Are you ready.....

Mr H and I did a few last minute things yesterday....and then there were a few that did not get done. Oh well, the important ones were accomplished. I will be at work today from 11 to 3 PM...then home to make the lasagna...yes, I make the lasagna. He will make the shrimp for me and lobster for him. There are a few kitchen things that I do! He will be fixing a roast for Wednesday. 
I picked up one of my WIPs yesterday and think it will soon be finished. Went to Best Buy and one of the Geeks got my tablet in order. It only had to have the Kindle app uninstalled and then reinstalled....5 minutes and I am reading again.

Just look at this face!~ My dear friend Lu and hubby Stan have sent me an Ana Lee ornament for the 9 years that we have been here in Arizona. I love them all. This fella stands 6 inches tall. I have a special tree that they all occupy. I will group them together after the holidays and take a picture. The faces always bring a smile to mine. Of course then it brings me to think about these dear friends that I left behind...she and I sat side by side working for a long time. Friends....
Time to move on and get a fw things done before going out into the hectic world of Jo Ann's today. Take care in your travels today and behave so Santa will stop by your house. Do you follow him via Google? Have a wonderful day.

Busy Monday morning

Don't you hate it when these electronic things have a problem? Last week or so my tablet did an "update". No problem, so I thought. Last evening I wanted to read but Kindle would not open any books!  I guess a visit to Best Buy and the Geeks is in order today. I am seriously challenged with computers and things. I think it is that I don't want to make it worse so I do not try too much to fix it on my own. Laundry #2 is almost finished...I read the newspaper and I think I will venture into the sewing room to work on my list. I managed to get my room organized... a bit... last evening before Mr H and I watched Nightmare Before Christmas.... love that movie.... so today I think a list making is in order. Everything seems to have been haphazard with my projects. Oh I did accomplish lots over the last year, but there are a few starts that are still starts and few need to be completed things hanging around. Then there are a couple of UFO that are really ancient... problem is that I want to do too many things. Therefore, a list should might keep me organized.
So many wonderful friendships have started right here with my blog. I could list many names, but for now I will tell you about one ...Shirlee of The Easily Influenced Stitcher who is largely responsible for my learning to tat. She reads my blog so she knew I was not having the best of luck learning to tat. I got an email back in April with the name, address and phone number of someone less than a mile from my house. So, all the way from Kentucky I learn about a lady right in my own back yard. I sent Shirlee a tatted ornament as a thank you and Shirlee sent me...

threads and a new shuttle... she is such an encouraging friend. It was not a planned exchanged, just something two friends wanted to do.....just realized the tea pot lid is crooked... but the thread looks great. I find it wonderful that we encourage one another to do this or that. We encourage one anther to try and then we are right there with the kind words of praise. Friend know no distance or language. Hugs are felt and tears are shared as well as smiles and belly laughs. Fred Rogers said------
"The gifts we treasure most over the years are often small and simple. In easy times and in tough times, what seems to matter most is the way we show those nearest us that we've been listening to their needs, to their joys and to their challenges." In the blogging world, many of us are not so near, but rather far away.... but we certainly prove that time and distance do not matter in friendship.  Christmas Day is almost here. A new year will begin and so continues our friendships. I am so grateful to count you all as my friends. Have  a wonderful day my friends.

Somedays are like this

I think you know what I mean...we all have them. It may be just an off feeling, or could be because you are tired. Or it is a flash of a memory that slipped into your mind. Sometimes there is no reason but it is there. Today is going to be one of those days. It is not that I have no holiday spirit, I do. I loved sorting through my Christmas stuff and then carefully putting here there and on the trees. I have fun packaging and sending this and that and knowing that I have given pleasure somewhere. Love when something, even a card arrives in the mail. What it comes down to is that I can not put my finger on it and I do not like that one bit.  Maybe it is the feeling like I am not getting everything accomplished  that I want to.  We all know that feeling.
Last night was our Community Christmas Open House. Good turnout and nice to see some of the newer neighbors joining in. One of them even hosted. The night was lovely enough to have the doors kept open giving a feeling of really coming and going freely. Refreshments and conversation...what more can you ask for. Where did this year go? Unbelievable to me that the months, weeks and days flew so swiftly. I have started to set some goals for myself in the coming year. I do not make resolutions because they only get lost between here and there. No, just some plans and I think if I write them down, I may follow my thoughts. Are you making resolutions for the New Year?

