Crazy Quilted Christmas Gifts and A Special Request From Santa

Santa's elves have been as busy as a little elf can be creating gifts for Christmas!
Remember I told you in my last post about my pal Pat's idea of turning those ugly nightlights into a truly beautiful piece of art?

It starts with this $1.99 nightlight ~

Crazy quilt a block to fit the front of your light ~

I finished off the edges with a slip stitch by hand, then used Tacky Glue and clamps until dry.

Here's the finished light ~

and a couple more.....

The Kreinik Christmas Cracker, also Pat's design, was a super fun project and went quickly.

I cut the cardboard tube inside of Christmas wrapping paper to size, then stitched a block that would fit around the tube with a little extra wiggle room.
Simply sew lace edging to both sides and sew in place around the tube.

Go HERE for instructions you can download.

You can add silk ribbon poinsettias, Christmas Trees and wreaths.

I filled it with Christmas candy and it is on it's way to someone special.

I did two picture pillows on dupioni silk, one of a beloved pet that passed away ...

and one of a new born baby ~ I think Olivia's grandparents will like it.

Now that the last of the out of town gifts were shipped today, it's time to tackle the ones close to home. I have some of my happiest moments in this tiny room wrapping gifts and twirling ribbon with scissors just like Mom and Grama always did.

The house is all decked out ~

and my great grandmother's rocking chair is waiting for Santa.... just in case he gets a little beat up trying to go down our fireplace with no chimney ~ lol!

(decorating tip ~ use vintage Christmas Aprons as tree skirts)

 By the way Santa ~ remember those jammies you gave me on my First Christmas?

Well how come I was still wearing them on my 3rd Christmas??

If you could find it in your heart to hook me up with a new pair of slippers I think we can just forget that whole "same jammies for 3 year" incident.

Love ya Santa!!!!

Teddi's Big Adventure at The Christmas Tree Farm!

Dad promised me TODAY was the Big Day!

We were going to cut down a Christmas Tree!

We needed Mom to come to take pictures.... her and  I wore matching sweaters!

Dad found an 8 foot beauty and asked me if I likes it ~

 Yeah Dad ~ weeee ~ that's the ONE!!!

Daddy is so strong ~ he had it down in no time.

 I jumped on the cart with the tree for a ride back to Dad's truck.

 I made a new friend too! We were the same color.

 She was a little too fresh though ~embarrassing with Mom there so....

 I jumped in Dad's truck and said good bye.

 Me and Mom are getting ready to decorate our beautiful Christmas Tree.
Here we are in our matching sweaters!

 Mom will show you pictures when we are done decorating.

Hey do you think Santa reads this????

Just in case ~ here are some ideas for him ...........

Pet High Chair ~ maybe Dad would let me sit at the table with one of these!

Dog Umbrella ~ I hate when my bangs get wet!

Dog Topiary ~ I mean why not??? Mom has angels, frogs and duck statues in the yard.

Skirt For Boy Dogs ~ Hey there's a cute Scottish girl down the street...I think this might get her attention ;)

Paw Plunger ~ Okay fine ...I admit it. Sometimes I step in my own pee...need I say more???

A Recipe for Your Turkey Leftovers ~ Tips for the Upcoming Season

Please note I revised the recipe at bottom of post ~ I forgot to list the carrots and turkey gravy! It is now correct ;)

I am hopeful my friends that you all had a Peaceful and Loving Thanksgiving.

This year I used Grama's china ~ the same china we had countless Holiday meals since 1965 when she bought it.
The best was pouring gravy from that gravy boat ~ something I haven't done since I was maybe 14 years old.
Everything turned out yummy and I think we started a new tradition this year ~ making Gingerbead Houses after dinner.

 My girls made a tiny Gingerbread Village that turned out Beautifully!

 The Cranberry Bread came from a recipe I got from a Cookbook I bought on our honeymoon in Block Island.

Look how worn out the book is !

 I used Grama's Cooper Mirro Jello Mold and I will never use Tupperware again!

 Oh and I had to share these pic's of Teddi in his new car seat!
 My son's dog Daisy was a bit put out that she can't sit in it too.

 I love seeing this smile on my little man's face!

 Today is the last day for leftovers so I thought I'd share my recipe for Turkey Ala King.
We will have this tonight and finish up the pies and jello for dessert.

Terri's Turkey Ala King

1 cup milk
salt and pepper to taste
1 onion chopped
1 large carrot diced very small 
Butter ( I use about a 1/4 stick)
3 tablespoons flour
All of your Turkey leftovers (more than 2 cups ~ double above ingredients)
Peas (leftover or 1 cup or so frozen)
Left over gravy if you have it

Melt butter in large fry pan and add onions and carrots.Cook med. heat until onions are clear and carrots are soft
Mash a chicken bouillon cube into onion/butter ~ then
Whisk flour with a 1/4 cup of milk then add to skillet.
Stir quickly as you add the rest of the milk, salt and pepper and gravy.
As this thickens ~ you may need to add more milkif it is too thick  ~ too thin add more flour.
Add your turkey , continue to mix until well blended and the thickness you like.
Add peas and mix well then  turn off heat and cover for a few minutes.

Serve over toast or noodle.
Thicken a bit more and add to a baked pie crust, bake at 350 for 20 minutes ~ and you have Chicken Pot Pie.
Add to a casserole dish and top with leftover mashed potatoes (Mix 1 egg to potatoes and mix well before topping )
Bake at 350 for 30 minutes and you have Turkey Shepard's Pie.

Have A Happy, Relaxing Week-end!
How about pouring yourself some eggnog in a fancy glass with a dash of grated nutmeg on top ~
put on the Chrismas tunes and do some cyber shopping, Christmas gift wrapping or list making.

I know it's a crazy time of year but it's so wonderful.
Everyone scurrying around with the intent on bringing a smile to a loved ones face.
Give less if you must but pack in more love.

Collect all the department store coupons you see in an envelope and carry them with you.
Don't buy a single thing on line before checking "Retail Me Not" and other sites for cyber codes.
I find a coupon for almost every site!

Don't waste your time writing "fluffy" Christmas letters for your Christmas cards.
If you write them ~ make them honest with the intent of building up the spirit of the reader.
Remember how loved you are ~ especially by your Heavenly Father.
He has a Twinkle in His eye Just for YOU.