Carrying On Another Family Tradition

As y'all probably know by now, I love tradition.

When my kids were growing up, it was our family tradition to get everyone together to bake our Christmas cookies.  We used an old family recipe, and all my sisters and their kids, rolled, and cut and frosted everything in site.  We would have up to 17 people crowed in someone's house, and chaos usually ensued.  But boy was it fun!

So this year, I guilted asked Amanda to bring over Owen so we could continue the fun.  While there was only us...it was fun.

First it was the boys turn.  While I made the dough, and took the pictures, Amanda was in charge of rolling.  She can be a perfectionist, but she did well letting the boys make a bit of a mess. lol

Ahhhh...two perfectionist sisters working side by side.  You know I stayed out of this one. lol.  And while the girls were working....

...the boys were playing.  Owen would hold Brandon down while PeeWee licked his ear.  Who needs video games when you can have fun like this? haha

Now it's time for the frosting.

No, we don't get fancy with the frosting, mostly because we spent most of the time telling the boys not to eat the frosting. :0)

Time together...that's what we need more of...family traditions.

Share with me some of your family traditions that you try to keep alive.

Be blessed,

Debbi

What Would Owen Like!

It's been a long time since I've done some Saturday Shopping here at

The Yankee Burrow Life

and my Owen's 6th birthday is next Wednesday so let's see what I can find that he might like (other than Lego's). :0)

With Owen turning 6, and hating school (he's a bit spoiled being an only child and all, lol) Mandy was talking about teaching him more responsibility, so what about this magnetic responsibility chart from Baby Age?  Mandy may like it, but not my Booboo.

Now I could encourage learning with this awesome My First Super Science Kit from Fat Brain Toys.  This has enough supplies for over 75 experiments.  Ok, Mandy may not be so cool with this one. lol

Now we're talking...a motorcycle!  This one from Gilt is under $300.  That's a pretty good price.  Of course, if we can't get Poppa a new bike right now, we probably shouldn't get Owen one either. lol

Who remembers these merry-go-rounds????  They were great to ride on in the playground.  There was a large one in our local park, and the object was to see how many kids we could get on it, then 2 of the "big" kids would spin it and the first kid to go flying off was the loser, and the last one to stay on without puking was the winner.  Ah the memories. hahaha

Now we can have one in our yard, from WayFair Supply.

So, what's your vote?

What should we get Owen for his 6th birthday?

Be blessed,

Debbi

Family is Everything

I'm feeling a bit nostalgic today, so here are some throw back photos with a smattering of handmade...

I love Owen's smile

Amanda and Nana
(I miss my mommy)

Key holder from Handmade by Michael

my nephew Aaron, circa mid 1980's.  He kept getting into the
 Christmas ornaments while we were trying to decorate at Nana's. 

my cousin Mel, Aunt Barb (her mom, and my mom's sister)
my sister Barb, my sister Dawn, and me.

sisters frame by Star4311

Chuck and I at a fireman banquet, early 1990's
wow, do we look young. :0)

Brandon getting down with my grandson's in-law
"his homies"

Brandon and Owen, friends forever

personalized sign byRusticCraft

my daddy with a handmade gift
from my kids.
start them young!
he's been gone over 20 years
and it still feels like yesterday.

Hannah and PeeWee shortly after
they both moved in...
to our home and our hearts.

being a grampa and a kid can be tiring, lol

family wall decor by The Spot

Hug everyone you love today....we're not promised tomorrow.

Be blessed,

Debbi

(and if you're an artist, you might enjoy my blog post over on The Craftstar blog, "This is your brain - on crafts.")

Friday Artists Feature - The Feltery

Today I'm checking out Manda Ciza's The Craft Star shop, The Feltery.

The Feltery is a shop chock full of super cute eco-friendly handmade goodies, made from felt, of course.  Come and check them out with me....

 

First up in her The Craft Star shop, how about a cute pink piggy for the farmer in your life?

She's 6 1/2" tall, just a perfect size to carry with you everywhere.

 

 

 

Here's Hobbes!

What a cutie!

 

 

 

 

I think I just found a Christmas gift for Quintin.  How adorable is this set of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?

 

 

 

 

The Feltery also has a shop at RedditGifts.

