Farewell 2011

As the New Year comes and the old year is going...I think back over what we have done. It's been a year filled with so many blessings. It's true as you grow older the days do go by faster and you treasure the simple things of life.

So what are my plans for the new year :) It's like a fresh new slate ready to be written upon. I've been thinking of things I would like to accomplish this next year. Not a resolution of sorts but perhaps goals. A daily journal is on my agenda.

I have a list of sorts that I have been working on for the upcoming year....changes hopefully for the good. A time to simplify a few things, a year of giving, finishing many UFO's, more studying God's word and praying, time for doing for others, and more time spent with friends and family.

So as the year of 2011 ends another one begins....let's see what 2012 will hold!

I finished this rug today it's been hooked for quite awhile but I ran the needle and thread with the last stitch. It's bound and I will keep this one. I began it as a hit and miss rug going round and round and then added the house, a heart, horse, and flowers. Nothing was really planned it just happened...so is life sometimes things just happen but it all falls into place somehow :)

Wishing each of you a New Year filled to the brim with the SIMPLE JOYS of life!

Happy Trails....Ginger

A Walk Across The Farm

With today being in the 60's it was great to get outside and go for a walk.



Not to windy just a nice breeze!



Home the nicest word there is....Laura Ingalls Wilder said it well!



Always work to be done!



The scary barn....beware if you go in no telling what is lurking in there!



Mooooving right along :)



The Hay Barn and loading lot.



Oklahoma sunset



Miss Kitty letting me know it's time for supper.

Well I'm sure that was my last walk about the farm for 2011. Tomorrow brings a day at work. Friends are coming over on Saturday for a day of crafting!

Hope you are having nice weather wherever you may be :)

Happy Trails....Ginger

Free Doodle "Love Built A Home"

I've been pulling a few loops and just need to steam and bind this little mat. Thought I would share the pattern with you!



My little mat measures 10 x 12 inches before binding. Feel free to use it however you choose.

Happy Trails...Ginger

Peace On Earth and Goodwill to Men

Wishing each of you the blessings of JOY on this Christmas Day! May we all truly know the real meaning of Christmas and come adore on bended knee giving thanks to Christ the King!

May all of Heaven and Nature sing today!


Merry CHRISTmas......Ginger

Santa's Grinning and I am Too!

Tis Christmas Eve and I'm thrilled to pieces that I was the very lucky winner of the "Grinning Santa" from Lori of Notforgotten Farm. He is just the sweetest guy and brings a smile everytime I look at it! Thank you Lori I'll treasure it always :)

Finally the packages are wrapped and under the tree. Sloan and I baked dozens and dozens of cookies to give out to the neighbors and a few old~time friends. Of course we had to have a few ourselves. I even found the lil' toot attached to my cookie jar with his handcuffs. He does love cookies!





We have a busy day ahead of us....a surprise for Danny's folks that we need to put together and then there is lots of cooking and still some cleaning to do. I'm hoping to add the movie It's a Wonderful life in there somewhere. I watch it every year and haven't seen it yet!

Wishing each of you a day filled with Christmas excitement.

Happy Trails.....Ginger

Polly Wolly Doodle All Day!

Well I didn't actually doodle all day...Just a tiny bit this evening. I signed up for watercolor classes at the local vocational school to start February of 2012 maybe then I'll figure out what I'm doing! In the meantime I drew up a lil' doodle of Sloan waiting on a snowflake. He wants to build a snowman so maybe we will get some flakes soon :)



My sis "Jane" gave me a sketch book for my birthday and here is a peek of one of my doodles. Reminds me of our childhood!

Fare thee well, fare thee well,
fare thee well my fairy Fay
for I'm off to Lou'siana for to see my Susyanna
sing Polly wolly doodle all the day
Oh, my Sal, she is a maiden fair
sing Polly wolly doodle all the day
with curly eyes and laughing hair
sing Polly wolly doodle all the day


Well tomorrow is a work day so better gather up a few little crafty things to bring along and a movie or two for Sloan and something crafty for him to do!

Happy Trails....Ginger

Lots of Loops and Look OuT!!!!

I've been hooking like crazy lately in between the wrapping of gifts, playing with Sloan, painting the nursery at our daughter and son in law's home, baking batches and batches of cookies...so pulling loops well it relaxes me. Finished this one over the weekend and before it was even complete it was spoken for.




Drew this one up with February in mind...do you see the black lil' legs and the dotted snowflakes....well a certain little boy who shall remain nameless but will later be featured in this post thought he would draw some extras. He does love my sharpies! Think I may let him draw me a pattern he is becoming quite the artist :)



Using up some blues in the scrap basket...another one to bind!



