Have a wonderful and Safe New Year
Sweet Friends!!
Remember... Please don't drink and drive!!
Call a friend, take a taxi, take a bus, use the train, or even stay over ;)
See you next year :O)

Not to forget my Auzzie Friends :)

Santa is Dropping Packages Early ;)

Surprise Surprise there are packages under my little tree.. Thanks to several wonderful people.. I am having an awesome Christmas... My friend Nadine in Wa.. started out Mine and the Pitty's Holiday with an awesome package from Omaha Steaks. Yes.... I got steaks and Pitty got bones made with real meat :) Now all I need is that new George Forman Grill. My other one died last year. I guess you could say it got a TKO... technical knock out :) I had two really good looking rib eyes to cook.. my mouth was just watering thinking about those, and how yummy they would taste. I pan fried them and they were awful! I have been putting off purchasing a Forman because they have really went up in price.
Even the small ones are around 50 dollars now... OUCH!!!

I can really tell its getting close to Christmas.. You ask why???? Well because......

I started receiving gift boxes from everywhere..
They were mostly from family ;) I received a huge crate of fruit from my Aunt in FL. I have received two gift sets of Cheese and Summer Sausages from Hickory Farms, and a crate of my favorite Grape Apple Cider from my other Aunt in CA.
I've gotten the best surprise ever....
I received wrapped packages in the mail......
Yeah JUMPS UP AND DOWN!!!!
I have awesome Packages to open on Christmas Day!!!
You heard me right... I will wait until Christmas Day, with no peeking either!
I know it might be hard for some, to keep their little hands off the packages... but I don't touch until Christmas Day. Heck that's only 4 days away :)
LOL :O}}
I don't think I have the heart of the Grinch anymore.
I think it has swelled up with so much love that has been shared :)
I have to explain the photo to all of you :) The little dark blue package with Angels is a fabric gift bag made by Nadine from Tx. She has included several packages of Hot Cocoa :) I just love Cocoa.. yummy ;) Nadine is the sweet lady that I did the Christmas tote bag trade with off of Pins and Needles.
The fun blue penguin packages are for Me and the Pitty and they are from one of our great blogging friends.. Janet from FL. Both ladies have indicated that I am a giving, sharing and caring person.. LOL do I have them snowed :) I am just amazed that you ladies think so much of me.. I know I Cherish all of the great friends that I have been making through my blog. Lastly I received an email from Awtemnymf to keep and eye out.. something coming from Ca :) I have to say I think I have already had my Christmas with all of these wonderful gifts from such sweet people :) Having each of you...think enough of me to send well wishes and other special gifts really really make me very humble and want to strive to do better in the up coming year. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your sweet kindness ;) Yes it is so very very sweet to received all of these fun Packages. So my poor poor tree will not be bare Christmas day :) I am truly been blessed this year from all the awesome Blogging friends that I have made and I hope will continue to make through out the up coming years. I look forward to more Holiday fun between now and the end of this year. :) Once again.. thank you for your thoughtful gifts and thinking enough of me to call me a friend :)
I know I am really gushing and all weepy here.. but I am truly Bless..
THANK YOU!!

Annie's Holiday Day Out

Before this story begins.. I want to thank everyone for all of their wonderful comments.. for all my Holiday posts.. LOL I have been so busy I have forgotten who I have thanked and whom I haven't.. So here is a public Announcement..
" Thank you everyone for your wonderful fun comments..
and also sharing your holiday gifts of love with each of us"

I had to be gone from home a lot of hours yesterday.. first I had to work and then go to the families annual Christmas dinner and party :) I know the Pitty didn't get to go.. poor poor girl :( It's Step Monsters Family Holiday gathering for the entire family. So I didn't want to push my luck with my immediate family taking her to the gathering.... I have to tell you right off ... I love my step mom!!!!! I have called her step monster for years.. I was very very young when she came into my life.. and as any young child.. I had a chip on my shoulder having to behave more ;) She has taught me so many wonderful things in my life and I am very thankful for her presence in it :) I love her to pieces and I would be so heart broken if she wasn't able to remain a very big part in my life. I don't know what I would do without her.. she has been my rock on my dads side of the family.. There are only 4 of us in Dad's family. Dad, Step Monster, Bubba and Me... so you see she is a very important figure in my life. She is a person that I always strive to be. I can not think of any person that can beat her in grace, manners, and genuine love. She has other talents but that list is too long for this post right now ;).. I am most thankful for her gentle hand and guidance ;) She has tried to teach me to be a better human each day :)
I love you my Sweet Step Monster ;)

Now on with the story :)

Annie asked if she could go to work with me today and do that Mother... daughter at work thing today. I told her yes she could come along and then she could go to the Christmas party with me tonight. I had to keep looking around for Annie today at work. She was where I could see her one minute and the next she was gone. I kept finding her in the strangest places.. look here she is in the Patrol Station Christmas tree ;) Now how in the world did she get there the little Imp???

