Chestnuts for Christmas!....

It is a chilly morning but oh so beautiful.  I have been awake since 1:30 AM not able to fall back to sleep so I tatted and finally got the snowflake finished...now to start the next one. But first, I need coffee, toast and a fresh orange to start my day. 

On Monday I found out that the Stitching Retreat that I was going to attend in January down in Tucson has been cancelled. So disappointed. Seems they said they wanted one close to home here in Arizona then they did not commit. I may find something else to do and go to in January or maybe February.

Yesterday I worked on my Shutterfly book...long way to go but all the pictures I want are in just need to finish up the pages with comments. Very time consuming but I am sure I will love it when I have it in hand. I also decided to make a special wine bottle

The bottle was a favorite of Denny's....from the Frances Ford Coppola winery. Just battery lights in the bottle with the cork to hold them in place and a cluster of grapes. Looks nice without so much light except it would not photograph well because it is a green bottle.
........and look what I found in the market....

I did not get to have them for Thanksgiving but I will have them for Christmas. They were $6.99 a pound.....so surprised to find them in the market. Now I will hope that they are good.
I really must get that coffee ground and brewing and the toast in the toaster......so off I go. Thank you for coming by and for your kind words and most of all your friendship.
*****Il mio cuore e pieno d'amore****** (my heart is full of love)

A new angel in the house and a barn

Very nippy weather.... actually it is winter finally here. I had no plans to leave the house yesterday but I decided to and came home with

tis lovely glittery angel to top the tree. She is about 12 inches end to end. Of course there is glitter everywhere now. Along with the angel, I found something that we looked for last year and did not find..... a barn

Last year Denny began to find farm animals...just little ones and decided we needed a barn for the holiday. We never found what we liked or very many for that matter. Now there is a barn on the mantle with chickens, pigs and a cow and geese. I will continue to add as I find more. I saw this on Vonna's blog and loved it.....it would be just what wanted. I got it at Cracker Barrel and it was half off as was the angel.
Windows 10 decided to do an update...my computer has been crazy since yesterday afternoon! "Oh Honey....let's hope I do not have to bother you!"......poor Keith, I think I drive him crazy. Well, that is it for now. I actually have not had my coffee yet and I am really needing it..... it is after 7! My tatted Snowflake is almost finished so I will be starting another today. Once again this desk looks shabby and not in a pretty way so it will need attention. The Bissell is still standing around with Swiffer. I thought by now they would have done their thing. I guess I will lead them about the house in an attempt to show them what needs to be done. They are quite lazy with a push from me.
Thank you for stopping by and thank you for your kind words and your friendship.

Friends

Okay...I have to say I am really chilly this morning. Robe and socks on! The high today may be in the upper 50s....brrrrrrrrrrr.  The good news is that I have no place to be and that is fine with me.
Last evening I had dinner with friends Robyn and Dave....across the courtyard. Delicious soup and salad and of course a glass of wine. Robyn and I actually email almost daily...yes, they are just across the courtyard. Good neighbors and caring friends. Speaking of friends....a visit from dear friend Glenda yesterday brought me

this beautiful glass pedestal plate...and it is such a lovely soft  lavender. A few times that we were out shopping I looked at and commented that I wanted to get a pedestal plate but many were so big and just did not hold my attention...but this one....is perfect. It measures about 7 inches across. We will be having a Holiday Tea after Christmas!
When I sent out Denny's Angels, I did so to the many friends near and far that have been right there for me from that first terrible news in May right to the loss of my Denny, just 34 days. I am so touched by the thank you messages...no, my dear friends I thank you for being there for us...for me. Today is 6 months and I am still trying to come to grips with it all. The encouragement and kind words have been so touching. There are no real words that I can say. Thank you seems so little. I just received a request from someone and I will gladly send one to her...I am touched to think so many would like an angel to honor Denny's memory.
It will be a lazy day but a tatting day as the new project....Snowflakes has begun! And yes, sis Lynowl you will get one soon. And to answer someone's question.....no I do not sell what I make I share.
Off to curl up for a while and then to tat while staying warm....it will be a socks day for sure. Thank you for your kind words and most of all your encouragement and friendship. My heart is warm thanks to you.

More mail deliveries

Quiet day yesterday...chilly but nice once the day moved on. Spoke with the local post office supervisor about slap shot deliveries. He agreed the "fragile" marked boxes should not be tossed over a 6 foot gate!...really?!?
I though I should organize my Denny's Angel basket. Found a couple left so I guess they will need to find a home. I have received such kind words from those who did receive one. It is my pleasure to share them.

This beautiful bracelet arrived from my RI friend Joan...very New England with the sunset, shell and star fish with a piece of beach glass in a pretty gold sheer bag. I love my bracelets.

The other box was from Lu and Stan, also in RI, and of course it was Annalee...not one but 2!

