Santa Paws

For the past few years in our town they have an event called "Santa Paws". It is a fund raiser for our local dog park. Even though we have never been to the dog park I felt it was still a worthy cause and wanted to help out.

As soon as I got out his Christmas sweater he came running for me to put it on him. I even had to embarrass the little guy with a little Santa hat. It didn't stay on long though!


My friend had already taken her two boxers to see Santa and have their pictures taken. They turned out so cute that I just had to take Chewbacca for his picture to! He enjoyed sitting on Santa's lap quite a bit and was very much into posing for the camera. He's a natural!

The local newspaper was also there and took several pictures of Chewbacca also. I'm not sure if his picture will end up being in the paper or not but they asked us a lot of questions about him and his breed. Most people haven't heard of his breed. He is a Brussells Griffon.

Christmas Gift Giving

These past few weeks has kept me quite busy. I have been busy trying to figure out how to buy so many presents for so many people with not so much money. I have had to take a new approach to buying Christmas gifts this year. The economy has really hit our area and our family just like it has hit many others. This past year has certainly been a little harder for us. My son has been unemployed most of this year and my husband's job has been very slow and a little bit uncertain. We, like many people in California and across the States have had to cut way back.

We have had to make changes in our lifestyle, but we still have many blessings to be thankful for. God always has a plan for us, and though we might not always be happy about our current circumstances I will give Him thanks always. He has always provided for us and I know he will continue to.

What is my new approach to gift buying you are wondering? We'll I am just not buying as many gifts this year. We usually buy for all of our extended family. That includes both sides of our families. Our sisters, brothers, their husbands and wives, their children, and now their children, etc.. We have had to cut down and are now only buying presents for all of the nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, our kids and spouses, our grandson and our parents.

I'm sure our family knows that we love them and it's not about giving and receiving a gift. We all have so much anyways that we really don't need more stuff. It really is the thought that counts and in some way I'm sure I will still manage to let them all know that they are much loved.

I hope you and yours have a very Merry Christmas!

Happy December

December is finally here!! It's time to get out the holiday decorations and start decking the halls. Christmas is my favorite time of the year. I love everything about it.

To me it not only represents Jesus birth and our Salvation but it is a special time for family togetherness. I love it most of all when everyone is home together all snuggled up on the couch watching a movie or enjoying some delicious food.

I can't wait!! Only about 3 weeks and I will have everyone home for the holidays!!

Thanksgiving Blessings

I have so much to be Thankful this Thanksgiving and every day. I'm thankful for my wonderful family. My husband loves me unconditionally and is supportive of everything I do. I have two great children and a wonderful son-in-law and daughter-in-law. I also think that I have the most beautiful grandson in the world!

In these hard times it sometimes is easy to lose sight of all of our blessings. We live in a free country where we can do just about anything we want to and go where ever we want to. We have a roof over our heads, a warm place to sleep, food in the pantry and a little money in the bank.

I know that there are many people going without and losing their homes. My heart goes out to them. God has blessed me and my family and I thank Him for it.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Getting To Know You

I've been reading on a couple of blogs people posting 100 things about themselves. So here are mine...

