A Look Back at 2012

A quick peek back at year 2012.

And a wish for a very HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of you!

Come To Bethlehem

"Come to Bethlehem and see

Christ the Lord, the newborn King."

Wishing a very happy Christmas to all of you.

(Shadow box nativity made by my Mama, in the late 60's or early 70s.)

Christmas All Through The House

Christmas is tucked into every corner of my home. 

Little Tomten (Swedish for elf) and his forest friends.

I made this little elf when I was a teen, to match one we found at a store. 

(See the store version down at  the other end of the piano.)

 Deer hide among the trees and family pictures.
(Many of the tree ornaments were given to us by my late MIL.)

Bright pixies frolic in a basket of wooden fruit.

(Those came from a fair trade store, where women from
underdeveloped nations sell their crafts to support their families.)

 Sequined felt trees.

(Made by my husband's Grandmother many years ago.)

More of Grandmother's trees.
(My mom found the smaller tree at a vintage shop.)

 A Gurley candle choir sings on the bookcase.

A candle nativity sits on a shelf.  

( This set belonged to my folks, and I played with it when I was a little girl.

It has seen better days, but I still love it.)

Wooly sheep safely graze inside the china cabinet.
(the cats can't get them there.)

The lamp post.

(We received 2-3 inches of heavy, wet snow last night.)

Snow Is On The Way!

We are supposed to receive our first snowfall late tonight and into tomorrow!

AND...

The  forecast is calling for snow on Christmas day!   YAY!!!
Thank you Mr Weatherman!

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas!

May Choirs of Angels Come To Greet You

 Be there at our sleeping, and give us, we pray,

Your peace in our hearts, Lord, at the end of the day.

                                                    - Jan Struther

Click to play

This post is dedicated to the children and teachers of Sandy Hook Elementary School

and the families and friends who mourn their loss.

Christmas At The Little Blue House

Winter has arrived, 

but the residents of the Little Blue House are snug and warm.

Blue Bear and his family 

send you many good wishes for a Happy Christmas!

* * *

Look here to see previous posts about Blue Bear  (a much loved toy from my childhood)

and his Little Blue House and Little Red Barn.

Maple Leaf Teacup

A package arrived on my doorstep and inside was

 a lovely Canadian maple leaf teacup from my sister.

Isn't it pretty?

Such a meaningful gift, because 

we lived in Canada when we were little girls.

So I'm enjoying a nice hot cup of Earl Grey 

and Swedish ginger cookies.

Teacup:  Canada From Sea to Sea, Royal Albert (England)

Teapot:  Greystone, Denby (England)

Linking to
Teacup Tuesday with Terri and Martha
Tea Time Tuesday with Sandi
Friends Sharing Tea with Bernideen

How Lovely Are Thy Branches

"Oh Christmas tree,

How lovely are thy branches."

Red Flannel Union Suit

(Santa gift wrap, maker unknown)

The red flannel union suit is, by all appearances, Santa's undergarment of choice.

Have you ever worn a pair?

(Santa Gets Dressed fabric- Alexander Henry)

(Santa card- Peggy Jo Ackley, The Family Line, Inc.)

 (Santa gift wrap- Gordon Fraser)

(Santa gift wrap- maker unknown)

(More of my paperdoll collection can be found on my Paperdoll Page,
at the top of my blog, directly under the header.)

Quick Christmas Gift Tags

Gluing together a few quick and easy tags for Christmas gifts.

Punch out simple shapes, add rhinestones for sparkle, 

personalize with initials, and tie with vintage ric-rac.

Fun and done in less than 30 minutes!

Easy Microwaved Apples

 For a quick and tasty holiday treat, cook an apple in the microwave.

Core and slice one apple. (I like to leave the skin on.)

Top with:

2 Tablespoons of brown sugar

1 Tablespoon of sweet cream butter

chopped pecans

smidge of cloves

smidge of ginger

(You may substitute any of your favorite nuts and spices) 

Microwave for one minute.  Stir to coat the apples with the buttery sugar mixture. 

