I want to share this ......

In today's world everyone is turning GREEN , I found this blog Green Bag Lady. She had this gift bags that she recycles every year. She even gives you a pattern. I thought this was great on saving money for something that will end up in the trash anyway.

I have scrap fabric that is perfect for these bags. I have enough ribbon I have from thrift stores and my mom's stash.
Then I was trying to figure out how to make labels. Viola! Old Christmas cards or left over wrapping paper, just cut out the initials of the lucky person getting the gift.

I found this web site from Sew Mama Sew, during the big giveaway. Where I was one of 100 that won a bag like here.

She even gives a pattern for those bags. They're small enough that you can put in your purse, and pull it out when you need it. She even has a video on how to make them, to easy.

If you look on the right of her blog look for #7611, that's the number of my bag.

Trimming the Tree.

Three of us trimming the tree this year. I remember a time when we had six bodies around the tree hanging ornaments.

Of course our ornaments brought back some great memories of years past. Places we have been, friends that became family and family that took part in our crazy traditions.
Santa on the left, my addition to my Santa collection. Actually I LOVE pencil Santa's. We like colored lights (not blinkys), and wooden cranberry garland.

In the past I would have a seat and hand the ornaments out. This year I said you guys are old enough, your on your own.

My other new tin Santa ornament.

Here is Rob putting up our star, a gift when we were first married. It's a piece from Metropolitan Art Museum in New York.

Our tree will stay up at least til the 7th of January. Russian Christmas, another tradition in our family.

Hunting for our Christmas tree.

We were so excited a, "Cut Your Own Christmas Tree Farm". Rob came home from work with info on a tree farm. We haven't done this in years.

We were so excited this morning. You see the last time I remember doing this we had all four kids with us. Yes, the Mawson Six. It took us 2 1/2 hours walking around a tree farm in the snow, for all of us to decide on ONE tree. It was a great time.
We drove around the farm in the truck, jumping in and out checking out the trees. We did find this friendly pup. Ran up to me, sat down and gave me his paw. To cute.

Looks like allot of trees to choose from huh?

Well we couldn't' find one tree we liked. They were very bare (reminded us of the trees in Germany), or to small.
We ended up going to a stand and picked one up already cut. Besides all that it was a fun day, and we will try out Cole's Tree Farm another year.

Here is our live tree for this year.

Tomorrow, the trimmings.

Happy Birthday Heather!

We traveled to Springfield (1hr 40min away), to celebrate Heathers birthday. Would you believe she is 19 years old? She chose Lambert's Cafe about 20 minutes from her place.

We waited 50 minutes to eat here. But it is well worth the wait. Not only is the food tasty, you can eat ALL you want! Finish your plate, ask for more. They'll get it.
The servers walk around with big pots of extra food, hot biscuits & sorghum, fried potatoes and onions, macaroni & tomatoes, black-eyed peas and fried okra. Again all you can eat.

Jennifer and I wanted a Ceaser salad, This is what they brought us! Ceaser salad in a bread bowl, in a extra large skillet. We didn't finish it of course, I don't even think we put a dent in it. Eating all the sides and yummy biscuits.

Yes, the rolls are hot and yummy. Stick up your hand and they'll throw them at you! They're known for The Only Home Of The Throwed Rolls.

This roll was for Rob.

My NEW Pot Holders

My pot holder here, for my cast iron skillet. Was done. It was all torn up and was not protecting my fingers anymore. Yes, I made a new one out of scrap fabric.
Not bad huh? Yes, it's insulated with special filler, just for this.

I also whipped up some wonky pot holders too. I actually machine quilted the top. I have never done that before, first for me. I didn't add any holder, I don't hang mine up. I store them in a drawer.

Tell me what you think.

Thanksgiving "09

What a wonderful day.

The sun was out, but that fall weather was in the air. A great day to play some catch.

We were lucky to have Heather for Thanksgiving. No school, No work. She came yesterday after school and will leave tomorrow morning for work.
If any can remember last year they played football in PA with Matthew and a few other people. Well, Heather sprained her ring finger. Her dad said "Just shake it off." By the time we drove home, we went straight to the emergency room, and she sprained her finger.

Well they were playing catch, Heather caught the ball, and we think she might have sprained her finger again. We'll wait until tomorrow morning to find out. Rob can go to the ER this time.

Before dinner.

Not to bad huh?

Turkey

Veggi Turkey

Stuffing

Veggie stuffing

Mashed potatoes

Sweet potatoes

Broccoli and cauliflower

Green been casserole

Gravy

Salad

Homemade cranberry sauce

Everyone was stuffed!!!!!!!!!

Vegetarian Turkey

Rob and I enjoyed our turkey, yum!

On this day of the year I think about how lucky I am in my life to have what I have. To much! I have wonderful kids, all healthy, living a straight, responsible life. I'm so proud of all of them, and the paths they have chosen. I have to wonderful grand babies, I might not see them enough, but I love them so. Besides they are in good hands with there Mommies and Daddies.

I have a roof over my head, and so much inside of it. But, if you look at the clutter I have. They all have wonderful memories from around the world. I am so lucky that Rob has come into my life, he is my soul partner. The man I dreamt of as a little girl, the man I would fall in love with and live to grow old with.

I'm thankful to have wonderful in-laws, and grandparents, that accepted my sons as there own blood. They are what grandparents should be, and I hope to follow in there foot steps.

I have wonderful sisters, that has grown to be friends of mine. One, we grew up together sisters first then friends for life. The second, came into my life later, but we connected and became close as we could, then friends for life.

Through the military I have met some great people, some of these people became friends for life. They are part as my family also, my military family that I'll always have fond memories of.

I want to say I have so many family and friends that are so special to me, and I'm so happy to have them part of my life. You have all changed my life in some way.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, I know I did.

What should I do today?

This are just some of my on going projects. My sister got me started on English paper piecing. Good way to use up my little scraps. A hand quilting project, and I'm in no hurry to finsh.

I saw this quilt in a book, and fell in love with it. It's a Clam Shell quilt, I'm using vintage prints and muslin.
I've collected fat quarters I though would match well. Another hand piecing project, again not in a hurry.

I'm still working on my Catherdrel quilt.

Yes, another hand quilting project, I'm still working on only one fabric, there is no two squares alike.

Like I said these are just a few hand piecing projects I'm working on, so I'm never bored. The problem is choosing which one I want to work on. With that said, I need to get busy with a few Christmas Gifts.

Take Care!