Back Door Friends...Open House part 2

As you come in my back door, this is the first thing you will see. Most everyone comes into my house through the backdoor. I've always heard that backdoor guests are the best!

As you enter the house from the back door you are in my kitchen. Right above my laundry doors you see this plaque that reads, "Wishing you Christmas joy beyond measure." (You really can't see this from the photo but there are measuring spoons on the plaque.)

This is my china hutch. I also purchased this in Germany. We know that is is well over a 100 years old because of the cut beveled glass in the cabinet. It is a rock solid piece! I have to tell a little story here. A few years ago when I was having an open house, I had candles lit in the area that Santa is sitting. When I turned around, I noticed that the flame was closer to the cabinet area than I realized. The wood was beginning to glow. Another few minutes and it would have been up in flames. If you look really closely right above Santa's head you will see a black charred spot!

This is my baking Santa at work on my dining room table. I made the runner that is on my table last year. I love the gingerbread print. If you will notice, there are lots of gingerbread things in my kitchen.

Here is part of my collection of gingerbread things. Come on over and we will have that cup of tea!

If you were really at my house, I would have goodies set out on the table. Lots of goodies! I love the holiday baking and the smell that fills the kitchen. Cookies, breads and candies...all of it. What is your favorite treat to make for the holidays?

Open House at Dobco's

Let's take a ride through Dobco Village...all aboard!
Would you like to stay in this quaint little Inn? You can pick up flowers for your loved one or perhaps stop at the local market for some goodies. While you are out you can grab a paper from the newsstand.

There's a wedding going on down at First Baptist!

Be sure to take the kids for a ride on the Merry-go-round...Santa is right next door!

The Village at Dobco's! This piece of furniture is a schrank. (sounds like schrunk) We purchased it in Germany in 1976. It is perfect for displaying my village.

I usually host an open house sometime during the Christmas season. We have the members of our church and close friends over. It is alot of work, but I really enjoy it. This year I thought I would have a virtual open house for all my blogging friends. I will take you on tour of my house and show you all my decorations this coming week. Welcome to my home. Come in and have a cup of tea and some cookies and relax and stay awhile!

Done!

T-Shirt Quilt

I finished the quilt Monday afternoon and called Sandy to let her know. She said I will be there in 20 minutes. She was so excited. It is always fun to do something for someone else and they are pleased with the finished product. Even if I say so myself, the quilt turned out very nicely!

VINTAGE PHOTO FRIDAY

Me and my kittens in 1962.

We almost always had cats around the house. Sometimes more than others. I think this particular time, the mother cat died and we had to hand feed the kittens almost from birth. I remember feeding them with a doll baby bottle. As they got old enough to ween, we eventually gave the kittens away.

T-Shirt quilt in progress

Blocking the squares.
Layout of squares.

A few weeks ago I got a call from a lady in town wanting to know if I could make a T-shirt quilt for her. I agreed to meet with her to see what she wanted and gave her a price. I had made up my mind ahead of time, that if she didn't meet my price, I was not going to mess with it. Anyone of you that quilts, knows that there is alot more involved than meets the eye. She was excited that I would make it for her and never once questioned the price. I was happy about that! So the process started. It took me forever to cut out the shirts. Then I had to stabilize them with interfacing and block each one. I cut out all the sashing and cornerstones. Yesterday I started the piecing. It is coming along nicely. I am hoping to finish it by the end of next week. I will tie it off after I sandwich it. That works the best with T-shirts. The less you have to handle it the better...less stretching that way. I will let you know how it turns out...meanwhile back to the sewing machine!

Holiday for Her

Jessica and her friend Connie at Holiday for Her.
One of many amazing tables.

This is Jessica's fall table.

This table was so clever. It says "Showers of Blessings."

Guest speaker Leslie Nease from Survivor China 2007.

I just returned from Greensboro this morning. I have been at my daughter Jessica's since Thursday to help with her church's annual Women's Ministry, Holiday for Her. It is such an amazing event. Jessica and I start planning for the event as soon as we are done with the current one! We like to see if we can come up with new ideas for our tables. If you do not have any idea of what I am talking about, let me clue you in a little bit. Holiday for Her is just that. An event that is just for women. A time to sit and enjoy a meal in elegant surroundings. To be waited on and be fed...both physically and spiritually. Ladies from the church volunteer to decorate a table any theme or holiday that they choose using their finest china, crystal and silver. The themes are Christmas, Thanksgiving, Valentines, Fourth of July and anything in between! Some of the themes are so original! My favorite one this year I will post later this week. I will also tell you a little more about Leslie. I wish you could all experience this evening. Maybe next year I will reserve a table for all my blogger friends...now that would be fun!

When Pigs Fly

This is my husband's birthday cake. It says "I will buy my dream boat when...

Here are all six of the grand kids actually being still enough to get a picture. I wish you could have seen his face when he looked up and all the kids came in.

And here is a picture of the whole motley crew! It is rare that we are in a picture altogether!

And here is the birthday boy.

My husband turned 60 today. I thought it was a milestone, so I decided to throw him a surprise party. I have been planning this for weeks. I can't believe that I actually pulled it off. When a whole congregation of people are involved, I was sure someone would let the cat out of the bag! As it turned out, he had a convention out of town this week, so that worked to my advantage to get the cake made and make the final preparations...that is...until last night. He called me to tell me he decided to come home early this morning. I called my son-in-law to come and help me get the stuff up to the church late last night. KC did not suspect a thing until we all walked in together at the back of the church following the Wednesday night bible study. At that point, a slide show started. Thanks to my oldest daughter who put it together for me. It was very touching, especially with the music she selected for the background. After we completely embarrassed him, we went over to the fellowship hall and had refreshments. SURPRISE!