Thanksgiving

We had a large table filled with lots of food surrounded by 16 smiling faces. It is always a great time had by all and is always fun to enjoy the company of others.
Lots of laughs, food, and good time. A long table takes up my parents entire dining room and hallway.
Every year it is a tradition for my cousins to stay Thanksgiving night at my mom's house. So The next morning the two kids and I get up and make gingerbread houses. Isabella's house broke this year and we had to work with a little reconstructing. So she made a garage while Preston made a house and car. We had a great day together and they were excited to spend the next night at my Grandparents.
I took them to my Grandparents and got out some Christmas decorations for them to put up. It is always a great time when I get to spend a couple days in a row with the family!

Busy Holiday weekend!

Thanksgiving starts the holiday season which is a long busy season of spending great times with family!  I have spent more time in the last 4 days with family then I have in a long time.  My cousins live an hour away and when they spent two nights in a row in town I had to take advantage of the time they are close by and I spend as much time with them as possible.  

Thanksgiving dinner was large at my parents this year.  We also had Ryan's parents at Thanksgiving as a change because we didn't want them to spend Thanksgiving by themselves.  We enjoyed a lot of great food but now it is back to the real world.  

I am back to thinking about that wedding dress and what I need to do to fit into it.  I need to wear that dress and wear it comfortably!

Five days off from work was a bit to much because trying to get back into the swing of things today was slightly difficult.  I had a hard time getting motivated this morning but I knew I needed to get myself in gear so I faced the lovely 20 degrees and walked to work.  

So here goes back to reality!!!!

Christmas Shopping

So, when do most people do thier Christmas shopping. I am determined this year that I want to have all my shopping done by December 10th. This requires me to get my act in gear and get some motivation for myself. Do most people visit stores and do they find any good discounts.

Well, I recieved an e-mail the other day with 20% off entire purchase at LLB.....Boy was I listening now. I like shopping mixed with good deals. This was after I had already completed shopping for one mother, one mother in law, 1/2 done a father, and done a father in law.

Now what else could I possibly buy and who the heck would it be for. Well, I still have Autumn and the kids so shopping it is! And to get the future "husband", no idea what I am going to do there. I guess, just hope I find something wicked good between now and Christmas.

So do I really think I am going to make my goal of having all my shopping done by December 10th? I just might!

And if any one knows me better it's Ryan with the comment, "You don't like to go shopping anyways so why don't you just order as much as you can online". Boy does that man know me or what. So far all BUT one thing has been ordered online. Shipped right directly to my house. I love avoiding the stores, avoiding the people, and enjoying the convience of shopping from my bedroom!

This is the shipment I recieved today when I got home. I love when I get the mail and all this is in it!

So by now, most of the shopping is done, I get to have quality time with Ryan and I can relax while everyone else is running around the stores last minute trying to get all thier shopping done.

Quilting adventures

So after taking a quilting class I have decided that I needed to do another project similar to the one that we completed in class we just did it slightly differently. So with Halloween in sight (mind you I started this before Halloween, I just didn't manage to get it completed in time), I took it upon myself to try the skill taught in class just on a smaller scale. So I cut out my own squares and started placing them together.

Here the squares are all sewn together and just waiting to be cut apart and sewn together AGAIN!

After many afternoons of lounging around an letting this slip to the way side mind you I was over Halloween and this really what I was looking forward to doing. So it took me a little longer to complete this project than origanally planned but the top is done!

I really do like the looks of it here although I thought using one constant block throughout would give it a bit of a different effect.

So now I just need to get quilting and hand sewing although there isn't much reason to worry about finishing this too quick because now Halloween is a year away!

So I will put my way through finishing this but while I still work on other projects of many different abilities.

I have also started designing a new quilt. I am personally making up my own design and pattern for this quilt and will share it with you all in the future when it is complete. I got some sewing time in today so I worked on borders for two quilts and enjoyed sketching and designing another.

New and Exciting!!!!

So I decided that I must choose what needs to be written about in a blog. Well, I have decided to make a new blog......The Jones Family!!! This is where currently we will talk about the relationship of Ryan and I that will someday evolve into a family. First we will start talking about the ever intersting.....WEDDING PLANNING!!!

Visit the site to see details on the wedding, where we travel and the joys of our lives.


Check it out

Crazy Weekend Part 2

So I couldn't put an entire weekend at camp all in one post because it is very overwhelming. Not only is it overwhelming and a lot for you readers, but it is overwhelming for me to put together and type.....my hand gets tired after all. So here I continue my rantings on a long weekend at camp.

