Ready for Christmas

Hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving. I began to open those boxes on Thursday late day. I never start this early but I really "need a little Christmas"..... music playing as I made a mess. I began with The Village...

For the first time it is in the kitchen...on the sideboard and it fits perfectly.

The Sweet Shoppe in the front is filled with my chocolates this year; and the Knit Shop in the back.

The center of my village is always the large lite tree. Dennis bought me this tree about 30 years ago and it still had the original lights. There was a nice store in Massachusetts that had wonderful Christmas décor...not sure if it is still there...I do not even remember the name. The Gazebo sits in the foreground and inside has Santa and a photographer. Just in front of the tree is the couple on the bench....me and Denny sharing a kiss. Once while visiting New York at Christmastime we did just that...shared a kiss by the Rockefeller Center Tree.

Moving to the right is the Nursery…. The glass roof lets you peek inside to the plants on the table.

Last year's addition, The Barn. I love that it lights up. I was able to collect some animals to complete it. I finally found my bags of snow so that has since been added there and everywhere.
The dining table was next....

I spread out some Battenberg doilies and then added some shine with my Glass Bauble for the center. I know...you are asking where I will eat my meals....there is plenty of room for me at the front of the display.
I will share more Christmas tomorrow...do not want to bore you all in one day! But I will leave you with my kitchen work cart

My Peppermint Tea Pot and kitchen Santa candle burner (from my niece Tonya) and fresh picked lemons...nothing like picking them yourself.
Glad you stopped to visit with me. Thank you for your kind words and holiday wishes. Thank you for your friendship.....

Chocolates from Rhode Island

I was quite productive yesterday. I set up my village.... but of course it is not really finished. One of the boxes has the "snow" and I think I may get to it today. The unpacked boxes are already in the new shelf storage area and fit nicely. As I do not have to get the house ready for company for Thanksgiving dinner, I can continue at my own pace to unpack. My stitched Santa moved to the living room and will greet anyone who enters at the front door. The felt tree also moved into the living room on Papa's smoking stand and has all tatted snowflakes and a set of star lights. Just a few more days before more decorations are brought out.

Look at this festive Autumn package. I was so curious when the postman handed it to me. The return address was from Rhode Island..... finally I opened it and this appeared. The package is from dear Debbie from Canada sent the package. I was surprised as Canada is having postal difficulties and strikes and she has told me to hold off my mailing to her as this problem is really holding up deliveries. Of course I just had to open it...

chocolates! and look, one is the shape of Rhode Island. They have been in business around 22 years and I have never had them. Thank you again Debbie for this wonderful treat in time for Thanksgiving day. I am hoping that the Canadian postal problems get fixed real soon...my packages for you sit here!
I am dealing with a headache of my own causing so I will take it easier today so it will not bloom into a full migraine. Just finishing my first cup of coffee and then I will attack the chores. Nice to chat with you today. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

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.

Yard stick electrician

The end of the week already. Days are disappearing. Each year I subscribe to Jacquie Lawson's Advent Calendar. Denny and I would click on the ornament for the day together each evening after dinner. It was strange sitting here at the computer clicking it myself. Just another one of those days. I did get the village down and on display....

 When I rearranged the living room area I also lost the usual table for the display. It was just a few adjustments but it looks just fine. It is a small village but one that each item meant something to us through the years. Once, a long time ago we had a larger set up but that changed when we moved here.

There are only 3 buildings....in front is the Knit Shop...for me and in the back is the Sweet Shoppe for us. Various people just because.  The tree in the center is one of the oldest pieces, about 30 years old and standing about 14 inches. The lights on it are the original and still all working.

This building in the back is the nursery .. of course for Denny. We each had our favorite pieces so there are wonderful memories of each item. Of course once the snow was added to the scene it was everywhere and the Bissell handled it for me.
Don re-set the irrigation for me yesterday and showed me how to change it when I am ready the next time. Remember the kitchen light issue...

This neon yard stick was used by me, myself and I several times to strike the light box which cause the light to come on. Who knew? So far I have had to whack it a few times but it is working. Eventually I will have to climb up and check it out. My expert opinion is that it is a loose connection up there.
Thank you for the emails regarding my doctor appointment. It was because a week ago Sunday , in the wee morning hours I woke with terrible pain in my calf area. By days end it was swollen and the veins looked like they would pop. On Monday I had a bruise along the side of the knee and it was painful to walk. Glenda thought I should phone the surgeon on Wednesday so I did. The gal who answered the phone did not think it was necessary that I should be seen as the insurance would not cover it. After I firmly insisted to be seen she gave me an appointment for this past Thursday. When I was seen by the doctor I told him about that and he was not too pleased. He assured me that I should have been seen that day or as soon as possible as I could have had a blood clot. I did say I mentioned that to that gal who told me she did not think so! He ordered an Ultra sound right then and there. As it turns out I have Superficial Thrombophlebitis...." an inflammatory condition of the veins due to a blood clot just below the surface of the skin".  As it turns out, I did rest the leg up and applied ice and took care not to rub it at all...all the right things....but it could have been more serious is what the doctor told me. Not to worry, I am doing okay. It is painful and still swollen and black and blue even after a week of doing the right thing. So, let's not tell him that I did lift a large plant to move it, and did climb the step ladder and ... and... I am now following orders of rest and ice and Naproxen as needed. Today is my day off!
Plans are to do only the essentials and do some crafting....found an adorable ornament to make and what else I find in the craft bin to work on.  Thank you for your kind words and emails and caring friendship. Let's have a restful weekend.

