HAPPY 22nd BIRTHDAY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY...

My world became brighter (and funnier) 22 years ago today when, in the early morning, our second son was born at the Woman's Hospital of Texas.

He weighed in at a WHOPPING...

And continued to grow STRONGER... 

And OLDER...

And FUNNIER... 

And SWEETER (if that's even possible)... 

The best thing that happened in 1989 was YOU, but here are just a few other notable facts from the year that you were born:

1989 Fun Facts  

1. 41st President of US: George H. W. Bush
2. Vice President: Dan Quayle
3. The cost of a stamp: .25 cents
4. Gallon of gas: $1.12
5. New home: $148,800
6. New car cost: $15,350
7. Top Song: “Look Away” Chicago
8. Best Picture: Driving Miss Daisy

 You were born under the sign of the SNAKE:

"Snakes are extremely analytical in decision-making. They can think deeply, and make decisions quickly and firmly. Snakes are philosophical, intuitive, discreet, diplomatic, amusing, sexy, compromising, fun-loving, intelligent and posses a sense of humor. They are often skilled communicators, and have good memories.  Their minds always keep working overtime, laying their schemes and hatching their plots for the future. Most of them achieve financial success and  are generally lucky with money.  They can be sympathetic with others and they are willing to offer a helping hand."

How TRUE!

Continue to be the wonderful person that you are.  Enjoy the year ahead; may it be filled with all of the happiness and good fortune that you deserve and remember...

  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DREWSIE ~ IL&IMY ALWAYS!

MOM <3

One Of The Best Days Of My Life ~

August 10, 1987 ~ Yes, one of the very BEST days of my entire life!

HAPPY 22nd BIRTHDAY GARRETT !!!

Hey Garrett, in honor of your birthday I dedicate this post to you and wish you a very happy birthday.

Here are a few memorable pictures that are certain to make you smile as you ponder this question:

"Why is she doing this?":D

Answer: "Because IL&IMY"

Your very first picture

Puppy OR Person?

Garrett (it's a person)
Monday August 10, 1987

6:07 PM
9 lbs 8oz ~ 22 inches

(you look like Lily)

Here are some notable facts from 1987:

1) You were born :D
2) Ronald Regan was President
3) George Bush was Vice-President
4) Popular song: "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" Whitney Houston
5) Hit Movie: Fatal Attraction
6) Gas was .87 per gallon (is that possible?)
7) Stamp cost .22 cents
8) New car cost 9,293.
9) New home cost 129,000


You were born under the year of the Rabbit ~ You are the kind of person people like to be around ~ You are affectionate, obliging, and always pleasant ~Being cautious and conservative, makes you successful in business.


I would agree that you are all that and more!

Adorable At 8 Months

And yes, you were dining on the dog food!

Cute At ONE

When I grow up I want to be...

A Mickey Mouse Fire Chief

Had I known where life would take you I would have propped you up at a desk, diligently working on the computer, with a poster of Time Square taped to the window before snapping this picture.

I really do not know where the time went:

When you get home from work tonight maybe you and Drew can break out the Arts & Craft box and update this with your larger "rainbow hands" and send it to me! :D

Wishing you a wonderful birthday!!!!

And remember...

Have a great day and an exciting, rewarding, happy, healthy and safe year ahead!


IL&IMY, always!

MOM

Unexpected Surprise

I received two very special birthday gifts from some truly special online stitching friends. The first arrived in my email inbox in the form of a gift certificate from Down Sunshine Lane given to me from my dear friend Vonna. Vonna was instrumental in helping me get my blog up and running many years ago and we have remained good friends. A huge thank you my friend, you have been a shining light in my life and I value our friendship more than you know. I will be sure to post a picture of my purchase from DSL.

The second “unexpected surprise” arrived on Monday from another special lady, and extremely talented stitcher, CathyB (yes, the same CathyB that surprised me with the heart ornament from the last post!). What a gorgeous pinkeep!!! Cathy and I share a passion for Mary Garry Designs and I must say I love this one. Cathy, I cannot thank you enough for this beautiful gift AND for the gift of your friendship; your thoughtfulness touched me deeply!

Gorgeous Birthday Surprise From CathyB

Thank you Cathy and Vonna for making my birthday extra special!

I have another M Design Word Tree Ornament to share with you: JOY. Boy, do I love these! I made this one for a friend in Texas, whose name happens to be Joy.

