Cafe'...Art

Merry Christmas!!!

This is all the snow atop my door wreath!

Today is Christmas!  It has been an unusual one. But my Kids and theirs were able to come together this year despite the weather trying to say otherwise.  We had slow going on our journey to our one daughters house! But we made it, coming home was another story, but I think God sent His angels, to protect us, but to be a beacon of light to warn us of an accident, and a snow drifted full path!  God bless that couple for there warning and then as we followed them on back roads we didn't know, seemed to be making sure we were still behind them!!! Visibility was 0-none at times and it was dark....we were so glad to get home!!! But the day was wonderful, Angie worked so hard on everything, it was beautiful, yummy, and warm hearts abounded!! Ruth came over early to help with the kids, so she could do what she needed to do!  Jeremy and his wife Jessie made it in on there hour trek too!!!! No one was sick, which is also a blessing, and I think everyone just had a wonderful time, for the day just flew buy!!

Angie working away in the kitchen making a wonderful Christmas meal of prime rib, rosemary, and garlic chicken with a Dijon mustard sauce!

The table and antique that I had, with the drop leafs and all the extra leafs. They are wonderful when you have all that company.  Beautifully set too!

The Christmas tree, with presents galore! 

The "ripping" open commenced!  What fun everyone had!!! It is always so fun to watch the kids.  It goes so fast and I couldn't  seem to get enough pictures fast enough!!

Hannah and her new "Cupcake" hat, was a hit and she looks so cute in it!! There were mittens to match too!

Kaeyla collects snow globes, so she was pretty thrilled with this one to add to her collection!

Overall mayhem! Hey Papa! Start opening!!

Colin got a very cool shirt!

The wooden snowman were a hit! Jessie you look so radiant! My son on the other had, just looks like...What is it!?

Typical~

All the grandkids got an Audubon bird that made the real bird sounds, they were so cute, along with the bird seed and a feeder!

Carlee, up from her nap even got into the act!  She is just a button!

My sons in-law and son each received a knitted hat! All in all they looked good!

This is Josh who works 2 jobs right now, so sleep is short and I bet sweet! He is a hard worker, and very talented in all he does! 

My son, Jeremy who was hamm'in it up like I remember him to be! He is my first born, and only boy I had, so will always have a special place in his mothers heart!  His was a little big and will require some shrinking in the washing process!

Dan, is a manager at a Walmart, so his hours at holiday time especially, are hectic to say the least! Retail! But he is good at what he does, a good father, and husband, you can't ask for anything better!

The reflexology kits were a hit I think! I have decide to bring "knowledge" to them all, along with wonderful books, and hand made things that hopefully, they will cherish in all the years to come. I know someday I won't be here!  But hey, I still have alot to do yet, and I know that!!!

Finally it is me time with Carlee, she didn't like me to hold her too long though she had her baba and wanted to get down, she can crawl, and do some walking along things, to help steady her.  There was just so much going on I can't blame her!

Merry Christmas to all and thank you for sharing your hearts with us!

Gifts, wrapping, and finishing!

I did get a lovely scarf done for myself, I made it out of Rowan damask, a very nice yarn. Knitted in a leaf design that I saw on another blog....pattern was free, I can't remember where now. But it turned out nice and I have worn it tons already!

I made these Snowman! A bit of a job, but they turned out so cute, I had to knit them there very own scarf of course!

These are gifts for each of my kids and there families!

I hope they like them! You can't see the Snow texture on them, I used this great snow product that you sort of paint on. I found some old looking buttons and used them too. Hand painting their faces and there "branch" arms!

Finally, enough was made and bought, so the wrapping commenced! I just love the way wrapped packages look!!

Of course I realized I hadn't taken any pictures of my knitted projects. But, I will get them tomorrow, for we are going to be having our  kids and their families Christmas party. The weather is sure sounding like it wants to be awful again. With snow....like 3-5. rain too. Am praying for good traveling weather... our car is packed and waiting for the food to go in and then we'll be off. I am really looking forward to seeing everyone together. Which doesn't happen to often!

With everything as busy as it is, I am surprised I was able to get this apron done for my oldest grand daughter. I hope she likes it, I think it turned out so cute, I sewed lady bugs on it too! I found her a wonderful kids cookbook that was so well laid out  and interesting....

Some Christmas decorating

This year, with all the knitting going on, and of course just life itself, I wasn't able to get out much of my Christmas stuff. Also I have to admit that I was not in the mood! oh well, how many years does one do this, and besides, it is not the REAL reason for Christmas anyway! It is for me always a very precious time. I do LOVE giving gifts, and surprising others, and if I can make something...well...all the better...

This is my tree of sorts. We cut a real tree trunk, and I drilled holes and place the fake tree branches in them......it works!!

Another view of my dining room, with some decorating, I like to stick to a winter garden theme as much as possible, then I just leave a lot of it up for the winter season.

My kitchen nook, and it is a nook with a galley kitchen from that. And I love to cook....

It is an old house, about 180 years old, a farmhouse that has that cottage feeling, with a bit of whimsy. I'm a painter and have put my touch thru-out. It is cozy!

One more view of my tree, with ornaments and lots of birds and leaves that sparkle, I also put in swags of berries for added color and texture. I have done a lot of decorating in the past. I find it a joy to do and have had many a client to please!!!

A recap of wirlwind activity!!

Yes I know, haven't been on the ball lately, I do it in my head and have tried to take pictures of all the goings on!!   Plenty you can be sure. I have knitted, till  my fingers were saying...Hey! And having been called a "knitting" machine. I don't think I'm quite that fast, of course I am thinking of the things I wanted to get done still....sigh....

First I want to show of Carlee, and her turning one year old, here is her birthday cake....

And here she is having her first cake!! I think she was enjoying it!!!!

She had a wonderful party, and everyone enjoyed it, as you can see, the other kids are all about eating cake too!

This was one of her gifts from Grandma, I finally got that sweater done, buttons and all! I also made the corduroy pants to go with!

It fits her well and brings out her blue eyes...course now that I have knitted a sweater, and  completed it. I better get crack'in with sweater for the other 4 grandchildren......oui vei