Christmas Eve Gift Time

 This year, there were no major things we needed, so gifts were smaller, but still enjoyed. (although my camera was dead so I had to have Brad take the pics and they still won't orient they way I want. Poo.)

The chemists main present was a rotating swift (it helps in balling skeins of yarn). There's no fire in the fireplace this Christmas eve. Seventies today. :-D

 The wee one got several things, including a fidget cube, a purple cube clock, and this really cool

axolotl her sister crocheted for her from her own pattern!

My guy is so hard to gift, but his sister found a couple of DVDs he will enjoy, and I found an adult sized minecraft shirt for him.

I was very proud of what I managed to get for Mr. Wonderful. We have this cute little concrete frog in the flower beds. Mr. Wonderful had been saying all summer that we needed a concrete turtle to go with him. On the way home from band day at the state fair back in September, I stopped at a concrete statuary place on the way home and got him a turtle. He rode for about a month on the floor of the backseat of my car. Mr. Wonderful never saw him. I kept my secret!

Blessed Yule to all.

Fall Band Concert

 The 8th grade band was the final group for the fall band concert.

Still not playing in the high school auditorium, but that's because renovations are not yet finished.

A medley of holidays tunes, plus three movements from the Nutcracker Suite. They did so well.

The flutes did their trills so nicely and sounded so good on Waltz of the Flowers.

My guy even joined us for the concert.

Nice evening capped off with a stop drinks and a little holiday lights viewing.

Today I Finished . . .

 . . . PAINTING THE EXTERIOR OF THE HOUSE!!!!

Oh, but I am happy to see the end of this project. I could not have done it without my dad's help. He came out a couple of times to help with the high work that I am so slow doing because I'm so nervous.

Happy, happy day.

Fall Colors

 

This fall has been gorgeous. Our new little pampas grass start grew a lot this year.

Our new maple looks so pretty.

Another has all the color transitions.

I think it looks weird, but cool.

And Miss Adventure is sporting new colors for fall as well.

Happy Halloween!

Bread and Stew

 I have finally accomplished something I have attempted several times over the decades. I have finally learned how to bake a decent SOFT loaf of bread. I am so pleased.

Plus I have canned several pints of beef stew for Mr. Wonderful. That's my potatoes, carrots, and onions in that jar!

Paint, Paint, Paint

I am still painting the exterior of our home.

This project seems like it will never end.

But I keep keeping on.

Maybe someday it will be done . . . 

Today I Finished . . .

. . . another quilt top.

I bought this quilt kit because I just loved both the colors and the pattern. But now I have three quilt tops needing to be quilted. Gotta get my needle flying!