I made this apron along with 2 more like it last year. Two were given away as Cookie Exchange Party prizes. It was a cut and sew panel. 
I love vintage jewelry too! I also received an apron as a gift. I will post it soon. I just figured I better hurry with the Christmas stuff!
Happy, Happy! I have goldfinches at my feeder! I also spotted a White-eyed Vireo today. They are tiny and fast moving, so no photo--I will try if I see them again. I need to ask Santa for a zoom lens for my camera. I cropped the photo to make the birds seem closer/larger. In the process, sharpness suffered! When the the birds are active outside, I am NOT active--too busy watching them!
I was running late, as always, getting our Christmas Card designed and printed! We took the photo while celebrating Christmas at Pop and Barb's on Sunday, December 21. I didn't work on the design until Tuesday. I was busy with the 5th Annual Cookie Exchange Party that my sister-in-law and I host, on Monday.
And the inside! I usually use a song I like as the inspiration. This year it was Alabama's "Christmas is Love". This is the first printing. I gave them credit for the words on the rest of the cards! Anyway, I got the card designed and printed on Tuesday, and mailed on Christmas Eve.
Brian was camera shy on Christmas morning. I don't think he had fixed his hair!
The guys found these pants in their stockings!
Dustin had gotten a bow at the Renfaire(early Christmas gift). He received arrows, arm guard and target under the tree. He is proud of his Bull's Eye.
We had an English themed Christmas Day. Breakfast was Apple Scones. Dinner was Rib Roast with Roasted Potatoes, Peas with Pearl Onions and Yorkshire Puddings-recipes from Martha Stewart Living magazine. Dessert was an assortment of cookies from our Cookie Exchange. (Due to technical difficulties with photos, the Cookie Exchange post is yet to come!)
Christmas Eve is always spent at Grandma Bessie's house! When the feasting is done and gifts have been opened, the outdoors usually calls. Paw Paw and Brian have been out here awhile. Where could they be?
Ah, there they are on the next hill. It looks like the cattle have been fed.
The feed shed looks the same as always!
The haybarn never changes! Oh, the fun we had hiding among the haybales as children! Round bales aren't nearly as much fun as the traditional bales! But they ARE easier to feed!
The Chili Petin is lending a Christmas touch to the barnyard!
Paw Paw and Brian are heading home.
I love old barns and fences!
What could Dustin be contemplating? 
And what is Paw Paw inspecting?
Where are those Eurasian Doves flying? And WHAT could Brian be texting?
GASP! How did that Deere get on the Zetor?
Who could have done such a thing to the Zetor?
We must inspect her closely for those Deere! None must escape!
This looks like the work of Uncle Brandon and Willie! Payback for the Zetor patch on that John Deere Cap!
Brian and his buddies started celebrating being out of school last Friday. This is the Saturday morning yard clean-up!
We had our Christmas at my Pop and Barb's on Sunday. I can never resist taking photos of Bug!
Since it was cold and windy, the boys enjoyed darts in the garage. (Heated for the occasion). 
O.K. Fine, just be yourselves. 
Hey, little brother take our photo for our Christmas card. Oops! Where did Pop come from and why is Brian half missing? Too much Christmas spirits?
Now for a photo of Grandma and Paw Paw. Brian, go away!
Hmm, this is the best of the shots. It will have to do! 
This is coastal South Texas it almost NEVER snows here. If it does, it is a thin layer of wet snow! Late Christmas Eve 2004, the snow began to fall! Brian made his first snow angel.
It really began to accumulate. We were excited beyond words! We stayed up relishing it until 2 a.m.. I was afraid to go to sleep thinking it would disappear overnight. I couldn't stop looking out the window. I finally fell asleep.
We were awake bright and early, which is typical of a Christmas morning. However, we didn't look under the tree. Instead, we looked outside!
The sight took our breath away. A foot of snow had fallen during the night. Snow was mounded delicately on everything.