1. I love…bread (especially warm french bread..yum!)
2. I have been...a retail website owner, school photographer, manicurist, administrative assistant, medical transcriptionist, pharmacy clerk, floral designer, sample demonstrator, clerk at a fabric store, waitress, and a bank teller
3. I have…two children and a grandson
4. I like…to go to Mexico on vacation for the sun and margaritas
5. I'm scared of…snakes
6. I don't like…cruel and mean people
7. One of my favorite shirts…just got a stain on it and I had to throw it out
8. I don't shop in the mall unless…I have to
9. I am…very friendly and outgoing
10. I like/dislike making lists; because…(dislike) I like to do things on the spur of the moment
11. I like making people…crafty gifts
12. My sense of humor is…silly at times
13. I ALWAYS cry when…I think about all the children and babies who don’t have good homes
14. I hate when people…abuse children or neglect them
15. I'm not necessarily…a frugal person although I do love a good sale or clearance
16. I like to draw, but…I sometimes can pull it off but only if it’s a simple drawing
17. I don't have any living…grandparents
18. I like/dislike to save stuff…(like) because I can’t part with things that are sentimental or bring back memories of mine or my children’s childhoods
19. I recycle…as often as I can
20. I like toilet paper…put on the roller with the paper rolling out from under the roll
21. I love candles that smell like…pumpkins or Christmas spices
22. I've worn glasses since…I turned 40 - okay I’m still trying to get used to wearing them
23. The oddest thing I have eaten…calamari
24. I eat salad…a lot
25. Scary movies are…not for me because I'm a scaredy cat
26. One of my pet peeves is…people who are thoughtless and dumb
27. Another pet peeve is…people that don’t use their turn signals
28. I make my bed…as soon as my feet hit the floor
29. My memory is…not that great these days and that’s a little scary
30. I dislike socks with…bright colors
31. Books are…wonderful
32. I like to imagine…that I've won the lottery and can give money to all my family
33. I eat when I'm…bored
34. If I have a lot to do on the weekend…. it's because I procrastinated during the week
35. I broke my…toes by running over them with the vacuum cleaner
36. I get bored when…I can’t think of something to do or if I have to stay home cause I’ve had surgery again
37. I like to write…sometimes on my blog but I'm not very good at it
38. I had my ears pierced when…I was about 15
39. I have a hard time…saying no to people
40. My closet is organized by…mine and David’s clothes – mostly mine
41. Being busy makes me…happy
42. I am a...very caring person
43. I have… been a stay at home mom for most of my children’s lives
44. I get…excited when I can help others
45. I avoid…confrontations when at all possible
46. I'm sensitive to…mean people
47. I sing in the…car or to Baby Connor when no one is listening
48. I do not get…why people hurt children and animals
49. I drink… Tea
50. I wear…lipstick everyday
51. My favorite holiday is…Christmas
52. I'd rather be…poor than unhappy
53. My hair is…red, but it's colored
54. I like gifts that…are from the heart and have been well thought out
55. I like buying things for…others especially my grand baby Connor
56. I would rather sleep in ... a long t-shirt gown
57. I'm an emotional…person
58. I am…right handed
59. I will never…get married again
60. I don't mind…letting seniors ahead of me in the lines at the store
61. I’m sure…that I'm going to heaven
62. I think it’s easy to…get upset when special things I’ve planned out don't go the way I envisioned them to
63. Sometimes I think I'm too…much of a perfectionist
64. I tell…my husband and children that I love them every time I see them or talk to them
65. I hate being…not ready on time but I never am
66. I drink coffee… with lots of cream and Splenda
67. I love teasing…my nieces and nephews
68. I like when I have a specific…thing in mind when I’m shopping for a gift
69. I wish my life was more…exciting
70. Board games are…fun
71. I have lived in…California all of my adult life
72. Sarcasm is…not something I usually use
73. I have been to…my dream vacation spot which is Venice, Florence and Rome, Italy
74. I'm a…nice person
75. I enjoy teaching…other people new things
76. Cats are…independent and easy to take care of
77. I do not have…a lot of extra money like most people I know
78. My favorite color is…purple and pink
79. Meal planning is…something that I would like to get into the habit of doing
80 My biggest fault is…that I like to shop and spend money that I don't have
81. Painted toenails make me…feel like a pampered woman
82. I get embarrassed…when I have to talk in front of a lot of people
83. I’m pretty good at…crafting and sewing
84. Walking is…something I wish I could do but not to good for my bad knees
85. I'm not very good at…saying no and meaning it
86. My first memory is from…when I was little and lived in Hawaii
87. I keep friends for…a long time
88. I am learning to…be more patient
89. I enjoy smelling…cinnamon and spiced pine cones they have at the holidays
90. I believe in…God
91. I love…my husband forever and always
92. My favorite cookies are…Short bread cookies
93. I'm married to a...wonderful man
94. I’d love to live in…North Carolina or the mid-west
95. I’ve been to Disneyland/world…several times
96. I really enjoy…spending time sewing and crafting
97. I love to eat…out more than in
98. I’m getting…to have my daughter and son in law home for the holidays
99. I'm very…naive at times
100. I wish I was less... pounds

Apron Swap

I recently participated in the "Hot Drinks for Hot Mamas" Apron Swap. You make an apron for a "secret" partner and someone else "secret" makes one for you. There are usually other guidelines to the swaps as to what the theme is and such.