I finally have her corralled and now she wants to answer the phones.. and was that a mess..she got all tangled up in the phone cords and of course once again I had to come to her rescue! Besides she kept making phone calls to 911 and hanging up... then the dispatcher kept calling wanting to know if everything was ok.. well I had to have a talk with that little lady and tell her that is not the proper use for 911. She had to sit in time out after that!!

Yeah!!!!! Work is over and here we are at the party. See Annie hiding among all the White elephant gifts. The gift exchange is always fun. :) You get to pick a folded piece of paper with a number on it when your number is called you either get to steal a prior gift or pick one off the table. The gifts can be stolen twice then it has to remain with the third person. This gift exchange game gets very lively and fun :) Annie told me she wanted me to steal a package.. so we ended up with hammers and tools for the Ranch :) In fact its the tall package right behind her ;)

APP was thirsty so we stopped by the refreshment table and APP got??? Yes that's right a Pepsi :) Can you see all of those yummy looking sweet treats.. this photo was early.. this table was loaded with treats before we ate dinner ;) I got there pretty early, others were still coming ;)

Here's Annie in the kitchen.. she wanted to help but she was afraid she would get her pretty party dress messed up when it was time to wash the dishes ;) Annie did decide to stay out of the way .. it was like a stampede in that kitchen so much activity going on...

Awe isn't this sweet .....Annie getting a Christmas hug??

Ok Ladies.... do you see this naughty girl trying to steal APP's Chocolate fudge??? She is such a bad little Imp :) See that little white round looking thing in the middle of the plate??? Well they called it Reindeer Poop. Now let me tell you it was wonderful and yummy. Its very simple to make.. let me tell you how.. but I warn you its rich!!
How to make Reindeer Poop
Take one bag of Oreos.. crunch up in food processor..
Add in a package of Cream Cheese to crunched up cookies. Roll into balls and dip into white Chocolate bark...
Easy Peasy and every one will love them.. these poops were gone fast....
Santa couldn't put his finger beside his nose as quickly as they went!!!
Of course I have to lastly mention.... I love cut out sugar cookies and Step Monsters Sister makes the best ones that I have ever eaten.. they are to die for. On the sugar cookie scale 1-100 they are 1000 :) Yes they are that good... I was a lucky girl and she sent a couple of them home with me ;) Yeah!!!
Yes ladies I was a piggy wiggy..
I ate all of those tasty goodies on my plate..
Didn't your mom teach you to always clean your plate????

LOL I bet your getting tired of Annie Stories..
Christmas will be over soon.. and it will be back to what my normal is ;)
I am having fun playing along with Awtemnymf's Annie blog challenge :)

An Evening of Giving ;)

I had the worst day at work today... the girl that takes my place at night was late and the office was a mad house. I was ready to get out of that place and how!! But I stayed and worked until she arrived. I had some very important plans after work .. I didn't want to be late doing them either. I had to rush home and get the Pitty. I was going to be gone most of the night and I didn't want her home by herself :) Because I loves her so.. and I miss her when I am at work :( She had to stay home while Annie and I went shopping on Tuesday, because we went into shops the Pitty wasn't allowed in. Tisk tisk tisk they served food in some of them. I was concerned with leaving her in the Auto.. for fear someone would breakout the glass and steal her!! So she had to stay home where it was safe... but tonight she was allowed to go :) Thanks for asking why she wasn't along on the shopping trip with Annie ;) I am very careful with the safety of my little Princess :) I would hate for anything to happen to her.. I would just pine away.. as I am sure she would too!! If for some reason we lost each other!

Here is Pitty with Annie in her booster seat.. see Annie waving :) Pitty wasn't too sure about sharing her seat with Annie.. its like this is my seat and why are you in it??? Look at that sour look on Pitty's face. Pitty is trying to see what Annie was up too :) I was a good Mommie and moved Annie so the Pitty could set back and enjoy her ride in the auto :) Because we were going to be putting a lot of miles on the little farm truck.

