Kennon's New Bedroom Set

Two of the many pillows I made for Kennon's bed. I also made the duvet cover, bed skirt and an ottoman cover. Bob made the ottoman over five years ago. Can't even remember how many times it's been recovered. It's also a storage unit. Had a lot of fun figuring out how to do the set. The duvet cover is reversible to a smaller print. It's a great looking set. Reminds me of the beach and surfing!

Lazy Day, Sort of

Didn't feel great today, so just rested and caught up on e-mail. Posted a new album to Face Book - my favorite sewing projects. Reconnected with my niece's four teenage daughters - well, two of them so far. They are so pretty, just like their mom. I'm enjoying reconnecting with family and friends.
Debby, Robyn and their families gave Bob and me each an Instinct phone from Sprint. We love them. I'm still learning how to use mine, but it is absolutely amazing.
Actually got some sewing done this week. Over 25 monogrammed tote bags, at least that many candy cane holders and three golf towels. I really missed sewing. Will start putting together a denim rag quilt for Ian tomorrow. I will try to get him to help me with the ragging part.
Bob went out about an hour ago (9 p.m.) to roast some coffee beans, so we can have coffee in the morning. We're almost out of green coffee beans, so will have to order more this week. We've been going through it really fast. Now that it's cold, Bob takes a couple of thermoses of hot coffee with him when he golfs, so he makes two pots a day, instead of one.
I'm posting a couple of new pictures of things I made this week.

Hooray - my sewing machine is safe and sound in my sewing room.

I got my sewing machine back the other day. Hooray - I am so, so happy. I monogrammed 19 tote bags today for gifts for my daughter and grandson to give for Christmas gifts. I have a couple of small gifts I want to make and two Christmas cards. My daughters are getting embroidered shawls (they already know this, so no surprise). They will get them in January. It feels good to be sewing again. I want to make 14 or 15 candy cane holders to give to some kids for stocking stuffers (there's a picture of some already made). No pictures of the just finished tote bags yet.
Well, the Christmas tree is finished with the help of my grandson. As usual he was very definite about how he wanted it to look!
We had a quiet first night of Chanukah. Our grandson lit the candles and he and Bob said the blessing. He got two small gifts tonight and was quiet pleased with what he got. No wonder my non-Jewish grandson likes Chanukah!
He was having fun today rapping about everything - from decorating the tree to my sewing to lighting the Chanukah candles and getting gifts to rapping about his various chores.
Still have a couple of Chanukah gifts to make for Bob. Will probably do those on Wednesday. He'll get them Friday or Saturday for Chanukah.
HAPPY CHANUKAH!!

Holiday Lights $1, 3 days of aggravation - priceless

It probably serves me right to be struggling with holiday lights for our tree! Do I call it a Christmas tree - sometimes. Since we are Jewish and our grandson isn't, the tree goes up with all the lights and decorations! It's his Christmas tree and our beautiful holiday tree to enjoy. Yes, we have Chanukah too. Our grandson loves Chanukah as much as we do. He loves to light the candles with Papa and say the blessing.
For three days I have been struggling with the lights. I had them all on and one string was broken, so out it came. I have been trying to get the lights to look good and not jumbled up in one small space. I will succeed. I have no trouble with garlands, tinsel and ornaments. I make beautiful lace ornaments and whenever anyone comes over they get to choose one to take home. Even our Jewish family members will take one, though they aren't that pleased about the tree.
Let's be real here, many believe the origin dates back to pagans - that's not very Jewish, either. It's beautiful with all the lights and glittery ornaments. This is the season of lights and miracles for Christians and Jews.
I am sure some of my more observant Jewish relatives will frown on my having a tree. That's okay. Everyone has their own beliefs and traditions. I respect them and hope they will do the same for me.
I wanted to make more lace ornaments to give to friends this year, but my sewing machine is still in the shop and I'm not sure when I will get it back. I really miss not sewing. Of course, I could work on my cathedral window quilt which is made by hand. Or I could knit or even clean up my sewing room/office. Instead I'm taking time out to decorate the tree for my grandson (and us) and to spend way too much time on the computer.
Take care and happy holidays.

Chocolate Pie

Just finished making a chocolate cream pie - well, not quite finished. After it cools I have to whip the cream. My grandson keeps asking if I finished the pie! After all the years of making the pie and waiting for hours for it to cool, Debby told me today to put it in the freezer for one hour. It works beautifully. Only have the cream to whip and it'll be ready to eat in about 45 minutes.
Don't have my sewing to talk about. I'll post some more sewing pictures. That's my first love.

My first blog

Have thought of this for months. Finally decided that if kids can do this, so can grandmas.
Having a relaxing day. My sewing machine and serger are in the hospital. Hopefully I'll get them back by Monday. Have so much to sew. Want to do gifts for my grandson's teachers.
I may even embroider a couple of golf towels for the magnificent one's golfing buddies.
Thinking of all the things I could do now, instead of writing this. Doesn't matter - things can wait.
Enjoyed having my breakfast this morning with Bob. He makes incredible coffee. He roasts his own beans and grinds them immediately before making the coffee. He fixed bagels for both of us. He really does take wonderful care of me.
Since this is the first time I've blogged, I am unsure of what I'll say. There will definitely be lots of pictures of family and my sewing projects.
I'm getting addicted to facebook and plaxo. They are amazing - this past week I connected with cousins in Israel, L.A., Houston, Dallas, NYC and places unknown.
My second cousin Dorit in Israel has a daughter in L.A., whose an actress. It's amazing how much this young woman looks like my mom when she was young. There are some really strong genes on my maternal grandfather's side - the Karesh's. Also connecting with my maternal grandmother's relatives and again strong genes. It's fun at my age to find all these relatives.
Have also connected with a college friend of ours that we haven't seen or heard from in at least 45 years. Bob's commander in his rescue squadron in England (30 years ago) has connected with me.
Until next time...........