Saturday, December 11, 2010

Saturday Check In

I am still here but just busy with all of the Christmas happenings around here.  I had thought things would be a little quieter here this week, but I was wrong.  It seems as though this is how this wonderful season is each year. 

Some of you are having your dreams of a white Christmas filled a little early this year.  Those temperatures have been steadily dropping as the depth of snow keep increasing.  I can’t quite imagine what it must be like to try to get out and get done what needs to be finished when the weather provides such challenges.  Stay safe out there.  After having no summer, we are enjoying temperatures in the 80s this weekend which I find more bearable.


Our Christmas dinner last week was a lovely evening and a great time catching up with family members without all of the little ones that tend to cause lots of distractions when we get together – delightful distractions, I must add.  It is always nice to get together and enjoy the meal without someone needing to jump up and do something.


Between Christmas parties, luncheons, visits to Santa, Christmas programs, shopping and watching little ones this week I have been able to get to the sewing room for a few gifts.  I was afraid that my machine would seize up on me from lack of use lately, but all went well. 


I managed to get most of my Christmas Cactus quilt assembled.  I still need to add the outer border, but I just love it.

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It must be time for it to be finished since my real cactus is now starting to send out blooms.  My red one still hasn’t started to form buds yet.

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Some of the other projects include a journal cover for a friend of mine…

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A Kindle carrying case for my mom’s Kindle…

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And another mug rug.  My dear friend, Midlife Mom, cut me a couple of snowflakes with her Accuquilt GO and sent them to me.  I really like the way it turned out.  These things can be addicting.

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While I was watching a couple of the little ones this week we made some wonderful cookies and I enjoyed all of my help.   The smell of the peppermint was intriguing.

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The little ones got their stockings to hang.  I’m not sure they were overly thrilled with them quite yet, but they will look forward to them on Christmas for years to come.

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This evening we are heading over to my mom’s to decorate her tree and have dinner.  It is always a fun evening and my sister and BIL join us for the tree trimming.

I apologize for being a bad blogger lately, but I hope to be better at it soon.

38 comments:

  1. Hi Mary, what fun in your household at this time. Love love your cactus Christmas quilt! I love everything Christmas so this quilt is getting me oooosh and rrrrrs. Love your mug rug too. I like the sound of Accuquilt GO, what a great job it did on the snowflake. Enjoy tree trimmings at your mom. I love tree trimmings, but I mostly do it on my own except DH helps on the lights. Marry Christmas Mary and thanks for being a good blog supporter - A huge hugs Nat

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  2. Your Christmas cactus quilt is just beautiful! I've never seen anything like it! :0)

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  3. Your Christmas cactus quilt is just wonderful... and all your other projects too!

    As one of those with the WHITE Christmas, I just have to say thank goodness for online shopping!

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  4. Wow...what alot of fun stuff going on over there. Your mom will love her kindle...and so what is the size of a mug rug? I think I might be able to make one on Wednesday...I have some fat quarters??? What a lovely family!!!!

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  5. What lovelies. you are so talented. I love the stockings I am sure they will treasure them always.

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  6. That snowflake must be so nice to cut on the cutter. Looks really nice.

    I have a giveaway on my blog. My first one - a gift card sponsored by CSN Stores. Please do come over and enter

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  7. what are you making with that chocolate? and peppermint?? Sounds yummy!

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  8. Love seeing that little one on your counter helping with the cookie dough!!! And your Christmas cactus quilt is beautiful. I like the Kindle case...might have to make one for my Kindle. I got a cover I like that allows me to position the Kindle for hands-free reading at the table (which I enjoy if I'm sitting having a cup of tea) but I'd also like something like that quilted case to pop the whole thing in when traveling.

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  9. You don't have to apologize for anything. When you post it is worth it all. I love hearing about your family and that cactus Christmas quilt is amazing. Your mug rugs are great and that snowflake is amazing. I am gonna try this one day. Enjoy these Christmas holidays.

