Bullet points

No, that doesn't refer to today's Senate vote.  All I'll say about that is that I looked up the votes online to make sure my Senators voted the way I, their constituent, asked them to.  I encourage you to do the same, not just on this issue about gun violence, but about any issue about which you feel passionately, and hold them accountable when they don't.  Enough on that.

What I mean by bullet points is that I have been wanting to blog, but haven't found the time.  To expedite things, I decided to blog updates in bullet point format today.

- I knew we'd owe taxes this year, so I waited until Sunday to work on them.  I set the stage for an enjoyable experience - pulled out the teapot, put on some music -

but it didn't work.  We took a major hit this year.  Ouch!  Rice and Ramen Noodles for the rest of the month!

- To make myself feel better, I made something for myself.  Two somethings, actually.  Check out my new Business Card Holders,! (I used this tutorial.)

 

They sure beat the rubber band I usually have wrapped around them!  I was so tickled after my presentation today when people asked for one - I may have brandished my new Business Card Holder a bit more than necessary while extracting the cards...

- Now I want to make a matching bi-fold wallet, using the tutorial here, and whip up this Jean Pocket Purse to put them in on my casual weekend jaunts!

- Dinner has been hit or miss in the Hutchinson household lately.  Tonight it was Chinese. Last night it was Subway.  But wherever we are, they must have fruits and veggies.  And my sure-fire way to get my kids to eat veggies?  Let them build their own kebabs to put on the grill!

Donald liked the red onions best!

Jason pretending to eat a raw shrimp.  Grossing me out is one of his favorite past times.

- Have you heard of the Bunkhouse Giveaway for a Quilter's Texas Getaway Weekend?  If I tell you about it and you win, will you promise to invite me to your 3-day, 2-night quilting retreat?  Check it out at https://mariebostwick.com/bunkhouse/!  (I can't wait for Marie's new book to come out - I think I'll go pre-order it from my local bookstore tomorrow.)

- Most of you have received your Hurricane Sandy Quilt Project Thank You postcard by now, but I still have some where I don't have a complete address.  Could the following people, if you are reading this, please email me with your mailing address?  I don't want to leave you out!

H Heyes, VA (yours was returned as undeliverable for some reason)
N. Gilbert, New Zealand
T. Macomb, not sure where you are from
A. McElroy, United Kingdom
P. Dungar, not sure where you are from
Lane from TX
I think there are a few others, too, but wouldn't you know I left everything at the office today!  If you participated in the project but haven't received a postcard from me, would you please email me your mailing address?  Thanks!

There's more to say, but I'm tired.  See you around the blogosphere!

Happy Post - Wedding bells and Giveaway winnings!

My younger sister got married this past weekend. It was a wonderful, relaxing three-day affair. We rented out all of the Lydia Mountain Cabins for the 40 or so guests, and arrived Friday afternoon and didn't leave until Sunday afternoon. The weather, the food, the company, the activities - everything was great! What fun to happen upon a cabin to see this:

or to come across a pack of roaming kids enjoying the freedom this remote location afforded them:

or to come across a cluster of adults just relaxing and enjoying each others' company:

or fun times on the zip line:

(Um, Curtis, the zip line is for KIDS!)

It was an outdoor Quaker ceremony, which meant quite a bit of time sitting in quiet reflection. I was so proud of my boys for sitting quietly, but when I peeked over, I saw why they were so quiet - Donald had fallen asleep! Oh well, whatever works!

Once the ceremony was over and the band started to play, the kids danced the night away.

The beautiful couple!

Aren't her flowers gorgeous?

My mom, my sisters and me - so many cameras were flashing at once, we are all looking in different directions!

And not only did I come home with great memories, I came home with goodies from my sisters! Ericka brought me some bone china tea cups that she found in her new house that she is fixing up, and Kerry brought me some fabric remnants. Aren't sisters the best?

And when we got home today, there was a surprise in the mail. I won a giveaway from Rebecca at Our Busy Little Bunch in the Fall Into Fall Giveaway, and she sent aprons for my boys. Of course, they wanted to cook right away, so we scoured the cupboards and found the fixings for oatmeal raisin cookies, which we took to our Cub Scout Den meeting tonight. Thanks, Rebecca, the aprons are fantastic - I love the design, the durability, and the fabric!

As you can imagine, I am not only really far behind on reading blogs, but also pretty far behind on sleep. I promise to catch up with you all later - right now I'm off to catch some ZZZZZZs!