Give Away

My friend Karen is having a giveaway for a pattern from
Kim on her website.  It is open to all and will end on
Saturday, November 12.  Kim also has other patterns
beside the one being offered in the giveaway. 

Take time to enjoy Karen's blog if you haven't visited
before.  It is a wonderful blog and she always has
so many interesting pictures of the area she lives in.

Right On The Mark

The weatherman was right on with his weather
prediction and white coat last evening.  He said we'd
get 1-3 inches of snow and we have a couple of inches
already.

Last evening when it started snowing lightly (about
10:30 p.m.) I could hear squeals and laughter outside
my front window.  As I peeked out I saw a group of
girls from the neighborhood playing out in the street
trying to catch snowflakes on their tongues.  They
were having so much fun.  Made me wish I was
young again and could just enjoy such a simple thing
without giving thought to getting up in the morning and
driving to work in the snow or even having to shovel
my drive or thinking about the cold temperatures.

As I glance out my window it has started to snow
again and the snow is drifting down in the form of
large fluffy flakes.  It is really pretty---especially
since I'm indoors.

Most of the trees have not dropped their leaves yet
and are laden down with the snow.

My neighbors "red" leaves look so pretty with the
snow clinging to them.
















I am going to have to brush the snow off the vines
on my arbor.  My burning bush and mums are
totally covered so I guess I'll need to trim them
back as it warms up later this week.  They have
been so pretty.

So grateful my SIL came last evening and mowed
my lawn picking up many of the leaves that had
fallen or blown down with the wind that brought
in this storm.

Wonder if there is enough snow to build a
snowman!  Maybe the grandkids would like to
come play with Grandma.  LOL

Must remember to change my clocks tonight.
My smoke alarm went off about midnight a couple
of days ago (scaring me to death!) reminding me
it was time to change the battery.  So with a new
battery and an extra hour of sleep I should be in
good shape!

Take care,

Nola

Happy 11-1-11

Can you believe it is November 1st  already?  I expected
to turn the radio on and find Christmas music starting
like last year when that was all they played until
Christmas day.  Thankfully there was not any.  I am not
a scrooge but I just like Christmas music after
Thanksgiving.  However, when I looked out my
window this morning and it was snowing or trying to
snow, I almost changed my mind.

Can't believe Halloween has come and gone.  We
had perfect weather for the trick or treaters---very
mild.  All we needed was a light jacket and then
not until  we were almost finished.  I love being
invited to go with my grandkids and their parents.
It brings back  fond memories of when my
children were small and I'd go with them while
their Dad stayed at home and passed out candy.

While  the children all dressed up we adults
just wore hats.  I got to wear the witch's hat this
year.  Parents and children all dress up in my
daughter's neighborhood and really decorate.

This was Ty's first year and when he realized you
got candy he was off and running---not the least
bit hesitant.  We could hardly keep up with him.

Just one of the many fun decorated houses we stopped
at.   Had to snap a picture of my daughter, SIL
and two of the grandkids. 














Today my house is looking rather blah with the
Halloween decorations put away.  There are still
a few fall things left out to enjoy.  Before I know it,
it will be time to pull out the Christmas decorations.

Take care,

Nola

Orange-Pumpkin Muffins

While browsing through an old Leisure Arts Christmas
book the other day, I came across this recipe and the
picture looked so tempting that I knew I had to make
some.

They are wonderful and perfect for a crispy fall
morning especially if you love oranges and
pumpkin.  I loved the flavor the orange zest
added.  However, nuts were omitted as I was
out of them and didn't want to make a special
trip to the store for one item.  The nuts are only
sprinkled on top of the muffin.

Here is the recipe if you'd like to try them:

Enjoy!

Nola

Two Years Later

Finally, it is done and ready to enjoy this Christmas.
I started this free BOM: "A Christmas Wish" from
Gail in January of 2009 fully intending to have
it completed for Christmas.

All the stitchery and piecing of blocks were finished
on schedule and I had even started quilting it, but for
some reason (which I have now forgotten) it didn't get
finished and has sat in my sewing room staring me in
the face waiting to be done.

Now it is DONE!  It was a great way to use up my
old Christmas fabrics from my business.  However,
it really didn't make a dent!

The only thing left to do now is make a label for the
back.

Utah's Own Icon

Today I had the opportunity to meet Nancy Halvorson,
Utah's own quilting and designing icon.  She was
coming to "My Girlfriend's Quilt Shop" in Logan
and my friend, JoAnn, invited me to drive up and
go with her.  It was a beautiful drive, perfect
temperatures, and still a little color highlighting
the canyon.

Nancy lives near by in Layton and is a very
talented and gifted lady.  You may be familiar
with her books, Art to  Heart or her fabulous
fabric line.   It was fun to hear her story of how
she got started in the industry and have her share
some helpful sewing tips.

Loved seeing all her wonderful items featured in her
books made up and on display for everyone to enjoy
and "drool" over.

Here she is with one of the store's owners.
Nancy is the one without the microphone.

It was difficult to pass up her wonderful fabric and
books especially because the store was offering a
discount for those attending.  And so I didn't. I
purchased a kit to make the garland hanging above
Nancy.  It is way cute!

It was a fun day and so nice to meet Nancy.
Nola

Priceless!