IT'S A START!

I've made a start on Christmas Decorating Week.  

The first thing I did was to put some Christmas cheer in one of our tool boxes on the entry table.

In a desire to avoid some of my week-long mess, we moved in the tubs of stuff and instead of stacking them as usual in the dining room; we put them in the computer room.  We eat every meal in our dining room and it is right by the front door; so for a week it WAS always a mess and drove me crazy.  Duh -- move the stuff to a room where we can close the door!!  How come it took me 17 years to figure that out?

One of the things I like to do right after Thanksgiving is get out the Nativity set. 

 We actually have two sets -- we have an unbreakable one that the kids have always rearranged and played with. And then, we have this very special one. 

In 1968, Bob was gone on a business trip right before Christmas; and I was at home with a young baby.  He returned with my Christmas present -- Mary and baby Jesus -- a start of a Hummel nativity set.

  I was thrilled, and then over the last 46 years when finances and availability allowed;  one at a time he added Joseph, the shepherds, animals, the angel, and the three wise men.  It is one of my most cherished possessions, and always a reminder of why we celebrate Christmas.

In the next few days, I'll get out the other set.  As old as my grand kids are now, I will still discover after one of their visits animals laying on their sides taking naps or missing all together.  

But they know that the Hummels are Grammy's to rearrange!!!

Must get busy -- two big trees with 100s of ornaments to hang on each tree plus lots of vignettes to do.  It's just the start of things to come.

I'm joining the following:
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Inspire Me Monday
Coastal Charm for Show and Share Tuesday
Kathe With An E for You've Gonna Love It Tuesday
Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday
Green Willow Pond for What We Accomplished Wednesday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
Imparting Grace for Grace at Home Thursday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
Nancherrow for Fridays Unfolded
Pieced Pastimes for Saturday Sparks
Be Different Act Normal for Show and Tell Saturdays
Smiling Sally for Blue Monday
The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Monday

FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW ---

At our church's Thanksgiving dinner a couple of Sundays ago, we sang "The Doxology" as a blessing for our food.

Growing up and into our adulthood, this praise was sung every Sunday during church service.  It seems we never sing it anymore, which makes me sad.

It is such a beautiful melody dating back to the 1500s with lyrics from the 1600s.

So, it was with joy that at our dinner we all joined hands, and all 100 people sang this to bless our food.  Everyone seemed to pull the words from out of their memory bank, singing harmony and without accompaniment.  It was beautiful.

The words say it all, "Praise God, from whom all blessings flow."

May you have a blessed, thankful, and joyful Thanksgiving.

LITTLE BOXES

Occasionally, I get the urge to make something with no eventual purpose -- I just want to make something!  I've been seeing some fabric covered boxes around, and decided to try my hand at it.  No pattern; just figuring it out as I go.
This little project appealed to my frugal sense.  All I had to purchase were the two wooden boxes and the smaller cardboard box from Michael's (under $5 for all three).  I have this great stash of fabric scraps all organized by color and type saved from 50 years of sewing for just such a project as this.

The best part for me is to see the PROCESS of this ----

turn into this ----

In my years of teaching quilt making, I discovered there are 'process' people and there are 'product' people.  'Process' people thoroughly enjoy the act of making something, being creative.  Sometimes they don't care very much about the finished product or its use after creation.  'Product' people, on the other hand, have something in mind for the end result.  They know they are going to give it away, use it themselves, or sell it.  'Product' people sometimes get frustrated during the creative process -- they want to get done and move on to the part that gives them the most satisfaction: the after-life of the product.  But 'process' people enjoy every hurtle they encounter during creation; and consider it all as a welcome challenge.  Once they are done, they are ready to move on to something else and forget the product.  Of course, there are the rare 'combination' people that enjoy it all.

I am definitely a 'process' person as I enjoy every aspect of the act of creating, but not so much the after-life of the product.  

So, I have my same problem again. What in the world am I going to do with three little boxes now that the fun is over?