The white peaceful silence was soon broken. Our family was soon outdoors romping and tromping in the powdery snow. The dogs were dumbfounded! There was no grass for taking care of "business".
The birdbath resembled a snowcone!
Our house seemed dressed for Christmas.
A Boogie Board was found to ride down a slope! Brian is taking his turn.
Brotherly cooperation! Is it because of Christmas or the snow?
The cousins are proud of their handiwork! A once in a lifetime event on the Texas Coast! Wonderful memories.
I mailed out the invitations to the cookie party that my sister-in-law and I have each year--well this is the 5th year! So I guess I better get busy on the prizes and favors, not to mention the menu and MY cookies to exchange!
Oh yes, and I need 32 mini stockings for my Pre-K students. I better get busy cutting out and sewing those! 
Don't look so forlorn, Honey. I will have time for a belly rub soon! You are getting to lounge on the one and only quilt that I have made!
I have made aprons as prizes for the "Most Spirited Outfit" and the "Best Presentation of Cookies" each year. I decided to try one of these patterns this year. Can you tell that my least favorite part of sewing is searching for the pieces for the apron that I am cutting out? I prefer to dig through them ONE time.
Back to those stockings. They are sewn. The "cuff" is just a strip of felt hot-glued around the top. Time for a break to admire the pedicure I gave myself the other evening.
Meg at Whatever posted a wonderful gift idea. She made crayons with silicone letter molds that are meant for baking. I was wandering through Target and found a Christmas silicone mold. I tried these this evening. I think they are precious! My sweety was even impressed when I showed them to him! Thanks Meg!
I am also finished with my students' stockings. They will hold a crayon (if I can get enough made!) and a wooden spinning top that flips over as it spins. The stocking is a great size for a Christmas tree ornament. I have been making these for 23 years. I started out making them for my oldest son's cub scout group. I made them the colors of each years uniform kerchief. 
I have started the prize aprons. In the past, I made Christmas aprons. I decided to make "anytime" aprons this year! Well, I fell in love with this fabric and decided to make "anytime" aprons!
My backyard was busy this weekend. The birdbath was at full capacity! I was enjoying some photography through the window.
Brian is enjoying the warm day. Hmmm, is he laughing at those sparrows in the birdbath?
He sure seems to be enjoying himself!
I think he has the charm turned on high!
Yeah, he is definitely putting on the cool.
What's this all about?
Aha, enough said!
My sweety hung the wreath for me today.
Come right in and visit awhile!
This little tree is just inside the front door next to the sidelight. I made the bead snowflakes several years ago. They are another chenille stem and bead project!
A past student gave me the candle holders. I don't remember what happened to the third taper, but a replacement IS on my list. The curio below was inherited from my husband's grandmother. It contains a bird figurine collection. Many were hers and a few were given to me by my sweety.
My mother crocheted this tree for me.
I love the wavy glass in this Stickley mirror. I usually leave the snowflake swag up until February. 
The Santa's Sleigh sits atop the hutch that holds much of my depression glass and other mementos from family and friends. 
The Polar Express Santa was also a gift from a student. The Polar Express is one of my favorite Christmas books. I haven't seen the movie yet. I'll try to show some of my kitchen stuff soon. I still need to take a few more photos. 
Last night, I stepped outside to take some photos of the lights on our house. I redecorated a large wreath with lights, old silver ornaments and white ribbon. My sweety said he would hang it for me today. Of course, a trip to Lowe's will be necessary for the correct mortar anchors! We plan to put it to the left of the garage door.
I wrapped two tomato cages in lights to place at the entrance to my veggie garden next to my "barn" a.k.a. garden shed. I love my barn! A couple of years ago, I even put lights on my barn! I guess I was more energetic that year!
I couldn't resist yet another photo of the magnificent winter moon! The little cloud came along and wanted to be in the photo too!
