Friday, December 31, 2010

Family

Jonathan in his riding gear Christmas morning showing off his "trunk." Last summer he visited with us. On his way home, he passed a guy hauling a BMW bike in his pickup bed. The guy passed Jonathan and flagged him over. The motor had blown in his BMW, and he was taking it to sell for scrap. He GAVE Jonathan the trunk! This is not a cheap motorcycle accessory! It mounts to the luggage rack. And, as you can see, is removable and functions as a piece of luggage! Monday Jonathan and Sam stopped by the courthouse for a retirement reception for the outgoing county judge and one of the commissioners. (Of course, that's where I work now.) His uncle is a friend of the commissioner and was at the reception. When I moved back home in 2004 and saw Mike for the first time in about 5 or 6 years, I was so surprised how much he looked like his mother...shape of face, chin, etc, but he especially looks like his dad. Everyone who knew Jonathan's dad talks about how much Jonathan looks like him...and Ron looked like his dad...only he was a bit taller than Mike.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

KIndle Cover

Thanks to Erin, John, and Colt, I have a Kindle. I would love an Oberon cover for it... http://www.oberondesign.com/ ...and a matching purse. Well, maybe not the purse, but I still LOVE the Kindle cover...it may become a reality...just have to decide on the pattern. In the meantime, I've made my own cover. The hardest part was sticking velcro to the back of the brand new Kindle! I did some online research and this is the most secure manner to ...secure the Kindle in the quilted case. Cardboard insertions for protection. Recognize the basic block pattern? Yep! Left over from Isabel's quilt. This block had a problem so I made another for the quilt. Since this is my 'prototype,' I used this block. I still love the colors! So far, I have found only one thing to change. The ponytail elastic needs to be shorter to make a tighter fit around the button. And I'm trying to figure out how to and where to put a pocket for the charger and headphones (when I get them). I will probably just have to make a matching zipper bag to drop in my purse.

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Merry Christmas

For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Tigers THREE-Peat

The Tigers did it again! Texas Class 2A. THREE years in a row!!

This year's team adds to previous wins beginning in 1968 and continuing in 1983 and 1985.

Kudos to the team!

For the last five years, I subbed for these children...LOL as I called them in class when they got too rowdy...YOUNG MEN! So know them all. I pray that they take the memory of their high school years and apply the hard work to their future studies and life.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

One Celebration Down

Just a couple more to go...

I have been craving a coconut cake for several months now. But I was dieting.


BTW (by the way), I'm no longer going to the gym. I lost about 15-17 pounds. Have gained NONE back as of Friday...not saying a thing about yesterday. I will not be eating supper tonight. Because...

LOOK AT THIS CAKE!!!
It is from Good Morning America...Sam Champion's dad's favorite cake. http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/recipe?id=12400700

I had to make some changes because I couldn't find coconut milk. I purchased a can of cream of coconut intending to mix 4-5 tablespoons of the coconut cream with milk. I opened the can...and there was a black spot in it at the seam of the can so into the trash it went. I just used plain ol milk. The recipe also called for coconut flavoring. I just used vanilla flavoring. And I used all real butter in the buttercream icing. The cake is/was :o) DELICIOUS!

Sam requested a cherry pie made with Colorado tart cherries.
Table set with the unimportant stuff. :o) Carol with her grand nephew Colt for the very first time. See the blanket I crocheted?! ;-) Erin said it is sooo soft. The funnest gifts! These little things are called Sing-a-ma-jigs. They are so much fun! I bought one for Colt, one for Isabel, and one for ME!!! Only I gave it to Carol. Each has a different 'voice.' They can - ahem - sing in harmony. Jibber-jabber to each other. OR Each has their very own song to sing solo. (As long as you can continue to squeeze their tummy in rhythm that is.) I was in a local store looking for something specific for Colt, but couldn't find it...and since he's not but five weeks old, I figured he wouldn't get his feeling hurt if I waited until I could find it. But I stumbled across these in the store and fell in love! I put the blue guy in his stocking and the red one in Isabel's stocking. AND...they are for 3 years +. But I knew that John and Cody (except Cody had to work) would enjoy them. We all sat around passing them back and forth and playing with them. I'm telling ya...You've GOT to get one...in each color!!! Yes...there are more than three available.