Officially count down for Christmas

Today is the last day of November so it is my official start to the Christmas festivities. This is the first year that I started to pull out the decorations before December 1st. It all started with my wanting to change The Village location and my need for the piece of wood. Once that was ready it seemed as good a time as any to bring out The Village. After that, well it just happened. I think there is not much left of our tour....

The Village Tree.....it stands about 14 inches high and has it's own lights. I always gave it center stage until the gazeebo arrived then it became the backdrop for that. Certainly makes it feel like a real town square. Even in the daytime it looks special. So far it has been lite up for about 20 years. I would have it re-wired when the lights fail.  I thought showing The Village all lite would be nice, but someone suggested that I also show it in daylight. So,

here it is .
I do not want to bore you with The Village, but I also took pictures of individual areas so that I can compare next year for set-up. It spans 36 inches across and 18 deep with the little 2 inch rise in the back. Who knows, next year maybe Mr H will make me a small board to raise the Garden Shop up a notch!

Here is a day picture of the items on the mantle.
Each day more of the decorations start to appear. Later today I may even get the tree in the kitchen set up. I enjoy taking my time getting it all out of the boxes and each item has it's own story for me. The violin for example. There was a great store in our area  (back in Rhode Island)  and they were closing and selling everything at fantastic prices. I sked the manager if he would sell me this violin from their display and I got it for $5.00. I replaced the ribbon and voila. That about covers decorations .....at least for now.  My special stitchery is coming along and one of my ideas just may work out. We are still in a winter temp but I am still not into wearing socks yet! I Time to get organized for the day....hope your day is great. Thank you for your friendship and kind words my dear friends.

Change in plans

First I should admit that I wrote down the wrong appointment time for Mr H and the doctors office called looking for us. Luckily the office is 5 minutes away so off we went. I got myself settled in the comfy rocking recliner to stitch and then out came Mr H from the treatment room...no injection on this day, he will wait about a week or so. So home we came. today in the next tour of The Village ...

This is Mr H's place, the Garden Shop. I love the greenhouse....there are plants and such inside. It always is on the right hand side of the set-up. This year with the 2 inch rise in the back, it has a nice look. I wanted to add a few small bushes to the front....still time to do so. In the center of the village is the gazeebo....

I took this with the flash so you could see Santa nd the photographer better. On the right is what I call the Mayor giving directions! It is my story so I can tell it my way, yes? When we were still in RI I had a huge set up.....a boat house with "water" and fisherman, a large church and a few other buildings. Knowing we were going to be in an apartment complex (limited storage), and not knowing we would later buy a home, I did not take those as well as many other things. A couple of years ago we did add the Sweet Shoppe

Of course I have close to my knit shop for that quick snack! The sign on the left says fudge....but my potato fudge is much better. that is the baker in the open front of the Shoppe. Although the buildings are always in the same spot, the surrounding trees and people move a little. I also add some rocks that appear to be boulders here and there. I took them from our property back in RI to have a bit of that home with me. I enjoy having my village. We are still in a cool temp and guess this is really winter now. I am still barefoot in the house and my pants are "cargo" type, cropped below the knee but not to the ankle! That will not happen until January. Well my friends, I really need to get back to my special project if it is to get to RI before Christmas. Thank you for your friendship and kind words. Have a great day.

I won't be barefoot today!

Oh my goodness.....winter  seems to be here in The Valley of the Sun! It is down right nippy out there.The temp is only 42 and will maybe get to 60 today...and it is cloudy. We had a good rain last night and may have more today. I probably should find my sweater to wear out today. We have to go out later as Mr H has an appointment for injections in his back this afternoon. This definitely is a pot of tea and stitching day comfy in my chair and I can not believe I am saying this, I may wear socks! Oh dear......speaking of stitching, I am beginning a special gift for someone for her daughter....can no say more as I am not sure if they read my blog. Yesterday I set up the mantel for Christmas...not sure if it will remain as it is, but for now...

I probably should take a day time picture but here it is.

The lovely Cardinal is in the cage on a branch that Mr H went outside to cut for me. I set it in a wreath with lights and also have lights under the lace cloth for added reflection. The right corner has a Princess House glass cheese dish that is filled with very small ornaments and snow and the violin is a gold finish with sheet music attached. The ceramic figures of Joseph, Mary and Jesus are to hold a candle in the back but as I rarely light real candles, I put an extra "house" light inside and it lights up so very nice.  I think I am happy with it. On to the village: we are down to just a few more pictures.....

This is the Knit Shoppe...my place!

There is a mail box and a postman to the right of the store.

