Happy New Year's Eve!!!

 I've had a really good week trying to prep myself for a new year and all that it entails....cross stitch starts for the New Year, plans and goals, projects to plan for making, cleaning, and organizing and of course a budget.  

I've been cleaning quite a bit this week and then yesterday was Final Finish Friday where I final finish a cross stitch project.  I will show that and my New Year's Eve start and my New Year's Day start plus the other crafts I worked on this past week tomorrow on YOP (year of projects) post.  Today I went through my cross stitch WIPs (works in progress) and oh boy, are there a lot of them!  But it was fun to go through them and plan the coming year.

Today I baked cinnamon orange rolls for breakfast tomorrow..........another Taste of Home crescent roll recipe...........easy peasy!

I also baked more sugar cookies..........I vacuum sealed the dough and froze them in small batches so I can have them when I need something sweet which is pretty much daily.........they may look burnt or brown and they are.....just the way I like them...lol!
 

Stay safe tonight and off the streets and out of trouble....remember.....it's amateur night!

Happy Trails!!!

A Wonderful Christmas!!!

 I had a great Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  We had a white Christmas here which is very rare!  I got the last Advent gift from Amy....a beautiful little shoulder bag...so pretty........I don't carry a purse anymore but I do need something now that I have my phone and when I go to Mountain Home.

The grands each got me some little light up houses that they hand-painted.  They heard me talking about my cousin's Christmas (Hanover) Village and they thought these would help me get started with one too!  

Grayson also made me a coaster with his wood burning tool....those boys are so thoughtful!

I've been taking all the packages that I ordered this past month and put them aside until Christmas Day.  Half the time I don't remember what they are anyway! LOL!  So, it's a surprise for me.  Some of it was practical....some K-N95 masks, basting spray and sewing machine tape for 1/2 square triangles but then lots of it was fun stuff.........my new 3 year monthly planner..........

A quilt book with my next Christmas quilt in it....after I finish my other one!

I also got several books of Christmas stories......here is one of them........

I also received the book I will read as my first book in 2023 but I will save that for New Year's Day along with my word of the year.

I lost my Christmas cactus back when we had our ice storm years ago but on Christmas morning I came out to this.........my Christmas Gerbera Daisy!

I also cast on my Christmas Eve socks.........

and Christmas Day I had my Christmas XS start............baby Jesus from Mill Hill..........it's on perforated paper and there are beads too.  I've always wanted to try one of these kits so wish me luck!  It is a trilogy so there is also Mary and Joseph too.

I haven't gotten very far........

Christmas was wonderful as I got to talk to my family, I made a turkey dinner with all the trimmings, I had a fire in the fireplace and got to sit in front of it and read and do handwork.  I had Christmas cookies and eggnog......Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!  I hope you had a safe, warm, and meaningful Christmas.

Happy Trails!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

 

Happy Christmas Eve!!!

Still trying to catch up as usual.....here are the Advent gifts with the last one being tomorrow.  Santa mugs and a beautiful card............

3 yummy candles..........

Thymes Frasier Fir hand cream, bar soap, and a votive candle

little buildings that I will make into those German Putz houses with the glitter.........!  I've been wanting to make them for awhile now.......

We had snow...a few inches, so we will have a white Christmas here in Arkansas.  It has also been bitterly cold for this area.  It was below zero yesterday morning and has stayed below freezing.  We had some wind too so I was glad we didn't lose power!  The birds are eating the suet like crazy.  I made some Christmas cookies today and I started my Christmas Eve cast on for my Christmas socks.

 

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday whatever you celebrate!

Happy Trails!!!

Advent Day #4, 5, 6, 7, and 8?

 I'm behind but catching up!  I am in for good now until after the New Year for sure.  With the storm coming I had to go to the store again plus get prescriptions, check the hours of the food pantry so I could donate, and take some gifts around.  I am now done except for final finishing ornaments for the grands.  They won't get there by Christmas but they have all their other gifts.

I can't remember which days are which for the Advent gifts but here is what I've gotten since my last post.  Amy  got these when we were in the antique store.  I have no idea how she got it past me!  A beautiful linen towel that looks to be hand painted and some little tiny matching fruit....a future garland maybe?

A bath pouf and some gorgeous handmade soap with every color of the rainbow...

a stationary set.......

and a Thyme's set of lavender hand cream and perfume......

I think I'm missing one but I can't remember what it is.

I got a few more cards too..........from my cousin Kay........we both love foxes!  Darling card!

and from my friend, Rain , up in Canada, one of her hand painted cards....so cute and she is such a good artist!