Here is a picture......OK not the best, but me and the nighttime outdoors picture taking leaves something to think about....The house on the left is our place and on the right our dearest neighbors L & J. The sweetest couple there is. We decorate the common area and they are so appreciative of it. J has Alzheimer's and he so enjoys the lights. This year we hung a bird feeder so they can watch the birds and it warms our hearts that they, he, enjoys the bird antics so much. They are my Christmas spirit this year more than ever. When we first moved to this community, they took us out to dinner to welcome us. Through the years we have become  more connected than the wall between our attached homes.
Well my friends, time for that next cup of coffee and maybe some raisin toasted bread....thanks for visiting with me and for you friendship...hope you have a great day.

Arizona cold...

Brr, it is cold outside. I know, you are cold where you are, but this seems to be early cold for us here in The Valley of the Sun, Arizona. I have actually had to wear long pants and a sweater and socks....now that is cold for me. I have been too used to the warmth and mild winter temps. I do not, repeat, do not want to be cold. By now you have noticed the falling snow...I figure, if it is going to be cold I might as well have some snow that is not. Have you figured that you can control the way the snow falls? Where you place your curser is how the snow moves..left, right or center.....silly I know. At this time of the morning ... anyway....
I want to share the small tree we have in our bedroom...

It sits on a table and is all Annalee ornaments sent to me from our dear friends in RI Lu and Stan. I treasure each of them. I will try to take some close up shots and you will see how cute they are.  In the corner you can see one of my dolls. She is from Mexico...found her in a nice import shop in Cave Creek. My plans for yesterday went somewhere, but definetely not here at Horton House. Went to the luncheon and had a nice time, then off to do some errands then finally back home later in the afternoon, but not once did I pick up a needle or shuttle. Now I ask you, just how am I going to finish these last few ornaments? I have work today and then off tomorrow...tomorrow evening is my open house... I need just a few more hours in my day. Maybe I can get a few tats in or stitches.... after all, it is early... (quarter to three in the morning). Think a cup of coffee may help...happy to have you visit with me. Your kind words are so appreciated. Have a great day.

This past month Mr H updated our kitchen cabinets. The trim was wearing around the knobs, the knobs were ugly and here is what it looks like...

the top left is what it was and now what it looks like. A bit of sanding and a couple of coats of paint, and new knobs. The knobs are now silver finish and a little larger which makes gripping them easier. Much happier now. The color in the top right is more accurate. We added a new canister set and a pop of color. 
We finally worked on the outside Christmas lights. Will post pictures next time. But I did want to show you our living room tree...

I think I am finished fiddling with it, but then again there is always an adjustment here and there. The tree topper is a metal angel we bought probably 20 years ago. Of course my spider is there. Always need the Christmas spider.  The Santa ornament is a light bulb Mr H painted for me... ready?.... 20 years ago. He did a wonderful job on it. You can see a little of the outside lights...a reindeer.  I find it difficult to get good outside nighttime pictures but I will try. 
Today is our Sun Stitchers Christmas Luncheon.  Then I must do a few errands but I also need to get more ornaments finished. I am thinking that the other bead order should not arrive today or I will want to make another bracelet. Speaking of mail, my SSCS has not yet arrived at it's destination.... getting a bit concerned as I did get it onto
Santa's sleigh on time.  Must get these other packages to the Post Office today/tomorrow. Surprisingly, I had no Reindeer Food requests this year.  Well, dear friends, must have my coffee and get back to stitching on an ornament I started or should I work on the tatted one? 
I must end with a birthday wish for my mom...EvaP who is 87 today....
Thank you for your friendship and kind words and emails. Hope you all have a wonderful day.

