Yucky Day

Today is cold and rainy. I don't mind the cold, and I don't mind the rain, but the two of them together become more than the sum of their parts, and I hate what it produces. Mini-me and Patch are sleeping, and I have been working on Christmassy things in my studio.

In honor of this yucky day, I thought I would post the saddest picture of all:

Here's to hoping tomorrow is better!

Child Labor, Part 2

I like to put my kids to work. It's good for them. Puts hair on their chest. Mini-me really wanted to help make the Thanksgiving pies, and after the success of Spaghetti-O's, I let her.

You can see the pie crust in the background. Mini-me helped measure the ingredients, and then pressed the "pulse" button on the food processor. She did all the stirring for the pies. She was so excited about the pumpkin pie. She didn't eat it, but she was very excited for it. Please pardon the messy hair. Baking is a messy business.

The next morning, she woke up, got dressed, and put on her apron. That girl had more work to do! We made the chocolate pie, which was a hit with the under-4 crowd, and then made the rolls. Mini-me did most of the kneading and all of the rolling. Then I cut the rolls out, and she rolled them up into crescents. Man, could she roll like nobodies business.

This photo is after dinner, which for her consisted of rolls and jam. Only trust what you yourself cook. I can only imagine what she would have put away had she made the stuffing or the turkey. She was not in the mood to smile. Cooking is very serious business, folks.

Thanksgiving Eve

My kids are growing up. Sometimes that's okay with me. Last night, Mini-me wanted to cook dinner. So, I let her. I showed her how to turn on the stove, and let her practice several times. Oh, stop. You know I didn't do that. She started with a simple meal to prepare: Spaghetti-O's. She put on her pink princess apron, which she was quick to inform was a gift from GrandPatty last year, and stirred until the dish was the desired temperature, which is barely warmer than in the can. She was so proud of herself. Today, she's going to make the pumpkin pie. She'll be great at it!

Patch is my little shadow today. Well, everyday. He is so sweet, I don't really mind. If only I could train him to sew a little, I'd get more done.

We need to go to the grocery store today, along with everyone else in the city. I have a short list, and Giant Eagle has this really cool personal shopper thing where you scan your items while you shop. It's genius, really. Then there's a dedicated lane for you to just scan your card, then input your scanner, and you're done! Voila! If it takes longer than 30 minutes, I'll know I'm just wasting time.

Even with the business of today and the past few weeks, I have had time to think about the things I'm grateful for. The list is long. Do you have a minute? I am grateful that my kids grow. I am grateful that our personal economic bailout has been successful (Obama is right about one thing, though, it does takes time). I am grateful for Curly, who makes me laugh and swoon. I am grateful that I can contribute to our family finances without having to leave home. I am grateful for pretty fabric. I am grateful for wonderful memories of Thanksgivings gone by. This year I will try to bring some of those memories to the present, by serving instant breakfast and black donuts while watching the parade.

The shrieking has begun. I must go tend to my children. Have a happy Thanksgiving!

The Countdown...One Month

We are a month away from Christmas Day.

Sorry, I just had to pick myself up off the floor. I'm okay, really. I am on schedule with my Molly Patch orders, and hope to stay that way for the duration. So far this week I have made two library totes, a doll quilt, and a pillowcase. I have 2 large bags cut and ready for sewing tomorrow. It's ambitious to do two bags in a day, but if I'm going to stay on target, it needs to happen. I have given myself off on Thursday (which was quite nice of me), but if I don't get both bags done, I will have to do a little work before we head over the river and through the woods for dinner.

I had hoped to post some sort of holiday musings today, but it just didn't happen. Check back tomorrow, won't you?

Taking a Sick Day

Curly is off from work today, and I kept Mini-me home from school. She woke up several times last night crying that her ears hurt. Of course, today they feel fine, but I didn't quite wake up on time, due to the frequency of her interrupting my sleep. Patch is still not feeling well. I'll upload a picture later today. His eyes are so sad, but he still said "cheese!" when I pulled out the camera.

On the docket for today, I have to finish the binding on a set of placemats for my Grandma's order and get them off to the post office, and then I have about 4 more things I'd like to get done today on the Molly Patch list. I would really like to get some orders on their way by Friday. I think it's totally doable.

My friend Colleen stopped by for a few minutes yesterday to borrow New Moon, and said this:

"Sometimes in quilting, you have to think outside the block."

She is so wise.

Sick Patch

I am home from church today with a sick Patch. He has running orifices, but trutch be told, he is on the mend. He's just not well enough to go to church, or anywhere for that matter. Mini-me left for church as cute as can be in a hand-me-down from Flower. I am thrilled to bits that she can start wearing Flower's old clothes. We actually don't have many here, since The Ex has purchased (and is keeping) the majority, but what we do have is great stuff. Most of it is formal wear for the Sabbath day, and most of it Mini-me has worn in a mini-er size. Today she has on a black and cream plaid kilt, cream turtleneck, and cream sweater with snowmen cutouts from Talbots Kids. She is one stylin' little gal. I told her she looked fabulous, and she said "I know." Ah, self esteem. I hope she never loses it!

Photo Friday

Advice

Lisa, my WW leader, said this yesterday:

It's a holiday. Not a holiweek.

