New Year's Eve

I planned Crustless Mini Quiches and Baked Potato Stacks for supper and a decadent hot chocolate for dessert.

I baked both of those in a 6 cup muffin tin which worked out really well.  

The 4 quiches were placed in the remaining wells. I used my silicone muffin liners for easy removal and clean up.

I added some halved cherry tomatoes, some biscuits I had made earlier this week and a bit of grated Parmesan Cheese. 

This was very yummy!

This is the potato stack which was baked in the muffin tin.

I sliced the potatoes on my mandolin set on thin. I added a bit of olive oil and seasoning.  Some Parmesan Cheese on top.

The slices were placed directly in the metal muffin tin wells.  I filled 2 of them because I had reserved 4 for the quiches. The total baking time was 45 minutes so they went into the oven earlier.

The hot chocolate was prepared in one of my beautiful vintage crystal mugs.

I made the hot chocolate with hot milk and hot chocolate powder and then added a bit of table cream.

I made whipped cream just before supper and added a couple of dollops on the top then grated some dark chocolate to finish it off.

It was very delicious! 

I turned on my wax warmer with the Cinnamon Vanilla scent.  My favorite.

I placed a small tea light on the end table beside me with the great hot chocolate.

I did have to turn off the Christmas tree because it was reflected directly onto the TV screen.

I turned out most of the lights and enjoyed a quite evening.

I have watched the Harry Potter Movies several times and I have the full set on DVD. 

I had watched Part 1 the night before and decided to settle down and watch Part 2 on New Year's Eve.

They are always a great watch.

I enjoyed parts I had not remembered from previous viewings.

A feel good story to start the new year. 

Small Gifts - Car Cup Holders Coasters - Bunch 1

A bunch of 3" car cup holder coasters - V2. 

I chose thicker felt or fleece scraps for this bunch of car coasters.

For the top left hand set I resized a bird post it  note I have used on cards before. I cut the wing by hand. The background is a very textured caramel colored fleece.  I chose light blue felt for the bird, a dark blue for the wing and a light blue grosgrain ribbon. I chose a yellow denim fabric for the cotton piece on the back.  

The top right hand is a thick teal fleece with a yellow start felt accent. Yellow grosgrain ribbon and a teal cotton flannelette on the back. 

The middle right hand is the same caramel fleece as the first set.  I cut small mushrooms from orange and brown felt. This set has orange grosgrain and the same yellow cotton denim on the back. 

Back to the left center. This set feature red fleece with grey tuques. The tuques were cut by hand with a hand drawn pattern.  I sewed the ribs on the body and the rim. A grey grosgrain ribbon and a cotton tshirt fabric on the back. Bottom right set. I loved this scrap of plaid fleece. The colors are great so I just matched the colors with grosgrain ribbon. I chose Stampin Up colors More Mustard and Rich Razzleberry and stuck to the plaid geometric pattern.  More Mustard grosgrain ribbon tabs and black cotton backer fabric. Bottom left features royal blue fleece for the background and die cut hearts in white and grey felt. The back is jean denim. These are Christmas gifts for my sisters and niece. 

Small Gifts - Car Cup Holder Coasters - V2

I decided to make a few Car Cup Holder Coasters as Christmas gifts.

This time I chose to put a piece of cotton fabric on the bottom which will be better at absorbing moisture than the acrylic felt used in the original ones.

For this set I chose to make snowcapped mountains on a deep purple background. The purple felt is beautifully thick. Grey fleece for the mountains with white felt for the snow on top and bottom of the mountains.

I added a piece of grey cotton corduroy on the back side.  All outlined with straight stitch onto the background piece.

The sandwich was then cotton on the back, the grosgrain ribbon in between and the felt art design on the front.  The final circle to hold all these layers together was a tight zigzag stitch leaving a wide border. This allows the recipient to trim the 3 inch coaster to a bit smaller if their cup holders are on the smaller size.  I found on line that most vehicles have holders measuring 3" in diameter so that is what I went with. 

Merry Christmas

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas.   

I wish all a warm and safe season where ever you are.  

Sylvia's Simple Shots

The fourth Sunday of Advent. 

When things start to mount, health issues, the economy, sick loved ones, the loss of one who will not be here for Christmas, traveling in less than ideal conditions, the grey days and the very cold nights.

Struggling and rejoicing are not chronological steps but concurrent movements, one fluid with the other.

Even now I will be joyful in the God of  my salvation. All far is but the notion that God ends. When does He ever end?

Fear not!

The very cold temperatures are back again.  I am wearing layers and I have ever been so cold in my place.  Not sure why but the heating system struggles to maintain the 72F I am used to. 