Camp is fun where we can do things that we wouldn't necessarily do at home on an everyday basis. We enjoyed a nice night walk. The stars were beautiful and the weather was nice.




It wasn't too cold. It was a clear quiet night. Although it was only quiet until we got out there when the eight of us decided it was time to sing. The neighbors were probably slightly annoyed with us being loud but we were just having fun. Camp is all about fun and the group that travels to Jewettville North sure knows how to have a lot of fun.




Sunday before going home we traveled to Kibby Mountain. Kibby Mountain is the sight of many wind mills. There must be 35 or so windmills in this one large span of mountain tops. We traveled North on the main road for about 25 minutes then went 7.5 miles on dirt road. Along the way it was great to see the windmills get closer and closer.



Ryan and I enjoy going on mini adventures together. We go on many adventures just the two of us and we also go on adventures with the gang. Although we go on adventures with the gang we still try and spend time together. Every time we do get the chance we do try to get some pictures of the two of us together. I am in love with Ryan and I want to make sure that I have plenty of pictures of the two of us while our relationship grows.



The windmills don't look very big from a distance but as we drove up and got closer to them I realize that they just grow the closer we get. And when we got to the base of the windmills and look up they are amazingly huge. Before going to visit the windmills I thought that the windmills would make lots of noise and they would be loud. The windmills do not make much noise at all. They make a faint swishing noise and they sound very peaceful.




So, I randomly take pictures of someone else with myself so I took a picture of mom and I and when I went to take a picture of dad and I when I looked at the picture after I realized that behind dad and I was a pleasent surprise. So here you all get to see what a crazy mother I have and what a crazy family we can be.



This is the group that traveled to the windmills although this is not the complete "dirty dozen' but I thought we would have a picture of those of us that made the journey. I wish it could have been the entire group but for now this is all it was and we had a great time, although we missed the other 4 in the group!



At camp we always have a fun time and always have great adventures. Camp is always a great place to go to get away from the business of home and craziness of work. A time to get away is always greatly appreciated and enjoyed. So till next adventure to camp........I will enjoy looking back on the pictures from this adventure!

Crazy Weekend

The title just sums the entire weekend....CRAZY!! A weekend at camp is very enjoyable especially with the ever inticing.....trip to Threads Galore. A quilt shop can surely cheer anyone who quilts right into a good mood. I went in serch of some border fabric to add to this quilt.




So possible border options would be.... this, and this. As I start to put it together we will see how I like it, I have made many last minute decisions before and wouldn't surprise me if I made one with this quilt.


I also went in search of other fabrics. This quilt should be used some day but not really sure what I might use it for.






I think these look like a wonderful combination. Very relaxing and enjoyable colors of choice I believe.


After the quilt store and the mountains of food to contend with the entire weekend. I walked Friday, agian Saturday morning, afternoon, and night. Have to say that walks are very stress relieving and bring me back to reality when done right.

Saturday morning was a walk to the beach with the girls where we enjoyed a walk into the beach, mom and I put our feet in the water. November 13th and I put my feet in Flaggstaff Lake. We walked through large mud puddles and washed out roads. We see the "kids" in us when the frozen puddles were untouched, that is until I had to disturb this and jump in it just to break the ice and make a commotion.



We sat and enjoyed the beautiful scenery and the noises of nature. We did this until the birds started sneaking up on us and mom decided it was time that we move on and continue our afternoon.





and our feet enjoyed some sun at the same time!

Camp is always fun and enjoyable. At the same time I can't wait until the next time and I just got home. I can't wait till a time that Ryan and I get to go just the two of us and have time together and conversations about the wedding! We will see what comes next! A group trip or a small Ryan, Sophie and I trip!

Busy Day!

I'm going to start off by a quick recap of Halloween. I was at mom's on Halloween for our usual happy hour and we had a wonderful visitor that I must share.



Of course she is just the sweetest thing around and we couldn't help but get her a toothbrush to go along with her cookies we gave her.













Gram, mom and I started the day off by going to Damariscotta for the annual Early Bird Sale. I have never experienced this event so we thought it would be something new, fun and exciting. We didn't go prepared with lists so it was a bit difficult. I helped mom and gram get some Christmas gifts for both Ryan and myself so that helped them out a bit.
We followed by breakfast out at Salt Bay Cafe, a very enjoyable breakfast indeed. With the company of my mother, and grandmother along with some great new interesting combinations, it was well worth it.

