Merry Christmas, everyone!

Okay, so it's Christmas eve day, but I won't be back here for a few days, so thought I'd post my greetings!

I'm in So Calif with my folks. Flew into Orange County/John Wayne airport on Saturday. My mom picked me up, and we went to my cousin Bev and her dh Duncan's for their annual holiday get together. Usually they have it on their boat, but since the marina is doing construction and parking is a nightmare, they decided to have a gathering at their home. It was great to see that side of our family!!!

Tomorrow we go to Jenna and Mark's for our family party. Should be a great day, and since I hadn't been able to travel last year, it's even a better day!

I fly home to TX on Wednesday, so I can celebrate with my roomy for her birthday when she gets off work that night. Haven't decided what yet, and are getting together with other friends on Sunday...just to drag out her day a bit...LOL!!!

Anyway...hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas!!!

Ah, Saturday! Well, since I've retired, it's just another day (you don't really believe that, do you? GRIN).

I just put out some clear mini-lights around the top railing of the deck. We actually keep these up year round, but now have some little guides attached to the deck rail to make it easier. I may add some colored icicle lights later...if I can find where I put them! I'm hoping not in one of my sewing rooms...things tend to disappear in there. I swear, there must be little gremlins that like to hide things as soon as I shut the door!!!

While I was out doing the light thing, I had Dirk out with the bigger dogs. He is getting pretty brave now that he is older, and was up the drive near the lane...amazing what a shake of that 'cookie' jar will do. He ignores my calls to come back, but for a treat...he's like the wind! Darn dog...he's just stubborn and strong willed...a poodle!!! But, I've got the way to bribe him...ha ha!!!

Yesterday, I ran errands...that's the stuff retired people do to help fill their time. LOL!!! Actually, lets me do things so my roomy doesn't have to bother, and it works out well. Don't know who will do it when I go back to work...someday. :>)

Joann's fabrics is having a big sale this weekend, so armed with my 50% off coupon, I stopped by my local store. I wanted to get one of the new 'Sidewinder' bobbin winders (Merry Christmas to me). Well, went to the counter, and they were already 50% off! Woo hoo!!! So, still have my coupon, but probably won't use it...I don't need any fabric! However...
Then...went to Linda's Quilt Shop...my closest LQS. They were also having a sale (35% off all fabrics, more off tagged ones), and I needed to pick up my BOM. What I need for an upcoming project is some COC or WOC (cream on cream, or white on cream fabric)...so picked up a couple yards (1 yard cuts).
Then...off to Wally World (Walmart) to pick up some canned soup and rice for a food drive that another shop is holding this weekend. Drove to that shop (about 25 miles...but it's a GREAT shop)...gave them my offering, and used the subsequent 25% off coupon to get a block of the day perpetual calendar for me, and a flamingo applique (yes...I'm gonna try again!!!) to make for a DF that is moving to south TX. Oh, it won't be done before she leaves, but it'll be a nice surprize. It makes a cute wall hanging. I swear, now that Debi made me do it (love ya Debi! grin), I do want to try again...learning new stuff all the time...

Well...guess I'll go find those 'damned baby quilt' squares, and start to square them up and get them into a top, so my friend Isla can quilt it for me. As I said to Debi, I need to think of another name for the quilt than the 'damned baby quilt'...that wouldn't look so good on the label! LOL!!! Long story behind this one...will just be super glad when it is done and gone!

Happy weekend to all!

I'm gonna haveta read up on this blogging thing. I can post, but need to figure out how to get my 'front' page all set, etc. Since I'm doing this in the early morning hours, maybe that's my problem...half asleep! GRIN!!!

Let's see if I can post a picture of Dirk Johnson, the poodle, with his 'collar' on...

Yippee!!! It worked!!!

The collar is off now, and he is back to his normal, pita self. I keep telling him...good thing you're cute! LOL

Maybe I'll get this down...one step at a time!!!

Hi All!
Like so many others, looks like I've got a blog! Oh my! Guess this means I need to post here once in awhile...
I'll let y'all know what's happening here at Rascal Ranch...that's the 5 acres where the dogs and cats (well...they are indoor only...coyotes ya know!) roam. Oh, humans live here too...
And, I'll talk about my family, friends, and my hobbies...quilting mostly. I also crochet, tole paint, read, cook...all those homey things!
Y'all have a great day!!!