(looking back)

Looking back on 2008...

~The first sentence of the first post of each month~

January 1st
I've been reading about many of you who have been battling colds and flu bugs. I did not anticipate joining in, but alas....I have picked up some sort of bug.

February 1st
This piece, complete with dust, is one from my parents' collection. As my mama used to say, "Dust adds to the charm!"
;o)

March 1st
"...it comes in like a lion..."

April 1st
*challenge info here

May 1st
Imagine a knock on your door...
Imagine your surprise at discovering these posies in a sweet little May basket left on your front step!
All for you!
Happy May Day, my friend.

June 1st
Treasure the quiet moments of this day.

July 1st
These I had to shoot from the bottom up...they were an upside down sort of bloom...

August 1st
If you have been reading my blog for awhile, you know how much I adore smocking.

September 1st
"Mmmm mmmm mmmm."
"Is this corn hand-shucked, Faye?"

October 2nd
The signs are evident.
Autumn is here.

November 1st
Happy November to you all!
I am planning to include things for which I am thankful in each post this month.

December 1st
~for today~

Outside my window...
It is overcast and some of the snow is melting.
!!

***
Have a safe New Year's eve!
♥

(rich red)

Jessica returned home late last night from the Sunday afternoon wedding of a college friend.
She was the maid of honor.
The beautiful red rose bouquet...

...matched her dress perfectly.
I ♥ the color red!!!

The favors were from Vietnam, where the bride taught English at a university for several years.
The chopsticks were tied with red ribbons and had their names on one and their special date on the other. The firefly balances on the end of your finger.

***
Can't wait to see the wedding photos!!

(packing away...)

...a few things...
Just a few, Jill!

I would leave these candles up year round, but they eat batteries!
OY!
I think I need to invest in the sensor type.

***
It is a beautiful, sunny day here in the northlands!
What a contrast to last Monday!
Remember?
Snow day?
Frigid temps?
It seems that we have not seen the bright sun in a very long time.
The temperature is warmer, too!
Sunny days always get me in the cleaning mood.

That explains the packing.

(shopping today...)

I know...
It's insane.
I'm hoping to find a much needed coat.
Who knows?
Maybe I will find some more irresistible deals.
!?!

:-)

ETA:
Found the coat!
Yay!
I also got lotsa lotsa half price stuff.
Gotta love it!

(mini mittens)

These teeny mittens were attached to my gift from Rachel.
They each measure 1 inch by 2 inches.
She knit them for me.
!!
Cute little buggers, aren't they?

***

Did you have a nice Christmas?
Hope so.

(Happy Christmas to you!)

~with love~
♥

(gladsome tidings)

Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o'er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song?

Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ Whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

See Him in a manger laid,
Whom the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
While our hearts in love we raise.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

***

Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
"Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

~Luke 2:10-14

***

(cozy thought)

Thank you, Claudia, for this sweet little ornament!
I love it!

From home to home, and heart to heart, from one place to another
The warmth and joy of Christmas, brings us closer to each other.
~Emily Matthews~

(snow day)

All the schools in the area have been cancelled.
We were gifted with a foot of snow last night and are getting even more gifts of snowflakes today!

Here are a couple of snowmen for the snow day.
Stay warm!
♥

(three)

What?!?
Just three days left?
Are you ready?
♥

ETA:
For my new readers:
These little ice skate ornaments were made a couple of years ago and were inspired by the very talented Vicki from Turkey Feathers.
Thanks again, Vicki!
xo

(childhood recital memory)

Programme
from the
Thirty-First Annual
Children's Piano Recital
Ages 5 through 10
Class of
Helen I. Pope
Sunday Afternoon
December 24, 1961
2:30 O'Clock
First Methodist Church
Hillsboro, Ohio

***
I was nine.
I played Skating On The Pond and It Came Upon the Midnight Clear.
I wore a dark plaid taffeta dress, black tights and black patent leather Mary Jane shoes.
The church was a beautiful setting. There were fresh green pine wreaths with red velvet bows and candle lights in each window.
The Boys Choir from the Church of Christ sang carols, dressed in their robes with red bows.
Miss Pope always saw to every detail and every detail was flawless.
We were expected to be flawless as well.
For the most part, we were.
We wanted to do our very best for her.
She taught her students the importance of excellence and to appreciate beautiful music.
She would often invite her friends from the Cincinnati Symphony to play for her recitals.
She spared no expense nor efforts to expose her students and their families to good classical music, knowing that some would not have that opportunity otherwise. We all knew these were important events in our lives...even if we were just playing little songs like Skating On The Pond.
Helen Isabelle Pope made an impression...a deep one that I will always remember.