This level of coolness indoors has be hugging my wheat bag warmed in the microwave and hunkering down with cozy blankets.

I have not ventured outside in these crazy temperatures and I am grateful that I don't need to go to work.

I have groceries enough.

I spend time on the internet and reading books.  Thank goodness I have a few I can choose from.

Graceline O'Malley by Ann Moore is one of the books I finished recently.  I was lucky that this is the first book in a trilogy. 

Set in the mid 1800s when the potato blight destroyed crops and left tenant farmers with no income. Gracelin only fifteen, is married off to a land owner to keep her family in the cottage they lived in for years.  She has compassion on neighbors who have been evicted from their homes due to their inability to pay the rent due to the landowner. 

I found the famine in Ireland so described in this book very hard to read about. It was devastating. Gracelin does what she must to keep her family alive.  

As political unrest sweeps across the countryside, she harbors Irish rebels -- her own brilliant brother among them -- keeping hidden, as well, the deepest secret of her heart. 

This was a great book and I will look for the next 2 books.

It is so cold that I am again taking photos through the windows.  

The sun continues to shine which is a blessing.

The snow as well makes things tricky for those who have to venture out.

I enjoyed another Patrick Taylor novel this week - An Irish Country Courtship.  This one set in the 1960s in County Down in Northern Ireland. 

Nice to revisit the family medical practice with elder Dr. Fingal Flatherie O'Reilly and the young Dr. Barry Laverty.  Barry has 6 months to go to become a full partner. He is going out with Patricia Spence an architectural student.  Dr. Fingal, a widower has recently been reacquainted with Kitty O'Hallorhan a nurse he met while at medical school. 

The courtship in this case is between the senior partner and a nurse. Barry and Patricia are struggling to maintain a long distance relationship when she goes to Cambridge to study. Barry becomes acquainted with a local teacher, Sue Nolan during a ringworm outbreak at school. 

A delightful books and I enjoyed it immensely. 

Sylvia's Simple Shots

As we wait in the dark through the long night things can feel lonely, sad and discouraging.

We must remember that dawn does come.

Christmas can only be found.  

Christmas can not be bought.

Fill your heart with the hope an light that is coming.

I put up the tree this week as I was going to be hosting some teas for Christmas visits.

This is my wall tree that I made last year.  I still love it!

This year I decided to put some narrow green garland around the edge which nicely defines it.

I placed a couple of TV tables below it to allow me to hide the cord and put any other seasonal decorations I wanted.  Nice lacy tablecloth and one of my several Nativity sets as the main one is packed.  

I did not put all the ornaments I have on this year as I was up against a deadline.

It provides beautiful light to the living room.

Thank goodness the temperature warmed up a little this week and having friends over was possible.

I pulled out the red table cloth and the plaid Christmas place mats. 

A bit of healthy veggies and brie cheese with whole grain crackers were prepared.

Some clementines as there were not Mandarin oranges when I was shopping.  Supply chain issues.  I was grateful to get most of the food I was looking forward to.

I used my white Ikea dishes and mugs on the first tea and my White Regency for the second tea. 

A bit porcelain teapot of tea and a couple of hours of catching up and visiting with friends.

The Christmas Candle I received from my sister when she was in Germany.  It comes out every year. I have added a flameless candle to it in recent years.

I spent a day with my aunt making our traditional tourtieres (meat pies).  

We made a few small ones and a big one.  She is the one who makes the pastry so she decided that she was not making another batch so we just froze the meat in containers to eat in the next months.

The frozen filling may become pies or just eaten with pea and carrots which is my traditional way of eating tourtiere.

This tea with my friend featured just a few snacks.  Chocolate almonds, Ferrero Rocher and some cranberry and almond cookies.

Still a bit big pot of herbal tea and clementines.

I so enjoyed having a few people over this year for Christmas.

I set up one of several of my fireplace DVDs and just had the crackling fire for sound.  

It makes the whole living room feel very warm and cozy and festive.

The fireplace DVDs allow me the option of just fire, fire and crackle, or fire, crackle and music.  Some feature traditional Christmas carols and hymns.

I have one that features Christmas songs by Boney M. and another with nature sounds that I use after the Christmas season.

It works well for me.

I was given this book by a friend who enjoyed and thought that I would enjoy it too.

Miracles from Heaven by Christy Wilson Beam is a true story of the miraculous healing.  Christy and Kevin Beam traveled a journey of faith by putting one foot in front of the other. Their daughter Anna was diagnosed with an incurable, life threatening disorder.  The family endured through years with Anna suffering pain, invasive testing and treatments. Travelling many hours for specialized care, managing the care of their other children, the cost of treatments were part of their lives during this time.

