Happy New Year

My first post of the new year! Wow 2009 is here...where does the time go? The past few weeks were busy yet filled with good times, laughter, and family.

The cruise was amazing! It was so good to get away and enjoy some sunshine and relax with the hubby. We enjoyed Cozumel the most but Grand Cayman was a close second. Jamaica not so much but that's another story.

I also needed to keep my hands busy on the cruise and I managed to finish a scarf and a hat. That was an accomplishment for me since it usually takes forever(a year) to finish a crochet project. I'll post pics eventually. I also made a hat for DH since he lost his (yet again). It was a simple black beanie but he loves it and now wants one in Cardinal Red and Steel Gray which are apparently the official colors of his alma mater MIT.

Christmas was interesting. My mom and sister spent the night and we got up around 7:30am and opened presents. Yes we are all big kids. Everyone had several gifts and were very happy with what they got. There was some fantastic surprises and I got some good pics with big ole' cheesy grins. All was quiet for a few hours and then the craziness began. There were some 25 people at our house, which included some unexpected guests. I refused to let drama invade the holiday so we kept the peace and the respective parties in separate parts of the house. I was exhausted afterwards but I got my wish-a house full of family and friends.

We hadn't really made any plans for New Year's and in the end decided to spend it at home. It may sound uneventful but it was great. Ringing in the new year in the new house was just as it should be.

We went to dinner at Ruth's Chris on Saturday for date night and it was sooo goooood. Ruth's Chris is pricey but a good place to go for atmosphere and a special occassion. There was not a single thing on my plate that was not fabulous. And dessert-OMG! They brought us the sinful chocolate cake on the house since we were celebrating my birthday late and we also ordered the apple tart cake. That thing was huge but it was so good I wanted to slap my mama. We ended up wrapping it up since we were so stuffed but finished it later that night at home.

That pretty much sums up the past few weeks for me.....

On the sewing front I am working an view A of New Look 6823 as well as view D of Mccall's 5271. After they are complete I am not sewing anything else for myself until after I finish a dress and jacket for my auntie. That should motivate me to finish something for someone else huh?

Here's to a Fantastic 2009!

Cruisin'

Now for a post not related to sewing....but then kind of

So this time next week DH and I will be cruising the Caribbean and I am so excited! I ended up only making a few pieces to wear while we are gone since it turned out to be more of a relaxing/lounge by the pool/don't always get off the ship while in port kind of trip. So there wasn't a need to (over) pack a fabulous wardrobe. Now I know I just said this is supposed to be a relaxing trip so imagine my surprise when DH says to me he wants to hop on an ATV in Jamaica! Um, ok Love, let's go! But really I'm still in shock and half expecting him to change his mind between now and when we leave on Sunday. I'm packing my goggles just in case.

I was also very excited to decorate our home for Christmas this year. Decorations are sparse with a simple prelit tree with a few ornaments, some garland and red bows on the fireplace, stair banister, and front door wreath, but you best believe I will be hitting up the stores after Christmas and Gray Manor will be oh so fabulous next Decemeber!
I ended up making a wreath from items picked up at the dollar store just because I refused to pay $40 for something I could make for $4. That and I know I can buy that same wreath for $5 in just a few weeks. I wouldn't have bothered with putting up more than a few things but the family wants to eat at our house this year. I don't mind hosting, I love it actually, and thus I kick into 'Susie Homemaker Overdrive'. I don't see anything wrong with it since I love the flow of creative juices, but DH thinks I stress myself out. I simply remind him how fabulous our destination wedding turned out and how much money I saved us by being Susie Homemaker and he leaves me alone. : )

Not sure if another post will make it up before we depart but how a wonderful and safe week and I'll see you when I return!