I sat around every night this last week crocheting scarves. Plan A did not work because I didn't have enough yarn. So on to Plan B. I made three scarves, but only gave two away...this red one to Brook
and a very pretty dark blue to Erin. Colt getting after the grub.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Lighthouse

While I had the machine embroidery attachment hooked up, I did a couple of towels for some friends. I wanted to do two different designs, but the only other lighthouse design I had on my computer was too detailed for what I wanted. So...I just used two different colors. I think Ben and Pat will be able to tell which towel belongs to whom.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Beautiful Monday

It was a clear cold 24 degrees this morning! I LOVE IT! Cold. No wind to amount to anything. Dry. I moved my potted plants in Saturday so they are safe. We don't have any pets. Propane tank is full. Contentment. No change in the seasons...or very little change...is one of the main reasons I did not like living on the Gulf coast. ...Well not ON the coast, but 10 miles from it. (Although according to the weather report...they got rather chilly down there today too. And my poor baby is down there riding a motorcycle back and forth to work and home.)

I made beef stew for supper Sunday night. Browned the flour-dredged meat and put it in a slow cooker with potatoes, onions, carrots, bay leaves, garlic, tomatoes. Simmered on high all afternoon. Served with a pan of homemade cornbread. Sam bragged and bragged on the cornbread. This morning I ladled some into a container and put it in a soft-sided insulated bag and left it in the Tahoe. When I left for lunch...it was 42 degrees. Perfect! I drove to Mama's for lunch. She did not know that I was coming. First thing, she asked me to change the sheets on her bed. :o) Gotta love her! She had already been to town for lunch but she sat with me in the kitchen while I ate. (YES! I brought enough stew for her supper!!! What kind of daughter do you think I am?) I plan to do that again...maybe once or twice a week.

This is what I saw on the way back to work...
Saturday, I made three stockings...All of the adults have one like Erin's. I threw the other two together with fabric from my stash. As the babies (remember, Colt is only a month old and Isabel isn't even born yet) develop personalities, I'll make appropriate stockings for them.

Sam celebrated his 75th birthday last Thursday! I did not have time to make his all time favorite dessert for his birthday, but I told him that I would do it Saturday. Weeeelllllllll.....Saturday I forgot. I cleaned house. Decorated a bit for Christmas. Made the three stockings. I don't know when I had the head thump moment...but first thing Sunday morning I started preparing the dried apricot filling. Sam noticed it when he walked through the kitchen. He asked what happened to Saturday? I asked if he remembered that I told him I would make them Saturday. Well, of course. I got busy cleaning house and decorating. But I'm making them now. :o)


He worked in the wood shop Sunday afternoon. When he came in he asked where they all were?
Usually there's about a dozen. I made them bigger this time. But there's ONLY seven. They're bigger though.

His sister is in from Bay City. She spent the night at Elton and Carol's. Elton and Linda came up and Sam joined them to go see Colt. But, last night...Sam and I discussed the apricot fried pies. At first there were seven. After supper there were only FIVE! Did he want to share them? LOL He told me to put them in the pantry. HECK NO! He's not sharing his apricot fried pies with anybody!!! But me... ;o)

Saturday, December 11, 2010

New Job Training

And I've been running around catching up with myself. WHEW! What a busy, busy life! I have been working two jobs. The first day I came straight home from the courthouse...well...I felt like I had 4 hours to get supper ready. LOL Actually got to sit down for a few minutes. I've been busy with the Friends of the Library, the Chamber of Commerce, and working full time training at the Courthouse.

The Friends hosted our second annual Breakfast With Rudolph last Saturday.
And we had photo problems AGAIN! The photos are the only charge - or should I say "suggested donation." Breakfast is free. Sitting on Rudolph's lap is free. The $1 'donation' for the photos in no way covers the expense. I think we need to just put a donation jar on the counter and print hahahahaha free photos. Then they can donate whatever they want. We are going to try a different photo approach next year and also tell parents/aunts/uncles/grandparents/whoever to be sure to bring their own camera. Or maybe that's just what we need to do to start with!