When Anna suffered an accident that nearly took her life they thought it would makes Anna's life even worse.  In the days that followed her rescue she shared her stunning experience of heaven.

Anna was well following this experience. God is good!

Sylvia's Simple Shots

We are experiencing a cold snap this week in Alberta.

This picture was taken from inside and shows the steam from the heating of buildings across the alley just hanging in the air.

At least the sun is shining!

I had the Blue Screen of Death appear on my computer this week.   I was away for supper and when I got back after Jeopardy this is what was showing.

A reboot took place and all seems to be okay.  It had been a while since I did a back up so I started the process.  

I managed all the photographs and music files onto the 1 hard drive I had.

I then had to call in reinforcements for the My Documents folder. 

Fortunately, the speed on this device was excellent and the backing up went quickly so that I could get it done before I went out of town to see Mom.

This book was one I recently finished.  Halfway to Heaven by Susan Wiggs.  

This is story is set in the late 1880's and the main female character is Abigail Cabot who is an astronomer and yes that is an observatory on the cover of the book. Her father is in politics and she attends a gala at the White House where she hopes to impress a young man. While she has eyes on this man, another man Jamie Calhoun a young Senator, has his eyes on her. He hopes to influence her father on a business matter through her.  

I found that as they get to know each other he helps her to improve her social graces.  She ends up between being the go between her sister and the man of her dreams through the writing of letters of courtship. 

As they develop their relationship into a friendship Abigail and Jamie find love.  It was a good book.

2022 Reunion Photo Booklet for Mom

Every time we have a big family reunion on Mom's side of the family I prepare a set of the semi formal photos taken during the event.

On recent reunions I have been the official family photographer so that works out well.

This year was no different.  This was the first one since the start of the COVID pandemic and the numbers were smaller than usual.

I had prepared the photos and ordered the prints in the 5x7 format.  I was not able to make the holder this year because my stuff is in storage.  Thankfully, my sister agreed to make the black 8.5 x 8.5 inch holder with the Zutter binding at the top.  Thanks Sis for helping out with this project. 

I quickly created this front cover showing my nieces trailer that Mom stayed in this summer while she was at reunion.  The canola field on the right looks a bit wonky but such is life.

I hand wrote all the documentation for the 12 photos in the folder.  With a 5x7 in landscape orientation I had a 2 inch strip of white card stock to write out the names of those in the photo.  

Mom & Dad's family had the most family members in attendance - I believe we were 20 people. Mom, her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Several of Mom's siblings have passed. We had family members from 8 of the 14 siblings. Some live out of province and travel is difficult. 

I created a bit of a label for the back page.

Some of the pages only had a couple of people in the photo.

Mom is the 3rd oldest of the original family and we are pretty committed to attend as long as we can.

Mom appreciates being able sit with the book and look at her people.  When I gave it to her on Friday she recognized every one and knew which of her siblings families they belonged to.

I hope it brings her comfort in the days to come to remember being there with her family and siblings.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

The Second Sunday of Advent. 

The second candle is the Candle of Love.

God is LOVE!

The year has not turned out the way I planned.  I am grateful that getting together this year is safer.  

I look forward to seeing my friends which I have only been in touch with by phone, text and email.

Again, reading from the Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp.

I will bless you. Abram leaves and takes his family to Canaan.  

You will be experienced as a blessing to the extent you have first experienced yourself as blessed. God is good and says I will bless you. Slow down, breathe, be to see the good.

Christmas decorating has commenced.  I am grateful that the box of Christmas decorations was not packed in the spring with the anticipation of moving.

I found the star wreath I put together last year.  I had hoped to change the decoration at the top but alas it will not happen this year.

This wreath hangs on the outside door where my neighbors can enjoy it.  We have quite a few in the building with Christmas decorations out.

The Secret Hour by Luanne Rice was finished this week.

A mystery story with parallels happening in the lives of the characters.

John O'Rourke lost his wife and now is juggling the care of his 2 children - eleven year old Maggie and fourteen year old Teddy. As a lawyer he is representing a man who is accused of killing several women in the area. The general consensus is that he his guilty and John catches grief, harassment, and threats because he is defending this man.

Kate Harris is dealing with the loss of her younger sister Willa, who just disappeared 6 months ago.  A recently found postcard has brought her to this small town from Washington DC. Her sister mailed the card from the inn on the edge of the ocean here. 

It was a good book with a twist at the end which brought the story full circle.

This is one of my favorite casserole dishes.  I received the dish for Christmas from my neice and it's just right size.

