February spells C-H-E-R-R-Y C-H-E-E-S-E-C-A-K-E

I warned you this was going to be a monthly blog feature!! ;)

But it's true. Every year around Valentine's Day, I usually end up making cherry cheesecake. It's not something I make all the time, so it's a treat to have this month.

Spoiled kitties!

Really. Honestly. My two cats have no idea just how spoiled they really are. For a multitude of reasons--one being right now as my lap has been overtaken for one of them as I'm trying to type. ;)

My cats have taken quite a bit of time getting used to Luke. When he's here, they aren't particularly thrilled, so I've started bribing them with extra canned food every morning when he's here.

So Luke bought a entire box of 32 cans of food just for them for Christmas. Told you they were spoiled! So my question to Luke was, "Are you going to be in Kansas 32 days before May?" ;) lol!!

They weren't too thrilled with the box until I opened it up. In addition to the 32 cans was a plastic ball and a bag of treats.

The ball they didn't really take much to.

The bag of treats? Oh, yeah---they knew exactly what that was! You have no idea how many of those bags of treats Skittles has taken down off the shelf and eaten without my knowledge. Usually I find the bag the next morning. On the floor. Empty. Torn up. Clawed to shreds. And lacking treats.

However, the ball was made to put the treats in it. Then as the cats would roll it around, the treats would fall out. Ummm, hmmmm. So I showed them the treats inside.

And then rolled the ball. The ball isn't too exciting for them. The treats they want. Skittles figured out to roll the ball, but Scamper still hasn't gotten it yet. I believe this will keep their attention for hours on end. They have yet to accomplish getting the treats out. :)

Black Friday Shopping!

Ok, so I'm not a huge fan of enormous crowds--especially when shopping! It's something I always try to avoid. Shopping on the weekend is something I normally do not do. But I decided to brave the stores the Friday after Thanksgiving just for fun. I really can't say I was looking at anything in particular, although I did find some good sales! And I was not waiting in line at 4am at JCPenny's for their front door to open! ;)


But surprisingly enough, when I got to Penny's around 8:30, they still had some snow globes left! I was soooo surprised! I've never been there early enough to actually get one! I wasn't even looking for the snow globe freebie stand when Jeanette (a friend I know who works at Penny's and the library!) called over to me and said she was saving a snow globe just for me! :)

It was fun browsing the mall and other stores, just looking around and running into people I know. Some people I see every week at church and others I only see every so often! Or people who work in stores that know you because you are in there often enough. I have a feeling that will be missing when I move to Colorado Springs. :)


I did find my cats a cat bed, which I'm trying to make them use. You see, they tend to sleep/sit exactly where I do not want them to. My goal is to try to train them to sleep here! I put this cushion on the chair where they always sleep and they didn't touch it for a week. Finally when I moved it to the floor, Scamper decided it was hers! And I've seen her in it multiple times. Maybe, just maybe, she'll adopt it! I can hope!

November whirlwind weeks!

November has seemed like a flurry of activities! Not only was I in three states (in addition to Kansas!) this month, but there just seemed to be plenty going on!

Week 1 - I made a quick trip to Oklahoma City over two days. My main reason for going was to do some specific wedding shopping, but it also was a fun opportunity to spend a little bit of time with Jena. I have to make those times count--her schedule keeps booked up enough that it's tough to find a couple days that she has free! Jena is training to run the Dallas marathon in December. That Saturday I was there, she was up and running by 5:30 am til about 8:30--16 miles! Glad it's her and not me! I'd never make it!

Week 2 - Kansas City, Missouri! Yep, you guessed it--wedding shopping! Erinn and I spent some time in Kansas City specifically shopping for wedding gowns, which I am soooo, sooooo happy to say I finally found! Yay!! Yay!! Cross that 2000+ mileage search off my list! Believe it or not, I actually was able to find just what I wanted! Hooray! Plus the days spent with Erinn, Noah and some of her family were a treat!

Week 3 - At church we had a Fall Festival meal instead of our annual traditional fellowship meal the Sunday before Thanksgiving. I always love being able to help with that. Saturday and Sunday were busy days getting everything prepared, then serving the meal and then cleanup. But definitely good times!

at Joe & Karen's wedding!

