Zoo and Family Fun

Today is our last day with everyone for awhile and we are off to a slow start.  Everyone sleeps in just a bit except Mister and the oldest boys.  They have asked to go to the coffee shop and soon are one their way while everyone else sleeps.

Bekah has another game this afternoon so after I get everyone fed --- everyone packs up and we are going to try and get in a trip to the zoo before going to the game.  Right as everyone is getting ready to go, my stomach does it's thing and I have to be left behind.  So sad.  Mister takes everyone onto the zoo though for some fun and the opportunity to see the new baby giraffe.  Lucky them.

November Quilt Update

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I have moved the previous posts to the end of the entry.  I hope that you make it that far.

Goals:  I have retreat this month --- YAY! -----  AND Black Friday with the start of the mystery quilt -- WOOT!!  ---PLUS time with family for Thanksgiving so scheduling is interesting but we'll give it a shot.


Home
Roll Quilt - nope -- should take this off list until Jan
UFO - Ceramic Tea Set - nope -- dang, really need to get this one done or it is going to become a birthday gift instead
Sandwich, quilt, and bind My Favorite Things (MFT) quilt - yes
Wanderlust (W) Blocks (28 full plus half blocks) - yes
Mark, sandwich, quilt, and bind Sew Squared (SS) quilt  - nope but Mister did get the templates made
Sandwich, quilt, bind, and make label for Scrappy Bargello (SB) quilt - yes
Sandwich, quilt, and bind Virginia Bound (VB) quilt - yes
Quilt, and bind Lazy Sunday (LS) quilt - yes
Mark, sandwich, quilt, and bind Peaceful Paisley (PP) quilt - yes
Bookmarks finished - on hold til Jan
Round Robin (RR) blocks (14) pattern and fabrics selected
Clue #1 Grand Illusion (GI) Mystery Quilt worked on - yes - all cut and ready to sew
Wedding Quilt (WQ) blocks prepared, sashings cut, backing/label made, borders cut, binding made - yes
Finish sewing mats - yes
Retreat

Finish any remaining Wanderlust (W) half blocks, do border blocks, and set yes
Set, sandwich, quilt and bind Wedding Quilt (WQ) yes
Make sewing mats - 4 finished, 2 close
Any bindings that need to be hand-stitched as well - worked on PP
Debone all remaining shirts in basket - yes - 12 completed

1st -  OMG It's November!  Hang on for one heck of a month.  I give myself a HUGE talking to this morning when I realize just how long my list is and how little time I have.  There is just no room for lazing around.  Get with it girl.  It's Saturday, which means I am devoted to my sweetie for today and tomorrow.  I won't change that as I have learned the hard way in life where my priorities need to be.  Mister and I go shopping for the materials to refinish my Featherweight table.  I appreciate so much that he is working on this for me.  He is also making me a Big Board!  I am one lucky girl.  Matt sent me a picture from Hyrum's birthday party of him with his quilt.  Makes my heart feel good.

Soccer - Haircuts - Josh's Bday -- Last Quilt is Delivered - Whew

Okay everyone -- Up and at 'em.  We have a soccer game at 10:00 in Plano and must be out of the house by 8:30 to get Bekah there in time.  So, naturally, who do you think we are having the hardest time waking up?  Yep, that's right.  Under all of that red/black/white/grey lies our soccer player.  Let's go girl.  We get to the field and settle in for the game while the boys set up a card game.  How on earth can Jacob tell what is going on?  Game time.

Black Friday at the Arboretum - Then Soccer

Good morning!  I find my computer commandeered and crayons being put to use in the office.  It all works for me.  However, Miss Bekah has a soccer game this afternoon AND a football game tonight so it is definitely time to get up and going.  Mister has gone to work and the rest of us are going to the Arboretum to peek at the 12 Days of Christmas displays during the daytime.

Let's go.  Head em out.  Yes, that means you too.  Come on now.  Out to door.  Oh Goodness but we are a slow moving train.  Doesn't everyone look happy?

Thanksgiving Family Time

I LOVE Thanksgiving.  Perhaps it is because I love the fall so much.  Perhaps it is because it is a holiday devoted to being thankful and not expecting anything except some yummy food.  There is no pressure of gifts or costumes or bonkers decorating.  It's just people getting together and sharing the love.  I have always wanted to be surrounded by family on this day and this year my house will be filled with the sounds of laughter and love.  Yep - I'm a content girl.

Mister is on his way to get his mother while I finish up some preparations.  I made the rolls last night but was disappointed in the way they turned out so I am quickly getting another dough going.  Now, it's time for company.  When Mom arrives, we set up a table for her to work at in the kitchen and promptly put her to work.  She is in charge of the relish tray and preparing the giblets for the gravy.  Less things for Mister and I to worry about.

My dough is ready to be punched down and shaped into rolls.  It feels good so hopefully it will turn out better today.

Out The Kitchen Window

Some days joy is just right out the window.  Today is one such day for Mister.

I Am Thankful For:

Around Facebook people are posting their daily "I am thankful for" items and while I agree that it serves a purpose for us to take a look at our lives and focus on what we are grateful for, I have trouble with making a daily public "look at me" about them.  I have, therefore, decided to put it here, in a single post where I can refer back to it on occasion and know that it is mostly my family who will see it here.

