From Our Home to Yours.. Merry Christmas

Christmas Season Updates, Party, and time to say good bye ~~

It's been a while since I last posted. I have been enjoying this Christmas Season by not getting stressed, and just going with the flow. It's been wonderful. I'm going to be sorry when it's over.   So here's a little of what has been going on....

Almost 2 weeks ago, George, Nicole and I went to pick out our Christmas tree. It was a beautiful day, and we had a great time. Hard to get a shot of the two of them with a bumpy wagon ride!

George putting the last of the ornaments on the tree....

Last Thursday Linda had the Christmas party at the shop. Oh my, what a time we had! During the day it was regular hooking as usual, and some people brought something to work on.

And Nancy P. was working on finishing up her piece.

There was soooo much food. This is just one table. There was another, and yet another with desserts on it!

First time it was quiet that day when everyone sat down to eat lol.

There were guessing games to be played....

Then the 3 gift game. With this game, everyone brings 3 wrapped gifts. And everyone is encouraged NOT to buy anything for this.  It's more of a white elephant. Although, someone's rejects, are someone else's treasures!  Well, some of them lol.  Linda giving instructions.

We each picked 3 numbers, and Linda would call out a number. When your number is called, you go up and pick out a package, but you don't open it.

Once you pick your package, you can swap with someone else if you choose too, or you can keep it.  A lot of sneakiness was going on with this part!  Just look at Joan lol.

Linda spying up a package she wanted..

After all the numbers are called, and swapping done, the packages are opened. No way could I get shots of everyone and everything. so just a sampling.

Here a quilter received a Gorgeous hooked rug from her secret pal! Joan had Barb's name. Barb was so thrilled.

Something to keep Linda warm this Winter from Genny!!

Then there was the last game of the evening. I will not show pictures of the actual game... Too many people, too many shots. But I will be emailing individuals that I did capture on camera playing it.  I wish I could have gotten everyone, but there was so much laughing!  Linda starting to explain the game..

Teams ready for a race ~~   And Let me just say that Everyone had a Great time with this!  It's a given when you play this game, that you use the bathroom first.  It is hysterical.

When one of the teams won, I quickly ran over and told them to call out a number. Betty picked the number I had chosen, and I ran to get her the gift.  You see, Last year, I had this snowman that I gave away for the 3 gift game. THIS year, I got it back. How the heck that happened, from having 20 people and 60 gifts, I'll never know LOL.  Soooo, I  in return gave it as a gift for the last game. No way was I going to look at this snowman for another full year!!  Now Betty has it :)

At the end of the night, we opened our secret pal gifts, and found out who had who.  Joanne had me, and I had Joanne. That was really tough keeping it a secret, but I think we figured it out :).  I read her blog the other day and was laughing so hard at a picture she had of me with the "tree skirt" she gave me.  I had to tease her and tell her that I thought it was a "pancho" and that I wore it to work the other day :). I absolutely LOVE all of my gifts, and she has spoiled me rotten all year long. I can't thank you enough Joanne. Unfortunately like Joanne, I started to place all my items around the house, and never took pictures. I'm really slacking in that area lately. Absent minded really.  Like I said, just going with the flow of the Christmas Season.   We then picked names for next year's secret pal.  We have some new people who have joined in!

I received sooo many beautiful, thoughtful gifts. I can't even name them all. From wool, to ornaments, a magazine subscription, gift card, jewelry, polish pottery,  even a #9 blade (Thank you so very much Linda!). Again, so much to list.  Each and every item is loved and appreciated!  Thank you to everyone!

Today I met up with my friend Beth and we spent the day  wandering around the antique stores, had lunch (with desssert :)) and exchanged our gifts to each other. Thank you Beth for everything. I love them all. I have already set the items out.  Will be dying that wool maybe next week! Beth made me the cutest charm to wear on a chain. It's a scrabble tile with my initial, along with many other sweet items  :).

