My New Favorite Breakfast

Posted on February 4, 2013 by Barb

I’m on a breakfast kick.  An oatmeal breakfast kick.  And I absolutely love this recipe I found recently and have been anxious to share it with you.

Chocolate-Covered Katie is my new favorite vegan food blog.  She has the best recipes in the world.  I’m obsessed with this one.  I have it every day for breakfast.  Seriously.  There are so many variations you could never get bored.  So here it is!

Baked Oatmeal.  Simple, isn’t it?  With all the ingredients that you would most likely use in a bowl of oatmeal.  Only worlds better.

My New Favorite Breakfast (1)

Here are the basic ingredients: old-fashioned oats, vanilla, salt, almond milk (or some other non-dairy milk – like my new fave…. almond coconut!) and applesauce.  Actually even the applesauce can be replaced with canned pumpkin or mashed banana.

You can go crazy with additional ingredients.  Whatever floats your boat on any given day.  And that is probably why I can eat this every day and not get bored.

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Preheat oven to 400° – put 1/2 c oats, a pinch of salt, 1/2 tsp vanilla, 1/4 c applesauce (or banana or pumpkin) and 1/4 c milk in a bowl.  Then the fun begins.  You can add in any of the following that sound good to you on any given day: cocoa, peanut butter, walnuts, pecans, coconut, cinnamon, chocolate chips, raisins, etc.

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Today I was in a chocolate mood.  So I added a tablespoon of cocoa.My New Favorite Breakfast (4)

And then just because I had peanut butter cups on the brain, I threw in a tablespoon of peanut butter too.  Chocolate and peanut butter.  Yum.

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Then because surely that wasn’t enough chocolate, I threw in a handful of chocolate chips.  These are actually vegan chips!  No milk.  Just chocolate.  More yum.

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Then just stir it all up.

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Until it looks like this.  By the way remember No Bake Cookies?  The ones with oatmeal, chocolate and peanut butter that you cook on the stove and then drop by spoonfuls onto wax paper?  This tastes just like those.  For breakfast.  Terrific.

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Then spoon it all into a little ramekin.  That you have sprayed with a little canola oil spray.

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Doesn’t it just look wonderful already?  So, sooooo yummy.My New Favorite Breakfast (10)

Bake for 20 minutes.  Then for a nice crusty top, turn on the broiler and broil for about 3 minutes more.  And after removing from the oven, drizzle on about 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup or agave nectar.  My New Favorite Breakfast (11)

I like to have mine with a little vegan sausage on the side.  And I usually chop it all up as seen above, and then pour the syrup on.  I only use about a tablespoon of syrup.  So, so very good.

And because there are so many variations, you can have it every day!  Try chocolate chips and coconut and feel like you’re having a mounds bar for breakfast.  And banana with walnuts?  Just like banana nut bread.  I even sprinkle in a little cinnamon with that one.  Pumpkin is pretty spectacular too.  I add in cinnamon and nutmeg with that.  Throw in some raisins and feel like you’re having an oatmeal cookie for breakfast.  You could throw in some ground flax too.  Just to boost the healthiness of it.  As if it isn’t already one of the healthiest breakfasts around.

I love, love, love, love, love this breakfast.  Use your imagination and add in whatever sounds good on any given day.  And feel like you are being the healthiest person around.

Enjoy!
Barb
P.S.  I changed up things just a bit from what Chocolate-Covered Katie does.  I cook mine at a higher temp than she recommends.  It could just be my oven.  So experiment with yours.  And let me know if you come up with a new variation!

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Miss Kitty

Posted on February 3, 2013 by Barb

Miss Kitty (7)

Miss Kitty
2006 (?) – 2012

It’s been over 3 months and this is still a hard post to write.  But I’ve meant to write and people have asked about her so I thought I’d do a little tribute to Miss Kitty today.  You might remember that last August I wrote that she had stopped eating and I was feeding her with a syringe.  She was a trooper!  She rallied, gained weight and she and I bonded.  And had two more glorious months together.

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But later we found out that she had cancer – a large tumor in her chest showed up on x-rays.  And in October of last year, she stopped eating again and declined quickly.  So we knew it was time.

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I think this was her favorite pose.  She loved to lay on her back and stare up at the world.

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She came home from Tulsa with Dear Hubby after he worked up there for a year.  She adopted him in the trailer park where he was living in our motorhome.  And they bonded.  So she came home with him in 2009.  At least I think it was the summer of 2009.  The vet told us she was about 3 years old at the time.

