The Bouquet

Answering the doorbell, I found my daughter smiling.

 

"I picked you flowers."

 

 

Probably 25 daffodils and nary a stem in the lot,

but they were a sweet gift, the overflow of a heart full of love.

December Photo Project: Day 18

You can't see their pointed ears but note the red pants (Doug would describe them as "garish").

 

 

The big boys (who can keep secrets) served as Santa's assistants today.  The only comment was "we got two things I think you're going to like."

 

 

And if you are on my Christmas card list and have been anxiously checking your mailbox for a card, it should be coming soon.  I was a little late in ordering this year, and Snapfish was even slower in delivering (nothing snappy about it).  Maybe I'll get them addressed and stamped before Christmas Eve.

December Photo Project: Day 12

 

This is my kind of Christmas shopping.  No stores.  No crowds. 

Delivered straight to my door.

Baby Gift Backlog: Boot Scootin' Boogie

This one is headed to a little cowgirl in Texas.

 

Can't wait to meet her!

Baby Gift Backlog: For Charlie

Just in time for the 4th of July....

 

 

 

a patriotic mix of blue and white and darling red crabs!

 

Baby Gift Backlog: Boy or Girl

These projects were actually completed ages ago (sometime during the winter) but got buried under mountains of stuff during our remodeling.   I pulled them out a few weeks ago, wrapped them nicely, and delivered them to some special friends.

 

 

 This one has been waiting patiently for baby Patrick who just arrived this very afternoon!

 

My mother once delivered a baby blanket to our neighbor on her 10th birthday.   I used to think it quite funny, though like many other things, hindsight plus motherhood gives one a whole new outlook on things.  I'm sure there were other things to occupy my mother's time.

 

Well, in this case the birthday girl is just one (and some!).  I like to say that it took so long because I hand-stitched all those little stars (as if!), but in fact, it was an upcycled Pottery Barn bumper pad I found at the local "boutique."

I originally gave the latter quilt to said baby's grandmother who immediately remarked, "You have no sense!"  and when I relayed this conversation to my mother, she replied, "Did you tell her your husband says so too?"  I don't deny it, but it is so much fun to craft for a baby and I love to have something crafty to work on.  I've got a couple of other baby-related projects in the works, but we'll see how the time goes (it's going too fast for me!). 

Baby Gift Backlog: Havin' a Ball

I've been slowly working through some late and upcoming baby gifts in those times when my back acts up and I need to sit down (anytime after 7pm?!).

 

 

I gave an IOU at a recent baby shower because I simply ran out of time to complete this ball.

 

 

It's done and delivered - on to the next project.

DPP: Elf Andrew

It's that time of the year to deliver fresh-baked goodies (cinnamon rolls!) to neighbors.

 

Usually it means Doug and kids out of the house so I can frantically wrap.  This year, though, the boys tackled the closest houses on their own giving Doug a few extra minutes of football before heading way down the street.

Pass-along Plants

One of the greatest joys of gardening is creating a tapestry of memories,

an ecological patchwork of beloved plants shared by special people,

a growing scrapbook honoring those who enrich our lives in so many ways...

this one is for you, Meg!

On a Roll

Babies are popular these days, and I have a backlog of gifts to make.

I love how easy this ball pattern is and

I'm a big fan of upcycling (in this case, a felted wool vest),

but most of all, I like my resident product tester.