I have so much fun participating in these exchanges. I'm bad though cause I'm a horrible procrastinator some times and wait to near the deadline to get started. I work well under pressure though. I always have it all planned out as to what I'm gonna make, which fabric I'm going to use and what other little things I'm going to send with my gift.

We were given some information about our partner: favorite hot drink, favorite and least favorite color. Apron could be a full coverage or a half apron. Package should include 3 little extra somethings and apron should be wrapped in tissue, tied with ribbon.

My partner loved chai and other teas. I found a cute fabric with all different colored tea cups and teapots on a cream background. She was a tiny little thing so I made her a half apron so I could somewhat gauge what size to make it for her. I of course forgot to take pictures of the apron or the goodies I sent. I sent her a small china tea cup and saucer, some teas and chocolate.

My swap partner got me perfectly. She made me the cutest pink apron with tea cups all over it. It was trimmed with white lace and looked so feminine and cute. She sent me a neat tea cookbook, another little tea book, a bookmark she made for me, and a few different kinds of teas. She makes and sells aprons on Etsy. Thank you again Nicola!

Candy Dance Craft Festival- Genoa, Nevada

Well me and 5 other Red and Pink Hat friends went up to Carson City, Nevada for a three day weekend. We went up there for a fun festival that is held nearby and is called The Candy Dance. The festival was in a small town called Genoa. I guess it started years ago as a fundraiser for the town. They would make their homemade candy to help fund the town dance. They still sale the candy and have the town dance but it has turned into a huge festival with lots and lots of crafts and home made items.

We left Friday around noon and drove the 3 1/2 hours to Carson City. We drove by and checked out where the festival was going to be held before we went to our hotel. We saw a lot of the vendors getting ready and putting up their tents and wares. We checked into our hotel and unpacked a little bit. We then went to a really nice BBQ restaurant for dinner before we went back to the hotel for the night. A few of the ladies decided to try their luck at gambling but I choose to go to my room and watch t.v. Gambling really isn't something that I enjoy doing and besides I was saving my money for the craft fair.

Saturday we got up early and went to the Candy Dance Craft Festival. It was the largest craft fair that I have ever been to. We spent the better part of the whole day there and didn't even get through half of the booths. I saw quite a few things that I would have liked to purchase but contained myself somewhat! I did splurge for this lovely bracelet made out of antique spoons made of silver. My spoons were from 1935 and also had a really beautiful pink crystal bead in the center. I also picked up a few wooden blocks for a future craft project I have planned. A purse that was on sale from $35 down to $7 also went home with me.

We then went to a fabric store and I bought quite a few pieces of fabrics that I hadn't seen elsewhere. I picked up a couple of pieces to make aprons for my mom and sisters for Christmas. I also got some fabric for two of my nieces who are going to try and make their own aprons.

We went again the next day to the same fabric store on our way out of town. I again picked up a few pieces of fabric that was unusual and not what you usually see around our fabric stores. I also got some feathers and silk flowers to embellish another hat with.

On the way home we drove back through Lake Tahoe. The lake is so beautiful and calm looking. It was a beautiful three shades of blue. It was so serene looking and I would have loved to have been able to stop and enjoy the beauty of it a little longer but we needed to get back on the road.

I think everyone had a really good time although we were all extremely tired and sore from all of the walking. We got back home around 4:00 pm and had time to relax a little before having to unpack and worry about dirty laundry and what's for dinner.

I hope we are able to go back to the Candy Dance again. I will make sure I'm well rested in advance and have a full pocketbook so I can once again enjoy myself.

Physical Preparation for Sewing- Circa 1949

From Singer Sewing Book that was published in 1949.

