am grateful for my life and my trials and all the things I am learning.

I am grateful for being able to travel home to Mesa to spend some precious time with my family. Thanksgiving was a wonderful day. Grumpy and I were in high gear the week of, so we could get everything done that needed done before the big day. There was a definite push for certain accomplished tasks as Grumpy, Robert, Jeff and R.B. were leaving after dinner Thanksgiving Day to go elk hunting. Again. All the big important stuff got done, and then it was just dinner to plan and get done. I had lots of help with our scrumptious meal this year. I noticed there is no Turkey lore on Nana's cooking blog, so will add what I can to that. I went to Papa's house and raided the linen closet for chargers, napkins, napkin rings and tablecloths. Armed with my booty I planned out my table settings and had a good time with that. I love dishes. Below are our tables for the day.





The table above is the one set with the gold flatware I got from Nana. ALL of the grandkids wanted to sit at the "golden table". Pretty funny. I made a bargain with them that they could sit there if they would be ladies and gentlemen. They did pretty well. Sadly, I forgot (once again) to take pics of our delicious food. We had the usual turkey, sweet potatoes, white potatoes, gravy, green beans, corn, dressing, cranberry sauce, coleslaw, pineapple/cheese jello salad and a gourmet green salad with bacon, strawberries and dried cranberries in it. So good. Our contributors this year were Tawna, Stacie, Jade, me, Grandma H. and Summer. Such good cooks. I hope Stacie will post her green bean recipe on Nana's blog. Ditto for all the other dishes. I had great intentions of making pie when I got home, but all such intentions melted away with the days ahead, and then it was the final straw when I went to the pantry for the can of pumpkin I just knew was there and it was not. Stacie was our resident pie maker this year and WOW, she was amazing.



There was apple, 2 pecan, coconut cream, chocolate, cheese cake, pumpkin, and I can't remember what the other one was. Grandma brought a pecan and a pumpkin to help round out our dessert bar. We feasted like kings. Very full kings.

Good day. Good memories. So very Thankful. I love you all.

Sewing and Sewing…

Getting out the tools to begin more fun things. Now that all of them are delivered (Thanks again to Robert and FedEx) I can post what I have been up to lately.



More holiday fabric being cut into pillowcases for the grands. It's so nice to have such wonderful tools to use to make the job easier than ever. I think Grumpy will be glad to have the buying of holiday fabric stop soon. He has forgotten what a fabric junkie I am. He does like that our kids and grandkids can benefit from me having something to do here. I felt a little challenge trying to figure out something to make the Thanksgiving pillowcases fun for the kids. Of course I tried to find the cutest fabric I could, and then decided to embellish them a little. Some fabrics were okay on their own, and some just needed some help to be a little fun. I found some fabric markers that are guaranteed permanent, so I added some thanksgiving quips to some of them. I had fun making them all different and Grumpy had fun watching me be busy.



The five above went to Taya's family. It was fun to try and find fabrics I thought they would like. That is true of all the kids. I try to match up fabrics I find with the kids personalities and hope for a good result. Below are the ones that went to Tawna's, Jades, Summer and Stacie's families.




Along with all the cases, I wanted to make dresses for Lauren and Emmy. They are still little enough to love whatever I pick, so I made them new Sunday dresses to twirl around and around in. That's what my girls did when I made the kind with miles of ruffles at the bottom. They are really fun to get dizzy in. I got a fun video of Emmy doing just that. She was pretty dizzy when Kevin finally stepped in to stop her from falling over sideways.




I only have the pics I took of the dresses. I got some pics on my phone from Taya with the girls modeling for me, but I am not smart enough to get them from the phone to my computer. I will steal some from Taya's blog when she gets some on there.

I will be teaching a class this Wednesday to ladies in my ward who want to make some of the fun pillowcases for the holidays. It will be fun to get to know some of the sisters in our ward.

I love sewing for my family and with my family. Glad everyone liked their stuff and really glad to be able to do it. We love you all and miss you so very much!

The Halloween I Missed

Above are Tawna and Jade's crazy kids out begging for candy. They look like they are having a great time. Looks like the pillowcases doubled for Halloween candy sacks.
Below are R.B. & Stacie's kids and funny dog all ready for the night. I can't believe they got the dog to sit still with those glasses on long enough to get a pic.




We didn't get even one knock on the door in our apt. here in Midland. Good thing since this was the first year since we had kids at home that I didn't buy any candy. I was a trick or treat scrooge. However on the flip side of that, Grumpy and I had a nice evening watching a movie on the TV. We cuddled on our couch and were content to be together. I guess if you can't have the grandkids and the hoop-la, being together is a good compromise. I hope to see pics of Taya's crew on her blog and maybe Summer will send or post pics of her gang as well.

Thanks for sending the pictures, glad the kids had fun. Missed you all.

Creepy Sleep

I hope today is the day the pillowcases are delivered to my house in Mesa. It was cheaper to send them all to one address than it was to four addresses, so Robert gets the happy job of delivering the prizes. (Thanks mucho Robert!)I had a lot of fun making these and each one is different from any of the others. Except Faith and Rylee have twin cases. I thought about you individually and tried to pick fabrics (with sometimes limited choices here) that you would like. I can see one for each holiday in the future but it might take some time. I expect pics from all you guys so I can add them to my files. I don't even have a regular pillow here to try them all on! I hope everyone enjoys a little halloween in their room. Even you big kids–you're never too big to enjoy some funky holiday stuff. I'm not so great at getting things right on birthdays, but Grumpy and I try and do something fun for each of you every year. We love you all.

Today is Jade and Jeff's Anniversary. Happy Day to you guys, I still remember the wedding day. It was a pretty wedding. I hope Jaxon's leg is feeling better. Bicycles can be such traitors sometimes, fun one minute and cutting up your leg the next. Damn bike! Gotta love 'em though.

Speaking of creepy sleep... I hope R.B.'s kids are careful on their new toy so I don't have to worry. It looks like a fun toy, and I hope we can make it to the dunes this year to see them enjoy it. If we don't, again, I expect some pics.



Those are some crazy boys in there! Maybe I should worry just a little. It is my job after all!