And now it's time to say good bye.... Not to blogging, but to my Harvest Rug.  It's completed (yes, even has a label).  Time to roll it up until next Fall when I will bring it out and display it.  I am soooooooooooo happy that I can put it to rest, and not have it on the back of my mind that I had to finish it.

I hope everyone is as ready as they can be for Sunday.  We will be celebrating it over my Son's house.  All I have to make is a side dish and one dessert. How cool is that?  George's Birthday is Christmas Eve, and it will just be him and I.  I will make him a nice dinner, and we will celebrate his Birthday with the kids on Christmas day. I'm looking forward to the weekend to just turn off and relax. 

The Hook in tomorrow is still ON! So if you just want to get out for a little while, head on over!  Last minute gifts to buy? Head on over!

Soooo close ~~~

Happy Friday everyone!  Hope your week went well for you.  It most certainly goes by fast these days.  The older you get, it sure does fly by.   The hook in was so nice and relaxing yesterday.  I didn't get there until close to noon.  I had some errands to run in the morning.  But I did settle down and put the hook to the foundation very shortly after I sat down.  I did stop at Dunkin Donuts on my way, and got myself a cup of coffee (thanks to Joanne for getting me hooked).  It is a cup of their coffee, but has 1/4 hot chocolate, and the rest coffee. No need for sugar or cream. The hot chocolate takes care of the sweetness. Mmmmm. 

Anyway, here is all I could get done. My hands gave out around 7:30. Just in time to order some pizza and have it delivered.  It was just Linda, Nancee and myself at this point. Great relaxing day!   Sooo close to being finished ~~

And Diane too.... soo close!

And Barb too!  I had asked her if she wanted this top that my Mil had and never finished hand quilting.  She did a wonderful job with it, and will give it to Angie to hang up. I'm so tickled to see it done :)

Didn't take too many pictures, and never did get a picture of the piece Nancee was working on. It's a small piece, but I'm "SURE" she will have it done by next week (oh heck, probably be done by tonight LOL)and will bring it back to show us. Will get a picture of it then. And Linda was hooking up some sheep with wool roving.. soo cute!

This morning I just couldn't resist taking a shot of this on my kitchen table.  Nothing Christmas"y"  about it, but soo pretty :).  Might just have to put something Christmas"y" around it to fit it in with the Season ~

I'm going to be cleaning today, and moving a desk out of the way to put our Christmas tree that we will be getting this weekend.  I want to bring up some decorations too and hopefully finish that. I won't be putting a whole lot out. Have really been going simple with it the past couple years. Weeding out pieces I no longer want and giving them to friends or family.  And if all goes well, I hope to get the wrapping done...  Lots planned to keep me busy! 

Wishing you All a wonderful weekend :)

Hoping to finish ~~ And Christmas party reminder

Happy Wednesday everyone!  It's dreary, raining and we are expecting some snow this evening.  It's not supposed to be too bad and tomorrow should be just fine.  Today is a good day to stay in and work on something if you are having the same weather. Go ahead, enjoy it!

I will be heading out to help Linda out at the shop today though.  And tomorrow is the hook in.  I'm hoping, really hoping to finish this project before the end of the year. I really don't like having projects unfinished. Especially a seasonal one like this.  Last week at the hook in, I was able to really put the motor on the end of the elbow and get some hooking done!  Not too many pictures at all of the hook in, but as usual, it was a truly fun day! 

Here is what I was able to finish ~ Working in an 8.5 cut, it's going pretty quickly.  I would love to have this done, (labeled), rolled up and ready to display next Fall. 

There were lots of trees being made that day.  Nancee and Nancy wanted to know how to make them, and Joanne had enough supplies with her to help them out !

And then some hooking and finishing of other things going on.

My Christmas shopping is just about done. Only a couple little things that will be finished up this weekend. I will also wrap this weekend.  This has to be the first year that I am this far ahead. I told myself that I was not going to stress, and it feels ooooh sooooo good not to. 

