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waves HELLO to everyone!
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:D I see there's a lot of cookie crumbs around!! Hope everyone is enjoying their SantaQNSue treats! :D

No I haven't dropped off the planet either.
No I am not done Frosty.
A little more since I reported in, but had to switch gears and make a housecoat for a gift for tomorrow's Christmas GTG here with a friend who will be here til late Thursday. Have it made now, all except for the belt loops and pockets. Those will just be pinned on, til I have the person, to get them in the right place. Likewise the hem is waiting ... would they like it long? or just over the knee? Did a ragged edge (like the quilts) and have now washed and fluffed that raggy edge. Looking good, though all kinds of escaped threads, so I guess I'll be spending some time with a lint brush. And then need to get it wrapped.

Then Friday night have two couples for supper ... and then my entertaining is done and I will then be having to work like crazy to finish Frosty for Christmas Day.

So tonight ... crumbed dressing, made a pan of squares (3 layers, fiddly things, why did I do that?), cooked potatoes for the make ahead version, made a cake to be crumbed up and into trifle in a pan (cuts into squares, instead of looking mucky like trifle can tend to. Tomorrow ... Big Bird (well, not too big) will be cooked, with all the trimmings.

So chances are ... you won't hear from me til Saturday!

Anyone looking like they'll see a WHITE Christmas? All reports here are calling for green, green green ... and rain! UGH!

I think the BB blocks were slated to be after Christmas and December activities; so no one is behind at this point. Instead of the creator posting, it may have to be the receiver....will wait until January to see for sure if they are to be a surprise to the receiver or posted in advance.

It so good to hear of your activities and plans as they process in the fast lane and how you all are enjoying the season and Holiday busy days. I promise to 'rest' for all of you, sleep an extra hour, and take a break with a cuppa tea in the virtual RV. Meet with you all there as you get a moment.

LOL I wanted ta do the BB's & not the pressin' o' the top. LOL I still want ta do the BB's. I got 7 o' 'em done.

Sounds like all are keeping busy!!

Tonight was the cookie exchange at our church. It was a good time. I ended up taking snickerdoodles and peanut butter w/bite-size snickers wrapped inside. Got a good variety in return. I really liked the new recipes I got from QNS, but DH is not an oatmeal fan so figured I better make something he would eat too..cause of course I had to leave some home. :)

I have had a productive day in the clubhouse too...I finished one Rosie block and have all the fabric sewn on the papers for the last block, just have to sew the pieces together. When I get that done I have all the blocks finished! Not sure if I told you all, but I have all my papers and fabrics cut for the BBs...those are next on the list after Rosie (so Thursday or Friday...I work tomorrow).

I like to reward myself to with sewing stuff I *want to* when I finished something I *have to*.

Jan--you made some great progress on your PC quilt! After my BBs are finished I will go back to assembling my PC blocks. My goal is to have both quilts finished by the end of January. I made my very first block in Feb this year, so figure getting them done in a years time is pretty good.

Carrie, I had forgotten that ya are such a newbee, 'cause your so good!:thumbup:

JanRN I hope you are not getting yourself bogged down in "must do's" I find what works for me and that is to work in small increments of time. I will set the timer on my oven, cause I don't always look at my watch, for an hour and then tell myself that I am going to get xyz finished in an hour. If I don't get it all finished I don't beat myself up just adjust my capabilities.

When I was trying to get Jamestown finished and it seemed to be dragging me down a little, I would sew a row on and walk away, chat on the computer, clean my kitchen, read a patchwork book, whatever, then go back and sew another row on, if you want to start something new make it small enough that you can finish it in a few hours or days and see results. Then you may have the motivation to do a few more PC rows.
Good luck

QNS I am popping into the RV for a coffee and some yummy cookies, hope you have some left:D

Good to see you Mirabelle, in the virtual RV. Yes, to put oat meal in the cookie is your choice; just use flour. I have couple dozen chocolate cowboy cookies and peanut butter Reese's M & M peanut butter chips left over...no oatmeal so you can take a couple home with you. Turns out my basic starting place is the same as what QuiltE uses as her starting place for cookies!