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She loved to play with Dear Hubby.  She would stay outside and come running when he came home from being gone.  She wasn’t sure that she liked me so much.  In fact, she hissed at me for a whole year.  My friends laughed.  They know what a cat lover I am!  But I was the other woman to her.  I’m glad that we had that good bonding time at the end.

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Boo tolerated her and she tolerated him.  At first.  But they learned to get along and played together too.  And even had an occasional sit together time.  Very occasional.

Boo was very jealous that she got to be outside so much.  And for awhile she was jealous that he got to be inside!  You can read about that in this posting:  Inside or Outside

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So she started living inside more and more.  And was very much a part of our family.

We do love our pets, don’t we?  And I miss Miss Kitty.  And knew that she deserved a little tribute on the blog.

Hug your furry friend for me today,
Barb

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Brown Bags and Challenges

Posted on February 2, 2013 by Barb

I used to be a blogger.  A long, long time ago.  Not sure what happened to me.  I keep trying to make a comeback.  I actually love blogging.  One of these days I’ll figure out why I’m so stuck.  In the meantime, I cannot be trusted when I say I’ll be blogging about something else next.  Next is a very relative term.  It could mean tomorrow.  It could mean next week.  It could even mean next year.  Maybe one day you’ll be able to trust me again.

But for now…. I promised pics of brown bag quilts and challenges.  It’s been 6,184 days since the Christmas party.  Or maybe it just feels like that to you who’ve been anxious for pics.  I’m sure I can’t be trusted to remember all the events correctly.  So I’ll just make up stuff to fill in the blanks.  And entertain you.

Brown Bags and Challenges (1)First up was Dede.  Sue had her brown bag fabric.

Brown Bags and Challenges (2)And here’s the quilt.  Made by Sue.  With Dede’s fabric in the brown bag.  You remember how this works, don’t you?  Oh, yeah.  I forgot it has been 6,184 days.

A refresher for those of you who used to read this blog back in the day when I was blogging….. In January we all brought a yard or two of fabric in a brown bag.  We mix up all the brown bags and everyone goes home with one.  Nobody knows who has whose fabric.  In fact nobody knows anything.  We just make quilts.  Or rather quilt tops.  And then exchange them at our annual JSS Christmas party.  When everything is revealed.  Comprende?

Brown Bags and Challenges (3)Judy was next.  Quilt made by Patti.  They had to discuss it a bit first.  Before opening.  They wanted to drag out the exchange and make it last all day.

Brown Bags and Challenges (4)Especially Judy.  See how slowly she unfolds the quilt?  As Patti looks on.  And everyone else says, Hurry up.  In their minds.

Brown Bags and Challenges (5)See what saying hurry up gets us?  The back of the quilt.  They are prolonging the gift giving.

Brown Bags and Challenges (6)Finally!  And isn’t it great?

Brown Bags and Challenges (7)I got to be next!  My quilt was made by Kay.  And I won’t make you suffer through pics of the back of the quilt.  Even though I did what Judy did.  Apparently we all like to prolong the gift giving.

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I love my wild and crazy rooster!  Thanks, Kay!

Brown Bags and Challenges (9)Next was Peggy.  Quilt made by Judy.  Creative wrapping also by Judy.  Blurry picture by Barb.

Brown Bags and Challenges (10)Beautiful quilt top!

Brown Bags and Challenges (11)They were beside themselves with giddiness.  Especially Judy.  She loves the Christmas party.

Brown Bags and Challenges (12)Next was Kay.  With a masterpiece work of art by Jules.

Brown Bags and Challenges (13)See?  Unbelievable.

Brown Bags and Challenges (14)Even the label was a work of art!

Brown Bags and Challenges (15)Nancy was next.  Top made by yours truly.

Brown Bags and Challenges (16)It’s a Feathered Star!  A Christmas Peppermint Candy Star.  At least that’s what it looks like.  I had such fun making it that I’ve started a whole Feathered Star quilt.  Only this time I’m making it for myself.  And keeping it.

Brown Bags and Challenges (17)Sally was next.  Top made by Davene.

Brown Bags and Challenges (18)And it’s perfect.  Teacups for Sally!

Brown Bags and Challenges (19)Up next – Barbara, aka Cookie.  Made by Madelyn.

Brown Bags and Challenges (20)And now for your viewing pleasure….. picture within a picture!  Nice quilt top too.

Brown Bags and Challenges (21)Davene just liked her bow.  Made by Nancy.

Brown Bags and Challenges (22)And a great quilt too!

Brown Bags and Challenges (23)Next – Jules…. made by Sally.

Brown Bags and Challenges (24)Smiles all around.  And a fabulous quilt too!

