Worth it

Pretty much over Chirstmas music by now but this is worth it.

-dana

Lazy days

Terribly blurry picture. Sorry about that.

My mother and I. Like mother like daughter. From generation to generation to generation.

Razor the girls and I leave tomorrow for a mini vacation. We will be lazing in a mountain cabin, riding the Polar Express train (ssshhhh! Don't tell the girls!), tubing down snowy mountains and playing as many board games as we can stand. Then it will be to my parents' house for the week of Christmas.

May your holiday season be merry and bright.

-dana

She's crafty

Remember that old Beastie Boys song "She's crafty"? Well, that's me. I'm crafty.




The girls and I made the Christmas collage yesterday. They were looking for something to do so we took the pile of Christmas cards and wrapping paper and started cutting and gluing. Today I put the ball fringe on and made a hanger for it. Won't they be surprised when they see their handiwork hanging in the kitchen?




These are the pieces for a quilt block that I'm making. I have wanted a red and aqua wall hanging for awhile now. This will be my sitting-in-the-car-waiting-to-pick-up-the-girls-from-school project.




Also this morning I made the binding for my round robin quilt that I just had quilted. I will share photos once I finish the binding.




Finally, a coat of red paint makes this yard sale spice rack perfect for my kitchen. I don't have much use for it right now but after a minor renovation come springtime it will come in handy for sure.

-dana

Finally some luck at the thrift stores

It has been ages that I have found anything worthwhile at a thrift store. Since summer at least. Yesterday I finally found some goodies.



Some colorful and graphic tins to keep sewing notions or something in.




A vintage apron. I keep buying these. Some I wear and others I use as fabric in a quilt or other project.




Kinda lovin' owls lately. I'd like to try and make a felt owl of sorts. But, since I have never worked much with felt I'm hesitant. I know tea will taste extra special in this mug.





Speaking of felt owls (and patchwork), these are just two of lots and lots of these handmade thingies on this net/tablecloth/who-knows-what thingy. Technical terms for sure. I plan on cutting them off the net tablecloth and using them in some creative new finagled way. Don't know what that will be yet but it will come to me. Always does.

-dana

I thought it was blonde

Saying that I was going to write about memories of my childhood and actually doing it are two different things. I can't really explain the hesitation. Maybe because I don't write much here and I feel like a simple and short summation of my childhood would rob it of it's greatness. That seems rather grandiose. Maybe I'm having trouble pinpointing just what it is I want to say. Yes, I'll stick with that one.

I was born in Denver and lived in a house on Downing Street. I remember my pastel patchwork wallpaper in my room. I remember the big purple hippopotamus in the basement bathroom. I remember the long foam cushion that my brother and I would use to ride down the steps to the basement. Tupperware in the cabinet under the oven. Huge backyard with cherry trees and rhubarb plants. Red, white and blue eagle wallpaper in the living room. Large coniferous bushes along the path from the sidewalk to the front door. (Mom, was it Jeff or I that pushed the little berries up our nose? By the way, that is strangely similar to Boo sticking a rock up her nose in preschool.) Washing the car with Dad. Swimming in a kiddie pool out back. Our dog Lady. Pretending to be asleep in the fuzzy, orange bean bag while Mom and Rhetha talked. Playing school with Mom and Rhetha. My childhood friend from a few doors down named Cindy. Mom dressing as a clown one Halloween. Mom putting ice on my big fat lip. An Easter bunny cake with lots of coconut.

Hmmmm . . . do you think my bedroom wallpaper began my love of all things patchwork?

-dana

I told ya

Results of said sugar cookie baking with the little lovelies.

But you still must go to my last post and listen to my current favorite holiday song. It is from Josh Groban and called "Believe". Or, so I believe.

-dana

Believe

My favorite holiday song right now.



I'm off to make sugar cookies with the girls.

-dana

Stompin' around

The girls are constantly clogging. I mean constantly. Sometimes the three of us will be in the kitchen and they start clogging and I start pseudo clogging and we all start making random rhythms with other things around. Reminds me of STOMP. I'm not sure people would pay money to see our rendition. It usually ends in a fit of laughter and I don't know how much fun that would be for a nonparticipating audience. Hmmm. Well, come to think of it, the audience would probably just join in. Razor always does.



-dana

I interrupt this broadcast

I interrupt this broadcast to play catch-up.

- My Dad got out of the hospital right before Thanksgiving. He is home and slowly but surely recuperating from the surgery in October. Thank you for all of the prayers.

- Razor and I both attended the University of Missouri and we were heartbroken to see them lose to Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship game. What a season though! Gotta love those Tigers!

- We have three cats. Truman. Sweetie Boy. Jezebel. Well, Sweetie Boy went missing for a month. A whole month! We resigned ourselves to the fact that he was probably a goner. That is until he showed up this past weekend! You cannot even imagine the excitement that generated here.

- Old Red Barn Co. has gone gang busters this holiday season. In years past I have promoted and promoted for holiday sales. This year I have not promoted one bit and have tripled sales over previous years. What's up with that?

That is all for now. I shall now return you to your regularly scheduled program.

-dana

Oh, but my life is magical

My weekend began with this . . .








And ended with this . . .






A first place finish in the Christmas parade. Hot dogs and s'mores by a bonfire. Mr. Magorium has nothing on me.

-dana

Ahhh, to live in Mr. Magorium's world

Have you seen Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium? It is an absolute must see!




I positively love the photography and set of this film. Magical for sure. Rich in color. Delicious in detail.



The story line is my favorite kind. . . hopeful, thoughtful, innocent and in it's ultimate message, realistic.







And, I would give anything to have the adorable wardrobe that Mahoney (Natalie Portman) has. The vintage boy shirts. The too cute vintage summer dresses. And don't even get me started on the shoes.

If you haven't taken your kids to see this film yet, you better. And not having kids is no excuse. You. Should. Go. Now.

-dana