That's where I met Barnibus.  I just love his monocle.

 

She has so many cute creatures, more than I can share in just one post.  So click on a link and check it out for yourself.

 

You can also like The Feltery on Facebook.

Be blessed,

Debbi

Owen's Graduation

Yesterday evening was Owen's graduation.  No, you didn't miss years of my posts, it was his pre-k graduation. lol.  So I thought that I would share this on my throw-back Thursday.  Let's start with yesterday.  (Warning....photo heavy.)

 

His "diploma".  Funny how I thought these things were silly....until it was MY grandchild. lol

 

Here's a nice one of us together.

 

 

 And here's a more natural one of us.

Here he is with proud Mom and Dad.

 

Yeah, goofy faces is a family trait.

His self-portrait.

Now some throw back pictures.  (I "borrowed" these from Amanda's facebook page.)

I started him out young with handmade.  I made this snowman bunting, but we discovered (because of the yarn I used) that he could not put his arms down.  Like that scene from "Christmas Story"'

 

 

Always a happy baby.

It's called finger painting for a reason. :0)

Playing with dirt from the plants?  It's all good at Gramma's.

Um, yea.  He needed no prompting for this one.  He did it himself at the dinner table.

And to close up my "ode to Owen" here he is performing his favorite song last night.  I know it was his favorite because I actually saw his lips moving. hahaha

 

That's it for Owen Day.  If you have a special little one in your life, check out my Kid's Section at The Craft Star.

 

Be blessed,

Debbi



My Wonderful Visit - Memorial Weekend with Quintin

I hope everyone had a nice and relaxing long weekend.  I was frustrated with Blogger, because I have been trying since Friday to post, and not on my phone.  I finally had to switch back from Chrome to IE to get it to open and load.  Way too much work. LOL

Anyway, my son Greg, his wife Kristen, and my 9 month old grandbaby Quintin came to stay for the weekend.  And Kristen finally gave me permission to share his picture.  But instead of pics, I want to share 2 videos with you.  This first one shows him waving.  The funny part about Quintin waving is that's what he does when he wants Mom or Dad to hold him.  He cries and waves to them until they pick him up.  And they always do...  :0)

This next one is too cute.  I noticed right off that Quintin twiddles his thumbs.  If he's sitting quietly or being held, he will lace his fingers and twiddle his thumbs while watching everyone else.  I took me all weekend to get it on camera, because every other time I tried, he would stop.  This morning he was doing it while I was holding him, and so I videoed it with my phone.  At one point he started to squirm and I almost dropped my phone, so please forgive the shaking.

And now that I got this Blogger thing fixed (I hope), I'll be back on schedule tomorrow with my Wild and Wacky Wednesday.

So, how was your weekend?

Be blessed,

Debbi



The Craft Star featured artist - Georgia Groves

Today I would like to introduce you to a friend of mine from The Craft Star, Georgia Groves.  Her profile shares that she is a grandmother of 6 and lives to make them happy.  A woman to whom I can totally relate.  Let's check out her shops.  Yes, shops, she has 2.  Her first shop is georgiamarbles. 

Georgia likes to sew, and she likes vintage, and she likes babies, so these soft animal infant toys are a perfect match of all her passions.  I love the vintage look of them.

Isn't this a pretty apron?  I love the look of aprons, I have a matching set hanging in my kitchen from when Hannah was little.  We both had our own aprons, but we always forgot to put them on, so whenever I bake I end up with flour hand prints on my legs and backside. lol  This pink candy stripe apron with the cabbage roses ruffle is so very pretty.  It would look good hanging in my kitchen. :0)

As a teen I loved Sara Coventry jewelry, and I found this choker necklace and earring set in Georgia's vintage shop, vintagemarbles.   This set is in excellent condition...very elegant and pretty.

Lastly, just check out this vintage Aloha Honolulu clutch.  I features a beautiful and relaxing beach scene and has 3 sections inside.  It also come with a little change purse.  I like it!!!!

So, that's my artist feature for today.  Click on any link above to visit Georgia's shops.  Or click below to find her elsewhere on the web.  And as always, let me encourage you to purchase handmade and support small business.  We are an important part of this great nation.
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Be blessed,
Debbi