Happy New Year

Best Wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

God Bless.

To share joy

Arrived to pick up my friend this morning to find out that she had just spoken with her daughter and the "cramps" were 2 to 3 to 5 minutes apart. This will be her third grandchild, a baby boy, a beautiful baby boy.

And I saw him, his face ... on her laptop was the sonogram picture of last Friday. His face so very clear, so very perfect and beautiful. I find it so incredible that there in front of me was a picture of this child that has not yet been born. Amazing!

Needless to say, we cancelled the day and the joy of the wait has begun.The older I get the more astounded I become at creation, at birth. It often leaves me speechless. Its one of those things that I have trouble putting words to. What a gift.

My friend ... she was glowing, giggling, smiling large. It was a delight to watch her, to be near her, to share a few moments of the wonderment of life. So appropriate for this time of year, no? Sometime today, tonight a new little life will be given to the world. Heavenly Father, bless them.

ps...addendum 12/30 ... we thought for sure that he would be here yesterday, today is the actual due date. Guess they come when they come ... lol ... still we wait with anticipation and excitement. Who knows, maybe a New Year's baby?

Have a GREAT day!

Its an oh so cold day and temperatures are steadily dropping. The wind is wildly blowing making for a bone chilling wind factor which I will have to brave shortly. Have a few things I'm working on. Have picked up the crochet hook with the thought in mind to design a doily of the month for 2010. As my designs are oh so very simple and I'm such a novice not sure how far I will get but that is the thought at this time. Figure one has to jump into this and keep trying! January Snowflake doily will make its appearance (I hope) by the weekend.

Have taken down one tree already. This year I'm taking my time with this as I want to organize my Christmas decorations and clean out that which I haven't used in a long time. Also found that I will be recycling a few of the decorations for Valentine's Day, got the red out now might as well get good use out of it!

May your day be filled with His joy, blessings and grace.

Off and running shortly. Maybe later today can stop by a few places and check out the sales ... love those sales, if I'm not too late! I think a lot of people have already been out there stocking up. This is when I get my wrapping paper, decorations, etc., for next year!

Have a wonderful day of blessings and joy of the season!

Joy To The World

For unto us a savior is born.

Merry Christmas

Today, tonight ...

Years ago we bought this painting at a craft fair. It doesn't have a name, but it struck me then, as it still does now that it should be called Christmas Eve. In the stillness of the night, the blessed silence, in anticipation we wait for the coming joy. I have always seen and felt this in this painting.























Blessings and joy to you on this night of wonder.

Somehow not only at Christmas,
but all the year through,
the joy that you give
to others
is the joy
that comes back
to you.
John Greenleaf Whittier

Treasures of The Season

I got home this evening to find this box in the mail and inside found the most beautiful treasures. This is from a member of our "prayer family". So very generous and caring is she. The car pendant of our Lord Jesus, so very special - the ultimate, the cardinal (I love cardinals!) and a heart ornament, just beautiful ... and look inside.

All so beautiful, so meaningful. Thank you so much, my heart has been touched.

Oh yes, I also have to mentioned the wonderful bag of cookies ... snow balls, russian tea cakes are a few of the names I know them by ... simply delicious.

Crocheted Doily Coaster

A simple little doily/coaster that adds a nice touch to your decor, a winter's cup of tea or to top a package.

This would make a sweet holiday hostess gift with a pretty mug and some tea.

Materials:

Size B Hook
Small amount of size 10 thread
starch for blocking

Chain 13, sc in 2nd chain from hook and next 10 chains, 4 sc in last chain, continue around down opposite side of chain with a sc in each chain to end, 4 sc in end, join at first sc.

Chain 3, dc in next stitch and each stitch to end, 4 dc in end, continue around with dc to end, 4 dc in end, dc to beginning chain 3, join in third chain.

Continue with last row for 6 rows, join in beginning chain.

*Chain 4, skip one dc, sc in next dc*, do this around and join with a slip stitch to base of beginning chain.


Piece will ruffle/cup but will straighten when starched.







