Happy New Year

Along with everyone else, I wish to extend my wish for a wonderful 2011 filled with rich blessings to all.

Our New Year's eve was quiet and we were enjoying the view of the inside of our eyelids by the time midnight rolled around here.  We did see the ball fall in Times Square so that counted for us.  We had a quiet dinner with my mom, sister, BIL and our daughter with her two little ones.  (Her husband had to work.)  It was a pleasant evening and I enjoyed cooking for a smaller crowd this time.

This morning was spent watching the Rose Parade and enjoying my coffee while lounging in my nightgown - a perfect start to the new year.  Despite our very chilly temperatures the last few days, the sun was shining on the Rose Parade.  It is magical how that happens.  The rain even held off until later today which is not what they had forecast.  Yeah!

I have been enjoying some nice peaceful time in my sewing studio this week as well.  I had several projects that needed to be caught up on and I was able to get them finished.  The first was my block for my Raggedy Ann and Andy quilt. 

Then I had my blocks for the Thread Head Quilt Along.  I had gotten a bit behind on those, but did get caught up on all of them.  I just need to work on my alternating blocks now. 

I joined Myra's PhD Challenge and have committed to finishing up at least four of my Projects half Done by the first of June.  I really need to tackle more of those this year.  It is a shame how I can move on to something more fun when I am not completely finished with one project. 

DH took the day off of work on Thursday and we took a drive to enjoy the beautiful new green grasses that have sprung up in the hills with the recent rains.  It was a gorgeous day and we both enjoyed it.  There is one bridge that we pass over as we head up past Santa Barbara.  The engineering fete of the construction is really a sight to see.  It spans over a canyon and if you take a little side road you can enjoy the view from underneath the bridge.  Unfortunately, the beauty of the bridge is marred with numerous crosses of those who opted to leap from the bridge.  Very sad.

 

To end this post I will leave you with this lovely gift that I received over the holidays.  I have been wanting the white Christmas Cactus for awhile and this has a combination of the red and white in the same pot.  It is just covered with blooms and I am so excited to have it in bloom at the moment.  My large cactus that is a piece from my grandmother's plant is just starting to get a lot of blooms setting on it so I will enjoy this one now and the pink one in a few short weeks.