The Wonders of Doing

Friday

Christmas Table Runner

Of all the Christmas items in my collection, I don't have a table runner. I thought it is about time for me to make one.

So, this week I went to my favorite quilt shop and took a walk through the Christmas room to find the perfect fabric for my runner. There was so much to choose from. So much I just could not decide.

Around every corner were such nice fabrics. Hanging from the rafters were display quilts, aprons, wall hangings and so much more for the quilters to see how each fabric will look on their finished product.

The woman who sits behind the old time cash register has owned this shop for over 30 years and makes all the samples herself. I'd say hundreds line the walls. Her work is beautiful and no wonder, she has the perfect quilting machines in the back room and you can watch her working several days a week.

Took me about 45 minutes but I finally found two fabrics that made me happy. After measuring I started stitching the fabric over light weight batting to give it a bit of texture.

Then I did a bit of hand quilting, with tiny stitches around each poinsettia petal.

This is where having one of those marvelous quilting machines comes in. I can dream, can't I ?

I still need to get tassels for the finished ends, but until then it's on my table. I like how nice it brightens the entire space.

The Holiday Season is such a mood booster for me. My entire home is looking a lot like Christmas! I have a habit of wrapping each purchase the moment it comes in the door, so the gifts are laying on most table tops.

Time to get my tree up!

Tomorrow my sister and I are off to the

"Red Hat Society Christmas Gala".

It's my first visit with the ladies and I'm rather excited about a fun afternoon. Have my "Hat all ready" and my outfit hanging on the door. I have to laugh at myself. I went into NY & Co and bought some really bright and bold (for me) jewelry. Purple bobbles around my neck and wrist. Should be a fun day and yes, I'll post some photos soon. In the mean time here is my hat. I spent some time sewing the ribbon and floral on... Don't laugh!

Am I really going to wear it?

You bet I am!

Happy weekend everyone!

I'm linking up to
Weekend Wrap Up Party

Tickled Pink @ 504 Main

Thursday

"Nutcrackers"

I've been collecting "Nutcrackers" for as long as I've been married (31yrs) and this is the first Christmas I've seen them in about 9 years. We have moved so many times that they ended up in a box marked Xmas and stored with my daughter. Now that she is settled in Palm Beach. I thought, "It's time to bring them home".

My first thought was, they were perfect for the mantel.

I had to laugh at myself. I went into JoAnn's to pick up a piece of fabric and had to slap my hand. There were several Nutcrackers that I really loved. I was good and walked on by.

The origin of the Nutcracker started with

German author E.T.A. Hoffman in the 19th Century wrote many stories in which dolls played an important roll.

Coppelia is about a mechanical doll that is so life-like that the young men of the village flirt with her. In Tales of Hoffman, there is a wind-up doll that sings until her spring winds down, making her voice fall flat as she finishes her song.

These stories of dolls living human dreams are reminiscent in Hoffman’s most famous character, The Nutcracker, from The Nutcracker and The King of Mice. Presented as a Christmas Gift to the beautiful Clara, this wooden Nutcracker doll, dressed in soldier’s finery, is quickly crushed by Clara’s jealous brother. Broken, but still loved, he is gently left beneath the families’ Christmas tree, where he comes to life at the stroke of midnight.

The villainous army of the King of Mice come upon The Nutcracker and draw their swords for battle. Reinforced by toy soldiers, The Nutcracker is victorious in the war under the Christmas tree, and finds himself to actually be a Prince, able to take his beloved Clara on a magical journey to his homeland.

I counted 43 Nutcrackers in the Christmas box. Each holiday I would buy one or two and a few were gifts The one with the tennis racket was from my son during his high school years. The "Snow Bunny" was from my daughter while she was living in Germany.

Written on the back of their leg, in sharpie, each has a date and location of where I was living at the time.

I never knew how much I missed them until this past week when I found the box tucked away in Cyndi's closet.

My Nutcrackers are home again.

The next few photos are some I took while out shopping.. the Nutcrackers are not traditional but sorta cute?

Drum Roll!

Let me introduce my 2011 Nutcracker!

One I just could not resist buying.

Her little mixing bowl, well it could not go empty so I mixed in some Sesame seeds and she will grace the kitchen counter for the holidays.

I started putting the decorations on the front of my house and the Icicle lights are pretty bright. Hopefully I'll get it finished by the weekend.

What special holiday decoration do you collect?