That over with - the Chamber sponsored Christmas parade and concert in the park was Monday night. And voting for new directors is ongoing. I've been going to the Chamber office during lunch and after work. The directors' meeting was Tuesday night and with a bit of help, I got the 2011 billing envelopes sealed and stamped and in the mail afterwards. Finishing everything up during noon Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday...sigh... I will now check the mail only a couple of times a week. Yes. Interviews are ongoing for my replacement. And I told the directors that I would train my replacement. One business woman fussed that if this were next year...after retirement...that she would love it! Sorry...


The job training is going smooth. I'm am really excited about the first of the year when the new judge comes in. We've both got a lot of learning to do...her waaaay more than me of course!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Look What Came to Stay With Me...

All the way from Cherry in Australia!! Aren't they just too cute?!

Remember I sent her the Texas shaped sun-catcher? This is what she sent me in return.

Thanks Cherry!!

Monday, December 6, 2010

Baby Shower

Isabel's this time. Brook opening gifts while Cody looks on. Of course I just took photos of the gifts I gave. ;o) This is the same pattern that I used for Colt's quilt. K-Twister by a quilting friend from Wisconsin, Jean aka Jayardi.This was such a cute idea. I think it was Cody's. They furnished plain white onesies and colored markers. This was my creation with Sam's help. Cody told me that I needed to notify the phone company and get the 1-800 number. LOL I had to take a photo of this one for the Daingerfield Tigers. Just two games to go for the State title. Brook and Cody married a little over four years ago in Vegas. While we were at their house for Thanksgiving, I removed the original photo from the frame. Cody and I both took some pictures of it with my camera. I think it made a fairly decent copy. I printed it to fit an 8 x 10" frame to replace a high school photo of Brook in our rogue's gallery.

Friday, November 26, 2010

My Turn!

We went to Brook and Cody's for a delicious Thanksgiving dinner. Drove to the dealership where we got the Tahoe to have a couple of squeaks taken care of. Stopped to see Colt...Yeah...Erin and John too...but they are incidental. ;o) (John was at work.)

Erin is a sweetheart. She said, "I bet Colt wants you to pick him up." What else could I do? Insult her?


I sat down with him, looked at Sam, and told him to get the camera out of my purse. Ta-da!
The dealership called that the Tahoe was ready (we were in a courtesy car). Sam went to swap out. Erin and I went to Target and Hobby Lobby. She said it was a whole lot easier with help. I do remember!

Monday, November 22, 2010

Do I Hear a Big...

...Awwww Funny thing happened.

Sam has a camera.

I have a camera.

I took several photos of him holding Colt.

He pulled his camera out several times.

Guess how many he took of me?

See below...

Yep. That's me on the far left out of reach of the camera flash watching television. But you can see who has 100% of Erin's attention!

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Change of Plans

I have been pleasantly surprised. When the county judge decided to retire after this term, we knew that we would be getting a new county judge. We had people running in two parties for the position. After the November 2 election, we now know who it will be. Since the judge is retiring...so is his administrative assistant.

After the primary, I plastered my resume around the courthouse because there is going to be personnel changes in several offices. Then, the part time position with the Chamber of Commerce opened up and after interviewing, I was offered this position. I thought that part time would be sufficient. Unfortunately, while it helps "this" month, it does nothing for my retirement. I could see that some day I might have to sell my home and downsize. I do not want to HAVE to do that. If I want to is one thing...but to HAVE to is a whole 'nuther ball game. (Don't know what happened to the font!!)

I made sure that the county judge-elect had a copy of my resume. I interviewed Monday afternoon. Around 5 p.m. that same day, she called and offered the position to me. I was shocked. With this economy...

I learned a long time ago to pray for MY job. Not to pray for "A" job or "THAT" job. This time I also prayed that the CJ-elect be guided in her decision. I do NOT want someone else's job!

I honestly thought that I had blown the interview because of one of the duties that I had no knowledge about. Not something hard...just something I did not expect. The few years that I worked across the hall in the probation department and I did not know that the CJs office handled indigent cases. I repeated that about three times. I turned to the CJ-elect and said, "It's not a problem. I just didn't know that."

