Friday, January 20, 2012

A Reason to Celebrate

What a wonderful week it has been around our house!!  We have been blessed once more with a beautiful little grandson.  All are doing well and he was welcomed home today by his big brother and sister.  The week can't be much better than that.


It also started off in a fabulous manner.  For Christmas our children gifted us a dinner prepared by a chef (and friend of our SIL) for all of us at our home.  The menu was amazing and consisted of seven courses.  We had so much fun and it was such a thrill to watch all of this happening in our kitchen.  Sadly, we were missing one DIL who was ill and one son who was away skiing.  Guess that just meant more food for all of us.  ;-)


A few of the courses.....
Seared Nantucket Scallops with avocado risotto,  mango lime coulis, chipolte oil and crispy plantains.


Merlot poached pears stuffed with gorgonzola dolce and served with peppered balsamic syrup, arugula sprouts and honey port aioli.


Mascarpone and apricot Napoleon - pistachio and thyme twill, Mascarpone Mouse, Muscatel soaked apricots and basil honey.

Does anyone know how to deal with Blogger's problems in commenting?  Several of the blogs I follow are not allowing the page for comments.  Instead it simply comes up as a blank page.  I have read where others are having the same issues, but have not heard how to resolve them yet.

The sewing studio has been a little quiet as we have been busy with little ones and houseguests, but I did have to finish up a quilt for the newest baby.  Our children absolutely loved the book Goodnight Moon.  I was so thrilled to see the line of fabrics with the same title.  In wanting to highlight the fabric prints, I chose the wave pattern.  I also put Minky fabric on the back of it so it is super soft.  I was a bit apprehensive about the stretch of the backing, but it quilted BEAUTIFULLY.  If you haven't tried it on the back of a quilt, I highly recommend giving it a go.  I'll be linking this quilt up as a January finish with A Stitch in Time.




I also decided to join in the It Takes 2 quilt along.  You can check out the link on my sidebar.  Instead of the red and white, I have chosen a chocolate brown and a light aqua.  The first blocks are done and the patterns are now out for the second series. 


There seem to be many Dresden Plate quilt designs showing up on blogs this year.  I am thinking that one may be in my future as I have always loved them.  I may have to use the line of fabric,  Montecito,  from Connecting Threads that I won a few weeks ago from Stephanie's giveaway.    Stephanie always has such an inspiring blog and I love the wonderful, bright colors that she uses.  If you are not familiar with her, please be sure to check her out her blog, Loft Creations.

We are waiting for the arrival of our first storm of the new year.  I doubt that it will give us much rain, but we are hoping for at least some snow in the mountains.  Our winter has been so warm lately that my sweet peas have started to bloom already.  They smell as heavenly as they look.

I think that areas like Portland and Seattle should run a nice pipeline down our way and give us all of their excess.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if there was a way to do that?  Anyway....I am hoping to get into some good sewing projects while I watch the rain come down this weekend.  I hope it is a great weekend for all of you too.

52 comments:

  1. Congratulations on your new Grandbaby!!! How exciting.

    That meal looks absolutely amazing. What a treat to have a real chef in your home. Some of those things sound crazy put together, but I bet it was a treat for the tastebuds.

    LOVE LOVE LOVE your wave quilt. Minkie on the back is the very best for the cuddly factor. =)

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  2. What a sweet little addition to the family! I love your wave quilt, and your it takes two blocks look fabulous too! :0)

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  3. I've had the same problem with comments, but when I started using Google Chrome, that and other irritating quirks in Blogger quit. So far, I only use it for blogging, but will try to get used to it for other things.

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  4. I've had no blogger issues, so thankful for that.

    I love love seeing the tiny new ones in their huge car seats. So adorable.

    Oh, my goodness - the special meals sounds amazing! How could you possibly remember all of those amazing ingredients!?

    We love Good Night Moon around here, too. And The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

    To answer your question - the twins should be able to get into preschool a couple of days a week, if their mommy can just get going on the red tape. They'll miss kindergarten next year, but surely will have preschool. It would be so good for all of us!

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  5. Congrats to you and your family on the arrival of the sweet baby boy! He looks like a cuddly one!

    I love the quilt you made for him. The colors are great and with the Minkee, it should be warm and cozy!

    Looks like you all had a wonderful meal!

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  6. A quote I saw said, "Grandkids fill a place in your heart you never knew was empty"....and isn't that so true? I love the brown and white for your JustTakes2. I thought about that combination and I see it looks great. What a gorgeous dinner and the family all looks so happy!

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  7. Oh, what a beautiful little baby!!! Congratulations to all! And what a nice dinner for your family. I love the quilt you made for the baby, too.

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  8. What a happy post! Congratulations!

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  9. Oh what an adorable little boy!! Congratulations to your family. It is such a blessing to have healthy babies. Great looking family enjoying all that beautiful food...makes me hungry...lol. Love the quilt you made for him....

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  10. Congratulations! What a lovely addition to your family! Yummy dinner! What a gift! Pretty quilt you have finished. Glad that the minky did not give you any troubles. It does have a reputation! Thanks for sharing! Not sure what the issue is for commenting. I have not experienced this. I use Chrome! Hugs!