Some friends at church, Joe & Karen--their wedding was the 20th! That is the first of three weddings coming up in the next year in our church (mine being the third!). For some strange reason I look at weddings a little bit differently now than a year ago--can't imagine why! ;) It's fun to see the different ideas in decorations, flowers, tables, programs, etc--anticipating what I'll do in May!

Luke was here the third weekend this month! He was here just as long as he usually is--Saturday night through Monday, but it seemed like a short trip for some reason. Of course, I had lots on my list to discuss and do. That always seems to be the way it is.

We found these invitations that fit Dodge City perfectly
but not quite the theme of my wedding!

Week 4 - Thanksgiving week! This was the first Thanksgiving in two years that we've been home! And a first that just Dad and myself were here. Last year we went to Kentucky to visit Ryan and Krissa and the year before we went to Alabama to visit Krissa who was working there. This year Jena had to work all weekend and since Ryan and Krissa were just home in August, they stayed in Kentucky. So Dad and I spent a nice, quiet day at home and then went to Tim & Erinn's house for dinner. Perfect day!

And then this last weekend in November I'm in Colorado spending several days with Luke and doing more wedding planning/shopping!

What a fun, exciting and busy month!

Thankfulness!

Dad -- there's just no one like him!

My Dad. Marvelous and wonderful Dad. God has blessed me beyond measure in allowing such a wonderful, Godly man in my life all these years!

Several months ago Erinn and I were talking about our Dads and one thing she said struck me as being so very true! "There's just something about Dads and as daughters, being loved and cared for by them. Who else cares for you unconditionally and has no other interest than desiring the VERY best for you?" She's right; no one at all, no one....other than our Heavenly Father.

I was reminded of that so clearly last week as we spent time in Kentucky for Krissa's wedding.

As Dad willingly washed and cleaned vase after vase after vase...

As Dad willingly drove all over Lexington to find cleaning supplies, clothespins and hangers just for us....going out on a separate trip for each item because we neglected to tell him all we needed at one time...

As Dad willingly drove us girls home, to the church, home, to the church, etc. arriving just at the time we asked...

As Dad willingly helped press bridesmaid dresses and Krissa's gown, even though that's not the typical thing he does...

As Dad willingly draped fabric from pew to pew, hung up silver bows all over the church, set out glass vases and stripped leaves and thorns off fresh roses...

As Dad willingly shopped all over Lexington for a pink dress shirt to wear just because Krissa asked him to...

Why did he do all that without complaint? Because he loves us; he cares for us--his daughters! As I was standing at the front of the church watching Dad and Krissa walk down the aisle a week ago Friday, I was reminded of that very fact. And as I looked at Dad, tears started forming and I had to look away to keep them from streaming down my face in front of a crowd of people.

The look of love, joy and pure content was on his face! I know without a doubt how much he loves us! And how thankful I am to God in providing a father who seeks the Father's will, has taught us to follow Christ and who loves us unconditionally!!

Hmmm...the last few weeks!

What happened to the last few weeks?! That, I'm not quite sure I have an answer to. As I looked at my last blog post, I could hardly believe it was early December. That seems quite a while ago! Here's a quick recap!

- Bernina 830! - Recently I purchased a new sewing/embroidery machine which I am totally loving!!! It has been a bit of a challenge learning all the new features and threading techniques (don't ask me why I had bandages on two fingers for a couple of days....! :)). I took a couple days off from work and just spent that time becoming familiar with my new 830. Ahhh...I just love it. And thankfully when I'm in doubt about something, Joanna is just a phone call or email away. :)

- Sewing projects! - Yes, I had some of those. Actually I've had quite a fun time stitching several things for Christmas this year with my new machine. But as usually seems to happen, I had a couple projects where I was on a Christmas deadline to complete. The final one, an embroidered memory cactus quilt, was finally complete on Christmas Eve. And yes, I have photos of my projects from this month and hopefully will upload them to my website and embroidery blog in January.

