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

Trying To Catch Up.....

With Rudy Day just a few days away, I really need to start kicking it into high gear. With the big birthday bash behind me now, I can really start getting some things marked off my list. Dear Hubby and I are going to Boone for a much needed break so I will be on the road Rudy Day.  And he will be with me!  Two months in a row spending Rudy Day with Dear Hubby!  Can he stand it?!  Can I?!

I will be taking my Christmas Notebook with me.  I have a few decorating dilemas that I have to figure out before all the boxes come out of the attic.

First is this area.....

Since The Wild One moved back home, some of my things from my sewing room had to be moved into different places in the house.  I now have my button collection up on this computer cabinet along with my nesting boxes I made since last Christmas.  I can fit the feather tree up there again but not the wagon so I have to find a new place for it.

And since last year, I have repainted this cabinet to have a red beadboard instead of white.  I am guessing the red accents won't stand out as much as last year so I need to find/make some white or cream accents.  Another excuse to hit the Hobby Lobby!  Maybe I could put all my snowmen here together. Here is what it looks like now.

I also have gotten rid of this table since last year so I need to find another place for my wool table runner.  This was a sofa table that was behind our loveseat.  We gave away the loveseat so we could fit a wingback chair (mine) and a reclining leather chair (Dear Hubby's) in the living room.

                                          

And the biggest adjustment will be to accomodate the new boys and their wild tails!  I don't know how they will react to a Christmas tree.  When they get started wrestling with each other, they can be so much fun to watch ....... as long as you stay out of their way.  Our dog fence is 80% complete.  I hope letting them run in the yard will help them burn off some energy so they won't want to wrestle in the house anymore! 

So far the fall decorations that I put out have survived.  I haven't put all of them out and don't know if I will.  One of my couch pillows has been eaten and a few other things have been carried around until they saw me coming. 

Think they will grow out of it in the next month!?

Blessings, Cathi

September Rudy Day.....

Well, I talked Dear Hubby into joining me for Rudy Day! We watched It's a Wonderful Life....one of his favorites.




I addressed our Christmas cards. We discussed how to sign them this year. The Wild One has moved back home but she is 28 years old. So do we include her? Do we include any adult children that aren't married or do we just include the ones living at home or do we just put the two of us? Decisions, decisions...... We finally settled on anyone living in the house. Us, two adult children, the two new dogs and the cat! Then on to the picture dilemma.


I really want a picture of our two new boys (the chocolate labs) with reindeer antlers or Santa hats but could we really get them to sit still for that? What about the dogs and the cat? HA, they don't exactly see eye to eye yet.


I also finished the first row from my new Block of the Month Christmas pattern. This was an easy row. Next month and November are each rows of paper pieced trees and houses with lots of little pieces.




Hope everyone had a productive Rudy Day. It was really nice to include Dear Hubby with me this time.

Blessings, Cathi