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  11. Congratulations!!! What a cute little grandbaby. I love the quilt that you were able to put together and with the minky on the back how cuddy and soft it will be.

    What a nice treat to have a chef prepared meal in your own home. Those pictures of some of the dishes look amazing. What a creative talent with food.

    Have a wonderful weekend.

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  12. Congratulations on the arrival of your beautiful new grandson. Love his bright quilt and the minky is soooo nice.
    OH the food looks so delicious. What a great Christmas gift.
    Yes I am also experiencing the some problems with commenting but have no idea how to fix it. Grrrrrr!!

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  13. Congratulations on the new grandson! He looks like a keeper. What a treat to share a special meal with your family...and to be able to just sit and be served. It makes me hungry just to look at the photos:)

    Love those sweet peas!

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  14. Congratulations on the new baby! Adorable. You have been one busy lady. This latest post surely made me hungry. What a fabulous dinner. My sister has also joined the "It Takes Two Quilt-Alonf.". She's using tans and browns. Have a wonderful day.

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  15. What a wonderful group...and Congrats to you on the new little one...the food looks terrific!

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  16. Congratulations on your new grandson! Your dinner with chef looks like it was wonderful. I want to join in the It Takes Two once we get home from the south. Congratulations too on the wonderful win from Stephanie.

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  17. A sweet and precious baby! Congrats Grandma.

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  18. Congratulations on the arrival of a grandson.

    What a wonderful Christmas gift to be given. It looks like you had lots of fun, and lots of wonderful food. It doesn't get much better than that does it?

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  19. Congratulations on your new grandson - what a cutie!
    Wonderful present from your children, such a lovely idea.
    Great quilt - good to know about minky- I was wondering how it would quilt.
    Have a great weekend (with lots of rain).

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  20. Congratulations on your new grandbaby!

    The quilt looks great...and that is good to know about minky.

    Beautiful flowers...I'm already anxious for spring!

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  21. Aww.. he is adorable! Congratulations! The food looks delicious and your wave quilt is lovely.

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  22. Congratulations on the newest grand baby. Hope you are getting rain and sewing. We have some snow and it is cold.

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  23. my mouth is watering!!!!
    congrats on the grandbaby...hes adorable!!!

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  24. Congratulations on the new grandbaby! What a wonderful start to the new year! And a chef cooking in my house for all of us.... what a fabulous idea...oh wait, I have a chef. My brother-in-law! And he cooks amazing things too. Just not so much for us. The restaurant.

    Vee said the commenting issue was fixed when she went back to the old dashboard. I have no idea what I am doing but I can comment so far!
    No snow here, but I picked a rose in the garden today and it is January. Unbelievable. The weather is really odd this winter, but thankfully, the first of the big heating bills was not too bad as a result of the warmer weather.
    Have a great weekend!

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  25. Oh, sweet new grandson! I'm a bit envious of those who have their grands living near! But happy for you at the same time.

    I think that may be my favorite quilt so far! I absolutely love the colors!

    We are having a very warm winter that's also a bit schizophrenic.....it can't decide day to day what to do!

    I haven't had a problem commenting, but I haven't been on many blogs lately.

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  26. Congratulations on the birth of your new grandson.

    The dinner was an unusually and exciting gift.

    Love your quilt.

    I fixed my problems with Blogger by changing my browser from Internet Explorer to Firefox!

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  27. What a darling little addition to your family M! Sweet little toes there...LOL!

    Looks like you all had a wonderful meal/time with the chef! What an awesome idea! Looking yummy!!

    Your quilt is wonderful!! Love it, and your blocks are great! Love brown and blue...

    Happy stitching!

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  28. Congratulations....such a beautiful baby boy! That meal looks wonderful what a great idea for a gift. Quilting looks pretty amazing too. I have just started having a problem when going to the comments page on my blog when using my blackberry...its fine on the lap top. But I can comment on other blogs ok so not sure what all that's about.

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  29. Oh Sweet Peas, they are my most favorite fragrance ever! I tried growing them here one year and it was a disaster, I got very few blossoms but a lot of foliage. I planted them behind the garage in full sun and I think I soaked the seeds ahead of time. What's your secret?!!!!! Growing up there was an elderly couple in our little town that grew the most spectacular sweet peas that I have ever seen. All different colors and the vines were just loaded with blooms. We loved going to her house and picking them.

    Love the baby quilt and the brown and aqua quilt blocks. I bought two minky quilts while in Tenn. but can't remember if I posted them or not. They are SO soft and the kids love sleeping with them, plus the cats think they are great!

    Oh my goodness that meal looks to die for! What a wonderful Christmas gift!

    Another sweet grand baby! How blessed you are dear friend!!!!!!

    T and I are headed out to her basketball game. Bugs the daylights out of me that they schedule them on Sunday sometimes! We don't have a Sat. evening service but can go Sunday evening, but I prefer the Sunday morning service.

