Wednesday, December 31, 2008

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I hope it's a good one for all of you. It's quiet here. I'm by myself. DH opted to watch the LSU game with some golfing buddies so I'm listening to the fireworks next door and playing with my laptop. Better that being on the highway with all the party goers, I guess.

I'm working on my resolutions-whoopee! But I intend to stick to my stitching ones, though.

I slipped away to the movies yesterday afternoon. Went to see Valkyrie. I rather enjoyed it. I already knew the story. Tom Cruise isn't my favorite but he did a passable job. He'll always be Lestat to me-typecast! The scenery was good. Pretty well written. It could be that I just like historical movies. The previews to Gran Torino were playing. That's one I want to see, also. Maybe next week.

Until next time, hope all of you have a great celebration tonight and a great day tomorrow-lots of cabbage (ugh!) and black-eyed peas.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

GETTING READY FOR A NEW YEAR

We're back home. We went to Houston on Friday to spend a few days with John, Laura and the kids. It was great fun. Laura Sullivan was there and Laura (Harden)'s family was, too. It was like a good old-fashioned family Christmas. Except that it was 80 degrees outside!! Michael was with us and he is going to stay another day or so. We came home early for Bonnie's funeral tomorrow.

John and Laura just moved so this was our first visit to their new home. Boy, what a house. Hu-mongous. Plenty of room for everyone. And a pool and hot tub in the backyard. There was some damage from Ike but John is taking care of it pretty good. There was lots of food, too.

I discovered H.E.B., which is sort of a local grocery except that it is very......international. All sorts of goodies. I went twice and ended up bringing home goodies to stock the pantry and freezer. From now on it will be a stop when we go to Houston. It's just around the block from their house. First time I've found Stilton cheese outside of England. And the best Roasted Pineapple and Habanero Dip. It's wonderful on cream cheese on a cracker. Chipotle cheese straws that taste homemade. ENOUGH!!!

The kiddies got all sorts of stuff for Christmas. Ann, the baby at 4, wanted a REAL laptop and that's what she got. No internet, of course. But she has lots of games she plays and can maneuver the thing like a pro. Grace got jewelry-she's very much the princess. Bradley got night goggles and video games.

Annabell, my furry grandchild, finally decided she'd let me pet her. My head scratches were pretty good. Next time we're going for lap sits!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

"ANGELS FROM THE REALMS OF GLORY.....

wing your flight o'er all the earth."

Just a few more hours and it will be Christmas Day. The food is cooked and in the fridge, the presents are all given out except for the few that will be given tomorrow, the Christmas Eve service is over and I'm here waiting for Midnight Mass and then will snuggle in my bed and hope that sugarplums really do dance in my head. It won't be a white Christmas. It was over 70 degrees here today. It is raining but unless the temperature drops a few points we won't have a snow. We had that 2 weeks ago.

Bonnie is going to spend her first Christmas in Heaven. She slipped quietly away this morning. The families will be gathering tomorrow and will stay to say farewell on Monday. She had been ill since 1999 so she's a new person right now and I'm so happy for her.

We'll see the grand kids in a couple of days. Seems like yesterday that I was fighting to get my boys in bed so we could put together yet another Big Wheel. Can't even remember how many of those we went through. I'm not even sure if they're made anymore.

I remember the Christmas that John was finally convinced there was no Santa. He had second thoughts when he woke up and found Santa's boot prints in the ashes on the fireplace.

Of course, I think most of us are aware that Christ most likely was born in the Spring. I like it that way: Spring symbolizes new birth and I think it is so appropriate. But I am glad we do set a special day aside-- whenever-- to acknowledge His birth. It isn't the date that is important. It is the Act itself that is important.

So, to all of you, in whatever way you celebrate (or when you celebrate it) Merry Christmas. I hope all your wishes come true. And leave some cookies and milk for Santa.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

ONE DAY AND COUNTING........

until Christmas Day. And I'm sure it will be a busy one for everybody. Hopefully by this time tomorrow night all the kiddies will be in bed waiting for Santa. I'll be in front of the TV waiting for my Christmas Eve shows to start.

Then Christmas morning, up early, Michael will be here and we will do presents and food. I already know what one of my--I should say "our"-- present is: tickets to the Sugar Bowl. I can't miss seeing my team and I haven't been in the Superdome since the 1988 Republican National Convention. Certainly not since Katrina made a royal mess of it.

