Note to self

In the future, remind V that late afternoon on New Year's Eve is not the most auspicious time to begin non-emergency plumbing repairs... because we KNOW that it never goes as smoothly as you hope.

A HAPPY 2012 TO YOU ALL!

May it be peaceful, joyous and fulfilling for everyone.

And may you never have leaking bathtub faucets.

Too tired to look back

I was planning a year in review post for tonight.  But I'm too tired to think back about the last year.  It's been a busy, sometimes stressful year.  Many great things have been accomplished and many more wait to be done  Several things have been left unfinished.  But now, I'm too tired to think about it.  I woke up too early this morning and couldn't fall back asleep.  Work has been unusually busy for this time of year and many, many people are in great distress (sadly, a sign of the times, I fear).

I work tomorrow and I've got a great activity planned for my patient groups.  Not quite a traditional goal setting activity but looking at taking action to make life changes.  I think I'll play along.

But, even though I'm tired, I'm so excited!  After tomorrow I've got 8 days off with no definite plans.  Woo Hoo!  I'll be sure to do a post on my goals and dreams for the new year but I also hope to do lots of sewing, some baking and, gasp, maybe even some reading for fun!!

And, of course, I'll announce the winners of the giveaway.

150 crazy people read this?

Greetings and Thanks to all my bloggy friends out there!  I've been waiting to hit 150 followers.  I hit 148 and just hung out for quite a while.  Thanks to Mandy (Not our cat!!) and SciFiChick I made it!  I have been saving a couple of things for a giveaway to celebrate.  I figured I would host this either at 150 followers or 1000 posts whichever came first.  Since I've got a ways to go to 1000 posts it's a good thing this is happening now since I've got springtime, garden planning things to give away... A garden planning grid and a magnetic garden to-do list.
There will be two, I tell you, TWO lucky winners of this giveaway.  To enter, leave a comment on this post (by New Year's CST) sharing what your favorite garden vegetable is and a tip for helping it grow.  That's it, no tricks or links or anything.  And, yes, I'm open to international entries.
At the new year I'll draw two names at random from the entries.

Let the fun begin!!

Disappointment

I spent some time this afternoon comforting my darling daughter.  She received disappointing news in the mail.  She has had her heart set on one college to attend.  Even though V and I have strongly encouraged her to have plan B (and C and D if necessary), she has resisted applying anywhere else. But, today she learned that, while she was accepted into the university itself, she was not accepted into the fiercely competitive art/design program there.
After a few moments of mourning, we embarked on a quest for more programs.  She is looking for an affordable (HA!!) program with a BFA in Graphic Design.   We found a few possibilities this afternoon and the search will continue.   At least she still has time to apply to other places.  Of course, we also told her that it would be OK if she took a year off between high school and college.  We'll see what happens.

On to the next project

Christmas is past.  We had a lovely time.  On Saturday, we went down to my parent's home for Christmas dinner and a gift exchange.  My sister, BIL and two nephews from Colorado were there, as was my brother and SIL from here in town.  My nephew, the chef, also came down. He has recently gotten his own car so it was all very exciting for him to be able to come by himself.  A grand time was had by all. My quilted pot holders were well received. (Joyce, I will get yours in the mail soon-  oops)
Christmas day, we had a quiet day here at home.  The children were up early- amazingly, since I can barely drag them out of bed on weekends usually!  I had prepared some overnight cinnamon rolls the night before so just had to pop them into the oven while we opened gifts.  Truly delightful.  We didn't have an overboard gift giving.  I got my serger, a new pair of slippers and a lovely pair of earrings from J17.  Oh, and an IOU from V.  He had intended to order some soaker hoses for me for the garden next year but time got away from him.  That's OK. My serger was a HUGE gift.
V loves his jacket. He does look really sharp in it.  Of course, he says his beard is too shaggy to look really sophisticated.  I'll get some photos of him posing in it sometime.
Now, I'm onto new things. I do want to play with my serger but I'm kind of waiting until my week off in January so I can really spend some quality time with it.  I did read through the manual yesterday.  But I need a project.  I had thought to maybe work on a wall quilt or two next but I'm not so sure.  I found some white shirting fabric (two pieces of the same fabric that I inherited from someone) that should be enough to make a Victorian shirt for V.  I've got the pattern,  it's another one from Folkwear.  I've even got some subtle white on white stripes that I may use for the bib of the shirt and the cuffs, just to jazz it up a little.  I've also got plans in the works to make him a brocade vest.  It seems that my little side venture is beginning more with menswear than anything else.   Of course,  lots of sites that I've seen selling Victoriana/Steampunk clothing seem to focus more on women's fashion than menswear.  And, honestly, I think menswear is easier to sew... far fewer ruffles!
So, I'll cut out the shirt tomorrow.  The cut and construction are pretty similar to the multitude of US Cavalry shirts I made years ago so I'm not anticipating too much trouble with it.  I've got one more day of my Christmas break left, I work four days (Wed through Saturday) and then....  I've got 8 days off!!  THAT should be glorious!!  I've got to get myself organized for all the projects I want to get done.  And, of course, I need to find time to peruse the seed catalogues.  It is about that time.....

Merry Christmas!

 From our house to yours... have a wonderful, love filled day.

And now, for the moment you've all been waiting for:

It looks sharp!

As the sun sets

The sun is setting on this, the shortest day of the year. I look forward to the return of the light as we gradually exit the dark days.
Here is hoping that next year brings health, peace, contentment and good gardening to us all.

Have a Blessed Winter Solstice!!