An enjoyable day out

I do not know why, but this holiday season is really wearing me down and it is just beginning. On Sunday afternoon Mr H and I took a ride to the town of Fountain Hills on the East side of The Valley. We had not been there for some time and it was a beautiful comfortable day.
The main attraction is the fountain of course.... and the  wonderful sculptures. The fountain is the tallest in the world and rises 560 feet.... 3 times as high as Old Faithful. The Mountain range is the McDowell Mountains. In one picture you can see The Four Peaks and Rugged Red Rock in the other.

Then there is this sculpture of a cowboy and his horse. From his boot drips water as well and from the horses mouth. There are many other pieces of art but that is for another visit.
I never got to put up the outside lights, but the 3 trees are now decorated and look pretty nice. I probably will get to the lights today as I am off work. At the moment, it is very windy ... the chimes are banging the house instead of ringing. Mr H just went out to secure them. Now why did I not think to do that?
Finally, I will share another Christmas picture. In place of a full Creche, I have this ceramic piece that I just love.
Not sure where I bought it, but I have had it since moving out here. It can hold a votive candle, but I put in a "house" light.... it really looks lovely at night. Just a few odds and ends to set around now. I will share more of The Horton Christmas House later. Right now I think I will go and do some beading...or maybe a bit of tatting...no wait, I should work on that cross stitch ornament. Actually, I have been awake since 2 AM (now 5:30) and feeling a little lazy. A cup of tea and cat nap is what I need. How about you, what are you doing today. What ever you do, I hope you have a wonderful day. Thank you for visiting with me and for the kind words and emails. Welcome to a couple of new friends....

Ho Ho Ho... Hokey

Is it because I am getting old older more mature? I am once again this year finding myself in these very early morning hours watching Hallmark station movies. I even have already watched one from last year. They are so sweet, loving and so.....romantic at times. I have never enjoyed the violent type...still love the movies from "ago". I love watching British mysteries and all the Charlie Chan motives. A young lady told me that it is because I am getting older. Well, I can not change that. I found myself stopping my activity of cleaning up from last night to watch this mornings offering. Yesterday before I left for the Tatting meeting at the library...that is a story to tell... Mr H and I moved the table from the front window to the bedroom and the rocking chair into the living room so the living room tree could be set up. Following me so far? It literally took all of 5 minutes. Then it was off to the library to meet up with The Debra and Mary and Helen. Helen is Mary's sister...she is #11-- ( I think) and Mary is #12 in a very large family. She is visiting from Nebraska....so she joined us for a tatting lesson. I am so surprised that we did not get evicted from the library! Can you see the headlines...."Four Senior ladies evicted for too much laughter". And did we ever laugh. It was such a fun 2 hours....Our plans are to meet the first Sunday each month. Sadly, Helen will be leaving for home on the 15th but I have her email and will keep in touch with her. I must remember to get a picture of her with Mary. A delightful lady.
When I returned home, Mr H made dinner and then it was time to decorate the tree....of course it is never finished as we all know. I will add, Mr H will move ornaments, and it will continue until it returns to the garage on January 1st. Eventually I will be able to show you a picture. Thank you for the kind words on my Tatting Tree and the picture of Dennis and me. Today I will get the bedroom tree up. I would love to be doing it now...my best work is in these early morning hours, but Mr H is still asleep and I am positive it would not be appreciated to have lights on and lots of noise. I will once the sun rises, I will get a start on the outdoor lights. Then of course Mr H will move half of what I do.
I started this post an hour ago...yup, an hour ago. Blogger seems to be having issues, Photobucket seems to be having issues,  I think my internet is having issues.... or it could be that it is Cyber Monday and like last year, everyone is jamming the air waves...so I am going to have a cup of coffee and will post my pictures tomorrow. Until then, glad you had some time to visit with me and I do hope you have a good day.