Throwback Thursday

When I was a 'tween, my parents and Himself's parents took turns hosting a New Year's Eve Party. My parents would let me stay up to ring in the New Year, or take me with them to Himself's house.

I remember one party at Himself's. I was 13 yrs old and all dressed up as people did in those days. Ma had made me a blue velvet dress with sheer blue sleeves and velvet cuffs. I was hanging with the grown up enjoying the hors d'oeuvres (or horse's ovaries as Himself's dad call them) Himself's mother made tiny hot dogs in a yellow mustard and currant jelly sauce. There were crackers and a cheese balls and cookies.

Himself's father was in the kitchen mixing drinks for the adults. He brought me my first mixed drink, a Banana "Daiquiri". It was of the virgin variety served in a cocktail glass with a maraschino cherry, and I felt very grown up ringing in 1968.

Wordless Wednesday

We Got Mail

Ink and I received some fun mail art from Finnbadger from Envelope 100.  Finnbadger makes his own envelopes and this brought a smile when I pulled it out of the PO Box. Holiday mice stirring with care and a color coordinated stamp. Red happens to be my second, favorite color. I added the Ink kitties in Paint Shop Pro to obscure the address.

Inside the envelope, was a card for Ink. When I first saw the postcard on Finn's blog, I left the comment: The mail creeps in on little cat feet.

There was also a card for me. I loved Spirograph as a kid. I still love it, and still have my set.

Thank you, Finn. It's always nice to get something in the mail that is not a bill.

I Got A Pressie

I was surprised when a friend of mine told me she roasted chestnuts using the microwave. I didn't know you could cook them that way. I'm really the only one on the family who likes roasted chestnuts. I told Himself about the microwave method and got all nostalgic.

My dad always had to have chestnuts at Thanksgiving and Christmas. He would buy the chestnuts and was in charge of roasting them. He made an "x" on each chestnut with a sharp knife and placed them on a baking sheet. I remember when I was little, he told me the "x" had to be made or the oven door would blow off. I was always a little disappointed that event never happened.

Himself ran to the Mahket to pick up a few items. One of the items he picked up was a snack bag of chestnuts. Yup, Himself is a keeper.

Gifts for the In-Laws

Now that the gifts have been opened, here are the gifts I made for the in-laws.  8 inch square. 23 karat gold, gouache, sumi ink on Diploma Parchment.

Celebrating

at the annual family Clan Gathering. Enjoy your day!

The Friday Five Good Things

Five good things that happened this week

1. The turkeys came to call on Ink. He was very happy and excited to see the herd.

2. Grandmaster E. sent a box of her delicious Italian cookies.

3. Being sick a couple of days put me behind schedule, but I finished the Christmas gifts I was making.

4. Himself took my car to be washed and then removed some scratches from the hood and trunk. Himself is a keeper.

5. It was so warm Christmas Eve, we had to sleep with the window open. I love it!

How was your week?

Diffusing Christmas Morning: Idaho Blue Spruce, Thieves, Orange, Peppermint