It's a Handmade Holiday at my house!

I made most of the gifts we are giving this year. I'm pretty happy with most of them. I just hope the recipients are just as excited to get something I made rather than something I bought.
For Trae's niece and nephew we may have gone overboard. We bought them both something and I made them both something special. For Trae's nephew, I made a pillowcase from a panel of Cars fabric.
I attached it to an extra pillowcase I had from a previous project. I found a checkered flag patterned fabric and made a border for the top of the pillowcase and then I quilted a few sections of the picture to make sure the 2 cases stayed together. I hope my favorite 2 year old boy loves it!

Side 1:

Side 2: 

This is the only decent picture I got of the quilting: 

For Trae's niece, I made her a tutu! I have been planning on doing this since her and her mom came to visit us this past summer. She is such a little girly drama queen and loves to play. I chose bright pink and purple tulle for the tutu and gathered it at the elastic waistband. It definitely does not look professional, but it is only for playing!! I also sewed a really pretty soft ribbon at the top to cover the sewing. I really like this and I hope she does too! I also hope her mom doesn't mind if I encourage the girlyness!

Yes, it stands up on its own!! I hope that is the sign of a good tutu!

Sorry for the fuzzy picture. 

California had a different plan...

Well, I thought I would be posting everyday to my poorly mistreated blog while I was in California!! I remembered as soon as I stepped foot off the plane, my husbands little apartment is too far away from the router!! So we don't get internet in his house. Therefore I am in the landlady's house while my clothes are washing typing this post. Maybe I can get over here a few more times.
There has been a lot that has happened since I left Mississippi. I stayed with my grandmother in Reno my first few days out west. She had a few neck vertebra fused and was needing some TLC while her husband had to go out of town for a few days. Trae came up and we had a wonderful few days of resting. The three days before Christmas Eve, we spent in Tahoe!! It was great. We didn't ski, but we rested and cooked and played in the snow! Trae and I had a wonderful Christmas. We exchanged presents on Christmas Eve because he had to work Christmas Day. So it was just me and Bella on Christmas Day. My plan was to spend some time with him at the ER during the day, but the ER was pretty hopping so I couldn't stay. That day started his 5 days in a row stretch, which today is the last of. I am so glad he doesn't have to work for the next 8 days! I am not sure what we will do, but I don't really care either.
My Alabama Crimson Tide is playing in the National Championship game on January 7. I am soo incredibly excited! I have never seen them play for a championship. I have also found out that a guy in my OT class actually personally knows my favorite Bama player, Terrence Cody! I really want to meet him one day soon! As soon at it was official Bama was going to be playing in Pasadena for the Championship, I tried to find out how I could get to the game. I figured since I would already be in California, this would be fairly easy. I layed in bed one night trying to figure out logistics of this trip only to wake up tired and upset that I still wouldn't be able to go. Oh well. I will be able to watch it with my sweetheart and that is enough for me! Well that is all for now!! But I am so glad to be back online!!!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all!
Well, it is Christmas time in California. No we don't have a snow, just rain. Where we are in the valley, fog is a very big deal. Fog will stay all day. There are weeks that we don't get much sun because of the fog. But it is cold and rainy and that is kinda like Christmas in Mississippi. We have a real Christmas tree in our house, complete with presents. The lights and ornaments are all borrowed. This being our second Christmas across country, we learned that as much as we want our own decorations and stockings, it does not make traveling any easier. So we came with no ornaments this year and our tree looks kinda blah and generic. But my resourceful husband has a hidden talent even I didn't know about fully until a couple of weeks ago. He can make the most beautiful snowflakes. I had to take pictures and send to my family so they also can be in awe of his nimble fingers. Last week, we took a trip to Tahoe just to see the snow. It was beautiful. Light, fluffy powder which would have made for incredible skiing conditions had there been a snow base beforehand. But there wasn't so we did not ski, just played in the perfect powder. Bella had a wonderful time. I think she was made to love the snow. The cold weather makes her feel frisky!! Just what we need: 130 pounds of friskiness. We also toured the Ritz-Carlton condos at Northstar while we were there. You know, just thought we would look and see for when we become wealthy. Mid mountain residences with 24/7 private personal concierge. Can't wait! Unfortunately, we had to come back. Trae has to work Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I am making a Christmas spread for Christmas Day after he gets off. Turkey, dressing, macaroni and cheese, green beans, and of course, coconut cake. For all of you who love coconut cake, it may be impossible to make in California because they do not carry frozen coconut! I know, inconceivable! Apparently, according to other displaced Southerners, only Indian food markets carry it. No main stream grocery store carries it. Trae is out looking today for it! I will let you know if he is successful. In memory of last year's Christmas, the pictures posted above are those of last year's Tahoe snow. I have not had a camera until just a few days ago. So be on the lookout for more pictures. Merry Christmas and may everyone remember the reason we celebrate this wonderful time of year is not for coconut cake, presents, or snowflakes, but the birth of Jesus, the Prince of Peace and Savior of the world!