november wrapped

November, for me, represented family this year as it does most every year, but this November brought forth many changes - both good and not so good. This month has been tried and true. Relationships torn and scorned. Others brought anew and one passed to another paradise (RIP Grandma Nichols). The boys and I went with my parents to Arkansas to spend Thanksgiving with my grandparents and Uncle Jimmy. It also happened to be my grandmother’s 84th birthday.

Our Thanksgiving was extra special and oh so sweet. Other than the normal ups and downs that children bring with their age(s) and the usual traveling hiccups, our Thanksgiving was memorable and savory. We even brought my parent’s/brother’s dog, Jasmine. Underneath it all, I/we enjoyed our time together. (Thanks to everyone who wished us safe and well travels!)

My parent’s vehicle was packed. There was food and luggage in every crevasse. We added the third seat for Jose and Jasmine, the dog, to sit in (they had the most room). Cameron and I had the second row seat and we were without extra space. Mom and Dad had the captain’s position obviously and they were jammed in. I must admit though, it wasn’t all too bad. I pretty much stitched the entire way.

Grandpa is always by Grandma’s side, helping her in every way. They are both so tired but he has taken the role of aid and nurse. There is loving care there for sure. He’s in pretty good shape for being able to take care of her and him at this phase of life. I admire his perseverance (or is it a lack of asking for help?) or maybe because he just has to. At some point, we all will have to care for the ones we love.

Who doesn’t love cornbread? Who loves it when it’s in muffin-style? I do! I do! I probably ate four of these. My mom had the food prepared by Cracker Barrel and I would recommend this for Thanksgiving, or any meal for that matter...anytime. It was absolutely D-LISH!!! I’m not sure how the carrots were cooked but yum is the word. That’s my plate. Less turkey, more starch – right up my alley. Cameron enjoyed his plate of food but I think he enjoyed sitting standing kneeling in a real chair more. He was content. I love this picture of him and my dad. They were so smitten.

My Dad says that when you’re at grandma and grandpa’s house your metabolism slows - LOL. I think he’s correct. Every time we’re there we want to fall asleep. As my grandma calls them, they’re a bunch of lazy bones ;-) Even Jasmine the dog got trapped in that stereotype. Grandpa loves to play Dominos. Grandma and Uncle Jimmy like to play Rook. Cameron had to get in on the action of Dominos of course and naturally Cameron lost one of Grandpa’s pieces so while out on Black Friday (OMG!) we picked up a new set for him. This photo is just too cute. These grown men in wife-beater tanks (just a term) with a little two-year old child. LOL

Mom, myself and the boys stayed at a nearby hotel bc there wasn’t enough room at the house. Cameron looked so “royal” having breakfast in bed while cozy in his flannel collared Christmas jammies in a white fluffy bed. So regal! Cameron being mechanically and technically savvy was the first person to correctly operate our hotel room thermostat controls. In fact, we couldn’t get him to leave the damn thing alone. Hot. Cold. Full blast. Auto. On. Off. On. Hot. Hot. Hotter. Hotter. Freezing cold. I couldn’t tell if I was dying from hypothermia or just melting away.

The days following Thanksgiving were memorable. Cameron made a real friend in Uncle Jimmy, but then that doesn’t surprise me. Uncle Jimmy was always good with the kids. Cameron took his nap in Jimmy’s arms and Uncle Jimmy didn’t mind one bit. More lazy bones on the couch including the dog. Mom and I stitching together. She’s stitching on a LHN project and I was sorting threads for her on an upcoming project. Jose and his Papa - they always have a good time together.

Target-filled bag of dirty cotton. Must clean cotton.

Arkansas’s main cash crop is cotton. My grandparents live in a very small town called Lake City right outside Jonesboro. They are surrounded by never-ending cotton fields. The side of the roads are sprinkled with puffs of cotton and I thought to myself “hey, that would make excellent fiber fill!” Friday afternoon, Jose and I went out and picked cotton. Okay, not exactly picked cotton. More like picked up cotton. The cotton fields had already been picked for the season so we were getting the leftovers…and whatever else blew off the trucks – LOL. Doesn’t matter. I got real, homegrown cotton for my projects and I know where to get more. Lots more! ;-)

I managed to start a piece the day we left (Wednesday) and I finished stitching it Thanksgiving Day. Can’t say what it is yet or show it clearly. I still need to get ribbon to finish it up, but it is cute, simple and sweet. I can’t wait to tackle the finishing bc I’m trying something new (to me anyway).

November is all wrapped up for 2009. The only word I can come up with, even with life’s trials and tribulations, is

Thankful (finishing unfinished)
primitivebettys
32 ct. linen hand-dyed by me
WDW Copper & GAST Chocolate
Finishing into pinkeep/ornament

I am THANKFUL after all...with a side of turkey - heehee.

