John's Calendar Quilt

I can now post about the calendar quilt I designed for my son. It was part of his Christmas and I didn't want to spoil the surprise by posting earlier. I knew that I wanted to make a calendar for his office but wasn't sure how to incorporate my quilting into the project. I decided to make a quilted holder for the calendar. I called my friend Susan, a fellow quilter, and asked for suggestions that would be "manly". She suggested this puzzle design. I arranged all the names as if it was a crossword puzzle and amazingly they fit in the desired size. Each letter is a 2 1/2" square. I used my Janome to embroidery each letter. I did multiple letters in each hooping allowing room for trimming to 2 1/2". The remaining part of the puzzle is 2 1/2" black squares. The bottom portion holds a heavy plastic pocket for the calendar pages. Calendar pages were made in Photoshop Elements.

John was very pleased and surprised by his Calendar Quilt. I'm so glad I took time to design a unique quilt for my wonderful son. He can display it in his office. I think you could also use the pocket to display the granddaughters art work or other items. It wouldn't have to be a calendar.

In Loving Memory

Paul Thomas Snow

December 30, 1985

May 12, 2007

We miss you every day. I can vividly remember how delighted your dad and I were when you finally arrived that December morning, the excitement of the entire family, and the time capsule our friends made for you to open on your 21st birthday. When you opened that capsule on December 30, 2006, we had no idea this would be your last birthday on earth. You will always be in our hearts. Happy Birthday Son.

Happy Pink Saturday

I'm posting my Pink Saturday early. I've been busy with Christmas events but wanted to do a post for Pink Saturday. We will be busy until next week with family and fun.

The bear in the photo was delivered by Santa on Christmas 1949. He is now 60 and is a genuine Senior citizen. His name is Mr. Bear. Don't know when he got his name since I was only 18 months old when he arrived in my life. I don't think I had a large vocabulary at that time (but my parents often said I was born talking and never quit!) He is missing an eye and his stitches are very loose. He is still my "Mr. Bear" and resides on the bed in the guest bedroom. I think he is a very lovely bear and I'm so glad Santa choose to deliver such a fine fellow 60 years ago! Thanks Santa. Your elves did a great job.

Happy Pink Saturday and Happy Birthday Mr. Bear. Be sure to check out other Pink Saturday posts. Just visit Beverly's blog. Holiday greeting to all. I'll be back next year!!!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Las Noches de las Luminarias

Friday evening my DH treated me to a lovely evening at the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix. We attended Las Noches de las Luminarias. We had a wonderful buffet dinner and then strolled the gardens listening to various musical groups along Luminaria lit pathways. The weather was lovely with only a light jacket required. We especially enjoyed The Hey Boyz (country western bluegrass) and the Bad Cactus Brass Band. All the other groups (total of 12) were also wonderful.

What a lovely way to spend a Holiday evening in the Valley of the Sun when many others were experiencing a white Christmas.

Pink Saturday

Happy Pink Saturday

Holiday Traditions

Why the photo of these lovely girls in pink? What do they have to do with Holiday traditions?

Christmas Brunch

My beautiful granddaughters are the reason that our holiday traditions now include a Christmas Day brunch at Mema's and Papa's. As a family, we decided that it was important for the girls to have time with the gifts Santa left under their tree. By having a brunch, the girls have time to play with Santa's gifts for a few hours before leaving for Mema's house and our family gift exchange. (They do Christmas Eve at the other grandma's.)

One of the family's favorite Christmas brunch items is the Green Chili Casserole. The recipe is posted below. Sorry I don't have photo of this wonderful (and easy) brunch dish.

Green Chili Casserole

1/4 cup butter or margarine

2 4 oz. cans chopped green chilies

1 16 oz. pkg Finely Shredded Colby & Monterey Jack Cheese (available at WalMart)

2 cups milk

3 eggs

1 cup Bisquick

1/2 tsp. salt

1. Melt butter in large casserole dish. Put green chilies over the margarine. Layer cheese over the green chilies.

2. Beat eggs and milk together in a bowl.

3. Combine Bisquick and salt. Stir into egg mixture. Pour over the layer of cheese.

4. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes.

5. Cool slightly. Cut into serving pieces.

6. ENJOY!

Thanks for visiting today. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas. For more holiday traditions visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound.

Vintage Christmas Apron

Matilda is ready for Christmas entertaining. Isn't she a lucky lady (mannequin) to be wearing this lovely apron! I found this wonderful vintage apron at Goodwill. I just love it. I think it must have been a kit. Kit probably included the netting, felt, ribbon, rickrack, beads and sequins. I hope my photos show the detail of the bell embellishments. It's obvious that someone spent hours and hours attaching sequins with beads. There is also a piece of the silver rickrack on each bell.

I always wonder about the history of things I find at thrift stores. Do you think someone actually wore this lovely little apron? Did someone spend all those hours making it as a gift? Did the recipient appreciated the hours it took to make it? How did it end up at Goodwill with a 99 cent price tag?

Chalkware/Plaster Nativity

Look what I found at Goodwill today. I love the pieces. They are rather large and heavy chalkware or plaster. Don't have any idea of their age. Joseph had an accident at some time and lost his head. It has been glued back and you can see the breakline if you look closely. Since they are to be displayed on the front porch, I'm not worried. Both Mary and Joseph had a few chips. I repaired them with Sharpie pen. What we do without our Sharpies!