My LQS lady presses my quilts for me for $5.00 and its worth that to me so I don't have too juggle it around on the ironing board, Dublb. The queen and king sizes seem like a giant piece by the time I finish with them. Not used to handling that much fabric in one piece, I guess.

QNSue ... WOW!! $5 ... and I'd give her ALL my pressing! :) That's a super deal that she will do that for you. Does she have one of those big presser machines, somewhat like they have at the dry cleaners?

Where we start? .... are you meaning that I only see a recipe as a guide and then improvise from there? Oh yea, that's me to a T!!


JanRN ... I know what you mean by spinning wheels instead of being productive. hhmmm? maybe that's why I am here at the computer right now, instead of in the kitchen doing prep for tonight's supper? When I'm like this, it's a sure sign that I am just plain tired, and need a good sleep. Sometimes it's not about pushing ourselves to do the job that needs to be done and we know we should do. Whereas we are better to just not do it, when we are not "in the zone" as I call it! For me, that's a sure thing that I'll botch it up!! Sometimes waiting til we are "ready" is better, and then we go at it with great enthusiasm and in no time, the job is done!

And with all that said ... sometimes, I know, we just have to plug along whether we want to or not ... as in for me today, being that I have company for supper.
Stuffing prepped, turkey ready to hit the oven at noon, dessert 1/2 made (make in stages!).
I think the food prep is just about done.
Guess next I should go set the table and have that finished.

Cheers Ladies!

Glad to see everyone's keeping busy and enjoying the Holiday Season...chatter is a pick me for me ..
Uhmmmm....Where are all the recipes for the wonderful cookies everyone is now munching on??? I just landed back on planet earth from wherever I visited and can't find them....My all time favorite cookie is Biscotti and will be baking some... my Christmas cookieswill have to wait until after Christmas while in Calabash...After I put the xmas tree up today (for the kids to decorate) I'll be gathering all my sewing stuff to work on while I'm in NC. I'll be sewing the BB blocks there also...I should have started all this weeks ago...I'm a procastinator..always waiting until last minute...somehow it all gets done tho...

Even tho everyone is super busy I'm so glad yinz take the time to stop here. Like Anne said, coming here is a great pick-me-up. I love hearing your holiday plans and what you're cooking and who you're visiting. It all sounds like so much fun. Hmm--QE you've made me hungry for turkey. And since QNS's cookies were gone the day after they arrived I wish I was in a cookie exchange this year. My mother always did the baking so I'm guessing that will be my job now (OMG I'm a terrible cookie baker LOL). Goal for this afternoon is 2 more PC rows. Mirab, setting a timer is a good idea. I play CD's and know how long each one is so I know after 4 CD's my time is up. MrJanRN called me "crotchety" last night!! I had to laugh because he's right. I guess I just needed to laugh about something because I'm in a much better mood; actually crossed some things off my "to do" list and moved them to a "maybe I'll do" list.

Our weather here is so strange: 41* today, 55* tomorrow, and winter storm warnings for Friday. As mercurial as my moods LOL!!! This will be our first snow of the year. Ggal, are you getting heavy snow today or tomorrow? You get the weather about a day or two ahead of me.

Jan, we're supposed to get snow tomorrow, 1-3 inches but the current temperature predictions are for about 40 degrees. Not counting on much snow. I have one row of PC quilted and joined, 4 more rows all sandwiched and ready to quilt and the last four still on the design wall waiting for me to cut some more batting. I have the backs ready. Today's project is finishing a UFO! It's the first quilt I started when I began seriously quilting 3 years ago and I can see my quilting skills have improved. I'm putting the binding on and will be done. It has a wool batting.
Dubib, when you launder a wool quilt, do you dry it in a dryer? I was given a washable wool blanket years ago and after several washings before I knew better, it was pretty felted. Glad you can finally get to Brady. Make some memories with those kids. My DD & DGS will be coming up from TN this weekend for a candy making day. My DD loves to cook and that's her way if making memories. It will be good to see both of them.
QuiltE...ummmm your house smells good. Have a delightful evening with friends.
Honchey...glad you checked in. Have fun in NC. I tend to procrastinate too but it does get done.
Mirabelle...you have the Jamestown waiting for border material. What else are you working on?
Jeanie...how is the mystery quilt coming? So far I've been able to keep up.
Carrie...you sure get a lot done for a home schooling parent. You must have your children well trained to be able o escape to the clubhouse and they haven't hurt each other by the time you get back..?:eek: When my kids were young and I worked outside, I was never sure what to expect when I came in the house. Usually no blood but the house could be in more disarray than then I went out.
Anael...thinking of you and yours.
DDamsel...stay with us and you'll find something to smile about. Have a spot of tea with us in QNS's virtual RV.
OK...I remember those tax appointments. Not the funest times of the year but they did pass. It's just getting through it sanely. Keep quilting!