Had some of the dirty yellows left over so of course another snowman and heart.



Look I did get one bound...the Mr. Chill rug by Kathy over at the Orange Sink's design. So I'm enjoying this one and will for years and years to come!



Scrapbasket woolies fashioned into a heart mug rug...still need bound.



Log Cabin Mug rug...yep this one needs bound, too.



Simple basket of posies mug rug...where is that needle and thread!



House and flowers mug rug...also from wooley scraps.

Well I've put the hook up and found my needle and thread so I'll be binding for the next couple of days.



Today my little guy and I built a fort of quilts, sheets, bar stools and a card table. He is a silly and onery lil' guy always keeping me on my toes!



Tomorrow we may have to pull out some more tables and make a tunnel to our fort at least it keeps him busy!




Now for the look out....we gave him an early Christmas present and he asked me today as he was driving around the yard if he need a Driver's License to drive this. I beginning to think he may need driver's ed because he wants to drive with one hand, wave, and look where he has been more than where he is going! So look out if you see a little blue electric four wheeler we have an unlicensed driver with a sense for the need to speed.

Happy Trails....Ginger

Dirty Santa The Game....

Several have asked what is "Dirty Santa"....well I've been playing it for years. Our little rug hooking group decided we would play at our Christmas party.
We had decided to each hook, stitch, punch, or create whatever we chose as a handmade gift. Each person wraps it up with no name attached.

We had 10 people at our party and 10 gifts. Each person draws a number out of the basket from 1 to 10. One goes first and picks a gift to unwrap. Number 2 has the option of "stealing" #1's gift or opening one. Then the person with #3 can "steal" #1's or #2's gift or open one. Once the gift has been stolen twice it belongs to the 3rd person to be holding it. Since #1 person didn't get an option to "steal" they get to as the very last person if they choose to do so.

"Stealing"....such a bad word!

I whole~heartedly admit I'M A THIEF....I stole this wonderful hooked rug. Pati is requesting that it should have been her's and I admit it should have...so I'll just hook her one and Sandra wants one too. Our good friend Ann made this one and I just love it!

We play Dirty Santa at our church Christmas dinner, too. Loads of fun maybe you can find a group that would like to play!




I made the stocking that Kay is holding. It was filled with greenery and wool.



My good friend Sandra dyed these gorgeous wools and gave them to me....I don't know if I can cut them up they look so good.

Sloan is back and he is worn out. He is snoozing as I type. I have a small tree for him to decorate but it may have to wait until the weekend. He is coming over to stay this weekend and we have popcorn parties, a birthday party for my niece and daughter and a movie date planned....guess he better rest while he can!

Happy Trails....Ginger

Water Colors and Woolley Nights!

Old habits are hard to break! I'm getting sleepy very sleepy....that's what I'm telling myself anyway :) There is a pillow in there calling my name and in a few minutes I'm going to go find it! It's hard to put down the paintbrush, pens, and......



the wool and hook! Started this rug from the scraps left in the bowl from the previous rug.

I'll be picking up a paintbrush and roller later....I'm trading out a couple nights of painting Miss Eva Mae's nursery in exchange for Jenn wrapping presents for me!

She is decorating with owls so it should be a "Hoot" to see what she has planned :)

Happy Trails...Ginger

Christmas Party With Friends

It's so fun to get together and enjoy some time hooking, eating some wonderful snacks, visit, and then play Dirty Santa.




Carol, Pati and CJ



Kaye, Cynthia, and Ann



Two fun, loving girls that always makes you smile....Sandra and Pati!!!!

Ahh such a fun day! Missing my little sidekick he went to visit his other grandparents but will be back tomorrow evening so Thursday we will have a lot of catching up to do!

Happy Trails...Ginger

Treasures and More Treasures!

What a load of treasures I received this week. Chelle sent me these most beautifully stitched ornies, pocket filled with wool and lovely embroidery flosses. We have a secret santa gift exchange on our eBay group "AAPG" or otherwise known as USAPRIM on ebay. She stitched up each of these pieces and with having 2 active boys I'm not sure where she found the time but I'm so glad she did. I just LOVE each and every detail she put into it. I feel very blessed to have her hand~stitched goodies. Thank you Chelle I shall treasure them always.





Then on Thursday evening I went into Purcell to attend the annual Christmas parade and met a good friend for supper. She gave me these wonderful smelling lotions that will feel so good throughout the winter months. Thank you Teresa for the wonderful evening of catching up.