- Ryan & Krissa - As it turned out, Ryan and Krissa decided not to come home for Christmas for several reasons, so I boxed up a rather large box to send to them. Ahhhh...was that fun! I get the greatest joy out of decorating a box to be mailed or putting fun things inside for the recipient to open. I spent wayyyy tooooo much time one night printing labels to put on all the items I sent, but it was great fun! And as they opened the box and the toilet paper flew out, I can just imagine the surprise on their faces! How I would have loved to be a fly on the wall! :)

Here's a pic of what I sent:


My favorite has to be the Joy dish-washing soap! :)


- Jena - Dad and I were by ourselves Christmas day since Jena had to work, Krissa and Ryan weren't home and we were getting together for Christmas at Grandma's on Saturday. As it turns out, Jena had a Christmas to remember...spent at the hospital! Christmas Eve day, Oklahoma City was pounded with 14" inches of snow and blizzard conditions that closed all roads coming and going everywhere.

Since the day nurses on duty couldn't leave (the hospital declared a disaster) and the night nurses couldn't get into work, the nurses who had already worked a 12 hour shift were left to continue on into the night. She did manage to get a quick break, but ended up being at the hospital for 36 hours and working almost all that time before she could go home to her apartment. She was never so ready to sleep in her own bed!

- Christmas! - Saturday evening we went to Grandma's and spent the evening with all of Mom's family from around here. Jena did make it home to Kansas that afternoon and it was fun to get together at Grandma's again! Especially since we had Grandma's pickles for dinner! Ahhhh...that would be worth just about anything! :)

Jen and I spent the weekend watching the Christmas Shoes, chatting, laughing, facebooking Krissa, remembering fun times and eating white trash candy mix. (If you haven't ever tried that stuff, you should! It's the new candy I made this year!) The only thing we missed was our annual pitch game since there were only three of us around. No hilarious, funny videos this year! :)

The look & smell of Christmas

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas,
Everywhere you go...

....and so on and so forth as the song continues. Yep, it's looking more like Christmas here at home as well. Last week I put up all our Christmas decorations and started baking some Christmas candy.

turtles!

chocolate haystacks & peanut clusters!

chex party mix!

Luke 2:11
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Thanksgiving in Kentucky!

In actual reality, Dad, Jena and I spent Thanksgiving day in Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky. Riding/driving in a car. The plan was to visit Krissa and Ryan for the weekend and since Jena had off Thursday through Sunday, we decided to take advantage of it. Dad and I drove to Oklahoma City Wednesday to pick up Jen and then head to Kentucky. Here's some bits and pieces from our five day Thanksgiving trip.

Thursday 6:00 am - Headed out of Oklahoma City. Made it to Jena's in good timing last night. However, the night was a different story. Do you know that girl receives text messages in the middle of the night? And she doesn't hear a thing, so it just keeps beeping and beeping. If it weren't for the fact that I would have had to crawl over her to punch her phone, I would have done it. I should have; she probably would have slept through it anyway.

Just passed a sign that said "Free Restrooms at Next Exit". Does that mean they charge for some of them? Must be an Oklahoma thing. ;)

8:30 am - Woke up to Dad saying, "This gps is going crazy. Are you sure it's right?" Looks fine to me and it's right, even though it says we're on that highway when we're really on this one. It's right. Really. Ignore what highway it's listing; just follow where it says to go. (Little did I know that this would come back to haunt me on the way home!)

10:30 am - Time to leave my cherished passenger side front seat and take my turn at driving. Jena's crawled back into her little cubbie hole of blankets and pillows in the backseat, "her area".

1:30 pm - Dad's back in the driver's seat. He's still not trusting my gps, pulling out the printed maps and trying to look at them while driving. I'm not the only one who multi-tasks while driving. Comparing the printed map to my gps....hmmmmm.....

2:30 pm - St. Louis. The arch. Seems like we've been through this city so many times within the last five years!

8:30 pm - Finally...Lexington...only 22 minutes. Getting close!

1:00 am - After Dad and Ryan left for the night, us girls piled on the couch and started catching up with each other and planning the weekend. Chatting, laughing (you know, the laughing so hard you can't breathe kind of laughing) and totally enjoying being together and then finally...heading to bed.