I got all enthusiastic this afternoon and dug through my stash for some ornies I started this summer. They're the bride's tree ornaments from Something In Common. It has to do with a German custom of having a certain 12 ornies on the tree to guide the couple to happiness. The game plan was to give them to the first grandchild to marry. Until then, I think we'll enjoy them. When I get them finished!!





Monday, December 22, 2008

ALMOST CHRISTMAS.......

It's two more days and it's over!!! I shouldn't be that way, but I am looking forward to the New Year and the goodies it will bring-hopefully. Laura sent us the kids' Christmas picture today. I didn't get it scanned for the blog but will tomorrow. It even includes my fourth grandchild: Annabell.

The choir had its Christmas Party Saturday at Arthur's house. We all had a great time, especially the men. Arthur's super sized TV was going with some body's football game. I think he bought it before he had his cataract surgery! Love those lens implants.

The picture on the header is from his tree and so is the Santa. I've always had a "thing" for Christmas trees and next year I want to bring mine out. I haven't really decorated for several years and maybe it's time to give it a try again. I'm working on cross stitch ornaments with the idea of having one tree with nothing but them on it.


Our Christmas Eve service is at 5PM on Wednesday night. Wish you all were near enough to join us. I don't know the schedule yet-what's new-but Linda and I will play for the service and I'm sure there will be other music and Dr. Collin will speak. Baptist that I am, I always stay up on Christmas Eve for midnight mass from Rome. I visited the Vatican several years ago and was in awe of the beauty of the church. I was there in December and always relive those memories when I watch. OK, I'm a little romantic.

On a very serious note: Arthur's wife Bonnie is VERY seriously ill. She is remaining at home with her family and Arthur has been a rock. Most amazing man. Those of you who would do so, I ask you to lift Bonnie and this family to God. There's a very good chance that Bonnie will spend her first Christmas in Heaven this year. Please give some kind thoughts to my friends.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

A WEEK FROM TODAY.......

is Christmas Eve. Can you believe it? And two weeks from today is the last day of this year. Time is going somewhere. And it's going too fast. It went SO slowly when I was younger. Now it's going at a blur.

I didn't get a lot of anything done today-much less my stitching! Wednesday and Thursday are always the worst days of the week for me and tomorrow is even worse. But Friday-ah, Friday- I don't intend on going anywhere. I'm going to stay here and do---maybe nothing.

The picture in the header is a shot I made last Sunday morning of the tree in the foyer at church. It's HUGE. I made several snaps that I'm going to use over the next week or so.

In the meantime everyone take care and stay warm (or cool, as it is down here! Snowing a week ago and now back into the 70's and 80's). Happy stitching and happy cooking.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

ANOTHER "HAPPY BIRTHDAY"



Today is good friend Robin's birthday. I'm not sure how old she is and I'm not going to ask. She's younger than me, but then again, everyone is younger than me.


Robin is my chief stitching advisor. She can be found everyday at my favorite needlework shop, Cross Stitch Corner, on Coursey Blvd. She knows fabrics, threads and finishes better than anyone I know. And has a great sense of color, balance-all the elements of design.


Happy Birthday, Robin. I hope it's a good one and that you have many more.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JANE AUSTEN!


Jane Austen, by far my favourite author, was born on this day in 1775, in Steventon, Hampshire, England. She was the daughter of the Steventon rector, Rev. George Austen, and his wife, Cassandra. She was the second daughter of eight children-her sister, Cassandra, being her closest and best friend. Although some might consider it dull, I do envy her her childhood. It was simple but active-mentally and physically.


She did things women didn't ordinarily do. First of all, she never married. It was almost a necessity that women did marry for financial reasons, if nothing else. They could not inherit and did not work, other that being a governess, for instance. Secondly, she was an author who actually was paid, although very little, for her work. She wasn't blessed with great riches but never lacked companionship and intellectual stimulation. To say nothing of great needlework!


Her books are wonderful. Like Dickens, they are social commentaries. They are also written in her biting, delightful humor. She didn't spend a lot of time on physical descriptions but her personality descriptions are wonderful. I can actually see people I know in her characters.


