A new version of a Christmas tree

Last year middle child's inlaws gave her a tree that shed and shed it's needles, even though it had been cut fresh and delivered soon after cutting it. (I think they gave up on watering it) This is what she and her hubby decided to use this year.....

 

Denver once again!

We were able to fly to Denver this weekend to attend the baby blessing of our darling granddaughter. Flights were only $25/one way so we couldn't pass up the great deal and fly! Middle daughter and her dh went with us. She found a good deal on a downtown hotel for our first night. It was a fun hotel to stay at. Certainly not your average hotel! Very art deco!
This was room. Hotel Monaco.

 

The ceiling in the lobby.

 

And the lounge area, where you could sit and relax if you didn't want to be in your room.

 

I forgot how to change my settings on the camera so this is the only semi-good pic that came out showing downtown Denver. We just happened to be there at the same time the city was having a light parade. It was excellent! If I am ever in Denver again at Christmastime, I would love to attend it again. Of course it really helped that we were able to look down on the parade from our hotel room so we stayed warm!

 

Here's the cutie who has been the star this weekend! 10 weeks old.

 

And you know I couldn't visit without this happening........! What is it with me and snow in Denver?! I thought it was suppose to be just a few flakes this weekend!

 

Now it's time to get ready for Christmas!

Thanksgiving Weekend

The last fews days have been spent with the family.  The Baby of the family was able to come home at the last minute instead of staying at school.  Who only gives one day off for students during a holiday weekend?  I was happy the school changed their mind about only giving Thursday off!
You can see we take advantage of her when she is home to cut our hair!

The Lil' Prince was asleep most of the time but we were able to get a few moments with him near the end of the Thanksgiving Day visit.  He sure is a cutie.

Spent a night at the cabin so we could try to shop on Black Friday.  I found that I have grown into a small town girl because I didn't find anything in the stores worth standing in long lines for.  I find that ironic since I love to shop!

We were also here for the last game of the season.  It's always nice when your team wins a BIG game like they did yesterday!

It's been a busy last few days with lots of traveling and visiting!

I LOVE sales!

It's been about a week since I last posted.  I have been trying to get some Christmas gifts sewn but some other things---important things---have come up.

I do have to show this though....I love this annual sale at Ace Hardware!  I had to drive on Saturday in snow for about 45 minutes to get to it but when Ace has their clearance fabric marked off 75%, I MUST be there!  I buy the bolt since they are now so cheap and use the fabric for backings on my quilts.

Here's the important thing I have been doing this week!  We added another grandbaby on Friday, the 13th!  I have been busy playing gramma.  Here is Lil' Prince with his BIG brother, Lil' Guy.  I was so happy he didn't come yesterday when the big snowfall hit.  His mommy has these babies fast and the interstate was closed for over 9 hours yesterday because of wrecks on the road.

With this lil' Junior Miss that makes 3 grandbabies for us!  We couldn't be happier!

Bigger is better, in this case!

As many people know, we (word used very loosely) built this house that we live in now.  Sometimes things don't always work out like you hope they will when you are building.  Because of numerous "things", our mantle was not what we wanted but it was what we got.  I won't go into details but we were not happy and the maker of the "mantle" told us he wouldn't make another one.  I live in an area where it is not easy to get replacements of stuff you aren't happy with, so we have been living with this "uck" for a couple of years now.  Here's a before pic.  I can't believe that I actually have items on top of the mantle.  With the rock, the ledge ends up being only about 3" wide.

And here is the "after" picture.  I can hardly wait to find some things to put up there.  The picture on there now is just to show how massive this mantle is.  It is also taller than me and I am 5'4"!  It would be an understatement to say how excited I am now about this room!

Now that the chaos is over....has not been fun living in this room for the past two weeks....I can get back to some sewing!  I have some Christmas projects to work on now.

Girls like their fire

Middle child had a pine tree that devoured by pine beetles this summer.  We watched it die a slow death from starting at the top and making it's way down to the bottom.  It stood very close to their house so her mountain man hubby got on the roof last week and started chopping it down.  Since we have the fire pit now, middle child brought over some limbs and pine needles to burn tonight.
Look at that face!  She is loving this!

We especially liked the huge flames when the needles first caught fire.  Not something to try at home unless it is contained.

And then I had to take this picture of the house next door with the full moon coming up over it.  We have a house being built next to us.  It seems like it is very slow going.  A couple of weeks ago they started digging this hole that takes up most of his yard.  Bets are on as to what it is going to be.  We never seem to catch the owner to just ask him but we are coming up with some good creative, wild ideas.  :)