December Card Night

It's a wonderful day (even when it's close to zero degrees) when you can

end it with the comfort of time spent creating with friends.

Amy S's card

(not sure why it's so hard to see on the blog, but it says "enjoy" across the top)

Mariska's card

Amy B's card

My card

with a super easy bookmark to go along with it.

Take any envelope (like the ones that bills or junk mail come in), measure two inches

out from each side of one bottom corner. Draw a line to connect the two and

cut it there. Decorate the resulting triangle any way you want! Here, I covered one

side with red card stock and added the cherry/flower from my card. The triangle just slips right over the top corner of the page(es). Easy!!

'tis the season for delicious warm chocolate

after snow angels and faceplants in the snow.

I've discovered a plus side to having a cold and not wanting to go anywhere.

Since Wednesday, this pile of fabric has become...

this...

and this...

and two of these...

and this...

and this...

and six of these and four of those...

all with the help, or in spite of, my little helper.

Tell me that's not a guilty look!

~~

Now for the second batch of Christmas gifts...

Did you know that November has run out of days?

You know where to find me.

There are friendships that never really take off. There are friendships that last for a season. And then there are friendships that last a lifetime.

~~

This beautiful mommy-of-two is not only my friend but my sister-in-law, too. We've lived across the hall from each other and on separate continents. We were in each others' weddings. We've put each others' babies to sleep. We've cried together over many things. We've gone stretches where we spoke every day and those where we didn't talk for a month or two. But, we always know that the other is there for us. Even after long stretches of silence, we pick up right where we left off...as friends...sisters.

We enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving in La Grande.

Bob's siblings came from Boise, Portland, California and Michigan.

The only one missing was with his wife in China picking

up their new son! Can't wait to meet him!

~~

We enjoyed good company, good food,

and lots of baby holding!

(Emma was reading Jennifer a book~so cute!)

At the annual Day-After-Thanksgiving Parade

(My backseat buddy on the way home).

(Thoroughly enjoying her cereal at our house).

~~

We hope that all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

On why I love this man

He's the best Dad in the world!

~~

Thankful!

On why I love Thanksgiving

Family

~~

Enough said.

On why I'm able to sew...

Because this little one sits at my elbow and plays with her friends.

~~

Thankful!

On why I love the mailman

A few months ago, I received an e-mail from someone I did not know via Facebook.

She said that her mom (another person I did not know) had somehow come across

my "Homemade" album on Facebook and asked if she could take a look at it.

I looked at her friend list and saw that we had several in common.

I went ahead and gave her access.

Since then, we've been e-mailing back and forth, trading patterns, comfort,

and a bit of information on our lives up to this point.

Last week, she asked for my address so she could send me a little something.

This ain't no little something! This quilt is gorgeous! It's

the perfect compliment of purple (my favorite color) and yellow.

There was also a lovely snowman hot mat (forgot to take a pic!) that

will be making it's appearance in my kitchen next month.

I can't wait to relax under this while I read the evening away!

Thanks, Lisa!

~~

And then, today, out of the blue I receive this:

(Don't you just love the tag? I liked it enough that I "borrowed"

the idea for some homemade gifts I wrapped up tonight.)

This cozy knitted scarf traveled across the great state

of Oregon from Mari to me. This will

keep me warm on our Thanksgiving trip and beyond!

Thanks, Mari!

~~

So, that's why I love the mailman. In between medical bills and

junk mail, come beautiful works of art from delightful friends.

~~

Thankful!