Looking Back at 2013

2013 was a good year!

Family population explosion- Five new babies

Son's college graduation

 Creative pursuits
Fun adventures

Connections with friends, old and new 

Appreciation for the small things
Gratitude for our many blessings

Wishing a very HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all!!

106!!! Decluttering Goal Reached

I reached my 2013 decluttering goal back in November.

But I was so busy getting ready for company to arrive and the holidays
that I never got around to posting about it.

So here goes:

68. Sorted through my yarn bin and donated ones I won't use in future

69. Sorted through three mountains big piles of papers

70. Shredded a huge mound of personal/financial papers

71. Cleaned out under kitchen sink (And discovered we have a slow leak! Eeeek!)
72-76. Tossed old yucky stuff from kids bathroom cabinets and drawers and
organized all the hotel sample shampoos/lotions into a jar for guest use.

77-82.  Organized and tossed a bunch of old grungy stuff in master bath drawers

83-84. Cleared and sorted dresser tops in son's room and master bedroom

85-86. Cleared and sorted two boxes under beds in kids rooms

87. Sorted and donated unwanted white/cream quilting fabrics
89-90. Packed up two boxes of children's books and mailed them to my daughter

91-97. Sorted, sized and donated clothes from seven dresser drawers

98. Recycled another pile of magazines and catalogs

99- 102. Organized and tossed old junk from four shelves in upstairs cleaning closet

103-105.  Tossed outdated food items from three shelves in kitchen pantry 

And...

106. In December I packed up a box of my Christmas ornaments 

and mailed them off to my niece.
Her very first tree was looking kinda bare, and I had way more than I could use.

So that brings me to a grand total of 106 spaces (drawer, shelf, etc...)
cleaned-up/cleared-out/donated/recycled/organized/decluttered for the year!  

What a liberating feeling to send these things I no longer needed to a new home.

How did you do?

Still

Still, still, still,

He has come, the Holy Child.

With awe and wonder we behold him,

Mary's loving arms enfold him.

Sleep, sleep, sleep,

O, Holy Son of God.

                            - Austrian Carol

Merry Christmas To You!

Sending wishes for a very

 Merry Christmas

to you!

Gurley's

 Who else besides me collects these little wax Gurley's? 

 Deer.   

Trees.

Angels.

And you may recall the Gurley nativity and  choirboys (and girls) 

that I've pictured in past posts.

These novelty Christmas candles from the 40's, 50's and 60's really tug at my heartstrings

 and often make their way into my basket when out vintage shopping. 

Vintage Advent Tree

One of my favorite Christmas decorations is this felt advent tree 

that I hang in my front hallway every year. 

It has been in my family for a very looooong time.

My Mama found it at a church bazaar in the late 60's/early 70's.

It is such a perfect way to help little children count down the days til Christmas.

(The ornaments are numbered 1-25 on the reverse side.)

I'm noticing a few worn spots that need TLC.

So I'll have to perform felt and yarn surgery before I pack it away this year.

I have to keep it in good shape so it will last for another 40 years. 

Crocheted Snowflakes

I crocheted snowflake ornaments to give to the girls in my book-club.

I found the free instructions here.  

It's a Russian you-tube, with English subtitles. 

(So now I know how to count to six in Russian.)

I used a much thicker yarn (Baby Bee Sweet Delight) and larger hook (F) than she did,

because that is what I had on hand.

My stars ended up being about 7 inches across; a nice size to hang in a window. 

I starched (spray starch) and blocked by lightly pressing them between cloths.

After drying overnight, I sewed a few sequins and beads to the points 

to add a wee bit of sparkle. 

Little Ceramic Tabletop Tree

THIS is what I returned to the vintage shop for.

I've always loved these little ceramic tabletop Christmas trees.

:-) 

How many of you gals still have one of these?

Green Roof

This pretty little white barn with the green roof caught my eye 

and I had to pull into the drive to take a picture.

It was for sale. 

But, Mr. Garden does not want to move to the country.

Sigh....