When you sew, make yourself as attractive as possible. Go through a beauty ritual of orderliness. Have on a clean dress. Be sure your hands are clean, fingernails smooth --a nail file and pumice will help. Always avoid hangnails. Keep a little bag full of French chalk near your sewing machine where you can pick it up and dust your fingers at intervals. This not only absorbs the moisture on your fingers, but helps to keep your work clean. Have your hair in order, powder and lipstick put on with care. Looking attractive is a very important part of sewing, because if you are making something for yourself, you will try it on at intervals in front of your mirror, and you can hope for better results when you look your best.

Again, sewing must be approached with the idea that you are going to enjoy it, and if you are constantly fearful that a visitor will drop in or your husband come home and you will not look neatly put together, you will not enjoy your sewing as you should. Therefore, “spruce up” at the beginning so that you are free to enjoy every part of any sewing you do.

Can you believe it? I'd hate for them to know that sometimes when I know all I'm gonna do is sew all day long I stay in my P.J.'s and don't even put on my makeup!!

My Most Recent Embarassing Moment!

Well it all started out with going out with my girlfriend for a nice afternoon of fun. We all deserve to take a day off to just have some fun. We hadn't gotten to see each other much since she started back to work and we needed to do some catching up.

We started the morning off and had a lovely time at our monthly Quilt Block of the Month earlier in the morning. Then we headed up the road to have a lovely tea at a beautiful tea house. We enjoyed ourselves for 1 1/2 hours over our delicious food and lovely tea. The conversation was nice and we were just truly enjoying some quality friendship time.

We then went to a local quilt shop that I had previously found my last time up at this town. My girlfriend hadn't been there before so we went and had a look. The store had some lovely fabric and notions and it was all displayed around vintage items and old quilts in an old restored building.

We then decided to go check out the local thrift store and then an antique store that was just down the street. That was nice too. There was some interesting things to look at and I found a few bargains. So we decided to try our luck up the road at another antique and thrift store we had been too on another adventure.

We got back in my car and I thought I heard the sound of ripping fabric. I got out and touched my backside. No the seam of my pants was still there. I must be hearing things. I go to get back in and then there was the unmistakable noise of tearing fabric. I get back out and ask her how bad it is. It can't be that bad can it?

Well it was worse than that!! The whole left side of my pants was ripped open with the whole left side of my behind showing. Not the seam but along the edge of the pocket. It ripped from almost the waistband til almost the thigh!! Oh no!! I don't want to go home yet. I want to shop more. Then we started laughing. Only me!! Only I could rip it that good. I decided that if I could laugh about it than people could just laugh with me and not at me.

I knew I had a small blanket in the trunk so my friend got that out for me. I just tied it around my waist and went into the store. I told the lady at the counter that I was going into the dressing room and if I found something that would fit I would be wearing it to the cash register! And I did!!

After that we ended up going to another couple of stores and found all kinds of treasures and goodies that we just couldn't go home without. It was a day that could have ended early but because I decided to have a sense of humor about the event, and my friend was gracious enough to go along with me, we ended up being gone for most of the day and having a wonderful time!

Flirty Vacation Apron

I participated in the Second Flirty Apron Swap that was hosted by Shawnee. The theme was where I wished I could have gone on my summer vacation. We had to list a couple of places we would like to go for our secret swap partner to choose from.

I said I would like to go either to Italy (again- please!!) or to Paris. Either place would be a great and wonderful experience. It also asked you to tell about the colors you like and anything else you would like your swap partner to know about you. I also said I loved all things girlie, pink and feminine. I also love old and vintage things.

My swap partner made me the cutest apron out of pink gingham and a cute floral on a white background. It looks very vintage which is something I love. She had also sewed little appliqued flowers around the waistband. It turned out really nice. She sent me a recipe for some French Chocolates and a wonderful book that takes place in France. Now I just have to take the time to sit down with some cappuccino and delve into the wonderful book!

