But I Crossed It Off My List!

Second Post of the Day

How is it possible that we are halfway through December to Christmas already?? And why am I not ready? It seems like every day as I cross something off my to-do list, two more things appear.

Yesterday is a good example of that. My goal was to put up the tree. Cue the laughter here, right?

We got this far. After lunch we brought the tree bag inside, the lights, star, tree skirt, and tree fence downstairs, and put them where the tree will go.

This was after Craig and I'd spent the morning making lists. Lists of who all planned to join us, lists of where everyone was staying and sleeping. The number of extra chairs and tables we were going to need, and a rough outline of Christmas Day. Fitting not only all the people into the house but the activities in, too. It was a lot to think through.

My blog saved us a lot of work. In 2022 we had had a family gathering as big is this year's so we went through the blog posts from that Christmas, looking at how we'd arranged tables, the order in which we did our activities, what the menu was (standing rib roast, ham, and turkey) and more.

After we got some tentative plans in place, we sent them out to all the family members for suggestions and tweaking. (Our family loves to suggest and tweak. And it is very helpful to Craig and me when they do.)

That enormous task finished, I looked at the tree bag and decided to put it off another day. It just seemed too overwhelming at that moment. More packages for wrapping had been delivered and I still needed to get our Christmas cards sent out. Sitting quietly at a desk and writing cards was far more appealing to me right then.

And so I did that.

This year I had commercial cards printed using this photo from JC^2's wedding in August. Vanessa took it for us. (Did she ever have to hustle up to the top stair after pushing the timer on her camera! But she made it!)

These are the people I love most. My family. I am blessed.

The Christmas cards took most of the afternoon but they are done and just need stamps. That's on today's to-do list along with wrapping those newly arrived boxes of gifts. 

And one more thing. 

Trying to figure out what to do about an unexpected box from Breyer that was sent to me by mistake. It's a mistake that's already part of another error, and I think I could trigger a third mistake if I'm not careful as I try to return the box back to Breyer. 

Wish me luck and stay 'tooned.

Don't forget to comment to enter the Give Away for the tea towel of your choice!

New Fabrics

Believe it or not, I am in my third year of Horsiemama's Haversacks & Mercantile. I never intended to go into business; it just sort of happened. Same with Jolis Chevaux, my 18th century clothing business. Yet here I am, sewing away four to five days a week.

During those three years, I've learned that online sales drop off as the show season wraps up at the end of the year. That's also a time when fabric goes on sale for some really good prices so it's a good time to stock up for when sales begin to ramp up again in February. 

And I have been buying.

Balloon Horses - such a unique fabric!

I had a student from South Africa whose hobby was making balloon animals, and he once made me a balloon horse in orange, my favorite color.

Purple is very popular (especially with the Pony Pals!) I also have this fabric in mint green and black.

Dressage horses in pink with touches of green and black.

I'm thinking ahead to BreyerFest so I have been searching for fabrics with horse drawn vehicles. That has been harder than I anticipated.

Pop art race horses - I showed this to two customers, got two custom orders, and had to reorder it because I had used all I had!

Burros on blue. I may make myself a haversack from this.

Pink zebras - I love the little bit of sass I spy on their faces!

Dala horses are very popular with my customer base. This is my fourth or fifth dala fabric and I think it is my favorite of them all.

Anyone else reminded of Breyer's Balking Mule by this fabric?

See what I mean?

This last fabric looks pretty unremarkable, but in-hand it makes me smile. There is a joyfulness among those cartoon horses!

Believe it or not, I have another stack of fabrics waiting to be photographed. 

Stay 'tooned!

Christmas Card of the Day

Giveaway Clarification

Wow! There are a lot of entries for the giveaway! And I think I know the reason why - based on that first clue, many of you think the mystery giveaway is a Breyer Proud Arabian Mare.

It is not. Let me clarify as to what happened. 

The original plan was to do a mystery giveaway with clues every day.  

First clue - the semi with the letters PAM emblazoned on the back.

 

Second clue - a photo of the inside of the model horse tack box my dad made me. I figured that if folks thought I was giving away a PAM, then this clue would give them second thoughts.

Final clue - the braided horsehair band from my western hat. The third clue was intended to further deflect ideas that I was giving away a model.

So, why did I not post the other clues? Several reasons. A dear friend went into the hospital and ended up in the ICU. Craig and I stepped in to care for their loved ones and so I used a post I had written ahead for another day as I simply did not have time to write. Then, I discovered that people were having trouble entering, and so I quickly wrote that blog entry and posted it. 

Saturday I had to make a trip to Indy (a former student, now a student at Butler University, asked me to come down and speak at an event) and then we had a commitment at church Saturday evening. It's Sunday morning as I write, and I am only now having a moment to sit down and address any misunderstandings as to just what the giveaway is.

So... I am sorry if you are feeling disappointed and were hoping for a model. I do think the two winners will like what they win but if you no longer wish to be in the drawing, email me at horsiemama8@gmail.com and I will take your name off the list. No worries!

And in the really good news, our friend was moved out of the ICU and into the general hospital wing last night. Things are looking a little brighter!

Thanks for understanding. And if you still are interested in the giveaway, entries close at 11:59 PM tonight!

Christmas Card of the Day

Tis the Season - Christmas Cards!

(Happy Hanukkah to my readers who celebrate it!)

Christmas is coming and holiday cards are beginning to show up in my mailbox. I love to get Christmas cards in the mail - they are tangible and can be read over and over, and they make festive holiday decorations, too. 

I am very partial to ones that depict the Nativity (especially if a donkey is in them)

or to those that have a horsey theme. Add some sleigh bells, and I am a happy gal.

Not all cards have an overt seasonal theme. Some are more subtle,

like this card that simply has a mare and foal in the snow.

Sometimes the holiday cards I receive are horsey stationery with a handwritten holiday message inside from the sender.

Postcards work well, too, like this one that I received last year from a long-time friend.

Its flip side was a piece of Chinese art.

This year I will be sharing some of the holiday cards I have received, from the past as well as from this year. My goal is to share one a day until Christmas, adding some daily Christmas spirit to the blog. Stay 'tooned!

Want to receive a horsey Christmas card from me? Email your name and address to me at horsiemama8@gmail.com.