***
ETA:
Adrienne asked if I had to curtsy at the end of my performances.
Yes, I did.
It had to be done just so...with a bit of a flourish, of course!

(last minute gift)

I needed to make a little somethin' somethin' for my sister-in-law, Kathy...to go with the felt hearts.
I found the banner idea here and you can buy one at her etsy if you hurry!

*for Show & Tell Friday*

(peace)

Peace to you this day...
♥

*tutorial here*

(and another two...)

Anyone care to join me in making some hearts?
♥ ♥

(more felt)

I am loving to work with felt this Christmas!
There is nothing more relaxing than sitting in my chair next to the tree and sewing these little ornaments.
Inspiration for the hearts was found here.
Sorry, no pattern.
~
Happy Tuesday to you all...
! nine !
! days !
! left !
!!!!
♥

(the collection)

My mother-in-law collects Santas.
It all started with one Santa (don't all collections start with just one?)...a beloved Santa that her daughter brought home fifty years ago...a project made in elementary school.
Add to that - the fact that my mother-in-law adores Christmas!
It's her favorite holiday.
Twenty years ago, I began to paint Santas especially for her.
The first was the taller Santa holding a teddy bear...then added the one with the Canadian goose, the one with the tree on his shoulder and the one painted on a turning in the following years.
Others joined in the Santa love.
This grouping is a part of the complete collection she has now.

Over the years, I have painted her Santa ornaments in the shape of a heart..

...stars...
moons, too...but I couldn't find my moon version to show you...

...knomey (is that a word?) looking Santas...

...lightbulb Santas...

...a brick Santa doorstop...

...and even a cypress knee version!


This year?
Shotgun shell Santas!
These are not just any shotgun shells...
I found them in DH's pocket the first day of hunting season this year...
...after he shot a deer!
~
How about you?
Have you found yourself collecting Christmas related things?
Do tell!

(favorites meme)

~Christmas Faves~

Fresh tree or fake tree?
There is nothing like a fresh tree... mmmmmmm... but we have a prelit tree due to allergy issues in the family.

Ornament?
I couldn't choose just one.
I'm attached to the ones my kids made through the years.

Christmas song?
I love the traditional carols and a few fun ones for old time's sake.
When I was a child, I loved Little Drummer Boy. I think it was all the rum-pum-pum-pums.

Tradition?
We always read the Christmas story from the book of Luke before opening our gifts.

Favorite gift as a child?
I received an entire handmade wardrobe for my doll from my adopted Grandma Faye.
I still have most of the clothes.

Christmas meal?
I'm not fussy.
I do love my mother-in-law's ham with raisin sauce and all the trimmings.

Cookie?
Hard to choose.
My MIL's date filled ones.
YUM!
Spritz, too!

Place to be?
I love to be with my family, of course.

Memory?
I have so many sweet ones...but the most recent one was my mother's last Christmas...blogged about here.

Christmas movie?
In my case, I have more than one fave.

A Child's Christmas in Wales

The Snowman

Home Alone
because Kevin reminds me of my son, Tyler at that age...and Snakes reminds me of sons Lukas and Zach combined.
:-)

Does Little Women count as a Christmas movie?
Love that one.

Holiday Inn
Sappy, I know.
If you like this one, too...I know you are humming one of the tunes right now.
Right?

***
Let me know if you play along.
I'm interested in your favorites, too!

(thirty-what?)

It's my DD's birthday today.
Happy thirtysomething, Rachel!
Who ♥s ya, baby?
xo

(my son went shopping...)

