The month of LOVE and chocolate

Thoughts: Sees candies are my chocolates of choice

pecan patty

molasses chip

caramel patty

dark nougat

my new favorite,

peanut butter crunch

Things: Give a little love with this chocolate pin cushion.

Not as tasty but cute.

Cut a 3 1/2 in diameter circle out of brown wool
Cut a swirl out of pink wool. Stitch to top, center of brown circle.
Run basting stitch around edge of brown circle, about 1/4 of an inch from edge.
Gather and stuff.
Hot glue into a small tart tin.

A Mountain retreat

Thoughts and Things: To help chase away the January blues, my friends and I are headed to a quilt retreat in a beautiful mountain lodge for the remainder of the week. We are excited to sew from morning until night.

A mystery quilt class and hospitality quilt class (learning a new machine technique of applique) are what's in store for us.

One of the difficulties of being with that many women ... to many up and down hormones. Some want to sew in their swimming suits because they are too hot, and some want to sew in their parkas and wool sock because they are too cold!

Fabric is bought and quilting homework done.

Sew for now...

Give a little LOVE

Thoughts: If you wish to be loved, you have to love.

With Valentines approaching, I am going to give a little more love.

Things: This heart pillow is a good way to express your love. It is made of wool. I just freehanded the letters and whip stitched them on, finishing it off with a satin ribbon.

Monday Quilt Day

Meet Herma Hippo

Thoughts: The pages are worn, the cover torn and taped, but this little book was a favorite of my children and now my grandchildren. When we have sleepovers it is the book of choice for their bedtime story.

Things: I remember sewing a hippo for my friend when I was in high school. An autograph hippo, for friends and family to sign. Does anyone remember those? I still like making little stuffed animals even at my age. Herma Hippo was a must to make to go along with this book.

She will become our story time mascot.

Herma likes to read the story too, she thinks it is about her.

Patiently she waits for her little friends to come and sleep over again, anxious to read "A hippopotamus ate the Teacher"

The Candy Dish

Thoughts and Things: As long as I can remember I have had a candy dish. Filled with candies appropriate for holidays or just with my favorites.

My family digs right in and devours each sweet piece, leaving it empty to be refilled.

My friends nibble away as they say they need to stop eating it.

When we have guests over, some are not shy about popping one or two into their mouths, others just look at it. I know they really want one.

Often times you will find a moist, half eaten piece left in the dish, compliments of the grandchildren.

Whatever the situation, the candy dish is always full.

Come on over and have a piece!

Monday Quilt DayThoughts and things: The color combination of red and white makes this quilt one of my favorites.

Muffin Morning Thoughts and Things:

I made muffins this morning

blueberry

my sister and her family are here for the weekend

I'm trying to be a good hostess

I like muffins

the muffin tops are the best part

the edible kind

not the kind that hang over low waisted pants

unattractive

certainly can't be comfortable

I am all about comfortable pants

anyway...

I made muffins this morning.

A Reason to Pause

Thoughts: As I have watched the devastation and human suffering taking place in Haiti, it gives me good reason to pause and count my many blessings. To thank my Heavenly Father for my family, good health, food, shelter and prosperity that I enjoy living where I do.

I have always been taught to be prepared, I hope I will continue to follow that council.

With a basement storage full of food and extra water on hand, I would give it all if I could.

Things: On a much lighter note...

A relaxing day at the cabin gave me a chance to finish my January Snow Angel.

It is a pattern from - All Through The Night. I changed the colors and pattern a little to my liking.

I'll have her framed to hang in my kitchen during January.

I'll wash, you dry

Thoughts and Things: With just the 2 of us at home now, my dish washer doesn't get used too much anymore. Sunday is usually the day it runs, with the family over for dinner.

I like washing dishes, I always have.

My grandmother always did the washing, to make sure her dishes did not get broken.

My mother did the washing. She said she wanted the dishes to be clean.

I did the washing, because I don't like to dry or put the dishes away.

To me, the dishwasher has control. Yes, I like that!

My hubby does the drying now. He calls it team work.

I just smile.

Monday Quilt DayThoughts and Things: Red work nursery rhyme patterns hand stitched and incorporate into a quilt.

Appreciating Winter Thoughts: After spending a week basking in 80 degree warmth and sunshine, I have a new appreciation for winter.

Icicles and piles of snow welcomed us as we drove up to our home.

I appreciate winter -

it makes me love spring, summer and fall even more.

Things: I took this snow angel project with me to Hawaii with intentions of working on it. Needless to say, it did not happen. I was not in the mood to work on a wool winter project in the hot sun.

Dear family and friends,

Wish you were here.

In paradise
Thoughts and Things: Sunday in Hawaii. The day began with a beautiful and delicious sunday brunch. In the afternoon we attended church and the ended the day sitting on the beach watching the sun set.