See You Later

"Goodbye" seems so formal, especially since I see most of you fantastic readers either in real life or online other places. So instead I'll say see-you-later. :)

This blog has been a sweet escape and a creative outlet over the last few years. Here are some of the stats:

Years Blogged 6 (2012-2017)
Entries 857
Page views 745,000
Most popular entry Vanilla Ice Cream recipe (51k views)
Vintage Fisher Price Entries 266
Recipes 245

My girls in the beginning. 

My girls now!

Thank you dear readers for coming by to see what recipe, kid story, hot air balloon photo, dog pictures or vintage fisher price toys I had to share.  I appreciated your comments, suggestions and camaraderie.  I will miss my Odds and Ends.

With thanks,

Anne 

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!  We've had a lovely and full weekend of celebrating. We started off on Saturday the 23rd as our "Presents Day".  We have the fun family tradition of never waiting to open presents until the 25th we always do it early!  The last couple years we've opened late (the 23rd) due to school break starting so late.

Present highlights this year included a real sewing machine (oldest) and a My Friend Becky doll (youngest).  Also books, a Kano computer kit and knock-off Fingerlings. ;) 

This morning the girls opened stockings.  I went ahead and wrapped the little gifts, but I must admit I pretty much phoned it in last night on the wrapping job.  It looked like a blind monkey wrapped them. Fortunately the girls didn't seem to notice. ;)

Today we also had Christmas lunch with my in-laws.  This meant more gifts for the girls and another fun afternoon.

I hope that your Christmas has been merry too!  Just a reminder that my blog is closing down in the new year.  I've got one more week to wrap it up.   

Fisher Price Friday - Merry Christmas

Hoping that you have a Merry "little" Christmas. :)  

2016 (Little People Farm #915)

2015 (Snowmobile #705)

2014 (Play Family A-Frame #909)

2013 (Play Family House #952)

2012 (Play Family Rooms #909)

To get your own Fisher Price Card check out my Etsy Shop.

Sewing Christmas Presents - Not "sew" simple :)

I continue to attempt sewing projects here and there; but am very much still a beginner.  This summer I struggled through making my youngest an easy "20 minute" rubber ducky skirt that actually took hours.  And although it photographed well at her birthday party it was a hot mess if you looked closely. ;) 

Fortunately I have a friend who was willing to help me fix it and she ripped it all apart and I started over again but with step-by-step instructions.

That skirt repair went so well that I decided to try making another skirt, this one with some 1960s fabric that I brought home from my parent's house awhile back.  This distinctive 60s floral fabric was used in bridesmaid dresses back in 1970.  

Check out those lovely dresses; all sewn by hand. 

The skirt turned out pretty fantastic if I do say so myself.  Thanks to my friend's patient instruction and assistance. :)  The pink band is made out of vintage linen fabric.  I made the skirt as a Christmas present for my 10 year old and decided to whip up a doll sized skirt to add to her gift.  She is going to freak!

Not to leave my 6 year old out I made her a ducky skirt to match the previously-hot-mess birthday skirt.  

My Friend doll Mandy looks pretty cute doesn't she?  And it matches her roller skating outfit. 

Is it Christmas yet? :) Only 2 more days until we open presents on the 23rd.  Woot woot!

Memory Necklace

I received the most lovely and thoughtful gift last week.  An engraved necklace that used the pattern of my father's handwriting. A special friend who also knows the pain of a parent with Alzheimer's ordered it for me.

My friend used a photograph of the little note my father gave me decades ago as the pattern.  How marvelous is that?  

This is the first Christmas since my father passed, so this memento is particularly special right now and it is lovely to have his words close to my heart.