Ok, now on to the party reminder.  The Christmas party at Grant Street Woolworks is next week, December 15th.  The hook in will be as usual till about 5:00.  So if you just want to hook, come on out!!  And if you want to stay for the party, just let Linda or I know about it.  It will start around 5:30.  She just asks you to bring something small along for the food table.  There is always sooo much food, so don't go all out!    There will also be games to play.  For one of the games, it involves bringing something, so if you are interested and rather than me going through all the details, just contact Linda or I and we'll go over it with you. It is sooooooooooooooo much fun.  You don't have to play it though.    Really hope to see you all there, and perhaps some new faces :)!!

Well, time to have one more cup of coffee before I head out this morning.  I have to meet Nicole at the Oral surgeon this afternoon to have her wisdom teeth evaluated for removal.  She is hoping to have them done before Christmas (why????) I have no idea. But that is what she wanted.  We'll see how things go.  She has been having jaw pain lately. 

So how are all of you doing with your Holiday preperations?  Tree up, decorations done?  Not doing any at all this year and taking it easy?   We will be getting our tree this weekend.  My porch is done, but nothing else.  That is a plan for this weekend too.   

Enjoy your hump day everyone!!

Happy Monday ~~

I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving dinner with family this year.  I enjoyed mine very much.  It is the First time since I've been married and having Thanksgiving, that I let someone help me in the kitchen.  Why didn't I do this before?  I always feel that my company should just relax.  I always handled everything.  This time though, all the women were in the kitchen and it was so much fun! Lake's Mom did the gravy, Lake took over on the mashed potatoes, Nicole did the veggies, and I handled the bird.  Lots of laughing and story telling.  The night ended with dessert and full bellies.  Perfect day :).

I didn't do the regular Black Friday shopping that I normally do. First year for that too. I hope all of you who did venture out to the craziness, did so without having any of the horror stories that were happening out there.  I did meet up with my friend Beth at the Little Log House in East Berlin.  They had the fire place going, and the atmosphere was so much nicer than waiting in line at the department stores. Plus, this is all hand made items.  The girls and I from the Black Sheep Rug Hookers put some of our things in there as well. I believe it's by invitation only to put your things in there. I'm happy we were invited.    Beth and I also went to a couple antique stores and also to our friend Becky Mummert's open house. She does pottery. Of course I bought some of her stoneware for myself.  I already put it away, and forgot to take a picture of it :(.  It was a full day, but a relaxing one without all the commotion. Thanks for the great day Beth..

On Saturday I did nothing.  I have been battling a cold and I was exhausted. Didn't sleep well Friday night from the coughing.  So I just rested all day. George changed the oil in my car, etc.  Wish I would have gotten out my hooking, but I didn't.  I even passed up on going to Brenda's hook in so I could rest up.

I received a package on Saturday from my Secret pal on usaprim on ebay.  I was battling if I should open it, so I posted that  I received it and let them make the decision for me.  Well, my arm was twisted :).  Ginger from Primitives by the light of the moon had my name.  This woman never stops. I seriously don't know how she does it ALL.

From decorating the mailing package...

To the sweet packaging and "making" the card......

And then creating ALL of this!!  Thank you so Very much Ginger. I Love it all!  What a Beautiful way to start off the Christmas Cheer :)

Yesterday George and I took Craig and Lake to set sail on their Honeymoon.  I could sense the excitement when they spotted the Ship!  We didn't get a chance to park or take pictures, just dropped them off.  Caught this one as we were driving away....  Everything went very smooth for them ...  Can't wait to hear how it went in another week!  And George and I are looking forward to when we will be setting sail next year to celebrate our 25th Wedding Anniversary!

Today I may do some online shopping for Christmas, do some laundry, maybe even make it to the grocery store.  I hope you all have a wonderful start to your week!!

