Christmas in the snow

We flew to Vancouver to spend the Christmas holiday with Andrew's brother, Gordon, and his family for the first time. I wasn't sure what to expect weatherwise being so far north but Andrew said he would probably be chilly with just a wee bit of rain. What a joker! My sister told me I should ask Andrew for a white Christmas as he always tries to get me what I ask for. Boy, was she right. It snowed the first night we were there and it felt like it snowed some most of the days we were there. A few of the days it snowed pretty heavily and it was really nice to sit inside and watch it come down.

We both just wanted some down time to relax and enjoy being with the family. It was really nice to experience some of the Houston family tradition starting with the tree decorating and going through Christmas day festivities.



My sister-in-law, Kathleen, invited her family to join us and their son, Simon, and his wife, Stephanie, were the hosts for the day. It was really nice to see them establish some of their holiday traditions as a new family and Stephanie's Mom and brother joined us as well. I have to say I am not really a turkey fan but their bird turned out really tender, moist and tastey.

Gordon and Kathleen took us out a couple of days to see some of the beautiful scenery around Vancouver covered in snow. We took their labradoodle, Pooda with us the day we went to the park and she had so much fun playing in the snow.



We had a fantastic couple of weeks with the family and even though I was happy to see the snow I have to say I was even happier to leave it!


http://picasaweb.google.com/dani65652003/TwoWeeksInTheColdSnow#5292550258124815922

Thanksgiving

We had a great time with the family for Thanksgiving this year. My sister, Kim, and my brother and their families weren't able to make it but we still had 26 people for the day so I think that is a lot to be thankful for. And of course, I was very thankful that Andrew was able to join us at the last minute courtesy of his job sending him to Texas. My niece, Cassie, and her husband Wayne (Hamish) were really gracious hosts that opened their home to our brood which I know can sometimes be an overwhelming task when we all get together!

The women spent most of their time in the house making all sorts of yummy treats while the guys did the hard part of watching out over the neighborhood.



But we all mingled well and I think everyone had a really good time. I know that I was very great grateful for my time with the family. My youngest son, Brandon, and his girlfriend Kate came by in the afternoon and it was really wonderful to be able to see him and hear all about what he has been up to recently.

Before we all left for the day my Mother had her picture made in my sister, Decah's, harley jacket which I think turned out to be a great pic. My Mother the motorcycle momma! I hope I'm half as cool as she is when I'm her age.



After Andrew finished up his work in Austin we took two weeks of vacation for Christmas and are heading to Vancouver to spend the holiday with the Houstons.

My finished quilts

This is the quilt top I finished for the Lone Star quilt class that I started in October. I have to say that when I saw the pattern the teacher had picked out this time I thought I was in way over my head. The funny part is that it really couldn't have been much easier for me. Not that I am particularly good but I had a fantastic teacher who was incredibly patient and I was just more confident and relaxed this time around. My points came together effortlessly and the more I finished the more I wanted to work on it because I could really see it coming together.

When I started this class I really didn't have a clue what I would do with the two finished quilts but it didn't take long for me to figure that out. When I finished the class I went to Dallas to visit my Mother and family and took the two finished tops with me to show to them. I have now finished seven quilts in my first year and with the exception of a couple my Mother and sister have done the hand work for me of finishing the binding as my hands just aren't up for the job anymore. I didn't tell them but I already knew that I would give the Lone Star to my Mother and the Around the Twist to my eldest sister, Jawana, for Christmas. They have both done so much to encourage me in my new passion and help see my tasks completed it just felt like the right thing to do. (Besides, you have to keep those binders happy, right?!)

My biggest challenge was the Around the Twist that we did in the same class. For some reason everyone else thought this was the easier of the two assignments and I just struggled. I couldn't see the way the pattern was supposed to come together and finally had to have help from the teacher to lay it out properly but we got there in the end. Andrew picked out the colours and I think he did a great job as everyone has commented on how well they compliment each other.



I enjoyed the Lone Star pattern so much that I am now making one for myself as a sofa quilt. I decided to make it out of my favorite colours so it started out based on pinks and purples but then I then I thought I would add in some yellow. So I am hoping that this will work out and really make the star pop out as the center of the quilt.



I am hoping to finish this quilt sometime in the next couple of days and start on the quilt sandwich. In the meantime, I am waiting for the beginning of my next class which will be with the same women I did the last class with but we will be doing two new patterns. One is called a kook kaledioscope and the other a 3D mariner's star. Don't have a clue on the colours or what I will do with them but it always comes to me along the way.