2023 Advent blogging

Each December, Jo. organizes this yearly event and besides a theme/photo, she gives us a topic. 

My photo is of a felt tree that I made from a pattern by Donna Bayless. Loved every minute of making it! I have it in my room and it remains out all year. There are ornament of one kind or another and then I add a few specific Christmas ones for December.

            

The process was easy because Donna's instructions were easy to follow. This is the 24 inch size...she has more than one size to choose from.

The topic this year is Santa stories. Many years ago, Mr. Horton...My Denny.... decided he wanted to play Santa for the family. We bought the outfit from Sears. Christmas Eve was celebrated back then at my parents home. Dennis would make an excuse to leave the house...out the front door and in the basement door to dress.  Then he would make noise and HO HO his way back to the party. Once he gave a few gifts out he would depart by the front door. when he returned the kids all told of the visit. Then...it was bound to happen... my nephew Joseph told everyone that Santa wore a wedding ring like uncle Dennis. That did it...Santa never returned. It was also time for the question...how does Santa visit when there is no fireplace?   Yes, question by the same nephew! Of course my solution was to get a Santa Magic Key! 

                                                  

Be sure to visit the days before me and continue after. Jo asked if there was a date we preferred. Years back I asked for December 16th as it was Mr H's birthday. 

Happy heavenly birthday Denny. It has been 6 years without you....miss you .....my forever Santa.

Glad you visited. Thank you for your kind words and 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.

Snowflakes

The weekend is past..... a quiet weekend. The boxes were sorted, sort of. I merely moved some to one area and a few others to another. The Village boxes are ready to unpack and will be set up in a new place this year. That is what happens when furniture is rearranged and not available to use the same way. The table in my bedroom is ready for the small tree that will be placed there. The front porch area will need a furniture move for the tree that will be out there. And so it goes...I seem to always be moving things. The living room window has been washed in and out and the sheers are changed.

I now have a silver trimmed snowflake to go with the gold one. I think they look nice together and will hang on my beaded display for the holiday. My felt tree will have all the tatted snowflakes. The trees will need to be unpacked and vacuumed…. yes vacuumed to be sure no hitch hikers moved in during the summer spent in the garage. So this will be a busy week.
Are you ready for Thanksgiving? You do realize that it is this Thursday! This year I even have chestnuts which I really feel are a must. We always had chestnuts for Thanksgiving in our house. Dad would cut and roast them and then peal them for us. I love them fixed all ways even raw.
I really enjoy having you visit with me and now I am off to get those chores done … those house fairies still have not arrived to do the deeds. Thank you for taking the time to stop by and for your kind words. Thank you for your friendship.

Birthday cards..... if anyone has a card hanging around and would like to send it....Eva P's birthday is coming...December 9th.

A Tree is made

I loved making this tree. Thank to Donna Bayliss for creating this wonderful pattern. It is written for 8, 12, 18, 24 and 36 inch size. I used wool felt and made it in the 24 inch sixe. In the pot it measures about 29 inches. Fun to do but I did have to rest my hand from cutting the felt and gluing to the wire. For now it will hold my small tatting motifs. I know I will be making another one, smaller. So, that was my weekend fun. Oh did I mention....

they are back...in the same hanging planter and there are 2 eggs.....the Mourning Doves just love our yard. It is somewhat protected from the elements as it is under an overhang of the garage wall. Does get the morning sun, but unless it rains and is windy it stays dry. Well that about covers it. I am off to have a Kosher Dill pickle....and then to put some rice in the steamer for a stir fry. So glad to spend time with you. Thank you for the kind words and your friendship. Have a great rest of the day.

Catching up

It has been a busy week....I guess because I have not posted since Tuesday. Let's see, first I should tell you about February 8th which is Hari Kuyo, the Festival of Broken Needles in Japan. It is a time to pay tribute to your old and broken needles that have served you well through the year. Time to show respect for these tools and to pray for better skills in the upcoming year.

The tradition is to stick the needles into tofu which is believed to sooth the used needles and the points will do no harm. They are taken to the temple and the priest  offers a blessing and it is passed on to the users of the needles. It teaches us to think before being wasteful. As you can see I use a cotton ball and then I will wrap them gently abut well before disposing them. I do not take my needles for granted for with them I can create. There is no sewing on this day.
Have you been paying attention to the amazing moon?

I took this last evening at 7:08 PM surrounded by clouds but still so beautiful. I am always fascinated by a full moon, well, the entire sky and planets; Jupiter and Venus shine so brightly. Once the distraction was over I settled in for a DVD and tea. Earlier in the afternoon I began to prepare for my Felt Fir Tree. The pattern is available from Donna Bayliss' etsy shop.

The wire is cut, felt strips are cut and now being "fringed". This is going to take me some time...cutting the felt with a bad hand....but it will get done today so I can assemble this weekend. Mr H asked "why are you making this tree?" When I said because, he just looked at me. He was sweet enough to assist me as I cut the dowel. Really, I think he was afraid I would injure myself (knife accident recently) then he gave me his good wire cutter as mine is getting dull. So, that is that. It was great to see my friends at Jo Anns yesterday when I picked up the felt. Hugs are always good and LaTonya and Linda feel so good! Today will be on/off  cutting fringe and maybe a bit more tatting.

I just finished this Sun Catcher and soon it will be mailed to a dear cousin. I wanted to make a couple more but Jo Anns is out of the brass 3 inch rings. I may just order them on line. I woke with  slight headache so I think it is time for my coffee and to relax. I have been up since 3 and puttered around the sewing room. I always enjoy our visits. Thank you for your kind words and most of all for your friendship. Have a great day.