Pati Jane surprised me with these wonderful goodies she handmade. She puts her heart into all she does. The old cheesebox with the greenery, lights, Gingerbread girl, and little ornaments are prim perfect.



Then if that wasn't enough this little pocket that she started back in February. It is a pattern by Primitive Betty. I had watched her start this project and work on it on and off. It is such a special gift. It was her first one using this kind of linen and I admire every stitch of it. What a blessing Pati has been in my life....she has truly become an addition to our family.



The gifts above were held by this wonderful primitive basket....I'm sure I'll find some goodies to go inside. Thank you so much Pati...

Well my heart is truly full not just by the giving of the gifts but by the thoughtfulness of each of you. You are all such dear friends and I'm truly blessed.

Happy Trails....Ginger

In The Meadow.....

We can build a snowman. Well if you can't have flakes falling from the sky you can certainly build one with wool. Just about got this one done and I have enjoyed every loop of it. Just need to finish the border and bind it. It has already become one of my FAVORITES!

Sloan and I will be baking cookies and making candy tomorrow. He wants to add "glitter" to the sugar cookies so guess he will be busy with the sprinkles. Now if I can just resist eating them!

Happy Trails...Ginger

Microwave Coconut Cream Pie

Now this is one quick and easy homemade coconut pie and it really tastes GOOD!
I'll give you the recipe below....



Got a few more loops pulled this afternoon on this delightful rug! If you would like a pattern you might check with Cathy over at the Orange Sink if she has any available. I hope to have the hooking finished by tomorrow....then I'm going to set down and get it bound!

Okay....here is the pie recipe!

Microwave Coconut Cream Pie

Ingredients
*3 cups of milk
*6 large eggs- room temperature- separated
*1 cup white sugar
*1/2 cup all-purpose flour
*1/4 tsp salt
*1/2 stick butter
*1 small (3 1/2 ounce) can sweetened flaked coconut
*1 tablespoon vanilla extract
*10-inch baked pie crust

Directions
1.In a very large microwave safe bowl combine the sugar, flour, and salt, stir to combine.
2.Separate the egg yolks from the whites, keep the whites for your meringue.
3.Beat the egg yolks with a whisk and slowly mix in the milk.
4.Gradually stir the milk and egg mixture into the sugar and flour mixture.
5.Microwave on high whisking often. AS mixture begins to thicken whisk hard and often.
6.When mixture is very thick remove from the microwave and add butter, vanilla, and coconut. Stir well to combine.
7.Turn mixture into backed pie crust, cover with meringue and bake in a 350 degree oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until meringue is golden.

Meringue
6 egg whites
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 cup sugar

Beat eggs whites, vanilla, and cream of tartar until they hold soft peaks. Then gradually add sugar a little at a time beating well after each addition until all sugar has been added. Beat until sugar is dissolved. Top pie and bake.


Now that the pie has cooled down....think I'll go cut a piece!

Happy Trails....Ginger

Just Chillin'

You just never know what "creature" may be lurking in my wooley worms! Just started my "Mr. Chill" Rug this morning. Between the laundry, feeding one HUNGRY lil' boy, fixing lunch for the guys, doing a few dishes, I managed to get quite a bit done.



Off to do another load of laundry...It never ends does it! Oh well we have clothes to wear and warm food to eat, so I'm not complaining. Then it's back to a few loops, maybe a story or two for a soon to be sleepy boy (I can only hope) and then it will be time to fix supper and homemade coconut pie....mmhhh.

So how is your day been so far????

Happy Trails....Ginger

An Empty Pipe~ Free Doodle

Well we all know smoking isn't good for you so Frosty enjoys an empty pipe! Drew up this lil' doodle just for the Holiday season. Feel free to right click and print it out. Use just Frosty or Santa or both!



Been doodling a little more using some hang tags and a couple of book marks.

I'm kind of itching to get back to the wool. I purchased a snowman pattern from Cathy over at the Orange Sink and I want to have it done before Christmas comes! So better pull out some wool and get busy!


Oh and a little funny story. Our grandson "Sloan" goes to MoMO's day out twice a week for a couple of hours and really loves playing with the other kids. Well he has informed me he has a "girlfriend" and tells us that she is the MOST BEAUTIFUL Woman in town and that she has really nice hair and good brains! Boy are we going to be in trouble when he is a teenager! Hope you got a chuckle.....I know we did!

Wishing each of you a warm and cozy week filled to the brim with Holiday Cheer :)

Happy Trails...Ginger