I Am A Sewing Machine

 

Four years ago (I am having a hard time believing it's been that long) I bought this old sewing machine to see if I even liked sewing.  And I did!  I got really into it for a while, made a bunch of holiday gifts, and enjoyed having a new piece of furniture on which to store my crap (since that's the purpose it's served for many of those 4 years). 

And I really did like the sewing part...it was fun, relaxing, served as yet another creative outlet, and it is SO MUCH QUICKER than knitting...which might just be my favorite part. 

But although this old sewing machine is a beast, and I love the romanticism and style of its advanced age, I'll admit that it wasn't so easy to use.  It was pretty finicky and seemed to jam up on me a lot.  It required lots of oil and TLC to function.  And so I didn't seem to sew too incredibly often. 

Well, mama got a new sewing machine!  Brian bought me this awesome Brother sewing machine for Christmas this year and I am totally in love with it.  It is a breeze to use compared to my old beast, and so...I'm feeling totally reinvigorated about sewing again!

I've been sewing quite a bit, and have made some easy beginner projects including a couple drawstring bags (one for Sadie's ballet shoes, and one as a project bag for my knitting), and matching Sadie and Mama "rice paddies" (as we call them....rice bags that you heat up in the microwave to keep you warm).  

I made this fold-up changing pad for baby Maya...and hear that it's being put to good use....

 And am well on my way making (quilting! ) these colorful placemats....

 So much fun..blowing up my pinterest craftiness board with a billion and one ideas of things to sew.

And that's not all

The holiday season was only about halfway over after all the stuff I've blogged about so far took place.

We proudly watched Sadie participate in her school's holiday program.  Big difference from last year when she hid in my lap with her eyes closed for most of it...

We had our annual solstice celebration...just the three of us.  Chinese takeout, Christmas movies, and a simple gift exchange.

We hosted the annual bookclub party for my girlfriends and their husbands.

 

We went to Nebraska to see the Peterson clan and celebrated Christmas with them.  I love my husband's extended family and am so thankful that we were able to be with four generations of Petersons. 

We spent a night and a day with my parents partaking in all the Ingersoll family traditions (crepes, lox and bagels, Christmas movies, Christmas music, a LONG DRAWN OUT gift exchange, naps and reading while we get ready for a big, delicious dinner, a discussion of all that we're thankful for, four big dogs running around, hot tubbing with Sadie, and canasta).  I love our celebration...

and then it was New Years Eve!  We kept it close to home and about family this year.  My brother and his wife, our neighbors, and another couple of friends joined us at home for a big dinner, games, drinks, and lots of laughing.  Sadie stayed up late and insisted on putting herself to bed.  O.k.!

And now this big, beautiful holiday season has run its course.  Oh it was so good.  I am so grateful for all the beauty and love and good fortune in my life.  Absolutely reveling in it right now after all the celebrations we've had in the past couple months.

Dinner and Love

It was so much fun for us to host Christmas dinner for my husband's family this year.  I LOVE any excuse to use my pretty dishes and to spend a day or two cooking a special dinner for the people I love.  



We spent the day together enjoying the company, some delicious food, and a lovely and generous gift exchange.  My gorgeous and adorable nephew Elias was a trooper on his first Christmas...enjoying the wrapping paper, bubble wrap, and cardboard boxes as any one-year-old should!

Cranberry Rosemary Spread

Dinner included turkey and a delicious turkey gravy, our favorite cracker stuffing made by my mother-in-law, sinfully delicious sweet potato casserole from my brother-in-law and sister-in-law, parmesan garlic knots, whiskey glazed carrots, and roasted brussels sprouts with BACON.  And an entire dish of cranberry sauce all to myself....

 And a delicious cake I chose just for my pecan-pie-loving husband: Pecan Pie Cake with a Cinnamon Whipped Cream Custard Frosting. YUMMMM.....

Celebrations

We had such a busy holiday season, and although I'm feeling glad that it's over, we had such fun.

Since we were home throughout this season, we splurged on a real tree this year. Sadie wasn't so excited about the visit to the boy scout's tree lot in the middle of a blizzard, but she loved the reward of hot chocolate at our local diner afterward. We had such a great day listening to Christmas music and decorating. We had a holiday appetizer extravaganza with my family, including my Aunt Shirley, at my parents' house on December 11.

On December 16 and 17, we celebrated Christmas with my family at my parents' house, and included all my favorite Ingersoll family traditions: crepe Suzettes for breakfast, bagels and lox for lunch, a big beautiful Christmas dinner, and a long, drawn-out gift exchange. Hot tub time for me and Sadie, lots of crazy dogs, and a walk around the circle. Just lovely.

The following week, we started lighting the candles each night for Chanukah, which Sadie loved being a part of. And on the winter solstice, we had our own celebration for the three of us. Our tradition has started to include chinese takeout, a movie, and simple gift exchange. It was simple and meaningful, and just what we wanted. Handmade, local soaps and goodies for me....a new cast-iron skillet, and a big stack of books! A record player and pile of handpicked records for my sweetie. Princess shoes and a train set for Sadie (love the juxtaposition in this photo....)On Christmas Eve Eve, last minute plans to have our neighbors and dear friends over for dinner fell through, but dinner was cooked and the table was set, so my parents joined us for an impromptu dinner party. Any excuse to use my pretty china makes me happy.....Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were spent with the Petersons. It was SO nice to have an entire weekend with them. I love the beautiful candlelight Christmas Eve service we attend, and of course I enjoyed all the delicious food cooked by my mother-in-law. What a treat to have our friends and their precious new baby, Grayson, join us for Christmas dinner.
Yes, I am glad that it's all over...I'm ready to get back to my healthy lifestyle after all the extravagance of the season. I'm ready to focus on work again now that I'll be working full weeks. And I'm ready to get back into the rhythm of daily life in our family. But it was a perfectly wonderful holiday season and I feel so grateful for all the family and friends our lives are filled with, and so thankful that we get to celebrate with them this time of year...we are truly lucky.