LOoky LoOky at what Annie is doing :) Annie is spending the evening with me and the Pitty delivering turkeys to those that have fallen on hard times :) We drove all over town giving away 10 of these yummy turkeys. Everyone was very surprised and very happy to get them :) Pitty helped me pick out who would get the Turkeys. They were mostly given to retired people and persons that were laid off in the area this year. Sometimes just a small gift like this can be the best gift. I stopped by a friends house....that I know is having hard times. When I handed him the turkey he was almost in tears. I was so happy to be that one little person to provide that tad bit of help to make someone Else's Holiday Special ;) Yes... Ladies just another thing to make my 10 times too small of heart swell.... with the joy of the season. :)

Annie and Me out for a Day of Shopping ;)

Awtemnymf has a fun Annie blog and she is holding a Christmas with Annie event. I thought I would play along and have Annie go Christmas Ornie shopping with me at some of my favorite Shops. I know I had fun shopping for Ornies I hope my sweet Annie did too :)

Here is Annie and me getting ready to leave the house, for our day out shopping. Doesn't she look excited with that huge smile on her face ;)

As some of you know or have seen on my blog..... I whacked off my hair. Well this is a shot of Annie and I dropping off my package to Locks of Love ;) Isn't this tote bag fun?? I did a Pvt swap with Nadine M from Pins and Needles. I just love it and I have received several compliments on it too ;)

Here is Annie hiding among all of the fun Santa's :)
I think Annie thought she could hide and not be seen ;)

Annie thought she would stop and rest awhile, during our
shopping spree. She wanted to take a look at all
of the wonderful fun Christmas trees.

Ok I don't know about you but I just love these strange colored poinsettias. I spoke to the man at the garden center and he told me that they spray paint them and add the glitter. I think they are fun and very festive. Annie looks very cute setting among them ;)

I went to a couple of other places like..... Annies Attic here in my small town and the girl at the counter would not let me take a photo.. I know if Ann had been there it would have been ok.. but I didn't have time to go back later in the day. Then I went into a candy shop ... they weren't to happy about me taking a photo either.... oh well there has to be more Grinch's around other than me this time of year ;)

Crunchy Caramel Reeses Cookie Bars

I don't know about you but these cookie bars look delicious!!!
If your interested in other yummy recipes just
click on the photo to run over to the Picky Palate ;)

Crunchy Caramel Reese's Cookie Bars

1 Roll Sugar Cookie Dough, Pillsbury (or use your favorite sugar cookie recipe)

1 Cup crushed pretzels

3 Cups mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, unwrapped

10 Kraft caramels, unwrapped

1 Tablespoon milk

1/2 Cup semi sweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven 350 degrees F. Line a 8×8 baking dish with foil and spray with cooking spray. Cut cookie dough roll in half and press half into bottom of baking dish. Layer with pretzels. Cut PB cups in half and layer over pretzels. Melt caramels and milk in a microwave safe bowl until melted, about 1-2 minutes in microwave. Pour caramel over PB cups. With remaining cookie dough, crumble evenly over top PB cups. Bake for 22-25 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Let cool completely. Melt chocolate chips in microwave until smooth, drizzle over top of bars.

Paging Dr Mc Dreamy

Hello Ladies.... I just got word that mom DOES NOT HAVE CANCER!!!! It is some sort of lung disease... that I can not pronounced. I am so thankful and happy to hear its not cancer.. Who cares if I can't pronounce what she has.. its not the big C. The damage that has been done to her only lung can not be
reversed but it can be kept under control with meds.
The doctor says she will gain more strength each day.
She might have to stay on oxygen.
She is not too happy about that.
I told her that its better than what we had expected,
and if the oxygen makes it easier for her to breath. Then its worth the trouble!
What a wonderful gift to get this Holiday Season!!
I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers
during my moms troubled times.
Each and everyone of you are the greatest :)

I am 5 lbs lighter ;)

Ladies I have to tell you today was a great day!!!

Here is what I did ;)

Yes !!! You guessed it.... I cut most of my hair off. I had thought about it for a while now and I just walked by this salon and asked my friend if she would hold my hand while I cut it off. She laughed and told me I better wait.. she was not to excited about me cutting off my hair. I don't think she thought I was serious about it. I don't think she has ever seen me with short hair. So we continued to shop and as we went by the hair salon on the way out she said are you going to go in and cut your hair??? Of course!!! I walk right in sat down. The young lady said to me how much do you want off? (Several of you saw how long my hair was....down to my waist. I posted a photo of it on the blog.) I told her shoulder level and she asked if I was sure .. I said its hair it grows out. I'm sure. She then asked if I wanted to donate my hair to locks of love. I said of course!! I then went on to explain to her its been almost 24 years since my last short hair cut, and locks of love was not around then and its a wonderful thing ;) I didn't realize that there was a length requirement. But I met that without any trouble. It was a fun time getting my hair cut.. the young lady wasn't really sure she wanted to cut that much off either... but I finally convinced her to do it. My friend bless her heart cried the whole time I was in the chair. She was shocked!! Not me .. I think its great.. I did another wonderful thing for someone else today :) So tomorrow after I wake up my donation will be in the mail on its way to help a child or adult in need :)

Self portrait not so hot...
Great hair cut.. not styled yet ;)

Will I get whats on my list????

