This week...

This week, I'm on a little trip visiting family and friends! I won't be posting much, but I will be back full force next week with some tutorials and lots of fun pictures!

Thanksgiving: Think it Through Thursday

Happy Thanksgiving! Here's what I've got going...

Every week our Pastor writes an article and sends it to the congregation. It's on all kinds of topics, this week was the history of Thanksgiving. The entire article should be available on our church's website soon, I'll post a link when it's there!

Here is just a small part of it, but I thought it particularly meaningful today. What a heritage we have in this country of Godly leadership! Something to pray for in the years to come.

On November 29, 1623 three years after their [the Pilgrims' ] arrival and two years after the first Thanksgiving, Governor William Bradford made an official proclamation of a day of thanksgiving.

“To all Pilgrims: Inasmuch as the great Father has given us this year an abundant harvest of Indian corn, wheat, peas, beans, squashes and garden vegetable and has made the forest abound with game and the sea with fish and clams, and inasmuch as He has protected us from the ravages of the savages, has spared us from pestilence and disease, has granted us freedom to worship God according to the dictates of our own conscience, now I, your magistrate, do proclaim that all Pilgrims with your wives and little ones, do gather at the meeting house on the hill between the hours of 9 and 12 in the daytime on Thursday, November 29 in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and twenty three, in the third year since the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock there to listen to the pastor and render thanksgiving to Almighty God for all His blessings. William Bradford, Governor of the Colony”

On October 3, 1863 President Abraham Lincoln issued a formal proclamation, passed by an Act of Congress, initiating the first annual National Day of Thanksgiving. Part of what Lincoln said is as follows: “We give thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwells in the heavens….it is announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations are blessed whose God is the Lord….It has seemed to me fit and proper that God should solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people.”

Ho, ho, holiday cheer!!

It is Santa's Workshop around here right now! This is the first year I've ever had to travel over the holidays and losing that extra week or two (a whole week without my sewing machine just after Thanksgiving then a bunch of extra days before Christmas) definately shortens Ms. Santa's Christmas prep time.

I dont' know about you but if I wait until the last minute to do my shopping, it is a free-for-all and I spend waaaayy more than I intended to and more than I would have if I had been organized and done one thing per person/couple and shopped sales.

I also really love to make gifts, but I never know how people are going to feel about handmade gifts. Are they honored or do they feel like "geez, another homemade gift?" Do they ever think people only make handmade gifts as a sort of indirect boast? So much to consider!! I personally love them! I guess I have to figure it out on a case by case basis and just do what I can!

Here is a little Christmas treat I've been working on for my nephew. He requested a Santa suit in a size 5, by Thanksgiving. I'm just kidding about the time deadline, but he did, very sweetly through his Mama, request a Santa outfit in a size 5. Luckily, I had a great pajama pattern that I had just picked up at the Hancock's 99 c pattern sale. (I'll do a separate post on that and give you a little pattern review). It has basic, elastic waist pants and a button down top with a collar. I cut out all the pieces except the collar (the shirt had a self-facing in the front and a little separate facing piece for the back of the neck.). I made this out of a soft, knit (it feels just like sweat suit) because I wanted it to be comfortable and warm and durable. The fur is plush felt. Have you guys discovered this stuff?! It feels so good and soft, but it's synthetic felt and it's $4.99 a yard regularly priced! It doesn't fray and it has lots of body, perfect for costumes. I used it on the cuffs and the peter pan collar. The belt is just black felt with a set of d-rings. I chose 7/8" black/brown buttons for the front.

Pretty quick and easy, although I did break two 90 gauge needles sewing through the many layers of knit and felt and I took the collar off like 3 times because I wasn't happy with the way it closed in the front. I'm one of those sewists who just can't let something go--even if it's only a costume!

These pants are so simple, just two pattern pieces. I stitched down the middle of the elastic casing after I ran the elastic through to keep the elastic from flipping over.

I put a little twill tape loop in the back of the pants to help my nephew figure out which is which.

Yay for the holiday season! Christmas is coming!!

Anyone else watched White Christmas yet?

No?!

Oh, yeah, me neither...

The weekend!

Oh my! We had a wonderful weekend! My in-laws came to visit and we always have fun.

W and I spent some time poring over the tour guide to find some new restaurants and interesting things to do (besides the general fun and hanging out that we always do).

Saturday morning was begun with a pot or three of coffee at home (Starbucks Costa Rica Tarrazu!! finally carried at Winn Dixie). Then we hit the road and drove across town to Faubourg Marigny/ Bywater area to a little diner called Elizabeth's Cafe, a locally owned place in an old house.

I have only two words for you: Praline Bacon.

I didn't take a picture, but it was amazing! Crispy, salty bacon drowned in ground pecans and brown sugar syrup. In the words of Uncle Jessie, "Have Mercy!!"

I ordered the "Elizabeth" which was two perfectly toasted slices of french bread topped with bacon, a beautiful poached egg and some incredible hollandaise sauce with a side of cheese grits. I also need to mention the Irish Coffee with Bailey's...my new fave brunch beverage! Ashley, Brittany and Sarah, we are going there when you visit!

We had a relaxing afternoon, several naps, then took a nice walk around Audubon Park  with P on his tricycle. After that we went for an early dinner to Jacques-Imo's Cafe. I know I sound like a broken record, but it was absolutely to die for. When you walk in the front door you're in a bar--the entire ceiling is crowded with framed paintings, it looks so cool! Then the hostess gets your info and leads you THROUGH THE KITCHEN. Literally, you walk through the kitchen where they're cooking up the food you're about to eat, into the dining room. Lots of small tables, close together, dim atmostphere, the walls are painted with murals. The one in our room was a forest, and the tree limbs continued up the wall and onto the ceiling. I ordered Salmon with black beans and ginger cream sauce. It sounds like an odd combo, but I promise it was the best thing I have eaten since I've lived in New Orleans. I can't wait to go back! We had P with us and it was the perfect noise level and relaxed atmosphere so that he didn't bother anyone else. I can't wait to go again!

This little guy can't talk yet but he can still run the show. He just points his little finger and we all run to see what he's pointing at. Here it was a lake and lots of interesting ducks.

It was a wonderful weekend with family, we are so fortunate!