Windy Day

The wind has been bad and strong for a couple of days now.  It blew in a cold front.  We didn't get much rain, but the cars all have a lot of dirt on them.  I have not seen a rain so dirty in a long time.  Someone said there must of been a lot of West Texas dirt in it.  I still need to get to the car wash.  The bad news is the wind destroyed the top of my gazebo.  It all happened in the matter of a few minutes.  Once it started ripping, there was nothing we could do but pick it up from the ground.

I save almost everything, so I will find the parts book and order a new top for the gazebo.  I just hope it doesn't cost as much as the gazebo did.  Jim bought it for my birthday several years ago and he got it on sale.

I have managed to get some cooking done.  I have madeChristms Sandies and Ginger Cookies (both recipes are from Better Homes and Garden website).  I also made some fudge.

I have more cooking I want to get done before Sunday.  I finally started wrapping gifts.  I forgot that last year I discarded several of the boxes I save year from year.  So before I can do more wrapping, I have to go get some boxes.  I also need to get some gift tags.  It has been several years since I have had to buy either.  For some reason, I did not buy them at the end of the season last year.  So unfortunately I am going to have to pay full price for them this year.  Oh, well.

It will be a short day at work today.  The office is closing at 1:00 pm. I will finish wrapping today and get going back on the quilt I am making.  Jim wants to go to Greenville today to replace the chainsaw we bought earlier in the year.  It doesn't work.  This is the second one we have tried.  I need to find the sales receipt and the extra insurance we got.  We have started buying the extra insurance when we make purchases because it pays for itself if you ever have to use it.  So much better than...sorry your warranty period is up.  You only use the chainsaw maybe two time a year.  It has been more that 90 days since we last used it and now it won't work.  I'm not positive, but this might have even been the first time to use it.

Hope everyone has a blessed Christmas in case I don't get back until after then.  Enjoy the season and take time to remember the reason.

Handmade Christmas

Each year I try to make something for Christmas.  Either an ornament, decoration, or a gift for someone.  I have a little extra time this year and I have started a quilt for a gift for someone.  I don't know if they read my blog or not so I cannot show pictures yet.  It is going together as quickly as was planned. I sent some pictures of some ornaments on my tree to Teresa at Fabric Therapy.  She was going to an ornament exchange party and has been enjoying makine yo-yo's.  Here are a couple from my tree.

Most of the ornaments on my tree are handmade.  I enjoy making them.  In the past I have sold some at craft sales and usually do a demo at our Christmas program put on by the extension agent.  I have  a new camera and am learning how to take photos with it.  Thei first upload to the computer was something.  I hope to get them organized so I can find them easily.  Need to order a few gifts online to get them delivered in time for Christmas.  And the major job at hand is to start the wrapping,  I have most of mine bought, just need to start getting it all wrapped up (also meaning to finish the shopping).  Have a great night.

The Roller Coaster

The roller coasster is in full swing for the Christmas ride.  I am enjoying this Christmas more than some in the past.  I have more done at this point so I get to enjoy the season.  I am LOVING it.  We finished putting up the lights yesterday (before the cold front hit, YEA).  I am sitting in my room with the heater on this morning, how nice.  The wind is blowing outside, and I am toasty inside.  Good.

 

Here are our deer.  You can see the tree in the window.  Our buck lost his lights, and we are going to restring him like we had to do one of the does.  Jim was surprised it took two boxes to do.  I finished a customer quilt this weekend.  It is the last one I have to do before Christmas, so no I can work on my stuff.  I got a quilt started this weekend.  It should go pretty fast.  It is a jelly roll pattern.  I sewed all the strips and have started cutting them into sections.  I had to run to Walmart to get what the pattern is calling background fabric.  Jim was like, "With all the fabric you have, you don't have anything to use?"  No, I buy in 1 yard incriments and I need 1 1/8  yard.

 I don't have to be anywhere this week after work, so I can work on my quilt.  I have 3 4 quilts going.  If I think too long, I will come up with more.  I think I will do what Judy @ Patchwork Times does and make a list of unfinished projects and finish one  a month.  I work best with lists and it helps to see what needs to be done and get to cross off what is finished.  It's off to work I go, have a blessed day.