This recipe is Herb-baked Fish and Rice.

It is a quick supper when I am busy with crafts and don't want to spend a lot of time on cooking.

I just use whatever veggies I have on hand.  In this case it was cherry tomatoes and broccoli.  I add some lemon vinaigrette on the fish and coat with Parmesan cheese. Always brown rice.  Delicious.

My lastest version of a essential oil diffuser.  This one hangs on the rear view mirror of the car, on the Christmas Tree, or anywhere you want a bit of scent.

I am sure glad I bought these felt balls at my local craft store in October.  I went recently to see if I could purchase another and this Christmas the decor is pom pom garlands.  

I expect the trend will be something new next season so I just let go the idea of repeating this years concept and look forward to new things in the new year.

With my Sunrise Stained Glass Window packed away I decided to hang this bright snowman in the window instead.

He was with the Christmas box.  The sun was shining bright the day I took this photo and his nose glowed bright.

It is hanging in the dining room window where the east sun comes up so late at this time of year.

I am grateful that I can enjoy it for a little while in the mornings.

The gold geometric wreath has moved from the living room to the bedroom door to make room of the Wall Christmas Tree.

I just love this wreath so it hangs on the wall all year long.

2023 Wall Calendar 11x17 V2

I chose to redo the calendar part of this project.  The original post is here.

I had downloaded a yearly calendar which is what I wanted but the quality was not good enough for printing.

I knew at some point I would have to spend the time to create a calendar in my drawing software so that I can produce the calendar myself.

So I bit the bullet and spent the time.

Now I have a blank template I can modify for any year and it is all my own work.

I produced a second one with fall leaves for my aunt who also uses the large wall calendar.

Christmas Tree Scent Ornaments - Batch 2

I sold all 3 from the first batch so I made up a few more today and delivered them.

Felt is the best material for passive diffusers so the oil should be put onto the darkest of the balls so in this case the black or grey ones would be best.  

I had these ready the other day but I did not know I had sold so many Christmas Tree Scent ornaments so I packaged these up and delivered these as well. The gallery was open today which was really great!

Stuffed little quilted hearts.  The left one is cotton fabric in kraft striped and ivory snowflake fabric. Added a wooden button on the front and a bead on the hanger cord.  A loose stitch of teal thread around the edge.

The second one is kraft plaid with teal and heart wool fabric.  It sports the same wooden accents and teal stitching. 

The oil on these should be put on the back or directly on the wooden elements if you are careful. 

Small Gifts - Oil Diffusers/Fresheners - Felt Balls Version 2 Batch Two

I received an email from the gallery that it was time to restock these little oil diffusers/fresheners so I put together another batch today.  I dug out beads, felt balls, buttons, wood clothespins and some cotton thread and got started.

I will deliver these tomorrow and see what other members have brought. Maybe do a bit of shopping.  When I was there last Friday I was the first one so there was no browsing then. 

Card Exchange - Dec - Triangle Trees

These are my December exchange cards.  I used the beautiful screen printed decorative paper again because the colors where Christmasy.

I selected a beige card base.

I cut some triangle trees from solid card stock. For this card it was a warm green then I cut the decorative paper a bit smaller leaving a border all the way around.

I used pencil crayons in browns and greens to create a soft background and for the tree trunk at the bottom. I then adhered the Christmas Tree over top.

I added a red star sequin at the top of the tree and gold ones around the rest of the card.  These are adhered with Bling Zot glue dots.

For this card on the right a very similar layout to the top one.  This time I used a Very Vanilla card base.

Same warm green solid card stock for the tree.  

Again, a color pencil background and tree trunk.  A red star sequin at the top of the tree.

The small stars were punched from gold card stock with my Creative Memories star border punch. This is the largest of the one in the border.  I adhered them with Scotch Quick Dry liquid glue as it has a very fine point on the bottle.

I used the green pencil crayons to add some rays to the stars.

A seasonal insert was added as well as a white envelope and they are ready to go.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

The first Sunday of Advent. The season of waiting, preparing, anticipating.

This is my Advent Wreath set up with purple glass beads below the 4 candles with white under the candle in the center which is lit on Christmas Day.

I love glass and this is a sparkly wreath that helps me to have a happy heart while I wait.

 

The first candle is represents hope. The promise of the coming of Jesus through the many years before He arrived.

So many people waited, hoped for the light to come to the world.

Fervently anticipated the coming of the one who would bring salvation to the world.

This is my go to book for the Advent Season.  It is written by a Canadian author Ann Voskamp who is well known for her books.

As I read for the first few days of Advent here are some of the points that stand out.

