I'm back just in time . . . . .

for the March Rudy Day! I've neglected this blog long enough.  Time to have some fun.

Today is a furlough day for Dear Hubby.  He teaches at a local high school.  Our school district was given (or taken) 10 furlough days which means no school, no baseball games AND no pay.  But it's nice having him home.

So while he is in the garden cleaning out the vegetable beds from last year . . . . .

I'll be working my way through this . . . . . my Rudy Day box . . . .

That's filled with this . . . . .

Past projects that I said I would make for "next" Christmas.  The basket is full and it's high time I cleaned some of it out.

Hope to post more as the day goes on.  Maybe, maybe not.  I've waited 8 months to post on this blog again.  We don't want to over-do it!!  LOL

Blessings, Cathi

Gonna have to temporarily shut down . . . . .

I don't know about your blogs but this one has been hit with over 50 comments from non-speaking persons just since January.  The last post on June 25th had 12 alone!

If anyone knows how to stop it, please let me know.  For the time being, I am going to stop posting on this blog until I figure out what I want to do.  Hope you understand!

Blessings, Cathi

Happy Rudy Day . . . . .

Oh, how I wish I could say I did something for Rudy Day today.  But alas, we are still working on our downstairs flooring (see my primitive blog for an explanation).

There is no bathroom downstairs or tv.  The kitchen is at the most bare minimum.  But after a long day's work today, I think I may talk Dear Hubby into watching a Christmas movie later on in our room.  Anything other than Christmas with the Kranks.  

Although he is a big Tim Allen and Jamie Leigh Curtis fan, he just doesn't believe a mother would really act that way about a daughter being gone for Christmas.  But then again, he isn't a mother.

We would also have to stop whatever movie we decide on to check on the Clemson/Univ. of SC baseball game.

They are one of the biggest rivalries in the South . . . . but usually for football.  It's just amazing that they are both even in the College World Series.  And for both of them to make the 'final four'.  Both my boys went to Clemson as well as one of my brothers so you know who we'll be pulling for!

I hope I can do at least two things tonight while switching channels . . . . .  going over the Christmas card list from last year and planning the 'project' for Christmas in July on July 25th with my girls.  Maybe I'll even have the brain power to think of the on-line Christmas in July project for all my bloggy friends.

Hope you are all doing something Christmas-y today.  Maybe dragging it on all weekend!

Blessings, Cathi

Christmas Quilt . . . . . one month at a time. . . . .

I won a quilt pattern from Paula the Quilter's blog last year. Since it was a Christmas pattern, I thought I would treat it as a BOM (block of the month for you non-quilters).  So I started last  September with the first row.

I think I have done a pretty good job keeping up with them.  If I don't finish one a month, I at least do several the next month to keep caught up.

I think I am still missing May which is a row of presents.  June is supposed to be the sashing and July the borders.  That gives me several months to get it quilted before I start Christmas decorating.  

Oh, how I hope I have it all finished in time.  I know I have the time but maybe not the will power.  Usually I run out of steam before the end!

Blessings, Cathi

Wow, It's been a while . . . . .

since I posted on this blog.   Right after my last post, I was laid off from my work after 23 years.  Needless to say, I was a little bummed for a while.  Okay for a long while.  But I am much better now.  If you follow my other blog, Shakerwood Primitives, you know what I have been up to.

But with only 7 months left until Christmas, I really need to head things up into high gear.

I missed Rudy Day this month and can't make it up with only a few days left.  BUT I have big plans for June and July including a Christmas in July party.  I may have to make it an on-line Christmas in July party !!  

Anyone game ?

Blessings, Cathi

My Very Favorite Ever Christmas Book.....

I don't know who bought this book for me.  It is copyrighted 1963. But it has been my most cherished Christmas book. It's called Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree by Robert Barry.  It's in pretty bad shape but I would never dream of getting rid of it.

I noticed inside the front cover that my brother had scratched my name off and written his.  Possession is 9/10ths of the law.  In this case, 100% !!

It was finally reprinted several times the latest being 2000.  And it is available on Amazon.  It didn't surprise me when I read some of the reviews (which were almost all 5 stars).  Just about everyone remembered reading it as a child like I did.

The cover has changed but I don't think my kids would mind.  My Dear Daughters don't remember reading this when they were little but I can start some new traditions, can't I?

It's the story of Mr. Willowby who received a Christmas tree one year.  It was too tall for his parlor so he lopped off the top.  The discard made it's way to Miss Adelaide, the upstairs maid.  Then off to Tim,  the gardener, Barnaby Bear, Frisky Fox, Benjamin Rabbit and finally to Mistletoe Mouse who, of course, lived with Mr. Willowby.

A cute, cute Christmas tale of sharing for children of every age.

Blessings, Cathi

24 Days of Christmas.....

Last year I came up with a calendar of events that I made for the family.  It was totally volunteer since my Dear Kiddies are all supposed adults and Dear Hubby has a crazy basketball/wrestling schedule at his job (one of the local high schools).

So I thought I would share.....notice there are a few blanks so if you have any ideas, I'd love to hear them. I might have to check on going to the Biltmore House.  We have been before at Christmas but it is pretty pricey (as in $52.00 a head just to get in the door).  The dates that are in red are the nights that Dear Hubby isn't home so whatever I do, I will be doing alone.

Dec 1st - continue decorating

Dec 2nd -

Dec 3rd - mail Christmas cards

Dec 4th - finish decorating

Dec 5th - Holiday Fair (craft show) in Greenville

Dec 6th - Christmas shopping

Dec 7th - fireside dinner

Dec 8th - tag making night

Dec 9th - gift wrapping night

Dec 10th - Daniel Stow Botanical Gardens

Dec 11th - last minute Christmas crafting

Dec 12th - Quilt group Christmas party (daytime) and Office Christmas party (evening)

Dec 13th -

Dec 14th - Christmas movie night with popcorn and hot chocolate

Dec 15th - mail cards to nieces and nephews (they get money for Christmas from us)

Dec 16th - Dear Hubby's office party at our house

Dec 17th - Christmas movie night with homemade pizzas

Dec 18th - Christmas cookie baking

Dec 19th - finish Christmas cookie baking, Drive around to look at lights

Dec 20th - visit my brother and last minute Christmas shopping

Dec 21st -

Dec 22nd - Hand Applique group

Dec 23rd -

Dec 24th - Church, open Christmas Eve gifts

The cookie baking may change.  I just found out from the doctor that my cholesterol is above borderline and into the high bracket.  Uuggghhh.  So we may have to rethink some menus like the pizza on Movie night :>(

And the trip to the craft show may change if our high school does well in the football playoffs.  We are 10-0 right now.  Dec. 5th is the state championship game.  We've been before and have even been state champions twice in the last 10 years so it is a very good possibility we may be back.

And the pictures, well just because I like them.  I got them from somewhere off the internet but don't remember where.  Feel free to right-click and save them to your hard drive.

Blessings, Cathi