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  10. I have to say....my heart stopped when I spotted the Christmas Cactus quilt. Dad died two years ago this month. He had HUGE Christmas cactus in full bloom..largest I'd ever seen. SO...last year I bought a Christmas cactus in memory of dad while it was in bloom. The blooms fell off and the plant was doing "ok" but preferred the front patio and I could see new green growth. It was starting to bloom...then we had a serious cold spell and I hadn't realized that it would freeze. My heart just aches as I had to toss out the plant with little blooms not quite open. SO....everytime I see the Christmas Cactus I think of dad's.

    Also...love the photo of your grandson on the counter and noticed the ties so the stinker couldn't get in the cupboards. LOL

    Happy Holidays to you and yours!!

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  11. Your Christmas Cactus quilt is stunning! I love it!

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  12. The quilt it beautiful! I ahve a friend whose cactus is just flowering and it looks just like the quilt! And that snowflake is gorgeous. I have seen the accuquilt thingy at another blogging friend's place, and it looks like a great deal of fun.

    You keep on having fun with your family, my friend, and enjoy every moment of the festive season.

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  13. Your Christmas quilt is looking great.
    Lovely cactus bloom too.
    I always enjoy the photos of your babies. I am sure they will love their stocking when they are a little older.

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  14. No such thing as bad bloggers, just busy ones:-) It certainly does sound like you've been busy but oh what fun you're having being busy!! I just love your Christmas cactus quilt and that mug rug is the most delightful idea I've ever seen.

    I can well imagine the fun you had helping your mom decorate her tree:-) I know I love doing my mom's and seeing her reaction to it once it's all done.

    The little ones may not know what the stockings represent right now but it won't be long before they DO! lol I have a stocking here for Lily that I want to fill up to bring to her:-)

    We've been having a severe snowstorm over here all day and it's supposed to continue all night. Lots of snow now!! It's 10F but colder with the windchill factor...high winds are making things worse. I stayed inside and wrapped gifts. I was supposed to go spend the afternoon with my mom but the roads were way too bad to go out there.

    Enjoy this wonderful time of year my friend. xoxoxo

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  15. Well, I see the vote is in, the Christmas Catcus quilt is the winner, altho the mug rug is gorgeous too! My what beatiful work you do!
    Our weather here has turned bad tonight in N. Ga. My deck is white with snow and they are predicting 10 degrees or below tonight! Hope your holidays are wonderful, and I know your Mom will enjoy her Kindle cover!

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  16. Oh that quilt is so beautiful! And all of your amazing gifts are just lovely! Thanks so much for sharing them with us.

    Everything you made is gorgeous!

    xo
    Donna @ Comin' Home

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  17. Love that little mug rug! How cool is that snowflake?
    Cookie make is tons of fun with little helpers.
    Enjoy your evening trimming the tree. Sounds like lots of joyous Christmas memories are being created at your house.

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  18. All your projects are just divine. Glad that you enjoyed Christmas with your family.
    Lots of Love,

    -Samya :-)

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  19. I just love your posts! your brave having the help! I do not have such patience yet i wished i did!:) I just want it done and the mess cleaned up;)

    love the pics! the cactus is pretty!
    The Christmas quilt is gorgeous!
    Be blessed!

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  20. You have been busy Mary. The cactus quilt is not only beautiful but so like a Christmas cactus.

    Have not seen bows on kitchen cupboards before. They look fabulous I guess in your house but would drown my kitchen.

    Delightful picture of your grandson on the kitchen bench with the cake mixer.

    Cannot imagine 80 at this time of year. Still very cold here with more snow forecast for the end of the week and some predictions for Christmas. Do hope not as hoping to get to Jane's for Christmas Day.

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  21. I really like your cactus quilt. Thank you for posting all the nice pictures. Your mug rug is really cute! Yes--I am one of the people that has snow on the ground and ice on the roads. We just tend to drive a lot slower to get things done :)

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  22. The quilt is gorgeous! What are you going to do with it? How fun to have a snowflake from MM and Maine!

