THE OTHER GIFT & A REQUEST

This is a picture of the wall hangings that Kristen painted for Emma's room. I just love them but am so upset because I can not get a picture made with the colors as pretty as they really are. I know it's something that I am not doing correctly. These will hang over her bed and they middle one is 16 x 20 and the two on each side are 11 x 14. Emma's bedding has pink, yellow, green, and blue in it so Kristen came up with this cute design. I can't wait to see them hanging on her wall.

I have a special request for you. Please say a prayer for my nine year old grandson. He is such a precious little boy and a joy to us. My daughter, Amy, and her husband adopted he and his younger brother when they were three and four (were foster parents for a year prior to that). He has struggled in school, even with the best teachers. Last year he was tested and we found that he has dyslexia. My daughter contantly searches for ways to "unlock" the knowledge that he has but is unable to transfer (at this time). He is just now beginning to notice that he is treated differently by friends and even some adults. Take a moment and read her blog today, but pray for him also.

DRESS # 2

My goal was to have two dresses smocked and put together before Emma's birthday party this Saturday....I reached that goal! I have one other piece of fabric but I know there is no way to do it before Thursday (that's when our flight leaves) so I'll wait and work on it when we return. I couldn't get a real good picture of the true color of the fabric but I love the color. So now Miss Emma has this one and the red dress I made week before last. I ordered something from my sweet friend Kristen to hang on the wall in her bedroom and she'll get it to me tomorrow. I'll post a picture of it before we leave so you can see her other birthday present from her Granddaddy & Gigi. Actually, last Saturday was her 1st birthday, but the party is this coming Saturday so we're flying down Thursday night for the party. You know I'll make pictures to share with you next week.

I LOVE

While reading my friend Tammy's blog this morning, I knew that I wanted to copy her and write about things that I love. Her post today made me think and I probably could write many, many things but I'll try to keep it as short as possible. Here goes:

I LOVE......

...... knowing the my husband and I love each other more and more every day

...... reading other blogs and feeling like people I have never met in person are my close friends.

.......living out in the country

.......sitting in front of the fire with my husband on the cold nights

.......to hear my children' voices and know all is well

.......the beach

.......for my house to be clean

.......chips and salsa

.......for my grandchildren to sit in my lap and let me love on them

.......to watch The Biggest Loser

.......that it won't be long before I can work outside planting flowers

.......fresh food from my garden...peas, corn, fried okra, squash, tomatoes..

.......my church family

.......knowing God forgives

.......to wear jeans

.......that my husband & I are able to spend time together since we both retired from our "first" jobs

.......that my children married wonderful spouses who love them and God

.......making dresses for my granddaughters

.......reading that Harper is so much better

.......having a menu for the week so I know just what I'm having for dinner

.......being able to do small things for others

.......having comments on my blog!

MEMORIES FROM A QUILT

While looking through my cedar chest tonight I came across several quilt tops that have not been quilted. There are some that I know were pieced by my mother and her two sisters, but the one above was made for me by my grandmother. She died in February of 1960 so this quilt top was pieced in the late 1950's. I remember when my mother gave me this after I married and told me that my grandmother made this one just for me. I was the youngest grandchild and I guess this was the last quilt she pieced. I can't believe I haven't had it quilted. I know that there are ladies who still quilt by hand, and that's how I want this one done. In the next picture you'll see why.

I turned the quilt top over and you can see that she sewed each piece together by hand. This took some time. I was just a little girl when she went to heaven, but I do have some memories of her. Seeing this quilt brings them back and looking at all the tiny stitches that she put in makes it even more special. I must learn this beautiful art of quilting.

THE DRESS IS FINISHED!

I finished the all the smocking Friday night and put the dress together yesterday (all but sewing the buttons on the back). I did that this afternoon. I can just see my little Emma in this dress for Valentine's. Both of the older granddaughters want to wear dresses all the time....even for play. I have a feeling Emma is going to follow in her big sisters' footsteps! Now, I'm off to cut out the next one and get it pleated and smocked....which color will it be????

I think most of you already are praying for Harper but in case you haven't heard, please go to her mom's blog and read about her. I have followed Kelly throughout her pregnancy and watched anxiously for the news of Harper's arrival. She was born with pneumonia and other complications and is in very critical condition. I believe in the power of prayer and know from Kelly's blog just how many are praying for her right now. I know this family needs us to lift them up.

BABY, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE!

I don't know how many of you know that song..."Baby, It's COLD Outside" but that is what came to my mind when I first got up today. I know that many of my blogging friends live where it's extremely cold most of the winter, but here in Alabama we had some days in the 70's not long ago. I told you that my bushes were budding, but this morning it is 11 degrees with wind chills of -3. THAT'S COLD FOR US!! It's not supposed to get above freezing today. I would love to see a little of the white stuff to go along with it, but right now the sun is rising just beautifully and I don't see a cloud in the sky. I sure can't complain....This is the day that the Lord has made....I WILL rejoice and be glad in it.
More later this weekend.

DELICIOUS BANANA NUT BREAD

Over the years I have made banana bread by many different recipes. (I always have a couple of bananas that ripen too much before we eat them and I hate to toss them). Several months ago my daughter, Amy, told me that she found a recipe that was the best banana bread she had ever tasted. I thought to myself that most banana bread recipes always taste the same. She went on and on about how moist this is the day after you bake it. I happened to be at her house once a couple of days after she baked a loaf and this was one time she absolutely told the truth. Today was the first day that I had over-ripe bananas and the chance to make it myself. Again, she told me that it would be better the next day. However.....my husband asked me if he could cut it right after I dumped it out of the pan. I said, "Sure, AFTER I make a picture." He looked at me kinda strange but then knew exactly why! Here's the recipe. I hope you enjoy it.