I walked out after the interview and did the head thump (when no one was watching of course!). Well, I thought. I'll be keeping the part time job a while longer. So when the call came in. I was shocked. Elated. Jumping out of my skin. HALLELUJAH!

But then I had to tell my current employers. That was hard. I fully intended this job to be my last before real retirement. It's been handled. Now the world knows.

And I need new clothes. YIPPEE...except I HATE shopping for clothes. I pretty much hate shopping for anything.

Oh.

Except maybe yarn.

And definitely quilt fabric. :o)


Monday, November 15, 2010

Welcome to the World!

Colt Hughlan
Born Sunday, November 14
2:37 p.m.
6 pounds 1 ounce

Proud Grandpa

Sam, John, Erin, Colt Everyone, thanks for the congratulations and best wishes!

Friday, November 12, 2010

Camper, Stump, etc.

Shortly after we got the camper and pickup we took a trip to Colorado. We purchased the camper because we were going to spend summers in Colorado after Sam retired, I quit my job, and we moved back 'home.' We didn't I mentioned at the family reunion that I would like to sell it. Just via word of mouth, we have several interested. So...here's what it looks like. Click on the photo to enlarge it. The front window is the 'bedroom.' The longer window is over the sofa. The little window is at the kitchen sink...next is the stove then refrigerator then bathroom. Other side of the bathroom is twin size bunk beds...going back to the front is a closet, the dinette, outside door...same bedroom.

Look at the clouds in the west. This morning about 8:30 or so.
The promised shot of the tree stump. I love the 'setup' on this. Wouldn't it make a neat painting?!

Never have taken a photo of my new Tahoe.
Here she is. Dirty. Half in the shade. But I love her! BTW, I've named her "Jewel" after her paint name...Red Jewel Tint-tone. I think it's appropriate.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Blog Win

I wasn't going to mention this until I received my prize/gift...but I can't stand NOT to!

I WON THIS!!
Kathy, you remember her. I met her in person at the Houston quilt retreat along with 9 other HGTV quilters...Oh, YOU know the retreat. The one that I went to and drove this home....
...Anyway, Kathy celebrated her precious granddaughter Aidan's seventh birthday with a seven day giveaway. Can you believe that someone did not respond in a timely manner? And I WAS SECOND CHOICE!!! But, don't cry for me. 'Cause IT'S HEADED MY WAY ALREADY!

Go visit Kathy at http://www.shawkl.com/. She's an artist. Not just with jewelry either...you should see her CQ items. You've got the web address...go visit her!

I haven't felt this good in a long time.

Hi, Sean.

Fall

We are having a beautiful show of colors this year!

Enjoy the show.




A neighbor's meadow with a new winter cover crop. Don't know what it is yet.


I need to get another shot of this:
I parked right beside the fence and snapped this just before getting back in the Tahoe. I'll try to 'frame' it better tomorrow...unless we get the predicted rain.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

This Weekend

I went to the gym Friday and Saturday morning.

I did NOT clean house! But I did wash a couple of loads of clothes. One load is still in the dryer. :o)

I moved plants on the front porch into the house. Those on the back porch I grouped together and covered with sheets. Low was 38 so everything was okie dokie.

I went to Wal-Mart and got an electric blanket for Mama's bed. Changed her sheets and put the new blanket on the bed. Then visited with her.

Made homemade biscuits for breakfast.

Baked a chicken and some sweet potatoes for lunch along with fresh cooked spinach.

Visited with Sam's cousins.

Baked a loaf of bread in the bread machine.
Kept smelling the stinky trash every time I opened the cabinet under the sink. That is unusual because I generally don't throw food scraps in the kitchen trash. After loading the dishwasher, I opened the door again and thought, Whew! Gotta get the trash out. I leaned down for the DWer tablet and saw a tale sticking out underneath an upside down trap. Found the little stinker causing the stink. It was NOT this cute!I got a couple of latex gloves out of the pool supplies in the garage. I heard Sam ask, "You want me to handle that?" Well DUH! ;o)

I finished binding a quilt for a baby. Nothing special. I used "cheater" fabric...printed to look like quilt blocks. Just meandered it over all. Turned the backing over the front and basically hemmed it.

Everyone have a great week!