The Day After Christmas

Today we went to see a movie, Marley and Me, and it was really sad but good. Make sure you take plenty of Kleenex. I can't tell the complete story as I wouldn't want to spoil the ending but it sure was very gutwrenching sad.

I can't wait to read the book as books are usually more detailed than the movie. The website has really good information about the author who actually wrote this based on a true story of his dog. It's really about time a good movie came out!!!!

Grandma and Meghan

Grandma is sporting her new coat and matching gloves.

Grandma and Meghan being silly here.

Merry Christmas 2008!

Here are some pics around the house today as we opened gifts. I got ALOT of goodies and a certificate from Phil for a beginning knitting class on Jan 10th! That was a big surprise but I can't wait. I also got a really cool Williamsburg cloth bag and matching eyeglass holder and an absolutely cool magnifying lamp for stitching by my chair. SANTA did GOOD!!

Ren is tuckered in his bed after breakfast and snored right through lunch. Santa left him the sweater and he loves it as he has very little hair left. He is like the Velveteen Rabbit, it's all loved off! LOL

We had a late lunch. I had cooked in the slow cooker Tuesday night a rump roast with carrots and celery, onions, and mushrooms on top, then warmed it up today in the oven while my potatoes were cooking. I made a green salad to go with it and corn on the cob with rolls. I was so hoping to make a red velvet cake but just didn't get time so we had coffee and some leftover Christmas cookies for dessert. My parents got me a cake plate that is so beautiful and matches my fine china "Old Country Roses" pattern. Oh my, how a red velvet cake would have looked with that on it!

Thomas was at the door this morning and he got some treats from Santa. (Ren at some too and during our lunch threw them up !! EWW

All the rush is done and I am catching up on blogging and sipping some freshly made decaff Hazelnut coffee.

Almost Finished the Rose Cottage Pillow top

Here are the pictures from the website of the Sarah Twigg's Reproduction samplers. I have finished the second one and part of the first one. I plan to finish the first one to make a complete set and frame them in the next month. These pictures are actually from the website and the actual linen for mine are an aged yellowish color instead. Designs are the same. This is one of the first projects I have used with silk floss instead of cotton and its wonderful to work with.

This is my progress on the Country Cottage Needleworks, "Rose Cottage" pillow topper. I can't wait to finish it but I have to sleep a few hours each day :)

I started this on Thanksgiving and hope to finish it this week. I love the names of the cotton floss. One of the rose colors is "Secondhand Rose" and the roof is "Country Lane".I have 2 more edges to complete. Then back to sampler #2 of "the Twiggs Sampler" which are two reproduction needlework samplers above.

ok, this is is a serious issue

this is absolutely hilarious. Thank goodness we don't try to put up lights around the eave of the house. I don't know who this is, it was on the internet and thought I'd post.

Santa and the Reindeer

Here is a picture of Santa trying to get the reindeer ready but they are just not interested!

Christmas is Almost Here

Christmas is almost here. People are rushing and traffic took twice as long to get home from work. People are rushing around buying those last minute gifts. I avoided that last minute stuff today and will put it off until tomorrow.

I had a very busy day at work. Today made me stop and think about what Christmas is really about. I had an encounter with someone who really only wanted a hug for Christmas and that is all. She brought me a card and personalized it with special thoughts, someone who really didn't have the means to buy or shouldn't have spent the money even on a card but I knew really meant every word on the card and the hug was really probably the only one she would receive this Christmas. Do we really realize how short life really is and what Christmas is really about in 2008? I stopped to wonder about that after our encounter and will not forget it. I worry every year about getting the right thing for everybody and if it will be enough and I was really humbled today when I had this encounter to remember that its not the gift but the giver and especially the giver's heart.

The New Year Prayer

Thinking about the New Year

I saw this poem on the internet today and reminded me of what the New Year will bring. Shortly after the year begins, Brandon will be getting ready to go to Afghanistan. I think about it everyday. I guess its human nature for mothers to want to protect their children no matter what their age. Sometimes I know my intentions to do that didn't come across as caring; however, I hope he knows that I will always support him in whatever he chooses even though my natural instinct is to protect him in harms way. When he was little I remember buying outlet plug covers and making sure he had safe toys and protecting him from people that may hurt him. I can't do that now when he is another country in the middle of violence. Brandon, please stay safe and we will pray for you everyday. Love you, Mama

my midnight finish

Here is my midnight finish. I'm about to fall asleep so this will be quick. The pictures didn't turn out well as they are either too dark or too bright or blurry. Maybe it has to do with its late and I"m tired.