Advent Calendar Blog Hop

 It is that time of December for my post to the annual blog hop hosted by Jo. 

 Each blog hop ( Jo hosts several a year) we are given a topic to talk about. This year it is"afters"..... what is eaten after the Christmas meal. We also post a picture of something for Christmas or the season that we created

When I saw this pattern I knew I had to make it. "The Tree Farmers, block #2 of Woolie Christmas Gnomes"; from Red Button Quilt Co. 

First of  the gnomes are cute but more than that they are in a truck. When I met my hubby Dennis in 1970 he was driving...when it ran...an old pick-up truck. He found a few toy trucks around when we went  out and about.antique shopping. Here they are.

 Back to the gnomes..... it is all hand stitched applique with a few minor changes that more expressed me. The backing/border fabric I had already had and thought it would be perfect. Well,

look at the name of the fabric! Now you know it was meant to be. 

Now back to our topic...."afters". When I was a child Christmas was at Grandma and Papa Piccirilli's house...all of dad's family . Once dinner was finished there were trays of Italian cookies and an antipasti tray and always fresh roasted chestnuts for nibbling and fresh fruit bowl. As time went on and families grew Christmas was celebrated at each home with their growing families. I always had the same at my house many years later when Christmas Eve was held at our house with Sister Lyn and The Brother Alan and their families. Now, new traditions are forming with Alan and wife Lisa living here.  Of course Murphy is part of the fun. Here in Arizona, through the 17 years living here, chestnuts are not always available. It is something that I really miss. 

Special thank you to Jo for remembering that this date is special to me.

Happy Heavenly Birthday Dennis......

December 16, 1945- June 21, 2017

Almost finished

 Can you believe that Christmas will be in 13 days?! We are probably ready here at H & P Homestead.. (Horton & Piccirilli) who knows though. December here in Arizona is mild and well compared to my hometown in Rhode Island, perfect . Anyway, The Homestead is not well these days. No, Alan and Lisa in Sick Bay #1 both have colds....I am perfectly content to stay in /apartment end of the place. I have just about everything I need here. I did have a couple of days that I started a cold but stuffed those cold capsules down and doing okay now. I have kept busy.

The Hexagon Quilt is almost...almost complete. It measures about 40 x 60. Now the edging needs to be done....

Not the best picture I know, but Murphy wanted to jump up on the bed to check it out. Do you see the blank muslin half hexie .... that is how the edges will be finished. I will start cutting the hexies today and see how far I can get. I am pleased with the look. 

There are so many storms around the USA. The one coming down the West coast is hitting Northern Arizona (not us here in the Valley) and then there are the ones blowing across the Midwest to the East coast....sending stay safe wishes to all. 

So happy you had some time to stop by. Thank you for the kind words and the encouragement. I am truly on the mend! Thank you for your friendship.