Catatastrophe has struck!!!! ... I dropped my china snowman ... four pieces stacked ... his head and hat are the salt and pepper, his belly the creamer (the handle is his arm) and the bottom snowball is the sugar bowl. Most times I used the C+S for cranberries and butter. Well, actually it was only the S+P .... what a mess to clean up with S+P all over the floor. I'll miss them, :( as it was a cute addition to the table,

Honchey ... Good to see you have your priorities straight and packing your quilting for NC ahead of some of the Christmas To Do's! :) Like your style ... do the Christmas baking AFTER Christmas! :) As for recipes ... yours? I'll follow with the one I made the other night.

GGal ... Turkey cooking and yes, it's now starting to give that wonderful aroma!

JanRN ... you just tell that MrJanRN that he'll "pay" dearly for such comments!! :)

I've tried to cut and paste the recipe from my Word file, and the system keeps telling me there are too many "tags", whatever that means! I've done this lots of times before and it didn't give me all this grief. So will re-type it later, when I have more time!!

Sorry!!!!!!!!!

I'm slowly getting back into sewing. I made a wall hanging for my DS and DDIL - sorry no pic as I forgot to take one. It's wrapped already. I will give it to them tomorrow. I also made a small one for my DGS. If I don't forget I will take some pictures tomorrow.

Tomorrow at 2.50 pm they're having a check up at the local hospital. The first ultrasound after the procedure, so we're all nervous and worried.

QuiltE, sorry you dropped your china snowman. He sounds like fun and a great helper :D It's not possible to glue him back together again?

Anael, glad you checked in and hope all goes well with the check-up. I know it's nail-biting time but we're all here for you and sending good vibes and prayers.

Too bad about your snowman QuiltE.

This won't help for this year, but it may replace it for next year.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Snowman-All-...:B:SHOP:US:101

Thank you. Dublb. think you are the first to open the jam...

Our storm has passed by with heavy rain and high winds...no snow...will wait til morning but the weather guys says snow by tomorrow afternoon now....down to 12 degrees tomorrow night. Brrr. Better call that virtual jet pilot to take us all to Hawaii ...complete with all the fowl population, too. Wonder if ducks can surf??

It's cold & windy, w/dust blowin'. I really don't like it! ;);)

We are having our first big snow tonight/tomorrow..."they" say total accumulation could be 11-15". Schools are already cancelled all around for tomorrow. Weirdest thing...we've seen lightening/heard thunder a couple times...not something we're used to during a snowstorm!

Since tomorrow's a "snow day" I get to SEW! YAY! Bed time now....

Dublb hope you have fun in Brady with the Grandkids

QuiltE sorry about your Snowman

Anael you are your family are in my prayers hoping for a good result

GGal970 I am working on a pattern called Marjen for Error, it is a Dresden design with machine embroidery, I have only a few more blocks to finish and then have to finish the embroidery panels. Will post a pic tomorrow. there is always something going on in my sewing room. I will still finish the year with a few ufo's but that's ok.

Spent today in the big smoke with DS doing a bit of shopping and dropping off my Snuggle quilts at the Hospital. The staff loved them and one was given to a very sick girl while I was there. They have asked me if I would be interested in making a Queen size quilt that they can raffle. Will have to think about that.

