More of the Christmas Box....

I am really enjoying this Christmas box from Missouri Star and can't wait to start playing with the projects. Life should be a little quieter now that kids are done school for the semester and the last scout party has happened. The 4 girls, including Emily received their High Honor Silver Award Certificate and pin for their community lending library they made on Monday night. They also did a secret Santa exchange and a pot luck. These girls do love their food! 

I think we just plan to go to Homosassa Springs for the Christmas light display sometime later this week with Grandma. Tomorrow morning is a busy day - I have a couple of meetings in the morning, Greg has his Dr follow up on his back and the AC/Heating guy is coming first thing in the morning for the twice a year cleaning. It will be a cold one for him as we will be in the low 40's tomorrow morning!

Thursday morning, Emily has a dentist appt for a cavity and I have an annual dr appointment where she'll go over my blood work. All looks the same as 6 months ago, so it should be quick. 

Day 10 - Quilting style playing cards - a deck of 2!

Day 11 - A kit for embroidery birds in white and red! I can't wait to try these.

Day 12 -  A silicone mat for the iron. I think mine will live in the kitchen instead!

Day 13 -  Sewing Edges! How neat are these?

Day 14 - A charm pack!

Day 15 - Directions and handle and closure for a bag.... to use with the charm pack from yesterday!

Day 16 - Sweedish dish cloths! Set of 2. The other one is already in use! Love these.

Day 17 - A Roxanne glue stick and a wooden press for seams.

Day 18 - Is this cute pillow pattern with the elongated hexagon template and some fusible.

Day 19 is a Puzzle book with crosswords, search a words and various other puzzles all related to quilting! I might have started on a search a word already!

I'm loving everything so far, despite not doing the projects yet! 

Sunday

 Well, the storm has gone through overnight and left lots of rain. I thought it was completely through, but then it just started raining again outside. Thank goodness the soil is sand here in Florida, and everything sinks in pretty well. 

Everyone is still sleeping, and I do love the quiet of the house in the morning before everyone is awake. I did go check on Mushu - the bearded dragon we are watching for a week while his owner is on a cruise with her family. He was awake so I turned on his lights and gave him some romaine lettuce. He is a baby and about 12 inches long. He will double in size I believe.

 Emily can add the live crickets once she wakes up. The dog is in with her, still sleeping.

Saturday we had an earlier horses lesson to get in before the rain started. Their lesson got pushed back a bit, but they started out in dry weather but ended up with some drizzle. The girls didn't seem to mind too much as they all were happy to be riding horses! Emily got to try the new one in the barn, Cowgirl. We think she needs a new name and tried a few out. She pricked her ears at Queenie, so we will see what happens the next time we see her after Christmas. 

It was a day in the kitchen for me after popping to Aldi to pick up some veggies. We were plum out of fresh veggies, and I wanted some russet potatoes to pop in the oven with the prime rib. Yes, I got another one and cooked it up yesterday. I pulled it out of the oven at 117 F and after resting it was at 131F. Perfect eating temp. I now have another 5 slices in the freezer and a rack of bones for making beef barley soup. There are a few slices in the fridge as well. I kinda got a big one since they were 6.99 a pound at Publix last week, and Emily decided she likes to pull them when she dislikes what I make for dinner. 

I made sugar cookie dough and some saltine cracker toffee.

 Turns out the girl really likes this as well. Sigh, I guess she is my kid liking everything I do! I'll bake off the cookies today and will make another kind as well. I'm bringing some to scouts Monday for a pot luck, and since the storm went through, I'll take the kids over to see their Grandpa Tom today and drop off some cookies to him as well. 

Greg's back was better Friday with the shot at the ER on Thursday but was worse yesterday. I guess it wore off. Not sure how it is today. He put his back out on Wednesday and is in a world of hurt. 

I'm watching the Polar Express and plan to pick up my hand quilting project and add some stitches this morning. 

Are there Christmas shows you watch every year? I know I have a DVD of the standard kids Christmas shows somewhere in the house. I plan to find it so I can watch them this week - Charlie brown, Rudolph, Frosty the Snowman, etc. 

I normally get some gingerbread house kits for the kids to decorate. I got 2 this year and Emily opened hers last week and got the house built. It has not been decorated yet. I noticed Aidan got his out yesterday and built and decorated his. I didn't think he would, based on the comments when I brought them home a couple of weeks ago!

Linking up with Kathy and the Slow Sunday Stitchers.

Friday....

 Very little stitching happening. Sigh. With a very rainy and windy weekend on tap I really hope to change that! I see stitching and baking in my future!

Some animal photo's for you.

