"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." ~George Bernard Shaw

"Look at everything as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time." ~Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn


Monday, December 21, 2009

Cats from the Wilkins-Foster Compound

Our good friends Etta and Jeff have two lovely daughters
and two hilarious cats. Etta managed to catch both of
them while yawning.....take a look at these pics....
Ignatz mid yawn.............
Gracie behind Ignatz...almost looks like she's yelling at him...
That's it-just had to share Etta's pics...


Saturday, December 19, 2009

Dinner at the Burton's

Russell and I had a fun evening last night
at Rosie and Rays house. We ate and laughed and
drank some wine and laughed some more!
Scott and Cindy joined us and we all had
a great time......below are some wooden hand
carved Santas that Scott and Cindy made.
This year they were being sold at the
Real Mother Goose store in downtown Portland!
We are lucky to have a few....

Here's little Lily. She was found abandoned on the street
hungry, dirty and now very happy to be in such a good home.

Lily joins Tiger....they get along and play well together.
Merry Christmas everyone!

Friday, December 18, 2009

Zan and Auntie Kath make a T-shirt quilt

My sweetie pie niece Zan wanted help in making
a cozy quilt out of some of her favorite
and memorable T-shirts....
we really didn't have a plan...
but it turned out really cool...here are a few pics..

We are laying them out after having sewn a few pieces together..
this is after cutting the shirts into squares...
It's pretty random still....we learned a lot
about how to do this....and how NOT to do it!

But in the end we finished it and it looks great!
Yay Zan and Auntie Kath!

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Merry Merry Christmas!

Merry Merry Christmas.....

Have a very Meowy Merry Christmas!

Our neighbors cat Lucky loves to

visit us. Here he is behind our trio

of little Christmas Trees.....



Sunday, December 06, 2009

Annual Ross Griffin Christmas Gift Exchange Party -Part 1

Once again we kick off the Holiday Season
with Ross Griffin's Christmas Gift Exchange
We all make 8 handcrafted gifts and get together
at someone's home to eat, laugh,drink,laugh and
select 8 gifts to take home .
This year I hosted the party and we had a blast!
Be sure to read Part 2 after this to view the videos
I made during the party!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!
Kathe Brady made these delectable Chocolate Chip cookies
wrapped up in a cute bowl
and topped with a hand quilted ornament
Before we began to choose our gifts-we had to place
all our goodies on or around the table.... The first item I chose was the lighted and decorated
little tree in the background.
Sheila Wilson brought the trees......
There were so many items to choose from....
it was difficult to choose.... Kathy Reilly made these quilted fish-they didn't last long! We all had such a good time- seeing friends we haven't seen since the last party....time flies...
Kathy R , sis-in-law Julie and Jeanie (sp?)
obviously having a great time!
Sheila making her choice....
Here I am with one of my selections-
Julie Reilly made these very clever carriers
for hot or cold dishes....
Linda Graham also chose one of the food carriers...
Nanette and Jeanie trying to choose....
Valerie looks over the gifts
while Becky selects one of Chris Nolde's grocery bags.
Valerie chose one of Linda Grahams knitted mufflers...
Chris Nolde and her food carrier....this was a
very popular gift....actually everyone's gifts were
so creative .... it made it hard to choose...
Jackie chose one of Chris Nolde's grocery bags... Valerie was inspired by her trip to Sweden-
she hand painted glass plates and made gingerbread
cookies using Swedish cookie cutters...cute little horses..
All in all - we all had a great time-thanks everyone !!!!

Annual Ross Griffin Christmas Gift Exchange Party-Part 2

Kathy Brady was the hit of the party

with her hula hoop demonstration!

Rosie had made excercise hula hoops

for the gift exchange - and wow!

Take a look at this little video!

Nannette shows all of us a new way to put on a muffler....

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!