odds and ends

Today is a big day.

First and foremost on my mind is my son Andrew.

He is embarking upon a world tour, beginning just after noon today. He will hop on a plane to Frankfort, and spend a week or so exploring southern Germany. (He didn't go with us back in August.) He also plans to snowboard the Alps, (or at least one of them.) From there, he'll board another plane to Tokyo, and spend a week in Japan. wow. He's got friends in both places, but for the most part, he's going to be going solo.

Godspeed, Andrew! May He follow you and protect you around the world!!!

"If I take the wings of the dawn,
If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,
Even there Your hand will lead me,
And Your right hand will lay hold of me." Psalm 139:9,10

Those are words of hope and promises I hold on to as my kiddies venture further from the nest than I ever would have dreamed of going...

In contrast, our ordinary life seems quite mundane.

Last night was my husband's office/business party. It was such a success last year, they wanted to have another one this year, at the same place. The party was held at Koetsier Ranch, a lovely venue created from a refurbished barn. This is what we saw as we arrived.

(pay no attention to the moist droplets in the picture - it's just fog.) What I noticed right off was the solo deer.

Last year, they had two deer, a buck and a doe. By the time we left the party - this is a large group of dairy veterinarians, (basically cow OB's) - the buck had mounted the doe and the vets were snorting, they were laughing so hard. Koetsiers fixed that. This year there was only one deer to mess with - they took away temptation. (I was a bit worried when I saw a polar bear on the other side of the display, but it was okay. It was far enough away that everyone left it alone.)

It was beautifully decorated indoors as well, and I just LOVED this display of nutcrackers. I have a thing for nutcrackers, I always have. But my "collection" is nothing like this one. (I do prefer nutcrackers made in Deutschland to those made elsewhere...)


Finally, yesterday I proposed to do something with this leftover treasure:


This morning, it looks like this:


What did I do with the patchwork? Why, I recycled it, of course!

There was enough fabric to beautifully cover four photo albums

And make the base for three Christmas cards.

Today's plan is to add some beads and sparkle to the cards.

The bottom card reminds me of snow, and I've quilted "Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow" in the sky. It definitely calls for some clear/crystal beads to accent the theme.

And that, my dear friends, is what I've got for you today.

Instead of sewing, today's calendar says, "Finish the garage." I've taken on another project, and with a little (a LOT) of help from my friends, it is under control and almost finished. I can't wait to get my car back in there. It seems like it's been F O R E V E R that it's been on the driveway, although it's been less than a month.

Don't worry, I've got pictures. ;) Stay tuned...