Merry Christmas!

I have a feeling I better wish you all a Merry Christmas now. It's going to be a busy holiday. I've already attended a Christmas party at my baby sister's home on Saturday night. We are planning on having an early Christmas Eve at DH's baby sister's home on Friday night. There will be lots of coming and going every day this week. DH has a dental appt on Tuesday and DD 2 flies in on Thursday. I'm trying to get some what organized today, because I am at home.

I love how Puss enjoys the tree.  When I first set it up, she wanted to attack it.  After a few hand clapping sessions, she has taken to just laying under it.  Every night about 8:00 she takes her position. She just sits under it and seems to enjoy the lights. 

Peanut had to play with a few of the bottom ornaments the first time she saw the new addition to the living room.  Since then she has pretty much ignored it all together.  I don't think there will be any Christmas tree excitement this year.

You may notice there are no gifts under the tree.  We celebrate the One Gift, Jesus with time together eating, playing games and watching movies.  Our family has two birthdays in December, one in January and one in February.  A few years ago we started doing our gifting at birthdays.   Of course, there are stockings to fill!! 

Merry Christmas to you all!!

Blog Hop Winners

Time to post the winners of the Blog Hop.  It was a successful Hop!  It was also the most comments I've ever had.  I think I got most of you acknowledged and I'm looking forward to visiting your blogs as time permits.  We all have a busy week ahead of us. 

Yes, I did the number generator thingie, but I didn't take time to show you.  Please take my word for it.

The Big Book of Patchwork by Judy Hopkins goes to

 

 Joanie's Quilts said...   Great selection of books! I am a lover of all kinds of quilting books.

 

 

Nature's Table Toppers by Debbie Field goes to

 

Pat said...

What great books! I am new to your blog (just signed on as a follower) and I now live in southern Delaware after having lived my whole life in NJ. I am a retired school teacher and now am active in our church....singing in the folk group and playing in the bell choir.

 

 

Stitch with Love by Mandy Shaw goes to

 

Wendy said...     I love craft books! I'm Wendy, I'm from Nottingham, England and I love to do all kinds of crafts.

 

 

Crochet for the Fun of it! by Frida Ponten goes to

 

Mary said...

I adore new books. Have the big book of Patchwork, love it. You're practically a neighbor, I live in eastern Nebraska. The photo of your pasture looks mighty familiar, except for those plush Llamas of course!

Congratulations to all the winners.  This is my 200th post and because of the Hop I now have 200 followers.  I see another give away in the future to celebrate. 

I'm looking forward to this week.  I have a lot of cleaning and cooking to do yet.  DD #2 will be flying home on Thursday.  Today it was 55 degrees--definitely doesn't happen that often in December in South Dakota.  They are predicting a brown Christmas.   I won't need snow for Christmas--just our family all home to spend time together.

 

 

Give Away Closed

The Blog Hop Give Away is now closed!  Thank you so much everyone who stopped to say hi and leave a comment.  I will post winners as soon as I can.

A Week of Celebrating

I have had 10 days of celebrating my birthday.  Who said getting older isn't fun?  This is a picture of the 35 foot blue spruce that is the Christmas tree at the State Capital in Pierre.   There are over 90 decorated Christmas trees in the building.   What a wonderful way to get instilled with the Christmas spirit by looking at all these fabulous trees.  This picture is taken from the second floor.  All the trees were gorgeous.  It's fun to see all the lights and different ways of decorating.  There is also a beautiful Nativity scene.

I attended the State Oral Interpretation contest in Pierre.  Nephew Kyle and his friend, Dade qualified for the state competition by winning local, district and regional contests.   Kyle performed in original prose and serious drama.  Dade competed in the serious poetry division.   Kyle was awarded a gold medal and superior rating for his presentation of War-A Matter of Life and Death.  He and Dade received excellent rating on their other pieces.  I enjoyed time with my 3 SILs, Sharon, Judy and Leasa and nephew, Carson.   On Friday night we had supper at an Italian restaurant to celebrate my birthday.   DD 1 joined us too.  She gave me a Kindle Fire for my birthday!!!  We stayed overnight, so I had a slumber party for my birthday.   Lots of laughs!!  The competition was all day Saturday.  After the awards ceremony, we toured the tree display at the Capital.

 This beautiful flocked tree was decorated with these cute little owls.

I thought this one decorated with elves was adorable.

Last week-end--another party!!   Members from both families and a few friends gathered  at a local steakhouse to help me celebrate again.  DD 1 made sure I had plenty of candles to blow out.   I wish I was heading some where to wear those flip flops.  lol

This last Wednesday my two good friends, Peggy, Sandi and I spent the day together.  We enjoyed a Mexican lunch, shopping and a trip to see the trees.   DH asked me if I was done celebrating now.   I think the partying is over. 

I am so bless to have a wonderful family and special friends who felt I needed extra celebrations for my 60th year.   Thank you to all my blogging friends, who took the time to post their wishes.  I didn't get you answered, but I really enjoyed hearing from each of you!! 

Thank you all for a memorable bithday.

Blog Hop Party

I joined the Blog Hop Party that Michele is hostessing for the 4th birthday of the Quilting Gallery website.  So far there are 232 bloggers from 20 countries that have joined the fun.   It's such a busy time of year, but bloggers still have time to give away to others.    I think quilt bloggers are the most generous people I know.  Stop over at the Quilting Gallery for the whole list of blogs and give aways.  Take a little time off from your busy day and visit a quilt blog.  You might be one of the lucky winners.

I wish I had time to make something wonderful to give away.  I'm going to be giving away four new books.  I love new books!

The Big Book of Patchwork by Judy Hopkins

Nature's Table Toppers by Debbie Field

Stitch with Love by Mandy Shaw

Crochet for the Fun of it! by Frida Ponten

If you would like to win a new book to inspire your creative spirit, leave a comment on this post.  If you are new to my blog tell me where you are from and a little about yourself.   The give away will close on Saturday night, December 17th.  I'll post winners on Sunday, December 18th.

My Day

It's "my day"!!  I'm taking DH to the dentist to celebrate--at least I'll get lunch out of the deal.  :) 

New Direction

 I took a new direction this last week and crocheted a potholder.   A post by Deanna that was posted by someone (now I can't remember who) stuck with me.  I went looking for my crochet needles and some cotton yarn.  As you can see the variegated blue yarn ran out before I was finished.   Since this one is for me, I think the blue stripe is a fine finish.  Last night I played with my hook and made a couple of little scrubbies for doing dishes.   I haven't crocheted at all this last year and this felt good.  I may have to start an afghan to work on this winter.  There is something so cozy about working on an afghan in the cold evenings.

I completed a hen potholder to go with my rooster.   I hope to get a few more made this week, but it is already Wednesday. 

 My poor iron died over the week-end.  It has been a good one--Black and Decker.   I've had this one for 12 years.  It took me by surprise.  I hadn't noticed any problems with it.  It just didn't get hot on Saturday. 

I picked this one up at Alco on Sunday.  There wasn't much choice.  I'll see how long this one lasts.  I didn't spend much, so we'll see.

The new one has a Teflon coated bottom.  I wonder if the fusible comes off it easier?  Every time I fuse I end up having to clean the bottom of the iron. 

The last few days have been unseasonably warm for November. The snow has disappeared.   December is going to change things--we have a cold front on the way and snow predicted.  Winter is on it's way!