That's Using The Brain!

  Since my kids have grown, it seems that their gifts to each other have gotten far more fun.  Toys of some sort are the norm around here even though they are....ahem...adults.  But in all fairness, Christmas morning should be a time of fun.  They should, as we all should, find the kid hidden deep inside.  Let loose of all adultness and be a fun-loving kid once again.  

  My daughter and son-in-law made a (far too) brief visit to eat Christmas dinner with us and open gifts afterward.  Dinner was fine but it was the sibling gift exchange that was the best...at least, for me.  I giggled like I have not giggled in a long time.  It was a fine feeling.  She got her brother some fingertip hands.  These are tiny, vinyl puppet like things that look like human hands but fit each finger.  They were a big hit.  Both immediately donned finger hands and proceeded to unwrap gifts with the odd things.  The giggle fits that ensued were contagious!  He opened several more gifts from her but none were so engaging as the finger puppets.  Then, it was her turn to open his gifts to her.  One present was a mind-controlled drone.  Yep, this was a weird helicopter looking thing that she was to make fly using her brainpower!  It took some practice but all three kids actually got the thing up and flying!

  Even though their visit was far too short, I am elated that my daughter and son-in-law were able to come to the Little Bayou House.  Watching the play, hearing the laughter, seeing the interaction between them and Son did this old lady's heart the world of good.  Santa did come...in the form of my kids.  I am beyond blessed.  

Just Coasting Along!

  There is this sweet lady who always buys most of her Christmas gifts from my stash of handmade crafts.  She has always loved the hand-painted gourds and hand-painted tote bags but this year decided to go a bit different route.  Since some of her gifts were being used for, as she calls them, "token gifts" for her many doctors, she wanted something equally nice for men and women but nothing large nor expensive.  Pondering on that fact, we came up with the idea of hand-painted, wooden coasters.  I figured that I could turn these things out in a snap! Her handful of gifts would be finished in no time flat!  Not so. Since she liked the idea so much, she has added to her gift list.  Set after set of the coasters needed to be painted.  No problem...ummm, yeah.

  Actually, these are fun to do since I am able to change up the idea a bit.  She does not care what I put on them as long as they are flowers....or birds.  (I guess that means she really does care but at least I have the option of what birds!)  Anyway, dozens of squares of cedar were cut from some scrap wood that I had in the back of the craftroom. (See!  It does pay to save everything!)  After sanding any rough edges, I set to work painting birds and flowers.  After a bit, I needed a change so one set has pine and holly.  Oh well, she will be happy with them, I am sure...I hope! Each set is clear coated with six layers of polyurethane to make them durable.

  The sampling of coasters shown in the picture are just a few of the many to be created.  With each phone call that I receive from her, a few more are added.  I will be painting throughout the Thanksgiving holidays at this rate.  It is a good thing I saved that scrap wood!