Look at this little baker.....I have a special tree for all the Lu/Stan ornaments. This little baker will help today with the  Pizzelles. I did finish my tatted snowflake

It is a very nice pattern called Bloomin' Ice Drop by Diane Cademartori. Really enjoyed this one and plan to make a few to send out for the New Year. I may not want real snow but these are just fine with me. While getting ready to make this I found that I have misplaced some of my shuttles.....seems with my recent moving and rearranging the craft closet a few things are someplace and I have no idea where. Guess I have a new task the beginning of the year.
The Bissell came in from the garage yesterday but so far has not moved. I guess I will have to guide it around the place along with the Swiffer today. I need a maid......
In the meantime, I will get busy with a laundry and house things before anything else. I thought the A/C people were coming yesterday...no, it is today. I will be enjoying dinner tonight with Robyn and Dave across the courtyard so I do not have to plan anything. Off I go to the laundry corner. Glad you stopped by today. Thank you for your kind words and friendship.
ps....the bite on my neck is healing....whatever it was!

Mail Delivery

It is finally feeling like winter with the nighttime temps in the 40s and daytime in the mid 60s. Of course the sun remains very warm and in The Valley here we do not get any snow, but it does feel like winter. Yes, I had to wear long sleeves the other day!
Sometime today I must go to the Post Office...the dreaded place this time of year. This time to speak to someone in charge (?) if there is anyone. I received a package from sis Lynowl yesterday clearly marked fragile and it was thrown over my security gate.

The package did not contain breakables, but this was a good test after the last broken gift. These are chestnuts that sis found and thought to send to me. On Sunday...yes Sunday the bell rang but of course the mailperson did not wait. Instead the package was left outside the back gate.

 My Christmas gift from sis .... this is a book we had talked about recently and now I have it to read. I am very superstitious and not entirely sure about ghosts so this will be an interesting book for me. Also in the box was this lovely chime. I can never have too many of them. This is has ...yes, buffalo medallions at the top and on the hanger. It will hang in the kitchen because I love having chimes where I can casually ring them.
The mail also brought me yesterday

a Christmas card and a lovely stitched ornament from Vickie. A sweet friend who even when she was not feeling well always has time to visit my blog and send me encouragement. What a great finish for this ornie.
Ready for another picture....

My niece Elyssa managed to get her daughter...Natalia to posse with the ornament I made and sent but she ran off with the doll so at this point there is no picture of that.  She is adorable!

Here  is a sweet Christmas  picture of mother and child. Elyssa is a pre-school teacher. Alan is the dad/granddad of these two.
Speaking of The Brother Alan

Last Friday evening he and Lisa went to a Christmas party and sent me this picture. We may live 3,000 miles apart, but I am totally in touch with my family through pictures and now with Skype. Lisa modeled this dress for me last week on Skype! So much fun...See and Chat!
Sis  Lyn and I have been having lots of laughs with Skype too. It really has been a help this holiday season to be able to "be with them".
Well my friends, I need to get the laundry done and house in order. I have the A/ people coming to once again try to find the loud strange noises in this 6 month old Air conditioner. Of course while Brent will be here it would never make any noises! Hope you enjoyed the photos...I enjoyed having you visit. Thank you for your kind words and most of all your friendship.
PS the other day when I mentioned Debbie Burke...I forgot to add her blog link....http://lavender2debbie.blogspot.com/

Chilly days ahead

Bright sun but definitely into the winter temps. Socks on in the morning and barefoot by afternoon. Not complaining mind you, but finally into the normal temperatures for this time of year.
Update;

my neck is no longer feeling the burning and is not sore to touch. Whatever got me or caused this is healing. Everyday it is looking better.  My friend Keith helped me check the entire chair area for signs of a scorpion and we did not find any. He also got the mouse and keyboard finally working.
Yesterday friend Sherry and I went to Scottsdale for the morning...we originally intended to go to Tombstone but with the forecast of rain we changed our plans. Enjoyable company makes for a fun time. This morning I went out to

pick tomatoes...can not wait to enjoy them in a salad. The plant still has many more still in the green stage. With the temps dropping to the low 40s at night I may cover them to help keep them warmer. I am hoping some of the plants can take the cold nights. But there is the Geranium

 Hot pink and bright with a bloom and buds ready to open

Autumn Sage fully in bloom with it's purple flowers

The bright red of Hot Lips

and blooms on the Alien....I mean Snail Vine. So for December it is so nice to see the color and cheerful garden. Today is a few errands kind of day and then some needlework and there still is the closet I have been working to rearrange/organize. Had a fun gift opening time on Skype with sis Lynowl last evening and I will show you my gifts tomorrow.
Thank you for the lovely words for my Denny on his birthday both here and on Facebook. Thank you for your friendship which continues to give me encouragement. Right now I need my coffee......have a good day my friends.