Have you visited Anita’s Little Stitches online shop lately? She just set up a new blog with a great tutorial for Floss Tags. Her instructions are excellent and she has included a number of pictures of her beautifully finished Floss Tags. Much like Anita, I like to mount my floss tag piece on cardboard but was struggling with how to get the eyelet through all of that bulk…I love what Anita does. Thanks Anita for sharing that on your new blog. You may also want to stop by her online shop; she has everything that you need for finishing those very popular floss rings! While there check out the Davo scissors: a good friend sent me a pair for Christmas and I love them! I did purchased the 4” Chanticleer (made in Italy) from Anita, these are wonderful as well.

Stay tuned as I shall be sharing some interesting news in the near future....

Thanks for visiting with me~

Until next time...

SBBC Birthday Gift, Holiday Recipes

I participated in the Stitching Bloggers Birthday Club and I received my birthday exchange from Judith. Apparently she is aware of how much I like Halloween designs because she selected this great design and finished it as a long skinny pillow, how cute. Judith also stitched a floss caddy using some wonderful Moda fabric. Thank you Judith for the wonderful surprise.

SBBC: Birthday Gift from Judith

Do you need a side dish recipe for your holiday dinner??? I like this one because it taste great, and looks so festive on the table.

Festive Side Dish Recipe

Green Beans and Pearl Onions with Tarragon Vinaigrette
Serves: 8-10

1 red bell pepper

12-14 oz pearl onions, about 3/4" in diameter, unpeeled

1 T salt, plus a pinch of salt

2 lbs green beans

1-2 T tarragon white wine vinegar

2 T olive oil

freshly ground pepper

Instructions:

Cut red pepper into thin strips and saute in 2 T of olive oil until tender. Set aside.

Fill a saucepan 3/4 full with water and bring to a boil. Add onions and 1 T of salt and bring back to a boil. Reduce heat slightly, cover partially for 2-3 minutes; drain and plunge into cold water.

Cut off the root ends; slip off skin and set the onions aside.

Trim the stems from the green beans and cut beans into 3/4 inch lengths. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil and cook, uncovered, until just tender but still crisp, about 5 minutes. Drain and plunge into ice water. Drain again and set aside.

Just before serving, combine 1 T of the vinegar and the pinch of salt in a small bowl, then add pepper to taste and whisk together. Pour into a saucepan and warm over medium heat. Add the bell pepper, onions and beans and toss until heated through, 1 minute. Taste for seasoning, adding more vinegar or salt if needed.

Here is one of my very favorite salad recipes:

Orange-Avocado Salad
Yield: 8-10

3 T fresh lemon juice
1/4 C honey, mild flavored
3/4 lb baby spinach salad, washed and trimmed
fresh pepper
1/2 C olive oil
2-3 ripe avocados
2 T minced sweet red onion
1/2 t salt
1/2 t minced fresh mint or 1 t crushed dried mint
4-5 oranges

Wash spinach and wrap in clean, damp kitchen towel . Place in refrigerator for at least 2-3 hrs to chill/crisp.
Cut avocados in half, remove pit, peel, cut lengthwise into thin strips; set aside.
Peel orange, remove white membrane; cut crosswise into thin slices, remove seeds; set aside.
In small bowl stir lemon juice + salt until dissolved. Whisk in honey and a little pepper, then whisk in olive oil, onion, mint. Taste and adjust seasoning. Set aside.
To assemble:Arrange chilled spinach on individual plates. Top w/avocado slices and orange slices. Whisk dressing again and drizzle on salad.

I do hope that you all enjoy the holidays!!!

Until next time...

Second and Third!

In a previous post I showed a picture of one of the Art Dolls that I had made. I mentioned that I had entered two of my other Art Dolls into a local quilt show and both received ribbons...I was shocked, really I was! I had never entered anything, not even a quilt into a show.

Well, here are those two dolls:

Fairy of the Forest

Fairy of the Forest rests on a mushroom. A Bumblebee rests on her hand, and a dragon fly is getting ready to landing on her knee.

Thumbalina

Thumbalina is tiny, only about three inches tall! I love her hat, an acorn top.

If I had more time I would make more dolls...

So, what was I doing 20 years ago today???

I was in the Texas Woman's Hospital, holding a 9 pound~8 ounce baby boy!

Happy 2oth Birthday!!! :-)

~Time just zips by~

Until next time..