I'm just putting the finishing touches on the Christmas decorating.....

 

 

Happy Trails!!!

Advent Day #3

 Amy got the 10 crocheted face pads she wanted......

She gave me a whole slew of stuff....I should have put some other things in with her face pads.  She is so good at gift giving!

I got a mug in my favorite color, some buttons, some charms, some binding tape, and a fox spinning top which spins for a really long time!

I went grocery shopping this morning and I put everything away and now I'm bushed!  I might take a nap.

Happy Trails!!!

Advent Day #2

 This was a cutie!!!  Look at these little tiny lights!  They are just precious.

Amy got a book on collage which I forgot to take a picture of. 

Today was another busy day.  I had to refill my eye drops, mail another package up in Franklin, and I had a doctor appointment.  My doctor had the adult version of RSV and although he's better now he was really sick and he said it was no fun!  He told me to stay out of stores and away from holiday shoppers because, he said, sick or not they will be out there!  He told me to let him know if I get sick at all and not  to wait to call him.  I am so glad I changed doctors!  Everyone loved the goodies I took them too.  Plus, he said I can try bread and macaroni and cheese so I will be having grilled cheese and tomato soup....one of my favs!  I ordered another Butterball turkey breast that you don't have to thaw.....so easy and so good!  That will be for Christmas day.  I'm going to try some cookies too....no nuts though!   I don't see him now until March.  BTW, the leg is much better.   

 I was going to go to Walmart tomorrow but after what he said I decided to order online for pickup tomorrow and that should keep me through the new year.   That way I won't have to mingle with any sickies, hopefully.

There's football tonight and I'm still working on ornament #2 and some crochet.

Happy Trails!!!

Advent Day #1

 We started the Advent countdown to Christmas!   Amy received her little ceramic jack o' lantern and loved it.  

 

I received some antique blocks!  So cool! She gave me a few awhile ago too.  She picks them up at garage sales when she sees them............I'll have to find the other ones and see if I can spell something Christmas related...........

Yesterday I fell...I have no idea how it happened but I fell down the 3 steps into my garage.  Of course, I couldn't have fallen inside on the carpeting....noooo...I had to fall smack dab on the cement!  I landed on my hands and my knees.  I sat there afraid to  move for fear I broke something but I was fine.  I went about my business all day with no problem.  Until, I tried to get out of bed this morning.....whoa Nellie! The right leg wasn't working very well...but I hobbled around and took a Tylenol and now I'm fine again.  I imagine tomorrow morning I may be stiff again but not as bad, I hope.  

Today was bills, some cleaning, and I made those crescent cinnamon twists again for everyone at Dr.Arnold's office.  The people there are so nice.  I'm so glad I changed doctors!  I have an appointment tomorrow and a list of foods I want to see if I can eat now.  I haven't frosted the twists yet.  I'm waiting for them to cool.

The birds have been at the feeder like crazy....I have some I don't recognize....the black and white one I thought was a woodpecker but there's no red on his head....

any thoughts?

Well, I'd better go frost those cinnamon twists and get ready for Amy to call so we can open Advent Gift #2!

Happy Trails!!!

Advent exchange starts tomorrow!!!

 The tree is all decorated and the gifts barely fit under it there are so many!  I'm going to have to get a bigger tree! LOL!  There are the advent gifts but also there are gifts from my grandsons that they bought with their own money and wrapped themselves!  I am the luckiest grandma EVAH!  

I finished my 2nd Christmas book.  Comfort and Joy by Kristin Hannah......excellent!

I  mailed off another package this morning and did some cleaning, washed a load of laundry and made some cherry jello.  Cherry is my favorite.  Now, I'm getting ready to do some sewing....more gifts!

Santa's workshop is very busy!

Happy Trails!!!

YOP Week #24 Year 12

 I missed last week as I didn't have much progress to show.  I've been busy making, and wrapping, and mailing!  I have the best Post Office in the U.S. in Franklin, AR.  I took 3 packages to be mailed and they were small and light but they were in Priority Boxes that they had given me but they were going to cost $10 each to mail!   The contents weren't worth $10 unless you count my labor! LOL!  Anyway, I wasn't going to pay that.  He said he could get some boxes in the back and repackage them for me and they would cost about $5 a box so that's what he did!  It took him an hour and I told him to stop and wait on other customers when they came in.  He cut the labels off and redid them on the new boxes!  I couldn't believe it!  He said that's what they get paid for and I said I don't think so!  He went way above and beyond the call of duty in my book!  He'll be getting a special gift along with Christmas cookies for the whole gang there.  They are the best!

