A Little Costume Fun and Another Birthday Dinner

Sweet Granddaughter Drew Ann was born on Halloween 12 years ago. 

After her requested dinner of Tri-tip, and birthday cake (I'll share the recipe tomorrow), the 6 kids got ready to go to their Church Carnival by putting on their costumes.

Drew chose one of her Mom's prom dresses and heels and went as a Homecoming Queen complete with Tiera.

While the little ones got their costumes on (no small task for Mom Olivia to get 5 more dressed), Drew opened her gifts.

(Sorry for the dark pictures. Someday maybe I'll have a grown-up camera.)

Lexi went as a West High Cheerleader (the HS where Daddy Brandon teaches and coaches)

Camy dressed up as a dancer with a Black Tulle twirly skirt and new ballet shoes.

Jack is the town sheriff complete with badge and new Cap Guns (I didn't know they still made Cap Guns)and of course his hat and boots.

Brooke is a sweet little princess (of course, she is three).

Emmy Lou is a Hershey's Kiss (Oh....I made this for Drew when she was 2. Where does time go?)

The hat only stayed on long enough for a picture because I bribed her by popping M&M's in her mouth.

(If you see this, Suzanne...is that face her Dad's or what)

Here they are all ready  to go!!

Emmy is none too happy with this costume thing...especially the hat.

Before they go, one of Drew's requests was to dance with her Daddy for her birthday. They danced to a Taylor Swift song. (What else?)

Then they all joined in on the dance, and off they went  for some fun at their church.

Leaving me sitting with camera in hand and tears in my eyes...I ask you...is it any wonder. I am so blessed!!

God is Good!!

Life is Good!!

Birthday Month

In our immediate family, we have more birthdays in October than any other month.

I've already shared with you that the 10th was my birthday.

October 30th is my middle son's birthday and

October 31st is my younger son's daughter's birthday.

I'll start with mine. Warning... this post is picture crazy, but it will be worth it. You'll see..

We were out of town for my birthday, but the following weekend, my sweet friend, Gail hosted a party for me and our friend Sandi, whose birthday is two days after mine. Our group of 7 has celebrated our birthdays together for more years than I can count.

Gail had a special cake made for us.

These cute little napkins just fit our group that night.

You can click on any picture to enlarge.

My fellow birthday girl, Sandi and me.

Our "Hostess with the Mostest", Gail. Her shirt with the spiderweb complete with spider fit the occasion.

Six of our seven. Cindy we missed you.

From left to right...Me, Ruth, Linda, Sally, Sandi and Gail.

 Love these paper lanterns.

 As is the custom at Gail's house, the table was decorated in style.

 A little closer look and maybe you can see the backside of a rat.

Pumpkins of all shapes, sizes and colors.

My place at the table. The bowl has a chocolate covered Oreo that went home with me for Mr. SS's sweet tooth.

Under each bowl was a different Skeleton plate.

 Even the iron handled flatware and woven place mats fit the theme of the occasion.

After a tour of Gail's beautifully displayed decorations, we finally sat down to enjoy our dinner.

 Sally brought the most wonderful salad

Gail and Ruth collaborated on the soup. It is called 2X4 soup. I will share the easy recipe one of these days.

Doesn't it look like a black cauldron full of witches brew?

Linda brought Ciabatta rolls with lots of garlic butter. Yum!!

Now, I will take you on a tour of some of the decorations. Believe me when I tell you. This was by no means all...I just got a few photos.

 This pumpkin, cut from a book really caught my eye.

Thanks, Gail for making this birthday girl feel special.

I haven't decorated for Halloween since my kids were growing up and since I didn't even get to decorate for fall this year, I really enjoyed the fun Halloween decorations.

Today I had my son Eric and his family over for a late lunch for his birthday.  When he was growing up, his favorite birthday dinner was Tacos, and Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Frosting, so that's what I fixed today. We had the family that lives in my front yard (my younger son, his wife and 6 kids) come join us. The weather was so beautiful that we enjoyed our meal outside.

We are so proud of the men all our sons have become. They know the Lord, are great husbands and fathers, and they have a great work ethic that came from their Dad.  But, I must say, Eric had the farthest to come. He had problems from early on. I won't go into them and have my theories as to why he was the way he was.  ( I could write a book.) He rebelled in high school as many kids do and I kept a tight reign on him for which he hated me at times and let me know it.  But he came around after he was married and had kids and  we respect him so much for all he has become. (As we do all our sons, but it's his birthday today) He has let me know over and over that he is glad NOW that I "ruined" his high school days and understands why. Whew!!

Anyway, tomorrow is birthday # 3. Drew Ann will be 12 and I will let you know how that goes without the hundreds of pictures (well, maybe) and without the book (well, maybe).