I asked Santa for one thing.
One thing only for Christmas!!!
Do you think I will get it????
I have asked him for years!!
I have been a good girl for the last 364 days!!
I just have to keep reminding my friends...
I have been so good :)
Even though its all about me!!!
If you find my request under your tree....
I am sure.... Santa must have gotten confused!!!
Remember he is already spoken for.
You must send him first class to me in Ta Town.
We don't want him damaged in any way...
You can keep the horse ... I already own 4 :)
I will send you the lump of coal that I received in exchange ;)

Pssssfffttttt as she sticks out her tongue at the two Sandy's :)

Here it is.. I promised I would put up a Christmas Tree.. I didn't say how big it would be :) But here it is... You can see its a this year photo.. because of my awesome Christmas Card from Sandy S and my Sweet and Fun Annie from Awtemnymf :) Annie would not sit up on her own so I had to lean her up against one of my vintage roller skates... I plan on using my vintage ice skates and roller skates in the future for Outdoor Christmas decorations. The two Police ornies are new this year. I purchased those in July I think.. Police ornies are very hard to find at Christmas time.

Merry Christmas to All.....
Have a Safe and wonderful Holiday Season!!
Remember Don't Drink and Drive...
call a cab or a friend :)
Staying over is even an option :)

Quilter's Night Before

by Brenda Groelz, Kathy Rockbugs, Marilyn Root, Cindy Swafford

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house,
The only one sleeping was Quilter's dear spouse.
The Log Cabin stockings were almost completed,
"Just a few stitches left," our sweet quilter repeated,

"Then I can hang them and head to off to finish
the pillows I'm making, fulfilling Mom's wish
For something 'quilty' to put on her couch",
as she pricked her poor finger, our quilter yelled, "Ouch!"

When from out in the kitchen there arose such a crashing,
she sprang from her work, and she dropped all her sashing.
Away to the doorway she flew like a plane,
wondering just what was happening and who she could blame.

When what to her wondering eyes should appear,
but Old Mrs Claus and her bag of quilt-gear....
With her elves bearing gifts, through the kitchen she came,
she directed and pointed and called them by name.

"Now Elna, now Pfaff, now Bernina and Viking,
the Hoffman and Mumm should be just to her liking.
To the sewing room - there, it's just back of the hall,
now dash away, dash away, dash away all!"

"My Dear," said The Claus (as she liked to be called),
"There really is no need to worry at all.
Your projects will all be completed this night,
I'm terribly sorry we gave you a fright.

Sit down. Have some tea. It's relaxing, you'll see.
My friends and I've come a long way to help Thee."
She thought she was dreaming, our Dear Quilter did,
In fact she quite feared that she'd near flipped her lid!

But the flash of the needles and twist of the thread
soon gave her to know she had nothing to dread.
They spoke no more words, but went straight to their sewing.
How the work went so quickly she had no way of knowing.

The stitches, how tiny! The corners, how straight!
This Claus-woman's talent was awfully great.
They finished the pillows, then started a quilt.
Before they all knew it, the whole thing was built!..

Now old Mrs. Claus, she knew quilters real well,
and she knew they'd need help on this night most of all
So she said to our quilter, "Just move over, dear,
I've brought my own needle. We'll get done, never fear.

I told dear old Santa about what quilters do.
How they plan all these projects but have other work too.
So he taught me his magic for doing things fast.
There, that pillow's done. Now this is the last."

They tidied their thread snips, and picked up the scraps
and chased our dear quilters six cats from their laps.
They left behind gingerbread (just to be nice)
and the whole house smelled sweetly of Christmas and spice.

As they scurried away with their thimbles still gleaming
dear Mrs. Claus paused, her cap ribbons streaming.
"Merry Christmas, my dear, now just have a ball!

Relax and enjoy. Happy Quilting to all!"