1st - At this point in my life, I am most thankful for my sweetheart, who loves me unconditionally and I treasure that because I also know that I am a hard person to love.  He treats me with utmost tenderness and concern at all times.  I love that he is always doing things to make me smile.  This wonderful man makes me feel alive and helps me to be a better person, simply by example.  He has taught me so very much and I am so very thankful that he came into my life.

Fall Has Arrived!

Oh I do so LOVE this time of year.  I returned home from a quilting retreat to find that my lovely home has undergone a change.  Mister was out this morning and got some great shots of the trees in our yard.  Enjoy the eye candy.  I know I am.

Oooooh -- The Orchid is Doing Something

Mister is so excited he can barely contain himself.  The orchid is up to something.  Getting these babies to bloom again is definitely a test of patience.  We are pretty thrilled right now.  (The violets are beautiful now too.)

Bob's Bday Dinner

Our nephew's birthday was in October but for some reason it has taken us awhile to get together and treat him to a dinner out.  Since Grandma hasn't had a chance to see him in awhile, she is coming along.  We are off to Foods From Galilee and I could not be happier.

We have a great evening talking and enjoying the mediterranean food.  Oh Yum.  Happy 19th Birthday Bob.  Glad college is going so well and hope you enjoy the break over Thanksgiving.

A Magical Night at the Arboretum - 12 Days of Christmas

It is one of those times when a person is thankful for memberships at wonderful places.  The Dallas Arboretum is getting ready to launch their "12 Days of Christmas" display and we are lucky enough to get to preview it ahead of time.  It will be available to ALL who visit the Arboretum during the daytime for the next couple of months, but in order to see it lit up at night, one must have additional tickets and reservations.  We will see it many times over the course of it's stay during the day, but know that we need to take advantage of this evening preview.  Thus, as soon as Mister arrives home from work, we have a quick dinner, make some hot chocolate to put in the thermos and are off.

It is about 6:15 when we arrive and it is already dark.  Thank you time change.  The grounds are alive with activity and the gazebos for the "days" are scattered here and there throughout the gardens.  It is indeed magical and beautiful.

This is our second trip to the gardens at night.  We were here for the Chihuly exhibit (link will take you to that post) and loved being here after dark.  We know the place well and are able to wander happily through the areas that we love.  Are  you ready for 12 days?  Let's go.

A Day With Mister - McKinney

I woke early this morning and since it is Saturday, tried to creep quietly out of the bedroom to let Mister get a chance to sleep in.  A few minutes later, he walks into the office and says that he wants to spend the day with his Sweetie.  Ah, gotta love this man.  I had mentioned an estate sale in McKinney earlier in the week and today is the last day for it.  He has remembered and asks if I want to see if anything is left.  Heck yeah.  After a quick search, I locate a couple more sales in the same area and we are off.

I absolutely love this little city.  When we arrive at the sale, most of the sewing items are already sold, but there is a ton of fabric.  Everyone would be so proud of me -- I walked away from it all.  I have a ton of my own to use up.  I do spot a scooter in the garage though and Mister comes along to help me check it out for his mother.  Yep -- we make the purchase and move onto the next sale where we find a light for Mister to use in the studio while working on machines.  The last sale is a bust but now we are free to explore McKinney for awhile.  First stop is the Farmer's Market.  I love this little market as it "feels" like a farmer's market should.  It is in a cute little historic area of the city and has music, face painting, and much more.

Baking Day - The Best Cinnamon Rolls Ever!

 I have been so caught up lately with sewing that I feel Mister needs some attention in the form of food.  I am so hoping when he arrives home from work today his face will light up when the aroma of my kitchen hits.  That's the plan anyway.  I am making both Cream Cheese Cinnamon Roll AND some Muffin Bread.  I have posted the recipe for the bread before and it can be found here.

As for the cinnamon rolls, here we go.

Start with 1 pkg. yeast (or 2 1/4 tsp.) and put it in the bowl of a standing mixer.  Add 1/2 tsp. sugar and 1/4 cup water heated to 115°, stir to combine and let sit until foamy, about 10 minutes.




While waiting, gather the remaining ingredients:  1/4 cup sugar, 1/2 cup milk (at room temperature), 2 tsp. light brown sugar, 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract, 1 egg, and 1 egg yolk.

 Add to the yeast mixture and beat on low speed until thoroughly combined, about a minute.  Turn mixer off and add 2 3/4 cups flour, and 3/4 tsp. salt.

Loy Krathong Festival

Mister and I were searching for a weekend activity and discovered that the Buddhist Temple is doing a Loy Krathong event today.  Another name for this is the Festival of Lights.  The word Loy means to float and a krathong is a floating object for that holiday.  As we arrive, tables are covered with krathongs made from crepe paper, resembling a lotus flower, and each containing a single candle and some incense sticks.  It is late afternoon and as we walk up, the parade is in full swing.   We locate a spot off to the side and watch as it goes by.  I LOVE the clothing and and money trees.  What a great opening.