I have a few posts in mind for this week, so you may just see a new one every day. When Mr. SS is working out of town, I tend to stay at the computer till all hours.

God is Good!!

Life is Good!!

so...

please don't give up on me. we are back in long beach and due to some challenges leaving town on sunday,  we forgot the laptop.  i am posting from my kindle, but it is limited so i will  be back with a post on saturday.  i am still visiting all of you, just can't comment.

Utility Apron

A couple of weeks ago, one of my friends, Sandi e-mailed me a picture of an apron with pockets. I don't think she even commented on it.

My friends Sandi and Ruth both make jewelry out of recycled typewriter keys, scrabble tiles, buttons, keys and well just lots of things.  They sell at shows especially at this time of the year.

I decided to design something for them to wear  while at these shows. Sandi's e-mail was just the thing to get me inspired.  I came up with my own version.

This is what it looks like.

I made the waistband a pocket for strapping and added a great easy to clip buckle. You can adjust the stap to fit.

It has two zippers with pockets across the top. One for dollar bills and one for change.

I put one long pocket along the bottom about 6" deep and vertically stitched it for different sized pockets. You can carry a pen, glasses, cell phone, receipt book, scissors, tools etc.

The picture Sandi e-mailed me was plain, but if you know me, I can't do anything "plain" and added a contrasting band and piping at the top of the pockets and ric-rac at the bottom.

Then I couldn't help myself...I added a cute little pleated ruffle to the bottom. The whole apron is lined, so no raw seams showing.

I had so much fun designing these for  my friends. One of the best parts was I kept my pledge to use things I have. I had everything I needed for these except the zippers and the buckle. I even had the strapping.

The fabric is outdoor fabric, so it is a little heavier than regular cotton.

These really aren't Christmas presents, because I wanted my friends to have to use for the season's shows, but I am going to make a couple for presents too.

They would be great for a lot of activities. Gardening, cooking, housework, sewing...I could go on, but you get the idea.

Once again, I am linking to Renee @ Sewn With Grace

for

Sewing Christmas

You can click on her name or her cute button on my sidebar to visit her blog. She made the most beautiful Log Cabin King Sized quilt for her hubby for Christmas. You have to see it.

God is Good!!

Life is Good!!.



I'm Still Here

Oh my goodness. I don't think I have ever gone this long without a post or visiting my blog friends before. No special reason. Just life, I guess, or maybe I just didn't think I had anything worthy of a blog to talk about.

I've been sewing for a couple of upcoming church boutiques that my jewelry making friends and I are doing.

They were participating in the biannual Peddlars Faire which is mainly an antique show last weekend. I took some of my things there...sold some, but they really did well.  I will take some pictures of their wonderful jewelry next weekend.

The last time I posted, I told you I was trying to use up some fabric scraps I had.  I made these all out of scraps from a skirt I made one of my grands 2 years ago.

This little wrist clutch has become one of my favorite creations. It is 2" squares strip pieced and very easy once I mastered the zipper.  I just discovered it is the perfect size for a  Kindle too with room for the cord and bitty light.

Pinwheel hair clips and a new flower hair clip I will show you more of.

One of my Girle Girl Bags  ( I made several of these out of  different fabric scraps.)

These are some coupon holder/checkbook holders I call flat wallets. They are made from scraps of pillowcases I made a couple of years ago.

These pinwheel hairclips are scraps from treat bags I made last year.

Now a dozen flower hair clip all made from little scraps, I am so glad I kept.

These were a tutorial that I got the link for from one of my favorite blogs.

Renee from Sewn with Grace.  She is always inspiring me. I can't seem to find the link to the tutorial, but have it on my computer at home. I'll post it later.

I used up quite a stack of scraps and acually have an almost empty drawer. Wonder how long it will take me to fill it up...you guessed...not long.

As happens often in our nomad's life, we got a call to work in the  Los Angeles area last Wednesday.

Mr. SS came down immediately and then came home and got me and the motorhome. On Sunday we arrived at one of our home away from homes in Long Beach. Yep, we are staying at our little old trailer park  again. It's been a year since we were last here, but we got our old spot and I feel right at home.

Yesterday was my birthday and I did absolutely nothing. Couldn't get online, so TV and a book for me.

I got calls from all my sons, DIL's,  grandkids and friends and family. I spent a lot of the day on the phone.

Mr. SS and I went to Costco for groceries and a Costco dog, then home for some cuddling and Dancing with the Stars.

What more could this old lady girl of 65 yrs. want.

Well, you are more caught up with my life than you probably needed to be. I'm going to spend time today catching up with all of you, my sweet blog friends.

Then, I must get back to my sewing machine. I have an idea I want to work on.

As always,

God is Good!!

Life is Good!!