2023 Tuesday To-Do 47: Me & Me and The Home & Hearth

“The solution to an over-busy life is not more time. It’s to slow

down and simplify our lives around what really matters.” 

– John Mark Comer, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry

Another Thanksgiving has come and gone.

Another Tuesday To-Do arrives.

As usual, I'm a complete mix of "Hurry up and get all the fun

things done/made!" and "I need to slow things down!"

There was a lot of fun over our holiday break but this morning

I'm leaning toward that mellow-me and I'm determined that's

who will be making this week's plans.  But first I should link up

to Quilt Schmilt and see what we--Me & Me--accomplished.

I'm also linking up to Melva Loves Scraps' Sew & Tell and

Songbird Designs' Monday Musings.

* * * Week 46 Priority * * *

Finish Christmas Gnome #1

"Woodland Christmas" finished up at 60 x 77.
Pics were taken and the quilt is now listed in my shop.

These panels were printed rather crooked so after

all was straightened, it was necessary to add a little

width to each side so that fit the pattern specs.  I chose

a swirly snowy white fabric that helped it blend pretty

well so, in person, one doesn't really even notice it.

On my last LQS visit I scored the exact amount of fabric

I needed for the backing--right there on my favorite rack

for backings [aka, the clearance section].

The quilt design is "Gnomes in Winter" (My Creative Stitches).

I have the other MCS gnome pattern (mushrooms) so I'll

be keeping an eye out for how to put that one to use

next year.  Yep, I said it:  next year.

2) Start on Gnome #2

Half of the pieces are cut out but I was still working to see

what the stash would provide when the family arrived

and the holiday hit so all quilting stopped.

Now to run through a few things going on around here...

You can imagine that, as much as I love fall decor, there is

no sign of Christmas around here until after Thanksgiving.

Except for maybe in the sewing room.

And all those packages arriving!

On Friday, it was starting to look like the snow prediction

was actually going to come true <gasp!> so it was out

with the fall things and time for the Christmas decor

to show up--because how can one fully enjoy

a holiday snow without any Christmas around?

But with so many pretty pumpkins, I decided I would still

enjoy a "Pumpkin Land" out back while Christmas goes

up out front and in the house.  

I also still have pumpkins and squash for cooking

 sitting all around the home and hearth.

(Er, okay, the kitchen and the garage but doesn't that

sound so much better?  Home and hearth.  Ahhh.)

We managed to squeeze an informal family pic--thanks

to my iPhone, iWatch and a tripod.  Super-cool, btw, so

these will be happening much more frequently.

Some pics even less formal.

(I think more of these will be happening as well!)

It was freezing out so it was a very quick to-do

and then back into the house and the warmth

of the toasty fire for Game Night!

For this, the girls and I unknowingly had the same idea about

holiday game night apparel.  Here I thought I was being sneaky

when I bought mine on Etsy.  Meanwhile one of my daughters

made theirs with her Cricut.  As hubs quipped, 

"Gee, can't tell you girls are related or anything!"

(Who doesn't love White Christmas!?!)

Nerf wars ensued--2Lt dressed the part--and

games were played.

(Pardon the beer but it made for a funny pic.)

Early the next morning the flakes started falling and

soon it was a full-on winter wonderland All. Day. Long.

Big, fluffy flakes!

We had a toasty fire going, some of the Christmas

decor up....

...and I got to enjoy the best of both worlds looking

out the deck doors from my kitchen.

This just might find its way onto a Christmas card.

(In back of my garden)

We ended up with about 6 inches that settled so beautifully

all around, especially on the trees.  Fortunately, it caused

no major travel problems for the boys by Sunday.

And suddenly the house was quiet once again.

Rosemary Sourdough Crackers

How about some homemade crackers?

This is one of the herbs I brought in for the winter so

I have plenty of fresh, aromatic rosemary--my fave!

This would make a perfect little snack for hubs and I

when we finally settled in for a post-holiday rest.

Here is where you'll note the both sides of me that

I mentioned earlier:

Me-1 wants to make all the things and

Me-2 wants to slow everything down.

But it turns out that this time Me and Me worked together

well because that recipe is super-easy and fast.

And super yummy.   We had cheeses left from game-night

and hubs had made summer sausage on the smoker that

he wanted to try out.  I sat back to watch the Chiefs game

and....then....I, who seriously canNOT nap (I mean NEVER),

proceeded to fall asleep.  When I awoke, the game was over

and another had taken its place.  I missed the whole thing.

  At least we won!

I really think it's been years since I napped like that.

I still slept well that night too.

So I guess I'm rested up for this week's...er....rest?

* * * Week 47 Priority * * *

Finish Woodland Christmas #2

2) Start next quilt

This will be Christmas houses or black and white pines.

3) Make a Christmas plan that allows optimal time for what

matters:  ie, a simple but elegant meal, another charcuterie

spread for somewhat-healthier snacking, less sweets,

and so on...

Happy quilting!