Let the Festivities Begin

Even though we are mid renovation this might just be our most stress free Christmas ever. Renting a furnished apartment for the duration of the renovation was brilliant.....thanks to my husband for that bright idea. 

I even had some quilty play time this morning!!

A mini tree, some presents............yes, those are the superhero quilts all wrapped and ready to go.

A poinsettia on the table............

Lots of good food........my daughter brought this lovely tray for Christmas Eve.

Tomorrow, dinner at her house with everyone, including four kids and three dogs....should be fun!!!

It's a very different Christmas than last year. Last year this same daughter was so very ill and this year she and her husband are hosting Christmas Dinner at their house.....I'm so thankful.

Merry Christmas to all of you and your loved ones.

Marianne

I had an Epiphany

Sometimes we dream......
We dream of all the quilts we would create if only REAL LIFE......yes, if only REAL LIFE wouldn't get in the way!!! 

I'm not going to have a lot quilts to show for 2014 when I sit down to write my New Year's blog post this year. REAL LIFE just kept getting the way. Pondering this thought is when I had my epiphany......

It's out of life that quilts flow.

Lots of tears flowed as I created "Shifting Impressions".

There was rage in my grief, as I slashed a quilt and then started "Picking up the Pieces".

But in the midst of one's difficulties there is usually some sunshine. 

My four, precious rays of sunshine were very involved in the Christmas Cookie Bake....after the house was clean and ready for Christmas (you think I would know better!!!!).

After layer upon layer of icing....

Would you look at that spectacular batch of cookies!!! (gingerbread monsters...according to my grandson)

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!!

Merry Christmas

 With so many other things calling my attention, Christmas sort of crept up on me this year. My kids from Montreal arrived yesterday and suddenly it's Christmas Eve. A cookie bake with two three-year-olds and two one-year-olds playing in the back ground, set the pace for the festivities of the next few days.

The Cookie Bake.

 I even managed a solitary walk this afternoon.  So peaceful, sort of the calm before the storm.

Have a Merry Christmas and wonderful New Year!

Enough with the Moving and Unpacking!!!!

It's official, I'm taking a break from anything moving and unpacking related!!! And that's final!!!! As long as the main living spaces of the house are livable, I'm good for now. 

 As you can see....things are starting to shape up for now. Aren't those those the most amazing, adjustable stools I just "happened on" the other day!! It's incredible what one can find at Homesense. 

A new round table for the kitchen. 

 

 The living room is coming along as well....the old furniture went downstairs and off we went furniture shopping.

 Some new, modern type, french doors seem to give the place a little more updated feel.....eleven new doors later!!! 
Yikes, we are a little out of control, but trust me they were a really good deal that my husband "happened on". I'm not the only crazy shopper in this household.

 The upstairs furniture is working rather nicely downstairs.

As you can see, Christmas is just around the corner, so it's time to focus on that for now. 

I've been so busy this year I haven't had time to turn GRUMPY or WOBBLE this Christmas..... or maybe I'm just turning over a a new leaf. 

Plenty has been unpacked, but trust me there is still much to be done. I'm leaving it for January!!!!

I've missed the hum of my sewing machine these past months, but it's a great reminder of how much I love it.

Now that I've officially stopped unpacking, I might have a little more blogging time as well. 

Another Christmas Gone By

After adding an extra table...who's table is ever big enough for Christmas? 

Crazy remote controlled fish flying through the house....
Furniture moved around in the strangest places, to keep my little grandson from pitching headfirst down the stairs....he's crawling everywhere now. 

A last minute sweater finished for that same little grandson
and I think we made it through Christmas....
not to mention the extra helpings of turkey and mashed potatoes.

I even found some time to take some shots of Strips on Stripes....my daughter brought it home from Montreal for me to photograph. 

Now maybe time to actually set some goals for 2013....
I'll let you know what I come up with. 

I Was Starting to Wobble

Last week my Christmas Crabbiness was starting to creep up on me. Deadlines to meet, gifts to buy, multiple Christmas events and a sore knee that has me spending way to much time at the Chiropractor's office. 

And yes, Mr. Christmas was cranking up his usual Christmas cheer.

This week has me heartbroken over the recent tragedy in the States. I'm holding my little ones closer and pray that God will hold close the victims, of this senseless crime.

As my little granddaughters baked cookies with Grandpa, my thoughts kept going to the families that have lost so much.

Just a little more icing.... 

The Most Amazing Christmas Cookies Ever!

Even Mr. Christmas needed a nap after that event.

And he's not the only one.

It's so easy to take our loved ones for granted. My heart is heavy but thankful.