QuiltE....sorry about the snowman. Sounds like you're ready to slow down and get a good rest.
Anael...thinking of you and yours.
JanR...prepare yourself for the snow so it doesn't get you down and your DH calls your crotchety again. I'm surprised that you don't like the quilting. You do such a nice job with it.
Dubib...blowing dust is not to my liking either. Do you ever get snow?
Carrie...merrily she sews along...nice snowed in pastime!
Mirabelle...I looked up that pattern and it's breathtaking! It was made with blue pansy fabric that was fussy cut and the embroidery is blue too. Embroidery machines make a quilt like that possible although I'm sure there have been some done by hand.
Today is shopping and cleaning. I got the sewing room straightened up yesterday and might sneak a couple of stitches but it will be much later.

QE--sorry about the snowman. Hope your meal went well last night!

Anael--you (and yours) are still in my prayers.

QNS--we too have had the jam, but I didn't want to share what the "surprise" was before everyone got their boxes. :) Homemade grape jam is one of my favorites!!

Mirabelle--I am sure your many quilts will be a blessing to those sick at the hospital. I would like to donate a couple quilts a year to the hospice house where a friend of mine passed away last year...this year it was just a little hard. I have 2 half done, so a good start for 2013!

Ggal--with only having 2 kids at home and them being 11 and 13 I do trust them to not make a big mess of the house when I go to sew for a couple hours each afternoon. I can't say I don't have interruptions or that there aren't days where I only end up in the clubhouse for 15 minutes before it is just easier to come in for the day. Many days one of them comes out with me and works on a project of some sort...sometimes quilting, making cards, just drawing a picture, etc, etc. They have chores to be finished by a certain time. And they spend a lot of time outside too. School is always done before I sneak away.

Busy morning here on QB. Yes, the rain storm came through with couple of inches; here at home: another came with another inch; then the snow hit,leaving about three inches or so and is blowing about and getting colder today. The hens looked out and stayed in their building; ducks don't care, out they went. Guineas are in their pen. Yes, a sewing today for sure. Tornadoes hitting the South, I pray they take shelter and survive this nasty weather there.

White out covers all of Iowa, so take care all Iowans. Thankful we can stay put and wait it out.

Thank you all for your prayers, good thoughts and hugs. The twins are doing well, the boy is 5 days behind on the girl but that's nothing to worry about. So we're all happy and this was the only birthday present I really wanted!

Hi Everyone, I am listening to the weather channel and I hope all of you are safe in your homes and not on the roads anywhere... Please check in if you are reading this and let us know you're ok....

I'm lucky here no bad weather. :)

No travel here but my DD and GS will be coming from Nashville tomorrow evening. It's predicted that the snow will be over but still cold and blowing. We're keeping our fingers crossed. Still raining here right now with strong winds.

Jeanie, expected birthdate is April 28th.

Awesome news Anael!! Thanks for the update--I think we all feel like "adopted grandmas" to your little ones!

Jeanie, I want to come to your house and help you bake. I really need to learn how. I like your "3 day system". Mmm-your house is going to smell so good.

No travel here, Anne, except to work tomorrow (damn!). It has been so dark here all day--like 6 o'clock at night all day. And rain--wow--it's raining buckets and supposed to turn to snow around 2am. And yes, Ggal, I'm crotchety--I'm one of those people that hate snow but live in western PA where it's expected to snow all winter. I even have a remote starter on my SUV so I don't have to clear so much snow off (I'm such a princess LOL). Stay warm and safe everyone.

All things came to a halt today; no school, no LQS open, and no plans of going anywhere. Seen a few cars and truck over on US 136 highway (about 1000 yards away from us). Beautiful looking snow until you have to get out in it; high wind blowing and drifting the snow, so the few inches can pile up and cause trouble driving. Experienced drivers only on the roads here and across into the southern tier of counties in Iowa. Yes, its looking like a white Christmas here.

Thanks for the good news, Anael, about your gc to be.

You must tell us, Jeanie, when the twins arrive, too.

"tis the special season to celebrate the birth of one child long ago; and all children are so special. You all give every gk you can reach an extra hug tonight....'cause I cannot reach out and touch our one and only.

OksewGlad, if you have slowed down to tune in to our chatter, your box is due to arrive on Friday. Through a bf, I found a copy of Flip for you to enjoy with all your grand-kids at your house..that is in the box as well as cookies..dh cannot stay away from them when they are around...and I do love to bake...Thanks to everyone who made my season special and took delivery of the 'box'.