Brown Bags and Challenges (25)Sue got a beautiful feathered star.  Made by Dede.  Love the bird in the center – so appropriate!

Brown Bags and Challenges (26)Sue got a nice log cabin quilt.  Made by….. Sue!  She got her own fabric when she chose her brown bag and didn’t tell a soul.  Just quietly made a quilt for herself.  Very smart, Sue!  And I bet you got exactly what you wanted, didn’t you?

Brown Bags and Challenges (27)Next up… Patti.  Quilt made by Peggy.

Brown Bags and Challenges (28)A fabulous quilt!

Brown Bags and Challenges (29)Madelyn was next.  Quilt by Barbara, aka Cookie.

Brown Bags and Challenges (30)What a great use of that animal print fabric!  Nice quilt.

This was the first year that two people had each other’s fabric.  And it happened twice.  Cookie had Madelyn’s and vice versa.  And Sue G had Dede’s and vice versa.  What are the odds?

Brown Bags and Challenges (31)Linda was next.  All the way from California.  We are a bi-coastal group.

Brown Bags and Challenges (32)Big story on this one.  Linda made this quilt top.  The fabric actually belonged to our dear friend Sue.  Who we lost from complications after a freak accident last year.  Sue had Linda’s fabric.  And we don’t know if she’d started a quilt with it or not.  So it was decided that the best thing to do was for Linda to keep the quilt that she made out of Sue’s fabric.  In memory of Sue.  We all miss you, Sue!  Guild and Bee just aren’t the same without Sue there.

After we finished the brown bag quilts, those who made quilts out of the challenge fabric showed those!  It’s the fabric you see on the borders of the blog.  At least for now.  If you’re reading this post in 2014, the borders will probably be different.  In fact, they might be different next week!

Brown Bags and Challenges (33)Suz made this one.  Or rather this partial one.  She’s pointing to the challenge fabric.  Got it?

Brown Bags and Challenges (34)Here’s Cookie’s.  She has this one quilted now and it’s fabulous!  I bet if you pop over to her blog, you can see a pic of it with the quilting……  Here’s the link:  Cookie’s Blog

OK, I lied.  But she does have a nice pic of the challenge fabric!  And great pics of the quilts that I’m about to show you here.  And if you go to her home page, her latest post is about our January Bee day and the new challenge for 2013!  She has some cute up close pics of her brown bag too.  So just surf around Cookie’s blog for awhile!  Tell her Barb sent ya….. and that she needs to post a pic of her quilt with the quilting.  It’s spectacular!

Brown Bags and Challenges (35)Davene made a cute pillowcase with her fabric.  Hey!  Nobody said it had to be a quilt!

Brown Bags and Challenges (36)And Dede made this nice scarf for Suz!  Only she doesn’t need it any more now, right Suz?  Yeah!

Brown Bags and Challenges (37)Here’s Judy’s.  A wonderful storm at sea quilt!  I love the way it looks all curvy even though there isn’t a curve in it.  Cool pattern.

Brown Bags and Challenges (38)And last, but absolutely, positively not least, this glorious quilt by Madelyn.  All quilted and everything!  Very, very nice.

And a fitting ending to this blog of brown bags and challenges!  I hope you enjoyed the quilt show.  These gals are fabulous quilters.  What variety and creativity!  I am blessed to be a part of this group.

Until next time….. whenever that might be!
Hugs,
Barb

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Show ‘n Tell

Posted on December 17, 2012 by Barb

Yeah!  I can hear you all celebrating that I am finally getting more pics posted from the JSS Christmas Party of the Year.

Boo is celebrating too.  In my lap.  In the way of typing.  It’s where he lives these days.  I think he has separation anxiety issues.  Or maybe his toes are just chilly.  Either way, he loves a good lap.  And I’d show you a pic of him laying here across my wrists and the laptop, only I’d have to get up to get the camera.  And then he would no longer be laying here, now would he?

Besides, we have a rule in our house…. anyone with a cat in their lap cannot get up under any circumstances.  It becomes really problematic when you have to go to the bathroom.  Now what was I blogging about anyway?  Oh, yeah.  Show ‘n Tell pics from the JSS Christmas party!

Show 'n Tell (1) Peggy started things off by showing us a couple of aprons she had made.  I apologize for Peggy being blurry.  But she would not hold still!

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Clearly Peggy was ready to get on with the show!

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In fact she showed us so quickly what was in this bag that I totally missed a picture of it.

