New Year, New Start

Wow, another long blogging break for me.  I hope to post more often this year.  Last year, I sadly neglected my blog too often.

Dunkel says "Happy New Year!"

 
Anywho, I hope all my readers had a wonderful holiday season and are off to a good start on the New Year.

I want to thank everyone for their words of sympathy on the loss of my father-in-law.  His death was completely unexpected and quite a shock.  We went to California the week before Christmas for a memorial service for him.  It was a hurried and difficult trip.  And the worst was that DH came down with a nasty virus just as we were leaving Seattle.  But there were a couple of high points.  We had gorgeous weather, which was unusual for the Central Valley in Dec.  Blue skies and bright sunshine.  It was so nice to have some sunshine!  And I think we had the world's best beef enchiladas at a little taqueria - out of this world!

So, needless to say, our Christmas preparations were rushed and our celebration a little low-key.  But, in spite of DH being so sick and miserable and me fighting it off as well, we had a nice holiday.  Went to dinner and to see The Hobbit with friends on Christmas Eve (I LOVED the movie!), spent the day at our oldest son's house on Christmas, then we (me, DH and The Kid) had our Christmas on Boxing Day.

We met our "new" grand-dog.  This is Hannah and she's 11.  My oldest son is so happy to have a dog again, and she seems to adore him too. A big dog with a great big "woof!" which she is demonstrating here.  She's a sweetheart.

I managed to hold off the worst of the virus until we got through those 3 days, then it had me down for the rest of December and into the new year.  Ugh.  I seem to be over the worst of it now, but I'm still on medications and still coughing, and DH is still not feeling well either.  He actually went to the Dr. (we were afraid he had strep throat because his throat hurt so severely for so long), but it's just a virus - not even the flu.  It's a tough one though.  We're still taking it easy around here.

A. and her fleece pillowcase

L. and her kitty pillowcase

I did manage to get my Christmas sewing done.  I made everyone a new pillowcase again this year.  Mine isn't finished yet, though.  And I still have one more present to finish for the The Kid.  It won't take long, when I can get into the quilt studio.  I have managed to sew 5 blocks on my Low Volume quilt since Christmas.  That's it . . . all the sewing I have accomplished.  I'm hoping to get in there this week to do a little more.

Just wanted to mention . . . my sister has started an Etsy shop.  She doesn't have much in there yet, but is planning on more soon.  Pop over and take a look.  She hasn't started a blog yet, but I'm trying to get her to do that soon.  She's a very creative person and has a lot to share.