Fun November Weekend

This weekend Philip and I enjoyed an opportunity to babysit with Annette and Lee and give David and Ashley a chance to go to Carolina/Florida football game. We can definitely see these babies changing in just 2 weeks. They are on the verge of "smiling" and are much more alert and focused. They are two little sweethearts - - I had to make another video!!

Above is Grand-dad Philip holding Annette. Below is Lee after his bath.

Knitting

Remember the Berroco Peruvia Quick?

Fun quick project: 4 skeins and size 11 needles. Simple ribbed pattern . . .

I used pattern for Baby Alpaca Grande Vest by Plymouth Yarn.

Now that I've had a quick, fun project it's time to focus on getting some things ready for the holidays. I had begun Christmas stockings for Annette and Lee quite some time ago. I thought I was nearly finished with the second one , only to learn that I had only worked about one inch down on stocking number two. I picked it back up, so I can get them finished in time to hang for Santa. The intarsia is going much better (and faster) this time. Practice does help with this. The name will eventually go in the white band - duplicate stitch. More to follow!!

Great Grands Visit the Twins

Last weekend, before I ended my visit in Aiken, Momma, Daddy,and Aunt Cathy came by to see Annette and Lee. They were driving back to Ridgeland from the Clemson football game.

Daddy holds Lee. . .

Aunt Cathy takes a turn with Annette. . .

Everyone agreed . . . they are beautiful babies!!

Fall Breakfast

Earlier in the day we made a yummy breakfast. So many wonderful friends were bringing great things for dinner, we had eaten light breakfast all week . I decided to splurge a little on Sunday morning: we had sauage casserole and pumpkin muffins. It was a nice treat!

The sausage casserole was a recipe from food network. One of those things you can make the evening before and refrigerate until time to bake. I used regular white bread and left out the green onions.

Then there were those yummy pumpkin muffins with cream cheese filling. I only changed the type of oil. I used canola oil instead of olive oil. After the recipe is completed . . . fill muffin cups about one-half full.

Then add 1-2 teaspoons of cream cheese mixture.

Then top with a little of the brown sugar - cinnamon crumbs.

Voila!! The finished product . . . I'll definitely be making these again.

Knitting Babies have to sleep sometime . . . I was finally able to finish Annette's and Lee's baby blankets. Here is Annette's being blocked.

Here is Lee's after blocking.

I have enjoyed these long projects for the babies, but have to admit that I am REALLY excited about being done with these special blankets. I can't wait to get started with a few shorter projects I have been eyeing for quite some time.

My visit to Aiken would not have been complete without visiting Barbara Sue Brodie's wonderful knitting and needlework shop on Hayne St. She was having an October birthday celebration for the shop and there were just a few things that I couldn't resist! Here is the ingredient for my next knitting project . . .

Any idea what this might turn into???????

Falling in Love

There is no doubt about it . . . Annette and Lee have stolen my heart!!

When these babies are together, Lee has the most adoring looks for his twin sister. She bats her arms around and they really like to touch one another. Look at the excitement in their eyes!

"...We're a team!" (Watch out Ashley and David!!)

Twins Together

I have been visiting Ashley and David to help with the babies the past few days. I have so many exciting things to post about. We have been busy with all things baby x2.

Ashley wanted to let Annette and Lee spend some close play time together this afternoon. The video is only a few seconds, but is amazing to me how they feel the presence of one another and interact with one another.

I will post more later on all my activities this week. Just wanted to share this video.

Welcome, Sweet Babies!!!

I am so excited to share our families great news!! Ashley and David welcomed their baby girl and baby boy on September 28, 2009. Mom and babies are all doing well.

Pictures through the isolette windows are a little blurry, but above is Annette Claire Seawell. Below is Thomas Lee Seawell.

They are soooooooooooo sweet!!! Praise and thanksgiving to God!!

High Tide and Tailgating

"He hath made every thing beautiful in his time. " Ecclesiastes I am always in awe of the beauty of high tide! Just had to share a picture of "high tide" this morning. Later today we'll be tailgating before the Gamecocks kick-off against Florida Atlantic at Williams Brice Stadium.

I've been wanting to make this Cornbread Salad for a while now. This seems like a great opportunity - hope it will be a crowd-pleaser!

The recipe is an adaptation from Cornbread Salad in one of our favorite local cookbooks: Full Moon, High Tide. Begin with a layer of chopped lettuce and mixed vegetables. I used tomatoes, corn, bell pepper, cucumbers, green onions, and black beans. Many of the recipes I scanned called for pinto beans - I just like black beans better. Take your pick! Then there is a layer of crumbled cornbread. Use your favorite recipe. I used "always dependable and quick" - Jiffy Cornbread. Baked, cooled, and coarsely crumbled. Next is a layer of dressing: This one is a bit fat-laden. 16 oz. reduced fat sour cream, 1 cup mayonnaise, and 1 packet of Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix (original). Last, but not least, grated cheddar cheese and crumbled crispy bacon!! (Layer everything twice.) Refrigerate!!

ENJOY!!! GO GAMECOCKS!!

Little Cabin in the Woods

Hope everyone had a great Labor Day Weekend!! We were able to spend some time in Cashiers, N. C. in this little cabin in the woods . . . (That song we learned in kindergarten kept popping into my head . . . "Little cabin in the woods . . . little man by the window stood . . . saw a rabbit hopping by . . . frightened as could be. Help me! Help me! Help! he cried . . . or the hunter will shoot me dead. . . Little rabbit come inside . . . safely to abide." Pretty heavy plot for preschoolers. Anyway . . . we had a great weekend. Philip and Amanda came on Sunday. Philip was our personal trail guide. We had a nice hike after lunch on the Chatooga Trail in the Nantahala Forest. We hiked down to the river and looked for trout. A few were sighted . . .but we had no fishing tackle. Our trail guide . . . and his assistant . . . A wildflower . . . amidst curled up rhododendrun leaves . . . A little sewing was also accomplished. Baby daygown number one has been smocked! It was really fun to smock again. It has been years since I've smocked. I was fortunate to be able to get "Ready to Smock" gowns from Susie's Ready to Smock. The smocking is done in ecru and adapted from "Heirloom" by Julia Golson. One more to go!! Today I will finish the baby crib skirts!! Another big cheer!! I love the fabric that Ashley picked out. It has a nursery rhyme theme with pictures of all our favorite nursery characters. It is called "Over the Moon". (Margarita Cushing - 5th Avenue Designs for Covington) And yes, the knitting continues . . .but those blankets still have a way to go!! I still can't imagine where the summer has gone. I'm never quite ready to give it up. One more burst of bloom from some of the plants . . . like this bottlebrush . . .

I do admit that it's exciting to watch some of the camellias begin to put on flower buds. The weather is a little cooler. As you can see, I'm having to convince myself that this is a good

thing. . . . I can't wait 'til next summer!!