I have promised myself to Final Finish something each week until I am caught up....so  here is my Prairie Schooler Santa...........I plan on making more so then they will all be gathered together in a bowl or basket.  I felt mine was too big for an ornament on my little tree.  I also need to invest in some trims and some rusty/crusty bells and  pins.

I'm all prepped for my Christmas Eve sock cast on..........

I worked on Auntie's Sewing Box SAL piece.........this is the old fashioned cross stitch with lots of color changes and outlining....it will be beautiful when done if I live long enough to finish it! LOL!  I plan on this being my focus piece but there will be a new rotation being worked out for the new year.  There are 3 different colors of gold in that little area alone plus it will all get outlined too.........it is one of those old fashioned bird sewing clamps.......

I have been working on the 2nd ornament for the grands and then yesterday I found the original material so I may start over so they match........

That's all for crafting although I did get one pillowcase cut out and I plan on working on those this afternoon. I'm jotting down ideas and plans and goals for 2023 already.  I have my word of the year and I'll be choosing my first book of 2023 and purchasing that along with a Christmas Day start, A New Years Day start and a birthday start.  Lots of excitement in the new year!  Other than those, most of my attention this coming year will be focused on WIP's (works in progress).  

This week will be another final finish, a bit more wrapping and mailing, and baking cookies.  Tuesday starts my daughter and my Advent exchange!  I can't wait!  I got my cards in the mail so I'm doing better than most years.  Plus, I can see better! LOL!  I'll finish the 2nd ornament and work on the SAL.  There's a bit more decorating to do too.  How are your plans for the holidays coming along?  Are you making Christmas gifts?  I hope you are enjoying the lead up!  I've been playing Christmas music from the old days and watching Christmas movies in the evening.

Happy Trails!!!

  

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

 It's starting to rain and I was just lucky enough to get some decorations outside before it started.  It's supposed to rain for several days now although they've been saying that for several days now!  I needed to get my potato soup made and it is on the stove so I squeezed in some decorating time......

My daughter made this wreath and I have been using it for years...it's starting to look a little bedraggled...like it's owner! LOL!

This is my Aunt Alice's work of art...........

and more of her art work...........I used to use it for Christmas cookies when we had a "gang" at Christmas time but now I've decided to hang it on the wall....I just pray it doesn't fall!

I'm reading the Christmas Wish by Richard Siddoway and it is very good.  If I had the time I would sit and read the whole thing...it's hard to put down.  

BTW....I've finally finished with the eye drops in the right eye and on the left eye that I had done a week ago, I no longer have to wear the plastic shield at night to protect the eye!  Progress!  The first one I had done is seeing great close up....the other one is still healing.

Happy Trails!!!

 

Foggy and dreary here but 56 F so not bad.....

 I found a recipe for using crescent rolls to make cinnamon twists.  I have 2 tubes of crescent rolls.  I must have bought them for Thanksgiving but I never baked them.  I used a recipe from Taste of Home and they were delicious.  They were a bit messy and mine didn't turn out like the picture they showed but they were definitely good and better than the Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls in the tube!  This is their photo.  I took a photo of mine but it didn't show up when I downloaded my pictures.

I received my first Christmas book to read for the season. It is called The Christmas Wish by Richard Siddoway.  I'll let you know what I think after I read it.  It's not very big so it shouldn't take me too long.

I received another Christmas card today.  This one was from my neighbor.

I sent Nancy a Happy Birthday wish and made a small start on the Sewing Box project.  Nancy had gotten back to me and we are starting on the long piece which will be made into a drum eventually.

I ordered the last Christmas present today and now the rest just need to be made, wrapped,  and mailed.

How are you coming with your holiday preparations?

Happy Trails!!! 

 

Sew busy!!!

 Today I prepped my material and floss for the SewnSews SAL starting tomorrow on Nancy's birthday.  I emailed her wondering which one she is starting on as there are many patterns in the book.  I haven't heard back from her yet.  We're going to do all of them I'm just not sure in what order.  I also need supplies for finishing them.

I have received 2 Christmas cards so far...very pretty.....thank you, and I love the Christmas letters that came with them!

I am behind...per usual.........with my cards but they're coming....

I also received a Thrift Book I've been wanting and they usually don't have it but they did this time.....it has so much information in it.  The only thing it didn't have was how to darn socks but otherwise it is a wonderful reference for just about any handwork you want to know about.

Mondays are always busy with weekly chores,  and now I need to go empty garbages and get the big can out to the street.  I hope you're having a good Monday.

Happy Trails!!!