They finally arrived :)

Opps *I did it again*
I entered into a very fun pvt swap... and bad APP she was late getting her end of the deal completed on time... for some reason I just could not get with it. I wanted to work on Christmas Blocks.. not Ornies.....But my partner was a dear about it and didn't fuss at me at all. I did get it sent out a few days late.. she has her swap now and loves it. Just like I loved what she sent to me for my swap :)


Isn't this little ornie adorable?? It's from Sandy at RaggedySandy's. We agreed to make each other a handcrafted ornie. Well my sweet friends this is the awesome ornie that I received! It's a Christmas Fairy Ornie.. I just love it!! Can you see the fantastic little red polka dotted shoes.. I am just enthralled with those ;) She also has pink mesh in the center of the fun green wings. You can't see it very well but the green trim on her pants is all sparkly ;) I have to tell you there is a lot of attention to detail on this fun ornie.. I know its hard to see in the photo but take my word for it .. its FANTASTIC... I am one lucky lady to own this one of a kind pin doll fairy ;)

Ok here is the swap that Sandy got in return from me a family of three Chewed on Gingerbread people ;)

Here is a close up on one of the little eaten peeps ;) I really had a fun time with this swap.. I started out trying to make those little ornie aprons here on my blog.. let me tell you after several hours of trying to get the bias on I said forget it and went with my original idea of the Gingerbread People... They were WAY more fun to make ;) In fact I think I will be making some more of these really soon :)
I got the Gingerbread People idea from elsie marley.

Just another boring Post :)

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas.. Just like the ones I use to know... Fa La la la La!!!!!!

Cough Cough Cough... Grab me another cup of Nog :)
I bet a lot of you are in the same fix as me. It snowed and sleeted here in Ta Town last night. I love the snow don't get me wrong. That is how we are able to make those wonderful fun and whimsical snowmen ;) What I hate is when you just get barely enough snow to cover the ground and it makes a big mess of driving, your floors and everything else. When it snows its suppose to snow a lot ... at least 8 inches in my book. Also it has to be that moist heavy stuff that's great for building snowmen.. not that light powdery stuff that you want for snow skiing! But maybe you do want the light powdery stuff for skiing... at least here in Oz land we want heavy snow :) For our big, fat and pudgy snowmen. Where was I going with all of this rederick.. well we or at least I was all hyped up by the weathermen saying we are going to get such and so in inches of snow.... well it didn't happen .. so I am disappointed!!! That's it!!! That is what all these words were about... not enough SNOW. There has to be snow on the ground to get the Holiday Spirit at least here in Ta Town at the OLEO Ranch... ... yes its .... One of the cheaper Spreads :)

Here it is Dec 8Th and I still don't have my Christmas tree up and I can't seem to get the spirit to put the tree up again this year. Maybe its because its that I live alone thing and no one drops in for Hot Chocolate, Christmas Movies or just plain old snacks. Just call me the Grinch... because my heart is 10 times to small :(

I did spend the evening last night at a fiends house she fixed dinner and then we made Chex Mix..

Who can do the Holiday without Chex mix??? If you don't do the Chex mix..... Raise your right hand and repeat after me... I solemnly swear from here on out... at least one handful of Chex mix I will eat every Christmas Season from here to eternity... or I will be forced to walk in the cold around the Botanical Gardens during the Festival of lights and be forced to look at the 10,000 burning bags.

Well at least one of my must do things has been completed..... yes the Chex mix ;) Then next weekend Momma Bear and I are planning on going to a small town here in Oz to a candy shop that makes Christmas Ribbon candy.

That sounds be a lot of fun! I have never been there:) After returning home we are going to make my home made summer sausage.. in fact the season so far isn't all bad.. I have watched 2 Holiday movies :) Gotten my huge crate of fresh fruit from Florida from my Sweet Sweet Aunt and have eaten some Chex mix and I also did a tad of Christmas shopping :) So I guess I am doing a lot better at the Holiday Season than I thought... so maybe this Grinch's heart is only 5 times smaller ;)

Project Blue Light

As some of you know I spend my days at the Police Dept helping citizens in need. Having worked for my local Police Dept for too many years to count or do I want to?? :) I have been involved in many outstanding programs that honor our Police Officers. Here is a simple project that you and your family can do to show your local Law Enforcement officers that you care during this Holiday Season. I know.... I keep my candle burning year round. I purchase extra blue bulbs during the Holiday Season so I will have more in case my bulb burns out, then my light can always shine year round. The photo of candles above can be purchased any where for a very reasonable price. Then simply switch the clear bulb with a dark blue colored bulb. Easy Peasy :) So run girls and install your lit candle and show your local Officer's that you care about them during this Holiday Season.

