After Christmas

Although we had a very relaxed holiday I have been so tired! There is no reason, just tired....

My Santa Dennis deserved this cat nap after cooking a wonderful dinner. Considering all that has happened this month, he is doing very well.  I thought the hat suited him well. I am looking forward to a left over dinner with the roast we enjoyed......don't you love the left overs after a good meal? I received some wonderful exchanges and a surprise gift....
First exchange was with Cindy

lovely pin pillow and a Mill Hill Santa kit...along with PS Santa and LHN pattern. Thank you Cindy for my goodies. Then there was from Sherry

I love that she found an Ana Lee Santa...and the ornament was made with her grandchildren while visiting at Thanksgiving...the pin cushion is beautiful...thank you Mdm Samm for hosting this exchange. If you haven't visited her blog, please do...you will love it.
Then a surprise gift from Lynda Ruth

Look at the lovely handmade parasol....it will look lovely on my tree...and a marshmallow snowman....yum Love the Santa pattern. Thank you Lynda for thinking of me. Lynda has been participating in our year long card exchange.  Once again my dear sweet Lu sent me

an Ana Lee ...look at his face then go back and look at the face of the snowman from Sherry...exact! Lu (she visits my blog) this guy will be with me all year long in the sewing bookcase...and I will think of you and Stan....I do anyway!
I guess that covers it all....hard to believe the year is almost  to the end....In some ways I will be very happy to see it off. Mr H and I are looking forward to the new year putting this latest medical "to do" behind us. Glad you visited to see my gifts....thank you for the kind words and of course your friendship. Have a great day.

Tree is decorated

Seems funny to have a small tree in the living room.....

This is the tree we bought when we first moved here to Arizona. That first year we were in an apartment so a small tree was best. It sits atop a table giving it height. This year with Mr H needing to be able to get around safely I thought this would be better than the full and tall tree. So, I chose specific ornaments to display since I was not going to unpack the large box to find ornaments. This year one of the new ones is the Southwest Canyon Santa, had to include one of the Mexican senoritas, and an origami star and for added sparkle the beaded pillow. My tree is not complete unless the Christmas Spider is included. A couple of years ago I made and sent out as gifts several spiders. Several days ago while visiting with blogger Heather I spotted one of the spiders I had sent out in her tree....it brought a smile to my face. That year I also sent Heather's little man some reindeer food. the offer for Reindeer Food is open this year for any child...if you would like a packet sent, email me the name and age as well as the mailing address and I will happily send some. I would like to say thank you for all the good wishes for Mr H who is doing splendidly. His therapy went well yesterday and he is starting to go outside to walk. I might add no more walker and he really does not need the cane. There was a special package in the mail yesterday. I received my exchange from Sherry. It will wait till Christmas to be opened. Hopefully my package to her will arrive soon. Well my friends, that about does it for today. So glad we had some time to chat....thank you for your friendship and kind words. Have a wonderful day.

Exchanges here and there

As busy as the Christmas season is, every year I join exchanges. My SSCS has arrived at it's destination.... here is the ornament that I sent along with a gift that will be opened on Christmas day...

Fiona peeked to see who sent it...so I can show it to you. Then My package arrived from my SSCS and I did not peek at who sent it so I can not tell you that yet...

I do know that the red felt bag contains candy bars! Also yesterday the mail brought my RR from Kim...

A lovely stitched rose and pretty fabric and pink floss..... but///she also included a beautiful item that I admired from her blog! A needlepoint bag backed with wine colored velveteen. I am honored to have it.
Glad to have today off. I have not put an x to fabric for days...have pulled out a couple of sewing projects I would like to do. My hand is sore, but the cut is healing over thanks to lots of Neosporin. I think I am getting used to this new knee brace.... all in all I am doing fine.
It is always a pleasure to have you stop by for a visit.... thank you for the kind words and your friendship.... hope you have wonderful day.
PS...the Verification thing is gone! and I fixed it with the help of Kathy ...so if you need to get rid of the verification, stop by and learn how.

Mail x 2

My PT session was not too bad yesterday. One of the exercises I was unable to do last week I did this week. as well as a few new added steps. Today is injection day. I am not looking forward to this at all. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday----torture days. Before you ask, I only feel slightly better. But, I am giving this the "old Girl Scout try"; that is to say, I will do this in hopes of not needing surgery. The reality is that this does not repair the tear or spur . Now before you ask, yes, I was a Girl Scout!
Yesterday's mail brought me....

My Christmas Ornament Exchange from Angela in Singapore..... isn't it cute. Bells and a snowflake charm. It will look so nice on my tree. Along with the exchange, Angela sent me a RAK. We both belong to the group, and this is what she sent....



lovely fabric, pretty trim and buttons and charms....It is a pleasure visiting your blog, Pretty Little Things in a Box. Angela is very talented. Stop by and see for yourself.
I must get to the Post Office to get a couple of packages out this week. I am going to try to get a few of my going back East packages out early too. They just need to be gift wrapped. My friends Lu and Stan already have been decorating. The temps there today will be around 43...cold! I do not miss that at all, at all! We are still in the 70's and I love it. The other day while Mr H and I were in the yard, this fella came to visit

 He is a Costa's Hummingbird. Just look at the vibrant purple... and he is sitting in the shade! What a sweet little guy. He is not afraid to hover close to us or sit and let us approach. This is a tree on the opposite side of the yard where our resident hummer sits. Each of these 2 trees has a feeder to keep everyone happy. I have a couple of hours before the needle..... so I think I will settle down with my cup of coffee and think about the finishes I will do later. Thank you for visiting with me and your kind words. Hope your day is grand.