Handmade Gifts and Games With the Families

Wanted to share the tin of Christmas treats I took the neighbors this year. Each house got a tin and a handmade Christmas card. Our neighborhood is going through some changes right now and we're getting more families with young children and babies on the way. One neighbor has a son the same age as Brooklyn. They are all very delightful, but I do admit it makes me feel old...

This pillowcase is one of the gifts we gave to Keith's mom. We saw the KIT at a local quilt shop and thought the fabric looked just like her. She's a very happy person, always laughing and she adores all sorts of bug fabric, including butterflies.

I worked on this and of course made an error, which meant I got to use my trusty friend Mr. Seam Ripper. Finished and so happy with the results. The funny part was when she opened it she thought we'd gotten her some butterfly fabric. Keith pointed out it was a pillowcase and she smiled and set it aside. The lightbulb came on later and she asked if I made it, then she got it back out to look over more carefully. She was stunned and amused to hear that I had used a pattern for a pillowcase and this started quite a discussion between my mother-in-law (a quilter extraordinaire), sister-in-law (who made exquisite tote bags for each of us - note to self: need to post a picture) and I about whether or not patterns are necessary when quilting or if it's better to wing it. We all were laughing quite a bit at the different way we each approached this.


This year we finally got back to playing games again. The picture above shows mother-in-law, Loni, Lynne' and sister-in-law Rhonda while we were playing Cranium. LOADS of fun and it was interesting to see what each person's "gift" was as far as charades, drawing, singing or spelling. Keith and I were talking about the games after we got home and we remember when the kids were little and we'd visit his family we'd always play games until the wee hours of the morning after the kids went to bed. Not sure when we got away from it, but after playing at Christmas I realized just how much I miss it.

We also played Cranium and Uno Attack when we were at my mom's house and again, I don't know whey we don't do it more often. It's fun to just laugh and have a good time together.




While playing Uno Attack back at Keith's folks house James took Miss B over to great grandma's organ and let her play. I swear this child will end up doing something musical or dance because she LOVES music. The minute she hears it she starts moving her shoulders to the beat and it just makes me laugh every time.

Good times.....

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom.
One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. - Psalm 145:3-4

Brooklyn and Joe at Christmas

For some reason Brooklyn just loves Joe.  But Joe is not quite as fond of Brooklyn so we really have to keep an eye on him.  This Christmas Miss B seemed to be particularly fond of Joe.  We bought him a Christmas collar that had blinking red and green lights this year and she was entranced by it.

While opening gifts Brooklyn methodically took a red bow apart and used the little pieces to pet Joe while he was sleeping.

And then she used the dog as a jungle gym and slide.  He has the patience of a saint right about now.

And she loved to hug Joe.  This picture would be absolutely darling...if she had been hugging the other end!!!

I have no idea why I chose this series of pictures from our Christmas to show first.  There will be more posts coming so that I can share more family fun.  I'd really like to get all of Christmas posted before the New Year!

Good times....

Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground.
- Psalm 143:10

Welcome Tori!

In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the season what better way to step back and slow down than to visit a newborn at the hospital?  Lynne's best friend had her baby yesterday evening.  Of course Lynne' was there last night and tonight the two of us went up to the hospital to see the baby.

Little Tori was 18 inches long and 5 lbs 13 oz.  She is so beautiful and has big, alert eyes.

There is so much joy sitting in a rocker holding a newborn baby.  When we walked in the room the nursery nurse was in showing A how to hold the baby while feeding her.  Apparently now they hold babies more upright than they did 24 years ago - and it all made perfect sense when the nurse was explaining it.

I could have sat here all night.   :)

Good times....

Every good and perfect gift is from above. - James 1:17

Gift Card Holder

This project was made during a recent stamp club night and wonder of wonders - I'm actually getting ready to use it!!!

Only one stamp was used and the rest are die cuts, everything from Stampin' Up.  This flips open and has a pocket on the inside to hold a gift card.

I'm very pleased with how this turned out and I know the recipient will be too.  :)

We are all faced with magnificent opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations. - Charles R. Swindell

Christmas With The Extended Family

We had such a wonderful Friday night and Saturday.  Mom, grandma, brother and sister-in-law came to town last night and we met the kids for dinner at California Pizza Kitchen.  Just love spending time with the family.

