Wednesday, December 31, 2008

I'm Back from my Florida Christmas (way too many snaps)

I got back into town - leaving 80 degree sunshiny weather to find the bay area clear and cool in the 50's..... It was so nice to get home for the Holiday's as we usually go to my sister's in Vancouver, WA - where they had a super white Christmas!! We got to the Beach -

Looking North from the Daytona Beach Pier

Looking South from the Daytona Beach Pier -

It was some really gorgeous weather the whole time we were there!!!!

As we normally do Mat, Katie and Uncle edgar made cookies - Katie picked the Gingerbread cookie recipe that her Grandmother made up and Mat picked a crunchy no-bake chocolate peanut butter cookie - here are some snaps -


Gingerbread ready for the oven...


ready for decorating....


and decorating - (I just wasn't up to making icing so I got some already made for the cookies) -


and here are Mat's cookies ready for the chocolate dip...


Mat was very meticulous about each one getting completely coated and he did a super job!!!


.....and a tradition in my family since I was a baby (about a 1000 years ago!!) we had a Birthday Cake for baby Jesus - this year I made a white chocolate/pecan/ coconut three layer super cake - that was pretty damn tasty if I do say so myself!!! Here is a snap -

There was only a little piece left by the time the weekend came - so I think it was a hit!!!

We had a visitor staying with us - Friends of ours were down from Virginia staying in their time share - they couldn't have pets so we kept Siggy at our house - and what a super love he was -

Connie and Chuck rescued him and he may look sort of ferocious but the worst thing about him is his super sloppy kisses!!! He is just a sweetie!!!! and small for a boxer - at only 60lbs or so - quite a difference from my babies at about 5lbs each!!

On the stitchy front I had two exchanges arrive - they were both going to the same recipient so I sent them together - Dear Joan was the December Ornament receiver so I made her "Believe" from Heartstrings Primitives booklet called "Tidings of Joy" - using a combo of DMC, Belle Soie and WDW - floss' - Here is a snap - ( I couldn't find mine so here is one that Joan took)


she was also my partner in the SBEBB ABC exchange so I sent along a bit early the piece I made for her -

The pattern was from a French site - I used Belle Soie silk for the floss -


Here is another present I can finally post about - It was for Cissy and John -

I did this in silk using Vickie's HDF - the only thing I changed was the font for Washington and added the date of admittance to the Union - I think it framed up really nice.

I didn't touch a needle the entire time I was away - even though I had planned on getting a couple of things finished ... but that did not happen..... I did have a super present waiting for me when I got back here from Vonna - opening up the box and finding some delicious goodies, a super snap and this....

Lovely "Believe" Ornament!!! Here is it on the tree looking stupendous!!! Another treasure form a dear friend!!!!! Thank you so much Vonna!!!!! I just love it!

Well I have bent your ear and eyes enough today - I will be back after a 4 day weekend - with the continuing adventures of the Black Sheep and side kick Bubble Gum - (I am gonna hear about that when I get home!!!! :) )

Hoping everyone has a Healthy, Happy, Safe and Prosperous New Year!!!!! See you in 2009!!!

Thanks for stopping by!!
Take care,
edgar

23 comments:

  1. Welcome back! I missed you!

    And what wonderful, yummy pictures of everything, especially the beach.

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  2. Yay! Welcome back Edgar! I missed my daily Blacksheep fix. Glad you had such a great time in FL. Lovely beach pictures. I wish I was there.

    The believe ornament from Vonna is darling! Such cute finishing!

    Happy New Year...maybe I'll run into you at NiaH. They are having a sale! The most fabulous word ever! :)

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  3. welcome back! great exchanges you sent, as always.

    yummy looking cookies and the beach, i miss the beach.

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  4. Welcome HOME! :O)
    I see the your little avatar weather man says it's still foggy :O(
    I enjoyed your update and telling us about your Christmas...and I must say your Pecan, Coconut Cake does look pretty damn tastey!
    :)

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  5. From your wonderful photos it looks like you had a great holiday with the family. That makes it so special doesn't it.
    Wishing you and Rico A very Happy New Year!

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  6. Hi Edgar- welcome back! Looks like you had a splendid Christmas. If you squint your eyes looking at those beach pictures, it kind of looks like snow!
    Happy New Year!

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  7. Welcome home, Edgar! You were definitely missed! I am so glad you had a safe trip and a Merry Christmas! You must share that recipe for the cake! I love white chocolate! I hope you and Rico have a safe and very happy New Year!

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  8. Happy New Year Edgar, I look forward to seeing all your new creations in 2009.

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  9. I'm so glad your back! I can send you your goodies now!
    The weather down in Florida looked nice!
    Donna

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  10. W4elcome back, Edgar. Looks like you had a fantastic time. The birthday cake made me smile. Some lovely stitcheries in there, too!

    Sue
    Western Australia

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  11. Happy new year Edgar and welcome back

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  12. Mmmmmmm, cake!

    I wanted to take this opportunity to say how much I enjoyed reading your blog in 2008. Thank you for sending me floss when I really needed it. I hope 2009 is even better than you imagined it could be. Best Always, KD

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  13. Lovely pictures. I have enjoyed reading your blog this last year. x

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  14. Great photos Edgar - especially the beach ones :o) - thanks for sharing!

    Happy New Year to you, Rico and the pooches

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  15. Happy New Year, Edgar! I'm glad you are home safe and had a lovely holiday!

    Beautiful pictures! My goodness, how I miss the beach!

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  16. Welcome back and Happy New Year! Sounds like you had a great time. We're back from our little trip which was wonderful. The home-coming, not so much. But you can read all about that on my blog. It would take up too much space here.
    Love the map cross-stitch. I have a thing for map designs (and historical landmarks). Haven't stitched many myself; I just keep buying the charts!

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  17. Looks like you had a lovely time!!! Glad you made it home safe!
    ~A Joyful Stitcher~

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  18. Have a lovely 2009!!! And may your 2009 be so full of stitches as the past year: it's a pure pleasure to see all your creations!!!!!
    Happy New Year from Italy!!!
    Claudia :)

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  19. I know your niece and nephew will cherish the memories you are making with them. DD still talks about the mini-gingerbread houses she and my son made and decorated at my mom and dad's one Christmas long ago! You have received some really neat gifts, and I really like the Quaker Reindeer! Just last night I was thinking about doing that ornament - Weird! Hope 2009 is great for you!

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  20. He Edgar, first I'd like to wish you and Rico a very happy 2009, from me in Amsterdam. I'm new in blogland, but I've been reading yours for a while and I enjoy it very much.
    Thanks and bye
    Erna

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  21. Welcome back! Looks as if you had a grand time! The food looks wonderful, and the stitchy pics are lovely! Happy New Year to you and Rico!

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  22. Happy New Year Edgar. Pleased as I am to hear that you had a good time in Florida, I suffered severe withdrawl symptoms and missed you terribly!! Many thanks for the Christmas Card.
    I stitched and watched Pretty Woman on TV on 2 January and thought of you watching movies adn stitching in the evenings ha ha ha !! Hope 2009 is brilliant for you.

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  23. Pics from Florida look wonderful. I have tried to convince hubby we need to spend Christmas of 2009 in Cape Coral with my sister.

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