Crimson Tide Thank You Gift Package

Hello Everyone,

I wanted to make a special "thank you" gift package for E's boss. She was a very good boss to E while he worked with her and especially since he was "out-processing" for his retirement from the Military.

I was told by E that she was a very big University of Alabama (Crimson Tide) Football fan. E showed her my blog and the different types of bags that I have sewn over the years. She loved the Lapin Noir bag by Sara @ Sew Sweetness.  I added an extra zipper pocket on the backside of the bag for more storage.

If you want to see the other bags that I made out of this pattern, you can view them here and here.

I also decided to make a travel neck pillow for her busy travel schedule and a journal (fabric and journal I found on Joann's website).

Have a wonderful day!!

Veteran's Day and Remembrance Day

Good Evening,

Veterans Day gives Americans the opportunity to celebrate the bravery and sacrifice of all U.S. veterans. An official wreath-laying ceremony is held each Veterans Day at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery, while parades and other celebrations are held in states around the country.

Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans--living or dead--but especially gives thanks to living veterans who served their country honorably during war or peacetime. Today, Americans take time and recognize the valor and sacrifice of our veterans. We will never forget the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice and all those who have not yet returned home.

A recognized symbol of Veterans Day is the red poppy. In World War I, Soldiers who were returning home, reported seeing battlefields covered with red poppies blooming. In their hearts, the red poppies symbolized the bloodshed and sacrifice made by the fallen soldiers. After the war, groups began making red paper poppies as a way to raise money for the wounded veteran's and selling them on Armistice Day (Veterans Day). The red poppy remains a symbol of solidarity for Veterans.

Remembrance Day (also known as Poppy Day or Armistice Day) is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth countries since the end of World War I to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty. Remembrance Day is observed on 11 November to recall the end of hostilities of World War I on that date in 1918. ("At the 11th hour" refers to the passing of the 11th hour, or 11:00 a.m.) World War I officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919. The day was specifically dedicated by King George V on November 7, 1919, as a day of remembrance for members of the armed forces who were killed during World War I.

The red remembrance poppy has become a familiar emblem of Remembrance Day due to the poem "In Flanders Fields". These poppies bloomed across some of the worst battlefields of Flanders in World War I, their brilliant red color an appropriate symbol for the blood spilled in the war.

If you know a Veteran or someone currently serving in our country's uniform, take the time today to thank them for their service and sacrifices. 

On a personal note, thank you E for keeping us safe, serving our country and keeping us out of harm's way!! I love you!! Thank you, to all of my family members and friends that have or are currently serving.

Thank you, Veterans!!

Veterans Day and Remembrance Day

Good Morning,

Veterans Day gives Americans the opportunity to celebrate the bravery and sacrifice of all U.S. veterans. An official wreath-laying ceremony is held each Veterans Day at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery, while parades and other celebrations are held in states around the country. 

Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans--living or dead--but especially gives thanks to living veterans who served their country honorably during war or peacetime. Today, Americans take time and recognize the valor and sacrifice of our veterans. We will never forget the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice and all those who have not yet returned home.

 A recognized symbol of Veteran's Day is the red poppy. In World War I, Soldiers who were returning home, reported seeing battlefields covered with red poppies blooming. In their hearts, the red poppies symbolized the bloodshed and sacrifice made by the fallen soldiers. After the war, groups began making red paper poppies as a way to raise money for the wounded veteran's and selling them on Armistice Day (Veteran's Day). The red poppy remains a symbol of solidarity for Veteran's.

Remembrance Day (also known as Poppy Day or Armistice Day) is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth countries since the end of World War I to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty. Remembrance Day is observed on 11 November to recall the end of hostilities of World War I on that date in 1918. ("At the 11th hour" refers to the passing of the 11th hour, or 11:00 a.m.) World War I officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919. The day was specifically dedicated by King George V on November 7, 1919 as a day of remembrance for members of the armed forces who were killed during World War I.