Inside, there is a sewing machine and some fabric and yarn. I  envision that I live above the Shoppe making it easy to get to work everyday in the snow! Oh I do have an imagination....   It just seems so cozy and inviting. I always set it up on the left side of the scene...and have the lady leaving on the steps. She is my best customer; she shops here every year!
Hope you are enjoying the tour of my village....thank you for your friendship and kind words.....another shop tomorrow. Have a good day.

The turtle box

Not too long ago, I posted about a project that I could not show....well it arrived so I can show you. But first, about the young lady who received it. Her name is Tonya and she is my niece. She is the one person who is responsible for my meeting and falling instantly in love with my Mr H, Dennis! That would be another story..... anyway, Tonya saw my bee box and mentioned she would love me to make her something and she loves turtles...

using some felt and the DMC sew able cork, I made this guy. He is sitting on gravel and inside

is a little clay turtle whistle and a note about the meaning of turtles in Indian folklore. There is also a turtle charm. Now, in a surprise move, this holiday weekend, Tonya got married! She and Tony have been dating for some time.

This picture was taken a time ago, but she never ages! Tonya is and always will be a special person in my life....I will take pictures from her baby time and growing up time and look at them with loving memories. Recalling the time with love in my heart. I hope she will always think of me in that way. This is how she announced her surprise to all...

Look at the happiness that beams from her....I am proud of the lady she is and feel so happy that she is happy in love. I wish I could just grab her and squeeze her.
This post today was going to be about the Village...so maybe I will get to it.
I keep finagling with it....there is "snow " and glitter constantly on the rug. You know it will never be just right. Since we are on the subject of love, and not to sound mushy.......here is a piece that I call The Graz and Denny

Sitting on a park bench in a snuggle! My favorite piece in the village.  Last year I added the street corner lamp post...

It is just at the far right of the village. There is a horse draw wagon to the right of it with a tree in the back and children playing in the snow in front of it. I have just a couple more to share but it will have to be next post. So happy to have you visit and hear about my Tonya! *****she will always be my Tonya ***** Thank you for your friendship and kind words...Have a wonderful day.

Getting ready for Christmas

The Village is ready...well, I still want to pick up a couple of things to add....

In the past I set it up on the mantle...limited space there. This year Mr H cut me a piece of wood to extend front and sides of a table we have in the living room.  Now it has room to spread. I will not bore you with too many pictures today of it, just a couple and then with the next few posts I will continue...okay?

Santa is hung above the table. A bit of greenery above and I like the look. The dish-racks are there all the time . I hope to find Christmas dishes to change for the holiday. 

The last for today, looking from one of the left corner spot...The back of the display is raised about 2 inches to give a dimension to the village. I finally mounted the Punch Needle piece onto a piece of wood

This is a design from Yvonne Buus called Mistletoe. I had the words "Moments to Treasure" from scrapbooking and they describe my thoughts. They appear very light in this picture but they show up in person better...but still they are subtle. Mr H and I no longer walk in the cold winter snow, but we still walk holding hands. Just in time fro winter....although it will remain up all the time. First I need to find a place to display it.  We had a lovely quiet Thanksgiving dinner, listened to smooth jazz during dinner, watched some football and just relaxed. I do not participate in Black Friday shopping, never have. The week before Christmas a couple of years ago while checking out Best Buy Black Friday items before the day, a sales person told us the prices were already set and we bought the TV for the big sale price the week of! No crowds.  I know some of you just enjoy the hustle of it all and do get some great deals. Today you will not find me at any of the big stores. As a matter of fact, I hope to remain home and stitch. Well, that is about it for today. Stop by tomorrow for village tour #2. Always a pleasure to visit with you.Thank you for your friendship and kind words, have a great day.

A village....

Another week that flew past my windows. Why is it that when you want time to get a move on, it seems to stand still? I have just 2 more packages to get in the mail and only one is ready. Stopped for take out last night so Mr H would not have to cook for us....and the sweet guy that he is had my Conair foot bath ready with the wonderful Eucalyptus foot salts just waiting for the hot water....glorious 15 minutes to revive my tired feet. All my family and friends on the East

Coast are preparing for snow and cold...I love the beauty of fresh silent falling snow but I am happy to stay right here in sunny Arizona. How about my village with it's picture of falling snow... this is the only snow I have now. Take a stroll with me.  I set my village atop the fireplace. It is a much smaller one than in years ago. There is the sweet shop to satisfy our enjoyment of pastries. And Santa and children having a picture taken in the gazebo. Free tress from the garden shop. Two sweethearts sharing a kiss in front of the knit shop. I have  little kennel in the back that I did not want to light this year.... this is our first year without a fur-baby...Zoe joined our Sherlock Over Rainbow Bridge last December. You can just see a bit of it...the large tree that is always in the center of it all. I will take another picture so you can see how lovely it is. We found it almost 20 years ago in a wonderful Christmas shop and all the tiny lights still work after all these years.
I received a nice gift yesterday...microwave bowl set. So many ladies were buying fabric to make these and now I won't have to make them. Definitely will be safer than trying to use pot holders when removing something hot from the micro. Guess that will be it for today. I am of course working today. Then a much needed 2 days off. So glad you had some time to spend with me today. I must say thank you for the kind words and for your  friendship. Have a great day.