    We're having spring weather here - really crazy. We need some moisture badly. But at least the mountains have a lot and that'll be good for the reservoirs this summer.

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  23. Mary
    Great projects at your house. Looks like you are close to be ready for Christmas. This Friday is baking day for me. ;o}
    Hope you have a great day.
    Regena

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  24. Oh, I have never seen that pattern (Christmas Cactus) before, it is beautiful. Enjoy your family and friends this holiday season.

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  25. Gorgeous Christmas Cactus!!! Sweet mug rug. Love the snowflake.

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  26. Your Christmas cactus quilt is beautiful!! And those Christmas stockings for the kids are great! It looks like you are having a nice but busy time with your family. I am visiting by the Holly Jolly Blog. Merry Christmas from Norway!

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  27. Strolling through the Blog Roll from Holly Jolly Bingo Blog.

    Your Christmas Cactus quilt is beautiful and your plant is looking great too!!

    White Christmas here for sure in midwest USA
    Happy Holidays.
    grami

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  28. Hi! I'm over visiting because you are on the Holly Jolly blogroll today and I'm happy to have found your blog. Your Christmas quilt is spectacular - great job!
    Hugs,
    Kerry

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  29. Hello from Loredana, and holly jolly bingo.

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  30. your Christmas cactus quilt is beautiful...holly jolly bingo is fun...

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  31. Those snowflakes really are the cutest ideas! I'm going to try to find some and make some more mug rugs! ♥

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  32. I love your little mug rug. I should make a few of those for stocking stuffer gifts. I think I might find time next week. You are so fortunate, Mary, to have so much of your family nearby. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!

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  33. Your Christmas Cactus quilt is simply lovely! 8-)

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  34. I thought I had left a comment on this post, glad I checked! That cactus quilt it just absolutely gorgeous!!! You do such amazing work my friend, and you get so much done, I don't know how you do it all!!!!!

    I am enjoying my mug rug! Everyone that sees it loves it so I have got to get in gear after Christmas and make some!!!! Let me know when you need more snowflakes!

    We have some snow but that darned rain took all that we had built up. It looks like we MIGHT get a good one on Monday unless it veers off to the east and goes out to sea. We are all hoping for a good amount. You know, we are so used to getting around in snowstorms it just doesn't seem that bad. If they are really bad we stay home but other then that nothing stops me from going out. Of course four wheel drive is a must on our hill!

    We had a wonderful time at the Patriot's Christmas party, I guess I told you about that in an e-mail.

    Both grands spent the night last night. We went to T's basketball game and then to the mall to get a movie that they wanted to watch. We watched it in T's room and they made me get in the middle of the bed while we watched it. Lots of giggles and then I finally got them to bed about 9:30. It's only 6 am and they are still sleeping soundly so I thought I would catch up on some blogs. This morning D has a game and then at 1:30 we are having Christmas with DIL's side of the family at their house.

    Well I spoke too soon, I hear little footsteps coming down the stairs! ha!

    Have a wonderful Christmas dear friend!!! xoxoxoxo

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  35. You have been busy, your quilt and stockings look great and your house is decorated beautifully, well done! Thanks for visiting my blog, yes we have had a lot of snow again this year. We have only lived here two years and we have more snow here than where we have lived before. We only just got our car up the road today and I dont think it will be going out until some snow has cleared.

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  36. Your Christmas Cactus quilt is looking fabulous!!!

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  37. Sounds like lots of fun for you. Your quilt is very pretty. Have a nice holiday. We did have some more snow today and I am not tempted to go anywhere except my rocking chair.

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  38. Your Christmas Cactus Quilt is beautiful! I love the traditional colors you chose, but there's an extra richness to your fabrics that I really like. I'm glad you enjoyed the quilt along!

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