Put in starch, gently squeeze out excess and pin to blocking board to dry.

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

and it is ... its coming down like crazy! Right now looks like an all night snow, if so, we should have a lot by morning and out will come the snowmen.

And as its snowing ... might as well have some snowflakes inside as well ...

these were fun to make. Good night to be in and out of the storm ... good crocheting night!

Merry Christmas

Shopping last night, talking to people, wishing and being wished a Merry Christmas! Its nice to hear that being said, brings joy and a smile to the heart. After all, it is Christmas ... for God so loved the world, He sent his only son.

Wishing you all love and the joy of this season. Merry Christmas ... I love saying that!

Just look at this wreath ...

I fell in love with this. Something that I just have to make. Take a look over at Cathie Filian's blog - its wonderful!!!! You can find the materials lists and how to here: http://cathiefilian.blogspot.com/2009/12/create-vintage-style-holiday-wreath.htmlay-wreath.html

Christmas Luncheon Table

for a few special friends. Two weeks ago we met at my friend's house ... three of us, a table set for holiday fare, lovely lunch, great conversation. This week the three of us again, plus another at my house. Small, quaint, festive again, so looking forward to it.

The table setting(s) are from dollar store this year (the red and white dishes), Bon Ton is where the Reindeer dishes, cups and coaster came from three years ago, the silver Reindeer was from a centerpiece quite a few years ago and centerpiece is in an oval wicker tray with Reindeer handles bought in an after Christmas sale at Michaels three years ago ... something how this all came together from all things I had (except the dollar store dishes) ... and of all things, the first Christmas card we received this year was none other then a Reindeer!

There's only one thing better then a pretty tin of cookies ...

and that's a pretty tin of cookies and the recipes. Received this yesterday and tucked inside were the recipes shown below. If you click on the picture you can easily read the recipes. They are very good cookies!

Ahhh, how sweet it is!

The reason for this season ...

This is the latest Christmas card we have received. I just had to share this as it is so beautiful.

Crocheted Thread Wreath

This little crocheted wreath (about 4" X 3 1/2" after blocking) is so very Merry Christmas. It is the right size to adorn a package or to hang on a door, in the window, or any where you want a touch of holiday.

Materials:

Small Amounts of Green and Red Size 10 Thread

Size B Hook

Starch, Glue

Using a size b hook and a small amount of green size 10 thread
-Chain 31, sc in 2nd chain from hook and across.-Join to first sc to form a circle.-Chain 3, dc in next 3 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch, *dc in next 4 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch*, repeat * * around and join in top of chain 3.-Chain 3, dc in next 7 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch, *dc in next 8 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch*, repeat * * around and join in top of chain 3.
-Chain 2, hdc in next 2 stitches, 2 hdc in next stitch, *hdc in next 3 stitches, 2 hdc in next stitch*, repeat * * around, join in top of chain 2.-*Chain 4, skip 2 stitches, sc in next stitch*, repeat around join, fasten off. Weave in ends.

To Block, dip wreath in starch, squeeze out excess and stretch out and pin to board to dry.

Measure 60 inches of red thread, fold in half and chain 45, fasten off. Make bow. Glue bow to wreath. Use plain or decorate with tiny beads or flowers.

I hung one in my kitchen window and its so cute, I really like this (if I can say so myself!).

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

Don't you just love Christmas trees?

I especially love the plates ... we had been to a Christmas party and the host (an interior decorator) had these plates ... would you believe from a grocery store? I went the next day and got them. Aren't they pretty?

I keep on the lookout for trees, adding to the group as I find them.

First of the season

Its a winter wonderland out there.

So very pretty, just right for the season.

Just wants to make me shout Merry Christmas.

Have a wonderful blessed Sunday!

Doilies of the Season

Two of my favorite Christmas table toppers ...

now to add some doo dads, some baubles ... off to go find some more of my "leftover" decorations.

Have a wonderful day ...

Off to start the day. May your day be filled with the wonderment of the season.
Blessings to all.