Merry Christmas!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas... We just returned from the grocery store and no matter who we talked to, everyone asks about each other's children.  When you live in the country as we do, we see our neighbours often in one of the two grocery stores.  One of my favourite decorations to put out each Christmas is this framed print from another time and another little town.  Imagine our surprise when we saw our children in the front page picture of the Christmas newspaper.   It's twenty five years later but we're still waiting eagerly for them to come home.

               

Just two more days filled with anticipation...  families will gather to share a wonderful meal. The doorbell will ring and relatives will bustle in as they have so many Christmases before.
  
Best wishes to you and your family for a day that is  filled with special moments and memories of Christmases past.  Merry Christmas and all the best for the New Year!
 

A West Coast Visit

Our recent trip to Vancouver Island was a trip back home for me.  A week spent visiting family and good friends was good for the soul.  After arriving early in the morning a month before Christmas, we were welcomed with a "Christmas Morning Wifesaver" brunch followed by a delicious turkey dinner with all the trimmings and delicious apple pie for dessert.  It was wonderful to be with my family.  We loved the fact that the first three days of our stay were sunny and bright and as a result the rainy days that followed didn't dampen our spirits at all.   Since arriving home the cold days of winter have meant I've had time to decorate the house, to wrap presents and start baking.  We went to a lovely family gathering in the city last weekend and will be looking forward to seeing most of our Alberta family here at the farm on Christmas day or over the holidays.  I'll be visiting you again soon and will look forward to catching up on everything that's been happening to you.  My first priority is to get my Christmas cards in the mail.  See you soon and hope that all you are accomplishing all the things you want to as the countdown to Christmas continues.  

Sewing's My Hobby

This month has been quiet so I've been quilting.  I've found myself thinking about how thankful I am that I've always loved making things for friends and family for Christmas. My grandmother taught me to embroider when I was 8 or 9.  My mom taught me to sew on her Singer Featherweight when I was 12 and that was such a gift.  Mom showed me to use a pattern and later a friend who was taking a home economics class taught me how to make tailor tacks-what an important lesson that was.  We gave each other sewing kits that year and I had mine for years and years.  At the age of 12 my grandmother let me choose fabric and a pattern for an Easter dress.  The next person to encourage me was my tiny Irish godmother.  She usually had a seamstress make her clothes but trusted me with a length of pink mohair fabric and I sewed a suit that made her seem as elegant as Jaqueline Kennedy. She paid me for my work. Imagine trusting a fourteen year old with mohair!

my high school graduation dress

worn in Hawaii

a dress for my daughter

"Mom - I'd like a pink lace dress..." so she wore it for her grandparent's Golden Anniversary

There was a period of time in high school where my sister and our friends all wanted white duck squall jackets so I worked hard to complete their orders. I started going to dances and in those days brocade and crepe were the fabrics of choice.  I sewed graduation dresses and several ball gowns for my sister and myself.  As the years passed I always enjoyed making many of my clothes, including bridesmaid dresses and my own wedding dress.   I took a course on making stretch t shirts and made several for the farmer and my father. When our son and daughter were young children I enjoyed sewing for them.  I made nighties, overalls, dresses, short sets, Hallowe'en costumes, dance costumes and doll clothes.  Quilts were made for each new niece, nephew and for my friends babies. Pillows, curtains, placemats, table runners, Christmas ornaments and carry alls were favourite gifts to sew. I've enjoyed sewing for over 50 years and I guess you could say that some of my favourite things are my sewing machine, fabric, needles and thread.  My lifelong hobby is just the thing to keep me occupied through this cold month of November - what are you doing to keep busy this month?

November 11th

Today Canadians remember those who gave up their lives to ensure our freedom.  At the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month we remember them.

In this electronic age there is an interesting project hosted by the Ottawa Citizen that
honours those Canadians who have lost their lives while serving as active members of our Canada's Armed Forces.  Names are randomly generated and posted 11 minutes after every hour on every day of every year.  It is estimated that the list of veterans who lost their lives while serving as active members of the military will continue to be posted until the year 2025.

We Are The Dead

@WeAreTheDead

Remembering the names of Canadian Forces members killed in the line of duty, every hour at 11 minutes past the hour. Presented by the Ottawa Citizen.

Ottawa Canada · http://bit.ly/uQ2hrx

You can connect to it here.

Last year I posted about a visit my daughter and I made to the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Rome, Italy.  I will never forget how peaceful and beautiful that cemetery was.  You can read about our visit here.