And just like that, 2012 is almost over!

 We had the best Christmastime, ever!  Really and truly!  (well, at least it was the best twenty-twelve Christmas) I just love spending time with my brothers and sister in loves, and their precious little ones....we all get along great and have the best of times!  Wish we all lived closer, so we could get together on a weekly basis!  It's difficult having family spread out all across the globe.  I am thankful for friends that are like family!  We had the best Christmas Eve bash at our place again this year....and a cozy Christmas breakfast with family!  Lots of family and friends, and then a special Christmas Day with family the next day......baking, eating, gifting, games and cozying up by the fire.





Persimmon cookies that I made from Dad and Mom's fresh persimmons.  They have two persimmon trees!  I plan on posting the recipe very soon.



Sure enjoyed watching this amaryllis bulb grow and bloom all month.



My littlest one made her own gluten-free gingerbread house, all by herself!  I am so proud of her!  (I whipped up the icing, and handed the oven for her) but she designed and built it all on her own.



I loved sewing up these beautiful tablecloths with Sisboom fabrics! We had two pretty tables filled with beautiful family and friends!

Love for Connecticut

Taking a little moment to pause .........

I am completely saddened by the horrible happening in Connecticut.

My thoughts and prayers are with the families that have lost precious loved ones.

Where did November go?

 Oh my goodness!  Where did November go?!  It came and went and now it's December 4th already! 



A fun luncheon I hosted last month



Pretty flowers for the table



A pretty feather quilt I made for a sweet new baby!

Lovely November, how beautiful thou art!

Still hanging on and not ready to Fall!



Serious Mt. Diablo hikers!



Coming back down the trail



Long shadows

Thank you November!  You have been good to us!  We have enjoyed a series of beautiful hikes up the mountain!

What I've been up to and a few photos to prove it

Working on my feathers





A baby quilt for a sweet new baby boy!





Hanging out around the Marin Headlands



Making Pumpkin cupcakes



These were the best little pears ev-a!



Flowers from the loves of my life!



Black bean bread to go with the stew we had one cold night  (now it's hot again)



Cinnamon Rolls that were practically gone as soon as they came out of the oven

What I've been up to

Sorry for the lack of posts!  Back to school time is always busy!!  Lots going on!





Date night with my hunny.....we took pizza to the top of the mountain and enjoyed the sunset together!  Can you see the shadow of Mt. Diablo off in the distance!?!  Pretty cool, hey!





Looking down on the bay!  Sunset is so gorgeous up here....all the purples, golds, bronze, blue lighting.



Sunday naps on a warm day. 



I love looking at and laying on my new prism pillow, using mostly Anna Maria Horner fabrics, and her awesome new pattern, you can find here!

One more trip before school starts!

We love Lake Tahoe! 



Love the wild flowers in the mountains!  One of my favorites.....Queen Anne's Lace



The Vikingsholm!  Another one of my favorites since childhood!



Beautiful Emerald Bay......a gorgeous one mile hike down to the Vikingsholm and a beautiful beach for our picnic.

Capturing Summer

Peek-a-boo!  I am still here!  We've been cuddling lots, with this little kitten!



....and I've been bottling up a bit of summer ....... plum jam!



Enjoying the flowers



Driving up the coast on Hwy 1



Enjoying some time at the beach



....and hiking on the cliffs at Muir Beach!  So much fun!

Just a tiny little bit of what I've been up to! 

Tuesday, the twenty fourth of Juuuuly

Summertime is zipping along.......lots of swimming, fun classes, outings far and near, picnics with friends, sewing projects, painting, trying new recipes, evening bike rides and lots, lots more! 



Loving my colorful pot of zinnias!
 


Flamingos at the San Francisco Zoo!

Enjoying the beautiful city!

Today we woke up this morning and decided to go to Chinatown and do a little shopping on Maiden Lane.  Have you ever been to Maiden Lane? Talk about perfect weather in the city!  Sunny, breezy, not too hot, not too cold. 







 









BRITEX!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this four story fabric store!  It's a sewers dream!  Beautiful fabrics imported from all over the world, notions of every imaginable kind....ribbons, braid, buttons, you name it, they have it!  Could have stayed all day in that store.