Tis the Season

It's that time of year when we parents traumatize the little ones with a visit to see Santa. Zeb would not even get on his lap. Indiana had to hold him in a chair while he cried and screamed. Ahhh....warm Christmas memories.

It has been extra cold here the last few days, I mean "this ain't the South, ya'll" type of frigid cold. It always makes me nervous for the bee hives. There is no sure way to gage how much honey the bees need for winter.
So...we made candy boards this year.
The theory is to get these boards on by December 22nd and it will assist the bees through the rest of winter. Start with an inner cover board that is not notched and has a 1/2 inch lip all around.

What you will do is boil 2 cups of water and then add 5 pounds of sugar. Cook it to 240 degrees (soft ball stage)

Remove it from the heat and let it cool to 200 degrees.

I added Honey B Healthy when it cooled to 200 degrees. I intend for it to attract the bees more readily to the candy. Now you pour the mixture onto the board and let it set.

I am hoping the weather will be decent enough Friday to put these on the hives. I will take the inner covers off and replace them with these boards, candy side down.
You can learn more about these boards if you visit David Burns HERE

Here's hoping it will soon feel like the South again real soon!

Questions I Ponder

This time of year I find myself busy. Today was filled with school, laundry, sewing, baking, etc. I finally got the baby bathed and down for a short nap so I thought I would update the blog since it has been a neglected part of my weeks lately.

First, my new toy arrived today. It is a birthday present from Devin's parents and my mom.

It is a 30 quart canner. Wow! Big Bertha! I can't wait to test the thing out, and I am sure it will be put to a ton of use over the next several months.

What should I can first?
I wonder if I have enough jars?
Should I watch Psych tonight and do some knitting?
How many macadamia/caramel clusters is too many for one day?
Why is  the price of gas climbing? Is it just the holiday season?
Why do total strangers ask about how many kids I plan to have?
Since when is it anyone's business?
Maybe strangers are just nicely curious?
Are all 2 year old boys a wild handful?
Does crayon wash off walls?
How many times can a toy car get thrown down the stairs before it finally breaks?
Would a toy company ever pay us to test toy durability?
How much longer till bedtime?

Perhaps my brain needs a break.

Babies and Bread

Oh how I have been busy! Busy, busy. Yes, I have been sewing. I am not posting those details, however, because the recipients read this blog. I would not want to spoil a surprise.

We have been moving right along in school too. We have had to slow down and stay on a few topics because they have been difficult to grasp and required some extra work, especially some math. This is when it really is a blessing to be home educating. We stay on a topic until it is mastered and that makes a huge difference in self confidence.

I have also been doing some Christmas shopping. It has been really nice when Devin takes me and drives me around to the stores and also buys me lunch! What a sweetie!

I will tell you that what has kept me occupied more than any of the above activities though......

This little stinker has been a wee bit demanding. I forgive im though when he smiles like this for me:-)
Also................

This big stinker is quite the handful these days. How many times must he flush toys down the commode?

I'll let you know. :-)

Friday Link Love

Since it is Friday I am going to post a picture from this week. My daughter and one of her roosters.. What would be a good caption for this photo? I am not sure what she was doing but I would love to give it a name.

I also want to leave some links from what I have read this week.
Mary Ostyn encourages us to Keep Walking. This is a post I can surely relate to, as can just about any mother.

Have you heard of Katie in Uganda and how she helps orphans there? Right now she needs prayers for her family. Please stop in and check on her. She is such a blessing.

If you are looking for great gifts to sew then check out Sew Mama Sew. You will find exactly what you want and more!

Finally, you really need to make this bread. We had 2 loaves today and I just made 2 for tomorrow. YUMMY!

Have a great weekend ya'll!

Handmade Christmas Part 2

When the fabric is as cheery as this, well, you must make something fun!

Who can resist these snowmen?

Can I get three cheers for rick rack?

And another three cheers for what might be the easiest and cutest apron in town!

Here was my inspiration.....well, that and some cheery Christmas fabric and a couple of dear people who will make great use of these aprons!

I am suddenly craving some cookies.....

Handmade Christmas Tutorial

I just had to share the love today! 10 minutes is all you need to whip up one of these little treasures.

This is the wine bag that is in this nice little book:

I bought this book last year and made some table runners and place mats from it and they were nice. I thought the wine bag was a cute idea for gift giving as well.

Here's what you need:
1 fat quarter for outside
1 fat quarter for inner lining
1 yard of ribbon

Trim your fabric pieces to 14"x16" each. This project is great for that stash of fabrics you have in the closet:-)

With the RIGHT sides together, stitch down the short 14" inch side. Use your 1/4" foot. Press the seam towards the lining.

Now open it up and it should look like this.

Fold it in half this way with the RIGHT sides still together and sew down the side.

You should have a tube. Do you? Good. Next step.....

Turn the lining side out over the outside fabric. It should look like this. See where the two fabrics are sewn together at the top?

Sew a 1/4 " seam all the way around the top there. You are doing great! We are almost done.

Take the open end and trim it just enough to get any scraggly ends even. Then.....

Sew it closed...all the layers together there where you just trimmed. Zig-zag the raw seam so it looks neat.

Fold the corner down and measure 1 1/4". Mark the line and pin it. Do this with BOTH corners. This will give the bag a flat bottom so it will stand up better.

Sew on your marked line. Trim a 1/4" seam and zig zag the raw edge. Do the same with the other corner.

How does your bag look? I bet it is looking great!

Turn your bag RIGHT side out now! Now all you need is a way to tie it up.

Measure down 4 1/2 inches on the side where the seam is and put a little mark there.

Fold your ribbon in half and tack it down by hand or machine. I used thick hand quilting thread and tacked it by hand.

Now you bag is ready for some wine or even sparkling juice!

Tie it all up and you are done! That was easy, yes? Anybody can buy a paper gift bag for a wine gift. Your handmade bag is so much nicer!

Tomorrow I will show you a couple of cheery holiday aprons that are almost as simple to make!

Handmade Christmas Part 1

Most years I try and make at least a few of my Christmas gifts and this year is no exception.
Today I finished up what is called the "Zippy Strippy"...or is it the "Strippy Zippy?"

I am not sure, but either way it consists of a little fabric pieced and quilted and made into a nice little bag with a zipper.

I love them. You can use them to hold all sorts of treasures or sewing tools or make-up. I was given one by a wonderful lady friend at the quilt store. I then took her class and made one for myself and that inspired me to make some as gifts.

She showed me how to add this binding on the zipper so it would look more finished. I admit I am not a fan of sewing zippers, but it was easy.

I am not giving a tutorial for this project, but here is the pattern I used.

Isn't this fabric adorable? No doubt some special people will be getting these in a few weeks!
Stayed tuned as I am making some more things over the next few days, that is if my infant and toddler cooperate!
What gifts are you making this year?