We finished up the Damariscotta Early Bird sale by a stop at Alewives annual "Late Risers Sale". 20% everything in store. I like this place and a sale like that makes it even more likeable. We spent some time in Alewives looking for many different things I needed to finish projects. Yes, I went with a list, I went with the different projects I was working on so I would know what I needed to match.

We finished up the trip home with a stop at the sale at Country Creations. Many sales here also but nothing that I wanted was on sale. Country Creations has puch cards that when you spend money the punch out the amount and when your card is fully punched you get $20 in store credit. Tomorrow is the "double punch" day on items that are not on sale. So, I will make the short journey back to Country Creations to get the things I want and also get my "double punch".

After coming home I could really use a nap but the "future mother in law" wanted to know if the dog and I wanted to come down for a walk while the boys were out hunting. So, Sophie and I made the journey and walked 3.5 miles. It was a beautiful day and the walk was very enjoyable.

I could have come home and taken a nap but no......I went right to town. Do you have that hobby that you work on and forget to put things back where they belong until it gets un bearable. Well, the quilting closet needed much attention this afternoon so NO nap it was. With the new stuff that I bought today I knew I could stand to put things away and organize my closet while I was at it. So the 2 hour long adventure began.



I started by taking 3 plastic bins out of the closet and opening them one by one. I spread all material out all over the couch.....







and, the floor. I smelled ever piece, touched every piece, thought about where I bought each piece and the experience it was. Either with my mother, my grandmother, or with both.



I also thought about which particular project I was going to do with each material or sets of material. I sat back and looked at all the fabric and was amazed at the amount of material I had.

Lastly, I put everything back into platic bins where the belonged. One bin being larger scraps, one being pre packaged kits that I bought pre packaged and ready to make. The next being things I have bought over time that go together to make certain projects, and the last to be the projects I am currently working on and the next few that I want to work on.



This allows me to fit current and newly future projects into the closet insted of having one on the sewing table, one on the ironing board, one on the dresser, and one on the sleving unit.

This is what I was doing before. I had 3 or 4 projects going so I didn't get sick of one and would just move it to a new location and set it aside for a bit. This causing my house to look like a disaster.

I went from 3 plastic totes to now I have 4!!! 4 Plastic totes of fabric and endless quilting supplies. I accumulate so much over time, and can only complete projects so fast.



The shelf above the closet even looks nice. From scraps just being thrown up top when I don't know where else to put them, I finally took the time and found them all proper homes!


And the closet is back together look better than ever. I MUST admit while I cleaned I did decide to get rid of a few things, I mean FEW. And those things are in a pile to see if either gram or mom would like them. It was just time to organize a bit.


So do you ever have days that you feel super productive? Today was a day I felt SUPER productive. I feel like I have gotten some Christmas ideas and shopping complete, my house cleaned, a walk in, and cleaned my sewing closet (A huge task that REALLY NEEDED to be completed).


Now, a bit of wedding talk.

......... I HAVE MY DRESS!!!!!!
Okay, so I'm a bit excited! It now seems so real. I couldn't have asked for a better dress and I ambsolutly in love with it. I had a hard time figuring out weather I was going to get it or not because I didn't want the excitement to end.

It didn't end by all means......The excitement is at a max and is only just begining.

A decision has been made...

So the decision has been made. For me making a decision is a very challenging task because I do not like making decisions and I have a very hard time makeing any decisions. The dress that my Maid of Honor will be wearing has been ordered. We went dress shopping today and picked out the style and color of the dress. Although she tried on the style and then she also tried on the color and that confirmed my decision. This was the first dress I saw and said I really want this in my wedding so I am glad I liked it just as much in person. Here is the color of the dres but I REPEAT this is NOT NOT NOT the dress.




So after the afternoon of dress shopping with myself, my mother, my grandmother, my maid of honor, and of course Autumn we finally have the start to the wedding planning. This makes me able to check one thing of my list and makes me realize how much more there is to do.

So the wedding planning continues, the gift registries need work, and things are starting to shape up. I am getting excited for the arrival of my grandparents 50th anniversary and everything else that comes with it!

Ryan and I are off to dinner with my parents at the Robbins house so should be an eventful evening. It is always fun when we have get togethers with the Robbins and I also enjoy the conversations, the laughs, the stories, and the fun.