Happy Easter 2026

 Happy Easter 2026

The Easter Basket I made for my daughter this year is even more special. The theme this year is all about "the baby boy!"

Here comes the SON!

2026 - Here We Go!

 2026 - Here We Go!!!

The past few years I have completed a yearly BINGO card of goals. I love a list!

I won't lie ... a blank BINGO card is pretty intimidating!

But, pretty exciting too!

The possibilities are endless!

2026 ... Here We Go!!!

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

All Hallows Eve

 All Hallows Eve

The veil is thin, time to honor our loved ones who have passed, and to carve a pumpkin or two.

I spent an evening earlier in the week at my daughter's home carving pumpkins. We shared dinner and a tasty pumpkin roll dessert, champagne cocktails, and a great time carving our pumpkins.

Here we go ...

Pumpkin guts .... hahahaha!

Pumpkin roll ... tasty dessert

Here they are ...

Carved pumpkins ready for Halloween

Family - Gibson

Family

Gibson Family

My Mom was here for a visit the end of September and we spent a Saturday making flower arrangements and setting them on the graves of our loved ones.

My great grandparents, my grandparents, and my Dad are laid to rest here. My Mom always has wonderful memories and unheard stories to share about life lived with these people and I have wonderful memories of my own as well.

It was a beautiful Fall day, bright blue skies, a gentle breeze, and peacefulness.

We had lunch at a favorite hometown spot and returned to Knoxville with the joyful hearts full of remembering.

 

Celebrations

 Celebrations

At the end of June my daughter and I had the pleasure and honor of attending the wedding of a long time friend's daughter. It is an honor to attend the wedding of a child you have watched grow up.

The bride was beautiful, the shared vows were heartfelt, the couple glowed with happiness, and it was a perfect wedding. We enjoyed every moment and ended up with 2 pictures due to enjoying every moment.

One picture at the wedding and one picture of the morning after the wedding.

As it should be.

We traveled a bit for the wedding and the venue chosen was amazing and absolutely perfect.

Our hotel accommodations included breakfast which was delicious. 

Celebrating With Family

 Celebrating With Family

Celebrating July 4th out on my brother's farm. It was an amazing cookout and fireworks show with family and friends.

Note ... I only have 2 pictures because I was enjoying the celebration, my family and friends, the fireworks and the food.

As it should be ...

It was a wonderful evening!

Cherry Bounce

 Cherry Bounce

Holiday Cheer Prep

Interestingly enough when trying to live more intentionally you begin to realize that if you want to have something special for the holidays you have to plan and execute some things well in advance.

Such as the making of Cherry Bounce. There are many recipes for Cherry Bounce but basically it is fresh pitted sweet and/or tart cherries, sugar, and a liquor of choice. As I was also making vanilla at the time I used vodka. 

Combine the ingredients in an air tight container, I used a mason jar, and store in a cool dark place for 6 months. 

Come Christmas and New Years this Cherry Bounce will be used in one of our family favorites, Champagne Cocktails.

CHEERS!!! 

Easter 2025

 Easter 2025

We celebrated Easter with lunch at Olive Garden, champagne cocktails, and an afternoon crocheting together.

I loved every minute of it.

2025 Crocheted Easter Basket

Sugar Skulls

And a bit of Easter basket bounty.

My girl has caught the crochet bug and she is going like gangbusters!

Makers gonna make!

I worked on crocheting a few pastel color eggs since we didn't color eggs this year.

Proof that my girl enjoyed her Easter basket bounty.

It was a wonderful day.

Thanks be to God

Snap Chat Photo Filters

 Snap Chat Photo Filters

Each year on Christmas day, my daughter and I play around on the Snap Chat App. They have the silliest photo filters. Well, this year was no exception.

Below are a few of the photo filters we used.

??? I would think that one Santa hat per person would be enough ???

Such silly filters

Merry Christmas 2024

Santa's Elves

Me as a Christmas tree ... I feel like I look like a Whoo from Whooville!

Or a 20 year old me as a Whoo from Whooville ...

My daughter as a Christmas tree 💖

Happy New Year's Eve

Christmas 2024

 Christmas 2024

Another wonderful Christmas spent with my daughter.

Each year she hosts, Christmas at her house and every year it is wonderful, relaxed, and joyous!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

December Is Always Busy and Bright

 December Is Always Busy and Bright

I'm a December baby, so even though my birthday is the 15th, I begin celebrating on the 1st. For the past 5 years I have been gifted a wonderful Advent Calendar by the Stitch Supply Co.

This gift has become the highlight of each December.

The Stitch Supply Co

really goes all out. There are so many notions and personalized gifts. Each day brings a new little box with a truly special gift.