BANANA NUT BREAD

1 cup sugar

1 lg. package of cream cheese

1 cup of mashed bananas (I used 2 bananas)

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

2 cups Bisquick

1/2 cup chopped pecans

Cream sugar & cream cheese until light and fluffy. Beat in mashed bananas, eggs, and vanilla. Stir in Bisquick & nuts until moistened. Pour in sprayed loaf pan.

Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees. Then cover with aluminum foil and cook for another 15 minutes.

MAKING PROGRESS

Thought I'd show you that I am making progress on the dress I'm smocking for Emma. I helped with a baby shower at church Saturday so I didn't get much done other than housework and that. However, after church yesterday I sat and smocked for awhile and loved every minute. This dress is red (I know it looks pink) and I'm smocking it all in white. I hope to have at least two of the three finished before we go the end of the month. I will show you pictures of the completed projects.

It's COLD in Alabama this week. I know that many of you have much colder temperatures all winter but it has been so warm here the past few weeks until my bushes are beginning to bud. There's even a chance of snow flurries tomorrow. YEAH!! Have a great week!

TAG, YOU'RE IT!

I've been tagged by Kristen from The Family Fields and was told to go to where I store my pictures and choose the fourth folder and then the fourth picture in that folder. I'll be honest and tell you that I was really afraid of what it might be. This picture is me and my three sisters-in-law in Savannah when the "brothers" and their wives went on their trip. (It turned pretty cool while we were there so that's why I have on my flip-flops and a jacket!) We decided that each year my husband and his three brothers and their spouses would take a trip with no children or grandchildren. We ALL are together at Thanksgiving but wanted a time for just us to be together (since we aren't getting any younger). I am an only child and my parents are in heaven, so I am indeed blessed to have been given a large family when I married my husband. We had such a great time and I'm looking forward to the trip this year. Each year one brother plans the trip and just tells us where we're going. Next year will be our year for the planning.

I am supposed to tag four people to do this (of course anyone can.....) but, I choose:

1. Kimberly from My Brown Bag Studio
2. Lorrie from The View From My Door
3. April from Straight From the Heart
4. Tammy from Country Girl At Home

Have a great weekend!

GUESS WHAT I'M WORKING ON

I know it has been about nine months since I have done any smocking. During the summer it is hard for me to sit still long enough to do much of any thing. This fall I was so interested in all the creative things my blogging friends were making until I totally neglected sewing any dresses for my granddaughters. My granddaughter, Emma, will be one year old the end of this month and we will fly down for her birthday party. I asked her mom what we could get her (she has SO MANY toys from Christmas until it looks like a toy store) and she said she knew I probably didn't have time, but she wish I could smock her a dress. I used to smock her sisters dresses all the time and I feel so badly that I haven't done more for her. I did make the one she came home from the hospital in. Yesterday when I left the spa (it was absolutely WONDERFUL!!!!!!!) I went and bought fabric for three dresses. I didn't know which to do first but chose the red one just in case I don't get them all finished before we go. I knew she could wear it for Valentine's.
After I cut the dress out, I pleated it and I've started smocking. I will post a picture when it is finished. The great thing about smocking geometrics is when you use different fabrics and colors, they don't even look like the same pattern. So.........my stitcheries and spray painting and anything else will be put on hold.......MY GRANDDAUGHTER COMES FIRST!!!

PAMPER ME!

Remember my Christmas present from my wonderful husband? Tomorrow is the day that I am going to use the gift cards for my massage, manicure, and pedicure. I CAN'T WAIT!!! I'm off on Wednesday and I scheduled my day of being pampered as quickly as possible. He couldn't have gotten a better gift for me....although I would have been satisfied with the robe....but for a day at the spa.....He is definitely the best!!

BACK HOME!

We're back home but had a wonderful time these past few days. It's always nice to have all your children and grandchildren with you and that's what we had for a few days. This was the first New Year's that I haven't eaten my traditional meal of blackeyed peas and greens but it's hard to have that when you are traveling. We left early Thursday morning heading to Louisiana. Our son and his family met us at the motel where our daughter's family stayed, and we all headed to New Orleans with all six children (we're not really crazy). They were ALL very well behaved. The kids had a great time and so did we. The picture below was Fulton Street and it was magical. This entire street was lit up with trees and the lights changed colors making it BEAUTIFUL. Also, each hour on the hour snow would begin falling. I know that some of you have had all the snow you need, but here in the south even fake snow is exciting.

This picture shows Griffin & Maddie by the gingerbread man. These two are two peas in a pod! They had such a good time.....I wish they could be together more (but they'd probably stay in trouble).In spite of the outcome of the ballgame, we had a great time and I'm still proud to say ROLL TIDE! Who would have ever thought that we would win twelve ballgames this year? Sure I would have liked to have won the Sugar Bowl, but I think we had a great year. This picture was made from my seat as Alabama came on the field.

I am looking forward to a brand new year----2009! It's a chance to start over and do a better job (of course we can do that any time during the year). I have some goals that I have set for myself. They are:

* spend more time reading my Bible and in prayer

* trying not to worry about things

* learning to say NO

* losing some weight and eating healthier

* walking

* blogging at least three times a week

* being more thankful

These are some of my goals. I'm sure there are more. I spent way too much time last year on the computer when I was home. I enjoy visiting all of my friends and will continue to do so. I am just limiting my time so I can accomplish my other goals.