100 Days of Holidays

Catching up with our family tradition... today we delivered a Happy Fall Greeting to friends.

Our 100 Days of Holidays Book is a journal we have added to every year, this will be our third year. We watch our rituals change and develop and delight in seeing where we were last year at this point. Some days get skipped, some days have never been "observed", and we do sometimes play "catch up"...

For example we missed the day to decorate for fall (September 27) so we made it up today, utilizing the same leaf template for both our Fall Greeting and our home decor!! We also missed the day for Fall Fashion Weeding, so that will have to be made up ASAP!!

Does your family have any special holiday traditions?

My new Scrapblog

G's poncho

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Originally uploaded by barefootin

Just posted my progress on www.ravelry.com for this poncho I am crocheting for dd7G. I pretty much finished ds-2m?'s blanket, but I think it needs a border- my gauge was off, and it is just too small!

Crocheting time has become a necessity for my sanity lately, and I have really been enjoying it. Though for some silly reason I feel the pressure to learn to knit as well - it seems more ...hmm, how shall I say... respected? I dunno- anyway, I have decided I don't need to learn right now. What I really want to do is get better, and learn more stitches, and make more crocheted items.

Ravelry's site makes it so easy to track my projects and search for free patterns. It is really keeping me focused- I get inspired by other yarnies and all their finished work, and all the beautiful variations and touches that make a handmade item so special.

This poncho is a gift for dd7G's birthday (in just 2 1/2 weeks- must get those party invites out!!) and I will be making a matching one for dd2J for her birthday, which is 4 1/2 weeks. Then I'll finish off the edging on ds-2m?'s blanket and maybe this adorable kimono wrap (http://crochetme.com/patterns/baby-kimono-wrap) in the same color, just in time for his arrival about 4 weeks later.

I better get off the computer while dd2J naps and get busy! Happy Holidays!

A whopper of a wish...

Today is Wednesday, time for Wishcasting as suggested by Jamie Ridler Studios- today's topic: completion.

So out comes my laundry list of things I wish to finish... some are recently begun projects- others, not so recently!

There is a school house mural to complete
My autumn altar to assemble and display,
Cleaning out the closets- what a feat,
And to many kids clothes in the way!

I've got toy sorting & storing issues,
and The Road to Gandolfo to read;
I think of college & I need a tissue...
A coat of varnish is dining table's need.

There are plenty more, I could list all day
But my darling little children want to play!

My wishing well is full, and I wish you well!

Cheese Please

When my hubby and I first got married, we loved having other couples over for dinner. I fancied myself a good cook, after summers spent with my grandmother learning the craft. Sometimes my brialliance shone, other times people were polite. Like the Sesame Turkey Ham incident.

But a favorite that I hit upon early which always pleased my husband (and even his funny friend who had to endure the Sesame Turkey Ham) was Cheesy Chili & Chicken Cornbread Casserole. Nearly 13 years later as fall starts to come on, the darling man starts asking for this hearty, heavy, heavenly hash.

2 packages refrigerated corn bread dough (it comes perforated to make cornbread sticks)
1 can Stag Chicken Chili
1 can Stag Green Pepper Chili
2 cups Colby Jack, Shredded
1 can Swanson Chicken Breast

In a round casserole dish (I use Pampered Chef's deep dish baker) arrange most of one package of cornbread strips to cover the bottom, pressing seams together. Bake at 350 for 14-16 minutes, until just done. Meanwhile warm the cans of chili together in a saucepan. Sprinkle half a cup or so of the shredded cheese over cornbread, pour half the chili over that and then crumble the chicken meat on top of the chili.

Cover the chicken with about half a cup more of the shredded cheese and pour the rest of the chili over that, then- you guessed it- more shredded cheese! Use the second package of cornbread strips to create a latticed top. Bake 25- 30 minutes more. Serve with sour cream, diced onions and extra cheese.

That's the cheesiest post I could come up with.

Prompted by Sunday Scribblings, topic today: "Cheese".
If you are reading this on Facebook, click on "View Original Post" to see my blog's new fall makeover!

To my dear friend...

I have not forsaken you. It may seem that we are like ships that pass in the night, and I rarely stay as long as I like when I do come to see you, often falling asleep the moment I arrive. I heap chores on you, my children climb all over you and bounce uncontrollably sometimes.

When you first came into my life, I was so grateful- you made me so comfortable, you opened yourself to my family and welcomed each addition. You were there when our second daughter decided she was ready to come out and greet the world (actually you were a big part of she and the new baby's conception), you have cradled me in sickness, snuggled me when I was sad- caught my tears and muffled my laughter.

I vow to visit you more, my dear bed, and I will try to keep the children from jumping.

[my creative catalyst for this short & sweet snippet was offered by Danette's Self Expression Springboard and if you like Haiku (like I do) you must also see Reality Insanity]

Wishcasting Wednesday: Luxury

Life's little luxuries have eluded me lately. Our budget is tight, and there is always too much month at the end of our money. So my mind dances around, daring to dream, hastily hoping. A luxurious longing... hmm? Sleep is a luxury these days... lingering over dinner with daddy, uninterrupted showers, crocheting, crafting, Starbucks, chatting with friends- the simple details I used to take for granted. But I want to wish wonderfully- so I stretch myself and really let the luxuriousness envelope me. I imagine feeling indulged, like a child getting their dearest desire... I wish for a vacation. Not a "staycation"- something stimulating, somewhere wonderful, with all my little someones, and some serious soul searching. My wishing well is full, and I wish you well! Web definitions for luxury

something that is an indulgence rather than a necessity {Today's post prompt provided by Jamie Ridler Studios}