Microwave for one more minute (or until your apple reaches the desired softness.)

Top with a dollop of whipped cream, if you like.

Yum yum! 

Stocking Stuffers

Stockings are an important part of our Christmas morning tradition.

And the job of filling them is usually left to me Santa Claus.

Here are my ideas for stocking-stuffers for girls, boys, men and women of all ages:

crayons,  markers, watercolors, brushes, sidewalk chalk

finger puppets, small plush animals

matchbox cars, model train tracks
magnetic abc's
legos, small puzzles, kaleidoscope

stickers, stamps, ink, scrapbook paper

paper dolls
cloth diaper cover, amber teething necklace, bib, pacifier clip

jumprope, cat's cradle string

deck of cards, travel games

baseball cards

tennis balls, golf balls, golf tees 

bike safety lights, cable lock
guitar strings, drumsticks, woodwind reeds, brass valve oil
CD, earbuds
camera strap, travel tripod

scissors, pinking shears, rotary cutter

fat quarters, thread, floss, yarn, trim, beads, buttons

knitting needles, crochet hook

pincushion

hot pad, dish towel, pot scrubbie
placemats, napkins, rings

whisk, vegetable peeler, zester,  wooden spoons, icecream scoop

measuring spoons, cookie cutters, cupcake liners, silpat  

pepper mill,  kitchen timer, turkey baster, garlic press, herb snips
 recipe cards
favorite family recipes

bottle opener, bottle stopper,  cocktail shaker, coasters, shot glasses, flask

BBQ tool set,  mitt, skewers, steak knives

magnets

tea, coffee, hot chocolate

nuts, candy, mints, gum

spices, mustard, jam
olive oil, hot sauce

apple, orange, pomegranate
essential oils

vintage brooch, earrings, necklace

 watch, money clip, wallet, keychain, purse hanger

magnifying glass, reading glasses, sunglasses

cell phone cover

scarf, mittens, socks, tie, belt

folding umbrella, mini flashlight
travel converter/adapter, map, rfid passport cover
wool hiking socks 

lipstick, nail polish, mascara, false eyelashes

toothbrush, comb, nail clippers, eyelash curler
makeup brushes

hand lotion, lip balm

soap, perfume, bath salts

pillowcases

gardening hand tools, rose clippers, seed packets, nozzle, rain gauge, soil tester

 work gloves, hammer, nails, wrench, pliers, folding ruler

windshield wipers, chamois, tire pressure gauge
fish hooks, insect repellent, sunscreen
hand warmers, thermos
batteries

masking tape, duct tape, washi tape

post -it's, pens, notecards

postage stamps

magazine, paperback book

small picture frame

Christmas tree ornament

gift certificate -to a favorite restaurant, store, salon or spa

tickets- to a game, movie or concert
membership- to local zoo or gym
money- folded origami style
your time- coupon for an extra long bedtime story, playdate or baking lesson
donate in their name to a cause- give a goat to an orphan or dig a well

I bet you can think of even more options to suit your family.

Be sure to take into account each person's likes and hobbies.
Go green by giving vintage, handmade and repurposed items.
Shop local.  Buy from small businesses in your community
And help your children learn to share generously with others.
 Visit Heifer International,  Outreach International, World Vision,
Catholic Relief Services, and other organizations
 to find creative ways to give this year.

Plaza Lights

With the flip of a switch, the Plaza lights are on!

And the Christmas season has been ushered in.

Sweet Angel Ornament

I found a picture of a cute little angel ornament online 

and thought to myself... "I can make one like that."

So I did.

Here is how I made mine:

Draw up a pattern.

Assemble supplies:

scissors, needle, felt, seed beads, thread, button and metallic cord 

Cut out all the pieces:

1 apron,  body front and back, wing front and back

Sew beads on the apron.

Stitch the apron to the body-front using a beaded blanket stitch.

