Where is the time going?

LOOK! I finished the center of my Slow Roll Cotton Boll! (That's my name for mine.... since it's taken SO.LONG.)

...and we have been having some crazy storms... like the one that brought this hail 2 weeks ago.

And our friends' oldest turned 5, so she got a sock monkey

 And here are those napkins and coasters blogger refused to post...

 And the sock monkey got a quilt, of course, made from charms of a very pretty fabric line, but one that's just not my style, so it made it really, really easy to give to a 5 year old.

 And I made pillows- this is my favorite one. Just a simple slipcover, but they add so much more interest!

And, finally, here's my CRAZY placemat. My husband is getting his own in blues/greens, to be finished soon... as soon as I figure out how to quilt it. 

Can you believe this is only some of what I've been up to?

I've been working, too! I still love my job at the golf course- it's funny how I see people from back home, and then random famous people, too- like coaches of the Colts, past players, etc. Too bad I'm a BEARS FAN THROUGH AND THROUGH!!!

Speaking of work, I need to get to bed! 

Night, all! 

American Onion Soup- That's what's for dinner, kids!

I made French onion soup with a bottle of Sam Adams Winter Lager to deglaze the pan rather than wine since I'm severely allergic to sulfites. It can't be "French" made like that, but it still tasted soooooo good. The "kids" (our 2 dogs) played with a slice of raw onion for a while, each one licking it, pawing at it, shaking their heads, etc before finally leaving it in a gooey blob on the kitchen floor. Crazy dogs.

As for that lunchbox that has been defeating me, it's still only halfway made- but Tim's ok if it turns into a patched up Frankenlunchbox. He actually sounded like he would prefer that. It's nice being married to someone who doesn't require perfection (but, he is still quick to honestly answer when I ask if a quilt flaw is noticeable).

I got a set of blocks made for the lotto this month. It was at the bottom of the list as long as the Christmas deadline was looming, but now that things settled down, I got around to it. It took two attempts, but the second pair fit the requirements. Honestly, I'm not too sad about having to keep the first pair.... I already know what I want to make from them rather than lump them in with the other orphans.

I leave you tonight with a picture of the casserole carrier I whipped up while the casserole was cooking last week. I think I did a good job making up my pattern and getting it done in just an hour! It fits even my largest Pyrex pan. :)