NOW you can see...

what I made for Christmas gifts!

First, I collected old clothing with a western attitude
to make cowboy boot Christmas stockings.

(what can I say, we live in Texas)




then, I drew up a pattern





love 'em !






then, three old sweaters




became

hats and leggings for 4 cute grand-babies
(Wyatt is a name being considered for baby boy Yuan, I like it)



ella loves dogs, addie looks great in red, preston looks cute in everything and little bear ears for wyatt (ella and wyatt's are made from cashmere....sooo soft)


chloe selected fleece for each niece & nephew and made them scarves
(and made the adorable flower for addie's hat)
I am so proud of her.
(I made hats with her leftover fleece)





I copied this black rose bracelet from one I saw at A'gaci

It is for Chloe. . . . but I may be borrowing it :)






a toile print pillow for Chrissy,

trimmed with silk fabric scraps from her wedding dress




and look at these cute tags chrissy made to personalize my sewing projects!





for Brittany and Ili, I made curtains and a matching pillow

. . . . the finishing touch on the remodel we did in October.

I love working with felt, it is has such a homespun look.

Since Chrissy has become quite the seamstress, I made this little blue pin cushion for her
. . . . I loved it so much, I made a lavender one for myself.



It gave me the idea for these ornaments:

I love them!

a covey of partridges




and of course,
every respectable partridge needs a pear tree







I have done very few portraits and I was nervous about attempting this one for Brittany,
so I put it off until 1 week before Christmas; the oil is still wet.
I am happy with the way it turned out,
(having a lovely subject helps a lot)

I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of gift making this year,
even all the seams I had to rip out because my sewing skills are a little rusty.
I couldn't wait for everyone to open their gifts.
It put a smile on my face that lasted all of December.


Merry Christmas !

Christmas Eve

Our traditional Christmas Eve dinner is a buffet,

this year we have:

hot ham and cheese rolls
potato cheese soup
cream cheese with raspberry chipotle sauce and crackers
artichoke/jalapeno dip and tortilla chips
german sausage with honey mustard on crackers




mexican wedding cakes and Steve's cocoa for dessert

today, we made everything ahead for Christmas Day dinner








turkey stuffing
beans
yams
jello
pumpkin pie
pecan pie
chocolate pie

breakfast casserole

this just leaves the turkey, potatoes, gravy and rolls to do on Christmas Day



The tables are set




the dogs are ready for Santa,
they are the only ones left around here who believe in him
(I am kinda sad Chloe doesn't anymore)






Santa will be here soon!


THANK YOU!
to the kind person who left this beautiful fruit basket on our doorstep!

I cleaned house all day

because, in two days,

this cute family will be here




and this one




and this one




can't wait.


Merry Christmas to me!

Let It Snow

The Winter Solstice


Today is the first day of winter.

In other words,
An excuse to post:

my favorite winter photos



1984 - Brittany, Michael, Steve, Chrissy




2001 - Chloe









2007 San Antonio ice storm




1999 - Chrissy and Stefanie




2004 - Mike and Ella









2003 - Nine Mile Canyon, Utah

2003 ------------------------------In 2008 Chloe wrote to Santa asking for a
Chloe & Rembrandt------------photo of his reindeer; he sent this one of Prancer




1964 - Diane & Marsha




tummy cold, Chris?







The first day of Winter begins

December 21, 2009 at 9:47 am PDT


I think the official solstice colors are red and green
and it is customary to decorate a conifer with ornaments.

pheew! . . . we are all set then,

nothing left to do but . . .

celebrate! celebrate! celebrate!

Gingerbread Village

Chloe and I love our tradition of working together on a gingerbread house.

This year, I found a kit with an entire village!





Isn't it cute?

We had a great mother-daughter time today, constructing our little neighborhood.

Chloe decided to live in the one with the red stripe roof,

I live on the street behind her, under the other red roof.

Last night, we were treated to dinner by my dear brother in law, John.

John has a most interesting job that brings him to San Antonio occasionally,
and when it does, we get to enjoy a visit with him.
I always look forward to his call:

"Hi Diane, it's your favorite brother in law".

He came over for a family dinner.

Then, a few days later,



he reciprocated by inviting us to dinner
at one of the nicest steak houses I've ever dined in.
The waiters wore matching black suits with gold ties;
lights were low, conversation soft.
There were fresh white linens and silverware and glasses Chloe wasn't sure what to do with;
and the food wasn't just served, it was presented.
When Chloe and I asked about the ladies room, instead of pointing, the waiter led us.
Then, I saw something I had never seen before,
red rose petals scattered in the sinks . . . so lovely, against the white porcelain.

While we were away, our waiter folded my napkin into a crown, Chloe's into a peacock.
We were offered our choice of steak knife from a velvet lined wooden box.
Sorbet was served between courses to freshen our palate,
and a fresh red rose was on my dinner plate . . . . I took it home.

It was a perfectly delicious and elegant evening.
Thank you, John, for treating us.
Our love to you and your family.