The red remembrance poppy has become a familiar emblem of Remembrance Day due to the poem "In Flanders Fields". These poppies bloomed across some of the worst battlefields of Flanders in World War I, their brilliant red color an appropriate symbol for the blood spilled in the war.

If you know a Veteran or someone currently serving in our country's uniform, take the time today to thank them for their service and sacrifices. 

On a personal note, thank you E for keeping us safe, serving our country and keeping us out of harm's way!! I love you!! Also, I want to thank all of my family and friends that have served.

Thank you Veteran's!!

Winter Solstice 2014

Hello Everyone,

Today is the first day of winter, the shortest day of the year and the longest night.

When I was younger I loved summer, but, since I have gotten older and have been married to the man of my dreams...I have fallen in love with winter. I love the beauty of it, how peaceful it is when the snow is falling and when you just look out and see snow on the tree branches and bushes. I love our long walks together in the snow and how I walked on my first frozen river with him. 

I love bundling up in warm coats, hats, scarves and gloves. I call E my "nature boy", he loves the outdoors and is an amazing skier. He taught me to ski when he came back from Iraq and we have so much fun when we go. Then, I love coming in, sitting by the fireplace, having some hot cocoa and just seeing the beauty from our windows. I also love watching the wildlife in our back and front yards.

I love watching Holly in the snow. E will throw snowballs at her to catch and when she bites into them it is the cutest thing or how she follows him around outside with the snow blower. I watch her walk in the path/maze that E shovels for her in the backyard and she is just so content. I think she likes the crunching of the snow under her paws and wearing the coats I sew for her.

Have a wonderful week!! Bundle up!!

Happy Birthday Holly!!

Happy 8th Birthday Holly!!!  We love you so very much!! You have given us so much happiness and so much love!! We treasure you so very much!! You grew up too quick, but, we always see the puppy in you.

 

The first night (February 13th) we brought you home (date on picture was wrong),

Our first walk in Fairfax park in Virginia in your cute little coat.

You still make this cute puppy face (definitely wrong date on that picture LOL)!

Protecting your brother Patch.

You are always so good about modeling when Mommy sews you a new coat.

Always with a smile on your face!

You are always happy with your Daddy at home and helping him in the yard!

Love,
Daddy and Mommy ♥

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Hello Everyone and Happy Thanksgiving!!

I am so thankful for my husband who makes me proud of the man and Army Officer that he is. He is romantic, supportive, giving, and thoughtful. He makes me a better person, always makes me laugh, loves me and our fur baby Holly unconditionally. He always encourages me to excel at all of my crafts and this year I have been very busy with testing patterns, sewing things for him, Holly, family and friends. I am also knitting him a sweater (my first) and a cabled cape for myself (my first).  He has been very busy too with excelling at his guitar and bass and being an amazing singer/songwriter. Did I mention he can paint too??!!

Things will be a little bit different over here in Germany. I will be watching the parade at 3:00 pm (Germany time) at 9:00 am (EST). We won't be with family and friends back home. We won't be spending it together either. He is currently TDY (Temporary Duty) in another country and won't be back until after Thanksgiving. It will be difficult, but, Holly and I will make the best of it.

First Santa float in the Macy's Parade, 1924.

I want to wish all of our troops serving our Country and their families a very Happy Thanksgiving. Thank you for keeping Americans and our country safe. 

This picture below says it all and I know all my other HH6's (Household 6's = Army Wife) knows this feeling. Please remember all the Soldiers and Military Families this holiday season.Thank you for standing by your Soldiers side and support what they do. Please keep them in your thoughts every day.

I am thankful for my family and friends back home who have been so supportive about this assignment overseas. You have been so supportive and our rocks when we needed it...especially when we miss back home.

Also, thank you to all my blogging friends out there, old and new, who have been supportive since I started blogging 5 years ago this past October. You have all been so kind with your encouraging words, funny comments and making me a better blogger.I have really enjoyed reading your blogs, learning from and getting to know you.

From my family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving. May your day be filled with family, friends, food, and fun!!!

Have a wonderful day!!

Note: I usually have a scheduled post for Thanksgiving Day, but, I just wanted to get this out there a little bit earlier this year.