Playfully Tracking the Time

I'm not one for New Year's Resolutions, but I do intend to play more in 2013.  I'm not sure how I will be more playful.  However . . . 

I had a moment of inspiration and decided I would get the cuckoo clock out.  Cuckoo clocks are as much toys as tools.  

I bought this cuckoo clock a few years ago at a yard sale ($5.00).  I came to learn that Randy grew up with a cuckoo clock and knew how to get this one running and entertaining the household. 

I have two broken down cuckoo clocks that my parents bought in Europe in the 50's.  Between Christmas and New Year I took them to a repair lady who said they were beyond repair.  

I'm a little sad, but I am hashing over ideas to transform them into art or lamps . . . 

Our communication center got a new fun look with a vintage slate chalkboard and a "cork board", which I made from an old tomato colored frame, adhesive cork tiles, and vintage dishtowel.  

I decided to use a potholder woven on a loom for an eraser.

Stocking

My mom crocheted the stocking 20 years ago.  She gave it to me, along with two others to cross-stitch a design on.  It has been sitting in a box until I got the bright idea to make a stocking for Jennie.  I didn't have a pattern so I stitched whatever came to mind.  I like the results.

Some Favorite Ornaments

 Snow Lady stuffed with walnut shells, by Valorie.

 Original illustration and embroidery by Grandma Norris.

 Lightbulb Santa by Jeff.

Hand print reindeer by Arianna.

Christmas Gifts

 I sent this wood block print to J.  I love this print, but it belongs with J.  I have been watching it for several months.  The price was more than I could afford, but the dealer came down $15.00 and I was able to fit it into my budget.

I sent Joel these bamboo cooking utensils that I burned a design into.  

Sweet Treasures

 I purchased these colorful peacock pillow cases at a resale shop for four dollars.  They will look nice with my rag ball wall hanging and rag rug on the floor.  I appreciate the effort put into these cases.  The crocheted edging is very sweet.  

 I made two mini "pocket" pillow cases from a single case for my knee pillows.  It's impossible to find cases for these little pillows, so I have to make something.  I'm very pleased with the results.  

While out thrifting with my sister at Thanksgiving she found this really cute teaspoon bag.  I haven't found the teaspoons, but I did find these charming spoons for a dollar each.

Winter inspires us to eat more soup; our latest discovery is Pizza Soup.  Amanda, an eighth grader I sometimes substitute teach for, told me that she does some cooking for her family (both parents are working); one of her favorite things to cook is pizza soup.  Not two days later I came across a recipe in one of my favorite cookbooks.  We will eat this again and again.  The recipe called for elbow macaroni, but we used cavatapi which has ridges and holds the sauce.

Holiday Meals

Christmas Eve Dinner for Ten

Fuji Apple Cocktails
Beer
Meritage

Polynesian Meatballs
Plum Spicy Chicken
Kasamati Rice

Korean Salad
Mandarin Orange Jello

Sweet Potato, Orange, Almond, Cranberry Cake
Coconut Rice Pudding with Mango



Christmas Day Dinner

Beer
Wine

Kielbasa, Lieberwurst, Ham
Fancy mustard selection
Red Cabbage
Mashed Potatoes and Chicken Gravy
Roasted carrots, parsnips, and beets

Yule Cake
Peach Kuchen

Both meals were really good.

Another Gift with Grandma

Randy and I made this lamp for Jacob and Brandy from and old meat grinder that was my grandma's.  I had the thing for nearly thirty years and finally figured turning it into a lamp was a good idea.  Jacob really likes it.  Ideally it was to go into his kitchen, but it is a little too big for his counters. 

I explained that the grinder is still in working condition so in the event that global destruction occurs they should flee with the meat grinder in case they find a squirrel or rat to eat. 

Valances by Grandma and Me

My grandma Beulah, made these wonderful potholders a long time ago.  I love them and had been pondering how to best display them.  I finally thought I would turn them into valances.  I found some all cotton vintage style dish towels that I cut in half.  I sewed the raw edges and then I tied the potholders on.  I am really happy with the results.

Mom got all misty eyed when she saw them and thought my grandma would have been pleased that I appreciate the potholders.