Sometimes.....

 Sometimes we just need a kick in the behind. Sometimes it just takes a caring note. Sometimes just someone asking if you are okay. That just happened just a few minutes ago. I checked my email and there it was. A note asking if I am okay..."checking on you because I care"...... why? I have not been blogging.  It actually brought me to tears to feel so loved by a  friend whom I have never met. Except through the blogging world. We are a caring group of people though. Vickie, thank you from the bottom of my heart. When I stopped doing cross stitch, I got lax with my blog. Do not know why..... I keep very busy making and creating daily. My interests have moved to hand stitching and quilting. No reason why I should not share that with the blogging world. 

Of course I still get in trouble. Just last the other day I burned my right index finger on my Clover iron...which was heated to 520 degrees!

Oh the pain!!!! The Brother Alan , the doctor, pierced it and let it drain and it felt better. Now the very dry area is starting to peal. I have tucked that iron back into the craft closet...way back in the closet!!!

I will post the projects that I have been working on in a few days...no, no..... not all at once, a few at a time.  I have been interested in Japanese needlework/ sewing, quilting and hand stitching in general. Right now I am working on an EPP patchwork Dog...actually 2 of them.

Thank you for stopping by today, thank you for your friendship.

Advent Calendar Blog Hop

 Today is December 17th and my turn to post for this year's Advent Blog Hop hosted by Jo  from           Serendipitouss Stitching. (Click the link to visit the other bloggers). The topic for us this year is "Your Favourite Christmas Book". ....Murder for Christmas

This book was published in 1982....not sure when I got it or from where, but it is a mystery book of stories written by 26 authors...short stories.  I can tell you that I have had it for many years. What is nice about this book is that some of the writers I had not read. The pages have yellowed but the stories remain interesting. "Murder for Christmas contains something for every taste--lying, cheating, shoplifting, stealing, spying, kidnapping, and murder---in short, everything to make the holidays bright."

The other request is to post something we have made for the holiday.

This cross stitch angel is titled Magic. It was from a Christmas craft magazine from years ago. Since I gave away all my magazines, I apologize for not knowing who or where she is from. It was the first time that I finished an ornament with ruching. I had the star charm with a rhinestone. Sorry for lack of info, but is someone knows anything about who or where, let me know.

These blog hops for many different occasions are so much fun. Jo does a great job of organizing them. This is her 10th year for the Advent Blog Hop. The only year I missed was the first one in 2011! Be sure to visit Serendipitouss Stitching and see all the other bloggers.

Look at this adorable bird made by lovely Vickie.... and the needle minder. Thank you my friend. The bird is on happy in the tree and the minder on my sewing table.

Murphy is already for Christmas...went to the groomer on Monday. When we picked him up Lisa and I were told there was a handling fee added.... he was a little difficult and his ear got scraped (not very obvious at all) but all was okay. He does not like his ears or feet touched! Maria does a superb job, even with him pulling away. See his red/green collar? Lisa picked it out for him to wear for Christmas. The bell jingles and we can hear him coming...most of the time. Such a handsome boy. Today he has yelled at all the birds that stopped by to bath in the fountain or drink. Very protective of his garden.

We have remained healthy here... I do hope you are all doing well. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind words. Thank you for your friendship.

Yesterday would have been Dennis' 75th birthday.... hope the angels had balloons for him.

The day after......

The Brother Alan and I had a wonderful relaxing couple of days. For him it was back to work today. Just me and Murphy here. A package just arrived from Dear friend LuLu

He is tearing the box apart. The little reindeer is his newest toy and he loves whipping it around to hear the bell inside jingle. Right now the box is a better toy.

Thank you Lu for the Ana Lee Santa who stands 16 inches high!

Thank you Vickie for the pieced quilted tree ornament 

Thank you sis Lynowl for the Crockpot

Thank you Glenda for the beautiful glass window ornament.

Thank you Debbie for this cute Hummingbird swing and the delicious chocolates that Alan and I are enjoying and.....

and this wonderful sounding Dragonfly chime that Alan is looking for a spot to hang it.

All of my gifts have been sent or given with just one waiting to go to it's person. A nice Christmas. It was  the first time in 15 years that Alan and I spent together  for Christmas. Although we had rain for 2 days, Murphy did not mind walking at all. He did have an issue with my carrying an umbrella.

Thank you for taking time to stop by. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

Fire Stick in bloom

Fiore Stick or Sticks on Fire plant is a succulent and when in bloom it is bright orange. I just found out it can be toxic.... the specimen I have is quite large and to contain it, it is in  large pot. I guess watching Murphy while outside to make sure he does not prune it is going to be a challenge.
Speaking of the little devil…. he has finally learned how to vocalize that he wants to go out and do some gardening.

He removed this hand shovel from the garden and thought he would take it inside...right! I did find one never used for him to garden with and he is delighted that he has it inside.

Put it in the basket...take it out. He keeps himself busy. There shall be toys strewn about forever. Like any little person he does prefer to play with a box of any size and any paper that he can shred.

I finally caught him on camera drinking out of the fountain. What a character Murphy is! He is just what I needed.
I just received a call from the quilt shop....the pattern I ordered is in and tomorrow I will run out to get it. I cannot wait to start this project. Obviously I will not be able to sit on the floor as I would to sort the fabric out.
The last of the Mr. Lincoln Roses has bloomed...

The color was deep and the fragrance wonderful.... and it opened fully. Does anyone else hate to toss out a rose when it is finished? I did save the first few... the petals. Dennis would love this.
I have baking to do this weekend. Lisa is feeling better.... but, Dianna's sister Debbie still needs your caring thoughts as does Dianna. It has been very stressful for her. Our blog friend Vickie could really use your special thoughts. Her furbaby Henry is not well. Hopefully the vet will be able to help. This is a hard time of year for many of us and when things go off kilter it becomes so difficult. I am wishing that all of you have a less stressful holiday. Let us keep one another in our thoughts. Since my mornings can be busy now, evening posts will do.
Glad you had some time to visit. Thank you for the kind words and for your friendship.