Update on the Family Jewels

Back in August I told you about the little marble hearts that my Granddaddy had made and how I wanted to let my cousins know that I was willing to share my stash when I found out not everybody in the family had one. What a kind and noble thing to do, don't you think? Well, I sure think so.

During my formative years, I was surrounded by nothing but brothers and boy cousins. The picture above shows Christmas at Grandmomma and Granddaddy's circa 1959 or 1960. You can see all the stinkin' boys. This picture was actually taken before any of the Luther girls this story is about were even born. I guess I'm just throwing in this photo because I have it and I think a post with a picture is much more interesting. And it shows what a fun, jovial family I was surrounded by! You can click on the shot and enlarge it to clearly see how much Christmas fun this group was having.

Santa must have delivered everything I asked for...at least according to my silly grin. And there is an ever-so-slight smile on Grandmomma's face...she was probably thinking, "Surely, after these blasted pictures are done, they'll all pack up their kids and get out of here." The rest of the family looks like they've had all the holiday excitement they can stand. Isn't that hysterical?

And by the way, don't you think my Grandmother was one trendy chick? Look at that Christmas tree. Not that traditional and boring green tree I bet your grandmother had. I never knew she was so with it! I do remember in later years she had an aluminum tree complete with the multi-colored revolving light wheel. Remember those?

But back to the girls...I heard from my cousin Sandy, my sister Joyce, my cousin Tina, and my cousin Diane. They have all received their hearts by now and are hopefully enjoying the sentimental little treasures. One cousin I didn't hear from is Madeline. But I did hear through the family grapevine that she typed up a long comment after reading the post, but couldn't get it to go through. Such a disappointment. I guess I'll just always wonder what she had to say. I also heard she has three hearts of her own. I don't know why I had six, she had three, and none of the other girls had any. I know Granddaddy didn't play favorites, so maybe he just forgot who he'd given what to...

I received more comments and emails about that post than any post I've done yet. I even heard from one person who volunteered to join the family just to have a heart. Of course, at that point, she'd not seen that picture! Despite the dour faces, we really did have fun when we got together. We laughed at ourselves and each other, unwrapped lots of fun gifts, and always had those stellar meals my grandmother and aunts put on the table.

It was good to be back in touch with my "little cousins" and my "little sister." And sweet to think it was a heart from Granddaddy that prompted us. I just wonder why we're all too busy to stay in touch...and I'm just as guilty as the next relative.

And, Madeline, you could always go to my profile and find my email address if you're out there! Guilt trips...isn't that what families are for?!

"Move Over, Martha!"

Tickets go on sale tomorrow for "Move Over, Martha!" It's a four-hour seminar and luncheon about entertaining at home for the holidays benefiting Habitat for Humanity.

Gary Homan, Debby Brock, and I will present easy and original ideas to duplicate whether entertaining weekend guests or planning an elaborate party. We guarantee this event will get you pumped for the upcoming holidays!

Mark your calendar now to attend on Saturday, November 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Corpus Christi at 900 South Shoreline...in the Fellowship Hall overlooking our beautiful bayfront.

Tickets are $65 per person and will include morning muffins with tea and coffee, lunch, a chance to win door prizes, and a live auction. Rafffle tickets for great prizes donated by local businesses (including two round-trip tickets from Southwest Airlines) will be sold at the door and you must be present to win...which means your chances of winning are greater.

We will sell only 100 tickets and they are available at the following locations:

Four Chicks in the Park, 22 Lamar Park Center

Stitch It!, 4333B South Alameda

Or by calling me at 361.854.8484

I'd love to see your smiling face in the audience to help us raise oddles and gobs of money for Habitat for Humanity...hope to see you there!

When the Stars Come Out

These are easy-to-make, three dimensional stars that look great hanging on a wrapped package. With all the wonderful scrapbook papers available you have lots of options to choose from for the perfect star to match your wrap. Trace the shape of a 5-point star onto card stock. Score it with a bone folder right through the middle of each point. You'll end up with 5 score lines.

Then cut it out and fold and crease each scored point making a "mountain" on the top and a "valley" below the center. That will cause the star to pop and create a 3-D look. You might have to manipulate it a little to make it work, but when you do, it's a great looking little embellishment. You can punch a tiny hole in one point and attach a name tag with twine or metallic thread.

I have to warn you...once you start making them, you can't stop. You can string some together and make a garland...apply glitter to make them sparkle...just let your imagination run wild. Start now and by Christmas, you'll have enough for all your packages and some to hang on the tree! A perfect piddlin' project...

Where Have I Been???

