Kyle's Pile Revisited

A while back I was sharing about "Kyle's Pile" that I had stumbled over for almost a year.  It was a pile of flannels with a pattern that I had bought over a year ago and had left on the floor of my sewing area so that I had to  walk around it, over it or on top of.  What was the point of that???

Well, I have completed that quilt and the family enjoyed snuggling under it while they were here for the holidays.  It was perfect.  I had the quilt done and it was being used.  It was no longer a pile waiting for some attention.  Tah Dah!

Starry Nights

(a pattern by All Through the Night)

It felt so good to have that completed, the floor now has an open space, and it frees me to work on something else. No more guilt.

With the new year fast approaching, it is always a good time to make plans, organize spaces and thoughts, reflect a bit on the past and for me it is a time to get a new journal.  The other day I wandered through Barnes and Noble and found a fun new one. It really can be anything type or style.  But something that you would enjoy writing in, making lists in, keeping track of thoughts and ideas, events or whatever else is important to you.  I have kept a journal on and off for many years.  Sometimes it's more of my thoughts and events or things I am thankful for.  But one type of journal I have always kept is a quilting journal. It includes lists of potencial projects, old projects that need to be revisited, new ideas and a list each month of what I intend to get done.  The best past is when I can cross something out and add something more.  It allows me to see that I have accomplished a lot!

But opening a new journal is like opening up all kinds of wonderful, new and exciting possibilities.  Just look at all the blank pages just waiting just for you. What should I do first?

Happy New Year and lets fill up those pages!!!

Until Next Time-Kyle

Back in Our Places

I had a wonderful Christmas with all of my family able to come and share some enjoyable family time.  We had a very cold and "White Christmas", just what Kate was hoping for.

It was the perfect picture of a Christmas in Colorado.

We ate fantastic food, prepared by Elizabeth and Don and by the ravioli elves. Notice their working conditions! That's Elizabeth and Martin creating dinner in the store room of the basement. That's where Ed keeps is special pasta making table.

 We played games, put together a puzzle, watched movies, went to the movies, we really enjoyed Sherlock Holmes, did a bit of shopping, played on a Wii, and took lots of pictures.

 

  It's hard to set the timer of the camera and get in place!

One more time

Merry Christmas!

Now, we are all back in our perspective places.  Kate is back in warm and sunny Florida, Bobby is visiting his folks in Colorado,  Elizabeth, Don, Martin and Ed are back to work,  Jessica is still on vacation and I am putting decorations away.  Holidays are fun  and exciting, but I'm looking forward to getting my schedule back to normal.

Until Next Time-Kyle

The Christmas Count Down

I am counting the days until everyone shows up for Christmas. In 2 days, Kate and Bobby will be flying in from Florida, They will be leaving the rain behind and exchanging it for snow. I can't wait.  Jessica will be picking them up at the airport and bringing them to Fort Collins.

In 3 days, Elizabeth and Don will be showing up. On Thursday morning they will be arriving and bringing Christmas Eve dinner, Greek style.  Can't wait.
What will they be cooking?
Lamb, of course.

Martin will be arriving after he's done at work and I will be home when the Fig Leaf closes.  My sister, Jane, will be here Christmas morning.


Now that I am through baking some cookies and rolls, Ed will take over in the kitchen.  He has sauce and raviolis to make for Christmas dinner. He will have lots of elves to help him, rolling and filling each ravioli.  He's got to pass on the techniques and secrets so the tradition can continue.

We'll be adding this years ornaments to the tree.  Reminders of special places and events that happened in 2009. Here are just a couple:

A wedding program, a Guatemalan doll, a wine label from Napa, CA

American Gothic from the Chicago Art Museum, a Florida alligator, a Red Sox jersey

the best place to get a cannoli in Boston, and bread in San Francisco

I feel very blessed that my family will be all together for the holidays. It will be a wonderful time just loving on each other, laughing and playing together.  That is the gift that I will treasure the most.

Have a very Merry Christmas-Kyle