Merry Christmas to All, a few days late.

Christmas was days ago. It's time to look back and reminisce about the day. Overall I think it was a grand time for most. We traveled to DS's house for brunch which could be the start of a new tradition. We met at 10:00 a.m.. The table was spread with a delicious ham and several different bread puddings. The grandchildren were excited to show off their favorite gift from Santa and to start tearing at the paper again.

I made and several dish / spa washcloths. They were appreciated as I was told that they wouldn't be used on dirty dishes. Gee whiz, they are crocheted in cotton and can take it, honest.

I stitched The Spirit of Christmas Baking by Brooke Nolan of Brooke's Books Publishing.  I started it last February. I finished it the week before Christmas. I wrapped it and gave to DD, Amy. First remark was, "Wow, did you make this? This is awesome. I love it."

We visited on Friday and I found the Spirit hanging ing the kitchen.

I can post a picture of her. My 2014 major finish.

I have joined a group with a challenge. The goal is to stitch from my stash. This act alone should help me to focus on my stitching instead of going around willy-nilly. So this week, I plan on organizing and planning my stitching 2015.

Here is our tree. I have to add some of my crocheted snowflakes. I have wanted one of these Norfolk Pine Trees for a long time now. Hopefully, I can keep it alive to use again in future years.

Christmas Time is Here!!

It's the Sunday before Christmas and all through the house is wonders of wonders, an air of calm expectancy. The plans have been made and yet while there is still much to do; there is no whining or heartwarming to be seen. What can this mean. Have I gained some wisdom over the years?  Don't know....

There's a pedal tractor in pieces waiting Uncle to get some screws and a pedal which were missing from the box. And I came up with the proverbial last minute stitch. You know the one that you are still knitting or crocheting on as you wait for family to arrive or in my case, driving to my son's house.

But I am not stressed. If it gets done or not, so be it. I only have to make a puff pastry and a pumpkin pie. I will put the ham in the slow cooker. Everything is coming together for a relaxed Christmas. I plan enjoying.

Merry Christmas to all of you, my friends.

Advent Ramblings

Thanksgiving has come and gone. We are now in the Advent season. Although between the advertising on TV and the stocked shelves, one might think the Christmas season began back in September. I saw houses decorated and lit on Veteran's Day. IMO it just caters to greed.

I find that as I grow older; I find that my Christmas wish list is getting smaller. Yes, I still write a letter to Santa. Don't you?  Granted, I do give Bill a copy, but the original goes to the North Pole. This year's list is top heavy with cross stitching items including an Ott lamp plus several books. Yarn would be nice, of course.

So not only is the list getting smaller it's focus has been changing. Gone are the dolls and toys of childhood. Boy I sure loved my Dr. Kildare shirt. My BFF preferred Ben Casey. Our mothers made our shirts. We wore them proudly to school.

Over the summer I crocheted dish cloths for the Washington County Fair's country store. They want more so the cloths will be my take along project. I want to double the number I donate.

This year, I want stitch more of Brooke Nolan's Spirit angels. I spent the weekend attaching beads. This is the first time that I have used beads in my projects. I must admit that it was easier than I expected. I like the results. This is the apron pocket from Brooke's Spirit of Christmas Baking. It is a Christmas gift. So I will not post complete picture until the gift is given.

Alas another four plus months have gone by. I have always heard that time seems to fly faster the older you are. Well, I can warn you all: IT'S TRUE!!!

Maybe it is because I am still having good days and bad ones too. I get so tired too easily.  But I still get up and try my darnedest. Some days it feels like I am just watching life pass by my window. I know that is going to take a lot of time for the bruising in my leg to heal. The back pain due to spinal stenosis and compression fractures can only be managed because that will never go away.

So I am leaning on my faith in God for the strength each and every day to be a person whom my family wants to be around. I want to be a person who radiates with peace and be a loving soul.  I do not want to be a drain on anyone's emotions. I pray for God's wisdom and the desire to follow His will. May I listen to His voice.

I am crocheting, knitting, or cross-stitching something for those on my Christmas gift list this year. I imagine the last stitch will be stitched on Christmas morning. I only have twelve on the list this year.

I miss canning. I used to make jams, preserves, pickles, and relishes. A favorite to make was green tomato mincemeat. I used the mincemeat to make holiday pies. As a child it was my job to pick the berries for jam. I took over the canning as my mother taught me.

Guess what folks, I am a terrible blogger. It has been almost two years since I posted. There has a lot of water over the dam since then. I'd moved back to Quonochontaug from 16 + years in Westerly.

 I am learning to live with all of my health issues. I fell in February while walking across my living room and spent 39 days in a nursing and rehab center healing and building strength so I can walk with a walker. Climbing stairs is still a bit difficult especially the top step, but going down is easy.  My left leg is still black and blue, it started out as brackish purple as I have seen a bruise from above my knee down to the foot. The bruise now only under my knee.

I find I have to knit or stitch in spurts, so my projects are going slowly. My right wrist tends to ache if I overuse it holding a needle.  Right now I am still working on Julia's sweater. I have started washcloths for the Washington County Pomona Fair Country Store and The Country Store at the New England Grange Building at the Big E.

I am still stitching on Brooke Nolan' s Spirit of Christmas Baking. I have the skirt done but not the apron. I have to post some photos.

Last year, both of my brothers were diagnosed with cancer. CEP had bladder cancer. Yes, unfortunately, it is had because he went home to be with his Lord and our parents this April. Last October, LBP was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor on his lung. He underwent chemo and radiation treatment during the holidays. He is now celebrating remission.

All through this, I have been supported by the most wonderful husband and friend. We have the mostest grandchildren. If I told you about them, you would say that I was lying. LOL Needless to say, I enjoy anytime I can spend with them.