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Luckily Judy held very still while holding up what Peggy had made and was in the bag.  It’s a good thing the other gals didn’t move as fast as Peggy or this would be one frustrating blog today.  Full of blurry pictures!  I’m gonna have to get Jerry’s help with training these gals on the Art of Holding Still for Blog Shots.  We’ll be having a class any day now.

And aren’t Peggy’s little wool eggs fabulous?

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Judy was next with a fabulous picture book of her Colorado adventure with two of her granddaughters.  What fun!

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But Judy also had quilts to show!  Including this fabulous pink girly one.

Show 'n Tell (7)And this cute transportation one!

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Karen and Pam held up Vicki’s wonderful T-shirt quilt that Vicki made while at retreat with us in October.  It’s Vicki’s first quilt!  And she left it with Pam to quilt for her.  Congratulations to Vicki.  A new quilter is born!

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Sue was next with this fun Christmas quilt.  I think she’s made 427 in this same pattern.  Sue is very prolific with her quilting this year.

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Sue also showed us her lovely hat boxes, inspired by a quilt that Madelyn had made.  Wonderful, Sue!

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Lynn was next with these cute cowboys…..

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…. and although you can’t read it very well, I had to show you her new label.  She’s putting them on all her quilts.  It says, This Took Forever.  I’m having a batch of those made up for me as we speak.

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Patti’s show ‘n tell was on her iPad.  A nice patriotic eagle quilt.

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Tracy made a beautiful Christmas stocking.

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And a fabulous mini-Baltimore Album – done with all ribbons and embroidery stitches.

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Which sparked a frenzy of closer scrutiny by all her friends.  It’s just fabulous!

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Sally made about 4 gazillion aprons this year including this cute Christmas one.  She was in charge of the quilt show and aprons were a part of the theme.  Last I heard she was still making aprons in her sewing room, barely coming up for air and food.  She’s on an apron mission.  Whatever that means.  I’ll take a Christmas one, Sally!  I have a feeling I’m not on her list.

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Here’s another of Sally’s fabulous prize-winning quilts.  This one is done with lots of fancy decorative stitches on her machine.  I wish I’d taken some close ups for you.  You’ll have to just use your imagination.

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The gals were really getting into the show, weren’t they?

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This is Sally’s tribute to the women in her family.  Another award-winning stunner.

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Sally’s stitching is precise and perfect.  Great quilt!

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Kay was next with this lovely work of art.

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And another not quite finished that she started in a TVQG workshop recently.  Fabulous!

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Kay also made this runner.  That was taller than she could reach!  So she stood on the hearth.  Very nice, Kay!

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Donna (Cindy’s Mom) made this wonderful bunny.  She was quite proud!  And so were we.

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Cindy had lots of quilts to show.  Including this wonderful Christmas one.

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And this one…. with a Little Rascal Dog….

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Cindy worked on this one at retreat!  All finished….

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This one is last year’s challenge quilt.  Good job, Cindy!

Show 'n Tell (30)

This one was a very popular Quilter’s Dream Block of the Month quilt.  Cindy quilted it at Pam’s house.  And it’s wonderful.

Show 'n Tell (31)

Jules makes quilts that are works of art.

Show 'n Tell (32)

And because she took lessons from Peggy on How Not to Hold Still for Pictures, I had to capture these on the floor.

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But I did get her to hold still for this one.  A portion of her cute polar bears.  We’re holding that How to Hold Still class real soon.

Show 'n Tell (34)

Dede made this lovely Hawaiian Breadfruit applique quilt.  Wonderful.

Show 'n Tell (35)

Here’s Madelyn with a pretty quilt in Christmas colors.

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And this one was Madelyn’s brown bag from last year!  All quilted and finished.  One day I’ll be like Madelyn and actually finish some quilts.  I hear you laughing!

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And this one was Judy R’s brown bag last year.  All quilted and finished.  I hope I got those last two right this time around.  I think I got them wrong last year and had to be corrected.  If the owners would just come to the party and hold up their own quilts, I’d be good.  Just sayin’.

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Last, but certainly not even close to least, was Judy with this picture for showin’.  Of her son, Dan and his lovely wife, Candace.  They announced recently the sex of their “bun in the oven.”  With duct tape!  Cute, real cute.

Next up….. Brown Bag Quilts!  Hold on to your hats!  Or your seats!  Or your horses!  Just hold on to something!  And prepare to be amazed…….

Hugs,
Barb

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It’s Party Time!

Posted on December 8, 2012 by Barb

Christmas that is.  The JSS Christmas Party is always a huge event!  Gals travel from far and wide to come to the party.  And from what I hear, those who cannot attend, wait patiently impatiently for the blog so they can feel like they’ve been there too.