I'll be linking up to

Alphabet Thursday, the letter D

Potpourri Party

Frugal Friday

Christmas Block Party

Wow Us Wednesday

Create and Share

Metamorphosis Monday

Sunday

Getting Started with Christmas Decorating. . . .

Now that Thanksgiving is behind us I'm ready to decorate the house and my soul.

Since my children moved from the nest on to their own homes and families I do all I can to keep the spirit of Christmas alive in my home. I found a Hallmark ornament for my daughter #1 and put it on her tree last week. I try to get her a new one each year. Putting up a large Christmas Tree is not as important as before and I fell in love with this silly Charley Brown tree last year that graces my coffee table. It's enough for me along with all the decorations scattered around the house. Putting up the large one, that is still a possibility?

For the fireplace mantel, I took a simple garland and squished it together with pinecones and some xmas florals, added a bow and laid it in front of the TV. I also scattered my collection of Nutcrackers. 44 and still going strong. That will be another post. I picked up the little Chef only yesterday.

Then on to the front porch. A simple wreath for the front door. Michaels had their 30% off Black Friday coupon and the wreath was all of $1.78 on the final bill. I used floral and ribbon from last year.

Perfect!

My daughter, sister and I put up the Icicle Lights on the front of the house along with my droopy Wreath. I think it needs replacing this year. We will see?

Put out my two new Poinsettias that need an attractive pot.

In between decorating I whipped up a batch of Snickerdoodles and Banana Bread for mr N's board meeting. The HOA meets once a month and it was his turn to host them. Coffee and Cookies, along with some Banana Bread. The cookies, I cheated and used a box mix but he Banana's were from my neighbor who went on her annual Thanksgiving camp-out. I used them before they spoiled and made the Bread. Will have to save one just for her.

I'm so happy during this time of year and as I said, my kids are all with their own families but it does not stop me from enjoying the season. Let me get it all together and I'll post the finished results of my Christmas decorations through out the house.

I'll be linking this post to

Metamorphosis Monday

Tuesday

"Holiday Preperations Have Begun"

It's official, "The Holidays have begun"!

Getting my list of "Things to do" for the Holidays is a simple sheet of white paper with scribbles of names and what to do for who? The first thing to do today is "Bake" the pies for Thursday. Seems everyone asked for "Pumpkin Pie"

Two finished today. I'll put them in the freezer and on Thanksgiving Day will just pop them in the oven for a bit then by mid afternoon they will be cooled in the fridge..

Hey, when I went to look at them cooling guess what? Mr N just could not resist!

"I'm thankful every day, he said, and today is no different!" He was like the cookie monster with his pie!

My list tells me I need to make one more quick trip to the grocery store and then I'm ready!

It's official, "Let the wrapping begin"

I'd love to say "I'm finished with Christmas buying" but there are a few odds and ends I must go out and find.

But, the big stuff is all ready sent to the addresses around the world to family.

My bird is defrosting.

The next few days will be all about "Thanksgiving" and what I'm thankful for.
The first thing on my thankful list is my dear Mom-in-law, she turns 100 on the 25th of this month. For 31 years she has been nothing but kind and loving to me. Although she lives in Illinois with one of Mr. N's sisters I know she is well, happy and doing wonderful. There will be an open house on her special day for all her friends to come by to wish her well.

Thankful #2, for Mr. N. This man whom I met 34 years ago has been a rock in my life. He has always been beside me when I needed him and to this very day he is taking care and being sure I'm healthy.

Thankful #3, that all my children are happy and well. For the wonderful grandchildren they have given me and this past year I inherited a new grand daughter with my sons marriage. For my kids spouses who I adore. This includes my Nieces and Nephews that are scattered around the world. They all are very special to me.

Thankful #4, for my wonderful Sister. Since the day I was born my big sister has been the one constant I can count on. We have been closer than most sisters and although we have been separated by the Atlantic Ocean since the age of 19, the distance has never come between us. We manage to visit with each other every year. We have always had a very close relationship and I cherish her!

Thankful #5, for the wonderful Men and Women of our Armed Forces. Without them there would be no safe and secure holiday coming up. When I think of the people of the world who do not have what I have. For those who are struggling just to stay alive and feed themselves are always in my thoughts, as if thoughts might send some good vibes to them.

#6 for my Mom and brother who could not be with us today. Death took them away from me but they will be with us in spirit. I'm thankful for having them in my life.

Thankful #7, for all my bloggie and internet friends. It still amazes me how far we have come on the world wide net. My heart wants so much to come face to face with many of you, but just know, I'll be thankful for your constant friendship forever.