Post Christmas

 

Hey, Friends!

I hope you’ve all had a Very Merry Christmas and are planning for a Happy New Year!  We had a nice Christmas and I’m enjoying the time after even more.  Since our traditional schedule was off a little this year, my parents had our usual Christmas morning breakfast of Country Grits Casserole with sliced tomatoes and crescent rolls with us.  We all enjoyed it a lot!  Edited for clarification, and to include the recipe. 

After breakfast, DS and I went shopping for a new car.  He is buying my old lease Nissan Murano.  Having done some preliminary leg work on Monday and since he was off yesterday, we got to go together.  I drove and liked the Prius, but going from a mid-size SUV to a tiny sub was a bit too much change, so I got the Honda Accord.  It was a very hard decision, but think it’s the right one.       

While procrastinating preparations before Christmas, I finished a few ornaments.  This LaDDa Merry Christmas started out on off white, but it needed a bit of staining, so into the coffee spa it went.  The little pillow with lace trim and stripes are so much warmer.  The back is deep maroon taffeta.  If you look closely, you can see that 'Rudolph's Nose' ran slightly in the spa! 

 This Little snowman was a Freebie from Stitch and Frame.  It's my first ornament on felt.  The cutter I have isn't enough of a wave, but it was better than pinking shears.  The cheap scissors I had picked up at Michael's wouldn't cut the felt - must be for paper only.

This is Peppermint Twist from the Little House Needleworks All Dolled Up ornaments.  By the way, I read that they're continuing with this series for 2011 if you love 'em as much as I do - even though I haven't completed 2010.  I decided on a little stocking button instead of jingle bells.  Even the tiny ones were too big on this 28 ct over 1.  It also has a bit of lace around the outside, to match the white stitching around the border, with a gingham ribbon hanger.  And here's  Peace on Earth from the same series.  The fabric in the background is the backing.

I also started a new Blackbird Design project, Winter Wonderland.    

Shopping for presents is always fun – one for you, two for me!  It's hard to see the dark green shell shaped dish, holding these two delicate porcelain ornaments. 

It must have been a real hunting expo since all these birds were found!   The blue is solid - paper weight?  The white is a votive holder, but cute none the less.  The colorful one is a pottery type material, and the little "cage" seemed so perfect to contain him...

 

This bowl and plate set was found earlier, but don't recall sharing them with you before.

Thanks for coming by today, and I look forward to sharing with you in the New Year!

This New Year and always, may you be surrounded by the gift of friendship, the joys of family, and the spirit of love.

PeaceëLoveëJoy
and Happy Stitching
Charlene♥SC

Country GritsMorning of breakfast:  Preheat oven to 350`

Day before serving:

2 lb sausage
½ cup grits
16 oz sharp cheese

½ tsp thyme (I use 1 tsp)

1/8 tsp garlic (I use about ½ tsp)

1/8 tsp salt

4 eggs

1 cup milk

Crumble and brown sausage, drain if needed, set aside to cool. 

Cook grits in 2 cups water per package directions, then add grated cheese while grits are hot.  Add spices, milk, lightly beaten eggs, and sausage.  Stir all together until well blended.  Cover and place in refrigerator overnight.  In the morning, take out of ‘frig for at least 15 minutes before cooking.  Cook for about 45-50 minutes.  I have split this recipe and it works out very well.