Friday 10:00 am - After breakfast at Krissa's apartment, we started some wedding planning, lists, etc. among other things. Then we headed to the church and several locations they are looking at for the ceremony/reception.

Caught snooping in the windows!! ;)

4:00 pm - Back at Krissa's apartment getting ready to go to Ryan's mom's house for dinner. Jena and Krissa were laughing up a storm in the other room and when Ryan and I went in, they both peeked out of the bathroom like this. I really have considered not claiming them as sisters at this point. It seems as though every time we went back to the apartment, they were brushing their teeth! ;)

Ummmm?!?!?!?!?!

6:00 pm - Southern Lights. If you are ever in Lexington during the Christmas season, you've got to see this. It's a drive-thru light show with so many light set-ups. Everything from Christmas scenes to nursery rhymes to Disney animated movies. As we were driving through, we had a blast trying to figure out what each one was. And then we got stuck on the twelve days of Christmas and could not figure out what the 12th one was, even through we spent much of the drive back home laughing, making up things and trying to figure it out.

Since this is Kentucky and horse country, one of the really cool ones was the horse starting at the finishing line and racing toward the finish line. All lit up with lights, creating the running motion. Very neat!



Saturday 9:00 am - Krissa, Jena, Emily (one of Krissa's friends from church) and I were ready to do some wedding dress shopping while Dad and Ryan went off and had their own plans for the day. Oh my! What a day spent laughing, trying on dresses, laughing, and laughing some more. It was hilarious, plus we'll remember that afternoon for years to come! Especially the swooshing up thing; sorry no details, but those involved will know exactly what I'm talking about!!! Makes me laugh just thinking about it.

5:00 pm - Met back up with Ryan and Dad, walked around downtown and went out to eat at the restaurant where Krissa's co-workers took her when she started work at Thoroughbred Times. Then we decided to go ice skating. Another fun and hilarious evening. I have a new appreciation for figure skaters; that ice is slick and takes concentration to stay up on it.

Yep, that's all four of us!

Dad was the appointed photographer and while he got a few pics, it was hard to get any decent ones. Ryan is an excellent ice skater and so he's been teaching Krissa and they are getting good at it; sorta kinda. Then on the way home, we were telling them they had to go ice skating every week and when we came back to Lexington, we expected to see a show, complete with little twirls and everything. Then Jena said, "Ryan and Krissa on Ice", to which we all started laughing. But you never know, they could be coming to an ice rink near you! ;)



9:30 pm - Dad and Ryan headed back to Ryan's house and someone found the pickles! Ahhh...yes...pickle party time!!! Ok, not Grandma's pickles, but Claussen pickles are a close second pick when Grandma's are unavailable. Needless to say the jar I brought was opened and eaten all in one day. All three of us sitting in front of computers, munching on pickles. Perfect end to the day!

Sunday - 6:00 am - Packed and ready to start the journey home. Since Dad started out driving, sounds like a very good time for Jena and I to take a long nap. Yep, sounds wonderful!

10:30 am - My turn to drive. How come the drive up always seems more exciting than the drive home? Hmmm...we did take a slight unplanned detour through St. Louis and saw more than just the arch this time through the city. Actually quite unexpectedly saw quite a bit of the city. Then got back on track to Oklahoma City. :)

(Note to self: always be sure to check the gps route to be sure it matches with my route! Never thought I would contradict that thing, but let me tell you...I sure did! The thing is that I know where I'm going, but I want it to tell me exactly where to go so I don't have to think about where I'm going as I'm driving. Make sense? Yeah, I know...you're thinking the same thing that Dad said when I told him that exact thing.)

4:30 pm - Jen's turn to drive and then I get to crawl back into "her area" with all the blankets, pillows and my computer. Ahhh...nice!

7:30 pm - Made great time today and arrived in Oklahoma City. Unloaded all of Jena's stuff, dropped her off at her apartment and then headed back out of town. Toward home.

11:15 pm - We're back in Kansas...just passed the border.

Monday - 12:30 am - After almost 19 hours of driving...home!

More pics are here!

Christmas Moments 2008!

We had a wonderful Christmas! Krissa's friend Caroline, is spending several days with us and it's been fun having four girls in the house! Plus we went to Grandma's house Christmas day and enjoyed that time spent with Mom's family!