The girls. left to right are Poppy, Eggnog, Maple, DC and Buttercup. The two new ones - Eggnog and Buttercup are laying eggs daily - a green and a brown. The other 3 should be done molting soon, and once their crowns get red again I think we should get eggs from 2 of them. 

Ollie closest and Peanut. They were curled up together in their sling but moved once I got a camera. Silly boys.

This is the kids last full week of school. All finals but one class period (3rd) are completed. They have 2 more days before they are off for the holiday. 

Wednesday morning, Greg put his back out! I ended up running his errands Wednesday - after picking up the kids. A trip over to drop things off to his Dad, in rush hour evening traffic. While I was gone, the kids put up the outside Christmas lights for me. Thursday I drove the kids to school and then dropped Greg to the ER on my way for bloodwork. I picked him up on my way back...... 1 hour and 10 minutes and he was released with a shot, prescriptions for pain and anti-inflammatory stuff and he was sent home! Very fast, and I'm guessing he wishes he went on Wednesday! It is getting better each day, thank goodness. He said it was similar pain to 2020 when he landed in the hospital! 

I dropped kids to school today, then work, walked the dog at lunch and back to work before picking up Aidan from school. Emily has a band party after school, so she is a 5PM pick up. The chickens got some yard time this morning as well. Aidan is in charge of dinner  - probably stromboli or a calzone or pizza!

We also got a bearded dragon last night for a week. Emily's friend Jasilynn dropped him off for a week while their family is away on a cruise. Emily got up early to give him his crickets and salad before heading to school. 

Off to go get the other kid! I swear I live in my car.

Slow Sunday

 I had help yesterday from Aidan to finally get the rest of the house decorated for Christmas. The inside anyway! He did a great job and I enjoy seeing all my 'things' out reminding me of Christmases past. 

I was able to pull out this Bear Paw and added some hand quilting stitches to the top 2 corner blocks while waiting for a text letting me know what time to pick up Emily from school. They had their last parade yesterday and it was a night one. We dropped her off around noon to help make sandwiches for the band's dinner, and get a couple of volunteer hours. They arrived around 3 to the staging area and then had to wait for the parade to start at 5:30. They were towards the end (#92) so did not head out until well after 6 and it was a full hour on the parade route. My text from her once back on the bus was in all caps, bring cold water! It was around 80 and sunny today. Her pickup time was 8:30ish last night. I did enjoy seeing all the Christmas lights along the way to school and back. 

I need to take Emily shopping for some secret Santa gifts today (band and scouts) then she is headed to a friend's house in the afternoon. She has a winter concert tomorrow night at school. Aidan is headed to Grandma's house for the day. That means if I really want to get a quilt pinned, I need to get it done this morning, while everyone is still sleeping. I seem to get stuck at this stage a lot, but I really want this Christmas Cactus Wreath quilt finished so I can hang it on my wall this year. 

Tonight, I'll be hand quilting another half feather ring into one of the side triangles on the bear paw. I'd love to get this quilt completed this month, but we will see if time allows.

Linking up with the Sunday Slow Stitchers.

More Christmas Countdown box!

 Since I have not done any sewing (or finished Christmas decorating!) I'll share the presents I got in the Missouri Star Quilt Company box! I did make a couple of batches of cookies this week and did some shopping for a countdown for the kids. I have yet to put their things into their Christmas Countdown snakes. I will do that today. Emily wanted her present first thing today and was asking for her snake! I went and pulled out today's gift and handed it to her. A Christmas ornament of Mario from Super Mario Brothers. They did the Nintendo theme including Mario brothers for their marching band program this year. I thought it was perfect! I got an eye roll from her! Going with the ornament theme, Aidan gets and ELF movie VHS. I could not find anything 'good' for him in my allotted time Thursday shopping. We do love this movie and he was looking through all my VHS video's last week.

Onto the box.....

Day 5 - these foam Christmas trees with a pattern and video on how to twist the fabric to go on it. I think I might do mine with ribbon. A project for tomorrow!

Day 6 is this cute little rolling pin with quilt designs. It came with a lemon shortbread recipe which I did make. I need to practice with using the pin...as my quilt blocks didn't show well. They were yummy though!

Day 7 was this charm pack of light blue, pink and red. I have learned if there is fabric there is usually a pattern or use for it coming in the next day!

Day 8 - a pattern to use the charm pack and a thermal batting so it can be used as a hot mat if you want to deviate a bit from the table runner.

Day 9 - a clip on light for your sewing machine with 2 brightnesses. It is a tap light and has a USB adapter for charging. 

Someone took over Emily's spot last night when she got up. Doesn't Bear look comfy all snuggled up in her blanket?