Project Blue Light
This information is provided courtesy of Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc.
Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc. (C.O.P.S.), a national grief support organization comprised of over 15,000 surviving families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, is asking concerned citizens and law enforcement agencies nationwide to again support Project Blue Light.
During the holiday season you are asked to put blue lights in your holiday decorations and your windows and tie blue ribbons on car antennas to show support for law enforcement officers who have given their lives in the line of duty for the citizens they have served. Additionally, this will be a show of support for those who continue to work the streets 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Several years ago, Mrs. Dolly Craig, the surviving mother-in-law of Daniel Gleason, a Philadelphia (PA) police officer killed in the line of duty in 1986, sent her Christmas message to the C.O.P.S. National office. Her daughter Pam, the surviving widow of Officer Gleason, had been killed in a car accident in August, 1989, before the holiday season. Dolly wrote, “This holiday I’m putting two blue lights in my living room window. One is for Dan and the other is for Pam, who believed so much in the C.O.P.S. organization.”
Dolly Craig is now deceased as well, but her idea of Project Blue Light burns bright in the hearts of the over 15,000 families in the C.O.P.S. organization.
For more information about Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc., or to support C.O.P.S.’ programs for survivors and law enforcement agencies, contact C.O.P.S. at PO Box 3199, Camdenton, MO 65020, (573)346-4911, or visit www.nationalcops.org.

Help for your Family and Friends

I cracked up the first time I saw one of these First Aid Kits and knew that someday I would have to make one!! Can you think of any better way to put fun in the Holiday?? What an elfish way to remind your friends of the joy of the Holiday Season. A season that is always chucked full surprises, smiles and laughter.. Do your friends need inspiration???? Well then.... give one of these little First aid kits as a gift. I know that my friends would laugh and chuckle so hard they would fall on the floor laughing hysterically. Isn't that what we are suppose to do.. make the Season fun and memorable for all? I think the list of items would look awesome in a handcrafted pouch with a zipper. Then you could use the pouch over and over again once the contents has been used up :) To remind them of the fun gift that they received by you :)

Survival Kit for a Friend...
Easy to make just add these items to a box tin or bag and print out your own label :)

Kisses: A reminder that we all need hugs & kisses.
Golden Thread: To tie hearts together in friendship.
Cotton Ball: To cushion the rough times, a symbol of support.
Life Saver: A reminder of the times we need each other's help.
Toothpick: To pick out the good in everyone...including yourself!
Gum: A reminder that friends stick together through good and bad.
Button: Because sometimes you have to "button your lip".
Candle: A reminder to share your light with others.
Eraser: To start over with a clean slate.

"Hectic Holidays" Christmas Survival Kit

Here's a gift that's easy to put together and is bound to be appreciated. I know I'd love to receive it! (Except maybe the slimfast.)

• Pocket date book - to track all of your "must do's".
• Bath Salts - to soothe your weary body once you've done all your "must-do's".
• Chamomile Tea - to calm, relax, and soothe away the tension.
• Peppermints - to settle your tummy from overindulging.
• Panadol - to take away the headache of overindulging in festive beverages.
• Cookie mix in a jar - to spoil yourself and your family!
• Slimfast - to kick-start the diet that you're going to need.
• Relaxing CD - soothing quiet music to listen to while wrapping gifts.
• Sticky Tape - because it always seems to run out in the middle of wrapping.
• Homemade Gift Tags - to make your wrapping even prettier.
• Penny - so that Christmas doesn't leave you penniless.
• Marble - in case you lose all of yours!

"Happy Holidays" Christmas Survival Kit

• Bauble - to make your Christmas sparkle!
• Party Popper - to start the season with a BANG!
• Starburst Candy - for a burst of energy during the Christmas season.
• Funny Christmas Poems printed out - to make you laugh, for 'tis the season to be jolly!
• Christmas Cracker - hope you have a cracking Christmas!
• Cookie Dough - because everyone's short on dough this time of year!

Christmas Survival Kit for Teenagers

• Mint Gum & Chapstick - for the mistletoe action you will hopefully be getting ;-)
• Trashy Gossip Magazine - when all the family is together and they seem completely crazy, reading about other people's disfunctional personal lives may make you feel better.
• Fizzy Bath Bombs - to relaaax at the end of the day.
• Chamomile Tea - to help calm your nerves.
• Personalised Music CD - put your headphones on and tune out the screams of your family.
• Paperback novel - to entertain yourself when your family and friends have gone off the deep end.
• Ibuprofen - to recover from the drama that friends and family create during the holidays.

Idea from Home Made Gifts Made Easy

Twine Snowmen

Click on the photo to go to David Starks tutorial to make these fast and easy snowmen.