Here's pics from our family Christmas!

Jena, me, Krissa, Caroline

The true Reason for the Season

This is one a my favorite Christmas songs among so many wonderful ones! I hope you have a blessed Christmas keeping in mind the True Reason for the Season - the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ.



What A Strange Way to Save the World

I’m sure he must have been surprised
At where this road had taken him
Cause never in a million lives
Would he have dreamed of Bethlehem

And standing at the manger
He saw with his own eyes
The message from the angel come to life
And Joseph said

CHORUS
Why me, I’m just a simple man of trade
Why Him with all the rulers in the world
Why here inside this stable filled with hay
Why her, she’s just an ordinary girl
Now I’m not one to second guess
What angels have to say
But this is such a strange way to save the World

To think of how it could have been
If Jesus had come as He deserved
There would have been no Bethlehem
No lowly shepherds at His birth

But Joseph knew the
Reason love had to reach so far
And as he held the Savior in his arms
He must have thought

REPEAT CHORUS

Now, I’m not one to second guess
What angels have to say
But this is such a strange
Way to save the world
Such a strange way, this is
Such a strange way
A strange way to save the world
A strange way to save the world

A recap of the week...

It's been a little crazy around here because I've been madly trying to get as much done as I can this week so I can actually take off a few days around Christmas and call it a vacation. It probably won't turn out to be that way, but I can at least say I had good intentions! :)

To catch you up on my events of the week, which usually are much the same week after week, here's just a little of what went on around our house. Considering that Dad and I were the only ones home all week, it was rather quiet and uneventful, except for Skittles....you never know what she might be carrying around that house that could cause an uproar! :)

Monday: Check email (this includes business, personal, facebook, bloglines, all those daily stops!), ship orders, answer email, update Latte Quilt class database, answer email, upload shopping class coupons, answer email. (Yeah, I know, answering email can take a large part of my day - it's usually not just a 10 minute process! :))

Tuesday: Check email, unpack and restock inventory, answer email, place fabric orders, answer email, cook noodle soup, change the downstairs to a studio to check lighting, background, camera settings, etc. for video taping, go to Meade Lumber to pick up lights, Bible Study with Tim and Erin from church, answer email.

Wednesday: Check email, ship orders, check on fabric shipments, answer email, write and send out newsletter, cook lasanga, blogging, answer email, plan quilt class video, finish video taping quilt introduction, package and wrap gifts, unpack and figure out my new camera.

Thursday: Check email, ship orders (Christmas is next week, so orders need to be out in time for Christmas Day!), drop of some embroidery I stitched for Stacie in Dodge, visit with Stacie about photography lighting, grocery and Christmas shopping, unpack and put away all the groceries, play with the various settings on my new camera. You know, owning a business does it have it's perks - like deductions for purchases! :)

Friday: Check email, ship orders (a large batch today!), mail gifts, online research on green chroma key screens and studio backgrounds, answer email, do laundry, plan next week's menu and food to take to Grandma's for Christmas, call Grandma, answer email, watch Dad installing lights while talking on the phone (see photo below!), write Christmas cards, play with the new flash of my new camera, answer email.

Saturday: Check email, plan food for church dinner on Sunday, bake cake, upload new inventory, photograph satins and upload to website, answer email, go to the church to help with meal preparations for Sunday noon, frost cake (that ended up taking a little longer than planned!), get stuff ready for SS, answer email.

Sunday: Get up and get dressed for church, start cooking dressing in crockpot (I decided the kitchen instead of the car this time! :)), leave for church, teach SS, finish meal details, serve the meal with Jena and Megan at church, wash tables, put away decorations, clean kitchen, etc. at church, come home and fall asleep for over 2 hours (I was exhausted at this point!), check email (personal only this time and check a few blogs!), plan what I am doing this next week.

I think that just about sums it up - it may be lifeless and dull around our house with the same routine day in and day out, but no one ever said we, or rather I should say - I, ever get bored with nothing to do.

Jena was in Oklahoma City all last week spending time with one of her girlfriends from Meade, shopping, going out to eat and having a good time chatting and laughing, and apparently going to Wal-Mart as she mentions here.