Being Thankful

It's hard to believe that this week is Thanksgiving.  The stores are already geared up for Christmas. I'm even in the Christmas spirit, but I want to take time to give this Holiday the meaning it deserves. What a year it has been for me. My daughter graduating High School and starting college, Son getting married, me turning 50 (like you didn't hear enough about that!).  It has been filled with lots of emotions to say the least.  I couldn't be more grateful to my family and friends for all that we have shared this year. I don't like to be thankful for just one day. Instead, I try to give thanks in "everything" each and every day. No matter how great, or how bad something is, I give a huge effort to be thankful in all my circumstances. It doesn't always happen, but I give it my best shot.  There is always something to be learned from what we are going through.

The last few weeks have gone by and I've been keeping busy. Work is slow, so it has given me time to take care of things at home. I just haven't been in the mood to do the blog. I've been reading everyone elses though. That's why I'm writing now, because I will be busy this week with getting the shopping and cooking done for Thursday. We plan on having a few extra people this year... I'm excited!

George and I  celebrated our 24th Wedding Anniversary this month. He surprised me with roses and we went out and had a wonderful meal together. Even split a dessert :).

I also spent time taking my friend Donna to dinner (belated Birthday present for her) and then shared a dessert....  (yes it was heaven)  We took a stroll through the outlets after dinner, and it was sooo pretty. They had up all white lights for decoration outside the stores. It really put you in the Christmas mood.

The last 2 weeks of hook in photo's ...  Teresa and Michele (how fun that day was!) 

Joanne whipping up a storm for her upcoming shows... 

Joan making mats for her sisters for Christmas...

Sherri's deer that she will make into a pillow for the men on her list this year!

And yet another birthday gift. This was  from Jill.  What a wonderful package! Thank you again Jill !

Nancee , 2 weeks from start to finish on this project. It will hang below her mantel on her fireplace.  She started another project for her Mother, and I'm sure it is done by now :). Can't wait to see what her next one is going to be!

Genny just about done with her state rug!

Mabel's stitched gifts for her children.

Here is the progress on my rug. Was hoping to have it done before this week, but in reality, I don't see it happening.  Sooo, will be shooting for finishing for next year!

I hope you all have a Blessed Thanksgiving, and are surrounded by family and friends.  And if  your heart is prompted, why not invite someone to your dinner who does not have family this year? Or take a plate of turkey to someone who can't leave their home? What a Blessing that would be......  both for you and the receiver.......

I'm not done yet ~~

For once the weekend went kind of slow for me.  All day Friday I kept thinking it was Saturday. Hate when that happens. I feel all out of whack.  On Saturday, I gathered up some wool early in the morning along with my formulas and dyes. And wouldn't you know it, I didn't have 2 of the dyes lol?  Lots of colors to choose from, so it didn't stop me.  When I walked into the wool room, I didn't know what wools to choose to over dye. I think I may have too much ;).  I wasn't even sure what colors I wanted, so I just picked some.  My shelves look empty from color, so I just decided to wing it.  Here is a sampling of the wools I overdyed.  The first picture are camel colored wools. Came out greenish on my screen.

And here are the results.  I was in and out of the kitchen all day on Saturday just playing in the dye pots.  It's been a long time since I've done this at home.  I enjoyed it!  Now to organize the shelves better.  That is going to take some time.

Yesterday I made it to church.  It makes me sad to think I've missed so many weeks of it.  But October was a very busy month for me.  It felt good to be back. I had put a roast in the crockpot for dinner before I left, so didn't have to think about that later.   Afterwards, I did some grocery shopping, and then did some more around the house.   I barely got to see much of the NCIS marathon.  But did watch the movie last night.  A bit disappointed in that one. I was ready to buckle down and do some hooking while watching it, but realized I left my blade at the shop on Thursdays hook in.  Always something!

Not sure what I'll be be getting into this week, but I do know that I'm not done yet with the dying.  I had a blast, and want to continue.  Some people dye just for the project they are working on at the time. Me? I like to just have something to choose from when the time is ready. If it's not the right one, then I will dye something else. But at least I'll have something on the shelves! 