If I disappear for long periods of time, you can rest assured I'm working hard to make brides happy. I've had a very busy August and September with my real job, which is making custom wedding invitations. It's what I love to do, it keeps me off the street, and it puts money in my pocket...which is basically what every real job should do.

Here's a sampling of invitations some of my fall brides have chosen. Hopefully these will convince their guests to join them on their special day. Lots of vellum and ribbon, some understated elegance, and one with a little fiesta flair. I've enjoyed the variety of the past few months as it would get pretty monotonous tying those bows in the same way for every invitation I work on.

So, know I haven't forgotten about blogging. It's just that at times I have to put those sweet brides first! I'll be back soon!

Bonus Brothers

In my opinion there are two types of people in this world...the lucky ones that have great and loving brothers and the rest of us. I used to feel cheated and a little bit ticked off that I didn't hit the jackpot when brothers were being passed out, but over the years, I've come to realize that God put other guys in my life to compensate.

One of those was Woody. He was married to my dear friend for almost 30 years and we lost him recently. He'll be sorely missed by all who knew him. Because all who knew him...well, they really knew him. Woody was one of those people who didn't care if you liked him or not. It was up to you and it didn't matter one iota to him. I was put off by that when I first met him. It took me awhile to get with his program, but once I did I found it refreshing. So many people put on their best face and you're locked into a relationship when you find out they're not what you thought. Not Woody...you knew what you were getting into from the very beginning.

For the longest time he pretty much ignored me when I was at his house. Sometimes I'd move in for 3 days and he wouldn't go anywhere with us or join in any of our conversations. He'd just sit and read and occasionally voice his opinion about something and really just tolerated our giggles and non-stop chatter. But somewhere along the way we decided we liked each other.

One year I was there for my birthday and he told me as he was leaving for work that morning that he'd take us anywhere I wanted to go for a birthday dinner that night. After considering all the stellar eating establishments in Dallas, it would be Keller's. Keller's is an old hamburger/beer joint complete with carhops. It's been there as long as I can remember and one of my favorite places to eat when I go back. Not only do they have great burgers and cold beer, but it's the best place ever to people watch. And thus began a long-standing tradition. But the catch with Woody was everybody had to eat the same thing so the ordering with the carhop was uncomplicated. So we all had a number 5 and tots with a cold beer. Lucky for us all that's everybody's favorite anyway!

Four days after he left this world, as a salute to Woody, seven of us piled into his car and we went to Keller's for lunch. And you bet it was number 5's and tots with cold beer all around. Here's to my bonus brother, Woody, and years of great memories...we're gonna miss you!

A Labor Day Find

We spent Labor Day weekend in Houston with our son and daughter-in-law. On Saturday we went down Westheimer in the Montrose section of town for lunch and a little shopping. I wasn't looking for anything in particular, but came across this lonely little chest of drawers in a vintage shop. I don't often find a piece of furniture that really calls my name, but this one did. And the best part, it was on sale. It sat in my garage all week because it weights about a gadzillion pounds and I knew I had to have help moving it. And besides, I didn't have a clue where I'd put it. But you know what they say, "If you really love a piece, buy it and you'll find a place for it."

I decided we'd better take the drawers out until I found its final resting spot. St. Wayne gets testy when I make him move heavy furniture. So here's the spot. It's next to my chaise in our bedroom. I thought it was the perfect place. After my piddlin' around all afternoon lining the 16 drawers with scented drawer liners, it's all set to be loaded. It will really provide lots of storage. But I think it's a powerful feeling to have a whole empty chest, so I might wait awhile to fill those little drawers. It's just good to finally have it in place for when I'm ready. A little bit shabby and a little bit chic...I love the combination of painted with a natural wood top. Yeah, I feel a little more piddlin' time coming for filling all those little drawers!

A "Chair"ished Collection

"There's always a chair with your name on it at our house!" We live in Corpus Christi and we're ten minutes from the bay and thirty minutes from the gulf. In the past thirty years of living that near the beach, we've had our share of house guests.

Some time back I started collecting miniature chairs and I pick one to suite your personality when you let me know you're coming for an overnight visit. I hang a tiny tag on it with your name and put it on a tray along with a note pad and pencil, some snacks, magazines, and anything else I think you should have upon your arrival. The bonus is when my guests leave, they always leave something in their chair to remember them and the fun we've had.

Some of the items left behind include little notes, wine corks, and guitar picks. I even once found a tiny handcrafted mallet to remember the crab dinner we shared.

It's a fun collection and I have trouble resisting cute little chairs I find in the most interesting places. So come on now, make your reservations, and come see the chair I've picked for you!