Here in South Texas we just had our first hard freeze. My poor yard looks so sad now! The vitex is all curled and crackly looking!
The banana leaves look toasted and crunchy!
But WOW, what a moon we have arisin!
Each winter, I renew my resolve to plant a few more evergreens. Then spring comes. The flowering plants call to me again, and I forget the dreariness of the brown and brittle leaves of winter!
As I went to give the girls a treat, they hurried to the gate! They really wanted out,so I let them into the garden. They scratched around having a great time. Then they started a dust bath. I have never actually seen them do this before, although I know that they like to.
Ethel sure was making the dirt fly!
Aretha is really getting into it too!
A fuzzy butt view!
I heard a flock of birds start twittering as if something had startled them out in the pasture behind our yard. The girls heard it too! Ethel headed for the safety of Cackleberry Cottage!
Aretha wasn't far behind. I guess Oprah was not in the mood for a dust bath today.
While I was chicken sitting, I decided to gather some seeds from some of my plants. (I stay very close to the girls if they are out of their run since the bobcat took Lucy.) I gathered seeds from 2 different colors of Gomphrena (Bi-color rose and strawberry, I think) The other seeds are Maximillian sunflower, marigolds, and Aggie Cotton.
I had a request to do a tutorial on making this Texas Bluebonnet ornament. Thank you, Nola. I am flattered! Anyway, here goes, my first tutorial! 
You will need the following supplies:
Ignore other chores like that pile of ironing waiting to be done! Don't ya love that snowflake fabric? I may make stocking ornaments or apron ornaments out of it!
Back to the Bluebonnet! Bend a small loop in one end of the chenille stem (to hold the beads in place and to attach the ornament hook!) Thread the beads beginning with 2 crystal, followed by 3 light blue and finally 4 dark blue.
Next, begin wrapping the florist tape just below the beads. Getting the tape started is the toughest part! I find it works best to tear instead of cut the tape. I also stretch it as I wind it around the stem. After a few wraps, place one leave, wrap a bit and then place the other leaf. Continue wrapping down to the end of the leaf. Keep the tape stretched so that it sticks to itself. I wrap the end around a pencil to get the curled end.
I used an 8 inch piece of 1/4 inch wide ribbon for the bow. (oops! it is 1/8 inch ribbon)
I have also seen these worn as pins (like a corsage). 
I've been staying home from school with a sore throat and low grade fever. I feel pretty good when I take ibuprofen, so I've been doing some decorating. Hey, I can't waste precious time! Yesterday evening, I spent about 4 hours putting ornaments on the tree. I still have a few to go. I can't find my red and gold berry sprigs that I use in various places. AAAGGHH! We bought the Luckenbach ornament when we stopped there on our way home from Fredericksburg this summer. There will be a clogging workshop there in January. I would love to clog on that famous wooden dance floor!
My mom crocheted this Santa for me. She also made one for each of my two brothers. Needless to say, it is very special to me.
Years ago, my grandma was cleaning out and gave me her old strands of lights. They didn't look safe to actually use, but they had some wonderful old bulbs in them. I love the way the color is inside the bulb and their unusual shape. I decided to make ornaments out of them.
My mom stayed very busy crafting. She also made this plastic canvas Santa. She made tons of ornaments in her lifetime. 
Mom loved Cardinals. So, I now have this Cardinal tree topper along with numerous ornaments.
Mom and I made many of these bead bluebonnets. If you are not a Texan, you may not know that the Bluebonnet is the State flower.
My mom molded numerous ornaments with plaster of paris one year and let me paint them. They are dated 1977. Hmm, I was 12 years old! This one is a favorite of mine.
These booties were crocheted by my mom and put on a gift at the baby shower for my oldest. I changed the pink and blue yard to red and green to put them on the tree. That baby is now 23.
The bee skep was just bought at Hobby Lobby. It is special because my great-grandfather came from Stein, Switzerland. The family home had a bee skep with 3 bees over the fireplace as a sort of family crest. This ornament was the only one left!