Use a plain blanket stitch to attach the body front and back. 

(Top and sides only.  Leave the bottom til later.)

Stitch wing-front  to wing-back using a beaded blanket stitch.

Tack the wings to the back of the angel.

Use a decorative beading stitch to create "lace" along the bottom edge.

Attach a pretty button for a halo  with the cord,  and tie your hanging loop.

Ta Da!

I love the way she turned out!
I'm making enough to share with the girls in my book club.


* * * * *
I have two boys arriving this evening (son and nephew)!
So, I'll see you in a couple of days.
Many wishes for a  HAPPY THANKSGIVING to my American blogging friends!

Cat Attack

A vicious cat attack this evening left one mouse dead,

it's stuffing chewed right out of it and scattered upon the ground.

Authorities reached out to the community 

to see if anything would show up on area security cameras.

No use trying to plead "not guilty", Kitty. 

The whole thing was caught on tape.

The suspect has been identified as Katerina.

Memorial service for the dead mouse will be held later today.

Dainty Serviettes

Someone asked about the pretty serviettes

that show up in the background of my tea time posts.

 I have a growing collection of little napkins.

Daintily embroidered blooms and butterflies, crocheted edges, lace corners,

all carefully stitched by hands unknown.

They shyly peek out from under china and silver, 

quietly adding a finishing touch to the table,

happily allowing the spotlight to remain on the teapot.

366 Challenge Complete!

Get rid of the things you don't care about,

to make room for the things you do.

Keeping that saying in my head all year long

helped me to reach my 366 Challenge goal today!

I have cleared 366 items from my home,

one thing for every day of this leap year.

Not everything made it into these pictures, but you get the idea. 

Most of these items are being donated/recycled,

and a couple will be sent to someone I know who will enjoy them.

I left off at number 283,  so here goes:

284.  bag of hangers

285.  desk organizer

286-288.  tea towels (3)

289.  delft tile

290-293.  picture frames (4)

294.  boom box

295.  binder

296.  package of plastic cups

297. cups (2)

298.  firetruck

299.  trash bin

300-309.  books (10)

310.  small chest

311.  magnets

312-313.   ironing hams (2)

314.  swinging pendulum sculpture

315.   glass box full of seashell soaps

316-319.  Christmas sweaters (4)

320-321.  purses (2)

322.  crock pot

323.  markers

324.  floral decor

325. navy shorts

326.  socks

327.  teal polo shirt

328.  mattress cover

329.  calculator

330.  cleaning bottle

331- 343.  Halloween decor (13)

345-347.  pillows (3)

348-350.  plastic party serving trays (3)

351-354.  gift wrap bags (4)

355-356.  Americana bowls (2)

357-359.  grocery bags full of magazines to recycle (3)

360.  bag of shredded papers out of my files

361. set of dolly stamps

362. Fiskars edger

363.  brown sweatshirt

364. striped henley

365. framed photo of the Beatles

366. bottle of room spray

And there you have it!  366 things hauled out of here. Gone.

Are you close to reaching your goal?

I realize that I still have a LOT of things that could should must go,

so I will very likely continue with 365 things next year.

But with the holidays approaching I am glad to have this project finished!

Nice Hot Cups Of Tea For My Friends To The East

It is said that a cup of tea helps make everything better.

So I'm pouring nice hot cups of tea for all my friends to the east 

who are cold, wet, muddy, without power and dealing with damaged property.

Sending hugs and hope as you assess the damage from Frankenstorm Sandy

and begin the massive clean-up.

*  *  *  *  *

teacup- Shelley "Dainty Blue", England

teapot, creamer and sugar- K&A Krautheim, Selb, Bavaria Germany (US Zone)

platter- Taylor Smith

Linking to:

 Tea Cup Tuesday with Terri and Martha.

Tea Time Tuesday with Sandy.

October Sunflowers

What's making me smile today?

Wild October sunflowers.

Little rays of sunshine woven through the prairie grass.