This morning I made scrambled eggs with chopped fresh jalapenos (Yum-O!) served with picante sauce and sour cream.  I do believe it is a new favorite breakfast!  Then we all piled into cars and headed to my cousin's house for our Christmas celebration.  My grandmother started the tradition - longer ago than I can remember - that we get together the Saturday before Christmas to see all the extended family.  She knew that everybody would be with their families on Christmas and this way we could all see each other.

This year we had 6 littles under the age of 2 1/2 years old!  Oh what fun and what a joy they all were...even though none of them had much of a nap.  They all played well together and just had a grand time.  My cousin transformed one of the rooms of her home into the North Pole Playroom complete with a small ball pit and crawling tubes!  So now get ready for the pictures.....

This is my cousin's grandson Max, who is not quite 2 years old, sitting in the ball pit with Miss B.

Not a good quality photo, but these kids were moving f.a.s.t.!  And I wanted to show Miss B once again with major static hair.

Crawling through the tubes was so much fun!  I think I was a little bit surprised that Brooklyn wasn't scared by them.

At the end of the afternoon, as the sun set slowly and the major cold front blew in, both babies finally gave up and fell asleep.  B fell asleep in Loni's arms and then moved to Aunt Shell and poor little Max fell right asleep while sitting at the table eating.  Bless their hearts.

And good times....

At the heart of the cyclone tearing the sky
And flinging the clouds and the towers by,

Is a place of central calm;
So here in the roar of mortal things,
I have a place where my spirit sings,
In the hollow of God's palm.

                                     Edwin Markham

CFBA - Where Do I Go?

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Where Do I Go?
by Neta Jackson - Thomas Nelson (December 9, 2008)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
As a husband/wife writing team, Dave and Neta Jackson are enthusiastic about books, kids, walking with God, gospel music, and each other! Together they are the authors or coauthors of over 100 books. In addition to writing several books about Christian community, the Jacksons have coauthored numerous books with expert resource people on a variety of topics from racial reconciliation to medical ethics to ministry to kids in gangs.

Dave and Neta live in Evanston, Illinois, where for twenty-seven years they were part of Reba Place Church, a Christian church community. They are now members of a multi-racial congregation in the Chicago area.

They're trying something new! Not just new for them, but something completely new in Christian fiction: “Parallel novels,” two stories taking place in the same time frame, same neighborhood, involving some of the same characters living through their own dramas and crises but interacting with and affecting one another … just the way it happens in real life.

It’s something that only a husband and wife writing team could pull off. While Neta has Where Do I Go?, her husband Dave has written Harry Bentley's Second Chance.

ABOUT THE BOOK

A story of seeking-and finding-God's will in unlikely places.

Gabrielle Fairbanks has nearly lost touch with the carefree, spirited young woman she was when she married her husband fifteen years ago. But when the couple moves to Chicago to accommodate Philip's business ambitions, Gabby finds the chance to make herself useful. It's there she meets the women of Manna House Women's Shelter; they need a Program Director-and she has a degree in social work. She's in her element, feeling God's call on her life at last, even though Philip doesn't like the changes he sees in her. But things get rough when Philip gives Gabby an ultimatum: quit her job at the shelter or risk divorce and losing custody of their sons. Gabby must take refuge, as in the song they sing at Sunday night worship: "Where do I go when there's no one else to turn to? . . . I go to the Rock I know that's able, I go to the Rock."

Romantic Times Book Reviews says, “Exquisite characters coupled with God's mercy and love emanate from each page.”

Publisher's Weekly adds, “Jackson's Yada Yada series has sold half a million copies, and this new offshoot series ... promises the same.... The book's dramatic ending ... leav[es] readers eager for the next installment in the series.”

To read the Prologue and first Chapter of Where Do I Go?, go HERE

MY REVIEW

I was so excited to see this book on the review list as I just love Neta Jackson books. Her Yada Yada series is legendary and I predict this new series will be even greater.

Gabby is the type of person that I honestly would want as a BFF. She's not afraid to kick off her shoes and dance on the shore to celebrate life. And yet she's just as willing to be introspective and open to new ideas.

She is married to a fast-paced, high-powered executive who moves her into a penthouse apartment. The people that Gabby meets and befriends are so real that I would love to sit and have a cup of coffee with them. Her husband is not nearly as approving.

I read this book so fast because I got so involved in Gabby's life and quest for answers. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series. And I plan on ordering her husband's parallel novel that has some of the same characters as this book. Definitely this is one of my favorite books of this year.