December already? There are a few birthdays arriving shortly. My birthday. Mom’s birthday. Just to name a couple. Mother Winter blows herself into town – not cool. Christmas is around the corner of course. And now it’s time to put away the fall decorations in exchange for all the Christmas trimmings; however, it will take quite the flurry of whatever-it’s-going-to-take (for lack of a better term) to get myself in gear for that time of year. Honestly, I am not heavily excited about this year-end, but I am going to take one day at a time and do the very best I can with what I have. (Guess this means a blog face lift is in order to coincide with the season, ugh?) Here’s wishing Dear December will be gentle and kind. Talk soon…

gathering tales

It seems that Thanksgiving gatherings are traditional for most families but not for mine. Even though our Thanksgiving Day is spent with family, which is tradition, our holiday plan differs from one year to the next. My parents, brother, and I have always lived a distance from the rest of the family and being married hasn’t changed circumstances bc dh’s family lives in Canada (not to mention their Thanksgiving is in October-anyhoo). My FIL, however, does live nearby.

As a young child we always spent TG with my mom’s side of the family and those holidays, Christmas and Thanksgiving, are some of my first. They are my favorite keepsakes of the heart. The family was bustling with laughter and joy, bad jokes, with a little drama mixed in. Kids running around. Cookies and decorations on the tables and name tags labeling plates. Those were some of the best times of my life and a yearly occurrence.

Since those times every year our TG gatherings changed. Last year we had the addition of our family-friend join us. The year prior my BIL and his (now) fiancé and FIL joined my family (or was that Christmas?), or was that just my FIL? See how jumbled up our holidays can get. The year prior to that one was our last TG spent with my late-MIL, Barbara, who passed away the year after of cancer. My family and in-laws spent TG at their house. It was a memorable Thanksgiving because it was our last with her – a cherished treasure for me.

[Grandma and Grandpa meeting Cameron for the first time. Cameron was 3-4 months old.]

And again, this TG will be different. My parents and I haven’t traveled to be with family in quite sometime and this year we’re leaving home to spend it with my Grandparents and Uncle Jimmy in Arkansas. Don’t get me wrong, I’m looking forward to the visit, but at the same time it will be a bit sad. My Grandmother has recently been diagnosed with dementia. Physically her health has been declining for quite sometime, but now her mind is failing her. The boys and I want to visit with her while she still knows us and can enjoy us and we can enjoy her. Her birthday also happens to be the same week as TG so it’s an extra special treat for her to have us all there. My dad told me that he asked Grandma what she wanted for her birthday and she said “All of you!” Well, she’s going to get her wish and I’m happy to be apart of that gift. It’s been awhile since we’ve all filled her home.

[Play video – 10 seconds] Grandma used to do this little ditty to us when we were kids. I think it’s a southern thing but what I do know for sure is that it’s a tradition for her tickle a baby this way. ;-)

My mother has organized a TG dinner by having a local store cook an entire turkey feast with all the fixins’ and we’ll pick it up when we arrive. The easy part is no one has to cook or clean up which makes for more family time. The way I see it is none of us are wasting time. This could very well be her last birthday and her last Thanksgiving. I want to savor that memory forever and I want Grandma to carry it in her heart forever as well. This will be one gathering tale I’ll never forget…Thanks for listening to the tales. Happy Thanksgiving and many blessings to all! We're off on our Thanksgiving travels. Talk soon!

PS. I do like Blogger’s scheduled post option, don’t you? :-)

before thanksgiving

It has been a really, really rough week and a half. In 7 days Cameron and I have been to see the doctor 4 times - three times for Cameron and once for myself. Luckily for us both we’re clearing up but we have lingering effects. Cameron was nearing a series of shots to cure his infection, but thankfully his round of oral meds finally kicked in and knocked down the infection tremendously.

After his 2-day vomit fest and 3-4 days of 103-104 temperature he developed a head-to-toe rash. At first I thought maybe he had an allergy to the antibiotic but he saw the doctor (3rd visit) and found that he had the Roseola virus and his ear infection was at its ultimate worst. Now he’s over ALL that and becoming his spunky, kicky-self again. He still has a runny nose and a slight cough, still on meds, but definitely on the mend.

Cameron sporting his dashing smile again and the new Christmas jammies his Nana gave him. They have doggies on them.

Since Cameron has been so sick and one of our daily, minute-by-minute challenges has been wiping a snotty nose he’s been influenced some into helping Blue Bear with his supposed snotty nose too. Only Cameron used some of mommy’s batting instead of tissue or toilet paper. Speaking of which...

I am doing better, but I too have a lingering cough. Sinuses are still a bother and my voice isn’t quite mine. I asked Cameron to get me “some” tissue and he brought back the remaining toilet paper unraveled. Isn’t he adorable?! I just had to capture this. Luckily I had the camera on the table where I was sitting. Cameron’s so funny – LOL.