Are you a 'process', 'product', or 'combination' person?

I'm joining the following:
Pieced Pastimes for Saturday Sparks
Be Different Act Normal for Show and Tell Saturdays
Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Smiling Sally for Blue Monday
Coastal Charm for Show and Share Tuesday
A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday
Green Willow Pond for What We Accomplished Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style for WOW Us Wednesdays
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
The Dedicated House for Anything Blue Friday

THE MANY FACES OF CAITLIN

When she is rich and famous and writes her tell-all book about friends and family, she can write a chapter about "We were so poor, my 75-year-old grandmother had to take my Senior pictures with her 'point and shoot' camera".  

I was hesitant when Caitlin first asked me to take her Senior pictures; but she kept saying, "We can do this."  She has good editing skills, so I knew she could remove an antenna pole growing out of her head if necessary.  I do have a decent eye for detail, plus lots of practice with the zillion pictures I have taken of her beginning with the day she was born.

She really hated to spend such a large amount of her hard-earned summer money for a professional photographer, as there are a lot of extra expenses during a Senior year in high school.  I'm not knocking the pros -- they really do earn every cent plus have an investment in equipment -- it is hard work, believe me! 

So, we ventured out.  She and I really are pansies (actually prissy) out-of-doors.  We enjoy looking at nature -- just don't want to interact with it too much, as we don't like to get dirty, step in unknown stuff, etc.  And, we did encounter wind, bugs, cactus, bear scat, and dirty rocks and logs.  However, we did see a lot of friendly people out and around.  At first, I thought they were smiling because Caitlin is so adorable; but then I thought they must be laughing at the old lady's antics trying to take the pictures. 

Now don't you laugh at that image in your head (but we laughed a lot). 

Over three different months, we did four different photo shoots -- first at two different parks in a neighboring big city; then in the countryside; on our local river walk; and at the historic city hall building where her Papa Bob worked for so many years.  She and I had spent many a time there waiting so we could take Papa out to lunch for a treat after pre-school.
And now, she is all grown-up!

 I used my trusty Sony Cyber-shot HX5V camera.  This little 'point and shoot' has photographed everything from the Eiffel Tower in Paris to cathedrals in Germany to shrines in Japan.  So why not Senior pictures?

And, Caitlin was right -- "We can (and did) do this!"  

I hope in years to come when she looks at these pictures, she remembers the fun time we had in this little adventure together.

These are some of the out-takes ----  (It's hard to stay focused ALL of the time.)

 Caitlin has given me permission to show off her many faces. Thanks for indulging this grandmother during this very long post! 

I'm joining the following:
Nancherrow for Fridays Unfolded
Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday
Pieced Pastimes for Saturday Sparks
Be Different Act Normal for Show and Tell Saturdays
Smiling Sally for Blue Monday
Boogie Board Cottage for Masterpiece Monday
Confessions of a Plate Addict for The Scoop Tuesday
Coastal Charm for Show and Share Tuesday
A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday
Kathe with an E for You're Gonna Love It Tuesday
Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday
Green Willow Pond for What We Accomplished Wednesday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
Imparting Grace for Grace at Home

A BIT OF CABIN STYLE

 I've always wanted a log cabin in the mountains, but that isn't going to happen.  We are happily settled in a cottage on the edge of a town with a view of the mountains.  I still get the urge for a little touch of that log cabin of my dreams, however.

 We've had this twig table for a few years, but it has always resided on our screened-in porch.  I decided to switch things around and use it for a coffee table in the living room this winter.

 With a few pine cones, it is a reminder of the mountain log cabin of my youth.  I was raised on the plains of southeast Colorado where it gets quite hot in the summer.  Before air conditioning was common, people who were able went to the mountains for a couple of weeks in the summer to cool off.  I often accompanied my Grandmother on her yearly trip in August to Cuchera, Colorado.  What fond memories I have of those trips to that log cabin.