*gifts for the littles*

The Alaskapets are
in
the
house!
(The third bag has an adorable moose in it.)
Who could resist?
Uncle Tyler?
Nope.

(school stuff)

I thoroughly enjoyed the Country Christmas program at the local elementary school on Tuesday evening.
The children were adorable, of course.
I loved their little Christmas duds...and their big smiles.
The moms and dads and grandmas and grandpas beamed with pride.
As I stood to the side observing the scene, I was remembering the days when I was watching my children in programs, their faces lit up for their fave music teacher, Mr. O.
Sweet days...
*sigh*

~another bunch of works in progress~

Jessica is making scarves for her fifth grade class for Christmas.
She is letting me do the fluffy ones for the girls, using a combination of the fun fur and another yarn.
One of the ff skeins is a striping type, so that is even more fun to do.
J has already done a purple one.
It's yummy!

***
Must get another cuppa and return to my project chair.
Treasure this day.

***

ETA:
The scarves are ready to go!
Tomorrow (12.23.08) is the party at school.
Whew!!

(the tenth)

When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things - not the great occasions - give off the greatest glow of happiness."
~ Bob Hope, American film actor and comedian.

(daybook ~ 8)

For today...

Outside my window...
It is cloudy and c-c-c-cold!

I am thinking...
...about God's goodness and grace.

I am thankful for...
...the ability to create with my hands.

From the kitchen...
...hazelnut DD coffee!

I am wearing...
...my usual "uniform" consisting of hoodie, T-neck, jeans, etc.

I am creating...
more names of Jesus ornaments
lace on socks for my little Anavah Grace
a couple of birdies
Santa ornaments for my mother-in-law, a Santa collector
(I'll show you those later)

I am going...
...to attempt to finish these projects this week!

I am hearing...
Jessica's new CD set

Early American Christmas
by
Miller-Rowe Consort
Hammered Dulcimer and Classical Guitar

I love it!

I am hoping...
...to completely finish my to-do list today!

Around the house...
It is looking very festive!

One my favorite things...
....is gazing at the twinkling lights of the tree after dark.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
our local elementary school's evening of Folk Art
a little more shopping
the regular over and over work
sew, crochet, paint

Another picture to share....

Rachel's first little patent leathers ... hanging from the tree.
For my new readers:
It's our tradition to hang our kiddos' baby shoes on the Christmas tree....including my DH's first pair of baby shoes!

More daybook entries here.

(the reason)

It's just a humble representation of the baby Jesus...but so full of meaning to me.
He is the reason for the season.

*My 2005 post about the nativity set surrounding this piece can be found here.

(the sixth)

A recycled book...painted and tied with a piece of homespun...with a sprig of holly tucked in.
...because I can't post without a photo...
~
I'm heading out to finish the shopping today.
Only 18 days left!
tic...tic...tic

(dolly ornaments)

I think these could get to be habit forming...
must.
make.
more.
dollies.
!!!

*for Show & Tell Friday*

(the fourth day)

Yes, it's the fourth day of December.
!?!?!
Three weeks 'til Christmas.
!?!?!
At this point, I am just too excessively diverted with all the little projects I am into...the ones I want to get into...and thinking about the ones that will have to wait.
The little clothespin gals are still without clothes. I wish they came with a pattern, but since they don't...I will have to fiddle-dee-diddle around and create something I can live with.
They have been sprayed with sealer and now have hair ribbons!
Progress, people!
I have a couple of birdies that are nearly finished and a stack of socks waiting for lace. I haven't baked a single cookie, because I know that DH and I would be into them. We know that we don't need the extra hip action that cookies would give us!
So...sweet treats will have to wait.
Did you know that some people (never mind who) can bake and even make "peanut buttah bawls" ahead and even hide them in the freezer and nobody finds them?!
Imagine that!
That would never fly in my house.
Nope.
Not for a minute.
~
Did a bit of shopping today...after a dentist appointment.
It's crazy out there!
I will be so happy to finish that task.
How about you?
Nevermind....you probably have the shopping done and the presents wrapped already.

~
Okay, enough chatter.
Back to the dollies.