Wishing everyone a great Monday :) !

Full House

Trying to get back to a normal schedule now that things are settling down from the wedding.  Time to relax a bit, and what better time than at the hook in on Thursday.  It certainly ended up being a full house!

Linda and Barb. Barb was working on using up her scraps in a penny style rug.

Linda and her rug. Great design that she had Nancy P. draw up for her.

There was punching going on by Willa and Julie.  And Nancee in the background with her rug on the ground trying to color plan and see if things work.  Hope they are working for you now Nancee ! And Diane is plugging away on her pig rug. Making great progress!

Even some painting going on by Betsy.

Linda took some breaks to share with everyone the new sparkly wool that she had over dyed. People were really excited about it!

Then back to work she went in the sewing room. She had an order that needed to be finished by the next day.  And she got it done before the night was over :)!!  Ok, it was morning by the time it was finished, but it was done!  Ok, all except the collar lol. But the guy gave the wrong measurement, and being as good of a sewer that she is, she figured that out before cutting it.  The guy came to pick it up on Saturday, and she made the collar and sewed it on for him.

Brenda working on the rug that someone ordered from her.   Thought I got a shot of it when it was on the floor, but I guess I didn't.  It's a round rug. Very pretty with sculpting.

Nancy P working on her rug. Lovely colors !

And Julie finishing up a piece.  She used swim suit material for the horn and rick rack in a chain stitch for the border.  Very cool !

Louise working on a penny rug stocking. They always turn out so sweet!

And yes, even I got some hooking done!  I'm hoping to get to hook some more this weekend. I changed it a little by covering up the words Goode Things in the roof. Leaving the Harvest though.

Also going on is a Christmas Home show that I was asked to bring some of my items too. Thank you Teresa for asking me.  It runs through the weekend. I went yesterday for the first day.  Just had to take some shots of one of her rooms. (completely forgot to take some pic's of her crafts lol.. sad.... brain is only half working these days).  Her husband and son are hunters, and Wow, what beautiful displays of his hobby!

This is what I bought from her.  Her husband builds them and Teresa paints the wood pieces beautifully.  I have always admired her bread boxes.  And there was one there, and just the perfect color for me.  :).   I just Love it!  I'm slowly filling my home with pieces that I enjoy.  Kids are getting older, and pretty soon it will be just George and I.  While I can, I am picking up little things here and there.    And pretty soon, I'm hoping the time will be there for me to create more things with my hands that I can place around the house too.

And here is a Loooong over-due Thank you for a Birthday gift given to me by Nettie.  I told her when I thanked her, that I was going to put it on the blog, and just haven't gotten to it yet.  I just Love it Nettie! It was so thoughtful of you.  I look forward to punching it up.  Thank you..... Hope to see you soon and that you are feeling better each day!

I spent the day yesterday cleaning after I came home from Teresa's.  I had the bread box on the counter, and well, that led to rearranging everything. Good time to just clean while doing it. Isn't it funny how one little item can sometimes lead to a whole room make over lol?   I had fun doing it though.  There is so much I'd like to do to my home, but just not enough hours.  I'd like to repaint a few rooms and we desperately need new carpet or flooring of some type. But some things will just have to wait. 

Today I don't have really anything planned that I need to go out of the house for.  So, in just a little while, I am going to buckle down and get some wool dyed. I have been wanting to do it for a long time.  Today is the day. I will try and take some before and after shots. I plan on doing some over dying of some textures.

And tomorrow is a day long marathon of NCIS, Plus a movie with Mark Harmon in it at 9:00 tomorrow night.  I know where I'll be.  In my chair doing some hooking, maybe stitching, maybe something else.  But I will be doing something.  I've been jotting things down that I want to create, so I'll just be picking something.

I certainly hope you all enjoy the rest of your weekend.  Use your hands... it's amazing at what you can create!