huh?

Wait, wait, wait? Why didn't someone warn me about the holidays? You know, how they are coming up....What? I have had my little Noah's stocking cut out and ready to finish for 2 months now. Hmmmm, still have to do that hand embroidery for the front. Oh, yeah....maybe I should plan some neighbor gifts, and quick since we only have 2 weeks to get it all done. Holly Jolly....I also need to do the Christmas card, and since I have started designing my own cards, I can't just let Costco do it for me (even though costco rocks...seriously, rocks).

I guess this cruising along in survival mode isn't working out so well after all. I feel like I am barely getting the basics done like doing laundry, keeping up with the budget planning, taking care of my kids, and showering. I forgot all about planning for the holidays.

In the spirit of my realization, I thought I would give you my plan of attack. Here it goes.

Neighbor gifts......cookie dough, with a saying,..."everyone needs a little extra dough this Christmas" (or something like it). When? Sometime next week...I should think of packaging too.

Christmas cards....I have already started designing this. Think chocolate, red, and green. Pictures are to be taken bright and early on Friday morning. I have been playing around, I don't think I love it, but it will have to do.

I can do this...I can do this....

Stocking...Thanksgiving? In the down time, maybe my hubby can hold the cutie pie, and I can stitch away. Right?

Shopping/Wrapping: I got the kids done (hip hip hooray), but my hubby, that's another story. My parents? And, wrapping, can I hire that out?

What do you need to do?????

Ornaments...

Yes, yes, I have been invited to an ornament exchange. I have had about 7 minutes between each nursing session. So imagine my pleasure at actually having 40 minutes together last night. I quickly cut scraps of fabric and wool to make this little number. I absolutely love working with wool, yum. I got the wool from our local goodwill (100% wool skirt for $5, not a bad deal). The green, brown, and yellow....from my nice scrap bag. Maybe you want to pull a little something together, if so, here's the info. Merry Christmas.

Here's the scrap measurements:

wool: 3.5" squares

brown: 4.5"

greens: 3"

2"

1.5"

1"

yellow: dime size circle

Fall Brings...

They tell me it's fall, and I guess I agree. The temperatures here have fallen to the 80's, that's cool...ish. I love baking, it is the only form of cooking that I actually enjoy. However, living in the desert means I only get to do this half the year. You know, when the thought of turning on the oven sounds bearable. When temperatures last week dipped all the way into the 70's, the baking began. There is nothing better than smelling something divine baking in the kitchen. I have a fabulous, and I mean it, recipe for banana bread. For those of you who want to make a little something to ring in this new season, give this recipe a shot, you will love it.

Banana Sour Cream Bread

1/4 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 cup butter
3 cups white sugar
3 eggs
6 very ripe bananas, mashed
1 (16 ounce) container sour cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons baking soda
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional).

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Grease four 7x3 inch loaf pans. In a small bowl, stir together sugar and cinnamon. Dust pans lightly with cinnamon and sugar mixture.

In a large bowl, cream butter, sugar. Mix in eggs, mashed bananas, sour cream, vanilla and cinnamon. Mix
in salt, baking soda and flour. Stir in nuts. Divide into prepared pans.

Bake for 1 hour, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Style

Here I am, tending to sick kids and a darling baby (should I say handsome?), and I keep thinking about fabric and quilt designs. I keep thinking about all the different styles there are in quilting. There are muted fabrics, bright fabrics, pastel fabrics, vintage fabrics, two tone fabrics, 70's fabrics, 40's fabrics, etc.....

We all have a certain style. There are those in the quilting world who love muted fabrics, and intricate designs.

quilt by Kim Deihl

Some like bright colors, complex prints, and simple and big blocks.

quilt by Amy Butler

I have tendency to love a lot of different styles. But, if I have to be completely honest, I love the modern fabrics, and I adore simple designs. I tend to gravitate towards simple blocks that let the fabric tell the story, or let the colors come out and play. I guess my love of simplicity goes beyond quilting to all facets of my life. I like to decorate my home simply, cook simply (one pot cooking, that's my style), and dress simply.

There are many who love more complexity. Isn't that great!!!! I love seeing what others come up with. I have seen some fabulous quilts in the world that go the other direction...and they are amazing (just not ME).

So, now I am asking you, what is your style? What kinds of designs do you gravitate towards? Is it the classic quilts? Is it the modern quilts? Do you like curves or straight lines? Do you have a favorite shape, color, etc... in quilting?