Crayon wreath

Made this the other day for oldest's kindergarten helper. I made another one with her kindergarten teachers name on it. She is looking forward to brining it in.

I did some creating last night.  I have a holiday party today for work and I finally finished my gift to the lucky person who picks my gift.  

I had been seeing a few of these glass blocks on pinterest, and thought I could do that.  The only thing with  mine is I couldn't find any ribbon I truly loved.  

I can't wait to make more.  Going to make another one for my in laws tonight.

Flirty Apron Secret Santa Swap

 What are your hobbies?
I really like crocheting right now.  It's something so simple to do in front of the tv at night. 
I am also dabbling into recycled crafts.  I have a holiday party for work coming up and I am doing paper towel/tp rolls cut and pasted into stars.  So simple yet so elegant.  My kids have kept me busy that I really haven't had much time to do any sewing, which I am truly missing.  I need to clean and get myself organized.

What are your favorite colors?
I have lots of favorite colors.  Yellow being the favoritist (is that truly a word?).  I'm not really into the bright snazzy colors or the soft pastel colors.  I do use them to create things with though.

Do you collect anything?
I sometimes wish I collected things, but I haven't found much that really appeals to me everytime.  My house is kind of like a mish mash of all sorts of things.

Are you allergic to any fibers or animals?
No allergies here, other than typical pollen.  I was very blessed not to have allergies to anything.

Do you have any pets?
Yes, does the husband and kids count?????  lol.  If not, then we will just count our two Pitbull dogs.  Boss and Quin.  Boss was named because he was the boss of the liter when we got him.  I can honestly say I didn't want him because of his breed, but he is the most wonderful dog I have ever had.  Quin was originally named Queen, but when we rescued her we just weren't feeling it.  Didn't take long for her to respond to her new name.

Coffee, Tea, or Chocolate?
I would love a cup of coffee right now.  It might wake me up!!  I am a coffee drinker, but not one who likes weird things.  Plain coffee with French Vanilla Creamer added.  Not so much of a tea drinker, but the husband is.  Chocolate??  Who doesn't love chocolate?  Well at least like some sort of it, right?  I do love a little piece of chocolate everyone once in awhile.

What do you like to read?
Right now I am trying to read The Help.  Trying is the key word.  I have heard so many good things, but for some reason I struggle to stay awake.  It might help if I don't try and read it right before bed. 
I typically just purchase a few magazines to look through, and read all the books the kids place in my lap.

Do you prefer Cookies or Candies as a sweet?
If I had to choose, I would choose cookies.  But then again I'm not so much into sweets.  Give me a pan of green bean casserole and I would love you forever. 

What is your favorite holiday treat?
I really like to eat the peanut drops with hershey kisses in them.  Those are my guilty pleasures.  I only make them during the holiday season.  I think those the one cookies that people eat first.  Me included.

Describe your favorite holiday tradition.
My favorite is our brunch at my in laws home.  She fixes a big breakfast casserole, bacon, sausage, mimosas, all the trimming for breakfast.  When we didn't have kids, it was the highlight of my Christmas.  It really wouldn't be the same if we didn't have brunch there.

Did you believe in Santa as a child?
I sure did.  I sometimes still do believe.  Watching all the wonderful holiday movies on Lifetime makes me a believer, because it's not so much that he is a person who delivers toys, it's all the small things that take place during this time of year.  The thoughtfulness, the cheer, the giving to others.  I think it's the spirit of the season. 

When do you open presents?
We open on Christmas morning.  I am usually the first one up, followed by the kids.  At that point I get them to wake up their daddy.  But they aren't allowed to open presents until we are all there together.

Do you put up a tree and when? If not, how do you celebrate?
I like to put the tree up the weekend after Thanksgiving. But last year we got a real tree for the first time, and the needles kept falling all to soon.  If we don't put it up after Thanksgiving this year it will be the first weekend in December.

Does your tree have a theme?
Mish Mash of ornaments handed down and that my husband and I purchased when we started dating.  I keep thinking about doing a theme, but then that would cost a lot of money to purchase a bunch of new things.  I really like the Old World Christmas, I might look into doing this one year.  I do plan on having a small tree for the kids to decorate with ornaments that they made and home made ornaments.

What has been your favorite gift to give? to receive?  
My favorite to give has been the home made quilts I did for everyone one year.  Not only was I thankful I got them done in time, but also the gratitude I received for taking the time and how thoughtful it was of me to do. 
I really like to receive gifts that the person really took the time and energy to think about.  I'm not really a fan of getting gift cards.  So when I open a gift and can really tell that the person really thought about the gift, that is the best.

Halloween

The office had a retirement party for a one of the ladies who has been with the agency for a real long time. Her team wanted to have a Halloween themed party. A few ladies dressed up. As you can see Silly Jilly and Stupid Sue were in attendance. The two are hilarious together. They played the part wonderfully.

Funeral and Fire truck fun

My family had a funeral to attend today for my great aunt.  She was an awesome lady who fought the last two years of hers life.  Aunt Jean, was the last remaining sibling to my grandfather on my mothers side.  She grew up with 6 sisters and 3 brothers.  Thinking about this, back then it seems the families were all large and were able to manage financially.  See, my grandmothers siblings - 6 brothers and 3 sisters.  How ironic.  One of our memories is of her at Christmas's trying to steal every one's presents.  She really didn't want them, but it was her personality that made it fun.  We were very blessed to have her in our lives.  Aunt Jean will forever be missed.

After the funeral, we reconvened at the fire hall were my uncle is part of.  The kids had a blast climbing the fire trucks.

My uncle was in heaven given tours of the fire trucks.  He loves to show the kids all the cool equipment that he is able to use as a volunteer fire fighter.

Wordless Wednesday

Postage Stamp Quilt Along

I'm quilting along with others for the Postage Stamp Quilt Along hosted by p.s. i quilt.

I have never quilted along others before.  I happened to see her post on this and thought it would be fun to participate.  I love the simple quilts, I'm a simple gal I guess.

So far my progress.

This week and into the weekend I will be cutting these up into 2 1/2 inch rows.  And hopefully I will be able to work on sewing them together per the instructions for the quilt along.

Circle Quilt

I have wanted to make a circle quilt for some time now.  I think they are just really cool looking.  I found one at Crazy Mom Quilts.  The tutorial I'm using is from Make It A Wonderful Life.

This is what I have started already.

The Family

We haven't taken a picture of our family since Peanut (Elizabeth) was 1 years old.  I felt so bad the our Beaner (Lillian) hasn't been in a family picture.  The girls are getting so big now.  For Christmas Peanut wanted to get her ears pierced.  We went to her pediatrician after Christmas, and much to my surprise, she did wonderful.  Beaner's language has grown so much in the last year.  3 years old is right around the corner for her.

My sisters family.  Their first family picture all together also.  Alicia, Ryan, Zac and Austin. 

My brothers family.  Jason, Cheri, Kayci and Riley.

All of us.  This was our parents Christmas present this year.