Years ago I bought a kit to make 4 angels. This is the only one I have finished! I have so many sentimental ornaments that I really need a larger tree. I just don't have the space for a larger tree! Now to go and look for those red and gold berry sprigs!
With enough ibuprofen, I actually got a few things done today! My sweety even got into the spirit. I think it is because he felt sorry for me being so behind and sick on top of it! He helped me assemble my dowel rod star with plastic zip ties. (idea from Martha).
Here is my sweety mounting the star to our front gable. I wrapped the lights onto the star.
Some final touches, and it is ready to shine! 
I still haven't made any progress with my Christmas decorating! My excuses? Well, not enough time and energy after work. Then, this morning, I awoke with aches and a sore throat. I didn't even get out of bed until 3:30 p.m.! So, I thought I would try a flashback to better and more "well" times. Actually, I was coming down with a cold this weekend too! Is there a pattern here?
I love the architecture of the Texas Renaissance Festival. There are some wonderful plants too! Aren't the hanging baskets lovely?
I love the wooden shingled rooflines.
I think this building has an interesting "guard".
I wish I had a large enough yard for this spectacular sculpture. Oh, yeah, and enough money!
This immense sphere of marble spinning on a layer of water was amazing!
This bejeweled dragon was on the trail in the "Secret Garden".
My purpose for climbing into the attic was forgotten! I carefully lifted out each corsage, squishing a few silverfish as I went! icky. Several possibilities for using them to decorate fluttered through my mind. Hmm, should I use them to decorate yet another small tree? Maybe I should pull out my covered cake pedestal and place them inside. What about that apothecary jar that holds the beginnings of my wine cork collection? I finally settled on placing them among my Depression Glass collection. Much of it also belong to my Granny.
The ladies who made these were good! They removed hangers and glued each mini glass ball to a pipe cleaner before including it in the corsage. We can go to the local hobby store and get sprigs already prepared. I love the different color themes used.
Red and silver.
Gold and silver.
More red and silver.
Red and white.
Blue and white.
For some reason,as I get older, more memories from my childhood seem to surface! Of course, I can't remember what happened yesterday either! My latest memories of eating meals at my Grandma and Grandpas's house, brought a craving for pickled beets. That is the only place I ever ate them! I did some surfing on the internet! I talked to Grandma Bessie on the phone about her beets. I decided I was ready to make my own! It is not hard, just potentially messy! I was very careful not to leave drips on my counters! Of course I wore an apron (not a pretty one, but a "serious cooking" apron that is reserved for cake decorating and mustang jelly making) 
I shared the cooked peels and ends with the girls! Wouldn't it be cool to get pink yolks in the eggs! 
I couldn't bear the thought of putting up my Christmas lights with a weedy flowerbed, so on Saturday afternoon, I spent several hours pulling weeds. MUCH better now. I can acutally see my plants.
I adore the way my dwarf Nandina 'Firepower' changes from the spring and summer bright green to the deep red!
I will be sad when the first good frost kills back my Blue Daze! 
This plant is called Maltese Cross. This one was well over 8 feet tall until I came out one day to find it broken! I was so sad. I put the top piece into a pot of dirt, and it rooted. The rest of the plant started growing new leaves all up and down the stems that had preciously lost their leaves. I was so happy. I had not had much luck rooting this plant in the past!
I also decided to re-organize my mixing cart. I took my bread machine off since it no longer works! Let's see, my flowerbed is ready for lights, and I am all organized for Christmas baking! I did manage to get the Christmas boxes out of the attic with the assistance of my son and his friend! Let the decorating begin!
| You Belong in Fall |
 You appreciate the changes in color, climate, and mood that fall brings Whether you're carving wacky pumpkins or taking long drives, autumn is a favorite time of year for you |
| You Belong in 1950 |
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