  There is always a bright side -- if I lived in a log cabin in the mountains, there would be snow on the ground by now; and I wouldn't be able to enjoy the flowers that are still blooming in our lower-elevation garden!  

I'm joining the following:

The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday

Nancherrow for Fridays Unfolded

The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Monday

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Inspire Me Monday

Our Home Away from Home for Tuesdays at our Home

Knick of Time for Knick of Time Vintage Tuesday

Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday

Savvy Southern Style for WOW Us Wednesdays

Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday

LAST TOUCHES OF FALL

Almost the first of November - I can't believe we are still experiencing Fall weather; but I suspect Winter is on it's way!  Thought I would share a couple more touches of Fall before the snow flies.

This painting, which typifies the Rocky Mountains in Fall, was painted by Bob's grandmother's sister-in-law.  It was a gift to his grandparents, and hung in their home until 1965.

In 1965, Colorado experienced major flooding and Bob's grandparents were victims.  With water flooding their basement, there was an explosion and their home was destroyed -- they were elderly, injured, and never fully recovered.  Bob's mother retrieved Aunt Lottie's painting, cleaned it up, and it then hung in her living room until her death last month.

And, now, it hangs in ours.

With everything that has gone on this Fall, I finally went out to cut my hydrangeas.

 It amazes me the metamorphosis of my hydrangea's color from Spring to Fall.  

 When they first bloom, they start out a beautiful shade of blue; then turn pinkish.

 Now that they have dried, they are green, brown, and maroon ---  the wonder of God's creations.

I'm joining the following:

The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

Nancherrow for Fridays Unfolded

Pieced Pastimes for Saturday Sparks

Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday

The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Monday

Confessions of a Plate Addict for The Scoop Tuesday

Coastal Charm for Show and Share Tuesday

Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday

Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday

"HAUNTED HANDS"

Every year Caitlin and I do a Halloween kitchen craft to share with her friends and family.  You can check out some of our previous attempts - some more successful than others -  here, here, and here.  This year Cait is busy, busy, busy; so we were short on time.  We had about 45 minutes, and this project was perfect and simple.

I found the instructions for these 'Haunted Hands' in the magazine section of our local newspaper.  Check out these other simple projects from the same source.

No instructions are really needed for this project -- In clear plastic disposable gloves; put Peanut M and Ms in the tips for fingernails; then fill with popcorn.

Tie off the cuff with some curly ribbon.

And that's it!!

Hope you have at least 45 minutes to spend with your favorite goblins this Halloween.

I'm joining the following:
Boogieboard Cottage for Masterpiece Monday
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Inspire Me Monday
Kathe With an E for You're Gonna Love It Tuesday
A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday
Green Willow Pond for What We Accomplished Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style for WOW Us Wednesdays
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
Chic On a Shoestring for Flaunt It Friday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday

CANE CONNECTIONS

We never started out to collect canes, but now we have three.  Like I have said before, we don't really collect; we just accumulate.  We have had the middle cane for a lot of years -- it belonged to my paternal great, great Uncle Asa.  You can read his story here.

 Upon Bob's mother's recent death, we inherited the two other canes.  They were made by her grandfather, Nathan A. Stout.

 At the time in the early 1930s, they spent time in Texas.

 The canes are covered with drawings and carvings.

Lots of animals and critters --

We've enjoyed our NEW collection --  checking out another connection to the past.

I'm joining the following:
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Inspire Me Monday
Our Home Away from Home for Tuesdays At Our Home
Coastal Charm for Show and Share Tuesday
A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday
Knick of Time for Knick of Time Vintage Tuesday
Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style for WOW Us Wednesdays
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
Nancherrow for Fridays Unfolded
Pieced Pastimes for Saturday Sparks

CELEBRATING AUTUMN RANDOMNESS

Fall Randomness #1

You know that when I can't think of anything to blog about, I show you a quilt.

