All Has Been Merry and Bright

 All Has Been Merry and Bright

End of 2025 Vibes

I've enjoyed a very quiet and peaceful holiday season with all of those whom I love. It has been spectacular! 2025 has provided so many wonderful God given blessings. A new job that I love. Good health, real peace, and happiness.

I am blessed beyond measure and I am truly grateful!

Ending 2025 in a quiet and peaceful place. My prayer for 2026 is continued peacefulness, good health, and profound happiness for each of us.

Happiest of New Years to you all!

Weekend Vibes

 Weekend Vibes

Quilting and bread making, two of my favorite activities.

Finally getting a few moments to stitch up the backing for this quilt. A quilt top I finished two years ago. I presently have 12 finished quilt tops that need to be quilted and bound.

Sadly, I haven't been very motivated in my quilting journey and a journey I am very passionate about. In 2026 I hope to be much more motivated and re-spark my quilting passion.

A new passion of mine is bread making and I hope it continues in 2026 as well.

Rounding Out #62

 Rounding Out #62

I am truly blessed beyond measure and not just at my birthday. This year's birthday has been beyond amazing. Family, Friends, Food, Gifts, and Cards

😁😁😁

#62

Still Celebrating #62

 Still Celebrating #62

A wonder evening with friends celebrating. More birthday fun with the ladies. What a great evening!

Beautiful friends, amazing food, and tons of laughs!

#62

Finally Finished

 Finally Finished

Yes, I have finally finished knitting "THE" sweater ... but I lost at yarn chicken and had to reach out to my daughter for possible yarn to finish the final sleeve cuff.

Fortunately she had a yarn that worked.

Yarn chicken FAIL!

Even with the yarn chicken fail, here she is ... in all of her glory ... finally finished and wearable.

Only a small, not very noticeable yarn difference in the final cuff.

I'm proud of myself for learning how to knit a sweater.

Now, I am not only a sock knitter, I'm a sweater knitter, too! 

Getting Ahead of Myself

Getting Ahead of Myself

Another Easter Basket with a different theme. 

Recently, I purchased a crochet pattern from ALL FROM JADE  , this pattern designer has some of the cutest patterns. If you crochet I hope you will check out her Esty shop. You will not be disappointed.

I purchased the Jellyfish pattern and it is a great pattern, the instructions are spot on and written so well. I just couldn't resist not starting another Easter Basket with her jellyfish as the theme.

I have included the Red Heart yarns that I used for the jellyfish and for the basket that I have crocheted along with the link to Jade's pattern.

This one has been a lot of fun crocheting. I may just keep this Easter Basket for myself. It's just so stinkin' cute!

Here Comes Peter Cottontail and his Entourage

Here Comes Peter Cottontail and his Entourage

This year has definitely been the year of yarn arts in my journey of textile artistry as opposed to my quilting passions.

Why? I haven't a clue ... it has just seemed to work out that way this year.

I began working on my daughter's 2026 Easter Basket a few weeks ago, in the midst of wrapping Christmas gifts I began crocheting the coming year's Easter Basket.

Yeah, yeah ... I'm all over the place.

Every year I choose a theme for the Easter Basket and this year I decided on an actual Easter theme ... an Easter Bunny

But once I got started I realized there is rarely just one bunny and decided that Peter Cottontail surely has an entourage of colorful bunnies.

I still have to crochet the basket handle and a few extra details to my design.

Peter and his Entourage

Celebrating

 Celebrating

This year I gifted myself a new mailbox for my birthday!

And, I love it so much!

Yesterday, I spent a wonderful day at my brother and sister-in-laws house making cookies and candies. Every year I always plan to have a cookie and candy making day but somehow I never get around to it. This year, my sister-in-law made it happen for me. It was the best day and I enjoyed it so much.

This morning I opened birthday gifts that came in the mail last week. These two items have been on my wish list. I can't wait to get it set up.

Birthday cards and gifts.

And, I am still enjoying my annual birthday gift, the gift that keeps on giving.

My cup runneth over and I am so very thankful. 

#62

My baby girl came by my office and brought me a birthday cake and flowers.

Truly, I am blessed beyond measure and so incredibly thankful and grateful. My 62nd birthday has been nothing short of amazing!

Celebrate Good Times C'mon!

 Celebrate Good Times C'mon!

I am extremely fortunate that my family always makes a big deal about my December birthday. When I was a child my mom would not stand for the dual gift. You know the one, this is for her birthday and Christmas, setting the tone that that was not appreciated or allowed. I've always had a birthday party or dinner and celebrated on my birthday (or before). 

Through the years my children have really embraced celebrating me and my birthday completely separate from the seasonal holiday trappings. And, this year has been no exception.

Dinner at one of our area's finest eateries, the Copper Cellar

A leisurely dinner with dessert, enjoying great conversation and each other's company.

From there a birthday shopping trip to a new to us jewelry store for a little birthday bling.

#62

I am so blessed.

Success!

 Success!

There is nothing like the feeling of accomplishing a goal you have set for yourself ... except for watching your child achieve one of their goals.

My youngest son is now a Pilot.

My Favorite Yearly Birthday Gift

 My Favorite Yearly Birthday Gift

The Advent Calendar by Stitch Supple Co.

Happy Birthday to me!

#62

It's The Most Wonderful Time of The Year ...

 It's The Most Wonderful Time of The Year ...

My birth month! hahaha!

#62

Are You Ready to Rumble ...

 Are You Ready to RUMBLE ...

#iceicebaby

I rounded out the Thanksgiving weekend with a great evening with friends at a Knoxville Ice Bears Hockey game. 

My Girl

 My Girl

My girl and I have been sharing one adventure after another the past few months. We've learned how to weave baskets, how to make mosaic lamps, and use a knitting machine to make a hat but a couple of weeks ago we decided that a Sunday morning brunch was the ticket.

My Girl had never been to Chesapeake's, a local eatery that my girl mentioned she had never been to so that is where we went.

Crusty fresh bread, crab stuffed mushrooms, champagne cocktails, and an amazing surf n turf. Topped off with key lime pie and white chocolate macadamia banana pudding.

And time spent with my girl is always the best!

I managed to snag one of the Dunkin Donut's WICKED tins full of munchkins. Munchkins are my girls favorite.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to snag one of the Starbucks bears.

HAHAHAHA!!! I couldn't have said it better myself!

😎😎😎

Adult children are so much fun!

Festival of Tables

 Festival of Tables

What a blessing, I spent a wonderful evening with friends in fellowship at East Maryville Baptist Church.

Me and the ladies

The tables were decorated differently by members of the church and they were all so beautiful and thoughtfully decorated. We were asked to vote on our favorite tablescape and it was so fun walking around looking at all of the tables and talking with everyone.

The gentlemen of the church served us an amazing and delicious dinner ... and I chose carrot cake for dessert. It did not disappoint.

It was a wonderful evening from beginning to end. Sherree Bowen the guest speaker was so uplifting and encouraging. And, I enjoyed seeing and spending time with sweet friends.

It was a powerful evening.