I have been productive…I think. If that’s what you call it. I have done stuff. For starters I went to Moonlight Stitching at the LNS on Saturday and I had a fabulous time – one of the best times actually. I know it’s partly because of my mood but also bc of the company I kept. It would have been even better if mom were there. I sure did miss her and so did everyone else.

My friend, Sally, gave me a couple of her finished projects to finish-finish. This is one of them by LK. We’ll be finishing it into a hanging ornament which I’ve started, but I’m not posting pics until it’s complete. The orange fabric is for backing the ornament and it’s really cute. The DMC is for twisted cord.

I finished stitching primitivebettys Thankful freebie and I’ve started to finish-finish it into a hanging ornament, but no pictures of that one yet either. I’m bummed I have nothing to show on that front bc I was hoping I would before Thanksgiving but it doesn’t look that way. I've had my hands terribly full with an ill child and a sick self. I'm surprised I've gotten as much started as I have all things considering.

I joined my first SAL a week ago - The Prairie Schooler ABC Bee. I asked the LNS if they would order the first ABC chart (and they did!) and they got it in next day. Way cool! I had a piece of linen (28 ct. Natural) and the DMC in my stash so off on my start I went. I’ll post a progress photo after the Thanksgiving holiday.

Today I experimented with dyeing fabric with cinnamon ground for the first time as well as the usual dyeing process with Rit and coffee. I used scrap pieces for the job. The darker pieces are with Rit and the lighter pieces are with cinnamon and coffee. The grey/blue is with Rit. Just having some experimental dyeing fun that’s all.

Cameron and I went by the LNS today to pick up a piece of 36 ct. linen; Antique White to be exact. That wasn’t exactly what I was looking for, but that’s what I ended up getting. I had a $20.00 punch card so I used that for linen, a JBW design, and a skein of WDW. My total came to $19.39. Not bad, ugh? Anyhoo, I plan on dyeing the fabric – it’s for a specific project that I started this evening.

Well, that’s it for me. It’s seriously late. Past midnight. Tomorrow I have to pack. The boys and I are riding along with my parents to Arkansas for Thanksgiving to visit with Grandma and Grandpa and Uncle Jimmy. I’ve scheduled a blog post while I’m away so that’s checked off my to-do list. ;-)

I hope you all have a Happy and safe Thanksgiving holiday! Hugs! Talk soon!

the family "spread"

I hope everyone had a Thanksgiving just as wonderful as mine. Our Thanksgiving was a low-key, no-nonsense celebration of thanks. One of our dearest friends, Dave, was able to join us. During dinner each family member shared one thing they were thankful for. Most of us were sentimental and put thought into our thankfulness-sharing. Of course there is always one person that can either make or break the deal. In this case, it was my DH. He ended things on a lighter funnier note. When asked what he was thankful for he blurted rather quickly while chewing, "firearms." We laughed. Thanks, Honey! I want to share some food photos and a few 'around-the-house' pics. Hope you enjoy them as much as I did taking them.

Gobble-Gobble!!

My late Grandmother made this turkey many, many years ago. I believe it is canvas and needlepoint. We weren't able to eat him though. Ha-Ha-Ha!!! Hardy-har-har!

Cranberries...unfortunately I don't eat them. I'm strictly a meat-n-potato girl. But they looked real pretty.

Called Yams of Fire ~ this is a family signature dish. It has been on the table as long as memory serves. If you want the recipe I can arrange it for you. :-)

The Spread. We tend to eat buffet style. We just find it easier to have everyone served this way.

Delicious stuffing. All my life I've claimed not to like stuffing and I have always believed that I did not like it. Maybe at some point I didn't like it. Anyway, I didn't help myself to stuffing Thanksgiving Day. However, the day after I ate some more Thanksgiving food for lunch at Mom's I decided to try stuffing and would you believe I LOVED IT!!! Ha-ha

That is it...I'm done! I'm not doing this anymore! (Mom is really giving a double wave for the camera-girl.) ;-)

Cameron is patiently waiting to eat...as he always does. He's so good at dinner, but not this time. He got his food. Took a couple bites and then decided to beat the crap out of his broccoli and turkey. He did eat though - mushy style.

My wonderful Dad lighting candles on the mantel. He loves a fireplace, but this evening it wasn't cold enough to have one lit. So, we opted for candles instead. It was so relaxing out in the woods with golden illumination in the house and the smell of baked pie and warm turkey. Hmmm...

My brother, Mark, getting ready to sit and chow down. He actually shaved. Ha-ha

Cameron was jamming to Papa's jukebox. He loves the song 'Sh-Boom'. Cameron loves to boogie and get down!