Weight Loss Wednesday

I am sure you are all on the edge of your seats. A late post? Why? Did she make her 10% goal? Was the boat wood, or aluminum? (Little Veggie Tales reference there...) Drum roll please . . . . I DID IT!! 10% off woo-hoo!!! I am so relieved, I cannot even tell you. I also dropped another 2 on top of it, so I was down 3 for this week, 24.6 for 12 weeks. The sad news is that the session at the Y is now over, and won't be starting up again until January 7. I can go into the center, weigh in, and attend a meeting, but there is only one session that lets you bring kids. Blech. My instructor, Lisa, does two meetings on Monday, but who wants to weigh in on a Monday? Not me. I'll try the Tuesday morning one that allows children, and we'll take it from there. Funny thing is, the center is right near the Jenny Craig center. I wonder if I'll run into my old counselor from there. That would be as awkward as running into an old boyfriend with whom you had a poor break up. What would I say? "Um, hi. Yeah, I was just at Weight Watchers. You look good, though. How are the frozen foods?"

In other fun news, my friend and Zumba instructor has been talking with me about becoming an instructor. Wouldn't that be fun? I a pretty sure it's because my hips move like lightning and because I'm part Latina. By way of Germany. My mom was an aerobics instructor back in the day of leotards and sweat bands. They did really fun routines to songs like "Jump!" and "Dancing on the Ceiling" and "Caribbean Queen." I'm pretty sure that last one was a cool-down song. I used to go with her and do my math homework, which is how I remember the songs. It would be muy divertido (that means "really fun") to be a Zumba instructor. I'll let you know how it goes.

New Picture

I changed my profile picture. Isn't it sweet? Thanks, Colleen! You take the greatest pictures.

Hopes

I hope this book makes it under the tree this year!

And, on a funny side note, my girls have decided the only way to sing "Oh, Christmas Tree" is to sound British. It's very amusing.

Sigh of Relief

The trunk show was a raging success. I had less people than I hoped for, but those people bought more things than I hoped for. Not a bad combination. I look forward to doing another one in the spring. My mom took some pictures, but I didn't have my camera with me, so I'll post one as soon as she emails me. Thanks for everyone who came out and supported me!

Photo Friday

This is the bag I did for Melly's shower two weekends ago. It has tons of pockets, and lots of room for baby stuff. This style is also for sale, you guessed it, at my trunk show. Tomorrow.

Raining

It is raining cats and dogs today. The last weather report I heard was "periods of rain." Well, it was pouring when I drove Flower to school, and it's pouring still, 3 hours later. All the rain leaves me very sleepy.

I was planning on doing laundry today, but shout out to Curly who did most of it yesterday. Holla! The bad part about him doing the laundry was that he was in my space for most of the day. He does not care for the state of my sewing area. You show me a quilter who has a clean studio, and I'll, well, I don't know. I doubt you can find one! We creative types need a bit of a mess. He straightened some things and then gave me a speech I haven't heard since I was 17 years old: This may be your room, but it's in my house.

Anyway, on Saturday afternoon, after the trunk show, I have big plans to clean and organize. I am going to need major organization if I'm going to keep up with all the orders I'm going to get Saturday. Plus, I need to get started on Christmas presents for the kids. Patch is getting a Cars quilt. I found Lightning McQueen fabric while we were summering in Lancaster. Well, not summering. But it was summer. Anyway. The girls are getting aprons with matching tiny aprons for their dolls. I did a sample last night for the trunk show, and it is too cute. Pictures to follow as soon as I find my battery charger.

Weight Loss Wednesday

I don't want to talk about it, okay? I mean, the scale just stayed the same. Frustration felt here! Oh well. Next week, right???

Onward and upward. Only 2 more days until the Molly Patch trunk show in Northern Virginia. I have a few more things to finish up, but other than that, the major stuff is done. Woo-hoo! Hopefully it will be a good showing and people will order things. I really need people to order things. I started The Molly Patch for a couple of reasons, the chief of which is that I don't want to work outside the home. I feel strongly about being here, even when my kids are in school (which is only a few short years away). But with the economy, that's going to be tough to do. Tough, but doable. So thank you thank you thank you to all those who have ordered and continue to order from me! Now back to the sewing machine.

Another Quilt Giveaway!!

People are just giving quilts away. Go over to Old Red Barn Co. and try to win one of 3 spectacularly adorable quilts. My favorite? The Nest quilt. Good luck!!

Leaves!

We tried to take a Christmas card picture this weekend. Patch would not cooperate. He thought it was a game.

As soon as he was placed in the pile, he bolted.

This made the girls giggle, which made him scoot even faster.

At the end, Flower suggested that we just have a picture with her and Mini-me this year. Not a bad idea, but I'm not giving up hope just yet.

Contest

The fabulous Camille is having a contest on her blog. You can win either a quilt or a kit to make a quilt. Go enter now!

Sunday

Cherie came to visit on Sunday. It was great to spend time with her. When we planned this fun short visit, we both pictured a leisurely Sunday to sit and chat and maybe go for a walk. Ha. As I was getting ready to leave to pick her up, Curly came in (himself having been on his way for a 5:45 am pre-church meeting) to say that our tires had been slashed on both cars. Say what? All told, about 17 cars were hit overnight, ours being 2 of the 17. Luckily, Curly's sister was with us and her car was left alone. The time after church was spent on the phone with the insurance, getting interviewed by NBC 25, and taking a walk without me so that I could fix dinner. Ah, dinner. Then it was off to the airport. The visit was way too short!

Photo Friday

Weight Loss Wednesday

This post could easily be called "So Close, Yet So Far." I am point 2 pounds away from my 10% goal. Point 2!!! So frustrating. But, with it just right there, next week I will hit my 10% plus more. Here is a major victory for me -- today I am under 200 pounds. And yes, I do feel lighter.

Halloween: A Look Back

Pumpkins were carved.

Games were played.

Trunks were treated.

Children were gooky (Patch speak for "spooky").

And tea parties were attended by witches.