Wednesday 30 November 2011

A Whirlwind Thanksgiving, A Challenge and PIF

Thanksgiving was a whirlwind of family, food and fun!  My younger brother Uwe, and kids arrived at my parents house Wednesday evening, and my older brother Peter, SIL and nephew came from Baton Rouge, LA, on Thursday afternoon.  Everyone had to make at least one "turkey feather" for Tom, but the younger ones did about four!

Dinner was fantastic, turkey with all the fixins!  I made fresh cranberry sauce for the first time and will continue forever more - delish!  Pumpkin pie, pumpkin cheesecake, and apfelkuchen for dessert, more yum.  I was able to make cranberry scones on Monday, but didn't get to the Welsh cakes.  Oh well, plenty of time before Christmas! 

On Friday afternoon, all 16 of us took the Santa Express on the Western Maryland Railroad.  It took us to Frostburg, my old stomping ground, and we got to walk around there for a bit - enough for Peter and Paul to find a bar for wings and beer!  All in all, a fantastic day, the weather couldn't have been better and all nine kids had a blast.

 On Saturday, my SIL, Cathy, and I went to Cumberland to shop and support local businesses.  We stopped by the bakery, but just to take pics.  We found a book store I didn't know was there and got some treasures!  Not only did I find The World of Cross Stitching, but the Woody "frame" was still with it.  Even better, there was a mermaid in there!  I also found a couple L*K and some fabric and floss.  I think I paid under $10, what a deal!  Cathy found about 25 Doctor Who books for my nephew, so we were both happy.








  
 Cathy found some yarn she wanted and made me this fun scarf - I love it!



On another note, I was so busy over the weekend that I didn't pick a name for the Challenge I put out there, so I'm going to extend it until Saturday evening.  It will be a $25 gift card to whatever stitchy/craft store you'd like!  I also have the Pass it Forward that needs to be given out.  Please comment on the post you're interested in.
Nathan picked a name from a tree at school for a four year old who wants clothes.  Well, we're going to find some fun ones today!  We are also picking a toy for a child his age and the gmen need to find toys for two children their age.  DH picked names at work for two children - their number one item is a bike, I think I need to look at what's on sale!  Can you imagine their faces if they get what they asked for?!

3 comments:

Parsley said...

Sounds like you had a WONDERFUL holiday with family. Sounds like you found a great deal on stash. I think I need to go shopping with YOU! I never find great deals like that.

DJ said...

Sounds like a blast! So glad you were able to spend it with family doing the things you love! Looks like you added quite a bit to your stash...and without me! LOL Hope to see you soon! *Hugs*

Penny said...

What a wonderful Thanksgiving you had! The Santa Express sounds like a lot of fun. :) And wow!! you managed to find an actual bookstore ~ I wasn't sure any still existed. It looks like you picked up some nice things. :) What a lovely idea picking out gifts for children in need ~ I'm sure there will be a lot of happy faces Christmas morning.