After dinner, clean up and dessert, I decided to look through Mom's heavenly stash of cross stitch galore! The Crafty Lady is a design my late Grandmother cross stitched and my Mom was blessed to have it after she passed. The verse is perfect for any stitcher. Crafty Lady is on the wall when you enter into my Mom's office/stitching den. (Click on the picture to enlarge so you can read the verse. It's excellent!)

Okay, Mom might kill me just a bit for posting this picture of her room. It looks messier than it really is and she is still organizing it since the renovation to this room. That stuff in the black leather chair is mine. I always bring a butt-load of stuff with me, but some of that is Cameron's, I'll have you know. The baskets are all cross stitch. This isn't all though. Out of view is more. I believe she may even have some things down in the finished basement. She's been stitching pretty much all her life and she's been collecting for at least 30 years (is that right Mom?). Anyway, this is my favorite room in the house. Most people gather in the kitchen, but we gather here (me and Mom anyway).

That is it! I'm done sharing Thanksgiving and ready to move onto Old Mother Winter and Christmas which is right around the bend. I do hope your Thanksgiving was a memorable and delicious one. I'm still eating the desserts. Yum!

Must go now. I have some stitching to tend to ~ I can hear my linen and needle calling me. Have a wonderful weekend!

gobble-gobble

Gobble-Gobble everyone! Happy Thanksgiving to All! Here's to wishing you a humble Thanksgiving Day filled with good food, loving friends and family, memories to add, laughter and thankfulness in your life. I love Norman Rockwell illustrations of life since past. This is exactly how a feast should be. Look how blessed everyone looks.

We are heading over to Mom's soon for our Thanksgiving dinner, which I think she is serving around 4:00. I am having a difficult time getting Cameron down for his nap. Daddy is home and Jose is not and this is perplexing to him. He's fighting every attempt we make at getting him to relax and lie down. He's watching Elmo right now and it appears from where I'm sitting he might just give up soon. Whoa!!! I still have a little more getting-ready to do, but that won't take too long.

Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours!!! Be safe.

Thanksgiving Day!

I would have loved to have been here the day the Native Indians and Pilgrims put their differences aside and shared a meaningful feast, as well as trade wisdom. Even though these times were trying, to say the least, I am thankful for their perseverance, determination and undying love for their country and kind.

Since Thanksgiving Day is knocking on our doors I sit back and reflect and ponder what am I thankful for? Seems like such a simple request. I wanted to take the top 10 things I am most thankful for. I have a lot of things to be thankful for, but the most important ones are the most difficult ones to muster. So here goes…

What am I thankful for?

10. I am thankful for electricity. Right now it’s cold and I hate the cold. I’m thankful for heat when I want it. What if I had no home?

9. I am thankful for the roof over my head. It shields me and comforts me and offers me a place to call home (and get undressed).

8. I am thankful that I have a hobby that sooths my soul and puts a smile on my face. Now that I’m not working outside the home, I don’t know what I would do with what little free time I have if I did not have cross stitch and other various crafts. My life would be incomplete without this simple pleasure.

7. I am thankful that I have my health and so do my loved ones. A lot of us say this and sometimes it almost sounds like a cliche. But if anyone knew the last 10 years of my life, medically speaking, they’d know I was thankful to have my health the way it is right now. It could ALWAYS be worse; and I’m thankful it is not.

6. I am thankful for God and the many blessings that envelope my life. I know I should put God first, but I am tallying up my list as my heart guides me so. I am so proud of God in all his Glory. I am thankful He has given me such a life. Any life could be better, but just as much as any life could be worse. I am thankful to Him for the many unconditional blessings He offers everyday…even the ones I seem to not notice. Amen.

5. I am thankful to be born at a time in history where all things are possible. I sit back and think to myself ‘What if I had been born in 1750 or 1800’? I would be without proper medical attention. Food sources would be rationed and not plentiful. And laws and nations would be at a stand still. I am so glad I was born in the 1970s where I could have all these things and more.

4. I am thankful that I was born in America ~ the freest land in the world! Where would I be without Her? Where would the American people be without Her? Where would the rest of the World be without Her? I honestly believe that the world is a better place for having America on its side. Ponder this…what would the world be like WITHOUT America?

3. I am thankful for my wonderful family. My family is small, but I have learned to accept that. By this token, I realize that by having a small family there is just more of me to offer, and in bigger doses.

2. I am thankful for my husband. He is my friend, partner, spouse, lover, and his love is patient for me. I am incomplete without him by my side. As much hell I give him, he’s still my #1 Guy.

Last, but never ever least…

1. I am thankful for my children. They are the air that I breathe. I wake because of them. I sleep because of them. I eat because of them. And I tire because of them. This means I’m alive and well and I have an identity. I am Mama; to which there is no greater calling than that. Child rearing can be difficult, and that’s no joke, but they are truly my purpose on this earth. I think I learn more from them than they do from me.

No Regrets…

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!