Persuasion has long been my favourite of her books. Not too long ago I took one of those little tests to show which of her characters you most resemble. Oddly enough, I was Anne Elliot! I would have thought I would be Elizabeth Bennet. I'm more of the "speak off the top of your head" person like her. On the other hand, who wouldn't like to sail away on a ship with the long-wished for man of your dreams, knowing you "pierce his soul".


I re-read her books often. And I love her History. And how I would love to meet her and have tea and a great conversation with her.


Jane Austen died on July 18, 1817, in Winchester. She was 42 years old. She was buried in Winchester Cathedral. Interestingly enough, her own sister and mother did not attend her funeral: women did not do such things in those days. Several years ago I was privileged to visit her resting place. I spent those moments in a sort-of awe that I was finally that close to the woman who had given me so many enjoyable moments through her works. I'm planning one more trip over in a couple of years and part of that trip will be a pilgrimage to her birthplace and to Chawton and again to Winchester.


Thank you, Jane. I hope my granddaughters will come to love you as I have. I'm going to do my best! Happy Birthday.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

IN THE LANE SNOW IS GLISTENING......




If I had not been here, I would NOT have believed it. When I opened my eyes this morning I thought maybe it was a little foggy outside. Snow and sleet had been predicted for last night, but when I went to bed it was just cold. I crawled out of bed and looked out the window and a Christmas card was staring me in the face.

Believe me, this is not a place that gets snow. It's way too mild. I think the last snow we had was 10 or 12 flakes maybe ten years ago. And believe it or not, it will be back in the 70's by Sunday. ENT specialists make a fortune down here. Kids were out having snowball fights and, even though I didn't leave the house today, there were snowmen everywhere. The local news stations were having a day.



The snow is about gone now. The trees are bare again. But yards are still covered. We lost a lot of branches. Bonfire time again! I'm glad we had today. We had Christmas early. And for a little while the earth seemed so clean and sparkly.

LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW

It's snowing here. I don't mean a little. A LOT!!!!!! 4 inches or so. Wow! Everything is closing down because we're not used to this. But, boy, is it beautiful. Pictures later. As the news person says "serious snowmen".

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

OH, THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS FRIGHTFUL..


It's nasty outside and snow and sleet are predicted for tonight. That's something!!! This usually doesn't happen down here. I'm tucked in bed with my electric blanket on high, so come on down snow.


We had choir practice tonight--in all this bad weather. But our Christmas music is Sunday night and we only have one more rehearsal on Friday night. If any of you are in the area, it's Sunday night, December 14th, 6:00 PM, at Parkview Baptist.


I've a couple of finishes for you. This has been the month of ornaments. I've got several more in the works and they will appear later. They're both resting on my little panda that I brought back from Beijing, China, several years ago. I also bought the cute little hat he's wearing in Beijing.


The rose ornie is a freebie from La-D-Da. The fabric is a mystery: it came from my stash. The threads are GAST. I did make a few changes on those. The noel ornie is a freebie from Blue Ribbon Designs and is one of my favorites. The fabric is also a mystery and the threads are the ones suggested on the instructions: GAST, again.


Time to tuck in with my book. I"m reading The Venetian Betrayal by Steve Berry. It's very good. Can't wait to finish it. Then on to the new JK Rowling book.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

CRIMSON TREES AND SUGAR BOWL


It's been awhile!! Sorry, but I just got involved and never really got back to the old blog. I did write one a couple of days ago but couldn't get the pictures to do what I wanted so I just deleted the whole thing.


We all got through Thanksgiving and my team beat Auburn quite well-actually, a shut out: 36-O. It was drizzly and COLD. It had been so pleasant the day before. But the tailgaters were all out and all was well. We lost our game last night. Florida beat us for the SEC Championship. It's okay, though. We did so much better this year than expected and we are going to the Sugar Bowl on January 1st. I'd love to go but DH doesn't "want to go to New Orleans". 60 miles down the road and HE doesn't want to go. Gee, let's be boring about it.......


I have a lot more to say but it's getting late and I have to be at the dentist's at 7:45 in the morning. I will surrender to a drug-induced state, get the work done and return home to a peaceful afternoon of sleep.


Hopefully will see you all tomorrow night. Until then---the picture at the top of the blog was made in the woods next door to my MIL's house. The other picture is tailgating with the Crimson Tide in front of the Ferguson Center. Even the trees are crimson!