Wayback Machine: January 7, 2026

 

The most disappointing part of the holiday season was when you had to leave any of your new toys and go back to school.

My brother and I didn't grow up with legos.  We didn't even really hear of that toy until my much younger brother was born.  I wondered why that was and apparently legos weren't sold in the U.S. until after 1961.  This was our building toy:

You might think wow, parents were lucky because they never had to worry about stepping on legos.

But our parents had something else to worry about.  Stepping on Matchbox Cars.

My brother, uncle (6 weeks younger than me) and myself spent hours playing with matchbox cars.  Nana's persian rugs were a splendid highway system and kept us occupied for hours.

If you were around then--you remember the very cool boxes that packaged the cars.  We used the boxes for garages until after Christmas when grown-ups started disposing of the boxes.  

It didn't really matter about "boy toys" or "girl toys" back then.  I don't remember any of the boys playing with the dolls my aunt or I had but there were plenty of other things that we all engaged in.

Did you play with matchbox when you were young?

Have a safe and happy day!

Tuesday's This and That: January 6, 2026

 

How is your first full week in January going?

It seems strange here because the kids and lots of the neighbors are back to work this week.

I'm sick and bummed out because I'm going to miss the guild meeting tonight.  There is a bug going around and yesterday I didn't do much besides drink tea and sleep.  Hopefully I'll be better tomorrow.  This is annoying and I have things I want to do!

***

Lucky went to Jessa's for a grooming.  We had to cancel his last appointment because of the weather and he really needed a spa day.  His hair actually felt mildly tacky and that was from the salt that is everywhere here.  He's a much smaller dog than our others and being closer to the ground, he seems to be more suseptible to getting dirty at times.  Anyway, I went to pick him up and found him swinging in the hammock as Jessa finished him:

He looks great now and his hair is so soft again!  I'll take a photo of him when I am feeling better!

***

Speaking of Lucky, I'm happy to report that I did finish my Christmas Quilt binding before the New Year.  

Lucky gets annoyed when I have sewing on my lap and just stands and stares at me.  I thought he was saying, "You're supposed to be paying attention to me!"  But actually he wanted to be on my lap under the quilt!

***

Are you participating in any "Block of the month" or 

"Mystery Quilt" programs?  I'm not participating in those things.  I don't know but these things have never appealed to me.

But...I may do an embroidery/upcycle/EPP project.  It's a stitch along and doesn't require buying anything.  You can watch the video here.  

I was working on a hexie for this but one of the members said she was going to EPP squares instead of hexies.  Since I did so many hexie projects last year I may try the squares or rectangles for something different.  I like the idea of upcycling old embroidery and things for the project.  Let me know if you are participating!

***

Hope you are staying safe and warm!

Happy New Year!

 

Wishing everyone a happy new year full of sewing and joy!

New Year's Eve!

 

I don't want to brag or anything but I've already picked out the pajamas I'm wearing for New Year's Eve  😄

My husband gave me this shirt for Christmas and I love it!  It's really warm too!

We always stay in New Year's Eve but there are a lot of fun things we can watch on the tv.  Bethlehem is the home of Just Born Candies including the Peeps that most people know.

In Bethlehem they have a 400 lb. Peep and it drops instead of a ball.  This happens in early evening so kids can see it!

In Allentown we have the puck drop outside of the hockey stadium.  The puck is 20 feet long and has to be powered by car batteries because of the long fall:

I doubt I will watch the puck drop though.  That happens at midnight and I will never make it.  This is the joy of being a senior.

I'm currently cooking some of our dinner tomorrow at Mom's. 

 Wishing you safe and happy New Year's Eve!

Poodle Tree and a Long Year End Summary

 

My dog loves my brother Jim.

Lucky will jump onto Jim's lap, even if it means jumping into car.  I didn't know what to make Jim for Christmas this year and then decided to make him a poodle Christmas tree.  I was reorganizing my sewing embellishments and found a small bag of poodle charms.  I have no idea where I got them but I've had them for a long time.  So I made Jim a poodle tree!

2025 was pretty tough in so many ways.

But sewing wise, the most important thing was that I started hand sewing again--without pain!  I'm going to focus on that as one of the good things this year.

I also reduced my scraps this year and that is very satisfying.

Specific gift quilts.  One for my brother and one is a memory quilt for Jenny:

Kids' Quilts:

Baby Quilts:

And lots of smalls (many I didn't photograph).

As I already mentioned, I just want to have fun with my sewing now.  No resolutions just sew as much as I can.  That is not always as much time as I like but I'm happy it does relieve some of the stress.  

Wishing you a safe and happy day!

End of Year Countdown

 

How are you doing?  So many of us aren't excitedly celebrating the holidays but just "getting through" it.  Hope you are doing okay.

We had an ice storm on Friday night.  People in the neighborhood are already grumbling.  We had a lot of ice last year and I wore out a pair of Yaxtrax last year.  Yaxtrax are chains you add to your shoes that act like cleats and...most importantly, work.  Lucky won't go to the bathroom in our yard.  He'll only go if he walks so Yaxtrax are indispensible.  

This is the time of year I like because so many people are sharing what quilts they made this past year.  I might do that tomorrow.  I am sure I didn't take photos of everything.

I'm excited to start the new year and new projects.  I've been doing some clean up and finding projects that I would like to finish before 2026. I'm binding a Christmas quilt that I'm pretty sure has been sitting here for at least 11 months. 😮

Are you working on cleaning as well?  Are you going to have any resolutions for the New Year?  I'm not, just more having fun with my sewing.

Have a safe and happy day!

Happy Boxing Day and Happy Kwanzaa!

 

Happy Boxing Day to our friends in the UK, Canada, and the other Commonwealth nations!

Happy Kwanzaa for all of you who are celebrating!

How was your holiday?  Ours was quiet and fine.

Today we are preparing for the impending storm.

Unfortunately the storm includes not only snow but freezing rain and sleet.  Ice upsets everyone.😟

This morning I will make sure Mom is settled and has everything she needs.  The precipitation isn't beginning until late afternoon so we have some time to make sure she is doing okay.  The whole family has agreed to stay home tomorrow and be safe.

I'm praying we don't lose power and I can sew a bit.  What is the weather where you are?

Have a safe and happy day!