Is this just the most adorable thing you've ever seen? It's a little bulldozer that Will can actually sit on and the scoop in the front raises and lowers with the handle there and it makes little engine sounds when you turn the key. Will is already all boy -- he loves climbing and sitting on things and he loves cars and trucks -- he already makes the car sounds himself when he runs a car across the floor! He's 15 months old!The local Farm & Fleet advertises that their Toyland opens on this Saturday every year. They open the store at 7 am. I do not do frenzy shopping for anyone! But I saw this in their flyer and wanted to get it for Will. I left home at 8 am, arrived at 8:30 -- no big crowds at all -- quite a few shoppers, but no mania. Got two things for each grandchild -- all the stuff I hoped to find even, finished by 9 am and home by 9:30! And my Christmas shopping is finished! We decided this year to just buy for the grandkids. The adults may exchange homemade things if they feel the need. I'm so glad we decided that -- with the economy the way it is right now and the fact that I absolutely hate to shop -- it has turned out to be the best idea yet. And the kids wanted to do it last year, but I was the one that didn't want to, so I'm glad I really gave it some thought this year. All the pressure is off and I'm looking forward to Christmas!
When I got home today, I had breakfast and my coffee (yes, I even went shopping without coffee this morning!), read the paper and then got busy. I have managed to take down the screens, wash all the windows on the outside (I do the second floor windows by standing on the roof of the porches), cut back all the hydrangeas next to the house in the front, cleaned up the flower beds next to the house in the front and two of the three beds in the front yard. I need to wash windows on the inside, but I'm done for the day now. If I don't get to the big bed in the front yard this fall, at least I've gotten the rest of the flower beds done and I'm happy about that. It's supposed to be nice tomorrow afternoon, but I'm not making any promises. I "should" have power washed both porches before I washed the windows, but that'll wait til spring, too.
I haven't done much quilting lately. I guess I needed a break from it plus I've been busy doing other things, so haven't really missed it much. But last Wednesday Kris and I had another sewing day -- except we spent the time cutting fabrics instead. We're going to do one of the quilts from Bonnie's new book and we both cut two piles of fabrics and traded. I came home and cleaned off my sewing tables, so I hope to spend some time sewing some blocks soon. I also have a couple of quilts to quilt, so need to get that done too. And I'm still working on my Primitive Garden quilt -- a couple of weeks ago I finished the applique on block 6 and cut out the freezer paper templates for block 7. I want to get back to having something I can work on for an hour or so a day and now I have the applique project and a piecing project and I still have a bit more to do on my hand quilting project.
Gratitudes:
I got to spend time with Steve this week while driving him to and from Madison for his monthly lab work and chemo drug pickup.
I got to spend time with Steph and the boys this week because I drove up to visit on Thursday. Steph babysits for 3 other boys now also -- so 5 boys under the age of 4! Oh yes, it was a quiet drive home. vbg
Finishing my entire "to-do" list today.
3 comments :
We started a new tradition at my house last year. We have 3 adult children and we stopped exchanging gifts with them. Instead they each gave us $50, totaling $150 which my husband and I matched. That $300 we spent buying gifts for a family in need. It was truly a blessing to us all. Alone we couldn't do much but together we could get quite a lot. We also stopped buying so much for the grandchildren. We explained to them that Jesus got 3 gifts and we would be giving them 3 gifts as well. They were excited to think we would be doing it like Jesus. blessings, marlene
I just found your blog and have fell in love with all the quilts that you have pictures of. I've done some of the patterns you have. You do beautiful work. I'll stop by often and see what you are doing.
I found your blog last month as I was searching for entries on the Primitive Garden quilt. I had just started the quilt myself, and really enjoyed looking at the pictures you had posted. You had sometimes tweaked the pattern a little to make it workable for cotton as opposed to wool, and that was helpful as I was planning how to tackle my own first block.
The pictures stopped after the fifth block, though, and I was afraid that you had decided to pack in the project. I'm glad to read that you are resuming - I'm looking forward to following along again.
Take care!
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