Wishing you a......

I hope you get to celebrate with those you love.

I pray your New Year ( and mine) is filled with health, happiness and lots of quilting!!!!

Santa and I ......

....are both feeling like this!!! Christmas week was so joyful and I enjoyed every single minute of it. But now I am going to enjoy some time to stay in my jammies, catch up in my sewing room and just take a rest. Is anyone else feeling like that too?

Wonderful Christmas Memories.....

Since we were on our way to OC to be with the kids, we decided to go to Mass at the Mission Basilica at San Juan Capistrano.

The combination of the beautiful and historic Church, the sounds of the choir and the majesty of the occasion added greatly to our Christmas celebration.

No snow in California, but a lovely view of the surfers from the balcony of the Ritz Carlton Hotel.

A California Gingerbread House!!!!

We gathered at Jonathan and Jill's home for our family Christmas. This year Jake was here to join us...and we all felt blessed that he is safely home from Iraq.

Jonathan found the perfect gift for little Clare and it greatly pleased Clare's Mommy too!

Handmade gifts were appreciated and Jill looked so cute in her "Twirly Scarf".

Jennifer looked equally lovely in her knitted scarf. I love that I learned a new skill this year....thanks MOM!

Even Munich was excited with her gift....so much so that her eyes glowed in delight (G)!

The kids prepared the most yummy Prime Rib with ALL the fixings and Jennifer graced the table with her delectable cranberry dish.

The boys loved showing that they are baseball ready and there will be a new fan to join in the rally this year.

Practice makes perfect...and here is the " Dad to be" learning how to work a stroller. There will be LOTS to look forward to in 2010. We can hardly wait!

May you all be blessed.....

My prayer is that you and your families are blessed with the joy of the season, and that we all reflect on the greatest gift shared many years ago.

Merry Christmas.

Do you want to see what I got for Christmas?????

My husband is not much of a shopper....but he sure knows the way to my heart.

So....what did the "World's Best Husband" give me for a Christmas gift?

He gave me THIS....for a weekend!!!! For a magical few days we were Oprah's neighbor in the lovely town of Montecito. But the best part of the gift was what was inside!

The gorgeous home was filled with THIS....the people I love MOST in the world!!!! For a few short days we gathered to enjoy some of the most lovely meals, dining alfresco and enjoying the beautiful lights and decorations of State Street.

Oma especially loves mussels....isn't that just the happiest smile ever?

....and after dinner we gathered at the Santa Barbara Mission, decorated in candlelight.

We sang Christmas Carols and gathered together in prayer for a Christmas blessing......

....and there were LOTS of blessings. The kids shared the gourmet kitchen to make some of the most delicious meals. Jonathan and Jill made an apple stuffed baked French Toast for breakfast, and Meghan created an Italian masterpiece of sausage, artichoke, and sun dried tomato rigatoni for dinner.

I got to feel my soon to be born Granddaughter kick...and she does provide quite a punch!

But the greatest gift of all were the smiles and the hugs...and they were priceless.

To spend time with our grown children and share the joy of their lives.....

and know how precious our time together is.....

and how I wished I could get time to stand still, but I know I will capture these days in my heart for a lifetime.

I know that nothing of value in a Tiffany box can ever come close to the joy and excitement of time spent with my family. I really hope I get the SAME gift next year and then the year after that.

Thank you so much sweet husband, and don't think that anything you can buy would ever make me as happy. This is the greatest gift by far...and I love you with all my heart for sharing it with me.

And the Season continues with much joy....

Last night was our annual Christmas party with my Wednesday Night Quilters. It is a joyous occasion of gourmet treats and lovely gifts. Some of my girls have been part of the group for nearly twelve years...can that be possible????

These ladies bless me in a million ways. Reading the cards they wrote, brought me to an embarrassment of choking back tears a few times. They credit me for teaching them how to quilt. What they can't know is what they have taught me over the many years.

Did I mention that this is a quilting class. Well my Mom has been visiting the class too, and she is a GOOD ( bad) influence on many of the students !!!! I don't mind what they do in class. The objective is to give them a joyous few hours to relax from busy and hectic lives. I hope I succeed!

We each brought three fat quarters and an ornament for an exchange. Each person can pick a bag or steal a bag. Lots of fun....lots of laughs!!!

I know each of us went home with something that brought us a bit closer to the joy of the holiday season.

Poor Kim had so many bags taken from her, but she continued to smile and be very gracious!

Oma got the cutest ornament...which was taken away too. When it was MY turn I stole it back!!! Thanks for being a great sport Alice!!!!

All in all it was such a festive and joyous time. The evening ended with MY opening the generous gifts that my students brought. It was beyond amazing....and I can't thank ALL of my students enough. Each gift was thoughtful and so personal. Gifts to add to my decor, to make me feel pampered, and gifts made by hand and given from the heart. They were all deeply touching and I don't know why I am deserving...but I feel blessed!!!

I always hesitate to call my teaching a job. It is more like looking forward weekly to visiting my dearest friends. I look forward to more quilting in 2010. I hope all my students do too!!!!

A Tradition to Cherish....

There is much to celebrate in this season....but one of the most joyous for me is the tradition of St. Nicholas. My mother always made our Christmas time so enjoyable, but we always looked forward to St. Nicholas and what we called our "Little Christmas".

My mother bravely left Holland after the war....leaving her family, to follow my father and what they believed would be a greater opportunity for their children. We always honored our heritage, and my Mother's home is a reflection of the country she embraced and the country she left behind.

Every corner of my Mom's home touches my heart. This Dutch pewter bowl is filled with the first ornaments my parents decorated their tree with. I remember these ornaments well. They bring me back to the magical times of Christmas as a child.

This was the first ornament my Mom collected when she found out I was expecting her first grandchild. It always finds a place of honor on her bookcase...and now I am awaiting the birth of my own grandchild. I love that life is a continuous journey, and that traditions connect our past with our future.

My Mom proudly makes all of us a Dutch Letter....a chocolate initial that is a symbol of the St. Nicholas holiday.

We embrace the strength and spirit of my Mom. She is loved and cherished.

We are blessed to be family, and how grateful we are to share our holidays together.

We share a wonderful meal...

......which includes foods from Holland.....

....and endless desserts.

We share gifts...mostly made by hand and given with joyous hearts.

A sweet baby dress that Oma made for Clare.

Stacks of lovely and practical potholders, both festive and useful.

A lovely scarf to keep us warm.....

....and cozy.

The continued tradition of White House Ornaments....

.....and the youngest generation passing out the Dutch chocolate letters!

These days are precious, and we hold them close to our hearts. We are grateful for family that understands the importance of tradition and finds joy in celebrating this time together. We are grateful to Oma whose sacrifice makes this celebration possible.

There is much to celebrate in this wonderful season, but somehow this tradition is the one that touches my heart. I love that we honor my Mom....I love that we all share the magic of St. Nicholas.