I just love snowmen as a lot of you know from prior conversations.. Lookie what I found this fast and easy way to make the perfect snowmen with easy to find items. This is another fun fun fun item to make.. aren't these little snowmen adorable?? They are very easy and would really make a great addition to any ones home during the Holiday Season.

Playing with colors

I saw this very interesting blog post about this fun item at Mrs Moen How Tos. After reading the blog post ...I just knew I had to try my hand at using colors to detail some of my work ;)

I have to tell you ladies this looks like it would be so much fun to do.. just go here to get the tutorial to make your own fun items using color crayons ;) I can see this method of coloring being in-corporated in your wonderful quilt blocks and also on Children's clothing items. I could see using color to enhance your hand stitch work... its amazing if I do say so myself!! I can't wait until I have time to try and use this very exciting technique.

Defrosty the Snowman

This wistful snowman appears to be going the way of winter, and we have a feeling he'll soon disappear altogether. He's made from a puddle of white candy melts.

Ingredients

• White candy melts (one 14-ounce package makes 16 snowmen)
• Mini chocolate chips
• Light cocoa candy melts
• Rolos
• Candy corn

Instructions

1. For each snowman, you'll need 6 mini chocolate chips, a light cocoa candy melt, and a Rolo. To make the nose, cut the orange section from a candy corn, then slice it in half lengthwise. Roll the piece between your fingers to form a carrot shape.

2. To assemble your snowman, melt the white candy in a bowl according to the package instructions, then scoop a rounded tablespoon onto a sheet of wax paper. With the back of a spoon, smear the candy into a puddle. Working quickly, stick on the light cocoa candy melt, add a dot of white melted candy, then place the Rolo on top. Finally, add the candy corn nose and mini chocolate chip eyes and mouth.

Recipe from Disney Family fun web site ;)

Now I have seen it all.... LOL Maybe not!!

Hot Chocolate on a stick

I drooled when I looked at this recipe that was sent to me.
I knew right away it had to be mine!!
Doesn't this sound intriguing???
Hot Chocolate on a Stick who would have ever thought??
Not in my life time says Aunt Pitty Pat :o)
Well maybe... Yes new ideas do happen everyday!
There is freeze dried ice cream, and fried ice cream.
Did you dream as a child that the astronauts would be eating freezed
dried ice cream in space?? Well... I for one sure didn't when I was young!
These tasty little morsels look like they are a tad bit of trouble to make ..
but the end result really
sounds worth all the time and trouble :)
You can get this fun and amazing recipe at Givers Log.

Criss Cross Coasters

I Received a couple of these wonderful fun coasters as a thank you gift and I thought they were very clever. LOL I first thought they were some sort of origami coin purses :) ... LOL I had to be told they were coasters. I'm just a ninny sometimes ;) Once I knew for sure what they were.. I was amazed at them and spent several mins looking them over trying to figure out how they were made ;) I was very excited to find this tutorial over at Jolly Allsorts. These would make wonderful last min gifts to add with those awesome wine bags that you make to give during the Holiday season. So run by take a look see ;)

Just in Time for Christmas ;)

Chocolate Stout Layer Cake

Wow ladies doesn't this Chocolate cake look very tempting. All those layers of delicious goodness!!!
I could see me sitting in front of the TV watching one of my favorite Christmas movies, cup of Cocoa in hand with a nice slice of this rich tempting Cake.

So if this yummy photo has sparked your interest run over to The Hungry Mouse and grab this delightful recipe HERE.

APP has found another fun block ;)

I have decided I am very much in love with the looks of this pattern and want to try and make a quilt like this for the new baby that is coming in the spring. This lovely pattern can be purchased from Tracey Brookshier's web site Here :)

To even give this quilt some more pizazz.. Film in the Fridge Modified it. Go Here to see her amazing quilt, she even has a tutorial :)

I can really see... the awesome possibilities using this amazing quilt pattern. What fun to be had!!! And its great for us beginning quilters.
That's what I need easy and simple!

Bad Aunt Pitty Pat

I am so sorry ladies to keep you hanging... regarding word about my mom.. She arrived home from the hospital last nite.. and is having to use an oxygen tank. I hope she doesn't have to use that all the time. But if she does and it helps her to breath better .. then its worth the hassle for her. She says she is tired but gaining strength each day. I was glad she could come home and was able to be with the family on Thanksgiving day. Which means it would be hard to get anyone on the phone to check on mom...I knew that they went to spend the day with Grandma Peachy at the care facility. The facility always has a big dinner for the patients and their families. That is where they were last year.. I heard it was very nice... or at least the family talked a lot about it after spending the day with her ;) In fact Gran won a prize.. a love Christmas sweat shirt. I guess they have entertainment and games and prizes. My Gran is very lucky lady.. she has lots of family that goes and visits daily, and sit several hours with her. I am so thankful my family loves her that much.. she is my angel :) It's two Months and counting from the 26Th of Nov.... the big 100 year Birthday is on Jan 26th. It sounds like the family has huge plans in the works for her.. I am just so sad that I can not go out to Ca for her birthday. It's not everyday that someone turns 100 years old... Maybe I will get a surprise plane ticket for Christmas.. one can only hope ;)

I hope everyone had a great day with their family and friends..