He begs us to spend the the attention of Advent on 

     the little,  

            the least, 

                   the lonely,

                         the lost.

Do you fit into the adjectives?

             Do you have someone close who does?

                          Do you see someone in your daily life who does?

Pay attention to those who have been placed in your sphere of awareness and influence.

You alone were formed by a huddle of hearts: Lets make human beings.

The Three Persons of the Trinity - Father God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit gathered close together to imagine you and me.

And God in three persons, uncontainable affection, knelt down and kissed warm life into you with the breath of His love.

Amazing to me which fills me with gratitude of my life despite the uncontrollable circumstances that living on this earth brings with it. 

Lakeside Cottage by Susan Wiggs is a book I finished recently.

The main character Kate Livingstone return's to her family's lakeside cottage, a place of simple living and happy times. She hopes that her shy son Aaron will blossom here with the quiet life at the lake. No TV, no internet, warm weather and plenty of fresh water in this remote part of the Northwest.

The neighbor JD has escape to the remote place to find peace from the media frenzy following his actions preventing a terrible tragedy in Washington, DC.  He wants his life back where he can work, play and enjoy life without cameras, reporters and curious strangers.

Callie is a teenager who has been in the foster system for too long an wants out.  She is "adopted" for the summer by Kate who gives her a glimpse into life with a family. with Aaron a younger brother, Kate a substitute mom and JD as a father figure she grows into her teenage years supported, loved and respected. 

Of course, they all have been living in an idyllic world which healed wounds then the end of the summer brings reality but they are all able to handle it better.

My wheat bag sprung a leak.  It's not surprising as I have touched most winter days for years. 

When I have sore muscles, aches and pains, the heat brings comfort and healing.  

Sometimes I just need a bit of warmth to fall asleep.

It had been repaired many times and now the inside bag just needed to be replaced.  It had to be 100% cotton but I found a white pillow case that would do the job.  The thread has to be 100% cotton as well. The seam in the middle was a change I made during one of my repairs but I decide to keep it.

It is back in service!

I decided recently that I needed a scrap bowl on  my kitchen counter as I prepared my meals.  With the garbage under the sink I was always opening and closing the cupboard door and it was a hassle.

This way all scraps go into the bowl then I can empty it into the garbage pail once.

I like the idea.

For now I have relegated one of my medium bowls to this use.  We shall see if something else comes along which would work better either color wise or size wise.

Another good idea.

The Shoemaker's Wife by Adriana Trigiani is another book I wrapped up last week.

This was a great book.  Not the boy meets girl, fall in love and a happy ending type of simple romance stories.

This story is starts in the Italian Alps at the turn of the twentieth century when Enza (girl) and Ciro (boy) meet in her tiny village on the occasion of her youngest sisters funeral. Ciro was hired to dig the grave. They have an immediate connection but life gets in the way.

There are trips to America for both of them before they meet again. He comes to America to apprentice as a shoemaker. He learns his trade well, innovates ways to increase the income of the business but sees no benefit as his mentor's wife pockets the profits. He goes to war and meets his future business partner.

Meanwhile, on the mountain things become difficult for Enza's family and she convinces her father to travel to America so they can earn good money to build a house on the small piece of land they own.  She works as a seamstress in a factory in Hoboken for a while, then she meets a girl Laura at the factory who will be her best friend for ever.  After a scary incident at the factory they decide to take the leap to New York to find better jobs and better accommodations. Just in time they are invited to join the team at the Metropolitan Opera House.  They do well. 

When Ciro returns from World War I he finds Enza waiting outside a church on her wedding day.  He speaks to her and pleads his case, fortunately for him, he has always had her heart and she says yes.

They move to Minnesota to set up a shoe making business with his army buddy Luigi.  The set up 2 shops a few miles apart.  Life moves on, children are born, Christmases are celebrated, wonderful summers are enjoyed. Visits from Laura and Enza's father take place.

Life changes again, some return to Italy, some stay in Minnesota, children graduate from college and then a big trip is planned to visit the house house in Italy which was built by the hard earned money Enza and her father sent home for years.

A truly wonderful story and it read very easily.  I was up late into the night a couple of times.

I finally bought an audio player so that I can play my music while watching my exercise video on the TV.

It plays CDs and music on USB which is great. It also will record from the CD to the USB.  I spent a morning a few days ago organizing all my CDs into categories and boxes.  They have all been labeled so it will be easy to find what I want.

I decided to buy a USB stick which will be dedicated to music on this machine.  My exercise music for 30 minute, 40 minute and 60 minute routines has been copied to the USB.  I am working on my favorite Christmas music at the moment.