    We have made pie crust dough this morning for a quadruple batch of apple tarts! We will send some home with her, some for Great Grampa and anyone else that comes along. Today I made her do the dishes as that's part of cooking. Mean Grammie! HA!

    After her game she wants to make ice cream and we are getting the ingredients for your braided bread!

    Time to go! xoxoxoxoxox

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  30. Congratulations on your new grandbaby and what a fantastic meal! Your blocks look great for the It Takes 2 and those would be great fabric for the Dresden QAL, I so want to do this one too!

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  31. A new grandbabay!! That is wonderful news! Boy does that dinner look yummy, what a super fun gift.
    LOVE your Good Night Moon quilt, so pretty. and you said you were not sewing! What will you show us when you are!!!

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  32. Oh, congrats on the new addition to your family! With all the wonderful-ness, your year has gotten off a fabulous start!

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  33. Love the baby - love the quilt - love the dinner - gained 5 lbs. just by looking at the photos. : )

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  34. Wow, love your post. Such great news - the baby is so tiny! The meal looks delicious and all your projects are wonderful. Thanks for sharing and inspiring me.

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  35. What a unique, wonderful and totally tasty gift! And the grandbaby is a very special gift as well. Colorful and fun quilt. Hope you enjoy your new fabrics.

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  36. It doesn't matter how good those 7 courses tasted, just the presentation is filling! I love it. And a big CONGRATULATIONS on your new beautiful grandson.

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  37. Congratulations on the new grandson. And I love the colors you picked for Takes 2

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  38. There is nothing like welcoming a new baby home. Congrats. And what a wonderful gift....a chef in your home for a meal!!!! Wow. And love your quilt and your projects.

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  39. what a sweet baby. love that quilt!

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  40. Hello dear Mary, I'm finally taking the time to visit some of my favourite blogs and getting caught up on your news:-) Omigosh, a new grandson...congratulations to all of you!!! A new baby to love is simply the best there is. He's adorable!

    Such a wonderful idea for your children to have gifted you a dinner prepared by a chef...and oh wow, what a meal he prepared!! I would have been drooling just watching him cook all of that! To tell you the truth, though, half of what you mentioned I never even heard about!! lol Can you tell I don't eat in fancy restaurants that have that kind of fancy foods:-)

    Your Goodnight Moon quilt is simply amazing. Love the bright colours in it and the wave pattern.

    I haven't had any problems commenting on blogs but I know that a lot of bloggers do. It's something to do with Blogger adding "threaded commenting". You have the pop up commenting window like I do so no one should have problems commenting on your blog...it's the ones that don't have the pop up comment box (they have it as "embedded comments") and that's where the problems seem to be. Just wish Blogger would leave well enough alone!!

    Your sweetpeas are just gorgeous! My flowers are still underground and under a few inches of snow!! lol xoxo

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  41. What an exciting time you have been having! Lots of fun! Congratulations on your new family member :-) The first picture is so sweet :-) What a special time!

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  42. That is such an adorable quilt! I love the pattern, the fabrics and how bright and cheerful it is! Minky on the back . . . heaven.

    Your china is so pretty! I love it. And that meal looks amazing. What a beautiful family you have and your new grandson is so sweet! What a great post!

    Thanks for linking up!

    xo -E

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  43. What a great post! A new baby--what a blessing. I love your Minkee-backed quilt. Dinner looks luscious and sweet peas--my favorites!

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  44. Congratulations on the new grandson!!
    Your meal looks like it was totally amazing - yummmmm!
    Have a wonderful weekend, Mary :)

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  45. Congrats on new grand baby! The quilt so beautiful! You are so talented!

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  46. OH WOW! Congratulations on your newest addition!!! SO YOU DO KNOW how I am feeling!!!! Enjoy, Enjoy and Enjoy!!!
    So happy for you!

    Your quilt is lovely and I could almost smell all that wonderful food!!!

    You are certainly off to a wonderful year!!!

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  47. Congratulations on the newest addition to your family. He is just beautiful. Children are the most wonderful gifts from the Lord. The food looked so good. Love that quilt, too.

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  48. congrats on the new baby! he is so sweet!!!! PERFECT!!!!

    Problems commenting??? hmmmm i suppose you must've been by then:( sorry for your problem with that whatever it is! hmmmm

    beautiful flowers! that food just looks to darn fancy to eat! WOW!!! so pretty!!!

    love your quilts:)

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  49. Congrats on that sweet little grandson. Love the quilt you made for him We are big fans of Good Night Moon at our house too.
    Love the it takes two in blue and chocolate. Your blocks look great!

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  50. the baby is beautiful...I love babies..you probably have figured it out. The goodnight moon reference brought up the best memories. (tears in my eyes) when I had custody of the grandkids my little Andrew and I read that book every night. he loved it......

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  51. Yes I have had a post where I could not comment but don't know why. It usually fixes eventually.

    Congratulations on your new Grandchild and what a great present. I bet the Chef does not have many kitchens as large as your to work in.
    The meal looks great and I could have just picked up the desert off the screen and eaten it.

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