Must share my Secret Santa gift!

It was fun joining the SSCS this year.....My Santa was Tracey and  did she spoil me!

 Tucked inside this lovely bag was the fabric...

Look at this beautiful wasll hanging with pockets. Inside each is a gift card that are all designed/photographed by Tracey.

There was also a small tim holding more of Tracey's cards and a wonderful calender that she made....her photos are lovely and the candy bar Mr H already sampled...

 I love this addres book (needed to keep all my blog friends info in!) and a bag pattern. Can't wit to make it using the fabrics Tracey included

Last but not least is a thimble to add to my collection. I love adding to my colloection and now one from Australia! Thank you...thank you Tracey.
Can you stand another picture? Mr H and I do not exchange but he did get me a bag from my fav place Fossil

Love the print.....when folded it can fit into my larger handbag or can be carried alone.
Well, hope you enjoyed the too many pictures but that is what can happen when you do not post for a day or so. Tomorrow I will show you what else I am working on...until then, have a great day.
Thank you for sharing some time with me today.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all and hope all your packages were just what you wanted!

Are you ready?

Ho Ho Ho....Santa begins his journey today/tonight....are you ready?

I wish all my wonderful blog friends a very Merry Christmas. Don't forget to put the reindeer food out and leave something for Santa to snack on.

Don't forget to save some time for yourself...stitching of course.

Memories....

So many times I look at something I have or read a page/card/letter, or hear a song and think of someone or a time gone by. That happened to me yesterday. Mr H and I were getting ready to go out for awhile and I reached in to pick out a Christmas pin to wear on my sweater.

This lovely pin was given to me maybe 15 years ago. I wear it every year for the holiday. It was given to me by Joan...... Joan is my SIL Colleen's mom. A sweet lady with a lovely smile. She probably would not remember me now, but I shall always remember her when I wear this pin.




Today's mail brought 2... yes 2 gifts! Once again my sis Lynowl sent me a gift certificate for Nordic Needle....What shall I buy... I love gift certificates. The other package is from my sidekick Lu back in RI. We worked together side by side for 5 years....

Annalee Santa!

It is already hanging on the tree along with the several others she has sent me.

Mr H and I had a wonderful day shopping in Glendale yesterday. We even had lunch at La Piazza Al Forno...delicious Margherita pizza. The weather was nice... no rain, so walking around was nice. The first time in 6 months that we were able to have such a day. They can only continue now.

Well, i am off to a doll making group...so I must run. So glad you had time to visit with me....enjoy your day.



The Bluebird of Happiness

It rained all day yesterday..... that is not a bad thing, but when you have things to do outdoors it can be annoying. We did go to the doctor and got a great report. Next visit back to him in January! Mr H is finally on the recovery with no further procedures. My toes are trying to relax but it has been a long 6 months.

On that good news....

Yes there is a Bluebird of Happiness my friends. There is also the start of more landscaping. More lettering also. So the rain did not hamper everything.... just my shopping trip to Glendale. That is on schedule for today... rain or not.

My Santa key is hung on the front door..... I know it is still 11 days away, but I do not want to be  last minute and risk forgetting. When there is no fireplace and chimney.....

How does Santa get into your house?  I have been hanging this key for many years.... maybe 20 or so and though there are no children here or likely to be be visiting for the holiday, why break tradition now!

Well, my friends, I really need something to eat... Southwest Hash Browns sounds about right. And yes, it is something I can make for  myself. I must say, it is good to have my personal chef back! Thank you for stopping by and oh yes, by all means you can un-cross your toes. All the  good wishes and thoughts certainly did the help. Have a great day.

I got sidetracked

Some days I am so lost! I start one thing then see another and off I go. Basically I am a very organized person... but this year I had 2 Christmas card lists..... and misplaced one of them only to ask for someone to send me their address and then find the list. Oh well.

Here is what I have been up to....

I just finished this bracelet this morning.....

 this was fun and I would like to make a few more... I used what beads I had on hand. No, the model for the closed bracelet picture is not my wrist...  it is paper mache.

Then ...

I love the fabric for the backing.

Would you like to see my Snowmen...

The ornament in the back on the display stand...my longtime friend Joan gave that to me some years ago. It was made by a local crafts person back in Rhode Island. All of the grass used inside is from RI... I keep it out all year long as a memory of my home state.
This  fellow is out all year too....

My co-worker Arlene made these for us...

 

 

just so creative!

Just so you know, I did not really forget about Lavender's Blue

A tree grew! I should must stitch more on this.

We are having a drizzle day here in Arizona. The birds are loving it and so are my plants. My plans for the day you ask ? A cup of hot chocolate and stitching. Mr H ... my toes hurt from still being crossed.... is doing so well. Still with pain/discomfort, but I think the worst is over. Thank you all for the kind words and your prayers. I truly feel lucky to have such great blog friends. I am so pleased you took the time to visit with me.

There is a great give away from Parsley...be sure to check it out.
Enjoy your day.

Mail delivery!

I got mail! Actually it arrived Monday afternoon but I am just getting around to posting.

Yesterday was Mr H's surgery. The doctor actually did 2 procedures so we are up to 5 since September. He is feeling fair today and I can only hope it will continue. I took some small stitching with me knowing it would be  several hours, only to find that I forgot to put my tin with supplies...like the needle! So, no stitching yesterday just pacing.
Anyway.... on to fun stuff. This is my package from The Secret Santa Exchange. My Santa is......Tracey...

I only get to open a specific package now and the others on Christmas....I love the wall hanging witch is already hanging and the ornaments are on the tree.

Then the other package was from PattyC........

Look at the cute snowman and the tree of words...... Patty and Heather exchanged ornaments with me this year and I received such lovely one back.

All my exchanges have been received...so I can show you what I sent.
To Secret Santa I sent to Lynda.....she could only open the ornament....

She guessed it might be me... well, the give away was the Arizona postmarks!

To PattyC....

To Heather...

And Secret Pen Pal Lynda

I plan to keep sending written letters monthly.

I finished the Santa earrings.....

I put a quarter to show you the size of them. This was my first attempt at this type of stitching... not too bad. I think I will make a few to give away. 

Well, I need lunch...and will try to get Mr H to eat something. Thank you all for your kind words and for stopping by to spend some time with me. Have a great day.  

added: a wonderful give away at Victorian Motto Sampler

Glad it is Monday

What you say...glad it is Monday? Yes!! I was called out on Saturday........ so........ I thought (should not think sometimes) why not get the Christmas decorations sorted. Well one thing led to another and I spent the day not sorting but putting....would you like to see?

The Living Room Tree



The Bedroom Tree

My Ziz Tree in the kitchen



"The Little Village"

Oops.......a broken ornament

A package arrived Saturday!

It is from Heather..... we exchanged we decided to exchange an ornament....but there are 2 packages?!

I love the beads...so pretty

And this

I love the Just Nan projects...look at the beautiful pink linen.

Thank you so much Heather.....the ornie is already on the big tree.

Look who is sitting by the fireplace waiting for Santa...

The Grinch his self! with Santa's hat. I guess he does not know that Santa is on the other end of the fireplace

Oh and did I mention that I took a bead class on Sunday morning? Well, I wanted to learn to do the Peyote Stitch..

had to go with the bead selection they gave me...but I like it. And because of this class, I was able to accomplish this

I love it! It is from the current book Cross Stitch & Bead Weaving. It is half of a pair for earrings....hope to get it finished later today.

I think that covers it all...... thanks for spending time with me this morning. Tomorrow is surgery day for Mr H..... so I will say thank you for all the caring thoughts......have a nice day.