It's Party Time (2)

There is always lots of food at a JSS party.  Lots and lots of food.  And that pic was for Lani because she was so anxious for more food items on the blog.  Not.  In fact I think she commented on the last post with, Enough with the food blogs already!  Or something like that.  So if you are anxious for more quilty pics, you can thank Lani.

It's Party Time (3)

Peggy’s home was warm and inviting and all decked out for Christmas.  Santa greets you just inside the door!  And Santa greets you all around Peggy’s house.  See the Santa peeking out from the hallway?  He deserves a closer look.

It's Party Time (5)

Peggy’s quilts are just exquisite.  And they are everywhere in her home.  A quilter’s paradise of quilts!

It's Party Time (9)

Not only that but she has many, many that are Christmas quilts.  I wanna be like Peggy when I grow up.  She is one very accomplished quilter.

It's Party Time (4)

Peggy’s beautiful tree put us in the Christmas spirit too.  It was covered with fabulous snowflakes!  It’s how we get our snow fix in Texas.  Although there is snow in our forecast for Monday!  But that’s another story…. and I need to stay on the Christmas party track!

I think Peggy needs to come and decorate at my house.  Or maybe I just need to have a Christmas party here.  Maybe that would motivate me to get the decorating done.  Oops!  Another rabbit trail….. or maybe I should have said, “Squirrel!”  I’m having a hard time concentrating today.

But did I mention Santa?  They are everywhere at Peggy’s….

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By the tree…… (see the pretty snowflakes?)

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On the buffet table……

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On another table….. love the cute wreath behind this one.

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On the coffee table…..

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Even way up high!  With a quilt backdrop.  Love the barns!

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You have probably seen this quilt of Peggy’s on the blog before.  But it’s always worth another look.  Unbelievable quilt!   And just so you can get the size of those half-square triangles in the border……

It's Party Time (13)

Here’s an up close and personal look at those with my finger to show the size.  Please disregard the cuticles on that finger.  What was I thinking?  But you had to see the size, didn’t you?  I believe they are 1/2 inch across.  Oh, my.

It's Party Time (14)

This sign was sitting on the counter, but nobody had to tell any of us to do this today.  Laughter rings out at a JSS gathering.  But I still thought the sign was cute enough to share.  Maybe you need one of these at your house?  Or maybe you just need to invite the JSS gals over for a day.

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There was much gathering and eating.  We really know how to eat at our Christmas party.  My good friend Cindy even brings very vegan things to share.  Love you, Cindy!

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We started off the informal show ‘n tell festivities with gifts for Suz.  And Suz started the show ‘n tell when she walked in the door….. with challenge fabric on her head!

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Three pretty camisoles in a great black and white box from all the JSS gals – one even had bling!  Sorry.  No pic.  And we couldn’t get Suz to model no matter how hard we tried.

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We had Facetime with Lani too.  Lani only knows what Pam was telling her in this pic.  Well, I guess Jules, Patti and Patt all know too, since they were standing right there.  Lani got a tour of everything.

All the gals gathered together for a group pic too.

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It took hours and hours for that to happen because we needed Jerry to tell us all where to stand and how many inches to move to the right or the left.  We couldn’t even agree on the location!  So we first started here…… but there was too much bright light in the background.

It's Party Time

Tada!  Our finished group portrait.  Don’t we all look happy?  If I could, I would photoshop Dede into the picture.  She was at the party, but left before the group shot.  I guess we’ll have to have a redo on the whole party.  What do you think, girls?

By the way – the faces are all happy because they’d already seen all the show ‘n tell and brown bag quilts and challenge quilts at this point in the party.  I’m surprised the faces don’t look more tired!  You, faithful blog followers, however, have to wait on the pics of all those things.  You got to see the beginning and the end of the party.  Now you have to wait for the middle.

Hey!  It takes awhile to go through 5,469 pics.  Sort them and crop them and think of funny things to say about them.  You all just sit out there and read and think that this is easy peasy!  So put on your little patience hats and stay tuned for parts 2 and 3 and maybe 4.

And I got really hung up here today.  And here.  And here!  Yikes!  Just go ahead and search the archives while you wait for the new stuff.  I had so much fun reliving the past parties!  If you really want to see some Christmas things, click on “select month” in the archives (right column) and choose “December 2010.”  I think I blogged the “525 Days of Christmas” that year!  Loads of postings about the JSS Christmas party.  Those ought to keep you busy for awhile!

Actually….. I just like to build momentum.  Is it working?
Christmas hugs,
Barb

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