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Archive for the ‘Holidays’ Category

Art Every Day 25 and Thankful

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

thanksgiving

I am thankful for so much — my good health, my ability to indulge in creative endeavors, my wonderful and supportive Mr C, our new puppy, Scooter, time with my grandchildren, my family near and far,  and the many friends, new and old, that enrich my life. I am thankful that all of my children are in supportive and loving relationships. I want to wish all  of my USA readers a blessed holiday.

Not much art done today, that I can show. I have spent some stolen moments working on the pink challenge. I did my last minute marketing, made two pies, roasted a turkey that is going to our church dinner for the homeless, tomorrow, got my hair colored, did two loads of laundry and worked on the SDA website.  Some days, you just have to catch up with yourself.

I did receive a nice package of goodies that I purchased from the recent SDA auction — Fabulous Felted Scarves by Chad Alice Hagen and Jorie Johnson; Artistic Photo Quilts by Charlotte Ziebarth and the Quilting Arts DVD – Painting Fabric for Whole Cloth Quilts with Judy Coates Perez. Speaking of Judy, I love the piece she is currently working on.

newbookSDVD

A Little 4th of July Fun

Saturday, July 4th, 2009

kirstendinner

We had a great dinner with M and M and their mom and dad. Above, you see the meal prepared by them for Mia’s American Girl doll, Kirsten. They gathered bits of things from my garden and from the pantry and found that one of my sherry glasses was the perfect size for her.

mandmdinnerplace

They also set up their places on the deck. Oh look there is Kirsten with Mia, waiting to be served.

We had grilled pork and turkey tenderloins, roasted potatoes and carrots, Asian slaw and grilled sweet corn. Steph shakes the corn in a plastic bag with olive oil, lime juice and chili powder before grilling. It is so good. For dessert, she made blueberry cobbler with blueberries they picked yesterday on Sauvie Island. Mmm, good.

blueberrycobbler

There was lots of running around the yard and playing ball with scooter. He is totally worn out — one pooped puppy.

poopedpuppy

We don’t try to find fireworks. Too much trouble and too many people. We can here some of our neighbors setting them off. Scooter doesn’t like them so I am glad we are here to comfort him.

I did some work on the Aspen Landscape this afternoon. I didn’t want to quit, but I had to get ready for our special guests.

Hope you have had a good day, too.

On the Menu, Today…

Sunday, April 12th, 2009

And we continue with the cooking and eating!! Hope you had a great day, too.

Our weather was quite rainy, so an indoor egg hunt was in order. Lisa and Clay bought all the goodies and hid them.

inddoregghunt

I couldn’t wait to bite the ears off my rabbit.

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Mr C went berserk over his Easter basket. Maybe it was all the ham slicing he did at Trinity this morning, preparing for the outreach dinner.

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Lisa and Clay were leaving this afternoon to fly back to SF, so we didn’t have our usual Easter dinner feast. Instead, I prepared a brunch.

A cheese/broccoli/egg casserole — a family favorite:

prysnac

A fabulous Paula Dean French Toast Casserole:

frenchtoastcasserole

And sausage and bacon:

sausagebacon

Steph made a beautiful plate of fruit and I mixed up another batch of Blissinis:

miaandfruit

For dessert, a delectable assortment of Moonstruck truffles and chicks:

moonstrucktruffles

I think I am done cooking and entertaining for now. I am looking forward to working in the garden and the studio this week.

Me Too

Wednesday, December 31st, 2008

happynewyear

I am joining the blog chorus of Happy New Year (and Maggie, too). I was going to share my goals and aspirations for 2009, but I am a little late and a little tired for that. Maybe tomorrow.

I am so excited for 2009 and especially, January 20th. I cannot complain about 2008. It has really been a pretty good year for me. I turned 70, in style. I have been healthy. I have gotten into some pretty good quilt shows. I have enjoyed finding a new direction in my work. I asked for and got my own show. I got to finally meet Judy in the Dyes and had a wonderful time at Coupeville with her. It has been a good year. Here is what I said last year about 2008.

  • We will elect a new president and things will get better in the political arena.
  • I will not have to start a diet — already been there and done that, but I will continue to lose.
  • I will turn 70 in October and that seems almost impossible to me. Mia told me the other day that I don’t look old because I have no wrinkles!
  • Mr C and I are taking a trip to the Holy Land in May which is bound to be an incredible journey for us.
  • I am excited about creating some new art cloth that will become quilted art.

It made me happy to look back and see the positive attitude I had and how it came to fruition. Oh, I didn’t lose that much more weight, but I didn’t gain it back either so I will keep on keeping on.

We just got home from the annual Cathedral New Year’s eve concert which is very eclectic and involves our Jewish neighbors from Temple Beth Israel. I always get so teary-eyed at the end when the bagpiper comes down the aisle and then plays Auld Lang Syne.

The only damper on my day is that my postcards did not get delivered. UPS says they were missed at the depot. I paid for 2nd day air and now I have to wait until Friday. I am very p_ _ _ ed off and have asked for a refund. Otherwise, I had a great day with some things I will share later. Yikes, it is only 7 days until I hang my show and 11 days until the opening reception.

The Party’s Over

Friday, December 26th, 2008

I am a little late catching up on Christmas Day around here. First the gratuitous Wilfredo photo. I think he is waiting for a text message to come in on his I-Phone. Or maybe he is just dressed and ready for the party.

wilfredowaiting

We had a delicious brunch at Steph’s house and enjoyed seeing all the loot the grandkids received from Santa and other relatives.

Back at home, I prepared roasted Cornish game hens, Jacques Pepin braised potatoes, green beans, and a broccoli cheese dish. I love setting the table with the family china. I wanted to fold the napkins into elf shoes ala Brenda. But it was a bit complicated for me (I needed Miles!), so I opted for the elegant candle fold.

candlenapkins

That is where the photos of the Christmas dinner ended. I was too busy to pick up my camera. Oh, I did get this photo proving that the party is over, especially for these two.

partysover

Today, Lisa and I designed a postcard for my show. I am very late getting this done and she saved my rear. It has been sent off to Overnight Prints and should arrive early next week. At least it won’t go out in the Christmas Rush.

congdonfront

congdonback

Tonight, Lisa is staying with Amy Ruppel and catching up on artsy things. Tomorrow, we are taking the patient Miss Mia out for her birthday shopping trip — only a week and a half late. I am sure it will be more fun with Aunt Lisa joining us.