This last week was Krissa's last week at work and with her hectic work schedule, she was glad when Friday rolled around! One of her friends, Caroline from Florida, flew to Birmingham Friday evening and is spending the weekend with her. Tomorrow she's packing and then both she and Caroline are coming home to Kansas for a few days to spend Christmas here.

Dad....well, he pretty much did the same thing this week that he did last week, except he worked on putting in my lights downstairs which was a new thing for the week. Plus the windmill pipe froze and burst this week, so he's been debating where to move the cattle, so they will have feed, water, shelter from the wind, etc.

His usual daily activities include checking the cattle, breaking the ice in the water tanks, feeding them if needed, standing in front of the fireplace getting warmed up after being outside in the freezing weather, studying for his weekly Sunday School lesson, taking a nap in the afternoon as needed and keeping up with all us girls. Oh, and don't forget checking the mail, snail mail delivered in the mailbox...that is a daily noon routine for him. Now, doesn't answering email several times a day sound a little more exciting than that?!?! :)

Dad talking on the phone

yeah, all those wires hanging down looks a little scary - I'm glad Dad knows what he's doing!

Church Christmas Dinner

We usually serve our yearly big church dinner at Thanksgiving, but this year moved it to Christmas. Friday and Saturday were the decorating and food preparation days. There are some wonderful ladies (and gentlemen as well!) who always do such a terrific job of decorating, planning and completing each and every detail for events such as this! I'm always amazed at all the things they do!

Jena, Megan and I served the meat and potatoes for the meal, which is always a fun treat for us! The meal was excellent as always and we had a large crowd of about 120 people! It's always lots of work, but always enjoyable.

When I got home (with plenty of turkey, potato, gravy and dessert leftovers!), I grabbed my computer, sat on the couch and started watching the last bit of the Chiefs football game. The next thing I knew it was after 5:00. I must have been exhausted cause it didn't take long and I was sound asleep.

I gave Dad a crash course on using my new camera to take pictures at church today and he did a pretty good job! Digital cameras and all the little buttons are still quite a mystery to him. :) Here's a few shots from the day....

Btw, Dave, if you are reading this, here's a glimpse of the activity! We missed seeing you there! :)

cutting desserts during church

beautiful, beautiful!

setting up the dessert and drinks tables

Let's eat!

the line goes on and on...

Greg, Susie and Roma - the master decorators and organizers!

Jeannette (master kitchen planner!), Megan, Jena and I...after just about everyone had gone through the line....it was now our turn!

the table where Dad sat

the kitchen staff table! :)

Thanksgiving in Alabama

Wednesday morning we were up bright and early, ready for the 16 hour drive to Birmingham, Alabama to spend Thanksgiving with Krissa. Things were taken of here at home, the van was packed and we were on the road!

Thursday we spent the day looking around Krissa's apartment which is just too cute! She is in a really nice area of Birmingham and the apartment complex she is in is just gorgeous! Plus she even has a beautiful backyard along the lakefront. The leaves and fall colors are just beautiful.

Friday we had our Thanksgiving meal with Clare, her brother and her Dad. Clare is so sweet and it was neat to be able to meet her family. Krissa also took us to Southern Progress where she works and that place is a-m-a-z-i-n-g! We weren't able to go inside, but just looking at the outside grounds with waterfalls and winding trails all around is just unbelievable.

Saturday was our shopping day! We spent the day shopping and then returned back to the apartment for some more of playing games and watching Christmas shows. A perfect end to a wonderful day!

Sunday we were back on the road headed west. Traffic was extremely busy on the Interstate and Highways, but we were ever so glad to be home! And Lady and Skittles were never so glad to see us as well! :)

Here's a few pictures and you can see more here in my photo album.

our family

Krissa's back balcany overlooking the lake

Ok, I know I'm not very often without my computer, but...

Jena is totally addicted to texting...her phone rang about all day!

Dad, being the wonderful Dad that he is, had to check all the
electrical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, etc in the apartment.
He's changing the furnace filter as you can see it was
in desperate need of a new one!

Krissa in the kitchen...she had all the candles lit when we came in!