Christmas at The Vaile Mansion

 We 3 took a Sunday afternoon drive to Independence to tour the Vaile Mansion all decorated for Christmas.  This was a place I didn't even know existed until I was looking through one of the publications we advertise in at the museum.  It was built around 1881.  

Every year, they do a special holiday theme in their decorating.  This year was dressy victorian.  I was a little afraid Sarah might vomit at all the ornate pink stuff, but she made it through.  I think the stories of the home's "interesting" history as a sanitorium and other stuff might have made up for the "pinkness".

Anyway, enjoy the parade of photos!

The entry way

Sitting room

Most of the ceilings have been restored to the original painting.

We made our way upstairs.............they were very creaky........no sneaking in late!

It was a fun tour, lasting just over an hour.  The mansion is on the national historic register.  Also, it's apparently haunted.  Ghost hunters come in on occasion with a bunch of sensors and equipment to try and get photos of the "spirits".  They showed us one of the photos.  Looked like a smudge to me, but what do I know.

Merry Christmas!

Christi

Inching closer to Christmas!

 Sarah made her way home last Saturday - my birthday, one week before Christmas.  She stopped off in Columbia on the way to see her cousin Elliott's new baby, Miles.  Miles was born Dec. 3rd.  I haven't seen him yet, but Sarah's says he's a cutie!  She was impressed with how much hair he has and that she finger combed it into all sorts of styles and he just slept in her arms.  David will get to see him after Christmas when he has a meeting in Columbia.  

I had to forego a day of longarm quilting last week due to the high winds.  The power kept blinking and I definitely don't turn the longarm on when that is happening.  It blinked so much I didn't even turn on the regular sewing machines.  So, what to do?.............

Obviously it was time to make the Saran Wrap ball for one of our Christmas games.  We aren't exchanging gifts on my side this year, just playing some fun games.  I am the GAME MASTER this year, so have 3 fun games to play.  My Saran Wrap ball weighed in at 4.25 pounds!  

What would I have been working on that day in the sewing room?  

Turning this Snoopy panel into a throw quilt.  I did get it pieced and it's loaded on the longarm, but I'm not in a great rush to get it finished since I ordered a different gift for this person for Christmas..........

This arrived in the mail yesterday.  An old record painted by Hannah, my cousin's daughter.  I think this is so cute and definitely a unique gift.  I can't wait to gift it!  And that means that I am way ahead of the game on a cute Snoopy throw quilt for next Christmas!

On Sunday, we went to the KC area to see the Vaile Mansion all decorated for Christmas.  We had some time to kill, so went to Independence Center...............not really needing a thing.  It had sure changed since the last time we were there.......so long ago, I can't remember for sure when it was.  We wandered into this carhartt store - new to us!  

I took this photo and was going to text it to my sister.  That's when I saw her photo text of bricks of cream cheese with different seasonings on them on their smoker.  My response, "Don't you know there's a cream cheese shortage and here you are smoking the stuff!"  

I then sent her the picture and told her we were in the carhartt store, and my phone rang so fast I jumped.  It was Deb.  "Can you pick up a coat for Jackson for Christmas?"  So, we did a little Christmas shopping after all.  We bought the only size-large-black-with-a-hood coat in the store.  The guy working asked where we found it, and I showed him.  He asked if I wanted to start working there because he could have sold that coat several times that day if he had known where to find it.  

So, gifts are wrapped, some even gifted already.  We're heading in the home stretch for Christmas.  The next blog will feature all the beautiful photos I took on the mansion tour, so stay tuned for that one!

Christi

p.s.  I also made peanut brittle last night, only used cashews instead of peanuts.  Turned out pretty good, and David got in on the action because it required a hammer.  

Dog and Cat Friends? (and a little more basketball)

Esme has been getting along swimmingly with Cici and now that Sarah is here with her cat Dory, all 3 seem to be doing well together.  I fear Willow is feeling left out of the playtime.  This afternoon, she spent quite awhile trying to make friends with Esme.  She has learned that sudden movements like jumping up into the window seat can earn her a sharp swipe across the nose.  Here she is trying to climb gently into the window seat without jumping.