Isn't that the way it works out on Holidays??

Oh Darn!!! I went to bed felling yucky and woke up feeling really yucky... The guys at work must have given me their cootie bugs... darn them!! Well that means no going to dinner at any ones house. Which is ok with me??? Maybe not really !!! .. I was having a hard time trying to figure out who's feelings I was going to have to hurt by not going by their house. After all that concern for several days.. I end up staying home and having some Chicken soup, a Roasted Turkey sandmich and a Pepsi ;) Sounds yummy to me... Oh did I forget to say a Movie too??? I feel good enough to take some photos of recent activity in my home.. so I hope you enjoy them ;)

This is a photo of a King size quilt that I had commissioned several years ago for the Christmas Season. I put it on my bed during the holidays :) It has machine appliques all over it. Each block has a different Christmas design. My friend thought I was sort of nuts when I picked out the red and black material. But I think it turned out awesome.. I love it, and so does everyone else that sees it ;)

This is a photo of my Apron that I received from AwtemNymf it was her first try at making an adult sized apron. Its the perfect size and I love the fact that its also reversible ;) I have to brag on this little apron just a tad.. The finished result... looks like AwtemNymf has made aprons for years and years.. there was not... one stitch out of place. No threads hanging.. and all the seams were pressed and turned out perfect. All the seams were very true and straight...An amazing job for a first apron.. and I am a very lucky lady to own such a treasure :0) Thank you my sweet friend for trying on a new skill.. you did an awesome job ;) LOok!!! My fun sweet little Annie..... she's riding around in the pocket ;)

Here is another photo of this wonderful and fun apron. The rick rack and pumpkin buttons take this great apron to WOW !!! Don't you just love this little Annie.. I entered into a trade with AwtemNymf and I received 4 awesome fun Annie's.. you will see a photo of them later in this post.
I have to tell you that I was spoiled with this awesome swap. I even received some just because items.. like candy, a wonderful fun Christmas Magazine, hot cocoa, a Gingerbread Ornie, and sweet plaque, a gift for my niece, and the list goes on and on .... Thank you AN for such a wonderful fun swap.

I also had another apron partner in my recent Spooks Rattles Pots and Pans swap .. Here is a very fun apron that Nadine made for me... Isn't it awesome.. I love the fun Spook Spatula ;) its hard to see but there is a matching potholder too :) Nadine is always making me the best aprons when we are swap partners.. Thank you my Sweet Friend!!! I don't know where Nadine finds such fun fabrics.. but she is always finding some fun stuff to use in swaps and trades ;)

He He He here are the awesome fun Annie's that I received as trades from AwtemNymf... aren't they adorable.. I received one Halloween Annie, One Christmas Annie, One everyday Western Annie, and one Small Annie that is suppose to go to my wee Niece out in California.. but I am having a hard time giving this one up :) I loves her so. AwtemNymf has said she would make another and put it in the mail to her... so I can not get my hands on it and want to keep it ;) I laughed out loud and told her that is what might need to happen :) She chuckled and asked do you want Christmas fabric on it???


Here is the before photos of some of the dolls... The bone Yard!!!

Ok you keep hearing me talk about all of these Annie's and Andy's that I have been making. Well here they are all in a big pile ;) Aren't they cute???

This is the little girl pile ;) LOL I know the little girl on the far left looks funny.. I can't seem to find the matching fabric.. I know its somewhere upstairs in the mess that I call a sewing room ;) I will continue to look for it.. I must have some bows around her pigtails ;) I do have to admit out of all the Andy's and Annie's.. the little girl in the bright blue dress is my favorite out of this whole bunch of dolls ;) Ms Nadine likes the one right next to it because of her silly little top knot ;0) I think she just likes that funny little smirk :)

Here is the little boy pile.. each doll was made with each child in mind.. they were made age appropriately. If they were small babies they have painted eyes and hand made felt buttons. If the child was a tad older they got stitched faces with some painted eyes. If they were a lot older they got all hand stitched faces and button eyes.