Purses, Tote Bags and More Purses

My daughter Heather and I started our own little internet business selling purses and tote bags. Hippie Sacks Hawaii is the name of our website. Heather recently came to visit me from Hawaii to get a few more purses and tote bags sewn so we would have some extra in our inventory since they were flying out of the shop so fast the first 2 weeks. Her visit home was for 9 days.

We sewed all week long. We sewed in the early morning , we sewed in the daytime, we sewed in the evening, we sewed in the wee hours of the night. We really sewed!! We started referring to the sewing room as the dungeon and the sweat shop.

We managed to accomplish quite a bit though. I think we made about 40 bags or so in all. We managed to have some fun though while she was here and did take a little time out to get pedicures and have some play time with baby Connor. Heather loves her one and only little nephew. She has decided she wants to be called Auntie Boo.

So if the website keeps going well maybe she'll just have to visit us more often!!

The Sewing Machine- A Girl's Best Friend

The Sewing Machine- A girl's best friend! When you need a break from sewing you can always watch this cute little video about sewing machines.

Summer Fun

Wow! What a summer! It has just seemed to have flown by so fast. I can’t believe we are almost in to August and school is around the near corner!

My daughter and son in law got to come out here to California for a short visit from their home in Hawaii. It was so nice to see them and let them meet their one and only nephew! We had a big family 4th of July BBQ celebration with all of the extended family in attendance.

Then the 7 of us went to a local school to watch the fireworks! We went with blankets, chairs, strollers and dog and headed up the freeway to a town where they allow fireworks. My sister and her boyfriend and 2 of her kids met us up there. Also my nephew, his girlfriend and their little girl were able to watch the fireworks with us too. It was such a fun old-fashioned kind of thing to do and we really enjoyed it.

When Heather and Ryan were here we even managed to get our updated family portrait done. We were excited to have our picture done with both the kids and their spouses and also the addition of baby Connor. Chewbacca was able to be in the picture along with us so it was really the whole family!

It is so nice to be able to have everyone home at once even if it is only for a short visit!

I'm A Grandma Now!

Well I’ve just been too busy this last 2 weeks to sit down and blog but I became a very proud First-Time Grandma to Connor Alexander Payne on Monday, May 26th which was Memorial Day. He came into the world at 3:42 AM. He was 6 lbs 14 ounces and 19 1/2 inches long.

Connor is already on his way to being a spoiled little baby with all the attention he has so far received from both sets of grandparents. His auntie and uncle who live in Hawaii are coming out soon to visit him. All the other great aunts, uncles, cousins and great grandparents have had the opportunity to check him out and think he’s pretty cute.

I of course think is absolutely gorgeous and he came complete with all 10 fingers and 10 toes and a cute little button nose. Not only was everything double checked by both grandma’s right after delivery, but they got the 3rd check from the nurse who proclaimed him a beautiful baby. I definitely think he looks like his daddy! A little like his mommy too!

He is the joy of my life already and I can’t wait to have lots and lots of fun with him! I of course plan on spoiling him and then sending him home to his parents. Isn’t that what all grandma’s do?

Hello World!

Hello everyone! I just wanted to tell you all a little about myself. I live in Northern California with my husband David and my little Brussells Griffon Chewbacca.

We are empty nesters now as both my son and daughter have recently moved out and gotten married in the last year and a half. I will be a Grammy soon to my son’s little baby boy Conner sometime in early June. I am already spoiling him and he isn’t even born yet. I can hardly contain myself as I’m so happy. I wasn’t so sure about being a Grammy when I first heard the news but realized that just because I’m becoming a Grandma doesn’t make me old!

I have a love for aprons and tea related items. As you can tell by my name I love tea and all things related to it including all of the lovely tea items you can get for serving tea and goodies with. I have always had a love of all things old and with a history to them. I am very much a girlie girl and love all things pretty, pink and feminine.

I am a Pink Hatter in the Red Hat Society. In case you don’t know a Pink Hatter is someone who is under 50 in that fun dis-orginazation! A Red Hatter is a women over the age of 50. It is just a fun group of ladies who like to go out and have fun with friends and celebrate themselves at whatever age or stage they are in their lives.

Hugs,
Donna
Tealovinglady