And she made it!

Maybe if she doesn't look directly at Esme, she won't get caught inching closer..........

and closer............again, don't look it directly in the eye!

Look Mom, my paws are touching her pillow!

 This didn't last long..........Willow is not one to be that calm and quiet for too long.  Not long after this photo, she gave up and leaped out of the window seat, taking cushions and Esme down with her!  

Oh well, it was a nice try!

And for those missing those basketball reports, we did attend another basketball game in person last Thursday evening.  We didn't have to travel nearly as far to see one of my piano students play ball.  Kyle is a sophomore and a starter.  He was the tallest kid on the floor and a really good player.  

He's almost as good at basketball as he is at piano.  I didn't figure he would pose for photos after the game like Jackson does, so I snuck in a few shots during the game.  

We've been listening to Jackson's games on the radio while sewing.  When I say "we" I mean Esme and me.  

All of that basketball can really wear a kitten out!

David had his new mini excavator out one day last week.  He had lots of fun with Willow and Kinze.  

It can really wear a dog out!

The only thing that can break this pose is a cat trying to sneak across the room.

Christi

Merry Christmas!

We had a very successful piano recital last Sunday evening.  Each of my students shared one song.  Instead of printing programs, I put everyone's name and song title in my elf hat and we just pulled one out and called out their name to perform.

I received this really cute wall hanging from some of my students.

And a couple of students gave me some dog toys.  
 

Willow approves!

And when we got home that evening, we found Cici posing as a gift under the tree...........or maybe just hiding from Willow........

And I also wanted to show off the sign that my cousin gave to David when we were there at Thanksgiving............ they make these really fun metal signs.  I'm not sure she thought we'd hang it over the back of the toilet in the bathroom, but that bathroom is decorated with pigs so it seemed to fit!

And finally, here is our Christmas card this year!

Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night!

Christi

Quick Trip to Iowa!

Made a quick trip to Iowa to see Jackson's first home basketball game of the season.  They won!  He took a selfie with me after the game.

And the whole crew........

And his girlfriend.........

I sat between my sister and Jackson's girlfriend, Carmyn during the game.  They were wearing their new white uniforms for the first time, and we noted that Jackson was wearing his patriotic undies...........one butt cheek was red/white stiped, and one was blue with white stars.  It only got more noticeable as the game went on and he got sweatier!  He wasn't the only one not wearing tidy whities!

Prior to the game, we went the the Festival of Trees that was put on by their Chamber of Commerce.  Local businesses and organizations, and even individuals decorated trees and we were given 2 tickets to vote for our favorites.  It was pretty amazing for a small town...........lots of creativity!

The Man Cave tree!  Notice the red roping garland, that's an extension cord!

A baking tree............

A craft store tree............

There was even a scavenger hunt list for you to look for certain things and put down which tree you found them in.  This little girl was looking for a squirrel.

The public library tree.......

The Sweet Shop Tree............

And this!  The elves were trying to save the cookies for Santa!  
 

It deserved 2 photos and one of my tickets!  Note the open jaws on the packages to put your tickets into!

This was the local garden club's entry.  They included their vintage garden club books as decorations.

And this was from a dental office!  Note all the molars on the tree and all the cute little elves who had the name badges of the people who worked there and the snowman was the dentist.

This one was done by the Ram Fans.  All of the high schools winter sport athletes were pictured there.  We found Jackson's photo on the tree.  Nice pom poms on top!

This one got my other vote.  It was done by an organization promoting kids programs.  Each of the ornaments had a different kid handprint on it and all of the decorations were made by the kids.

And of course, the Cyclone fans got in on the action!

And the local vet clinic...........

And you could have your picture taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus..........so we did!

They had cookies and a silent auction, and you could make a donation.  I was very impressed with this event.  I circled all the trees at least twice and could have gone again, but we had to get to the game.

Christi