Today, I need to drop Emily off to school for noon for helping with making sandwiches for their dinner while waiting for the Christmas parade to start. They allotted 2 hours to make the things needed and then will head to line up for the 5:30 parade start. This one is a long one and it looks like no rain this time! I have convinced Aidan he needs to help Christmas the house today with me. I also need to rehang my quilt hangers back onto the wall and add my new one from last Christmas! 

I'd like to get my Christmas Cactus quilt pinned for quilting as well. We will see how much gets done! 

Christmas quilty box

 Spoiler alert. If you don't want to know the first 4 days of the Missouri Star Quilt Co Jenny's countdown to Christmas box, then stop reading now! I don't think I am breaking any rules by posting these. It says not to share before the date to open them and since it is the 4th, I think I am safe! The Flat Chuck that came in the box wanted to be in the photo's.

Day 1 - I managed to wait until the first day of December to open my first gift. Ok, I might have peeked the night before. The Facebook group was very helpful and let us newbies know that if there is fabric, there is probably a pattern to go with it coming soon! So, I just petted the fabric as it sat on my home office desk until day 2. Isn't it sew cute! There are 21 sets of fun prints for sn-ugly sweaters.

Day 2 - they were right! A pattern, some fusible web and a template. How cute is this? The template could also be an ornament. They had a video on how to use the fusible and template to make the little quilt.

Day 3 - this one I did not cheat but I opened it as soon as I got home from the Drive in around 7:40 AM Sunday morning ... right after I made my cup of coffee! I do love these flat headed pins.

Day 4 - I was also good and waited for Monday morning to open it. 4 little plates. How cute are these. Dishwasher safe but not microwave safe...if my old eyes read it correctly. I might need to find my level 1 readers and double check.

I think I got enough sleep last night to make up for not getting much Saturday night. It was a very busy day at work.... so busy I kinda forgot to log off at 2:30 to go get Aidan! I looked at the clock on the computer and it said 2:58! Oops! I answered an e-mail and indicated I just saw the time and I am late to go get a kid! I texted him before I left so he knew I was running late. I got there about 15 minutes after school got out. He was fine, chatting with friends.  I sent Greg to get Emily for 5PM. She had a symphony band practice after school. This way they can all practice together before the concert next Monday night. That allowed me to prep all the veggies for veggie lo mein for dinner tonight. It was ready right at 5:30 when they got home. 

Friday hodgepodge

 It is going to be a busy no sleep weekend. It is the annual overnight tenting out at the Drive in on Saturday with the girl scouts. Emily is starting out with horses Saturday and then following up with a Sunday Christmas Parade in the afternoon. I expect her to crash after she gets home from marching in the parade. At least this is the small one. The really long one in Ocala is next Saturday.

I did manage some meals this week! Monday, I think we got an Aldi's pizza and baked it off at home. It was a 16 inch pepperoni pizza and was under $8. Tuesday the kids baked a Salmon we picked up at Aldi and I had my bay scallops in a butter and wine sauce. Yummy. Wednesday was a baked herbed pork loin roast with roasted potato, carrot and onion. Thursday, I needed to use some mushrooms, so I tried this recipe for Salisbury steak with mushroom gravy and some mashed potato and green beans. I really liked it. Tonight is Friday so Greg will order pizza from Papa Johns or Domino's. He was at his Dad's on Wednesday night and came home with some jalapeno cheesy bread so I'm thinking he had Domino's there so probably Papa John's tonight. 

I finished one of the feathers in the setting triangle and the rest I marked need to be remarked (humidity is still in Florida so they disappeared!) I did add a little to the corner though. I need to spritz out the previous marks that I have stitched already.  Someone is waiting for his girl to get home, staring at the front door. 

I decided to do the Countdown to Christmas box from Missouri Star Quilt Company this year. I liked day 1 and can't wait for day 2 tomorrow!

Emily needed new black jeans (she might have gotten paint on hers last weekend) for her concert next week so we went to Kohl's last night. She saw this shirt and thought I needed to get it! She got a Christmas sweater, jeans and another long sleeve shirt. Expensive girl! 

I walked out this morning to check on the chickens and scared Eggnog as she was laying. I also scared 2 wasps who were building a nest. They kinda got me and I needed a little Benadryl cream on one sting to calm it down. The little buggers were building another nest when I went out this afternoon! I got 2 eggs today - a brown one from Buttercup and a small/medium green one from Eggnog. The other three ladies are finishing molting (getting new feathers for winter) and are not laying again yet. 

Tonight is time to trim the tree...... while waiting on the pizza. Seems they had an issue, so it was just going into the oven when I walked in the door from picking up Emily at school. I might have taken the dog with me. Note to self, make sure there is another person in the car when taking the dog on a 25 minute ride to school! He is very happy all his people are home in the house. 

Linking up Sunday with the Slow Sunday Stitchers. Edited - survived the drive in campout with the girl scouts.