HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!

Isn't it wonderful to have a New Year with opportunities for New Beginnings? There's all kinds of New Beginnings --- New Life, new job, new marriage, new friends, new fabrics, and of course, new quilts to be made! Now, I'm not wanting a new job nor a new marriage, and I already have a New Life, but I'm looking forward to new friends, fabrics and quilts! I'd bet most of you are too! I'm hoping this New Year of 2012 will have lots of opportunities for new things, new friends, and new projects in our lives! (But I'm also going to keep my old things, old friends, and old projects, etc.!)

December was a full month of whirlwinds through my home. After the two big parties, my Walmart friend came and spent the day before she went back to her home in Missouri; we had a wonderful time visiting, and she gave me another of her hand knitted dish cloths, which she knows I love!

Christmas Eve morning, after I put the egg whites in the mixer bowl to make the chocolate pie meringue, my big mixer decided to die on the spot! I guess making so much divinity had killed it! Can you believe in my town of about 27-30,000, a big Walmart, Big Lots, Kroger, Walgreens, Sears, Lowe's, Home Depot, and a nice independent hardware store, there was only ONE mixer in town! It was an off-brand cheapy that probably wouldn't beat one batch of divinity, so I left it on the shelf. A friend brought her mixer to me so I could finish. Talk about trauma! I had a good case of it! But again, I survived the day, although there was no more divinity made; I wouldn't risk it with her little hand mixer! (This past Friday, I went to the town where my favorite quilt store is, and I came home with a big red mixer and $67 of Civil War fat quarters! Yea!! That solved all my trauma problems. *giggle*)---(until the credit card bill comes next month!)

My son's family was here for Christmas Eve and a big dinner. That was a wonderful evening too, with a variety of gifts. The one I like best is very good picture of his blended family: his wife and her daughter, and my son and his two boys, in a beautiful "Family" frame. Believe it or not, all five of them were smiling natural smiles and looking great! Best picture of my son and the boys in years!

On Monday after Christmas, three ladies came, unannounced, and at different times, one right after the other. (As I often say, my house is a three-ring circus all the time!) I really enjoyed those one-on-one visits!

Then I finally got to the little quilt for my semi-shut-in neighbor. I had meant to finish it for Christmas, but just couldn't get it done. Her birthday is January 15, so I may wait until then to give it to her, but if a really cold snap hits before then, I'll give it to her early. She loves yellow roses, so I think she will like this quickie little throw. It is 47"H x 49"W, and should work well on her recliner.

While I was out spending money Friday, I also bought fabric for a baby quilt I need to finish by next Sunday, and also some cube storage units for my quilt magazines in the sunroom closet. I'm hoping my grandson will help me put them together when we take the Christmas tree down later this week. Looks like another busy week for me, doesn't it? Is there no rest for the weary????!

Ah yes, there is! The best rest is starting a new little quilt today, so I'm going to get started on that baby quilt!

I'm wishing the best of everything for all of you in 2012!

---"Love"