I made this quilt top in 2002, which was then machine quilted by Terri Lynn Ballard.  We then donated the quilt to the Colorado Quilting Council to use as a raffle which raised several thousand dollars for the organization.  The quilt is 71" x 95" and contains almost 2000 pieces.  I chose a large variety of gradated fabrics to achieve the "glow" in the center of the quilt.  We named it "Autumn Glow".  It was later published in Quilter's Newsletter Magazine in May 2003. When you make a fundraiser quilt, you always hope the winner enjoys it as much as you enjoyed making it.

Fall Randomness #2

Having just had surgery 10 days ago, I was reminded of another October surgery in my past when I was a young mother.  It was of a much more serious nature, and I was in the hospital for a week.  In those days, they didn't allow children to visit on the surgical floor; so it was a loooooong week.  I'm sure I was much more traumatized by the separation than my two-year old was.  
Is there anything cuter than a squeaky clean two-year-old 
 in their jammies and ready for bed?

Not only did I miss him, but I missed Fall completely during that week.  Due to Montana's fickle weather that year, when I went into the hospital it was summer; and when I came out it was winter.

Fall Randomness #3

These pears were such a beautiful Fall color, I had to take a picture of them.  That's what blogging does to you -- you withhold food from your family until you can get your camera out!

Fall Randomness #4

There's gold in them, there hills!  Colorado mountain gold!

Fall Randomness #5

This mum plant from my mother-in-law's funeral is so beautiful, I just had to show it again.

Autumnal Joy, Everyone!

I'm celebrating my joy with the following:
The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Monday
Boogieboard Cottage for Masterpiece Monday
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Inspire Me Monday
Confessions of a Plate Addict for The Scoop Tuesday
Our Home Away from Home for Tuesdays At Our Home
Coastal Charm for Show and Share Tuesday
A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday
Knick of Time for Knick of Time Vintage Tuesday
Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style for WOW Us Wednesdays
Green Willow Pond for What We Accomplished Wednesday
Imparting Grace for Grace at Home Thursday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
Nancherrow for Fridays Unfolded
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday
Pieced Pastimes for Saturday Sparks

THE END OF AN ERA

Here at Salmagundi we lead a very uneventful, peaceful, and thankful life.  But, every once in awhile; there's is a bump in the road.  Last week was one of those weeks.  

We have known all summer that Bob's mother, who celebrated her 100th birthday in May, was deteriorating.  We were called in last Tuesday to her bedside (100 miles away).  Bob and I, his sisters, and hospice were there.  She passed away peacefully on Wednesday. 

I had previously scheduled gall bladder surgery for Thursday.  After some thought, we decided I should go ahead with the surgery.  I hated to miss the funeral, but traveling wasn't an option.  Bob was gone for a couple of days to the service and to help his sisters clean out the apartment; but I got along just fine by myself.  I'm so thankful that my surgery went very well, as Bob certainly didn't need anything else to attend to.

Beautiful mum plant from the funeral

My mother-in-law was the best MIL anyone could have had -- we had a very good relationship for 56 years.  Is that some kind of record? Who has a mother-in-law for 56 years?  She never interfered, she loved our kids and grandkids, she taught me so much about sewing and cooking, and treated me like another daughter (only better).  I knew I was welcomed into the family when she told me I could put a diaper on a kid so much better than her own daughters could!!!  She said that their kids' diapers always sagged down around the knees; but mine were pinned up there good and tight -- oh, the days before disposable diapers.   

We will miss her very much.

Hopefully, next week I will return to my usual blogging schedule.

A BIRTHDAY AND A BLOG BREAK

18 YEARS IN THE MAKING!

From day one you stole our hearts.  We'll love you forever!

Happy 18th Birthday,  Sweet Cait.

- - - - - - - - - -

  I will be on a break from the blog world for a little while.  My surgeon has decided that I need a cholecystectomy!  I'll be back when I return from anesthesia la-la land.  Ugh!!!!!!